TEXTILE LABEL CUTTING DEVICE

Abstract

 A cutting device (10) for cutting textile labels is disclosed, comprising a platform (20) having a receiving side on which a textile label (24) can be placed and defining a platform plane, a support (40) holding a heating element (45), the heating element having a cutting portion (50) designed to cut the textile label, and an energy source (52) designed to heat the heating element. The platform (20) has a slit (30) allowing the passage of the cutting portion (50) through the slit. The support (40) is movably mounted on a guide element (32) and can move along the guide element in a cutting direction (C) from a rest position in which the cutting portion (50) is facing at a distance the receiving side to a working position in which the heating element is heated and the cutting portion crosses at least partially the platform plane through the slit.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a cutting device for cutting textile labels that are attached to textile goods, for example for cutting textile labels attached to clothes.

[0002] Labels are essential for textile goods, for example garments, towels, curtains. They contain information among other about the country of origin, manufacturer, size, or material composition data. The labels usually also contain instructions for taking care of textile goods, for example in relation to washing or other treatments that are allowed or should be avoided.

[0003] In the case of textile labels being inside clothes and often sewn or stitched on clothes, labels made of silk, polyester, polymeric materials, and others can cause discomfort to the wearer. Labels can also hang loose, flap from a seam of the garment or often fold over the garment and protrude from the garment while it is worn. Further, in case of thin fabric, labels might remain visible through the fabric and in case of stretchy fabric labels can also deform the fabric locally if they do not stretch in the same manner. In addition, the label can fray, that is the threads of the fabric used for the label loosen and unravel from the rest of the fabric. As a result, labels can reduce the comfort and the elegance of clothes.

[0004] For at least these reasons, labels are often cut off before wearing clothes. In the absence of a special tool, labels are cut off with scissors available in everyday life with the risk of damaging the fabric and/or threads that make up the seam. Therefore, when cutting labels, the cutting edges of the scissors must not be too close to the seam. Further, a clean cut is difficult and takes time. At the end, the size and shape of a remaining uncut label, i.e. a label rest, may be sufficient to cause physical discomfort to the wearer, may fray and is detrimental to the appearance of the garment.

[0005] WO2022035341 A1 discloses scissors designed for cutting off inseam or sewn on labels from clothing. The scissors comprise two lever elements, each having a working portion on one end and a handle on the other end, said elements being interconnected such as to be movable in relation to one another. The working portion of one of the elements has a cutting edge, and the working portion of the other element has at least one longitudinal slit for receiving a material to be cut off, said slit giving rise to a blade above the slit and a blade below the slit. The blade below the slit has an edge that is positioned such as to be capable of contacting with the cutting edge of the working portion of the other element along the cutting line. The scissors reduce the risk of accidental damage to a seam of the article. However, the rest of the label that remains will fray sooner or later, which is detrimental to the appearance of the garment and possibly causing again physical discomfort. Further, if the label is stitched into a seam, the label rest will loosen the seam when fraying reaches the seam.

[0006] FR2425922 discloses a cutter device associated with a heat source to assist in cutting dense materials. The heat source, comprising an electrical resistance may be fitted inside the cutter device, or it may be mounted within a hollow housing constructed with an opening to receive the cutter element. With the second arrangement, the cutter may be withdrawn from the housing when the blade is hot. Means for controlling the heating element in the housing are provided by a potentiometer device, according to the requirements of the material to be cut, working in conjunction with a visual light signal and an elastic device partially pushing the knife blade out of the housing. The heated cutter has the advantage to avoid fraying because the threads of the label are melted together when they are cut. However, the cutter can damage clothes if the label is cut too close from the seam, and unprotected heated parts of the cutter can burn and damage them irreversibly.

[0007] It is an object of the present invention to provide a cutting device for cutting textile labels that attached to textile goods like clothes that allows cutting textile labels close to the seam while avoiding that a remaining uncut label becomes a cause of physical discomfort to the user or is detrimental to the appearance, for example after fraying. Further, the cutting device should be economical to produce.

[0008] This objective is met according to the present invention by providing a cutting device for cutting textile labels according to claim 1. Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are subject of the dependent claims.

[0009] A cutting device for cutting textile labels is disclosed, the cutting device comprising a platform having a receiving side on which a textile label can be placed and defining a platform plane, a support holding a heating element, the holding element having a cutting portion designed to cut the textile label, and an energy source designed to heat the heating element by resistive heating to a cutting temperature.

