Unreeling apparatus

Abstract

Apparatus ( 10 ) configured for the unreeling of strands ( 34, 36 ) or ends having filaments are provided. The apparatus include at least one cake ( 12, 14 ) formed from at least one end having filaments and mounted for retention. The cake has a hollow central region ( 22, 28 ). At least one unreeling device ( 16, 18 ) is supported within the hollow central region of the at least one cake. The unreeling device has a head ( 50 ), at least one tube, an exit and a passage ( 38 ) there through. A take-up apparatus is positioned downstream from the unreeling device. The apparatus is characterized in that the head of the unreeling device has a truncated ogive cross-sectional shape and wherein the apparatus is configured to maintain tension on the strands or ends thereby substantially reducing breakage and substantially reducing the formation of loops, tangles or knots.

1 . An apparatus configured for the unreeling of strands having filaments comprising:
 at least one cake formed from at least one strand having filaments and mounted for retention, the cake having a hollow central region,   at least one unreeling device supported within the hollow central region of the at least one cake, the unreeling device having a head, at least one tube, an exit and a passage there through;   a take-up apparatus positioned downstream from the unreeling device;   wherein the head of the unreeling device has a truncated ogive cross-sectional shape; and   wherein the apparatus is configured to maintain tension on the strands thereby substantially reducing breakage and substantially reducing the formation of loops, tangles or knots.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the cake and the unreeling device have a length, and wherein the length of the unreeling device is longer than the length of the cake. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the head of the at least one unreeling device extends beyond a front end of the cake and the exit of the at least one unreeling device extends beyond a rear end of the cake. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the minimum length of the unreeling device is about 490 mm. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one cake has a diameter (DFC, DSC) and the head of the at least one unreeling device has an outer diameter (D 3 ), wherein the outer diameter (D 3 ) of the at least one unreeling device is sized to be 1/10 th  the diameter (DFC, DSC) of the at least one cake. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the outer diameter (D 3 ) of the head of the at least one unreeling device is in a range of from about 35 mm to about 50 mm. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the passage has a diameter (D 4 ) of approximately 8 mm. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the head of the at least one unreeling device is removably attached to the at least one tube. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the head has an rear edge and the at least one tube has an outer surface, wherein the rear edge has at least one tangent point, wherein an angle (α- 3 ) is formed between a horizontal line extending from the at least one tangent point and the outer surface of the at least one tube, and wherein the angle (α- 3 ) is in a range of from about 2° to about 10°. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein there are at least two tubes. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the second tube has a diameter (D 5 ) in a range of from about 12 mm to about 15 mm. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the two tubes have the same length. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the two tubes have a length in a range of from about 200 mm to about 300 mm. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further including a tensioning device attached to the at least one unreeling device, wherein the tensioning device is configured to absorb occasional severe pulls or tugs from the take-up apparatus that occur when the length difference between the strands is the greatest. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the tensioning device is a spring loaded mechanism attached to the exit of the at least one unreeling device.