Abstract: A spreading roll having a simplified and inexpensive configuration is provided. The spreading roll includes a curved shaft and several successive roll segments mounted on the curved shaft. Rolling bearings are supported by a sleeve around the shaft and rotatably support the roll segments. The ends of the roll segments are connected together by coupling elements formed by a rubber ring, an inner sleeve situated inside the ring and metal bracing sleeves situated at the corners on the outer circumference of the rubber ring. As the spreading roll rotates, the rubber rings of the coupling elements yield and the bracing sleeves form a tight joint with the roll segments.

Abstract: The coupling interposed between the rolls of a widener roller for sheet materials comprises a couple of mutually opposite ring-shaped flanges haveing an "L"-shaped cross-section. Each ring-shaped flange is composed by a first metal ring, and a second metal ring. The first metal rings are bonded to the inner surfaces of the edges of a couple of adjacent rolls which, together with other rolls, form the widener roller, and between the second metal rings a ring-shaped element of a flexible material is interposed.

Abstract: A compensating roller for expanding and contracting flexible sheet materials having a curved axle which can be set in any desired plane about a straight axis common to its end support brackets. The curved axle is a three-piece axle having end sections which also are adjustable to both raise and lower and/or to rotate them with respect to the center section of the curved axle whereby the expansion or contraction of the opposite side ends of the web can be more closely controlled to virtually eliminate wrinkling of the side edges.

Abstract: A web spreading apparatus that includes a set of spreader rolls spaced from each other in the machine direction of web formation with the axles of the rolls extending generally in the cross-machine direction of web formation. The set of spreader rolls includes a first upstream group of curved rolls and a second downstream group of rolls. Each roll in the downstream group has a central region having less curvature than the end regions joining the central region.

Abstract: The invention relates to a roller with rotatable sleeves in which each sleeve has, seen from above, a trapezoidal shape; they are mounted and idle on a central shaft in such a way that the large side of a sleeve is aligned with the small side of the adjacent sleeve; in which the sleeves are fastened to each other in this position for their rotation on the central shaft.

Abstract: A curved roll with a longitudinally-curved axle which supports roll sections or spools by way of roller bearings seated on the axle has a flexible torque coupling between adjacent spools. Each coupling flexes to accommodate the curvature of the roll and both seals lubricant within the roll from leakage and seals dirt and other external contaminants from the roll interior. Each coupling employs a tubular coupling element which mechanically seats at each axial end within a circumferential channel internally recessing the spool end. Axially-extending members on each spool engage the coupling element for ensuring positive torque tranfer between the adjacent spools.

Abstract: A web-spreading shaft has a central rod with fixed modules aligned thereon. The modules are trapezoidal-shaped, in lateral view, and are aligned in fixed angular relationship along the rod. The latter is stressed axially and thus takes an arcuate shape, according to the angular relationship of the modules. Rotating cylindrical sleeves are aligned on the thus curved shaft. Means are provided for circulating a lubricating fluid between the rotating sleeves and the shaft.