Outline void pattern
AssigneeTuftco Corporation
InventorsJason Daniel Detty, Robert A. Padgett
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method for automatedly inserting void stitches in the manufacture of pixel mapped patterns on tufting machines having an array of independent yarn feed devices feeding yarns to reciprocating needles employs an algorithm to determine if a stitch should have a void substituted for the stitch and then implemented.
Claims20
A method for automatedly inserting void stitches in the manufacture of pixel mapped patterns on tufting machines having an array of independent yarn feed devices feeding yarns to reciprocating needles comprising the steps of:
- (a) creating a multi-color pixel mapped pattern design having a plurality of colors in a bitmap-type file;
- (b) loading the bitmap-type file into a computer;
- (c) applying an algorithm to identify a last stitch of a particular color when tufting at least two consecutive stitches of a particular color;
- (d) automatedly changing the pattern for at least one of the first and last stitch of the particular color by one of:
- (i) substituting a no-sew location for at least one of the first and last stitch of the particular color, (ii) reducing yarn feed rates at the at least one of first and last stitch of the particular color, and (iii) engaging an LCL to automatedly cut loops of at least one of the first and last stitch of the particular color as an output;
- and then
- (e) tufting the output with the tufting machine.
A method for automatedly inserting void stitches in the manufacture of pixel mapped patterns on tufting machines having an array of independent yarn feed devices feeding yarns to reciprocating needles comprising the steps of:
- (a) creating a multi-color pixel mapped pattern design having a plurality of colors in a bitmap-type file;
- (b) loading the bitmap-type file into a computer;
- (c) applying an algorithm to identify a neighborhood of a prospective stitch location having at least one potential stitch location not laterally adjacent to the prospective stitch of a particular color when tufting at least two consecutive stitches of a particular color;
- (d) if the neighborhood meets pre-determined criteria, automatedly changing the pattern for the prospective stitch as an output;
- (e) tufting the output with the tufting machine.
A method for automatedly inserting void stitches in the manufacture of pixel mapped patterns on tufting machines having an array of independent yarn feed devices feeding yarns to reciprocating needles comprising the steps of:
- (a) creating a multi-color pixel mapped pattern design having a plurality of colors in a bitmap-type file;
- (b) loading the bitmap-type file into a computer;
- (c) applying an algorithm to identify one of a first and a last stitch as an end stitch of a particular color when tufting at least two consecutive stitches of a particular color relative to a neighborhood of potential stitches, with at least one potential stitch not in contact with the end stitch;
- (d) automatedly changing the pattern for the end stitch of the particular color as an output if meeting predetermined criteria;
- (e) tufting the output with the tufting machine.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.