Apparatus and method for milling multiple end surface on a textile package

A grinding apparatus for simultaneously grinding away sharp edges on a textile package having an inner edge and a spaced-apart outer edge formed on the end of the package, and comprising:

• (a) a base mounted for rotation relative to a textile package;
• (b) a plurality of first biased grinding elements mounted on the base in spaced-apart relation for movement relative to the textile package, each of said first grinding elements having a grinding surface with an angle oblique to the inner edge of the textile package for being urged against the inner edge of the textile package;
• (c) a plurality of second biased grinding elements mounted on the base in spaced-apart relation for movement relative to the textile package, each of said second grinding elements having a grinding surface with an angle oblique to the outer-edge of the textile package for being urged against the outer edge of the textile package;
• (d) a plurality of third grinding elements mounted on the base for movement relative to the textile package and having a grinding surface for engaging and grinding the end of the textile package;
• and
• (e) said first, second and third grinding elements having a grinding surface in an axially-extending plane for being simultaneously engaged by the outer edge, inner edge and end of the textile package.

A method of grinding away sharp edges of a textile package having an inner edge and a spaced-apart outer edge formed on the end of the package, comprising the steps of:

• (a) holding the package:
• (b) moving the package axially against a rotating base having thereon:
• (1) a first grinding element for movement relative to the textile package and having a grinding surface with an angle oblique to the inner edge of the textile package for being urged against the inner edge of the textile package;
• and
• (2) a second grinding element for movement relative to the textile package and having a grinding surface angle with an angle oblique to the outer edge of the textile package for being urged against the outer edge of the textile package;
• and
• (c) removing the package from contact with the first and second grinding elements after the sharp edges have been removed.

A method grinding away sharp edges on a textile package having an inner edge and a spaced-apart outer edge formed on the end of the package, comprising the steps of:

• (a) holding the package:
• (b) moving the package axially against a rotating base having thereon:
• (i) a plurality of first biased grinding elements mounted in spaced-apart apart relation for movement relative to the textile package, each of said first grinding elements having a grinding surface with an angle oblique to the inner edge of the textile package for being urged against the inner edge of the textile package;
• (ii) a plurality of second biased grinding elements mounted in spaced-apart relation for movement relative to the textile package, each of said second grinding elements having a grinding surface with an angle oblique to the outer edge of the textile package for being urged against the outer edge of the textile package;
• (iii) a plurality of third grinding elements mounted on the base for movement relative to the textile package and having a grinding surface for engaging and grinding the end of the textile package;
• (c) allowing the textile package to contact the first, second and third grinding elements for a sufficient amount of time to grind away the sharp edges of the textile package;
• and
• (d) removing the package from engagement with the grinding elements.