Removable nip sleeve

A web transporting device, comprising:

• a rotatably driven transport roller having a fixed axis;
• at least one engageable nip roller having an axis substantially parallel to the fixed axis and being engageable with the driven transport roller, the engageable nip roller having a length corresponding to a maximum width of the web processable in a printing press;
• and
• a removable nip sleeve fixedly mounted on the engageable nip roller which rotates with the engageable nip roller under the influence of the rotatably driven transport roller wherein the removable nip sleeve comprises at least one ring-shaped annular gap disposed axially along its length for allowing the web to ripple without forming permanent wrinkles or creases, the removable nip sleeve further including
• a cylindrical outer layer upon which a smooth continuous outer side surface of the sleeve is disposed,
• a cylindrical intermediate layer disposed radially inwardly of the outer layer, the intermediate layer having a cylindrical outer side surface which is fixedly secured to a cylindrical inner side surface of the outer layer, the intermediate layer being formed of a resiliently volume compressible material, the resiliently volume compressible material including a cotton cord material.