[0010] According to the invention, the platform has a slit extending in a longitudinal direction and allowing the passage of the cutting portion through the slit. Further, the cutting device comprises a guide element extending in a direction with a component perpendicular to the platform plane. The support is movably mounted on the guide element to move along the guide element in a cutting direction from a rest position in which the cutting portion is facing at a distance the receiving side to a working position in which the heating element is heated and the cutting portion crosses at least partially the platform plane through the slit. The support is designed to hold the cutting portion in the longitudinal direction of the slit and in a displacement plane when the support moves from the rest position to the working position, the displacement plane including the slit and extending perpendicular to the platform plane.

[0011] Advantageously, the platform allows positioning of the textile label and controlling the position of the textile label before it is cut, specifically with the help of the slit that defines the passage of the cutting device. Therefore, it can be easily checked what portion of the textile label is going to be cut, excluding the possibility to unintentionally damage the garment. Heat cutting has the advantage that the remaining portion of the textile label which forms a label rest does not fray after cutting. Appearance and comfort of the garment are thereby improved.

[0012] Preferably, the support is designed to move to an end position corresponding to the working position in which the cutting portion has crossed the platform plane through the slit and lies on the side opposed to the receiving side of the platform. In the end position, it can be ensured that the textile label is cut over its whole width.

[0013] The length of the cutting portion is shorter than the length of the slit to allow the passage of the cutting portion through the slit. Preferably, the cutting portion is only slightly shorter than the slit to allow the passage of the cutting portion without contact with edges of the slit. In this manner, the largest possible width of textile label can be cut, while allowing a compact embodiment. Preferably the slit is 3 cm to 10 cm long, more preferably 4 cm to 8 cm to allow cutting of most textile labels available on the market. For other usage, the slit can be longer if necessary, and the cutting device is scaled up accordingly.

[0014] The textile label is characterized by a fixed end that is attached to the garment and a free end opposed to the fixed end as well as a width measured in a direction perpendicular to a label longitudinal axis extending from the fixed end to the free end. Textile labels are typically made of cotton, polyester or satin polyester, nylon.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment, the support is designed to hold the heating element in a tensioned manner and comprises a counterpart element movably mounted on the support. The counterpart element is designed to be moved between a locking state associated to the rest position and in which the counterpart element is engaged with a holding element of the cutting device, the holding element being fixed, and a released state in which the counterpart element is disengaged from the holding element after moving in a disengaging direction. Preferably, the holding element is fixed in an end region of the guide element facing away from the platform. The counterpart element is connected to the heating element and further to the support by a spring element. The counterpart element is kept in the locking state by the heating element acting against a restoring force exerted in the disengaging direction by the spring element. Further, the counterpart element is kept in the released state by the restoring force when the heating element is heated, the heating element being configured to expand at least at the cutting temperature by a length increase allowing to move the counterpart element to the released state.

[0016] This embodiment requires a limited number of technically simple components forming a release mechanism to control the release of the support, namely the holding element, the counterpart element, the heating element and the spring element. Therefore, assembly is simplified, and manufacturing costs are reduced. Advantageously, there is also no need of a sensor to monitor the temperature of the cutting portion, which is even more economical. Indeed, the heating element is dimensioned to expand at least at the cutting temperature by a length increase allowing to move the counterpart element to the released state. When the cutting temperature has been reached, the release mechanism of the support is automatically and reliably controlled. In any case, the cutting portion crosses the platform in the working position with a temperature corresponding to the expected cutting temperature, resulting in a clean cut of the textile label.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment, the counterpart element is pivotably mounted on the support around a pivot axis and is designed to be pivoted between the locking state associated and the released state. The embodiment is simple and economical to manufacture.

[0018] Cutting a label can be performed according to the following steps. The textile label to be cut is arranged on the receiving side of the platform such that the slit lies between the fixed end and the free end, and the width of the textile label lies within longitudinal ends of the slit. Preferably, the fixed end is arranged parallel to the longitudinal direction of the slit as close as possible to the slit to ensure that the remaining label rest is as small as possible. At this stage, the support is in the rest position in which the cutting portion is facing at a distance the receiving side. Then, heating of the heating element is started by turning on the energy source. When the cutting temperature is reached, the heating element has expanded by a length increase allowing to pivot the counterpart element to the released state. The support can move along the guide element in the direction to the platform in the cutting direction and the cutting portion reaches the working position when it crosses at least partially the platform plane through the slit. The support is further moved in the cutting direction until the cutting portion has at least passed through and consequently cut the textile label.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment, the counterpart element is connected on one side of the pivot axis to the heating element and on the other side of the pivot axis to the support by a spring element to allow a simple design and assembly.

[0020] Preferably, the support has a planar design, i.e. the support has a dimension that is significantly smaller in one direction than dimensions in a support plane formed by two other directions perpendicular to the one direction. More preferably, the support is arranged so that the support plane moves in the displacement plane or in a plane parallel to the displacement plane to form a cutting device having a compact shape with respect to the displacement plane.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment, the guide element is perpendicular to the platform plane to avoid a lateral component parallel to the platform plane, thus reducing the lateral dimension of the cutting device. At the same time, the design of the cutting device is simplified.

[0022] In a preferred embodiment, the guide element is arranged in the longitudinal direction of the slit, i.e. the guide element extends at least partially in the displacement plane, to reduce the lateral dimension of the cutting device. Preferably, the guide element is arranged adjacent to one end of the slit to provide for a compact device.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment, the heating element is a wire that allows a simple calculation of the length increase when it is heated and at the same time a clean cut of the textile label. The heating element can be made of any electrical conductor allowing heating by resistive heating, i.e. by the passage of an electric current through the electrical conductor to produce heat. Preferably, the heating element is made of an iron-chromium-aluminium (FeCrAl) alloy, for example Kanthal^®, that allows a wide range of resistance and temperature. Other material like Tungsten wire or wire made of nickel-chromium alloys are likewise preferred for their low cost.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment, the heating element has a temperature above 200°C in the working position. Preferably, the temperature is below 350°C to avoid that textile labels catch fire. The range is also chosen to cut most textile labels available on the market, typically made of cotton, polyester or satin polyester, nylon. Further, this range also avoids that too much heat is generated and accumulated in case of repeated use of the cutting device.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment, a further spring element is connected to the support and to an attachment point of the cutting device, wherein, in the released state of the counterpart element, the support is designed to move in the direction to the platform under the effect of a restoring force exerted by the further spring element. This allows a simple manipulation of the cutting device, wherein a user must only activate heating of the heating element to trigger the release mechanism of the support and the movement of the support in the cutting direction to cut the textile label.

[0026] Preferably, the further spring element is damped to slow down the movement of the support in the cutting direction, thereby improving the quality of the cut. This improves the reliability of the cutting device.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment, a cavity is formed on the side opposed to the receiving side of the platform as an extension of the slit in the direction opposed to the platform and designed to receive the cutting portion when the cutting portion has crossed the platform plane through the slit. The cavity is designed to receive the cutting portion in the end position and advantageously avoid any accidental contact of the heated cutting portion with the garment or with the user, thereby improving the safety of the cutting device.

[0028] In a preferred embodiment, a clamp element arranged on the receiving side of the platform is provided, wherein, in an unclamped state of the clamp element, the clamp element is configured to allow the introduction of the textile label between the platform and the clamp element and, in a clamped state of the clamp element, the clamp element presses the textile label against the platform. To form the clamped state, the clamp element and the platform are movable relative to each other. The clamp element can be moved in the direction to the platform or, conversely, the platform or a portion of the platform facing the clamp element can be moved in the direction to the clamp element. In the clamped state, the clamp element has the advantage to keep the textile label in place while it is cut. This further simplifies the manipulation of the cutting device which position relative to the textile label remains automatically fixed. The embodiment also reduces the risk to accidentally cut the garment in case the user pulls the textile label while cutting.

[0029] In a preferred embodiment, the clamp element is formed by a clamp plate including an opening having the same form as the slit and allowing the passage of the cutting portion in the working position. The advantage of the clamp plate is to ensure that the textile label is maintained over the full length of the slit.

[0030] In a preferred embodiment, a first magnet element connected to the platform and having a first magnetic axis parallel to the platform plane, and a second magnet element connected to the clamp element and having a second magnetic axis parallel to the first magnetic axis are provided. The first magnet element and the second magnet element are slidable with respect to each other in a direction parallel to the first magnetic axis and moveable relative to each other in the cutting direction. The first magnet element and the second magnet element are arranged with a same pole overlapping each other to repel each other to form the unclamped state and are slid in the direction parallel to the first magnetic axis to overlap with opposing poles and attract each other to form the clamped state. The first and second magnets are preferably permanent magnets. They form a clamp element free from moving mechanical parts that further improves the reliability and the service life of the cutting device.

[0031] In a preferred embodiment having a clamp plate, the first magnet element cooperates with the platform and is arranged on the side of the platform opposed to the receiving side and the second magnet element cooperates with the clamp plate and is arranged on the side of the clamp plate opposed to the platform, wherein the first and second magnets are slidable with respect to each other. When the first and second magnets are slid relative to each other in the direction parallel to the first magnetic axis to overlap with opposing poles, they push the platform and the clamp plate against each other because of their attraction to each other and the platform and the clamp plate are moved to form the clamped state.

