Patent Description:
<CIT> discloses an article laminating apparatus for use with a cartridge having a detectable element indicative of a characteristic of laminating materials. The apparatus includes a frame enabling the cartridge to be removably mounted thereto and an article processing assembly carried on the frame. A control system controls the article processing assembly to perform an article processing operation. The apparatus also includes a detector operable to detect the detectable element on the cartridge. The detector is operable to transmit a signal to the control system based on the detectable element on the cartridge. The control system is operable to adjust at least one parameter of the operation based on the signal.

<CIT> discloses a laminate apparatus having a laminate target supply unit that supplies a laminate target along a supply path, a sheet supply unit in which a pair of upper and lower sheets being wound in roll shape are detachably mounted, the sheet supply unit supplying a pair of sheets to laminate the laminate target, a laminate processor, a laminate processor that laminates the laminate target supplied with the pair of sheets when the laminate target is sandwiched between the pair of sheets and then feeds the laminated product outwardly. The laminate processor includes a pair of upper and lower pinch rollers disposed in the laminating processor, a pair of upper and lower sheet guide portions disposed between the pinch rollers and the sides of the sheets drawn from the pair of sheet rolls. The sheets drawn from the sheet rolls contact the sheet guide portions and the centers of each sheet roll are disposed at positions apart from leadlines of the sheets which connect the peripheries of the pinching roller in the slide contact portions of the sheet guides.

<CIT> discloses a device and a method for detecting the residual amount of a roll sheet, the device being capable of accurately detecting the residual amount in the state of non-contact even when the rotation of the roll sheet is unstable. In the method, a rotation is detected, by a photo sensor from a rotary encoder installed on a feed roller. The photo sensor outputs pulses, and an averaged angular velocity of the feed roller is detected, by a control part having an A/D converter, a CPU, ROMs and RAMs, and a timer, from a plurality of pulse outputs detected by the photo sensor. When the averaged angular velocity of the feed roller is detected to reach a specified value, the residual amount of a roll sheet is alarmed by a residual amount warning lamp. Thus even if the roll sheet is such that a rotating speed is changed, largely such as a highly adhesive laminate film for cold laminate, the residual amount can be detected accurately and an alarm can be given properly to users.

<CIT> discloses a master processing apparatus. The master processing apparatus has first and second pressure applying rollers, and a plurality of gears configured to drive the rollers in response to received input torque. The master processing apparatus further has a pivot plate, connected to the first pressure applying roller and the plurality of gears, allowing a range of movement for the first pressure applying roller, while the plurality of gears may remain intermeshed. The master processing apparatus further has a torsion spring about the pivot plate gear axis, configured to bias the pivot plate and first pressure applying roller towards the second pressure applying roller.

In one aspect, the invention provides a dual roll laminating film cartridge that includes a body defining a first end supporting a first end of a first roll of continuous translucent laminating film and a first end of a second roll of continuous translucent laminating film. The body further defines a second end supporting a second end of the first roll and a second end of the second roll, wherein facing surfaces of the films extended from the first and second rolls in an advancing direction are coated with a heat-activated adhesive. A bridge extends between the first and second ends of the body at a position between the first and second rolls, the bridge defining an article chute for the reception of articles to be laminated by the films of the first and second rolls. The cartridge further includes a code indicative of one or more characteristics of the film of the first and second rolls, the code comprising a predetermined flag pattern that project outward from the body, wherein the predetermined flag pattern of coding tabs includes frangible coding tabs for coding the cartridge by selectively being broken off or left in-tact.

Before any embodiments of the disclosure are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the disclosure 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.

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrate a laminating system comprising a laminating machine <NUM> and a removable and replaceable laminating film cassette or cartridge <NUM> that fits into a receptacle 104R of the machine <NUM>. The cartridge <NUM> can be keyed to the receptacle 104R of the machine <NUM> to allow fitment in only one prescribed orientation. The cartridge <NUM>, which is described in further detail below, contains two parallel, spaced rotatable rolls <NUM> of continuous laminating film. The film webs include adhesive on the sides facing each other, and the adhesive may be heat-sensitive. The machine <NUM> thus includes a set of heat rollers <NUM> at a position downstream of the cartridge receptacle for activating the adhesive. The heat rollers <NUM> can be supplied with electrical energy in a variable manner, by a controller, in order to apply an appropriate amount of heat to the film webs and the adhesive thereof as the machine <NUM> conducts and advances the film webs and any article(s) therein through the machine <NUM>. The articles can be any article suitable for laminating, including but not limited to paper, cards, or photos. Advancement of articles through the machine <NUM> is handled by an auto-feeder <NUM> that feeds articles from an inlet feed tray <NUM> to the film webs and by a set of pull rollers <NUM> downstream of the heat rollers <NUM> that pull the film-laminated article toward a cutter assembly <NUM> and an outlet chute <NUM>. References herein to upstream and downstream directions are made in reference to the direction of movement of the article through the machine <NUM> from side to side along an x-axis. A y-axis is defined as the other planar article direction, extending front-to-back along the machine <NUM> perpendicular to the x-axis.

