US2963235A - Automatic web splicing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

...MAL "M- Dec. 6, 1960 A. V. PEDERSEN FAL AUTOMATIC WEB SPLICING APPARATUS Filed June 11, 1957 VOL TH 6E SOI/ECE Dec. 6, 1960 A. v. PEDERsEN Erm. 2,963,235

AUTOMATIC WEB sPLTcING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet` 2 Filed June l1, 1957 Dec. 6, 1960 A. v. PEDERSEN ETAL 2,963,235

AUTOMATIC WEB SPLICING APPARATUS Filed June 11, 1957 5 sheets-sheet s vlmv/\\|n N N N Nd N d. N N .u N N N ,N W W ,1w;V/ wf?, NNN NNN NNN .NWl/INNML NWNVTL |l1|| w SMN Dec. 6, 1960 A. v. PEDERSEN Erm.

AUTOMATIC WEB SPLICING APPARATUS Filed June 11, 1957 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 FSU fm/MM: @wie MPea/@awz Dec. 6, 1960 A. v. PEDERSEN ErAL 2,963,235

AUTOMATIC WEB sPLroING APPARATUS Filed June 11, 1957 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 l I P44 P05! f A-u/ f MPE? @WMA-'744% AUTOMATIC WEBA SPLICING APPARATUS- Arne V. Pedersen, Des Plaines, and Roger E. Wollt, Chicago, Ill., assignors to Miehle-Goss-Dexter, Incorporated, Wilmington, Del., a corporation of Delaware The present invention relates in general to apparatus for making flying pasters, i.e., for. splicing a. running web drawn from an expiring roll to the web of.` a new roll. While not limited thereto, the invention iinds. particularly advantageous use in web splicing apparatus. for newspaper printing presses, where it is desirable. to maintain high press speeds as an expiring roll of paper. is replaced by a new roll without interrupting thetravel ofthe paper web into the press.

A continuouspaper web is drawn from a supplyr roll into a modern newspaper press at very high velocities. If in the use of web splicing apparatus the press attendant is called. upon to judge the amount of paper left on an expiringV roll, and to actuate controls for initiating the various steps or operations necessary to accomplish the web splicing, an error. in timing of only a few seconds may result in missing the splice. That is, the tail end of the web from the expiring roll might run into the press without picking up the. web from the new roll. If this happens, the press must be shut down and rethreaded before printing can be continued, resulting in a delay which is intolerable in modern newspaper practice where a premium is placed on reducing to an absolute minimum theV time consumed between the writing of news copy inthe newsroom and the appearance of that copy in print on the city streets. On the other hand, if the press attendant is. extremely cautious, he may initiate the splicing operation too early and thus leave a substantial amount of expensive newsprint left on the old roll.

It is the general aimof the invention to make, possible fully automatic web splicing operations, completely eliminating any control duties of an operator or attendant.

Coordinate with that aim is an object of the invention to automatically control web splicing operationssuch that the changeover from an expiring roll to a newl roll-y reliably takesplace before the tail ofthe expiring roll slips by, but not until substantially all of the web on the expiring roll has been consumed. This avoids missingi splices, and the consequent necessity of shutting down thev webconf suming device or press; and; yetV it also assures maximum economy in using up nearly all of the web on` a roll.

Another object of the invention is to automatically` initiate. preliminary operations, such as positioning and pre, driving the new roll and lowering predrive and paster carriages, a predetermined and substantially uniform time interval before the actual splicing must take place, thereby assuring that there willv be suflicient time to complete such preliminary operations.

A further object of the invention is to automatically eect the actu-a1 splicing operation at an instant that the expiring roll is reduced to a predetermined small diam-` eter, and regardless of the particular speed at which the press or web-consuming device is operating.

it is a related object of the invention to effect such auto: matic initiation of both the preliminary operations and the actu-al splicing operation in sequence, both properly timed in relation to the gradual-ly diminishing diameter of the expiring roll, by two sensing means which are Suc;

assess Patented Dec. 6, 1960 cessively brought into play and both of which employ substantially the same components.

Still another object is to provide an improved and reliable system for sensing when a roll, upon which or from which a web is being wound or unwound, reaches a predetermined diameter, and even though the linearvelocity at which the web travels may be varied over a/wide range.

it is a further object to provide a system for sensing and determining an instant in time which marks the beginning of a predetermined time interval before such a` roll reaches such a predetermined diameter, and regardless of the velocity at which the web is traveling.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent as the following description proceeds, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a schematic illustration of web splicing apparatus utilizing the features of the present invention;

Fig. 1A is a detail view of contact points actuated by a carn on a roll spindle; Y

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary, diagrammatic view of a portion ofthe roll-supporting reel, illustrating the c-ams, slip rings, and brushes Vassociated therewith for control purposes;

Fig. 3 is a schematic wiring diagram of means for sensing and signaling when a web roll reaches a predetermined diameter;

Figs. 4 and 5 are graphic representations of. voltage variations during the operation of the circuitry in Fig. 3 with the press speed orV linear velocity of the web atV relatively low and high values, respectively;

Fig. 6 is a graphic comparison of two decaying voltages obtained by different circuit conditions in Fig. 3;

Fig. 7 is a schematic wiring diagram of means fory suc. cessivelysensing (a) the instant marking the beginning of a predetermined time interval before a roll reaches a predetermined, diameter, and (b) the instant the roll reaches that diameter;

Fig. Sis a graphic representation of certain voltage variations. occurring during the operation ofthe circuit illustrated by Fig. 7; and

Figs. 9. and 9A are schematic wiring diagrams of controls for accomplishing fully automatic operation of the splicing apparatus illustrated in Fig. 1.

While the invention has been shown and will be described in. some detail with reference to a particular embodiment thereof, there is no` intention to thus limit it to such detail. On the contrary, it is intended here tocover all-alterations, modifications, and equivalents falling within The environment of the invention Referring no-w to the drawings, and initially to Fig. 1, the invention has been illustrated by way ofy example as employed in web splicing apparatus for use with a newspaper printing press. In order that the invention may be fully understood, it will be helpful to set forth one environment in which it is employed. While the invention may be adapted by those skilled in the art to cooperate with various physical forms of splicing apparatus, that here shown byway of making the background. clear is of the type disclosed in the cop'ending UQS. application of Chase et al., Serial No. 502,923, filed April 2l, 1955, and assigned tothe assignee ofthe present application.

In general terms, a printing press 10 (here illustrated schematically in block form) is powered by variable speeddrive means such as an electric motor 11 connected through a'suitable speed controller 12 to a voltage source. By manually, setting theA controller 12, the speed o-fy the press may be adjusted to any value within a wide range. When the press is in operation, it consumes a web. W of paper which is drawn upwardly from an. expiring roll 14A, the printing cylinders around which the web passes being omitted from the present illustration. It will be apparent, nevertheless, that the linear velocity of the running web W depends on the speed of the pressV as determined by the setting of the speed adjusting means 12.

For a purpose to be made clear below, means are provided to sense the linear velocity of the running web W, or more specifically, to create a direct voltage which is proportional in magnitude to the linear velocity of the web. Since the rotational speed of the press drive motor 11 and the rotary components of the press 10 is in turn proportional to the web velocity, this sensing means in the present instance takes the form of a D.C. tachometer generator 16 which is connected to be driven by the press motor 11 or one of the pressv shafts which is powered by that motor.

In order to create running tension in the web W and assure its smooth passage upwardly into the press, an automatic running tensioning system is provided to retard the rotation of the supply roll 14A.` This system is preferably of the pneumatic type disclosed and claimed in McWhorter U.S. Patent 2,743,881, to which reference may be made for a more detailed description. Briefly, the automatic tensioning system includes stationary friction straps 18 spaced apart over the axial length of the supply roll 14, xed to tension springs 19 at their lower ends, and extending upwardly to anchor points 20, so that they partially wrap and frictionally engage the periphery of the expiring roll 14A. The running web W passes between spaced rollers 21, 22 and over a oating roller 24 carried by a depending arm 25 pivoted as at 26. As tension in the running web W increases or decreases, the arm 25 is rocked about its pivot 26, thereby shifting a connecting link 2S associated with a pneumatic controller 29 illustrated in block form. The controller 29 receives through conduits 30, 31 a supply of pressured fluid such as air stored in a reservoir 32 connected with a suitable compressed air source. ln response to shifting of link 28 the controller 29 changes the pressure of air supplied through a conduit 34 to penumatic rams 35 having rollers 36 engaged with straps 18 near their lower ends.

If the web tension should increase or decrease, the resulting movement of the depending arm 25 causes the controller 29 to reduce or increase the pressure of air supplied to the rams 35, so that the roller 36 tightens or slackens the straps 18 to decrease or increase the retarding eiect on the roll 14A. In this manner, and as more fully explained in the above-identified McWhorter patent, the tension in the running web W is automatically maintained at a predetermined value. In order that the automatically maintained tension maybe adjusted, the conduit 30 includes a manually adjustable pressure regulating valve 38 which when adjusted changes the control po-int maintained by the controller 29. A pressure gauge 39 may be connected into the conduit 30 and calibrated to read directly in units of tension which will be automatically maintained.

When the web-supplying roll 14A is about to expire, the running web W is spliced to the leading end of the web on a new roll 14B without slowing down the travel of the web running into the press. To bring this about, the web splicing apparatus includes a reel assembly 40 made up of a main reel shaft 41 supporting at its opposite ends two spiders 42 having three arms 42a, 4217, and 42C spaced at 120 intervals. For the purpose of supporting web rolls for rotation about parallel axes, the arms of the spiders journal spindles 44a, 44b, and 44e on which the rolls are suitably chucked. To move each of the rolls to successive positions, and particularly to move the new roll 14B to a position in which its periphery is adjacent the running web W, a reel motor M is drivingly connected with the shaft 41 and energized through normally open contacts FOR1, FORZ, and FORS which are closed in response to energization of a contactor coil FOR.

Because the reel shaft 41 and spider 42 may rotate through 360J the rolls chucked on the respective spindles 44a-44C move progressively to different positions. As illustrated in Fig. l, the roll 14A may be termed the expiring roll since it is shown in the supply position with the running web W being drawn therefrom. The roll 14B may be termed the new roll since it is the one from which the running web will be drawn' after the next splicing operation has been completed. The roll 14C may be termed the newly-loaded roll since it has just been chucked on the spindles 44C after the core of the previous expiring roll was removed therefrom.

In order to determine accurately and automatically when the new roll 14B has been translated to a position closely adjacent the running web W, a photoelectric device 47 may be mounted on the press frame and associated with a light beam source so that the light beam will be broken by the periphery of the new roll,.and the photoelectric device actuated as the new roll reaches the desired position.

