Patent Application
20150225205
The present invention pertains to a welding wire container.
Spools or reels are well known for transporting and storing bulk wire, cable and/or other wound material such as welding wire, electrical wire, bailing wire, and the like. A typical spool comprises a pair of disc-shaped flanges joined by a central barrel. Wire or cable is spirally wound around the central barrel between the spaced flanges until the spool is filled with the appropriate amount of material. Filled spools can then be stacked atop one another for shipment, storage and subsequent use. When it is desired to dispense the wire or cable, it may be pulled progressively from the spool, which may, for example, be mounted on an arbor or spindle to rotate and thus pay out the wound material. Other pay out methods include laying the spool flat on a flange and using a flyer payoff unit mounted that spins the wire off over the upper flange to pay out the wound material.
Spools used for holding welding wire are typically constructed of a generally cylindrical core or barrel, which can be made from a variety of materials and can come in a variety of different diameters and lengths. Attached at either end of the core are two flanges which are generally round and serve to retain the welding wire on the barrel. The flanges are generally constructed using a lathe which cuts them to shape and cuts a continuous groove on the inner face of both flanges to receive the barrel. The spool is held together by a series of through-bolts that run through drilled holes in one flange, through the barrel, and through drilled holes in the other flange. Spools are typically stored within cardboard containers.
Welding consumables may travel significant distances throughout the world and through disparate climates due to the specificity of each manufacturer and globalization of the market. The welding wires are typically metallic in nature, and containing at least some iron, have a tendency to form metallic oxide or more specifically, iron oxide coatings on the surface (e.g., rust) when exposed to conditions which contain moisture or water vapor. This may affect the welding wire surface and performance. This moisture may be generated through different sources. Typical fiber-type packaging will contain some absorbed humidity. Or water vapor may be released from the atmosphere if the temperature cycle increases over 40° C. In many regions of the world, this happens daily and this temperature cycle (evaporation during the day, condensation at night) leads to surface deterioration of the welding wire.
Some actions may be taken to limit the welding wire degradation risk: desiccant gel to trap moisture; or insertion of a plastic liner around the packaging. However, these actions are limiting the risk; not eliminating it. What is needed, is a welding wire container which does not employ materials which are prone to picking up moisture.
What is illustrated is a welding wire container which includes: a metal cylinder having a diameter, said cylinder having a top and closed at a bottom; a metal spool insertable into said cylinder; the spool having two components: a first spool component having a first spool diameter and a laterally extending flange at one end of the first spool component; and a second spool component having a second spool diameter and a laterally extending flange at one end of the second spool component; each of the flanges dimensioned so as to be insertable into the metal cylinder; the spools dimensioned so as to have one spool diameter insertable into the other spool diameter; and a metal lid dimensioned to fit onto the top of the cylinder.
The lid of the container may include a gasket positioned into a peripheral groove in the lid. The lid also typically includes a plurality of bendable tabs to securingly fasten the lid to the cylinder.
In another aspect of the invention, the welding wire container is made of a plastic material for one or both of the container and/or the spool.
Referring now to the drawing wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating embodiments of the invention only and not for purposes of limiting the same,
As illustrated in
Welding wire is wound about mating cylindrical collars 20, 26. The wound spool is inserted into cylindrical drum 12 and top lid 32 with gasket 30 positioned in a peripheral groove in top lid 32 is affixed to drum 12 by prying at least several of the bendable tabs 34 about circumferential top edge 16 of drum 12, the combination forming welding wire container 10.
In one aspect of the invention, all of the welding wire container component parts illustrated in
Illustrative and non-limiting examples of metals which may be used, include at least ferrous metals and noble metals, each with their associated alloys and various grades.
In use, cylindrical collar 26 and top horizontal flange 28 are inserted into the combination of horizontal flange 18 and upwardly extending cylindrical collar 20 to permit payoff of wound welding wire 36 using turning table 48.
The invention has been described herein with reference to the disclosed embodiments. Obviously, modifications and alterations will occur to others upon a reading and understanding of this specification. It is intended to include all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.
