US3815457A

US3815457A - Equipment using novel paper storage means

Info

Publication number: US3815457A
Authority: US
Inventors: L Shimmin
Original assignee: COPLEY PRESS Inc
Current assignee: COPLEY PRESS Inc
Priority date: 1969-06-02
Filing date: 1971-10-06
Publication date: 1974-06-11
Anticipated expiration: 1991-06-11

Abstract

Paper storage, paper cutting and paper dispensing means are incorporated in a phototypesetting machine to allow a person to select various lengths of photosensitized copy material for delivery to a developer. Once the person makes a selection by operating a switch, paper is cut, withdrawn from the storage area and delivered into an attached developer. The phototypesetting process is interrupted only momentarily to accomplish this selection.

Description

PATNTEDJUN l 1 um `SHEET 1 0F 4 VIII! INVENTOR.

M 5 M C This isv a continuation of i application, Ser. No. 829,305 filed .lune 2, 1969, now abandoned.

The present invention relates to improved means and techniques useful in phototypesetting machines in the printing and typesetting industry and more specifically to an improved paper storage system useful not only in this type of machine but also in other systems.

An object of the present invention is to provide improved means and techniques whereby existing phototype-setting machines may be used to greater advantage.

Another object of the present invention is to provide improved means and techniques whereby an improved paper storage, paper cutting and paper dispensing means may be usedas an adjunct to existing equipment such that a person may now select and have developed various lengths of copy material.

Another object of the present invention is to provide improved means and techniques involving novel paper storage means into which and from which variable lengths of paper may be dispensed.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved phototypesetting machine in which various lengths of copy material may be produced and selected and dispensed into a developer without the necessity of adversely interrupting the photosensitizing process. l

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved phototypesetting machine in which during virtually continuous operation of the photosensitizing process, various lengths, as desired, of copy material may be dispensed and developed.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved paper storage means into which paper may be stored and from which it may be subsequently dispensed without the necessity of interrupting the normal feed of the paperinto the storage structure.

The features vof the present invention which are believed to be novelare set forth with particularity in the appended claims. This invention itself, both as to its organization and manner of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may be best understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. l is in general a top plan view, partly in section,

of apparatus embodying features of the present invenl FIG. 3 but in a different operating position.

FIG. 6 is a view taken as indicated b y the line 6-6 in FIG. l.

FIG. 7 is a view taken as indicated by the lines 7-7 in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a schematic illustration of some of the apparatus illustrated in the previous figures in a new system also embodying features of the present invention.

FIG. 9 illustrates a modified form of the invention. Referring to FIG. 8, the invention is described in relationship to a phototypesetting machine wherein sensitized paper P supplied on a paper supply spool I0 is intermittently driven by an intermittent paper drive 12 past a sensitizing station 13. At station 13 light from a light source 14 is reflected from a drum (disc) l5 onto the paper P. Drum (Disc) 1S is a so-called Alpha- Numeric drum (disc) which is indexed in accordance with information perforated on a tape 16.

Following conventional techniques the composer of a newspaper story operates certain keys of the tape perforator 17 to produce perforations in such tape 16 and such perforations are then read out by a read-out device 18 and the information from such read-out device is used to index the light-reflecting drum (disc) l5 accordingly. This requires a light-tight enclosure and such enclosure is represented by the dotted lines 20.

The paper P may, for example, have a width of up to eight inches and may be intermittently driven at a rate of 12 to 200 advances per minute, for example 45 advances per minute which corresponds generally to onehalf of foot of tape travel in one minute. During. those intervals when the paper P remains stationary there is a transverse scanning action during which the paper is sequentially sensitized with information in a transverse direction, i.e. during each stationary interval one line of information is presented to the exposed sensitized l film or paper P. After completion'of such one line of information, the intermittently moved paper is moved by the intermittent paper drive 1.2 so that the next adjacent line may be exposed to information established by indexed positions of drum (disc) 15. For purposes of simplicity, such paper drive 12 is illustrated as incorporating a ratchet wheel 12A cooperating with a pawl 12B. The pawl 12B is moved each time the solenoid 12C is energized which causes the solenoid armature 12D to move downwardly in FIG. 8 and move the pawl and ratchet 12B, 12A to the next indexed position of the paper drive 12. The paper drive I2 has a roller 12F .against which the paper P may be pressed by a springurged roller'lZE or may be a sprocket wheel engaging perforations in the paper P. Such solenoid 12C is periodically energized at the time of completion of each l line of information, i.e. at the end of each scan and this condition is illustrated in FIG. 8 wherein the coil 12C is connected to a means 22 which develops an electrical output-each time the drum l5 has presented a full line of information to the paper P.

