Abstract: The invention relates to a method of guiding a web of paper or foil material in a web-guiding device, such web having print marks applied to it at least over stretches of the web, as well as to such a web-guiding device with a correcting device, the latter being adjustable when the center of the web runs off course and with a controlling system connected to an edge-sensing system, whereby the position of the print marks relative to an imaginary guide line is controllable over stretches of the web carrying print marks, and additional correction relating to the latter can be made, if required. According to the invention, print marks signals are produced by means of a print mark sensor and linked with the correction signals of the edge-sensing system, with priority of the print mark signals.

Abstract: In an apparatus for controlling a traverse direction of a running strip, a deviation of the running strip in the traverse direction with respect to a reference position is calculated, and the running strip is moved in the transverse direction in accordance with the deviation, thereby correcting the traverse position of the running strip.

Abstract: A thermal printer with a mechanism for preventing recording sheet from meandering. In order to perform the mechanism, the thermal printer is provided with a thermal line head, a platen roller and a holding shaft which is perpendicular to the surface of a recording sheet and rotatable about the axis thereof, the holding shaft being engaged with the thermal line head in such a manner that the thermal line head is horizontally swingable about the axis of the holding shaft with the positional relation between the recording sheet and the thermal line head unchanged, and subjected to frictional force to return the thermal line head to its standard position, so that printing operation is correctly carried out all times and the recording sheet is returned to its standard position, that is, the meandering of the recording sheet is prevented. This mechanism also can be performed by providing the thermal printer with a brake shoe engaged with the holding shaft as described above.

Abstract: An end pivot webguide which may be economically fabricated from stock material and eliminating many cast components is disclosed including pivot arms formed from bar stock and roller frames formed from angle stock. The pivot arms are formed by drilling passages including annular shoulders for receiving radial ball bearings in the bar stock for rotatably mounting first and second pivot pins. The use of radial ball bearings allows the pivot pins to accept thrust forces in an axial direction such that the webguide of the present invention utilizes four bearings of identical type rater than six bearings of three different types as in prior webguides. The pivot arm is symetrical such that one of the pivot pins may be nonrotatably secured to the webguide base and the other pivot pin may be nonrotatably secured to the roller frame. Bearings in the guide rolls rotatably mount the guide rolls on screws removably and nonrotatably secured to the roller frames.

Abstract: Guidance device for material traveling in strip form, especially for a sheet metal treatment plant, which includes a guidance roller (13) over which the strip (20) passes. This roller is carried by a movable structure (10) itself mounted on a fixed structure (1), so as to be capable of oscillating around an axis (Y--Y) contained in a median plane at right angles to the axis (X--X) of the roller, tangent to this roller and forming an angle of between 5.degree. and 30.degree. with the upstream length (21) of the strip.

Abstract: An edge steerage apparatus for steering an edge of a moving web to correct for misalignment of the edge in the direction of travel. The apparatus includes one or more edge steerage units, each unit having a pair of pivotally supported, spaced-apart wheels adjacent to the edge of the web for contacting the moving web. For each of the wheels of the steerage unit, a spherical ball is provided which rotates freely omni-directionally so that the web is engaged between the wheels and the spherical ball. The two wheels of a steerage unit have a slight toe-out so that the web between the wheels is maintained in a taut condition. The position of the edge is monitored in relation to a fixed position and a steerage drive orients the wheels to introduce lateral movement in the cloth between the wheels and at the edge to steer the edge toward the fixed position.

Abstract: An apparatus for changing the direction of travel of a web-like material without inverting the front and rear surfaces of the web-like material is improved in that a plurality of guide rotors are disposed on each of a plurality of spiral curves along an imaginary conical surface so as to be rotatable about axes intersecting at right angles with the corresponding spiral curve on the imaginary conical surface, and a conical surface formed by an enveloping surface of these guide rotors is used as a traveling path of the web-like material, whereby shortcomings inherent in such apparatus in the prior art can be eliminated.

Abstract: A bi-directional actuator is disclosed which comprises a frame, rotatable about a principal longitudinal axis. The frame mounts two or more partially spherical drive elements. The centers of the partially spherical elements are located on the longitudinal axis of the frame, and the elements are mounted for rotation about individual axes which are perpendicular to but intersect with the longitudinal axes. The individual axes of the respective drive elements are also angularly oriented with respect to each other. The cross sectional outline of the frame is contained within a cylindrical envelope of less diameter than the spheres. Driving devices, such as a belt, are provided to engage at least one of the drive elements in any rotary position of the frame. Directly opposite the belt or other driving device, the driven element or elements engages a material to be driven, typically a piece of fabric.

