US3611856A

US3611856A - Web cutter

Info

Publication number: US3611856A
Authority: US
Inventors: Larry L Adair
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1969-10-10
Filing date: 1969-10-10
Publication date: 1971-10-12
Anticipated expiration: 1988-10-12

Abstract

A web cutter adapted to automatically cut a web of material into web portions, each web portion having a predetermined length and width, and simultaneously adapted to cut strip portions, each strip portion having a predetermined width.

Description

Larry L. Adair [56] References Cited 61 l W. 3rd, Edmond, Okla. 73034 UNITED STATES PATENTS 865362 1,337,458 4/1920 Lamb......... PM (M1969 1340137 5/1920 Pfister Patented Oct. 12 1971 2,581,937 1/1952 Secrest 3,165,959 1/1965 Edison... 3,203,291 8/1965 Elsas........ 3,207,019 9/1965 Vanzoet FOREIGN PATENTS 237,413 12/1964 Austria........... 577,398 5/1933 Gcrmany......................

Primary Examiner-William S. Lawson Claims 6 Drawing Flgs' Att0rneyDunlap, Laney, Hessin & Dougherty United States Patent [72] Inventor [54] WEBCUTTER ABSTRACT: A web cutter adapted to automatically cut a web of material into web portions, each web portion having a 83/107, predetermined length and width, and simultaneously adapted to cut strip portions, each strip portion having a predetermined width.

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PATENTEU um I 2 \sn SHEET 2 BF 4 1'. Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to improvements in web cutters,'and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to

a web cutter adapted to automatically cut the web into web portionshaving predetermined sizes.

2. Description ofthePrior- Art There are many applications invarious industries requiring various portions of aweb of material, which have been cutto a predetermined size. In the past, these cutting operations were usually accomplished by hand, which was a timeand laborconsuming operation.

There have been proposed various table units adapted to aid the operator in cutting web portions .to a predetermined length andwidth. However, these units still required various hand operations to be performed by the operator in cutting the material. One of the problems encountered with providing a machine for automatically, cutting a web into'portions of a predeterminedsizehas been that the web is flexible and not easily adapted to such automatic-type procedures.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention contemplates a web cutter for cutting a web of material into web portions of a predetermined size, comprising a support table, having a front portion, a rear portion, a top portion, and opposite side portions. A feed roller device is disposed adjacent the front portion of the table, and is adapted to feed the webof material a distance across the top portion of the table in avdirection generally from the front portion toward the, rear portion of the table. A web-advancing device disposed adjacent the top of the table is adapted to engage the web of material being fed from the feed roller device and advance the web of material a distance across the top of the table in a direction extending generally from the front portion toward the rearportion thereof when the web-advancing device is actuated. Asensing device is disposed near the rear portion of the table to sense the web of material after a predetermined length thereof has been advanced across the top of the table by theweb-advancing device. A transverse cutter device is movably supported on the top portion of the table, generally adjacent the feed roller device, and is adapted to cuttingly engage a portion of the web of material and to sever the web of material across a portion thereof, thereby cutting theweb of material into a portion of predetermined length when the transversecutter device is actuated. A control unit is connected to the sensing device, the web-advancing device, and the transverse cutter device, and is adapted such that when the sensing device senses the web of material, the web-advancing device is deactivated and the transverse cutter device is actuated.

An object of the invention is to provide a web cutter adapted to cut web portions of a predetermined size automatically.

Another object of the invention is to provide a web cutter adapted to cut web portions of a more uniform size automatically.

One other object of the invention isto provide a web cutter, adapted to cut a web portion of a particular length and width, and simultaneously to cut a web portion of a particular width.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a web cutter which is economicalin construction and operation.

Other objects and, advantages of the invention will be evident from the following detaileddescription when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate the preferred embodiment of the invention.

BRIEF DESQRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a pictorial view=ofa web cutter.

FIG. 2 is an exploded pictorialsview of some of the components of theweb cutter of FIG. I, illustrating-the basic orientation and interconnection of those components.

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatical view of a portion of the control circuit for the web cutter of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a pictorial view of a portion of the transverse cutter assembly of the web cutter of FIG. I. I

FIG. 5 is a partial elevational, partial sectional view of the material sensing assembly of the web cutter of FIG. 1. I

FIG. 6 is a pictorial view of the support for the feed rollers of the web cutter of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT:

REferring to the drawings in detail and to FIG. I, in particular, shown therein and designated by the general reference character 10 is a web cutter basically supported by a table 12 having a front portion 14, a rear portion 16, opposite sideportions 18 and 20, a top 22, and a plurality of supporting legs 24.

In general, the web cutter 10 is constructed and adapted such that a web of material 26, which is automatically fed through the web cutter 10, is automatically cut to a predetermined length and width. The web of material 26 is fed through a pair of cutter guide rollers 28, across a longitudinal cutter as sembly 30 and through a pair of

feed rollers

32 and 33. As the web 26 passes across the cutter assembly 30, the web 26 is cuttingly engaged by a plurality of disc cutters 34, whichcut the web 26 longitudinally into web portions having a predetermined width.

A web portion 36 of the web 26 is advanced to a strip roller assembly 38, where that portion is rolled about a shaft 40,and

retained thereabout. A web portion 42, and a web portion 43 is advanced across the top 22 of the table 12 by a pluralityof web-advancing belts 44. The web-advancing belts 44 advance the portion 42 of the web 26 across the top 22 of the table 12 to a position wherein a leading edge 46 of the web portion 42 actuates a photo sensing assembly 48. The photosensing as sembly 48 is adjustably positioned and adapted to sense the leading edge 46 of the web portion 42 after a predetennined length of material has been advanced across the top 22 of the table 12. The photosensing assembly 48 is electrically'connected in a control circuit, shown in FIG. 3, such that upon actuation thereof the

feed rollers

32 and 33 and the web-advancing belts 44 are deactuated, and a transverse cutter assembly 50 is actuated, thereby causing the

web portions

42 and 43 to be transversely cut to a predetermined length. Thus, the web cutter 10, shown in FIG. I, automatically produces aweb portion 46, which has been cut to a predetermined length. and width, and a strip portion 36 which has been cut to a predetermined width. The web portion 43, in one form, is excess material and compensates for initial misalignment of the web 26. It is apparent that this web portion 43 may also have certain applications in subsequent operations.

Referring more particularly to the web cutter 10, as shown in FIG. 1, a pair of support arms 52 are secured to the front portion 14 of the table 12, and each arm 52 extends generally perpendicularly therefrom, adjacent the top portion 22 thereof. One support arm 52 is disposed adjacent the side 18 of the table 12 and the other support arm 52 is disposed adjacent the side 20 of the table 12. A support channel .54 is secured to the outermost end of each support arm 52.

Each cutter guide roller 28 is basically cylindrically shaped, and has a shaft portion 56 extending from each end thereof. Each guide roller 28 is supported generally between. the support channels 54 by a plurality of journal support bearings 58. Each support bearing 58 is secured to one of the channels 54, and each support bearing 58 is sized and disposed to journally engage a portion of one of the shafts 56, such that each guide roller 28 freely rotates in a horizontal plane. between the channels 54.

It should be noted that the journal support bearings 58 are disposed to cooperate and support the guide rollers 28 in an aligned vertical plane, spaced a-vertical distance apart. The vertical spacing between the guide rollers 28 is sized to allow the web of material 26 to pass freely therebetween, and is therefore dependent upon the thickness of the particularweb of material 26. The vertical and horizontal orientation of the guide rollers 28 is such that the guide rollers 28 will cooperate with the

feed rollers

32 and 33 to guide the web of material 26 across the longitudinal cutter assembly 30, thereby cutting the web 26 longitudinally into the

web portions

42 and 43 having predetermined widths, as will be described in more detail below. The longitudinal cutter assembly 30 is journally supported between the support arms 52, and disposed generally between the

feed rollers

32 and 33 and the guide rollers 28. The longitudinal cutter assembly 30 basically includes a cutter shaft 60, having a plurality of the disc-shaped cutters 34 secured thereon.

The cutter shaft 60 is sized such that each opposite end portion thereof extends through one of the support arms 52, respectively, and each is joumally supported therein by a journal support bearing 62. Each journal support bearing 62 is secured to one of the support arms 52 and the support bearings 62 are sized and disposed such that the cutter shaft 60 lies in a vertical plane which is substantially parallel to the vertical plane of the guide rollers 28. Depending on the size of the particular web cutter 10, it may be desirable to locate an additional support bearing at some intermediate portion of the cutter shaft 60. Such an intermediate support bearing is shown in FIG. 1 and designated by the reference numeral 64.

Each disc cutter 34 is adjustably disposed on the cutter shaft 60, such that the location thereof in a vertical plane may be selectively altered thereby changing the width of the cut web portions. Each disc cutter 34 is adapted to be secured to the cutter shaft 60, after having been positioned thereon, by such means as, for example, a setscrew which extends through a portion of the disc cutter 34 and engages the shafts 60. Although only two disc cutters 34 are shown in FIG. 1, it should be noted that additional disc cutters may be secured about the cutter shaft 60, each being sized and disposed to cut the web of material 26 into predetermined widths.

As shown more clearly in FIG. 2, a pulley wheel 66 is secured to the outermost end portion of one end of the cutter shaft 60. The pulley wheel 66 is sized and disposed to cooperate with a belt 68, a pulley wheel 70 and the motor 72. The belt 68 is sized to cooperate with the

pulley wheels

66 and 70 to provide the interconnection between the motor 72 and the cutter shaft 60, in a manner well known in the art, so that the motor 72 drivingly rotates the cutter shaft 60. In a particular size of the web cutter 10, for example, it has been found that a 'aQ-IIOI'StiPOWfiI', 1,800 rpm, motor is suitable for driving the cutter shaft 60.

A post 74 is secured to each support arm 52, and each post 74 extends a distance vertically upward from the respective support arm 52. Each post 74 is sized and adapted such that the

feed rollers

32 and 33 are joumally supported therebetween, and such that the

feed rollers

32 and 33 lie in substantially the same vertical plane, an upper feed roller 32 being disposed directly above the lower feed roller 33.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 6, each

feed roller

32 and 33 is basically cylindrically shaped and has a shaft portion 76 extending axially from each end thereof. Each shaft portion 76 of the lower feed roller 33 is sized to extend through a journal support bearing 78, which is securedly disposed in a lower portion of each post 74. As shown more clearly in FIG. 1, a sprocket 80 is secured on the outermost end portion of one of the shaft portions 76 of the lower feed roller 33, for reasons which will be made more apparent below.

The shaft portions 76 of the upper feed roller 32 are sized to extend through a slot 82 formed in each post 74, and are journally supported therein, in a manner to be more fully described below.

As shown more clearly in FIGS. 1 and 6, an adjustable screw 84 extends through the top portion of each post 74, and a bias plate 86 is secured to the lowermost end of each adjustable screw 84. Each bias plate 86 is sized to slidingly extend in the respective slot 82, and is adapted to cooperate with the respective adjustable screw 84, such that as one of the screws 84 is turned in one direction, the interconnected bias plate 84 slidingly extends in the slot 82 in a direction generally away from or toward one of the shaft portions 76, depending on direction of rotation of the adjustable screw 84.

One end of a spring 88 is secured to one end of each bias plate 86, and each spring 88 is sized such that the opposite end thereof engages a bearing plate 90, one bearing plate 90 being disposed in each slot 82. Each bearing plate 90 is sized and disposed to engage a portion of one of the shaft portions 76 of the upper feed roller 32, thereby cooperating with a portion of each slot 82 to support the upper feed roller 32 between the posts 74.

As mentioned before, the upper and

lower feed rollers

32 and 33 are aligned in a vertical plane, and in a preferred form and, as shown more clearly in FIG. 6, the slots 82 in each post 74 are disposed to support the upper feed roller 32 above the lower feed rollers 33, such that there exists a negligible vertical spacing therebetween. As the web of material 26 passes between the two

feed rollers

32 and 33, the web 26 will tend to move the upper feed roller 32 in a direction vertically away from the lower feed roller 33 and against the biasing force of the spring 88. The exact vertical distance will of course de pend upon the thickness of the particular web of material being fed through the web cutter 10. The springs 88 therefore function to bias the upper feed roller 32 into a gripping engagement with the web 26, and yet allow webs of varying thicknesses to be fed therebetween.

A pulley 89 is secured on the outer most end of one of the shaft portions 76 of the lower feed roller 33, opposite the sprocket 80 end thereof. The pulley 89 is sized to cooperate with belt 91 and another pulley 93 to rotatingly drive the shaft 40. Therefore, the shaft 40 will be rotated following the rotational movement of the lower feed roller 33. The shaft 40 is supported above the

feed rollers

32 and 33 by a journal support bearing 95.

An elongated slot 92 extends through the top 22 of the table 12, generally between the sides 18 and 20 thereof. The slot 92 is sized and disposed to cooperate with the transverse cutter assembly 50, in the manner which will be described below. As shown more clearly in FIGS. 4 and 6, the transverse cutter assembly 50 basically comprises a disc-shaped cutter 94, powered by motor 96 supported on a plate 98.

One end of a flange is secured to one side of the plate 98, and the flange 100 extends perpendicularly from the plate 98 in a generally downward direction therefrom. The flange 100 is sized and disposed to extend through the slot 92 in the top 22 of the table 12, for reasons which will be made more apparent below.

A vertically elongated aperture 102 extends through a portion of the flange 100. The aperture 102 is sized to receive slidingly and interconnectedly a cylindrically shaped rod 104. One end of the rod 104 is secured to chain 106, and cooperates therewith to drive the disc cutter 94 transversely across the

web portions

42 and 43, in a manner to be made more apparent below.

The chain 106 is interconnected about a pair of

drive sprockets

108 and 110. The sprocket 108, as shown more clearly in FIG. 2, is secured on one end of a shaft 112. The shaft 112 is rotatingly supported by a pair of journal support bearings 114, which are secured to adjacent portions of the table 12. The sprocket is secured on one end of the shaft 116. The shaft 116 is rotatingly supported by a pair of journal support bearings 118, which are secured to adjacent portions of the table 12.

A sprocket 120 is secured on the other end of shaft 116 from the sprocket 110. The sprocket 120 is sized to cooperate with a chain 122 and a sprocket 124 to rotatingly drive the shaft 116 in a manner to be more fully described below.

A motor 126 rotatingly drives the sprocket 124 through a gear reducer 128, the sprocket 124 being directly connected to the gear reducer 128. It is apparent from the foregoing that the motor 126 rotatingly drives the shaft 116 via the abovedescribed, interconnection therebetween. The shaft 26 in turn drives the chain 106 about the sprockets 108 and 1 10, thereby moving the plate 98, the motor 96 and the cutter 94 across the top 22 of the table 12. In a particular application of the web cutter 10, for example, it has been found that a xii-horsepower, 1,800 r.p.m., motor is suitable for driving the transverse cutter assembly 50. In this application, it has been found desirable to use a gear reducer having a ratio of approximately 25 to 1 It is apparent from the foregoing, that as the chain 106 moves about the

sprockets

108 and 110, the rod 104 will change vertical and horizontal orientation. The interconnection between the rod 104 and the elongated slot 102 in the flange 100, cooperates to maintain an interconnecting engagement between the flange 100 and the rod 104 as the chain 106 is so driven. It should be noted, that the cutter drive motor 126 is electrically connected to a control circuit, in a manner to be more fully described below.

As shown more clearly in FIG. 4, a pair of opaque shutters 130 are secured to the chain 106 and each shutter 130 extends generally perpendicularly therefrom. The shutters 130 may be constructed of any rigid-type material, which is adapted such that it is opaque to light.

The shutters 130 are sized and disposed on the chain 106 to cooperate with a light-producing source 132 and a cutter sensor 134, both of which are secured to the table 12. The light source 132 and the cutter photosensor 134 are disposed on opposite sides of the chain 106. The shutters 130 are disposed on the chain 106 such that they are 180 out of phase, more particularly the shutters 130 are disposed such that as the cutter assembly 50 completes one pass transversely across the top 22 of the table 12 in one direction, one of the shutters 130 is momentarily disposed between the light source 132 and the cutter photosensor 134, thereby blocking the light available to the cutter photosensor 134. It is therefore apparent that as the transverse cutter assembly 50 makes a pass across the top 22 of the table 12 in the opposite direction, that the other shutter 130 will be momentarily disposed between the light source 132 and the cutter photosensor 134. The cutter photosensor 134 is electrically connected to a control circuit, in a manner which will be more fully described below.

As shown more clearly in FIG. 4, each shutter 130 is sized to extend a distance 135 beyond the lower most end portion of the flange 100, and the light source 132 and the cutter photosensor 134 are disposed to lie in a horizontal plane below the lowermost end of the flange 100. The flange 100 will therefore never be interposed between the light source 132 and the cutter photosensor 134 during the operation of the cutter assembly 10.

It should also be noted that in a preferred form the cutter assembly 50 should be placed in as close a proximity as possible to the

feed rollers

32 and 33. In this manner, the web holding feature of the feed roller 32 may be utilized to more securely position the web of material as it is being cut by the cutter assembly 50.

Each of the web-advancing belts 44 is disposed about a pair of pulleys 136, as shown more clearly in FIG. 2. Each of the pulleys 136 is secured to a

belt drive shaft

138 or 140. The belt drive shaft 138 is journally supported by a pair of support bearings 142. The support bearings 142 are secured to the table 12 generally adjacent the rear portion 16 thereof. A portion of one end of the shaft 138 is sized to extend beyond the adjacent support bearing 142, and to receive a sprocket 144 in secured affixture.

The sprocket 144 is rotatingly driven by a motor 146, via an interconnection therebetween provided by a gear reducer 148, a sprocket 150, an a chain 152. Thus the motor 146 rotatingly drives the belt shaft 138. In a particular application of the web cutter 10, for example, it has been found that a &- horsepower, 1,800 r.p.m., motor is suitable for driving the belt shaft 138. In this application, it has been found desirable to use a gear reducer having a ratio of 400 to 1.

As the belt drive shaft 138 is rotated, the pulleys 136 secured thereon are rotated, thereby moving the belts 44 thereabout and in a direction 154 generally across the top 22 of the table 12, and toward the rear portion 16 thereof.

Since each belt 44 is also extended about one of the pulleys 136 secured on the drive shaft 140, it is apparent that as the belts 44 are driven by rotation of the shaft 138, the engagement between each belt 44 and one of the pulleys 136 on the shaft will cause the shaft 140 to rotate following the rotational movement of shaft 138.

The shaft 138 is journally supported at the opposite ends thereof by a pair of journal support bearings 156. Each journal support bearing 156 is secured to the table 12, generally near the front portion 14 thereof. One end portion of the shaft 140 is sized to extend beyond the respective journal bearing 156, and beyond the side portion 18 of the table 12. A sprocket 158 is secured to the outermost end of the shaft 140 extending beyond the side 18 of the table 12.

The sprocket 158 is sized to cooperate with a chain 160 and the sprocket 80 to drive the lower feed roller 33, following the rotational movement of the belt drive shaft-140. In a preferred form, the sprockets 158 and 80 are sizedsuch that the rotational speed of the feed roller 32 is slightly less than the rotational speed of the drive shaft 140. In this form, the belts 44 move at a speed slightly faster than the output of the

feed rollers

32 and 33 to maintain the web of material essentially tight and wrinkle free.

As shown more clearly in FIG. 1, a plurality of apertures 162 are formed through the top 22 of the table 12. The apertures 162 are each sized and spaced to receive a portion of one of the pulleys 136 on the

belt drive shaft

138 or 140. Thus, as shown in FIG. 1, the upper portion of each belt 44 slidingly extends across the top 22 of the table 12, generally between the front portion 14 and the rear portion 16 thereof.

As shown more clearly in FIGS. 2 and 5, the material sensing assembly 48 basically comprises a sled 164, which is sized to fit in sliding relationship within an elongated channel 166. The elongated channel 166 is secured to the underside of the table 12, opposite the top portion 22 thereof. A material photo sensor 168 and one end of an arm 170 are secured to the sled 164. The arm 170 extends generally perpendicularly from the sled 164, and includes a bowed portion 172 at a central position thereof.

