Patent Publication Number: US-8973858-B2

Title: Web rewinding apparatus

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present disclosure relates to automatic web rewinding machines where paper towel stock, bath tissue stock, or the like unwound from very large parent rolls is rewound into small individual rolls. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a re-winding apparatus that releaseably attaches a mandrel cup into and out of supporting engagement with the free end of a turret-mounted mandrel prior to the winding of the web material upon the mandrel. The mandrel cup is then subsequently detached from the mandrel so that the wound web material can be removed from the mandrel for additional processing. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Typical web rewinding machines provide a number of core supporting mandrels ranging anywhere from four to ten in number which are mounted on an indexingly rotatable turret. The mandrels extend parallel to the horizontal axis about which the turret rotates, and they are spaced at equal distances from the turret axis and at uniform intervals around that axis. By way of example, a typical six-mandrel turret moves through one-sixth of a revolution at each of its indexing movements and hence it carries each mandrel in turn to each of the six successive stations with a period of dwell at each station. By way of yet another example, an exemplary eight-mandrel turret moves through one-eighth of a revolution at each of its indexing movements and hence it carries each mandrel in turn to each of the eight successive stations with a period of dwell at each station. In any regard, it should be understood that the number of spindles disposed about any given turret used in a web rewinding machine would likely determine the number of successive stations in any such device. 
     In such a configuration, typically one station (sometimes called a first station) is a loading station at which a length of core stock is slid axially onto the mandrel. At the next station, the core stock has an adhesive or glue applied to the surface of the core. At the third station, the mandrel is brought up to winding speed. As the mandrel moves from the third to the fourth station, the web material is attached to the glued core disposed upon the mandrel for the beginning of the winding operation. Winding continues while the mandrel is at the fourth station. As the mandrel moves out of the fourth station, the web material is cut through across its width (or cross-machine direction) to sever it from the wound roll of web material (e.g., the source of the web material) and give it a new leading edge that is attached to a new core on the next mandrel moving into the winding station. At the fifth station, the rotation of the mandrel is decelerated to a stop, and at the sixth station a wound core or log is stripped off the mandrel. The mandrel then moves to the first station for a repetition of the cycle. 
     A conventional turret by which the mandrels are carried comprises a spider which is mounted for a rotation on a coaxial shaft that projects a substantial distance in one direction from the spider. The mandrels have rotating connections with the spider, and they project from it in the same direction as the turret shaft. The rotating connection of each mandrel with the spider must provide cantilevered support of the mandrel because when the mandrel is at the core loading station and the unloading station, the end of the mandrel that is remote from the spider has to be accessible to allow cores to be moved axially onto and off. It should be recognized that the mandrels tend to be heavy and very long—typically, 72 inches to 96 inches in length. Therefore, their free ends are typically supported whenever possible and certainly during winding. 
     To provide support of the free ends of the mandrels, there is conventionally an assembly of supporting arms or chucks on the end portion of the turret shaft that is remote from the spider. This is also known to those in the art as a mandrel cupping assembly. A mandrel cupping assembly is an assembly that is constrained to indexing rotation concurrent with the spider containing the individual mandrels. The mandrel cupping spider generally comprises a chuck arm (or cup) cooperatively associated with each mandrel. Each chuck arm is generally swingable about an axis which is near the turret axis and transverse thereto between a substantially radially extending closed position in which the free end of the chuck arm supportingly engages the free end portion of its associated mandrel and an open position in which the chuck arm is disengaged from its mandrel and is disposed in a more or less axial orientation alongside the turret shaft. Each chuck arm is operated automatically so that it is in its open position during loading and unloading of the mandrel and is in its closed position at least from the time the mandrel moves into the gluing station and moves out of the deceleration station mentioned supra. 
     In one embodiment, a conventional mechanism for actuating the mandrel supporting chuck arms is provided with a barrel cam that is fixed to the machine frame adjacent to the free ends of the mandrels and a lever and link arrangement for each chuck arm. Each arrangement is carried by the turret for rotation therewith and having a cam follower roller that rides in a groove in the periphery of the stationary barrel cam. Each chuck arm is actuated at appropriate times in consequence of indexing movement of the turret. The shape of the cam groove is provided so that the chuck arms move into engagement with their respective mandrels when the latter are generally adjacent the glue applicator wheels and retract when the mandrels move from the web material winding position. 
     In such an operation, the stripping of wound rolls off a mandrel is conventionally accomplished by means of a pusher that engages the log at only one side of the mandrel and provides a lateral force upon the cantilevered mandrel. This can set the mandrel into a vibration mode that may be aggravated by the indexing movement that follows unloading. With the mandrel unsupported at the loading station, its free end often wobbles so severely that the core may not be run onto it with automatic core loading equipment. Such an apparatus is described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,769,600. 
