METHOD, EMBROIDERY FRAME AND EMBROIDERY MACHINE FOR EMBROIDERING ENDLESS RIBBONS USING THE EMBROIDERY MACHINE

Description

Technical area

[0001] The present invention relates to a method and an embroidery frame for embroidering endless ribbons using an embroidery machine according to the preambles of claims 1 and 4. State of the art

[0002] DE 19 923 912 A1 describes a device and method for embroidering endless ribbons using an embroidery machine. The procedure described therein results in embroidered ribbons that are embroidered in sections, for example, with people's names. Emblems and borders can also be additionally embroidered onto the names embroidered in this way to create special presentations for the sections. For the sake of simplicity, the term "embroidered names" is used below, although this also includes the possible design of the sections with other conceivable embroideries, such as emblems and borders.

[0003] Such embroidered endless ribbons are separated in a subsequent processing step, resulting in individually handled ribbon sections with the respective embroidered names. These ribbon sections embroidered with names are often used to personalize garments such as overalls or work overalls.

[0004] If the embroidered ribbon sections are sewn directly onto the smocks or overalls, for example, in the breast pocket area, the smock or overalls is specifically designated for the person named. This is often undesirable when washing the smocks or overalls, and instead, the embroidered ribbon section is preferably attached to the breast pocket of the smock or overalls using adhesive or Velcro. To do this, a Velcro strip must be attached to the back of the ribbon section, and a corresponding felt section must be applied to the attachment point on the breast pocket.

[0005] Documents JP 2002 275754 A and JP 2000 248456 A also describe devices using clamping frames and methods for embroidering endless ribbons in sections. In DE 19 923 912 A1 and JP 2000 248456 A, the embodiments each show the embroidery of a single ribbon. In contrast, JP 2002 275754 A shows that two ribbons can also be embroidered one above the other, with the embroidery taking place continuously and simultaneously from the surface of the upper ribbon to the underside of the lower ribbon.

[0006] If the ribbon section is embroidered directly in two layers as in JP 2002 275754 A, i.e. an upper ribbon as the visible side and a lower ribbon, which is the hook and loop fastener, are embroidered together, then the adhesive properties of the hook and loop fastener are damaged by the embroidery of the name to such an extent that secure adhesion is no longer guaranteed. Accordingly, it is necessary to embroider the name on the upper ribbon in a first step, then separate the ribbon sections and in a further step join the upper ribbon to the lower ribbon, namely the hook and loop fastener, with a circumferential connecting seam. This connecting seam only slightly damages the adhesive properties of the hook and loop fastener, ensuring secure adhesion. Nowadays, this sewing together is a process carried out by hand by a seamstress and results in finished ribbon sections.

[0007] From DD 230 715 A3 an embroidery frame for the continuous embroidery of material webs is known, by means of which - for example from roll to roll - single or multi-layered material webs are fed through and embroidered, whereby the embroidery frame is designed to coordinate the movements of several transport rollers and to ensure braking of the material web against the main processing direction. Description of the invention

[0008] The present invention is based on the object of eliminating the aforementioned disadvantages and of creating a method by means of which automation is possible when sewing together an upper band and a lower band (e.g. a Velcro band) by means of an embroidery or sewing machine.

[0009] According to the invention, the above object is achieved according to the preamble of claim 1 in conjunction with the characterizing features. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the method according to the invention are specified in the dependent subclaims. Brief description of the drawings

[0010] Further objects, features, advantages and possible applications of the method according to the invention will become apparent from the following description of an embodiment with reference to the drawings.

[0011] The drawings show Fig. 1 an embroidery machine with embroidery frame, a feed mechanism in the right end position and an upper band which is embroidered; Fig. 2 an embroidery machine with a selective embroidery frame; Fig. 3 a plate of the embroidery machine with cutout and free arm; Fig. 4 an embroidery frame in a top view; Fig. 5a an embroidery machine with an embroidery frame, a feed mechanism in the left end position, an upper band which is sewn to a lower band; Fig. 5b an embroidery machine like in Fig. 5a with a feed device in the right end position; Fig. 6 an embroidery frame in a view from below and a feed mechanism in the right end position; Fig. 7 an embroidery frame in a view from below and a feed mechanism moving to the left; Fig. 8 : an embroidery frame in a view from below and a feed mechanism in the left end position; Fig. 9 embroidered names on endless ribbon; Fig. 10 a ribbon section with embroidered name and Velcro backing; Fig. 11 a finished ribbon section with embroidered name, backed Velcro and surrounding connecting seam; Fig. 12 an embroidery machine with multiple upper and lower ribbon materials; Fig. 13 : Embroidery frame in top view with additional slider; Fig. 14 : Embroidery frame viewed from below with additional slider. Implementation of the invention