Note that the pawl 12B is pivoted at a point intermediate its ends and one end ofthe pawl is pivoted to the lower end of the armature 12D.

In conventional machines usually the paper P is in a so-called magazine which includes a paper supply spool and a paper take-up spool such that it was then necessary to stop operation of the phototypesetting machine in order to have access to the paper for its photographic development. One aspect of the present invention involves the fact' that a paper take-up spool is no longer required. Indeed in accordance with other aspects of the present invention existing phototypesetting machines of, for example, Photon,vInc. of Wilmington, Massachusetts, may be adapted so that instead of the paper going to its supply spool (whichis not now used in accordance with the present invention) the paper enters a paper chute 24. Also in accordance with features of the present invention such existing phototypesetting machine manufactured by Photon, Inc. now embodies a paper cutter 26 which is part of a paper cutting mechanism 28 as indicated by the dotted line 27. This mechanism 28 may be energized only when conditions are satisfied as described later.

The paper guide or chute 24 serves to guide the paper in its movement towards a paper stop 30 which is normally positioned to block or prevent movement of the paper into the paper guide o'r chute 32 which leads to the developer 33. This stop 30, however, may be retracted to allow movement of such paper into chute 32,`such retraction of stop 30 being effected by energization of a solenoid 34 as described later.

One important feature of the present invention is that such paper guide or chute 24 has an opening 36 which communicates the chute 24 with a large chamber 38, such chamber 38 defining a storage zone into which paper may enter and be stored as now described.

Paper storage results when the leading edge of the paper P engages the stop 30 in which case operation of the paper drive 12 causes the paper section adjacent the opening 36 to buckle and pass through such opening 36 into the storage zone 38. Such storage process terminates when the paper stop 30 is withdrawn to allow the leading edge of the paper to enter the paper guide 32. Simultaneously with withdrawl offthe'paper stop 30 a feed wheel 40 is caused to rotate to provide a positive drive for the paper into chute 32. As illustrated, this wheel 40 is in its normal position illustrated in FIG 8 wherein the flat portion 40A is spaced from a roller 250. However, when the wheel 40 is caused to rotate, its round portion causes the paper P to be pressed or sandwiched between itself and the roller 250 to provide the previously mentioned positive drive. Also it will be seen in FIG. 8 that a switch-actuating element 48 extends through the chute 24 and engages the top side of the paper p which by its presence causes the associated paper sensing switch 50 to close. ln this closed position of switch 50 which is in a series circuit with voltage source 52 and light bulb 53, the bulb 53 is energized thereby producing a visual indication that the leading edge of the paper P has passed the feed wheels 40.

The previously mentioned wheel 40 is drivable by the paper drive motor 60 which when energized, as described later, causes the wheel 40 to be rotated through only 360 after which the wheel 40 assumes its at-rest condition illustrated in FIG. 8`wherein the flat portion of the roller 40 allows passage of paper. The circumferential distance of wheel 40 is sufficiently long so that when operated it causes paper to be driven into and through chute 32 to the

developer rollers

62 and 64 in the developer 33. The roller 62 is drivable by the developer drive motor 66 as indicated by the dotted lines 67.

It is further noted that the

developer rollers

62 and 64 when operated cause the paper to be moved at a greater lineal speed than the average speed of paper movement caused by the paper drive 12 for purposes which will be made clear from the following description of the operation of the system shown in FIG. 8.

