CA1115252A - Paper web buffer system - Google Patents
Paper web buffer systemInfo
- Publication number
- CA1115252A CA1115252A CA326,710A CA326710A CA1115252A CA 1115252 A CA1115252 A CA 1115252A CA 326710 A CA326710 A CA 326710A CA 1115252 A CA1115252 A CA 1115252A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- paper
- vacuum chamber
- paper web
- web
- reel
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H20/00—Advancing webs
- B65H20/24—Advancing webs by looping or like devices
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H2406/00—Means using fluid
- B65H2406/30—Suction means
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H2408/00—Specific machines
- B65H2408/20—Specific machines for handling web(s)
- B65H2408/21—Accumulators
- B65H2408/215—Accumulators supported by vacuum or blown air
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H2511/00—Dimensions; Position; Numbers; Identification; Occurrences
- B65H2511/10—Size; Dimensions
- B65H2511/12—Width
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A buffer system for isolating a supply of paper web from a processor operating on the paper web. The buffer system comprises a vacuum chamber and vacuum pump creating a pressure differential across a portion of the paper web forcing the web into the vacuum chamber in the form of a loop having suitable tension. The loop rises and falls within the vacuum chamber to either store or deliver web to the processor in response to the paper supply delivering more or less web than the processor can accommodate. In one embodiment, the vacuum chamber is provided with a movable wall to accommodate paper webs of different widths and a foot extending from the movable wall communicates with orifices to change the pressure differential.
A buffer system for isolating a supply of paper web from a processor operating on the paper web. The buffer system comprises a vacuum chamber and vacuum pump creating a pressure differential across a portion of the paper web forcing the web into the vacuum chamber in the form of a loop having suitable tension. The loop rises and falls within the vacuum chamber to either store or deliver web to the processor in response to the paper supply delivering more or less web than the processor can accommodate. In one embodiment, the vacuum chamber is provided with a movable wall to accommodate paper webs of different widths and a foot extending from the movable wall communicates with orifices to change the pressure differential.
Description
~L5~
The present invention relates to a paper handling apparatus and, in particular, to the use of a vacuum buffer in paper web feeding.
It is important in ~he operation of a printing press to isolate the press from any upsets in paper web tension.
Paper tension upsets are caused by unwind break variations, automatic splicer cycles, press speed changes, and changes in paper elasticity and must be absorbed in order to provide close register printing and minimum paper waste. Prior art printing operations generally employ mechanical dancer roll buffers to compensate for tension variations in the paper web. The dancer roll slides within the paper web loop to accommodate changes in tension and is generally a costly and cumbersome device. Mechanical dancer rolls do not allow fast acceleration of the paper web due to the usual dead mass of the roll as well as the friction ~ound in such a system.
Dancer rolls also require careful dynamic tuning to allow the web to track properly. In particular, it is often nec-essary to determine the ratio of the translational mass to the rotating mass of the dancer roll in order that the dancer roll's reluctance to move in its stroke is exactly cancelled by the effect of its reluctance to change rotary speed. A
dancer roll system is usually a relatively complex assembly of interrelating mechanical par~s. It would, therefore, be desirable to pro~ide a buffer system for effectively absorbing ten~ion variations in a paper web that is simple, economic, reliable~ and minimizes the use of mechanical components and interrelated moving parts.
~ 2 It is known to use vacuum tensioning in magnetic tape and photosensitive film transport systems. ~. S. Patent No. 3,937,421 assigned to the same assignee as the present invention teaches the use of vacuum co]umns to provide the necessary suction to keep film in contact wi~h capstans and pinch rollers and also the use of a vacuum chamber and a mov-able shoe to control the contour of the film. U. S. Patent 3,807,854 shows the use of a vacuum system to put a prede-termined tension on a photosensitive element disposed between a stock roller and a takeup roller 3 These discloæures, how-ever, are directed to systems for conveying tapes and films having a relatively small, predetermined width. In addition, to convey tapes and films of signiicantly different width, generally separate vacuum chambers would be required. It would, therefore~ be desirable to provide a vacuum buffer in a paper web handling system for paper webs having a re-latively large width and a vacuum buffer that can be adapted for paper webs of substantially different width~
U. S. Patent Nos. 2,968,982 and 3,882,744 teach the use of positive air pressure or negative vacuum pressure through perforations in a curved support member to facilitate buckling o~ paper web and the return of the paper web to a normal posture. The normal posture of the paper is in con-formance with the curved support member providing a slight buckle. Additional buckling to absorb the continuously fed paper web is required after the downstream web has been stopped momentarily for cutting or pinching. These systems, however, require the curved support member to preform the paper in its normal curved posture. Pre~orm members add an additional expense and complexity to paper buffer systems. In addition, the positive or negative air pressure is generally not con-z~
tinuous but provided during buckling or unbuckling of the paper. This necessitates further complexity in the system control. It would, therefore, be desirable to provide a paper web buffer system minimizing structural elements and simplify-ing the control and operation of the system.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present inven-tion to provide a new and improved paper web tension and buf-f~r system.
Another object is to provide a vacuum buffer system for accommodating paper webs of relatively large width and also paper webs of different widths.
Further objects and advantages of the present inven-tion will become apparent as the followiny ~escription proceeds and the features of novelty characterizing the invention will be pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification.
Briefly, the present invention is concerned with a paper buffer system between a supply of paper web and a processor operating on the paper web. The buffer system com-prises a vacuum chamber and varuum pump creating a pressure differential across a portion of the paper web forcing ~he web into the vacuum chamber in the form of a loop having suit-able tension. The loop rises and falls within the vacuum chamber to either store web or deliver more web to the pro-cessor in response to the paper supply delivering more or less web than the processor can accommodate. In one embodi-ment, thè vacuum chamber is provided with a movable wall to accommodate paper webs of different widths and a foot extend-iny from the movable wall communicates with orifices ~o change the pressure differential.
;25i~
Thus., in accordance-with the present teachings, a paper handlin~ ~pparatus i.5 proYided whi.ch.compri.ses- a reel, a source of paper web supported by the reel, a processor for operating on the paper we~ with. a ~otor operable to drive the reel to move the paper we~ from the reel to the processor.
Intermediate rollers are provided supporting the paper between the reel and the processor and a paper web buffer system is provided w~ich compris-es a housing which defines a vacuum chamber with a pressure reducing source. A portion of the .. :. ...
paper web is disposed adjacent the vacuum chamber wlth the ~ :
vacuum chamber and pressure reducing source operable to create a pressure differential across the portion of the paper web and to dra~ the portion into a loop in the chamber.
~ -4a-;,'~' ' ~ ~5i2~ :
BRIEE' DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Other objects and advantages oE the present inven- -tion will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to ~he clrawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a schematic view of a prior art printing operation having a dancer roll for proper web tensioning; ..
Figure 2 is a side view of the web tensioning device in accord with the present invention;
Figure 3 is a front view of the web tensioning de-vice of Figure 2;
Figure 4 is another view of the web tensioning de-vice of Figure 2 with minimum s~ored web; and Figure 5 is a modification of the web tensioning device as shown in Figure 3.
Referring now to Figure 1, there is illustrated a prior art printing operation having a supply reel shown at 10 supporting a paper web 12, a printing press 14, inter-mediate web guide apparatus 16, a nip roller 18 and in-feed roller 20, and a web tensioning mechanism 2~. The web ten-sioning mechanism 22 generally isolates the printing press from the supply reel 10, and comprises a dancer arm 23, dancer arm pivot 24, a rolling diaphragm actuator 26, and a dancer roll 28 mechanically connected by dancer arm 23 to dancer arm pivot 24. The dancer roll 2~ is air loaded through the rolling diaphragm actuator 26 to malntain a constant level web tension and pivots about arm pivot 24 to move generally vertically a~ shown by the arrows in Figure 1.
In operation the web 12 is fed between the in-feed roller 20 and the nip roller 18 and if the in feed roller 20 is feed-ing more web 12 than the printing press 14 can accom-modate, the dancer roll 28 rises vertically to st:ore the ex-cess web. If the infeed roller 20 is feeding less web 12 than the printing press 14 is accommodating, the dancer roll 28 moves downward vertically to deliver stored web to the press 14. There are other suitable mechanical dancer roll configurations in the prior art such as moving the dancer roll vertically independent of a pivot arm or having the paper web engaged by two dancer rolls pivoted about a common point.
