Abstract: A web tensioning assembly is configured to exert a tension on a web in a process direction and to balance the tension across a width of the web extending substantially in a direction perpendicular to the process direction. A web processing apparatus includes such a web tensioning assembly.

Abstract: A web transporting mechanism of a printing apparatus has a buffer mechanism section for absorbing a fluctuation of the web length from a transporting section to a fixing section generated by a difference between a speed of transporting a web in the transporting section and a speed of transporting a web in the fixing section. The web transporting mechanism includes at least one brake member suppressing a motion of a movable buffer. The brake member has a drive means.

Abstract: An apparatus for deflecting a printing material web coming from a printing press that is cut into at least two individual webs to laterally arranged processing devices. The apparatus includes a respective load-bearing frame for each individual web. A respective deflection rod and a respective longitudinal regulation roller for each individual web is supported on the load bearing frame. The deflection rods and longitudinal regulation rollers are adjustable relative to the load-bearing frame in a direction transverse to or parallel to a running direction of the respective individual web.

Abstract: A multi-end strand tension controller has an overfeed roll and an underfeed roll with strand engagement surfaces. Depending on the outgoing tension, the strand positioner selectively apply the strand against one of the underfeed rollers to adjust the tension and the output of the tension controller. The underfeed roller is fed at a speed slower than the speed of the strand while the overfeed roller is fed at a speed greater than the speed of the feed of the strand. Multiple strands forming the web can be provided utilizing a controller and different predetermined tensions may be applied to each of the individual strands based upon loading of individual strand positioners.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for stretch wrapping a load in an efficient manner so as to tightly and securely wrap the load at a desired tension without rupturing the packaging material. The method and apparatus compensate for variation in demand rate as the load is wrapped so as to apply the wrapping material to a load at a desired force, maintain the desired containment tension on the wrapping material on the load after wrapping, and prevent the wrapping material from rupturing during wrapping. The apparatus combines two systems, power assisted roller stretch (“PRS”) and roller stretch (“RS”) to vary the supply rate of the packaging material as the demand rate varies. The apparatus automatically switches between the two types of prestretch to achieve “high” and “low” wrapping force dependent upon the demand rate. Changes in the demand rate are sensed by monitoring changes in the payoff angle of the packaging material extending between the dispenser and the load.

Abstract: A device for regulating the tension of a moving web of material, in particular a web of paper in a paper-working machine such as a corrugating machine, comprises a machine frame; a first roller that is mounted for rotation about a first axis of rotation in relation to the machine frame, taking up a web of material by an angle of contact a; and a supporting device, which supports itself on the machine frame, and which is mounted for pivoting about the first axis of rotation by a pivoting drive, and which supports at least a second roller mounted for rotation about a second axis of rotation that is substantially parallel to the first axis of rotation; wherein the angle of contact a of the web of material on the first roller is modifiable by the at least one second roller being pivoted about the first roller.

Abstract: A winding device has a drive shaft having a flange, and a holder rotatably mounted on the drive shaft in covering relation to the flange, for winding the web therearound. The holder has a first torque adjustment plate rotatably mounted on the drive shaft and having a surface disposed in facing relation to a surface of the flange, the first torque adjustment plate supporting a plurality of magnets on the surface thereof, and a second torque adjustment plate rotatably mounted on the drive shaft and having a surface disposed in facing relation to an opposite surface of the flange, the second torque adjustment plate supporting a plurality of magnets on the surface thereof. The winding device is capable of winding relatively wide webs having a large thickness ranging from 100 to 150 &mgr;m, e.g., photographic photosensitive webs (films), with a low tension fluctuation ratio of ±5% or less, while producing large tension easily and stably. The winding device is constructed for easy maintenance.

Abstract: A vibration friction feed wheel mechanism for feeding thread to a thread processing machine having intermittent thread requirement. The feed wheel mechanism including a high friction contact surface, a thread guide level for lifting thread off of the feed wheel and a vibration generating arrangement for applying a vibrational movement to the thread. The vibration of the thread ensures that the thread lifts-off from the contact surface of the friction feed wheel by reducing the coefficient of friction between the thread and the high friction contact surface of the friction wheel.

