Fabric fixing frame member for embroidery machine and embroidery machine having the frame member

Abstract

The fixing frame (1) for holding fabric (4) for an embroidery machine (5) includes at least one cutout plate (2) having at least one cutout portion (21, 22) having a shape corresponding to a first label (20) to be attached to the fabric (4) by embroidery, and an inner edge (22a) of the cutout portion (22) is configured to surround the first label (20) during the embroidery process. The fixing frame (1) also includes a pressing device (6) having a pressure plate (60) movable relative to the fixing frame (1) between a retracted position and a position where the pressure plate is accommodated in the cutout portion (22) of the cutout plate (2) to maintain the label perpendicular to the placement surface (P) of the fabric (4).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a fabric fixing frame for an embroidery machine and to an embroidery machine comprising such a frame, and also to a method for sewing labels using such an embroidery machine. [Background technology]

[0002] An embroidery machine typically includes a stationary sewing head with one or more needles that intersect with the thread and reciprocate in a generally vertical direction, i.e., generally perpendicular to the surface of the fabric to be embroidered. The embroidery machine also typically includes a fixed fabric frame removably supported by a device having a carriage that defines a geometric plane XY generally perpendicular to the direction of needle movement and that can be moved in two perpendicular directions, the X-axis and the Y-axis. The geometric plane is coincident with or substantially parallel to the surface of the fabric to be embroidered. By coupling the movement of the carriage in the XY plane, the fabric held by the fixed frame can be moved parallel to the surface through a number of positions, causing the needles to embroider lines according to a number of predefined patterns obtained based on at least one embroidery program stored in a control system incorporated into or associated with the embroidery machine. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] One drawback of known embroidery machines occurs when they are used to attach labels, also known as patches, to fabric: to accomplish such attachment, the embroidery line provided by the embroidery machine generally follows the outer periphery of the label, thereby ensuring that the entire periphery of the label is sewn into the fabric.

[0004] Using an embroidery program to embroider according to a pattern that generally corresponds to the external shape of the label to be attached can be complicated for an operator to accurately orient and maintain the label relative to the sewing head so that the label is accurately positioned and oriented on the fabric and so that the embroidery line generated by the label's embroidery program is accurately aligned along the entire edge of the label. Misalignment can result in uneven edges on the label and visible imperfections in the embroidery line. The operator must also manually hold the label stationary on the fabric for at least a portion of the embroidery period.

[0005] A further drawback occurs when multiple labels, especially labels of different shapes, have to be attached to a fabric, in which case the operator may have further difficulty in accurately locating the labels relative to one another on the same fabric.

[0006] From U.S. Patent 5,454,337 an embroidery machine is known which has a fixing plate with two cutouts of smaller dimensions than each label to be sewn on, so that the label must be roughly oriented on the fabric by the operator before fixing the fabric and label to the plate.

[0007] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a fabric clamping frame member and a corresponding embroidery machine, as well as a corresponding method, that improves upon the prior art in one or more of the above-mentioned respects.

[0008] Within this objective, the goal of the present invention is to enable precise embroidery to be performed along the periphery of a label attached to a fabric, allowing for correct positioning and orientation of the label on the fabric and reducing the risk of injury to the user.

[0009] A further object of the present invention is to facilitate the accurate application of multiple labels, especially labels that are different from one another, to different parts of the same fabric or garment.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to devise a fabric fixture frame and corresponding embroidery machine, as well as a corresponding method, for industrially applicable label attachment, i.e., mass production of fabrics or garments with patched, sewn-on labels.

[0011] Furthermore, the goal of the present invention is to overcome the drawbacks of the background art in an alternative way to existing solutions.

[0012] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is, in part, a goal of the present invention to provide a fabric fixture frame member and corresponding embroidery machine and corresponding method that is reliable, relatively easy to provide, and competitively priced. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] This aim, as well as other objects that will become more apparent later, are achieved by a fabric fixing frame member for an embroidery machine according to claim 1 or by the features of one or more of the dependent claims.

[0014] This object and goal of the invention are further achieved by an embroidery machine according to claim 9 and a method for sewing labels according to claim 10 or by the features of one or more of the dependent claims.

