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US 2020/0189870 A1Published application
Passive edge guiding method and apparatus
Assignee3M Innovative Properties Company
InventorsGlen A. Jerry, Ronald P. Swanson, Ameeta R. Goyal, James N. Dobbs
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Web handling apparatuses and methods are provided to passively control a lateral position of a moving web. The web wraps around support rollers adjacent opposed web edges. One or more guide rollers are positioned adjacent to the support rollers. The guide rollers are in rolling contact with the web edge to guide the moving, misguided web back into its desired lateral position.
Claims20
A web handling apparatus comprising:
- first and second support rollers, a web being configured to wrap around the first and second support rollers adjacent first and second web edges thereof, respectively, the first and second support rollers being rotatable to move the web along a length direction thereof;
- and
- first and second guide rollers positioned adjacent the first and second support rollers, respectively, the first and second guide rollers being configured to control a lateral position of the web by contacting the respective first or second web edge along a lateral direction thereof substantially perpendicular to the length direction.
An apparatus for transporting a web material, the apparatus comprising:
- a first support roller positioned to contact a major surface of a web adjacent a first edge of the web;
- a second support roller positioned to contact the major surface of the web adjacent a second edge thereof opposite the first edge;
- and
- a first guide roller positioned adjacent the first support roller,
- wherein the web wraps around the first and second support rollers adjacent the first and second edges thereof, respectively, and
- wherein the first guide roller is configured to be in rolling contact with the first edge of the web when the web shifts laterally toward the first guide roller.
3 more elements
A method comprising:
- wrapping a web around first and second support rollers adjacent opposite first and second edges of the web, respectively, the first and second support rollers being rotatable to move the web along a length direction thereof;
- providing a first guide roller adjacent the first support roller;
- and
- adjusting the lateral position of the web by contacting the first guide roller to the first edge of the web along a lateral direction of the web substantially perpendicular to the length direction.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.