Edge printing process for leather goods material
The inkjet printing process addresses the aesthetic and protective challenges of unembellished leather edges by applying patterns and branding directly onto the edges of leather goods, enhancing both appearance and durability.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- FR2023005023
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2023-05-22
- Publication Date
- 2025-05-02
- Estimated Expiration
- 2043-05-22
AI Technical Summary
The edges of leather goods materials often remain unembellished, with traditional dyeing methods being transparent and unsightly, failing to meet the aesthetic and protective requirements of luxury leather products.
A printing process is developed for the edges of leather goods, utilizing an inkjet printing method where the leather piece is maintained in a device with the edge facing upwards, allowing for the application of patterns, logos, or designs directly onto the edge.
This process effectively embellishes the edges of leather goods with vibrant patterns and branding, enhancing the aesthetic appeal while providing a protective layer, thus meeting the demands of luxury leather products.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: Process for printing on the edge of a leather goods material Technical field
[0001] The present invention relates to the field of leather goods and in particular the embellishment step.
[0002] It relates more specifically to a process for printing on the edge of a leather goods material and an installation for implementing this printing process. It will find particular application in leatherworking. Prior art
[0003] Among the leather goods materials, we know in particular leather, natural or synthetic.
[0004] Natural leatherworking is a craft that requires specific skills and techniques to transform raw leather into finished products such as bags, belts, wallets, or any other products.
[0005] In the luxury sector, leatherwork requires a high level of craftsmanship, creativity and attention to detail to create exceptional quality products that meet the requirements of the most demanding consumers.
[0006] In the field of manufacturing leather goods, such as leather bags, it is known to create patterns on the large faces in order to create unique or personalized products. It is particularly known to carry out screen printing or embossing on the faces of the bag.
[0007] On the other hand, the sides (or edges) of leather elements remain in their raw state or can receive an edge dye applied with a brush or using a sponge for example, to dye the sides of leather articles. Edge dyeing also helps to protect the side against wear and fraying.
[0008] However, the edge dye is often transparent and leaves the side of the leather visible, which can be unsightly.
[0009] This problem can be found on other types of leather goods materials than leather, such as textile or canvas, in particular coated canvas. Description of the invention
[0010] An aim of the present invention is to provide a method for embellishing the side of a leather goods item.
[0011] To do this, the invention relates to a method of printing on the edge of a leather goods material, in which:
[0012] a piece of leather goods material is provided having a flank located between a first face and a second face of the piece of leather goods material;
[0013] the piece of leather goods material is placed in a holding device so that the side is arranged upwards and extends rectilinearly in a substantially horizontal plane; then
[0014] an inkjet printing step is carried out on the sidewall so as to print a pattern on the sidewall.
[0015] The implementation of the printing method makes it possible to obtain a printed side of a piece of leather goods material. For example, the method according to the invention makes it possible to print the manufacturer's brand or logo on the edge of the piece of leather goods material. It also makes it possible to print any pattern, in particular colored patterns.
[0016] Preferably, printing is carried out over the entire surface of the sidewall.
[0017] The invention will find its application in particular for embellishing the straps or handles of bags.
[0018] Inkjet printing is preferably carried out using an inkjet printer where the nozzles move horizontally above the sidewall held by the holding device.
[0019] By side is meant the edge or the slice of the piece of leather goods material.
[0020] The leather goods material can be leather, textile, canvas, for example the coated canvas.
[0021] The piece of leather goods material can therefore be a piece of leather, natural or synthetic, a piece of textile, or even a piece of canvas, for example a coated canvas.
[0022] The piece of leather goods material can in particular be used to make a strap, a handle, a bag handle, a wallet, or even a belt.
[0023] The average thickness of the sidewall is less than or equal to 30 mm, preferably less than or equal to 10 mm, more preferably less than or equal to 5 mm.
[0024] The inkjet printing step involves spraying small drops of liquid ink onto the side of the piece of leather goods material to create images or text.
[0025] Advantageously, the inkjet printing step includes an air blowing step subsequent to the depositing of the ink on the sidewall. Preferably, this is hot air.
[0026] This blowing step improves the drying of the ink. Preferably, the air temperature is between 100°C and 250°C. The air temperature can be controlled and modified depending on the nature of the support and the ink, or the desired effect.
