WO2010109177A2

WO2010109177A2 - Apparatus for button sewing and wrapping and method of use thereof

Info

Publication number: WO2010109177A2
Application number: PCT/GB2010/000535
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mason Small
Original assignee: MMS UK Ltd
Current assignee: MMS UK Ltd
Priority date: 2009-03-23
Filing date: 2010-03-23
Publication date: 2010-09-30
Anticipated expiration: 2011-09-23
Also published as: WO2010109177A3; GB0904937D0

Abstract

A button sewing and wrapping apparatus, said apparatus including button sewing means to allow a button to be sewn to an item and button wrapping means to allow the sewn button to be wrapped and wherein said button sewing means and said button wrapping means are combined to form single apparatus.

Description

Apparatus for Button Sewing and Wrapping and Method of Use Thereof

This invention relates to apparatus for button sewing and wrapping and a method of use thereof.

It is known to secure a button to a garment and/ or fabric via a sewing step using a button sewing machine, followed by a wrapping step using a button shank wrapping machine. The button sewing and wrapping machines are generally two separate pieces of equipment and the two separate processes are undertaken by the same or two different operators at different times, and typically at different locations within a factory.

A conventional button sewing machine typically includes a head element which is capable of vertical reciprocal motion to allow a sewing needle associated with said head element to be moved vertically relative to a button and a garment to which the button is to be attached to via sewing. Thread used for joining the button to the garment is associated with the sewing needle in use. A pair of clamping members is located a pre-determined distance below the head element for clamping the button in position during the sewing process . The clamping members are typically pivotally mounted and are arranged to move in an angular direction relative to the button. A backstop is provided at the rear of the button to regulate the pivotal movement of the clamping members. In use, a button is located between the clamping members and fabric is located below the button and moved into a required position. The button sewing machine is actuated, typically via a foot actuated operational switch, and the needle is moved vertically in a reciprocal manner to attach the button to the fabric via the thread. Once the process has finished, an end of the thread is cut to allow release of the fabric from the machine. The fabric is then moved to a button "wrapping machine to further secure the button to the fabric via a wrapping process.

The accumulated thread between the material and the buttons forms a button shank. This shank is finished off by winding a special elastomeric, heat sealable thread around it so as to "whip it" (or "wrap it") . In order to prevent the thread from breaking and unwinding from the button, the thread is heat sealed to bond it together.

The button wrapping machine typically includes a whipping head for wrapping the thread around the button shank. Hooks are provided for supporting the thread and for moving to break the thread at the end of the wrapping process. In addition, a heat sealing member is provided which is movable relative to the button for heating the heat sealable thread to melt the same and heat seal the button to the fabric. The whipping head typically rotates about a longitudinal axis thereof. The hooks supporting the thread are located in front of said whipping head and are movable in a pivoting manner relative to said wrapping machine about an axis which is horizontal and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said whipping head to allow the wrapped thread to be broken. The heat sealing member then undergoes reciprocal horizontal motion to move a heating element into contact with the base or shank of the button to melt the thread.

A problem with the conventional separate button sewing and wrapping apparatus is that it is labour intensive, time consuming and expensive.

A further problem with the conventional buttons sewing and wrapping apparatus is that the button clamping members do not easily allow for different sized buttons to be used with the same. It is typically the case that the position of the clamping members has to be manually readjusted when a different sized button is used with the conventional apparatus.

It is therefore an aim of the present invention to provide apparatus for sewing and wrapping a button to an item which overcomes the abovementioned problems.

It is a further aim of the present invention to provide a method of sewing and wrapping a button to an item which overcomes the abovementioned problems.

It is a further aim of the present invention to provide apparatus for sewing a button to an item where the clamping members are arranged to allow for different sized buttons to be used with the apparatus.

It is a yet further aim of the present invention to provide a method of using sewing apparatus which is arranged to allow accommodation of different sized buttons.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided apparatus for applying a button to an item, said apparatus including button sewing means to allow the button to be sewn to an item and button wrapping means to allow the sewn button to be wrapped and wherein said button sewing means and said button wrapping means are provided as a single apparatus.

In providing the button sewing means and the button wrapping means as single integral apparatus, the two stage process can be combined into a single step process, thereby reducing both time and cost. For example, once the button and fabric is located in the apparatus both the sewing and wrapping stages take place prior to removal of said button and fabric from said apparatus and without further user intervention, thereby forming a single step.

In one embodiment the apparatus also includes heat sealing means to allow a heating stage to take place after or towards the end of the wrapping stage. This heat sealing means bonds the wrapping thread provided between the button and the item during the sewing and wrapping steps. Thus, the apparatus can be used to undertake a three stage process in a single step as above.

The button sewing means, the button wrapping means and/or the heat sealing means are each capable of undergoing relative movement with respect to a button and/or an item located in the apparatus in use, thereby allowing each of said means to be sequentially moved into a position adjacent the button to carry out said respective process and then moving clear of the button to allow the next stage of the process to be carried out. This allows the multiple stages of the process to be undertaken automatically without further user input (i.e. without a user having to manually move the button between the different stages of the process) . It will be appreciated that a stage of the process can be initiated prior to completion of the previous stage if required.

Preferably the apparatus includes support means to allow the button to be supported during the button sewing stage.

In one embodiment the button sewing support means includes at least first and second clamping members for clamping a button in a pre-determined position during at least the sewing procedure. Preferably the first and second clamping members are movable relative to each other between a first undamped position, and a second clamped position. In moving from the clamped position to the undamped position, the first and second clamping members move outwardly relative to each other, thereby increasing the distance between the free ends of said clamping members. A button is typically located between two inwardly facing surfaces of said clamping members and clamped therebetween in use.

Preferably the first and second clamping members move in a substantially horizontal plane between said clamped and undamped positions. For example, the first and second clamping members can be pivotably movable about a substantially vertical axis. However, the first and second clamping members can be slidingly movable, rotatably movable and /or the like.

Further preferably, the first and second clamping members are capable of moving in a substantially vertical direction between raised and lowered positions. The members preferably move vertically upwards once the members have been moved from the clamped position to the undamped position. This vertical movement moves the clamping members out of the way once the sewing step has been completed to allow the button wrapping means to move towards the sewn button. The clamping arms can be lowered when a button is located between the clamping members in the clamped position.

The linear reciprocal motion undertaken by the clamping members is advantageous in that it allows different sized buttons to be accommodated in the apparatus without readjustment of the set up of the clamping members . Thus, the clamping members are automatically adjusted to fit different sized buttons. It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the arrangement of the clamping members could be used independently of other features of the present invention if required.

In one embodiment the first and second clamping members are resiliently biased to the clamped position. In one example, a user simply has to insert a button between the free ends of the clamping members and the clamping members move outwardly. The members are then biased inwardly to engage the button therebetween.

In one embodiment the first and second clamping members are moved between the clamped and undamped positions and/or between the raised and lowered positions via any or any combination of pneumatic means, hydraulic means, mechanical means and/or the like.

Movement of the first and second clamping members between the clamped and undamped positions and between the lowered and raised positions can take place sequentially or substantially simultaneously.

Preferably the apparatus support means includes a support member for supporting the item or fabric in a pre-determined position before, during and/or after the button sewing procedure has been completed. In one example the support member is in the form of an intermediate plate.

Preferably the item or fabric is supported and maintained in position by the intermediate plate throughout the entire process. In one embodiment the support member or intermediate plate is movable in a substantially vertical direction relative to said clamping members and/or item. The support member or intermediate plate is typically lowered and moves towards the item or base of the apparatus at the start of the sewing stage, thereby holding or clamping the item in place relative to a base of the apparatus and allowing the button shank to protrude in an upwardly direction from the item when attached to the item so that the button wrapping means and/or heating means can gain access to the shank of the button. The support member or intermediate plate is typically raised and moved away from the item or base at the end of the heat sealing stage.

