Classifications

• • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
  • D05—SEWING; EMBROIDERING; TUFTING
  • D05B—SEWING
  • D05B35/00—Work-feeding or -handling elements not otherwise provided for
  • D05B35/08—Work-feeding or -handling elements not otherwise provided for for ruching, gathering, casing, or filling lace, ribbons, or bindings; Pleating devices; Cuttlers; Gathering feet; Crimpers; Curlers; Rufflers
• • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
  • D05—SEWING; EMBROIDERING; TUFTING
  • D05B—SEWING
  • D05B11/00—Machines for sewing quilts or mattresses
• • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
  • D05—SEWING; EMBROIDERING; TUFTING
  • D05D—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES D05B AND D05C, RELATING TO SEWING, EMBROIDERING AND TUFTING
  • D05D2303/00—Applied objects or articles
  • D05D2303/02—Tape
  • D05D2303/04—Tape elastic

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a method and an apparatus to be used for bestowing an appearance of an embossed type upon a fabric in order to enable its use preferably in the field of the fabrication of covering elements for furnishing components such as, for example, upholstery covers for armchairs, sofas or other similar articles of furniture, hi the field of domestic furnishing, in the course of the last few years there has been a widespread use of fabrics having an embossed appearance, where by the term “embossed” is meant an effect of curling bestowed upon a fabric that is originally flat in order to bring about a series of reliefs and cavities on the surface of the fabric itself as illustrated, for example, in Figure 1.
• the expression "embossed fabric” will be used for convenience to indicate precisely this particular conformation.
• embossing method and “embossing apparatus” will be used to mean, respectively, a method and an apparatus for bestowing an embossed appearance upon a fabric.
• embossing methods are essentially based upon the use of heat-shrinkable elastomers which are inserted in the fabric during plane weaving of the same by means of traditional looms such as, for example, shuttle ones or air ones.
• the elastomers are usually arranged in the weft direction and warp direction so as to obtain squares throughout the height of the fabric, hi output from the loom the fabric presents a smooth and generally homogeneous conformation and is ready for the subsequent operation of cutting.
• the fabric is subjected to a finishing treatment, generally using hot air, during which the elastomers undergo a contraction following upon the heating action.
• This contraction brings about the desired surface curling of the fabric, the final effect whereof, which may be more or less accentuated, depends not only upon the distribution of the elastomers within the fabric, but also upon the times and temperatures at which the finishing treatment has been carried out.
• the primary task of what forms the subject of the present invention is to provide a new method for bestowing an appearance of an embossed type upon a fabric.
• a purpose of the present invention is to provide a method for bestowing an appearance of an embossed type upon a fabric, which will be applicable to any type of fabric.
• Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a method for bestowing an appearance of an embossed type upon a fabric that will be implementable through a reduced number of operations, which can be performed easily at competitive costs.
• Another task of what forms the subject of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for embossing, as well as an embossed fabric that will be highly reliable and relatively easy to produce at competitive costs.
• the above tasks and purposes are achieved through a method for bestowing an appearance of an embossed type upon a fabric by using elastic threads, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: stretching the fabric in the warp direction; sewing for at least a part of the height of the fabric a first series of elastic threads generally oriented in the warp direction, these elastic threads being in a state of tension; fixing to at least part of a side of the fabric a second series of elastic threads oriented, in a state of tension, in a generic weft direction, said fixing of the fabric being performed in the region corresponding to the warp threads; and releasing the fabric in such a way that the first and second series of threads will recede from the state of tension to a state of non-tension, thus bestowing upon the fabric the embossed appearance.
• the embossing method according to the invention can advantageously be applied to any type of currently known fabric, as well as to the textile product known as "non-woven fabric".
• the application of the elastic threads, which are responsible for the embossing effect is made on a fabric already formed, and this enables to cover a very extensive range of applications so as to satisfy a practically unlimited number of requirements.
• Figure 1 is a view corresponding to an embossed fabric obtained with the method and apparatus according to the invention.
• Figure Ia is a schematic view corresponding to a possible disposition of elastic threads during a possible implementation of an embossing method according to the invention
• Figures Ib and Ic are a first schematic view and a second schematic view of an embossed fabric produced, respectively, with a first embodiment and a second embodiment of the method according to the invention;
• Figure 2, 2a and 2b are, respectively, a first schematic view, a second schematic view, and a third schematic view corresponding to a possible embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention
• FIGS. 2c, 2d, 2e and 2f are schematic illustrations that represent the working principle of an apparatus for embossing according to the invention.
• Figure 4 and 4a are views of an embossed fabric according to the invention.
• Figures 4b and 4c are a first schematic view and a second schematic view of an embossed fabric according to the invention, respectively, in a state of tension and in a state of non-tension.
• the embossing method according to the invention envisages the use of elastic threads and can be applied to any type of fabric normally produced in the textile sector.
• the method comprises a first step in which a fabric 1 already formed is stretched in the warp direction (designated by reference number 100).
• the method subsequently envisages sewing on the fabric 1 a first series of elastic threads 10 subjected to a state of tension, hi particular, these first elastic threads 10 are sewn generally in the warp direction 100 on at least a part of the height H of the fabric 1.
• the embossing method according to the invention envisages fixing to the fabric a second series of elastic threads 20, which are also subjected to a state of tension.
• Said second elastic threads 20 are oriented according to a generic weft direction 200 and are fixed to the fabric 1 in the region corresponding to the first elastic threads 10 oriented in the warp direction 100.
• the expressions "elastic warp threads” and “elastic weft threads” will be used to indicate, respectively, the threads of said first series 10 and of said second series 20 of elastic threads.
• the steps of sewing of the warp threads 10 and of fixing of the weft threads 20 just indicated can advantageously be performed simultaneously, for example using an apparatus for embossing like the one described in what follows.
• the two steps could, however, be performed also in succession.
• the method envisages the release of the fabric 1 in such a way that said first series 10 and said second series 20 of elastic threads will recede from the state of tension to a state of non-tension for bestowing, with their action of shrinkage, the desired embossed appearance.
• Figure Ib regards a first possible disposition of the elastic threads on the fabric 1.
• the first series 10 of elastic threads is sewn throughout the height of the fabric H and in particular parallel to the warp direction 100;
• the second series 20 of elastic threads is, instead, fixed to the fabric 1 parallel to the weft direction 200 throughout its extension E.
• the two series of elastic threads 10 and 20 in Figure Ib are arranged in such a way as to provide a mesh comprising cells, the side of which, measured in the warp direction 100, has a length of between 0.5 cm and 10 cm and preferably between 1 cm and 6 cm.
• the embossing effect is particularly homogeneous and aesthetically more appreciable when the length of said side is comprised between 1.5 cm and 3 cm and, in particular, when it is 2.5 cm. It should be emphasized that the sizes just indicated are measured when the fabric and the elastic threads applied thereon are in a condition of maximum extension.
• the length of the sides of the cells in the weft direction 200 substantially corresponds to that of the side in the warp direction so as to generate cells of a substantially square shape or in any case a rectangular and/or trapezoidal shape.
• the elastic warp threads are sewn into the fabric 1 along just one part of its height H, whereas the elastic weft threads are fixed to the fabric along just one part of its extension E.
• Another task of the present invention is to provide an apparatus 2 for bestowing an appearance of an embossed type upon a fabric 1.
• Figures 2, 2a, 2b and 2c are schematic illustrations indicating the essential parts constituting the apparatus 2 according to the invention.
• the apparatus 2 comprises stretching means 50 and translating means 55 acting on the fabric 1, which, by co-operating with one another, stretch and translate the fabric 1 substantially in the warp direction 100.
