US3404820A - Apparatus for uniform web feed - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 8, 1968 H. w. MARANO v APPARATUS FOR UNIFORM WEB FEED 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 12, 1966 INVENTOR kzscwrldlmmm/a BY e ATTORNEY Oct. 8, 1968 H. w. MARANO APPARATUS FOR UNIFORM WEB FEED 5 Sheets-Sheet :7;

Filed April 12, 1966 INVENTOR lye-Racer MA/zmwa ATTCRNEY 1968 H. w. MARANO 3,404,820

APPARATUS FOR UNIFORM WEB FEED Filed April 12, 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR ATTORNEY way/WM Mam/a Oct. 8, 1968 MARANO 3,494,829

APPARATUS FOR UNIFORM WEB FEED FiledApril 12, 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR A aeazzr M/flhii/va ATTORNEY Oct. 8, 1968 H. w. MARANO APPARATUS FOR UNIFORM WEB FEED 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed April 12, 1966 0 mm m m v m i w United States Patent() "ice 3,404,820 APPARATUS FOR UNIFORM WEB FEED Herbert W. Marano, Summit, N.J., assignor to Consolidated Cigar Corporation, New York, N.Y., a corporation of Delaware Filed Apr. 12, 1966, Ser. No. 541,988 7 Claims. (Cl. 226-40) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A tension regulating band feed mechanism includes a constant speed take-up and a feed roll, the band traversing a loop between the take-up and feed roll which is engaged by a sensing element. The feed roll is rotated at less than take-up speed through a slow overrunning clutch and is rotated at greater than take-up speed by an electric clutch. The electric clutch is deactuated when the loop exceeds a predetermined first amplitude and is actuated when the loop is less than a predetermined value. Means are provided for adjusting the tension of the sensing member on the loop and the loop amplitude control points.

The present invention relates generally to improvements in web feeding apparatus and it relates particularly to an improved apparatus for feeding webs, bands and the like under a low uniform tension to a constant take-up device.

There are many forms of apparatus which require for their proper and satisfactory operation the continuous delivery or feed thereto of a web or band under a low uniform tension. Examples of such an apparatus are the cigar producing machines in US. Patents No. 3,152,595 granted Oct. 13, 1964 and No. 3,238,951 granted Mar. 8, 1966, both to Samuel J. Silberman. In embodiments of the aforesaid cigar producing machines bands of reconstituted tobacco which define the cigar binder and wrapper are helically wound about an advancing rod of tobacco. The reconstituted tobacco bands are of low tensile strength and are easily torn and damaged under improper handling and excessive tension. Moreover, the optimum operation of the cigar producing machines and the quality of the end product depend on the feeding of the wrapper and binder bands thereto under uniformly low tension conditions.

It is, therefore, a principal object of the present invention to provide an improved web or band feeding device.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved apparatus for feeding a band or web under a uniform tension to a constant speed take up drive.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improved apparatus for feeding bands to a constant speed take up device at an adjustable low uniform tension.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus of the above nature characterized by its reliability, ruggedness, simplicity, flexibility and adaptability.

The above and other objects of the present invention will become apparent from a reading of the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevational view of a band feeding apparatus embodying the present invention;

. FIGURE 2 is a top plan view thereof;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 3-3 in FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 4-4 in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view taken along line 55 in FIGURE 4;

Cir

3,404,820 Patented Oct. 8, 1968 FIGURE 6 is a sectional view taken along line 6--6 in FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 7 is a sectional view taken along line 7-7 in FIGURE 6;

FIGURE 8 is a front fragmentary view of the band sensing system with the sensing arm in raised position;

FIGURE 9 is a view similar to FIGURE 8 with the sensing arm in depressed position;

FIGURE 10 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 1010 in FIGURE 2; and

FIGURE 11 is a schematic view of the electrical control network of the present apparatus.

. In a sense, the present invention contemplates the provision of a band feeding apparatus comprising means for taking up said band at a predetermined linear speed, means for feeding said band along its length toward said take-up means, means for driving said feed means at first and second speeds above and below said predetermined take-up speed respectively by substantially fixed increments, and control means responsive to a condition of said band between said feed and said take up means for switching said feed drive means alternatively to said first and second speeds. According to a preferred form of the present apparatus two sets of transversely offset feed and control means are provided, each of the feed means comprising a feed roller and a cooperating pressure roller, the feed roller being mounted on a drive shaft which is coupled through an overrunning clutch and an electrically actuated clutch to low speed and high speed drive means respectively. Guide rods lead the fed bands to the take-up means along respective catenaries or loops. A swingable sensing arm engages each of the loops and controls switching means in accordance with the depth of the loops to control the energization of the electric clutch and hence the speed of the feed roller.

Referring now to the drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the present invention, reference numeral 10 generally designates the improved apparatus which includes a common band take-up means 11, a pair of upper and lower similarly constructed sensing devices 12 and 13, upper and lower similarly constructed band feed devices 14 and 16 and upper and lower band roll supports 17 and 18 likewise of similar construction. Takeup means 11 may be of the type described in the above identified Silberman patents and positively takes up a pair of overlapping laterally offset wrapper and binder reconstituted tobacco bands at an adjustable constant speed.

A pair of longitudinally spaced front and rear vertical posts 19 project upwardly from a suitably supported base plate 20 rearwardly of take-up means 11 and have secured thereto and spaced transversely forwardly thereof a longitudinally extending vertical mounting plate 21 which is spaced above the base plate 20 and extends from front post 19 rearwardly of trailing post 19, the upper edge of mounting plate 21 being horizontal and the section thereof between the posts 19 being less than that trailing rear post 19. A vertical mounting rod 22 is spaced rearwardly of and is secured to the trailing edge of mounting plate 21 and projects above and below the top and bottom thereof.

Each of the band roll supports 17 and 18 includes a clamp assembly secured to the top and bottom of the support rod 22 respectively and comprises a rear bar 23 having an arcuate vertical groove engaging the rear face of rod 22 and a front bar 24 having a vertical arcuate groove engaging the front face of rod 22 and secured to the bar 23 by a plurality of bolts to permit the releasable tightening of the clamp assemblies to rod 22 and their vertical adjustment. A horizontal axle 26 is supported by and projects transversely forwardly from the trailing section of clamp bar 23 and rotatably supports a roll R of a reconstituted tobacco wrapper or binder band B, as the case may be, the inner part of which is sandwiched between a pair of axially spaced discs 27.

A link 28 is swingably supported adjacent an end thereof by axle 26 at a point just transversely forwardly of clamp bar 23 and projects longitudinally rearwardly upwardly from the axle. An arm 29 is pivotally connected at an end thereof to the free end of link 28 and extends longitudinally forwardly upwardly from link 28 and supports at its upper end a transversely forwardly directed non-rotatable axle 30 which is positioned above a corresponding band roll R. A friction roller 32 is rotatably engage and supported by axle 30 and is gravity urged into resting engagement with the top face of the band roll R, the roller preferably being formed of or provided with an outer face formed of a natural or synthetic rubber. In order lightly to restrain and prevent overrunning of roll R an adjustable braking assembly is associated with the roller 32 and and includes a pair of annuli or washers 33 freely rotatably mounted on axle 30 and engaging opposite end faces of the roller 32. A first friction disc 34 is non-movably mounted on axle 30 engaging the the rear face of rear washer 33 and a second friction disc 36 is slidably mounted on axle 30 and engages the front face of front washer 33. A pair of diametrically spaced pins 37 project transversely from disc 36 and slidably engage corresponding bores formed in a collar 38 which is axially adjustably secured to the free end of axle 30 to limit disc 36 to axial movement. A helical compression spring 38a is trapped between collar 38 and disc 36 to axially compress the discs, washers and roller 32 and to impart drag to roller 32, drag which is adjustable by means of the axial adjustment of collar 38.

A vertically extending mounting plate 39 is positioned rearwardly of the medial section of and is parallel to mounting plate 21. Plate 39 is secured to plate 21 by transverse tie rods 40 and is supported on base plate 20 by a vertical post 41 to which it is secured through a suitable spacer member. Feed assemblies 14 and 16 are vertically and longitudinally offset and are supported by mounting plates 21 and 39, the lower feed device 16 being rearwardly offset relative to the upper feed device 14.

