US3838827A

US3838827A - Apparatus for packaging linear material

Info

Publication number: US3838827A
Application number: US00319256A
Authority: US
Inventors: J Klink; A Symborski; E Varrasso
Original assignee: Owens Corning Fiberglas Corp
Current assignee: Owens Corning
Priority date: 1972-12-29
Filing date: 1972-12-29
Publication date: 1974-10-01
Anticipated expiration: 1991-10-01
Also published as: AU5565073A

Abstract

Method of and apparatus for producing and packaging glass strand in a continuous glass filament forming operation including a driven rotatable collector upon which the glass strand is wound into a package, means for intermittently sensing the size of the package during its formation; and control means responsive to the intermittently sensed package size effective to modify the rotational speed of the collector to keep a substantially uniform strand collection speed during formation of the package.

Description

United States Patent Klink et al. 1 Oct. 1, 1974 [54] APPARATUS FOR PACKAGING LINEAR 3,366,341 1/1968 Zavasnik et al 242/45 MATERIAL 3,367,587 2/1968 Klink et al. 242/l8 o [75] Inventors: Jerome P. Klink, Granville; Alex P. FOREIGN PATENTS/0R IONS Symborski, Newark; Eugene C. 1,007,983 10/1965 Great Britain 242/45 Varrasso, Heath, all of Ohio Primar ExaminerStanle N. Gilreath A F Y y [73] sslgnee 332L135: ggg gi Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Carl G. Staelin; John W.

Overman; Ronald C. Hudgens [22] Filed: Dec. 29, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 319,256 [57] ABSTRACT Method of and apparatus for producing and packaging [52] us Cl 242/18 G 65/1 1 w 242/18 CS glass strand in a continuous glass filament forming op- 242/45 eration including a driven rotatable collector upon 51 rm. 0 B65h 54/02, B65h 59/38 which the glass Strand is Wound into a Package, means 5 Field of Search". 5 2 H w. 242 1 G 1 R for intermittently sensing the size Of the package dur- 242/18 Cs ing its formation; and control means responsive to the intermittently sensed package size effective to modify 56] References Cited the rotational speed of the collector to keep a substantially uniform strand collection speed during forma- UNITED STATES PATENTS tion of the package 2,214,333 9/1940 Walsh et al. 242/45 2,354,185 7/1944 Deitz 242/45 X 9 Claims, 7 Drawing lFlgures APPARATUS FGR PACKAGING LINEAR MATERIAL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It is a practice in the textile industry to collect continuous multifilament linear material such as strand, yarn and roving into wound packages on the spindle or collet of a winder. To obtain uniform collection speed, many textile winders include speed controls for reducing the rotational speed of the spindle during package formation. But these controls have not always been adequate to both closely control collection speed and be free from other limitations considered in winding linear material.

Uniform collection speed is especially needed in filament forming operations; the speed of filament collection (bundle of filaments) effects filament diameter. So nonuniform collection speeds effect variations in the weight along the length of the filament bundles collected.

Some winders use controls that effect programmed reductions in spindle speed during package formation. But such controls do not sense the actual collection speed of material being wound. Thus, variations in collection speed are not corrected; a nonuniform collec tion speed results.

Other winders use a roller bail to continuously sense the size of the package during collection and use controls responsive to such sensed size of the package to continuously reduce the rotational speed of a collet in accordance with the increasing size of the package. However, the roller bail is continuously in contact with the circumferential surface of the package during collection. And this contact tends to promote broken filaments that collect as fuzz (fuzz rings) around the roller bail. The result is broken multifilament linear mate rial during collection.

Moreover, prior winder controls tend to be complex and difficult to maintain. So improved and simplified controls are always welcomed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the invention is improved method of and apparatus for packaging linear material.

Another object of the invention is improved method of and apparatus for packaging linear material that is effective to maintain a substantially uniform rate of collection of linear material during formation of the package.

Still another object of the invention is improved method of and apparatus for production and packaging glass strand in a glass filament forming operation.

These and other objects are attained by method of and apparatus for packaging linear material that includes a driven rotatable collector upon which linear material is wound as a package; means for intermittently supplying an indication of the size of the package during formation thereof; and means effective in response to the intermittently supplied indication of the size of the package to modify the rotational speed of the collector to maintain a substantially uniform rate of collection of linear material during formation of the package.

