KR20250067849A - Embroidery machine including fabric clamping frame and frame - Google Patents

Abstract

A frame (1) for clamping a fabric (4) for an embroidery machine (5), the frame comprising a label sewing template including at least one cutout plate (2), the cutout plate (2) comprising at least one cutout (21, 22) having a shape corresponding to a first label (20) to be sewn and applied to the fabric (4), the inner rim (22a) of the at least one cutout (22) being configured to surround the first label (20) along its entire circumference during sewing, the clamping frame (1) being movable relative to a stop surface (P) for the fabric (4) between a first position in which the pressure plate is received in the at least one cutout (22) to hold the first label in a direction perpendicular to the stop surface (4) and a second position in which the at least one cutout (22) is not obstructed by the pressure plate (60).

Description

Embroidery machine including fabric clamping frame and frame

The present invention relates to an embroidery machine including an embroidery machine fabric clamping frame and a frame. The present invention also relates to a method for sewing a label with the embroidery machine.

An embroidery machine typically comprises a fixed sewing head provided with one or more needles which are crossed by a thread and which can reciprocate in a substantially vertical direction, i.e. perpendicular to the surface on which the fabric to be embroidered is arranged. Furthermore, the machine also typically comprises a fabric clamping frame, which frame is removably supported by a mechanism having a carriage which can move in two orthogonal directions (X and Y) defining a geometrical plane (X-Y) substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of the sewing needles, said geometrical plane coinciding with or substantially parallel to the surface on which the fabric to be embroidered is placed. By combining the movement of the carriage in the X-Y plane in this way, the fabric held by the clamping frame can be moved parallel to the placing surface according to a plurality of positions, so that the needles can provide sewing lines according to a plurality of predefined patterns formed on the basis of at least one embroidery program integrated into or stored in a control system associated therewith.

One disadvantage of known embroidery machines is observed when they are used to fasten labels, also known as patches, to fabric. For fastening, the stitching provided by the embroidery machine is made to follow substantially the perimeter of the label, so that the entire perimeter of the label is sewn to the fabric.

According to the embroidery program that sews according to a pattern that substantially matches the external shape of the applied label, the operator can accurately orient the label with respect to the sewing head so that the sewing line generated by the embroidery program on the label is accurately aligned along the entire edge of the label. If the alignment is incorrect, the label edge will be uneven and noticeable defects in the sewing line may occur. In addition, the operator must at least hold the label steadily by hand while sewing it to the fabric.

An additional drawback arises when multiple labels, even if they are of different shapes, are to be affixed to the fabric. In this case, the worker may have difficulty in correctly positioning the labels relative to each other on the same fabric.

The embroidery machine is known from U.S. Patent 5,454,337 and has a clamping plate having two cutouts of smaller dimensions than the individual labels to be sewn so that the operator must orientate the fabric roughly before securing the fabric and labels to the plates.

An object of the present invention is to provide a fabric clamping frame and a corresponding embroidery machine, and a corresponding method, which can improve the background art in one or more of the aspects mentioned above.

Within the scope of this purpose, it is an object of the present invention to perform precise sewing along the perimeter of a label to be fixed to a fabric, thereby allowing precise positioning and orientation of the label on the fabric and reducing the risk of injury to the user.

Within the scope of these objectives, it is an object of the present invention to provide accurate sewing along the perimeter of a label to be fixed to a fabric.

Another object of the present invention is to prevent manual holding of the label during sewing.

A further object of the present invention is to facilitate the application of a plurality of optionally different labels to different parts of the same fabric or the same article of clothing.

Another object of the present invention is to devise a frame for clamping fabrics and an embroidery machine and method thereof for applying labels that can be used at an industrial level for sewing labels of the patty type and for articles of fabrics or mass production of fabrics.

Furthermore, it is an object of the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the background art in a way that replaces any existing solutions.

It is at least an object of the present invention to provide a frame for clamping a fabric which is reliable, relatively easy to provide and at a competitive cost, and a corresponding embroidery machine and a corresponding method.

This object and these and other objects which will become more apparent hereinafter are achieved by a fabric clamping frame for an embroidery machine according to claim 1, wherein one or more of the features of the dependent claims are optionally provided.

The objects and aims of the present invention are also achieved by an embroidery machine according to claim 9 and a label sewing method according to claim 10, optionally wherein one or more of the features of the dependent claims are provided.

Further features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the description of a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, which is illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embroidery machine according to the present invention, in which a clamping frame is raised to accommodate a fabric to which a label is to be attached;
FIG. 2 is a drawing corresponding to FIG. 1, but in which the cutout plate of the clamping frame and the edge of the frame are fully lowered from a position for fixing the fabric, i.e., a position for fixing the fabric to the clamping frame by friction;
Figure 3 corresponds to the drawing described above while inserting the first label into the cutout plate;
Figure 4 corresponds to the preceding drawing after inserting the first label;
Figure 5 is a drawing of the label of the preceding drawing sewn along its perimeter;
Figure 6 is a drawing of the embroidery machine of Figure 1 with a second label inserted into the border;
Fig. 7 is a drawing of the beginning of sewing of the label of the preceding drawing;
Figure 8 is a drawing after sewing of the label of the preceding drawing is completed.

With reference to the drawings cited, a fabric clamping frame for an embroidery machine according to the invention, generally indicated by the reference numeral 1, comprises a template (2, 3) for sewing labels, which is characterized in that it is transversely movable relative to a surface (P) for placing a fabric (4). The template (2, 3) is transversely movable relative to a stationary surface (P) between a raised position for inserting/removing the fabric (4) from the embroidery machine and a lowered position for fixing the fabric (4) to the stationary surface (P), i.e. for pressing the fabric (4) against the stationary surface (P).

The clamping frame (1) is preferably mounted in a detachable manner on a moving means of the embroidery machine (5), which is only partially shown in the drawing. The moving means can comprise an arm (52) of a mechanism (known per se) having a carriage which can move in two individual mutually perpendicular directions X and Y, defining a geometrical plane (X-Y) substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of the sewing needle (53) of the sewing head (51) of the embroidery machine (5). Said geometrical plane (X-Y) coincides with or is substantially parallel to the rest surface (P) of the fabric (4).

The above moving means responds to the commands of at least one embroidery program integrated into or stored in a control system associated with the embroidery machine (5). In this way, by combining the movement of the carriage on the plane (X-Y) according to the commands of the embroidery program, the fabric (4) guided by the clamping frame (1) is moved in a plurality of directions parallel to the plane (X-Y) so that the needle (53) can provide sewing lines on the fabric according to one or more predefined patterns defined in the embroidery program.

In a preferred embodiment shown in the drawing, the stationary surface (P) may be a smooth sliding surface for the fabric (4), and the fabric (4) is held integrally against the clamping frame (1) only by friction when the frame is in a lowered position on the surface (P). Therefore, the pressure exerted by the clamping frame (1) on the stationary surface (P) is such that the fabric (4) can slide on the surface (P) in any case, so that the fabric does not rotate, and so that it is held continuously in a direction perpendicular to the surface (P) and does not slip against the clamping frame (1).

The stop surface (P) in this case can be covered with a Teflon layer or film so that the fabric (4) clamped by the clamping frame (1) can effectively slide during sewing. In order to generate the friction necessary to hold the fabric (4) integrally with the clamping frame (1) during sewing, the lower surface of the clamping frame (1) (which comes into contact with the fabric (4) during use) can advantageously comprise a layer or a portion made of rubber, optionally knurled rubber.

In another embodiment not shown, the stationary surface is a counter pressure surface connected to the clamping frame (1) and moves integrally therewith in the plane (X-Y), and on which the fabric (4) is held by friction by the clamping frame (1) when the frame (1) is in the lower position.

The template of the clamping frame (1) basically consists of a cutout plate (2) and preferably also of a border (3) adapted to at least partially surround the cutout plate (2). The cutout plate (2) and/or the border (3) can optionally comprise on their lower face a layer or region made of rubber for generating friction with the fabric (4), as described above.

The cutout plate (2) preferably has a rectangular outline and comprises one or more cutouts (21-22) having a shape corresponding to an individual label to be applied, in particular by sewing the label onto the fabric (4), such that the label can be held laterally within the individual cutout by form-fit bonding during sewing the label onto the fabric (4).

In particular, the inner rim (22a) of at least one first cutout (22) of the plate (2) is adapted to completely surround the first individual label (20) during sewing, since the shape of the inner rim (22a) is substantially identical to the shape of the peripheral rim (20a) of the first label (20).

In the illustrated embodiment, the cutout plate (2) may also include a second cutout (21), the inner rim (21a) of which corresponds to the shape of another individual label (not illustrated) having the same shape as the cutout (21).

The rim (3) is adjusted to at least partially surround the cutout plate (2), leaving a gap (23) between the inner rim (31) of the rim (3) and the outer rim (25) of the cutout plate (2), the rim preferably having a complementary shape so as to form a slit of substantially constant width, for example substantially rectangular, as shown in the drawing. The width of the gap (23) around the cutout plate (2) is optionally such that at least one needle (53) of the embroidery machine (5) can pass through it so as to be able to sew the fabric (4) exposed along the gap (23).

The border (3) may be, for example, a plate having a single cutout having a closed shape defined by an inner rim (31), for example a substantially rectangular cutout as in the drawing.

The inner rim (31) of the border (3) optionally defines a lateral sealing wall, which allows an outer rim of a corresponding second label (30) to be secured to the fabric (4) by a corresponding circumferential seam (34), which is preferably closed.

According to the present invention, the clamping frame (1) comprises at least one device (6) for pressing at least one label (20) to be sewn onto a fabric (4).

The pressurizing device (6) is mounted on the clamping frame (1) so that it can move integrally with it. In particular, the pressurizing device (6) can be mounted on the rim (3) so as to be laterally adjacent to the cutout (31) (i.e. laterally adjacent to the cutout plate (2)). In another embodiment (not shown), for example when the rim (3) is not provided on the clamping frame (1), the pressurizing device (6) can instead be fastened to the cutout plate (2). In both cases, the rim (3) or the cutout plate (2) have convenient tabs which are individually adapted to provide an additional surface on which the pressurizing device (6) can be fastened.

The pressurizing device (6) comprises a pressure plate (60) which is moveable relative to the clamping frame (1) substantially parallel to a stop surface (P) between a first position in which the pressure plate is received in an individual cutout (22) of the cutout plate (2) and a second position in which the same cutout (22) is not obstructed by the pressure plate (60).

In the illustrated embodiment, the pressure plate (60) can move in a direction substantially parallel to the stationary surface (P). In another embodiment not illustrated, the pressure plate (60) can rotate about an axis that is eccentric with respect to the pressure plate and is perpendicular to the stationary surface (P) to the right.

The pressure plate (60) may have a shape substantially similar to the individual cutouts (22) as in the example of the drawing, but in any case has a surface area smaller than that defined by the cutouts (22) so as to leave a gap between the inner rim (22a) of the individual cutouts, where a sewing line (24) must be provided, and the outer rim of the pressure plate (60).

The pressure plate (60) is mounted on a linear slide (61) which can slide in a direction substantially parallel to the stop surface (P), i.e. parallel to the upper surface of the rim (3) and/or the cutout plate (2), preferably passing over the cutouts (31 and 22). The slide (61) is preferably guided in the direction of movement by providing fixed guide teeth inside a block (66) fixed to the rim (3), for example passing through longitudinal linear slits (65) of the slide (61) inside the block (66).

The pressure plate (60) may include at least one lifting rod (63), preferably providing an individual handle (62) that a user can grasp to lift or lower the pressure plate (60) with respect to the resting surface (P). The lifting rod (63) slides through an individual guide hole located at the end of the slide (61) closest to the cutout plate (2) and allows the pressure plate (60) to move substantially perpendicular to the sliding direction of the slide (61), i.e. rightwardly relative to the cutout (22) of the cutout plate (2), i.e. perpendicularly relative to the resting surface (P) of the fabric (4).

