AU746702B2 - Removable cartridge and related apparatus and method - Google Patents

Description

1 Removable Cartridge And Related Apparatus And Method Field of the Invention The invention relates to a removable cartridge for use in or in conjunction with a laminating and adhesive transfer apparatus particularly for performing a laminating or adhesive transfer operation on a master.

The invention also relates to a laminating and/or adhesive transfer apparatus for use in conjunction with the removable cartridge for performing a laminating and/or adhesive transfer operation on a master.

The invention further relates to an apparatus for processing a master particularly in conjunction with the removable cartridge.

The invention also relates to a method for performing a laminating operation wherein a master is laminated, and also a method for performing an adhesive transfer operation wherein adhesive is transferred to a master.

The invention is concerned particularly but not exclusively with apparatus that can transfer adhesives to sheet-like substrates for the purpose of producing self-adhesive labels such as laminated decalcomanias, stickers, retroreflective labels and the like information carriers that are provided with variable printed material on a sheet-like master substrate.

Background of the Invention Registration and similar automotive vehicle-related information is often printed on labels and stickers that are placed on a motor vehicle such as to permit readily accessible visual inspection by authorities. Such labels and stickers can include information relating to tax payment, vehicle mechanical inspection, emission inspections, payment for access to parking, and the like.

At present, decalcomanias and other self-adhesive labels indicating compliance with such requirements are made in a central location and typically are issued by one of three means: The label is applied for and returned to the recipient by mail from the central manufacturing and issuing location.

The decal is manufactured centrally and additional information is printed thereon by an issuing governmental office such as the Roads and Traffic Authority.

The decal is issued by privately owned businesses under subcontract of a government agency.

Information placed on these labels usually contains a control number for the government agency to track the label. In many cases, the control number is essentially useless, because of the difficulty of keeping track of the recipient, where the recipient places the label with a particular control number, and who can enforce non-compliance. Frequently, the central authority only has partial control over the labels sent to a particular issuing location, and must trust the issuing agency to return information matching recipients with labels. Due to the foregoing difficulties, tracking of registration validation labels can often be problematic.

Also, fraud can be committed by stealing a label rather than acquiring it through the proper procedures, by buying and using a counterfeit label and by purchasing a label for one vehicle and using it on another vehicle (referred to as "transferring" the label).

One way to prevent fraud is to print, at the time of issue, vehicle specific information on a label made from a material that cannot be counterfeited. This is difficult to do under decalcomania production systems currently used, since such type of decalcomanias are usually manufactured at a central location using expensive, automated equipment.

Expensive, automated label production equipment cannot be cost- *justified for non-centralised governmental offices (such as state motor vehicle department offices) and privately-owned issuers. Thus, there is a need for low cost self-adhesive label production systems that can produce at decentralised locations (such as branch offices) the same counterfeit-proof, self-adhesive labels as are manufactured by expensive, automated equipment usually employed by central issuing authorities.

Summary of Invention According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a laminating and adhesive transfer apparatus for use in conjunction with a removable cartridge for performing a laminating and adhesive transfer operation on a master, the cartridge having a pair of feed rolls rotatably mounted therein and a master feeding opening through which the master can be fed, each of the feed rolls supporting a supply of stock material, said apparatus including: a frame having a cartridge-mounting structure for receiving a removable cartridge, the cartridge-mounting structure arranged such that the master feeding opening of the removable cartridge faces outwardly with respect to the frame when the removable cartridge is mounted on the cartridge-mounting structure; said cartridge-mounting structure having means enabling the removable cartridge to be manually removed and replaced with a new removable cartridge; and a pair of nip rollers rotatably mounted within the frame and extending o transversely between opposing sides thereof, the pair of nip rollers defining a nip area therebetween, the nip area having a feed side and a discharge side, the pair of nip rollers being associated with an actuating mechanism for imparting rotation to at least one of the pair of nip rollers; the pair of nip rollers being arranged with respect to the cartridge mounting structure such that a master is feedable through the master feed opening of the removable cartridge into the feed side of the nip area together .with the stock material unrolled from the feed rolls, and the nip rollers being S2 arranged to apply pressure to the master and the stock material being fed through the nip area as the nip rollers are rotated during a laminating or adhesive transfer operation of the master and stock material before being a a discharged out of the discharge side from the nip rollers, whereby a selective laminating or adhesive transfer operation is performed on the master without the use of heat transfer as the master and stock material are passed through the nip rollers.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a removable cartridge for use in a laminating and adhesive transfer apparatus having a frame with a cartridge-mounting structure and a pair of nip rollers rotatably mounted within the frame, the removable cartridge including: a cartridge body structure; a pair of feed rolls rotatably mounted within the cartridge body structure and extending in a transverse direction, the feed rolls each carrying a supply of stock material to be unrolled, the cartridge body structure having a master feed opening positioned to face outwardly with respect to the frame of the apparatus when the removable cartridge is removably mounted on the cartridge-mounting structure of the frame, the master feed opening being configured to allow a master to be fed therethrough and into the nip rollers when the removable cartridge is removably mounted on the cartridge-mounting structure of the apparatus, the feed rolls being constructed and arranged such that the stock material can be unrolled thereform, be disposed on opposing sides of the master fed through the master feed opening, and then be fed together with the master into the nip rollers of the laminating and adhesive transfer apparatus when the removable cartridge is mounted on the cartridge-mounting structure, such that the laminating and adhesive transfer apparatus can perform a laminating or adhesive transfer operation on the master, the cartridge body structure being configured such that a user can engage the cartridge body structure, mount the removable cartridge on the cartridge- 20 mounting structure of the frame of the apparatus and remove said removable cartridge therefrom for replacing the removable cartridge with a similar removable cartridge when desired.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for processing a master, said apparatus including: a frame; .a removable cartridge removably mounted to said frame, said removable S. cartridge including a cartridge body structure and first and second feed rolls carrying respective supplies of first and second stock material, said feed rolls being mounted to said cartridge body structure to enable the stock materials to be unwound from their respective feed rolls, at least one of said stock materials having a layer of adhesive disposed thereon; a master processing assembly positioned with respect to said first and second feed rolls such that the master can be fed into said processing assembly with said first and second stock materials being unwound from their respective feed rolls and disposed on opposing sides of the master; said master processing assembly being constructed and arranged to perform a master processing operation wherein said processing assembly causes adhesive bonding between the first and second stock materials and the master being fed therein and then subsequently discharges the processed master and stock materials; and an actuator constructed and arranged to affect operation of said master processing assembly so as to perform said master processing operation; said cartridge body structure being configured such that the user can remove said removable cartridge from said frame to enable replacement of said removable cartridge when desired.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for processing a master in conjunction with a removable cartridge including a cartridge body structure and first and second feed rolls carrying respective supplies of first and second stock material, said first and second feed rolls being mounted to said cartridge body structure to enable the stock materials to be unwound from their respective feed rolls, at least one of the stock materials having a layer of adhesive disposed thereon, said apparatus including: a frame constructed and arranged such that the removable cartridge can be removably mounted thereto; a master processing assembly positioned with respect to said frame such that, when the removable cartridge is removably mounted to said frame, the master can be fed into said master processing assembly with said first and second stock materials unwound from their respective feed rolls and disposed on opposing sides of the master; said master processing assembly being constructed and arranged to perform a master processing operation wherein said processing assembly causes adhesive bonding between the first and second stock materials and the master being fed into said processing assembly and then subsequently discharges the processed master and stock materials; and an actuator constructed and arranged to affect operation of said master processing assembly so as to perform said master processing operation.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a removable cartridge to be used in conjunction with a master processing apparatus for processing a master, the apparatus including a frame, a master processing assembly constructed and arranged to perform a master processing operation wherein said processing assembly causes adhesive bonding between substrates fed therein, and an actuator constructed and arranged to affect operation of the master processing assembly, said cartridge including: a cartridge body structure constructed and arranged to be removably O mounted to the apparatus frame; first and second feed rolls each carrying supplies of first and second stock materials and being mounted to said cartridge body structure to enable the stock materials to be unwound from their respective feed rolls, at least one of said stock materials having a layer of adhesive disposed thereon; said cartridge body structure and said first and second feed rolls being constructed and arranged such that, when said cartridge body structure is removably mounted to the apparatus frame, the master can be inserted into the master processing assembly of the apparatus with said first and second stock materials being unwound from their respective feed rolls and disposed on opposing sides of the master, thereby enabling the actuator to be operated to cause the processing assembly to perform the aforesaid master processing operation wherein said processing assembly causes adhesive bonding between said first and second stock materials and the master being fed therein and then subsequently discharges the processed master and stock materials; said cartridge body structure being constructed and arranged such that, when said cartridge is removably mounted to the frame of the apparatus, said cartridge can be removed from the apparatus frame to enable cartridge replacement when desired.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a laminating and adhesive transfer apparatus for performing a laminating or adhesive transfer operation on a master, said apparatus including: a frame; a removable cartridge removably mounted to said frame, said removable cartridge including a cartridge body structure and first and second feed rolls carrying respective supplies of first and second stock material, said feed rolls being mounted to said cartridge body structure to enable the stock materials to be unwound from their respective feed rolls, at least one of said stock materials having a layer of adhesive disposed thereon; a master processing assembly positioned with respect to said first and .:..second feed rolls such that the master can be fed into said processing assembly with said first and second stock materials being unwound from said their respective feed rolls and disposed on opposing sides of the master; said master processing assembly being constructed and arranged to perform a laminating or adhesive transfer operation wherein said processing assembly causes adhesive bonding between the first and second stock materials and the master being fed therein and then subsequently discharges the processed master and stock materials; and an actuator constructed and arranged to affect operation of said master processing assembly so as to perform said master processing operation; said cartridge body structure being configured such that the user can remove said removable cartridge from said frame to enable replacement of said removable cartridge when desired.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a laminating and adhesive transfer apparatus for performing a laminating or adhesive transfer operation on a master in conjunction with a 8 removable cartridge including a cartridge body structure and first and second feed rolls carrying respective supplies of first and second stock material, the feed rolls being mounted to said cartridge body structure to enable the stock materials to be unwound from their respective feed rolls, at least one of the stock materials having a layer of adhesive disposed thereon, said apparatus including: a frame constructed and arranged such that the removable cartridge can be removably mounted thereto; a master processing assembly positioned with respect to said frame such that, when the removable cartridge is removably mounted to said frame, the master can be fed into said master processing assembly with said first and second stock materials being unwound from said feed rolls and disposed on the opposing sides of the master; :said master processing assembly being constructed and arranged to perform a laminating or adhesive transfer operation wherein said processing .assembly causes adhesive bonding between the first and second stock materials and the master being fed into said processing assembly and then subsequently discharges the processed master and stock materials; and actuator constructed and arranged to affect operation of said o cooperating structures so as to perform said master processing operation.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a removable cartridge to be used in conjunction with a laminating and adhesive transfer apparatus for performing a laminating or adhesive transfer operation on a master, the apparatus including a frame, a master processing assembly constructed and arranged to perform a laminating or adhesive transfer operation wherein said processing assembly causes adhesive bonding between substrates fed therein, and an actuator constructed and arranged to affect operation of the master processing assembly, said cartridge including: a cartridge body structure constructed and arranged to be removably mounted to the apparatus frame; first and second feed rolls each carrying supplies of first and second stock materials and being mounted to said cartridge body structure to enable the stock materials to be unwound from their respective feed rolls, at least one of said stock materials having a layer of adhesive disposed thereon; said cartridge body structure and said first and second feed rolls being constructed and arranged such that, when said cartridge body structure is removably mounted to the apparatus frame, the master can be inserted into the master processing assembly of the apparatus with said stock materials being unwound from their respective feed rolls and disposed on opposing sides of the master, thereby enabling the actuator to be operated to cause the processing assembly to perform the aforesaid laminating or adhesive transfer operation wherein the processing assembly causes adhesive bonding between said first and second stock materials and the master being fed therein and then subsequently discharges the processed master and stock materials; said cartridge body structure being constructed and arranged such that, when said cartridge is removably mounted to the frame of the apparatus, said cartridge can be removed from the apparatus frame to enable cartridge replacement when desired.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a S 20 laminating apparatus for performing a laminating operation on a master, said apparatus including: a frame; a removable cartridge removably mounted to said frame, said removable cartridge including a cartridge body structure and first and second feed rolls 25 carrying respective supplies of first and second laminating material, said feed rolls being mounted to said cartridge body structure to enable the laminating materials to be unwound from their respective feed rolls, at least one of said laminating materials having a layer of adhesive disposed thereon; a laminating assembly positioned with respect to said first and second rolls such that the master can be fed into said laminating assembly with said first and second laminating materials being unwound from their respective feed rolls and disposed on opposing sides of the master; said laminating assembly being constructed and arranged to perform a laminating operation wherein said laminating assembly causes adhesive bonding between the first and second laminating materials and the master being fed therein and then subsequently discharges the laminated master; and an actuator constructed and arranged to affect operation of said laminating assembly so as to perform said master processing operation; said cartridge body structure being configured such that the user can remove said removable cartridge from said frame to enable replacement of said removable cartridge when desired.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a laminating apparatus for performing a laminating operation on a master in conjunction with a removable cartridge including a cartridge body structure and first and second feed rolls carrying respective supplies of first and second laminating material, the feed rolls being mounted to said cartridge body structure to enable the laminating materials to be unwound from their respective feed rolls, at least one of the laminating materials having a layer of adhesive disposed 20 thereon, said apparatus including: a frame constructed and arranged such that the removable cartridge can be removably mounted thereto; a laminating assembly positioned with respect to said frame such that, when the removable cartridge is removably mounted to said frame, the master 25 can be fed into said master processing assembly with said first and second stock materials being unwound from their respective feed rolls and disposed on opposing sides of the master; Sees said laminating assembly being constructed and arranged to perform a laminating operation wherein said laminating assembly causes adhesive bonding between the first and second stock materials and the master being 11, f.

