EP1103649A2

EP1103649A2 - Automatic apparatus for cutting fabrics

Info

Publication number: EP1103649A2
Application number: EP00830073A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Samuele Mazzini
Original assignee: Iltes Srl
Current assignee: Iltes Srl
Priority date: 1999-11-25
Filing date: 2000-02-01
Publication date: 2001-05-30
Also published as: EP1103649A3; ITRN990032A1

Abstract

The invention relates to an automatic apparatus for cutting fabrics. It comprises a device (1) for shaping an edge (2a) of a length of fabric (2) and at least one drive roller (3) designed to allow displacement of the fabric (2) from one side to the other of the shaping device (3). The apparatus (10) is also provided with cutting means (4) which are designed to remove the edge (2a) of the fabric (2) and can be positioned so as to be able to operate both in series with the shaping device (1) and in synchronism therewith.

Description

The present invention relates to an automatic apparatus for cutting fabrics.
Often the processing of large-size lengths of fabric creates problems of a logistical nature which cannot be easily solved, owing to the weight and the volume of the said fabric. In such cases, it frequently happens that totally manual solutions must be adopted, with the need for equally large smooth surfaces so as not to adversely affect the quality of the work to be performed.
An operating example in which problems of this type occur and to which reference will be made below consists in the processing of fabrics for sun awnings. Most of the sun awnings which are currently used, both in business premises and in homes, consist mainly of a large-size sheet of cloth which is generally obtained by stitching together several smaller sheets to which a flounce forming the free end of the sun awning is attached, i.e. the end which never interferes with the winding roller and which projects from the transverse support bar. This flounce, which is generally made using the same fabric as the rest of the awning, is firstly cut away from the large-size length of fabric and then shaped so as to provide the awning with a finish which is aesthetically more pleasing than that of a straight edge; finally - something which is not always the case - it may be provided with a hem. These processing steps are at present performed one after another. In particular, cutting of the flounce from the rest of the awning is mainly performed manually by spreading out the cloth over very large surfaces so as to be able to make cuts which are as precise possible. The machines which perform shaping of the flounce have a closed operating zone resulting, however, at least in the depthwise or heightwise direction, in dimensions which are limited to the flounce to be processed. The most obvious disadvantage of the current procedure therefore consists in a considerable slowing down of the production process due to the division of the abovementioned processing steps. Moreover, this operating method requires large-size working supports during the cutting step, using machines, however, which have limited operational possibilities as regards the flounce shaping step.
The object of the present invention is therefore that of eliminating the abovementioned drawbacks. The invention, which is characterized by the claims, solves the problem of combining two fabric processing steps, by means of devices which perform both cutting of the flounce and shaping thereof, working in series or in synchronism.
The main advantage achieved by means of the present invention consists essentially in the fact that the processing times are conveniently reduced, resulting in a considerable saving in terms of time and ensuring a working precision which cannot be repeated manually. Moreover, large-size support surfaces for cutting the flounce are not required. Finally, they are no limitations as regards the heightwise dimensions of the flounce to be shaped.
Further advantages and characteristic features of the invention will emerge more clearly in the detailed description below, provided with reference to the accompanying drawings which show a non-limiting example of embodiment thereof and in which:

Figure 1 shows a side view of the invention;
Figure 2 shows a front view of the invention, rotated through 90° with respect to the view according to Figure 1;
Figure 3 shows some constructional details of the invention;
Figures 4 and 5 show views, similar to those of Figures 1 and 2, of an alternative embodiment of the invention.

