Nip separator device for a roll assembly

A roll assembly, including a frame; a first component mounted to the frame and having a shaft, the shaft; a second component rotatably mounted to the frame and disposed in proximity with the first component, wherein at least one of the first component and the second component is translatable relative to the other; and a plurality of separator devices mounted on ends of the shaft of one of the first and second component. Each separator device includes an aperture for mounting on the shaft on one of the first and second components, the aperture defining an inner bearing surface defined by a plurality of circular arcs of differing radii; and an outer contact surface for contacting the other of the first and second components and spacing the first and components apart when each of the separator devices is in a first rotational position about the shaft and being disengaged from the other of the first and second component when each of the separator devices is in a second rotational position about the shaft so as to allow outer surfaces of the first and second components to contact each other.