US3681889A - Method and apparatus for axially compressing and storing flexible tubular material - Google Patents

Abstract

A ''''floating'''' mandrel is inserted within a tube of flexible material and means are provided on the external face of said flexible material for supporting this mandrel in position as the material is fed over the mandrel and processed. The processing includes selective shirring or gathering of the material by the utilization of braking means which resist passage of the material while the drive means continue operation. Alternate sections of the gathered material are fastened together and a cartridge of axially compressed material is generated wherein sections of secured compressed material alternate with sections of unsecured compressed material. This cartridge may then be removed for utilization as desired.

Description

United States Patent Dussich [54] METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AXIALLY COMPRESSING AND STORING FLEXIBLE TUBULAR MATERIAL [72] Inventor: Joseph A. Dussich, 221-47 Horace Harding Expressway, Bayside, NY. 11709 22 Filed: on. s, 1969 211 Appl. No.: 864,573

[ 51 Aug. 8, 1972 Bonami ..53/l97 X Ka|uza...........................17/42 [57] ABSTRACT A floating" mandrel is inserted within a tube of flexible material and means are provided on the external face of said flexible material for supporting this mandrel in position as the material is fed over the mandrel and processed. The processing includes selective shirring or gathering of the material by the utilization of braking means which resist passage of the material while the drive means continue operation. Alternate sections of the gathered material are fastened together and a cartridge of axially compressed material is generated wherein sections of secured compressed material alternate with sections of unsecured compressed material. This cartridge may then be removed for utilization as desired.

13 Chins, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTED G 8 sum 10F 2 INVENTOF? JOSEPH DUSSICH diam/177w; and ATTORNEYS PATENTEDAus a ma SHEET 2 OF 2 INVENTOR JOSEPH DUSSICH .4 I a w diam/ 7w a/rm ATTORNEYS METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AXIALLY COMPRESSING AND STORING FLEXIBLE TUBULAR MATERIAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a method and apparatus for compressing elongated flexible tubular material. More specifically, it relates to the preparation of cartridges comprising compressed tubular material disposed upon a core.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART Applicant's co-pending patent application, entitled Container Construction and Use", Ser. No. 774,368, filed Nov. 8, 1968, now US. Pat. No. 3,521,675, discloses the use of a unique elongated container adapted for use with filling apparatus. The container consists of an elongated tube of flexible material that is pleated or folded with the pleats clamped at spaced intervals. The container can be filled and expanded without disturbing the clamped portions. Subsequently, the clamping means are removed and the previously clamped pleats are expanded so that sufficient material is available for effecting end closures of separately packaged units.

The containers described in applicants earlier application must be initially prepared in compressed units suitable for mounting on the filling apparatus. There is a need for a method and apparatus adapted to supply cartridges or units of axially compressed elongated flexible tubular material. Apparatus has been known and used for purposes of shirring flexible material for a variety of purposes. Apparatus has also been known and used in connection with the employment of flexible bagging material during packaging operations. However, there are no known methods or apparatus for producing cartridges of axially compressed elongated flexible tubular material.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The use of plastics and similar materials for packaging is becoming increasingly prevalent. In general, plastic or polyethylene tilm may be easily obtained in tubular form and supplied on rolls wherein the tube is completely flattened into a substantially two-dimensional form having only length and width. Where such flattened tubular materials are to be used for packaging operations, it is necessary to provide means for opening or separating the sides in order to efl'ect entry of the material to be packed. Subsequently, the ends may be suitably sealed by any of the many known techniques.

Applicant's invention is not concerned directly with the packaging of materials; rather it is concerned with an intermediate product to be used in conjunction with subsequent packaging operations. This intermediate product consists of axially compressed flexible tubular material mounted upon a core and suitable for subsequent mounting upon apparatus adapted to discharge material into the tubular material. In the production of such a cartridge, one is faced with the initial problem of opening the sides of the flattened tubular material. In addition, one is faced with the problem of axially compressing the material when so opened. It will be immediately apparent that this axial compression cannot be accomplished until the flattened material is opened, because otherwise both surfaces would become interengaged and their subsequent separation could not be effected. After axially compressing the material, it must be stored until used. It is contemplated to store the material on a core so that a cartridge is formed.

