Abstract:
The present application discloses a substrate processing apparatus having a pair of pressed together supply rolls for applying pressure to perform the processing operation. The present application also discloses a method for processing a substrate wherein a pair of supply rolls are pressed together.

Description:
[0001]    The present application is a division of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/966,012, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/236,750, the entirety of which is incorporated into the present application by reference. 
     
    
     
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The present invention relates to a substrate processing apparatus for performing a processing operation on a selected substrate. More specifically, the present invention relates to a substrate processing apparatus that has a pair of pressed together supply rolls for applying pressure to perform the processing operation.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    In conventional master processing apparatuses, such as the ones shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,580,417 and 5,582,962, a pair of nip rollers are used to apply the pressure required to perform a master processing operation. More specifically, the devices disclosed in these prior art patents are designed to apply pressure with their nip rollers to adhere pressure-sensitive adhesive from one or both of the supply materials to the selected substrate being processed. The processing operations disclosed in these patents may include an adhesive transfer operation wherein the adhesive is transferred to only one side of the selected substrate to create a label or sticker; a laminating operation wherein each supply material has a layer of adhesive and the supply materials are adhered to both sides of selected substrate; or a combination laminating/adhesive transfer operation wherein one of the supply materials is adhesively bonded to one side of the selected substrate and the adhesive on the other supply material is transferred to the other side of the selected substrate.  
           [0004]    The use of nip rollers in the types of devices shown in these prior art patents is well-known for applying the requisite pressure to bond the pressure-sensitive adhesive on one or both of the supply materials to the substrate being processed. However, the nip rollers represent a significant amount of both the cost and weight of the device. Further, the nip rollers add to the overall size and manufacturing complexity of the device. The nip rollers must be pressed together with the correct amount of force and also must be properly aligned to ensure a smooth, efficient processing operation.  
           [0005]    While the types of devices shown in the &#39;417 and &#39;962 patents are quite suitable for their intended purposes, the costs associated with their manufacture can make their purchase undesirable for casual users who do not frequently use these devices to perform processing operations. To meet the needs of the casual user, it would be desirable to reduce some of the component and manufacturing costs associated with these conventional designs.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0006]    To meet the need described above, one aspect of the present invention provides a substrate processing apparatus for processing a selected substrate. The apparatus comprises a frame and a first supply roll rotatably mounted to the frame, the first supply roll comprising a first supply substrate having a first surface and a second surface. The first supply substrate is wound about the first supply roll such that the first surface thereof faces radially outward with respect to the first supply roll. A second supply roll is rotatably mounted to the frame. The second supply roll comprises a second supply substrate having a first surface and a second surface, the second supply substrate being wound about the second supply roll such that the first surface thereof faces radially outward with respect to the second supply roll. The first and second supply rolls are relatively movable toward one another to engage the first surfaces of the first and second supply substrates with one another.  
           [0007]    At least the first surface of the first supply substrate has a layer of pressure-sensitive adhesive disposed thereon. The first surface of the second supply substrate may also have a layer of adhesive disposed thereon, depending on the type of processing operation to be performed. The apparatus of the invention may be configured for the processing operation to be a laminating operation as the processing operation, wherein the first supply substrate and the second supply substrate are both transparent laminating films and wherein the first surface of the second supply substrate also has a layer of adhesive disposed thereon. The apparatus may also be configured for the processing operation to be an adhesive transfer operation wherein the first supply substrate is a release liner and wherein the second supply substrate is a mask substrate devoid of adhesive. The mask substrate will cover any excess portions of the adhesive on the release liner exposed around a periphery of the selected substrate during the processing operation. Additionally, the apparatus according to the invention may be configured for the processing operation to be a combination laminating/adhesive transfer operation as wherein the first supply substrate is a release liner and wherein the second supply substrate is a transparent laminating film having a layer of adhesive disposed on the first surface thereof. Furthermore, the apparatus of the invention may be configured for the processing operation to be a magnet making operation wherein the first supply substrate is a flexible magnet substrate and wherein the second supply substrate is a mask substrate devoid of adhesive while wound on the second supply roll. As in the adhesive transfer operation, the mask substrate will cover any excess portions of the adhesive on the release liner exposed around a periphery of the selected substrate during the processing operation. It is to be understood that these specific types of processing operations are intended to be illustrative and non-limiting. The invention is intended to encompass any and all types of processing operations wherein adhesive bonding is affected between some or all of the substrates being processed.  
