A pin cup that may be disposed within a shell, with the shell moving along a vertical axis to accommodate an open or closed position. In an open position the shell may lower, exposing the pins in the pin cup. In a closed position the shell may raise, so as not to disturb the pins in the pin cup, but to allow the lid to cover the pins in a position above the pins. A disclosed embedment (100) may comprise a lid (110) a shell (120) a pin cup (130) and other components. Outer surfaces of a pin cup may interact with inner surfaces of a shell so as to allow the pin cup to lock in a lower position, travel to an upper position, lock in the upper position and be toolessly removed from the shell.

A filament dispensing system is provided. The filament dispensing system embodies one or more donut shaped filament dispensers interconnectable by a band. Each dispenser is transparent and provides an integrated cutter. The transparency enables visual identification of the color of filament with the transparent dispenser, while the integrated cutter makes scissors unnecessary. The donut-shaped structure of the dispenser enables an operative association with the band that can decoratively hang from a user's neck during use. The filament dispensing system may also include a bobbin rethreader.

A filament dispensing system is provided. The filament dispensing system embodies one or more donut shaped filament dispensers interconnectable by a band. Each dispenser is transparent and provides an integrated cutter. The transparency enables visual identification of the color of filament with the transparent dispenser, while the integrated cutter makes scissors unnecessary. The donut-shaped structure of the dispenser enables an operative association with the band that can decoratively hang from a user's neck during use. The filament dispensing system may also include a bobbin rethreader.

The invention relates to a device (40) and a method for handling fragments (10) of a broken needle (11), for example in the context of a needle exchange of a broken needle (11) for a new needle (17). The fragments (10) of the broken needle (11) are arranged in a container (16) in a predetermined position. An image (32) of the fragments (10) of the broken needle (11) is then recorded with the aid of a camera (23). The recorded image (32) is stored for documentation (32) at at least one storage location and/or analysed as to whether all the fragments (10) of the broken needle (11) are present. After recording the image (32), the container (16) is closed in order to avoid the fragments (10) of the needle (11) being lost away from the sewing workstation.

The invention relates to a device (40) and a method for handling fragments (10) of a broken needle (11), for example in the context of a needle exchange of a broken needle (11) for a new needle (17). The fragments (10) of the broken needle (11) are arranged in a container (16) in a predetermined position. An image (32) of the fragments (10) of the broken needle (11) is then recorded with the aid of a camera (23). The recorded image (32) is stored for documentation (32) at at least one storage location and/or analysed as to whether all the fragments (10) of the broken needle (11) are present. After recording the image (32), the container (16) is closed in order to avoid the fragments (10) of the needle (11) being lost away from the sewing workstation.

A set (200) of interchangeable buttons (2) are adapted to be applied or substituted in a garment (V) with equipment (1) that includes a container (10) with multiple compartments (11) defining a group of housings having the shape of a well (12) for as many groups (20) of buttons (2) arranged in a stack; a tray (13) adapted to contain coupling means (3); at least one seat (14) adapted to contain a tool (4, 5); closing means (18), associated to the container (10) and moving between an open position and a closed one, in the first of which the compartments (11) are made accessible for the withdrawal and/or placement of the interchangeable buttons (2), coupling means (3) and tool (4, 5), while in the second position the same compartments (11) are protected and mutually isolated, so as to prevent the transfer of the contents of one into another and vice versa.

A set (200) of interchangeable buttons (2) are adapted to be applied or substituted in a garment (V) with equipment (1) that includes a container (10) with multiple compartments (11) defining a group of housings having the shape of a well (12) for as many groups (20) of buttons (2) arranged in a stack; a tray (13) adapted to contain coupling means (3); at least one seat (14) adapted to contain a tool (4, 5); closing means (18), associated to the container (10) and moving between an open position and a closed one, in the first of which the compartments (11) are made accessible for the withdrawal and/or placement of the interchangeable buttons (2), coupling means (3) and tool (4, 5), while in the second position the same compartments (11) are protected and mutually isolated, so as to prevent the transfer of the contents of one into another and vice versa.

A carrier body has a core suitable for receiving a needle tip through one end. A pair of flanges extends outwardly from the core, defining an interflange gap for having thread from the needle wound in the gap. The flange nearer the entry end of the core defines a radial slot receiving thread from the needle eye and passing it into the interflange gap. When the thread is wound on the core, the radial slot prevents having thread from also winding around the needle. The carrier body is configured to enter an open-topped container body in a predetermined position displaying the radial slot and thread at a preselected location for ready viewing of the thread.

A carrier body has a core suitable for receiving a needle tip through one end. A pair of flanges extends outwardly from the core, defining an interflange gap for having thread from the needle wound in the gap. The flange nearer the entry end of the core defines a radial slot receiving thread from the needle eye and passing it into the interflange gap. When the thread is wound on the core, the radial slot prevents having thread from also winding around the needle. The carrier body is configured to enter an open-topped container body in a predetermined position displaying the radial slot and thread at a preselected location for ready viewing of the thread.

Quality assurance in sewing a textile sewn sequentially in a plurality of workstations (11) can be provided using a carriage 14 that can be moved between the workstations (11). Should a needle (12) break off in a workstation (11), the carriage (14) is moved to this workstation (11). The fragments (13) of the needle (12) are arranged in the container (20) and once it has been established that all the fragments (13) have been removed from the workstation (11) a replacement needle is provided for this workstation. The container (20) has an accommodation space (21) delimited by a main body (22) and a lid (23). A retaining magnet (34) is arranged in the region of a base (32) of the main body (22) extending along one axis (A) to retain magnetizable fragments (13) of a needle (12).