GB2593034A - Improvements to apparatus for dispensing a fluid material onto a garment - Google Patents

Abstract

Apparatus for the application of a fluid material along at least one crease line of a garment with fluid application means 16, reservoir in which fluid material is located, movement means an exit aperture 26 to allow movement of fluid material from the reservoir into crease line, wherein application means includes engagement formation 42 which engages with engagement means on mounting means to retain application means in a fixed location with respect to the mounting means during use and relative movement between application means and garment to apply the fluid material along the crease. The engagement means may be releasable to allow replacement of an empty application means with a new application means. The engagement means may be a male protrusion extending around a portion or the whole circumference of the application means. Also claimed is a cartridge for use in application of a line of resin along a crease and application means for fluid onto a crease where fluid material is applied by removing or moving a portion of the application means.

Description

Improvements to apparatus for dispensing a fluid material onto a. garment The invention to which this application relates is to improvements to apparatus of a type which is used to dispense a line or a ribbon of a. fluid material therefrom and which fluid material subsequently sets or hardens. Particularly, although not necessarily exclusively, the invention is related to the application of the fluid material along a crease line such that when the fluid material has been applied along the crease line, the fluid material subsequently cures and hardens and thereby acts to retain the crease in the garment for a more prolonged time than would be the case if the fluid material was not applied.

The application of the fluid material can be from a cartridge mounted with application means or the application means ca.n be supplied with the fluid material from a reservoir or drum of the fluid material and in which case the cartridge is not required to be provided. The apparatus is particularly used for the application of fluid material along crease lines in trousers or shirt sleeves but can be used in relation to crease lines in any type of garment.

The fluid material which is applied is conventionally referred to as a resin and the resin typically hardens upon exposure to ambient environmental conditions when applied onto the garment and, in particular, exposure to moisture in the ambient environment. The application of a line of fluid material, along a crease line is well-known and the applicant has several granted patents and pending patent applications in relation to the same. When a. cartridge is used, the cartridge typically comprises an outer body or housing which has an elongate axis and a reservoir is defined within the body which has an axis which is the same as, or is parallel to, the longitudinal axis of the cartridge. Within the cartridge there is provided a movement means such as a piston, which is provided to be moved along the reservoir and so force and direct a quantity of the fluid material held in the reservoir, towards an exit aperture. The exit aperture is typically provided at one end of the cartridge in connection with the reservoir and is shaped so as to allow a quantity of fluid material to be applied as a line or ribbon continuously therefrom whilst there is still a fluid material supply in the reservoir. The exit aperture can be provided in the form of any suitable shape such as a slot or a slit or a circular aperture and the selection of shape may be made with respect to the format of the fluid material which is to be applied. As the fluid material is being applied from the exit aperture, there is relative movement between the garment and the cartridge so that the line or ribbon of the fluid material extends along the length of the crease line.

At the opposing end of the cartridge, there is typically provided an entry aperture which allows the entry of a pressurised fluid, most typically air, and the pressure of the air acts on the piston on the opposing side from the fluid material in the reservoir so as to move the piston along the reservoir and hence force the fluid material out of the exit aperture.

In operation, two actions are required to be performed by the operator, a first is to cause the relative movement of the garment and the exit aperture through which the fluid material is deposited and, most typically, this is achieved by the user gripping the application means, and moving the same along the crease with the crease being located in a groove on a support surface so that the inner surface of the garment is exposed and the line of resin can be applied to the inner surface of the garment along the crease which lies in a substantially V or gull-wing shaped groove and which acts to support and retain the crease in position and -aids the application of the fluid material so that it lies along the base of the crease line rather than the sidewalls of the crease. The second action is to control the supply of the pressurised fluid material by mechanical and/or electrical control means so as to cause the fluid material to move towards the exit aperture of the application means as the relative movement along the crease line occurs. 'llle garment is then typically left in position until the fluid material hardens in position on the crease line to maintain the crease line form In order to aid the movement of the application means along the crease line in an accurate manner the cartridge, or mounting means therefore, are provided with at least two guide means in the form of skids or skis which are provided at spaced locations along the same axis on the cartridge and which extend outwardly from the application MCallS and in one form these can be formed on and as a part of the cartridge. This means that during the relative movement of the application means and the garment, the free ends of the said skis or skids locate with the base of the crease in the garment and hence lie in the groove on the support surface so that they slide along the crease in advance of the exit aperture with respect to the direction of movement so as to guide the movement of the application means along the crease and ensure that the resin is applied from the exit aperture along the crease base rather than through the sidewa.11s of the same. It is found that if these skids or skis are not provided then the movement of the application means can go off the line of the crease which then means that the fluid material is not applied along the crease at all or, is applied to one side of the crease and which can cause unsightly crease lines to be formed in the garment and lead to the rejection of the garment at quality control.

