Apparatus for preparing a leading edge of web material

An apparatus for tensioning a length of web material of a roll of web material, comprising:

• a main frame;
• a carrier frame assembly mounted on the main frame and configured to be positioned adjacent to a stationary roll of web material;
• means on the carrier frame for contacting and outer layer of web material of the roll of web material and for applying static tension to the outer layer of web material, the means for contacting and applying tension including a tension roller assembly;
• a vacuum source;
• a vacuum bar having a plurality of vacuum cups coupled to a vacuum source;
• and
• drive means coupled to the vacuum bar for moving the vacuum bar into and out of contact with the roll of web material such that actuation of the vacuum source causes the outer layer of web material to adhere to the vacuum bar while subsequent actuation of the drive means to move the vacuum bar out of engagement with the roll of web material acts to tension the outer layer of web material about the roll of web material.

An apparatus for tensioning a length of web material of a roll of web material, comprising:

• a main frame;
• a carrier frame assembly mounted on the main frame and configured to be positioned adjacent to a roll of web material, the carrier frame assembly including:
• a vacuum retraction assembly for contacting an outer layer of web material of the roll of web material and for applying tension to the outer layer of web material, the vacuum retraction assembly including:
• a vacuum source;
• a vacuum bar having a plurality of vacuum cups coupled to a vacuum source;
• and
• drive mean coupled to the vacuum bar for moving the vacuum bar into and out of contact with the roll of web material such that actuation of the vacuum source causes the outer layer of web material to adhere to the vacuum bar while subsequent actuation of the drive means to move the vacuum bar out of engagement with the roll of web material acts to tension the outer layer of web material about the roll of web material wherein the drive means includes:
• a support element for rotatably supporting the vacuum bar;
• a drive element for rotating the vacuum bar relative to the support element;
• and
• a linear drive mechanism mounted to the support element for driving the vacuum bar linearly with respect to the support element.

An apparatus for tensioning a length of web material of a roll of web material, comprising:

• a main frame;
• a carrier frame assembly mounted on the main frame and configured to be positioned adjacent a stationary roll of web material;
• and
• a linear actuator mounted on the carrier frame assembly, the linear actuator extendable between a first position wherein an idler roller is spaced from the roll of web material, a second position wherein the idler roller contacts the roll of web material, and a third position wherein the idler roller moves along a circumference of the roll of web material, the linear actuator creating tension in the roll of web material as it moves from the second position to the third position.