[0027] Advantageously, a first absorbent element is placed along the end edge of the first face adjacent to the sidewall, so as to circumscribe the impression on the sidewall.
[0028] The first absorbent element also makes it possible to absorb the excess ink deposited during the printing step.
[0029] One advantage of the first absorbent element is that it prevents the ink from flowing and, consequently, staining the first face of the piece of leatherwork material, which improves the quality of the print finish.
[0030] The first absorbent element is for example a portion of sponge or a blotting element.
[0031] Preferably, a second absorbent element is placed along the end edge of the second face adjacent to the sidewall, so as to absorb the excess ink on either side of the sidewall and to circumscribe the printing width to the width of the sidewall.
[0032] Preferably, the width of the printing surface is at least equal to the width of the flank. In other words, the ink is preferably deposited over a width at least equal to the width of the flank, even more preferably greater, for example by at least 4%, so that the ink covers the entire flank. Thanks to the absorbent elements, the printing surface remains limited to the width of the flank and does not overflow onto the faces of the piece of leather goods material.
[0033] It is therefore understood that the side of the piece of leather goods material is positioned and held between the first and second absorbent elements during the printing step.
[0034] Advantageously, the sidewall is previously covered with at least one coating layer. It is understood that the ink is deposited on the coating layer.
[0035] The coating layer preferably constitutes a primer to improve the adhesion of the ink to the side of the piece of leather goods material. The coating layer further improves the finishing quality of the product.
[0036] Preferably, the coating comprises an edge dye, for example tinted. According to one example, the edge dye on which the printing is carried out is white.
[0037] A protective varnish may possibly be deposited on the sidewall on the ink after the printing step.
[0038] The invention further relates to a piece of leather goods material having a side comprising a pattern which is printed using the printing method according to the invention. The piece of leather goods material is for example a piece of leather, a piece of textile or even a piece of canvas, for example a coated canvas.
[0039] The part is preferably made up of two portions of parts fixed to each other, the side being made up of the juxtaposed edges of the two portions of parts.
[0040] It may for example be two portions of leather whose "split" faces are glued to each other. The side is therefore formed in this case by the juxtaposed edges of the two portions of leather.
[0041] The invention also relates to a leather goods article comprising at least one piece of leather goods material according to the invention, said leather goods article being, for example, a bag, a handle, a bag handle, a strap, a belt or a wallet.
[0042] Preferably, said at least one piece of leather goods material is a piece of leather.
[0043] The invention finally relates to an installation for printing on the edge of leather goods material implementing the method according to the invention.
[0044] The installation includes:
[0045] a holding device for holding a piece of leather goods material having a flank located between a first and a second face of the piece of leather goods material, the holding device being arranged so that the flank is directed upwards and extends rectilinearly in a longitudinal direction in a substantially horizontal plane;
[0046] an inkjet printing device comprising at least one print head movable above the holding device in a direction of movement to perform printing on the sidewall.
[0047] It is understood that the print head moves in the longitudinal direction.
[0048] The installation may comprise one or more holding devices in order to carry out printing on several sides at the same time.
[0049] Advantageously, the holding device comprises at least a first pair of jaws comprising a first and a second jaw arranged opposite one another, at least one being movable relative to the other so as to be able to adjust the spacing between the first and second jaws.
[0050] The jaws have the function of gripping the piece of leatherwork material, by pinching on the opposite faces of the piece of leatherwork material.
[0051] The distance between the first and second jaws is adjustable so as to adapt to the thickness of the flank.
[0052] The shape of the jaws will depend on the shape of the piece of leatherwork material.
[0053] According to a preferred embodiment, the first and second jaws are parallel and extend parallel to the direction of movement of the print head.
[0054] Advantageously, at least the first jaw comprises a first ink absorbing element which is arranged opposite the second jaw, the first ink absorbing element extending along the first jaw.
[0055] The first ink absorbent element comprises, for example, a sponge or a blotting element. The first ink absorbent element is preferably fixed to the first jaw.
[0056] Preferably, the second jaw comprises a second ink absorbing element which is arranged opposite the first ink absorbing element, the second ink absorbing element extending along the second jaw.
[0057] Advantageously, the holding device comprises a first support cooperating with the first pair of jaws, and in which the first jaw is fixed relative to the support, while the second jaw is movable in translation relative to the support in a direction transverse to said longitudinal direction.
[0058] The holding device is therefore arranged to allow the distance between the first and second jaws to be adjusted.
[0059] Preferably, the holding device further comprises at least one movable stop for locking the position of the second jaw relative to the first support. The movable stop thus makes it possible to lock the position of the second jaw after clamping the piece of leather goods material. It is understood that the piece of leather goods material is firmly held by the first pair of jaws so as not to move during the printing operation.
[0060] Alternatively, at least one of the first and second jaws comprises a recess for receiving a portion of the first face or the second face of the piece of leather goods material. The recess makes it possible to receive a curved portion of the piece of leather goods material, for example when it is a bag handle. Depending on the shape of the piece of leather goods material, recesses may be provided on each jaw.
[0061] Preferably, the holding device comprises several pairs of jaws, each pair of jaws being arranged to hold a piece of leatherwork material.
[0062] The different pieces of leather are placed on the holding device so that sequential printing can be carried out on the pieces of leather.
[0063] Preferably, each pair of jaws is mounted on a support, the installation further comprising a frame for receiving the supports, the frame being fixed to a plate of the printing device.
[0064] The supports are preferably removable relative to the frame, whereby the operator can place the supports he needs to carry out the prints on leather parts. One interest is to make the installation modular and increase the printing rate.
[0065] Advantageously, the printing device further comprises an air blowing device which is movable with the print head. The air blowing device, preferably hot air, makes it possible to accelerate the drying of the ink and thus avoid smudging. Description of the drawings
[0066] The invention will be better understood on reading the following description of embodiments of the invention given as non-limiting examples, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:
[0067] [Fig-1] [Fig.l] schematically illustrates a piece of material of leather goods with a side;
[0068] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] illustrates in front view the edge printing installation which implements the printing method according to the invention;
[0069] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] illustrates in side view the edge printing installation of leather of [Fig.2];
[0070] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] illustrates an example of the embodiment of a frame for receiving several pairs of jaws;
[0071] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] schematically illustrates the pairs of jaws disassembled from the frame of [Fig.4];
[0072] [Fig.6] [Fig.6] illustrates the movable stop which serves to lock the jaws in closed position;
[0073] [Fig.7] [Fig.7] illustrates an alternative embodiment of the jaws of the installation in which one of the jaws has a recess; and
[0074] [Fig.8] [Fig.8] illustrates the piece of leather after the step of printing a pattern on the flank. Detailed description
[0075] In [Fig.l], a non-limiting example of a piece of leather goods material 10 has been illustrated, namely, in this non-limiting example, a piece of leather 10. In this non-limiting example, it is more particularly a leather bag strap, comprising a side 12 located between a first face 14 and a second face 16 of the piece of leather 10. Without departing from the scope of the present invention, the leather goods material could be textile or canvas, for example a coated canvas.
[0076] In this non-limiting example, provided for illustration purposes, the first and second faces 14, 16 are flat. Furthermore, the piece of leather 10 is made up in this example of two portions of leather fixed to each other. The “split” faces of the two portions are fixed to each other, so that the first and second faces are formed by the "grain" faces of the leather portions.
[0077] In this example, the first and second faces are parallel to each other. Without departing from the scope of the present invention, one of the faces, or both faces could be curved or non-parallel.
[0078] In this example, the average thickness of the sidewall is less than 30 mm and of the order of 5 mm.
[0079] In [Fig. 2], the installation 100 for printing on a leather edge is schematically illustrated. The installation 100 comprises a holding device 110 for holding the piece of leather 10 during the printing operation. The holding device 110 is arranged so that the flank 12 is directed upwards and extends rectilinearly in a longitudinal direction A in a substantially horizontal plane P.
[0080] The installation further comprises an inkjet printing device 120 comprising a print head 122 movable above the holding device 110, the print head 122 being movable in a direction of movement D which is parallel to the longitudinal direction A. The function of the print head 122 is to print on the side 12 of the piece of leather 10.
