Apparatus for cross cutting running webs

Apparatus for repeatedly severing a web of relatively thin flexible material which is advanced in a predetermined direction along an at least substantially horizontal path, comprising first and second knives disposed at opposite sides of and extending substantially transversely of said at least substantially horizontal path and being respectively movable in first and second directions along first and second endless paths having portions adjacent a portion of said at least substantially horizontal path where the web is severed by said knives to separate a length of flexible material and to provide the web with a leader behind the separated length, said second endless path being disposed above said first endless path and each of said knives having a front side and a rear side, facing downstream and upstream, respectively, with respect to said at least substantially horizontal path;

• first and second rotary conveyors having means for moving said first and second knives along the respective endless paths;
• and first and second guides fixed on the respective conveyors upstream of the respective knives, with respect to said at least substantially horizontal path, to maintain the leader at least close to said at least substantially horizontal path, said second guide being spaced apart from the rear side of said second knife, at least one of said guides comprising an elongated deflector extending substantially transversely of said at least substantially horizontal path and at least one of said guides comprising an elastomeric material and having an elastic lip with extends substantially transversely of said at least substantially horizontal path, at least said first guide extending substantially transversely of said predetermined direction and being curved counter to the direction of movement of said first knife along said first endless path, said first guide being at least closely adjacent the rear side of said first knife.