US3552667A

US3552667A - Apparatus for packaging linear material

Info

Publication number: US3552667A
Application number: US749705A
Authority: US
Inventors: Roy E Smith
Original assignee: Owens Corning Fiberglas Corp
Current assignee: Owens Corning
Priority date: 1968-08-02
Filing date: 1968-08-02
Publication date: 1971-01-05
Anticipated expiration: 1988-01-05

Abstract

Apparatus for and method of packaging linear material using a collector for packaging advancing linear material and traversing means distributing the advancing material on the collector wherein the linear material may freely move laterally of the traversing path and away from the collecting surface throughout the package build.

Description

United States Patent Roy E. Smith Toledo, Ohio Aug. 2, 1968 Jan. 5, 1971 Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corporation a corporation of Delaware Inventor Appl No. Filed Patented Assignce APPARATUS FOR PACKAGING LINEAR MATERIAL 7 Claims, 11 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl 242/43 Int. Cl B65h 54/30 Field of Search 242/43,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,093,815 9/1937 Mcllvried et a1 242/43X 2,352,780 7/1944 Fletcher 242/43 2,365,] 15 12/1944 Siegenthaler... 242/43 2,650,036 8/1953 Berkepeis 242/43 2,869,797 1/1959 Clerc 242/43 3,094,292 6/1963 Hebberling. 242/43 3,118,628 1/1964 Lacasse 242/43 Primary Examiner-Stanley N. Gilreath Attorneys-Staelin & Overman and Ronald C. Hudgens ABSTRACT: Apparatus for and method of packaging linear material using a collector for packaging advancing linear material and traversing means distributing the advancing material on the collector wherein the linear material may freely move laterally of the traversing path and away from the collecting surface throughout the package build.

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PATENTEUJAN 5m 3552,66?

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APPARATUS FOR PACKAGINGLINEAR MATERIAL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In certain fiber or filament forming processes such as the forming of continuous filament glass it is customary to collect bundles of the filaments or textile strands by winding them upon tubes or collectors where the collectors are mounted on a collet or spindle driven at high rotational speeds, the collet being part of a winder. Because multifilament textile strands include a large number of individual filaments that are not twisted together and therefore do not have the integrity found in yarn, a strand is normally wound on a collector in helics to cross each other at fairly large angles. Ifa strand winds upon a collector with successive strand turns in side-by-side formation, the filaments of adjacent turns tend to become intertangled, which gives rise to strand breaks upon unwinding the package.

Strand traversing apparatus associated with a winder nor mally moves the advancing strand lengthwise of the collector to provide a wound package having strand turns disposed as helics to preclude filament entanglement. In the case of glass strands the traversing apparatus must often move rapidly enough to package glass strands traveling at high linear speeds up to 15,000 feet per minute or more.

While there are a variety of traversing mechanisms, only a few traversing mechanisms can handle the high linear strand speeds such as required in the production of glass strands. One of the most successful mechanisms is the spiral wire shown in the U. S. Pat. No. 2,391,870 to Beach.

Because the spiral wire" requires a minimum strand tension and the strand material such as glass has a maximum tensile strength, the mechanism possesses inherent process limitations. The spiral wire moves the strand under the direct control of a pair of substantially spirally shaped complementary cam members carried on a shaft. While the tension along the strand must be sufficient to permit the strand to press against the complementary cam members for movement responsive to the shape of the cam members as they rotate on the shaft, the requisite tension along the strand at any time during winding cannot be greater than the tensile strength of the strand or the strand will break. Inpraetice however, acceptable lower density packages cannot be built with excessively high strand tensions even where such tensions are well below the tensile strength of a glass strand. With high strand tensions the tensile forces along the strand in the helics of a package becomes so great that the glass filaments of a strand are crushed or greatly damaged. Then too, the density of the package is high and not desirable.

Because the lengthwise surface of a wound package on the collector moves radially outwardly during the formation of a package, the spatial relationship'between the spiral wire and lengthwise surface of the package causes the tension along the strand to increase. The growth of the package increases the amount of turn or angle of the strand path across the moving cam members of the spiral wire," which produces an increasing tension in the strand throughout the build of the package. Wound packages having a larger final diameter give rise to higher strand tensions towards the final winding stages of a package.

While the limitations of minimum and maximum strand process tensions have not given great concern historically, the demands of todays textile industry requires a variety of products and packages, especially larger packages. Such demands require improved winders with traversing apparatus capable of operating at high linear strand speeds and at lower strand tensions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the invention is improved winding apparatus for collecting linear material into a wound package.

Another object of the invention is apparatus for collecting linear textile material into a wound package with lower tensile forces in the textile material.

Another object of the invention is traversing apparatus associated with a winder for collecting linear material into a wound package that reciprocates the textile material along the collecting package and maintains substantially uniform tension in the material throughout the entire build of the package.

Still another object of the invention is a winder for collecting textile material as a wound package on a collector providing traversing apparatus moving the material lengthwise of the package with a traverse motion that is a combination of substantially uniform motion and variable motion and maintaining a substantially uniform tension in the ,material throughout buildup of the package. 1

Yet another object is apparatus forcollccting linear material with traversing means reciprocating the material along a collecting surface with free movement of the material permitted laterally of the traversing path and away from the collecting surface to maintain a substantially uniform tension in the material throughout buildup of the package.

These and other objects are attained by apparatus for collecting linear material into wound packages including traversing means providing spaced-apart opposing guide surfaces between which the linear material passes in its path to a collector where the guide surfaces extend in a direction away from the collector for a distance greater than the movement of the material along the length of the surfaces during buildup of the package.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the invention is described hereinafter in more detail with references made to the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a somewhat diagrammatic front elevation view of apparatus carrying out the method of forming and packaging linear textile material of continuous filament glass according to the principles of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view partially. in section of the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1; a

FIG. 3'is a plan view partially in section showing traversing apparatus for moving linear material for packaging according to the principles of the invention; I

FIG. 4 is a view in section taken alongthe line 4-4 of FIG. 3 in the direction of the arrows and more clearly showing the clamping arrangement of the support assembly of the traversing apparatus according to the principles of the invention;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the apparatus shown in FIGS. land 2 more clearly illustrating the traversing apparatus for moving linear materialshown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a traverse guide for handling two separate linear materials according to the principles of the in-' vention;

FIG. 7 is an end elevation view of the guide shown in FIG;6 that more clearly shows its alignment arrangement;

FIG. 8 is a somewhat schematic. illustration of the support for the traversing apparatus according to-thc principles of the invention and showing examples of the substantially infinite varietyof guide locations possible; 5

FIG. 9 is a front elevation view of the guide drive apparatus and indicating guide movement;

FIG. 10 is a somewhat schematic illustration of components of the apparatus of the invention and .controls therefore;

FIG. 11 shows a package build using the apparatus according to the principles of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS While the method and apparatus of the invention are particularly valuable in processes for forming filaments of heatsoftened mineral material such as glass where the individual filaments combine to form a textilestrand prior to collecting the material as a wound package, the-method and apparatus may be used in processes that fOI'm iltltI/()l' package textile material. e.g. yarn; cord, roving. etcj, made from other l'lhcrforming materials such as nylons, polyesters and the like. Thus, the formation and packaging of glass strands to explain the operation of the invention is by example only. Moreover, while the apparatus of the invention illustrates a process for collecting two wound packages of glass stand, the invention may be employed with one or more than two units of linear melter or other means associated with the container 10. The

container 10 has terminals 12 located at its ends that connect to a source of electrical energy to supply heat by conventional resistance heating to the glass held in'the container 10 to maintain the molten glass at a proper fiber-forming temperature and viscosity. Moreover, the container 10 has a bottom or feeder section 14 including a plurality of orifices or passageways for delivering streams 16 of molten glass from the container 10. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 the openings in the bottom 14 comprise a plurality of depending orificed projections or tubular members 18.

The molten streams 16 are attenuated into individual continuous glass filaments 20 and combined into two bundles or

textile strands

22 and 23 by gathering shoes 24 and 25 respectively located below the container 10.

While the filaments 20 may be protected only by application of water to them, it is desirable in most instances to apply to them a conventional sizing or other protective coating material.

Nozzles

27 and 28 may be located near the bottom 14 to spray water onto the newly formed filaments 20, preferably prior to combining the filaments 20 into

strands

22 and 23. An applicator 30 supported within a housing 31 may be provided as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 to apply the sizing or other protective coating material to the filaments 20. The applicator 30 may be any suitable means known to the art such as an endless belt that moves to pass through the sizing or coating fluid held in the housing 31. As the filaments 20 pass across the surface of the applicator '30, some of the fluid material on the applicator 30 transfers to them.