fed into said laminating assembly and then subsequently discharges the laminated master; and an actuator constructed and arranged to affect operation of said cooperating structures so as to perform said master processing operation.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a removable cartridge to be used in conjunction with a laminating apparatus for performing a laminating operation on a master, the apparatus including a frame, a laminating assembly constructed and arranged to perform a laminating operation wherein said laminating assembly causes adhesive bonding between substrates fed therein, and an actuator constructed and arranged to affect operation of the laminating assembly, said cartridge including: a cartridge body structure constructed and arranged to be removably mounted to the apparatus frame; first and second feed rolls each carrying supplies of first and second laminating materials and being mounted to said cartridge body structure to enable the laminating materials to be unwound from their respective feed rolls, at least one of said laminating materials having a layer of adhesive disposed thereon; a. (GO said cartridge body structure and said first and second feed rolls being constructed and arranged such that, when said cartridge body structure is 20 removably mounted to the apparatus frame, the master can be fed into the laminating assembly of the apparatus with the laminating materials being unwound from their respective feed rolls and disposed on opposing sides of the master, thereby enabling the actuator to be operated to cause the laminating assembly to perform the aforesaid laminating operation wherein the laminating .25 assembly causes adhesive bonding between said first and second laminating *g* materials and the master being fed therein and then subsequently discharges the laminated master; said cartridge body structure being constructed and arranged such that, when said cartridge is removably mounted to the frame of the apparatus, said cartridge can be removed from the apparatus frame to enable cartridge replacement when desired.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for performing a laminating operation wherein a master is laminated, said method including: providing a removable cartridge including: a cartridge body structure and first and second feed rolls each carrying a supply of laminating material and being mounted to said cartridge body structure to enable the laminating materials to be unwound from their respective feed rolls, at least one of said laminating materials having a layer of adhesive disposed thereon; removably mounting said cartridge to an apparatus including a frame and an actuator; then inserting the master into a laminating assembly with said laminating materials being unwound from their respective feed rolls and disposed on opposing sides of said master; and thereafter operating said actuator so as to cause said laminating assembly to perform a laminating operation wherein said laminating materials and said master are adhesively bonded together and then the laminated master is discharged from the apparatus.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for performing an adhesive transfer operation wherein adhesive is *-*transferred to a master, said method including: providing a removable cartridge including: Sa cartridge body structure, and first and second feed rolls one of which carries a release liner having a 25 layer of adhesive disposed thereon and the other of which carries a substrate having an affinity for bonding with said adhesive, said feed rolls being mounted to said cartridge body structure to enable the release liner and the substrate with *i bonding affinity to be unwound from their respective feed rolls; removably mounting said cartridge to an apparatus including a frame and an actuator; then inserting the master into a processing assembly with said release liner and said substrate with bonding affinity being unwound from their respective Sfeed rolls and disposed on opposing sides of said master; and 0' thereafter operating said actuator so as to cause said laminating assembly to perform an adhesive transfer operation wherein said adhesive is bonded with one side of said master and portions of said substrate which extend around the periphery of said master and then said master, release liner, and substrate with bonding affinity are discharged from the apparatus, thereby enabling the substrate to be moved away from said release liner and master with said adhesive remaining bonded to said portions which extended around the periphery of the master.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for processing a master, said apparatus comprising: a frame; a removable cartridge removably mounted to said frame, said removable cartridge comprising a cartridge body structure and first and second feed rolls carrying respective supplies of first and second stock material, said feed rolls being mounted to said cartridge body structure to enable the stock materials to be unwound from their respective feed rolls, at least one of said stock materials having a layer of adhesive disposed thereon; and a master processing assembly positioned with respect to said first and V 46 00*00 second feed rolls such that the master can be fed into said processing assembly S 20 with said first and second stock materials being unwound from their respective feed rolls and disposed on opposing sides of the master; said master processing assembly being constructed and arranged to perform a master processing operation wherein said processing assembly causes O• said adhesive to bond to at least the master during advancement of the master 25 and said stock materials through said master processing assembly; said cartridge body structure being configured such that the user can remove said removable cartridge from said frame to enable replacement of said removable cartridge when desired.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for processing a master in conjunction with a removable cartridge comprising a cartridge body structure and first and second feed rolls carrying respective supplies of first and second stock material, said first and second feed eLS-lls being mounted to said cartridge body structure to enable the stock materials f, -1 1' to be unwound from their respective feed rolls, at least one of the stock materials having a layer of adhesive disposed thereon, said apparatus comprising: a frame constructed and arranged such that the removable cartridge can be removably mounted thereto; and a master processing assembly positioned with respect to said frame such that, when the removable cartridge is removably mounted to said frame, the master can be fed into said master processing assembly with said first and second stock materials unwound from their respective feed rolls and disposed on opposing sides of the master; said master processing assembly being constructed and arranged to perform a master processing operation wherein said processing assembly causes said adhesive to bond to at least the master during advancement of the master and said stock materials through said processing assembly.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a removable cartridge to be used in conjunction with a master processing apparatus for processing a master, the apparatus comprising a frame, and a master processing assembly constructed and arranged to perform a master processing operation wherein said processing assembly causes adhesive bonding between substrates advanced therethrough, said cartridge comprising: a cartridge body structure constructed and arranged to be removably mounted to the apparatus frame; first and second feed rolls each carrying supplies of first and second stock materials and being mounted to said cartridge body structure to enable the stock materials to be unwound from their respective feed rolls, at least one of said stock 25 materials having a layer of adhesive disposed thereon; said cartridge body structure and said first and second feed rolls being constructed and arranged such that, when said cartridge body structure is removably mounted to the apparatus frame, the master can be inserted into the master processing assembly of the apparatus with said first and second stock materials being unwound from their respective feed rolls and disposed on opposing sides of the master, thereby enabling the master and said stock materials to be advanced through said master processing assembly with said master processing assembly performing the aforesaid master processing operation to cause said adhesive to bond to at least the master; said cartridge body structure being constructed and arranged such that, when said cartridge is removably mounted to the frame of the apparatus, said cartridge can be removed from the apparatus frame to enable cartridge replacement when desired.

According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a laminating and adhesive transfer apparatus for performing a laminating or adhesive transfer operation, said apparatus comprising: a frame constructed and arranged such that the removable cartridge can be removably mounted thereto; a removable cartridge removably mounted to said frame, said cartridge comprising a cartridge body structure and first and second feed rolls carrying respective supplies of first and second stock material, the feed rolls being mounted to said cartridge body structure to enable the stock materials to be unwound from their respective feed rolls, at least one of the stock materials having a layer of adhesive disposed thereon, a master processing assembly positioned with respect to said frame such S that, when the removable cartridge is removably mounted to said frame, the master can be fed into said master processing assembly with said first and second stock materials being unwound from said feed rolls and disposed on the opposing sides of the master; said master processing assembly being constructed and arranged to S perform a laminating or adhesive transfer operation wherein said processing 25 assembly causes said adhesive to bond to at least the master during advancement of the master and stock materials through said master processing assembly.

According to a eighteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a laminating and adhesive transfer apparatus for performing a laminating or adhesive transfer operation on a master in conjunction with a removable cartridge comprising a cartridge body structure and first and second feed rolls carrying respective supplies of first and second stock material, the feed rolls being t L/, 1 unted to said cartridge body structure to enable the stock materials to be p 1 Of unwound from their respective feed rolls, at least one of the stock materials having a layer of adhesive disposed thereon, said apparatus comprising: a frame constructed and arranged such that the removable cartridge can be removably mounted thereto; and a master processing assembly positioned with respect to said frame such that, when the removable cartridge is removably mounted to said frame, the master can be fed into said master processing assembly with said first and second stock materials being unwound from said feed rolls and disposed on the opposing sides of the master; said master processing assembly being constructed and arranged to perform a laminating or adhesive transfer operation wherein said processing assembly said adhesive to bond to at least the master during advancement of the master and stock materials through said master processing assembly.

According to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a removable cartridge to be used in conjunction with a laminating and adhesive transfer apparatus for performing a laminating or adhesive transfer operation on a master, the apparatus comprising a frame, and a master processing assembly constricted and arranged to perform the laminating or adhesive transfer operation wherein said processing assembly causes adhesive bonding between substrates 20 advanced therethrough, said cartridge comprising: a.c.

a cartridge body structure constructed and arranged to be removably mounted to the apparatus frame; first and second feed rolls each carrying supplies of first and second stock materials and being mounted to said cartridge body structure to enable the stock *i 25 materials to be unwound from their respective feed rolls, at least one of said stock materials having a layer of adhesive disposed thereon; :said cartridge body structure and said first and second feed rolls being constructed and arranged such that, when said cartridge body structure is removably mounted to the apparatus frame, the master can be inserted into the master processing assembly of the apparatus with said stock materials being unwound from their respective feed rolls and disposed on opposing sides of the master, thereby enabling the master and said stock materials to be advanced AL/ -hrough said master processing assembly with said master processing assembly performing the aforesaid laminating or adhesive transfer operation to cause said adhesive to bond to at least the master; said cartridge body structure being constructed and arranged such that, when said cartridge is removably mounted to the frame of the apparatus, said cartridge can be removed from the apparatus frame to enable cartridge replacement when desired.

According to a twentieth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a laminating apparatus for performing, a laminating operation on a master, said apparatus comprising: a frame; a removable cartridge removably mounted to said frame, said removable cartridge comprising a cartridge body structure and first and second feed rolls carrying respective supplies of first and second laminating materials, said feed rolls being mounted to said cartridge body structure to enable the laminating materials to be unwound from their respective feed rolls, at least one of said laminating materials having a layer of adhesive disposed thereon; and a laminating assembly positioned with respect to said first and second rolls such that the master can be fed into said laminating assembly with said first and second laminating materials being unwound from their respective S. 20 feed rolls and disposed on opposing sides of the master; logo P or said laminating assembly being constructed and arranged to perform a laminating operation wherein said laminating assembly causes said adhesive to S bond the first and second laminating materials and the master during poor advancement thereof through said laminating assembly; 25 said cartridge body structure being configured such that the user can remove said removable cartridge from said frame to enable replacement of said removable cartridge when desired.

°"According to a twenty-first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a laminating apparatus for performing a laminating operation on a master in conjunction with a removable cartridge comprising a cartridge body structure and first and second feed rolls carrying respective supplies of first and second laminating material, the feed rolls being mounted to said cartridge body J structure to enable the laminating materials to be unwound from their respective 1p feed rolls, at least one of the laminating materials having a layer of adhesive disposed thereon, said apparatus comprising: a frame constructed and arranged such that the removable cartridge can be removably mounted thereto; and a laminating assembly positioned with respect to said frame such that, when the removable cartridge is removably mounted to said frame, the master can be fed into said laminating assembly with said first and second laminating materials being unwound from their respective feed rolls and disposed on opposing sides of the master; said laminating assembly being constructed and arranged to perform a laminating operation wherein said laminating assembly causes said adhesive to bond the first and second laminating materials and the master during advancement thereof through said laminating assembly.

According to a twenty second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a removable cartridge to be used in conjunction with a laminating apparatus for performing a laminating operation on a master, the apparatus comprising a frame, and a laminating assembly constructed and arranged to •O perform a laminating operation wherein said laminating assembly causes **eo adhesive bonding between substrates advanced therethrough, said cartridge io 60 20 comprising: a cartridge body stricture constructed and arranged to be removably mounted to the apparatus frame; first and second feed rolls each carrying supplies of first and second 0oi laminating materials and being mounted to said cartridge body structure to enable *i SO 25 the laminating materials to be unwound from their respective feed rolls, at least one of said laminating materials having a layer of adhesive disposed thereon; said cartridge body structure and said first and second feed rolls being constructed and arranged such that, when said cartridge body structure is removably mounted to the apparatus frame, the master can be fed into the laminating assembly of the apparatus with the laminating materials being unwound from their respective feed rolls and disposed on opposing sides of the master, thereby enabling the master and said laminating materials to be advanced through said laminating assembly with said laminating assembly

I,

performing the aforesaid laminating operation to cause said adhesive to bond said first and second laminating materials and the master; said cartridge body structure being constructed and arranged such that, when said cartridge is removably mounted to the frame of the apparatus, said cartridge can be removed from the apparatus frame to enable cartridge replacement when desired.

According to a twenty third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an adhesive transfer apparatus for performing an adhesive transfer operation on a master, said apparatus comprising: a frame; a removable cartridge removably mounted to said frame, said removable cartridge comprising a cartridge body structure and first and second feed rolls carrying respective supplies of first and second stock material, said feed rolls being mounted to said cartridge body structure to enable the stock materials to be unwound from their respective feed rolls, at least one of said stock materials having a layer of adhesive disposed thereon; and an adhesive transfer assembly positioned with respect to said first and second rolls such that the master can be fed into said adhesive transfer assembly with said first and second stock materials being unwound from their respective :20 feed rolls and disposed on opposing sides of the master; said adhesive transfer assembly being constructed and arranged to perform an adhesive transfer operation wherein said adhesive transfer assembly causes said adhesive to bond to at least the master during advancement of the master and stock materials through said adhesive transfer assembly; said cartridge body structure being configured such that the user can remove said removable cartridge from said frame to enable replacement of said removable cartridge when desired.

*According to a twenty fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an adhesive transfer apparatus for performing an adhesive transfer 30 operation on a master in conjunction with a removable cartridge comprising a cartridge body structure and first and second feed rolls carrying respective supplies of first and second stock material, the feed rolls being mounted to said ,cartridge body structure to enable the stock materials to be unwound from their 4o respective feed rolls, at least one of the stock materials having a layer of adhesive disposed thereon, said apparatus comprising: a frame constructed and arranged such that the removable cartridge can be removably mounted thereto; and an adhesive transfer assembly positioned with respect to said frame such that, when the removable cartridge is removably mounted to said frame, the master can be fed into said adhesive transfer assembly with said first and second stock materials being unwound from their respective feed rolls and disposed on opposing sides of the master; said adhesive transfer assembly being constructed and arranged to perform an adhesive transfer operation wherein said adhesive transfer assembly causes said adhesive to bond to at least the master during advancement of the master and stock materials through said adhesive transfer assembly.

According to a twenty fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a removable cartridge to be used in conjunction with an adhesive transfer apparatus for performing an adhesive transfer operation on a master, the apparatus comprising a frame, and an adhesive transfer assembly constructed and arranged to perform an adhesive transfer operation wherein said adhesive transfer assembly causes adhesive bonding between substrates advanced 20 therethrough, said cartridge comprising: a cartridge body structure constructed and arranged to be removably mounted to the apparatus frame; first and second feed rolls each carrying supplies of first and second stock materials and being mounted to said cartridge body structure to enable the stock materials to be unwound from their respective feed rolls, at least one of said stock materials having a layer of adhesive disposed thereon; e said cartridge body stricture and said first and second feed rolls being constricted and arranged such that, when said cartridge body structure is removably mounted to the apparatus frame, the master can be fed into the 30 adhesive transfer assembly of the apparatus with the adhesive transfer materials being, unwound from their respective feed rolls and disposed on opposing sides of the master, thereby enabling the master and said stock materials to be advanced through said adhesive transfer assembly with said adhesive transfer assembly performing the aforesaid adhesive transfer operation to cause said adhesive to bond to at least the master; said cartridge body structure being constructed and arranged such that, when said cartridge is removably mounted to the frame of the apparatus, said cartridge can be removed from the apparatus frame to enable cartridge replacement when desired.

