Radially Expansible Or Contractile Patents (Class 242/571)
  • Patent number: 10781071
    Abstract: A protective insert for protecting e.g. coils or rolls of sheet steel or aluminum is disclosed. The protective insert is open and diametrically adjustable. The ends of the protective insert may be adjustably engaged by means of engagement means. The engagement means permit diametrical adjustment and locking of the diameter of the protective insert to a suitable diameter. A method of protecting a portion of an object, in particular a roll of sheet material, having a hollow core, is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Lamiflex AB
    Inventors: Janni Weber, Fredrik Rosenlind, Fred Ahlund
  • Patent number: 8910899
    Abstract: A core tube holding device comprising: a plurality of out-pushing members that are arranged side by side spaced apart in the axial direction, each having a pressing part; a connecting member for connecting the plurality of out-pushing members; a holding member that has at every position in the axial direction a pressed part corresponding to the pressing part, and that is disposed radially outward with respect to the plurality of out-pushing members; and an action unit adapted to exert a force for moving, to one side in the axial direction, a one end out-pushing member which, among the plurality of out-pushing members, is at an end on the one side; wherein: at least one from among the pressing parts and the pressed parts is formed in a tapered shape that spreads radially outward from the one side to the other side in the axial direction, and when the force for moving the one end out-pushing member acts thereon via the action unit, the one end out-pushing member moves to the one side while also pulling the othe
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Satoru Miyamoto, Toru Tanjo
  • Patent number: 8905346
    Abstract: The invention relates to a roll unwinding device for a web-fed printing machine, wherein the roll unwinding device has at least one roll holding device and at least one drive motor connected to the at least one roll holding device via at least one torque transfer device, and wherein the at least one roll holding device is embodied as a clamping shaft and the clamping shaft has at least one carrier element, which is connected to the clamping shaft so as to be movable at least in a radial direction with respect to a rotational axis of the clamping shaft, and wherein the roll unwinding device has at least two clamping shaft bearings, at least one of which is connected and/or connectable to the clamping shaft so as to transfer and/or be capable of transferring torque, and wherein the at least one clamping shaft bearing is connected to the at least one drive motor via the at least one torque transfer device so as to transfer and/or be capable of transferring torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Koenig & Bauer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Johannes Matthias Rudolf Repp, Karl Richard Rösch
  • Patent number: 8876034
    Abstract: A sheet storage cassette which contains a print sheet in roll form and is attached to a printing apparatus, comprises: a shaft which retaining the print sheet in roll form; and a support portion rotatably supporting the shaft, wherein an urging member protrudes from a maximum outer diameter of the shaft while the print sheet is not attached to the shaft, and urges the inner surface of a hollow portion of the print sheet while the print sheet is attached to the shaft, and a rib portion which continuously extends in a rotational direction and contacts a pickup guide, when the urging member rotates, the rib portion is provided to prevent the pickup guide from interfering with the urging member which rotates together with the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideki Kawashima, Ryoji Okuno
  • Patent number: 8783981
    Abstract: The present invention provides a reusable and collapsible take-up core for a printer. The core is generally a hollow member having an interior bored mated to fit over a spindle. The core comprises a wall having an interior and exterior surface, at least one axially extending ridge formed on the interior surface of the wall of the core, and an axially extending relief groove formed on the exterior surface of the wall of the core. The take-up core of the present invention provides a more efficient, less time consuming, less messy method and device for unrolling the used or spent material off the core. A method for discarding spent material (i.e. release liner) from a core of a take-up assembly of a printer is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Avery Dennison Corporation
    Inventors: Jan Watson, Thomas P. Keller
  • Publication number: 20140042262
    Abstract: An expansion device configured for securely holding a rolled material when the rolled material is handled on roller is disclosed. The expansion device includes a roller spindle, two expansion members, a fixing sleeve, a clamping nut, and a locking member. The locking member moves toward the expansion members, so that the two expansion members expand toward the fixing sleeve, and protrusions which are formed on the expansion members are pressed outward through fixing holes of the fixing sleeve, and then resist against an inner surface of rolled material inside a rolling hole formed therethrough the rolled material. Thus, the rolled material is held securely by the expansion device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicants: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD., HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (ShenZhen) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: BING LI, BO YANG
  • Publication number: 20140027558