Each of feed devices 14 and 16 includes a horizontal transverse shaft 42 engaged by axially aligned front and rear bearing bushings 43 and 44 registering with openings in front and rear mounting plates 21 and 39 respectively, shaft 42 projecting forwardly and rearwardly of bushings 43 and 44. A collar 46 is affixed to the rear end of shaft 42 to limit the forward movement thereof. A first gear 47 is provided with a rear hub member 48 which is affixed to shaft 42 forward of the front face of mounting plate 21 to prevent the rearward axial movement of the shaft. Also axially mounted on the front section of shaft 42 and extending substantially from the front face of the gear 47 to the end of the shaft 42 is a cylindrical feed roller 49 formed of any suitable material and secured to gear 47 and hub 48 by means of transverse bolts 50 registering with aligned openings in hub member 48 and gear 47, and engaging tapped bores in roller 49 whereby the said roller is positively rotated by shaft 42.

A vertical bracket plate 51 parallel to mounting plate 21 is positioned above and forward of the front end of each roller 49 and secured to plate 21 by transverse support rods 52 extending between and screwed to plates 21 and 51. A bearing bushing 53 registers with an opening in bracket plate 51 and engages a pin 54 which projects forwardly form an axle 56 through bushing 54 and is eccentric to axle 56. Axle 56 is positioned above and is parallel to shaft 42 and is urged toward and away from the shaft 52 by the turning of eccentric pin 54 about its axis. A pressure roller 57 is rotatably supported by axle 56 and has a gear 58 bolted to its rear end face which gear engages gear 57 whereby to positively rotate rollers 49 and 57 at the same peripheral speed.

A radially projecting arm 59 is mounted on the free end of eccentric pin 54, forward of bracket plate 51, and is affixed thereto in any preadjusted angular position by means of a set screw 59a. A helical tension spring 60 is connected between a pin 61 mounted on arm 59 on one side of the eccentric pin 54 and a pin 63 mounted on bracket plate 51 on the other side of eccentric pin 54 and extends over the eccentric pin 54 thereby normally to urge eccentric pin 54 clockwise as viewed in FIGURE 10 and roller 57 toward resilient engagement with roller 49.

Mounted on shaft 42 shortly forward of rear mounting plate 39 is an overrunning clutch 64 including a driven I member 65 and a drive member 66, driven member 65 being adjustably fixed to shaft 42 by a set screw carried thereby. A first relatively large sprocket wheel 67 is mounted on clutch drive member 66 and is rotatable therewith. Overrunning clutch 64 may be of any conventional type, for example of the sprag or pawl and ratchet type, which permits the driven section to overrun the drive section and effects a coupling between the two sections only when the drive section tends to run faster than the driven section.

A tubular shaft 68 is coaxially rotatably mounted on shaft 42 forward of clutch 64 by means of a pair of bushings 55 registering with the ends of the tubular shaft 68 and engaging the shaft 42 and provided with end flanges abutting the ends of the tubular shaft 68. A second relatively small sprocket wheel 69 is adjustably affixed to the rear part of tubular shaft 68 by means of a set screw 70 carried by the hub of the sprocket wheel 69. While sprocket wheels 67 and 69 are designated as large and small this is merely relative, for example, sprocket wheel 67 may have 25 teeth and sprocket wheel 69 may have 24 teeth so at the same linear speeds their rotation speed ratio is about 24:25, the larger sprocket wheel being slower.

An electrically actuated, normally disengaged clutch 71 couples shafts 42 and 68 and is of known construction, including a drive member 72 and a driven member 73. Drive member 72 is mounted on tubular shaft 68 by means of a suitable hub and is rotatable therewith and includes a clutch plate 74 of a magnetic material so supported as to be axially movable under the influence of a magnetic field. Driven member 73 is likewise formed of a magnetic material and is aflixed to shaft 42 and includes a clutch face confronting clutch plate 74. An actuating solenoid 76 is disposed adjacent driven member 73 and is so associated therewith that upon electrical energization of solenoid 76 drive and driven members 72 and 73 are brought into driving engagement by reason of the magnetic advance of clutch plate 74 into engagement with driven member 72, upon deenergization of solenoid 76 disengagement of clutch 71 is effected. Positioned forwardly of the lower part of rear mountmg plate 39 is a transversely extending suitably supported horizontal shaft 77 to which are affixed a pair of axially spaced third and fourth relatively small and large sprocket wheels 78 and 79 respectively, wheel 78 being longitudinally aligned with sprocket wheels 67 and wheel 79 being longitudinally aligned with sprocket wheels 69 of feed assemblies 14 and .16. Sprocket wheels 67 and 78 are coupled by a first sprocket chain 78a and sprocket wheels 69 and 79 are coupled by a second sprocket chain 79a so that upon rotation of shaft 77 shafts 68 are rotated at a greater speed than the overrunning clutch drive members 66.

