JPH07119070B2 - Belt manufacturing method and apparatus - Google Patents

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to a method of making a flexible belt, and an apparatus therefor.

Prior Art Various techniques have been invented for forming belts from webs. A web of thermoplastic material is obtained by stacking one end of the web over the other and locating this overlap of the web, the seam, on the base underneath the vibration welding element. , Can be joined. The vibration welding element is a horn that vibrates at ultrasonic frequencies,
The horn is vibrated while being pressed against one side of the superposed webs, and the other side of the seams of the superposed webs is supported on the anvil surface. The transmission of vibrational energy from the horn to the web material is accomplished by striking a suitably shaped surface of the horn against the seam of the web material. Heat is generated along the contact area between the webs on which the vibration energy is superposed. The horn normally resonates at a frequency of about 16 kHz or higher in the direction toward and away from the seam. This welding is a series of spot welding along the seam, that is, continuous welding,
Becomes Ultrasonic welding technology for thermoplastic materials is well known, for example, U.S. Patent Nos. 4,532,166 and 3,87.
No. 9,256, No. 3,939,033, No. 3,947,307 and No. 3,459,6
No. 10, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

Unfortunately, the butching process for cutting and welding webs to form belts requires significant time, complex manual work, large floor space, and alignment, cutting, weld trimming and other processing steps. Requires expensive equipment for.

In addition, excessive manual work is subject to strict tolerances such as sensitive substrates and coatings, especially flexible electrostatographic imaging members including photoreceptors used in high speed electrostatographic copiers, copiers, printers and the like. There is an increased risk of damage to the coated substrate that must be met. Even scratches and fingerprint marks on the sensitive and fragile surface of the photoreceptor make it unacceptable for most electrostatographic copiers, copiers and printers.

U.S. Patent Application No. 845,205, filed May 27, 1986 under the name of E. Swain and others, describes a method and apparatus for making a belt, in which: The cylindrical mandrel is conveyed to the wrapping station, and the front edge of the web supplied from the web supply roll is applied to the first cylindrical mandrel at this station. On the first cylindrical mandrel, the front edge is fixed by partial vacuum pressure, and the mandrel is fixed to about 1
The spinning causes the web to be wrapped around the first cylindrical mandrel. The web is cut by a lapping station to form a rear edge, and the rear edge is overlapped with the front edge of the web to form a first belt having a seam portion. The first mandrel is delivered to the welding station and at substantially the same time the second mandrel is delivered to the wrapping station. The second mandrel is wrapped with fresh web material from a web supply roll, and at substantially the same time, the seam of the first belt on the first mandrel is welded into a unitary belt. . These welded belts are automatically removed from the mandrel at the belt removal station. This method can produce excellent welding belts, but the cylindrical mandrel has a complicated and heavy structure, and the production time is long and the cost is high. Due to the large size and weight, considerable equipment downtime has been experienced in exchanging three mandrels to produce belts of different circumferential lengths and / or widths. Further, the web pick-up device is difficult to handle, heavy and expensive to manufacture. In addition to this, the seams of the welded electrostatographic imaging member are formed only with the front edge of the web located below the rear edge. Welded photoreceptor lap joints allow cleaning devices, such as cleaning blades, to run smoothly over the lap joints, just as rain flows over shingle boards stacked on the roof. It is usually transported in the direction possible. Normally, an electrical ground strip is provided on the edge of only one of the photoreceptors. Some electrostatographic copiers, copiers and printers require a ground strip to be along one edge, while other electrostatographic imaging devices have a ground strip along the other edge. Need to be done. The use of the cylindrical mandrel device in the above-referenced US patent application is less flexible in providing welded photoreceptor bolts for other electrostatographic copiers, copiers and printers. Because, with respect to the location of the ground strip, some imagers require a lap joint where the leading edge of the web is overlaid on the trailing edge, while other imagers are behind the web. This is because the edge requires a lap joint that is overlaid on the front edge.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,357,186, issued to Calvert on Nov. 2, 1982, describes an apparatus for forming a shipping strap from a plastic strip of a predetermined length. The device forms a loop from the strip by gripping the leading edge with a pair of jaws and rotating the jaw by 360 ° as measured from the remaining feed portion of the strip. A pivoting retainer moves the assembled loop of plastic material across the stacked ends to the station,
Both ends overlapped by this station are ultrasonically welded to each other. The produced straps are then bundled to form a group of articles.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,310,369, issued to Miller et al. On Jan. 12, 1982, describes a method and apparatus for making a cylinder from multiple flexible webs.
Various processing operations are performed on the web inside the forming unit 30, which units are equidistantly arranged on the rotary device. These processing stations include an infeed station A for winding a web around a mandrel 32, a heating and seal forming stage C,
Cooling stages D, E and F, and stripping / removal stage G.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,220,491, issued to Metcalf et al. On September 2, 1980, describes a method and apparatus for aligning and joining two sheets together. The apparatus uses a pair of hinged sheet receiving platens, which have a vacuum device for holding the sheets in the desired condition. These platens include locating means for positioning the sheets prior to joining the sheets.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,411,721 issued to Whisthard on October 25, 1983 describes a method and apparatus for automatically applying a securing tape to a substrate. The working station 20 is provided with a pair of ultrasonic welding devices 22, 24. Material handling in this machine is performed by a pneumatic cylinder system, a pinch roller and a vacuum pad.

In U.S. Pat. No. 4,532,166 issued to Somsen et al. On July 30, 1985, a welded belt is described which comprises, for example, webs of thermoplastic material stacked at both ends. It is preferably formed by ultrasonic welding the parts.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,033,768, issued to Waylock on July 5, 1977, describes a method for preparing a belt for an electrophotographic copying machine. In this method, a film made of a soluble material is applied onto a mandrel to form a photoconductive layer, the photoconductive layer is heat-treated to form a conductive material layer, and a heat shrinkable joint made of synthetic resin is formed. A film which is free of or is seamless and which is then removed from the mandrel which is thus layered, the solvent is used to dissolve the film of the dissolvable material, and the belt is turned inside out. ing. The belt is trimmed to the desired width dimension.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,673,024 issued to Ericsson on June 27, 1972 describes a method and apparatus for making belts. The method involves wrapping a web of fiber around a pair of spaced rollers (column 1) and then heat treating the material to bond adjacent fibers together. Additional edge trimming steps are also described.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,042,655, issued to Platt et al. On Aug. 16, 1977, describes a method for making non-woven fabrics, which involves fibers in a floating zone equipped with a nickel roll. Is suspended, after which a portion of the fibers are melted into the fabric and the suspended formed batt is sewn.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,078,961 to Aoki et al., Issued Mar. 14, 1978, describes a method and apparatus for continuously feeding a strip of plastic film to a printing press. The device includes a strip take-up device, a switch device, a strip cutting device, and a heat seal forming device.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,173,314 issued to Karen et al. On Nov. 5, 1979 describes an apparatus for continuously feeding web material to a web printer.
The web material is supplied from the first roll supported at the supply position, and when the first roll is almost consumed, the front edge of the web on the second roll adheres to the web on the first roll. Being bonded, the web of the first roll is then cut.

When multiple groups of handling techniques are used to manufacture the belt, it is often difficult to achieve uniform belt conicity and uniform quality. Moreover, due to the differing belt dimensions required for various electrostatographic copiers, copiers, printers, etc., a machine suitable for producing a belt of one diameter or width dimension is time-consuming. It cannot be easily used to provide belts of other diameters or width dimensions without delay or expense. Further alternatively, the lap joint formed by stacking the front edge on the rear edge is modified to overlap the rear edge on the front edge for a new group in which one surface of the belt is different from the other surface. It cannot be done easily.

As such, these features of the belt manufacturing equipment have exhibited shortcomings associated with the rapid manufacture of belts that meet tight tolerances, as well as varying size and lap joint requirements. is there.

The object of the present invention is to overcome the above-mentioned drawbacks by providing a method and a device for manufacturing a belt, in which the front edge of the web is Conveyed from a supply roll to a loop forming station on the belt, the web is cut from a front edge at a predetermined length to form a web segment having a front edge at one end and a rear edge at the other end. Therefore, the lower surface of the web close to the front edge is inverted, and the lower surface of the web close to the rear edge is inverted so that these inverted front and rear edges are overlapped to form a loop of web segment. The web loop is loosely suspended from the lap joint formed by the overlapping front and back edges, and the web segment located at the loop forming station of the belt. The loop of the web segment is moved to the anvil, the loop of the web segment located on the anvil is conveyed to the welding station,
Then, the overlapped front end edge and rear end edge are welded on the anvil to form a belt formed by welding at the lap joint.

The flexible belt is easy to manufacture without the attendant problems of manual labor.
Further, because it can be formed into a uniform shape, the flexible belt produced by the method and apparatus of the present invention is supplied as an elongated web, particularly an elongated web having an electrical ground strip on the edge. It is particularly useful for applications in products such as electrostatographic photoreceptors, which use sensitive organic layers. In addition, the ability to precisely control the dimensions of the photoreceptor allows for rapid resizing of another product to produce belts of different diameters or widths.

A more complete understanding of the method and apparatus of the present invention can be obtained by reference to the accompanying drawings.

Example With reference to FIG. 1, a processing station for producing a belt from a web is described. These processing stations are belt loop forming station 10, belt welding station 12, belt notching station 1
4 and includes a belt take-out station 15. These stations work by means of a rotatable and reciprocable belt conveyor 16, which conveys the belt conveyor anvil 1.
Includes 8,20 and 22.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, a web 24, such as a thin or uncoated Thermoplastic web, is fed by a feed roll 26 and guided. It is fed around a roll 28, an air bearing 30, a dancer roll 32 and an air bearing 34. Air bearings 30 and 34 and dancer roll 32 each have a hollow annular chamber (not shown) and a porous outer shell made of metal powder. The use of air bearings is particularly desirable when the sensitive surface of the web, which is susceptible to scratches when the web is removed from the roll, is oriented downwards. The dancer roll 32 is supported by a hollow idler arm 36, which is supported by a stationary shaft 38 and pivots about the shaft. The downward pressure exerted on the idler arm 36 by the air cylinder 40 via the connecting cable 42 absorbs the loose portion of the web 24.
If desired, the supply roll 26 may be combined with a suitable brake or resistance device (not shown) to adjust the tension used to pull the web 24 from the supply roll 26.

