WO2003018896A1

WO2003018896A1 - Device for trimming textile manufactured items

Info

Publication number: WO2003018896A1
Application number: PCT/IT2001/000447
Authority: WO
Inventors: Antonio Pastorello
Original assignee: Cf Italia S.R.L.
Priority date: 2001-08-22
Filing date: 2001-08-22
Publication date: 2003-03-06

Abstract

A device for trimming textile manufactured items comprises an operative assembly (2), active on a manufactured item to be trimmed (M) to separate therefrom a scrap body (S), and a removal assembly (3), active at least on the manufactured item to be trimmed (M) to orient the scrap body (S) relative to the operative assembly (2) and to move the scrap body (S) away from the manufactured item to be trimmed (M); the device further comprises motor means (4) operatively connected to the operative assembly (2) and simultaneously active on the operative assembly (2) and on the removal assembly (3).

Description

DEVICE FOR TRIMMING TEXTILE MANUFACTURED ITEMS

D e s c r i p t i o n

The present invention relates to . a device for trimming textile manufactured items, such as clothing items or passementerie articles (such as sheets, cloths, tablecloths or others) .

As is well known, during the manufacture of many textile products, the elimination is required of the loose threads that emerge at the ends of seams, hems, or even from the edges of appropriately cut remnants of fabric. To eliminate said loose threads, nowadays dedicated machines are employed, commonly known in the art with the name of "thread shavers" .

Known thread shaver machines operate on loose threads by means of an appropriate cutting element, which is generally constituted by two comb blades. Of these two blades, one remains substantially fixed relative to the frame supporting the machine itself, whilst the other one, which is practically parallel to the fixed blade, slides, above or below it, depending on the case, according to an alternating motion and in a plane substantially parallel to that of the fixed blade. In this way, when a loose thread is approached to the two comb blades, it undergoes the cutting action (after being caught between the teeth of the blades) .

In known thread shaver devices, appropriate systems are provided which allow to orient the thread correctly relative to the blades, so as to obtain a proper trimming of the manufactured item and maximise blade efficiency. Generally, the loose thread is positioned in such a way as to be substantially perpendicular to the planes of lay of the blades; in this way, it is possible to assure optimal working conditions and at the same time to cut the thread in proximity to the surface of the fabric.

The loose thread is placed in position by means of appropriate aspirators, which draw a suction on it and keep it in the desired position until it is cut; subsequently, the aspirators remove the cut end of the loose thread and convey it to a container that accumulates all scraps resulting from the work operations.

Obviously, known devices can be duly automated, or operated manually.

Although they have numerous embodiment variations, the known devices summarily described above still have some limitations. The need to actuate the blades and at the same time to assure a removal of the cut loose thread inevitably entails an increase in the complexity of the thread shaver device, since it becomes necessary to provide an aspirating line, in addition to the line for actuating the blades.

This entails not only a non negligible increase in construction complexity, but makes the thread shaver device bulky as well (given the presence of the aspirating pipes, as well as of the appropriate systems able to create the suction effect in the aspirating pipelines) .

Moreover, the need to provide mechanical power to the blades and to create and maintain the operative conditions in the aspiration pipelines raises to global energy consumption of the device, and this has negative repercussions on operating costs.

In this situation the technical task at the basis of the present invention is to provide a device for trimming textile manufactured items that is able substantially to overcome the aforementioned limitations.

Mainly, an aim of the present invention is to provide a device that has an intrinsic simplicity of construction, and that at the same time has reduced size.

Within the scope of said technical task, an important aim of the invention is to provide a device that is able to operate with low energy consumption, even in highly automated configurations . Moreover, the present invention has the aim of providing a device for trimming textile manufactured items that is extremely flexible in use and has low manufacturing and operating costs. The technical task described above and the specified aims are substantially achieved by a device for trimming textile manufactured items having the characteristics set out in one or more of the claims that follow.

The description is now provided, purely by way of non limiting indicative example, of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of a device for trimming textile manufactured items according to the invention, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

• - Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a device for trimming textile manufactured items according to the present invention;

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of an embodiment variation of the device of Figure 1;

Figure 3 shows a lateral view of the device of Figure 1; and

Figure 4 shows a partial exploded top view of a component of the device of Figure 1.

