Abstract
A seaming element for an industrial textile, and methods of manufacture. The seaming element body is constructed from a single layer of polymeric film that is folded to provide a fold region and arms that comprise a first region, and a further second region. The first region is bonded to surfaces of an edge region of the textile, while the second region comprises a plurality of spaced-apart aligned protrusions extending from the first region, each protrusion comprising an interior space defined by an upper layer; a lower layer; and a loop at the fold region that connects the upper and lower layers. The interior space is divided into an outer securing region and an inner securing region by either a rib member placed between and bonded to an inner surface of at least one of the upper and lower layer, or by bonding a portion of the upper layer with a portion of the lower layer at a constriction zone. The outer securing region is interdigitatable and alignable with the inner securing region of a corresponding second seaming element bonded to another region of the textile, to define a first channel; and the inner securing region is interdigitatable and alignable with the outer securing region of the corresponding second seaming element, to define a second channel. A securing element is placed in the two channels.
Claims
1. A seaming element for seaming a first seamable edge region of an industrial textile to a second seamable edge region of the industrial textile, the seaming element constructed from a single layer of polymeric film folded to provide a fold region and parallel arms that comprise a first region, the seaming element further comprising a second region, (i) the first region is constructed and arranged to be bonded to a first and second surface of the first seamable edge region; and (ii) the second region comprises a plurality of spaced-apart aligned protrusions extending from the first region, each protrusion comprising an interior space defined by an upper layer; a lower layer; and a loop at the fold region that connects the upper and lower layers; wherein: (A) the interior space is divided into an outer securing region and an inner securing region by one of: a) a rib member placed between and bonded to an inner surface of at least one of the upper and lower layer such that the inner securing region is between the rib member and the first region and the rib member is distinct from the first region; and by b) bonding a portion of the upper layer with a portion of the lower layer at a constriction zone; with the outer securing region defined in part by an inner surface of the loop; (B) the outer securing region is interdigitatable and alignable with the inner securing region of a corresponding second seaming element bonded to the second seamable edge region of the textile, to define a first channel; and (C) the inner securing region is interdigitatable and alignable with the outer securing region of the corresponding second seaming element, to define a second channel.
2. The seaming element according to claim 1, wherein the interior space is divided by the rib member bonded to the inner surface of the upper layer and the inner surface of the lower layer.
3. The seaming element according to claim 2, wherein the rib member is bonded by a process selected from laser welding and adhesive bonding.
4. The seaming element according to claim 1, wherein the interior space is divided by the constriction zone, with the constriction zone comprising at least one ridge on an inner surface of at least one of the upper layer and the lower layer.
5. The seaming element according to claim 4, wherein the at least one ridge is bonded to the opposing layer by a process selected from laser welding and adhesive bonding.
6. The seaming element according to claim 1, wherein each of the first and second channels is constructed and arranged to receive a securing means.
7. The seaming element according to claim 1, wherein the polymeric film comprises a thermoplastic polymer or a thermoset polymer.
8. The seaming element according to claim 7, wherein the polymeric film is a theremoplastic polymer selected from the group consisting of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), poly(cyclohexylene dimethylene terephthalate), acid (PCTA), polyphenylene sulphide (PPS), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polysulfone and polyamide.
9. The seaming element according to claim 8, wherein the thermoplastic polymer is PET.
10. The seaming element according to claim 8, wherein the polymeric film comprises a laser energy absorbing dye or laser weldable component.
11. The seaming element according to claim 8, wherein the polymeric film is biaxially oriented and is a bicomponent PET film comprising a laser weldable layer.
12. The seaming element according to claim 8, wherein the first region is laser welded to the industrial textile.
13. The seaming element according to claim 1, wherein the industrial textile is one of a woven or nonwoven textile, the first and second seamable edge regions each comprise a compressed textile region, and the first region of the seaming element is constructed and arranged to be bonded to portions of a first and second outer surface of the compressed textile region.
14. An industrial textile comprising at least one pair of seaming elements, each constructed according to claim 1.
15. A seaming element for seaming a first seamable edge region of an industrial textile to a second seamable edge region of the industrial textile, the seaming element constructed from a single layer of biaxially-oriented thermoplastic polymeric film folded in a general U-shape to provide a fold region and parallel arms that comprise a first region, the seaming element further comprising a second region, (i) the first region is constructed and arranged to be bonded to a first and second surface of the first seamable edge region; and (ii) the second region comprises a plurality of spaced-apart aligned protrusions extending from the first region , each protrusion comprising an interior space defined by an upper layer; a lower layer; and a loop at the fold region that connects the upper and lower layers; wherein: (A) the interior space is divided into an outer securing region and an inner securing region by one of: a) a rib member placed between and bonded to an inner surface of at least one of the upper and lower layer such that the inner securing region is between the rib member and the first region and the rib member is distinct from the first region; and by b) bonding a portion of the upper layer with a portion of the lower layer at a constriction zone; the outer securing region defined in part by an inner surface of the loop; (B) the outer securing region is interdigitatable and alignable with the inner securing region of a corresponding second seaming element bonded to the second seamable edge region of the textile, to define a first channel; and (C) the inner securing region is interdigitatable and alignable with the outer securing region of the corresponding second seaming element, to define a second channel.