[0032] In a preferred embodiment, the first magnet element comprises two magnet parts, each magnet part being arranged on one side of the slit. Further, the second magnet element comprises two magnet parts, each magnet part being arranged on one side of the slit. In this embodiment, the textile label is retained on both side of the slit which improves the stability of the textile label.

[0033] In a preferred embodiment, the first magnet element and the second magnet element are slid relative to each other manually by way of a trigger operated by the user, thereby forming a simple and reliable mechanism. Having the textile label clamped independently from the release of the counterpart element allows the user to adjust the position of the textile label in the cutting device before cutting. This results in a more precise cut.

[0034] In a preferred embodiment, the first magnet element or the second magnet element can be replaced by a magnetic sensitive material, e.g. iron, to press the textile label against the platform.

[0035] In a preferred embodiment, the cutting portion is inclined with respect to the platform by an angle equal or greater than 0 degree. The angle between the cutting portion and the platform, i.e. the textile label, allows to cut the textile label progressively while the cutting portion moves in the cutting direction, thereby improving the cut. Preferably, the angle is between 5 degrees and 30 degrees to increase the time necessary to cut the clothing label and thereby improve the cut quality. Further, it reduces the contact surface between the cutting portion and the textile label so that it reduces the risk that the textile label catches fire. More preferably the angle is between 10 degrees and 20 degrees. In this range, the time necessary to cut the textile label is appropriate to allow a precise control of the cutting speed, which results in a clean cut.

[0036] In a preferred embodiment, the guide element is arranged in the longitudinal direction of the slit adjacent to a first end of the slit and the cutting portion is inclined in the direction toward the platform, as seen in the direction from the guide element to a direction away from the guide element. It follows that the cutting portion will cross the platform and enter at first the slit on the side of a second end of the slit opposed to the first end of the slit. The movement of the cutting portion tends thereby to retain the textile label between the cutting portion and the guide element instead of possibly pushing it unintentionally away from the guide element. Therefore, the arrangement disclosed further secures the textile label for a clean cut. Further, this arrangement avoids that the user slides the textile label in the longitudinal direction of the slit if the support and the cutting portion are still in the working position instead of being in the rest position.

[0037] In a preferred embodiment, the energy source is configured to heat the heating element at least until the cutting portion has crossed the platform plane through the slit and lies on the side opposed to the receiving side of the platform. In other words, the heating element remains heated by the energy source until the support has reached the end position. This ensures that the heated element does not cool down while moving to the working position before cutting the textile label and results in a clean cut of the textile label. Preferably, the heating element is connected to the energy source by a sliding electrical contact.

[0038] The energy source is in the form of an electrical energy source. It can be a battery element if the cutting device is battery-powered to form a portable device. The energy source can also be in the form of a socket that can be connected to an electrical network for example by an electrical cable.

[0039] In a preferred embodiment, a sensor device designed to identify the fabric of the textile label and by a temperature controller designed to adapt the cutting temperature based on information relative to the fabric received by the sensor device. The sensor can be a vision-based sensor comprising a camera, preferably a high-resolution camera, to determine the fiber structure and identify the material used for the textile label. Other types of sensor device are also existing and can be used in the cutting device. The temperature controller can be integrated to the energy source. Adjusting the temperature becomes particularly advantageous when the cutting device is battery-powered to reduce the energy consumption and to avoid that the textile label catches fire.

[0040] In a preferred embodiment, a loading system designed to move the cutting portion from the working position to the rest position is provided. The loading system comprising a passive component attached to the support and an actuable component movable in a contacting direction in direction to the passive component. The actuable component is designed to be pushed against the passive component to create a loading force acting on the passive element and having a component oriented in the direction opposed to the cutting direction. The actuable component can be slid relative to the passive component manually by way of a trigger operated by the user, thereby forming a simple and reliable mechanism. Preferably the passive element being chosen as an element of the group formed by a pin arranged perpendicular to the displacement plane and a rail element extending inclined with respect to the cutting direction in the displacement plane and the actuable component being chosen as the other element of the group.

[0041] When the cutting portion has passed through and cut the textile label, the support must be moved in the direction opposed to the cutting direction back to the release position. For this purpose, the loading system is operated when the label is cut. If necessary, the loading system can also be operated to interrupt the movement of the support in the cutting direction or before the textile label is cut.

