Foil Stamping Apparatus

Abstract

An apparatus for coating a part that has an asymmetrical edge. The apparatus includes a film dispenser, a film retriever, a mandrel; and a part holder. Preferably one or both of the mandrel and the part holder move in an angular relationship to one another, and the film dispenser and the film retriever move co-operatively in at least two dimensions with respect to the part holder. There is further provided a film having a first edge and a second edge, and the film can be a decorative coating, a protective coating or combinations of these. The film dispenser holds the first edge of the film, the film is positioned between the mandrel and the part holder and the film retriever holds the film second edge.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for coating a part comprising an asymmetrical edge comprising:
 a. a film dispenser;   b. a film retriever;   c. a mandrel;   d. a part holder;   
       wherein one or both of the mandrel and the part holder move in an angular relationship to one another, and wherein the film dispenser and the film retriever move co-operatively in at least two dimensions with respect to the part holder. 
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a film having a first edge and a second edge, and wherein the film is a decorative coating, a protective coating or combinations of these. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the film is a multi-layered film comprising a carrier, a release compound, a metallic foil and an adhesive. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the film dispenser holds the first edge of the film, the film is positioned between the mandrel and the part holder and the film retriever holds the film second edge. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the film dispenser and the film retriever move cooperatively in at three dimensions with respect to the part holder. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the both the film dispenser and the film retriever rotate to move the film laterally between the mandrel and the part holder. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , further comprising a part with an asymmetrical edge that is held in place by the part holder and is in physical contact with a coating side of the film and wherein the mandrel is in contact with a release side of the film. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the part rotates against the mandrel and the protective or decorative layer is deposited onto the asymmetrical edge of the part. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein as the part rotates against the mandrel one or both of the mandrel and the part holder move in an angular relationship to one another as the asymmetrical edge of the part changes angle. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the film dispenser and the film retriever move cooperatively in at least two dimensions with respect to the part holder as the part is rotated to relieve stress on the film as the asymmetrical edge of the part changes angle. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the film dispenser and the film retriever move cooperatively in three dimensions with respect to the part holder as the part is rotated to relieve stress on the film as the asymmetrical edge of the part changes angle. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the film dispenser and the film retriever rotate continuously while the part is rotated to continuously feed film between the part and the mandrel. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the film dispenser and the film retriever are stationary while the part is rotated and rotate after a part is coated to provide a fresh film surface. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the mandrel rotates and is heated. 
     
     
         15 . A system for coating a part that comprises an asymmetrical edge, comprising two or more modules wherein at least one module comprises an apparatus according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein there is at least one module that comprises an apparatus for coating a part that has symmetrical edges. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein there is at lease on module comprising an apparatus for coating a part that comprises a deformable mandrel. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein there is at least one module comprising an apparatus for applying labels, or decals to a part. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the part is selected from the group consisting of, a bottle, a jar, an over cap, a pump, a lid, a consumer product and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the part is high gloss molded. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the mandrel rotates and is deformable. 
     
     
         22 . An apparatus for coating a part that comprises an asymmetrical edge comprising:
 a. a film dispenser;   b. a film retriever;   c. a mandrel;   d. a part holder;
 wherein one or both of the mandrel and the part holder move in an angular relationship to one another.