GB2190882A

GB2190882A - Methods and apparatus suitable for applying a motif to a fabric

Info

Publication number: GB2190882A
Application number: GB08712322A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Thomas Bernard Clark
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1986-05-27
Filing date: 1987-05-26
Publication date: 1987-12-02
Anticipated expiration: 2007-05-26
Also published as: GB8612839D0; GB8712322D0; GB2190882B

Abstract

Pile surfaced motifs e.g. chenille-type motifs with loop pile surface are customarily sewn to garments. In the invention adhesive-coated motifs (28) are pressed to apply heat and pressure to activate the adhesive and adhere the motifs (28) to material (42) by a presser member (19, 40, 32) having a multiplicity of spaced heat-conductive pins (22) which penetrate the pile of the motif (28) without substantial flattening or otherwise damaging the pile. Conveniently the pins (22) are angled so that they fluff the pile of the motif (28) as they are withdrawn. At least one of the presser members (16, 18) is heated for applying adhesive in film form the motifs may be pressed by platens (16, 18) or rolls or for application by a hot-melt adhesive applicator, between the applicator and roll with the pins (22) adjacent the pile. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Methods and apparatus suitable for applying a motif to a fabric This invention relates to methods and apparatus suitable for applying a motif, especially a loop pile motif, to a fabric.

It is common for motifs to be applied to garments by means of a heat-activated adhesive. The motif is provided on a backing having an adhesive coating and is applied to the garmentunder pressure between a pair of platens, at least one of which is heated.

It is not possible, however, to use thistechnique with a pile motif, such as a Chenille type motif with a loop pile. With thistype of motif, the pile would be flattened by the platens and the usual practice is for the motif backing to be sewn onto a garment.

Itwould be advantageous to beableto adherethis type of motif to a garment by means of a heated press and the present invention allows this to be done without flattening the pile or otherwise damaging the motif.

In one aspect the present invention provides a method of adhering together a motif and a further layer in which the further layer comprises adhesive orthe motif comprises an adhesive previously applied to the motif on the side adjacent the layer, in which method pressure is applied to the motif and layer to adhere them together, the pressure being applied by a pair of presser members between which the motif and layer are disposed, the presser memberwhich contacts the motif comprising a multiplicity of spaced elements which engage and penetrate the motif.

From another aspect, the present invention provides a method of adhering a motif to a fabric wherein the motif is carried on a backing carrying a heat-activated adhesive, the method comprising applying heat and pressure to the motif and the fabric with the adhesive adjacent the fabric to adhere the motif to the fabric, the pressure being applied between a pair of platens, the platen which contacts the motif comprising a multiplicity of spaced heat-conductive elements which penetrate the motif.

In the case of a loop pile motif, therefore, the elements penetrate the pile without substantial flattening, or otherwise damaging the pile.

Preferably, sufficient adhesive is provided for the heated adhesive to penetrate the backing and the pile.

A problem with loop pile motifs which are sewn on a fabric, is thatthe motif may come apart, if the pile is snagged. The penetration of the pile by the adhesive seals the pile and avoids this problem.

Also, preferably, the elements are arranged such thattheyfluffthe pile of a motif as the platens are moved apart after adhering a motifto a fabric.

The invention also resides in a press suitable for use in adhering a loop pile motifto a fabric, the press comprising first and second platens, relatively reciprocably movable between operative and inoperative positions, the second platen comprising a base carrying a multiplicity of spaced heat-conductive elements, and means for heating at least one ofthe platens, whereby a motif provided on a backing carrying heat-activated adhesive can be laid on a fabric between the platens and the press operated to adhere the motif to the fabric with the elements engaging and penetrating the pile.

Preferably, the density of the elements on the base is at least 15 per cm2 and most preferably from 25to 55 percm2. In one examplethe density is 35 percm2.

Also preferably, each element has a diameter of 0.025 to 0.075 cm and in the specific example is 0.040 cm.

Each element is advantageously obliquely inclined to the base so as to fluffthe loop pile as the platens are moved apart.

The angle ofthe element to the base is preferably 45" to 85 and, in the specific example, is 65 .

Each element may have an extension which extends through the base and retains the element on the base by the extension extending therethrough at an oblique angle to the base and at an angle to the element, e.g. at 75 to the base.

The base may be made of silicone rubber.

From a different aspect, the invention may reside in a motif assembly comprising a backing, a sheet of thermoplastic material and a loop pile motif provided on the backing and penetrating the thermoplastic sheet so as to secure the latter to the backing, the thermoplastic sheet being heatable to adhere the backing to a fabric under pressure. The sheet may comprise a heat activated material, for example a polyester of polyamide e.g. which melts at 120"C.

One disadvantage ofthis motif assembly is that, although the thermoplastic sheet penetrates the motif to seal it, this part of the sheet does not adhere the backing to the fabric. The backing is secured to the fabric, therefore only by the peripheral margin.

Itwould be advantageous forthe backing to be coated with an adhesive. This permits much cheaper manufacture of the motif assembly and also would permit the adhesive to serve, when heated in a press, both to seal the motif and to adherethewhole backing to the fabric. It is, however, difficult to coat a loop pile motif assembly with adhesive, because, during the coating process, the loop pile tends to be flattened.

The invention may reside in apparatusforcoating a loop pile motif assembly, comprising a motif on a backing, with adhesive, the apparatus including adhesive coating means and a support rollerforthe assembly, whereby pressure is applied to the assembly between the support roller and the adhesive coating means, the roller being provided with a multiplicity of spaced elements which engage and penetrate the pile.

The member may be a roller and the elements may be secured to a cylindrical base, e.g. ofsilicone rubber,inthesame mannerasthe elements are secured to the platen base described previously. The density and diameter ofthe elements may also be the same and the angle of each elementtoatangent to the cylindrical base may be the same astheangle of each element to the platen base.

The coating may be ejected through a nozzle or supplied in sheet form and melted by a hot roller engaged with the support member.

There nowfollows a detailed description of various methods embodying the invention and apparatus embodying the invention especially suitable for use in carrying outthe methods. It will be realised that these methods and apparatus have been selected for description to illustrate invention byway of example.

Reference is now directed to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 shows a method embodying the invention for securing loop stitch to a base material; Figure2 is a method forsecuring loop stitch when a loop stitch motif is to be secured to another material; Figure 3 is a view showing apparatus for adhesive coating a motif on a base material; Figure 4 is a viewoffurther apparatus for applying an adhesive coating to a motif; Figure5isaviewshowing an unsecured loop stitch in a base material; Figure 6shows a method of securing a loop stitch with a base material; Figure 7is a view showing a further method of securing a loop stitch on a base material;; Figure 8 is a view showing apparatus in accordance with the invention for use in carrying out a method of adhering a motifto a fabric embodying the invention; and Figure 9 is a view in section on the line IX-IX of Figure 8.

In Figure 1 is shown a method for securing loop stitch 12 to a base material 10, for use in the manufacture of a loop pile motif. In making the loop pile motif, a loop stitch 12 is stitched through the base 10 and the adhesive thermoplastic film 14 lying on the surface of the base. The assembly is then pressed between two presser members, namely a heated platen 16 and a pin platen 18 which provides a support plate forthe material.The pile surface is placed and supported on the pin platen 18 and heat and pressure is applied by pressing the assembly between the heated platen 16 and the pin platen 18, adhesive film being softened and the adhesive penetrates the backing and pilesufficientlyto ensure that loop stitches 12 are firmly secured to the base material 10 provided by a suitable fabric material. To secure the loop stitches in this way it is not necessary thatthe pin platen 18 be heated. As can be seen from Figure 1 the pin platen comprises a base plate 19 of anysuitable material,forexample of metal, on which the spaced elements, namely pins 22,24 are mounted.Conveniently the pins have an extension which extends through a support sheet e.g. a silicone rubber sheet 20, the sheet 20 conveniently being adhered to the base plate 19 by a suitable adhesive. As can be seen from Figure 1 the pin platen 18 in this method maycomprise inclined pins 22, or alternatively, straight pins 24 which project perpendicularly from the sheet 20. The pins 22 tend tofluffthe loop pile ofthe loop pile materialwhenthe platens 16, 18 of the press are moved apart. In securing the loop pile bythe method shown in Figure 1, the adhesive film 14may be an unsupported sheet of thermoplastic adhesive material, or alternatively, may be provided by any material coated with a suitable heat activated material.

In the method of secu ring loop stitches 12 as shown in Figure 2, a press similarto that used inthe method shown in Figure 1 is used, comprising a heatedupperplaten l6andalowersupport,pin platen 18 againstwhich the loop pile surface of a loop pile fabric is placed. Athermoplastic adhesive film 26 is laid overthe upper surface ofthe loop stitches 12 stitched to the base material 10. This adhesive film 26 has the dual purpose of both penetrating the loop stitches 12 and base material 10 thustosecuretheloopstitches 12 and alsoto provide (when the thermoplastic adhesive film 26 is sufficiently fixed) an adhesive coating to secure the loop pile motif to a further material, for example the fabric of a garment.The adhesive film 26 is adhered to the motif comprising the base material and loop stitches 12 by heat and pressure applied between the heated platen 16 and the support, pin platen 18, the pins ofwhich penetrate between the loops of the loop pile without substantial flattening or otherwise damaging the pile. Again, in the method of Figure 2, the adhesive film 26 may be provided by an unsupported film of a suitable thermoplastic adhesive material or by a suitable flexible material coated on both sides with the thermoplastic adhesive material.

In both ofthe methods shown in Figures 1 and 2 any suitable heat activated adhesive material may be used: suitable heat activated adhesive materials include polyesterand polyamidefilm adhesive materials.

In Figure3 is shown an apparatusforcoating a loop pile motif assembly with adhesive, both to secure the loop stitches 12 to a base material 10 and to provide an adhesive coating by which the loop pile motif assembly 28may be adhered to afurther material for example the fabric of the garment. Loop pile motif assemblies 28 are provided in strip form carried by the base material 10 and pass between a heated upper pressure roller 30 and a lower pin roller 32 which rotate in the operation of the apparatus in the direction indicated by the arrows on the drawing.

Pin roller 32 projects through an opening in a supporttable 36 by which the strip is supported and on which the strip slides as it is fed through the apparatus. Using the apparatus shown in Figure 3 to apply an adhesive (which again may be of any suitable material,forexample, polyesteror polyamidethermoplastics heat activated adhesive material)the adhesive film 34is intheform ofa layer of adhesive material supported on a release paper backing and is supplied from a reel 35 to the stripto which the adhesive is to be applied with the adhesive coated surface of the film on release paper 34 adjacent the upper surface of the strip. The strip with the film 34 on its upper surface is then passed between the rollers 30,32 by which the film 34 and strip are pressed together, in a further method embodying the invention, so that the adhesive ofthe film 34 penetrates the loop stitches 12 and the base material 10 to firmly secure the loop stitches 12 to the base material 10 and to provide a coating of heat activated adhesive on the face ofthe loop pile motif opposite the loop pile, by which the motif can be attached to a garment fabric. For use the release paper is stripped off the adhesive film. The pin roller 32 comprises spaced elements, namely pins 22 which may be mounted in a cylindrical sheet of silicone rubber in a mannersimilartothewayin which the pins 22,24 are mounted on the platen 18 shown in Figure 1.Again, each pin may be angled to a tangent to the cylindrical surface ofthe silicone sheet or may be perpendicular to the tangent. In either event, the pins penetrate the loop pile ofthe motif and supportthe strip comprising the loop pile motifassemblies, without substantial flattening or otherwise damaging the pile.

In Figure 4 a further method and apparatusfor applying an adhesive film to loop pile motif assemblies 28 is shown. The loop pile motif assemblies 28 are supplied in strip form as in the case of Figure 3 and supported on a supporttable36 and support pin roller 32 in the same manner as the strip is supported in the method and apparatus of Figure 3. However, instead of a heated upper roller, the apparatus shown in Figure 4 comprises a hot melt adhesive applicator 38 which is pressed against the upper surface of the strip comprising the loop pile assemblies on the pin roller32.A layer of hot melt adhesive is applied to the upper surface of the strip, penetrating loop stitches 12 and the base material lOthus to firmly secure the loop stitches 12 in place, and providing a coating of adhesive on the surface opposite the loop pile of the loop pile assemblies 28 by which the assemblies 28 may be adhered to a garment fabric. The pressure with which the applicator 38 is urged towards the pin roller 32 determines the thickness of the adhesive film applied tothe upper surface of the strip.

