US2742204A

US2742204A - Method and apparatus for sizing and marking fabric

Info

Publication number: US2742204A
Application number: US466594A
Authority: US
Inventors: Kruglick Harry
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1954-11-03
Filing date: 1954-11-03
Publication date: 1956-04-17
Anticipated expiration: 1973-04-17

Description

H KRUGLICK April 17, 1956 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SIZING AND MARKING FABRIC 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 3, 1954 lN VEN TOR: Harry Krug/ick BMMM 24 A TTOR/VEY METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SIZING AND MARKING FABRIC Filed Nov. 5, 1954 H. KRUGLICK April 17, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Figure mmmm Figure 7 //v VENTOR: By Harry Krugl/ck A TTORNEY United States Patent METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR slzlNor AN A MARKING FABRIC Harry Kruglick, Chicago, Ill. Application November :4, 1954, Serial No. 466,594

8 Claims. (Cl. 223-1 t This invention relates to a novel method and apparatus 1 fabric of the desired length and straight or even across the bottom edge. When laid flat on a surface, the fabric extends beyond the reach of one person and, therefore, usually requires at least two people to handle the fabric for sizing and marking. Furthermore, any foreign matter under the fabric will bulge the fabric and interfere with the marking, thereby resulting in an uneven hem. This difliculty is accentuated when working with pleated or shirred fabricbecause pressure generally is applied to the fabric in order to lay it evenly on a flat surface and this, in turn, spreads out the fabric and results in uneven edges. It is apparent that uneven draperies or curtains, for example, vare unsightly and will not be accepted by the customer.

In accordance with the present invention, bulky fabric is handled easily, sized accurately and finished with a straight hem. Briefly the invention comprises completing the top edge of the fabric as desired, suspending the fabric in a vertical position on a roller mechanism which permits the fabric to be moved readily about the room, moving the fabric to a position behind a marking plate having at least one horizontal row of small openings therein, spraying a marking medium through said openings to thereby mark the fabric at the desired point or points, subsequently cutting and/or folding the fabric at the marked point or points, and sewing or otherwise com- I pleting the hem.

sections for receiving the folds of the fabric positioned behind the marking plate, and the overall framework for supporting the apparatus. a v

Figure 2 is a side view taken along lines 2-2 of Figure 1, and illustrates the method of pivotally supporting the markingplate to the framework. U

Figure 3 is a side view taken along lines 3-3 of Fig ure 1, and illustrates the method of attaching the marking plate to the supporting'arms, as well as illustrating the roller mechanism for raising and lowering the marking plate.

Figure 4 is an enlarged view taken along lines 44 of Figure 3, and illustrates further details of the marking plate attached to the supporting arms.

Figure 5 is an enlarged plan view of the marking plate and illustrates the openings therein.

"ice trates the curved railing near the ceiling and the fabric positioned behind the sizing and marking apparatus.

Figure 7 is an enlarged detail illustrating one method of supporting the fabric in a vertical position on a roller mechanism. s

In theinterest of simplicity, like parts in the various figures'will be assigned identical numbers.

Referringto Figure 1 of the drawings, numeral 1 represents a framework which, in turn, may. be attached to the ceiling, top molding or other suitable structure indicated at 2. Framework 1 may be made of wood, metal or any other suitable material. Attached to the top of the framework at two points as illustrated are supporting arms 3. Both supporting arms 3 generally will be of the same construction and may be made of wood, metal or any other suitable material or mixtures thereof. The supporting arms are pivotally attached at the top of framework 1 in any suitable manner. trated, as also shown in Figure 2, round bar or pipe 4 pivots within bearing 5 which, in turn, is attachedby screws, bolts or the like 6 to block 7 and top framework 1. Supporting arms 3 are attached to bar 4 by means of U-bends 8. Also attached at the top of framework 1 is a pulley arrangement for raising and lowering the marking plate in the manner to be hereinafter described.

Each of. the supporting arms 3 has a ruler 9 extending downwardly along the outer edge. The rulers are so positioned that the top thereof correspond to the top of the fabric so that the length of the fabric may be measured readily and the marking plate set at the desired position. Also attached to each of the supporting arms 3 is channel bar 10, as also illustrated in Figures 3 and 4. Referring particularly to Figure 4, it will be noted that channel bar 10. is attached by means of screws, bolts or the like 11 through grooved member 12 to supporting arm 3. Channel bar 10 contains openings 13, through which a pin may be inserted and the marking plate held in position in the manner to be hereinafter described. The openings in channel bar 10 are uniformly spaced and may be at any desired distance from each other, usually /2" or 1" apart, depending upon the particular variations in lengths encountered in the sizing operations.

