Abstract: A container for dispensing selected portions of a web material and a method of making such a container. The container is arranged to contain the web material and has an opening through which the web material can be led out of the container. A track is positioned such that web material led out of the container through the opening can be laid across the track. A cutter is capable of sliding along the track and of cutting web material laid across the track. At least in a packaged configuration for shipping, the track and cutter do not extend beyond an outline of the container.

Abstract: A tray is provided for retaining food stuffs or the like. The tray includes a dish portion and a rim portion. The dish includes a base portion and a sidewall portion surrounding the base portion and extending upwardly therefrom to define a retaining area. The rim includes an inner wall positioned around the perimeter of the dish sidewall. A retaining member engages the dish sidewall to the rim inner wall to removeably secure the dish to the rim.

Abstract: A metering dispenser for flowable materials is provided having a reservoir defined in part by a pair of opposing, flexible side walls. The side walls are associated with at least one stop. The stop is structured to permit the side walls of the dispenser to be squeezed together for only a predetermined distance, so that a predetermined volume of flowable material is dispensed from the dispenser.

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 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 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 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 reel or spool for winding or unwinding of cable, wire, or the like includes a hub having a cylindrical wall defining an outer barrel surface and an axial end wall suitable for the application of labels or other identification indicia. A flange extends radially from the outer barrel adjacent each end wall. The flanges have a plurality of integrally formed, radially extending ribs disposed on their outer surface. The connection between the ribs, the axial end wall and the barrel surface of the hub being within the radial extent of the cylindrical wall. In one form of the invention, the hub includes an inclined wall connecting the cylindrical wall, the axial end wall and the ribs.

Abstract: A re-usable yarn carrier to be mounted on a winding machine and to have yarn wound on and unwound therefrom is provided. The yarn carrier includes a hollow cylindrical tube which is preferably made of a plastic material. Each end of the tube is provided with a channel. The transition between the outside surface of the tube and the channel is formed by a shoulder. A resilient ring is positioned within each channel. The resilient ring is engaged by the base surface of the channel and forms an engagement surface adjacent to the shoulder on the tube. Further, the end of the ring positioned proximal to the end of the tube forms a protective edge. Thus, if the tube is dropped, the ring takes the brunt of the force rather than the tube material itself. The formation of the ring within the channel within the tube forms a yarn winding engagement surface. In addition, the resilient rings may be provided in various colors and forms so as to provide identification for the type of yarn on the tube.

Abstract: The invention provides yarn carriers for package dyeing of yarns which include an improved transfer tail engaging and segregating surface on the exterior of an axially projecting nesting collar. The transfer tail engaging and segregating surface is formed by a plurality of axial protrusions which are arranged to form a circumferentially interrupted surface on the axially projecting nesting collar. As a result of the protrusions, transfer tail windings are forced to be formed in an overlapping criss-cross manner which provides for improved access by dye liquor to the transfer tail windings. In addition, the radial protrusions can be provided of a height to form a positive engagement with the inside surface of a female nesting collar of an adjacent yarn carrier.

Abstract: "A reel or spool" for the winding or unwinding of cable, wire, or the like. The reel includes a hub having a cylindrical wall defining an outer barrel surface and an axial end wall suitable for the application of labels or other identification indicia. A flange extends radially from the outer barrel adjacent each end wall. The flanges have a plurality of integrally formed, radially extending ribs disposed on their outer surface. The connection between the ribs, the axial end wall and the barrel surface of the hub being within the radial extent of the cylindrical wall. In one form of the invention, the hub includes an inclined wall connecting the cylindrical wall, the axial end wall and the ribs.

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.