Patent ID: 7780156
Filing Date: 2010-08-24
Classification: A61F,B65H

Abstract:
1. A method for handling a web material which is an essentially continuous web or an essentially continuous sequence of pieces of an essentially continuous web, on a web handling equipment having an overall web path connecting a web supply means with a process section end point, said web material comprising at least a first and second section being connected and spaced apart with the first section being oriented along said overall web path more towards said process section end point than the second section, characterized in that said method comprises the steps of: a) providing said web material on said web supply means; b) moving said web material from said web supply means towards said process end section along said overall web path at an overall web path speed |v c) providing a web path splitter positioned along said overall web path and comprising at least a first and a second web handling section, each of these web handling sections comprising a section frame, and at least one web support connected to said section frame and comprising a freely programmable drive, having a surface which is movable relative to said section frame; d) splitting said web path on said web path splitter into at least a first and a second web sub-path, each running through one of said web handling sections; and transferring said web material along said web sub-paths to said web handling sections; e) handling said web material in each of said web handling sections by: f) thereby transferring at least parts of said web material out of the initial contact regions of said web support into an operating region of said web support or of a further web support, thereby forming a cross-directional fold in said web material; g) optionally performing further web handling or treatment steps on said web material; h) removing said web material from said web handling section; and i) providing said web handling section for repeated executions of the web handling steps d) to h).