The item or fabric is typically located underneath the intermediate plate, and preferably between a lower side of the intermediate plate and a base of the apparatus at the start of the process.

The intermediate plate in one example has a recess or slot located between the top and lower surfaces thereof, thereby allowing the button to be sewn to the item or fabric located under the intermediate plate. Further preferably said recess is adjacent a front edge of the plate.

Preferably the intermediate plate is substantially rectangular in form.

Preferably the intermediate plate has a protruding arm adjacent the wrapping and/or heat sealing means side of the apparatus . The protruding arm allows adjustment of the height of the wrapping and/or heat sealing means relative to the item or fabric so that the wrapping and/ or heat sealing means is the correct height relative to the item or fabric, irrespective of the thickness of the item or fabric located underneath the intermediate plate. Preferably adjustment means provided on a base of the heat sealing means and/or wrapping means contacts an upper surface of the protruding arm of the intermediate plate when said means are brought towards the intermediate plate. Adjustment of the vertical height of the heat sealing means and/or wrapping means is made until the adjustment means engages the upper surface of the protruding arm.

The height adjustment can take place via any suitable means, such as pneumatic means, hydraulic means, mechanical means and/or the like.

The button sewing means typically includes a sewing needle associated with a movable head. The movable head preferably allows the sewing needle to undergo reciprocal motion (and preferably substantially vertical reciprocal motion) to allow thread associated with the sewing needle in use to be threaded through one or more apertures on the button.

Preferably the item to which the button is sewn is fabric, a garment and/or the like.

The button wrapping means is preferably capable of undergoing linear reciprocal motion relative to the apparatus support member, thereby allowing the button wrapping means to be moved towards, above and/or adjacent the sewn button, for thread to be wrapped around the shank of the sewn button and for the button wrapping means to be withdrawn after completion of the wrapping process.

Preferably the button wrapping means is movable in a substantially horizontal plane relative to said support member or intermediate plate. The button wrapping means typically moves between the item and the movable head/needle arrangement of the apparatus in use once the clamping members have moved to an undamped and/or raised position.

The button wrapping means can be moved via any or any combination of pneumatic means, hydraulic means, mechanical means and/or the like.

One or more hook means can be associated with the button wrapping means to allow the wrapping thread to be supported (clamped against a pin) in use and to be broken following completion of the wrapping procedure. The hook means are preferably capable of undergoing linear reciprocal motion relative to said button wrapping means.

Preferably the hook means are provided below the button wrapping means and further preferably the button wrapping means and hook are capable of undergoing motion substantially in parallel.

The hook means is typically capable of undergoing movement with the button wrapping means and also independently thereof.

Preferably the button wrapping means includes a whipping head which is rotatably mounted to allow wrapping or rotation of thread around the shank of the button during the wrapping procedure. The thread is joined to and follows the movement of the whipping head in use. Suitable drive means can drive rotation of the whipping head.

Movement or relative movement of the hook means after the wrapping procedure typically breaks the thread. The button wrapping means moves from a protruded in-use o£ forwards position to a withdrawn out-of-use or rearward position on completion of the wrapping stage.

Preferably the hooks are moved a pre-determined distance within the circumference of the whipping head during use to enable them to catch the thread at the end of the wrapping cycle.

In one embodiment, once the wrapping procedure has taken place or towards the end of the wrapping procedure, heat sealing means are moved from a withdrawn out-of-use or rear position to a protruded in-use or forward position. In the in-use position, the heat sealing means are moved towards the supported fabric and button so that a heating element contacts the button shank to fuse or melt the thread thereon. The heat sealing means are then moved back to the out-of-use position on completion of the heating step. Height adjustment means can be provided to engage the intermediate plate as previously described.

The heat sealing means are capable of undergoing substantially linear reciprocal motion. Further preferably the heat sealing means are moved in a substantially horizontal plane.