Optionally, the pressure plate (60) may also include an anti-rotation pin (64) spaced from the lifting rod (63) and also passing through the straight slide (61) in another guide hole, so that the two elements (63 and 64) together prevent rotation of the pressure plate (60) relative to the slide (61).

Optionally, a spring may be provided in an elastically loaded configuration between the slide (61) and the pressure plate (60) or between the slide (61) and the handle (62) to exert a force tending to move the label (20) closer to the resting surface (P) of the fabric within the individual cutout (22). Alternatively, the spring may be avoided if the weight of the pressure plate (60) alone is sufficient to perform this function of holding the label (20) in a direction perpendicular to the resting surface (P).

By means of the pressurizing device (6), the label (20) to be sewn onto the fabric (4) can be held in a direction perpendicular to the stationary surface (P) even while being sewn onto the fabric (4), thereby increasing the safety of the user. This is particularly advantageous if the label has a tendency to rotate around the axis of the needle (53) during sewing, for example if the label has no (sufficient number of) edges which are adjusted to avoid rotation of the label inside the cutout during sewing, due to its surface area, the material of the label and/or the shape of the cutout.

The cutout plate (2) and the border (3) can advantageously move relative to each other laterally, preferably relative to the stationary surface (P) of the fabric (4), i.e. to the right relative to the plane (X-Y). In particular, the cutout plate (2) and the border (3) are associated with a support (54) which is fixed to a moving means (52) of the clamping frame (1).

The support (54) comprises a first linear guide (55) for the first slider (26), to which the cutout plate (2) is fixed via, for example, a bracket (27) protruding cantilevered from the first slider (26). The first linear guide (55) is oriented transversely to the plane (X-Y), i.e. the stop surface (P), for the movement of the support (54), and more preferably perpendicularly to the plane (X-Y) and/or perpendicularly to the surface (P), for the linear movement of the cutout plate (2) along said direction, as in the embodiment shown in the drawing.

Advantageously, a U-shaped connecting shaft (57) may be provided to span the gap (23) between the bracket (27) and the cutout plate (2). The shaft (57) is substantially parallel to the stop surface (P) and can rotate about 180 degrees about an axis passing through the end of the U-shape. The shaft (57) can be rotated on command about said axis relative to the bracket (27) and the cutout plate (2) to accommodate needles (53) arriving from the left and right, respectively, while sewing the line (34), thereby alternately exposing the opening sides of the U-shape so that sewing is also possible in the area along the gap (23) between the bracket (27) and the cutout plate (2).

The support (54) may also comprise a second linear guide (56) for the second slider (36), said second guide (56) being parallel to the first guide (55). The rim (3) is secured to the second slider (36), for example by another bracket (37) which cantileveredly protrudes from the second slider (36). In this way, a linear movement of the rim (3) can be guided along a direction transverse to the plane (X-Y) and/or surface (P), more preferably perpendicular to it.

The lifting mechanism may include a lever system (not shown) adapted to selectively move the sliders (26 and 36). The lever system may have manual or automatic operation.

The stored embroidery program of the embroidery machine (5) includes instructions to move the arm (52) to sequentially perform each sewing line in response to each start command by the user to move the clamping frame (1) to a known "0" starting position with respect to the pattern of sewing lines (24, 34) and the sewing needle (53).

Since the correspondence between the pattern of the sewing line (example 24) and the shape of the label to be applied (example 20) is predefined and clear, and since the shape of the cutout (21, 22, 31) or the gap (23) is predefined, the “zero” position is programmed under the needle (53) to be located in the area within the cutout (21, 22, 31) or the gap (23) and near the rim (21a or 22a or 31) respectively, depending on the individual pattern of the sewing line to be provided. The user has to pre-position the label within the individual space of the template and start the corresponding embroidery program.

The operation of the present invention is apparent from the structural description described above.

