Abstract: A device for loosening and tightening threaded caps on the neck of bottles and bottle-like containers, the device having a body with a conically widening inner cavity dimensioned to accommodate the customary bottle cap sizes. On the inner surface of the cavity there is a thread with a pitch the direction of which is opposite to the direction of the pitch of the thread of the bottle-cap. By the aid of the thread the device is pressed onto the cap and loosens it on the bottle neck when the device is screwed onto the cap in its opening direction.

Abstract: A combination of a bottle screw-threaded twist-off cap opener and a handle which facilitates the holding of the bottle when it is held for pouring its contents.

Abstract: A tool has outer gripping jaws 12, 19 to grip a cable 20, and inner jaws with cutting edges 30 which penetrate the cable.The inner jaws are initially located for sheath penetration and are then displaced axially to strip the cut portion of the sheath of the core of the cable. In the axial movement the inner jaws are guided along tracks on the adjacent faces of the outer jaws and at least one of these tracks 100 is relieved at 102 so that during the axial movement the cutting jaws separate. This enables the tool to operate satisfactory even when the jaws converge towards the axis on which they are pivoted.

Abstract: A socket wrench having an extension and a quick-release mechanism is disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus, such as a screw driver, has a working member and a handle attached to the working member. The handle is of a predetermined cross-sectional shape when the tool is at rest. When incremental torque is applied to the handle is changes from the predetermined cross-sectional shape to another cross-sectional shape. As a result, the tool can have a cross-sectional shape, such as round, for low torque uses and a more suitable cross-sectional shape, such as oblong or triangular, for high torque uses. The handle returns to its predetermined shape when the high torque is released.

Abstract: A marking device for automatic marking of threaded joints tightened by a pneumatic power wrench, wherein a marking liquid container (48), a metering pump (37), a pressure air supply valve (31) and a marking liquid outlet passage (55) form a unit detachably clamped onto the power wrench housing (10). Pressure air communication passages (24, 25) feed the marking device directly with pressure air from the air supply passage (13) of the power wrench. The marking liquid container (48) comprises a replaceable collapsible tube which is pressurized all around in a pressure air supplied chamber (28). The single stroke metering pump (37) delivers for each stroke a well defined quantity of marking liquid to the outlet passage (55) which is formed by a fine hose made of plastic material with non-adhesive properties relative to the marking liquid. A pressure air operated feed valve (62) is arranged to prevent back flow and other uncontrolled flow of marking liquid through the outlet hose (55) by compressing the latter.

Abstract: A levered tool for spreading apart two interconnected semi-circular concentric brake drum shoes, to facilitate removal of the adjuster member which adjusts the minimum radius of the brake shoes. The semi-circular brake shoes are conventionally closed one toward the other at their inner ends as well as at their outer ends by coil springs, and are relatively pivotable about their inner ends. The adjuster member is usually an elongated spacer member, of adjustable length, extending in between the spaced inner ends of the brake shoes, against the bias of the corresponding coil springs. The outer circumferential faces of the brake shoes each comprises a transverse blade, the innermost edge of which projects inwardly relative to the main body of the brake shoes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for severing a moving thin strip material across the width of the strip by providing a thin rigid cutting element and urging the cutting element to move rapidly across the path of travel of the strip material in a plane transverse to the plane of the strip material. The strip material is contacted about one side edge and the cutting wire continues to rapidly move across the strip width from a first edge to a second edge to sever the moving strip. The method and apparatus are useful for severing strip material being produced at up to 4000 feet per minute and is not dependent upon the gauge or ductility of the material.

Abstract: An elongated sheet of web material has a longitudinal row of feeding holes in each side edge portion and a plurality of binary codes longitudinally spaced along one side edge portion; and an associated web handling and working machine has sprockets which cooperate with the feeding holes to feed the web, a tool or other instrument for working on the web and a device for reading the codes as the web is fed through the machine. Each code comprises a group of data bits and provides such information as the remaining length of web available to be worked upon, the type of instrument suitable to work on the web, and whether the instrument should be rotated to maintain it tangent to its path of travel over the web.

Abstract: A bag and a method and apparatus for forming an easy open bag in a vertical form-fill-seal process wherein a bag is formed from a sheet of thermoplastic film and a heat seal betwee bags as they are filled serves as the top closure for the lower bag and a bottom closure for the upper bag, the easy open feature being provided by easy tear slots which are cut at acute angles in both the bottom seal of a bag and the top so that an opening corner of the bag may be torn in either the top or bottom of the bag.

