Laminating and adhesive transfer apparatus

Abstract

A multi-purpose laminating and adhesive transfer apparatus having a frame supporting rotatably engaging nip rollers. The frame and has upper and lower feed rolls which may be a laminate, film or paper, or an adhesively coated film or a film having an affinity for adhesive. The upper and lower feed rolls containing the webs of laminating or adhesive transfer material have tensioning caps which can be adjusted to provide the proper tensioning to prevent the rollers from overrunning as they rotate. The tensioning caps are pre-set and provided to the user. A cutter blade is positioned at the discharge side of the nip rollers and may be actuated to sever the master at any desired location. The apparatus may be operated to apply lamination to either top or bottom surfaces of a substrate.

We claim:  
     
       1. An application and transfer device comprising: 
       (a)  a frame having opposite sidesthat provides first and second feed roll mounting structures;  
       (b)  a first  nip roller rotatably mounted and extending between said sides of said frameassembly comprising a pair of cooperating structures that cooperate to apply pressure to substrates fed therebetween, at least one of said cooperating structures being a rotatable nip roller;  
       (c) a first mounting means for mounting a feed roll to said frame; 
       (d) second nip roller rotatively mounted and extending between said sides of said frame adjacent said first nip roller; 
       (e) second mounting means for mounting a feed roll to said frame; 
       (f) actuating means for imparting rotation to at least one of said nip rollers; 
       (g)  first and second removable feed rolls of material  each having a generally cylindrical  core about which feed material is wound and, said first and second feed rolls being supported for rotation in said respective first and second mounting meansremovably mounted to said first and second feed roll mounting structures, respectively, so as to allow the feed materials thereof to be unwound from their respective cores and fed in between the cooperating structures of said nip roller assembly, at least one of said feed materials carrying a layer of pressure- sensitive adhesive ; and  
       an actuator that selectively imparts rotation to at least said rotatable nip roller so that, when a master is fed in between said cooperating structures with said feed materials disposed on opposing sides of the master and the adhesive layer facing the master, a master processing operation can be performed by operating said actuator so as to impart rotation to said nip roller, thereby causing said cooperating structures to apply pressure to the feed materials and the master fed therein so as to affect adhesive bonding between the master and the feed materials via the aforesaid layer of pressure- sensitive adhesive;    
       (h)said feed rolls comprising pre-tensioning means associated with each of said cores for selectively establishing a predetermined resistance to rotation of the rolls of material to provide the proper application tension for unwinding the feed material wherein said pre-tensioning means includes a tensioning cap affixed to said cores, said caps having an end plate engaging the end of the associated core and said plate with securement means engageable in said mounting means and further including biasing means for applying a predetermined force biasing said end plate into engagement with the end of said roll corebrakes that are constructed and arranged to cooperate with said frame when said feed rolls are removably mounted to said mounting structures such that said pre- tensioning brakes remain fixed while said cores are being rotated as a result of the feed materials being unwound so that said pre - tensioning brakes apply friction to said cores to resist rotation thereof;    
       
         wherein the removable mounting of said feed rolls allows an operator to remove said feed rolls from said frame and thereafter removably mount replacement feed rolls to said frame.  
       
     
     
       2. The applicator and transfer device of claim  1  including means for moving   25 , further comprising nip roller moving structure constructed and arranged to move said nip rollers from a first position out of engagement into a second position into engagement with one another. 
     
     
       3. The applicator and transfer device of claim  1   25 , wherein said first and second mounting means comprises slot means  structures are slots located in the  on opposite sides of the  said frame, the pre- tensioning brake of each said feed rolls having a projection that is removably received in an associated slot to ensure that said brake remains fixed when said feed rolls are removably mounted in said slots.    
     
     
       4. The applicator and transfer device of claim  1   25 further includingcomprising a feed tray means polishedpositioned adjacent said nip rollers for guiding the master into said nip rollers. 
     
     
       5. The applicator and transfer device of claim  4  further including cut-off means  comprising a substrate cutter located adjacent the nip rollers opposite the feed tray, said substrate cutter being constructed and arranged to cut substrates discharged from the nip roller assembly. 
     