Abstract: In connection with a vibration friction feed wheel mechanism, having a thread guide lever for inserting and removing a thread, the application of vibrations to the thread guide elements, or the application of vibrations to the thread feed wheel, is used to improve the removal properties of the friction feed wheel mechanism.

Abstract: In connection with the unreeling of a paper or foil web from a supply reel, e.g. in a flowpacking machine, it is well known to move the web through an adjustment station for maintaining a constant tension of the web in the outer length thereof. Normally, this is achieved by the use of a synchronously driven unreeling roller partially entwined by the web and a system for adjusting the degree of entwining based on a current detection of the web tension. With the invention this is simplified by driving the unreeling roller with a peripheral speed noticeably higher than the web speed, whereby it is possible with a suitable angle of entwining to achieve both a relatively low web tension and an automatically self-adjusting, constant web tension. By virtue of the associated, rather low dynamic friction between the roller and the web, it is even possible to effectively control or maintain the lateral positioning of the web merely by the use of simple abutments for co-operation with the side edges of the web.

Abstract: In a device for transporting and temporarily storing a web-like recording medium in an electrographic printing or copying device, the recording medium is fed with a roller arrangement to a temporary storage unit by use of friction. A loop forming in the temporary storage unit is adjusted by a pendulum. When the pendulum is nearing a vertical position, tension on the recording medium is decreased to such an extent that the roller arrangement feeding the recording medium no longer has frictional driving engagement with the recording medium so that feed of the recording medium substantially ceases. When the pendulum is moved away from the vertical position towards a horizontal position as a result of the loop in the temporary storage unit being decreased, tension stress in the recording medium increases and frictional engagement at the roller arrangement increases so that the recording medium is then fed by the roller arrangement.

Abstract: Apparatus for feeding a web of material, in particular a web of cardboard, having at least one driven element which engages one surface of the web of material to be fed, and which cooperates with at least one bearing element acting upon the other surface of the web of material, a contact-pressure force for generating a frictional force exerted on the web of material, at least one bearing element or the at least one driven element is acted upon by a contact-pressure device, a sensor for detecting the feeding speed of the web of material which delivers to a control unit which operates to control the feeding speed signal of the contact-pressure device so that the difference between the detected web speed and a set-point speed signal applied to the control unit is essentially equal to zero.

Abstract: A machine (10) for processing electrical wires (80) during the manufacture of a product includes a wire feed mechanism (28) and a wire movement measuring mechanism (82). A wire guide apparatus (122) is disposed between the feed and measuring mechanisms to limit lateral movement of the wire (80). The wire guide apparatus (122) includes wire guiding surfaces (228, 248) that are adjustable to accommodate wires having different outside diameters within a range of diameters. The wire guide apparatus (122) includes a block (128), attached to the machine (10), having a fixed guide surface (200) and two opposed rails (132,134) in sliding engagement with the block. Each of the sliding rails (132, 134) includes a movable guide surface (228, 248) that cooperates with the fixed guide surface (200) to constrain lateral movement of the wire (80) during feeding.

Abstract: A feed mechanism for advancing an elongate strip of material including a pilot mechanism for locating the strip such that flexure regions of the strip are disposed at a predetermined position relative to the feed mechanism. The mechanism advances the strip a distance corresponding to the spacing between flexure regions. A control device is included for operating the pilot mechanism and the advancing device alternately such that before each advancement the strip is located with its flexure regions in the predetermined position relative to the feed mechanism.

Abstract: An improved laid-on labeler is designed for substantially increased operating speeds when compared to prior art systems. The labeler includes an articulating labeling arm with a label peel blade. The labeling arm is attached to a support structure at a pivot point immediately above and below which are a respective pair of deflecting idler rollers through which a continuous label web is fed. With the label web being supported at the pivot point of the labeling arm, torque on the labeling arm from starting and stopping the label web is minimized. The label web passes between a drive roller and respective nip rolls on both a pay-out and a take-up side which relieves differential tension on the label web as it passes over the peel blade, thus minimizing or eliminating tearing and breaking of the web as drive speeds increase. Control is via a PLC, which also controls a variety of optional features.