According to a twenty sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for performing a master processing operation, said method comprising: providing a removable cartridge comprising: a cartridge body structure, and (ii) first and second feed rolls each carrying a supply of stock material and being mounted to said cartridge body structure to enable the stock materials to be unwound from their respective feed rolls, at least one of said laminating materials having a layer of adhesive disposed thereon; removably mounting said cartridge to an apparatus comprising a frame and a master processing assembly; then advancing the master into said master processing assembly with said stock materials being unwound from their respective feed rolls and disposed on 20 opposing sides of said master so as to cause said master assembly to cause said adhesive to bond to at least said master.

According to a twenty seventh aspect of the present invention, there is 0: provided an apparatus for processing a master, said apparatus comprising: frame; a removable cartridge removably mounted to said frame, said removable cartridge comprising a cartridge body structure and first and second feed rolls carrying respective supplies of first and second stock material, said feed rolls being mounted to said cartridge body structure to enable the stock materials to be unwound from their respective feed rolls, at least one of said stock materials 30 having a layer of adhesive disposed thereon; a first rotatable nip roller; a second rotatable nip roller positioned adjacent said first nip roller, said jfEt and second nip rollers being positioned such that the master can be fed 101 between said nip rollers with said first and second stock materials unwound from their respective feed rolls and disposed on opposing sides of the master; and an actuator operatively connected to said nip rollers, said actuator being constructed and arranged to affect rotation of said nip rollers; said nip rollers being constructed and arranged such that during rotation thereof said nip rollers apply pressure to said master and stock materials fed therebetween to affect adhesive bonding between the master and the stock materials and then subsequently discharge the processed master and stock materials; said cartridge body structure being configured such that the user can remove said cartridge from said frame to enable replacement of said cartridge when desired.

According to a twenty eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for processing a master in conjunction with a removable cartridge comprising a cartridge body structure and first and second feed rolls carrying, respective supplies of first and second stock material, said first and second feed rolls being mounted to said cartridge body structure to enable the stock materials to be unwound from their respective feed rolls, at least one of the stock materials having a layer of adhesive disposed thereon, said apparatus 20 comprising: a frame constructed and arranged such that the removable cartridge can be removably mounted thereto; a first rotatable nip roller rotatably mounted to said frame; a second rotatable nip roller rotatably mounted to said frame adjacent said first nip roller, said first and second nip rollers being positioned such that, when said cartridge is removably mounted to said frame, the master can be fed between said nip rollers with said first and second stock materials unwound from their respective feed rolls and disposed on opposing sides of the master; an actuator operatively connected to said nip rollers, said actuator being 30 constructed and arranged to affect rotation of said nip rollers; said nip rollers being constructed and arranged such that, during rotation thereof, said nip rollers apply pressure to said master and stock materials fed therebetween to affect adhesive bonding between the master and stock materials and then subsequently discharge the processed master and stock materials; said cartridge body structure being configured such that the user can remove said cartridge from said frame to enable replacement of said cartridge when desired.

In order that the invention might be more fully understood, embodiments of the invention will be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the steps of a method for printing variable information on a label; Figure 2 is a simplified side diagrammatic view of an apparatus for making a decalcomania assembly using the label of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a hand brayer being used to make a decalcomania; Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a decalcomania assembly; Figure 5 is a perspective view of the decalcomania assembly of Figure 4 showing the release liner being peeled away; Figure 6 is a perspective view of the decalcomania assembly of Figure showing the release liner removed and the decalcomania being peeled away from the backing.

Figure 7 is a top plan view of a master laminated along a portion of its width with a second material, for use in an alternate embodiment of the decalcomania assembly; Figure 8 is a perspective of an alternate embodiment of a decalcomania assembly using the master of Figure 7, folded in half along its length, showing the release liner and the label being separated from the backing sheet; Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of the decalcomania assembly of Figure 8; Figure 10 is a perspective view of an applicator and transfer device for laminating decals, shown in an operative position, in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention;

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Figure 11 is a sectional side view of the transfer device of Figure shown in an operative position taken along line 11-11 in Figure Figure 12 is a partial side view showing the device of Figure 10 in an open or loading position; Figure 13 is a sectional view of the device of Figure 10 taken along lines 13-13 in Figure 10, with the feed rolls removed; Figure 14 is an exploded perspective view of the device of Figure Figure 15 is an end (side) view of a feed roller used in the device of Figures 10 and 14; Figure 16 is a sectional view of the feed roller used in the device of Figures and 14, taken along line 16-16 in Figure 14; Figure 17 is an exploded view showing the elements of the tensioning cap positioned at the end of the feed roll of the device of Figures 10 and 14; Figure 18 is a partial rear perspective view of the device of Figures 10/14, showing a cut-off blade; Figure 19 is a sectional side view showing a master fed between the nip rollers of the device of Figures 10 and 14; Figure 20 is a plan view of the feed master of Figure 19, showing adhesive applied; 20 Figure 21 is a plan view of the upper feed web of Figure 19, showing pick- S: up of excess adhesive thereon; "Figure 22 shows the removal of adhesive from the lower web of Figure 19; Figure 23 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of an applicator and transfer device in accordance with the present invention; Figure 24 is a sectional front view of the nip rollers of the device of Figure 23, taken along line 24-24 in Figure 23; Figure 25 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of an applicator and transfer apparatus in accordance with the present invention; Figure 26 is a perspective view of a supply roll containing cartridge used 30 in, but removed from, the apparatus of Figure Figure 27 is a sectional side view of the cartridge, taken along line 27-27 in Figure 26; Figure 28 is a perspective, exploded view of the apparatus of Figure illustrating the installation of the cartridge of Figure 26; Figure 29 is a detail view of the cutter mechanism employed in the apparatus of Figure 28; Figure 30 is a side view, partly in section, showing the cartridge in place and a master being fed into the apparatus of Figures 25 and 28; Figure 30A is a detailed sectional view of a wiper used in the apparatus of Figure Figure 31 is a sectional front view of the apparatus of Figure 28 taken along line 31-31 in Figure Figure 32 is a detailed perspective view of the nip rollers used in the apparatus of Figure 28; Figure 33 is a sectional, partial side view of the nip rollers, taken along line 33-33 in Figure 32; Figure 34 is a sectional side view showing a master being fed between the nip rollers of the apparatus of Figures 25 and 28; Figure 35 shows a license plate tax decalcomania assembly, manufacturable by the device/apparatus of Figures 10, 23, Figure 36 shows a registration decalcomania assembly manufacturable by 20 the device/apparatus of Figures 10, 23, Figure 37 shows a label for use in a decalcomania assembly providing a house, boat, or snowmobile number; t Figure 38 shows a decalcomania assembly incorporating the label of Figure 37; Figure 39 shows a decalcomania assembly for a vehicle license plate; and Figure 40 shows a two-part vehicle registration decalcomania assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In describing preferred embodiments of the present invention illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. However, 30 the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific element includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose.

like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the figures.

lop Referring now to Figures 1-3, there is shown simplified apparatus 1000 for making a retroreflective decal assembly 2000 of the type shown in Figures 4-6 or a decal assembly 2000' of the type shown in Figures 8 and 9, these decal assemblies 2000 and 2000' being made in accordance with the method according to the embodiment. A master 120 for use in the method is chosen based upon the particular application of the decal. For a window decal, master 120 preferably is an adhesive-receptive sheeting such as die cut face adhering verification sheeting wound on a reel or spool as shown in Figure 1. A suitable FAV sheeting, which is difficult to counterfeit, is 3M #2500 FAV sheeting, which is commercially available from 3M. For a decal to be adhered to a vehicle body, master 120 can be, for example, 3M #3750 license plate sheeting or 3M #5330 validation sheeting, both of which are commercially available from 3M.

6 0.

During manufacture, die cutting (Using, for example, a conventional rotary die system) can be used to microperforate the corners for rounding and to microperfort the edges between adjacent decals 128 to facilitate the separation of individual decals 128 from each other. Ile "weed" the scrap around the finished edges of the decals) can be stripped following die cutting to provide RCR rounded) comners.

Fixed information 126 can be pre-printed in conjunction with the manufacture of the decals 128, for example in multiple colors using Flexographicm4I processing, an inexpensive, high-speed printing process which uses flexible plates on a cylinder for printing graphic information in colored ink, and which is well-known to those of skill :10 in the art. Variable information 126a can be printed easily and inexpensively on an on-demand basis using an on-site computer-controlled thermal transfer printer 1002.

A diagrammatic representation of a thermal transfer printer 1002 and a computer controller 1004 therefor, for printing variable information 1 26a on the master 120 is shown in Figure 1. Thiermal transfer printer 1002 is of conventional design; for example, a "Zebra Stripe" printer (which is commercially available from Zebra Technologies Corporation of Vernon Hills, Illnois) can be used. The master 120 with pre-printed fixed information 126, and wound on a reel or spool, is placed in the printer housing 1010. Computer controller 1004 is programmed to allow the operator to input the variable information into variable information fields and print out the variable information onto a thermal wax ribbon 1012 using the printer print head 1014. For example, for a vehicle-related decal assembly, the display screen of the computer controller 1004 can prompt the operator at the issuing state motor vehicle department to obtain from the vehicle owner and input into the computer controller 1004 the necessary variable vehicle and owner information. The computer controller 1004 can be linked to a central computer, so that the vehicle and owner information can be centrally accessed by state authorities.

Printer 1002 aligns the labels 128 using timing marks pre-printed on master 120 along with the fixed information 126. The variable information 126a is then transferred from the thermal wax ribbon 1014 onto an individual decal. A suitable thermal transfer ribbon is 3M VP5130 black thermal transfer ribbon, which is commercially available from 3M. The endmost label 128 is then cut from the roll 120 by a scissors 1020, a cutter 1022 incorporated into the printer housing 1010, or other conventional means, or is separated along the microperforations between the labels 128, and formed into a decal assembly 2000 as shown in Figure 4, using, for example, apparatus 10 in accordance with the present embodiment, as shown diagrammatically in Figure 2 or using a hand brayer 1030, as shown in Figure 3.

The decal assembly 2000 comprises a backing web 112, the label 128, an adhesive web 106 applied over the label 128 and the backing web 112, and a releasable liner web 102 carrying the adhesive web 106, and positioned over the label 128; the label 128 and the adhesive web 106 over the label 128 defining the actual decal. Suitable adhesives for adhesive web 106 are 3M 9457, 3M 457MP, 3M 9172, and 3M 932FL, which are commercially available from 3M. As shown in Figure 5, the releasable web 102 is peeled back to reveal the adhesive web 106, label 128, and the backing web 112. The decal label 128 and the •oooo* adhesive web 106 covering label 128) can then be separated from the surrounding adhesive web 106 and the backing web 112 as shown in Figure 6 and applied to a surface.

o• :i 9 oooa go As indicated above, where the decal is to be applied to a window, FAV sheeting can be used for the label 128, and where the decal is to be applied to a vehicle body, license plate sheeting or validation sheeting can be used for the label 128. Because of the exposure which body decals receive, it is desirable to provide clear overlaminate sheeting (for example, 3M #7735FL clear overlaminate sheeting.

available commercially from 3M) to the printed, non-adhesive face of the decal. This can be accomplished by adhering the overlaminate sheeting to the printed face of the label 128 prior to its assembly to the releasable web, the adhesive web. and the backing web, using the apparatus described below.

10 An alternate embodiment of the decal assembly 2000' is shown in Figures 8 and 9. For making decal assembly 2000', the master 120', shown in Figure 7, comprises a thermal transfer printable strip laminated over a portion of its width and its full length with retroreflective sheeting 2002; retroreflective sheeting 2002 can be adhered to the master 120' by a web of suitable adhesive 2004 using conventional 15 methods. For vehicle applications, the thermal transfer printable strip can be a polymer strip such as "Kimdura," a polypropylene polyester, or any other material which is resistant to heat and water for use in a vehicle interior.

In addition to providing micro-perforation at the corners and between individual labels 128', micro-perforation can also be provided at the inner edge of the retroreflective sheeting 2002 to define a line of separation 2006 between the two halves of each label 128'. The master 120' is printed as described above with respect to master 120. It is envisioned that the retroreflective portion of the label 128' will be printed for use as a decal, while the unlaminated portion of the label 128' will be 14 printed for use as a receipt accompanying the decal. Following its separation from the master roll, the individual label 128' is folded along the line of separation, and then inserted into the apparatus 10 to make a decal assembly 2000' comprising a backing web 112, the folded label 128', an adhesive web 106 applied over the folded label 128' and the backing web 112, and a releasable liner web 102 carrying the adhesive web 106, and positioned over the folded label 128'. Folded label 128' is placed in the apparatus 10 with the laminated retroreflective portion facing the adhesive web 112 and the unlaminated portion facing the backing web 112. Label 12' can be folded either with the printing facing inwardly or outwardly, depending upon the desired application. Because of the fold, only the laminated portion is covered by adhesive web 106. Once label 128' with adhesive web 106 is separated from backing web 112, the laminated and unlaminated portions can be separated from each other along the microperforated line of separation, and the laminated portion covered by adhesive web 106 defmes the actual decal.

Examples of different types of decals and decal assemblies in accordance with the present embodiment are shown in Figures 35-40. Figure 35 shows a license plate tax decal assembly 2000a similar in type to decal assembly 2000 shown in Figures 4-6. For decal assembly 2000a, the fixed information 126 20 printed on the master 120 comprises, for example, the state (in this case, 0 Minnesota) and a legend identifying the decal (in this case, "94-TAXES PAIDother information, such as some type of logo (indicated in Figure 35 by reference letter L) can also be included. The variable information 126a added to the master 120 at the Motor Vehicle Department Office comprises, for example, the license plate number (shown in Figure 35 as "ABC oo

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o..o 123"); information identifying the vehicle, for example by make, style and color (shown in Figure 35 as "FORD-2DR-BLUE"); and the vehicle identification number ("A56781KG9907543" in. Fig ure 35). 'In this case, the master 120 preferably is retroreflective FAV sheeting, although other types of sheeting can also be used.

Figure 36 shows a registration decal assembly 2000b also similar in type to decal assembly 2000 shown in Figures 4-6. For decal assembly 2000b, the fixed informat~ion 126 printed on the master 120 comprises the state (again, Minnesota).

The variable information 126a added to the master at the Motor Vehicle Department Office comprises, for example, the license plate characters (shown in Figure 36 as :10 "MNQPQR") and a bar code representing the license plate characters (indicated in Figure 36 by reference letter Police officers equipped with a bar code reader can readily read the bar code; through conventional technology, information about the *.vehicle can then be obtained through a computer linked to the bar code reader. In this case also, the master 120 preferably is retroreflective sheeting, although again, other types of sheeting can also be used.

This type of decal assembly can be used for other applications, such as numbers for houses, boats, snowmobiles, etc. and on vehicle license plates. As shown in Figures 37 and 38, in a decal assembly 2000c providing a house, boat, or snowmobile number, the fixed information is omitted. T1he number (shown in Figure 37 as "123") is printed as the variable information 126A, and is then laminated prior to assembly using clear overlarninate sheeting 114, as described above with respect to a vehicle body decal. The number can be printed normally or in reverse (negative).

16 As shown in Figure 39, in a decal assembly 2000d for a vehicle license plate, for example of the type used in the United Kingdom, the variable information 126a comprises the license characters (shown in Figure 39 as "1234567") and the adhesive web 106 is applied to the printed side of the label 128. For assembly into a license plate, the release web is removed from the decal assembly, the label is removed from the backing web, and then the label is applied to an acrylic, polyester, or similar clear plastic plate which can be fastened to the vehicle.

Figure 40 shows a two-part vehicle registration decal assembly 2000a' similar in type to decal assembly 2000' shown in Figures 8 and 9. For decal assembly 2000a', the portion facing releasable web 102 comprises the decal portion to be adhered to a vehicle window, and can be printed as described above with respect to Figure 36. The portion facing the backing web 112 comprises the receipt portion. For decal assembly 2000a', the fixed information 126 printed on the receipt portion of the master 120 comprises an identifying legend (in this case, "STATE OF MINNESOTA MOTOR VEHICLE REGISTRATION"). The variable information 126a added to the master at the Motor Vehicle Department Office comprises, for example, the license plate characters (shown in Figure 37 as "MNOPQR"); the vehicle identification number 20 (shown in Figure 37 as "JK632585622178MNB"); information identifying the 0 3 vehicle, for example by make and style (shown in Figure 37 as "2 DR "CORVETTE"); the date of registration (shown in Figure 37 as "05/12/95"); and the o *name and address of the vehicle owner.

Referring now to Figures 10 to 15, there is shown a first embodiment of apparatus for making a decal assembly in accordance with the present embodiment. The 0 a: 0 *00, 0 0o o• apparatus is generally designated by the numeral 10. The terms "forward" and "rearward" or "front" and "rear" as used herein, refer to the orientation of the feed path through the device.

Apparatus 10 includes a lower frame member or base 12 and an upper frame member 14. The lower frame member 12 consists of spaced-apart side plates 20 and 22 secured in spaced-apart relationship by transversely extending spacer rod 24. The inner faces of the side plates 20 and 22 are provided with horizontally extending grooves 26a and 26b which provide mounting means to accommodate the insertion of .00. feed rolls as will be explained hereafter. The side plates 20 and 22 are shown as each S.o. 10 rectangular, having a bottom edge 30 which serves as a supporting surface or stand for the apparatus 10 and a horizontal top edge 32.

The upper frame member 14 includes a pair of spaced-apart side plates 40 and 42. The side plates 40 and 42 are shown as each having top and bottom edges 44 and 46 and front and rear edges 50 and 52, respectively. An angular surface 54 extends S 15 between the bottom edge and the front edge to facilitate access to the nip rollers for loading and unloading.

Plates 40 and 42 are pivotally mounted to lower plates 20 and 22 by means of pivot link 60. In the normal operative position, the bottom edge 46 of the upper side plates 40 and 42 rests on the horizontal top edge 32 of the lower side plates 20 and 22. In the open position, as shown in Figure 12, the upper frame member 14 is rearwardly tilted about pivot link 60 to a position in which the rear surfaces of the lower end plates 20 and 22 engage the lower edges 46 of the upper end plates 40 and 42 to provide access for loading and unloading.

Feed material is secured in the upper frame member 14 by inserting a feed roll 110 into slots 62a and 62b extending vertically in the inner surface of the opposite plates 40 and 42.

An upper nip roller 64 extends transversely between the side plates 40 and 42 of the upper frame member 14 positioned adjacent the lower edge 42 of the plates and 42. The upper nip roller 64 includes an axial shaft 66 which is rotatable in a suitable bearings or bushings 70. A stop nut or cap, not shown, is provided at the left end of the shaft 66, as viewed in Figure The shaft 66 is covered by a cylindrical roller member 72 of resilient material 10 such as rubber. The shaft 66 projects exteriorly of the side plate 42 and is shown carrying a hand crank 74 for manually rotating the roller 72 and shaft 66.

Alternatively, the roller 66 can be powered by an electrical driven motor. A pinion gear 76 is secured to the shaft 66 adjacent the exterior surface of side plate 42, as best seen in Figure 13.

15 A second, lower nip roller 80 extends transversely between the lower side plates 20 and 22 positioned parallel to the upper nip roller 64. The lower nip roller can be vertically aligned with the upper nip roller 64 but preferably is forwardly displaced a small distance ahead of the upper nip roller 64 as for example 1/4" as seen in Figure 11. The lower nip roller 80 has a shaft 82 which is rotatable in bearings or journals 84 in the side plates 20 and 22. A lower pinion gear 86 is carried on the extension of shaft 82 at side plate 22. When the upper frame 14 is in its operative position, lower pinion gear 86 will engage the upper pinion gear 72 so that actuation of the upper nip roller shaft 66 by crank 72 or by other power means will impart rotation to both nip rollers 64 and As mentioned above, the device 10 can be used as a laminator or as an adhesive transfer device, for example to create decal assemblies. In the case of use as an adhesive transfer device, a lower feed roll 100 carrying a transferable adhesive is secured in the lower frame member 12. Referring to Figures 13 to 16, the lower feed roll 100 comprises a web 102 of flexible carrier material having release characteristics and an adhesive web or coating 106 on the upper surface of web 102.

With the lower feed roll 100 in position, the end of the web 102 is extended over the lower roller 80 as shown in Figures 11 and 19. An upper feed roll 110 is positioned in engagement with the slots 62a and 62b in the interior surface of the upper side plates 40 and 42. The upper feed roll 110, in the case of adhesive transfer, will consist of a web 112 of material such as inexpensive paper or film having an affinity for adhesive. The end of the web 112 is extended between the nip rollers 64 and 15 with the end of the web adhesively secured to the web of a master 510 in the lower roll 100.

Referring to Figures 19 to 22, the master 120 comprises a continuous sheet of material having an upper surface 122 and a lower surface 124. The upper surface 122 is imprinted with indicia 126 forming a repetitive pattern of labels 128 which have been pre-printed as desired; the master 120 can be any pre-printed documents or series of documents. Prior to being fed into the machine, labels 128 can be pre-printed with both fixed and variable information, as previously discussed.

Once lower and upper feed rolls 100 and 110 have been positioned, the upper frame member 14 is rotated to a closed position bringing the nip rollers 64 and 80 into engagement or close proximity with the webs 106, 112 and master 120 compressed therebetween. A feed tray 130 which comprises a planar feeding surface 132 and opposite extending flanges 132a and 132b is suspended from the side plates 20 and 22 of the lower frame member 12. This is accomplished by engaging flanges 132a and 132b with the respective top edges 32 of the side plates 20 and 22.

Referring to Figure 21, cutter bar 150 is shown which extends transversely between the lower side plates 20 and 22 rearwardly of the nip rollers 64 and 80. The 10 cutter bar 150 has a sharpened edge 152 which allows the operator to easily manually sever a master 120 at any location as it is being processed when it emerges rearwardly from between the nip rollers 64 and The master 120 is aligned on the feed tray 130 with the free edge of the master 120 positioned on the exposed adhesive web or coating 106 on the web 102 of lower 15 feed roll 100. The slight forward protrusion of the lower nip roller 80 facilitates securing the master 120 to this location.

The operator then actuates the device 10 by operating the crank 74 which will rotate the upper nip roller 60 and by means of the inter-engaging pinion gears, cause rotation of the lower nip roller 80. This rotation will advance the web 112 of upper feed roll 110, web 102 of lower feed roll 100, and the master 120. As the master 120 proceeds between the nip rollers 64 and 80, the exposed adhesive coating or web 106 from the lower web 102 will be transferred to the lower surface 124 of the master 120. The upper web 112 will pick up any excess adhesive not transferred to the master 120, as for example areas outside the perimeter of the labels 128. The labels 128 should be narrower than the carrier web 102 and adhesive web 106, in order to ensure complete coverage of the individual labels 128 by the adhesive web 106.

Further, the upper pick-up web 112 should be wider than the adhesive web 106 in order to ensure that picks up all of the excess adhesive web 106 surrounding the labels 128. The resulting decal assemblies 2000 can then be separated by severing between adjacent labels 128.

The labels 128 are shown as being on a continuous strip which has been pre- Sprinted with the desired indicia 126 and 126a. Alternatively, a single label 128 can 10 be printed with the required fixed indicia 126 and variable indicia 126a and then separated from the master 120 and advanced through the machine 10 in the same manner as the master 120, as described in the immediately preceding paragraph.

Note that the master 120 (or a single label 128) can be oriented either with the indicia 126 and 126a facing upwardly or downwardly, depending on the user's requirements. For example, if the adhesive-coated labels 128 are to be applied to the inside of a window, the label 128 would be in most cases fed into the machine with the printing 126 and 126a downwardly positioned so adhesive 106 would be applied over the printing 126 and 126a.

The apparatus 10 also can apply lamination to either the top or bottom surfaces of a substrate or adhesive to the top or bottom surfaces of a substrate or to both, by substituting a web of laminating material for the lower carrier web 102 or the upper pickup web 112. The device 10 can also perform combination operations of applying both a laminate and an adhesive to a substrate.

The characteristics of the lower carrier web 102 are such that the adhesive 106 is non-aggressive adhesive loosely adhered to the surface of the web 112 (although, as will be appreciated by those of skill in the art, adhesive 106 must aggressively adhere to upper pickup web 112 and label 128. Thus, the lower carrier web 102 serves as a peelable covering which can be stripped away at the time the label 128 is to be used by adhesively applying the label 128 to a surface.

One significant advantage of the device 10 of the present embodiment is that the lower and upper feed rolls 100 and 110 can be provided to the end user pre-wound and properly tensioned so as not to overrun during operation. The proper tensioning of the feed rolls 100 and 110 is accomplished by means of a tensioning device, best seen in Figures 16 and 17, which is equally usable with both rolls 100 and 110. In Figures 16 and 17, one end of a feed roll core 200 is shown about which is wound the roll of web material of either roll 100 or 110. The core 200 is a cylinder of cardboard or plastic having an end face 210 and an interior wall 212 which receives an end cap 214. The end cap 214 can be of molded plastic or other similar material, and has a cylindrical interior wall 216. An axially-extending boss 220 is formed in the end cap 214 concentric with cylindrical interior wall 216.An axial bore 222 extends through boss 220. The end cap 214 is positioned slightly inwardly of the end face 210 of the feed roll core 200 and can be adhesively secured in place to the interior wall 212 of the feed roll core 200.

°0 "A circular end plate 230 abuts the end face 210 of the core 200 and has a :diameter slightly greater than the diameter of the core 200. The end plate 230 has

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a central aperture 240 which receives the threaded shaft of bolt 246. A nut 250 engages

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23 the threaded end of the bolt 246 exterior of the inner end of the cap 214. A spring 252 is interposed between the nut 250 and the inner end of the cap 214. The head of the bolt 246 bears against the exposed outer surface of the end plate 230 and the position of the nut 250 determines the frictional resistance that exists between the interior surface of the end plate 230 and the end face 210 of the core 200 of the roller. This tension is pre-adjusted by the manufacturer to provide the proper roll tension depending upon the type of material, size of the material, thickness of the material and other factors.

Mounting tabs 260a and 260b project outwardly from the end plate 230 and are engageable in the mounting slots 26a and 26b and 62a and 62b provided respectively on the interior surfaces of the lower side plates 20 and 22 and the upper side plates 40 and 42 of the applicator device.

Thus, inserting a supply of feed stock either in the upper or lower frames is easily accomplished. The existing or spent feed rolls are removed by sliding them outwardly to disengage the tabs from the slots. The new roll is inserted by aligning the mounting tabs with the slots and sliding the new feed roll into place.

The feed rolls can be supplied with various types of feed stock webs such as clear laminates, paper for removing excess adhesive or rolls of material having a loose adhesive coating and a release coating on the opposite surface.

Figures 23 and 24 show a second, alternate embodiment of the apparatus which is generally designated by the numeral 400. Elements which are the same "or similar to elements described with respect to the preceding figures are identified by the same numerals. The apparatus 400 of Figures 23 and 24 has a

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frame sop °0 oo

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a oboe °ooo 00o60o a IoO O aOO comprising opposite side walls 436 and 438. The side walls 436 and 438 are again provided with vertically extending grooves 62a and 62b and horizontally extending grooves 26a and 26b which accommodate the insertion of feed rolls 110 and 100, respectively. In this embodiment, the side walls 436 and 438 of the frame are fixed and separation of nip rollers 64 and 80 is accomplished by means of a gib plate arrangement as will be explained hereafter.

Because mounting slots 62a and 62b are vertically disposed, the weight of the feed roll 110 will maintain it in the proper position. Preferably, the feed rolls 100 and 110 are positioned as close to the nip rollers 64 and 80 as possible to maintain accurate feeding and to minimize misalignment. It may be desirable to provide positive biasing means to urge feed roll 100 rightwardly as shown in Figure 23. To this end, a link 430 is pivotally secured at pivot point 432 to the interior of the side wall 436. A similar link can be disposed on the interior side wall 438. A spring 434 is disposed below the slot 26a. When the feed roll 100 is inserted, link 432 can be rotated downwardly as indicated by the arrow and engaged with spring 434 to apply a biasing force to the feed roll 100 to maintain it in a secure position.

As indicated above, it is desirable that the nip rollers 64 and 80 be separated to provide access for purposes of loading the apparatus. In the prior embodiment shown if Figures 10 to 14, access was provided by a two-portion frame arrangement in which one portion of the frame is pivotal with respect to the other. In the embodiment of Figures 23 and 24, the lower nip roller 80 extends between the interior side walls of the side plates 436 and 438 and is mounted at opposite ends in bearings 440. The upper nip roller 64 is provided with opposite stub shafts 444a and 444b r*Y which are received respectively in bearings 446a and 446b in opposite gib plates 450 and 452. Gib plates 450 and 452 are vertically slidable and are upwardly biased by springs 460. In Figure 24, the rollers 64 and 80 are shown in a closed position in which they are in contact or close engagement. The nip rollers 64 and 80 are maintained in position by shaft 462 which is operated by nip engagement lever 470. Shaft 462 has notches or grooves 480 at either end adjacent the inner walls of side plates 436 and 438.

It will be seen that by rotating lever 470, shaft 462 will be rotated, bringing notches or grooves 480 into engagement with the upper ends of the gib plates 450 and 452. This will allow the gib plates 450 and 452 and nip roller 64 to move upwardly separating from lower nip roller 80. In the closed position, as shown in Figure 24, the shaft 462 is rotated into engagement with the gib plates 450 and 452 to force the gib plates 450 and 452 and upper nip roller 64 downwardly into engagement with the lower roller 80, overcoming the bias of the springs 460.

Referring now to Figures 25 to 34, there is shown a third embodiment of apparatus for making a retroreflective label in accordance with the present embodiment. Elements which are the same or similar to elements described with respect to the preceding figures are identified by the same numerals. The apparatus is generally designated by the numeral 600 and includes a housing 20 generally designated by the numeral 612 having a base 614, opposite side walls o.Oo.O 616 and 618, a top 620'and a rear wall 622. The rear wall 622 of the housing is upwardly and forwardly inclined at panel 622a from the base 614 to a location where the rear wall extends vertically at panel 622b. As seen in Figure 30, a 9* discharge opening 630 is defined between the panels 622a and 622b through 9 S25 which the substrate and processed articles are discharged.

ol As best seen in Figures 30 to 32, an upper nip roller 64 extends transversely between the side walls 650 and 652 of the frame 642 spaced rearwardly from the edge of the side walls 650 and 652. The upper nip roller 64 includes an axial shaft 66 rotatable in suitable bearings or bushings 70 at opposite ends. The shaft 66 is covered by a cylindrical roller member 72 of resilient material such as rubber. Shaft 66 extends exteriorly of the side plate 618 and is shown carrying a hand crank 74 for manually rotating the roller and shaft.

T Alternatively, the rollers 64 and 80 can be powered by an electrical motor, not shown. A pinion gear 76 is secured to one end of the shaft 66 adjacent the interior surface of the side plate 618.

A second, lower nip roller 80 extends transversely between the side walls 616 and 618 positioned parallel to the upper nip roller 64. The lower nip roller can be vertically aligned with the upper nip roller 64 but preferably is forwardly displaced a distance forward of the upper nip roller 64, as for example approximately 1/4" as best seen in Figure 30. The lower nip roller 80 has a shaft 82 which is rotatable in bearings 84 located at the interior of the opposite side walls. A pinion gear 86 is mounted at one end of the shaft 82. Pinion gear 86 engages the pinion gear 76 on the upper nip shaft 66 so that actuation of the upper nip roller 64 by means of the crank 74 or other power means will impart opposite rotation to both nip rollers 64 and 80 as indicated by the arrows in Figure 32.

A primary advantage of the present embodiment is that various substrates can be provided to the user in a self-contained, ready-to-use cartridge 640 which allows the user simply to select and insert the appropriate cartridge. As indicated above, the device of the present embodiment can be used for multiple purposes i for adhesive transfer and lamination. Adhesive can be transferred to either surface of the master and can be a dry adhesive. As shown, the cartridge 640 includes a lower feed roll 100 and an upper feed roll 110 as previously described, S• each containing a web of film or other flexible substrate material.

The cartridge 640 includes a frame 642 having opposite side walls 650 and 652, a top 654, and bottom 656. A front wall 660 has a substantially rectangular opening 662 therein. The side walls 650 and 652 of cartridge 640 have horizontal recesses 662 provided therein for receiving a feed tray 670. Feed tray 670 has of Se a planar feeding surface 672 with opposite extending flanges 674 which flanges are removably insertable in the horizontal recesses 662 of cartridge 640. A wiper assembly 680 is mounted on the upper surface of the feed tray 670 as seen in Figures 25, 30, and 30A. The wiper assembly 680 has a bar 682 which extends transversely across the feed tray 670 adjacent the entrance to the nip area. The bar 682 has a pad 684 of resilient or soft material such as felt, soft plastics, fabric or rubber, which lightly engages the master as it passes between the wiper ,s>~ssembly 680 and the tray feeding surface 672. The wiper assembly 680 serves several functions, in that it cleans, smooths and guides the master as it enters the nip between the nip rollers 64 and 80. A particularly important function of the wiper assembly 680 is to tension the master substrate keeping it flat and aligned with the laminate and adhesive webs resulting in better alignment especially when feeding sheets intermittently. The wiper assembly 680 also has an arm 690 which is upwardly biased by a spring 692. Arm 690 is pivotally attached to the edge of the feed tray 670 at fulcrum 694 so that the wiper .assembly 680 is pressed into light engagement with the material passing beneath the pad 684.

The wiper bar 682 can be lifted to facilitate loading a master by manually depressing the outer end of the arm 690 against the force of spring 692.

Preferably the pad 684 is replaceable as required.

Referring to Figures 28 and 29, a blade 702 having a cutting edge extends transversely adjacent the discharge opening 630. The blade 702 is movable vertically upward from a non-actuated position to a cutting position by means of lever 704 to which the blade 702 is attached. Lever 704 is pivotally secured to the interior of the housing side wall 616 at pivot rod 706. Downward movement of the lever 704 at handle 710 will move the blade 702 upward into engagement with anvil bar 712 which is fixed at the bottom of panel 622b and extends transversely.

Preferably, the blade 702 is mounted on a carrier 714 by means of pins 20 720 having compression springs 722 thereon which bias the blade 702 toward the anvil bar 712. Thus, when the cutting action occurs, the flat surface of the blade 702 moves along the anvil bar 712 which provides a self-cleaning action. The upper end of panel 622a is slightly convexly curved at 720 as seen in Figure 30 to facilitate smooth discharge of the item being processed. The area indicated by 25 the numeral 720 can be coated with a suitable low-frictional material such as that l sold under the trademark "Teflon".

A significant advantage of the present embodiment is that the lower and upper feed rolls 100 and 110 are provided to the user pre-wound and properly tensioned as previously described, so as not to overrun during operation and to provide proper This page is intentionally blank **r tracking. The proper tensioning of the feed rolls 100 and 110 is accomplished by means of the.tensioning device previously described with respect to Figures 15 and 16. Horizontal upper mounting slots 724a and 724b and horizontal lower mounting slots 726a and 726b are provided on the interior surfaces of the cartridge side walls 650 and 652 for receiving mounting tabs 260a and 260b projecting outwardly from the end plates 230 of the tensioning devices provided in feed rolls 100 and 110.

Thus, it will be seen that inserting a supply of suitable feed substrate is easily accomplished. The user simply selects the appropriate cartridge 640 and positions the cartridge 640 in the opening at the front side of the housing 612. The cartridge 640 10 is locked in place in the housing 612 in a vertical position by locking detent members 730. The feed rolls 100 and 110 can be various types of stock such as clear laminates, paper or film for removing excessive adhesive or rolls of material having a loose adhesive coating and a release coating on the opposite surface. The feed tray 670 is inserted in a generally horizontal position in the opposite horizontal recesses 664 in the cartridge side walls 650 and 652.

As mentioned above, the device 400 can be used as a lamination device or as an adhesive transfer device. In the case of use as an adhesive transfer device, the lower feed roll 100 comprises a film carrying an easily transferable adhesive. The ft 0 upper feed roll 110 would typically be a web of flexible carrier material having release characteristics on a lower surface and adhesive coating on the other surface.

With rolls of this type in position, the end of the web of the lower feed roll 100 is extended over the lower nip roller 80. The upper feed roll 110, in the case of adhesive transfer, will consist of a web of material such as inexpensive paper or film, having an affinity for adhesive. The end of the web is extended between the nip rollers 64 and 80 with the end of the web adhesively secured to the web of the master in the lower feed roll 100.

The master 120 is as previously described with respect to Figures 20 to 22.

The master 120 is aligned on the feed tray 670 with the leading free edge of the master 120 positioned on the exposed adhesive surface 106 of the lower feed stock material 102 at the nip roller interface. The slight forward protrusion of the lower nip roller 80 facilitates securing the master 120 at this location. The web 112 of the upper 0 feed roller 110 is fed from the cartridge 640 to the nip roller interface on the upper 10 side of master 120.

The operator then actuates the machine 600 by operating the crank 74 which will rotate the upper nip roller 64 and by means of the inter-engaging pinion gears 76 and 86. will cause rotation of the lower nip roller 80. The rotation will also advance the upper web 112, the lower web 102, and the master 120. The master 120 is smoothed, guided, and wiped clean as it passes between the wiper 680 and the upper surface of the tray. As the master 120 proceeds between the nip rollers 64 and 80 in f the interface nip area, the exposed adhesive 106 from the lower web 102 will be transferred to the lower surface of the master 120. The upper web 112 will pick up o any excessive adhesive not transferred to the master 120, as for example adhesive 106 in the areas outside the perimeter of the label areas 128. As previously described, the decal assembly can then be easily severed from the webs as it emerges from the discharge opening at the rear of the machine.

Note that as previously described, the master 120 can be oriented with either printing or indicia facing upwardly or downwardly depending on the user's requirements.

Modifications and variations of the above-described embodiments of the present invention are possible, as appreciated by those skilled in the art in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

The present specification relates to a divisional application, and the appended claims relate to aspects of the invention that relate to a cartridge.

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Claims (122)

1. A laminating and adhesive transfer apparatus for use in conjunction with a removable cartridge for performing a laminating and adhesive transfer operation on a master, the cartridge having a pair of feed rolls rotatably mounted therein and a master feeding opening through which the master can be fed, each of the feed rolls supporting a supply of stock material, said apparatus including: a frame having a cartridge-mounting structure for receiving a removable cartridge, the cartridge-mounting structure arranged such that the master feeding opening of the removable cartridge faces outwardly with respect to the frame when the removable cartridge is mounted on the cartridge-mounting structure; said cartridge-mounting structure having means enabling the removable cartridge to be manually removed and replaced with a new removable cartridge; and a pair of nip rollers rotatably mounted within the frame and extending S. transversely between opposing sides thereof, the pair of nip rollers defining a nip area therebetween, the nip area having a feed side and a discharge side, the pair of nip rollers being associated with an actuating mechanism for N imparting rotation to at least one of the pair of nip rollers; the pair of nip rollers being arranged with respect to the cartridge mounting structure such that a master is feedable through the master feed opening of the removable cartridge into the feed side of the nip area together with the stock material unrolled from the feed rolls, and the nip rollers being arranged to apply pressure to the master and the stock material being fed through the nip area as the nip rollers are rotated during a laminating or adhesive transfer operation of the master and stock material before being discharged out of the discharge side from the nip rollers, whereby a selective laminating or adhesive transfer operation is performed on the master without the use of heat transfer as the master and stock material are passed through the nip rollers.

2. A laminating and adhesive transfer apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cartridge-mounting structure includes a cartridge-receiving opening in the frame, the cartridge-receiving opening being dimensioned to receive the removable cartridge with the master feed opening thereof facing outwardly with respect to the frame.

3. A laminating and adhesive transfer apparatus according to claim 2, further including a feed tray removably mounted on the frame so as to extend rearwardly through the master feed opening of the removable cartridge and extending generally horizontal, from the nip area.

4. A laminating and adhesive transfer apparatus according to either claim 1 or 2, further including a cutting device for cutting a discharged master located adjacent at the discharge side of the nip rollers. A laminating and adhesive transfer apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the cutting device includes a transversely extending blade having a cutting edge operatively attached to a lever for moving the blade, and an anvil bar, whereby actuation of the cutting device moves the blade into engagement with the anvil bar to thereby sever the discharged master.

6. A removable cartridge for use in a laminating and adhesive transfer apparatus having a frame with a cartridge-mounting structure and a pair of nip rollers rotatably mounted within the frame, the removable cartridge including: a cartridge body structure; a pair of feed rolls rotatably mounted within the cartridge body structure and extending in a transverse direction, the feed rolls each carrying a supply of stock material to be unrolled, the cartridge body structure having a master feed opening positioned to face outwardly with respect to the frame of the apparatus when the removable cartridge is removably mounted on the cartridge-mounting structure of the frame, the master feed opening being configured to allow a master to be fed therethrough and into the nip rollers when the removable cartridge is removably mounted on the cartridge-mounting structure of the apparatus, the feed rolls being constructed and arranged such that the stock material can be unrolled thereform, be disposed on opposing sides of the master fed through the master feed opening, and then be fed together with the master into the nip rollers of the laminating and adhesive transfer apparatus when the removable cartridge is mounted on the cartridge-mounting structure, such that the laminating and adhesive transfer apparatus can perform a laminating or adhesive transfer operation on the master, the cartridge body structure being configured such that a user can engage the cartridge body structure, mount the removable cartridge on the cartridge- mounting structure of the frame of the apparatus and remove said removable cartridge therefrom for replacing the removable cartridge with a similar removable cartridge when desired.

7. A removable cartridge according to claim 6, wherein the cartridge body structure has a pair of parallel side walls and parallel top and bottom walls, the feed rolls being mounted transversely between the side walls. U.

8. A removable cartridge according to claim 7, wherein the cartridge body structure has a rear wall extending between the side walls, the master feed *.opening being formed through the rear wall. .0 opening being formed through the rear wall.

9. A removable cartridge according to claim 8, wherein the master feed opening is configured such that a feed tray can be inserted therein and mounted on the frame of the apparatus to thereby support the master as it is fed into the nip rollers. A removable cartridge according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the feed rolls are pre-tensioned to control a rate at which the stock material is unrolled from the feed rolls.

11. A removable cartridge according to claim 10, wherein each of the feed rolls includes a braking assembly, each of the braking assemblies disposed to apply frictional force to opposing ends of a respective one of the feed rolls to thereby pre-tension the feed rolls. A removable cartridge according to any one of claims 6 to 11, wherein the stock material on each of the feed rolls is a supply of laminating material.