In the illustrated embodiment, a method of sewing a label (20) and a label (30) onto a fabric (4) using an embroidery machine (5) provides that the user first lifts the clamping frame (1) so that the fabric (4) can be inserted between the frame (1) and a stationary surface (P).

Then, the clamping frame (1) is lowered over the stationary surface (P) to hold the fabric (4) in a direction perpendicular to the stationary surface (P) and integrally with the frame (1). In the illustrated case, the holding is achieved by friction between the frame (1) and the fabric (4), which makes the fabric (4) integral with the frame (1) but allows the fabric (4) to slide on the stationary surface (P).

While lowering the clamping frame (1) to the stop surface (P), the cutout plate (2) and the rim (3) can be lowered simultaneously, as in Fig. 2. Alternatively, the first rim (3) can be lowered, thus only the slide (36) can be lowered, and then the cutout plate (2) can be lowered.

This step may be repeated several times to allow the user to position the fabric (4) in the best possible manner relative to the sewing head (51) and the area where the label is to be attached.

The independent movement in the plane (X-Y) and/or transversely to the stationary surface (P) of the cutout plate (2) and the border (3) is useful for loading different types of template labels having a corresponding shape only on the inner rim of one of the cutout plate (2) and the border (3).

For example, as shown in Fig. 6, it is possible to insert a second label (30) by lowering the first border (3) so that it engages the inner rim (31) of the border (3), and then initiate an embroidery program to provide a second sewing line (34).

The slide (61) is in a retracted position to prevent relative movement of the cutout plate (2) and the border (3) and to avoid interfering with the cutout (22).

When lowering the cutout plate (2), the user can insert the first label (20) into the corresponding cutout (22) of the cutout plate (2) so that substantially the entire label (20) comes into contact with the portion of the fabric (4) exposed in the cutout (22) (Fig. 4). Given that their peripheral shapes are identical, after the insertion, the first label (20) is held laterally by the inner rim (22a) of the cutout by the form fit bond so as not to move along the fabric (4).

Optionally, the user can optionally insert a label having a corresponding shape into the second cutout (21) based on the number of templates and labels of different shapes to be applied.

At this point, the user grabs the handle (62) and drags the pressure plate (60) over the cutout (22) so that the pressure plate (60) falls over the label (20) (FIG. 5). Thus, a gap is left along the entire perimeter between the pressure plate (60) and the cutout (22), and the perimeter of the label (20) remains exposed in this gap.

Afterwards, the user starts the embroidery program and applies a first sewing line (24) along the periphery of the label (20) fixed on the fabric (4) through the cutout plate (2). The sewing line (24) is preferably closed. The embroidery machine (5) brings the frame (1) to the zero position by the moving means (52) and sews the first line (24), and sewing is started, which is performed by the needle (53) and is obtained by appropriately moving the first label (20) and the fabric (4) thanks to the movement of the frame (1) provided in the embroidery program as a whole.

When the perimeter sewing of the first label (20) is completed, the user lifts and pulls the pressure plate (60) to return the slide (61) to the retracted position, thereby lifting the clamping frame (1) to move the fabric (4) to another location where the optional second label (30) is to be attached, or to insert a new fabric to which the second label (30) is to be attached. Then, only the rim (3) is lowered so that the rim (3) holds the fabric in a direction perpendicular to the resting surface, and the second label (30) is inserted by the user and positioned so as to abut against the inner rim (31) of the rim (3).

The cutout plate (2) can then be lowered onto the fabric and the user starts the embroidery program of the second sewing line (34). The embroidery machine (5) moves the frame (1) by means of the moving means (52) to the zero position for sewing the second sewing line and sewing is started and performed by the needle (53) which is performed by moving the second label (30) integrally with the fabric (4) due to the movement of the frame (1) provided for in the embroidery program. In the illustrated embodiment, due to the predefined correspondence between the dimensions of the template and the dimensions of the stored sewing line, the needle applies the second sewing line (34) along the entire distance (23) between the border (3) and the cutout plate (2).

