US3308937A - Protective container for spools of elongated material - Google Patents

Description

L. B. ROSEN March 14, 1967 PROTECTIVE CONTAINER FOR SPOOLS OF ELONGATED MATERIAL Filed Oct. 25, 1965 FIG I INVENTOR Leonard B. Rosen ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,308,937 PRGTECTIVE CONTAHNER FOR SPOOLS 0F ELONGATED MATERIAL Leonard B. Rosen, RJ). 2, Jamestown, Pa. 16134 Filed ()et. 23, 1965, Ser. No. 503,474 6 (Ilaims. ((31. 20652) This invention relates to a container for spools of convolutely wound material and relates more particularly to a protective container for storage and handling of cone-type spools of thread or the like.

The elongated material with which the instant invention is concerned may take many forms, the more common for use in commerce generally being spools of textile thread, yarn, string, cord, rope and wire although for the most part, the cone-type spools are usually utilized for carrying thread or yarn. The term conetype spools does not necessarily mean that the spool itself, whether empty or full, takes the form of a cone, but this designation is intended to describe a spool having a central core upon which the elongated material is wound with a flange member extending outwardly from the core at one end of the spool and a continuation of the core extending beyond the wound elongated material at the other end of the spool. In some instances, the spool itself may be substantially conical and the flange member may amount to little more than an offset portion. Generally, however, the core is substantially cylindrical and the elongated material is convolutely wound thereon with the portion of the material adjacent the continuation of the core being generally conical in shape.

Spools of the type described are frequently utilized as bobbins in the manufacture of a textile from a filamentary material. In such instances the spools are frequently formed from a plastic material and are re-usable. However, the spool with which the container of the instant invention is adapted to function may be formed of any suitable material and may be reusable or disposable. Wooden spools, for example, are conventionally used for carrying thread for use with home sewing machines and the instant inventive concept is equally applicable to such constructions.

One of the principal problems which have been encountered with such spools of elongated material is that of dirt and soilage. For example, in handling of such spools during packing or shipment thereof the elongated material may come in contact with dirt or dust from the surrounding area. Further, with those materials which are displayed for commercial sale, frequent handling by the store personnel and by prospective customers may well soil the elongated material. Similarly, spools of thread, for example, displayed on an open counter will collect dust over an extended period of time. Finally, even after the spool has reached the ultimate user, the elongated material may become dirty during storage or use. This is particularly evident in small spools of thread and the like when only a portion of the material is utilized at one time and the partially depleted spool is retained for further use.

The accumulation of dirt and dust on the elongated material during any of the ordinary handling procedures encountered by the same, tends to produce an unslightly and unattractive appearance. Further, the material itself may be discolored or deteriorated by the dirt. Thus, with a sewing or textile manufacturing operation, the exterior winds of the thread or yarn may be discolored while the interior windings remain clean and retain their original color and appearance. This will cause a change of color as the soiled exterior is used up and the clean interior is dispensed.

A further ditficulty encountered with the use of prior art spool constructions is the manner of severing the elongated material and retaining the remaining material in a neatly wound condition upon the spool. With spools of thread it has been common to provide a notch in the flange of the spool which will receive the thread and retain the same to facilitate the severing operation. In repeated use the wood forming the notch has a tendency to break whereby the thread will tend to unwind from the spool and become tangled. In this manner, a substantial quantity of thread may be wasted.

Prior art attempts toprotect the wound material from damage, discoloration or soilage have generally been limited to packaging means for housing small spools of thread for home use or the like. Such means are ordinarily destroyed when the spool is removed therefrom by the ultimate consumer and thus, they will in no way protect the elongated material during use or during storage of a partially depleted spool.

Consistent with the above, it is therefore a primary object of this invention to provide a container for spools of elongated material which is free from the foregoing and other disadvantages.

