Package of Flexible Material for Twistless Payout With Wide Funnel Guide

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a package of flexible material with payout from the axial opening of the package through a radial opening.

2. The Prior Art

Such packages are known for example from Taylor U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,634,922 and 2,828,092.

The present invention relates to an improvement on the feedout for such packages, so as to prevent birdsnesting or other tangles which might interfere with the withdraw of the material.

The particular feature of the present invention lies in the use of a funnel connected with a payout tube, the payout tube passing through the radial opening, and the funnel being at least substantially as wide as the axial length of the package.

The funnel preferably has its base or open end located substantially at the center plane of the package and extends across substantially the whole width of the package. In this respect it is in contrast to the cone shown in an earlier Taylor patent, which is of relatively smaller width.

Referring to the drawings,

FIG. 1 shows in cross-section a package embodying the invention, and

FIG. 2 a cross-section substantially on the line 2--2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows in cross-section a modified form of the invention and

FIG. 4 is a cross-section of the wind substantially on the line 4--4 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 shows in cross-section still another form of the invention.

FIG. 6 shows in cross-section the mounting of the funnel on the tube.

FIG. 7 is a detailed cross-section of the joint between the end forms and the end plates of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 shows in side view another type of funnel.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a universally wound package with a radial opening extending from the periphery of the package to the axial opening is indicated at 2. Through the radial opening in one wall is extended a tube 4. This tube at its inner end supports a funnel 6, which is at least substantially as great in width as the package 2 and may be slightly greater in width.

As the material is withdrawn from the package, it forms loops alternately on opposite sides, which are guided by the funnel 6 as they are withdrawn and thus spread wide during their withdrawal. It has been found that this construction is quite effective in preventing birdsnesting.

The package shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is one in which the axial dimension of the package is slightly less than the internal diameter. In this case a round cone is used, which is spaced from the wall of the package at the beginning of the withdrawal by not more than about one-fourth inch.

In the modification of FIGS. 3 and 4, which shows a package with a relatively narrow axial opening, compared to its length, the cone 16 will be oval shaped as shown in FIG. 4. This cone likewise is attached on a tube 14 which passes through a radial opening in the package 12.

The package 12 of FIG. 3 is enclosed between end rings 18, which may be held together by bolts 21 or the like to prevent outward expansion of the walls of the package. Within these rings 18 are end pieces 20, which may be provided with handles 22 and have a tight sliding fit, with some frictional assistance such as rubber, within the rings 18, so that they can be adjusted axially within the rings. It is preferable to adjust these end pieces so that the space between each end piece and the edge of the cone is only slightly more than the cross-section of the flexible material. For this purpose, the end pieces may be made of transparent material such as plastic.

The arrangement shown in FIG. 5 is produced in the manner shown in application of Newman et al., Ser. No. 226,718, filed Feb. 16, 1972, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,803,796. This application shows curved outwardly sloping end forms 22. In the package of FIG. 5, the windings 24 are kept enclosed within the end forms 22, which are then secured together by any suitable arrangement such as bolts 21. A tube 26 passes through the winding 24 and supports the funnel 28. This funnel is slightly wider than the inner radius of the end forms 22. The package is enclosed by end plates 30, which are connected with the inward extensions of the end forms 22 and are secured thereto in the manner shown in FIG. 7, namely by a bent-over portion 32 of the plate 30 which engages an outwardly directed flange 34 of the end form 32. The plates 30 have an outwardly bowed section 36, which accommodates the width of the funnel 28.

It may be desirable to have the funnel able to wobble or rock slightly, in which case the total space between the outer edges of the funnel and the end walls 36 need only be substantially equal to the thickness of the flexible material. For this purpose, the tube 26 has an upward projection 38 which fits within a downward projection 40 of the funnel. A rubber band 42 fitting over the upper end of extension 38 will permit some rocking of the funnel because of the natural looseness of the parts.

Referring to FIG. 8, there is shown an oval funnel 42 of the type shown in FIG. 4, but with the longer sides 44 of the oval downwardly curved, the funnel actually having substantially the shape of a normal funnel of plastic deformable material which has been compressed laterally. The curvature of the longer sides appears to assist in promoting proper movement of the loops.