Compact creel

A compact creel comprising:

• a) a frame;
• b) holders affixed to the frame for holding yarn packages;
• and
• c) a header attachable to the frame for directing yarn from the yarn packages to a tufting machine, wherein the header comprises a first plate having a plurality of holes and a second plate having a plurality of holes that mate with the plurality of holes in the first plate, the second plate removably attached to the first plate.

A compact creel comprising:

• a) a first frame;
• b) holders affixed to the first frame for holding yarn packages;
• c) a header attachable to the first frame for directing yarn from the yarn packages to a tufting machine;
• d) casters wheels on which the first frame rests to enable it to be moved easily;
• and
• e) a second frame;
• and
• f) a yarn guide for guiding yarn from the second frame over the first frame into the tufting machine,
• wherein both the first frame and the second frame each further comprises an overlay upright having a ring affixed to the overlay upright and a line threaded through the ring for preventing yarn from an upper yarn package from falling onto a holder holding a lower yarn package causing an entanglement of yarn.

A compact creel, comprising:

• a) a frame having a front and a back;
• b) a plurality of tubes affixed to the frame so that one yarn package may be held on each tube;
• c) a header comprising alignment means for aligning yarn from the yarn packages with a tufting machine, wherein the alignment means comprises at least one plate having a plurality of holes;
• and
• d) a length of flexible tubing having two ends for guiding yarn from a yarn package to the header.

A compact creel comprising:

• a) a frame having a front and a back;
• b) a plurality of tubes affixed to the frame so that one yarn package may be held on each tube;
• c) a header;
• d) a length of flexible tubing having two ends for guiding yarn from a yarn package to the header;
• and
• e) horizontal lines for preventing yarn from an upper yarn package from becoming entangled with another yarn package.

A method for providing yarn to a tufting machine utilizing a compact creel, comprising:

• providing a compact creel having a frame with a holder and a header attached to the frame, wherein a flexible tube is positioned between the holder and the header;
• placing a yarn package containing yarn wound thereon onto the holder;
• blowing air through the holder, thereby forcing an end of the yarn through the holder and the flexible tube and through the header, wherein the yarn exits the header;
• and
• pulling the yarn exiting from the header and connecting the yarn to yarn pieces coupled to the tufting machine.

A compact creel for yarn packages having a hollow core, the creel comprising:

• a plurality of support tubes in a vertical array;
• a plurality of lengths of flexible tubing positioned with one end of at least one length of flexible tubing within one support tube and the other end of the at least one length of flexible tubing positioned to direct yarn toward a tufting machine;
• and
• alignment means mountable on the creel for aligning yarn with the tufting machine.

A compact creel comprising;

• a) a frame;
• b) holders affixed to the frame for holding yarn packages;
• and
• c) a header having a length and mountable on the frame for directing yarn from the yarn packages to a tufting machine, wherein the header comprises a plurality of organized positions along its length, each position capable of receiving yarn from a pre-determined yarn package and organizing the yarn relative to the tufting machine.