Abstract: A sewing machine comprises a crank shaft, a first drive shaft, a second drive shaft, a needle assembly, a presser foot, and an upper walking foot. A first crank arm assembly is connected to the crank shaft to the first drive shaft. A first linkage assembly is connected to the first drive shaft to the needle assembly. A second crank arm assembly is connected to the first drive shaft to the second drive shaft. A second linkage assembly is connected to the second drive shaft to the presser foot and the upper walking foot. The second linkage assembly is configured to cause out-of-phase reciprocatory movement of the presser foot and the upper walking foot. The second crank arm assembly has a variable length that is selectably adjustable by an operator to yield at least first and second different stepping heights of the upper walking foot.

Abstract: Prior to dispensing of the one or more selected ingestible products for ingestion by the particular individual living being of the selected ingestible products, the at least partial preparation of the one or more selected ingestible products occurring within a first vicinity of the electronically outputting of the electronically generated one or more selection menus; and electronically directing control at least in part of acquisition of ingestion intelligence including information related to ingestion by the particular individual living being of at least one of the one or more selected ingestible products, the ingestion by the particular individual living being within a second vicinity of the electronically outputting of the electronically generated one or more selection menus. In addition to the foregoing, other method aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure.

Abstract: A sewing machine feed mechanism is mounted on a work table of a sewing machine for transporting fabrics to be sewn, and includes a feed belt defining an encircled space; two belt wheels, on which two opposite ends of the feed belt are mounted; a driving source for driving the two belt wheels and the feed belt to rotate synchronously; a plurality of pressing elements located in the encircled space with respective bottom in contact with the feed belt; and an airbag located atop the pressing elements and connected to an external control device to have adjustable internal pressure. With these arrangements, the sewing machine feed mechanism has simplified structure to allow easy mounting/dismounting and reduced manufacturing cost thereof. Further, fabrics placed between the work table and the feed belt can be evenly pressed while being transported into a stitch forming area of the sewing machine for sewing.

Abstract: An upper feed device is configured to be arranged above a bed of a sewing machine and feed a work cloth. The upper feed device includes a feed portion, a mechanism arrangement portion, and a drive portion. The feed portion includes a first feed mechanism and a second feed mechanism and is configured to feed the work cloth in a feed direction. The first feed mechanism and the second feed mechanism are arranged side by side in a first direction, which is parallel to a top surface of the bed and orthogonal to the feed direction. The mechanism arrangement portion is configured to arrange the first feed mechanism and the second feed mechanism in different positions in a second direction, which is orthogonal to the top surface of the bed. The drive portion is configured to drive the first feed mechanism and the second feed mechanism in synchronization.

Abstract: A sewing machine includes a first drive portion, a switching portion, a second drive portion, a control portion, and a memory. The first drive portion is configured to drive to feed, in a first direction, a work cloth. The switching portion is configured to switch a position of the first drive portion. The second drive portion is configured to drive to feed the work cloth. The memory is configured to store computer-readable instructions that instruct the sewing machine to execute steps of driving the first drive portion in the first position in a case where the second drive portion drives to feed the work cloth in the first direction and switching the position of the first drive portion to the second position in a case where the second drive portion drives to feed the work cloth in a second direction, based on the sewing data.

Abstract: An upper feed device includes a mounting portion, a feed mechanism, a drive portion, and a connecting portion. The mounting portion is configured to mount the upper feed device to a presser bar of a sewing machine. The feed mechanism is configured to feed a work cloth. The drive portion is configured to drive the feed mechanism. The connecting portion is configured to electrically connect the drive portion to a control portion of the sewing machine.

Abstract: A top feeder arrangement for a sewing machine provided with a processor for controlling stitches sewn on a cloth, wherein the sewing machine has a sewing machine head which comprises a needle mechanism with a needle bar (1) provided with a needle (2), a presser bar (3) provided with a presser foot (4) and a top feeder arm (10) provided at its lower end with a top feeder (11) acting from an upper surface of a cloth for feeding the cloth in the sewing direction and wherein the sewing machine is provided with a mechanism (12, 15, 17, 18) providing a controllable pressure of the top feeder (11) against the cloth.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for feeding and slitting mattress covers, quilts and other soft goods supported on a table. The apparatus has a first slitting wheel rotatable by a motor. A second slitting wheel is rotatable by the motor and contacts the first slitting wheel to provide a cutting action. The apparatus further includes a conveyor operable by the motor for conveying the soft goods past the slitting wheels, and a compression assembly having an actuator, a swing arm, and wheels for compressing the soft goods and holding the soft goods against the conveyor to preventing slippage or twisting.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for feeding and slitting mattress covers, quilts and other soft goods supported on a table. The apparatus has a first slitting wheel rotatable by a motor. A second slitting wheel is rotatable by the motor and contacts the first slitting wheel to provide a cutting action. The apparatus further includes a conveyor operable by the motor for conveying the soft goods past the slitting wheels, and a compression assembly having an actuator, a gear housing, and powered wheels for compressing the soft goods and holding the soft goods against the conveyor to preventing slippage or twisting.

Abstract: A controller of a sewing machine configured to execute a pre-positioning operation including controlling a needle bar driving mechanism, based on a thickness of a workpiece cloth detected by a thickness detection mechanism and a vertical position of a needle bar detected by a needle bar position detection mechanism, to stop a needle bar at a preset position immediately before a tip of a sewing needle pierces the workpiece cloth, controlling a pressure adjustment mechanism to adjust a pressure of a presser foot at a predetermined pressure that allows movement of the workpiece cloth, and controlling a feed dog switching mechanism to switch a feed dog to an inoperative state.

Abstract: A walking foot for a sewing machine includes a presser foot having a pair of supported portions, an upper feed dog feeding workpiece cloth in synchronization with vertical movement of a needlebar, a supporting member fixed to a lower end of the presser bar and having a pair of engagement supporting portions supporting the presser foot, a swinging supporting mechanism engaging the engagement supporting portions with the supported portions from horizontally outside respectively so that the presser foot is supported on the supporting member so as to be swingable, and a disengaging mechanism moving at least one of the engagement supporting portions horizontally outward from an engagement position where the engagement supporting portion is in engagement with the supported portion of the presser foot, thereby being capable of switching the engagement supporting portion to a disengagement position where the engagement supporting portion is disengaged from the supported portion.

Abstract: In the top transport device of a sewing machine, the top transport foot (15) moves in a vertical slot (27) in the arm (17), with which the top transport foot (15) is driven. This arrangement enables the top transport foot (15) to be displaced upwards into the rest position, so that accessories can be fixed to the presser bar (11).

Abstract: A sewing device (1) is provided with a programmable electronic control system (4) for sewing folds and tucks. Such that format-dependent parts (guide tongue, pressure pad) can be eliminated at the time of a change of the seam program the use of a guide tongue is eliminated that depends on the form of the seam and of a format-dependent pressure pad. The feed of the fabric is performed only with a folding tool (5) with straight folding edge and the holding and guiding of the fabric during the sewing operation using a straight pressure pad (7). The electronic control system (4) can be programmed such that the desired seam course is obtained exclusively by the superimposition of longitudinal and transverse movements of the pressure pad (7). Parameters (1′-7IV) that determine the seam course are preferably entered in a graphics-supported manner.

Abstract: A new and improved portable zigzag straight stitch walking foot sewing machine comprising a longer needle stroke, a larger presser foot having a radiused bottom, a throat plate having a larger opening therein, an inner presser foot having a relatively high lift permitting the easy insertion or removal of fabric which a new and improved spring loaded connecting rod that operates to prevent the fabric from being drawn into the presser foot opening and feed mechanism. In a specific embodiment, the new and improved portable zigzag straight stitch walking foot sewing machine includes a new and improved throw mechanism which is not biased and a retro fix stop device for reproducibly controlling the stitch length.

