Rewinding machine for the formation of rolls of paper or the like 

A rewinder for converting large supply rolls of paper into smaller rolls such as toilet tissue and kitchen towels includes a pair of winding cylinders, the surfaces of which are spaced slightly apart to create a nip therebetween. The cylinders rotate in the same direction, so as to create opposing surface movement in the area of the nip. A web of paper enters the nip and crosses there through from one winding cylinder to the other, passing firstly the winding cylinder, the surface of which is moving in a direction opposite to the incoming direction of the web. A core on which the web is to be wound is to be inserted into the nip, pinching web between the first winding roll, causing a reverse movement in the direction of the web and separating the web in the nip between the two winding cylinders. The core has adhesive on its surface which contacts the web and causes the leading edge of the web to fold back upon itself and wind up on the core under the action of the second winding cylinder to create a small log or roll of paper on the core in the space between the two winding cylinders.

The invention includes means for taking up the slack in that portion of the advancing web immediately in front of the winding cylinder during the period when the leading edge of the web folds back upon itself and before it begins to wind up on the core under the action of the second winding cylinder.