Abstract: A web transport apparatus including a simplified mount for a web-supporting roller, providing the axis of such roller with two degrees of freedom of movement. The simplified roller mount comprises an elongated, substantially planar, flexure member having a stiffening rib located along its longitudinal axis to limit flex of the member to movement about its longitudinal axis. A pin is supported by the flexure member. The pin lies substantially in the plane of the flexure member with the longitudinal axis of the pin perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the flexure member. The web-supporting roller is carried, for example by a yoke supported on the pin for movement with a first degree of freedom about the longitudinal axis of the pin and with a second degree of freedom about the longitudinal axis of the flexure member.

Abstract: A control device for guiding edges or a centerline of a material web which moves over rollers utilizes the difference between a desired position value and an actual position value, which actual position value is multiplied by a signal corresponding to the speed of the material web. A control signal is generated which is applied to a control element to reposition the web to obtain the desired positions for the edges or centerline. To make the control hunting-free, the error signal, formed of the actual value measured at a predetermined location, and the desired value is multiplied by the speed of the web and is delivered to a first control circuit for stabilization.

Abstract: A conveyor assembly having one of its conveyor rollers which is movable to change the angle of its axis to the conveyor direction for causing sideways movement of the conveyor belt. Movement of the roller is controlled by a linkage drivably connected to a ratchet nut riding on a threaded spindle to move one end of the roller sideways on a carriage. A linkage adjustment arrangement is provided to adjust the degree of driving engagement of the linkage with the ratchet nut.

Abstract: Mechanism for angularly adjusting a web-supporting steering roller of a web tracking apparatus about its steering axis in response to lateral movement of the supported web relative to the steering roller. In the web tracking apparatus, the web-supporting steering roller is mounted for rotation about its longitudinal axis and angular adjustment about a steering axis perpendicular to such longitudinal axis. The mechanism for angularly adjusting the steering roller comprises a lever assembly, for example, coupled to the steering roller for rotating such roller about the steering axis. Lateral movement of the web relative to the steering roller is sensed. A member, associated with the lever assembly and responsive to the sensing of lateral web movement, moves the lever assembly to rotate said steering roller for angular adjustment about the steering axis an amount corresponding to sensed lateral movement of the web.

Abstract: A device for transporting a flexible strip (11) along a guide (15) by means of conical pressure rollers (35 and 45), whose apices face each other. The pressure rollers (35 and 45) are loaded by a spring (65, 135) common to both rollers, as a result of which an accurately defined directional force is obtained towards the guide (15).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring and controlling the longitudinal and lateral deformation and the lateral position of a moving web of plastic film material which is laminated to a moving web of paper material to form a laminated composite.

Abstract: A control system is used in combination with a tilt-box arrangement for controlling the transverse displacement of a web and having a stationary support frame and a roller frame pivotal on the support frame about a frame axis and carrying at least one roller rotatable about a roller axis transverse to the frame axis. The web is engaged over the roller and moves in a transport direction transverse to the frame axis and to the roller axis. A drive is connected between the support and roller frames and operates to pivotally displace the roller frame in opposite angular directions from a center position with the roll axis perpendicular to the transport direction toward respective end positions and thereby laterally deflect the web engaged by the roller.

Abstract: A paper web carrying apparatus is provided which combines a decurling apparatus, an edge sensing and compensating apparatus, a tension sensing apparatus and a slack edge compensation apparatus onto a single pivoting frame to increase the accuracy and lower the cost of directing paper web to a high speed sheeter. All of the components are either carried on the roller supporting pivot frame or an abutting support bracket.

Abstract: For compensating for the lateral displacement of the ribbon (4) during the print operation in impact printers with revolving type carriers (9), an inclined pivotable roller (1) is used which is taken along by contacting the moving ribbon. This roller has a pivot (10) with a free end pivotable between two stops (11,12). If there is no lateral ribbon displacement to be compensated for, the pivotable roller is arrested in its respective current position and thus prevented from rotating. In the event of a ribbon displacement (LS), the pivotable roller rotating about its axis exerts a force component (LO) on the ribbon, counteracting the lateral displacement (LS).

