Lamination system

• US 20020166635A1
• Filed: 05/09/2002
• Published: 11/14/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Japan Servo Co., Ltd. (Nidec Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Japan Servo Co., Ltd. (Nidec Corporation)
• Inventors: Sugaya, Kenji, Sasaki, Naotaka
• Granted Patent: US 6,810,934 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 156/521
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2309/70 Automated, e.g. using a computer or microcomputer
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2425/00 Cards, e.g. identity cards, credit cards
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/08 of synthetic resin
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 37/185 Laminating sheets, panels or inserts between two discrete plastic layers
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 38/1841 during laying up
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07718 the record carrier being manufactured in a continuous process, e.g. using endless rolls
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1339 Delivering cut part in sequence to serially conveyed articles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1744 Means bringing discrete articles into assembled relationship
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1751 At least three articles

Abstract

A lamination system comprises; a film transfer means for transferring along a first transfer path a continuous film chosen from more than two kinds of films different in width, a cutting means provided along the first transfer path for cutting the film in a predetermined length, a card transfer means for transferring an ID card along a second transfer path that converges with the first transfer path at a predetermined point of conversion, a thermocompression bonding means for laminating the film cut on a surface of the ID card at the downstream of the point of conversion. The lamination system is provided with guide members for restricting the transverse movement of the film within a distance corresponding to the maximum width of the films, and alignment means for aligning the film along a desired side end of the first transfer path.

Claims

1. A lamination system comprising;

a film transfer means for transferring along a first transfer path a continuous film chosen from more than two kinds of films different in width, having a heat adhesive layer on a surface and drawn out from a supply roll, a cutting means provided along said first transfer path for cutting said film in a predetermined length, a card transfer means for transferring an ID card along a second transfer path that converges with said first transfer path at a predetermined point of conversion, a thermocompression bonding means for laminating said film cut and laid on a surface of said ID card with said ID card at the downstream of said point of conversion, wherein a set of guide members for restricting the transverse movement of said film within a distance corresponding to the maximum width of said films, and alignment means for aligning said film along a desired side end of said first transfer path are provided.

2. The lamination system according to claim 1, wherein said alignment means comprises a pair of conic rollers, opposing to a cylindrical roller composing said film transfer means to hold said film between said conic rollers and said cylindrical roller, and a diameter of each of which nearer to the corresponding side end of said first transfer path is larger than that nearer to the central portion of said first transfer path.

3. The lamination system according to claim 1, wherein said alignment means comprises a roller, opposing to a cylindrical roller composing said film transfer means to hold said film between said roller and said cylindrical roller, and diameters of which at end portions are larger than that at the central portion.

4. The lamination system according to claim 1 further comprising another film transfer means for transferring along another first transfer path another continuous film chosen from more than two kinds of films different in width, having a heat adhesive layer on a surface and drawn out from another supply roll, another cutting means provided along said another first transfer path for cutting said another film in said predetermined length, another set of guide members for restricting the transverse movement of said another film within a distance corresponding to the maximum width of said films, and another alignment means for aligning said another film along a desired side end of said another first transfer path, wherein said another first transfer path converges with said first transfer path and said second transfer path at said point of conversion, each of said film cut and said another film cut is laid on a face or on a back of said ID card and laminated by said thermocompression bonding means respectively.