Pinch roller/capstan web drive

Claim 2

Apparatus for driving a web along a predetermined path, said apparatus comprising: a first member movable between an operative web engaging and driving position adjacent said web path and a second position spaced therefrom, a second member located on the opposite side of said web path from said first member, said second member adapted to support a web interposed between said first and second members when said first member is in its operative position, drive means on the same side of said web path as said first member for selectively actuating said first member when said first member is in its operative position to drive said web, said first member being located along said web path, upstream of an imaginary line drawn between said drive means and said second member such that when said first member is in its operative position and said drive means is in a nonactuating condition any downstream tension inducing forceS on the web will urge said first member toward said second member to accomplish a braking action on the web interposed therebetween.

Claim 3

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first member is a pinch roller and said second member is an idler roller.

Claim 4

The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said drive means includes a capstan operatively engaged with said pinch roller and a motor for selectively rotating said capstan.

Claim 5

Apparatus for controlling movement of a web along a predetermined path to stop a particular area of said web at a selected location, said web being of the type having a series of particular area identifying indicia, said apparatus comprising: a pinch roller movable between an operative web engaging and driving position adjacent said web path and a second position spaced therefrom; an idler roller positioned at the opposite side of said web path and adapted to sandwich a web between said pinch roller and said idler roller when said pinch roller is in its operative position; drive means for selectively actuating said pinch roller to establish movement of said web when said pinch roller is in its operative position, said drive means including a capstan operatively engaged with said pinch roller and a motor for selectively rotating said capstan; means adapted for scanning said web indicia and generating a signal upon detection of a preselected indicia indicative of a particular area of said web, said means being located a specific distance from said selected location; means for receiving said signal and determining the further operating time of said motor after receipt of said signal whereby to stop said capstan at the end of such time, such time being correlated to the diameter of said capstan such that drive of said pinch roller from receipt of said signal by said signal receiving means to stoppage of said motor will result in linear movement of said web equal to the specific distance between said scanning means and said selected location; and further, when said pinch roller is in its operative position, the axis of said pinch roller will be parallel to the axes of said capstan and idler roller and upstream, relative to said web path, of an imaginary line drawn between the capstan and idler roller axes so that any downstream tension inducing forces on said web after the drive thereof has stopped will urge said pinch roller toward said idler roller.

Claim 6

Apparatus for controlling movement of a web along a predetermined path to stop a particular area of said web at a selected location, said web being of the type having a series of particular area identifying indicia, said apparatus comprising: a pinch roller movable between an operative web engaging and driving position adjacent said web path and a second position spaced therefrom; an idler roller positioned at the opposite side of said web path and adapted to sandwich a web between said pinch roller and said idler roller when said pinch roller is in its operative position; drive means for selectively actuating said pinch roller to establish movement of said web when said pinch roller is in its operative position, said drive means including a capstan operatively engaged with said pinch roller and a motor for selectively rotating said capstan; means adapted for scanning said web indicia and generating a signal upon detection of a preselected indicia indicative of a particular area of said web, said means being located a specific distance from said selected location; means for receiving said signal and determining the further operating time of said motor after receipt of said signal whereby to stop said capstan at the end of such time, such time being correlated to the diameter of said capstan such that drive of said pinch roller from receipt of said signal by said signal receiving means to stoppage of said motor will result in linear movement of said web equal to the specific distance between said scanning means and said selected location; and further, when said pinch roller is in its operative position, the axis of said pinch roller will be parallel to the axes of said capstan and idler roller and upstream, relative to said web path, of an imaginary line drawn between the capstan and idler roller axes so that any downstream tension inducing forces on said web after the drive thereof has stopped will urge said pinch roller toward said idler roller.

Claim 7

Apparatus for driving a web along a predetermined path, comprising: a support member positioned at one side of said path; a web drive member mounted at the opposite side of said path for movement toward and away from said support member; means for urging said drive member toward said support member into a position wherein, when a web is interposed therebetween, said drive member will be in frictional engagement with said web and will press said web against said support member; and drive means selectively activatable to actuate said drive member when in said position for driving said web along said path, said drive member being mounted such that said drive member is upstream, with respect to said web path, of an imaginary line drawn between said drive means and said support member whereby when said drive member is in said driving position and said drive means is inactive, tension in that portion of such web immediately downstream of said drive member relative to said web path will tend to increase the force urging said drive member toward said support member.

Claim 8

Apparatus for driving a web along a predetermined path, comprising: a support member positioned at one side of said path; a web drive member mounted at the opposite side of said path for movement toward and away from said support member; means for urging said drive member toward said support member into a position wherein, when a web is interposed therebetween, said drive member will be in frictional engagement with said web and will press said web against said support member; and drive means selectively activatable to actuate said drive member when in said position for driving said web along said path, said drive member being mounted such that said drive member is upstream, with respect to said web path, of an imaginary line drawn between said drive means and said support member whereby when said drive member is in said driving position and said drive means is inactive, tension in that portion of such web immediately downstream of said drive member relative to said web path will tend to increase the force urging said drive member toward said support member.