Methods and apparatus for lamination of rigid substrates by sequential application of vacuum and mechanical force

US10518517B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• PerkinElmer Health Sciences, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Reed Simmons · Snohomish, US
• Tatsuya Minakawa · Yokohama, JP
• Michael Corliss · Wilsonville, US
• Alan Swan · Beaverton, US
• Nick Zenner · White Bear Lake, US
• Emily Fanucci · White Bear Lake, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 27, 2015
• Grant date: Dec 31, 2019
• Expiry date: Feb 24, 2036

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B32B2535/00
• WIPO field: Surface technology, coating
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

Method and apparatus for lamination of substrates, e.g. rigid plastic layers, to manufacture laminated products. The methods include the sequential application of vacuum and mechanical force through a two-stroke process performed by a lamination apparatus having one or more force-producing stroke cylinders. Actuation of a cylinder to produce a first stroke creates a sealed chamber within the apparatus, enclosing a stack of substrates to be laminated. The sealed chamber may be evacuated of air by application of a vacuum. Subsequent actuation of a cylinder to produce a second stroke applies mechanical force to the sealed chamber, which compresses the substrates into a laminated product substantially free of air bubbles or voids.