Discharge pipe

Abstract

The dispensing tube has an inner end and an outer end. The inner end is positionable within a coil of filamentary material wound in a figure-eight configuration that defines a dispensing aperture. The outer end is configured to extend outward from the coil's dispensing aperture. The dispensing tube has a flange at the outer end and a rounded edge at the inner end. The radius of the rounded edge is 0.20 to 0.30 inches. In some embodiments, the dispensing tube includes a tubular body extending between the flange and the rounded edge. In other embodiments, the dispensing tube includes an outer ring having a flange, an inner ring having a rounded edge, the inner ring and outer ring being spaced apart and coaxially aligned about a longitudinal axis, and a plurality of pillars extending longitudinally from the outer ring to the inner ring.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a payout tube that guides filamentary material through a payout hole in a package of a wound coil of filamentary material. [Background technology]

[0002] Dispensing tubes that function to guide filamentous material through a dispensing hole in a package of wound coils are known in the art. For example, U.S. Patent Nos. 5,233,633 and 5,233,623 to Kotzur et al. each disclose a dispensing tube for insertion into a radial hole in a wound coil of filamentary material, the radial hole extending from the inner to the outer turn of the wound coil. The dispensing tube includes inlets that open in a coaxial and spaced apart relationship to one another. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent No. 6,702,213 [Patent Document 2] U.S. Patent No. 6,341,741 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify essential features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an auxiliary means of limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A dispensing tube is described for facilitating dispensing of filamentary material from a coil of filamentary material wound in a figure-of-eight configuration and defining a dispensing aperture, the dispensing aperture being created in the figure-of-eight configuration and extending from an inner layer of turns of the coil to an outer layer of turns of the coil.

[0006] According to one embodiment, the dispensing tube includes a flange at an outer end thereof, the flange being located adjacent and / or outside a box or other packaging for the coil. The flange is centered on a longitudinal axis passing through an opening defined in the flange. The dispensing tube also includes a tubular body extending longitudinally from the flange to an inner end of the dispensing tube. The tubular body is coaxially aligned with the flange, the tubular body having a rounded edge at the inner end of the dispensing tube. The rounded edge has a radius between 0.20 inches and 0.30 inches, for example 0.25 inches. In an embodiment, the rounded edge has a semicircular profile.

[0007] In an embodiment, the tubular body tapers in diameter from the flange to a rounded edge. The taper angle of the tubular body may be less than 10 degrees. In an embodiment, the length of the dispensing tube along its longitudinal axis between the inner and outer ends is between 5 inches and 8 inches, for example about 6 inches. In an embodiment, the inner diameter of the flange defines an exit opening through which the filamentous material can pass, the exit opening having a diameter of between 3.5 inches and 4 inches.

[0008] In an embodiment, the tubular body has a wall of uniform thickness, which may be as little as 0.045 inches. The tubular body may be made from plastic or pulp paper.

[0009] According to another embodiment, the dispensing tube includes an outer ring centered on a longitudinal axis and having a flange at an outer end of the dispensing tube, the dispensing tube also includes an inner ring having rounded edges at an inner end of the dispensing tube, and is provided with a plurality of spaced apart pillars extending longitudinally from the outer ring to the inner ring, the inner ring being coaxially aligned with the outer ring and spaced longitudinally from the outer ring.

[0010] In an embodiment, the rounded edge of the inner ring may have a radius between 0.20 inches and 0.30 inches, e.g., 0.25 inches, and have a semicircular profile. In an embodiment, each pillar includes a stiffener that may have a tapered, e.g., generally V-shaped, profile. In an embodiment, the generally V-shaped profile protrudes from the exterior of the pillar and is recessed into the interior of the pillar. The V-shaped profile tapers along the length of the pillar to be widest adjacent the outer ring and narrowest adjacent the inner ring. In an embodiment, the dispensing tube includes two diametrically opposed pillars.

[0011] According to another aspect of the disclosure, a package of filamentary material may include a box or other packaging defining a dispensing aperture, a coil of filamentary material wound in a figure-of-eight configuration defining a diamond-shaped dispensing aperture aligned with the dispensing aperture of the box or other packaging, and any of the embodiments of a dispensing tube described herein. In embodiments, boxes measuring 14-15 inches in length, 9-10 inches in width, and 14-15 inches in height are provided without a dispensing aperture in the center of a rectangular side, although boxes of other dimensions may be provided. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a dispensing tube according to the present disclosure.

