Improvement of equipment for applying resin along the fold lines of clothing

Abstract

The present invention relates to an applicator for applying a resin material along a fold line of clothing, the applicator comprising a main body to which resin material is supplied, the main body having a dispensing opening provided on or connected to the main body for supplying the resin to the fold line through the dispensing opening as the applicator moves along the fold line. The applicator comprises a plurality of guide means spaced apart from the main body and contacting the fold line at spaced apart positions forward of the dispensing opening. At least one of the guide means comprises a positioning means and a rotatable member, and the rotatable member rotates to contact the fold line when applying the resin, thereby improving the accuracy of applying the resin material to the base of the fold line on the surface of the clothing facing inward toward the wearer when the garment is worn.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a device used to apply resin along the fold lines of clothing, which is applied in liquid form and then hardens, thereby maintaining the folds in the clothing for a longer period of time than would be the case if no resin had been applied. [Background technology]

[0002] It is known to use a line of resin applied along the base of a fold line in a garment to maintain the shape of the fold for a longer period of time, and it is also known to transfer and apply resin from a reservoir of resin held, for example, in a cartridge, whereby relative movement between the garment and an applicator applies a ribbon of resin along the base of the fold line.

[0003] For the resin to be effective, it is usually important that the resin be applied to the base of the fold on the inner surface of the garment, along the base of the inverted V-shaped or gull-wing fold line. The fold is usually supported along a V-shaped or gull-wing notch formed along the support table, onto which the garment is placed. Typically, the applicator is moved along an axis parallel to the fold line to apply the resin to the fold line and generally along the length of the fold line. The applicator may include a guide means positioned in front of the resin dispensing opening so as to move along the fold line. This improves guiding of the applicator and allows for more accurate application of the resin material along the base of the fold.

[0004] The guide means for moving along the base of the fold is usually in the form of a ski or skid with a relatively narrow surface located at the base of the fold. It is also known to provide one of the guide means as a wheel rather than a ski or skid, with the wheel located at one end of the cartridge. It is also known to provide a series of wheels on a carrier connectable to an applicator cartridge, with the wheels positioned on the garment on the opposite side of the fold as the resin is applied along the fold line.

[0005] In all of these possible embodiments, problems have been found to arise when applying the resin. One known problem is that when the applicator guide means passes over an obstacle in the fold line, such as the hemline of the garment, and / or when the garment is made of certain types of fabric, such as relatively lightweight and / or stretchy fabrics, movement of the applicator along the fold line can cause the garment to bunch or wrinkle. This can result in resin not being applied to areas of the fold that may be hidden by other parts of the garment, and / or can result in relatively uneven application of the resin along the fold line, reducing the effectiveness of the resin and preventing the relatively neat ribbon of resin from being maintained along the fold line of the garment. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus that allows for improved application of resin material along the fold lines of clothing when in a fluid state, thereby providing a more uniform application of resin material and thus providing a means for improving the quality of maintaining the folds in clothing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an application device for applying a resin material along a fold line of clothing, the application device comprising a main body on which the resin material is provided, the main body having a dispensing opening that is provided on or connected to the main body when the application device is moved along the fold line and that supplies the resin to the fold line through the dispensing opening, the application device comprising a plurality of guide means that are provided at a distance from the main body and contact the fold line at positions spaced apart from each other and forward of the dispensing opening, enabling guided movement of the application device when applying the resin, at least one of the guide means comprising a positioning means and a rotatable member, the rotatable member rotating to contact the fold line when applying the resin.

[0008] In one embodiment, at least two of the guide means include rotatable members, and preferably all of the guide means include rotatable members. Typically, the rotatable members are disk-shaped and are rotatable relative to the positioning means about an axis located approximately at the center of the disk.

[0009] In one embodiment, the positioning means extends between the body and the rotatable member.

[0010] In one embodiment, the positioning means is formed as an integral part of the applicator, most typically as part of the body, or alternatively as part of a mounting arrangement selectively positionable on the applicator, most typically as the body of the applicator.

[0011] In either embodiment, the rotatable member will typically be positioned by a positioning means when the applicator is assembled.

[0012] The periphery of the rotatable member is typically narrower relative to the remainder of the rotatable member to allow the rotatable member to contact the base of the fold line, and the side walls extending inwardly toward the periphery are V-shaped to seat and guide the cartridge against the side walls of the fold line.

[0013] In one embodiment, the guide means located adjacent to the dispensing opening is positioned a predetermined distance from the dispensing opening to improve the resistance of the cartridge to lifting away from the fold line when the guide means contacts an obstacle, such as a hem line that crosses the fold line.