These and other objects will become more apparent as the invention is more fully described with reference made to the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of apparatus according to the principles of the invention in a glass filament forming operation.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged front elevation view of the strand guide support, strand guide and intermittent package size sensing arrangement shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the lines 44 in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a prospective view showing the strand traverse support and support drive of the apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 6 is a control diagram for the apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 7 is a front elevation view of another embodiment of apparatus according to the principles of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The method and apparatus of the invention for packaging linear material are particularly useful in processes of forming filaments of heat-softened mineral material such as molten glass; apparatus combines indi vidual filaments into an untwisted bundle or strand that is wound into a package. But the method and apparatus are also useful in other processes that collect linear material into wound packages. Further, the invention can be used to package other types of linear material than glass strand. For example, the invention can be used in packaging monofilaments and filament bundles such as yarn, cord, roving, etc., made of filament forming material such as nylon and polyester. So the disclosure of apparatus for packaging glass strand in a glass filament forming operation is only an example to explain the operation of the invention.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show apparatus for forming and collecting continuous glass filaments from heat-softened glass. The glass filaments are combined into an untwisted bundle or strand that is collected on a spindle or collet of a winder as a wound package. The winder uses a strand collection speed control. This control includes means for intermittently supplying an indication of the size of the package during its formation and means effective in response to the intermittently supplied indication of package size to modify the rotational speed of the collet to maintain a substantially uniform rate of strand collection throughout formation of the package.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, .a container 10 holds a supply of molten glass. The container 10 can connect to a forehearth that supplies molten glass from a furnace or can connect to other means for supplying molten glass. For example, the container 10 can connect to a melter effective to reduce marbles to a heat-softened condition.

Terminals 12 are at the ends of the container 10; these terminals connect to a source of electrical energy. When electrically energized the container 10 supplies heat by conventional resistance heating to molten glass held by it. The heat maintains the molten glass at proper fiber forming temperatures and viscosities.

The container 10 has a bottom wall 14 that has orifices or passageways for delivering individual streams 16 of molten glass from the container. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 the openings in the bottom wall 14 comprise rows of spaced apart depending orificed projections or tubular members 18.

Individual continuous glass filaments are withdrawn from the individual molten glass streams 16. The filaments 20 are combined into a strand 22 as they turn on a gathering shoe 24 located below the container 10. The strand 22 also turns on a shoe 26.

Normally apparatus supplies both water and a liquid, which can be sizing or other protective coating material, to the filaments 20. As shown a nozzle adjacent to the bottom wall 14 directs water spray onto the continuous glass filaments before the shoe 24 combines them into the glass strand 22.

A sizing applicator 34 rotatably held within a housing 36 just above the gathering shoe 24 applies the liquid sizing or other coating material to the swiftly traveling continuous glass filaments 20. The applicator 34 can be any suitable type known to the art; however, the applicator 34 is shown as an endless belt moved through liquid held in the housing 36. As the continuous glass filaments 20 speed downwardly in touching relationship across the surface of the moving endless belt 34, some of the liquid on the belt 34 transfers to them.

A winder 40 collects the strand 22 as a generally cylindrically shaped wound package 42 on a driven rotatable collector or collet 44. The package 42 is shown formed on a tube 46 telescoped onto the collet 44.

Advancement of the strand 22 downwardly to the package 42 during rotation of the collet 44 withdraws the continuous glass filaments 20 from the molten glass streams 16.

A variable speed drive within the housing 50 of the winder 40 rotates the collet 44. As shown the variable speed drive includes a motor and clutch assembly 52. And this assembly includes a constant speed electric motor 54 and an associated eddy-current clutch 56. The motor 54 directly drives a rotor within the clutch 56. The output shaft of the eddy-current clutch 56 connects to the collet 44; the driven output shaft of the clutch 56 drives the collet 44 in rotation.

Magnetic forces generated within the clutch 56 transfer rotational energy of the motor driven rotor of the,

clutch 56 to its output shaft. Changes in flux density (magnetic forces) within the clutch 56 vary the amount of rotational energy transferred from the rotor to the output shaft (collet 44) of the clutch 56. Greater flux densities effect greater rotational energy from the rotor to the output shaft of the clutch 56.