[0042] In a preferred embodiment, a casing forming a handgrip extending in the longitudinal direction of the slit in the direction opposed to the slit and accommodating the energy source, preferably in the form of a battery element. The casing also forms a protection extending in the longitudinal direction of the slit over the slit. The protection comprises a first element facing the receiving side of the platform and designed to accommodate the support holding the heating element when the support is moving from the rest position to the working position. The protection comprises further a second element arranged on the side opposed to the receiving side of the platform, i.e. on the side opposed to the receiving side, and designed to accommodate the cutting portion in the working position in which the cutting portion crosses the platform plane through the slit. A front wall of the first element extending preferably parallel to the platform faces the platform at a distance from the platform to delimit a receiving space for the textile label between the front wall and the platform. This embodiment advantageously forms a compact cutting device. It can be dimensioned as a portable cutting device that can be held in one hand by way of the handgrip while leaving the other hand free to hold the free end of the textile label and to insert the textile label in the receiving space.

[0043] It is also conceivable that the handgrip extends at an angle with respect to the longitudinal direction of the slit.

[0044] In a preferred embodiment, the cutting device comprises a scanner device designed to read information carried by the textile label. One downside to removing textile labels is that most of them include care instructions for the garment. The presence of a scanner device allows to read and save information for later retrieval and use.

[0045] In a preferred embodiment having a clamp element formed by a clamp plate, the front wall can comprise the clamp plate or be formed as the clamp plate to limit the number of components of the cutting device.

[0046] The cutting device disclosed is designed to be used to cut textile labels. The features disclosed can be scaled up to allow cutting larger planar objects.

Description of the figures

[0047] The present invention will be explained in more detail in the following description with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings illustrating an embodiment of the cutting device according to the invention.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic cross section of a cutting device for cutting textile labels according to the invention in which a support holding a heating element is in a rest position to the working position;

Fig. 2 shows a schematic cross section of a cutting device according to Fig. 1 in which the support has left the rest position;

Fig. 3 shows a schematic cross section of a cutting device according to Fig. 1 in which the support is in a working position; and

Fig. 4 shows a schematic cross section of a cutting device according to Fig. 1 in which the support is in an end position.

[0048] A cutting device 10 for cutting textile labels is disclosed in Fig. 1. The cutting device comprises a platform 20 having a receiving side 22 on which a textile label 24 has been put and defining a platform plane. The platform 20 has a slit 30 extending in a longitudinal direction L, wherein the cross section of Fig. 1 has been drawn as passing through the slit.

[0049] Further, the cutting device comprises a guide element 32 extending perpendicular to the platform plane and arranged in the longitudinal direction of the slit.

[0050] A support 40 holds a heating element 45 in the form of a wire that has a cutting portion 50 designed to cut the textile label. The length of the cutting portion 50 is shorter than the length of the slit 30 to allow the passage of the cutting portion through the slit. The support 40 is movably mounted on the guide element 32 to move along the guide element in a cutting direction C from a rest position in which the cutting portion is facing at a distance the receiving side to a working position in which the heating element 45 is heated and the cutting portion 50 crosses at least partially the platform plane through the slit 30, as represented in Fig. 3. The cutting portion 50 moves in a displacement plane including the slit and extending perpendicular to the platform plane.

[0051] The cutting device 10 also comprises an energy source 52 in the form of a battery element designed to heat the heating element 45 by resistive heating to a cutting temperature. The cutting device is battery-powered to form a portable device. For the sake of clarity, the connection of the energy source 52 to the heating element 40 at a point of energy supply 53 is not represented.

[0052] The support 40 has a planar design in the form of a frame that extends in a support plane. The support 40 is arranged so that the support plane moves parallel to the displacement plane. The support comprises two fixation points 54a and 54b on the side of the frame facing the platform 20 that are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction L of the slit and designed to hold the cutting portion 50 in the longitudinal direction of the slit and in the displacement plane when the support moves from the rest position to the working position. The support can be formed such that the two fixation points 54a and 54b correspond to the end of the heating element 45. For example, the support can be in the form of U which opening shows in the direction of the platform and the two fixation points 54a and 54b are arranged at the ends of the legs of the U, wherein the legs can have different lengths.

[0053] The cutting device comprises a holding element 60, presently fixed to the guide element 32 in an end region of the guide element facing away from the platform. The guide element is formed as a wedge in the embodiment of Fig. 1. the support 40 holds the heating element 45 in a tensioned manner and comprises a counterpart element 70, here in the form of a hook, pivotably mounted on the support around a pivot axis 72. The counterpart element is designed to be pivoted between a locking state associated to the rest position and in which the counterpart element is engaged with the holding element 60 and a released state in which the counterpart element 70 is disengaged from the holding element after moving in a disengaging direction.

[0054] The counterpart element 70 is connected directly to the heating element 45. Further, the counterpart element 70 is connected to the support 40 by a spring element 75. The counterpart element 70 is kept in the locking state by the heating element 45 acting against a restoring force exerted in the disengaging direction by the spring element 75. Further, the counterpart element 70 is kept in the released state by the restoring force when the heating element 45 is heated, the heating element being configured to expand at least at the cutting temperature by a length increase allowing to pivot the counterpart element 70 to the released state.

