U.S. patent application number 13/594415 was filed with the patent office on 2013-02-28 for adhesive thread system.
The applicant listed for this patent is Roxanne Ferreiro. Invention is credited to Roxanne Ferreiro.
Application Number | 20130048219 13/594415 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47741927 |
Filed Date | 2013-02-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130048219 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ferreiro; Roxanne |
February 28, 2013 |
Adhesive Thread System
Abstract
A system for forming a waterproof seam between to sewn
materials. The seam is formed using an adhesive coated thread. A
thin strip of adhesive is placed between the two materials at the
seam line. As the coated thread is sewn into the seam heat and
pressure are simultaneously applied, melting the adhesive coating
thereby filling the needle punctures. The melted adhesive coating
will also flow into the areas between the needles punctures and
between the materials. The heat and pressure applied to the coated
thread will also melt the adhesive strip, causing additional
adhesive to flow into the needle punctures and the areas between
needle punctures.
Inventors: |
Ferreiro; Roxanne; (Weston,
MA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Ferreiro; Roxanne |
Weston |
MA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
47741927 |
Appl. No.: |
13/594415 |
Filed: |
August 24, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61575602 |
Aug 24, 2011 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
156/513 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B29C 65/7437 20130101;
A41H 43/04 20130101; B29C 66/30325 20130101; D06H 5/00 20130101;
B29C 65/5057 20130101; B29C 65/5092 20130101; B29C 66/1122
20130101; B29C 65/62 20130101; B29C 66/8242 20130101; B29C 66/836
20130101; B29C 66/8362 20130101; B29C 66/845 20130101; B29C 65/5035
20130101; Y10T 156/1304 20150115; B29C 65/48 20130101; D05B 1/26
20130101; B29C 66/729 20130101; D05B 17/00 20130101; A41D 27/245
20130101; B29C 65/4815 20130101; B29C 66/21 20130101; B29C 66/43
20130101; B29L 2031/726 20130101; B29C 65/18 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
156/513 |
International
Class: |
B29C 65/72 20060101
B29C065/72 |
Claims
1. A system for making a waterproof seam, comprising: a coated
thread comprising thread with an adhesive coating; means for
forming a seam between two materials wherein a needle punctures a
series of holes in said materials to be joined and simultaneously
interleavens said coated thread through said holes thereby
fastening the said materials to each other along a seam line; means
for placing a thin strip of adhesive between said materials at said
seam line; means for applying heat and pressure to the coated
thread along said seam line.
2. A system for making a waterproof seam as recited in claim 1,
wherein: said means for forming a seam between two materials is a
conventional sewing machine; said means for applying heat and
pressure is comprised of a sewing chamber added to said
conventional sewing machine, said sewing chamber comprising a
sewing needle between a plate and heater wheel, wherein the two
materials are brought together within said sewing chamber to form a
seam, wherein said plate and wheel are separately heated, wherein
the two materials are passed over said plate, wherein said wheel is
positioned above and against said two materials over said
plate.
3. A system for making a waterproof seam as recited in claim 2,
wherein: said means for placing a thin strip of adhesive between
said material at said seam line is comprised of a seam guide
removably attached to a sewing machine front, said seam guide
comprising an adhesive roll holder, a linear guide attachment from
the roll holder, terminating in a curved sewing chamber guide
guiding an adhesive strip from said roll holder into said sewing
chamber between the said two materials the seam.
4. A system for making a waterproof seam as recited in claim 3,
further comprising: a rotating horizontal element electrically
driven by the sewing machine, wherein said heater wheel is geared
to said rotating horizontal element by means of a chain, wherein
said chain synchronizes the rotation of the heater wheel with a
sewing machine operation.
5. A system for making a waterproof seam as recited in claim 4,
wherein: said rotating element contains a puller wheel for drawing
a sewn seam through and from said sewing chamber.
6. A system for making a waterproof seam as recited in claim 5,
wherein: said heater wheel is attached to a yoke driven by an
airline cylinder which lifts and lowers the yoke thereby lifting
and lowering the heater wheel.
7. A system for making a waterproof seam as recited in claim 6,
wherein: the coated thread is formed with three threads, twisted
counter clockwise in a Z-twist, and coated with an adhesive.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Applicant claims the priority benefits of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 61/575,602, filed Aug. 24, 2011.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates generally to the field of sewinq,
and, in particular, to a system for making a waterproof seam.