In the operation of the system shown in FIG. 8, paper from a supply spool is intermittently driven past the photographing station 13 where line-for-line information is recorded on the paper P. Such recording process on a line-by-line basis continues with the paper P being driven by the paper drive 12 through the chute 24 until the leading edge of the paper engages the stop 30 after which further movement of the paper by the drive l2 causes the paper to buckle at the opening 36 and to enter such opening 36 into the storage zone 38 where the paper then accumulates. During this accumulation of paper in the storage zone 38, the paper sensing switch 50 in the form of a microswitch with its actuator 48 is in a closed position causing the light bulb 53 to be lit. An operator then is aware of the fact that paper is being accumulated and he may allow the paper to accumulate for a predetermined length of time corresponding to the length of a particular story or article. Upon the completion of typesetting of a particular story or article and he wishes the paper to be developed so that it may be read, he advances the last characters set through photographing station 13 beyond paper cutter 26 (provisions are available on the conventional phototypesetting machine to accomplish this) and then closes the momentary type of push button switch 70. Closure of such switch 70 results in simultaneous energization of the paper stop solenoid 34, the paper drive motor and the developer drive motor 66,. and the paper cutter mechanism 28 which causes the paper cutting wheel 26 to rotate and cut the paper at 72. Energization of the solenoid 34 causes the -stop 30 to be withdrawn. The wheels 40 rotate thorugh one revolution causing the paper to be transferred to the roller 62 which is now being rotated lby its drive motor 66 and at a speed which causes the paper to travel faster than the speed at which the paper is being delivered by the drive 12. Immediately subsequent to the closure of switch 70, the phototypesetting operation can be resumed by actuating conventional controls on the phototypesetting apparatus.

All paper originally between the stop 30 and the point 72 at the time of paper cutting including that paper in thestorage chamber 38 is rapidly transferred into the developer 33 by the roller 62 and this is accomplished at such rapid speed that all paper is free of the opening 36 prior to arrival of the leading edge of the next section of paper being driven through the chute 24 by the paper drive 12. After the trailing edge of the cut paper section travels under the switch actuator 48 the switch 50 opens thereby deenergizing the light 53 whereby the normal function of push button switch is inactivated until switch 50 closes again. Also when such trailing edge of the cut paper section moves from under the stop 30, the stop 30 returns downwardly to again provide an abutment for arresting movement of the leading edge of the next paper section when and as it arrives at such stop 30. When such leading edge arrives, it operates the actuator 48 to close switch 50 to thereby provide an indication on light 53 and also further operation of the paper drive l2 causes the paper again to buckle at 36 and to enter the storage zone 38 from which the paper may again be retrieved and transferred into the developer 33 as previously described.

Now referring to FIGS. l-7, the corresponding parts therein have reference numerals identical to those of corresponding parts in FIG. 8. Thus referring to FIGS. l and 6, it will be seen that the paper supply roll l0 is within a light-tight housing or magazine which is part of the modified Photon machine. Such magazine 100 is modified to incorporate a part of the chute 24 and such chute 24 has atransverse opening into which the newly added paper cutting wheel 26 may extend. The intermittently driven paper drive is illustrated by the roller l2 which is intermittently driven using the conventional drive therefor found in the Photon commercial equipment. The take-up reel normally found in the commercial Photon equipment is not used and hence is not illustrated.

The cutting wheel 26 is rotatably mounted on the end of an arm 26A extending from a block 26B which is slidably mounted on a transversely extending stationary rod 26C. This block 26B has attached thereto opposite ends of a cord 28A which is trained around a pulley 28B driven by motor 28C and also trained over stationary guide pulleys 28E and 28F, all forming part of the paper cutter mechanism illustrated at 28 in FIG. 8. The cutter wheel 26 travels somewhat more than the whole length of the paper each time the motor 28C is energized. The cutter wheel 26 travels in one direction only for each energization of the motor 28C but a succeeding energizationof the motor 28C causes the wheel 26 tomove in the opposite direction. In other words, with reference to FIG. 1 the first energization of the motor and hence rotation of pulley 28B causes the cutting wheel 26 to move downwardly and then stop; and the succeeding energization of the motor and consequent rotationof pulley 28B causes the cutting wheel 26 to return to its upward position shown in FIG. l. For these purposes the motor 28C may be a reversible motor which reverses its direction-of rotation each time it is energized and also in accordance with conventional practice such rotation whenever it occurs may be within prescribed limits corresponding to somewhat greater than the width of the paper P to be cut. At the extreme ends of such movement of block 26B, i.e. the cutting wheel 26, the cutting wheel of course does not engage the paper. While one particular form of a paper cutting mechanism has been described it is of course understood that other forms of `paper cutting mechanismsmay be used in conjunction with the novel teachings of the present invention.

With further reference to FIG. 6, it will be noted that a light-tight enclosure 110 includes a part of the chute 24 which is in register with the paper chute 24 within the magazine 100 and such light-tight chamber defines the paper storage chamber 38 so indicated by the reference numeral 38 in FIG. 8. Also, it will be seen that the chute 24 has the opening 36 which is defined by the upwardly extending lip portions 136A and 136B, each of which is curved to provide minimum interference with paper movement.

This light-tight enclosure 110 rotatably supports a shaft 40B upon which a pair of paper engageable rollers 40 is mounted together with a drive gear 122, the gear 122 being in mesh with a gear 124 driven by the paper drive motor 60. In accordance with the foregoing description, each time the motor 60 is energized the paper drive rollers 40 rotate only through 360 so that in the at-rest position of the rollers 40 the flat portion 40A of each roller 40 does not interfere with paper travel. Such one revolution only of the paper feed or transfer rollers 40 is accomplished using a microswitch 130 (FIG. 3) having its actuating element 130A engageable with a cam member 132 carried on one of the rollers 40. The switch 130 is in its opened position when the condition illustrated in FIG. 3 exists. Such switch 130 may be connected in parallel with the mogage the paper, the paper is pressed between the wheels 40 and rollers 250 in a driving connection that causes the paper to be transferred to the motor-driven roller 62 in developer 33. It will be noted that the developer drive motor 66 in FIG. 8 for driving the roller 62 is energized at the same time the paper drive motor 60 is energized. To assure continued rotation of the motor 66 after the switches 70 and 130 are opened, the developer drive motor 66 may be time controlled such that once the motor 66 is energized the same remains energized for a predetermined period of time until a timing circuit times itself out. This condition is illustrated in FIG. 8 wherein closure of the switch 70 results in energization of the solenoid or relay coil 150 to cause the switch 152 to close and the switch 152 remains closed until the associated timer 154 times itself out after which the switch 152 opens. Using this technique, the developer drive roller 62 remains energized for a period longer than the feed wheel 40. The timer 154 is set so as to assure withdrawal into the developer of all cut paper including large amounts which may have been stored in the paper storage chamber 38.

The previously mentioned paper sensing switch 50 with its actuator 48 is illustrated in FIGS. l and 2 and as seen the actuator 52 may extend into the paper chute 24 when there is no paper present to thereby prevent the light 53 from being lit and from rendering the control circuit ineffective. However, as previously ex plained, when there is paper present the actuator 52 causes the switch 50 to close whereupon the light 53 is lit and the control circuit may then be operated by closing the manually operated push buttom switch 70.

The stop member 30 previously described in FIG. 8 is illustrated'in FIG. 4 and .is in the form of a U-shaped member having its legs extendable into the paper chute 24. The stop 30 is connected to the solenoid armature 34A. When the solenoid 34 is energized, the legs of the stop member 30 are withdrawn from the chute 24 to allow passage of the paper and when the solenoid 34 is subsequently deenergized these legs may then rest on the paper either by gravity forces or such stop member 30 may be pressed downwardly by coil compression spring (not shown). Thus during transfer of the paper.

into the developer 34 the stop member 30 rides on top of the paper and afterthe trailing edge of the cut paper section reaches the stop 30 the stop 30 then falls or is spring-pressed downwardly to serve as an abutment for preventing the next section of paper from going into the developer without first being stored in the storage chamber 38.

The developer 33 may be of conventional type such as the Kodak Ektamatic 214 developer with its paper chute 24 in registry with the paper chute 24 of the intermediate paper arresting, paper sensing, and paper storage vstructure 110. Indeed that structure is adapted to fit between the commercial Photon equipment and the commercial Kodak equipment 33, and to function in combination therewith as described above.

In another formiof the invention illustrated in FIG. 9 the web material is again temporarily stored in a storage chamber 300 through an opening 301 located at an intermediate point in a chute having an entrance portion 302 and an exit portion 303. This corresponds generally to'the arrangement in FIG. 8 where the corresponding chute entrance portion is at 24, the exit portion is at 32 and the opening 36 to the storage chamber 38 is at a point intermediate the entrance and

exit portions

24 and 32.

ln this instance in FIG. 9, however, the paper, foil or web P is directed into the storage chamber 300 without the aid of a stop as, for example, the stop 30 of FIG. 8. The paper is subsequently dispensed from such storage chamber 300 through the exit chute portion 303 into developer 33. In this transfer from storage chamber 300 to the exit chute portion 303 a gate 305 may be actuated to a position blocking the upper end of the entrance chute portion 302 to assure movement of the leading edge of such paper from storage chamber 300 to the exit chute portion 303.

The feed wheel 308 having the flattened portion is rotated in a counterclockwise direction to transfer paper cut by cutter assembly 310 into storage chamber 300, the direction of rotation of such feed wheel 308 being subsequently reversed (after the gate 305 is in position) to drive the paper out of storage chamber 300 into exit chute means 303 and developer 33.

During the printing of a story or article the sensitized paper is driven by the conventional paper feed means in the conventional unit 314 through the entrance chute portion 302 and through opening 301 into the storage chamber 300.

As before, the conventional associated type-setting machine has conventional means which when actuated as, for example, upon completion of a story or article cause the paper P with the remaining or end portion of such story or article thereon to be advanced slightly beyond the cutter assembly 310 so that a subsequent cutting operation performed by such assembly 310 does not cut into the story on the paper. With the paper so advanced and stationary, the cutter assembly 310 may then be operated toisever the paper.

After the paper is so severed, the feed wheel 308 is driven in a counterclockwise direction to transfer all cut paper past the opening 301 after which the gate 305 is operated to close the upper portion of chute 302 and the wheel 308 is driven in the reverse direction into engagement with the motor-driven wheel 62 in developer 33. After all of such paper is thus transferred into the developer 33 as sensed by the paper sensing switch 351 and so indicated using that switch to energize an indicating lamp, the machine may again be set in operation with the story printed on the paper being again transferred through the entrance chute portion 302 and opening 301 into the storage chamber.

While the particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects, and therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit land scope of this invention.

l claim:

l. ln an arrangement of the character described, chute means through which web material, as for example paper, or film, may be transferred from an entrance region to an exit region of said chute means; a web material storage chamber; said chamber communicating with an intermediate portion of said chute means through an opening which is between said entrance and exit regions; web material controlling means for controlling movement of said web material through said chute means; web material drive means for driving said web material through said chute means and through said opening into said storage chamber; a second paper drive means between said storage chamber and said exit region; and control means to allow passage of said web material; means for operating said second paper drive means to drive said web material from said chamber to said exit region; web material cutting means near said entrance region; means for operating said cutting means; said second drive means driving said web matcrial at a higher speed than does the first-mentioned drive means; switch means located near said second drive means and being actuated by paper near said second drive means; and indicating means energized by said switch means. f

2. In an arrangement of the character described, chute means through which web material, as for example paper, or film, may be transferred from an entrance region to an exit region of said chute means; a web material storage chamber; said chamber communicating with an intermediate portion of said chute means through an opening which is between said entrance and exit regions; web material controlling means for conv trolling movement of said web material through said chute means; web material drive means for driving said web material `through said chute means and through said opening into said storage chamber; second paper drive means between said storage chamber and said exit region; and control means to allow passage of said web material; means foroperating said second paper drive means to drive said web material from said charnber to said exit region; web material cutting means near said entrance region; means for operating said cutting means; said second drive means including a wheel with a flat thereon normally positioned to face adjacent the paper and be spaced therefrom; and means effective to rotate said wheel when said second drive means is operated to cause the round portion of said roller to engage and move the web material. n

