Abstract: A device for rolling up a sheet of paper into a roll and then ejecting the formed roll from the device, which includes: a frame, a first sheet drive, a second sheet drive and a first guide, the first sheet drive, second sheet drive and first guide defining a roll-forming space with respective first, second and third contact points at the periphery of the roll to be formed in the space with the first sheet drive, second sheet drive and the first guide, the roll-forming space having a center with connecting lines between the contact points forming a triangle in which the center is situated, wherein the first and second contact points are fixed, relative to the frame, and the third contact point defined by the first guide is displaceable from the roll-forming space in order to follow the increase in diameter of the roll during its formation, and the first guide is further displaceable to a position which defines an opening for ejecting a roll formed in the roll-forming space.

Abstract: A rewinding machine for the production of logs (R) of web material (N) without a core comprises: a first winding roller (1) onto which the web material is fed; a second winding roller (3) rotating in the same direction as the first roller and forming a nip (4) therewith through which the web material passes; an actuator and element (15, 17) to move the surface of the second winding roller (3) toward the first winding roller (1); and a separator to sever the web material at the end of the winding thereof to form a log (R). Provision is also made for a surface (21, 21A) supporting the log (R2) in the process of formation and located upstream of the nip (4) between the rollers (1, 3).

Abstract: A coreless toilet paper roll is produced by winding toilet paper such that the winding speed in the winding apparatus is faster than the paper feeding speed in the paper feeding-and processing apparatus, during a beginning period and final period of the toilet paper winding step, by leaving the wound toilet paper roll in place, with the winding shaft leaves projecting radially outwardly for a pre-determined time after the winding step, and thereafter, by shrinking the leaves and removing the toilet paper roll from the winding shaft. The toilet paper roll so produced has a roll body made of a wound toilet paper material, wherein a beginning layer thereof is wound tightly, and subsequent turns of paper are gradually softened from a middle layer to an outermost layer, an aperture for receiving a supporting bar of a toilet paper holder formed through the center of the roll, and further, the inner surface of the aperture is smooth without projections.

Abstract: A coreless surface winder and method wherein two of the winding drums are slightly spaced apart by a distance less than two web thicknesses which then operate to cause a folded leading edge on a transversely severed web to roll upon itself and develop an incipient log which thereafter is completed in a conventional three drum cradle to provide a coreless retail sized roll.

Abstract: A coreless surface winder and method wherein one of the winding rollers is accompanied by a slightly spaced apart arcuate dead plate which operates to cause a folded leading edge on a transversely severed web to roll upon itself and develop an incipient log which thereafter is completed in a conventional three roll cradle to provide a coreless retail sized roll.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for winding stiffened coreless rolls which include a spiral wound roll formed from this product paper, conventionally paper having a printed pattern or design on one side, and a spiral stiffener sheet extending completely around the roll to stiffen the roll. The apparatus receives continuous webs of product paper and stiffening paper, severs the stiffening paper into short lengths for winding into the roll of product paper and automatically feeds the stiffening sheet onto a length of product paper which is wound into a roll. The two webs are fed to either side of a continuous rotating cutter roll. Anvil assemblies are moved into engagement with a knife carried on the cutter roll for selectively severing the webs as required.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming spiral wound rolls from strips of compressible material uses a first endless belt conveyor to deliver the strips of compressible material into a winding space. As the strip enters the winding space, the strip is compressed by a compression and slider plate to the desired thickness for the layers of strip material in the spiral roll. Then, the leading portion of the strip successively contacts: an inclined, second endless belt conveyor, a compression roll, and a third endless belt conveyor which together with the first conveyor define the winding space. The second conveyor extends upwardly at an acute angle to the first conveyor and as the strip of compressible material contacts the second conveyor it maintains the strip in compression and starts to turn the strip back upon itself to form the spiral roll. The strip next contacts the compression roll which is located intermediate the first and second conveyors.

Abstract: A fixture for aligning or working of a material web (10) which is fed from a storage area across a driven drum (11) forming a processing surface has a receiving arrangement (30) for the web material placed lower than the drum (11). The receiving arrangement (30) forms a support area extending parallel to the drum (11), which has at least one surface moving vertically in relation to the axis of rotation (11') of the drum (11) and makes contact with the part of the material web (10) rolling off the drum (11) so as to take the web along. In the direction of movement, a stationary deflection surface (32) is disposed at a distance above the point where the material web (10) meets the support area.