[0003] In sewings, a seam is the join where two or more layers of
fabric or other material are held together with stitches. The
nature of sewing a seam is have a needle puncture a series of holes
in the materials to be joined and simultaneously interleavening
thread through the holes thereby fastening the materials to each
other.
[0004] Many seam applications require the seam to be water
resistant, and even water proof. Examples of this are outdoor
clothing, tents, and sleeping bags. The problem with conventional
seams is that water can pass through the holes alongside the
thread, and also between the joined materials. The prior art
addresses this problem by applying an adhesive tape over the seam
thereby sealing the seam. The seal tape is a strip of adhesive
coated material applied over the seam with a separate seam-sealing
machine. This is costly both in the requirement of a separate
machine and also, more importantly, in the extra labor required to
operate the separate machine.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention addresses the problems inherent in
prior art seam sealing by eliminating the need for seam tape
thereby eliminating the need for a separate machine and the extra
labor steps needed to apply the seam tape. The present invention
accomplishes this by using a special thread coated with an
adhesive. As the coated thread is inserted through the seam holes,
heat and pressure are simultaneously applied thereby activating the
thread coating. The activated thread coating melts into each cavity
formed by a needle puncture. Applicant has found that the above
process provides a highly water repellant seam. Full water proofing
of the seam is accomplished by providing an additional thin
adhesive strip between the materials to be joined along the seam
line. The heat and pressure applied as the coated thread is
inserted through the seam holes also melts the adhesive strip
providing additional adhesive flow into the needle holes and
between the seam holes of the materials to be joined.
[0006] The primary purpose of the present invention is to produce a
highly water and wind repellent or waterproof and windproof seam.
The present invention allows the waterproof/windproof process to be
centralized and completed in one step, eliminating the prior art
two-three step taping and sewing process. The present invention
eliminates the requirement of a seal tape thereby reducing the bulk
of conventional seal taping and the weight of the overall end item.
The present invention facilitates machine operation in areas such
as curves. Floor space required for seam sealing machinery is
eliminated. The need for a seam seal operator is also eliminated.
The overall time and cost for seam sealing is substantially reduced
by the present invention. The present invention is particularly
adapted for clothing, shoes, tents, sleeping bags, outdoor
furniture, boating supplies, umbrellas, back packs and covers.
[0007] These together with other objects of the invention, along
with various features of novelty, which characterize the invention,
are pointed out with particularity in the following disclosure. For
a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages
and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be
had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which
there is illustrated a preferred embodiment of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a prior art system.
[0009] FIG. 2 is an exploded side view of a prior art seam.
[0010] FIG. 3 is a diagram of the existing system.
[0011] FIG. 4 is an exploded side view of an invention seam.
[0012] FIG. 5 is a diagrammic view of a prior art two thread
twist.
[0013] FIG. 6 is a diagrammic view of the invention three thread,
Z-twist.
[0014] FIG. 7 is another view of the invention three thread.
[0015] FIG. 8 is a diagrammic view of the thread being sewed with a
needle.
[0016] FIG. 9 is a magnified view of the invention thread being
sewed into a fabric.
[0017] FIG. 10 is a side view of a seam, needle and top and bottom
heating elements.
[0018] FIG. 11A is a front view of the invention apparatus.
[0019] FIG. 11B is a front view of a guide attachment for guiding
the adhesive strip into the sewing chamber.
[0020] FIG. 12A is a left side view of the invention apparatus.
[0021] FIG. 12B is a partial right side view of the invention
installed on a conventional sewing machine.
[0022] FIG. 13A is a rear view of the invention apparatus.
[0023] FIG. 13B is a partial rear view of the invention installed
on a conventional sewing machine.
[0024] FIG. 14 is a rear top view of the invention apparatus.
[0025] FIG. 15 is a right side view of the invention apparatus.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0026] Referring to the drawings in detail wherein like elements
are indicated by like numerals, there is shown an FIGS. 1 and 2, an
example of a prior art waterproof seam 10. The prior art seam 10
has a series of needle punctures 11 through which thread 12 is
passed. In the example shown, two pieces of material 20, 21 are
being joined along the seam 10. Water/moisture can pass through the
punctures 11 along side the thread 12 and also between the joined
material pieces 20, 21 in the areas 13 between puncture holes 11. A
separate sealing tape 15 having an adhesive coating is placed over
the seam 10 and adhered to the seam with heat and pressure. This
second step provides a waterproof seam.
