Patent ID: 7753669

Claim:
A system for flexing a web of indeterminate length comprising: a web handling apparatus including a first web handling assembly and a second web handling assembly and a gap therebetween; a web path including; a first portion along the first web handling assembly, a second portion along the second web handling assembly, and a third portion in the gap, wherein the first, second, and third portions are configured such that a web in the third portion of the web path includes a radiused section including a radius, and there is no contact between the web handling apparatus on one side of the web in the first, second, and third portions of the web path; means for creating a signal based on at least one of the position of the radiused section in the gap and the radius of the radiused section; means for controlling the radius of the radiused section based on the signal while the web is moving through the web path; and means for holding the web against the first and second web handling assemblies in the first and second portions of the web path, respectively, wherein the means for holding is selected from the group consisting of a mechanical engagement means, air pressure means, electrostatic pinning means, and adhesive means.