GB2082974A

GB2082974A - Application of Motifs to Fabrics

Info

Publication number: GB2082974A
Application number: GB8028132A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1980-09-01
Filing date: 1980-09-01
Publication date: 1982-03-17
Also published as: GB2082974B

Abstract

A press (10) has a stationary platen (12) and a movable platen (14). A guide frame (18) has a framework (20) over which a sheet (22) of cuttable material is stretched. A cut- out (24) is formed in the sheet by means of a die (26) of corresponding shape which is cut from a sheet of heat-conductive material to enable the application of motifs to fabrics to be effected. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Application of Motifs to Fabrics This invention relates to a method and apparatus for applying motifs to fabrics. It is particularly concerned with the application of motifs by means of heat and pressure to "difficult" fabrics, such as pile fabrics (e.g.

velvets) and/or fabrics which are sensitive to heat (e.g. acrylics and other man-made fabrics).

According to the method of the invention, applications of a fusible motif to a fabric comprises the steps of: locating the motif on the fabric; and applying heat and pressure for a predetermined time to substantially the whole area of themotif and substantially none of the surrounding fabric, the heat and pressure being sufficient to cause bonding of the motif to the fabric.

In another aspect the invention provides apparatus for applying a fusible motif to a fabric comprising: a press having two relatively movable platens on one of which a said fabric is mountable; a die of substantially the same shape and size as a said motif to be applied, the die being secured or securable to one of the platens; means for heating a die when so secured; and means for locating a motif so that movement together of said platens with the die in place urges the die against the motif in register therewith, and thus urges the motif against the fabric.

By a "fusible motif" herein is meant a motif which is capable of attachment to a fabric by means of heat and pressure. It may be wholly meltable, or may be for example an embroiderylike motif having threads of meltable adhesive on its underside.

The means for locating the motif may employ, for example, pin-point lights. A preferred means, however, uses a web intermediate the platens, which web is provided with a motif-shaped aperture in which the motif is locatable.

The press may be for example any machine having two pressing members, one or both of which are heatable, and which are urgeable together for a predetermined time to provide a substantially uniform pressure.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus embodying the invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of a guide frame for use with the apparatus of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a plan view of a guide frame with a cut-out; Figures 4a and 4b are plan and elevation views of a die; and Figure 5 shows a motif to be applied by the apparatus.

As seen in Figure 1 the apparatus comprises a press 10 which may be of conventional form, and which has a stationary lower platen 12 and a movable upper platen 14. The platens are connected via over-centring hinge means 1 6 which act to retain the upper platen 1 4 selectively in either the "open" configuration shown, or a "closed" configuration in which it is urged against the lower platen 1 2.

Referring now to Figure 2, a guide frame 18 has a rigid outer rectangular framework 20, e.g. of metal, over which a sheet 22 of cuttable material is stretched. This is preferably tough and heatresistant; a fibreglass substrate with a polytetrafluoroethene coat has been found useful.

The frame 1 8 is hinged (via hinge arms 19) to the press 10 between the platens thereof, so as to be movable together with, or separately from, the upper platen 14. A cut-out is formed in the sheet 22 by a method to be described later on.

The frame shown in Figures 1 and 3 has a cutout 24 in the sheet 22, corresponding in shape to a die 26. The shape of the die 26 corresponds more-or-less to the shape of the motif 28 to be applied. (The die 26 is generally slightly larger, and may follow only approximately the outline of an intricate motif). The motif 28 seen in Figure 5 has on its upper face a transparent backing sheet 30. Its lower face (not visible) has adhesion means in the form of fusible threads.

If it is desired to use the apparatus to apply motifs 28, a die 26 of corresponding shape is cut from a sheet of heat-conductive material (generally metallic). The guide frame is lowered onto the lower platen 12 (as seen in Figure 1).

The die 26 is placed on the sheet 22, and used as a stencil to make a cut-out 24. An adhesive is applied to the upper surface of the die 24, and the upper platen 14 is lowered to contact it. The die 26 becomes attached to the platen 14, which can then be raised, together with the guide frame 1 8.

A piece of fabric which is to be decorated is placed on the lower platen 12, and the guide frame 1 8 is lowered. A motif 28 is located on the fabric through the cut-out 24, with its backing paper 30 overlying the frame 18. The die 26 is heated (generally by conduction from the upper platen, which may be electrically heated). The upper platen and die are lowered so that heat and pressure are applied to the area of the motif, which is thereby attached to the fabric (by fusion of the said fusible threads). After an appropriate time (typically a few seconds) the upper platen, die and guide frame are raised together and the decorated piece of fabric is removed.A new piece of fabric is placed on the lower platen 12, the guide frame 1 8 is lowered, and a new motif is put in place (the backing paper 30 from the previous motif having been removed). The positioning of the motif is quick and easy by virtue of the cut-out 24, especially if the backing paper 30 (if present) is transparent. As a further aid the border of the cut-out may be marked with a contrasting marker, e.g. white paint.

Since heat and pressure are applied virtually only to the region of the motif, there is much less risk of damage to pressure-on heat-sensitive fabrics than if the entire platens were pressed together.

For some uses and types of motif it may be preferred to have both platens heated. It is still possible to process quite heat-sensitive fabrics, since the potentially damaging combination of heat and pressure is restricted to the die area.

When a new shape of motif is to be attached, a new die 26 and guide frame cut-out 24 are generally required. A new uncut sheet 22 may be put on the framework 20 of the frame 18.

Alternatively, for economy the sheet 22 may have a central hole of greater extent than the motifs to be applied. A replaceable centre portion is then detachably secured to the sheet, e.g. by bonding, so as to cover the hole. The cut-out for a desired motif is then formed in the centre portion as described above. When a different motif is to be applied it will generally be necessary to remove the old centre portion and attach a new, uncut one.

In a second preferred form of the invention, the die 26 is secured to the lower platen 12. The material to be decorated is laid over it, and the guide frame 1 8 is lowered. A motif is placed in the cut-out (which may be formed by a method analogous to that described above), and the upper platen is pressed down. Thus the motif and the portion of the material to which it is to be applied are urged together by being squeezed between the die (which is heated) and the upper platen.

Claims

1. A method of applying a fusible motif to a fabric comprising the steps of: (a) locating the motif on the fabric; and (b) applying heat and pressure for a predetermined time to substantially the whole area of the motif and substantially none of the surrounding fabric, the heat and pressure being sufficient to cause bonding of the motif to the fabric.

2. Apparatus for applying a fusible motif to a fabric comprising: a press having two relatively movable platens on one of which a said fabric is mountable; a die of substantially the same shape and size as a said motif to be applied, the die being secured or securable to one of the platens; means for heating a die when so secured; and means for locating a motif so that movement together of said platens with the die in place urges the die against the motif in register therewith, and thus urges the motif against the fabric.

3. Apparatus according to Claim 2, wherein the means for locating the motif employs pin point lights.

4. Apparatus according to Claim 2, wherein the means for locating the motif uses a web intermediate the platens, which web is provided with a motif-shaped aperture in which the motif is locatable.

5. Apparatus according to reaim 2, wherein the press comprises two pressing members, one or both of which are heatable, said members being urgeable together for a predetermined time to provide a substantially uniform pressure.

6. A method of applying a fusible motif to a fabric substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

7. Apparatus for applying a fusible motif to a fabric constructed substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawing.