Abstract: In an automatic film processing machine a special film guidance apparatus is mounted ahead of the first processing tank to determine the paths along which the various film strips are introduced into the processing machine. The film guidance apparatus has transport rollers forming at least one nip, in front of which there are vanes spaced apart across the width of the transport rollers. These vanes subdivide the space in front of the nip into several channels, with side walls formed by the vanes. Each individual vane can be flipped into or out of the path of the film as that film is introduced between the vanes, and then into the nip of the rollers, for conveyance to the first processing tank of the machine. The machine operator is quickly and easily able to adjust the widths of the film insertion channels to accommodate film strips of different widths, which may then be processed side-by-side through the automatic processing machine without risk of interference with each other or with machine operation.

Abstract: The strand guide device includes a generally vertical base plate, a pair of vertically spaced strand guide rolls secured to the base plate in cantilever fashion, and a generally vertical strand guide plate extending from the base plate parallel to and principally adjacent the upper one of the rolls and having a contoured upper edge defining a generally U-shaped strand guide portion adapted to confine moving strands and a slot portion inclined upwardly toward the strand guide portion and adapted to hold a stationary standby strand in readiness for insertion into a group of moving strands.

Abstract: A fluid bearing for supporting, independently of each other, a plurality of webs. The bearing comprises a housing, for containing a fluid within its interior, having an outer surface for cooperating with a surface of each web of the plurality of webs. A guide flange is provided on the outer surface, defining with the outer surface a support channel. The guide flange maintains the plurality of webs within the boundaries of the defined support channel. A fluid outlet and a fluid inlet are provided for passing the fluid from the interior of the housing through the outer surface, within the channel, to form a fluid layer thereover having a fluid spike therein, for independently supporting each web.

Abstract: A web-feeding mechanism for a compact printer which can feed at least one web of paper at selectively variable feeding rates is provided. A pair of rotatably driven web feeding rollers is positioned on a first side of the web of paper to be fed, and cooperates with a pair of selectively displaceable idler rollers correspondingly positioned on the other side of the web. The respective feeding rollers are each capable of being driven at a different rotary speed. The respective idler rollers are selectively displaceable between a first position out of engagement with its associated web feeding roller, at which time web feeding by the feeding roller corresponding thereto is prevented, and a second position in engagement with the paper web and the web feeding roller corresponding thereto for feeding the web therebetween at the feeding rate of the feeding roller.

Abstract: A strand withdrawal assembly for use in clamping strands being withdrawn from a casting mould of a continuous casting plant is disclosed. At least two strands are withdrawn and are clamped between a lower, driven roll and a pair of upper rolls. The upper rolls are rotatably mounted on an eccentric shaft which is itself rotatably supported at either end and is capable of being raised or lowered by suitable hydraulic cylinders. The eccentric shaft accommodates minor variations in thickness of the clamped strands and allows for the application of equal pressure to the strands even though they are of unequal and varying thicknesses.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling the transfer of a continuous cord including a first roll means, drive means for the first roll means, a second roll means pivotably mounted adjacent the first roll means, position-detecting control means operatively connected to the second roll means and means for changing the speed of the drive means in response to changes in the control means.

Abstract: A high speed system is provided for bringing a plurality of articles, each moving independently in a separate path and at its own speed into registration with each other at a processing station. In applying the invention to a case making machine, successive boards are brought into registration with successive sheet areas defined on a continuous web which moves at a predetermined constant speed. Each board moves at a speed greater than the web speed until registration with the desired sheet area is obtained. A counter measures the registration differential between predetermined detection indicia on each article by keeping track of the distance travelled by each indicium beyond a reference position in the path of the corresponding article. When registration is obtained, the articles are transported at a common speed to the processing station where the separate paths converge.

Abstract: Apparatus for coordinating the transfer of two continuous cords or strips includes a first roll for delivering a first cord or strip, a second roll for delivering a second cord or strip, a drive for the first roll, a drive capable of operating the second roll at speeds different from that of the first roll, and a tension-detecting control arrangement for detecting changes in the tension of the cord or strip being delivered by the first roll and changing the speed of the second roll in response thereto.

Abstract: High speed wire feeding means comprises a wire feed roll and a pressure roll, the wire feed roll being driven by a printed circuit motor under the influence of control means which maintains a high and constant level of acceleration and deceleration at the beginning and end of the feeding cycle. One embodiment has a single driven feed roll and a plurality of side-by-side pressure rolls for feeding a plurality of wires. This apparatus is capable of producing a bundle of wires having varying lengths in a minimum amount of time.

Abstract: Disclosed is a new and improved apparatus for aligning and bonding a pre-perforated flexible repair tape to the side edge portion of an elongated strip, such as motion picture film, having damaged sprocket feed hole perforations located therealong. Film to be repaired is fed continuously from a supply reel to a repair station comprising a grooved pressure roller cooperating with a sprocket roller specifically designed to more precisely align the preformed feed holes of the tape with the damaged feed hole locations of the film, and to bond the tape and film together in the aligned condition, the laminated tape and film thereafter being directed over an exit ramp to a storage reel for collection.

Abstract: A web handling system is described for incrementally feeding a web, and preferably multiple webs, to a processing station. Each web is advanced to the processing station by a pair of web-feeding rollers. One motor drives all of the web-feeding roller pairs through respective clutch-brakes connected to each roller pair. Each web has index marks imprinted along its length at intervals corresponding to intervals at which it is desired to precisely register the web with the processing station. A first detecting means disposed along one of the web paths (or similar detecting means along another web path) initially detects an index mark on the web travelling that path to provide a signal which decelerates the motor and thus slows all of the web-feeding rollers and the webs. Second index mark detecting means, one for each web path, then detect the index marks on the respective associated webs as they now more slowly advance towards the processing station.

Abstract: Apparatus is described for preventing web weave from occurring at the exit from a corrugator bridge wherein a single face corrugated board is being drawn from the bridge by a glue machine. The single face web may be present on what is termed the upper bridge or the lower bridge and control is maintained by providing a friction plate faced with canvas which is biased against the single face web as it is traveling over an exit guide roll. Typically, a single face board is produced on a corrugator in widths of 80 to 86 inches and the friction plate is less in length than half the width of the paper. The drag force is regulatable by an operator adjustment of air pressure being delivered to biasing air cylinders.

Abstract: A web drive system consisting of two independent speed controlled servos used to drive at least two webs is provided for use in a photoelectrophoretic web machine. The servo drive systems cooperate in the transporting of the webs to eliminate speed differential tensions between the two webs held together by friction and electrical tacking force. The first servo system may be bi-polar controlled. The second servo system may be uni-polar controlled and switched between speed and torque control modes. When the webs are held apart, the second servo system will be in speed control and whenever the webs are in contact, the second servo system is switched to the torque control mode.

Abstract: A continuous belt system engaging and holding for parallel motion multiple layers of fabric. A pair of belts holds the layers along their edges in stacked spaced relationship while the layers pass through tufting and foaming stations in the manufacture of three-dimensional reinforced insulation.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring threads from the spinning-cum-finishing part of a machine for continuous production of artificial threads to the take-up and winding arrangement thereof includes thread guiding tubes with thread guides for centering the thread along the axis of the tube and an ejector nozzle for feeding a stream of air together with the thread into each respective tube. The thread guide situated at the exit end of the tube includes a cup-shaped member with an aperture made through the center of the bottom thereof and a port made in the side wall of the member, communicating with the aperture. There is mounted adjacent to the cup-shaped member, in opposition to the port thereof, a screen for slowing down the air stream issuing from the tube together with the thread. This structure prevents misdirecting of the thread to the nearby parts and stations of the take-up and winding arrangement.