Abstract: A pair of relatively movable jaws (306) are provided with magnetic holders (306-316) for holding end caps (24) to be applied to a substantially cylindrical shell (28) positioned between the jaws; so that, closing of the jaws installs the end caps on the end edges of the shell. An end cap placing mechanism (50) removes end caps from a source (356) by means of a pair of rotatably mounted gripper arms (364) which place the caps in the magnetic holders.

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).