TW201402305A - A winding machine and winding cage for a helically wound pipe - Google Patents

Abstract

A winding cage, for winding a helically wound pipe from an elongate ribbed strip having at least one rib and having opposed joinable edge portions, is disclosed. The winding cage includes: a plurality of spaced apart strip guide rollers, the strip guide rollers spaced around a longitudinal winding cage axis; a proximal support frame; a distal support frame having, the proximal and distal support frames spaced apart from each other and together supporting the plurality of spaced apart strip guide rollers; a proximal frame bridge, the bridge extending away from the proximal frame and bridging between spaced apart first and second ends of the proximal support frame; and a proximal mount on the bridge and a distal mount on the distal support frame, the proximal and distal mounts for receiving a strip driver assembly, the strip driver assembly for driving the strip into the winding cage. The bridge forms part of a mouth opening into the winding cage. The mouth is for accommodating the strip driver assembly.

Description

Winding machine and winding cage for spiral wound pipe

Priority document

This application claims the following priority: Australian Provisional Patent Application No. 2012901162, entitled "Winding Machines and Winding Cage for Spiral Winding Tubes" and presented on March 22, 2012; and Australian Provisional Patent Application No. 2012901163, entitled " Winding machine and winding cage for spiral wound tubes" and presented on March 22, 2012.

The contents of each of these applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

The invention relates to an apparatus for laying a tube or conduit having a spiral wound tube. More particularly, the present invention relates to a winding machine for relining a conduit in which the tube is wrapped.

The applicant has developed various techniques to allow for the reconstruction of trenchless pipes. The applicant's International Patent Application No. PCT/AU87/00069, entitled "Method and Mechanism for Lining and Outer Packaging of Conduit", describes a method and mechanism for laying a conduit, tube or tunnel. The method described in this patent comprises spirally winding a strip into a tube and configured to be rebuilt The tube is held at the selected diameter during the inner tube. The method further includes the step of applying a tensile force to the newly spirally wound tube to cause the internal engagement edges of the strip forming the tube to slip relative to each other to progressively increase the diameter of the tube until it is engaged Re-lay the wall of the conduit.

The problem of the tube being reliably unwound by another patent application No. PCT/AU88/00311, entitled "Slip Control for Spiral Wound Tubes", to allow for the diameter under control Variety.

The technique described above can be described as a spirally expanded coiled tubing technique. The spirally expanded coiled tubing technique relates to a wound cage that is positioned in a main conduit or tube, or adjacent to a main conduit or tube, as described in the above-referenced International Patent Application No. PCT/AU87/00069. . This typically requires an increase in the access area of the tube to be re-lined to accommodate the winding cage. Increasing, or "chop-out" typically involves the jack hammering the mixed soil, which takes a considerable amount of work and time.

Even when the pipe is tied to the main pipe, the underground winding cage is wound at a final diameter (without subsequently expanding the winding pipe), and it is usually necessary to abut the inlet and outlet area of the pipe to be re-lined to accommodate The winding cage.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome at least a portion of the above-discussed problems or at least provide the public with a useful choice.

According to a first aspect, there is provided a winding cage for winding a spirally wound tube from a slender ribbed strip, the strip having at least one rib and an opposite engageable edge portion, the winding The wire cage forms a guide for the spiral wound tube, the winding cage comprising: a plurality of spaced apart strip guide rollers, each strip guide roller having a proximal end and a distal end, the strip guide rollers being spaced about a longitudinal spool axis; the proximal support a frame having a plurality of guide roller proximal end supports for supporting the proximal ends of the strip guide rollers; and a distal support frame having a plurality of guide roller distal end supports for Supporting the distal ends of the strip guide rollers, the proximal and distal support frames being spaced apart from each other and supporting the plurality of spaced apart strip guide rollers; the proximal rack bridge, the a bridge extending away from the proximal frame and bridging between the spaced apart first and second ends of the proximal support frame; and a proximal mounting on the bridge and supporting on the distal side a distal mount on the frame, the proximal and distal mounts for receiving a strip drive assembly for driving the strip into the spool, whereby the bridge A portion of the mouth that opens into the spool cage is formed for receiving the strip drive assembly.

In one embodiment, the mouth has a width that is greater than the length of the longest guide roller of the plurality of spaced apart strip guide rollers.

In one embodiment, the bobbin cage includes at least one rib support roller, the at least one rib support roller extending radially inwardly from a shaft extending between the proximal and distal support frames Thereby, in use, the rib support roller engages at least one rib of the strip, thereby guiding the strip laterally.

In one embodiment, the at least one rib support roller includes at least one flange that, in use, engages at least one rib of the strip to thereby laterally guide the strip.

In one embodiment, each of the strip guide rollers is rotatable about a strip guide roller axis that is spaced apart about the longitudinal wrap cage axis at a first radius; and wherein At least one rib support roller is rotatable about a rib support roller axis, the rib support roller axis being spaced apart from the longitudinal spool axis at a second radius, the second radius being smaller than the first radius.

In one embodiment, the bobbin cage includes a rib support roller that is mounted for rotation about an axis that extends radially inwardly from a shaft that extends in the vicinity Between the side and the distal support frame, whereby, in use, the rib support roller engages at least one rib of the strip, thereby guiding the strip laterally.

According to a second aspect, there is provided a winding cage for winding a spirally wound tube from a slender ribbed strip, the strip having at least one rib and an opposite engageable edge portion, the winding cage Forming a guide for the spiral wound tube, the winding cage comprising: a plurality of spaced apart strip guide rollers, each strip guide roller having a proximal end, a distal end, and a belt The material guide roller axis, the strip guide roller axis is spaced apart at a first radius about a longitudinal winding cage axis, the strip guide rollers having a maximum radius of the strip roller; the proximal support frame having a plurality of a side guide roller support member for supporting a proximal end portion of the strip guide rollers; a distal support frame having a plurality of distal guide roller support members for supporting the strip guide rollers a distal end, the proximal and distal support frames are spaced apart from each other, and together Supporting the plurality of spaced apart strip guiding rollers; and a plurality of rib supporting rollers, each rib supporting roller having a rib supporting roller axis, the rib supporting axis surrounding the longitudinal winding cage axis at a second radius Separated, the second radius is smaller than the first radius.

In one embodiment, the at least one rib support roller includes at least one flange that, in use, engages at least one rib of the strip to thereby laterally guide the strip.

In one embodiment, the rib support roller is mounted for rotation about an axis extending radially inwardly from a shaft extending between the proximal and distal support frames.

According to a third aspect, there is provided a winding machine for winding a spirally wound tube from a slender ribbed strip, the strip having at least one rib and an opposite engageable edge portion, the winding The machine includes a bobbin cage and a strip drive assembly with a power unit for driving the strip into the bobbin, the bobbin forming a guide for the spiral wound tube, the winding The wire cage comprises: a plurality of spaced apart tape guiding rollers, each of the tape guiding rollers having a proximal end and a distal end, the strip guiding rollers being spaced around a longitudinal winding cage axis; a proximal support frame having a plurality of guide roller proximal end supports for supporting proximal ends of the strip guide rollers; and a distal support frame having a plurality of guide rollers distal ends a support member for supporting a distal end of the strip guide rollers, the proximal and distal support frames being spaced apart from each other and supporting the plurality of spaced apart strip guide rollers, wherein the proximal The side support frame includes a first end portion and a second end portion, the first and the second The ends are spaced apart to provide an opening for receiving the strip drive assembly.

In one embodiment, the proximal support frame is shaped to depict a portion of the annulus between the spaced ends.

In a specific embodiment, the spaced apart ends of the proximal support frame form a portion of the mouth, the mouth having a width that is greater than the longest guide roller of the plurality of spaced apart tape guide rollers length.

In one embodiment, the bridge is bridged between the spaced apart first and second ends of the proximal support frame, whereby the bridge forms a portion of the mouth for receiving The strip drive assembly.

In one embodiment, the bridge includes a mounting member that connects the strip drive assembly to the bridge and thereby to the proximal support frame.

In one embodiment, the strip drive assembly includes a strip inlet and a strip outlet and a pair of pinch rollers for driving the strip, the press rollers being adjacent to the strip outlet, wherein the strip is compressed The roller includes a drive mounted about the pinch roller drive shaft whereby the spaced apart ends of the band receive the strip drive assembly adjacent a portion of the drive.