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling the alignment, in a lateral (cross-track) direction, of a web moving along a path to minimize lateral deviation between successive discrete areas of such web. The apparatus includes a steering roller for supporting the web for movement along such path. The steering roller is rotatable about an axis perpendicular to the plane of the span of the web approaching the steering roller. As the web moves along the path, the lateral position of a marginal edge of the web relative to a reference plane is sensed. When such lateral edge position is at either of two spaced predetermined locations relative to such reference plane, signals indicative of the presence of such edge at such locations are produced.

Abstract: A paper transport device for a recorder such as an ink jet printer has a support for clean paper, guidance rollers, and a drive device. The transport devices moves the paper from the paper support past a printing head. In order to exert a symmetrical pull on the paper and simultaneously to make substantially the entire width of the paper available for writing thereon, the paper transport device has at least two rollers mounted on an axle rotated by the drive device, the rollers being disposed a distance from one another at right angles relative to the forward feed direction of the paper. The drive rollers are mounted on the axle so as to run freely on the axle in the direction of rotation of the axle, but lock when attempted to be rotated in the opposite direction so that skewed paper is easily and automatically aligned to move in a straight path. Each drive roller has an idler roller associated therewith.

Abstract: A plurality of skewing devices are mounted in a collating apparatus above collating points at which a plurality of webs are collected together for further processing. The skewing devices comprise rollers mounted on shafts which may be rotated by a handle. Each shaft has a threaded section, and a threaded block is mounted thereon for axial movement in response to rotation of the handle. There is a link bar pivotally linked to the threaded block, so that axial movement of the threaded block causes pivotal rotation of the link bar. Such pivotal rotation of the link bar causes the threaded block to rotate the shaft in a horizontal plane for controlled skewing of the web.

Abstract: A system for correcting deflection of a belt from its normal path of movement, the belt being trained over a plurality of rollers for movement in a predetermined direction, including optical sensors for sensing a deflection of the belt in one direction, and a center axis displacing mechanism including a cam for obtaining a displacement of at least one of the rollers.

Abstract: A device for guiding an endless belt traveling in a frame of a conveyor comprising a pivot frame of a pair of side members interconnected by at least one cross-member spaced from one end of the side frames, a bearing housing attached to each of the side frames adjacent the other end and supporting a pair of pressure rollers and a lateral edge roller, a pair of rollers mounted on a axis positioned above the cross-member, a second pair of rollers mounted at said one end, and a pivot arrangement for mounting the frames so that a pivot point for the subframe passes through the center of the axis of the first pair of rolls and lies on the theoretical center line for the web.

Abstract: A guide frame has overlying support on a base frame and supports a pair of spaced, parallel guide rollers arranged with their axes extending across the line of travel of a moving web. These rollers receive the traveling web over the surface thereof from an entering span at one of the rollers and an exiting span at the other roller, the span between the rollers comprising a guide movement span. A fixed offset pivot supports the guide frame pivotally on the base frame in an area adjacent to the entering span of the rollers. This fixed pivot support is rigid in a direction parallel with the pivot axis but has some flexibility in the direction of travel of the guide movement span of the web. A movable pivot support supports the guide frame on the base frame in an area adjacent the exiting span of the rollers.

Abstract: A tilt-frame web guiding apparatus for correcting the deviation of a moving web from a true path of the web, in which an edge of the web is parallel to and a predetermined distance from a reference line. An edge sensor senses the edge of the web on an axially movable web exit guide roller, and in response thereto actuates a motor or cylinder for axially moving the web exit guide roller in a direction to maintain the web edge under the sensor. The web exit guide roller is coupled to a pivotally mounted web entry guide roller such that axial movement of the exit guide roller imparts pivotal movement to the entry guide roller for correcting any deviation of the moving web from its true path.

Abstract: In order to deposit a web (13) onto a conveyer (2) of a table (1) with one edge aligned with a datum position, a carrier (9) is provided which is rotatable with respect to the table (1) and has an auxiliary conveyer (10). Rotation of the carrier (9) takes place in response to deviation of the actual position of the edge from the datum position, which is detected at the point of deposit of the web (13) onto the conveyer (2) by a suitable position detecting sensor (21). For rotating the carrier (9), a motor (20), whose direction of rotation and angle of rotation can be controlled, is used.The apparatus can be used, in particular, for depositing webs of fabric removed from bolts (4) onto a laying table for cutting purposes.