Abstract: A device and method of guidance equipping a sewing machine provided with a work carrier plate, and a presser foot (5) for driving the material to be sewn, associated with at least one needle comprising at least one member (10) for adjusting the transverse position of the material, applied in contact with the material at a point of contact (12): offset laterally from a driving straight line (18); situated in operation at least substantially in line with the presser foot (5) and oriented with a fixed non-zero angle with respect to the driving straight line. A machine equipped with this device is also disclosed.

Abstract: An automotive seat assembly comprising a multitude of trim pieces sewn together along their respective edge portions. A continuous first stitching material passes through and between a number of apertures along a trim piece to form a first seam. A continuous second stitching material passes through and between a number of apertures along another trim piece to form a second seam. The first stitching material loops around the second stitching material between the trim pieces to secure the two trim pieces together. A plurality of interwoven first strands form a first cover material and a plurality of interwoven second strands form a second cover material. The first stitching material loops around the interwoven first strands to pull the first cover material against the first seam and cover the apertures in the trim piece. The second stitching material loops around the interwoven second strands to pull the second cover material against the second seam and cover the apertures in the other trim piece.

Abstract: A fabric feed mechanism that includes a forward feed roller located forward of the stitch forming area and a rear feed roller located to the rear of the stitch forming area. The drive to the forward and rear feed rollers is synchronized such that the fabric is fed to the stitch forming instruments in a relaxed and unstretched condition. There is a independently applied downward pressure to forward and rear feed rollers and the forward feed roller is raised along with the presser foot. The front feed roller has sections that are located on opposite sides of the presser foot toe to thus ensure that the top layer of fabric is fed under the presser foot rather than riding up the front roller. A material folding device is located forward of the stitch forming area for folding material to be fed to the stitch forming area.

Abstract: A blindstitch machine provided with a mechanism for feeding an end of the fabric to a position where a needle of the machine main body passes thereby to form the seam from the start end of the fabric, wherein the rotating amount of a belt is adjusted corresponding to the feeding amount of a feed dog of the machine main body, for instance, adjusted to synchronize the fabric feeding by the machine main body with that by the belt, so that the fabric is sewed without being wrinkled or stretched about the passing position of the needle.

Abstract: A sewing machine with an upper feed mechanism includes: a sewing machine head; a needle plate; first, second and third shafts each extending from the sewing machine head vertically downwardly toward the needle plate, each shaft having a lower end; a needle secured to the lower end of the first shaft; a feed element having one end carried by the lower end of the second shaft and the other end located forwardly of the path of the needle; an upper feed dog formed in the other end of the feed element and confronting the needle plate; and a presser foot mounted to the lower end of the third shaft, wherein the first, second and third shafts being moved in timed relation to one another so as to allow a workpiece to be sandwiched between the presser foot and the needle plate, and the upper feed dog cooperating with a lower feed dog located below the needle plate to clamp and feed the workpiece to the path of the needle whereby stitches are formed, and wherein the first, second and third shafts are juxtaposed in that

Abstract: A system for supplying and setting two separate base materials in a neat condition ready to be sewn by a sewing machine, which includes a supplying mechanism and a setting mechanism. A first one of the two base materials is automatically supplied by operation of the supplying mechanism to a movable guide plate movable toward the sewing machine, and then automatically set at a predetermined position thereon by operation of the setting mechanism, after which, another of the two base materials is likewise automatically set and juxtaposed on the thus-set first base material. The supplying mechanism includes a robot-hand unit for catching one of the two base materials and a transfer element for transferring the robot-hand unit to the movable guide plate.

Abstract: A mask sewing device comprises a pair of sewing machines which are fixed to a working table, being arranged left and right thereon in such a way as to face each other, and are operated in synchronism with each other, a pair of belts provided apart from each other on the working table by a given interval, each belt extending between the mask cloth feeding side and mask cloth sending-out side of the working table and a feeding unit for driving the belts in the normal and reverse directions, wherein the sewing machines can concurrently sew the folded end portions of the mask cloth at both sides thereof respectively, the mask cloth being inserted into the interval from the feeding side.

