Abstract: A current assembly apparatus and associated method for producing laminated cards such as credit cards including providing means for feeding printed card sheets to a laminating station and at the same time feeding top and bottom overlay webs also to the laminating station. The top overlay web is provided with a series of parallel-disposed magnetic stripes. Means are provided for controlling the feeding of the top overlay web and the card sheets so as to feed them concurrently to form a lamination. Means are also provided for controlling the inter-positional relationship or registration between the card sheet and the overlay web to maintain a predetermined positional arrangement between the magnetic stripe and a predetermined position on the card sheet.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying a strip material to the surface of plastic card stock. Blank plastic card stock pieces are stored and then transferred in a downstream direction from the storage location. A predetermined length of strip material from a source is supplied in response to the transferral of card stock. The strip material is located in an overlay position on each of the plastic card stock pieces. Downstream of the supply process, strip material is cut to a predetermined length upon the card. Immediately downstream of this cutting, a spot tacking operating occurs in which the overlaid strip material is lightly adhered to the card stock surface. Finally, downstream of the tacking operation, the strip material is permanently adhered to each of the plastic card stock pieces. The strip material may be a paper-like surface suitable for signatures, and the adhering process may be performed by means of a moving lamination head that applies a high temperature and pressure to the area of the strip.

Abstract: A current assembly apparatus and associated method for producing laminated cards such as credit cards including providing means for feeding printed card sheets to a laminating station and at the same time feeding top and bottom overlay webs also to the laminating station. The top overlay web is provided with a series of parallel-disposed magnetic stripes. Means are provided for controlling the feeding of the top overlay web and the card sheets so as to feed them concurrently to form a lamination. Means are also provided for controlling the inter-positional relationship or registration between the card sheet and the overlay web to maintain a predetermined positional arrangement between the magnetic stripe and a predetermined position on the card sheet.