Abstract: A bleaching kier comprising a compartment of container into and out of which flaccid material is conveyed, in combination with (a) a control device for controlling the amount of elongated cloth being conveyed to the compartment, (b) a device for conveying the elongated cloth along a predetermined path without imparting a crease thereto, and (c) a device for removing a large portion of bleaching liquor from the elongated cloth prior to it being conveyed to a washer. The control device includes a drum with a plurality of upstanding members on its outer surface for engaging and conveying the elongated cloth to the compartment and a "U" shaped member, adapted to be moved from a first position, where the elongated cloth is in contact with the upstanding members, to a second position where the elongated cloth is not in contact therewith.

Abstract: Terry cloth towel (18) moves from a supply along its length through an aligning and cutting system (14), to a transfer station (15). As the untufted bands (20) of the toweling material approach the transfer station, a plurality of fingers (28) of a gate (25) engage the untufted portion of the toweling, an as the toweling continues to move, the oncoming edge (22) of the plush surface (19) of the toweling engages and is retarded by the fingers. In the meantime, a plurality of presser feet (92) each of which is aligned with the fingers of the gate urge the toweling into engagement with a feed roller (85) that pulls the toweling through the processing path, and tension in the toweling tends to lift one or more of the presser feet (92) to relieve the pull applied to the toweling. This function is to straighten the band of the toweling.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for supplying thin film plastic web materials to a wrapper machine as shown and described. This apparatus includes feed stripper which assures the separation of the web material from the apparatus. The feed stripper includes a clamp feed and either a belt roller for stripping or a stripper bar for stripping the film off. An anti-static bar is used to eliminate static electricity on the web material.

Abstract: Terry cloth toweling (18) moves from a supply along its length through an aligning and cutting system (14), to a transfer station (15). As the untufted bands (20) of the toweling material approach the transfer station, a plurality of fingers (28) of a gate (25) engage the untufted portion of the toweling, and as the toweling continues to move, the oncoming edge (22) of the plush surface (19) of the toweling engages and is retarded by the fingers. In the meantime, a plurality of presser feet (92) each of which is aligned with the fingers of the gate urge the toweling into engagement with a feed roller (85) that pulls the toweling through the processing path, and tension in the toweling tends to lift one or more of the presser feet (92) to relieve the pull applied to the toweling. This functions to straighten the band of the toweling.

Abstract: A device for centering the printing of strip material, especially in apparatuses for feeding of such strip in the form of V-shaped labels capable of being associated with a continuous thread for use in machines for the automatic production of small filter bags for infusion products, in which said strip having printed motifs possesses, between said printed motifs, a recurring motif at a spacing equal to the length of the labels which are to be produced, and the feed means for such strip of said feed apparatus are constituted of two counter-rotating rollers having vertical axes, one of which is a following roller of resilient material and the other a driving roller of hard material having a driving surface of circular sector form for contact with the first roller.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises a support on which a rotatable wheel is mounted an area of the cylindrical surface whereof is in contact with a belt effective to press a yarn thereon which is led through an eye carried on an inlet arm and, respectively, through an eye carried on a yarn outlet arm, such arms being movable between a position whereat they hold the yarn in the nip between the belt and wheel, and a position whereat they hold the yarn out of contact with the belt. The inlet arm is positioned and dimensioned such that, in the condition whereby it holds the yarn inoperative, that is out of contact with the belt, the eye carried thereon is shifted to the opposite side of said belt relatively to a plane led through the longitudinal side edge of the belt lying closer to the eye; whereas, in the operative condition, the inlet arm eye is shifted to the same side of the belt relatively to said plane.

Abstract: There is described and shown apparatus which is for the controlled feeding and taking-off of a thread 12 into or out of a thread treatment section 2 (for example a heating zone of a heat setting arrangement), and which comprises an externally-driven tapered drive roll 4 upon which bear two tapered counter-pressure rolls 5, 6, whereby the thread 12 can be fed into, and taken-off from, the treatment section 2, using only a single drive means for this feeding and taking-off. The arrangement shown is provided with two thread guide members 9, 10 of fork form, which are swivellable to vary thread tension, one of said guides being swivellable to move the thread engaged between roll 4 and roll 5 along one side of roll 4, and the other of said guides being swivellable to move thread engaged between roll 4 and roll 6 along the other side of roll 4.

