Patent Publication Number: US-2009233019-A1

Title: Partitioned laminating jacket

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The present invention relates to a laminating jacket, which is used with a laminating machine for laminating objects, such as photos, newspaper clippings, loose leaf paper, posters, index cards, business cards, identification cards, and the like. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one embodiment, the invention provides a partitioned laminating jacket including a first layer, a second layer bondable with the first layer in a laminating machine, and an adhesive between the first layer and the second layer configured to bond the first layer and the second layer in the laminating machine. An intermediate space is defined between the first layer and the second layer. A seam substantially spans the partitioned laminating jacket along a first axis. The first layer and the second layer are bonded along the seam, and the intermediate space is partitioned into a first receiving area and a second receiving area by the seam. 
     In another embodiment, the invention provides a method of creating laminated objects. A partitioned laminating jacket is provided having a first pre-formed seam extending substantially across the partitioned laminating jacket, the first pre-formed seam at least partially defining a first receiving area and a second receiving area. A first object is inserted into the first receiving area. A second object is inserted into the second receiving area. The partitioned laminating jacket is inserted into a laminating machine to laminate the first and second objects. The first object and a first portion of the partitioned laminating jacket are separated from the second object and a second portion of the partitioned laminating jacket. 
     Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a partitioned laminating jacket, according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 1A  is a detail view of a portion of the partitioned laminating jacket of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of first and second layers of the partitioned laminating jacket of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic view of a sealing operation of the layers shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a partial side view of a perforator wheel. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the partitioned laminating jacket of  FIG. 1  after being laminated and having one receiving area detached from the partitioned laminating jacket. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a partitioned laminating jacket according to another embodiment of the invention along with an object to be laminated therein. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a detached portion of the partitioned laminating jacket of  FIG. 6 , including the object of  FIG. 6 , which is laminated therein. 
         FIG. 8  is a top view of a partitioned laminating jacket, according to yet another embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the partitioned laminating jacket of  FIG. 8  assembled into a three-dimensional laminated piece. 
     
    
    
     Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Unless specified or limited otherwise, the terms “mounted,” “connected,” “supported,” and “coupled” and variations thereof are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirect mountings, connections, supports, and couplings. Further, “connected” and “coupled” are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     A partitioned laminating jacket  100  including a first layer  102 A and a second layer  102 B is illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The partitioned laminating jacket  100  includes a first pre-formed seam  104  extending across and substantially spanning the partitioned laminating jacket  100  along a first axis  108 . The first and second layers  102 A,  102 B are bonded or coupled together along the first pre-formed seam  104  as discussed further below. The first pre-formed seam  104  generally divides the partitioned laminating jacket  100  into two rows  104 A,  104 B, as described in further detail below. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the rows  104 A,  104 B can form substantially equal halves of the partitioned laminating jacket  100 , but such is not necessary. The partitioned laminating jacket  100  further includes a group of secondary pre-formed seams  112 A-E that extend across and substantially span the partitioned laminating jacket  100  along a group of secondary axes  116 A-E, respectively. All of the secondary axes  116 A-E are substantially parallel to one another and substantially perpendicular to the first axis  108  (of the first pre-formed seam  104 ). The first and second layers  102 A,  102 B are bonded or coupled together along each of the secondary pre-formed seams  112 A-E as discussed further below. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the secondary pre-formed seams  112 A-E are five in number and, in cooperation with the first pre-formed seam  104 , collectively define eight separate receiving areas  120 A-H, four in each row  104 A,  104 B. 
     The receiving areas  120 A-H are each defined by a portion of the first pre-formed seam  104  and portions of two adjacent secondary pre-formed seams  112 A-E, leaving a single un-sealed edge of each of the receiving areas  120 A-H. Respective openings  124 A-H are defined along the un-sealed edge of each of the receiving areas  120 A-H. Thus, an intermediate space between the first and second layers  102 A,  102 B defines each respective receiving area  120 A-H, and the openings  124 A-H provide access to the respective receiving areas  120 A-H. As described in further detail below, objects to be laminated can be inserted into the respective receiving areas  120 A-H prior to use in a laminating machine (not shown). Objects to be laminated are not limited and include virtually all substantially planar objects of a size equal to the receiving areas  120 A-H or smaller. Although  FIG. 1  illustrates the receiving areas  120 A-H to have substantially equal areas, the partitioned laminating jacket  100  can include two or more receiving areas having substantially unequal areas. Likewise, the relative dimensions of the receiving areas  120 A-H are not limited to those illustrated in  FIG. 1 , nor is the partitioned laminating jacket  100  required to have the exact number of receiving areas  120 A-H illustrated and referred to herein. 
