Apparatus for slitting, merging, and cutting a continuous paperweb

A web handling apparatus capable of processing a web of the pinless variety, wherein a continuous web moves in a downstream direction from an upstream utilization device, comprising:

• n slitters that divide at least a portion of the continuous web into a plurality n of continuous web ribbons;
• a master drive roller driven at a rotational speed R and in continuous contact with a primary web ribbon, and drawing said primary web ribbon in a downstream direction;
• at least
• 1 n - 1 2
• slave rollers where n is an odd number, or at least
• 2 n - 1 2 + 1 2
• where n is an even number, each slave roller driven at a rotational speed greater than R, each said slave roller in slipping contact with one of the web ribbons except the primary web ribbon, and drawing said web ribbon in slipping contact in a downstream direction;
• and
• a plurality of n−1 turnbar rollers each defining an angle relative to said downstream direction, each individual web ribbon except one of them passing at least 270° about a turnbar roller to merge said ribbons one above the other prior to contact of said web ribbon with either said master driven roller or one of said slave rollers;
• wherein n represents a whole number greater than 1.