A housing <NUM> of the machine <NUM> (which is rendered phantom in <FIG> and <FIG> to illustrate internal components) encloses the cartridge <NUM> along with functional elements of the machine <NUM>, including the auto-feeder <NUM>, the heat and pull rollers <NUM>, <NUM>, and the cutter assembly <NUM>. The housing <NUM> also encloses electronics, such as a controller (e.g., processor and memory for storing data and executable instructions). As shown in <FIG>, a control panel <NUM> providing a user interface can be provided on an outside surface of the housing <NUM>. The user interface can include physical inputs (e.g., switches, buttons, etc.) and optionally an electronic display. In some constructions, the user interface can be provided wholly or in part by a touch screen interface. The housing <NUM> can further include a door <NUM> for accessing the cartridge <NUM>, for example, for removal/replacement thereof. The door <NUM> can be pivotally mounted, although additional linkages and mechanisms are optional. The illustrated door <NUM> is supported at a pivot <NUM>, which is a fixed pivot on the housing <NUM>. The door <NUM> also supports upper ones of the heat and pull rollers <NUM>, <NUM> such that upward movement of the door <NUM> gaps these upper rollers apart from their matching lower rollers for easy and automatic loading of the leading end tail of the film webs therebetween. The heat and pull rollers <NUM>, <NUM> re-close to engage or pinch the leading end tail of the film webs upon closure of the door <NUM>.

Turning briefly to <FIG>, a number of drive elements of the machine <NUM> are illustrated. Here the housing <NUM> and other portions of the machine <NUM> are rendered phantom to better illustrate the drive elements. First, the auto-feeder <NUM> includes a first or feeder motor <NUM> operable to drive multiple sets of rollers <NUM>, <NUM> (<FIG>). The first set of rollers <NUM> is nearest the feed tray <NUM> and the second set of rollers <NUM> is positioned downstream of the first set of rollers <NUM>. With continued reference to <FIG>, a solenoid <NUM> is provided to selectively disengage the first set of rollers <NUM> from each other, introducing a space or gap therebetween, for example when the machine <NUM> is put into a manual feed mode. For auto-feeding, the auto-feeder <NUM> also includes a pick roller <NUM> (i.e., single roller rather than roller pair) upstream of the first set of rollers <NUM>. The pick roller <NUM> is the initial contact point for engaging an article on the feed tray <NUM>. As shown, an article support surface for supporting a stack of articles can be provided in part by each of the feed tray <NUM> and an inlet section of the auto-feeder <NUM>. Returning to <FIG>, the machine <NUM> further includes a clutch <NUM> operable to selectively disable drive force from the feeder motor <NUM> from being delivered to the second set of auto-feed rollers <NUM>. The clutch <NUM> can be an electronic clutch controlled by the controller to momentarily delay running compared to the first set of auto-feed rollers <NUM> (e.g., a pre-programmed time delay, or a delay based on article detection). Thus, the article to be delivered to the film webs by the auto-feeder <NUM> can be delivered by the first set of auto-feed rollers <NUM> so that its leading edge abuts into the stationary second set of auto-feed rollers <NUM> so that any skew present in the article (e.g., particularly a rectangular sheet, but not limited as such), relative to the x-axis and y-axis, is effectively minimized or eliminated before introducing the article to the film webs. Further downstream of the cartridge receptacle of the machine <NUM>, there is provided a second or laminator motor <NUM> operable to drive the heat and pull rollers <NUM>, <NUM>. Further yet downstream, a third or cutter motor <NUM> is provided for driving the cutter element (e.g., knife, not shown) along the y-axis after the trailing end of the laminated article has passed.