3. In an arrangement of the character described, chute means through which web material, as for example paper, or film, may be transferred from an entrance region to an exit region of said chute means; a web material storage chamber; said chamber communicating with an intermediate portion of said chute means through an opening which is between said entrance and exit regions; first web material drive means for driving said web material through said chute means and out of said exit region; second web material drive means for driving said web material through said opening into said storage chamber, said first drive means serving to drive said web material at a greater linear speed than said second drive means, and web material severingv means between said first and second drive means for severing said material into a trailing portion and a leading portion with a section of the leading portion having been previously driven by said scond drive means through said opening into said storage chamber, said first drive means engaging said severed leading portion and driving the same at a substantially greater linear speed than the linear speed at which said trailing portion is moved by said second drive means such that the said leading portion leaves said storage chamber prior to arrival at said storage chamber opening of the leading edge of said trailing portion; said first drive means including a wheel with a flat thereon normally positioned to face adjacent the web material and be spaced therefrom; and means effective to rotate said wheel when said first drive means is operated to cause the round portion of said roller to engage and move the web material and, a stop member positionable to engage said leading edge of said trailing portion and arrest its movement after traveling under said wheel fiat to cause said web material to then enter said storage chamber opening, and means for moving said stop member to allow passage of said web material.

4. In an arrangement of the character described, chute means through which web material, as for example paper, or film, may be transferred from an entrance region to van exit region of said chute means; a web material storage chamber; said chamber communicating with an intermediate portion of said chute means through an opening which is between said entrance and exit regions; first web material drive means for driving said web material through said chute means and out of said exit region;'second web material drive means for driving said web material through said opening into said storage chamber, said first drive means serving to drive said web material at a greater linear speed than said second drive means, and web material severing means between said first and second drive means for severing said material into a trailing portion and a leading portion with a section of' the leading portion having been previously driven by said second drive means through said opening into said storage chamber, saidv first drivemeans engaging said severed leading portion and driving the same at a substantially greater linear speed than the linear speed at which said trailing portion is moved by said second drive means such that the said leading portion leaves said storage'chamber prior to arrival at said storage chamber opening of the leading edge of said trailing portion; movable means in said chute means for preventing web movement in one direction; said movable means being a stop member movable to a position to engage said leading edge of said trailing portion after said leading edge ismoved past a location where said first drive means is located.

5. An arrangement as set forth in claim 4 including means to actuate saidsevering means to sever said web material; means for renderingl said stop member ineffective and means to actuate said first drive means.

6. In an arrangement of the character described, chute means through which web material, as for example paper, or film, may be transferred from an entrance region to an exit region of said chute means; a web material storage chamber; said chamber communicating withr an intermediate portion of said chute means through an opening which is between said entrance and exit regions; first web material drive means for driving said web material through said chute means and out of said exit region; second web material drive means for driving said lweb material through said opening into said storage chamber, said first drive means serving to drive said web material at a greater linear speed than said second drive means, and web material severing means between said first and second drive means for severing said material into a trailing portion and a leading portion with a section of the leading portion having been previously driven by said second drive means through said opening into said storage chamber, said first drive means engaging said severed leading portion and driving the same at a substantially greater linear speed than the linear speed at which said trailing portion is moved by said second drive means such that the said leading portion leaves said storage chamber prior to arrival at said storage chamber opening of the leading edge of said trailing portion; movable means in said chute means for preventing web movement in onc direction; said movable means being an element in said entrance portion which allows said leading edge of said trailing portion to enter said opening and said storage chamber but which prevents web material in said storage chamber from returning into said entrance portion so as to assure dispensing of said web material in said storage chamber into said exit.

7. An arrangement as set forth in claim 4 including a paper sensing switch located closely adjacent to said stop member and actuated by the web material engaging said stop member.