    Abstract: A delivery reel for an elongated sheet, having a disk-shaped flange member on which a sheet roll is positioned; an auxiliary core member of generally cylindrical shape split in the circumferential direction to enable expansion in diameter, and inserted into the inside diameter part of the sheet roll; a main core member fitted into the auxiliary core member which has been inserted into the sheet roll; and a stopper member attached to the circumferential edge of the flange member, and jutting toward the outside in the radial direction. The main core member has a plate spring. In a state in which the auxiliary core member has been inserted into the inside diameter part of the sheet roll, and the main core member has been fitted into the auxiliary core member, the plate spring presses the inside peripheral surface of the auxiliary core member toward the outside in the radial direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: FUJI SEAL INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Kawauchi, Yoshihiro Kondo
  • Patent number: 8523099
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method and a coiler mandrel for coiling metal strip (110), wherein the coiler mandrel (100) comprises a mandrel body (120), a plurality of radially expandable segments (115) arranged around the mandrel body (120), and a plurality of hydraulic cylinders (116) by which the segments (115) can be moved in the radial direction. To be able to coil the metal strip with a circular coil eye even when the friction varies in the individual cylinders, the invention proposes that each cylinder (116) of the plurality of cylinders be individually controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: SMS Siemag Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Matthias Kipping, Rolf Franz
  • Publication number: 20130193260
    Abstract: The invention relates to a winding shaft for winding a continuous flexible material web into a roll. The winding shaft has means in order to adjust the diameter of the winding shaft surface to be wound between a reduced-diameter unused position and an expanded operating position, and the winding surface in the expanded position is formed jointlessly with a uniform curvature and is supported inward against the operational pressure around said winding surface in a dimensionally stable manner that is substantially uniform. A roll can thereby be wound without disruptions and then stored without a casing until the roll “dies”, said roll remaining stable during storage and not forming any disrupted zones on the inner face of the roll.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2011
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: SWISS WINDING INVENTING AG
    Inventors: Carlos Martinez, Anh Kiet Tran
  • Publication number: 20130186997
    Abstract: A core which can be plugged onto a winding shaft for winding an endless, flexible material web to form a reel (10, 60, 70), wherein the core has means for adjusting the diameter of its surface to be wound between a rest state of reduced diameter and an expanded working state, and wherein the winding surface is of jointless configuration in the expanded state. A reel can therefore be stored until it is used up, and the core can then be pulled out of the reel and the reel can be surrendered, with the result that the circulation of sleeves is dispensed with.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2011
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Inventors: Carlos Martinez, Anh Kiet Tran
  • Patent number: 8434213
    Abstract: There is provided a system for readily and efficiently fabricating a wound coil composed of a bobbinless coil. The system includes a coil winding device having an upper jig to which an upper plate is attached and a lower jig to which a lower plate is attached which are provided so as to be relatively displaceable and a tension device for applying predetermined tension to a wire rod fed from a wire rod supplying source. The coil winding device is provided with a claw section having first through third split claws that function as a winding section around which the wire rod is wound between the upper and lower plates and that slide in a radial direction when the upper jig is assembled coaxially with the lower jig.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Keihin Corporation
    Inventors: Tomohiro Nomura, Hirozumi Kon, Satoshi Tokuda, Osamu Hinata
  • Patent number: 8371518
    Abstract: An apparatus for supporting and dispensing a pipe roll. The apparatus includes a frame that has opposite one and other frame ends; a first pair of rollers that are spacedly disposed and mounted at the one end of the frame; and a second pair of rollers that are spacedly disposed and mounted at the other end of the frame. The second pair of rollers are disposed in spaced relationship to the first pair of rollers. The first and second pairs of rollers all extend substantially in parallel to each other and define a circular locus with corresponding support points for the pipe roll. A free standing spool support structure is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Inventor: Charles Factor
  • Publication number: 20130015286
    Abstract: A grain bag handling assembly for a grain bag unloading apparatus having an auger assembly with an input end which is inserted into a mouth of an elongated grain bag and a remote output end. The grain bag handling assembly includes a rotatably mounted spool onto which the grain bag is rolled. The spool has a changeable diameter. A drive motor is provided for rotating the spool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2012
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Applicant: RENN MILL CENTER, INC.
