Abstract: Apparatus and methods for winding flexible material include a rotatable plate assembly rotatably driven by a first rotary shaft, the assembly supporting second and third rotary shafts with corresponding first and second mandrel parts mounted thereon. The first and second mandrel parts each form at least part of a winding spool. The second and third rotary shafts have rotational axes that are parallel to one another and parallel to, but laterally offset from, the rotational axis of the first rotary shaft. The rotation of the plate assembly is coordinated with counter rotation of the first and second mandrel parts. In embodiments, such coordinated rotation occurs during transition operations performed between winding operations that employ the first and second mandrel parts in an ordered sequence one after the other. The flexible material can be cable, wire, tubing, hose, rope, or other filamentary material. Other aspects are described and claimed.

Abstract: A packaged wound coil assembly includes a coil of wire, a payout tube, two flat panels on either side of the coil of wire, and a retainer to secure the flat panels relative to the coil assembly. The package assembly uses significantly less materials than prior packages and as assembled can assume less overall space than prior packages for similar wire coils.

Abstract: A payout tube has an inner end and an outer end. The inner end is disposable in an interior of a coil of filamentary material wound in a figure-eight configuration defining a payout hole. The outer end is configured to extend outwardly from the payout hole of the coil. The payout tube has a flange at the outer end and has a rounded edge at the inner end. The rounded edge has a radius between 0.20 and 0.30 inch. In some embodiments, the payout tube includes a tubular body that extends between the flange and the rounded edge. In other embodiments, the payout tube includes an outer ring having the flange, an inner ring having the rounded edge with the inner and outer rings aligned coaxially about a longitudinal axis in spaced relation, and a plurality of pillars extending longitudinally from the outer ring to the inner ring.

Abstract: A payout tube has an inner end and an outer end. The inner end is disposable in an interior of a coil of filamentary material wound in a figure-eight configuration defining a payout hole. The outer end is configured to extend outwardly from the payout hole of the coil. The payout tube has a flange at the outer end and has a rounded edge at the inner end. The rounded edge has a radius between 0.20 and 0.30 inch. In some embodiments, the payout tube includes a tubular body that extends between the flange and the rounded edge. In other embodiments, the payout tube includes an outer ring having the flange, an inner ring having the rounded edge with the inner and outer rings aligned coaxially about a longitudinal axis in spaced relation, and a plurality of pillars extending longitudinally from the outer ring to the inner ring.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for producing finished packages. A bag is made from heat-shrinkable material and has a container portion with an open end and a closed end, and an integrated handle portion. An object to be packaged is placed through the open end of the bag into the container portion, and the open end is sealed. Heat is then applied to the bag while insulating the integrated handle portion so that a finished package is obtained with an unshrunken integrated handle portion and a container portion that is shrunk around the object.

Abstract: Package and locking ring structure for removal of wound filamentary material from a container including a locking ring attached to a hole in a wall of the container for removal of the wound filamentary material; the locking ring forming a loop of the end portion of the wound filamentary material; the wound filamentary material is withdrawn from the container through the hole by pulling the loop; the locking ring including a pull-off cover plate covering access to the end portion of the wound filamentary material and including a hole for enabling passage of the end portion of the wound filamentary material, and further including means for receiving and retaining the end portion of the wound filamentary material in the form of a loop against the pull-off cover plate.

Abstract: Heat isolation apparatus for capturing a specific area of heat-shrinkable plastic film used for packaging objects suitable for packaging as a heat-shrinkable package to prevent heat from reaching a specific area of the heat-shrinkable plastic film; a slotted track for transporting the heat-shrinkable plastic film and object to be packaged throughout the heat isolation apparatus; means for inserting the heat-shrinkable plastic film in an area of the heat isolation apparatus for capturing a portion of the heat-shrinkable plastic film that forms a designated area removed from the application of heat; means for propelling the heat-shrinkable plastic film and object to be packaged through the heat isolation apparatus; heat tunnel means for applying heat to the heat-shrinkable plastic film surrounding the object to be packaged and not to the plastic film captured by the apparatus; the means for propelling moving the object and heat-shrinkable plastic film to the heat tunnel; and means for securely capturing the des

Abstract: Apparatus for producing heat-shrinkable packaging with an integrated hand-hold with a circuitous path extending from an input loading/unloading zone, a section where the open portion of a heat-shrinkable bag is sealed shut and creating a container in which an object is enclosed, a section in which heat is applied directly to exposed areas of the plastic film of the package for sealing the package, and a section of path enabling the package to cool; trolley apparatus for supporting the package and engaging the circuitous path for movement of the package along the circuitous path; and protrusions positioned along the circuitous path for propelling the device along the designated track route.

Abstract: Package and locking ring structure for removal of wound filamentary material from a container including a locking ring attached to a hole in a wall of the container for removal of the wound filamentary material; the locking ring forming a loop of the end portion of the wound filamentary material; the wound filamentary material is withdrawn from the container through the hole by pulling the loop; the locking ring including a pull-off cover plate covering access to the end portion of the wound filamentary material and including a hole for enabling passage of the end portion of the wound filamentary material, and further including means for receiving and retaining the end portion of the wound filamentary material in the form of a loop against the pull-off cover plate.