Referring again to Figures 3 and 4, a plurality of roller arrangements 14 are attached by means of screws, bolts or the like 15 through block 16 to channel bar 10. In the case here illustrated, marking plate 17 is firmly attached by means of screws, bolts or the like 18 to block 16 and thus the block and marking plate may be raised and lowered as desired. However, in the particular construction illustrated in the drawing, comparatively small variations in markings are encountered and the provisions as shown are sufficient. When greater variations are encountered, block 16 may be made shorter or, if desired, marking plate 17 may be connected directly to the rollers in any suitable manner. I i

. explained, spring 19 is positioned on screw, bolt or the like 18.

Figure 6 isa plan view of a portion of a room and illus- Marking plate 17 preferablyis made of plastic, although it may be made of glass, wood, metal, etc. In the case here illustrated, the marking plate is comparatively large and therefore advantageously is made of light weight material to facilitate handling the same. As shown, angle bar 20 is firmly attached to marking plate 17 across the top thereof by means of screws, bolts or the like 18 and 21. Angle bar 20 servesas a base or support for attaching pulley rollers 22 which areconnected as illustrated through plate 23 and angle piece 23' by screws, bolts or the like 24. Riding on rollers 22 are pulley ropes 25, which pass through rollers 26 at the top of framework 1 and through roller 27, whereby the ropes hang loosely in the center and may be pulled by the operator to raise the marking plate. Angle bar 28 In the case here illus-' For reasons to be hereinafter is firmly attached to marking plate 17 at the lower edge thereof by means of screws, bolts or the like 29. This angle bar is optional but it serves to collect excess marking medium and avoids drippings or droppings on the floor.

In operation, marking plate 17 is raised or lowered to the desired height by means of pulley ropes 25 and is held in position by inserting pins 30 through corresponding openings 13 as measured by rulers 9 on each side of the marking plate. The marking plate is provided with openings 31, preferably flared, as also illustrated in Figure 5. Openings 31 are positioned as horizontal rows so that a marking medium may be sprayed or otherwise passed therethrough to mark one or more broken lines straight across the fabric. The exact number of rows of openings will depend upon the particular markings desired andmay comprise from one to any desired number. The exact spacing of the rows also will depend upon the particular markings desired. In the case here illustrated, the top and bottom rows are spaced 4" away from the next row and the three center rows are spaced 2" apart. This permits great flexibility in marking as will be explained hereinafter.

As illustrated in Figures 1 and 6, vertical slats 32 are provided behind marking plate 17. The slats serve to provide recesses for use when sizing and marking pleated fabric to receive the folds of the fabric and thus provide a straight surface for marking. Slats 32 are attached to horizontal supports 33 by nails, screws, bolts or the like 34. The horizontal supports in turn are attached to and supported by'framework 1. It is understood that a corrugated structure or any other suitable method of providing recesses for the folds in the fabric may be employed.

Figure 6 is a plan view of a section of a room, factory, etc. and illustrates railing 35 circumventing all or a portion of the room, factory, etc. and passing behind the sizing and marking apparatus. In the case here illus' trated, pleated drapery 36 is positioned behind marking plate 17 and in front of slats 32, the folds of the drapery fitting into the recesses between the slats and providing a flat surface for marking- It will be noted that the drapery, after sizing and marking, may be pulled along railing 35 away from the marking area to any desired location and there the hem may be finished while the drapery is still hanging. This simplifies handling of the bulky fabric and considerably speeds up the finishing operation.

' Referring to Figure 7, railing or channel bar 35, which may be similar to channel bar 10, is supported through grooved member 38, by means of screws, bolts or the like 39, to framework 1 and ceiling, top molding or the like 2. Roller arrangement 40 may be similar to roller arrangement 14 but, in this case, loop 4-1 is attached for supporting hook 42 which, in turn, is removably attached to drapery 36.

In operation, the top hem of the fabric to be sized and marked is completed and the fabric then is fastened through removable hooks 42 onto rollers 40. The rollers ride in railing 35 and the fabric is rolled in back of marking plate 17 with the back-side of the fabric facing the marking plate. This avoids any marks showing on the front side of the fabric. With straight fabric; that is, fabric not pleated, shirred or the like, slats 32 may be omitted and a flat surface provided in its place. However, with pleated, or shirred fabric, slats 32 or equivalent structure is provided, and the folds of the fabric are arranged to fit, into the recesses provided between the slats. In this embodiment, angle bar 2t) may be provided at the top with horizontal projections corresponding with the recesses in order to facilitate inserting the folds of the fabric, into the recesses. The marking plate is set at the desired position by pulling on pulley ropes 25 to raise the marking plate and inserting pins 30 through the corresponding openings 13 as measured by rulers 9 on each supporting arm 3. The pulley ropes are then lowered 4 and the marking plate held in position because of rollers 14 resting on pins 30.

After the fabric is positioned behind the marking plate, the marking plate is pressed against the fabric. Springs 43 are attached to supporting arms 3 and the springs may be hooked on or otherwise removably attached to a hook, nail or the like positioned conveniently behind the supporting arms to thereby pull the marking plate tightly against the fabric. As heretofore mentioned, spring 19 may be provided on screw, bolt or the like 18. This spring will take up any slack which may occur when the marking plate is set at a higher point and thus will insure a tight press against the fabric.

