US2378054A - Seam - Google Patents

Description

June 12, .1945. N.. E. WEEKS, ET AL SEAM Filed Jan. 22, 1944 Patented June 12, 1945 wsEA NomianlE'. Weeks, indianapolisQgfndli andL Kohert* I B. Le Roy, Rutherford; B'emisB'ro; Bag Com poration of Misso'ur'i assignorcjn to,

Application January122, 1944} r SeriaitNoo 195301 This; invention: relates: broadly; to; seams for seamed {articles-1' in general; and 1 with regard: to' certain; more specific featurestoi closure seams 7 class ,describedwhichwili allow said sealing com pound :to" effectnsubstantially complete inter-ply penetration; throughout; the edge regions of l the closure; theeprovision' Ofi'COVBI material for sucha closure seam which: may be applied; in an, ordinary: sewing machine without entailing: mechanicaludimculties; ancltthe provision ofia-sealed scam: in; general: in which" the" sealingmaterialis: reinforced-zthroughout;- Other" objects will be 1m paa'tzzobvions and; in" part: nointedout'hereine after:

The? invention accordingly:- comprises the elements and combinationsaof elements; features'sof construction, and-arrangements; of parts" which Willibfii exemplified in the-structures: hereinafter described; and; the; scoipeof: theapplication of which hes-indicated: in the" following: claims. In the=accompanyingtdrawing;.in whichare i1 lustrated several ioffvarious possible embodiments entire-invention; v I 1 I Figs 1 is a side elevation showing a bag having: double stri-p mouth' and bottom enclosures constituting one-form of the invention; 1

"Fig;- 2 is an enlarged broken-awaydetailedv plan of the upper right-hand co-rnerof Fig; 1';

Fig-r 3 is: a further enlarged vertical: section taken'on li nes 3'3 ofFi'gs.--1 and"2;

Fig. 4 is aview similar'to Fig: 3 showing analternative single-strip embodiment! being taken is shown art-numeral- I a-:five-piygbag. Thesmu'l tiple pliestarer indicated specifically atnumerals: 32" 5; 1, 94am!" llinzEigs; 2rand 3; Each: of these plies constitutes: aztubegv usuallymade of'paper;

. made of 'quite opemomiow count weave.

1301x1 5; (aura-f2 er I bafofininge'seynents; theeends: of r which are to.

- be: closedi Therbottom cendiistclosed before; fillingziandztheistopn enmaiterz filling: The;- problem isotmobtainxazpermanent'rclosuresatathesezorysima ilarf points which:mast:absolutel -swatchtight aspo'ssiblec. prior. forms 015:." seam l3; shown: is satisfactory "and: the 1 invention I does not: refer "to these: It: isz'to'z berunderstood; however; that'fthe' news seanris applicable to longitiidinal 1' locations such as occupied by seams l3 should suclnlocation biecomewdesirablee. That'tis, thewinventionxis not limitedzto'slocations on theeends ofibagsz,

' ltzhassbeen' moposedzrheretofiore tosewran: or dina'rylueshaped papercoveitstirip .ovetthesmouth of: the. bag mi their: to 1 dip-:the-v c'overedi mouthintowwaie: proceduretalone was only-pare tia'llyz efiectivee sincethe?waxxwasrprevented' by the? covers strip ifromicompletetintere ply. -penetra;- tion amb atzy bestv. simply penetrated. somewhat aroundzthe needle eholesathroughi which: the-sewingrthread passed: Wexprovide hereby a=-cover strip; which performs: normal; covering; and,

strengthening-r-fmrctionss but which: also? allows snbsequentzftliorough 1. penetration I by: the: sea-ling materiail'into all parts ofiftlreaseam to effecticompletezinterepiyfpenetratiom I Referring to lligsr 1%3; one=formz of] our-invention: comprisesx a U shape'd 1 cover" strip-- I5 composed-of aninnerrlayen-offlannel I rand- 'an outer layer ctpreferably: starchetr" crinoiihe IS? The lsois zexemplary ofany:relativeiy stifi reticulatedcovering: material havingr' greater strength than theabsorbent: material! Crinoline is a" fabric The U -shaped' fcomriosite cover strip' assembly composedofthe inner ick layeM I and the-outer; open-cover: layer [9 is 5 appliedmnd" closed over the-opem end of the-bag; after which stitching" Z1 is-appl ied throu'gh both sides of the covers'trip' and the contained bag'pIies-or 'layers; In order to improve 'tlie strength} ofthe-stit hing 21" a cushioning-*roving cord 23 'may like applied"= under; the -stitcl'iing-aom one sideoi ltli'e clos'ure assliown', or -ori:='both sides. This cord" is appliedas the seam' isiorm'ed by the sewing machine} It" is tob'es'understood that for plirposes of'theinventionper se, the roving=cord is not "absolutely*neces= sary but it is preferable; 'I'Iieroving-cordshould preferably be of aflufly and=absorbingcharacter: Thus;.. in). addition: to its;cushioningzfimctions it also has thefidesirediabsorbentf functions of." layerrl'hx I After the compositerccver l15i-has b'een stitched" into: place; 'thezentire seamuis'dhaped intoa proofing material such as melted wax. Thea-:waxr-is; preferabiyramorplionss.smthatiaftei 'soiidifyingdt retains a desired flexibility. If a large degree of flexibility is not important, thena crystalline wax may be used. 'A suitable wax is one which is marketed under the trade name of Q 2111, dipping being for a period of the order of six seconds or so at 250 to 260 F. The wax is quite thin when so melted and easily advances by absorption and capillary wick action through the flannel l1 the cover strip, and between all layers adjacent.