[0055] In the present embodiment, the counterpart element 70 is connected on one side of the pivot axis 72 to the heating element 45 and further on the other side of the pivot axis to the support 40 by the spring element 75.

[0056] The textile label 24 is characterized by a fixed end that is attached to a garment and a free end opposed to the fixed end as well as a width measured in a direction perpendicular to a label longitudinal axis extending from the fixed end to the free end. Labels are typically made of cotton, polyester or satin polyester, nylon.

[0057] The textile label 24 to be cut is arranged on the receiving side of the platform such that the slit lies between the fixed end and the free end, and the width of the textile label lies within longitudinal ends of the slit. At this stage, the support is in the rest position in which the cutting portion is facing at a distance the receiving side. Then, heating of the heating element 45 is started by turning on the energy source by way of an electrical switch 82. When the cutting temperature is reached, the heating element 45 has expanded by a length increase allowing to pivot the counterpart element 70 to the released state. As a result, as shown in Fig. 2, the support 40 can be moved along the guide element 32 in the direction to the platform 20 in the cutting direction C and the cutting portion 50 reaches the working position when it crosses at least partially the platform plane through the slit 30. The support 40 is further moved in the cutting direction until the cutting portion 50 has at least passed through and consequently cut the textile label 24 as shown in Fig. 4.

[0058] The cutting device 10 comprises a further spring element 80 connected to the support and to an attachment point 83 of the cutting device. In the released state of the counterpart element 70, the support 40 can move in the direction to the platform 20 under the effect of a restoring force exerted by the further spring element 80. A cavity 84 is formed on the side opposed to the receiving side of the platform 20 as an extension of the slit 30 in the direction opposed to the platform and designed to receive the cutting portion 50 when the cutting portion has crossed the platform plane through the slit. The cavity 84 is designed to receive the cutting portion in an end position as shown in Fig. 4. The end position corresponds to the working position in which the cutting portion 50 has crossed the platform plane through the slit 30 and lies on the side opposed to the receiving side of the platform.

[0059] The cutting device 10 comprises a clamp element 86 in the form of a clamp plate, the clamp element being arranged on the receiving side of the platform. In an unclamped state of the clamp element represented in Fig. 1, the clamp element 86 is configured to allow the introduction of the textile label 24 between the platform 20 and the clamp element 86 and, in a clamped state of the clamp element 86, the clamp element presses the textile label against the platform. To form the clamped state, the clamp element 86 is movable relative to the platform. In the clamped state, the clamp element 86 keeps the textile label in place while it is cut.

[0060] The clamp plate including an opening having the same form as the slit and allowing the passage of the cutting portion in the working position.

[0061] To switch from the clamped state to the unclamped state, the cutting device 10 comprises a first magnet element 88 connected to the platform 20 and having a first magnetic axis parallel to the platform plane, and a second magnet element 90 connected to the clamp element 86 and having a second magnetic axis parallel to the first magnetic axis. The first magnet element 88 and the second magnet element 90 are slidable with respect to each other in a direction parallel to the first magnetic axis and moveable relative to each other in the cutting direction. The first magnet element 88 cooperates with the platform 20 and is arranged in a fixed manner on the side of the platform opposed to the receiving side. The second magnet element 90 cooperates with the clamp element and is movable on the side of the clamp element 86 opposed to the platform.

[0062] The first magnet element and the second magnet element are arranged with a same pole, represented as N in Fig. 1, overlapping each other to repel each other to form the unclamped state. When they are slid relative to each other in the direction parallel to the first magnetic axis, they overlap with opposing poles, each time represented as N and S in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, and attract each other to form the clamped state.

[0063] In the present embodiment, the first magnet element 88 comprises two magnet parts, each magnet part being arranged on one side of the slit. Further, the second magnet element 90 comprises two magnet parts, each magnet part being arranged on one side of the slit. In the cross sections, only one of two magnets parts can be represented.

[0064] The second magnet element 90 can be slid relative to the first magnet element by way of a trigger that is not represented and cooperating with the second magnet element 90. The trigger and can be operated by a user.

[0065] The cutting portion is inclined with respect to the platform by an angle a of about 15 degree formed between the cutting portion and the platform, i.e. the textile label.

[0066] The guide element is arranged in the longitudinal direction L of the slit adjacent to a first end 92 of the slit. The cutting portion 50 is inclined in the direction toward the platform, as seen in the direction from the guide element 32 to a direction away from the guide element. As can be seen in Fig. 2, the cutting portion 50 will cross the platform and enter at first the slit 30 on the side of a second end 94 of the slit opposed to the guide element 32, i.e. opposed to the first end 92 of the slit.

