GB2099362A

GB2099362A - Sheet-laminating apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2099362A
Application number: GB8125174A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co
Current assignee: 3M Co
Priority date: 1978-05-19
Filing date: 1979-08-06
Publication date: 1982-12-08
Also published as: GB2099362B

Abstract

Apparatus for adhering a flexible sheet to a solid support therefor comprises a pair of rollers (20,22) mounted on parallel axes to define a nip (28) therebetween and guiding surfaces (42, 44) for separately and respectively guiding a sheet and a support toward the nip (28), a releasable stop (46) locating the support in a predetermined position in relation to the nip (28) while the sheet is aligned therewith and a drive (26) for rotating the rollers in opposite directions. One roller (20) has an outer layer (50) of rubber for pressing the sheet and the support together as they pass through the nip (28). Transverse alignment of the sheet and support is provided by a bar (38) and a guide (36). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Laminating apparatus This invention relates to apparatus for adhering a flexible sheet to a solid support therefor. Vehicle registration plates now commonly comprises a flexible sheet adhered to a solid transparent support through which the registration symbols are visible, and it is to the manufacture of such plates that the invention is especially suited.

A primary problem in the manufacture of vehicle registration plates is the proper location of the registration symbols on a backing therefor. Precise positioning is essential and must conform with the Road Vehicles (Registration and Licensing) Regulations 1971. Registration plates for new vehicles must also be of the "reflective" kind and a typical such plate comprises a retro-reflective backing member adhered to a transparent support with the registration symbols sandwiched therebetween. Of course, the adhesive used must be transparent such that its location between the backing member and the support does not effect the reflection of light through the support.While suitable retro-reflective backing materials, transparent supports and adhesives have been developed, the location problem remains the cause of considerable wastage, as a consequence both of improper location of the registration symbols on the backing member and of improper location of the backing memberwith respecttothe support.

A solution to the first problem of accurately locating the registration symbols on the backing member is described and claimed in our co-pending Application No: 7927397 (Serial No: 2,029,997), hereinafter referred to as the parent Application and to which reference is directed. The present invention is directed at the second, but equally important, problems of locating the backing member with respect to the support. As with the parent Application though, the present invention is not limited to the manufacture of vehicle registration plates, but has application wherever a flexible sheet is to be adhered to a solid support, and especially in accurate registry therewith.

According to the present invention, apparatus for adhering a flexible sheet to a solid support therefor comprises a pair of rollers mounted on parallel axes to define a nip therebetween and means for separately guiding a said sheet and a said support towards the nip; releasable stop means for locating a said support in a predetermined position in relation to the nip while a said backing is aligned therewith; a drive for rotating the rollers in opposite directions; and means for pressing a said sheet and a said support together as they pass through the nip.

When apparatus according to the invention is used, the support will normally be of the final required dimensions and the backing member slightly larger. The guides can thus include relatively displaced surfaces against which the member and support slide as they move toward the rollers.

To provide the requisite pressure to properly adhere the backing member to the support, the axes of the rollers are preferably fixed and one of the rollers provided with a resilient surface which deforms around the backing member and support as they pass through the nip. Typically, the resilient surface is rubber, a Shore A durometer hardness of 60 is preferred, and the resilient surface will be applied to the backing member rather than the support.

An application of the invention to the manufacture of a vehicle registration plate will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawing wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective view of apparatus according to the invention for adhering a flexible backing member to a solid support; and Figure 2 is an end view of the guide box of Figure 1 for the backing member and supports.

The apparatus illustrated in the drawing is useful primarily, in adhering a backing member with symbols bonded thereto as described in the parent Application to a transparent support but it may also be used to laminate any flexible sheet to a substantially solid support. The apparatus comprises a frame generally indicated at 18 upon which is mounted two rollers 20 and 22 on parallel axes. The spacing between the rollers is adjustable by handes 24 which control the position of the upper roller 20 with respect to the lower roller 22. The rollers are geared to each other by gear wheels (not shown) whereby rotation of a handle 26 linked to the roller 22 drives the rollers in opposite directions to carry a laminate through a nip 28 defined therebetween.

Also mounted on the frame 18 is a guide box 30 secured by struts 32. Extending from the box 30 is a framework 34 for supporting the flexible backing away from the box 30. Within the box 30 is a guide 36 for a transparent support and the guide is secured by a bar 38 which is bolted to a flange 40 on the guide 36 to clamp the upper side 42 of the box 30 therebetween.

In use, a backing member with symbols bonded thereto is laid face down on the upper side 42 of the box, and a transparent support is placed on the lower side 44. The support is brought to bear against the guide 36 and the backing member to bear against the bar 38. The lateral displacement of the bar from the guide provides for an overlap for excess backing member which is stripped off after the two are adhered.

The transparent support will normally have a layer of acrylic adhesive on the upper surface thereof from which a release sheet is removed immediately prior to use. The lower surface will normally be smooth but may be provided with a matte finish to reduce undesired reflectivity in the finished product.

With the backing member and support in position, they are pushed together into the nip 28. By rotating the handle 26 the two are then carried through the nip 28, the pressure between the rollers ensuring that the adhesive layer on the support provides a good bond to the backing member and is rendered transparent thus ensuring good reflective properties in the finished product. After removal from the rollers, the excess backing member is trimmed off.

The box 30 is spaced from the nip 28 to enable a user to ensure that the backing member is properly aligned with the support immediately prior to entering the nip 28. A stop 46 is provided at the nip end of the guide box 30 against which a support abuts for precise location prior to entering the nip 28. A lever 48 may be moved to release the stop 40 when the backing member and support are in their proper orientation.

The spacing between the rollers 20 and 22 is normally fixed, the upper roller having a surface layer 50 of resilient material which deforms to provide the requisite pressure. The preferred material is a rubber having a Shore A durometer hardness value of 60. A spacing between the rollers of about 2 mils with a rubber thickness of about 1/2 inch on the roller 20 is preferred, the apparatus then being suitable for use with transparent acrylic supports of about 4 mils thick.

Claims

1. Apparatus for adhering a flexible sheet to a solid support therefor comprising a pair of rollers mounted on parallel axis to define a nip therebetween and means for separately guiding a said sheet and a said support toward the nip; releasable stop means for locating a said support in a predetermined position in relation to the nip while a said backing is aligned therewith; a drive for rotating the rollers in opposite directions; and means for pressing a said sheet and a said support together as they pass through the nip.

2. Apparatus according to Claim 1 wherein the guiding means comprise a pair of mutually inclined surfaces converging towards said nip.

3. Apparatus according to Claim 2 wherein the guiding means and the stop means are mounted on a box structure having two converging sides, each said side defining a surface across which one of the support and backing are guided towards the nip, and the sides together defining a slot adjacent the nip, the stop means being located between the slot and the nip.

4. Apparatus according to any preceding Claim wherein the stop means is coupled to a lever movable to withdraw the stop means from the path of the support and backing to the nip.

5. Apparatus according to any preceding Claim wherein the parallel axes are fixed and wherein one roller has a solid surface and wherein the other has a resilient surface, the resilient surface comprising the pressing means.

6. Apparatus according to Claim 4 wherein the surface of the one roller is steel and wherein the surface of the other roller is rubber.

7. Apparatus for adhering a flexible sheet to a solid support therefor substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

7. Apparatus according to Claim 5 wherein the rubber has a Shore A durometer hardness value of 60.

8. Apparatus for adhering a flexible sheet to a solid support therefor substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

New claims or amendments to claims filed on 16 April 1982 Superseded claims 1 to 8 New or amended claims:1. Apparatus for adhering a flexible sheet to a solid supporttherefor, comprising a pair of rollers mounted on parallel axes to define a nip therebetween; means defining first and second convergent surfaces for respectively guiding a said sheet and a said support toward the nip; releasable stop means selectively movable into the path of a said support from the second surface for locating a said support in a predetermined position in relation to the nip while a said sheet is aligned therewith; means for rotating the rollers in opposite directions; and means operative to press a said sheet and a said support together as they pass through the nip.

2. Apparatus according to Claim 1 wherein the guiding means and the stop means are incorporated in a box structure having two converging sides, each said side defining a surface across which one of the support and backing are guided towards the nip, and the sides together defining a slot adjacent the nip, the stop means being located between the slot and the nip.

3. Apparatus according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the stop means is coupled to a lever movable to withdraw the stop means from the path of the support to the nip.

4. Apparatus according to any preceding Claim wherein the parallel axes are fixed and wherein one roller has a solid surface and wherein the other has a resilient surface, the resilient surface comprising the pressing means.

5. Apparatus according to Claim 4 wherein the surface of the one roller is steel and wherein the surface of the other roller is rubber.

6. Apparatus according to Claim 5 wherein the rubber has a Shore A durometer hardness value of 60.