Take-up cores for flexible materials and methods
AssigneeFirst Data Corporation
InventorWilliam Wisniewski
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In one embodiment, a take up reel comprises a core having a generally open interior and an outer surface that is adapted to hold a sheet-like material that is wound around the core. Also, the core defines at least one slot. A slider member is slidable within the slot between a home position and an extended position away from the outer surface. In this way, when the sheet-like material is wound around the outer surface of the core when the slider member is in the extended position, the sheet-like material is spaced apart from the core in the region of the slot. Further, when the slider member is moved to the home position, the tension in the wound sheet-like material is reduced to facilitate removal of the core.
Claims21
A take up reel, comprising:
- a core having a generally open interior and an outer surface that is adapted to hold a sheet-like material that is wound around the core, wherein the core defines at least one slot;
- a slider member that is slidable within the slot between a home position and an extended position away from the outer surface, wherein when the sheet-like material is wound around the outer surface of the core when the slider member is in the extended position, the sheet-like material is spaced apart from the core in the region of the slot, and wherein when the slider member is moved to the home position, tension in the wound sheet-like material is reduced to facilitate removal of the core;
- and
- a pair of ends coupled to the core, wherein each of the ends includes an extension that extends into the interior and holds the slider member in the extended position when the end is coupled to the core, and wherein the slider member is movable to the home position when the ends are uncoupled from the core.
A foil tipping machine, comprising:
- a foil reel containing a length of foil;
- a tipping module that is configured to take a card and transfer foil from the length of foil onto the card;
- a take up reel that is adapted to receive the length of foil from the tipping module, wherein the take up reel comprises:
- a core having a generally open interior and an outer surface that is adapted to hold the length of foil that is wound around the core, wherein the core defines at least one slot;
- a slider member that is slidable within the slot between a home position and an extended position away from the outer surface, wherein when the length of foil is wound around the outer surface of the core when the slider member is in the extended position, the length of foil is spaced apart from the core in the region of the slot, and wherein when the slider member is moved to the home position, tension in the wound length of foil is reduced to facilitate removal of the core;
- and
- a pair of ends coupled to the core, wherein each of the ends includes an extension that extends into the interior and holds the slider member in the extended position when the end is coupled to the core, and wherein the slider member is movable to the home position when the ends are uncoupled from the core.
A method for winding a sheet-like material on a take up reel and then removing the sheet-like material from-the reel, the method comprising:
- providing a reel comprising a core having a generally open interior and an outer surface, wherein the core defines at least one slot, and a slider member that is slidable within the slot between a home position and an extended position away from the outer surface;
- coupling a pair of end members to the core, with each end member having an extension that holds the slider member in the extended position;
- winding the sheet-like material around the core while the slider member is in the extended position, with the sheet-like material being spaced apart from the core in the region of the slot;
- moving the slider member to the home position to release tension in the wound sheet-like material;
- and
- removing the sheet-like material from the core.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.