13. A removable cartridge according to any one of claims 6 to 11, wherein the stock material on one of the feed rolls is a supply of release coated substrate having an adhesive coating and the stock material on another of the feed rolls is a supply of material having an affinity for the adhesive coating on the release coated substrate.

14. A removable cartridge substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings. An apparatus for processing a master, said apparatus including: a frame; a removable cartridge removably mounted to said frame, said removable cartridge including a cartridge body structure and first and second feed rolls carrying respective supplies of first and second stock material, said feed rolls being mounted to said cartridge body structure to enable the stock materials to be unwound from their respective feed rolls, at least one of said stock materials having a layer of adhesive disposed thereon; a master processing assembly positioned with respect to said first and second feed rolls such that the master can be fed into said processing assembly with said first and second stock materials being unwound from their respective feed rolls and disposed on opposing sides of the master; said master processing assembly being constructed and arranged to perform a master processing operation wherein said processing assembly causes adhesive bonding between the first and second stock materials and the master being fed therein and then subsequently discharges the processed master and stock materials; and *goo.o an actuator constructed and arranged to affect operation of said master processing assembly so as to perform said master processing operation; said cartridge body structure being configured such that the user can remove said removable cartridge from said frame to enable replacement of said removable cartridge when desired.

16. An apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said cartridge body structure has a master feeding opening which is positioned and configured to allow the master to be inserted through said opening between said feed rolls o* with said first and second stock materials being unwound from their respective feed rolls and disposed on the opposing sides of the master and then into said processing assembly for performance of said master processing operation.

17. An apparatus according to claim 15, wherein adhesive layer is formed from pressure-sensitive adhesive 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 said stock materials and the master fed therein.

18. An apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said adhesive layer is formed from pressure-sensitive adhesive and wherein said master processing assembly includes first and second cooperating structures which are constructed and arranged to apply pressure to the master and stock materials fed therein so as to cause said adhesive bonding and perform said master processing operation without the use of heat transfer.

19. An apparatus according to claim 18, wherein said first and second cooperating structures are first and second nip rollers constructed and *V .0 arranged to apply pressure to said stock materials as a result of said actuator being operated. *20. An apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said first and second nip rollers are rotatably mounted to said frame.

21. An apparatus according to claim 15, wherein both said first and second stock materials are transparent laminating substrates with layers of adhesive disposed on each.

22. An apparatus according to claim 21, wherein said layers of adhesive disposed on said laminating substrates are formed from pressure-sensitive adhesive.

23. An apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said first stock material is a release liner with a layer of pressure-sensitive adhesive disposed thereon and wherein said second stock material is a substrate having an affinity for bonding with said pressure-sensitive adhesive.

24. An apparatus according to claim 16, further including a feed tray mounted to said frame, said feed tray being constructed and arranged to support and guide the master as it is being inserted through said master feeding opening. An apparatus according to claim 15, further including a blade constructed and arranged to sever the processed master and stock materials.

26. An apparatus according to claim 25, wherein said blade is constructed and arranged to sever the processed master and stock materials transversely with respect to the direction in which they are fed.

27. An apparatus for processing a master in conjunction with a removable cartridge including a cartridge body structure and first and second feed rolls carrying respective supplies of first and second stock material, said first and second feed rolls being mounted to said cartridge body structure to enable the **stock materials to be unwound from their respective feed rolls, at least one of the stock materials having a layer of adhesive disposed thereon, said apparatus including: a frame constructed and arranged such that the removable cartridge can be removably mounted thereto; a master processing assembly positioned with respect to said frame such that, when the removable cartridge is removably mounted to said frame, the master can be fed into said master processing assembly with said first and second stock materials unwound from their respective feed rolls and disposed on opposing sides of the master; said master processing assembly being constructed and arranged to perform a master processing operation wherein said processing assembly causes adhesive bonding between the first and second stock materials and the master being fed into said processing assembly and then subsequently discharges the processed master and stock materials; and an actuator constructed and arranged to affect operation of said master processing assembly so as to perform said master processing operation.

28. An apparatus according to claim 27, 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 said stock materials and the master fed therein.

29. An apparatus according to claim 27, wherein said master processing eeeo assembly includes first and second cooperating structures which are S:o constructed and arranged to apply pressure to the master and stock materials fed therein so as to cause said adhesive bonding and perform said master o processing operation without the use of heat transfer. An apparatus according to claim 29, wherein said first and second cooperating structures are first and second nip rollers constructed and arranged to apply pressure to said stock materials as a result of said actuator being operated.

31. An apparatus according to claim 27, further including a feed tray mounted to said frame, said feed tray being constructed and arranged to support and guide the master as it is being fed towards said processing assembly.

32. An apparatus according to claim 27, further including a blade constructed and arranged to sever the processed master and stock materials.

33. An apparatus according to claim 32, wherein said blade is constructed and arranged to sever the processed master and stock materials transversely with respect to the direction in which they are fed.

34. A removable cartridge to be used in conjunction with a master processing apparatus for processing a master, the apparatus including a frame, a master processing assembly constructed and arranged to perform a master processing operation wherein said processing assembly causes adhesive bonding between substrates fed therein, and an actuator constructed and arranged to affect operation of the master processing assembly, said cartridge including: a cartridge body structure constructed and arranged to be removably mounted to the apparatus frame; first and second feed rolls each carrying supplies of first and second stock materials and being mounted to said cartridge body structure to enable the stock materials to be unwound from their respective feed rolls, at least one 6 of said stock materials having a layer of adhesive disposed thereon; said cartridge body structure and said first and second feed rolls being constructed and arranged such that, when said cartridge body structure is removably mounted to the apparatus frame, the master can be inserted into the master processing assembly of the apparatus with said first and second *Sstock materials being unwound from their respective feed rolls and disposed on opposing sides of the master, thereby enabling the actuator to be operated 6 to cause the processing assembly to perform the aforesaid master processing operation wherein said processing assembly causes adhesive bonding between said first and second stock materials and the master being fed therein and then subsequently discharges the processed master and stock materials; said cartridge body structure being constructed and arranged such that, when said cartridge is removably mounted to the frame of the apparatus, said cartridge can be removed from the apparatus frame to enable cartridge replacement when desired. 41 A removable cartridge according to claim 34, wherein said cartridge body structure has a master feeding opening which is positioned and configured with respect to said feed rolls such that the master is inserted through said opening and between said feed rolls before being inserted into the master processing assembly.

36. A removable cartridge according to claim 34, wherein both said first and second stock materials are transparent laminating substrates with layers of adhesive disposed on each.

37. A removable cartridge according to claim 36, wherein said layers of adhesive disposed on said stock materials are pressure-sensitive.

38. A removable cartridge according to claim 34, wherein said first stock material is a release liner with a layer of pressure-sensitive adhesive disposed thereon and wherein said second stock material is a substrate having an affinity for bonding with said pressure-sensitive adhesive.

39. A removable cartridge according to claim 34, wherein said cartridge comprises a pair of side walls and a rear wall extending between said side walls, said master feeding opening being formed through said rear wall.

40. A laminating and adhesive transfer apparatus for performing a laminating or adhesive transfer operation on a master, said apparatus including: a frame; a removable cartridge removably mounted to said frame, said removable cartridge including a cartridge body structure and first and second feed rolls carrying respective supplies of first and second stock material, said feed rolls being mounted to said cartridge body structure to enable the stock materials to be unwound from their respective feed rolls, at least one of said stock materials having a layer of adhesive disposed thereon; a master processing assembly positioned with respect to said first and second feed rolls such that the master can be fed into said processing assembly with said first and second stock materials being unwound from said their respective feed rolls and disposed on opposing sides of the master; said master processing assembly being constructed and arranged to perform a laminating or adhesive transfer operation wherein said processing assembly causes adhesive bonding between the first and second stock materials and the master being fed therein and then subsequently discharges the processed master and stock materials; and an actuator constructed and arranged to affect operation of said master processing assembly so as to perform said master processing operation; said cartridge body structure being configured such that the user can remove said removable cartridge from said frame to enable replacement of said removable cartridge when desired.

41. An apparatus according to claim 40, wherein said cartridge body structure has a master feeding opening which is positioned and configured to oo allow the master to be inserted through said opening between said feed rolls with said first and second stock materials being unwound from their respective feed rolls and disposed on the opposing sides of the master and then into said processing assembly for performance of said master processing operation. o 42. An apparatus according to claim 40, wherein said adhesive layer is formed from a pressure-sensitive adhesive and wherein said master processing assembly includes first and second cooperating structures which are constructed and arranged to apply pressure to the master and stock materials fed therein so as to cause said adhesive bonding and perform said laminating or adhesive transfer operation without the use of heat transfer. 43

43. An apparatus according to claim 42, wherein said first and second cooperating structures are first and second nip rollers constructed and arranged to apply pressure to said stock materials as a result of said actuator being operated.

44. An apparatus according to claim 43, wherein said first and second nip rollers are rotatably mounted to said frame. An apparatus according to claim 40, wherein both said first and second stock materials are transparent laminating substrates with layers of adhesive disposed on each.

46. An apparatus according to claim 45, wherein said layers of adhesive disposed on said laminating materials are both formed from pressure-sensitive adhesive.

47. An apparatus according to claim 40, wherein said first stock material is a release liner with a layer of pressure-sensitive adhesive disposed thereon and wherein said second stock material is a substrate having an affinity for N bonding with said pressure-sensitive adhesive.

48. An apparatus according to claim 41, further including a feed tray *mounted to said frame, said feed tray being constructed and arranged to support and guide the master as it is being inserted through said master feeding opening.

49. An apparatus according to claim 48, further including a blade constructed and arranged to sever the processed master and stock materials. An apparatus according to claim 49, wherein said blade is constructed and arranged to sever the processed master and stock materials transversely with respect to the direction in which they are fed. 44

51. An apparatus according to claim 40, wherein said layer is formed from a pressure-sensitive adhesive 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 said stock materials and the master fed therein.

52. A laminating and adhesive transfer apparatus for performing a laminating or adhesive transfer operation on a master in conjunction with a removable cartridge including a cartridge body structure and first and second feed rolls carrying respective supplies of first and second stock material, the feed rolls being mounted to said cartridge body structure to enable the stock o materials to be unwound from their respective feed rolls, at least one of the stock materials having a layer of adhesive disposed thereon, said apparatus -including: a frame constructed and arranged such that the removable cartridge can be removably mounted thereto; a master processing assembly positioned with respect to said frame such that, when the removable cartridge is removably mounted to said frame, the master can be fed into said master processing assembly with said first and N second stock materials being unwound from said feed rolls and disposed on the opposing sides of the master; **said master processing assembly being constructed and arranged to perform a laminating or adhesive transfer operation wherein said processing assembly causes adhesive bonding between the first and second stock materials and the master being fed into said processing assembly and then subsequently discharges the processed master and stock materials; and an actuator constructed and arranged to affect operation of said cooperating structures so as to perform said master processing operation.

53. An apparatus according to claim 52, wherein said adhesive layer is formed from a pressure-sensitive adhesive and wherein said master processing assembly includes first and second cooperating structures which are constructed and arranged to apply pressure to the master and stock materials fed therein so as to cause said adhesive bonding and perform said master processing operation without the use of heat transfer.

54. An apparatus according to claim 53, wherein said first and second cooperating structures are first and second nip rollers constructed and arranged to apply pressure to said stock materials as a result of said actuator being operated.

55. An apparatus according to claim 52, further including a feed tray ~mounted to said frame, said feed tray being disposed adjacent the feed side of said cooperating structures and being constructed and arranged to support and guide the master as it is being fed towards said master processing assembly.

56. An apparatus according to claim 52, further including a blade constructed and arranged to sever the processed master and stock materials.

57. An apparatus according to claim 56, wherein said blade is located adjacent the discharge side of said cooperating structures and constructed and arranged to sever the processed master and stock materials transversely. 46

58. A removable cartridge to be used in conjunction with a laminating and adhesive transfer apparatus for performing a laminating or adhesive transfer operation on a master, the apparatus including a frame, a master processing assembly constructed and arranged to perform a laminating or adhesive transfer operation wherein said processing assembly causes adhesive bonding between substrates fed therein, and an actuator constructed and arranged to affect operation of the master processing assembly, said cartridge including: a cartridge body structure constructed and arranged to be removably mounted to the apparatus frame; first and second feed rolls each carrying supplies of first and second .stock materials and being mounted to said cartridge body structure to enable *o the stock materials to be unwound from their respective feed rolls, at least one of said stock materials having a layer of adhesive disposed thereon; said cartridge body structure and said first and second feed rolls being constructed and arranged such that, when said cartridge body structure is *removably mounted to the apparatus frame, the master can be inserted into the master processing assembly of the apparatus with said stock materials being unwound from their respective feed rolls and disposed on opposing sides of the master, thereby enabling the actuator to be operated to cause the 9 processing assembly to perform the aforesaid laminating or adhesive transfer operation wherein the processing assembly causes adhesive bonding between said first and second stock materials and the master being fed therein and then subsequently discharges the processed master and stock materials; said cartridge body structure being constructed and arranged such that, when said cartridge is removably mounted to the frame of the apparatus, said cartridge can be removed from the apparatus frame to enable cartridge replacement when desired.

59. A removable cartridge according to claim 58, wherein said cartridge body structure has a master feeding opening which is positioned and configured with respect to said feed rolls such that the master is inserted through said opening before being inserted into the master processing assembly. A removable cartridge according to claim 58, wherein both said first and second stock materials are transparent laminating substrates with layers of adhesive disposed on each.

61. A removable cartridge according to claim 60, wherein the layers of adhesive on both said laminating materials are formed from a pressure-sensitive adhesive.

62. An removable cartridge according to claim 58, wherein said first stock material is a release liner with a layer of pressure-sensitive adhesive disposed thereon and wherein said second stock material is a substrate having an affinity for bonding with said pressure-sensitive adhesive. *o

63. A removable cartridge according to claim 58, wherein said adhesive layer is formed from a pressure-sensitive adhesive.

