Linear tail sealer

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The invention provides a machine which is operative for handling a roll of wound, sheet-like material having a loose tail end.
The machine includes means for rotating the roll in a direction tending to wind the loose tail end upon the roll, means for unwinding the loose tail end off the roll during rotation, and a delivery table upon which the unwound loose tail settles for the application of glue.
In accordance with the invention, first sensor means is provided for detecting the passage of the loose tail end after it has been unwound off the roll but prior to its arrival on the delivery table, and second sensor means is provided which is operative between a normally deactivated condition and an activated condition for detecting the location of the tail end at a predetermined position on the delivery table.
First circuit means places the second sensor means in the activated condition in response to the detection of the tail end by the first sensor means, and second circuit means terminates operation of the roll rotation means in response to the detection by the now activated second sensor means of the location of the tail end at the predetermined position on the delivery table.
In another embodiment, the invention provides first corner edge sensing means for detecting the location of one corner edge of the tail end at a predetermined position on the delivery table and second corner edge sensing means for detecting the location of the other corner edge of the tail end at a predetermined position on the delivery table.
Circuit means interconnects the first and second corner edge sensing means with the roll rotation means such that the operation of the roll rotation means is terminated when the corner edges of the tail end simultaneously arrive at their respective predetermined positions on the delivery table.
Thus, should the tail end be uneven, the corner edges of the tail end will not simultaneously arrive at their respective predetermined positions, and a cant with such a defective tail end will not terminate operation of the roll rotation means