Abstract: Provided is a reversible paper roll holder having a support member having a body and a pair of arms extending from respective ends of the body and each having at least one slot, and a support bar having body and at least one protrusion extending radially inward for an inner surface of the body for engaging in the one or more slot of one of the pair of arms to removably secure the support bar to the support member. The holder can be mounted in a left hand and a right hand configuration with the same components, thereby eliminating configuration specific components required to mount in the left hand or right hand configuration.

Abstract: A spindle for dispensing a roll of paper product is described. The spindle has an elongated member rotatably coupled with two side members. The side members have different sections of various diameters, which are configured to allow a portion of the side members to be inserted into a hollow interior of the elongated member. The elongated member has sufficient elasticity to provide a snap connection with the side members. The side members are configured to engage a track in a dispenser. Furthermore, at least one of the side members is removable. Also described herein is a roller assembly for adapting a dispenser. The assembly comprises a spindle rotatably coupled with a housing. The housing includes a fastener for attaching the housing to a dispenser. The roller assembly is configured to raise a roll of paper product, thus allowing dispensers originally designed for core rolls to be used with coreless rolls.

Abstract: A retention mechanism in a dispenser for retaining an exchangeable roll of material, the retention mechanism includes a housing including a front wall. An insertion slot for a bearing pin of an end plug of the exchangeable roll extends along the front wall. A cam lock is arranged in the housing so as to be rotatable in a plane which is parallel to the front wall and to the direction of extension of the insertion slot. The cam lock includes a retaining member which is movable between an open position and a locked position by rotating the cam lock. When the retaining member is in the open position, the bearing pin can be inserted into the insertion slot, and when the retaining member is in the closed position, the bearing pin is retained in a locking section of the insertion slot.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for implementing selectable roll positioning for web printing in devices, including post processing devices, for advanced image forming systems. A selectable drive system for continuous feed or web material image receiving medium substrate can “with the flip of a switch” transition the drive system from a tensioned web (transport) pulling system in a downstream device to a slack web nip-drive system as may be dictated by other system and/or operating characteristics. The selection of a particular drive method is based on a constitution of the continuous feed or web material image receiving media; a composition of a marking material deposited on the continuous feed or web material image receiving media; or a post-processing technique that the continuous feed or image receiving media, as marked, may undergo in the production of an output document.

Abstract: A dual-direction positioning device includes a main body, a first clamping structure, a second clamping structure, a first swing arm, a second swing arm, a coupling unit, and a first elastic element. The main body has a guiding trench portion. The first clamping structure and the second clamping structure are to and fro movably assembled to the guiding trench portion. The first swing arm is rotatably assembled on the first clamping structure and has a first engaging portion. The second swing arm is rotatably assembled on the second clamping structure and has a second engaging portion. The first engaging portion and the second engaging portion are rotatably assembled on the coupling unit and engaged with each other. The first elastic element has a first fixed end located between the first clamping structure and the second clamping structure and a first connecting end located on the first clamping structure.

Abstract: The present invention includes an expandable hose reel, which may include: a housing defined by at least one or more base members; a spool rotatably disposed within the housing, wherein the spool is adapted to connect to a flexible hose; a winding mechanism to rotate the spool and to coil the flexible hose around the spool; and an expansion mechanism to modify a length of the spool.

Abstract: Disclosed is a portable device for winding thread around a bobbin from a spool of thread. The device includes a height adjustable thread holder configured to receive the spool of thread, a thread guide bar pivotable between a stored position and an operative position, and an adjustable tension feed device for applying tension to the thread during winding. The device also includes a spindle slot configured to receive one of a plurality of rotatable spindles that are interchangeable within the spindle slot so that different corresponding spindles can be used with the device. Also, a speed control knob for adjusting a speed at which the spindle rotates and thus at which thread is wound around the bobbin from the spool of thread, a fill knob for adjusting the amount of thread to be wound on the bobbin, and an automatic shut off mechanism are disclosed.

