FR2631788A1 - Method and device for manufacturing shoulder straps for female undergarments - Google Patents

Abstract

This method consists, after bringing a length of ribbon above a ring 3 of a strip 4 and introduction of the end 1a of the ribbon in one of the slots of the strip 4, firstly in pivoting this strip a first time through 180 DEG in order to bring the end 1a previously engaged in the first slot above the second slot of this strip, then, after engagement of this end, in repivoting the strip through 180 DEG in the opposite direction to bring the end 1a of the ribbon below the ribbon in order to favour the link by welding of this end with the ribbon, and, after length-adjustment and cutting of the ribbon, in engaging the end 1b of this ribbon in the ring 3, then, after displacement of this ring, in engaging the end in the first slot of the strip and, after turning this strip over through 180 DEG , in the other slot of the strip.

Description

 "Method and device for making suspenders for female underwear".

 The invention relates to the manufacture of suspenders for female underwear, suspenders composed as shown in FIG. 23, of at least one first loop A formed by a ribbon 1 threaded in a ring 3 and in an adjustment strip 4 to two slots. Such straps are intended to be fixed by sewing or welding on the undergarment.

 Processes and devices are already known which automatically ensure the manufacture of this type of suspenders.

 In general, and while the ring and the strip are held by pliers, or the like, in a fixed position, a length of tape, unwound from a reel, is introduced by alternating vertical fingers and successively in the slits of the strip and the ring.

 In current devices, the vertical fingers are arranged on either side of the ring and the strip and successively perform the functions of engagement fingers and blank press.

 I1 follows that their strokes and movements are different and must be perfectly controlled and synchronized, which requires the use of a cam control, complex to perform, bulky, difficult and expensive adjustment.

 The invention aims to provide a simplified method and device, inexpensive, easily adjustable, and able to operate at a higher rate.

 This method is of the type in which, after feeding a length of tape above the ring and the strip arranged in holding means, the free end of the strip is introduced into one of the slots in the strip by at least one engagement finger.

 According to the invention, it consists in rotating 1800 the strip so that the end of the tape previously engaged in the first slot is above the second slot of this strip, to introduce this end in the second slot, to rotate the strip of 1800 and in the opposite direction of the first pivoting in order to straighten horizontally, under the tape, the free end of the latter in order to facilitate their connection by welding, after the aforementioned welding phase, to lengthen the tape, to cut it from the reel, to insert the free end obtained by cutting into the ring, to move the ring on the ribbon, to introduce the free end of the ribbon into one of the slots in the strip, to do pivot the strip of 1800, so that the free end previously engaged in the slot is above the other slot of the strip, to engage the end in this other slot, to grasp the strip and the ring by pliers of transverse transfer amen ant the whole of the strap, with the free end of the ribbon hanging under the strip, at a position for adjusting the length of the loop formed, and, simultaneously with this transfer, to pivot the ring of 1800 so that it protrudes outside the strap obtained.

 Thanks to the phases of turning the strip, the engagement fingers are all located above the ribbon. As a result, their movements require less precision and controls and no longer need to be controlled by cams. This simplifies the structure of the machine, reduces its cost and facilitates adjustments.

 Advantageously, in an alternative implementation of this method aimed at the manufacture of suspenders comprising, in addition to the strap itself formed by the loop of ribbon with the ring and the strip, a second length of ribbon looped on the ring , it consists, at the end of the length adjustment phase of the first loop, to communicate a tension to it to reduce the thickness of the ribbon in the ring, to maintain this tension as long as the ring and the strip are held by the pliers, to bring above the ring a length of a ribbon unwound from a spool different from the first, to thread the free end of this flange into the ring, to fold this end under the flange, to tie these two ends and to cut the ribbon to the desired length.

 This process perfectly complements the manufacturing process and makes it possible to obtain suspenders of the type shown in Figures 24 and 25 attached.

 The invention also relates to the device for implementing this method.

