Abstract: A winder for textile fabrics or other web materials including a frame having spaced apart support arms pivotally secured thereto. Each support arm has a core holding chuck at the outer end of same, at least one of which is torque driven. A surface drive roll is located on the frame to receive material and apply same to the roll of material being produced. A load cell associated with the surface drive roll measures nip pressure at the interface between the surface drive roll and the roll being formed and is associated with a pneumatic bellows or the like via a control system to cause movement of the support arm for maintenance of a predetermined nip pressure at the drive roll interface. The chucks for holding winding cores include a plurality of arms pivotally secured within a chuck housing which are pivotally movable to an extended core engaging position.

Abstract: A fabric accumulation apparatus including a housing defining a fabric entrance, a fabric exit and a generally vertical fabric storage area therebetween. A gate is located along the fabric housing, being moveable between a closed and an open position. First sensors are located along the path of travel of the gate and are operatively associated with apparatus for opening and closing the gate. Second sensors are located along the path of gate travel and are operatively associated with fabric feed to control the rate of fabric feed dependent upon the height of a fabric column in the housing.Initially, in a filling mode and with the gate closed, fabric is fed into the housing at a high rate of speed relative to fabric withdrawal speed and a fabric bundle is produced thereabove, which ultimately forces the gate to start to open. The gate is then rapidly fully opened and closed, permitting the fabric bundle to drop into the fabric storage area.

Abstract: A device for engagement with a moving web to remove curl, fold or crease from an edge thereof. Opposite banks of elongated stationary fins are angularly disposed with respect to the direction of movement of the web and are spaced apart to define a predetermined web passageway therethrough. The edge of the traveling web passes between the banks of fins and cooperative forces produced by the opposing banks of the elongated angularly disposed fins remove curl from the edge of the web as well as removing folds and creases. In a preferred embodiment, the elongated fins have opposite taper at leading and trailing ends to permit proper feeding of a web therebetween and to permit location of the device in close proximity to adjacent web handling equipment. In another preferred embodiment, the two banks of elongated fins are operatively associated under spring tension, whereby adjustment may be made between banks of fins while damage to a web passing therethrough or to the device is substantially alleviated.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for controlling the position of a moving web. The web passes between a driven roll and a pair of pressure applicators that are positioned on either side of center of the web path. Edge sensors are located adjacent the driven roll and are operatively connected with the pressure applicators. Once the web misalignment is sensed, the opposite pressure applicator is actuated to apply pressure against the web. The driven roll, preferably a scroll roll, then drives the web in the direction of the pressure applicator until the web returns to proper alignment and the pressure applicator is deactuated. The pressure applicator is preferably a device that is brought into contact with the web and applies frictional forces thereon to cause movement of the web along the roll, while avoiding any substantial frictional forces axially with respect to the normal web path. Structure is also disclosed to uncurl rolled selvages of a moving web.