Abstract: An applicator (10) for applying a string or tape (72) coated with a thermoplastic adhesive to a moving substrate (14) is the subject of this patent application. The applicator (10) includes a first roll (28) about which the string (72) is fed. Thereafter, the string (72) is led over a second roll (30). The string (72) is, successively looped about both of the rolls (28, 30) a number of times. One of the rolls (28) is heated by use of a plurality of heating elements (26) embedded in a casting (24) surrounding the roll (28). The second roll (30) is pivotable about an axis and in a plane generally parallel to an axis of elongation of the first roll (28). Loops of the string (72) can, thereby, be spaced axially along the rolls (28).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for maintaining relative positional alignment between two spaced-apart points on a moveable member, such as a rotating axle on which is mounted a conveyor belt pulley. The invention comprises a hydraulic pump (80) which is operatively communicated to first and second hydraulic cylinders (21and 30, respectively). The first hydraulic cylinder (21) applies a reference hydraulic pressure to a first point (13) on the axle (11) and moves the axle (11) to maintain the pressure at a constant, pre-determined pressure level. The second hydraulic cylinder (30) is operatively connected to a second point (12) on the axle (11) spaced apart from the first point (13). A fork (77) and pin (42) mechanism senses relative movement between the first point (13) and the second point (12) on the axle (11).

Abstract: An apparatus which controls the lateral alignment of a belt arranged to move in a pre-determined path. A pivotably mounted belt support is frictionally driven to move in unison with the belt. Lateral movement of the belt applies a frictional force on the belt support. The frictional force tilts the belt support in a direction so as to restore the belt to the predetermined path of movement.

Abstract: A guide apparatus for a continuously moving web has an upstream fixed roller and a downstream fixed roller substantially parallel to each other and defining a plane. A fixed and substantially closed box carries these rollers and a frame which is offset from the plane and pivotal on the box about a frame axis substantially perpendicular to the plane. A pair of adjustment rollers are rotatable on the frame about parallel adjustment-roller axes fixed relative to each other and to the frame. Thus a continuously moving web can pass along the path over the upstream roller, then over one after the other of the adjustment rollers, and finally over the downstream roller. A sensor is mounted on the box adjacent the downstream roller and is connected via a control means to a motor inside the box that automatically pivots the frame whenever the web position detected by the sensor deviates from a predetermined desired position.

Abstract: Apparatus for precise center registration of a sheet with respect to a fixed reference line such as the center line in a copier. To accomplish this, a sidewall and an associated sensor move in unison relative to the machine center line. With the sheet registered against the sidewall, the sidewall and the sensor which are maintained equidistant from the machine center line move until the sensor senses the edge of the sheet. The motion is then stopped by a signal from the sensor thereby providing precise center line registered sheets.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, a recording unit comprises a support mount for the blank paper, rollers for the guidance and conveying of the paper, and a stylus which writes essentially perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the paper. The paper is conducted over a deflection roller. The deflection roller is swingably mounted so as to be angularly shiftable essentially in the longitudinal direction of the paper.

Abstract: A system for aligning a moving run of fabric which has longitudinal and transverse threads along a path determined by a selected one of the longitudinal threads. The system includes optics for projecting an image of the longitudinal threads while suppressing the image of transverse threads, means for determining the direction of any deviation and the amount of deviation from the selected thread position, and guidance means for returning the run to a position in which the selected thread is in its desired position. An improved guidance means which effects transverse movement of the fabric run without introducing wrinkles or bias into the run is also disclosed.

Abstract: A web guide system to accurately control the lateral alignment of a continuous moving web of material is provided which is efficient and easy to manufacture. A guide roll over which a moving web of material passes in a 90.degree. wrap extends between two pivot arms. The first arm extends downward from a drive motor and is adapted to pivot in a vertical plane about a pivot point on the drive motor. The second arm is adapted to pivot in a vertical plane about a second pivot point offset 90.degree. from the first pivot point in a counterclockwise direction along a quarter circle arc. Movement of the first pivot by the drive motor will cause the guide roll to pivot at an angle from its normal position and shift the lateral position of the moving web of material passing over it. A scanner assembly extends between the pivot arms in close proximity to the guide roll to detect lateral misalignment of the moving web of material.

Abstract: The longitudinally transported strip passes and is pressed between two cooperating transport rollers. The rotation axes of the two rollers are normally parallel to each other. One roller is swingably mounted about a swing axis which intersects and is perpendicular to the rotation axis of the other, non-swingable roller. Edge sensors are displaced by the lateral edges of the transported strip, when the strip improperly shifts transversely. The force thusly exerted upon an edge sensor is transmitted, via a force-multiplying lever system, to the swingable transport roller, swinging the latter to a position such that the swung transport roller exerts upon a major surface of the transported strip a force whose transverse component is directed opposite to the direction of the improper transverse shift, resulting in automatic recentering.

Abstract: My invention relates to guide roll apparatus for use in a metal strip processing line wherein it is desirable that the longitudinal centerline of the strip remains coincident with the centerline of the processing line. My improved guide roll apparatus embodies sensing mechanism to sense the position of a longitudinal edge of the strip as it moves in the processing line, the sensing mechanism sending an electrical signal to a circuit including solenoid controlled valves which control flow of compressed air to a pair of air cylinders which are in back-to-back relation and which tilt the steering roll to compensate for deviation of the strip from its desired path.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a web guide apparatus having a pivoted frame upon which are mounted parallel, constant diameter rollers. This frame is pivotally secured at one end near a roller and is moved around this pivot by an actuating mechanism such as an air or hydraulic cylinder or by a reversing motor. This movable frame is supported for a pivotal motion by a plurality of stanchions secured to a support plate frame. Each stantion has an upper and a lower ball caster or support. These balls have a specific apart spacing into which a hardened steel plate segment extends as carried by the pivoted frame. This pivoted frame and the parallel rollers fixed thereto are moved by a motor or cylinder means in accordance with edge sensing means.

Abstract: A control roller for controlling the lateral position of a moving web is pivotable about an axis perpendicular to the web surface immediately upstream of the control roller. In the preferred embodiment, the two ends of a plate on which the roller is mounted are slidably supported on shafts tangent to a circle having the pivoting axis as its center.

Abstract: A roller mounted for universal angular movement relatively to its nominal longitudinal axis of rotation so as to be angularly displaced by the weight and movement of the conveyor belt when the conveyor belt shifts away from running true. This angular displacement brings the rotating roller into engagement with reaction faces provided on the frame of the conveyor and causes the roller to be reactively displaced in a direction to restore the belt to running true.

Abstract: Metal strip tensioning apparatus for use in a continuous cold reduction method and mill for metal strip in which the trailing end of a metal strip passing through the mill is welded to the leading end of a metal strip coming off a new coil without stopping the mill, the trailing end portion of the metal strip passing through the mill being paid out from a metal strip storage system during the welding operation with a resulting loss of close control of the lateral metal strip position at the entry side of the first mill stand, the present invention providing a method and means associated with a metal strip back tensioning unit ahead of the first mill stand for correcting the lateral position of the metal strip issuing from the metal strip storage system while applying the tension of the metal strip in the metal strip storage system to the metal strip entry side of the back tensioning unit.

Abstract: In an apparatus wherein an endless band is trained over a stationary guide roll and a stretching roll, and a nut-and-spindle mechanism at the ends of the stretching roll can displace the stretching roll in a plane defined by the axes of the rolls when the band is centered on the rolls, the band is automatically centered by two hydraulic double-acting cylinder-piston units. The first unit displaces either end of the stretching roll in the plane and the second unit simultaneously displaces one end in a plane perpendicular thereto. This displacement is effected in response to a control signal from a sensor adjacent each side edge of the band and tripped when the side edge moves into contact therewith as the band moves out of its centered position. The control signal operates a three-way solenoid valve in a hydraulic control circuit for the cylinder-piston units.

Abstract: An anti-fold apparatus for high speed printers to prevent the folding or creasing of a printer ribbon riding over rollers. The rollers each have spiral angular serrations thereon, and are mounted in two pairs with each roller in a pair having one end abutting the end of the other, and each being mounted at an angle to the elongated center axis of the other, so that a printer ribbon rolling thereon is directed away from the abutting ends of each pair of rollers to prevent creasing therein. A linkage connects the two pairs of rollers at their abutting ends for shifting the angular position of each pair simultaneously between first slanted positions, when the ribbon is moving in one direction, and second slanted positions, when the ribbon is moving in the reverse direction. The linkage is actuated by solenoids, actuated by the reversing of the ribbon.

Abstract: To improve smoothness of tape transport in a spiral path over a guide cylinder, the guide rollers located immediately adjacent the guide cylinder, and journalled to rotate about an axis inclined with respect to the axis of the guide cylinder, can rotate about respective axes of rotation which are variable with respect to the axis of inclination defined by the bearing means journalling the guide rollers to permit self-balancing and self-adjustment of the spiral path of the tape about the cylinder during operation of the apparatus in dependence on the forces applied by the tape on the immediately adjacent rollers. Variation of the axis of rotation can be obtained by providing a central bearing for the roller about its axis of rotation, the bearing having a slight amount of play, and being offset with respect to the center of the tape passing around the roller to direct the edge of the tape against a guide surface and provide a fixed bias force on the bearing.

Abstract: A device for direction control of a moving web includes a turning bar having a variable spaced drive the rotation speed of which is responsive to a sensor to correct deviations of the web from its intended path.

Abstract: An apparatus for marking a longitudinal edge of a travelling web has a marking (e.g. notching) station, upstream but adjacent to which is located an abutment. Upstream of the abutment is located aguide arrangement which urges the web transversely of the direction of web travel at an angle skew to the longitudinal centerline of the web, so as to exert on the web a force acting skew to the centerline in the forward direction of web travel and towards the edge to be marked. This urges the edge in part against the abutment to assure that the web travels in predetermined orientation through the marking station.

Abstract: A moving web is precision guided by twisting the moving web about an axis extending in a direction of movement of the web to provide a yaw force acting continuously in a predetermined direction transversely of the web, and resisting that yaw force at a predetermined location.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for guiding an elongate sheet of packaging material towards a former which manipulates the sheet into a tube having its longitudinal edges slightly overlapped to enable them to be formed into a seam, the sheet being caused initially to drift sideways in one direction as it is drawn towards the former, a detector being provided for detecting when one longitudinal edge of the sheet has drifted to a first predetermined position, the sheet then being caused to drift sideways in the opposite direction until the said one longitudinal edge of the sheet has drifted to a second predetermined position after which the sheet is caused to drift sideways again in the said one direction.

Abstract: A continuous cold reduction mill for metal strip in which the trailing end of a metal strip passing through the mill is welded to the leading end of a metal strip coming off a new coil without stopping the mill, the trailing end portion of the metal strip passing through the mill being paid out from a metal strip storage system during the welding operation with a resulting loss of close control of the lateral metal strip position at the entry side of the first mill stand, the present invention providing means associated with a metal strip back tensioning unit ahead of the first mill stand for correcting the lateral position of the metal strip issuing from the metal strip storage system while applying the tension of the metal strip in the metal strip storage system to the metal strip entry side of the back tensioning unit.

Abstract: A web steering frame having parallel entering and exiting rollers is supported for pivotal movement on a stationary support frame in a web guide apparatus by a system of pivoted, linear bearings. Each bearing includes a bushing which is movable along a linear guide rod. The bushings are fixed near the rollers where any loads are transmitted to the support frame thereby minimizing steering frame racking. The guide rods are pivotally connected to the support frame. The bearings are oriented so that the direction of linear freedom of each is orthogonal to a line passing through the bearing pivot and the desired steering frame pivot. The linear bearings effectively constrain the steering frame to pivotal motion about the steering frame pivot. Their use gives rise to significant reductions in cost and complexity over conventional web guide apparatus using precision arcuate guides, links or flexures.

Abstract: A self-adjusting tension-balancing roller for maintaining a substantially uniform distribution of tension across a continuously moving web, which does not cause lateral deviations of the web path while it is adjusting.

Abstract: Web support for constraining the entering portion of a moving web against change in its spatial lateral position while remaining free to change its angular lateral position. The web support includes a web engaging surface which presents substantially no lateral resistance to the entering position of the moving web, and opposed edge guides mounted in a predetermined position on a fixed frame adjacent to the web engaging surface. The edge guides have opposed web engaging portions a fixed distance apart which distance corresponds substantially to the width of the moving web.