Method of packaging a flexible elongate element

Abstract

Method of coiling a flexible elongate element ( 64 ) inside a container ( 80 A) made from a flexible sheet material wherein at least part of the sheet material is tensioned by establishing a pressure differential between an inner surface ( 100 ) and an outer surface ( 92 ) of the sheet material and the flexible elongate element ( 64 ) is directed onto the tensioned sheet material to form a hole ( 98 ), the flexible elongate element being then fed through the hole to form a coil inside the container.

1 . A method of packaging a flexible elongate element which has a leading end, the method including the steps of providing a container which has a wall, of flexible sheet material, which at least partly encloses a cavity of variable size, the wall including an inner surface which faces the cavity and an opposing outer surface, establishing a pressure differential between at least part of the inner surface and at least part of the outer surface thereby to tension at least a part of the flexible sheet material, directing said leading end into contact with a location on the tensioned part of the flexible sheet material thereby to form a hole at the location, in the wall, feeding said leading end through the hole into the cavity, restraining movement of the leading end, and forming a coil of the elongate flexible element inside the cavity by continuing to feed the flexible elongate element into the cavity. 
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the flexible elongate element is selected from the following: a flexible or semi-flexible wire, strand, yarn, monofilament, cord, cable, tubing and pipe, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the container is one of a plurality of similar containers which are formed in succession from an elongate tubular member which is made from a plastics material and which is transported past a forming and sealing station which forms the elongate tubular member continuously into a plurality of containers in succession with each container being of a predetermined size. 
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the container is formed with at least one aperture which allows for gas to flow through the aperture into, or out of, the cavity. 
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the pressure differential is established by inflating the cavity with a gas, or by applying a reduced pressure to an outer surface of the wall whereby a gas is caused to flow into the cavity. 
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the flexible elongate element is drawn from a coil, or directly from equipment which is used to manufacture or process the flexible elongate element. 
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the leading end of the flexible elongate element is directed onto the wall of the container with the application of sufficient force, to the flexible elongate element, in an axial direction of the flexible elongate element to allow the leading end to form the hole in the flexible sheet material and enter the cavity. 
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 7  wherein after formation of the hole movement of the flexible elongate element into the cavity is continued by continuously applying force to the flexible elongate element in the axial direction. 
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 1 , which includes the step of physically supporting the sheet material at least at said location. 
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 1 , which includes the step of directing the leading end of the flexible elongate element through a tubular guide member into contact with said location on the flexible sheet material. 
     
     
         11 . A method according to  claim 2  wherein the container is one of a plurality of similar containers which are formed in succession from an elongate tubular member which is made from a plastics material and which is transported past a forming and sealing station which forms the elongate tubular member continuously into a plurality of containers in succession with each container being of a predetermined size. 
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 2 , wherein the container is formed with at least one aperture which allows for gas to flow through the aperture into, or out of, the cavity. 
     
     
         13 . A method according to  claim 3 , wherein the container is formed with at least one aperture which allows for gas to flow through the aperture into, or out of, the cavity. 
     
     
         14 . A method according to  claim 2 , wherein the pressure differential is established by inflating the cavity with a gas, or by applying a reduced pressure to an outer surface of the wall whereby a gas is caused to flow into the cavity. 
     
     
         15 . A method according to  claim 3 , wherein the pressure differential is established by inflating the cavity with a gas, or by applying a reduced pressure to an outer surface of the wall whereby a gas is caused to flow into the cavity. 
     
     
         16 . A method according to  claim 4 , wherein the pressure differential is established by inflating the cavity with a gas, or by applying a reduced pressure to an outer surface of the wall whereby a gas is caused to flow into the cavity. 
     
     
         17 . A method according to  claim 2 , wherein the flexible elongate element is drawn from a coil, or directly from equipment which is used to manufacture or process the flexible elongate element. 
     
     
         18 . A method according to  claim 3 , wherein the flexible elongate element is drawn from a coil, or directly from equipment which is used to manufacture or process the flexible elongate element. 
     
     
         19 . A method according to  claim 4 , wherein the flexible elongate element is drawn from a coil, or directly from equipment which is used to manufacture or process the flexible elongate element. 
     
     
         20 . A method according to  claim 5 , wherein the flexible elongate element is drawn from a coil, or directly from equipment which is used to manufacture or process the flexible elongate element.