Apparatus and method for aligning webs
AssigneeEastman Kodak Company
InventorBrian Scott Rice
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Apparatus and method for aligning webs, such as photographic film or paper, where the trailing edge of an expiring web is spliced to the lead edge of a fresh web. A supporting means having the fresh web thereon in a fixed position is caused to move by sensor means transmitting a signal corresponding to precise positioning of the expiring relative to the fixed position of the fresh web. According to the invention, a programmable controller is used to analyze the signals received from the sensors and directs the movements of the supporting means where the webs are ultimately moved into abutting or overlapping contact and then spliced.
Claims19
Apparatus for moving a first, fresh web into registered alignment with a second, expiring web, comprising:
- means for movably supporting said first, fresh web in a tension-free, prearranged fixed position defined by a translational and a rotational metric corresponding to said prearranged fixed position, said movably supporting means being capable of movements in response to precisely sensed positions of said second, expiring web relative to said fixed position of said first, fresh web, said movements being defined by translational and rotational metrics and wherein said rotational metric is defined by the equation:
- ROT=A.sub.1 -A.sub.2
- wherein, ##EQU2## and wherein;
- E.sub.1 and E.sub.2 define expired web position errors measured by expired web sensor means;
- E.sub.3 and E.sub.4 define fresh web position errors measured by fresh web sensor means;
- L.sub.1 and L.sub.2 are distances the expired web is from a cutting means plane as sensed by expiring web sensor means;
- and,
- L.sub.3 and L.sub.4 define distance the fresh web is from a cutting means plane as detected by fresh web sensor means;
- means for producing movements of the supporting means;
- means for positioning the second, expiring web into proximity with said supporting means;
- first sensor means in proximity of said supporting means and arranged for detecting said fixed position of said first, fresh web, said first sensor means generating a first signal;
- second sensor means in proximity of said supporting means and arranged for detecting positions of said second, expiring web, said second sensor means generating a second signal;
- and
- controller means for receiving and processing said first and second signals, and then transmitting a third signal to said supporting means, said third signal corresponding to said precisely sensed positions of said expiring web relative to said fixed position of said fresh web, and wherein said third signal provides said supporting means with movements that laterally, registrably aligns the fresh web with the expiring web.
Method of moving a first, fresh web into registered alignment with a second, expiring web, comprising the steps of:
- providing a movably supporting means for supporting said fresh web in a prearranged fixed position;
- movably supporting said first, fresh web free of tension, said movably supporting means being capable of movements in response to precisely sensed positions of said expiring web, said movements being defined by translational and rotational metrics and wherein said rotational metrics are defined by the equation:
- ROT=A.sub.1 -A.sub.2
- wherein, ##EQU6## and wherein;
- E.sub.1 and E.sub.2 define expired web position errors measured by expired web sensor means;
- E.sub.3 and E.sub.4 define fresh web position errors measured by fresh web sensor means;
- L.sub.1 and L.sub.2 are distances the expired web is from a cutting means plane as sensed by expiring web sensor means;
- and,
- L.sub.3 and L.sub.4 define distance the fresh web is from a cutting means plane as detected by fresh web sensor means;
- producing movement of the supporting mean;
- positioning the second, expiring web into proximity with said supporting means;
- providing means for sensing the positions of said first and second webs;
- sensing the fixed position of said fresh web, said sensed position producing a first signal;
- sensing the positions of said expiring web, said sensed positions producing a second signal
- providing a controller for receiving said first and second signals and then transmitting a third signal to said supporting means;
- and
- receiving and processing said first and second signals and then transmitting said third signal to said movable supporting means, said third signal corresponding to precisely sensed positions of said expiring web relative to said fixed position of said fresh web, and wherein said third signal provides said supporting means with movements that laterally, registrably aligns the fresh web with the expiring web.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.