<FIG> illustrates an array of sensors provided throughout the machine <NUM> for sensing things such as film presence, cartridge presence and type, article presence, and remaining film web, among others. A tray sensor <NUM> is operable to detect presence of an article in the feed tray <NUM>. Although other constructions are optional, the tray sensor <NUM> includes a contact element 166A that pivots when contacted by the article(s) and serves as a flag for a photo interrupter sensing element 166B. Similar sensors <NUM>, <NUM> operable for detecting an article at multiple locations along the auto-feeder <NUM> are provided adjacent the first and second set of rollers <NUM>, <NUM>, respectively. Furthermore, similar sensors <NUM>, <NUM> are provided adjacent the heat rollers <NUM> and pull rollers <NUM>, respectively. However, the sensors <NUM>, <NUM> are contacted by the film webs when properly threaded through the rollers <NUM>, <NUM>. Thus, these serve as confirmation that the film is properly configured before allowing advancement of any articles. At or near the locations of each of the film presence sensors <NUM>, <NUM>, the machine further includes an optical sensor <NUM>', <NUM>' (e.g., a photo sensor) operable to detect the presence of the article. Thus, these article sensors <NUM>', <NUM>' are operable to detect when the leading edge of the article arrives as well as when the trailing edge of the article passes, which can be used for carrying out border control, or auto-feeder adjustment for sheet spacing, for example. The sensor <NUM>' provides a final indication of the position of the article(s) just prior to cutting. All of the article sensors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>' are operable to provide a positive confirmation of article leading and trailing edges. Although the machine's controller controls the speed of the motors <NUM>, <NUM> conveying the article through the machine <NUM> and can operate according to an open-loop control, the sensors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>' enable the provision of article position and/or speed feedback data to the controller for closed-loop control. This can assist in accounting for different surface finishes on various articles, minute amounts of slippage of the article and/or film during conveyance in the machine <NUM>, etc..

Turning to cartridge sensing, the machine <NUM> includes a low film sensor <NUM>, which can be in the form of a photo sensor adapted to detect a diameter of a film roll <NUM> dropping below a threshold value. For example, a light path blocked by the sensor <NUM> when the film roll <NUM> is at or above the threshold can be detected by a receiver portion of the sensor <NUM> when the film roll <NUM> drops below the threshold. An alternate type of low film sensor <NUM>' is illustrated in <FIG> as a biased contact-type sensor that rides along the outer diameter of the film roll <NUM>. The sensor <NUM>' can be configured as a threshold sensor, similar to the above description, or as a continuous film level sensor that reports the current value of remaining film on the roll <NUM> to the controller. Finally, an array of cartridge sensors <NUM> detect the cartridge <NUM> when the cartridge <NUM> is positioned in the operable position within the cartridge receptacle 104R of the machine <NUM>. Each of the sensors <NUM> is provided as a photo interrupter in the illustrated construction, and the sensors <NUM> are provided at opposite ends of the bottom of the cartridge receptacle 104R, although other constructions are optional. The cartridge sensors <NUM> are operable to detect presence of the cartridge <NUM>, but also further information about the film rolls <NUM> of the cartridge as the various cartridges useable with the machine <NUM> are coded according to their unique characteristics as described in further detail below. In the illustrated construction, each end of the cartridge <NUM> (e.g., a lower end or foot portion thereof) is detected by two sensors <NUM>, although only the two sensors <NUM> at one end are shown. The two sensors <NUM> at each end are vertically stacked.

<FIG> illustrate the cartridge <NUM> in further detail, with <FIG> providing an exploded assembly view thereof. As shown there, the cartridge <NUM> can be provided with a handle <NUM> at a top edge thereof. The illustrated handle <NUM> extends between the two opposing ends of the cartridge <NUM> across the entire y-axis width thereof. A label <NUM> can be provided with identifying indicia (e.g., human readable alpha-numeric characters) on the cartridge <NUM>, for example on the handle <NUM>, among other locations. The handle <NUM> can be provided as an integral part (e.g., unitarily molded part) of a cartridge body <NUM>. The body <NUM> can include two opposed end plates <NUM>. The body <NUM> can be provided with a lower cross member <NUM> spanning between lower ends of the end plates <NUM> such that the end plates <NUM> are connected both above and below the film rolls <NUM>. Each end plate <NUM> includes film roll receptacles <NUM>, vertically stacked in a z-axis and each configured to rotatably receive a film roll end cap <NUM> for in-place rotational as the film rolls <NUM> are used during operation of the machine <NUM>. The body <NUM> also includes, in each end plate <NUM>, a keyway <NUM> for receiving a bridge <NUM> of the cartridge <NUM>. The bridge <NUM> is separately formed from the body <NUM> and engageable therewith at an intermediate position between the two film rolls <NUM>. The bridge <NUM> fortifies the structure of the cartridge <NUM> and forms the article chute <NUM> through which articles are fed into the space between the two film webs. Thus, the position and integrity of the bridge <NUM> are critical to accurately feeding the articles for lamination. In combination with the keyway <NUM>, the bridge <NUM> engages with the body <NUM> in a single predefined position by a positive snap connection therebetween, the body <NUM> and the bridge <NUM> having respective complementary elements <NUM>, <NUM> of the snap connection. The bridge <NUM> is prevented from being assembled in a backward orientation with respect to the body <NUM>. Separate formation of the bridge <NUM> with respect to the body <NUM> enables differentiation of material, though both may be of thermoplastic polymer construction in some embodiments. In some constructions, the bridge <NUM> is formed of a first material having a flexural strength greater than that of a second material from which the body <NUM> is formed. In one non-limiting example, the bridge <NUM> is constructed of polycarbonate and the body <NUM> is formed of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). The bridge <NUM> can be molded stronger with ribs that could otherwise not be formed in the same tool with the body <NUM>. Separating the construction of the bridge <NUM> from the body <NUM> imparts the ability to use one or a material that is stronger than that of the body <NUM>, but also superior in terms of heat deflection temperature (i.e., a measure of a polymer's ability to bear a given load at elevated temperatures, for example in this case, an operational laminator temperature above ambient). For us it's both for heat deflection temperature and the stronger ribs in molding. Although not required in all constructions, <FIG> illustrates that a modified cartridge <NUM>' can include an integral heat shield <NUM> that blocks the film (and adhesive) on the rolls <NUM> from the heat of the heat rollers <NUM>.

As mentioned above, the cartridge <NUM> is coded as a means to convey the film specification to the machine <NUM> via the sensors <NUM>. The film specification refers to physical attributes of the film on the rolls <NUM> (e.g., film thicknesses and y-axis film width). The cartridge <NUM> is part of a family of similar cartridges <NUM> that vary by film specification. The family of cartridges <NUM> can vary exclusively by film specification and coding related to the film specification. Each cartridge <NUM> is coded by selectively-present projecting tabs <NUM> that interrupt respective light beams of the sensors <NUM> when present. The cartridge <NUM> includes a set of coding tabs <NUM> at each end, including a first set of coding tabs <NUM> outboard of the first ends of the film rolls <NUM> and a second set of coding tabs <NUM> outboard of the second ends of the film rolls <NUM>. Each set of coding tabs <NUM> can include one, two, or more coding tabs. The sets of coding tabs <NUM> are positioned at the bottom ends, or cartridge feet, provided by the cartridge end plates <NUM>. More particularly, the tabs <NUM> are positioned at the bottom ends of vertical rib portions <NUM> of the end plates <NUM> that extend downwardly from the ends of the handle <NUM>. Each tab <NUM> projects outward from the outside of the end plate <NUM>, for example parallel to the y-axis, so that the tabs <NUM> of the two sets extends away from each other. The tabs <NUM> can be positioned in a concavity or pocket <NUM> formed in the cartridge body <NUM>, the concavity being formed for example between two walls <NUM> spaced in the direction of the x-axis.

All of the tabs <NUM> can be manufactured as integral portions of the body <NUM> (e.g., molded unitarily therewith). In fact, each and every cartridge <NUM> of the family, regardless of film specification, can be originally manufactured with a full set of the tabs <NUM> present or intact, including multiple tabs <NUM> at both ends. Each cartridge <NUM> is subsequently coded by selective removal of a number of the tabs <NUM> (e.g., <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) from one or both sets. In some constructions, it may be desirable to use only codes that leave at least one tab <NUM> intact at each end of the cartridge <NUM> so that at least one sensor <NUM> at each end will positively detect the cartridge <NUM>, regardless of the cartridge type, distinguishing the resulting signal from that of no cartridge being present. As illustrated, the coding tabs <NUM> in a given set are manufactured as frangible tab portions of a single, unitary projecting tab <NUM> on the cartridge body <NUM>. For example, each coding tab <NUM> is integrally coupled to the unitary projecting tab <NUM> by at least one frangible section <NUM> having a weakened construction promoting separation from the unitary projecting tab <NUM>. In other constructions, the coding tabs <NUM> may be independently coupled to the cartridge body <NUM> with frangible sections having a weakened construction. In accordance with the film specification of the film rolls <NUM> loaded into the cartridge body <NUM> at the time of manufacture, the cartridge manufacture further includes coding the cartridge <NUM> by selectively breaking off one or more of the coding tabs <NUM> at the frangible sections <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates one example in which the cartridge <NUM> is coded by having only the lower tab <NUM> left intact, while the upper tab <NUM> has been removed. As such, the two sensors <NUM> on this side produce different signals for output to the controller, the upper sensor <NUM> detecting its light beam, and the lower sensor <NUM> having its light beam interrupted. On the opposite side, the cartridge <NUM> may have a single coding tab <NUM> (upper or lower), or may have both tabs <NUM> intact. Thus, the code for the cartridge <NUM> is determined cumulatively by the sets of coding tabs <NUM> on both ends of the cartridge <NUM>. In other constructions, the entire code is present on both ends of the cartridge <NUM> in an arrangement for redundant detection. As illustrated, the cartridge sensors <NUM> are received at least partially into the pocket <NUM> of the cartridge body <NUM> when the cartridge <NUM> is inserted into the machine <NUM> in the operable position. The sensors <NUM> sense via light transmission parallel to the x-axis or the blockage of light transmission parallel to the x-axis.

Once the cartridge <NUM> is inserted and its code read by the sensors <NUM>, the controller determines from the code how to configure the machine <NUM> according to the data in the memory. For example, the controller may set the power output to the heat rollers <NUM>, and/or set a heat roller <NUM> set point temperature, to a distinct value based on a film characteristic (film thickness and/or adhesive type) that is conveyed via the code. In particular, the value set by the controller for heating may be higher for <NUM> mil film than for <NUM> mil film, and higher yet for <NUM> mil film. When the cartridge <NUM> is replaced by a cartridge <NUM> having a code for a different film characteristic, the controller will automatically change the heat setting accordingly to match the film characteristic so that user action to input the correct film type is not necessary. This can be accomplished through various unique profiles saved in the memory and pre-selected for the unique laminating film types. Additionally, the saved profile corresponding to the cartridge code can be used by the controller in its control of the auto-feeder <NUM> and the cutter assembly <NUM>. In particular, border control is automatically carried out through controller manipulation of the auto-feeder <NUM>, the pull rollers <NUM>, and the cutter assembly <NUM>, e.g., for various standardized sheet dimensions. The machine <NUM> can thus be made universal for accommodating different types of standardized sheet dimensions used in different regions (e.g., North American legal or letter vs. ISO A3, A4, etc.). For example, A3 and A4 paper has a standardized dimension of <NUM> compared to North American letter sheets having an <NUM> inch (<NUM>) dimension. Thus, cartridges <NUM> intended for use with A3 and A4 paper have film rolls <NUM> that are larger in the y-axis direction (i.e., "width" of the film web between cartridge ends, perpendicular to the total rolled length) than cartridges <NUM> intended for use with <NUM> x <NUM> inch paper. Accordingly, the controller will operate the auto-feeder <NUM> and the pull rollers <NUM> to set and maintain spacing of sequential sheets according to the film specification in order to provide x-axis spacing that further allows operation of the cutter mechanism <NUM> to automatically cut the film, without waste, to produce predetermined, even borders from the leading and trailing edges of the article to the edge of the film that are specific to the standardized sheet sizing corresponding to the cartridge <NUM>.

As described above, the coding of the cartridges <NUM> can be operative to set multiple machine setup parameters (i.e., temperature setting and border setting). In other constructions, the machine <NUM> may be configured for only one or the other. However, it is further noted that additional setup parameters of the machine <NUM> can be enacted via the coded cartridges <NUM>. These can include, without limitation, feed rate (i.e., speed of one or both motors <NUM>, <NUM>), and laminating pressure when equipped with a variable pressure mechanism. One or more of these alternate setup parameters may be used in lieu of or in addition to the temperature and border settings, such that any and all possible combinations are possible according to the intended usage of the machine <NUM> and compatible film types. Thus, by any one of these disclosed embodiments, the machine <NUM> is operable to set (and subsequently alter or re-set) one or more variable setup parameters for the laminating process by automatically distinguishing among different cartridges <NUM> containing different film types. As disclosed in the illustrated embodiment, the detection mechanism of the machine <NUM> includes effectively detecting a number of absent coding tabs <NUM> versus a number of present coding tabs <NUM>, and furthermore, the discrete positions thereof (e.g., as a flag pattern wherein each intact coding tab <NUM> represents a flag). Though the machine setup parameters controlled by the identification of the coded cartridges <NUM> may refer to various auto-feed and/or auto-cut parameters for automatic lamination of article(s) from the feed tray <NUM>, the same system operation may be utilized for configuring the machine <NUM> for manual lamination, e.g., with individual pouches that can be manually loaded with one or more articles by the user before being fed into the machine <NUM>. This is in contrast to continuous roll lamination and does not require cutting to sever a film web from the roll. In fact, the cartridge <NUM> coded for enabling the machine <NUM> to perform manual lamination can be a dummy cartridge <NUM> having no film whatsoever. Thus, the cartridge <NUM> is merely a placeholder that is inserted into the machine <NUM> when lamination using pouches is desired by the user. Once the dummy cartridge <NUM> is in place, the user need not set any further parameters in some constructions, as the machine <NUM> is fully configured for proper pouch lamination operation.

A further interactive feature of the laminating system provided by the machine <NUM> in combination with the cartridge <NUM> is the detection of the end of film on the rolls <NUM>. This is separate from and may be in addition to a general low film detection or warning that may be triggered by monitoring a diameter of at least one of the rolls <NUM>. As such, an end of roll indicator <NUM> is embedded in the film or provided by a label thereon. In the illustrated construction of <FIG>, the end of roll indicator <NUM> is provided by a reflective label or sticker having a discernable pattern of high and low reflectivity portions (e.g., stripes) that can be optically detected by an end of roll sensor <NUM> that reports a signal to the controller. The reflective label can be easily removed by the user upon egress from the machine <NUM>. The end of roll indicator <NUM> is placed at a predetermined distance (x-direction) from the actual end of the film on the roll <NUM> (e.g., an attachment point of the film to a core of the roll <NUM>). The predetermined distance may be uniform among all cartridges <NUM> adapted for use with the machine <NUM>, or the predetermined distance may vary in accordance with the width (y-direction) of the film rolls <NUM> installed on a given cartridge <NUM>. In either case, the position of the end of roll indicator <NUM> is configured to allow a full sheet of standardized paper to complete lamination. The controller, when receiving the corresponding signal from the end of roll sensor <NUM>, deactivates the auto-feeder <NUM> so that no further sheets are fed. An indication may be provided to the user to change the cartridge <NUM>, but the lamination process for any sheet that has already been fed is unaffected and proceeds to completion as normal. In some constructions, an end of roll sensor <NUM>' is provided as an optical sensor that directly observes the transition between the film and the film roll core (e.g. cardboard or plastic tube) and detects a change in reflectiveness and/or color in order to accurately detect the end of the film. Such an end of roll sensor <NUM>' can be incorporated with the film sensor <NUM>' as shown in <FIG>.

Claim 1:
A dual roll laminating film cartridge (<NUM>, <NUM>') comprising:
a body (<NUM>) defining a first end (<NUM>) supporting a first end of a first roll (<NUM>) of continuous translucent laminating film and a first end of a second roll (<NUM>) of continuous translucent laminating film, the body (<NUM>) further defining a second end (<NUM>) supporting a second end of the first roll (<NUM>) and a second end of the second roll (<NUM>), wherein facing surfaces of the films extended from the first and second rolls (<NUM>) in an advancing direction are coated with a heat-activated adhesive;
a bridge (<NUM>) extending between the first and second ends (<NUM>) of the body (<NUM>) at a position between the first and second rolls (<NUM>), the bridge defining an article chute (<NUM>) for the reception of articles to be laminated by the films of the first and second rolls (<NUM>); and
a code indicative of one or more characteristics of the film of the first and second rolls (<NUM>), the code comprising a predetermined flag pattern of coding tabs that project outward from the body, wherein the predetermined flag pattern of coding tabs includes frangible coding tabs for coding the cartridge by selectively being broken off or left intact.