Apparatus for hemming fabric using a hot melt adhesive

Claim 1

An apparatus for continuously forming a longitudinal hem along one edge of a fabric using a hot melt adhesive for securement of the hem, said apparatus comprising means for advancing the fabric from a supply source and along a predetermined path of travel, means positioned in the path of travel of the fabric and defining an elongate heating chamber for receiving one longitudinal edge portion of the fabric and for heating the longitudinal edge portion of the fabric as it is advanced through the heating chamber, folding means located downstream of the heating chamber for receiving the heated longitudinal edge portion of the fabric from the heating chamber and for folding the same upon itself into overlying fabric layers to define a longitudinal hem along said one edge portion of the fabric, means cooperating with said folding means adjacent the downstream end thereof for applying a stream of molten hot melt adhesive between the overlying fabric layers which define the longitudinal hem, and means defining an elongate compression zone positioned for receiving the longitudinal hem and for applying pressure thereto to cause the molten adhesive to spread and penetrate into the fabric layers and for also preventing relative movement between the fabric layers until the adhesive has sufficiently cooled to secure the hem together, said means comprising a pair of endless belts, and means mounting the belts for movement along respective elongate paths in opposing contacting relation with one another.

Claim 2

An apparatus for continuously forming a longitudinal hem along one edge of a fabric using a hot melt adhesive for securement of the hem, said apparatus comprising means for advancing the fabric from a supply source and along a predetermined path of travel, means positioned in the path of travel of the fabric and defining an elongate heating chamber for receiving one longitudinal edge portion of the fabric and for heating the longitudinal edge portion of the fabric as it is advanced through the heating chamber, folding means located downstream of the heating chamber for receiving the heated longitudinal edge portion of the fabric from the heating chamber and for folding the same upon itself into overlying fabric layers to define a longitudinal hem along said one edge portion of the fabric, means cooperating with said folding means adjacent the downstream end thereof for applying a stream of molten hot melt adhesive between the overlying fabric layers which define the longitudinal hem, and means defining an elongate compression zone positioned for receiving the longitudinal hem and for applying pressure thereto to cause the molten adhesive to spread and penetrate into the fabric layers and for also preventing relative movement between the fabric layers until the adhesive has sufficiently cooled to secure the hem together, said means comprising a pair of endless belts, and means mounting the belts for movement along respective elongate paths in opposing contacting relation with one another.

Claim 5

An apparatus for continuously forming a longitudinal hem along one edge of a fabric using a hot melt adhesive for securement of the hem, said apparatus comprising means for advancing the fabric from a supply source and along a predetermined path of travel, an elongate tubular heating chamber positioned in the path of travel of the fabric and having a slit-like opening extending longitudinally thereof for receiving the fabric therethrough and to position one longitudinal edge portion of the fabric interiorly of the tubular member with the remaining portions of the fabric located outside the tubular member, a hot air blower cooperating with said tubular heating chamber for directing a current of heated air into and along the interior thereof and into contact with the longitudinal edge portion of the fabric for heating the fabric as it is advanced through the tubular heating chamber, folding means located downstream of the heating chamber for receiving the heated longitudinal edge portion of the fabric from the heating chamber and for folding the same upon itself into overlying fabric layers to define a longitudinal hem along said one edge portion of the fabric, means cooperating with said folding means adjacent the downstream end thereof for applying a stream of molten hot melt adhesive between the overlying fabric layers which define the longitudinal hem, and means positioned for receiving the longitudinal hem and for applying pressure thereto to cause the molten adhesive to spread and penetrate into the fabric layers and for also preventing relative movement between the fabric layers until the adhesive has sufficiently cooled to secure the hem together.

