A transporting apparatus includes a pressurizing roller that transports a web-like or sheet-like transport target object and a heating roller disposed downstream of the pressurizing roller in a transport path, a first bottom sensor and a first top sensor that are disposed between the pressurizing roller and the heating roller, a measuring section that measures a time from when the transport target object is detected by the first bottom sensor until the transport target object is detected by the first top sensor, and a rotation control section that modifies a rotation speed of the heating roller when a time measured by the measuring section is shorter than a first reference time.

A transporting apparatus includes a pressurizing roller that transports a web-like or sheet-like transport target object and a heating roller disposed downstream of the pressurizing roller in a transport path, a first bottom sensor and a first top sensor that are disposed between the pressurizing roller and the heating roller, a measuring section that measures a time from when the transport target object is detected by the first bottom sensor until the transport target object is detected by the first top sensor, and a rotation control section that modifies a rotation speed of the heating roller when a time measured by the measuring section is shorter than a first reference time.

This invention provides web-cutting mechanism that can be mounted in line at an appropriate location between the web-handling peripheral (printer) and a web roll. The cutting mechanism operates before the available storage in the winder festoon has been exhausted, and decouples the roll's energy from the web. The cutting mechanism can employ a blade that is drawn through the web solely by the movement of the web itself. The blade is mounted at a (e.g.) 45-degree angle to web travel, causing it to be pulled through the web. A negator spring assembly and associated cable drives the blade into the side edge of the web when a slide-mounted blade shuttle assembly is released by a latching pawl of a solenoid assembly. The solenoid is triggered by a signal indicating an emergency stop condition, such as an upstream jam.

This invention provides web-cutting mechanism that can be mounted in line at an appropriate location between the web-handling peripheral (printer) and a web roll. The cutting mechanism operates before the available storage in the winder festoon has been exhausted, and decouples the roll's energy from the web. The cutting mechanism can employ a blade that is drawn through the web solely by the movement of the web itself. The blade is mounted at a (e.g.) 45-degree angle to web travel, causing it to be pulled through the web. A negator spring assembly and associated cable drives the blade into the side edge of the web when a slide-mounted blade shuttle assembly is released by a latching pawl of a solenoid assembly. The solenoid is triggered by a signal indicating an emergency stop condition, such as an upstream jam.

A splicing assembly for rolled sheet material, including first and second shafts for support of sheet material and a drive assembly for selectively dispensing sheet material. The assembly further includes a splicing apparatus for uniting a replacement with a winding down roll, and an egress guide assembly for receipt of dispensed sheet material exiting the splicing apparatus and passage of same intermediate the shafts. The splicing apparatus includes first and second sealing elements, and first and second carriages adapted and disposed for translation towards their respective sealing elements, a free end portion of sheet material of the replacement roll supported upon the first/second shaft for selective retention by the second/first sheet material carriage, and for translation to, and thereafter with, a portion of sheet material of the winding down roll supported upon the second/first shaft for urged combined engagement with a corresponding sealing element.

A splicing assembly for rolled sheet material, including first and second shafts for support of sheet material and a drive assembly for selectively dispensing sheet material. The assembly further includes a splicing apparatus for uniting a replacement with a winding down roll, and an egress guide assembly for receipt of dispensed sheet material exiting the splicing apparatus and passage of same intermediate the shafts. The splicing apparatus includes first and second sealing elements, and first and second carriages adapted and disposed for translation towards their respective sealing elements, a free end portion of sheet material of the replacement roll supported upon the first/second shaft for selective retention by the second/first sheet material carriage, and for translation to, and thereafter with, a portion of sheet material of the winding down roll supported upon the second/first shaft for urged combined engagement with a corresponding sealing element.

In a roller-style feed mechanism, a feed roll is opened and closed for the purpose of pilot release using a direct-coupled servo motor as opposed to pneumatic or hydraulic cylinders. The electronically controlled servo motor drives a rotating shaft with eccentric cams that interact with cam followers causing the feed rollers separate for pilot release. The cam followers produce a force sufficient to overcome nip pressure when separating the feed rollers during pilot release. The electronically controlled servo motor is preferably operative to sense the point where the cams contact the cam followers after the upper feed roller is closed on the feed material, and automatically sense resistance to determine where the upper roll begins to lift so as to compensate for different material thicknesses.

In a roller-style feed mechanism, a feed roll is opened and closed for the purpose of pilot release using a direct-coupled servo motor as opposed to pneumatic or hydraulic cylinders. The electronically controlled servo motor drives a rotating shaft with eccentric cams that interact with cam followers causing the feed rollers separate for pilot release. The cam followers produce a force sufficient to overcome nip pressure when separating the feed rollers during pilot release. The electronically controlled servo motor is preferably operative to sense the point where the cams contact the cam followers after the upper feed roller is closed on the feed material, and automatically sense resistance to determine where the upper roll begins to lift so as to compensate for different material thicknesses.

A method of testing a functional unit includes an optical sensor system (28) for detecting an optical signal from at least a part of a moving material web (14), a data processing system (36) for valuating the optical signals, and a display (38) displaying a state of the material web (14) and arranged in a sensitive range (30) of the sensor system (28).

The system includes a fence inside which machines are arranged that are potentially dangerous for the operators, forming part of a processing plant for processing web material and producing rolls. A passage counting the number of operators entering the fence and exiting therefrom is so controlled as to be accessible only when the machines are not working and to allow a partial operation of the machines inside the fence under particular safety conditions.