Replenishing apparatus for web processing machines with edge decurler

A device for detecting, decurling, positioning, and securely holding the edge of a stationary web, comprising:

• (a) a first jaw for extending along one side of said web edge;
• (b) a second jaw for extending parallel to said first jaw, along the opposite side of said fabric edge;
• (c) a sensor disposed on said first jaw adjacent one end thereof for sensing the position of said web;
• (d) a window disposed in said second jaw adjacent one end thereof and opposite said sensor for cooperating with said sensor in sensing the position of said web edge;
• (e) a plurality of air ports disposed in one of said jaws and directed at an acute angle to the face of the other jaw, towards one end of said jaw for impinging upon a web located between said jaws for removing any curl, pleats, folds, wrinkles or the like from said web;
• and
• (f) holding means actuated for holding said web securely after said curl, pleats, folds, wrinkles or the like has been removed therefrom by air emitted from said ports and the edge of the web is sensed in a predetermined position by said sensor.

An apparatus for detecting, decurling, positioning, and securing the edge of a stationary web, comprising:

• (a) a first jaw for extending along one side of said web edge;
• (b) a second jaw for extending parallel to said first jaw, along the opposite side of said web edge;
• (c) a sensor disposed on said first jaw adjacent one end thereof for sensing the position of said web edge;
• (d) a window disposed in said second jaw adjacent one end thereof and opposite said sensor for cooperating with said sensor in sensing the position of said web edge;
• (e) means actuated for exerting a force on the surface of said web in the direction of one end of said jaws for removing any curl, pleats, folds or the like from said web;
• (f) holding means for securely holding the edge of said web when said edge is detected in a predetermined position by said sensor;
• and
• (g) means for moving said jaws along each side of said web while said decurling force is exerted on the surface of said web and for actuating said web holding means when said edge of said web is sensed in a predetermined position between said jaws by said sensor to securely hold said web.

A method of replenishing an exhausted web supply with a fresh web supply for a web processing machine, comprising the following steps:

• (a) supplying a web to said web processing machine;
• (b) detecting the exhaustion of said web supply and stopping said web processing machine with the tail end of said web supply in a predetermined location;
• (c) detecting the tail end of the exhausted web, locating each of the longitudinal edges of said tail end, removing any pleats, curls, folds, wrinkles or the like from said tail end by exerting lateral force on said web and firmly holding each of said edges after said pleats, curls, folds, wrinkles or the like are removed from said edges and said edge is located in a predetermined position;
• (d) detecting the head end of a replacement web, locating each of the longitudinal edges of said head end, removing any pleats, curls, folds, wrinkles or the like from said head end by exerting lateral force on said web, and firmly holding each of said edges after said pleats, curls, folds, wrinkles or the like are removed from said edges and said edge is located in a predetermined position;
• (e) bringing said head end and said tail end into edge alignment and into close proximity with each other at a predetermined location;
• (f) sewing said aligned and pretrimmed head and tail ends together;
• (g) releasing said edges of said head and tail end of said sewn webs;
• and
• (h) restarting said web processing machine.

A method of detecting, decurling, positioning, and securely holding the edge of a stationary web comprising the following steps:

• (a) moving a first jaw into a position where it extends along one side of said web edge;
• (b) moving a second jaw into a position where it extends parallel to said first jaw along the opposite side of said web edge;
• (c) sensing the position of said web between said first and second jaws;
• (d) exerting a force on said web towards its edge at an acute angle to the surface of said web for removing any curls, pleats, folds, wrinkles or the like from said web;
• and
• (e) holding said web securely after said curl, pleats, folds, wrinkles or the like have been removed therefrom and only after the edge of said web is sensed in a predetermined position.

A method for detecting, decurling, positioning, and securing the edge of a stationary web comprising the steps of:

• (a) moving a first jaw into a position extending along one side of said web edge;
• (b) moving a second jaw into a position where it extends parallel to said first jaw along the opposite side of said web edge;
• (c) sensing the position of the web edge between said first and second jaws;
• (d) exerting a force on the surface of said web in the direction of one end of the jaws for removing any curls, pleats, folds or the like from said web;
• (e) moving said first and second jaws transversely of said web towards the edge thereof until said edge is located in a predetermined position between said first and second jaws;
• and
• (f) securely holding said web between said first and second jaws immediately after said web is sensed in its predetermined position.