While the use of the skids or skis is well-known, there can be problems when the skid or ski comes into contact with a portion of the garment which overlies the crease line as the ski or skid can engage with the said portion of the garment and this causes the portion to effectively act as an obstacle over which the skid or ski adjacent to the exit aperture has to move and which, in turn, due to the proximity of the skid or ski to exit aperture, causes the exit aperture of the application means to be raised away from the crease line of the garment and this can mean that the fluid material is not applied continuously along that portion of the crea.se line so that for example, a larger blob or quantity of the fluid material is applied at a particular location and/or adjacent to that location, 110 fluid material is applied or is applied in an uneven manner which again can cause rejection of the garment. Problematic portions of the garment can be a hem of the trouser leg or a cuff of a shirt sleeve.

Conventionally, the operation of the pressurised fluid source for the apparatus has been via, a. foot operated switch which in turn controls a pressurised air pump which, in turn is connected to the cartridge entry aperture. However, it has been found that the use of the foot operated switch can be difficult for certain operators to synchronise along with the movement of the application means and/or the size and quantity of apparatus which is required to be provided means that the same is difficult to use in relatively confined work spaces which, may be the case in particular, where the apparatus is being used in, for example, a laundry or a small scale manufacturing area.

The applicant, in their co-pending applications, has defined a different MC2111S of operation of the air pressure pump which allows the action to be achieved via a user's hand or finger and, preferably, via the same hand, which is used to move the cartridge so as to achieve the relative movement between the application means and the garment. Thus, what was previously two separate actions becomes one, combined, operating requirement and thereby improves the ease of use of the apparatus and, furthermore, allows use of the apparatus in working environments where previously it was difficult to do so or not possible.

An aim of the present invention is therefore to provide an improved form of application means apparatus. A further aim is to provide an improved form of cartridge and generally to apply a line or ribbon of fluid material along the garment in a manner which is reliable and with improved accuracy and continuity in the application of the resin.

In a first aspect of the invention, there is provided apparatus for use in the application of a line of fluid material along at least one crease line in a garment, said apparatus including at least one fluid material application means, a reservoir in which said fluid material is located, a movement means and a.t least one exit aperture provided to allow the movement of fluid material from the reservoir onto the crease line and wherein, said application means include at least one engagement formation which engages with engagement means on mounting means to retain the said application means in a fixed location with respect to the mounting means during use and relative movement between said application means and the garment so as to apply the fluid material along the said crease line.

In one embodiment the said application means include at least one cartridge and the said at least one cartridge is provided with said engagement formation.

Typically, the said engagement means of the mounting means are releasable so as to allow the replacement of all empty cartridge with a new cartridge which has a supply of fluid material therein.

In one embodiment, the mounting means are gripped so as to allow the movement of the mounting means, with the at least one cartridge engaged therewith, along said (raiment.

In one embodiment, the said application means and/or mounting means, include alone or in combination, one or more skids or skis which extend from the application

S

means or mounting means to contact with the crease line of the said garment and which act as guides for the application of the fluid material as the relative movement between the garment and cartridge.

In one embodiment the said one or more skids or skis are provided on the at least one cartridge and the said skids or skis extend along a substantial length of the longitudinal axis. Preferably there is a sufficient gap between the ski or skid and the exit aperture so as to minimise the possibility of the said skids or skis raising the exit aperture from the crease line when the skid or ski moves over an obstacle or protrusion on the garment.

In one embodiment the mounting means includes locations for a plurality of application means side by side in order to allow the simultaneous deposition of ribbons of fluid material along parallel crease lines.

In one embodiment the application means are provided in the form of cartridges in which respective exit apertures are located.

In on embodiment the mounting means includes operator actuation means for the selective control of the operation of the pressurised fluid source so as to allow the same to be switched on and off and thereby allow the operator to move the mounting means and operate the pressurised fluid source using the same hand.

Typically the size and/or reservoir capacity of the at least one cartridges can be selected to suit particular uses, typically with respect to the predicted volume of work and hence usage of fluid material in a. given time period. In one embodiment the mounting means can be adapted to receive cartridges selected from arrange of cartridges sizes. Alternatively a range of mounting means are available each for use with a cartridge of particular size In one embodiment the application means includes an exit aperture which is connected to a reservoir or drum of the fluid material, typically by a hose or tube and so allows the fluid material to be supplied to the application means assembly but without the need for a cartridge to be provided.

