Roll support hub braking mechanism

• US 5,564,645 A
• Filed: 02/24/1995
• Issued: 10/15/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 02/24/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Assignor and Integrated Silicon Solution, Inc.
• Original Assignee: 3M Company
• Inventors: Lissoni, Adelio
• Primary Examiner(s): DARLING, JOHN PATRICK
• Application Number:
  US08/394,101
• Time in Patent Office: 599 Days
• Field of Search: 242/423, 242/423.1, 242/597.6
• US Class Current: 242/423.1
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 23/06 by retarding devices, e.g. acting on web-roll spindle

Abstract

An improved braking system for a rotatable roll support hub for a roll product of web material is capable of providing a smoother and progressive braking action which uses a less powerful compression spring. This can be achieved by utilizing a friction element that has frustoconical shaped friction surfaces. Specifically, the friction element comprises a frustoconical disc that floats between a similar frustoconical surface that rotates with the roll support hub and an opposite similar frustoconical surface on the pressure disc. Preferably, a rim flange is provided as part of the pressure disc that forces the friction element into wedged engagement on the frustoconical friction surface of the roll support hub. The advantages are achieved for providing a smoother progressive braking action which is applicable to any roll support hub on which a controlled braking force is desirable. Such may include manual tape dispensers or any other roll support hub for any roll of web material which is associated with an automatic, semi-automatic, or manual dispensing or applying apparatus.

Claims

1. An apparatus for supporting web material provided in roll form and from which the web material is to be dispensed, the apparatus comprising:

a support frame having a support axle extending therefrom;

a rotatable support hub rotatably disposed on the support axle, the rotatable support hub having a roll supporting surface for engaging the roll of web material when supported thereon so as to rotate together and a frustoconical hub friction surface;

a friction braking means for controlling the rotation of the rotatable support hub about the support axle, the friction braking means including a pressure element that is rotatably fixed with the support axle, and is axially slideable thereto, the pressure element having a frustoconical pressure friction surface facing the hub friction surface, a biasing means for urging the pressure friction surface toward the hub friction surface, and a flange extending from the pressure element adjacent to the pressure friction surface;

a bias adjustment means for controllably varying the frictional force of the braking means;

a frustoconical friction disc disposed between the pressure friction surface and the hub friction surface, wherein the flange engages with an edge of the frustoconical friction disc and urges the frustoconical friction disc in an axial direction of the support axle; and

means for rotatably fixing the frustoconical friction disc with the pressure element.

2. A tape dispenser comprising the apparatus for supporting and dispensing web material of claim 1.