Apparatus and method for binding fabrics

Abstract

A device for connecting two or more pieces of fabric. The devices is formed as a bonding strip having a base and a plurality of spikes extending from the base. The bonding strip is formed of a material having a forming temperature that is lower than that of the fabric to be bonded. To bond the two or more pieces of fabric, the spikes are pushed through the fabric. The spikes are then formed at a temperature that is at least as high as the forming temperature of the bonding strip but lower than the forming temperature of the fabric. The forming can be performed so that the spikes bend over and press against the fabric. The spikes can be arranged on first and second rows along the bonding strip, and the forming can be performed such that spikes from the first strip connect with spikes of the second strip.

1 . A garment product, comprising:
 a first piece of fabric;   a second piece of fabric;   a bonding strip having a base and a plurality of spikes extending from the base, wherein the spikes extend through the first and second pieces of fabric and are bent over the first and second pieces of fabric to secure the first and second pieces of fabric to the bonding strip, wherein the bonding strip is selected to substantially match a color of the fabric pieces.   
     
     
         2 . The garment product as in  claim 1 , wherein the base has an elongated shape having a long dimension and wherein the plurality of spikes are formed in one or more rows arranged along the long dimension of the base. 
     
     
         3 . The garment product as in  claim 1 , wherein the base is formed as an elongated strip having first and second edges, and wherein the spikes are formed in one or more rows. 
     
     
         4 . The garment product as in  claim 1 , wherein the bonding strip is constructed of a material having a lower forming temperature than the first and second pieces of fabric. 
     
     
         5 . The garment product as in  claim 1 , wherein the base and the spikes are integral with one another and formed of the same material. 
     
     
         6 . The garment product as in  claim 1 , wherein the base and the spikes are constructed of a material having a forming temperature less than 200 degrees F. 
     
     
         7 . The garment product as in  claim 1 , wherein the base and the spikes are formed of a material having a forming temperature between 175 degrees F. and 250 degrees F. 
     
     
         8 . The garment product as in  claim 1 , wherein bonding strip comprises a polymer and the first and second pieces of fabric comprise a natural fiber. 
     
     
         9 . A garment product for joining two or more pieces of fabric, the garment product comprising:
 a strip having a surface;   a plurality of spikes extending from the surface of the strip;   wherein the strip and the spikes are formed of a material having a forming temperature selected to be lower than a fabric forming temperature of the two or more pieces of fabric;   wherein the bonding strip is selected to substantially match the color of the fabric pieces.   
     
     
         10 . The garment product as in  claim 9 , wherein the strip and the spikes are formed of a polymer. 
     
     
         11 . The garment product as in  claim 9 , wherein the strip and the spikes are formed of the material having a forming temperature less than 200 degrees F. 
     
     
         12 . The garment product as in  claim 9 , wherein the strip and the spikes are formed of a material having a forming temperature between 175 degrees F. and 200 degrees F. 
     
     
         13 . The garment product as in  claim 9 , wherein the spikes are formed in one or more rows along the length of the strip, and wherein spikes on the first row are aligned with spikes on the second row. 
     
     
         14 . The garment product as in  claim 13 , wherein the spikes are formed in one or more rows along the length of the strip and wherein the spikes on the first strip are staggered from the spikes on the second strip. 
     
     
         15 . A method for joining one or more pieces of fabric, the method comprising:
 providing a bonding strip having a base and a plurality of spikes extending from the base, the bonding strip being formed of a material having a forming temperature;   extending the spikes of the bonding strip through two or more pieces of fabric;   bringing the bonding strip to a temperature at least as high as the forming temperature of the bonding strip; and   forming the spikes of the bonding strip while the bonding strip is at the temperature that is at least as high as the forming temperature of the bonding strip.   
     
     
         16 . The method as in  claim 15 , wherein the forming of the spikes comprises bending the spikes and pressing them flat against the at least one of the pieces of fabric. 
     
     
         17 . The method as in  claim 15 , wherein the comprises, applying pressure from a seaming roller to press the spikes against at least one of the pieces of fabric. 
     
     
         18 . The method as in  claim 15 , wherein the two or more pieces of fabric having a forming temperature, and wherein the forming is performed at a temperature that is between the forming temperature of the bonding strip and the forming temperature of the two or more pieces of fabric. 
     
     
         19 . The method as in  claim 15 , wherein the spikes are formed in first and second rows with the spikes of the first row being aligned with spikes of the second row, and wherein the forming is performed so as to cause spikes from the first row to contact and bond with spikes of the second row. 
     
     
         20 . The method as in  claim 15 , wherein the bonding strip is formed of a polymer and the one or more pieces of fabric comprise an organic material.