The

strands

22 and 23 collect as wound packages 36 and 37 respectively on a winding machine 40, which pulls the

strands

22 and 23 along straight line paths. 'Traversing apparatus moves the advancing

strands

22 and 23 back and forth along the length of the packages 36 and 37 as the strands wind upon collectors such as tubes or sleeves 33 and 34 that have been telescoped over a spindle or collet 42, which is journaled for rotation on the winder 40.

The

strands

22 and 23 may wind on any appropriately size collet 42; however, the apparatus of the invention has particular utility where one desires larger wound packages. While the invention has been practiced using collets of smaller diameters such as in the range of 8 inches in diameter, larger collets or spindles 42 up to 15 inches in diameter and larger have been employed.

As is generally shown in F 16$. 1 and 2,'the apparatus of the invention includes strand traversing apparatus moving the advancing strands back and forth along thelength of the collet 42 (packages 36 and 37) to distribute them on their respective package, such movement being a combination of slow substantially uniform motion reciprocationand faster variable motion reciprocation.

A motor/clutch arrangement mounted within a housing 43 of the winder 40. through an appropriate drive system, controls both the movement of the faster variable motion reciprocation of the strand traversing apparatus and the rotation of the collet 42. As shown in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, a constant speed electrically energized-motor 45 provides a drive for the rotor of an associated eddy current clutch 46.

The clutch 46 includes the driven rotor and an output shaft 51, the torque from the driven rotor being transferred to the shaft 51 by magnetic forces. A nonslipping belt 52 transfers the rotational energy of the shaft 51 to a shaft 53, which is spaced above the shaft 51 in the housing 43. The shaft 53 conmeets to the collet 42 and moves the collet 42 in rotation. A nonslipping belt 55 transfers the rotational energy of the shaft 53 to an input shaft 56 of a speed-reducing mechanism 58. The rotational energy imparted to the output shaft 59 of the speed-reducing mechanism 58 transfers to a drive shaft 61 through a nonslipping belt 57 driving a sheave 60. The drive shaft 61 rotates with the sheave 60 and moves the portion of the traversing apparatus providing the faster variable motion reciprocation.

Thus, the winder 40 both rotates the collet 42 and moves the portion of the traversing apparatus providing the faster variable motion reciprocation to the strands together directly by the output of the motor 45 and clutch 46 arrangement. The speeds of the collet 42 and the apparatus providing the varia ble motion reciprocation are mechanically locked together by the drive system in a predetermined ratio. The ratio may change as desired throughjudicious use of various sheave sizes and the like. Moreover, changes can be made to the speedreducing mechanism 58 to provide varying speed ratios between collet rotation and the faster variable motion reciprocation.

As the

strands

22 and 23 advance'onto the collet 42 to wind as packages 36 and 37 respectively, the traversing apparatus distributes the strands on the

collectors

34 and 35 by moving the strands back and forth along the length of the collectors. The traversing apparatus provides a traversing motion, i.e. builder motion, that is a complex motion comprising the resultant of slow uniform motion reciprocation and rapid variable motion reciprocation. Lazy reciprocation of a guide support means 70 lengthwise of the collet 42 provides the slower uniform motion. Drive means associated with the support means 70 takes the rotational energy of the drive shaft 61 to drive a guide means 71, which provides the faster reciprocal motion to the traveling strands. Thus, the speed of the guide 71 within each stroke is continuously changing between limits. The guide support means 70 carries the guide means 71.