Claim 6

An apparatus for continuously forming a longitudinal hem along one edge of a fabric using a hot melt adhesive for securement of the hem, said apparatus comprising means for advancing the fabric from a supply source and along a predetermined path of travel, an elongate tubular heating chamber positioned in the path of travel of the fabric and having a slit-like opening extending longitudinally thereof for receiving the fabric therethrough and to position one longitudinal edge portion of the fabric interiorly of the tubular member with the remaining portions of the fabric located outside the tubular member, a hot air blower cooperating with said tubular heating chamber for directing a current of heated air into and along the interior thereof and into contact with the longitudinal edge portion of the fabric for heating the fabric as it is advanced through the tubular heating chamber, folding means located downstream of the heating chamber for receiving the heated longitudinal edge portion of the fabric from the heating chamber and for folding the same upon itself into overlying fabric layers to define a longitudinal hem along said one edge portion of the fabric, means cooperating with said folding means adjacent the downstream end thereof for applying a stream of molten hot melt adhesive between the overlying fabric layers which define the longitudinal hem, and means positioned for receiving the longitudinal hem and for applying pressure thereto to cause the molten adhesive to spread and penetrate into the fabric layers and for also preventing relative movement between the fabric layers until the adhesive has sufficiently cooled to secure the hem together.

Claim 8

An apparatus for continuously forming a longitudinal hem along one edge of a fabric using a hot melt adhesive for securement of the hem, said apparatus comprising means for advancing the fabric from a supply source and along a predetermined path of travel, means positioned in the path of travel of the fabric and defining an elongate heating chamber for receiving one longitudinal edge portion of the fabric and for heating the longitudinal edge portion of the fabric as it is advanced through the heating chamber, an elongate folding guide located downstream of the heating chamber for receiving the heated longitudinal edge portion of the fabric from the heating chamber and for folding the same upon itself into overlying fabric layers to define a longitudinal hem along said one edge portion of the fabric, heating means carried by the folding guide and operable for heating the folding guide to thereby assist in maintaining the longitudinal edge portion of the fabric in a heated condition as the fabric is advanced through and folded by the folding guide, means cooperating with said folding guide adjacent the downstream end thereof for applying a stream of molten hot melt adhesive between the overlying fabric layers which define the longitudinal hem, and means positioned for receiving the longitudinal hem and for applying pressure thereto to cause the molten adhesive to spread and penetrate into the fabric layers and for also preventing relative movement between the fabric layers until the adhesive has sufficiently cooled to secure the hem together.

Claim 9

An apparatus for continuously forming a longitudinal hem along one edge of a fabric using a hot melt adhesive for securement of the hem, said apparatus comprising means for advancing the fabric from a supply source and along a predetermined path of travel, means positioned in the path of travel of the fabric and defining an elongate heating chamber for receiving one longitudinal edge portion of the fabric and for heating the longitudinal edge portion of the fabric as it is advanced through the heating chamber, an elongate folding guide located downstream of the heating chamber for receiving the heated longitudinal edge portion of the fabric from the heating chamber and for folding the same upon itself into overlying fabric layers to define a longitudinal hem along said one edge portion of the fabric, heating means carried by the folding guide and operable for heating the folding guide to thereby assist in maintaining the longitudinal edge portion of the fabric in a heated condition as the fabric is advanced through and folded by the folding guide, means cooperating with said folding guide adjacent the downstream end thereof for applying a stream of molten hot melt adhesive between the overlying fabric layers which define the longitudinal hem, and means positioned for receiving the longitudinal hem and for applying pressure thereto to cause the molten adhesive to spread and penetrate into the fabric layers and for also preventing relative movement between the fabric layers until the adhesive has sufficiently cooled to secure the hem together.

Claim 10

An apparatus for continuously forming a longitudinal hem along one edge of a fabric using a hot melt adhesive for securement of the hem, said apparatus comprising means for advancing the fabric from a supply source and along a predetermined path of travel, means positioned in the path of travel of the fabric and defining an elongate heating chamber for receiving one longitudinal edge portion of the fabric and for heating the longitudinal edge portion of the fabric as it is advanced through the heating chamber, folding means located downstream of the heating chamber for receiving the heated longitudinal edge portion of the fabric from the heating chamber and for folding the same upon itself into overlying fabric layers to define a longitudinal hem along said one edge portion of the fabric, means cooperating with said folding means adjacent the downstream end thereof for applying a stream of molten hot melt adhesive between the overlying fabric layers which define the longitudinal hem, means positioned for receiving the longitudinal hem and for applying pressure thereto to cause the molten adhesive to spread and penetrate into the fabric layers and for also preventing relative movement between the fabric layers until the adhesive has sufficiently cooled to secure the hem together, and means defining an elongate cooling chamber located adjacent the downstream end of said pressure applying means for receiving the adhesively secured hem from the pressure applying means and for further cooling the adhesive to facilitate subsequent handling of the fabric without disturbing the hem.

Claim 11

An apparatus for continuously forming a longitudinal hem along one edge of a fabric using a hot melt adhesive for securement of the hem, said apparatus comprising means for advancing the fabric from a supply source and along a predetermined path of travel, means positioned in the path of travel of the fabric and defining an elongate heating chamber for receiving one longitudinal edge portion of the fabric and for heating the longitudinal edge portion of the fabric as it is advanced through the heating chamber, folding means located downstream of the heating chamber for receiving the heated longitudinal edge portion of the fabric from the heating chamber and for folding the same upon itself into overlying fabric layers to define a longitudinal hem along said one edge portion of the fabric, means cooperating with said folding means adjacent the downstream end thereof for applying a stream of molten hot melt adhesive between the overlying fabric layers which define the longitudinal hem, means positioned for receiving the longitudinal hem and for applying pressure thereto to cause the molten adhesive to spread and penetrate into the fabric layers and for also preventing relative movement between the fabric layers until the adhesive has sufficiently cooled to secure the hem together, and means defining an elongate cooling chamber located adjacent the downstream end of said pressure applying means for receiving the adhesively secured hem from the pressure applying means and for further cooling the adhesive to facilitate subsequent handling of the fabric without disturbing the hem.

Claim 13

An apparatus for continuously forming a longitudinal hem along one edge of a fabric using a hot melt adhesive for securement of the hem, said apparatus comprising means for advancing the fabric from a supply source and along a predetermined path of travel, and including fabric pulling means for withdrawing fabric from the supply source, a transitory storage hopper positioned for receiving the fabric withdrawn from the supply source by said fabric pulling means and for temporarily accumulating a reservoir of the fabric, and means associated with said transitory storage hopper and operably connected to said fabric pulling means for periodically operating said fabric pulling means to maintain a predetermined reservoir of fabric in said transitory storage hopper to thereby facilitate continuous removal of the fabric from the hopper for continuous formation of the longitudinal hem therein, means positioned in the path of travel of the fabric and defining an elongate heating chamber for receiving one longitudinal edge portion of the fabric and for heating the longitudinal edge portion of the fabric as it is advanced through the heating chamber, folding means located downstream of the heating chamber for receiving the heated longitudinal edge portion of the fabric from the heating chamber and for folding the same upon itself into overlying fabric layers to define a longitudinal hem along said one edge portion of the fabric, means cooperating with said folding means adjacent the downstream end thereof for applying a stream of molten hot melt adhesive between the overlying fabric layers which define the longitudinal hem, and means positioned for receiving the longitudinal hem and for applying pressure thereto to cause the molten adhesive to spread and penetrate into the fabric layers and for also preventing relative movement between the fabric layers until the adhesive has sufficiently cooled to secure the hem together.

Claim 14

An apparatus for continuously forming a longitudinal hem along one edge of a fabric using a hot melt adhesive for securement of the hem, said apparatus comprising means for advancing the fabric from a supply source and along a predetermined path of travel, and including fabric pulling means for withdrawing fabric from the supply source, a transitory storage hopper positioned for receiving the fabric withdrawn from the supply source by said fabric pulling means and for temporarily accumulating a reservoir of the fabric, and means associated with said transitory storage hopper and operably connected to said fabric pulling means for periodically operating said fabric pulling means to maintain a predetermined reservoir of fabric in said transitory storage hopper to thereby facilitate continuous removal of the fabric from the hopper for continuous formation of the longitudinal hem therein, means positioned in the path of travel of the fabric and defining an elongate heating chamber for receiving one longitudinal edge portion of the fabric and for heating the longitudinal edge portion of the fabric as it is advanced through the heating chamber, folding means located downstream of the heating chamber for receiving the heated longitudinal edge portion of the fabric from the heating chamber and for folding the same upon itself into overlying fabric layers to define a longitudinal hem along said one edge portion of the fabric, means cooperating with said folding means adjacent the downstream end thereof for applying a stream of molten hot melt adhesive between the overlying fabric layers which define the longitudinal hem, and means positioned for receiving the longitudinal hem and for applying pressure thereto to cause the molten adhesive to spread and penetrate into the fabric layers and for also preventing relative movement between the fabric layers until the adhesive has sufficiently cooled to secure the hem together.

