Vacuum commutation apparatus and methods
First Claim
1. A system for processing a web, the system comprising:
- a rotating vacuum commutation structure;
a rotating article carrying surface for receiving at least a portion of a traveling web;
said rotating vacuum commutation structure communicatively coupled to a first portion of said rotating article carrying- surface;
said rotating vacuum commutation structure movably communicatively coupled between said first portion of said rotating article carrying surface to a second portion of said rotating article carrying surface, said at least said portion of said traveling web traveling at a first speed, said rotating article carrying surface for receiving at least said portion of said traveling web traveling at said first speed, and said rotating vacuum commutation structure traveling at a speed variable from less than first speed, to said first speed, to greater than said first speed.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for transporting a discrete element. A preferably rotatably driven vacuum commutation zone (or internal vacuum manifold), preferably internal to a preferably independently driven porous vacuum roll or drum is disclosed. The vacuum manifold applies vacuum through pores in the driven porous vacuum roll or puck in order to hold material against an external surface of the vacuum roll or puck. By independently controlling the vacuum commutation zone and the driven porous surface, unique motion profiles of the vacuum commutation zone relative to the driven porous surface can be provided. Micro vacuum commutation port structures are also disclosed.
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Citations
4 Claims
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1. A system for processing a web, the system comprising:
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a rotating vacuum commutation structure; a rotating article carrying surface for receiving at least a portion of a traveling web; said rotating vacuum commutation structure communicatively coupled to a first portion of said rotating article carrying- surface; said rotating vacuum commutation structure movably communicatively coupled between said first portion of said rotating article carrying surface to a second portion of said rotating article carrying surface, said at least said portion of said traveling web traveling at a first speed, said rotating article carrying surface for receiving at least said portion of said traveling web traveling at said first speed, and said rotating vacuum commutation structure traveling at a speed variable from less than first speed, to said first speed, to greater than said first speed.
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2. A system for processing a web, the system comprising:
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a rotating external porous roll rotating at a first rotational speed; a rotating internal vacuum manifold communicatively coupled with at least a portion of said rotating external porous roll, said rotating internal vacuum manifold rotating at a variable rotational speed, from a second speed less than said first rotational speed, to said first rotational speed, to a third speed greater than said first rotational speed. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4)
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Specification