     Each opening  124 A-H opens in a direction substantially parallel to the secondary axes  116 A-E and away from the first pre-formed seam  104 . Therefore, the openings  124 A,  124 C,  124 E,  124 G of the first row  104 A open in a first direction, and the openings  124 B,  124 D,  124 F,  124 H of the second row  104 B open in a second direction 180 degrees opposite the first direction. Objects to be laminated are insertable into the respective receiving areas  120 A-H in a direction substantially parallel to the secondary axes  116 A-E and toward the first pre-formed seam  104 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , a row of perforations  130  extends along the first pre-formed seam  104 . The perforations  130  are apertures extending through the first and second layers  102 A,  102 B of the partitioned laminating jacket  100 . Secondary rows of perforations  134  extend along interior ones of the secondary pre-formed seams  112 B-D. The perforations  134  of the secondary rows are apertures extending through the first and second layers  102 A,  102 B of the partitioned laminating jacket  100 .  FIG. 1A  illustrates the perforations  130 ,  134  along the first and secondary pre-formed seams  104 ,  112 B in more detail. 
       FIG. 1A  is a detail perspective view of a portion of the partitioned laminating jacket  100 . As illustrated in  FIG. 1A , the perforations  130  along the first pre-formed seam  104  define an edge  138  dividing the first pre-formed seam  104  into a first seam portion  142  and a second seam portion  146 . The first seam portion  142  defines a boundary of each of the receiving areas  120 A,  120 C,  120 E,  120 G of the first row  104 A. The second seam portion  146  defines a boundary of each of the receiving areas  120 B,  120 D,  120 F,  120 H of the second row  104 B. As described in further detail below, the receiving areas  120 A,  120 C,  120 E,  120 G of the first row  104 A are separable from the receiving areas  120 B,  120 D,  120 F,  120 H of the second row  104 B along the edge  138  defined by the perforations  130  through the first pre-formed seam  104 . 
     With further reference to  FIG. 1A , the perforations  134  along the secondary pre-formed seam  112 B define an edge  150  dividing the secondary pre-formed seam  112 B into a first seam portion  154  and a second seam portion  158 . The first seam portion  154  defines a boundary of each of the first receiving areas  120 A,  120 B of the first and second rows  104 A,  104 B. The second seam portion  158  defines a boundary of each of the receiving areas  120 C,  120 D immediately adjacent the respective first receiving areas  120 A,  120 B of the first and second rows  104 A,  104 B. The additional secondary pre-formed seams  112 C,  112 D have a similar arrangement as that of the secondary pre-formed seam  112 B described just above. As described in further detail below, adjacent receiving areas  120 A,  120 C,  120 E,  120 G of the first row  104 A are separable from each other along the edges  150  defined by the perforations  134  through the secondary pre-formed seams  112 B-D. Likewise, adjacent receiving areas  120 B,  120 D,  120 F,  120 H of the second row  104 B are separable from each other along the edges  150  defined by the perforations  134  through the secondary pre-formed seams  112 B-D. 
     A method for manufacturing the partitioned laminating jacket  100  and methods for using the partitioned laminating jacket  100  are described below. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2  and generally described above, the partitioned laminating jacket  100  includes a first layer  102 A and a second layer  102 B. Reference number  100 A is used to indicate the loose assembly of the first and second layers  102 A,  102 B in process of becoming the partitioned laminating jacket  100  illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The first and second layers  102 A,  102 B are formed of polyethylene terephthalate (PET, commonly “polyester”) in some embodiments. The first and second layers  102 A,  102 B have a combined thickness of between about 0.005 inches and about 0.010 inches in some embodiments, of which the first and second layers  102 A,  102 B can form substantially equal parts. 
