GB2237003A

GB2237003A - Receptacle for wound wire

Info

Publication number: GB2237003A
Application number: GB8922467A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ralph Bracewell
Original assignee: Scapa Group Ltd
Current assignee: Scapa Group Ltd
Priority date: 1989-10-05
Filing date: 1989-10-05
Publication date: 1991-04-24
Anticipated expiration: 2009-10-05
Also published as: GB2237003B; GB8922467D0

Abstract

A method of packaging a pintle wire/lead-in wire consists of securing the pintle wire to the lead-in wire and then wrapping the wire so formed into an annular receptacle. The receptacle is formed by bringing a resilient hollow tubular body (2) into annular configuration and securing the body (2) in that configuration eg with a suitable adhesive. A slit 4 is then cut in the periphery 3 of the receptacle for entry of the wire therein. The resilience of the receptacle material causes the free end of the wire to be gripped by the slit. The wire may be used to join the ends of a papermakers fabric or form an endless belt. <IMAGE>

Description

A METHOD OF PACKAGING A WIRE This invention relates to a method of packaging an elongate element of a springy material, and has more particular, though not exclusive, reference to a method of packaging a pintle wire/lead-in wire for use in joining the ends of a papermakers or like fabric.

It is known in the field of papermachine clothing to bring a length of fabric into endless form by introducing a polymeric yarn, or pintle wire, into the tunnel formed by interdigitation of loops provided at the respective fabric ends. In order to facilitate introduction of the pintle wire into the interdigitated loops, a lead-in wire is secured to the pintle wire by way of a ferrule or similar linking arrangement. It is common for the joined lead-in wire and pintle wire to be supplied separately to the user in respective coils, the pintle wire and lead-in wire being maintained in coiled form by clips. The problem arises with this procedure that with the lead-in wire supplied as above, when the clip is removed the turns of the coil will separate violently, with real risk of entanglement, and the free end of the wire will constitute a potential danger hazard.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method of packaging a pintle wire/lead-in wire which avoids or at least minimises the abovementioned problem.

According to the present invention therefore there is provided a method of packaging a wire comprising the steps of: securing a length of a flexible component in end to end disposition relative to a length of a component of increased rigidity relative thereto to form said wire, forming an annular receptacle therefor having an opening extending about the periphery thereof and wrapping said wire into the receptacle through said opening, wherein said step of forming said receptacle comprises the steps of providing a resiliently flexible body of hollow tubular form, bringing the body into annular configuration, and slitting the body about the periphery thereof.

With this arrangement it is possible for a resiliently flexible elongate element to be packaged in a safe manner and enables the wire to be conveniently withdrawn therefrom safely in use.

Preferably the body is slitted about the outer periphery of the annular form.

Further preferably said tubular body is formed of a synthetic plastics material which may be transparent or at least translucent.

The invention will now be described further by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings of which: Fig. 1 is a side view of one form of receptacle according to the invention; and Fig. 2 is a section on line A-A of the arrangement shown in Fig. 1.

Referring now to the Figures, there is shown in Fig.

1 a receptacle 1 for packaging a composite pintle wire/ lead-in wire (not shown) as is commonly used in the textile industry.

The receptacle 1 comprises a tube 2 of synthetic plastics material arranged in annular configuration and secured in such configuration by, for example, an adhesive.

The annular body 2 is slitted about its outer periphery 3, or along that side thereof intended to be the outer periphery of the annulus, the nature of the material of the tube 2 being such that the slit 4 can be opened by separating the cut edges 5, 6 and due to natural resilience of the material from which the body 2 is made being such that the opening will close when the edges 5, 6 are released. Ideally, the slit will be of U-shaped configuration, thereby to facilitate winding of the wire onto the receptacle.

The receptacle 1 is used to package the pintle wire/ lead-in wire in the following manner: The wire (not shown) is fed onto the receptacle 1 by winding into the interior 7 of the tubular body 2 through the circumferential opening 4.

It will be appreciated that when winding the wire onto the receptacle 1 the cut edges 5, 6 of the opening 4 will be forced open to allow passage of the wire into the interior 7 of the receptacle 1 and, when the wire is fully wound into the receptacle 1, such edges 5, 6 will move together to retain the wire within the receptacle 1.

An advantage is gained also due to the fact that when progressively removing wire from the receptacle 1, at the point of emergence of the thread from the opening 4 in the receptacle 1, the thread is gripped between the cut side edges 5, 6 of the opening 4 and thus the free end of the thread is prevented from falling back into the receptacle 1 and also it is not possible for the metallic section of the thread to spring out from within the receptacle thereby promoting a safer packaging arrangement.

It is of course to be understood that the invention is not intended to be restricted to the details of the above embodiment which is described by way of example only.

Thus, whilst it is preferred that the slit 4 be formed on the outer periphery 3, in some circumstances it may be preferred that the slit 4 be provided at the inner periphery 8.

Claims

1. A method of packaging a wire comprising the steps of: securing a length of a flexible component in end to end disposition relative to a length of a component of increased rigidity relative thereto to form said wire, forming an annular receptacle therefor having an opening extending about the periphery thereof and wrapping said wire into the receptacle through said opening, wherein said step of forming said receptacle comprises the steps of providing a resiliently flexible body of hollow tubular form, bringing the body into annular configuration, and slitting the body about the periphery thereof.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein said body is slitted about the outer periphery of the annular form.

3. A method according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said body is secured in annular configuration by an adhesive.

4. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said body is formed of a synthetic plastics material.

5. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said body is transparent.

6. A wire package formed in accordance with the method of any one of the preceding claims.

7. A method substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.