64. A laminating apparatus for performing a laminating operation on a master, said apparatus including: a frame; a removable cartridge removably mounted to said frame, said removable S**cartridge including a cartridge body structure and first and second feed rolls carrying respective supplies of first and second laminating material, said feed rolls being mounted to said cartridge body structure to enable the laminating materials to be unwound from their respective feed rolls, at least one of said laminating materials having a layer of adhesive disposed thereon; f aJ p 48 a laminating assembly positioned with respect to said first and second rolls such that the master can be fed into said laminating assembly with said first and second laminating materials being unwound from their respective feed rolls and disposed on opposing sides of the master; said laminating assembly being constructed and arranged to perform a laminating operation wherein said laminating assembly causes adhesive bonding between the first and second laminating materials and the master being fed therein and then subsequently discharges the laminated master; and an actuator constructed and arranged to affect operation of said laminating assembly so as to perform said master processing operation; said cartridge body structure being configured such that the user can remove said removable cartridge from said frame to enable replacement of said removable cartridge when desired. An apparatus according to claim 64, wherein said cartridge body structure has a master feeding opening which is positioned and configured to allow the master to be inserted through said opening between said feed rolls with said first and second laminating materials being unwound from their respective feed rolls S.. 0 disposed on the opposing sides of the master and then into said laminating assembly for performance of said laminating operation. S

66. An apparatus according to claim 64, wherein adhesive layer is formed from pressure-sensitive adhesive and wherein said laminating assembly is constructed and arranged to perform the laminating operation without the use of heat transfer by applying pressure to said laminating materials and the master fed therein. S. o.5 49

67. An apparatus according to claim 64, wherein said adhesive layer is formed from pressure-sensitive adhesive and wherein said laminating assembly includes first and second cooperating structures which are constructed and arranged to apply pressure to the master and laminating materials fed therein so as to cause said adhesive bonding and perform said laminating operation without the use of heat transfer.

68. An apparatus according to claim 66, wherein said first and second cooperating structures are first and second nip rollers constructed and arranged to apply pressure to said laminating materials as a result of said actuator being operated.

69. An apparatus according to claim 68, wherein said first and second nip rollers are rotatably mounted to said frame. :o° 0 An apparatus according to claim 64, further including a feed tray :mounted to said frame, said feed tray being constructed and arranged to support and guide the master as it is being fed towards said master processing assembly.

71. An apparatus according to claim 64, further including a blade constructed and arranged to sever the processed master and laminating materials.

72. An apparatus according to claim 71, wherein said blade is constructed and arranged to sever the processed master and laminating materials transversely with respect to the direction in which they are fed.

73. A laminating apparatus for performing a laminating operation on a master in conjunction with a removable cartridge including a cartridge body structure and first and second feed rolls carrying respective supplies of first and second laminating material, the feed rolls being mounted to said cartridge body structure to enable the laminating materials to be unwound from their respective feed rolls, at least one of the laminating materials having a layer of adhesive disposed thereon, said apparatus including: a frame constructed and arranged such that the removable cartridge can be removably mounted thereto; a laminating assembly positioned with respect to said frame such that, when the removable cartridge is removably mounted to said frame, the master can be fed into said master processing assembly with said first and second stock materials being unwound from their respective feed rolls and disposed on opposing sides of the master; said laminating assembly being constructed and arranged to perform a laminating operation wherein said laminating assembly causes adhesive o: .bonding between the first and second stock materials and the master being fed into said laminating assembly and then subsequently discharges the laminated master; and S. an actuator constructed and arranged to affect operation of said cooperating structures so as to perform said master processing operation.

74. An apparatus according to claim 73, wherein said laminating assembly Zis constructed and arranged to perform the laminating operation without the No use of heat transfer by applying pressure to said laminating materials and the o*o. o master fed therein.

75. An apparatus according to claim 73, wherein said laminating assembly includes first and second cooperating structures which are constructed and arranged to apply pressure to the master and laminating materials fed therein so as to cause said adhesive bonding and perform said laminating operation without the use of heat transfer.

76. An apparatus according to claim 75, wherein said first and second cooperating structures are first and second nip rollers constructed and arranged to apply pressure to said laminating materials as a result of said actuator being operated.

77. An apparatus according to claim 73, further including a feed tray mounted to said frame, said feed tray being constructed and arranged to support and guide the master as it is being fed towards said laminating assembly.

78. An apparatus according to claim 73, further including a blade constructed and arranged to sever the processed master and laminating materials.

79. An apparatus according to claim 78, wherein said blade is constructed and arranged to sever the processed master and laminating materials transversely with respect to the direction in which they are fed. A removable cartridge to be used in conjunction with a laminating apparatus for performing a laminating operation on a master, the apparatus including a frame, a laminating assembly constructed and arranged to perform a laminating operation wherein said laminating assembly causes adhesive bonding between substrates fed therein, and an actuator constructed and arranged to affect operation of the laminating assembly, said cartridge including: a cartridge body structure constructed and arranged to be removably mounted to the apparatus frame; first and second feed rolls each carrying supplies of first and second laminating materials and being mounted to said cartridge body structure to enable the laminating materials to be unwound from their respective feed rolls, at least one of said laminating materials having a layer of adhesive disposed thereon; said cartridge body structure and said first and second feed rolls being constructed and arranged such that, when said cartridge body structure is removably mounted to the apparatus frame, the master can be fed into the laminating assembly of the apparatus with the laminating materials being unwound from their respective feed rolls and disposed on opposing sides of l• O* the master, thereby enabling the actuator to be operated to cause the laminating assembly to perform the aforesaid laminating operation wherein the laminating assembly causes adhesive bonding between said first and second laminating materials and the master being fed therein and then subsequently discharges the laminated master; said cartridge body structure being constructed and arranged such that, when said cartridge is removably mounted to the frame of the apparatus, said cartridge can be removed from the apparatus frame to enable cartridge replacement when desired.

81. A removable cartridge according to claim 80, wherein said cartridge body structure has a master feeding opening which is positioned and configured with respect to said feed rolls such that the master is inserted through said opening and between said feed rolls before being inserted into the laminating assembly.

82. A removable cartridge according to claim 80, wherein both said first and second laminating materials are transparent substrates with layers of adhesive disposed on each.

83. A removable cartridge according to claim 82, wherein the layers **disposed on each transparent substrate are formed from a pressure-sensitive adhesive.

84. A method for performing a laminating operation wherein a master is laminated, said method including: providing a removable cartridge including: a cartridge body structure, and first and second feed rolls each carrying a supply of laminating material and being mounted to said cartridge body structure to enable the laminating materials to be unwound from their respective feed rolls, at least one of said laminating materials having a layer of adhesive disposed thereon; removably mounting said cartridge to an apparatus including a frame and an actuator; then inserting the master into a laminating assembly with said laminating materials being unwound from their respective feed rolls and disposed on opposing sides of said master; and thereafter operating said actuator so as to cause said laminating assembly to perform a laminating operation wherein said laminating materials and said master are adhesively bonded together and then the laminated master is discharged from the apparatus. A method according to claim 84, wherein each of said laminating materials has a layer of pressure-sensitive adhesive disposed thereon and wherein said laminating assembly has first and second cooperating structures constructed and arranged to apply pressure to said master and said laminating materials so as to cause said adhesive bonding as a result of operation of said actuator.

86. A method according to claim 85, wherein said first and second cooperating structures are first and second nip rollers rotatably mounted to said frame.

87. A method according to claim 86, wherein said actuator is a rotatable crank handle operatively connected to said nip rollers and wherein manually rotating said crank handle manually affects rotation of said nip rollers.

88. A method according to claim 87, wherein said adhesive layers on said laminating materials are formed from pressure-sensitive adhesives and wherein said laminating operation is performed by pressure being applied to said laminating materials and said master without the use of heat transfer as a result of operating said actuator.

89. A method for performing an adhesive transfer operation wherein adhesive is transferred to a master, said method including: providing a removable cartridge including: a cartridge body structure, and first and second feed rolls one of which carries a release liner having a layer of adhesive disposed thereon and the other of which carries a substrate having an affinity for bonding with said adhesive, said feed rolls being mounted to said cartridge body structure to enable the release liner and the substrate with bonding affinity to be unwound from their respective feed rolls; removably mounting said cartridge to an apparatus including a frame and an actuator; then inserting the master into a processing assembly with said release liner and said substrate with bonding affinity being unwound from their V00% .respective feed rolls and disposed on opposing sides of said master; and thereafter operating said actuator so as to cause said laminating oooo assembly to perform an adhesive transfer operation wherein said adhesive is S .o bonded with one side of said master and portions of said substrate which extend around the periphery of said master and then said master, release liner, and substrate with bonding affinity are discharged from the apparatus, thereby enabling the substrate to be moved away from said release liner and master with said adhesive remaining bonded to said portions which extended •around the periphery of the master. S A method according to claim 89, wherein said adhesive is pressure- sensitive adhesive disposed thereon and wherein said processing assembly has first and second cooperating structures constructed and arranged to apply pressure to said master, said release liner, and said substrate so as to cause said adhesive bonding without the use of heat transfer.

91. A method according to claim 90, wherein said first and second cooperating structures are first and second nip rollers rotatably mounted to said frame.

92. A method according to claim 91, wherein said actuator is a rotatable crank handle operatively connected to said nip rollers and wherein manually rotating said crank handle manually affects rotation of said nip rollers.

93. An apparatus for processing a master, said apparatus comprising: a frame; a removable cartridge removably mounted to said frame, said removable cartridge comprising a cartridge body structure and first and second feed rolls carrying respective supplies of first and second stock material, said feed rolls being mounted to said cartridge body structure to enable the stock materials to be unwound from their respective feed rolls, at least one of said stock materials having a layer of adhesive disposed thereon; and a master processing assembly positioned with respect to said first and second feed rolls such that the master can be fed into said processing assembly with said first and second stock materials being unwound from their respective feed rolls and disposed on opposing sides of the master; said master processing assembly being constructed and arranged to perform a master processing operation wherein said processing assembly causes said adhesive to bond to at least the master during advancement of the master and said stock materials through said master processing assembly; said cartridge body structure being configured such that the user can remove said removable cartridge from said frame to enable replacement of said removable cartridge when desired. 00

94. An apparatus for processing a master in conjunction with a removable cartridge comprising a cartridge body structure and first and second feed rolls carrying respective supplies of first and second stock material, said first and 0l second feed rolls being mounted to said cartridge body structure to enable the stock materials to be unwound from their respective feed rolls, at least one of the stock materials having a layer of adhesive disposed thereon, said apparatus comprising: a frame constructed and arranged such that the removable cartridge can be removably mounted thereto; and a master processing assembly positioned with respect to said frame such that, when the removable cartridge is removably mounted to said frame, the master can be fed into said master processing assembly with said first and second stock materials unwound from their respective feed rolls and disposed on opposing sides of the master; said master processing assembly being constructed and arranged to perform a master processing operation wherein said processing assembly causes said adhesive to bond to at least the master during advancement of the master and said stock materials through said processing assembly. A removable cartridge to be used in conjunction with a master processing apparatus for processing a master, the apparatus comprising a frame, and a master processing assembly constructed and arranged to perform a master processing operation wherein said processing assembly causes adhesive bonding between substrates advanced therethrough, said cartridge comprising: a cartridge body structure constructed and arranged to be removably mounted to the apparatus frame; first and second feed rolls each carrying supplies of first and second stock materials and being mounted to said cartridge body structure to enable the stock materials to be unwound from their respective feed rolls, at least one of said stock materials having a layer of adhesive disposed thereon; said cartridge body structure and said first and second feed rolls being constructed and arranged such that, when said cartridge body structure is removably mounted to the apparatus frame, the master can be inserted into the master processing assembly of the apparatus with said first and second stock materials being unwound from their respective feed rolls and disposed on opposing sides of the master, thereby enabling the master and said stock materials to be advanced through said master processing assembly with said master processing assembly performing the aforesaid master processing operation to cause said adhesive to bond to at least the master; said cartridge body structure being constructed and arranged such that, when said cartridge is removably mounted to the frame of the apparatus, said cartridge can be removed from the apparatus frame to enable cartridge replacement when desired.

96. A laminating and adhesive transfer apparatus for performing a laminating or adhesive transfer operation, said apparatus comprising: a frame constructed and arranged such that the removable cartridge can be removably mounted thereto; a removable cartridge removably mounted to said frame, said cartridge comprising a cartridge body structure and first and second feed rolls carrying respective supplies of first and second stock material, the feed rolls being mounted to said cartridge body structure to enable the stock materials to be unwound from their respective feed rolls, at least one of the stock materials having a layer of adhesive disposed thereon, a master processing assembly positioned with respect to said frame such that, when the removable cartridge is removably mounted to said frame, the master can be fed into said master processing assembly with said first and second stock materials being unwound from said feed rolls and disposed on the opposing sides of the master; said master processing assembly being constructed and arranged to perform a laminating or adhesive transfer operation wherein said processing assembly causes said adhesive to bond to at least the master during advancement of the master and stock materials through said master processing assembly.

97. A laminating and adhesive transfer apparatus for performing a laminating Sor adhesive transfer operation on a master in conjunction with a removable cartridge comprising a cartridge body structure and first and second feed rolls carrying respective supplies of first and second stock material, the feed rolls being mounted to said cartridge body structure to enable the stock materials to be unwound from their respective feed rolls, at least one of the stock materials having a layer of adhesive disposed thereon, said apparatus comprising: a frame constructed and arranged such that the removable cartridge can be removably mounted thereto; and 58 a master processing assembly positioned with respect to said frame such that, when the removable cartridge is removably mounted to said frame, the master can be fed into said master processing assembly with said first and second stock materials being unwound from said feed rolls and disposed on the opposing sides of the master; said master processing assembly being constructed and arranged to perform a laminating or adhesive transfer operation wherein said processing assembly said adhesive to bond to at least the master during advancement of the master and stock materials through said master processing assembly.

98. A removable cartridge to be used in conjunction with a laminating and adhesive transfer apparatus for performing a laminating or adhesive transfer operation on a master, the apparatus comprising a frame, and a master processing assembly constricted and arranged to perform the laminating or adhesive transfer operation wherein said processing assembly causes adhesive bonding between substrates advanced therethrough, said cartridge comprising: a cartridge body structure constructed and arranged to be removably mounted to the apparatus frame; first and second feed rolls each carrying supplies of first and second stock materials and being mounted to said cartridge body structure to enable the stock materials to be unwound from their respective feed rolls, at least one of said stock materials having a layer of adhesive disposed thereon; said cartridge body structure and said first and second feed rolls being constructed and arranged such that, when said cartridge body structure is removably mounted to the apparatus frame, the master can be inserted into the master processing assembly of the apparatus with said stock materials being unwound from their respective feed rolls and disposed on opposing sides of the @0 0 S- master, thereby enabling the master and said stock materials to be advanced 0000 o through said master processing assembly with said master processing assembly performing the aforesaid laminating or adhesive transfer operation to cause said adhesive to bond to at least the master; said cartridge body structure being constructed and arranged such that, when said cartridge is removably mounted to the frame of the apparatus, said cartridge can be removed from the apparatus frame to enable cartridge replacement when desired.

99. A laminating apparatus for performing, a laminating operation on a master, said apparatus comprising: a frame; a removable cartridge removably mounted to said frame, said removable cartridge comprising a cartridge body structure and first and second feed rolls carrying respective supplies of first and second laminating materials, said feed rolls being mounted to said cartridge body structure to enable the laminating materials to be unwound from their respective feed rolls, at least one of said laminating materials having a layer of adhesive disposed thereon; and a laminating assembly positioned with respect to said first and second rolls such that the master can be fed into said laminating assembly with said first and second laminating materials being unwound from their respective feed rolls and disposed on opposing sides of the master; said laminating assembly being constructed and arranged to perform a laminating operation wherein said laminating assembly causes said adhesive to bond the first and second laminating materials and the master during advancement thereof through said laminating assembly; said cartridge body structure being configured such that the user can remove said removable cartridge from said frame to enable replacement of said removable cartridge when desired. 99 9 00 100. A laminating apparatus for performing a laminating operation on a master in conjunction with a removable cartridge comprising a cartridge body structure and first and second feed rolls carrying respective supplies of first and second laminating material, the feed rolls being mounted to said cartridge body structure 9 to enable the laminating materials to be unwound from their respective feed rolls, at least one of the laminating materials having a layer of adhesive disposed thereon, said apparatus comprising: a frame constructed and arranged such that the removable cartridge can be removably mounted thereto; and a laminating assembly positioned with respect to said frame such that, when the removable cartridge is removably mounted to said frame, the master can be fed into said laminating assembly with said first and second laminating materials being unwound from their respective feed rolls and disposed on opposing sides of the master; said laminating assembly being constructed and arranged to perform a laminating operation wherein said laminating assembly causes said adhesive to bond the first and second laminating materials and the master during advancement thereof through said laminating assembly.

101. A removable cartridge to be used in conjunction with a laminating apparatus for performing a laminating operation on a master, the apparatus comprising a frame, and a laminating assembly constructed and arranged to perform a laminating operation wherein said laminating assembly causes adhesive bonding between substrates advanced therethrough, said cartridge comprising: a cartridge body stricture constructed and arranged to be removably mounted to the apparatus frame; first and second feed rolls each carrying supplies of first and second laminating materials and being mounted to said cartridge body structure to enable S: the laminating materials to be unwound from their respective feed rolls, at least one of said laminating materials having a layer of adhesive disposed thereon; said cartridge body structure and said first and second feed rolls being constructed and arranged such that, when said cartridge body structure is removably mounted to the apparatus frame, the master can be fed into the 00 0 laminating assembly of the apparatus with the laminating materials being 0a0. .unwound from their respective feed rolls and disposed on opposing sides of the o° 0.0 master, thereby enabling the master and said laminating materials to be 0 advanced through said laminating assembly with said laminating assembly performing the aforesaid laminating operation to cause said adhesive to bond said first and second laminating materials and the master; said cartridge body structure being constructed and arranged such that, when said cartridge is removably mounted to the frame of the apparatus, said 61 cartridge can be removed from the apparatus frame to enable cartridge replacement when desired.

102. An adhesive transfer apparatus for performing an adhesive transfer operation on a master, said apparatus comprising: a frame; a removable cartridge removably mounted to said frame, said removable cartridge comprising a cartridge body structure and first and second feed rolls carrying respective supplies of first and second stock material, said feed rolls being mounted to said cartridge body structure to enable the stock materials to be unwound from their respective feed rolls, at least one of said stock materials having a layer of adhesive disposed thereon; and an adhesive transfer assembly positioned with respect to said first and second rolls such that the master can be fed into said adhesive transfer assembly with said first and second stock materials being unwound from their respective feed rolls and disposed on opposing sides of the master; said adhesive transfer assembly being constructed and arranged to perform an adhesive transfer operation wherein said adhesive transfer assembly ~causes said adhesive to bond to at least the master during advancement of the em master and stock materials through said adhesive transfer assembly; b: said cartridge body structure being configured such that the user can remove said removable cartridge from said frame to enable replacement of said removable cartridge when desired.

103. An adhesive transfer apparatus for performing an adhesive transfer operation on a master in conjunction with a removable cartridge comprising a cartridge body structure and first and second feed rolls carrying respective supplies of first and second stock material, the feed rolls being mounted to said oo.: cartridge body structure to enable the stock materials to be unwound from their respective feed rolls, at least one of the stock materials having a layer of adhesive disposed thereon, said apparatus comprising: a frame constructed and arranged such that the removable cartridge can be removably mounted thereto; and 62 an adhesive transfer assembly positioned with respect to said frame such that, when the removable cartridge is removably mounted to said frame, the master can be fed into said adhesive transfer assembly with said first and second stock materials being unwound from their respective feed rolls and disposed on opposing sides of the master; said adhesive transfer assembly being constructed and arranged to perform an adhesive transfer operation wherein said adhesive transfer assembly causes said adhesive to bond to at least the master during advancement of the master and stock materials through said adhesive transfer assembly.

104. A removable cartridge to be used in conjunction with an adhesive transfer apparatus for performing an adhesive transfer operation on a master, the apparatus comprising a frame, and an adhesive transfer assembly constructed and arranged to perform an adhesive transfer operation wherein said adhesive transfer assembly causes adhesive bonding between substrates advanced therethrough, said cartridge comprising: a cartridge body structure constructed and arranged to be removably mounted to the apparatus frame; J O :first and second feed rolls each carrying supplies of first and second stock materials and being mounted to said cartridge body structure to enable the stock materials to be unwound from their respective feed rolls, at least one of said stock Goo materials having a layer of adhesive disposed thereon; said cartridge body stricture and said first and second feed rolls being constricted and arranged such that, when said cartridge body structure is removably mounted to the apparatus frame, the master can be fed into the adhesive transfer assembly of the apparatus with the adhesive transfer materials being, unwound from their respective feed rolls and disposed on opposing sides of the master, thereby enabling the master and said stock materials to be *e advanced through said adhesive transfer assembly with said adhesive transfer assembly performing the aforesaid adhesive transfer operation to cause said adhesive to bond to at least the master; said cartridge body structure being constructed and arranged such that, when said cartridge is removably mounted to the frame of the apparatus, said 63 cartridge can be removed from the apparatus frame to enable cartridge replacement when desired.

105. A method for performing a master processing operation, said method comprising: providing a removable cartridge comprising: i) a cartridge body structure, and ii) first and second feed rolls each carrying a supply of stock material and being mounted to said cartridge body structure to enable the stock materials to be unwound from their respective feed rolls, at least one of said laminating materials having a layer of adhesive disposed thereon; removably mounting said cartridge to an apparatus comprising a frame and a master processing assembly; then advancing the master into said master processing assembly with said stock materials being unwound from their respective feed rolls and disposed on opposing sides of said master so as to cause said master assembly to cause said adhesive to bond to at least said master.

106. An apparatus for processing a master, said apparatus comprising: a frame; 9 a removable cartridge removably mounted to said frame, said removable I cartridge comprising a cartridge body structure and first and second feed rolls carrying respective supplies of first and second stock material, said feed rolls being mounted to said cartridge body structure to enable the stock materials to be unwound from their respective feed rolls, at least one of said stock materials having a layer of adhesive disposed thereon; 000. 0. a first rotatable nip roller; 0.0 a second rotatable nip roller positioned adjacent said first nip roller, said Sfirst and second nip rollers being positioned such that the master can be fed 0I 0 between said nip rollers with said first and second stock materials unwound from their respective feed rolls and disposed on opposing sides of the master; and an actuator operatively connected to said nip rollers, said actuator being constructed and arranged to affect rotation of said nip rollers; 64 said nip rollers being constructed and arranged such that during rotation thereof said nip rollers apply pressure to said master and stock materials fed therebetween to affect adhesive bonding between the master and the stock materials and then subsequently discharge the processed master and stock materials; said cartridge body structure being configured such that the user can remove said cartridge from said frame to enable replacement of said cartridge when desired.

107. An apparatus according to claim 106, wherein said actuator is manually powered.

108. An apparatus according to claim 106, wherein said adhesive is pressure- sensitive adhesive.

109. An apparatus according to claim 106, wherein said feed rolls are slidably mounted to said cartridge body structure.

110. An apparatus according to claim 106, wherein said first and second feed rolls each have pre-tensioning structure constructed and arranged to create a pre-tensioning resistance to rotation of said feed rolls.

111. An apparatus for processing a master in conjunction with a removable cartridge comprising a cartridge body structure and first and second feed rolls carrying, respective supplies of first and second stock material, said first and second feed rolls being mounted to said cartridge body structure to enable the stock materials to be unwound from their respective feed rolls, at least one of the stock materials having a layer of adhesive disposed thereon, said apparatus comprising: a frame constructed and arranged such that the removable cartridge can II be removably mounted thereto; a first rotatable nip roller rotatably mounted to said frame; a second rotatable nip roller rotatably mounted to said frame adjacent said first nip roller, said first and second nip rollers being positioned such that, when said cartridge is removably mounted to said frame, the master can be fed between said nip rollers with said first and second stock materials unwound from their respective feed rolls and disposed on opposing sides of the master; an actuator operatively connected to said nip rollers, said actuator being constructed and arranged to affect rotation of said nip rollers; said nip rollers being constructed and arranged such that, during rotation thereof, said nip rollers apply pressure to said master and stock materials fed therebetween to affect adhesive bonding between the master and stock materials and then subsequently discharge the processed master and stock materials; said cartridge body structure being configured such that the user can remove said cartridge from said frame to enable replacement of said cartridge when desired.

112. An apparatus according to claim 109, wherein said actuator is manually powered.

113. An apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said feed rolls are slidably mounted to said cartridge body structure.

114. An apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said first and second feed S rolls each have pre-tensioning structure constructed and arranged to create a pre-tensioning resistance to rotation of said feed rolls. .i 115. A cartridge according to claim 34, wherein said feed rolls are slidably mounted to said cartridge body structure.

116. A cartridge according to claim 34, wherein said first and second feed rolls each have pre-tensioning structure constructed and arranged to create a pre- tensioning resistance to rotation of said feed rolls.

117. An apparatus according to claim 40, wherein said feed rolls are slidably mounted to said cartridge body structure.

118. An apparatus according to claim 40, wherein said first and second iced rolls each have pre-tensioning structure constructed and arranged to create a pre-tensioning resistance to rotation of said feed rolls.

119. A cartridge according to claim 58, wherein said feed rolls are slidably mounted to said cartridge body structure.

120. A cartridge according to claim 58, wherein said first and second feed rolls each have pre-tensioning structure constructed and arranged to create a pre- tensioning resistance to rotation of said feed rolls.

121. An apparatus according to claim 64, wherein said feed rolls are slidably mounted to said cartridge body structure.

122. An apparatus according to claim 64, wherein said first and second feed rolls each have pre-tensioning structure constructed and arranged to create a pre-tensioning resistance to rotation of said feed rolls. "123. A cartridge according to claim 80, wherein said feed rolls are slidably :mounted to said cartridge body structure.

124. A cartridge according to claim 80, wherein said first and second feed rolls each have pre-tensioning structure constructed and arranged to create a pre- tensioning resistance to rotation of said feed rolls. o•

125. An apparatus according to claim 93, wherein said feed rolls are slidably mounted to said cartridge body structure. *e

126. An apparatus according to claim 93, wherein said first and second feed rolls each have pre-tensioning structure constructed and arranged to create a pre-tensioning resistance to rotation of said feed rolls.

127. A cartridge according to claim 95, wherein said feed rolls are slidably mounted to said cartridge body structure.

128. A cartridge according to claim 95, wherein said first and second feed rolls each have pre-tensioning structure constructed and arranged to create a pre- tensioning resistance to rotation of said feed rolls.

129. An apparatus according to claim 96, wherein said feed rolls are slidably mounted to said cartridge body structure.

130. An apparatus according to claim 96, wherein said first and second feed rolls each have pre-tensioning structure constructed and arranged to create a pre-tensioning resistance to rotation of said feed rolls.

131. A cartridge according to claim 98, wherein said feed rolls are slidably mounted to said cartridge body structure.

132. A cartridge according to claim 98, wherein said first and second feed rolls each have pre-tensioning structure constructed and arranged to create a pre i:i- tensioning resistance to rotation of said feed rolls.

133. An apparatus according to claim 99, wherein said feed rolls are slidably mounted to said cartridge body structure.

134. An apparatus according to claim 99, wherein said first and second feed rolls each have pre-tensioning structure constructed and arranged to create a pre-tensioning resistance to rotation of said feed rolls.

135. A cartridge according to claim 101, wherein said feed rolls are slidably mounted to said cartridge body structure.

136. A cartridge according to claim 101, wherein said first and second feed rolls each have pre-tensioning structure constructed and arranged to create a pre- Stensioning resistance to rotation of said feed rolls. 68

137. An apparatus according to claim 102, wherein said feed rolls are slidably mounted to said cartridge body structure.

138. An apparatus according to claim 102, wherein said first and second feed rolls each have pre-tensioning structure constructed and arranged to create a pre-tensioning resistance to rotation of said feed rolls.

139. A cartridge according to claim 104, wherein said feed rolls are slidably mounted to said cartridge body structure.

140. A cartridge according to claim 104, wherein said first and second feed rolls each have pre-tensioning structure constructed and arranged to create a pre- tensioning resistance to rotation of said feed rolls.

141. A method according to claim 84, wherein providing said cartridge includes slidably mounting said feed rolls to said cartridge body structure.

142. A method according to claim 89, wherein providing said cartridge includes slidably mounting said feed rolls to said cartridge body structure.

143. A method according to claim 105, wherein providing said cartridge includes slidably mounting said feed rolls to said cartridge body structure. DATED this 8th day of February 2002 XYRON, INCORPORATED WATERMARK PATENT TRADE MARK ATTORNEYS o 290 BURWOOD ROAD S' HAWTHORN VICTORIA 3122 eo ~AUSTRALIA P7304AU02 CJS/RJS/MEH P7304AU02 CJS/RJS/MEH