Abstract:
An improved web winder and compensator apparatus with automatic web winding speed compensating controls for selectively winding or unwinding at a uniform tension a roll of traveling continuous web material being selectively fed from or taken up by an associated mechanism, as follows. A tension compensator device passes the traveling web therethrough and compensates for variations in speed of travel of the web for maintaining a uniform tension therein. The compensator device preferably includes stationary rolls for guiding the web through the compensator device and counterbalanced movable rolls for receiving the traveling web therearound and for moving toward and away from the stationary rolls for decreasing and increasing the length of the path of travel of the web through the compensator in relation to the tension on the traveling web. The movable rolls are preferably movable to a threading position for straightline linear threading up of the web through the compensator device. A variable speed, center drive, reversible winder mechanism is positioned adjacent the compensator device for selectively winding or unwinding a roll of the web material.