Winding apparatus

Abstract: According to the invention, there is provided an apparatus for winding a web material such as paper or plastic film about a hollow core (2). The core is disposed between a pair of shafts (4) spaced from and opposed and aligned with each other axially thereof. The core is fixed at opposite ends to the shafts respectively. At least one of the shafts is connected to and rotated by motor means (7). The shafts each comprises an annular slide (10) disposed around and coaxially to the shaft for movement axially thereof, tapered incline means (16) being formed on the circumferential outer surface of the slide. A plurality of tips (18) are angularly spaced from each other along the circumference of the slide and engaged with the incline means. Means (12) is provided for guiding the tips for movement radially of the shaft. The shafts each includes piston means (20) inserted into bore means (22) in cylinder means (24), the piston means being opposed to and engaged with the slide axially of the shaft, whereby the tips can be pressed against the inner surface of the core by the fluid pressure in the cylinder means and under the effect of the incline means, to thereby fix the core to the shaft. At least one of the shafts further comprises means (28, 30) for restraining the slide from moving relatively to the shaft in the rotational direction thereof to transmit a torque to the slide from the shaft, and means (34) for restraining the tips from moving relatively to the slide in the rotational direction of the shaft to transmit the torque to the tips from the slide.

Description: FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to an apparatus for winding a web material such as paper or plastic film about a hollow core. The core is disposed between a pair of shafts spaced from and opposed and aligned with each other axially thereof. The core is then fixed at respective opposite ends to the shafts. At least one of the shafts is connected to and rotated by motor means. PRIOR ART There has been generally used an apparatus for slitting a web material such as paper or plastic film into a plurality of web materials and then winding the web materials about hollow cores. In the typical apparatus, each core is disposed between a pair of shafts which are spaced from and opposed and aligned with each other axially thereof. The core is then fixed at respective opposite ends to the shafts. In what is called the taper cone type, each shaft is provided with a taper cone. The taper cones are moved axially of the shafts and inserted and fitted into the opposite ends of the core so that the core is fixed at opposite ends to the shafts by the taper cones. At least one of the shafts is connected to and rotated by motor means so that the core is rotated integrally with the taper cones and the shafts to wind the web material. However, the apparatus has a problem in that the core is not always accurately centered with respect to the shafts when the taper cones are inserted and fitted into the opposite ends of the core and the core is fixed at opposite ends to the shafts by the taper cones. Accordingly, the core may be rotated with a deflection i.e. eccentrically. The web is wound with tension which fluctuates as a result of eccentricity in the rotation of the core, resulting in low quality of product. JP-A-03-106 744 discloses an apparatus for winding a web material such as paper or plastic film about a hollow core. The apparatus includes a single shaft. The core is disposed about the single shaft. The shaft includes a plurality of movable members comprising second housings arranged in the axial direction of the shaft. The shaft further includes a plurality of tips comprising clamps engaged with tapered surfaces which are formed on the circumferential outer surfaces of the second housings. The core is secured to the shaft at axial positions corresponding to the clamps when the clamps are pressed against the inner surface of the core. JP-A-60 122 650 discloses an apparatus including a pair of shafts. A hollow core is disposed between the shafts and secured at respective opposite ends to the shafts respectively. Each of the shafts comprises an axially movable member and disposed coaxially to the shaft. A plurality of tips are engaged with a tapered surface formed on the outer periphery of the axially movable member, whereby the tips can be pressed against the inner surface of the core under the effect of the tapered surface. The apparatus is arranged to unwind web material from the core. The axially movable member comprises a solid piston inserted into a bore formed in the shaft. Radial slots are machined in the shaft and receive the tips in the radial slots so that the tips can be engaged with the tapered surface of the piston and pressed against the inner surface of the core. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a novel and improved apparatus for winding a web material such as paper or plastic film about a hollow core, the core being disposed between a pair of shafts spaced from and opposed and aligned with each other axially thereof, the core being fixed at respective opposite ends to the shafts, at least one of the shafts being connected to and rotated by motor means, in which the above problem can be overcome. It is another object of the invention to accurately centre the core with respect to the shafts when the core is fixed at opposite ends to the shafts so that the core is rotated without deflection and the web is wound with a constant or non-fluctuating tension. According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus for winding a web material, such as paper or plastic film, about a hollow cylindrical core, the apparatus including a pair of shafts spaced from and opposed and aligned with each other axially thereof, in use of the apparatus the core being disposed between the shafts and secured at respective opposite ends to the shafts, and motor means connected to at least one of said shafts to rotate the shaft, each of the shafts comprising: an annular slide disposed around and coaxially to the shaft for movement axially thereof; tapered surface means formed on the outer periphery of the slide and inclined to converge on the axis of the shaft; a plurality of tips angularly spaced from each other around the circumference of the annular slide and engaged with the tapered surface means; means for guiding the tips for movement radially of the shaft; and annular piston means inserted into an annular bore means in cylinder means, whereby said tips can be pressed against the inner surface of said core by the fluid pressure in said cylinder means and under the effect of said tapered surface means, thereby to fix said core to said shaft; said at least one of said shafts further comprising: restraining means for restraining the tips from moving relatively to the shaft in the rotational direction thereof to transmit torque to the tips from the shaft; characterized in that: the annular piston means is opposed to and engaged with the annular slide axially of said shaft; and the restraining means comprises: first means for restraining the annular slide from moving relatively to said shaft in the rotational direction thereof to transmit torque to the slide from the shaft; and second means for restraining the tips from moving relatively to the annular slide in the rotational direction of the shaft to transmit the torque to the tips from the annular slide. In a preferred embodiment, the shafts each includes an end cap fitted onto and fixed to the end of the shaft. The slide is fitted onto the circumferential outer surface of the end cap for sliding movement axially of the shaft. The means for guiding the tips preferably comprises a flange formed integrally with the end cap and extending radially of the shaft. The tips are engaged with the flange for sliding movement. the means for restraining the slide comprises a plurality of pins mounted on the flange and extending axially of the shaft. The pins are inserted into holes formed in the slide to transmit the torque to the slide from the shaft through the end cap and the flange. The means for restraining the tips preferably comprises a plurality of axial grooves formed in the circumferential outer surface of the slide. The tips are received in the axial grooves to transmit the torque to the tips from the slide. The tapered surface means comprises a plurality of tapered surfaces formed on the bottoms of the axial grooves. The tips are engaged with the tapered surfaces. The cylinder means preferred comprises an annular cylinder fitted onto the circumferential outer surface of the shaft. The piston means comprises an annular piston disposed around the shaft and inserted into an annular bore formed in the cylinder. The shafts preferably each includes a ring spring disposed around the tips and the slide. The ring spring is fitted into circumferential grooves formed in the tips and the slide so that the tips are resiliently urged radially and axially of the shaft and brought into contact with the tapered surfaces and the flange by the ring spring. A plurality of springs are interposed between the slide and the flange so that the slide is resiliently urged axially of the shaft and brought into contact with the piston by the springs. The tips preferably each include an urethane rubber layer formed on the outer surface thereof and pressed against the inner surface of the core. According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided an apparatus for winding a web material such as paper or plastic film about a hollow cylindrical core, said apparatus including a pair of shafts spaced from and opposed and aligned with each other axially thereof, in use of the apparatus the core being disposed between the shafts and secured at respective opposite ends to the shafts, and motor means connected to at least one of the shafts to rotate the shaft, each of the shafts comprising: a piston disposed coaxially to the shaft; tapered surface means formed on the outer periphery of the piston of and inclined to converge on the axis of the shaft; a plurality of tips angularly spaced from each other along the circumference of the piston and engaged with the tapered surface means; and means for guiding the tips for movement radially of said shaft, whereby the tips can be pressed against the inner surface of the core by the tapered surface means, thereby to fix the core to the shaft, said at least one of the shafts further comprising: restraining means for restraining the tips from moving relatively to said shaft in the rotational direction thereof to transmit torque to said tips from said shaft; characterized in that: the piston is annular, is disposed around the shaft, and is inserted into an annular bore formed in a cylinder for movement axially of the shaft, whereby said tips can be pressed against the inner surface of said core by the fluid pressure in said cylinder; and the restraining means comprises: first means for restraining the piston from moving relatively to the shaft in the rotational direction thereof to transmit the torque to the piston from the shaft; and second means for restraining the tips from moving relatively to the piston in the rotational direction of the shaft to transmit the torque to the tips from said annular piston. The cylinder may be annular and fitted onto the circumferential outer surface of the shaft. The means for guiding the tips may comprise an end plate engaged with and fixed to the end of the shaft, the tips being engaged with the end plate for sliding movement. The end plate may extend radially of the shaft. The means for restraining the piston may comprise key means fitted into axial grooves formed in the cylinder and the shaft to transmit the torque to the cylinder from the shaft, and key means fitted into axial grooves formed in the piston and the cylinder to transmit the torque to the piston from the cylinder. The tapered surface means may comprise a tapered surface extending circumferentially of the piston. The means for restraining the tips may comprise key means fitted into axial grooves formed in the tips and the piston to transmit the torque to the tips from the piston. The tips may each include an urethane rubber layer formed on the outer surface thereof and pressed against the inner surface of the core. The shafts may each include a ring spring disposed around the tips. The ring spring is fitted into circumferential grooves formed in the tips so that the tips are resiliently urged radially and axially of the shaft and brought into contact with the tapered surface and the end plate by the ring spring. A plurality of springs may be interposed between the piston and the end plate so that the piston is resiliently urged axially of the shaft by the springs. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a first, preferred embodiment of the invention. Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view of the apparatus in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an elevational view of the slide in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the slide in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view of other embodiment of the invention. Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of another embodiment of the invention. Fig. 7 is a cross sectional view of the apparatus in Fig. 6. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to Fig. 1, an apparatus according to the invention is shown, which is intended to wind a web material such as paper or plastic film about a hollow core 2. The core 2 is disposed between a pair of shafts 4. The shafts 4 are supported by a pair of arms 6 for rotation respectively to extend from the arms 6 so that the shafts 4 are spaced from and opposed and aligned with each other axially thereof. However, one of the shafts 4 is only shown with one of the arms 6 in Fig. 1 for convenience. The apparatus includes a pair of cylinders not shown and connected to the arms 6. The arms 6 can be moved axially of the shafts 4 by the cylinders to insert the shafts 4 into the opposite ends of the core 2, as shown in Fig. 1. The core 2 is then fixed at opposite ends to the shafts 4 respectively, as described later on. In addition, at least one of the shafts 4 is connected to and rotated by motor means 7 disposed in and supported by the arm 6 so that the core 2 is rotated integrally with the shafts 4 to wind the web material. The shafts 4 each includes an end cap 8 which has an inner diameter corresponding to the outer diameter of the shaft 4. The end cap 8 is fitted onto the end of the shaft 4. In addition, the shafts 4 each includes an annular slide 10 which has an inner diameter corresponding to the outer diameter of the end cap 8. The slide 10 is disposed around and coaxially to the shaft 4 and fitted onto the circumferential outer surface of the end cap 8 for sliding movement axially of the shaft 4. The end cap 8 includes a flange 12 formed integrally therewith and extending radially of the shaft 4 to stop the slide 10 moved along the circumferential outer surface of the end cap 8. The end cap 8 is fixed to the end of the shaft 4 by bolts 14. The slide 10 includes tapered incline means 16 comprising a plurality of inclines which are formed on the circumferential outer surface of the slide 10. A plurality of tips 18 are angularly spaced from each other along the circumference of the slide 10 and engaged with the inclines 16. In the embodiment, four inclines 16 are iquiangularly spaced from each other along the circumference of the slide 10, four tips 18 being equiangularly spaced from each other and engaged with the inclines 16 respectively, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The inclines 16 are inclined radially and axially of the shaft 4, as shown in Fig. 4. The flange 12 is adapted to guide the tips 18 for movement radially of the shaft 4. The tips 18 are engaged with the flange 12 for sliding movement. The shafts 4 each includes piston means 20 inserted into bore means 22 in cylinder means 24. The cylinder means 24 comprises an annular cylinder disposed around and coaxially to the shaft 4 and fitted onto the circumferential outer surface thereof. The end cap 8 is engaged with and pressed against the cylinder 24 axially of the shaft 4 to thereby fix the cylinder 24 to the shaft 4. The piston means 20 comprises an annular piston disposed around and coaxially to the shaft 4 and inserted into an annular bore 22 formed in the cylinder 24. The piston 20 is opposed to and engaged with the slide 10 axially of the shaft 4. The bore 22 is connected to a fluid supply by means of flow paths 26 formed in the shaft 4 and the cylinder 24. In the apparatus, the arms 6 are moved axially of the shafts 4 to insert the shafts 4 into the opposite ends of the core 2 which is disposed between the shafts 4. In each shaft 4, a fluid pressure is then fed into the bore 22 in the cylinder 24 through the flow paths 26 so that the piston 20 is pushed against the slide 10 and moved and advanced in the bore 22 axially of the shaft 4. The slide 10 are therefore slidingly moved along the circumferential outer surface of the end cap 8 axially of the shaft 4 by the fluid pressure in the cylinder 24. The tips 18 are slidingly moved along the flange 12 of the end cap 8 radially of the shaft 4 and pressed against the inner surface of the core 2 under the effect of the inclines 16 of the slide 10, to thereby fix the core 2 to the shaft 4. At least one of the shafts 4 is then rotated by the motor means 7. In the apparatus, at least one of the shafts 4 further includes key means 28 and pin means 30 for restraining the slide 10 from moving relatively to the shaft 4 in the rotational direction thereof to transmit a torque to the slide 10 from the shaft 4. The key means 28 comprises a key extending axially of the shaft 4 and fitted into axial grooves formed in the end cap 8 and the shaft 4. The pin means 30 comprises a plurality of pins angularly spaced from each other along the circumference of the end cap 8, mounted on the flange 12 and extending axially of the shaft 4. The pins 30 are inserted into holes 32 formed in the slide 10 to transmit a torque to the slide 10 from the shaft 4 through the keys 28, the end cap 8 and the flange 12. The slide 10 is therefore rotated integrally with the shaft 4, the keys 28, the end cap 8 and the pins 30. In addition, a plurality of grooves 34 are formed in the circumferential outer surface of the slide 10 for restraining the tips 18 from moving relatively to the slide 10 in the rotational direction of the shaft 4. The tips 18 are received in the axial grooves 34 to transmit the torque to the tips 18 from the slide 10. The inclines 16 are formed on the bottoms of the axial grooves 34, the tips 18 being engaged with the inclines 16. The core 2 is therefore rotated integrally with the shaft 4, the slide 10 and the tips 18 to wind the web material. The tips 18 each includes an urethane rubber layer 36 formed on the outer surface thereof and pressed against the inner surface of the core 2. The tips 18 each has a wedged section with a slope corresponding to the inclines 16 of the slide 10 so that the urethane rubber layer 36 extends axially of the shaft 4 and the core 2 when the tips 18 are engaged with the inclines 16. In addition, the urethane rubber layer 36 is curved along circular arcs centered at the shaft 4. Accordingly, all the urethane rubber layer 36 is pressed against the inner surface of the core 2 so that the core 2 is rotated without slippage between the tips 18 and the core 2. In addition, the shafts each includes a ring spring 38 disposed around the tips 18 and the slide 10. The ring spring 38 is fitted into circumferential grooves 40 and 42 formed in the tips 18 and the slide 10 so that the tips 18 are resiliently urged radially of the shaft 4 and brought into contact