When the marking plate has been set at the desired position, a marking medium is sprayed or otherwise passed through openings 31 onto the fabric. Any suitable marking medium may be employed, including powder or liquid. A particularly suitable marking medium comprises a liquid solution of a phosphorescent or other material which is visible clearly only under a fluorescent or other special light. As hereinbefore set forth, one or any desired number of horizontal rows of openings are provided in marking plate 17. .In the case here illustrated, the top and bottom rows are spaced 4" away from the next row and the three center rows are spaced 2" apart. The top row corresponds to the desired length of the fabric and the fabric is folded at this line when making a hem. When a 4" hem is desired, for example, the fabric is folded at the next marked row and either cut at this line or folded at the third or preferably the fourth marked row and cut on this line. When a 6" hem is desired, for example, the fabric is folded at the top marked row, then folded at the third marked row and cut at the last marked row. In some cases, only the rows which are to be utilized as markings for cutting and/or folding are sprayed but this method will generally require more careful spraying unless the rows of openings are spaced far apart. Usually the fabric is cut at the desired line before the folding and finishing of the hem.

As hereinbefore set forth, another advantage to the present invention is the ease in handling the fabric for finishing the bottom hem. This is accomplished very readily by moving the fabric while still hanging from the roller mechanism to a work bench and there cutting and folding at the marked lines, then moving the fabric while still hanging from the rollers to a sewing machine or other mechanism for sewing, stapling or otherwise completing the hem. When desired, the work bench, sewing machine, etc. may be placed on an elevated platform as this will further increase the ease in handling the fabric. When special marking solution or powder is used, special lighting is employed at the work bench, sewing machine, etc.

I claim as my invention:

1. A method of measuring and marking pleated drapery which comprises hanging the drapery by hooks attached to rollers riding an elevated horizontal railing, whereby the drapery may be moved in a definite path, positioning the draperybehind a marking plate having openings therein and in front of a structure having recessed sec-- tions adapted to receive the folds in said drapery, setting said marking plate at a predetermined position, pressing said marking plate against said drapery and thereby holding the folds in the drapery within the recessed sections of said structure, thus providing a fiat surface for marking, spraying a marking medium through said openings onto said drapery, releasing said marking plate and withdrawing said drapery from behind said marking plate, and cutting the drapery at the marked position while still hanging by said hooks.

2. A method of measuring and marking fabric which comprises hanging the fabric on rollers riding an elevated horizontal railing circumventing at least, a portion of a confined area, whereby the fabric may be moved in a definite path within said confined area, moving the fabric to a position behind a marking plate having at least one horizontal row of openings therein, setting said marking plate at a predetermined position by raising andlowering the same on a roller arrangement connected thereto and attached to vertical supporting arms on each side of said marking plate, pressing said marking plate against said fabric, spraying a marking mediumthrough said openings onto the fabric, thereby marking the fabric at the desired line, moving'said fabric while hanging on said rollers to a work bench positioned on an elevated platform, and

cutting the fabric at the marked line.

3. The method of claim 2 further characterized in that said marking plate is set at a predetermined position by measuring the predetermined position by means of rulers attached to said supporting armsandarranged in a manner that the top of the rulers correspond to the top of the fabric.

4. The method of claim 2 further characterized in that said marking plate is pressed against the fabric by firmly attaching the marking plate to said supporting arms which in turn are pivotally attached to a framework and by pivoting said supporting arms to a position wherein said marking plate rests against said fabric.

at least onehorizontal row of openings in said plate,

whereby a marking medium may be passed throughsaid openings onto the fabric to thereby mark the fabric at a desired length.

6. The apparatus as defined in claim 5 further characterized in that a structurehaving recessed sections is positioned behind said fabric, said recessed sections being spaced and arranged to receive the folds of pleated fabric.

7. The apparatus as defined in claim 5 further characterized inthat said marking plate is attached through a roller mechanism at each side thereof to supporting arms which, in turn, are pivotally attached at the top thereof to a framework.

8. The apparatus as defined in claim 7 further characterized in that said roller mechanism comprises a pair of grooved railings positioned at each side of said marking plate, rollers firmly attached to saidmarking plate and riding said railings, openings in said railings, pins inserted in corresponding openings in said railings, whereby said rollers rest on said pins and thereby hold said marking plate in a predetermined position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 632,308 Firsching Sept. 5, 1899 1,136,048 Platz Apr. 20, 1915 2,567,981 Weego Sept. 18, 1951 7 2,633,644 May Apr. 17, 1953 2,682,113 Portwood et al; Q. June 29, 1954 2,694,257 Centanni Nov. 16, 1 954 FOREIGN PATENTS 418,430, Italy 'Feb. 15,-1947