U.S. patent application number 10/676188 was filed with the patent office on 2005-03-31 for apparatus for deflecting or inverting moving webs.
This patent application is currently assigned to 3M Innovative Properties Company. Invention is credited to Volin, Leonard M., Zach, Mark J..
Application Number | 20050067523 10/676188 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34377332 |
Filed Date | 2005-03-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050067523 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Zach, Mark J. ; et
al. |
March 31, 2005 |
Apparatus for deflecting or inverting moving webs
Abstract
A slat roller wherein the translation of slats permits a
non-normal angle of incidence of a moving web to the longitudinal
axis of the roller. The non-normal angle of incidence and the
translation of the slats permit the axial movement of the web when
the web is in contact with slats of the roller. One or more of the
slat rollers may be employed in a system for inverting a moving web
of indefinite length material.
Inventors: |
Zach, Mark J.; (Northfield,
MN) ; Volin, Leonard M.; (Stillwater, MN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
PO BOX 33427
ST. PAUL
MN
55133-3427
US
|
Assignee: |
3M Innovative Properties
Company
|
Family ID: |
34377332 |
Appl. No.: |
10/676188 |
Filed: |
September 30, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
242/615.2 ;
242/615.21 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65H 2404/123 20130101;
B65H 23/32 20130101; B65H 2404/1231 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
242/615.2 ;
242/615.21 |
International
Class: |
B65H 023/32; B65H
023/26 |
Claims
1. A slat roller for controlling the movement of moving web of
indefinite length material, comprising: a rotatable roller body
having a longitudinal axis, a plurality of slats mounted on a
circumference of the roller body in such a fashion that the slats
may translate from a first position in a direction parallel to the
longitudinal axis when the slats are in contact with the moving
web, and a slat repositioning device for moving the slats towards
the first position when the slats are not in contact with the
moving web, the translation of slats permitting a non-normal angle
of incidence of the web to the longitudinal axis.
2. A system for inverting a moving web of indefinite length
material, comprising: employing at least one slat roller of claim
1.
3. A system for inverting a moving web of indefinite length
material, comprising: a first slat roller of claim 1 and a second
slat roller of claim 1; one or more rollers for conveying the
moving web between the first slat roller and the second slat
roller, such that when the moving web, starting in a first
orientation, is directed around the first slat roller, the one or
more rollers and the second slat roller, it emerges in a second
orientation which is inverted from the first orientation.
4. The system for inverting a moving web of indefinite length
material according to claim 3 wherein the first and the second slat
rollers are rotatably mounted with their longitudinal axes
generally perpendicular to each other.
5. The system for inverting a moving web of indefinite length
material according to claim 3 wherein each of the first and the
second slat roller further comprises a stationary cam for moving
the slats towards the first position when the roller is turned
passively by contact with the moving web.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to controlling the motion of
moving webs of indefinite length, and more particularly to a device
for changing the direction or inverting such webs.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Numerous commercial products incorporate material that has
undergone processing in the form of a web of indefinite length
material during some stage of its manufacture. When such webs are
being processed, it is frequently desirable to divert the web to a
different direction, or to invert the web so the opposite side of
the web is facing upwards to receive e.g. the application of a
coating. For many applications it is conventional to wrap the web
partially around one or more non-rotating air flotation device
called an "air bar" or an "air turn" in order to divert or invert
the web. However, in some circumstances the use of an air bar is
inconvenient. For example the web may be too heavy, too porous, or
too textured for the needed air cushion to develop. In such
circumstances, it is known that apparatuses that have, e.g. guide
rotors disposed in spiral curves may be employed. However, the
known alternatives are bulky and complicated to construct.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The present invention provides a slat roller for controlling
the movement of moving web of indefinite length material. Such a
slat roller has a roller body having a longitudinal axis. A
plurality of slats are mounted on a circumference of the roller
body in such a fashion that the slats may translate from a first
position in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the
roller body. A slat repositioning device is included for moving the
slats towards the first position when the slats are not in contact
with the moving web. The translation of the slats permits a
non-normal angle of incidence of the web to the longitudinal axis.
A non-normal angle of incidence to the longitudinal axis indicates
that the centerline of the web is not at about 90 degrees with the
longitudinal axis of the roller as the web makes contact with the
slats of the roller.
[0004] In another aspect the present invention provides a system
for inverting a moving web of indefinite length material, the heart
of which is a pair of slat rollers. Each slat roller has a roller
body having a longitudinal axis. A plurality of slats are mounted
on the circumference of the roller body in such a fashion that the
slats may translate from a first position in a direction parallel
to the longitudinal axis of the roller body. In a preferred
embodiment, the system also has a first and a second roller for
conveying the moving web between the first and the second slat
rollers, such that when the moving web, starting in a first
orientation, is directed around the first slat roller, the first
and second idler rollers and the second slat roller, it emerges in
a second orientation which is inverted from the first
orientation.
[0005] In a most preferred embodiment of the system the two slat
rollers are rotatably mounted with their longitudinal axes
generally perpendicular to each other. Also, in most convenient
embodiments, the roller body is rotated and the slats are
translated longitudinally in a passive manner in contact with the
moving web. In these embodiments, the slat rollers each include a
slat repositioning device for moving the slats towards the first
position when the slats are no longer contacting the moving web.