Abstract: A portable modular music recording device which simply and unobtrusively attaches to a keyboard instrument for purposes of recording live musical performances; and an efficient music microcomputing system in which the captured musical data is digitized and further analyzed to determine note and note expression information when a key has been played. In the modular keyboard device, key and key expression data is captured by means of photosensitive couplers mounted in the keyboard device, and the information is transmitted to the processing unit. Microcomputer instructions refine the data to a format suitable for serial transmission via a computer-compatible link for ultimate scoring and recording.

Abstract: An automatic performance apparatus including a memory, a readout means, a musical tone generator, high and low-speed dials and a rotary encoder. The memory stores musical performance in an event style representing the on/off of a key and identifying the key and relative time data representing time between event of said key and the immediately previous event in accordance with musical performance. The readout sequentially reads out the event data from the memory. The musical tone generator is arranged such that the pitch, generation timing and termination timing of the generated musical tone are controlled on the basis of the event data read out by the readout means. A combination of dials and rotary encoders manually designates a readout direction and a readout speed of the stored data. The readout includes a circuit for exchanging the on-data with the off-data (and vice versa) in the memory when the designated readout direction is opposite to the storage order.

Abstract: An adjustable saddle insert for individual strings of a musical instrument. The insert may be installed upon the bridge of an existing instrument without any alteration of the bridge or of the instrument, and provides for precise selection of vibrating length of the string and its height above the instrument for precise intonation of each string. Each saddle is clamped upon the insert in selection position longitudinally to the string, and the height of each is adjusted by removal of material from its upper ridge.

Abstract: A tremolo bridge for an electric guitar has a fine tuning mechanism installed thereon. Fine tuning screw heads 43 have coplanar top surfaces 44 which do not rise or fall as tuning is effected. When actuated, heads 43 move screws 47 vertically to act on strings 29 through string securing levers 35. With this structure, the tuning heads form an essentially flat surface providing a seat or rest for the hand or forearm of the guitarist.

Abstract: Disclosed is a display attachment device for use in combination with a stringed instrument having a neck, a head having tuning pegs, a bridge at the junction of the neck and head and a plurality of strings, one of which bridges the space between each of the pegs and the bridge. The attachment means comprises a display plate and means for releasably securing the plate to the head. Means may be situated between the attachment means and the plate for spacing the plate above the head. A plurality of attachment devices are disclosed.

Abstract: A detonator net weapon for use primarily in anti-submarine warfare. The weapon comprises spaced, interwoven alternating lengths of nylon rope and detonator cord, and the detonator cord is ignited by conventional battery-powered target contact detectors. Floats at the top of the net control the buoyancy of the net and thus regulate its rate of descent through the water. The net weapon is stored in a compact container, and may be deployed from an airplane or from a ship into the path of a submarine, hydrofoil, torpedo, missile, or the like. The detonator cord, upon ignition, will explode with sufficient force to damage any object in contact thereof. The detonator net weapon is versatile and may be used against special types of surface ships, torpedoes, etc., and may, with minor revisions, be used in land warfare against tanks and infantry. In addition, the net weapon may be configured for use against anti-armor and/or sea-skimmer missiles.

Abstract: A structure for attenuating explosive shock waves to prevent propagation of accidental explosions by sympathetic detonation of adjacent explosives comprising bidirectionally symmetric layers of material of consecutively increasing or decreasing acoustic impedance laminated about a center layer. The structure may be made by combining several materials, as in consecutive layers of aluminum, plastic, and a rigid foam surrounding on both sides a layer of steel; or, two materials, as in a center layer of Kevlar.TM. surrounded on both faces with layers of plastic. The plies comprising the layer of Kevlar.TM. are canted with respect to the plastic layers.

Abstract: The stop member (23), which forms a bearing surface (33) cooperating in abutment with an abutting member (22) carried by the actuating rod (13) of the booster so as to determine the operational dead travel of the booster, has a deformable structure (30) capable of yielding elastically when a pulling force (F) exerted axially by the abutting member (22) on the stop member exceeds a predetermined value. The deformable structure advantageously consists of at least one arm (30) integral with a mounting sleeve (28), fixed by crimping (37) onto the rear central duct (9) of the rear shell (2) of the booster housing. The abutting member (22) is secured, in a given position, to the coupling fork (15) of the actuating rod (13).

Abstract: A control arrangement for hydraulic drives for driving piston pumps includes a control piston which is switchable between its end positions. The control piston has reciprocably effective longitudinally-extending flow restrictors connected into the power lines of the hydraulic drive and the control valves corresponding to each flow restrictor are provided with a pressure balancer. The direction of flow of the hydraulic fluid is the same through all flow restrictors in all switching positions of the control piston. The pressure balancer is controlled by the drop in pressure across the flow restrictor corresponding thereto. The outlet of the control valve for the hydraulic fluid flowing to the hydraulic drive and the inlet for the hydraulic fluid flowing away from the hydraulic drive are connected together at a common connecting terminal of the hydraulic drive.

Abstract: A hydraulic radial piston machine with steplessly adjustable volumetric displacement and piston stroke has a bank of pistons with axes in a common plane transverse to the shaft and machine axes. A radially displaceable supporting member pivotably connected to a shaft longitudinal portion turnable from the machine longitudinal axis supports the pistons. The longitudinal portion is pivotably connected at one end to a further longitudinal shaft portion. The second end connects to a turning link transmission which rotates. Rotation of the first--mentioned longitudinal shaft portion causes the supporting member to travel a circular path around the machine axis. A force--loaded translating operating displacing member steplessly varies the diameter of this circle to steplessly adjust piston stroke.

Abstract: A hydraulic pump or motor having a rotor carrying radially disposed pistons. In one embodiment, the connection for introducing and withdrawing fluid at the rotor is made by manifolds which are in complemental, sliding contact against a surface of the rotor. Piston-like projections on the manifold are exposed to the pressurized fluid flowing through the apparatus to hold the manifolds in tight sealing engagement against the rotor surface. The effects of centrifugal force on the operation of the apparatus are minimized by mechanically securing the pistons against outward radial movement during high speed rotation, and by admitting and withdrawing fluid at locations relatively near the axis of rotation of the rotor. An alternate embodiment is disclosed which has a floating rotor so that the pressure of the operating fluid is used to effect a tight seal at the junction of the stationary and rotating components in the high pressure region.

Abstract: An improved air filtering device for use with motor vehicles includes a carbon bed filter removably mountable within the vehicle cowl air inlet adjacent the bottom of the vehicle windshield. Provision is made for quickly securing the replaceable filter pack in numerous forms of cowl inlets.

Abstract: A roof ventilator with a motor driven radial impeller (1) preferably having a vertical axis (15). It further comprises a housing for the impeller (1) which is connectable to the roof (20) or to a suitable wall of the room to be ventilated. On the side adjacent to the roof (20) or the wall, there is an inlet (5) extending in the direction of the impeller axis (15). The housing, which is designed as a flow housing, further comprises an outlet consisting of two outlet ports (16, 17) which are located on opposite first side walls (12, 13) of the housing. These side walls (12, 13) may be completely or almost completely open. This outlet design has the effect of diverting the medium flow away from the surroundings of the drive motor.

Abstract: A device for extracting a sugar mass from a vacuum cooker, comprising a centrifugal turbine-like rotor equipped with a limited number of blades for the extraction of the sugar mass, said rotor being placed in a housing which may be connected to said cooker and whereon an outer cavity is provided for the introduction of a heating fluid. The sugar mass drops directly into the scroll of the centrifugal rotor, where it is conveyed, under a slight pressure, through a peripheral conduit leading into a tangential outlet duct.

Abstract: Cooking oil is contained within a pressurized pot having a radiant heat to raise the oil temperature to the cooking temperature. An oil reservoir is located adjacent and below the pot, with a releasable cover for addition of oil and a low temperature heater. The pot has a bottom prefilter with a perforated basket. A drain line connects the prefilter reservoir with two series connected solenoid valves. A micron filter is connected by a fill line to a fill pipe of the pot and between the solenoid valves. A pump unit in the fill line moves the oil through the system. A low volume of oil is used for cooking of product, and advantageously is approximately in the ratio of less than two pounds to one pound of product. Oil absorbed by the product is periodically replaced with fresh oil from the reservoir. Filtering and adding of oil is in various sequences during the multiple batch cooking process.