           [0008]    The apparatus of the invention further comprises biasing structure biasing the first and second supply rolls towards one another such that the first surfaces of the first and second supply substrates are pressed into engagement with one another to enable performance of a processing operation wherein (a) the selected substrate is advanced in a feeding direction between the first and second supply rolls so that the pressed engagement of the supply rolls presses the first surfaces of the first and second supply substrates against opposing sides of the selected substrate so as to affect adhesive bonding between the substrates, and (b) the portions of the first and second supply substrates pressed against the selected substrate are unwound from the first and second supply rolls and advanced together with the selected substrate. The biasing structure continues to bias the first and second supply rolls towards one another as the first and second supply substrates are depleted from the supply rolls thereby maintain the pressed engagement of the supply rolls.  
           [0009]    By using the supply rolls themselves to press the supply substrates against the selected substrate to affect adhesive bonding, the component and manufacturing costs associated with nip rollers are eliminated, thereby reducing the overall cost of the apparatus. Also, the weight and overall size of the processing apparatus may be reduced, if desired, by the elimination of the nip rollers.  
           [0010]    Another aspect of the present invention provides a method for processing a selected substrate. The method comprises: providing a rotatable first supply roll and providing a rotatable second supply roll. The first supply roll comprises a first supply substrate having a first surface and a second surface. The first surface has a layer of pressure-sensitive adhesive disposed thereon and the first supply substrate is wound about the first supply roll such that the first surface thereof and the adhesive layer face radially outward with respect to the first supply roll. The second supply roll comprises a second supply substrate having a first surface and a second surface. The second supply substrate is wound about the second supply roll such that the first surface thereof faces radially outward with respect to the second supply roll.  
           [0011]    The method further comprises pressing the first and second supply rolls together such that the first surfaces of the first and second supply substrates are pressed into engagement with one another. While the first and second supply rolls are pressed together, the selected substrate is advanced between the supply rolls so that (a) the pressed engagement of the supply rolls presses the first surfaces against the first and second supply substrates against the opposite sides of the selected substrate so as to cause said adhesive to bond to the selected substrate and (b) the portion of the first and second supply substrates pressed against the selected substrate and advanced together with the selected substrate.  
           [0012]    Other objects, features, and advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]    [0013]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a substrate processing apparatus constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 2 is an elevated view of the substrate processing apparatus of FIG. 1 taken from the discharge side thereof;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line  3 - 3  in FIG. 2;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line  4 - 4  in FIG. 3;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a substrate processing apparatus constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention; and  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line  6 - 6  in FIG. 5. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0019]    [0019]FIG. 1 shows a substrate processing apparatus, generally indicated at  10 , for performing a processing operation on a selected substrate  12 . The selected substrate  12  may be any type of substrate desired to be processed, including but not limited to photographs, business cards, label stock, price tags, magazine cut-outs, name tags, etc. The apparatus  10  may be of any suitable size. The apparatus  10  illustrated is of a hand-held size that can be manually grasped and handled in one hand.  
         [0020]    The apparatus  10  comprises a frame  14 , a first supply roll  16 , a second supply roll  18 , and biasing structure, generally indicated at  19 . The frame  14  in the illustrated embodiment is constructed of cardboard folded into a box shape having two sidewalls  20 ,  22 , a feed sidewall  24 , a discharge sidewall  26 , a top wall  28 , and a bottom wall  30 . The top wall  28 , the bottom wall  30 , and the sidewall  22  each have a flap  32 ,  34 ,  36 , respectively, at the free ends thereof. These flaps  32 ,  34 ,  36  are folded around and adhered, stapled or otherwise fixed to the discharge sidewall  26  to secure the frame  14  together.  
         [0021]    Alternatively, the frame  14  may be formed from a single piece of plastic with living hinges. The plastic frame would be folded about the living hinges in a manner similar to the cardboard and heat-staked, glued, snap fit or otherwise fixed together for security. Broadly stated, both the cardboard and the plastic constitute a foldable material. The broad principles of the present invention, however, are not limited to the use of a frame  14  made from foldable material. The principles of the present invention may be practiced in a frame made of molded rigid plastic or metal. The foldable frame is preferred for cost savings purposes.  
         [0022]    The first supply roll  16  comprises a core  38  and a first supply substrate  40  wound on the core  38 . A pair of plastic supply roll supports  42 ,  44  are received inside the frame  14  adjacent the bottom wall  30  and sidewalls  20 ,  22  on opposite sides of the first supply roll  16 . Each of the supports  42 ,  44  has a semi-circular recess  46 ,  48  and the opposing ends of the core  38  are cradled within these recesses  46 ,  48  to hold the supply roll  16 . These supply roll supports  42 ,  44  comprise a first supply roll support structure.  
         [0023]    The second supply roll  18  comprises a core  50  and a second supply substrate  52  wound about the core  50 . A pair of second supply roll supports are secured by adhesive or threading to the opposing ends of the core  50 . Alternatively, the supports  54 ,  56  may be loosely received on the ends of the core  50 . The supply roll  18  and supports  54 ,  56  are disposed within the frame  14  with the laterally outer surfaces of the supports  54 ,  56  slidably engaging the interior surfaces of sidewalls  20 ,  22 , respectively. These supply roll supports  54 ,  56  comprise a second supply roll support structure.  
         [0024]    The cores  38 ,  50  and supply roll supports  42 ,  44 ,  54 ,  56  may be eliminated in the practice of the invention. These features are preferred to ensure that the supply rolls  16 ,  18  remain aligned and do not become displaced with respect to one another in the direction extending between the feed and discharge sidewalls  24 ,  26 .  
         [0025]    That is, the first supply roll support structure (i.e. supply roll supports  42 ,  44 ) and the second supply roll support structure (i.e. supply roll supports  54 ,  56 ) enable the supply rolls  16 ,  18  to move toward one another, but prevent relative movement thereof in the feeding direction to maintain the supply rolls  16 ,  18  in alignment.  
         [0026]    The biasing structure  19  in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 is in the form of a pair of ellipsoid coil springs  58 ,  60 . These springs  58 ,  60  are positioned between the top wall  28  of the frame  14  and the second supply roll supports  54 ,  56 , respectively. This biasing structure  19  biases the second supply roll  18  towards the first supply roll  16  so that the radially outermost portions of the supply substrates  40 ,  52  are pressed into engagement with one another in a manner similar to conventional nip rollers. Further, the biasing structure  19  continues to bias the supply rolls  16 ,  18  towards one another as the supply substrates  40 ,  52  are depleted therefrom to thereby maintain the pressed engagement of the supply rolls  16 ,  18 . This keeps the supply rolls  16 ,  18  pressed together as their diameters are reduced due to depletion of the supply substrates  40 ,  52 .  
         [0027]    Any suitable biasing structure may be used for biasing the supply rolls  16 ,  18  into pressed engagement with one another. For example, a single spring may be used, a plurality of springs engaged between the frame walls and each of the supply rolls  16 ,  18  may be used, or springs engaged between the two supply rolls  16 ,  18  without engaging the frame  14  may be used. Alternatively, resilient material, such as resilient rubber members, may be used in place of the spring(s). Likewise, elastic rubber bands connected between the ends of the two cores  38 ,  50  may be used to bias the supply rolls  16 ,  18  together into pressed engagement.  
         [0028]    Each of the supply substrates  40 ,  52  has a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. These supply substrates  40 ,  52  are wound about their respective cores  38 ,  50  so that the first surfaces thereof face radially outwardly with respect to their supply rolls  16 ,  18  and the second surfaces face radially inwardly with respect to their supply rolls  16 ,  18 . The first surface of the first supply substrate  40  is coated with a layer of pressure-sensitive adhesive. Because the first surface of the first supply substrate  40  faces radially outwardly, the adhesive will likewise face radially outwardly.  
         [0029]    For a normal laminating operation, both the supply substrates  40 ,  52  would be transparent films and the second supply substrate  52  would also have its first surface coated with a pressure-sensitive adhesive and its second surface treated with a release material, such as silicone or wax. The second surface of the first supply substrate  40  also has its second surface coated with a release material. Like the first supply roll  16 , the adhesive on the second supply substrate&#39;s first surface faces radially outwardly. The release material on the second surfaces of the supply substrates  40 ,  52  prevents that adhesive from bonding thereto while wound on the supply rolls  16 ,  18 . Instead of coating the second surfaces with release material, a release liner could be wound up with both of the supply substrates  40 ,  52  to prevent the adhesive on the first surface of each substrate  40 ,  52  from sticking to the second surface.  
         [0030]    For a normal adhesive transfer operation, the first supply substrate  40  would be a differential release liner coated with release material on both its first and second surfaces. The release material on the second surface will prevent the adhesive from bonding thereto and the release material on the first surface will allow the pressure-sensitive adhesive thereon to transfer to the selected substrate without remaining bonded to the first surface. The second supply substrate  52  would be a mask substrate that carries no adhesive. The first surface of the mask substrate may be left untreated or, alternatively, it may be treated with a release material to prevent adherence of the adhesive on the first supply substrate  40  thereto. The role of the mask substrate will be explained hereinbelow with respect to the operation of the apparatus  10 .  
         [0031]    For a combination laminating/adhesive transfer operation, the first supply substrate  40  would be a differential release liner as described above for a normal adhesive transfer operation. The second supply substrate  52 , however, would be a transparent film having its first surface coated with a pressure-sensitive adhesive and its second surface coated with a release material as described above for a normal laminating operation. In a combination laminating/adhesive transfer operation, the second supply substrate  52  (the transparent film) is adhered to one surface of the selected substrate, and the pressure sensitive adhesive on the first supply substrate  40  (the release liner) is adhered to the other surface of the selected substrate  12 . The supply substrates  40 ,  52  are trimmed around the periphery of the selected substrate  12  and the release liner is peeled back to expose the adhesive, thus providing a selected substrate  12  that is adherable like a label, but protected on one side by a laminating film.  
         [0032]    For a magnet making operation, the first supply substrate  40  would be made from a magnetized material, as in U.S. Provisional Application of Neuburger, Serial No. 60/197,684, filed Apr. 17, 1999, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated into the present application by reference. The second supply substrate  52  would be a mask substrate as discussed above with respect to the normal adhesive transfer operation.  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of the substrate processing apparatus  10 . As shown, the apparatus  10  includes a frame  100  and first and second supply rolls  102 ,  104 . The supply rolls  102 ,  104  are mounted between first and second supply roll supports  106 ,  108 . The first and second supply roll supports  106 ,  108  are upstanding and situated at respective opposite ends of the supply rolls  102 ,  104 . The supply rolls  102 ,  104  are positioned parallel and adjacent one another and are retained in this orientation by the supply roll supports  106 ,  108 . First and second supply rolls  102 ,  104  include respective first and second supply substrates  110 ,  112 , which are similar to supply substrates  40 ,  52  described above.  
         [0034]    As shown in FIG. 5, each of the first and second supply roll supports  106 ,  108  includes an longitudinally extending (relative to the supply rolls  102 ,  104 ) elongated opening  114 . As shown, the openings  114  are elongate in a pressing direction, parallel to a plane containing longitudinal axes of both supply rolls  102 ,  104 . In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, the pressing direction is generally vertical, however it is contemplated that the pressing direction may be other than vertical, as will be discussed in further detail below.  
         [0035]    A portion of the supply roll supports  106 ,  108  may be formed to provide a support surface engaging structure  115 . As shown in FIG. 5, a lower portion of the supply roll supports  106 ,  108  may extend laterally outwardly (relative to the supply roll supports  106 ,  108 ) to provide the support surface engaging structure  115 . With this configuration, the apparatus  10  may stably engage the support surface, provided, for example, by a table or desk.  
         [0036]    The first and second supply rolls  102 ,  104  include respective cores  116 ,  118  on which the first and second supply substrates  110 ,  112  may be wound. As shown, it is preferable for the cores  116 ,  118  to extend past the longitudinal extent of the wound supply substrates  110 ,  112 . In other words, opposite longitudinal end portions of each supply roll  102 ,  104  are formed by respective end portions of associated cores  116 ,  118 . As shown in FIG. 5, end portions  120 ,  122  of cores  116 ,  118 , respectively, extend through the opening  114  in the first supply roll support  106 , while end portions  124 ,  126  of cores  116 ,  118 , respectively, extend through the opening  114  in the second supply roll support  108 . It is noted that a width of the openings  114  may be generally equal to or slightly larger than a diameter of the cores  116 ,  118 . As such, each of the cores  116 ,  118  is slidable within the openings  114  of the supply roll supports  106 ,  108 .  
         [0037]    A biasing structure, shown generally at  130 , serves to bias the first and second supply rolls  102 ,  104  toward each other. As shown in FIG. 5, the biasing structure  130  may be in the form of a pair of coiled extension springs  132  connectable between respective end portions ( 120 - 126 ) of cores  116 ,  118 . It is noted that the biasing structure  130  may be in the form of other resilient elements, including other types of springs and elastomeric members. It is also noted that the biasing structure  130  may bias each of the cores  116 ,  118  toward an opposite end of the supply roll supports  106 ,  108 , thereby pressing the supply rolls  102 ,  104  together, as shown in FIG. 5.  
         [0038]    The biasing structure  130  also includes core mounting structures  134 , one of which is disposed on each end portion  120 ,  122 ,  124 , and  126  of each core  116 ,  118 . The core mounting structures  134  are rotatably mounted to the respective end portions ( 122 - 126 ), so that as the supply rolls  102 ,  104  rotate, the core mounting structures  134  are able to maintain a generally constant rotational orientation relative to the supply rolls  102 ,  104 . Further, each of the core mounting structures  134  includes a connecting portion  136  extending radially outwardly therefrom. The connecting portions  136  include connecting structures  138 , which are connectable with respective ends of springs  132 . Shown in FIG. 5, the connecting structures  138  may be provided by openings within respective connecting portions  136 . Each end of the springs  132  form an engaging portion  140 , which is connectable with the associated connecting structure  138 . In this manner, the core mounting structures  134  mounted to each spring  132  and, therefore the supply rolls  102 ,  104 , are biased toward each other by the springs  132  in the pressing direction corresponding to a direction of deflection of the springs  132 .  
         [0039]    It is contemplated that the core mounting structures  134  include journaling openings  141 , which include respective internal cylindrical surfaces. The end portions  120 - 126  of the cores  116 ,  118  are engaged within respective journaling openings  141  and are rotatable relative thereto. Each of the end portions  120 - 126  may include a retaining element (not shown) to prevent substantial relative axial movement (relative to the respective core  116 ,  118 ) between the cores  116 ,  118  and the supply roll supports  106 ,  108 . In other words, a retaining element may be disposed on each end portion  120 - 126  to prevent axial movement of the core mounting structures  134  on the end portions  120 - 126  outwardly past the retaining element. In this manner, the cores mounting structures  134  may be prevented from sliding out of engagement with the cores  116 ,  118 . Likewise, the cores  116 ,  118  may be prevented from sliding out of openings  114 .  
         [0040]    The apparatus  10  of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 is configured such that, as the supply substrates  110 ,  112  are unwound from the supply rolls  102 ,  104  during, for example, a laminating process, the supply rolls  102 ,  104  are simultaneously pulled toward one another by the biasing structure  130 . As such, the supply rolls  102 ,  104  maintain an operative pressing force (in the pressing direction) between one another as the supply rolls  102 ,  104  are reduced in diameter (since the supply substrates  110 ,  112  are unwound from respective supply rolls  102 ,  104 ). Therefore, the supply rolls  102 ,  104  maintain their engagement with each other and apply an adequate pressing force to the supply stock and selected substrate  12  when an operation is performed.  
         [0041]    A feed side opening  142  is formed by the supply rolls  102 ,  104 , as shown in FIG. 6. The selected substrate  12  may be pushed between the supply rolls  102 ,  104 , as shown, to emerge from a discharge side opening  144  with the supply substrates  110 ,  112  affixed thereto. While the selected substrate  12  is disposed between the supply rolls  102 ,  104 , the pressing force acts thereon and on the supply substrates  110 ,  112 .  
         [0042]    It is noted that the embodiment of the apparatus  10  described above and shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 may be used for any operation described above with respect to the embodiments of the apparatus  10  shown in FIGS.  1 - 4 .  
