Intermittent drive mechanism

Abstract

Abstract Means for intermittently advancing a web of flexible film comprising drive means for imparting repeating cycles of intermittent motion and dwell to a web of flexible film with the web motion normally being in only the forward direction. The drive means includes an output shaft having first and second input driver means coupled to the output shaft, with the driver means being arranged in phased relationship, one to another, so as to achieve motion in the output shaft for more than 180 degree of motion in the input shaft. In one operational mode, the driver means are arranged in overlapped phased relationship, one to another, so as to achieve motion from each driver means for less than 180 degree of motion in the input shaft. In a second operational mode, the driver means are arranged in phased relationship, 180 degree from each other, so as to achieve motion in the output shaft of 360 degree of motion being followed by a dwell cycle of 180 degree of motion, prior to initiating the advance of the web on the next succeeding cycle. In the first operational mode, means are provided for intermittently inter-coupling the first driver means to the input and out put shafts for initiating rotation of the output shaft, and for continuing the rotation for a predetermined period of for continuing the rotation for a predetermined period of less than one-hand cycle of rotation of the input shaft. Thereafter, de-coupling of the first driver means occurs, along with substantially simultaneous inter-coupling occurring between the second driver means and the input and output shafts for the continued rotation of the output shaft for a second pre-determined period of less than one half cycle of rotation of the input shaft, at which point, de-coupling the second driver means occurs.

Inventors

• 👤 T Monahan
• 👤 R Adams

Bibliographic Details