In accord with the present invention, the mechanical dancer roll 28 and related mechanical inter-connections are replaced by a negative pressure system. With reference to Figure 2, there is shown a simple paper web processing system comprising a supply reel 10 supporting a paper web 12, a pro-cessor 30 such as a printing press or electrophotographic or electrostatographic printing machine, a negative pressure system having a pressure reducing source or vacuum pump 34 and sub-atmospheric or vacuum chamber 36 providing suitable tensioning and bufféring of web 12 and a motor or other driv-ing force 13 suitably linked to reel 10 to convey paper web 12 to processor 30. Other components may be required such as web guides and infeed rollers but these Eorm no part of the present invention.
The sub-atmospheric or vacuum chamber 36 generally comprises a housing 38 having a first pair of parallel, oppo-sitely disposed side walls 40 spaced a suitable distance to confine the loop of the paper web 12, A second pair of paral-lel, oppositely disposed side walls 42 as seen in Fi~ure 3 are spaced a sufficient distance to accommodate the width W of the paper web 12, The side walls 40 and 42 generally define a rectangular frame closed at one end by a lower frame cross member 44 secured to each of the side walls 40 and 42~ The cross member 44 is provided with a suitable opening or port 45 communicating with the vacuum pump 34~ providing continuous negative pressure within the vacuum chamber 36.
It is understood that one skilled in the art can determine suitable tolerances between the paper web 12 and side walls 40 and 42 and provide a vacuum source sufficient to place the paper web 12 under suitable tension in the vacuum chamber 36.
The paper web tension is generally a fullction of the size of the cross sectional area of the web and the negative pressure.
Intermediate rolls 50 support a portion of the web 12 in com-munication with the open end of vacuum chamber 36. The system of Figure 2 also includes high torque brake 46 and web brake detector 48 responsive to web breaks to initiate activation of brake 46. The high torque brake 46 is suitably adjusted to stop reels of different sizes and to provide controlled web tension during stops.
lS The vacuum pump 34 is energized to draw the excess portion of web 12 into the vacuum chamber 36. In particular, evacuation of the vacuum chamber 36 creates a pressure dif-ferential across the segment of the web 12 ad~acent the cham-ber between intermedia~e xolls S0 forcing the web into the chamber to form web loop 52 and tension the web about rolls 50. Excess web is drawn into the vacuum chamber until the web is suitably tensioned about rolls 50. In operation, if the reel 10 is feeding more web than can be accommodated by the processor 30, the pressure differential will force the loop 52 of the paper web 12 toward the bottom or lower end of the vacuum chamber 36 as best seen in FigurP 2 to take up the slack of the web from the supply reel 10. If the reel 10 is feeding less web than the processor 30 is accommodating, the loop 52 will rise toward the top of the vacuum chamber 36, as best seen in Figure 4. ~he rise of loop 52 supplies sufficient web to the processor 30 and the pressure differ-ential maintains suitable tension on the web. In effect, the vacuum chamber 36 provides a buffer to isolate the mass of the paper web 12 from the processor 30. The vacuum pump 34 and vacuum chamber 36 provide a relatively constant, uni-form tension on web 12 and deliver or store web in response to variations in the processor operation~
In accord with the present invention, a modification of the vacuum chamber 36 is shown in Figure 5. Two parallel and oppositely disposed walls 54, 56 define the width of the paper web in the vacuum chamber. Wall 54 is movable toward and away from stationary wall 56 by any suitable propelling mechanism to adjust for paper webs of different width. For example~ in position Pl the walls 54, 56 accommodate a paper web width Wl. To accommodate a papex web width of Wll, wall 54 is moved to position Pll as shown in phantom.
The vacuum chamber is closed at one end by bottom member 58 connected to vacuum pump 60. Bottom member 58 in-cludes a cross member or bottom wall 62 provided with a plur-ality of orifices 64a - 64g. The movable wall 54 is disposed perpendicular to bottom wall 62 and slidingly engages bottom wall 62 and predetermined orifices 64a - 64g, in mcving from position Pl to position Pll. In particular, in position Pl, all orifices 64a - 64g communicate with the vacuum chamber.
