Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
124 words
Web feeding apparatus, comprising: means for holding a roll of web material, a first web feeding device for drawing the web from the roll, a second web feeding device, a utilization device, the web being drawn through a path from the roll by the first web feeding device and from the first web feeding device into a U-shaped buffer loop and from there over the roll and over to the second feeding device to the utilization device, means for sensing the extent of the buffer loop, and means responsive to the sensing means for engaging the first feeding means when the buffer loop shortens to a certain extent and for disengaging the first feeding means when the buffer loop lengthens to a certain extent.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
124 words
Web feeding apparatus, comprising: means for holding a roll of web material, a first web feeding device for drawing the web from the roll, a second web feeding device, a utilization device, the web being drawn through a path from the roll by the first web feeding device and from the first web feeding device into a U-shaped buffer loop and from there over the roll and over to the second feeding device to the utilization device, means for sensing the extent of the buffer loop, and means responsive to the sensing means for engaging the first feeding means when the buffer loop shortens to a certain extent and for disengaging the first feeding means when the buffer loop lengthens to a certain extent.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
62 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the sensing means includes a sensing arm in contact with the inside of the loop, wherein the first feeding means includes an electric motor, a switch controlled by the sensing arm for turning the motor on and off, and means including a manual operable member for overriding the sensing arm for turning on the switch.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
49 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the first web feeding device is intermittently operated to draw the web from the roll, and the second web feeding device is intermittently operated to feed the portion of the web which has been drawn off the roll to the utilization device.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
134 words
Method of feeding a web from a supply roll to a utilization device, comprising the steps of: rotatably mounting a roll of web material, drawing the web from the roll using a first web feeding device, passing the web from the first web feeding device into a buffer loop beneath the roll, passing the web over the roll and from there to a second web feeding device and from there to a utilization device, operating the second feeding device whenever required by the utilization device to draw the web material from the buffer loop, sensing the extent of the buffer loop, operating the first web feeding means whenever the buffer loop decreases beyond a certain extent and ceasing operation of the first web feeding means when the buffer loop increases beyond a certain extent.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
134 words
Method of feeding a web from a supply roll to a utilization device, comprising the steps of: rotatably mounting a roll of web material, drawing the web from the roll using a first web feeding device, passing the web from the first web feeding device into a buffer loop beneath the roll, passing the web over the roll and from there to a second web feeding device and from there to a utilization device, operating the second feeding device whenever required by the utilization device to draw the web material from the buffer loop, sensing the extent of the buffer loop, operating the first web feeding means whenever the buffer loop decreases beyond a certain extent and ceasing operation of the first web feeding means when the buffer loop increases beyond a certain extent.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
Method as defined in claim 4, wherein the utilization device is a printer, and the web is comprised of record members.