With reference to the aforementioned figures, the device according to the invention is globally indicated with the number 1.

It substantially comprises an operative assembly 2, which serves mainly the function of trimming the manufactured item undergoing work (or in other words, it is destined to be active on a manufactured item to be trimmed "M" to separate therefrom at least a scrap body " S" , which may be a loose thread of a needle bed, a fringing, or other items) ; in cooperation with the operative group there is a removal assembly 3, which instead is operatively active at least on the same manufactured item to be trimmed ^λλM" to give a predetermined orientation to the scrap body S" (relative to the operative assembly 2) and to remove said scrap body "S" from the manufactured item to be trimmed "M" .

It should be noted at this point that the removal assembly 3 in practice is responsible for the correct positioning of the scrap body " S" (i.e. it serves the important function of appropriately placing the scrap body "S" relative to the operative assembly 2 so that the latter can act efficiently thereon) and of eliminating the scrap body after the action of the operative assembly 2 itself.

Opportunely, the present invention contemplates the presence of motor means 4, which are operatively connected at least to the operative assembly 2 (in practice, the motor means 4 must provide at least the mechanical power necessary for the operative assembly 2 to be able to complete the required trimming operations) .

Advantageously, the motor means 4 are simultaneously active on the operative assembly 2 and on the removal assembly 3; in this way, in the spirit of the present invention, it is possible to exploit a single source of power to operate the two "subsystems" (the operative assembly 2 and the removal assembly 3) of the device 1.

Examining now the structural details of the present invention, it should be noted (see the accompanying figures) that the operative assembly 2 comprises first of all a support element 2a, whereon is mounted a first blade 2b.

Conveniently, the first blade 2b is mounted on the support element 2a in oscillatory fashion and it moves with alternating motion in a predetermined first operative plane; said alternating motion is achieved thanks to the presence of motion transmission means 2c, which are connected at least to the first blade 2b and can be conveniently actuated by the motor means 4 (in ways that shall become more readily apparent farther on) .

In accordance with the present invention, a second blade 2d can be present, in turn fastened to the support element 2a. This second blade 2d can be mounted in any manner on the support element 2a, provided it co-operates with the first blade 2b in carrying out the trimming operations (which in practice consist of the cutting of loose threads projecting from the manufactured item to be trimmed "M" ) .

For instance in a particularly appreciable embodiment of the present invention, the second blade 2d is fixed relative to the support element 2a; in this case, the second blade 2d is positioned in proximity to the first blade 2b and lies on a second operative plane, which shall be conveniently incident to the first operative plane, according to a predetermined angle of incidence. Conveniently, the first and the second blade 2b and 2d are shaped and relatively approached in such a way that the cutting action they exert on the various scrap bodies "S" is optimised; for instance, it is possible for said blades are of the "comb" type (or in other words, they have a sharp edge provided with a multiplicity of teeth) , in such a way as to be able to capture the loose threads and to cut them thanks to the relative sliding between the rows of teeth of the first blade 2b (movable) and the first blade 2d (fixed) . Examining the removal assembly 3, one notes that it comprises mainly at least an aspiration conduit 3a, which in practice acts on the scrap body "S" to orient it properly relative to the blade and to remove it therefrom after the cutting operation. Conveniently, said aspiration conduit 3a has a suction orifice 3b positioned in proximity to the first blade 2b and/or to the second blade 2d (for instance, in the accompanying figures it is possible to see that the suction orifice 3b is positioned above the two blades) , whereto is conveniently opposite a discharge orifice 3c (from which in practice the scrap body " S" exits after being cut by the blades and after being aspirated through the suction orifice 3b) . It should be noted at this point that, depending on requirements, it is possible for the discharge orifice 3c to face the exterior environment freely and directly, or it can face a recovery container, which in this case will collect the various scrap bodies "S" separated and moved away from the manufactured items undergoing work. Conveniently, in order to maximise the fluid dynamic efficiency of the aspiration conduit 3a, said conduit can have an appropriate profile of its passage section (and also any profile of its own axis of longitudinal development) . For example, in a particularly appreciated embodiment of the present invention, the aspiration conduit 3a in practice is constituted in the manner of a Venturi tube.

Analysing now the motor means 4, one can see that they comprise first of all at least a pressure generator 4a (which may conveniently be a known pneumatic compressor) , from which departs a predetermined number of pressurisation conduits 4b (which are thus operatively connected to said pressure generator 4a) .

The pressurisation conduits 4b convey a flow of compressed air (shown schematically in the accompanying figures with the arrows " F" ) , which is produced by the pressure generator 4a; advantageously, in the spirit of the present invention, the energy contained in said flow of compressed air is exploited for a dual purposes, i.e. it is partially converted into mechanical energy to move the first blade 2b of the operative assembly, but at the same time it is exploited to create the suction effect in the aspiration conduit 3 of the removal assembly.

It should be noted at this point that the aforementioned suction effect is achieved by appropriately connecting the pressurisation conduits 4b to the aspiration conduit 3a (as explained in greater detail farther on) .

The present invention provides for the presence of a predetermined number of actuators 4c, which are operatively connected to the pressure generator 4a through the pressurisation conduits 4b and actuate the motion transmission means 2c (preferably, the present invention can provide for the employment of pneumatic actuators, which can advantageously actuated thanks to the flow of compressed air coming from the pressure generator 4a) .

More in detail, in the embodiment illustrated in the accompanying figures, one can see that the motor means 4 are operatively active on the actuators 4c to actuate the first blade 2b (by means of the flow of compressed air transported by the pressurisation conduits 4b, which thrusts the actuators 4c and thus determines the oscillation of the motion transmission means 2c) .

Advantageously, the motor means 4 are simultaneously active on the actuators 4c as well as on the aspiration conduit 3a to determine therein a pre-set pressure differential between it own suction orifice 3b and its own discharge orifice 3c.

More in particular, the motor means 4 act on the aspiration conduit 3a to determine a lower pressure at the suction orifice 3b than the pressure at the discharge orifice 3c; in accordance with the present invention, the flow of compressed air coming from the pressure generator 4a, after being employed duly to move the actuators 4c, is injected (with a certain angle and with a given direction) into the aspiration conduit 3a, so that a vacuum is created at the suction orifice 3b thereof.

The creation of the vacuum allows to intake the scrap body "S", which is oriented correctly relative to the blades 2b and 2d and, subsequently to the cut by the blades, is transported in the aspiration conduit from the low pressure area to the high pressure area (downstream of the suction orifice 3b, in the direction of the flow of air that is created as a result of the injection of the pressurised flow) .

To achieve the technical effect described above, the pressurisation conduits 4b have a first end connected to the pressure generator 4a and a second end (opposite to the first) and facing the aspiration conduit 3a; conveniently, said second end shall be positioned, depending on the needs of the moment, in the aspiration conduit 3a in a predetermined point between the suction orifice 3b and the discharge 3c. In accordance with the present invention, the peculiar pneumatic interconnection between the aspiration conduit 3a and the motor means 4 (or more in particular, with the pressurisation conduits 4b) can be established in any manner, provided the desired pressure differential is created between the suction orifice 3b and the discharge orifice 3c of the aspiration conduit 3a itself, and at the same time the operation of the actuators 4c is guaranteed. For instance, it is possible to provide one or more interconnection ports on the aspiration conduit 3a, each whereof in practice defines an injection conduit defining a particular direction of incidence of the flow of compressed air and/or having a different section.

In order to determine with precision the kinematic parameters of the alternating motion of the blade 2b (or of the blades, as the case may be) , the device according to the present invention further comprises control means 5; said control means, which can be conveniently obtained with solenoid valves or equivalent devices, are operatively active at least on the actuators 4c to determine at least an alternating motion of the first blade 2b.

From the view point of the operation of the device 1, the control means 5 in practice act on the flow of compressed air transported inside the pressurisation conduits 4b, in such a way as to activate alternatively the actuators 4c (which in turn impart an alternating motion to the motion transmission means 2c) . For instance, in the embodiment variation illustrated herein, it should be noted that the actuators 4c, which in practice are constituted by two small pistons that work on the same axis but at opposite parts relative to the motion transmission means 2c, must be thrust by the flow of compressed air in alternating fashion, so that the motion transmission means 2c can oscillate and transmit an analogous motion to the first blade 2b. Obviously, depending on the requirements of the moment, the kinematic mechanism for actuating the blade 2b (or the blades, if they are movable) can be changed, whilst keeping unchanged the type of actuation of the operative assembly 2 and of the removal assembly 3. For instance, one can imagine providing a pendulum blade, or a rotating blade (or any other kind of blade) , provided one changes the arrangement and the modes of co-ordinated operation of the actuators 4c.

