Folding device designed to fold a strap to be applied on a garment

Abstract

Folding device (10) suitable for folding two end flaps of material suitable for forming a loop belt (P), the folding device (10) comprising two rotating folding units acting by reciprocal counter-rotation, each rotating folding unit comprising at least one pair of forked pins (13, 14) parallel and rotating to fold each edge of the material of the loop belt, each pair of said pins comprising a pin (14a) positioned above a second pin (14b) in a rest position and rotating around the axis of the second pin (14b) so as to pass from a first position clamping the end of the loop belt (P) to a position of complete folding of the loop belt after a rotation of 270 degrees, wherein each pair of linear forked pins (13, 14) is associated with a kinematic unit, the pin (17) being part of the kinematic unit, the pin (17) being linear or "S" shaped and parallel to the pins (14a and 14b), the pin (17) being applied on the edge of an annular bushing (18) rotatable around said shaft (19) generating the rotation transmitted to the rotating device (15, 16) driven by a rotating drum.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a device suitable for folding beltloops to be sewn onto the edges of garments such as trousers, skirts or the like.

[0002] More specifically, the device according to the invention is designed to retain the flaps or bands of the fabric folded by a folding system with adjustable elements, and to add further double rotational movement to each side of the loops to be formed and applied to trousers or other garments.

[0003] Compared to known solutions, the folding device according to the present invention represents a significant development because it minimizes the length of the flap folded inside the flap. Consequently, subsequent cleaning or trimming of the folded material can be avoided after the final washing cycle.

[0004] Therefore, this equipment makes it possible to produce loops with "clean" folds in the internal fins, i.e., without unsightly fraying.

[0005] This invention is advantageously applicable to the field of industrial equipment for manufacturing clothing, particularly for industrial equipment used in the production of jeans or skirts or other similar applications for various garments. Background Technology

[0006] As is well known, different types of machines are used to manufacture clothing, depending on the task that must be performed. For example, in the field of producing jeans or skirts, machines are used to automate the process of forming the individual garment pieces to be assembled, as well as to automate the application of the garment pieces onto a base fabric (in specific cases, this can be represented by the trouser section on which straps are applied).

[0007] Among the different types of machines used to manufacture clothing, there are also automatic machines for applying loops.

[0008] Such machines are capable of forming and applying loops on a base fabric and include mechanical operating components capable of producing loops folded at the outer flaps of the loops, operating based on the following two main operational concepts:

[0009] a) Pull the strap strip and cut it to the required size, then the loader arrives. At this point, the clamping system securely holds the strip in place until the outer wing is folded over;

[0010] b) Pull the loop strip to the required size and wait for the loader to arrive. When the loader arrives, cut the strip while the center clamp securely holds the strip in place until the outer flap is folded.

[0011] These two methods differ significantly in the sequence of motion of the equipment operation to prepare the loop, namely when the equipment for pulling the material strip starts working, or when the loader positions the rotating pin in the strip, and when the material strip is cut.

[0012] What all these automatic loop connection units have in common is that after the material is cut, the loop is formed, thereby folding its edges inward.

[0013] To achieve this, as shown in Figures 1 to 1d, the loading device includes two pairs of rotating fork pins A and B at its front, which are adapted to form a classic loop P applied like a patch by picking up the loop and folding the loop at both ends.

[0014] In its initial position, the linear rotating fork pins A and B are arranged along the horizontal axis and placed parallel to each other, one on top of the other, i.e., the lower main pin is almost in contact with the lower edge of the upper pin.

[0015] The distance between the two rotating pins can be adjusted according to the thickness of the material to be folded. Under normal circumstances, in order to keep the material in its original position, this distance is adjusted during the insertion of the loop between the two pins so that the friction of the material relative to the rotating pins is kept to a minimum during insertion, but there is considerable friction during rotation, so as to prevent the material from potentially slipping during the rotation of the rotating pins.

[0016] The loader positions the two pins until the material strip is fully inserted inside them. After this step, once the center device has locked the loop strip in place, the outer flaps of the material begin to rotate almost simultaneously. This operation is performed by rotating the upper pin 270 degrees about the axis of the main lower pin, while the main lower pin rotates about its longitudinal axis.

[0017] The rotation step ends when the two rotating pins are positioned horizontally side by side. In this case, the lower main pin is positioned on the outside, while the upper pin is positioned on the inside.

[0018] In each loader, there are two pairs of pins positioned at both ends of the loop belt.

[0019] By rotating simultaneously in opposite directions, the rotating pin allows the outer flap to fold inward toward the loop.

[0020] Therefore, during the folding process, despite the presence of a center locking device, the simultaneous rotation of the outer flaps causes the material strip to be tensioned, and this fact, especially in the case of elastic or very rigid materials, causes the flaps of the folding material to tend to slip off the inner pin.