Abstract: In order to reduce the tendency of foodstuff to adhere to a cooking surface, that surface is provided with an uneven surface formed with closely-spaced peaks or corrugations, normally in the form of concentric grooves. The surface may additionally include a layer of "Non-stick" material which further reduces the likelihood of foodstuffs sticking thereto.

Abstract: A fruit gripper head assembly for use in a machine for pitting fruits of the drupe type includes a support structure receivable onto a pitting machine, a plurality of gripper arms spaced about the central axis of the assembly and mounted on the support structure for pivotal movement toward and away from the central axis, and fluid pressure operated actuating apparatus operatively connected to the gripper arm and to the support structure for urging pivotal movement of the arms toward the central axis upon introduction of pressurized fluid behind that actuating apparatus to provide for pivotal movement of the arms to grip fruit to be pitted.

Abstract: A rotary attachment is disposed within the bowl of a food processing appliance in engagement with the drive shaft of the appliance and has a horizontal rotating disk with an abrasive upper surface which quickly removes the dry and brittle outer covering of garlic cloves or similar food ingredients. The apparauts speeds and simplifies peeling operations and minimizes problems with the volatile substances that may be released during peeling of such food ingredients.

Abstract: A compression and volume reduction treatment apparatus for solid waste including a compression sleeve for receiving therein a cylindrical vessel filled with the solid waste and a press ram arranged above said compression sleeve movable upward and downward for compressing, at high pressure, the cylindrical vessel in the compression sleeve. The compression sleeve includes an upper straight large diameter portion, a lower straight small diameter portion and an intermediate tapered portion, thereby compressing the cylindrical vessel and reducing its volume in three dimensional directions by compressing the vessel radially inwardly at the tapered inner surface of the intermediate tapered portion and compressing axially at the inner surface of the lower straight small diameter portion when the cylindrical vessel in said upper straight large diameter portion is urged by said press ram in a uniaxial direction.

Abstract: A drive mechanism for a net dispensing apparatus used on a round baler wherein a resilient feed roller is operably driven by a drive belt powered from the main drive train for the round baler. A tensioning pulley is connected to a pivot arm pivotally mounted on the round baler and pivotally movable into and out of engagement with the drive belt by a linear actuator. The knife utilized to cut the netting material is interconnected with the pivot arm by a connecting link such that the pivotal rotation of the knife into and out of a cutting position is synchronized with the clutching and declutching of the feed roller drive. A lockout arm is also provided to engage a key on the shaft of the feed roller to positively restrain the feed roller from further rotation. The movement of the lockout arms is also synchronized to the movement of the tensioning pulley.

Abstract: An apparatus for shredding paper and the like and compacting the paper into a disposable cylindrical roll. The apparatus includes a pair of cooperating roller cutters mounted in a housing to cut the paper into elongate strips. The paper is compacted into cylindrical rolls by rotatably driven cylinder end wheels and a plurality of compacting rollers disposed about the circumference of the drum. The compacting rollers are rotatably driven in a direction opposite that of the end wheel. The compacted cylindrical roll is formed in a compacting zone defined by the rollers and end wheels. The apparatus can also compact paper without shredding. To allow for this function the housing has a paper feed opening that bypasses the roller cutters introducing the paper directly to the compacting zone.

Abstract: A device for controlling the diameter of cylindrical sections of a rotating calender roll. The device comprises at least one nozzle which directs a jet of air against the calender roll. The flow of air from each nozzle remains approximately constant. Only the temperature of the jets change as heating elements associated with each nozzle are energized or deenergized. Thermal expansion or contraction, resulting from localized heating or cooling by the air jets, corrects local non-uniformities in the calender roll diameter.

Abstract: Roll-type pressure-treating apparatus, for subjecting sheet or web material to a uniformly high and uniform pressure across a nip, includes a pair of annular pressure rolls mounted in nip-defining relation to each other. Each of the pressure rolls has received internally thereto a crowned loading roll. The crowned loading rolls have ends which are received in journal blocks through which the pressure rolls are loaded, by compression springs. The crowned loading rolls apply a loading force to the respective inside surfaces of the pressure rolls in immediate adjacent relation to the opposite sides of the nip formed therebetween.

