Abstract: A conveyor includes: a receiver that detachably receives a roll-like sheet; a conveyance unit that conveys the sheet in a conveyance orientation along a conveyance surface; and a tensioner that applies tension to the sheet at a position upstream of the conveyance unit in the conveyance orientation. The tensioner includes: a frame having a groove pair extending in a first direction along the conveyance orientation; a guide having a curved surface that contacts the sheet and an engagement member pair that engages with the groove pair; a pivoting member that pivots around an axis extending in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction and parallel to the conveyance surface; a transmission member that transmits pivoting of the pivoting member to the guide; and an urging member that applies urging force including a component in the first direction to the guide.

Abstract: An apparatus for steering a web, including a web path having at least one steering roller and an exit roller, each having a mount; wherein the steering roller(s) each have an axis of rotation and wherein the mounts for the steering roller(s) can pivot those axes with a total of two degrees of freedom. An array comprising a plurality of sensors for monitoring the position of the web is present connected to a controller so as to determine the position and angular orientation of the web. The controller adjusts the pivot(s) of the mount(s) so as to control the angular orientation and the lateral position of the web at a particular point along the web path.

Abstract: Disclosed are examples of a system for regulating the longitudinal strain in a longitudinal member being conveyed in a machine direction. The system may include a downstream mechanism that draws the longitudinal member in a machine direction, first and second control points upstream of the downstream mechanism, and a strain control mechanism disposed between the first and second control points. The strain control mechanism may include a strain motor with a drive shaft to which a travel path extension arm is coupled, and a travel path extension guide mounted on the travel path extension arm and in contact with the longitudinal member. The system may be configured and arranged such that rotation of the drive shaft effects rotation of the travel path extension arm and of the guide, thereby altering the distance of a travel path segment of the longitudinal member between the first and second control points.

Abstract: A conveyor is provided with a conveyor section, a controller, a confirming part and a detecting part. The conveyor section conveys a belt-shaped work having a plurality of reference points arrayed discontinuously on a surface. The controller selectively operates the conveyor section for intermittently conveying the work for each prescribed interval as a first conveying mode and continuously conveying the work as a second conveying mode. The controller further operates continues the first conveying mode when the reference points are confirmed by a confirming part during the first conveying mode and switching to the second conveying mode when the reference points are not confirmed by the confirming part. The controller further continues the second conveying mode until the reference points are detected by the detecting part during the second conveying mode and switching to the first conveying mode when the reference points are detected by the detecting part.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses discussed herein provide for localized speed changes of an advancing substrate. Embodiments of a localized speed varying apparatus may include first and second substrate guides positioned upstream and downstream of a processing station, respectively. The substrate guides may utilize orbital motion of guide members to change the length of the substrate within the substrate guides upstream and downstream of the processing station. The changes in substrate length within the substrate guides result in localized speed changes of the substrate between the substrate guides. Coordination between the substrate guides allows for localized speed changes of the substrate passing through the processing station without affecting the speed of the substrate upstream of the first substrate guide and downstream of the second substrate guide.

Abstract: A method and system for feeding a continuous rod of elastomeric material automatically to a user unit along a feed line having at least one powered portion and extending between an extruder, for forming the rod, and the user unit, and wherein, upstream from the powered portion, the rod is fed along a supporting device defining, for the rod and when at rest, a first path of given fixed length; and wherein, once the rod reaches and is engaged by the powered portion, a movable part of the supporting device is withdrawn from the first path to feed the rod along a second path, one portion of which is a bend of variable length.

