Abstract: A sheet conveyance unit for transporting a sheet unreeled from a roll of paper includes a roll holder including a pair of supporters to support both axial end portions of the roll, movable in an axial direction of the roll, a pair of first conveyance rollers, a pair of second conveyance rollers, a tensioner to tension the sheet, disposed between the first conveyance rollers and the second conveyance rollers, and a tension adjustment unit. The tensioner includes a contact plate to press against the sheet, extending over an entire width of the sheet and pivotably supported on a casing of the sheet conveyance unit. The tension adjustment unit changes the tension of the sheet by adjusting a force to press the contact plate against the sheet and includes a first adjuster to change the tension of the sheet in conjunction with the interval between the supporters.

Abstract: A device for controlling web tension is disclosed. The device includes a carriage in which a first guide roller is spaced from a second guide roller by a frame. The carriage or frame pivots about a pivot location. A moving web is threaded through the carriage in a serpentine path. Rotation of the carriage or frame causes web displacement. When tension disturbances occur in the moving web, the device rotates for accumulating or releasing the web material and thereby dampening tension variations downstream. The pivot dancer device can be placed in a communication with a controller for open loop control or closed loop feedback control.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a stiffener made of composite material with an inside surface of a concave shape, includes producing a flat strip (18) that includes at least one layer of fibers; heating it to be able to deform it; connecting one of the lateral edges of the strip (18) to a rotary mandrel (36) in such a way as to cause a winding of the strip on the mandrel (36) during its rotation, whereby the mandrel (36) has an outside surface (46) of which at least one part corresponds to the inside surface of the stiffener to be produced; and exerting tension at the other lateral edge of the strip (18) in a direction that is opposite to the direction of the movement of the strip (18) caused by the winding on the rotary mandrel (36).

Abstract: A recording medium take-up mechanism and a printer prevent a recording medium having been printed from easily twisting when winding the recording medium. A printer includes a platen supporting recording paper that is delivered frontward during printing, a take-up shaft on which the recording paper having been printed is wound, a tension bar configured to impart tension to the recording paper by pressing a portion of the recording paper that is between the platen and the take-up shaft, a support arm supporting the tension bar, and a support shaft pivotably supporting the support arm. A center of the support shaft is positioned inside a contour of the take-up shaft, as viewed in an axial direction of the support shaft.

Abstract: Provided are a filament winding method and a filament winding apparatus, in which, when a new bobbin is mounted on a bobbin rotation driving device, the control device is programmed to rotate the bobbin and oscillate a dancer while maintaining a state where a distal end of filament unwound through the dancer is fixed further beyond the dancer and the filament is stretched. The control device is programmed to obtain a bobbin diameter of the bobbin mounted on the bobbin rotation driving device based on a length of the dancer, an oscillation angle of the dancer, and a rotation angle of the bobbin.

Abstract: A retainer is described for exerting a braking effect on wire provided as a spool in a container. The retainer has a plate-like elastic element with a contact surface adapted for resting on the wire, an outer circumference adapted for being guided in the container, and an inner circumference adapted for allowing the wire to pass through. The plate-like elastic element has an elasticity such that one of the inner and outer circumferences sags down, under the proper weight of the retainer, by a distance of at least 10 mm when the retainer is supported at the other of the inner and outer circumference.

Abstract: A medium transportation device includes a transportation section that transports a recording medium in a transport direction; a winding section that winds the recording medium transported by the transportation section; and a medium support section that is disposed between the transportation section and the winding section and has a medium support section supporting the recording medium. The medium support section has a support sliding section including a first surface and a second surface. A coefficient of friction of the first surface with the recording medium is greater than a coefficient of friction of the medium support surface with the recording medium and a coefficient of friction of the second surface with the recording medium is lower than the coefficient of friction of the first surface with the recording medium.

Abstract: A method for feeding a yarn with constant tension and constant velocity or quantity to a textile machine the processing point of which is distant from a spool from which the yarn unwinds. A first feed control and regulator loop provided presenting first tension measurer and regulator for the yarn. Velocity measurer forming part of a second control loop is provided in proximity to the point or zone to measure this velocity. The yarn feed tension is regulated on the basis of the measured velocity datum to achieve a desired prefixed velocity value at the processing zone or point.

Abstract: Disclosed are examples of a system for regulating the longitudinal strain in a longitudinal member being conveyed in a machine direction. The system may include a downstream mechanism that draws the longitudinal member in a machine direction, first and second control points upstream of the downstream mechanism, and a strain control mechanism disposed between the first and second control points. The strain control mechanism may include a strain motor with a drive shaft to which a travel path extension arm is coupled, and a travel path extension guide mounted on the travel path extension arm and in contact with the longitudinal member. The system may be configured and arranged such that rotation of the drive shaft effects rotation of the travel path extension arm and of the guide, thereby altering the distance of a travel path segment of the longitudinal member between the first and second control points.

Abstract: A yarn package halter comprises a frame for supporting a series of contact members that are used to maintain slight contact with the base or back portion of a yarn package during an unwinding operation as part of a textile manufacturing process. In a preferred embodiment, the contact members are elastic cords, which serve to hold the yarn package together in order to prevent the yarn package from unraveling, which can lead to entanglements and other processing problems. The frame member is structured so that the contact members form a cone shape or a partial cone shape, and this arrangement allows the contact members to maintain slight contact throughout the manufacturing process, even as the size of the yarn package is reduced during the unwinding operation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for producing small, thin sheets from an active-ingredient film (2), in which the latter is produced by casting the film material onto a substrate material or by coating a substrate material, storing it with or without substrate material on a reel, pulling it off the reel and cutting it. It achieves the object of designing a method of this type in such a way that with this method small sheets can be produced as exactly as possible in predetermined sizes. To do this, the active-ingredient film (2) is pulled off automatically, is separated from a substrate material which, if present, and in tensioned form, is fed to a cutting station and is cut, in the feed direction, into long, narrow strips (7) of predeterminable width, and the long strips (7) are brought together in the feed direction and together are fed by a further feed device (10) to a transverse cutter (11), which cuts through the combined long strips (7) at predetermined intervals.

Abstract: Disclosed is a portable device for winding thread around a bobbin from a spool of thread. The device includes a height adjustable thread holder configured to receive the spool of thread, a thread guide bar pivotable between a stored position and an operative position, and an adjustable tension feed device for applying tension to the thread during winding. The device also includes a spindle slot configured to receive one of a plurality of rotatable spindles that are interchangeable within the spindle slot so that different corresponding spindles can be used with the device. Also, a speed control knob for adjusting a speed at which the spindle rotates and thus at which thread is wound around the bobbin from the spool of thread, a fill knob for adjusting the amount of thread to be wound on the bobbin, and an automatic shut off mechanism are disclosed.

Abstract: A system for the automated coiling of a jelly roll electrode assembly for controlled assembly and tensioning of jelly roll assembly is provided. The system includes: a shuttle, and a mandrel to which electrodes are welded; a base, mateable with the shuttle and on which the battery head assembly is mounted for welding to the mandrel; and a coiling device. The coiling device has an upper spool, a lower spool, holding a separator strip and a platform between the two holding the base. The separator strip is threaded through a passage in the mandrel separating positive and negative portions. Rotating the mandrel coils the positive electrode, the separator strip and the negative electrode to coil around the mandrel. The coiling device may include a feedback loop braking one or both spools and allowing the coiling tension to be programmed to a desired level.

Abstract: A sheet conveyance unit for transporting a sheet unreeled from a roll of paper includes a roll holder including a pair of supporters to support both axial end portions of the roll, movable in an axial direction of the roll, a pair of first conveyance rollers, a pair of second conveyance rollers, a tensioner to tension the sheet, disposed between the first conveyance rollers and the second conveyance rollers, and a tension adjustment unit. The tensioner includes a contact plate to press against the sheet, extending over an entire width of the sheet and pivotably supported on a casing of the sheet conveyance unit. The tension adjustment unit changes the tension of the sheet by adjusting a force to press the contact plate against the sheet and includes a first adjuster to change the tension of the sheet in conjunction with the interval between the supporters.

Abstract: A movable member encoder is used to detect the position of a movable member, and a correction value calculator calculates a correction value corresponding to the amount of displacement of the movable member from a reference position and the integration of the amount of displacement. The correction value calculated by the correction value calculator is then used in correcting a voltage instruction value output from a feed motor controller to a feed motor.

Abstract: A roll paper supply device has a roll paper compartment that stores roll paper with the axis of rotation transverse so that the roll paper can roll thereinside; supply rollers that feed the roll paper from the roll paper compartment in a sheet; and pair of side pressure plates that cover substantially all of the sides of the roll paper and contact part of the sides.

Abstract: A wire winding device which uses a large-sized supply bobbin, which has a large capacity and a large diameter, to highly precisely suppress a variation in tension which variation occurs when a coil is formed by winding a wire material at high speed with the wire material aligned with a winding frame. Rotation (the number of rotation, and timing) of the supply bobbin relative to rotation of the coil is controlled based on the difference between the amount of take-up of the wire material taken up on the winding frame side and the amount of pay-out of the wire material paid out from the supply bobbin, and the control is performed such that the amount of the take-up and the amount of the pay-out agree with each other every moment. This can highly precisely suppress a variation in tension even if there are large differences between inertia of and the diameters of the coil and the supply bobbin.

Abstract: Peel off device (4) for unwinding a web of material (2) from a stock roll (1), especially for high speed unwinding a web of a thin polymer film or the like, comprising a base (5) associated to the roll (1), a linear guiding device (6) mounted on the base (5), an idler support (7) linearly guided on the base (5) in a direction towards the roll (1), and a pair of idlers (9, 10) for the web (2) to be unwound. The idlers (9, 10) are mounted offset with respect to each other on the idler support (7) to provide for a meandering path of the web between the idlers (9, 10). The axes of rotation (A9, A10) of the idlers (9, 10) are parallel to the bearing axis (A3) of the roll (1). The first idler (9) is pushed towards the roll to maintain a contact force (F) between the first idler (9) and the surface of the roll (1) while the web (2) is peeled off the roll (1).

Abstract: Disclosed is a printer including a paper feeder for accommodating a rolled paper to be pulled out and recorded thereon. The feeder has a container section to set the roll, in which first and second support walls are arranged to rotatably support the roll. While paper from the roil is taken out, a contact force produced by the roll against the first support wall is kept larger than that in a stationary state, and a contact force produced by the roll against second support wall is kept smaller than that in the stationary state. A friction coefficient between the second support wall and the roll is larger than one between first support wall and the roll, the roll being in slidable contact with the first and second support walls. Therefore, when the recording is started, an impact force to the roll can be alleviated, resulting in reducing unevenness in image in a feeding direction of the paper.

Abstract: A tension adjustment structure for fabric winding machine includes a driving mechanism, a roller, a fabric pressing mechanism and an adjustment mechanism. The roller and the driving mechanism have corresponding transmission wheels strode by a belt. The driving mechanism drives the roller to roll up a fabric. The fabric pressing mechanism has an action arm and a fabric pressing bar located on the action arm. The fabric pressing bar has a first position without in contact with the fabric and a second position in contact with the fabric and lifted by the fabric. The adjustment mechanism is butted by the action arm when the fabric pressing bar is at the first position to butt the belt and increase initial rolling force of the roller. The action arm releases the belt while the fabric pressing bar is at the second position so that fabric rolling tightness can be controlled.

Abstract: The invention comprises a hose support for supporting a hose extending from a CPAP or oxygen machine to a mask on a user. The hose support comprises a housing, a reel mounted within said housing and having a tape wound thereon, a tensioning mechanism operatively connected to said tape for maintaining a pre-determined tension in said tape, such that the tape extends when under a tension greater than said pre-determined tension and retracts when slack is provided, and a connector attached to a free end of said tape, said connector sized and dimensioned to be secured to a fixed position on the hose. The fixed position defining a tensioned segment of the hose, extending from said connector to the mask. The pre-determined tension is selected to support the tensioned segment of the hose away from the user, and wherein said tape extends and retracts in response to movement of the user, thereby maintaining the tensioned segment away from the user.

Abstract: A roller dice device includes a pair of rolling rollers respectively including circumferential rolling grooves formed at outer circumferential surfaces thereof, a supporting portion rotatably supporting the pair of rolling rollers respectively around roller axes extending in parallel with each other, a spaced portion configured by a rolling portion, through which a rolling material moves, and formed by the circumferential rolling grooves facing each other, and a restricting portion formed at the outer circumferential surfaces of the pair of the rolling rollers and restricting displacement of the pair of rolling rollers relative to each other in the axial direction of the roller axes.

Abstract: An overend unwind system for unwinding tacky elastomeric fiber threads such as uncoated spandex thread, capturing the ballooning affect of the thread as the thread leaves the spool, applying a first-stage tension control on the thread adjacent where the thread leaves the spool, feeding the unwound thread to a nip in a downstream process, and applying a final tension increment to the thread adjacent where the thread enters the downstream process. All thread guide surfaces encountered by the thread after leaving the spool, and while the thread is under designed operating tension, are moving surfaces, such that the tensioned thread thereby experiences a reduced level of drag as the thread traverses its path of travel from the spool to the downstream process.

Abstract: Spiral winding systems for manufacturing a contoured composite component including a creel for holding a triaxial material having a width and keeping the material straight to provide uniform overlaps during winding; a tensioning device for receiving the width of material from the creel and providing tension to the material during winding; a contoured curing mandrel for receiving the material from the tensioning device to produce a spirally wound contoured composite component preform; and a traversing screw for spirally winding the material from the tensioning device about the contoured curing mandrel such that each subsequent layer of the material overlaps by about half of the width where the contoured composite component comprises a cylindrical shape and non-crimp or braided material; a conical shape and non-crimp or braided material void of hoop fibers; or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A signal conductor installation tool includes a chassis; a tracking system in operable communication with the chassis; a spool rotatingly supported on the chassis; and a through hole in the chassis sized to pass a conductor from the spool to a target tubular member and method thereof

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for dispensing rolled sheet material, the apparatus including a housing that defines an interior adapted to rotatably support rolled sheet material and having a dispensing opening sized to allow sheet material to be dispensed therefrom. The apparatus further includes a floating nip within the housing such as, for example, may be formed by first and second rollers. The floating nip minimizes variation in the force required to remove sheet material from the dispenser that may result from a user changing the angle at which sheet material is removed.

Abstract: Yarn tensioning devices and arrays thereof which supply a multiplicity of yarns at the same tension to a weaving loom without the tendency to pull-back, roll-back or forward loop are provided for the manufacture of carpets.

Abstract: The invention is an apparatus and method for accurately applying a cord to a rotatable mandrel while manufacturing cord reinforced articles. The apparatus includes a rotating build mandrel, a cord supply, and a feed capstan for assisting in feeding cord from the cord supply to the mandrel along a defined cord path. At least two drums of differing diameters are located in the cord path. Encoders are connected to each drum for measuring at least the angular movement of the drum. Using the angular movement of the drums, the effective pitch line differential of the cord is determined.

Abstract: An optical fiber winding apparatus includes a base, a plurality of fiber containment devices connected to the base, and a fiber guider connected to and movable in a repeatable path with respect to the base, wherein the guider winds the fiber around the fiber containment devices. The apparatus is hand-held, and the path of the guider overlaps itself in a single cycle of the path, such as a figure-eight.

Abstract: A reel for coiled strip stock includes a coil support adapted to carry a coil of strip stock for rotation about a horizontal axis, and a pair of pivotally mounted stock guides that establish a variable-sized loop of stock substantially encircling the coil support between payoff from the coil and exiting to the using station.

Abstract: A large round baler is equipped with a device for wrapping a bale formed in the baling chamber of the baler with a web of plastic sheeting or net wrapping medium. A supply roll of the wrapping medium is located in a box mounted forward of the baling chamber for movement along a fore-and-aft extending guide rail between a standby position, wherein a free end of the wrapping medium is supported by a guide surface at a location spaced forward of the baling chamber, and a wrapping position, wherein the free end of the wrapping medium is located for being grabbed by rotating rollers and/or the formed bale so that a length of the wrapping medium is pulled from the supply roll as it is wrapped about the bale. A power operated brake operates on the supply roll so as to provide a constant tension in the wrapping medium during wrapping operation.

Abstract: An apparatus for calibrating a tension transducer for a web includes a pair of nip rollers and a motor for driving at least one of the pair of nip rollers, the motor having at least one roller output being a function of at least one of a motor torque and a motor velocity. A web tension transducer roll is located upstream of the nip rollers, the web tension transducer having a tension output being a function of the actual web tension of the web. A processor receives the at least one roller output and the tension output, the processor calculating a tension correction value as a function of the at least one roller output and the tension output.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for accurately applying a cord to a rotatable mandrel utilizes control of cord length, rather than cord tension, as the control parameter. The apparatus includes a mandrel with an inflatable diaphragm mounted on an outer surface of the mandrel. The diaphragm is selectively inflatable via a control valve and source of pressurized fluid for dynamically adjusting a circumference of the mandrel in response to a control input. The control input reads a tension in the cord being wound. The cord is positively fed to the mandrel according to a defined algorithm based on the mandrel's shape, circumference and rotational speed, rather than by demand feed of the cord. The apparatus includes a positive feed control capstan which is electronically geared. The apparatus further includes a cord-laying wheel which isolates radially directed forces from circumferentially-directed forces.

