Importance

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Abstract

Spooling apparatus and method utilizing reels having generally radial slots in the end flanges. A filament is guided to a selected reel by a reciprocating traverse sheave. The traverse sheave is moved to one axial end of the full reel to arrange the filament in a winding reference plane adjacent to the inside surface of the flange at that end. A transfer sheave, which moves between the two reels in the winding reference plane engages the advancing filament and deflects it proximate to the empty reel to position a portion of the filament in a direction substantially tangent with the periphery of the empty reel while winding of the filament continues to the other reel. A throw pin momentarily deflects the filament from the winding reference plane to a cutting reference plane on the other side of the flange which places the filament in a position to be snagged by a snagger that rotates with the empty reel and cut on a stationary cutting element in the cutting reference plane. As soon as the filament is cut the snagged end is guided onto a spiral track, outside of the reel, to guide the filament from the point of snagging at the periphery of the flange to a point corresponding to the surface of the reel drum. A long end is formed on the track within one turn of the reel, and the filament is thereafter guided through the radial slot to be deposited on the empty reel drum for continued spooling. By leading the long end of the filament through a slot in the flange directly onto the drum, the filament is subjected to minimum stresses, deformations and bending while providing desired long ends.

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First Claim