Claim 15

An apparatus for continuously forming a longitudinal hem along one edge of a fabric using a hot melt adhesive for securement of the hem, said apparatus comprising means for advancing the fabric from a supply source and along a predetermined path of travel, an elongate tubular heating chamber positioned in the path of travel of the fabric and having a slit-like opening extending longitudinally thereof for receiving the fabric therethrough and to position one longitudinal edge portion of the advancing fabric interiorly of the tubular heating chamber with the remaining portions of the fabric located outside the heating chamber, a hot air blower cooperating with said tubular heating chamber for directing a current of heated air into and along the interior thereof for heating the edge portion of the fabric as it is advanced through the heating chamber, a folding guide located downstream of the heating chamber for receiving the heated longitudinal edge portion of the fabric from the heating chamber and for folding the same upon itself into overlying fabric layers to define a longitudinal hem along said one edge portion of the fabric, means located adjacent the downstream end of said folding guide for applying a stream of molten hot melt adhesive between the overlying fabric layers which define the longitudinal hem, means positioned for receiving the longitudinal hem and for applying pressure thereto to cause the molten adhesive to spread and penetrate into the fabric layers and for also preventing relative movement between the fabric layers until the adhesive has sufficiently cooled to secure the hem together, an elongate tubular cooling chamber positioned in the path of travel of the fabric on the downstream end of said pressure applying means and having a slit-like opening extending longitudinally thereof for receiving the fabric therethrough and to position the adhesively secured longitudinal hem interiorly of the tubular cooling chamber with the remaining portions of the fabric located outside the cooling chamber, and a blower cooperating with said cooling chamber for directing a current of air into and along the interior thereof and into contact with the adhesively secured hem for further cooling the adhesive to facilitate subsequent handling of the fabric without disturbing the hem.

Claim 16

An apparatus for continuously forming a longitudinal hem along one edge of a fabric using a hot melt adhesive for securement of the hem, said apparatus comprising means for advancing the fabric from a supply source and along a predetermined path of travel, an elongate tubular heating chamber positioned in the path of travel of the fabric and having a slit-like opening extending longitudinally thereof for receiving the fabric therethrough and to position one longitudinal edge portion of the advancing fabric interiorly of the tubular heating chamber with the remaining portions of the fabric located outside the heating chamber, a hot air blower cooperating with said tubular heating chamber for directing a current of heated air into and along the interior thereof for heating the edge portion of the fabric as it is advanced through the heating chamber, a folding guide located downstream of the heating chamber for receiving the heated longitudinal edge portion of the fabric from the heating chamber and for folding the same upon itself into overlying fabric layers to define a longitudinal hem along said one edge portion of the fabric, means located adjacent the downstream end of said folding guide for applying a stream of molten hot melt adhesive between the overlying fabric layers which define the longitudinal hem, means positioned for receiving the longitudinal hem and for applying pressure thereto to cause the molten adhesive to spread and penetrate into the fabric layers and for also preventing relative movement between the fabric layers until the adhesive has sufficiently cooled to secure the hem together, an elongate tubular cooling chamber positioned in the path of travel of the fabric on the downstream end of said pressure applying means and having a slit-like opening extending longitudinally thereof for receiving the fabric therethrough and to position the adhesively secured longitudinal hem interiorly of the tubular cooling chamber with the remaining portions of the fabric located outside the cooling chamber, and a blower cooperating with said cooling chamber for directing a current of air into and along the interior thereof and into contact with the adhesively secured hem for further cooling the adhesive to facilitate subsequent handling of the fabric without disturbing the hem.