Bearing loop forming station 10 is shown in Figs.
This is shown in greater detail in Figures and 5. Supply roll 26
The web 24 supplied by
Moved around 30 and 34. Air bearings 30 and 3
4, and the dancer roll 32 has a hollow annular chamber inside a porous outer shell such as shell formed by sintering metal particles. Pressurized air from a suitable source is supplied via conventional hoses (not shown) to the hollow annular chamber of dancer roll 32 (through hollow idler arm 36), air bearing 30 and air bearing 34, and The air is adapted to flow out through a porous shell to form an air bearing which prevents contact with and damages the surface of the web 24 and the web from the supply roll 26. Reduces the frictional force against the force pulling 24. Furthermore,
The "S" shaped passages of the web 24 around the air bearings 30 and 34 provide sufficient lateral strength to the web 24 to cause buckling as the web travels past the belt loop forming station 10. Without an edge guide 44
And 46 enable the lateral position of the web 24 to be determined. If desired, this "S" shaped passage can be extended to form a long serpentine passage for the web 24. Dancer roll 32 and air bearings 30 and 34 are commercially available as porous metal tubes, for example, from Mott Metallurgical Corporation of Farmington, Connecticut.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the front edge of the web 24 is
First of all, the web receiving plateform is fed to the cutting edge 48 of the web receiving plateform 50, and by the partial vacuum pressure provided by the vacuum shoe 52.
Held at 50, this shoe is connected to a suitable vacuum pressure source (not shown) through a vacuum space (not shown) located underneath. Any suitable shaped shoe can be used. Typical vacuum shoes are holes of any suitable shape arranged in one or more rows above the vacuum space, one or more rows connected by passages to the underlying vacuum space. Shallow groove of any suitable shape,
It is configured to include a manufactured porous member obtained by sintering particles located above the vacuum space. The vacuum pressure of the vacuum switch 52 is generated and released by the valve and switch cluster 54.
This is accomplished by actuating the appropriate solenoid operated valve (see FIG. 1). The valve and switch cluster 54 also includes various suitable air cylinders, motors, and other suitable valves and electrical switch actuators for similar devices in station width assemblies. The valves and valves of the switch cluster 54 are, for example, the MAKV valve of Wixom, MI.
It is preferably a conventional solenoid operated valve commercially available from Incorporated. Positive pressure, vacuum pressure or atmospheric pressure may be supplied from a suitable conventional source by a suitable cylinder such as conventional air connection tubing (not shown). The term "vacuum" as used herein is intended to mean a partial vacuum rather than a full vacuum.
Similarly, power for driving electrical devices such as motors, solenoids, servomotors, etc., is provided through suitable wiring and conventional suitable electrical switches. The valves and switches are conventionally actuated via appropriate circuitry in response to signals from programmable controller 56 (see FIG. 1). Expressions such as "actuation", "power supply", and "deactivation" refer to the opening and closing of solenoid operated valves and electric switches to supply positive pressure, vacuum pressure, atmospheric pressure, or current. Is a well-known term intended to include making or stopping. Thus, the control function of the device of the present invention is
It is synchronized and integrated by a suitable programmable controller 56, such as the Allen-Bradley programmable controller Model No. 2/05 or Model No. 2/17. The programmable controller responds to a variety of typical inputs, including, for example, inputs from limit switches, timers, encoders, proximity sensors, counters, etc.
The controller also uses such inputs to sequentially issue program outputs for actuating electrical switches, solenoid actuated valves, etc., which solenoid actuated valves such as the vacuum switch 52. The vacuum chamber is opened to the atmosphere, or the vacuum chamber is connected to an exhaust chamber (not shown). Shutdown of activated components is accomplished by a programmable controller 56 or suitable limit switch, etc.
This may be done by any suitable conventional means.

As further shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a reciprocating pickup assembly 58 is mounted above the web receiving plateform 50 and web 24, which assembly is a pair of guide rods 60 and 62. Supported above. The web pick-up assembly 58 includes a plate worm 64, one side of which is slidably supported on a guide rod 60 by a cam follower (not shown) and the other side of which is compliant. Bearing block 66
It is slidably supported on the guide rod 62. For example, Thomson in Manhasset, New York
Any suitable slide device can be used, such as the Thomson slides available from Industries.

The web pickup device 58 also includes a pivotable plate 68 which is pivoted on the shaft 72 when the solenoid 74 is activated. Actuation of solenoid 74 is provided by programmable controller 56, which supplies power via conventional wiring (not shown). A shaft 72 is supported by a pair of end plates 76, which are fixed to plates 78 and 80. The plate 80 is supported by the platform foam 64. A vacuum shoe 82 is attached to the bottom of the swinging free end of the pivotable plate 68. Pivot plate 68 and vacuum shoe 82 extend substantially across the entire width of web 24. The length of the vacuum shell 82 is typically slightly smaller than the width of the web 24. The vacuum shoe already explained
Any suitable shoe can be used, such as a shoe similar to 52. The creation and release of vacuum pressure in a vacuum space (not shown) located over the vacuum chamber 52 is accomplished by a programmable controller 56, which includes a suitable conventional solenoid operated valve. Controlled, these valves connect the vacuum space to the suction chamber and open the vacuum space to the atmosphere. Guide rods 60 and 62 are supported by end plates 84 and 86.
The home position (shown in the left part of FIGS. 4 and 5), the advanced intermediate shear position (shown in dotted lines in FIG. 4), and other positions on the guide rods 60 and 62, The reciprocating movement of the web pick-up assembly 58 between the two is carried out with the help of a servo motor 88, which is a gear box 92 and a drive pulley 94.
The timing drive belt 90 is driven via. The home position of the web pick-up assembly 58 aligns the vacuum shoe 82 directly and properly above the vacuum shoe 52,
This allows the vacuum shoe to allow movement of its front edge after the belt 24 has been cut. The drive belt 90 is supported at one end by a drive pulley 94 and at the other end by an idler pulley 96. The aluminum pulley 96 is supported by a flange 98 that is welded to the end plate 84. The flange 99 attached to the bearing block 66 is a revetment.
It is secured to the timing drive belt 90 by means of 100 and 102. Thus, the reciprocating movement of the timing drive belt 90 causes the web pickup assembly 58 to reciprocate over the guide rods 60 and 62. In addition to drive pulley 94, servo motor 88 also drives encoder 104 by shaft 106. This encoder 104
Is electrically connected to the programmable controller 56 via suitable wiring (not shown) and provides an electrical signal to the programmable controller 56 to indicate the relative position of the web pick-up assembly 58. Of. Any suitable encoder can be used. A typical encoder is the Allen-Bradley encoder model number 845N-SJD-NY-CRYI available from Allen-Bradley. The movement of the web pickup assembly 58 is provided by a programmable controller 56, which controls the start, stop and reverse rotation of a servomotor 88. In general, the spacing of the vacuum shoe 82 from the cutting edge 48 is simply programmable with the appropriate instruction to achieve the desired degree of belt overlap in the seam of the belt loops in the final product. It is decided only by inputting into the controller 56. However, undesirably, instead of, or in combination with, the distance from the cutting edge 48 to the vacuum shoe 82 to achieve the desired degree of belt overlap for the belt loop seam, other Any suitable device may be used.

Also shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 is a web cutter assembly 106 which includes a hollow non-magnetic material shaft 108, which has one side plate with a nut 112 at one end. The other end is fixed to the side plate 114 by a nut 116. A slidable magnetic piston (not shown) is housed inside the hollow non-magnetic material shaft 108, which piston is provided through a suitable fitting (not shown). Compressed air, which is alternately introduced to each end of 108, creates a hollow non-magnetic material shaft.
Driven back and forth along the length of 108. A magnetic bearing block 118 is slidably mounted on the hollow non-magnetic material shaft 108. When the magnetic piston, which is slidable in the hollow non-magnetic material shaft 108, is driven back and forth by the compressed air, the attractive magnetic force exerted by the magnetic piston attracts the magnetic bearing block 118, and together with the magnetic piston. Slide the hollow non-magnetic material shaft 108 back and forth. For example, a magnetic reciprocating drive of the type shown is available from Fest Corporation of Haupawgy, NY.
Any other suitable reciprocating drive can be used in place of this magnetic device. Typical reciprocating drives include ball and lead screws, pneumatic pistons, servomotors, and the like. Support plate 120, angle material 1
21 and magnetic bearing block 118 are welded together to form a rigid, unitary assembly. Support plate 12
The bottom of 0 carries a pair of bearing blocks,
One bearing block is shown at 122 and the other bearing block is not shown. These bearing blocks carry a freely rotatable shaft 124, which carries a disk-shaped cutting blade 126. The support plate 120 also carries a bifurcated bearing block 128,
This bearing block rides on a guide rail 130. The guide rail 130 is welded to the end plate 84. The bifurcated bearing block 128 causes the disc-shaped cutting blade 126 to reciprocate back and forth along the cutting edge of the web receiving platform 50 to cut the web 24. Support stability and alignment. Other suitable cutting devices can be used in place of the disk-shaped blades if desired. Typical cutting devices include laser cutters, straight-edged knives, kilotin cutting devices, and the like. The movement and reciprocating movement of the disk-shaped cutting blade 126 along the cutting edge 48 is performed by a programmable controller 56, which is the source of compressed air supplied to the hollow non-magnetic material shaft 108. It controls a conventional suitable valve (not shown) connected to the. To prevent a collision between the cutting blade 126 and the web pick-up assembly 58 when the web pick-up assembly 58 moves to its home position, the cutting blade 126 cuts the web 24. If not, it is moved to its home position (shown in Figure 5).

