Office Action 1: Notice of Allowance (2024-11-22)

CLAIMS:
Claims

1\. Device for manufacturing a pleated curtain, comprising:
elongate pleating means configured to form a first fold with a predetermined pleat height in the curtain by folding the curtain round a long side of the pleating means along a fold line;
clamping means configured to clamp a pleat portion of the curtain on either side of the first fold over the predetermined pleat height at least along a clamping line parallel to the fold line and
at a predetermined pleat depth distance from the fold line, such that the pleat portion, as seen in a cross-sectional plane perpendicular to the fold line, forms a U-shaped loop; andcontrol means for controlling the pleating means and the clamping means;
wherein the control means are configured to move the pleating means and/or the clamping means relative to each other such that, as seen in said cross-sectional plane, the pleating means are arranged from a position inside the loop to a position adjacently of the loop, while the clamping means clamp the pleat portion, such that a remaining portion of the curtain differing from the pleat portion is folded round an outer end of the clamping means and at least a second fold round the
pleating means arranged adjacently of the loop is formed adjacently of and parallel to the first fold.

2\. Device according to claim 1, wherein the control means are further configured to successively:
\- arrange the clamping means round the pleat portion such that the clamping means at least make contact with the pleat portion, wherein the pleating means are arranged in the loop;
\- move the pleating means away from the fold line in a pleat depth direction perpendicularly of the fold line over a distance greater than the predetermined pleat depth distance,
such that the pleating means move out of the loop;- clamp the loop at the predetermined pleat depth distance with the clamping means; and
\- move the pleating means along an outer side of the clamping means and arrange them adjacently of the loop.

3\. Device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the pleating means comprise two elongate
pleating fingers which extend parallel to each other in their longitudinal direction and are movable between a closed state, in which the pleating fingers lie against each other along their length, and

an open state in which the pleating fingers are removed a distance from each other such that they can each be arranged on one of either side of the loop by the movement of the pleating means and/or the clamping means perpendicularly of the extending direction of the fold line, while the clamping means clamp the loop.

4\. Device according to claim 3, wherein the control means are configured to hold the pleating fingers in the closed state until the pleating fingers are situated outside the loop and to bring them into the open state before the pleating fingers are arranged adjacently of the loop along the outer side of the clamping means.

5\. Device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein in the open state an intermediate space is formed between the pleating fingers, this having a height such that the clamping means with the loop therebetween can be arranged in the intermediate space and wherein the control means are further configured to enable the pleating fingers to be arranged on either side of the loop by
moving the clamping means with the loop therebetween into the intermediate space.

6\. Device according to any one of the claims 1-5, wherein the control means are configured to arrange the pleating means at the position of the fold line of the first fold on the outer side of the loop.

7\. Device according to any one of the claims 1-6, further comprising a table for arranging thereon the curtain pleated round the pleating means and a presser foot arranged opposite the table and configured to press the pleated curtain against the table on a side of the clamping line remote from the fold line.

8\. Device according to claim 7, wherein the control means are configured to move the presser foot toward the table in order to press the curtain against the table with the presser foot until the pleating means are outside the loop and the clamping means clamp the loop.

9\. Device according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the control means are configured to move the presser foot away from the table after the pleating means have been arranged outside the loop and the clamping means clamp the loop, and before the pleating means are arranged adjacently of the loop.

10\. Device according to any one of the claims 7-9, further comprising a presser plate configured to press the loop and pleated portions of the curtain lying adjacently of the loop against

the table, wherein the control means are configured to move the presser plate toward the table in order to press the curtain against the table with the presser plate after the pleating means have been arranged adjacently of the loop.

11\. Device according to claim 10, wherein the presser plate is provided on the presser foot,
such that a movement of the presser foot from and to the table results in a movement of the presser plate respectively from and to the table.

12\. Device according to any one of the foregoing claims, further comprising fixing needles
configured to fix the loop and the pleated portions of the curtain lying adjacently of the loop relative to each other by arranging the fixing needles through the loop and the pleated portions of the curtain lying adjacently of the loop.

13\. Device according to claim 10, wherein the clamping means comprise recesses for
arranging the fixing needles therethrough.

14\. Device according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the control means are further configured to arrange the fixing needles through the loop and the pleated portions of the curtain lying adjacently of the loop after the presser plate presses the curtain against the table after the pleating
means have been arranged adjacently of the loop.

15\. Device according to claim 14, wherein the control means are further configured to move the clamping means and the pleating means away from the loop and the pleated portions of the curtain lying adjacently of the loop after the fixing needles have been arranged through the loop
and the pleated portions of the curtain lying adjacently of the loop, such that the loop and the pleated portions lying adjacently of the loop lie clear of the clamping means and the pleating means.