For a purpose to be described, means are provided to sense or indicate the instants at which the expiring roll 14A passes through two diierent angular positions. As here illustrated, rst and second pairs of contact points CPlA and CPZA are carried by the spider arm 42a, and means such as a. cam CA is associated with those points to open and close them as the spindle 44a passes through two respectively diierent angular positions (Fig. l). As shown in more detail by Fig. 1A, cam CA is fixed to the spindle 44a and has a flat peripheral portion 43 which permits arms 53 biased by springs 53a associated with the movable contacts m to move radially inward and engage stationary contacts s. The cam CA thus causes the contact points CP1A and CPZA to open and close once during each revolution of the expiring roll 14A, and at respectively different instants when the roll is in different angular positions. Thus, it will be clear that the time interval between the opening of the points CPIA and the closing of the points CPZA is inversely proportional to the angular velocity w of the roll 14A.

Because in the progress of reel rotation each of the spindles 44a44c will carry an expiring roll, the reel arms 42h and 42e are similarly equipped with contact points CPlB, CPZB and CP1C and CP2C, as well as cams CB and CC mounted on the spindles 44h and 44C. In order to connect the particular sets of contact points associated' with the'roll which at any given time is in the expiring position, the spider 42 carries a rst slip ring 45 (Fig. 2) which is circular in extent, and a second slip ring 46 made up of three arcuate segments Sa, Sb and Se. The spider arms also each carry two gravity-operated mercury switches, MSlA and MS2A, MS1B and MS2B, and MS1C and MS2C, respectively. The switches MSIA, B and C are constructed and oriented to close when their respective arms lie within the arc between the lines I and II, while the switches MSZA, B and C are constructed to close when their respective arms lie within the arc between the lines III and II (Fig. l). Stationary brushes 48 and 49 ride on the slip rings 45 and 46 and cooperate with the mercury switches to complete selective electrical connections as will be apparent from the following description of Fig. 9. The brushes 48 and 49, the Slip rings 45 and 46, and the mercury switches also serve to selectively connect in a circuit the contact points. CPIB of the spider arm supporting the new roll 14B, these con# tacts being used to accurately time or phase the instants at which web deflecting and severing means are actuated, as will be more fully explained.

Also, in order to sense the angular positions of the reel shaft 41 and thus the positions of the rolls carried thereby as the reel rotates, a circular cam 50 is carried by thc spider 42 (Fig. 2). The cam 50 cooperates with three stationary limit switches` RLS1, RLSZ, and RLS4 which are actuated whenever their followers drop into depressed portions 50a-spaced at 120 intervals around the periphery of the cam. The three limit switches are sdposiy.

roll has become firmly engaged with the frictionv straps( 18 as the shaft 44 rotates still further after a. splicing; operation has been completed. Finally, the limit switch RLS4 is so positioned that it will be actuated when the.

new roll has been moved, by clockwise rotation of theI reel assembly 40, to a normal operating position` where it becomes the expiring roll after a splicing'operationhas completed.

Besides the reel assembly 40 which'rotatably supports the expiring roll 14A, the new roll 14B, and the newly loaded roll 14C, and permits their progressive movement in a circular path, the web splicing apparatus further includes means for predriving or rotating'the new roll of 14B prior to the splicing operation in order that its peripheral speed will substantially matchlthe linear velocity of the running web. Moreover, the predriving means are also employed in the present instance to retard the new roll immediately after a splicing operation to tension. the web running into the press during that transition period required for the reel assembly to advance the new roll into engagement with the running tension straps 18, As here illustrated, the predriving and transition tension means include a predrive carriage which is pivoted to swing about a shaft 56 between a raised or stowed position clear of the path of movement of the rolls supported by the reel assembly 40, and a lowered position in whichV it is in operative contact with the new roll 14B. The carriage 55 journals pulleys 58, 59 on either end over which is trained an endless belt 60. When the carriage 55 is lowered, the belt 60 engages the surface of thenew roll 14B, and if the belt 60 is either driven or braked, it will serve to apply a driving or braking torque to the new roll 14B. For this latter purpose, the pulley 59 is drivingly connected with a predrive and braking motor PDM which is energized in a manner to properly control either its driving speed or its regenerative braking torque by an amplidyne 61 governed by a suitable control circuit 62. The control circuit 62 is responsive to asignaly created by a tachometer generator 64 driven by a rotating part of the press 10, so that its output voltage4 is proportional in magnitude to the press speed, i.e to the linear velocity of the running web W. Also, the control circuit 62 is responsive to a voltage created by a second tachometer generator 65 which is driven by a belt 66 trained over the pulley S9, so that the output, signal of the tachometer 65 is proportional to the linear velocity of the belt 6@ and therefore proportional to the peripheral speed of the new roll 14B. The manner in which the control circuit at 62 functions to govern the arnplidyne 61 which in turn energizes the predrive motor PDM to create predriving or transition tensioning is more` fully described in the above-mentioned copending application of Chase et al. Reference may be had to that copending application for further details.

In order to move or shift the predrive carriage. S5 between its stowed and its operative positions, power meansy such as a double-acting pneumatic ram 69 is preferably employed. As here illustrated, the pneumatic ram at 69 has its piston rod 70 pivotally connected to the carriage of 55 so that upon extension and contraction of the ram the carriage will be swung counterclockwise and clockwise, respectively, about the shaft 56. To control the, energization of the double-acting ram 69, a four-way: solenoid valve 71 is interconnected between the opposite ends of the ram 69 and conduits leading to a fluid pressure source and the atmosphere. Since the movable part of the valve 71 need have but two positions, it is` controlled by energizing or deenergizing an associated solenoid PRSOL. As illustrated in Fig. l, the v alve. 7,1 is

' plished by deecti-ng the running web against theisurface of the new roll. It will be understood that a pattern', off` glue or other adhesive material is previously appliedl on the leadingend of the new roll web, said adhesive,

l pattern hav-ing axial discontinuities in the regions where the tensioning straps 18 and predrive belt 60 engage the, new roll surface. This deflection of the runningV web W against the new roll 14B causes the leading end ofk the, new roll web to adhere tothe web W and start traveling.l into the press.

For deliecting and, then severing the running web W, a paster assembly '75 is provided which includes a carriage 76 pivotally supported on a shaft 78 to swing between a retracted, stowed position clear of; the path of movement of the reel-supported rolls, and a lowered or. operative position adjacent the running web` W butI on the opposite side thereof from the new roll 14B. ForV causing remotely controlled, automatic raising and lower-` ing of the paster carriage 76, power means such as av double-acting pneumatic ram 79 are associated with the. carriagel 76. As` here shown, the ram 79 includes, a piston rod Si) pivotally connected to the carriage 76, the ram being controlled by a four-way valve 81- (similar to thevvalve 71) which in turn is controlled by an electric solenoid PASOL. When the solenoid PASOL is electrically energized, the valve 81 is shifted. to that one of its two positions which causes the ram 79 to lower the carriage 76 to its operative position adjacent the run. ning web W.

Supported by the paster oarriage 7,6 are means fon de. iiecting the running web against the periphery, of the; new roll 14B in order that the running web will adhere. to, the adhesive on` the. leading end of the new. roll web. Such means lare here shown as a plurality of; brushes 8.4. spaced axially along the roll to clear the belts 1S- and carried by arms fixed to a rotatable brush shaft 85. The shaft is cocked` against the bias of torsion springs (-not shown)4 to the position illustrated in Fig. l and held by`v means in the form of a latch cam 86 aixed to the shaft and engaged; byv one arm of a bell crank 8 8. For releasing. the latch andi permitting the shaft 85 and. 'brushes 84' to swing clockwise under the influence of` the torsion springs, an electromagnetic brush solenoid BSOL is mounted on the carriage 76 so. that when energized its armature extends to strike the crank 88 and, shift it free ofthe latch cam 86. To signal that. the brushes S4. have been released and the running web W deflected thereby against -a new roll 14B, a brush limit switch BLS is mounted on the carriage 76 with its actuator engaging the latching crank 88. When the solenoid BSOL is energized to shift the latching' crank 8S free of cam 86, the resulting movement of the latching crank trips the limit switch BLS..

`Means are also provided to sever the old web drawnl from the expiring roll 14A immediately after the brushes 84 have deflected the web against the glue pattern on the new roll 14B. As here illustrated, such means take the form of a plurality of serrated knives 90 spaced axially along the roll to clear the straps 18, being fixed to and rotatable with a shaft 911 journaled on the carriage 76. The shaft 91 is cocked against the bias of torsion spnings (not shown) and held in the position shown by latch means such` asa latc'hing cam 92 fixed to the shaftv Y 91; and engaged.. by Qa@ arm f a lathins Lever 94. Ta

senese release the latching means and permit the knives 90 to swing clockwise for severing engagement with the old web, a knife solenoid'KSOL is supported on the carriage 76 and positioned such that when the solenoid is energized its armature will engage and deect the latching lever 94 free of the cam 92. This release or actuation of the web-severing knives 90 is signaled by a knife limit switch KLS whichis disposed to be actuated in response to unlatching movement of the lever 94.

For sensing the position of the paster carriage 76, a rst carriage limit switch lCLS is mounted on a stationary support and located such that its actuator will be depressed by the carriage when the latter is fully elevated to the illustrated position. Two additional carriage limit switches ZCLSa and ZCLSb, here shown as mercury bottle switches, are mounted on the carriage so that the switch ZCLSa is open when the carriage is elevated and closed when it is lowered, and so that the switch ZCLSb is closed when the carriage is elevated and opened when it is lowered. These switches are used for control purposes as will be explained hereinafter.

Sensing and signaling roll diameters In accordance with the present invention, the preliminary operations of rotating the rcel assembly 4i) to position the new roll 14B, lowering the predrive and paster carriages 55 and 76, and predriving the new roll 14B are all initiated and carried out sequentially when the expiring roll 14A reaches the first diameter, which at the then existing press speed leaves suflcient time for these preliminary operations to be completed before the actual splicing of the Webs must take place. Further, the deection of the running web W yagainst a new roll 14B and the severing of the expiring roll web are initiated and carried out sequentially when the expiring roll 14A reaches a second, smaller, predetermined diameter indicative of the face that substantially all of the web on the expiring roll has been used up.

In order to determine when the expiring roll 14B has reached such rst and second diameters, means are provided to sense the angular velocity of the expiring roll, to sense the linear velocity of the running web, and to compare the two to establish when they have reached a certain ratio. The angular velocity of the expiring roll depends upon two things, viz., the linear velocity of the running web (press speed) and the dameter of the roll. The linear velocity of the web may be adjusted by the control means 12 (Fig. 1) to have any value within a Wide range. l

The preliminary operations of positioning the carriages and predriving the new roll always require about the same amount of time. But the faster the web speed, the greater is the rate of decrease in the diameter of the expiring roll. So, in accordance with one feature of the invention, the preliminary operations are initiated when the expiring roll has a diameter which is at least approximately proportional to the adjusted web velocity or press speed. This means that by the time the preliminary operations are completed the expiring roll has almost reached a certain diameter which is independent of the press speed.

To so initiate the preliminary operations when the expiring roll has a diameter related to the adjusted press speed, two signals varying as functions of the roll velocity and web velocity are generated, compared, and utilized to start the preliminary operations when one signal exceeds the other.

Then, after the preliminary operations are completed, the actual splicing is triggered when the expiring roll has been reduced to a certain, predetermined diameter which is always the same regardless of the adjusted value of the press speed. In keeping with one feature of the invention, this is accomplished by the same signal generating apparatus mentioned above, but with one of the signal generating means being modified to have a diterent input-output function. The two signals varying as func-` recalled that the. contact points CPlA and CPZA, ap

pearing in Fig. 3, are sequentially actuated at instants when the expiring roll passes through respectively dfferent angular positions, by virtue of the fact that the contacts are physically disposed on opposite sides of the actuating cam CA carried by the expiring roll spindle (Fig. 1). Thus, the time period which elapses beLween the opening of the first points CPlA and closing of second points CPZA during each revolution of the expiring roll 14A is universely related to the angular velocity w at which the expiring roll is turning.

To create a signal which repetitively varies substantially exponentially during the time period between the opening the first contact points CPlA and the closing of the. second contact CPZA, a series circuit includfng a res'stor.

component and a capacitor component is connected to a suitable direct voltage source. Such series circuit as here shown includes a capacitor C and a resistor R1 connected in series with one another and across the conventionally represented direct voltage source E. The firstY set of contact points CPIA are connected dfrectly in parallel with the capacitor C so that when those points are closed, the capacitor will be quickly and fully discharged, and the full magnitude of the voltage source E will appear across thetresistor R1. However, each time instant the contact points CP1A open, the capacitory C will begin to charge exponentially, so that current ow through the resistor R1 will decay exponentially producing a gradually and smoothly decreasing voltage drop eR across that resistor. Thus, the longer the t'me elapsing after opening of the rst contact point CPiA the smaller will be the voltage drop eR appearing across the resistor R1. This shunting and discharging of the capacitor C followed by exponential charging of the capacitor C through the resistor R1 will repeat for each revolution of the expiring roll as the contact points CPIA close and open.

To create a signal which is proportional in magnitude to the linear velocity of the running web W drawn from the expiring roll, the D.C. tachometer generator 16 (see also Fig. l) is employed in the circuit of Fig. 3. Preferably, a resistance potentiometer i0@ is connected directly across the terminals of the tachometer lo so that the voltage evappearing between the slider lima of the potentiometer and the negative terminal of the tachomcter may be adjusted, thus changing the proportionality factor which relates the voltage e, to the linear velocity v of the running web.

To determine when the expiring roll 14A has reached a certain diameter indicating that the prelimnary web splicing operations should be initiated, the repet'tive exponential voltage variation appearing across the res'stor R1 is compared with the voltage ev (which is proportional to the linear web velocity) at the instants that the second contact points CPZA close. For this purpose the second contact points CPZA, a current responsive signaling device here shown as the coil of a relay MP, a unidirectionally conductive device or diode 101, and the voltage ev are all connected in series across the resistor R1. The voltage ev is poled to oppose or buck the varying D.C. voltage eR which appears across the resistor R1, and the diode 101,1 is poled to perm't curwhen the contact points CPZA are closed.

It will thus be seen that if the press is operating at a centain speed so that the web velocity-proportional signal ev has a certain value, Ihen as long as the expir-ing roll is rotating suiciently slowly that the voltage across R1 decreases to a value less than the voltage ev before the contact points CPZA close, then no current can flow to energize the current responsive device MP. On the other hand, if as the expiring roll decreases in diameter and its angular velocitycorrespondingly increases for a given linear velocity of the running web, then the time interval between the opening of the contact points CPELA and the closing of the contact points CPZA will decrease, so that the exponentially decreasing Voltage eR appearing across the resistor Rl will be larger than the voltage ev at the instant that the contact points CPZA close. Under these circumstances, current will flow through the diode 101 and the relay coil MP. A momentary energization of the relay coil MP causes the reay to pick up, and this signaling may be utilized, as hereinafter described, to initiate the desired preliminary or nal operations of the web splicing apparatus.

Figs. 4 and 5 are helpful in an understanding of how the circuitry illustrated in Fig. 3 operates to energize the current-responsive signaling device MP only when the expiring roll has been reduced to a desired diameter indicating that the preliminary operations of the web splicing equipment should be initiated. In Fig. 4, it is assumed that the printing press is operating at a certain speed S1 so that the running web W has a corresponding velocity. The voltage ev produced by the tachometer 16 will therefore have a certain proportional and constant value represented by the line evl in Fig. 4. Now if when the expiring roll has a greater diameter than the predeterminad diameter d1 at which it is desired to energize the relay coil MP, the expiring roll will have a relatively small angular velocity, and considerable time will elapse between the instants at which the contact points CPlA and CPZA respectively open and close. In Fig. 4 the time instants labeled a represent the instants that the contact points CPtA open, while the time instants marked b correspond to the instants at which-the contact points CPZA close. It will be seen that during the intervals that the contact points CPiA are closed and the capacitor C is shunted, the voltage eR appearing across the resistor R1 Will be equal to the full magnitude o-f the voltage source E. Then, at each instant a when the coutact points CPlA open, the voltage appearing across the resistor R1 will decay exponentially as shown by the curved portions 104. As illustrated in the left portion of Fig. 4, if sutticient time elapses between. the time instants a and 17, the exponentially decaying voltage eR will fall below the voltage evl at the instants b when the contact points CPZA close. Under these circumstances, i.e., with the roll diameter greater than the predetermined diameter d1, so that its angular velocity is relatively low, no current can ow through the relay coil MP since by the time the contact points CPZA close, the voltage eR has decayed to a value less than the voltage en.

On the other hand, and as graphically illustrated in the right portion of Fig. 4, when the expiring roll diameter is reduced to or is slightly less than the predetermined diameter dl, then it must rotate at a higher angular velocity (for the same linear velocity o-f the running web), and the time intervals between the instants a and b when the contact points CPA and CPZA respectively open and close, are considerably shortened. Therefore, by the time that the contact points CP2A close, the exponentially decaying Voltage eR appearing across the resistor R1 has not fallen below the magnitude of the velocity-proportional voltage ev. Under these circumstances, therefore, when the contact points CPZA close at the time instants b, the voltage @R will exceed in magnitude the voltage ev and current will ow through the diode 101 and the relay MP, thus actuating the latter.

I n, one sense the capacitor C, contacts. CPlA, resistor,

R1 and contacts CBZA may be viewed as creatingl pulse-like signals whose amplitude is a function ofthe angular velocity of the expiring roll. That is, during those short time intervals that contacts CPZA are closed, a voltage is connected in series with the relay MP, and that voltage is in magnitude a non-linear function of the roll velocity.

It will be apparent that the angular velocity of the expiring roll, and thus the time intervals between the instants a and b depends upon the roll diameter, assuming that the press speed and linear velocity of the running web remain constant. However, if the press speed is increased or decreased so that the linear velocity of the running web W is correspondingly increased or decreased, that also will increase or decreaseV the angular velocity of the expiring roll and change the time interval between the time instants a and b even though the roll diameter remains substantially constant.

However, a change in the press speed or linear velocity of the running web does not adversely atfect the operation of the sensing apparatus shown in Fig. 3. Referring to Fig. 5, the same graphic illustration Vof the voltage variations are illustrated as in Fig. 4 except that it is assumed that the press speed has been increased to a different Value S2 so that the running web has a greater velocity and the magnitude of the proportional voltage ev is increased to a value evz. Under these circumstances, when the expiring roll diameter is greater than the predetermined value d1, the time intervals between the instants a and b will` be short as contrastingly iilustrated by the left portions of Figs. 4 and 5. But while these time intervals are shortened, the voltage v2 has been proportionally increased so that the instants b when the contact points CPZA are closed, the exportenn tially decaying voltage eR represented by the curve por tions N4 has fallen below the increased value of velocity proportional voltage evz. Thus, as illustrated in the left portion of Fig. 5, even through the press speed has been increased to a Value S2, the diode 101 cannot conduct at the instants b when the contact points CP2A close, so that the relay MP remains deenergized.

As illustrated in the right portion of Fig. 5, by the time that the diameter of the expiring roll has become equal to or less than the predetermined diameter d1, the angular Velocity of the expiring roll has been further increased, so that relatively short time yintervals occur between the time instants a and b. Accordingly, at the instants b when the contact points CPZA close, the exponentially decaying voltage eB will not have decreased below the value of the velocity-proportional voltage avg. Thus, when the contacts CP2A close, the diode 101 will permit current ow through the relay coil MP and energization of this relay may be caused, as hereinafter explained, to initiate the desired operations of the web splicing apparatus.

The foregoing explanationV of the organization and operation of the circuitry illustrated by Fig. 3 may be .made even clearer by a brief mathematical analysis.

Since the period between the opening of the contact points CPlA and the closure of Contact points CPZA is the time interval required for the expiring roll to rotate through a xed, predetermined angle, that time period is inversely related to the angular velocity of the expiring roll. This may be expressed:

where T=time period between instants a and b; w=angular velocity of expiring roll; and k1=proportionality constant.

aseaas `11 points CPlA open. It is known that the exponentially decaying charging current as it varies with time may be written:

t tege (2) where stantaneous diameter of the expiring roll are related in the following manner:

v=1rdw where v=linear velocity of web;

dzdiameter of expiring roll; and

w=angular velocity of expiring roll in revolutions per unit time.

Solving Equation 4 for w and substituting Equation l,

the following expression may be obtained:

And substituting time T as expressed in Equation 5 for time t in Equation 3, the following may be written to express the value of em at the instants b when the contact points CPZA close:

Now it will be apparent from the previous explanation of the circuitry in Fig. 3 and the operation of the diode 101 that current can ow through the signaling device MP only when the voltage em equals or slightly exceeds the voltage e,7 at the instant T when the contact points CPZA close. Thus, the relay coil MP will be energized at one of the instants b only if at that instant As previously explained, the velocity-proportional voltage ev issimply directly proportional to the linear velocity of the running web, and thus may be expressed:

ev=k2v where ev-:velocity-proportional voltage v=linear velocity of web; and k2=proportionaiity constant. v

12 ciples dealing with logarithms that the positive logarithm of a number n is equal to the negative logarithm of the reciprocal of n, i.e., log

1 n -log Applying this to the value Equation 9a may be rewritten:

kur (1 E H1034@E (9b) Solving for the diameter d:

Rl C' E dkm -v-loDe E5 (9c) Breaking the last term of Equation 9c into a summation of logarithms which represents the indicated divisions, Equation 9c may be rewritten:

d= [ETC-410g E-iog lez-10g v) (9d) Since the expression RIC k11r is a constant, it may be represented as a composite constant K1. Moreover, since E is a constant and k2 is a constant, the quantities log E-log k2 may be lumped and considered as a composite constant K2. With this, Equation 9d may be rewritten:

d=K1v(K2-log,v) (9e) From Equation l() it will be seen that the diameter d at which the relay coil MP is energized will be substantially proportional to the web velocity v, i.e., the press speed.

The result of this is that when the press speed is relatively high, the relay coil MP is energized when the roll diameter is relatively great, and when the press speed is relatively low, the relay coil MP is energized when the expiring roll diameter is relatively small. This gives a substantially uniform period of elapsed time during the instant that the relay coil MP is energized and the instant that the expiring roll reaches a second smaller predetermined diameter, or completely expires.

The foregoing explanation makes it clear how the signaling device MP is energized when the expiring roll 14A reaches a certain diameter which is related to the press speed, and which signifies that the expiring roll has a certain time period to run before actual changeover to the new roll must take place. This time period will be almost constant for successive splicing operations, even though the press speed is different, and it insures that the positioning of the new roll 14B by rotation of the reel assembly 4), the lowering of the carriages 55 and 76, and the predriving of the new roll 14B by the predrive motor PDM and belt di) are all accomplished in good time before the actual splicing and severing operations need occur.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, means are provided to signify, as by energizing a currentresponsive signaling device, when the expiring roll diameter has been further reduced to acertain fixed value which is independent of press speed and at which an actual changeover to the new roll web should take place.

To accomplish this, means are provided to create a signal which repetitively varies in substantially hyperbolic relation with time from the instants that the contact points CP1A open. Asused herein, the term hyperbolic variation or hyperbolic relation refers to the general relation between variables x andy expressed by the equation xy=k, where k is a constant, or toa relation which is closely approximated by. thatI equation. Since a high degree of precision. isinot vitally necessary, it has been found that it is possible to create a voltage varia.- tion which suiciently approximates a hyperbolic relation with time by utilizing a modied resistance-capacitancev charging or discharging circuit. This may be done quite simply by employing many of the components previously described in connection with Fig. 3. And as here shown in Fig'. 3, it is done simply by closing a switch Sa which connects the second resistor R2 directly in parallel with the capacitor C; thus changing the time constant of the circuit and increasing the steady state or limiting va'ue ofthe voltage which appears across the series resistor R1.

Considering again Fig. 3. although as modified bv the connection of the resistor R2 in parallel with the capacitor C, it will be seen that when the contact points CPIA are closed, both the resistor R2 and the capacitor C are shunted so that the capacitor is discharged and the full valuel of the voltage source E appears across the resistor R1. When the contact points CP1A open, the capacitor C begins charging exponentially by current ow through the resistor R1, but at the same time a portion of the current owing through the resistor R1 passes through the resistor R2V which is in, parallel with the capacitor. Accordinglv, the voltage variation eR appearing across the resistor R1 due to the current ow therethrough does not decay in a true exponential fashion but rather decays toward a steady state value equal to the source voltage E multiplied by the ratio of the values of- R14 to R2. By proper choice of specific capacitance and resistance values, the variation in the voltage eR appearing across the resistance R1 from the instant that the contacts CPlA open may be made to approximate a hyperbolic relation with passing time, at least over the time intervals during which sensing action takes place.

This is lilustrated more clearly by the curves of Fig. 6 where the curve 105 represents a true exponential variation of the voltage eR which would be obtained with the resistor R2 in Fig. 3 disconnected. The curve 106, by contrast, illustrates the voltage variation appearing across the resistor R1 when the switch Sa in Fig. 3 is closed to connect the resistor R2 in parallel with the capacitor C. It' will be seen from curve 106 in Fig. 6 that with the resistor R2 connected in parallel with the capacitor, the voltage eR decays from an initial value E toward an asymptotic value and thus is attened out considerably. Even thoughk the voltage variation represented by the curve 106 has a finite value E at the instant when time t equals 0, the manner in which the voltage thereafter changes with time may be made to sufficiently approximate the hyperbolic variation with time, that is, a variation which substantially follows the mathematical relationship, eR1t=k, where k is a constant.

In addition to creating a voltage signal which varies substantially hyperbolically with time from each instant that contact points CP1A open, the system illustrated in Fig. 3 further includes, as previously described, means such as the tachometer 16 and potentiometer 100 for creating a voltage ev which is proportional to the linear velocity of the running web W. It also includes a series circuit made up of the contact points CP2A, the currentresponsive signaling device or relay coil MP, the unidirectionally conductive device or diode 101, and the voltage ev connected in series and across the resistor R1. It will be noted that the voltages eRvand e.,v are connected with opposing polarity, in that diode 101 is connected to conduct only when the voltage @R exceeds the voltage e,y at the time when the contacts CPZA areclosed.

As previously indicated, the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 3 as modified by the closure of the switch Sa to connect the resistor R2 in parallel with the capacitor C operates to energize the relay coil MP when the expiring roll diameter has been reduced to a predetermined value, and regardless of the particular speed at which the press mayv be operating. To make this more clear, a brief mathematical analysis of the operation will be helpful. Recalling, as previously explained in connection with Equation 1, supra, that the time period T between the opening of the contacts CP1A and the closing of the contacts CPZA is inversely related to the angular velocity of the expiring roll, the equation (1) may be reproduced here:

But the voltage variation shown by the curve portions 104 in Figs. 4 and 5 are not now exponential variations, but suciently approximate a hyperbolic variation for purposes of analysis. Thus, the instantaneous value of the voltage appearing across the resistor R1 at any time t after the opening of the contactsv CPlA may be approximated by the expression:

where eR1=voltage across resistor R1; r=time measured from instant contacts CPIA open; and kaza constant.

Substituting the value of time T from Equation 1l for time t in Equation l2, the following maybe written t0 define the value of em at the instants b when the contacts CPZA close:

ent-Ew (13) The relationship between the linear velocity v of the running web, and the angular velocity w and diameter of the expiring roll 14A are the same as expressed in Equation 4, supra, which mayy be reproduced here:

(14) And, as expressed before in Equation 8, the value of the voltage eV is proportional to the linear velocity of the running web:

Solving Equation 14 for w and substituting that expression in Equation 13, the following result is obtained:

But, as expressed before in Equation 7, current ows to energize the relay MP only when the voltage em appearing across the resistor R1 is equal to or greater than the velocity-proportional voltage ev at the time instant T that the contactV points CP2A'close. Thus, the relay MP will be energized if, at time T,

Substituting the values of eV and em from Equations l3 and 16 in Equation 17, we obtain:

. 15 Since k2, k1, k3 and 1r are all constants, Equation 18a may be written in simplied form:

d=K1 where K1 is a composite constant.

It will be seen from Equation 19 that the value of the diameter a.' of the expiring roll when the relay coil MP is energized, is, in this instance, entirely independent of the particular velocity of the running web or the press speed which may then exist. In other words, regardless of the particular speed at which the press may be operating, the circuitry illustrated in Fig. 3 and as modified by the connection of the resistor R2 in parallel with the capacitor C to produce a substantially hyperbolic voltage variation across the resistor R1 will energize the relay coil MP whenever the expiring roll is reduced to a predetermined and preselectable diameter. This predetermination of the value of the expiring roll diameter when energization of the relay coil occurs may be made simply by adjusting the values of the constants k1, k2, k3 in Equation 18a, and it may be most easily accomplished by either changing the setting of the potentiometer wiper 100:1 to change the constant k2, or by changing the values of the resistors R1 or RZ, as well as by changing the value of the capacitor C. This energization of the relay coil MP at an instant when the expiring roll has reached the predetermined fixed diameter, is utilized, as explained below, to initiate the action of the web deecting and severmg means.

Returning now to Fig. 7, there is illustrated a preferred arrangement for successively energizing a current-responsive signaling device exemplified by the relay coil MP, first when the expiring roll reaches a diameter related to the speed at which the press is operating, and secondly, for energizing that same relay coil MP when the expiring roll has been reduced further to a second and smaller predetermined diameter which is substantially always the same regardless of the speed at which the press is operated.

It will be seen that the circuit of Fig. 7 in its normal state with none of the relays energized, presents a series circuit comprising normally closed relay contacts X5, and the capacitor C connected in series with two resistors R1, Ria across .a direct voltage source E. Thus, a fairly high value of charging resistance made up of the two resistors R1 and Ria in series is operatively connected in the circuit. rThe contact points CPlA, as previously explained in connection with Fig. 3, are connected in parallel with the capacitor C. Two potentiometers 110 and 111 having adjustable sliders 110e, lila are connected across the tachometer 16, the sliders being connected alternatively through normally closed contacts X2 and normally open contacts X3 -of a relay X to the diode 101.

Under these circumstances, a series combination of the contact points CPZA, the relay coil MP, the diode 101, and a tirst voltage em (which is proportional to the linear velocity of the running web) is connected directly across the two series-connected resistors R1 and Rla. Therefore, as the contact points CPllA and CPZA successively open and close, the voltage appearing across the two resistors R1 and Rla will decay exponentially as shown by the curves 112 in the left portion of Fig. 8. When the expiring roli is reduced to the first diameter d1 so that its angular velocity increases suiciently to shorten the time interval between the instants a and b at which the contacts CP1A and (EPZA respectively open and close, the voltage appearing across the resistors R1 and Rla will exceed the voltage eva appearing across the potentiometer 110 when the contact points CPZA close, so that the diode 101 will permit current iiow through the relay MP. This, as previously explained, will occur when the expiring roll reaches a diameter which is related to or substantially proportional to the press speed, since the capacitor C connected in series with the resistors R1 and Rla will charge exponentially. As a result, the relay coil MP will be energized for the first time at an instant which asesinas 16 signifies that the4 expiring roll contains a sufficient quantity of the paper web to permit operation for a given interval of time, say about one and one-half minutes.

When the coil MP is energized, the contacts controlled by. that relay may be used, as hereinafter explained, to initiate the preliminary operations of the web splicing apparatus. But further energization of the relay coil MP results in momentary closure of the normally opened contacts MPa (Fig. 7) which are connected in series with the coil X of an auxiliary relay across the voltage source E. Accordingly, the relay X will be energized and sealed in by its own normally open contacts X1. At the same time the relay contacts X2 will open, and the reiay contacts X3 will close to disconnect the slider l10n from the circuit including the diode 101 and reconnect in its place the slider Illa. Accordingly, a different proportionality factor is established for the web velocity-proportional voltage andin this instance, a velocity-proportional voitage evb will be established. As illustrated in the right portion of Fig. 8, the voltage evvb is considerably greater in magnitude than the voltage e,m even though thepress speed has remained constant at the value S1. Further, when the relay X is energized, its contacts X4 close to shunt the resistance Rla, its contacts X5 open to isolate the capacitor C, and its contacts X6 close to connect the parallel combination of a resistor R2 and a capacitor C1 of a different value in the place of the original capacitor C.

It will be apparent, therefore, that under these circumstances a smaller resistance value made up only of the resistance R1 is connected in series with the capacitor C1 across the voltage source E, and that a resistance R2 is connected in parallel with the capacitor. This results in substantially the same circuit as represented by Fig. 3 with the switch Sa closed, except that the relay X, picked up in response to momentary energization of the relay MP, serves to change the proportionality constant relating the voltage ev to the linear velocity of the running web, and serves to change the value of the charging resistance, as well as to change the value of the capacitance, and to place the resistor R2 in parallel with the effective capacitor.

The effect of the relay X and its contacts, therefore, is to modify the circuit illustrated in Fig. 7 from' one in which the voltage variation across the resistor R1 decays substantially exponentially with time from the instants that the contacts CPIA open to a circuit in which the voltage variation appearing across the resistance R1 decays substantially hyperbolically with time. This, as made clear from the foregoing description with reference to Fig. 3, will result in the relay coil MP being energized a second time when the expiring roll reaches a smaller predetermined diameter d2. As illustrated in the right portion of Fig. 8, the voltage appearing across the resistor R1 f decays substantially hyperbolically with time as represented by the curve portions 114, from the instants a that the contact points CP1A open. When the expiring roll has been reduced to a predetermined diameter d2, the instants b which represent the closure of the contacts CPZA will occur sufficiently promptly after every instant n such that the voltage em appearing across the resistor R1 will at that instant exceed the web velocityproportional voltage ew, so that the diode 101 will conduct and relay coil MP will be energized a second time.

Fully automatic controls and operation all of the operations necessary to splice a running web 17 ing suffix being added for each set of contacts where more than one set is controlled by a single relay coil or limit switch.

The photoelectric means 47 for sensing when the new roll has reached a predriving position adjacent the running web shown in Fig. 1 appear in Fig. 9 as a light source 120 connected for energization across A.C. voltage supply lines L1, L2, and positioned at one end of the reel assembly 40. Cooperating with that light source is a photocell 121 having its cathode and anode connected to receive the D.C. potential appearing across a filtering capacitor 122 charged by a rectifier 124 connected across the lines L1, L2. The coil of a photoelectric relay PE is connected in circuit with the anode and cathode of the photocell 121, so that when the light beam from the lamp 120 is broken by the periphery of the new roll, conduction of the photocell 121 is terminated and the relay PE deenergized. Thus, it will be understood that the relay PE is normally energized except when the new roll 14B is moved to a position adjacent the new web and thus interrupts the light beam.

The current-responsive signaling device which is energized whenever the expiring roll reaches predetermined diameters as previously described in connection with Figs. 3 and 7, is illustrated in Fig. 9A as a relay having a coil MP. Because it is desirable that the relay MP be actuated when only a very small current ilows through, and even though that current flow exists for a very short time interval, the relay MP is preferably a low inertia, fast acting type `of relay and one which mechanically latches in its actuated position when it is once actuated. Thus, it should be understood that in the preferred form illustrated in Fig. 9A, the relay MP is a sensitive, latching type of relay and that upon momentary flow of a small current therethrough it will be picked up. Then, even though that current is terminated, the relay MP remains picked up until a voltage of opposite polarity is applied to its coil which causes it to drop out or return to its original de-actuated condition.

It will also be understood from Fig. l that since the reel assembly 40 turns through 120 each time that a complete web splicing operation takes place, each of the spider arms 42a-42c will in succession, carry what has been designated as the expiring roll 14A, the new roll 14B, and the newly loaded roll 14C. That is, while the apparatus as illustrated in Fig. 1 shows the expiring roll 14A supported on the spider arm 42a, after a splicing operation has caused the running web W to be drawn from the new roll 14B, the latter roll will be positioned through rotation of the spider 42 substantially in the location presently shown for the expiring roll 14A.

In order that the control circuitry will operate properly, regardless of which of the three spider arms is at that instant carrying the expiring roll, the newly loaded roll, and the new roll, the contact points CP1A, CPZA, CP1B, CP2B, CP1C and CPZC are connected in circuit with the several mercury switches MSllA-MSZC and the slip rings l45 as shown in Fig. 9a. With the reel assembly 40 in the position illustrated by Fig. 1, the mercury switches MSlA and MSZA will be closed to connect the contact points CP1A and CPZA in a diameter-sensing circuit for the expiring roll 14A. As shown, such circuit includes the slip ring segments SA and SC cooperating with two of the stationary brushes 49.. However, if the reel assembly '4G is rotated through 120 so that the arm 42b then supports the expiring roll, the positions of the slip ring segments SA, SB and SC as well as the condition of the several mercury switches will be changed, so that the contact points CPIB and CPZB will then be placed in the diameter-sensing circuit in lieu of the contact points CP1A and CPZA.

In a similar manner, it may be observed that with the reel assembly 40 in the position illustrated by Fig. 1, the contact points CP1B which open and close one time for each revolution of the new roll 14B as it is being predriven, are connected in circuit through the closed mercury switch MSIB and the slip ring segment ASB to a .irush 49 connected through relay contacts PA4 and EDSl tothe coil of a relay i". The purpose of this will be made clear in the following detailed description, and it is sutlicient here to note only that upon rotation of reel assembly 40 through 120 the contact points CPIB will be replaced in this circuit by the contacts CPlC carried by the arm 42C which will then be supporting the new roll.

In summary, theI slip rings 45 and 46 together with the mercury switches as illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 9A, serve to perrnit successive identical operation to be performed on the expiring new and newly loaded rolls by establishing different circuit connections to the several contact points indicative of which particular contact points are at any time, according to the angular position of the reel assembly, associated with the expiring roll, the new roll, or the newly loaded roll.

The organization and operation of the automatic control circuitry illustrated in Figs. 9 and 9A may be made clear by describing one complete functional cycle. lIt will be helpful, however, to briefly set forth the initial conditions which prevail before the beginning of that operational cycle. Assume, first, that the press is running normally at a speed which has been determined by setting of the speed adjusting means 12 in Fig. 1. The expiring roll 14A will be in its regular supply position, i.e., with the spider arm 42A extending substantially horizontally. The new roll 14B will, therefore, not yet be positioned adjacent the running web. And the predrive carriage 55 and the paster carriage 76 will both be in their raised or retracted positions.

Correspondingly, the following initial conditions will prevail in the control circuitry illustrated by Figs. 9 and 9A. The coil of a relay MPR (at the bottom of Fig. 9) will be energized and that relay picked up since it is connected directly across the voltage lines L1, L2, by the normally closed relay contacts POSI. Thus, the relay contacts MPRI and MPRZ (adjacent the relay coil MP, Fig. 9A) will be closed, and the normally closed contacts MPR3 and MPR4 will be open. Since the mercury switches MSIA and MS2A are closed owing to the angular position of the spider 42, the relay coil MP will be connected through the diode 101, normally closed relay contacts CRY1, and th slider A of a first adjustable potentiometer 110, to one side of the seriesconnected resistors R1, Rla. Similarly, the relay coil MP will be connected through the contacts MPRI, the slip ring segment SC, the closed mercury switch contacts MSZA through the contact points CPZA and the mercury switch 1A, thence through the slip ring segment SA and the associated brush l49 to the opposite end of the series connected resistors R1, Rla. There is thus provided the series circuit which includes the signaling relay coil MP and which is very similar to that previously described in connection with Fig. 7.

Also, it will be observed that a capacitor C is connected through normally closed relay contacts CRY3 and in series with the resistors R1, R1a, directly across the D.C. voltage source represented by the battery E. Thus, there is established an R-C charging circuit similar to that described in connection with Fig. 7. Further, the contacts CP1A are connected in parallel with the capacitor C through the slip ring `4S and the associated brush 48, as well as through the closed mercury switch contacts MS1A, the slip ring segment SA and the associated brush 49. Under these circumstances, therefore, substantially identical circuit connections, such as those shown in Fig. 7 before the initial energization of the relay MP are established by the mercury switches and the slip rings.

In operation, therefore, as the expiring roll 14A (Fig. l) makes each revolution and the contact points CP1A and CP2A open and close, the capacitor C will be discharged each time that the contacts 4CP1A are closed by 19 ycurrent ow over the path shown by the dot-dash line in Fig. 9A. Each time that the contact points CP1A open, the capacitor C will charge from the battery E through the series-connected resistors R1 and Rla by current flow over the path indicated by the double-dotldash line in Fig. 9A. Since it is assumed that the diam- -eter of the expiring roll is at this time fairly large, i.e., the roll is not appreciably used up, each :time that the contact points CP2A close after a relatively great time period has elapsed since the contact points CPIA opened, the exponentially decaying voltage appearing across the resistors R1, Rla, will have decreased to a value below the magnitude of the voltage evn appearing at the slider 110a of the resistance potentiometer 110, so that the diode 101 will not permit current to flow through the relay coil MP.

The capacitor C thus continues to be charged and discharged each time that the expiring roll makes one revolution. When the expiring roll 14A reaches a certain diameter related to the speed at which the press is operating, the value of the exponentially decaying `voltage appearing across the resistors R1, R151, will exceed the magnitude of the voltage ea appearing across the potentiometer 110 and which is proportional to the press speed, when the Contact points CPZA close. Therefore, the diode 101 will permit the current flow momentarily through the relay coil MP, such current following a path as indicated by the arrows on the dotted line in Fig. 9A. This will occur, as previously explained, when the diameter of the roll has reached a certain value determined by the adjustment of the constants in Equation 9b, supra; and as previously explained with reference to Equation l0, if the press speed is relatively high or low, this critical diameter at which energization of the relay MP occurs, will be relatively greater or lesser.

When the relay MP is momentarily energized, this signifies that the time has arrived for the preliminary operations of the web splicing apparatus to begin. Such momentary energization of the relay MP latches it in an actuated position. Thus, the relay contacts MP1 in the upper portion of Fig. 9 close and remain closed to energize through the normally closed relay contacts P054, the coil of a time delay relay TR.

Closure of the contacts MP1 also energizes an audible signal device connected in parallel with the time delay relay coil TR. This audible signal may serve to warn personnel at various locations, such as at the folder, of the printing press that a splicing operation is about to take place.

After a predetermined delay, on the order of two seconds, from the instant that the relay coil TR is energized, its contacts TR1 will close, thus energizing the coil of a relay CRX. Pick-up of this latter relay closes its normally open contacts CRXl so that the contactor coil FOR is energized through the normally closed contacts ICLS-b and the photoelectric relay contacts PE1 (which will be closed since the light beam from the lamp 120 will be uninterrupted). `It will be observed that closure of the CRXI contacts cannot energize the relay coil POS since the photoelectric relay contacts PE-Z will at this time be open. Moreover, closure of the normally opened contact CRXZ (in the middle portion of Fig. 9) cannot result in energization of a relay coil PA, since the auxiliary line L4 will be isolated from the line L1 by the open contacts POS2, ZCLSa and PDI.

In response to the energization of the contacter coil FOR, the contacts FORI-PGR3 in Fig. 1 will close, thereby energizing the reel motor M and turning the reel assembly in a clockwise direction. When the new roll 14B reaches its predrive position adjacent the running web W, its periphery interrupts the light beam from the lamp 120 (Fig. 9) thereby deenergizing the photoelectric relay PE. As a result, the contacts PE1 open to deenergize the con't'a'ctr coil FOR and terminate reel rotation, while the contacts PE2 close to energize the relay coil POS. i

Several things happen inV response to this energization of the relay coil POS. First, the normally open contacts POS2 close to seal in the POS relay through the normally closed limit switch RLS4. This places an auxiliary line L3 at the same potential as the line L1.

Secondly, the normally open POS3 contacts (in the upper portion of Fig. 9) close to prepare an energization path for the relay coil CRX.

Thirdly, the normally closed P084 contacts open to drop out the time delay relay TR and to ydeenergize the audible signal, the contacts TR1 thus opening although the relay CRX remains energized through the now closed contacts MP1 and POSS. y

Fourthly, the normally closed POSI contacts (at the bottom of Fig. 9) open to de'energiz'e the relay MPR. In response, the MPRl and MPR2 contacts in Fig. 9A open, while the MPR3 and MPR4 contacts close, the latter contacts placing a reversed polarity voltage on the relay MP in order to cause the latter to unlatch and drop out. With the relay MP deactuated, the contacts MP1 (in the upper portion of Fig. 9) open, thus deenergizing the relay coil CRX. -For so long as the relay MPR is deenergized and the contacts MPR1-4 in Fig. 9a thus placed in their normal states, no energization of the relay MP can occur in response to closure of the CP1A and CPZA contact points. Y

Fithly, the POS6 contacts in Fig. 9A close to short out the resistance RIA, thereby reducing the eiective value of resistance contained in the R-C charging and discharging circuit in a similar manner to that explained above in connection with the X4 contacts in Fig. 7. This in effect changes or reduces the time constant of the charging or of the R-C charging and discharging circuit.

Sixthly, the POSS contacts in Fig. 9 close to create an energization path through the normally closed contacts PDSXl and FOR4 for the paster carriage solenoid PASOL. In response to this latter energization, the valve 81 (Fig. l) is shifted to cause the pneumatic ram 79 to lower the paster carriage 76 toward its operative position adjacent one side of the running web W. As the paster carriage begins to lower, the limit switch ICLS is released so that its normally closed contacts jlCLSb in Fig. 9 are opened and the normally open contacts ICLSa are closed. Thus, as soon as the paster carriage 76 begins to lower, the contacts lCLSa in Fig. 9 close to energize a relay coil CRY, and also to energize the predrive carriage solenoid PRSOL through the now closed relay contacts POS7 and the normally closed contacts PAI.

In response to the energization of the relay CRY, its normally closed contacts CRY (Fig. 9A) open to disconnect the diode 101 from the potentiometer 110; while the contacts CRY2 close to reconnect the diode 101 to the slider Illa of the potentiometer 111. In this manner, the proportionality constant which relates a voltage taken from the tachometer 16 to the speed of the running web W is automatically changed after the iirst predetermined diameter has been sensed by the initial energization of the relay MP.

It will also be seen that pick-up of the relay CRY results in opening of the contacts CRY3 and closure of the contacts CRY4 (Fig. 9A), so that the capacitor C is replaced in the R-C charging and discharging circuit -by the parallel combination of a second capacitor Cl and a parallel-connected resistor R2. The purpose and eiect of this are the same as previously described in con- :nection with Figs. 3 and 7, creating a charging and discharging circuit which will produce a repetitivcly vary- .ing voltage across the resistor Rl which decays substantially hyperbolically with time from the instants that the contact points CPlA open.

A,As noted above, closure of the contacts lCLSa ener- 21 gized the solenoid PRSOL. When this occurs, the valve 71 (Fig. 1) is shifted to cause the pneumatic ram 69 to lower the predrive carriage 55 until the belt -60 rests against the peripheral surface of the new roll 14B. At about this time, therefore, lboth the paster carriage 76 and the predrive carriage 55 are lowered. As the paster carriage 76 reaches its fully lowered position, the carriage limit switches ZCLSa and ZCLSb are actuated. As seen in Fig. 9, closure of the switch ZCLSa results in energizaton of a relay coil PD through the normally closed limit switch contacts RLSZ, and also results in energizaton of the relay coil PDX through the normally closed reel limit switch contacts RLS1. As a result, the normally open contacts PD2 close to seal in the predrive carriage solenoid PRSOL, and the normally open contacts PD1 close to seal in both the relays PD and PDX.

The energizaton of the relays PD and PDX causes the control circuit 52 (illustrated in block form in Fig. 1) to so energize the amplidyne 61 that the predrive motor PDM is effective to rotate the pulley 59 and drive the belt 6G. As a result of its frictional contact with the surface of the new roll 14B, the belt 60 positively drives the new roll in a counterclockwise direction, and the control circuit 62 together with the amplidyne `61 are effective to bring the speed of the new roll to a point at which its peripheral velocity substantially matches that of the running web. This is termed the predriving operation and assures that there will be no abrupt pull on the running web which might rupture it when it is deected against and adheres to the glue pattern on the leading end of the new roll web. Since the details of the organization and operation of the control circuit 62 and the predriving amplidyne 61 controlling the predriving motor PDM form no part of the present invention, they will not be here described. However, a better understanding may be had by a reference to the copending application of Chase et al., Serial No. 502,923, led April 21, 1955, and assigned to the assignee of the present invention.

Returning now to the circuitry of Fig. 9, it will be seen that as predriving begins in response to closure of the contacts 2CLSa and energizaton of the relay PD after the paster carriage is fully lowered, the relay coil PDS will also be energized in response to closure of the contacts of the carriage limit switch contacts ZCLSa by current flow through the normally closed contacts PDSX2. Pick-up of the relay PDS first causes closure of the contacts PDSl (Fig. 9A) to partially complete an energizaton path for a relay coil F. Also, energizaton of the relay PDS results in closure of the contacts PDSZ (at the bottom of Fig. 9) so that the relay MPR is again energized.

Energization of the relay MPR results in opening of the contacts MPR3, 4 and closing of the contacts MPR1, 2. As a result, the sensitive current relay MP is placed in series with the contact points CPZA, the diode 161 and the potentiometer 111 across the charging resistor R1. The sensing circuit is thus now ready to detect when the expiring roll reaches a second predetermined smaller diameter. The R-C charging circuit now consists of the resistor R1 alone in series with the capacitor C1 across the voltage source E, the resistor R2 being connected in parallel with the capacitor C1. As a result, the voltage variation across the resistor R1 decays substantially hyperbolically with time from each instant that the contacts CPlA open.

As the contacts CP1A open and the contacts CPZA close, each time that the expiring roll makes one revolution, the sensitive relay MP will not be energized if a suiiicient time elapses such that the voltage appearing across the resistor R1 is less in magnitude than the voltage evb appearing on the potentiometer slider 111a at the instant that the second contact points CPZA close. However, when the expiring roll reaches a predetermined small diameter indicating that there is substantially no remaining web thereon, then the expiring roll will have such a high angular velocity in relation t'o the press speed that the contact points CP2A will close very shortly after the contact points CP1A open, and a time when the hyperbolically decaying voltage across the resistance R1 exceeds the voltage evb appearing at the potentiometer slider 111a. When this happens, indicating that the second predetermined diameter has been reached, current will tiow through the diode 101 and thus energize the sensitive relay MP which will pick-up and latch in.

In response to this pick-up of the relay MP, the contacts MP1 (in the upper portion of Fig. 9) will again close. This will not result in energizaton of the time delay relay TR since the P084 contacts are now open. However, closure of the contacts MP1 will result in energizaton of the relay coil CRX through the now closed contacts POSE'. When the relay CRX is energized the second time, closure of its contacts CRX1 will have no elfect, because the carriage limit switch lCLSb is now open. However, closure of the contacts CRX2 will result in energizaton of a relay coil PA which seals in to the auxiliary line L3 through its own normally open contacts PAZ. Pick-up of the relay PA also closes the normally open contacts PA4 in series with the relay coil F, so that the latter is now connected across the voltage source E through the slip ring 45, the contacts CP1B associated with the new roll 14B, the closed mercury switch MS1B, the slip ring segment Sb, the contacts PA4 and the contacts PDS1.

Thus, the next time that the contacts CPlB close, to indicate that the glue pattern on the new roll 14B is in a certain angular position relative to the running web W, the relay F will =be energized. As a result, the contacts F1 (Fig. 9) close to energize the relay coil D which seals in to the auxiliary line L3 through the now closed contacts PAZ and its own normally open contacts D1. Energization of the relay F does not energize the brush solenoid BSOL since the normally closed contacts F2 open at the same instant that the contacts F1 close.

Then, when the contact points CP1B again open as the predriven new roll 14B rotates further, the relay F will be deenergized, thereby causing the contacts F2 in Fig. 9 to reclose and create an energizaton path thro-ugh the now closed contacts D1 for the brush solenoid BSOL. Energization of this solenoid, as previously noted in connection with Fig. l, will result in release of the latch for the spring-biased brush shaft 85, so that the brushes 84 will deflect the web W against the periphery of the new roll 14B. As the glue pattern on the leading end of the new roll web passes into contact with the deflected running web W, the two will adhere so that the web from the new roll thus passes upwardly into the printing press. It will also be observed from Fig. 1 that when the brush shaft latch is released, t-he limit switch BLS is actuated.

Actuation of the limit switch BLS results in closure of the contacts BLS1 and BLSZ shown in Fig. 9. This will not result in energizaton of the solenoid KSOL or the relay PDSX, since at this instant the relay F is deenergized and its contacts F4 are open. However, as soon as the spindle supporting the new roll 14B completes one revolution and the contacts CP1B again close, the relay F will be energized a second time. Accordingly, the contacts F4 will close and result in simultaneous energization of the solenoid KSOL and the relay coil PDSX through the now closed contacts BLSZ and BLS1.

Energization of the knife solenoid KSOL releases the latch lever 94 shown on the paster carriage in Fig. 1, so that the shaft 91 turns under the iniiuence o-f biasing springs and deects the knives into severing engagement with the web being drawn from the expiring roll. The expiring roll web is thus severed so that thereafter the running web W is taken from the new roll 14B.

Upon energizaton of the relay coil PDSX, it is sealed in through its own normally opened contacts PDSX4 23 and the now closed contacts PAZ. Also, energization of the relay coil PDSX atects the control circuit 62 diagrammatically shown in Fig. l so that the amplidyne 61 now serves to constitute motor PDM as a regenerative braking device, as explained in the above-identified Chase et a1. application. Thus, the motor PDM exerts a ret-arding force on the predrive belt 60 so that the latter resists rotation of the new roll 14B and creates transition tension in the running web.

Upon energization of the relay PDSX, its contacts PDSXS in Fig. 9A close to seal in the relay F so that the latter is not picked up and dropped out in response to further opening and closing of the contacts CPIB as the new roll 14B rotates. Also, the normally closed contacts PDSX2 open at this time to deenergize the relay PDS which has a further eiect in the control circuit 62 (Fig. 1) to cause transition tensioning of the web drawn from the new roll.

Drop out of the relay PDS also causes its contacts PDSZ (at the bottom of Fig. 9) to open, so that the relay MPR is again deenergized. Accordingly, the contacts MPRl, 2 (Fig. 9A) reopen to isolate the sensitive relay MP from the series circuit connected across the resistor R1; while the contacts MPR3, 4, close to apply a reversed polarity voltage to the sensitive-latching relay MP, thus causing the latter to be released and deactuated. Drop out of the sensitive relay MP results in opening of the contacts MP1 in the upper portion of Fig. 9 and this results in deenergization of the relay CRX so that its contacts CRXI and CRXZ are open for the rest of the operational cycle.

Still further, the previous energization of the relay PDSX causes the normally closed contacts PDSXl so that the solenoid PASOL in series therewith is deenergized. The paster carriage soleno-id valve 81 (Fig. l) is `returned to its normal position, causing the pneumatic -ram 79 to retract the paster carriage 76 upwardlytoward its stowed position.

As the paster carriage 76 starts to retract, the carriage limit switch contacts 2CLSa (Fig. 9) reopen, but the now closed contacts PD1 maintain the predrive solenoid PRSOL energized. Moreover, as the paster carriage 76 starts to retract, the limit switch contacts 2-CLSb in the upper portion of Fig. 9 reclose to energize the contactor coil FOR through the now closed contacts PAS. Thus, the contacts FORI-3 (Fig. l) are closed to energize the reel motor M so that the spider 42 rotates clockwise to advance the new roll 14B toward the tensioning straps 18. This advances the new roll 14B toward the regular supply position in which it will then become the expiring roll, land moves the spider arm 42a toward the position illustrated for the arm 42C, where the core of the expired -roll may be removed and replaced by a newly loaded roll.

As the reel assembly rotates clockwise, just as the new roll makes initial contact with the tensioning straps 18, the cam 50 will cause actuation of the reel limit switch RLS1 (Fig. 2) so that its normally closed contacts (Fig. 9) will open to drop out the relay PDX. This, as explained in more detail in the above-mentioned Chase et al. application causes the control circuit 62 shown in Fig. l to so control the amplidyne 61 that the transitional braking etort created by the motor PDM and transferred to the new roll through the belt 60 is gradually reduced as the new roll moves into the regular tensioning straps 18.

As the reel assembly 40 continues to rotate in a clockwise direction and when the new roll 14B has moved to a iirm engagement with the tensioning straps 18, the cam 50 actuates the reel limit switch RLS2 (Fig. 2). As seen in Fig. 9, actuation of the switch RLS2 to open its normally closed contacts results in deenergization of the relay PD. Thus, the relay contacts PD2 open to deenergize the solenoid PRSOL. As a result, the valve 71 is restored to its original condition and the pneumatic 24 ram 69 swings the predrive carriage 55 upwardly to its stowed position.

Then, as the paster carriage 76 reaches its fully retracted position, and engages the actuator of the iirst carriage limit switch 1CLS (Fig. 1), the contacts ICLSa are restored to their original condition, i.e., opened, so that the relay CRY is deenergized. This restores the four relay contacts CRY1-CRY4 Ito their original condition, so that the capacitor C is replaced in the R-C charging and discharging circuit, and the diode 101 reconnected to the slider lltia of the potentiometer 110;

As the reel spider 42 rotates further in a clockwise direction to locate the new roll 14B in a normal operating position, the cam 50 causes the reel limit switch RLS4 (Fig. 2) to be actuated, so that its normally closed contacts (Fig. 9) open, thereby deenergizing the relay POS. When this occurs, the contacts POSZ open, thus disconnecting the auxiliary lines L3 from the main voltage supply line L1, so that all of the relays shown beneath the POS relay in Fig. 9 (with the exception of the relay MPR) are deenergized and restored to their original condition. Also, deenergization of the POS relay results in the closure of the normally closed POS1 contacts so that the relay MPR is again energized, closing the conta-cts MPR1, 2, and opening the contacts MPR3, 4. This restores the diameter-sensing circuit to its original state, ready for another cycle of operation. When relay PA is deenergized, its contacts PAS reopen, thereby breaking the energization path for the contactor coil FOR, opening the contacts FORI-3 (Fig. 1), and deenergizing the motor M so that the reel ceases rotation.

It will thus be seen from the foregoing description that the apparatus and controls of the present invention have operated, first, to sense a given diameter of the expiring roll 14A and to initiate all of the preliminary operations required of the web splicing apparatus, narnely, the initial rotation of the reel assembly to position the new roll 14B adjacent the running web W, the lowering of the predrive and paster carriages 55 and 76, and the initiation of predriving of the new roll from the predrive motor PDM through the belt 60. Then, in response to the expiring roll 14A reaching a second, smaller predetermined diameter, the brushes 74 were automatically caused to deflect the running web W against the adhesive on the leading end of the new roll web, and the knives were caused to engage and sever the web drawn from the expiring roll 14A. Following that the new roll 14B is braked to create transition tension in the new web, the reel assembly 40 rotated clockwise to place the new roll 14B in the normal operating position, and the predrive and paster carriages 55 and 76 raised to their stowed positions.

With the rotation of the reel assembly to place the new roll 14B in the regular supply position, the slip rings 45 and 46 together with the mercury switches carried by the spider 42 connect the contact points CPIB and CPZB into the diameter-sensing circuits, and connect the contact points CP1C into the energization circuit for the relay F. Thus, the circuitry shown in Fig. 9 is ready to begin automatically another cycle of operation such as that previously described whenever the roll 14B, which is now in the position in which it is designated the expiring roll, reaches certain small diameters. All that the operator need do is to remove the core of the expired roll 14A which has now been shifted to the position illustrated for the newly loaded roll 14C in Fig. 1 and to place a new roll of paper on the spindles 44a journaled in the arms 42a.

Whenever it is necessary to initiate and complete an automatic splicing operation, the apparatus as described above will carry that operation through completely automatically, without any attention or critical judgments on the part of the attendant and even though the press may be running at various speeds.

We claim as our invention:

l, ln web splicing apparatus for splicing a running web drawn from an expiring roll tothe web of a new roll, said apparatus having first components providing for etiecting preliminary operations to make ready for splicing and having second components for effecting the splicing operation, the combination comprising means for sensing the angular velocity of the expiring roll and producing a rst, recurring signal which has an asymmetrical wave form and a frequency which depends on said angular velocity, means for sensing the linear velocity of the running web and producing a second signal related thereto, means for comparing said signals at a time instant intermediate the beginning and ending of each waveform, means controlled by said comparing means for initiating the preliminary operations by said first components when the expiring roll is reduced to a rst diameter, and means controlled by said comparing means for initiating the splicing operation by said second components when the expiring roll is reduced to a second, smaller diameter.

2. Apparatus for automatically splicing a running web drawn from an expiring roll to adhesive on the leading end of the web of a new roll, said apparatus comprising, in combination, means for predriving said new roll, means for deliecting said running web against said new roll and severing that web, means for positioning the new roll adjacent the running web, means for positioning said predrive means adjacent the new roll, means for positioning said deiiecting and severing means adjacent the running web, means for sensing the angular velocity of the expiring roll and producing a iirst, recurring signal which has an asymmetrical wave form and a frequency which depends on said angular velocity, means for sensing the linear velocity or the running web and producing a second signal related thereto, means for comparing said signals at a time instant intermediate the beginning and ending of each waveform, means responsive to said comparing means for actuating said three positioning means and said predriving means when the expiring roll is reduced to a iirst diameter, and means responsive to said sensing means for actuating said deflecting and severing' means when the expiring roll is subsequently reduced to a second, smaller diameter.

3. Apparatus for automatically splicing a running web drawn from an expiring roll to adhesive on the leading end of the web of a new roll, said apparatus comprising.. in combination, means for supporting said rolls for rotation about parallel axes, means for bodily moving said supporting means to bring said new roll to a position adjacent the running web, a predrive carriage having means thereon for rotating said new roll, means for moving said predrive carriage from a stowed position clear of the path of movement of said rolls to a position adjacent said new roll, a paster carriage having web deflecting means and web severing means thereon, means for moving said paster carriage from a stowed pos-ition clear -of the path of movement of said vrolls to a position adjacent said running web on the opposite side thereof from said new roll, first and second pairs of contact points, means for opening and closing said rst and second pairsI of points at instants when the expiring roll passes through respectively different angular positions so that the period between the opening of said first points and the closing of said second points is inversely related to the angular velocity of the expiring roll, means for creating a voltage which repetitively decays substantially exponentiallyl with time from the instants that said iirst points open, means for creating a voltage proportional in magnitude to the linear velocity of said running web, means for'` comparing said exponential and proportional voltages at the instants when said second contacts close, means controlled by said comparing means for actuating (a) said roll-support moving means, (b) said predrive carriage moving means, (c) said paster carriage moving means,

and (d) said new roll rotating means when said expononetial Voltage exceeds said proportional Voltage at an instant when said second contacts close, means for then creating a voltage which repetitively decays substantially hyperbolically with time from the instants said rst contacts close, means for then increasing the proportionally constant relating said proportional voltage to said running web velocity, means comparing said hyperbolic and increased proportional voltages at the instances said second contacts close, means controlled by said last-named comparing means for sequentially actuating said web-defleeting and web-severing means when said hyperbolic voltage exceeds said increased proportional voltage at the instant said second contacts close.

4. Apparatus for automatically splicing a running web drawn at any velocity within a range of velocities from an expiring `roll to adhesive on the leading end of the web of a new roll, said apparatus comprising, in combination, means for rotatably supporting said rolls, means for bodily moving said rolls to bring said new roll to a position adjacent said running web, a predrive carriage and means for moving it from a stowed position clear of the path of movement of said rolls and a position adjacent the periphery of said new roll, means on said predrive carriage for rotationally driving said new roll, a paster carriage and means for moving it from a stowed position clear of the path of movement of said rolls and a position adjacent said running web, means on said paster carriage for deflecting the running web against the periphery of the new troll, means on said predrive carriage for severing the web drawn from the expiring roll, means for sensing the linear velocity of said running web, means for sensing the angular velocity of said expiring roll, means responsive to said two sensing means for actuating said roll-moving means, both said carriage-moving means, and said new roll driving means when said expiring roll is reduced to a first diameter which is substantially proportional to said' web velocity, means responsive to said last-named means for modifying the input-output function of said angular velocity sensing means, and means responsive to said modified sensing means for causing said web deflecting and severing means to be actuated in sequence when said expiring roll reaches a second, smaller diameter which is independent of said web velocity.

5. In apparatus for splicing a running web drawn at different adjusted velocities from an expiring roll into a web-consuming device to an adjacent rotating new r-oll which has adhesive on the leading edge of its web, the combination comprising means for deiiecting the running web against the surface of the new roll, means responsive Ito the actuation of said deflecting means for severing the web drawn from the expiring roll, means for sensing the angular velocity of said expiring roll and producing a recurring signal having an asymmetrical waveform and a frequency which depends on said angular velocity, means for sensing the linear velocity of said running web and producing a second signal related thereto, means for comparing said signals at a time instant intermediate the beginning and ending of each waveform, and means responsive to the comparing means for actuating said defleoting means when said expiring roll is reduced to a predetermined diameter which is independent of the adjusted web velocity.

6. In apparatus for splicing a running web drawn from an expiring roll into a web-consuming device to adhesive on the leading edge of the web of a rotating new roll which is adjacent the running web, the combination comprising means for deecting the running web against the surface of the new roll, means responsive to actuation of said deflecting means for severing the web drawn from the expiring roll, first and second pairs of contact points, means for opening and closing said first and second points at instants when the expiring roll passes through rst and second angular positions, respectively, means 27 for creating a rst voltage which repetitively decays from: a fixed value substantially hyperbolically with time from the instants that said irst contact points open, means for creating a second direct voltage proportional in magnitude to the linear velocity of said running web, and means for actuating said deecting means when said rst voltage exceeds said second voltage at the instant that said second contact points close, so that the deflecting and severing -actions occur automatically when said expiring roll has been reduced to a predetermined diameter.

