Abstract: A yarn holder, knitting station, and kit include a base with suction cups to be secured on a surface. A yarn support spinning plate is mounted on the base in spinning relation to the base. A yarn rod is connected to the plate for holding yarn around the rod.

Abstract: Cylindrical twineballs are stored on their sides with the twine dispensing end of each ball facing outwardly away from the baler to facilitate operator access. The twineballs are stored in a pattern consisting of horizontal rows and upright columns, with the upright columns inclined laterally so as to present an overall, generally skewed parallelogram effect to maximize the packing density within a given amount of space. The balls are supported within cradles that may advantageously be interconnected to present multiple, horizontally extending, transversely corrugated shelves. The shelves are upwardly and outwardly inclined to help retain the balls in place.

Abstract: A packaging system comprises a rack for bundable material and a twine dispenser. The rack has a transverse slot open at one end through which twine may depend from the twine dispenser for tying in a loop around the bundable material without the necesscity of lifting or disturbing the material in the rack.

Abstract: A device for drawing a thread, ribbon or the like off from a package (1), in which the thread or the like can be withdrawn overhead from the package and, in order to obtain a practically twist-free drawing off of the thread, ribbon or the like, the thread, ribbon or the like is withdrawn alternately over one of the two opposite end surfaces (1', 1'') of the package (1).

Abstract: A shipping package system with at least one tier of vertically-stacked webbing rolls utilizes pads with an inner set of passages and an outer set of passages, which webbing rolls may have extended tubular core ends nesting in the pad passages. The outer set of passages accommodate radial webbing roll movement and inhibit circumferential movement about the pad center, which radial movement provides tangential contact between adjacent and/or inner passage webbing rolls.

Abstract: A device permitting yarn or the like to be pulled from a skein by the performance of a handcraft such as knitting. A spindle passes through the skein and a support structure holds the spindle in a vertical position. The support structure includes a base, an upright attached to the base, and a spindle support at the top of the upright. The base and spindle support have means rotatably attaching them to the upright to allow folding up the device for storage and portability. However, means are provided to fix the position of the upright with respect to the base, when the device is in use. The ends of the spindle fit into recesses in the base and spindle support. The means for attaching the spindle support to the upright allows the spindle support to rotate upward so that the spindle can be inserted in and removed from the recesses. The spindle has a spacer attached near its lower end to hold the yarn away from the base.

Abstract: A holder and dispenser for a coiled article including a turn-table having a co-axially extending post and a plate mounted for slidable movement over the post. The coiled article is positionable on the turntable with the plate on a side of the coiled article opposite to the turntable side. A combination article guide and turntable brake is provided on the plate and includes an aperture through which the coiled article is pulled during dispensing of the article.

Abstract: A pivotal yarn package holder allows convenience in replacing a yarn package on a creel or the like, and locks into place for use. The support can be adjusted so that the strand of yarn is precisely aimed at the eyelet, and the yarn package will always return to the preset position. A post is mounted from the creel frame, and a latch block is fixed to the post by a set screw. A support block carrying the yarn package is juxtaposed on the latch block, and a latch is easily operable to latch the support block to the latch block. A cone holder has the spring wires below the rigid stud so the stud carries the weight of the yarn to prevent sagging of the yarn package.

Abstract: An apparatus for securely holding tubes or cones for use in the tufting industry includes first and second support sections which are formed at an acute angle with respect to each other for engaging the inside of a tube or cone. The support sections are in the preferred embodiment formed from resilient wire elements which deflect under pressure that is applied from the inside of the tube or cone, thereby assuring a secure fit. The wire elements forming the second support element further flare outwardly to conform to the shape of a cone. An additional advantageous feature is the provision of a pair of wire loops at a distal end of the second support element to prevent a tube or cone from sliding thereover. The main feature which provides support for the package is the wire portion which connects the loops. This wire portion gives the holder its rigidity when it contacts the creel rod by restraining vertical and horizontal movement of the package.

