Yarn ball retaining and dispensing device

Abstract

Yarn ball retaining and dispensing device including a substantially spherical ball including a length of yarn and a display box for rotatably retaining the ball. To dispense the yarn, a free end of the yarn extends through an aperture defined by a yarn guide member arranged on the box and when pulled by the knitter, the yarn bail rotates in the box. The display box is defined by panels and includes a support system connected to side edges thereof for supporting the ball during its rotation. The support system includes male flaps and female flaps extending from side edges of alternating panels. Each female flap includes slots while each male flap includes tabs each extending through a respective slot of a female flap. The male and female flaps define support edges on which the yarn ball movably rests.

1 . A filament retaining and dispensing device, comprising: 
 a substantially spherical ball comprising a length of filament; and    a box for rotatably retaining said ball to enable said ball to rotate upon dispensing of said filament from said ball, said box including a first aperture through which said filament passes during dispensing of said filament from said ball.    
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said box has a plurality of connected panels including a front panel, a rear panel opposite said front panel, a top panel connected to upper edges of said front and rear panels and a bottom panel opposite said top panel and connected to lower edges of said front and rear panels, said first aperture being formed in said front panel.  
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein said box includes support means connected to side edges of said panels for supporting said ball.  
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein said support means comprise male flaps extending from side edges of two opposed ones of said panels and female flaps extending from side edges of two other opposed ones of said panels, said female flaps including slots and said male flaps including tabs each extending through a respective one of said slots.  
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein said male and female flaps define support edges on which said ball is rotatably supported.  
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein said ball is provided with a predetermined length of filament such that an outer periphery of said ball is substantially tangent to inner surfaces of said rear, top and bottom panels.  
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein said front panel includes a second aperture separate from said first aperture and through which said ball is viewable.  
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said ball comprises a spherical foam ball, said filament being wound around said foam ball.  
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said box includes a guide member defining said first aperture.  
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein said guide member defines a circular aperture.  
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein said guide member has a key hole-shape.  
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said box includes a handle.  
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said filament is yarn.  
     
     
         14 . A display box for a ball of filament, comprising: 
 a plurality of connected panels including a front panel, a rear panel opposite said front panel, a top panel connected to upper edges of said front and rear panels and a bottom panel opposite said top panel and connected to lower edges of said front and rear panels; and    support means connected to side edges of said front, rear, top and bottom panels for rotatably supporting the ball of filament;    said front panel having a first aperture for enabling viewing of the ball of filament and a second aperture separate from said first aperture and through which the filament passes.    
     
     
         15 . The display box of  claim 14 , further comprising a guide member arranged on said front panel and defining said second aperture.  
     
     
         16 . The display box of  claim 15 , wherein said guide member is a grommet.  
     
     
         17 . The display box of  claim 15 , wherein said guide member defines a circular aperture.  
     
     
         18 . The display box of  claim 14 , further comprising a handle arranged in connection with said top panel.  
     
     
         19 . The display box of  claim 14 , wherein said support means comprise male flaps extending from side edges of two opposed ones of said panels and female flaps extending from side edges of two other opposed ones of said panels, said female flaps including slots and said male flaps including tabs each extending through a respective one of said slots.  
     
     
         20 . The display box of  claim 19 , wherein said male and female flaps define support edges for supporting the ball of filament.