Abstract: A wire feeding apparatus is disclosed. The wire feeding apparatus includes a rotable drive shaft, a servo motor in driving relationship with the drive shaft and one or more feed modules. Each feed module is selectively engaged with the drive shaft through the use of a linear actuator. When the linear actuator is engaged, each feed module is driven by the drive shaft such that wire is either fed or retracted.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for cyclically accelerating the leading end of a slower moving first material web to match the faster speed of a continuous second material web. The apparatus is comprised of a set of upstream metering rolls which feed the first material web at a constant slow speed, a set of downstream applicator rolls having a constant and relatively faster rotational velocity, and an acceleration mechanism which variably and alternately reverses and allows forward movement of a leading end segment of the first material web while allowing for the constant rotational velocities of the upstream and downstream rolls. The first material web is wrapped partially around the set of upstream rolls and the leading end segment thereof is wrapped partially around one of the downstream rolls. The acceleration mechanism is juxtapositioned between the upstream rolls and the downstream rolls in the feed path of the first material web.

Abstract: A feed device for advancing a web into a processing station which acts on the web while the web is in a standstill position. The feeding device includes a first drive roller around which a second swivel roller oscillates between an upstream and downstream position to create a loop to take up the web during a dwell in the movement of the web through the processing station. The swivel roller is driven at the same speed as the drive roller by an arrangement of drive pinion and a counterweight is also rotated at the same rate by a gear arrangement. The counterweight is mounted on a lever which will oscillate in an opposite direction to the movement of the swivel roller so that the moment of inertias are balanced during operation of the device and the torque on the drive for the rollers is balanced.

Abstract: A moving web in a conveyance machine is tensioned and steered without contact of the web to the machine a pair of parallel air bars in a single moveable frame which is adapted to pivot controllably about two intersecting orthogonal axes in a plane through the air bars. Separate feedback control systems monitor the tension and position of the web and adjust the orientation of the frame about each axis to adjust tension and lateral position of the web independently and continuously. Additional fixed air bars on opposite sides of the web in the web path between the moveable air bars provide high and unvarying web wrap angles on the moveable air bars to increase the tension and steering operating range and sensitivity. An additional moveable air bar is provided downstream of the pair of moveable air bars and is adapted to pivot controllably about another axis orthogonal to the direction of the tensioning and steering axes whereby the axial direction of the moving web can be changed.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for cyclically accelerating the leading end of a slower moving first material web to match the faster speed of a continuous second material web. The apparatus is comprised of a set of upstream metering rolls which feed the first material web at a constant slow speed, a set of downstream applicator rolls having a constant and relatively faster rotational velocity, and an acceleration mechanism which variably and alternately reverses and allows forward movement of a leading end segment of the first material web while allowing for the constant rotational velocities of the upstream and downstream rolls. The first material web is wrapped partially around the set of upstream rolls and the leading end segment thereof is wrapped partially around one of the downstream rolls. The acceleration mechanism is juxtapositioned between the upstream rolls and the downstream rolls in the feed path of the first material web.

Abstract: A device for supplying a machine working on a web of material in a stopped position particularly for a flat cutting press and in the vicinity of an intake roller and downstream thereof, in the direction of advance of the web, the device includes an oscillating roller. This roller is mounted for rotation on a support adapted to oscillate about the axis of the intake roller. The oscillating roller is driven in rotation on itself from the intake roller, via a transmission mechanism in such a manner that the peripheral speed of the oscillating roller is identical to that of the web of material winding around part of the periphery of this oscillating roller. A mechanism is provided for provoking a movement of oscillation of the support and of the roller that is bears.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of handling flexible foldable materials, particularly thermoplastic film webs, continuously fed from a supply by continuously moving input nip rolls to a dancer including a roll mounted for movement transversely to its central axis. Intermittently moving draw rolls intermittently advance material from the dancer roll. The dancer roll is reciprocated in coordination with the intermittent advancement so as to decouple the translational inertia of the dancer roll from the material. A flexible belt also simultaneously rotates the dancer roll so as to decouple rotational inertia of the roll from the length of material. The dancer may be driven by a cam in common with a work station reciprocating against the material fed from the dancer.

Abstract: A plastic film product manufacturing apparatus includes a pair of draw rollers advancing a continuous length of plastic film, a plurality of guide rollers guiding the plastic film through at least part of the apparatus to the draw rollers and an endless flexible belt driving each of the guide rollers at a circumferential surface speed equal to the speed of the continuous length of plastic film advanced over the guide rollers. When the continuous length of plastic film is intermittently advanced by the draw rollers, and the guide rollers are simultaneously intermittently rotated by the endless belt. A primer mover drives both the draw rollers and the endless flexible belt to coordinate rotation of the draw rollers with the rotation of the guide rollers. One of the guide rollers is mounted on a dancer arm and a system of pulleys is provided for driving that guide roller by the endless flexible belt.

Abstract: Apparatus for inducing a controlled quantity of slack in a web traveling along a travel path from a web supply roll to a web slitter comprises first and second supports movable relative to one another. First and second sets of rollers are secured to the first and second supports, respectively, the rollers together defining at least a portion of a travel path for the web from a web supply roll to a web slitter. A control, responsive to an external signal, moves the first and second supports relative to one another a predetermined distance under positive control in such a manner as to effect relative movement of the first and second sets of rollers to vary the length of the travel path.

Abstract: A bag making machine having a combination of a first dancer with multiple-rolls and a second dancer with a single roll for accumulating a web of flattened tubular thermoplastic material between constant and intermittent web feed sections of the bag making machine.

Abstract: Disclosed is a mechanism, associated with a thermoplastic bag making machine, for preparing a strip of thermoplastic to produce bags having the upper edges of the bag mouth formed in a sinusodial shape such that the peak of such shape is substantially equi-distant relative to the side edges of the bag. While the disclosed bag machine is of the type that advances the web strip incrementally, shaping of the web strip in the sinusodial shape occurs while a portion of the web strip is advanced at substantially constant velocity. A mechanism is provided for maintaining constant tension in the web despite the constant and intermittent feeding of the web.

Abstract: A tape loop sensing arm comprises an arm member (6) which carries a rotary guide (5), comprising a cylindrical guide member (74) mounted on a spindle (65) which pivots on an axle (64) aligned radially with respect to the axis of rotation of the arm member.

Abstract: An apparatus for advancing a predetermined length of strip material from a supply roll to a delivery point. In addition to strip pull-off mechanism (15) cooperating with a one-way means (20, 22) to pull-off the desired strip length from the supply roll (10), the apparatus has a gripper (26) reciprocating in synchronism and in push-pull connection with the pull-off mechanism, the gripper gripping and advancing the strip end. The strip (11) also passes a strip brake (20, 21) and a photocell (19) which on detection of a suitable mark causes the brake to be actuated to stop the strip and the gripper to be actuated so that it releases the strip. As the moving parts have a very small inertia, the braking may be effected almost instantaneously and with great precision.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying tear tapes or the like to a transported web of cellulose wrapping material. A first portion of the travelling web is momentarily halted during the application of the tear tape, which takes place by a heat welding method. During the period of time while the first portion of the web is stationary, the remaining portions of the web continue to be transported at a constant speed, due to the effect of a pair of pivotally mounted diverting rollers which form web reserves on either side of the stationary first portion.

Abstract: An automatic tape laying system (10) for depositing tape (66) in a lay-up (36) on a work surface (14) is provided. The system (10) includes a tape deposit apparatus (26) including a tape supply reel (64) and a cutting device (94). A tape transport module (60) transports tape from the tape supply reel (64) to the cutting device (94). A tape deposit module (62) is provided within tape deposit apparatus (26) and is rotatable between first and second positions for receiving tape (66) from the tape transport module (60). Tape 66 is received in a port (134) of tape deposit module (62) for deposit along a first direction on the work surface (14), and tape (66) is received in a port (148) for deposit along a second direction on the work surface (14). Scrap tape (176) is received in a port (122) for removal.