16. The seaming element according to claim 15, wherein the biaxially oriented film is a bicomponent PET film comprising a laser weldable layer.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a pair of double pin seaming elements.
(2) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of one double pin seaming element.
(3) FIG. 3 is a side view of the double pin seaming element shown in FIG. 2.
(4) FIG. 4 is a top view of the double pin seaming element shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.
(5) FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a planar seaming element blank for use in forming the double pin seaming elements of FIGS. 1-4.
(6) FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the blank shown in FIG. 5, after cutting of the blank.
(7) FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a pair of double pin seaming elements as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4.
(8) FIG. 8 is a top view of the two joined double pin seaming elements shown in FIG. 7.
(9) FIG. 9 is a side view of the joined double pin seaming elements shown in FIG. 8.
(10) FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the double pin seaming element.
(11) FIG. 11 is a side view of the double pin seaming element shown in FIG. 10.
(12) FIG. 12 is a top view of the double pin seaming element shown in FIG. 10.
(13) FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a pair of double pin seaming elements as in FIGS. 10 to 12.
(14) FIG. 14 is a top view of the two joined double pin seaming elements shown in FIG. 13.
(15) FIG. 15 is a side view of the two joined double pin seaming elements shown in FIG. 13.
(16) FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a double pin seaming element.
(17) FIG. 17 is a side view of the double pin seaming element shown in FIG. 16.
(18) FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a pair of double pin seaming elements as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17.
(19) FIG. 19 is a side view of the two joined double pin seaming elements shown in FIG. 18.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(20) The following is given by way of illustration only and is not to be considered limitative of the double pin seaming element. Many apparent variations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.
(21) Referring first to FIGS. 1 to 3, a first embodiment of the double pin seaming element is shown in two perspective views and a side view respectively, comprising seaming element 10, shown in FIG. 1 as a joined pair of seaming elements 10a, 10b. As best seen from FIG. 2, seaming element 10 has a rear (first) region 18 with upper trailing edge 14 and lower trailing edge 13, a forward (second) region 16 comprising an array of looped protrusions 20, extending from the rear (first) region 18 to fold line 12, and separated by apertures 40. Between upper and lower layers of each of protrusions 20 ribs 30 are secured so as to provide a first space 26 within the fold area at fold line 12, and a second space 36 between ribs 30 and rear (first) region 18. Referring to FIG. 3, it can be seen that ribs 30 are bonded at bond regions 125 to inner surfaces K of protrusions 20. Fabric 100, which may be a woven or nonwoven textile and includes a compressed or reduced thickness area 130, is secured within rear (first) region 18 and is bonded at bond regions 135 to inner surfaces K to secure seaming element 10 to fabric 100. This provides an outer securing region including a first closed channel (at 26) defined by inner surface 24 of the loops of protrusions 20 and leading surface 32 of rib 30, and an inner securing region including a second closed channel (at 36) defined by trailing surface 34 of rib 30, inner surfaces K of protrusions 20, and leading surface 112 of compressed region 130 of fabric 100. Referring to FIG. 1, a pair of seaming elements 10a, 10b is shown attached to respective ends of fabric 100 in the manner shown in FIG. 3, and joined to each other. This is effected by aligning protrusions 20 of seaming element 10a with apertures 40 of seaming element 10b, and aligning protrusions 20 of seaming element 10b with apertures 40 of seaming element 10a, so that the outer securing region including first closed channel 26 in seaming element 10a is aligned with the inner securing region including second closed channel 36 in seaming element 10b, and the outer securing region including first closed channel 26 in seaming element 10b is aligned with the inner securing region including second closed channel 36 in seaming element 10a. This alignment of the securing regions allows for the insertion of a securing means such as pintles 50, 60 into the first and second channels 26 and 36, and for the ends of the pintles 52, 62 (known as pintle tails) to be inserted in the adjacent spaces as shown.
(22) FIG. 4 is a top view of the seaming element shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, showing the location of ribs 30 in each of protrusions 20. The position of the ribs 30, relative to the fold line 12 or trailing edges 13 and 14, may be adjusted as required.
(23) Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, these are perspective views of a planar seaming element blank 11 for use in forming the seaming elements of FIGS. 1 to 4, and blank 11 after cutting in preparation for folding along fold line 12. FIG. 5 shows the eventual outer surface J of blank 11, and initially continuous rib material such as a monofilament or strip of film attached to eventual inner surface K for ribs 30. As can be seen from the inverted view in FIG. 6, blank 11 is then cut to form land areas 21 which will become protrusions 20 after folding, separated by apertures 41, which will become apertures 40 after folding. The cutting step removes sections of the continuous material leaving discrete portions of ribs 30 secured to each of land areas 21. When the blank is folded in the direction F, bringing upper trailing edge 14 into alignment with lower trailing edge 13 to align regions 18 with each other, land areas 21 become protrusions 20, and each rib 30 is aligned with a corresponding location on the opposing layer of the respective protrusion 20, as seen in FIG. 2.