One of the difficulties in separating an elongated flattened tube of material, resides in the fact that the internal mandrel means employed to effect this separation must be supported in some way. In the handling of conventional tubing, the length of individual tubes is restricted so that the mandrel can be supported along the tube axis. In the present case, however, the core for the to-be-formed cartridge is positioned at the open end of the material and consequently it is not possible to support the mandrel from that position. Since the other end of the mandrel is directed toward the closed sheet material it cannot be supported on that end either. One is thus faced with the need for a mandrel to open the sheet material and the impossibility of supporting it in the conventional fashion.

In addition to the basic problem of separating the flattened sheet material so that it may be processed, it is necessary to perform the axial compression required. Thus, a method and equipment have been designed which automatically eflects the transportation of the sheet material and the necessary axial compression in accordance with prearranged timing controls.

An object of the present invention is to provide methods and apparatus for axially compressing material supplied in the form of elongated flexible tubular shut material.

Another object of the invention is to provide a method and apparatus for the production of cartridges of axially compressed tubular sheet material wherein portions of said axially compressed material are restrained from axial expansion.

Another object of the invention is the provision of improved methods and apparatus for the handling of peripherally flattened flexible tubular sheet material in order to efl'ect the opening and subsequent processing thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide mandrel means adapted for insertion within substantially peripherally flattened flexible tubular material and for support therein without contact by external means.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of apparatus adapted for cooperation with an internal mandrel of the nature herein described.

Another object of the invention relates to the design of a mandrel adapted for partially opening a previously peripherally flattened flexible tubular material and means cooperating with said mandrel in order to drive the material to a subsequent position.

Another object of the invention relates to methods and means for aligning a mandrel member completely enclosed within substantially peripherally flattened flexible tubular material.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of producing cartridges of axially compressed tubular material comprising passing substantially flattened tubular material over mandrel means, engaging said peripherally flattened flexible material on its external surfaces in proximity to said mandrel means, moving said flexible material over said mandrel means at a substantially constant rate, blocking the passage of said material for preselected intervals of time, clamping together the accumulation of material resulting during the passage blockage, and accumulating the material passed over said mandrel upon core means.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided apparatus for the making of cartridges of axially compressed tubular material, comprising mandrel means having orthogonally disposed projecting means thereon, support and driving means disposed on opposing sides of said mandrel means and adapted to provide frictional contact with said tubular material when said material is disposed between said mandrel means and said drive and support means, means for impeding the passage of said flexible material while said drive means continues to function, means for fastening together the material that accumulates while said passage is impeded, and means for mounting a core in the line of passage of said flexible material, said core being adapted to receive said material after it has been compressed and fastened.

In accordance with still another aspect of the invention, there is provided a floating mandrel adapted to be inserted within an enclosed elongated tube of flexible material, dimensioned to extend and widen said tubular material, and being supported by external rotating means in contact with the exterior surface of said material.

The above objects of the invention, as well as additional objects and the many features thereof, will be more clearly understood and appreciated from the following detailed description which is made in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention illustrating the general apparatus employed in order to develop a cartridge of the nature described above;

FIG. 2 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view through the center of the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1, showing the manner in which the "floating" mandrel is supported by the drive and idler rolls;

FIG. 3 illustrates the formation of accumulating folds of material on a cartridge; k

FIG. 4 illustrates a fully assembled cartridge in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 5 is a front view of a mandrel in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, and the drive means adapted to cooperate with said mandrel during the passage of flexible material therebetween; and

FIG. 6 is a side view of a further floating" mandrel contemplated by the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In FIG. 1 it will be seen that the apparatus of this invention is adapted to receive peripherally flattened flexible tubular material 9, such as polyethylene, from a large roll 10 of such material. The material is conveyed over idler rolls 11 and around a mandrel 12 (shown in dotted line although actually invisible if the flexible material 9 is opaque). Afier passing over the upper portion of mandrel 12, the material 9 is led between a plurality of front support and drive wheels 13-18, and corresponding rear support and drive wheels, over the lower portion of the mandrel, and onto a core 19 disposed along the axis of travel. Core 19 is supported below a table 20 upon which the major elements of the apparatus are mounted. The material 9 is driven downward as a result of the rotational movement of front support and drive wheels 13-18 and their rear counterparts appearing on the opposing side of the machine. Advantageously, drive wheels 13-18, etc., may have projections on their circumference to aid in engaging the material. These projections may be tangentially flexible as is the case where rubber is used. It should be appreciated that a rear view of the apparatus as shown in FIG. 1 would be substantially the same as the front view illustrated. It should also be appreciated that although the apparatus of FIG. 1 is oriented for processing material in a downward direction, it is also contemplated that other orientations may be adopted as desired for particular installations.

