Web conveyance system for protecting web patterns

Abstract

A web conveyance system is provided for conveying a web that has first and second edge portions and a central portion disposed between the first and second edge portions. The web conveyance system has means for engaging the first and second edge portions of the web and maintaining the central portion of the web free of contact with the means. Preferably, the means comprises a roller with left and right end portions and an undercut middle portion. The end portions of the roller engage side edge portions of the web for conveyance while the middle portion of the web and roller remain free of contact with the roller.

1 . A web conveyance system, comprising: 
 a web having first and second edge portions and a central portion disposed between said first and second edge portions; and    means for engaging said first and second edge portions of said web and maintaining said central portion of said web free of contact with said means.    
     
     
         2 . A web conveyance system, as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said means comprises a roller having first and second end portions and a central portion disposed between said first and second end portions, said edge portions of said web engaging said end portions of said roller while said central portion of said web and said central portion of said roller remain free of contact with one another.  
     
     
         3 . A web conveyance system, as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein said central portion of said roller has a smaller diameter than said end portions of said roller.  
     
     
         4 . A web conveyance system, as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said means comprises: 
 a first wheel means associated with said first edge portion of said web for engaging and transporting said web; and    a second wheel means associated with said second edge portion of said web for engaging and transporting said web.    
     
     
         5 . A web conveyance system, as set forth in  claim 4 , including means for controlling operation said first and second wheel means.  
     
     
         6 . A method for conveying a web having a display thereon so that the display is unmarred, comprising the steps of: 
 providing a web having first and second edge portions and a central portion disposed between said first and second edge portions;    providing a first wheel means for engaging said first edge portion of said web for transporting said web;    providing a second wheel means for engaging said second edge portion of said web for transporting said web; and    synchronizing operation of said first and second wheel means and conveying said web.    
     
     
         7 . A method for conveying a web having a display thereon with a roller so that the roller does not contact the displays, comprising the steps of: 
 providing a web having first and second edge portions and a central portion disposed between said first and second edge portions;    providing a roller having first and second end portions and a central portion disposed between said first and second end portions; and    entraining the side edges of the web about the end portions of the roller so that the said central portion of the web and the central portion of the roller remain free of contact with one another.    
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  including the step of forming the central portion of the roller with a smaller diameter than the end portions of the roller.