 In this device, the engagement fingers, three in number, two for the strip and one for the ring, are arranged above the holding means, are each associated with a blank press and are integral with the rod of a double-acting cylinder, while, on the one hand, the retaining means of the strip are connected to means able to rotate them 180 in both directions, than on the other hand, the retaining means of the ring are connected to means capable of imparting to them a horizontal translation parallel to the ribbon, and that, in addition, the single ultrasonic probe is carried by means capable of moving it in horizontal translation between a welding position, at above a first anvil, and a cutting position, above a second anvil, and that, finally, the transfer clamps are carried by means capable of moving them transversely between the training station of the strap and the length adjustment station, the means of the pliers assigned to the ring also being able to rotate it 180.

 It emerges from the above that the device according to the invention uses only three engagement fingers ensuring only the engagement function with the exception of the blank press function provided by presses. blanks associated with them but independently of them. I1 follows that the movements of the fingers and blank press can be controlled directly by double-acting cylinders without the need for additional means of controlling their travel, which considerably simplifies the construction of the device. Furthermore, the rotation communicated to the strip allows, in the first threading phase, to use the same engagement finger to ensure the introduction of the ribbon into each of the slots of this strip and thus leads to a simplification of the device. and a reduction in the manufacturing time of the strap.

 Other characteristics and advantages will emerge from the description which follows with reference to the appended diagrammatic drawing representing by way of nonlimiting examples an embodiment.

Figures 1 to 14 are side views in cross section schematically showing each of the phases of the manufacturing process of the strap,
FIG. 15 is a plan view from above showing the phase of transferring the strap between the manufacturing station and its length adjusting station,
Figures 16 to 17 are side views in elevation and with partial section illustrating this length adjustment phase,
Figures 18 to 22 are side views in elevation, and in partial section, showing the different phases of the addition of a previously manufactured strap strap,
FIG. 23 is a side view in elevation and in partial section of the strap obtained by the method illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 17,
Figures 24 and 25 are side views in elevation with partial section of the straps obtained by the process illustrated in Figures 1 to 22.

 Figures 26 and 27 are plan views respectively from above and from the side in section along XVII-XVII of Figure 26, of an embodiment of the device.

 The device comprises, at the station C for forming the strap, a feed clamp 2 connected to means able to move it longitudinally between a position for gripping the end of a ribbon 1 unwinding from a reel (FIG. 26) and an end of travel position, shown in FIGS. 2 and 26. I1 also comprises means for holding, not shown, the ring 3 and means for holding, not shown, the strip 4. The ring and the strip are brought to these holding means by distribution means of known type, shown at 43 and 44 in FIG. 26. The means for holding the ring 3 are connected to means capable of moving them in translation. between the position shown in Figure 3 and the position shown in Figure 10.

As for the retaining means of the strip 4, they occupy a fixed position but are connected to means able to rotate them 180 in one direction or the other about a horizontal axis transverse to the path of the tape 1 .

 A transverse horizontal finger 5 is disposed under the path of the ribbon 1. This finger is connected to means 45 in FIG. 26 capable of moving it in horizontal translation between an erasing position in which it is juxtaposed with the ring 3, as shown in FIG. 2, and a maximum position for cutting the length of the ribbon, as shown in FIG. 7. The stroke of this finger is adjustable as a function of the final length of the ribbon constituting the strap.

 The tape engagement means 1, comprise a pair of engagement fingers 6a-6b disposed above the tape in coincidence with one of the slots of the strip 4 (FIG. 3) and an engagement finger 7, visible in FIG. 9, arranged above the ribbon and coinciding with the opening of the ring 3. The pair of fingers 6a-6b and the finger 7 are each associated with a blank press, respectively 8 and 9, linked to them or independent and controlled by a double-acting cylinder, as shown in 46, Figures 26 and 27. It should be noted that the blank holder 8 is common to the fingers 6a-6b. In addition, each of the engagement fingers is wedged at the end of the rod of a double-acting pneumatic cylinder, communicating its operating stroke and visible in 47 Figures 26 and 27. The engagement fingers 6a-6b are carried by a common support 48 (FIG. 26) connected to the frame of the machine by means such as a jack 49, making it possible to bring them into the working position or into a retracted position in which they are distant from the area of job.

Finally, station C comprises a single ultrasonic probe 10 carried by means, such as a support 50 linked to a jack 51, capable of moving it transversely parallel to the strip and above it between a welding position, shown in FIG. 6, position in which it cooperates with a first anvil 11, and a cutting position, shown in FIG. 8, in which it cooperates with a second anvil 12. The support 50 also carries the finger 7 and the blank press 9 which therefore follow the movements of this probe 10 on corresponding slides. The probe 10 is also linked to a jack 55 controlling its vertical movements.
At station D for lengthening the strap, juxtaposed with the training station, the device comprises, in a known manner, a drive roller 13 associated with a clamping roller 14 connected to means capable of bringing it closer to the roller 13 (FIG. 17).

 Between the station C for forming the strap and the station D for lengthening the latter, there are two transfer clamps 15 respectively for the strip 4 and 16 for the ring 3. These clamps are of course connected to means such as jacks 52, FIG. 26 capable of imparting to them a transverse translational movement allowing them to move the strap from the training station C to the length-cutting station D. The clamp 16 is also associated with means enabling it to pivot 1800 in the direction of the arrow 17 in FIG. 15.

As will be specified below, the device which has just been described is intended to ensure the manufacture of a strap of type A shown in FIG. 23. To manufacture a strap of the type
B shown in FIGS. 24 and 25, the device comprises, in addition to the length-cutting station O, and above the ring 3, a clamp 19 for feeding a length of ribbon 20 unwinding from another coil as that of the ribbon 1 (figure 18), an engagement finger 22 with blank holder 23 (figure 19), and an ultrasonic probe 24 (figure 21). Below the path of the ribbon is an anvil 25 connected to means able to move it in translation parallel to the ribbon on either side of the position of the ring 3 between, respectively, an erasing position, not shown, and a welding position in which, as shown at FIG. 21, it coincides with the probe 24. Finally, the device comprises (FIG. 22) means 26 for cutting the ribbon 20, means which can be constituted by a cutter or by ultrasonic cutting means, and for example by the probe 24 then mobile on a slide and linked to a jack 53 (FIG. 26).

 The operation of this device is as follows. At station C and in the first phase, the feed clamp 2 grasps the free end 1a of the ribbon 1, as shown in FIG. 1, and pulls a length of above the ring 3 and the strip 4 this ribbon (figure 2).

This length is independent of the final length of the strap and is therefore constant. It is between 150 and 200 mm.

 In the following phase, represented in FIG. 3, the engagement finger 6a descends vertically, and forces the end 1a of the ribbon to penetrate into the first slit of the strip 4. It is to be noted that during this engagement, the blank press 8 presses the rest of the ribbon on the strip 4 to prevent the engagement operation from tending to pull the ribbon by modifying the length of its end la. Subsequently and as shown in FIG. 4, the means maintaining the strip 4 pivot 1800 in the direction of arrow 30, which has the effect of bringing the end -lex, which hung vertically below strip 4, in a horizontal position above the second slot of this strip, as shown in FIG. 4. Thus, a new vertical downward movement of the engagement finger 6a threads this end 1a into the second slot, at the same time as the ribbon 1 is held by the blank press 8, as shown in the figure 5. In the next phase1 the strip 4 is pivoted d e 1800 in the direction of arrow 32 in FIG. 6, which has the effect of bringing the end la of the ribbon, which hung under it, parallel to the other part of the ribbon. At the same time and while the engagement fingers 6a-6b are brought into their retracted position, the probe -10 and the anvil 11 come into the welding position to ensure the connection of the end 1a with the rest of the ribbon and thus form the loop trapping the bar central strip 4, as shown in Figure 6.

 I1 is then proceeded, as shown in Figure 7, to the final length of the ribbon fragment to constitute the strap. This lengthening is carried out by longitudinal displacement of the transverse finger 5 which until then being in the erasing position next to the ring 3. It should be noted here that, to allow easy movement of this finger, the holding means of the strip 4 are arranged below the trajectory of this finger.

This length adjustment mode, consisting of pulling on the ribbon while it forms a loop, practically halves the adjustment stroke and therefore reduces the length of this station. It is obvious that the stroke of the finger 5 is adjustable so as to be able to obtain different lengths of tape.