Means providing the slower uniformmotion of reciprocation to the guide support means 70 to impart the slower portion of the reciprocal motion to the

strands

22 and 23, as shown in-FlGS. 1 and 2, includes a motor 72. spur gears 73 and 74. traverse cam and follower holder 76. As shown, the cam 75 is a wheel cam with a peripheral groove. The cam 75 rotates on a rod 78 through movement imparted to it by the motor 72 through the meshing spur gears 73 and 74. The follower holder 76, which is shown in a vertical disposition, holds at its upper end a substantially horizontally extending cam follower or rod 77 that engages the peripheral groove of the cam 75. As the cam 75 rotates the follower 77 moves with it in the conventional spline arrangement connects the shaft 61 for' rotation with the sheave 60 to permit-the shaft 61 to move back and forth along its axis of rotation with the reciprocal motion of the carrier tube 79 and yet be driven in rotation. The axis of rotation of the shaft 61 liesalong the longitudinal axis of the carrier tube 79. I

In operation the motor 72 rotates" the traverse cam 75 to reciprocally move the guide support means or assembly 70 lengthwise of the rotating collet 42 with substantially uniform motion. Normally the guide support means 70 makes in the range of from 6 to 12 reciprocating cycles'per minute. While the motion lengthwise of the support means 70 is uniform, there is a slight delay at the end of each stroke during which the motion of the support means 70 changes direction.

A drive system within the guide support means 70 is responsive to the rotation of the drive shaft 61 and drives a disc 80 and arm 81 arrangement to provide the faster variable motion reciprocation to the guide means 71. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the drive rod 61 receives rotational energy from the output shaft 59 of the speed-reducing mechanism 58 through the belt 57 and the sheave 60 and extendsthrou'gh the horizontally disposed carrier tube 79 interiorally of the guide support means 70. A bearing 84 within the guide support means 70 provides a rotation mounting for the shaft 61 near its end. Within the assembly 70 a nonslipping belt 85 transfers the rotational energy of the drive shaft 61 to a shaft 87, which is laterally disposed from and extends parallelto the shaft 61 at a location within the assembly 70 closer to the guide means 71, the shaft 87 being mounted for rotation in'bearings 86 and 88. The shaft 87 drives a first mitre gear 91 located in a gearbox 90. The mitre gear 91 engages a second mitre gear 92, which rotates a shaft 93. The shaft 93 extends in a direction normal to the shaft 87. Secured to the other end of the shaft 93 is the disc unit 80, which rotates with the shaft 93 at the same r.p.m., and has its major surfaces normal to the shaft 93. i

The guide means 71 moves in response to the rotation of the disc unit 80 through the arm 81.

The guide support means 70 slideably holds the guide means 71 and provides for substantially infinite positioning of the slide 71 with respect to the collet 42 (packages 36 and 37). The support means 70 includes a rearward unit 100 and a forward unit 101, each of which moves about a separate axis spaced from the collet 42 (packages 36 and 37).

Referring to FIG. 3 the rearward unit 100 is an enclosure movably mounted on the winder 40.The unit 100 mounts at its rearward portion on the carrier tube 79. which extends horizontally from within the housing 43 of the winder 40 to surround the shaft 61 and to terminate with the shaft 61 within the rearward portion of the unit 110 of the support means 70. The axis of rotation of the tube 79 extends along the axis of rotation of the rearward unit 100. g

The forward unit 101 mounts on the forward portion of the rearward unit 100 and includes, as illustrated,

members

104, 105 and 106, the gearbox 90,

end brackets

108 and 109 and slide rail 110. As shown, the

members

104, 105 and 106 are tubular members mounted for possible motion about a common axis of rotation. As more clearly shown in FIG. 3, the longitudinal member 104 extends fromthe left side of the gearbox 90 and is secured thereto. The longitudinal unit 105 secures to the gearbox 90 and extends from the right side thereof within the forward portion of the rearward unit 100. The shaft 87 extends through the tubular member 105.

The longitudinal member 105 and the longitudinal tubular member 106 are connected. As shown in FIG. 3 the members connect by means of a bridge arrangement including a long areuate shell connector 112 fixed to and extending from the end of the tubular member 105 remote from the gearbox 90 and a shorter areuate shell connector 113 fixed to the inward end of the member 106. Bolts such as bolt 114 join the shell connectors together. Because of the bridge arrangement a longitudinal rigid unit comprising the member 104 the mitre gearbox 90, member 105 and the member 106 is secured together to move together about a common axis of rotation for the forward unit 101, which is spaced from and parallel to the axis of rotation of the rearward unit 100.

The mitre gearbox 90 is a T-shaped unit or housing, having a lateral portion 115 extending normally from the axis of rotation of the forward unit 101. it is on the end of the laterally extending portion 115 that the disc unit 80 mounts for rotation.

