Method and apparatus for preparing and positioning a web for splicing

An improved apparatus for preparing the leading end of a first roll of new web material for splicing, in a splicer, to a running web that is being run from an expiring roll and through the splicer and a web processing operation downstream from the splicer, where both the new web and the running web each have an identical, regularly repeating and longitudinally spaced patterns thereon, which patterns need to be matched during splicing so that the regular repetition and longitudinal spacing of the patterns continues uninterruptedly across the splice;

• where the new web and the running web each have a series of regularly, longitudinally spaced registration marks thereon, which registration marks have a predetermined relationship with respect to the patterns on the web and with respect to adjacent registration marks, the improved apparatus comprising:
• a movable table adapted to be positioned in a work space adjacent to the splicer and readily accessible to the splicer operator for preparing the leading end of the new web for splicing;
• a fixture mounted on the table and defining a path for receiving and longitudinally guiding the leading end of the new web when the new web is inserted into the fixture;
• a hole puncher mounted on the table adjacent to the path and adapted to punch at least one hole in the leading end of the new web when the leading end of the new web is in the fixture;
• and an optical instrument disposed adjacent to the path and movable transversely across the path, the optical instrument being spaced a preselected distance from the hole puncher along the path and being adapted for use by the operator so that by moving the new web along the path, the optical instrument may be selectively disposed above and aligned with a registration mark on the new web.

In an improved splicer for splicing a leading end of a first roll of new web material to a running web which is being run from an expiring roll and through the splicer and a web processing operation downstream from the splicer;

• where the new web and the running web each have an identical, regularly repeating and longitudinally spaced pattern thereon, which patterns need to be matched during splicing so that the regular repetition and longitudinal spacing of the pattern continues uninterruptedly across the splice, where the new web and the running web each have a series of longitudinally and regularly spaced registration marks thereon, which registration marks have a predetermined relationship with respect to the patterns on the webs and with respect to adjacent registration marks, and where the splicer includes a predetermined pre-splice reference position for the leading end of the new web, the improvement comprising:
• a pair of pins mounted on the splicer and adjacent to the running web, with the pins being a predetermined distance downstream from the pre-splice reference position and being adapted to receive holes that are in the web and that are spaced a predetermined distance from a reference mark on the new web;
• and a signal generating sensor for sensing the passage of a registration mark on the running web, with the sensor being mounted on the splicer and being spaced a predetermined distance from the pre-spliced reference position;
• and means for actuating the splicing of the new and running webs upon the receipt of a signal from the sensor.