Abstract: A paper roll holding structure for use in a printer includes two side plates to guide a paper roll. Each side plate has a guide surface opposing an opposite side surface of the paper roll. Holding members are arranged in the paper roll holding structure to hold the paper roll. Each holding member has a first end to be inserted into an axial hole of the paper roll and a second end formed at the opposite side of the first end. Also, support members are arranged on the guide surfaces of the side plates to restrain the holding members from moving downwards from a substantially vertical position. The support members are further configured to support the second ends of the holding members in such a manner as to allow the holding members to swing upwards.

Abstract: A paper roll fixing device of a printer includes a first supporting base, a second supporting base, a first fixing member and a second fixing member. The first fixing member comprises a rotatable first fixing slab. The second fixing member comprises a rotatable second fixing slab. When the first fixing slab and the first fixing slab are pushed by a paper roll, the first fixing slab and the first fixing slab are rotated to the position without stopping the paper roll from entering or leaving the space between the first supporting base and the second supporting base. As a consequently, the paper roll can be smoothly introduced into or removed from the paper roll fixing device. By the paper roll fixing device, the paper roll can be introduced into or removed from the paper roll fixing device with a single hand or in a single step.

Abstract: There is provided a method of winding up a transfer film and a device for performing transfer printing on printed sheets of paper, capable of eliminating the need to frequently replace the transfer film, thereby allowing the transfer film to be used over a prolonged time. According to the method of winding up a transfer film, the transfer film fed from a feed roll through a feed path is pressed onto a fed printed sheet to transfer patterns of the transfer film, and then the transfer film is wound up onto a windup roll through a windup path. During the rewind of the transfer film from the windup roll to the feed roll, a lateral position of the transfer film running along the feed path is detected, and the feed roll is moved in its axial direction to follow a lateral positional change of the transfer film.

Abstract: A paper supply mechanism comprising a roll paper compartment for storing roll paper, a first side wall that can move and defines one side of the roll paper compartment, a second side wall that defines the other side of the roll paper compartment, a lock mechanism that locks the first side wall, a roll paper urging member that urges the roll paper in a storage width direction of the roll paper compartment; and a holding mechanism that operates in conjunction with the lock mechanism and holds the roll paper urging member in a predetermined position.

Abstract: An adapter for a spool includes a body having a first body portion and a second body portion that are slidably joined together. The first and second body portions are slidably adjustable to each other. The first body portion includes a first contact surface and a second contact surface comprising at least one projection adaptable for joining to the spool.

Abstract: A film supply apparatus supplying film in a foam-in-bag system having a film feeding device for feeding film from a film source to a location for bag formation, a bag forming apparatus, a foam material dispenser positioned for feeding foam material for reception in a bag of the bag forming apparatus, and a web tensioning system with a web tensioning driver in driving communication with the film source and which is in communication with a controller for monitoring the film feed and web tension states and directing adjustments in the web tension system. The web tensioning driver is arranged to move film backwards or in a direction opposite to a direction of film feed induced by the film feeding means and with the film source including a roll of film and the web tensioning system including a drive transmission in communication with the roll of film for rotational driving of the roll of film and also in communication with web tensioning driver.

Abstract: A portable printer includes a housing having a cavity defined therein which supports a roll of stock material for printing indicia thereon. The housing has a drive motor assembly configured to move the stock material through a paper path defined in the housing. A battery is loadable within a battery compartment disposed in the cavity and a cover assembly is pivotably supported on the housing and moveable from an open configuration for loading the roll of stock material to a closed configuration to enable printing. A selectively adjustable media support assembly supports the roll of stock material and includes a paper tray having a cam-shaped stanchion which is slideable within a media support tray from a first position for supporting a roll of stock material of a first size to a second position for supporting a roll of stock material of a second size.

Abstract: Coiled conduits such as the plastic water tubing commonly used by plumping contractors may be effectively unwound and strung at a construction site using a unique conduit dispensing device of this invention. The dispensing device includes a container for housing the coiled conduit and a reel for unwinding the coiled conduit from the container. The dispensing device may be equipped with a suspending mount which when mounted at a dispensing position allows a single worker to more effectively install the conduit at the work site.

