A dispenser is provided for delivering a controlled quantity of a granular material. The dispenser includes a container assembly, a diffuser and a metering cup. The container includes a reservoir which supports a disposable cartridge of granular material. The cartridge is supported in the reservoir so as to define a passageway therebetween. A nozzle is defined for the outflow of material from the cartridge. The diffuser is disposed on one end of the container and includes a plurality of apertures. The metering cup is disposed on the opposite end of the container and has an open end adapted to receive granular material. Adjustment of the axial spacing between the nozzle and metering cup varies the quantity of granular material collected in the cup. The granular material is dispensed by inverting the container to a second orientation, such that material flows out of the metering cup, through the passageway and out of the diffuser. The nozzle may serve as a piercing mechanism for opening the disposable cartridge upon its insertion into the reservoir.

Reconfigurable metered material dispenser

A winding tube (10) has a tubular body (24) and a removable and replaceable end ring (40). The end ring (40) has opposite end faces (26, 28) that, according to one embodiment, each define at least two recesses (50) that form start-up regions (52) between the end ring (40) and the tubular body (24) for capturing yarn (12) during a winding operation. The recesses (50) are spaced apart from one another so as to allow the end ring (40) to be easily mounted and secured to the tubular body (24), and allowing the end ring (40) to be reversible in relation to the tubular body (24).

Yarn winding tube with removable end ring

A textile tube (10) on which yarn is wound to form a pack comprises a body having a tubular body (12) extending between opposed ends (18,20) and an outer surface (13). At least one recessed score (22) is defined proximate at least one end of the tube body (12). The recessed score (22) has a substantially rectangular shape wherein the width of the recessed score is at least about five time the depth of the recessed score. As such, the recessed score provides more surface area for capturing yarn during a winding procedure. The recessed score (22) also retains a substantially constant shape regardless of the moisture content of the tube, which is particularly advantageous when the tube body (12) is formed of paperboard or other hydroscopic material.

Textile tube with start-up feature

Supporting element for winding yarns (F), comprising an electronic-type memory (15) able to memorize a plurality of information associated with the yarn (F) temporally wound, located at any point, advantageously outside the space occupied by said yarn (F).

Supporting element for winding yarns

A dispenser is provided for delivering a controlled quantity of a granular material. The dispenser includes a reservoir that retains granular material. The reservoir is supported in the dispenser with a passageway defined between opposing ends. A nozzle is provided for the outflow of material from the reservoir to a metering cup. A control plug is provided within the metering cup to adjust the controlled volume to be received within the cup from the reservoir. Once the metering cup is filled, the dispenser is inverted and the volume of material is directed from the cup, through the passageway and out of an opening adjacent a diffuser. The control plug is removable from the cup to vary the charge of material to be dispensed.

Adjustable metered material dispenser

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.

Re-usable yarn winding tube having removable end caps

A dispenser is provided for sprinkling a preset quantity of granulated 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. When the dispenser is inverted, the granulated material flows from the metering cup through the passageway to the collector. The collector directs the granulated material to the diffuser that sprinkles the granulated material over a desired area.

Clint M. Jones

Papers

Re-usable yarn winding tube having removable end caps

Metered material dispenser