8. An arrangement as set forth in claim 7 including indicating means energized by said switch.

9. An arrangement as set forthin claim 4 including a paper sensitive switch located closely adjacent to said stop member and actuated by web material whose motion is arrested by said stop member; means for actuating said severing means to sever said web material; means for rendering said stop member ineffective; means for actuating said first drive means and said paper sensitive switch being effective to control each of the last three recited means.

l0. In an arrangement of the character described, chute means through which web material, as for example paper, or film, may be transferred from an entrance region to an exit region of said chute means; a web material storagev chamber, said chamber communicating with an intermediate portion of said chute means through an opening which is between said entrance and exit regions; first web material drive means for driving said web material through and out of said chuteexit region; second web material drive means paperv feed means in unit for driving said web material through said opening into said storage chamber, said first drive means serving to drive said web material at a greater linear speed than said second drive means, and web material severing means between said first and second drive means for severing said material into a trailing portion and a leading portion with a section of the leading portion having been previously driven by said second drive means through said opening into said storage chamber, said first drive means engaging said severed leading portion and driving the same at a substantially greater linear speed than the linear speed at which said trailing portion is moved by said second drive means such that the said leading portion leaves said storage chamber and past said opening prior to arrival at said storage chamber opening of the leading edge of said trailing portion, movable means in said chute means `near said opening preventing the trailing edge of said leading portion from entering said chute entrance portion when and as said leading portion is being driven out of said storage chamber by said first drive means.

l1. An arrangement as set forth in claim l0 in which said first drive means is movable in a first direction to transfer said leading portion from said entrance region and is movable in a second direction opposite to said first direction to transfer said leading portion from said storage chamber into and through said chute exit region.

l2. An arrangement as set forth in claim ll in whichl

Claims

1. In an arrangement of the character described, chute means through which web material, as for example paper, or film, may be transferred from an entrance region to an exit region of said chute means; a web material storage chamber; said chamber communicating with an intermediate portion of said chute means through an opening which is between said entrance and exit regions; web material controlling means for controlling movement of said web material through said chute means; web material drive means for driving said web material through said chute means and through said opening into said storage chamber; a second paper drive means between said storage chamber and said exit region; and control means to allow passage of said web material; means for operating said second paper drive means to drive said web material from said chamber to said exit region; web material cutting means near said entrance region; means for operating said cutting means; said second drive means driving said web material at a higher speed than does the first-mentioned drive means; switch means located near said second drive means and being actuated by paper near said second drive means; and indicating means energized by said switch means.

2. In an arrangement of the character described, chute means through which web material, as for example paper, or film, may be transferred from an entrance region to an exit region of said chute means; a web material storage chamber; said chamber communicating with an intermediate portion of said chute means through an opening which is between said entrance and exit regions; web material controlling means for controlling movement of said web material through said chute means; web material drive means for driving said web material through said chute means and through said opening into said storage chamber; second paper drive means between said storage chamber and said exit region; and control means to allow passage of said web material; means for operating said second paper drive means to drive said web material from said chamber to said exit region; web material cutting means near said entrance region; means for operating said cutting means; said second drive means including a wheel with a flat thereon normally positioned to face adjacent the paper and be spaced therefrom; and means effective to rotate said wheel when said second drive means is operated to cause the round portion of said roller to engage and move the web material.

3. In an arrangement of the character described, chute means through which web material, as for example paper, or film, may be transferred from an entrance region to an exit region of said chute means; a web material storage chamber; said chamber communicating with an intermediate portion of said chute means through an opening which is between said entrance and exit regions; first web material drive means for driving said web material through said chute means and out of said exit region; second web material drive means for driving said web material through said opening into said storage chamber, said first drive means serving to drive said web material at a greater linear speed than said second drive means, and web material severing means between said first and second drive means for severing said material into a trailing portion and a leading portion with a section of the leading portion having been previously driven by said scond drive means through said opening into said storage chamber, said first drive means engaging said severed leading portion and driving the same at a substantially greater linear speed than the linear speed at which said trailing portion is moved by said second drive means such that the said leading portion leaves said storage chamber prior to arrival at said storage chamber opening of the leading edge of said trailing portion; said first drive means including a wheel with a flat thereon normally positioned to face adjacent the web material and be spaced therefrom; and means effective to rotate said wheel when said first drive means is operated to cause the round portion of said roller to engage and move the web material and, a stop member positionable to engage said leading edge of said trailing portion and arrest its movement after traveling under said wheel flat to cause said web material to then enter said storage chamber opening, and means for moving said stop member to allow passage of said web material.

4. In an arrangement of the character described, chute means through which web material, as for example paper, or film, may be transferred from an entrance region to an exit region of said chute means; a web material storage chamber; said chamber communicating with an intermediate portion of said chute means through an opening which is between said entrance and exit regions; first web material drive means for driving said web material through said chute means and out of said exit region; second web material drive means for driving said web material through said opening into said storage chamber, said first drive means serving to drive said web material at a greater linear speed than said second drive means, and web material severing means between said first and second drive means for severing said material into a trailing portion and a leading portion with a section of the leading portion having been previously driven by said second drive means through said opening into said storage chamber, said first drive means engaging said severed leading portion and driving the same at a substantially greater linear speed than the linear speed at which said trailing portion is moved by said second drive means such that the said leading portion leaves said storage chamber prior to arrival at said storage chamber opening of the leading edge of said trailing portion; movable means in said chute means for preventing web movement in one direction; said movable means being a stop member movable to a position to engage said leading edge of said trailing portion after said leading edge is moved past a location where said first drive means is located.

5. An arrangement as set forth in claim 4 including means to actuate said severing means to sever said web material; means for rendering said stop member ineffective and means to actuate said first drive means.

6. In an arrangement of the character described, chute means through which web material, as for example paper, or film, may be transferred from an entrance region to an exit region of said chute means; a web material storage chamber; said chamber communicating with an intermediate portion of said chute means through an opening which is between said entrance and exit regions; first web material drive means for driving said web material through said chute means and out of said exit region; second web material drive means for driving said web material through said opening into said storage chamber, said first drive means serving to drive said web material at a greater linear speed than said second drive means, and web material severing means between said first and second drive means for severing said material into a trailing portion and a leading portion with a section of the leading portion having been previously drIven by said second drive means through said opening into said storage chamber, said first drive means engaging said severed leading portion and driving the same at a substantially greater linear speed than the linear speed at which said trailing portion is moved by said second drive means such that the said leading portion leaves said storage chamber prior to arrival at said storage chamber opening of the leading edge of said trailing portion; movable means in said chute means for preventing web movement in one direction; said movable means being an element in said entrance portion which allows said leading edge of said trailing portion to enter said opening and said storage chamber but which prevents web material in said storage chamber from returning into said entrance portion so as to assure dispensing of said web material in said storage chamber into said exit.

9. An arrangement as set forth in claim 4 including a paper sensitive switch located closely adjacent to said stop member and actuated by web material whose motion is arrested by said stop member; means for actuating said severing means to sever said web material; means for rendering said stop member ineffective; means for actuating said first drive means and said paper sensitive switch being effective to control each of the last three recited means.

10. In an arrangement of the character described, chute means through which web material, as for example paper, or film, may be transferred from an entrance region to an exit region of said chute means; a web material storage chamber, said chamber communicating with an intermediate portion of said chute means through an opening which is between said entrance and exit regions; first web material drive means for driving said web material through and out of said chute exit region; second web material drive means paper feed means in unit for driving said web material through said opening into said storage chamber, said first drive means serving to drive said web material at a greater linear speed than said second drive means, and web material severing means between said first and second drive means for severing said material into a trailing portion and a leading portion with a section of the leading portion having been previously driven by said second drive means through said opening into said storage chamber, said first drive means engaging said severed leading portion and driving the same at a substantially greater linear speed than the linear speed at which said trailing portion is moved by said second drive means such that the said leading portion leaves said storage chamber and past said opening prior to arrival at said storage chamber opening of the leading edge of said trailing portion, movable means in said chute means near said opening preventing the trailing edge of said leading portion from entering said chute entrance portion when and as said leading portion is being driven out of said storage chamber by said first drive means.

11. An arrangement as set forth in claim 10 in which said first drive means is movable in a first direction to transfer said leading portion from said entrance region and is movable in a second direction opposite to said first direction to transfer said leading portion from said storage chamber into and through said chute exit region.

12. An arrangement as set forth in claim 11 in which said first drive means includes a web engaging roller having a flat portion which is stationarily positioned during initial operation of said second drive means to allow said web material to pass into said storage chamber and which is subsequently rotated after operation of said severing means to engage and drive the severed leading portion into said storage chamber.