Core infeed apparatus for winder

A core loading apparatus for a winder, the winder having a frame and spaced-apart first and second winding rolls mounted on the frame, comprising:

• a core guide movably mounted on the frame,
• a core inserter rotatably mounted on the frame, and
• a core drive for moving an elongated core axially onto the core guide,
• the core guide being movable between a first position in which the core guide receives a core from the core drive and a second position in which the core guide moves the core toward the core inserter,
• the core inserter being rotatable between a first position in which the core inserter receives a core from the core guide and a second position in which the core inserter moves the core toward the first winding roll,
• the core guide comprising first and second core guide channels which are rotatably mounted on the frame, the core guide channels being spaced-apart when the core guide is in its first position whereby a core can be moved axially into the space between the core guide channels, and
• means for rotating one of the core guide channels away from a core between the core guide channels and for moving the other core guide channel toward the core inserter, said rotating means including a first gear connected to one of the core guide channels and a second gear connected to the other core guide channel, said gears being engaged with each other.

A core loading apparatus for a winder, the winder having a frame and spaced-apart first and second winding rolls mounted on the frame, comprising:

• a core guide movably mounted on the frame,
• a core inserter rotatably mounted on the frame, and
• a core drive for moving an elongated core axially onto the core guide,
• the core guide being movable between a first position in which the core guide receives a core from the core drive and a second position in which the core guide moves the core toward the core inserter,
• the core inserter being rotatable between a first position in which the core inserter receives a core from the core guide and a second position in which the core inserter moves the core toward the first winding roll,
• the core guide comprising first and second core guide channels which are rotatably mounted on the frame, the core guide channels being spaced-apart when the core guide is in its first position whereby a core can be moved axially into the space between the core guide channels, one or both of the core guide channels including a ratchet roller which rotates in only one direction and which is engageable with the core.

A core loading apparatus for a winder, the winder having a frame and spaced-apart first and second winding rolls mounted on the frame, comprising:

• a core guide movably mounted on the frame for rotary movement about an axis,
• a core inserter rotatably mounted on the frame, and
• a core drive for moving an elongated core axially onto the core guide,
• the core guide being rotatable along an arc between a first position in which the core guide receives a core from the core drive and a second position in which the core guide moves the core toward the core inserter,
• the core inserter being rotatable between a first position in which the core inserter receives a core from the core guide and a second position in which the core inserter moves the core toward the first winding roll.

A core loading apparatus for a winder, the winder having a frame, a first winding roll mounted on the frame, a second winding roll mounted on the frame and spaced from the first winding roll, a stationary surface mounted on the frame and spaced below the first winding roll, comprising:

• a core guide movably mounted on the frame,
• a vacuum core inserter rotatably mounted on the frame for rotary movement about an axis, the vacuum core inserter including a vacuum port for holding a core on the core inserter,
• a core drive for moving an elongated core axially onto the core guide,
• the core guide being movable between a first position in which the core guide receives a core from the core drive and a second position in which the core guide moves the core toward the core inserter,
• the vacuum core inserter being rotatable to rotate the vacuum port in an arc between a first position in which the vacuum port is positioned below the stationary plate and in which the core inserter receives a core from the core guide and a second position in which the vacuum port is positioned adjacent the space between the first winding roll and the stationary plate whereby a core held by the vacuum port can be inserted into the space between the first winding roll and the stationary plate.

A core loading apparatus for a winder, the winder having a frame and spaced-apart first and second winding rolls mounted on the frame, comprising:

• first and second core guides rotatably mounted on the frame, the first core guide being mounted for rotary movement about a first axis and the second core guide being mounted for rotary movement about a second axis,
• a core inserter rotatably mounted on the frame, and
• a core drive for moving an elongated core axially between the core guides,
• the first core guide being rotatable along an arc in a counterclockwise direction from a first position to a second position,
• the second core guide being rotatable along an arc in a clockwise direction from a first position to a second position,
• the core guides being spaced apart in their first positions to provide a space for receiving a core from the core drive,
• the first core guide moving away from the second core guide when the first core guide moves from its first position to its second position,
• the second core guide moving toward the core inserter when the second core guide moves from first position to its second position,
• the core inserter being rotatable between a first position in which the core inserter receives a core from the second core guide and a second position in which the core inserter moves the core toward the first winding roll.