[0015] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the description of preferred, non-exclusive, embodiments of the invention illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a detailed view of an embroidery machine having a raised frame member for receiving fabric to which a label according to the present invention is to be attached. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 corresponds to FIG. 1, but with the cutouts and borders of the fixed frame fully lowered to secure the fabric, i.e. to secure the fabric to the fixed frame by friction. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 corresponds to the previous illustration during the insertion of the first label into the cutting board. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 corresponds to the previous view after the insertion of the first label. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 shows the label of the previous figure sewn around the perimeter. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a view of the embroidery machine of FIG. 1 when a second label is inserted into the interface member. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 shows the label of the previous figure at the start of sewing. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 shows the label of the previous figure at the end of sewing. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] With reference to the accompanying drawings, a fabric fixing frame member for an embroidery machine according to the present invention, generally designated by the reference numeral 1, comprises template plates 2, 3 for sewing labels which are movable in a transverse direction relative to a surface P on which a fabric 4 is placed. The template plates 2, 3 are movable in a transverse direction relative to the surface P between a raised position for inserting / removing the fabric 4 from the embroidery machine and a lowered position for fixing the fabric 4 on the surface P, i.e., for pressing the fabric 4 against the surface P.

[0018] The fixed frame member 1 is attached, preferably in a detachable manner, to a moving means of the embroidery machine 5, which is only partially shown in the figures. The moving means may comprise an arm 52 of a device (known per se) having a carrier that can be moved in two mutually perpendicular directions, X-axis and Y-axis, defining a geometrical plane XY approximately perpendicular to the direction of movement of the sewing needles 53 of the sewing head 51 of the embroidery machine 5. The geometrical plane XY coincides with or is substantially parallel to the placement surface P of the fabric 4.

[0019] The moving means is responsive to commands of at least one embroidery program stored in a control system incorporated in or associated with the embroidery machine 5. Thus, by coupling the movement of the transport in the XY plane based on the commands of the embroidery program, the fabric 4 guided by the fixed frame member 1 can be moved in multiple directions parallel to the XY plane, thereby allowing the needles 53 to provide embroidery lines on the fabric according to one or more patterns predefined in the embroidery program.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment, as shown in the figure, the rest surface P can be a smooth sliding surface for the fabric 4, so that when the fixed frame member 1 is in a low position on the surface P, the fabric 4 is held together by friction with said frame member alone. Therefore, the pressure exerted by the fixed frame member 1 on the rest surface P allows the fabric 4 to slide on the surface P in any case, while the fabric continues to maintain a perpendicular orientation to the surface P so as not to rotate or slide relative to the fixed frame member 1.

[0021] The support surface P in this case may be covered with a Teflon layer or film to allow effective sliding of the fabric 4 dragged by the frame 1 during embroidery. The underside of the frame 1 (which is in contact with the fabric 4 during use) may advantageously be provided with a layer or area made of rubber or knurled rubber to generate the friction necessary to keep the frame 1 and fabric 4 together during embroidery.

[0022] In an alternative embodiment, not shown, the resting surface is connected to the fixed frame member 1 so that they move together in the XY plane, and is a counter-pressure surface against which the fabric 4 is held by friction with the fixed frame member 1 when said frame member 1 is in a low position.

[0023] The template of the fixed frame member 1 is essentially composed of a cutout plate 2 and, preferably, a boundary member 3 configured to at least partially surround the cutout plate 2. As mentioned above, the cutout plate 2 and / or the boundary member 3 may optionally have a layer or area made of rubber on the underside to generate friction with the fabric 4.

[0024] The cutout plate 2 preferably has a rectangular outer shape and is provided with one or more cutouts 21, 22 having a shape corresponding to the shape of each label to be attached by stitching to the fabric 4, so that said labels can be maintained laterally inside the respective cutouts by a shape-matching bond, in particular during the period of embroidering the labels on the fabric 4.

[0025] The shape of the inner edge 22a of at least one first cutout 22 in the plate 2 is generally the same as the shape of the peripheral edge 20a of the first label 20, so that the inner edge 22a is configured to completely surround each first label 20 during the embroidery process.

[0026] In the embodiment shown, the cutout plate 2 may also have a second cutout portion 21, the inner edge 21a of which corresponds to the shape of another respective label (not shown) having the same shape as the cutout portion 21.

[0027] The border element 3 is configured to at least partially surround the cutout plate 2 so as to leave a gap 23 between the inner edge 31 of the border element 3 and the outer edge 25 of the cutout plate 2, said edges preferably being complementary in shape to form the gap 23, which is of generally constant width and is, for example, a substantially rectangular cutout as shown in the figures. The width of the gap 23 around the cutout plate 2 is such that at least one sewing needle 53 of an embroidery machine 5 can pass through in any case in order to be able to embroider the exposed fabric 4 along the gap 23.

[0028] For example, the boundary member 3 may be a plate with a single cutout having a closed shape defined by an inner edge 31, for example a generally rectangular cutout as shown.

[0029] The inner edge 31 of the boundary member 3 optionally defines a lateral containment wall for the outer edge corresponding to a second label 30 to be attached to the fabric 4, preferably by corresponding to the periphery of a closed embroidery line 34.

[0030] According to the invention, the fixed frame member 1 comprises at least one device 6 for pressing at least one label 20 onto the fabric 4, which is sewn onto the fabric 4.

[0031] The pressure device 6 is mounted on the fixed frame member 1 so that they can move together in unison. In particular, the pressure device 6 can be mounted on the boundary member 3 laterally adjacent the cutout 31 (i.e. laterally adjacent the cutout plate 2). In an alternative embodiment (not shown), for example if the boundary member 3 is not provided on the fixed frame member 1, the pressure device 6 can instead be mounted on the cutout plate 2. In both cases, the boundary member 3 or the cutout plate 2 each have convenient tabs that are configured to provide an additional surface on which the pressure device 6 can be secured.

[0032] The pressing device 6 includes a pressure plate 60 that can move approximately parallel to the mounting surface P relative to the fixed frame member 1 between a first position where the pressure plate is accommodated in each cutout portion 22 of the cutout plate 2 and a second position where the same cutout portion 22 is not blocked by the pressure plate 60.

[0033] In the embodiment shown, the pressure plate 60 is movable at least in a direction generally parallel to the resting surface P. In an alternative embodiment not shown, the pressure plate 60 is rotatable about an axis that is eccentric with respect to the pressure plate and perpendicular to the resting surface P.

[0034] The pressure plate 60 may have a shape generally similar to each cutout 22, as in the illustrated example, but in any case has a surface area smaller than that bounded by the cutouts 22, so as to leave gaps along the embroidery lines 24 provided between the outer edge of the pressure plate 60 and the inner edge 22a of each cutout.

[0035] The pressure plate 60 is mounted on a linear sliding member 61 which is able to slide linearly, approximately parallel to the resting surface P, i.e. parallel to the upper surface of the boundary member 3 and / or cutout plate 2, preferably transverse to the cutouts 31 and 22. The sliding member 61 is preferably guided to move inside a block 66 which is mounted on the boundary member 3, for example by providing fixed guide teeth on the inside of the block 66 which pass through longitudinal linear cutouts 65 in the sliding member 61.

[0036] The pressure plate 60 may comprise at least one lifting rod 63, advantageously provided with a respective handle 62 that can be grasped by a user in order to raise or lower the pressure plate 60 relative to the resting surface P. The lifting rods 63 slide through respective guide holes in the end of the sliding member 61 closest to the cutout plate 2, making it possible to move the pressure plate 60 in a direction approximately perpendicular to the sliding direction of the sliding member 61, i.e. perpendicular to the cutout portion 22 of the cutout plate 2 and thus to the resting surface P of the fabric 4.

[0037] The pressure plate 60 is optionally provided with an anti-rotation pin 64 spaced from the lifting rod 63 and capable of passing through the linear sliding member 61 in another guide hole, so that the two elements 63 and 64 together prevent the pressure plate 60 from rotating relative to the sliding member 61.

[0038] To maintain the label 20 in each cutout 22 in a direction perpendicular to the resting surface P, a spring may optionally be in contact in an elastically loaded arrangement between the sliding member 61 and the pressure plate 60 or between the sliding member 61 and the handle 62 to apply a force tending to move the pressure plate 60 closer towards the resting surface P of the fabric 4. Alternatively, the spring may be avoided if the weight of the pressure plate 60 alone is sufficient to perform this function of maintaining the label 20 in a direction perpendicular to the resting surface P.

[0039] The pressing device 6 improves user safety, since the label 20 sewn onto the fabric 4 can be kept perpendicular to the resting surface P while being embroidered onto the fabric 4. This is particularly advantageous when the surface area, the material and / or the shape of the label and the corresponding cutout cause the label to rotate around the axis of the needle 53 during embroidery, e.g. when said shape does not have (a sufficient number of) corners that are configured to prevent said rotation of the label inside the cutout during embroidery.

[0040] The cutting plate 2 and the boundary member 3 can be advantageously moved transversely to one another and preferably perpendicular to the resting surface of the fabric 4, ie the XY plane.

[0041] In particular, the cutout plate 2 and the boundary member 3 are connected by a support 54 fixed to the moving means 52 of the fixed frame member 1 .

[0042] The support 54 comprises a first linear guide 55 of the first slider 26 to which the cutout plate 2 is fixed, for example by means of an arm 27 projecting in the form of a cantilever from the first slider 26. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the first linear guide 55 is oriented in a direction transverse to the XY plane, i.e. the mounting surface P, in which the support 54 moves, more preferably perpendicular to the XY plane and / or the mounting surface P, so as to guide the linear movement of the cutout plate 2 along a direction perpendicular to the XY plane and / or the mounting surface P.

[0043] Preferably, the U-shaped connecting shaft 57 is provided to span the gap 23 between the arm 27 and the cutting plate 2. The shaft 57 can rotate approximately 180° around an axis that is substantially parallel to the mounting surface P and passes through the end of the U. The shaft 57 can rotate around the axis in accordance with the command of the arm 27 and the cutting plate 2 so that the open ends of the U are alternately exposed to the left and right sides of the axis during embroidering of the line 34 to accommodate the needles 53 from the left and right sides, respectively, thus enabling embroidery in the area along the gap 23 between the arm 27 and the cutting plate 2.

[0044] The support 54 may further comprise a second linear guide 56 for the second slider 36, the second linear guide 56 being parallel to the first guide 55. The boundary member 3 is fixed to the second slider 36 by another arm 37, for example protruding in the form of a cantilever from the second slider 36. In this way, linear movement of the boundary member 3 is guided in a direction transverse to, and more preferably perpendicular to, the XY plane and / or the mounting surface P.

[0045] The lifting device may include a joystick system (not shown) configured to selectively move sliders 26 and 36. The joystick system may be manually or automatically operated.

[0046] The stored embroidery program of the embroidery machine 5 comprises a pattern of embroidery lines (24, 34) and instructions for moving the arm 52 to execute each embroidery line in sequence in response to a respective start command by the user that places the fixed frame member 1 in a known "zero" start position relative to the sewing needle 53.

[0047] Since the correspondence between the pattern of the embroidery lines (e.g., 24) and the shape of the label (e.g., 20) to be attached is predefined and clear, and the shape of the cutouts 21, 22, 31 or gaps 23 is predefined, the "zero" position is programmed to place the inside of the cutouts 21, 22, 31 or gaps 23 and the area near the edge 21a, 22a, or 31 under the needle 53 according to the respective patterns of the embroidery lines provided. The user must pre-position the label in each space on the template and start the corresponding embroidery program.

[0048] The operation of the present invention is apparent from the structural description above.

[0049] In the described embodiment, the method of embroidering the labels 20 and 30 onto the fabric 4 using the embroidery machine 5 involves first lifting the fixed frame member 1 to allow the user to insert the fabric 4 between the frame member 1 and the mounting surface P.

[0050] The fixed frame member 1 is then lowered onto the resting surface P in order to hold the fabric 4 together with the fixed frame member 1 in a direction perpendicular to the resting surface P. In the case shown, this is achieved by friction between the frame member 1 and the fabric 4, which holds the fabric 4 together with the frame member 1 but allows the fabric 4 to slide on the resting surface P.

[0051] 2, the cutout plate 2 and the boundary member 3 are lowered simultaneously while the fixed frame member 1 is being lowered onto the mounting surface P. Alternatively, the boundary member 3 can be lowered first by lowering the slider 36 alone and then actuating the lowering of the cutout plate 2.

[0052] This process can be repeated multiple times to allow the user to best position the fabric 4 relative to the sewing head 51 and the area where the label is to be attached.

[0053] The independent movement of the cutout plate 2 and the boundary member 3 in the XY plane and / or transverse to the loading surface P is convenient for loading various types of template labels having shapes corresponding to only the inner edge of only one of the cutout plate 2 and the boundary member 3.

[0054] For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the second label 30 can be inserted adjacent to the inner edge 31 of the border member 3 by first lowering the border member 3, and then starting the embroidery program to first provide the second embroidery line 34.

[0055] The sliding member 61 is in a retracted position so as not to prevent relative movement of the cutout plate 2 and the boundary member 3 and so as not to obstruct the cutout 22 .

[0056] Upon lowering of the cutout plate 2, the user can insert the first label 20 into the corresponding cutout 22 of the cutout plate 2, bringing substantially the entire label 20 into contact with the portion of the fabric 4 exposed in the cutout 22 (FIG. 4). Considering that their peripheral shapes are identical, after said insertion, the first label 20 is laterally maintained by the inner edge 22a of the cutout by a matching bond so as not to move along the fabric 4.

[0057] Depending on the template and the number of labels of various shapes to be attached, the user can insert into any second cutout 21 a label having a corresponding shape.

[0058] At this point, the user grasps the handle 62 and pushes the pressure plate 60 towards the cutout 22, lowering it so that it rests on the label 20 (FIG. 5), thus leaving a gap along the entire periphery between the pressure plate 60 and the cutout 22, leaving the periphery of the label 20 exposed to such gap.

[0059] Next, the user initiates an embroidery program to apply a first embroidery line 24 along the peripheral area of ​​the label 20 that has been placed on the fabric 4 through the cutting board 2. The embroidery line 24 is preferably closed. The embroidery machine 5 then moves the frame 1 to a zero position for embroidering the first embroidery line 24 by means of the movement means 52, and the embroidery is initiated and performed by the needle 53, and the embroidery is obtained by conveniently moving the fabric 4 and the label 20 together by the movement of the frame 1 provided in the embroidery program.

[0060] Once the embroidery around the first label 20 is completed, the user lifts and pulls the pressure plate 60 to return the sliding member 61 to the retracted position, and then lifts the fixed frame member 1 to move the fabric 4 to another position where an optional second label 30 is to be attached, or to insert a new fabric to which the second label 30 is to be attached. Next, only the boundary member 3 is lowered so that the boundary member 3 maintains the fabric 4 in an orientation perpendicular to the loading surface, and the second label 30 is inserted by the user adjacent the inner edge 31 of the boundary member 3.

[0061] The cutting board 2 is then lowered onto the fabric, and the user starts the embroidery program for the second embroidery line 34. The embroidery machine 5 brings the frame member 1 to a zero position for embroidering the second embroidery line 34 by the movement means 52, and the embroidery is started and performed by the needle 53, and the embroidery is obtained by conveniently moving the fabric 4 and the second label 30 together by the movement of the frame member 1 provided in the embroidery program. In the embodiment shown, the preset correspondence between the dimensions of the template and the saved dimensions of the embroidery line causes the needle to provide the second embroidery line 34 along the entire gap 23 between the border member 3 and the cutting board 2.

[0062] In its implementation, it can be seen that the present invention achieves its intended objects and aims.

[0063] The invention thus conceived is susceptible to numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims, and all details may further be substituted with other technically equivalent elements.

[0064] In practice, the materials used and the possible shapes and dimensions may be any requirement and state of the art, for example, the cutout plate 2 and the boundary member 3 may be made of iron, Plexiglas or polymer material.

[0065] The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. 102022000018630 ​​from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference.

[0066] Where reference signs are given to features and techniques recited in the claims, these reference signs are included solely for the purpose of facilitating the understanding of the claims, and therefore such reference signs shall not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of the respective elements identified by example with such reference signs.

Claims

1. A fixing frame member (1) for the fabric (4) for the embroidery machine (5), A label embroidery template comprising at least one cutout plate (2), The cutout plate (2) is provided with at least one cutout portion (21, 22) having a shape corresponding to the first label (20) to be attached to the fabric (4) by embroidery. The inner edge (22a) of at least one cutout portion (22) is configured to surround the entire circumference of the first label (20) during the embroidery period. The aforementioned fixed frame member (1) is further equipped with a pressing device (6) having a pressure plate (60), The fixing frame member (1) is characterized in that the pressure plate (60) is movable with respect to the fixing frame member (1) substantially parallel to the aforementioned mounting surface (P), between a first position in which the pressure plate is housed in the at least one cutout (22) to maintain the first label perpendicular to the mounting surface (P) of the cloth (4), and a second position in which the at least one cutout (22) is not obstructed by the pressure plate (60).

2. The aforementioned template further comprises a boundary member (3), The boundary member (3) is configured to surround the cutout plate (2) such that a gap (23) remains between the inner edge (31) of the boundary member (3) and the outer edge (25) of the cutout plate (2). The fixing frame member according to claim 1, characterized in that the inner edge (31) of the boundary member forms a lateral receiving wall (31) for the outer edge of the second label (30) to be attached to the cloth (4).

3. The fixed frame member according to claim 2, characterized in that the cut-out plate (2) and the boundary member (3) are movable relative to each other in a direction that transverses the aforementioned surface (P) of the cloth (4).

4. The fixing frame member according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the pressing device (6) is attached to the cutting plate (2) or the boundary member so as to be adjacent to the cutting plate (2) in the lateral direction.

5. The fixing frame member according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the pressure plate (60) has a surface area smaller than the area demarcated by the at least one cutout (22) such that, at the first position, a gap remains between the outer peripheral edge of the pressure plate (60) and the inner edge (22a) of the at least one cutout (22) for providing an embroidery line (24).

6. The fixing frame member according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the pressure plate (60) is attached to a linear sliding member (61) that can slide linearly in a direction substantially parallel to the mounting surface (P) described above.

7. The fixed frame member according to claim 6, wherein the pressure plate (60) is provided with at least one lifting rod (63) that passes through the sliding member (61) in order to move the pressure plate (60) substantially perpendicular to the direction in which the sliding member (61) slides.

8. The fixing frame member according to claim 7, wherein the pressure plate (60) further comprises an anti-rotation pin (64) positioned along the sliding member (61) at a distance from the lifting rod (63) in order to prevent the pressure plate (60) from rotating relative to the sliding member (61).

9. An embroidery machine (5) comprising a sewing head (51), a fabric (4) mounting surface (P), and a fixed frame member (1) as described in any one of claims 1 to 3.

10. A method for embroidering labels (20, 30) onto a cloth (4) using an embroidery machine (5) as described in claim 9, The process of lifting the frame member in order to insert the cloth (4) between the fixed frame member (1) and the aforementioned surface (P), The steps include lowering the fixing frame member (1) onto the aforementioned mounting surface (P) in order to maintain the cloth (4) in a direction perpendicular to the mounting surface (P), The process involves inserting at least the first label (20) into the cutout portion (22) of the cutout plate (2) of the fixed frame member (1) so that a shape-matching connection can be made between the first label and the at least one cutout portion (22), A step of displacing or translating the pressure plate (60) within the cutout portion (22) so that it overlaps the first label (20), A method characterized by comprising the step of applying at least one first embroidery line (24) around the pressure plate (60) along the peripheral region of the first label (20) by moving the fixed frame member (1) simultaneously with the sewing head (5) due to the operation of at least one needle (53) of the sewing head (5) and an embroidery program.

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