Abstract: In order to automatically form rolls from web sections with computer aided drawings, a cassette (12, 16, 17) is provided in the direction of transport of the web, adjacent to a cutting arrangement (13). The cassette comprises a first cassette part (12) mounted on a frame (10) and a second cassette part (16, 17) mounted on the frame (5) in such a way that it pivots about an axis. The second cassette part (16, 17) can pivot between a first position, in which the two parts of the cassette (12, 16, 17) delimit a generally cylindrical inner space (11) for forming the roll (40), and a second position, in which the inner space (11) is opened to release the roll (40). On the frame (10) are arranged at a distance one from another a first cassette roller (18, 19) and a second cassette roller (18, 21). The axis of the first cassette roller (18, 19) corresponds to the axis of the pivoting mounting of the second cassette part (16, 17).

Abstract: A catch tray for receiving individual spools of output recording media, having a nominal outer diameter, which are dropped therein and which is capable of maintaining and enhancing their tight tubular form. The tray comprises a pair of walls spaced from one another by a distance less than the nominal outer diameter, and the surfaces of the wall have different coefficients of friction so that said spools of output recording media roll between the walls.

Abstract: A roll-up apparatus is provided for automatically rolling up a plurality of media sheets such as copy sheets from a document copier. In one embodiment a pair of semicircular guide members and a removable plastic C shaped ring are aligned perpendicular to the media sheet feed motion. The first and succeeding sheets are scrolled up within the circular interior space formed by the guide members and the C ring. The guides are designed to retract after the roll-up operation leaving the rolled up copies to be restrained by the C ring. The C ring and rolled up sheets can then be conveniently moved to a desired location.

Abstract: A media transport apparatus including a supply of recording medium, collecting means for the recording medium, a drive roller for moving the recording medium from the supply to the collecting means along a transport path, and a cutter for severing the recording medium into sections. The cutter is located between the drive roller and the collecting means and is moved in a direction substantially transverse to the direction of movement of the recording medium during severing. Deflectable fingers define a portion of the transport path in interference relationship with the cutter and are readily displaced by the cutter while continuing to provide a rigid guide for the recording medium.

Abstract: A winding apparatus for winding webs of paper, textile fabric, synthetic plastic material or other similar webs into tight rolls comprising a winding chamber having an inlet opening at the top and a pair of drive rollers for frictionally driving a roll of material arranged at the bottom, substantially diametrically opposite the inlet opening. One side of the winding chamber is defined by concave surfaces of a plurality of parallel wall elements, and the other side of the winding chamber is defined by a pivotally mounted shell body. In preferred embodiments, alternate devices for fastening a wound roll with an adhesive strip are disclosed. The winding apparatus of the invention can be manufactured at reasonable cost, does not require excessive space, and functions with a high degree of reliability.

Abstract: A machine for quickly and efficiently rolling carpet runners or mats after laundering, for storage, transport and reuse. The machine includes a set of belts (23) for upwardly inclined travel and an interesting set of belts (26) for generally vertical traveling. An assembly of arcuate fingers (28) cooperates with the belts to guide the leading edge of a carpet runner (27) into the beginning of a roll so as to assist in formation of a tight compact roll of carpet. An electric motor (20) is provided for driving the belts (23,26). Upon completion of the carpet roll, air cylinder (34) and crank arm (36) are provided for retracting the finger assembly to permit the carpet roll to roll down the inclined belts (23) for removal from the machine. Stop arms (37) are provided to retain the rolled carpet. Control switches actuated by foot pedal (44) and buttons (54 and 55 ) are provided for the belt drives, finger assembly, raising and lowering and extension and retraction of the stop arms (37).

Abstract: Strips of mineral fibers are brought into a space defined by three members operated by a movement which drives the coiling of the strip. The third of these members, the compressor roller, is operated at a rotational speed which is a function of a predetermined program while introducing as parameters the length of the strip which has already been coiled and the speed of the feeding conveyor of the strip. The rolls obtained are cylindrical and there are no overcompressed zones.

Abstract: A roll-up apparatus is provided for automatically rolling up a plurality of media sheets, such as original documents being copied or output copy sheets. In one embodiment, a plurality of flexible, circular guide members are aligned perpendicular to the media sheet feed motion. The first and succeeding sheets are scrolled up within the circular interior space formed by the guide member. The guides are designed to expand radially outward along their width to accomodate the increasing area of successively rolled up media sheets.

