Technical Field

The present invention relates to a method for applying labels to fabrics in particular to fabrics considered critical from the point of view of application firmness and steadiness.

Background Art

In the textile sector, particularly in the sector of production and customization of clothing items, it is well known to apply labels to fabrics by means of a thermo reactive adhesive, which is placed between the label and the fabric to ensure a firm and stable joint over time.

This technique, however, has some limitations, including the fact that it is not successfully applicable to certain types of fabric, in particular the thermo reactive adhesive does not ensure a good grip on fabrics such as silk, wool, coated fabrics, viscose, and more generally all water-repellent“teflonized” or wide mesh fabrics and applications astride of seam.

For fabrics of this type, it is also possible to bond them with a thermo-reactive adhesive, while accepting a considerably higher number of processing waste compared to less critical fabrics, since in many cases the label detaches, at least in part, compromising the quality and aesthetic appeal of the clothing item.

It is clear that such a method cannot be adopted in the case of high quality fabrics and garments, for which processing waste would be an important cost item for the manufacturing company as well as a significant damage to their image.

Another known technique, which partially overcomes the limitations given by the use of thermo-reactive adhesive, consists in sewing the label on the fabric. This technique is not without drawbacks, such as for example the fact that it is not applicable to waterproof fabrics, as the seams would open holes in the fabric causing it to lose its characteristic impermeability.

Another drawback of this prior art is the fact that the seams are poorly appreciated by customers, since they are generally perceived as unsightly and anachronistic. Description of the Invention

The main aim of the present invention is to devise a method for applying labels to fabrics which allows obtaining a firm, stable and above all durable joint for all fabrics.

Another object of the present invention is to devise a method for applying labels to fabrics which, when used on water-repellent fabrics, is such as not to affect the impermeability thereof.

Yet another object of the present invention is to achieve the above mentioned objects while at the same time ensuring to obtain an aesthetically pleasant label. Another object of the present invention is to devise a method for applying labels to fabrics that allows overcoming the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art in a simple, rational, easy, effective to use as well as cost-effective solution.

The aforementioned objects are achieved by the present method for applying labels to fabrics having the characteristics of claim 1.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be more evident from the description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of a method for applying labels to fabrics, illustrated as an indicative, but not limiting examples, in the attached tables of drawings wherein:

Figures 1-5 are schematic representations of a first embodiment of the method according to the invention;

Figure 6 is a schematic representation of a second embodiment of the method according to the invention.

Embodiments of the Invention

The method for applying labels 1 to fabrics 2 comprises the following steps: supplying at least one fabric 2, defining at least one sewing area 3 delimited by a perimeter 4;

supplying at least one flap 5 compatible with the application of thermo reactive adhesive 6 and defining:

a contact surface 7;

an outer surface 8; a first edge 9, 15, 16, which delimits the flap 5;

supplying at least one label 1 also made of material compatible with the application of thermo-reactive adhesive 6, defining:

a lower surface 10;

an upper surface 11 ;

a second edge 12, which delimits the label 1;

sewing the flap 5 on the sewing area 3, with the contact surface 7 facing towards the fabric 2, this way making a seam 13;

gluing the lower surface 10 of the label 1 onto the outer surface 8 of the flap 5 by means of the interposition of at least one thermo-reactive adhesive 6, thus obtaining a final configuration shown in Figure 5.

The upper surface 11 of the label 1 contains letterings, drawings, logos, trademarks and/or other signs, possibly formed in relief, and, therefore, in the final configuration, the label 1 is permanently applied to the fabric 2 with the upper surface 11 clearly visible and prominent.

It should be pointed out that, in the present treatise, terms such as“thermo reactive adhesive”,“thermo-adhesive glue” and the like are used to indicate a material that exerts a bonding effect after heating, in the present case a material suitable for use on clothing items.

In addition, the expression“compatible with the application of thermo-reactive adhesive” and the like is used to describe an object that can be successfully bonded, i.e. in a stable and durable manner, to another object by means of a thermo-reactive adhesive.

In this sense, it should be noticed that the flap 5 is made of a material such as e.g. cotton, jersey and polyester.

The label 1, on the other hand, is made of a material such as e.g. silicone, urethane polymers, leather and general fabrics.

The fabric 2 on which the label 1 is applied can be any type of fabric, even fabrics not compatible with the application of thermo-reactive adhesives such as silk, wool, coated fabrics, viscose, water-repellent“teflonized” or wide mesh fabrics, etc.. The bond between the label 1 and the fabric 2, in fact, takes place by interposition of the flap 5, which is joined to the fabric 2 thanks to the seam 13 and therefore independently of the compatibility of the fabric 2 with the thermo reactive adhesives.