In Figure 5 is shown a pile motif 28 produced in unsecured loop stitch 12 on a suitable base material 10, the motif 28 being the type of motif to which an adhesive film is to be applied to secure the loop stitches 12 buy a method as described previouslywith reference to one of Figures 1 to 4. The loop pile motif 28 is in the form of so-called chenille embroidery or cornelly embroidery. As hereinbefore described, the loop stitches 12may be secured by an adhesive film between the base material 10 and lower part ofthe loop stitch 12 as shown in Figure 6: any suitable adhesive resin-based material, for example polyesteror polyamide may be used to providethe adhesive film 14.

Figure 7 shows a loop pile motif 28 and an adhesive film 26 which has been applied to the lower part of the loop stitch 12 to penetrate the loop stitch and the base material 10 to secure to stitch 12 buy a method as described with reference to Figure 2.

Loop pile motifs, to which a suitable adhesive coating has been applied, either by direct application ofthefilm 26 by the method described with reference to Figures 2,3 or4 and as shown in Figure 7 or by separate application of an adhesive to a material in which the loop stitch 12 has already been secured by stitching through a thermoplasticfilm as described with reference to Figure 1, may be adhered to a material to which it is wished to applythe motif using a method and apparatus according to the invention.

A motif 28 which has been cut from a strip of motifs is positioned at a desired position on a material 42 to which it is wished to attach the motif, for example garment material 42. The garment material 42 carrying the motif 28 on its upper surface at a desired position is placed on the lower heated platen 16 of a suitable press and the motif is pressed against the material 42 by a movable, heated top platen 40which is lowered to press the motif 28 firmly against the material 42 supported by the heated lower platen 16.

The surface of the platen 40 which engages the upper, loop pile surface of the motif 28 comprises a plurality of spaced elements, namely pins 22 which engage and penetrate the pile without substantial flattening or otherwise damaging the pile provided by the loop stitches 12. The construction of the upper, heated platen 40 is similarto that of the lower platen in the apparatus shown in Figure 1, namely it comprises a base plate 19which is rigid and suitably made of heat conductive metal and a silicone rubber sheet 20 in which the angled pins 22 are secured, the sheet 20 being secured to the surface of the base plate 19 by suitable adhesive.As can be seen in Figure 9, the pins 22 are provided by U-shaped, staple-like members in which two adjacent pins connected at their upper ends are formed from a single piece of metal, the upperends ofthe pins being connected by a transverse piece of metal which is sandwiched between the silicone rubber sheet 20 and the base plate 19 which is heated. Heat is thus transmitted from the base plate 19through the piece of metal 21 to the pins 22, although in Figure 8 in the illustrative method the upper platen 40 may not need to be heated where the garment material 42 isverythin.The pins, when withdrawn from the pressed motif now adhered to the garment material 42 fluffthe pile ofthe motif 28.

Any convenient form of heating may be used to heat the platens 16,40 in apparatus in accordance with the invention.

In carrying outthe various methods described with reference to Figures 1 to 9, a loop pile motif 28 and a further layer are adhered together withoutflattening the loop pile or otherwise damaging the motif 28.

Claims

1. Amethod of adhering together a motifanda further layer in which the further layer comprises an adhesive or the motif comprises an adhesive previously applied to the motif on the side adjacent the layer, in which method pressure is applied to the motif and layer to adhere them together, the pressure being applied by a pair of presser members between which the motif and layer are disposed, the presser memberwhich contacts the motif comprising a multiplicity of spaced elements which engage and penetrate the motif.

2. A method according to Claim 1 wherein the motif comprises a pile fabric and the spaced elements are arranged to engage and penetrate the pile.

3. A method according to Claim 2 wherein the spaced elements are arranged to fluffthe pile of the motif as they are withdrawn from the pile after adhering the motif and layerto one another.

4. A method according to Claim 3wherein at least at part of each element is obliquely inclined to a base on which they are mounted so as to fluffthe pile as the elements are withdrawn.

5. A method according to Claim 4wherein the angle of each element to a base on which the elements are mounted is from 45" to 85 .

6. A method according to any one ofthe preceding claims wherein the density of the elements on the presser member is at least 15 per cm2.