The arm 170 is sized to fit without interference through an elongated slot 174 formed through the top 22 of the table 12. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the elongated slot 174 extends a distance across the top 22 of the table 12 in a direction extending generally from the front portion 14 toward the rear' portion 16 of the table 12, and in alignment with the channel 166. A light-producing source 176 is secured to the upper end of the arm 170, opposite the end thereof secured to the sled 164. The light source 176 is disposed to cooperate with the material photosensor 168 in a manner to be more fully described below.

A pair of pulleys 178 are rotatingly secured in the channel 166, the pulleys 178 being disposed at opposite ends of the channel 166. A wire 180 extends about the pulleys 178 and a portion of the wire is secured to a hook 182, which is secured on the sled 164. One of the pulleys 178 is connected to one end of an elongated rod 184, which is sized to extend beyond the side portion 18 of the table 12. A handle 186 is secured to the end of the rod 184 opposite the end thereof connected to one of the pulleys 178.

It is apparent from the foregoing, that by turning the handle 186, the rod 184 and therefore the interconnected pulley 178 is rotated. The rotation of one of the pulleys 178 moves the interconnecting wire 180 about the pulleys 178, thereby moving the sled 164 in one direction within the channel 166. The direction which the sled 164 will be moved in the channel 166 will of course depend upon the direction of rotation imposed on the shaft 184. Depending on the direction of rotation of the shaft 184, the light-producing source 176 and the material photosensor 168 will be moved in a direction generally toward the front portion 14 or the rear portion 16 of the table 12, the arm 170 traveling generally within the slot174 in the top 22 of the table 12, for reasons which will be made more apparent below.

The

motors

72 and 96 are directly connected to a power supply, and are therefore placed in an on or off condition by merely actuating the main power switch to the web cutter 10. The cutter motor 126, the belt motor 146, the cutter sensor 134 and the material sensor 168 are electrically connected to a control circuit, as shown in FIG. 3. The actuation of the main power switch actuates the control circuit.

The power input to the belt motor 146 is shown in FIG. 3 and designated therein as the belt drive outlet." As shown in FIG. 3, a pair of normally open contacts 188 are electrically interposed between the motor 148 and the power supply. The contacts 188 are electrically operated by a coil 190.

The coil 190 is electrically connected in series to the power input to the control circuit and to a silicon controlled rectifier 192. It is apparent from the foregoing, that when the silicon controlled rectifier 192 is fired, current will be conducted through the coil 190, thereby closing the contacts 188 and starting the belt motor 146.

The power input to the cutter motor 120 is shown in FIG. 3 and designated therein as the cutter drive outlet. As shown in FIG. 3, a pair of normally open contacts 194 are electrically interposed between the cutter motor 120 and the power supply therefor. The contacts 194 are electrically operated by a coil 196 in series with a silicon controlled rectifier 198. Thus, the firing of rectifier 198, energizes the coil 196, closing the contacts 194 and starting the cutter motor 120.

The material sensor 168 is electrically connected to a power supply through a resistor 200 and a variable resistor 202. The material sensor 168 and the

resistors

200 and 202 therefore comprise what is commonly known as a voltage divider circuit. The cutter sensor 134 is connected to a power supply through a resistor 204 and a variable resistor 206. The material sensor 134 and the

resistor

204 and 206 also comprises what is known as a voltage divider circuit.

The electrical interconnection between the material sensor 168, the cutter sensor 134 and the

coils

190 and 196, respec tively, consists of a plurality of gate circuits designated in FIG. 3 as G1 through G13. The gate circuits G1-G13, as shown in FIG. 3, are of the type known in the art as NOR gates, and are commercially available from such manufacturer as Signetics Corporation of Sunnyvale, California.

Gate circuits of this type have what is commonly referred to as two inputs and a single output, and the electrical equivalent of such a gate circuit is two normally closed contacts in series. The truth table for such a gate circuit is basically as follows: with no signal voltage applied to either input of a particular gate, a voltage will exist at the output of that gate; with a signal voltage applied to one input and no signal voltage applied to the other input, the output of the particular gate will essentially be zero volts; and with an input signal voltage applied to both inputs of a particular gate, the output voltage will also be essentially zero volt.

The truth table generally described above for a typical NOR gate is commonly summarized as follows:

TABLE I Input Input Output Both inputs of G1 are electrically paralleled and connected to the voltage divider circuit between the material sensor 168 and the resistor 200. Both inputs of G11 are paralleled and connected to the voltage divider circuit between the cutter sensor 134 and the resistor 204. The output of G6 is connected to the silicon-controlled rectifier 192, and the output of G13 is electrically connected to the silicon-controlled rectifier 198. It is apparent from the foregoing, that when the input conditions to G6 are such that an output voltage is produced, the silicon-controlled rectifier 192 will be fired, thereby energizing the coil 190. It is also apparent, when the input conditions to G13 are such that an output voltage results, that the silicon-controlled rectifier 198 will be fired thereby energizing the coil 196. The gate circuits Gl-Gl3 are electrically interconnected in accordance with the following table:

TABLE II ELECTRICAL CONNECTION OF THE GATE Circuits G1-Gl3 G1-Both inputs are parallel and connected to the voltage divider circuit, between the material sensor and the resistor 200. The output is connected to one of the inputs of G3, to both of the inputs ofG2, and to one of the inputs of G5.

G2Both inputs are parallel and connected to the output of G1. The output is connected to one of the inputs of G4. G3One of the inputs is connected to the output of G1 and the other input is electrically connected to the output of G5. The output is connected to one of the inputs of G6.

G4--One of the inputs is connected to the output of G2 and the other input is connected to the output of G5. The output is connected to one of the inputs of G7.

G5One of the inputs is connected to the output of G1 and the other input is connected to the output of G9. The output is connected to one of the inputs of G3, one of the inputs of G4, and to one of the inputs of G9.

G6One of the inputs is connected to the output of G3, and the other input is connected to the output of G7. The output is connected to the silicon-controlled rectifier 192, and to one of the inputs ofG7.

G7-One of the inputs is connected to the output of G6 and the other input is connected to the output of G4. The output is connected to one of the inputs G6 and to both inputs of G8.

G8Both inputs are parallel and connected to the output of G7. The output is connected to one of the inputs ofG13. G9-One of the inputs is connected to the output of G5 and the other input is connected to the output of G10. The output is connected to both inputs of G12 and to one of the inputs ofGS.

GlO-Both inputs are parallel and connected to the output of G11. The output is connected to one of the inputs of G9.

G1 1-Both inputs are parallel and connected to the voltage divider circuit, between the cutter sensor 134 and resistor 204. The output is connected to both inputs of G10.

G12-Both inputs are parallel and connected to the output of G9. The output is connected to one of the inputs of G13.

G13-One of the inputs is connected to the output of G8 and the other input is connected to the output of G12. The output is connected to the silicon controlled rectifier 198.

OPERATION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT As briefly mentioned before, the web cutter 10 is adapted to cut a web of material automatically simultaneously into a strip portion 36 of a certain width, and to cut a portion 42 into a section having a predetermined width and length. One particular application for the web cutter 10 would be in an industry such as, for example, the mattress-manufacturing industry. In the production of mattresses it is necessary to take a web of material produced from a quilting machine, and to subsequently cut the webinto sections of a predetermined length and width. These sections are sized to encompass, and subsequently are secured over, an upper and lower portion of the particular mattress being produced. It is also necessary cut the web into a strip having a predetermined width. The strip is subsequently used to encompass the outer side periphery of the mattress. The side strip being ultimately secured to the upper and lower web portions and cooperating therewith to encompass the mattress arid .to provide the outer cover therefor.

Referring more particularly to the web cutter 10, the leading edge of the web is material 26 is initially inserted between the guide rollers 28, over the longitudinal cutter assembly 30 and between the feed rollers 32 an 33. In this position, the adjacent portions of the web 26 are in engagement with a portion of each disc cutter 34.

The main power supply is then actuated, thereby energizing the control circuit (shown in FIG- 3), starting the motor 72 and the motor 96. At this point in the operation of the web cutter 10, no material has been carriedonto the top 22 of the table 12. Therefore, light from the light source 178 will act directly on the material sensorl68.

The material sensor 168 is adapted to such that when light is directly applied theretothe electrical resistance of the material sensor 168 in the control circuit, as shown in FIG. 3, is lowered. It is apparent from FIG. 3, that when the resistance of the material sensor .l'68is lowered, the input signal voltage to G1 will be essentially zero.

At this point in the operation of the web cutter 10, light is directly applied to the cutter sensor 134 from the light source 132, since neither shutter 130 is interposed directly between the light source l32the cutter 134. The cutter sensor 134 is also adapted such that when light is directly applied thereto,

the electrical. resistance of the cutter sensor 134 in the control circuit, as shown in FIG. .3, is lowered. Therefore, the input signal voltage to G11 will also be essentially zero. Sensors and light-producing sources which will function in the above described manner are commercially available from such manufacturer as Power Instruments, Inc. of Skokie, Illinois, and therefore no further description is required herein.

With the cutter sensor 168 an the material sensor 134 in the above-described state, the electrical state of the inputs and outputs of the various gate circuits Gl through G13 may best be illustrated by the following table II. The input and output conditions are described-in the following table II using the 0" and l nomenclature, as described'before.

TABLE II Input Input Output It is apparent from the..above.table II, that there is a zero voltage output forthe'gatecircuit G13, thus the coil 196 will not be energized and the cutter drive motor 126 will be in an off or inoperative state. There will however be an-output voltage for the gate circuit G6, which willact to fire the silicon controlled rectifier 192, thereby energizing the coil 190, closing the contacts 188 in the belt drive outlet circuit. Theclosing of the contacts 188 will start the belt motor 146.

The belt motor 146 which is connected to drive the shaft 138, will rotate the belts 44 in a general direction 154 across the top 22 of the table 12. The shaft is rotatingly driven by the belts 44, and the lower feed roller 33 is rotatingly driven by the interconnection of the

sprockets

76 and 158 and the chain disposed thereabout, following the rotational movement of the shaft 140.

The

feed rollers

32 and 33 will therefore engage the web of material interposed therebetween and pull the web of material in a direction generally toward the rear portion 16 of the table 12. Since the cutter motor 72 is in the operating or on".position, the cutters 34 are rotatingabout the shaft 60. It is apparent from the foregoing that as the web.26 is pulled by the

feed rollers

32 and 33 across the longitudinal cutter assembly 30, that the web 26 will be longitudinally. cut by the cutters at predetermined intervals. With the cutters 34 basically disposed on the cutter shaft 60,as shown in FIGS. 1 and2, the material discharged from the

feed rollers

32 and 32 will basically comprise a strip portion 36 and two other portions .42 and 43.

One end of the strip portion 36 is secured about the shaft 40, immediately subsequent to being discharged from the

feed rollers

32 and 33. Since the rotation of the shaft 40- allows the rotation of the lower feed roller 33, due to the interconnection therebetween, it is apparent that the strip portion 36 will be generally wound about the shaft 40 as it is discharged from the

feed rollers

32 and 33.

The leading edge 46 of the

portions

42 and 43 will be discharged from the

feed rollers

32 and 33 and initially engage the belts 44, at a portion thereof generally adjacent the front 14 of the table 12. The

portions

42 and 43 of the web of material will be advanced in a direction 154 across the top22 of the table 12 by the web advancing belts 44, to aposition wherein the leading edge 46 is disposedgenerally within the bowed portion 172 of the arm and thus, a portion of the web of material is interdisposed between the light source 176 and the material sensor 168.

With the leading edge-46 of the web in position described above, the electrical resistance of the material sensor .168will be increased. It is apparent from FIG. 3, that an increase in the resistance of the material sensor 168 will result in a larger voltage drop across the material sensor 168. Therefore, the input signal voltage to G1 can be defined as I." With the web of material advanced to this position, the electrical state of the inputs and outputs of the various gate circuits Gl through'Gl3 may best be illustrated by the following table III, the electrical states being described in a manner similar-to table I].

TABLE III Input Input Outpul It isapparent from theabove table III,.that there is a zero voltage-output for the:gate-.circuit G6,-thus;the coil will -notbe energized and the belt drive motor l46.will.be placed in lll an operative or off state. There will, however, be a voltage output for the gate circuit G13. Therefore, the silicon controlled rectifier 196 will be fired, energizing the coil 196 and closing the contacts 194 in the cutter drive outlet circuit, thereby to start the cutter drive motor ll26.

The cutter motor 126 will drive the plate 98 and the motor 96 and the cutter blade 94 supported thereon transversely across the top 22 of the table 12, and generally between the side portions 18 and 20 thereof. The cutter blade 94 will cuttingly engage the portion of the

web portions

42 and 43 directly thereunder, thereby cutting the

web portions

42 and 43 to a predetermined length.

The particular length at which the

web portions

42 and 43 are cut by the cutter blade 94 is therefore determined by the setting of the photo sensing assembly 48 in the slot 92. This setting is adjustable by turning the handle 186 such that webs of various predetermined lengths may be produced using the same web cutter 10.

When the transverse cutter assembly 50 has made one pass across the top 22 of the table 12, one of the shutters 130 will be interdisposed between the light source 132 and the cutter sensor 134. The electrical resistance of the cutter sensor 134 will be increased, thereby producing an increased voltage drop thereacross. The increased voltage drop across the cutter sensor 134 will result in a signal input voltage to the gate circuit G1 I. At this point in the operation of the web cutter 10, the electrical state of the control circuit (shown in FIG. 3) may be illustrated by the following table IV.

TABLE lV Input Input Output It is apparent from the foregoing Table IV that there will be essentially a zero voltage output from G13, and an essentially zero voltage output from G6. There fore, the cutter drive motor 126 will be placed in the off' condition and the belt driye r notor I46 will main in the off condition. 50

The chain 106 is sized to cooperate with the

sprockets

108 and 110, and the shutters 130 are so disposed on the chain 106, that the shutter 130 will drift past an interposing position between the light source 130 and the cutter sensor 132. Therefore, the light source 130 will once again direct light to the cutter sensor 134, and assuming the cut material has been removed from the table 12, the control circuit (shown in FIG. 3) will be placed in the initial operating position, illustrated in table I.

The cycle of operation described above is then repeated a number of times, until a predetermined number of web portions of a particular width and length have been produced. At any time during the cycle of operation, the main power supply for the web cutter 10 may be turned off" and the strip portion 36 which is retained about the shaft 40 of the strip roller assembly 38, may be removed.

It is apparent from the foregoing that the control circuit described before for the web cutter 10 could be completely or partially pneumatic, or constructed in accordance with fluidic principals. The description of interconnection and the logical state of the circuit during operation are sufficient to permit such adaptation.

It is also apparent from the foregoing that the web cutter 10, is adapted to produce various portions of material, which have been cut to a predetermined length and width, or simply to a predetermined width, or both simultaneously, in a simple, automatic manner. The result is of course a reduction in the labor force required to manufacture an item requiring such web portions, and a reduction in the time required for such manufacture.

it should also be noted, that in using the web cutter 10 the accuracy with which the web portions are cut is increased and made more uniform as compared to hand-cutting operations which have been employed in the past.

Changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of the parts or elements of the embodiment as disclosed herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as described herein.

What is claimed is:

l. A web cutter for cutting a web of material into web portions of a predetermined size, comprising:

a support table having a front portion, a rear portion, a top portion, and opposite side portions, an elongated slot formed in the top portion of the table, generally near the front portion and extending between the opposite side portions of the support table;

a feed roller disposed adjacent the front portion of the support table to feed the web of material a distance across the top portion of the support table in a direction generally from the front portion toward the rear portion of the support table including: an elongated, cylindrically shaped lower feed roller rotatingly supported adjacent the front portion of the support table; an elongated, cylindrically shaped upper feed roller rotatingly supported adjacent the front portion of the table and disposed in a plane generally parallel to the lower feed roller such that a gap exists between the upper feed roller and the lower feed roller, said gap sized to receive the web of material therebetween; means to rotatingly drive one of the feed rollers in an actuated position thereof; and means to bias the upper feed roller and the lower feed roller into gripping engagement with the web of material disposed therebetween, the upper feed roller and the lower feed roller feeding the web of material a distance across the top portion of the support table generally toward the rear portion of the support table; web-advancing means disposed generally between the slot in the support table and the rear portion of the support table and generally adjacent the top portion of the supporttableengagingthe web of material being fed from the feed roller means and advancing the web of material a distance across the top of the support table in a direction generally from the front portion toward the rear portion thereof, in an actuated position of the web-advancing means the web-advancing means moving to advance the web of material across the top portion of the support table at a speed greater than the speed at which the feed roller means feeds the web of material onto the table, thereby maintaining the web of material taut generally between the feed roller means and the web advancing means;

web-sensing means disposed near the rear portion of the support table to sense the web of material after a predetermined length thereof has been advanced across the top of the support table by the web-advancing means;

transverse cutter means connected to the web-sensing means and movably supported on the top portion of the support table, generally between the feed roller means and the web-advancing means and generally adjacent the feed roller means, the transverse cutter means being disposed generally above the slot in the support table and having a disc-shaped cutter, a portion of the disc-shaped cutter being disposed in the slot in the support table, the disc-shaped cutter cuttingly engaging a portion of the web of material disposed generally over the slot in the support table to sever the web of material across a portion thereof, thereby severing the webof material into a portion of a predetermined length in an actuated position of the transverse cutter means, the web-advancing means and the feed roller means maintaining the portion of the web of material disposed over the slot in the support table tautly positioned as the disc-shape cutter cuttingly engages the web of material;

cutter-sensing means to sense that the transverse cutter means-has moved across the top portion of the support table in one direction severing the web of material thereunder; and

control means connected to the web-sensing means, the web advancing means, the means to rotatingly drive one of the feed rollers and the transversecutterimeans to deactuate the means to rotatingly drive one of the feed rollers, deactuate the web-advancing means and actuate the transverse cutter means when the web-sensing means senses the web of material, the control means connected to the cutter-sensing means to deactuate the transverse cutter means when the cutter-sensing means senses that the transverse cutter has moved across the top portion of the support table and to maintain the web-advancing means, the means to rotatingly drive one of the feed rollers and the transverse cutter means deactuated prior to the cut portion of the web of material being removed.

2. The web cutter of claim 1 defined further to include;

longitudinal cutter means disposed on a front portion of the table and being adapted to cuttingly engage a portion of the web of material; and

cutter guide means disposed on a front portion of the table and being adapted to cooperate with the feed roller means to guide the web of material across the longitudinal cutter means, such that the longitudinal cutter means seversthe web of material longitudinally into web portions of a predetermined width.

3. The web cutter of claim 1 defined further to include:

a pair of posts secured adjacent the front portion of the table, each of said posts being secured adjacent one side of the table, and having an elongated slot therethrough, each of the slots being sized to journally receive one end of the upper feed roller;

a bias plate slidingly'disposed in each slot, each bias plate being sized to joumally engage a portion of one end of the upper feed roller;

a spring having opposite ends disposed in each slot, one of said opposite ends being secured to a portion of one of the bias plates, and'each spring being adapted to bias each respective bias plate generally into journal engagement with the adjacent portion of the upper feed roller; and

'screw means to adjust the biasing force of each spring, so

means is defined further to include:

a rear drive shaft rotatingly supported near the rear portion of the table, generally between the opposite sides thereof;

a plurality of pulley wheels secured on the rear drive shaft;

means to rotatingly drive the rear drive shaft;

a front drive shaft rotatingly supported near the front portion of the table, generally between the opposite sides thereof;

a plurality of pulley wheels secured on the front drive shaft;

a plurality of belts extending between the front drive shaft and the rear drive shaft, each belt extending about one of the pulleys on the rear drive shaft and one of the pulleys on the front drive shaft, each belt having a portion thereof extending across the top of the table generally between the front portion and the rear portion thereof, such that as the rear drive shaft is rotatingly driven, a portion'of each belt advances across the top of thetable generally toward the rear portion thereof.

5. The web cutter of claim 4 defined further to include:

a chain drive means connected between one end of the front drive shaft and one end of the lower feed roller, so that the lower feed roller is rotated following the rotation of the front feed roller.

6. The web cutter of claim 1 wherein the web-sensing means is defined further to include:

a light source supported above the table, generally between the opposite sides thereof; and i a material sensor supported below the light source and disposed such that a portion of the web of material being advanced across the top of the. table is interposed between the light source and the material sensor in one position of the web of material, the material sensor being adapted such that electrical resistance of the material sensor is altered when the .web of material is interposed between the light source and the material sensor; and

wherein the control means is defined further as beingconnected to the material sensor and adapted to be actuated by the alteration of the electrical resistance of the material sensor.

7. The web cutter of claim 6 wherein the table includes an elongated slot extending a distance between the front portion and the rear portion thereof; and wherein the web-sensing means is defined further to include;

a channel secured to a side of the table opposite the top portion thereof and being generally aligned with the slot-in the table;

a sled slidingly disposed in the channel adapted to support the light source and the material sensor; I

means to move the sled in the channel, thereby adjusting the position of the light source and the material sensor on the table, so that a portion of the web of material being advanced across the top of the table is interposed between the light source and the material sensor after preselected lengths of the web of material have been advanced across the top of the table.

8. The web cutter of claim 2 wherein the longitudinal cutter means is defined further as being disposed generally between the cutter guide means and the feed roller means.

9. A web cutter for cutting a web of material into web portions of a predetermined size, comprising:

a support table having a front portion, a rear portion, and opposite side portions; feed roller means disposed adjacent the front portion of the support table to feed the web of material a distance across the top portion of the support table in a direction generally from the front portion toward the rear portion of the support table; web-advancing means disposed adjacent the top portion of the support table engaging the web of material being fed from the feed roller means and advancing the web of material a distance across the top portion of the support table in a direction generally from the front portion toward the rear portion thereof in an actuated position of the web-advancing means; web-sensing means disposed near the rear portion of the support table to sense the web of material after a predetermined length thereof has been advanced across the top of the support table by the web advancing means; transverse cutter means movably supported on the top portion of the table generally adjacent the feed roller means, the transverse cutter means cuttingly engaging a portion of the web of material to sever the web of material into a portion of a predetermined length in an actuated position of the transverse cutter means, the transverse cutter means including: a support plate movably disposed-adjacent the top of the support table; a disc-shaped cutter rotatingly supported on. one side of theplate to cuttingly engageaportionof the web of material thereunder;

portion, a top means to rotatingly drive the disc-shaped cutter, supported on the supporting plate;

a chain means rotatingly supported adjacent the front portion of the table, the chain means connected to the supporting plate to move the supporting plate transversely across the top of the table in a driven position thereof; and

means to drive the chain means;

cutter-sensing means to sense that the transverse cutter control means connected to the web-sensing means, the

webadvancing means and the transverse cutter means to deactuate the web-advancing means and actuate the transverse cutter means when the web sensing means senses the web of material, the control means connected to the cutter sensor to actuate the web advancing means and to deactuate the transverse cutter means upon alteration of electrical resistance of the cutter sensor, by the interposing of the shutter means between the light source and the cutter sensor indicating that the transverse cutter means has been moved across the top of the support table in one direction.

10. A web cutter for cutting a web of material into web portions of a predetermined size, comprising:

a support table having a front portion, a rear portion, a top portion, and opposite side portions;

a feed roller means disposed adjacent the front portion of the support table to feed the web of material a distance across the top portion of the support table in a direction generally from the front portion toward the rear portion of the support table;

web-advancing means disposed adjacent the top of the support table engaging the web of material being fed from the feed roller means and advancing the web of material a distance across the top of the table in a direction generally from the front portion toward the rear portion thereof in an actuated position of the web-advancing means;

transverse cutter means movably supported on the top portion of the support table, generally adjacent the feed roller means, to cuttingly engage a portion of the web of material and toe sever the web of material across a portion thereof into a portion of a predetermined length, in an actuated position of the transverse cutter means;

control means connected to the sensing means, the web-advancing means, to actuate the transverse cutter means and to deactuate the web-advancing means when the sensing means senses the web of material;

a shaft rotatingly supported above the feed roller means, adapted to retain a portion of the web of material being discharged from the feed roller means; and

means to rotatingly drive the shaft.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 5 CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,611,856 D ted October 12, 1971 Inventor(s) Larry L. Adair It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

[- In Column 7, line 55, "volt" should be vo1ts- In Column 9, line 8, after the word "necessary", insert the word to.

In Column 12, line 24, after the word "roller", insert the word means-.

In Column 16, line 22, "toe" should be --to--.

Signed and sealed this 4th day of April 1972.

(SEAL) Attestr EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents

Claims

1. A web cutter for cutting a web of material into web portions of a predetermined size, comprising: a support table having a front portion, a rear portion, a top portion, and opposite side portions, an elongated slot formed in the top portion of the table, generally near the front portion and extending between the opposite side portions of the support table; a feed roller disposed adjacent the front portion of the support table to feed the web of material a distance across the top portion of the support table in a direction generally from the front portion toward the rear portion of the support table including: an elongated, cylindrically shaped lower feed roller rotatingly supported adjacent the front portion of the support table; an elongated, cylindrically shaped upper feed roller rotatingly supported adjacent the front portion of the table and disposed In a plane generally parallel to the lower feed roller such that a gap exists between the upper feed roller and the lower feed roller, said gap sized to receive the web of material therebetween; means to rotatingly drive one of the feed rollers in an actuated position thereof; and means to bias the upper feed roller and the lower feed roller into gripping engagement with the web of material disposed therebetween, the upper feed roller and the lower feed roller feeding the web of material a distance across the top portion of the support table generally toward the rear portion of the support table; web-advancing means disposed generally between the slot in the support table and the rear portion of the support table and generally adjacent the top portion of the support table engaging the web of material being fed from the feed roller means and advancing the web of material a distance across the top of the support table in a direction generally from the front portion toward the rear portion thereof, in an actuated position of the web-advancing means the web-advancing means moving to advance the web of material across the top portion of the support table at a speed greater than the speed at which the feed roller means feeds the web of material onto the table, thereby maintaining the web of material taut generally between the feed roller means and the web advancing means; web-sensing means disposed near the rear portion of the support table to sense the web of material after a predetermined length thereof has been advanced across the top of the support table by the web-advancing means; transverse cutter means connected to the web-sensing means and movably supported on the top portion of the support table, generally between the feed roller means and the web-advancing means and generally adjacent the feed roller means, the transverse cutter means being disposed generally above the slot in the support table and having a disc-shaped cutter, a portion of the disc-shaped cutter being disposed in the slot in the support table, the disc-shaped cutter cuttingly engaging a portion of the web of material disposed generally over the slot in the support table to sever the web of material across a portion thereof, thereby severing the web of material into a portion of a predetermined length in an actuated position of the transverse cutter means, the web-advancing means and the feed roller means maintaining the portion of the web of material disposed over the slot in the support table tautly positioned as the disc-shape cutter cuttingly engages the web of material; cutter-sensing means to sense that the transverse cutter means has moved across the top portion of the support table in one direction severing the web of material thereunder; and control means connected to the web-sensing means, the web advancing means, the means to rotatingly drive one of the feed rollers and the transverse cutter means to deactuate the means to rotatingly drive one of the feed rollers, deactuate the webadvancing means and actuate the transverse cutter means when the web-sensing means senses the web of material, the control means connected to the cutter-sensing means to deactuate the transverse cutter means when the cutter-sensing means senses that the transverse cutter has moved across the top portion of the support table and to maintain the web-advancing means, the means to rotatingly drive one of the feed rollers and the transverse cutter means deactuated prior to the cut portion of the web of material being removed.

2. The web cutter of claim 1 defined further to include; longitudinal cutter means disposed on a front portion of the table and being adapted to cuttingly engage a portion of the web of material; and cutter guide means disposed on a front portion of the table and being adapted to cooperate with the feed roller means to guide the web of material across the longitudinal cutter means, such that the longitudinal cutter means severs the web of materiaL longitudinally into web portions of a predetermined width.

3. The web cutter of claim 1 defined further to include: a pair of posts secured adjacent the front portion of the table, each of said posts being secured adjacent one side of the table, and having an elongated slot therethrough, each of the slots being sized to journally receive one end of the upper feed roller; a bias plate slidingly disposed in each slot, each bias plate being sized to journally engage a portion of one end of the upper feed roller; a spring having opposite ends disposed in each slot, one of said opposite ends being secured to a portion of one of the bias plates, and each spring being adapted to bias each respective bias plate generally into journal engagement with the adjacent portion of the upper feed roller; and screw means to adjust the biasing force of each spring, so that webs of material of varying thickness can be fed between the upper and the lower feed rollers and yet the gripping engagement of the upper and lower feed rollers is maintained.

4. The web cutter of claim 1 wherein the web advancing means is defined further to include: a rear drive shaft rotatingly supported near the rear portion of the table, generally between the opposite sides thereof; a plurality of pulley wheels secured on the rear drive shaft; means to rotatingly drive the rear drive shaft; a front drive shaft rotatingly supported near the front portion of the table, generally between the opposite sides thereof; a plurality of pulley wheels secured on the front drive shaft; a plurality of belts extending between the front drive shaft and the rear drive shaft, each belt extending about one of the pulleys on the rear drive shaft and one of the pulleys on the front drive shaft, each belt having a portion thereof extending across the top of the table generally between the front portion and the rear portion thereof, such that as the rear drive shaft is rotatingly driven, a portion of each belt advances across the top of the table generally toward the rear portion thereof.

5. The web cutter of claim 4 defined further to include: a chain drive means connected between one end of the front drive shaft and one end of the lower feed roller, so that the lower feed roller is rotated following the rotation of the front feed roller.

6. The web cutter of claim 1 wherein the web-sensing means is defined further to include: a light source supported above the table, generally between the opposite sides thereof; and a material sensor supported below the light source and disposed such that a portion of the web of material being advanced across the top of the table is interposed between the light source and the material sensor in one position of the web of material, the material sensor being adapted such that electrical resistance of the material sensor is altered when the web of material is interposed between the light source and the material sensor; and wherein the control means is defined further as being connected to the material sensor and adapted to be actuated by the alteration of the electrical resistance of the material sensor.

7. The web cutter of claim 6 wherein the table includes an elongated slot extending a distance between the front portion and the rear portion thereof; and wherein the web-sensing means is defined further to include; a channel secured to a side of the table opposite the top portion thereof and being generally aligned with the slot in the table; a sled slidingly disposed in the channel adapted to support the light source and the material sensor; means to move the sled in the channel, thereby adjusting the position of the light source and the material sensor on the table, so that a portion of the web of material being advanced across the top of the table is interposed between the light source and the material sensor after preselected lengths of the web of material have been advanced across tHe top of the table.

9. A web cutter for cutting a web of material into web portions of a predetermined size, comprising: a support table having a front portion, a rear portion, a top portion, and opposite side portions; feed roller means disposed adjacent the front portion of the support table to feed the web of material a distance across the top portion of the support table in a direction generally from the front portion toward the rear portion of the support table; web-advancing means disposed adjacent the top portion of the support table engaging the web of material being fed from the feed roller means and advancing the web of material a distance across the top portion of the support table in a direction generally from the front portion toward the rear portion thereof in an actuated position of the web-advancing means; web-sensing means disposed near the rear portion of the support table to sense the web of material after a predetermined length thereof has been advanced across the top of the support table by the web advancing means; transverse cutter means movably supported on the top portion of the table generally adjacent the feed roller means, the transverse cutter means cuttingly engaging a portion of the web of material to sever the web of material into a portion of a predetermined length in an actuated position of the transverse cutter means, the transverse cutter means including: a support plate movably disposed adjacent the top of the support table; a disc-shaped cutter rotatingly supported on one side of the plate to cuttingly engage a portion of the web of material thereunder; means to rotatingly drive the disc-shaped cutter, supported on the supporting plate; a chain means rotatingly supported adjacent the front portion of the table, the chain means connected to the supporting plate to move the supporting plate transversely across the top of the table in a driven position thereof; and means to drive the chain means; cutter-sensing means to sense that the transverse cutter means has moved across the top portion of the support table in one direction severing the web of material thereunder, the cutter-sensing means including: a shutter means secured to the chain means; a light source adjacent the chain means; and a cutter sensor disposed adjacent the chain means and disposed to receive light from the light source, the shutter means being interposed between the light source and the cutter sensor in one position of the transverse cutter means, thereby altering the electrical resistance of the cutter sensor; and control means connected to the web-sensing means, the web-advancing means and the transverse cutter means to deactuate the web-advancing means and actuate the transverse cutter means when the web sensing means senses the web of material, the control means connected to the cutter sensor to actuate the web advancing means and to deactuate the transverse cutter means upon alteration of electrical resistance of the cutter sensor, by the interposing of the shutter means between the light source and the cutter sensor indicating that the transverse cutter means has been moved across the top of the support table in one direction.

10. A web cutter for cutting a web of material into web portions of a predetermined size, comprising: a support table having a front portion, a rear portion, a top portion, and opposite side portions; a feed roller means disposed adjacent the front portion of the support table to feed the web of material a distance across the top portion of the support table in a direction generally from the front portion toward the rear portion of the support table; web-advancing means disposed adjacent the top of the support table engaging the web of material being fed from tHe feed roller means and advancing the web of material a distance across the top of the table in a direction generally from the front portion toward the rear portion thereof in an actuated position of the web-advancing means; web-sensing means disposed near the rear portion of the support table to sense the web of material after a predetermined length thereof has been advanced across the top of the support table by the web-advancing means; transverse cutter means movably supported on the top portion of the support table, generally adjacent the feed roller means, to cuttingly engage a portion of the web of material and toe sever the web of material across a portion thereof into a portion of a predetermined length, in an actuated position of the transverse cutter means; control means connected to the sensing means, the web-advancing means, to actuate the transverse cutter means and to deactuate the web-advancing means when the sensing means senses the web of material; a shaft rotatingly supported above the feed roller means, adapted to retain a portion of the web of material being discharged from the feed roller means; and means to rotatingly drive the shaft.