Typically, the engagement means, when engaged, allow the application means and the mounting means to effectively form and be used as an integral unit and thereby prevent the operation of the actuation means from causing any deviation in the direction of movement of the application means along the garment crease and/or prevent relative movement between the application means and the mounting means. This therefore ensures that the accuracy of the application of the line or ribbon of fluid material along the crease line is improved.

In one embodiment, the said engagement formation is a male protrusion which extends around at least part of the circumference of the application means, such as the cartridge body or, in one embodiment, extends around the entire circumference and the engagement means on the mountnig means, are provided in the form of a female recess so that the male protrusion is positively engaged into the female recess by a relative sliding movement between the mounting means and the cartridge.

In an alternative embodiment, the engagement formation is a rib which extends partially around the circumference of the application means, such as the cartridge body and most typically is provided on that side of the body opposing that on which the skids or skis are located.

In whichever form, the engagement formation and engagement means are provided so that when engaged, relative movement between the application means and the mounting means along the longitudinal axis of the apparatus is prevented and preferably movement is also prevented around the said longitudinal axis so as to ensure tha.t the application means and the mounting means act as an integral unit during use.

In one embodiment, at least one of the said one or more skids or skis are provided with a means to allow the same to be selectively detached from the application means or mount* means by an operator. ;In one embodiment, the said detachments means is a line of weakening which can be selectively broken so as to allow at least a portion of the said skid or ski to be detached. ;Typically, the selection as to whether or not to remove the skid or ski is made by the operator with regard to the particular intended use of the apparatus at that time so that, for example, if it is known that the apparatus is to be used to apply fluid material along a crease bile with respect to which there may be an obstructing portion, such as a collar or hem of the garment, then a decision can be made prior to use to remove at least the ski (Jr skid which is adjacent to the exit aperture for the fluid material so as to prevent contact of tha.t skid or ski with the obstruction from causing movement of the exit aperture away from the crease line. ;In another embodiment and perhaps more typically when the skids or skis are provided as part of a mounting means or application means which is not a disposable item, at least one of the said skids (Jr skis may be provided to be moveable so as to be moved to a position a.t which the same will not contact with an obstruction on the garment during use of the apparatus and thereby have the same effect ofavoiding any potential contact with the obstruction during the application of the fluid material. ;In one embodiment the said exit aperture receives thereon a nib which can be selectively attached to the exit aperture and therefore form a continuation of the passage along which the resin material flows and then from the nib onto the crease line. ;typically said fluid material is a resin which hardens and cures once the same has left the exit aperture and is applied to the crease line of the garment. The resin is typically bonded to the interior surface of the crease line and so maintains the form of the crease line without requiring any further conditioning once applied to the garment. ;In one embodiment the said fluid or resin cures and hardens upon exposure to ambient environmental conditions. ;In a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a cartridge for use in the application of a line of resin along a crease line in a garment, said cartridge including an entry aperture for the provision of a pressurised gas into a reservoir in which fluid material is located, a movement means in the reservoir which is movable from a first ;S ;end adjacent to the entrance aperture towards a second end at which an exit aperture is provided and said fluid material is located intermediate the said movement me-ans and the exit aperture, said exit aperture provided to allow the movement of the fluid material from the cartridge onto the crease line and one or more skis or skids extend outwardly from an external surface of the cartridge and wherein at least one of the said skids or skis is provided with a line of weakening positioned such that, when broken, a portion of the said skid or ski is detached from the said cartridge so as to adapt the cartridge. ;"lYpically, the adaptation is to allow the cartridge to be used to apply a line of fluid material along a crease line of a garment in which there is an obstruction and so by adapting the cartridge by removing at least a portion of the said skid or ski, contact between the said adapted skid (Jr ski and the obstruction is no longer possible and so the risk of uneven, no, or excessive application of fluid material onto the crease line is removed. ;In one embodiment, the said line of weakening is located intermediate the interface of the skid or ski with the cartridge and the free end of the skid or ski provided, in use, to contact with the garment crease line. Most typically, the line of weakening is provided substantially adjacent to the interface with the cartridge so as to ease the breaking of the line of weakening if required. ;Typically the line of weakening is provided to have sufficient strength to minimise the risk of accidental breaking of the same whilst at the same time allowing the same to be broken by a person applying direct force to the portion which is to be detached or by applying force using a hand operated tool so as to allow the adaptation of the cartridge to be achievable at the location of use of the cartridge. ;Typically, the skid or ski, or portion thereof, which is detachable is that which is closest to the exit aperture for the fluid material from the cartridge. ;Typically, the skids or skis and the exit aperture of the cartridge lie along a common axis and said axis is required to be parallel with the crease line as the fluid material is applied as relative movement between the garment and the cartridge occurs. ;In one embodiment, the skids or skis are provided as one or more flexible members which depend downwardly from the underside of the cartridge and allow the same to act as guide means whilst the flexibility and resilience is such to take into account obstructions which may be present in the garment and over which the cartridge is moved during the application of the resin. . In a further aspect of the invention there is provided application means for a fluid material onto and along a crease line of a garment, said application means selectively usable in a first mode in which the application means is initially provided and a second adapted mode achieved and wherein the selection of mode is made by the user of the cartridge at the location of use with respect to a particular form of crease line and/or garment onto which the fluid material is to be applied and the adaptation to the second mode is achieved by removing or moving a portion of the application means and/or mounting means therefore. ;Typically, the said portion which is moved or removed is a skid or ski which acts as a e °nid when in contact with the said crease line. ti *

