Apparatus for bonding continuous thin film to discrete base plates and film cutting apparatus therefor

Abstract

A method and apparatus for bonding thin film supplied from a continuous roll to at least one bonding surface along the entire length of a discrete printed surface base plate and efficiently cutting the film to a proper length which covers an entire planar surface of the board. Each board is conveyed to a film bonding position and the leading end of the continuous film is transported to the film bonding position that is held by suction. A compression bonding roller moves across the surface of the board and automatically feeds film and bonds the film to the board while leaving a portion of the film loose over the trailing end of the board. A cutter comprising a rotary blade and a fixed blade disposed across the direction of movement of the film and the board is mounted on a slide bed which is moveable towards and away from the film. The rotary blade is obliquely oriented in order to permit the cutting of the film when the blade is rotated in opposition to the fixed blade. The compression bonding roller then completes the bonding of the loose end of the film through the remaining portion of the board. This structure permits a wide film to be rapidly and positively cut and bonded to the board.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.