Moreover, the control means 5 can also be positioned in various points of the pressurisation conduits 4b; for instance, appropriate shut-off valves can be mounted, which can determine or prevent the operation of the device 1 in accordance with the present invention (for instance, by shutting off the flow of compressed air, said shut-off valves in practice "turn off" the device) . Conveniently, the control means 5 can be operated manually by an operator or can be commanded automatically, based on the signals processed and transmitted by appropriate sensor means 6 (as explained in detail farther on) . Analysing the accompanying figures, it is readily apparent that the support element 2a comprises two half- shells >2f and 2g, within which are mounted the motion transmission means 2c (which in the illustrated embodiment are, in practice, constituted by a connecting rod pivotally engaged in an internal fulcrum 2e situated between the half- shells 2f and 2g themselves) .

Thanks to this structure, the rectilinear alternating motion of the actuators is changed into pendulum motion of the motion transmission means 2c, which in turn are kinematically interconnected to the first blade 2b in such a way as to determine its alternating rectilinear motion (lying on the first operative plane discussed previously) .

Advantageously, the pressurisation conduits 4b comprise an active portion integrally obtained in at least one, and preferably in both half-shells constituting the support element 2a, in order to have a great simplicity of construction.

More in particular, said active portion, which in practice is constituted by a suitably shaped cavity obtained in the half-shells 2f and 2g, comprises at least the inlet port located upstream of each actuator 4c (for instance, in the accompanying figures one can note the presence of two inlet ports, each whereof is positioned upstream of an actuator 4c and is obtained integrally in one of the two half-shells 2f and 2g) .

The flow of compressed air that enters the support element 2a and activates the actuators 4c can be discharged into the external environment through an exhaust port, which can be shaped appropriately and positioned in the support element 2a itself; typically, said exhaust port is located downstream of the actuators 4c.

Alternatively, in accordance with the present invention it is possible for the compressed air used to move the actuators to be injected into the aspiration conduit 3a, in such a way as to contribute to create the suction effect at the inlet orifice 3b. In this case, said flow of compressed air is not vented into the environment but is appropriately channelled in the pressurisation conduits 4b (see in particular the path described by the arrows " F" shown in Figure 1) .

More in general, it is apparent that the present invention can provide for different construction architectures; with particular reference to the disposition of the pressurisation conduits 4b, for instance, it is possible for said conduits, exiting the pressure generator 4a, to have two lines, whereof one is directed towards the operative assembly 2 (and transports a flow of compressed air towards the actuators 4c) , whilst the other one is directed into the aspiration conduit 3a (where it creates the desired pressure differential) .

It is also possible that from the pressure generator 4a a single line of pipes (or rather, of pressurisation conduits 4b) departs, which at first enters the support element 2a and subsequently emerges therefrom, then enters the aspiration conduit 3a; in this way, the flow of compressed air conveyed by the pressurisation conduits 4b activates first the actuators 4c and then creates the necessary vacuum at the suction orifice 3b. In this latter case, the shape of said active portion (which in practice constitutes an integral part of the pressurisation conduits 4b) can be any, provided it is suited to convey the flow of compressed air from the pressure generator 4a to the aspiration conduit 3a, making it pass through the support element 2a.

If a given degree of automation is to be conferred to the operation of the device 1 according to the present invention, one can provide for the presence of sensor means β, which can be operatively slaved to the operative assembly 2 and/or to the removal assembly 3 and/or to the motor means 4 (or even to the control means 5) to determine the required operative conditions (for instance, activation in the presence of a manufactured item to be trimmed "M" in proximity to the first and/or to the second blade 2b, 2d) . In other words, in accordance with the present invention it is possible to provide a predetermined number of sensors 6 which, based on predetermined operative parameters (for instance, the presence of a manufactured item to be trimmed "M" activate the first blade 2b (typically, allowing the flow of compressed air from the pressure generator 4a towards the actuators 4c and at the same time towards the aspiration conduit 3a) . According to a particularly appreciable embodiment of the present invention, said sensor means 6 comprise at least a photoelectric cell positioned in proximity to the first and/or to the second blade 2b, 2d and having an optical axis oriented substantially transversely to the first and/or to the second operative plane of the blades themselves (for instance, in the accompanying figures it is apparent that said axis is substantially perpendicular to the operative planes of the two blades 2b and 2d) .

In this way, when an operator approaches a manufactured item to be trimmed "M" to the operative assembly 2, the photoelectric cell detects the presence of the manufactured item and sends, directed or through the mediation of a control and data processing unit, the appropriate signals that act on the control means 5, which in turn determine the various conditions of flow in the pressurisation conduits 4b and put the device 1 in operating conditions.

The invention achieves important advantages. First of all, it should be noted that the integration of the aspiration system and of the apparatus for moving the blades entails a considerable simplification of the structure of the device, without thereby comprising its functionality. Moreover, it can be observed that said simplicity of construction also entails a considerable reduction in the size of the machinery, which bears benefits in terms of an efficient exploitation of working spaces.

In the second place it should be noted that, thanks to an efficient exploitation of the mechanical power of the aspiration means, all the operative functions of the device can be assured thanks to a single motor apparatus; in other words, it is impossible not to note that the present invention is able to exploit a single mechanical power generator device to operate both the sub-systems for cutting the loose threads and the sub-systems for their elimination (after the cut) .

It should also be noted that the present trimming device can operate with low power absorption (due to the particular mode of actuation of the cutting elements and, in coordination, to the ease of achieving and maintaining the pneumatic conditions that allow the suction of the cut loose threads) , to the full benefit of working ease and cost reduction.

Claims

C l a i m s

1. Device for trimming textile manufactured items, comprising: an operative assembly (2) destined to be active on a manufactured item to be trimmed (M) to separated therefrom at least a scrap body (S) ; a removal assembly (3) destined to be operatively active at least on said manufactured item to be trimmed (M) to give a predetermined orientation to the scrap body (S) relative to the operative assembly (2) and to move said scrap body (S) away from the manufactured item to be trimmed (M) ; and motor means (4) operatively connected at least to the operative assembly (2) ; characterised in that the motor means (4) are simultaneously active on the operative assembly (2) and on the removal assembly (3) .

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the operative assembly (2) comprises: - a support element (2a) ; a first blade (2b) mounted in oscillatory fashion on said support element (2a) and preferably movable in a predetermined first operative plane; and motion transmission means (2c) connected at least to said first blade (2b) and able to be actuated by motor means (4) .

3. A device as claimed in claim 2, characterised in that the operative assembly (2) further comprises a second blade (2d) fastened to the support element (2a) , said second blade being preferably fixed relative to the support element (2a) itself.

4. A device as claimed in claim 3, characterised in that the second blade (2d) is positioned, in operative conditions, in proximity to the first blade (2b) and lies on a second operative plane, said second operative plane defining with said first operative plane a predetermined angle of incidence .

5. A device as claimed in any of the previous claims, characterised in that the removal assembly (3) comprises at least an aspiration conduit (3a) having a suction orifice (3b) positioned in proximity to the first blade (2b) and/or to the second blade (2d) and a discharge orifice (3c) opposite to said suction orifice (3b) .

6. A device as claimed in claim 5, characterised in that the aspiration conduit (3a) has a section able to vary according to a predetermined law, said aspiration conduit being preferably shaped in the manner of a Venturi tube.

7. A device as claimed in any of the previous claims, characterised in that the motor means (4) comprise: at least a pressure generator (4a) , said pressure generator (4a) being preferably a pneumatic compressor; a predetermined number of pressurisation conduits (4b) operatively connected to said at least one pressure generator (4a); and a predetermined number of actuators (4c), preferably pneumatic actuators, operatively connected to the pressure generator (4a) through said pressurisation conduits (4b) and active on said motion transmission means (2c) .