The heat sealing means can be moved at an angle within the horizontal plane relative to the button wrapping means .

The heat sealing means can be moved via any or any combination of pneumatic means, hydraulic means, mechanical means and/or the like.

In one embodiment the heat sealing means includes two or more engaging parts for engaging with two or more sides of the button shank. At least one of the engaging parts is preferably movable relative to the other engaging part. This relative movement allows a more evenly distributed clamping force to be applied to the shank, thereby providing improved bonding of the thread to the shank. The heat sealing means can be provided on one or both of the engaging parts as required.

Preferably the sewing, wrapping and heating stages take place substantially sequentially and in said order, although it will be appreciated that components of one of the stages can start to move towards an actuation position prior to completion of the previous stage. The item, fabric and/or button are maintained in substantially the same position throughout all two and/or three stages. Preferably the intermediate plate maintains the button in the same position throughout all said stages . This reduces the skill required for a user to undertake the process and increases the speed at which all three processes can be undertaken, thereby saving time and cost.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of applying a button to an item using button sewing and wrapping apparatus wherein the sewing and wrapping stages are performed in a single step.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided button sewing apparatus, said apparatus including button sewing means to allow a button to be sewn to an item and support means for supporting a button to be sewn to an item during a button sewing process, said support means including at least first and second clamping members and wherein said clamping members are arranged to undergo linear reciprocal movement in moving between a first undamped position and a second clamped position. According to fourth and fifth aspects of the present invention there is provided a method of using button sewing apparatus; and a method of clamping a button in button sewing apparatus.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention there is provided a single item of apparatus for applying a button to an article, said apparatus including button sewing means to allow the button to be sewn to an article and button wrapping means to allow the sewn button to be wrapped.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of button sewing and wrapping apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a side view of the apparatus in figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is a detailed plan view of the apparatus in figure 1 from above with the outer casing removed;

Figure 4 is a detailed perspective view of the apparatus in figure 1 with the outer casing removed;

Figure 5 is a view of the base of the apparatus in figure 1 ; and

Figure 6 is a detailed perspective view of the apparatus with a number of components removed in order to show the intermediate plate.

Referring to the figures, there is illustrated combined button sewing, wrapping and heating apparatus 2 which has the means for undertaking a three stage process of button sewing, button wrapping and heating procedures substantially sequentially in a single, integrally combined item of apparatus in a single step (i.e. without requiring further user intervention once the step has been initiated) .

The button sewing part of the apparatus includes a head member 4 which has a needle -bar or shaft 6 capable of undergoing substantially vertical movement in use. A sewing needle 8 is detachably attachable to shaft 6 to follow said substantially vertical movement. Thread is typically located through an eye of the needle to allow a button to be sewn to an item of fabric in a first sewing step of the process. A thread reel 7 can be provided to support the thread used in the whipping stage. The thread reel used to support the thread in the sewing stage is not shown for the purposes of clarity.

Button clamping means are provided in the form of first and second clamping arms 10, 12 provided either side of needle 8. Each clamping arm 10, 12 is pivotably mounted at a first end 14 thereof towards the rear of head member 4 to allow pivotal movement about a substantially vertical axis, thereby allowing substantially horizontal movement of the clamping arms. The clamping arms undergo substantially linear movement to allow different sized buttons to be located between the clamping arms in use without readjustment of the clamping arms. However, it will be noted that the clamping arms could also be slidingly or rotatably moved as required. More particularly, the clamping arms 10, 12 are movable from a first undamped position to a second clamped position. In moving to the clamped position from the undamped position, the arms are moved from an outward position inwardly towards each other to allow a button located between second free ends 16 of the clamping arms to be clamped during the sewing step . The clamping arms 10, 12 are also capable of moving in a substantially vertical direction to raise and/or lower the arms. Pneumatic cylinder means 18 are provided to allow reciprocal vertical movement of arms 10, 12. The clamping arms are moved to a raised position when in the undamped position, thereby moving the arms clear of the button to allow further steps to take place, and are moved to a lowered position adjacent the button when in the clamped position. Pneumatic cylinder 19 is provided to allow opening and closing of the clamping arms between the clamped and undamped positions.

