Web tension regulating apparatus

Claim 2

In a web handling apparatus of the kind for moving web material in forward and reverse directions along a web path and under varying degrees of web tension, the combination comprising: web advancing means for advancing web material in the forward direction along the web path; web feeding means actuatable to assume a feeding mode for feeding web material in the forward direction along the web path toward said web advancing means, at a rate in excess of that at which said advancing means can advance web material, and normally assuming a non-feeding mode in which said feeding means does not feed web material; web tension sensing means for sensing tension in web material moving in the forward direction along the web path between said web advancing means and said web feeding means; means for connecting said web feeding means and said web tension sensing means for actuating said feeding means to assume the feeding mode, in response to said tension sensing means sensing a given tension in web material moving in the forward direction along the web path between said feeding means and said web advancing means, and for allowing said feeding means to assume the non-feeding mode after tension in the same material has eased; and means cooperating with said connecting means for preventing a connection between said web feeding means and said web tension sensing means as web material is moved in the reverse direction along the web path, thereby to permit said feeding means to remAin in the non-feeding mode.

Claim 3

In a web handling apparatus of the kind for moving web material in forward and reverse directions along a web path and under varying degrees of web tension, the combination comprising: means for advancing web material in the forward direction along the web path; a driven member against which successive portions of web material can be pressed for feeding web material in the forward direction along the web path toward said web advancing means; a pressure member; means supporting said pressure member for movement to an operative position in which said pressure member is disposed to cooperate with said driven member for feeding web material by pressing successive portions of web material against said driven member, and normally locating said pressure member in an idle position in which said pressure member is disposed with respect to said driven member for permitting generally free movement of web material therebetween; means for driving said driven member with sufficient speed such that said pressure member, in the operative position, cooperates with said driven member for feeding web material at a rate in excess of that at which said web advancing means can advance web material, so as to ease tension in web material moving in the forward direction along the web path between said driven and pressure members and said advancing means; means for sensing tension in web material moving in the forward direction along the web path between said driven and pressure members and said web advancing means; means for connecting said pressure member and said web tension sensing means for moving said pressure member from the idle position to the operative position, in response to sensing a given tension in web material moving in the forward direction along the web path between said driven and pressure members and said web advancing means, and for allowing said pressure member to return to the idle position after tension in the same material has eased; and means cooperating with said connecting means for preventing a connection between said pressure member and said web tension sensing means as web material is moved in the reverse direction along the web path, thereby to permit said pressure member to remain in the idle position.

Claim 4

In a web handling apparatus of the kind for moving web material in forward and reverse directions along a web path and under varying degrees of web tension, the combination comprising: means for advancing web material in the forward direction along the web path; a driven member against which successive portions of web material can be pressed for feeding web material in the forward direction along the web path toward said web advancing means; a pressure member; means supporting said pressure member for movement to an operative position in which said pressure member is disposed to cooperate with said driven member for feeding web material by pressing successive portions of web material against said driven member, and normally locating said pressure member in an idle position in which said pressure member is disposed with respect to said driven member for permitting generally free movement of web material therebetween; means for driving said driven member with sufficient speed such that said pressure member, in the operative position, cooperates with said driven member for feeding web material at a rate in excess of that at which said web advancing means can advance web material, so as to ease tension in web material moving in the forward direction along the web path between said driven and pressure members and said advancing means; means for sensing tension in web material moving in the forward direction along the web path between said driven and pressure members and said web advancing means; means for connecting said pressure member and said web tension sensing means for moving said pressure member from the idle position to the operative position, in response to sensing a given tension in web material moving in the forward direction along the web path between said driven and pressure members and said web advancing means, and for allowing said pressure member to return to the idle position after tension in the same material has eased; and means cooperating with said connecting means for preventing a connection between said pressure member and said web tension sensing means as web material is moved in the reverse direction along the web path, thereby to permit said pressure member to remain in the idle position.

