Tension decurler for web material
AssigneeMarquip, Inc.
InventorsJeffrey U. Gafner, Robert L. Turnquist
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A running web is decurled by controlling web tension as well as the angle of wrap on a decurler roll and a cooperating pivot roll, all without affecting web tension in the downstream web converting process. An upstream brake roll and a downstream pull roll control web tension within the decurler apparatus and independent decurler rolls are provided for removing up-curl and down-curl.
Claims26
An apparatus for decurling a running web delivered from a supply roll and fed to a downstream conversion process operating at a line web tension, said apparatus comprising
- an upstream brake roll receiving and rotatably engaging the web from the supply roll;
- a downstream pull roll receiving and rotatably engaging the web from the brake roll;
- said brake roll and said pull roll operative to create in the web therebetween a zone of tension greater than the line web tension;
- a decurler roll in the web tension zone rotatably engaging the outer face of the web with respect to web orientation on the supply roll;
- and,
- a decurler roll adjustment mechanism operative to adjustably position the decurler roll to deflect the web from a normal path of web travel through the web tension zone and to vary the angle of circumferential wrap of the web on the decurler roll.
A method for decurling a running web delivered from a supply roll and fed to a downstream conversion process operating at a line web tension, said method comprising the steps of:
- (1) creating a zone of increased web tension greater than the line tension downstream of the supply roll and upstream of the process;
- (2) positioning a rotatable decurler roll in contact with one face of the web in the zone of increased web tension;
- and,
- (3) adjustably positioning the decurler roll to selectively deflect the web from a normal path of travel through the zone and to vary the amount of circumferential wrap of the web on the decurler roll.
An apparatus for decurling a running web being delivered from a supply roll and fed to a downstream conversion process operating at a line web tension, said apparatus comprising:
- a downstream brake roll receiving and rotatably engaging the web from the supply roll;
- a downstream pull roll receiving and rotatably engaging the web from the brake roll;
- said brake roll and said pull roll operative to create in the web therebetween a zone of web tension greater than the line web tension;
- a pivot roll in the web tension zone rotatably engaging the inner face of the web with respect to web orientation on the supply roll;
- a decurler roll rotatably engaging the outer face of the web with respect to web orientation on the supply roll;
- and,
- an adjustment mechanism operative to move the decurler roll orbitally around the circumference of the pivot roll and to provide a desired amount of circumferential wrap of the web on both the decurler roll and the pivot roll.
An apparatus for decurling a running web delivered from a supply roll at an input web tension and fed to a downstream conversion process operating at a line web tension, said apparatus comprising:
- upstream braking means for receiving and applying a web retarding load to the web from the supply roll;
- downstream pulling means for receiving and applying a web overdrive force to the web from the brake roll;
- said pulling means and said braking means operative to create in the web therebetween a zone of increased tension greater than the input web tension and the line web tension;
- decurling means in the web tension zone for engaging the outer face of the web with respect to web orientation on the supply roll and deflecting the web from a linear path of travel;
- and
- means for controlling said braking means and said pulling means to vary web tension in said tension zone.
A method for decurling a running web delivered from a supply roll at an input web tension and fed to a downstream conversation process operating at a line web tension, said method comprising the steps of:
- (1) creating a zone of increased web tension downstream of the supply roll and upstream of the process greater than the input tension and the line tension;
- (2) positioning a decurler roll in contact with one face of the web in the zone of increased web tension;
- (3) adjustably positioning the decurler roll to selectively deflect the web from a normal path of travel through the zone and to vary the amount of circumferential wrap of the web on the decurler roll;
- and,
- (4) adjusting web tension in the zone of increased tension.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.