Method and apparatus for selective lamination of thermoplastic layers
First Claim
1. An apparatus for the selective lamination of thermoplastic layers by heating and pressurizing the internal surfaces of at least two thermoplastic layers, at least one of said layers including one window portion in which at least one insert is located, said lamination not occurring in said window portion, said apparatus comprising:
- first and second lamination plates, each of said plates defining an opening corresponding to the window portion of said at least one layer;
a plug inserted in said opening of each plate;
means for thermally insulating said plugs from said plates;
means for discontinuously heating said first and second laminating plates, including resistance elements placed in said plates, said resistance elements having a greater packing density in the vicinity of the opening in each plate than in other areas of each plate; and
means for pressing said plates together with said at least two thermoplastic layers therebetween, whereby said discontinuous heating means heats external surfaces of said layers less at said window portion than at the remainder of said layers.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Disclosed is a method and apparatus to facilitate the method of discontinuously laminating at least two thermoplastic layers together. The layers are heated and pressed together over all but a selected window portion of the layers to facilitate lamination between the layers at all points except the selected window portions. Relief grid images can be embossed in the selected window portion or holograms or other difficult to forge inserts can be provided in these window areas prior to lamination. During lamination, the reduced or absence of heating in these window portions permits lamination of the card without destruction of the selected window portion insert.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. An apparatus for the selective lamination of thermoplastic layers by heating and pressurizing the internal surfaces of at least two thermoplastic layers, at least one of said layers including one window portion in which at least one insert is located, said lamination not occurring in said window portion, said apparatus comprising:
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first and second lamination plates, each of said plates defining an opening corresponding to the window portion of said at least one layer; a plug inserted in said opening of each plate; means for thermally insulating said plugs from said plates; means for discontinuously heating said first and second laminating plates, including resistance elements placed in said plates, said resistance elements having a greater packing density in the vicinity of the opening in each plate than in other areas of each plate; and means for pressing said plates together with said at least two thermoplastic layers therebetween, whereby said discontinuous heating means heats external surfaces of said layers less at said window portion than at the remainder of said layers. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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Specification