US 6,045,083 A · Strand guide eye and method of winding a package using the same

Abstract

A guide eye for use with a traverse mechanism of a strand package winder is positioned with respect to the surface of the package during the package build process so that the guide eye contacts the package surface in the larger diameter, end regions of the package. This positioning provides a minimal free length between the point at which the strands leaves the guide and the point at which the strand contacts the package surface, giving better control over the placement of the strand onto the package surface, particularly in the end portions of the package. Further, the guide eye is pressed against the package surface, slightly compressing the surface and pressing a portion of the preceding stand courses against the package. This pressure helps to fix the strand in the position in which it was laid down to reduce displacement of the strand course during the package build process.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A method of winding a strand onto a package in a series of courses, each course constituting one full reciprocal traversal of the strand with respect to the axis of the package, each course including a turnaround segment with an arcuate portion, comprising the steps of:

rotating the package;
winding the strand onto the rotating package;
traversing a guide eye reciprocally along a path adjacent the package;
conducting the strand through the guide eye;
and
pressing against the package with the guide eye the strand only in the turnaround segments of preceding courses during at least a portion of the winding of the package.

3 more elements

A guide eye for guiding a strand onto a package rotated about an axis of rotation to distribute the strand axially along the package and circumferentially around the package, the package having an outer surface with end portions having larger diameters than an intermediate, central portion, comprising:

a body having a traverse axis disposed parallel to the axis of the package when said guide eye is disposed in operative relation to the package and a tangential axis perpendicular to said traverse axis and parallel to the direction of motion of the surface of the package at a tangent to the package when said guide eye is disposed in operative relation to the package;
a strand guiding portion formed on said body and adapted to engage the strand and guide the strand to selected positions along the axis of the package;
a package engaging portion disposed on said body, adapted to engage at least a portion of the package while the package is rotating and while the guide eye is traversed along the axis of the package, and having an arcuate surface sufficiently radiused with respect to said traverse and tangential axes to avoid damage to the strand on the package when the package engaging portion engages the package by coming into contact only with the end portions of the package surface as said guide eye is traversed along the axis of the package and the package is rotating.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Strand guide eye and method of winding a package using the same

Life of this patent

Strand guide eye and method of winding a package using the same

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20