The motor and eddy-current clutch assembly 52 shown is a commercially available assembly known as a Dynamatic. The Dynamatic is manufactured by the Dynamatic Division of Eaton, Yale & Towne, Incorporated.

Strand traversing apparatus, including a strand guide 60, moves the advancing strand 22 back and forth lengthwise of the collet 44 (package 42) to distribute the strand 22 on the package 42. In the embodiment shown the traversing apparatus includes a traverse support comprising a hollow arm 62 and a tubular housing 64, traverse actuating means in the form of a barrel cam 66 and a strand guide assembly 68. I

The arm 62 is oriented in the vertical plane and is mounted for pivotal movement about the axis of a shaft 70 within the housing 50. The tubular housing 64 is fixed at the lower end of the arm 62; the housing 64 extends horizontally with its longitudinal axis parallel to the axis of rotation of the collet 44.

The barrel cam 66 is rotatably held within the tubular housing 64 with its axis of rotation parallel to the axis of rotation of the collet 44.

The tubular housing 64 slidably carries the strand guide assembly 68. As one can more clearly see in FIGS. 3 and 4, the tubular housing 64 includes an axial slot 72 along which the strand guide assembly 68 moves. The slot 72 opens substantially the entire length of the tubular housing 64 on the side of the housing facing the collet 44.

The traverse assembly 68 includes a slide block 76, cam follower 78, an elongated flat spring and the strand guide 60.

The slide block 76 includes grooves 82 that accommodate the lengthwise edge portions 84 of the slot 72. The edge portions 84 are guideways that fit into the grooves 82 in slide fit relationship.

The cam follower 78 connects the slide block 76 with cam grooves 88 in the circumferential surface of the barrel cam 66. The follower 78 includes an arcuate portion 86 that fits into the cam grooves 88 and a tenon 90 that pivotally fits into the slide block 76. During operation the pivotal connection of the follower 78 with the slide block 76 allows swivel or pivotal movement of the follower 78 at the turnaround or reversal regions of the cam grooves 88.

The slide block 76 carries the spring 80, which is disposed downwardly from the block 76. Mountings 92 are at the lower end of the spring 80; the mountings 92 carry mounting pins 94 that pivotally hold the strand guide 60 on the spring 80.

Strand guide 60 has a flat guide surface 96 with a recess or slot 98 that engages the downwardly speeding strand 22. In operation the strand guide 60 is reciprocated axially of the package 42 with its guide surface 96 lightly pressed (by the spring 80) against the circumferential surface of the package 42.

Rotation of the barrel cam 66 reciprocates the strand guide assembly 68 (guide 60) along the slot 72. And the speed of reciprocation of the strand guide 60 is directly proportional to the rotational speed of the barrel cam 66.

Referring to FIG. 2, it can be seen that a motor 100 and a drive within the winder 40 rotates the cam 66 to reciprocate the guide 60. The motor 100, through a suitable transmission 102, rotates the horizontally disposed shaft 70. The shaft 70 extends through a sleeve 104 that forms part of the support, which includes the arm 62 and tubular housing 64. The sleeve 104 is mounted within the winder 40 and journally mounted by bearing

housings

106 and 108. The axis of rotation of the sleeve 104 is coextensive with the shaft 70.

Rotation of the shaft 70 moves a drive within the arm 62. The shaft 70 carries a sprocket 110 disposed within the upper portion of the hollow arm 62. The sprocket 110 connects by a belt 112 to a sprocket 114 on a shaft 116 in the lower portion of the hollow arm 62. The shaft 116 extends axially from one end of the barrel cam 66.

The drive arrangement permits the motor 100 to rotate the cam 66 independently of the position of the arm 62.

The support is moved during package formation to keep the strand guide 60 at the circumferential surface of the package in the region of strand collection throughout package formation. To do this the size of the package 42 is intermittently sensed. Means responsive to the sensed enlargement of the package 42 moves the traverse support to maintain the strand guide 60 at substantially the same relative position at the circumferential surface of the package throughout package formation.