Abstract: An automatic industrial sewing machine which increases productivity and improves quality in the sewing of linings to facing material in the manufacture of jackets. The machine automatically inserts a plurality of different rates of fullnesses at predetermined locations in the seam between the lining and the facing, for a preset number of stitches for each fullness. It also provides positive feeding for piping sewn into the seam which eliminates stretching or bunching of the piping. Finally, the material is held in position after release of the drag clamp by the use of a jet stream of air impinging on the material. The operation of the machine is automatic in that the operator need only place the facing and lining into the drag clamp and into the air guide and depress a switch.

Abstract: A sewing machine adapted to sew an edge of a workpiece such as a floor mat which is mounted on a sewing table includes a sensor means adapted to monitor a contour of the workpiece and transmit monitored information, a feeding means adapted to turn the workpiece in accordance with the contour of the workpiece so as to successively feed the workpiece into a sewing area, and a control mechanism adapted to control the feeding means in accordance with the monitored information transmitted from the sensor means.

Abstract: A synchronized, indexed positive material top feeding system for use with sewing and other applications. For example, material being fed to and through the sewing area of a sewing machine, is constantly "gripped" at the top thereof in front of, behind and in the sewing area as well as through an adjustable presser bar. This process takes place without affecting machine speeds, and in feeding movement that is synchronized with the machine feed dog for similar or variable stitch travel. This process is facilitated by a belt with "teeth" that contact and provide frictional engagement of the top of the material.

Abstract: A feed device for a sewing machine incorporates an upper feed dog above a throat plate and a lower feed dog below the throat plate and conveys material fabrics to a needle drop point by way of sandwiching the material fabrics between the upper and lower feed dogs. The feed device incorporates an energizing member for energizing the upper feed dog in the direction of the throat plate and controls the sandwiching force between the upper and lower feed dogs by constraining the energizing force generated by the energizing member.

Abstract: The invention comprises improvements to sewing machines for increasing the throat clearance of the machine. The improvements relate to 1) modifications to mechanical components of the machine to increase the throw and upper travel limits of the presser foot, upper feeding foot, needle and spreader, 2) an adjustment for allowing the speed of the upper walking foot to be variable relative to the speed of the lower walking foot, and 3) an improved biasing spring for biasing the presser foot downward.

Abstract: A top feed unit comprises a vertical-movement kinematic mechanism (19) and a horizontal-movement kinematic mechanism (20) acting on a rocking arm (18) supporting a top feed dog (17) and operated by respective eccentrics (21, 29) fitted to an auxiliary shaft (37). The vertical- and horizontal-movement kinematic mechanisms (29, 20) and the auxiliary shaft (37) are contained in a housing structure (34) which can be detachably engaged to the sewing machine head (7). The auxiliary shaft (37) is connected to an interconnecting stem (41) rotatably connected to the sewing machine arm (6) and driven in rotation, through a toothed belt (46), by the upper drive shaft (8) of the sewing machine (2).

Abstract: A sewing-material feeding device for a sewing machine has an upper material feeder and a lower material feeder which coact for feeding the sewing material, the lower material feeder being adjacent to the throat plate. The needle passes downward through an extension associated with the upper material feeder, the extension defining a downward-facing resting surface, the resting surface obstructing upward movement of said sewing material and thereby reducing fluttering of the sewing material as the needle is pulled upward and out of the sewing material. A tongue adjacent the throat plate is urged upward and against a portion of the upper material feeder so as to further reduce fluttering of the sewing material as the needle is pulled upward and out of the sewing material. The tongue has a throat hole for receiving the needle when it pierces the sewing material and passes into the throat plate.

Abstract: An attachment for a sewing machine includes a lever which is provided with a hole to receive a screw of a needle-bar and is rotatably supported by a lever stand arranged to be shifted upward and downward upon operation of the needle-bar. The lever stand pivotably supports a ratchet wheel and a connector plate at the upper end thereof and has a forked holder at another end thereof. A guide plate is provided with a feed plate therebeneath and is pivotably fastened to the connector plate and shiftably arranged on one side of the lever stand. A ratchet gear feed plate is provided with a ratchet pawl which is engagable with a tooth of the ratchet wheel to be rotated in a predetermined direction. The guide plate is further provided with a projection at one end thereof, the projection being engagable with a pin positioned on one side of the lever stand to stop further shifting of the guide plate.