In one embodiment, the driver includes a sprocket that is driven by a looped transmission member.

In a specific embodiment, the looped transmission member includes a chain.

In one embodiment, the looped transmission member includes a belt.

In a specific embodiment, the winding machine includes at least one rib supporting roller, At least one rib support roller extends radially inwardly from a shaft extending between the proximal and distal support frames, whereby, in use, the rib support roller engages at least the strip A rib is thereby guided laterally to the strip.

In one embodiment, the at least one rib support roller includes at least one flange that, in use, engages at least one rib of the strip to thereby laterally guide the strip.

In one embodiment, each of the strip guide rollers is rotatable about a strip guide roller axis that is spaced apart about the longitudinal wrap cage axis at a first radius; and the at least A rib support roller is rotatable about a rib support roller axis, the rib support roller axis being spaced apart from the longitudinal spool axis at a second radius, the second radius being smaller than the first radius.

In one embodiment, the winding machine includes a rib support roller that is mounted for rotation about an axis that extends radially inwardly from a shaft that extends in the vicinity Between the side and the distal support frame, whereby, in use, the rib support roller engages at least one rib of the strip, thereby guiding the strip laterally.

According to a fourth aspect, there is provided a winding machine for winding a spirally wound tube from a slender ribbed strip, the strip having at least one rib and an opposite engageable edge portion, the winding machine A winding cage and a strip drive assembly equipped with a power unit for driving the strip into the winding cage, the winding cage forming a guide for the spiral wound tube, the winding The cage comprises: a plurality of spaced apart strip guide rollers, each strip guide roller having a proximal end a portion, a distal end portion, and a strip guide roller axis, the strip guide roller axes being spaced apart at a first radius about a longitudinal winding cage axis, the strip guiding rollers having a strip roller maximum Radius; a proximal support frame having a plurality of proximal guide roller supports for supporting proximal ends of the strip guide rollers; and a distal support frame having a plurality of distal guide roller supports a distal end for supporting the strip guide rollers, the proximal and distal support frames being spaced apart from each other and supporting the plurality of spaced apart strip guide rollers; and a plurality of rib support rollers Each rib support roller has a rib support roller axis, the rib support axis being spaced around the longitudinal spool axis at a second radius, the second radius being smaller than the first radius.

In one embodiment, the at least one rib support roller includes at least one flange that, in use, engages at least one rib of the strip to thereby laterally guide the strip.

In one embodiment, the rib support roller is mounted for rotation about an axis extending radially inwardly from a shaft extending between the proximal and distal support frames.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The detailed description of the present invention is set forth in the accompanying drawings While the present invention has been described in connection with the specific embodiments, it is understood that the invention is not limited to any specific embodiments. Instead, the scope of the invention is limited only by the scope of the appended claims, and the invention is intended to be For the purposes of the examples, numerous specific details are set forth in the following description in order to provide a full understanding of the invention.

The invention may be practiced without some or all of these specific details in accordance with the scope of the claims. For the purpose of clarity, the technical material known in the technical field of the present invention has not been described in detail so that the present invention is not in vain.

Specific embodiments of the present invention will be discussed with reference to the drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an underground conduit re-lined using a prior art winding machine.

Figure 2a is a perspective view of a winder that can be used in a catheter such as that shown in Figure 1.

Figure 2b shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the winding machine of Figure 2a in the inverting arch of the underground conduit.

Figure 3a is a cross-sectional view of a strip (or "profile") used in a spiral wound tube as shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3b is a cross-sectional view of another selected strip used in a spiral wound tube as shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3c is a cross-sectional view showing the two crimps of the strip of Figure 3a joined together.

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 1, but illustrating the use of a winding machine in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 5a is a perspective view of a winding machine in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 6 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the winding machine of Figure 5 in the inverting arch of the underground conduit.

Figure 7a is a front elevational view of the winding machine shown in Figure 5.

Figure 7b is an enlarged view of a portion of the winding machine shown in Figure 7a and with portions of the machine removed to reveal internal details.

Figure 7c is a cross-sectional view taken from section line 7c-7c through Figure 7b.