Abstract: An adjustable thread and yarn dispenser and winder caddy includes a base supporting a vertically mounted dowel over which is mounted a removable spindle. On the spindle is at least one thread supporting member frictionally fitted and vertically adjustable thereon. The bottom of the spindle rests loosely on the base and is freely rotatable. A spool of crochet thread or skein of yarn may be mounted between the vertically adjustable and removable frusto-conical support members which accommodate variances in spool sizes, shapes and thread mass. A hank of thread or left-over length of yarn may be wound onto the spindle for storage or for dispensing. Flat circular discs can be substituted for the frusto-conically shaped support members.

Abstract: A thread keeper to prevent undesired unwinding of thread from a spool. The unit comprises a channel shaped element with the mid portion paralleling the axis of the spool and the two arms straddling the ends of the spool. The arms have short projections that enter the ends of the cylindrical bore through the spool whereby the spool can rotate within the keeper unit. The space between the mid portion of the keeper and the thread on the spool is filled with compressible friction applying material that expands to be in continuous braking engagement with the thread as it is pulled and unwound from the spool.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for supporting and training plants and in particular for layering tomato plants. It comprises a longitudinal stem portion formed with an integral hook which is adapted to grip and slide along a support wire which is mounted above and parallel to the plant row, and a spool rotatable about a cylindrical bearing surface of the stem portion. The spool carries a support cord which passes upwardly from the spool, through an aperture in the top of the stem portion and down through the hollow interior of the stem portion to where it is tied to the stem of the tomato plant. When it is desired to layer the plant the stem portion is moved along the wire and simultaneously the spool is rotated to pay out sufficient cord to layer the plant. Rotation of the spool is controlled by means of ribs on a flange of the spool which engage with the horizontal support wire.

Abstract: A holder for a paper towel roll or toilet paper roll. A stationary base member has an annular flat rim surrounding a central frustoconical projection. A rotatable member also has an annular flat rim surrounding a central hollow frustoconical projection that nests around the projection of the base member and is rotatable with respect thereto. The facing flat surfaces of the rim and the facing surfaces of the projections enable relative rotation with some resistance, to provide braking action. The outer surface of the frustoconical projection of the rotatable member includes means, such as splines, for firmly non-rotatably engaging the hollow core of a paper towel roll or toilet paper roll. The base member is secured horizontally, so that the rotatable member stands up vertically and holds the paper roll vertically.

Abstract: A holder for paper towels and the like. A standard extends from the side of a flat base and is integral therewith. A major portion of the standard comprises four radially outwardly-extending strips extending out at ninety-degree intervals from a common center, the outer edges of all strips tapering together outwardly from a widest portion at the base. A minor portion distant from the base comprises an extension of each of the four strips, with them separated from each other at the center by a gradually increasing amount. The strips can be forced in toward the center with springy resilience tending to restore them to a normal outward position. Each strip terminates at an out-turned finial.

Abstract: A flat circular base having a ball bearing, comprising co-planar inner and outer races, the outer race of which is co-axially mounted on said base, the inner race of said bearing supporting a tubular skein holding mast having a circular sheet masonite platform fixed thereon in close spaced relation with said base. A skein of yarn assembled about a given axis is applied axially to said mast so that the skein and mast freely rotate as the yarn is used in crocheting or knitting. The mast is hollow and also provides a storage receptacle for crocheting needles.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for the continuous unwinding of a plurality of packages of strand material in succession without stoppages between packages wherein the strand material is pulled from the inside of the packages. The method involves isolating the outside end of the strand of a first package so that this end cannot become entangled with the strand being withdrawn from the inside. The outside end of the strand of the first package is connected to the inside end of the strand of a second package, and the package is controlled as it is being unwound so that the package will not tend to lift or collapse and thus become entangled with itself near the end of its pay-out to thereby provide a complete pay-out of strand for each package and provide transfer from one package to another. The steps are repeated for each subsequent package. Suitable apparatus for accomplishing this result is also described.

Abstract: A yarn holding and distribution apparatus for supporting pre-wound balls or skeins of yarn making same readily accessible for knitting, crocheting or like activities. A flexible frame adapted to receive either the pre-wound balls or skeins of yarn is typically supported from an overhanging support arm, the bottom of the yarn supporting frame incorporating a spherical pivot to slideably contact the base of the yarn supporting apparatus. The yarn held upon the supporting frame will be feed therefrom in a uniform manner irrespective of whether the yarn leader is at the top of or beneath the spherical pivot member.