Claim 5

The combination as recited in claim 2, wherein said web advancing means initially serves to advance a leading end portion of web material in the forward direction onto a rotatably supported core member to which the leading web end portion can be snubbed and about which web material can be wound, and wherein the combination further comprises: means energizable for holding said pressure member in the operative position, and deenergizable for allowing said pressure member to return to the idle position; and means actuatable in response to the leading web end portion snubbing to the core member for deenergizing said pressure member holding means.

Claim 6

The combination as recited in claim 2, wherein said pressure member is a pressure roller, and wherein said pressure member supporting means supports said pressure roller for movement toward and away from said driven member respectively between the operative and idle positions and locates said pressure roller in said web handling apparatus such that web material moving between said driven member and said pressure roller is partially wrapped about said pressure roller for urging said pressure roller to move away from said driven member as tension in the same material increases.

Claim 7

In a web handling apparatus of the kind for moving web material in forward and reverse directions along a web path and under varying degrees of web tension, the combination comprising: means for drawing web material in the forward direction along the web path; a driven member against which successive portions of web material can be pressed for feeding web material in the forward direction along the web path toward said web drawing means; a presSure member; means supporting said pressure member for movement to an operative position in which said pressure member is disposed to cooperate with said driven member for feeding web material by pressing successive portions of web material against said driven member, and normally locating said pressure member in an idle position in which said pressure member is disposed with respect to said driven member for permitting generally free movement of web material therebetween; means for driving said driven member with sufficient speed such that said pressure member, in the operative position, cooperates with said driven member for feeding web material at a rate in excess of that at which said web drawing means can draw web material, so as to ease tension in web material moving in the forward direction between said driven and pressure members and said web drawing means; a web guide member disposed with respect to said web drawing means and said driven and pressure members for guiding web material such that a sufficient tensioning of web material moving in the forward direction between said driven and pressure members and said drawing means causes the same material to foreshorten in length and apply a web force against said guide member; means supporting said web guide member for movement from a first web guiding position to a second web guiding position in response to web material applying a given force against said guide member; means for urging said web guide member from the second web guiding position to the first web guiding position with an urging force which is less than the given force required to move said guide member from the first web guiding position to the second web guiding position; means for connecting said pressure member and said web guide member such that movement of said guide member from the first web guiding position to the second web guiding position causes movement of said pressure member from the idle position to the operative position, and allowing said pressure member to return to the idle position after tension has eased in web material moving in the forward direction between said driven and pressure members and said web drawing means; and means cooperating with said connecting means for preventing a connection between said pressure member and said web guide member as web material is moved in the reverse direction along the web path thereby to permit said pressure member to remain in the idle position.

Claim 8

In a web handling apparatus of the kind for moving web material in forward and reverse directions along a web path and under varying degrees of web tension, the combination comprising: means for drawing web material in the forward direction along the web path; a driven member against which successive portions of web material can be pressed for feeding web material in the forward direction along the web path toward said web drawing means; a presSure member; means supporting said pressure member for movement to an operative position in which said pressure member is disposed to cooperate with said driven member for feeding web material by pressing successive portions of web material against said driven member, and normally locating said pressure member in an idle position in which said pressure member is disposed with respect to said driven member for permitting generally free movement of web material therebetween; means for driving said driven member with sufficient speed such that said pressure member, in the operative position, cooperates with said driven member for feeding web material at a rate in excess of that at which said web drawing means can draw web material, so as to ease tension in web material moving in the forward direction between said driven and pressure members and said web drawing means; a web guide member disposed with respect to said web drawing means and said driven and pressure members for guiding web material such that a sufficient tensioning of web material moving in the forward direction between said driven and pressure members and said drawing means causes the same material to foreshorten in length and apply a web force against said guide member; means supporting said web guide member for movement from a first web guiding position to a second web guiding position in response to web material applying a given force against said guide member; means for urging said web guide member from the second web guiding position to the first web guiding position with an urging force which is less than the given force required to move said guide member from the first web guiding position to the second web guiding position; means for connecting said pressure member and said web guide member such that movement of said guide member from the first web guiding position to the second web guiding position causes movement of said pressure member from the idle position to the operative position, and allowing said pressure member to return to the idle position after tension has eased in web material moving in the forward direction between said driven and pressure members and said web drawing means; and means cooperating with said connecting means for preventing a connection between said pressure member and said web guide member as web material is moved in the reverse direction along the web path thereby to permit said pressure member to remain in the idle position.

Claim 9

The combination as recited in claim 5, wherein said web drawing means includes means for continuously moving web material, therepast, in the forward direction at a substantially constant rate.

Claim 10

The combination as recited in claim 6, wherein said continuous web moving means includes a driven roller against which successive portions of web material can be pressed for moving web material, therepast, in the forward direction, means for rotating said driven roller at a substantially constant speed, a pressure roller, means supporting said pressure roller for movement toward and away from said driven roller and such that web material moving between said driven and pressure rollers applies a web force against said pressure roller for urging said pressure roller to move away from said driven roller, and means for urging said pressure roller to press web material against said driven roller with an urging force which is greater than a web force applied against said pressure roller as web material is moved in the forward direction between said driven and pressure rollers and which is less than a web force applied against said pressure roller as web material is moved in the reverse direction between said driven and pressure rollers.

Claim 11

The combination as recited in claim 5, wherein said web drawing means and said driven and pressure members serve to draw web material off a rotatably supported core member about which a web supply roll is wound and to which a trailing web end portion is anchored, wherein said web guide Member supporting means supports said web guide member for movement from the second web guiding position to a third web guiding position in the event that all but the trailing web end portion is drawn off the core member and web material moving in the forward direction between the core member and said web drawing means foreshortens in length and applies a greater force against said guide member than that required to move said guide member from the first web guiding position to the second web guiding position, wherein said connecting means includes motion transmitting means movable to connecting and disconnecting positions respectively in which said motion transmitting means connects and cannot connect said pressure and web guide members in motion transmitting relation, and wherein said connection preventing means includes means actuatable in response to movement of said web guide member to the third web guiding position for moving said motion transmitting means to the disconnecting position.

Claim 12

The combination as recited in claim 8, further comprising: means actuatable in response to movement of said web guide member to the third web guiding position for initiating movement of web material in the reverse direction along the web path.

Claim 13

The combination as recited in claim 8, wherein said pressure member supporting means includes a pressure member support arm which is pivotally mounted for moving said pressure member toward and away from said driven member respectively between the operative and idle positions, wherein said web guide member supporting means includes a web guide member support arm which is pivotally mounted for moving said web guide member between the first, second and third web guiding positions, wherein said motion transmitting means includes a lever having opposite end portions and a fulcrum located therebetween such that said lever end portions and said pressure and web guide member support arms are movable respectively into motion transmitting relation to cause movement of said pressure member from the idle position to the operative position as said web guide member is moved from the first web guiding position to the second web guiding position, and wherein said means for moving said motion transmitting means to the disconnecting position includes means for separating one of said lever end portions and one of said pressure and web guide member support arms for preventing movement of said end portions and said support arms into motion transmitting relation.

Claim 14

The combination as recited in claim 5, wherein said pressure member supporting means includes a pressure member support arm which is pivotally mounted for moving said pressure member toward and away from said driven member respectively between the operative and idle positions, wherein said web guide member supporting means includes a web guide member support arm which is pivotally mounted for moving said web guide member between the first and second web guiding positions, wherein said connecting means includes a lever having opposite end portions and a fulcrum located therebetween such that said lever end portions and said pressure and web guide member support arms are movable respectively into motion transmitting relation to cause movement of said pressure member from the idle position to the operative position as said web guide member is moved from the first web guiding position to the second web guiding position, and wherein said connection preventing means includes means for separating one of said lever end portions and one of said pressure and web guide member support arms for preventing movement of said end portions and said support arms into motion transmitting relation.