[0014] Typically, the applicator is a cartridge, the body of which defines a reservoir cavity in which a quantity of resin material is held.

[0015] In one embodiment, the guide means lie flat along substantially the same axis, said axis being substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cartridge and / or the direction of movement of the applicator along the fold line along which the resin is applied.

[0016] Typically, the dispensing opening is provided as an elongate slot, the longitudinal axis of which is parallel and substantially aligned along the axis along which the guide means is located.

[0017] In one embodiment, the distance from the body of the cartridge to the axis of rotation of the first rotatable member is greater than the distance from the underside of the cartridge body to the axis of rotation of the second rotatable member.

[0018] In one embodiment, the cartridge comprises means for introducing a pressurized fluid into a reservoir of the cartridge, and the resin is forced towards the dispensing opening by a piston attached to the reservoir and moving under the influence of the pressurized fluid.

[0019] Typically, the resins used are "flowable" or "self-leveling" compositions rather than "non-sag" resin compositions.

[0020] In one embodiment, the distance between the guide means located closest to the dispensing opening tip of the body or cartridge and the center of the elongated slot at the tip through which the resin is applied is selected to reduce the possibility of over-application of resin in certain areas, which can traditionally occur due to creases and sleeves or protrusions through which the applicator passes. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1a] FIG. 1a shows an applicator cartridge according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 1b] FIG. 1b shows an applicator cartridge according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 1c] FIG. 1c shows an applicator cartridge according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 1d] FIG. 1d shows an applicator cartridge according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2a] Figure 2a shows an embodiment of a rotatable member of a guide means of an application device. [Figure 2b] Figure 2b shows an embodiment of the rotatable member of the guide means of the application device. [Figure 2c] Figure 2c shows an embodiment of a rotatable member of the guide means of the application device. [Figure 3a] FIG. 3a shows one embodiment of an applicator device formed using the components of FIGS. 1a-2c. [Figure 3b] FIG. 3b shows an embodiment of an applicator device formed using the components of FIGS. 1a-2c. [Figure 4a] Figure 4a shows a further embodiment of an applicator according to the present invention. [Figure 4b] Figure 4b shows a further embodiment of an applicator according to the invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 shows a further embodiment of an applicator according to the present invention. [Figure 6a] Figure 6a shows a further embodiment of a cartridge according to the invention. [Figure 6b] Figure 6b shows a further embodiment of a cartridge according to the invention. [Figure 6c] Figure 6c shows a further embodiment of a cartridge according to the invention. [Figure 6d] Figure 6d shows a further embodiment of a cartridge according to the invention. [Figure 6e] Figure 6e shows a further embodiment of a cartridge according to the invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 shows an application device used to apply resin material onto the crease lines of clothing. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 shows a further embodiment of the guide means and tip of the cartridge. [Figure 9a] FIG. 9a shows a further embodiment of the arrangement of the guide means located close to the distal end of the resin application means. [Figure 9b]FIG. 9b shows a further embodiment of the arrangement of the guide means located closer to the distal end of the resin application means. [Figure 9c] FIG. 9c shows a further embodiment of the arrangement of the guide means located close to the distal end of the resin application means. [Figure 9d] FIG. 9d shows a further embodiment of the arrangement of the guide means located closer to the distal end of the resin application means. [Figure 9e] FIG. 9e shows a further embodiment of the arrangement of the guide means located closer to the distal end of the resin application means. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] Referring first to FIGS. 3a and 3b, an application device 2 according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown for applying resin material 3 along a fold line 5 of a garment 4, as shown in FIG. 7. To achieve this application, the garment is placed "inside out," with the inside 7 of the garment facing up, so that the fold line 5 forms a V-shape or gull-wing shape. The fold line 5 is positioned along a groove 9 in a support table 6, and the fold line 5 of the garment 8 extends along the longitudinal axis of the groove. The groove 9 helps to hold the fold line 5 in place, allowing for more precise application of the resin material 3 along the groove. In particular, for the resin material 3 to be effective, the resin should be applied along the V-shaped base 10 of the fold line 5, since it has been found that the fold line in the garment is maintained for the longest period of time when the resin cures along the base. It has been found that applying resin along one or both side walls of the fold line negatively impacts the visibility of the fold line and reduces the maintenance of the fold line.

