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 having at least one irregularity 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, said deformable material being inwardly deformable to thereby accommodate irregularities, including gussets and zipper elements, in said film web by deformation of the foam 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 . (canceled) 
   
   
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