16\. Device according to claim 15, wherein the control means are further configured to
move the presser plate away from the table before the clamping means and the pleating means are moved away from the loop and the pleated portions of the curtain lying adjacently of the loop, and
to move the presser plate toward the table after the loop and the pleated portions lying adjacently of the loop have come to lie clear of the clamping means and the pleating means.

17\. Device according to any one of the foregoing claims, further comprising a sewing device for fixing the loop and portions of the curtain pleated adjacently of the loop by means of stitching, such that the portions pleated adjacently of the loop form loops adjacently of the loop. 5 10 15 20 25 30 35

OFFICE ACTION:
Notice of Pre-AIA  or AIA  Status
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
DETAILED ACTION
CLAIMS
Summary
Claim 1 is the independent claim under consideration in this Office Action.
Claims 2-17 are the dependent claims under consideration in this Office Action.
COMMENTS
Reasons for Allowance
The following is an examiner’s statement of reasons for allowance:  the independent claim defines a device for manufacturing a pleated curtain.  The device comprises elongated pleating means configured for forming a first fold or pleat with a predetermined pleat height  by folding a portion of the curtain around a long side of the pleating means and along a folding axis.  The device comprises clamping means configured to apply a clamping force at either side of the first fold around the pleating means over the predetermined pleat height and to a predetermined pleat depth along the clamping or fold line such that the folding generates a U-shaped loop.  The device comprises a  control means for moving the pleating means and the clamping means relative to each other where the pleating means are arranged and moved from a position indie the loop to a position adjacent the loop while the clamping means clamps down on the previously captured pleat portion. The curtain material remaining from the folded portion is further folded around an outer end of the clamping means and the pleating means for forming a second fold arrangement adjacent and parallel to the first fold. The dependent claims further limit the device for forming pleats of the independent claim.
Any comments considered necessary by applicant must be submitted no later than the payment of the issue fee and, to avoid processing delays, should preferably accompany the issue fee.  Such submissions should be clearly labeled “Comments on Statement of Reasons for Allowance.”
Pertinent Citations
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.  Lawson ‘034 illustrates a pleating machine including pleating means and counter pleating means for forming first second and third loops or folds and includes clamping means for clamping the loops at their adjacent sides and then sewing such folds or loops.  Gellman ‘955 and Steirs ’958  illustrates a pleat forming means including pleat forming blades cooperating with a U-shaped pleater and then pivoting or clamping further blades up to engage the curtain material to form folds.  Crawford et al. illustrate cooperating pleating means and clamping means for sewing multiple folds formed across a drapery material.  Porilla, Jr. ‘746 illustrates pleat forming by pushing pleating means toward each other and sewing the fold bundles.  Ryan ‘964 illustrates a pleat forming device including individually movable pleating means cooperating with other individually movable pleating means for forming pleats adjacent to each other and clamping means for clamping the folded.  Morana ‘281 illustrates pleat forming means including opposing pivoting clips for forming a plurality of folds or pleats.
INQUIRIES