[0023] In practice, it has been found that when using conventional applicator devices, when a crease crosses, for example, the hem or a convex portion of a garment, the flow of dispensed resin 3 temporarily increases, which causes resin to be applied along both the base and side walls of the crease, affecting the visibility of the crease, as described above.

[0024] In one embodiment, the applicator device 2 of the present invention is shown in more detail in FIGS. 1a-1d and 3a-3b and, in the illustrated embodiment, typically comprises a body 14 having a cavity 16 therein, shown by dashed lines in FIGS. 1a and 1b, at least partially filled with a resin material in a fluid state. One end of the cartridge is provided with an inlet port 20 through which pressurized fluid, such as air, is introduced, typically from an air pump or other pressurized fluid source. The pressurized fluid is introduced with sufficient pressure to gradually move a piston member along the cartridge longitudinal axis in the direction of arrow 22. As the piston moves along the cavity, the fluid resin is typically forced toward a tip 24 having a dispensing opening or nozzle 26 with an elongated slot 28 having a longitudinal axis generally parallel to the cartridge longitudinal axis 30. Movement of the applicator 2 along the fold line in the direction of arrow 10 forces the resin out of the cartridge tip through the elongated slot 28 and into the dispenser along the fold line 5. Therefore, when applying resin, the user simultaneously activates the pressurized fluid source to cause pressurized fluid to flow into the cavity and moves the cartridge linearly along the fold line, thereby applying the resin material released from slot 28 along the fold line.

[0025] The applicator device includes guide means 32 with positioning means 34 either integrally formed with the cartridge or body in the embodiments of Figures 1a-3b, 4a-4b and 5, or, as shown in Figures 6a-6e, provided on a holder 36 selectively connectable to the cartridge or body. In either arrangement, the guide means 32 forms contact means between the applicator body 14 and the fold line 5, and moves along the fold line in front of the elongated slot 28 through which the resin is released.

[0026] As shown, each guide means 32 includes at least one rotatable member 36 fitted to a positioning means 34 and mounted for rotation about an axis 38 .

[0027] Typically, as shown in Figures 2a-2c, the rotatable member has a central portion 40 and a peripheral edge 42 that tapers inwardly to an outer periphery 44 so that the edge can be located at the base of the fold line.

[0028] The rotatable member 36 is inserted into the pairs of engagement arms 46, 48 and 46', 48' of the positioning means 34 in a generally snap-fit ​​manner and is held in place while being free to rotate relative thereto.

[0029] As shown in the embodiments of Figures 1a-3b, 4a-4b and 5, a plurality of guide means 32 are spaced apart along the longitudinal axis 30 of the body or cartridge and may be disposed as an integral part of the body or cartridge, moulded together with the body or cartridge from a plastic material.

[0030] 6a-6e, the rotatable member is again inserted into a pair of engagement arms of the positioning means 34, and the mounting cradle 56 includes a base member 50 having the guide means 32 formed thereon, and engagement members 52, 54 that engage the body 14 and, when engaged, lie on either side of the cartridge or body 14 to hold the cradle in fixed engagement with the cartridge or body during use when resin is dispensed therefrom. The body 14 may be provided with one or more protrusions or other positioning structure to ensure that the guide means is positioned and maintained "in line" with the leading edge and elongated slot 28. If the attachment means is detachable from the body or cartridge, as in this embodiment, the attachment means of this embodiment will typically be provided for multiple uses, and the materials forming the guide means and attachment means may be different and more durable than the materials forming the disposable cartridge.

[0031] Furthermore, in one embodiment, the guide means 32' located adjacent the tip 24 is provided with positioning means 34' formed by arms 46', 48' for the wheels formed as an integral part of the tip or as an integral part of the cartridge or attachment means, and Figure 8 shows a further embodiment of the invention where the body is formed by the cartridge. It will be appreciated that this embodiment allows the guide means positioning means to be part of the tip, thereby strengthening this portion of the cartridge.

[0032] In a further embodiment of the invention, as shown in Figure 9a, the relative positions of the tip 24 and the adjacent guide means 32' are reversed so that in use the tip 24 is positioned in front of the guide means 32' relative to the direction of cartridge travel 58 along the garment. This embodiment allows the ability to apply resin to the edge of the fold line of the garment before the guide means 32' has passed over the hem line of the garment, which would normally be close to the fold end, eliminating problems caused by the guide means moving over the hem.

[0033] To avoid the problem of resin in cavity 16 being forced by movement of piston 64 to flow through dispensing opening 26 at the tip and towards end 62 of the cartridge, resulting in an area of ​​unusable resin, blocking means 66 may be provided in the cavity downstream of the tip, and in one embodiment, the blocking means may simply be a relatively thick end wall or an insert located within the cartridge. This embodiment may again have the potential to allow for smoother application of the resin material.

