Abstract: This invention provides an improved method and apparatus for controlling the tension in a tensionally fragile web of material being pulled by a constant speed processing machine from either one of a pair of supply rolls. A first festooning roller effects the control of the web tension during the normal operation of the machine. During the splicing of the web from one supply roll to another, the tension in the web would tend to dramatically increase. This tendency is offset by a second festooning roller engageable with the web and shiftable in a web tension decreasing direction only upon the occurrence of web tensions substantially in excess of the normal tension range. Means are provided to restrict the rate of return movement of the second festooning roller to that which falls within the control limits of the first festooning roller, thus eliminating any tendency to accelerate the new supply roll to a speed above the desired machine operating speed.

Abstract: This invention relates to method and apparatus for producing a composite container having a tubular sleeve mounted precisely thereon adapted to be shrunken into final surface covering position. The tubular sleeve is preformed of relatively-flexible thin material and flat-folded until ready for use when it is opened and conveyed into axial registry with the container. The sleeve preform of heat-shrinkable plastic material is telescopically assembled onto the container and the container is then firmly retained at an upper region. A reciprocatable apertured head contacts the preform while so retained and further telescopes the preform at least partially over the container. With the reciprocatable apertured head then stationarily maintained, the container is elevated so that the apertured head further lowers the preform into finally-aligned position on the container where it is adapted to subsequent heat-shrinking in place in permanent conforming arrangement.