Automated garment manufacturing using adhesive bonding

A system for automated manufacturing of garments, the system comprising:

• an adhesive dispenser configured to apply discrete non-contiguous adhesive masses to at least one of a first web of fabric and a second web of fabric;
• presses configured to direct the first web and the second web into contact after the discrete non-contiguous adhesive masses have been applied to form a seam of a joined garment;
• a first heater distinct from the presses, the first heater configured to apply heat to the seam to cure the discrete non-contiguous adhesive masses;
• a cutting tool configured to free the joined garment from the first web and the second web to form a detached garment, wherein the first web of fabric forming a front of an apparel and the second web of fabric forming a back of the apparel, wherein the cutting tool is operable to make partial cuts to the first web of fabric along lines corresponding to a neck hole, bottom hem, and arm holes of the apparel located on the first web of fabric, the cutting tool further operable to make second partial cuts to the apparel out of a joined first web and second web of fabric by cutting along the bottom hem, the neck hole, and the arm holes located on the second web of fabric;
• a frame moveably coupled to the first web of fabric and the second web of fabric;
• a head carrier moveable relative to the frame, wherein the presses are moveably attached to the head carrier and operable on the first web of fabric and the second web of fabric;
• and
• a customization tool configured to perform embroidery, direct-to-garment printing, screen printing, or a combination thereof on the first web of fabric or the second web of fabric.

A system for manufacturing of garments, the system comprising:

• one or more motors operable to convey in a synchronous manner a first web and a second web through different manufacturing operation stages, wherein the first web and the second web remain in sync at each manufacturing operation stage, and wherein each of the first web and the second web are dispensed from a respective fabric roll;
• at least one adhesive dispenser for applying non-contiguous drops of adhesive to at least part of at least one of the first web and the second web, wherein the at least one adhesive dispenser is operable to move and dispense the adhesive within a plane of at least one of the first web and the second web;
• a cutter operable to cut select areas of at least one of the first web and the second web to produce cut areas, wherein the cut areas correspond to one or more openings in a partially manufactured garment, each opening operable to accommodate a body part to pass through the cut areas;
• a press operable to press the first web and the second web to form the partially manufactured garment, and wherein the press activates at least some of the non-contiguous drops of the adhesive to adhere first parts of the first web to second parts of the second web, to form the partially manufactured garment;
• and
• an energy source distinct from the press, wherein the energy source provides energy to cure the non-contiguous drops of adhesive.

A method of manufacturing an apparel comprising:

• unwinding a first web of fabric from a first roll and unwinding a second web of fabric from a second roll wherein the first web of fabric forms a front of the apparel and the second web of fabric forms a back of the apparel;
• coupling the first web and the second web to a frame, wherein the first web and the second web are movably coupled to the frame, and wherein the frame includes a head carrier moveable relative to the frame;
• depositing discrete non-contiguous adhesive masses to the first web of fabric from an adhesive dispenser, wherein the discrete non-contiguous adhesive masses are deposited along a trajectory corresponding to side seams and shoulder seams of the apparel located on the first web of fabric;
• cutting the first web of fabric along a neck hole, arm holes and bottom hemline with a cutting tool;
• placing the second web of fabric on the first web of fabric;
• applying pressure to join the first web of fabric and the second web of fabric via one or more presses, wherein the one or more presses are moveably attached to the head carrier and operable on the first web of fabric and the second web of fabric;
• applying energy to cure the discrete non-contiguous adhesive masses via an energy source distinct from the one or more presses;
• cutting the second web of fabric along the neck hole, the arm holes and the bottom hemline, wherein the cuts of the first web of fabric are not aligned with the cuts of the second web of fabric;
• cutting the apparel out of joined first web and second web of fabric;
• and
• performing a customization operation on the apparel via embroidery, direct-to-garment printing, screen printing, or a combination thereof.