• a plurality of rollers 11, 12, 13 can be used, which stretch the fabric 1 on a framework 14.
• a first roller 11 is advantageously braked for the purpose of stretching the fabric 1 pulled in the warp direction 100 through a second roller 12 and a third roller 13 set adjacent to one another.
• Figure 2c what is illustrated schematically in Figure 2c is only one possible embodiment of the stretching means 50 and translating means 55 so that any other alternative embodiment must in any case be considered as forming part of the invention.
• a plurality of needles 15 is arranged on a needle-holder bar 38 along at least a part of the height H of the fabric 1 at the front of a first side A thereof (see Figure 2b).
• the needles 15 are used for sewing a first series 10 of elastic threads in the warp direction 100 and can advantageously be of the "lance" type particularly suitable for penetrating into the fabric 1 so as to apply stitches according to the "chain-stitch" modality already known in the sector.
• the needle-holder bar 38 is moved via first moving means 45, which basically impart a reciprocating motion on the needles 15 in a direction substantially orthogonal to the fabric 1, as may be noted again in Figure 2b.
• the apparatus 2 further comprises first feeding means 16, which are used for feeding and tensioning each of said first elastic threads 10 in the location corresponding to one of said needles 15.
• first feeding means 16 can be constituted by a plurality of reels or spools, each of which is designed to feed and tension an elastic thread operatively connected to one of said needles 15.
• These first means 16 can alternatively be replaced by beams, which are normally used in the textile industry in particular in weaving looms.
• Each of these means just indicated or other equivalent and known ones are advantageously integrated with friction clutch systems 18, which have the function of guaranteeing tensioning of the corresponding elastic threads.
• each guide 30 is constituted by a tubular element oriented in the direction of the fabric according to an angle of aperture ⁇ of 90° or less measured with respect to the plane of the fabric 1.
• the array of guides 30 is operatively connected to second feeding means 33 for the purpose of tensioning the second series 20 of elastic threads.
• the fabric 1 is translated and worked in a substantially vertical plane, and moving of the needles 15 occurs in a substantially horizontal plane.
• moving of the needles 15 occurs in a substantially horizontal plane.
• the array of guides 30 is moved by the corresponding moving means 40 so as to perform predefined movements of translation.
• a first movement of translation has the purpose of fixing each thread of said second series 20 to the fabric 1 in the location corresponding to a first warp thread 10a.
• the first movement of the guides 30 is performed as a sort of reciprocating motion advantageously synchronized with the movement of translation of the fabric 1 and with the reciprocating movement of sewing of the needles 15.
• the combination of the movement of the fabric 1 with the motion of the guides 30 creates a substantially "zigzag" disposition of each weft thread 20 in the region around a warp thread 10.
• the simultaneous action of the needles 15 enables not only sewing of each warp thread 10 to the fabric 1, but also fixing of each weft thread 20 to the fabric itself. Basically, each weft thread 20 is fixed to the fabric 1 by sewing of a warp thread 10.
• the array of guides 30 is subjected to a second pre-defined movement of translation having the purpose of enabling fixing to the fabric 1 of each weft thread 20 in the location corresponding to another warp thread 10.
• a second pre-defined movement of translation having the purpose of enabling fixing to the fabric 1 of each weft thread 20 in the location corresponding to another warp thread 10.
• Figures 2d, 2e and 2f illustrate the behaviour of two adjacent guides 30a and 30b subjected to the defined movements of translation.
• the two guides 30a and 30b undergo the first reciprocating movement of translation in the location corresponding to a first warp thread 10a and of a second warp thread 10b, respectively.
• a first weft thread 20a is fixed to the fabric in the location corresponding to a first warp thread 10a
• a second weft thread 20b is fixed in the location corresponding to a second warp thread 10b.
• This first movement lasts until each weft thread 20a and 20b has been fixed to the fabric for a length Dl, after which the guides 30a and 30b are subjected to the second movement of translation of amplitude D2, which displaces the range of action of the two guides 30a and 30b.
• the range of action of the first guide 30a is displaced in the region corresponding to the second warp thread 30b, and that of the second guide 30b is displaced in the region around a third warp thread 30c adjacent to the second thread 30b (see Figure 2e).
• the guides 30a and 30b are then again subjected to the first movement of translation, enabling fixing for a stretch D3 of the first weft thread 20b in the location corresponding to the second warp thread 10b and fixing of the second weft thread 20b in the location corresponding to the third warp thread 10c.
• the guides can then be brought back into the initial position of Figure 2d via said second movement of translation made in the direction opposite to the previous one.
• the combination of the two movements of translation basically enables creation of a mesh of elastic threads on one side of the fabric 1, bestowing thereupon elasticity in the weft direction 200 and warp direction 100.
• the three operating distances designated as Dl, D2 and D3 can vary according to the operating requirements and the movements can be advantageously adjusted via the means 40 for moving the guides 30.
• a further task of what forms the subject of the present invention is to provide a fabric 1 with an appearance of an embossed type to be used preferably, but not exclusively, for the fabrication of covering elements for furnishing components, such as, for example, upholstery covers for armchairs, sofas, and the like.
• Figure 4 shows a possible embodiment of the fabric 1 according to the invention, which is characterized in that it comprises a mesh of elastic threads constituted by a first series 10 of elastic threads sewn in a state of tension in the warp direction 100 and by a second series 20 of elastic threads arranged in the weft direction 200 and fixed to the fabric 1 in the location corresponding to the threads arranged in the warp direction.
• the mesh illustrated is constituted by cells in which each thread set in the weft direction 200 is fixed to the fabric 1 in two locations corresponding to two adjacent warp threads.
• each thread in the weft direction 200 is fixed to the fabric 1 in two locations corresponding to two non-adjacent warp threads.
• the mesh of elastic threads preferably comprises substantially rectangular cells, the side of which, measured in the warp direction, has a length of between 0.5 cm and 10 cm and preferably of between 1 cm and 6 cm. A particularly homogeneous embossing is achieved when the length of said side is between 1.5 cm and 3 cm.
• Figures 4b and 4c are schematic illustrations of an embossed fabric according to the invention.
• Figure 4b corresponds to a fabric 1 subjected to a state of tension both in the weft direction 200 and in the warp direction 100.
• Figure 4c instead, corresponds to a cross section of a fabric 1 in a condition of release of the tension. From a comparison of the two figures, it may be noted how, according to the invention, the length Ll of a stretch of weft thread 20 between two fixing stitches is less than the length L2 of the corresponding stretch of fabric 1 comprised between the same fixing stitches. This particular condition enables the embossed effect of the fabric 1 to be obtained, i.e., the desired curling.
• the elastic threads used in the fabrication of the fabric 1 can be of a different structure and material.
• these are constituted by an elastomeric core coated on the outside with a spiral of nylon or polyethylene for bestowing thereon a higher mechanical resistance.
• Particularly advantageous has proven the use of elastomers made of latex or a material chosen between polyester and polyether. Falling in any case in the inventive idea is the use of any other functionally equivalent material.
• the technical solutions adopted in the present invention enable the pre-set tasks and purposes to be fully achieved.
• the embossing method is applicable to any type of known fabric and is performed through a limited number of operations.
• the apparatus according to the invention enables the embossing effect to be obtained through a substantially "cold" processing of a fabric already formed without the use of treatments of hot finishing like the ones currently used.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Textile Engineering (AREA)
• Treatment Of Fiber Materials (AREA)
• Sewing Machines And Sewing (AREA)

Priority Applications (2)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=35116158

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (4)

Cited By (1)

Citations (3)

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• 2005
  • 2005-02-16 IT ITBG20050005 patent/ITBG20050005A1/it unknown
  • 2005-07-06 WO PCT/EP2005/007288 patent/WO2006087015A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 2005-07-06 DE DE112005003460T patent/DE112005003460T5/de not_active Ceased
  • 2005-07-06 JP JP2007554433A patent/JP2008529616A/ja active Pending

Patent Citations (3)

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