In one embodiment, the application means include location means to allow the exit aperture to be formed by a selected one of a range of nib components, each of which has a passage therethrough such that when the same is fitted to the cartridge the same forms the exit aperture and the fluid resin flows from the reservoir into the nib and through the passage in the same and then onto the crease line of the garment.

Typically, the nibs are of differing configurations and when selectively engaged provide the exit aperture of a particular configuration and the selection is typically made with regard to a particular use of the application means and/or a particular type of fluid material which is to be applied. For example, the range of nibs may include one nib which has a chamfered or reduced point, a nib including a trailing tube from which the fluid material is supplied and so provide a wiping effect if, for example, the fluid material is of the non-slumping type and/or a nib which has a relatively round opening so as to allow the fluid material to effectively drop clown from the nib onto the garment if the fluid material is of the "self-levelling type" and without the need for a wiping action to be performed by the nib on the fluid material onto the garment.

In one embodiment, the exit aperture may be provided prior to use in a scaled form and, in order to gait. I access to the fluid material through the exit aperture a portion of the application means is removed. In one embodiment there may be provided a line of weakening which allows the removal of the portion from a nib and allows the exit aperture to be accessed.

In one embodiment, the cartridge includes one or more wheels or discs, instead of or in addition to one or more skids or skis.

In one embodiment, the said guide means are provided in the form of wheels or discs is provided to be located along a common axis with the longitudinal axis of the cartridge and located so as to move along the base of the crease and groove in the support member.

In addition or alternatively, wheels or discs are provided to lie on either side of the groove on the support member and therefore move along one or both sides of the groove.

In whichever embodiment the wheels or discs can be provided as part of a carriage in which the cartridge is located. The provision of wheels (Jr discs, which are free to rotate, overcomes the problem of friction between the skis or skids and the garment and which friction can cause the crease to move out of the groove.

In one embodiment, the wheels (Jr discs may be provided with a biasing means such as a spring, to allow the same to take into account any obstructions or inconsistencies in the surface of the garment and/or the support member along which the same are moved.

In one embodiment, at least one of the wheels (Jr discs are provided in connection with drive means such that as the same rotates, the drive means cause the movement of a piston or other movement means in the cartridge to thereby move the resin towards the exit aperture.

In one embodiment, the cartridge is provided with a reservoir of resin which is sealed in the cartridge. In a.n alternative embodiment fluid resin is moved from a central supply such as a drum or larger container so that the resin is supplied to and enters and moves through the reservoir of the cartridge and is dispensed from the cartridge as the cartridge is being moved along the crease line so that in this embodiment, the reservoir of the cartridge acts as a passage for the resin from the container to the exit aperture for application to the crease line. Tins therefore means that the drum or container is the source and a constant flow of resin can be supplied to the reservoir in the cartridge for the duration of the application of the resin along the crease line, rather than the resin being contained in and supplied with the cartridge.

Specific embodiments of the invention are now described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figures la and b illustrate schematically, apparatus in one embodiment for use in the application of the fluid material to a garment crease line; Figure 2 illustrates application means in the form of a cartridge in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; Figures 3a-e illustrate the engagement means of the mounting means for engagement with the engagement formation of the cartridge of l'igure 2 and 4a-b; Figures 4a-li illustrates a further embodiment of application means ion the form of a cartridge; Figure 5 illustrates the cartridge of Figures 4 a-b having been adapted for use from a first mode to a second mode; Figure 6 illustrates a further embodiment of application means in the form of a cartridge in accordance with the invention;.