The

end brackets

108 and 109 mount on the

units

106 and 104 respectively at the outer ends of the, forward unit 101 to extend laterally of the forward unit 101 to a location more remote than the disc 80, the disc 80 being situated in the space between the axis of rotation of theforward unit 101 and the slide rail 110.

The other ends of the

end brackets

108 and 109 hold the slide rail 110 in spaced relation from the axis of rotation of the forward gear 101. As shown more clearly in FIGS. 5 and 9 the slide rail 110 is a longitudinal member having a lengthwise slot 118 within which the slide rail 110 slideably holds the guide The guide means 71, as shown, is a longitudinal member with spaced-apart

parallel slots

120 and 121 located at its ends and an alignment arrangement for keeping itself in the slot 118. As shown, the slots 120 and .1 21 have center lines running normal to the longitudinal axis of the slide bar 110 and the axis of rotation of the forward gear 101. The alignment arrangement includes outer guides, e.g. the guides denoted 123, 124 and 124' and

inner guides

126 and 127. The outer guides such as 123, 124 and l24.' are located intermediate the longitudinal edges of the guide 71 and present planar surfaces such as

surfaces

128, 129 and 129' to slideably engage the longitudinal surface of the guide rail 110 facing away from the forward unit 101. The inner guides 126 and 127 are located near the ends of the guides 71 and slideably engage the other longitudinal edge of the guide rail 110 facing the forward unit 101. The guide 71 is free to slide along the length of the rail 110 and in slot 117.

The

slots

120 and 121 provide opposing adjacent spaced apart guide surfaces between which the strands,

e.g. strands

22 and 23, pass on their way to thecollectors 34 and 35. The length of the

slots

120 and 121, i.e. their opposing surfaces, extend in a direction away from the collectors for a distance greater than the movement of the strands along the length of the surfaces, i.e. slots, during buildup of the packages 36 and 37. Thus, the

slots

120 and 121 are long enough to keep the strands advancing to collectors there through from contacting I their closed ends. At the beginning of a package as a strand,

e.g. strand 22, initially engages its associated slot, the location of the strand path is forward near the slots open end. As the package increases in size, the strand path moves towards the closed end of the slot. Because the length of each slot is greater than strand movement along its length, the strand has unobstructed or free movement laterally of the traversing path and away from the surface of its collector throughout collection of the strand. Because the strand-does not turn on a traverse guide surface as it moves laterally of the traverse path and away from its collector, the strand tension remains substantially constant through the entire buildup of the package. If a slot is too short, a strand will engage the closed end surface of the slot to turn on it, tension in the strand being increased. As the angle of turn across the end surface of the slot increases, the tension in the strand also increases.

Also, as more clearly shown in FIG. 6,'the guide member 71 includes inclined edge surfaces 130 and 131 sloped towards the slots an 121 respectively. Moreover, end

portions

132 and 133 at the ends of the guide member 71 protrude beyond the termination of the inclined edge surfaces and 131 at the slots. As the guide member 71 traverses along the collect ing surfaces of the

collectors

34 and 35 the inclined edge surfaces 130 and 131 work contacting strands into their associated slots. The

end portions

132 and 133 function to ensure capture of strands within the slots-120 and 121.

The guide support means or assemblage 70 includes means for keeping the cooperatively associated rearward unit 100 and forward unit 101 in rigid fixed position relationship to maintain the guide means 71 in desired position relative to the collet 42 (the packages 36 and 37). An example is the clamping arrangement shown in FIGS. 3 through 5. As illustrated, there are three clamping zones comprising three cap clamps 134, 135 and 136. These cap clamps are members with flanges extending along their lengthwise edges,

e.g. flanges

137 and 137 and

flanges

138 and 138 for the cap clamps 134 and 136 respectively as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Further, each of the cap clamps includes a concave portion extending on one surface along its length that fits lengthwise on an associated longitudinal member or tube as it clamps. Matching concave portions are fashioned in the rearward unit 100 along its.

edge surface of the unit 100 has a concave portion for the carrier tube 79. When the

members

105, 106 and the carrier tube 79 are in operating position as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 5 with the matching concave portions of the member 100 and the cap clamps disposed to substantially surround them as indicated more clearly in FIG. 4, there forms an effective gripping or clamping arrangement held in positions by bolts 139 piercing the flanges,

e.g. flanges

137 and 138, and threading into the rearward unit 100. Because the cap clamps do not close the circle like passageway formed by the matching concave portions of the rearward unit 100 and the cap clamps, a space remains between them as shown in FIG. 4. Increased pressure on the various members may be accomplished by threading the bolts 139 more tightly into the rearward unit 100, When all cap clamps are pressed tightly against their associated members, a rigid support assembly'70 ensues that holds the guide 71 in desired position.

