WO2010023433A1

WO2010023433A1 - Machine for pleating a sheet of material

Info

Publication number: WO2010023433A1
Application number: PCT/GB2009/002029
Authority: WO
Inventors: Anne Selby; Brian Bidwell
Original assignee: Selby, Colin
Priority date: 2008-08-26
Filing date: 2009-08-18
Publication date: 2010-03-04
Also published as: GB2476888B; GB0815464D0; GB201103124D0; GB2476888A

Abstract

An apparatus for carrying out an Arashi Shibori process comprises means (9,14,14'; 15,15') for holding a pole (13) in an operative position with fabric wrapped around the pole, for carrying out said process, and drive means (9) arranged to engage the pole for rotation thereof. The apparatus allows improved control of the fabric-wrapping process with accuracy and efficiency, and reduces the risk of fatigue and repetitive strain.

Description

Machine for pleating a sheet of material

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a wrapping and pleating machine for use in a technique for forming a pleated length of material.

Background Art

A traditional art form, originating in Japan, is called Arashi Shibori. This technique, which involved wrapping fabric round a solid wooden pole, overwrapping it with string, and then compressing the fabric (which resulted in dye patterns and/or pleating), required 2 people to manipulate the heavy pole. They achieved dye patterns, which being linear and parallel resembled driving rain; hence the term Arashi (storm) Shibori was adopted.

In the 1970's, this technique was developed further by textile artists in the USA with the use of lightweight plastic pipes, and achieving not just dye patterns but also the retention of the pleats by steaming the fabric while compressed. In one known arrangement, there is a machine having thread wound on the rim of a bicycle wheel that rotates round a static pipe, on which cloth is wrapped. The pipe is pushed through the centre of the wheel rim, and the wheel is rotated to wind thread onto the cloth so the thread-wrapping can progress along the fabric wrapped round the pole. However, this method does not allow for sufficient tension and control to uniformly wrap several layers of fabric, however lightweight, and for the pleats to be retained in the finished fabric. Repeated wrapping of thread round a pole or pipe can result in repetitive strain in practitioners; the mechanical nature of the process is physically difficult and limits the layers of fabric that can be compressed; the process when done by hand is slow and can make the art form uneconomic.

Summary of the Invention

This invention enables the pleating of fabric in an Arashi Shibori technique by mechanising the process of turning a pole, onto which the fabric is wrapped, bound with string, and severely compressed before applying dye to the compressed fabric and subsequently steaming it to fix the dyes. The present invention provides an apparatus for carrying out an Arashi Shibori process, comprising means for holding a pole in an operative position with fabric wrapped around the pole, for carrying out said process, and drive means arranged to engage the pole for rotation thereof. As used herein, the term "Arashi Shibori process" means a process in which a fabric is wrapped around an elongate object, especially a pole, a strand of material, for example of string, is wound helically around the elongate object and the fabric thereon, and the fabric is pleated by pressing together of the helical windings of the strand of material. An "Arashi Shibori process" is to be understood as preferably, but not necessarily, including a step of applying dye to or removing dye from the compressed fabric and optionally subsequently steaming the compressed fabric to fix the dye and pleats.

In usual operation of the apparatus according to the invention, a strand of material, for example cord or string, held in the hand is coiled around the fabric wrapped on the pole automatically by reason of the pole rotation, against the tension in the string exerted by the hand.

To eliminate the risk of repetitive strain, allow for more layers of fabric to be pleated faster than is possible by hand and for the pleating to be retained after dye work has been completed, the present invention proposes mechanising the rotation of the pole while wrapping. It also includes three further optional features in a preferred embodiment: first, a means for gripping the string while keeping its tension of wrapping so that the user's hands are freed up to compress the fabric already wrapped, preferably a cleat, second, a means of gripping the fabric in order to compress the fabric more efficiently than by hand (hereafter called a gripper); and finally, an integrated means of steaming the fabric on the pole after wrapping.

Brief Description of the Drawings

An apparatus according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention, suitable for use in an Arashi Shibori process, will be described more fully, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying Drawings: Figure 1 shows the apparatus, with steaming lid in place. Figure 2 shows a motor, which is positioned on the left hand side of the machine, to drive a pole around which fabric is wrapped with string. Figure 3 shows the steaming lid removed, and a length of silk being wrapped and compressed.

Figure 4 shows a pole drive mechanism at the motor end,.

Figure 5 shows adjustable rollers and fittings on the opposite end of the machine, for holding the opposed end of the pole.

Figure 6 shows a cleat for holding the string and retaining the string's tension.

Figure 7 shows a gripper and a cleat in operation.

Figure 8 shows two grippers of different sizes.

Figure 9 shows the pole inserted into drive mechanism, ready for wrapping/rotation.

Figure 10 shows the steam pipe, and an arrangement for removing condensed water after steaming.

Figure 11 shows a portion of the apparatus with a tray removed showing further features of the drainage arrangement. Figure 12 shows drain holes for condensation running down sides of lid, taking water into the sump underneath.

Figure 13 shows the electrical controls for running the apparatus.

Description of a Preferred Embodiment With reference to Fig. 1, an apparatus for use in an Arashi Shibori process has a base 1 , first end wall 2, second end wall 3 opposed to the first end wall 2, a closable cover 4, and a motor cabinet 5. In Fig. 1 , the closable cover 4 is shown in the closed position. The motor cabinet 5 is provided on its exterior with control switches and sockets, which are described in more detail below with reference to Fig. 13.

Referring to Fig. 2, within the motor cabinet is provided a motor 6. The motor 6 is drivingly connected via a drive belt 7 to a drive wheel 8. The drive wheel 8 is mounted at the end of a shaft (further described below with reference to Fig. 4), which protrudes through, and is rotatably mounted in, the end wall 2. The motor 6 is a speed-adjustable reversible electric motor, which is controlled by means of a control system 11. The control system 11 is manually operable by means of control switches and devices provided on the cabinet 5. Also present is a foot pedal control 12, depression of which will start rotation of the pipe which is maintained until the foot pedal control 12 is released. The foot - A - pedal control can, when desired, be overridden by permanent run switch 42 described in more detail below. That enables the user selectively to use the foot pedal to control the pole rotation leaving their hands free for other tasks such as controlling the feed of string onto the pole. Fig. 3 shows the apparatus of Figs. 1 and 2 in use in an Arashi Shibori process. A pole 13 extends between end walls 2 and 3. The pole is secured in position by means of a pair of rollers 14, 14' co-operating with a drive roller 9 on end wall 2, and rollers 15, 15' on end wall 3. The rollers 14, 14' and 15, 15' are freely rotatable and, in use of the apparatus, rotate with the pole 13. The rollers 14, 14', which may be nylon rollers, co-operate with the drive roller 9 to retain the pole 13 at the desired height on end wall 2. The drive roller 9, which may be a steel roller, is driven by the motor 6 via drive belt 7, drive wheel 8 and a drive shaft that extends between drive wheel 8 and roller 9. The pair of rollers 14, 14' can be lifted for inserting a pole. The drive roller 9, centrally beneath them, is directly connected to the drive shaft, and has three friction rings around it. The two rollers are lifted by pulling up the knob 10 placed centrally above while inserting the pole, and then releasing it. When the knob 10 is released, the rollers 14, 14' are urged against the pole by biasing means (not shown), for enhancing the frictional grip of rollers 14, 14' on the pole 13. The three bands around the central direct drive roller 9 provide sufficient friction for the selected pole 13 to rotate smoothly even when the user is creating significant reverse force with the wrapping string. The rollers 15, 15' at end wall 3, which rollers may also be nylon rollers, are as mentioned above free-running, to allow the pole to rotate freely as driven by the motor end. Electrical control of the operation of the unit is straightforward. The motor can be used in either direction, and its speed is controllable. The foot pedal can be used during wrapping to ensure maximum control, and safety, and simply controls whether power reaches the motor or not. The rollers 15, 15' support the end of pole 13 adjacent end wall 3. The positions of the rollers 15, 15' are adjustable as shown in Fig. 5 to allow three different circumference of pole to be accommodated. Each of the rollers 15, 15' is mounted along a respective elongate member 16, 16' recessed into end wall 2 and provided with three spaced apertures a, b, c and a', b', c'. The rollers are each selectively engageable in any of the apertures a, b, c or a', b', c', respectively. Thus, the rollers are in practice located in any pair of apertures selected from a with a' (for a larger pole), b with b' (for an intermediate pole) or c with c' ( for a smaller pole). For example, the positioning of the apertures may allow for poles of 160mm diameter, 110 mm diameter, and 50mm diameter, respectively. A bar 17 extends between the end walls 2 and 3, and is adjustable in height by means of selection of one of four apertures 18 in end wall 3, corresponding apertures 18 being provided on the opposed end wall 2 (see Fig.4). A cleat 19 is movably mounted on the bar 17 and is horizontally slidable along the bar. The cleat includes a slot 20 in which string may be frictionally retained (see Fig. 6).

With reference to Fig. 7, there is shown the pole of the apparatus of the preceding Figures, which has been partially wrapped with silk fabric F and wound with string S. The string S has been placed, under tension, in the cleat 19, which retains the string S under tension whilst further work is carried out on the silk. A gripper 21 has been placed around the pole 13 and the fabric F wrapped thereon. The gripper 21 is arranged, when properly adjusted, to grasp the pole and fabric sufficiently loosely to allow movement of the gripper 21 in an axial direction relative to the pole 13 whilst sufficiently tightly to cause the wound string W to be forced along the pole with the gripper 21 whilst gathering the silk between the windings W of string. Thus, the internal circumference of the gripper is very slightly more than the external circumference of the pole.

Two grippers 21 , 22 arranged for use with poles of differing diameters, are shown in Fig. 8. By way of illustration, the larger gripper may have an internal diameter of 161mm, and the smaller gripper may have an internal diameter of 111 mm, for use with the illustrative 160mm and 110mm diameter poles mentioned above, and allowing some space for the gripped fabric. Referring to the smaller gripper 22, the gripper, which is openable to allow it to be placed around the pole, is of generally annular shape when closed. It has a lower arcuate portion 23 and an upper arcuate portion 24 which is pivotably attached to the lower portion 23 at hinge 25. The other ends of the arcuate portions 23 and 24 are separable, and lockable together by means of a lock device 26. The gripper has an inner surface 27 that is dimensioned and configured to extend circumferentially around and fit snugly to the pole surface. The base 1 receives, in use, a removable tray 28, as may be seen for example in Fig. 9. With reference to Fig.11 , a steam inlet 29 connected to a steam feed conduit 30 is arranged to feed steam into the apparatus, allowing for steam treatment of the pleated fabric in order to fix the pleats. Provided in the base around the removable tray 28 are a multiplicity of spaced drainage apertures 31 (see Fig. 12), which serve to allow drainage of condensed water from the cover into sump 32 which, in use, is located under the removable tray. A tap 33 allows for withdrawal of liquid from the sump when desired. A steam pipe 34, which is provided with a number of spaced apertures along its length, distributes steam relatively uniformly along the length of the apparatus. The tray 28 is removed during steaming. If desired, one or more seals or flaps may be provided- to improve retention of the steam within the apparatus and direct condensation. For example, in the embodiment described, a flap 35 directs condensation into the sump 32. In other embodiments, a seal member may be provided around the edge of the cover or on the cooperating regions of the end walls and base in order to improve the steam retention within the apparatus. It will be appreciated that many other forms of drainage arrangement may be suitable in place of that illustrated. For the purpose of steaming, an external source of steam, such as a wallpaper stripper (which is preferably supplied with the unit, with custom-made fixing) may be plugged into the control panel and switched on. Slow rotation of the pole is possible by engaging the speed controls, with the foot pedal disengaged and the permanent run switch 42 engaged so the unit can operate, while steaming, independently of the user.