 At this point, the ribbon is cut. For this purpose, the probe 10 is moved transversely with the blank press 9 and the finger 7 and is brought to its cutting position above the second anvil 12, as shown in FIG. 8. The blank holder 9 presses the ribbon on ring 3, when the probe is lowered. The ribbon then has a new free end referenced lb.

 I1 is then proceeded to thread the end lb of the ribbon into the ring 3 by means of the engagement finger 7, as shown in FIG. 9, then to the movement of the ring 3 beyond the strip 4, as shown in FIG. 10. This horizontal movement is ensured by the means for holding this ring.

 The end 1b is then engaged in one of the slots of the strip 4 by the engagement fingers 6b (FIG. 11), the strip is then pivoted on itself by 1800 in the direction of the arrow 34 so that the strand 1b is horizontal above the other slot of this strip, then the strand 1b is introduced into this new slot by the same engagement finger 7, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13. At the end of this operation, the strap thus obtained has the shape shown in FIG. 14.

 In this state, the strap is transferred by the transfer clamps 15 and 16 to the station D to length which is juxtaposed to the station C training. During this transfer and as shown in Figure 16, the clamp 16 pivots 1800 in the direction of arrow 17 so as to give the ring the position shown in this figure 16. At the cutting station, and after the end lb of the ribbon has been engaged between the two rollers 13 and 14, that 14 is brought closer to the roller 13 to press the end lb against it. In known manner, the rotation of the roller 13 communicates at the end 1b a displacement in the direction of the arrow 35 in FIG. 17, which has the effect of reducing the length of the loop formed by the ribbon between the ring 3 and the strip 4, then held in the transfer clamps. At the end of this lengthening phase, the type A strap is completed and the ring 3 protrudes outside the loop, as shown in FIGS. 17 and 23.

 If this type of strap is the one to be made, it is then ejected from the machine. On the other hand, if it is desired to obtain the strap shown in FIG. 24 or 25 and comprising in addition to the loop A a second loop B linked to the ring 3, said type A strap is left at the post D length. Under these conditions, the means ensuring the lengthening of the strap creates a tension in the ribbon in order to reduce the volume of the protuberance formed by this ribbon inside the opening of the ring 3.

 The realization of the second loop B is carried out as follows. The second feed clamp 19 grasps the end 20a of the ribbon 20 and brings a length of this ribbon above the ring 3 and beyond this ring above the strap itself (FIG. 18). As soon as the clamp 19 is open to release the end 20a, an engagement finger 22 introduces the end 20a into the opening of the ring 3, while a blank press 23 holds the ribbon on the ring 3 , as shown in Figure 19. In the next phase, shown in Figure 20, the anvil 25, which until then was in the erased position, is moved transversely in the direction of arrow 36 to come to its welding position . During this movement, it meets the end 20a of the ribbon which hangs under the ring 3 and the flap against the rest of the ribbon. In this way and as shown in FIG. 21, when it arrives in its welded position below of the probe 24, the end 20a is disposed below the strip with which it will be welded by the probe 24. The manufacture of the strap is terminated by cutting the flange lengthwise by the means 26 (Figure 22).

 This manufacturing method makes it possible to produce flanges of the type shown in FIG. 24, that is to say in which the two strands of the flange are of the same length or of the type shown in FIG. 25, that is to say of the type in which the two strands have different lengths. and this by simple adjustment of the length of the displacement stroke of the feed clamp 19. Of course, the length of the flange can be adjusted by displacement of the sectioning means 26.

 I1 -spring of the above that the manufacturing method according to the invention implements small amplitude movements both in translation and in rotation, reducing manufacturing times and leading to a device comprising a number of elements reduced, simple and inexpensive construction. In addition, and with few additional elements integrated in the length adjustment station D, the device can, during the formation of the first strap, manufacture the second strap with simple, reliable and adjustable means.

 It is obvious that the welding and cutting means which have been described above as being of the ultrasonic type can be replaced by any other equivalent means operating by heat transfer.

Claims (6)

 1. Method for manufacturing suspenders for underwear of the type in which, after supplying a length of ribbon 1 unwinding from a reel above a ring 3 and a strip 4 arranged in holding means , the free end 1a of the ribbon is introduced into one of the slots of the strip 4 by an engagement finger, characterized in that it consists, at the station C of forming the strap, in pivoting 1800 the strip 4 so that the end 1a of the ribbon previously engaged in the first slot is above the second slot of this strip, to introduce this end 1a into the second slot, to rotate the strip 4 of 1800 in the opposite direction of first pivoting to straighten horizontally, under the ribbon, the end 1a thereof in order to facilitate their connection by welding, after the aforementioned welding phase to lengthen the ribbon, to cut it from the coil, to be introduced into the ring 3 the free end lb obtained by sect ing, to move the ring 3 on the ribbon 1, to introduce the free end lb of the ribbon in one of the slots of the strip 4, to rotate the strip of 1800 so that the free end lb previously engaged in the slot is above the other slot of the strip 4, to engage the end lb in this other slot, to grasp the strip 4 t the ring 3 by pliers 15-16 of transverse transfer bringing the assembly of the strap, with the free end lb of the ribbon hanging under the strip, at a post D for adjusting the length of the loop formed and, simultaneously with this transfer, to rotate the ring 3 of 1800 so that it projects the outside of the strap obtained.  2. Method according to claim 1 characterized in that it consists, at the position D of length adjustment and at the end of the length adjustment phase of the first loop of the strap, to communicate a voltage to this loop to reduce the thickness of the ribbon in the ring 3, to maintain this tension as long as the ring and the strip are maintained in the clamps 15 and 16, to bring above the ring 3 a length of another ribbon 20 unwound of a spool different from the first, to thread the free end 20a of this ribbon into the ring 3, to fold this end 20a under the ribbon, to tie the end to the ribbon and to cut the ribbon lengthwise and to eject the strap obtained.  3. Device for implementing the method according to claim 1, of the type comprising means 2 for bringing a length of ribbon, means for holding a ring 3 of a strip 4, engagement fingers and at minus an ultrasonic probe characterized in that the engagement fingers, three in number, ie two 6a-6b arranged above the strip 4 and one 7 disposed above the ring 3, are each secured to the rod d '' a double-acting cylinder, and associated with independent blank pressers 8-9, while, on the one hand, the means for holding the strip 4 are connected to means capable of rotating them 1800 in the two sense, on the other hand, the means for holding the ring 3 are connected to means capable of imparting to them a horizontal translation parallel to the ribbon 1, that moreover the single ultrasonic probe 10 is associated with means 51 suitable to move it in horizontal translation between a welding position, above a first enclosure me 11, and a cutting position, above a second anvil 12, that, in addition, the transfer clamps 15-16 are associated with means 52 able to move them transversely between the station C for forming the strap and the position D for adjusting its length, the means of the one 16 assigned to the ring 3 also being able to pivot the latter by 1800 on itself.  4. Device according to claim 3 characterized in that the engagement fingers 6a-6b and their common blank press 8 and their control cylinders 46-47 are carried by a movable support 48 connected to the chassis of the device by means of transverse translation 49 capable of retracting this support from the longitudinal displacement trajectory of the ultrasonic probe 10.  5. Device according to any one of claims 3 and 4 characterized in that, at the post D for lengthening the strap, it comprises, on the one hand, above the ring, a clamp 19 for feeding of a length of another strip 20, a vertical engagement finger 22, a vertical blank press 23 and an ultrasonic probe 24, on the other hand, below the ring 3, an anvil 25 for the probe ultrasonic 24, anvil connected to means able to move it parallel to the ribbon on either side of the ring 3 so that it constitutes the draw-down finger of the free end 20a of the ribbon against the ribbon 20 and, finally, means 26 for cutting the ribbon.  6. Device according to any one of claims 3 to 5 characterized in that it comprises, at the station C for forming the strap, a transverse horizontal finger 5 disposed below the feed path of the first ribbon 1 and connected to means 45 able to move it horizontally, according to an adjustable stroke, between an erasing position, in which this finger 5 is juxtaposed with the means for holding the ring 3, and a position for adjusting the length of the ribbon, in which it is opposite the ring 3 with respect to the strip 4 and causes a loop to be described on this ribbon 1.