[0067] The cutting device 10 comprises a sensor device 96 in the form of a camera designed to identify the fabric of the textile label 24. Based on information relative to the fabric received by the sensor device 96, the cutting temperature can be adjusted.

[0068] The cutting system also comprises a loading system designed to move the cutting portion 50 from the working position or from the end position to the rest position. The loading system comprises a passive component 98 in the form of a pin attached to the support and an actuable component 100 in the form of a wedge movable in a contacting direction D, here parallel to the platform 20, in direction to the passive component 98. The axis of the pin is arranged perpendicular to the support plane, i.e. perpendicular to the displacement plane. The wedge has an inclined surface perpendicular to the support plane and facing the pin.

[0069] As illustrated in Fig. 4, by pushing the wedge in direction to the pin and further against the pin, the inclined surface exerts a loading force acting on the pin having a force component F oriented in the direction opposed to the cutting direction. In the present embodiment, the wedge can be slid relative to the pin manually by way of a trigger not represented in the cross section and cooperating with the wedge.

[0070] A casing 102 of the cutting device is represented schematically in dotted lines to illustrate a portable embodiment of the cutting device 10. The geometry can be adapted to cut larger piece of material, including or not a casing and being portable or not. The casing 102 forms a handgrip 104 extending in the longitudinal direction L of the slit in the direction opposed to the slit and accommodating the energy source 52 in the form of a battery element.

[0071] The casing 102 also forms a protection extending in the longitudinal direction of the slit over the slit. The protection comprises a first element 106 facing the receiving side the platform and designed to accommodate the support 40 holding the heating element 45 when the support is moving from the rest position to the working position. The protection comprises further a second element 108 arranged under the platform, i.e. on the side opposed to the receiving side, and designed to accommodate the cutting portion 50 in the working position and further in the end position. A front wall 110 of the first element extending parallel to the platform 20 faces the platform at a distance from the platform to delimit a receiving space for the textile label 24 between the front wall 110 and the platform.

[0072] Further, the cutting device comprises a scanner device 112 designed to read information carried by the textile label.

[0073] In the present embodiment the clamp element 86 formed by the clamp plate is formed as a portion of the front wall 110 and the clamp plate is movable in the direction to the platform. Alternatively, it is also conceivable to provide for a platform 20 moving in the direction to a fixed clamped plate to clamp the textile label.

List of reference numbers

cutting device	10
platform	20
receiving side	22
textile label	24
slit	30
guide element	32
support	40
heating element	45
cutting portion	50
energy source	52
point of energy supply	53
fixation points	54a, 54b
holding element	60
counterpart element	70
pivot axis	72
spring element	75
further spring element	80
electrical switch	82
attachment point	83
cavity	84
clamp element	86
first magnet element	88
second magnet element	90
first end of the slit	92
second end of the slit	94
sensor device	96
passive component	98
actuable component	100
casing	102
handgrip	104
first element	106
second element	108
front wall	110
scanner device	112
cutting direction	C
contacting direction	D
longitudinal direction of the slit	L

Claims

1. Cutting device (10) for cutting textile labels comprising a platform (20) having a receiving side on which a textile label (24) can be placed and defining a platform plane, a support (40) holding a heating element (45), the heating element having a cutting portion (50) designed to cut the textile label, an energy source (52) designed to heat the heating element by resistive heating to a cutting temperature, characterized in that
the platform (20) has a slit (30) extending in a longitudinal direction (L) and allowing the passage of the cutting portion (50) through the slit, and in that the cutting device comprises a guide element (32) extending in a direction with a component perpendicular to the platform plane, the support (40) being movably mounted on the guide element (32) to move along the guide element in a cutting direction (C) from a rest position in which the cutting portion (50) is facing at a distance the receiving side to a working position in which the heating element is heated and the cutting portion crosses at least partially the platform plane through the slit, the support (40) being designed to hold the cutting portion in the longitudinal direction of the slit (30) and in a displacement plane when the support moves from the rest position to the working position, the displacement plane including the slit and extending perpendicular to the platform plane.