Claim 15

An improved web handling apparatus of the kind (a) wherein there is provided a driven member against which successive portions of web material can be pressed for feeding web material, (b) wherein there is provided a pressure member normally located in an idle position in which said pressure member is dispOsed with respect to said driven member for permitting generally free movement of web material therebetweeen, and movable from the idle position to an operative position in which said pressure member is disposed to cooperate with said driven member for feeding web material by pressing successive portions of web material against said driven member, (c) wherein there is provided a web guide member disposed with respect to said driven member and said pressure member such that a sufficient tensioning of web material extending between said driven and pressure members and said guide member causes the same material to foreshorten in length and apply a web force against said guide member, and movable from a first web guiding position to a second web guiding position in response to web material applying a given force against said guide member, (d) wherein there is provided means for connecting said pressure member and said web guide member such that movement of said guide member from the first web guiding position to the second web guiding position causes movement of said pressure member from the idle position to the operative position, and wherein the improvement comprises: said connecting means including a lever having opposite end portions and a fulcrum located therebetween, said lever fulcrum disposed with respect to said pressure member and said web guide member such that said lever end portions and said pressure and web guide members are movable respectively into motion transmitting relation to cause movement of said pressure member from the idle position to the operative position as said web guide member is moved from the first web guiding position to the second web guiding position; and means for separating one of said lever end portions and one of said pressure and web guide members for preventing movement of said lever end portions and said pressure and web guide members into motion transmitting relation.

Claim 16

An improved web handling apparatus of the kind (a) wherein there is provided a driven member against which successive portions of web material can be pressed for feeding web material, (b) wherein there is provided a pressure member normally located in an idle position in which said pressure member is dispOsed with respect to said driven member for permitting generally free movement of web material therebetweeen, and movable from the idle position to an operative position in which said pressure member is disposed to cooperate with said driven member for feeding web material by pressing successive portions of web material against said driven member, (c) wherein there is provided a web guide member disposed with respect to said driven member and said pressure member such that a sufficient tensioning of web material extending between said driven and pressure members and said guide member causes the same material to foreshorten in length and apply a web force against said guide member, and movable from a first web guiding position to a second web guiding position in response to web material applying a given force against said guide member, (d) wherein there is provided means for connecting said pressure member and said web guide member such that movement of said guide member from the first web guiding position to the second web guiding position causes movement of said pressure member from the idle position to the operative position, and wherein the improvement comprises: said connecting means including a lever having opposite end portions and a fulcrum located therebetween, said lever fulcrum disposed with respect to said pressure member and said web guide member such that said lever end portions and said pressure and web guide members are movable respectively into motion transmitting relation to cause movement of said pressure member from the idle position to the operative position as said web guide member is moved from the first web guiding position to the second web guiding position; and means for separating one of said lever end portions and one of said pressure and web guide members for preventing movement of said lever end portions and said pressure and web guide members into motion transmitting relation.

Claim 17

The improvement as recited in claim 12, wherein said connecting means further includes a connecting member coupled to said web guide member for synchronous movement therewith from the first web guiding position to the second web guiding position, said connecting member engageable with a particular one of said lever end portions as said web guide member is moved from the first web guiding position to the second web guiding position and movable relative to said guide member for disengaging from the particular one of said lever end portions, and wherein said separating means includes means for disengaging said connecting member from the particular one of said lever end portions and for holding said connecting member separated therefrom.

Claim 18

The improvement as recited in claim 13, wherein another one of said lever end portions is flexibly movable.

Claim 19

Film projection apparatus for moving film in forward and reverse directions, said apparatus comprising: means for supporting a film supply; a film take-up; a film gate; means defining a path for film from said film supply supporting means through said film gate to said film take-up; means located with respect to the film path between said film gate and said film take-up for advancing film in the forward direction through said gate and along the path at a first rate; actuatable film feeding means located with respect to the film path between said film supply and said film gate, said film feeding means, when actuated, assuming a feeding mode in which said feeding means is effective for feeding film in the forward direction along the path toward said gate at a second rate greater than the first rate, and said film feeding means, when not actuated, assuming a non-feeding mode in which said feeding means is ineffective for feeding film along the path; film tension sensing means located with respect to a portion of the film path between said film feeding means and said film gate for sensing tension in film in such portion of the path; means for connecting said film feeding Means and said film tension sensing means for actuating said film feeding means to assume the feeding mode, in response to said tension sensing means detecting a particular magnitude of tension in film in such portion of the film path, and for allowing said feeding means to assume the non-feeding mode after tension in the same film has eased; means for moving film in the reverse direction along the film path; and means cooperating with said connecting means for preventing a connection between said film feeding means and said film tension sensing means during movement of film in the reverse direction along the film path, thereby to permit said feeding means to remain in the non-feeding mode.

