Web joining devices

Claim 1

A web joining device comprising reel mounting means including shafts for operatively supporting first and second reels of web material whereby the periphery of the second reel is adjacent to but spaced from a flight of web operatively drawn from the first reel for consumption by a processing apparatus, driving means selectively operable to rotate the second reel in a direction and at a speed substantially corresponding to the speed of said flight, a pasting element operable to urge a leading portion of said flight into contact with said periphery, a severing element operable to sever a trailing part of said flight, and control means for operating the pasting and severing elements in sequence, said control means including a magnetised element (21) mounted for movement corresponding to rotation of the shaft (13) carrying the second reel, first and second magnetically actuated proximity switches (26,27) mounted at respective spaced stations adjacent to the path of movement of said magnetised element, actuation of the first switch initiating operation of the pasting element (32) in relation to the angular position of a predetermined zone of said periphery of said second reel to urge said leading portion of said flight into contact with said zone for adhesion thereto, actuation of the second switch initiating operation of the severing element (34) after said contact of said leading portion with said zone, said proximity switches being adjustably mounted so that the spaced relationship of the stations at which the proximity switches (26,27) are located can be adjusted to vary the timing of operation of the severing element (34) relative to operation of the pasting element (32).