Abstract: Apparatus for use in withdrawing yarn from a wound package in an over-end direction includes a body having a circumferential surface coaxial with the yarn package that extends beyond the bobbin upon which package is wound and touches the end of the yarn package over which the yarn is withdrawn.

Abstract: The apparatus for winding optical fiber on a bobbin in axially compact coils includes a bobbin mount reciprocably driven along the fiber deployment axis, a winding arm for receiving optical fiber being fed along the deployment axis, and a supply reel for feeding optical fiber along the deployment axis with the reel being mounted on a twist arm, with the reel axis orthogonal to the deployment axis, for rotating the reel a preselected amount for each turn of the winding arm. An optical time domain reflectometer continuously monitors optical signal attenuation through the free start end of the fiber, and an optical scanner continuously scans the formed coils for the presence of gaps and overlaps. A controller is used to automatically stop, rewind, and adjust the winding apparatus when excessive signal attenuation, gaps or overlaps are detected.

Abstract: A communication cable winding is disclosed which is protected from heat, turbulence and friction during unwinding by a plastic skirt which surrounds a portion of the winding on a spool or bobbin. An outer portion of the cable may also be provided with a protective overlayer which forms the outer layer of the winding not protected by the plastic skirt.

Abstract: The invention is an improved sleeve that includes a wire inserted through the length of the sleeve before the sleeve is mounted on a bobbin. The wire keeps the sleeve relatively kink free and removes any debris which may have been in the sleeve. The wire is removed from the sleeve and allows an optical fiber to be easily inserted into the sleeve to start winding of the optical fiber onto the bobbin.

Abstract: A cavity slightly larger and deeper than the bobbin it is adapted to receive is formed in one or both ends of the spool. A pair of diametrically opposing, bobbin-engaging tabs are formed on the cavity-bearing end and extend into the cavity. In addition, a pair of diametrically opposing notches are formed in the cavity-bearing end and open into the cavity so that the operator can reach under an outer portion of the bobbin and pry the bobbin out of the cavity.

Abstract: A coil of tapered wire for forming coil springs, formed by winding substantially in concentric loops a quench-hardened and tempered tapered wire having a successive arrangement of tapered wire segments each consisting of a thick section, two thin sections and two tapered sections connecting the thin sections to the opposite ends of the thick section, respectively. The tapered wire is subjected to a preforming action immediately before being wound in loops on a winding drum, to form plastic bends in the thick sections and plastic bends of a radius of curvature greater than that of the plastic bends in the thick sections so that the tapered wire is wound in substantially uniform, concentric circular loops on a winding drum.

Abstract: A center-pull fiber package is provided in which a fibrous material may be wound onto a core structure comprising a core element and an overwrap release paper. Upon removal of the center elements, an end of the fibrous material is exposed so that the package may be unwound by removing a predetermined length of the winding from the interior or center of the package.

Abstract: During the formation of an optical fiber coil on an elongated rotationally symmetrical support element, the tension applied to the optical fiber as it is being wound into the coil is gradually or incrementally decreased as the superimposed layers of the optical fiber coil are being deposited on top of one another in the radially outward direction. Thus, the force applied to the fiber as it approaches the take-up location on the support element to achieve the desired longitudinal tension in the optical fiber may decrease from the range substantially betwen 150 to 300 grams initially to the range of substantially between 50 and 70 grams as the optical fiber coil nears completion. An apparatus for winding the optical fiber coil includes the arrangements needed for monitoring the progress of the winding operation and for adjusting the various parameters of such operation accordingly. An optical fiber coil arrangement obtained in this manner has very low optical losses even at extreme temperatures.

Abstract: A method of winding optical fiber on a bobbin comprising alternately winding in one direction around the bobbin compact and crossover layers. Each compact layer extends axially of the bobbin from a start end proximate one end of the bobbin to a finish end proximate the other end of the bobbin and includes a plurality of fiber turns in virtual axial contact with each other which define generally parallel grooves in the surface of the compact layer. The turn defining the start and finish ends of each compact layer is aligned with a respective start and finish set-back groove in the surface of the immediately preceding compact layer axially spaced from the respective start and finish ends of the preceding compact layer.

Abstract: A spool (20) which is used in the taking up and the paying out of a relatively long length of optical fiber includes two flanges (24, 26) and a hub (22) with each flange being tapered. The spool includes a collector (30) which is formed adjacent to one of the two tapered flanges of the spool and which provides access to the initial or leading end portion of the length of optical fiber which is wound on the spool. A groove (32) of the collector communicates with the hub of the spool through each of the two diametrically opposed slots (28--28) in the adjacent tapered flange (24). This allows the optical fiber to be wound on one of two coaxially mounted spools and to be transferred to the other spool with the first few convolutions being received in the groove and then passed through one of the slots in the adjacent tapered flange onto the hub.

Abstract: A line and sack assembly providing for the storage of a continuous length of line. A sack is disclosed of mesh construction and line is stored within the sack formed as multiple collections of line following one another and serially located in the interior of the sack. The sack has a closable throat at one end through which line is payed out when needed and which is opened up when reloading the sack with line.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to method and apparatus for facilitating the withdrawal of strand from the interior of a wound package a strand comprising biasing a movable manifold means against a portion of the arcuate periphery of the package, the manifold means having an apertured section in contact with the package; and drawing a vacuum in the manifold means effective to retain the strands at the periphery of the package until withdrawn to facilitate the complete withdrawal of the strand from the package.

Abstract: Unlike display bases of the blister type of the prior art, the coil (1) is packaged on a display base (3) with a thin plastic film (14) which matches all the visible surfaces of the coil. This film (14) cooperates with the display base (3) both in the zone (15) inside the coil and in the zone (11) outside the latter. If cutting means (7) are also provided on the display base, the film (14) (as shown at 12) completely envelops the cutting means (7) without it being necessary to use additional fastening means. The inner end (10) of the tie material passes through a hole (9) in the film (14) and thus can be pulled for controlled unwinding due to a braking action caused by the at least partial adherence of the film to the turns of the coil. Packaging of this kind can be achieved by a single-stage process in the course of which a stretched and heated film is applied to a porous substrate carrying the coil and optionally the cutting means (7).

Abstract: A low-density, substantially cylindrical, wound package of substantially tensionless, low modulus, highly elastic yarn, preferably having a density of not greater than about 0.300 g/cc. Such packages are made by advancing tensionless yarn through a traversing mechanism in a stream of fluid which is moving in the same direction as the yarn and at a speed greater than the linear speed of the yarn being taken-up on the cylindrical package. Such packages are produced on apparatus for tensionless traversing of yarn wherein the yarn guide on the traversing end of the traversing element comprises the outlet of a fluid jet through which fluid is driven to maintain the tensionless condition of the yarn as it passes through the traversing element and is thereafter wound into a low density, tensionless package.

Abstract: A tube for packaging elongated, flexible members such as a flexible guidewire for medical purposes or the like. The tube comprises a flexible tube body capable of being coiled and having a projecting member extending outwardly from the tube body longitudinally along at least a substantial portion of the length of the tube body. A concave member extends along at least a substantial portion of the tube body in a diametrically opposed position from the projecting member. The concave member is positioned and preportioned to receive the projecting member of another portion of the tube in retentive relation when the tube is coiled.

Abstract: A thread reel is previously known at its two ends is provided with two flanges arranged beside each other and between which the thread is intended to be attached. According to the invention the two flanges arranged beside each other are situated at a small distance from each other, and the inner flanges are of such a construction that they will be pressed with their peripheries into contact with the outer flanges by means of the thread applied on the reel.

Abstract: Contact elements depending from a continuous carrier strip along with an interliner are helically wound on a reel in order to provide a sufficient supply of such elements for use with high speed assembly apparatus in which the contact elements are mounted in socket bodies in a continuous fashion. Upper and lower traverse winding stations each include a traversing mechanism mounting an interliner guide and an aligned carrier strip guide. The carrier strip guide is pivotably mounted and has an elliptical tube which extends to the core of the reel and is adapted to follow the diameter of the core as it builds up with layers of carrier strips and interliner and has a carrier strip receiving end which is configured such that a smooth transition surface is presented to the carrier strip in any position the guide assumes.

Abstract: A coiled rope providing a securely coiled rope structure which, when forcefully uncoiled, gives rapid yet controlled deployment of the rope, and a method of so coiling the rope. The rope is wound about a central core member in sequential, adjacent, planar circular layers of approximately similar diameter, each layer consisting of a plurality of coils of rope of increasing size commencing from the central core member. Adjacent coils of rope in each layer and adjacent layers of rope are releasably adhered to each other by contact cement so that the rope will remain securely coiled in storage or until required for use, and then permit rapid yet controlled uncoiling of the rope. Such a coiled rope is useful in providing controlled pay out of rope, for example, between life rafts being air dropped to survivors in the sea, the rope being payed out sequentially coil by coil and layer by layer.

Abstract: Wire is wound in conical layers upon a conical core of a reel or other structure upon which wire can be wound until a predetermined outer diameter of a wound reel is reached. The wire is then wound in layers of decreasing lengths to form a wound reel which has an outer cylindrical shape of the same diameter. A reel can be used from which the core can be removed after winding so that upon unwinding, the wire can be pulled from the interior of the wound reel.