The apparatus of the invention, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, includes brake members 21, 22 on each side of the transport path. Brake members 21, 22 extend across the width of material 9 and have projections 80, 81, etc., separated by slots 82, 83, etc., to accomodate clamping means 25, 26, etc., and support and drive wheels 14-17, etc., respectively. The upper end of projections 80, 81, etc., have a shoulder 84 and an upward extension 85 at the back thereof. Below shoulder 84 on the face of each brake member, an abrasive or gripping element 86 may be installed. The brake members are rotatably mounted to pivot about points 48, 49 which are disposed below the surface of table 20. Means 23, 24 are provided for advancing the brake members into engagement with the external surface of the sheet material 9. During such engagement the projections bear against the lower portion of mandrel 12 through the material 9. The drive wheels 13-18 may continue to operate and consequently there will be an accumulation of the flexible material on the shoulder 84. The means 23, 24 for actuating brake members 21, 22 may be electro-mechanical or pneumatic. The particular means chosen are within the discretion of each machine designer.

Returning to FIG. 1, it will also be noted that a plurality of clamping units 25, 26, and 27 are disposed across the width of the machine. These units are actuable to apply clamps or fasteners through the material that is accumulated during engagement of brakes 21, 22. In a particular embodiment, these fastening members consisted of stapling machines which were pneumatically controlled in accordance with a predetermined time schedule relative to the drive of sheet material 9. Similar units are located across the rear of the machine.

FIG. 1 also illustrates on each edge of the transport path, a pair of travelling belts 28, 29, and 30, 31. These belts are mounted at one end upon upper drive rolls l3 and 18 and their counterparts on the rear of the machine. At the other end they are mounted upon idler rolls 32-35, respectively. The rotation of the drive rolls causes downward movement of the interior portion of each belt. As the flexible material 9 passes through table 20, off mandrel 12, and onto the core 19; these belts bear against the accumulating folds of material and urge the folds downward onto the core 19. The external surface of the belts may be roughened or provided with projections in order to assist in partial engagement with the accumulation of folds on sheet material 9. The contact between belts 28-31 and material 9 results in an urging forward of the material, rather than actual engagement, because it is essential to permit relative slippage.

While considering FIG. 1, it is also important to note the positioning of idler rolls 36 and 37 at opposite edges of the mandrel 12 above the support and drive rolls 13-18. The function of idler rolls 36 and 37 is to maintain the mandrel in alignment with the axis of the transport path in order to prevent any lateral movemtlmt of the mandrel relative to the support and drive ro ls.

In order to appreciate the nature of the cartridges produced by the method and apparatus of this invention, attention is directed to FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG. 3 shows a core 19 receiving accumulating folds of material 9. The core 19 may be of still cardboard, or the like, and means are furnished for positioning it below mandrel 12 along the transport axis of the machine. Thus, material 9 is processed and fed directly onto core 19. As illustrated in this FIGURE, the denser fold accumulations 38-42 represent areas which have been clamped together. Where staples are used as the clamping means, they are substantially invisible because of submergence into the flexible material. The less dense fold accumulations 43-47 represent areas which have not been clamped together but which have also been compressed due to the continuous drive of the rolls 13-18 and their rear counterparts, and further due to the action of belts 28-31.

FlG. 4 illustrates a typical completed cartridge containing perhaps ten alternately clamped and unclamped sections. Such a cartridge may contain material extendible to a length of 50 feet and need be no longer than 2 feet in length. The clamped portions upon the cartridge may each embrace approximately 3 feet in extended length and the unclamped portion may encompass approximately 2 feet of extended length. The reader is directed to applicant's aforecited co-pending patent application Ser. No. 774,368 for further details concerning the structure and method of use of bags assembled on cartridges in the manner disclosed herein.

