A system can comprise a plurality of containers that are coupled together as a movable unit. A plurality of container-feeding assemblies can be configured to simultaneously deliver respective yarns into respective containers of the plurality of containers. A header can be selectively attachable to a tufting machine, the header having a longitudinal axis. A retainer can be configured to extend across the header along the longitudinal axis to secure the respective yarns in respective positions relative to each other along the longitudinal axis.

Method of coiling a flexible elongate element (64) inside a container (80A) made from a flexible sheet material wherein at least part of the sheet material is tensioned by establishing a pressure differential between an inner surface (100) and an outer surface (92) of the sheet material and the flexible elongate element (64) is directed onto the tensioned sheet material to form a hole (98), the flexible elongate element being then fed through the hole to form a coil inside the container.

Method of coiling a flexible elongate element (64) inside a container (80A) made from a flexible sheet material wherein at least part of the sheet material is tensioned by establishing a pressure differential between an inner surface (100) and an outer surface (92) of the sheet material and the flexible elongate element (64) is directed onto the tensioned sheet material to form a hole (98), the flexible elongate element being then fed through the hole to form a coil inside the container.

A system can comprise a plurality of containers that are coupled together as a movable unit. A plurality of container-feeding assemblies can be configured to simultaneously deliver respective yarns into respective containers of the plurality of containers. A header can be selectively attachable to a tufting machine, the header having a longitudinal axis. A retainer can be configured to extend across the header along the longitudinal axis to secure the respective yarns in respective positions relative to each other along the longitudinal axis.

A system can comprise a plurality of containers that are coupled together as a movable unit. A plurality of container-feeding assemblies can be configured to simultaneously deliver respective yarns into respective containers of the plurality of containers. A header can be selectively attachable to a tufting machine, the header having a longitudinal axis. A retainer can be configured to extend across the header along the longitudinal axis to secure the respective yarns in respective positions relative to each other along the longitudinal axis.

A guide is adapted to be positioned for encirclement by a helical formation of rod rings free falling from the delivery end of a conveyor. The guide comprises a vertically projecting mandrel terminating at its upper end in a nose cone. The nose cone has a horizontal profile defined in part by at least one element having an outer edge separated by a variable radial distance from a central axis of the mandrel.

A guide is adapted to be positioned for encirclement by a helical formation of rod rings free falling from the delivery end of a conveyor. The guide comprises a vertically projecting mandrel terminating at its upper end in a nose cone. The nose cone has a horizontal profile defined in part by at least one element having an outer edge separated by a variable radial distance from a central axis of the mandrel.