Abstract: An upper fabric feed device for a sewing machine, including a feet reciprocating mechanism for reciprocating feed and presser feet for feeding the work fabric on a throat plate. The reciprocating mechanism includes a first swing arm pivoted by a drive device, a pivotally supported parallel motion mechanism, a drive link mechanism which pivotally connects the first swing arm to the parallel motion mechanism, a pivotally supported second swing arm, a first connecting link pivotally connected to the parallel motion mechanism, a triangular lever connected to the first connecting link and second swing arm, and a second and a third connecting link connecting the triangular lever to the feed and presser feet, respectively. The parallel motion mechanism is supported pivotally about one of four apexes of the parallelogram defined by four motion links thereof.

Abstract: The presser device includes a feeder foot, a holding foot and a link transmission provided between the two feet, the two feet cooperating alternately. The feeder foot has a spur which cooperates temporarily with a mating surface on the cloth feeder. During the feed phase, the spur is obliquely inclined and does not press against the material being sewn, and therefore permits dependable ruffling of an upper layer of sewing material with respect to a lower layer of sewing material. At the start and at the end of the feed phase, the spur is vertically directed and presses against the sewing material, and thus smooth tension-ruffle-free sewing together, particularly of thin material, is made possible.

Abstract: A processing device for processing a sheet material with a pattern of the present invention is such as a sewing machine with pattern matching operation. The processing device has a detecting unit for detecting a color state of the pattern of the sheet material and producing a color state signal indicative of the color state. The processing device processes the sheet material on the basis of the color state signal produced by said detecting means. According to the present invention, the processing device is provided with an automatic adjusting unit for adjusting the detecting unit to allow the detecting unit to produce a desired color state signal with respect to a reference color state. Therefore, the white balance or the dynamic range is properly adjusted simply and reliably for the processing device.

Abstract: The invention includes in one form a sewing machine, two trackers (mice) to track the ends of material-to-be-joined, and a controller for controlling stitch formation to achieve precise control of the material position, permitting desired easing (positive or negative). A long table is preferably used with a separation plate so that the two panels-to-be-joined can be laid out flat and separated during sewing. The mice slide in tracks so they will move in a straight line. The mice are adapted so that tension can be maintained and that the mice can be pulled back when the seam is done. Optical encoders are used so that the position of the mice, and thus endpoints of the panels, can accurately be determined. The sewing machine has an attachment that provides differential feed of the two plies in response to the desired and actual position of the stitches.

Abstract: A sewing machine has a pattern matching system for matching patterns on two fabric pieces to be sewn to each other, based on detected hues of the patterns. Any mismatch between the patterns is calculated on the basis of color quality information converted from detected intensities of light which is reflected by the fabric pieces. The fabric pieces are fed relatively to each other so that the patterns thereon are matched, based on the calculated mismatch.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for aligning and transporting workpieces from a pickup location to a seaming location on a worksurface. Workpieces are rotated through a user-determinable seaming angle so as to re-position the workpiece for sewing a pure straight/angled seam at the seaming location. The device includes a self-compensation system wherein seaming of the workpiece will commence at the leading edge thereof regardless of the initial position of the workpiece at the pickup location.

Abstract: A sewing apparatus for forming cuffs for sweat jackets or anklets for sweat pants or the like. The apparatus includes a movable table carrying an end of an elastic tape continuous to a supply source. The tape advances on a carrying table to a cutting device where the tape is cut. The front end of the tape is transferred to gripping blades which can be inverted, simultaneously with the return movement of the movable table. The tape is further let out toward the gripping blades by a predetermined length feeding device and the gripping blades turn so that the tape front end is folded back on the tape rear part. The tape rear part is cut off and the folded cut-piece is supplied to a sewing machine by a conveying device automatically and sewn to join both ends along the cut line.