However, in position Pll, wall 54 defines the vacuum chamber exclusive of orifice 64g. The movement of wall 54 from posi-tion Pl to position Pll, therefore, not only alters the size of the vacuum chamber but also reduces the negative pressure in the vacuum chamber by preventing communication of orifice 64g with the vacuum chamber~ Alternatively, the negative pressure in the vacuum chamber is al-tered by a foot 66 ex-tending perpendicular from movable wall 54 and disposed paral-lel and adjacent to bottom wall 62 slidingly engaging prede-termined orifices 64a - 64g. In posit:ion Pl, orifice 64f co~nunicates with the vacuum chamber whereas in position Pll, foot 66 as shown in phantom blocks orifice 64f from communica-tion with the vacuum chamber.
While there has been illustrated and described what is at present considered to be a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it will be appreciated that numerous changes and modifications are likely to occur to those skilled in the art and it is intended in the appended claims to cover all those changes and modifications which fall within the the true spirit and scope of the present invention.
_ 9 _ .
The present invention relates to a paper handling apparatus and, in particular, to the use of a vacuum buffer in paper web feeding.
It is important in ~he operation of a printing press to isolate the press from any upsets in paper web tension.
Paper tension upsets are caused by unwind break variations, automatic splicer cycles, press speed changes, and changes in paper elasticity and must be absorbed in order to provide close register printing and minimum paper waste. Prior art printing operations generally employ mechanical dancer roll buffers to compensate for tension variations in the paper web. The dancer roll slides within the paper web loop to accommodate changes in tension and is generally a costly and cumbersome device. Mechanical dancer rolls do not allow fast acceleration of the paper web due to the usual dead mass of the roll as well as the friction ~ound in such a system.
Dancer rolls also require careful dynamic tuning to allow the web to track properly. In particular, it is often nec-essary to determine the ratio of the translational mass to the rotating mass of the dancer roll in order that the dancer roll's reluctance to move in its stroke is exactly cancelled by the effect of its reluctance to change rotary speed. A
dancer roll system is usually a relatively complex assembly of interrelating mechanical par~s. It would, therefore, be desirable to pro~ide a buffer system for effectively absorbing ten~ion variations in a paper web that is simple, economic, reliable~ and minimizes the use of mechanical components and interrelated moving parts.
~ 2 It is known to use vacuum tensioning in magnetic tape and photosensitive film transport systems. ~. S. Patent No. 3,937,421 assigned to the same assignee as the present invention teaches the use of vacuum co]umns to provide the necessary suction to keep film in contact wi~h capstans and pinch rollers and also the use of a vacuum chamber and a mov-able shoe to control the contour of the film. U. S. Patent 3,807,854 shows the use of a vacuum system to put a prede-termined tension on a photosensitive element disposed between a stock roller and a takeup roller 3 These discloæures, how-ever, are directed to systems for conveying tapes and films having a relatively small, predetermined width. In addition, to convey tapes and films of signiicantly different width, generally separate vacuum chambers would be required. It would, therefore~ be desirable to provide a vacuum buffer in a paper web handling system for paper webs having a re-latively large width and a vacuum buffer that can be adapted for paper webs of substantially different width~
U. S. Patent Nos. 2,968,982 and 3,882,744 teach the use of positive air pressure or negative vacuum pressure through perforations in a curved support member to facilitate buckling o~ paper web and the return of the paper web to a normal posture. The normal posture of the paper is in con-formance with the curved support member providing a slight buckle. Additional buckling to absorb the continuously fed paper web is required after the downstream web has been stopped momentarily for cutting or pinching. These systems, however, require the curved support member to preform the paper in its normal curved posture. Pre~orm members add an additional expense and complexity to paper buffer systems. In addition, the positive or negative air pressure is generally not con-z~
tinuous but provided during buckling or unbuckling of the paper. This necessitates further complexity in the system control. It would, therefore, be desirable to provide a paper web buffer system minimizing structural elements and simplify-ing the control and operation of the system.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present inven-tion to provide a new and improved paper web tension and buf-f~r system.
Another object is to provide a vacuum buffer system for accommodating paper webs of relatively large width and also paper webs of different widths.
Further objects and advantages of the present inven-tion will become apparent as the followiny ~escription proceeds and the features of novelty characterizing the invention will be pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification.
Briefly, the present invention is concerned with a paper buffer system between a supply of paper web and a processor operating on the paper web. The buffer system com-prises a vacuum chamber and varuum pump creating a pressure differential across a portion of the paper web forcing ~he web into the vacuum chamber in the form of a loop having suit-able tension. The loop rises and falls within the vacuum chamber to either store web or deliver more web to the pro-cessor in response to the paper supply delivering more or less web than the processor can accommodate. In one embodi-ment, thè vacuum chamber is provided with a movable wall to accommodate paper webs of different widths and a foot extend-iny from the movable wall communicates with orifices ~o change the pressure differential.
;25i~
Thus., in accordance-with the present teachings, a paper handlin~ ~pparatus i.5 proYided whi.ch.compri.ses- a reel, a source of paper web supported by the reel, a processor for operating on the paper we~ with. a ~otor operable to drive the reel to move the paper we~ from the reel to the processor.
Intermediate rollers are provided supporting the paper between the reel and the processor and a paper web buffer system is provided w~ich compris-es a housing which defines a vacuum chamber with a pressure reducing source. A portion of the .. :. ...
paper web is disposed adjacent the vacuum chamber wlth the ~ :
vacuum chamber and pressure reducing source operable to create a pressure differential across the portion of the paper web and to dra~ the portion into a loop in the chamber.
~ -4a-;,'~' ' ~ ~5i2~ :
BRIEE' DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Other objects and advantages oE the present inven- -tion will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to ~he clrawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a schematic view of a prior art printing operation having a dancer roll for proper web tensioning; ..
Figure 2 is a side view of the web tensioning device in accord with the present invention;
Figure 3 is a front view of the web tensioning de-vice of Figure 2;
Figure 4 is another view of the web tensioning de-vice of Figure 2 with minimum s~ored web; and Figure 5 is a modification of the web tensioning device as shown in Figure 3.
Referring now to Figure 1, there is illustrated a prior art printing operation having a supply reel shown at 10 supporting a paper web 12, a printing press 14, inter-mediate web guide apparatus 16, a nip roller 18 and in-feed roller 20, and a web tensioning mechanism 2~. The web ten-sioning mechanism 22 generally isolates the printing press from the supply reel 10, and comprises a dancer arm 23, dancer arm pivot 24, a rolling diaphragm actuator 26, and a dancer roll 28 mechanically connected by dancer arm 23 to dancer arm pivot 24. The dancer roll 2~ is air loaded through the rolling diaphragm actuator 26 to malntain a constant level web tension and pivots about arm pivot 24 to move generally vertically a~ shown by the arrows in Figure 1.
In operation the web 12 is fed between the in-feed roller 20 and the nip roller 18 and if the in feed roller 20 is feed-ing more web 12 than the printing press 14 can accom-modate, the dancer roll 28 rises vertically to st:ore the ex-cess web. If the infeed roller 20 is feeding less web 12 than the printing press 14 is accommodating, the dancer roll 28 moves downward vertically to deliver stored web to the press 14. There are other suitable mechanical dancer roll configurations in the prior art such as moving the dancer roll vertically independent of a pivot arm or having the paper web engaged by two dancer rolls pivoted about a common point.
In accord with the present invention, the mechanical dancer roll 28 and related mechanical inter-connections are replaced by a negative pressure system. With reference to Figure 2, there is shown a simple paper web processing system comprising a supply reel 10 supporting a paper web 12, a pro-cessor 30 such as a printing press or electrophotographic or electrostatographic printing machine, a negative pressure system having a pressure reducing source or vacuum pump 34 and sub-atmospheric or vacuum chamber 36 providing suitable tensioning and bufféring of web 12 and a motor or other driv-ing force 13 suitably linked to reel 10 to convey paper web 12 to processor 30. Other components may be required such as web guides and infeed rollers but these Eorm no part of the present invention.
The sub-atmospheric or vacuum chamber 36 generally comprises a housing 38 having a first pair of parallel, oppo-sitely disposed side walls 40 spaced a suitable distance to confine the loop of the paper web 12, A second pair of paral-lel, oppositely disposed side walls 42 as seen in Fi~ure 3 are spaced a sufficient distance to accommodate the width W of the paper web 12, The side walls 40 and 42 generally define a rectangular frame closed at one end by a lower frame cross member 44 secured to each of the side walls 40 and 42~ The cross member 44 is provided with a suitable opening or port 45 communicating with the vacuum pump 34~ providing continuous negative pressure within the vacuum chamber 36.
It is understood that one skilled in the art can determine suitable tolerances between the paper web 12 and side walls 40 and 42 and provide a vacuum source sufficient to place the paper web 12 under suitable tension in the vacuum chamber 36.
The paper web tension is generally a fullction of the size of the cross sectional area of the web and the negative pressure.
Intermediate rolls 50 support a portion of the web 12 in com-munication with the open end of vacuum chamber 36. The system of Figure 2 also includes high torque brake 46 and web brake detector 48 responsive to web breaks to initiate activation of brake 46. The high torque brake 46 is suitably adjusted to stop reels of different sizes and to provide controlled web tension during stops.
lS The vacuum pump 34 is energized to draw the excess portion of web 12 into the vacuum chamber 36. In particular, evacuation of the vacuum chamber 36 creates a pressure dif-ferential across the segment of the web 12 ad~acent the cham-ber between intermedia~e xolls S0 forcing the web into the chamber to form web loop 52 and tension the web about rolls 50. Excess web is drawn into the vacuum chamber until the web is suitably tensioned about rolls 50. In operation, if the reel 10 is feeding more web than can be accommodated by the processor 30, the pressure differential will force the loop 52 of the paper web 12 toward the bottom or lower end of the vacuum chamber 36 as best seen in FigurP 2 to take up the slack of the web from the supply reel 10. If the reel 10 is feeding less web than the processor 30 is accommodating, the loop 52 will rise toward the top of the vacuum chamber 36, as best seen in Figure 4. ~he rise of loop 52 supplies sufficient web to the processor 30 and the pressure differ-ential maintains suitable tension on the web. In effect, the vacuum chamber 36 provides a buffer to isolate the mass of the paper web 12 from the processor 30. The vacuum pump 34 and vacuum chamber 36 provide a relatively constant, uni-form tension on web 12 and deliver or store web in response to variations in the processor operation~
In accord with the present invention, a modification of the vacuum chamber 36 is shown in Figure 5. Two parallel and oppositely disposed walls 54, 56 define the width of the paper web in the vacuum chamber. Wall 54 is movable toward and away from stationary wall 56 by any suitable propelling mechanism to adjust for paper webs of different width. For example~ in position Pl the walls 54, 56 accommodate a paper web width Wl. To accommodate a papex web width of Wll, wall 54 is moved to position Pll as shown in phantom.
The vacuum chamber is closed at one end by bottom member 58 connected to vacuum pump 60. Bottom member 58 in-cludes a cross member or bottom wall 62 provided with a plur-ality of orifices 64a - 64g. The movable wall 54 is disposed perpendicular to bottom wall 62 and slidingly engages bottom wall 62 and predetermined orifices 64a - 64g, in mcving from position Pl to position Pll. In particular, in position Pl, all orifices 64a - 64g communicate with the vacuum chamber.
However, in position Pll, wall 54 defines the vacuum chamber exclusive of orifice 64g. The movement of wall 54 from posi-tion Pl to position Pll, therefore, not only alters the size of the vacuum chamber but also reduces the negative pressure in the vacuum chamber by preventing communication of orifice 64g with the vacuum chamber~ Alternatively, the negative pressure in the vacuum chamber is al-tered by a foot 66 ex-tending perpendicular from movable wall 54 and disposed paral-lel and adjacent to bottom wall 62 slidingly engaging prede-termined orifices 64a - 64g. In posit:ion Pl, orifice 64f co~nunicates with the vacuum chamber whereas in position Pll, foot 66 as shown in phantom blocks orifice 64f from communica-tion with the vacuum chamber.
While there has been illustrated and described what is at present considered to be a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it will be appreciated that numerous changes and modifications are likely to occur to those skilled in the art and it is intended in the appended claims to cover all those changes and modifications which fall within the the true spirit and scope of the present invention.
_ 9 _ .
Claims (11)
1. In a paper handling apparatus, a paper web, a reel supporting the paper web, a printer for operating on the paper web, a motor operable to drive the reel to infeed the paper web along a path from the reel to the printer, a brake in coupling relationship with the reel for arresting infeed of the paper web, a detector disposed along the path for detecting interruptions in the paper web flow and initiating activa-tion of the brake, intermediate rollers supporting a portion of the paper web between the reel and the processor, a pressure reducing source, a housing having a plurality of walls defining a vacuum chamber, one end of the vacuum chamber being proximal the intermediate rollers, the distal end of the vacuum chamber commun-icating with the pressure reducing source, the vacuum chamber and the pressure reducing source being operable to create a pressure differential across said portion of the paper web and draw said portion into the vacuum chamber.
