Apparatus and Method For Cable Winding Apparatus

Abstract

Apparatus and method, suitable for cable wrapping apparatus for securing the cable of a spooled or a coiled product and for packaging such products. Apparatus and method is also suitable for quick switchover from a finished cable product to a new cable product so that the productivity of the cable wrapping apparatus can be increased.

1 : Method for securing an end of a finished cable product and for packaging the same, in a cable winding apparatus, the method comprising:
 moving a band of film, stretched between two rotatable shafts, and the finished cable product relatively towards each other, so that the band of film comes into contact with the finished cable product and holds the cable in place;   cutting the cable, leaving a cable tail with a predetermined length;   further relatively moving the band of film and the finished cable product so that the finished cable product further advances at least partially into between the rotatable shafts until the band of film covers the finished cable product in a predetermined extent;   surrounding the finished cable product with the band of film by moving two oppositely located sealing bars relatively towards each other and pushing the band of film until the ends of the band of film meet;   connecting the two ends with two welds; and   cutting the film between the two welds.   
   
   
       2 - 11 . (canceled) 
   
   
       12 . Apparatus for winding a cable product, comprising:
 a winding head for winding the cable product in a winding position;   means for supplying and laying the cable to the winding position;   a cable cutter;   a conveyor for removing the finished cable product from the winding position; and   a packaging unit for fastening the end of the cable and packaging the finished product, characterized in that the packaging unit comprises a pair of rotatable shafts, adapted to receive and hold rolls of a plastic film and a plastic band of film extending from one roll to another; a pair of sealing bars, located on each side of the rolls, comprising two welding elements for making two substantially parallel welds to connect the ends of the band of film surrounding the finished product, and a cutting element between the welding elements for cutting the film between the two welds.   
   
   
       13 . (canceled) 
   
   
       14 . Method for a quick switchover from a finished cable product to a new cable product in a cable winding apparatus, the apparatus comprising a winding position and means for removing the finished cable product from the winding position, means for laying the cable to the winding position, the method comprising:
 moving the finished cable product from the winding position toward a plastic band of film stretched between a pair of rotatable shafts until the finished cable product is pushed into plastic band of film and the cable is secured;   cutting the cable, leaving a cable tail with a predetermined length; and   moving the finished product further away from the winding position for an additional handling while starting handling the new cable product in the winding position.   
   
   
       15 - 17 . (canceled) 
   
   
       18 . The method as in  claim 1 , wherein the predetermined extent is approximately ⅛ to approximately ½ of the full circle. 
   
   
       19 . The method as in  claim 1 , wherein both the sealing bars move towards each other. 
   
   
       20 . The method as in  claim 1 , wherein one of the sealing bars is moving while another stays in place. 
   
   
       21 . The method as in  claim 1 , wherein moving the rotatable shafts with the stretched band of film towards the finished cable product while keeping the finished cable product in place. 
   
   
       22 . The method as in  claim 1 , comprising keeping the rotatable shafts with the stretched band of film in place while moving the finished cable product towards the rolls. 
   
   
       23 . The method as in  claim 1 , comprising moving both the finished cable product and the rotatable shafts towards each other. 
   
   
       24 . The method as in  claim 1 , comprising cutting the cable so that the length of the cable tail is less than ½ of the diameter of the top layer of the finished cable product. 
   
   
       25 . The method as in  claim 1 , wherein the direction of winding the cable on the finished cable product is selected so that the cable winds tighter when pushed against the stretched while the finished cable product is still rotating before coming to full stop. 
   
   
       26 . The method as in  claim 1 , wherein the finished cable product is a spooled cable product or a coiled cable product. 
   
   
       27 . The apparatus as in  claim 12 , comprising a conveyor for delivering an empty reel into the winding position, means for clamping and rotating the reel in the winding position, so that the cable can be spooled on the reel. 
   
   
       28 . The method as in  claim 14 , comprising surrounding the finished cable product with the film by moving two oppositely located sealing bars relatively towards each other and pushing the band of film until the ends of the band of film meet; fastening the ends with two welds; and cutting the film between the two welds. 
   
   
       29 . The method as in  claim 14 , wherein the finished cable product is a coiled product or a spooled product.