     It is believed that with such conventional machines, the failure to load a core creates a danger that the mandrel itself would be coated with glue at the gluing station necessitating a lengthy shutdown of the machine for cleaning. An operator, seeing that such an unloaded core was moving out of the unloading station, would be required to stop the machine and would find that there is no way to retract the chuck arm engaged with the empty mandrel to permit manual axial unloading of the core. This is because of the nature of the chuck arm actuating mechanism. One purported solution to this problem was to slit a core along its length and push it laterally onto a mandrel to protect the mandrel from glue. At the conclusion of the winding cycle the individual rolls wound onto the slitted core are then discarded. 
     It is also believed that wobble of an unsupported mandrel could cause a chuck arm to fail to engage the mandrel properly. One solution proposed was a U-shaped member on each chuck arm that tended to preliminarily engage the mandrel during closing movement of the chuck arm and steady the mandrel sufficiently to enable its conical free end to be received in the bearing socket disposed in the chuck arm. However, it is believed that this expedient is not always successful in practice because as the wobbling mandrel fails to enter the chuck arm socket, the chuck arm mechanism exerts as much force as the indexing mechanism can provide. This can result in the inevitable bending or breakage of the link and lever elements that translate any cam follower motion into swinging motion of the chuck arm. The repair of such damage would be necessarily difficult and time consuming. 
     It is also believed that another expedient that has been used to prevent damage to the chuck arm actuating mechanism is to mount the barrel cam for limited axial motion and pneumatically bias it towards one limit of such motion. When a chuck arm fails to close properly, the reaction force that is imposed upon the cam moves it against its bias to a position which actuates an emergency stop. However, it is believed that such an emergency shutdown arrangement merely relieves some of the effects of the problem rather than solving the problem itself. By way of example, it will not permit axial loading of a core onto an empty mandrel that had moved out of the loading position. 
     Other solutions provide an automatic web rewinding machine or an automatic mandrel chucking mechanism that does not employ force derived from the turret indexing to affect chuck arm actuation. The chuck arms move to and from their mandrel supporting positions only during periods of dwell to minimize the likelihood of mandrel vibration at the time chuck arm closing occurs. The mechanism is arranged to allow a chuck arm to be manually controlled for movement to its open position in any position of the turret so that a core can be axially loaded onto an empty mandrel or a defective core or roll can be axially stripped off the mandrel. Such a system is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,266,735. 
     In any regard, attempts by the prior art to achieve an automatic web rewinding machines all provide for a single chuck arm and it associated equipment to be cooperatively associated with a respective mandrel. Further, the chuck arm and its associated equipment must cooperatively rotate with the mandrel about the turret axis. In other words, a chuck arm is constrained to rotate with the turret and is movable relative to and between a closed position (in which the chuck arm supportingly engages the other end of the mandrel) and an open position (in which the chuck arm is disengaged from the mandrel) to permit cores to be moved axially onto and off it. Clearly, the mechanism is unduly complex and requires numerous moving parts and associated ancillary equipment for it to perform its intended function. 
     Thus, it would be clearly advantageous to provide a turret system and in particular, a mandrel cupping assembly that is less complex and requires fewer moving parts to perform its intended function. In fact, such system would rotate only the mandrel cup with its respective mandrel free of any associated equipment necessary to load and unload the mandrel cup. Clearly, such systems would be appreciated by one of skill in the art because of their overall simplicity and ease of use. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     One exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure provides a web rewinding apparatus comprising a turret winder supporting a plurality of rotatably driven mandrels and a cupping assembly for releaseably engaging the unsupported ends of each mandrel. Each of the mandrels is capable of engaging cores upon which a web material is convolutely wound thereabout. Each of the mandrels is carried in a closed mandrel path about the central axis. Each of the mandrels extends from the turret assembly at a first mandrel end and has a second unsupported end and has a mandrel axis generally parallel to the central axis. Each mandrel is supported upon the turret assembly at the first mandrel end for independent rotation of the mandrel about the mandrel axis. 