Abstract: A multi-purpose yarn feeding device for knitting machines is described which includes a number of co-axially arranged rotary members which correspond to the number of yarns fed to the respective feeding station, each rotary member being provided with a frictionally yarn engaging circumferential periphery. Adjustably positionable eyelet guides are arranged to guide the incoming yarns towards and guide the outgoing yarns from the circumferential peripheries of the associated rotary members to result in yarn portions being in contact with preselected arcuate lengths of the circumferential periphery to thereby impart selected tractions to the yarns. A spring member having a fixed end and a hook for engaging a yarn portion is movable generally in the plane of an associated rotary member for selectively pulling away the yarn portion from the associated circumferential periphery of the rotary member.

Abstract: The device for feeding yarn in a textile machine comprises a set of feed driving rollers rotating at a speed exceeding the maximum yarn processing speed in the machine, a first yarn brake downstream of the driving rollers, a first swing support upstream of the rollers, a second yarn brake and a second swing support. Each swing support includes a movable member exerting by its weight a tension against the yarn which causes the latter to engage frictionally the driving rollers. The frictional force exceeds the force of the first yarn brake and advances the yarn about a length which is sufficient to cause the moving member of the first swing support to abut against a fixed stop member so that the tension is released from the yarn and the holding friction changes to a sliding friction which is lower than the braking force of the first brake and thus stops the decoiling of the yarn.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus for feeding an elongate sheet material comprising a drive roller driven to rotate at a constant speed, a pressure roller rotatable in rolling contact with the drive roller, the drive roller being formed of a more resilient material than the pressure roller, the pressure roller when biased against the drive roller deforms the peripheral surface of the drive roller in contact with the elongate sheet material sandwiched between said rollers. Provision is made for changing the force of contact between said drive and pressure rollers, whereby the peripheral surface of the drive roller is varied in size thereby changing the peripheral speed of said drive roller and the speed of travel of the elongate sheet material.

Abstract: In a web feed apparatus wherein a section of the web is maintained at a higher tension while accurately metering the feed of the web at a relatively lower tension, and wherein means are provided to isolate the low tension metering function from the higher tension section by anterior snubbing rolls, the web tension is controlled by modifying the gain produced by the snubbing rolls and feeding back any increase in tension from the lower web tension level to the higher web tension level. Such a gain is modified by controlling the total angle of wrap of the web about the snubbing rolls, or by varying the coefficient of friction between the web and the snubbing rolls.

Abstract: An arrangement for adjusting the compressive force of drive rolls used for advancing a tree along a feed line for lopping. Drive rolls are arranged on opposite sides of the tree trunk and driven by hydraulic motors. Each drive wheel is pivotably mounted on its own arm and a cylinder-piston is connected between the arms and is used to adjust the distance between the drive rolls and to produce a compression force between them. A hydraulic circuit is provided which includes a drive motor, a pressure reducing valve and the cylinder-piston. The tank connection of the control pressure of the pressure-reduction valve is connected to the working pressure of the hydraulic motor so that when the rolls require a low rotating force the compression pressure created by the cylinder-piston is low and when the rolls require a high rotating force the working pressure required by the hydraulic motor increases and this working pressure increases the compression forces exerted by the cylinder-piston.

Abstract: Apparatus for providing metered lengths of adhesive bearing strips, from a supply roll, to a mechanism for fixing each of the metered strips to a different one of a plurality of stacks of sheets comprises: a pair of rollers providing a nip, and means for rotating one of the rollers to advance adhesive strip engaged by the nip. The axial length of the nip is smaller than the width of the adhesive bearing strip and the strip includes a hole which is larger than the nip, the hole being located near the end of the roll. As a result, when the hole is advanced into the nip by the rollers the rollers stop feeding the adhesive bearing strip to the mechanism.

Abstract: In an apparatus for feeding a web, the web is continuously pulled from a reel by driven pairs of pinch rolls to create a loose storage loop from which the web is fed along a guide channel to a further pair of feed rolls, which when signalled passes material to a work station, under the influence of tensioning rolls acting on the web beyond the work station. Means are also provided for detecting and fullfilling the need for delivery of the web.