Abstract: The invention provides a printer apparatus which comprises a pair of doors mounted for opening and closing movement on opposite sides of a body case in the form of a housing, a printer located inside each of the doors for receiving elongated continuous print paper therein in such a manner as to allow the print paper toward the door and for printing on the thus received print paper, and a pair of issuing openings located on opposite side portions of a front wall of the body case for issuing therefrom the print paper after printing by the printers. Thus, two different types of print paper can be set in position in and printed by the two printers, which reduces the necessity of frequent label exchanging operations. Besides, an operation for exchanging print paper for each of the printers can be performed readily by opening the door for the printer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for conversion of a web fed letterpress unit (10) into a web fed offset printing press unit (42) having a main frame (12) an auxiliary frame (44) inside the main frame for receiving cylinders, a pair of offset plate cylinders (46 and 46a) for mounting printing plates thereon, an inking arrangement (16, 18 and 20) for applying films of ink to the plates, and a pair of blanket cylinders (48 and 48a) in close proximity of a position for respective rolling contact with the plates on the plate cylinder and the other blanket cylinder. An offset press gear train (114) is installed outside the frames if the shafts for the cylinders can be extended through the bores (56, 56a, 58, 58a, 76 and 112) in the main frame left from the removed letterpress unit cylinders. Otherwise the gear train (54) is placed inside the main frame. Pilots (60, 60a, 62 and 62a) for insertion into bores in the main frame guide the installation of the auxiliary frame.

Abstract: This invention relates to an ink impregnated material, particularly an ink roll, useful in the printing of high contrast images suitable for laser scanning. The ink roll according to the invention is a microporous polymeric structure impregnated with an ink. The ink is repetitively transferable to a surface in sufficient quantity to produce thousands of visible images. The invention further provides a method for printing a light scannable, coded image, and an apparatus therefor.

Abstract: A rodless linear drive cylinder includes a cylindrical hollow tube, sealed at the ends and containing a pneumatically driven piston. The drive cylinder is so mounted to extend across the ink fountain of a printing machine and includes an ink agitator suspended therefrom into the ink fountain. The agitator is magnetically coupled to the drive piston of the linear drive cylinder.

Abstract: An illuminating non-metallic pyrotechnic composition is disclosed which consists essentially of, expressed in absolute weight units: (a) from about 51 to 61 parts of strontium nitrate, (b) from about 15 to 25 parts of potassium perchlorate, (c) from about 15 to 25 parts of sulfur, (d) about 3 parts of sodium nitrate, and (e) about 2 parts of uintaite. Optimum flare luminosity is achieved when the composition is essentially free of other fuel constituents, such as dextrin, nitrocellulose charcoal. A flare is disclosed comprising the disclosed pyrotechnic composition.

Abstract: A warhead for a guided missile initiated by a proximity fuse, for use against high speed high altitude targets, comprises a fragmentation casing, an outer explosive charge contained in the casing and having a detonator and an inner explosive charge radially separated from the outer charge by an empty space. The inner charge has a detonator and is so arranged that the outer charge is detonated by the shockwave travelling through the radial space. On the other hand, the inner charge does not detonate following explosion of the outer charge. The charges are so shaped that the fragments from the casing are distributed as a radially directed isotopic shower.

Abstract: Form-locking means and process for joining same to a subcaliber projectile in a peripheral region thereof. The form-locking means consists of a material in the form of a n-phase sintered alloy having a high content of at least one heavy metal, wherein n.gtoreq.2. The material forming the form-locking means in the peripheral region of the subcaliber projectile form at least one further alloy phase. The form-locking means includes interlocking lands and grooves, and are joined to the periphery of the subcaliber projectile in the form of a layer of predetermined thickness which can be joined to the projectile surface by means of explosion welding.

Abstract: Overhead crane apparatus is disclosed incorporating an extruded aluminum alloy rail structure for runway and bridge girder applications. The relatively light weight and low cost rail structure is shaped to provide a trolley passageway protected from the ingress of deleterious substances, and is further contoured to provide a shaped cavity for ready reception of novel clamp means facilitating the imposition of increased loads on existing crane apparatus. The rail structure during the extrusion process may also be formed with fluid passages in the side walls thereof.

Abstract: The working apparatus, useful as a cleaning apparatus for textile machines, comprises a mobile servicing or working unit possessing a ventilator cooperating with air guide elements and operates in cleaning zones located at these textile machines. The servicing unit is movable on a track or rails. A stationary drive motor provides the relatively high power drive for the travel motion of the servicing unit along the track and for the ventilator by means of an endless belt trained over transmission members arranged at the servicing unit. These transmission members each contain different size coaxially arranged pulleys. By changing the position of one strand or run of the belt from a smaller size to a larger size pulley and vice-versa, the direction of movement of the travelling servicing unit can be selectively reversed. The movement of the servicing unit is monitored by a control device arranged at the servicing unit with the aid of terminal or limit switches and sensors.