CITED REFERENCE SUMMARIES: Ref US2669955A: [content unavailable]
Ref US3576281A: Claims:
A drapery pleat-forming die comprising, a. top and bottom interengageable, complementary dies, the top die having a pair of pivotally engaged, generally flat members engageable to each other along opposing edges thereof, b. a rib on the external face of each flat member of the top die above the engageable edges thereof and generally parallel thereto, the bottom die having a pair of pivotally engaged, generally flat members engageable with each other along opposed edges thereof, c. a rib on the external face of each generally rectangular member of the bottom die below the engageable edges and generally parallel thereto, d. a vertically movable former mounted between the members of the bottom die, the former being projectable above the edges of the said members of the bottom die and retractable beneath said edges, and e. a rib on opposite sides of the former beneath the top edge thereof and generally parallel thereto.
A drapery pleat-forming die comprising, a. the structure in accordance with claim 1, and b. resilient means on the top die normally urging the said edges into engagement, and c. resilient means on the bottom die normally urging the said edges into engagement.
A drapery pleat-forming die comprising, a. the structure in accordance with claim 1 and b. resilient means normally urging the said vertically movable pleat former upwardly until its ribs lie above the said engageable edges of the bottom die.
A drapery pleat-forming die comprising, a. the structure in accordance with claim 3, and b. means for retaining the pleat former in its retracted position against the said resilient means.
A drapery pleat-forming die comprising, a. the structure in accordance with claim 4 in which, b. the said flat members of the bottom die are pivotally mounted on a shaft, and c. the said means for retaining the pleat former in its retracted position are a pair of offsets in the former engageable with the shaft.
A drapery pleat-forming die comprising, a. the structure in accordance with claim 5 in which, b. the said resilient means normally urging the former upwardly is connected between the proximity of the bottom of the former to the said rectangular member on the opposite side of the shaft from the former.
A drapery pleat-forming die comprising, a. the structure in accordance with claim 2, and b. resilient means normally urging the said vertically movable pleat former upwardly until its ribs lie above the said engageable edges of the bottom die, c. the said flat member of the bottom die being pivotally mounted on a shaft, d. a pair of offsets on the pleat former engageable with the said shaft when the former is in its lowermost position retaining the former in said position against the urging of said resilient means, and e. the said resilient means normally urging the former upwardly being connected between the former in proximity to its bottom and the said rectangular member of the bottOm die on the opposite side of the shaft from the former.
Ref US3661103A: Claims:
A device for automatically forming and sewing a plurality of spaced pleats of a piece of textile material comprising a table, a sewing machine mounted on said table at right angles to the front edge, a support pivotally mounted on said table below said sewing machine and extending horizontally from said table, a guide plate mounted on said support for guiding a piece of textile material toward said sewing machine, means on said support below said guide plate for forming a pleat in the textile material, means for axially moving said pleat forming means to said sewing machine to position the pleat beneath the sewing needle, means on said sewing machine for clamping onto the pleat and for stripping the pleat from said forming means on withdrawal of said forming means from said sewing machine, means on said support for pulling a slack of material from said guide plate while said material is held by said clamping means, said pleat forming means forming a second pleat from the slack, and means on said sewing machine for moving said clamping means and pleat beneath the sewing needle during the sewing operation of said sewing machine.
A device as in claim 1, wherein means are mounted on said support for releasably locking the pleat in said pleat forming means.
A device as in claim 1, wherein means are mounted on said sewing machine for releasably locking the pleat beneath said sewing machine clamping means.
A device as in claim 1, wherein means are mounted on said table for pivoting said support during the sewing operation to align with the movement of said clamping means.
A device as in claim 1, wherein said slack pulling means is adjustable to pull less slack on the first pleat and more slack on the succeeding pleats in the same sequence.
A device as in claim 1, wherein said pleat forming means includes an elongated strip mounted for axial sliding movement toward and away from said sewing machine, a supporting block mounted on the front end of said strip, a flat rectangular plate extends from said block in alignment with said strip, said plate forming a central tongue, a flat rectangular jaw member pivotally mounted on spaced relation on each side of said tongue, said pivot mountings being at the rear edge of each jaw adjacent said block, a pair of spaced bowed leaf springs mounted on the upper and lower sides of said block and extending forwardly in contact with saiD jaws to resiliently bias said jaws toward each other and toward the said central tongue into closed position, and means for spreading said jaws into open position against the pressure of said leaf springs.
A device as in claim 6, wherein said spreading means comprises a rod mounted transversely across each of said jaws, the ends of said rods extending beyond the edges of said jaws, a wedge mounted on each side of said jaws and adapted to enter between said extended portions of said rods to spread said jaws, and means for actuating said wedges.
A device as in claim 1, wherein said pleat forming means includes a C-shaped member mounted on said support, a vertical shaft mounted in said member, a block slidable in said shaft, means for moving said block on said shaft, means for pivotally turning said member and block, and a C-shaped arm extending horizontally from said block, said arm pushing the slack material into said pleat forming means on turning movement of said block.
A device as in claim 1, wherein said slack pulling means comprises a lever pivotally mounted on said support, a slack forming rod extending horizontally from one end of said lever, means for reciprocating said lever, a microswitch for reversing said reciprocating means, and an adjustable cam on said lever for tripping said microswitch.