[0012] As shown, among other things, Fig. 1 As can be seen, the method according to the invention initially comprises the following successive steps: a) guiding a band section 30 of at least one upper band 3 to an embroidery area 207 of an embroidery frame 200, b) applying an embroidery by means of at least one embroidery head 101 to the band section 30 of the upper band 3 within the embroidery area 207 of the embroidery frame 200, wherein the method according to the invention is characterized by the following further steps, c) guiding at least one lower band 4 to the embroidery area 207 of the embroidery frame 200, which is placed below the upper band 3, d) producing at least one connecting seam between the upper band 3 and the lower band 4 in a plane E of the embroidery frame 200 and e) guiding away the finished band 6 consisting of the embroidered band 3 and the lower band 4 sewn to it.

[0013] In a further advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, the following successive method steps are additionally provided, which follow step d) instead of step e): aa) guiding at least one further upper band to the embroidery area 207 of the embroidery frame 200, which is placed above the upper band 3, bb) producing at least one connecting seam between the upper band 3 and the further upper band and cc) guiding away the finished band 6 consisting of the embroidered band 3 and the further upper band sewn to it.

[0014] As can be seen from Figs. 1 et seq., the lower band 4 and / or the further upper band can be guided to the upper band 3 by means of at least one feed member 206 (e.g. a slider) arranged to be displaceable parallel to the plane E of the embroidery frame 200 and movable in the opposite direction ER to the guide direction FR to the embroidery area 207 ( Fig. 1 ).

[0015] As can be seen from the Fign. 1 bis 8 As can be seen, the present invention further comprises an embroidery frame 200 for an embroidery machine for embroidering endless ribbons 1 in a plane E of the embroidery area 207 of the embroidery frame 200 for carrying out a method according to the invention, which is characterized in that it comprises at least one feed element 206 which is arranged so as to be displaceable parallel to the plane E of the embroidery frame 200 and is movable in the opposite direction ER of the guide direction FR, by means of which feed element the lower ribbon 4 and / or the further upper ribbon is guided to the embroidery area 207.

[0016] In a particularly advantageous embodiment (not shown), it comprises a plurality of feed elements 206 arranged so as to be displaceable parallel to the plane E of the embroidery frame 200, by means of which further lower ribbons 4 and / or further upper ribbons are successively guided over and / or under the upper ribbon 3 and for the purpose of sewing the ribbons for further embroidery of the ribbons.

[0017] The embroidery frame 200 can advantageously comprise a base plate 2000 for receiving and / or forming the embroidery frame 200, in which at least one cutout 2070 is provided for forming the embroidery area 207, such that the upper band 3 to be embroidered is guided from one side to the other side on or through this cutout 2070 in order to be embroidered by means of the embroidery head 101 of the embroidery machine.

[0018] On both sides of the embroidery area 207, at least one holding, fixing and / or clamping means 202, 203 with at least one associated drive element 204, 205 is provided for closing and releasing the holding, fixing and / or clamping means 202, 203 for the upper belt 3 and for the finished belt 6.

[0019] The feed member 206 may preferably comprise at least one drive 201 for its movement.

[0020] As can be seen from the Fign. 1 bis 8 As can be seen, the present invention further comprises an embroidery machine for embroidering endless ribbons 1 in a plane E of the embroidery area 207 of an embroidery frame 200 for carrying out a method, which is characterized in that it comprises at least one unwinding roller 102 for the upper ribbon 3, at least one unwinding roller 103 for the lower ribbon 4 and furthermore at least one winding roller 104 for the finished ribbon 6.

[0021] In a further embodiment of the invention, the embroidery machine 100 preferably comprises at least one control by means of which the embroidery frame 200 is moved on or on a plate 105 of the embroidery machine 100 in the X and Y directions during the embroidery and sewing process such that an embroidery is created on the upper band 3 by inserting the embroidery by means of the embroidery head 101. Detailed description of the drawings

[0022] Fig. 9 shows an endless band 1, which is partially embroidered with names 2. However, in Fig. 11 a single band section is shown, which consists of a visible upper band 3, the embroidered name 2 and the underlying lower band 4, namely preferably a Velcro strip. The connection of the upper band 3 with the lower band 4 is advantageously made by a circumferential connecting seam 5. Accordingly, in Fig. 11 the embroidered band 6 sewn with the surrounding connecting seam is shown.

