Abstract: A rotor winder and a method for operating the rotor winder, wherein the rotor winder has two rotors supported in a rotatable rotor with two winders which are driven independently from one another and are provided for successive continuous winding of hot strip. Each winder has a winder mandrel including several moveable segments for expanding the winder mandrel, wherein the segments are supported on axially moveable wedge-shaped gliding surfaces. The winders are moveable in cycles from an initial position into the coil transfer position by rotation of the rotor. A device is provided for guiding an incoming hot strip onto the winder mandrel of the winder positioned in the initial position and for holding the strip on the winder mandrel until a slip-free engagement of the strip is effected. The device for guiding and placing the incoming strip is arranged on a power-driven frame mounted so as to be moveable in a direction extending parallel to the axis of the winder.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for winding a material web. The process includes guiding the material web over a carrying roll and through a nip formed between the carrying roll and a new reel spool, at least partially cutting the material web with at least one contactless cutter during a reel spool change to form a new web leader, and additionally cutting the material web with at least one separation element. The apparatus includes a reel spool, and a carrying roll. The reel spool and the carrying roll may be positioned to form a winding nip. The material web may be guided over the carrying roll and through the winding nip, at least one contactless cutter can be adapted to cut a web leader during a reel spool change, and at least one separation element can be positioned for additionally cutting the material web.

Abstract: A coupling between the rotor (16) of a belt tensioner rotary drive and a drive shaft (22) comprises an externally toothed coupling wheel (24) connected to the drive shaft (22) and at least one coupling pawl (32) arranged on the rotor (16). The coupling pawl (32) is movable between a resting position in which it is spaced away from the periphery of the coupling wheel and an engaging position in which it engages the coupling wheel. The coupling pawl (32) is toggle-mounted on a knife-edge bearing on the rotor (16).

Abstract: In an apparatus and a method of producing a roll of bags, a feeding means is arranged to feed bags one by one to a winding station. The winding station includes a rotating spindle which is arranged to engage with each bag separately to wind the bag thereon, thereby building a roll of bags in which the bags are unconnected to one another yet firmly hold together. The apparatus can be of simple construction, which provides for low costs and little wear and tear. Further, there is little risk of inflicting damage to the bags. Additionally, the flow of separate bags can be directed between several sequentially operated winding stations, thereby allowing for high production rates.

Abstract: A winding device has a drive shaft having a flange, and a holder rotatably mounted on the drive shaft in covering relation to the flange, for winding the web therearound. The holder has a first torque adjustment plate rotatably mounted on the drive shaft and having a surface disposed in facing relation to a surface of the flange, the first torque adjustment plate supporting a plurality of magnets on the surface thereof, and a second torque adjustment plate rotatably mounted on the drive shaft and having a surface disposed in facing relation to an opposite surface of the flange, the second torque adjustment plate supporting a plurality of magnets on the surface thereof. The winding device is capable of winding relatively wide webs having a large thickness ranging from 100 to 150 &mgr;m, e.g., photographic photosensitive webs (films), with a low tension fluctuation ratio of ±5% or less, while producing large tension easily and stably. The winding device is constructed for easy maintenance.

Abstract: A dispenser sequentially dispenses web material from a working web roll and then a reserve web roll. A web sensing mechanism senses the presence of the working web at a back side of the main feed roller and introduces the leading end of the reserve web roll to a feed nip defined by two feed rollers immediately after the trailing end of the working web roll passes over a back side of the feed roller. Web sensing, and controlled introduction of the leading end of the reserve web to the feed nip, are carried out by a simple and effective interaction of a grooved main feed roller, and a pair of pivotable lever arms—a web sensing arm mounted at the backside of the rollers, and a transfer arm mounted at the front side. The mechanism avoids double feeding of web by sensing the presence or absence of web at the back-side of the main feed roller.

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.

Abstract: A toilet paper dispensing system including a mounting member securable to a ceiling within a bathroom. An elongated paper holding tube is coupled with the mounting member. The paper holding tube has a central post extending downwardly therefrom. The paper holding tube has an access opening therein disposed upwardly of an open lower end thereof. An end cap is adapted for removable coupling with the open lower end of the paper holding tube. The end cap has a central post extending upwardly therefrom. A lock mechanism is disposed within the end cap for selectively locking the end cap with respect to the paper holding tube.

Abstract: This invention relates to a payoff device particularly suited for coiled wire which is packaged without a reel. The device includes a clamp assembly rotatably supported at one end by a frame which may be affixed to a truck or other vehicle. The clamp assembly has a mandrel featuring a plurality of clamp pads connected to a main rotatable shaft by a scissors linkage which may be stationary or may push the pads in a radial direction against the interior surface of the coiled wire. Two end plates support the coil laterally and one of the end plates is removable so that the coil can be placed on the clamp assembly. The clamp assembly is supported by a frame whose upper portion is rotatable such that the payoff direction can be changed. The device also includes a brake and a stop pin to prevent unwanted rotation of the clamp assembly and a locating pin to prevent the unwanted rotation of the upper portion of the support frame.

Abstract: A reel configured to store an extended length of composite coiled tubing has a plurality of sections. In one embodiment, the reel has a drum and pair of detachable sidewalls. Each side wall includes a plurality of flanges. In another embodiment, the reel includes a radial splitline that defines substantially identical securably matable sections. Preferably, the reel can store at least 20,000 feet of composite coiled tubing.

