Importance

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Abstract

A device for rolling up strip material such as paper on a reel or spool for temporary storage purposes, which maintains a relatively uniform tension on the strip material regardless of the movement of that strip material, is disclosed and employs an electric motor which exerts a substantially constant torque independent of the speed of motor operation, which motor is positively drivingly coupled to an expanded mandrel for receiving the strip material. When the mandrel strip material capacity is reached, it may be removed and an end flange extracted therefrom allowing the mandrel to collapse, facilitating the removal of the roll of strip material. In a preferred embodiment, the positive drive is achieved by a toothed timing belt in conjunction with a pair of corrugated pulleys, one coupled to the motor rotor and the other journalled in axial alignment with the mandrel. In this preferred form, the mandrel or spool is formed as a hollow cylindrical core, slotted axially part way therealong with peripherally adjacent slots extending from opposite core ends and with a pair of constricting O-rings surrounding the core so as to collapse the slots. A pair of reel ends or flanges each having an axle portion insertable into the cylindrical core so as to expand that core somewhat against the constricting force aid removal of wound strip material from the mandrel.

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First Claim