Patent ID: 8205819

Claim:
An automated dereeler for feeding spools of continuous material into a machine, said dereeler comprising: a housing rotatably carrying an axle, said axle having a first end, said axle carrying the spool of continuous material at said first end; a motor mechanically interconnected to said axle; a brake secured to said housing and positioned to continuously provide a constant braking torque to said axle; a dancer arm pivotally secured to said housing and movable between a first position and a second position, said dancer arm including a spindle around which the continuous material is fed into the machine; a spring assembly having a first end and a second end, said first end being secured to said housing and said second end being secured to said dancer arm, said spring assembly biasing said dancer arm toward said first dancer arm position; a sensor adapted to monitor the position of said dancer arm; a controller for controlling said motor and in communication with said sensor; and wherein said controller causes said motor to resist rotation of said axle when said dancer arm is in said first dancer arm position, said controller causing said motor to aid rotation of said axle when said dancer arm is in said second dancer arm position.