Fabric clamping frame for embroidery machine and embroidery machine comprising frame

Abstract

A clamping frame (1) for an embroidery machine (5) for clamping a fabric (4), the frame comprising at least one notched plate (2) provided with at least one notch (21, 22), the shape of which corresponds to a first label (20) to be applied to the fabric (4) by sewing, the inner edge (22a) of the notch (22) being adapted to surround the first label (20) during sewing. The clamping frame (1) further comprises a hold-down device (6) with a platen (60) which is movable relative to the clamping frame (1) between a retracted position and a further position in which the platen is housed in the cutout (22) of the cutout plate (2) to hold the label in a direction perpendicular to the resting surface (P) for the fabric (4).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a fabric clamping frame for an embroidery machine and an embroidery machine comprising the frame. The present invention also relates to a method for sewing a label using the embroidery machine. Background Art

[0002] An embroidery machine generally comprises a fixed sewing head provided with one or more needles through which a thread passes and which can reciprocate in a substantially vertical direction, i.e., in a direction substantially at right angles to the surface on which the fabric to be embroidered is placed. In addition, the embroidery machine generally comprises a fabric holding frame, which is detachably supported by a mechanism having a carriage which can move in two mutually perpendicular directions X and Y, which define a geometrical plane XY substantially at right angles to the direction of movement of the sewing needle. The geometrical plane coincides with or is substantially parallel to the surface on which the fabric to be embroidered is placed. In this way, by combining the movement of the carriage in the XY plane, the fabric held by the holding frame can be moved parallel to the resting surface according to a plurality of positions, so that the needle forms sewing threads according to a plurality of predefined patterns, which are implemented based on at least one embroidery program stored in a control system integrated in or associated with the embroidery machine.

[0003] Problems arise when using known embroidery machines to fasten labels (also called patches) to fabrics. To achieve this fastening, the embroidery machine provides a sewing thread that runs substantially along the periphery of the label, thereby sewing the entire periphery of the label to the fabric.

[0004] When sewing with an embroidery program, if the pattern of the embroidery program substantially corresponds to the outer shape of the label to be applied, it is difficult for the operator to correctly position and hold the label relative to the sewing head so that the label is correctly positioned and oriented on the fabric and the sewing line formed for the label with the aid of the embroidery program is correctly aligned along the entire edge of the label. Incorrect alignment may result in uneven edges on the label and cause noticeable defects in the sewing line. The operator must also manually hold the label during at least a portion of the sewing process on the fabric.

[0005] Another problem arises when multiple labels need to be affixed to a fabric, even labels of different shapes, in which case the operator may have difficulty properly positioning the labels relative to each other on the same fabric.

[0006] An embroidery machine is known from US Pat. No. 5,454,337 which has a clamping plate with two cutouts which are smaller than the corresponding labels to be sewn, so that the operator must roughly position the cutouts on the fabric before the clamping plate can clamp the fabric and the labels. Summary of the invention

[0007] The object of the present invention is to provide a fabric holding frame, a corresponding embroidery machine and a corresponding method which improve the prior art in one or more of the aspects mentioned above.

[0008] Within the scope of this aim, an object of the invention is to enable correct sewing along the periphery of a label to be fixed to a textile, allowing correct positioning and orientation of the label on the textile and reducing the risk of injury to the user.

[0009] Another object of the present invention is to facilitate the accurate application of multiple labels, even labels that are different from each other, to the same fabric or to different parts of the same garment.

[0010] Yet another object of the invention is to devise a fabric holding frame, a corresponding embroidery machine and a corresponding method for applying labels that can be used at an industrial level, i.e. for mass production of fabrics or garments with sewn-on labels of the patch type.

[0011] Furthermore, the object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the background art in a way that replaces any existing solutions.

[0012] An important object of the present invention is to provide a fabric holding frame, a corresponding embroidery machine and a corresponding method which are highly reliable, relatively easy to implement and competitive in terms of cost.

[0013] This aim 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 , optionally having one or more of the features of the dependent claims.

[0014] The aims and objects of the invention are also achieved by an embroidery machine according to claim 9 and a method for sewing labels according to claim 10, optionally with one or more of the features of the dependent claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Other features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the description of a preferred but non-exclusive embodiment of the invention, which is illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0016] Figure 1 is a detail view of an embroidery machine according to the present invention, wherein the clamping frame is raised to receive the fabric to which the label is to be applied;

[0017] Figure 2 Corresponds to Figure 1, but wherein the cutout plates of the clamping frame and the borders of said frame are completely lowered into a position for clamping the fabric, i.e., for fixing the fabric to the clamping frame by friction;

[0018] Figure 3 corresponds to the foregoing figure during the insertion of the first label into the cutout plate;

[0019] Figure 4 corresponding to the aforementioned figure after the first label is inserted;

[0020] Figure 5 is a view of sewing along the perimeter of the label in the aforementioned figures;

[0021] Figure 6 When the second label is inserted into the border Figure 1 View of the embroidery machine in;

[0022] Figure 7 This is a view of the beginning of sewing the label in the aforementioned figures;

[0023] Figure 8 This is a view showing the completion of sewing the label in the aforementioned figures. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] With reference to the cited drawings, a fabric clamping frame for an embroidery machine according to the present invention, generally indicated by reference numeral 1, comprises templates 2, 3 for sewing labels, which are laterally movable relative to a resting surface P for resting a fabric 4. The templates 2, 3 are laterally movable relative to the resting surface P between a raised position for inserting / removing the fabric 4 into / from the embroidery machine and a lowered position for clamping the fabric 4 on the resting surface P (i.e., for pressing the fabric 4 against the resting surface P).

[0025] The clamping frame 1 is preferably mounted in a removable manner on a mobile device (only partially shown in the attached drawings) of the embroidery machine 5. The mobile device may comprise an arm 52 of a mechanism (known per se) with a carriage, which can be moved in two mutually perpendicular directions X and Y, defining a geometrical plane XY which is approximately at right angles to the direction of movement of the sewing needle 53 of the sewing head 51 of the embroidery machine 5. Said geometrical plane XY coincides with or is approximately parallel to the resting surface P for the fabric 4.

[0026] The mobile device responds to the instructions of at least one embroidery program stored in a control system integrated in or associated with the embroidery machine 5. In this way, by combining the movement of the carriage on the plane XY based on the instructions of the embroidery program, the fabric 4 guided by the clamping frame 1 can be moved parallel to the plane XY in multiple directions, so that the needle 53 can provide sewing lines on the fabric according to one or more predefined patterns defined in the embroidery program.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment, as shown in the accompanying drawings, the resting surface P may be a smooth sliding surface for the fabric 4, so that the fabric 4 is kept integral with said frame only by friction when the clamping frame 1 is in the lowered position on the surface P. The pressure exerted by the clamping frame 1 on the resting surface P thus enables the fabric 4 to slide on the surface P in any case and continues to hold it at right angles to the surface P so that it cannot rotate and cannot slide relative to the clamping frame 1.

[0028] The resting surface P may in this example be covered by a Teflon layer or film to allow effective sliding of the fabric 4 entrained by the clamping frame 1 during the sewing process. In order to generate the friction required to keep the fabric 4 integral with the clamping frame 1 during the sewing process, the lower surface of the clamping frame 1 (in contact with the fabric 4 during use) may advantageously include a layer or some areas made of rubber (optionally knurled rubber).

[0029] In an alternative embodiment not shown, the rest surface is a counterpressure surface which is connected to the clamping frame 1 so as to move in the plane XY in an integral manner with the clamping frame and on which the fabric 4 is fixed by the friction force exerted by the frame 1 when the clamping frame 1 is in the lowered position.

[0030] The template of the clamping frame 1 is mainly composed of a cutout plate 2 and a frame 3 preferably adapted to at least partially surround the cutout plate 2. The cutout plate 2 and / or the frame 3 may optionally include a layer or area made of rubber on their lower surface in order to generate friction with the fabric 4, as explained above.

[0031] The cutout plate 2 preferably has a rectangular outer shape and comprises one or more cutouts 21-22, the shapes of which correspond to corresponding labels to be applied to the fabric 4 by sewing, so that, in particular during the process of sewing the labels onto the fabric 4, the labels can be laterally retained in the corresponding cutouts by a shape-fitting connection.

[0032] Specifically, the inner edge 22 a of the at least one first cutout 22 of the plate 2 is adapted to completely surround the first corresponding label 20 during sewing, since the shape of the inner edge 22 a is substantially the same as the shape of the peripheral edge 20 a of the first label 20 .

[0033] In the illustrated embodiment, the cutout plate 2 may further include a second cutout 21 , an inner edge 21 a of which corresponds to an edge of another corresponding label (not shown) having the same shape as the cutout 21 .

[0034] The frame 3 is adapted to at least partially surround the cutout plate 2 so as to form a gap 23 between the inner edge 31 of the frame 3 and the outer edge 25 of the cutout plate 2, these edges preferably being of complementary shape to form a gap 23 of substantially constant width, for example, a substantially rectangular seam as shown in the figures. The width of the gap 23 around the cutout plate 2 is in any case such that at least one needle 53 of the embroidery machine 5 can pass through so as to be able to sew the fabric 4 exposed along the gap 23.

[0035] The frame 3 may be, for example, a plate having a single cutout having a closed shape defined by an inner edge 31 , for example a substantially rectangular cutout as shown in the figures.

[0036] The inner edge 31 of the frame 3 optionally defines a lateral containment wall for fixing the outer edge of the corresponding second label 30 to the fabric 4 by means of a corresponding peripheral sewing line 34, which is preferably closed.

[0037] According to the invention, the clamping frame 1 comprises at least one device 6 for pressing at least one label 20 to be sewn onto the fabric 4 .

[0038] The hold-down device 6 is mounted on the clamping frame 1 so as to be movable in a manner integral with the clamping frame. In particular, the hold-down device 6 can be mounted on the frame 3 so as to be laterally adjacent to the cutout 31 (i.e., laterally adjacent to the cutout plate 2). In alternative embodiments (not shown), for example in the case where the frame 3 is not provided in the clamping frame 1, the hold-down device 6 can be fixed on the cutout plate 2 instead. In both cases, the frame 3 or the cutout plate 2, respectively, has a convenient tab, which is suitable for providing an additional surface on which the hold-down device 6 can be fixed.

[0039] The clamping device 6 comprises a pressure plate 60 which can be moved relative to the clamping frame 1 substantially parallel to the rest surface P between a first position in which the pressure plate is accommodated in a corresponding cutout 22 of the cutout plate 2 and a second position in which the same cutout 22 is not blocked by the pressure plate 60.

[0040] In the embodiment shown, the pressure plate 60 is movable at least in a direction substantially parallel to the rest surface P. In an alternative embodiment not shown, the pressure plate 60 is rotatable about an axis eccentric to the pressure plate and at right angles to the rest surface P.

[0041] The pressing plate 60 can have a shape that is substantially similar to the shape of the corresponding incision 22, as shown in the example in the accompanying drawings, but in any case, the surface area of ​​the pressing plate is smaller than the area defined by the incision 22, thereby forming a gap between the outer edge of the pressing plate 60 and the inner edge 22a of the corresponding incision, and providing a sewing line 24 along the gap.

[0042] The pressing plate 60 is mounted on a linear slide 61 which can slide in a linear manner in a direction substantially parallel to the resting surface P, i.e. in a direction parallel to the upper surface of the frame 3 and / or the cutout plate 2, and preferably over the cutouts 31 and 22. Preferably, the slide 61 is guided to translate in the block 66, for example by providing fixed guide teeth passing through the longitudinal linear slot 65 of the slide 61 inside the block 66 fixed to the frame 3.

[0043] The pressing plate 60 may comprise at least one lifting rod 63, which is advantageously provided with a corresponding knob 62, which the user can grip to raise or lower the pressing plate 60 relative to the resting surface P. The lifting rod 63 slides through corresponding guide holes located at the end of the slide 61 closest to the cutout plate 2 and allows the pressing plate 60 to move in a direction substantially perpendicular to the sliding direction of the slide 61, i.e. in a direction at right angles to the cutout 22 of the cutout plate 2, i.e. in a direction at right angles to the resting surface P for the fabric 4.

[0044] Optionally, the pressure plate 60 may further include an anti-rotation pin 64 which is spaced apart from the lifting rod 63 and also passes through the linear slide 61 at another guide hole, so that these two elements 63 and 64 together prevent the pressure plate 60 from rotating relative to the slide 61 .

[0045] Alternatively, a spring may be abutted between the slider 61 and the pressure plate 60 or between the slider 61 and the knob 62 in a spring-loaded configuration so as to apply a force for moving the pressure plate 60 closer to the resting surface P for the fabric 4, thereby retaining the label 20 in the corresponding cutout 22 at right angles to the resting surface P. Alternatively, the use of the spring may be avoided if the weight of the pressure plate 60 itself is sufficient to achieve the function of retaining the label 20 at right angles to the resting surface P.

[0046] By means of the hold-down device 6, safety for the user can be increased, since the label 20 to be sewn on the fabric 4 can also remain stationary at right angles to the rest surface P during its sewing onto the fabric 4. This is particularly advantageous if the label tends to rotate around the axis of the needle 53 during its sewing due to its surface extent, material and / or shape of the label and the corresponding cutout (for example, if these shapes do not have (a sufficient number of) corners to avoid rotation of the label within the cutout during sewing).

[0047] The cutout plate 2 and the frame 3 are advantageously movable relative to each other in transverse direction and preferably at right angles to the resting surface P for the fabric 4, ie at right angles to the plane XY.

[0048] In particular, the cutout plate 2 and the frame 3 are associated with supports 54 fixed to a moving device 52 of the clamping frame 1 .

[0049] The support 54 comprises a first linear guide 55 for the first slide 26 to which the cutout plate 2 is fixed by means of a bracket 27 protruding, for example, in a cantilevered manner from the first slide 26. The first linear guide 55 is oriented transversely to the plane XY for the movement of said support 54, i.e. the first linear guide is oriented transversely to the rest surface P and more preferably at right angles to the plane XY and / or the surface P (as shown in the embodiment shown in the figures) in order to guide the linear translation of the cutout plate 2 along a direction at right angles to the plane XY and / or the surface P.

[0050] Advantageously, a U-shaped connecting shaft 57 can be provided to span the gap 23 between the support 27 and the cutout plate 2. The shaft 57 can be rotated about 180° about an axis substantially parallel to the resting surface P and passing through the two ends of the U. The shaft 57 can be rotated about said axis on command relative to the support 27 and the cutout plate 2 so as to expose the open side of the U alternately to the left and right sides of said axis during the sewing of the thread 34, thereby accommodating the needle 53 arriving from the left and right sides respectively, thereby also allowing sewing in the area of ​​the gap 23 between the support 27 and the cutout plate 2.

[0051] The support 54 may also include a second linear guide 56 for the second slide 36, which is parallel to the first guide 55. The frame 3 is fixed to the second slide 36 by means of another bracket 37 protruding from the second slide 36, for example in a cantilever manner. In this way, the frame 3 can be guided to translate linearly along a direction transverse to the plane XY and / or the surface P (more preferably, perpendicular to the plane XY and / or the surface P).

[0052] The lifting mechanism may include a rod system (not shown) suitable for selectively moving the slides 26 and 36. The rod system may have a manual actuation or an automatic actuation device.

[0053] The stored embroidery program of the embroidery machine 5 includes a pattern of sewing threads (24, 34) and instructions for moving the arm 52 so as to sew each sewing thread in sequence in response to a corresponding start command from the user, which causes the clamping frame 1 to move to a known "zero" starting position relative to the sewing needle 53.

[0054] Since the correspondence between the pattern of the sewing thread (e.g. 24) and the shape of the label to be applied (e.g. 20) is predefined and unambiguous and since the shape of the cutout 21, 22, 31 or gap 23 is predefined, the "zero" position is programmed to arrange an area within the cutout 21, 22, 31 or gap 23 and close to the edge 21a or 22a or 31 under the needle 53, according to the corresponding pattern of the sewing thread to be provided. The user must previously arrange the label in the corresponding space of the template and start the corresponding embroidery program.

[0055] The operation of the present invention is apparent from the structural description given above.

[0056] In the embodiment shown, the method of sewing the labels 20 and 30 on the fabric 4 by means of the embroidery machine 5 comprises first raising the clamping frame 1 to allow the user to insert the fabric 4 between the frame 1 and the resting surface P.

[0057] The clamping frame 1 is then lowered onto the resting surface P so as to hold the fabric 4 at right angles to the resting surface P and to make it integral with said frame 1. In the example shown, this holding is achieved by friction between the frame 1 and the fabric 4, which makes it integral with the frame 1 but allows it to slide on the resting surface P.

[0058] During the lowering of the clamping frame 1 onto the resting surface P, the cutout plate 2 and the frame 3 can be lowered at the same time, such as Figure 2 As an alternative, the frame 3 can be lowered first, thus only actuating the lowering of the slide 36, and then the cut-out plate 2 can be lowered.

[0059] This step may be repeated several times to allow the user to optimally position the fabric 4 relative to the sewing head 51 and relative to the area to which he / she wishes to apply the label.

[0060] The independent mobility of the cutout plate 2 and the frame 3 in a direction transverse to the plane XY and / or transverse to the resting surface P is useful for loading different types of labels into the template, which have corresponding shapes corresponding to the inner edge of only one of the cutout plate 2 and the frame 3.

[0061] For example, by first lowering the frame 3, as Figure 6 As shown in , the second label 30 can be inserted so that it abuts against the inner edge 31 of the frame 3, and then the embroidery program is started so as to first provide the second sewing thread 34.

[0062] The sliding member 61 is in the retracted position so as not to hinder the relative movement of the cutout plate 2 and the frame 3 and not to block the cutout 22 .

[0063] After the cutout plate 2 is lowered, 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 is in contact with the portion of the fabric 4 exposed in the cutout 22 ( Figure 4 ). Due to the identical peripheral shape, the first label 20 is laterally held by the inner edge 22a of the cutout after insertion by a form-fitting connection so as not to move along the fabric 4.

[0064] Optionally, based on the template and the number of labels of different shapes to be applied, the user may insert a label with a corresponding shape into the optional second cutout 21 .

[0065] At this point, the user holds the knob 62 and drags the platen 60 over the cutout 22, causing the platen 60 to fall and rest on top of the label 20 ( Figure 5 ). Therefore, a gap is formed along the entire periphery between the pressing plate 60 and the cutout 22, and the periphery of the label 20 is exposed at the gap.

[0066] The user then starts the embroidery program in order to apply a first sewing line 24 along the peripheral area of ​​the label 20 resting on the fabric 4 through the cutout plate 2. The sewing line 24 is preferably closed. The embroidery machine 5 moves the frame 1 to the zero position for sewing the first line 24 by means of the moving device 52 and starts sewing, which is performed by the needle 53 and is achieved by conveniently moving the fabric 4 and the label 20 as a whole by means of the movement of the frame 1 set in the embroidery program.

[0067] After the perimeter sewing of the first label 20 is completed, the user lifts and drags the pressing plate 60 to return the slider 61 to the retracted position, and raises the clamping frame 1 to move the fabric 4 to another point where the optional second label 30 will be applied or to insert a new fabric to which the second label 30 will be applied. Then, only the frame 3 is lowered so that the frame 3 holds the fabric in a direction at right angles to the resting surface, and the user inserts the second label 30 so that it abuts against the inner edge 31 of the frame 3.

[0068] Then, the cutout plate 2 can be lowered onto the fabric and the user starts the embroidery program for the second sewing thread 34. The embroidery machine 5 moves the frame 1 to the zero position for sewing the second thread 34 by means of the moving device 52 and starts sewing, which is performed by the needle 53 and is achieved by conveniently moving the fabric 4 and integrally moving the second label 30 by means of the movement of the frame 1 set in the embroidery program. In the embodiment shown, the preset correspondence between the dimensions of the template and the dimensions of the stored sewing thread enables the needle to provide the second sewing thread 34 along the entire gap 23 between the frame 3 and the cutout plate 2.

[0069] In practice, it has been found that the invention achieves the intended aim and objects.

[0070] The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims; moreover, all the details may be replaced by other technically equivalent elements.

[0071] In practice, the materials used and possible shapes and sizes can be any material, size and shape according to requirements and the prior art.For example, the cutout plate 2 and the frame 3 can be made of steel, organic glass or polymer material.

[0072] The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. 102022000018630 ​​from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference.

[0073] In case the features and techniques mentioned in any claims are followed by reference signs, those reference signs are included only to improve the intelligibility of the claims and thus these reference signs have no limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by these reference signs.

Claims

1. A clamping frame (1) for clamping a fabric (4) for an embroidery machine (5), characterized in that: The clamping frame comprises a label sewing template, the label sewing template comprises at least one cutout plate (2), the cutout plate (2) comprises at least one cutout (21, 22), the shape of the at least one cutout corresponds to a first label (20) to be applied to the fabric (4) by sewing, the inner edge (22a) of the at least one cutout (22) being suitable for surrounding the first label along the entire periphery of the first label (20) during the sewing process, the clamping frame (1) also comprises a clamping device (6) having a pressing plate (60), the pressing plate being movable relative to the clamping frame (1) between a first position and a second position substantially parallel to a placing surface (P) for the fabric (4), in the first position the pressing plate is accommodated in the at least one cutout (22) to hold the first label in a direction perpendicular to the placing surface (P), in the second position the at least one cutout (22) is not blocked by the pressing plate (60).

2. The clamping frame according to claim 1, characterized in that: The template further comprises a frame (3) adapted to surround the cutout plate (2) so as to form a gap (23) between an inner edge (31) of the frame (3) and an outer edge (25) of the cutout plate (2), the inner edge (31) of the frame forming a lateral receiving wall (31) for the outer edge of a second label (30) to be applied to the fabric (4).

3. Clamping frame according to the preceding claim, characterized in that The cutout plate (2) and the frame (3) are movable relative to each other in a direction transverse to the resting surface (P) for the fabric (4).

4. The clamping frame according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein: The pressing device (6) is mounted on the cutout plate (2) or on the frame so as to be laterally adjacent to the cutout plate (2).

5. The clamping frame according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein: The surface area of ​​the pressing plate (60) is smaller than the area defined by the at least one cutout (22), so that in the first position, a gap is formed between the outer peripheral edge of the pressing plate (60) and the inner edge (22a) of the at least one cutout (22), and a sewing line (24) is provided along the gap.

6. Clamping frame according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein: The pressure plate (60) is mounted on a linear slide (61) which can slide in a linear manner in a direction substantially parallel to the resting surface (P).

7. Clamping frame according to the preceding claim, wherein The pressing plate (60) comprises at least one lifting rod (63), which passes through the sliding member (61) so as to enable the pressing plate (60) to move in a direction substantially at right angles to a sliding direction of the sliding member (61).

8. Clamping frame according to the preceding claim, wherein The pressing plate (60) further comprises an anti-rotation pin (64) which is spaced apart from the lifting rod (63) along the sliding member (61) to prevent the pressing plate (60) from rotating relative to the sliding member (61).

9. An embroidery machine (5) comprising a sewing head (51) and a resting surface (P) for a fabric (4), characterized in that The embroidery machine comprises a clamping frame (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims.

10. A method for sewing a label (20, 30) onto a fabric (4) by means of an embroidery machine (5) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that The method comprises the following steps: - raising the clamping frame (1) to insert the fabric (4) between the frame and the resting surface (P); - lowering the clamping frame (1) onto the resting surface (P) to hold the fabric (4) at right angles to the resting surface (P); - inserting at least the first label (20) into at least one of the cutouts (22) of the cutout plate (2) of the clamping frame (1) such that a form-fitting connection exists between the first label (20) and the cutout (22); - displacing or translating the pressing plate (60) so that it overlies the first label (20) within the cutout (22); - applying at least one first sewing thread (24) along the peripheral area of ​​the first label (20) and around the pressing plate (60) by actuating at least one needle (53) of the sewing head (5) according to an embroidery program and simultaneously moving the clamping frame (1) relative to the sewing head (5).

Images