         [0043]    Operation  
         [0044]    To use any embodiment of the the apparatus  10  of the invention, irrespective of what type of operation is being performed, the user inserts the selected substrate  12  into the feed side opening  62  or  142  and feeds the lead end thereof between the pressed together supply rolls  16 ,  18  or  102 ,  104 . The user then advances the selected substrate  12  between the supply rolls  16 ,  18  or  102 ,  104  so that the pressed engagement of the supply rolls  16 ,  18  or  102 ,  104  presses first surfaces of both supply substrates  40 ,  52  or  110 ,  112  against the opposing sides of the selected substrate  12  so as to affect adhesive bonding between the substrates  12 ,  40 , and/or  52  or  12 ,  110 , and/or  112 . As the selected substrate  12  is advanced between the supply rolls  16 ,  18 , or  102 ,  104  the portions of the first and second supply substrates  40 ,  52  or  110 ,  112  unwind from their supply rolls  16 ,  18  or  102 ,  104  and advance together with the selected substrate  12  out through the discharge side opening  64  or  144 .  
         [0045]    Advancement of the selected substrate  12  may be affected by manually pulling on the free ends of the first and second supply substrates  40 ,  52  or  110 ,  112  extending out the discharge side opening  64  or  144 . Alternatively, for an apparatus particularly designed for normal adhesive transfer or magnet making, a take-up roll (not shown) driven by a knob or actuator may be utilized to wind up the second supply substrate  52  or  112  as shown in U.S. patent application of Ensign, Jr. et al., Ser. No. 09/564,587, filed May 5, 2000 the entirety of which is hereby incorporated into the present application by reference.  
         [0046]    For a normal laminating operation, the discharged product will be the selected substrate  12  with laminating films adhered to the opposing sides thereof. If desired, the films may be trimmed around the periphery of the selected substrate  12 .  
         [0047]    For a normal adhesive transfer operation, the discharged product will be the selected substrate  12  with the pressure-sensitive adhesive from the release liner bonded to one side thereof and the release liner covering the bonded adhesive. The mask substrate covers the other side of the selected substrate  12  and any portions of the release liner and adhesive exposed around the periphery of the selected substrate  12 . If the first surface of the mask substrate is treated with a release material, then it will simply serve to cover the excess adhesive around the periphery of the selected substrate  12  until such time as the user desires to peel back the mask substrate and remove the selected substrate  12  from the release liner for adherence to a contact surface. However, in accordance with the teachings of the aforementioned &#39;417 and &#39;962 patents, the entirety of each of which is hereby incorporated into the present application by reference, the first surface of the mask substrate may remain untreated and thus have an affinity for bonding with the excess adhesive exposed around the periphery of the selected substrate  12 . The mask substrate will then bond with this excess adhesive during the processing operation. As a result, peeling back the mask substrate from the release liner and selected substrate  12  will strip away the excess adhesive prior to peeling the selected substrate  12  from the release liner.  
         [0048]    For a combination laminating/adhesive transfer operation, the discharged product will be the selected substrate  12  with (a) the pressure-sensitive adhesive from the release liner bonded to one side thereof and the release liner covering the bonded adhesive and (b) a laminating film covering and protecting the other side of the selected substrate  12 . The selected substrate  12  can be trimmed around its periphery, if desired, and the release liner can be peeled back to enable the selected substrate  12  to be adhered to a contact surface as desired with the laminating film protecting the opposite side.  
         [0049]    For a magnet substrate, the discharged product will be the magnet substrate bonded to one side of the selected substrate  12  and the mask substrate covering both the other side of the selected substrate  12  and any portions of the magnet substrate and adhesive exposed around the periphery of the selected substrate  12 . If the first surface of the mask substrate is treated with a release material, then it will simply serve to cover the excess adhesive around the selected substrate  12  so as to enable the user to trim the magnet substrate around the periphery of the selected substrate  12  with the mask substrate covering that excess adhesive.  
         [0050]    The first surface of the mask substrate may remain untreated and thus have an affinity for bonding with the excess adhesive exposed around the periphery of the selected substrate  12 . As a result, peeling back the mask substrate from the magnet substrate and the selected substrate  12  will strip away the excess adhesive prior to trimming the magnet substrate to the periphery of the selected substrate  12 .  
         [0051]    The foregoing detailed description has been provided to illustrate the structural and functional principles of the present invention and is not intended to be limiting. To the contrary, the present invention is intended to encompass all alterations, modifications, and substitutions within the spirit and scope of the following claims.