JP2001151393A - Web joining device and web machining machine having it - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a web joining device for interconnecting machining webs, particularly a web joining device capable of adhering a junction tape on the rear surface of the web without inversing the web. SOLUTION: This web joining device comprises a web holding table that includes an opening extending orthogonally to a web running direction and has a web holding surface on its upper surface, a cut table that has a cut groove extending orthogonally to the web running direction on its upper surface and is attached to or detached from the opening of the web holding table, and a tape holding table that has a tape holding surface on its upper surface and is attached to or detached from the opening of the web holding table.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a web joining apparatus for joining a processing web, and more particularly, to a web joining apparatus capable of attaching a joining tape to the back surface of a web without inverting the web. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, a web is bonded using a liquid adhesive or pressure-sensitive adhesive, or a bonding tape coated with a pressure-sensitive adhesive or an adhesive. When using an adhesive or a pressure-sensitive adhesive liquid, the liquid is applied to the upper end surface of one of the webs, and then the two webs are joined by overlapping the beginning of the other web on the end of the web to which the liquid has been applied. . On the other hand, when a bonding tape coated with an adhesive or an adhesive is used, usually, the starting end of the other web is overlapped on the end of one web, and then the end of the starting end of the web is stretched over the two webs. A joining tape is applied along the line to join the two webs.

[0003] These joining operations are usually performed in a web supply section of a web processing machine. For example, in a large-sized high-speed rotary printing press, an automatic splicing apparatus called an autopaster is provided in a paper feeding section. There is an example in which the end and the beginning of the web are automatically spliced without stopping the printing press. On the other hand, there are few examples of a machine for processing a printed web, for example, a slitter for a packaging film, which is provided with an autopaster for automatically bonding the web, and exclusively bonds the web manually.

[0004] In order to prevent trouble in a post-processing bag making machine, it is necessary to synchronize the printed pattern of the joined web to be added and the printed pattern of the joined web to be added. Is difficult. Further, since the seam of the web needs to be in an abutted state, a joining tape is exclusively used, and the joining tape is stuck from both sides of the web to secure the joining strength. As described above, the conventional web processing machine does not have a special jig for the joining operation, and is difficult to work.

[0005]

In particular, when the bonding tape is applied from both sides of the web, the front side can be easily applied. However, when applying the bonding tape to the back side, the web is turned upside down while loosening the web. As a result, the work is troublesome, wrinkles and scratches are liable to occur on the web, which affects the quality and yield of the product. Also, when turning the web over while slackening, it is necessary to work carefully so that the web does not come into contact with the floor and dust or dirt adheres. Furthermore, in order to secure processing accuracy and yield in a web processing machine, it is very difficult to synchronize printed patterns and to accurately join the end faces of the web to join them.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides a web joining apparatus applicable to various types of processing machines.
Provided is a web joining apparatus which can attach a joining tape to both sides of a web in a simple and accurate manner in a short time without spoiling the quality and yield of the web and join the webs together.

[0007]

According to the present invention, there is provided a web joining apparatus provided with an opening extending in a direction perpendicular to a web running direction and having a web holding surface on an upper surface;
The upper surface has a cut groove extending in a direction orthogonal to the web running direction, a web cut table that is attached to and detached from the opening of the web holding table, and a tape holding surface on the upper surface, and the opening of the web holding table has It consists of a detachable tape holder.

In the web joining apparatus of the present invention, first, a web cutting guide groove, that is, a web cutting table provided with a cutting groove is mounted on the opening of the web holding table. In this state, the terminal end portion of the web to be joined is suction-held on the web holding surface provided on the upper surface of the web holding table. Then, the end of the web is cut in a direction perpendicular to the running direction of the web along the web cutting guide groove of the web cutting table mounted on the opening.

Next, the base surface of the bonding tape is sucked and held on the tape holding surface provided on the upper surface of the tape holding base, that is, the adhesive surface or the adhesive surface of the bonding tape is exposed upward. Is mounted on the tape holder, and the tape holder is stored in the lower part of the web holder.

