Method and apparatus for drawing off wire or other filamentary material from an annular container
United States Patent [1 1 [111 3,874,611 Slasor et al. Apr. 1, 1975 [54] METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR 2,358,088 l0/l958 Bookout 242/l29 DRAWING OFF WIRE OR OTHER FILAMENTARY MATERIAL FROM AN Primary Examiner-Leonard D. Christian ANNULAR CONTAINER Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Buell, Blenko &amp;  
  Ziesenheim [75] Inventors. James Francls Slasor, Guildford,  
  Bruce Henry Keen, Hounslow, both of Eng an [57] ABSTRACT [73] Assignee: British Insulated Callenders Cables [n a pak for storing wire in superposed layers comprisled, London, England ing a base and, upstanding from the base, a peripheral [22] Filed: Jam 8, 1973 boundary wall and an inner cylindrical wall which define between them an annular wire-storage space, the [21] Appl. No.: 324,854 boundary wall has an endless rim and the inner cylindrical wall has extending radially outwardly from the wall at a position on the wall a substantial distance [30] Foreign Apphtzanonrriomy Data below the level of the rim of the boundary wall a cir- Jan. 20, i972 United Kingdom 2835/72 cumferential Surface whose position is fixed with re spect to the rim of the boundary wall and which has a [52] US. Cl. iii/1(2): diameter substantially greater than the diameter Ofthe inner wall but less than the internal diamter of the [58] held of Search 242/129 B boundary wall. As wire is withdrawn from the pak it 206/52 59 first passes over and is deflected outwardly by said circumferential surface and then passes over and is de- [56] Re&#39;erences cued flected inwardly by the rim of the boundary wall. UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,605,060 7/1952 Bell 242/128 19 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DRAWING OFF WIRE OR OTHER FILAMENTARY MATERIAL FROM AN ANNULAR CONTAINER This invention relates to drawing off bare or insulated wire or strand or other filamentary material, all such material hereinafter being included in the term wire,&#34;  
 ,from an annular container in which the wire is stored and which comprises a base and an upstanding peripheral boundary wall, or a plurality of peripherally spaced upright members effectively defining a boundary wall, and an inner cylindrical wall, or a plurality of circumferentially spaced upright members effectively defining an inner cylindrical wall, upstanding from the central part of the base to provide between the inner cylindrical wall and the boundary wall an annular space for storage of the wire. Such an annular container is generally and hereinafter will be referred to as a pak. Wire may be stored in a pak in superposed helical turns that are staggered around the pak or it may be stored in the form of superposed rings around the inner wall, each built up of successive epicycloidal or zig-zag layers of the wire.  
  Whilst in most cases wire can be withdrawn from paks without difficulty and fed into a machine or apparatus for applying some treatment to the drawn-off wire, we have found that at speeds in excess of about 300 metres/minute and especially at speeds in excess of 400 metres/minute there is sometimes a tendency for underlying turns or layers of wire adjacent the turn or layer being withdrawn to be drawn upward with the uppermost turn and to lock or tangle to such an extent that the tension in the wire being withdrawn is increased to an undesirable extent and, in some cases, breakage of the wire may occur.  
  Where, for example, the wire is one of several insulated conductors being withdrawn from a group of paks and fed to a cable-making machine, breakage of one of the insulated conductors and the time incurred in subsequently repairing the broken conductor is a serious disruption of the cable-making process. Consequently the speeds at which wire can be satisfactorily withdrawn from a pak by the methods hitherto employed seriously limit the speed at which a cable-making machine being fed with wire might otherwise be run.  
  The present invention has as its principal objects the provision of an improved method of drawing off wire from a pak and an improved pak which overcome or at least substantially reduce the difficulties hitherto encountered in drawing off wire from paks at high speeds.  
  1n the method according to the invention wire is drawn off upwardly from a pak, whose boundary wall has an endless rim and which has on its inner cylindrical wall between the uppermost turn or layer of wire and the rim of the boundary wall a circumferential surface whose position is fixed with respect to the rim of the boundary wall and which is of a diameter substantially greater than that of the inner wall but less than the internal diameter of the boundary wall, in such a way that the wire first passes over and is deflected outwardly by said circumferential surface and then passes over and is deflected inwardly by the rim of the boundary wall.  