The clamping arms 10, 12 can be resiliency biased by a spring mechanism to the clamped position if required. Alternatively, the clamping arms could be moved between the clamped and undamped positions via pneumatic means 19 or other hydraulic means, mechanical means and/or the like.

The apparatus also includes support means in the form of an intermediate plate 20, as shown in figure 6. The intermediate plate 20 is substantially planar in form. A recess or slot 22 is defined in plate 20 and said recess 22 has an opening 24 defined in the front edge 26 of plate 20. Intermediate plate 20 is movable in a substantially vertical direction between raised and lowered positions to clamp the fabric in position during the three stage process. The intermediate plate 20 also includes a protruding arm 27 on a side 29 thereof adjacent the wrapping part of the apparatus. Protruding arm 27 is used to allow adjustment of the height of the wrapping part and/or the heat sealing part depending on the thickness of the fabric, as will be described in more detail below.

Intermediate plate 20 can be hingedly or slidably mounted at a rear surface thereof to allow the same to be moved between raised and lowered position. This can be undertaken pneumatically but can be undertaken by hydraulic means, mechanical means and/or the like.

Prior to initiation of the apparatus, fabric to which the button is to be sewn is located underneath plate 20 between a base 28 of the apparatus and the underside of plate 20. On initiation of the apparatus for the start of the button sewing step, plate 20 is moved from a raised position to a lowered position to clamp the fabric underneath plate 20. The button is clamped by the clamping members and is positioned above recess 22 in this clamped position. When the button is sewn onto the fabric in the sewing step, the needle and thread pass through the apertures defined in the button and into the fabric located under plate 20 and accessible via recess 22.

On completion of the sewing step, intermediate plate 20 remains in place ready for the wrapping stage of the process and clamping arms 10, 12 are moved automatically to an undamped position and raised to move the same out of the way. The shank of the button is held in an upright position via plate 20 to allow access to the shank via the button wrapping part of the apparatus.

The button wrapping part of the apparatus includes a whipping head 30 which is capable of undergoing rotational movement about a substantially vertical axis to allow thread associated with the whipping head to be wound around the shank of the button. An aperture 32 is provided through the top of whipping head 30 to allow thread supported on thread reel 7 to pass through to a base of the whipping head.

A tensioning member 9 is provided to allowing tensioning of the thread prior to passing through aperture 32. Drive means in the form of a rotary belt 38, which passes between whipping head 30 and a support head 42, is driven by a motor 40 and drives rotation of the whipping head. Other drive means could be used if required to cause rotation of the whipping head.

The whipping head 30 is moved in a substantially horizontal plane between a forward position, wherein the whipping head is moved to a position adjacent and above the button shank in the button wrapping part of the process, to a rearward position, wherein the whipping head is moved to a position a spaced distance apart from the button shank once the button wrapping part of the process has been completed, as shown by arrow 44. Pneumatic cylinder 46 can be used to drive the reciprocal horizontal movement of the whipping head.

Two hook members 34 are located below the whipping head 30 for supporting at least part of the thread during the whipping process. One of the hook members holds the whipping thread prior to the start of the whipping process and the other hook catches the whipping thread on the last wrap. The hook members 34 are arranged to undergo reciprocal linear motion in a substantially horizontal direction towards and away from the supported button, as shown by arrows 44, in a similar manner to the whipping head. Pneumatic cylinders 36 are provided to drive the linear reciprocal movement of hook members 34. However, the same pneumatic cylinder 46 could also be used to drive movement of the hooks if required. Hook members 34 are moved between a forward position, wherein at least one of the hook members 34 is adjacent the button shank in use during the button wrapping process, and a rearward position at the end of the wrapping stage, wherein at least one of the hook members 34 is moved a spaced distance apart from the button shank. When a hook member is moved from the forwards position to the rearward position, this breaks the thread to release the thread from the button shank. The hook members typically move to break the thread during or on completion of the heat sealing stage.

