Cassette for the storage and dispensing of thread or ribbon at a preset tension

A cassette for storing and dispensing filamentary material to a machine for producing hollow articles by filament winding comprising:

• a housing having an outlet;
• a spindle supported internally of said housing;
• a hollow roll rotatably mounted on said spindle;
• a reel of filamentary material carried by said hollow roll, said reel being fixed for rotation with said hollow roll and said hollow roll being rotatable in one direction to permit unwinding of said filamentary material from said reel to exit said housing through said outlet;
• means on said spindle and engaging said hollow roll to provide a force opposing the unwinding of said filamentary material, said means on said spindle being located internally of said hollow roll;
• an adjustable braking mechanism, said braking mechanism being located internally of said hollow roll and operative between said spindle and said means on said spindle to adjust said force opposing the unwinding of said filamentary material and thereby establish a first tension on said filamentary material to be unwound from said reel;
• and
• complementary tensioning means supported internally of said housing and engaging said filamentary material between said reel and said housing outlet, said complementary tensioning means applying an additional tensioning force opposing the unwinding of said filamentary material from said reel.