Method of feeding thread to a sewing machine and sewing machine thread feed

Abstract

A sewing machine thread feed for a supplying sewing thread to a sewing machine, the feed including: a guide mechanism for guiding sewing thread to a needle of the sewing machine; first and second spools carrying first and second filaments respectively, one of the spools carrying a low-melt filament and the other carrying a textile filament; first and second retention mechanisms for retaining the first and second spools respectively in position against force applied to them when filament is drawn off; the first and second filaments run from the first and second spools respectively to the guide mechanism; wherein the first filament runs from the first spool, through the centre of the second spool, so that the action of the second filament, when being drawn off the second spool, causes inter-winding of the first and second filaments to create composite sewing thread.

1 . A method of feeding thread to a sewing machine the method including the steps of: using the locomotive power of the sewing machine, drawing first and second filaments from first and second spools respectively;
 subsequent to drawing the filaments from the spools, inter-winding the first and second filaments to create thread for use by the sewing machine; and   feeding the composite, inter-wound thread to a stitching tool of the sewing machine.   
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1  further comprising the step of drawing the first filament through the centre of the second spool, whereby unwinding of the second filament from the second spool operates to inter-wind the first and second filaments. 
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 2  wherein the second spool is constrained from rotational motion about its axis and the action of drawing off the second filament creates an orbital trajectory for the second filament relative to the first filament thereby to inter-wind the first and second filaments. 
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the locomotive power of the machine operates to apply tension to the inter-wound, composite thread, thereby to drawing the first and second filaments off the first and second spools. 
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the first and second spools are disposed substantially coaxially with each other. 
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein one of the first and second spools carries a relatively low-melting point filament and another of the first and second spools carries a textile filament. 
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 6  further comprising the steps of inducing tension in the low-melting point filament. 
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 7 , wherein the tension is induced in the low-melting point filament between a point at which the low-melting point filament is drawn off its spool and a point at which the low-melting point filament and textile filament inter-wind. 
     
     
         9 . A sewing machine thread feed for supplying sewing thread to a sewing machine, the sewing thread including at least first and second filaments, the feed comprising:
 a guide mechanism for guiding sewing thread to a stitching tool of the sewing machine; first and second spools carrying first and second filaments respectively,   first and second retention mechanisms for retaining the first and second spools respectively in position against force applied to them when filament is drawn off;   the first and second filaments run from the first and second spools respectively to the guide mechanism; wherein   the thread feed further comprises an inter-winding mechanism which, using motive power of the sewing machine causes inter-winding of the first and second filaments to create composite sewing thread.   
     
     
         10 . A thread feed according to  claim 9  wherein the first filament is run from the first spool, through the centre of the second spool, so that the action of the second filament, when being drawn off the second spool thereby provides the inter-winding mechanism. 
     
     
         11 . A thread feed according to  claim 10  wherein the first and second retention mechanisms comprise first and second spindles. 
     
     
         12 . A thread feed according to  claim 11  wherein the second spindle includes a bore through which the first filament can be drawn. 
     
     
         13 . A thread feed according to  claim 11  the second spindle retains the second spool in such a manner as to prevent relative rotation of the second spindle and second spool. 
     
     
         14 . A thread feed according to  claim 9  wherein the first and second spools are retained in positions which are axially displaced from each other. 
     
     
         15 . A thread feed according to  claim 14  wherein the first and second spools are retained substantially coaxially with each other. 
     
     
         16 . A thread feed according to  claim 9  comprising a capsule housing the first spool and having an aperture through which the first filament may be drawn. 
     
     
         17 . A thread feed according to  claim 16  wherein the capsule supports the second spindle and the bore in the second spindle lies in register with the aperture in the capsule through which the first filament is drawn. 
     
     
         18 . A thread feed according to  claim 17  wherein the second spindle is supported externally of the capsule. 
     
     
         19 . A thread feed according to  claim 18  wherein one of the spools carries a low-melt filament and the other carries a textile filament and wherein the low-melting point filament is carried on the first spindle. 
     
     
         20 . A thread feed according to  claim 18  wherein the capsule comprises a tensioning device to impart tension to the first filament prior to inter-winding of the first and second filaments. 
     
     
         21 . A thread feed according to  claim 20  wherein the tensioning device includes a pad of deformable material having an aperture through which the first filament is drawn. 
     
     
         22 . A thread feed according to  claim 21  wherein the deformable material is foam. 
     
     
         23 . A thread feed according to  claim 20  wherein the tensioning device comprises a pair of tensioning apertures through which the first filament is routed prior to being drawn through the bore in the second spindle. 
     
     
         24 . A thread feed configured to perform a method according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         25 . A sewing machine having a thread feed according to  claim 9 .