(2) Description of the Prior Art A lockstitch sewing machine requires the use of a bobbin to provide the underthread which interlaces with the top thread supplied by the sewing needle to produce a seam. Historically these bobbins have been wound at the sewing machine on metal shells initially supplied by the sewing machine manufacturer. These self-wound bobbins typically do not provide the highest productivity and quality demanded by the sewn products industry.

Specifically, it takes more time to hand wind a bobbin than to use a pre-wound bobbin and a handwound bobbin usually only holds about 1/2 the amount of thread as a pre-wound bobbin due to better packing using automatic machinery.

These pre-wound bobbins are normally composed of an appropriate sewing thread wound on a plastic or paper cylindrical core with overall dimensions (i.e., thickness, inside diameter and outside diameter) required by a given sewing machine. Manufacturing of a pre-wound bobbin requires a sturdy core with a frictional surface that ensures correct and dependable windability. Pre- wound bobbins provide higher quality and productivity by virtue of greater thread capacity, uniform thread lengths and reproducible pull-off tension compared to self-wound bobbins.

In some applications (e.g., air bag manufacturing), there is a need to ensure that there are no extraneous materials inadvertently left inside the completed assembly. To ensure that an accidently misplaced bobbin or bobbin core is found-and removed, there is a need for

these items to be detectable by non-destructible means.

Current versions of pre-wound bobbins and associated bobbin cores are unacceptable for these applications because they cannot be detected.

One unacceptable method for achieving this detection capability is to self-wind bobbins utilizing the original metal shell provided with the sewing machine. Although easily detected, these self-wound bobbins yield lower productivity and quality than required as discussed above. Additionally, there is a very high liability risk associated with a metal shell that is accidentally undetected. In the case of an air bag, the weight of the metal shell is sufficient to produce a very dangerous projectile with high kinetic energy under the rapid deployment of the air bag.

Thus, there remains a need for a new and improved bobbin for a sewing machine which may be easily detected if accidentally left in the sewn article, such as an air bag while, at the same time, can be easily pre-wound using automatic equipment.

Summarv of the Invention The present invention is directed to a detectable bobbin for a sewing machine. The apparatus includes a substantially non-metallic detectable bobbin core. The core includes a substantially non-metallic cylindrical body having a detectable dopant in the cylindrical body.

In the preferred embodiment, the dopant is magnetite. A thread supply is wound about the bobbin core after a frictional outer surface is applied to the bobbin core to aid in windability of the thread supply. Thus, the bobbin may be easily detected if accidentally left in the sewn article while, at the same time, can be easily pre- wound using automatic equipment.

Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention is to provide a detectable bobbin for a sewing machine. The apparatus includes: (a) a substantially non-metallic

detectable bobbin core; and (b) a thread supply wound about the bobbin core.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a detectable bobbin core for a sewing machine.

The apparatus includes: (a) a substantially non-metallic cylindrical body; and (b) a detectable dopant in the cylindrical body.

Still another aspect of the present invention is to provide a detectable bobbin for a sewing machine. The apparatus includes: (a) a substantially non-metallic detectable bobbin core, the core including: (i) a substantially non-metallic cylindrical body; and (ii) a detectable dopant in the cylindrical body; (b) a thread supply wound about the bobbin core; and (c) a frictional outer surface applied to the bobbin core to aid in windability of the thread supply.

These and other aspects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art after a reading of the following description of the preferred embodiment when considered with the drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating a bobbin constructed according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of a detectable core for the bobbin shown in Figure 1; and Figures 3A and 3B are cross-sectional views of alternative embodiments of the detectable core shown in Figure 2 taken along line 3-3.

Description of the Preferred Embodiments In the following description, like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views. Also in the following description, it is to be understood that such terms as "forward", "rearward", "left", "right", "upwardly", "downwardly", and the like are words of convenience and are not to be construed as limiting terms.