to the bag opening. The stitching 2| also becomes surrounded, impregnated both by action of the wax from the outside and from the interleaved position within the layers. The roving cord 23, being also fluffy and absorbent, encourages absorption of wax.

The relatively stiff crinoline element l9 not only has the function of adding strength to the finished closure but it also presents to the presser foot and needle of the sewing machine a surface upon which these may operate better than they do upon a soft, flexible surface such as flannel, particularly when such surfaces are in strip form, as herein. While the starching is desirable, it is not absolutely necessary to the invention.

Some materials are available which. in a single composite strip, provide the desired absorbent, loose, flufiy inside surface and the stronger, stiffer open weave outside surface. forms of wool flannel and cotton fla'nnelette are such materials, illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5, indexed 21. They are not starched. 'They are characterized by an inside flufiy component nap surface shown at 29 and an outside component sur-' face 3i which is not fluffy and. is more like an ordinary woven surface in which, are reticulations 33 between threads. The application of the strip of Figs. 4 and 5 and its function is analogous to that of the two-piece composite strip of Figs. 1-3.

Another useful material for the purpose is terry cloth. This is a woven material having a loopformed' nap on'one side in which the loops are left uncut. Turkish toweling is similar and also useful for the purpose. It has nap on both sides and strong enough to maintain proper alignment in the sewing machine. Fig. 6 illustrates at 35 this type of uncut nap material in general. It is quite absorbent and at the same time allows satisfactory operation of the sewing machine for applying the stitching 2|.

While it is preferred that the cover strip be made entirely of fabric, it may be made in part of fabric and in part of a strong paper or paperlike layer. For example, the inside component may. be of fiuify cloth and the outside component of kraft paper with holes in it for entry of wax, the holes forming the reticulations.

Equivalentsfor the wax are other waterproofers such as asphalt'for example It isto be understood that the invention is applicable to single ply bags in whch case the wax penetrates to opposite sides of the bag and creeps into the mouth areas between sides. It is also applicable to fabric bags and those made of fabric and paper.

It will be noted in the drawings that the ends For example, some,

of the cover strip have been carried beyond the edges of the bag, as indicated at 31. The degree of extension is such as to efiect a thorough end closure.

From the above it will be seen that important features of the invention are the provision of a one-piece or multi-pieee composite cover strip having the combined characteristics of an outer reticulated but relatively smooth surface functioning first to allow proper operation of a sewing machine in applying the stitching 2|, and second to allow free entry to the inside of the strip through-out its entire area of the subsequently applied waterproofer. In addition, the cover has the characteristic inside of being absorbent, fluffy and to function as a wick which will absorb the wax which enters through the reticulation 33 and allow it to progress into position in inter-ply laminar relationship between the bag plies, as well as coating the outside of the bag opening underneath the cover strip. The needle holes'of the stitching are also completely closed because they are reached exteriorly and interiorly by wax from all laminations. In other words, the proofing medium finally functions as a solid matrix in which the fabric acts as a reinforcement.

' The invention is also applicable to seams for other articles but its application to bags and case liners solves a particular problem in that field. Bags or case liners which are otherwise water-' proof and having the new closure seam may be immersed for substantial periods under water.

The principles of the invention are applicable also to seals for use with seams made with flat covering tape, i. e., unfolded and connecting coplanar pieces whether sewn or or not. In this case again, the wick-like action of the tape transfers the wax or sealing material through the tape to the inside of the seams and the sealing material impregnates the tape.

Furthermore, regardless of what type of seam the invention is employed on, the fibrou character of the tape actually reinforces the film of wax or sealing material. This is because the fibres are ramified throughout the mass of sealing material This allows for application of a larger amount of sealing material (wax) without dan-' ger of its cracking and flaking away. In fact this allows of applying a sufficient mass of sealing material, in the case of wax, to present to the outside of the seam almost a solid wax surface which will not flake away.

In view of the above it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

As many changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description, or shown in the accompanying drawing, shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

We claim:

l. A seam for adjacent layers of material to be joined, comprising a U-shaped cover strip covering the edges and adjacent sides of said layers, said cover strip being composed of material which is absorbent with respect to a proofing medium,

stitching passing through the opposite sides ofsaid U-shaped cover strip and said adjacent layers, and proofing medium penetrated throughout said cover strip to and between said layers.

of material which is absorbent with respect to a proofing medium and outside of relatively stiffer reticulated material, stitching passing through the opposite sides of said composite cover strip and said adjacent layers, and proofing medium interpenetrated throughout both components of said cover strip and between said layers.