In addition, the hook members 34 are capable of undergoing movement relative to each other between rearward and forward positions to allow breaking of the thread and to capture the thread as required.

Sensing means, which in this example are in the form of a photosensor 11 , is located on the whipping head 30 to sense the position of the whipping head during this stage of the process, thereby allowing processing means communicating with the sensing means to determine the point at which the hook members 34 are to be moved. The processing means can be located in the apparatus at a suitable location or can be located remotely therefrom as required.

Thread positioning means in the form of a thread wiper 31 , as shown in figures 3 and 5, are provided adjacent the whipping head 30 to move the thread in a downwardly direction to ensure the thread is located below the button adjacent the shank on the first wrapping rotation. Thread wiper 31 is typically hingedly mounted to allow movement between a raised position and a lowered position. This movement can be driven by pneumatic means, hydraulic means, mechanical means and/or the like. The thread wiper could be slidingly moved if required. The thread wiper is typically in the form of a bar or stirrup which is hingedly mounted at one or both ends.

Height adjustment means in the form of an adjustment screw or plate (not shown) can be provided on the base of the whipping head. The adjustment plate is arranged so as to engage with an upper surface of the protruding arm 27 of the intermediate plate as the whipping head is moved towards the button and fabric. This engagement ensures the whipping head and/or the heat sealing means are located at the correct height relative to the intermediate plate, irrespective of the thickness of the fabric located beneath the intermediate plate.

Suction means can be provided if required to suck any broken thread portions to a remote location with respect to the location in which the thread was broken, thereby keeping the working area clear. For example, the suction means can transport the thread via a conduit or channel to a housing where the waste thread can be easily disposed of. Alternatively, blowing means can be provided to provide a jet of air or gas to move the broken thread away from the apparatus.

The thread used in the apparatus can be any suitable thread which allows heat bonding of the same on application of heat thereto. For example, a nylon and/or polymeric coated thread can be used in the process.

When the whipping process has finished and the whipping head has been moved to a rearward position, heat sealing means are moved towards the supported button shank. More particularly, the heat sealing means includes two elongate heat sealing arms 48, 50. The arms can undergo reciprocal movement between a front position, wherein the arms are positioned adjacent the supported button shank, and a rear position, wherein the arms are moved a spaced distance apart from the button shank, as shown by arrow 52. The arms are capable of moving in a substantially horizontal plane but are positioned at an angle to the whipping head to allow the same to fit into the apparatus. This movement is typically driven by pneumatic cylinder means 56. Heat sealing arms 48, 50 are pivotably mounted about pivot point 54 to pivot outwardly and inwardly about a substantially vertical axis to allow the arms to move in an out of engagement with the sides of the button shank. The free ends of arms 48, 50 engage with the sides of the button shank and heat is transmitted from at least one the heating arms to the thread on the button shank to heat seal the same. Once the heating process has been completed, the arms move to an outwardly position and to rear position, thereby allowing release of the button. On completion of the heat sealing stage, the intermediate plate is moved from a lowered position to a raised position, thereby allowing release of the fabric and button which has undergone a sewing, wrapping and heating process.

The wrapping part and heat sealing part of the apparatus can be linked so as to be movable to a suitable height relative to the item or fabric substantially simultaneously or together.

The apparatus can be operated via any suitable control means, such as for example, one or more buttons, switches, foot operated control and/or the like.

A housing or housings can be located over one or more parts of apparatus to protect the same.

Control means can be provided to allowing actuation of the process, to allow adjustment of the speed of the process and/or the like. The control means typically communicate with the processing means. The processing means can be any conventional processing means. Memory means can also be provided to allow storage of operational data and/or the like. A display screen or touch screen can be provided to allow control, processing and/or actuation data to be displayed to a user.

Claims

1. Apparatus for applying a button to an item, said apparatus including button sewing means to allow the button to be sewn to an item and button wrapping means to allow the sewn button to be wrapped and wherein said button sewing means and said button wrapping means are provided as a single apparatus.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein heat sealing means are included for bonding wrapping thread provided between the button and the item.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the button sewing means, the button wrapping means and/or heat sealing means are each capable of undergoing relative movement with respect to a button and/or an item located in the apparatus in use.

4. An apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein at least first and second clamping members are provided for clamping a button in a pre-determined position at least while the button is being sewn to an item.

5. An apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the first and second clamping members are movable relative to each other in a substantially horizontal plane between a first undamped position, and a second clamped position.

6. An apparatus according to claim 4 or 5 wherein the first and second clamping members are capable of moving in a substantially vertical direction between raised and lowered positions.

7. An apparatus according to claim 6 wherein movement of the first and second clamping members between the clamped and undamped positions and between the lowered and raised positions can take place sequentially or substantially simultaneously.

8. An apparatus according to any of claims 4-7 wherein the clamping members are movable in a linear reciprocal motion.

9. An apparatus according to any of claims 4-8 wherein the first and second clamping members are resiliently biased to the clamped position.

10. An apparatus according to any of claims 4-9 wherein the first and second clamping members are moved between positions via any or any combination of pneumatic means, hydraulic means, mechanical means and/or the like.

11. An apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein a support member is provided for supporting the item or fabric in a pre-determined position before, during and/or after the button is sewn.

12. An apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the support member is movable in a substantially vertical direction relative to clamping members and/or the item.

13. An apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the support member can be lowered and moved towards the item or base of the apparatus before the button is sewn, thereby holding or clamping the item in place relative to a base of the apparatus, such that when the button is sewn to the item, the button shank protrudes in an upwardly direction from the item so that the button wrapping means and/or heat sealing means can gain access to the button shank.

14. An apparatus according to any of claims 11-13 wherein the item or fabric is located underneath the support member.

15. An apparatus according to claim 14 wherein the support member has a recess or slot located between the top and lower surfaces thereof, thereby allowing the button to be sewn to the item or fabric located under the support member.

16. An apparatus according to any of claims 11-15 wherein the support member has a protruding arm to allow adjustment of the height of the wrapping means and/or heat sealing means relative to the item or fabric so that the wrapping means and/or heat sealing means is the correct height relative to the item or fabric, irrespective of the thickness of the item or fabric.

17. An apparatus according to claim 16 wherein adjustment means provided on a base of heat sealing means and/or wrapping means contacts an upper surface of the protruding arm of the support member when said means are brought towards the support member.

18. An apparatus according to claim 17 wherein adjustment of the vertical height of the heat sealing means and/or wrapping means is made until the adjustment means engages the upper surface of the protruding arm.

19. An apparatus according to any of claims 1 1 -18 wherein the support member is a substantially rectangular intermediate plate.

20. An apparatus according to any of claims 11 -19 wherein the button wrapping means is capable of undergoing linear reciprocal motion relative to the support member, thereby allowing the button wrapping means to be moved towards, above and/or adjacent the sewn button, for thread to be wrapped around the shank of the sewn button and for the button wrapping means to be withdrawn after completion of the wrapping process.

21. An apparatus according to claim 20 wherein the button wrapping means is movable in a substantially horizontal plane relative to said support member

22. An apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the button sewing means includes a sewing needle associated with a movable head.

23. An apparatus according to claim 22 wherein the movable head allows the sewing needle to undergo reciprocal motion to allow thread associated with the sewing needle in use to be threaded through one or more apertures on the button.

24. An apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein one or more hook means can be associated with the button wrapping means to allow the wrapping thread to be supported in use and to be broken following completion of the wrapping procedure.

25. An apparatus according to claim 24 wherein the hook means are capable of undergoing linear reciprocal motion relative to said button wrapping means.

26. An apparatus according to claim 24 or 25 wherein the button wrapping means and hook means are capable of undergoing motion substantially in parallel.

27. An apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the button wrapping means includes a whipping head which is rotatably mounted to allow wrapping or rotation of thread around the shank of the button during the wrapping procedure.

28. An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the heat sealing means are capable of undergoing substantially linear reciprocal motion and/or can be moved at an angle within the horizontal plane relative to the button wrapping means.

29. An apparatus according to claim 2 or 28 wherein the heat sealing means includes two or more engaging parts for engaging with two or more sides of the button shank.

30. An apparatus according to claim 29 wherein at least one of the engaging parts is movable relative to the other engaging part, which allows a more evenly distributed clamping force to be applied to the shank, thereby providing improved bonding of the thread to the shank.

31. An apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the item to which the button is sewn is fabric, a garment and/or the like.

32. A method of applying a button to an item using button sewing and wrapping apparatus wherein the sewing and wrapping stages are performed in a single step.

33. A method according to claim 32 wherein the single step is performed without user intervention between the stages.

34. A method according to claim 32 or 33 wherein a heating stage takes place after or towards the end of the wrapping stage.

35. A method according to claim 34 wherein the heating stage bonds the wrapping thread provided between the button and the item during the sewing and wrapping stages.

36. A method according to any of claims 32-35 wherein each of button sewing means, button wrapping means and/or heat sealing means for respective sewing, wrapping and/or heating stages are sequentially moved into a position adjacent the button to carry out said respective stages and then moving clear of the button to allow the next stage of the process to be carried out.

37. A method according to any of claims 32-36 wherein a support member is lowered and moved towards the item or base of the apparatus at the start of the sewing stage, thereby holding or clamping the item in place relative to a base of the apparatus and allowing the button shank to protrude in an upwardly direction from the item when attached to the item so that button wrapping means and/or heating means can gain access to the shank of the button..

38. A method according to any of claims 32-37 wherein at least first and second clamping members clamp a button in a pre-determined position during at least the sewing procedure.

39. A method according to claim 38 wherein the clamping members are lowered when a button is located therebetween in the clamped position and raised out of the way once the sewing stage has been completed to allow the button wrapping means to move towards the sewn button.

40. A method according to claim 39 wherein the button wrapping means moves between the item and a movable head/needle arrangement when in use, once the clamping members have moved to an undamped and/or raised position.

41. A method according to any of claims 36-40 wherein hook means are associated with the button wrapping means to allow the wrapping thread to be supported in use and to be broken following completion of the wrapping stage.

42. A method according to claim 41 wherein movement or relative movement of the hook means after the wrapping procedure breaks the thread.

43. A method according to claim 41 or 42 wherein the hook means are moved a pre-determined distance within the circumference of a whipping head during use to enable them to catch the thread at the end of the wrapping cycle.

44. A method according to claim 36 wherein in the in-use position, the heat sealing means are moved towards the supported fabric and button so that a heating element contacts the button shank to fuse or melt the thread thereon.

45. A method according to claim 44 wherein the heat sealing means are moved in a substantially horizontal plane

46. A button sewing apparatus, said apparatus including button sewing means to allow a button to be sewn to an item and support means for supporting a button to be sewn to an item during a button sewing process, said support means including at least first and second clamping members and wherein said clamping members are arranged to undergo linear reciprocal movement in moving between a first undamped position and a second clamped position.

47. A method of using button sewing apparatus according to any previous claim.

48. A method of clamping a button in button sewing apparatus according to any previous claim.

49. A button sewing and wrapping apparatus as herein described with reference to the accompanying figures.

50. A single item of apparatus for applying a button to an article, said apparatus including button sewing means to allow the button to be sewn to an article and button wrapping means to allow the sewn button to be wrapped.