Looking at the traverse support as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 together with the showing in FIG. 5, it can be seen that the traverse support is a rigid assembly including the horizontal tubular housing 64, the vertical hollow arm 62 and horizontal sleeve 104. So movement of the sleeve 104 about its horizontal axis effects move ment of the housing 64 (guide 60) along an arcuate path.

The winder 40 includes a drive to move the housing 64 (traverse support) during formation of a package by movement of the sleeve 104 about its horizontal axis. The drive includes a ball screw assembly driven by an electric motor 120 having a solenoid actuated output clutch 121. In practice the motor 120 is normally a slow speed synchronous type motor rotating at about 70 rpm when energized. The ball screw assembly includes a generally vertically oriented screw 122 on the output shaft of the clutch 121 (motor 120) and an engaging ball nut 124. The nut 124 is pivotally held between arms 126 at the bifurcated end of a lever 130; the lever 130 extends radially from the exterior surface of the sleeve 104.

A plate 132 carries the motor 120 and clutch 121 assembly. And the plate 132 is pivotally held by spaced apart vertical members 134.

Rotational movement of the screw 122 effects movement of the traverse support and hence movement of the strand guide 60.

The means for intermittently sensing enlargement of the package 42 includes a switch and a switch activating device used with the strand traversing arrangement. The switch is in a circuit that supplies electrical energy to the motor 120.

Referring more specifically to FIGS. 4 and 6, the sensing arrangement as shown uses a normally open magnetically actuated reed switch 136. Opposing

natural magnets

138 and 140 are used to actuate the contacts to the switch 136. These magnets are disposed with opposing ends having the same polarity. Magnet 138 is fixed on an elongated support member 142 carried by the tubular housing 64; the magnet 140 moves with the strand guide assembly 68.

The switch 136 and the magnet 138 are held in fixed location in a plastic housing 144 on the support member 142, which is made of nonmagnetic material. A member 142 made of a resin-textile laminate commercially known as Micarta has given good results.

The tubular housing 64 carries the support 142 with its longitudinal dimension disposed horizontally. The major surfaces of the support 142 are in a plane extending in a direction parallel to the major surfaces of the flat spring 80. The housing 144 holding the reed switch 136 and magnet 138 is secured on the major surface of the support member 142 facing away from the spring 80 (guide 60). So the reed switch 136 and magnet 138 are stationary.

The housing 144 is shown in a preferred location at the mid-length of the support 142; this mid-length location of the housing 144 on the support 142 is also the mid-length of the reciprocation stroke for the strand guide 60.

The magnet 140 is on the spring 80. So reciprocation of the guide 60 also reciprocates the magnet 140. The magnet 140 is shown facing the support member 142.

FIG. 6 is a control circuit including control for the clutched motor 120. When the reed switch 136 is closed, electrical energy is supplied to a timer 150. The energized timer 150 closes holding contacts T1 to keep itself energized and closes contacts T-2 to energize the motor 120. The clutch 121 is kept energized throughout package build. So during times the motor is energized the screw 122 is rotated.

The timer 1511 keeps the motor 120 electrically energized during opening and closing of the contacts of the reed switch 136 by the magnets 138 and as the position of the housing 64 is being changed. So the motor 120 operates at intervals to move the guide 60 (the traverse support) in increments or steps away from the circumferential surface of the package 42. An increment of movement takes place each time the

magnets

138 and 140 initially close the reed switch 136 during package formation.

The energized motor 120 rotates the screw 122 to effect movement of the guide 60 at the circumferential surface of the package 42 without losing engagement of the strand 22.

One can more clearly see movement of the spring 80 and magnet 140 by the dash lines in FIG. 4. As the diameter of the package 42 increases, the circumferential surface of the package 42 pushes the strand guide 60 (and hence the spring 80) towards the reed switch 136. The contacts of the switch 136 feel the influence of the

magnets

138 and 140 as the magnet 140 is moved to approach the switch 136. In selected proximity magnetic power from the

magnets

138 and 140 snaps closed the normally open contacts of the reed switch 136.

One can control the amount of displacement of the guide 60 required to actuate the switch 136. Such displacement is indicated by the space denoted d in FIG. 4. The location of the magnets 1.38 and 140 can be changed to actuate the reed switch from different proximity locations. Also, it is possible to use magnets of different magnetic strengths to control operation of the switch 136.

Further, it is possible to use other types of switches in the switch actuating means. For example, one might use a light sensitive switching arrangement capable of being actuated by selected light intensity together with a light source responsive to the sensitize of a package for actuating the light sensitive switching arrangement. Then too, one might use a high frequency energy beam or pneumatic arrangement to intermittently actuate a switch in close proximity thereto in response to enlargement of the winding package. Also, it is possible to use other types of magnetic members, e.g., electromagnetic devices, to intermittentlly actuate a switch like the reed switch 136. Moreover, one might use a switching arrangement like that disclosed in US Pat. No. 3,523,650.

The winder 40 includes controls effective in response to the intermittently sensed size of the package 42 to modify the rotational speed of the collet 44 to maintain a substantially uniform rate of strand collection during formation of the package 42. Referring to FIGS. 2, 5

and 6, it can be seen that the controls include a potentiometer 160 in a circuit supplying electrical energy to the eddy-current clutch 56. Changes in the electrical outputof the potentiometer 160 effect changes in the magnetic flux density generated in the clutch 56. So changes in the output of the potentiometer 160 effect changes in the rotational speed of the collet 44.

The potentiometer 160 is shown carried by the plate 132.

Rotational movement of the screw 122 controls the output of the potentiometer 160. A belt 162 connects the control shaft 164 of the potentiometer 160 with the screw 122. The belt 164 rides in a sheave 166 on the screw 122 and a sheave 168 on the control shaft 164.

When the traverse support (tubular member 64) is in its start package location, the potentiometer 160 is set to be in a position to effect a maximum collet rotational speed of the collet 44 (maximum flux in the eddycurrent clutch 56) for the package to be formed. As the screw 122 is moved by the motor 120 during package formation, movement of the screw 122 effects rotational movement of the control shaft 164. Such move ment of the shaft 164 is such that reductions in the voltage output from the potentiometer 160 is effected to keep a substantially constant circumferential package speed as the package 42 increases in diameter. So substantially constant strand collection speed is main tained throughout package formation.

To accurately locate or set the potentiometer 160 (and the guide 60) at the beginning of each package build the winder 40 uses a stop member 170. This member is on the exterior of the housing 50 in a position to engage the arm 62. At the beginning of package build an operator moves the traverse support to engage the stop member 170 and arm 62. The potentiometer 160 is set to begin package build.

Operation of the winder 40 can be more fully understood by following the control diagram shown in FIG. 6. Commercial electrical energy is supplied to the control circuit at L and L With the arm 62 against the stop member 170 a limit switch (start) 172 is closed. The operator can begin the winder 40 by closing a main start switch 174. The closed control switch 174 supplies electrical energy to the motor 54 and energizes control relay CR. The energized relay CR closes: (1) contacts CR-l to keep itself energized; (2) contacts CR-2 to energize the solenoid actuated clutch 121 to ready the motor 120 for operation; (3) contacts CR-3 to energize an amplifier and controller 176 that supplies electrical energy to the eddy-current clutch 56.

As the package 42 increases in diameter the contacts of the reed switch 136 are closed. The timer 150 is encrgized, which closes contacts T-2 to energize the motor 120 to rotate the screw 122. The timer 150 also closes contacts T-] to keep itself energized for a selected time. When the timer 150 times out after the last closure of the reed switch 136 during an intermittent change in the location of the traverse support, the contacts T-] and T-2 open.

The rotation speed of the collet 44 is modified throughout package build as the movement of the screw 122 effects changes in the output of the potentiometer 160. As shown in FIG. 6, the potentiometer 160 is in a circuit having a suitable positive DC voltage source with respect to ground such as a battery 178.

The voltage output of the potentiometer 160 is supplied as a signal to a summing junction J. As the control shaft 164 of the potentiometer is moved by rotational movement of the screw 122, the output of the potentiometer 160 is reduced as its slider is moved in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 6.

A trim potentiometer 180 is also in the circuit with the potentiometer 160; the voltage of the trim potentiometer 180 is set for a specific collet diameter and left unchanged.

The summing junction J also receives a feedback voltage signal from the eddy-current clutch 56. A tachometer generator 182, which is connected to the output of the clutch 56, provides a DC voltage signal indicating the rotational speed of the clutch 56. This DC signal is provided to the junction J through a voltage divider 184 as a negative DC voltage signal with respect to ground.