     An adhesive is applied to the second layer  102 B on a side that faces the first layer  102 A. In some embodiments, adhesive can be applied to a side of the first layer  102 A that faces the second layer  102 B, or adhesive can be applied to both the first and second layers  102 A,  102 B on sides that face each other. The adhesive is operable to bond the first and second layers  102 A,  102 B and/or bond at least one of the first and second layers  102 A,  102 B to an object between the first and second layers  102 A,  102 B as described in further detail below. At least one of the first and second layers  102 A,  102 B is substantially translucent so that an object to be laminated is viewable from the outside when placed inside one of the receiving areas  120 A-H. As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the second layer  102 B is substantially translucent, although it may appear somewhat opaque and/or grainy prior to lamination due to the adhesive. The second layer  102 B (including the adhesive) is made substantially transparent when processed in a laminating machine. In some embodiments, the adhesive includes at least one of an ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) material and a low density polyethylene (LDPE) material. The other of the first and second layers  102 A,  102 B can be either substantially translucent or substantially opaque, and can be of one or more colors or patterns (for example, to make a decorative matting around an object to be laminated). 
       FIG. 3  illustrates the processing of the loose assembly  100 A of  FIG. 2  into a laminating jacket  100 B in process of becoming the partitioned laminating jacket  100  illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The loose assembly  100 A is inserted into a sealing machine or bar sealer  162 . The bar sealer  162  includes a base portion  166  and a movable upper portion  170  having a grid corresponding to the arrangement of the first and secondary pre-formed seams  104 ,  112 A-E. As used herein, “pre-formed seam” refers to a seam (a coupling or bonding of the first and second layers  102 A,  102 B) that is formed prior to the use of the partitioned laminating jacket  100  with a laminating machine (not shown) and, in the most common instances, prior to the packaging and the sale of the partitioned laminating jacket  100  to a consumer. 
     The bar sealer  162  can include heaters, such as electrically-powered heaters, in at least one of the base portion  166  and the movable upper portion  170 . The movable upper portion  170  is moved into contact with the loose assembly  100 A so that the first and second layers  102 A,  102 B are bonded by heating the adhesive according to the layout of the grid. The bar sealer  162  can additionally or alternately be configured to apply pressure in order to activate the adhesive and bond the first and second layers  102 A,  102 B according to the arrangement of the first and secondary preformed seams  104 ,  112 A-E. After the first and secondary pre-formed seams  104 ,  112 A-E are made by the bar sealer  162 , the in-process laminating jacket  100 B includes the first and second rows  104 A,  104 B of receiving areas  120 A-H and the respective openings  124 A-H. The in-process laminating jacket  100 B shown in  FIG. 3  does not include any of the perforations  130 ,  134 . In some embodiments, a multi-purpose sealer and perforator can be used to form the first and second pre-formed seams  104 ,  112 A-E and the perforations  130 ,  134  essentially at once, or at least without transferring the in-process laminating jacket  100 B between the sealing and perforating operations. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a perforator wheel  174  used to create the perforations  130 ,  134  with a predetermined aperture length S 1  and spacing S 2 . The aperture length S 1  and spacing S 2  are configured to provide the partitioned laminating jacket  100  as a single unit for receiving one or more objects to be laminated and to allow simple tool-free separation of the receiving areas  120 A-H along the edges  138 ,  150 . The first and second seam portions  142 ,  146  of the first pre-formed seam  104  are left intact after separation along the edge  138 . Likewise, the first and second portions  154 ,  158  of the secondary pre-formed seams  112 B-D are left intact after separation along the edges  150 . The perforations  130 ,  134  are configured to allow separation of the respective receiving areas  120 A-H with controlled tearing only between individual apertures of the perforations  130 ,  134  so that the receiving areas  120 A-H are not substantially degraded. For example, a tear will not propagate away from the perforations  130 ,  134  into the receiving areas  120 A-H. Furthermore, separation at the perforations  130 ,  134  does not readily allow separation of the first and second layers  102 A,  102 B at the respective edges  138 ,  150 . 
       FIG. 5  illustrates the partitioned laminating jacket  100  after laminating in a laminating machine. The partitioned laminating jacket  100  is shown with an object  176  (i.e., photo) in each of the receiving areas  120 A-H. In one method of the invention, the objects  176  are inserted into each of the receiving areas  120 A-H before insertion of the entire partitioned laminating jacket  100  into a laminating machine. The laminating machine seals closed the openings  124 A-H and closely bonds together the first layer  102 A, the objects  176 , and the second layer  102 B by the adhesive, which is activated by at least one of heat and pressure in the laminating machine. In addition to the first and secondary pre-formed seams  104 ,  112 A-E, a final seam  177  is formed substantially parallel to and opposite the edge  138  by closing the openings  124 A-H and bonding the first and second layers  102 A,  102 B with the laminating machine. 
     Once processed through the laminating machine, the perforations  130 ,  134  facilitate the separation of the individual receiving areas  120 A-H from the partitioned laminating jacket  100  along the respective edges  138 ,  150 . Therefore, each separated object  176  (along with the respective portion of the partitioned laminating jacket  100 ) becomes a standalone laminated piece  178  having four sealed edges, two or three of which are formed when the partitioned laminating jacket  100  is split along the perforations  130 ,  134 . As described above, the separating of the first and secondary pre-formed seams  104 ,  112 B-D into parts does not negatively affect the quality of the bond in the region of the first and secondary pre-formed seams  104 ,  112 B-D. 
       FIGS. 6 and 7  illustrate an alternate method of using a partitioned laminating jacket  100 ′, which is similar to the partitioned laminating jacket  100  of  FIG. 1 . The partitioned laminating jacket  100 ′ includes an aperture  180  through each of the illustrated receiving areas  120 A′,  120 B′,  120 C′,  120 D′. The aperture  180  is configured to provide an attachment location for coupling the laminated piece  182  (illustrated in  FIG. 7 ) to an additional structure or substrate. The partitioned laminating jacket  100 ′ of  FIG. 6  can include a total number of receiving areas different than the partitioned laminating jacket  100  of  FIG. 1 , and the dimensions of each receiving area  120 A′,  120 B′,  120 C′,  120 D′ may also differ from those of the partitioned laminating jacket  100  of  FIG. 1 . Otherwise, the partitioned laminating jacket  100 ′ of  FIG. 6  is substantially identical to the partitioned laminating jacket  100  of  FIG. 1 , the details of which are found in the preceding description. Like reference characters are used, with the addition of an appended (′). Although illustrated and described as being used in an alternate method, the partitioned laminating jacket  100 ′ of  FIG. 6  is also capable of being used according to the method described above with respect to the partitioned laminating jacket  100  of  FIG. 1 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 6 , an object  184  is inserted into the first receiving area  120 A′ along the direction of arrow  188 . In the illustrated embodiment, the object  184  is an identification card, and the opening  180  is configured to receive a convenient attachment clip (not shown), but such aspects of the illustrated embodiment are only exemplary. The first receiving area  120 A′ is separated from the partitioned laminating jacket  100 ′ along the edges  138 ′,  150 ′ of the perforations  130 ′,  134 ′. The individual receiving area  120 A′ with the object  184  is then laminated in a laminating machine without the rest of the partitioned laminating jacket  100 ′, which may be wholly or sequentially used to laminate further objects at a later time. The object  184  can be inserted into the receiving area  120 A′ before or after the receiving area  120 A′ is separated from the partitioned laminating jacket  100 ′, but in either instance, this method differs from that illustrated in  FIG. 5  (wherein the partitioned laminating jacket  100  is filled with objects  176  before being laminated as a whole) by providing that one or more of the receiving areas  120 A′,  120 B′,  120 C′,  120 D′ is separated and used in a laminating machine without the remainder of the partitioned laminating jacket  100 ′. 
     As described above and illustrated by  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the method of using only a portion of the partitioned laminating jacket  100 ′ at one time can be particularly useful in some instances, not limited to the making of identification cards. Such a method can also be used with the partitioned laminating jacket  100  of  FIG. 1  when a number less than or not divisible by the number of receiving areas  120 A-H provided in the partitioned laminating jacket  100  are needed. Furthermore, the partitioned laminating jackets  100 ,  100 ′ of  FIGS. 1 and 6  can be partitioned prior to laminating when the laminating is to occur in a laminating machine that cannot receive the entire partitioned laminating jacket  100 ,  100 ′. Also, as an alternative to the illustrated flat sheet form, the partitioned laminating jackets  100 ,  100 ′ can be produced, stored, and/or used in elongated, wound rolls for convenience. 
