Sewing – Special machines – Traveling sewing machine
Reexamination Certificate
1997-04-01
2001-02-20
Nerbun, Peter (Department: 3741)
Sewing
Special machines
Traveling sewing machine
C112S304000, C112S305000, C112S475070
Reexamination Certificate
active
06189470
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for automatically manufacturing flat textile products and more particularly relates to a method and apparatus for flanging pillow shams.
Pillow shams of conventional construction are well known comprising a rectangular bag or case having four closed sides and a longitudinal opening formed along one side at approximately its center. A flanging operation consists of sewing at a certain distance from the edge of the case and sewing all the way around the case to form a flanged pillow sham. The flange may consist of two spaced parallel seams.
Normally, pillow shams are sold in sets which include two pillow shams and a matching bedspread or comforter. The spread or comforter is produced with automated machinery in a process which requires very little time. It is stated, the process for forming and flanging pillow shams is time consuming. The difference in time between these processes creates production and cost problems such as hugh overstocks of spreads or comforters awaiting pillow shams or disproportional members of personnel. Normally stitching, which is slightly spaced from the edges, secures a flat folded fabric in the appropriate configuration forming a pillow sham.
Conventional apparatus and methods comprise a stationary sewing machine and operator. A folded flat fabric is positioned for sewing along one edge. After sewing, the fabric is turned and a second edge is sewn. This process is repeated until all four edges are stitched.
There have been many efforts to automate or to partially automate sewing apparatus producing specific textile articles. A representative arrangement is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,893,574, i.e. an automated pillow case apparatus. Here, belts fold a fabric and present it to a stationary sewing head. The fabric is moved past the sewing head. Another related arrangement is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,601,249. Here, a device for sewing wash cloths or towels is disclosed. It includes a fabric feed which controls and moves the fabric in X and Y directions relative the sewing machine. The sewing machine pivots to sew along both the X and Y axis. U.S. Pat. No. 4,434,731 shows another automated arrangement in which the fabric is controlled and moved relative to the sewing machine.
It is the intent of the instant invention to provide a device which automatically sews pillow shams.
Another object of the invention is to provide a method of producing pillow shams at a markedly increased rate and reduced cost.
Another object of the invention is to provide apparatus for stitching a stationary flat fabric in the X and Y directions.
Another object of the invention is to provide apparatus for stitching designs over selected areas of flat fabrics.
Another object of the invention is to provide apparatus capable of moving a sewing machine through coordinated X-Y axes to produce stitched designs.
Another object of the invention is the provision of a device capable of automatically feeding a flat fabric, of automatically tensioning the fabric in a sewing position, and of automatically ejecting the sewn product.
Another object of the invention is the provision of a device capable of automatically centering a folded flat fabric prior to tensioning for sewing.
Another object of the invention is the provision of a device capable of centering and feeding a folded flat fabric into a sewing area, tensioning the fabric and sewing the fabric into a pillow sham.
Another object of the invention is to substantially increase the rate of production for forming spreads, comforters, pillow shams, and other like articles.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The instant invention is directed to a method of forming and flanging pillow shams which includes the steps of feeding a flat folded fabric having four edges into a sewing area while gripping the opposed edges of the fabric during delivery into the sewing area, tensioning the gripped fabric in a first direction and automatically sewing along but spaced from, all edges of the fabric to both form and flange a pillow sham and removing the formed pillow sham from the sewing area.
The method includes providing spaced pairs of superimposed rotatable belts for feeding, gripping opposed edges and tensioning the folded fabric. The method also includes causing the spaced pairs of belts to move transversely away from each other in the sewing area to tension the folded fabric.
The method includes measuring the length of the folded fabric during insertion into the sewing area and causing the spaced pairs of belts to be automatically moved to move the fabric to a position in which it is centered in the sewing area.
The method also includes providing a sewing machine to be moveable in X and Y directions either individually or coordinated and controlling the sewing machine to move along the X and Y directions during sewing of the edges of the folded fabric and in X, Y coordinated directions to sew design patterns onto the fabric.
The method includes providing a movable sewing machine for sewing a fabric, providing a home position for the sewing machine when not sewing, and automatically moving the sewing machine to the home position upon an interruption of sewing.
The method also includes providing a programmed control having a plurality of fabric support belts which are adapted to support the material across its width during feeding. The material handling assembly includes a positioning and tensioning section which includes vertically arranged and longitudinally spaced pairs of belts. The belts are operative to grip opposite edges of the material as they move it into the sewing area and to center the material for sewing within the sewing area. The belt pairs are controlled to be intermittently rotatable to position the material in the sewing area, to retain and tension the material in the sewing area and to remove the material from the sewing area.
An apparatus for forming pillow shams having a belt support structure is carried by a sewing table. The belt support structure includes a pair of guide plates between which the belt pairs travel. The support structure includes a sensor which signals sequentially a control to move the fabric into a sewing area; to position the fabric within a sewing area; to actuate the sewing machine and to control the sewing machine to move in the sewing area along each edge of the fabric; to deactivate the sewing machine upon completion of sewing and to actuate the fabric control apparatus to discharge the sewn fabric.
The invention is also directed to an arrangement for automatically positioning flat material for sewing and for forming that material into a sewn article. The arrangement includes a sewing table having a sewing area, a material handling assembly carried by the sewing table which is selectively operable to position and tension the material in the sewing area. A sewing machine, mounted on a carriage assembly, is also provided.
A control assembly is provided. The control assembly is operative to actuate the material handling assembly to position and tension the flat material in the sewing area, to actuate the carriage assembly to move the sewing machine about and/or through the sewing area and to actuate the sewing machine to sew during movement through the sewing area.
The arrangement includes;
A material feeding assembly, which is operative to feed the material into the sewing area, to center the material within the sewing area, and to maintain the material in a stationary tensioned condition for a prescribed time.
A control system is associated with the feeding assembly and includes sensors which measure the length of the material during feeding. The control system actuates the feeding assembly to position the material with its longitudinal center arranged centrally in the sewing area in response to the measured length.
The arrangement also includes a tensioning apparatus which urges the plates together or toward each other. The plates then act to position the belts to grip material. The support structure includes a guide plate mounti
Burgess Furman E.
Herring Kenneth
Rogers William
Root Stephen J.
Smith Charles
Flint & Kim, P.A.
Nerbun Peter
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