Referring to FIGS. 4, 5, 6 and 7, the belt loop forming assembly 132 includes a stationary vertical plate 134 bolted to the side plates 114 and 110, respectively. Shown to include 136. Both ends of the horizontal stationary plate 138 are stationary. Vertical plates 134 and 13
It is bolted to 6. An air cylinder 140 is mounted on top of the horizontal stationary plate 138. This air cylinder 140 is a normal two-way working cylinder,
The movement of the piston in this cylinder depends on which side of the piston the pressure is applied to. In other words, the piston is moved in one direction by the compressed air carried by the first chamber on its first side,
Further, the piston is moved in the opposite direction by switching the compressed air to the second chamber on the other side of the piston while exhausting the first chamber. The operation of the air cylinder 140 is such that the programmable controller 56 controls a conventional valve to connect the air cylinder 140 to a compressed gas source or atmosphere via a suitable air hose (not shown). Is achieved in. The lower end of the reciprocating piston rod 142 is fixed to the horizontal plate 144 of the reciprocating loop forming device assembly 145. One end of the horizontal plate 144 is bolted to the top vertical plate 148 with the help of the angle bracket 147, and the other end is bolted to the top vertical plate 148 with the help of the angle bracket 149. Has been done. The bottoms of the vertical plates 146 and 148 bifurcate to form two legs. The legs 150 and 152 at the bottom of the vertical plate 146 are shown in FIG. Legs 150 located at the bottom of vertical plate 146 and legs 153 located at the bottom of vertical plate 148 are shown in FIG. The leg 150 of the vertical plate 146 carries a rotatable horizontal shaft 154, which is the shaft 150.
Extend outward from each side of the. A rack and pinion structure is used to rotate the rotatable horizontal shaft 154, with the pinion 156 attached to the rotatable horizontal shaft 154 on one side of the leg 150 away from the vertical plate 148. . The other end of the rotatable horizontal shaft 154 has a pivotable "L" shaped side plate 1
It is rigidly fixed to 58 to support it. Pinion
156 is driven by a reciprocable rack 160. Rack
160 is reciprocally driven by an air cylinder 162, which is rigidly fixed to a vertical plate 146 by a flange 163. The air cylinder 162 is a conventional two-way actuated cylinder, and the movement of the piston inside depends on which side is pressurized. Attached to leg 152 is an assembly having a configuration that is a mirror image of the assembly attached to leg 150, that is, a rotatable horizontal shaft 165 extending outwardly from each side of leg 152, a rotatable horizontal shaft 165. Pinion 166 mounted on shaft 165, pivotable "L" side plate 170, reciprocable rack 1
74, air cylinder 176, and flange 170 are attached. The operation of the air cylinders 162 and 176 is controlled by a programmable controller 56 controlling a normal valve, and the air cylinders 162 and 176 are operated via an air hose (not shown).
Is independently conducted to the pressurized gas supply source or the atmosphere. On the sides of each leg of the bifurcated bottom of the vertical plate 148 facing the vertical plate 146, the rotatable shaft (shown in FIG. 7) and the vertical shaft of the leg 153 of the vertical plate 148. The same rotatable shaft (not shown) of the other leg (not shown) of the flat plate 148 is mounted vertically opposite each of the rotatable shafts 154 and 165 of the vertical plate 146. . Similarly, the pivotable "L" shaped side plate 170 and the pivotable "L" shaped side plate (not shown) in mirror image relationship are opposite to the position of the rotatable shaft 165. It is mounted on the legs of a vertical plate 148. Arm 181 of pivotable "L" shaped side plate 158 and directly opposed mirrored pivotable "L"
Corresponding arms (not shown) of the shaped side plate 180 cooperate with one another to carry a vacuum sheath 182, below which a vacuum space 184 (see FIG. 6) is located, which space is It extends along the length of vacuum vacuum support plate 185 (see FIG. 7). Similarly, pivotable "L"
-Shaped side plate 170 arm 186, and vertical plate
Corresponding arms (not shown) of directly opposed mirror image pivotable "L" shaped side plates 180 supported by 148 cooperate with one another to carry a vacuum shoe 190. The vacuum space 192 is located underneath. The length of vacuum shoe 182 and vacuum shoe 190 is typically slightly shorter than the width dimension of web 24. Any suitable vacuum shoe can be used as the vacuum shoe 182 and 190, such as the one similar to the vacuum shoe 52 previously described. Vacuum spaces 184 and 192 are connected to appropriate fittings and hoses by a passage such as passage 194 (shown in FIG. 7) and to a vacuum source via a control valve (not shown). Activating and deactivating vacuum spaces 184 and 192 is controlled by programmable controller 56 controlling a conventional valve to connect vacuum spaces 184 and 192 to a vacuum source via a suitable hose (not shown), Alternatively, it can be achieved independently by exposing the vacuum space to the atmosphere. Pivotable "L" shaped side plates 158 and 180 with vacuum shoe 182 and vacuum shoe support plate 185 include a first invertible grip assembly 195. Pivotable "L" shaped side plate 170 and vacuum shoe 1
90 and a pair of mating pivotable "L" shaped side plates (not shown) having a vacuum shoe support plate (not shown) located below the second invertible grip. It constitutes an assembly 196.

As shown in FIG. 7, the vertical path of the vertical plate 146 during its reciprocation by the air cylinder 140 is guided by a pair of cam followers 199 (only one of which is seen in FIG. 7). Yes, this follower has a vertical plate 14
It is rotatably mounted on a shaft 197 fixed to 6 (only one of which is shown in FIG. 7). A pair of cam followers 199 are mounted across a vertical guide rail 198, which rails are welded to the side plates 114. The vertical movement of the vertical plate 148 is the plate 148.
It is guided by a sliding tongue 200 (only one of which is shown in FIG. 7) fixed to the. The slide tongue 200 is engaged in a vertical slide groove formed in the grooved block 202, which is a side plate.
It is fixed at 110. Vertical plate 146 with hard stop block 204 attached to side plate 110 and set screw 206 threaded to flange 208.
And 148 to determine the lower movement limit.

Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, the belt moving assembly 228
And the belt moving assembly includes three elongated anvils 230, 232 and 234. These elongated anvils are horizontally cantilevered at 120 ° intervals from a rotary dial table 236 attached to a journal shaft 238, which extends through a journal box 240 into an index housing 246. . The journal box 240 and index housing 246 are fixed to a plate 248, which is a suitable ball bearing slide block slidably mounted on a slide rail, which is represented schematically by a rectangular member 251. It is bolted to 250. Any suitable slide stand 24
Can be used to support 6. Typical slides include THK in Tokyo, Japan, and roller slides in Salon, Ohio, USA. The digital table 236 is adapted to rotate when the journal shaft 238 is driven by the electric motor 252 via a suitable gear mechanism within a gear housing 253 mounted on the side wall of the stand 246. The digital table 236 is rotated when it is necessary to position each anvil from one processing station to the next. The slide block 250 is reciprocally driven by a suitable air cylinder 256 between a fully retracted position (shown in phantom in FIG. 8) and an advanced rest position.
This cylinder drives a piston connect rod 258 which is fixed to a flange 260 mounted on the side of the slide block 250. The air cylinder 256 is a conventional two-way actuated cylinder, in which the movement of the piston is determined by its pressurized side. The slide bridge 250 is driven by an air cylinder 256 to reciprocate from the fully retracted position to the advanced rest position to provide a new formation for the empty anvil at the belt loop forming station 10. It is possible to easily mount, that is, attach the formed web loop (not shown). The slide block 250 is moved by an air cylinder 256 to reciprocate from the advanced rest position to the fully retracted position so that the anvil can strike the anvil without hitting any portion of the belt loop forming station 10. It is arranged so that it can be positioned from the station. Timed actuation of electric motor 252 and air cylinder 256 is accomplished by programmable controller 56.

In FIG. 9A, a representative elongated anvil 232 is shown with a pattern of vacuum grooves 263 and 264 located along each side of a hard metal strip insert 265, the insert being an elongated anvil. 232 extends along the longitudinal portion of the upper surface. Hard metal strip insert 26
5 can be any suitable material that can withstand the corrosion conditions encountered during belt lap welding such as stainless steel, A4 tool steel, 02 steel, and the like. Vacuum grooves 262, 263 and 264 are located across the wide width dimension of the upper surface of the elongated anvils 232, 236 and 234 to attract and hold the ends of the belt loop formed at the belt loop forming station 10. I have to. The hard metal strip insert 265 has a length at least the length of the lap joint in the web loop. A plurality of passages (not shown) arranged along the vacuum grooves 263 and 264 define the vacuum grooves 263 and 264 under the vacuum space.
You are connected to 270.

Referring to FIGS. 8, 9 and 9A, the anvil 230
The vacuum grooves formed on the upper surfaces of 232 and 232 are independently connected to the air passages 276 and 278 (third air passage is not shown) through the internal vacuum space, and these air passages are journals. Circumferential Channel 284 via Box 240
And 285 respectively extending into the respective entry ports and each circumferential channel is separated by an O-ring seal 286. Circumferential channel 288 is connected to the third vacuum space by an air passage (not shown). Circumferential channels 284, 285 and 288 are each connected through a corresponding air line to a suitable electrically operated valve (not shown) via journal box 240. For example, in FIG. 9, the circumferential channel 288 is shown connected to a fitting 292, which fitting is connected to an electrically operated valve (not shown) by a suitable hose (not shown). Has been done. Elongated anvil 230,23
The free end of each of 2 and 234 has an alignment pin receiving hole 294 for use in combination with alignment pins located in various processing stations, and elongated anvil 23.
The free ends of 0, 232 and 234 are prevented from deflecting.
For example, alignment pin 296 is shown below the belt loop forming assembly 132 in FIG. Any conventional suitable solenoid operated valve can be used to create a vacuum or build up pressure on the components of the present invention.
Positive, vacuum or atmospheric pressure can be supplied to journal box 240 from any suitable conventional pressure source by conventional equipment such as a suitable connecting line (not shown). Ordinary electrical switch equipment is used for the Allen-Bradley programmable controller model No. 2/05 or model N.
A suitable programmable controller such as o.2 / 17 56
In response to a signal from the electric motor, the electric motor and the power supply are connected through a suitable circuit.