Abstract: A device for feeding web material to a printer that is adapted to accept web from an external roll, adequately align the web with the printer and properly tension the web as it passes through the printer. The infeed device includes a pair of parallel guide rods spaced sufficiently apart to allow passage of the web there between. A pair of edge guides, attached to the parallel guide rods define the web path there through. A spring-loaded pressure pad acts in combination with a smooth metal shoe to tension the web. Further tension is applied to the web as it passes a curved smooth metal surface, just prior to entering the printer. The infeed device allows a wide variety of web materials and web thicknesses to be tensioned and fed into the printer.

Abstract: A string feeding device and method for dispensing string is provided. The string feeding device may be used to dispense string between adjacent stakes to support plants disposed between the stakes. The string feeding device includes a string container disposed about a longitudinal axis and a longitudinally extending tube. The tube has a first end and a second end with the first end being fixedly attached to the string container. Further, the tube includes a first hole extending through a side of the tube. String is fed from the string container through the first hole in the side of the tube and is further fed through an interior of the tube to thereby exit the second end of the tube.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a media tracking guide mechanism for guiding the transport of printing media in a printing apparatus. The media tracking guide mechanism is designed to provide positive tracking to print media of various types passing through the guide as the print media is supplied to a printing apparatus. The print media tracking guide preferably includes a guide housing configured and dimensioned for mounting along a hub portion of a printing apparatus and an armature rotatably coupled to the guide housing. The guide housing includes a core member having a print media transport path along an outer peripheral portion thereof and an overhang support positioned in a spaced relationship from the core member. The overhang support includes a slotted area for receiving a lever component. The core member and overhang support are rigidly coupled to a flange portion along a common side thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus for equalizing the tension across the width of a web traveling under tension in a generally flat plane. The apparatus includes a longitudinal extending bladder formed of an elastic material and inflated with a fluid at a predetermined pressure, and a support structure for supporting the bladder beneath the traveling web and across the width thereof so that the bladder is positioned at a predetermined height above the flat plane of the traveling web whereby any variances in the tension across the width of the web will be equalized by the bladder. A plurality of finger elements are mounted to the support structure to extend between the bladder and the traveling web to prevent abrasive wear on the bladder by the traveling web.

Abstract: A tensioning device loaded tape transversal tension control device and method are provided to equalize tape tension across a transverse cross-section of a tape to provide a more stable tension throughout the tape such that a reduction in maximum tape tension can be achieved. The device includes a central tensioning device and an outer tensioning device for rotationally balancing tape tension by pivoting the device under tensioning device force to press onto or retract from portions of the tape.

Abstract: A spring loaded tape transversal tension control device is provided to equalize tape tension across the transverse cross-section of a tape to provide a more stable tension throughout the tape such that a reduction in maximum tape tension can be achieved. The device includes a central spring and an outer spring for rotationally balancing tape tension by pivoting the device under spring force to press onto, or retract from portions of the tape.

Abstract: A sub-system for controlling the flow of cable pulled from a cable pack by an automatic cable processing machine. The sub-system may include a barrel cap for containing and controlling the outward momentum of the cable over a cable pack such as a barrel and guiding the cable through a passage in the top of the cap. The passage is positioned in line with a center line of the barrel. A variable rate braking system may be positioned over the barrel and adjacent an outer wall of the barrel to control the circular movement of the cable as the cable is unwound from the barrel. A spacer may be positioned to prevent the cable from being pulled towards the center of the barrel or toward the barrel core and so that the cable engages the variable rate braking system. The system prevents cable from overlapping, entangling, knotting and snapping during the automatic processing of the cable for use in wire harnesses.

Abstract: A apparatus having a stock roll of foil and a device for introducing a foil strip coming from the stock roll into a pinch between two rollers. The foil has a glue layer on an outer surface of the foil. A braking member is positioned between the stock roll and a roller to exert a braking force on the foil strip. The foil is in contact with the braking means via the glue layer.

Abstract: A ribbon curling device (13,110) for attachment to a spool (11,116) of gift wrapping ribbon is engageable on or around the spool such that the spool may rotate relative to the device in use. The device defines a ribbon exit pathway for guiding the ribbon to a curling edge (19,47,115) whereby a length of ribbon drawn from the spool may be curled.

Abstract: A web tensioning control device includes a cylindrical roller that automatically adjusts its orientation in order to equalize the tension across a moving web. Each end of the cylindrical roller is supported by a pneumatic spring. A conduit connects the two pneumatic springs so that pressurized air can shift between the springs in response to changes in the tension across the moving web. Thus, the cylindrical roller is allowed to pivot about an axis perpendicular to its roll axle so that the tension at each point across the moving web is substantially equal after encountering the roller.