Continuous roll matting with post applied edges

A method of making a mat, the method including the steps of:

• providing an elongate roll of mat material including an upper layer of fabric bonded to a lower backing layer of natural or synthetic rubber, whereby the lower backing layer extends beyond the upper fabric layer to form a border strip at the longitudinal edges of the elongate roll;
• cutting transversely the elongate roll to form a portion of the elongate roll in which the lower backing layer extends beyond the upper fabric layer to form a border strip at first and second opposite edges of the mat, and in which the lower backing layer ends flush with the upper fabric layer at third and fourth opposite edges of the mat;
• and
• attaching a moulded strip of synthetic or natural rubber to the lower backing layer to form a border strip at the third and fourth opposite edges of the mat.

A method of manufacturing a border strip, the method comprising the steps of:

• arranging first and second elongate mould plates in spaced apart relationship with a gap there between, the first mould plate having a cutting edge arranged adjacent to the gap, and the second mould plate being provided with a longitudinal channel in its upper surface extending parallel to and distal from the gap;
• introducing fluid rubber into the mould plates such that the gap is filled with rubber and the rubber extends over the upper surface of the second mould plate and flows into the channel;
• allowing the fluid rubber to cure to form a thick web in the gap, a thin web on the upper surface of the second mould plate, and a bead in the channel;
• and
• removing the thick web and thin web from the mould plates and thereby separating the thin web from the bead in the channel.