Abstract: An apparatus for joining a plurality of textile webs together in side-by-side relation includes a feeder for positioning a first textile web overlying a second textile web and advancing the textile webs along a predetermined path of travel, an ultrasonic horn and anvil for forming a relatively narrow flexible joint between the textile webs by heat fusing together adjacent portions thereof, and an unfolding frame for unfolding the textile webs about the joint so that the textile webs lie in a common plane to define the relatively wide textile fabric. More particularly, in order to form the convolute roll of the relatively wide textile fabric, the apparatus also preferably includes a driven take-up spindle positioned downstream from the unfolding frame to wind the relatively wide textile fabric into successive convolute wound layers.

Abstract: A roller for moving one of ink and water through a printing press is disclosed as an elastomeric covering on a solid journal. The elastomeric covering includes spiral lands and valleys adjacent the lands having depths ranging from 0.002 to 0.004 inch for ducting water, and ranging from 0.002 to 0.015 inch for ducting ink. At valley depths of greater than 0.015, ink is carried solely on the lands for the purpose of lubricating the ductor system. One embodiment includes reversed spiral land and valley end segments that direct ink inwardly from the ends of the rollers to prevent ink buildup at those positions on a ductor roller.