In this regard, it is an important object of the instant" invention to provide a container for use with ffconetype spools which will encase the elongated material and protect the same during handling. Further, in this regard, the container of the instant invention may remain in protecting relationship with regard to the elongated material during ultimate use of the material. Thus, the elongated material may be dispensed from within the container and a partially depleted spool readily resealed for subsequent storage.

Yet another object of the present invention is the provision of a spool and container combination wherein the spool may be readily inserted for storage and bandling, readily released or removed for dispensing of the elongated material and readily re-inserted into the container for further storage and handling.

Still another basic object of this invention is to provide a container for cone-type spools of elongated material which is sturdy and durable in construction, efilcient and reliable in operation, and relatively inexpensive to manufacture and utilize.

Other and further objects reside in the combination of elements, arrangement of parts and features of construction.

Still other objects will in part be obvious and in part be pointed out as a description of the invention proceeds and as shown in the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a vertical cross-section view through a prefered form of container in accordance with the instant inventive concept with a cone-type spool of elongated material protectively encased thereby, parts of the spool and of the elongated material being broken away for illustrative clarity;

FIGURE 1A is a vertical cross-sectional View similar to FIGURE 1 of a modified relationship between the spool and container;

FIGURE 1B is a perspective view, to a smaller scale, of yet another modified form of spool and container combinati-on;

FIGURE 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the modification of FIGURE 1 showing the spool released for dispensing of the elongated material therefrom; and

FIGURE 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the modification of FIGURE 1 with the spool having been removed from the container, inverted and reinserted into the container for an alternate dispensing arrangement.

Like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawing.

Referring now to the drawing, and more particularly to FIGURE 1, a preferred form of container and spool combination in accordance with the instant inventionis designated generally by the reference numeral and comprises basically one form of cone-type spool 12 have elongated material 14 'convolutely wound thereon randa container 16 receiving the spool of wound material therewithin.

As mentioned previously the spool itself may take many conventional forms and may be formed of any suitable material. In any event, the spool has a central core 18 ordinarily having a bore 243 therewithin extending the full length of the spool. A flange member 22 extends outwardly from one end of the core 18 a distance greater than the exterior layer ofthe elongated material 14 ona full spool. Further, the spool includes a continuation 24 of the core 18 which extends'beyond the wound elongated material 14. Although FIGURE'l illustrates this continuation in the form of a slightly flared portion, it may merely take the form of a slight continuous extension of the core beyond the conical portion 26 of the elongated material.

The container 16 comprises'a substantially continuous,

hollow wall 28 which surrounds the spool 12'and ex-' tends in spaced, protective, overlying relationship to the elongated material 14. The lower end of the wall 28 is preferably substantially closed by a bottom member 30 which includes portions forming an aperture 32 dimensioned to receive the continuation 24 of the core 18 of the spool 12 therethrough. The upper end of the wall 28 is substantially open and includes a gripping means in theform of an opening 34 formed by an inwardly directed annular element 36, the. opening 34 substantially corresponding in shape to the cross-sectional configura-. tion of the flange member 22 of the spool 12 whereby theber 22 of the spool is engaged by the gripping means 34,

the continuation 24 of the core 18 of the spool extends into the aperture 32 in the bottom member 30 of the container and terminates substantially flush with the lower surface of the bottom member. flange member 22 from its gripping relationship by the annular element 36 may then be readily accomplished by merely engaging the continuation 24 through the aperture 32and pressing the entire spool 12 upwardly as shown in FIGURE 2. In this manner, the free end 38 of the elongated material 14 may be grasped and the elongated material maybe dispensed without removing the spool from the container. With this arrangement, the spool will rotate within the container during use, but at least the major portion of the elongated material will be protectively encased by the wall 28 of the container.

Alternatively, an additional gripping means in the form of an opening 40 defined in an additional inwardly diw rected annular element 42 adjacent the bottom member 30 may be utilized to retain the spool 12 within the container 16 by removing and reinserting the spool as shown in FIGURE 3. With this arrangement the elongated material 14- will merely be withdrawn over the continuation 24 of the core 18 of the spool while the additional gripping means retains the spool in a position wherethe elon- It is to be understood that in Release of the gated material is at least substantially protected by the wall 28 of the container during use. Of course, a partially depleted spool may be again reversed and sealed within the container in the manner of FIGURE 1.

