Method of and assembly for lapping consecutive sheets of web material

A method for overlapping a first sheet of material and a successive second sheet of material using a first roll and a second roll, the method comprising the acts of:

• defining a desired nip location by adjusting a position of a roller assembly relative to the second roll, wherein the roller assembly is located adjacent the second roll;
• supplying the first and second sheets to the first roll rotating at a first speed;
• transferring a leading edge of the first sheet from the first roll to the second roll rotating at a second speed slower than the first speed;
• creating a deflection in the first sheet using the roller assembly;
• transferring a leading edge of the successive second sheet along the first roll into engagement with the second roll;
• holding a trailing edge of the first sheet with the roller assembly as the second roll moves the leading edge of the second sheet beneath the trailing edge of the first sheet;
• and
• disengaging the trailing edge of the first sheet from the roller assembly into engagement with the second sheet positioned beneath.

An assembly for lapping a first sheet of material with a consecutive second sheet of a material, comprising:

• a first roll rotating at a first speed for conveying sheets of material along a feed path;
• a second roll positioned adjacent the first roll along the feed path and rotating at a second speed;
• a roller assembly positioned proximate the second roll along the feed path and including a roller arrangement that defines a nip with the second roll,
• wherein the first roll feeds a sheet of material along the feed path such that the leading end of the sheet is fed into the nip while maintaining the sheet in engagement with the first roll and wherein the nip engages the leading edge of the sheet with the second roll while the trailing edge of the sheet remains in engagement with the first roll;
• and
• a stationary guide member associated with the roller assembly, wherein at least a portion of the stationary guide member overlies the roller arrangement of the roller assembly and wherein the guide member is configured to guide the sheets into the nip between the second roll and the roller arrangement.