     
       6. The applicator and transfer device of claim  1   25 wherein the axis of  said nip rollers arehave parallel to one anotheraxes and wherein the axis of one of said nip rollers is horizontally  displaced relative to the other nip roller in a feeding direction of said applicator and transfer apparatus. 
     
     
       7. The applicator and transfer device of claim  1   3 further includingcomprising biasing means for maintainingelements that retain said feed rolls in their respective mounting meansslots. 
     
     
       8. The applicator and transfer device of claim  2  wherein said means for moving said nip rollers comprises  nip roller moving structure is a gibb plate. 
     
     
       9. The applicator and transfer device of claim  1  wherein said feed rolls are located immediately adjacent the associated nip roller. 
     
     
       10. An applicator and adhesive transfer device comprising: 
       (a)  an upper frame member having opposite sides  and a lower frame member having opposite sides , said upper frame member being pivotally connected to said lower frame member;  
       (b)  a first nip roller rotativelyrotatably mounted and extending between the sides ofto said upper frame member;  
       (c)a first feed roll mounting meansstructure associated with the upper frame member;  
       (d)  a second nip roller rotativelyrotatably mounted and extending between the sides ofto said lower frame member;  
       a second feed roll mounting structure associated with the lower frame member; 
       (e) second mounting means associated with the said lower frame member; 
       (f)  first and second removable feed rolls of feed material  each having a generally cylindrical  core about which the  feed material is wound and, said first and second feed rolls being supported for rotation in said respective first and second mounting meansremovably mounted to said first and second feed roll mounting structures, respectively, so as to allow the feed materials thereof to be unwound from their respective cores and fed in between said first and second nip rollers, at least one of said feed materials carrying a layer of pressure- sensitive adhesive;    
       (g)said feed rolls comprising pre-tensioning means integrally associated with each of said cores for selectively establishing a predetermined resistance to rotation of the rolls of feed material to provide the proper application tension for the feed material, said pre-tensioning means including a tensioning cap affixed to said associated core having an end plate engaging the associated core and said plate having with securement means engageable in said mounting means and further including biasing means for applying a predetermined force biasing said end plate into engagement with the associated corebrakes that are constructed and arranged to cooperate with said frame when said feed rolls are removably mounted to said frame such that said pre- tensioning brakes remain fixed while said cores are being rotated as a result of the feed materials being unwound so that said pre - tensioning brakes apply friction to said cores to resist rotation thereof ; and  
       (h) actuating meansan actuator for imparting rotation to at least one of said nip rollers so that, when a master is fed in between said nip rollers with said feed materials disposed on opposing sides of the master and the adhesive layer facing the master, a master processing operation can be performed by operating said actuator so as to impart rotation to said nip roller, thereby causing said nip rollers to apply pressure to the feed materials and the master fed therein so as to affect adhesive bonding between the master and the feed materials via the aforesaid layer of pressure- sensitive adhesive;    
       
         wherein the removable mounting of said feed rolls allows an operator to remove said feed rolls from said frame and thereafter removably mount replacement feed rolls to said frame.  
       
     
     
       11. The applicator and adhesive transfer device of claim  10  wherein said upper frame member is pivotal  pivots between a non-actuated position wherein said nip rollers are disengaged and an actuated position in which the nip rollers are in engagement. 
     
     
       12. The applicator and adhesive transfer device of claim  11   10 further including gear meansintermeshing gears associated with each of said first and second nip rollers whereinsuch that actuation of one nip roller will impart rotation to the other of said nip rollers. 
     
     
       13. The applicator and adhesive transfer device of claim  10  wherein said feed roll mounting means comprises slot means in  structures are slots located on opposing sides of each of said upper and lower frame members and further including first and second feed rolls each having engagement means engageable in said mounting means , the pre- tensioning brake of each feed roll having a projection that is removably received in an associated slot to ensure that said brake remains fixed when said feed rolls are removably mounted in said slots.    
     
     
       14. The applicator and adhesive transfer device of claim  13  wherein said engagement means includes pre-tensioning means for controlling the pay-out of feed material from said rolls. 
     
     
       15. The applicator and adhesive transfer device of claim  10  wherein said core has an end plate engaging the opposite ends of said core with projection means engageable in said mpounting means and further including means for applying a predetermined force biasing said end plate into engagement with the ends of said roll core. 
     
     
       16. The applicator and adhesive transfer device of claim  10  further including a feed tray generally aligned with the inner face of the  disposed adjacent said nip rollers when said nip rollers are in said second engaged position  upper frame member is in said closed position and being configured to guide a master into said nip rollers. 
     
     
       17. The applicator and adhesive transfer device of claim  10  further including cut-off means  a substrate cutter constructed and arranged to cut substrates discharged from between the nip rollers. 
     
     
       18. The applicator and adhesive transfer device of claim  10  wherein said nip rollers have parallel axes and the axis of said second  one nip roller is horizontally displaced from the axis of said second  the other nip roller in a feeding direction of said applicator and adhesive transfer device. 
     
     
       19. The applicator and transfer device of claim  1 , wherein the core of each feed roll comprises at least one end cap affixed at the axial end thereof and wherein said pre- tensioning brake of each feed roll comprises a brake plate that is secured to said core so as to apply friction to said core when said core is rotated relative to said brake plate during the unwinding of said feed material.   
     
     
       20. The applicator and transfer device of claim  17 , further comprising a spring disposed between each brake plate and each end cap that applies a biasing force to keep said brake plate frictionally engaged with said core. 
     
     
       21. The applicator and transfer device of claim  18 , further comprising a threaded screw associated with each spring, end cap, and brake plate that adjusts the amount of biasing force applied by said spring and hence the amount of frictional force applied to said core during unwinding of said feed material. 
     
     
       22. The applicator and adhesive transfer device of claim  10 , wherein the core of each feed roll comprises at least one end cap affixed at the axial end thereof and wherein said pre- tensioning brake of each feed roll comprises a brake plate that is secured to said core so as to apply friction to said core when said core is rotated relative to said brake plate during the unwinding of said feed material.   
     
     
       23. The applicator and adhesive transfer device of claim  20 , further comprising a spring disposed between each brake plate and each end cap that applies a biasing force to keep said brake plate frictionally engaged with said core. 
     
     
       24. The applicator and adhesive transfer device of claim  21 , further comprising a threaded screw associated with each spring, end cap, and brake plate that adjusts the amount of biasing force applied by said spring and hence the amount of frictional force applied to said core during unwinding of said feed material. 
     
     
       25. An application and transfer device according to claim  1 , wherein each of the cooperating structures of said nip roller assembly is a nip roller. 
     
     
       26. An apparatus for processing a master, said apparatus comprising: 
       
         a frame that provides a first feed roll mounting structure and a second feed roll mounting structure;  
       
         a first replaceable feed roll having a core about which a first supply of feed material is wound and a first pre - tensioning brake;    
         a second replaceable feed roll having a core about which a second supply of feed material is wound and a second pre - tensioning brake;    
       
         said first and second feed rolls being removably mounted to said first and second feed roll mounting structures, respectively, so that said first and second feed materials can be unwound therefrom, at least one of said feed materials carrying a layer of adhesive material;  
       
       
         a master processing assembly positioned with respect to said first and second feed roll mounting structures such that the master can be fed into said processing assembly with the feed materials being unwound from their respective feed rolls and disposed on opposing sides of the master and with the layer of adhesive material facing said master;  
       
       
         said master processing assembly being constructed and arranged to perform a master processing operation wherein said processing assembly causes adhesive bonding between the feed materials and the master being fed therein and then subsequently discharges the processed master and feed materials; and  
       
       
         an actuator that selectively affects operation of said master processing assembly so as to perform said master processing operation;  
       
         wherein said pre - tensioning brakes of said first and second feed rolls cooperate with said frame such that said pre - tensioning brakes remain fixed with respect to said frame while said cores are being rotated as a result of said feed material being unwound so that braking friction is created between said cores and said pre - tensioning brakes.   
     
