Abstract: A yarn carrier is provided in the form of a yarn winding tube having a yarn catch insert. The yarn winding tube is a hollow cylindrical tube having a longitudinal axis extending lengthwise between its first and second opposite ends. The tube has a hole through its surface for receiving a yarn catch insert. The yarn catch insert includes a first member and a second member, each having an inside surface. When positioned within the hole, the inside surfaces of the first and second members face each other and form a string-up groove therebetween. After a yarn winding and unwinding process, the yarn catch insert may be removed from the hole in the tube, the first and second member may be separated, and the string-up groove may be cleaned. The yarn catch insert may then be re-inserted into the hole and the tube may be reused for winding.

Abstract: A winding core has an outer surface that is reflective for reflecting a laser beam used for cutting through residual material wound about the core so that the core can be reused for winding new material. A cleaning method entails using a laser beam to cut through residual material wound about a core, and reflecting the laser beam from a reflective outer surface of the core so as to prevent damage to the core.

Abstract: A dispenser top for loose materials has a flap attached to the dispenser top by a hinge along one edge of the flap. The hinged flap in a closed position overlies the dispenser top and closes one or more openings in the dispenser top and in an open position projects outward from the dispenser top. The one or more openings closed by the flap may be confined to a part of the top asymmetrically positioned on the dispenser top with a center of the part between the hinge and a center of the dispenser top.

Abstract: A spool is provided having opposing identical end flanges coupled to a central barrel. An annular rim portion of the flanges is provided with a plurality of openings positioned at different radial and circumferential positions. The openings are sized such that if the openings were rotated into angular alignment, the openings would span the annular rim portion from an inner radius to an outer radius. The openings thus allow a user to view contents of the spool. Each flange may further provide a generally semi-circularly shaped recess sized and shaped to receive a winding dog.

Abstract: A winding device includes a barrel defining a primary winding area and an auxiliary winding area. A flange wall separates the primary and auxiliary winding areas. A guide pathway directs a flexible material between the primary and auxiliary winding areas and includes opposite end segments curving in a circumferential direction. The pathway also includes a transition segment between the end segments in which the circumferential direction of curvature is reversed to provide for simultaneous winding of material in the primary and auxiliary winding areas. The device may include inserts received within the barrel having channels formed in an outer surface to define the pathway between the inserts and the barrel. Alternatively, the device may include a flange body defining an interior and a cover enclosing the interior. Structure having correspondingly formed first and second parts respectively carried by flange body and cover define the pathway within the interior.

Abstract: A yarn carrier is provided in the form of a yarn winding tube having a yarn catch insert. The yarn winding tube is a hollow cylindrical tube having a longitudinal axis extending lengthwise between its first and second opposite ends. The tube has a hole through its surface for receiving a yarn catch insert. The yarn catch insert includes a first member and a second member, each having an inside surface. When positioned within the hole, the inside surfaces of the first and second members face each other and form a string-up groove therebetween. After a yarn winding and unwinding process, the yarn catch insert may be removed from the hole in the tube, the first and second member may be separated, and the string-up groove may be cleaned. The yarn catch insert may then be re-inserted into the hole and the tube may be reused for winding.

Abstract: A spring dye tube for use in dyeing textile yarns has a generally open-ended, cylindrical configuration with a latticed side wall. It is resiliently compressible in a longitudinal direction, and includes longitudinal stabilizing elements to prevent growth or collapse during high-speed winding operations. In turn, these longitudinal stabilizing elements buckle and collapse when the spring dye tube as a whole is compressed in a longitudinal direction. The longitudinal stabilizing elements may be disposed in pairs separated by a gap, or singly. In the latter case, a longitudinal groove may be provided along the length of the element; the element will split along this groove when the tube is compressed. In either case, this provides a means for dye to pass through that portion of the tube during use in a dyeing operation. The longitudinal stabilizing elements can resemble thin membranes in appearance, the membranes being of greater width than thickness.