GB1582221A

GB1582221A - Curtain heading tapes

Info

Publication number: GB1582221A
Application number: GB1151378A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: French & Sons Thomas
Current assignee: French & Sons Thomas
Priority date: 1978-05-30
Filing date: 1978-05-30
Publication date: 1981-01-07

Description

(54) IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO CURTAIN HEADING TAPES (71) We THOMAS FRENCH & SONS LIMITED a British Company of Sharston Road, Wythenshawe, Manchester M22 4TH. do hereby declare the invention for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement:- This invention concerns curtain heading tapes and has, for one of its objects the provision of a curtain heading tape in which well defined pleats can be formed and retained.

Thus according to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a curtain heading tape characterised in that stiffened regions are provided in the tape at the pleat locations whereby, when the tape is pleated the stiffening at the pleat locations serves to retain the pleat form produced.

A A further object of the present invention is to provide a method of producing a curtain heading tape in which well defined pleats can be formed and retained.

Thus according to a further aspect of the present invention the method of producing a curtain heading tape includes the steps of producing a fabric of the requisite width, simultaneously forming curtain suspension receiving means and stiffening the tape at least at those positions at which pleats are to be formed.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for producing a curtain heading tape in which well defined pleats can be formed and retained.

Thus according to a still further aspect of the present invention apparatus for producing a curtain heading tape including yarns of fusible material, formations for receiving curtain suspension means and means for drawing the tape into pleated form, is characterised by the provision of a device operable intermittently in accordance with a programming device of the apparatus to apply a heating fusing die to the tape to fuse the yarns and thereby create localised longitudinally spacedapart stiffened regions in the tape at locations at which pleats are to be formed.

Conveniently the apparatus is a loom and the programming device is a loom dobby pattern chain, the heatable fusing die being located at one side of the tape and opposite to an anvil upon which the tape is pressed during fusing. Alternatively the apparatus is a knitting or crotcheting machine.

In a still further form the apparatus includes a supply means for a carrier having thereon removable elements, an intermittently operable die, adapted to press successive removable elements of the carrier onto the tape and cause them to become affixed to the tape at longitudinally spaced-apart positions thereby to create localised stiffened regions in the tape at the positions at which pleats are to be formed.

Alternatively the apparatus may include feed means for at least one continuous fusible strip-like element, said feed means being adapted to cause the strip-like element or elements to be incorporated into the tape during production thereof and to position pre-deterrnined lengths thereof at least at longitudinally spaced-apart positions in the tape, there being an intermittently operable heatable die arranged to apply heat to the lengths of fusible material to fuse same and thus create localised longitudinally spacedapart stiffened regions in the tape at the locations at which pleats are to be formed.

The invention will now be described further, by way of example only, with rcl- erence to several practical forms thereof and the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a part sectional diagrammatic illustration of part of a loom made in accord- ance with the invention, Figure 2 is a perspective view of part ol the loom of Figure 1. and Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 1 of a modification.

In the following description reference will be made to the production of a woven curtain heading tape but it should be appreciated that the inventive concept is applicable to curtain heading tapes produced on a knitting or crotcheting machine.

In its simplest form a curtain heading tape T made in accordance with the invention comprises a body fabric of 1 and 1 plain weave in w which is formed a single row of longitudinally continuous spaced-apart pockets for receiving curtain suspension hooks. The tape, during weaving, is provided with two transversely spaced-apart longitudinally disposed draw cords D by means of which the tape may be drawn into pleated form. This tape is woven using warp and weft yarn, for the body fabric at least, which is of fusible material. In the tape being described the draw cords D are conveniently contained, for part of their length within continuous warpwise oriented tubes, the cords being positioned outside the tubes and on one face of the tape at the positions at which pleats are to be formed.For example, the cords D may be contained within the tubes for a distance of three inches and may then float outside the tubes for a distance of one and one half inches before again being positioned within their tubes. Thus, when the tape is drawn into pleated form, pleats are positioned at three inch spacing along the length of the tape.

As the tape T during weaving is being takenup by the take-up means 10 of the loom it is held under tension and passes over an anvil 11 adjacent which is located a heated die 12 which is mounted for movement towards and away from the anvil as shown by arrow A and can move in the take-up direction of the tape at the same speed as that at which the tape T is being taken-up. The anvil 11 is somewhat greater in length than one and one half inches and the die 12 is one and one half inches long and, for example, one inch in width (the width of the die 12 is such that, in practice, it can press against the body of the tape T without coming into contact with the draw cord tubes or the suspension hook receiving pockets).

