Flexible element rolling and handling apparatus

摘要

A carpet, linoleum or other material stored in a storage roll form is rotatably supported in a handling unit for selective and successive removal of selected lengths thereof. The unit includes a main or storage unroll support means which is mounted in parallel spaced relation to a reroll support means. The support means are coupled to independently controlled drive means to permit the selective transfer of the element between a storage roll on the unroll support means and a roll of the element on the reroll means. The apparatus permits controlled and automated unrolling and rerolling of selective lengths of the element. The unit thus includes an unroll cradle and a reroll cradle, each of which includes a pair of parallel and spaced rollers and a plurality of supporting endless belt members. The reroll cradle has the outer roller pivotally mounted to permit forming a belt loop therebetween for initial carpet rerolling and thereafter to enlarge to support the rerolled carpet. A drive roller and opposed pressure roller is mounted intermediate the cradles to firmly grip the carpet flap and move the carpet into the reroll cradle. A constanttorque D.C. motor drive means is coupled to selectively reversely rotate the rollers of the respective cradles and the intermediate roller. An automatic knife is provided between the cradles for severing of the portion of the carpet. The unroll cradle is mounted for limited angular orientation for accurate squaring of the carpet relative to cutter. A metering wheel is driven by the carpet and when a preset amount has been unwound, the machine automatically and rapidly stops.