       FIGS. 8 and 9  illustrate a partitioned laminating jacket  200  of another embodiment of the invention. As shown in  FIG. 8 , the partitioned laminating jacket  200  includes a group of receiving areas  204 A-D, which are configured to receive objects  208 A,  208 B ( FIG. 9 ) via respective openings  210 A-D. The partitioned laminating jacket  200  of  FIG. 8  includes not only the receiving areas  204 A-D, but also lower flaps  212 A-D, upper flaps  212 E-G, and a side flap  212 H. The flaps  212 A-H are configured to interact so that the partitioned laminating jacket  200  can be formed into a three-dimensional laminated piece  200 ′ ( FIG. 9 ) as described in further detail below. 
     The partitioned laminating jacket  200  includes primary pre-formed seams  216 A,  216 B and secondary pre-formed seams  220 A-E arranged as shown in  FIG. 8 . The primary pre-formed seams  216 A,  216 B are substantially parallel to each other and span the partitioned laminating jacket  200  along a pair of primary axes  222 A,  222 B. The secondary pre-formed seams  220 A-E are substantially parallel to each other and span the partitioned laminating jacket  200  along secondary axes  224 A-E, which are substantially perpendicular to the primary axes  222 A,  222 B. With the exception of the flaps  212 A-H and the general arrangement of both the receiving areas  204 A-D and the seams  216 A-B,  220 A-E, the construction of and method of manufacturing the partitioned laminating jacket  200  are generally similar to that of the partitioned laminating jacket  100  of  FIG. 1 , described above. 
     A row of perforations  228  extends centrally along each of the primary pre-formed seams  216 A,  216 B, defining parallel primary edges  232 . A row of perforations  236  extends centrally along each of a majority of the secondary pre-formed seams  220 B-E, defining parallel secondary edges  240 . The perforations  228 ,  236  divide the respective primary and secondary preformed seams  216 A-B,  220 B-E into seam portions associated with the respective receiving areas  204 A-D and flaps  212 A-G similar to the manner in which the perforations  130 ,  134  of  FIGS. 1 and 1A  divide the first and secondary pre-formed seams  104 ,  112 B-D into respective first seam portions  142 ,  154  and second seam portions  146 ,  158 . 
     As illustrated, the receiving areas  204 A-D have varying dimensions. A first receiving area  204 A and a third receiving area  204 C have similar dimensions, while a second receiving area  204 B and a fourth receiving area  204 D share similar dimensions that are different from those of the first and third receiving areas  204 A,  204 C. Likewise, the first object  208 A has different dimensions from the second object  208 B. Furthermore, the first object  208 A is smaller than the first and third receiving areas  204 A,  204 C, and the second object  208 B is smaller than the second and fourth receiving areas  204 B,  204 D. This creates an enlarged border or matting effect when the partitioned laminating jacket  200  is laminated with the objects  208 A,  208 B inside the receiving areas  204 A-D. However, objects up to a size entirely filling the receiving areas  204 A-D can be used, similar to what is shown in  FIG. 5 . 
     The perforations  228 ,  236  of the partitioned laminating jacket  200  of  FIG. 8  are configured to enable controlled bending and creasing of the partitioned laminating jacket  200  along the primary and secondary edges  232 ,  240  so that each of the receiving areas  204 A-D occupies a different plane (see  FIG. 9 ). In the illustrated embodiment of  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the partitioned laminating jacket  200  includes four receiving areas  204 A-D, with adjacent receiving areas  204 A-D being configured to be oriented at 90-degree angles with each other. As illustrated in  FIG. 9 , the partitioned laminating jacket  200  is configured to form the closed-form laminated piece  200 ′, which generally has a box shape (rectangular cross-section). The layout and arrangement of the partitioned laminating jacket  200  can be easily altered to provide a three-dimensional laminated piece  200 ′ having a cross-sectional shape that is triangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, etc. 