Abstract: A dispenser is adapted to be used in unwinding a roll of elongated flexible material. The dispenser includes a support bracket, a central member rotatably mounted to the support bracket and a plurality of hinged support arm assemblies attached to the central support member and movable between an extended position and a retracted position.

Abstract: A cable reel handler device, including a slide base on a vehicle having channels aligned transverse to the length of the vehicle. A pair of movable carriages provide lateral movement in the channels via hydraulic cylinders. Lifting arms mounted respectively on the carriages extend out to engage a reel, and have an extensible torsion bar shaft to maintain a fixed alignment. Hydraulic lift cylinders move the lifting arms in unison to move a reel to and from the vehicle and in position for winding and unwinding cable on the reel. Hydraulic motors rotate the reel for winding and unwinding cable. A source of hydraulic fluid is operably connected to all the hydraulic devices.

Abstract: An axial bearing, for a spooling roller on a spooling machine, with a shaft fixed to a machine frame, or to a machine chassis, a fixed rear cover disc, a hub freely rotating about the shaft and a flange, arranged on the free front face of the shaft with a front cover disc. At least one stud chamfers in the radial direction, away from the shaft in the region of the flange, engaging in but without projecting beyond a guide slot of a bayonet sleeve, detachably connected to the flange. The open guide slot, on the front face, rises up to an arched peak, turns away from the front face of the bayonet sleeve at a separation and runs toward the front face with a blind terminus. A pressure spring, tensioned on the shaft, is arranged between a shaft mounting and the hub, which presses the roller core with the spooling roller, over the hub, in the axial direction on the flange and forms therewith a rapid closure with the centered spooling roller.

Abstract: An unwinding apparatus for reeling off coiled material includes a take-up device for supporting the coiled material. The take-up device has a plurality of spaced-apart arms extending radially in a plane, with at least one of the arms swingably mounted in the plane. Swingably mounted to at least one of the arms is a centering pin so that the centering pin extends in a transport position in parallel relationship to the arm.

Abstract: A film supply apparatus supplying film in a foam-in-bag system having a film feeding device for feeding film from a film source to a location for bag formation, a bag forming apparatus, a foam material dispenser positioned for feeding foam material for reception in a bag of the bag forming apparatus, and a web tensioning system with a web tensioning driver in driving communication with the film source and which is in communication with a controller for monitoring the film feed and web tension states and directing adjustments in the web tension system. The web tensioning driver is arranged to move film backwards or in a direction opposite to a direction of film feed induced by the film feeding means and with the film source including a roll of film and the web tensioning system including a drive transmission in communication with the roll of film for rotational driving of the roll of film and also in communication with web tensioning driver.

Abstract: A film supply apparatus supplying film in a foam-in-bag system having a film feeding device for feeding film from a film source to a location for bag formation, a bag forming apparatus, a foam material dispenser positioned for feeding foam material for reception in a bag of the bag forming apparatus, and a web tensioning system with a web tensioning driver in driving communication with the film source and which is in communication with a controller for monitoring the film feed and web tension states and directing adjustments in the web tension system. The web tensioning driver is arranged to move film backwards or in a direction opposite to a direction of film feed induced by the film feeding means and with the film source including a roll of film and the web tensioning system including a drive transmission in communication with the roll of film for rotational driving of the roll of film and also in communication with web tensioning driver.

Abstract: A paper holder is attachable to a recording paper storage chamber of a printer. The paper holder has a loading lid to cover a part of the recording paper storage chamber. And a press mechanism to press the rolled recording paper to a paper-supply roller is incorporated. The press mechanism consists of a first press plate and a second press plate. In receipt of a slight urge by a torsion coil spring, the first press plate presses the rolled recording paper to the paper-supply roller. On closing the loading lid of the recording paper storage chamber, the hold-down section of the loading lid presses the second press plate, which compresses a compression spring with the first press plate, to apply its counterforce to the first press plate.

Abstract: A winding core 1 of small diameter is mounted at each end on a locking core chuck 3 coupled to a shaft 14 supported by spaced bearings 4 and 8 located within a housing part 5 at the free end 6 of a rewind arm structure. The central part of the shaft 14 has a pulley portion 12 over which a drive belt 13 runs. A larger core 2 is mounted at each end on a heavier duty locking core chuck 7 carried by larger bearings 8 which are located also within the housing 5. The housing 5 is cut away or stepped at 9 whereby a contact pressure roller 10 having a width greater than that of the core 1 may be accommodated and brought into contact with the core 1 at least at the minimum diameter thereof.

Abstract: A tape drive has a take-up reel assembly and a tape guide arrangement that are each selectively actuatable for interchangeable use with magnetic recording tape of a first width or a second width. The take-up reel assembly includes at least one actuatable, retractable element that can be moved between the flanges of the take-up reel assembly, dependent on the width of the tape currently being used in the drive, and the tape guide arrangement includes actuatable guide elements movable to define a width of the tape transport path across the read/write head, also dependent on the width of the magnetic recording tape currently being used.

Abstract: In paper winding, separate rolls are formed side by side around roll cores (10a, 10b) placed one after the other while supported by support members. The cores are pressed at their ends against one another by core chucks (20) arranged in connection with the free ends of the outermost roll cores (10a, 10b). The roll cores (10a, 10b) are placed in a desired position and subjected to a desired compression force by the core chucks (20), the length of the row of roll cores (10a, 10b) is determined, and the compression force of at least one core chuck (20) is regulated during winding when the length of the roll core row changes to keep the compression force and/or the length of the roll core row within desired limits.

Abstract: A holiday decorations string reel including a vertically disposed hollow column with a top end and a bottom end and having a generally cylindrical configuration and a longitudinal centerline with an outer wall spaced a distance from said centerline, a substantially horizontally disposed top flange and bottom flange encapsulating said column at the top end and the bottom end of said column, a plurality of separator disks concentrically mounted along the length of the outer wall of said column, wherein said disks are vertically adjustable up and down the length of the outer wall of said column, and a reel platform rotatably attached to said bottom flange of said column. A method for hanging holiday decorations strings. A method for storing holiday decorations strings.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (12) for winding up and unwinding metal strips, used in particular for cold-rolling. This device has a spindle (21) which is mounted inside a hollow shaft and onto which the strip is wound; for this purpose the spindle is rotated by a motor (20) which actuates the hollow shaft by means of a mechanical transmission. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the position of the hollow shaft along the axis of rotation may be adjusted by means of hydraulic actuators, in such a way as to compensate for any winding defects in the coil present on the spindle.

Abstract: A pair of support members provided in a feeding part may selectively contain plural types of recording sheet rolls having different widths. In order to mount the recording sheet roll, the first and the second holders are attached to both ends of the recording sheet roll. Each holder is provided with positioning grooves to decide the position of the recording sheet roll in the axial direction. A support member of the first holder is provided with one groove, while the support member of the second holder is provided with two grooves corresponding to the width of recording sheet rolls. The support member is provided to be able to expand and contract in the direction of the width of the recording sheet roll, and by the expansion and contraction, the groove is adjusted so as to meet the support member in accordance with the widths of recording sheet rolls.

Abstract: A device for supporting a strip in the wound or spooled condition, includes two half-hubs each having at least one flange (1A, 2A) made by molding with the half-hub, these half-hubs being assembleable together to form a spool. At least one of the half-hubs, called reversible, has a flange (2A) off centered in the direction of the length of the half-hub and is shaped to connect to the other half-hub (1) by either one of its ends (3A, 3B) as a function of the spacing desired between flanges (1 A, 2A).

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.

Abstract: An apparatus attachable to either a tractor or a truck to safely dispense net wire or barbwire over a long distance. The apparatus has two divisible portions. The first portion is a vertical spindle for a reel of fencing wire. The second portion attaches to the first portion and supports four reels of barbwire and the like on vertical spindles with separating walls between barbwire rolls.