7. A method according to Claim 6 wherein the density ofthe elements in the presser member is from 25 to 55 per cm2.

8. A method according to any one of the preceding claims wherein each element has a diameter of from 0.025 cm to 0.075 cm.

9. A method according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the adhesive is a heat-activated adhesive and the spaced elements are heat conductive.

10. A method according to any one of the preceding claims of adhering a motif to a fabric wherein the motif has a heat-activated adhesive backing, the method comprising pressing the motif and the fabric between a pair of platens to adhere the motifto the fabric, the platen which contacts the motif comprising a multiplicity of spaced heat-conductive elements which engage and penetrate the motif.

11. A method according to any one of Claims 1 to 8 wherein the layer is a layer of adhesive, to be coated onto a loop pile motif assembly comprising a motif on a backing, the method comprising supporting the motif assembly on a first presser member provided with a multiplicity of spaced elements which engage and penetrate the pile and coating the motif with adhesive, wherein the second presser member is provided by adhesive coating means.

12. A method according to Claim 11 wherein the first presser member comprises a roller.

13. A method according to eitherone of Claims 11 and 12 wherein the adhesive coating means comprises a nozzle.

14. A method according to eitherone of Claims 11 and 12 wherein the adhesive coating means comprises a hot roller and the adhesive is supplied in sheetform melted by the roller.

15. A method of adhering a motif to a fabric wherein the motif is carried on a backing carrying a heat-activated adhesive backing, the method comprising applying heat and pressure to the motif and the fabric with the adhesive adjacent the fabric to adhere the motif to the fabric, the pressure being applied between a pair of platens, the platen which contacts the motif comprising a multiplicity of spaced heat-conductive elements which penetrate the motif.

16. Amethod according to Claim 15whereinthe elements are arranged to fluffthe pile of a motif as the platens are moved apart.

17. A method according to either one of Claims 2, 15 and 16 wherein the motif is a loop pile motif carried on a backing and the adhesive penetrates the backing and the pile.

18. A press suitable for use in adhering a loop pile motifto a fabric, the press comprising first and second platens, relatively reciprocably movable between operative and inoperative positions, the second platen comprising a base carrying a multiplicity of spaced heat-conductive elements, and means for heating at least one ofthe platens, whereby a motif provided on a backing carrying heat-activated adhesive can be laid on a fabric between the platens and the press operated to adhere the motif to the fabric with the elements engaging and penetrating the pile.

19. Amethod accordingto Claim 18whereinthe density of elements on the base is at least 15 per cm2.

20. A press according to either one of Claims 18 and 19 wherein the angle of the elements to the base is from 45" to 85 .

21. A press according to any one of Claims 18to 20 wherein each element has a diameter offrom 0.025 cm to 0.075 cm.

22. A press according to any one of Claims 18to 21 wherein the base is silicone rubber.

23. A motif assembly comprising a backing, a sheet of thermoplastic material and a loop pile motif provided on the backing and penetrating the thermoplastic sheet so as to secure the latter to the backing, the thermoplastic sheet being heatable to adhere the backing to a fabric under pressure.

24. A motif assembly according to Claim 23 wherein the sheet comprises a heat-activated polyamide.

25. A motif assembly according to either one of Claims 23 and 24 wherein the loop stitches ofthe motif are secured to the backing by adhesive.

26. Apparatusforcoating a loop pile motif assembly, comprising a motif on a backing,with adhesive, the apparatus including adhesive coating means and a support rollerforthe assembly, whereby pressure is applied to the assembly between the support member and the adhesive coating means, the member being provided with a multiplicity of spaced elements which engage and penetrate the pile.

27. Apparatus according to Claim 26 wherein the support member is a roller.

28. Apparatus according to Claim 27 wherein the adhesive coating means comprises a roller which is adapted to be heated by which adhesive supplied in sheet form may be melted and applied to the motif assembly.

29. A method of adhering a motifto a fabric substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 8 ofthe accompanying drawings.

30. A method of adhesive coating a loop pile motif assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure3 ofthe accompanying drawings.

31. A method of adhesive coating a loop pile motif assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure4ofthe accompanying drawings.

32. A method of secu ring the stitches of a loop pile motif substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 1.

33. A method of securing the stitches of a loop pile motif substantially as hereinbefore described with referenceto Figure 2.