Methods and apparatus for creating and applying pom poms to objects and surfaces

Abstract

A method of play and kits and systems for creating play patterns related to making and decorating objects with pom poms are provided. The methods and kits may include a pellet that includes a plurality of threads of fiber of substantially the same length arranged in parallel along their transverse lengths, wherein the threads of fiber are arranged such that at least one end of each fiber lies in a plane to form a plane of fiber ends and wherein the pellet further comprises a container that surrounds the transverse lengths of the plurality of fibers and is open at one end exposing the plane of fiber ends. The pellet is coupled to an adhesive segment at the plane of fiber ends. The adhesive segment including the pellet is then coupled to an object. Finally, the container is removed from the pellet to form a pom pom.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of play comprising:
 providing a pellet comprising a plurality of fiber strands of substantially the same length arranged in parallel along their transverse lengths, wherein the fiber strands are arranged such that at least one end of each fiber strand lies in a plane to form a plane of fiber strand ends and wherein the pellet further comprises a retainer that surrounds the transverse lengths of the fiber strands and is open at one end exposing the plane of fiber stand ends;   coupling the pellet to an adhesive segment by coupling the plane of fiber strand ends to the adhesive segment;   coupling the adhesive segment including the pellet to a substrate; and   removing the retainer from the pellet to form a pom pom.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the retainer is a plastic tube. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the retainers open at both ends. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of picking the pellet from a pallet of pellets using an applicator wherein the applicator includes a handle portion and a cavity designed to have an interference fit with an outside surface of the retainer. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein both the coupling steps are performed using the applicator. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the pellet is cylindrical. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the fiber strands are yarn. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the pellet has at least one end of each fiber strand in the plane of fiber strand ends coupled together with an adhesive. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the plane of fiber strand ends further comprises u visual indicator coupled thereto. 
     
     
         10 . A kit for creating pom poms comprising:
 a plurality of pellets wherein each pellet comprises a plurality of fiber strands of substantially the sat length arranged in parallel along their transverse lengths, herein the fiber strands are arranged such that at least one end of each fiber strand lies in a plane to form a plane of fiber strand ends and wherein the at least one end of each fiber strand are coupled together with an adhesive; and,   a plurality of adhesive segments arranged on a releasable surface wherein the adhesive segments have a profile that is about the same as a pellet cross section.   
     
     
         11 . The kit of  claim 10  wherein each pellet further comprises a retainer that surrounds the transverse lengths of the fiber strands and is open at one end exposing the plane of fiber strand ends. 
     
     
         12 . The kit of  claim 10 , further comprising an applicator, wherein the applicator includes a handle and a cavity and wherein the cavity is sized to form an interference fit with an outside surface of the container of a pellet. 
     
     
         13 . The kit of  claim 10 , wherein each pellet in the plurality of pellets is cylindrical. 
     
     
         14 . The kit of  claim 12 , wherein the adhesive segments are round thermoplastic hot melt dots. 
     
     
         15 . The kit of  claim 10 , wherein the fiber strands are yarn. 
     
     
         16 . The kit of  claim 10 , wherein the retainer is a plastic tube. 
     
     
         17 . The kit of  claim 10 , wherein the retainer is open at both ends. 
     
     
         18 . The kit of  claim 10 , wherein each pellet in the plurality of pellets has a visual indicator that allows the plane of fiber strands to be oriented in the same direction. 
     
     
         19 . A kit for creating pom poms comprising:
 a plurality of pellets wherein each pellet comprises a plurality of fiber strands of substantially the sat length arranged in parallel along their transverse lengths, wherein the fiber strands are arranged such that at least one end of each fiber strand lies in a plane to form a plane of fiber strand ends and wherein the fiber strands are contained within a plastic tube along their transverse lengths to form a cylindrical pellet; and,   a plurality of round adhesive dots arranged on a releasable surface wherein the dots have about the same radius as a pellet of the plurality of pellets.   
     
     
         20 . The kit of  claim 19 , further comprising an applicator, wherein the applicator includes a handle and a cavity and wherein the cavity is sized to form an interference fit with an outside surface of the plastic sheath of a pellet. 
     
     
         21 . The kit of  claim 19 , wherein the adhesive dots are thermoplastic hot melt dots. 
     
     
         22 . The kit of  claim 19 , wherein the fiber strands are yarn. 
     
     
         23 . The kit of  claim 19 , further comprising a template with indicators that indicate a color and location to adhere a pellet.