Method and device for splicing webs on which labels are printed

Apparatus for splicing onto the trailing end portion of a first web the leading end portion of a second web where there are labels printed on both webs at corresponding intervals and there is a first web supply spool from which the first web is fed until the supply of the first web is substantially depleted, and a second web supply spool on which a replacement web is wound such that its leading end portion is accessible for splicing to the trailing end portion of the first web, comprising:

• first and second drums arranged for being rotated intermittently in opposite directions about parallel axes in close proximity with each other,
• each of said first and second drums having mounted to it at least one deflection roller rotatable about an axis parallel to the drum axis, a pressure application surface, a releasable web gripper, a knife and a counterpressure application surface angularly spaced apart from each other about the axis of the drum in the stated order relative to the direction of rotation of the drum,
• said first drum being held at a first angular position for said first web to run over said deflection roller as web is being supplied from said first supply spool while the trailing end portion of said first web is not near being unwound from said first supply spool, said second drum being concurrently held in a second angular position while said first drum is held and said gripper on said second drum holds the leading end portion of said second web in readiness for being moved rotationally to splicing position,
• said first and second drums responding to detection of a predetermined point on said first web when said first web has substantially run out on said first supply spool by rotating in opposite directions to overlap one of said web end portions over the other in a splicing position,
• means for causing said leading and trailing end portions to adhere when in splicing position,
• rotation of said knife with said first drum cutting said first web before the trailing end thereof reaches said splicing position, and
• means for releasing said leading end portion of the second web from the gripper on said second drum after said end portion reaches the splicing position,
• further rotation of said drums after the splice is made causing said deflection roller to advance rotationally in the direction in which said web is running for the second web to run on said roller.