A vertical bevel gear 80 is afiixed to shaft 77 forward of sprocket wheel 79 and is engaged by a horizontal sprocket wheel 81 affixed to the upper end of a vertical shaft 82. Shaft 82 projects through base plate 20 and is suitably supported by and journalled in upper and lower bearings mounted on the base plate 20 and mounting plate 21, being disposed rearwardly of plate 21, and has atfixed to its lower end, below base plate 20, a horizontal bevel gear 82, which is engaged by a vertical bevel gear 84 afiixed to a drive shaft 86 driven in synchronism with or by a common drive means which motivates take-up means 11 so that there is a constant relationship among the various speeds whereby the normal take-up speed of the means 11 is between the upper and lower peripheral speeds of feed rollers 49 as effected through clutches 71 and 64 respectively.

Sensing assemblies 12 and 13 are associated with and disposed below and forward of the corresponding feed assemblies 14 and- .16 and are mounted on forward post 19. Each sensing assembly comprises a clamp member engaging the forward post 19 and including a front clamp bar 87 disposed in front of and projecting longitudinally forwardly of post 19 and a rear clamp bar 88 disposed at the rear of post 19 and secured to the front clamp bar by a plurality of bolts. Front clamp bar 87 terminates at its forward end in an upwardly directed leg 89 having a transverse bore formed therein which engages a forwardly projecting transverse rod 90 which is adjustably locked in the bore by a set screw 91 engaging a tapped radial bore in leg 88. A longitudinally extending horizontal bracket bar 92 is supported by rod 90 and has a transverse bore formed therein engaging rod 90, bracket 92 being adjustably fixed to rod 90 by a set screw 95.

The trailing end of bracket bar 92 is longitudinally slotted to form a pair of transversely spaced horizontal parallel arms 94 having aligned transverse bores formed therein which rotatably engage a transverse shaft 96 projecting forwardly of arms 94 andextending shortly rearwardly thereof. An elongated real-wardly projecting sensing arm 97 has its leading end sandwiched between bracket arms 94 and has a transverse bore formed therein engaging shaft 96. Sensing arm 97 is adjustably fixed to shaft 96 by a set screw and is freely swingable therewith. The free end of sensing arm 97 supports a forwardly projecting horizontal transverse guide and sensing rod 98 which is adapted to engage the upper face of a corresponding band B as it traverses a path from feed roller 49.to apply a weighted tension to band B and to be moved upwardly and downwardly by and with the band B as the path thereof changes to correspondingly swing sensing arm 97. A pair of transversely spaced collars 99 are adjustably positioned on guide rod 98 to restrict the passage of band B therebetween. In order to adjust the tension imparted to band B by sensing arm 97 a weight member 100 having a longitudinal slot in the bottom thereof slidably engages the upper part of sensing arm 97 and is releasably fixed in a preset position by means of thumb screw 101 engaging a tapped transverse bore in member 100 and communicating with the slot therein whereby to releasably engage the side face of arm 97.

Mounted atop bracket 92, adjacent its trailing end, is a switch support bracket 103 including a base plate 104 secured to the bracket 92 by screws and a pair of transversely spaced vertical plates 106 projecting upwardly from side edges of plate 104. Suitably mounted on the outer faces of bracket plates 106 are a pair of rear and front microswitches S1 and S2 respectively, each such switch overhanging an outer face of bracket arms 94. Switch S1 is a normally closed switch and includes a longitudinally extending horizontal actuating arm 107 hinged at its leading end to the housing of switch S1 and supporting at its trailing end, by means of an integrally formed dependent bracket, a cam follower wheel 108. Switch S2 is a normally closed switch and includes a longitudinally extending horizontal actuating arm 109 hinged at its leading end to the housing of switch S2 and supporting at its trailing end by means of a depending bracket a cam follower wheel 110.

