GB2233270A

GB2233270A - A die

Info

Publication number: GB2233270A
Application number: GB8914914A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Hoi-Sing Wong
Original assignee: Tal Apparel Ltd
Current assignee: Tal Apparel Ltd
Priority date: 1989-06-29
Filing date: 1989-06-29
Publication date: 1991-01-09
Anticipated expiration: 2009-06-29
Also published as: GB2233270B; GB8914914D0

Abstract

A method for producing a cut piece of woven or knitted fabric in a desired shape using a die comprising at least one serrated sharp edge, forming the outline of the desired shape such that the cut piece of woven or knitted fabric is produced with a correspondingly profiled edge which reduces the tendency of the fabric to fray. The die is placed on the fabric, serrated edge downwards and is subjected to a blow or other pressure. <IMAGE>

Description

A DIE: This invention relates to a method for producing a piece of material having a desired shape using a die.

Dies are, among other things, used to impart a desired shape, form or finish to a material, such as a clothing or furnishing fabric. The dies used to impart a desired shape to a material are conveniently constructed with the same shape as that desired to be imparted to the material.

Conventionally a sharp edge in the form of a straight blade is mounted along the periphery of the die such that pressure or a blow will cause the die to cut the material to the required shape.

A die has the advantage that it does not require a skilled worker to use it, and large quantities of cut pieces can be produced with little or no variation in shape between pieces.

A problem with conventional dies is, however, that when the material is a woven or knitted fabric the edges of the cut pieces of material have a tendency to fray.

It has been proposed to use pinking scissors to cut the fabric.

Pinking scissors are versatile and reduce fraying. However, pinking scissors have the disadvantage that they need skilled workers to use them, they cannot produce cut pieces of fabric in large quantities and are therefore unsuitable for use in mass production. Also, the shape of the cut pieces may vary.

The present invention seeks to provide a method of producing a piece of fabric of desired shape using a die, and therefore having the advantages associated with dies, but which reduces the tendency of cut pieces of fabric to fray.

According to the present invention, there is provided a method for producing a cut piece of woven or knitted fabric in a desired shape wherein the fabric is cut with a die comprising at least one serrated sharp edge forming the outline of the desired shape such that the cut piece of woven or knitted fabric is produced with a profiled edge.

Preferred features and embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a conventional die; and Figure 2 shows a die according to one embodiment of the present invention.

A die 1 for cutting a desired shape from a woven or knitted fabric is constructed as a hollow body 2, the periphery of which forms the outline of the shape desired to be cut. According to the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, the desired shape is approximately rectangular, but, both of the long sides 4 are slightly concave and each of the short sides 5 diverge slightly from each other. However, it will be appreciated that the die may take any desired shape according to the shape required to be cut.

A sharp edge 8, in the form of a blade 9 or a series of blades, is mounted along the peripheral edge 6 of the die 1 such that the sharp edge 8 follows the outline of the desired shape.

Four spacing rods 7 are spaced along the length of the die towards the opposite end of the die 1 to where the sharp edge 8 is mounted. The rods 7 help to give rigidity to the hollow body 2 of the die 1 and may, where appropriate, also facilitate use of the die 1 by acting as a handle.

According to the present invention as shown in Figure 2, the sharp edge 8 is serrated, as in pinking scissors. Preferably the spacing between the teeth 11 of the serrated sharp edge 8, is in the range of 3mm to 5mm.

According to the illustrated embodiment the sharp edge 8 is in the form of four serrated blades 10 which are formed so as to correspond to each of the four sides of the peripheral edge 6 of the die 1 upon which the blades 10 are mounted.

The serrated blades have the effect of producing a cutting result similar to that produced by pinking scissors, and since the serrated sharp edge 8 follows the outline of the desired shape cut pieces of fabric having profiled edges according to the desired shape are produced. The profiled edges produced by the serrated sharp edge 8 prevent the yarns of the cut pieces of fabric from fraying. The production of these profiled edges when using the die 1 advantageously eliminates the need for the usual separate process of neatening the edges of the cut material to prevent fraying, and therefore facilitates the use of these cut pieces of fabric in the manufacture of an end product and also makes this process more economic.

In operation, the die 1 is placed with the serrated blade 10 downwards on the material to be cut. A blow or otherwise applied pressure (e.g. with a press) on the die 1 will cause the serrated blades 10 to cut the fabric to the desired shape, while producing profiled edges which reduce fraying.

The die could, of course, simply comprise a sharp edge, forming the outline of the desired shape, not mounted on a main body.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A method for producing a cut piece of woven or knitted fabric in a desired shape wherein the fabric is cut with a die comprising at least one serrated sharp edge forming the outline of the desired shape such that the cut piece of woven or knitted fabric is produced with a profiled edge.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the die has a main body the outline of which corresponds to the desired shape and the serrated sharp edge is mounted along the peripheral edge of the die.

3. A method according to either of claims 1 and 2 wherein a serrated sharp edge corresponds to each side of said peripheral edge.

4. A method according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the serrated sharp edge is in the form of a cutting blade.

5. A method according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the main body of the die is in the form of a hollow body.

6. A method according to claim 5 wherein a plurality of spacing rods are located within the hollow body of the die.

7. A die for cutting a piece of woven or knitted fabric in a desired shape which comprises at least one serrated sharp edge forming the outline of the desired shape such that the cut piece of woven or knitted fabric has a profiled edge.

8. Use of a die in a method according to any one of claims 1 to 6 for cutting a piece of woven or knitted fabric to a desired shape.

9. A method substantially as described herein with reference to Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings.

10. A die substantially as described herein with reference to Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings.

11. Use of a die substantially as described herein with reference to Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings.