Yarn carrier

Abstract

A yarn carrier is provided in the form of a yarn winding tube having a yarn catch insert. The yarn winding tube includes a recess through its surface for receiving the insert. The insert includes a yarn catching slot having a major opening located at one end of the slot, a minor opening adjacent the major opening and positioned in a circumferential direction of the tube, and a first step extending substantially axially between the major opening and minor opening. A catching groove, having a portion with an axial width smaller than a diameter of the yarn, is also included. When the yarn carrier is rotated and the yarn is positioned along the yarn catching slot, the yarn drops into the major opening, slides along the first step and is directed into the catching groove for winding.

1 . A yarn carrier for winding yarn thereon, comprising:
 a hollow cylindrical tube having
 a longitudinal axis extending lengthwise between a first end and second end; 
 a tube wall defined by a substantially cylindrical outer and inner surfaces, and 
 a recess formed adjacent the first end of the tube and extending in a circumferential direction of the tube, the recess extending radially throughout the wall; and 
   a yarn catch insert positioned within the recess, the insert comprising
 a yarn catching slot formed within the yarn catch insert and extending in a circumferential direction of the tube, the yarn catching slot comprising
 a major opening located at one end of the slot, 
 a minor opening positioned adjacent the major opening and aligned in a circumferential direction, 
 a first step positioned between the major opening and the minor opening and substantially axially, the first step comprising an outer surface form flush with the outer surface of the insert and flush with the outer surface of the tube; and 
 
   a catching groove having an axial width smaller than a diameter of a yarn, the catching groove extending in a circumferential direction opposite the major opening,   wherein upon rotation of the yarn carrier about the longitudinal axis, the yarn positioned circumferentially along the yarn catching slot drops into the major opening, slides along the step and is directed into the catching groove.   
   
   
       2 . The yarn carrier of  claim 1 , wherein the catching groove is positioned adjacent the minor opening. 
   
   
       3 . The yarn carrier of  claim 1 , wherein the catching groove is positioned in the tube wall. 
   
   
       4 . The yarn carrier of  claim 1 , wherein the yarn slides into the minor opening. 
   
   
       5 . The yarn carrier of  claim 4 , wherein the catching groove comprises side walls having a substantial axial component inclined with respect to each other so as to form an acute angle when viewed in plan. 
   
   
       6 . The yarn carrier of  claim 4 , wherein the yarn catch insert further comprises
 a first member comprising a first end, a second end opposite the first end, an inner surface, and   a second member having a first end, a second end, and an inner surface facing the inner surface of the first member when the first and second members are positioned in the recess;   wherein the second end of the first member is coupled to the second end of the second member.   
   
   
       7 . The yarn carrier of  claim 4  further comprising a second catching groove located at a top end of the yarn catching slot. 
   
   
       8 . The yarn carrier of  claim 4 , wherein the recess extends to an edge of the tube. 
   
   
       9 . The yarn carrier of  claim 1 , wherein the yarn catching slot comprises a side flank opposite the first step extending the circumferential length of the yarn catching slot parallel to an edge of the tube. 
   
   
       10 . The yarn carrier of  claim 1 , wherein the yarn catching slot further comprises:
 a second step opposite the first step extending axially, the second step comprising an outer surface flush with the outer surface of the tube, wherein upon rotation of the yarn carrier about the longitudinal axis, the yarn positioned circumferentially along the yarn catching slot will drop into the major opening, slide along either the first step or the second step into the minor opening, and then be engaged by the catching groove.   
   
   
       11 . The yarn carrier of  claim 1 , wherein the yarn is engaged by the catching groove in a substantially perpendicular direction. 
   
   
       12 . The yarn carrier of  claim 11 , wherein one of the side walls of the catching groove forms a continuation of the first step. 
   
   
       13 . The yarn carrier of  claim 1 , wherein the yarn catch insert further comprises:
 a first member comprising a first end, a second end opposite the first end, an inner surface, and   a second member having a first end, a second end, and an inner surface facing the inner surface of the first member when the first and second members are positioned in the recess;   wherein the second end of the first member is coupled to the second end of the second member.   
   
   
       14 . The yarn carrier of  claim 1 , wherein the hollow cylindrical tube is plastic, paper, metal, or cardboard. 
   
   
       15 . The yarn carrier of  claim 1 , wherein the yarn catch insert is plastic, paper, metal, or cardboard. 
   
   
       16 . A yarn carrier for winding yarn thereon, comprising:
 a hollow cylindrical tubular wall having
 a longitudinal axis extending lengthwise between first and second opposite ends thereof, and 
 a recess formed in the first end of the wall extending radially though the wall and circumferentially in a direction of rotation of the yarn carrier; and 
   a yarn catch insert positioned within the recess, the insert comprising
 a yarn catching slot formed within the yarn catch insert extending circumferentially in a direction of rotation of the yarn carrier, the yarn catching slot comprising
 a major opening located at one end of the slot, 
 a minor opening positioned adjacent the major opening extending circumferentially in a direction away from the direction of rotation of the yarn carrier, 
 a first step between the major opening and the minor opening extending axially and facing the direction of rotation of the yarn carrier; and 
 
   a catching groove having an axial width smaller than a diameter of a yarn, the catching groove positioned adjacent the minor opening and extending circumferentially in a direction away from the direction of rotation of the yarn carrier;   wherein upon rotation of the yarn carrier about the longitudinal axis, the yarn positioned circumferentially along the yarn catching slot will drop into the major opening, slide along the step into the minor opening, and then be engaged by the catching groove.   
   
   
       17 . The yarn carrier of  claim 16 , wherein a top surface of the step is flush with an outside surface of the tubular wall.