     The cupping assembly has a plurality of cupping arms. Each of the cupping arms is cooperatively associated with one of the plurality of mandrels. Each of the cupping arms has a mandrel cup for releaseably engaging the unsupported ends of the cooperatively associated mandrel. Each of the cupping arms has a hold-open position and a hold-closed position. Each cupping arm is carried in a radial orbital path about the cupping arm turret central axis while disposed in either of the hold-open position or the hold-closed position. The mandrel cupping assembly also has a first actuator for disposing the cupping arm from the hold-open position to the hold-closed position. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a partial perspective view of an exemplary web rewinding machine showing five exemplary mandrels and utilizing an exemplary mandrel cupping assembly; 
         FIG. 2  is an alternative perspective view of the exemplary web rewinding machine of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a planar end view of the exemplary mandrel cupping assembly shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a partial perspective view of an exemplary web rewinding machine showing five exemplary mandrels and utilizing another exemplary mandrel cupping assembly; 
         FIG. 5  is an alternative perspective view of the alternative web rewinding machine of  FIG. 4 ; and, 
         FIG. 6  is a planar end view of the exemplary mandrel cupping assembly shown in  FIG. 4 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIGS. 1-3  of the present disclosure depict various perspective and planar views of an exemplary web rewinding machine  10  and the relevant portion of an exemplary, non-limiting embodiment of a turret assembly  20  suitable for use as an automatic web rewinding machine. As would be appreciated by one of skill in the art, a plurality of rotatable core supporting mandrels  22  are carried in an indexable, orbital motion about the axis of turret assembly  20  as well as for rotation about their own respective axes. A turret assembly  20  of the present disclosure provides a spider (not shown) by which the respective mandrels  22  are carried and a shaft (not shown) by which the spider (not shown) is supported for rotation. The turret shaft (not shown) projects a substantial distance in one direction from the spider (not shown) and the mandrels  22  disposed thereupon project from the spider (not shown) a somewhat smaller distance in the same direction. One of skill in the art will appreciate that since the rotatable connection between the spider (not shown) and each of the long, relatively heavy mandrels  22  is near one end of the mandrel  22  and the other end of the mandrel  22  will be unsupported at times, the spider (not shown) will typically be provided with two axially spaced apart bearings (not shown) for each mandrel so that the cantilevered connection of the mandrel  22  with the spider (not shown) can, by itself, hold the mandrel  22  reasonably steady. As will be appreciated by one of skill in the art, it is preferred that each mandrel  22  be provided equidistant from the axis of the turret and are uniformly spaced about that axis. 
     Each mandrel  22  can be driven to provide the required rotation in any conventional manner. One form of a mandrel drive apparatus can provide rotation of each mandrel  22  and its associated core disposed thereabout the mandrel axis during movement of the mandrel  22  and core combination. The mandrel drive apparatus can provide winding of a web material upon the core supported on the mandrel  22  to form a log of web material wound around the core (a web wound core). This form of mandrel drive apparatus can provide center winding of the web material upon the cores (that is, by connecting the mandrel with a drive which rotates the mandrel  22  about its axis, so that the web material is pulled onto the core. The mandrel  22  can be provided with a profiled rotation that provides a constant rotational speed throughout the winding cycle. Alternatively, the mandrel  22  can be provided with a winding profile that provides a differential rotational speed throughout the winding cycle. 
     As one of skill in the art will appreciate, each mandrel  22  can be connected at its end adjacent to the spider (not shown) with a form of coaxial clutch that provides a disengageable driving connection between the mandrel  22  and a coaxial sheave. Typically, the sheave is connected by means of a belt with a pulley and is rotatable on the turret shaft and in turn a belt drivingly connects the pulley with a motor which can be provided at a fixed location relative to the frame of the turret assembly  20 . Such assemblies are described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 06/113,465. 
     Further, one of skill in the art will appreciate that a turret assembly  20  having a turret (not shown) is typically indexingly rotated to carry each of the mandrels  22  to each of a succession of fixed stations at each of which the mandrel dwells for a time during the performance of an operation distinctive to the particular station. The arrangement of the stations, the operation or operations at each, and the apparatus provided at the several stations for the performance of their function are all generally known to those of skill in the art familiar with web rewinding machines. 
     In one exemplary, but non-limiting embodiment, each mandrel  22  can be provided with a toothed mandrel drive pulley  38  and a smooth surfaced, free wheeling idler pulley, both disposed near the at its end adjacent to the spider (not shown). The positions of the drive pulley and idler pulley alternate on every other mandrel  22 , so that alternate mandrels  22  are driven by their respective mandrel drive belts. For instance, when a mandrel drive belt engages the mandrel drive pulley on its associated mandrel  22 , the mandrel drive belt can ride over the smooth surface of the idler pulley on that same mandrel  22 , so that only the respective drive motor provides rotation of that mandrel  22  about its axis. Similarly, when the mandrel drive belt engages the mandrel drive pulley on an adjacent mandrel  22 , the mandrel drive belt can ride over the smooth surface of the idler pulley on that re3spective mandrel  22 , so that only that drive motor provides rotation of the mandrel about its axis. Accordingly, each drive pulley on an associated mandrel  22  engages one of the belts to transfer torque to the mandrel, and the idler pulley engages the other of the belts, but does not transfer torque from the drive belt to the mandrel. 
