UNREELING APPARATUS
Apparatus (10 ) configured for the unreeling of strands (34, 36) or ends having filaments are provided. The apparatus include at least one cake (12, 14) formed from at least one end having filaments and mounted for retention. The cake has a hollow central region (22, 28). At least one unreeling device (16, 18) is supported within the hollow central region of the at least one cake. The unreeling device has a head (50), at least one tube, an exit and a passage (38) there through. A take-up apparatus is positioned downstream from the unreeling device. The apparatus is characterized in that the head of the unreeling device has a truncated ogive cross-sectional shape and wherein the apparatus is configured to maintain tension on the strands or ends thereby substantially reducing breakage and substantially reducing the formation of loops, tangles or knots.
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Strands or ends of newly-formed filaments can be wound into packages (cakes) for use at a later time. The strands or ends of filaments can be unreeled (or payed out) from either the outer surface of the cake or from a hollow inner surface of the cake. In the event the strands or ends of filaments are unreeled from the inner surface of the cake, the strands or ends coming from the inner surface of the cake can be passed through a circular opening of a structure positioned within the interior of the cake. The circular opening of the structure can be configured to allow the strands or ends to be unreeled at a higher speed without incurring loops, tangles, knots or breakages of the strands.
In some instances, the circular opening of the structure is provided in the form of a tube. In other instances, the circular opening of the structure is provided within the form of an opening positioned within a supporting structure. For those instances where a tube is positioned within the interior of the cake, the disproportional size between the diameter of the tube and the internal diameter of the cake can cause mechanical strain on the strands being unreeled resulting in breakage of the strands.
It would be advantageous to provide an improved apparatus for unreeling wound packages of filaments.
SUMMARYIn accordance with embodiments of this invention there are provided apparatus configured for the unreeling of strands or ends having filaments. The apparatus include at least one cake formed from at least one end having filaments and mounted for retention. The cake has a hollow central region. At least one unreeling device is supported within the hollow central region of the at least one cake. The unreeling device has a head, at least one tube, an exit and a passage there through. A take-up apparatus is positioned downstream from the unreeling device. The apparatus is characterized in that the head of the unreeling device has a truncated ogive cross-sectional shape and wherein the apparatus is configured to maintain tension on the strands or ends thereby substantially reducing breakage and substantially reducing the formation of loops, tangles or knots.
Various advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the invention, when read in light of the accompanying drawings.
The present invention will now be described with occasional reference to the specific embodiments of the invention. This invention may, however, be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.
Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. The terminology used in the description of the invention herein is for describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used in the description of the invention and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities of dimensions such as length, width, height, and so forth as used in the specification and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about.” Accordingly, unless otherwise indicated, the numerical properties set forth in the specification and claims are approximations that may vary depending on the desired properties sought to be obtained in embodiments of the present invention. Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of the invention are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as possible. Any numerical values, however, inherently contain certain errors necessarily resulting from error found in their respective measurements.
In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, improved apparatus for unreeling wound packages of filaments are provided. It will be understood the term “filaments” refers to fibers, including, but not limited to glass and mineral fibers, produced from molten materials. The term “strand” or “end” as used herein, is defined to mean a single bundle of continuous filaments gathered together in a parallel relationship. The term “cake”, as used herein, is defined to mean a package of wound strands or ends. The term “creel” as used herein, is defined to mean any structure for supporting one or more cakes. The term “ogive” as used herein, is defined to mean having a curved nose, such as similar to that used for a nosecone for a rocket, missile or torpedo.
The description and figures disclose apparatus for unreeling wound packages (cakes) of strands or ends having filaments such as glass fibers and mineral fibers. The apparatus are useful with any material that can be formed into fibers. Also conventional and well-known techniques are not illustrated.
Referring now to the
In the illustrated embodiment, the first and second cakes, 12 and 14, are wound packages of strands or ends having glass filaments. Alternatively, other fibers or filaments can be used. The first cake 12 has a hollow central region 22 defined by a first cake inner surface 25. The hollow central region 22 and the first cake inner surface 25 extend from a first cake front end 24 to a first cake rear end 26. Similarly, the second cake 14 has a hollow central region 28 defined by a second cake inner surface 27. The hollow central region 28 and the second cake inner surface 27 extend from a second cake front end 30 to a second cake rear end 32.
As shown in
Referring again to
As shown in
The first and second cakes, 12 and 14, can be secured within the apparatus 10 by any desired structure (not shown). In some embodiments, the structure is a creel (not shown). However, the use of a creel is not necessary for the practice of the invention.
While
As shown in
Referring again to
The payed-out strands or ends, 34 and 36, exit the first and second unreeling devices, 16 and 18 respectively, at an angle and are collected at guide 42. The guide 42 is configured to combine the payed out strands or ends, 34 and 36, thereby forming a roving 44. In the illustrated embodiment, the guide 42 is an eyelet. Alternatively, the guide 42 can be any structure, mechanism or device sufficient to combine the strands or ends, 34 and 36, into a roving 44. While the embodiment shown in
As shown in
Referring again to
As shown in
Referring now to
The first unreeling device 16 has a length LD1. The length LD1 is configured to be longer than the length LFC of the first cake 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the length LD1 is at least 490 mm corresponding to the lengths LFC and LSC in the range as described above. Referring again to
Referring again to
Referring now to
As shown in
Referring again to
As discussed above, the head 50 is configured such that the strands or ends 34 can contact a portion of the head 50 as the strands or ends 34 enter first unreeling device 16. Accordingly, the head 50 is made of materials providing wear resistance and low friction characteristics. In the illustrated embodiment, the head 50 is made of a metallic material, such as for example brass. However, the head 50 can be made of other desired materials, such as for example ceramic materials.
Referring again to
Referring again to
As shown in
Referring again to
The second tube 54 has outer diameter D5. In the illustrated embodiment, the outer diameter D5 of the second tube is in a range of from about 12 mm to about 15 mm. Alternatively, the outer diameter D5 of the second tube can be less than about 12 mm or more than about 15 mm.
In the illustrated embodiment, the second tube 54 is made of a metallic material, such as for example brass. However, the second tube 54 can be made of other desired materials, such as for example polymeric materials.
As shown in
Referring again to
The exit 56 has an outer diameter D6. In the illustrated embodiment, the outer diameter D6 of the exit 56 is the same as or similar to the diameter D5 of the second tube 54. However, the diameter D6 of the exit 56 can be different from the diameter D5 of the second tube 54.
Referring now to
The tensioning device 180 is configured to absorb occasional severe pulls or tugs from the take-up apparatus (not shown) that can occur when the length difference between the strands or ends is the greatest, such as when the strands or ends are alternately unwound from the front end of the cake to the rear end of the cake. In the illustrated embodiment, the tensioning device 180 is a spring loaded mechanism that is attached to the exit 156 of the unreeling device. Alternatively, the tensioning device 180 can be any structure, mechanism or device sufficient to absorb occasional severe pulls or tugs from the take-up apparatus. Additionally, the tensioning device 180 can be attached to the unreeling device 116 at any desired location. In still other embodiments, the tensioning device 180 can be incorporated into the structure of the unreeling device 116.
The principle and mode of operation of this invention have been described in certain embodiments. However, it should be noted that this invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described without departing from its scope.
Claims
1. An apparatus configured for the unreeling of strands having filaments comprising:
- at least one cake formed from at least one strand having filaments and mounted for retention, the cake having a hollow central region,
- at least one unreeling device supported within the hollow central region of the at least one cake, the unreeling device having a head, at least one tube, an exit and a passage there through;
- a take-up apparatus positioned downstream from the unreeling device;
- wherein the head of the unreeling device has a truncated ogive cross-sectional shape; and
- wherein the apparatus is configured to maintain tension on the strands thereby substantially reducing breakage and substantially reducing the formation of loops, tangles or knots.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cake and the unreeling device have a length, and wherein the length of the unreeling device is longer than the length of the cake.
3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the head of the at least one unreeling device extends beyond a front end of the cake and the exit of the at least one unreeling device extends beyond a rear end of the cake.
4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the minimum length of the unreeling device is about 490 mm.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one cake has a diameter (DFC, DSC) and the head of the at least one unreeling device has an outer diameter (D3), wherein the outer diameter (D3) of the at least one unreeling device is sized to be 1/10th the diameter (DFC, DSC) of the at least one cake.
6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the outer diameter (D3) of the head of the at least one unreeling device is in a range of from about 35 mm to about 50 mm.
7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the passage has a diameter (D4) of approximately 8 mm.
8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the head of the at least one unreeling device is removably attached to the at least one tube.
9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the head has an rear edge and the at least one tube has an outer surface, wherein the rear edge has at least one tangent point, wherein an angle (α-3) is formed between a horizontal line extending from the at least one tangent point and the outer surface of the at least one tube, and wherein the angle (α-3) is in a range of from about 2° to about 10°.
10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein there are at least two tubes.
11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the second tube has a diameter (D5) in a range of from about 12 mm to about 15 mm.
12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the two tubes have the same length.
13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the two tubes have a length in a range of from about 200 mm to about 300 mm.
14. The apparatus of claim 1, further including a tensioning device attached to the at least one unreeling device, wherein the tensioning device is configured to absorb occasional severe pulls or tugs from the take-up apparatus that occur when the length difference between the strands is the greatest.
15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the tensioning device is a spring loaded mechanism attached to the exit of the at least one unreeling device.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 31, 2009
Publication Date: Jun 14, 2012
Applicant: OCV INTELLECTUAL CAPITAL, LLC (Toledo, OH)
Inventors: Jean-Francois Blanchard (Les Marches), Dominique Font (Saint Baldoph)
Application Number: 13/387,802
International Classification: B65H 49/00 (20060101); B65H 59/06 (20060101);