Claim 20

Film projection apparatus for moving film in forward and reverse directions, said apparatus comprising: means for supporting a film supply; a film take-up; a film gate; means defining a path for film from said film supply supporting means through said film gate to said film take-up; means located with respect to the film path between said film gate and said film take-up for advancing film in the forward direction through said gate and along the path at a first rate; actuatable film feeding means located with respect to the film path between said film supply and said film gate, said film feeding means, when actuated, assuming a feeding mode in which said feeding means is effective for feeding film in the forward direction along the path toward said gate at a second rate greater than the first rate, and said film feeding means, when not actuated, assuming a non-feeding mode in which said feeding means is ineffective for feeding film along the path; film tension sensing means located with respect to a portion of the film path between said film feeding means and said film gate for sensing tension in film in such portion of the path; means for connecting said film feeding Means and said film tension sensing means for actuating said film feeding means to assume the feeding mode, in response to said tension sensing means detecting a particular magnitude of tension in film in such portion of the film path, and for allowing said feeding means to assume the non-feeding mode after tension in the same film has eased; means for moving film in the reverse direction along the film path; and means cooperating with said connecting means for preventing a connection between said film feeding means and said film tension sensing means during movement of film in the reverse direction along the film path, thereby to permit said feeding means to remain in the non-feeding mode.

Claim 21

Film projection apparatus as recited in claim 15, wherein the film path includes a plurality of bends between said film supply supporting means and said film take-up, and wherein: said film feeding means includes a driven roller located at one side of the film path and a pressure roller located at the other side of the path, and a support arm mounting said pressure roller for movement toward and away from said driven roller; said film tension sensing means includes a guide roller support arm, means mounting said guide roller support arm for pivotal movement between first and second positions, a guide roller mounted on said guide roller support arm and movable with said guide roller support arm between first and second film guiding positions, said guide roller being located along the film path at the one bend in the path and the film being contactable with said guide roller as the film travels along the path so that said guide roller is urged from its first guiding position toward its second guiding position in response to an increase in tension in film contacting said guide roller, thereby urging said guide roller support arm from its first position toward its second position; and said connecting means includes a motion transmitting lever, means mounting said lever for pivotal movement into contact with said pressure roller support arm of said film feeding means for effecting movement of said pressure roller carried by said pressure roller support arm toward said driven roller, a connecting finger pivotally mounted on said guide roller support arm for movement between (1) a first position wherein a portion of said finger is positioned for engagement with said motion transmitting lever in response to movement of said guide roller support arm from its first position toward its second position under the influence of tension in film as sensed by said guide roller so that such movement of the guide roller support arm can effect movement of said motion transmitting lever to cause said pressure roller carried by said pressure roller support arm to be moved toward said driven roller in response to an increase in film tension, and (2) a second position wherein said portion of said connecting finger is located with respect to said motion transmitting lever so that said finger is ineffective to move said motion transmitting lever or said pressure roller support arm in response to movement of said guide roller support arm from its first position toward its second position in response to an increase in film tension ss sensed by said guide roller.

Claim 22

Film projection apparatus as recited in claim 16, wherein said connecting means further includes means urging said guide roller support arm and said finger toward their respective first positions, and said film projection apparatus further comprises a separating lever, means mounting said separating lever for movement between (1) a first position wherein said separating lever is located with respect to said finger for permitting movement of said finger to its first position and (2) a second position wherein said separating lever holds said finger in its second position against said urging means, and means for moving said separating lever between its first and second positions.

Claim 23

Film projection appaRatus as recited in claim 17, wherein said means for moving said separating lever includes a spring connected to said separating lever for urging said separating lever to its first position, a solenoid coupled to said separating lever and effective when energized to move said separating lever to its second position, and means for energizing said solenoid.

