An apparatus and method for assembling, dispensing and using a laminated paper web transfer tape, an embodiment of the apparatus having a pair of transfer tape spools enclosed within a housing, one transfer tape spool containing a first tape component of the laminated transfer tape and the other transfer tape spool containing a second tape component of the laminated transfer tape, the first tape component being the combination of a substrate having adhesive on both sides and a release liner, the second tape component being a cover flap member having a release coating over at least a majority of one side. The components are unwound from the spools and pressed together such that they become joined along a longitudinal edge strip, then dispensed from the housing. The cover flap member covers one of the adhesive sides of the transfer tape substrate until the moment just prior to transfer of a continuous paper web from a full web spool to an empty web spool, the cover flap member being opened to expose the adhesive by air pressure or resistance.

The invention relates to a homogenized tobacco sheet production line comprising: A tank (501) adapted to contain a slurry formed by a tobacco powder blend, a binder and an aerosol former in an aqueous medium; A cast apparatus (600) adapted to receive slurry from the tank and to cast the slurry so as to form a homogenized tobacco material; A movable transporting support (606) on which said slurry is casted and adapted to transport the homogenized tobacco material along a transport direction; A slitter (611) located downstream the cast apparatus adapted to slit the homogenized tobacco material along the transport direction so as to form portioned homogenized tobacco sheets; and A winding station (613) located downstream the slitter adapted to receive the portioned homogenized tobacco sheets from the slitter and to wind at least one of the portioned homogenized tobacco sheets in a bobbin. It also relates to a method for inline production of a homogenized tobacco sheet.

The invention relates to a homogenized tobacco sheet production line comprising: A tank (501) adapted to contain a slurry formed by a tobacco powder blend, a binder and an aerosol former in an aqueous medium; A cast apparatus (600) adapted to receive slurry from the tank and to cast the slurry so as to form a homogenized tobacco material; A movable transporting support (606) on which said slurry is casted and adapted to transport the homogenized tobacco material along a transport direction; A slitter (611) located downstream the cast apparatus adapted to slit the homogenized tobacco material along the transport direction so as to form portioned homogenized tobacco sheets; and A winding station (613) located downstream the slitter adapted to receive the portioned homogenized tobacco sheets from the slitter and to wind at least one of the portioned homogenized tobacco sheets in a bobbin. It also relates to a method for inline production of a homogenized tobacco sheet.

Techniques for processing a web with a laser are provided. In an example, an apparatus for processing web material can include multiple processing stages and a laser assembly. Each of the multiple processing stages can be configured to process a moving web of material along a web path. The laser assembly can be configured to process the moving web of material with a laser at a first stage of the multiple stages. The laser assembly can include a laser configured to generate a laser beam, a gimble assembly configured to direct the laser beam along a cut path at a position of a web path of the moving web of material, and a servo driven mirror assembly configured to provide an adjustable field of view for the laser stage at the position of the web path.

Techniques for processing a web with a laser are provided. In an example, an apparatus for processing web material can include multiple processing stages and a laser assembly. Each of the multiple processing stages can be configured to process a moving web of material along a web path. The laser assembly can be configured to process the moving web of material with a laser at a first stage of the multiple stages. The laser assembly can include a laser configured to generate a laser beam, a gimble assembly configured to direct the laser beam along a cut path at a position of a web path of the moving web of material, and a servo driven mirror assembly configured to provide an adjustable field of view for the laser stage at the position of the web path.

A method for securing a web end of a paper web on a first drum during a change of drum, the method includes passing the web end through a nip between a Pope roller and the second drum and applying adhesive to an area of the web end on a downward-rotating area of the Pope roller after the web end is passed through the nip.

A web break apparatus is disclosed for cutting and severing a web. The web break apparatus includes a first rotating device that rotates generally at the same speed as a moving web. Positioned on the circumference of the first rotating device is a web engaging device and a straining element. When a web break is desired, the web engaging device and straining element are brought into contact with the web. The web engaging device engages the web, while the straining element causes a web break. The web break apparatus may be used in any suitable winding system. For instance, the winding system may be for winding a web to produce rolled products.

A winding machine (10) is disclosed comprising at least one reel holder (12) mounted on a supporting frame (11) and N rotatable around its own axis (13), and a plurality of reels (1-4) mounted on the holder (12) and integrally rotatable therewith so that at least one first reel (1) is in at least one operative winding position of a bobbin (5). It is further described a respective method for the in-line winding of bobbins (5) of stretch film (6), comprising the steps of rotating a core (7) on a reel (1) in an operative winding position to wind the film (6) onto the core (7), positioning a contact roll (15a) in at least one proximal contacting position in which it contacts the winding bobbin (5) for facilitating the peripheral winding of the stretch film (6) on the core (7), bringing the reel (1) from the operative winding position of the bobbin (5) to an operative unloading position of the bobbin, positioning an accompanying roll (15b) in at least one proximal contacting position in which it contacts the bobbin (5) for facilitating the peripheral winding of the stretch film (6) on the bobbin (7), transversally cutting the stretch film (6) and unloading the bobbin (5). The movement of the contact roll (15a) and the accompanying roll (15b) is carried out by means of electric actuators (18a, 18b).

A winding machine (10) is disclosed comprising at least one reel holder (12) mounted on a supporting frame (11) and N rotatable around its own axis (13), and a plurality of reels (1-4) mounted on the holder (12) and integrally rotatable therewith so that at least one first reel (1) is in at least one operative winding position of a bobbin (5). It is further described a respective method for the in-line winding of bobbins (5) of stretch film (6), comprising the steps of rotating a core (7) on a reel (1) in an operative winding position to wind the film (6) onto the core (7), positioning a contact roll (15a) in at least one proximal contacting position in which it contacts the winding bobbin (5) for facilitating the peripheral winding of the stretch film (6) on the core (7), bringing the reel (1) from the operative winding position of the bobbin (5) to an operative unloading position of the bobbin, positioning an accompanying roll (15b) in at least one proximal contacting position in which it contacts the bobbin (5) for facilitating the peripheral winding of the stretch film (6) on the bobbin (7), transversally cutting the stretch film (6) and unloading the bobbin (5). The movement of the contact roll (15a) and the accompanying roll (15b) is carried out by means of electric actuators (18a, 18b).

A film winding machine includes a main body and an automatic cutting-off roll-replacing mechanism. The main body has a winding reel, a standby reel, and an intermediate redirecting reel. The automatic cutting-off roll-replacing mechanism has a supporting frame which is fixed to the main body. The first swing unit is rotatably connected to the supporting frame along a forward direction. The first pressing roll abuts against one side of the standby reel. The second swing unit is rotatably connected to the first swing unit. The second pressing roll contacts the other side of the standby reel. The slicing unit is used to cut the film. The film is wound on a new standby reel, so as to complete tasks of automatically cutting-off and roll-replacing.