Patent ID: 7104493
Filing Date: 2006-09-12
Classification: B65H

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for dispensing elongated material from a roll of material, comprising: a rotatable spindle for supporting the roll of material; a brake assembly comprising a rotor and a caliper, the rotor being coupled to the spindle and being rotatable therewith, the caliper being configured to apply a braking force to the rotor, thereby slowing or preventing rotation of the spindle; a tension-control mechanism being movably coupled to the material being dispensed from the roll, the tension-control mechanism being mechanically coupled to the brake assembly to control the brake assembly to reduce the braking force when there is an increase in tension in the material being dispensed and to increase the braking force when there is a decrease in tension in the material; wherein the tension-control mechanism defines a portion of the path the elongated material is to follow, the tension-control mechanism being movable in response to increased tension in the material to shorten the path of the material and movable in response to decreased tension in the material to lengthen the path of the material; wherein the tension-control mechanism is operatively coupled to the brake assembly such that the brake assembly reduces the braking force when the tension-control mechanism moves to shorten the path length of the material and to increase the braking force when the tension-control mechanism moves to lengthen the path length; a pivoted lever having first and second end portions; a resilient biasing member coupling the tension-control mechanism to the first end portion of the lever; and an elongated tension member coupling the brake assembly to the second end portion of the lever.