Wire control strip for a welding system

Abstract

A wire package comprising a wire having a leading end and a trailing end; a wire retaining ring having a central opening, wherein the leading end of the wire exits the wire retaining ring through the central opening, the wire retaining ring further having a slot extending radially outward from the central opening, wherein the training end of the wire exits the slot at a radial outward extremity of the slot, a wire control strip attached to the wire retaining ring and located over a portion of the slot, the wire control strip having a release portion extending along a length of the wire control strip, the release portion adapted to progressively release the wire as the leading end of the wire is pulled upwardly after the wire is released from the wire retaining ring.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A wire package comprising:
 a wire having a leading end and a trailing end;   a wire retaining ring having a central opening, wherein the leading end of the wire exits the wire retaining ring through the central opening, the wire retaining ring further having a slot extending radially outward from the central opening, wherein the training end of the wire exits the slot at a radial outward extremity of the slot;   a wire control strip attached to the wire retaining ring and located over a portion of the slot, said wire control strip having a release portion extending along a length of the wire control strip, said release portion adapted to progressively release the wire as the leading end of the wire is pulled upwardly after the wire is released from the wire retaining ring.   
     
     
         2 . The wire package of  claim 1 , wherein the release portion includes a perforation formed in the wire control strip. 
     
     
         3 . The wire package of  claim 1 , wherein said wire control strip is constructed of paper. 
     
     
         4 . The wire package of  claim 1 , further comprising a reinforcement portion located on either side or said release portion. 
     
     
         5 . The wire package of  claim 1 , wherein the release portion is centered within the wire control strip. 
     
     
         6 . The wire package of  claim 5 , said reinforcement portion includes two strips of adhesive tape. 
     
     
         7 . The wire package of  claim 1 , wherein the first end of said wire control strip defines a notch having sidewalls that converge towards the release portion. 
     
     
         8 . The wire package of  claim 7 , wherein said notch has a triangular shape. 
     
     
         9 . The wire package of  claim 1 , wherein said wire control strip has a second end attached to a portion of said container above the wire retaining ring when the wire retaining ring is supported on a full coil of wire. 
     
     
         10 . The wire package of  claim 9 , wherein said wire control strip includes plural folds between the first and end and the second end. 
     
     
         11 . A wire control strip used in connection with a coil of wire stored in a container, the wire having a leading end that is pulled upwardly from the container by a pick-up and a trailing end extending upwardly from the container and spaced from the leading end, and a wire retaining ring overlying the coil of wire having a slot through which the wire is released when the coil is exhausted, the wire control strip comprising:
 a strip of material having a first end and a second end;   a fastener carried on said first end and adapted to attach said first end to the wire retaining ring over the slot, whereby the wire contacts said first end upon release of the wire from the slot; and   a release portion adapted to progressively release the wire from the wire control strip as the wire is pulled upwardly from the container.   
     
     
         12 . The wire control strip of  claim 11 , wherein the release portion includes a perforation extending along the length of the wire control strip. 
     
     
         13 . The wire control strip of  claim 11 , wherein the wire control strip includes a second end attachable above the wire retaining ring. 
     
     
         14 . The wire control strip of  claim 11 , wherein the first end defines a notch adapted to guide said portion of the wire toward the release portion. 
     
     
         15 . The wire control strip of  claim 14 , wherein said notch has a triangular shape. 
     
     
         16 . The wire control strip of  claim 11 , further comprising a reinforcement located on either side of said release portion. 
     
     
         17 . The wire control strip of  claim 16 , wherein each of said reinforcements are constructed of adhesive tape. 
     
     
         18 . The wire control strip of  claim 11 , wherein said release portion is centered within said wire control strip. 
     
     
         19 . The wire control strip of  claim 11 , wherein said strip is formed of paper. 
     
     
         20 . The wire control strip of  claim 11 , wherein said strip is flexible.