Abstract: Packing machines for the manufacture of packing containers frequently produce these from web-like material, which is supplied to the machine in the form of a roll. During the production the material web is advanced through the machine along a path defined by guiding rollers, guiding rails and similar elements. These guiding elements obstruct in an undesirable manner the movement of the material web through the machine. This difficulty is eliminated in accordance with the invention in that a front and a back part of the material web are advanced alternately. In accordance with the invention, moreover, an arrangement is proposed with first and second web-advancing elements, which operate with alternating working strokes.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the movement of a web of material, which is being continuously supplied to a machine which operates sequentially on a portion of the web as each portion is at a standstill, characterized by the apparatus including a feeder for feeding the web at a continuous rate of speed and a web take-up device for engaging the web as it exits the feeder to absorb the web being supplied by the feeder for a period of time that the portion of the web is being acted on by the machine and is in a stationary or standstill position. The web take-up device includes a pair of first members mounted in a pair of spaced side frames for rotation on a first axis, a web guide member having a second axis and a structure mounting the web guide member to extend between the pair of first members with the second axis being eccentric to the first axis.

Abstract: An advancing mechanism for a recording web, such as paper, for an ink jet printer. The apparatus, including a platen having coaxially mounted discs on a shaft with the center disc of much higher coefficient of friction than the remaining discs, a tensioning roller, a pinch roller, and a recording web holding means, is self-aligning and self-threading, having low power requirements. Means for indicating the exhaustion of the recording web is also provided.

Abstract: Apparatus for treating continuous fabric includes a frame on which is mounted an open bath for receiving a treating liquid through which fabric to be treated is passed. An elongate immersion member movably mounted on the frame immerses the fabric in the treating liquid during its passage through the bath, and a pair of squeeze rollers, being an upper and a lower squeeze roller, grip the fabric when it has passed through the bath. At least one roller, preferably the lower squeeze roller, is driven, and at least one roller, preferably the upper squeeze roller is movably mounted on the frame. A driven rewind mandrel is mounted on the frame and the treated fabric having passed through the squeeze rollers is wound thereon. Means are provided for moving the immersion means and the movable squeeze roller their operative and respective inoperative positions.

Abstract: A fresh web of cigarette paper or the like is spliced to the running web by a uniting band, which is adhesive at both sides, after the fresh web is accelerated to the speed of the running web. The uniting band is placed between the running web and the leader of the fresh web, and the running web is shifted sideways to adhere to the adjacent side of the uniting band as well as to move the other side of the uniting band against the fresh web as soon as the speed of the fresh web rises to that of the running web. The running web is severed behind the moving uniting band, and the fresh web is severed ahead of the moving uniting band. Severing of the fresh web is preceded by relaxation of tensional stress upon the leader of the fresh web in response to displacement of a guide roller which engages the fresh web between a stationary knife for the fresh web and a pair of motor-driven advancing rolls which pull the leader of the fresh web in the course of and subsequent to completed acceleration of the fresh web.

Abstract: A feeding mechanism for the continuous feeding of printed carrier material such as printed packing material from an intermittent printer to a continuous storage reel or the like is disclosed. The printed material is fed between spaced alternating fixed and movable guide rollers. The movable rollers are spring biased and can be raised to a threading position above the fixed rollers. A backstop positioned between the printer and the feeding mechanism prevents return of the printed material from the feeding mechanism to the printer.

Abstract: A novel apparatus for forming lead-acid storage battery plate envelopes from a continuous roll of heat sealable separator material is described comprising material feed means for supplying material from the roll for use in the envelope, draw means for drawing preselected lengths of separated material into a processing position, cut-off means for severing predetermined lengths of material at the processing position into envelope forming lengths, means for folding said envelope forming lengths around a plate into a folded configuration wherein overlapping edges of separator material protrude beyond at least one side edge of said plate and sealing means for heating edges of said material under pressure to seal said overlapping edges to form said battery plate envelope.

