Process and machine for membrane lamination and article produced with same

Abstract

Embodiments provide a lamination machine for laminating a membrane to a fabric of an article, such as to an inside surface of a backpack. The lamination machine may include an enclosure with a rotating air connection coupled to a top surface of the enclosure. The membrane may be mated with the article, and then a plug may be inserted in a top opening of the article. The plug may be coupled with the rotating air connection. The rotating air connection may pump compressed air into an interior portion of the article, through an inlet in the plug. A heater may heat the area surrounding the article to activate an adhesive disposed between the membrane and the inside surface of the article. Additionally, the rotating air connection may rotate the plug, thereby rotating the article assembly to facilitate distribution of heat.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.