A pair of switch actuating cams 11.1 and 112 are mounted on shaft 96 along opposite faces of bracket 92 and are individually suitably angularly adjustable on the shaft 96 and releasably affixed thereto for rotation with the shaft 96. Cam 111 is engaged by the switch actuating follower 108 and includes a short raised section 113 which, when in registry with follower 108, actuates switch S1 to an open position, and cam 112 is engaged by the switch actuating follower .110 and includes a short raised section 114 which, when in registry with follower 110, actuates switch S2 to a closed position. Cams 111 and 112 are so adjusted on shaft 96 that when sensing arm 97 is in its upper position, as seen in FIGURE 8, cam raised section 114 engages follower 1.10 to close switch S2 and cam raised section 113 is out of registry with follower 108 to effect closing of switch S1, and when the sensing arm 97 is in its lower position, as seen in FIGURE 9, cam raised section 113 engages follower 108 to open switch S1 and cam raised section 1.14 is out of registry with the follower to effect opening of switch S2. It should be noted that the full stroke of sensing arm 97 and hence the variation of the path of band B may be adjusted by adjusting the positions of cams 111 and 112 on the shaft 96, as will be .hereinafter set forth.

The portion of shaft 96 which projects forwardly of cam 112 functions as a band guide and carries a pair of transversely spaced axially adjustable guide collars .116. A third guide rod 117 is mounted on and projects transversely forwardly from bracket 92 a short distance longitudinally forwardly of and at the level of shaft 96 and is provided with axially adjustable transversely spaced guide collars 115. A fourth guide rod 118 is mounted at and projects transversely forwardly from the leading end of bracket 92 at the level of guide rod 117 and is provided with transversely spaced axially adjustable guide collars 119. A plurality of suitably supported vertically staggered longitudinally spaced parallel transverse guide rods 120 are positioned below sensing assemblies 12 and .13 and between take-up device 11 and sensing assemblies 12 and 13. 1

The network for controlling the actuation of clutches 71 by the energization of clutch solenoids 76 in response to sensing arms 97 is shown in FIGURE 11 and includes a step down power transformer T having a primary connected by way of fuses to a source of alternating current and a low voltage secondary connected through a resistor R1 across the input of a solid state bridge rectifier D1, the output terminals of which are connected to lines a and b respectively and across a filter capacitor C1. The input of a second solid state bridge rectifier D2 is connected across the primary of transformer T through a variable resistor R2, the output of rectifier D2 being shunted by a filter capacitor C2 and connected to lines 0 and d respectively. Associated with each pair of switches S1 and S2 and clutch solenoid 76 is a relay which includes a relay solenoid RS which, upon energization, actuates normally open switches S3 and S4 to their closed positions.

Relay solenoid RS is shunted by a reversely oriented diode D3 and has one terminal connected to line a and the other terminal thereof connected through normally open switch S2 to line b and through normally open relay hold switch S4 and normally closed switch S1 connected in series to line b, Clutch solenoid 76 is connected through the normally open relay switch S3 between lines c nd d and is shunted by a capacitor C3 and an indicator lamp N, and switch S3 is shunted by the series connected resistor R3 and capacitor C4. It should be noted that the relay switch arrangement described above is associated with each of clutch solenoid and sensing and control combinations for the wrapper and binder bands and operate independently of each other but are provided with com- 7 99, below shaft rod 96 and between collars 116 and thence over guide rods 117 and 118 between collars 115 and 119. From the guide rods 118, bands B are led to take-up device 11 through guide rods 120.

When a clutch solenoid 76 is deenergized by reason of switches S2 and S4 being open, shaft 42 is driven at a low speed through overrunning clutch 64, large sprocket wheel 67 and small sprocket wheel 78, to rotate feed rolls 49 and 57 at alower peripheral speed than the take-up speed of device 11 and thereby feed band B at less than take-up speed. As a consequence, the length of band B between feed rolls 49 and 57 and the take-up device 11 decreases to reduce the depth of the loop of band B as it travels below sensing rod 98 thereby to raise sensing rod 98 and swing sensing arm 97 upwardly. As sensing arm 97 approaches its upper position as seen in FIGURE 8 cam 111 releases switch S1 to its closed position and cam 112 closes switch S2. The closing of switch S2 completes the circuit toand effects the energization of relay solenoids RS which thereupon closes switches S3 and S4. The closing of switch clutch solenoid 76 and effect the engagement of clutch 71. Shaft 42 is thus driven through clutch 71, small sprocket wheel 69 and large sprocket wheel 79 at a high speed overrunning clutch 64 and driving feed rollers 49 and 57 at a greater peripheral speed than that of take-up device 11 so that the rollers feed the band B faster than it is taken up by device 11. Accordingly, the length of band B between feed rollers 49 and 57 and take-up device 11 increases effecting the lowering of sensing rod 98 and sensing arm 97. As sensing arm 97 approaches its bottom position cams 111 and 112 effect the opening of switches S1 and S2, the opening of switch S1 breaking the hold circuit of relay solenoid RS which is deenergized and releases switches S3 and S4 to their open position. Open switch S3 breaks the energization circuit of the clutch solenoid 76 thereby to disengage clutch 71. Shaft 42 is then driven through overrunning clutch 64 at its lower speed as aforesaid to advance band B at a lesser speed than that of take-up device 11. The above cycle is periodically repeated to assure band feed to take-up device 11 under uniform conditions. It should be noted that the upper and lower limit of the stroke of sensing arm 97 and hence of the loop of band B may be varied by adjusting the angular positions of cams 112 and 111 respectively on the shaft 96 and relative to the sensing arm 97 While there has been described and illustrated a preferred embodiment of the present invention it is apparent that numerous alterations, omissions and additions may be made without departing from the spirit thereof,