Advantageously, the method also comprises a step of interposing at least one layer of thermo-adhesive glue 14 between the sewing area 3 and the contact surface 7 prior to the sewing step.

The interposition of thermo-adhesive glue 14 is optional, since a firm joint between the flap 5 and the fabric 2 is already achieved by means of the seam 13. In this regard, it should be noticed that, even when the fabric 2 is not compatible with thermo-reactive adhesives, the thermo-adhesive glue 14 still ensures better adhesion between the first edge 9 and the fabric 2 since the seam 13 alone, which is necessarily inside the flap 5, would leave the first edge 9 free to rise slightly, resulting in a more pleasant aesthetic effect than the use of the seam 13 alone.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the thermo-adhesive glue 14 is only applied onto the sewing area 3, but the possibility of applying it onto the contact surface 7, or both, cannot be ruled out.

In an initial embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 5, the fabric 2 defines only one sewing area 3 and only one flap 5 is provided.

Advantageously, in this first embodiment the first edge 9 and the second edge 12 can be overlapped in a substantially mating manner.

More particularly, the flap 5 and the label 1 have the same shape and size, so they are precisely overlapping and mating in the final configuration, leaving visible only the outer surface 8 of the label 1.

The possibility cannot however be ruled out of using a flap 5 and a label 1 of different shape and size, e.g. a flap 5 of greater extension than the label 1.

In the first embodiment, also the perimeter 4 of the sewing area 3 is substantially mating with the first edge 9 and with the second edge 12, as shown in Figures 1 to 5.

Appropriately, the method provides for the label 1 entirely covering the seam 13, thus hiding it from view and covering, in particular, the holes associated with the seam 13 itself.

This last feature allows the label 1, if it is made of a waterproof material such as e.g. silicone, ensuring the impermeability of the sewing area 3, as all the holes are sealed.

In addition, in the embodiment shown in Figures 3 and 4, the thermo-reactive adhesive 6 is only applied onto the outer surface 8, but the possibility of applying it onto the lower surface 10, or both, cannot be ruled out.

In summary, the first embodiment is shown in Figures 1 to 5, which illustrate:

Figure 1: interposition of the layer of thermo-adhesive glue 14 between the sewing area 3 and the contact surface 7;

Figure 2: application of the flap 5 on the sewing area 3;

Figure 3: sewing the flap 5 on the sewing area 3 and application of the thermo-reactive adhesive 6 on the outer surface 8 of the flap 5;

Figure 4: bonding of the lower surface 10 of the label 1 on the outer surface 8 of the flap 5;

Figure 5: final configuration.

A second way of implementing the method, illustrated in Figure 6, provides for the fabric 2 defining a plurality of sewing areas 3 and having a plurality of flaps 5, one for each of the sewing areas 3.

In the specific case of Figure 6 there are two sewing areas 3 and two flaps 5.

In this second embodiment, at least one portion of the first edge 15,16 of each of the flaps 5 is substantially mating with a portion of the second edge 12.

More particularly, each first edge 15, 16 is provided with three outer sides 15, which, in the final configuration, precisely mate with a portion of the second edge 12.

Each first edge 15, 16 also comprises an inner side 16 entirely covered by the label 1 in the final configuration.

Advantageously, the perimeter 4 of each of the sewing areas 3 substantially mates with the first edge 15, 16 of each of the flaps 5.

In the particular case of Figure 6, as mentioned above, there are two sewing areas 3 and two flaps 5, but the possibility cannot however be ruled out of using a greater number, for example four flaps 5 could be used sewn on as many sewing areas 3 and arranged at the four vertices of a rectangular label 1.

In the second embodiment, the label 1 entirely covers the seam 13 of each of the flaps 5 in the final configuration, once again hiding it from view and covering the holes associated with each seam 13.

Therefore, even in this second embodiment the label 1, if it is made of a waterproof material such as e.g. silicone, ensures the impermeability of the sewing area 3, as all the holes are sealed.

In summary, the second embodiment is schematically shown in Figure 6, which illustrates the step of bonding the lower surface 10 of the label 1 on the outer surface 8 of the flaps 5, in a manner equivalent to that shown in Figure 4 for the first embodiment.

It has in practice been ascertained that the described invention achieves the intended objects.

In particular, it is underlined that the present method for applying labels to fabrics allows obtaining a firm and stable joint over time for all fabrics, even for fabrics not compatible with the application of thermo-reactive adhesives.

In addition, the present method does not affect the impermeability of the water- repellent fabrics on which it can be applied, since the holes associated with the seams are entirely covered by the label in the final configuration and, when the label is made of waterproof material, then it hermetically closes them.

In addition, it is clear that the advantages mentioned above are achieved while ensuring to obtain an aesthetically pleasant label, precisely because the seams, applied on one or more flaps but not on the label, are hidden from view by the label itself.