US 12,291,420 B2
Spool unloading device
Michael Lalonde, Barrie (CA); Zac Cutt, Barrie (CA); Michael Sutton, Barrie (CA); and Robert Dorion, Barrie (CA)
Assigned to INNOVATIVE AUTOMATION INC., Barrie (CA)
Appl. No. 17/755,798
Filed by INNOVATIVE AUTOMATION INC., Barrie (CA)
PCT Filed Nov. 9, 2020, PCT No. PCT/CA2020/051519
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date May 9, 2022,
PCT Pub. No. WO2021/087625, PCT Pub. Date May 14, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/932,699, filed on May 9, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2022/0388805 A1, Dec. 8, 2022
Int. Cl. B65H 51/22 (2006.01); B25J 9/16 (2006.01); B25J 13/08 (2006.01); B25J 15/00 (2006.01); B29C 70/38 (2006.01); B65H 16/10 (2006.01); B65H 19/18 (2006.01); B65H 20/00 (2006.01); B65H 20/34 (2006.01); B65H 23/04 (2006.01); B65H 35/00 (2006.01); B65H 51/20 (2006.01); B65H 51/30 (2006.01); B65H 59/04 (2006.01); B65H 59/38 (2006.01); B65H 67/02 (2006.01); B65H 69/06 (2006.01); B25J 19/06 (2006.01)
CPC B65H 51/22 (2013.01) [B25J 9/1684 (2013.01); B25J 13/08 (2013.01); B25J 15/0019 (2013.01); B29C 70/386 (2013.01); B65H 16/103 (2013.01); B65H 19/1852 (2013.01); B65H 20/005 (2013.01); B65H 20/34 (2013.01); B65H 23/044 (2013.01); B65H 35/0033 (2013.01); B65H 35/008 (2013.01); B65H 51/20 (2013.01); B65H 51/30 (2013.01); B65H 59/04 (2013.01); B65H 59/387 (2013.01); B65H 67/02 (2013.01); B65H 69/06 (2013.01); B25J 19/06 (2013.01); B65H 2301/511 (2013.01); B65H 2301/51122 (2013.01); B65H 2404/5311 (2013.01); B65H 2404/5391 (2013.01); B65H 2406/312 (2013.01); B65H 2553/80 (2013.01); B65H 2701/11332 (2013.01); B65H 2701/377 (2013.01); B65H 2701/3772 (2013.01)] 12 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A spool unloading device comprising:
a spindle;
a first bulk spool of material is mounted on the spindle, wherein the spindle is rotatably controlled to dispense the material;
a series of pulleys for receiving the unspooled material such that a variable length of the material is stored within the device before exiting the device to a material receiving equipment; wherein at least one of the series of pulleys comprises a pulley arm having an independent pulley axis that floats linearly such that the pulley arm is actuated downwards by means of gravity, wherein the at least one of the series of pulleys moves linearly as material is required;
a position sensor for determining a position of the floating pulley axis, wherein the unspooled material is received by the series of pulleys based the position of the floating pulley axis as determined by the position sensor; and
a drive mechanism for indexing the unspooled material exiting the spool unloading machine at a controlled rate.