Festooner and method for buffering a strip

Festooner according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first set of buffer rollers is located above the second set of buffer rollers, wherein the overlength collector is located above the first set of buffer rollers.

Festooner according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the overlength collector has a collector capacity that is sufficient to collect the entire overlength of the endless drive element when the buffer capacity of the festooner is at a minimum.

Festooner according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the overlength collector comprises a first set of collector wheels and a second set of collector wheels that define a meandering collector path between them extending alternatingly along a collector wheel of the first set of collector wheels and a collector wheel of the second set of collector wheels, wherein the endless drive element extends along the collector path.

Festooner according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the festooner comprises a first set of buffer wheels and a second set of buffer wheels that are coaxially mounted to and rotatable together with the first set of buffer rollers and the second set of buffer rollers, respectively, wherein the endless drive element is arranged for driving each buffer roller of the first set of buffer rollers and the second set of buffer rollers individually by engaging the respective buffer wheels of the first set of buffer wheels and the second set of buffer wheels, respectively.

Festooner according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the festooner further comprises an intermediate member for guiding the strip into and out of the festooner, wherein the intermediate member is arranged to remain stationary in the buffer direction between the first holder and the second holder while the first holder and the second holder move.

Festooner according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the buffer direction is vertical or substantially vertical.

Festooner according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a tensioner for exerting a tensioning force onto the first holder and the second holder in the buffer direction.

Festooner for buffering a strip, wherein the festooner comprises a first holder and a second holder, wherein at least one of the first holder and the second holder is movable towards and away from the other of the first holder and the second holder in a buffer direction to vary a buffer capacity of the festooner, wherein the festooner further comprises a first set of buffer rollers and a second set of buffer rollers held by the first holder and the second holder, respectively, wherein the first set of buffer rollers and the second set of buffer rollers define a meandering buffer path between them extending alternatingly along a buffer roller of the first set of buffer rollers and a buffer roller of the second set of buffer rollers, wherein the festooner further comprises a plurality of drives to drive the buffer rollers of the first set of buffer rollers and the second set of buffer rollers individually.

Festooner for buffering a strip, wherein the festooner comprises a first holder and a second holder which are oppositely movable towards and away from each other in a buffer direction to vary a buffer capacity of the festooner, and a first set of buffer rollers and a second set of buffer rollers held by the first holder and the second holder, respectively, wherein the first set of buffer rollers and the second set of buffer rollers define a meandering buffer path between them extending alternatingly along a buffer roller of the first set of buffer rollers and a buffer roller of the second set of buffer rollers, wherein the festooner further comprises a holder drive that is operationally coupled to the first holder and the second holder for driving the opposite movements between the first holder and the second holder in the buffer direction towards and away from each other, wherein the holder drive is configured for driving the movement of the first holder in an uneven ratio to the movement of the second holder.

Method for buffering a strip using a festooner, wherein the festooner comprises a first holder and a second holder, wherein at least one of the first holder and the second holder is movable towards and away from the other of the first holder and the second holder in a buffer direction to vary a buffer capacity of the festooner, wherein the festooner further comprises a first set of buffer rollers and a second set of buffer rollers held by the first holder and the second holder, respectively, wherein the first set of buffer rollers and the second set of buffer rollers define a meandering buffer path between them extending alternatingly along a buffer roller of the first set of buffer rollers and a buffer roller of the second set of buffer rollers, wherein the method comprises the step of:

• driving each buffer roller of the first set of buffer rollers and the second set of buffer rollers individually.

Method for buffering a strip using a festooner, wherein the festooner comprises a first holder and a second holder which are movable towards and away from each other in a buffer direction, and a first set of buffer rollers and a second set of buffer rollers held by the first holder and the second holder, respectively, wherein the festooner is arranged for receiving the strip along a buffer path meandering between the first set of buffer rollers and the second set of buffer rollers, wherein the strip enters the festooner with an entry speed and exits the festooner with an exit speed, wherein the buffer capacity of the festooner changes with a capacity change speed, wherein the method comprises the steps of:

• driving each buffer roller of the first set of buffer rollers and the second set of buffer rollers based on the entry speed, the exit speed, the capacity change speed and/or the position of the respective buffer roller within the festooner;
• and
• guiding a length of the strip through the festooner in direct contact with the buffer rollers of the first set of buffer rollers and the second set of buffer rollers.

Method for buffering a strip using a festooner, wherein the festooner comprises a first holder and a second holder which are oppositely movable towards and away from each other in a buffer direction to vary a buffer capacity of the festooner, and a first set of buffer rollers and a second set of buffer rollers held by the first holder and the second holder, respectively, wherein the first set of buffer rollers and the second set of buffer rollers define a meandering buffer path between them extending alternatingly along a buffer roller of the first set of buffer rollers and a buffer roller of the second set of buffer rollers, wherein the method comprises the step of driving the movement of the first holder opposite to the second holder in an uneven ratio.