GB1332082A - Apparatus for feeding and cutting web material - Google Patents

Abstract

1332082 Feeding webs AMF Inc 2 Feb 1972 [12 Feb 1971] 4963/72 Heading B8R [Also in Division B4] An apparatus wherein a reel B1 of web material, e.g. paper foil, is unwound, fed in a substantially linear path, e.g. defined by guides 104, 4, 204, by feed means, e.g. rollers 2, 40, and cut into equally sized sheets, e.g. for wrapping cigarettes, is provided with means for advancing the web from the feed means to a web cutting means, e.g. a drum 24 having segments 124, 224, 324 radially movable into and out of engagement with the web for advancing it to a cutting platform 38, means for forming a loop in the web between the feed and advance means, e.g. a housing 11 supplied with suction, means for deactivating the advancing means in response to a downstream sensor, e.g. sensing a faulty cigarette pack to be wrapped, means for sensing the loop size, e.g. photo-electric means 13, and means responsive to the latter sensing means to control the feed means. In operation, the web is initially hand threaded to position 39 and a loop is formed in the housing 11. A press button is then actuated to cause extension of a piston 16 which drives a pad 18 forwards thereby feeding the leading end of the web to a fixed blade 30. Complete extension of plunger 16 initiates continuous rotation of the drum 24 which advances the web past the blade 30 and on to the platform 38 where one of a plurality of blades 33 and suction platforms mounted for parallel rotation on a star wheel 36 cut and transport each sheet to the wrapping machine. As the loop diminishes, the photo-electric sensor 13, activates a solenoid valve causing a cylinder motor 10 to move a drive transmission disc 8 of a variable speed drive mechanism 6, 7, 8, 9 into a driving relationship to drive the feed rollers 2, 40. However, if the loop increases beyond a given size, e.g. when one or more segments of the drum 24 are retracted to prevent web advance and thereby prevent a sheet being cut and transported to a detected faulty cigarette pack, the feed rollers 2, 40 are slowed and ultimately stopped. The web feed and looping means may be duplicated to facilitate introduction of a new web reel B1A.