Web-handling apparatus including guide roller assembly with resiliently deformable outer layer

Abstract

A web-handling apparatus includes at least one guide roller assembly having an inner, cylindrical core, and an outer layer affixed thereto. Notably, the outer layer of the roller assembly comprises resiliently deformable material, with polyurethane foam having proven to be particularly suitable for this application. By this arrangement irregularities in an associated film web, such as in the form of side gussets and/or zipper fastener assemblies, are readily guided by the roller assembly while avoiding wrinkling or other stress of the associated film web.

1 . A web-handling apparatus, comprising:
 at least one guide roller assembly about which an associated film web is guided,   said roller assembly being mounted for rotation about an axis,   said roller assembly including an inner, cylindrical core, and an outer layer affixed to said cylindrical core,   said outer layer comprising resiliently deformable material, to thereby facilitate efficient handling of said film web.   
   
   
       2 . A web-handling apparatus in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein:
 said deformable material comprises polyurethane foam.   
   
   
       3 . A web-handling apparatus in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein:
 at least a portion of said polyurethane foam is open-celled foam.   
   
   
       4 . A web-handling apparatus in accordance with  claim 3 , wherein:
 said polyurethane foam comprises at least about 80% open-celled foam.   
   
   
       5 . A web-handling apparatus in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein:
 said cylindrical core comprises aluminum.   
   
   
       6 . A web-handling apparatus in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein:
 said deformable material has a Compression Load Deflection of about 25%.   
   
   
       7 . A web-handling apparatus in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein:
 said apparatus comprises at least two of guide roller assemblies mounted for rotation on respective rotational axes to create a tension zone between said guide roller assemblies, the tension of said film web in said tension zone corresponding to the pressure per linear inch of said film web on said guide roller assemblies.   
   
   
       8 . A web-handling apparatus in accordance with  claim 7 , wherein:
 said rotational axes are generally parallel to each other.   
   
   
       9 . A web-handling apparatus in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein:
 said outer layer of said guide roller assembly has a width greater than the width of said associated film web, to thereby create relatively uncompressed regions of said outer layer at respective opposite margins of said film web which regions act to flatten said film web across said guide roller assembly.   
   
   
       10 . A web-handling apparatus in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein:
 said apparatus includes a dancer roller arm mounted for pivotal movement on which said guide roller is mounted for rotation about said axis, so that said axis is movable through an arc attendant to intermittent motion of the associated film web.   
   
   
       11 . A method of handling a film web, comprising the steps of:
 providing a web-handling apparatus having a guide roller assembly; and   directing a film web through said apparatus, including guiding said film web about said guide roller assembly,   including providing said guide roller assembly with an outer layer comprising resiliently deformable material to thereby accommodate irregularities in said film web.   
   
   
       12 . A method of handling a film web in accordance with  claim 11 , wherein:
 said deformable material comprising polyurethane foam.   
   
   
       13 . A method of handling a film web in accordance with  claim 11 , wherein:
 said irregularity in said film web comprises a zipper assembly.   
   
   
       14 . A method of handling a film web in accordance with  claim 11 , wherein:
 said irregularity in said film web comprises a longitudinal gusset.   
   
   
       15 . A method of handling a film web in accordance with  claim 11 , including:
 guiding said film web about at lease 45 degrees of said roller assembly.   
   
   
       16 . A method of handling a film web in accordance with  claim 11 , including:
 providing a pair of said guide roller assemblies for rotation on respective rotational axes to create a tension zone between said pair of guide roller assemblies, the tension of said film web in said tension zone corresponding to the pressure per linear inch of said film web on said guide roller assemblies.   
   
   
       17 . A method of handling a film web in accordance with  claim 11 , including:
 providing said outer layer of said guide roller assembly has a width greater than the width of said associated film web, to thereby create relatively uncompressed regions of said outer layer at respective opposite margins of said film web which regions act to flatten said film web across said guide roller assembly.   
   
   
       18 . A method of handling a film web in accordance with  claim 11 , including:
 providing a dancer roller arm mounted for pivotal movement on which said guide roller is mounted for rotation about said axis, so that said axis is movable through an arc attendant to intermittent motion of the associated film web.