Next, the starting end of the joining web to be added is
After sucking and holding the web on the web holding surface provided on the upper surface of the web holding base, the starting end of the joined web to be added is moved along the web cutting guide groove of the web cutting base mounted on the opening of the web holding base. By cutting the web in a direction perpendicular to the running direction, the end and start ends of the two webs are aligned.

When joining the web, first, a joining tape is applied to the front side of the web so as to straddle the end and the beginning of the trimmed web. Next, the web cutting table is detached from the opening of the web holding table, and the tape holding table that has previously held the bonding tape by suction is attached to the opening of the web holding table. Then, the adhesive surface of the joining tape positioned on the back surface side of the web is pushed from the front surface side of the web, and the joining tape is attached to the back surface of the web so as to straddle the end and start ends, and the web is joined.

The above-mentioned web joining apparatus is provided so as to be rotatable about a same axis as a rotation center of a web loaded in a web supply unit of various web processing machines so as to be able to retreat from a travel path of the web. Simple and quick joining of webs in a web processing machine.

[0013]

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a main part of the web joining apparatus. FIG.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a standby position of the web joining device mounted on the web processing machine. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which the web joining device is being used.

(Configuration of Web Joining Apparatus) First, the configuration of the web joining apparatus of the present invention will be described. In FIG. 1, 20 is a web holding table, 30 is a web cutting table, 50
Is a tape holder. 60 is a vertical moving means, 7
Numeral 0 denotes a back and forth moving means.

The web holding table 20 is provided with an opening 21 extending in a direction perpendicular to the running direction of the web 80, and has a web holding surface 22 on the upper surface. The web holding surface 22
They are provided on the upstream and downstream sides of the web with the opening 21 interposed therebetween. Each web retaining surface 22 may be flat or have a curved surface along the radius of the maximum outer diameter of the web.

On the web holding surface 22 of the web holding table 20, for example, suction holes 23 are provided in a row as shown in the drawing, and the web 80 is sucked and held by a suction device (not shown). In addition, guide shafts 24 for guiding the web cutting table 30 and the tape holding table 50 which are fitted into the opening 21 by fitting into both ends of the web holding table 20 are fitted vertically to the web holding table 20. It has been inserted.

A web cutting table 30 provided with a cut groove 31 for guiding web cutting at a lower portion of the web holding table 20,
A tape holder 50 for holding a bonding tape to be attached to the back surface of the web is arranged.

The cut groove 31 of the web cutting table 30 has a width of 0.5 to 1 m extending in a direction perpendicular to the web running direction.
The groove is about m. This groove is configured to penetrate the web cutting table 30 so as not to damage the cutting edge of a cutting tool such as a cutter knife. At both ends of the web cut table 30, engagement holes 32 for engaging with the guide shaft 24 inserted into the web holding table 20 are provided.

On the other hand, a substantially flat tape holding surface 51 is provided on the upper surface of the tape holding base 50, and suction holes 52 are arranged in a row on the tape holding surface 51 so as to be connected to a suction device (not shown). It is. At both ends of the tape holder 50, engagement holes 53 for engaging with the guide shaft 24 inserted into the web holder 20 are provided.

At the lower end of both ends of the web cutting table 30 and the tape holding table 50, engaging pins 74 for engaging with the respective engaging holes 32 and 53 are provided on the upper surface.
A main moving table 71 and a sub moving table 72 are provided, and the main moving table 71 and the sub moving table 72 are connected so as to be relatively movable in the front-rear direction. I have.

That is, the web cutting table 30 is movable in the front-rear direction by engaging with the main moving table 71. Also,
The tape holding table 50 is engaged with the sub-moving table 72 connected to the main moving table 71, and can move in the front-rear direction relatively to the web cutting table 30, and also moves in the front-rear direction of the main moving table 71. Is movable along with the web cutting table 30. The main moving table 71 is movable in the front-rear direction along a guide rail provided on a frame (not shown) for fixing the web holding table 20.

Further, as shown in FIG.
The web cutting table 30 is located at the lowermost position of the outermost end of the web cutting table 30 disposed immediately below the space 21 provided at 0.
An up / down moving means 60 composed of an air cylinder 61 and a drive shaft 62 for moving up and down along the guide shaft 24 inserted into the web holding table 20 is provided.
The vertical moving means 60 is provided on a frame (not shown) for fixing the web holding table 20.

