Importance

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Abstract

A system for sheetwise dry processing thermographic print media is disclosed. The media is a laminate of a substrate with an attached frangible tab, a peel sheet and an adhesive image forming layer. A feeder feeds the sheets one at a time from a first position and orientation to a second position and orientation with the tab at a trailing end. A print roller is mounted for reversible rotation in infeed and outfeed directions. The print roller has clamps for engaging the sheet as received from the sheet feeder. A thermal printer cooperates with the print roller for thermally exposing the substrate. A peeler receives the sheet from the print roller with the tab at the leading edge. The peeler captures the film and engages the tab bending the substrate about the score line causing it to fracture. The peeler pulls the substrate and adhered image layer apart from peeler sheet to thereby produce a peeled substrate with an image layer and a waste peeler sheet. A thermal laminator receives the substrate and image layer for thermal laminating engagement with a thermosensitive film having a thermosensitive layer transferrable to the image layer of the substrate. The film is thereafter stripped from the structure and the substrate transferred to a discharge receptacle.

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First Claim