Figures 8, 9 and 10 are perspective views of the winding cage, which form a winding machine of Figure 5 section.

Figure 11 shows the rib support rollers of the wire cage of Figures 8, 9 and 10.

Figure 12 is a perspective view of another alternative winding cage similar to that shown in Figure 8.

Figure 13 is a perspective view of a further alternative winding cage similar to that shown in Figure 8, having a rib support roller different from the rib support rollers of Figure 12.

Figure 14 shows the rib support roller of the wire cage of Figure 13.

Figure 15 is a schematic end elevational view of the view of the wire cage of Figure 13.

Referring to Figures 1, 2a and 2b, it is known to re-line a conduit, such as a sewer or stormwater conduit, with a spiral wound tube 9 using a pipe winder 50. The conduit or body tube to be re-lined may for example be circular, elliptical, square, or rectangular in cross section. Regardless of the shape of the body tube, it is generally desirable to wind a new tube having a cross-sectional area that is as close as possible to the cross-sectional area of the body tube. Where a new tube is wound into a body tube having a circular cross section, it is generally desirable to minimize the distance between the outer diameter of the newly wound tube and the inner diameter of the body tube. This is the case after the winding, regardless of whether the new tube is expanded to a larger diameter.

A gap is required between the winding tube 9 and the main body tube 5 to allow the newly wound tube 9 to move longitudinally relative to the main tube 5 before the winding tube 9 is expanded.

It is generally desirable to increase the access area of the tube adjacent the realigned tube to accommodate the winding cage 60 of the winding machine 50. This enlarged or "cut" area 6 is illustrated in Figure 1. The addition or incision typically forms a jack hammering the mixed soil, which takes a considerable amount of work and time.

The range of slits required can be more clearly understood with reference to Figure 2b. In Fig. 2b, the inner side wall surface of the main body tube 5 is illustrated, and the winding cage 60 is shown protruding into the mixed soil into the area 6. In fact, the configuration shown in Figure 2b does not occur. Instead, the conduit or body tube 5 is enlarged in this region 6 as shown in Figure 1 where the winding cage will be positioned.

Turning now to Figures 3a and 3c, a synthetic tape that can be used with the winding machine illustrated in Figure 2 or the winding machine of the present invention in accordance with Figure 5a is shown. The strips of the profile comprise a substrate 12, a male edge 14, a female edge 18, and a plurality of upstanding ribs 20 (in this case, three ribs). Each rib 20 has a crown portion 25. The base 12 of the strip forms the inner surface of the wound tube.

Another optional strip 10 that can also be wound into a spiral tube is shown in Figure 3b.

Figures 3a and 3c show the mechanical engagement between the female edge 18 and the male edge 14'. The strip 10 has a major male locking portion 15 and a secondary, or sacrificial, locking portion 16 on its male edge 14. On its female edge 18, the strip 10 has a female primary locking portion 35 and a female secondary locking portion 36.

The functions of the primary and secondary locking portions are as described in the applicant's earlier patent applications PCT/AU87/00069 and PCT/AU88/00311 (refer to the above). The manner of reference is incorporated herein.

Various alternative bonding methods can be used. For example, welding or adhesive can be used with different male and female edge portions (not shown).

The winding machine 100 according to the present invention is shown in Figures 4, 5 and 6. The winding machine 100 is used to spirally wind a strip of ribbed material, such as that shown in Figure 3a. A spiral wound tube. The winding machine 100 includes a bobbin 110 and a strip drive assembly in the form of a drive disc 160 with a power unit for driving the strip into the bobbin 110. The winding cage 110 forms a guide for the spiral wound tube. The bobbin cages 110 include a proximal side and a distal side support frame 200 and 270, respectively. The proximal frame 200 and the distal frame 270 are spaced apart from each other and support a plurality of circumferentially spaced strip guides in the form of rollers 130 that extend between the frames. The proximal support frame 200 is shaped to form a portion of the annulus.

The drive plate 160 has a mounting plate 169 that is attached to the winding cage 110 as can be seen in Figures 5 and 6. The drive plate mounting plate receiving mounting members are most clearly shown in Figures 8, 9 and 10.