Figures 7a and b illustrates alternative forms of dispensing nibs for use with the application means in accordance with the invention; Figure 8 illustrates a further embodiment of an application means cartridge in accordance with the invention; Figures 9a and b illustrate a further embodiment of application means apparatus in accordance with the invention; Figures 10a and b illustrate a further embodiment of application means apparatus; Figure 11 illustrates a further embodiment of application means apparatus; Figures 12a and b illustrate a yet further embodiment of application means apparatus in accordance with the invention; Figures 13a-g illustrate an alternative embodUrient of guide means for use with the apparatus embodiments of the Figures 9a-12b; and Figures 14a-c illustrate one embodiment of the mounting means and an application means cartridge in a.ccorda.nce with the invention.

Referring now to the Figures, Figures 1 a and b and 14a-c illustrate apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, in use to apply a line of fluid material along a crease line of a garment.

Referring firstly to Figures la-b the apparatus includes a support table 2 in which there is provided a groove 4 which extends along the length of the table and is provided to receive therein, a crease line 6 of the garment 8 and along which crease line, the line of fluid material is to be applied and the positioning of the crease line in the groove 4 is shown in Figure la. The interior surface 10 of the garment 8, is exposed so that the resin material 12 is applied along the base 14 of the crease line interior surface which means that when the garment is subsequently worn, the cured hardened line of fluid material is not visible externally but does have the effect of retaining the crease line hi the garment for a longer period of time.

The fluid material is applied as a line or ribbon as the application means, tn. this embodhnent including a cartridge 16 in which the fluid material is held in a reservoir, is moved in the direction 18 with respect to the garment 8 and table 2. A piston 20 shown in broken lines in Figure 2, serves to move along the reservoir 22 in which the fluid material 24 is held tn. a fluid state and which is tn. connection with an exit aperture 26 of the cartridge. The movement of the piston 20 is as a result of the entry of pressurised air. 28 into the entry aperture 30 of the cartridge and which enters the reservoir 22 so as to move the resin in the direction of arrow 32 towards the exit aperture 26 and to be dispensed therefrom. The pressurised air 28, is connected to the cartridge entry aperture 30 via a supply pipe 34 and which in turn is connected to an air pump 36 via a further supply pipe 35.

The Figures 14a-c illustrate the steps of fonning the apparatus in this embodiment by joining together the application means cartridge 16 and mounting means 40 to form an assembly. In accordance with this embodiment of the invention, the control of the air pump to switch the pressurised fluid supply on or off is achieved via a hand operated switch 38 which is located intermediate the supply pipes 34, 35 and and is located on the mounting means 40 which is located with the cartridge 16. 't his allows the operator to use the same hand to operate the switch 38 and also move the cartridge with respect to the garment in the direction of arrow 18. In other embodiments, the operation of the air pump may be as a result of a foot operated switch and in yet further embodiment the cartridge may not be utilised as part of the application means.

In accordance with the embodiment utilising the cartridge, the cartridge, which is shown in more detail in Figures 2 and 4a-b, is provided with a male engagement formation in the form of a rib 42 on the external surface of the cartridge 16 and this rib, is provided to engage with a.n engagement means recess 44 provided on the mounting means 40 as shown in Figures 3a-e. 't he rib 42, in this embodiment, extends across the upper side of the cartridge when the cartridge is in use but it will be apprecia.ted that the formation of the male engagement means on the cartridge and the female engagement means 44 on the mounting means 40, can be shaped so as to match and hence provide the required engagement between the cartridge and the mounting means and allow the same, in use, to act as an integral unit. It should also be appreciated that the male engagement means may be provided on the mounting means and a female engagement formation may be formed on the cartridge. The mounting means in this embodiment also includes a location 45 for the finger actuated switch 38 to allow control of the pressurised fluid source via a switch portion 47 of the switch 38 which passes through an aperture 49 in the mounting means so as to be externally accessible for operation by the users hand.

The cartridge 16 also includes, in tins embodiment, guide means in the form of first and second skids or skis 46,48 and the cartridge is shown in a first mode of operation in I figures 2, 4,a,b and a second mode of operation in Figure 5. In the embodiment shown in Figure 5, the skid or ski 46 which is adjacent to the exit aperture 26 of the cartridge, is provided with a line of weakening 50 adjacent to the interface 52 between the skid or ski and the cartridge body 54.

In the &tit mode of operation, both skids or skis 48, 46 remain intact and both can be provided to contact with and move along the crease line so as to provide guidance of the exit aperture 26 and ensure that the fluid material applied from the same, is applied to the base of the crease line 14.

In Figure 5, the cartridge 16 is shown in a second mode of operation in which, the line of weakening 50 has been broken and the lower portion of the skid or ski 46 has been detached so as to only leave the full skid or ski 48 as part of the cartridge. In this case, the portion has been removed so as to avoid the skid or ski 46 contacting with an obstruction 58 on the crease line 14, with the obstruction being, for example, the hem of the trouser leg or a cuff sew line of a shirt sleeve in which lies across the crease. By removing the lower portion of the skid or ski 46, so the bump or upper movement which would be caused by the portion 56 contacting with and moving over the obstruction 58 is prevented and hence the risk of the raising and possible failure of the application of a continuous hue of fluid material from the exit aperture 26 being caused by raising the same away from the crease line, is prevented.

In one embodiment, the guide means a.re provided as a single skid 70 as illustrated in Figure 6 and in this case, it will be appreciated that the distance X between the edge 72 of the skid and the exit aperture 26 of the cartridge, is significantly greater than in other embodiments as shown, for example, hi Figure 4a. The increase in the distance between these portions, mea.ns that the effect of any movement away from the garment when the skid or ski is moved over an indent or obstruction 38 on the garment, is significantly reduced and so the problem of blobs of fluid material being deposited on to and forming on the crease line, is reduced or removed. Also illustrated in this 1;igure is that the exit aperture 26 is provided as a sealed unit and in order to gain access to the fluid material within the cartridge and thereby apply the same from the cartridge, the portion 74 is removed by breaking a line of weakening 76 which allows the removal of that portion from the nib and allows the aperture into the cartridge reservoir to be accessed.

In one embodiment, the cartridge is provided with the ability to selectively receive one of a range of nib components 78, two examples of which are shown in Figures 7a and b. The nibs can be selectively engaged to the exit aperture of the application means so as to provide a particular configuration of exit aperture for the application means and in relation to a particular use of the application means or a particular type of fluid material with which the cartridge is filled or to be used. For example, the range of nibs may include one nib of the type shown in Figure 713 which has a chamfered or reduced point 80 or a nib as shown in Figure 7a with a formation so as to allow a trailing tube 82 from which the fluid material is supplied or a nib could be used which has a relatively round opening so a.s to allow the fluid material to effectively drop down from the application means onto the garment and without the need for a wiping action to be performed by the nib on the fluid material onto the garment. 'frpically, the selection of the nib may be made with regard to a particular type of fluid material and in one embodiment, the fluid material may be of a type known as "nonslumping" and in which case the fluid material typically sits as a ribbon or a ribbon bead which is best applied through a slot or slit shaped exit aperture or, if the fluid material is of a type known as self-levelling, then the same can simply be dripped onto and along the crease line and therefore a circular shaped aperture can be provided in the nib.

Alternative forms of guide means can be provided on the application means and/or mounting means and for case of illustration different embodiments are shown in combination in I;igure 8. However, it will be apprecia.ted that most typically only one embodiment will be used on a particular application means. For example, the skis or skids may bc provided in a rounded form as shown with skid or ski 84. Alternatively, the guide means may be provided in the form of a wheel or disc 86 as shown. Yet further, the guide means may be provided as one or more flexible members 88 which depend downwardly from the underside of the application means and allow the same to act as guide means and also, to have a degree of flexibility and resilience so as to take into account obstructions which may be present in the garment and over which the cartridge is moved during the application of the resin.

In another embodiment illustrated in Figures 9a and b the guide means are provided as a series of wheels or discs 90 which can, ni one embodiment, be located on a carriage 92 with the wheels or disc provided in pairs and ea.ch pair having one wheel located on opposing sides of the groove 94 on the support member 96 and hence crease line located therein. The carriage 92 with application means 98 located therein moves along the support surface 96 and in line with the groove 94 as indicated by arrow IOU. The provision of wheels or discs, which are free to rotate and lie outside of the groove and hence crease line 94, overcomes the problem of friction between the skis or skids and which friction can cause the crease to move out of the groove.

In one embodiment, the wheels or discs may be provided with a biasing means such as a spring, to allow the same to take into account any obstructions or inconsistencies in the surface of the garment and/or the support member along which the same are moved. In one embodiment, the application means include drive means connected to the at least one of the wheels or discs such that as the same rotate, the drive means cause the movement of a piston or other movement means of the application means to thereby move the fluid material in the reservoir of the cartridge to the exit aperture.

Further possible embodiments of a carriage for use in the dispensing of the fluid material are illustrated in Figures 10a-12b. In Figures 10a and b there is shown a 4 wheel carriage, 102, in side elevation along with a support at M 104 in section along line AA, in Figure 10b and, in Figure 10a., in end elevation in position with the support arm 104 and the groove 106 in which the crease line of the garment is positioned for the application of fluid material therealong. The carriage includes application means which in this embodiment include a body 108 connected to a drum of fluid material, typically via a pipe (not shown) and the body is located in position by locating means 110 and the application means include a dispensing nib 112 which is also located by location means 114 so as to lie centrally of the carriage and when the carriage is positioned for use, the nib is located above the base 113 of the groove 106. The carriage also includes first and second axles 116 on which are mounted wheels 118 which, with regard to the first pair 118 are located externally of the side walls 120, 122 of the support arm 104 and which act to guide the movement of the carriage, and hence application means along the support member.