2. Cutting device according to claim 1, characterized in that the support (40) is designed to hold the heating element (45), preferably a wire, in a tensioned manner and comprises a counterpart element (70) movably mounted on the support, the counterpart element (70) being designed to be moved between a locking state associated to the rest position and in which the counterpart element (70) is engaged with a holding element (60) of the cutting device, the holding element being fixed, and a released state in which the counterpart element (70) is disengaged from the holding element (60) after moving in a disengaging direction, the counterpart element being connected to the heating element and further to the support by a spring element (75),

wherein the counterpart element (70) is kept in the locking state by the heating element (45) acting against a restoring force exerted in the disengaging direction by the spring element (75),

and wherein the counterpart element (70) is kept in the released state by the restoring force when the heating element is heated, the heating element (45) being configured to expand at least at the cutting temperature by a length increase allowing to move the counterpart element (70) to the released state.

3. Cutting device according to claim 2, characterized in that the counterpart element (70) is pivotably mounted on the support around a pivot axis (72) and is designed to be pivoted between the locking state associated and the released state.

4. Cutting device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that a further spring element (80), preferably damped, is connected to the support (40) and to an attachment point (83) of the cutting device, wherein, in the released state of the counterpart element, the support (40) is designed to move in the direction to the platform under the effect of a restoring force exerted by the further spring element (80).

5. Cutting device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by a cavity (84) formed on the side opposed to the receiving side of the platform (20) as an extension of the slit (30) in the direction opposed to the platform and designed to receive the cutting portion (50) when the cutting portion has crossed the platform plane through the slit.

6. Cutting device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by a clamp element (86) arranged on the receiving side of the platform (20), wherein, in an unclamped state of the clamp element, the clamp element (86) is configured to allow the introduction of the textile label (24) between the platform and the clamp element and, in a clamped state of the clamp element, the clamp element (86) presses the textile label against the platform (20).

7. Cutting device according to claim 6, characterized in that the clamp element (86) is formed by a clamp plate including an opening having the same form as the slit (30) and allowing the passage of the cutting portion (50) in the working position.

8. Cutting device according to claim 6 or 7, characterized by a first magnet element (88) connected to the platform (20) and having a first magnetic axis parallel to the platform plane, and a second magnet element (90) connected to the clamp element (86) and having a second magnetic axis parallel to the first magnetic axis, the first magnet element and the second magnet element being slidable with respect to each other in a direction parallel to the first magnetic axis and moveable relative to each other in the cutting direction (C), wherein the first magnet element (88) and the second magnet element (90) are arranged with a same pole overlapping each other to repel each other to form the unclamped state and are slid in the direction parallel to the first magnetic axis to overlap with opposing poles and attract each other to form the clamped state.

9. Cutting device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the cutting portion (50) is inclined with respect to the platform by an angle equal or greater than 0 degree, preferably between 5 degrees and 30 degrees, more preferably between 10 degrees and 20 degrees.

10. Cutting device according to claim 9, characterized in that the guide element (32) is arranged in the longitudinal direction of the slit adjacent to a first end of the slit (92) and the cutting portion (50) is inclined in the direction toward the platform, as seen in the direction from the guide element to a direction away from the guide element.

11. Cutting device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the energy source (52) is configured to heat the heating element (45) at least until the cutting portion (50) has crossed the platform plane through the slit (30) and lies on the side opposed to the receiving side of the platform.

12. Cutting device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized by a sensor device (96) designed to identify the fabric of the textile label (24) and by a temperature controller designed to adapt the cutting temperature based on information relative to the fabric received by the sensor device.

13. Cutting device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized by a loading system designed to move the cutting portion (50) from the working position to the rest position, the loading system comprising a passive component (98) attached to the support and an actuable component (100) movable in a contacting direction (D) in direction to the passive component (98), wherein the actuable component (100) is designed to be pushed against the passive component (98) to create a loading force acting on the passive element and having a component (F) oriented in the direction opposed to the cutting direction (C), preferably the passive element being chosen as an element of the group formed by a pin arranged perpendicular to the displacement plane and a rail element extending inclined with respect to the cutting direction in the displacement plane and the actuable component being chosen as the other element of the group.

14. Cutting device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized by a casing (102) forming a handgrip (104) extending at an angle with respect to or in the longitudinal direction (L) of the slit in the direction opposed to the slit and accommodating the energy source (52), preferably in the form of a battery, and forming a protection extending in the longitudinal direction of the slit over the slit, the protection comprising a first element (106) arranged facing the receiving side of the platform and designed to accommodate the support (40) holding the heating element (45) when the support is moving from the rest position to the working position, the protection comprising further a second element (108) arranged on the side opposed to the receiving side of the platform and designed to accommodate the cutting portion (50) in the working position in which the cutting portion crosses the platform plane through the slit, a front wall (110) of the first element facing the platform at a distance from the platform delimiting a receiving space for the textile label between the front wall (110) and the platform.

15. Cutting device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized by a scanner device (112) designed to read information carried by the textile label.

Drawing