Web feed apparatus

Claim 1

In an apparatus operative on a continuous web, including web infeed and metering means for forwardly feeding and metering said web at a predetermined displacement rate, and web operational means located posterior to said web infeed and metering means which is capable of effecting a feeding of said web, wherein differential in web tension anterior and posterior to said web operational means can exceed the holding strength and elastic elongation error range desired by said web infeed and metering means and which can be of sufficient magnitude to result in corresponding positional realignment of said web and which can result in subsequent registrative length mismatch when multiple individual processed webs must be maintained in mutual assembly, the improvement comprising said web infeed and metering means feeding at a first web surface feed rate and at a first web tension level, said web operational means feeding said web at a second web surface feed rate not less than said first web surface feed rate and at any common reference tension level, web snubbing rolls located between said web infeed and metering means and said web operational means for controlling said web at a third roll surface feed rate which is less than said first or said second feed rates and at any said common reference tension level, the web tension thereby increasing incrementally from said web infeed and metering means to said web operational means, whereby said first web tension at said web infeed and metering means is isolated from the web tension present anterior to said web operational means so that desired metering accuracy at said first web tension level at said web infeed and metering means is maintained.