    Inventors: Douglas A. HILSABECK, Peter VERHOOG
  • Patent number: 8261589
    Abstract: A method for coiling thin metal strip, especially hot-rolled or cold-rolled thin steel strip, on a coiler mandrel, which is adjusted in diameter, in which, at the beginning, the inner windings of the coil are coiled on the adjusted coiler mandrel diameter, and, after the final winding of the coil, the coiler mandrel is pulled out, or the coil is taken off, wherein one or more profile grooves are pressed into one inner winding or into several adjacent inner windings on the circumference during rotation of the coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: SMS Siemag Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Klaus Bäumer, Klaus Ginsberg, Matthias Tuschhoff
  • Patent number: 8253524
    Abstract: There is provided a system for readily and efficiently fabricating a wound coil composed of a bobbinless coil. The system includes a coil winding device having an upper jig to which an upper plate is attached and a lower jig to which a lower plate is attached which are provided so as to be relatively displaceable and a tension device for applying predetermined tension to a wire rod fed from a wire rod supplying source. The coil winding device is provided with a claw section having first through third split claws that function as a winding section around which the wire rod is wound between the upper and lower plates and that slide in a radial direction when the upper jig is assembled coaxially with the lower jig.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Keihin Corporation
    Inventors: Tomohiro Nomura, Hirozumi Kon, Satoshi Tokuda, Osamu Hinata
  • Publication number: 20120025003
    Abstract: A device for handling a number of sleeves, preferably paperboard sleeves, before, during and after rolling up of a paper web on each one thereof, in which a body of a length substantially corresponding to the total length or width of the sleeves is inserted in the sleeves and is expandable for pressing the circumferential surface or wall of the body wholly or partly against the inside of the sleeves and thereafter for holding together the sleeves before and during rolling up of the paper webs on the sleeves and the paper rolls thus realized thereon, characterized in that the body is hose-shaped cylindrical, that the ends of the hose-shaped cylindrical body are sealed with an air seal and at least one end is provided with a valve for supplying a medium for expansion of the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2010
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventor: Anders Larsson
  • Publication number: 20110233318
    Abstract: A device for decoiling a coil of sheet material includes a support frame, a rotatable spindle supported by the support frame, and multiple conical support rollers supported by the support frame. The rotatable spindle has an axis of rotation directed in a vertical direction and is configured to be positioned in a hollow core of a coil of sheet material. The multiple conical support rollers are configured to support a base of the coil of sheet material, each conical support roller having a conical shape with a wide end and narrow end. Each conical support roller has an axis of rotation and is arranged such that its respective axis of rotation is directed toward the axis of rotation of the rotatable spindle. Each conical support roller is arranged such that a narrow end of the conical support roller is positioned toward the rotatable spindle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: M.I.C Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Todd E. Anderson
  • Patent number: 7947149
    Abstract: A web of a first sheet material and a web of a second sheet material are laminated together by a process wherein the sheet materials are wound, in an interleaved relationship, upon a roller having a radially displaceable outer surface. The roller and webs and then subjected to heating and/or a low-pressure environment so as to complete the lamination. A body of adhesive material, such as a hot melt adhesive, may be interposed between the webs and the heating or low pressure environment can activate this adhesive. Further disposed are particular configurations of rollers with radially displaceable surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: United Solar Ovonic LLC
    Inventors: Arthur Myatt, Gregory Demaggio, Kevin Beernink, Kermit Jones, Kenneth Lord
  • Patent number: 7770838
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of releasing a reel awe, which is hydraulically restrained by a self-locking effect by means of inwardly located wedge surfaces of expansion elements. Removal of a coil from a reel awe is achieved, without problems, by lifting off the self-locking effect of the expansion elements at least partially or completely by applying longitudinal vibrations acting in an axial direction. The invention also relates to a correspondingly formed device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: SMS Siemag Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Uwe Plociennik, Klaus Küeppers, Meinert Meyer, Georg Rebel
  • Publication number: 20100065675
    Abstract: This is a mandrel used to fabricate seamless belts including those used in electrophotographic marking systems. The mandrel has a center core unit with two circular caps on each side. In between the caps is sandwiched a deformable O-ring which is outwardly deformed upon tightening of the two caps together. Once a tubular sheet is placed over the mandrel, the elastomeric O-ring will hold the sheet in place for further processing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2008
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Applicant: XEROX CORPORATION
    Inventors: KEVIN H. TAFT, Sandra L. Schmitt, Karen E. Halliley
  • Publication number: 20090152390
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a cable spool includes a hub having an outer surface that is retractable and expandable, and a single end plate affixed to an end of the hub. In other embodiments, an apparatus includes an assembly of cascaded, temporarily interlocked spools that can be used for simultaneous despooling or spooling of multiple cable coils.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: James Robert Underbrink, Donn Matthew Perkins, George R. Aguayo
  • Publication number: 20090090807
    Abstract: There is provided a system for readily and efficiently fabricating a wound coil composed of a bobbinless coil. The system includes a coil winding device having an upper jig to which an upper plate is attached and a lower jig to which a lower plate is attached which are provided so as to be relatively displaceable and a tension device for applying predetermined tension to a wire rod fed from a wire rod supplying source. The coil winding device is provided with a claw section having first through third split claws that function as a winding section around which the wire rod is wound between the upper and lower plates and that slide in a radial direction when the upper jig is assembled coaxially with the lower jig.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Publication date: April 9, 2009
    Inventors: Tomohiro Nomura, Hirozumi Kon, Satoshi Tokuda, Osamu Hinata
  • Patent number: 7497402
    Abstract: The invention is particularly directed to the problem of creep deformation in a coiled aluminum strip, which occurs during coiling and for a period thereafter. The problem arises because the profile of the strip across its width is not flat, and is in fact usually thicker in the middle than at the edges (positive crown). To compensate for this, the invention provides that the spool onto which the coil is wound is adapted to provide more support to the strip in the center than at the edges, by making the central portion of the spool of a greater diameter than the end portions of the spool. A strip having a positive crown which is wound onto such a spool was found to exhibit significantly reduced creep strain, leading to reduced creep deformation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Alcan International Limited
    Inventors: Andrew Hobbis, David Skingley Wright
  • Publication number: 20080135672
    Abstract: An invention is provided which employs a self-adjusting core section having an outer diameter which essentially matches that, or is larger than that, of the inner diameter of a wire coil, where the self-adjusting core has a vertical slit along the its length to allow the diameter of the core to be adjustable. Bridging the vertical slit are straps secured to the core to determine the core's maximum diameter, and allow the core diameter to be reduced through flexing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicant: Lincoln Global, Inc.