It is to be noted that the free end 38 of the elongated material 14 is locked between the flange member 22 of the spool 12 and the grippingmeans 34 when the spool has been completely inserted into the container as shown in FIGURE 1 whereby undesirable unwinding of the elongatedv material during storage Willi be precluded. Further, presuming the elongated material to be relatively Weak such as is common intextile threads, this grip ping relationship of the free end 38 may be utilized to facilitate severing the previously. dispensed portion by merely tearing the same at the point where it is held between the flange member. of the spool and the gripping means of the container.

Dispensing of the elongated material 14 either according to the arrangementof FIGURE 2 or according to the arrangement of FIGURE 3 may take place with the entire spool and container combination being rotatably supported by a spindle (not shown) of a conventional sewing or textile manufacturing apparatus. Of course, in addition to utilizing the spool and container combination for dispensing as shown in either FIGURE 2 or FIGURE 3, the spool may be removed entirely from the container during the dispensing operatiom if desired.

Although the container 16 may be formed ofany suitable material, apreferred form of the same utilizes a transparentplastic or the like material whereby the spool of wound material may be visually inspected Without removing the same from the container to determine the color, type or quantity of elongated material carried by the spool.

A slightly modified embodiment of the spool and container combination is illustrated in :FIGURE'IA wherein parts similarto the embodiments of FIGURE 1 are designated by the same reference numeral followed by the sutfix a. In this embodiment, the spool and container are so dimensioned with respect to each other that the continuation 24a of the core of thespool eXtends through and beyond the aperture 32a of the bottom member 300 of the container whereby release of the spool from gripping relationship with the container may be readily ac-. complished merely by engaging the .continuation 24a against a flattened surface and pressing the container downwardly with respect thereto in an obvious manner. Although this arrangement has been shown by illustrating a larger continuation24a than in the embodiment of FIGURE 1, it will be seen that thesame relationship can be provided in other manners such as, for example, utilizing a thinner bottom wall 3011 or less elongated material 14a.

Another slightly, modified embodiment is shown in FIG- URE 1B .wherein parts similar ,to. the embodiment of FIGURE 1 are designated generally by the .same reference numerals followed by the sufiix .b. In the embodiment ofFIGURE 1B the upper end of the wall'28b includes slit 44 extending partially downward to provide the upper end with sufiicient flexibility to preclude undue binding of the flangemember 22b of the spool during insertion of'.

the same. Of course, if the material of the container is. sufliciently flexible to avoid such a difliculty, the slit 44 can be dispensed with. However, this arrangement is:

It is believed that the use and operation of the various modifications of the instant inventive concept is selfexplanatory from the detailed description of the same.

appearing hereinabove. In any event, it will now be seen thatithereis herein provided an improved container for spools or elongated material which satisfies all of the objectives. of the instant invention,-and others, including many advantages of great practical utility and commercial importance.

Since many embodiments may be made of the instant,

inventive concept, and since many modifications may be made of the embodiments hereinbefore shown and described, all matter herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Accordingly, what is claimed is:

1. In combination, a spool having a central core, a flange member extending from said core at one extremity of said core, an elongated material wound on said core with the exterior layer of said material extending outwardly from said core a distance less than the periphery of said flange member, and a continuation of said core extending beyond said elongated material at the other extremity of said core, the cross-sectional area of said continuation being smaller than the cross-sectional area of said flange member, a container receiving said spool and including a substantially continuous wall, said wall having an open upper end and a lower end spaced therefrom, a bottom member secured to said lower end of said wall, said bottom member having portions forming an aperture corresponding in size and shape to the crosssectional configuration of said continuation and slidingly receiving said continuation, said wall having portions at said open upper end defining an opening corresponding in size and shape to the cross-sectional configuration of said flange member, said opening being larger than said aperture and said portions defining said opening frictionally engaging the periphery of said flange member to removably secure said spool Within said container with the remander of said wall in spaced, protective, overlying relationship to said elongated material.

