Bias tape maker

Abstract

A bias tape making device including a housing, a spindle rotatably disposed in the housing for supporting a strip of fabric, at least one bias tape folding tip located in the housing in communication with the spindle for folding the strip of material into a bias tape having folded longitudinal edges, and a heated pressing assembly disposed in the housing for receiving the bias tape and setting the folded longitudinal edges of the bias tape. The device includes a plurality of interchangeable bias tape folding tips to produce a variety of different sized single fold bias tapes.

1 . A bias tape making device, comprising:
 a housing;   a spindle rotatably disposed in the housing for supporting a strip of material;   at least one bias tape folding tip located in the housing in communication with the spindle for folding the strip of material into a bias tape having folded longitudinal edges; and   a heated pressing assembly disposed in the housing for receiving the bias tape and setting the folded longitudinal edges of the bias tape.   
     
     
         2 . The bias tape making device of  claim 1 , further comprising a guide arm removably located in the housing between the spindle and bias tape folding tip for guiding the strip of fabric into the at least one bias tape folding tip. 
     
     
         3 . The bias tape making device of  claim 2 , wherein the spindle includes a plurality of striations spaced around the diameter of the spindle for properly positioning different sizes of fabric strips to align the same with the guide arm. 
     
     
         4 . The bias tape making device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one bias tape folding tip is removably disposed in the housing. 
     
     
         5 . The bias tape making device of  claim 4 , further comprising a plurality of different sized bias tape folding tips for accommodating a plurality of different sized fabric strips. 
     
     
         6 . The bias tape making device of  claim 5 , wherein the plurality of bias tape folding tips produce bias tape ranging from ⅛, ¼, ½, ¾, 1, to 1¼ inch. 
     
     
         7 . The bias tape making device of  claim 1 , wherein the heated press assembly includes an upper, spring loaded plate and a lower, heated stationary plate, wherein the folded bias strip passes between the upper and lower plates to press the folds. 
     
     
         8 . The bias tape making device of  claim 1 , further comprising a pair of rollers located downstream of the heated press assembly. 
     
     
         9 . The bias tape making device of  claim 8 , wherein the pair of rollers include an upper roller located in an upper housing of the heated press assembly and a lower roller located in the housing. 
     
     
         10 . The bias tape making device of  claim 9 , wherein the lower roller is driven to advance the bias tape through the bias tape folding tip and heated press assembly. 
     
     
         11 . The bias tape making device of  claim 10 , wherein the heated press assembly includes an upper, spring loaded plate and a lower, heated stationary plate, wherein the folded bias strip passes between the upper and lower plates to press the folds. 
     
     
         12 . The bias tape making device of  claim 11 , further comprising a temperature control for adjusting the temperature of the heated plate. 
     
     
         13 . The bias tape making device of  claim 1 , wherein the housing includes a main housing and a cover hingedly connected to the main housing. 
     
     
         14 . The bias tape making device of  claim 13 , wherein the spindle and guide arm are removably located in the cover. 
     
     
         15 . The bias tape making device of  claim 14 , wherein when not in use, the spindle and guide arm are stored inside the cover. 
     
     
         16 . The bias tape making device of  claim 13 , wherein the bias tape folding tape and heated press assembly are located in the main housing. 
     
     
         17 . The bias tape making device of  claim 1 , wherein the folded bias tape is a single folded bias tape. 
     
     
         18 . A method of making a folded bias strip comprising the steps of:
 providing a bias tape making device, the bias tape making device including a housing, a spindle rotatably disposed in the housing for supporting a strip of material, at least one bias tape folding tip located in the housing in communication with the spindle and a heated pressing assembly disposed in the housing for receiving the bias tape;   wrapping a length of fabric strip on the spindle;   passing the fabric strip through the bias tape folding tip;   folding the strip of material into a bias tape having folded longitudinal edges;   passing the folded bias tape through the heated pressing assembly and pressing the folded longitudinal edges of the bias tape.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the fabric strip is folded into a single fold bias tip. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the step of passing and pressing the folded bias tape comprises passing the folded bias tape in between a pair of plates, wherein at least one of the plates heats and presses the folds. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising the step of passing the strip of material from the spindle over a guide arm to facilitate alignment of the strip into the bias tape folding tip.