    Inventor: Gabor Fabian
  • Patent number: 7322761
    Abstract: A spool, such as supply for a wide-format printer, is provided. The spool comprises a spindle for slidingly receiving an outer shaft, which is typically the core of a roll of print media. A first resiliently deformable gripping ring is circumferentially mounted about the spindle, and a compression mechanism is provided for axially compressing the gripping ring. The axial compression causes radial expansion of the gripping ring, thereby urging the gripping ring into gripping engagement with the outer shaft received on the spindle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Kia Silverbrook, Nagesh Ramachandra, Jan Waszczuk
  • Publication number: 20070278342
    Abstract: A reel assembly includes a first hub defining an outer surface, a second hub co-axially disposed relative to the first hub, and a first movable member including a spooling surface that is movable to a position exterior to the outer surface to define at least a portion of an effective outer reel diameter of the assembly. The first and second hubs are manually rotatable relative to one another between a first rotational position and a second rotational position, the assembly being characterized by an expanded state in the first rotational position and a contracted state in the second rotational position where the effective outer reel diameter is greater in the expanded state than in the contracted state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2007
    Publication date: December 6, 2007
    Inventor: Robert A. Harkins
  • Patent number: 7299846
    Abstract: A tool is used to remove a material strip from a surface. The tool has a collapsible body configurable in expanded and collapsed configurations. The expanded configuration allows the strip to be wound about the body while the strip is being removed from a surface. While the strip is wrapped about the body, the body may be collapsed to the collapsed configuration and then removed from the inside of the rolled strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, LLC
    Inventor: Steven James Peirce
  • Patent number: 7204448
    Abstract: A device for producing film rolls, which is in particular suitable for producing coreless film rolls, comprises a roll holder for receiving a film roll comprising a film sheet to be wound off. The film sheet is wound up to a winding mandrel for producing the preferably coreless film roll. For producing in particular a coreless film roll the winding mandrel comprises a plurality of radially displaceable holding segments extending in longitudinal direction of the winding mandrel. After transfer of the winding mandrel, together with the wound-up film roll, to a transport means, the winding mandrel is transported to a delivery station. The delivery station serving for automatically delivering the wound-up film roll from the winding mandrel comprises a displacement means with the aid of which the holding elements of the winding mandrel are displaced into a delivery position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Gerd Heikaus
  • Patent number: 7175128
    Abstract: A device for mounting a delivery spool (3) having a wound band strip, in particular a labeling delivery spool, is described, which has a mandrel-like mounting core (15), a holding device, by means of which the delivery spool is releasably arrestable and/or is releasably clamped on the mounting core, and a device for axial alignment of the delivery spool. In order to make possible the attachment as well as the adjustment of a delivery spool in a comfortable manner, it is provided that the holding device that secures the delivery spool and the device for axial alignment of the delivery spool can be actuated through a common drive (30, 16). The actuation preferably takes place automatically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Espera-Werke GmbH
    Inventor: Manfred Korthäuer
  • Patent number: 7093786
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a take up reel comprises a core having a generally open interior and an outer surface that is adapted to hold a sheet-like material that is wound around the core. Also, the core defines at least one slot. A slider member is slidable within the slot between a home position and an extended position away from the outer surface. In this way, when the sheet-like material is wound around the outer surface of the core when the slider member is in the extended position, the sheet-like material is spaced apart from the core in the region of the slot. Further, when the slider member is moved to the home position, the tension in the wound sheet-like material is reduced to facilitate removal of the core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: First Data Corporation
    Inventor: William Wisniewski
  • Patent number: 6883746
    Abstract: A winding device, comprising a ring-shaped holder disposed concentrically with a winding shaft, a ring-shaped slider fitted onto the outer peripheral surface of the holder, and a plurality of chips disposed at angular intervals on a tapered inclined surface formed on the outer peripheral surface of the slider, wherein a fluid pressure passes through a first flow path in the winding shaft, the slider is moved in the axial direction of the winding shaft by a first piston, each chip is moved in the radial direction of the winding shaft by the inclination surface of the slider and pressed against the inner peripheral surface of the winding core so as to hold the winding core, a second piston is pressed against the end face of the holder by a second flow path independent of the first flow path, and the torque of the winding shaft is transmitted to the holder, slider, chips, and winding core by the friction between the second piston and the holder so as to rotate the winding core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Nishimura Seisakusho Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsumi Murachi, Hideo Miura, Takashi Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20040256518
    Abstract: A core chuck includes “lock and key” or “key and keyhole” interfaces between the central cam and the mounting plate and the central cam and the end cap. The central cam includes central region having a multi-faceted camming surface adapted to expand and retract a plurality of jaws as is well known. Unlike known core chucks, the first end of the central core has a non-circular perimeter and the mounting plate includes a cavity sized and shaped to substantially correspond to the non-circular perimeter of the central and form a “lock and key” or “key and keyhole” arrangement. A plurality of fasteners secure the central cam to the mounting plate with their heads disposed proximate the second end region of the central cam. The end cap includes a second cavity sized and shaped to form a “lock and key” or “key and keyhole” arrangement with the heads of the fasteners.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2004
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Inventor: Harry L. Hope
  • Publication number: 20040222328
    Abstract: A winding spindle for mounting a plurality of yarn winding tubes, and which is formed by an inner tube and an outer tube surrounding the inner tube. The inner tube connects to a drive shaft. Between the inner tube and the outer tube, a clamping device is arranged, which comprises a plurality of clamping elements which extend through openings of the outer tube for mounting the winding tubes. The outer tube extending on the circumference of the inner tube is stayed by a plurality of support members that are arranged in an axially spaced apart relationship between the inner tube and the outer tube. To this end, the support members produce a radially acting clamping force between the inner tube and the outer tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2004
    Publication date: November 11, 2004
    Applicant: Saurer GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Roland Oesterwind, Rainald Voss, Heinz Jaschke, Roland Kampmann, Jorg Spahlinger
  • Patent number: 6722607
    Abstract: A reel for use with flaccid material, such as cables, conduits or the like, includes flanges that are connected together by an adjustable hub. The hub is formed of a plurality of crossbeams that are releasably connected to the flanges whereby the reel can be disassembled for shipping and/or storage and re-assembled in a wide variety of configurations to have a variety of hub dimensions and a variety of compartments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Petroflex, N.A., Inc.
    Inventors: Dustin H. Weaver, Thomas L. Yoast
  • Patent number: 6676061
    Abstract: A rope retainer and method are disclosed which provides convenience to rodeo contestants and others that need to quickly and easily select a particular rope. The rope retainer holds a rope coil and allows the end of the rope containing information to be separated and apart from the displayed rope coil so that the information can be easily read.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Inventor: Jeffrey R. Cain
  • Patent number: 6640520
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for roll packing a variety of compressible materials including a radially collapsible mandrel for easy removal of the roll packed material without tearing or telescoping of the material. The apparatus further includes an adjustable compression roller for setting the amount of compression in the rolled material and a roll handling device that facilitates removal of finished rolls from the apparatus. In one embodiment of the invention, a packing material dispenser supplies packing material to the in-fed compressible material as it is wound upon the mandrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: L&P Property Management Company
    Inventor: Josip Gecic
  • Publication number: 20030178522
    Abstract: An adjusting device is mounted for rotation about a central axis and can be axially actuated. The adjusting device can be displaced or shifted between an inoperative position and at least one working position by an axially displaceable fluid-driven piston.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2003
    Publication date: September 25, 2003
    Inventor: Hartwig Horst Trutschel
  • Publication number: 20030116675
    Abstract: The instant invention relates to a friction winding shaft (6, 7), in particular for roll cutting and winding machines (1), where the shaft frictionally engages tubular winding cores (16) for the winding of strip-shaped bands (5) or similar items. A plurality of winding rings (12) adjoin each other as disposed on a central drive shaft (8). In addition spring-biased winding core holders protrude from an outer ring surface (23) and are distributed over the ring surface in the form of clamping elements (25). The clamping elements are seated in recesses (29) of the rings (12) and are capable of pivoting around axes (32) that are parallel to the friction winding shaft axis (37). The recesses (29) are provided with stop surfaces (30, 31) on both sides to limit the pivoting movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Inventor: Hans Heuser
  • Patent number: 6527220
    Abstract: A reel for use with flaccid material, such as cables, conduits or the like, includes flanges that are connected together by an adjustable hub. The hub is formed of a plurality of crossbeams that are releasably connected to the flanges whereby the reel can be disassembled for shipping and/or storage and re-assembled in a wide variety of configurations to have a variety of hub dimensions and a variety of compartments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Petroflex, N.A., Inc.
    Inventors: Dustin H. Weaver, Thomas L. Yoast
  • Patent number: 6508433
    Abstract: A collapsible hub assembly is disclosed. The collapsible hub assembly includes a hub having a slot formed therein and a first contact surface, a wedge movably positioned in the slot and including a second contact surface. The wedge is movable between a locked position and a collapsed position. With the wedge in the locked position, a material pack is wound onto the collapsible hub assembly and engages the first and second contact surfaces with a first force that fixedly connects the material pack to the hub and the wedge. The material pack can be removed from the collapsible hub assembly by moving the wedge to the collapsed position so that the magnitude of the first force is reduced and the material pack is not fixedly connected to the hub. A lock can be movably positioned in the slot to hold the wedge at the locked position. The wedge can be moved to the collapsed position by removing the lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Inventor: Albert H. Jeans
  • Patent number: 6460796
    Abstract: This invention relates to two apparatus and one method for use in spooling composite coiled tubing onto a coiled tubing reel. One apparatus includes the modification of tubing reel cores currently in common use by the direct adhesion of a compliant material to the hub. Another apparatus modifies the commonly used tubing reel hub by affixing several panels concentric to the hub and mounted on compression springs. The method entails the pressurization of the composite coiled tubing prior to spooling onto the tubing reel, and subsequently releasing the pressure within the composite tubing after it has been spooled onto the tubing reel. Both apparatus and the method protect the reel core by absorbing or eliminating the radially inward forces of the composite tubing resulting from the pressurization and corresponding contraction in length of the spooled composite coiled tubing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott A. Berning, Dick C. Headrick, Clint W. Isennock
  • Publication number: 20020134875
    Abstract: A tape reel assembly (14). The tape reel assembly (14) includes three discrete components. The components include a top flange (40), bottom flange (50) and hub (60). Teeth (65) are operatively connected to the hub (65). The flanges (40, 50) are preferably made from metal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2001
    Publication date: September 26, 2002
    Applicant: Imation Corp.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Zwettler, Michael E. Reard, Geoffrey A. Lauinger, Jerry D. Brown
  • Patent number: 6364233
    Abstract: A take-up reel assembly for use with a tape cartridge in a cartridge-based tape transport includes a take-up reel and a leader block. The take-up reel is configured to receive tape from the cartridge and including an annular hub. The hub has an axis of rotation, an annular hub surface, and a hub slot extending from the hub surface toward the axis of rotation. The leader block is adapted to be attached to a free end of the tape and has a body disposable in the hub slot. The body has an arcuate end surface that is disposed proximate the hub surface when the body is disposed in the hub slot. One of the take-up reel and the leader block includes a cushioning member disposed on one of the hub surface and the end surface, respectively. The cushioning member is adapted to receive the tape thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: Storage Technology Corporation
    Inventor: William S. Crowley
  • Patent number: 6354534
    Abstract: A recoiler/uncoiler for use in a line processing sheet material includes a segmented drum that is expandable from a contracted position to an expanded position. To enable the drum to accommodate coils of sheet material having different internal diameters, a sleeve consisting of sleeve segments which match the segments of the drum is installed on the drum and is expandable and contractible therewith. A cradle moved by a coil cart is transportable to a position circumscribing the sleeve. The cradle includes magnets which hold the sleeve in the expanded position after the sleeve is disengaged from the drum, to thereby permit removal of the sleeve. When the sleeve is reinstalled on the drum, the cradle transports the sleeve to its position circumscribing the drum, the drum is then expanded, and the sleeve is secured to the drum, whereupon the cradle is transported away from the drum and sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: Braner USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas Matsunagana, Esteban Lopez
  • Patent number: 6338452
    Abstract: A centering photographic material winding device for the winding or unwinding of a photographic material web onto or from a winding core. The winding device includes a winding core seat which is adapted for receiving a winding core moveable on the winding core seat. The winding core is centered by two push members which are coupled in their movement for the displacement and centering of a winding core received on the winding core seat between the push members in that the push members evenly move towards one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Gretag Imaging AG
    Inventor: Reinhard Vogel
  • Publication number: 20010035475
    Abstract: An expandable, self-adjusting core plug which will maintain a fit between core plug and an out-of-round web roll core. The present invention accomplishes this by providing a core plug with a number of individual, elongated beveled ribs and a corresponding beveled spindle, both of which cooperatively and axially adjust the thickness of the core plug to meet variations in the inner diameter of the core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2001
    Publication date: November 1, 2001
    Inventor: Michael Van Deurse
  • Patent number: 6119974
    Abstract: An expandable annular core is provided for mounting on a conventional expandable mandrel of a coil slitting machine to achieve a greater inner diameter for the coil wound thereon. The inner diameter of the annular core is approximately equal to the outer diameter of the expandable mandrel, and the outer diameter of the core is equal to the desired inner diameter of the coils. A plurality of cores are placed in series on the mandrel, each core being adapted to receive a strand of slit metal on it's outer surface. The cores are capable of expanding and contracting with the mandrel to facilitate removal of the coils from the recoiler. To effect this expansion and contraction, the annular core has a radial slot or joint, preferably with opposing ends of at tongue and groove-shaped configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: Precision Strip, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Wente, Andrew J. Prenger
  • Patent number: 6020906
    Abstract: A demand printer for printing on media includes a ribbon take-up spindle for accumulating spent printing ribbon and facilitating removal of the spent ribbon from the spindle. The spindle has a surface with a protrusion bore formed therethrough. At least one protruding segment extends through the protrusion bore. The protruding segment controllably projects away from the spindle surface for maintaining a space between a portion of the spindle surface and the spent ribbon accumulated on the spindle. A biasing structure is operatively associated with the spindle and the protruding segment for controllably biasedly directing the protruding segment through the protrusion bore in the spindle. A retracting structure is provided for controllably compressing and expanding the biasing means to controllably move the protruding segment through the protrusion bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Assignee: Zebra Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Vincent C. Adams, Jeffrey R. Kaufman, Dan E. Monnier, Michael K. Platt, David L. Poole, David A. West, David S. Zubriski, Thomas P. Zwier, Daniel F. Donato, James W. Ensinger, William J. Hamman, Kenneth V. Naegele
  • Patent number: 6012672
    Abstract: A radially expandable endcap adapted for mounting upon a mandrel of a collet of a forming package winder. Other aspects of this invention include a collet and winder including the above endcap and method for winding strand using the same. Another aspect of the present invention is a collet having an expandable mandrel on at least a portion of a first end of the collet proximate an operator and distal to a second, opposite end of the collet mounted upon a support. Other aspects of this invention are a winder including the above collet and a method for using the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Assignee: PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.
    Inventor: Harry Makitka
  • Patent number: 5904315
    Abstract: Apparatus for increasing the diameter of an expansible reel. The apparatus includes an expansible sleeve member to be disposed over the reel and one or more elastic expansible members to maintain the sleeve member in contact with the reel, but which allow the reel to fully expand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1999
    Assignee: Allegheny Ludlum Corporation
    Inventor: John K. McInerney