Patent Application
20240124263
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.
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.
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.
Referring to
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
To collapse the spindle assembly, the link 44 is pivoted upward, per the sequence of
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
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.
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.
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.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63415881 | Oct 2022 | US |
