Imprint embossing alignment system
AssigneeWD Media, LLC
InventorsBruce M. Harper, Toshiyuki Max Saito
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An imprint embossing alignment system. In one embodiment, the system includes a die having a bottom surface, an embossing foil positioned above the bottom surface, and a mandrel, to receive the substrate, having a rod portion that extends through a central portion of the die. The system also includes a ball bushing positioned around the rod portion and a ring portion positioned between the ball bushing and the embossing foil to hold a precise alignment of a centerline of the rod portion and a centerline of the embossing foil.
Claims11
An apparatus for imprinting an embossable film disposed above a substrate, comprising:
- a die having a bottom surface;
- an embossing foil disposed above the bottom surface;
- a mandrel having a rod portion that extends through a central portion of the die, the mandrel to receive the substrate;
- a ball bushing disposed around the rod portion;
- an outer sleeve disposed around the rod portion and in contact with the embossing foil, wherein the outer sleeve has a different coefficient of thermal expansion than that of the ball bushing;
- and
- a ring portion of the die disposed between the ball bushing and the embossing foil to hold a precise alignment of a centerline of the rod portion and a centerline of the embossing foil.
An apparatus for imprinting an embossable film disposed above a substrate, comprising:
- a die having a bottom surface;
- an embossing foil disposed above the bottom surface;
- a mandrel having a rod portion that extends through a central portion of the die, the mandrel to receive the substrate;
- a ball bushing disposed around the rod portion;
- a ring portion of the die disposed between the ball bushing and the embossing foil to hold a precise alignment of a centerline of the rod portion and a centerline of the embossing foil, wherein a thermal expansion of the ball bushing secures the ring portion to an inner dimension of the embossing foil to center the substrate with the embossing foil;
- and
- an outer sleeve disposed around the rod portion and in contact with the embossing foil, wherein the outer sleeve lifts a center portion of the embossing foil to separate the substrate from the embossing foil.
An apparatus for imprinting an embossable film disposed above a substrate, comprising:
- a die having a bottom surface;
- an embossing foil disposed above the bottom surface;
- a mandrel having a rod portion that extends through a central portion of the die, the mandrel to receive the substrate;
- a ball bushing disposed around the rod portion;
- an outer sleeve disposed around the rod portion and in contact with the embossing foil;
- and
- a ring portion of the die disposed between the ball bushing and the embossing foil to hold a precise alignment of a centerline of the rod portion and a centerline of the embossing foil, wherein the outer sleeve is configured to lift a center portion of the embossing foil to separate the substrate from the embossing foil.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.