System and method for forming a fabric having a synchronized woven design and printed design
AssigneeTietex International, Ltd.
InventorsJeff A. Carpenter, Lawrence F. Houghton, Martin Wildeman
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A weaving system is designed to automatically maintain a printed pattern in alignment with a woven pattern as a fabric is being formed. The printed pattern is printed onto the warp yarns. A controller is used to monitor the position of the printed pattern during the weaving process relative to the position of a woven pattern that is being formed into the fabric. Should the printed pattern and woven pattern fall out of alignment, the controller then alters the longitudinal size of the woven pattern, the printed pattern, or both patterns, in order to realign the patterns.
Claims24
A method of synchronizing a woven pattern with a printed pattern during the fabrication of a woven product, said method comprising the steps of:
- printing a pattern onto a set of warp yarns, said printed pattern having a predetermined longitudinal size;
- inserting weft yarns into said warp yarns for producing a fabric, said weft yarns being woven into said warp yarns in a manner such that a woven pattern is formed into said fabric, said woven pattern also having a predetermined longitudinal size;
- monitoring the position of said printed pattern as said fabric is being woven;
- and
- based on the position of said printed pattern, selectively varying the longitudinal size of at least one of said printed pattern or said woven pattern for maintaining said woven pattern in alignment with said printed pattern as said fabric is being formed.
A method of synchronizing a woven pattern with a printed pattern during the fabrication of a fabric product, said method comprising the steps of:
- providing a set of warp yarns having a printed pattern thereon;
- weaving weft yarns into said warp yarns at a determined density of weft yarns per unit length for producing a fabric, said weft yarns being woven into said warp yarns in a manner such that a woven pattern is formed into said fabric;
- monitoring the position of said printed pattern as said fabric is being woven;
- and
- based on the position of said printed pattern, selectively varying the density at which said weft yarns are woven into said warp yarns for maintaining said woven pattern in alignment with said printed pattern as said fabric is being formed.
A weaving system for synchronizing a woven pattern with a printed pattern, said system comprising:
- a weaving device for receiving a set of warp yarns having a printed pattern thereon, said weaving device being configured to insert weft yarns into said warp yarns for forming a fabric containing a woven pattern;
- a sensor configured to monitor the position of said printed pattern on said warp yarns in relation to said weaving device;
- and
- a controller in communication with said sensor, said controller being configured to receive information from said sensor and, based on said information, to control said weaving device for selectively varying the longitudinal size of said woven pattern for maintaining said woven pattern in alignment with said printed pattern during formation of said fabric.
A weaving system for synchronizing a woven pattern with a printed pattern, said system comprising:
- a weaving device for receiving a set of warp yarns having a printed pattern thereon, said weaving device being configured to insert weft yarns into said warp yarns for forming a fabric containing a woven pattern;
- a sensor configured to monitor the position of said printed pattern on said warp yarns in relation to said weaving device;
- a tension control device configured to place a determined amount of tension on said warp yarns as said fabric is being woven;
- and
- a controller in communication with said sensor, said weaving device, and said tension control device, said controller being configured to receive information from said sensor and said weaving device and, based on said information, to control said tension control device for selectively varying the tension being exerted on said warp yarns, wherein, as said tension is varied, said printed pattern appearing on said warp yarns is selectively elongated and contracted in order to maintain said printed pattern in alignment with said woven pattern during formation of the fabric.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.