Sewing – Special machines – Traveling sewing machine
Reexamination Certificate
2002-02-12
2004-04-20
Izaguirre, Ismael (Department: 3765)
Sewing
Special machines
Traveling sewing machine
Reexamination Certificate
active
06722300
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to automated textile manufacturing equipment and more particularly relates to an automated apparatus for closing and/or hemming a comforter or a similar type of textile product in a high speed and high quality manner.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A bedding accessory known as a comforter generally includes an amount of batting placed within a fabric enclosure. A comforter generally has been manufactured, at least in part, in a manual process. By way of example in
FIG. 1
, a comforter
10
may be manufactured by sewing a comforter bag
11
inside out on three sides
12
,
13
,
14
; the comforter bag
11
may then be turned right side out; an amount of batting
20
may be inserted therein; and a remaining side
15
may be hemmed in a manual process.
Most quality comforters, however, generally require what is known as a “French hem” or other types of specialty hems. To manufacture such a French hem, both layers of the comforter are folded in and then the hem is sewn. An example of a French hem is shown in FIG.
2
. As is shown, an edge
30
of a top layer of fabric
40
is folded downward while an edge
50
of a bottom layer of fabric
60
is folded upwards. The two edges
30
,
50
are aligned and a hem
70
is applied from a first end
80
to a second end
90
of the open side
15
. In the manual hemming process, however, it is often difficult to maintain both layers
40
,
60
with an even fold along the length of the open side
15
.
A further issue is the fact that a quality comforter
10
generally requires that the batting
20
extend all the way to the hem
70
. A comforter
10
with an empty space adjacent to the hem
70
generally may not be acceptable to consumers. The placement of the batting
20
along the edges
30
,
50
, however, often complicates the hemming process. Such a manufacturing process thus may be time intensive.
What is desired, therefore, is a method and apparatus to speed the comforter closing process. The comforter should be closed and hemmed in a high speed and high quality manner.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention thus provides an apparatus for closing an open side of a fabric article from a first end to a second end. The apparatus may include a gripping device for gripping the first end and the second end of the open side of the fabric article and then tensioning the open side. The apparatus also may include a closing device positioned adjacent to the gripping device such that the closing device maneuvers along the fabric article to fasten the open side from the first end to the second end.
Specific embodiments of the present invention may include the use of one or more guide rails associated with the closing device such that the closing device may maneuver along the guide rails. The apparatus also may include a drive system associated with the closing device. The drive system may include one or more drive belts so as to maneuver the closing device along the guide rails. The closing device may include a closing device frame. The frame may be positioned on the guide rails for movement thereon. An amount of batting may extend out of the open side of the fabric article. The closing device may include a pusher device so as to push the amount of the batting within the open side of the fabric article. The pusher device may include a reciprocating plunger. If the fabric article includes a first layer with a folded edge and a second layer with a folded edge, the pusher device may include a pair of edge guides for maintaining the folded edge of the first layer and the folded edge of the second layer in alignment. The apparatus also may include a cutting device positioned adjacent to the gripping device so as to cut any excess batting from the first end to the second end of the open side.
If the fabric article includes a first layer with a folded edge and a second layer with a folded edge, the closing device may include a tensioning device. The tension device may include a harpoon with a number of extensions. The tensioning device may include a tensioning drive so as to insert the harpoon between the first layer and the second layer, rotate the harpoon such that the extensions engage the folded edge of the first layer and the folded edge of the second layer, and then retract the harpoon by about a predetermined distance so as to tension the folded edge of the first layer and the folded edge of the second layer.
The closing device may include an edge guide. The edge guide may include a number of U-shaped compartments. The closing device also may include a fastening device. The fastening device may include a sewing head. The apparatus also may include a proximity device associated with the closing device so as to determine the position of the closing device along the gripping device.
The gripping apparatus may include a first edge gripper positioned to accommodate the first end of the fabric article and a second edge gripper positioned to accommodate the second end of the fabric article. The gripping apparatus may include a gripper drive so as to maneuver the first edge gripper and/or the second edge gripper with respect to each other. The first edge gripper and the second edge gripper may include a pin assembly. The pin assembly may include an insertion pin for entry into the first end and the second end of the open side of the fabric article. The pin assembly may include a rotating arm driven by a pin drive. The first edge gripper and the second edge gripper also may include a clamping mechanism for clamping the first end and the second end of the fabric article. The clamping mechanism may include a number of jaws. The clamping mechanism may include a clamping drive such that one or more of the jaws may rotate.
The apparatus also may have a number of the gripping devices, including a first pair and a second pair. The apparatus may include an edge gripper track to as to maneuver the gripping devices between a loading station and a fastening station. The apparatus also may have a removal mechanism positioned about the fastening station.
A further embodiment of the present invention may provide for an apparatus for closing a fabric article. The fabric article may have a first layer with a folded edge and a second layer with a folded edge. The apparatus may include a tensioning device positioned along a predetermined path. The tension device may include a harpoon. The harpoon may include a number of prongs. The tensioning device may include a tensioning drive such that the tensioning drive inserts the harpoon between the first layer and the second layer, rotates the harpoon such that the prongs engage the folded edge of the first layer and the folded edge of the second layer, and then retracts the harpoon by about a predetermined distance so as to tension the folded edge of the first layer and the folded edge of the second layer. The apparatus also may include a fastening device positioned along the predetermined path. The fastening device fastens the folded edge of the first layer with the folded edge of the second layer.
The apparatus also may include an edge guide positioned along the predetermined path between the tensioning device and the fastening device. The edge guide may include a number of U-shaped compartments. The fastening device may include a sewing head so as to stitch the folded edge of the first layer with the folded edge of the second layer.
The method of the present invention may provide for closing an open side of a fabric article. The fabric article may have a first layer and a second layer. The method may include the steps of folding the first layer to form a first folded edge, folding the second layer to form a second folded edge, aligning the first folded edge and the second folded edge, passing a tensioning guide along the open side to keep the first folded edge and the second folded edge in alignment, and passing a fastening device along the open side to close the open side along the first folded edge and the second folded edge. The fabric article may include an amount of batt
McGinnis Jeffrey J.
Shtylman Vadim Z.
Stewart Parks C.
Trobaugh, III Robert A.
Turpin Nathan D.
Izaguirre Ismael
Phoenix Automation Inc.
Sutherland & Asbill & Brennan LLP
LandOfFree
Comforter closer apparatus does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Comforter closer apparatus, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Comforter closer apparatus will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3209050