Velocity compensation for bead bypass

Apparatus for removing a bead of accumulated suspension comprising particles in a liquid from the entrance to the nip of a web surface and another surface, successive portions of which move into contact with each other at the nip, comprising:

• a. means for advancing successive portions of said surfaces into contact with each other at the nip including means to advance at least said web relative to the nip region so that at least the part of the bead of accumulated suspension on said web is advanced beyond the nip region when the surfaces are separated;
• b. means for separating the surfaces at the nip to a spacing sufficient to allow the bead of accumulated suspension to pass the nip region wherein said separating means include compensating means for automatically compensating for motion during said separation whereby the advancing rate of velocity for the web remains constant and wherein said compensating means comprises:
• i. at least one roller in continuous contact with the outside surface of said advancing web, and
• ii. tracking means for providing a fixed approximately elliptical path for said roller, said elliptical path permitting said roller during separation to track in a path which always causes reduction of the wrap angle formed by said advancing web in contact with the other surface to cause separation of the two surfaces without changing the advancing velocity rate of the web.