Abstract: A machine for interrupting a portion of an otherwise continuously moving web of material to enable one or more manufacturing operations to be performed on the stopped portion of the web while the remaining portions of the web are advanced continuously. The machine is interposed between a pair of other machines in a production line in which one of the machines continuously feeds the web to the interrupting machine and the other machine continuously draws the web from the interrupting machine. The interrupting machine includes means to take up the web fed continuously to the interrupting machine as well as means for storing and paying out a length of web from the outlet end of the machine. The web is advanced and stopped in precisely controlled incremental lengths to insure proper registration of the stopped portion of the web with the manufacturing instrumentalities mounted on the interrupting machine.

Abstract: The invention provides a roll over which a sheet of dyed and dried yarns passes from a drying chamber. During operation of the apparatus, the roll is maintained in a position diverting the yarns out of a straight path, creating a surplus in the path. When the machine stops, the roll is moved slowly under controlled conditions to a position nearer a straight path, during which the surplus is given up to compensate for the shrinkage of the yarn residing in the drying chamber whereby yarn in the dyeing stage remains motionless. The invention is particularly (but not solely) useful in the manufacture of tufted carpeting from yarns dyed individually in segments along their length with different colors for production of predetermined complex designs in the carpet.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for permanently controlling movement of a web of material, which is being continuously supplied to a machine which operates sequentially on a portion of the web as each portion is at a standstill, characterized by using an apparatus including a feeder for feeding the web at a continuous rate of speed and a web take-up device for engaging the web as it exits the feeder to absorb the web being supplied by the feeder for a period of time that the portion of the web is being acted on by the machine and is in a stationary position or at a standstill. The web take-up device includes a pair of members mounted in a pair of spaced side frames for rotation on a first axis, a roller engaging a portion of the web and a structure for mounting the roller on the pair of members for rotation on a second axis offset from the first axis.

Abstract: A device for stepwise pulling in with great force and stowing a belt or strap, comprising a stepwise feeding mechanism which pulls in the strap through a locking means allowing passage of the strap towards the mechanism but locking the movement of the strap in the opposite direction, and a storage or winding-in device for collecting the fed-in strap. The step feeding mechanism comprises two elements, which are pivotable about a common axis, together as well as relatively to each other. The strap passes between the elements which co-act with each other and with the strap so that when they are swung together in one direction they grip and coil the strap while simultaneously pulling in the strap. When the elements are swung back in the opposite direction they move somewhat relatively to each other, thereby releasing the strap.

Abstract: In a copier including a photoconductor comprising a web of photoconductive material, having a plurality of photoconductive sections connected in series with one another to form an endless strip-type photoconductor, and including suitable instrumentalities for successively feeding the photoconductive sections from a zigzag folded stack of such sections through several processing stations and back to the stack, there is provided apparatus for storing the photoconductive sections in the stack. The storing apparatus includes a receptacle having oppositely disposed walls defining an inlet opening and an outlet opening. The walls relatively converge towards one another from the inlet opening to the outlet opening, for guiding the folds of the photoconductive sections progressively closer to the outlet opening than the mid-portions thereof in transit through the receptacle.

Abstract: A mechanism for advancing paper from a supply in incremental steps. The paper is initially fed into a loading slot formed by a paper guide and a rotating roller. The roller advances the paper through a paper stripper to a printing station.The rotation of the roller is accomplished by a ratchet mechanism which is activated by a double acting driver which in turn is driven by a solenoid assembly. The ratchet mechanism and driver also activate a retracting pressure bar which insures intimate contact between the paper and the printing station. The pressure bar pulls a paper stripper which positively strips the paper from the print station in preparation for paper advancement.

Abstract: A device for multiplying the force applied to deflect a tensile member attached to a weight or load. The device may be used in place of a block and tackle and provides substantially greater mechanical advantage without the additional length of line needed by a block and tackle to string over the additional pulleys employed. Various embodiments employ one or two unidirectional motion members and a lever pivotably mounted to the frame for applying the deflecting force. Additional mechanical advantage is achieved by selectively locating the pivot mounting of the lever.