     As would also be understood by one of skill in the art, a length of tubular core stock from a supply thereof is advanced axially by known mechanisms to be loaded onto a particular mandrel  22 . Typically, a mandrel  22  has a conical or “bullet”-shaped nose free end portion to assist in guidance of the cores into a coaxial relationship thereto. 
     Similarly, after the winding of a web material into a wound product  46  upon a core disposed upon an associated mandrel  22 , it was found that a generally conventional mandrel unloading mechanism can provide the individual rolls of wound product to be stripped off a particular mandrel  22  at an unload station. In one embodiment, the unloading mechanism may comprise an endless belt arranged to have a long, straight stretch which extends parallel to the mandrel  22  at the unloading station at a small distance to one side of that mandrel  22 . A pusher can be secured to the belt and can project laterally therefrom to engage from behind a log of wound product  46  and drive it off the mandrel  22  as the pusher moves away from the spider along a straight stretch. 
     Alternatively, a core stripping apparatus can be positioned along the unload station. An exemplary core stripping apparatus can comprise a driven core stripping component, such as an endless conveyor belt. The conveyor belt preferably carries a plurality of flights spaced apart on the conveyor belt. Each flight can engage the end of a log supported on a mandrel  22  as the mandrel  22  enters the unload station. 
     A flighted conveyor belt can be angled with respect to a respective mandrel  22  axis as the mandrels  22  are carried along a generally straight line portion of the core unload station so that the flights engage each log disposed about a mandrel  22  with a first velocity component generally parallel to the mandrel  22  axis, and a second velocity component generally parallel to the straight line portion of the unload station. Once the log is stripped from the respective mandrel  22 , the mandrel  22  can be carried along the closed mandrel path to the core loading station to receive another core. 
     As shown generally in  FIGS. 1-3 , one of skill in the art will recognize that during both unloading and loading of a mandrel  22 , the end of a mandrel  22  that is remote from the spider must be unsupported. However, as the mandrel  22  moves through the portion of its orbit about the axis of turret assembly  20  that takes it from the loading station around to an unloading station, its free end portion is preferably supported by means of a cupping assembly  24  having cupping arms  28  disposed about a cupping spider  26  that are placed into contacting and un-contacting engagement with the free end of the mandrel  22 . In other words, a mandrel cup  28  releaseably engages the unsupported end of a mandrel  22  and supports the mandrel  22  for rotation of the mandrel  22  about its own rotational axis as well as its rotation (i.e., orbit) about the axis of turret assembly  20 . In this embodiment, the mandrel cup  28  is in a passive configuration for movement (i.e., orbit) about cupping spider  26 . In a passive configuration, it is envisioned that the inertia of a particular spindle  22  due to its rotation about the axis of turret assembly  20 , once in mating engagement with a corresponding mandrel cup  28 , will be sufficient to cause the corresponding mandrel cup  28  to orbit about cupping spider  26  in a cooperative manner coincident with the mandrel  22  cooperatively associated thereto. 
     In a preferred embodiment, a particular cupping arm  28  is cooperatively associated with each mandrel  22 . A mandrel cup  28  of mandrel cupping assembly  24  releaseably engages the unsupported end of a mandrel  22  intermediate the core loading segment and the core stripping segment of the closed mandrel path as the mandrels  22  are driven around the turret assembly (not shown) axis by the rotating turret assembly (not shown). 
     In certain embodiments, when a turret assembly comprises four mandrels  22 , naturally there will be four cupping arms  28  disposed radially about cupping spider  26 —each cupping arm  28  providing cooperative engagement with each respective mandrel  22 . Similarly, a turret assembly  20  having six, eight, or ten mandrels  22  disposed thereabout, a cupping assembly  24  will have respectively six, eight, or ten respective cupping arms  28  disposed radially about cupping spider  26 . 
     In any regard, each mandrel  22  associated with the turret assembly (not shown) is provided with a corresponding cupping arm  28  that is disposed radially about cupping spider  26  of cupping assembly  24 . Each cupping arm  28  orbits about cupping spider  26  in a cooperative motion with a respective mandrel  22 . Such rotary motion carries a respective cupping arm  28  to rotate or orbit about the axis of cupping assembly  24  in a singular track  40 . As used herein a “track” is to be broadly construed to provide a path or line for travel or motion for sliding or rolling a part or parts. As such, a “track” may include any device, apparatus, or assembly that prevents the unwanted movement from one portion of a device or assembly to another. Non-limiting examples of various tracks may include a race, a cam, a trace, a channel, groove, a rail, or the like all of which are used interchangeably and combineably herein without limitation. 
