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US 6,474,389 B1Granted
Vacuum-assisted laminator and methods of using the same
Assignee3M Innovative Properties Company
InventorsRonald S. Steelman, John R. David
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A vacuum-assisted lamination apparatus and methods of using the same to laminate a film to a substrate or two or more continuous webs together are disclosed. The apparatus includes a series of rolls and a partial vacuum source to provide pressure on a film or films.
Claims24
An apparatus comprising:
- a first end and a second end;
- a first roll having a longitudinal axis extending between the first and second ends;
- a second roll having a longitudinal axis extending between the first and second ends, wherein the second roll is spaced apart from the first roll, and further wherein the longitudinal axes of the first and second rolls are generally parallel with each other;
- a seal mechanism extending between the first and second ends and the first and second rolls, wherein the seal mechanism roll forms a seal with each of the first and second rolls;
- a vacuum cavity formed between the seal mechanism and the first and second rolls;
- and
- a vacuum port in fluid communication with the vacuum cavity.
4 more elements
An apparatus comprising:
- a first end and a second end;
- a pair of first rolls comprising an upper and lower first roll forming a first nip, each of the first rolls having a longitudinal axis extending between the first and second ends;
- a pair of second rolls comprising an upper and lower second roll forming a second nip, each of the second rolls having a longitudinal axis extending between the first and second ends, wherein the second nip and the second rolls are spaced apart from the first nip and the first rolls, and further wherein the longitudinal axes of the first and second rolls are generally parallel with each other;
- an upper seal mechanism extending between the first and second ends and the upper first and second rolls, wherein the upper seal mechanism forms a seal with each of the upper first and second rolls;
- a lower seal mechanism extending between the first and second ends and the lower first and second rolls, wherein the lower sealing roll forms a seal with each of the lower first and second rolls;
- a vacuum cavity formed between the upper and lower seal mechanisms, the first and second rolls, and the lower first and second rolls;
- and
- a vacuum port in fluid communication with the vacuum cavity.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.