Abstract: A heat wrap control for a preheater in a paperboard corrugator adjusts the amount of wrap of a moving web about a heated drum as a linear function of web speed to effect uniform heat transfer to the web.

Abstract: Lateral and rotary axis controls for automatically setting up the position of a rotary element mounted on a rotatable shaft in a box-making machine. The lateral position of the element determines the position of the creases and slots in a box blank. The rotary position of the element determines the depth of the slots in the blank.

Abstract: A double facer platen is constructed so as to utilize a liquid heating medium which flows through a chamber containing a labyrinth defining a flow passage whose cross-sectional area decreases in the direction of flow from an inlet toward an outlet. The platen is adapted for use with liquids which have a temperature in excess of 400.degree. F. and a pump pressure of about 50 psi. The platen is supported by a beam having a temperature control means for compensating for any temperature difference between the upper and lower plates of the platen.

Abstract: An automatic web splice control system for a web splicer apparatus including a running web roll and a ready web roll and a splice mechanism for splicing the expiring end of the running web to the leading end of the ready web. The system provides successive measurements of the length of web unwound from the running web roll per revolution of the roll. The length of web unwound per revolution of the roll is compared to a first pre-selected length. When the length unwound per revolution of the roll falls below the first pre-selected length, the system determines the length of web unwound from the roll per a pre-selected number of revolutions of the roll. When the length of web unwound per the pre-selected number of revolutions of the roll reaches a second pre-selected length, a warning signal is generated. Thereafter, the measurement of length of web unwound per revolution of the roll is dynamically incremented.

Abstract: The low speed continuous run feature of a double facer machine is attained by a discrete drive motor coupled thereto by an overrunning clutch. The main drive shaft is coupled to the double facer machine by a fluid operated clutch coupled to circuitry for the double facer machine belt tensioner so that the double facer machine may not operate unless the belt has been tensioned.

Abstract: At least one end of a conveyor having guided movement in an upright direction is provided with an emergency brake to stop descent of the conveyor in the event of a component failure. The brake includes elements on the conveyor which cooperate with the conveyor guide.

Abstract: A pan and an applicator roller supported thereby are pivotably supported for movement between operative and inoperative positions by a parallelogram link means including a gear segment. Actuator means is connected to the gear segment for rotating the same in opposite directions.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for stacking bundles such as bundles of paperboard sheets on a receiver. The apparatus includes an L-shaped conveyor having a top run and a bottom run. The top run of the conveyor has a position defined by the location of spaced first and second carriers having discrete guide members contacting the conveyor. The carriers are individually elevated with the second carrier being progressively elevated in stages while the first carrier moves up and down from a receiving position to a position corresponding to the current position of the second carrier.

Abstract: The separate motors of the single facer and double facer machines of a corrugator are controlled in response to separate digital set point signals. Each set point signal is generated by a counter in response to a pulse generator. In a RUN mode, the counter automatically generates a preselected set point signal indicative of a preselected minimum speed and the motor speed is brought up to the preselected minimum speed. The pulse generator and counter are free-running until a digital detector senses the preselected set point signal and inhibits the pulse generator. In FAST and SLOW modes, the pulse generator is selectively steered by the operator to cause the counter to generate selective set point signals indicative of selective set point speeds and the motor speed is varied to the set point speeds.

Abstract: An improved cut-off control for operating a cut-off mechanism to cut sheets of uniform length from a moving web. The cut-off control comprises means for computing actual sheet length and sheet length error and for generating separate signals indicative thereof. Digital means cylically increment and decrement the actual sheet length signal. Digital means determine whether the sheet length error is within prescribed limits of the uniform sheet length in response to the cylically incremented and decremented actual sheet length signal. A positioning motor corrects the sheet length error if it is determined to be outside the prescribed limits. Digital means simulate the correction of sheet length error effected by the positioning motor and correct the actual sheet length signal as a function thereof.

Abstract: A double facer platen is constructed so as to utilize a liquid heating medium which flows through a chamber containing a labyrinth defining a flow passage whose cross-sectional area decreases in the direction of flow from an inlet toward an outlet. The platen is adapted for use with liquids which have a temperature in excess of 400.degree. F. and a pump pressure of about 50 psi.

Abstract: A device to quickly reposition a slotter knife by moving the same in a circumferential direction with respect to an annular head which supports the same. During such positioning of the slotter knife, it is held stationary while the annular support head is rotated. This slotter knife is releaseably mounted on its head and a means is provided to selectively release the lock when it is desired to reposition the knife.

Abstract: An improved production counter for a corrugator including a knife for cutting web material into sheets. First and second digital signals are generated. The first digital signal indicates a predetermined number of sheets of web material to be cut by the knife. The second digital signal indicates the instantaneous number of sheets of web material cut by the knife. The second digital signal is cyclically incremented and decremented by predetermined counts. Coincidence of the cyclically varied second digital signal to the first digital signal is detected. A warning signal indicative of a preselected number of sheets of web material remaining to be cut is generated when the cyclically varied second digital signal and the first digital signal coincide.

Abstract: A slitter having slitting blades juxtaposed to the periphery of a bristle-face anvil roll is provided with a dust collector adjacent the interface between said blades and roll. The dust collector includes a housing having a slot for receiving dust and a manifold chamber. Spaced partitions in the housing provide communication between the manifold chamber and specific portions of said opening.

Abstract: Apparatus such as a paperboard printer slotter is provided with dual slotter shafts each having a device to quickly reposition a slotter knife by moving the same in a circumferential direction with respect to an annular head which supports the same. During such positioning of the slotter knife, it is held stationary while the annular support head is rotated. This slotter knife is releasably mounted on its head and a means is provided to selectively release the lock when it is desired to reposition the knife. The knives on one slotter shaft cut a slot on the leading edge of a first blank and the trailing edge of a following blank. The knives on the other slotter shaft cut the slot on the trailing edge of the first blank and the leading edge of the following blank.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are disclosed for detecting the moisture gradient in a moving web. A radio frequency signal is applied to a transmitting means which transmits an electromagnetic field through the web being sensed. The moisture gradient of the web is monitored by sensing a control signal which is indicative of fluctuations in the strength of the transmitted electromagnetic field owing to the absorption of energy by moisture on the web moved through the field.

Abstract: The separate machines of a corrugator are coupled so that they can be operated in synchronization. The separate machines are controlled as a unit by use of tachometer feedback signals which eliminate motor speed drift and permit operation at relatively high speed during an order change.

Abstract: A printing press is provided with a dual ink circulation and wash-up system to reduce the wash-up time between color changes. The press includes a fountain and at least one receptacle associated therewith and having at least two compartments. Means are provided to selectively divert liquid from the fountain into one of the compartments while the other compartment is being washed. A plurality of ink supply means are provided for sequentially supplying ink to the fountain.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for monitoring the quantity of single face paperboard on the bridge of a corrugator so that a unit length of paperboard will remain on the bridge for a preselected time irrespective of the speed of the corrugator to properly season the paperboard. Signals indicative of input and output of paperboard to the bridge are compared with a signal indicative of a preselected time and a signal is generated to effect changes in the single facer machine motor speed.

Abstract: The cutoff mechanism repetitively cuts a moving web into sheets by at least one cutting blade movable in the direction of travel of the web at web speed at the instant of cutting. The cutting blade is controlled by a cyclic mechanism. The cyclic mechanism has a uniform input speed or a cyclic input speed. When the cyclic mechanism is driven with a cyclic input speed, the normal range of sheet length is doubled.