Abstract: An apparatus for facilitating field installation of electrical conduit and fiber optic lines in a conduit and a method of providing pull line in such apparatus.A roll of wound conduit tubing having a length of over 700 feet is provided with a pull line extending through the entire length of the wound tubing. The pull line has a tensile strength of about 45 pounds such that it will have sufficient strength to accomplish field pulling operations.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and package are provided for producing and winding strands to achieve good split efficiency on removal of the plurality of strands from the package for further processing and to produce a package of wound strands having good edges.The apparatus has a fiber forming means, an applicating means for applying chemical treating compositions to the fibers, gathering means to gather the fibers into a plurality of strands, a rotatable winder to attenuate and wind the strands, a slotted traversing guide, a reciprocating means, and contact means at each end of the reciprocating stroke of the traversing guide. The slotted traversing guide has more than one slot where the terminal portions of the slots have curved ends to retain a strand and are located directly behind the terminal portion of the preceeding slot.

Abstract: A cable or other linear length of flexible material, such as high strength wire, is initially wound on a reel, and is unwound by the application of a force, typically a movable object moving downwards through the air under the influence of gravity. The motion of the cable in unwinding from the reel is effectively braked, or slowed, by providing a cable brake system or systems which generate resistance to the unwinding of the cable. One system entails the provision of frictional control means consisting of a soft, tough, material matrix disposed about the reel, so that the cable is imbedded in the matrix. Payout of the cable, as the reel revolves, requires the cable to be torn out of the matrix. The other system entails immersing the reel, and associated cable wound on the reel, in a viscous fluid, so that the unwinding of the cable from the reel causes the reel to turn about its axis in the viscous fluid, thereby producing resistance to motion and a braking action.

Abstract: Continuous multifilament glass fiber roving of from 300 to 10,000 tex is rendered catenary-free without twisted by passing it at from 150 to 300 meters/minute through an air treatment zone in which it is exposed to air at from 400 to 600 KN/meter.sup.2 at a volume throughput of from 0.5 to 1.5 cubic meters/minute, the air treatment being carried out in the absence of positive overfeed whereby there is no bulking of the roving, followed by winding the treated roving into a package.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for shaping shoulders of a cylindrical yarn package by rotating the package about its central axis and applying pressure to both shoulders of the package simultaneously. One apparatus embodiment includes drive rolls for rotating the package and rotatable elongated shaping elements mounted for movement into and out of engagement with the shoulders of the package. The positioning of the rollers with respect to the point of contact on the package shoulders is important to the operation of the apparatus.

Abstract: A device for dispensing and holding materials wound on a spool having a contoured peripheral edge on a spool end or spool end flange comprising a congruent, self-lubricious member capable of bi-directional movement along the contoured peripheral edge with a predetermined amount of frictional resistance. The member incorporating a material dispensing aperture congruently contoured to the cross-sectional profile of the material thru which the material is dispensed with a predetermined amount of frictional resistance. The member moving along the contoured peripheral edge when the spooled material is pulled away from the plane of the spool end or the spool end flange and generally parallel to the spool core axis during the dispensing process. When the pulling force on the material is halted, the dispensing ceases and the material can then be severed near the member.

Abstract: A process and an improved device for spinning or twisting and winding yarn is disclosed which is for use with a yarn spinning or twister device which conventionally includes a traveler assembly of a type used in textile mills. The device includes a driven rotor disposed axially through the twister device such as the twister ring and traveler assembly with a twisted yarn extending downwardly from the traveler, through a first radially facing hole in the rotor, and a second axially facing hole through an up-down reciprocating carrier bar supporting a depending rotatable free spinning yarn guide frame, designed to guide the yarn outwardly and downwardly and into a convolutely wound engagement along the length of a bobbin engaged on a driven spindle driven, and including a brake to arrest rotational movement of the yarn guide frame when the winding operation is discontinued. Preferably, the rotor or artificial bobbin is driven at the same revolutions per minute as the spindle.

Abstract: A method of winding a metal wire around a reel structure is disclosed in which the wire is wound about a roller to give the wire a round habit of preselected diameter, at least one of the last few coils of said wire being strained so as to increase the diameter of the round habit, and all of the wire being wound on a reel structure whereby the at least one coil having the larger diameter round habit is coiled about the reel structure in an expanded condition with respect to the remainder of the coils. An apparatus for performing this method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A ball of hand knitting yarn is formed by winding the yarn in an overlapping constantly progressing angular winding to form a partial sphere, thereafter continuing the winding by applying a plurality of turns of said yarn in substantially parallel circumferential turns about substantially a central equator of the ball and subsequently finishing the winding with a plurality of overlapping progressively angled windings so as to hide the circumferential turns.

Abstract: A differential diametrical reeling machine wherein cylindrical or conical hanks are formed from spools of yarn on a rotating reel, the yarn being guided by a rotating or reciprocating guide for distributing it on the reel, a lifting-guide being provided along the path travelled by the yarn, characterized in that the lifting-guide has an active cross-section, which is variable and disposed at the optimum distance from the thread-guide and the reel.

