Film-threading apparatus

Claim 2

A threading roller for use in apparatus for handling a strip, the apparatus including: a. a reel spindle for selectively mounting one of at least first and second reels each having first and second flanges, the first and second flanges of the first reel being spaced apart a distance greater than the spacing between the first and second flanges of the second reel; and b. roller supporting means for supporting said threading roller rotatably about an axis substantially parallel to the spindle, said supporting means being movable to selectively locate said threading roller in either a first position or a second position with respect to the spindle, said threading roller comprising: c. means defining a first conical surface on said threading roller substantially concentric with the axis, said first conical surface being disposed to engage the first flange of the first reel when the first reel is mounted on said spindle and to flex the first flange toward the second flange of the first reel when said threading roller is disposed in said first position; and d. means defining a second conical surface on said threading roller substantially concentric with the axis, said second conical surface being spaced along the axis from said first conical surface, said second conical surface being disposed to engage the first flange of the second reel when the second reel is mounted on said spindle and to flex the first flange toward the second flange of the second reel when said threading roller is disposed in said second position.

Claim 3

A threading roller according to claim 1 including means defining a third conical surface concentric with the axis, said third conical surface disposed in opposed spaced relation to said first and second conical surfaces thereof, said third conical surface being disposed to engage and effect oppositely directed flexure of the contacted region of the second flange of either the first or second reel when such a reel is supported by the spindle and so engaged by said threading roller.

Claim 4

A threading roller according to claim 2 including: a. means defining a first cylindrical surface concentric with the axis, said first cylindrical surface extending from an inner periphery of said first conical surface toward said third conical surface; and b. means defining a second cylindrical surface of smaller diameter than said first cylindrical surface, said second cylindrical surface disposed concentrically about the axis and extending from an inner periphery of said second conical surface toward said third conical surface.

Claim 5

A threading roller as claimed in claim 1 including a cylindrical surface coaxial with respect to said first conical surface, said cylindrical surface meeting said first conical surface to form an inner periphery of said first conical surface, said cylindrical surface disposed to engage an edge of the first flange of the first reel to thereby define said first position of said threading roller.

Claim 6

A threading roller according to the claim 2, wherein the first, second and third conical surfaces intersect the axis respectively at first, second and third angles, said third angle being greater than either of said first and second angles.

Claim 7

A threading roller for engaging one of at least first and second reels, each of which has a pair of flanges, the flanges of the first reel being spaced apart a dIstance greater than the spacing between the flanges of the second reel, said threading roller being mounted on a first spindle for rotation about a first axis, the first spindle having first and second positions and including means for movement to the first and second positions, and either of the first and second reels being mounted on a second spindle for rotation about a second axis, said threading roller comprising in coaxial relation to the first axis: a. a first conical surface disposed to engage one flange of the first reel when mounted on the second spindle and to flex the one flange toward the other flange of the first reel when the first spindle is located in its first position a first distance from the second spindle; and b. a second conical surface disposed to engage one flange of the second reel when mounted on the second spindle and to flex the one flange toward the other flange of the second reel when the first spindle is located in its second position a second distance greater than said first distance from the second spindle.

Claim 8

A threading roller for engaging one of at least first and second reels, each of which has a pair of flanges, the flanges of the first reel being spaced apart a dIstance greater than the spacing between the flanges of the second reel, said threading roller being mounted on a first spindle for rotation about a first axis, the first spindle having first and second positions and including means for movement to the first and second positions, and either of the first and second reels being mounted on a second spindle for rotation about a second axis, said threading roller comprising in coaxial relation to the first axis: a. a first conical surface disposed to engage one flange of the first reel when mounted on the second spindle and to flex the one flange toward the other flange of the first reel when the first spindle is located in its first position a first distance from the second spindle; and b. a second conical surface disposed to engage one flange of the second reel when mounted on the second spindle and to flex the one flange toward the other flange of the second reel when the first spindle is located in its second position a second distance greater than said first distance from the second spindle.

Claim 9

A threading roller as claimed in claim 6, wherein said threading roller includes first and second ends, said first and second conical surfaces being tapered from the first axis toward said first end, said threading roller further including a third conical surface tapered from the first axis toward said second end, said third conical surface disposed to cooperate with said first and second conical surfaces to flex both of the flanges towards each other when said threading roller is brought into engagement with either the first or second reel.

Claim 10

A threading roller as claimed in claim 7, wherein said first conical surface has an inner periphery of a first diameter, and said second conical surface has an outer periphery of a second diameter, said second diameter being equal to or less than said first diameter.

Claim 11

A strip handling device for alternatively receiving coils of strip material of differing widths and for feeding a leading strip portion from a coil so received, said device comprising: a. means for alternatively receiving and rotatably supporting such coils; b. means for rotating a received coil; c. first means, mounted for movement between a position spaced from said receiving means and a position in operative relation with a coil of first width on said receiving means, for transversely flexing a peripheral winding of the strip of a first coil of first width when such first coil is received by said receiving means and said first means is disposed in said operative position; d. second means, mounted for movement between a position spaced from said receiving means and a position in operative relation with a coil of second width on said receiving means, for transversely flexing a peripheral winding of the strip of a second coil of second width when such second coil is received by said receiving means and said second means is disposed in said operative position; and e. means for selectively moving said first and second flexing means between said spaced and operative positions.

Claim 12

A strip handling device for alternatively receiving coils of strip material of differing widths and for feeding a leading strip portion from a coil so received, said device comprising: a. means for alternatively receiving and rotatably supporting such coils; b. means for rotating a received coil; c. first means, mounted for movement between a position spaced from said receiving means and a position in operative relation with a coil of first width on said receiving means, for transversely flexing a peripheral winding of the strip of a first coil of first width when such first coil is received by said receiving means and said first means is disposed in said operative position; d. second means, mounted for movement between a position spaced from said receiving means and a position in operative relation with a coil of second width on said receiving means, for transversely flexing a peripheral winding of the strip of a second coil of second width when such second coil is received by said receiving means and said second means is disposed in said operative position; and e. means for selectively moving said first and second flexing means between said spaced and operative positions.

Claim 13

Strip-handling apparatus for separating the leading ends of first and second elongated strips disposed in coils about first and second hub members, the first and second hub members including respectively first and second guide surfaces between which the first and second elongated strips are disposed, both the first and second hub members being rotatably mountable in an operative position, said strip-handling apparatus comprising: a. a first cam surface disposed to engage the first guide surface of the first hub member when the first hub member is rotatably mounted in operative position and to flex the first guide surface of the first hub member toward the second guide surface of the first hub member to thereby facilitate the separation of the leading end of the first elongated strip from its respective coil; b. a second cam surface disposed to engage the first guide surface of the second hub member When the second hub member is rotatably mounted in operative position to flex the first guide surface of the second hub member toward the second guide surface of the second hub member to thereby facilitate the separation of the leading end of the second elongated strip from its respective coil; and c. means for moving said strip-handling apparatus to a first position remote from the guide surfaces of either of the first or second rotatably mounted hub members and to a second position wherein said first and second cam surfaces respectively engage the first guide surface of the first and second hub members when rotatably mounted in operative position.

Claim 14

Strip-handling apparatus for separating the leading ends of first and second elongated strips disposed in coils about first and second hub members, the first and second hub members including respectively first and second guide surfaces between which the first and second elongated strips are disposed, both the first and second hub members being rotatably mountable in an operative position, said strip-handling apparatus comprising: a. a first cam surface disposed to engage the first guide surface of the first hub member when the first hub member is rotatably mounted in operative position and to flex the first guide surface of the first hub member toward the second guide surface of the first hub member to thereby facilitate the separation of the leading end of the first elongated strip from its respective coil; b. a second cam surface disposed to engage the first guide surface of the second hub member When the second hub member is rotatably mounted in operative position to flex the first guide surface of the second hub member toward the second guide surface of the second hub member to thereby facilitate the separation of the leading end of the second elongated strip from its respective coil; and c. means for moving said strip-handling apparatus to a first position remote from the guide surfaces of either of the first or second rotatably mounted hub members and to a second position wherein said first and second cam surfaces respectively engage the first guide surface of the first and second hub members when rotatably mounted in operative position.

Claim 15

Strip-handling apparatus for selectively separating a leading strip portion from at least one of first and second rotatable coils of elongated strip, the width of the strip of the first coil being greater than the width of the strip of the second coil, said strip-handling apparatus comprising: a. means for rotatably supporting either of the first and second coils in an operative position; b. first means including a first surface for transversely flexing a peripheral winding of the strip of the first coil when said strip-handling apparatus is disposed in operative relation with the rotatably supported first coil; and c. second means including a second surface for transversely flexing a peripheral winding of the strip of the second coil when said strip-handling apparatus is disposed in operative relation with the rotatably supported second coil.

Claim 16

Strip-handling apparatus for selectively separating a leading strip portion from at least one of first and second rotatable coils of elongated strip, the width of the strip of the first coil being greater than the width of the strip of the second coil, said strip-handling apparatus comprising: a. means for rotatably supporting either of the first and second coils in an operative position; b. first means including a first surface for transversely flexing a peripheral winding of the strip of the first coil when said strip-handling apparatus is disposed in operative relation with the rotatably supported first coil; and c. second means including a second surface for transversely flexing a peripheral winding of the strip of the second coil when said strip-handling apparatus is disposed in operative relation with the rotatably supported second coil.

Claim 17

The invention as defined in claim 11 further including means for moving said strip-handling apparatus between a nonoperative position and either of: a. a first position in operative relation with the rotatably supported first coil; and b. a second position in operative relation with the rotatably supported second coil.

Claim 18

Strip-handling apparatus for separating from their respective coils the leading ends of first and second elongated strips disposed in coils about first and second hub members, the first and second hub members including respectively first and second flange members between which the first and second elongated strips are disposed, both the first and second hub members being rotatably mountable in an operative position, said strip-handling apparatus comprising: a. a first conical surface disposed to engage the first flange member of the first hub member when the first hub member is rotatably mounted in operative position and to flex the first flange member of the first hub member toward the second flange member of the first hub member to thereby facilitate the separation of the leading end of the first elongated strip from its respective coil; b. a second conical surface disposed to engage the first flange member of the second hub member when the second hub member is rotatably mounted in operative position to flex the first flange member of the second hub member toward the second flange member of the second hub member to thereby facilitate the separation of the leading end of the second elongated strip from its respective coil; and c. means for moving said strip-handling apparatus to a first position remote from the flange members of either of the first or second rotatably mounted hub members and to second and third positions wherein said first and second conical surfaces respectively engage the first flange member of the first and second hub members when either is rotatably mounted in operative position.

Claim 19

Strip-handling apparatus for separating from their respective coils the leading ends of first and second elongated strips disposed in coils about first and second hub members, the first and second hub members including respectively first and second flange members between which the first and second elongated strips are disposed, both the first and second hub members being rotatably mountable in an operative position, said strip-handling apparatus comprising: a. a first conical surface disposed to engage the first flange member of the first hub member when the first hub member is rotatably mounted in operative position and to flex the first flange member of the first hub member toward the second flange member of the first hub member to thereby facilitate the separation of the leading end of the first elongated strip from its respective coil; b. a second conical surface disposed to engage the first flange member of the second hub member when the second hub member is rotatably mounted in operative position to flex the first flange member of the second hub member toward the second flange member of the second hub member to thereby facilitate the separation of the leading end of the second elongated strip from its respective coil; and c. means for moving said strip-handling apparatus to a first position remote from the flange members of either of the first or second rotatably mounted hub members and to second and third positions wherein said first and second conical surfaces respectively engage the first flange member of the first and second hub members when either is rotatably mounted in operative position.

Claim 20

The invention as defined in claim 13 wherein the second and third positions of said strip-handling apparatus coincide.