Abstract: A vent device is provided for common venting of exhaust gases discharged from separate apparatus at different vent pressures. The vent device provides a passageway and exhaust gas inlets for combining the exhaust gases and conveying them to a single vent stack. The higher vent pressure exhaust gases are discharged within the passageway using a venturi or jet pump effect to provide a zone of reduced pressure in the passageway for inducing the flow of the lower vent pressure exhaust gases into the device.

Abstract: A waste incinerator, especially for waste products from the chemical industry, comprising a horizontal, stationary or revolving, combustion chamber, and a vertical, brick lined afterburning chamber with circular cross section. The steel casing of the afterburning chamber is supported on an exterior furnace framework by means of a supporting ring on the chamber above the burner supported on a horizontal supporting frame. An upper steel casing segment of the afterburning chamber is separated from a lower steel casing segment above the entrance of the horizontal combustion chamber by a separating joint. The afterburing chamber above the joint is suspended by a supporting ring engaged over a horizontal frame of the furnace framework. The joint is spanned by a compensator.

Abstract: In a coal combustion system suitable for a gas turbine engine, pulverized coal is transported to a rich zone combustor and burned at an equivalence ratio exceeding 1 at a temperature above the slagging temperature of the coal so that combustible hot gas and molten slag issue from the rich zone combustor. A coolant screen of water stretches across a throat of a quench stage and cools the combustible gas and molten slag to below the slagging temperature of the coal so that the slag freezes and shatters into small pellets. The pelletized slag is separated from the combustible gas in a first inertia separator. Residual ash is separated from the combustible gas in a second inertia separator. The combustible gas is mixed with secondary air in a lean zone combustor and burned at an equivalence ratio of less than 1 to produce hot gas motive at temperature above the coal slagging temperature.

Abstract: A method of building refractory protection walls of furnaces, ovens or combustion chambers, notably but not exclusively for boilers for incinerating garbage and refuse, is proposed for protecting the hearth walls by means of a refractory wall (4) consisting of a plurality of shaped fire-bricks (5) each provided with at least one blind recess (6, 11) disposed at the level of the fixing means of the panel (1) to be protected which consist of fixing studs (7) projecting from the panel surface and adapted to engage the corresponding blind recesses (6, 11) so that each fire-brick (5) is suspended from these studs (7) and self-locked in position by at least the next overlying fire-brick.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and an installation for neutralizing acid fumes coming in particular from the combustion of residues.According to the invention, the combustion vapor and fumes laden with anhydrides and acids are neutralized after passage in the exchanger (19) by counter-flow encounter with a flow of a neutralizing liquid of basic pH constituted by a slurry formed on the one hand by water and on the other hand by the ashes coming from said combustion furnace and placed in suspension and/or solution in said aqueous phase.

Abstract: A cultivator has a blade secured to a frame. The blade is downwardly projected from the frame and has an edge at the forward side thereof. An air injector is provided at a lower portion of the blade. The frame is supported with the blade and the injector above the ground by a pair of supporting wheels and a stand which are changeable to a criss-crossed stored position to permit the cultivator to be moved downwardly to its operative position.

Abstract: By a first operation of a key, an embroidering scope is checked, and by a second operation thereof, an embroidering operation is started, irrespectively of designation of initial stitching.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for automatically and sequentially transferring and inverting preformed pocket-like fabric blanks from a first sewing station where a first seam is applied to an outturned marginal edge to a second sewing station where a second parallel seam is applied to the inturned marginal edge. A first pickup mechanism identifies, lifts, and transfers multiple ply fabric work pieces from the surface of a work table onto a spreading jaw mechanism by clamping on the upper ply or plies of the work piece with a pair of gripping fingers. The first mechanism is inserted between the plies and operable to grip the upper ply of the work piece, even where the confronting, unseamed, marginal edges of the work piece are not aligned. A second spreading jaw mechanism includes a pair of vertically spreadable jaws onto which the fabric blank is placed. A third inverting mechanism slides between the spread jaws to invert the work piece onto a split mandrel.