METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR LAMINATING SHEET MATERIAL

摘要

A laminating assembly (60) includes laminating material (62) on which an inner layer of adhesive (64) is applied, with an outer layer of adhesive (66) applied to the inner layer of adhesive. The melting point of the outer layer of adhesive is lower than the melting point of the inner layer of adhesive. The adhesive of the inner layer of adhesive may be active at room temperatures such as a pressure-sensitive adhesive. The outer layer of adhesive may have a surface density which is relatively low when compared to that of the inner layer of adhesive so that less heat is needed to soften or activate the outer layer of adhesive. Therefore, common office printing machines such as photocopiers and laser printers may be used to laminate sheet material with the laminating assembly, which also allows a user to print on the laminating assembly while the lamination of the sheet material is taking place. The laminating assembly may also be configured with top and bottom sheets with different shrink rates to eliminate thermoforming.