Mikkelsen Graphic Engineering, Inc.

I-cut, Inc.

Sergey Potebnya

Steen Mikkelsen

Steen B Mikkelsen

An apparatus and laminate allow removal of at least one sub-area of a face layer sheet from a laminate composed of a backing layer with the face layer sheet adhering thereto to leave at least one product area of the face layer sheet in place on the backing layer. The apparatus may comprise a work surface for receiving the laminate thereon; at least one adhesive applicator mounted adjacent to the work surface; an actuator associated with the applicator(s); an actuator controller to cause application of an adhesive to predetermined portions of the waste area(s); a laminator beside the work surface including a supply of carrier web oriented for temporary lamination with the laminate using the applied adhesive; and a delaminator positioned to receive the carrier lamination and delaminate the laminate therefrom with the waste area(s) adhering to the carrier web.

Automatic waste-area removal apparatus

Method and apparatus for removing at least one waste area of a face layer, which includes graphic or product area(s) and waste area(s), from a laminate composed of a face layer removably adhering to a backing layer, to leave at least one product area of the face layer in place on the backing layer, the method including: applying adhesive on portions of the waste area(s); temporarily adhering the laminate to a carrier surface using the adhesive; and separating the laminate from the carrier surface with the waste area(s) remaining on the carrier surface. One preferred embodiment of the invention includes a carrier web enabling continuous or near continuous operation.

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Mequon, WI, United States of America

Sergey Potebnya