Embroidery Frame for Continuous Ribbon Adhesion

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for embroidering endless ribbons result in damaged adhesive properties of hook and loop fasteners when names are embroidered directly on two-layered ribbons, necessitating a manual process to attach the upper and lower bands with a connecting seam.

Innovation Solution

An automated method and embroidery frame design that guides an upper band and a lower band (such as a Velcro band) through an embroidery area, producing a connecting seam between the two bands, allowing for secure adhesion without damaging the adhesive properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the name is embroidered directly on the upper band and the upper band is sewn to the lower band with a circumferential connecting seam, then secure adhesion is achieved, but the adhesive properties of the hook and loop fastener are damaged and the process requires manual intervention

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadhesion securityVSAvoidmanual sewing requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the embroidery process and the sewing process into a single automated operation. The embroidery machine is configured to first embroider the name on the upper band, then automatically guide the upper band and lower band through the embroidery area, and finally produce the connecting seam joining them together. This merging eliminates the need for manual intervention between these steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The embroidery machine is designed to perform multiple functions: it can embroider designs on the upper band and also function as a sewing machine to produce the circumferential connecting seam joining the upper and lower bands. This multi-functionality allows the entire process to be completed by a single automated machine rather than requiring separate embroidery and sewing operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If the upper band and lower band are embroidered together in two layers, then continuous embroidery is achieved, but the adhesive properties of the hook and loop fastener are damaged

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontinuous embroideryVSAvoidadhesive property integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the embroidery process into two distinct phases: first, the name is embroidered only on the upper band while the lower band remains untouched; second, after the upper band is embroidered, both the upper and lower bands are guided through the embroidery area and joined together with a circumferential connecting seam. This segmentation prevents the embroidery needle from penetrating and damaging the adhesive properties of the hook and loop fastener on the lower band.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Manufacturing precision

If manual sewing is used to join the upper and lower bands, then precision is achieved, but efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesewing precisionVSAvoidprocessing efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The embroidery machine is configured to automatically guide the upper band and lower band through the embroidery area and produce the connecting seam without requiring manual intervention. The machine performs the sewing operation itself after completing the embroidery, using its own mechanical systems to feed the bands and create the seam, thereby maintaining precision while dramatically improving efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4353889B1Method, embroidery frame and embroidery machine for embroidering endless ribbons using the embroidery machine
Publication Date: 2025.06.18 ZSK STICKMASCHINEN GMBH
  • EP4353889B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4353889B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4353889B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method for embroidering continuous ribbons (1) using an embroidery machine, comprising the following steps: a) guiding a ribbon section (30) of at least one upper ribbon (3) to an embroidery area (207) of an embroidery frame (200), b) applying an embroidery design by means of at least one embroidery head (101) to the ribbon section (30) of the upper ribbon (3) within the embroidery area (207) of the embroidery frame (200). The method according to the invention is characterized by the following further steps: c) guiding at least one lower ribbon (4) to the embroidery area (207) of the embroidery frame (200), which is placed below the upper ribbon (3), d) creating at least one connecting seam between the upper ribbon (3) and the lower ribbon (4) in a plane (E) of the embroidery frame (200), e) guiding away the finished ribbon (6) consisting of the embroidered ribbon (3) and the lower ribbon (4) sewn to it.