In operation, referring to the belt forming timing sequence shown in FIG. 10, the reciprocating web pickup assembly 58 is initially located in the retracted home position (see line A in FIG. 10). Also, the pivot plate 68 is pivoted upward to lift the vacuum shoe 82 away from the top surface of the web 24. The leading edge of web 24 is in the same position as cutting edge 48 as a result of being cut during the preceding web looping cycle. Dancer roll 32
Compensates for the tendency of the web 24 to develop slack when the reciprocating web pickup assembly 58 is in the retracted position and also maintains tension on the web 24 during the web looping operation. Make a help. When the reciprocating web pick-up assembly 58 is in the retracted position, vacuum pressure is applied to the vacuum shoe 52 (line G) to hold the front edge of the web 24 against the web receiving platform 50. Eggplant The reciprocating loop forming assembly 145 is a vacuum sheath 1
Lower 82 and 190 to the home position (line L). The upward facing surfaces of vacuum chambers 182 and 190 are located in substantially the same plane as the upward facing surfaces of web receiving plate form 50, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 10A. The pivotable plate 68 is then pivoted downward by actuating the solenoid 74, causing the vacuum shoe 82 to drop against the top surface of the web 24 (line D). Thereafter, the reciprocating web pick-up assembly 58 is actuated by the servo motor 88 to a cutting position (shown by a dotted line in FIG. 4,
(Also shown schematically in FIG. 10B), which pulls the web for the required length over the cutting edge 48 located at the downstream end of the web receiving plateform 50. (Line B). The servomotor 88 is deactivated (line B) and the vacuum pressure is
(Line G) to hold the web 24 on the web receiving plateform 50, and vacuum pressure is applied to the vacuum shoe 182 (line I).
Hold the 4 in the vacuum shell 182. Compressed air is then sequentially applied, first to the home position end of the hollow non-magnetic shaft 108 and then to the opposite end thereof,
The disk-shaped cutting blade 126 is advanced from its home position (shown in FIG. 5) along the cutting edge 48 and then returned to the home position (line F), which cuts the web 24 (No. See also Figure 10C). Pneumatic cylinder 162 is then activated to vacuum vacuum 182.
Rotate around Shaft 154, so that
As shown in FIG. 0D, the rear edge of the newly formed web segment is carried in a clockwise arc shape, and the rear edge is completely inverted (line H). This movement is vacuum
The portion of the newly formed web segment between 182 and 190 forms a downwardly depending loop, and the front edge of the web segment is moved to the vacuum shoe 190 as it moves. It prevents buckling. The servo motor 88 retracts the reciprocating web pick-up assembly 58 to create a vacuum shock.
It is activated to position the leading edges of 82 and web 24 above vacuum shoe 190 as shown in FIG. 10E (line C). If desired, servo motor 88 should be vacuum
It is optionally actuated prior to inverting the 182 to pull the reciprocating web pick-up assembly 58 toward its home position for a small distance, such as about 2 inches, to loosen the web and between the vacuum shoes 182 and 190. It is possible to ensure that there is a loop of downwardly hanging web segments. The pivotable plate 68 is then pivoted downward by actuating the solenoid 74,
As shown in Fig. E, lower the vacuum shoe 82 (line D),
Also, a vacuum pressure is applied to the vacuum shoe 190 (line K). The supply of vacuum pressure applied to vacuum shoe 82 is terminated (line E), allowing the leading edge of web 24 to move toward vacuum shoe 190. The vacuum cylinder 162 is then actuated (line H) to rotate the vacuum shoe 182 counterclockwise about the shaft 154 to its home position, thereby creating a space through which the reciprocating web pickup assembly 58 passes. Form. As shown in FIG. 10F, the pivot plate 68 is pivoted upward by actuation of the solenoid 74 to lift the vacuum shoe 82 away from the vacuum shoe 190 (line D) and then back and forth on the web. Pickup assembly 58 is attracted to the home position by actuation of servomotor 88 (line A). The anvil 232 is linearly positioned into position under the reciprocating loop forming assembly 145 in preparation for receiving the newly formed web loop by actuation of the air cylinder 256 (see FIG. 8). (Line R). The alignment pin receiving hole 294 formed in the free end of the elongated anvil 232 is aligned with the alignment pin 296.
(See FIG. 5), which is fixedly attached to the side plate 110 by a bracket (not shown) to stabilize the anvil 232 by this engagement. It has become. The vacuum pressure is vacuum grooves 262 and 264 formed in the upper surface of the anvil 232 (see FIG. 9A).
(Line U). The air cylinder 162 is again actuated to rotate the vacuum shoe 182 about the shaft 154 to carry the trailing edge of the web segment in a clockwise arc, invert the trailing edge of the web segment, and Move the rim into contact with the top surface of the anvil 232 (line H). The air cylinder 176 is then actuated to rotate the vacuum shoe 190 about the shaft 165, which simultaneously conveys the leading edge of the newly formed web segment in a counterclockwise direction, as shown in FIG. 10G. As shown, the leading edge is inverted (line J) to form a belt loop with a lap joint, where the leading edge overlies the trailing edge. This is particularly useful for forming different lap joints from one wound web different from the other edge, such that only one edge carries the ground strip. Application of vacuum pressure to the vacuum shoe 182 (line I) and application of vacuum pressure to the vacuum shoe 190 (line K)
The termination allows the newly formed belt loop to be moved to the upper surface of the anvil 232. The air cylinder 140 includes an anvil 2 looping assembly 145 for the reciprocating belt including vacuum shoes 182 and 190.
Actuated to lift away from the newly formed belt loop carried on the upper surface of 32 (line L), which facilitates removal of the displaced belt loop. The air cylinders 162 and 176 are then activated, causing the vacuum shoes 182 and 190 to rotate to their original upturned position. Air cylinder 256 is actuated and anvil 232 away from under reciprocating loop forming assembly 145 in preparation for welding (see dotted line in FIG. 8).
Can be drawn (line S). The air cylinder 140
It is actuated to return the reciprocating belt loop forming assembly 145, including vacuum shoes 182 and 190, to their original home position (line L). The electric motor 252 is activated,
The dial table is rotated through 120 ° and the newly formed belt loop carried on the anvil 232 is brought to the belt welding station 12 (line T).

If it is desired to sort out defective web 24 segments, the reciprocating web pickup assembly 58 is initially retracted to the home position (line A) and the pivotable plate 68 is provided. Pivot to lift vacuum shoe 82 away from the top surface of web 24. The leading edge of this web 24 is in the same position as the cutting edge 48 as a result of being cut during the looping cycle of the preceding web. The dancer roll 32 will move the web when the reciprocating web pickup assembly 58 is in the retracted position.
It compensates for the tendency for slack to form in 24 and also helps maintain tension in web 24 during the web looping operation. When the reciprocating web pick-up assembly 58 is in the retracted position, vacuum pressure is applied to the vacuum shoe 52,
The front edge of the web 24 is a web receiving plate 50.
To hold against. The reciprocating loop forming assembly 145 lowers the vacuum shoes 182 and 190 to the home position with the vacuum facing upwards. The upward facing surfaces of vacuum chambers 182 and 190 are located in substantially the same plane as the upward facing surfaces of web receiving plate form 50, as shown in FIG. The pivotable plate 68 is then pivoted downward by actuating the solenoid 74, causing the vacuum shoe 82 to drop against the top surface of the web 24. The vacuum pressure is applied to the vacuum shoe 82, and the application of the vacuum pressure to the vacuum shoe 52 is stopped. Deactivating solenoid 74 then causes pivot plate 68 to pivot upward, raising vacuum shoe 82 and lifting the leading edge of web 24 from web receiving plateform 50 (line D). The web pick-up assembly 58, which is reciprocated by the operation of the servo motor 88, is advanced from the cutting edge 48 by a predetermined distance so that the web material hangs over the cutting edge 48. The vacuum pressure is again applied to the vacuum shoe 52, and the application of the vacuum pressure to the vacuum shoe 82 is stopped. Servo motor 88 is actuated to return the reciprocating web pickup assembly 58 to its home position. The pivot plate 68 is then pivoted downwardly by actuation of the solenoid 74, which causes the vacuum sheath 82 to move against the upper surface of the web 24.
Down. The vacuum pressure is applied to the vacuum shoe 82, and the vacuum pressure applied to the vacuum shoe 52 is stopped. Then, by deactivating the solenoid 74, the pivot plate 68 pivots upward, the vacuum shoe 82 is raised, and the front edge of the web 24 is lifted from the web receiving plate 50 (line D). . By providing a bar code on one end of the web 24 and using a sensor to detect defective parts of the web before, during and after coating, the web 24 is pre-designed based on the bar code symbol marked on the web 24. The defined defect map can be detected by a suitable bar code reader 297 (see FIG. 3), such bar code readers being available from, for example, Scope Incorporated, Reston, Virginia, USA. There is a ner. When such a scanner detects a recognized bar code indicating a defective location on the web 24, the detection signal is communicated to the programmable controller 56. Upon receiving this defect detection signal, the programmable controller 56 is programmed to switch to the sorting mode. The operation of the servo motor 88 advances the reciprocating web pick-up assembly 58,
A rotating sorting roller with the hanging edge of the web extending beyond the vacuum shoe 82 shown in FIG.
Enter the 298 and 299 Nip. If the sorting length is shorter than the distance from the nip roller to the cutting edge 48, the web pickup assembly 58 is stopped at the desired length position to allow cutting of the web at the cutting edge 48. . After cutting, the web pickup assembly 58 advances to feed the leading edge into the nip of the sorting roller. The exhaust material (not shown) for the web material portion selected by the rotation of the nickel rollers 298 and 299.
The vacuum pressure applied to the vacuum shroud 82 when being sent to is stopped. The web pick-up assembly 58 is then returned to its home position. If the new web to be processed next is free of defects, a normal belt forming cycle is initiated.

If different sized belts with larger and / or smaller base dimensions and / or diameters than the belts normally produced are required, the device of the invention does not require any additional equipment to be installed or removed. Edge guides 44 and 46 with different width dimensions
It can be easily achieved simply by adjusting. If the vacuum pickup of the vacuum pick-up arm is slightly narrower than the width dimension of the new photoreceptor web, then the pick-up arm can be used with or without modification. If the original pick-up arm has a vacuum shoe that is too long, the change is that the tape should cover a portion of the slot formed in the vacuum shoe of the pick-up arm that extends beyond the edges of the new web. Includes methods of sticking and applying putty or other suitable material. Belt length changes can be made immediately by adjusting programmable controller 56 and changing the length that web pickup assembly 58 pulls web 24 from the cutting edge.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 11, 12, and 13, an ultrasonic belt welding station 12 including an ultrasonic horn and transformer assembly 300 is shown. solenoid
A 301 is mounted on the ultrasonic horn and transducer assembly 300 such that the ultrasonic horn and transducer assembly 300 can be extended or retracted vertically. A web lap joint (not shown) formed by overlapping the segment ends of the thermoplastic web 24 is supported by the upper surface of the anvil 302.
Ultrasonic horn and transducer assembly 30 by suction from parallel groove rows 304, 306, 308 and 310 (see FIG. 10).
It is held at a predetermined position below the 0 movement path. The ultrasonic horn and tongue and dicer assembly 300 is supported by the lower end of a vertically reciprocable shaft (not shown) which is hinged to a carriage 313 which is reciprocated substantially horizontally. It extends from the lower end of the solenoid 301 attached to the upper half 311. One side of hinged lower half portion 312 of carriage 313 is suspended from pillow blocks 314 and 316, which is adapted to slide on horizontal bar 318. The other side of carriage 313 is suspended from a pair of cam followers 319, which roll over the top surface of horizontal bar 320. A rotatable lead screw 322 drives the reciprocable carriage 313 in a horizontal direction via a ball screw 324 fixed to the carriage 313. Similar to lead screen 322, horizontal bars 318 and 320 have flanges 326 and 328 at each end.
Are supported by the frame assembly 330 (see FIG. 1). The lead screw 322 is a belt driven by an electric motor 332.
Rotated by 331, this motor is also supported by frame assembly 330. Alignment pins 333 (see FIG. 1) are attached to the frame assembly 330 and are adapted to engage alignment pin receiving holes 294 in the free end of the anvil 302, which allow the anvil 302 to engage the belt. It is engaged when it is positioned at the welding position of the lap joint.
An adjustable set screw 334 is positioned to extend upwardly from the hinged lower half portion 312 of the carriage 313 and is located at the bottom of the ultrasonic horn and transducer assembly 300 and the anvil 302. It acts to maintain a predetermined distance from the top, and also to ensure a constant pressure on the lap of the ultrasonic horn as it moves over the lap of the web. It has become. One end of set screw 334 is locked to the bottom of hinged upper half 311 of carriage 313. The hinged upper half 311 and lower half 312 of carriage 313 are joined by a hinge, which is hinged upper half 311 by a bolted plate 340.
And includes a thin metal shim 338 secured to the lower half portion 312 hinged by a bolted plate 342. This hinge is such that the hinged upper half 311 of the carriage 313 and the ultrasonic horn of the ultrasonic horn and transducer assembly 300 are pivoted by the hinge during welding, thereby allowing for welding. To provide substantially vertical compensation for all irregularities along the lap joint 301 encountered. Air bellows 344 is hinged to carrier 313, upper half 311 and lower half 312.
Between the ultrasonic wave horn and the bottom portion of the transducer assembly 300 to the lap joint of the web, for example, the friction force as a counter balance can be adjusted.

In operation, referring to the belt welding timing sequence shown in FIG. 10, the ultrasonic horn and transducer assembly 300 is in the retracted position because the solenoid 301 is activated (line P). Anvil 302 carrying web looped segments cut from web 24 at belt loop forming station 10.
Has already been drawn straight out from the underside of the reciprocating loop forming assembly 145 (see FIG. 7) (line S) and is positioned to rotate it and the welding station 12 ( Line T). This positioning is an electric motor 252
This is accomplished by supplying electrical power (see FIGS. 8 and 9) and rotating the anvil 302 by a suitable device, such as the bevel gear of the gear housing 253 and the journal shaft 238. And at the same time, an anvil carrying unwelded belt loops
302 to the welding station 12 of the web, the anvil carrying the welded belt from the welding station 12 to the belt removal station 15, and the empty anvil to the belt removal station.
From 15 to the loop forming station 10 of the belt is advanced to a position where it is conveyed linearly. Due to the arrival of the anvil at the belt welding station 10, the solenoid 30
1 is deactivated (line P) and the ultrasonic horn and the transducer of the transducer assembly 300 is anvil 3
Extending towards 02, the transducer of the ultrasonic horn and transducer assembly 300 is activated (line M),
The electric motor 332 (see FIG. 12) is activated (line N) to drive the lead screw 322, which leads the reciprocating carriage 313 to the web loop lap joint carried by the anvil 302. Is moved horizontally over the section and solenoid 345 (see FIG. 1) is activated to drive alignment pin 333 into alignment pin frame hole 294 formed in the free end of anvil 302. Of.

The deactivation of the ultrasonic horn and transducer assembly 300 by deactivating the solenoid 301 causes the ultrasonic horn to be pressed into engagement with the seam at the two overlapping ends of the web 24. Eggplant The welding surface of the ultrasonic horn in the ultrasonic horn and transducer assembly 300 is described, for example, in U.S. Patent Nos. 3,459,610 and 4,532,166.
It may be of any suitable shape, such as a flat or curved shape as shown in US Pat. High frequency vibrations along the vertical axis of the ultrasonic horn raise the temperature of at least the overlapping contact area portions of the thermoplastic web 24, causing at least flow of the thermoplastic material of the web 24. Welding of the overlapping contact area portions of the thermoplastic web 24 also occurs when the web 24 is comprised of a thermoplastic material that flows as a result of the application of ultrasonic vibration energy.
The thermoplastic web 24 can also be coated with a thermoplastic coating. Thermoplastic materials that melt and weld seams can be formed as coatings on the web, both the coating and the web substrate, or the web itself. The web may be formed to any suitable thickness, which is the heating of the overlapping contact surfaces of the web edges so that the thermoplastic material melts and the seams 138 form the web. The thickness is such that sufficient thermal energy can be applied to these contact surfaces to weld the overlapping ends. Appropriate heating techniques may be used to provide sufficient heat for the thermoplastic material to melt at the overlapping contact areas and weld the web 24 at the lap joint. Typical heating techniques include ultrasonic welding, electronic heating, and others. Ultrasonic welding is preferred because it generates heat at the overlapping contact area portions of the web edges at the lap joint to maximize melting of the thermoplastic material. If desired, the horn is made of a highly heat-conductive material such as aluminum to ensure that high temperatures are reached at the interface between the overlapping edge portions of the web 24, as well as the web 24. This is done to minimize the heat distribution on the exposed surface. Anvil 30 if ultrasonic welding is used
The sudden collision between one edge of the web 24 and the other edge of the overlapping web between the two and the ultrasonic horn causes the generation of heat. About 1600
Horn vibration frequencies of 0 Hz or higher are used to soften the thermoplastic material. A typical horn suitable for bonding thin thermoplastic webs has a capacity of about 400-800 Watts and an operating frequency of about 20kH.
z, and 0.04 to 0.1 cm with a flat input about 12 mm long
A sonic generator having a horn welding surface having a width of 1 is used. The typical operating amplitude for this horn is about 76 micrometers. Approximately 2.5k of solenoid 301, ultrasonic horn and transformer assembly 300, and hinged upper half 311 of carriage 313.
The combined weight, g, is sufficient to force the horn into pressure contact with the lap joint. However, air bellows 344, spring bias, weights, counterweights, or other suitable means can be used to increase or decrease this contact force. With this type of device, heat is generated very quickly at the interface of the overlapping web edges at the lap joint, so that sufficient heat to melt the thermoplastic material is not applied to the horn. It typically occurs in about 0.2 seconds as it travels along the joint.

When the horn is lowered toward the lap joint of the web 24,
Power is applied to the transducer of the ultrasonic horn and transducer assembly 300 (line M), and the electric motor 332 is activated to drive the lead screw 322 (line N). The carriage 313 and the ultrasonic horn 300, which the lead screw reciprocates, are moved horizontally along the lap joint of the web 24. After the carriage 313 completes its movement at the lap joint, the solenoid 301 is actuated to retract the ultrasonic horn and the transducer of the transducer assembly 300 away from the anvil 302 (line P). ), The transducer in the ultrasonic horn and transducer assembly 300 is deactivated (line M) and the solenoid 345 is deactivated (line Q) to align the alignment pin 333 with the alignment pin receiving hole 294. And the electric motor 332 is reversed (line O) to return the reciprocable carriage 313 horizontally towards its starting position.

Upon completion of welding of the lap joint (not shown) of the web 24 at the belt welding station 12, the welded belt will have flashing at each end of the welded lap joint. Since this lap joint extends beyond the sides of the bolt, it is suitable for many machines, such as electrostatographic copiers and copiers, where precise edge positioning with respect to the belt is required during operation. Not desirable to use.
However, on some machines that require accurate edge positioning, notching or trimming on the other side is an essential problem because accurate edge positioning is required only on one side. It does not become. Therefore, the anvil carrying the newly welded belt is preferably moved linearly from the belt welding station 12 to the belt notching station 14 (see FIGS. 1 and 8). At the same time, the other empty anvil, which is cantilevered from the rotary dial table 236, is conveyed linearly towards the loop forming station 10 of the belt to receive the newly formed belt loop.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 14, the belt notching station 14 includes a bracket assembly 348, which includes a box beam 350, a horizontal plate 352, and an angle member 354. These are the actual components of the belt notching station 14,
Belt welding station 12 to notching station
It is positioned above the anvil 356 which is moved to 14. The horizontal plate 352 carries a pair of attached air cylinders 358 and 360, which carry punch cutters 362 and 364 to the anvil 35.
It is adapted to be plugged and retracted into the die carried on the upper surface of 6 (only die 365 is shown in FIG. 14). Alignment pin 368 and air cylinder 370 are attached to angle member 354. Alignment pins 368 of the anvil 356 are positioned when the anvil 356 is positioned in place for removing, i.e., notching, the welding flushing at each end of the lap joint of the welded belt. It is adapted to be engaged with an alignment pin receiving hole 294 (see FIG. 9) formed at the free end.

In operation, referring to the sequence diagram of the belt welding timing shown in FIG. 10, the anvil 356 carrying the newly welded belt includes the belt welding station 12 to the belt notching station 14 (see FIG. 1). And FIG. 8) (line R) and at the same time, another empty anvil, which is cantilevered from the rotary dial table 236, causes a belt loop forming station.
It is conveyed linearly toward 10 and receives the newly formed belt loop. After the anvil 356 is positioned for notching, the air cylinder 370 is activated (line V) to engage the alignment pin 368 into the alignment pin receiving hole 294 formed in the free end of the anvil 356. , This stabilizes the anvil 356. The air cylinders 358 and 360 are then activated and the punch cutter 36
2 and 364 are driven downward into the die formed in the anvil 356 near each end of the weld lap joint of the belt carried by the anvil 356. Vacuum pressure is applied to the anvil 356 to hold the welded belt in place while the flushing is removed during the notching operation.

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 15, the welded belt (not shown) is anvil at the belt take-out station 15.
Removed from 18 free ends. The belt removal station 15 includes an elongated vertical support plate 380 which is welded to one side of the upper end of the vertical stand 382 to form a "T" shaped structure. The cantilevered end brackets 392 and 386 are bolted to an elongated vertical support plate 380. These cantilevered end brackets 392 and 386 carry shaft support bearings (not shown) which are the machined shaft ends of the rotatable horizontal rod 390 (see FIG. 15). (Only machined end shaft 388 is shown)
It is designed to accept. The machined end shaft is slightly smaller in diameter than the rotatable horizontal rod 390, and the common axis of the two machined end shafts is offset from the axis of the rotatable horizontal rod 390. A pair of brackets having parallel cantilever arms 392 and 394 are bolted to one end of a vertical support plate 380. Vertical bracket 396 holds cantilever arm 392 and
It is bolted to 394. Reversible air motor 3
98 is attached to the vertical bracket 396. The shaft extension 400 provides a direct connection between the output drive shaft of the reversible air motor 398 and the machined end shaft 388. The rotatable horizontal rod 390 is intermittently rotated by a reversibly actuated air motor 398. This reversible air motor 398 has suitable fittings,
It is connected to a compressed gas supply source (not shown) via a hose and a solenoid operated valve. The 180 ° rotation of the rotatable horizontal rod 390 by the reversibly actuated air motor causes the rotatable horizontal rod 390 to move vertically. A pair of end flanges (end flanges
Only 402 (shown in FIG. 15) or bolted to an elongated vertical support plate 380. These end flanges support a horizontal hollow non-magnetic cylinder 404. The hollow, non-magnetic cylinder 404 houses a sliding magnetic piston (not shown) which is compressed by a compressed gas which is alternately introduced to each end of the tube 404 to cause the length of the tube 404 to move. Driven back and forth along, the compressed gas is supplied through suitable fittings, air hoses and solenoid operated valves connected from its source (not shown). A reciprocable carriage 406 is mounted on a rotatable horizontal rod 392 and a horizontal hollow non-magnetic cylinder 404. The carriage 406 includes a horizontal metal plate 408 which includes a pair of vertically upward bent end support flanges (only the end support flange 410 is shown in FIG. 15) and a vertically downward bend. It has a guttered side flange 412.
These support flanges (only end support flange 410
5), each having a skein slot 413,
A rotatable horizontal rod 390 extends through these slots to form partial support of the reciprocating carriage 406. A pair of vertically upturned end support flanges (only end support flange 410 is shown in FIG. 15) also carry bearings not shown,
These bearings are designed to be slidable along a rotatable horizontal rod 390. A magnetic pillow block 414 is bolted to the side flange 412. An elongated vacuum manifold 416 is bolted along the edge of the horizontal metal plate 408 opposite the side flanges 412. Magnetic pillow block 414 is a non-magnetic cylinder 4
It is slidably attached to the outer surface of 04.
When the slidable magnetic piston is driven back and forth in the hollow non-magnetic cylinder 404 by the compressed gas, the magnetic force of the magnetic piston attracts the magnetic pilot block 414 and the hollow non-magnetic cylinder 404 becomes a magnetic piston. Slide it back and forth together. A magnetic reciprocating drive system similar to the type shown is available, for example, from Fest Corporation of Haupauge, NY.
Other suitable reciprocating drives can be used instead of magnetic drives. Typical reciprocating drives include ball and lead screws, air pistons, servomotors, and the like. The vacuum manifold 416 supports the upper ends of a plurality of downwardly extending vertical vacuum pipes 418, which have elastic caps 420 secured to their lower ends. These elastic cups 420 may be evacuated from a vacuum pressure source (not shown) through a vertical vacuum pipe 418, a vacuum manifold 416 and appropriate fittings, air hoses, and solenoid operated valves (not shown). Is supplied. Belt conveyor station 422
Is arranged close to the belt take-out station 15 so that the welded belt can be carried out from the belt take-out station 15. The welded belt conveyor station 422 includes a continuous belt 424 having a plurality of spaced-apart cantilevered arms 426 secured thereto. The continuous belt 424 is moved stepwise by a drive wheel (not shown) rotated by the power transmitted from the electric motor 428 via the gear box 430. Empty cantilever arm 4 for each incremental movement of belt 424
Twenty-six free ends are aligned below the path of travel of the reciprocating elastic cup 420 and receive and carry the welded belt from the belt removal station 15.

In operation, referring to the sequence of belt formation timing shown in FIG. 10, the carriage 406 is normally located at its home position (line Y), which is a rotatable and reciprocable belt. Approaching conveyor station 16. The carriage 406 is in a position retracted upward. This is because the reversible actuating air motor 398 causes the rotatable horizontal rod 390 to rotate within the slot of a pair of end support flanges (only the end support flanges 410 formed with slot 413 are shown in FIG. 15). By being positioned, the upper surface of the offset rotatable horizontal rod 390 is at its uppermost position (line W). No vacuum pressure is applied to the elastic cup 420 (line X). The anvil 22 (see FIG. 1) carrying the web looped segment cut from the web 24 at the belt loop forming station 10 is
It has been pulled back in a straight line from the bottom of the already reciprocating loop forming assembly 145 (see FIG. 7) (line S) and is positioned for rotation towards the welding station 12 of the belt. (Line T). Such positioning powers the electric motor 252 (see FIGS. 8 and 9) and is dialed by suitable means such as a bevel gear in the gear housing 253 and a journal shaft 238. The table 236 is not rotated, and at the same time, the anvil 22 (see FIG. 1) supporting the unwelded belt loop is advanced to the welding station 12 of the web, supporting the welded belt. Belt removal station 18 from belt welding station 12
15 and advance the empty anvil 20 from the belt removal station 15 to the belt loop forming station 10
To the position for moving linearly to. When the anvil 18 reaches the belt removal station 15, the reversible air motor 398 is actuated to rotate the rotatable horizontal rod 390 180 °, which causes the reciprocable carriage 406 to descend from its retracted position. (Line W), the elastic cup 420 is adapted to engage a welded web suspended from the anvil 18 as shown in FIG. A vacuum pressure is then applied to the elastic cup 420 (line X). When the welded and notched belt reaches the belt take-out station (line U), the anvil 18 makes the belt loop forming station 10
Since the vacuum pressure that was being supplied to the anvil 18 from the time when it received the belt loop was finally stopped,
The welded belt will be easily transferable to the elastic cup 420. Next, reversible air motor 398
Is activated to rotate the rotatable horizontal rod 390 through 180 °, thereby retracting the carriage 406 from its advanced position. Thereafter, compressed gas is supplied to the non-magnetic cylinder 404 to drive the carriage 406 onto an empty cantilever arm 426 located at the welded belt conveyor station 422 (line Y). Elastic cup 420
The vacuum pressure applied to the is stopped (line X), the welded belt is dropped onto the cantilever arm 426, and then compressed gas is applied to the non-magnetic cylinder 404 to move the carriage 404 to its home position. Bring it back. Next electric motor 428
Is operated to convey the welded belt and drive another cantilever arm 426 to a position for removing the next welded belt from the belt take-out station 15. As with other stations, applying and releasing partial vacuum,
And the delivery of compressed gas is provided by a programmable controller 56 which operates the appropriate valves in the valve and switch cluster 54 (see FIG. 1). Similarly, the programmable controller 56 activates the switches in the valve and switch cluster 54 to activate the electric motor.

Figures 16 to 25 are simplified schematic diagrams showing some of the steps required to produce a welding belt with the apparatus of the present invention and the method of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 16, the vacuum shoe 82 is initially a web.
It is in a retracted home position above 24. Vacuum shoe 82
The dancer roll 32 compensates for the tendency of the web 24 to sag while in the home position, and helps to keep the web 24 tensioned during the web looping operation. The upward facing surfaces of the vacuum shells 182 and 190 are substantially coplanar with the upward facing surfaces of the web receiving platform. The vacuum shoe 82 grips the leading edge of the web 24 and advances the web 24 over its required length past a cutting edge located at the downstream end of the web receiving plate form, FIG. It is located at the cutting position shown in FIG. 16 (shown by the dotted line).

A cutting blade (not shown) cuts the web 24 along the cutting edge 48 and, after dripping, the cutting blade returns to its home position to form the web segment as shown in FIG. Eggplant The vacuum shoe 182 grips and reverses the lower surface of the trailing edge of the newly formed web segment so that the lower surface of the trailing edge faces upward as shown in FIG.

Vacuum shoe 82 is retracted to a position above vacuum shoe 190, and the leading edge of web 24 is provided to vacuum shoe 190. The vacuum shell 182 returns to its original upward position, allowing the vacuum shell 82 to return to its home position. The vacuum shoe 82 is returned to its home position and the anvil
232 is aligned in a linear direction to the lower position of vacuum shoes 182 and 190. The rotating shaft of vacuum shoe 182 again inverts the trailing edge of the web segment and moves it into contact with the upper surface of anvil 232. The vacuum shoe 190 inverts the leading edge to form a belt loop having a lap joint, where the leading edge overlies the trailing edge. This newly formed belt loop is moved to the upper surface of the anvil 232. The relative positions of the vacuum shoe and anvil at this stage in the belt loop forming process are shown in FIG.

The vacuum sheaths 182 and 190 are used to create a gap when the anvil 232 and the displaced belt loops are retracted in a linear direction away from the belt loop forming station 10 as shown in FIG. After being lifted and the anvil 232 retracted, the vacuum shells 182 and 190 are then lowered and returned to their upward facing position.

Referring to FIG. 22, the dial table has been rotated 120 ° to convey the newly formed belt loop carried on the anvil 232 to the belt welding station.

Following the welding of the belt lap joint, anvil 232
And the welded belt loop is advanced to the belt notching station and the other empty anvil 230 is simultaneously moved to the second
As shown in FIG. 3, the belt is advanced in a linear direction toward the loop forming station.

In FIG. 24, the anvil 232 and the notched belt loop are retracted in a linear direction away from the notching station of the belt and the anvil 234 carrying the newly displaced belt loop is The belt is retracted in a linear direction away from the loop forming station. The dial table is rotated 120 ° to carry the newly formed belt loop carried on the anvil 230 to the belt welding station, and also the notched belt carried on the anvil 232 to the belt removal station. To do. Further, the empty anvil 234 is advanced from the belt take-out station to the pre-loading position, that is, the mounting position.

Referring to FIG. 25, the welded and notched belt loop carried on the anvil 232 is removed from the anvil 232 at a belt removal station.

This apparatus and method refers to the formation of a belt on an anvil during its advancement from a belt loop forming station to a belt welding station, a belt notching station, and finally a belt removal station. However, it should be understood that at the same time other belts are treated and / or removed on similar anvils at other stations.
In a less desirable embodiment requiring more space, the anvil is moved from one station to the next without a circumferential path. For example,
These stations are arranged in a row so that the anvil is returned from the last station to the first station. In such less desirable embodiments, the axis of each anvil is preferably aligned substantially perpendicular to the path along which those anvils are moved. This simplifies the alignment of the anvil at each station, and does not require tight positioning of the device at each station to allow new anvils to arrive.

Any suitable thickness of flexible web having a layer of thermoplastic material may be used in the method and apparatus of the present invention.
The web can be constructed with one layer, or with a plurality of layers, at least one of which is a thermoplastic material. Any suitable thermoplastic polymeric material that melts with the heat generated at the contacting surfaces of the overlapping webs at the seam can be used. Typical thermoplastic polymeric materials include polycarbonate, polyvinyl acetate, terephthalic acid resins, polyvinyl chloride, styrene-butadiene, and the like. The thermoplastic material, which is adapted to melt and weld the seams, is provided by the thermoplastic coating on the web alone, both the coating and the web substrate, or the web itself. Thus, for example, a non-thermoplastic web substrate can be coated with a thermoplastic material which is the source of the melted material. Alternatively, for example, the web is not coated,
The web itself is made of thermoplastic material, part of which melts and welds the seams. The web has sufficient heat energy at the overlapping contact surfaces to melt the edges of the web where the thermoplastic material is melted and seamed by proper heating of the overlapping contact surfaces at the web ends. It has any suitable thickness to be applied. Preferred web thicknesses for use in ultrasonic welding equipment range between about 25 μm and about 0.5 mm. Thicker webs can also be used provided sufficient heat is applied to the overlapping contact surfaces of the web to melt the thermoplastic material. Webs up to about 10 mm thick can be used in the method and apparatus of the present invention.

As a special example, a web of polyester film (Mylar, available from A. E. DuPont Do Noumeau and Company) having a width of about 41.4 cm and a thickness of about 76 μm, on one side of the polyester material. About 0.2
first coating having a thickness of μm, and about 3 μm
A web having a second coating of polyvinyl carbazole having a thickness of 1 .mu.m was coated on both sides with a layer of polycarbonate resin. Each polycarbonate layer was about 25 μm thick. The web was processed in an apparatus similar to that shown in the drawings. The leading edge of the web was fed from a supply roll over a cylindrical air bearing onto the support plateforms of the belt loop forming station. The edge of the web is flush with the cutting edge (relative to the position of the feed roll) on the remote side of the plate form as a result of the cutting performed during the preceding winding cycle. It was This end of the web was held at this remote end of the plate by the vacuum pressure applied to the opening formed in the plate close to the end of the web. An anvil measuring about 10 cm wide and about 50 cm long, cantilevered from the rotatable stand, was moved by rotation of the stand from the belt removal station to the belt loop forming station. When the anvil reached the belt forming station, a horizontally reciprocable vacuum pick-up arm with a vacuum opening was moved into contact with the upper surface of the front edge of the web. By applying vacuum pressure to the vacuum pick-up arm and stopping application of vacuum pressure to the opening formed in the plate foam near the edge of the web, the web is transferred from the plate foam to the pick up arm. Was moved. The web is advanced from the supply roll by a desired web length of about 20-60 cm from the cutting edge by advancing the vacuum pick-up arm away from the cutting edge of the platform. Was pulled over. The belt travels across a pair of pivotable arms that have a cross section similar to an upward facing claw except that the upward facing vacuum shoe is located in the normal position of the crab claw leg. Was done. One of the pivotable arms was located close to the cutting edge and the other was located downstream in the direction in which the web was pulled by the vacuum drawup arm. A vacuum pressure was applied to the opening formed in the platform and the vacuum shoe attached to the pivotable arm (hereinafter referred to as arm A) that was in close proximity to the platform. The web was cut at Cutting Edge.
The vacuum pick-up arm is retracted slightly to move the front edge of the web about 2 inches toward the cutting edge, and arm A is pivoted to reverse the vacuum shoe, causing the web to loop downwardly. Came to form.
The vacuum pick-up arm is then moved towards the vacuum shoe attached to the pivot arm in the downstream position (hereafter referred to as arm B), where the front edge of the web is relative to the vacuum shoe of arm B. And the vacuum pressure is applied to the vacuum pick-up arm, and the transfer is stopped by stopping the application of the vacuum pressure to the vacuum pick-up arm. Arm A was returned to its original position and the vacuum pick-up arm was returned to its home position, upstream of the cutting edge. The rotary dial carrying the three cantilevered welding anvils was moved linearly, inserting the free end of the anvil between arms A and B. A vacuum pressure was applied to the pair of openings formed on both sides of the center line of the inserted anvil. Arms A and B were then pivoted to invert the vacuum shoe against the top surface of the inserted anvil and allow the web to hang downwards to form a loop. The application of vacuum pressure to the vacuum shoe carried on the arms A and B was stopped, and the belt loop was moved to the anvil. Arms A and B were then sufficiently retracted to form a space for removal of the anvil. A linear motion along the axis of the anvil towards the stand was imparted to the anvil to effect removal of the belt loop and anvil from the loop forming station of the belt. When the free end of the mandrel carrying the newly formed belt loop was retracted from the belt loop forming device, it was advanced by the rotating stand to the belt welding station. The vacuum pressure already applied to the opening row of the anvil is
It was maintained during the advancement of the belt loop to the belt welding station. While the anvil carrying the newly formed belt loop is being advanced to the belt welding station, the anvil carrying the welded and notched belt is simultaneously positioned towards the belt removal station, and The mandrel was positioned in alignment for entry into the belt loop forming station.
Upon reaching the welding station, the ultrasonic welding horn supported by the carriage was lowered toward the lap joint of the web. This horn consists of the horn itself, a transformer, a bracket, and a counterweight that presses against the seam supported by the mandrel, approximately 2.5k.
It was pressed against the seam by the adjusted weight of g. This horn is about 12 mm long and about 0.04 to 0.1 cm
It had a flat input horn welded surface, was operated at a frequency of 20 kHz and had a motion amplitude of about 76 μm. The horn was moved by the carriage along a substantially horizontal path along the web's lap joint at a speed of about 5 cm / sec. During welding, the horn was allowed to move freely in the vertical direction to allow for variations in the thickness of the web lap joint. In this welding process, the thermoplastic material of the web was evenly melted to weld the seam of the web. Upon completion of welding the lap joint of the belt, the ultrasonic welding horn was raised to separate from the web lap joint and returned to the retracted position.

When the newly formed belt loop reaches the welding station, the welded and notched belt simultaneously reaches the take-out station, the vacuum pressure applied to the opening row of the anvil is stopped, and it is arranged in the carriage. The four elastic cups supported and supported were lowered toward the welded lap joint of the web belt. A vacuum pressure was applied to these elastic cups to stop the vacuum pressure applied to the anvil opening. Then 4
An elastic cup was raised to lift the upper surface of the welded belt away from the upper surface of the anvil. The carriage carrying the elastic cup and the welded belt was then moved horizontally away from the free end of the anvil, thereby transporting the welded belt for further processing.

The anvil carrying the belts welded at the belt welding station was advanced by a rotating stand in a linear direction towards the notching station. The vacuum pressure already applied to the opening row of the anvil was maintained. The anvil carrying the welded belt was advanced to the notching station and the new anvil from the belt removal station was simultaneously moved to the belt loop forming station.

During continuous processing of the belt manufacturing process, web defects may penetrate into the belt loop forming station.
These unwanted parts were automatically separated from the normal parts by detecting the bar code already applied to the edge of the web before, during or after coating the web. Such a predetermined defect map, which is based on a bar code symbol for indicating a defective portion of the web, is a sensor located above the path of travel of the bar code at the web receiving plate form of the belt loop forming station, e.g. Detected by a reader, available from Scopeskiyan. When the scanner detects a bar code that is recognized as indicating a defect location, this detection signal is sent to the Allen-Bradley programmable controller model No. 2/05 or model N.
Reported on o.2 / 17. The saw programmable controller is pre-programmed to switch the switch to reject mode when it receives a defect detection signal from the reader, which causes the pickup arm to move short webs beyond the cutting edge. After pulling out the overhang length and returning to its home position, the overhang of the web was then pulled towards the rotating nip roller to eliminate the defective portion of the web. The web was cut so that the new, defect-free web leading edge was placed on the cutting edge to initiate a normal belt forming cycle. The rotatable and reciprocable stand carrying the cantilever anvil was held stationary during this sorting operation.

An anvil similar to that described above with a width of about 10 cm and a length of about 50 cm was used to produce a photoreceptor belt having a width of about 30-45 cm and an inner perimeter of about 20-60 cm. This anvil, which I'll repeat, simply adjusted a programmable controller that could change the vacuum pick-up arm to pull the web leading edge beyond the cutting edge a distance of 60 cm instead of 20 cm. .

EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION The method and apparatus of the present invention continuously form, cut and weld a web to form a belt in a short time, and no complicated manual work is required. Furthermore, due to the significant reduction in manual work, coatings that require strict tolerances, such as sensitive substrates and soft coatings, especially flexible organic photoreceptors used in high speed electrostatic copiers, copiers and printers, are required. The risk of damaging the damaged substrate is greatly reduced. For example, as a photoreceptor belt, even fingerprint traces and scratches that make it unsuitable for use in electrostatic copying machines, copying machines, printers and the like. Further, the apparatus of the present invention requires less floor space and minimizes the equipment required for web, belt alignment, cutting, welding, trimming and other processes. In addition, the method and apparatus of the present invention achieve a very uniform and uniform belt production. Also, due to the differences in belt dimensions required for various electrostatic copiers, copiers, printers, etc., the apparatus of the present invention comprises different diameter and width dimensions from the manufacture of belts of one diameter and width dimension. The production of belts can be changed quickly and easily. Further, a feature of the belt manufacturing apparatus of the present invention is that belts of different diameters and widths can be easily manufactured with accurate standard tolerances.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to particular preferred embodiments, it is not intended to be limited thereto, but rather to those skilled in the art many modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention. And it will be appreciated that modifications can be made.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view showing an apparatus having four processing stations for manufacturing a belt from a web. FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional elevation view of the feeding of the web. FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional elevation view of the dancer roll device. FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional elevation view of a loop forming station of the web. FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional plan view of a loop forming station of a web. FIG. 6 is an enlarged schematic sectional end view of the loop forming assembly of the belt. FIG. 7 is an enlarged schematic sectional side view of the belt loop forming assembly. FIG. 8 is a schematic sectional plan view of the belt moving assembly. FIG. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the air passage in the belt moving assembly at an elevation. FIG. 9A is a schematic sectional plan view of the anvil. Figure 10 shows the timing chart of the belt forming device. FIGS. 10A-10G are simplified schematic cross-sectional views in elevation of the belt loop forming assembly during the different stages of the belt forming operation. FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view in elevation of a welding apparatus for welding a web on the anvil. FIG. 12 is a schematic sectional plan view of a welding device for welding a web on an anvil. FIG. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view in elevation of a welding device for welding a web on an anvil. FIG. 14 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of the notch forming stage of the belt in the vertical plane. FIG. 15 is a schematic cross-sectional end view on the elevation of the belt take-out stage. FIGS. 16 to 25 are simplified schematic cross-sectional views of a belt conveying device which can be reciprocated between a belt loop forming station and a stage of another belt loop forming operation. 10 …… Belt loop forming station, 12 …… Belt welding station, 14 …… Notching station, 15
…… Belt take-out station, 16 …… Belt transport station, 20 …… Anvil, 24 …… Web, 26 …… Supply roll, 32 …… Dancer roll, 48 …… Cutting edge, 50 …… Web acceptance platform , 52 ...
… Vacuum shoe, 54 …… Valve and switch cluster,
56 …… Programmable controller, 58 …… Web pick up assembly, 82 …… Vacuum shoe, 106 …… Web cutting assembly, 108 …… Non-magnetic shaft, 126 ……
Cutting blade, 140 …… Air cylinder, 145 ……
Loop forming assembly, 182,190 ... Vacuum shoe, 230,232,2
34 …… Anvil, 236 …… Dial table, 262,263,2
64 ... Vacuum groove, 294 ... Alignment pin receiving hole, 300 ... Ultrasonic horn and transformer assembly, 302 ... Anvil, 356 ... Anvil, 368 ... Alignment pin, 382 ... Stand, 404 ... … Non-magnetic cylinder, 406… Carriage,
420 …… elastic cup, 426 …… arm.

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Boris W. Haritonov Lakeville-Growbrand, Geneseo, New York, United States 3922 (72) Inventor Jacob Pond, Americalica, United States Erinwood Drive 170, Rochester, NY

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A belt manufacturing apparatus, comprising: a) a web supply device for supplying a web having a front edge from a web supply roll; and b) cutting the web to form a rear edge, an intermediate portion, and A web cutter for forming a web segment having a front edge, and c) an adjustable web pickup for temporarily gripping the web and pulling the web downstream from the web cutter by a predetermined distance. A device, d) a first reversible gripping device arranged adjacent to the web cutter for temporarily gripping the underside of the trailing edge of the web, and e) the first reversible gripping device. A device for inverting the device to roll the trailing edge of the web segment over the middle portion of the web segment to form a loop; f) the first A second reversible gripping device spaced downstream from the rollable gripping device for temporarily gripping the underside of the front edge of the web; and g) the front edge of the web. A device for driving the web pickup device so as to convey the web in an upstream direction toward a location adjacent to and above the second reversible gripping device; and h) the second reversing device. A possible gripping device is inverted so that the leading edge of the web segment rolls over the middle of the web segment to form a loop, whereby the leading edge is spliced with the trailing edge and the web is A device for ensuring that the middle part of the segment is the bottom of the loop that hangs loosely from the lap joint, and i) a device for welding the lap joint. A belt welding station, j) a belt transport anvil including an elongate arm, the arm having a free end, a support end, and at least one opening extending along a top surface of the elongate arm; and k) the opening. A device for generating a partial vacuum pressure within the interior of the: 1) supporting the supporting end of the anvil, the upper surface of the elongated arm in the loop and below the lap joint of the web. Anvil moving device for positioning, m) said first reversible gripping device and second reversible device for moving said lap joint of said web to said upper surface of said elongated arm of said anvil. A device for driving a gripping device, n) of the anvil for fixing the lap joint to the upper surface of the elongated arm of the anvil. A device for actuating the device for producing a partial vacuum pressure in the opening formed in the elongated arm; and o) a device for conveying the elongated arm and the loosely depending loop to the belt welding station. And p) a device for operating the welding station to weld the lap joint to form a welding belt while the lap joint is fixed to the elongated arm of the anvil. A belt manufacturing apparatus having: 2. A belt manufacturing apparatus comprising: a) 1) a feeding device for feeding a web having a front edge from a web feeding roll to a loop forming station of the belt, 2) a web receiving platform, 3) the web. A web holding device for temporarily holding the front edge of the web receiving platform on the web receiving platform, 4) holding the web temporarily and moving the front edge downstream from the web receiving platform by a predetermined distance. A web pick-up device for pulling; 5) a web cutter for cutting the web to form a web segment having a trailing edge, an intermediate portion and the leading edge, 6) being located adjacent to the web receiving platform First invertible for temporarily gripping the underside of the rear edge of A lip device, 7) a device for inverting the first reversible gripping device and rolling the trailing edge of the web segment onto the middle portion of the web segment to form a loop, 8) A second reversible gripping device, which is arranged at a distance in the downstream direction from the first reversible gripping device and temporarily holds the lower surface of the front end edge of the web, 9) the web pickup device And a device for moving the front edge of the web in an upstream direction to a position adjacent to and above the second reversible gripping device, 10) reversing the second reversible gripping device. And rolling the front edge of the web segment over the middle portion of the web segment to form a loop, whereby the front edge is spliced with the back edge. A device for ensuring that the middle part of the web segment together is the bottom of the loop that is loosely hung from the lap joint, and 11) the anvil top surface from the first reversible gripping device and the second A looping station for the reciprocating device for varying the relative distance from the reversible gripping device to the anvil top surface; and b) a belt welding station including a device for welding the lap joint. C) 1) an elongated arm having a free end, a support end,
And an elongate arm having at least one opening extending along the upper surface of the elongate arm, 2) a device for generating a partial vacuum pressure inside the opening, and a belt transport anvil including: d) an anvil of the anvil. An anvil moving device for supporting a supporting end and for positioning the upper surface of the elongate arm below and at a distance from the lap joint of the web; and e) the first gripping device and the second gripping device. Simultaneously lowering the gripping device to actuate the reciprocating device to move the lap joint of the web toward the upper surface of the elongated arm of the anvil; and f) the anvil. Device for generating a partial negative pressure inside the opening of the anvil to secure the lap joint to the upper surface of an elongated arm. A device for actuating; g) a device for actuating the reciprocating device to simultaneously raise the first and second grip devices away from the elongated arm of the anvil. h) a device for conveying the elongated arm and the loosely depending loop from the belt loop forming station to the belt welding station; i) the lap joint being secured to the elongated arm of the anvil. And a device for operating the welding station for welding the lap joint to form a welded belt while the belt is manufactured. 3. A method of manufacturing a belt, comprising conveying a front edge of a web from a supply roll to a loop forming station of the belt, cutting the web at a predetermined length position from the front edge, and cutting the web at one end. Forming a web segment having a front edge and a rear edge at the other end, gripping the lower surface of the web at a position near the front edge, gripping the lower surface of the web at a position near the rear edge, The lower surface of the web near the edge is inverted, the lower surface of the web near the trailing edge is inverted, and the front edge and the rear edge are overlapped to form a joint formed by the overlapped end edges. Forming a loop of the web segment that hangs loosely from the web segment and moving the loop of the web segment of the loop forming station of the belt to the anvil, Transporting said loop segment to the welding station, and method for manufacturing a belt for forming a by a belt weld with by welding the superimposed front edge and a rear edge on said anvil to each other said joint portion.