Method and apparatus for packaging linear material

摘要

The present invention embraces a method and apparatus for simultaneously winding two linear elements into strand packages. The invention includes; means for supplying a first linear element and a second linear element; a first rotatable collet having a package collection region and a temporary collection region, the first collet including a fixed member located in the temporary collection region in a position so it is effective to engage the first element linearly advanced through the region; a second rotatable collet having a package collection region and a temporary collection region, the second collet including a fixed member located in the temporary collection region in a position so it is effective to engage the second element linearly advanced through the region, the collets being in spaced apart, side by side parallel relationship below the element supply means; means for rotating the collets; a single interim means for simultaneously advancing both linear elements during times the elements are not collected on the collets, the single interim means being located in spaced relation with the collets in a position effective to simultaneously advance both the linear elements along individual paths that advance each of them over its respective collet in the temporary collection region so that the fixed member in its respective temporary collection region can engage the linear element during rotation of its collet to begin collection of each linear element on its respective collet and to effect severance of each linear element between its respective collet in the interim means; and means for moving the elements from collection in their respective temporary collection regions to their respective package collection regions for package formation.