Abstract: A bi-directionally compressible dye tube that is designed to both axially and radially compress to a predetermined position. The tube includes a pair of solid end caps at the distal ends of an open structure which allows for dye liquor to pass through the structure and onto yarn that can be wrapped upon the open structure. The open structure between the solid end caps includes a plurality of axially rigid zones. In the preferred embodiment, the axially rigid zones may be compressed radially inwardly as the force of the yarn squeezes the tube inwardly. Between the plurality of axially rigid zones, there exists interlocking linear ribs. These interlocking linear ribs allow for the axially compression of the dye tube, in the space between the plurality of axially rigid zones. The interlocking linear ribs are spaced to allow only a limited amount of axial compression.

Abstract: An apparatus for securing a sheet of filter material about the circumference of a dye tube. The apparatus includes a mandrel support table having a tube loading station, a sheet wrapping station, a sealing station, and a discharge station; hollow, air permeable mandrels supported on the table; a table drive to sequentially index the mandrels to each of the stations; a vacuum chamber extending from the tube wrapping station to the sealing station to draw a vacuum inside each mandrel at and between the wrapping and sealing stations; a tube feeder for feeding tubes onto mandrels at the tube loading station; a sheet feeder for feeding sheets of filter material into engagement with tubes at the wrapping station; a mandrel drive for rotating each mandrel at the wrapping station to wrap the sheet around the circumference of a tube supported on the mandrel; and a sealer at the sealing station for sealing the sheet to itself to cover the tube.

Abstract: An apparatus for securing a sheet of filter material about the circumference of a dye tube. The apparatus includes a mandrel support table having a tube loading station, a sheet wrapping station, a sealing station, and a discharge station; hollow, air permeable mandrels supported on the table; a table drive to sequentially index the mandrels to each of the stations; a vacuum chamber extending from the tube wrapping station to the sealing station to draw a vacuum inside each mandrel at and between the wrapping and sealing stations; a tube feeder for feeding tubes onto mandrels at the tube loading station; a sheet feeder for feeding sheets of filter material into engagement with tubes at the wrapping station; a mandrel drive for rotating each mandrel at the wrapping station to wrap the sheet around the circumference of a tube supported on the mandrel; and a sealer at the sealing station for sealing the sheet to itself to cover the tube.

Abstract: A furniture foot assembly including a foot support block and an attachable furniture foot. The foot support block includes a substantially triangular-shaped body having rectangular outer walls joined together along at one of the end edges to form an intersection having an angle of about 90.degree. corresponding to the angle between adjoining rails of an item of furniture. An elongated boss is aligned with the intersection and is adapted to receive a furniture foot having a stem. The elongated boss provides a sufficient area of contact between the stem of the furniture foot without adding unnecessary weight. In the preferred embodiment, a boss support structure is formed from a bottom wall and a plurality of radial supports attached to the outer walls and the elongated boss.

Abstract: A rigid plastic dye tube. The tube includes a pair of solid end caps and an open structure between the pair of end caps to permit dye to pass through the structure. The open structure includes a plurality of rings arranged axially along the length of the tube and a plurality of rigid ribs extending between the end caps and through the plurality of rings. The open structure is closed and impermeable to dye flow adjacent to each of the end caps to prevent dye "blowout" during processing. In the preferred embodiment, the tube is formed from a homopolymer of polypropylene plastic having an ASTM D-256A notched Izod impact score of greater than or equal to 0.5 ft-lbs/inch, an ASTM D-790A flexural modulus of greater than about 200,000 psi and an ASTM D-648 heat deflection value of greater than about 200.degree. F.

Abstract: An apparatus for securing a sheet of filter material about the circumference of a dye tube. The apparatus includes a mandrel support table having a tube loading station, a sheet wrapping station, a sealing station, and a discharge station; hollow, air permeable mandrels supported on the table; a table drive to sequentially index the mandrels to each of the stations; a vacuum chamber extending from the tube wrapping station to the sealing station to draw a vacuum inside each mandrel at and between the wrapping and sealing stations; a tube feeder for feeding tubes onto mandrels at the tube loading station; a sheet feeder for feeding sheets of filter material into engagement with tubes at the wrapping station; a mandrel drive for rotating each mandrel at the wrapping station to wrap the sheet around the circumference of a tube supported on the mandrel; and a sealer at the sealing station for sealing the sheet to itself to cover the tube.

Abstract: An axially-compressible coil carrier comprising first and second parallel, coaxial end rings, a plurality of carrier rings positioned between the first and second end rings, and a plurality of support struts arranged in rings, the rings of struts alternating with the carrier rings, and neighboring carrier rings being joined to each other by one of the rings of support struts. The carrier rings are parallel to and coaxial with each other and with the first and second end rings, and are separated by an inside distance of between about 5 mm and about 12 mm. The struts in each of the rings are divided into first and second groups. The struts in the first group are spaced equidistantly around the circumference, and are alternated with pairs of struts of the second group. The struts of the second group are generally parallel to their neighboring struts of the first group to form triads of parallel struts, the struts in each the triad being equidistantly spaced.

Abstract: A furniture foot connection includes an item of furniture having a lower portion with a given thickness and a hole in the lower portion having a given diameter and a furniture foot including a body and a hollow stem. The stem has a length greater than the thickness of the lower portion of the item of furniture and a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the hole. The stem extends through the hole so that the body of the foot is adjacent the lower portion and a length of the stem extends above the lower portion. The lower portion of the furniture compresses the hollow stem within the hole, and the length of the hollow stem extending above the lower portion is uncompressed to open to a diameter greater than the diameter of the hole. This secures the foot in place on the lower portion. The stem has a plurality of ribs with differing asymmetrical profiles which inhibit rotation of the foot in the hole in either direction.