Abstract: A web handling apparatus includes a base, a housing, a splicing head mounted in the housing, and first and second non-rotatable swing out roll shafts, each shaft having opposite first and second ends. The roll shafts are normally positioned in the housing substantially parallel to the splicing head so that web can travel through the splicing head to on from web rolls on the roll shafts. A web accumulator mounted to the housing conducts web to or from the splicing head and the housing is movably mounted to the base so that the housing can move relative to the base in either direction parallel to the roll shafts. An actuator connected between the housing and the base moves the housing relative to the base in response to signals from a web position sensor so as to minimize the side lay of web extending to or from the apparatus.

Abstract: A web handling apparatus includes a base, a housing, a splicing head mounted in the housing, and first and second non-rotatable swing out roll shafts, each shaft having opposite first and second ends. The roll shafts are normally positioned in the housing substantially parallel to the splicing head so that web can travel through the splicing head to on from web rolls on the roll shafts. A web accumulator mounted to the housing conducts web to or from the splicing head and the housing is movably mounted to the base so that the housing can move relative to the base in either direction parallel to the roll shafts. An actuator connected between the housing and the base moves the housing relative to the base in response to signals from a web position sensor so as to minimize the side lay of web extending to or from the apparatus.

Abstract: A web roll cart for loading, unloading, and transporting rolls of web material wherein a handle may be pivoted between two different orientations, regardless of the presence of a roll of web material thereon. The two handle orientations permit the cart to be steered from either of two sides, and further permits a roll of web material to be presented to a web handling device in either of two orientations. A locking mechanism is provided so that the handle may be locked securely in either orientation while the cart is being steered. In a preferred embodiment, the web roll cart further includes four wheels, with two of the four wheels on casters for steering, and a v-shaped bed for receiving a roll of web material.

Abstract: A system for conveying folded web and forming discrete stacks of folded web comprising a conveyor that receives a stack of folded output web from a web folder and separator. The conveyor drives the web from an upstream end, adjacent the web folder and separator, to a downstream end. A supporting surface, which can comprise a plurality of pivoting rails biased by a spring, selectively supports the web remote from and off of the conveyor so that a compressed stack can be formed adjacent the folder and separator. At selected times, the stack is moved by the supporting surface into communication with the folder and separator so that it can be conveyed downstream. An elevator platform can be located at the downstream location for receiving successive stacks thereon. The elevator ascends and descends so that the tops of the successive stacks are aligned with the conveyor for receipt of a further stack thereon.

Abstract: An improved splicing apparatus has a splicer head comprising a pair of opposed upper and lower traveling carriages each of which supports an idler roller, a nip bar which is swingable on its carriage between a ready position downstream from its corresponding idler roller and a web preparation position at the front of the splicer head and means for pushing the nip bar towards the opposite nip bar when both carriages are in their advanced positions. A knife carriage located on the head between the two nip bar carriages retracts when either nip bar carriage retracts to permit the nip bar on the opposite carriage to be swung to its web preparation position. The knife carriage supports a knife which can be actuated momentarily to urge it from a normal retracted position to an advanced position wherein it intercepts one of the nip bars when that nip bar is in its splicing position against the opposite nip bar.