GB1101419A - System for web length measurement - Google Patents

Abstract

1,101,419. Measuring continuous lengths. S. STEINBERG. Dec. 22, 1964, No. 51978/64. Heading G1M. A system for the measurement of continuous web lengths, having web feed means, a plurality of web portions in the form of successive lengths and web interconnecting means, comprises measuring means on the web feed means, supplying an impulse for each predetermined length unit of said web, and a web length unit counter to count the impulses from said measuring means; said web interconnecting means being connected to a counter to count,impulses whereby the total length of a web portion may be read off the counter. As shown in Fig. 1, the web 12 is supplied from rollers 14 by an autopaster 16 which joins consecutive lengths together, to plate cylinders 22, impression cylinders 28, over a former 30, into a folder 32 and to a delivery conveyer 34. Web length portion counters 50, 50b, 50c mounted on a panel 40 indicate the length of each web portion 14, 14b, 14c, through a window 42, the length being overprinted on a tape 44. If a break occurs in the web an indicator 48 is actuated, and simultaneously an opaque pane is moved to obscure the window 42. Moreover, the tape printing appears in a distinctive colour. When the second web 14b is connected to the first by the autopaster 16, counter 50b is actuated. As shown in Fig. 4, the counter 50 comprises a shaft 56 mounting counter reading and printing wheels 58, 60 driven by a mechanism 62, which may be zeroized by means of a solenoid 72 through lever 68 and rod 70. A printing ribbon 80, a red printing ribbon 82 and opaque pane 84 are mounted on the shaft 56, pane 84 and printing ribbon 82 being moved on energization of a winding 88, i.e. due to a breakage, to a position where ribbon 82 is disposed between a platen 76 and tape 44, the pane 84 lying between window 42 and wheel 58. The platen 76 is energized to move the ribbon against the tape and de-energized to activate tape advancement means 90. Web length counter cams are provided on the press 11, the cams having protuberances which engage the moving web to provide intermittent pulses. The end of a roll on a break in the web is detected by a feeler or a photo-cell arrangement to actuate operation of the autopaster 16 to connect the webs together. In a modification, a single counter is provided which prints out at the end of each web portion. In a third embodiment, a single counter is provided with either manual or automatic re-setting after each printing operation.