with the inclines 16 of the slide 10 by the ring spring 38. The circumferential grooves 40 in the tips 18 are different in position axially of the shaft 4 from the circumferential grooves 42 in the slide 10 so that the tips 18 are resiliently urged axially of the shaft 4 and brought into contact with the flange 12 by the ring spring 38. In addition, a plurality of springs 44 are interposed between the slide 10 and the flange 12. The springs 44 are inserted at one ends into holes 46 formed in the slide 10 and engaged at the other ends with the flange 12 so that the slide 10 is resiliently urged axially of the shaft 4 and brought into contact with the piston 20. After winding in the apparatus, the fluid pressure is discharged from the bore 22 in the cylinder 24 so that the slide 10 and the piston 20 are pushed axially of the shaft 4 by the springs 44 and moved back to the original positions. The tips 18 are pushed radially of the shaft 4 by the ring spring 38, disengaged from the inner surface of the core 2 and moved back to the original positions so that the core 2 is released from the tips 18. The arms 6 is then moved axially of the shafts 4 to retract the shafts 4 from the opposite ends of the core 2. The core 2 and the product thereon are took out from the position between the shafts 4. Accordingly, in the apparatus, the core 2 is fixed at opposite ends to the shafts 4 by the tips 18 pressed against the inner surface of the core 2. In each shaft 4, the tips 18 are pressed against the inner surface of the core 2 by the fluid pressure in the cylinder 24 and under the effect of the inclines 16 of the slide 10, the slide 10 being disposed coaxially to the shaft 4 and moved axially of the shaft 4. The core 2 is therefore accurately centered with respect to the shafts 4 by the slide 10 and the tips 18 when fixed at opposite ends to the shafts 4. The core 2 is then rotated without deflection. The web material is wound with a tension not fluctuated, resulting in high quality of product. In other embodiment shown in Fig. 5, not four but six tips 48 are iquiangularly spaced from each other along the circumference of the slide 50 and engaged with the inclines 52 respectively. Any number of the tips may be angularly spaced from each other along the circumference of the slide and engaged with the inclines thereof. The tips 48 may each include not the urethane rubber layer but a pair of ridges 54 formed at the opposite sides of the outer surface thereof and extending axially of the shaft. The ridges 54 bite into the inner surface of the core to thereby fix the core to the shaft when the tips 48 are pressed against the inner surface of the core. A single ridge may be formed at the center of the outer surface of the tip 48 to bite into the inner surface of the core. In another embodiment shown in Fig. 6, the shafts 4 each includes an end plate 56 engaged with the end of the shaft 4. The end plate 56 is fixed to the end of the shaft 4 by bolts 58, the end plate 56 extending radially of the shaft 4. In addition, the shafts 4 each includes an annular piston 60 disposed around and coaxially to the shaft 4. The piston 60 is inserted into an annular bore 62 formed in a cylinder 64 for movement axially of the shaft 4. The cylinder 64 is annular and coaxial to the shaft 4, and fitted onto the circumferential outer surface of the shaft 4. The end plate 56 is engaged with and pressed against the cylinder 64 axially of the shaft 4 to thereby fix the cylinder 64 to the shaft 4. The bore 62 is connected to a fluid source through flow paths 66 formed in the shaft 4 and the cylinder 64. The piston 60 includes tapered incline means 68 formed on the circumferential outer surface thereof. The incline means 68 comprises a tapered incline extending circumferentially of the piston 60 and inclined radially and axially of the shaft 4. A plurality of tips 70 are angularly spaced from each other along the circumference of the piston 60 and engaged with the incline 68. In the embodiment, four tips 70 are iquiangularly spaced form each other and curved along the circumference of the piston 60, as shown in Fig. 7. The tips 70 each has a width slightly less than one-fourth of the circumference of the piston 60 to surround the circumference of the piston 60 with small clearances between the tips 70. The end plate 56 is adapted to guide the tips 70 for movement radially of the shaft 4. The tips 70 are engaged with the end plate 56 for sliding movement. In the apparatus, the arms are moved axially of the shafts 4 to insert the shafts 4 into the opposite ends of the core 2 which is disposed between the shafts 4, like the apparatus shown in Fig. 1. In each shaft 4, a fluid pressure is then fed into the bore 62 in the cylinder 64 through the flow paths 66 so that the piston 60 is moved and advanced in the bore 62 axially of the shaft 4 by the fluid pressure in the cylinder 64. The tips 70 are therefore slidingly moved along the end plate 56 radially of the shaft 4 and pressed against the inner surface of the core 2 under the effect of the incline 68 of the piston 60, to thereby fix the core 2 to the shaft 4. At least one of the shafts 4 is then rotated by the motor means. In the apparatus, at least one of the shafts 4 further includes key means 72 and 74 for restraining the piston 60 from moving relatively to the shaft 4 in the rotational direction thereof to transmit a torque to the piston 60 from the shaft 4. The key means 72 comprises a key extending axially of the shaft 4 and fitted into axial grooves formed in the cylinder 64 and the shaft 4 to transmit a torque to the cylinder 64 from the shaft 4. The key means 74 comprises a key extending axially of the shaft 4 and fitted into axial grooves formed in the piston 60 and the clylinder 64 to transmit the torque to the piston 60 from the cylinder 64. The piston 60 is therefore rotated integrally with the shaft 4, the cylinder 64 and the keys 72 and 74. In addition, key means 76 is provided for restraining the tips 70 from moving relatively to the piston 60 in the rotational direction of the shaft 4 to transmit the torque to the tips 70 from the piston 60. The key means 76 comprises four keys disposed in the angular pisitions corresponding to the tips 70 and extending axially of the shaft 4. The keys 76 are fitted into axial grooves formed in the tips 70 and the piston 60 to transmit the torque to the tips 70 from the piston 60. The core 2 is therefore rotated integrally with the shaft 4, the piston 60 and the tips 70 to wind the web material. Like the tips 18 in Fig. 1, the tips 70 each includes an urethane rubber layer 78 formed on the outer surface thereof and pressed against the inner surface of the core 2. The tips 70 each has a wedged section with a slope corresponding to the incline 68 of the piston 60 so that the urethane rubber layer 78 extends axially of the shaft 4 and the core 2 when the tips 70 are engaged with the incline 68. The urethane rubber layer 78 is curved along the curcular arcs centered at the shaft 4. Accordingly, all the urethane rubber layer 78 is pressed agaist the inner surface of the core 2 so that the core 2 is rotated without slippage between the tips 70 and the core 2. In addition, the shafts 4 each includes a ring spring 80 disposed around the tips 70. The ring spring 80 is fitted into circumferential grooves 82 formed in the tips 70 so that the tips 70 are resiliently urged radially and axially of the shaft 4 and brought into contact with the incline 68 of the piston 60 and the end plate 56 by the ring spring 80. A plurality of springs 84 are interposed between the piston 60 and the end plate 56. The springs 84 are inserted at one ends into holes 86 formed in the piston 60 and engaged at the other ends with recesses formed in the end plate 56 so that the piston 60 is resiliently urged axially of the shaft 4 by the springs 84. After winding in the apparatus, the fluid pressure is discharged from the bore 62 in the cylinder 64 so that the piston 60 is pushed axially of the shaft 4 by the springs 84 and moved back to the original position. The tips 70 are pushed radially of the shaft 4, disengaged from the inner surface of the core 2 and moved back to the original positions so that the core 2 is released from the tips 70. The arms is then moved axially of the shafts 4 to retract the shafts 4 from the opposite ends of the core 2. The core 2 and the product thereon are took out from the position between the shafts 4. In the apparatus, the core 2 is accurately centered with respect to the shafts 4 by the piston 60 and the tips 70 when fixed at opposite ends to the shafts 4. The core 2 is then rotated without deflection. The web material is wound with a tension not fluctuated, resulting in high quality of product. In addition, the tips 70 each includes a radial groove 88 formed in the end surface thereof. Screws 90 are threaded engaged with the end plate 56 and inserted into the radial grooves 88 in the tips 70 to prevent the tips 70 from moving radially of the shafts 4 to fall off. The screws 90 can be removed from the end plate 56. The ring spring 84 can also be removed from the tips 70. The tips 70 can be then removed from the shaft 4 to exchange for other ones. Accordingly, when it is intended to use a core having a different inner diameter, the apparatus can fix it to the shafts 4 by utilizing tips having heights corresponding to the inner diameter of the core. In the upper half in Fig. 6, low tips 70 are shown to fix a core 2 having a small inner diameter. In the lower half in Fig. 6, high tips 70 are shown to fix a core 2 having a large diameter. The tips 70 can be angularly spaced along the circumference of the piston 60 and engaged with the incline 68 thereof to surround the circumference of the piston 60 with small clearances between the tips 70, irrespective of the heights of the tips 70. The ring spring 80 can be therefore fitted into circumferential grooves 82 in the tips 70.

Claims: An apparatus for winding a web material, such as paper or plastic film, about a hollow cylindrical core (2), the apparatus including a pair of shafts (4) spaced from and opposed and aligned with each other axially thereof, in use of the apparatus the core (2) being disposed between the shafts (4) and secured at respective opposite ends to the shafts (4), and motor means (7) connected to at least one of said shafts (4) to rotate the shaft (4), each of the shafts (4) comprising: an annular slide (10) disposed around and coaxially to the shaft (4) for movement axially thereof; tapered surface means (16) formed on the outer periphery of the slide and inclined to converge on the axis of the shaft (4); a plurality of tips (18) angularly spaced from each other around the circumference of the annular slide (10) and engaged with the tapered surface means (16); means (12) for guiding the tips (18) for movement radially of the shaft (4); and annular piston means (20) inserted into an annular bore means (22) in cylinder means (24), whereby said tips (18) can be pressed against the inner surface of said core (2) by the fluid pressure in said cylinder means (24) and under the effect of said tapered surface means (16), thereby to fix said core (2) to said shaft (4), said at least one of said shafts (4) further comprising: restraining means (28, 30, 34) for restraining the tips (18) from moving relatively to the shaft (4) in the rotational direction thereof to transmit torque to the tips (18) from the shaft (4), characterized in that : the annular piston means (20) is opposed to and engaged with the annular slide (10) axially of said shaft (4), and the restraining means (28, 30, 34) comprises: first means (28, 30) for restraining the annular slide (10) from moving relatively to said shaft (4) in the rotational direction thereof to transmit torque to the slide (10) from the shaft (4) and second means (34) for restraining the tips (18) from moving relatively to the annular slide (10) in the rotational direction of the shaft (4) to transmit the torque to the tips (18) from the annular slide (10). An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein each of said shafts (4) comprises an end cap (8) fitted onto and fixed to the end of the shaft (4), the slide (10) being fitted onto the circumferential outer surface of the end cap (8) for sliding movement axially of said shaft (4). An apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein the means for guiding said tips (18) comprises a flange (12) formed integrally with said end cap (8) and extending radially of said shaft (4), the tips (18) being engaged with said flange (12) for sliding movement. An apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein said first means comprises a plurality of pins (30) mounted on the flange (12) and extending axially of the shaft (4), the pins (30) being inserted into holes (32) formed in said slide (10) to transmit the torque to said slide (10) from said shaft (4) through the end cap (8) and the flange (12). An apparatus as set forth in any preceding claim, wherein the second means comprises a plurality of axial grooves (34) formed in the circumferential outer surface of the slide (10), the tips (18) being received in the axial grooves (34) to transmit the torque to the tips (18) from the slide (10), the tapered surface means comprising a plurality of tapered surfaces (16) formed on the bottoms of the axial grooves (34), the lips (18) being engaged with said tapered surfaces (16). An apparatus as set forth in any preceding claim, wherein the cylinder means comprises an annular cylinder (24) fitted onto the circumferential outer surface of the shaft (4), the piston means comprising an annular piston (20) disposed around the shaft (4) and inserted into an annular bore (22) formed in the cylinder (24). An apparatus as set forth in claim 6 as appendant to claim 3, wherein each of the shafts (4) comprises a ring spring (38) disposed around the tips (18) and the slide (10), the ring spring (38) being fitted into circumferential grooves (40, 42) formed in the tips (18) and the slide (10) so that the tips (18) are resiliently urged radially and axially of the shaft (4) and brought into contact with the tapered surfaces (16) and the flange (12) by the ring spring (38), a plurality of springs (44) being interposed between the slide (10) and the flange (12) so that the slide (10) is resiliently urged axially of said shaft (4) and brought into contact with the piston (20) by the springs (44). An apparatus as set forth in any preceding claim, wherein each of said tips (18) includes an urethane rubber layer (36) formed on the outer surface thereof and to be pressed against the inner surface of the core (2) in use of the apparatus. An apparatus for winding a web material such as paper or plastic film about a hollow cylindrical core (2), said apparatus including a pair of shafts (4) spaced from and opposed and aligned with each other axially thereof, in use of the apparatus the core (2) being disposed between the shafts (4) and secured at respective opposite ends to the shafts (4), and motor means (7) connected to at least one of the shafts (4) to rotate the shaft (4), each of the shafts (4) comprising: a piston (60) disposed coaxially to the shaft (4); tapered surface means (68) formed on the outer periphery of the piston (60) of and inclined to converge on the axis of the shaft (4); a plurality of tips (70) angularly spaced from each other along the circumference of the piston (60) and engaged with the tapered surface means (68); and means (56) for guiding the tips (70) for movement radially of said shaft (4), whereby the tips (70) can be pressed against the inner surface of the core (2) by the tapered surface means (68), thereby to fix the core (2) to the shaft (4), said at least one of the shafts (4) further comprising: restraining means (72, 74, 76) for restraining the tips (70) from moving relatively to said shaft (4) in the rotational direction thereof to transmit torque to said tips (70) from said shaft (4), characterized in that : the piston (60) is annular, is disposed around the shaft (4), and is inserted into an annular bore (62) formed in a cylinder (64) for movement axially of the shaft (4), whereby said tips (70) can be pressed against the inner surface of said core (2) by the fluid pressure in said cylinder (64); and the restraining means comprises: first means (72, 74) for restraining the piston (60) from moving relatively to the shaft (4) in the rotational direction thereof to transmit the torque to the piston (60) from the shaft (4); and second means (76) for restraining the tips (70) from moving relatively to the piston (60) in the rotational direction of the shaft (4) to transmit the torque to the tips (70) from said annular piston (60). An apparatus as set forth in claim 9, wherein the cylinder (64) is annular and fitted onto the circumferential outer surface of the shaft (4). An apparatus as set forth in claim 9 or 10, wherein the means for guiding said tips (70) comprises an end plate (56) engaged with and fixed to the end of the shaft (4), the tips (70) being engaged with the end plate (56) for sliding movement. An apparatus as set forth in any of claims 9 to 11, wherein the first means comprises key means (72) fitted into axial grooves formed int he cylinder (64) and the shaft (4) to transmit the torque to the cylinder (64) from said shaft (4), and key means (74) fitted into axial grooves formed in the piston (60) and the cylinder (64) to transmit the torque to the piston (60) from the cylinder (64). An apparatus as set forth in any of claims 9 to 12, wherein the tapered surface means comprises a tapered surface (68) extending circumferentially of said piston (60), the second means comprising key means (76) fitted into axial grooves formed in the tips (70) and the piston (60) to transmit the torque to the tips (70) from the piston (60). An apparatus as set forth in claim 13 as appendant to claim 11, wherein each of the shafts (4) comprises a ring spring (80) disposed around the tips (70), the ring spring (80) being fitted into circumferential grooves (82) formed in said tips (70) so that the tips (70) are resiliently urged radially and axially of the shaft (4) and brought into contact with the tapered surface (68) and the end plate (56) by the ring spring (80), a plurality of springs (84) being interposed between the piston (60) and the end plate (56) so that the piston (60) is resiliently urged axially of the shaft (4) by the springs (84). An apparatus as set forth in any of claims 9 to 14, wherein each of the tips (70) includes an urethane rubber layer (78) formed on the outer surface thereof and pressed against the inner surface of the core (2).

Inventors: KAMIKUBO YASUNARI, KANO HIROKAZU, NARITA KEIZO, NOMURA TOMOYUKI, KAMIKUBO, YASUNARI, KANO, HIROKAZU, NARITA, KEIZO, NOMURA, TOMOYUKI
Applicants: NISHIMURA SEISAKUSHO CO, NISHIMURA SEISAKUSHO CO. LTD.
Application year: 1996
Main classification: B65H18
IPC codes: B65H18, B65H75