     
       27. An apparatus according to claim  24 , wherein said adhesive material is pressure- sensitive and wherein said master processing assembly is constructed and arranged to perform the master processing operation without the use of heat transfer by applying pressure to the feed materials and the master fed therein.   
     
     
       28. An apparatus according to claim  25 , wherein said master processing assembly includes first and second cooperating structures that apply pressure to said feed materials and the master fed therein so as to perform said master processing operation. 
     
     
       29. An apparatus according to claim  26 , wherein said first and second cooperating structures are first and second nip rollers. 
     
     
       30. An apparatus according to claim  24 , wherein the core of each feed roll comprises at least one end cap affixed at the axial end thereof and wherein said pre- tensioning brake of each feed roll comprises a brake plate that is secured to said core so as to apply friction to said core when said core is rotated relative to said brake plate during the unwinding of said feed material.   
     
     
       31. An apparatus according to claim  28 , further comprising a spring disposed between each brake plate and each end cap that applies a biasing force to keep said brake plate frictionally engaged with said core. 
     
     
       32. An apparatus according to claim  29 , further comprising a threaded screw associated with each spring, end cap, and brake plate that adjusts the amount of biasing force applied by said spring and hence the amount of frictional force applied to said core during unwinding of said feed material. 
     
     
       33. An apparatus according to claim  24  wherein said first and second mounting structures are slots located on opposite sides of said frame, the pre- tensioning brake of each feed roll having a projection that is removably received in an associated slot to ensure that said brake remains fixed when said feed rolls are removably mounted in said slots.   
     
     
       34. An apparatus according to claim  24  further comprising a feed tray positioned adjacent said nip rollers for guiding the master into said nip rollers. 
     
     
       35. An apparatus according to claim  24 , further comprising a substrate cutter located adjacent the nip rollers opposite the feed tray, said substrate cutter being constructed and arranged to cut substrates discharged from the nip roller assembly. 
     
     
       36. A feed roll assembly to be used in conjunction with an apparatus for performing a master processing operation, the apparatus comprising a frame that provides first and second feed roll mounting structures, a master processing assembly constructed and arranged to perform a master processing operation wherein said processing assembly causes adhesive bonding between adhesive carrying substrates fed therein, and an actuator that affects operation of the master processing assembly, said feed roll assembly comprising: 
         a first replaceable feed roll having a core about which a first supply of feed material is wound and a first pre - tensioning brake;    
         a second replaceable feed roll having a core about which a second supply of feed material is wound and a second pre - tensioning brake;    
       
         said first and second feed rolls being constructed and arranged to be removably mounted to the first and second feed roll mounting structures of the frame, respectively, so that their respective feed materials can be unwound therefrom, at least one of said feed materials carrying a layer of adhesive material;  
       
         said pre - tensioning brakes being constructed and arranged to cooperate with the apparatus frame when the feed rolls are removably mounted to the respective feed roll mounting structures thereof such that said brakes remain fixed with respect to the apparatus frame while said cores are being rotated as a result of said feed materials being unwound from said cores so that braking friction is created between said cores and said pre - tensioning brakes.   
     
     
       37. A feed roll assembly according to claim  34 , wherein the layer of adhesive material is pressure- sensitive.   
     
     
       38. A feed roll assembly according to claim  34 , wherein the core of each feed roll comprises at least one end cap affixed at the axial end thereof and wherein said pre- tensioning brake of each feed roll comprises a brake plate that is secured to said core so as to apply friction to said core when said core is rotated relative to said brake plate during the unwinding of said feed material.   
     
     
       39. A feed roll assembly according to claim  36 , further comprising a spring disposed between each brake plate and each end cap that applies a biasing force to keep said brake plate frictionally engaged with said core. 
     
     
       40. A feed roll assembly according to claim  37 , further comprising a threaded screw associated with each spring, end cap, and brake plate that adjusts the amount of biasing force applied by said spring and hence the amount of frictional force applied to said core during unwinding of said feed material.