Lifting hooks 112 and 113 are provided at the top of the winding cage 110 for lifting and manipulating the winding cage 110 and the winding machine 100.

Turning to Figure 8, the winding cage 110 causes the drive disk to be removed for more clear display. The proximal support frame 200 has spaced ends 202 and 204 to accommodate the drive plate 160. This figure also shows how the proximal support frame 200 includes the roller proximal end support 134 and how the distal support frame 270 includes the roller distal end support 136 to support across the frames 200 and 270 Roller 130 between.

The bobbin cage 110 includes a proximal rack bridge 300 that is bridged between the spaced apart first and second ends 202 and 204 of the proximal support frame 200. The bridge extends away from the proximal frame 200 and bridges between the spaced apart first and second ends 202 and 204 of the proximal support frame 200.

Referring again to FIG. 8, the bridge member 300 is formed on a biasing plate member 315. A portion of the proximal mount 390 and the distal mount 290 on the distal support frame 270 are shown. The proximal and distal mounts 390, 290 are for receiving the strip drive assembly.

The bridge 300 is shaped to form a portion of the mouth 320 that houses a strip drive assembly in the form of a drive disk 160.

Figure 8 shows the bridge member including a biasing plate member 315 and a pair of web members 316 and 317. A slightly different web 316' is shown for the wire cage of Figures 12 and 13.

Referring to Figures 7a and 7b, the axes 131 of both of the spaced apart strip guide rollers 130 are shown. These strip guide roller axes 131 are spaced about a longitudinal spool cage axis 111 at a first radius R1.

Referring again to Figure 7a, it can be seen that the drive plate body 160 has a drive plate body inlet 162 which, in use, receives a strip 10 having a male edge 14 and a female edge 18 (the band) The material is shown, for example, in Figure 3a). The drive plate also has a pair of pinch rollers that can be seen in the enlarged view of Figure 7b, and which is taken from section line 7c-7c of Figure 7c. The pinch rollers drive the strip 10 into the cage 110. The pinch rollers 175 and 170, which are most clearly seen in Figure 7c, are located adjacent the drive plate strip outlet 168, as indicated in Figure 7b.

Referring again to Figure 7b, this view has removed a number of such rollers 130 and removed a portion of the proximal frame to better illustrate the pinch roller 175 and its associated bearings 178, 179 and sprocket 180. A drive in the form of a drive that is driven by a looped transmission member in the form of a chain 190.

Referring again to Figure 7c, the strip 10 enters the gap 10A between the rollers 175 and 170. The pinch roller 170 faces the pinch roller 175 and is on the opposite side of the strip 10 Acting on the roller 175. The drive roller 175 frictionally engages the base of the strip 10 and is driven by the sprocket 180.

Both the size and configuration of the gap 10A and the outer pinch roller 170 can be varied to suit the strip to be wound.

The pinch roller 175 is cantilevered to extend the bearing into the tube 9 to be wound. The pinch roller 170 is mounted to the drive plate body 165 as shown in Figure 7c. In a conventional bobbin cage, the proximal frame 200 is located sufficiently away from the sprocket 180 and associated drive plate body region 165 illustrated in Figure 7c. This can be seen by reference to Figure 2a, wherein the main frame 61 is spaced apart from the outside of the drive plate 80 and spaced a long distance from the secondary frame 62. In the configuration shown in Figure 2a, it can be seen that the rollers 130 are longer than the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figure 8.

Due to its reduced span, the shorter roller 130 of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figure 8 can have a smaller diameter. That is, for the same design load, the roller 130 of the embodiment of the present invention shown in Figure 8 can have a significantly smaller diameter than the desired diameter of the roller 70 of the cage shown in Figure 2a. diameter. This is a significant advantage in that it allows the entire diameter of the winding cage 110 to be reduced.

A further feature that promotes a reduction in the diameter of the cage 110 is shown in FIG. The configuration includes a shaft 350 that extends from the proximal frame 200 to the distal frame 270. In the particular embodiment shown, the shaft 350 is fixed (it does not rotate). When compared to the roller 140 and the remaining rollers 130 as shown in FIG. 8, the shaft 350 is biased in a radially inward direction. This radial offset allows a larger diameter roller 150 to rotate about an axis 150A and has a surface 150E that will be provided without increasing the overall outer diameter of the spool cage 110 (the axis) 150A is radially inside the axis of the roller 130). At the same time, the roller 150 has sufficient diameter such that its surface 150E engages the crowns 38 and 39 of the female locking portions 35 and 36.

Figure 11 also illustrates how the strip 10 is guided and stabilized in a direction transverse to the strip or longitudinal to the tube. Specifically, FIG. 11 shows the rollers 616 and 626. The rollers rotate about a shaft having an axis that is substantially perpendicular to the base 12 of the strip 10. The rollers 616 and 626 are compact and, importantly, do not increase the overall outer diameter of the cage 110. The direction of rotation of the rollers 616 and 626 varies depending on whether they support the strip 10 in a unidirectional or otherwise direction against the lateral load. As compared to earlier configurations, a single single roller 75 having ribs 76 is employed in advance, such as that shown in Figure 2a, with separate rollers 616 and 150 performing different functions to provide additional design flexibility.

Figure 14 is an illustration similar to that of Figure 11, but illustrating another alternative strip guiding arrangement. FIG. 14 shows the roller 630. This roller rotates about an axis 639. Figure 13 shows a plurality of rib support rollers 630 circumferentially spaced about the longitudinal spool cage axis 111. Such ribs 639 supporting the roller axis line of the second radius R ₂ spaced from the longitudinal axis 111 at the winding cage. The second radius R ₂ is smaller than the first radius R ₁ (R ₂ <R ₁ ).

Figure 15 is a schematic end elevational view of the wire cage of Figure 13 and showing a rib support roller having a rib support roller axis. In fact, there are a number of rib support rollers (e.g., 3 or 4 rollers), each rib supporting roller having an axis. As stated above and also as shown in Figure 13, the rib support axes are spaced about the longitudinal winding cage axis at a second radius R ₂ and the second radius is greater than the first radius R ₁ Smaller. This smaller second radius R ₂ provides a significant advantage. It allows a roller with a flange to be used without increasing the overall diameter of the winding cage (compared to the configuration shown in Figure 2a).

Each rib support roller 630 has a plurality of flanges 638 that engage the ribs 20 of the strip 10 thereby guiding the strip 10 laterally.

The winding machine and the winding cage described above with reference to these drawings provide a number of advantages as compared to earlier winding machines and winding cages. Many of those advantages have been described above, and some further advantages are that the cage 110 becomes smaller and thus can be manipulated more easily under the ground. This is especially useful where the access system is full and where there is a change in direction from an inlet to the outlet.

Throughout the specification and the scope of such patent applications, the words "comprise" and "include" and such as "comprising" and "including", unless otherwise required. Variations are to be understood as implying that the group as a whole or the whole is stated, but does not exclude any other whole or whole group.

References to any prior art in this specification are not, and will not be taken as, a form of any suggestion that the prior art forms part of the general knowledge.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the particular application described. The present invention is not limited to the preferred embodiments thereof, as the specific elements and/or features described or described herein. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments or embodiments disclosed, but that the invention can be modified, modified, and substituted without departing from the scope of the invention The scope is proposed and defined.

Claims (25)

A winding cage for winding a spirally wound tube from a slender ribbed strip, the strip having at least one rib and an opposite engageable edge portion forming a spiral wrap a guiding member for the tube, the winding cage comprising: a plurality of spaced apart strip guiding rollers, each strip guiding roller having a proximal end and a distal end, the strip guiding rollers surrounding The longitudinal winding cage is axially spaced apart; the proximal support frame has a plurality of guide roller proximal end supports for supporting the proximal ends of the strip guide rollers; the distal support frame, a plurality of guide roller distal end supports for supporting distal ends of the strip guide rollers, the proximal and distal support frames being spaced apart from each other and supporting the plurality of spaced apart a strip guide roller; a proximal rack bridge extending away from the proximal frame and bridging between the spaced apart first and second ends of the proximal support frame; a proximal mounting on the bridge and a distal mount on the distal support frame, the proximal side and The side mount is adapted to receive a strip drive assembly for driving the strip into the spool cage whereby the bridge forms a portion of the mouth opening into the spool cage, the mouth The part is for accommodating the strip drive assembly. The winding cage for winding a spirally wound tube from a slender ribbed strip according to the first aspect of the patent application, wherein the mouth has a width which is greater than the longest strip guide roller of the plurality of spaced apart strips The length of the guide roller. For example, the first item of the patent application is for winding a spiral wound tube from a slender ribbed strip. a winding cage comprising at least one rib support roller, the at least one rib support roller extending radially inwardly from a shaft extending between the proximal and distal support frames, thereby In use, the rib support roller engages at least one rib of the strip to thereby guide the strip laterally. A winding cage for winding a spirally wound tube from a slender ribbed strip, as in claim 3, wherein the at least one rib supporting roller comprises at least one flange that, in use, engages the flange At least one rib of the strip, thereby guiding the strip laterally. A winding cage for winding a spirally wound tube from a slender ribbed strip, as in claim 4, wherein each strip guiding roller is rotatable about a strip guiding roller axis, the strips The guide roller axis is spaced apart by the first radius about the longitudinal spool axis; and wherein the at least one rib support roller is rotatable about a rib support roller axis, the rib supporting the roller axis at a second radius The longitudinal winding cage is spaced apart by an axis that is smaller than the first radius. A winding cage for winding a spirally wound tube from a slender ribbed strip, as in claim 4, comprising a rib supporting roller mounted to rotate about an axis, the axis Extending radially inwardly from a shaft extending between the proximal and distal support frames, whereby, in use, the rib support rollers engage at least one rib of the strip, thereby The strip is guided laterally. A winding cage for winding a spirally wound tube from a slender ribbed strip, the strip having at least one rib and an opposite engageable edge portion forming a spiral wrap a guide for the tube, the winding cage comprising: a plurality of spaced apart strip guide rollers, each strip guide roller having a proximal end, a distal end, and a strip guide roller axis, the strip guide roller axis encircling the first radius The longitudinal winding cage is spaced apart, the strip guiding rollers have a maximum radius of the strip roller; the proximal supporting frame has a plurality of proximal guiding roller supports for supporting the strip guiding rollers a proximal end portion; a distal support frame having a plurality of distal guide roller supports for supporting distal ends of the strip guide rollers, the proximal and distal support frames being spaced apart from each other Opening and supporting the plurality of spaced apart strip guiding rollers; and a plurality of rib supporting rollers, each rib supporting roller having a rib supporting roller axis, the rib supporting axis surrounding the longitudinal direction with a second radius The winding cage is spaced apart by a second radius that is smaller than the first radius. A winding cage for winding a spirally wound tube from a ribbed strip, wherein the at least one rib supporting roller comprises at least one flange, in use, the flange engages the At least one rib of the strip, thereby guiding the strip laterally. A winding cage for winding a spirally wound tube from a slender ribbed strip, wherein the rib support roller is mounted for rotation about an axis which is radially directed by a shaft, as in claim 7 The interior extends and the shaft extends between the proximal and distal support frames. A winding machine for winding a spirally wound tube from a slender ribbed strip, the strip having at least one rib and an opposite engageable edge portion, the winding machine comprising a winding cage and a a strip drive assembly with a power unit for driving the strip into the winding cage, the bobbin forming a guide for the spiral wound tube, the winding cage comprising: a plurality of spaced apart Strip guide rollers, each strip guide roller having a proximal end and a distal end a side end portion, the strip guiding rollers are spaced around a longitudinal winding cage axis; a proximal supporting frame having a plurality of guiding roller proximal end supports for supporting the strip guiding rollers a proximal end portion; and a distal support frame having a plurality of guide roller distal end supports for supporting the distal ends of the strip guide rollers, the