Device for automatically binding a printed textile panel with a flexible material strip and operating method thereof

Abstract

The present disclosure describes a device for automatically binding a printed textile panel with a flexible material strip and operating method thereof and a sewing machine. In particular a device for automatically binding a printed textile panel with a flexible material strip, said device comprising: a sewing head for sewing said flexible material strip with a thread along an edge of said panel; a data processor; a feeder for feeding binding media to the device, wherein said feeder comprises a rotatable part with a rotation encoder, arranged for the binding media to pass around said rotatable part; wherein the data processor is connected to the rotation encoder and configured for preventing operation of the device if the binding media is ended or determined to be below a predetermined threshold of available length; the binding media being the flexible material strip or the thread.

Description

D E S C R I P T I O NDEVICE FOR AUTOMATICALLY BINDING A PRINTED TEXTILE PANEL WITH A FLEXIBLE MATERIAL STRIP AND OPERATING METHOD THEREOFTECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure describes a device for automatically binding a printed textile panel with a flexible material strip and operating method thereof and a sewing machine.BACKGROUND

[0002] Binding the edges of printed textile panels to a strip of a flexible material is a common practice in the printed textile sector to prevent fraying and to provide a mounting support for the printed textile panel. This also gives a finished look to the printed panels, particularly when mounted in frames, for example square or rectangular frames. Traditionally, this process has been performed manually or with semi-automated machines, which can be labour-intensive, time-consuming, and prone to errors. There is thus a need for a fully automated or a more automated device that can efficiently and accurately bind printed textile panels with flexible material strips.

[0003] CN101469490 describes a panel fabric feed mechanism for a panel strip sewing machine, designed to optimize performance regardless of cloth thickness. The mechanism includes: a holding object with horizontal and vertical plates, a fabric guiding part mounted on an arm that can elevate or lower relative to the horizontal plate's surface, an impulse motor to adjust the fabric guiding part's position, an encoder to detect the position by monitoring the motor's rotation angle, and a CPU that controls the motor's rotation angle via a fabric guiding part control program.

[0004] Existing devices for sewing, i.e. binding, a printed textile panel with a flexible material strip run out of flexible strip or sewing thread frequently. Rethreading or remounting the strip is laborious and time consuming.

[0005] These facts are disclosed in order to illustrate the technical problem addressed by the present disclosure.GENERAL DESCRIPTION

[0006] The present disclosure relates to a device for automatically binding a printed textile panel with a flexible material strip, and an operating method thereof. The device includes mechanisms for feeding, aligning, and securing the textile panel, as well as for dispensing, positioning, and attaching the flexible material strip along the edges of the panel. The method includes steps for coordinating these mechanisms to ensure precise and consistent binding.

[0007] It is disclosed a device for automatically binding a printed textile panel with a flexible material strip, said device comprising a sewing head for sewing said flexible material strip with a thread along an edge of said panel, a data processor and comprising a feeder for feeding binding media to the device, wherein said feeder comprises a rotatable part with a rotation encoder, arranged for the binding media to pass around said rotatable part, wherein the data processor is connected to the rotation encoder and configured for preventing operation of the device if the binding media is ended or determined to be below a predetermined threshold of available length; the binding media being the flexible material strip, known as keder, and / or the thread (or line thread, or thread line, or simply line).

[0008] In an embodiment, the data processor is configured for determining the binding media is ended, and thus for preventing operation of the device, if the rotation encoder is not rotating.

[0009] In an embodiment, the data processor is configured for determining the length of fed binding media from the rotation encoder.

[0010] In an embodiment, the rotatable part is a pulley or cylinder or wheel.

[0011] An embodiment comprises a friction element, for example a pad or arm, for causing friction against the rotation of the rotatable part, i.e. preventing freewheeling rotation.

[0012] In an embodiment, the feed comprises a slack adjustment wheel arranged for the binding media to pass around said slack adjustment wheel and for tensioning the binding media.

[0013] An embodiment comprises a friction element, for example a pad or arm, for causing friction against the rotation of the slack adjustment wheel; i.e. preventing freewheeling rotation.

