US4209708A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Web-feed control apparatus
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1978-04-25
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Granted: 1980-06-24
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Expires: 1998-04-25
Abstract
Abstract The feeding of a plurality of material webs to a machine for simultaneous processing of the webs, is controlled by web-feed control apparatus arranged to synchronize feeding of the webs relative to each other. This synchronization is effected by using optical sensors to detect spacing marks along each web and then controlling the rate of advance of each web such that the spacing marks pass the optical sensors simultaneously for all the webs. The rate of web advance may be controlled by selective activation of braking devices or by varying the drive to the advancing means of each web.
Inventors
- 👤 Grazia Galimberti nee Sestini
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 20:30
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65H; B65H23/00; B65H23/04; B65H23/18; B65H23/188; B65H23/1882; B65H23/1886
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
184 words
Web-feed control apparatus for automatically synchronising the feeding of a plurality of material webs to facilitate simultaneous processing of said webs, the apparatus comprising web feed means for advancing the webs along respective paths; respective optical sensors juxtaposed each web path and arranged to output respective signals on sensing predetermined marks on their corresponding webs, non-simultaneous occurence of the sensor output signals corresponding to the advance of a said mark on one said web relative to corresponding mark or marks on the, or the other, webs; web feed rate control means operative upon non-simultaneous occurence of the sensor output signals to vary the relative feed rates of the webs with respect to each other until the said signals occur together indicating that said advance has been annulled; and said web feed means including respective pairs of drive rollers for each web and said feed rate control means includes epicyclic gearing coupling said drive roller pairs, said epicyclic gearing providing a speed differential between said drive roller pairs upon non-simultaneous occurance of said sensor output signals and no speed differential when said signals are simultaneous.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
184 words
Web-feed control apparatus for automatically synchronising the feeding of a plurality of material webs to facilitate simultaneous processing of said webs, the apparatus comprising web feed means for advancing the webs along respective paths; respective optical sensors juxtaposed each web path and arranged to output respective signals on sensing predetermined marks on their corresponding webs, non-simultaneous occurence of the sensor output signals corresponding to the advance of a said mark on one said web relative to corresponding mark or marks on the, or the other, webs; web feed rate control means operative upon non-simultaneous occurence of the sensor output signals to vary the relative feed rates of the webs with respect to each other until the said signals occur together indicating that said advance has been annulled; and said web feed means including respective pairs of drive rollers for each web and said feed rate control means includes epicyclic gearing coupling said drive roller pairs, said epicyclic gearing providing a speed differential between said drive roller pairs upon non-simultaneous occurance of said sensor output signals and no speed differential when said signals are simultaneous.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the optical sensors are photoelectric cells.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said epicyclic gearing includes an input shaft driven by a first one of said web drive rollers, an output shaft driving a second of said web drive rollers and a control shaft for providing a speed differential between said input and said output shaft.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 further including a drive motor for driving said control shaft, said drive motor being activated by said non-simultaneous occurance of said sensor output signal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said epicyclic gearing includes a spider box and said control shaft drives said spider box.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
67 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said control shaft is rotatable in first and second directions, upon rotation in said first direction said output shaft being rotated faster than said input shaft, upon rotation in said second direction said output shaft rotating slower than said input shaft, and means responsive to said sensor output signal for driving said control shaft in said first and said second directions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus according to claim 6 in which said responsive means comprise an electric motor.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-06-24 | 1983-12-24 | 1984-06-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-06-24 | 1987-12-24 | 1988-06-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-06-24 | 1991-12-24 | 1992-06-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |