US2038452A - Compensating device for web feeding machines - Google Patents

Description

April 21, 1936. w. E. SHARKEY ET AL GOMPENSATING DEVICE EoEwEE FEEDING MACHINES Filed Nov. 1 19, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet l //v VENTORS WILLIAM E. SA/AR/(EY & 174 L PH 5. THYOMRSOM fire/r- ATTORNEY April 1 w. E. SHARKEY El AL ,038,452

COMPENSATING DEVICE FOR WEB FEEDING MACHINES Filed Nov. 19, 1930 4 Sfieets-Sheet 2 VULCANITE awn/fame. LIAM E. SHARKEY &

RALPH 5. THOMPSON.

April 21, 1936. w. E. SHARKEY ET AL 2,038,452

COMPENSATING DEVICE FOR WEB FEEDING MACHINES I Filed Nov. 19, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 I ML /00 1O L O;

95 '/flj0/ 99 77 56 52 83 W 97 93 5 //\/VENTO/? 5,

Ti 57. l U. mu/4M 5 .SHARKEV & FALPg 5. THUMPSO/V.

7/191) 4 770/?NE K Patented Apr. 21, 1936 P TENT OFFICE.

' COMPENSA'LING DEVICE FOR WEB FEEDING MACHINES William E. Sharkey, Middletown, and Ralph s. Thompson, Hamilton, Ohio, assignors to. The Raymond Bag Company, Middletown, Qhio, a

corporation of Ohio Application November 19, 1930, Serial No. 496,614

- 14 Claims.

This invention relates to a compensating device for web feeding machines and is designed more particularly to automatically control the position of an imprint on a. web of material with 5 relation to a device which operates on that web,

such as a cutter.

One object of the invention is to provide such a machine .having variable speed mechanism for feeding the web to the operating device andhaving an improved device to cause said variable speed mechanism to correct any variation in the position of the. imprint with relation to the operating device.

A further object of the invention is to provide such a machine with a device for detecting any variation in the position of the imprint which will be simple in its ,construction and accurate in its operation.

A further object of the invention is to provide 0 such a machine with a variable speed feeding mechanism comprising a supplemental driving mechanism which can be operated to vary the speed at which the web is advanced by the feeding mechanism. 5 A further object of the invention is to provide such a machine in which the controlling mechanism may be so adjusted that it will either accelerate or retard the speed at which the web is advanced.

Other objects of the invention will appear as the mechanism is described in detail.

In the accompanying drawings Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a machine embodying my invention; Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same; Fig. 315 a 3-3 of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a section taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a detail view of one side of the feeding and cutting mechanism; Fig. i 6 is a sectional detail view of the cutters; Fig. '7 is a sectional detail view of the detector, taken on the line of Fig. 1; Fig. 8 is an end elevation of the detector showing the driving mechanism therefor; Fig. 9 is a section taken on the ine 9-9 of Fig. 1, showing the supplemental driving mechanism for the variable speed feeding device; Fig.,10 is'a longitudinal sectional view taken on the line Ill-40 of Fig. 1 and showing the clutch mechanism for controlling the variable speed 'drive; Fig. 11 is a sectional detail view showing a modified form of detector; Fig. 12 is a circuit diagram; Fig. 13 is a circuit diagram showing the connection of the, modified-form of detector with the controlling mechanism; and Fig. 14 is a plan view of a portion of the web.

sectional detail view of the variable speed drive for the feeding mechanism, taken on the line' In these drawings we have illustrated one em.- bodiment of our invention, together with a modified form of detector, and have shown the same in connection with a machine for forming bag blanks. It will be understood, however, that this 5 particular embodiment has been chosen for the purpose of illustration only, that the invention may take various forms and may be utilized in connection with web feeding mechanisms of various kinds.

The bag forming machine here illustrated is adapted to receive one or more webs of paper, or other material, to fold the same longitudinally into tubular form, paste the longitudinal edges of each web one to the other and deliver the 15 folded web, or webs, to cutting mechanism which will sever the same into sections of bag length. When a multiple wall bag is to be formed a plurality of webs are passed through the machine simultaneously and are folded one about the other and delivered to the cutting mechanism in nested arrangement. That web which forms the outer wall of the bag usually has printed thereon the name of the product which is to be placed in the bag, and the name. of the company furnishing such product, and/or other matter, and this imprint must occupy a certain definite position on the face of the finished bag. It is therefore necessary that the webs shall be so delivered to the cutting mechanism that the cut will'be made on a predetermined line with relation to the imprint. The imprint may be placed upon the web before the latter is delivered to the machine or the mechanism for placing the imprint" on the web may be a part of the machine and arranged to operate on the web in advance of the folding mechanism. The present machine is shown as adapted to form a five wall bag and five webs of paper are delivered to the machine from separate rolls, 'not shown. rollers 20, and the lower or outermost web 2|, which carries the imprint and forms the outer wall of the bag, passes about a guide roller 22 to a guide roller 23 spaced some distance beyond the roller 22. The other webs 24 pass about guide rollers 25, spaced some distance above theroller 22, to guide rollers 26. From the rollers 23 and 26 the several webs pass about guide rollers 21 to a folding device 28a, which folds the several webs one about the other in tubular form and the nested tubes are delivered to the cutting mechanism, which is here shown as comprising an upper roller 29' and a lower roller 28, the upper roller 29 having a blade 30 arranged to sever the nested tubes across their entire width.

The webs pass about guide 0 The arrangement of the guide roller 22 with relation to the guide rollers 25 results in spacing the outer web 2| some distance from the other webs, thus providing space within which the detector may be applied to the outer web. Inasmuch as the invention is applicable to a machine handling a single web as well as to a machine handling a plurality of webs and the additional webs are in no way concerned with the invention, the term web will be herein used as referring either to a single web of material or to that one of several webs of material which carries the imprint. The term imprint as here employed is intended to include any marking or other characteristic which may be placed upon or imparted to the web, whether placed thereon by printing or otherwise.

The mechanism may be driven from any suit,- able source or sources of power but, in the present instance, the machine as a whole is driven by an electric motor 3| which is connected by a chain 32 with a sprocket wheel 33 on the main drive shaft 34, extending transversely to a main frame. A gear 35 on the drive shaft meshes with a gear 36 on the shaft of the lower cutter roller which gear also meshes with a gear 31 on the upper cutter roller.. At that end opposite the gear 36 the shaft of the lower cutter roller has secured thereto a gear 38 which is connected through an idle gear 39 with a gear 40 on the shaft 4| of the lower feed roller 42. An upper feed roller 43, here shown as comprising two narrow rollers or disks, is carried by a shaft 44 which is driven from the shaft 4| of the lower feed roller in a manner to be hereinafter described. These feed rollers serve to draw the web, or webs, of materialfrom the supply rollers through the folding mechanism and to deliver the same to the cutting rollers. The severed bag sections are withdrawn and delivered from the machine by feeding out rollers 45 which are driven by a chain 46 from the lower cutter roller shaft. The imprint on the web must occupy a certain definite position on the finished bag and it is therefore essential that the webs should be so delivered to the cutting mechanism that the line of severance of each bag section will be at a definite distance from the imprint. The arrangement and timing on the web, the inaccurate spacing of the imprints on the web by the printing mechanism, or

for other reasons and any such variation mustbe promptly corrected. For the purpose of correcting such variations we have provided variable speed mechanism for driving :he feed rollers 42 and 43 and automatically controlled means for :causing this variable speed mechanism to accelerate or retard the speed at which the web is advanced so as to correct the position of the imprint with relation to the cutters.

In the present arrangement of the machine the variable speed mechanism is mounted in a gear box 41 supported on the main frame at one side thereof and the main drive shaft 4| extends into this gear box. The lower feed roller 42 is carried by a sleeve 48 which is rotatably mounted on the shaft 4i and extends into the gear box where it is provided with a gear 49. A gear is secured to the sleeve 48, preferably between the gear box and the main frame and meshes with a gear 5| secured to the shaft 44 of the upper feed roller, so that the two feed rollers are caused to rotate in unison in opposite directions. Mounted Withinthe gear box for rotation about the axis of the main feed shaft 4| is a supporting member or frame 52 which, as here shown, has an elongated hub 53 which is journaled in a bearing in the outer wall of the gear box and in which the adjacent end of the main feed shaft 4| is rotatably supported. Rigidly secured to the main feed shaft 4| is a gear 54 having an elongated hub 55 on which'is mounted a sleeve 58 having rigidly secured thereto, at its respective ends, gears 5'! and 58. The gears 51 and 58 are of the same diameter as the gear 54 and have a slightly smaller number of teeth, in the present instance the gear 54 has thirty-six teeth and the gears 51 and 58 have thirty-five teeth each. The gear 49"on the sleeve 48 is of the same diameter as and 5 has the same number of teeth as the gear 54. The gears 54 and 57 mesh, one side of the shaft,

with a planetary gear 59 which is of sumcient width to mesh simultaneously with both gears. The gears 54 and 51 being rotatable with relation to each other will assume a position in which the teeth thereof will be in line at that point where they mesh with the gear 59 but will be slightly out of line on the opposite side of the shaft. The gear 59 is carried by a short shaft 50 which is supported at one end in the rotatable supporting member or frame 52 and at the other end in an annular frame or collar 6| which is rotatably mounted within the gear box. The gears 54 and 51 mesh, on that side of the shaft opposite the gear 59, respectively, with gears '62 and 63, which are mounted on a stud-64 carried by the supporting member and the collar. These two gears 62 and 63 have the same number of teeth, in the present instance twenty-seven, and are rigidly connected one to the other in such positions that the teeth will be slightly out of line so that the gear 62 will mesh with the gear 54 and the gear 63 will mesh with the gear 51, the teeth of the gears 54 and 51 being slightly out of line at the point at which they engage the gears 62 and 63. The gear 58, which is rigidly connected with the gear 51, meshes with a gear 65 having rigidly secured thereto a gear 66 which meshes with a gear 49 on the sleeve 48. The gears 65 and 66 are carried by a stud 61 supported at one end in the end wall of the gear box and at the other end on a stationary frame or collar 68. The gears 65 and 66 have the same number of teeth as the gears .62 and 63 and the teeth of the two gears are slightly out of line so that they will mesh simultaneously with the gears 58 and 49. The

gears 58 and 49 also mesh with a wide gear 69 When the worm 12 is stationary the supporting member will be held against movement and the rotation of the shaft 4| and gear 54 will cause the. gears 62 and 63 to rotate and this movement will be imparted through the gears 51 and 58 and the gears 65 and 66 to the gear 49 on the sleeve 48, thus causing that sleeve and the feed rollers to rotate at the same speed at which the shaft 4| is rotated. If the worm 12 is rotated in a direction to impart forward rotation to the supporting member 52 the gears 62 and 63 will not only be rotated by the gear 54 on the main feed shaft but will be rotated with relation thereto and will thus impart movement to the gears 51 and 58 in addition to the movement imparted thereto by the gear 54 and will thereby cause those gears to move at a speed slightly greater than the speed at which the shaft 4| rotates. In the present arrangement the difference in the rotations of the gears 51 and 54 is equal to one tooth for each complete rotation of the supporting member. The accelerated movement of the gears 51 and 58 will be transmitted through the gears 65 and 86 to the gear 49 on the sleeve 48, thus causing the feed rollers to be actuated at a speed slightly greater than the speed at which the shaft 4| is rollers are operated and .for determining the dimotion at which that shaft 'is rotated may take various forms. In the present instance, the shaft 73 is driven from the main drive'shaft 34 through suitable clutch connections, part of which are automatically controlled. Extending lengthwise of the main frame is a shaft 14 connected at its forward end with the main drive shaft 34 by beveled gears 15. vRotatably mounted on the main frame adjacent to the shaft 14 is a short shaft 16 and rotatably mounted on this shaft is a clutch member 1'! having rigidly secured thereto apinion 18 which is connected, through an idle gear 19, with a gear 88 on the shaft 14, thus causing the clutch member 11 to be driven from the shaft 74 and to rotate in the same direction as that shaft rotates. Cooperating with the clutch member 11 is a clutch member-8| which is splined on or otherwise so connected with the shaft .18 that it will rotate therewithand have axial movement with relation thereto-so that it maybe moved into and out of operativeeng'agement with the clutch member 11-.- A second clutch member 82 is also splined on the shaft 16 and adapted to cooperate with a clutch member 83' rotatably mountedon the shaft an'd'ha'ving rigidly secured thereto a pinion 84 which meshes with a gear 85 on theshaft 14, thus causingthe clutchmember 83to be rotated from the shaft 14 in-adirection opposite to the direction in which said shaft rotates. The two clutch members 8| and 82 have connected therewith a grooved collar 86 adapted to be engaged by a shifting yoke'8l by means of which axial movement may be imparted to the clutch members. The clutch members are so connected one to the other that when one is moved into operative engagement with'its cooperating clutch member the other will be moved to an inoperative position. The shifting yoke 81. is carried by a shaft 88 extending transversely to the machine and havingat one end an operating handle 89. Rotatably mounted on the shaft 16 near the rear end thereof is a clutch member 98 which, in the present instance, has an; elongated hub 9| journaled in a bearing 92 and in which the shaft 16 is rotatably supported. Rigidly secured to the hub 9| of the clutch member 98 is a sprocket wheel 93 which is connected by a chain 94 with a sprocket wheel 95 on the. shaft 13. Cooperating with the clutch 98 is a clutch member 96 splined or otherwise secured to the shaft 16 for axial movement with relation thereto but for rotation therewith. It will be apparent, therefore, that when the clutch member 98 is seated in its cooperatingclutch member, and either of the clutch members 8| or 82 are seated, the shaft 13 will be driven from the shaft 14 in a direction determined by the clutch members 8| and 82. The clutch member 96, which serves to start and stop the shaft 13 of the variable speed mechanism, is power operated in such a manner that it may be automatically controlled and preferably is actuated by electrically operated devices. In the present instance, a coupling member 91 is operatively connected with the clutch member 96 and is connected with one arm of a toggle98, the other arm of which is connected with a fixed support 99. In the present device, a spring I88 is interposed between the last mentioned arm of the toggle and the fixed support 99 and tends to hold the toggle in the position to which it has been moved. The electrically operatcd devices are shown as comprising two solenoids, |8| and I82, the cores of which'are connected with a yoke I83 wh'ich embraces a stud E84 connected with'the'toggle at the point of pivotal connection of the two arms thereof. It will be apparent, therefore, that when the solenoid IN is energized the parts will assume the position shown in Fig. 10 and the clutch member 95 will be moved to an inoperative position. When the solenoid I82 is energized the toggle will be straightened and the clutch member 86 seated in the clutch member 9-8, thus establishing the operative connectionbetween the shaft l5 and the'shaft 13. The movement of the toggle to arms thereof and the action of the spring I88 will 'hold the arms inthat position after the solenoid has" been deenergized and until transverse pressure is applied thereto.

I Thebircuits' for the electricallyoperated-device which controls the actionof the speed varying mechanism are automatically controlled in accordance with-the position of the imprint on .the webwith relation to the cutting mechanism. In' the'present instance, the'web 2| is provided With-a series of apertures I85, one for each imprint. These apertures-are preferably formed in -the web simultaneously with'the placing of the imprints ther'e'on' so that eachaperture will occupy a certain definite position with relation to'the corresponding imprint irrespective of the position of the imprint on the web. Cooperating with the apertures in the web is a detector which preferably comprises a rotatable part driven in timed relation'with the cutting mechanism and so positioned that when the imprint on the web is in proper relation to the cutting mechanism the' part will not register with the aperture in the web but, when the web assumes an abnormal position with relation to the cutting mechanism,

the rotatable part will register with the aperture inthe web and will operate therethrough to close the circuit through the electrically operated deis a lens H2 which is adapted to focus the light enteringthe compartment through the opening H onto the photoelectric cell. Mounted above the casing I06, and above the web, are two rotatable drums H3 and H4, each having in its peripheral wall an opening H5 but being preferably otherwise closed against admission of light. These drums are rotated. in the same direction in accurately timed relation to the movement with the cutting mechanism. In the present arrangement, the shaft I4 has secured thereto a worm I I6'which meshes with a worm wheel I Ilia to which is secured a sprocket wheel III. This sprocket wheel is connected by a chain H8 with sprocket wheels H9 and I on the drums H3 and H5 so that these drums will be driven in the same direction and at a predetermined speed with relation to the shaft I4 and the cutting mechanism. If desired, one or both drums may be adjustable, as shown at I2I, sothat the relative positions of the openings in the two drums may be adjusted. The drums are arranged close to the upper surface of the web but are preferably out of contact therewith. Each drum is provided, on that side thereof opposite the opening H5 therein, with an electric lamp I22 and between this lamp and the opening H5 is a lens E23 which serves to focus the light from the lamp into the opening H5. The two drums are normally so arranged that when the imprint on the web is in its proper position with relation to the cutting mechanism the openings H5 will not register with the aperture I05 in the web but when the web lags, or if for any other reason the imprint is behind the position it should occupy, the opening I I5 in the drum I I4 will register simultaneously with the aperture I05 in the web and with the opening H0 in the compartment I09 of the housing, thereby causing the ray of light to pass through the opening H0 and to be focused onto the photoelectric cell. This will operate through a series of mechanisms to be hereinafter described to initiate the operation of the speed varying mechanism and cause the. speed at which the feeding mechanism is driven to be accelerated, thus restoring the imprint to its proper position with relation to the cutting mechanism. When the imprint has been returned to, or slightly beyond, its proper position, the opening H5 in the drum H3 will register with the aperture in the web, thus causing the ray of light to be focussed on the photo-electric cell in the compartment I08 of the housing and this will cause the operation of the speed varying mechanism to be interrupted and thereby restore the normal speed of operation for the Y feeding mechanism.

In the present embodiment of the invention we have, for the purpose of illustration, .shown portions of the web cut away to provide the apertures I05 which control the passage of the light through the web to the photoelectric cell but it will be obvious that the passage of the light through the web may be controlled in various Ways and the term aperture as herein employed is intended to include any means operating in a similar manner to control the pas sage of the light.

The construction and operation of the photoelectric cell form no part of the present invention and inasmuch as these are well known they will be described only to the extent necessary to make clear the operation of the present device. As shown in the circuit diagram of Fig. 12, a conductor I24, leading from a source of supply for direct current, is connected by a conductor I25 through the coil I26 of a relay and a conductor I21 with one side of the photo-electric cell I II in the compartment I09 and the other side of this cell is connected by conductors I28 and I29 with a conductor I30 which leads back to the source of current. A conductor I3I connects the line I24 through the coil I32 of a relay and a conductor I33 with the photo-electric cell III in the compartment I08 and this cell is connected by conductors I34 and I 35 with the line I30. The con- I ductors I21 and I28 are connected, respectively,

with the plate I36 and the grid I37 of an amplifying tube and thefilament I38 of this amplifying tube is connected by conductors I30, I40 and I4I,

with one end of the secondary of a transformer,

the other side of the filament being connected by a conductor I42 with the secondary, preferably at a point between the ends thereof so that a portlon only of the secondary voltage is delivered to the filament. The same connections exist'in the compartment I06 where the grid I3! is connected with the conductor I34 and the plate I36 is connected with the conductor I33. The filament I38 is connected by a conductor I43 with the conductor I39 and by a conductor I44 with the conductor I42. The primary coil of the transformer, which is indicated as a whole by the reference numeral I45, is connected by conductors I46 with a source of supply of alternating current. The relay I26 is connected by a conductor I41 with a conductor I4I leading to the secondary of the transformer and by a conductor I48 with a reversing switch which is indicated as a whole by the reference numeral I49. With the switch in the position shown in Fig. 12 the conductor I48 is connected through the arm I50 of the switch and the cross connection I5I with a conductor I52 which is connected with the coil I53 of a relay I54, the opposite end of this coil being connected with a conductor I55 which leads back to the secondary of the transformer. controls two circuits, one of which servesto en-' ergize the solenoid'l02 which closes the clutch 96 to initiate the acceleration of the feeding mechanism, and the other of which maintains the relay itself energized until the solenoid has completed its operation, irrespective of the relay I26. The solenoid circuit comprises a conductor I56 leading from the source of current supply to the relay, a conductor I51 leadlng'from the relay to the solenoid I02 and conductors I58 and I59 leading from the solenoid back to the source of current supply. The coil I53 of the relay is connected by a conductor I60 through the relay itself with a second conductor I6I which leads through a. switch I62 to a conductor I63 leading back to the secondary of the transformer, so that when This relay the relay is operated the circuit through the coil- I I26, which takes place after a very brief interval, will not interrupt the solenoid circuit. The switch I62 is so arranged that it will be engaged and opened by a plunger I64, or other part, connected with, the solenoid core, this opening of the switch taking place after the clutch has been operated and, as has been heretofore explained, the clutch is mechanicallyheld in its closed position after the solenoid is deenergized. With the clutch set as above described the movement of the web is accelerated until the imprint is brought back to or slightly beyond its correct position, at which time the opening H5 in the drum II3 will register with the aperture in the Web and with the opening I I in the compartment I08 of the housing, thus energizing the photo-electric cell in that compartment and thereby causing the relay I32 to be closed in the same manner that the relay I26 was closed. The relay I32 is connected on one side by a conductor I65 with the conductor I40 leading from the secondary of the transformer. A conductor I66 leads from the other side of the relay to the reversing switch I49 and through one arm I61 of that switch and a cross connection I68 to a conductor I69 which leads to the coil I10 of a relay I1I, thus energizing that relay and closing the circuit through the solenoid IOI which functions to move the clutch member 96 to its inoperative position and thus interrupt the acceleration of the web. The solenoid circuit comprises a conductor I12 leading from the conductor I56 to the relay, a conductor I13 leading from the relay to the solenoid and a conductor I14 leading from the solenoid to the line I59. A conductor I15 leading from the relay coil is connected through the relay itself, a conductor I 16, switch I 11, a conductor I 18 with the conductor I63 leading back to the secondary of the transformer, thus when the relay I1I has been operated it will be retained in its closed position after the relay I32 has opened and until the switch I11 is opened by the solenoid, which has a part, such-as a plunger I19, arranged to engage and open that switch.

