Spooling machine, method and apparatus to prevent formation of cut remnant thread pieces

In a spooling machine, a method to prevent formation of a cut remnant filament which may wind on package of thread being spooled with controlled tension from a payout spool (31) to a takeup package (32), which includes means (36) sensing thread-size and providing an "off-size" signal if the size exceeds predetermined threshold limits, and if the thread is positioned outside of predetermined limits responsive to loss of tension simulating an "off-size" signal within the sensing means, and having thread cutting apparatus (2-6) including a cut-off knife (2, 3) having a cutter blade and a counter anvil (1) having a groove (4,4') toward which the knife moves during cutting, the thread cutting apparatus being positioned in the path of the thread from the payout spool to the takeup package, and the knife being operative to move in a direction to sever the thread when the "off-size" signal is sensed, and which comprises the steps of

• passing the thread in front of the cut-off knife out of contact with the blade edge (2);
• and positioning a counter surface of the counter anvil (1) for the cutter blade from the knife edge at a location which is beyond the end position of the cutter blade when responding to an "off-size" signal to permit, upon movement of the knife, an untensioned, broken thread in front of the knife to escape beyond said end position and thus escape being cut, while effecting cutting of a tensioned, unbroken thread in front of the cut-off knife.