Patent GB-1429016-A (GB)
Title: Laminating apparatus
IPC: B29C51/00
Filed: 1973-08-31
Abstract: 1429016 Laminates SEAL Inc 31 Aug 1973 [14 May 1973 (2)] 41080/73 Heading B5N Plastics film laminating apparatus comprises a pair of unheated cylindrical pressure rolls 52, 54 mounted for rotation on their own axes, spring means resiliently biasing the rolls into pressure engagement with each other, a heating station comprising a flat platen 22 and a flat work support member 16 for guiding a multisheet workpiece comprising a transparent plastics laminating films, e.g. of polyethylene terephthalate, having a layer of heat-activatable adhesive, e.g. polyethylene, on one side thereof engaging an article in sheet form, e.g. printed paper or a photograph, to be laminated, into the nip formed by the rolls, the platen and work support member being disposed one above the other and having confronting heat conductive surfaces that are in engagement with each other, means mounting the platen and work support member for relative separating movement of the confronting surfaces so that the workpiece to be laminated may be inserted between them and positioned in the nip of the rolls, electrical heating means 26 for heating the platen and work support member to a selected temperature and drive means for continually rotating at least one of the rolls to draw the workpiece from the heating station through the rolls so that the sheets of the workpiece are forced into face-to-face pressurized contact. A carrier folder for the workpiece may be used to facilitate introduction thereof between the platen and work support plate. The rollers may comprise solid metal cores 56, 58 and cylindrical covers of silicone rubber 60, 62, and to reduce or eliminate curing of the laminated product may be offset so that a plane 106 common to their axes is inclined, e.g. by an angle of 5-12 degrees, from the vertical. The apparatus may comprise side plates rotatably supporting roll 52, and leaf springs 90 pivotally mounted to the side plates and engaging axial extensions from the roll, the leaf springs being urged against the axial extensions by adjustable screws 100. Platen assembly 22 may be free to move vertically with screws 40 acting as guides to restrain side to side movement with work support plate 16 stationary or, in an alternative arrangement, the platen may be fixed and the work support plate moved relative thereto. A second flat electrical heater may be incorporated in work support plate 16 or the heater unit may be provided in plate 16 rather than platen plate 24 although, in general, adequate heating of plate 16 is achieved by its engagement with platen assembly 22. First and second thermostat switches adapted to operate at a first lower temperature and a second higher temperature respectively may be mounted to platen 24 and work support member 16 respectively and the apparatus may also comprise an indicator light connected to the first thermostat switch so that the light is energized when the first thermostat switch is operated and means connecting the second thermostat switch to the electrical heating means so that the heating means is energized so long as the second thermostat switch is below the second higher temperature. Laminating film to the article in sheet form and mounting the article to a support may be effected simultaneously.