The motor cabinet 5 is shown in more detail in Fig. 13. A mains inlet 36 provides power to the motor 6. Power may also be supplied from the cabinet 5, via electrical socket 37, to a steam supply. An on/off switch 38 controls the electrical socket 37 and controls the power to the steam unit. A connector 39 provides a connection to the foot pedal control 12. The controls for the motor direction are provided by a three-position switch 40, which allows selection of forward and reverse direction, or provides for temporary stopping of the drive during use of the apparatus. A speed control dial 41 is rotatable for continuous variation of the pole rotation speed between minimum and maximum values. A permanent run switch 42 provides an override allowing rotation of the pole to be maintained without use of the foot pedal, such overriding being advantageous, for example, when the pole is being turned during steaming.

With reference to Fig. 11 , the cover 4 (which is removed in Fig. 4 to allow features of the apparatus to be viewed) is arranged to fit snugly about th perimeter of a raised region 3a of the end wall 3. The end wall 2 is provided with a corresponding raised region 2a. A catch 43 is provided at each end to retain the lid in position. If desired the cover can be hingedly attached to the rest of the apparatus.

In use, a length of fabric, F, is wound helically around the pole 13, optionally rotating the pole 13 to effect the winding onto the pole. A length of string S is formed into a first loop around the pole and knotted. The pole is then caused to rotate whilst the string is held by the user, who gradually moves the string supply in the axial direction, with the consequence that the string is helically wound around the pole and fabric thereon (see Fig. 7) to form a series of helical windings W see Fig. 7) which are substantially evenly spaced. Once the desired length of fabric has been wound with string, the string can optionally be secured into the cleat 19 (although the user may if preferred simply hold the string at the desired tension). The fabric is then pleated by urging the windings W of string together. This may, if desired but not necessarily, be accomplished with the assistance of the gripper 21. Typically, the steps of wrapping with string and compressing are then repeated one or more times, preferably until the entire fabric piece is pleated. Once the fabric has been pleated, and with the string still in situ, the fabric may if desired be subject to further treatments. For example, one or more dye(s) may be applied to the pleated fabric. The dye is typically applied in liquid form, with any surplus draining into the tray 28. The optionally dyed pleats may be treated by steam to promote retention of the pleats and to fix the dye(s). In that case, the cover 4 is closed, and steam introduced to the apparatus via the inlet 29. During this period steam circulates around the pleated fabric and any condensation formed on the inside of the cover drains through the drainage apertures 31 into the sump 32. The interior surface of the lid is formed with a curved configuration, at least in the region above the pole, and in that region is smooth. That ensures that condensation that is formed on the interior surface tends to run down, egressing through the drainage apertures, rather than dripping onto the pole and fabric. Fittings such as handles are affixed at a position on the lid that, in use, will be lower than the pole so as to avoid any structures that will increase dripping onto the fabric or pole.

Rotating the pole with an electric motor, which allows for a range of speeds and both forward and reverse operation, allows the artist/user to control the wrapping process with increasing accuracy and efficiency, and with reduced fatigue and repetitive strain. It also allows for greater thickness (more layers, or heavier weight) of fabric to be pleated, and for these pleats to be retained in the finished fabric. Whilst one form of monitoring and drive arrangement for the pole is shown in the drawings, it will be appreciated that any other suitable monitoring and/or drive arrangement may be substituted for than shown. Whilst not illustrated, if desired, the rollers, pole support elements and or drive elements at each end of the pole may be enclosed within a respective end housing which may additionally expediently enclose an end portion of the pole that is in engagement with the rollers and/or support elements and/or drive elements.