Abstract: A synchronized, indexed, positive material top feeding system for use with sewing and other applications. For example, material being fed to and through the sewing area of a sewing machine, is constantly "gripped" at the top thereof in front of, behind and in the sewing area as well as through an adjustable presser bar. This process takes place without affecting machine speeds, and in feeding movement that is synchronized with the machine feed dog for similar or variable stitch travel. This process is facilitated by a belt with "teeth" that contact and provide frictional engagement of the top of the material.

Abstract: Sewing machine with an upper feed mechanism is provided with a stroke-adjusting system in which the drive connection between the upper feed foot and the presser foot has a three-position control device for automatic adjustment of the height position of the upper feed system. This is preferably a hydraulic control device, whose hydraulic cylinder is subdivided by its adjusting piston into two chambers. A hydraulic difference measuring unit is provided wherein the two chambers 82a, 82b of the hydraulic cylinder 59 are connected via two antiparallel-connected pressure relief valves 71, 71'. Each pressure relief valve 71, 71' preferably consists of a spring-tensioned check valve R and a pressure-limiting valve D arranged downstream of it.

Abstract: A material top feeding device for sewing machines includes an arrangement to reduce the movement component of the top feed foot during its phase of touch-down. For this purpose, the connecting rod drive mechanism includes of a pair of connecting rods, whose connecting joint is fastened rotatably on a rocker arm mounted on the support element. The mounting of the rocker arm is arranged so that in the area of touch-down of the top feed foot, the rocker arm extends essentially in parallel to the connecting rod arranged between it and the top feed foot.

Abstract: A device for sewing together two fabric parts includes two pattern sensors and correcting means for determining and correcting misalignment of patterns on the fabric parts. Also, an additional image sensor (18) is provided, which scans the surface of the fabric (16) to be sewn at the site of an intermediate storage location (15) before this fabric is fed into the sewing machine. An image-processing device connected to this additional image sensor generates data on certain basic characteristics of the fabric pattern, such as color, contrast, lightness, register length, and angular orientation of the pattern components. From these characteristic data, a decision logic circuit determines setting data for the operating parameters of the devices used in the sewing machine for detecting and correcting a possible pattern misalignment during sewing.

Abstract: Patterns of two fabric layers are each recognized by a camera and the fabric layers are aligned to make these patterns agree in the transverse and longitudinal directions. According to the invention the influence of speed-related disturbance variables and pattern-related limitations during the generation of the signal is reduced. Two-dimensional images of the two fabric layers are recorded with a matrix camera each during a pause between feeds. The degree of congurence of the fabric layers according to the pattern is determined by two-dimensional cross-correlation analysis of the image points arranged in rows and columns. Aligning correction values are calculated from this degree. The edge distance of the fabric layers is determined with a section of the matrix sensors, which is a separate section in terms of evaluation. Based on the edge distance data, the lower fabric layer is adjusted to the correct distance continuously and the upper fabric layer is adjusted as needed.

Abstract: An upper cloth feeding device of a sewing machine which can have a presser foot shank attached to a presser bar such that the presser foot shank need not be detached from the presser bar for removing a removable shoe from the presser foot shank. The upper cloth feeding device has a shank holder which can hold the presser foot shank therein, an upper cloth feeding foot having friction surfaces on the underneath surface thereof, a cloth presser which slidably holds the upper cloth feeding foot with friction surfaces thereon in slits disposed therein, a cloth presser holder which pivotably holds both the cloth presser and the shank holder and a lever which is pivotably connected to side walls of the cloth presser holder and to a vertical plate of the upper cloth feeding foot by means of a connector piece.

Abstract: The invention is an improved limp material segment coupling assembly. The segment coupling assembly includes a rigid drive member and a segment coupler having a substantially planar lower surface. The lower surface is adapted to frictionally engage a limp material segment. A spring coupler couples the segment coupler to the drive member. The spring coupler includes at least one bent sheet spring. Each bent sheet spring includes a resilient sheet extending between the drive member and the segment coupler. The spring axes of each of the springs are substantially parallel to the planar surface of the segment coupler.