. 3. A seam comprising adjacent layers to be joined, a U-shaped woven fabric cover strip enclosing the edges of said'layers, said cover strip being composed of a relatively fiuffy inside component which is absorbent to waterproofing material and a relatively stiffer outside component weave presenting reticulation through its weave for passage there-through of said waterproofing material, stitching passing through the sides of the cover strip and the enclosed layers, and waterproofing material impregnating the entire cover strip and lying on and between said enclosed layers throughout the areas enclosed by the cover strip and penetrating the holes caused by the stitching, said components comprising separate elements.

4. A seam comprising adjacentlayers to be joined, a U-shaped woven fabric cover strip en closing the edges of said layers, said cover strip being composed of a relatively fluffy inside component which is absorbent to waterproofing material and a relatively stiffer outside component weave presenting reticulation through'its weave for passage there-through of said waterproofing material, stitching passing through the sides of the cover strip and the enclosed layers, and waterproofing material impregnating the entire ,cover strip and lying on and between said enclosed layers throughout the areas enclosed bythe cover strip and penetrating the holes caused by the stitching, said components comprising a single layer of material.

5. A seam comprising adjacent layers of multiply material to be joined, a composite cover strip enclosing said multi-ply layers, said cover strip being composed of an absorbent inside component and a reticulated outside component, stitching passing through opposite sides of the cgver strip and the enclosedlayers, and a waterproofing material extending through said reticulations of the outside component and impregnating said inside component, and extending into the spaces around the contained layers within the cover strip and into the holes caused by the stitching, said waterproofing material forming a matrix when hardened in which the cover strip forms a reinforce-' ment.

6. A closure seam comprising adjacent multiply paper sides, a. U-shaped fabric cover strip enclosing the edge portions of said sides; said cover strip being composite and comprising a separate inside fluffy absorbent layer and a separate outside relatively smooth layer of low-count weave providing reticulations, stitching passing through the opposite sides of the cover strip and the contained multi-ply paper layers, and waterproofing material impregnating both components of the cover strip and the spaces between the contained multi-ply layers.

'7. A closure seam comprising adjacent multiply layers of paper, a U-shaped composite fabric cover strip enclosing the edge portions of said layers, said composite cover strip comprising an inside flannel component and an outside starched of multi-ply paper, a U-shaped cover strip en- I closing the edges of said paper layers, said cover strip comprising a terry cloth having a nap surface inwardly directed, stitching passing through said cover strip and-the contained paper layers and waterproofing material impregnating the olosure.

9. A closure seam comprising adjacent layers of multi-ply paper, a U-shaped cover strip enclosing the edges of said paper layers, said cover strip comprising turkish-towel material, stitch ing passing through said cover strip and the contained paper layers and'waterproofing material impregnating the closure. Y

10. A closure seam comprising adjacent layers of multi-ply paper, a U-shaped cover strip enclosing the edges of said paper layers, said cover strip comprising a single ply of fabrichaving a relatively smooth but reticulated outside surface and an inwardly directed rougher absorbent surface, stitching passing through said cover strip and the enclosed paper layers, and waterproofing wax impregating the 1 cover strip and located within the ply-formed spaces within it.

11. A seam for adjacently located areas of material, comprising fabric strip portions attached to opposite sides and joining said areas of material, said strip portions being composed'of material which throughout is reticulated and absorbent with respect to a liquid proofing medium, and a liquid proofing medium adapted to solidify and form a matrix and while liquid penetrating throughout said fabric strip portions and extending between said areas said fabric strip portions acting both as wicks for placement of the medium when liquid and as reinforcements therefor when it is solidified as a matrix. v

12. A seam for adjacent areas of material, comprising a strip attached to and joining said areas, said strip having a fluffy, fibrous and absorbent component directly adjacent to said areas and having a less flufiy reticulated layer on its side directed away from said areas, and a proofing medium impregnating said strip, said outside reticulated layer. transmitting the proofing medium to the fluffy layer, and the latter functioning as a, wick, the amount of proofing medium supplied being such as to present a substantially solid mass in which the fibres of the fluffy material act as reinforcements.

13; A seam for adjacent areas of material, comprising a strip attached to and joining said areas, said strip having a fiuffy, fibrous and absorbent component directly adjacent to said areas and having a less fibrous reticulated layer on its side directed away from said areas, and wax impregnating said strip, said outside reticulated layer transmitting the wax'to the fluify, fibrous inner layer, and the latter functioning as a wick for the Wax when melted, the amount of wax supplied being such as to present when solidified a substantially solid mass in which the fibres of the fluffy material act as reinforcements.

NORMAN E. WEEKS. ROBERT E. LE ROY.

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