The present machine is adapted to correct displacements of the imprint in one direction only. As above described, the mechanism. operates to accelerate the speed of the web to advance'the imprint when it has lagged behind its normal position. By reversing the operation the mechanism may be caused to retard the feeding of the web when the imprint has moved-ahead of its normal position. In the present arrangement, the mechanism does not function automatically to both accelerate and retard the movement of the Web but a manual operation is required to change the operation from acceleration to retardation. 'Io reverse the mechanism from the accelerating position to the retarding position the manually operated device 89 is actuated to reverse the position of the clutch members 8| and 82 and thus so connect the shaft 13 of the' speed varying mechanism that it will be driven in the opposite direction. The reversing switch I49 is actuated to break the connection of one end of the arm I at the cross connection I5I and to establish a connection between the other end of the arm I50 and the conductor I69, thus connecting the photoelectric cell in the compartment I09 with the relay I1I. The reversing of 'the switch I49 also breaks the connection between one end of the switch arm I61 and the cross connection I68 and connects the other end'of that arm with the conductor I52 leading to the relay I54, thereby conment I08 with the relay I54. It will thus be apparent that the rotary part or drum which had formerly served to interrupt the operation of the speed varying mechanism now becomes the starting device which initiates the operation of the speed varying mechanism and that the drum H4 which formerly served to initiate this operation now serves to stop the same. Consequently when the imprint moves to a position in advance of its normal position the opening i I5 in the drum I I3 will register with the aperture in the web,

thus causing the photo-electric mechanism in the compartment I08 to actuate the relay I 54 and solenoid I02 to set the clutch member 96, and, likewise, when the imprinthas been restored to its normal position the opening H5 in the drum I I4 will register with an aperture in the web and the relay "I will operate to energize the solenoid IOI and withdraw the clutch member 96. Preferably the reversing switch I49 is operated simultaneously with the operation of the clutch 'members 8| and 82 and to this end the reversing switch may be connected with the shaft 88 and, in the present arrangement, it is mounted in a casing I80 and connected with that shaft.

At times the imprint on the web may be moved so far from its normal position that the detector will not function. For example, due to some fault in the printing mechanism there might be a wide gap between certain imprints on the web. To enable the speed varying mechanism to be operated to correct such a wide variation I have provided manually operated switches for energizing the relays I54 and HI. As shown in Fig. 12 a switch I8I is connected with the conductor I52 which leads to the coil of the relay I54 and, by a conductor I82 with the .conductor I 4| and the secondary of the transformer. A second switch I83 is connected with the conductor I69 leading to the relay HI and with the conductors I82 and MI leading to thesecondary. Thus by manually operating the switches I8I and I83 the solenoids IOI and I02 may be actuated to control the clutches and the speed varying mechanism.

The speed varying mechanism may be controlled by detectors of various kinds and in Fig. 11 I have shown a modified form of detector in which the circuit is mechanically closed through the aperture in the web. As there shown, the detector comprises two rotatable parts or contact members I84 and I85 which are slidably mounted in the peripheral wall of a drum I 86 which is operated in timed relation to the cutting mechanism.

These contact members orplungers are connected through connector rings I81 and conductors I88 and I89 with the conductors I48 and I66, respectively, thus substituting the rotatable parts I84 and I 85 for the rotatable members H3 and H4 and their cooperating photo-electric devices.

Extendingpartially about the drum I86 is a'segmental contact member I90 which is connected by a conductor IS with the conductor I4I leading to the secondary of the transformer. The web 2| is carried about guides I92 between the drum I86 and the segmental contact member I90. The drum is so positioned with relation to the cutting mechanism that when the imprint on the web is in its correct position each aperture will lie between the contact members I84'and- I85 as the web travels over the segmental contact I90, but if the imprint lags behind its normal position the opening I05 in the web will be brought into line with the contact member I85 and this contact member will be moved by its spring through the opening in the web and into engagement with the contact member I90, thus closing the circuit through the relay 154. Inasmuch as contact will be maintained through a considerable period of time the relay will be retained closed for a sufficient period to insure the proper operation of the solenoid 92. When the imprint has been restored to or slightly beyond its normal position the other contact member I84 will operate through the opening H35 in the web to close the circuit through the relay III and and thus energize the solenoid IUI to interrupt the operation of the speed varying mechanism.

While we have shown and described one embodiment of our invention, together with a modifled form of detector, we wish it to be understood that we do not desire to be limited to the details thereof as various modifications may occur to a person skilled in the art.

Having. now fully described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a machine comprising a device to operate on a web of material at a predetermined location with relation to each of a series of imprints on said web, and means for normally feeding said web of material to said operating device with said imprints in proper relation to said operating device, said web having an aperture arranged in definite relation to each imprint, normally inoperative means for varying the speed at which said web of material is fed to correct a variation in the position of said imprints with relation to said operating device, an electrically operated device to initiate the operation of said speed varying means, a second electrically operated device to interrupt the operation of said speed varying means, a detector comprising two parts actuated in timed relation to said operating device and adapted to operate through apertures in said web to control the circuits for the respec tive electrically operated devices, and means for reversing the connections between said parts and said electrically operated devices, whereby either part-f said detector may be caused to control either of said electrically operated devices.

2. In a machine having a device to operate on a web of material at a predetermined location with relation to each of a series of imprints on said web, means for feeding a Web to said operating device, a driving mechanism for said operating device and said feeding means, a device to vary the speed at which said web is fed to said operating device, means including a clutch to operatively connect said speed varying device with said driving mechanism, electro-magnets to move said clutch into and out of its operative position,

separate circuits for said magnets, a device controlled by the position of the imprints on said web with relation to said operating device to close the circuit through one of said magnets when said imprints assume an abnormal position, and a similar device to close the circuit through the other magnet after the imprints have been restored to their normal position.

3. In a machine having a device to operate on a web of material at a predetermined location with relation to each of a series of imprints on said web, means for feeding a web to said operating device, a driving mechanism for said operating device and said feeding means, a device to vary the speed at which said web is fed to said operating device, means including a clutch to operatively connect said speed varying device with said driving mechanism, electro-magnets to move said clutch into and out of its operative position.

separate circuits for said magnets, a device controlled by the position of the imprints on said web with relation to said operating device to close the circuit through one of said magnets when said imprints assume an abnormal position, a similar device to close the circuit through the other magnet after the imprints have been restored to their normal position, means for reversing the direction in which said speed varying device is driven by said driving mechanism, and means for reversing the connections between said c rcuit controlling devices and said magnets.

4. In a machine having a device to operate on a web of material at a predetermined location with relation to each of a series of imprints on said web, means for feeding a web to said oper ating device, a driving mechanism for said operating device and said feeding means, a device to vary the speed at which said web is fed to said operating device, a shaft, reversible mechanism for causing said shaft to be rotated in either direction by said driving mechanism, means including a clutch to operatively connect said shaft with said speed varying mechanism. electrically operated devices to actuate said clutch, devices controlled by the position of the imprints on said web with relation to said operating device and connected with the respective electrically operated devices to control the operation thereof, and means for reversing the connections between said controlling devices and said electrically operated devices.

5. In a mechanism comprising a device to operate on a web of material at a predetermined location with relation to each of a series of imprints on said web and means for normally feeding said web to said operating device with said imprints in proper relation to said operating device, said web having an aperture arranged in definite relation to each imprint, normally inoperative means for varying the speed at which said web is fed to correct variations in the position of said imprints with relation to said operating device, electrically operated means to control the operation of said speed varying means and having separate circuits to initiate said operation and to interrupt the same, and a detector comprising two parts adapted to separately operate through apertures in said web to close the respective circuits, each circuit having means to maintain the same closed independently of said detector, said parts .of said detector being so arranged that one of said parts can operate through an aperture in said web only when the imprint on said web is in the rear of its normal position and the other of said parts can operate through an aperture in said web only when said imprint is in advance of its normal position and the closing of one circuit will initiate the operation of said speed varying means and the closing of the other circuitwill interrupt said operation.

6. In a mechanism comprising a device to operate on a web of material at a predetermined location with relation to each of a series of imprints on said web and means for normally feeding said web to said operating device with said imprints in proper relation to said operating device, said web having an aperture arranged in definite relation to each imprint, normally inoperative means for varying the speed at which said web is fed to correct variations in the position of said imprints with relation to said operating device, means including a clutch to control 2,oss.452 I 7 the operation of said speed varying means, electrical devices operating respectively to set and release said clutch, separate circuits for said electrical devices, and a detector having means operating through an aperture in said web to close the circuit through one of said electrical 'devices to set said clutch when the imprint on said web has assumed a predetermined position with relation to said operating device and also having means operating through an aperture in said web to close the circuit through the other electrical device to release said clutch when the imprint on said web has assumed another predetermined position with relation to said operating device.

7. In a mechanism comprising a device to operate on a web of material at a predetermined location with relation to each of a series of imprints on said web and means for normally feeding said web to said operating device with said imprints in proper relation to said operating device, said web having an aperture arranged in definite relation to each imprint, normally inoperative means for varying thespeed at which said web is fed to correct variations in the position of said imprints with relation to said operating device, means including a clutch to control the operation of said speed varying means, electrical devices operating respectively to set and release said clutch, separate circuits for said electrical devices, a relay in each circuit having means for maintaining its circuit closed for an interval after said relay has operated to close the same, an actuating circuit for each relay, and a detector having means operating through an aperture in.

said web to close one of said actuating circuits when the imprint on said web assumes a predetermined position with relation to said operating device and also having means operating through an aperture in said web to close the other actuating circuit when the imprint assumes another predetermined position with relation to said operating device.

8. In a-mechanism comprising a device to operate one. web of material at a predetermined location with relation to each of a series of imprints on said web and means for normally feed: ing said Web to said operating device with said imprints in proper relation to said operating device, said web having an aperture arranged in definite relation to each imprint, normally inoperative means for varying the speed at which said web is fed to correct variations in the position of said imprints with relation to said operating device, means including a clutch to control the operation of said speed varying means, electrical devices operating respectively to set and release said clutch, separate circuits for said electrical devices, a detector having means operating through an aperture in said web to close the circuit through one of said electrical devices to set said clutch when the imprint on said web has assumed a predetermined position with relation to said' operating device and also having means operating through an aperture in said web to close the circuit through the other electrical device to release said clutch when the imprint on said, web has assumed another predetermined position with relation to said operating device, and means controlled by said clutch to open the respective circuits after said clutch has been op- .erated.

means for altering the rate at which the web is fed, and means for maintaining said electrical means in operated condition until an error in the other direction is detected.

10. In a mechanism comprising a device 101' operating on a web of material, means forcontinuously advancing said web to said operating device and electrically operated means for varying the speed at which said web is advanced to control the position of an imprint on said web with relation to said operating device, a housing having a wall in supporting engagement with said web and provided with an opening, a light controlled device arranged within said housing to receive light from saidopening and having means to control a circuit for said electrically operate-cl means, a source of light arranged to projectiiignt .toward that side of said web opposite said housing, and a device operated in timed relation to said operating device to cause lightv from said source to be projected toward said web at prodetermincd intervals, said web having means located in a definite position with relation to each imprint thereon to control the passage of light fromsaid source through said opening in said housing. Y

11. In a web feeding mechanism having electrically operated means for controlling the position of an imprint on'said web with relation to a device which operates on said web, a detecting device comprising a housing having a wallin supporting engagement with said web and provided with an opening, a light controlled device arranged within said housing to receive light from said opening and having means to control a circuit for said electrically operated means, a hollow element mounted on that side of said web opposite said housing for rotation in timed relation to said operating device and having an opening adapted. to register with the opening in said housing, and means mounted within said hollow element for projecting a ray of light through said openings, said web having means arranged in definite relation toeach imprint thereon to control the passage of light through the opening in said housing.

12. In a web feeding mechanism having elec trically operated means for controlling the position of an imprint on said web with relation to a device which operates on said web, a detecting device comprising a housing having a wall in supporting engagement with said web and provided with an opening, a light controlled device arranged within said housing to receive light from said opening and having means to control a circuit for said electrically operated means, a hollow element mounted on that side of said web opposite said housing for rotation in timed relation to said operating device andv having an opening adapted to register with the opening in said housing, and means mounted within said hollow element for projecting a ray of light through said openings, said web having an aperture arranged in a definite position with relation to each imprint and adapted to register with the openings in said housing and said rotatable element when the imprint on said web assumes an inaccurate position with relation to said operating device.

13. In a web feeding mechanism having electrically operated means for controlling the position of an imprint on said web with relation to a device which operates on said web, a detecting device including a housing comprising two compartments and having a wall in supporting engagement with said web, said wall having spaced openings communicating with the respective compartments, light controlled devices arranged in said compartments to receive light from the respective openings and having means for controlling circuits for said electrically operated means, hollow elements mounted on that side of said web opposite said housing for rotation in timed relation to said operating device and having openings adapted to register with the respective openings in said housing, and means within each rotatable element to project a ray of light through the opening therein, said web having means arranged in definite relation to each imprint thereon to control the passage of light from the openings in said rotatable ele-' ments through the openings in said housing.

14. In a web feeding mechanism having electrically operated means for controlling the po-- sition of an imprint on said web with relation to a device which operates on said web, a detecting device including a housing comprising two c'ompartments and having a wall in supporting engagement with said web, said wall having spaced openings communicating with the respective compartments, light controlled devices arranged in said compartments to receive light from the respective openings and having means for controlling circuits for said electrically operated means, hollow elements mounted on that side of said web opposite said housing for rotation in timed relation to said operating device and having openings adapted to register with the respective openings in said housing; and means within each rotatable element to project a ray of light through the opening therein, the openings in said elements being so arranged with relation one to the other and to said operating device that when an imprint on said web assumes a position in the rear of its normal position the adjacent aperture will register simultaneously with the opening in one of said rotatable elements and the corresponding opening in said housing and when an imprint on said web assumes a position in advance of its normal position the adjacent aperture will register simultaneously with the opening in the other rotatable element and the other opening in said housing.

WILLIAM E. SHARKEY. RALPH S. THOMPSON.

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