Movement of the die 12 towards and away from the tape is conveniently controlled from the loom dobby 13 or other patterning means in order that it can be moved into and out of contact with the tape T in exact synchronism with the shedding of the warp and the draw cords and can remain in contact with the tape T for a sufficient length of time for the warp and weft yarns which lie between it and the anvil 11 to be fused into, in effect, a homogeneous mass, thus to stiffen the tape at the pleat locations.

When the tape is subsequently pleated the stiffened regions are formed into pleats of well defined form and will retain such form for so long as the tape is held in the drawn-up condition.

If desired, and as a result of the stiffness of the stiffened regions and their ability to retain the shape into which they are formed, it is possible, when curtain is made up with the tape attached, to produce generally flat, or box, pleats simply by applying pressure to the initially formed pleats to flatten them and crease the stiffened regions.

The means for moving the die 12 is conveniently mounted on a cracket 14 fixed to a part 15 of the loom frame.

As shown there is provided a slidable block 16 mounted on the bracket 14 the block being provided with slide bolts 17 extending through a mounting plate 18 for the bracket 16. The bolts 17 are fixed to the block 16 adjacent its corners two of the bolts 17 are provided with a helical spring 19.

Fixed to the bracket 14 is a solenoid body 20 the core of which is fixed to the bracket 14 so that energisation of the solenoid will move the block 14 towards the tape T to press it against the anvil 11. Movement in the opposite sense is caused by the springs 19. Mounted on the block 16 a saddle 21 which retains a carrier 22 for the die 12 which is electrically heated for the purpose of applying fusing heat to the tape T. The saddle is pivotally mounted by means of pivot pin 23 in order that it can tilt relative to the block 16 and thus enable the die 12 to move with the tape as the latter is being taken-up.

The solenoid 20 is energised by means of a switch 24 of the push ON push OFF type and this switch is operated by a dobby lever 25 (see Figure 1). The length of time for which the switch is ON is determined by the spacing of dobby lever push members 26 mounted on the dobby control chain 27.

As an alternative to the tape described above it is possible to produce separate transversely aligned stiffened regions at longitudinal spacing along the tape. To achieve this the single die 12 referred to above may be replaced by a plurality of dies which are conveniently carried on a common die head. In such an arrangement, assuming that three dies are provided, it is possible to stiffen the tape between the tape edges and the draw cords, that is in the selvedge regions of the tape, and also to stiffen the central region of the tape.

By using a composite die of the form referred to it is thus possible by having the separate dies of different lengths, to produce a pleat which is, for example, larger at the top of the pleat than at the bottom.

In a still further modification of the basic form of the invention described above it is possible, using a fusible yarn weft and a group or groups of fusible yarn warp to produce a tape which is stiffened where desired by applying heat to fuse the warp and weft at the regions where there is fusible warp and weft and to use in other regions of the tape warp yarns which are not of a fusible nature.

In contradistinction to the use of fusible yarns in both warp and weft directions as described above it is possible to use fusible warp yarns only. In this form of the invention the fusible warp yarns would preferably be woven into the fabric in groups at transversely spaced-apart intervals across the width of the tape. The fusible yarns would conveniently, though not necessarily, be of larger diameter than the remaining warp yarns and would thus, when subjected to the application of pressure and heat at longitudinally spaced-apart intervals soften and fuse to each other to produce stiffened regions at the pleat locations.In the tape being described it is possible to produce a fan pleating effect by using dies of different lenghts for fusing the yarns at the pleat locations and thus if a die set for fusing the yarns consists of, for example, three die heads in which the intermediate length die is between the longest and shortest die heads the tape when pleated will have a pleat formation in which the width of the pleat decreases transversely across the tape.

In its simplest form a tape provided with fusible warp yarns may have one group only of such yarns in which case a die having a single die head can be used to produce stiffened regions at spaced intervals longidutinally of the tape.

In a still further alternative groups of fusible weft yarns may be provided at spaced intervals along the tape in which case when the yarns of the groups are fused transverse lines of stiffening are formed at the pleat locations. To produce a tape having this construction it is preferable to provide two weft inserting means one of which would introduce the fusible weft yarns and the other the non-fusible weft yarns.

As a further alternative to the forms of tape described above and as indicated by the broken lines 28 in Figures 1 and 2 it is possible to introduce, during weaving of a curtain heading tape, one or more relatively flat, strip-like elements of fusible material which when fused at selected regions will stiffen the tape to enable well defined pleats to be formed.

