Nip Rollers with Removable Disks

Abstract

A nip roller is provided that includes a shaft, a first nip disk portion, a second nip disk portion and an attachment section for removably securing the first nip disk portion and the second nip disk portion to the shaft.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A nip roller comprising:
 a shaft;   a first nip disk portion;   a second nip disk portion; and   an attachment section for removably securing the first nip disk portion and the second nip disk portion to the shaft,   the attachment section including at least one female attachment section,   the first nip disk portion including a first male attachment section that is shaped such that the first male attachment section snaps into the at least one female attachment section to removably attach the first nip disk portion to the shaft, and   the second nip disk portion including a second male attachment section that is shaped such that the second male attachment section snaps into the at least one female attachment section to removably attach the second nip disk portion to the shaft.   
     
     
         2 . The nip roller recited in  claim 1  wherein the first nip disk portion and the second nip disk portion are semi-annular disks. 
     
     
         3 . A nip roller comprising:
 a shaft;   a first nip disk portion;   a second nip disk portion; and   an attachment section for removably securing the first nip disk portion and the second nip disk portion to the shaft,   the first and second nip disk portions each including a plurality of radial alignment sections extending axially away from the corresponding nip disk portion and the attachment section including an attachment ring that includes ring alignment sections extending radially away from the attachment ring.   
     
     
         4 . The nip roller recited in  claim 3  wherein the attachment ring is adapted such that the ring alignment sections define circumferential spaces that are contoured to receive the radial alignment sections. 
     
     
         5 . The nip roller recited in  claim 4  wherein the attachment section further includes a retaining ring for securing the first and second nip disk portions to the attachment ring. 
     
     
         6 . The nip roller recited in  claim 5  wherein the radial alignment sections and the ring alignment sections each include circumferential grooves and wherein the circumferential grooves align to form a receiving ring that is contoured to receive the retaining ring when the radial alignment sections are placed into the circumferential spaces. 
     
     
         7 . A nip roller comprising:
 a shaft;   a first nip disk portion;   a second nip disk portion; and   an attachment section for removably securing the first nip disk portion and the second nip disk portion to the shaft,   the attachment section including a retaining ring for removably securing the first and second nip disk portions to the shaft.