Abstract: A transporting and feeding package for a coil of welding wire comprising a wire receiving container with a vertical wall having a lateral shape and defining an opened top of the container, a wire feeding hat with a wire outlet and a downwardly extending skirt having a lower end with an opening and having a shape matching, but slightly larger than, said lateral shape so the skirt can move vertically along the vertical wall between a lowered transporting position and a raised feeding position while extending over said opened top of the container.

Abstract: A winding tube for web material includes an elongated, hollow cylindrical tube body and at least one hollow cylindrical adapter. The adapter contacts a casing surface of the tube body substantially over the entire circumference along an axial portion of the tube body to fix the adapter against relative rotation. The adapter has an exterior diameter that does not exceed that of the tube body. The adapter is removable from the tube body without the adapter being destroyed.

Abstract: The apparatus has a base mounted on castors and upon which a telescopic post is mounted. A winch is mounted on the top of the post. A roll of flexible material is mounted on a bed and is rotatable about the post, The winch raises and lowers the bed so that the height of the roll may be adjusted to that most convenient for wrapping. By means of the castors, the apparatus may be moved around the article as it is being wrapped. The apparatus is suitable for stretch-wrapping an article which is irregular in shape or is heavy and is unusually difficult to wrap.

Abstract: Disclosed is a paper holding device for a label printer. The paper holding device comprises left and right holders for supporting both ends, respectively, of a paper roll; left and right guide links respectively locked to lower ends of the left and right holders; a rotation link for operatively connecting the left and right guide links with each other and moving them in leftward and rightward directions; a bottom panel secured with respect to a floor of a printer body, for rotatably installing thereon the rotation link; and a pair of elastic members having one ends connected to the left and right guide links and the other ends connected to the bottom panel, to apply elastic force to the left and right guide links.

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.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a feeding bobbin in which, in winding a thermal transfer sheet or image receiving sheet having a different size (width), onto the feeding bobbin, work on the side of a small roll winding device is easy, thermal transfer sheets or image receiving sheets different from each other in size (width) can be used in various thermal transfer printers, and the feeding bobbin can be recycled without the necessity of disposal and without causing any trouble, and to provide a method for recycling the feeding bobbin. The feeding bobbin is a feeding bobbin 1 comprising a common winding shaft 4 and flanges 2 mounted detachably respectively on both ends 61, 62 of the winding shaft 4.

Abstract: A cable management spool for storing a length of cable includes first and second rigid outer members that are movable relative to each other and define a gap of variable size therebetween. An intermediate member has at least one flexible flap, and the intermediate member is disposed between the first and second rigid outer members. The spool includes a spooling portion between the first and second outer members, wherein the spooling portion is adapted to have a length of cable wound about the spooling portion. The intermediate member is movable relative to at least one of the first and second rigid outer members, and the at least one flap substantially occupies the gap and is adapted to substantially conceal the length of cable.

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.

Abstract: An adjustable width rolled paper dispenser having a central adjustable locking rod captured between a pair of adjustable side brackets contained in the mounting base, the side brackets having locking channels to capture and secure the slotted ends of the adjustable locking rod, preventing the displacement of the adjustable locking rod from the side brackets when dispensing a segment of the rolled paper.

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.

Abstract: The present invention is a light weight, easily used device designed for folding, storing and unfolding a floating solar swimming pool cover. In its preferred embodiment, the solar cover folder is an expandable, elongated loop which can be placed on the top surface of a floating swimming pool solar cover. After folding approximately the first two feet of the cover up and over said folder, said folder and the cover can then be folded back repeatedly until the entire cover has been rolled on the folder. Once the cover has been completely rolled onto the folder, it may either be left floating at the edge of the pool, lifted to rest on the side of the pool or removed to a remote location for storage.