2. The combination defined in claim 1 wherein said wall includes an inwardly directed annular element carried by said wall and forming said opening whereby said annular element frictionally engages said flange member in gripping relationship.

3. The combination defined in claim 1 wherein said container is so dimensioned with respect to said spool that when said flange member of said spool is engaged by said portions of said wall, said continuation of said core of said spool extends through and beyond said aperture in said bottom member. I

4. The combination defined in claim 2 wherein said annular element is carried by said upper end of said wall and wherein said container includes an additional inwardly directed annular element inside said lower end of said wall adjacent said bottom member, said additional annular element forming an opening substantially corresponding in size and shape to the cross-sectional configuration of said flange member of said spool whereby said spool may be inverted and reinserted into said container with said additional annular element engaging said flange member to retain said spool within said container during withdrawal of said elongated material through said open upper end of said wall.

5. The combination defined in claim 4 wherein said wall includes a slit extending partially downward from said upper end to provide said upper end with suflicient flexibility to preclude undue binding of said flange member of said spool during reinsertion in an inverted position.

6. The combination defined in claim 1 wherein said wall of said container is at least partially transparent to permit visual inspection of said spool therethrough.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 637,941 11/ 1899 Peters. 1,716,249 6/1929 Taylor 206-59 2,515,669 7/1950 Scholl 20652 2,550,927 5/1951 Jurnove 242l38 2,554,615 5/1951 Dahle 242--l46 LOUIS G. MANCENE, Primary Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. IN COMBINATION, A SPOOL HAVING A CENTRAL CORE, A FLANGE MEMBER EXTENDING FROM SAID CORE AT ONE EXTREMITY OF SAID CORE, AN ELONGATED MATERIAL WOUND ON SAID CORE WITH THE EXTERIOR LAYER OF SAID MATERIAL EXTENDING OUTWARDLY FROM SAID CORE A DISTANCE LESS THAN THE PERIPHERY OF SAID FLANGE MEMBER, AND A CONTINUATION OF SAID CORE EXTENDING BEYOND SAID ELONGATED MATERIAL AT THE OTHER EXTREMITY OF SAID CORE, THE CROSS-SECTIONAL AREA OF SAID CONTINUATION BEING SMALLER THAN THE CROSS-SECTIONAL AREA OF SAID FLANGE MEMBER, A CONTAINER RECEIVING SAID SPOOL AND INCLUDING A SUBSTANTIALLY CONTINUOUS WALL, SAID WALL HAVING AN OPEN UPPER END AND A LOWER END SPACED THEREFROM, A BOTTOM MEMBER SECURED TO SAID LOWER END OF SAID WALL, SAID BOTTOM MEMBER HAVING PORTIONS FORMING AN APERTURE CORRESPONDING IN SIZE AND SHAPE TO THE CROSSSECTIONAL CONFIGURATION OF SAID CONTINUATION AND SLIDINGLY RECEIVING SAID CONTINUATION, SAID WALL HAVING PORTIONS AT SAID OPEN UPPER END DEFINING AN OPENING CORRESPONDING IN SIZE AND SHAPE TO THE CROSS-SECTIONAL CONFIGURATION OF SAID FLANGE MEMBER, SAID OPENING BEING LARGER THAN SAID APERTURE AND SAID PORTIONS DEFINING SAID OPENING FRICTIONALLY ENGAGING THE PERIPHERY OF SAID FLANGE MEMBER TO REMOVABLY SECURE SAID SPOOL WITHIN SAID CONTAINER WITH THE REMANDER OF SAID WALL IN SPACED, PROTECTIVE, OVERLYING RELATIONSHIP TO SAID ELONGATED MATERIAL.

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