The cleat for the string allows the user to release the string and use both hands to compress the fabric. Without this option, the string is at risk of losing tension, which alters the spacing of the string around the fabric and hence the uniformity of the pleats. This would then require some unwrapping of the pole to pick up the tension and the accuracy of wrapping again. The cleat eliminates this risk.

The gripper can improve the compression of the fabric after wrapping, as it applies pressure evenly all round the pipe to pull the fabric toward the starting point. When doing this process by hand, it is necessary to stop approximately every 10cm in order to compress the fabric; if there is more than this, the user's hand strength is likely to be insufficient to overcome the friction between the fabric and the pipe. With the gripper, it is possible to wrap say 20cm of fabric at one time before stopping and compressing. This increases user efficiency, productivity and the quality of the result.

^' Steaming the fabric on the pole allows maximum space efficiency by incorporating a process that would normally need to be undertaken in other equipment. It also allows for rotation of the pole while steaming, and distributes the steam along the full length of the pole, which reduces the time required in order to set the fabric texture and to fix the dyes. The domed lid is advantageous at this stage; its curved shape encourages the steam to condense on contact with the lid and run down smoothly towards the drain holes where the lid meets the base. It has been designed to have no raised areas internally that might become collection points for water droplets. Drips of water falling directly onto the pleated fabric can ruin any dye that has been applied. Both space, time and energy use are reduced with the incorporated y steaming function.

A lower diameter pole, for example a 50mm pole, is preferably used not fo r wra p p i n g b ut rath e r for ste am i n g of dyed fa b ri c with o ut binding/compressing/pleating. This involves wrapping the fabric to be steamed around the pole with paper to protect each layer, and steaming for whatever time is required for the dyes to set. This is a standard process for which several other models exist (usually vertical in design), not a novel process, but is included in the design of the wrapping machine as fixing of dyes is often a necessary part of an Arashi Shibori artist's work, and the equipment could easily include this function. Studio space and expense on equipment is therefore minimised.

Although the foregoing invention has been described in detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of understanding, it will be obvious that changes and modifications may be practised within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. An apparatus for carrying out an Arashi Shibori process, comprising means for holding a pole in an operative position with fabric wrapped around the pole, for carrying out said process, and drive means arranged to engage the pole for rotation thereof.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said driving means includes roller means coupled to motor means and arranged to engage an end of the pole.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said roller means includes a roller positioned for engagement with the inner wall of a tubular pole, and including a further one or more rollers which are displaceable for engagement with the outer wall of the tubular pole, so as to grip the pole between the rollers.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said holding means includes further roller means for supporting the other end of the pole.

5. Apparatus according any preceding claim, including a cleat member for temporalily gripping a free end part of cord that is coiled around said fabric.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said cleat member is slidably mounted on a shaft, which is disposed parallel to the pole position.

7. Apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the cleat member comprises a disc with a groove in its periphery for engaging the cord.

8. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, including at least one clamp member comprising first and second arcuate jaw members for clamping around fabric wound on the pole.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said jaw members are hingedly connected at one of their ends, and have adjustable locking means at their other ends for clamping the jaw members.

10. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, including a steam enclosure containing in use said pole in said operative position, and a lid means for permitting access to the pole.

11. Apparatus according to claim 10, including an apertured steam pipe mounted beneath said operative position of the pole, and a sump arrangement at the base of the enclosure for catching condensed liquid.

12. Apparatus according to claim 10 or claim 11 , in which the steam enclosure has a smooth, curved internal surface.

13. Apparatus according to any one of claims 10 to 12, including an housing at one end of the steam enclosure containing an electrical motor constituting said drive means, and electrical control means therefor.

14. A process for pleating fabric, comprising wrapping the fabric around or laying it along a pole, rotating the pole using a drive device, and utilising the rotational movement of the pole to draw a strand onto the pole in the form of windings of the strand around said fabric wrapped around said pole.

15. A process according to claim 14, in which strand is helically wound around said fabric and pole, adjacent windings of the strand being spaced apart at a distance such that, on compression of the windings, a pleat can be formed between each adjacent pair of windings.