(Installation Example of Web Joining Apparatus) FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a web joining apparatus attached to a web supply section of a web processing machine such as a slitter apparatus. In the figure, 1 is a web processing machine, and 2 is a web joining device. The web processing machine 1 includes a web support shaft 12 supported by web support arms 11A and 11B extending forward from frames 10A and 10B, respectively, and a web 80 is rotated by the web support shaft 12 and the cone chuck 13. It is freely supported.

The web joining apparatus 2 is fixed to the distal ends of the rotating arms 3A and 3B mounted on fixed flanges at both ends of the web supporting shaft 12 via bearings or the like. The rotating arms 3A and 3B have a web joining device 2 attached thereto.
Are provided via the web support arms 11A and 11B. The state shown in FIG. 2 shows a state in which the web joining device 2 has been rotated to the standby position. Even when the web 80 of the web supply unit becomes small and its outer diameter becomes small, the web is not joined. It is shown that the paper is supplied to the web processing machine 1 along the guide roller 14 without contacting the device 2.

(Example of Use of Web Joining Apparatus) FIG. 3 shows a web joining apparatus 2 mounted on a web supply section of a web processing machine 1.
It is a perspective view which shows the use condition of. In the drawing, the web joining apparatus 2 shows a state where the web is rotated to a use position about the same axis as the rotation center of the web 80, and the rotation arm 3A (3B) is supported by the stopper 4 to support the web. It is locked to the arm 11A (11B).

At this time, the web holding table 20 of the web joining apparatus 2 is positioned so as to be substantially parallel to the outer cylindrical surface of the web 80, and the height and the inclination angle at which the web joining operation can be easily performed can be obtained. Is locked. In the state shown in FIG. 3, the end 82 of the web to be joined is
0, the web is cut along the cut groove 31 of the web cutting table 30, and a new web 80 to be added to the end of the web to be joined is loaded in the web supply unit.

(Operation of Web Joining Apparatus) Next, the operation of each section of the web joining apparatus will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the web joining device 2 is locked toward the main body of the web processing machine 1 at the standby position so as not to contact the web 80. FIG. 4 shows a state in which the web 80 of the supply unit is reduced, and even when the outer diameter of the web is reduced, the web 80 is not in contact with the web joining device 2 at the standby position and the guide roller 1
4 is supplied.

Next, a method of using the web joining apparatus will be described. FIG. 5 shows a state in which the web joining device 2 is rotated to the use position. When the web joining device 2 is used, after the web traveling of the web processing machine 1 is stopped, as shown in the drawing, the rotating arm 3 is slowly moved about the web support shaft 12 while extending the traveling path of the web 80. It rotates and is locked to the web support arm 11 by the stopper 4.

Next, the web holding table 20 shown in FIG.
The web 8 is provided on the web holding surfaces 22 provided on the upstream and downstream sides of the opening 21 by the suction action of the suction holes 23.
0 is held by suction. The holding of the web is not limited to the suction hole. For example, a method of sandwiching the web with a magnetic material using the attraction action of a magnet, or a configuration in which electrostatic adsorption is performed using static electricity may be employed. .

Next, by operating the air cylinder 61 and pushing up the web cutting table 30 by the drive shaft 62, the web cutting table 30 is mounted on the space 21 of the web holding table 20 while being guided by the guide shaft 24. . Thereafter, using a cutting tool such as a cutter knife, the web 8 to be joined held on the web holding surface 22 by suction.
0 is cut along the cut groove 31, and the separated upstream web is separated from the web holding surface 22.

The state of each part of the web joining apparatus at this time is as follows:
FIG. 6 schematically shows this. As shown in the drawing, the web end portion 82 is pushed up from below by the air cylinder 61 while being sucked and held on the web holding surface by the suction action of the suction holes 23 provided in the web holding table 20. 30 is in contact. In this state, the web terminating portion 82 is cut along the cut groove 31 using the cutting tool 40.

Next, when loading a new web,
The separated upstream end is pulled away from the web holding surface 22, and the web 80 is removed from the web support shaft 12.
When removing a defective portion of the currently loaded web 80, for example, after removing the separated end portion from the web holding surface 22, the web 80 is unwound until the defective portion is eliminated, and the defective portion is removed. Cut and remove. At this time, the tape holding table 50 is stored below the upstream tape holding table 20 so as not to disturb the web operation.

Next, as shown in FIG. 7, the tape holding table 50 is pulled forward toward the space from which the end of the web has been removed, and the tape holding surface has a predetermined length, for example, the width of the web. The joining tape 90 cut to the corresponding length is
The suction operation is performed by using the suction effect of the suction hole 52.
The bonding tape used here is plastic,
A tape-like base material having an appropriate tear strength, such as paper, cloth, or metal, to which an adhesive or an adhesive is applied is used. In addition, the bonding tape 90 to be sucked and held on the tape holding table 50 is made to suck the base material surface toward the tape holding surface.

Next, as shown in FIG. 8, the tape holder 50 is retracted and stored in the lower position of the web holder 20. As described above, the tape holding table 50 holding the bonding tape 90 by suction is stored in the lower part of the web holding table 20, so that the upwardly directed adhesive surface of the bonding tape 90 and the bonding to be added to the web to be bonded are added. It is possible to prevent the contact with the web and hinder the joining operation.

Next, the joining web to be added to the web to be joined is loaded into the supply section. Then, the starting end of the web is pulled out of the web and attached to the web joining device 2. FIG. 9 shows the state of the web and the web joining device at this time. As shown in the figure, the end 82 of the web to be joined is sucked and held on the web holding surface of the web joining apparatus 2, while the web 80 newly loaded on the web support shaft 12 has the start end 8.
1 is pulled out and superimposed on the web to be joined of the web joining apparatus 2.

Next, the starting end of the joining web to be added to the web to be joined is sucked and held on the upstream web holding surface of the web holding table 20, cut along the cut groove 31, and the cut start end web is held by the web. Pull away from the surface. FIG. 10 shows the state of the web joining apparatus 2 at this time. The end 82 of the web to be joined previously cut is suction-held on the web holding surface on the downstream side of the web holding base 20, and the starting end 81 of the web 80 laid thereon is formed with the suction hole of the web holding base 20. After being sucked and held on the upstream web holding surface 22 of the web joining device 2 by the suction action of the web joining device 2, the web is cut along the cut groove 31 by the cutting tool 40.

At this time, the print pattern of the web to be joined and the print pattern of the spliced web that are to be added to the downstream web holding surface are synchronized with each other and sucked to the web holding table 20 so that the cut grooves 31 are formed. The pattern of the end part and the start part cut along the line becomes a continuous print pattern, and it is possible to prevent the occurrence of processing defects due to positional deviation or the like in post-processing such as bag making.

Next, the two aligned webs are joined on a web joining apparatus. First, as shown in FIG. 11, the joining tape 90 is stretched from the upper surface of the web so as to straddle the two webs.
Affix. At this time, the web cut table 30 is used as a support table for pressing the joining tape.

Next, a bonding tape is attached to the lower surface of the web. The most characteristic feature of the present apparatus is the attachment of a bonding tape to the lower surface of the web, which will be described in detail below. As described above, the joining tape to be attached to the lower surface of the web is suction-held on the tape holding surface of the tape holding table 50 in advance after the cutting process of the end of the web to be joined.

Therefore, the web cutting table 30 mounted on the opening 21 of the web holding table 20 and the tape holding table 50 holding the bonding tape by suction are exchanged. In this replacement, first, as shown in FIG. 12, the air cylinder 61 of the vertical moving means is driven, and the web cutting table 30 is moved to the web holding table 20.
From the opening 21 of FIG. At this time, as shown in FIG. 1, the web cutting table 30 is provided with engagement holes 32 provided at both ends thereof.
1 is engaged with the engagement pin 74 inserted into the main carriage 7.
1 is accurately positioned.