2. The paper handling apparatus of claim 1 wherein the vacuum chamber stores and delivers paper web in response to the reel infeeding more web than the printer accommodates and the printer demanding more web than the reel infeeds.
3. The paper handling apparatus of claim 2 where-in one of the walls of the housing is movable to accommodate paper webs of different width.
4. Paper handling apparatus comprising a reel, a supply of paper web supported by the reel, a processor for operating on the paper web, a motor operable to drive the reel to move the paper web from the reel to the processor, intermediate rollers supporting the paper be-tween the reel and the processor, and a paper web buffer system, the buffer system comprising a housing defining a vacuum chamber, and a pressure reducing source, a portion of the paper web being disposed ad-jacent the vacuum chamber, the vacuum chamber and pressure reducing source being operable to create a pressure differ-ential across said portion of the paper web and to draw said portion into a loop in the chamber.
5. The paper handling apparatus of claim 4 wherein the housing comprises a plurality of walls, one of the walls being movable to alter the size of the vacuum chamber.
6. The paper handling apparatus of claim 5 wherein the housing comprises a pair of parallel oppositely disposed walls defining the width of the paper web disposed in the vacuum chamber, the one movable wall being one of said pair of oppositely disposed walls.
7. The paper handling apparatus of claim 6 where-in each of the two oppositely disposed walls is movable.
8. The paper handling apparatus of claim 4 wherein one of the walls of the housing is a cross member communicating with the pressure reducing source, the cross member being provided with a plurality of orifices.
9. The paper handling apparatus of claim 8 wherein the housing is provided with a movable wall disposed generally perpendicular to the cross member and slidingly engaging pre-determined orifices, the movable wall changing the number of orifices communicating with the vacuum chamber in moving from a first position to a second position to proportionately change the pressure in the vacuum chamber.
10. The paper handling apparatus of claim 8 wherein the housing is provided with a movable wall slidingly engaging the cross member, the movable wall being provided with a foot, the foot extending parallel to the cross member and blocking predetermined orifices upon movement of the wall from a first to a second position.
11. The paper handling apparatus of claim 4 wherein the loop rises and falls within the vacuum chamber under suit-able tension in response to the reel delivering more paper web than the processor accommodates and the processor demand-ing more paper web than the reel delivers.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US05/918,615 US4218026A (en) | 1978-06-23 | 1978-06-23 | Paper web buffer system |
| US918,615 | 1978-06-23 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1115252A true CA1115252A (en) | 1981-12-29 |
Family
ID=25440664
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA326,710A Expired CA1115252A (en) | 1978-06-23 | 1979-05-01 | Paper web buffer system |
Country Status (5)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US4218026A (en) |
| JP (1) | JPS557188A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1115252A (en) |
| DE (1) | DE2923163A1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB2023553B (en) |
Families Citing this family (20)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4377251A (en) * | 1980-10-08 | 1983-03-22 | King Instrument Corporation | Variable geometry vacuum column |
| US4438888A (en) * | 1982-03-10 | 1984-03-27 | International Business Machines Corp. | Self-aligning web reel |
| US4941606A (en) * | 1989-12-04 | 1990-07-17 | Eastman Kodak Company | Device to stabilize a notched web in a vacuum box |
| US5237359A (en) * | 1991-06-19 | 1993-08-17 | Gretag Systems, Inc. | Storage for strip material |
| US5511398A (en) * | 1994-04-18 | 1996-04-30 | Tapistron International, Inc. | Dye applicator |