7. In apparatus for splicing a running web drawn from an expiring roll into a web-consuming device to adhesive on the leading edge of the web of a rotating new roll which is adjacent the running web, the combination comprising means for deecting the running web against the surface of the new roll, means responsive to actuation of said deecting means for severing the web drawn from the expiring roll, irst and second pairs of contact points, means for opening and closing said pairs of points at instants when the expiring roll passes through respectively diifercnt angular positions so that the period between the opening of the first points and the closing of the second points is inversely related to the angular velocity of the new roll, means for creating a signal which repetitively varies substantially hyperbolically with time during the periods between the opening of said rst points and the closing of said second points, said last-named means including series-connected capacitor and resistor components adapted for connection to a direct voltage source, and means connecting said rst points directly in parallel with said capacitor component, means for creating a direct voltage proportional in magnitude to the linear velocity of said running web, a current-responsive signaling device, a unidirectionally conductive device and means connecting said proportional voltage means, said signaling device, said unidirectionally conductive device, and said second points all in series across one of said components with said proportional voltage opposed in polarity to the voltage developed across said one component, and means responsive to actuation of said signaling device for actuating said web delecting means.

8. ln apparatus for splicing a running web drawn at an adjustable linear velocity from an expiring roll into a web-consuming device to a new roll which has adhesive on the leading edge of its web, the combination comprising means for moving the new roll to a position adjacent the running web, a predrive carriage and a paster carriage both shiftable between stowed and effective positions, means for sensing the angular velocity of said expiring roll and producing a recurring signal having an asymmetrical waveform and a frequency which depends on said angular velocity, means for sensing the linear velocity of said running web and producing a second signal related thereto, means for comparing said signals at a time instant intermediate the beginning and ending of each waveform, and means responsive to said comparing means for actuating said roll-moving means and shifting said carriages to their effective positions when said expiring roll is reduced to a diameter which is dependent on the adjusted linear velocity of the web.

9. 1n apparatus for splicing a running web drawn from an expiring roll into a web-consuming device to adhesive on the leading edge of the web of a new roll, the combination comprising means for rotatably supporting said rolls, means for bodily moving said rolls to bring said new roll to a position adjacent the running web, a predrive carriage and means for moving it from a stowed position clear of the path of movement of said rolls and a position adjacent the periphery of said new roll, means on said predrive carriage for rotationally driving said new roll, a paster carriage and means for moving it from a stowed position clear of the path of movement of said rolls and a position adjacent the running web, rst and second pairs of contact points, means for opening and closing said first and second points at instants when the expiring roll passes through first and second angular positions, respectively, means for creating a first voltage which repetitively decays from a tixed value substantially exponentially with time from the instants that said rst contact points open, means for creating a second direct voltage proportional in magnitude to the linear velocity of said running web, and means for actuating said roll-moving means and both said carriage-moving means when said rst voltage exceeds said second voltage at the instant that said second contact points close, so that the apparatus is readied for a splicing operation automatically when said expiring roll has been reduced to a diameter related in predetermined fashion to the linear velocity of the running web.

l0. In apparatus for splicing a running web drawn from an expiring roll into a web-consuming device to adhesive on the leading edge of the web of a rotating new roll, the combination comprising means for rotatably supporting said rolls, means for bodily moving said rolls to bring said new roll to a position adjacent the running web, a predrive carriage and means for moving it from a stowed position clear of the path of movement of said rolls to a position adjacent the periphery of said new roll, means on said predrive carriage for rotationally driving said new roll, a paster carriage and means for moving it from a stowed position to a position adjacent the running web, means on said paster carriage for deecting the running web against the surface of said new roll and then severing the expiring roll web, iirst and second pairs of contact points, means for opening and closing said pairs of points at instants when the expiring roll passes through respectively different angular positions so that the period between the opening of the iirst points and the closing of the second points is inversely proportional to the angular velocity of the new roll, means for creating a signal which repetitively varies substantially exponentially with time during the periods between the opening of said first points and the closing of said second points, said last-named means including a series-connected capacitor component and resistor component adapted for connection to a direct voltage source and means connecting said rst points directly in parallel with said capacitor component, means for creating a direct voltage proportional in magnitude to the linear velocity of said running web, a current-responsive signaling device, a unidirectionally conductive device and means connecting said proportional voltage means, said signaling device, said unidirectionally conductive device, and said second points all in series across one of said components with said proportional voltage poled oppositely to the voltage developed across said one cornponent, means responsive to the energization of said signaling device for actuating (a) said roll-moving means, (b) said predrive carriage moving means, (c) said paster carriage moving means, and (d) said new roll driving means, so that said apparatus is readied for operation of said deecting and severing means whenever the expiring roll reaches a diameter which is substantially proportional to the linear velocity of the running web.

ll. For use with a rotating web roll onto which or from which a web is being wound or unwound, the combination comprising trst and second pairs of contact points, means for opening said first and second points at instants when the roll passes through iirst and second angular positions, respectively, means for creating a irst voltage which repetitively varies substantially exponentially with time from the instants that said rst points open, means for creating a second voltage which is proportionai in magnitude to the linear velocity of said web, a signaling device, means for rst actuating said signaling device only if a certain one of said two voltages exceeds the other at an instant when said second contact points are closed thereby indicating that the roll has reached a rst diameter, and means responsive to said actuation of said signaling device for modifying said iirst voltagecreating means such that said first voltage thereafter repetitively variessubstantially hyperbolically with time from the instants that said first contact points open, whereby said signaling device will be actuated a second time by said actuating means when the roll reaches a second, predetermined diameter.

12. For use with a rotating web roll from which a web is unwound at any one of a plurality of linear velocities, apparatus for sequentially signaling `when the roll has reached (a) a iirst diameter related in p-redetermined fashion to the web velocity and (b) a second predetermined diameter independent of the web velocity, said apparatus comprising, in combination, iirst and second pairs of breaker points, means for opening and closing said first and second points at instants when the roll passes through rst and second angular positions, respectively, a first resistor and a capacitor connected in series and adapted for connection to a direct voltage source, means connecting said iirst contacts in parallel with said capacitor, means for creating a direct voltage proportional in magnitude to the linear velocity of said web, a unidirectionally conductive device, a current-responsive signaling device, means connecting said proportional voltage, said unidirectiona-lly conductive device, said second contact points, and said signaling device in series and the series combination across said iirst resistor with the proportional voltage opposed in polarity to the voltage developed across said iirst resistor and the unidirectional- 1y conductive device poled to conduct only when the voltage across said iirst resistor exceeds said proportional voltage, a second resistor, means responsive to the first energization of said signaling device for changing the time constant of said resistor-capacitor series combination and for connecting said second resistor in parallel with said capacitor so that the voltage across said first resistor decays substantially hyperbolically with time from each instant that said iirst contacts open, and means responsive to the rst energization of said signaling device for changing the proportionality factor of said velocityproportional vo-ltage.

13. Apparatus for signaling when a rotating roll upon which or from which a web is being wound or unwound has reached a predetermined diameter, said apparatus comprising, in combination, iirst and second pairs of contact points, means for opening and closing said irst and second pairs of points at instants when the roll passes through respectively different angular positions so that the period between the opening of the first points and the closure of said second points is inversely related 'to the angular velocity of the roll, means for creating a voltage which repetitively varies in magnitude substantially hyperbolically with time from the instants that said first points open, means for creating a voltage proportional in magnitude to the linear velocity of said web, a signaling device, and means for actuating said signaling device when a particular one of said two voltages exceeds the other at the instants that said second contact points close.

14. Apparatus for signaling when a rotating roll upon which or from which a web is being wound or unwound has reached a predetermined diameter, said apparatus comprising, in combination, first and second pairs of contact points, means for opening and closing said rst and second pairs of points at instants when the roll passes through respectively different angular positions so that the period between the opening of the iirst points and the closure of said second points is inversely related to the angular velocity of the roll, means for creating a voltage which repetitively varies in magnitude substantially hyperbolically with time from the instants that said iirst points open, means for creating a voltage proportional in magnitude to the linear velocity of said web, a current responsive signaling device, a unidirectionally conductive device, and means connecting in series relation said hyperbolically varying voltage, said proportional voltage,

said unidirectionally conductive device, and Said signaling device, the said two voltages being oppositely poled.

15. Apparatus for signaling when a rotating roll upon which or from which a web is being wound or unwound has -reached a predetermined diameter regardless of the web velocity; said apparatus comprising, in combination, rst and second pairs of contact points, means for opening and closing said pairs of points at instants when the roll passes through respectively different angular positions so that the period between the opening of the first pair of points and the closing of the second pair of points is inversely related to the angular velocity of the roll; means for creating a voltage which varies substantially hyperbolically with time during the periods between the opening of said rst pair of contacts and the closing of said second pair of contacts; said last-named means including a series-connected capacitor component and a resistor component adapted for connection to a direct voltage source, and means connecting said first pair of points directly in parallel with said capacitor component so that said hyperbolically varying voltage is developed across one of said components, means for creating a direct voltage proportional in magnitude to the linear velocity of said web, a current-responsive signaling device, a unidirectionally conductive device, and means connecting said proportional voltage means, said unidirectionally conductive device, said signaling device, and said second contacts all in series across said one component with said proportional voltage poled oppositely to the voltage developed across said one component.

16. Apparatus for signaling when a rotating roll from which a web is being unwound reaches a predetermined diameter regardless of the linear speed of the web, said apparatus comprising, in combination, first and second pairs of contact points, means for opening and closing said pairs of points at instants when the roll passes through respectively different angular positions so that the period between the opening of said first points and the closing of said second points is inversely related to the angular velocity of the roll, means for creating a voltage which repetitively decays from a predetermined value in substantially hyperbolic relation with time from the instants that said first points open, means for creating a voltage proportional in magnitude to the linear velocity of said web, a signaling device, and means for actuating said signaling device when said hyperbolic voltage eX- ceeds said proportional Voltage at the instant said second contact points close.

17. Apparatus for signaling the reduction of an expiring web roll to a predetermined diameter, said roll being rotated as the web is drawn therefrom, said apparatus comprising, in combination, lirst and second pairs of contact points, means for closing and opening said pairs of points as the roll passes through respectively different angular positions during each revolution of said roll, means for creating a voltage which varies substantially hyperbolically with time during the periods between the opening of said first pair of contacts and the closing of said second pair of contacts; said last-named means including a circuit including a capacitor component and a resistor component in series and adapted for connection to a direct voltage source, and means connecting said iirst pair of points in parallel with said capacitor component so that said hyperbolically varying voltage appears across one of said components, means creating a direct voltage which is proportional to the linear velocity of the web, a current-responsive signaling device, a unidirectionally conductive device, and means for connecting said signaling device, said unidirectionally conductive device, said proportional voltage and said second pair of contacts in series across said one component with said proportional voltage poled oppositely to the voltage developed across said one component.

18. Apparatus for signaling the reduction of an expiring web roll to a predetermined diameter, said roll being

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