Adhesive Thread System

Abstract

A system for forming a waterproof seam between to sewn materials. The seam is formed using an adhesive coated thread. A thin strip of adhesive is placed between the two materials at the seam line. As the coated thread is sewn into the seam heat and pressure are simultaneously applied, melting the adhesive coating thereby filling the needle punctures. The melted adhesive coating will also flow into the areas between the needles punctures and between the materials. The heat and pressure applied to the coated thread will also melt the adhesive strip, causing additional adhesive to flow into the needle punctures and the areas between needle punctures.

1 . A system for making a waterproof seam, comprising:
 a coated thread comprising thread with an adhesive coating;   means for forming a seam between two materials wherein a needle punctures a series of holes in said materials to be joined and simultaneously interleavens said coated thread through said holes thereby fastening the said materials to each other along a seam line;   means for placing a thin strip of adhesive between said materials at said seam line;   means for applying heat and pressure to the coated thread along said seam line.   
     
     
         2 . A system for making a waterproof seam as recited in  claim 1 , wherein:
 said means for forming a seam between two materials is a conventional sewing machine;   said means for applying heat and pressure is comprised of a sewing chamber added to said conventional sewing machine, said sewing chamber comprising a sewing needle between a plate and heater wheel, wherein the two materials are brought together within said sewing chamber to form a seam, wherein said plate and wheel are separately heated, wherein the two materials are passed over said plate, wherein said wheel is positioned above and against said two materials over said plate.   
     
     
         3 . A system for making a waterproof seam as recited in  claim 2 , wherein:
 said means for placing a thin strip of adhesive between said material at said seam line is comprised of a seam guide removably attached to a sewing machine front, said seam guide comprising an adhesive roll holder, a linear guide attachment from the roll holder, terminating in a curved sewing chamber guide guiding an adhesive strip from said roll holder into said sewing chamber between the said two materials the seam.   
     
     
         4 . A system for making a waterproof seam as recited in  claim 3 , further comprising:
 a rotating horizontal element electrically driven by the sewing machine, wherein said heater wheel is geared to said rotating horizontal element by means of a chain, wherein said chain synchronizes the rotation of the heater wheel with a sewing machine operation.   
     
     
         5 . A system for making a waterproof seam as recited in  claim 4 , wherein:
 said rotating element contains a puller wheel for drawing a sewn seam through and from said sewing chamber.   
     
     
         6 . A system for making a waterproof seam as recited in  claim 5 , wherein:
 said heater wheel is attached to a yoke driven by an airline cylinder which lifts and lowers the yoke thereby lifting and lowering the heater wheel.   
     
     
         7 . A system for making a waterproof seam as recited in  claim 6 , wherein:
 the coated thread is formed with three threads, twisted counter clockwise in a Z-twist, and coated with an adhesive.