     It should be noted that track  40  is capable of providing the cupping arm  28  in a “closed” operative position in which the respective cupping arm  28  supportingly engages the free end portion of a cooperatively associated mandrel  22  of the turret assembly (not shown) and extends substantially radially to the shaft supporting the turret assembly (not shown). Further, the track  40  is capable of facilitating orbital motion of each cupping arm  28  about cupping assembly  24  in an “open” position in which the cupping arm  28  is disengaged (i.e., in non-contacting engagement) from its respective mandrel  22  cooperatively associated thereto. 
     Generally, cupping arm  28  remains in a radially up-right position relative to track  40  when in contacting engagement with a respective mandrel  22  of turret assembly (not shown). In a preferred embodiment, when cupping arm  28  is not in contacting engagement with a respective mandrel  22  of turret assembly (not shown), cupping arm  28  remains in a radially up-right position relative to track  40 . However, it should be realized that cupping arm  28  may reside in any position relative to track  40  including any position that is disposed radially away from a respective mandrel  22  when cupping arm  28  is not in contacting engagement with a respective mandrel  22 . Such an embodiment may relieve the need for offsetting the hold-open portion  44  of track  40  from the hold-closed portion  42  of track  40  as shown. In this way track  40  can be provided as a singular track  40  having a generally constant distance from the turret supporting the mandrels  22 . 
     Each cupping arm  28  is generally provided with a ring at an end distal from cupping spider  26  and preferably comprises a bearing socket in which the generally conical end portion of the mandrel  22  is receivable. The ring can provide locking engagement with the unsupported end of mandrel  22 . Such locking engagement can be provided through the use of locking pins, a ‘snap-lock’, magnets, gears, deformable rings, and the like. In any regard, it is preferred that the unsupported end of a corresponding mandrel  22  be capable of rotation within the engaged portion of cupping arm  28  while not being able to withdraw from the ‘locked’ position while the cupping arm  28  is in the hold-closed portion  42  of track  40 . 
     The disposition of each cupping arm  28  into contacting or non-contacting engagement with a respective mandrel  22  is defined by cupping actuator  32  or un-cupping actuator  34 , respectively, through a respective chucking lever  30 . It is surprising to note that the cupping assembly  24  of the present disclosure only requires the use of only two actuators in order to provide engagement and disengagement of a respective cupping arm  28  with a mandrel  22  cooperatively associated thereto. It is also important to understand that the cupping actuator  32 , the un-cupping actuator  34 , and the associated ancillary equipment such as the respective chucking lever  30  of the present cupping assembly  24  do not rotate with a respective cupping arm  28 . 
     The cupping assembly  24  is designed to be utilized with a single cupping actuator  32  and a single un-cupping actuator  34  that transfers each respective cupping arm  28  from the hold-open portion  44  of track  40  to the hold-closed portion  42  of track  40  and from the hold-closed portion  42  of track  40  to the hold-open portion  44  of track  40  respectively. In a preferred but non-limiting embodiment, the respective cupping actuator  32  or un-cupping actuator  34  can push/pull on a linkage cooperatively associated with the respective cupping arm  28 . Alternatively, the respective cupping actuator  32  or un-cupping actuator  34  can push/pull directly upon cupping arm  28  upon engagement of the cupping actuator  32  or un-cupping actuator  34  directly upon cupping arm  28 . Hold-open portion  44  of track  40  can provide a region suitable for the removal of the respective cupping arm  28  from the respective mandrel  22  and to provide the clearance necessary to facilitate removal of the material (e.g., core, core and material, etc.) disposed upon mandrel  22 . 
     One of skill in the art will readily appreciate the fact that using only two actuating devices (cupping actuator  32  and un-cupping actuator  34 ) greatly reduces the need for having a respective activation device for each cupping arm  28  that may be associated with a cupping assembly of the prior art. Further, it will be readily appreciated by one of skill in the art as clearly advantageous in having such a cupping assembly  24  having only two actuating devices (cupping actuator  32  and un-cupping actuator  34 ) in that such a system can allow cupping and un-cupping actions to occur at virtually any point of the rotation of turret assembly  20  as well as the respective mandrel cups  28  orbiting about cupping assembly  24 . This can include, but clearly not be limited to, turret assembly  20  dwell, turret assembly index, or any combination of the two. This is clearly advantageous over conventional cam track systems that require cupping and un-cupping actions to occur only while the turret is in motion. Clearly, one of skill in the art will appreciate that the system of the present invention provides less complexity by allowing increased product turn-over rates, reduced maintenance and repair times, as well as reduced maintenance and repair costs. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , an incoming cupping arm  28  (i.e., a cupping arm  28  not engaged with a mandrel  22 ) generally rides in hold-open portion  44  of track  40 . In a preferred embodiment and as shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , the section of track  40  comprising hold-open portion  44  can generally be off-set from the section of track  40  comprising hold-closed portion  42 . This ensures that the respective cupping arm  28  remains in the un-cupped position and remains distal from a corresponding mandrel  22 . One of skill in the art will appreciate that the cupping arm  28  should be in a fully retracted position before the cupping arm  28  proceeds past the position where the cupping actuator  32  via its chucking lever  30  engages the cupping arm  28 . This engagement between the respective chucking lever  30  and cupping arm  28  causes cupping arm  28  to be positioned in hold-closed portion  42  of track  40  and thus in contacting engagement with the unsupported end of a respective mandrel  22 . In a preferred embodiment, the cupping arm  28  eventually reaches a dwell position in hold-open portion  44  of track  40  where the cupping arm  28  is fully retracted. In such a dwell position, a core can be loaded onto the respective mandrel  2 . Then the cupping arm  28  can be directed inwardly toward the open end of the mandrel  22  in order to close the cup and fully support the previously unsupported end of the mandrel  22 . The geometry and/or location of hold-open portion  44  of track  40  is preferably designed to allow the turret assembly  20  to cup during dwell, turret index, or any combination of the two. Practically, it was found that this design allows more time to load a core onto a respective mandrel  22  and also facilitates higher turret assembly  20  turn-over speeds. The cupping arm  28  can begin to retract once the cupping arm  28  reaches a clear-out position. In this position, it is preferred that the cupping arm  28  be in a fully retracted position before the next incoming cupping arm  28  approaches a clear in position. 
     One of skill in the art will appreciate that cupping arm  28  could comprise a feature that utilizes the cupping motion to actuate means for locking a core onto respective mandrel  22 . By way of non-limiting example, the cupping motion may cause axial compression of a deformable ring disposed at the cupping end of respective mandrel  22 . This compression forces the ring to expand radially, thereby locking the core onto respective mandrel  22 . Further, the core can also be driven onto a core stop disposed proximate to the spider (not shown) end of turret assembly (not shown) prior to cupping. The core stop can be provided with tapered fins that are effectively wedged into the core wedged when loading. Effectively, such a tapered stop and expanding ring can combine to lock the core onto the respective mandrel  22  at both ends, providing a non-slipping drive engagement. 
     In another alternative, but non-limiting embodiment, the cupping motion could displace a moveable shaft disposed within the respective mandrel  22 . Axial movement of the shaft would then cause locking pins disposed within respective mandrel  22  to protrude outside the outer diameter of the respective mandrel  22 , thereby locking the core to the respective mandrel  22 . 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , when the cupping arm  28  reaches the start of hold open portion  44  of track  40 , the un-cupping actuator  34  through chucking lever  30  engages cupping arm  28  and retracts to essentially un-cup the mandrel  22  and leave the end of the mandrel  22  unsupported. While the mandrel  22  is un-cupped in this position, the wound product (which now forms what is known to those of skill in the art as a log) can be stripped from the respective mandrel  22 . The track  40  and cupping arm  28  geometry and location is preferably designed to allow the turret assembly to un-cup during dwell, turret assembly index, or any combination of the two. The turret assembly (not shown) then begins to index and the un-cupping actuator  34  and chucking lever  30  begin to extend once the cupping arm  28  disposed within the hold-open portion  44  of track  40  reaches a clear-out position. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the hold-open portion  44  of track  40  is designed to maximize time to strip the log comprising wound product from the mandrel  22  and to maximize turn-over for the placement of a new core upon mandrel  22 . One of skill in the art will understand that the un-cupping actuator  34  and associated chucking lever  30  should be in the fully extended position before the next incoming cupping arm  28  disposed within the hold-closed portion  42  of track  40  gets beyond a clear-in position. 
     In a preferred embodiment, both cupping actuator  32  and un-cupping actuator  34  are provided as linear motors. However, one of skill in the art will understand that it would also be possible to provide an embodiment of the cupping assembly  24  where the cupping actuator  32  and un-cupping actuator  34  are provided as a four-port, two-position valve having an axially slideable valve element. In such an embodiment, both cupping actuator  32  and un-cupping actuator  34  can be operated by the use of compressed air or any other fluid suitable for use in such constructions. By providing cupping actuator  32  and un-cupping actuator  34  in a linear relationship with the cupping arms  28 , it is possible to provide a cupping assembly  24  that requires the use of only two actuators to provide the intended function of cooperatively associating or disassociating the unsupported end of the mandrel  22  with an individual cupping arm  28 . However, it should be recognized that the cupping arm  28  and any chucking lever  30  cooperatively associated thereto are disposed about the circumference of cupping spider  26  so that an individual cupping arm  28  is cooperatively associated with only one mandrel  22  of turret assembly  20 . 
     An unloading mechanism (not shown) can be started as soon as the cupping arm  28  associated with the mandrel  22  having wound product disposed thereon, has reached the start of hold open portion  44  of track  40 . Starting of the unloading mechanism can be coordinated with cupping arm  28  opening in any of several manners. For example, a start signal can be issued after a predetermined delay interval followed by the end of indexing motion. Alternatively, the unloading mechanism can be stopped at the end of each unloading operation in such a position that when restarted for the next operation, the pusher moves substantial distance before coming into engagement with wound product disposed about a mandrel  22  forming the outgoing log. In such a case, the unloading mechanism can be started in operation simultaneously with delivery of the opening input to the unloading station. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , once the cupping arm  28  is engaged with the unsupported end of the mandrel  22  after loading of a core upon mandrel  22  in the loading position, it remains in that position until turret assembly  20  indexes to carry the mandrel  22  out of the loading position. Furthermore, as the mandrel  22  moves away from the loading position and its associated cupping arm  28  is engaged into the hold-closed portion  42  of track  40 , the cupping arm  28  is maintained in its engaged position with the now supported end of mandrel  22 . The turret assembly (not shown) then indexes the mandrel  22  and associated cupping arm  28  about its longitudinal axis until web product is contactingly engaged with the core disposed upon the mandrel  22 . At this point, mandrel  22  is spun up (i.e., rotational inertia is imparted) and as discussed supra coincides with the winding of a web material about the core disposed about mandrel  22  to form a wound product. 
     Upon reaching the unloading position disposed proximate to the start of hold-open portion  44  of track  40 , un-cupping actuator  34  can then be engaged to cupping arm  28  (with or without the use of a chucking lever  30 ) to retract cupping arm  28  from contacting engagement with a corresponding mandrel  22  and depositing cupping arm  28  into the hold-open portion  44  of track  40 . Deposition of cupping arm  28  into the hold-open portion  44  of track  40  then facilitates the mandrel  22  having wound product disposed thereon to be removed from mandrel  22 . The cupping arm  28  for the mandrel  22  moving from the unloading position to the loading position remains open in order to clear any required supports. The cupping arm  28  can then freely orbit about the axis of cupping assembly  24  within hold open portion  44  of track  40  in preparation for movement of the next mandrel  22  into the unloading position and egress of ensuing wound product. 
     By reference, a core may be started onto the mandrel  22  at the loading position by means of a core loading apparatus (not shown) as would be known by those of skill in the art. After the core has run onto the mandrel  22  a known distance, the core can then be engaged by a rotating loading wheel known to those of skill in the art that initially cooperates with the core loading apparatus and moving the core onto the mandrel  22  but which takes over the propulsion of the core in the last part of movement onto the mandrel  22 . 
     Further, as would be known by those of skill in the art, when a core is properly positioned on the mandrel  22 , its front end preferably engages in an abutment located near the spider supporting the mandrels  22 . After it engages the abutment, the core cannot be advanced any further by the rotating core loading wheel which would then merely slip relative to the core. At about the time that the core engages the abutment, its front end portion moves under an arm that typically comprises a core detector. Such an apparatus may comprise a spring arm having a free end portion that is biased towards contacting engagement with the mandrel  22  at the loading station and a properly loaded core intervenes between the associated spring arm and the mandrel  22  to break contact between them and thus open an electric signal circuit through the spring arm. 
     As would be understood by those of skill in the art, interruption of the circuit typically comprising an output signifying core presence can cause rotation of the associated core loading wheel to be stopped and engagement of a cupping arm  28  upon the mandrel  22  by operation of the cupping actuator  32  causing the respective chucking lever  30  connected to cupping arm  28  to engage the unsupported end of mandrel  22  having the core disposed thereupon. Such a core presence signal can also be issued to a PCD, PLC, or other synchronizing mechanism for the apparatus and its issuance is in any case a condition or the condition for retraction of the cupping arm  28  at the appropriate position. Such retraction, as pointed out above, constitutes a closing input to the control element for the cupping arm  28  to be positioned back into contacting engagement with its respective mandrel  22 . Thus, the cupping arm  28  is in the closed position only if and when a core is present on the mandrel  22  at the loading station and before the mandrel  22  begins to move out of that station. 
     It should be realized by one of skill in the art that engagement of the cupping arm  28  upon the mandrel  22  could also occur just prior to any core presence signal being detected. It should be recognized that the core should be clear of the cupping arm  28  before the cupping arm  28  moved toward the mandrel  22 . 
     In a preferred embodiment, since the cupping arm  28  can be moved into the closed position where contacting engagement occurs between the cupping arm  28  and the respective mandrel  22  and likely after the mandrel  22  has been subjected to vibration dampening, it is unlikely that the conical end portion typically associated with the mandrel  22  will fail to seat in the bearing socket of the cupping arm  28 . However, in the event of such a failure, the cupping actuator  32  can be merely programmed to stop short of its limit position where the cupping arm  28  is closed, thus eliminating damage that can result because the cupping arm  28  will be urged past the stationary mandrel  22  under yielding pressure from cupping actuator  32 . 
       FIGS. 4-6  of the present disclosure depict various perspective and planar views of an alternative exemplary web rewinding machine  10 A and the relevant portion of an exemplary, non-limiting embodiment of a turret assembly  20 A suitable for use as an automatic web rewinding machine. Similar to the embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 1-3  and described supra, a plurality of rotatable core supporting mandrels  22 A are carried in an indexable, orbital motion about the axis of turret assembly  20 A as well as for rotation about their own respective axes. A typical turret assembly  20 A provides a spider (not shown) by which the respective mandrels  22 A are carried and a shaft (not shown) by which the spider (not shown) is supported for rotation. 
     The turret shaft (not shown) projects a substantial distance in one direction from the spider (not shown) and the mandrels  22 A disposed thereupon project from the spider (not shown) a somewhat smaller distance in the same direction. One of skill in the art will appreciate that since the rotatable connection between the spider (not shown) and each of the long, relatively heavy mandrels  22 A is near one end of the mandrel  22 A and the other end of the mandrel  22 A will be unsupported at times, the spider (not shown) will typically be provided with two axially spaced apart bearings (not shown) for each mandrel so that the cantilevered connection of the mandrel  22 A with the spider (not shown) can, by itself, hold the mandrel  22 A reasonably steady. As will be appreciated by one of skill in the art, it is preferred that each mandrel  22 A be provided equidistant from the axis of the turret and are uniformly spaced about that axis. 
     As shown generally in  FIGS. 4-6 , one of skill in the art will recognize that during both unloading and loading of a mandrel  22 A, the end that is remote from the spider must be unsupported. However, as the mandrel moves through the portion of its orbit that takes it from the loading station around to an unloading station, its free end portion is supported by means of a cupping assembly  24 A having cupping arms  28 A disposed about a cupping spider  26 A that are placed into contacting and un-contacting engagement with the free end of the mandrel  22 A. In other words, a mandrel cup  28 A releaseably engages the unsupported end of a mandrel  22 A, and supports the mandrel  22 A for rotation of the mandrel  22 A about its axis. 
     In this embodiment, the mandrel cup  28 A is in an “active” configuration for orbital rotation about cupping spider  26 A. It is envisioned that inertia can be provided to a particular mandrel cup  28 A to allow the mandrel cup  28 A to orbit cupping spider  26 A in the track  40  disposed about cupping spider  26 A. By way of non-limiting example, a plurality of electromagnets  50  can be provided within or upon cupping spider  26  that can generate an electromotive force (EMF) sufficient to propel a mandrel  28 A to orbit about cupping spider  26 A within track  40 A. Naturally, one of skill in the art would recognize that other arrangements can be used to provide a particular mandrel cup  28 A with a motion such as a belt drive, gear drive, and the like. If used, it is believed that the electromagnets  50  can be provided as a plurality of individual electromagnets  50  or as a single linear electromagnet  50 . 
     In any regard it would be possible to provide control programming to cause a particular series of individual electromagnets  50  or a single linear electromagnet  50  to provide the necessary and/or desired motion to each mandrel cup  28 A necessary to maintain concerted and cooperative alignment with a particular mandrel  22 A cooperatively associated thereto while orbiting about cupping spider  26 A within track  40 A. Such a motion profile can be used to provide each mandrel cup with a characteristic motion about cupping spider  26 A that may be required at a particular position and/or region of cupping spider  26 A. 
     Any dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact dimension and values recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension and/or value is intended to mean both the recited dimension and/or value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that dimension and/or value. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean “about 40 mm”. 
     All documents cited in the Detailed Description of the Invention are, in relevant part, incorporated herein by reference; the citation of any document is not to be construed as an admission that it is prior art with respect to the present invention. To the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shall govern. 
     While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.