Reusable collapsible core

Abstract

A reusable core that is suitable for having paper or other sheet material wound thereon. A multi-sectioned core is provided that is easily assembled. Interlocking sections that provide a pivot are held together by a sliding pin inserted therein. The pin is preferable held into position by use of a snap ring or other similar fastening arrangement. By removing one pin between adjacent interlocking sections, the core collapses thereby permitting easy removal from any remaining sheet material that must be discarded. The sheet material is held onto the core by means of a strip of double sided tape until the core is wound several times to keep the sheet material firmly in place.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A reusable collapsible core for winding sheet material thereon so that said wound core can be placed in a press having at least one mandrel with an outside radius and length, said core comprising: 
 at least two arcuate sections with each section having a predetermined inside arc cross-section and a predetermined length, both of which correspond to outside radius and length the mandrel of said press;    each arcuate section having a first and second edge along the length of said section, each of said sections further comprising an interlocking joint assembly along attached along the edges of said arcuate sections such that the first interlocking join assembly of one arcuate section may be releasably attached to the second interlocking joint assembly of an adjacent arcuate section wherein attaching said accurate sections to one another provides said reusable collapsible core and wherein releasing one said first interlocking joint assembly adjacently attached to said second interlocking joint assembly enables said reusable collapsible core to collapse such that said core can be easily removed from the sheet material wound thereon.    
     
     
         2 . The reusable collapsible core of  claim 1  further comprising a releasable pin assembly that is inserted within each said first and second interlocking joint assemblies to lock said sections together and such that one of said pin assemblies can be easily removed to permit said core to collapse in order to remove said core from the sheet material wound thereon.  
     
     
         3 . The reusable collapsible core of  claim 2  wherein each said arcuate section has a thickness and an inside surface, wherein the inside surface of each said arcuate section further comprises a plurality of detents with each of said detents having a depth that is a substantial portion of the thickness of each section of said collapsible core.  
     
     
         4 . The reusable collapsible core of  claim 3  wherein each interlocking joint assembly has a plurality of openings and each pin assembly comprises a rod having a circumferential channel at each end and pair of snap rings that are placed on each pin assembly once said rod is inserted within the openings provided in each first and second interlocking joint assemblies.  
     
     
         5 . The reusable collapsible core of  claim 4  wherein each section of said core is substantial the same.  
     
     
         6 . The reusable collapsible core of  claim 5  wherein four sections are joined together to form said core.  
     
     
         7 . The reusable collapsible core of  claim 1  wherein two sections of said core are substantial the same and a third section is used as a “key” which can be removed so that said core can be collapsed.  
     
     
         8 . The reusable collapsible core of  claim 7  wherein each section has an outside surface and wherein each section further comprises a plurality of detents on the outside surface.  
     
     
         9 . The reusable collapsible core of  claim 8  further comprising a hand hold in at least one section so that said core can be more easily pulled from the sheet material that is wound thereon.  
     
     
         10 . The reusable collapsible core of  claim 9  further comprising a pair of recesses that can be engaged by prongs which will assist in removing said core from the sheet material that is wound thereon.