Abstract: The fiber slack storage device of the present invention for storing a slack length of a fiber optic strand comprises a spool comprising a pair of diametrically-opposed cylindrical barrels, and a cylindrical housing for at least partially enclosing the spool. The spool is disposed in the housing and is rotatable with respect thereto and the minimum radius of curvature of each of the cylindrical barrels is equal to or greater than the minimum bend radius of the fiber optic strand.

Abstract: A sealed wheel case is provided for use with a vibratory device for vibrating aggregate material. The vibratory device includes a frame and a rotating shaft extending transversely across the frame, with the shaft having a wheel. The sealed wheel case includes a housing having a base, a peripheral sidewall, and a cover. The housing is sized to receive therein the wheel and is further adapted to house therein a quantity of lubricating oil for lubricating the wheel. A plurality of attachment bolts are provided for securing the housing to the frame. Each of the attachment bolts includes a shank, an inner end disposed within the wheel case and having an inner contact surface, an inner control washer disposed between the inner contact surface and the housing base, with the inner control washer having a first predetermined thickness.

Abstract: A self-adjusting payoff comprising a frame, and a pivoting spool mounted in the frame. The pivoting spool comprises an axle, at least three pivot assemblies slideably mounted on the axle and an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the location of the pivot assemblies relative to the axle. Each of the pivot assemblies comprises a pair of freely rotating, parallel arms extending radially from the axle toward and rotatably attached to coil supports that, when the pivoting spool is adjusted to its most extended position as described hereinafter, extend parallel to the axle. Operation of the adjustment mechanism causes movement of the extremities of the parallel arms proximate the axle to move inward or outward along the axle thereby adjusting the relative distance between the axle and the supports permitting acceptance of variously sized coils by the payoff.

Abstract: A webbing sensor for a vehicle safety restraint retractor. The sensor comprises an inertial member, mounted for rotation coaxially with a retractor spool, a pawl for engaging the spool and locking it against rotation under emergency conditions, and a calibration spring biasing the inertial disc so that it tends to rotate with the spool unless there is a sudden acceleration or deceleration of a value such as to overcome the resilience of the spring. The spring is connected to the spool via the pawl so that relative rotation between the disc and the spool results in movement of both ends of the spring, preferably by approximately the same distance. Throughout the locking procedure, the spring force remains substantially constant and thus the bias torque on the inertia disc remains substantially constant, and the locking performance of the sensor is improved.

Abstract: In a pretensioner for a webbing retractor, an upper wall portion of a sealing member extends arcuately around an external periphery of a seal holding portion which is formed integrally with a bottom surface of a piston, and the sealing member includes a side wall portion proximate an inner wall of a cylinder. The sealing member is formed from an elastic material, and may be annular or a ring with an angle of 360 degrees or more. In an emergency state of a vehicle, when the piston is moved by gas pressure, the sealing member is pressed against the bottom surface of the piston by gas pressure, and a diameter of the sealing member is increased. Accordingly, the sealing member provides sealing between the piston and the inner wall of the cylinder.

Abstract: A two-piece reel structure for taking up an elongated tape, such as a magnetic tape, a film and the like, is provided. The reel includes two similar halves, each of which includes a frustum-shaped central shaft portions. A bottom plane of each frustum is provided with a plurality of engaging means and receiving holes. Each of the engaging means includes a hook portion adapted to engage with a flat projection in the receiving hole on another half reel and a tongue portion located at one end of the hook portion and adapted to press a free end against an edge of the receiving hole opposite to the flat projection to prevent the hook portion from disengaging from the flat projection. By engaging the engaging means on a first half reel with the receiving holes on a second half reel and then turning the two half reels in opposite directions, the two half reels can be easily and firmly connected to each other to provide a complete reel.

Abstract: A seat belt retractor has a belt reel that is mounted rotatably on a frame. A motive spring biases the belt reel in a winding direction. An electrical driving device adjusts the spring force of the motive spring. A clutch located between the electrical driving device and the belt reel transmits torque produced by the electrical driving device to the belt reel. The clutch has a spring that can be deformed by torque and, when deformed, brings the clutch into an engaged state.

Abstract: A payout tube for insertion in a radial hole of a wound coil of filamentary material and extending from the inner to the outer wind of the wound coil, the payout tube having entrance and exit openings in coaxial and spaced relationship with one another. The size of the entrance opening is determined by the following equation: Yc=3.5 sin×/Dm, where Dm is the diameter of the mandrel, X is the length along the circumference of the wind and Yc is the coil pattern. Yc′=3.5/Dm Cos×/Dm at x=0; Yc′=3.5/Dm, and the slope H of the coil pattern=Tan−1[3.5/Dm]=23.629 degrees. The length L of the payout hole is determined as: L=O×Dm×pie/360 degrees; where O is the payout hole opening; the width of the payout hole is W=L cos(H).

Abstract: A reel or spool package has opposing sidewalls or flanges formed of the specified or appropriate substrate and connected by a core formed of a flowable material which sets or cures to harden, such as a two part expandable polyurethane foam. The foam is applied into a partition, which may be a paper ring, by an injection and metering device. The chemistry of the flowable material may be altered to change density, rigidity and flexibility as required by package stresses. The polyurethane foam is an effective adhesive medium, thereby forming the core and connecting the sidewalls to form the package.

Abstract: The invention relates to a harmonic reduction gear comprising a drive-side eccenter (12) which engages into a complementary opening (13) of an outer toothed member (14), and a housing-fixed inner toothed ring (15) which is arranged around the outer toothed member (14) and on which the outer toothed member (14) rolls with the reversed rotational sense as the eccenter (12) when the eccenter (12) is rotated.