Device for supporting a strip in the wound or spooled condition

• US 6,736,349 B1
• Filed: 12/04/2002
• Issued: 05/18/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/04/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Zebra Technologies Corporation
• Original Assignee: ZIH Corp. (Zebra Technologies Corporation)
• Inventors: Boisdon, Olivier, Barre, Régis, Mabit, Stéphane, Pellerin, Frédéric, Hinry, Mickaël
• Primary Examiner(s): Jillions, John M.
• Application Number:
  US10/309,131
• Time in Patent Office: 531 Days
• Field of Search: 242/578, 242/578.1, 242/578.2, 242/578.3, 242/609.1, 242/609.2, 242/609.3, 242/609.4, 242/118.61, 242/118.62
• US Class Current: 242/578
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2701/5136 Moulded plastic elements
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 75/2227 with a flange fixed to the hub part
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 75/2281 Snap-fit connections
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 75/241 axially adjustable reels or bobbins

Abstract

A device for supporting a strip in the wound or spooled condition, includes two half-hubs each having at least one flange (1A, 2A) made by molding with the half-hub, these half-hubs being assembleable together to form a spool. At least one of the half-hubs, called reversible, has a flange (2A) off centered in the direction of the length of the half-hub and is shaped to connect to the other half-hub (1) by either one of its ends (3A, 3B) as a function of the spacing desired between flanges (1 A, 2A).

Claims

1. Support device for a strip in the wound or spooled condition, of the type constituted by two half-hubs (1, 2) each having at least one flange (1A, 2A) made by molding with the half-hub (1, 2), these half-hubs (1, 2) being assembled together to form a spool,

characterized in that at least one (2) of the half-hubs (1, 2), called reversible, has a flange (2A) off centered in the direction of the length of the half-hub (2) and is shaped to connect to the other half-hub (1) by either one of its ends (3A, 3B) as a function of the desired spacing (L1, L2) between flanges (1A, 2A).

2. Support device according to claim 1,

characterized in that the half-hubs (1, 2) are assembleable by means of a permanent connection.

3. Support device according to claim 1,

characterized in that the half-hubs (1, 2) are assembleable by means of a disassembleable connection.

4. Support device according to claim 1,

characterized in that the two half-hubs (1, 2) are assembleable by interfitting of complementary geometric shapes.

5. Support device according to claim 1,

characterized in that the two half-hubs (1, 2) are assembleable by snap-fitting.

6. Support device according to claim 1,

characterized in that the connecting end of the non-reversible half-hub (1) has a plurality of resiliently deformable fingers (4) formed by axial prolongations of said half-hub (1), these resiliently deformable fingers (4), disposed in a circle concentric to the half-hub (1), being provided on their external surface with hooks (5) cooperating, during assembly of said half-hubs (1, 2) together, with complementary hooks (8) provided on the internal periphery of the reversible half-hub (2) at or adjacent each end (3A, 3B) of connection of the reversible hub (2).

7. Support device according to claim 6,

characterized in that the resiliently deformable fingers (4) alternate with non-deformable fingers (6) for guidance, slidable respectively along a rail (7) provided on the internal periphery of the reversible half-hub (2) to be assembled during assembly of the two half-hubs (1, 2) together.

8. Support device according to claim 1,

characterized in that the two half-hubs are assembleable by gluing.

9. Support device according to claim 1,

characterized in that the half-hubs are assembleable by screwing.

10. Support device according to claim 1,

characterized in that the two half-hubs are assembleable by welding.

11. Support device according to claim 1,

characterized in that it is incorporated within a laminating station and is positioned upstream of a laminating station formed by two heating rollers adapted to press the portion of the strip separated from the support device, onto a previously printed card.