[0014] An embodiment comprises a buffer wheel and a tensioner for the binding media, in particular also comprising a freewheel for guiding the binding media.

[0015] An embodiment comprises a cutter, preferably a guillotine-type cutter, for cutting the binding media.

[0016] In an embodiment, the cutter is arranged in the sewing head.

[0017] An embodiment comprises a storage roll for storing binding media to be fed to the feeder.

[0018] It is also disclosed a device comprising a plurality of said feeders, each feeder for feeding separate binding media to the device, wherein each said feeder comprises a rotatable part with a rotation encoder, arranged for each separate binding media to pass around said rotatable part, wherein the data processor is connected to the rotation encoder and configured for preventing operation of the device if any of the separate binding media is ended or determined to be below a predetermined threshold of available length; each separate binding media being flexible material strip, known as keder, and / or thread.

[0019] It is also disclosed a device comprising a thread feeder and a flexible material strip feeder,wherein the thread feeder comprises a rotatable part with a rotation encoder, arranged for thread passing around said rotatable part, wherein the flexible material strip feeder comprises a rotatable part with a rotation encoder, arranged for flexible material strip passing around said rotatable part, wherein the data processor is connected to the rotation encoder of the thread feeder and to the rotation encoder of the flexible material strip feeder, and is configured for preventing operation of the device if the thread and / or flexible material strip is ended or determined to be below a predetermined threshold of available length.

[0020] It is also disclosed a method for operating a device for automatically binding a printed textile panel with a flexible material strip, said device comprising a sewing head for sewing said flexible material strip with a thread along an edge of said panel, a data processor and comprising a feeder for feeding binding media to the device, wherein said feeder comprises a rotatable part with a rotation encoder, arranged for the binding media passing around said rotatable part, wherein the data processor is connected to the rotation encoder, the method comprising the data processor receiving signal from the rotation encoder and preventing operation of the device if the binding media is ended or determined to be below a predetermined threshold of available length; the binding media being the flexible material strip, known as keder, or the thread.

[0021] Another aspect of the disclosure includes a sewing machine comprising the device for automatically binding a printed textile panel with a flexible material strip as any of the devices of the present disclosure.

[0022] The present disclosure thus describes a device for sewing a flexible material strip (or Keder, or Keder line, or Keder strip) seam with a sewing machine. More specifically, it describes a device that allows the sewing margins to be controlled during the formation of the flexible material strip (or Keder) seam when using a sewing machine.

[0023] In a first aspect, the present disclosure provides a flexible material strip encoder (the flexible material strip also being referred to as a Keder) for the sewing machine. The presence of a sensor for the flexible material strip (known as Keder) ensures that sewing will not commence if the Keder strip is not detected, i.e., if the disc is stationary. This detection is performed by a monitoring and detection sensor that detects the movement of the disc, which only rotates when the seam is in motion and applying the Keder strip. This sensor can also measure the distance in centimetres or inches.

[0024] In a second aspect, the present disclosure provides a thread line encoder for the sewing machine. The presence of this thread sensor ensures that sewing does not start if at least one thread is not detected, i.e., if at least one dial is stationary. This detection is performed by a sensor that monitors the movement of the dial, which rotates only when sewing is in progress and the corresponding thread is being used.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] The following figures provide preferred embodiments for illustrating the disclosure and should not be seen as limiting the scope of invention.

[0026] Figure 1A and IB: Schematic representation of two embodiments of a thread line encoder.

[0027] Figure 2: Schematic representation of an embodiment of a single thread line encoder.

[0028] Figure 3: Schematic representation of an embodiment of a Keder line encoder.

[0029] Figure 4: Schematic representation of an embodiment of the thread line encoder in a sewing machine.

[0030] Figure 5: Schematic representation of an embodiment of the Keder strip encoder in a sewing machine.

[0031] Figure 6A and 6B: Schematic representation of two embodiments of the thread line encoder in a sewing machine.

[0032] Figure 7: Schematic representation of a top view of the sewing machine.

[0033] Along this description, the following reference numbers indicate the following elements:1 - Buffer wheel;2 - Thread;3 - Encoder wheel;4 -Tensioner;5 - Keder path;6 - Free roller;7 - Slack adjuster wheel;8 - Keder encoder;9 - Thread encoder;10 - Thread line encoder.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] The present disclosure describes a device and method for automatically binding a printed textile panel with a flexible material strip. The device includes mechanisms for feeding, aligning, and securing the textile panel, as well as for dispensing, positioning, and attaching the flexible material strip along the panel's edges. The method ensures precise and consistent binding, improving efficiency and reducing manual labour.

[0035] The present disclosure describes a device for automatically binding a printed textile panel with a flexible material strip, said device comprising:a sewing head for sewing said flexible material strip with a thread along an edge of said panel; a data processor; a feeder for feeding binding media to the device, wherein said feeder comprises a rotatable part with a rotation encoder, arranged for the binding media to pass around said rotatable part; wherein the data processor is connected to the rotation encoder and configured for preventing operation of the device if the binding media is ended or determined to be below a predetermined threshold of available length; the binding media being the flexible material strip or the thread.

[0036] In an embodiment, the device includes sewing heads and / or adhesive applicators.

[0037] Figure 1 (A and B) shows a schematic representation of two embodiments of a thread line encoder, where: 1 represents a buffer wheel, 2 represents a thread, 2 represents an encoder wheel and 3 represents a tensioner.

[0038] Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a single thread line encoder where: 1 represents a buffer wheel, 2 represents a thread, 2 represents a encoder wheel and 3 represents a tensioner.

[0039] Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a Keder (flexible material strip) strip encoder where: 3 represents a tensioner, 5 represents of keder path (the flexible material strip path), 6 represents a free roller, 7 represents a xlack adjuster wheel.

[0040] Figure 4 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of the thread line encoder in a sewing machine where 2 represents a thread.

[0041] Figure 5 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of the Keder line encoder in a sewing machine where 8 represents a Keder (flexible material strip) encoder.

[0042] Figure 6 (A and B) show a schematic representation of two embodiments of the thread line encoder in a sewing machine where 9 represents the thread encoder.

[0043] Figure 7 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a top view of the sewing machine with the device with a thread line encoder 10 for automatically binding a printed textile panel of the present disclosure.

[0044] In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides a Keder strip encoder for the sewing machine. The presence of a sensor for the Keder ensures that sewing will not start if the Keder is not detected, i.e. if the disc is stopped. This detection is made by a monitoring and detector sensor that detects the movement of the disc which only rotates when the seam is in motion and applying the Keder strip. This sensor can count the distance in cm or inches.

[0045] In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides a thread line encoder for the sewing machine. The presence of such thread sensor ensures that sewing does not start if at least one thread is not detected, i.e. if at least one dial is stopped. This detection is made by a sensor that detects the movement of the dial that rotates only when sewing is in progress and the corresponding thread is being used.

[0046] In an embodiment, the existence of a storage disk ensures that the sewing machine will not unravel when at least one thread line break or lines or with the termination of one or more-line cones. After stopping the sensor disk, there are still lines left on the storage disk and it is on this disk that the thread end, with a knot, will be connected to the line cone. This saves a lot of time by avoiding having to re-thread the sewing machine with the new thread.

[0047] Further particular and preferred aspects are set out in the accompanying independent and dependent claims. Features of the dependent claims may be combined with features of the independent claims as appropriate, and in combinations other than those explicitly set out in the claims.

[0048] Where an apparatus feature is described as being operable to provide a function, it will be appreciated that this includes an apparatus feature which provides that function or which is adapted or configured to provide that function.

[0049] Where elements are described as being connected or connectable, they may be directly connected. Where elements are described as being coupled or coupleable, they may be linked by one or more intervening or interposing elements.

[0050] The term "comprising" whenever used in this document is intended to indicate the presence of stated features, integers, steps, components, but not to preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof.

[0051] Furthermore, it is to be understood that the invention encompasses all variations, combinations, and permutations in which one or more limitations, elements, clauses, descriptive terms, etc., from one or more of the claims or from relevant portions of the description is introduced into another claim. For example, any claim that is dependent on another claim can be modified to include one or more limitations found in any other claim that is dependent on the same base claim.

[0052] The disclosure should not be seen in any way restricted to the embodiments described and a person with ordinary skill in the art will foresee many possibilities to modifications thereof. The above described embodiments are combinable.

[0053] The following claims further set out particular embodiments of the disclosure.

Claims

C L A I M S1. Device for automatically binding a printed textile panel with a flexible material strip, said device comprising a sewing head for sewing said flexible material strip with a thread along an edge of said panel, and the device further comprising a data processor and a feeder for feeding binding media to the device, wherein said feeder comprises a rotatable part with a rotation encoder, arranged for the binding media to pass around said rotatable part, wherein the data processor is connected to the rotation encoder and configured for preventing operation of the device if the binding media is ended or determined to be below a predetermined threshold of available length; the binding media being the flexible material strip and / or the thread.

2. Device according to the previous claim wherein the data processor is configured for determining the binding media is ended, and thus for preventing operation of the device, if the data processor determines that the rotation encoder is nonrotating.

3. Device according to any of the previous claims wherein the data processor is configured for determining the length of fed binding media from the rotation encoder rotation.

4. Device according to any of the previous claims wherein the rotatable part is a pulley or cylinder or wheel.

5. Device according to any of the previous claims comprising a friction pad or arm for causing friction against the rotation of the rotatable part.

6. Device according to any of the previous claims wherein the feed comprises a slack adjustment wheel arranged for the binding media to pass around said slack adjustment wheel and for tensioning the binding media.

7. Device according to any of the previous claims comprising a friction pad or arm for causing friction against the rotation of the slack adjustment wheel .

8. Device according to any of the previous claims comprising a buffer wheel and a tensioner for the binding media, in particular also comprising a freewheel for guiding the binding media.

9. Device according to any of the previous claims comprising a cutter, preferably a guillotine-type cutter, for cutting the binding media.

10. Device according to the previous claim, wherein the cutter is arranged in the sewing head.

11. Device according to any of the previous claims comprising a storage roll for storing binding media to be fed to the feeder.

12. Device according to any of the previous claims comprising a plurality of said feeders, each feeder for feeding separate binding media to the device, wherein each said feeder comprises a rotatable part with a rotation encoder, arranged for each separate binding media to pass around said rotatable part, wherein the data processor is connected to the rotation encoder and configured for preventing operation of the device if any of the separate binding media is ended or determined to be below a predetermined threshold of available length; each separate binding media being flexible material strip and thread.

13. Device according to any of the previous claims, comprising a thread feeder and a flexible material strip feeder, wherein the thread feeder comprises a rotatable part with a rotation encoder, arranged for thread passing around said rotatable part,wherein the flexible material strip feeder comprises a rotatable part with a rotation encoder, arranged for flexible material strip passing around said rotatable part, wherein the data processor is connected to the rotation encoder of the thread feeder and to the rotation encoder of the flexible material strip feeder, and is configured for preventing operation of the device if the thread and / or flexible material strip is ended or determined to be below a predetermined threshold of available length.

14. Sewing machine comprising the device for automatically binding a printed textile panel with a flexible material strip of any of the previous claims.

15. Method for operating a device for automatically binding a printed textile panel with a flexible material strip, said device comprising a sewing head for sewing said flexible material strip with a thread along an edge of said panel, and the device further comprising a data processor and a feeder for feeding binding media to the device, wherein said feeder comprises a rotatable part with a rotation encoder, arranged for the binding media passing around said rotatable part, wherein the data processor is connected to the rotation encoder, the method comprising the data processor receiving signal from the rotation encoder and preventing operation of the device if the binding media is ended or determined to be below a predetermined threshold of available length; the binding media being the flexible material strip and / or the thread.

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