The cooperatively associated and

connected units

100 and 101 of the support means 70 move to a substantially infinite variety of positions. As shown in FIG. 8, the rearward unit 100 moves about its axis located at its rearward portion. Such axis lies along the longitudinal axis of the carrier tube 79 and the crank and connecting rod linkage. Because the velocity or displacement of the guide 71 is dependent upon the crank angle of the disc 80 as the disc rotates, the motion of the guide 71 is not uniform, although the angular speed or rotation of the disc 80 is uniform. Thus, the motion of the'guide 71 given by the disc 80 and arm 81 is variable motion. The dashed lines of FIG. 9 indicate various positions ofthe arm 81 and movement of the guide member 71 as the disc 80 rotates.

As the packages 36 and 37 build, the rotational speed of the collet 42 and the faster variable motion. reciprocation of the guide 71 reduce together in a predetermined manner to maintain an essentially constant linear strand speed to keep the attenuated filaments substantially uniform in diameter. Because the speeds of the collet 42 and the disc 80 are mechanically locked together in drive and regulated together by the speed of the output shaft 51 of the clutch 46, their speeds are reduced together at a fixed ratio. This ratio may be changed, as mentioned herein, through variations in the size sheaves, etc. Separate drive systems that are regulated together to provide a speed reduction of the collet 42 and the rotation of the disc 80 may also be employed.

The rotational speed of the shaft 51 may be gradually reduced in a programmed manner in various ways. One such way employs the motor/clutch arrangement where the speed of the motor 45 remains substantially constant throughout the buildup ofthe packages and the reducing speed of the shaft 51 is affected through the eddy current clutch 46 by varying the electrical flux. The greater the flux density (magnetic force) the larger percent of the motors output rotational speed (the input side of the clutch) transfers to the output side of the clutch (shaft 51). As the packages increase in diameter, the -flux density in the clutch 46 collapses at a programmed rate through a control device or programmer. This device may be -of a character as disclosed and described in the US. Pat.

The operation of the apparatus of the invention can be followed with reference made to FIGS. 1, 2 and 10. An operator begins by locating the guide 71 at a desired position relative to the collet 42 by manipulating the rearward portion 100 and the forward portion 101 of the support means 70 about their axes, viz. by a jig. The operator clamps the support means 70 in the desired position. On the collet 42 the operator telescopes two fresh tubes, e,g. tubes 33 and 34.

Closing the switch 142 of a control box containing the programmer provides electrical power to the winder 40 from a suitable electrical source supplied to L and L When the switch 142 closes, the motor 45 energizes; however, the clutch 46 is not energized until a foot operated switch 144 is closed by the operator, whereupon the collet. 42 begins rotating. Thereafter the

operator wrapsthe strands

22 and 23 onithe collet 42 outwardly of the sleeves 33 and 34. When the collet 42 and the guide 71 attain proper speeds, the advancing

strands

22 and 23 are moved to engage the slots I20 and l2l of the guide 71. Constructionol' the packages, e.g. packages 36 and 37, begins.

As the packages build, the r.p.m. of the collet 42 and the disc 80 are progressively reduced by the programmer through the controlled collapse of the flux density ofthe clutch 46, the speed ratio between the collet 42 and the disc 80 being maintained. Because the speeds reduce as the packages enlarge, the strands keep a substantially constant linear speed throughout the build of the packages 36 and 37. While the strands freely move towards the closed end of the slots, the strands do not touch theslot ends, strand tension remaining substantially uniform throughout package buildup. Moreover. the

strands

22 and 23 remain in straight line disposition as they traverse along the

collectors

34 and 35.

When the packages 36 and 37 are wound, the collet 42 may be stopped by suitable braking means such as shown somewhat schematically in FIG. 10.. An air-operated disc brake arrangement stops the collet 42 where an air-operated cylinder moves clamps 152 to engage a disc 151 located on the shaft 53. As the clamps 152 engagethe disc 151 to stop the rotation of the collet 42, electrical power is concomitantly broken to the eddy current clutch 46. 'When the collet 42 stops, the operator removes the completed packages 36 and 37 and places new forming sleeves on the collet.

FIG. 11 illustrates a wound package,'e.g. package 36, built according to the invention. The package 36 has a substantially cylindrical center portion and somewhat enlarged diameter end portions 162, which extends in gradually increasing diameter away from the center portion ,160 to a maximum diameter. Thereafter the end portions 162 gradually decrease in diameter to a size substantially the same as the outside diameter of its collector, i.e. 34.

It is apparent, that, within the scope of the invention, modifications and different arrangements may be made other than herein disclosed. Present disclosures merely illustrative, the invention comprehending all variations thereof.

I claim: I. A winder for packaging linear material comprising: a mounting; 1 two adjacent rotatable longitudinal collectors on the mounting upon each of which separate advancing linear material is wound as a package, the collectors being mounted for rotation on a common axis;

means for rotating the longitudinal collectors about their common axis;

means for advancing the linear material approaching the collectors along straight line paths;

a longitudinal guide with its length dimensions disposed lengthwise of the collectors, the longitudinal guide having a long narrow slot at each of its end portions for .in dividually engaging one of the linear materials along .its straight line path, each of the slots extending from an open end in a direction substantially normal to the common axis of the collectors for a distance sufficient to keep the linear material located in each slot from contacting the closed end surface of the slot throughout the collection of a package whereby the p athsof the linear material remain straight lines approaching'the collector; support means on the mounting slideably holding the longitudinal guide in spaced relation-from the collectors;- means for traversing the longitudinal guide lengthwise of the collectors to distribute the linear material on their respective collector including a rotatable member having an axis of rotation normal to the common axis of the collectors, a longitudinal member pivotally connected at one end at a location on the rotatable member spaced from its center of rotation and pivotally connected at the other end to the longitudinal guide; and

means for rotating the rotatable member to traverse the longitudinal guide.

2. A winder recited in claim 1 where the support means slideably holds the guide for straight line motion.

3. A winder recited in claim 2 where the rotatable member is a disc.

4. A winder for packaging linear material comprising:

a mounting;

two adjacent longitudinal collectors on the mounting mounted for rotation about a common axis, advancing linear material being collected on each of the collectors as wound packages;

a longitudinal guide member; 7

a support on the mounting slideably holding the longitudinal guide member in spaced relation from the collectors for movement lengthwise of the collectors. the longitudinal guide member projecting from the support and having its length dimensions extending lengthwise of the collectors, the longitudinal guide member having a slot at each of its ends, separate linear material passing through each ofthe slots as the material travels to the collectors, each of the slots extending transversely of the longitudinal guide member from an open slot end at the lengthwise guiding side of the longitudinal guide member spaced from the support for a distance sufficient to keep the linear material in each of the slots from contacting the closed end surface of the slot throughout collection of each of the wound packages; and

means for reciprocating the longitudinal guide member lengthwise of the collectors to distribute each of the linear materials on its associated collector.

5. The winder recited in claim 4 where the lengthwise guiding side of the longitudinal guide member includes two guide portions inclined away from each other from generally the midlength of the longitudinal guide member outwardly towards the ends of the longitudinal guide member to the slots.

6. The winder recited in claim 5 where the longitudinal guide further includes a portion at eac'h'of its ends providing a barrier surface aligned with the .outer lengthwise surface defining the slot, such barrier surface extending transversely of the longitudinal guide member beyond the inclined guide 5 portions at the slots.

7. A winder for packaging linear material comprising: a mounting; two adjacent rotatable longitudinal collectors on the mounting upon each of which advancing linear material is wound as a package, the collectors being mounted for rotation on a common axis;

means for rotating the longitudinal collectors; a longitudinal guide member with its length disposed a support on the mounting slideably holding the longitudinal guide in spaced relation from the collectors, the support including a forward and rearward unit, the rearward unit mounted for movement about a first axis spaced from the collectors and extending in the same general direction as the collectors, the forward unit connected to the rearward unit along a second axis spaced from the first axis and the collectors, the forward unit mounted for movement about the second axis, the forward unit slideably holding the longitudinal guide member for movement lengthwise of the collectors;

means for traversing the longitudinal guide member lengthwise of the collectors to distribute the linear material on each of the collectors, the means for traversing including a rotatable member having an axis of rotation substantially normalto the longitudinal axis of the collectors, a longitudinal member pivotally connected at one end at a location on the rotatable member spaced from its center of rotation and pivotally connected at the other end to the longitudinal guide; and

means for rotating the rotatable member to traverse the longitudinal guide member.

Claims

1. A winder for packaging linear material comprising: a mounting; two adjacent rotatable longitudinal collectors on the mounting upon each of which separate advancing linear material is wound as a package, the collectors being mounted for rotation on a common axis; means for rotating the longitudinal collectors about their common axis; means for advancing the linear material approaching the collectors along straight line paths; a longitudinal guide with its length dimensions disposed lengthwise of the collectors, the longitudinal guide having a long narrow slot at each of its end portions for individually engaging one of the linear materials along its straight line path, each of the slots extending from an open end in a direction substantially normal to the common axis of the collectors for a distance sufficient to keep the linear material located in each slot from contacting the closed end surface of the slot throughout the collection of a package whereby the paths of the linear material remain straight lines approaching the collector; support means on the mounting slideably holding the longitudinal guide in spaced relation from the collectors; means for traversing the longitudinal guide lengthwise of the collectors to distribute the linear material on their respective collector including a rotatable member having an axis of rotation normal to the common axis of the collectors, a longitudinal member pivotally connected at one end at a location on the rotatable member spaced from its center of rotation and pivotally connected at the other end to the longitudinal guide; and means for rotating the rotatable member to traverse the longitudinal guide.

3. A winder recited in claim 2 where the rotatable member is a disc.

4. A winder for packaging linear material comprising: a mounting; two adjacent longitudinal collectors on the mounting mounted for rotation about a common axis, advancing linear material being collected on each of the collectors as wound packages; a longitudinal guide member; a support on the mounting slideably holding the longitudinal guide member in spaced relation from the collectors for movement lengthwise of the collectors, the longitudinal guide member projecting from the support and having its length dimensions extending lengthwise of the collectors, the longitudinal guide member having a slot at each of its ends, separate linear material passing through each of the slots as the material travels to the collectors, each of the slots extending transversely of the longitudinal guide member from an open slot end at the lengthwise guiding side of the longitudinal guide member spaced from the support for a distance sufficient to keep the linear material in each of the slots from contacting the closed end surface of the slot throughout collection of each of the wound packages; and means for reciprocating the longitudinal guiDe member lengthwise of the collectors to distribute each of the linear materials on its associated collector.

6. The winder recited in claim 5 where the longitudinal guide further includes a portion at each of its ends providing a barrier surface aligned with the outer lengthwise surface defining the slot, such barrier surface extending transversely of the longitudinal guide member beyond the inclined guide portions at the slots.

7. A winder for packaging linear material comprising: a mounting; two adjacent rotatable longitudinal collectors on the mounting upon each of which advancing linear material is wound as a package, the collectors being mounted for rotation on a common axis; means for rotating the longitudinal collectors; a longitudinal guide member with its length disposed lengthwise of the collectors, the longitudinal guide member having a slot at each of its end portions for individually engaging one of the linear materials, each of the slots extending from an open end in a direction generally away from the common axis of the collectors for a distance sufficient to keep the linear material located in each slot from contacting the closed end surface of the slot throughout the collection of a package; a support on the mounting slideably holding the longitudinal guide in spaced relation from the collectors, the support including a forward and rearward unit, the rearward unit mounted for movement about a first axis spaced from the collectors and extending in the same general direction as the collectors, the forward unit connected to the rearward unit along a second axis spaced from the first axis and the collectors, the forward unit mounted for movement about the second axis, the forward unit slideably holding the longitudinal guide member for movement lengthwise of the collectors; means for traversing the longitudinal guide member lengthwise of the collectors to distribute the linear material on each of the collectors, the means for traversing including a rotatable member having an axis of rotation substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of the collectors, a longitudinal member pivotally connected at one end at a location on the rotatable member spaced from its center of rotation and pivotally connected at the other end to the longitudinal guide; and means for rotating the rotatable member to traverse the longitudinal guide member.