Abstract: A decorative multi-loop device is provided which is formed from at least one blank of foldable sheet material. The blank includes a central section and a plurality of loop-forming segments extending laterally outwardly from the central section. A loop-retaining unit cooperates with the central section and distal end portions of the segments to retain each segment in a loop configuration.

Abstract: A passive, reusable visual amusement or warning device includes a handle and a number of light diffracting strips bearing an embossed holographically generated diffraction pattern. The diffraction pattern in the foil is produced in a planar format, and the strips bearing the pattern are displayed and viewed in a curved format. Ambient light striking the strips is diffracted to produce a dynamic, kaleidoscopic readily noticed display of brilliant colors.

Abstract: A pompon or similar device for promotions, businesses, institutions, sports, and the like have a pompon, ribbon or tassel portion affixed to a handle portion. The pompon portion is particularly adapted to contain plastic strips, ribbons or the like disclosing particular colors to convey a particular theme or message. The handle portion is particularly adapted to contain a severable redeemable portion or portions as well as a surface for the imprinting of advertisements, messages and the like.

Abstract: A gift-wrapping assembly including a box having elongated slots in the top. Each slot is partially cut out from the top with a portion of the top partially removed, the cut out portion being hinged on the uncut portion and forming a tongue to hold tabs inserted in the slots. The assembly also includes a plurality of decorative ribbons, each having a plastic plate at each end. A tab extends as a partial cut-out from each end of each plate at approximately a right angle to the plane of the plate. At its junction with the plate the tab is undercut. Each ribbon encircles the box and is locked by the engagement at its ends of the undercut edges of the tabs in the outer regions of the corners of the opposite slots of each pair. The assembly also includes a bow having on its under side a plate from whose corners tabs extend at approximately a right angle to the plane of the plate. These tabs are also undercut.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making bows comprises a tie member wrapping machine which wraps a tie member around a run of ribbon and twists it at the free ends. In order to dispose the tie at the center of the run of ribbon, a jig is mounted on the head of the wrapping machine to position the ribbon at the slot of the machine and to center the ribbon relative to the slot. The jig includes diverging rods around which the ribbon is wrapped. As the ribbon is moved rearwardly into the slot, a slack develops in the ribbon to permit a tight cinching of the central portion by the tie member.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for fabricating hair pieces for cloth dolls from at least one length of yarn (50), wherein the apparatus comprises a framework unit (11) rotatably disposed on a support unit (12) and adapted to accumulate a multiplicity of bunched windings of yarn, wherein a stitched seam (100) is disposed across the longitudinal orientation of the windings to create various hair piece styles.

Abstract: Pompons manufactured into an article having noteworthy utility as packaging decoration in which work-in-process connected pompons are stapled in a criss-crossed relation to an adhesively-backed cardboard substrate to contribute an enhanced appearance to any package to which it is adhesively secured; the referred to appearance avoiding being marred by visible detection of either the staple or the substrate due to the effective masking thereof by the pompons.

Abstract: A prefabricated bow forming machine in which a pair of ribbons are mated along their sides with a strap approximately centrally disposed lengthwise of said pair of ribbons. The pair of ribbons and strap are joined together at the head end and the ribbons are bonded together to form seams at preselected intervals along their length at either side of the strap. The seams are at an angle to the respective edges of the ribbons and are oppositely angled with adjacent seams. The bow forming machine has a bench on which the pair of ribbons are laid out in a track with the strap centrally disposed lengthwise therebetween. The machine includes a pivotable press which swings down against the bench and heat welds the pair of ribbons at preselected intervals to form the seams. The bench and press have heat elements which spot weld the two ribbons at preselected intervals and angles. The number of welded seams along the length of the ribbon determines the number of loops and size of the bow.

Abstract: A pompon is provided that includes a plastic body member that has strands attached to an end thereof, and wherein a clip is provided for holding the strands in place on the member. One end of the holder or member is open so that a coupon or the like can be conveniently inserted within the member. Suitable advertisements, logos, and the like can be imprinted on the outer surface of the finger held pompom. The finger held pompon includes a receptacle that is constructed of plastic material of resilient characteristics whereby the user's finger can be conveniently inserted within the device to provide a convenient means of manipulating the pompon.

Abstract: A device for measuring lengths of yarn and the like has an elongated base member with a first fixed position post and a second movable post. The second post is moved toward and away from the first post to a preselected position for measuring lengths of yarn and the like. A complete turn of yarn encompassing both posts measures the desired length of yarn.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatically forming pompons from a continuous strip of fringed web includes a pair of clamping jaws for gripping and advancing the web to a coiling station, a separable coiling spindle, and a binding tongs mechanism. When the web is moved to the coiling station, the coiling spindles are inserted into an aperture in the clamping jaws and clamp the end of the web. Thereafter, the clamping jaws are released and moved back to their initial position while the coiling spindle is rotated to coil a predetermined length of the fringed web. The binding tongs are then moved over the coiled section and draw a binding wire tightly about the periphery of the coil after the web is severed to separate the coil therefrom. The binding tongs are closed to clamp the binding wire and then are rotated to secure the wire about the coiled web. Closing of the tongs cuts the wire.

Abstract: A holder for forming loops in short strands of yarn to facilitate picking them up with a latch hook in connection with making a hooked rug comprises a sheet of plastic divided into sections by crease lines that serve as hinges to enable some sections to be folded over others. A median section has a slot over which the middle portions of a group of parallel arranged short yarn strands are laid. A section on one side of the slot serves as an ejector blade which folds over the median section and other sections subsequently fold over the blade section. The blade section is then advanced and retracted to force the yarn through the slots to expose the loops for access. The holder finally folds into a triangular configuration which may be placed on a table or held in one hand during use.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting a plurality of identical in length pieces of yarn which takes the form of a yarn holder which is rotatably mounted on a base and a pair of stanchions with a rotatable rod or spool supported therebetween. The stanchions are also supported on the base. Crank means is connected to one of the stanchions to cause rotation of the rod. The rod includes a longitudinal groove which facilitates cooperation with a cutting device to cut yarn when it is wound upon the rod. A yarn collection container is to be mounted on the base underneath the rod.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an upholstery fastener, a method of interengaging two such fasteners, and an insertion tool capable of such interengagement.Preferably the fastener takes the form of a button-like body having a thread or shank extending therefrom with an arrow-shaped head at the free end of the thread. The head includes an opening able to engage with the barbs of the head of a like fastener. The fastener is preferably moulded from plastics.An insertion tool to enable two such fasteners to be inserted, one from either side of a cushion, and thereby interengaged to quilt the cushion, is also disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus for cutting yarn, cord, rope or any linear type material into a multiplicity of pre-determined desired lengths having a base with openings therein adapted to guide the material to be cut therethrough and into related partially helical grooves provided in said base, a material pulling means rotatably mounted on said base and comprising a spindle around which the material is wrapped and a clamping means for holding the leading end of said material, a cutting means fixedly mounted on said material pulling means and rotating therewith in relation to the said base, said cutting means having the rotatably described plane of its cutting edge proximately above the uppermost end of said partially helical grooves.

Abstract: Lengths of yarn are bound together in the center to provide relatively short yarn bundles for use in forming yarn balls of the type usually referred to as "poms." A forming wheel is supported for rotation and includes equally spaced forming stations about the periphery for receiving yarns and arranging them into a generally parallel, composite arrangement. The wheel is indexed in a step-by-step manner a distance equal to the distance between successive forming stations and the composite arrangement of yarns is gripped and confined at each of the spaced forming stations. Binder elements are sequentially applied around the bundle of yarns as the successive forming stations move into alignment with a binder applying head. The bound yarns are then cut between successive forming stations to provide lengths of yarn bound together in the center and held in each forming station. The cut and bound together bundles of yarn are then successively stripped from the forming wheel and removed from the machine.

Abstract: A fringe and tassel maker comprising a base member having an integral winding and cutting abutment at one end thereof, and having a slide member releasably fixed thereto in spaced relation to the winding and cutting abutment, the slide member having a pair of winding surfaces and a pair of cutting areas thereon, and the winding and cutting abutment having a winding surface and a cutting area thereon, the slide member being selectively positionable relative to and along the length of the base member for providing different lengths of fringes and tassels obtained by winding yarn around the several winding surfaces and cutting the yarn at one or more of the cutting areas.