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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. In a separate embodiment the assembly may comprise a channel accommodating a first expansible bladder and a bracket positioned radially outwardly from the first bladder and defining a second channel, which accommodates a second bladder. Core stops are set into the second channel radially outwardly of the second bladder. The first and second bladders are independently expansible so that the core stops may be released for rearrangement independently of being retracted.

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First Claim