[0034] In these exemplary embodiments, it is necessary to ensure that guide means 34' and rotatable member 36' are provided. In Figures 9b-9c, rotatable member 36' is formed to have contact surface 64 that contacts upper contact surface 66 of support table 6, and is positioned to be located on both sides of groove 9 on the support table that is positioned along the fold line of the garment when resin 68 is applied, so that rotatable member 36' does not come into contact with resin even if resin 68 is applied along the fold line before rotatable member 36'.

[0035] In an alternative embodiment shown in Figure 9d, a usable rotatable member 36' is shown that is adapted from the rotatable member shown in Figures 2a-2c in such a way that the body portion 40 is retained but that the narrowing or tapering edge 42 is no longer present. This means that the peripheral edge 44 of the rotatable member 36' can only contact the opposing side walls 70, 72 of the garment's fold line 5, and not the base 74 to which the resin 68 has been applied, because the peripheral edge 44 is too wide for the wheels to come into contact with the resin, as shown in Figure 9e, which shows how the lower half and peripheral edge 44 of the rotatable member 36' of Figure 9d can only contact the respective side walls 70, 72 of the fold line 5.

[0036] However, the embodiments shown in Figures 8 and 9a-9e are equally applicable to cartridge or attachment means embodiments and / or may be provided as an integral part of another component that clips onto the cartridge, for example component 74 shown in Figure 5, which may also be used to provide a switch component for operating the suction means of the device and may be located on the cartridge.

[0037] At least one of the guide means comprises a positioning means and a rotatable member, and by providing an apparatus in which the rotatable member rotates to contact the fold line when applying the resin, the accuracy of applying the resin material to the base of the fold line on the surface of the garment facing inward toward the wearer when the garment is worn is improved.

Claims

1. An application device that applies a resin material along a fold line of clothing, a body provided with the resin material; the main body has a dispensing opening provided on or connected to the main body for supplying the resin to the fold line through the dispensing opening when the application device is moved along the fold line; the application device includes a plurality of guide means that are spaced apart from the main body, contact the fold line at positions spaced apart from each other and forward of the dispensing opening, and enable guided movement of the application device when applying the resin; At least one of the guide means comprises a positioning means and a rotatable member; The applicator device wherein the rotatable member rotates to contact the fold line when applying the resin.

2. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein two or more of said guide means are provided, each having a said positioning means and a said rotatable member.

3. 10. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the rotatable member is formed as a disk mounted for rotation on the positioning means about an axis located substantially in the center of the disk.

4. 10. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the positioning means extends between the body and the rotatable member when the applicator device is configured for use.

5. 10. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the positioning means is formed as an integral part of the body.

6. 5. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the positioning means is provided as part of a selectively positionable mounting arrangement on the body.

7. 10. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the rotatable member is engaged with the positioning means when the applicator device is assembled for use.

8. 10. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the periphery of the rotatable member is narrowed relative to the remainder of the rotatable member such that the rotatable member can contact the base of the fold line.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the rotatable member sidewall extends from the periphery toward the axis of rotation and is generally V-shaped in cross section.

10. 10. A device according to any preceding claim, comprising a first guide means adjacent to the dispensing opening and arranged at a predetermined distance from the dispensing opening, which provides resistance to the body and / or the guide means lifting from the fold line when the guide means moves along the fold line.

11. 10. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the body is provided as a cartridge and includes a reservoir cavity in which a quantity of the resin material is held for subsequent controlled dispensing.

12. 10. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the guide means is arranged along substantially the same axis as the longitudinal axis of the body and / or the direction of movement of the applicator body as resin is applied from the body along the fold line.

13. 10. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the dispensing opening is provided as an elongated slot, the longitudinal axis of the elongated slot being parallel to the fold line when the resin is applied through the dispensing opening and along the fold line.

14. 10. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the distance from the adjacent surface of the body of the first guide means to the axis of rotation of the rotatable member is greater than the distance from the adjacent surface of the body of the second guide means to the axis of rotation of the rotatable member.

15. 10. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the resin belongs to the category known as flowable or self-levelling.

16. 10. An apparatus as described in any preceding claim, wherein the distance from the guide means located closest to the dispensing opening is selected to reduce the likelihood of excessive application of resin at a particular location on the fold line where the garment hemline crosses the fold line.

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