Abstract: A cord drive has two cords mounted on two spools. Pulling the first cord unwraps the first cord from the first spool, causes a drive shaft to rotate in one direction, and causes the second cord to wrap onto the second spool. Pulling the second cord unwraps the second cord from the second spool, causes the drive shaft to rotate in the opposite direction, and causes the first cord to wrap onto the first spool.

Abstract: For a better handling of strip-shaped or band-shaped products made of plastic, paper or foam plastic in roll form, a package (100) with a removal opening for the product provided in one of the package walls comprises a cubical or a right parallelepiped package body (10) made of cardboard or of another appropriate material with a hollow cylindrical holding device (30) made of paperboard, cardboard or another appropriate material, placed in the inner space (19) of the package body (10) and on two opposite side walls (13, 14) of the package body (10), for receiving the rolled-up product (20), whereby the hollow cylindrical holding device (30) is held by means of two stoppers (40, 40′) stuck through openings or dowel holes (60) in the opposing side walls (13; 14) of the package body (10) constituting the pivot bearings for the hollow cylindrical holding device (30), whereby both pivot bearing stoppers (40; 40′) can be locked on the side walls (13; 14) of the package body (10).

Abstract: A device for storing, transporting and feeding a roll-forming web of printing material for a machine for processing it, includes a receptacle for the roll, and a housing manipulatable in a manner analogous for a pallet, the housing being disposed for receiving and surrounding the roll, from which the web of printing material is unwindable.

Abstract: Magnetized bobbin cores are preferably wound with sewing thread to obtain sideless, pre-wound bobbins that have beneficial draw-off tensions, draw-off tension uniformity and overspin characteristics. The pre-wound sideless bobbins may thus be satisfactorily used in lock stitch sewing applications due to improved uniformity of draw-off tension combined with reduced bobbin overspin. The magnetized pre-wound sideless bobbins are also especially well suited for end-use sewing applications where automatic bobbin changing equipment is employed. Most preferably, the core is a cylinder formed of a thermoplastic or thermoset material in which magnetized particles are dispersed.

Abstract: A bung plug assembly (30), of a type including a tubularly-shaped housing (32) having a grommet cap (34) at one end thereof, also includes a hard-material bulkhead adapter assembly (37). The bulkhead adapter assembly includes a bulkhead adapter (69) with a smooth-surface bulkhead-adapter bore (41) therethrough and a separate bulkhead-adapter nut (80). The bulkhead adapter has a tube portion (70) with left-hand male threads thereon and a radially-outwardly extending flange portion (74). The tube portion is extended through a grommet cap bore (40), until the flange portion abuts on a surface of the grommet cap, for also being extended through an opening (88) in a wall (39) of a life raft canister. The separate bulkhead-adapter nut is for being screwed onto the tube portion for clamping the wall of the life raft canister between the bulkhead-adapter nut and the grommet cap.

Abstract: The invention relates to a package for a reel of wire. The package has a cover, a connecting plate foldably connected with the cover and a bottom foldably connected with the connecting plate. The cover, the connecting plate and the bottom are able to be assembled into a package such that a reel of wire is able to be received therein and a free end of the reel of wire is able to extend through an outlet on a top face of the cover for operation and the free end is able to be retained by inserting into a retaining hole on the top face of the cover. Furthermore, a window defined on the top face of the cover enables an operator to see the volume of the reel of wire left in the package.

Abstract: A method and package for housing and dispensing at least one musical instrument string. The package includes a housing adapted to contain the at least one string in a generally coiled configuration. The package further includes at least one opening from which an end of the at least one string protrudes. The at least one opening is configured to retain and end of the at least one string adjacent an exterior of the housing to facilitate extraction of the string from the package. Alternate embodiments of the package include a plurality of separate compartments in a stacked or concentric configuration, each compartment having an opening to enable extraction of a string contained therein.

Abstract: Optical fiber must be adequately protected during manufacturing, testing, and transportation from physical damage due to over-bending, crushing, and chafing. Prior art methods of packaging optical fiber have been ineffective in protecting against these forms of damage and have required manual assembly, thus their effectiveness being heavily dependent upon operator skill and training. The present invention provides an optical fiber spool that has open and closed positions which allow optical fiber to be loaded into and unloaded from the spool automatically. Furthermore, this spool protects loaded optical fiber from physical damage such as over-bending, crushing, and chafing. The spool of the present invention achieves these goals by providing a plurality of cavities which open and close to capture the optical fiber. These cavities are formed between a plurality of radial tabs positioned around the circumference of a spool lid and over a channel formed within a spool base.

Abstract: Suture dispensers for retaining armed sutures are disclosed. The dispenser disclosed is comprised of two flat panels of material that each have a central opening. A needle park is provided so that the needle is visible in and accessible though the central openings. In preferred embodiments, the needle park is made of a thin sheet of clear material. Several alternate needle park designs are also disclosed. The two panels are preferably locked together using edge locks in the form of corresponding slits and tabs formed on the panels themselves. In addition to being inexpensive, easy to manufacture and easy to fill, the disclosed dispensers is much thinner than current designs and thus requires less storage and shipping space. Methods of loading dispensers are also disclosed.

Abstract: An ink ribbon unit has supply and take-up spools which are fastened securely and locked against free rotation inexpensively and reliably in a manner not to impair the quality of an ink ribbon thereof. The supply and take-up spools are fastened securely and locked against free rotation by an elastic sheet-like holder which is formed by vacuum forming and has a fixed shape. The holder has a first holding portion for holding the take-up spool and a pair of second holding portions for holding diametrically opposite surfaces of the ink ribbon wound on the supply spool. The holder has free ends extending from the respective second holding portions and secured to each other by an adhesive tape.

Abstract: An inside fiber optic payout system uses winding and packaging techniques th an inner stabilizing tube to ensure reliable cable payout. Stiff, elastic cable is rapidly non-precision wound onto a collapsible core spool at a preferred winding pitch. Stand-off attachments are installed over the outer cable layer between opposed spool flanges to support the cable pack when the collapsible core is removed. Duct tape is wrapped around the stand-offs and the outer cable layers to assist in keeping the cable pack stable (without collapsing) even up to its last few layers. The stand-offs also prevent the tape from being drawn out as the final layers of cable are dispensed. A shroud is installed over the tape and stand-offs. Payout preparation includes removing the spool's collapsible core leaving a central aperture in at least one flange of the spool. A circular payout guide is placed over this aperture and a rubber diaphragm is attached to the guide to provide friction for payout back tension.

Abstract: A cylindrical bobbin having flanges at both ends thereof is formed as a unitary structure, using a material of thermal conductivity nearly equal to or lower than that of an optical fiber coil, and the optical fiber coil is wound on a housing portion defined between the flanges. An annular member is mounted on the bobbin to cover the housing portion on the outside of the optical fiber coil, forming an annular case for housing the optical fiber coil, together with the bobbin. The annular member is also made of a material which has a thermal conductivity nearly equal to or lower than that of the optical fiber coil.

Abstract: A package having a stretch membrane convolutely position about an unwindable wound body of strand where a tacky surface of the membrane contacts the outer layer of strands. The tacky surface also interlocks multiple layers of the membrane together.

Abstract: A device for drawing a thread, ribbon or the like off from a package (1), in which the thread or the like can be withdrawn overhead from the package and, in order to obtain a practically twist-free drawing off of the thread, ribbon or the like, the thread, ribbon or the like is withdrawn alternately over one of the two opposite end surfaces (1', 1'') of the package (1).

Abstract: A device by which the end of an optical cable incorporated in a power cable is maintained fixed relative to an optical reader while the power cable is being wound onto or unwound from a cable winding drum. The device comprises a first roller on which there can be wound a number of turns of said optical cable equal at least to a fraction of the number of turns of power cable wound on said cable winding drum. The free end of said optical cable is locked in front of said optical reader after it has been wound through at least one turn or a portion of a turn on a roller on which there can be wound a number of turns equal at least to the number of turns which can be wound on said first roller. This latter is rotatably driven. At least said second roller is associated with a mobile structure rotating about and in mechanical synchronization with said roller.

Abstract: A figure eight linear dispenser (10) having an optical fiber winding configuration adapted to dispense an optical fiber waveguide (14) at high speed. The dispenser (10) is built up of a series of flat winding layers, with each layer comprising an interlaced figure eight pattern. More particularly, the dispenser (10) comprises a housing having a pair of bobbins (12a, 12b) respectively centered on a pair of half-circular outer guides (13a, 13b). The optical fiber waveguide (14) is wound around the bobbins (12a, 12b) inside the outer guides (13a, 13b) in a series of layers (15a-15e) of figure eight loops (16a-16e). An optional cover may be disposed over the bobbins (12a, 12b) and the guides (13a, 13b) in order to enclose the waveguide (14). The waveguide pay-out of the dispenser (10) through a properly spaced eyelet (17) is nearly helix-free and linear as a result of cancellation of the angular momentum in the paired figure eight loops (16a-16e).

Abstract: An optical fibre storage system comprising a container in which turns of fibre (4) are wound in a substantially helical formation, the diameter of the turns and container being such the turns of fibre are maintained in position by their natural resilience pressing them outwardly against the inside of the container (5). The inside of the container may be coated to aid location of the turns. In another embodiment an inflatable member located within the turns is inflated to press against them to aid positional stability. A source of gas may be connected to the container to enable propulsion of the fibre out of the container in a duct, or the container itself may be pressurized.

Abstract: A bobbin comprises a hollow hub adapted to cooperate with a latch and post on a bobbin casing housed in a sewing machine. The latch and post enter the hub and guide the bobbin into place in the sewing machine. Thread previously wound around the hub is adapted for paying out for use in the sewing machine. Before the bobbin is inserted for use in the sewing machine, a membrane is placed across the hub at one axial end to seal that end and form a reservoir within the hub, and a lubricant such as sewing machine oil is added to the reservoir. Another membrane is placed across the hub at the other axial end of the hub to seal that end and completely seal the oil within the reservoir. When the bobbin is inserted into the bobbin casing, the latch punctures both membranes, the post guides the bobbin so that it is properly seated within the bobbin casing, and the sewing machine oil contained in the reservoir drains out and lubricates the sewing machine.

Abstract: An optical fiber payout canister (22) comprises a bobbin (30) having a dispensing end and an optical fiber pack having a plurality of optical fiber layers (34, 36) wound upon the bobbin (30). The pack has a transition winding pattern between the optical fiber layers (34, 36) at the dispensing end thereof, and an overcoat adhesive layer overlies the transition winding pattern of the optical fiber pack. The adhesive layer desirably comprises from about 80 to about 72 parts by weight of a precatalyzed organofunctional siloxane polymer and from about 20 to about 28 parts by weight of a silicone elastoplastic resin. The adhesive layer desirably has a tensile strength of from about 25 to about 40 psi, and a modulus of elasticity of from about 1200 to about 1600 psi, over a temperature range of from about -50.degree. C. to about +80.degree. C.

Abstract: A missile data link filament (12) dispenser (10) is located within an enclosure (20) having a single eyelet opening (26) through which the filament feeds on launch. A quantity of a damping gas having an effective density of at least about two times that of air (28) is provided within the enclosure (20). The gas serves to damp the helical motion of the filament by absorbing its rotational energy, to inhibit ballooning of the filament (12) as it is paid out from the dispenser (10).

Abstract: A missile data link filament (12) dispenser (10) is located within an enclosure (20) having a single eyelet opening (26) through which the filament feeds on launch. A quantity of a particulate material (28) located within the enclosure (20) is converted to an aerosol mixture by the filament movement on dispense. The aerosol mixture serves to act as a brake on the filament preventing dispense speed exceeding a predetermined desirable maximum.

Abstract: An installation cable unwinder for dispensing a wire leader and pintle, which joins the ends of a papermachine fabric in a pin seam, includes a spool attached to a larger plate-like member. The pintle is wound onto the spool with the wire leader extending therefrom. The wire leader is then coiled loosely about the spool, and fastened by staples or tie straps to the plate-like member. A hole passing through the spool and plate-like member allows the user to place the installation cable unwinder on a dowel to rotate thereabout, so that the wire leader and pintle may be conveniently dispensed therefrom.

Abstract: A wire storage reel includes a pair of resilient walls forming inner and outer annular wire storage cavities together with closure means which selectively operates to separate the cavities. The closure means comprise applying external pressure to the wall portions of the outer end of the inner cavity to close the inner cavity. In use, the wire is clamped to a winding mechanism and is initially wound on the reel with the inner cavity closed. The inner cavity is opened when the desired length of wire is wound on the reel. The winding mechanism is then released from the reel and the inner cavity is opened so that the winding mechanism may be rotated to a position wherein the leading and trailing ends of the wire protrude from the reel in a predetermined relationship.

Abstract: A folding cone for retaining the windings of a wound package containing coils wound in a Figure-8 configuration with an axial opening extending through the longitudinal axis of the coil and a radial opening extending from the inner surface to the outer surface of the coils with a first member having a base portion including a pair of upstanding projections extending along the bottom thereof with a gap therebetween and an end portion shaped to be positioned within the inner end surface of the coils.

Abstract: A wire harness is partly assembled by winding a number of wires on individual reels, fixing terminal pins to the wire ends, stacking the reels in the carousel support, upon which a multiple pin connector is mounted, and withdrawing individual wires for conection to the connector. A spindle extending through all wire reels is detachably connected to a support bar to enable the entire stack of reels with the wire thereon to be handled as a unitary assembly. The reels are stacked flat upon each other because the reel hubs are thicker to accommodate enlargement of reel peripheries as wire projects from the reels.

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: An improved coil package comprises a closable carton formed from a folded blank of cardboard and having a pair of oppositely disposed major side walls, each of which has an aperture in axial alignment with the aperture of the other major side wall and, removably housed in the carton, a reel on which is carried a coil of wire. The flanges of the reel have apertures of diameters less than the apertures in the major side walls of the carton and end parts of a rigid hollow hub formed of a transversely folded metal strip protrude from the reel flanges and are so rolled radially outwardly that their extreme edges bite into the outer faces of the reel flanges, no portions of the rolled over end parts of the hub protruding beyond the planes containing the outer faces of the major side walls.

Abstract: A package has a toroidal coil of a filled wire generally centered on an axis and having axially oppositely directed end faces and radially oppositely directed inner and outer peripheries and a holder having one axial end lying against one end face of the coil, an outer structure engaging radially inward on the outer periphery of the coil, and an opposite axial end juxtaposed with the other end face of the coil. The opposite axial end is formed in part by a circular ring of a diameter smaller than that of the inner periphery and formed in turn with an inwardly open notch tapering in the direction the coil is wound. The holder is radially inwardly open so that the wire can be pulled from the inner periphery of the coil. Thus as each turn is pulled off the inner periphery it will be jarred slightly when passing the notch. This will loosen the turns from each other and will ensure that the wire feeds smoothly.

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: Elongate materials such as slide fastener stringer tapes are discharged in circular motions into a storage container by a tape guide pipe guided by a pipe guide rotatable in composite circular motions along successive first circular paths while revolving along a second circular path. The elongate materials thus discharged are piled up in an orderly manner in the storage container so that they can be picked up at a later time without being entangled with each other. The pipe guide may be rotated in the composite circular motions by a link mechanism, a gear-turntable assembly, or a planetary gear assembly.

Abstract: A shippable package of wet strands having improved payout from the package in the production of continuous strand products is provided. The package has one or more cylindrical, layered, substantially square edged package of one or more strands, where the strands have a coating on the fibers making up the strands of an aqueous composition having a film forming material. The aqueous composition has an amount of water in the range of about 70 to around 99 weight percent of the composition. The amount of moisture of the package of strands is at least about 3 weight percent of the package. In addition, the shippable package has a sealed covering of substantially water impervious material to age the package of strand or strands for at least about two weeks at ambient temperatures.

Abstract: A method of facilitating the unwinding of a wound body of strand includes encompassing the body in a heat-shrinkable stretch membrane and heating the resulting composite to a temperature greater than the temperature at which the strand is to be wound.

Abstract: Tubular packages of glass fibers having a generally cylindrical shape are provided that have a reduced tendency to slump or to collapse as the glass fibers are removed from the package. The tubular package has glass fibers wound in superimposed annular layers to form a tubular package of continuous glass fibers having a generally cylindrical shape. The tubular, generally cylindrical shaped package of glass fibers has a fibrous net on the external surface of the package of glass fibers, wherein the net is sufficient to provide support to at least the external peripheral surface of the package of glass fibers. This support can be provided by having the net composed of stiff fibrous material that is used in conjunction with strips of adhesive on the external surface of the net, or heat shrinkable fibrous material, or fibrous material with a tacky surface, or a mixture thereof.

Abstract: In loading a carton with a coil of steel strapping for dispensing through a central circular aperture in the front wall of the carton, the carton is mounted on a mandrel which is received through the dispensing opening in the carton, the mandrel having a cylindrical winding surface disposed within the carton and having one or more radial slots therein. The leading end of a supply of steel strapping is fed through an open end of the carton and inserted into the slot and the mandrel is rotated for winding a coil of steel strapping thereon. The loaded carton is then removed from the mandrel. Retaining means are provided for holding the carton in place in its loading position on the mandrel so as to prevent rotation of the carton and bulging of the front and rear walls thereof during the winding operation.

Abstract: A readily stackable coil package comprises a closed carton 1 which is formed from a folded cardboard blank and which has a pair of oppositely disposed major side walls 2 whose boundary edges 4 lie in parallel planes. Each major side wall 2 has an area 5 of weakness in axial alignment with an area of weakness in the other major side wall. A coil of wire is housed in the closed carton 1 and, also loosely housed in the closed carton, is separately formed means 7 for forming a rigid hollow hub. When it is desired to convert the closed carton 1 into a reel, the areas 5 of weakness are removed to form apertures, the separately formed hub forming means 7 is extracted from the package and is assembled to form a rigid hollow hub extending between and secured to parts of the major side walls bounding the apertures in the major side walls.

Abstract: A lightweight, readily assembled and disassembled reel for transporting and dispensing material such as flexible tubing or electrical conduct or is disclosed. The reel comprises a pair of flanges, each flange having connected thereto a plurality of spaced apart tubes. The tubes attached to each flange detachably connect with the opposite flange to provide, when connected, a support surface between the flanges for the material being transported and, when disconnected, the ability to be superimposed or stacked on each other for compact storage and shipment. Preferably, a flexible sheet of sheet metal, cardboard, fiberboard or the like is placed over the tubes and/or flange surfaces to protect the material placed on the reel during shipment.

Abstract: Package containing a glass optical fiber and apparatus for packaging glass optical fibres.A package containing optical fibres, made of glass, consists of two plates between which the optical fiber is wound in a double helix pattern. Such a package is compact and enables unwinding of the optical fibers without stresses. In addition, the optical fiber can be tested for continuity in the package and during unwinding.The invention further relates to an apparatus for producing such a package.

Abstract: In a package having a wound body of strand having an outer cylindrical portion and an elastic membrane convolutely wound about the cylindrical portion in a plurality of plies, the membrane being of a sufficient thickness and being stretched sufficiently to partially collapse as the strand is withdrawn from the interior of the body, such that the membrane mechanically captures the strand of the outer cylindrical portion to retain such strand along said membrane until said strand is withdrawn from the package wherein the improvement comprises: a control layer of material having different physical characteristics than said membrane, said control layer being positioned between the plies of said membrane to control the collapse of said membrane to a predetermined amount.

Abstract: A package and a method to produce said package are provided comprising a wound body of strand having an outer cylindrical portion; and an elastic membrane wound about the cylindrical portion of said body, the membrane being wound to a sufficient thickness and being stretched sufficiently to partially collapse when the strand is withdrawn from the body such that the membrane captures the strand of the outer cylindrical portion to retain such strand along said membrane until said strand is withdrawn from the package at a predetermined time.

Abstract: In a coil of material wound in a series of figure-8 coils with the crossovers progressing around the package but being interrupted at one point to provide a radial opening into the axial opening of the coil, in order to produce a thick-walled coil the material is first wound in a normal way with varying gains in order to produce a set of dense inner layers, while the outer layers are wound without variation in the gain to produce a honeycomb structure. The honeycomb section is of greater width (axially of the package) than the inner layers. A plurality of pins slidably mounted on a strip are pushed into the outside of the package through the openings in the honeycomb, whereafter the outer layers are compressed axially while retaining the pins within the outer layers. The pins permit payoff of the outer layers without danger of their collapsing and thereby forming kinks or twists within the package.