Apparatus for generating a spreading information tape

• US 5,450,116 A
• Filed: 09/14/1993
• Issued: 09/12/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 09/14/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: P-M Acquisition Corp.
• Original Assignee: P-M Acquisition Corp.
• Inventors: Weiselfish, Jacob, Silva, Michael T.
• Primary Examiner(s): TRAN, HUAN HUU
• Application Number:
  US08/121,982
• Time in Patent Office: 728 Days
• Field of Search: 346/76 PH, 400/120, 364/468, 364/469, 364/470, 364/235.4, 364/930.4, 364/930.41, 364/930.42, 347/171
• US Class Current: 347/171
• CPC Class Codes: A41H 3/007 Methods of drafting or marking-out patterns using computers computer-aided design G06F30/00
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 3/4075 Tape printers; Label printers
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2301/46018 involving location or further processing of splice
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2557/62 for web tracking, i.e. retrieving a certain position of a web
• CPC Class Codes: D06H 3/00 Inspecting textile materials

Abstract

An apparatus automatically generates a tape having splice area and other markings which indicate acceptable splice points on a length of fabric from which garment pattern pieces are to be cut. The apparatus includes a computer for calculating splice and other pertinent points on a fabric layup. The apparatus also includes a controller for receiving printing commands from the computer. The apparatus also includes a printer responsive to signals from the controller for quickly and accurately printing on the tape splice information and data identifying the marker for which the splice point indicating tape was generated. The apparatus also includes a tape advance system for advancing the tape from a supply roll to the printer and then to a takeup roll.

Claims

1. An apparatus for generating a strip containing spreading information for a length of fabric from which one or more pieces will be cut, comprising:

a computer including means for calculating said spreading information, and means for generating printer commands;

a controller, said controller including a processor responsive to said printer commands for generating printer control signals and tape advance control signals;

a printer responsive to the printer control signals for printing said information on the strip; and

tape advance means responsive to the tape advance control signals for advancing the strip through said printer such that said information can be printed on the strip at desired intervals.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said computer comprises means for reading data stored on a portable storage medium, and wherein said spreading information is calculated from said data.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said data includes perimeter coordinates of pattern pieces to be cut from said length of fabric.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said spreading information includes starting and ending points of a marker from which pattern pieces will be cut.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said tape advance means comprises:

a feed roll for supplying said strip to said printer;

a takeup roll for receiving said strip from said printer; and

a motor coupled to said takeup roll.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the strip is suitable for thermal printing.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said printer comprises a thermal printing head.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the strip has an adhesive backing.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said printer includes a solenoid coupled to said print head for raising and lowering said print head.