When the voltage signals to the junction J are equal and opposite with respect to ground there is no voltage signal from the junction J, and the electrical signal supplied to the eddy-current clutch 56 by the amplifier and controller 176 remains constant. So the rotational output speed of the eddy-current clutch 56 remains constant because the magnetic flux in the clutch 56 is not changed.

A reduction in the positive voltage from the potentiometer (by rotational movement of the screw 122) supplies a negative control voltage signal from the junction J to the controller 176. And the controller 176 effects a reduction in the output speed of the eddycurrent clutch 56 until the voltage signal supplied to the junction J from the tachometer 182 is equal but opposite with respect to ground from the DC voltage from the potentiometer 160.

The voltage from the potentiometer 160 is repeatedly changed throughout package build in response to the intermittently supplied indication of package size to effect sufficient modifications to the rotational speed of the collet 44 to keep a substantially constant strand collection speed throughout package build.

At the end of package build a limit switch 178 is opened. The control relay CR is opened; the collet 44 Hence, the winder 40 includes means for intermittently sensing the size of a package during its formation and means effective in response to the sensed package size to modify the rotation speed of the collector to keep a substantially constant strand collection speed. But in a broader sense the invention includes means for intermittently supplying an indication of the size of a package during its formation and means effective in response to the intermittently supplied indication of package size to modify the rotational speed of the collector to keep a substantially uniform rate of strand collection. For example, it is possible to sense the weight of a package during its formation as an indication of package size.

Further, it is possible to locate an integrator between the amplifier and controller 176 and the eddy-current clutch 56. An integrator would slope or ramp the signal from the controller 176. Therefore, the rotational output speed of the clutch would be gradually reduced during times there is no change in the control signal from the junction J.

FIG. 8 shows a winder 240 that is like the winder 40. The winder 240 collects the strand 22 into a wound package 242 on a driven collet 244. The package 242 is formed on a tube 246 telescoped onto the collet 244.

A variable speed motor and clutch assembly 252 rotates the collet 244 through a belt 253; the motor and clutch assembly 252 is the same as the motor and clutch assembly 52 of the winder 40.

Strand traversing apparatus, which includes a strand guide 260, moves the advancing strand 22 back and forth lengthwise of the collet 244 (package 242) to distribute the strand 22 on the package 242. As shown the strand traversing apparatus includes a traverse support comprising a hollow arm 262 and a horizontal tubular housing 164, traverse actuating means in the form of a rotatable barrel cam 266 within the housing 264, a strand guide assembly 268 and a vertical support 270. It can be seen that the strand traversing apparatus of the winder 240 is like the strand traversing apparatus of the winder 40.

The arm 262 is a two piece assembly and includes a rear portion. 262a and a forward portion 262b from which the tubular housing 264 extends lengthwise of the collet 244. The rearward portion 2620 is pivotally mounted about a horizontal shaft 272 within the winder 240. The forward portion 262b is pivotally mounted to the rearward portion 262a.

The support 270 is mounted for horizontal movement on a horizontal guide tube 273 fixed on the winder 240. The support 270 carries the housing 264 and barrel cam 266.80 horizontal movement of the support moves the tubular housing 264 and guide assembly 268 along a horizontal path away from the collet 244 during package formation.

It can be seen in FIG. 3 that the motor and clutch drive 252 rotates the barrel cam 266 and hence reciprocates the assembly 268. A belt 274 connects the output of the drive assembly 252 with the horizontal shaft 272; the shaft 272 connects to a drive within the arm 262. The drive is similar to the drive within the arm 62 of the winder 40 and includes

sprockets

276 and 278 and belts 280 and 282 within the arm 262.

Like the winder 40, the traverse support of the winder 240 is moved during package formation to keep the strand guide 260 at the circumferential surface of the package in the region of strand collection throughout package formation. To do this the winder 240 uses the controls shown with the winder 40 together with a ball screw assembly driven by an electric motor 320 having a solenoid activated output clutch 321. The ball screw assembly includes a horizontal screw 322 on the output shaft of the motor 320 and an engaging nut 324, which is part of the support 270.

Rotation of the screw 322 effects horizontal movement of the support 270.

Rotational movement of the screw 322 controls the output of a potentiometer 360, which is like the poten-. tiometer 160. The screw 322 is connected to the control shaft 364 by a belt 362.

In operation the winder 240, just like the winder 40, modifies the rotational speed of its collet 244 to maintain a substantially uniform rate of strand collection during package formation. The winder 240 intermittently senses the size (diameter) of the package 242 and modifies the rotational speed of the collector in response to the intermittently sensed size of the package 242 to maintain a substantially uniform rate of strand collection throughout package formation.

We claim:

1. Apparatus for packaging linear material comprising:

a rotatable collector upon which the linear material is wound as a package;

means for rotating the collector;

a traverse guide for the material located at the circumferential surface of the package in the region of collection of the material onto the package;

a movable support carrying the traverse guide;

means for reciprocating the traverse guide lengthwise of the collector to distribute the material on the package;

means for intermittently sensing the size of the package during formation thereof;

a drive responsive to the intermittently sensed size of the package for moving the support to maintain the traverse guide at the circumferential surface of the package during formation of the package; and

means effective in response to the intermittently sensed size of the package for modifying the rota tional speed of the collector to maintain a substan tially uniform linear collection rate of material during package formation of the package, such speed control means including a variable electrical energy source for controlling the speed of the means for rotating the collector and connector means effective to modify the output of the electrical energy source in response to the drive during times such drive moves the traverse guide support.

2. Apparatus of claim 1 further including means holding the traverse guide for resilient contact with the circumferential surface of the package.

3. Apparatus of claim 2 in which the drive for moving the support includes an electric motor, means for supplying electric energy to the electric motor, a switch controlling supply of the electrical energy to the electric motor actuated by predetermined movement of the traverse guide and motor output linkage means connecting the electric motor and the support effective to move the support during times the electric motor is energized, the connector means linking the motor output linkage with the variable electrical energy source.

4. Apparatus of claim 3 in which the support is pivotally mounted.

5. Apparatus for producing and packaging glass strand comprising:

means for supplying means of molten glass for attenuation into continuous glass filaments;

means for gathering the filaments into a strand;

a rotatable collector upon which the strand is wound as a package;

means for rotating the collector;

a traverse assembly including a traverse guide for engagement with the strand and means for holding the strand traverse guide in resilient contact with the circumferential surface of the package in the region of strand collection;

a movable traverse support carrying the traverse assembly in slide fit relation for movement lengthwise of the collector;

means for reciprocating the traverse assembly to dis tribute the strand on the package;

a drive for moving the support to maintain the strand traverse guide at the circumferential surface of the package during formation of the package, such drive including an electric motor, a switch means for controlling supply of electrical energy to the motor effective to be actuated by movement of the traverse guide in a direction away from the axis of the package and linkage means actuated by the output of the energized electric motor effective to move the traverse support when the electric motor is energized; and

means effective in response to movement of the drive during energization of the electric motor for modifying the rotational speed of the collector to maintain a substantially uniform linear collection speed during formation of the package, such speed modifying means including a variable voltage means operably connected to the linkage means, changes in voltage from such variable voltage means effecting modification in the rotational speed of the collector.

6. The apparatus of claim in which the variable voltage means includes a potentiometer.

7. The apparatus of claim 5 in which the means for rotating the collector includes a motor and an eddycurrent clutch operably connected to the motor.

8. Apparatus for producing glass strand comprising:

means for supplying streams of molten glass for attenuation into continuous glass filaments; means for gathering the glass filaments into a strand;

a rotatable collector upon which the strand is wound as a package;

means for rotating the collector;

a strand traverse assembly including a strand guide member and means holding the strand guide member in resilient contact with the circumferential surface of the package during package formation;

a pivotally mounted support carrying the strand traverse assembly for movement lengthwise of the package;

means for reciprocating the strand traverse assembly to distribute the strand on the package during formation thereof;

means for moving the support to keep the traverse strand guide member at the circumferential surface of the package during its formation, such support moving means including an electric motor, a switch actuated by movement of the strand traverse guide member away from the axis of the package controlling the operation of the electric motor, a threaded member driven in rotation by the electric motor, a nut threadably engaged on the threaded member, a lever fixed at one end to the support and movably connected to the nut at the other end so that movement of the nut along the length of the threaded member during rotation of such member effects movement of the support; and

