EP0018004B1

EP0018004B1 - Thread storage apparatus

Info

Publication number: EP0018004B1
Application number: EP19800102112
Authority: EP
Inventors: Relda Walker Eaton; Lorraine Eccleston Dalbo
Original assignee: Dal Craft Inc
Current assignee: Dal Craft Inc
Priority date: 1979-04-23
Filing date: 1980-04-18
Publication date: 1985-08-21
Also published as: EP0018004A3; CA1133857A; DE3071007D1; EP0018004A2

Description

There are numerous forms of sewing, or needlework wherein a person is required to have a relatively large number of different threads or yarns, the various threads having different colors, textures or the like. Generally, in the various forms of needlework, the different kinds of threads are utilized for different portions of a given pattern, and it is important that the person be able to select any desired kind of yarn when needed. Sometimes the various colors of yarn or thread used are very similar in shade, so it is desirable to have some means for readily determining exactly which thread is being selected, and to be able to select quickly and easily any specified thread.
Most commonly, people doing needlework simply retain the original wrapper for their threads, and place the entire thread as purchased in a bag or the like; then, when a particular kind of thread is needed one must search through the bag, checking the label on each piece of thread, until the appropriate type of thread is found. There have been some efforts to organize these threads, but such efforts have generally taken the form simply of a card to receive a length of thread.
The present invention therefore relates to a thread storage apparatus as defined in the preamble of claim 1.
Such an apparatus is known from GB-A--179 015. This document shows a thread storage apparatus comprising a plurality of storage cards forming a book for cards. The bundles of threads being held at both ends by suitable bands. Such an apparatus is not usable for receiving a great plurality of bundles because of the bulkiness of the arrangement.
Another prior art apparatus known from DE-C-590 933 comprises a storage card of merely the same length as the bundles of threads to be received. Forming a book of such cards only results in a bulky arrangement comparable with the aforementioned apparatus. GB-A-414694 describes a foldable wallet providing limited storage of threads.
The problem underlying the invention is to remedy the aforementioned drawbacks and to design a thread storage apparatus which has a large storage space to receive a great plurality of bundles of threads without being bulky.
The present invention therefore comprises an apparatus as defined in claim 1.
Such an apparatus combines a binder and storage cards that are essentially shorter than the bundles such that each hole of the card is able to receive one of the bundles of threads so that the plurality of bundles extends from the storage card into the pocket carried by the tab.
These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from consideration of the following specification when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a thread storage apparatus made in accordance with the present invention, the device being shown open, but with the ends of the thread secured to the tab;
Figs. 2A-2D are perspective views of the device shown in Fig. 1, and showing sequential steps in folding the device to enclose the threads;
Figs. 3A-3B are bottom plan views of the device shown in Fig. 1 showing the folding of the tab;
Fig. 4A is a bottom plan view of the completely folded apparatus as shown in Fig. 1;
Fig. 4B is a bottom plan view of a prior art ring- binder, here shown for comparison;
Figs. 5A-5B are enlarged, partial bottom plan views showing the attachment of the storage cards and the binder to the binder rings;
Figs. 6A-6B are full bottom plan view similar to Figs. 5A-5B;
Fig. 7 is a perspective view similar to Fig. 1 but showing one of the storage cards on the left to expose the next group of threads;
Figs. 8A-8B are enlarged figures showing the attachment of the length of thread to a storage card; and,
Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a use card which may be utilized in conjunction with the present invention.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, and to that embodiment of the invention here presented by way of illustration, it will be seen that the thread storage apparatus comprises a plurality of storage cards 11 which define a plurality of holes 14 along one edge thereof. Each of the holes 14 is appropriately sized to allow a bundle of threads 12 to be tied through the hole 14, and sufficient space is allowed between each of the holes 14 so that a person can tie and untie various bundles of threads 12 without interfering with adjacent bundles of threads.
Along the opposite edge of the storage card 11, means for binding the storage card 11 into a binder is provided. While these skilled in the art will realize that numerous forms of readily releasable binding may be utilized, the means here shown includes a plurality of binder rings 9 which are receivable through appropriate holes 16 in the storage card 11. It will be understood that the binder rings 9 are of conventional design and are openable to allow the binder rings to be placed through the various holes, after which the binder rings can be snapped shut and will remain securely fastened until intentionally reopened.
It will therefore be seen that, the storage card 11 can be bound along one edge thereof and the plurality of holes 14 can be extended along a different edge of the storage card 11. From the holes 14, the various bundles of threads will be. extended generally perpendicularly to the edge of the storage card 11 as is shown in Fig. 1 of the drawing.
While the binding means 16 is here shown as provided in the edge opposite and parallel to the edge including the holes 14, it will be readily understood by those skilled in the art that an adjacent edge of the storage card 11 could be the edge to receive the binding, only minor modifications being made in the binder itself to accommodate such an arrangement.
The storage card 11 includes a plurality of lines 13, one line 13 being adjacent to each of the holes 14. It is contemplated that some form of description of the threads 12 that are attached to the particular hole 14 will be entered on the adjacent line 13. This indication may be simply a number, an abbreviation for a color, or other information that would be meaningful to the user of the threads. Also, there is a line 15 for appropriate designation of the storage card 11 so that a plurality of storage cards 11 can be uniquely identified. This will be discussed in more detail hereinafter.
The storage apparatus 1 comprises a back panel 2 having a tab 3 extending therefrom. While it is contemplated that the tab 3 may be formed as a continuation of the back panel material, it is also well within the scope of the present invention for the tab 3 to be made of a separate piece of material and hinged or otherwise fixed to the back panel 2.
At this point it should be understood that many forms of thread or yarn are conventionally sold in standard packages. For example, embroidery thread is sold in various standard lengths, and the various standard lengths can all be formed into a loop of a given dimension from one end to the other. With this in mind, a storage apparatus would be designed to receive various bundles, and would be appropriately dimensioned to handle such bundles. While it will be realized that all dimensions can be varied to suit the particular demands, for convenience of illustration a conveniently sized bundle of embroidery thread will be used by way of example.
Returning now to Fig. 1 of the drawings, and with reference to Fig. 3A of the drawings, it will be seen that the storage cards 11 have the bundles of threads 12 appropriately knotted through the holes 14. The bundles of threads 12 are then extended generally perpendicularly to the edge of the storage card 11 and the storage card 11 lies over the back panel 2 with the bundles of threads 12 extending across the back panel and onto the right hand tab 3. It will then be seen that the right hand tab 3 has a holding device 8 which overlies the ends of the bundles of threads 12 to hold the bundles of threads 12 against the tab 3. Thus, even though there is a very large number of bundles of threads 12, the various bundles 12 are held quite neatly so that one can always retrieve a single bundle 12 as desired.
The storage device 1 is also provided with a front panel 4 which is adapted to provide a front closure for the device, the front panel 4 also including holes 16 to receive the binder rings 9 so that the front panel 4 can be folded over the storage cards and the bundles of yarn 12.
In the embodiment here presented, the storage apparatus 1 further includes a side flaps 6 and 7. The flaps 7 and 6 are attached respectively to the upper and lower edges of the back panel 2, and are adapted to be folded over the threads and the storage cards for appropriate end closure.
It is contemplated as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings that a plurality of these storage cards 11 would be received within any given storage device 1, and each storage card 11 includes perhaps 12 to 15 different bundles of threads 12. In order to be able to retrieve any given color, type or other particular yarn or thread 12, an index card 21 is provided, the index card 21 having a printed form 22 on which the individual bundles 12 can be listed. As shown, it will be understood that the printed form 22 on index card 21 can include appropriate spaces for the full identification of the particular thread, such as by color, stock number or the like, and can include other columns to identify the particular storage card and other location for that particular thread. It will therefore be realized that the user can scan the index card 21 and locate the desired thread, then turn immediately to the particular storage card and find the exact thread required.
Attention is next directed to Fig. 2A of the drawings which shows the storage device 1 prepared for closing. It will be seen that the index card 21 is folded over to be placed on top of the individual storage card 11, and the storage card 21 extends somewhat over the threads 12, but the storage card 21 falls short of the line 41 where the back panel 2 and the right hand tab 3 are joined. Next, looking at Fig. 2B, the flaps 7 and 6 respectively are folded over the index card 21. It will be seen in Fig. 2B, that the edges 37 and 38 of the flaps 6 and 7 respectively are located to be inwardly of the binder rings 9 so that the flaps 6 and 7 do not interfere with the binding for the storage device 1.
Next, the right hand tab 3 will be folded over as is shown in Fig. 2C. It will be understood that the ends of the bundles of threads 12 are held within the pocket formed by the tab 3 and the holding device 8 so that the ends of the threads will be held very neatly as the tab 3 is folded over. Also, if the index card 21 is used with the apparatus, the right hand edge of the card 21 may act as a folding guide as the tab 3 is folded.
It will also be seen in Fig. 2C of the drawings that there is a fastening means for the storage device 1. As is shown in Fig. 2C of the drawings, the fastening device preferably includes a hook and teazle fastening means with a first part 26 being fixed to the front panel 4 as shown at 26. The other fastener part is then fixed to the back side of the right hand tab 3 as indicated at 27.
While those skilled in the art will realize that numerous forms of fastening means may be used, the hook and teazle fastener is desirable in that almost any contact between the relatively large fastener parts 26 and 27 will be sufficient to hold the flaps in closed condition.
Thus, looking at Figs. 2C and 2D, it will be seen that the right hand tab 3 is folded over and the front flap 4 is folded to overlie the tab 3. Because of this, the fastener part 26 will engage the fastener part 27 to hold the device closed. The device as shown in Fig. 2D is entirely closed, and it will be seen that the storage device is a very neat package, with the threads within the package totally protected.
With attention directed at Fig. 5A and 5B of the drawings, the front panel 4 and back panel 2 are connected together by a center divider 5. With this arrangement, the entire binder may be formed of a single piece of material appropriately folded at 29, and return-folded at 30 to provide the center divider 5; then, the material is folded again at 31 to provide the back panel 2. The front panel 4, the central divider 5 and the back panel 2 are all punched appropriately with holes 16 to receive the binder rings 9. A plurality of these storage cards 11 can be placed between the front panel 4 and the central divider 5, and a second plurality of the storage cards 11 can be placed between the central divider 5 and the back panel 2. With this arrangement, the storage cards 11 are conveniently divided into 2 discrete groups which may be very useful in many applications. Alternatively, of course, the central divider 5 may be sufficiently short that the central divider 5 would not be punched, and would not have the binder rings 9 passing therethrough. In that case, the central divider 5 would simply provide for exapansion, but with a covered spine. As a further alternative, the central divider 5 may be completely omitted and the front panel 4 and the back panel 2 may be separate pieces of material.
As an added feature in using the storage device of the present invention, a use card 17 may be provided as is shown in Fig. 9 of the drawings. The use card 17 is similar to one of the storage cards 11, but it is not necessary that the use card 17 be provided with means for binding the card into a binder or the like.
The use card 17 is provided with a plurality of holes 34 for receiving loops of thread 12 similar to the storage cards 11. The use card 17 further has a line 19 adjacent to each hole 34 for an appropriate indication of the particular threads 12 in that hole, and is provided with a line 18 which may be used as the title of the project. A needle holding means 23 is provided for holding needles 35, the means 23 being here shown as comprising a magnet.
It will therefore be understood by those skilled in the art that, when a person is preparing a particular sewing project that requires a plurality of different threads, a use card 17 may be selected, and a title of the project may be entered on line 18. Next, the various threads to be used in the project can be entered on the various lines 19. After the appropriate thread designations are entered on the various lines 19, one can go to the storage device 1, refer to the index card 21- and locate the various threads 12. An appropriate supply of each thread can be removed from the storage apparatus 1 and placed into the appropriate hole 34 of the use card 17. When all required threads are placed in the holes 34 of the use card 17, the project can be started. When the project is interrupted, a needle with an appropriate piece of thread can be placed on the magnet 23 or other needle holding means to be ready for use when the project is resumed.
It will therefore be seen that a use card 17 can be set up for one project, and that card can be retained with the project until the project is completed. Any remaining thread could then be returned to the storage device 1 by again matching thread numbers and utilizing the index card 21.
From the foregoing discussion, it will now be understood that the storage device 1 provides a very simple and convenient storage apparatus for storing a great variety of different kinds of thread or the like, and yet provides easy and convenient retrieval means for any desired type of thread. The index card 21 can be used to determine which storage card is to be used, then the storage cards 11 can be turned like pages of a book until the appropriate storage card is found. As one uses various threads, the storage cards can be turned back and forth with great ease as the user selects various threads. After the user has finished with the threads, at least temporarily, all the storage cards would be placed to overlie the back panel 2, then the ends of the bundles of threads 12 would be placed under the holding means 8 so that all threads would be held neatly. The index card 21 can then be folded over the threads, and the side flaps 6, 7, and the tab 3 would be folded over and the front panel would be folded over to allow the fastener part 26 to engage the fastener part 27 on the tab 3. The storage device is then completely closed and secure for easy transportation.

Claims

1. Thread storage apparatus, wherein a plurality of bundles of different threads are stored for easy location and retrieval, said storage apparatus comprising a plurality of storage cards (11), a binder (1), said binder comprising a back panel (2), a front panel (4) for said binder (1), said front panel being selectively superposable over said back panel, binding means (9,16) for binding said storage cards (11) into said binder (1) and a tab (3) joined along a line (41) to said back panel (2), said tab (3) being selectively foldable along said line (41) from an open position to a closed position in which it overlies at least a portion of said back panel (2) for reducing said binder to the dimension of said back panel, characterized in that each storage card (11) of said plurality of storage cards has a plurality of holes (14) along a first edge, each hole being provided with one of said bundles of threads so that the plurality of bundles of threads extend from said first edge of said storage card, each said storage card having a width measured from a second edge opposite said first edge, which is less than the corresponding dimension of said back panel, said back panel (2), said tab (3) and the length of said bundles being so dimensioned that said bundles of threads extending from said first edge of said storage card terminate on said tab when open, a pocket (8) carried by said tab (3) for receiving and holding the loose ends of said bundles of threads to said tab, and fastening means (26; 27) comprising a first fastener part (26) carried by said front panel (4), and a second fastener part (27) carried by said tab (3), said binding means (9, 16) being readily releasable so as to allow removal and insertion of said storage cards.

2. Thread storage apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said binder (1) includes side flaps (6, 7) attached to said back panel (2), said flaps being foldable over said storage cards (11) for closing the sides of said binder (1).

3. Thread storage apparatus as claimed in claims 1 or 2, characterized in that said binding means (9, 16) comprise a plurality of binder rings (9) received by a plurality of holes (16) along the second edge of each said storage card (11) and along an edge of each of said back and front panels (2, 4).

4. Thread storage apparatus as claimed in claims 1 to 3, characterized in that each storage card (11) includes indicia (13) adjacent said holes (14) for receiving said bundles of threads.

5. Thread storage apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by an index card (21) receivable within said binder (1).

6. Thread storage apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by said front panel (4) and said back panel (2) being formed by a single piece of material which is folded substantially in half in such a way as to provide a fold having a W-shaped cross-section the return fold portion (30) thereof providing a centred divider, such that a first plurality of said storage cards (11) are received between said back panel (2) and said central divider (30) and a second plurality of said storage cards are received between said central divider (30) and said front panel (4).

7. Thread storage apparatus as claimed in claims 3 and 6, characterized in that said binder rings (9) being receivable by holes in said central divider (30).

8. Thread storage apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by a card (17), termed a use card, and having a plurality of holes (34) therein for receiving a selected plurality of threads from said bundles, indicia (19) adjacent to each of said holes (34) and needle holding means (23) for releasably holding at least one needle, said needle holding means being carried by one face of said use card.