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US4284221A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Apparatus for breaking weakened portions of running webs or the like

Assignee: Agfa Gevaert AG
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Filing: 1979-11-28
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Granted: 1981-08-18
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Expires: 1999-11-28
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Abstract

Abstract Apparatus for separating successive sections of a running web wherein neighboring sections are connected to each other by weakened (e.g., perforated) web portions has a first and a second web driving unit. The second unit is located behind the first unit, as considered in the direction of transport of the web, and its speed is reduced below the speed of the first unit (and/or the speed of the first unit is increased above that of the second unit) when a weakened portion is located between the two units. This results in automatic separation of the preceding section because the tensional stress upon the weakened portion behind the preceding section suffices to destroy such weakened portion. The weakened portions are monitored by a detector which transmits short-lasting signals to change the speed of the first and/or second unit when a weakened portion advances beyond the second unit but is yet to reach the first unit. When a separating step is completed, the speed of the two units is again the same.

Inventors

  • 👤 Erich Nagel
  • 👤 Franz Ziegler
  • 👤 Ferdinand Schaner

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-27 08:01
CPC Classifications
B; B26; B26F; B26F3/00; B26F3/002; B65; B65H; B65H35/00; B65H35/10; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T225/00; Y10T225/30; Y10T225/35; Y10T225/393

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim 139 words
Apparatus for separating sections of an elongated web wherein the neighboring sections are connected to each other by spaced-apart elongated weakened web portions extending substantially transversely of the web, comprising means for transporting the web lengthwise in a predetermined direction, including a first advancing unit and a second advancing unit located behind said first unit, as considered in said direction; means for normally driving said units at the same speed; regulating means actuatable to vary the speed of at least one of said units so that the speed of said first unit exceeds the speed of said second unit while a weakened portion is located between said units; and means for monitoring the web and for actuating said regulating means whenever a weakened portion advances beyond said second unit but is still on its way toward said first unit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 139 words
Apparatus for separating sections of an elongated web wherein the neighboring sections are connected to each other by spaced-apart elongated weakened web portions extending substantially transversely of the web, comprising means for transporting the web lengthwise in a predetermined direction, including a first advancing unit and a second advancing unit located behind said first unit, as considered in said direction; means for normally driving said units at the same speed; regulating means actuatable to vary the speed of at least one of said units so that the speed of said first unit exceeds the speed of said second unit while a weakened portion is located between said units; and means for monitoring the web and for actuating said regulating means whenever a weakened portion advances beyond said second unit but is still on its way toward said first unit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 13 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said weakened portions have lines of perforations.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 13 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said sections are envelopes for photographic material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 13 words
The apparatus of claim 1, where said monitoring means includes a photosensitive detector.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 14 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said monitoring means is disposed between said units.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 38 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said monitoring means includes a detector which scans the web for the presence or absence of weakened portions and includes means for generating actuating signals in response to detection of weakened portions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 38 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the web comprises indicia each of which is associated with a weakened portion and said monitoring means includes a detector having means for transmitting actuating signals in response to detection of indicia.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 17 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said driving means includes a common prime mover for said units.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 35 words
The apparatus of claim 8, wherein each of said units includes a pair of rollers disposed at the opposite sides of the web and the axes of said rollers are disposed in a common plane.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 32 words
The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising means for guiding the web from the nip of the rollers of said second unit into the nip of the rollers of said first unit.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 12 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said regulating means comprises a brake.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 12 words
The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said brake is a magnetic brake.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 13 words
The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said one unit is said second unit.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 19 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said regulating means includes means for reducing the speed of said second unit.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 16 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said regulating means includes means for arresting said second unit.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 16 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said second unit comprises at least one rotary web-engaging element.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 37 words
The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said element includes a shaft and said drive means includes a driven wheel rotatably mounted on said shaft and a spring for transmitting torque from said wheel to said rotary element.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 62 words
The apparatus of claim 17, wherein said regulating means includes an electromagnet which normally transmits torque from said spring to said element and is energizable on advancement of a weakened portion beyond said second unit but short of said first unit to thereby reduce the speed of said element to a speed which is less than the speed of said first unit.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 55 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said regulating means includes a magnetic brake for said second unit, said brake being energizable to thereby reduce the speed of said second unit, said monitoring means comprising means for energizing said brake on advancement of a weakened portion beyond said second unit but short of said first unit.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 29 words
The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said energizing means includes a detector for generation of electric signals which are transmitted to said brake and means for amplifying said signals.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 25 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of said units includes a pair of rollers disposed at the opposite sides of the web.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 33 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said web has at least one longitudinally extending row of holes and at least one of said units has projections entering the oncoming holes of the web.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 32 words
The apparatus of claim 22, further comprising means for biasing the web against the unit having said projections so that the projections are compelled to enter the oncoming holes of the web.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US3331543A Cited
US3338487A Cited
US3445047A Cited
US3481520A Cited
US3672551A Cited
US3789571A Cited
US3792807A Cited
US4091978A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1984-08-17 1985-02-16 1985-08-18 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1988-08-17 1989-02-16 1989-08-18 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1992-08-17 1993-02-16 1993-08-18 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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