Patent ID: 7328541

Claim:
A web guide system for moving and guiding a continuous web along a path of conveyance, the web having a width defined along a transverse direction between opposite first and second longitudinal edges of the web, the web guide system comprising: a roll of the web rotatable mounted in a mounting arrangement, wherein the web comprises two overlying plies defining an opening between the plies along the first longitudinal edge, wherein the web comprises an inflatable web in which the two plies are sealed together in a pattern defining inflatable chambers that are open to the opening along the first longitudinal edge; a web drive system structured and arranged to pull the web and advance the web along the path of conveyance; a tension-reducing device located upstream of the web drive system and positioned to contact a surface of the web and to cause the web to partially wrap about an outer surface of the tension-reducing device, the tension-reducing device being configured to focus tension produced in the web by the web drive system upon the tension-reducing device at a location spaced in the transverse direction from the first longitudinal edge of the web; the web drive system being operable to pull the web around the tension-reducing device such that tension in the web is non-uniform across the width of the web and reaches a maximum tension generally at said location and decreases toward the first longitudinal edge of the web to create a zone in the web at the first longitudinal edge having a lower degree of tension relative to the tension in the web at said location; and a web edge guide positioned to engage the web in said zone and to control transverse positioning of the first longitudinal edge, wherein the web edge guide comprises part of an inflation device having a portion that extends between the plies to inflate the chambers with a gas.