Abstract: A rundown detector system for controlling operation of the cylinder of a circular knitting machine includes a photoelectric circuit, including fiber optic means and a sensor for sensing predetermined extended periods of low reflected light level and emitting signals to a logic circuit. The logic circuit includes a timer and counting mechanism for stopping rotation of the machine cylinder if a predetermined number of signals are emitted to the logic circuit within a predetermined time period. The timer mechanism also prevents stopping of the machine cylinder, upon start-up of the machine, until a predetermined amount of knit fabric absent of defects has moved past the sensor.

Abstract: A folding apparatus for a sewing machine which includes a first guide for folding a marginal edge portion of fabric to define a pocket or hem and a second guide for directing a relatively narrow web or strip from an area remote to an operator work area to an area partially within the first guide. A portion of the first guide defines a slot which permits a portion of the narrow web to extend into abutment with fabric defining the pocket such that the fabric and web feed to the sewing machine as one component.

Abstract: A brassiere including a pair of bust supporting cups having an outer panel means and an inner segment, an underbust band assembly, a pair of back band portions, and a pair of shoulder straps connected to the cups and to the back band portions. The generally crescent-shaped inner segments extend from the top of each cup to the lower central area of the cup such that when strain is exerted from the force of the breasts, the inner segments are activated and function to reshape the breast and avoid distorting and misshaping the outer cup panel means.

Abstract: A brassiere wherein left and right bust cups are fashioned from upper and lower fabric panels with the upper panels being connected to a ring element and the lower marginal edges of the cups being connected by an elastic member. Each cup is provided with an elongated petal shaped opening in the upper portion thereof which extends generally upwardly and outwardly a selected distance from the connector element.

Abstract: A brassiere having breast cups of molded, three-dimensional, two-ply fabric, each cup terminating in an apex at the top. Elastic power net fabric panels extend from the outer marginal edges of the cups rearwardly and have conventional fasteners for securing the brassiere in encircling relation to the wearer. Front, upper portions of the panels extend upwardly above the apex of an adjacent cup and have secured thereto shoulder straps. A selected portion of each panel is of two-ply construction.

Abstract: An improved assembly for facilitating the closing of an end portion of a tubular hosiery blank positioned upon a support assembly includes a tubular unit having a metallic hollow core provided with a molded urethane coating covering the outer portion of the core, and having diametrically opposed urethane fins defining guide slots for supporting and freely slidably receiving therein reciprocable blades. The radially extending urethane fins are tapered outwardly and extend substantially the full length of the core member.

Abstract: A system for automatically closing the toe portions of tubular hosiery blanks includes an automatic loader assembly for receiving, supporting and spreading open an end portion of a hosiery blank, for transporting the blank to a toe closing machine, and for carrying the opened end of the blank over a loading tube of a toe closing machine while everting the blank.

Abstract: A lightweight, portable apparatus for rapidly reading continuously and sequentially a plurality of ticket records having specific data encoded thereon as the tickets are removed individually from a supply magazine and conveyed along a prescribed path by a ticket feed assembly, an escapement assembly and a transport drive wheel to a ticket data sensing station. Data encoded on each advancing ticket is read in timed relation with displacement of a ticket advancing through the apparatus by control means and transmitted to equipment for storing and/or reproducing of the data in another form.

Abstract: A portable, compact, unitized device for transferring articles by pneumatic means from a processing machine to a collection receptacle includes a chamber divided into two compartments by a perforated plate, and having a releasable closure cap at one end and a trap door at the opposite end. A port in one compartment is coupled to a vacuum source, and a work inlet port in the other compartment communicates with a work processing means. An actuator, completely encompassed within one compartment and mounted upon the releasable closure, includes a shutter moveable axially of the vaccum source port for controlling air flow through the compartments.

Abstract: A system for automatically bending wire into arcuate segments of different selected configurations utilizing a wire bending roll displaceable selectively by a stepping motor which is controlled by a microprocessor to bend a length of wire conforming to data retrieved from a computer. The wire is selectively advanced to a shear assembly where it is severed to a specific length and advanced through feed rolls towards the bending roll. Detection of the advancing severed length of wire locks in a strobe gear and the microprocessor with the stepping motor to determine the position of the wire with respect to the bending roll and to incrementally displace the bending roll in a controlled manner along an arcuate path to produce the desired bend in the wire.

Abstract: A support frame for garments such as brassieres, swimsuits and the like, and a system for forming the support frames. The wire member of each support frame is formed in a preselected, prescribed configuration and plastic protective end caps are adhered to the wire member end portions in a selected manner. The wire end may be modified by a cutter assembly which includes guiding and aligning apparatus for properly locating the wire frame ends relative to spaced rotating saws to remove selected portions and define a centrally located protruding tip portion intermediate spaced shoulders.

Abstract: A decorative merchandise display rack includes a support structure rotatable about a vertical axis and having a plurality of disk-like transparent shelves maintained in spaced, super-posed relation by a series of discrete, stacked, mirrored spacer units, each having pins for coupling the shelves and opposed end portions of adjacent spacer units for rotation as a unit. Opposed cup-shaped members are provided at opposite ends of the support structure and receive the ends of a series of vertically oriented transparent rods which extend through aligned openings provided adjacent the outer peripheral portions of the shelves.