Abstract: A web splicing method and apparatus to splice a running web to the web on a ready roll so as to avoid web speed and position mis-matches due to roll eccentricity and roll end wobble. After an adhesive splicing medium is applied to the leading end of the web on the ready roll, that roll is accelerated to a selected nominal splicing speed. The roll surface speed and end edge position are then measured at least at a location at or near the splicing medium thereon. The speed and edge position of the running web are also measured. During successive revolutions of the roll, the running web speed and the roll surface speed in the vicinity of the splicing medium are compared to produce speed difference signals which are applied to control the speed of the running web and/or the roll to match the speed of the running web and the surface speed of the roll at or near the splicing medium.

Abstract: A web roll handling system comprises a roll loading section, a plurality of splicers and at least one robotic vehicle arranged to travel back and forth between the loading section and the plurality of splicers.

Abstract: A corrugator line includes a single facer and a double backer with a horizontal bridge extending between them. Instead of conducting the web from the single facer to the double backer as fan folds on a horizontal belt conveyor, a dancer type accumulator is positioned on the bridge between the single facer and the double backer and the web is looped back and forth between the accumulator stationary rollers and its movable dancer and the dancer is force loaded away from the stationary rollers so as to maintain substantially constant tension in the moving web. Provision is made for controlling the speed of the single facer or the double backer in response to excursions of the dancer from a reference position to allow the single face material to spend a uniform time between the single face and double back processes. Also, a steering assembly is positioned on the bridge to align the web from the single facer with the machine center line of the double backer.

Abstract: Web supply apparatus for supplying relatively stiff web material such as liner board for a corrugator serves the web from one of two supply rolls. The running web passes through a splicing station and a festoon on its way to the web-consuming machine. The leading end of the ready web is prepared on a web positioning bar away from the splicing station and then carried by the bar to the splicing station while the running web is being consumed. When the roll of running web expires, a control system automatically stops the roll of running web and special pressure pads at the splicing station press the running web and ready web together to make a strong splice between them. Immediately thereafter, a knive fires directly behind the splice, thereby cutting the trailing end of the running web. The pressure pads firmly grip the webs above and below the line of the cut so that the knife slices cleanly through the web.