Laminating system with coded film cartridge

Abstract

A dual roll laminating film cartridge includes a body defining a first end supporting first ends of first and second rolls of continuous translucent laminating film. The body further defines a second end supporting second ends of the first and second rolls, wherein facing surfaces of the films extended from the first and second rolls in an advancing direction are coated with a heat-activated adhesive. A bridge extends between the first and second ends of the body at a position between the first and second rolls, the bridge defining an article chute for the reception of articles to be laminated by the films of the first and second rolls. The cartridge further includes a code indicative of one or more characteristics of the film of the first and second rolls, the code comprising a predetermined flag pattern of coding tabs that project outward from the body.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 - 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . A laminating film cartridge comprising:
 a roll of continuous translucent laminating film, wherein a surface of the film is coated with a heat-activated adhesive;   a body defining a first end supporting a first end of the roll, the body further defining a second end supporting a second end of the roll; and   a code indicative of one or more characteristics of the film of the roll, the code comprising a predetermined flag pattern established by the selective presence of coding tabs that project outward from the body along a plurality of prescribed positions arranged in a row.   
     
     
         20 . The laminating film cartridge of  claim 19 , wherein the roll is a first roll, the laminating film cartridge further comprising:
 a second roll of continuous translucent laminating film, the second roll having a surface coated with a heat-activated adhesive, and configured to join with the surface of the first roll; and   a bridge extending between the first and second ends of the body at a position between the first and second rolls, the bridge defining an article chute for the reception of articles to be laminated by the films of the first and second rolls.   
     
     
         21 . The laminating film cartridge of  claim 20 , wherein the bridge is a separate piece from the body. 
     
     
         22 . The laminating film cartridge of  claim 21 , wherein the bridge is made of a material having a flexural strength greater than a material of the body. 
     
     
         23 . The laminating film cartridge of  claim 21 , wherein the bridge is secured to the body by a snap connection. 
     
     
         24 . The laminating film cartridge of  claim 19 , further comprising a handle provided at a top edge of the cartridge. 
     
     
         25 . The laminating film cartridge of  claim 19 , wherein the predetermined flag pattern is coded to identify a material thickness of the film of the roll. 
     
     
         26 . The laminating film cartridge of  claim 25 , wherein the predetermined flag pattern is further coded to identify a film dimension perpendicular to a rolled length of film on the roll. 
     
     
         27 . The laminating film cartridge of  claim 19 , wherein the predetermined flag pattern includes at least one coding tab on the first end of the body and at least one coding tab on the second end of the body. 
     
     
         28 . The laminating film cartridge of  claim 27 , wherein the at least one coding tab on the first end of the body and the at least one coding tab on the second end of the body extend outward in opposite directions, outboard of the respective first and second ends of the roll. 
     
     
         29 . The laminating film cartridge of  claim 27 , wherein the at least one coding tab on the first end of the body is positioned within a first concavity formed by a first pair of spaced walls, and wherein the at least one coding tab on the second end of the body is positioned within a second concavity formed by a second pair of spaced walls. 
     
     
         30 . The laminating film cartridge of  claim 19 , wherein the body defines a first foot at a bottom of the first end and a second foot at a bottom of the second end, wherein the predetermined flag pattern is positioned adjacent the first and second feet. 
     
     
         31 . The laminating film cartridge of  claim 19 , wherein the film of the roll includes an end of roll indicator embedded therein or provided by a label thereon. 
     
     
         32 . The laminating film cartridge of  claim 31 , wherein the end of roll indicator is provided by a reflective sticker. 
     
     
         33 . The laminating film cartridge of  claim 19 , wherein the body defines opposed end plates and a lower cross member spanning between lower ends of the end plates below the roll. 
     
     
         34 . The laminating film cartridge of  claim 19 , further comprising a heat shield to block the roll from heat generated by a laminating machine in which the cartridge is used. 
     
     
         35 . The laminating film cartridge of  claim 19 , wherein the coding tabs project outward from the body in a direction parallel to a longitudinal direction of the roll. 
     
     
         36 . A laminating film cartridge comprising:
 a roll of continuous translucent laminating film, wherein a surface of the film is coated with a heat-activated adhesive;   a body defining a first end supporting a first end of the roll, the body further defining a second end supporting a second end of the roll; and   a code indicative of one or more characteristics of the film roll, the code comprising a predetermined flag pattern of coding tabs that project outward from the body,   wherein the predetermined flag pattern of coding tabs includes frangible coding tabs for coding the cartridge by selectively being broken off or left in-tact.   
     
     
         37 . The laminating film cartridge of  claim 36 , wherein the roll is a first roll, the laminating film cartridge further comprising:
 a second roll of continuous translucent laminating film, the second roll having a surface coated with a heat-activated adhesive, and configured to join with the surface of the first roll; and   a bridge extending between the first and second ends of the body at a position between the first and second rolls, the bridge defining an article chute for the reception of articles to be laminated by the films of the first and second rolls.   
     
     
         38 . The laminating film cartridge  claim 36 , wherein the predetermined flag pattern of coding tabs is coded to identify a material thickness of the film of the roll, a film dimension perpendicular to a rolled length of the film on the roll, or both.