US3840420A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Laminating apparatus
Assignee: Seal Products Inc
•
Filing: 1972-05-31
•
Granted: 1974-10-08
•
Expires: 1992-05-31
Abstract
Abstract A workpiece, comprising at least a rigid backing sheet, a transparent cover sheet, and a flat thin object (a photograph, art work or the like) between them, is laminated by being pressed between two pairs of rollers, one of the rollers being heated. Each pair of rollers is mounted as a discrete assembly, and the assemblies are pressed together by biasing means. Detent means are provided to separate the assemblies (at least the heated roller from the adjacent roller of the other assembly) in the absence of a workpiece, and control means responsive to entry of a workpiece automatically disengages the detent means to enable the assemblies to be pressed together, and re-engages the detent means upon exit of the workpiece. The control means comprises a clutching system in which a coil spring is utilized to clutch a driven gear and the detent means so as to effect engagement and disengagement of the detent means.
Inventors
- 👤 D Sarcia
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 14:21
CPC Classifications
B; B32; B32B; B32B37/00; B32B37/14; B32B37/16; B32B37/18; B32B37/182; B32B37/185; B32B37/0046; B32B37/0053; B32B2037/0061
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim
469 words
A laminating apparatus for laminating a workpiece comprising a first laminating assembly that includes a heated roller, a second laminating assembly, said assemblies being arranged to press upon opposite sides of said workpiece, biasing means for biasing said assemblies toward one another, detent means for overcoming said biasing means to maintain said first assembly separated from said second assembly at least in the region of said heated roller, said detent means comprising a cam follower connected to one of said laminating assemblies and a cooperating rotatable eccentric cam connected to the other of said laminating assemblies, said cam being rotatable to a first position for overcoming said biasing means and separating said assemblies and to a second position for enabling said biasing means to press said assemblies against one another, drive means, and control means for operating said detent means so that said laminating assemblies are pressed toward one another responsive to entry of a workpiece to be laminated into said apparatus and are separated from one another responsive to passage of said workpiece out of said apparatus, said control means comprising a gear mounted coaxially with said cam and driven by said drive means, clutch means for coupling said cam and said gear so as to rotate said cam between said first and said second position, and a lever; said clutch means comprising a helically wound spring arranged coaxially with and between said cam and said gear, said gear having a hub surrounded by said spring, said spring having one end secured to said cam and having a radially protruding free end, and a movable restraining member for selectively engaging said free end of said spring to prevent said spring from clutching said gear hub and for releasing said free end so that said spring clutches said gear hub to cause said gear and cam to rotate together, said restraining member comprising a pawl movably mounted on a pawl shaft, said pawl having first and second radially extending arms, said first arm arranged to engage said free end of said spring when said pawl is in a first position so as to prevent said spring from clutching said gear hub, and said second arm arranged to engage said free end of said spring when said pawl is in a second position so as to prevent said spring from clutching said gear hub, and further wherein said lever projects into the path of travel of said workpiece through said apparatus between the workpiece entrance to said apparatus and said heated roller, said lever being secured to said pawl shaft and being depressible by an incoming workpiece to rotate said pawl from said first to said second position so that said first pawl arm is disengaged from and said second pawl arm can intercept said free end of said spring.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
469 words
A laminating apparatus for laminating a workpiece comprising a first laminating assembly that includes a heated roller, a second laminating assembly, said assemblies being arranged to press upon opposite sides of said workpiece, biasing means for biasing said assemblies toward one another, detent means for overcoming said biasing means to maintain said first assembly separated from said second assembly at least in the region of said heated roller, said detent means comprising a cam follower connected to one of said laminating assemblies and a cooperating rotatable eccentric cam connected to the other of said laminating assemblies, said cam being rotatable to a first position for overcoming said biasing means and separating said assemblies and to a second position for enabling said biasing means to press said assemblies against one another, drive means, and control means for operating said detent means so that said laminating assemblies are pressed toward one another responsive to entry of a workpiece to be laminated into said apparatus and are separated from one another responsive to passage of said workpiece out of said apparatus, said control means comprising a gear mounted coaxially with said cam and driven by said drive means, clutch means for coupling said cam and said gear so as to rotate said cam between said first and said second position, and a lever; said clutch means comprising a helically wound spring arranged coaxially with and between said cam and said gear, said gear having a hub surrounded by said spring, said spring having one end secured to said cam and having a radially protruding free end, and a movable restraining member for selectively engaging said free end of said spring to prevent said spring from clutching said gear hub and for releasing said free end so that said spring clutches said gear hub to cause said gear and cam to rotate together, said restraining member comprising a pawl movably mounted on a pawl shaft, said pawl having first and second radially extending arms, said first arm arranged to engage said free end of said spring when said pawl is in a first position so as to prevent said spring from clutching said gear hub, and said second arm arranged to engage said free end of said spring when said pawl is in a second position so as to prevent said spring from clutching said gear hub, and further wherein said lever projects into the path of travel of said workpiece through said apparatus between the workpiece entrance to said apparatus and said heated roller, said lever being secured to said pawl shaft and being depressible by an incoming workpiece to rotate said pawl from said first to said second position so that said first pawl arm is disengaged from and said second pawl arm can intercept said free end of said spring.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
A laminating apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said control means also includes lever biasing means for returning said lever to its said projecting position after passage of a workpiece, thereby to rotate said pawl back to said first position so that said second pawl arm is disengaged from said spring.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-10-07 | 1978-04-08 | 1978-10-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-10-07 | 1982-04-08 | 1982-10-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-10-07 | 1986-04-08 | 1986-10-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |