GB2227730A - Spool holder - Google Patents

Abstract

A spool holder for a plurality of sewing thread spools is in the form of a moulding (1) having a recess (2) to receive a plurality of spools (3). Projecting portions (6) are formed in opposite walls (5a, 5b) of the recess (2) to receive the ends of the spools (3) so that each spool (3) is supported in a given position by the corresponding projecting portions (6) while the moulding (1) is flexible enough to enable any spool (3) to be removed without disturbing the position of other spools (3) in the holder. <IMAGE>

Description

SPOOL HOLDER This invention relates to a spool holder for a plurality of sewing thread spools.

Sewing thread is commercially available in a wide variety of colours. Users often buy, or have in their possession, spools containing many different coloured threads but these spools are often jumbled-up in a work-box so that it is a nuisance to break off from sewing in order to search for a thread of the required colour.

This problem is aggravated when the workpiece which is sewn requires the use of thread having several different shades of the same basic colour, because the down-time of the sewing machine is increased due to the difficulty of identifying the correct shade in isolation.

The object of the invention is to provide a holder for a plurality of sewing thread spools containing different coloured threads, the holder enabling the spools to be stacked side-by-side and to be retained in their respective positions until they are required for use.

This enables different coloured threads to be compared side-by-side and any spool may be removed without disturbing the positions and the retention of other spools in the holder. The invention also seeks to provide a holder of relatively simple and inexpensive construction and which may also serve as an attractive display to a shop customer.

The spool holder according to the invention is characterised in that it is in the form of moulding having a recess to receive a plurality of spools in side-by-side relationship; projecting portions being formed in opposite walls of the recess to receive the ends of the spools so that each spool is supported in a given position by the corresponding projections while the moulding is flexible enough to enable any spool to be removed without disturbing the position of other spools in the holder.

A holder according to the invention can thus be used to store spools side-by-side which contain thread having different shades of a similar colour. This enables a user to spot the difference in shade quickly and, because each spool is secured individually, the user can remove the required spool and return it to the holder without disturbing the colour sequence. It is also easy to keep the spools tidy in a work-box and ready for immediate use.

In one embodiment of the invention, the holder is a vacuum moulding having projections (in the walls of the recess) with a substantially spherical or domed shape.

These projections extend inwardly of depressions or holes formed in the ends of the spools. The recess may be framed on at least two sides by double-skinned and spaced walls, e.g., having a substantially U or V shaped section. Preferably, the opposite walls and the lower wall of the recess are formed in this way and the remaining wall is joined to a plinth shaped part for supporting a manufacturer's label.

The holder may be formed by any plastic which is suitable for the purposes of the invention. In the case of a vacuum moulding, in order to improve the frictional engagement between the projections and the ends of the spools and/or its appearance, at least the spool holding side of the holder may be-coated or sprayed with flock.

A holder in accordance with the invention can be adapted for direct use on a sewing machine. In this case, the projections are made so as to enable the spools to run freely and this enables the thread to be drawn off for sewing without removing the spool from the holder. It is also preferred that adjacent spools do not touch in the holder so that they do not interfere with one another when thread is withdrawn from one of the spools. This adoption of the invention provides the advantage that different holders containing thread having various shades of different colours, can be exchangeably mounted on the sewing machine. This is particularly useful when the thread is being used decoratively, i.e. in the manner of painting a picture.

Clearly, the dimensions and material of the holder are selected with regard to its intended use, e.g., either as a display/storage device, or as a thread support on a sewing machine. Moreover, where the holder is formed as a vacuum moulding, sufficient allowance is made for shrinkage of the plastics during production. The nature of the holder assists in the latter respect to avoid the need for particularly close tolerances. An example of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Figure 1 is the front view of a spool holder according to an embodiment of the invention, Figure 2 shows a spool in side and end-on elevations, Figure 3 is a section through a wall-part of the holder of Figure 1, Figure 4 is a rear view of the holder shown in Figure 1, and Figure 5 is a perspective view of a paper sleeve.

Referring to the drawings, a holder 1 has a recess 2 containing a plurality of spools 3 which are received in a side-by-side relationship. A small clearance 10 is preferably provided between adjacent spools 3 and between the end spools and the end walls of the holder. However, this clearance 10 may not be necessary where the spools 3 are just held for storage. Threads 4, which are different shades of a basic colour, are wound on spools 3; the side-by-side relationship thereby facilitating comparison of the shades. Each spool has a generally hollow cylindrical construction as shown in Figure 2, and the inner cylindrical surface is slightly shorter (at each end) than the outer cylindrical surface. The spools 3 are preferably of a kind which have thread retaining means, e.g. such as a circular groove (not shown) formed between an end cap and a thread retaining ring (not shown).Such means are provided to retain the loose end of the thread and thereby prevent thread tangling. (However, different forms of spools may be employed as long as they can be engaged between opposite projections - see below.) The side walls 5a, 5b and the lower wall Sc are of double-skinned construction with a substantially V-shaped cross-section as shown in Figure 3. A series of dome-shaped projections 6 are formed in the side walls 5a, 5b and these extend partly into the ends of respective spools 3. As the holder 1 is made of plastics (and is preferably formed as a vacuum moulding), the walls 5 are flexible enough to enable any spool to be removed without substantially disturbing the other spools in the holder because the projections are shaped and dimensioned to provide sufficient retention.A plinth 7, which is slightly recessed into the upper part of the holder 1, and a smaller plinth 8 which is slightly recessed into the lower wall 5c, are provided to receive paper labels.

A shaped cut-out 9 enables the holder 1 to be hung on a display rack.

Whilst the above embodiment has been described in connection with spools of the same size and shape (e.g., 50m), the holder may be modified to receive spools of a larger size, or spools of different sizes. Moreover, the holder may accommodate spools of the same, or different colours.

The holder 1 may be strongly moulded and provided with a different kind of projection 5 which extends more deeply into each spool 3, i.e. so as to enable it to rotate freely without falling out. Such a holder may be provided with location holes or pins to enable it to be removably mounted on a sewing machine so that the thread can be fed through the usual guides for sewing. In this case, the gaps 10 between adjacent spools are necessary to allow each spool to rotate freely.

Figure 5 illustrates a paper sleeve 10 which slides over the holder 1, from end to end, to give dust protection and to assist in retaining the spools 3 during transit between the manufacturer and a retailer. The edges 10a, 10b of the sleeve 10 are secured together, each with adhesive or tape (not shown), to form the sleeve.

Other variations and/or modifications may also be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (8)

1. A spool holder for a plurality of sewing thread spools, characterised in that it is in the form of a moulding (1) having a recess (2) to receive a plurality of spools (3) in side-by-side relationship; projecting portions (6) being formed in opposite walls (5a, 5b) of the recess (2) to receive the ends of the spools (3) so that each spool (3) is supported in a given position by the corresponding projecting portions (6) while the moulding (1) is flexible enough to enable any spool (3) to be removed without disturbing the position of other spools (3) in the holder.

2. A spool holder according to claim 1 wherein the holder is a vacuum moulding (1) having projections (6) with a substantially spherical or domed shape.

3. A spool holder according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the recess (2) is framed on at least two sides by double-skinned and spaced walls (5a, 5b) having a substantially U or V shaped section.

4. A spool according to claim 3 wherein the opposite walls (5a, 5b) and one other wall (5c) of the recess (2) are double-skinned and spaced and the remaining wall is joined to a plinth-shaped part (7) for supporting a label.

5. A spool holder according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the holder is formed as a plastics vacuum moulding (1), the front of the holder being coated or sprayed with flock.

6. A spool holder according to claim 1 which is adapted for direct use on a sewing machine in that the projections (6) enable the spools (3) to run freely during sewing so that different threads on respective spools, may be selected as required.

7. A spool holder according to any one of the preceding claims in combination with a sleeve for retaining the spools in transit.

8. A spool holder substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.