     Because the partitioned laminating jacket  200  is configurable as a three-dimensional laminated piece  200 ′ (after laminating in a laminating machine), a method of using the partitioned laminating jacket  200  varies from that described above with respect to the partitioned laminating jackets  100 ,  100 ′ of  FIGS. 1 and 6 . Prior to insertion of the partitioned laminating jacket  200  into a laminating machine (not shown), objects  208 A,  208 B are inserted through the openings  210 A-D into the respective receiving areas  204 A-D. The partitioned laminating jacket  200  and the objects  208 A,  208 B are inserted into the laminating machine where an adhesive between layers of the partitioned laminating jacket  200  is activated by pressure and/or heat. The adhesive is operable to bond layers of the partitioned laminating jacket  200  and the objects  208 A,  208 B in the laminating machine, and the openings  210 A-D become closed. The results of the laminating process are similar to those described in detail above in connection with the partitioned laminating jacket  100  of  FIG. 1 . As briefly discussed above, the areas surrounding each of the objects  208 A,  208 B form a decorative border or matting. 
     After being laminated in the laminating machine, the partitioned laminating jacket  200  is foldable into the laminated piece  200 ′ shown in  FIG. 9 . The perforations  228 ,  236  allow the partitioned laminating jacket  200  to be folded and creased along the primary and secondary edges  232 ,  240 . The perforations  228 ,  236  serve as guides along which the partitioned laminating jacket  200  can be creased without affecting the quality of the bond between the layers of the partitioned laminating jacket  200 . Typically, bonded layers of a laminating jacket without perforations (such as the perforations  228 ,  236  illustrated in  FIG. 8 ) are particularly susceptible to undesirable cracking, splitting, etc. when creased. The partitioned laminating jacket  200  can be creased along each of the secondary edges  240  defined by the secondary rows of perforations  236  (along the corresponding axes  224 B-E). The side flap  212 H can be tucked inside and attached adjacent the free side edge of the partitioned laminating jacket  200  (leftmost edge of  FIG. 8 ). The bottom flaps  212 A-D are creased at the lower primary edge  232  along the axis  222 B and folded together with each other to form a base  242 . The upper flaps  212 E-G are creased at the upper primary edge  232  along the axis  222 A and folded together with each other to form a closed top  244 . A tab  248  of the second upper flap  212 F is folded and creased along an additional row of perforations  250  to facilitate securing of the upper flaps  212 E-G together as shown in  FIG. 9 . Thus, the laminated piece  200 ′ is self-standing and can be used to display the objects  208 A,  208 B, which are viewable from multiple different angles around the laminated piece  200 ′. As illustrated in  FIG. 9 , the laminated piece  200 ′ can be used as a picture display box. 
     The perforations  228 ,  236  in the partitioned laminating jacket  200  can be substantially identical to the perforations  130 ,  134  in the partitioned laminating jacket  100  of  FIG. 1  (i.e., substantially the same aperture length S 1  and spacing S 2 ). Therefore, it is contemplated that the partitioned laminating jacket  100  of  FIG. 1  can be folded along the edges  138 ,  150 , and the partitioned laminating jacket  200  of  FIG. 8  can be separated along the edges  232 ,  240 . However, as described above, each of the partitioned laminating jackets  100 ,  200  are particularly suited to one method of use or the other. The perforations  130 ,  134  of the partitioned laminating jacket  100  of  FIG. 1  and the perforations  228 ,  236  of the partitioned laminating jacket  200  of  FIG. 8  being substantially identical simplifies the perforating equipment and processes, which may be the same regardless of whether the partitioned laminating jacket  100 ,  200  is configured to be separated or folded/creased. In some embodiments, the perforations  130 ,  134  of the partitioned laminating jacket  100  of  FIG. 1  and the perforations  228 ,  236  of the partitioned laminating jacket  200  of  FIG. 8  have different arrangements (i.e., aperture length and spacing) that are particularly suited to one or the other of separation and folding/creasing and/or particularly suited to material type, material thickness, etc. 
     Although not explicitly illustrated, the partitioned laminating jackets  100 ,  100 ′,  200  of  FIGS. 1 ,  6 , and  8  can include one or more scribe lines or other edge-defining structure(s) in place of the perforations  130 ,  134 ,  130 ′,  134 ′,  228 ,  236  that provide a locally-weakened edge, thereby enabling folding/creasing and/or tool-free separation. 
     Thus, the invention provides, among other things, a partitioned laminating jacket having pre-formed seams defining multiple receiving areas. Various features and advantages of the invention are set forth in the following claims.