COLLAPSIBLE REWIND SPINDLE

Abstract

A collapsible rewind spindle includes a main spindle body, and a filler spindle body removably coupled to the main spindle body and movable between an expanded position a collapsed position relative to the main spindle body. A release assembly is provided for allowing movement of the filler spindle body from the expanded position to the collapsed position. A release assembly is provided for allowing movement of the filler spindle body from the expanded position to the collapsed position, wherein the release assembly is configured to effect a controlled movement of the filler spindle body from the expanded position to the collapsed position.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

This application relates generally to a take-up rewind spindle and, more specifically, to such a rewind spindle that is collapsible to facilitate removal of a label liner that is wound thereon.

BACKGROUND

In labeling operations in which labels are adhered to a liner, after removal of the labels from the liner during the labeling operation, it is necessary to wind up the liner on a spindle and to periodically strip from the spindle the wound coil of liner. This can be a particular problem because the continuous tension maintained in the liner in many operations, in particular where the spindle is continuously urged into rotation but actually is rotated intermittently, causes the liner to be wound very tightly around the spindle. Liners that are comprised of a stretchable film material also result in tight winding around the spindle. It therefore is occasionally necessary to at least partially unwind the liner in order to strip it from the spindle.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,936,522 discloses a collapsible rewind spindle that facilitates liner removal from the spindle. The rewind spindle has a bearing defining a rotation axis and a main rod supported on the bearing for rotation about the axis and having an outer face forming a part-cylindrical outer surface centered on the axis and extending at most about 180° angularly of the axis and an inner face lying wholly within an imaginary cylinder centered on the axis and coextensive with the outer surface. This inner face has a lower end forming an axially directed seat and an upper end. A filler rod has a lower end complementarily interfittable with the seat, an axially opposite upper end, a part-cylindrical outer surface of the same radius of curvature as the imaginary cylinder and outer surface of the main rod, and an inner face. This filler rod is displaceable when its lower end is fitted on the seat between an outer position with its outer surface coaxial with the outer surface of the main rod and lying on the imaginary cylinder and an inner position with its outer surface lying within the imaginary cylinder of the outer surface of the main rod. A link is engageable between the opposite end of the filler rod and the main rod for releasably retaining the filler rod in the outer position. Thus, after winding a liner up on the spindle with the filler rod retained in the outer position, the spindle can be radially collapsed for removal of the wound-up liner by releasing the filler rod and moving same into its inner position.

Still, issues remain with the collapsible spindle of the above-noted patent. In particular, current drive systems can result in very high liner tension when the rewind spindle is empty and just starting to run. This high liner tension compresses the two halves of the collapsible spindle so tightly that it can become problematic when releasing the collapsible spindle—in that the two halves of it move quickly together, creating an undesired pinch issue. There is also not enough collapse distance available to fully release the liner in some cases when the liner tension is very high, since the removable half of the spindle pivots on a pin. Due to the ability of a film (plastic) liner to stretch on each label advance cycle, this type of liner material is much more prone to not being able to be removed easily. The result is the operator must use a knife to cut the liner free from the rewind spindle.

Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a collapsible spindle assembly that addresses one or more of the foregoing problems.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, a collapsible rewind spindle includes a main spindle body, and a filler spindle body removably coupled to the main spindle body and movable between an expanded position a collapsed position relative to the main spindle body. A release assembly is provided for allowing movement of the filler spindle body from the expanded position to the collapsed position. A release assembly is provided for allowing movement of the filler spindle body from the expanded position to the collapsed position, wherein the release assembly is configured to effect a controlled movement of the filler spindle body from the expanded position to the collapsed position.

The details of one or more embodiments are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a spindle assembly;

FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the spindle assembly with the filler spindle body shown as transparent;

FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of the spindle assembly;

FIG. 4 is another partial perspective view of the spindle assembly;

FIGS. 5 and 6 are upper partial perspective views of the spindle assembly, with the spindle bodies shown as transparent in FIG. 6;

FIGS. 7 and 8 are lower partial perspective views of the spindle assembly, with the filler spindle body shown as transparent in FIG. 7 and with the main spindle body shown as transparent in FIG. 8;

FIG. 9 is a cross-section view of the lower portion of the spindle assembly;

FIGS. 10-15 are cross-sections views of the spindle assembly showing the collapse sequence of the spindle assembly;

FIGS. 16-19 are cross-section views of the lower portion of the spindle assembly showing roller movement during a collapse sequence of the spindle assembly;

FIG. 20 shows another embodiment of a spindle assembly;

FIG. 21 shows another embodiment of a spindle assembly;

FIG. 22 shows another embodiment of a spindle assembly; and

FIG. 23 shows another embodiment of a spindle assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1-9, a spindle assembly 10 includes a main rod or spindle body 12 and a filler rod or spindle body 32. The main spindle body 12 has a lower end portion 14 of cylindrical shape centered on the spindle axis A. An upper portion 16 of the main spindle body 12 is of generally semicylindrical outer shape centered on the axis A, having an outer surface 18 extending over slightly less than 180° (e.g., arcuate outer surface 18 where axis A is aligned with the radial center point about which the arcuate outer surface extends), and has an inner face 20. The lower end portion 14 is formed with a radially extending and axially upwardly open slot 22 perpendicularly traversed by a seat pin 24. The uppermost end of the upper portion 16 is similarly formed with a radially throughgoing and axially upwardly open slot 26 diametrically aligned with the slot 22.

The filler spindle body 32 is configured with a part-cylindrical outer surface 30 and an inner face 34. A lower end of the filler spindle body 32 includes a tongue 36 centrally formed with a radially outward facing notch 38. The tongue 36 is dimensioned to fit into the slot 22 with the notch 38 engaged on the pin 24. At its upper end, the filler spindle body 30 is formed with another radially throughgoing and axially upwardly open slot 40 that is aligned with slot 26 and bridged by a pin 42 acting as pivot for a link 44, which itself is provided centrally with a spacer pin 46 and at its outer end with an opening 48 to receive a locking screw (not shown).

Here, a bar 50 includes an upper end pivotably engaged on the spacer pin 46 and a lower end with roller wheels 52. When in the spindle assembly 10 is in the working position/configuration shown in FIGS. 1-9, the roller wheels 52 engage with interior surface portions of each of the main spindle body 12 and the filler spindle body 32, to maintain a desired spacing between lower portions of the two spindle bodies, and the spacer pin 46 engages with interior surface portions of each of the main spindle body 12 and the filler spindle body 32 to maintain a desired spacing between upper portions of the two spindle bodies.

To collapse the spindle assembly, the link 44 is pivoted upward, per the sequence of FIGS. 10-15, which causes the spacer pin 46 to move upward and out from between the two spindle bodies, and also causes the bar 50 to begin to move upward. The upper sections of the interior faces 20 and 34 of the main spindle body 12 and the filler spindle body 32 are formed with cavities that facilitate movement of the bar 50. As the bar 50 moves upward, the roller wheels 52 ride upward along inner surface portions formed on the lower sections of the inner faces 20 and 34. Here, upper roller wheel 52a rides primarily along a surface portion 54 of the inner face 34 and lower roller wheel 52b rides primarily along a surface portion 56 of the inner face 20 during the upward movement of the bar 50.

The surface portions 54 and 56 operate as cam tracks for the rollers 52a and 52b. In this regard, here, surface portion 54 includes three segments 54a, 54b and 54c, per FIG. 9. Lower segment 54a is planar and runs substantially parallel to the axis A of the spindle assembly, upper segment 54c is planar and angles away from the lower segment 54a (e.g., offset from lower segment 54a by an angle of between 3° and 10°, such as about) 5°, and intermediate segment 54b is formed by a radius transition. Surface portion 56 includes a lower segment 56a that is planar and parallel to the spindle assembly axis A, and upper segment 56b that is curved away from the lower segment 56a, and here is formed as radius.

FIGS. 16-19 show enlarged views of roller movement and spindle configuration change during movement of the link 44 and bar 50 for the purpose of spindle collapse.

The movement of the bar 50 and cooperation between the rollers 52 and surface portions 54 and 56 provides a controlled collapse of the filler rod 32 toward the main spindle body 12, without any undesired pinching action. Moreover, compared to the spindle assembly of the above-mentioned prior art patent, the spindle assembly 10 allows much more collapse distance, at least in part because the removable filler spindle body 32 portion of the spindle assembly is not restrained from collapse by a pivot pin (note the open sided configuration of the notch 38). In addition, friction is reduced as the removable filler spindle body 32 portion of the spindle assembly is removed from the main spindle body 12, due to the rollers 52. The rate at which the spindle bodies of the spindle collapse is controlled by the tracks (surface portions 54 and 56) inside each spindle body of the spindle and the rotational motion of the release link 44, so the two spindle bodies no longer rapidly move together upon sudden release.

Preferably, the tracks (surface portions 54 and 56) inside each spindle body are designed so the link 44 and bar 50 must be moved a short distance before the two spindle bodies start moving toward each other. Although the rollers relieve liner pressure slowly and controlled, there is also a safety notch feature (tongue 36, notch 38 and pin 24) to prevent the removable filler spindle body 32 from suddenly rising vertically

The described spindle assembly 10 maintains a “fool-proof” rewind. There are other rewind spindle concepts that can reduce in size to allow liner removal, but they often require the operator to ensure that the rewind spindle is in the “expanded” state when first starting. This step is easily missed.