A device as in claim 9, wherein said lever is provided with a second cam, a second microswitch on said support, said second cam adapted to trip said second microswitch to provide for different reciprocating movements of said lever and slack rod.
A device as in claim 1, including control means for the elements of said device comprising individually operated air cylinders and pistons under air pressure, a solenoid controlled valve, a second microswitch on said support, said second cam.
A device as in claim 2, wherein said releasable locking means comprises a supporting block, a plurality of needles extending upwardly from said block, and means for vertically reciprocating said block into said pleat forming means to pass said needles through the pleat to releasably lock the pleat in said pleat forming means.
A device as in claim 3, wherein said releasable locking means comprises a block mounted on said sewing machine, a plurality of needles depending from said block, and means for vertically reciprocating said block to pass said needles through said clamp and into the pleat to releasably lock the pleat under said clamp means.
A device as in claim 2, wherein means are mounted on said sewing machine for releasably locking the pleat beneath said sewing machine clamping means.
A device as in claim 14, wherein means are mounted on said table for pivoting said support during the sewing operation to align with the movement of said clamping means.
A device as in claim 14, wherein said slack pulling means is adjustable to pull less slack on the first pleat and more slack on the succeeding pleats in the same sequence.
A device as in claim 15, wherein said slack pulling means is adjustable to pull less slack on the first pleat and more slack on the succeeding pleats in the same sequence.
A device as in claim 6, wherein the front edges of said jaws and tongue are provided with slots, and means are mounted on said support for releasably locking the pleat in said pleat forming means through said slots.
A device as in claim 7, wherein the front edges of said jaws and tongue are provided with slots, and means are mounted on said support for releasably locking the pleat in said pleat forming means through said slots.
A device as in claim 19, wherein means are mounted on said sewing machine for releasably locking the pleat beneath said sewing machine clamping means.
A device as in claim 6, wherein said pleat forming means also includes a C-shaped member mounted on said support, a vertical shaft mounted in said member, a block slidable in said shaft, means for moving said block on said shaft, meanS for pivotally turning said member and block, and a C-shaped arm extending horizontally from said block, said arm pushing the slack material into said pleat forming means on turning movement of said block.
A device as in claim 7, wherein said pleat forming means also includes a C-shaped member mounted on said support, a vertical shaft mounted in said member, a block slidable on said shaft, means for moving said block on said shaft, means for pivotally turning said member and block, and a C-shaped arm extending horizontally from said block, said arm pushing the slack material into said pleat forming means on turning movement of said block.
A device as in claim 18, wherein said pleat forming means also includes a C-shaped member mounted on said support, a vertical shaft mounted in said member, a block slidable on said shaft, means for moving said block on said shaft, means for pivotally turning said member and block, and a C-shaped arm extending horizontally from said block, said arm pushing the slack material into said pleat forming means on turning movement of said block.
A device as in claim 19, wherein said pleat forming means also includes a C-shaped member mounted on said support, a vertical shaft mounted in said member, a block slidable on said shaft, means for moving said block on said shaft, means for pivotally turning said member and block, and a C-shaped arm extending horizontally from said block, said arm pushing the slack material into said pleat forming means on turning movement of said block.
A device as in claim 6, wherein said slack pulling means comprises a lever pivotally mounted on said support, a slack forming rod extending horizontally from one end of said lever, means for reciprocating said lever, a microswitch for reversing said reciprocating means, and an adjustable cam on said lever for tripping said microswitch.
A device as in claim 7, wherein said slack pulling means comprises a lever pivotally mounted on said support, a slack forming rod extending horizontally from one end of said lever, means for reciprocating said lever, a microswitch for reversing said reciprocating means, and an adjustable cam on said lever for tripping said microswitch.
A device as in claim 21, wherein said slack pulling means comprises a lever pivotally mounted on said support, a slack forming rod extending horizontally from one end of said lever, means for reciprocating said lever, a microswitch for reversing said reciprocating means, and an adjustable cam on said lever for tripping said microswitch.
A device as in claim 22, wherein said slack pulling means comprises a lever pivotally mounted on said support, a slack forming rod extending horizontally from one end of said lever, means for reciprocating said lever, a microswitch for reversing said reciprocating means, and an adjustable cam on said lever for tripping said microswitch.
A device as in claim 24, wherein said slack pulling means comprises a lever pivotally mounted on said support, a slack forming rod extending horizontally from one end of said lever, means for reciprocating said lever, a microswitch for reversing said reciprocating means, and an adjustable cam on said lever for tripping said microswitch.
A device as in claim 29, wherein said lever is provided with a second cam, a second microswitch on said support, said second cam adapted to trip said second microswitch to provide for different reciprocating movements of said lever and slack rod.
A device as in claim 29, wherein said releasable locking means comprises a supporting block, a plurality of needles extending upwardly from said block, and means for vertically reciprocating said block into said pleat forming means to pass said needles through the pleat to releasably lock the pleat in said pleat forming means.