The present invention relates to an automatic apparatus for cutting fabrics. As can be seen from the Figures, it comprises a device (1) for shaping an edge (2a) of a length of fabric (2) and at least one drive roller (3) designed to allow displacement of the fabric (2) from one side to the other of the shaping device (1).
Figures 1 and 2 show a constructional solution whereby, in the apparatus (10) in question, it is possible to distinguish between two separate portions (10a, 10b): the first portion (10a), which is purely of the operational type, contains the shaping device (1) and at least one drive roller (3) for the edge (2a) of the fabric (2), while the second portion (10b), containing one or drive rollers (3), performs the function of supporting and housing the rolled-up fabric (2). The two portions (10a, 10b) of the apparatus (10) are connected together by means of an opening (7) which allows the edge (2a) of the rolled-up fabric (2) to pass into the zone where the shaping device (1) operates. In this way, and irrespective of its height, the edge (2a) of the fabric (2) may be shaped in the desired manner, whether it still be joined to the said fabric (2) or whether it be cut at the same time as the shaping operation or whether it be cut afterwards.
Figures 4 and 5, on the other hand, show an alternative version of the apparatus (10) in question: as may be noted, in particular in Figure 5, in this version the second portion (10b) is not present, a suitable space for the rolled-up fabric (2) not being provided. For the same overall dimensions, it is therefore possible to process larger-size edges (2a), and the apparatus (10) thus formed proves to be particularly useful in the case where already cut edges (2a) of the fabric (2) are processed. If it is used to process edges (2a) still joined to the fabric (2), the apparatus (10) may be equipped with blower tables - not shown here in that they are of the known type - which support the spread fabric (2), keeping the frictional contact to a minimum during movement of the fabric from one side of the shaping device (1) to the other.
Both in the version shown in Figures 1 and 2 and in that shown in Figures 4 and 5, the apparatus (10) is also provided with cutting means designed to separate the edge (2a) of the length of fabric (2). Although the shaping device (1) and the cutting means (4) may operate in succession and are therefore positioned in series, according to a preferred constructional solution the shaping device (1) and the cutting means (4) operate in synchronism so as to perform simultaneously separation of the edge (2a) of the length of the fabric (2) from said fabric (2) and the desired shaping - previously arbitrarily programmed - of the edge (2a).
In order to perform said shaping operation, the shaping device (1) comprises at least one incision tool (5) and means (8) for moving the incision tool (5). Said means, which are managed by an electronic control device (9) which can be flexibly programmed by means of an electronic board, ensure that the incision tool (5) follows a path which produces a profile of the edge (2a) of the length of fabric (2) corresponding to the predefined shape.
From among the various tools which can be used in the shaping device (1) and as cutting means (4) - all of which, however, are protected by the present application - according to the solution shown by way of example in the Figures, the shaping device (1) comprises an ultrasound cutter (5), which is particularly advantageous owing to its precision when cutting corners, while the cutting means (4), which normally must produce a straight cut, comprise a rotating blade (6).
The invention thus conceived may be subject to numerous modifications and variations, all of which fall within the scope of the inventive idea. Moreover, all the details may be replaced by technically equivalent elements.
In practice modifications and/or improvements are obviously possible, these, however, falling within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

Automatic apparatus for cutting fabrics, characterized in that it comprises a device (1) for shaping an edge (2a) of a length of fabric (2) and at least one drive roller (3) designed to allow displacement of the fabric (2) from one side to the other of the shaping device (1).
Apparatus according to Claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a first portion (10a), containing the shaping device (1) and at least one drive roller (3), and a second portion (10b), containing at least one other drive roller (3), said portions being connected together by means of an opening (7) designed to allow the edge (2a) of the rolled-up fabric (2) to pass through.
Apparatus according to Claim 1 or 2, is characterized in that it comprises cutting means (4) designed to separate the edge (2a) of the length of fabric (2).
Apparatus according to Claim 3, characterized in that the shaping device (1) and the cutting means (4) operate in synchronism so as to separate the edge (2a) of the length of fabric (2) and provide it with the desired shape simultaneously.
Apparatus according to Claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4, characterized in that the shaping device (1) comprises at least one incision tool (5) and means (8) for moving said incision tool (5) designed to guide the movement of the latter in a predetermined manner.
Apparatus according to Claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5, characterized in that the shaping device (1) comprises an ultrasound cutter (5).
Apparatus according to Claim 3 or 4 or 5 or 6, characterized in that the cutting means (4) comprise a rotating blade (6).
Apparatus according to Claim 5, characterized in that it comprises an electronic device (9) for controlling the means (8) for moving the incision tool (5).