  In causing wire being drawn off upwardly from a pak to be deflected outwardly by said circumferential surface any tendency for a turn or layer of wire to tangle or lock with an underlying turn or layer of wire is substantially reduced and continuous smooth withdrawal of wire at speeds in excess of 600 metres/minute and even as high as 1,500 metres/minute can be effected because adjacent turns or layers of wire tending to lock or tangle are readily released.  
  Where wire is drawn off at high speed, for example a speed of 300 metres/minute or higher, a hazard to personnel may arise due to *ballooning&#34; of the wire brought about by the centrifugal force exerted on the length of wire between the point of pick-up from the underlying turns or layers and the point at which it runs on to or through a wire guide located above the pak and preferably in drawing off wire from a pak by the method of the present invention the tendency for wire being withdrawn at high speed to balloon&#34; is prevented or substantially restricted. In one method of preventing such ballooning the wire guide located above the pak may consist of or include an open-ended tube which is positioned above the pak with its axis substantially vertical and with its lowermost end a short distance above the level of the rim of the boundary wall. In a method of restricting &#34;ballooning of the wire a tubular shield may be mounted on the outer boundary wall of the pak or suspended from the wire guide and such a shield may include a frustum of a cone arranged with its smaller end uppermost.  
  Where it is desired to prevent or substantially reduce rubbing or whipping of the wire against a tubular shield as may be the case with some forms of insulated conductor the centrifugal force exerted on the ballooning wire and the size of the balloon may be substantially reduced by the method described and claimed in the Specification of US. Pat. No. 3,429,114 of F. Lea in which, as wire is being withdrawn, the pak is driven in rotation about its axis, or about a parallel axis lying within a central part of the pak, in a direction counter to the direction of rotation of the ballooning wire and at a rotational speed at least sufficient to reduce the speed of rotation of the ballooning wire.  
  The present invention also includes a pak as hereinbefore defined whose boundary wall has an endless rim and which has extending radially outwardly from its inner circumferential wall at a position on said wall a substantial distance below the level of the rim of the boundary wall a circumferential surface having a diameter substantially greater that the diameter of the inner wall but less than the internal diameter of the boundary wall.  
  The diameter of the circumferential surface may be equal to at least the mean of the diameters of the inner and boundary walls but preferably it is substantially greater than said mean diameter.  
  Preferably the circumferential surface is the outer surface of a radially outwardly extending flange of or an annular ring integral with or permanantly or detachably secured to the inner wall of the pak. Preferably also at least the lower edge of said circumferential surface and of the rim of the boundary wall is smoothly curved or radiused.  
  The inner and outer boundary walls of the pak are each preferably of substantially solid form. Where the inner and outer walls are defined by circumferentially spaced upright members sleeves of appropriate internal and external diameters are preferably fitted, respectively, outside the members defining the inner wall and inside the members defining the outer wall. Preferably the surface of each of the walls or sleeves bounding the annular space of the pak is smooth. At least the outer wall or outer sleeve of the pak, may, for example, be made of toughened glass. Where the outer wall or outer sleeve is made of metal or other non-transparent material it is preferably provided with a vertical slot or is otherwise perforated in order that the contents of the pak can be easily identified and the quantity of wire in the pak readily assessed.  
  Preferably the pak of the present invention has associated with it means for preventing or restricting ballooning of wire when wire is being withdrawn at high speed. One such anti-ballooning device may comprise an open-ended tube connected to or integral with a wire guide for mounting above the pak. Alternatively the means for restricting ballooning of the wire may comprise a tubular shield in the form of a frustum of a cone adapted to be mounted on the outer boundary wall of the pak or suspended from the wire guide with its smaller end uppermost.  
  The invention will be further illustrated by a description, by way of example, of two forms of pak with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which:  
  FIG. 1 is a side view, partly in section and partly in elevation, of a first form of pak;  
  FIG. 2 is a side view, partly in section and partly in, and  
  FIGS. 3 and 4, respectively, are side views partly in section and partly in elevation, of third and fourth forms of pak.  
  Referring to FIG. 1 the pak 1 comprises a base 2 from which upstand a metal boundary wall 3 of circular cross-section and a metal cylinder 4 which constitutes the inner wall of the pak. The surfaces of the walls 3 and 4 are smooth. The endless rim 5 of the boundary wall 3 is rounded to prevent damage to wire as it rubs against the rim and the wall 3 has a vertical slot (not shown) to provide for identifying and assessing the quantity of wire W in the pak. The annular space defined by the boundary wall 3 and metal cylinder 4 has major and minor diameters such that the wire W completely fills the pak and is uniformly distributed in the annular space.  
  Spaced from the upper end of the inner wall 4 there is secured an annular metal ring 6 of circular crosssection, the external diameter of the ring being such that the radially outer surface of the ring is approximately mid-way between the inner and outer walls of the pak. The position of the ring 6 relative to the upper turn of wire W in the annular space and to the rim 5 is such that, under normal withdrawal of wire, the wire is caused to travel from the annular space around the inner wall for several turns and, on leaving the inner wall, is deflected outwardly by the ring 6 and is deflected inwardly by the rim 5.  
  Positioned above the pak l is a funnel-shaped wire guide 7 for guiding wire to a pulley 8.  
  During normal withdrawal of wire W from the pak l the turn of wire actually being withdrawn and the next underlying turn or turns are pulled loosely up the inner wall 4 and the wire in travelling from the pak to the guide 7 follows a balloon or loop 9 passing in turn over the ring 6 where it is deflected outwardly and over the rim 5 where it is deflected inwardly. In the event of a turn of the wire that is being withdrawn locking or tangling with an underlying turn or turns, these turns of wire are drawn tightly about the inner wall 4 and the outward deflection of the wire effected by the annular ring 6 causes the locked or tangled turns of wire to be released.  
  Whilst locked or tangled turns are being drawn tightly on to the inner wall and subsequently released by means of the annular ring 6 the wire being withdrawn temporarily adopts the path 10.  
  The pak 11 shown in FIG. 2 is similar to the pak shown in FIG. 1 except that the annular metal ring 16 of circular cross-section secured to the inner wall 14 near its upper end has an external diameter that is substantially greater than the mean of the diameter of the inner wall 14 and boundary wall 13. Positioned above the pak 11 is a tubular shield 20 comprising a skirt portion 21 of circular cross-section having a diameter substantially greater than the diameter of the boundary wall 13 and integral with and extending above the skirt portion a portion 22 in the shape of a frustum of a cone. The upper, smaller end of the conical portion 22 supports a wire guide 17 for guiding wire to a pulley 18.  
  During normal withdrawal of wire W from the pak 11 the wire in travelling from the pak to guide 17 follows a balloon or loop 19 passing in turn over the ring 16 where it is deflected outwardly and over the rim 15 of the boundary wall 13 where it is deflected inwardly. The balloon or loop 19 rubs against a part or parts of the inner surface of the tubular shield 20 which thereby serves to restrict the size of the balloon or loop.  
  Locked or tangled turns are released in the same manner as that described with reference to FIG. 1.  
  The pak 31 shown in FIG. 3 comprises a base 32 from which upstand a boundary wall of circular cross-section defined by circumferentially spaced upright members 23 and an inner cylindrical wall of circular crosssection defined by circumferentially spaced upright members 34. The upper ends of the members 33 are secured to a ring 35 which constitutes the endless rim of the boundary wall and the upper ends of the members 34 are secured to a ring 39. A sleeve 37 of transparent material fits inside the members 33 defining the boundary wall and a sleeve 38 fits outside the members 34 defining the inner wall. An annular metal ring 36 of circular cross-section is secured to the members 34 at a position spaced from their upper ends.  
  In the pak 41 shown in FIG. 4, a base 42 has upstanding from it a boundary wall of circular cross-section defined by circumferentially spaced upright members 43 and an inner cylindrical wall of circular cross-section defined by circumferentially spaced upright members 44. A ring 45 constituting the endless rim of the boundary wall is secured to the upper ends of the members 43 and a ring 49 is secured to the upper ends of the members 44. A sleeve 47 fits inside the members 43 defining the boundary wall and has a plurality of holes to enable the identity and quantity of wire in the pak to be assessed. A sleeve 48 fits outside the members 44 defining the inner wall. An annular metal ring 46 of circular cross-section is secured to the members 44 at a position spaced from their upper ends.  
  As previously indicated the method and pak of the present invention enable wire to be withdrawn from a pak at speeds of 600 metres/minute and above with the risk of breakage of the wire due to tangling or locking of adjacent turns or layers substantially reduced.  
 What we claim as our invention is:  
  l. A pak comprising a base and, upstanding from the base, a peripheral boundary wall and an inner cylindrical wall which define between them an annular space for storing wire in superposed layers, wherein the boundary wall has an endless rim and the inner cylindrical wall has extending radially outwardly from the wall at a position on said wall a substantial distance below the level of the rim of the boundary wall a circumferential surface which is fixed with respect to the rim of the boundary wall and which has a diameter substantially greater than the diameter of the inner wall but less than the internal diameter of the boundary wall.  
  2. A pak as claimed in claim 1, wherein the circumferential surface is the outer surface of a radially outwardly extending flange on the inner cylindrical wall.  
  3. A pak as claimed in claim 1, wherein the diameter of the circumferential surface is equal to at least the mean of the diameters of the inner and boundary walls.  
  4. A pak comprising a base and, upstanding from the base, a peripheral boundary wall and an inner cylindrical wall which define between them an annular space for storing wire in superposed layers, wherein the boundary wall has an endless rim and the inner cylindrical wall has extending radially outwardly from the wall at a position on said wall a substantial distance below the level of the rim of the boundary wall a circumferential surface having a diameter substantially greater than the diameter of the inner wall but less than the internal diameter of the boundary wall outer wall and wherein the diameter of the circumferential surface is equal to at least the mean of the diameters of the inner and boundary walls, and in which the inner and outer walls are each defined by circumferentially spaced upright members, wherein sleeves of appropriate internal and external diameters are fitted, respectively, outside the members defining the inner wall and inside the members defining the outer wall.  
  5. A pak as claimed in claim 4, wherein at least the outer sleeve is of transparent material.  
  6. A pak as claimed in claim 4, wherein the outer sleeve is of non-transparent material and is provided with at least one aperture of such shape and size that the contents of the pak can be easily identified and the quantity of wire in the pak readily assessed.  
  7. A pak as claimed in claim 4, wherein means is associated with the pak for substantially restricting ballooning of wire when wire is being withdrawn.  
  8. A pak as claimed in claim 7, wherein the means for restricting ballooning of the wire comprises an openended tube mounted above the pak with its axis substantially vertical and with its lowermost end a short distance above the level of the rim of the boundary wall.  
  9. A pak as claimed in claim 7, wherein the means for restricting ballooning of wire comprises a tubular shield in the form of a frustum of a cone which is suspended from a wire guide mounted above the pak with the smaller end of the cone uppermost.  
  10. A pak as claimed in claim 4, wherein the circumferential surface is the outer surface of a radially outwardly extending flange on the inner cylindrical wall.  
  11. A pak as claimed in claim 4, wherein the diameter of the circumferential surface is equal to at least the mean of the diameters of the inner and boundary walls.  
  12. A pak as claimed in claim 1, wherein means is associated with the pak for substantially restricting ballooning of wire when wire is being withdrawn.  
  13. A pak as claimed in claim 12, wherein the means for restricting ballooning of the wire comprises an open-ended tube mounted above the pak with its axis substantially vertical and with its lowermost end a short distance above the level of the rim of the boundary wall.  
  14. A pak as claimed in claim 12, wherein the means for restricting ballooning of wire comprises a tubular shield in the form of a frustum of a cone which is suspended from a wire guide mounted above the pak with the smaller end of the cone uppermost.  
  15. A method of drawing off wire from a pak comprising a base and, upstanding from the base, an inner cylindrical wall and a peripheral boundary wall which has an endless rim, the wire being stored in superposed layers in the annular space between the inner cylindrical wall and the boundary wall, which method comprises drawing wire upwardly from the pak at such a speed that wire being withdrawn first passes over and is deflected outwardly by a circumferential surface on the inner cylindrical wall, which circumferential surface has a diameter substantially greater than the inner wall but less than the internal diameter of the boundary wall, and then passes over and is deflected inwardly by the rim of the boundary wall.  
  16. A method as claimed in claim 15, wherein wire that is withdrawn from the pak is drawn upwardly through an open-ended tube positioned above the pak with its axis substantially vertical and with its lowermost end a short distance above the level of the rim of the boundary wall.  
  17. A method as claimed in claim 15, wherein wire that is being withdrawn from the pak rubs against the internal surface of a tubular shield in the form of a frustum of a cone which is suspended above the pak with the smaller end of the cone uppermost.  
  18. A method as claimed in claim 15, wherein the wire is withdrawn at a speed in excess of 300 m/minute.  
 19. A method as claimed in claim 18, wherein the wire is withdrawn at a speed in excess of 600 m/minute. t t