Winding tube

Abstract

A winding tube for web material includes an elongated, hollow cylindrical tube body and at least one hollow cylindrical adapter. The adapter contacts a casing surface of the tube body substantially over the entire circumference along an axial portion of the tube body to fix the adapter against relative rotation. The adapter has an exterior diameter that does not exceed that of the tube body. The adapter is removable from the tube body without the adapter being destroyed.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A winding tube for taking up a web material, the winding tube comprising: 
 an elongated hollow cylindrical tube body having opposite ends; and    at least one adapter having a first cylindrical portion received within one end of the tube body, the adapter including a series of radially projecting teeth extending axially along an outer surface of the first cylindrical portion,    the series of teeth being adapted for interfitting engagement with a correspondingly formed series of grooves on an interior surface of the tube body.    
     
     
         2 . The winding tube according to  claim 1 , wherein the adapter includes a second cylindrical portion connected to the first cylindrical portion, the second cylindrical portion having an outer diameter that substantially matches an outer diameter of the tube body.  
     
     
         3 . The winding tube according to  claim 1 , wherein the adapter includes a second cylindrical portion connected to the first cylindrical portion, the second cylindrical portion having an outer diameter that is greater than an outer diameter of the first cylindrical portion such that a shoulder is defined by the second cylindrical portion, the shoulder contacting an end of the tube upon insertion of the adapter into the tube end.  
     
     
         4 . The winding tube according to  claim 3 , wherein the second cylindrical portion of the adapter includes a front face opposite the first cylindrical portion and wherein a plurality of recesses are formed in the front face.  
     
     
         5 . The winding tube according to  claim 1 , wherein the adapter comprises a hollow interior having an inner surface and at least one interlock element formed on the inner surface, the interlock element adapted to engage a chuck for transferring torque between the chuck and the adapter.  
     
     
         6 . The winding tube according to  claim 3  wherein each of the tube body and the first and second cylindrical portions of the adapter defines a tapered surface at a terminal end thereof.  
     
     
         7 . The winding tube according to  claim 1 , wherein the adapter is made from a fiber-reinforced polyamide material.  
     
     
         8 . The winding tube according to  claim 1 , wherein the tube body is made from styrene butadiene.  
     
     
         9 . The winding tube according to  claim 1 , wherein the series of grooves extends along the entire length of the tube body.  
     
     
         10 . A winding tube comprising: 
 an elongated hollow cylindrical tube body having opposite ends and defining an interior surface; and    at least one adapter having a first cylindrical portion defining an exterior surface received within one of the ends of the tube body,    one of the adapter exterior surface and the tube body interior surface defining a series of circumferentially spaced teeth extending axially therealong,    the series of teeth being adapted for interfitting engagement with a correspondingly formed series of grooves defined by the other of the adapter exterior surface and the tube body interior surface.    
     
     
         11 . The winding tube according to  claim 10 , wherein the series of teeth is defined by the adapter exterior surface and the series of grooves is defined by the tube body interior surface.  
     
     
         12 . The winding tube according to  claim 10 , wherein the adapter includes a cylindrical collar connected to first cylindrical portion, the collar having an outer diameter that is greater than an outer diameter of the first cylindrical portion.  
     
     
         13 . The winding tube according to  claim 12 , wherein the outer diameter of the collar substantial matches an outer diameter of the tube body.  
     
     
         14 . The winding tube according to  claim 10 , wherein the adapter defines a substantially cylindrical inner surface and wherein the adapter further includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced interlock elements projecting inwardly from the inner surface for engagement with a correspondingly formed chuck.