US 5,213,246 AGranted

Paper guiding method and apparatus

AssigneeRoll Systems, Inc.

InventorH. W. Crowley

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Abstract

A trough structure is provided for bending a web of paper widthwise to provide beam strength and controllability to the web of paper, for aiding in guiding the web of paper in a straight path. The trough structure causes the paper to curl widthwise to conform with the shape of the trough structure. The trough structure comprises a concave or convex lower wall upon which the paper flows, open ends through which the paper flows, and shoulders which attach to both sides of the lower wall and extend substantially horizontally from the sides of the lower wall to symmetrical positions above the lower wall. The shoulders act to contain the paper in the trough structure and guide the paper through the trough structure. A drive roll is provided for driving the paper through the trough structure. No buckling of the paper is caused when any slight misalignment occurs between the paper and the drive roll, and this slight misalignment is self-correcting due to the edge guiding function of the trough structure.

Claims17

Dependent claims

An apparatus for driving a web in a defined path comprising:

trough structure means having one of a concave and convex surface and having shoulders for engaging opposing widthwise edges of a web positioned therein, the shoulders being positioned to maintain the web against a surface of the trough structure along a lengthwise direction, the web therein having a conforming trough shape in which a straight-line spacing between the widthwise edges is less than a spacing between widthwise edges of the web when laid flat, the trough shape providing stiffness to the web and causing said web to curl widthwise to conform to the shape of the trough structure creating beam strength in said web for controllability and means for driving said web in the lengthwise direction along the trough structure, the means for driving including a drive roll having a substantially round core being motor driven and adapted to rotate about an axis of the core, and an outer layer having a rubber-like texture surrounding said core for engaging said paper and driving said paper upon rotation of said drive roll
and, a flat surface positioned beyond said trough structure at one end thereof, upon which said web flows after flowing through said trough structure,
said flat surface having an aperture disposed therein, the width of said aperture being greater than the width of said drive roll,
said drive roll disposed out of the plane of said flat surface in said aperture so that said outer layer of said drive roll is at substantially the same level as said flat surface, for engaging the underside of said paper and driving said paper through said trough structure.

1 more element

An apparatus for moving a web in a defined path comprising:

means for bending a web widthwise in a trough shape, the web being substantially flexible in a lengthwise direction when laid flat and being substantially rigid in a lengthwise direction when formed into said trough shape, said means for bending comprising a trough structure, said trough structure comprising one of a concave and convex support upon which said web flows, in a lengthwise direction, open ends through which said web flows, and shoulder means disposed relative to the sides of said support and which extend from said sides of said support to positions above said support, said shoulder means containing said web in said trough structure and guiding said web through said trough structure said shoulder means having sides which face said support and said sides engaging the edges of said web for containing said web in said trough structure and guiding said web in a defined path,
means for driving said web including a drive roll having a web gripping texture for engaging said web and driving said web;
and
a flat surface, said flat surface being attached to said trough structure at one end thereof, upon which said web flows after flowing through said trough,
said flat surface having an aperture, the width of said aperture being substantially equal to or greater than the width of said drive roll,
said drive roll disposed out of the plane of said flat surface in said aperture such that said outer layer of said drive roll is positioned at substantially the same plane as said flat surface, for engaging said web and moving said web through said trough structure.

3 more elements

A method for driving a web in a defined path comprising the steps of:

distorting a web widthwise in a trough shape by engaging opposing widthwise web edges to maintain the web against a trough shaped surface for providing stiffness and controllability in a lengthwise direction to said web, said trough shape having a cord length less than the width of the web when flat, and the web being substantially flexible along a lengthwise direction when flat and being substantially rigid along a lengthwise direction when formed into a trough shape,
providing a substantially flattened surface proximate an end of the trough shaped surface so as to cause the web to become substantially flat along the substantially flattened surface,
driving said web in said lengthwise direction including providing a drive member at the substantially flat surface for engaging and propelling the web in a lengthwise direction, and
guiding said web in said lengthwise direction through said trough shaped surface and onto said substantially flattened surface.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.