[0023] According to the invention, this process is advantageously automated using the embroidery frame 200 on an embroidery or sewing machine. Fig. 1 the embroidery machine 100 is shown with the selective embroidery frame 200. This (selective) embroidery frame 200 rests on the plate 105 of the embroidery machine 100 and is moved by the control of the embroidery machine in the X and Y directions during the embroidery and sewing process such that the name to be embroidered is created on the tape 3 by the application of the embroidery by means of the embroidery head 101 and the free arm 107.

[0024] The embroidery machine 100 is preferably a free-arm embroidery machine and accordingly has a free arm 107. This free arm ensures that the bobbin thread gripper required for the embroidery process is freely accessible from the front and sides. This design of the embroidery machine 100 is comparable to the structure of a free-arm sewing machine. The required free access from the front and sides can also be achieved using other designs in the area of ​​the bobbin thread gripper.

[0025] Further on, Fig. 1 The unwinding roller 102 for the upper belt 3 and the unwinding roller 103 for the lower belt 4 are shown. These unwinding rollers 102, 103 can be designed as loose or driven rollers. The take-up roller 104 serves to hold the finished belt 6 sewn according to the invention and advantageously has a drive unit.

[0026] The Fign. 2 und 3 show details of the plate 105 of the embroidery machine 100. The cutout 106 in the plate 105 enables free accessibility of the free arm 107 from the front and sides.

[0027] From the Fig. 4 The structure of the embroidery frame 200 according to the invention is shown in a top view. The base plate 2000 of the embroidery frame 200 has a cutout 2070 such that the ribbon 3 to be embroidered is guided from one side to the other through this cutout 2070 in order to be embroidered by means of the embroidery head 101 of the embroidery machine 100. The holding, fixing, and / or clamping means 202 for the upper ribbon with the associated drive elements 204 and 204 is mounted on the base plate 2000 of the embroidery frame 200. On the other side of the cutout 2070, the holding, fixing, and / or clamping means 203 for the sewn ribbon with the drive elements 205 and 205 is mounted. The drive 201 serves to move the feeding member 206 according to the invention on the underside of the embroidery frame as shown in Fig. 6 shown.

[0028] The Fig. 5b shows the embroidery machine 100 with embroidery frame 200 in a front view and the right-hand end position of the feed element 206 for embroidering the upper ribbon. The path of the upper ribbon 3 from the unwinding roll 102 for the upper ribbon is arranged here to the left of the embroidery frame 200. The feeding of the lower ribbon 4 from the unwinding roll 103 is also shown. Due to the right-hand end position assumed by the feed element 206, the lower ribbon 4 is arranged on the right side of the free arm 107 and is not embroidered with the name in this phase. The guidance of the fully embroidered and sewn finished ribbon 6 from the embroidery frame 200 to the take-up roll 104 for the sewn finished ribbon 6 can be seen to the right above the plate 105.

[0029] In contrast, the Fig. 5a The embroidery machine 100 with embroidery frame 200 in the second phase of processing. The feed mechanism 206 is in the left end position, and the lower band 4 is inserted into the cutout 2070 and therefore to the left of the free arm 107. In this second phase of processing, the upper band 3, already embroidered with the name, is sewn to the lower band 4, which is placed under the upper band 3, by means of the circumferential connecting seam 5.

[0030] To clarify the positions of the feed member 206, the Fign. 6, 7 , 8 , which show the embroidery frame 200 in a view from below with the ribbon in different positions of the feed member 206. In Fig. 6 the feed member 206 is shown in the right end position. Accordingly, the lower belt 4 is on the right side, as shown in the Fig. 4 in the front view. Therefore, in this phase, only the upper band 3 lies in the cutout 2070 of the embroidery frame 200. According to the invention, therefore, only the upper band 3 is under the embroidery head 101 and is embroidered with the name in this first phase. After the embroidery of the upper band 3 with the name has ended, the feed member 206 is moved to the left by activating the drive 201 for the feed member 206. In the process, the lower band 4 is inserted under the upper band 3 into the cutout 2070. The Fig. 8 shows the feeding device 206 in the left end position. As a result, the lower belt 4 is completely inserted under the upper belt 3 in the cutout 2070. The lower belt 4 is on the left side of the free arm 107 as shown in the Fig. 5a as can be seen in the front view. With the two belts 3 and 4 arranged one above the other in this manner, the circumferential connecting seam 5 is applied in the second phase of processing by means of the embroidery head 101. At the end of the second phase, after completion of the circumferential connecting seam 5, the feed member 206 moves to the right into its final position, thereby releasing the lower belt again.