8. A device as claimed in any of the previous claims, characterised in that the motor means (4) are operatively active at least on said actuators (4c) to actuate at least the first blade (2b) and are simultaneously active on the aspiration conduit (3a) to create a predetermined pressure differential between its own suction orifice (3b) and its own discharge orifice (3c) , the pressure at the suction orifice (3b) being preferably lower than the pressure at the discharge orifice (3c) .

9. A device as claimed in claim 8, characterised in that the pressurisation conduits (4b) have a first end connected to the pressure generator (4a) and a second end opposite to said first end and facing the aspiration conduit (3a) , said second end being preferably positioned, in the aspiration conduit (3a) , between the suction orifice (3b) and the discharge orifice (3c) .

10. A device as claimed in any of the previous claims, characterised in that it further comprises control means (5) operatively active on the pressurisation conduits (4b) and/or on the actuators (4c) to determine at least an alternating motion of the first blade (2b) , said control means (5) being preferably solenoid valves positioned in predetermined points of the pressurisation conduits (4b) .

11. A device as claimed in any of the previous claims, characterised in that the support element (2a) comprises two half-shells (2f, 2g) , the motion transmission means (2c) being mounted, in operative conditions, inside said half- shells (2f, 2g) and being preferably constituted by a connecting rod pivotally engaged in an interior fulcrum (2e) situated between the half-shells (2f, 2g) themselves.

12. A device as claimed in claim 10, characterised in that the pressurisation conduits (4b) comprise an active portion integrally obtained in at least one, and preferably in both the half-shells of the support element (2a) , said active portion preferably comprising at least an inlet port located upstream of each actuator (4c) and obtained in the half- shells (2f, 2g) .

13. A device as claimed in any of the previous claims, characterised in that it further comprises sensor means (6) operatively slaved to the operative assembly (2) and/or to the removal assembly (3) and/or to the motor means (4) and/or to the control means (5) to determine at least the activation in the presence of a manufactured item to be trimmed (M) in proximity to the first and/or to the second blade (2b, 2d) .

14. A device as claimed in claim 13, characterised in that said sensor means (β) comprise at least a photoelectric cell positioned in proximity to the first and/or to the second blade (2b, 2d) and having an optical axis oriented substantially transversely, and preferably perpendicularly, to the first and/or to the second operative plane of the blades (2b, 2d) themselves.

15. A device for trimming textile manufactured items, comprising: an operative assembly (2) comprising a support element (2a) housing a first blade (2b) mounted in oscillatory fashion in a first operative plane relative to the support element (2a) and a second blade (2d) fastened and fixed relative to the support element (2a) , the second blade (2d) being positioned in proximity to the first blade (2b) in a second operative plane having a predetermined angle of incidence relative to the first operative plane, the operative assembly (2) further comprising motion transmission means (2c) connected to the first blade (2b) ; a removal assembly (3) comprising an aspiration conduit (3a) having a suction orifice (3b) positioned in proximity to the first and to the second blade (2b, 2d) and a discharge orifice (3c) opposite to the suction orifice (3b) ; motor means (4) simultaneously active on the operative assembly (2) and on the removal assembly (3), the motor means (4) comprising a pressure generator (4a) and a predetermined number of pressurisation conduits (4b) operatively connected to the pressure generator (4a), the motor means (4) further comprising a predetermined number of pneumatic actuators (4c) operatively connected to the pressure generator (4a) through said pressurisation conduits (4b) , the motor means (4) being active on the motion transmission means (2c) to actuate the first blade (2b) and being simultaneously active on the aspiration conduit (3a9 to create a predetermined pressure differential between its own suction orifice (3b) and its own discharge orifice (3c), the pressurisation conduits (4b) presenting a first end connected to the pressure generator

(4a) and a second end opposite to said first end and facing the aspiration conduit (3a) and located therein between the suction orifice (3b) and the discharge orifice (3c); control means (5) active on the pressurisation conduits (4b) and/or on the actuators (4c) to determine at least an alternating motion of the first blade (2b) ; and sensor means (6) operatively slaved to the operative assembly (2) and/or to the removal assembly (3) and/or to the motor means (4) and/or to the control means (5) to determine at least its activation in the presence of a manufactured item to be trimmed (M) in proximity to the first and/or to the second blade (2b, 2d) .