Strand tension equalizing apparatus
OwnerJack G. Haselwanderinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A tension device is utilized for equalizing, or at least reducing differentials in tension across strands in a web. The device utilizes an overfeed roll which rotates faster than the speed of feeding the web. Strands at the desired tension, or less, slip about the exterior surface of the overfeed roll. Strands which are greater than the desired tension have sufficient friction to be rotated, at least temporarily, by the overfeed roll to thereby create slack in the higher tension strands to equalize the tension relative to the other strands. Feedback from feed rolls, support rolls, and/or the overfeed roll may be utilized to adjust the speed of the overfeed roll.
Claims19
A tension device comprising:
- an overfeed roll extending laterally to at least a plurality of strands comprising a web, said overfeed roll having an exterior surface and an equator axis extending through a diameter of the overfeed roll defining a top and a bottom half of the overfeed roll, said strands contacting the exterior surface along the bottom half of the overfeed roll at an arc of contact of less than about two hundred seventy degrees;
- and
- a feed roll driving the web at a feed rate;
- said overfeed roll having a speed at its exterior surface greater than the feed rate, wherein strands of the web at or below a desired tension slip relative to the overfeed roll and are fed at the feed rate by the feed roll, and strands having a tension greater than the desired tension are overfed by the overfeed roll to reduce the tension thereon.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.