[0031] The functioning of the invention will be explained in more detail below using a flow chart. Method step a) serves to establish the starting state. For this purpose, the selective embroidery frame 200 is in the X / Y starting position such that the cutout 2070 is arranged in front of the free arm 107 in the area of ​​the cutout 106. The upper ribbon 3 is guided by the unwinding roller 102 for the upper ribbon to the top of the embroidery frame 200 and, with the left clamp 202 open, is guided from left to right to the likewise open right clamp 203 via the cutout 2070. In this starting state, the feed element 206 is in its right-hand end position. The lower ribbon 4 is brought together with the upper ribbon by the lower unwinding roller 103 from the underside through the right clamp 203. As a result, the lower belt 4 is to the right of the free arm 107. From the right clamp 203, the upper and lower belts are guided together to the take-up roller 104 and fastened thereon.The clamps 202 and 203 are closed by means of the drive elements 204 and 205, respectively. Subsequently, the upper band 3, the lower band 4, and the combined bands 6 are released, creating a slack that allows movement of the selective embroidery frame 200 in the X and Y directions.

[0032] In process step b), the embroidery frame 200 moves in the Y direction under the embroidery head 101 such that the ribbon inserted in the cutout 2070 can be embroidered. Due to the preparation in processing step a), only the upper ribbon 3 is located in the cutout 2070 for embroidery. The lower ribbon 4 is located to the right of the free arm 107 and therefore cannot be embroidered in the first phase.

[0033] The embroidery of the upper band 3 with the name is performed in processing step b) and ends in processing step d. In processing step e, the selective embroidery frame moves to the front X / Y position such that the cutout 2070 is arranged in front of the free arm 107 in the area of ​​the cutout 106.

[0034] According to the invention, in method step c), the feed member 206 moves from its right end position to its left end position—driven by the drive 201. In the process, the lower belt 4 is brought under the upper belt 3 into the cutout 2070. The lower belt 4 is thus located to the left of the free arm 107.

[0035] The embroidery frame 200 then moves in the Y direction under the embroidery head 101. In the subsequent process step d), the circumferential connecting seam 5 between the upper band 3 and the lower band 4 is produced using the embroidery head 101. After completing the circumferential connecting seam 5, the selective embroidery frame moves back to its X / Y starting position. The feed element 206, driven by the drive 201, moves to its right-hand end position and releases the sewn band 6.

[0036] In the next processing step e), the holding, fixing, and / or clamping means 202 and 203 are released. The embroidered and sewn ribbon 6 is conveyed from the area of ​​the cutout 2070 by activating the take-up roller 104 and wound up. During this process, a new section of the upper ribbon 3 and the lower ribbon 4 is simultaneously drawn in. As a result, the lower ribbon 4 lies on the right side of the free arm. The holding, fixing, and / or clamping means 202 and 203 are closed by means of the drive elements 204 and 205, respectively. Subsequently, the upper ribbon 3, the lower ribbon 4, and the sewn finished ribbon 6 are released, so that a slack is created in each case, which allows movement of the embroidery frame 200 in the X and Y directions. The transition to process step b) cyclically starts the next embroidery process of the next ribbon section.

[0037] An advantage of the invention is that it enables an automated process. Furthermore, the clamping of the upper band remains constant throughout both phases, thus achieving a high degree of precision when creating the circumferential connecting seam 5.

[0038] The present invention can be expanded by additional feed elements 206 on the underside of the embroidery frame 200 such that not only two ribbons can be embroidered or sewn together in different phases, but also multiple ribbons. The present invention can be reversed in that the additional ribbons are fed from a position above the embroidery frame 200, and thus the additional ribbons are inserted above the upper ribbon 3.

[0039] Furthermore, as for example in the Fign. 12 and 14As can be seen, after the additional upper ribbon material 3' has been sewn to the upper ribbon material 3, the lower ribbon material 4 can be fed and sewn. Subsequently, the ribbon material 4' can also be fed and sewn. Each sewing operation can be combined with an additional artistic embroidery motif. The multiple ribbon material thus produced is removed as sewn finished ribbon 6. Different types of sewn and embroidered finished ribbon 6 can be produced by loading the various unwinding rolls with ribbon material or not. List of reference numbers

[0040] 1 Endless ribbon 2 Embroidered name 3 Upper ribbon 3 Additional upper ribbon material 4 Lower ribbon (Velcro) 4 Additional lower ribbon material 5 Circumferential connecting seam 6 Sewn finished ribbon 30 Ribbon section 100 Embroidery machine 101 Embroidery head 102 Unwinding roller for upper ribbon material 102 Unwinding roller for additional upper ribbon material 103 Unwinding roller for lower ribbon material 103 Unwinding roller for additional lower ribbon material 104 Take-up roller for sewn ribbon material 105 Plate 106 Cut-out in plate 107 Free arm 200 Embroidery frame 201 Drive slider 202 Clamp for upper ribbon material, left 203 Clamp for sewn ribbon material, right 204 Drive element, clamp for upper ribbon material, left 205 Drive element, clamp for sewn ribbon material, right 206 Feed element (Slider) 206' Additional separately driven slider for inserting the additional upper ribbon material 206" Additional separately driven slider for inserting the additional lower ribbon material 207 Embroidery area 2000 Base plate of the embroidery frame2070 Cutout in the base plate of the embroidery frame E Level of the embroidery frame ER Opposite direction of the guide direction FR Guide direction

Claims

1. A method for embroidering endless belts (1) by means of an embroidery machine, comprising the following successive steps: a) feeding a belt segment (30) of at least one top belt (3) to an embroidery region (207) of an embroidery frame (200), b) introducing an embroidery on the belt segment (30) of the top belt (3) within the embroidery region (207) of the embroidery frame (200) by means of at least one embroidering head (101), characterized by the following further successive steps: c) feeding at least one bottom belt (4), placed underneath the top belt (3), to the embroidery region (207) of the embroidery frame (200), d) producing at least one connecting seam between the top belt (3) and the bottom belt (4) in a plane (E) of the embroidery frame (200), e) discharging the finished belt (6) made of the embroidered belt (3) and the bottom belt (4) stitched to the same.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized by the following further successive steps subsequent to step d) in place of step e): aa) feeding at least one further top belt, placed above the top belt (3), to the embroidery region (207) of the embroidery frame (200), bb) producing at least one connecting seam between the top belt (3) and the further top belt, cc) discharging the finished belt (6) made of the embroidered belt (3) and the further top belt stitched to the same.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the bottom belt (4) and / or the further top belt is fed to the embroidery region (207) by means of at least one feeding device (206) disposed for displacing parallel to the plane (E) of the embroidery frame (200) and in the opposite direction (ER) of the feeding direction (FR).

4. An embroidery frame (200) for an embroidery machine for embroidering endless belts (1) in a plane (E) of the embroidery region (207) of the embroidery frame (200) for performing a method according to any one of the preceding claims 1 through 3, characterized in that said frame comprises at least one feeding device (206) disposed for displacing parallel to the plane (E) of the embroidery frame (200) and in the opposite direction (ER) of the feeding direction (FR), by means of which the bottom belt (4) and / or the further top belt is fed to the embroidery region (207).

5. The embroidery frame according to claim 4, characterized in that said frame comprises a plurality of feeding devices (206) disposed for displacing parallel to the plane (E) of the embroidery frame (200), by means of which further bottom belts (4) and / or further top belts are successively fed above and / or below the top belt (3) for the purpose of stitching the belts or for further embroidering of the belts.

6. The embroidery frame (200) according to any one of the claims 4 through 5, characterized in that at least one retaining, fixing, and / or clamping means (202, 203) having at least one associated drive element (204, 205) for closing and releasing the retaining, fixing, and / or clamping means (202, 203) is provided on each of the two sides of the embroidery region (207) for the top belt (3) and for the finished belt (6).

7. The embroidery frame (200) according to any one of the claims 4 through 6, characterized in that the feeding device (206) comprises at least one drive (201) for displacing the same.

8. An embroidery machine (100) for embroidering endless belts (1) in a plane (E) of the embroidery region (207) of an embroidery frame (200) according to any one of the preceding claims 4 through 7, characterized in that said machine comprises at least one feed reel (102) for the top belt (3), at least one feed reel (103) for the bottom belt (4), and furthermore at least one take-up reel (104) for the finished belt (6).