Yarn storage system and method for producing textiles using such yarn storage system

An apparatus for producing textiles with a plurality of designs, comprising:

• a plurality of yarn storage systems, wherein:
• each yarn storage system comprises a plurality of yarn storage containers of N rows and M columns, such that each of M and N is greater than 1;
• a first yarn storage container of each yarn storage system is positioned at row X and column Y of the first yarn storage system, such that X is an integer from 1 to N and Y is an integer from 1 to M;
• and
• a first yarn storage system of the plurality of yarn storage systems, wherein the first yarn storage container of the first yarn storage system is configured to be filled by a robot with a first length of yarn that may be withdrawn;
• a second yarn storage system of the plurality of yarn storage systems, wherein the first yarn storage container of the second yarn storage system is configured to be filled by the robot with a second length of yarn that may be withdrawn;
• a tufting machine comprising a first needle of a plurality of needles, and a backing material;
• wherein the tufting machine is configured to tuft a first portion of the first length of yarn with the first needle into a first portion of the backing material to produce a first design, and to tuft a first portion of the second length of yarn with the first needle into a second portion of the backing material to produce a second design.

A method for producing textiles with a plurality of designs, comprising:

• provide a plurality of yarn storage systems, wherein:
• each yarn storage system comprises a plurality of yarn storage containers of N rows and M columns, such that each of M and N is greater than 1;
• a first yarn storage container of each yarn storage system is positioned at row X and column Y of the first yarn storage system, such that X is an integer from 1 to N and Y is an integer from 1 to M;
• and
• provide a tufting machine comprising a first needle of a plurality of needles;
• provide a backing material;
• fill the first yarn storage container of a first yarn storage system with a first length of a yarn;
• fill the first yarn storage container of a second yarn storage system with a second length of the yarn;
• tuft a first design into a first portion of the backing material with a first portion of the first length of the yarn;
• connect a second portion of the first length of the yarn to a first portion of the second length of the yarn;
• tuft a second design into a second portion of the backing material with a second portion of the second length of the yarn.