Attention is now directed to the floating mandrel employed in conjunction with the apparatus of this invention. P16. 5 illustrates such a mandrel in the manner it would be disposed transversely relative to front support and drive wheels 13-18. ln this FIGURE, the mandrel has been elevated above its normal position wherein roller 60 would be almost in bearing contact with the support and drive rolls 13-18. The mandrel 12 may be considered to consist of three basic portions aligned along the axis of material transport. The first, or upstream portion, is designated 57; the second, or middle portion, is designated 58; and the third, or downstream portion, is designated 59.

It will be recalled that the sheet material 9 is passed over and around mandrel 12. The function of upstream portion 57 is to open the flattened tubular material 9 and guide it over the substantially thicker middle portion. lt is contoured to do this without undue stress upon the material and has peripheral dimensions substantially equivalent to the inner peripheral dimensions of the sheet material.

The middle portion 58 of mandrel 12 functions to further expand material 9 so that it can be axially compressed, and also provides the means which enable the mandrel to be supported. Referring to both FlGS. 2 and 5, it will be seen that middle portion 58 is necked-down from portion 57 and supports idler rolls 60 and 61. These rolls are mounted on axes orthogonally disposed to the axis of material transport and project laterally outward across substantially the entire width of the mandrel. Roll 60, 61 are illustrated as single units; but may comprise a plurality of rollers mounted upon an axis for free rotation. The total peripheral dimension of the mandrel including the rolls 60, 61 is also substantially equivalent to the interior peripheral dimension of the material being processed.

The downstream portion 59 of mandrel 12 cooperates with the drive and support rolls 13-18 on each side to effect axial gathering of the material while maintaining separation between the opposing sides. This portion supports the material during operation of braking means 21, 22 and clamping means 25-27, etc. in addition, it guides the material onto core 19. Portion 59 also has a peripheral dimension adapted to the size of the tubular material. In this case, however, it must be recognized that the material is bunched up and has an effective thickness. Thus, downstream portion 59 has a width somewhat less than that of upstream portion 57.

Attention is now directed to the positioning and control of the front wheels 1348 and their rear counterparts, relative to the floating mandrel 12. These wheels function to drive the flexible material in a downward direction as viewed in FIG. 1. The specific drive means for the apparatus have not been illustrated. It is clearly within the skill of those in the art to develop and use any appropriate drive and control technique found to be convenient and operative. The general drive and control box 65 illustrated in FIG. 1, will be appropriately geared to both the wheels 13, 18 and their counterparts on the opposing side of the material.

It is important to note that by using the outside wheels 13-18 with their associated belts, as a portion of the drive mechanism, the material 9 advances evenly. [t has been found that without this feature the outer edge of material 9, due to contact with the edges of the mandrel, tends to move somewhat more slowly than the inner portions and it is necessary to maintain a linear advance of the material.

The side view of the further illustrative embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 6, is presented in order to show a modification of the floating mandrel when somewhat greater gripping between the mandrel inner rollers and the support and drive rolls 13-18 is desired. As shown in this FIGURE, the mandrel has four rollers mounted thereon. An upper set of rollers 67, 68 correspond generally to previously described rollers 60, 61. In addition, there is a lower set of rollers 69, adapted for positioning below the support and guide rolls. lnterconnecting each pair of rollers 67, 69 and 68, 70 is a continuous belt 71 or 72. This belt passes around its associated rollers, utilizing them as idlers. With this arrangement, as the support and drive rolls rotate in order to drive the flexible material 9, the belts 71, 72 provide additional bearing force from within the material. As illustrated, the floating mandrel 12 in F IG. 6 is withdrawn in an upward direction to some extent.

During normal operations the rollers 67, 68 will bear upon and be supported by the support and drive rolls 13-18, etc.

In order to fully appreciate the operation of this apparatus and the unique method of the invention, a typical operating sequence will be described.

Initially, the flexible bagging material 9 is threaded over the upper portion 57 of the floating mandrel 12. In so doing, it is interposed between idlers 36, 37 which bear against the mandrel through the material of the bags and maintain it transversely aligned. Material 9 is then threaded over idler rolls 60, 61 and onto the lower portion 59 of the mandrel until it is engaged by the support and drive rolls 13-18, etc., on the opposing sides of the mandrel. The apparatus is then ready for operation. Drive rolls 13-18, etc., begin operation in order to drive the material forward. The drive mechanism is controlled to operate for a predetermined period of time so that a preselected amount of material is driven forward and beyond the position of braking means 21, 22. Thereafter braking means 21, 22 are forced against the material. Nevertheless, the material continues to be driven by the support and drive rolls. As a result, there is an accumulation of material upon the shoulders of braking means 21, 22.

The time interval of brake engagement is related to the drive rate of drive rolls 13-18, etc. This period is adjusted in accordance with the length of material it is desired to clamp against axial extension. Thus, if one desires to clamp a length equivalent to three feet of material, the brakes are maintained in position until three feet of material are driven past rolls 13-18, etc. When the desired amount of material has been accumulated, the clamping units 25-27, etc., on each side of the apparatus are brought into play. Following actuating, clamping units 25-27 are pivoted out of position and drive rolls 13-18, etc., resume operation in order to accumulate and drive an unclamped portion of material forward and onto an awaiting core.

This cycle of operation continues until a desired amount of material has been accumulated upon a core 19, at which time the apparatus is stopped and the material is severed from the supply roll. The cartridge that has been formed may then be removed from the bottom of the apparatus. One convenient way of effecting this removal involves the temporary pivoting outward of idler rolls 32 and 34. Other means will be immediately apparent to those skilled in the art.

There has been shown and described a particular apparatus and method for the making of cartridges of axially compressed flexible tubular material. Although a particular embodiment has been described in detail, modifications in both the apparatus and method will be immediately apparent to those skilled in this art. F urthennore, whereas applicant has referred to a flexible tubular material, this should not be construed as limiting the invention to preformed tubes of material, only. All of those modifications which come within the spirit and teachings of this disclosure are intended to be embraced within the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

l. The method of axially compressing flexible tubular material comprising drawing said material over a mandrel by frictional contact exerted on the surface of said material and against said mandrel, periodically stopping passage of said material at a position downstream the area of said frictional contact for a predetermined period of time while the material is accumulated at said position, fastening the accumulated material against axial expansion, and inserting a core in alignment with said mandrel downstream of said position and pulling said material onto said core.

2. The method of axially compressing flexible tubular material according to claim 1, wherein said material is alternately drawn over said mandrel and impeded for a plurality of cycles and thereafter the material accumulated on said core is severed from the main stock.

3. The method of axially compressing flexible tubular material according to claim 1, wherein the material is not drawn over said mandrel while the fastening step is being effected.

4. Apparatus for axially compressing flexible tubular material comprising a mandrel assembly adapted to be supported transverse to the passage of said material and having projecting means extending laterally therefrom; support and drive means disposed on opposite sides of said mandrel assembly and spaced from each other by a distance less than the lateral extension of said projecting means; said projecting means bearing upon said support and drive means, said tubular material being transported over and around said mandrel assembly and between said mandrel assembly and said support and drive means; braking means positioned downstream of said support and drive means and operative to impede passage of said tubular material over said mandrel, whereby said material is accumulated and confined as it continues to be fed by said support and drive means; control means for selectively engaging said braking means for a period of time during driving of said support and drive means calculated to effect axial compression of a predetermined length of said tubular material; and fastening means for clamping the material compressed during engagement of said braking means against axial expansion.

5. Apparatus for axially compressing flexible tubular material according to claim 4, wherein at least the upstream portion of said mandrel assembly has transverse peripheral dimensions substantially equal to the internal transverse dimensions of said tubular material.

6. Apparatus for axially compressing flexible tubular material according to claim 5, wherein the transverse peripheral dimensions of said mandrel assembly at the position of said projecting means is substantially equal to the internal transverse dimensions of said tubular material.

7. Apparatus for axially compressing flexible tubular material according to claim 6, wherein said mandrel assembly includes a downstream portion below said projecting means, said downstream portion having transverse peripheral dirnensiom smaller than the internal transverse dimensions of said tubular material.

8. Apparatus for axially compressing flexible tubular material according to claim 4, wherein said projecting means and said support and drive means respectively comprise rotating members mounted upon parallel axes transverse to the transport path of said tubular material, and said apparatus includes means for driving the rotating members of said support and drive means.

9. Apparatus for axially compressing flexible tubular material according to claim 8, wherein said tubular material is substantially flattened and rotating members at the transverse extremes of said tubular material operate to effect a uniform advance of the material across the mandrel surface.

10. Apparatus for axially compressing flexible tubular material according to claim 8, comprising means positioned at the upstream portion of said mandrel assembly on the outside of said tubular material for maintaining the axial alignment of said mandrel assembly.

11. Apparatus for axially compressing flexible tubular material according to claim 8, wherein the rotating members of said support and drive means have projections on the surface thereof.

12. Apparatus for axially compressing flexible tubular material according to claim 1 1, wherein said projections on the surface of the rotating members are tangentially flexible.

13. Apparatus for axially compressing flexible tubular material according to claim 4, wherein said control means disables the driving of the rotating members of said support and drive means after said period of time and initiates operation of said fastening means; and thereafter repeats the cycle of unimpeded drive, braking means engaged, and fastening.

III II I! I t

Claims (13)

1. The method of axially compressing flexible tubular material comprising drawing said material over a mandrel by frictional contact exerted on the surface of said material and against said mandrel, periodically stopping passage of said material at a position downstream the area of said frictional contact for a predetermined period of time while the material is accumulated at said position, fastening the accumulated material against axial expansion, and inserting a core in alignment with said mandrel downstream of said position and pulling said material onto said core.

2. The method of axially compressing flexible tubular material according to claim 1, wherein said material is alternately drawn over said mandrel and impeded for a plurality of cycles and thereafter the material accumulated on said core is severed from the main stock.

3. The method of axially compressing flexible tubular material according to claim 1, wherein the material is not drawn over said mandrel while the fastening step is being effected.

4. Apparatus for axially compressing flexible tubular material comprising a mandrel assembly adapted to be supported transverse to the passage of said material and having projecting means extending laterally therefrom; support and drive means disposed on opposite sides of said mandrel assembly and spaced from each other by a distance less than the lateral extension of said projecting means; said projecting means bearing upon said support and drive means, said tubular material being transported over and around said mandrel assembly and between said mandrel assembly and said support and drive means; braking means positioned downstream of said support and drive means and operative to impede passage of said tubular material over said mandrel, whereby said material is accumulated and confined as it continues to be fed by said support and drive means; control means for selectively engaging said braking means for a period of time during driving of said support and drive means calculated to effect axial compression of a predetermined length of said tubular material; and fastening means for clamping the material compressed during engagement of said braking means against axial expansion.

5. Apparatus for axially compressing flexible tubular material according to claim 4, wherein at least the upstream portion of said mandrel assembly has transverse peripheral dimensions substantially equal to the internal transverse dimensions of said tubular material.

6. Apparatus for axially compressing flexible tubular material according to claim 5, wherein the transverse peripheral dimensions of said mandrel assembly at the position of said projecting means is substantially equal to the internal transverse dimensions of said tubular material.

7. Apparatus for axially compressing flexible tubular material according to claim 6, wherein said mandrel assembly includes a downstream portion below said projecting means, said downstream portion having transverse peripheral dimensions smaller than the internal transverse dimensions of said tubular material.

8. Apparatus for axially compressing flexible tubular material according to claim 4, wherein said projecting means and said support and drive means respectively comprise rotating members mounted upon parallel axes transverse to the transport path of said tubular material, and said apparatus includes means for driving the rotating members of said support and drive means.

9. Apparatus for axially compressing flexible tubular mAterial according to claim 8, wherein said tubular material is substantially flattened and rotating members at the transverse extremes of said tubular material operate to effect a uniform advance of the material across the mandrel surface.

10. Apparatus for axially compressing flexible tubular material according to claim 8, comprising means positioned at the upstream portion of said mandrel assembly on the outside of said tubular material for maintaining the axial alignment of said mandrel assembly.

11. Apparatus for axially compressing flexible tubular material according to claim 8, wherein the rotating members of said support and drive means have projections on the surface thereof.

12. Apparatus for axially compressing flexible tubular material according to claim 11, wherein said projections on the surface of the rotating members are tangentially flexible.

13. Apparatus for axially compressing flexible tubular material according to claim 4, wherein said control means disables the driving of the rotating members of said support and drive means after said period of time and initiates operation of said fastening means; and thereafter repeats the cycle of unimpeded drive, braking means engaged, and fastening.

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