Sewing – Method of sewing – Workpiece manipulation other than straight line feeding
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-24
2001-01-16
Nerbun, Peter (Department: 3741)
Sewing
Method of sewing
Workpiece manipulation other than straight line feeding
C112S475080
Reexamination Certificate
active
06173667
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a method of producing a fabric cover, in particular of producing a duvet cover and/or pillow case or other fabric sleeves, from a substantially rectangular or square length of fabric with two longitudinal edges and two transverse edges.
The invention further relates to an installation for carrying out the method of producing a fabric cover, in particular a duvet cover or pillow case, from a substantially rectangular or square length of fabric with two longitudinal edges and two transverse edges.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Many methods of producing duvet covers are known from the prior art. In one of the most commonly used methods, firstly a substantially rectangular length of fabric is cut from a continuous roll. This length of fabric comprises two longitudinal edges and two transverse edges, wherein the length of the longitudinal edges is substantially double the length of the longitudinal edges of the fabric cover to be produced. Once the transverse edges have been hemmed, the length of fabric is folded to form a folded edge, in such a way that the two opposing transverse edges come to lie against one another, thereby forming the fabric cover, wherein the fabric cover is inside out, i.e. the side which will ultimately be on the inside is on the outside. In this position, the superimposed areas of the two longitudinal edges are sewn together. Buttons are then fixed to one hem and button holes matching the buttons are made in the opposing hem. Once finished, the fabric cover is reversed such that the side hitherto on the inside is turned to the outside and the seams at the longitudinal edges find themselves on the inside remote from the user. Finally, the fabric cover is folded and packaged.
A particular disadvantage of the above-described manufacturing method is the large number of stages involved, in particular in connection with the production of the button holes, sewing-on of the button fasteners and reversing of the fabric cover. In addition, the individual manufacturing stages are as a rule difficult to automate, making this known manufacturing method personnel-intensive, time-consuming and thus expensive.
SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
The primary object of the present invention is to propose a method of producing fabric covers which allows fabric covers to be produced simply, quickly and comparatively economically.
The method according to the invention for producing a fabric cover from a substantially rectangular or square length of fabric with two longitudinal edges and two transverse edges comprises the following stages:
First of all, at least one strip of hook-and-loop tape is attached, in particular, sewn, to the two opposing transverse edges of the length of fabric in such a way that the respective functionally complementary parts each lie substantially opposite each other with respect to the central transverse axis of the length of fabric. The hook and-loop tape may be attached fundamentally in any desired manner continuously over the entire transverse edge or only in strips.
The length of fabric is then folded about the central transverse axis, which becomes a fold axis, in such a way that the two opposing transverse edges come to lie against one another, the parts of the hook-and-loop tape simultaneously forming the hook-and-loop fastening. Thus, the length of fabric takes on the external form of the fabric cover to be produced, wherein folding may preferably be effected such that, in the case of fabrics with two different sides, for example printed fabrics, the side which will ultimately be the outside of the fabric cover is already on the outside.
To secure the layers of fabric in the desired form, the superimposed areas of each longitudinal edge are sewn together by means of an ornamental seam, whereby a fabric cover is formed which is closed on three sides and may be fastened and opened on one side by a hook-and-loop fastener. The ornamental seam may be produced using, for example, tight whipstitching or a pearl-edged seam. Since the two longitudinal edges are sewn together with an ornamental seam, reversing of the fabric cover after sewing together may be dispensed with. The ornamental seam remains visible on the outside of the fabric cover and may be used as part of the design, for example by using a contrasting color or the like.
Since, in the method according to the invention, the sewing-on of buttons, making of button holes and reversing of the fabric cover are dispensed with, the production of fabric covers by this method involves fewer stages and may be extensively automated. By saving on personnel and achieving shorter throughput times, the manufacturing costs may be reduced significantly. In addition, an extra design element is provided by using an ornamental seam.
According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the transverse edges may be hemmed before or at the same time as the strip of hook-and-loop tape is sewn on. According to a particularly preferred variant of the method, the hems at the transverse edges are sewn substantially at the same time as the functionally complementary parts of the hook-and-loop tape are sewn on. At the same time as a sewing machine travels along the transverse edge of the length of fabric or, conversely, the respective transverse edge is guided through a sewing machine, in order to sew the hem, one part of a hook-and-loop tape or of a hook-and-loop tape strip is supplied continuously or in strips and sewn together with the hem. By operating in this way, it is possible to omit one stage, since the hem and hook-and-loop tape are fixed to the length of fabric in one operation.
According to another embodiment of the method according to the invention, a separating component, for example in the form of a separator plate, may initially be introduced, during folding of the length of fabric about the central transverse axis, between the functionally complementary parts of the hook-and-loop tape coming to lie against one another, in order to prevent the hook-and-loop tape parts from hooking together undesirably early. In this way, the superimposed lengths of fabric may be adjusted so as to fit together accurately. Once correct alignment has been achieved, the separating component may be removed and the hook-and-loop fastening may thereby be produced.
In the simplest form of the method according to the invention, the hook-and-loop fastener is arranged directly on one of the outer edges of the fabric cover. This may be disadvantageous if the fabric cover cannot be closed by continuous hook-and-loop tape, since the corners of duvets and pillows tend to stick out of fabric covers which cannot be fully closed it is therefore advantageous for the length of fabric to be folded over once in the area of a transverse edge, before the opposing parts of the hook-and-loop tape are laid one against the other to form the hook-and-loop fastening and the length of fabric is secured to form the cover by the sewing of seams along the longitudinal edges. The folded area of the transverse edge forms a pocket in which the corners of a duvet or pillow may be accommodated so that they are no longer able to project from the fabric cover.
Once the method according to the invention has been carried out, the fabric covers may be folded in a manner known per se in a folding device, to enable subsequent packaging thereof. The folding device may be connected downstream of an installation consisting of one or more devices for carrying out the method according to the invention or be incorporated in this installation or device.
The ornamental seam is preferably produced using a bulky thread, in particular of synthetic fiber, for example polyester fiber. The bulky structure of such threads allows them to effect optimum coverage of the fabric layers sewn together in the area of the seam.
In order reliably to prevent fraying of the seam ends, seams must be finished off neatly. This may be achieved, for example, by deliberate sewing-over of the seam ends. A seam may be finished particularly economical
Muessig Karl
Ziegler Hans
McGlew and Tuttle , P.C.
Nerbun Peter
Texpa Maschinenbau GmbH & Co.
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