Abstract: A bobbin spool for an automatic sewing machine wherein a predetermined length of thread is wound onto the spool for each sewing operation comprising a hub, spaced parallel flanges at opposite ends of the hub, one of said hubs constituting a turbine wheel by means of which the bobbin may be rotated at a high speed by means of a jet of air and a traction engendering element covering an arcuate portion of the hub.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for taking up textured yarn plugs into a cartridge is provided. The apparatus comprises a spiral-walled cartridge and means for rotating the cartridge about a vertical axis while moving it laterally. In operation, the cartridge is rotated beneath a yarn texturizer as textured yarn in plug form is deposited therein in orderly layers. Even with high-speed texturizers, cartridge speed is low. After the plugs have been deposited, the cartridge may be removed, and the yarn plugs may be pulled out for knitting or weaving.

Abstract: A supply package for wet-impregnated multifilament roving is provided in which the multifilament roving is impregnated with a curable liquid having a tack less than about 6 (measured on a Thwing-Albert inkometer) in an amount at least sufficient to fill the spaces between the filaments in the roving, but not in excess of about a 3:2 ratio of curable liquid to fiber, by volume. This impregnated roving is way wound onto a cylinder to provide a crossing angle between the rovings in adjacent layers of at least about 10.degree. to provide free volume storage capacity between the angled rovings which accepts any liquid which may run off. In this manner the wet-impregnated roving can be stored wet in the way wound cylinder and easily withdrawn therefrom when needed.

Abstract: Nylon 66 yarn having particular stress-strain properties, typically also having a soft, luxuriant hand in fabric form. As compared to conventional nylon 66 with comparable boiling water shrinkage, the novel yarn exhibits a higher modulus at break, a lower modulus at 10% elongation, a positive stress index, and excellent denier uniformity. The process involves subjecting the yarn, within 0.016 to 0.11 seconds after solidification of the filaments, to a tension of 0.2 and 1.5 grams per final denier and heating the yarn to a temperature between 50.degree. and 250.degree. C. long enough to reduce yarn retraction below 1%.

Abstract: A drawn conjugate yarn of an elastomer and a non-elastomer is wound on a bobbin with a crushable surface. Yarn can be knit from the resulting package successfully after long storage periods.

Abstract: A drum for transportation of flexible electrical cables has an oval cross-section and is formed of a spool member comprising a pair of semi-cylindrical sections and means for rigidly maintaining the sections with their diametric surfaces spaced parallel to and facing each other. A planar retainer member of corresponding oval cross-section and uniformly greater dimensions than the spool member is secured to each flat end of the spool member transverse to the axes of rotation of the sections to form a pair of spaced opposed walls of a rectangular slot receiving at least one layer of a continuous length of cable for shipment.

Abstract: A method of fixing the end portion of a line such as for example, a wire or the like, to a reel by plastically bending the end portion of the line into the form of a U-shaped recession extending transversely to the longitudinal direction of the line, wire or the like and depositing the deformed end portion into a slot provided within the reel.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a tape supply package having a plurality of different tapes wound thereon in a universal or traverse wound arrangement. Apparatus and a method for traverse winding the package are disclosed. The disclosure also relates to apparatus and a method for simultaneously wrapping a plurality of different tapes around the outer portion of an elongated structure such as an electrical conductor by the use of the tape supply package having the plurality of traverse wound tapes. The disclosure further relates to various multiple tape-wrapped elongated constructions such as electrical conductors which have a plurality of partially overlapped tapes which have been simultaneously applied.

Abstract: Package for the storage and shipment of acrylic tow comprising a substantially filled container wherein the acrylic tow is in the form of a self-supporting block having a density of at least 22 lbs./ft..sup.3.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for laying continuous pipe particularly for offshore oil installations and wherein said continuous pipe is pre-formed into flat spirals of pre-selected inner and outer diameters depending upon available handling equipment and arranged in stacks in which each flat spiral is interconnected with the adjacent flat spiral. A stack of flat pipe spirals is positioned on a power driven rotatable pipe spiral carrier mounted on a deck of a pipe laying vessel. Pipe is withdrawn from the stack of spirals by rotating the pipe carrier and moving the pipe through pipe straightening and tensioning means, after which the pipe is fed to suitable pipe laying means for connecting the pipe to subsea installations.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method and apparatus for providing optically pure glass blanks, tubing, crucibles and the like for use in forming optical waveguides, lenses, prisms, filters, lamp envelopes and the like. A glass layer is formed at a high temperature on a mandrel which includes a support rod or tube upon which is disposed a layer of refractory metal wire, gauze, foil or the like. The mandrel is so constructed that stresses, which heretofore have developed in the glass layer during cooling, are avoided, and the mandrel is easily removed from the glass layer, thereby forming a hollow glass cylinder that is free from cracks, checks and the like.