Method and Apparatus for Breaking a Web Using a Cut-off Assembly

A web cut-off system comprising:

• a conveying surface over which a moving web is conveyed;
• a web cut-off roll rotatably mounted opposing the conveying surface;
• a web cut-off assembly disposed on the web cut-off roll, the web cut-off assembly comprising a first arm with a first web gripping surface and a second arm with a second web gripping surface, the first web gripping surface contacting the web at a first contact point and a second arm with a second web gripping surface contacting the web at a second contact point, the first contact point and the second contact point in a first spaced apart relationship, wherein the at least one line of weakness is located between the first contact point and second contact point;
• and
• moving the first contact point and the second contact point from the first spaced apart relationship to a second spaced apart relationship causing a break in the web between the first and second surfaces.

A short strain length web cut-off assembly comprising:

• a bedroll disposed such that web material from a parent roll passes around a circumferential surface portion of said bedroll;
• a web cut-off roll rotatably mounted opposing the bedroll;
• a web cut-off roll assembly including a pair of web gripping surfaces retractably mounted within the web cut-off roll, the web gripping surfaces moveable from a retracted position to a protracted position radially beyond the web cut-off roll to engage the web material for a web cutting event;
• wherein the web cutting event consists of the pair of web gripping surfaces contacting the moving web causing the pair of web gripping surfaces to move from a first spaced apart relationship to a second spaced apart relationship thereby causing a break in the web.