In the above-described embodiment, the rollers on the bar operate as guide parts and the surfaces on the spindle bodies operate as guide parts. Variations on the guide parts are possible.

FIG. 20 shows an embodiment in which the guide parts are a roller 52b on the bar 50, a surface 56 on the main spindle body 12, a roller 52a-1 located on the filler spindle body 32 and a surface 54-1 on the bar.

FIG. 21 shows an embodiment in which the guide parts are a surface 56-1 on the bar, a roller 52b-1 on the main spindle body 12, a roller 52a-1 located on the filler spindle body 32 and a surface 54-1 on the bar.

FIG. 22 shows an embodiment in which the guide parts are a surface 80 on the bar 50, a surface 56 on the main spindle body 12, a surface 82 located on the bar and a surface 54 on the filler spindle body 32. Here, the surface 82 slides on the surface 54, and the surface 80 slides on the surface 56.

In embodiments in which the interacting guide parts are both non-rolling surfaces, the materials used may be designed to reduce friction between the surfaces and/or coatings may be applied for such purpose.

FIG. 23 shows an embodiment in which the top link 44-1 that is coupled to the bar 50 is not a pivoting link. Instead, the link 44 is pulled (e.g., using the knob or handle 84) straight upward, along the axis A, in order to move the bar for the purpose of spindle collapse.

It is to be clearly understood that the above description is intended by way of illustration and example only, is not intended to be taken by way of limitation, and that other changes and modifications are possible.

Claims

1. A collapsible rewind spindle, comprising:

a main spindle body;

a filler spindle body removably coupled to the main spindle body and movable between an expanded position a collapsed position relative to the main spindle body;

a release assembly for allowing movement of the filler spindle body from the expanded position to the collapsed position, wherein the release assembly is configured to effect a controlled movement of the filler spindle body from the expanded position to the collapsed position.

2. The collapsible rewind spindle of claim 1, wherein both an upper portion of the filler spindle body and a lower portion of the filler spindle body shift toward the main spindle body during movement toward the collapsed position.

3. The collapsible rewind spindle of claim 1, wherein the release assembly includes an upper linkage, a bar extending downward from the upper linkage and between the main spindle body and the filler spindle body, wherein a lower end of the bar includes a first guide part facing a guide part on the main spindle body and a second guide part facing a guide part on the filler spindle body.

4. The collapsible rewind spindle of claim 3, wherein:

the first guide part is a first guide surface or a first guide roller;

the second guide part is a second guide roller or a second guide surface;

the guide part on the main spindle body is a guide roller or a guide surface; and

the guide part of the filler spindle body is a guide roller or a guide surface.

5. The collapsible rewind spindle of claim 1, wherein the release assembly includes an upper linkage, a bar extending downward from the upper linkage and between the main spindle body and the filler spindle body, wherein a lower end of the bar includes one or more rollers for engaging internal surface portions of the main spindle body and/or the filler spindle body.

6. The collapsible rewind spindle of claim 5, wherein the upper linkage is movable between a lowered condition and a raised condition, and movement of the upper linkage from the lowered condition toward the raised condition shifts the bar upward to enable movement of the filler spindle body toward the collapsed position.

7. The collapsible rewind spindle of claim 5, wherein the upper linkage is a pivot linkage that is pivotably mounted to the filler spindle body and is pivotable between the lowered condition, when the filler spindle body is in the expanded position, and the raised condition, when the filler spindle body is in the collapsed position.

8. The collapsible rewind spindle of claim 7, wherein the bar is pivotably connected to the pivot linkage and moves upward, relative to the main spindle body and the filler spindle body, as the pivot linkage moves from the lowered condition to the raised condition.

9. The collapsible rewind spindle of claim 5, wherein the inner surface portions operate as cam tracks for the one or more rollers as the bar is moved upward relative to the main spindle body and the filler spindle body.

10. The collapsible rewind spindle of claim 1, wherein the main spindle body includes a lower end with an upwardly open slot traversed by a pin, wherein the filler spindle body includes a downwardly extending tongue that fits with the slot and includes a notch engageable on the pin, wherein the notch faces radially outwardly relative to a rotation axis of the collapsible rewind spindle.

11. The collapsible rewind spindle of claim 10, wherein the notch has an open side facing radially outward.

12. A collapsible rewind spindle, comprising:

a main spindle body;

a filler spindle body removably coupled to the main spindle body and movable between an expanded position a collapsed position relative to the main spindle body;

a release assembly for allowing movement of the filler spindle body from the expanded position to the collapsed position, wherein the release assembly is configured to effect a controlled movement of the filler spindle body from the expanded position to the collapsed position;

wherein the release assembly includes a bar extending downward between the main spindle body and the filler spindle body, wherein a lower end of the bar includes one or more rollers for engaging internal surface portions of the main spindle body and/or the filler spindle body.