Laminator for creating a thermal mark

Abstract

A method, a laminator ( 10 ), and a belt, for creating a pre-press proof ( 200 ) with a thermal mark ( 190 ) which comprises laminating a pre-laminate sheet ( 240 ) consisting of a first thermoplastic layer, and a first support layer ( 150 ) to a receiver stock ( 160 ); removing the first support layer ( 150 ) forming a pre-laminated receiver stock ( 350 ); creating an imaged receiver sheet ( 140 ) with a second print layer ( 308 ) and a second support layer ( 170 ); laminating the imaged receiver sheet ( 140 ) with the pre-laminated receiver stock ( 350 ) using an embossing belt ( 110 ) with an embossing mark 115; and removing the second support layer ( 170 ) creating a pre-press proof with a thermal mark ( 230 ).

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A laminator for forming a pre-press proof with a thermal mark having an identifying mark comprising: 
 a first roller located on a first side of a media passage;    a second roller located on a second side of said media passage so as to oppose said first roller, wherein a nip portion is defined between said first and second rollers so as to apply pressure to media in said media passage which passes through said nip portion;    wherein at least one of said first and second rollers is a solid roller and at least one embossing belt; and    wherein said embossing belt creates a thermal mark on a pre press proof upon passing of said pre-press proof through said laminator.    
     
     
         2 . The laminator of  claim 1  wherein said identifying mark is a member of the group: a thermal mark, a pressure mark, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         3 . The laminator according to  claim 1  wherein at least one of said rollers contains a heater element.  
     
     
         4 . The laminator of  claim 1  wherein said at least one embossing belt comprises a polyamide.  
     
     
         5 . The laminator of  claim 4  wherein said polyamide consists of a member of the group: nylon 6, 6, and nylon 6, 10 and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         6 . The laminator of  claim 1  wherein said second roller further comprises a heater element.  
     
     
         7 . The laminator of  claim 1  further comprising a second endless belt and wherein said second endless belt is an embossing belt.  
     
     
         8 . The laminator of  claim 1  wherein said embossing belt consists of a material selected from the group: polyamides, fluropolymers, polyisocyanates, polyphenylene sulfides, polycarbonates, copolymers of any of the foregoing, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said pre-press proof comprises a monochrome image.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said pre-press proof comprises a multi-colored image.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said pre-press proof is an inkjet generated pre-press proof.