| US5404605A (en) * | 1994-04-18 | 1995-04-11 | Tapistron International, Inc. | Dye applicator |
| DE9420707U1 (en) * | 1994-12-24 | 1995-02-16 | Steuer Armin | Embossing rotary machine |
| US5772147A (en) * | 1995-07-21 | 1998-06-30 | Gerber Garment Technology, Inc. | Apparatus for performing a work operation on sheet material and a sheet material feed mechanism therefor |
| US5857636A (en) * | 1995-09-05 | 1999-01-12 | M & D Balloons, Inc. | Method and apparatus for providing securement for toy balloons |
| EP0858888B2 (en) * | 1997-02-13 | 2007-03-07 | Maschinenfabrik Gietz Ag | Flat-bed blocking press |
| DE10032675B4 (en) * | 2000-07-05 | 2006-06-14 | Aradex Ag | Web-processing machine |
| EP1362814A1 (en) * | 2002-05-17 | 2003-11-19 | Agfa-Gevaert AG | Device for intermediate storage of weblike material |
| US7774085B2 (en) * | 2007-05-18 | 2010-08-10 | Xerox Corporation | Inertia compensating dancer roll for web feed |
| US7945347B2 (en) | 2007-05-18 | 2011-05-17 | Xerox Corporation | Inertia compensated tension roll in closed loop belt systems |
| DE102007034246B4 (en) | 2007-07-23 | 2010-10-28 | OCé PRINTING SYSTEMS GMBH | Device with a Vorzentriervorrichtung and a buffer device for the supply of a printing material web to a printing device |
| DE102008032987A1 (en) | 2008-07-14 | 2010-01-21 | OCé PRINTING SYSTEMS GMBH | Printing-material web guiding device for use between printing units of electrographic printing device, has deflecting unit i.e. ventilator unit, arranged on outlet regions, and deflecting web in deflection against running direction of web |
| JP4712880B2 (en) * | 2009-03-19 | 2011-06-29 | シャープ株式会社 | Sheet material unwinding device and sheet material unwinding method |
| US8448572B2 (en) | 2010-06-24 | 2013-05-28 | Xerox Corporation | Web printing systems having system resonance tuner |
| US8770697B2 (en) * | 2010-09-10 | 2014-07-08 | Infoprint Solutions Company, Llc | Printer vacuum unit mechanism |
| US10525737B2 (en) * | 2016-01-15 | 2020-01-07 | Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. | Partially dried inkjet media conditioner |
Family Cites Families (12)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US2968982A (en) * | 1957-11-08 | 1961-01-24 | Walter F Cousino | Feeding apparatus |
| US3499614A (en) * | 1967-12-26 | 1970-03-10 | Ibm | Automatic web buffering means |
| US3645470A (en) * | 1970-01-29 | 1972-02-29 | Ibm | Self-valving web loading and transportation |
| US3937421A (en) * | 1971-12-01 | 1976-02-10 | Xerox Corporation | Asynchronous high-speed pneumatic film transport mechanism |
| JPS4883836A (en) * | 1972-02-07 | 1973-11-08 | ||
| US3844551A (en) * | 1972-10-11 | 1974-10-29 | Bell & Howell Co | Sheet shuttle feed |
| US3807612A (en) * | 1973-05-15 | 1974-04-30 | Fmc Corp | Web feeding apparatus for blank making machine |
| US3882744A (en) * | 1973-08-24 | 1975-05-13 | Xerox Corp | Electrostatographic web feeding apparatus |
| US3943530A (en) * | 1974-08-13 | 1976-03-09 | Benson | Tracing apparatus with suction paper control means |
| JPS5134704A (en) * | 1974-09-18 | 1976-03-24 | Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd | TEEPUKUDOHOSHIKI |
| JPS5834380B2 (en) * | 1974-11-13 | 1983-07-26 | 三菱重工業株式会社 | Makitori Mataha Makimodo Shihouhou |
| US4040043A (en) * | 1976-03-26 | 1977-08-02 | Amf Incorporated | Film sensing apparatus |
-
1978
- 1978-06-23 US US05/918,615 patent/US4218026A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1979
- 1979-05-01 CA CA326,710A patent/CA1115252A/en not_active Expired
- 1979-06-07 DE DE19792923163 patent/DE2923163A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1979-06-14 GB GB7920777A patent/GB2023553B/en not_active Expired
- 1979-06-15 JP JP7553279A patent/JPS557188A/en active Pending
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB2023553A (en) | 1980-01-03 |
| JPS557188A (en) | 1980-01-18 |
| US4218026A (en) | 1980-08-19 |
| GB2023553B (en) | 1983-04-27 |
| DE2923163A1 (en) | 1980-01-10 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |