Device and Method for Coiling a Flexible Material

Abstract

A device and method for coiling a long, slender, flexible material (e.g., an electrical cable). One embodiment of the device includes (1) a cylinder defining a substantially cylindrical exterior surface and (2) a reel, around which the flexible material can be coiled. The substantially cylindrical exterior surface defines a groove for receiving at least part of an open tie (e.g., cable tie), and the reel defines an axial through-opening for removably receiving the cylinder therethrough.

1 . A device for coiling a flexible material, said device comprising:
 an object defining a substantially cylindrical exterior surface on which the flexible material can be coiled, said substantially cylindrical exterior surface defining a groove for receiving at least part of an open tie.   
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said groove is straight. 
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 2  wherein said groove is at least substantially parallel to the axis of said substantially cylindrical exterior surface. 
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said substantially cylindrical first exterior surface substantially defines a right circular cylinder. 
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 1  further including a tie. 
   
   
       6 . A device for coiling a flexible material, said device comprising:
 a cylinder defining a substantially cylindrical exterior surface, said substantially cylindrical exterior surface defining a groove for receiving at least part of an open tie; and   a reel, around which the flexible material can be coiled, said reel defining an axial through-opening for removably receiving said cylinder therethrough.   
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 6  wherein said groove is straight. 
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 7  wherein said groove is at least substantially parallel to the axis of said cylinder. 
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 6  wherein said reel has a ridge at each end. 
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 6  further including a tie. 
   
   
       11 . A coiling device comprising:
 an object having a substantially cylindrical member, said substantially cylindrical member defining a substantially cylindrical exterior surface, said substantially cylindrical exterior surface defining a groove for receiving at least part of an open tie, said groove being substantially parallel to the axis of said substantially cylindrical member; and   a reel around which the flexible material can be coiled, said reel defining an axial through-opening for removably receiving said substantially cylindrical member therethrough.   
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 11  wherein said groove is straight. 
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 12  wherein said groove is at least substantially parallel to the axis of said cylinder. 
   
   
       14 . The device of  claim 11  wherein said reel has a ridge at each end. 
   
   
       15 . The device of  claim 1   1  further including a tie. 
   
   
       16 . A method for preparing a stabilized coil of flexible material, said method comprising the steps of:
 providing a flexible material;   providing an open tie;   providing an object defining a substantially cylindrical exterior surface on which the flexible material can be coiled, said substantially cylindrical exterior surface defining a groove for receiving at least part of said open tie;   coiling said flexible material around said substantially cylindrical exterior surface, yielding a coil of flexible material;   introducing at least part of said open tie into said groove;   looping said open tie around said coil of flexible material; and   closing said open tie, yielding said stabilized coil of flexible material.   
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16  further including the step of removing said stabilized coil of flexible material from said object. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 16  wherein said groove is straight. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 16  wherein said groove is at least substantially parallel to the axis of said substantially cylindrical exterior surface. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 16  wherein said flexible material is an electrical cable. 
   
   
       21 . A method for preparing a stabilized reel of coiled flexible material, said method comprising the steps of:
 providing a flexible material;   providing an open tie;   providing a cylinder defining a substantially cylindrical exterior surface, said substantially cylindrical exterior surface defining a groove for receiving at least part of said open tie;   providing a reel, around which said flexible material can be coiled, said reel defining an axial through-opening for removably receiving said cylinder therethrough;   inserting said cylinder in said reel via said axial through-opening, such that said groove is at least partially covered by said reel;   coiling said flexible material around said reel, yielding a reel of coiled flexible material;   introducing at least part of said open tie into said groove;   looping said open tie around said reel of coiled flexible material; and   closing said open tie, yielding said stabilized reel of coiled flexible material.   
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21  further including the step of removing said stabilized reel of coiled flexible material from said cylinder. 
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 21  wherein said groove is straight. 
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 21  wherein said groove is at least substantially parallel to the axis of said substantially cylindrical exterior surface. 
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 21  wherein said flexible material is an electrical cable.