Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
281 words
A lap creel having a longitudinal axis and top and bottom ends, comprising rod shaped carrying members (1) each having a substantially rectangular cross-section in a direction extending substantially radially relative to said longitudinal axis, a first number of ring shaped holding means (2, 3) and a second number of ring shaped holding means (5) operatively connected to said rod shaped carrying members (1) to form a cage, each of said carrying members (1) having a longitudinal shape with a first part that widens toward said bottom end of the creel and with a second part that widens toward the top end of the creel, whereby a lower conical cage portion and an upper conical cage portion are formed which merge into each other where said cage has its smallest outer diameter intermediate said bottom and top ends, said first number of ring shaped holding means being connected to said carrying members along said first part thereof so that said ring shaped holding means and said carrying members are substantially flush with one another in the radially outward direction along said lower conical cage portion, said second number of ring shaped holding means being connected to said carrying members along said second part thereof so that said carrying members protrude radially outwardly relative to said ring shaped holding means along said upper conical cage portion, said first number of ring shaped holding means comprising at least one ring located at said bottom end and having inwardly facing, axially extending grooves (10) positioned intermediate adjacent carrying members and radially spaced from one another so that said lap creel is insertable with its top end into another lap creel of the same construction.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
281 words
A lap creel having a longitudinal axis and top and bottom ends, comprising rod shaped carrying members (1) each having a substantially rectangular cross-section in a direction extending substantially radially relative to said longitudinal axis, a first number of ring shaped holding means (2, 3) and a second number of ring shaped holding means (5) operatively connected to said rod shaped carrying members (1) to form a cage, each of said carrying members (1) having a longitudinal shape with a first part that widens toward said bottom end of the creel and with a second part that widens toward the top end of the creel, whereby a lower conical cage portion and an upper conical cage portion are formed which merge into each other where said cage has its smallest outer diameter intermediate said bottom and top ends, said first number of ring shaped holding means being connected to said carrying members along said first part thereof so that said ring shaped holding means and said carrying members are substantially flush with one another in the radially outward direction along said lower conical cage portion, said second number of ring shaped holding means being connected to said carrying members along said second part thereof so that said carrying members protrude radially outwardly relative to said ring shaped holding means along said upper conical cage portion, said first number of ring shaped holding means comprising at least one ring located at said bottom end and having inwardly facing, axially extending grooves (10) positioned intermediate adjacent carrying members and radially spaced from one another so that said lap creel is insertable with its top end into another lap creel of the same construction.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
52 words
The lap creel of claim 1, wherein said first number of ring shaped holding means comprise at least one further ring (4) located adjacent said smallest outer cage diameter and arranged to provide a stop for the top end of another lap creel inserted into the bottom end of the lap creel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
65 words
The lap creel of claim 1, having a given axial length, said lower conical cage portion having an axial length corresponding to about 1/3 of said given axial length and said upper conical cage portion having an axial length corresponding to about 2/3 of said given axial length, said carrying members protruding radially outwardly from said ring shaped holding means along said 2/3 axial length.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
51 words
The lap creel of claim 1, wherein said rod shaped carrying members have radially outwardly facing first surface means and wherein said first number of ring shaped holding means also have radially outwardly facing further surface means, said first and further surface means being roughened along said lower conical cage portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
The lap creel of claim 1, wherein said at least one ring (2) located at said bottom end has a roughened surface facing radially outwardly and a ring groove (9) in said radially outwardly facing surface for taking up a thread reserve.