Abstract: A vertical winder for winding a web on a center wound roll has a fixed vertical frame (A) supporting a carriage for vertical movement thereon. The carriage has a vertically movable upright section (B) and a cantilevered section (C) positioning at least one elongated driven roll (D) above the center wound roll. A drive motor (E) mounted on the carriage drives the elongated drive roll, and a fluid-operated cylinder (F) positions the elongated carriage between lowered and raised positions during the build of a center wound roll. The method provides for delivering a web in open width at a central location to the center wound roll during driving and building of the center wound roll.

Abstract: A spread winder has a stationary support roll (A) in alignment with a moveable support roll (B) which is carried by a moveable frame (D) and which has a drive (E) operated to cause predetermined spreading as the size of the roll increases with suitable core guides (H) controlling the alignment of the core at all times during its horizontal transverse responsive to relative horizontal movement of the rolls during the build. An encoder (I) impresses a home position control on the drive (E) and a home position limit switch (J) provide proper support roll spacing at start up.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for cushioning the impact when placing a web roll on a belt let-off has pneumatic cylinders (A) operating bell crank arms (B) for raising a roll carried on one end (C) while lowering a roll (D) carried on an opposite end of the bell crank for tightening the belt (F) ejecting an empty core roll preparatory to receiving a web roll (W) which is supported by the arms (B) while being lowered and cushioned by the air cylinders until it is received and supported for rotation in a cradle formed by the belt (F) for unwinding.

Abstract: The speeds of support rolls (A) and (B) of a surface winder are controlled during winding by sensing means including a movable roll (C) for detecting variations in web tension. The motors (F) and (G) are controlled responsive to the sensing means by motor control circuitry (H) and, through respective drives (D) and (E), independently drive the rolls (A) and (B).

Abstract: A loom cloth takeup having pivotally mounted arms A exerting a force upon a friction roll (F) has first and second control devices (E) and (H) respectively for controlling tension on the cloth ahead of the friction roll (F) and for controlling a motor (G) driving the friction roll (F) to afford full roll tension control during the build of the cloth roll. A regenerative DC motor drive (H) is provided to avoid slippage between the friction roll and the cloth during winding, and a center wind motor control utilizing a capacitor (I) in series with the motor imparts a negative slope to the speed load characteristic.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for guiding a web utilizes a curved outer convex cloth guiding surface constructed of extruded aluminum with a specially hardened, brittle, wear resistant surface (A) on arcuate sections such as extrusions provided respectively at the top and bottom of the viewing area for guiding cloth and for forming a housing for the light box wherein an inner housing surface (B) is provided opposite the cloth guiding surface (A) on each extrusion. Depending receiving members (C) are provided at each respective end of the arcuate extrusions for serving as a receptacle for guiding and positioning a plexiglass viewing member and back sheet metal wall for forming a light box. A force applying member (D) is provided for controlling sag or bow in an extrusion. Apparatus and method is illustrated including diverging grooves for spreading the web as it passes over the upper section, and circuitry is provided conserving energy by limiting the time the circuitry is energized.

Abstract: A web tension control apparatus and method utilizes a control for a drive motor (A) including an oscillating roll (B) for moving a cam (C) in relation to a proximity sensor (E) for controlling the tension in the moving web being transported for takeup. The power output of the proximity sensor is transmitted for controlling the output of a motor by control circuit (D) for maintaining the tension in the moving web within desirable limits.

Abstract: A doffing mechanism wherein a cloth roll doffer (C) is normally carried in aligned laterally spaced relation to the cloth roll with a motor which are actuated by manually raising the cloth roll engaging means to forcefully move the cloth roll engaging means for doffing the full cloth roll into a cart positioned beside the takeup rolls for receiving and carrying away the cloth roll. A DC motor (E) drives the takeup, and a DC motor control has a bridge rectifier (F) in an armature circuit of the DC motor supplying full armature current to the motor during doffing.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for centering a web roll includes providing a support (A) for carrying the web roll in longitudinal alignment with a driven belt forming a cradle supporting the web roll for unwinding and winding the web. The support (A) includes a conveyor having a motor (C) producing relative transverse movement between the web roll and the driven belt in response to a signal from a detector (B) in a direction toward centering the web roll in respect to the driven belt. A second detector (D) is movable in and out together with the first detector for sensing the other edge of the fabric for discontinuing the relative transverse movement. The support (A) includes a conveyor and a lift and tilt mechanism for placing the web roll upon a table preparatory to moving same onto the cradle for unwinding.

Abstract: An oscillatable web guide roll and method of winding uses a cylindrical roll (A) with as recess at one end for receiving a cylindrical cam (C) upon a shaft which forms part of a mounting (B) for the cylindrical roll so that a cam follower (D) fixed to the cylindrical roll may be positively guided by the cam to produce oscillatory movement of the cylindrical roll (A) thus oscillating the web along its longitudinal axis during the building of the web roll.

Abstract: An apparatus is illustrated for unwinding a web, such as cloth or paper, which utilizes a driven belt having a width in excess of the width of the web forming a cradle for a cloth roll and the like with elements for adjusting the path of travel of the belt including at least one elongated oscillatable roll over which the belt passes and which is oscillated responsive to elements for sensing the position of the belt. The method contemplates doffing the core of the cloth roll by utilizing a vertically movable roll for tightening the belt while at the same time lowering one of a pair of spaced rolls supporting the cradle so that the core roll rolls off the belt and the belt is positioned for receiving a full cloth roll thereon prior to lowering of and cushioning by the movable roll to form the cradle in the belt. A pair of downwardly and inwardly tapering guide elements are provided spaced opposite respective ends of a tubular core for maintaining proper position of the web roll carried thereby.

Abstract: A unitary light box for inspecting cloth manufactured on a loom (10) is provided with first and second viewing areas (B) and (C), respectively, wherein cloth (F) having a vertical run is guided over an intermediate curved surface (D) for inspection providing several angles of sight to the operator from the same vantage point so as to locate defects not ordinarily visible during conventional head on observation.

Abstract: A drive for a movable center wind takeup for web material has an upright support frame (A) which carries a motor driven power takeoff (B) which is drivingly engageable with the movable takeup. An articulated arm (C) is carried by the upright support and is extensible to achieve alignment between the power takeoff (B) for driving the takeup and a vertically adjustable device (D) including a lever arm for effecting vertical adjustment between the power takeoff (B) and the takeup.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for inspecting and guiding a web utilizes a curved outer convex cloth guiding surface (A) on arcuate sections such as extrusions provided respectively at the top and bottom of the viewing area for guiding cloth and for forming a housing for the light box wherein an inner housing surface (B) is provided opposite the cloth guiding surface (A) on each extrusion. Depending receiving members (C) are provided at each respective end of the arcuate extrusions for serving as a receptacle for guiding and positioning a plexiglass viewing member and back sheet metal wall for forming a light box. A force applying member (D) is provided for controlling sag or bow in an extrusion. Apparatus and method is illustrated including diverging grooves for spreading the web as it passes over the upper section, and circuitry is provided conserving energy by limiting the time the circuitry is energized.

Abstract: A web roll (A) is positioned on a winding apparatus which includes a belt (B). An electric drive motor (C) drives the belt (B) roll (A) during winding and unwinding of the web. An ultrasonic signaling device (D) directs a signal downwardly towards the web roll and receives a return signal indicative of the size of the web roll for controlling the operation of the electric drive motor which rotates the web roll in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring the length of cloth moving in open width from a loom to a cloth winder is illustrated wherein a wheel C is positioned in tangential relation upon cloth moving over a direction roll reflecting the length of the cloth in response to rotations of the wheel.

Abstract: A loom cloth takeup having pivotally mounted arms A exerting a force upon a friction roll (F) has first and second control devices (E) and (H) respectively for controlling tension on the cloth ahead of the friction roll (F) and for controlling a motor (G) driving the friction roll (F) to afford full roll tension control during the build of the cloth roll.

Abstract: A batcher has a brake (E) connected to the packing roll (B) for slowing the packing roll as during an unwinding phase to vary the packing ratio between the packing roll (B) and the drive roll (A). A drive mechanism (D) utilizes a single drive clutch for imparting a free wheeling action to the packing roll during unwinding so as to facilitate operation of the brake in effecting the proper packing ratio.

Abstract: Apparatus for feeding warp yarns to a weaving machine has a driven yarn tensioning roll (A) over which passes the warp yarn as it is pulled from a supply into the weaving machine. Thereafter, the warp yarn passes over a dancer roll (B) and a guide (C). A motor (D) drives the roll (A) for rotation responsive to oscillation of the dancer roll (B) resulting from yarn tension. Power operated apparatus (E) including fluid operated cylinders move the dancer roll and guide away from the yarn tensioning roll (A) to permit quick thread up of the weaving machine. By providing a second driven yarn tensioning roll and associated elements it is possible to more effectively mix warp yarns being fed into the weaving machine. A potentiometer (F) is driven by oscillation of the dancer roll for controlling the speed of the motor (D).

Abstract: A coalescer filter is illustrated for removing material from a gas wherein a collection of liquid coalesced by passing a gaseous stream upwardly within a coalescing material packed in an upright cylindrical housing is facilitated by creating a pressure drop in a tube .[.by venturi action.]. .Iadd.in an inlet air stream .Iaddend.and communicating the pressure drop to a canister. The use of a float valve is also illustrated for controlling the discharge of liquid collected in a sealed drainage canister receiving coalesced liquid from a lower portion of an upright column or housing containing coalescing material through which a gaseous stream is passed upwardly.