Indeed, it has been found that the present invention achieves its intended purpose.

The above method, thus devised, is susceptible to various modifications and variations, all of which fall within the scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, all details may be replaced by other technically equivalent elements.

The actual materials used may vary depending on requirements and current technology, as long as they are compatible with the specific application as well as the accidental shapes and dimensions. For example, the cutout plate (2) and the frame (3) may be made of iron, plexiglass or polymeric materials.

The disclosure of Italian patent application No. 102022000018630, from which this application claims priority, is incorporated herein by reference.

Where reference signs follow technical features described in the claims, these reference signs are included for the purpose of enhancing the clarity of the claims, and such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by the reference signs, by way of example.

Claims (10)

A frame (1) for clamping a fabric (4) for an embroidery machine (5), the frame comprising a label sewing template comprising at least one cutout plate (2), the cutout plate (2) comprising at least one cutout (21, 22) having a shape corresponding to a first label (20) to be sewn and applied to the fabric (4), the inner rim (22a) of the at least one cutout (22) being configured to surround the first label (20) along its entire circumference during sewing, the clamping frame (1) further comprising a pressure device (6) movable relative to the clamping frame (1) substantially parallel to a stop surface (P) for the fabric (4) between a first position in which the pressure plate is received in the at least one cutout (22) to hold the first label in a direction perpendicular to the stop surface (4) and a second position in which the at least one cutout (22) is not obstructed by the pressure plate (60). Frame. In the first aspect, the template further comprises a border (3) adjusted to surround the cutout plate (2), such that a gap (23) is formed between an inner rim (31) of the border (3) and an outer rim (25) of the cutout plate (2), the inner rim (31) of the border forming a side sealing wall for an outer edge of a second label (30) to be applied to the fabric (4). A clamping frame in claim 1 or 2, wherein the cutout plate (2) and the border (3) are relatively movable in different directions transversely to the stationary surface (P) of the fabric (4). A clamping frame according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the pressure device (6) is mounted on the edge or on the cutout plate (2) so as to be transversely adjacent to the cutout plate (2). A clamping frame according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the pressure plate (60) has a surface area smaller than the area defined by the at least one cutout (22), so that, at the first position, a gap providing a sewing line (24) is formed to the left between the outer peripheral rim of the pressure plate (60) and the inner rim (22a) of the at least one cutout (22). A clamping frame according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the pressure plate (60) is mounted on a linear slide (61) that can slide in a linear manner in a direction substantially parallel to the stationary surface (P). In the sixth paragraph, the pressure plate (60) is a clamping frame including at least one lifting rod (63) that passes through the slide (61) and moves the pressure plate (60) substantially perpendicular to the sliding direction of the slide (61). In the seventh paragraph, the pressure plate (60) further includes a clamping frame including an anti-rotation pin (64) spaced apart from the lifting rod (63) along the slide (61) to prevent rotation of the pressure plate (60) with respect to the slide (61). An embroidery machine (5) comprising a sewing head (51) and a stationary surface (P) for fabric (4), the embroidery machine (5) comprising a clamping frame (1) according to one or more of the aforementioned claims. A method for sewing a label (20, 30) on a fabric (4) using an embroidery machine (5) according to the above-described claim, the method comprising:
- A step of lifting the clamping frame (1) to insert the fabric (4) between the above frame and the stationary surface (P);
- A step of lowering the clamping frame (1) onto the stationary surface (P) to maintain the fabric (4) in a direction perpendicular to the stationary surface (P);
- A step of inserting a first label (20) into at least one cutout (22) of a cutout plate (2) of a clamping frame (1), so that a form fit coupling is formed between the first label (20) and the cutout (22);
- A step of displacing or moving the pressure plate (60) so as to overlap the first label (20) within the cutout (22);
- A method further comprising the step of applying at least one first sewing line (24) along a peripheral area of the first label (20) and around the pressure plate (60) by operation of at least one needle (53) of the sewing head (5) and simultaneous movement of the clamping frame (1) relative to the sewing head (5) according to an embroidery program.