Wire retaining ring for a welding system

A wire retainer for a coil of welding wire received in a container, the wire retainer comprising:

• a base portion defining a central aperture, the base portion extending radially outward from a central axis and including an upstanding outer peripheral wall;
• a frusto-conical wire guide extending upward from the base portion about the aperture;
• and
• wherein the base portion defines plural view openings equally spaced from each other about the base, the view openings extending along radial lines radiating outward from a center of the base portion between the wire guide and the outer peripheral wall, wherein the view openings at least partially over lie the coil and are bowed in a direction corresponding to the removal of the welding wire from the coil.

A wire retainer for a coil of welding wire received in a container, the wire retainer comprising:

• a base portion defining a central aperture, the base portion extending radially outward from a central axis and including an upstanding outer peripheral wall;
• a frusto-conical wire guide extending upward from the base portion about the aperture;
• and
• wherein the base portion defines plural view openings equally spaced from each other about the base, the view openings extending along radial lines radiating outward from a center of the base portion between the wire guide and the outer peripheral wall;
• and a pair of diametrically opposed supports extending upward from the base portion, each support including a receiver, wherein the receiver is located above the wire guide.

A method of packaging welding wire in a coil, the method comprising:

• providing a container having a base;
• placing a coil of welding wire having a bore within the container;
• providing a wire retainer including a base portion defining a central aperture and a pair of supports extending upward from the base portion on opposite sides of the aperture, the each support defining a receiver located above the aperture;
• placing the wire retainer on the coil and locating the aperture at least partially over the bore;
• providing a hold down assembly including a hold down member and a restraint;
• attaching the restraint to the base of the container and pulling a free end of the restraint upward from the base, through the bore and aperture;
• attaching the free end of the restraint to the hold down member;
• locating a first end of the hold down member within the receiver of one of the supports and locating a second end of the hold down member within the receiver of the other of the supports;
• attaching the restraint to the hold down member and applying a compressive force to the hold down member by reducing a length of the restraint.