What is claimed is:

1. A band feeding apparatus comprising means for taking up said band at a predetermined linear speed, a rotatable feed wheel engaging said band whereby said band traverses a path between said feed wheel and said take-up means including a loop, control means including a sensing element engaging said band along said loop and movable in response to the amplitude of said loop, means for driving said feed wheel including an overrunning first clutch and a low speed drive coupled to said feed wh el through said overrunning clutch, a selectively engageable and disengageable second electrically actuated clutch and a high speed drive connected to said feed wheel through said second clutch, said high speed drive rotating said feed wheel at a feed speed exceeding said take-up speed by a predetermined increment upon engagement of said electric clutch, and said low speed drive rotating said feed wheel at a feed speed less than said take-up speed by a predetermined increment upon disengagement of said electric clutch, and control means responsive to said sensing element for engaging said electric clutch upon said loop amplitude falling below a predetermined value and for disengaging said electric clutch upon said amplitude exceeding a predetermined value and being unresponsive to said sensing element when said loop amplitude is between said predetermined values.

' 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said control means includes switch means actuated by said sensing element, the engagement and disengagement of said second clutch being responsive to said switch means. i

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said electric clutch includes an actuating solenoid, and said control means comprises a normally open first switch and a normally closed second switch alternatively actuated by said sensing element, a relay including an actuating solenoid and first and second pairs of normally open contacts, said relay solenoid being connected across a source of current through said first switch and through the series connected second switch and relay second contact pair, said clutch solenoid being connected to a source of current through said relay first contact pair.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 including means for varying the pressure of said sensing element on said band.

5. A band feed apparatus comprising means for taking up said band at a predetermined linear speed, means including a feed wheel for feeding said band along it length toward said take-up means, means for driving said feed means at first and second speeds above and below said predetermined take-up speed by substantially fixed increments and including a drive shaft coupled to said feed wheel, an overrunning first clutch including a driven section connected to said drive shaft and an associated drive section, an electrically actuated second clutch including a driven section connected to said drive shaft and an associated drive section, and pulleys connected to said first and second clutch drive sections and coupled to a common drive rotating said pulleys at slower and faster angular speeds respectively, and control means responsive to a condition of said band between said feed and said takeup means for alternatively energizing and deenergizing said second clutch.

6. A band feed apparatus comprising means for taking up said band at a predetermined linear speed, means including a feed wheel for feeding said band along its length toward said take-up means, means for driving said feed means at first and second speeds above and below said predetermined take-up speed by substantially fixed increments, and including a drive shaft coupled to said feed wheel, a sleeve coaxially mounted on said drive shaft, an overrunning first clutch including a driven section connected to said drive shaft and an associated drive section, an electrically actuated second clutch including a driven section connected to said drive shaft and an associated drive section mounted on said sleeve, said first and second clutch drive sections being rotated at relatively lower and higher speeds respectively, and control means responsive to a condition of said hand between said feed and said take-up means for alternatively energizing and deenergizing said second clutch.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, including a second wheel supported parallel to and spring urged toward said feed wheel and means driving said second wheel at the same peripheral speed as said feed wheel.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,791,450 2/1931 Kellogg 226-4 4 X 2,060,822 ll/l936 Novick 22630 2,544,467 3/1951 Michel 22644 X 2,707,254 4/1955 Newman 22630 X 2,747,866 5/1956 Schmidt 22644 2,977,035 3/1961 Tilton 22640 X M. HENSON WOOD, JR., Primary Examiner.

R. A. SCHACHER, Assistant Examiner.

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