Claim 24

Film projection apparatus comprising: means for supporting a film supply; a film take-up; a film gate located between said film supply supporting means and said film take-up; means defining a path for film from said film supply supporting means through said film gate to said film take-up, the film path including at least one bend; means located along the film path between said film gate and said film take-up for advancing film through said gate and along the path; actuatable film feeding means located along the film path between said film supply and said film gate, said film feeding means including a driven roller located at one side of the film path and a pressure roller located at the other side of the path, a support arm mounting said pressure roller for movement toward said driven roller when said film feeding means is actuated, and away from said driven roller when said feeding means is not actuated, whereby said film feeding means, when actuated, is effective for feeding film along the film path toward said film gate, and said film feeding means, when not actuated, being ineffective for feeding film along the path; film tension sensing means located along a portion of the film path between said film feeding means and said film gate for sensing tension in film in such portion of the path, said film tension sensing means including a guide roller support arm, means mounting said guide roller support arm for pivotal movement between first and second positions, a guide roller mounted on said guide roller support arm and movable with said guide roller support arm between first and second film guiding positions, said guide roller being located along the film path at the one bend in the path and the film being contactable with said guide roller as the film travels along the path so that said guide roller is urged from its first guiding position toward its second guiding position in response to an increase in tension in film contacting said guide roller, thereby urging said guide roller support arm from its first position toward its second position; and means for actuating said film feeding means in response to said film tension sensing means sensing a particular magnitude of tension in film in such portion of the film path, said actuating means including a motion transmitting lever, means mounting said lever for pivotal movement into contact with said pressure roller support arm of said film feeding means for effecting movement of said pressure roller carried by said pressure roller support arm toward said driven roller, a connecting finger carried by said guide roller support arm for movement therewith to a position wherein a portion of said finger is engageable with said motion transmitting lever in response to movement of said guide roller support arm from its first position toward its second position under the influence of tension in film as sensed by said guide roller so that such movement of said guide roller support arm can effect movement of said motion transmitting lever to cause said pressure roller carried by said pressure roller support arm to be moved toward said driven roller in response to an increase film tension.

Claim 25

Film projection apparatus comprising: means for supporting a film supply; a film take-up; a film gate located between said film supply supporting means and said film take-up; means defining a path for film from said film supply supporting means through said film gate to said film take-up, the film path including at least one bend; means located along the film path between said film gate and said film take-up for advancing film through said gate and along the path; actuatable film feeding means located along the film path between said film supply and said film gate, said film feeding means including a driven roller located at one side of the film path and a pressure roller located at the other side of the path, a support arm mounting said pressure roller for movement toward said driven roller when said film feeding means is actuated, and away from said driven roller when said feeding means is not actuated, whereby said film feeding means, when actuated, is effective for feeding film along the film path toward said film gate, and said film feeding means, when not actuated, being ineffective for feeding film along the path; film tension sensing means located along a portion of the film path between said film feeding means and said film gate for sensing tension in film in such portion of the path, said film tension sensing means including a guide roller support arm, means mounting said guide roller support arm for pivotal movement between first and second positions, a guide roller mounted on said guide roller support arm and movable with said guide roller support arm between first and second film guiding positions, said guide roller being located along the film path at the one bend in the path and the film being contactable with said guide roller as the film travels along the path so that said guide roller is urged from its first guiding position toward its second guiding position in response to an increase in tension in film contacting said guide roller, thereby urging said guide roller support arm from its first position toward its second position; and means for actuating said film feeding means in response to said film tension sensing means sensing a particular magnitude of tension in film in such portion of the film path, said actuating means including a motion transmitting lever, means mounting said lever for pivotal movement into contact with said pressure roller support arm of said film feeding means for effecting movement of said pressure roller carried by said pressure roller support arm toward said driven roller, a connecting finger carried by said guide roller support arm for movement therewith to a position wherein a portion of said finger is engageable with said motion transmitting lever in response to movement of said guide roller support arm from its first position toward its second position under the influence of tension in film as sensed by said guide roller so that such movement of said guide roller support arm can effect movement of said motion transmitting lever to cause said pressure roller carried by said pressure roller support arm to be moved toward said driven roller in response to an increase film tension.