Abstract: A substantially rectangular metal blank (18) is formed about a mandrel (14) to provide a slightly open shell (28) having a pair of axially extending lips (20c, 20t) separated by a distance sufficient to permit a prewound spool (10) and its film leader or other product to be inserted axially into the shell prior to closing the shell about the spool or other product.

Abstract: An apparatus for closing a preform shell about a wound film spool or similar object has a jaw assemblage having a pair of jaw members. The jaw members have a predetermined configuration for receiving and then closing a preform shell about the object. Jaw members are connected by a series of pivot members and connecting drive links. Drive means precisely controls the movements of connecting links supporting the jaw members thereby causing the jaw members to open and close.

Abstract: Web spooling equipment has an improved means for closing a preform shell about a film spool or similar object. The improved equipment utilizes a rotatably mounted jaw assemblage having a pair of jaw members for opening to receive a preform shell enclosing a wound spool or similar object and then closing about the preform shell to form a near perfect round cylindrical shape. Precision movements of the jaw assemblage are governed by connecting links and a series of pivot members connecting the jaw members and connecting links. The closed preform shell is then transferred downstream of the closing step by the jaw assemblage for independent treatment.

Abstract: Objects (240) are picked up from a conveyor (242) by a pickup head (90, 92), moved radially by a transfer assembly (26-50; 82-92) which then is rotated by an actuator (16) to position the pickup head at a second location where the transfer assembly moves the pickup head radially.

Abstract: Cartridges (240) are picked up from a conveyor (242) in a lighted environment by a pickup head (90, 92), moved radially through a first opening (156) into a light-lock enclosure (136) by a transfer assembly (26-50; 82-92) which then is rotated by an actuator (16) to position the pickup head opposite a second opening (158) in the enclosure where the transfer assembly moves the pickup head radially through the second opening into a darkened environment. A shutter assembly (168-192) sequentially blocks and unblocks the first and second openings during operation, to prevent entry of light into the enclosure.

Abstract: A film spool comprises a spool core having first and second external core portions movable away from each other to further open a film receiving slot between them to facilitate insertion of a film end into the slot and removal of the film end from the slot, a film engagement protrusion projecting from the first core portion into the slot to engage a film end within the slot and secure the film end to the spool core, and a film stripper protrusion projecting from the second core portion into the slot to disengage a film end from the film engagement protrusion when the core portions are moved away from each other to further open the slot.

Abstract: A film spool comprises a rigid spool core having a slot, first and second resilient flexures located inside the slot for flexing away from each other in response to axial compression at opposite ends of the flexures to permit a film end to be inserted between or removed from the flexures and being biased to return toward each other when the compression is removed, a film engagement protrusion projecting from the first flexure to between the first and second flexures to engage a film end to secure the film end to the spool core when the flexures are returned toward each other, and a film stripper protrusion projecting from the second flexure to between the first and second flexures to disengage a film end from the film engagement protrusion when the flexures are flexed away from each other.

Abstract: A film spool comprises a spool core having a slot for receiving a film end, a cantilevered beam supported at only one end inside the slot to prevent movement of the beam along the slot and to allow the beam to be swung laterally within the slot, a film engagement protrusion projecting into the slot from either one of the spool core or the cantilevered beam to engage a film end within the slot, and a film stripper protrusion projecting into the slot from whichever one of the spool core or the cantilevered beam the film engagement protrusion does not project from to disengage a film end from the film engagement protrusion when the beam is swung laterally within the slot.

Abstract: Clamping of different format sizes of film is achieved by aperatured inserts of the required size being insertable in a base member and a platen. The base member is provided with a relatively flat surface and an aperature therein over which a film strip is positioned. The platen is provided with an aperture therethrough and a gripping strips positioned around the periphery of the aperature with the gripping strips being angled away from the aperture. A clamping of the platen to the base member, with said apertures in alignment, provides a tension in the film along all sides of the aperture as the gripping strips are urged outward from the aperture. A two degree of freedom gimbal is formed in the platen to insures that the gripping strips clamp parallel to the aperture plate. Also the design will apply an equal and even clamping force and tension around the film because the two degrees of fredom of rotations are about the center of the clamping plate inserts.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for plastically deforming and closing an very open, non-cylindrical shell (28) having axially extending lips (20c, 20t) spaced sufficiently far apart to permit a wound spool of strip material to pass laterally between such lips, the apparatus including a pair of closure jaws (670,676) having concave cylindrical surfaces for contacting the exterior surface of such a shell between such lips, the concave surfaces having a curvature corresponding to the desired final cylindrical shape for such a shell; a pivotable arm (608-612) for placing the closure jaws in an open configuration about such a shell and a linkage (614-674) operatively connected to the pivotable arm for closing the closure jaws about such a shell to move such lips into close proximity and form such shell into a cylindrical shape between such lips and thereafter for opening the jaws without contacting the closed shell as the jaws open.

Abstract: A substantially rectangular metal blank is formed about a mandrel (76) to provide a very open shell (28) having a pair of axially extending lips (20c,20t) separated by a distance sufficient to permit a prewound spool (10) or other product to be inserted radially, laterally into the shell prior to closing the shell about the spool or other product.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for removing a very open shell (28) from a forming mandrel (76), the mandrel being configured so that when the shell is released from the mandrel, the shell springs to an open form. The apparatus includes a fixture (44) for receiving the shell from the mandrel after the shell has been formed and clamped in place, the fixture comprising a pair of spaced claw elements (308,310) having aligned openings (426) through which the mandrel and the shell can pass with the shell formed and clamped in place on the mandrel, the openings being sized to hold the shell in its open form due to the spring force of the shell, and a support (394) connected between the claw elements for maintaining the alignment of the openings. A universal mount (394,424) for the fixture enables it to be positioned accurately to receive the shell from the mandrel.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for forming a very open shell (28) having axially extending lips (20c,20t) spaced sufficiently far apart to permit a prewound spool of web material (10) to be inserted radially, laterally into the very open form shell, after which the shell is closed and end caps (24) are installed. Apparatus are disclosed for forming the very open form shell (40), transferring the shell to a mechanism for applying end caps (48), inserting a prewound spool of web material (56) into the very open shell, positioning the spool accurately within the shell (780-856), closing the shell about the spool (58) and staking the end caps in place (60).