[0013] [Diagram 2]FIG. 2 is a front view of the dispensing tube of FIG.

[0014] [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 shows the dispensing tube of FIG. 1 along section 3-3 of FIG.

[0015] [Figure 4] FIG. 4 shows detail C shown in FIG.

[0016] [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a side view of the dispensing tube of FIG.

[0017] [Figure 6] FIG. 6 shows a rear view of the dispensing tube of FIG.

[0018] [Figure 7] FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of the dispensing tube.

[0019] [Figure 8] FIG. 8 shows a front view of the dispensing tube of FIG.

[0020] [Figure 9] FIG. 9 shows a side view of the dispensing tube of FIG.

[0021] [Figure 10A] FIG. 10A shows a schematic side view of the dispensing tube of FIG. 1 at a dispensing hole wound with a figure-of-eight coil.

[0022] [Figure 10B] FIG. 10B shows a schematic side view of the dispensing tube of FIG. 7 at the dispensing hole of another wound figure-eight coil, illustrating the reduced width of the coil compared to the coil of FIG. 10A.

[0023] [Figure 10C] FIG. 10C shows a front view of the arrangement shown in FIG. 10B.

[0024] [Figure 11A] FIG. 11A shows a front view of a package of filamentary material using the dispensing tube of FIG.

[0025] [Figure 11B] FIG. 11 is a front view of a package of filamentous material using the dispensing tube of FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0026] FIG. 1 illustrates a dispensing tube 100 according to an embodiment of the disclosure. The dispensing tube 100 can be made from a variety of materials, including plastic or pulp paper. The dispensing tube 100 has an outer end 102 and an inner end 104. As used herein, "inner" and "outer" refer to the positions of the ends 102, 104 when the dispensing tube 100 is inserted into a package that contains a coil of wound filamentary material. That is, when the dispensing tube 100 is inserted into the coil, the inner end 10 4 is located in the space defined by the coil (i.e., inside the coil), and the outer end 10 2 will be located on the outside (external) of the coil. In a preferred embodiment, the coil is a coil of filamentary material wound in a figure-8 configuration as described in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,993,333 and 5,993,623, the contents of both of which are incorporated herein in their entirety by reference.

[0027] The dispensing tube 100 includes a flange 106 at the outer end 102 and an elongated tubular body 108 extending longitudinally from the flange 106 to the inner end 104 along an axis AA. The flange 106 is coaxial with the tubular body 108. In the illustrated embodiment, the tubular body 10 8 has a tapered wall 108a of uniform thickness which may be approximately 0.045 inches.

[0028] 1, 2, and 3, the flange 106 extends radially outward from the body 108. The flange 106 has an inner diameter that defines an exit opening 110 through which the filamentary material passes during dispensing. In one embodiment, the diameter D of the exit opening 110 is 0.2 mm. fi (FIG. 5) may be between 3.5 inches and 4 inches, and the flange 106 may have an outer diameter, D f0 In the illustrated embodiment, the flange 106 has an outer diameter D f0 is approximately 11.68 cm (4.6 inches).

[0029] At the inner end 104 of the dispensing tube 100, the wall 108a of the tubular body 108 becomes cylindrical radially inwardly toward the axis AA forming a semicircular contour or edge 112, shown in more detail in FIG. 4. The contour radius may be between 0.20 inches and 0.30 inches. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-4, the contour radius is approximately 0.25 inches. The semicircular edge 112 forms a cylindrical shape at the inner end 104 of the dispensing tube 100. 4 In one embodiment, the inlet opening 114 has an inlet diameter D between 1.75 inches and 2.25 inches. i In the embodiment of the dispensing tube 100 shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, the inlet diameter, D i is approximately 4.877 cm (1.92 in). Inlet diameter, D i is the inner diameter D of the tubular body 108 at the base 118 of the rounded edge 112 b (FIG. 5), being significantly smaller (about 32% smaller) in the embodiment of the dispensing tube 100, at about 7.163 cm (2.82 inches).

[0030] During dispensing of filamentary material from a coil of filamentary material wound in a figure-of-eight configuration, the dispensing tube 100 is positioned at an opening formed in the coil and filamentary material, and the filamentary material enters the dispensing tube 100 through an entrance opening 114 and exits through an exit opening 110. A rounded edge 112 having a desired radius of 0.20-0.30 inches (0.508-0.762 cm) at the end 104 provides a smooth edge that contacts the dispensing tube 100 as the filamentary material enters the entrance opening 114. Because of the desired radius, the rounded edge 112 facilitates easier sliding of the filamentary material along the edge 112 during dispensing. For example, portions of the dispensed filamentary material may have small kinks or irregularities at various points along their length. Such kinks or irregularities allow the filamentary material to slide more easily over the rounded edge 112 of the desired radius than if the edge were sharper as in the prior art.

[0031] The standoffs 116 (FIGS. 2, 3, and 4) may be located inside the wall 108a of the tubular body 108 and may be located at or near the inner end 104. In the illustrated embodiment, three standoffs 116 are included and are circumferentially spaced 120 degrees apart from one another about the axis AA. Although three standoffs 116 are shown in the embodiment of the dispensing tube 100, more or fewer standoffs may be present. The standoffs 116 maintain a certain amount of axial spacing between adjacent dispensing tubes 100 when stacked or nested on top of one another. This spacing may mitigate adjacent stacked dispensing tubes 100 from "sticking" or otherwise pushing themselves too tightly against one another when stacked.

[0032] 5 and 6 show additional details of the dispensing tube 100 of FIG. 1. The dispensing tube 100 can have an axial length L (FIG. 5) of approximately 6 inches. The taper angle θ (FIG. 5) of the body 108 can be relatively shallow and, in one embodiment, less than 10 degrees. In the illustrated embodiment, the taper angle θ of the body 108 is approximately 7 degrees. Also, in an embodiment, the tubular body 108 tapers to an outer diameter at the base 118 of the rounded edge 112 of approximately 2.75 to 3.25 inches. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the tubular body 108 tapers to an outer diameter of approximately 2.9 inches at the base 118 of the rounded edge 112.

[0033] 7-10C, an alternative dispensing tube 200 is shown. The dispensing tube 200 may be formed from plastic or pulp paper and may have a uniform wall thickness. The dispensing tube 200 may have a rounded edge 212 having a radius between 0.20 inches and 0.30 inches, such as 0.25 inches, the same as the edge 112 of the dispensing tube 100. The overall dimensions of the dispensing tube 200 (e.g., length, inlet and outlet diameters, and taper angle) may be substantially the same as for the dispensing tube 100, but the dispensing tube 200 differs from the dispensing tube 100 in other respects. In particular, the dispensing tube 200 includes an outer tubular ring 202 having a flange 206, an inner tubular ring 204 having a rounded edge 212 or contour, and an elongated pillar 208 connecting the outer and inner tubular rings 202 and 204 in coaxially spaced apart relationship along axis BB. Two diametrically opposed pillars 208 are shown in the embodiment of Figure 7, although additional spaced apart pillars may be used in other embodiments.

[0034] The pillars 208 are reinforced by substantially "V" shaped reinforcing ribs 208a that protrude along the outer surface of the pillars 208, as shown in FIG. 7. The inner surface of the pillars 208 is formed with a corresponding substantially V-shaped contoured recess such that a uniform wall thickness is maintained. The ribs 208a extend axially between the flanges 206 and the rounded edge 212, although the ribs 208a need not terminate at either the flanges 206 or the rounded edge 212. In an embodiment, the substantially V-shaped contoured recess extends to the flanges 206 such that the inner edge 206a (FIGS. 7 and 9) of the flanges 206 has diametrically opposed substantially V-shaped recesses 206b (FIGS. 7 and 9) that correspond to the contoured recess on the inner surface of the pillars 208. The substantially V-shaped contour of the ribs 208a is wider toward the flanges 206 than toward the rounded edge 212. The rib 208a has a rounded, non-sharp central ridge 208b. This rounded ridge 208b is intended to prevent any pinching or kinking of the filamentary material that contacts the ridge 208b. Note that the substantially V-shaped tapered stiffening rib does not taper to a point on the inner end, but rather has a narrow, non-tapered end, as best seen in FIG. 9.

[0035] In addition to stiffening the dispensing tube 200, the ribs 208a also provide a positioning mechanism for inserting the dispensing tube 200 into a dispensing hole of a figure-of-eight wound coil of filamentary material. Specifically, the wound coil wound in a figure-of-eight configuration may have a diamond-shaped dispensing hole. The V-shaped ribs 208a protruding on the outside of the pillars 208 are configured to vertically align with the top and bottom extremes of the diamond-shaped dispensing hole.

