Electrostatographic web feeding apparatus

• US 3,882,744 A
• Filed: 08/24/1973
• Issued: 05/13/1975
• Est. Priority Date: 08/24/1973
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Alan F. Mccarroll
• Original Assignee: Alan F. Mccarroll
• Inventors: McCarroll, Alan F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Schran, Donald R.
• Application Number:
  US05/391,176
• Time in Patent Office: 627 Days
• Field of Search: 83/262,402
• US Class Current: 83/262
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2301/51212 perpendicularly to the direction of displacement of handled material, e.g. forming a loop
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/6523 Cutting
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/4594 Dwell caused by clamping or blocking work during continuous operation of feed means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/6472 By fluid current

Abstract

Electrostatographic web feeding apparatus disclosing details of a paper brake operating in conjunction with the paper sheet cutter for a paper roll or other web feed machine. The disclosed brake is actuated by a single electrical solenoid, and provides a positive paper stop at two spaced points on the paper substantially simultaneously and evenly, thereby preventing paper path skew. Two individual linear brake rods are pivotally connected to opposite ends of a teeter arm transverse the paper path. The solenoid is pivotally connected to the center to the teeter arm. The two brake rods are commonly driven but pivotable with respect to one another to automatically prevent one from applying any pressure to the paper until the other has also made contact, and then to automatically provide even and self adjusting brake pressure. Each has an independent return spring and is normally maintained slightly away from the web. This brake is disclosed operating in combination with feed means and a fixed curved perforated paper bubble forming member for smooth registered feeding into electrostatographic imaging means.

Claims

1. In electrostatographic web feeding apparatus for feeding downstream a web of image supporting material from a web supply to an imaging means for transfer of an image from said imaging means to said web in registration, including registered web cutter means for cutting said web into individual sheets, the improvement comprising:

first web feed means for feeding said web from said web supply into said cutter means;

said cutter means being located downstream from said first web feed means;

web brake means for rapidly and evenly stopping said web at said cutter means and preventing skewing of said web relative to said cutter means, said web brake means providing, upon actuation, substantially simultaneous and automatically even pressure stopping engagement with said web at at least two spaced points trAnsversely of said web, said web brake means being actuated in conjunction with said cutter means;

bubble means associated with said brake means for formation of an expandable bubble of said web to prevent interruption of web feeding while said web is stopped by said web brake means; and

second web feed means for feeding said web downstream from said brake means and said cutter means;

wherein said brake means comprises;

brake drive means;

an elongated teeter arm connected to said drive means and extending transverse the direction of movement of said web;

pivotal connecting means providing connection for movement by said drive means of said teeter arm toward said web, but free intermediately pivotable movement of said teeter arm relative to said web; and

at least two independent web engaging means, each including frictional web brake surfaces, respectively connected to said teeter arm on opposite sides of said pivotal connecting means for relative pivotal movement on said teeter arm relative to said web in response to uneven pressures on said web brake surfaces;

said web engaging means both being connected to said teeter arm for movement therewith toward said web by said brake drive means.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said brake drive means is a single linear drive means pivotably connected to said teeter arm intermediately thereof.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein there are only two web engaging means, spaced substantially apart transverse said web, and wherein fixed guide means are provided for restricting the movement of said web engaging means to linear movement normal said web.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further including return spring means urging and normally maintaining said web engaging means out of contact with said web.

5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said brake drive means is a single linear short stroke, electrical solenoid directly pivotally connected centrally to said teeter arm, and having a linear output movement normal said web.

6. The apparatus of claim 4, further including independently adjustable mechanical spacing means for setting the maximum spacing of said web engaging means a small distance away from said web.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first and second web feed means both operate continuously and at substantially the same web feeding speed.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said bubble means is a substantially continuous smooth surfaced fixed hump member extending into the path of said web to continuously preform and maintain a small bubble in said web over said surface of said hump member, and wherein said hump member is a thin, slightly curved, plate which is highly multiply perforated to offer insubstantial air flow resistance.