Abstract: A heated roller assembly (10) is disclosed having a rotatable roller (12). The roller (12) has a generally cylindrical section (20) with an outer diameter D and includes an inner insulative layer (36) thereover, a conductive layer (38) over the inner insulative layer (36), and an outer insulative layer (40) over the conductive layer (38). The roller assembly (10) also has an inwardly projecting conical portion (22) adjacent the cylindrical section (20) of the roller (12) with the inner insulative layer (36), conductive layer (38) and outer insulative layer (40) respectively thereover. A portion (A) of the conductive layer (38) on the conical portion (22) of the roller (12) is exposed. An external contact body (14) has at least one electrically conductive outer surface (46) that projects towards and contacts the conductive layer (38) of the conical portion (22) while piercing an imaginary plane P1 formed by an extending outer diameter (D) of the cylindrical section (20).

Abstract: A feeder system is disclosed having suction members (30,60) attached to a cage assembly (101) containing sprockets (102,103) and a belt. These suction members (30,60) act simultaneously, but out of phase with one another, picking up, moving and releasing the sheets (TS).

Abstract: A registration/indexing system is disclosed having a conveyor system (20), a gate (30), a plurality of hard rollers (40,50) and a plurality of soft rollers (60).

Abstract: A heated roller assembly (10) is disclosed having a thermal conductive shell (21) with an inner surface (22) and an outer surface (23). A plurality of parallel, annularly spaced apart heat pipes (31) are positioned within longitudinal channels (25) provided along the outer surface of the core (21). A thermal conductive ceramic putty or ceramic (51) overlays the heat pipes (31) and is contoured to be flush with the outer surface (23) and prevent damage to the heat pipes (31) during the turning process. An electric (17,18) heater (41) is secured to the inner surface (22) of the shell (21). End caps (15) and axle(s) (16) contain and support the assembly (10), respectively. The core (21)/pipe (31) assembly is encased in an outer sleeve (55) with a non-stick functional surface (61).

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus (10) and method are disclosed that are fast, efficient, easy to set up and involve a minimum number of components. The sheet feeding mechanism (10) includes a first gripping member (20) comprised of two first suction cups (21) and a second gripping member (40) comprised of two second suction cups (41). The first suction cups (21) are moved along a first path (P1) between a first position and a second position by a first guide means (25). The second suction cups (41) are moved along a second path (P2) between a third position and a fourth position by a second guide means (60). Vacuum means (22,42) are connected to the suction cups (21,41) for picking up, holding and releasing sheets (TS). The first suction cups (21) pick up a sheet (TS) and transfer it to the second suction cups (41) which take the sheet (TS) to a lamination unit (LU1,LU2).

Abstract: A laminating system includes a pair of pull rollers (18) for drawing laminating film (12) from supply rolls, over preheat rollers (30) and through a pair of heated laminating rollers (14). A motor (124) connected to a driver sprocket (128) drives a driven sprocket (132) connected to one of the pull rollers (18). A second sprocket (214) is connected to the pull roller (18) by a one-way bearing (220) and is coupled to a sprocket (210) attached to one of the lamination rollers (14). The ratios of the sprockets are set such that if the lamination roller (14) are rotating properly, the laminate product (112) drives them and the coupled pull roller sprocket (214) free-wheels. And, if the lamination rollers (14) slow down their rotational speed, the bearing (220) and the abutting second pull roller sprocket (214) engage, lock and drive the lamination roller sprocket (210) and lamination rollers (14).

Abstract: Apparatus for cutting the leading and trailing edges of an opaque sheet angling initially at an offset angle with respect to a cutting blade includes a pair of light sources and a pair of light sensors opposite said light sources. An opaque sheet to be cut is moved at right angles to a line extending between said pairs of light source and sensors to bring said article edges to and past said pairs of light sources and sensors. The sensors produce article edge angle indicating signals which indicate the time difference each edge reaches said pair of sensors. Means are provided responsive to said signals which adjust the blade angle to be parallel to each article edge so the blade cuts parallel to each edge. The angle indicating could be signals which are a direct measure of the difference in times each edge reaches the sensors.

Abstract: A laminating system includes a pair of heated laminating rollers (14) for drawing laminating film (12) from supply rolls and preheat members (30) between the supply rolls and the laminating rollers. The preheat rollers are heated internally by a bonded electrical heating element, while the laminating rollers are heated by a separate bonded internal heating element. The system includes pull rollers (18) for drawing the laminated articles from the supply roll (10) across preheat rollers (30) and through laminating roll (14) with a blower system (20, 242) for cooling the articles.

Abstract: A laminating system includes a pair of heated laminating rollers (14, 110) for drawing laminating film (12, 114) from supply rolls and preheat members (30, 118) between the supply rolls and the laminating rollers. The preheat rollers are heated internally by a recirculating fluid system or by an electrical mechanism (212-220), while the laminating rollers are heated by a fluid system (70-82) or a separate electrical system. The system also includes pull rollers (18) for drawing the laminated articles from the laminating rollers and a blower system (20, 232) for cooling the articles.

Abstract: A pressure-regulating device for controlling fluid pressure flow from a source to two fluid pressure-operated devices (40, 50) includes first and second pressure regulators (22, 24), each having an inlet section, an outlet section and a control section with a diverting circuit (82) leading from the first outlet section to the second control section and having a uni-directional check valve (80) providing a pressure drop. Each regulating section has a mechanical force applicator (60, 70) to apply a predetermined outlet pressure.

Abstract: A laminating system includes a pair of heated laminating rollers for drawing laminating film from supply rolls and preheat members between the supply rolls and the laminating rollers with the rollers being heated by circulating oil. The preheat members have surface area consisting of a synthetic resin polymer having areas of chromium interspersed therein. a single-sided laminating system is also disclosed with a laminating roller covered with a chromium-synthetic resin polymer.

Abstract: The cutter mechanism for slitting laminate material interconnecting overlapping borders of adjacent articles includes an elongated body that has a pair of upwardly-extending guide feet on opposite ends along one edge of the body and downwardly-extending guide feet on opposite ends adjacent the other edge with a generally rectangular slot between the respective feet and extending from opposite ends. The slots have bases which extend perpendicular to the opposite edges and thus perpendicular to the path of movement of the cutter means to provide sharp cutting edges between the respective feet.

Abstract: A laminating machine includes a heated laminating roller (22) and a back-up roller (26) that are driven at different speeds to produce a controlled reduction in the peripheral surface speed of the back-up roller in relation to the peripheral surface speed of the laminating roller through a brake (90) to control curling in the laminated product. The laminating machine also includes pull rollers (100 and 102) that are driven by the back-up roller and are angularly adjustable to control the path of movement of the product along with dewrinkling mechanisms (44) for removing wrinkles from the film as it enters the laminating stations.