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 segments 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 inwardly thereby permitting easy removal of the core 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.

1 . A reusable collapsible core for winding sheet material thereon so that said wound core can be placed in a press having at a mandrel with an outside radius and length, said core comprising: 
 first, second and third arcuate segments with each segment having a predetermined inside radius and a longitudinal axis, wherein the predetermined inside radius and the longitudinal axis of said first, second, third arcuate segments corresponds to the outside radius and length the mandrel of said press such that when said first, second and third arcuate segments are pivotaly attached together to form said core, said core with the wound sheet material can be inserted onto the mandrel of the press;    wherein said first and second arcuate segments have substantially the same chord length and said third actuate segment has a chord length that is substantially less than the chord length of said first and second arcuate segments; and    each arcuate segment has a first inward pivotal edge having a plurality of pin openings and a second inward pivotal edge having a plurality of pin openings along the length of said segments wherein a first inward pivotal edge mates with said second inward pivotal edge such that said pin openings are aligned along a pin axis that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of said core when said arcuate segments are pivotal attached to one another; and    a first locking pin dimensioned to slidably fit within said pin openings such that said second inward pivotal edge of said first arcuate segment is pivotally locked to said first inward pivotal edge of said second arcuate segment; and    a second locking pin dimensioned to slibably fit within said pin openings such that said second inward pivotal edge of said second segment is pivotally locked to said first inward pivotal edge of said third arcuate segment; and    a quick release pin dimensioned to slidably fit within said pin openings such that said second inwardly pivotal edge of said third segment is releasably attached to said first inward pivotal edge of said first segment such that when said core and sheet material is removed from the mandrel of the press, releasing said quick release pin enables said second inwardly pivotal edge of said third segment to pivot toward the central axis of said core, thereby collapsing said core inward, thus permitting said collapsed core to be easily removed from the sheet material wound thereon.    
   
   
       2 . The reusable collapsible core of  claim 1  wherein each said arcuate segment has a thickness and an inside surface, wherein the inside surface of each said arcuate segment further comprises a plurality of rows and columns of detents to provide an egg-carton-like pattern with each of said detents having a depth that is a substantial portion of the thickness of each segment of said collapsible core such that said core uses substantially less material to construct than if said segments were solid yet still provides sufficient contact area between the inside surface of said core to be supported by the mandrel of the press.  
   
   
       3 . The reusable collapsible core of  claim 1  wherein said locking pin is locked by having a circumferential channel at each end and pair of snap rings that are placed in said channels on each pin once said pin is inserted within the openings.  
   
   
       4 . The reusable collapsible core of  claim 1  wherein said quick release pin is a rod that can be easily pulled out of said openings to release said third segment from said first segment.