In one embodiment and as shown in Figure 1013 the pairs of wheels may be of differing siz. e and/or spacing apart so that the second pair of wheels 118', contact with the upper surface 124 of the support arm and act to set the height of the nib 112 with respect to the base 113 of the groove 106.

In Figure 11 a cimilar embodiment is provided but in this case the location means 126 are located on top of the wheels 128 which support the application means body and exit aperture and nib at a spaced distance from the groove 106 of the support arm 104.

In Figures 12a and b a three wheeled carriage 130 is illustrated in which one of the wheels 132 is located to move along the groove 106 of the support arm 104 and the second and third wheels 134 are located to opposing sides of the groove 106 and further act to guide the movement of the carriage with respect to the groove 106 as illustrated in I igure 12b, with the application means removed for ease of illustration.

Figures 13a-g illustrated different forms of wheels which may be used with the carriages and Figures 13a-b illustrate the provision of wheels 136 which are relatively thin as illustrated in Figures 13a-b and wheels 138 which are wider and have profiles which more closely match the profile of the particular groove 106 along which the same are to move, such as the V-shaped groove of Figure 13c or the gull winged shaped groove of Figure 13d.

In each embodiment the axle 140 is provided to extend outwardly from the wheel and engage with the external top surfaces 124 of the support arm 104 and thereby control the height of the wheel from the groove base 113 and as a result the height of the dispensing nib of the apparatus.

Figure 13e illustrates a further embodiment in which the wheel 142 is shaped so as to provide guided movement via the spaced apart external portions 144,146 which engage with the top and side surfaces of the support arm 104. I;urther variations on this embodiment are shown in Figures 13f and g in which the axles 148 are provided with wheels 150 at opposing ends and the wheels are shaped and the same are spaced apart so as to allow the nib to be located in the groove 106 and above the base 113 to allow accurate dispensing of the resin whilst removing the possibility of friction or drag on die garment.

In one embodiment, the application means includes a cartridge with a sealed reservoir of the fluid material and the cartridge is discarded or refilled when the reservoir is empty. Alternatively fluid material is moved from a central supply such as a drum or larger container so that the fluid material can directly reach the application means exit aperture as the application means and mounting means are being moved along the crease line so that in this embodiment, there is no requirement for a reservoir at the application means or if the application means does include a body or cartridge, any fluid material storage within the same acts as a temporary holding location for the resin before it enters the exit aperture for application to the crea.se line. 'this therefore means that the drum or container can be used as a source of an provide a constant flow of the fluid material and without any requirement for the cartridge to be provided as part of the application means and in which case a. body portion can be provided to include guide means and the exit aperture and any nibs fitted thereto and which may be provided in engagement with or integrally with the mounting means and achieve the accuracy and improved application of the fluid material along the one or more crease lines of the garment as herein defined.

Claims (29)

1. Claims 1. Apparatus for use in the application of a line of fluid material along at least one crease line in a garment, said apparatus including at least one fluid material application means, a reservoir in which said fluid material is located, a movement means and at least one exit aperture provided to allow the movement of fluid material from the reservoir onto the crea.se line and wherein, said application means include at least one engagement formation which engages with engagement means on mounting means to retain the said application means in a fixed location with respect to the mounting means during use and relative movement between said application means and the garment so as to apply the fluid material along the said crease line.
2. 2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the said engagement means are releasable so as to allow the replacement of an empty application means with a new application means -with a supply of fluid material therein.
3. 3. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the mounting means are gripped so as to allow the movement of the mounting means along said crease line to apply said fluid material.
4. 4. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the said apparatus includes one or more guide means which extend from the application means and/or mounting means to contact on the said at least one crease line of the said garment and which act as a guide for the apparatus and application of the fluid material as relative movement between the garment and apparatus occurs.
5. 5. Apparatus according to china 4 wherein the said guide means are substantially centrally mounted with respect to the longitudinal axis of the cartridge.
6. 6. Apparatus according to any of claims 4 or 5 wherein there is a gap between the guide means and the exit aperture so as to minimise the possibility of the said guide means raising the exit aperture from the crease line when the guide means move over an obstacle or protrusion on the garment.
7. 7. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein the mounting means includes locations for a plurality of application means side by side in order to allow the simultaneous deposition of ribbons of fluid material along parallel crease lines.
8. 8. Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the application means are provided in the form of cartridges in which respective exit apertures are located.9. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein the mounting means includes operator actuation means for the selective control of the operation of the pressurised fluid source so as to allow the same to be switched on and off and thereby allow the operator to move the mounting means and operate the pressurised fluid source using the same hand.
9. 9. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein the engagement means, when engaged allow the cartridge and the mounting means to effectively form an integral unit and prevent the operation of the actuation means from causing any deviation and direction of movement of the cartridge along the garment seam.
10. 10. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein the engagement means is a male protrusion which extends around at least part of the circumference of the cartridge body.
11. 11. Apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the male protrusion extends around the entire circumference and the engagement means and the mounting means are provided with a female recess or aperture so that the male protrusion on the cartridge is positively engaged into the female recess by a relative sliding movement between the mounting means and the cartridge.
12. 12. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the engagement means on the cartridge is a rib which extends partially around the circumference to the cartridge body.
13. 13. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein the engagement means are provided so that when engaged, relative movement between the cartridge and the mounting means along the longitudinal axis of the cartridge is prevented.
14. 14. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein the said engagement means are formed as an integral 211 of the cartridge body.
15. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein the engagement means are moulded as part of the cartridge body.
16. 16. Apparatus according to any of the claims 4-6 wherein the guide means arc provided in the form of skids or skis which are provided with a means to allow the same to be selectively removed from the application means or mounting means by an operator.
17. 17. Apparatus according to claim 16 wherein the skids or skis are provided as an integral part of a cartridge of the application means and a line of weakening is provided on at least one of said skids or skis and the line of weakening can be selectively broken so as to allow at least a portion of the said skid or ski to be detached from the cartridge.
18. 18. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein the guide means are movable with respect to the remainder of the application means and/or mounting means so as to be moved to a position a.t which the same will not contact with an obstruction on the crease line, or not contact with the crease line.
19. 19. Apparatus according to any of the claims 4-6 and 18 wherein the said guide means are provided in the form of wheels or discs.
20. Apparatus according to claim 19 wherein the wheels or discs are located along an axis common with the longitudinal axis of the application means.
21. 21. Apparatus according to claim 19 wherein the wheels or discs are positioned so as to lie on either side of a groove on a support member in which the crease of the garment is located and therefore when the fluid material is applied along the crease line the wheels or discs move along one or both sides of the groove.
22. 22. Apparatus according to claim 19 wherein the wheels or discs a.re provided as part of a carriage which forms part of the application means.
23. 23. Apparatus according to any of claims 19-22 wherein at least one of the wheels or discs are provided in connection with drive means such that as the same rotates, the drive means cause the movement of a piston or other movement means to move the fluid material towards the exit aperture.
24. 24. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein the exit aperture receives therein a nib which is selectively attached and positionable with respect to the exit aperture and forms a continuation of the passage along which the resin material flows onto the crea.se line.
25. 25. A cartridge for use in the application of a line of resin along a crease line in a garment, said cartridge including an entry aperture for the provision of a pressurised gas into a reservoir in which fluid material is located, a. movement means in the reservoir which is movable from a first end adjacent to the entrance aperture towards a second end at which an exit aperture is provided and said fluid material is located intermediate the said movement means and the exit aperture, said exit aperture provided to allow the movement of the fluid material from the cartridge onto the crease line and one or more skis or skids extend outwardly from an external surface of the cartridge and wherein at least one of the said skids or skis is provided with a line of weakening positioned such that, when broken, a portion of the said skid or ski is detached from the said cartridge so as to adapt the cartridge.
26. 26 A cartridge according to claim 23 wherein the adaptation is to allow the cartridge to be used to apply a line of resin along a crease line of a garment in which there is an obstruction and so by adapting the cartridge by removing at least a. portion of the said skid or ski, contact between the said adapted skid or ski and the obstruction is no longer possible.
27. 27. A cartridge according to either of claims 95 or 26 wherein the said line of weakening is located intermediate the interface of the skid or ski with the cartridge and the free end of the skid or ski provided to contact with the garment crease line.
28. 28. A cartridge according to claim 27 wherein the line of weakening is provided adjacent to the interface with the cartridge.
29. 29. Application means for a fluid material onto and along a crease line of a garment, said application means selectively usable in a first mode M. which the application means is initially provided and a second adapted mode achieved and wherein the selection of mode is made by the user of the cartridge at the location of use with respect to a particular form of crease line and/or garment onto which the fluid material is to be applied and the adaptation to the second mode is achieved by removing (Jr moving a portion of the application means and/or mounting means therefore.