Next, the main moving table 71 is moved backward by the longitudinal moving means (not shown), and as shown in FIG.
The tape holding table 50 together with the sub-moving table connected to
Moves right below the opening 21.

When the movement of the tape holder 50 is completed, as shown in FIG.
1 is driven to push up the tape holding table 50 and mount the tape holding table 50 in the opening of the web holding table 20. By pressing the joining portion from the upper surface of the web in this state, the joining tape is adhered to the lower surface of the web, and the end 82 of the joined web and the starting end 81 of the joining web to be added are completely joined.

When the joining of the webs is completed, the suction action of the suction holes of the web holding table 20 and the tape holding table 50 is stopped. Next, the tape holding table 50 is detached from the opening 21 of the web holding table 20 and lowered by driving the vertical moving means. The tape holder 50 lowered from the opening 21 is provided with an engaging pin 74 inserted into the sub-movement table 72 shown in FIG.
The engagement holes 53 provided at both ends of the tape holding table 50 are engaged with each other, and are positioned and mounted on the sub-moving table 72. After that, the main moving table 71 is advanced to just below the opening with the sub-moving table 72 connected by driving the front-rear moving means.

FIG. 15 shows this state. As shown in the figure, the web cutting table 30 and the tape holding table 50 are both stored in the lower part of the web holding table 20 and the suction action of the web holding table 20 is stopped, so that the web cutting table 30 and the tape holding table 50 are joined by the bonding tape. The removed web 80 is detachable from the web joining device.

Next, as shown in FIG. 16, the rotation arm 3 is turned around the web support shaft 12 and is locked to the web support arm 11 by the stopper 4, so that the web joining apparatus 2 is connected to the web. Leave from 80. When a series of web joining operations is completed in this way, the web processing machine 1 is started, and the processing of processing the newly added web is started.

The joined portion of the web joined by the joining tape is removed, for example, at the time of post-processing bag making or at the time of filling the content, and does not mix into the final product. For example, if a metal base material such as an aluminum foil is used for the bonding tape, it is easy to reliably detect the bonding portion using the metal detection sensor in the bonding portion removal processing.

Further, in this embodiment, the rotating arm to which the web joining device is fixed is locked to the web supporting arm by the stopper, but when the mass of the web joining device is large,
A shock absorber and an air damper may be used together to reduce the shock at the time of locking. Further, a weight balancer for balancing with the mass of the web joining device may be added to the opposite side of the rotating arm to improve operability at the time of rotation.

[0048]

As described in detail above, the web joining apparatus according to the present invention is provided with an opening extending in a direction perpendicular to the web running direction, and has a web holding surface on the upper surface. A web holding table having a cut groove extending in a direction perpendicular to the web running direction on the upper surface, a web cutting table attached to and detached from an opening of the web holding table, and a tape holding surface on the upper surface, Since it is composed of the tape holding table which is attached to and detached from the opening of the web holding table, it is possible to obtain a joining apparatus having a simple structure and good workability.

In particular, when attaching the bonding tape to the back side,
Since it is not necessary to turn the web over while slackening, the web does not come into contact with the floor during the operation, dust and dirt do not adhere, and this is more preferable in terms of hygiene management.

The web holding table of the present web joining apparatus is provided with a web holding means for holding the end of the web on a web holding surface on the downstream side of the opening, and an opening. Web holding means for holding the starting end of the web on the upstream side of the web, so that the end of the web to be joined and the starting end of the joining web to be added can be held securely, and the pattern can be synchronized. The joining operation can be performed quickly and surely without breaking down.

Further, the tape holding table in the present web joining apparatus is provided with a row of suction holes for sucking and holding the joining tape on the tape holding surface. The bonding tape can be reliably held by suction.

Further, the tape holding table in the present web bonding apparatus is arranged such that, when the bonding tape is sucked and held on the tape holding surface, the tape holding table is directed downward from the web holding table toward the upstream side of the web. Since it is configured to be able to be pulled out, the work of sucking the joining tape is easy.

The web processing machine according to the present invention, as described in claim 5, is for connecting the starting end of the web supplied to the web processing machine to the end of the web being processed. Since the web joining device described in any one of the above, is provided in the web supply unit, the web joining operation can be performed simply, quickly and accurately even by non-experts, and the productivity of web processing is improved.

In the web joining apparatus of the present web processing machine, the outside of the loaded web is set around the same axis as the rotation center of the web loaded in the web supply unit. Since the rotation is performed at a radius larger than the diameter, there is no problem in loading the web.

Further, since the web joining apparatus of the present web processing machine is provided so as to be able to retreat from the running path of the web, no problem occurs in the normal web processing. No extra storage space is required.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a main part of a web joining apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the web joining apparatus at a standby position.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the web joining device in a use position.

FIG. 4 is a side view showing a state in which the number of webs is reduced.

FIG. 5 is a side view showing the web joining device rotated to a use position.

FIG. 6 shows a web joining apparatus when cutting the end of the web to be joined.

FIG. 7 shows a state in which the lower surface bonding tape is set on the tape holder.

FIG. 8 shows a state in which the tape holder is stored in a lower part of the web holder.

FIG. 9 is a side view when a joining web to be added is loaded.

FIG. 10 shows a state in which the leading end of the loaded web is cut.

FIG. 11 shows a state in which a joining tape is stuck on the upper surface of the web.

FIG. 12 shows a state in which the web cutting table is stored in the lower part of the web holding table.

FIG. 13 shows a state in which the tape holder has been moved to a position below the opening.

FIG. 14 shows a state in which a bonding tape is adhered to the lower surface of the web.

FIG. 15 shows a state in which the tape holding table and the web cutting table are stored in the lower part of the web holding table.

FIG. 16 is a side view showing a state where the web joining apparatus is stored in a standby position.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Web processing machine 2 Web joining apparatus 3, 3A, 3B Rotating arm 4 Stopper 10, 10A, 10B Processing machine frame 11, 11A, 11B Web support arm 12 Web support shaft 13 Cone chuck 14 Guide roller 20 Web holding table 21 Opening Part 22 Web holding surface 23 Suction hole 24 Guide shaft 30 Web cutting table 31 Cut groove 32 Engagement hole 40 Cutting tool 50 Tape holding table 51 Tape holding surface 52 Suction hole 53 Engagement hole 60 Vertical moving means 61 Air cylinder 62 Drive shaft Reference Signs List 70 forward / backward moving means 71 main moving table 72 sub moving table 73 sub moving shaft 74 engagement pin 80 web 81 start end 82 end end 90 joining tape

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Teruo Tsuchiya 1-1-1, Ichigaya-Kagacho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo Inside Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Masayuki Murata 1-chome, Ichigaya-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo No.1-1 Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd. F term (reference) 3F064 AA01 AA03 AA06 AA08 BB06 BB18 DA01

Claims (7)

[Claims] An opening extending in a direction perpendicular to the web running direction is provided, a web holding table having a web holding surface on an upper surface, and a cut groove extending in a direction orthogonal to the web running direction on an upper surface, A web, comprising: a web cutting table that is attached to and detached from an opening of a web holding table; and a tape holding table that has a tape holding surface on an upper surface and is attached to and detached from the opening of the web holding table. Joining equipment. 2. The web holding table has a web holding means for holding the end of the web on a web holding surface on the downstream side of the opening, and a web starting end on a web holding surface on the upstream side of the opening. The web joining apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a web holding unit for holding the web. 3. The web joining apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the tape holding table includes a row of suction holes for sucking and holding the joining tape on a tape holding surface. 4. The tape holding table is configured to be able to be pulled out from below the web holding table toward the upstream side of the web when the bonding tape is sucked and held on the tape holding surface. 2. The web joining apparatus according to 1. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the start of the web to be fed to the web processing machine is connected to the end of the web being processed.
A web processing machine, wherein the web joining device according to claim 4 is provided in a web supply unit. 6. The web joining apparatus is characterized in that the web joining apparatus rotates around a same axis as a rotation center of a web loaded in a web supply unit with a radius larger than an outer diameter of the loaded web. The web processing machine according to claim 5, wherein 7. The web processing machine according to claim 5, wherein the web joining device is provided so as to be retractable from a traveling path of the web.