means effective in response to the rotation of the threaded member for modifying the rotational speed of the collector to keep a substantially uniform linear strand collection speed during package formation, such speed modifying means including a potentiometer for supplying variable electrical energy to the means for rotating the collector, means effective in response to rotational movement of the threaded member to modify the output voltage of the potentiometer.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 in which the means effective in response to rotational movement of the threaded member to modify the output voltage of the potentiometer includes a potentiometer control shaft and a belt running between the threaded member and the control shaft.

Claims

1. Apparatus for packaging linear material comprising: a rotatable collector upon which the linear material is wound as a package; means for rotating the collector; a traverse guide for the material located at the circumferential surface of the package in the region of collection of the material onto the package; a movable support carrying the traverse guide; means for reciprocating the traverse guide lengthwise of the collector to distribute the material on the package; means for intermittently sensing the size of the package during formation thereof; a drive responsive to the intermittently sensed size of the package for moving the support to maintain the traverse guide at the circumferential surface of the package during formation of the package; and means effective in response to the intermittently sensed size of the package for modifying tHe rotational speed of the collector to maintain a substantially uniform linear collection rate of material during package formation of the package, such speed control means including a variable electrical energy source for controlling the speed of the means for rotating the collector and connector means effective to modify the output of the electrical energy source in response to the drive during times such drive moves the traverse guide support.

4. Apparatus of claim 3 in which the support is pivotally mounted.

5. Apparatus for producing and packaging glass strand comprising: means for supplying means of molten glass for attenuation into continuous glass filaments; means for gathering the filaments into a strand; a rotatable collector upon which the strand is wound as a package; means for rotating the collector; a traverse assembly including a traverse guide for engagement with the strand and means for holding the strand traverse guide in resilient contact with the circumferential surface of the package in the region of strand collection; a movable traverse support carrying the traverse assembly in slide fit relation for movement lengthwise of the collector; means for reciprocating the traverse assembly to distribute the strand on the package; a drive for moving the support to maintain the strand traverse guide at the circumferential surface of the package during formation of the package, such drive including an electric motor, a switch means for controlling supply of electrical energy to the motor effective to be actuated by movement of the traverse guide in a direction away from the axis of the package and linkage means actuated by the output of the energized electric motor effective to move the traverse support when the electric motor is energized; and means effective in response to movement of the drive during energization of the electric motor for modifying the rotational speed of the collector to maintain a substantially uniform linear collection speed during formation of the package, such speed modifying means including a variable voltage means operably connected to the linkage means, changes in voltage from such variable voltage means effecting modification in the rotational speed of the collector.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 in which the variable voltage means includes a potentiometer.

7. The apparatus of claim 5 in which the means for rotating the collector includes a motor and an eddy-current clutch operably connected to the motor.

8. Apparatus for producing glass strand comprising: means for supplying streams of molten glass for attenuation into continuous glass filaments; means for gathering the glass filaments into a strand; a rotatable collector upon which the strand is wound as a package; means for rotating the collector; a strand traverse assembly including a strand guide member and means holding the strand guide member in resilient contact with the circumferential surface of the package during package formation; a pivotally mounted support carrying the strand traverse assembly for movement lengthwise of the package; means for reciprocating the strand traverse assembly to distribute the strand on the package during formation thereof; means for moving the support to keep the traverse sTrand guide member at the circumferential surface of the package during its formation, such support moving means including an electric motor, a switch actuated by movement of the strand traverse guide member away from the axis of the package controlling the operation of the electric motor, a threaded member driven in rotation by the electric motor, a nut threadably engaged on the threaded member, a lever fixed at one end to the support and movably connected to the nut at the other end so that movement of the nut along the length of the threaded member during rotation of such member effects movement of the support; and means effective in response to the rotation of the threaded member for modifying the rotational speed of the collector to keep a substantially uniform linear strand collection speed during package formation, such speed modifying means including a potentiometer for supplying variable electrical energy to the means for rotating the collector, means effective in response to rotational movement of the threaded member to modify the output voltage of the potentiometer.