Telescoping web handling member

Abstract

Telescoping web handling members which can be adjusted to facilitate processing webs of varying dimensions are presented.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A telescoping web handling member, comprising:
 a. a first section comprising a first outer web contacting surface;   b. a second section comprising a second outer web contacting surface; and   c. a third section disposed between the first section and the second section, the third section comprising a third outer web contacting surface;   d. wherein at least two of the first section, the second section, and the third section are slidably engaged with one another; and   e. wherein at least two of the first outer web contacting surface, the second outer web contacting surface, and the third outer web contacting surface are on a same plane.   
     
     
         2 . The telescoping web handling member of  claim 1 , wherein the first section, the second section, and the third section are configured to rotate. 
     
     
         3 . The telescoping web handling member of  claim 1 , wherein the first section, the second section, and the third section define an idler roll. 
     
     
         4 . The telescoping web handling member of  claim 1 , wherein the first section and the second section comprise a metallic material; and wherein the third section comprises a polymeric material. 
     
     
         5 . The telescoping web handling member of  claim 1 , wherein the first section and the second section are aluminum; and wherein the third section is plastic. 
     
     
         6 . The telescoping web handling member of  claim 1 , wherein the first section and the second section are hollow; and wherein the third section is solid. 
     
     
         7 . The telescoping web handling member of  claim 1 , wherein the first section comprises a first wall thickness and the second section comprises a second wall thickness; and wherein the first wall thickness is different than the second wall thickness. 
     
     
         8 . The telescoping web handling member of  claim 1 , wherein the third section has a smaller outer diameter than that of the first section and the second section. 
     
     
         9 . The telescoping web handling member of  claim 1 , wherein third section is slidably engaged with the first section; and wherein the third section is rigidly fixed to the second section. 
     
     
         10 . A telescoping web handling member, comprising:
 a. a first section;   b. a second section; and   c. a third section disposed between the first section and the second section;   d. wherein at least two of the first section, the second section, and the third section are slidably engaged with one another;   e. wherein there are multiple outer diameter changes between the sections; and   f. wherein the multiple outer diameter changes are both symmetric and centered among the first section, the second section, and the third section.   
     
     
         11 . The telescoping web handling member of  claim 10 , wherein the first section, the second section, and the third section are configured to rotate. 
     
     
         12 . The telescoping web handling member of  claim 10 , wherein the first section, the second section, and the third section define an idler roll. 
     
     
         13 . The telescoping web handling member of  claim 10 , wherein the first section and the second section comprise a metallic material; and wherein the third section comprises a polymeric material. 
     
     
         14 . The telescoping web handling member of  claim 10 , wherein the first section and the second section are aluminum; and wherein the third section is plastic. 
     
     
         15 . The telescoping web handling member of  claim 10 , wherein the first section and the second section are hollow; and wherein the third section is solid. 
     
     
         16 . The telescoping web handling member of  claim 10 , wherein the first section comprises a first wall thickness and the second section comprises a second wall thickness; and wherein the first wall thickness is different than the second wall thickness. 
     
     
         17 . The telescoping web handling member of  claim 10 , wherein the third section has a smaller outer diameter than that of the first section and the second section. 
     
     
         18 . The telescoping web handling member of  claim 10 , wherein third section is slidably engaged with the first section; and wherein the third section is rigidly fixed to the second section. 
     
     
         19 . A telescoping web handling member, comprising:
 a. a first section;   b. a second section; and   c. a third section disposed between the first section and the second section;   d. wherein the third section comprises a different effective outer diameter from that of the first second and the second section;   e. wherein the third section is slidably engaged with the first section; and   f. wherein the third section is rigidly fixed to the second section.   
     
     
         20 . The telescoping web handling member of  claim 19 , wherein the first section, the second section, and the third section define an idler roll.