Apparatus for applying of a conductive pattern to a substrate

An apparatus for transferring a pattern of a composition containing particles of an electrically conductive material and a thermally activated adhesive from a surface of a flexible web to a surface of a substrate, the apparatus comprising

• i. respective drive mechanisms for advancing the web and the substrate to a nip through which the web and the substrate pass at the same time, a pressure roller serving to press the surfaces of the web and the substrate against one another during passage through the nip,
• ii. a heating station for heating at least one of the web and the substrate prior to, or during, passage through the nip, to a temperature at which the adhesive in the composition is activated when the surfaces are in contact with one another,
• iii. a cooling station for cooling the web after passage through the nip, and
• iv. a separating device for peeling the web away from the substrate after passage through the cooling station to leave the pattern of composition adhered to the surface of the substrate.