Referring now to the drawings in general and Figure 1 in particular, it will be understood that the illustrations are for the purpose of describing a pre- ferred embodiment of the invention and are not intended to limit the invention thereto. As best seen in Figure 1, a bobbin, generally designated 10, is shown constructed according to the present invention. The bobbin 10 includes three major subparts: a detectable core 12; a thread supply 14; and a frictional surface 16.

Typically, the thread supply is composed of a continuous multifilament thread although people skilled in the art will recognize that other type threads can be used. Polyester threads and nylon threads are preferred.

The thread supply 14 also may include a tacking agent, preferably a polyamide resin, to provide uniform pull-off tension to aid in sewing.

As can be seen in Figure 2, the detectable core 12 has a cylindrical body 20 and a first detectable dopant 22. It is preferred that the cylindrical body be constructed of paper or plastic, specifically thermoplastic. The first detectable dopant 22 is preferably magnetically susceptible, and therefore would typically consist of metal particles, metal oxides, such as magnetite, 24 or metal wire 26. As will be seen in the table below, there should be at least about 10 mg. of the magnetically susceptible material in order for the bobbin 10 to be easily detectable. It is preferred that about 40 mg. of detectable dopant 22 be provided in the bobbin 10.

As can be seen in Figure 3A, one of the preferred embodiments of the detectable core 12 consists of a polypropylene cylindrical body 20 encased in an elastomeric sheath, such as Kraytons 32 (available, for example, from Teel Plastics Co. Inc. of Baraboo, Wi.

This elastomeric sheath 32 is co-extruded with the cylindrical body 20 and consists within it a second detectable dopant, such as magnetite, 34 of greater than

about 2 mg. The first detectable dopant 22 may be impregnated within the material and the underlying core 12. As will be discussed below, the total weight of the first and second detectable dopants is preferred to be greater than about 10 mg.

As can be seen in Figure 3B, an alternative embodiment of the present invention 12' has a cylindrical body 20 constructed of paper. The outer surface of the cylindrical body 20 is a textured paper 40. In this embodiment, the first detectable dopant 22 can be a metal wire 26, preferably constructed of mild steel.

As illustrated in the table set forth below, it has been discovered that the total detectable dopant should be greater than about 10 mg. of magnetically susceptible particles in order to be detected by current methods.

Further, the surface of the detectable core 12 should allow for the thread to be properly wound using an automatic bobbin winder.

The present invention can best be understood after a review of the following examples.

Table Total Dopant Ex. Description Wt.(mq) Wt.(mq) Detect Wind 1 Metal Bobbin 15,000 15,000 Y+ N (prior art) 2 Paper Core 120 0 N Y (prior art) 3 Plastic Core 160 0 N N (prior art) 4 Plastic Core w/sheath 160 0 N Y (prior art) 5 Paper Core w/metallic 121 1 N Y paint 6 Plastic Core 162 2 N w/metallized sheath Plastic Core 170 10 Y- Y+ w/impregnated magnetite w/metallized sheath 8 Paper Core w/encased wire 160 40 Y+ Y- 9 Metal Core 1000 1000 Y+ N

In the above examples "Y" means performed satisfactory and "N" means did not perform satisfactory.

The addition of +" or "-" means slightly better or worse than satisfactory. As can be seen only examples 7 and 8 having greater than about 10 mg. of magnetite and either a sheath or a paper frictional surface passed both tests.

However, example 6 may perform satisfactory if the amount of magnetite is further increased to greater than about 10 mg.

In operation, the thread supply 14 is wound onto the detectable core 12 according to conventional methods.

After the thread supply 14 is exhausted in a conventional sewing operation, such as in the sewing of air bags, the detectable core 12, including any leftover thread is discarded. If the detectable core 12 is accidentally left in the sewn article, such as an air bag, it will be capable of being detected by conventional methods, such as a metal detector.

Certain modifications and improvements will occur to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the foregoing description. By way of example, a satisfactory frictional surface could be directly imparted to the outer surface of a doped plastic tube by chemical or mechanical treatment. Also, while a metal wire has been described in one embodiment, the wire could be replaced with a foil strip. It should be understood that all such modifications and improvements have been deleted herein for the sake of conciseness and readability but are properly within the scope of the following claims.