Method of and apparatus for affixing backing to plates

A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein step (c) includes the step of slowing the advancement of the elongate web as the first reference mark approaches the abutment means.

A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein step (c) includes sensing one or more of the reference marks other than the first reference mark, to thereby ascertain the position of the first reference mark relative to the abutment means.

A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the step of bonding the plate to the respective web length is concurrent with the step of presenting the plate to the respective web length.

A method according to any one of the preceding claims, including the further step of sensing when the second reference mark is adjacent the abutment means and advancing a second plate into abutment therewith so as to substantially align a leading edge of the second plate with the second reference mark.

A method according any one of the preceding claims, wherein the method is repeated with successive web lengths being affixed to successive plates.

A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein step (f) includes the operation of plate rotation means to rotate the plate and the web length affixed thereto relative to the elongate web in the plane of the plate, thereby breaking the elongate web along the reference mark adjacent the trailing edge of the plate that is rotated and to, separate the plate and web length affixed thereto from the elongate web.

Apparatus for affixing backing to plates, the apparatus including plate advancement means, web advancement means and sensing means, the web advancement means being operable to advance an elongate web of backing that includes reference marks thereon that mark out web lengths on the elongate web, wherein the sensing means is operable to sense when a first one of the reference marks is adjacent abutment means, and the plate advancement means is operable to advance one of the plates into abutment with the abutment means whereby a leading edge of the plate is substantially aligned with the first reference mark, the plate advancement means and the web advancement means being further operable to advance the plate and the elongate web together so as to maintain substantial alignment of the leading edge and the first reference mark and so that the plate is presented face-to-face with a web length, a trailing edge of the plate being substantially in alignment with a second one of the reference marks,

• characterised by the abutment means being advanceable into a position in which it can be abutted by the plate, and being retractable into a position in which the plate and the elongate web can be advanced together.