Abstract: An apparatus and method for centering a film spool or similar object. A quill or object support means arranged on either inboard and outboard ends a frame are used to engage end portions or flanges of the film spool. A pivot member provides translational simultaneous movement of both quills toward and away from the spool. The quills move equidistant relative to the centerline of the spool so that the centerline of an incoming web to be wound thereon will always align with the centerline of the spool.

Abstract: A vacuum box (38) is provided with recesses (86, 88, 90, 92) on the inner surfaces (74, 76) of its front and/or back walls (40, 42) along at least two of its interior corners (78, 80, 82, 84); so that, the pressures on opposite sides of the incoming and outgoing spans (64.sub.i, 64.sub.o) of the web (50) are substantially equalized at discrete locations along the lengths of the spans, whereby differential pressure applied to the central curved loop (64) between the spans causes the incoming and outgoing spans to remain substantially out of contact with the side walls (40, 42). The side walls (44, 46) may be provided with chamfers (154, 156) at the interior corners or bores (158; 166-172) and ports (160-164; 174-180) to facilitate equalization of the pressure to facilitate equalizing the pressure on opposite sides of webs having a transverse curl toward a centerline of the box. The box may include web keepers (102) to retain the web during thread-up and a removable, sound insulated closure (130).

Abstract: A non-alternating lap splicing apparatus for successively splicing rolls of web material is enclosed in a bifurcated housing with a separate access door for each of two compartments therein. There is a driven spindle in each of the compartments, each for supporting a stock roll of web. There is a separate film inlet path for each of the stock rolls. An oscillator assembly having a cutting knife and an ultrasonic horn means is mounted in the housing. The web outlet path is through the oscillator assembly. When one of the rolls is nearly spent, that roll is automatically stopped and the web is cut by the knife to create a trailing end. The oscillator assembly then pivots to align with the film inlet path for the stock roll within the other compartment. The lead end of the new stock roll is automatically positioned under the trailing end of the spent stock roll and the ultrasonic horn bonds the webs together. The overlapping lap of the splice is always trailing and on the same side of the web.

Abstract: A web (14) of material such as photographic film is supplied continuously from a stock roll (16) into an infeed vacuum box (24) from which the web passes into an intermittently operated perforator apparatus (30) through which the web is drawn intermittently by a high performance vacuum drum (32) which feeds the web into an outfeed vacuum box (34) from which the web passes continuously to a rewind stock roll (44) or to other intermittently operated processing apparatus. Various patterns of widely spaced perforations and leader/trailer sections may be provided in the stationary web, which moves at high web speeds and accelerations between operations of the perforator apparatus.

Abstract: Apparatus for splicing together opposite ends of a sheet of material, such as a photoconductor, to form an endless loop includes a generally cylindrical drum on which the sheet material is wrapped. The drum has edge portions that can be adjusted relative to each other to vary the circumference of the drum, and the sheet is wrapped on the drum with opposite ends of the sheet being in overlapping relationship adjacent the edges of the drum. The drum edges are adjusted relative to each other while a sensor detects the relationship between perforations or other identifiable features on the sheet. When a predetermined relationship is obtained, the opposite ends of the sheet are bonded together to form an endless loop. The apparatus produces a loop that is cylindrical in shape with the pitch of the perforations across the splice being equal to the pitch of the perforations in other portions of the loop.

Abstract: A nonimpact printer, for example, a color printer, of the type having an endless movable web on which two or more images are formed by an electronic printhead and transferred in registration provides reliable registration using perforations along an edge of the web. A first sensing means, for example, a printhead sprocket, senses an edge of the perforations and controls the printhead. A second sensing means, for example, a transfer sprocket also senses an edge of the perforations and controls transfer. Error in image formation because of error in perforation formation is substantially corrected by using the same perforation for transfer that is used for printing.