(24) Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8, these are respectively a perspective view and a top view of an assembled pair 150 of seaming elements 10a, 10b such as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4. FIG. 7 shows the seaming elements joined to each other, and FIG. 8 shows them as also attached to fabric 100. Protrusions 20a are interdigitated between protrusions 20b, in spaces 40b, 40a respectively, and first and second channels 26, 36 are formed in the manner previously described to receive pintles 50, 60 and their respective pintle tails 52, 62. Fabric 100 (FIG. 8) is attached to seaming elements 10a, 10b by suitable means, such as in the manner shown in FIG. 3.
(25) FIG. 9 is a side view of the assembled pair 150 of seaming elements 10a and 10b and continuous fabric 100 as shown in FIG. 8. Ribs 30a are bonded to seaming element 10a at bond regions 125a, and ribs 30b are bonded to seaming element 10b at bond regions 125b. Similarly, seaming element 10a is bonded to fabric 100 at bond regions 135a, and seaming element 10b is bonded to fabric 100 at bond regions 135b. Protrusions 20a, 20b are interdigitated to provide channels through which pintles 50, 60 are inserted, and pintle tails 52, 62 are inserted in spaces 36b, 36a respectively.
(26) Referring now to FIGS. 10 to 12, these show a second embodiment of the double pin seaming element, in perspective, side view and top view respectively. Seaming element 200 comprises forward (second) region 216, rear (first) region 218, upper trailing edge 214 and lower trailing edge 213. Protrusions 220, extending to fold line 212 and separated by apertures 240, each have constriction zone 230, formed from ridges in the upper and lower layer of protrusions 220. As best seen from FIG. 11, constriction zone 230 provides a limiting means between the outer securing region including first channel 226 and the inner securing region including second channel 236. Channel 226 is defined by inner surface 224 of loops of protrusions 220, and leading surface 232 of constriction zone 230. Second channel 236 is defined by inner surfaces K of protrusions 220, trailing surface 234 of constriction zone 230, and leading surface 112 of compressed region 130 of fabric 100. The ridges forming constriction zone 230 are bonded to each other at bond region 225. Compressed region 130 of fabric 100 is attached to seaming element 200 by bonding at bond regions 235.
(27) Referring now to FIGS. 13 to 15, these are a perspective view, a top view and a side view respectively of assembly 250 of seaming elements 200a, 200b as shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, which have been attached to fabric 100 and joined to each other. Protrusions 220a, 220b are interdigitated to provide first and second channels through which pintles 50, 60 are inserted, and pintle tails 52, 62 are inserted in second channels 236b, 236a respectively.
(28) Referring now to FIGS. 16 to 19, these show seaming elements in a third embodiment. In this embodiment, similarly to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 10 to 15, seaming element 300 comprises forward (second) region 316, rear (first) region 318, upper trailing edge 314 and lower trailing edge 313. Protrusions 320 extend from rear (first) region 318 to fold line 312. However, the upper layer of each of protrusions 320 is planar, and constriction zone 330 is provided by a ridge in only the lower layer of protrusions 320, to provide an outer securing region including first channel 326 and an inner securing region including second channel 336. Referring to the side view of FIG. 17, constriction zone 330 is bonded at bond region 325, and compressed region 130 of fabric 100 is attached to seaming element 300 at rear region 318 by bonding at bond regions 335. First channel 326 is defined by inner surface 324 to loops of protrusions 320 and leading surface 332 of constriction zone 330; and second channel 336 is defined by trailing surface 334 of constriction zone 330, inner surfaces K of protrusions 320, and leading surface 112 of compressed region 130 of fabric 100. Referring to the perspective view of FIG. 18, and the side view of FIG. 19, these show assembly 350 of seaming elements 320a, 320b with fabric 100, after insertion of pintles 50, 60 into channels 326a, 326b of each outer securing region respectively, and pintle tails 52, 62 into second channels 336b, 336a of each inner securing region respectively of the two seaming elements.
(29) For the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 9, the bonding of the ribs to the inner surfaces of the protrusions, and the bonding of the element to the fabric body, can be by any suitable means, such as welding or application of adhesives, but laser welding is particularly suitable.
(30) For the embodiments shown in FIGS. 10 to 19, the ridges can be constructed by any suitable means, using heat and pressure as appropriate; but roll forming has been found to be particularly suitable.
CONCLUSION
(31) The foregoing has constituted a description of specific embodiments showing how the double pin seaming element may be applied and put into use. These embodiments are only exemplary. The double pin seaming element in its broadest, and more specific aspects, is further described and defined in the claims which now follow.
(32) These claims, and the language used therein, are to be understood in terms of the variants of the double pin seaming element which have been described. They are not to be restricted to such variants, but are to be read as covering the full scope of the double pin seaming element as defined in the claims that now follow.
