Apparatus and method for severing or separating a web

Abstract

An apparatus, system and method are disclosed for separating and/or winding a web. A web is adhered by vacuum force to a rotating transfer roll. A turret is provided that is capable of indexing about a longitudinal axis, the turret having a plurality of mandrels rotatably affixed to the turret. A web passes to the transfer roll and to winding position of the turret. A severing means, such as an air knife, water knife, interference device, or severing roll is configured to separate the web. The web may be synthetic, textile, or paper. The web may be perforated at periodic intervals so that the web sections may be separated at pre-existing perforations and then wound upon mandrels of the turret in a continuous operation.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An apparatus for severing a web, comprising: 
 a rotating transfer roll, the rotating transfer roll being configured to carry a web on its exterior surface; and    a severing means, the severing means being configured to engage and separate the web into an upstream portion and a downstream portion.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  in which the severing means comprises an air knife.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  in which the severing means comprises a water knife.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  in which the severing means comprises an interference device.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  in which the severing means comprises a severing roll.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  additionally comprising: 
 a servo motor to direct the movement of the severing means in separating the web.  
 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  in which the transfer roll is configured to employ a suction force, thereby adhering the web to its exterior surface.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7  in which a transfer pad is employed to apply the suction force to the web.  
     
     
         9 . An apparatus for severing a web, comprising: 
 a rotating transfer roll, the rotating transfer roll being configured to carry a web on its exterior surface, the rotating transfer roll having on its exterior surface a transfer pad, the transfer pad being adapted for applying a releasable suction force to releasably adhere the web to the transfer roll; and    a severing device, the severing device being configured to separate the web into portions.    
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9  additionally comprising: 
 a channel upon the exterior surface of the rotating transfer roll, the channel being configured to receive at least one component of the severing device in separating the web.  
 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 9  in which the severing device is adapted to sever the web at a pre-existing perforation.  
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 9  additionally comprising: 
 a servo motor configured to control movement of the severing device.  
 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 9  in which the transfer pad is positioned along the width of the transfer roll to engage the web in its cross direction.  
     
     
         14 . An apparatus for separating a web, comprising: 
 a rotating transfer roll, the rotating transfer roll being configured to carry a web on its exterior surface, the rotating transfer roll having on its exterior surface a transfer pad, the transfer pad being adapted for applying a suction force to releasably adhere the web to the transfer roll; and    a severing roll, the severing roll being configured to separate the web into portions.    
     
     
         15 . A method of separating a web, the method comprising: 
 (a) providing a web,    (b) rotating a transfer roll,    (c) adhering the web to the surface of the transfer roll using a suction force,    (d) providing a severing device, the severing device being selected from the group of devices comprising: air knife, water knife, interference device, and severing roll, and    (e) separating the web.    
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  further wherein step (e) additionally comprises: 
 engaging the transfer roll with at least one component of the severing device in separating the web.  
 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising the step of: 
 (f) releasing the web.  
 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the releasing step (f) is accomplished by removing the suction force from the web.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising the step of: 
 (g) winding the web into a roll.  
 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15  in which the severing device is a water knife.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 15  in which the severing device is an air knife.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 15  in which the severing device is an interference device.