John Stephen O'Dwyer

US Patent:

6027591, Feb 22, 2000

Filed:

Sep 8, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/925374

Inventors:

John O'Dwyer - Lynn MA

Assignee:

United Container Machinery, Inc. - Glen Arm MD

International Classification:

B65H 2100
B31F 500

US Classification:

156157

Abstract:

A single face splicer for creating a splice between a running web from a first source of single face material and a ready web from a second source of single face material to provide an uninterrupted supply of single face material to a double backer system in the manufacture of corrugated cardboard. The splicer includes an upper and lower bridge positioned above the first and second sources of single face material, and a splice head adjacent the upper bridge for creating the splice between the running web and the ready web. A drive system draws the running web through the splice head at an output speed which is greater than the speed at which the double backer system draws the running web from the splicer. The running web is deposited on an upper bridge supply belt which rotates at a speed which is slower than the output speed thereby causing the running web to accumulate on the upper bridge supply belt. As the splice is made, the double backer system draws from the accumulated storage on the upper bridge supply belt.

US Patent:

56791950, Oct 21, 1997

Filed:

Sep 1, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/522947

Inventors:

John O'Dwyer - Lynn MA
Richard Sangster - Greenville RI
Gary O'Brien - Rockland MA

Assignee:

John O'Dwyer - Lynn MA

International Classification:

B65H 6906

US Classification:

156159

Abstract:

An input festoon is provided in a web supply apparatus for automatically splicing a relatively stiff web of material such a liner board for making corrugated board. The input festoon includes a dancer roll which is movable along a track to allow storage of a ready web as the ready web is pre-accelerated by an accelerator roll to a running speed prior to creation of a splice at a splice head. Tail grab sensors are mounted on the apparatus above the web between the input roll and the splice head adjacent the input roll. The tail grab sensor detects tears or breaks in the web and provides an electrical signal to initiate a splice. A vacuum box including a pivotable vacuum bar is provided for creating a high speed butt splice. A method of creating a high speed butt splice using the vacuum box is also presented.