Abstract: A paint container comprising a clear plastic sidewall construction preferably of polypropolene enabling the accurate observation of the paint contained therein through the walls of the container. The closure member comprises a multi-laminate seal including prestressed films designed to enable a slit to be made in the seal surface permitting access to the paint while providing advantages set forth in detail herein.

Abstract: A tufting machine having: means for metering predetermined lengths of yarn, including a rotatable yarn feed with substantially accurate improved drive and braking means; pneumatic yarn transport means, including selective control of gas flow, for transporting selected metered lengths of yarn to a tufting station for severance into yarn bits and implantations into a backing; and retraction means for retracting, with minimum yarn deformation, yarn not selected for severance and implantation.

Abstract: Yarn clamping means for clamping yarn during a desired portion of the tufting cycle. Various biasing means and related structures are disclosed to effectively clamp the yarn while loaded in tufting needles, thus preventing dislodgement of the yarn by factors such as yarn severing or yarn thrust from pneumatic transport means.

Abstract: A tufting machine having multi-color selection capability for each tufting cycle which utilizes pneumatic pressure either positive or negative, or a combination of the two, to transfer the yarn or other tufting material to tufting elements, the yarn being severed before, during, or after threading, for subsequent placement into tufting relationship with a backing layer. The system comprises yarn guide passageways having abutting sections which are relatively movable to create an opening through which a yarn-severing means severs the yarn into selectively-sized bits. The relative positions of the yarn-severing means and the abutting sections of the passageways are adjustable to provide yarn bits of selected varying lengths. Clamping means may be used to clamp the yarn at the tufting needles until tufting occurs. After tufting the tufted yarn is moved away from the needle position to avoid entanglement by the succeeding motions of the tufting.

Abstract: Tufting apparatus utilizing pneumatic means for transporting yarn strands including a threader tube assembly capable of delivering a plurality of yarn strands through multiple passageways to, and loading same, in tufting elements which apply bit-lengths of the strands into a backing layer.

Abstract: A yarn control and feeding apparatus for use with tufting machines and similar apparatus wherein yarn, normally precut, is tufted into a backing layer. A pulsing-type solenoid actuator is utilized to selectively control yarn metering and feeding functions carried out by a rotatable yarn feed wheel and to further control pneumatic yarn transport means including advancing and retracting yarn during various stages of the tufting cycle.

Abstract: A tufting machine having multi-color selection capability for each tufting cycle which utilizes pneumatic pressure, either positive or negative, or a combination of the two, to transfer the yarn or other tufting material to tufting elements. The system comprises yarn guide passageways having abutting sections which are relatively movable to create an opening through which a yarn severing means severs the yarn into selectively-sized bit lengths. The relative positions of the yarn severing means and the abutting sections of the passageways are adjustable to provide yarn bit lengths of selectable varying lengths. A combination bit applying element and clamp means is utilized to apply the yarn to an adhesive bit gripping surface on the backing layer. In the preferred embodiment, this application occurs before the yarn is severed and thus the yarn is effectively clamped at the time of severance.