[0021] This defect is exacerbated if the folding blades are too short or if the tension accumulated in the material during rotation cannot be controlled.

[0022] Because the tension of the material itself often causes it to slip off the pin that applies the fold, in order to prevent the loop from slipping and avoid related quality problems, it is necessary to design the dimensions of the inner pin so that there is enough material outside its profile to lock the flaps of the folded material onto the lower surface of the strip above.

[0023] Therefore, the final required length of the folding blade of the material is calculated based on the following different parameters:

[0024] - Material type and thickness;

[0025] - A mechanical system used to rotate the two blades;

[0026] - The rotational speed of the pin and its friction on the material.

[0027] Therefore, to solve all these problems, the common practice is to greatly increase the length of the folded material. However, this approach introduces a further problem: during washing, the material fibers not secured in place by the stitching between the seam used to secure the loops at the desired points and the free end of the inner folded flap come undone, i.e., the ends come loose, resulting in frayed edges.

[0028] The resulting drawback is that the frayed edges and loose seams at the folded ends of the straps become visible under the upper profile of the straps. As a result, further manual cleaning is necessary and costs associated with cutting off the loose seams and avoiding disputes regarding the implementation of the sewing process or the quality of the trousers.

[0029] Document JP2003311058A discloses a loop conveyor for sewing equipment, the purpose of which is to perform loop sewing by folding the two ends of the loop backward without creating a bend. A fork-shaped first clamping part is fixed to the distal end of a rotating shaft, which is fixed to a rod of a first rotating cylinder. Then, in a compressed state, the loop near both ends can be clamped by a pair of upper and lower forks formed on the first clamping part. In this case, a first motion-stop member is provided, which approaches the loop clamped by the first clamping part from above and maintains contact with the upper surface of the loop, and a locking part is formed on the vertical portion of the first motion-stop member. Therefore, the side surface of the compressed loop is locked, and the motion-stop state can be maintained until the loop is conveyed to the sewing machine. Summary of the Invention

[0030] The present invention aims to provide a device that relies on a means for folding loops to be applied to trousers or other clothing, the means including additional elements for holding the flaps of folded material, thereby creating conditions that can eliminate or at least reduce the disadvantages highlighted above.

[0031] This invention is particularly intended to provide a constructive solution for the application of mechanical devices to the end portion of a conventional arm in a folding system.

[0032] In order to include the folding flap within the loop, regardless of the material type and the width of the strip to be folded, the mechanical device of the present invention includes a third rotating pin that causes the material to be "comb" during its characteristic eccentric rotation and maintains thrust at the end of the folded material within the loop at the end of its rotation, while the material has already been folded by the rotational steps of two additional pins present in each folding unit.

[0033] Another object of the present invention is to provide a device for folding fabric flaps that is simple and economical to manufacture, and envisions the use of the third pin applied at a fixed point in its motion device, the third pin being configured to allow rotation along its axis, thereby changing its initial position to compensate for different types or thicknesses of material. Attached Figure Description

[0034] Additional features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments of the invention provided by way of non-limiting example, with the aid of the figures shown in the accompanying drawings:

[0035] Figures 1 to 1d illustrate schematic diagrams of solutions belonging to the prior art;

[0036] - Figure 2 A view of a scheme of the invention is shown, which includes a mechanical device formed by a third rotating pin associated with a fork pin;

[0037] - Figure 3 and Figure 4 Schematic diagrams of the device of the present invention are shown in the first operation step and the second final operation step, respectively, wherein the loop is placed between the folding elements;

[0038] - Figure 5 and Figure 6 An axonometric perspective view showing details of one of the two folding units, viewed from two different angles;

[0039] - Figure 7 and Figure 7' These are frontal view diagrams that highlight the first operating step and the second final step of the third pin of the present invention;

[0040] - Figure 8 and Figure 8' These are detailed front view diagrams that highlight the first initial operation step and the second final operation step of the third pin of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0041] Referring to the attached diagram, firstly in particular Figure 2 , 3 Reference numerals 10 and 4 generally indicate the folding device of the present invention, which is designed to fold the two ends of a material suitable for forming a loop P.

[0042] According to one embodiment shown in the same picture, the device typically includes a central device 11 with an adjustable-stroke arm 12 to keep the central portion of the loop P locked in place.

[0043] The device 10 further includes two pairs of forked pins 13 and 14, which are parallel and rotate to fold each edge of the loop material. The two pairs of forked pins 13 and 14 move to rotate about an axis by their respective rotating devices 15 and 16, each pair of forked pins being driven by its respective rotating device.