[0027] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the present invention seam 10 is
formed using an adhesive coated thread 12'. The coated thread 12'
is comprised of a thread 12 with an adhesive coating 14. As the
coated thread 12' is applied, heat and pressure are simultaneously
applied, melting the adhesive coating 14 thereby filling the needle
punctures 11. The melted adhesive coating 14 will also flow into
the areas 13 between the needle punctures 11 and between the
materials 20, 21. This results in a highly water repellant seam. To
make the seam absolutely water proof, a thin strip of adhesive 17
may be placed between the two materials 20, 21 at the seam line 10.
The heat and pressure applied to the coated thread 12' will also
melt the adhesive strip 17, causing additional adhesive to flow
into the needle punctures 11 and the areas 13 between needle
punctures.
[0028] Nearly 99% of the apparel industry uses a two thread
clockwise twist. See FIG. 5, wherein two threads, 12A and 12B are
twisted together. The invention thread 12', as shown in FIGS. 6 and
7, is formed with three threads, 12A, 12B and 12C, twisted counter
clockwise in a Z-twist, and coated with an adhesive 14. Thus the
thread 12' may nominally be a 30/3 cotton count with three turns
per inch minimum and having a left twist. This makes the thread
puff up, further spreading the adhesive coating in each needle
puncture hole. Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, there is shown a needle
19 inserting the invention thread 12' through a magnified needle
puncture 11. The fibers from the coated thread 12' expand and
adhere to the needle hole 11. The adhesive 14 from the coated
thread seals the hole 11. Additional adhesive 14 from the adhesive
strip 17 will also contribute to filling the hole 11. In the
preferred embodiment, the thread is made from cotton. Polyester and
nylon thread may also be used.
[0029] The adhesive coating 14 is nominally 2% to 6% coating by
thread weight. The adhesives used in this example were
Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) adhesives. These adhesives bond to
a wide range of substrates and very good properties. Other families
of adhesives may also be uses such as nylon, polyester, polyolefin
and vinyl.
[0030] An apparatus 30 designed to implement the above method is
provoided. The apparatus 30 is preferably an add-on to an existing
conventional sewing machine 50. In the example shown, a single
needle machine is shown. Double needle machines could as easily be
used. The apparatus 30 must produce a sealed and sewn seam in one
operation. The apparatus 30 must use the invention thread 12' and
adhesive strip 17 in the sewing assembly operation while
transferring heat to the sewn seam 10 to activate the components of
adhesive strip and thread adhesive. Heat must be applied in
synchronization with the normal operation of sewing a garment. The
heat contact must be intermittent and synchronised with the sewing
machine start and stops. Heat transfer must be adequate to activate
adhesives and sewing seam speed. The apparatus roller speed must
match machine speed through the sewing operation.
[0031] The present invention sewing machine 30 has a single sewing
needle 19 operated by conventional means. As the two materials 20,
21 are brought together to form a seam 10, the seam 10 is passed
through the sewing chamber 32 containing a sewing needle 19,
between a plate 31 and a heater wheel 33. The plate 31 and heater
wheel 33 are separately heated. The heat from the plate 31 and
wheel 33 melt the adhesive 14 coating the invention thread 12'. The
heat, combined with the downward pressure from the wheel 33, react
the adhesive forcing the adhesive into the needle puncture holes 11
and the area 13 between the two materials 20, 21 forming the seam
10. The heating plate 31 may be replaced with a roller.
[0032] The adhesive strip 17 is guided into the area 13 between the
two fabric materials 20, 21 by a seam guide 40 removably attached
to the sewing machine front 51. The guide 40 is comprised of an
adhesive roll holder 41, a linear guide attachment 42 from the roll
holder, terminating in a curved sewing chamber guide 43 guiding the
adhesive strip 17 between the two fabric materials 20, 21 forming
the seam 10.
[0033] The invention is further comprised of a rotating horizontal
element 35 electrically driven by the sewing machine 50 or an
attachment to the sewing machine. The heater wheel 33 is geared to
the rotating element 35 by means of a chain 34. The chain 34
synchronizes the rotation of the heater wheel 33 with the sewing
operation. The rotating element 35 also contains a puller wheel 36
for "pulling" the sewn seam 10 through and from the sewing machine
55. The puller wheel may be used with or without the heater wheel
33.
[0034] The heater wheel 33 is attached to a yoke 38. In this
embodiment of the invention, an airline cylinder 37 lifts and
lowers the yoke 38 thereby lifting and lowering the heater wheel
33.
[0035] It is understood that the above-described embodiment is
merely illustrative of the application. Other embodiments may be
readily devised by those skilled in the art, which will embody the
principles of the invention and fall within the spirit and scope
thereof.
* * * * *