Zerand Corporation

Stevens Graphics Corporation

Paul W Bergland

James D Parker

Thomas H Timple

John Hurley

Mark G Blonigen

A register control for web processing apparatus operates to match the surface speed of a metering roll which supplies a preprinted web to a cutting zone in a cutter mechanism to the surface speed of an impression cylinder which applies impressions and associated register marks to said web. The register control also effects registration between the impressions and the cutting zone. The web processing apparatus comprises a register control motor for the metering roll and a movable dance engageable with the web at a location between the impression cylinder and the said metering roll. The register control comprises base speed selector means and circuits for operating the register control motor to establish and maintain a base speed for the web; error correction sensors and circuits for ascertaining a register error, if any, and for adjusting the base speed to establish a corrected base speed to eliminate the register errror; dancer position locater sensors and circuits for ascertaining and remembering a null position assumed by the dancer when the web is operating at corrected base speed; and for subsequently recalling the null position to enable an initial or start-up operation of the register control motor at a speed wherein the dancer assumes the recalled null position when the web is engaged with the dancer.

Register control means for web processing apparatus

A registration controller for sensing the presence and location of registration marks on a web as the web passes a scanner, and for generating a signal for use in controlling downstream operations such as cutting and/or printing operations. The controller includes a light source located remotely from the scanner. Light from the source is directed to the scanner and onto the web. The web reflects the light, the amount and intensity of the reflection depending upon the color and reflectivity of the particular area of the web on which the light is being currently directed. The reflected light is directed to a photo receptor which converts the reflected light to an analog electric signal, the level of the signal being determined by the amount and intensity of reflected light, within a particular predetermined range. This analog electric signal is then amplified, processed and converted to a digital signal for use in controlling the aforementioned downstream operations. If the electric signal is greater than a predetermined level, as would be the case if the web surface is a reflective one, such as a foil surface, the processing circuitry clamps the signal and prevents it from exceeding that predetermined level. The preferred means for directing the source light to the scanner and for directing the reflected light to the receptor is fiber optics.

Photo responsive self adjusting registration controller accounting for

The delineating cylinder of the web apparatus of this invention has a cutout around one-third of its periphery to be out of contact with the web through an idle phase of its rotational cycle during which a web portion at that cylinder is drawn rearward through an adjustably variable distance. Through the remainder of that cycle that web portion is moved forward in step with delineating cylinder rotation. Upstream and downstream from that cylinder are feed roller pairs, driven through a variable ratio planetray transmission, whereby other portions of the web are moved forward steadily at the rate of one repeat interval length per delineating cycle. Between each pair of feed rollers and the delineating cylinder is a control roller around which there is a loop of web. Each control roller is moved bodily in an orbit whereby its loop is alternately increased and permitted to decrease. The radius of its orbit is adjustably variable for variation of repeat interval length. The orbital cycle of each control roller coincides with the delineating cylinder cycle, but orbital speed of each control roller changes from point to point in its orbit in accordance with the profile of a stationary cam track.

Growing community of inventors

Brookfield, WI, United States of America

Paul W Bergland