The translation of the slats permits a non-normal angle of
incidence of the web to the longitudinal axis of the roller.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] In the several figures of the attached drawing, like parts
bear like reference numerals, and:
[0007] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary web
handling system incorporating the apparatus according to the
present invention;
[0008] FIG. 2 illustrates a detail view of a slat roller in
isolation; and
[0009] FIG. 3 illustrates a reverse angle view of the slat roller
of FIG. 2, with a section of web in position, and with a stationary
return cam being used to move the slats back to a starting
position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0010] Referring now to FIG. 1, a perspective view of an exemplary
web handling system 10 according to the present invention is
illustrated. The system 10 is shown guiding a segment of a web 12
of indefinite length material, the web 12 having a first side 14
and a second side 16 and moving in direction "D". The system 10
includes a first slat roller 20 and a second slat roller 22, with
the first slat roller 20 conveniently rotatably mounted on supports
24 and 26 and the second slat roller 22 conveniently mounted on
supports 28 and 30. The system 10 also includes a first idler
roller 32 and a second idler roller 34 for conveying the moving web
between the first and the second slat rollers 20 and 22. The first
idler roller 32 and the second idler roller 34 are conveniently
rotatably mounted on supports 36 and 38. It will be noted that
first and the second slat rollers 20 and 22 are mounted with their
longitudinal axes generally perpendicular to each other in this
Figure, and this is often convenient in many preferred embodiments
of the invention. It will also be observed in the depicted
embodiment the web 12 has been inverted: after passing through
system 10, first side 14 which had been face up is been placed face
down.
[0011] The non-normal angle of incidence of the web to the
longitudinal axis of the slat roller is suitable for either
inverting a web or changing the orientation, or direction of the
web. The non-normal angle of incidence and the translation of the
slats permit the axial movement of the web when the web is in
contact with slats of the roller.
[0012] Referring now to FIG. 2, a detail view of slat roller 20 is
illustrated in isolation. The slat roller 20 has a roller body 40
having a longitudinal axis "L," and having a plurality of slat
supports 42 thereon. A plurality of slats 44 is mounted on the slat
supports 42 in such a fashion that the slats 44 may translate from
a first position (slat 44a is in the first position) along the slat
supports in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis "L".
[0013] In the depicted embodiment, the preferred slat supports 42
have been conveniently constructed of extruded material that has
been attached to the roller body 40 using mechanical fasteners.
Extruded aluminum is considered particularly suitable for this
purpose. Also in the depicted embodiment, the slats 44 have been
conveniently constructed from extruded or machined material having
a cross-section adapted to slidably interlock with the slat
supports 42. Slats 44 may be prepared from many different
materials, and slats 44 made of Delrin brand acetal polymer are
considered particularly suitable for many common applications. It
will be apparent to the ordinary artisan that numerous mechanical
expedients are suitable for providing sliding engagement between
the slats 44 and the slat supports 42. In particular, the slats
supports 42 needn't extend above the surface of the roller body 40,
but may be slots provided beneath the surface. Those skilled in the
art recognize that other conventional means of mounting slats onto
a circumference of the roller may be utilized in the present
invention.
[0014] In accordance with the present invention, a slat
repositioning device may be utilized to move the slat toward an
original position on the roller when the slats are no longer in
contact with the moving web. Slat repositioning devices may include
either mechanical devices, pneumatic devices, electrical devices,
or combinations thereof. Non-limiting examples of such devices
would include stationary cams, linear motors, or air cylinders.
Those skilled in the art are capable of selecting a suitable
repositioning device based on web properties, process requirements,
and process environments.
[0015] Referring now to FIG. 3, a reverse angle view of the slat
roller 20 of FIG. 2 is illustrated with a section of web 12 in
position. In this view it can be appreciated that when the slat
roller 20 is rotated passively in contact with moving web 12 in
rotation direction "R", then stationary cam 46 serves to move each
slat 44 in turn back towards its first position (slat 44a is in
first position).
[0016] The depicted embodiment of slat roller 20 includes nine slat
supports 42 each supporting one slat 44. At least two slats 44 must
be provided, but it is frequently desirable to provide more,
particularly when the system 10 is operating with the slat rollers
20 and 22 being passively driven by contact with the moving web 12.
It will be appreciated that although providing more slats 44 and
slat supports 42 will increase the cost and complexity of a slat
roller 20, the greater number of slats reduces an individual slat's
contact time with the web thereby providing a greater time in which
the slat may translate to its original position. The diameter of
the roller body 40 and its length will also be seen to be variables
affecting the amount of force needed for the return of the slats 44
to first position 44a against the stationary cam 46.
[0017] The preferred embodiment of the present invention has been
described utilizing the moving web as the primary driving force for
imparting the rotation of the roller or rollers. Those skilled in
the art recognize that driven rollers may be desirable for certain
webs or web processing environments. Various modifications and
alterations of the present invention will be apparent to those
skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of
this invention, and it should be understood that this invention is
not limited to the illustrative embodiments set forth herein.
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