Apparatus for Positioning an Advancing Web

A method of controlling cross-directional movement of first and second webs advancing in a machine direction using a web spacing device, wherein the web spacing device comprises a frame having a first end portion and a second end portion separated by a central portion, wherein the frame is rotatable about a first axis of rotation, the web spacing device further comprising a first rotation member movably connected with the frame, wherein the first rotation member is configured to rotate the frame by a first angle of rotation about the first axis of rotation, and a second rotation member movably connected with the frame, wherein the second rotation member is configured to rotate the frame about a second axis of rotation by a second angle of rotation, wherein the second angle of rotation is greater than the first angle of rotation, wherein the first and second webs each define a machine direction centerline, the method comprising the steps of:

• rotating the frame about the second axis of rotation using the second rotation member to position the web spacing device in a first configuration;
• advancing a first web in a machine direction onto the web spacing device;
• shifting the machine direction centerline of the first web in a cross direction;
• aligning the machine direction centerline of the first web with a first target cross-directional position;
• rotating the frame about the second axis of rotation using the second rotation member to position the web spacing device in a second configuration;
• advancing a second web in a machine direction onto the web spacing device;
• shifting the machine direction centerline of the second web in the cross direction;
• and
• aligning the machine direction centerline of the second web with a second target cross-directional position that is different from the first target cross-directional position.