A device as in claim 20, wherein said releasable locking means comprises a block mounted on said sewing machine, a plurality of needles depending from said bLock, and means for vertically reciprocating said block to pass said needles through said clamp and into the pleat to releasably lock the pleat under said clamp means.
A device as in claim 32, wherein said pleat forming means includes a C-shaped member mounted on said support, a vertical shaft mounted in said member, a block slidable on said shaft, means for moving said block on said shaft, means for pivotally turning said member and block, and a C-shaped arm extending horizontally from said block, said arm pushing the slack material into said pleat forming means on turning movement of said block.
A device as in claim 33, wherein said slack pulling means comprises a lever pivotally mounted on said support, a slack forming rod extending horizontally from one end of said lever, means for reciprocating said lever, a microswitch for reversing said reciprocating means, and an adjustable cam on said lever for tripping said microswitch.
A device as in claim 34, wherein said lever is provided with a second cam, a second microswitch on said support, said second cam adapted to trip said second microswitch to provide for different reciprocating movements of said lever and slack rod.
Ref US3760746A: Claims:
A sewing machine attachment for making pleats, comprising: a. means for folding a cloth; b. clamping means for initially holding the folded cloth at a location spaced from the path of longitudinal movement of the needle of the sewing machine c. means for moving the clamping means to bring the clamped folded cloth into the path of longitudinal movement of the sewing machine needle; and d. means for moving the clamping means to advance the folded cloth during stitching of the cloth by the needle of the sewing machine.
An attachment as defined in claim 1 wherein said means foR folding a cloth includes first and second jaws between which the cloth is placed, and means for moving said jaws toward and away from each other.
An attachment as defined in claim 2 wherein said first jaw includes first spaced-apart extending means; said second jaw includes second spaced-apart extending means; and further including means for moving the jaws with respect to each other so that the second extending means move against the cloth and into the spaces created by the first extending means, thereby folding the cloth.
An attachment as defined in claim 3 wherein the first extending means includes a first pair of parallel plates, resilient means coupled to the first jaw, and a plate coupled to the resilient means; the second extending means include a second pair of parallel plates; and wherein the relative motion of the jaws initially causes the plate to move the cloth against the second jaw, thereby holding it in place, and thereafter compresses the resilient means as the cloth is folded.
An attachment as defined in claim 3 further including pneumatic means for moving the jaws with respect to each other.
An attachment as defined in claim 1 wherein the clamping means for holding the folded cloth includes: a base member; a clamping member movably mounted with respect to said base member; and means for moving the clamping member with respect to the base member, thereby engaging or releasing the folded cloth.
An attachment as defined in claim 6 wherein said base member has a slot adjacent to said clamping member when the latter is brought into engagement with said base member, said means (c) moving said clamping means with respect to the needle of the sewing machine to bring said slot into and out of alignment with the sewing machine needle.
An attachment as defined in claim 7 wherein the means (d) for moving the clamping means includes a drive link coupling the sewing machine to the base member.
An attachment as defined in claim 8 wherein the slot is L-shaped and said link moves said base member along an L-shaped path with respect to the needle of the sewing machine whereby the latter sews in the L-shaped slot, thereby providing an L-shaped seam for holding the fold in place.
An attachment as defined in claim 1 further including control means for sequentially driving the means for folding the cloth, the clamping means, the means (c) and the means (d).
An attachment as defined in claim 10 wherein the control means includes a pneumatic control system.
An attachment as defined in claim 2 wherein the clamping means includes a base member, wherein said folding means includes a carriage, and wherein said jaws are pivotably coupled to the carriage to enable the loading of the first jaw with the cloth.
An attachment as defined in claim 2 wherein the folding means includes a carriage, and the jaws are slidably coupled with respect to the carriage to enable the jaws to be moved out of the way of the clamping means before the cloth is advanced.
An attachment as defined in claim 13 wherein the carriage is pivotably mounted with respect to the sewing machine to enable movement of the folding means out of the way of the clamping means.
Ref US3822034A: Claims:
An apparatus for use in the manufacture of the pleated upper section of a drapery panel, said apparatus comprising a pleat forming device for folding and tacking pleats in the upper section of the drapery panel, said pleat forming device including: a. a frame; b. folding means mounted on said frame, said folding means having finger means for supporting the section of the drapery panel to be pleated, clamp means for holding the section of the drapery panel to be pleated against said finger means, and fork means for forcing the section of the drapery panel to be pleated around said finger means to form a pleat; and c. tacking means mounted on said frame for fixedly fastening pleats together after they have been folded by said folding means.
The apparatus of claim 1 in which said folding means includes adjustment means for moving said finger means relative to said fork means to allow the size of the pleats to be formed to be varied.
The apparatus of claim 1 in which said tacking means comprises: a. stapler means for stapling pleats together after they have been folded; b. stapler actuating means for operating said stapler means coactively with said folding means.
The apparatus of claim 1 in which is included a computing device for determining the required pleat size and space size from a given hemmed width size of a drapery panel and a given number of pleats desired in the finished drapery panel to obtain a given finished width of the drapery panel, said computing device comprising a plurality of scales, each of said scales corresponding to a specific number of pleats, each scale including
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