proximal and distal supports The racks are spaced apart from each other and support the plurality of spaced apart strip guide rollers, wherein the proximal support rack includes a first end and a second end, the first and second ends being spaced apart, An opening for receiving the strip drive assembly is provided. A winding machine for winding a spirally wound tube from a slender ribbed strip, as in claim 10, wherein the proximal support frame is shaped to depict the annulus between the spaced ends a part of. A winding machine for winding a spirally wound tube from a slender ribbed strip, as in claim 10, wherein the spaced apart ends of the proximal support frame form a portion of the mouth, the mouth having a width that is greater than the length of the longest guide roller of the plurality of spaced apart strip guide rollers. A winding machine for winding a spiral wound tube from a slender ribbed strip, as in claim 10, comprising a proximal frame bridge, the bridge being bridged to the proximal support frame Between the first and second ends, whereby the bridge forms a portion of the mouth for receiving the strip drive assembly. A winding machine for winding a spirally wound tube from a slender ribbed strip, as in claim 13, wherein the bridging member comprises a mounting member that connects the strip drive assembly Connected to the bridge and thereby connected to the proximal support frame. A winding machine for winding a spirally wound tube from a slender ribbed strip, according to claim 10, wherein the strip drive assembly comprises a strip inlet and a strip outlet and a pair for driving the strip Pressing rollers are located adjacent to the strip outlet, wherein the pinch rollers include a driver mounted around the pinch roller drive shaft, whereby the spaced ends of the band receive the band The material drive assembly abuts a portion of the drive. A winding machine for winding a spirally wound tube from a slender ribbed strip, as in claim 15, wherein the driver comprises a sprocket driven by a looped transmission member. A winding machine for winding a spirally wound tube from a slender ribbed strip, as in claim 16, wherein the looped transmission member comprises a chain. A winding machine for winding a spirally wound tube from a slender ribbed strip, as in claim 17, wherein the looped transmission member comprises a belt. A winding machine for winding a spirally wound tube from a slender ribbed strip according to claim 10, comprising at least one rib supporting roller, the at least one rib supporting roller extending radially inward from a shaft The shaft extends between the proximal and distal support frames, whereby, in use, the rib support rollers engage at least one rib of the strip, thereby guiding the strip laterally . A winding machine for winding a spirally wound tube from a slender ribbed strip according to claim 19, wherein the at least one rib supporting roller comprises at least one flange which, in use, engages the flange At least one rib of the strip, thereby guiding the strip laterally. For example, in claim 20, a winding machine for winding a spirally wound tube from a slender ribbed strip, Each of the strip guiding rollers is rotatable about a strip guiding roller axis, the strip guiding roller axes being spaced apart by a first radius about the longitudinal winding cage axis; and wherein the at least one rib supports the roller Rotating about a rib support roller axis, the rib support roller axis is spaced apart from the longitudinal spool axis by a second radius that is smaller than the first radius. A winding machine for winding a spirally wound tube from a slender ribbed strip, as in claim 10, comprising a rib supporting roller mounted to rotate about an axis, the axis Extending radially inwardly from a shaft extending between the proximal and distal support frames, whereby, in use, the rib support rollers engage at least one rib of the strip, thereby The strip is guided laterally. A winding machine for winding a spirally wound tube from a slender ribbed strip, the strip having at least one rib and an opposite engageable edge portion, the winding machine comprising a winding cage and a a strip drive assembly with a power unit for driving the strip into the winding cage, the bobbin forming a guide for the spiral wound tube, the winding cage comprising: a plurality of spaced apart a strip guide roller, each strip guide roller having a proximal end, a distal end, and a strip guide roller axis, the strip guide roller axis encircling a longitudinal winding at a first radius The cage axis is spaced apart, the strip guide rollers have a maximum radius of the strip roller; the proximal support frame has a plurality of proximal guide roller supports for supporting the proximal ends of the strip guide rollers a distal support frame having a plurality of distal guide roller supports for supporting distal ends of the strip guide rollers, the proximal and distal support frames being spaced apart from each other, and Support this together a plurality of spaced apart strip guide rollers; and a plurality of rib support rollers, each rib support roller having a rib support roller axis, the rib support axes being spaced apart by a second radius about the longitudinal spool axis The second radius is smaller than the first radius. A winding machine for winding a spirally wound tube from a slender ribbed strip, according to claim 23, wherein the at least one rib supporting roller comprises at least one flange which, in use, engages the flange At least one rib of the strip, thereby guiding the strip laterally. A winding machine for winding a spirally wound tube from a slender ribbed strip, wherein the rib supporting roller is mounted to rotate about an axis which is radially directed by a shaft as claimed in claim 24 The interior extends and the shaft extends between the proximal and distal support frames.