Multiple output reel module

A multiple output reel module for use with a device that produces a flexible output media, the module comprising:

• a base;
• first and second spindles supported by said base;
• a reel mounted onto each of said first and second spindles for rotation therewith;
• a mechanism for moving said first and second spindles into and out of a loading position;
• an attachment mechanism attaching the output media to the one of said first and second spindles that is in said loading position;
• a reel motor selectively rotating the one of said first and second spindles that is in said loading position, such that the output media is loaded onto the reel in the loading position;
• wherein said mechanism for moving automatically moves said first spindle out of said loading position, and said second spindle into said loading position, once said reel on said first spindle is loaded with a selected amount of output media;
• wherein said attachment mechanism automatically attaches the output media to the reel on said second spindle when said second spindle is in said loading position;
• wherein said reel motor automatically loads the reel on said second spindle with output media after said output media is attached to said reel;
• and
• an over-center biasing mechanism acting on said attachment mechanism, said attachment mechanism being biased by said over-center biasing mechanism toward engagement with the output media when positioned over-center in a first direction, and said attachment mechanism being biased by said over-center biasing mechanism away from engagement with the output media when positioned over-center in a second opposite direction.

A multiple output reel module for use with a device that produces a flexible output media, the module comprising:

• a base;
• first and second spindles supported by said base;
• a reel mounted onto each of said first and second spindles for rotation therewith;
• a mechanism for moving said first and second spindles into and out of a loading position;
• an attachment mechanism attaching the output media to the one of said first and second spindles that is in said loading position;
• a reel motor selectively rotating the one of said first and second spindles that is in said loading position, such that the output media is loaded onto the reel in the loading position;
• wherein said mechanism for moving automatically moves said first spindle out of said loading position, and said second spindle into said loading position, once said reel on said first spindle is loaded with a selected amount of output media;
• wherein said attachment mechanism automatically attaches the output media to the reel on said second spindle when said second spindle is in said loading position;
• wherein said reel motor automatically loads the reel on said second spindle with output media after said output media is attached to said reel;
• and
• a gate, wherein said attachment mechanism includes a stop member, said attachment mechanism being movable between an engaged position and a disengaged position, when in said engaged position, said attachment mechanism attaching the output media to said reel in said loading position and permitting rotation of said reel in said loading position, and when in said disengaged position, said attachment mechanism not engaging the output media and engaging said gate to resist rotation of said reel in said loading position.

A multiple output reel module for use with a device that produces a flexible output media, the module comprising:

• a base;
• first and second spindles supported by said base;
• a reel mounted onto each of said first and second spindles for rotation therewith;
• a mechanism for moving said first and second spindles into and out of a loading position;
• an attachment mechanism attaching the output media to the one of said first and second spindles that is in said loading position;
• a reel motor selectively rotating the one of said first and second spindles that is in said loading position, such that the output media is loaded onto the reel in the loading position;
• wherein said mechanism for moving automatically moves said first spindle out of said loading position, and said second spindle into said loading position, once said reel on said first spindle is loaded with a selected amount of output media;
• wherein said attachment mechanism automatically attaches the output media to the reel on said second spindle when said second spindle is in said loading position;
• wherein said reel motor automatically loads the reel on said second spindle with output media after said output media is attached to said reel;
• and
• a gate having a trigger surface, and an actuator selectively moving said gate, wherein said actuator automatically moves said trigger surface of said gate into contact with said attachment mechanism to automatically attach the output media to said second reel.

A method for loading an output media onto a plurality of output reels supported by a plurality of spindles, the method comprising:

• moving a first spindle and reel combination into a loading position;
• attaching the output media to the first reel while the first spindle and reel combination are in the loading position;
• and then
• rotating the first spindle and reel assembly to load the output media onto the first reel;
• and then
• after the first reel is filled with output media, automatically moving the first reel and spindle out of the loading position, and moving a second reel and spindle combination into the loading position;
• and then
• automatically attaching the output media to the second reel in the loading position;
• and then
• automatically loading the second reel with output media by rotating the second spindle and reel combination;
• and
• providing a detent mechanism for each of the reel and spindle combinations, and selectively resisting rotation of each spindle with an associated detent mechanism when the reel on the spindle is not being loaded with output media.