Abstract: A stackable dye tube for dyeing yarn has a first end, an opposing second end and a generally tubular lattice structure extending therebetween. An inner diameter and an outer diameter are defined by the tube body. The lattice structure comprises a plurality of rib portions and ring portions disposed generally perpendicular to the rib portions, each rib and ring portion being tapered from inside to outside. Projections extend outwardly from the lattice structure and have a projection length, extending away from the lattice structure, that is greater than a projection width that is measured in a direction perpendicular to the projection length.

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 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 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 spool for optical fiber ribbon or other flexible media has an opening communicating with an interior of the spool in which a first end of a helical guide is located. The helical guide receives the ribbon from an exterior winding space to direct the ribbon to an auxiliary winding surface located outside one of the main flanges at an end of the spool.

Abstract: A yarn dye tube includes end portions having male and female elements for aligned stacking of multiple tubes. The female end portion includes a cylindrical ring having non-perforating recesses defining reduced wall portions having a thickness of at least one-half of a wall thickness of ring. Each recess also includes arcuate ends for reducing stress concentrations. The diameter of the inner surface of the female element is greater than that of the inner surface of the ring defining an annular distance therebetween. A radially extending shoulder at the terminal end of the ring contacts the male element of an adjacent tube in a stack of aligned tubes. A fillet at the terminal end of the first end portion ring extends over a substantial portion of the annular distance for reducing stress concentrations.

Abstract: A carrier tube includes a vacuum draw system for promoting receipt of a yarn tail end within a circumferential start-up groove of the tube. The draw system includes angled air-scoop openings extending through the tube wall adjacent the start-up groove to move air through the tube rotation. Each of the angled openings includes a narrowed venturi portion creating a zone of reduced pressure. The system further includes passages extending between the start-up groove and the narrowed portions of the air-scoop openings to connect the start-up groove to the reduced pressure of the openings.

Abstract: A winding tube has a tubular body and a removable and replaceable end ring. The end ring has opposite end faces that, according to one embodiment, each define at least two recesses that form start-up regions between the end ring and the tubular body for capturing yarn during a winding operation. The recesses are spaced apart from one another so as to allow the end ring to be easily mounted and secured to the tubular body, and allowing the end ring to be reversible in relation to the tubular body.

Abstract: A carrier tube is provided for retaining yarn packages during a dyeing operation, the tube including axially aligned rings spaced from one another along at least a portion thereof. Longitudinally extending columns or ribs intersect each of the rings to form a lattice structure over at least a portion of the surface of the tube body in which apertures are defined by the rings and ribs. Each of the ribs includes interspersed reduced load carrying sections that deflect compressively in response to axial load applied to the tube. The deflections of the reduced load carrying sections accumulating over the length of the ribs to permit axial acceptance of the load. The carrier tube also having radial reduction sections connected to the rings to accept a radial reduction of the tube in response to compressive load created by the yarn during the dyeing operation.

Abstract: A yarn dye tube includes end portions having male and female elements for aligned stacking of multiple tubes. The female end portion includes a cylindrical ring having non-perforating recesses defining reduced wall portions having a thickness of at least one-half of a wall thickness of ring. Each recess also includes arcuate ends for reducing stress concentrations. The diameter of the inner surface of the female element is greater than that of the inner surface of the ring defining an annular distance therebetween. A radially extending shoulder at the terminal end of the ring contacts the male element of an adjacent tube in a stack of aligned tubes. A fillet at the terminal end of the first end portion ring extends over a substantial portion of the annular distance for reducing stress concentrations.

Abstract: A winding tube has a tubular body and a removable and replaceable end ring. The end ring has opposite end faces that, according to one embodiment, each define at least two recesses that form start-up regions between the end ring and the tubular body for capturing yarn during a winding operation. The recesses are spaced apart from one another so as to allow the end ring to be easily mounted and secured to the tubular body, and allowing the end ring to be reversible in relation to the tubular body.

Abstract: A spool for optical fiber ribbon or other flexible media has an opening communicating with an interior of the spool in which a first end of a helical guide is located. The helical guide receives the ribbon from an exterior winding space to direct the ribbon to an auxiliary winding surface located outside one of the main flanges at an end of the spool.

Abstract: A carrier tube is provided for retaining yarn packages during a dyeing operation, the tube including axially aligned rings spaced from one another along at least a portion thereof. Longitudinally extending columns or ribs intersect each of the rings to form a lattice structure over at least a portion of the surface of the tube body in which apertures are defined by the rings and ribs. Each of the ribs includes interspersed reduced load carrying sections that deflect compressively in response to axial load applied to the tube. The deflections of the reduced load carrying sections accumulating over the length of the ribs to permit axial acceptance of the load. The carrier tube also having radial reduction sections connected to the rings to accept a radial reduction of the tube in response to compressive load created by the yarn during the dyeing operation.

Abstract: A dispenser is provided for sprinkling a preset quantity of granted material, such as table salt. The dispenser comprises a granulated material reservoir, an enclosure, a metering cup, a cap, a collector and a diffuser. The reservoir has a side, a top and a bottom wall. The enclosure encases the reservoir side wall and is closed at one end by a cap adjacent to the reservoir bottom wall. The metering cup is positioned in the cap and an opening in the reservoir bottom wall communicates with and fills the metering cup. A collector is positioned adjacent to the top wall of the reservoir. A passageway formed between the reservoir sidewall and the enclosure communicates with the metering cup and collector. The diffuser is positioned adjacent to an opening in the collector and opposite the collector. When the dispenser is in the upright position, granulated material from the reservoir fills the metering cup.