[0044] More specifically, referring to one of the two pairs of forked pins, namely the pair indicated by 14, including pin 14a, which is positioned above pin 14b in the rest position, and during the operating steps, both pin 14a and pin 14b rotate about the axis of pin 14b so that after rotating 270 degrees, they move relative to pin 14b from the 12 o'clock position to the 9 o'clock position.

[0045] According to an embodiment of the invention, a motion unit is added to each pair of fork pins 13 and 14, the unit including a third pin 17, which in this case is an "S"-shaped pin that rotates about the axis of the same pin 14b and is arranged on an axis parallel to the rotation axis of the rotating device 16.

[0046] More specifically, according to Figure 5 and Figure 6 In the illustrated embodiment, pin 17 consists of a metal rod having an off-axis intermediate portion 17', which forms two parts having axes parallel to the axes of pin 14a and pin 14b. Pin 17 is applied to the edge of an annular bushing 18, which is rotatable about its own axis 19, which generates a rotation driven by a rotating cylinder, which is transmitted to rotating devices 15 and 16 on the axis of pin 14b.

[0047] More specifically, according to Figure 2 and Figure 3 And better Figure 4 and Figure 5 In the embodiment shown, a pair of concentric arcuate grooves 20 and 21 are provided on the same annular bushing 18. The grooves 20 and 21 are arranged radially as arcs and offset from each other.

[0048] A fixing screw 22 protrudes from the first groove 20 and is fixed to the shaft 19, while the second groove 21 is intercepted by another fixing screw 23, which is fixed to the locking plate 24 that is fixed to the body by screws 25.

[0049] The fixing screws 22 and 23 operate in the corresponding biased arcuate grooves 20 and 21 so that the controlled rotation of pin 17 is synchronized with the movement of shaft 19, which in turn drives the rotation of pins 14a and 14b.

[0050] In fact, the function of the fixing screws 22 and 23 in their respective slots 20 and 21 is to be relative to each other, so that the pin 17 can move angularly in perfect synchronization and with maximum precision in an eccentric manner.

[0051] In other words, the function of fixing screws 22 and 23 is to cause the rotation of shaft 19 to cause the pin 14a, which rotates about the axis of pin 14b, and the fixing screw 22, which operates in groove 20, to rotate primarily, and to cause the annular bushing 18 to rotate secondarily. When the fixing screw 22 moves angularly to the opposite end of the groove itself, the rotation of the annular bushing 18 begins. In contrast, fixing screw 23 acts as a limiting stop in groove 21.

[0052] From an operational perspective, the bushing 18 consists of a ring that causes the pin 17, applied to its annular edge, to rotate eccentrically due to the bushing itself rotating about the axis of shaft 19. This rotation causes the pin 17 to move from a point far from the material's starting point to a point near the material's ending point. In contrast, the retaining screw 23 acts as a limiting stop in the biasing groove 21.

[0053] The total eccentric rotation of pin 17 is achieved by subtracting the length of the groove 20 formed on bushing 18 from the rotation (270 degrees) of shaft 19 around the axis of pin 14b.

[0054] In fact, when the fixing screw 22 contacts the end opposite to its starting point in the groove 20, the fixing screw 22 causes the annular bushing 18 with the pin 17 inserted on it to rotate, and the fixing screw 23 acts as a limit stop.

[0055] It should be noted that the folding device of the present invention, designed to fold two flaps of material suitable for forming the loop P, comprises two matched symmetrical folding units, each folding unit comprising a pair of forked pins 13 and 14, which are parallel and rotate to fold each edge of the loop material, the forked pins 13 and 14 moving to rotate about an axis via respective rotating devices 15 and 16, the direction of rotation of each folding unit being opposite to that of the other.

[0056] In summary, the manufacturing method of the above-mentioned equipment allows for:

[0057] • Pin 17 rotates by a specific angle relative to the rotation of the other two rotating pins 14a and 14b;

[0058] • The step of eccentric rotation of pin 17 changes the starting point and ending point of pin 17 relative to the loop to be folded;

[0059] • A guide for holding the mechanical device in a longitudinal position relative to the axis of the rotation curve of the loop to be folded, which coincides with the axis of shaft 19 and pin 14b;

[0060] • The last part of the third rotating pin 17 is combed and holds the upper profile of the material in the same position at the end of its rotation, while the other two pins 14a and 14b rotate the outer wing to the inside of the loop.

[0061] • By pushing the folded edge inward, the tension of the material is compensated;

[0062] • Use the elasticity of the material to compensate for the different thicknesses at the application straps of the pants (e.g., waistband-hip area).

[0063] A further advantage of this device is that it can be included in a kit that can be easily applied to a standard folding system, thus enabling the production of loops P with “clean” flaps, thereby reducing the cost and operations throughout the trouser manufacturing cycle by eliminating the cleaning operation after washing.

[0064] Referring to the same sewing cycle as conventional folding equipment, it takes about 10 seconds to apply 5 loops to a pair of trousers. However, using the folding equipment of the present invention, the cleaning step after washing the inner edges of the 5 loops P is eliminated. This cleaning step depends on the speed of the operator performing the cleaning operation and the degree of automation applied to the subsequent operation, and usually requires an additional 10-25 seconds per pair of trousers.

[0065] Therefore, using the device of the present invention eliminates the need for one or two operators to clean the loop after washing for each operator applying the loop, as well as the necessary cutting unit for each operator, resulting in all the advantages in terms of productivity and cost-effectiveness.

[0066] The invention has been described above with reference to preferred embodiments. However, it is envisioned that some constructive variations may be introduced with technical equivalence, which fall within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A folding device (10) designed to fold two end flaps of material suitable for forming a loop (P) to be applied to clothing, the folding device (10) comprising two rotary folding units that act by rotating in opposite directions, each rotary folding unit comprising at least a pair of forked pins (13, 14), the at least pair of forked pins (13, 14) being parallel and rotating to fold each edge of the material of the loop, the forked pins (13, 14) being angularly rotatable via a rotation axis (19) via their respective independent rotary devices (15, 16). The device rotates about an axis, and each pair of pins includes a first pin (14a) positioned parallel to and close to a second pin (14b) in a rest position, and rotates about the axis of the second pin (14b) so that after rotating by a predetermined angle, it is positioned from a first position holding the end of the loop (P) to a position where the loop is fully folded. Each pair of forked pins (13, 14) is associated with a motion unit, and a third pin (17) is part of the motion unit, the third pin (17) being partially shaped and parallel to the first pin (14a) and the second pin (14b). The device is characterized by... The third pin (17) is mounted on the edge of an annular bushing (18) which is rotatable about a rotating shaft (19) that generates rotation transmitted to the rotating devices (15, 16). The third pin (17) is configured to rotate eccentrically about the annular bushing (18), during which the third pin (17) combs the material and at the end of its rotation, it retains thrust at the end of the material folded within the loop.

2. The folding device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The third pin (17) is "S" shaped and, due to its construction, the third pin (17) rotates eccentrically about the axis of the second pin (14b). The third pin (17) is located on an axis parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotating device (16).

3. The folding device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The third pin (17) is composed of a metal rod having an intermediate discontinuity (17') which forms two parts having an axis parallel to the axis of the first pin (14a) and the second pin (14b). This configuration allows the third pin (17) to rotate eccentrically relative to the axis of the second pin (14b).

4. The folding device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The annular bushing (18) is provided with a pair of concentric arc-shaped first grooves (20) and second grooves (21), which are arranged radially as arcs and offset from each other.

5. The folding device (10) according to claim 4, characterized in that, A first fixing screw (22) fixed to the rotating shaft (19) protrudes from the first slot (20), while the second slot (21) is intercepted by a second fixing screw (23), which is fixed to a locking plate (24) fixed to the body by a locking element (25).

6. The folding device (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that, The first fixing screw (22) and the second fixing screw (23) operate in the corresponding offset arc-shaped first groove (20) and second groove (21) so that the controlled rotation of the third pin (17) is synchronized with the movement of the rotating shaft (19), which in turn drives the rotation of the first pin (14a) and the second pin (14b).

7. The folding device (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that, The first fixing screw (22) and the second fixing screw (23) are configured such that the rotation of the rotating shaft (19) causes the first pin (14a) rotating about the axis of the second pin (14b) and the first fixing screw (22) operating in the first groove (20) to undergo primary rotation, and causes the annular bushing (18) to undergo secondary rotation. When the first fixing screw (22) moves angularly to the opposite end of the first groove (20) itself, the rotation of the annular bushing (18) begins. In contrast, the second fixing screw (23) acts as a limiting stop in the second groove (21).

8. The folding device (10) according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that, The annular bushing (18) causes the third pin (17) applied to its annular edge to rotate eccentrically, as the bushing itself rotates about the axis of rotation (19). This rotation causes the third pin (17) to move from a starting point relatively far from the material to an ending point relatively close to the material. In contrast, the second fixing screw (23) acts as a limiting stop in the biased second groove (21).

9. The folding device (10) according to claim 8, characterized in that, The total eccentric rotation of the third pin (17) is achieved by subtracting the length of the first groove (20) formed on the annular bushing (18) from the rotation of the rotating shaft (19) on the axis of the second pin (14b).

10. The folding device (10) according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that, When the first fixing screw (22) and its opposite end, which is positioned in the first groove (20), come into contact, the first fixing screw (22) causes the annular bushing (18) on which the third pin (17) is inserted to rotate, and the second fixing screw (23) acts as a limiting stop.

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