Machine and method for assembling a fabric sweeper

• US 20080029204A1
• Filed: 08/03/2006
• Published: 02/07/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/03/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: SC Johnson & Son Incorporated
• Original Assignee: SC Johnson & Son Incorporated
• Inventors: Knopow, Jeremy
• Application Number:
  US11/498,904
• Publication Number:
  US 20080029204A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 156/212
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 25/08 Pads or the like for cleaning clothes using adhesive surfaces A47L25/005
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1028 by bending, drawing or stretch forming sheet to assume shape of configured lamina while in contact therewith

Abstract

A method and machine for assembling a fabric sweeper having a fabric piece, such as velour, on a rigid part, such as a roller, is disclosed. Fabric is pre-coated with a heat-activated adhesive and cut into fabric pieces. The adhesive on a fabric piece is heated and placed into contact with the roller. A portion of the fabric piece is rolled over and onto the inside of the roller. The adhesive bonds the fabric piece to the roller creating a fabric covered roller assembly. Once the roller assembly is complete it is joined to a base. The base is then connected to a top handle that includes directions for use.

Claims

1. A method of manufacturing a fabric sweeper, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a heat-activated adhesive-coated fabric piece;

placing the heat-activated adhesive-coated fabric piece in a fabric carrier;

applying heat to the adhesive; and

contacting a surface of a rigid part with a side of the heated adhesive-coated fabric piece.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of forming a handle portion from a plastic and forming directions for use therein.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising the steps of:

connecting the rigid part to a base via receiving cavities; and

connecting the base to the handle portion by heat staking.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the providing step comprises the following steps:

coating a side of a roll of fabric with a heat-activated adhesive;

allowing the roll of fabric to cool; and

cutting the fabric roll to produce at least shaped pieces of adhesive-coated fabric.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the rigid part is retained in a holder by one of the following methods:

vacuum, spring retention clips, friction, suction cups, and adhesive.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the fabric carrier comprises a cradle and fabric supporting springs.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the fabric carrier further comprises fabric stops.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the fabric stops align with notches in the fabric pieces.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the heat is applied to the adhesive in at least one of the following manners:

passing the carrier through a conveyor-type heat source, heating the fabric carrier, and heating the rigid part.

10. The method of claim 6, further comprising the steps of:

pressing the rigid part against the heated adhesive-coated fabric piece;

sandwiching a first portion of the fabric piece between the rigid part and the cradle;

folding a second portion of the fabric piece onto another side of the rigid part; and

releasing the rigid part after the fabric piece has bonded to the rigid part.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the folding step is accomplished by a bar pressing the second portion of the fabric piece over an edge of the rigid part and onto the opposite side of the rigid part.

12. A machine for assembling a fabric cleaner, the machine comprising:

a pressing unit having a pressing plate and pressing springs;

a rigid part holding unit having a rigid part holder and holding springs engaged with the pressing unit;

a rollover unit, having a roller and rollover springs;

wherein the rollover unit pushes a portion of the fabric piece onto a surface of a rigid part; and

a fabric carrier comprised of a rollover ramp, fabric springs, and a cradle.

13. The machine of claim 12, wherein the pressing unit, rigid part holding unit and rollover unit are operably engaged to each other by biasing members.

14. The machine of claim 12, wherein the fabric carrier is separable from the other components of the machine.

15. The machine of claim 12, further comprising a force applying component.

16. The machine of claim 15, wherein the force applying component is a handle.

17. The machine of claim 15, wherein the force applying component is an automatic actuator.

18. The machine of claim 12, wherein the fabric carrier has stops to align the fabric piece.

19. A workpiece assembly for applying a velour fabric onto a semicircular tubular member to produce a fabric sweeper, the workpiece assembly comprising:

a first section comprising a support for the tubular member and a first biasing member;

a second section comprising a plate and a second biasing member;

wherein the second section is operably engaged to the first section;

a third section comprising a bar and a third biasing member;

the third section operably engaged to the first section; and

a fourth section comprised of a bar guiding member and a fabric support;

wherein the first section and second section are connected together by supporting members; and

wherein the bar applies pressure to a portion of the fabric piece against a another surface of a rigid part.

20. The machine of claim 19, wherein the fourth section has aligning members that are protrusions that align with cuts in the fabric;

and further comprising a fifth section comprising a base and supporting members.