Patent ID: 6604463
Filing Date: 2003-08-12
Classification: B41F,B65H

Abstract:
A printing web distortion apparatus for imposing a measured amount of distortion into a moving web or a substrate for compensating for lateral stretching thereof during a printing operation, said printing web distortion apparatus comprising:a vertically adjustable post having a gas nozzle disposed at, or adjacent to, a tip of said vertically adjustable post for generating a cushion of gas; and, a support enclosure for said vertically adjustable post having a source for pressurized gas associated therewith, said vertically adjustable post being longitudinally slidable within said support enclosure so that said tip is either raised for approaching the substrate in a first mode, said first mode being an operating mode, wherein said vertically adjustable post imposes a stretch compensating distortion via application of an elevating force exerted by said vertically adjustable post between said tip and the substrate as the substrate is moving, said elevating force being provided by the cushion of gas, or in a second mode, said second mode being an idle mode, wherein said vertically adjustable post is withdrawn from the substrate and no elevating force is exerted on the substrate.