초록 ▼

A laminator assembly and method utilizes an endless belt (17a, 17b, 300) and roller arrangement to apply pressure to media (100) to be laminated and to convey the media in a controlled manner to heated pressure rollers (11a, 11b, 301, 307). In one feature of the invention, control nips can be provid

A laminator assembly and method utilizes an endless belt (17a, 17b, 300) and roller arrangement to apply pressure to media (100) to be laminated and to convey the media in a controlled manner to heated pressure rollers (11a, 11b, 301, 307). In one feature of the invention, control nips can be provided on one or both sides of the heated pressure rollers so as to minimize or eliminate flutes or ripples in the media to be laminated. The control nips can be applied by plate assemblies (29, 30, 315) which create the control nip and also serve to gain control of the media to be laminated prior to the media reaching the heated pressure roller arrangement. In the case where the plate assembly is downstream of the heated pressure roller arrangement, the plates can serve to hold the media flat while it cools down. The endless belts apply a tapering and controlled pressure to the media prior to the media reaching the heated pressure rollers where lamination occurs.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A laminator assembly comprising:a first roller arrangement arranged on a first side of a media passage;a first endless belt disposed around said first roller arrangement;a second roller arrangement arranged on a second side of said media passage with is opposite said fi

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A laminator assembly comprising:a first roller arrangement arranged on a first side of a media passage;a first endless belt disposed around said first roller arrangement;a second roller arrangement arranged on a second side of said media passage with is opposite said first side;a second endless belt disposed around said second roller arrangement, said media passage being defined between facing portions of said first and second endless belts which apply a first pressure to said media as said media passes through said media passage;wherein said first roller arrangement comprises a first heated roller and said second roller arrangement comprises a second heated roller positioned opposite said first heated roller, said first and said second heated rollers applying a second pressure to media in said media passage as said media passes between said first and second heated rollers, said second pressure being greater than said first pressure;wherein at least one of said heated rollers is a drive roller; andwherein said first roller arrangement further comprises first and second idler rollers disposed on opposite sides of said first heated roller, and said second roller arrangement comprises third and fourth idler rollers disposed on opposite sides of said second heated roller.