Abstract: Method and apparatus for feeding one or more fabric sections whose precise length is variable. The fabric sections are transferred to a delivery position, in which they are precisely centered, enabling uniform end margins to be realized notwithstanding length variability in the workpiece. As a workpiece is advanced on the shutter, its leading and trailing edges are sensed optically. A precise length determination is made by accumulating increments of lengths with a digital encoder. The leading edge of the workpiece is sensed at a delivery station, and the accumulated increment count is decremented at twice the rate of incrementation. When the accumulated count is reduced to zero, the workpiece is exactly centered in relation to a known position, and is engaged and held in that position while the shutter plate completes its transfer motion.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method and apparatus of forming sleeve plackets which utilizes blades insertable into and retractable from placket halves and which includes means for stretching the placket halves about the blades and means for sequentially retracting the blades for final stitching and completing the placket.

Abstract: After compressive shrinking, moist (15% to 25% moisture by weight of fabric), preshrunk fabric is directed into a drum-type drier in which it is restrained while being dried to a moisture content of say 5% to 14%. Thereafter, the fabric is completely dried in a loop-type drier and additionally preshrunk while the fabric is in a relaxed state.

Abstract: The method of pretreating pile fabrics with resin at relatively low percentage levels in order to stabilize the appearance (pile shrinkage and distortion) of the pile as affected by a subsequent treatment with liquid ammonia.

Abstract: A fabric label feeding apparatus for use in a stitching process including a roll of continuous labels in strip form, a feeding cylinder for engaging a raised stitch incorporated in each individual label and cut-off means for separating individual labels from the label strip.

Abstract: A sewing machine installation for sewing shirt front box hems and having a first underlying belt conveyor for individually conveying shirt front material blanks longitudinally forwardly along a lower main support table through a shirt front edge folder and a second overlying belt conveyor for individually conveying separate box hem material blanks with a liner tape longitudinally forwardly along an upper auxiliary table section through a box hem edge folder and into superimposed preassembled association with the prefolded shirt front blanks; the overlying and underlying conveyors thereafter cooperating for conveying the preassembled shirt front box hems longitudinally forwardly along the main support table through sewing and shearing stations for sewing the preassembled shirt front box hems and shearing excess material from the leading and trailing edges thereof.

Abstract: A unique pickup device for single or multiple fabric or sheet layer materials incorporating a plurality of parallel needles which when simultaneously actuated pierce one or more layers to cause pickup, and after transport, stripping means for removal therefrom.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to new methods and means for removing fabric plies one at a time from a stack, transporting the individual plies to a secondary location, precisely orienting and aligning the plies for a subsequent operation and, in some cases assembling one ply with another in preparation for a sewing operation. In one of its advantageous forms, the equipment specifically illustrated herein is especially useful for picking individual shirt cuff and liner plies from separate supply stacks, transporting them to a load station, and assembling the plies one on top of the other, in proper alignment and orientation for sewing. In a secondary mode, the equipment of the invention may be used to transport individual fabric plies, such as entire short sleeve shirt sections, to a sewing or other processing station.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an improved sport glove construction comprising connected inner and outer glove shells of different constructions, each contributing significant and desirable characteristics to the combination. The inner glove is constructed of a highly elastic, stretchable material, so constituted as to be received tightly over the entire hand of the wearer, snugly enclosing and conforming to the individual fingers and thumb, as well as the palm and back areas of the hand. The construction of the elastic inner glove shell is such as to provide a secure yet comfortable feel to the glove. The elastic inner glove is entirely enveloped by a second or outer glove of a material and construction selected to provide appropriate gripping and other characteristics. The outer glove may be of a somewhat elastic material, such as knitted fabric, but may also be of a relatively nonelastic material, such as leather, vinyl or the like, or may be a combination of materials.

Abstract: A process and apparatus are disclosed for removing ammonia from fabric which has been previously treated with liquid ammonia, by subjecting the fabric to a solution of water saturated with ammonia maintained at a temperature level high enough to vaporize ammonia in the fabric without requiring commercially uneconomical input of heat energy. Subsequent steps remove the remainder of the ammonia and water trapped in the fabric, the system providing essentially complete recovery of all ammonia at substantially reduced heat energy expenditure.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to new methods and means for removing fabric plies one at a time from a stack, transporting the individual plies to a secondary location, precisely orienting and aligning the plies for a subsequent operation and, in some cases assembling one ply with another in preparation for a sewing operation. In one of its advantageous forms, the equipment specifically illustrated herein is especially useful for picking individual shirt cuff and liner plies from separate supply stacks, transporting them to a load station, and assembling the plies one on top of the other, in proper alignment and orientation for sewing. In a secondary mode, the equipment of the invention may be used to transport individual fabric plies, such as entire short sleeve shirt sections, to a sewing or other processing station.