For example, by weaving a tape with tubes for the draw cords and an additional tube for each strip-like fusible element, a tape is produced which, when selected regions of the fusible element are formed and simultaneously severed from non-fused regions, can be pleated to produce well defined pleats at selected positions along the tape. If it is found that the presence of the non-fused lengths of strip-like fusible material adversely affect the ability of the curtain to 'stack back' it is possible to so shed the fusible material as to have the lengths that are to be fused contained within the tubular weave part of the tape, and the parts which are to remain unfused, outside the tubular weave.In this case when-simultaneous fusing and severing of the fusible material is carried out the unfused regions will simply fall from the tape as waste which, providing the material is correctly chosen, can be collected and reconstituted into continuous lengths for future use. Alternatively if the fusible strip material is wholly contained within tubular weave regions of the tape, fold lines can be formed in the strip between the fused regions by partially or wholly severing the strip material. In a still further alternative strip-like stiffening material may be introduced into receiving tubes or sprockets formed in the tape at least at the intended pleat locations either during or after weaving of the tape the tubes or sprockets being so formed as to retain the stiffening without the need to fuse the stiffening.

While reference has been made above to the incorporation of fusible elements into a tape during weaving, it is possible to locally stiffen a curtain heading tape by the application thereto, after weaving, of stiffening material which may be adhered to the tape either by fusing or by adhesion. The stiffening material may be applied, as will be explained below, in the form of film or in the form of a viscous liquid which will, after application, be cured or dried.

When it is desired to apply stiffening material in the form of a fusible or adhesive film the apparatus referred to above can be used, without modification, if the film is fusible or where the film is adhesive with or without the application of heating current to the die. In the case in which the stiffening is to be applied as a viscous liquid the die would be replaced by an applicator roller and a liquid trough would be fixed to the carrier 22.

For the application of stiffening material in the form of a film which can be fused or adhered to the tape as weaving progresses a supply and takeup means (not shown) for the film is provided together with guide rollers such as those shown at 29. In the case in which the film is of fusible material it is conseniently carried in the form of separate pieces removably secured to a continuous reel of, for example, release paper movable past the die 1 2 in the manner indicated at 28. The reel is arranged to be indexed intermittently adjacent the tape and between it and the die successively to position a piece of the film between the tape and the die.Indexing of the reel and movement of the die is conveniently controlled from the dobby or other patterning means of the loom so that when a piece of the film is to be fused to the tape it is pressed, together with the release paper, onto the tape by movement of the die which causes the film to fuse to the tape and become released from the paper.

'If on the other hand the film is to be adhered to the tape, it will be simply pressed onto the tape by a non-heated die and caused to adhere thereto and become released from the reel of release paper.

Clearly in both of the examples set out above the film or the adhesive layer thereon will be chosen to be compatible with the type of yarn used to weave the tape so that not only will it fuse or adhere firmly thereto but will also be capable of remaining firmly in position when the tape is subjected to finishing processes and to washing or dry cleaning.

The liquid stiffener used may be an air drying or heat curing liquid which, again, will be compatible with the type of yarn used to weave the tape so that its stiffening effect will not be lost during subsequent finishing, washing or dry cleaning the tape.

In the case in which the tape is produced by knitting or crotcheting the timing of the movements of the fusing die, film or liquid applying means can be derived from the patterning means of the machine.

Figure 3 shows an arrangement for use on a needleloom whose heald frame movements are controlled by cams. In this case a fusing die 30 is carried by a cam operated lifting shaft 31 similar to those used for heald control. This shaft 31 however has mounted thereon a bracket 32 which carries the die 30 located below the tape T. An anvil 33 is mounted above the tape. Movement of the lifting shaft 31 towards and away from the tape is controlled by a cam chain selected segments of which (such as segment 34) are shaped to cause shaft movement .

As in the previously described embodiment of the invention a film of fusible material or adhesive material can be used for stiffening the tape as opposed to the use of fusible yarn.

Such a film is indicated by the broken line 35.

While reference has been made above to the stiffening of a curtain heading tape at the pleat locations it should be borne in mind that such a tape can be stiffened at positions between the pleat locations if desired. In this case not only can well defined pleats be formed but also provision is made for stiffening between the pleats so that at the spaces between the pleats the tape will lie flat. Clearly there must be non-stiffened regions of tape between the pleats to provide hinge lines across the tape to enable it to fold and thus, when attached to a curtain, enable the latter to stack back in a pleasing manner.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A curtain heading tape characterised in that stiffened regions are provided in the tape at the pleat locations whereby, when the tape is pleated the stiffening at the pleat locations serves to retain the pleat form produced.

2. The method of producing a curtain heading tape including the steps of producing a fabric of the requisite width, simultaneously forming curtain suspension receiving means and stiffening the tape at least at those positions at which pleats are to be formed.

3. Apparatus for producing a curtain heading tape as claimed in Claim 1 including yarns of fusible material, formations for receiving curtain suspension means and means for drawing the tape into pleated form characterised by the provision of a device operable intermittently in accordance with a programming device of the apparatus to apply a heatable fusing die to the tape to fuse the yarns and thereby create localised longitudinally spaced-apart stiffened regions in the tape at locations at which pleats are to be formed.

4. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 3 for producing a woven curtain heading tape including a loom, the programming device being the loom dobby chain, there being a heatable fusing die located at one side of the tape and opposite to an anvil upon which the tape is pressed during fusing.

5. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 3 for producing a knitted or crotcheted curtain heading tape, the programming device being the machine patterning mechanism there being a heatable fusing die located at one side of the tape and opposite to an anvil upon which the tape is pressed during fusing.

6. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 3 for producing a needleloom fabric curtain heading tape, the programming device being the cam pattern chain of the loom, there being a heatable fusing die located at one side of the tape and opposite to an anvil upon which the tape is pressed during fusing.

7. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 3 in which there is provided a supply means for a carrier having thereon removable fusible elements, an intermittently operable die adapted to press successive removable elements of the carrier onto the tape and cause them to become affixed to the tape at longitudinally spaced-apart positions thereby to create localised stiffened regions in the tape at the positions at which pleates are to be formed.

8. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 3 in which there is provided feed means for at least one continuous fusible strip-like element, said feed means being adapted to cause the strip-like element or elements to be incorporated into the tape during production thereof and to position pre-determined lengths thereof at least at longitudinally spaced-apart positions in the tape, there being an intermittently operable heatable die arranged to apply heat to the lengths of fusible material to fuse same and thus create localised longitudinally spacedapart stiffened regions in the tape at the locations at which pleats are to be formed.

9. Apparatus for producing a curtain heading tape as claimed in Claim 1, including a device operable intermittently in accordance with a programming device to apply adhesive stiffening material to the tape, there being a die movable in such manner as to press the tape, and the adhesive stiffening material against an anvil to cause the stiffening material to adhere to the tape.

10. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 9 in which the programming device is a loom dobby, pattern cam chain, or knitting or crotcheting machine pattern control means.

11. A curtain heading tape whem made substantially as hereinbefore described with

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. but will also be capable of remaining firmly in position when the tape is subjected to finishing processes and to washing or dry cleaning. The liquid stiffener used may be an air drying or heat curing liquid which, again, will be compatible with the type of yarn used to weave the tape so that its stiffening effect will not be lost during subsequent finishing, washing or dry cleaning the tape. In the case in which the tape is produced by knitting or crotcheting the timing of the movements of the fusing die, film or liquid applying means can be derived from the patterning means of the machine. Figure 3 shows an arrangement for use on a needleloom whose heald frame movements are controlled by cams. In this case a fusing die 30 is carried by a cam operated lifting shaft 31 similar to those used for heald control. This shaft 31 however has mounted thereon a bracket 32 which carries the die 30 located below the tape T. An anvil 33 is mounted above the tape. Movement of the lifting shaft 31 towards and away from the tape is controlled by a cam chain selected segments of which (such as segment 34) are shaped to cause shaft movement . As in the previously described embodiment of the invention a film of fusible material or adhesive material can be used for stiffening the tape as opposed to the use of fusible yarn. Such a film is indicated by the broken line 35. While reference has been made above to the stiffening of a curtain heading tape at the pleat locations it should be borne in mind that such a tape can be stiffened at positions between the pleat locations if desired. In this case not only can well defined pleats be formed but also provision is made for stiffening between the pleats so that at the spaces between the pleats the tape will lie flat. Clearly there must be non-stiffened regions of tape between the pleats to provide hinge lines across the tape to enable it to fold and thus, when attached to a curtain, enable the latter to stack back in a pleasing manner. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A curtain heading tape characterised in that stiffened regions are provided in the tape at the pleat locations whereby, when the tape is pleated the stiffening at the pleat locations serves to retain the pleat form produced.

reference to and as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 or Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings.

12. A method of producing a curtain heading tape substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 of Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings.

13. Apparatus for producing a curtain heading tape substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 or Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings.