Method of manufacturing a coil of flexible object and core therefor

Claim 1

A core of a rotatable unit for manufacturing a coil of a continuous flexible object which envelops the core, said core comprising: first and second flat substantially parallel end rings each having an inner circular concentric support surface defining a central substantially circular opening; a plurality of recesses in said inner support surface in open communication with said central opening; a plurality of longitudinal support elements, of substantially equal length, each having first and second substantially parallel ends, and outer and inner sides; said support elements extending substantially axially between said end rings with said ends of each of said longitudinal elements engaging said rings at a said recesses, and said support elements maintaining said end rings substantially parallel to each other; and wherein said support elements are circumferentially spaced from each other around said end rings, and wherein the number of said plurality of recesses is the same as the number of said plurality of support elements.

Claim 20

A method of manufacturing a coil of hose, flexible tubing, rope, wire, ribbon, or cable surrounding a core, using first and second flat substantially parallel end rings each having an inner circular concentric support surface defining a central substantially circular opening; and a plurality of recesses in the inner support surface in open communication with the central opening; and a plurality of longitudinal support elements, of substantially equal length, each having first and second substantially parallel ends, and outer and inner sides, said method comprising substantially sequentially: (a) bringing the support element ends into engagement with the first and second end rings at recesses in the end rings so that the ends of the support elements substantially coincide with the outer sides of the end rings and the inner sides of the support elements substantially coincide with the circular support surface, and so that the support elements are circumferentially spaced from each other; (b) clamping the core between two substantially parallel support rings and so that a centering element of each support ring extends into the central opening; (c) attaching the hose, flexible tubing, rope, or cable to the core; (d) rotating the support rings and centering element so that the hose, flexible tubing, rope, wire, ribbon, or cable is wound around the core to form a coil of hose, flexible tubing, rope, wire, ribbon, or cable extending radially outwardly from the core, and contained by the support rings; (e) cutting the hose, flexible tubing, rope, wire, ribbon, or cable; (f) encircling a plurality of portions of the coil, the support elements, and corresponding portions of the end rings with a plurality of straps which hold the coil to the core; and (g) removing the supporting rings and centering element away from the core so that the coil, core, and straps provide an integral self-supporting package.

Claim 21

A method of manufacturing a coil of hose, flexible tubing, rope, wire, ribbon, or cable surrounding a core, using first and second flat substantially parallel end rings each having an inner circular concentric support surface defining a central substantially circular opening; and a plurality of recesses in the inner support surface in open communication with the central opening; and a plurality of longitudinal support elements, of substantially equal length, each having first and second substantially parallel ends, and outer and inner sides, said method comprising substantially sequentially: (a) bringing the support element ends into engagement with the first and second end rings at recesses in the end rings so that the ends of the support elements substantially coincide with the outer sides of the end rings and the inner sides of the support elements substantially coincide with the circular support surface, and so that the support elements are circumferentially spaced from each other; (b) clamping the core between two substantially parallel support rings and so that a centering element of each support ring extends into the central opening; (c) attaching the hose, flexible tubing, rope, or cable to the core; (d) rotating the support rings and centering element so that the hose, flexible tubing, rope, wire, ribbon, or cable is wound around the core to form a coil of hose, flexible tubing, rope, wire, ribbon, or cable extending radially outwardly from the core, and contained by the support rings; (e) cutting the hose, flexible tubing, rope, wire, ribbon, or cable; (f) encircling a plurality of portions of the coil, the support elements, and corresponding portions of the end rings with a plurality of straps which hold the coil to the core; and (g) removing the supporting rings and centering element away from the core so that the coil, core, and straps provide an integral self-supporting package.