Patent Publication Number: US-10774452-B2

Title: Thread storage and dispensing sewing assembly

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present disclosure claims the benefit of priority from U.S. provisional application No. 62/540,778 filed on Aug. 3, 2017. This document is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present disclosure relates to sewing equipment and more particularly to a sewing assembly for storing and dispensing thread. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Sewing boxes for storing sewing accessories including thread spools are known. Such sewing boxes are useful in organizing the spools and for dispensing thread. A drawback of these sewing boxes is that unwound thread often becomes loose on the spool and becomes tangled with other thread. Some sewing boxes further comprise cutting means for cutting the thread, however a drawback of these cutting means is that the strands of thread remain tangled. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     It would be thus highly desirable to be provided with a sewing assembly that would at least partially address the disadvantages of existing sewing boxes. 
     According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a sewing assembly, comprising:
         a container comprising a compartment having a plurality of pins for receiving spools of thread;   a plurality of thread cutters adjacent an extremity of the container;   a plurality of slots located therebetween, each slot being configured to receive therethrough unwound thread from one of the spools of thread, and to align the unwound thread towards a respective thread cutter; and   a needle threader connected to the container,   wherein the unwound thread received in a respective slot is cut by pressing the unwound thread at a desired length within a respective thread cutter so as to cut the unwound thread and simultaneously retain uncut thread within the respective thread cutter.       

     By using the sewing assembly of the present disclosure, the user may conveniently store, dispense and cut thread from a plurality of spools while ensuring that the loose end of the cut thread does not tangle with other thread or be pulled back towards the spool. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the following figures, which represent by way of example only, various embodiments of the disclosure: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the sewing assembly according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is an isolated perspective view of the strip for cutting and retaining thread of the sewing assembly shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the sewing assembly according to an alternative embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  is an isolated perspective view of the strip for cutting and retaining thread of the sewing assembly shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 5  is an isolated perspective view of the needle threader in a folded configuration comprised in the sewing assembly shown in  FIG. 1 or 3 . 
         FIG. 6  is an isolated perspective view of the needle threader in a deployed configuration comprised in the sewing assembly shown in  FIG. 1 or 3 . 
         FIG. 7  is a top plan view of the sewing assembly of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 8  is partial sectional view along the line C-C of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 9  is a partial sectional view along the line E-E of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 10  is a close-up view of a slot defined in the partition of the sewing assembly shown in  FIG. 9 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” include plural references unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. It should also be noted that the term “or” is generally employed in its sense including “and/or” unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. 
     In understanding the scope of the present disclosure, the term “comprising” and its derivatives, as used herein, are intended to be open ended terms that specify the presence of the stated features, elements, components, groups, integers, and/or steps, but do not exclude the presence of other unstated features, elements, components, groups, integers and/or steps. The foregoing also applies to words having similar meanings such as the terms “including”, “having” and their derivatives. 
     Finally, terms of degree such as “substantially”, “about” and “approximately” as used herein mean a reasonable amount of deviation of the modified term such that the end result is not significantly changed. These terms of degree should be construed as including a deviation of ±10% of the modified term if this deviation would not negate the meaning of the word it modifies. 
     The definitions and embodiments described in particular sections are intended to be applicable to other embodiments herein described for which they are suitable as would be understood by a person skilled in the art. 
     For example, the container further comprises a plurality of thread retainers, optionally aligned with the plurality of thread cutters. For example, the plurality of thread retainers is positioned between the plurality of thread cutters and the plurality of slots. 
     For example, the container is defined by a surface and by a pair of sidewalls. 
     For example, the container further comprises a partition wall defining the plurality of slots. 
     For example, an anti-skid coating can be applied onto the slots, or at least to the portion of the slots that retains the thread therein, to further increase friction between the thread and the slot, and maintain alignment of the thread with respect to the spool and the thread retainer and thread cutter. For example, the anti-skid coating is an anti-skid sheet, paint or spray. For example, the anti-skid coating comprises an elastomer. 
     For example, the partition wall is secured between the pair of sidewalls. 
     For example, the partition wall is positioned at an angled relative to the pair of sidewalls. For example, the partition wall is perpendicular relative to the pair of sidewalls. 
     For example, the thread retainers and the thread cutters are made of the same material. 
     For example, an anti-skid coating can be applied onto the thread retainers and thread cutters. For example the same anti-skid coating applied onto the slots can be applied onto the thread retainers and thread cutters. For example, the anti-skid coating is applied on the underside of the tongues only. Such an anti-skid coating increases friction between the thread and thread retainer and between the thread and thread cutter, thus further maintaining the unwound threads taut and straight, and facilitating cutting and retaining of thread. For example, the anti-skid coating is an anti-skid sheet, paint or spray. For example, the anti-skid coating comprises an elastomer. It will be understood that the anti-skid coating is sufficiently thin so as not hinder the ability of the sharp edges of the thread cutter tongues to cut thread. 
     For example, a plurality of thread cutters and retainers is mounted on a strip. 
     For example, the needle threader is mounted, optionally pivotably mounted to the container and movable between a storage position and an operational position. 
     For example, the needle threader in the operational position is retained by a portion of the sidewall. 
     For example, the needle threader is connected to the extremity of the container, adjacent the plurality of thread cutters and retainers. 
     The following examples are non-limitative and are used to better exemplify the materials and processes of the present disclosure. 
     EXAMPLES 
     Referring now to the exemplary figures, the sewing assembly  10  comprises a container  11  for storing sewing accessories including spools of thread, as well as thread cutters  16 , optionally thread retainers  15 , and a needle threader  12 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1, 3 and 7 , the container  11  comprises compartments defined by a base, sidewalls  25 ,  26 , and partition walls  23 ,  24  and  29 . In particular, one of the compartments is configured to store a number of spools of thread  21 . This compartment is separated by a sidewall  26  and by partition walls  23 ,  24  and  29 . Other compartments comprised in the container  11  may be used to store other sewing accessories, for example and without limitation needles, pins, scissors, thimble and buttons. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the spools of thread  21  are retained in an upstanding position by means of pins  22  extending vertically from the base of the container  11 . Each pin  22  can be inserted into a central bore of the spool  21  and the spool can be readily removed from the pin by sliding it off the outer extremity of the pin. In this present example two rows of five pins  22  are located equidistant from each other. In this configuration, once the threads from the plurality of spools are unwound and pulled toward the plurality of thread cutters  16 , the threads from the plurality of spools will not be tangled together. It will be understood that other pin configurations may be contemplated and more or fewer pins may be included in the sewing assembly so long as the unwound thread from different spools remains untangled. For example, as shown in  FIG. 7 , the portions of unwound thread exiting each slot  14  and being retained by each corresponding thread retainer  15  and thread cutter  16  are substantially parallel to one another. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1, 7 and 8 , the partition wall  23  comprises a plurality of slots  14  for aligning strands of thread dispensed from the spools  21 . For example, the number of slots corresponds to the number of pins for retaining the spools. In a non-limiting example, the partition wall  23  comprises ten slots  14 . Referring now to  FIGS. 1, 3, 9 and 10 , the slots  14  are shaped as a letter “J”. In this particular configuration, the thread  20  passing through the slot is hooked onto an inner extremity of the slot  14 , thus maintaining alignment of the thread  20 . It will be appreciated that other slot configurations may be contemplated so long as the thread remains retained in the slot. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 7 , the assembly  10  also comprises a strip  13  for cutting and retaining thread  20  unwound from a spool  21 . The strip  13  is attached at an extremity of the container  11 . The strip in  FIGS. 1 and 2  comprises a plurality of thread cutters  16 . In an alternative embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 3, 4 and 7 , the strip comprises a plurality of thread cutters  16  and a plurality of thread retainers  15 . For example, each thread cutter  16  is aligned with each slot (not shown). Thread cutters  16  alone are effective for both cutting and retaining the thread. Adding thread retainers may further increase retention and tautness of the unwound thread. Referring specifically to  FIGS. 3, 4 and 7 , the strip  13  comprises pairs of spaced apart thread retainer  15  and thread cutter  16 . For example, the number of pairs of spaced apart thread retainer and cutter corresponds to the number of pins and/or slots. The thread cutter  16  is nearest to the edge of the container  11  while the thread retainer  15  is positioned between the thread cutter and the partition wall  23 . For example, the strip  13  is formed of a first row of a plurality of thread cutters  16  (adjacent to the edge of the container) and a second row of a plurality of thread retainers  15 . For example, each thread cutter  16  and each thread retainer  15  is aligned with each slot  14 . 
     The thread cutters and thread retainers can for example be made of the same material. It will be appreciated that any suitable material that can cut and retain thread may be used to make the thread cutters and retainers. For example, the thread cutters and retainers can be made of a metal such as aluminum. For example, as shown in  FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 7 , the thread retainers and cutters are integrated into the strip  13 . The thread retainers and cutters can be formed using known methods, for example by perforating or punching out the underside of the strip to form a plurality of tongues extending outwardly from the upper surface of the strip at an angle (for example at 10°, 20°, 30°, 40°, 50°, or 60°). 
     The thread cutter  16  shown in  FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 7  comprises a flat circular tongue extending outwardly from the strip  13  at one end and being connected to the strip surface at another end. This configuration allows formation of a notch or wedge in which the thread can be inserted as well as sharp edges around the tongue for cutting the thread. It will be understood that other thread cutters that are adapted to cut thread may be used. Similarly, the thread retainer  15  shown in  FIGS. 3, 4 and 7  comprises a flat rectangular tongue extending outwardly from the strip at one end and being connected to the strip surface at another end. This configuration also allows formation of a notch or wedge, where the tongue and strip surface meet, in which the thread can be retained once it is cut. Other known thread retainers may be envisaged. 
     In operation, the user secures a spool of thread  21  over a pin  22 , unwinds a strand of thread and pulls it toward the strip  13 . The thread  20  is passed through the partition wall  23  and inserted into a slot  14  that is substantially aligned with the pin  22 . The thread  20  confined in the slot  14  is pulled toward the strip  13  and once a desired thread length is obtained, the user inserts the thread into the notch of the thread cutter  16  and presses the thread against an edge of the thread cutter so as to cut the thread and retain it in the thread cutter  16 . When a thread retainer  15  is included in the assembly, cutting the thread using the thread cutter  16  simultaneously causes a thread portion to frictionally engage the notch of the thread retainer  15  and become wedged therein and thus further retained. The different threads unwound from the plurality of spools thus remain aligned and several threads may be used, for example up to ten different threads, without getting tangled together. In addition, the thread retainer  15  effectively retains a thread extremity which prevents the thread from being pulled back towards the spool. The thread retainers  15  also maintain the unwound threads taut and straight which facilitates further unwinding and cutting of thread. 
     As can be seen in  FIGS. 1, 3   5  and  6 , the sewing assembly  10  further comprises a needle threader  12 . In these examples, the needle threaded is pivotally mounted to the container  11  by way of a pivot  19  and movable between a folded configuration, as shown in  FIG. 5 , and a deployed configuration, as shown in  FIG. 6 . In the folded configuration, the delicate threading portion  17  of the needle threader is protected between a pair of protection walls  27  and  28 , and in the deployed configuration the needle threader  12  rests upon a portion of the sidewall  25  and is ready for use. 
     The needle threader  12  may be placed anywhere on the container  11 . As exemplified in  FIGS. 1, 3, 5, 6 and 7 , it is placed conveniently at an extremity of the container  11  to be readily accessible. In use, the threading portion  17 , which is made for example of thin metal wire, is inserted into the eye of a needle. A thread strand is inserted into the loop of the threading portion and when the needle is removed from the threading portion, the thread is pulled through the eye of the needle. It will be understood that other suitable needle threaders may be used in the present sewing assembly. It will be also understood that the needle threader can be positioned elsewhere on the container, for example to the right hand side of the assembly. 
     The assembly is compact and readily portable. The container may be made of any suitable material, for example, plastic, wood, metal. The assembly may also be covered by a lid. 
     It will be appreciated that, for simplicity and clarity of illustration, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements or steps. In addition, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the exemplary embodiments described herein. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments described herein may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the embodiments described herein. Furthermore, this description is not to be considered as limiting the scope of the embodiments described herein in any way but rather as merely describing the implementation of the various embodiments described herein.