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 label printer for printing predetermined data on and issuing labels includes a tubular roll holder (101) secured at one end to a vertical wall (11a), a slide member (102) slidably accommodated within the hollow of the roll holder (101), and a roll retaining lever (103) connected to the slide member 102for pivotal movement between folded and erected positions. The roll retaining lever (103) has one end portion (103a) protruding outwardly from the hollow of the roll support shaft through a slot (101a) defied in the roll holder (101) in communication with the hollow thereof, when the roll retaining lever (103) is pivoted to the erected position, to thereby retain a roll (R) of the ribbon-shaped label sheet (Rp) in position on the roll holder (101) to avoid any possible lateral displacement thereof, but the roll retaining lever (103) when in the folded position lies substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the roll holder (101) to allow the label roll (R) to be mounted onto the roll holder (101).

Abstract: A robotic tire end effector apparatus and system including a method for picking up and placing tires positioned horizontally onto vertical stacks of tires. The apparatus and system includes a totem support assembly having a support housing and support bars capable of bearing against the inside diameter of a tire bead and a bottom assembly mounted to the support housing of the totem support assembly. The bottom assembly includes pivot arms and fingers. The fingers are capable of bearing against the inside diameter of the tire bead and supporting the weight of the tire. The support bars are also capable of supporting the weight of a tire. The system includes a computer and program capable of receiving data from the tires for identification, tracing tire location, allocation, pick optimization and continuous calculation of sorting and pick options.

Abstract: A reusable spool for use in installing electrical wiring is provided. The spool may include first and second mating halves, each having an end plate and a central mandrel. The mandrel of one half may be inserted into a wound coil of wire, which can then be overturned to allow the second half to be connected to the first half. The first and second halves may be joined through a plurality of arcuate longitudinal tabs which slidably engage in one position to adjust width, and upon rotation, lock frictionally into a given position.

Abstract: An expansible core shaft assembly adapted to retain a set of web spool cores in axially fixed positions while permitting rotational slippage of the web spool cores. The assembly may comprise a shaft defining at least one channel. An expansible bladder is retained in the channel and a set of first lugs and a set of second lugs are retained in the channel radially outwardly of the expansible bladder with first and second lugs mutually interspersed. Each lug has a bladder facing surface defining an indentation. The first lugs define a first indentation in a first position and the second lugs define a second indentation that is sufficiently distinct from said first position to reduce the effect that the radial position of each core stop has on the radial positions of its neighbors.

Abstract: A reel handler including at least one reel arm for engaging a reel is mounted on a frame. A moving device moves the reel arm to raise and lower the engaged reel, and a hydraulic motor for rotating the reel is contained within the end of the reel arm. The hydraulic motor includes a crank shaft operable to rotate the reel when the crank shaft is rotated. Preferably, two spaced reel arms are pivotally mounted on a transverse, telescoping support cylinder that allows the reel arms to be spaced at varying distances to accommodate reels of various sizes. At least two cylinder and piston assemblies are attached to the crank shaft for rotation of the crank shaft upon movement of each piston between a minimum and maximum point of travel in the cylinders. The two cylinders are offset with respect to each other such that each piston reaches its said minimum and maximum points of travel while the other is offset from its own said minimum point of travel.

Abstract: An adjustable Christmas light spool including a pair of covers each including a torus portion. The torrid portion is defined by a full torus sliced by a plane which resides perpendicular with respect to a center axis of the full torus thereby defining an annular dish. Further included is an adjustable central coupling associated with each cover. By this structure, a string of Christmas lights may be wrapped about the central coupling and the covers may be expanded and contracted for providing optimal protection to the Christmas lights.

Abstract: A winding core for winding printed products. The core includes two coil parts, each of which includes at least one coiled profile and a step on each of an inner face and an outer face thereof. The step is formed by a corresponding one of two ends of the at least one coiled profile, each coiled profile further including coil windings having cooperating first joining components disposed on axial sides thereof for joining the windings to one another, each coiled profile having a freely selectable axial extension thereby allowing a free selection of an axial extension of the hollow cylinder. Two end rings of the core include second joining components thereon cooperating with the first joining components for axially joining the two end rings to the coil parts, each inner face of each end ring facing a corresponding coil part including a step thereon juxtaposed against and having an axial extension substantially equal to an axial extension of a corresponding step of the corresponding coil part.