[0081] The printing device 120 is, in this example, guided in movement by a rod 124 which is parallel to the direction D. The printing device 120 further comprises an air blowing device 126 which is movable with the printing head 122. In this example, it is understood that the air blowing device 126 is arranged at the rear of the printing nozzles 123 so as to blow hot air onto the sidewall 12 after the ink droplets have been deposited, in order to promote the drying of the ink. The air blowing device 126 comprises a blowing head 128 which is connected to a fan and to a thermal resistor, not illustrated here, which makes it possible to adjust the air temperature between 100°C and 250°C.
[0082] With reference to [Fig. 3], it can be seen that, in this example, the holding device 110 comprises a first pair of jaws comprising a first and a second jaw 130, 132 which are arranged opposite one another. The holding device 110 comprises a first support 140 cooperating with the first pair of jaws. The first jaw 130 is fixed relative to the support 140, while the second jaw 132 is movable in translation relative to the support 140 in a direction B which is transverse to the aforementioned longitudinal direction A.
[0083] It is therefore understood that the second jaw is movable relative to the first jaw so as to be able to assist the spacing between the first and second jaws in the direction B.
[0084] In this example, the first and second jaws 130, 132 are parallel and extend parallel to the direction of movement of the print head.
[0085] With reference to Figures 3 and 4, it can be seen that the first jaw 130 comprises a first absorbent element 150, such as a foam or sponge element, which is arranged opposite the second jaw 132, the first ink absorbent element 150 extending along the first jaw 130. In this case, the second jaw 132 comprises a second ink absorbent element 152 which is arranged opposite the first ink absorbent element 150, the second ink absorbent element 152 extending along the second jaw 132.
[0086] As understood with the aid of [Fig. 3], the first and second ink absorbing elements 150, 152 are arranged to bear along the end edges 14a, 16a of the first and second faces 14, 16 of the piece of leather. They make it possible to circumscribe the printing surface to the surface of the sidewall.
[0087] The holding device 110 further comprises at least one movable stop 160 for locking the position of the second jaw 132 relative to the first support 140. The movable stop 160 and its guide groove are notably visible in [Fig.6].
[0088] In [Fig.7], another embodiment of the first pair of jaws is illustrated, in which the first jaw 130 has a recess 131 for receiving a curved portion of the first face of the piece of leather.
[0089] Furthermore, in the examples of Figures 4 and 5, an embodiment of the installation has been illustrated in which the holding device 110 comprises two pairs of jaws 170, 170', each pair of jaws being arranged to hold a piece of leather. It can be seen that each pair of jaws 170 is mounted on a support 172, 172', and that the installation further comprises a frame 180 for receiving the supports 172, 172', this frame 180 being fixed to a plate 190 of the printing device. To facilitate the positioning and removal of the pieces of leather, the supports 172, 172' are removable from the frame.
[0090] According to the printing method according to the invention, the aforementioned piece of leather 10 is provided, which is placed in the holding device 110 so that the flank 12 is arranged upwards and extends rectilinearly in the substantially horizontal plane P. Then the inkjet printing step is carried out, using the printing head, on the flank 12 so as to print a pattern on the flank. This pattern may be, for example, a design, a logo or a word. [Fig. 8] illustrates the piece of leather 10 after the step of printing a pattern I on the flank 12.
[0091] The inkjet printing step includes a hot air blowing step, which is subsequent to the depositing of the ink on the sidewall 12. In this example, the air temperature is between 100°C and 250°C, and can be adjusted according to the type of ink and the type of support.
[0092] The first and second absorbent elements arranged along the end edges of the first and second faces of the piece of leather make it possible to confine the printing to the surface of the sidewall. The absorbent elements also make it possible to absorb any excess ink deposited during the printing step.
[0093] This prevents ink from running onto the edges of the leather piece, whereby the printing is confined to the surface of the sidewall, improving the quality of the finish.
[0094] In this example, the sidewall 12 is previously covered with at least one coating layer, which constitutes a bonding primer to facilitate the fixing of the ink.
[0095] In this example, the coating layer comprises an edge dye, which can be colored. In this example, the printing is therefore carried out on the edge dye.
Claims
Claims
1. A method of printing on the edge of a leather goods material, in which: a piece of leather goods material (10) of a leather goods article is provided, said piece comprising a flank (12) located between a first face and a second face of the piece of leather goods material, the average thickness of the flank being less than or equal to 30 mm, preferably less than or equal to 5 mm; the piece of leather goods material is placed in a holding device so that the flank is arranged upwards and extends rectilinearly in a substantially horizontal plane; then an inkjet printing step is carried out on the flank so as to print a pattern on the flank.
2. The printing method of claim 1, wherein the inkjet printing step includes an air blowing step subsequent to depositing the ink on the sidewall.
3. The printing method of claim 2, wherein the air temperature is between 100°C and 250°C.
4. A printing method according to any preceding claim, wherein a first absorbent element is placed along the end edge of the first face adjacent to the sidewall, so as to confine the printing to the sidewall.
5. A printing method according to any preceding claim, wherein the sidewall is pre-covered with at least one coating layer.
6. The printing method of claim 5, wherein the coating layer comprises an edge dye.
7. A printing method according to any preceding claim, wherein the leather goods material is leather, textile or canvas, such as coated canvas.
8. A printing method according to any preceding claim, wherein said leather goods item is a bag, handle, bag handle, strap, belt or wallet.
9. A leather goods article comprising at least one piece of leather goods material (10) having a flank (12) comprising a pattern which is printed using the printing method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the average thickness of the flank is less than or equal to 30 mm, preferably less than or equal to 5 mm.
10. A leather goods article according to claim 9, wherein the leather goods material is leather, textile or a canvas, such as a coated canvas.
11. Leather goods article according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the piece of leather goods material consists of two portions of pieces fixed to each other, the side being formed by the edges of the two portions of pieces.
12. A leather goods article according to any one of claims 9 to 11, said leather goods article being a bag, a handle, a bag handle, a strap, a belt or a wallet.
13. Installation (100) for edge printing of a leather goods material implementing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that said installation comprises: a holding device (110) for holding a piece of leather goods material (10) having a flank (12) located between a first and a second face (14, 16) of the piece of leather goods material, the holding device (110) being arranged so that the flank (12) is directed upwards and extends rectilinearly in a longitudinal direction (A) in a substantially horizontal plane (P), the holding device (110) comprising at least a first pair of jaws comprising a first and a second jaw (130, 132) arranged opposite one another, at least one being movable relative to the other so as to be able to adjust the spacing (e) between the first and second jaws,at least one of the first and second jaws comprising a recess (131) for receiving a portion of the first face or the second face of the piece of leather goods material; an inkjet printing device (120) comprising at least one print head (122) movable above the holding device (120) in a direction of movement to print on the side.,
14. An installation according to claim 13, wherein the first and second jaws (130,132) are parallel and extend parallel to the direction of movement of the print head.
15. An installation according to claim 13 or 14, wherein at least the first jaw comprises a first ink absorbing element (150) which is arranged opposite the second jaw (132), the first ink absorbing element (150) extending along the first jaw.
16. An installation according to claim 15, wherein the second jaw (132) comprises a second ink absorbing element (152) which is arranged opposite the first ink absorbing element (150), the second ink absorbing element (152) extending along the second jaw (132).
17. Installation according to any one of claims 13 to 16, in which the holding device (110) comprises a first support (140) cooperating with the first pair of jaws, and in which the first jaw (130) is fixed relative to the support (140), while the second jaw (132) is movable in translation relative to the support (140) in a direction (B) transverse to said longitudinal direction (A).
18. Installation according to any one of claims 13 to 17, in which the holding device (110) further comprises at least one movable stop (160) for locking the position of the second jaw (132) relative to the first support (140).
19. Installation according to any one of claims 13 to 18, in which the holding device (110) comprises several pairs of jaws (170, 170'), each pair of jaws being arranged to hold a piece of leatherwork material.
20. An installation according to claim 19, wherein each pair of jaws (170, 170') is mounted on a support (172, 172'), the installation further comprising a frame (180) for receiving the supports (172, 172'), the frame (120) being fixed to a platen (190) of the printing device.
21. An installation according to any one of claims 13 to 20, wherein the printing device (120) further comprises an air blowing device (126) which is movable with the print head (122).