Web winding apparatus

In an apparatus for winding a plurality of convolutions of a web or film onto a spool in response to rotation of the spool, the apparatus having a cutting mechanism spaced from the spool and a guide between the cutting mechanism and the spool defining one side of a substantially straight path along which the film can be advanced from the cutting mechanism to the spool prior to attachment of the film to the spool, and the spool being rotated in a direction to urge the film away from the guide as the film is wound onto the spool due to an increase in diameter of the film on the spool as each successive convolution of the film is wound onto the spool, the improvement comprising:

• an air bar located along the film path between the cutting mechanism and the spool and located on the opposite side of the path from the guide, the air bar having a substantially semi-cylindrical surface directly opposite the guide and facing the path, the axis of curvature of the surface extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the film path, the center portion of the air bar surface being nearer to the guide than other portions of the air bar surface, means defining an air manifold in the air bar, means for connecting the manifold to a source of air under pressure, and a plurality of openings in the air bar between the manifold and the air bar surface located so that air under pressure leaving the openings is directed toward the film path to hold the film substantially straight in the portion of the path between the cutting mechanism and the center portion of the air bar while enabling limited movement of the film toward the air bar surface between the center portion of such surface and the spool in response to an increase in the diameter of the film on the spool during winding of the film onto the spool, the openings in the air bar being arranged in a plurality of substantially parallel rows extending in a direction substantially parallel to the film path.