Abstract: A precisely controllable moistening arrangement in an integrated finishing and preshrinking range which includes fabric straightening means having the requirement that prior to entry into the fabric straightening apparatus, a precise amount, for example at least 30% but not greater than 50% moisture by weight of fabric, is required in order for optimum straightening, prior to partial drying and preshrinking of the fabric.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to method and apparatus for orienting a limp ply of fabric, in preparation for delivery to a sewing operation, for example. The ply is separated from a ply stack and deposited on a flat shutter plate, which transports the ply to a predetermined discharge or deposit position. The trailing edge of the ply is then engaged at spaced points by orienting lugs extending downward from a pair of pivotally supported sweep arms. As the flat shutter plate is withdrawn, the edge of the ply is engaged by the orienting lugs, retaining the ply in the deposit position. At the same time, the sweep arms are pivoted to move the orienting lugs outward along the edge of the ply, which serves to rotationally orient the ply, as necessary, so that the edge is properly engaged by both of the spaced lugs. When the shutter plate is completely withdrawn the now-oriented ply drops onto a conveyor for transport to a further operation, such as folding and sewing.

Abstract: A cloth web preshrinking apparatus is disclosed including an inlet roller, a heated drum and a blanket (usually a felt type endless blanket) running on the inlet roller and then onto an outer face of the drum. A first initial outer surface of the blanket is stretched and then compacted. A cloth web is introduced into frictional contact onto the first surface of the blanket as it is stretched and the cloth web is then preshrunk as the first surface is compacted. A smooth strong flexible sheet of Teflon coated resin bonded glass fiber material (in the form of an apron or endless ribbon at least as wide as the cloth web) presses the cloth web onto the inlet roller and thereafter the sheet extends in contact with the cloth web on an upper face thereof onto the outer face of the drum.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to improvements in automatic mechanisms for feeding properly oriented buttons to the sewing station of a sewing machine, in preparation for sewing on a garment. The system utilizes a highly simplified pneumatic actuating system for both feeding and orienting the buttons. The system of the invention is arranged to accommodate a multiplicity of mechanical operations involved in button feeding and orienting, utilizing a simple arrangement of two pneumatic actuators, which are energized in timed sequence by pulses of air derived from operation of the sewing machine. In one of its most advantageous forms, the system of the invention derives the necessary timed energizing pulses of air from control air cylinders which form part of the basic sewing machine mechanism itself. Thus, adaptation of a conventional industrial sewing machine to incorporate the button feeding and orienting system may be accomplished in a highly simplified and economical manner.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to equipment and techniques for the removal from fabrics of excess residual ammonia, remaining in the fabric after liquid ammonia processing. The process involves contacting the opposed surfaces of the fabric with a thin film of water, followed by removal of the water from the fabric. The amount of water which contacts the fabric is insufficient to wet the fabric, so that it does not require a subsequent drying step, but is sufficient to release most of the residual ammonia, causing the ammonia to be extracted from the fabric. To advantage, the thin film of water is achieved by condensation of steam on chilled rollers.

Abstract: This disclosure teaches an apparatus for longitudinally compressively shrinking a textile fabric web by continuously feeding the web between a thick elastomeric belt and a heated polished cylinder having a low frictional resistance. The apparatus of this invention is characterized by selectively varying tension of the belt as well as selectively manually varying contact pressure between the belt and the polished cylinder. According to this invention skipping at high speeds is avoided and there is control of pressure of the belt on the cylinder over a greater arc than by prior art apparatus.

Abstract: A sewing machine installation for sewing shirt front box hems and having a first underlying belt conveyor for individually conveying shirt front material blanks longitudinally forwardly along a lower main support table through a shirt front edge folder and a second overlying belt conveyor for individually conveying separate box hem material blanks with a liner tape longitudinally forwardly along an upper auxiliary table section through a box hem edge folder and into superimposed preassembled association with the prefolded shirt front blanks; the overlying and underlying conveyors thereafter cooperating for conveying the preassembled shirt front box hems longitudinally forwardly along the main support table through sewing and shearing stations for sewing the preassembled shirt front box hems and shearing excess material from the leading and trailing edges thereof.

Abstract: A sewing machine installation with a reinforced hem forming device for automatically forming a hem, reinforced by an integrated reinforcing strip, along an edge of a material blank as the blank is conveyed forwardly through the forming device to a stitching station.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating a single ply of limp material, such as fabric from a stack of such plies, and transporting the separated ply to a predetermined destination. The apparatus includes a rotatable ply gripping wheel, cooperating with a ply holding shoe. By rotating the wheel in contact with the ply, while restraining an adjacent area, the ply is buckled into a wave, nipped and then picked off of the stack. The gripping wheel and pressing shoe maintain a predetermined geometric relation, while being capable of independent yieldable contact with an uneven ply stack. The gripping wheel and holding shoe are operable in conjunction with an insertable flat plate, which is effective to progressively free the remainder of the ply. Thereafter, the flat plate is utilized to transport the freed ply to a desired destination, while the picking unit independently returns to the ply stack to commence its engagement with the next subsequent ply.