Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a hem in fabric flat goods is disclosed. The method includes the steps of folding the border of the fabric flat goods back over to form a major hem, holding the major hem in place by vacuum, folding the free edge of the major hem back into the fold of the major hem to form a minor hem, clamping the major and minor hems in a movable clamp and moving the clamped together hems to a sewing machine. The apparatus includes a table having a longitudinally extending vacuum slot parallel to one of its sides, a major hem forming plate movable to a position over the table top for forming the major hem, a minor hem forming plate also movable to a position over the table top for forming the minor hem, and a movable clamping device for clamping the hems together and delivering the hems to a sewing machine which stitches the hems.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring and correcting deviations in the transverse position of a longitudinally traveling web of material as it unwinds from a supply roll of material includes a cradle unwinder for supporting the supply roll and unwinding the web from the supply roll. The cradle unwinder is mounted for movement in the transverse direction of the moving web and includes a reversible motor for causing the cradle unwinder to move transversely. A web edge detector device is located downstream of the cradle unwinder to monitor the transverse position of the moving web. As deviations in the transverse position of the web occur, the edge detector sends a signal energizing the motor causing it to turn in one direction or the other to in turn cause the cradle unwinder to move transversely in a direction to correct the transverse deviation in the position of the moving web. The cradle unwinder also includes a movable device for adapting the cradle unwinder to support supply rolls of material of different widths.

Abstract: A centerline web guide apparatus for detecting the transverse position of the centerline of a longitudinally moving web of material unwinding from a supply roll and transversely shifting the supply roll to maintain the position of the web centerline along a desired path has two photoelectric detectors located at the opposite longitudinal edges of the web. The photoelectric detectors continuously move back and forth generally transversely of the web continuously monitoring the position of the longitudinal edges of the web. The supply roll of material is supported on a frame which is movable transversely of the web by, for example, an electric motor. As the moving photoelectric detectors detect the longitudinal edges of the web, they send an appropriate signal to the motor controlling the movement of the support frame to transversely move the support frame in an appropriate direction transversely of the web to maintain the centerline of the web in a constant position along the desired path.

Abstract: A system for aligning a moving run of fabric which has longitudinal and transverse threads along a path determined by a selected one of the longitudinal threads. The system includes optics for projecting an image of the longitudinal threads while suppressing the image of transverse threads, means for determining the direction of any deviation and the amount of deviation from the selected thread position, and guidance means for returning the run to a position in which the selected thread is in its desired position. An improved guidance means which effects transverse movement of the fabric run without introducing wrinkles or bias into the run is also disclosed.