Abstract: A device for equalizing movements in packing machines, especially machines for making bags, which is arranged between a first continuously working withdrawing device for foil-shaped packing material and a second intermittently working second withdrawing device. The device comprises a spring-urged pivotable lever and a stationary support each carrying a plurality of rotatable journalled guiding rollers arranged one behind the other and in spaced relationship to each other. The packing material is looped alternately over one guiding roller on the pivotable lever and a guiding roller on the stationary support and in this manner successively over all guiding rollers in a progressive way, the distance between each two adjacent guiding rollers of the pivotable lever varying in length.

Abstract: A hitch feed assembly for automatically aligning individual lead frames at a bonding site in both the longitudinal and lateral directions is disclosed. The alignment is attained as a result of the cooperation between a plurality of chamfered pawls and the sprocket holes in the film-carrier. The pawls are chamfered along three sides in order to attain alignment in both the longitudinal and lateral directions. Significantly, the pawls come into operational contact with the sprocket holes while the lead frame film-carrier is under minimal tension so that the pressure exerted on the edges of the sprocket holes by the pawls will be minimal, thereby avoiding any deformation in the shape of the sprocket holes.

Abstract: Apparatus is described for facilitating the filling and sealing of bags for shipping or mailing. The bag supply preferably is in web or strip form, i.e. the bags are joined along successive closed sides of the bags to form a continuous web with the bag bottoms along one edge and the unsealed bag top ends along the other edge of the web. Means are provided to advance the web one bag length each cycle to a cutting station which severs the bag from the web. A vacuum picker and pusher bar convey the separated bag from the cutting station to a carrier comprised of a series of continuously moving chains having lugs between which the bags are first inserted and then retained for travel with the chains. The pusher bar and the spacing between the lugs cooperate to maintain the unsealed end of the bag open sufficiently to receive an article inserted while the bag is moved by the carrier. At the end of the carrier run, sealing means close the open end of the bag.

Abstract: Apparatus for feeding a continuous web of photosensitive paper into a reprographic machine so that the leading edges of the paper and a transparent master sheet to be copied are co-incident as they enter exposure and developing stations, and to ensure that the tail end of the paper is cut, during continuous forward movement of the leading edge, so that the trailing edge of the severed paper co-incides with the tail end of the master sheet. The feed path of the paper includes a curved portion defined by an arcuate-section guide and a concentrically mounted roller. A loop of paper is formed by moving the roller out of the guide and the rear end of the paper is then held stationary and cut by a guillotine while the paper forming the loop is continuously fed forward. The timing of the feeding and cutting operations on the paper is controlled by micro-switches actuated by the leading and trailing ends of the master sheet.

Abstract: An elastic damper which engages the film between the supply reel and the film gate of a motion picture projector has an elongated first leg which loops the film and is pivotable with respect to a second leg which is reciprocable between bridges and is biased forwardly so as to urge the first leg against the film. When the tension of film fluctuates within a normal range, such as is attributable to intermittent operation of the pull-down, the first leg merely pivots while the second leg remains stationary. If the tension of film increases so that the pivotal movement of the first leg is more pronounced, the second leg is shifted against spring bias to effect a reduction of the size of the loop. This insures that the inclination of the film portion between the gate and the first leg remains substantially unchanged.

Abstract: An inertia isolator is mounted on the frame of a web transport system between a drive roller and a supply reel on which web material is wound. A first relatively stiff member is mounted to the frame adjacent the drive roller and a second relatively stiff member is flexibly attached to the first member and positioned so that the web material is in slidable contact. The second member flexes in a direction to aid in unwinding the web when the drive roller is accelerated and flexes in the other direction when the drive roller is decelerated.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for affixing labels to a web of sheet or film material by means of a cylindrical labelling device having a label arranged peripherally thereon, said label being affixed to the web with a pure rolling motion and compressive action.