[0036] The standoffs 216 (FIGS. 7, 8, and 9) may be located on the inside of the inner ring 204 or may be located at or near the rounded edge 212. In the illustrated embodiment, three standoffs 216 are included, spaced 120 degrees circumferentially from one another about axis BB. Although three standoffs 216 are shown in the embodiment of the dispensing tube 200, more or fewer standoffs may be present. The standoffs 216 maintain a certain amount of axial spacing between adjacent dispensing tubes 200 when stacked or nested on top of one another. This separation may mitigate adjacent stacked dispensing tubes 200 from "sticking" or otherwise forcing themselves tightly against one another when stacked.

[0037] When the dispensing tube 200 is placed in the dispensing hole of the coil of filamentary material wound in a figure-of-eight configuration, the filamentary material will compress primarily into the spaces between the inner ring 204, the outer ring 202, and the pillars 208. When the filamentary material disposed in these spaces is finally dispensed, it must move out of the spaces and contact an edge 220 (FIGS. 7 and 9) before being pulled through the inlet opening 214 (FIG. 7). The edge 220 is configured with a compound curve having a convex portion 220a and a concave portion 220b. The convex portion 220a is located at the radially outermost position of the pillars 208, while the concave portion 220b is located at a position radially closer to the axis BB, as shown in FIG. 9. In this manner, the edge 220 is gently curved and smooth so that the filamentous material in the spaces between the inner ring 204, the outer ring 202, and the pillars 208 can more easily slide along the edge 220 without twisting or getting caught on the edge 220.

[0038] As previously mentioned, some of the dimensions of the dispensing tube 200 may be the same as the dimensions of the dispensing tube 100. For example, the inner edge 206a of the flange 206 has a diameter D fi (FIG. 7) and the outlet opening 110 of the dispensing tube 100 has a diameter D fiThe inner ring 204 and the outer ring 202 are also tapered to define a taper angle θ (FIG. 9) of the dispensing tube 200, which may have the same dimensions as the taper angle θ of the dispensing tube 100. The rounded edge 212 is spaced apart from the diameter D of the inlet opening 114 of the dispensing tube 100. i The diameter D may have the same dimensions as i (FIG. 9) defines an inlet opening 214 having an outer diameter D of the inner ring 204 at the base 218 of the rounded edge 212. b (FIG. 7) shows the outer diameter D of the tubular body 108 at the base 118 of the rounded edge 112 of the dispensing tube 100. b The dispensing tube 200 also has a length L (FIG. 9) measured along the axis BB, which may have the same dimensions as the length L of the dispensing tube 100.

[0039] The dispensing tube 200 displaces a significant amount of material from the body 108 as compared to the dispensing tube 100. FIG. 10A shows the dispensing tube 100 inserted into a coil 1000 of filamentous material 1010 wound in a figure-of-eight configuration. As shown in FIG. 10A, the wall 108a of the body 108 is solid, so the filamentous material 1010 cannot be positioned within the space occupied by the dispensing tube 100. As a result, the coil 1000 (and its box) is dimensioned to be wider than necessary to accommodate the width of the dispensing tube 100. In contrast, as shown in FIGS. 10B and 10C, when the tube 200 is inserted into the coil 2000 of filamentous material 2010, the coil width can be narrower than the coil width shown in FIG. 10A because the filamentous material 2010 can be positioned within the open space around the pillars 208 of the dispensing tube 200 in the space that would otherwise be blocked for the dispensing tube 100. In fact, when using tube 200, coil 2000 can be significantly compressed, thus reducing the overall width of the coil and its box. By reducing the dimensions of the box, shipping density can be increased by 30-40%, depending on the size of the box. For example, a typical box holding a figure-of-eight coil of Category 6A cable has dimensions of 16 inches by 16 inches by 10 inches (40.64 cm by 40.64 cm by 25.40 cm), and such a coil can be accommodated in the dispensing tube 100 described above. The use of dispensing tube 200 allows coils (and cases) of smaller dimensions to be placed on a shipping pallet with an additional 2-4 boxes per layer compared to the illustrated box.

[0040] 11A and 11B, a package 1102, 1102' is provided that includes a box 1100, 1100' that includes a figure-of-eight wound filamentary material (not shown) into which the dispensing tube 100, 200 is inserted. In FIG. 11A, the filamentary material (not shown) is packaged in a box 1100 having a length of 14-15 inches, a width of 9-10 inches, and a height of 14-15 inches. Boxes of other dimensions may be utilized. The box 1100 may be constructed as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,399,433 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,499,433. FIG. 11A shows the box 1100, which defines a dispensing hole 1104 in its rectangular side, and the dispensing tube 100. The coil defines a dispensing aperture 1104 in the box 1100 that is aligned with the axis AA (FIGS. 1, 3, 5) of the dispensing tube 100. The inner end of the dispensing tube 100 is disposed within the coil, with the flange 106 positioned adjacent to the rectangular side of the box 1100 (e.g., captured between two flap pieces of the rectangular side).

[0041] FIG. 11B shows a box 1100' (FIG. 11B) having a length of 14-15 inches, a width of 9-10 inches, and a height of 14-15 inches. Boxes of other dimensions (e.g., smaller as discussed above) can be utilized. The box 1100' can be constructed as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,993,333 and 5,993,626. The box 1100' defines a dispensing aperture 1104' in the rectangular side from which the dispensing tube 200 extends. A figure-of-eight wound filamentary material (not shown) contained within the box defines a dispensing aperture that is aligned with the dispensing aperture 1104' of the box 1100' and the axis BB of the dispensing tube 200 (FIGS. 7 and 9). The inner end of the dispensing tube 200 is disposed inside the coil, with the flange 206 positioned adjacent to the rectangular side of the box 1100' (eg, captured between two flap pieces of the rectangular side).

[0042] Several embodiments of the dispensing tube have been described and illustrated herein. Although specific embodiments of the invention have been described, it is not intended to limit the invention thereto, as the invention is as broad in scope as the art and is intended to be read in the same manner. Thus, while specific dimensions are disclosed, it will be understood that other larger or smaller proportional dimensions may be used as well. In addition, while a specific type of material for the construction of the dispensing tube is disclosed, it will be understood that other suitable materials can be used, such as, but not limited to, metals. Thus, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that still other modifications can be made to the provided invention without departing from its spirit and scope as claimed. The following are some embodiments of the present invention. [Aspect 1] a dispensing tube for facilitating dispensing of filamentary material from a coil of filamentary material wound in a figure-of-eight configuration, the dispensing tube defining a dispensing aperture, the dispensing aperture extending from an inner turn of the coil to an outer turn of the coil; The dispensing tube is a flange at an outer end of the dispensing tube, the flange defining an outlet opening and centered about a longitudinal axis passing through the outlet opening; a tubular body extending longitudinally from the flange to an inner end of the dispensing tube, the tubular body being coaxially aligned with the flange and having a rounded edge at the inner end; The dispensing tube, wherein the rounded edge has a radius of between 0.20 inches and 0.30 inches. [Aspect 2] 2. The dispensing tube of claim 1, wherein the tubular body tapers from the flange to the rounded edge, the taper angle of the tubular body being less than 10 degrees. [Aspect 3] 2. The dispensing tube of embodiment 1, wherein the rounded edge has a semicircular profile. [Aspect 4] 4. The dispensing tube of claim 3, wherein a length of the dispensing tube along a longitudinal axis between the inner end and the outer end is approximately 6 inches. [Aspect 5] 5. The dispensing tube of embodiment 4, wherein the outlet opening has a diameter of 3.5 inches to 4 inches. [Aspect 6] 2. The dispensing tube of embodiment 1, wherein the tubular body has a wall of uniform thickness. [Aspect 7] 7. The dispensing tube of embodiment 6, wherein the wall thickness is 0.045 inches. [Aspect 8] a dispensing tube for facilitating dispensing of filamentary material from a coil of filamentary material wound in a figure-of-eight configuration, the dispensing tube defining a dispensing aperture, the dispensing aperture extending from an inner turn of the coil to an outer turn of the coil; The dispensing tube is an outer ring having a flange at an outer end of the dispensing tube, the outer ring being centered on a longitudinal axis; an inner ring having a rounded edge at an inner end of the dispensing tube, the inner ring being coaxially aligned with and spaced longitudinally from the outer ring; a plurality of spaced apart pillars extending longitudinally from the outer ring to the inner ring. [Aspect 9] 9. The dispensing tube of embodiment 8, wherein the rounded edge has a radius of between 0.20 inches and 0.30 inches. [Aspect 10] The dispensing tube of embodiment 8, wherein each pillar has a reinforcement. [Aspect 11] 11. The dispensing tube of claim 10, wherein the reinforcement has a generally V-shaped profile protruding from an outer side of the pillar and recessed into the inner side of the pillar. [Aspect 12] 11. The dispensing tube of claim 10, wherein the generally V-shaped profile has a width that tapers from the outer ring to the inner ring. [Aspect 13] 9. The dispensing tube of embodiment 8, wherein the dispensing tube comprises two diametrically opposed posts. [Aspect 14] 1. A package of filamentary material wound in a figure-of-eight configuration, said package comprising: a box or packaging defining a dispensing hole; a coil of filamentary material wound in a figure-of-eight configuration defining a diamond-shaped dispensing aperture and aligned with the dispensing aperture of the box or package; A discharge tube having an inner end provided inside the coil and an outer end extending outward from a discharge hole of the coil, the dispensing tube has a flange at the outer end and a rounded edge at the inner end, the rounded edge having a radius between 0.20 inches and 0.30 inches; The package. [Aspect 15] The package of claim 14, wherein the dispensing tube further includes a tubular body extending from the flange to an inner end of the dispensing tube, the tubular body tapering toward the inner end of the dispensing tube, and the tubular body centered on a longitudinal axis coaxial with the flange. [Aspect 16] 15. The package of claim 14, wherein the flange defines an exit opening for passage of the filamentary material, the exit opening having a diameter of between 3.5 inches and 4 inches. [Aspect 17] the dispensing tube having an outer ring centered on a longitudinal axis and having a flange at an outer end of the dispensing tube; an inner ring having a rounded edge at an inner end, the inner ring being coaxially aligned with and spaced longitudinally from the outer ring; 15. The package of embodiment 14, further comprising: a plurality of pillars extending longitudinally from the outer ring to the inner ring. [Aspect 18] The package of claim 17, wherein each pillar includes a reinforcement having a generally V-shaped profile protruding from an exterior of the pillar, the generally V-shaped profile aligning with an extreme end of the diamond-shaped dispensing hole. [Aspect 19] The package of claim 14, wherein the box or packaging is a box measuring 14 to 15 inches in length, 9 to 10 inches in width, and 14 to 15 inches in height, the box having six sides, and the dispensing hole defined in one side of the box. [Aspect 20] 17. The package of claim 16, wherein the dispensing tube comprises two diametrically opposed pillars.

Claims

1. a dispensing tube for facilitating dispensing of filamentary material from a coil of filamentary material wound in a figure-of-eight configuration, the dispensing tube defining a dispensing aperture, the dispensing aperture extending from an inner turn of the coil to an outer turn of the coil; The dispensing tube is an outer ring having an inlet opening and a flange at an outer end of the dispensing tube, the outer ring being centered on a longitudinal axis; an inner ring having an outlet opening and rounded edges at an inner end of the dispensing tube, the inner ring being coaxially aligned with and spaced longitudinally from the outer ring; a plurality of pillars spaced apart from one another and extending longitudinally from the outer ring to the inner ring, the plurality of pillars defining openings therebetween that lead to an open space extending along the longitudinal axis between the outer and inner rings for guiding the dispensing of filamentary material entering through the inlet opening of the outer ring and exiting through the outlet opening of the inner ring.

2. 10. The dispensing tube of claim 1, wherein the rounded edge has a radius of between 0.20 inches and 0.30 inches.

3. The dispensing tube of claim 1 , wherein each pillar comprises a reinforcement.

4. 4. The dispensing tube of claim 3, wherein the reinforcement has a generally V-shaped profile that protrudes from an outer side of the pillar and is recessed into the inner side of the pillar.

5. 5. The dispensing tube of claim 4, wherein the generally V-shaped profile has a width that tapers from the outer ring to the inner ring.

6. 2. The dispensing tube of claim 1, wherein the dispensing tube comprises two diametrically opposed pillars.

7. the inner ring has an outer diameter; 2. The dispensing tube of claim 1, wherein the inlet opening of the outer ring has a diameter greater than an outer diameter of the inner ring.

8. 2. The dispensing tube of claim 1, wherein different dispensing tubes of the same kind can be stacked or nested within each other.

9. The dispensing tube is 9. The dispensing tube of claim 8, further comprising a plurality of standoffs adjacent to the inner ring and spaced circumferentially around the outlet opening of the inner ring, the plurality of standoffs configured to maintain axial spacing between the like dispensing tubes stacked or nested with one another inside the dispensing tube.

10. 1. A package of figure-of-eight wound filamentary material, said package comprising: a box or packaging defining a dispensing aperture; a coil of filamentary material wound in a figure-of-eight configuration defining a diamond-shaped dispensing aperture aligned with the dispensing aperture of the box or packaging; A package comprising a dispensing tube according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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