Abstract: A sewing machine includes, and can have attached thereto, a synchronizing apparatus by which a presser foot bar and a feed foot bar, and the respectively connected presser foot and feed foot, are lifted and lowered in synchronization with the vertical reciprocation of a needle bar to which a stitching needle is connected. A lift body is pivoted to both the presser foot bar and the feed foot bar. The lift body has an arcuate surface against which a roller connected to the needle bar acts to pivot the lift body alternately about the two connections. This provides appropriate lifting and lowering of the presser foot bar and the lift foot bar during a stitching cycle.

Abstract: The invention is an apparatus for transporting a limp material segment, such as cloth, along a reference axis parallel to a planar work surface. The apparatus includes a base member positioned above a work surface. A four-bar linkage assembly couples a segment coupling assembly to the base member. The four-bar linkage assembly includes first and second elongated bar assemblies, each being pivotally coupled to the base member. The length of the second bar assembly is controllable within a predetermined range. A third elongated bar assembly is pivotally coupled at a first end to the segment coupling assembly, at a second end to the second bar assembly, and at an intermediate point to the first bar assembly. In addition, the apparatus includes a rotary actuator for selectively rotating the second bar assembly about a pivot axis extending through its point of connection to the base member.

Abstract: For laterally aligning a fabric web edge during sewing with a sewing machine (4, 6), a guide means (2) is used which can be moved perpendicularly to the conveying direction of the fabric web (S) in order to gently press the fabric web against an abutment (16) which is designed, for instance, as a driven roller and is capable of producing a variable counter-pressure. The guide means contains a ball chain (18) guided about two chain wheels. The balls are supported on a plastic rope so as to be able to rotate together with the fabric web being conveyed. By rotating the chain wheels, the lower length of the chain (18) and, thus, the fabric web (S) can be shifted laterally so as to obtain the desired aligning effect.

Abstract: In a sewing machine, a pivotable lever is provided in accordance with the present invention which carries a presser foot which is brought by an actuating device from a low position to a high position. In the low position the foot is applied to the material to be sewn. In the high position the foot is spaced from the material. The lever is equipped with rolling members which rest on guide ramps. The members and ramps have a profile such that during displacement of the presser foot between its two positions, the foot always follows a vertical path.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and an apparatus for superimposing at least two flexible sheets, in particular a back panel and a front panel of an article such as a slip. The process comprises forming a stack of each type of sheets and arranging said stacks on a plate (1), then for each of these stacks: gripping at least one sheet by means of a gripping assembly (12, 14) arranged above the plate (1) and relatively displacing said plate and said gripping assembly between a rest position and a sheet gripping position, displacing the gripping assembly (12, 14) so as to bring it above a deposit member (15) and actuating the assembly so as to release the sheet and spread it on the deposit member, returning the gripping assembly (12, 14) above the plate (1) and causing the plate to rotate a portion of a revolution to position a second stack directly below the gripping assembly.

Abstract: A device for controlling feeding quantity of a sewing machine includes a driver for driving an upper feed-dog and a lower feed-dog, a first setter for setting the feeding quantity of the lower feed-dog, a second setter for setting a ratio of the feeding quantity of the upper feed-dog to that of the lower feed-dog, a first adjuster for adjusting the feeding quantity of the lower feed-dog based on the set value at the first setter, and a second adjuster for adjusting the feeding quantity of the upper feed-dog based on the set value at the first setter and the ratio set at the second setter.

Abstract: A pattern matching sewing machine comprises a sewing means for sewing two superposed sheets of cloth having substantially identical patterns thereon, a feeding means for feeding the two cloth sheets into the sewing means, a detecting means for detecting a mismatch distance between the patterns on the two cloth sheets, and a transport means to transport the two cloth sheets relatively. The pattern displacement amount detected by the pattern mismatch distance amount detecting means may be reduced. A determining means is provided for determining whether pattern matching is possible or not based on the information relating to the mismatch distance obtained by the detecting means.