Abstract: The present invention relates to equipment used in a printing system for newsprint or the like, more specifically, to a device for successively rolling up unusable outer surface strips from paper rolls, compressing them, and then discharging them. The device comprises first and second conveyors which can be moved between a V-shaped position, wherein unusable paper is conveyed in a forward direction and rolled up into a cylindrical shape, and parallel positions, wherein the rolled-up, unusable paper is compressed flatly and discharged. A semi-arched guiding device disposed above the two conveyors cooperates with the conveyors to roll up the unusable paper into a cylindrical shape and one of the conveyors changes its conveying direction to switch from a rolling up mode to an ejection mode.

Abstract: A surface winder and method in which a stationary upper winding roll, a lower movable winding roll and a rider roll form a three roll cradle, the lower winding roll being reciprocated to control the position of a partially wound core until the rider roll returns to cradle position after permitting passage of a previously wound log and in which a compensator roll is provided to control web slack after cutoff and transfer.

Abstract: A machine and method for winding coreless rolls from an indefinite length web by winding a spiral body in a winding pocket with a trailing end extending upstream from the pocket, releasing the body from the pocket and accelerating the body and trailing end downstream away from the pocket while winding the trailing end onto the body to complete the roll and to create a gap between the trailing end and the leading end of a web fed toward the pocket. Fingers are extended through the gap to guide the leading end of the web and into the pocket and intricate winding of the next roll.

Abstract: A copying/printing machine is adapted for rolling up copies of large size documents such as engineering drawings and the like by incorporating a roll-up apparatus into the machine. An output copy is guided along a circular interior space formed by a combination of curved baffle members. The copy is propelled along a spiraling inward path by a combination of feed rollers and nudging rollers spaced along the width of the baffle members. A portion of the roll-up apparatus is pivotable downward to permit the rolled-up output document to be removed.

Abstract: In the packaging of products such as rolls of mineral wool felts, a series of members entrain the felt into a space in which the rolling-up takes place. At least one of these members is mobile in relation to the others in order to alter the size of the space in which the rolling-up takes place as the roll of felt increases in size. This movable member is a roller whose surface contracting the felt is covered with an inorganic coating resistant to abrasion and adapted to have a rough finish.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for repeatedly severing cable segments of desired lengths from a continuous strand of thick multi-conductor cable for stripping desired lengths of tough outer insulation sheath from the strand and segment ends, and for coiling the stripped segments. The apparatus comprises a cutter/stripper machine, a long-strip attachment mechanism, and a coiling mechanism. The cutter/stripper machine comprises an axially retractable/extendable wire guide tube into which the cable strand is fed while the tube is extended and a movable clamp grips the lead end of the strand. A stationary clamp grips the exposed portion of the strand when the tube retracts. A cutter/stripper head mechanism between the clamps severs the strand and scores the insulation sheath. The cutter/stripper mechanism and the movable clamp move away from the stationary clamp at different rates of speed to effect stripping, open to release the stripped cable segment, and then return to their starting positions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming rolls of compressible materials such as a mineral wool felt, wherein the felt is rolled up in a space defined by a pair of conveyors and a compression roll. The position of at least one of these elements, particularly the compression roll, is varied during the course of winding, according to a preset program and as a function of the length of felt already rolled, in such a way as to produce a predetermined thickness in each turn of the rolled felt, whereby it is possible to achieve particularly more uniform compression over the entire length of the rolled up felt strip.

Abstract: A machine for quickly and efficiently rolling carpet runners or mats after laundering, for storage, transport and reuse. The machine includes a set of belts for horizontal travel and an interacting set of belts for generally vertical travel and guide means for directing the leading edge of a carpet runner from engagement with the horizontal belts to engagement with the vertical belts. An assembly of arcuate fingers cooperates with the belts to guide the leading edge of a carpet runner into the beginning of a roll and to assist in formation of a tight compact roll of carpet. Power means are provided for driving the belts. Means are provided for retracting the finger assembly from a completed rolled carpet runner. Controls are provided for the drive and retraction means.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for tightly rolling mats. The mats are moved in a horizontal direction in their flattened condition to a rolling section which includes a plurality of fixed curved fingers and a corresponding plurality of curved spring-loaded fingers. A roller is further provided to move the mat upwardly from the conveyor forming a tight cylindrically shaped mat inside the curve of the fingers. Upper belts are provided above the fingers to further ensure that the mat is rolled tightly.

Abstract: Simple twist wire net of the type in which adjacent rows can pivot relative to each other is folded, accordian fashion, by depositing the net onto at least two elongated, spaced apart, parallel supports. The supports are spaced apart a distance equal to a multiple of the distance between interlooped peaks and valleys of adjacent rows of the net, and engage the underside of the peaks and valleys to permit the net to fold by gravity on the supports and to maintain the peaks and valleys aligned. The supports can be rigid beams or drivable strands to fold and store the net, and the folded net can be formed into a compact roll.

Abstract: In order that a roll which is at least as highly compacted as that according to EP No. 0 031 286 Al may be obtainable trouble-free and with less expenditure of material and labor in the production of reelless rolls by laying the netting in zigzag formation and rolling it up by means of inclined guide surfaces followed by winding portions which constitute a receiver of variable shape for the roll and are displaceable in their longitudinal direction, it is proposed that the winding operation should be carried out intermittently; the partially completed roll should be rolled over the adjoining netting which is laid in zigzag formation, and the roll, having been thereby enlarged, should be transported back to what was its starting point before this rolling movement, and these procedures should be repeated cyclically.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for storing a length of web push the web from such length into a coiled form, whereby adhesion tends to develop between turns of the web in the coiled form, effectively limiting attainable minimum web coil diameter. According to the invention, such adhesion is broken up at least intermittently and web is continued to be pushed into the coiled form to reduce the web coil diameter and accommodate the entire length of web in the coiled form. The mentioned breaking up may include changing static friction between turns of the web to dynamic friction and/or shaking the turns of the web at least intermittently. Where a curved recipient is employed for prompting the web into a coiled form, an electromagnetic vibrator having a plunger acting on the curved recipient at least intermittently may be employed. An aspect of the invention imposes on the web a curl assisting coiling thereof in a housing.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatic applying a predetermined length of ply stock onto a tire building drum wherein the ply stock is unwound from a supply source, conveyed in an untensioned condition on a conveyor means, cut to length and the delivered to a tire building drum. The cut stock is then wrapped in an untensioned condition about the drum with the aid of the conveyor means.

Abstract: Simple twist wire net in which adjacent rows can pivot relative to each other is folded, accordian fashion, and rolled to form a compact roll. Driven strands in the form of belts or chains, spaced apart a distance equal to the distance between valleys of the folded net, engage in the valleys to maintain the accordian folded rows aligned and to form the compact roll.

Abstract: A method of forming electrical structures embodying the following steps:(a) providing a carrier sheet having electrodes formed thereon in spaced relation along a length dimension of the sheet, and(b) spirally rolling said sheet about a roll-up axis to bring the electrodes into radial registration, the rolling including transmitting roll-up force to the carrier sheet from a web being translated endwise, adjacent the carrier.

Abstract: Rollable sheet handling apparatus receives advancement of a sheet in a longitudinally forward direction. The apparatus comprises:(a) means to receive the advancing sheet and to roll same,(b) the means including support means over which the sheet travels, and auxiliary means including swingable arm means and rollers carried by the arm means to be movable between rearwardly collapsed position in which rolling of the sheet extent adjacent the support is initiated, and a series of forwardly extended positions in which rolling of the sheet is guided toward completion, and while the rollers engage the sheet extent being rolled,(c) the rollers being spaced to extend about, in roll forming relation, a portion of the sheet extent initially being rolled.

Abstract: Apparatus for starting a turn in a strip of sod travelling along a conveyor and for causing the sod to roll up once an end of the strip has been turned, which apparatus is effective on sods of any condition, comprises deflecting means having a scoop to receive the leading end of a sod up to a stop plate adjustable in the scoop, contact of the sod with the stop plate causing the scoop to pivot and turn up the leading end of the sod, the deflecting means being mounted above the conveyor so as to be able to be lifted by the turned up sod, whereafter the conveyor carries the sod beneath the deflecting means, which also has cross-bars on its underside to cause rolling up of the sod once the end has been turned up.

Abstract: A baler adapted to be pulled along the ground to pick up a windrow of hay and roll the hay into a cylindrical bale of substantial size and weight. The bale is formed in a zone defined between a lower belt conveyor and a plurality of endless belts disposed in transversely spaced relation above the lower belt. The upper belts are disposed to encompass a substantial portion of the periphery of the bale being formed to compress the same to the desired density. A bale tightener assembly is pivotally mounted on the baler and includes rollers in engagement with the upper belts. The tightener assembly is biased against the belts by tension springs arranged and functional in a novel manner.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for packaging compressible material, such as building insulation, in strip form. The compressible strip is wound into a roll and held under compression during rolling to form a compact package. The apparatus includes a main endless belt carried on a frame and positioned and driven in a manner to form a loop in itself which is in the path of the compressible strip being lineally moved toward the belt. The belt is driven to roll the strip on itself as it is moved into the loop, and means are provided for maintaining the belt under tension to place the strip in compression during rolling. When the roll is completed, part of a sub-frame for the belt is moved away from a main frame to cause the loop to open and automatically eject the compressed, packaged roll. A plurality of supporting belts is positioned under a portion of the loop and serves to aid in supporting the loop and the roll as it is being formed and also to provide the drive for the main belt.

Abstract: Sheet material such as carpet is moved along its length between lower and upper rollers of a cluster or rotating rollers. The rotating rollers form the sheet material into a spiral roll, and as the size of the spiral roll of sheet material increases, it urges one of the upper rollers of the cluster to open up away from the other rollers to form an upwardly facing concave arrangement of rollers, and as the spiral roll of sheet material continues to increase, it becomes supported on the upper rollers of the cluster with its free end extending downwardly between the upper rollers so that the upper rollers exert roll-up forces about a major portion of the circumference of the spiral roll of sheet material. When a predetermined length of sheet material has been accumulated in the spiral roll, the movement of the sheet material is stopped, the material is cut, and the upper rolls in the cluster of rolls are manipulated so as to eject the accumulated spiral roll of sheet material from the cluster of rollers.

Abstract: Long rolls of sheet material are supported in a cradle comprised by two superposed bands of endless material trained about end rollers. The ends of the rollers are connected to intermediate supports which in turn are bodily oscillable, and perhaps also vertically swinging, within fixed C brackets whose legs are slotted to receive pins or bolts on the intermediate supports. Relative movement and friction between the endless bands and the sheet material being rolled or unrolled, are thus avoided.

Abstract: In a mobile machine for forming cylindrical bales, a mat of crop material is picked up from the ground and fed to a baling chamber defined by the generally horizontal upper run of a lower endless belt conveyor and the internal envelope of a plurality of rollers carrying an upper conveyor and disposed immediately above it. The upper conveyor comprises a plurality of elastic endless belts stretched around the rollers and includes a lower run which, at the inception of bale formation, spans the baling chamber between a pair of lower rollers immediately above the chamber floor. The upper and lower conveyors are driven in opposite directions so that as the mat of crop material is fed into the baling chamber, it is rolled, spiral-like, into a cylindrical bale. As the bale increases in diameter, the belts of the upper conveyor, engaging the bale periphery, extend elastically to provide the increase of belt length required to accommodate the bale in the chamber.

Abstract: A sheet roll assembly for a copying machine in which a sheet reproduction of a sheet original is printed and processed, the sheet reproduction and original being conveyed to the outside of the machine after printing and processing. The sheet roll assembly is attached to the exterior of the machine proximate to and below the level at which a sheet emerges from the machine. The sheet roll assembly comprises a belt conveyor having an upper surface moving in a direction opposite to the direction of displacement of the emerging sheet and adapted to engage the leading edge of the sheet, and a curved plate mounted on the end of the upper surface of the belt conveyor for catching the leading edge of the sheet and causing the sheet to be spirally rolled against the curved plate, the sheet being continuously driven against the curved plate by the translation motion of the belt conveyor.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for packaging strips of flexible, compressible material, such as layers of glass fibers. The compressible strip is wound under compression into a roll by the apparatus to provide a compact package. The compressed package can then be held in that state by tapes or the like which are automatically fed into contact with a trailing end portion of the compressible strip as it is being rolled up. The packaging apparatus includes a generally horizontal conveyor which carries the strip along a generally horizontal path. An upright, back-up belt conveyor is positioned to intercept the strip in its path and to deflect the forward edge of the strip upwardly away from the path. An infeed or guide roll helps to guide the forward edge of the strip toward the upright conveyor and a compression or tuck roll helps to turn the forward edge back downwardly after it is directed upwardly by the belt conveyor and to cause the strip to begin to roll into a spiral package.