Abstract: A panel positioning system can be used to position side panels during manufacture of a pant. As a pant is transported in a machine direction, the panel positioning system moves a pant side panel in a direction generally perpendicular to the machine direction. The panel positioning system can comprise a drive mechanism, a positioning mechanism operatively connected to the drive mechanism, and a head connected to the positioning mechanism. The drive mechanism and the positioning mechanism can cause the head to move in an orbital profile and contact the side panel. The orbital profile can lie in a plane generally perpendicular to a pant transport plane or in a plane oblique to a pant transport plane.

Abstract: A method of making flower-shaped bath scrubber uses a bar as the support to pierce through a netting band which is folded at one end, then use the bar as an axis to have the remaining netting band run through one end of the bar. Then move the netting band laterally along the bar to another end and have the remaining netting band run through the bar from another end. The foregoing process is repeatedly performed until the netting band is completely disposed on the bar. Then fasten one end of the netting band and remove the bar. The wound around netting band then may be unfolded and stretched to form a shape desired. After another fastening, a flower-shaped netting bath scrubber will be formed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a continuous process for the manufacture of a garment. A web of fabric including opposing web side edges wherein one of the opposing web side edges is proximate the garment bottom edge of the garment is provided. The web of fabric is cut, thereby forming a fabric web wherein the fabric web includes one of the opposing web side edges opposed to an octagonal shape pattern defining pairs of shoulder side edges having a side edge located between the shoulder side edges of each pair of the shoulder side edges and edges located between the pairs of shoulder side edges. The side edges of the fabric web are cut, thereby forming edges defining neck openings in the fabric web. The fabric web is cut, thereby defining discrete garment-sized pieces wherein each of the discrete garment-sized pieces of the fabric web includes at least one neck opening, a front panel having a pair of opposing garment side edges, a garment end portion, and a bottom edge.

Abstract: A curtain for a dock shelter that is easily assembled alone and as part of a dock shelter. The curtain includes a sheet that has a pocket mounted thereon. The pocket is adapted to receive a flexible stay and include a slit that inhibits movement of the stay within the pocket. In another aspect, the invention relates to a method of making a curtain. The method includes the steps of securing a pocket to a sheet; forming a slit in the pocket (e.g., by cutting the pocket); inserting a flexible stay into the pocket; and positioning the stay adjacent to the slit. The invention also relates to a method of making a vehicle shelter and mounting the shelter to a loading dock. The method includes the steps of mounting a frame to the loading dock; securing a pocket to a curtain; forming slits in the pocket; inserting a stay in the pocket adjacent to the slit; and placing the curtain against the frame.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a valance with a number of transverse pockets from a continuous strip of material. The apparatus may include a feed pull assembly positioned along a predetermined path for pulling a predetermined length of the continuous strip of material onto a tabletop, a cutter assembly for cutting the predetermined length of the material from the strip, a first fold assembly to fold a first end of the length of the material, a second fold assembly to fold a second end of the length of the material under the first end, and a hemming assembly to sew the transverse pockets.

Abstract: A method of making flower-shaped bath scrubber uses a bar as the support to pierce through a netting band which is folded at one end, then use the bar as an axis to have the remaining netting band run through one end of the bar. Then move the netting band laterally along the bar to another end and have the remaining netting band run through the bar from another end. The foregoing process is repeatedly performed until the netting band is completely disposed on the bar. Then fasten one end of the netting band and remove the bar. The wound around netting band then may be unfolded and stretched to form a shape desired. After another fastening, a flower-shaped netting bath scrubber will be formed.

Abstract: Flexible strap is passed around an elongated portion 11 of load-bearing hardware 10, and the two ends 2, 3 of the strap are overlapped, held in a curve, and stitched together. The overlapped strap portion is then centered around the elongated hardware portion and is formed into an eye that retains the elongated hardware portion. The eye is closed by stitching through all four strap layers of the strap extending from both sides of the hardware portion. A confluence wrap 5 is preferably wrapped around the eye closure area before this stitching. Preferably a nylon buffer is placed in the eye between the hardware and strap, and stitched in the eye closure area, to prevent chafing of the strap on the hardware. The curvature sewn into the overlapped strap ends provides even distribution of stress on the two ends when a load is placed on the hardware.

Abstract: A process for folding or folding over pockets with round edge sections is provided along with a device for carrying out the process. Round folding slides (9; 53), provided with concave folding edges (49; 54), are either moved or designed such that their ends (50, 51; 55), either one after another or simultaneously, lead in relation to the middle area of the concave folding edges (49; 54). An especially intense folding effect is thus exerted on the transition areas between the round and straight pocket edge sections and a pocked folded edge that is uniform on all sides is thus obtained.

Abstract: To sew on pockets to be folded over or prefolded pockets as desired, a sewing unit can be equipped or retrofitted in a simple manner with holding and folding means (28, 31) for the pockets to be folded over or with support and holding means (33, 34; 36, 37) for prefolded pockets.

Abstract: The present invention provides a continuous process for the manufacture of a garment. A web of fabric including opposing web side edges is provided. The web of fabric is intermittently cut, thereby forming edges defining neck openings in the web fabric. The web of fabric is cut, thereby defining discrete garment-sized pieces. Each of the discrete garment-sized pieces of the web of fabric includes at least one neck opening, a front panel having a pair of opposing garment side edges, a back panel having a pair of opposing garment side edges, two opposing garment end portions, and a pair of opposing piece side edges. The opposing piece side edges of the discrete garment-sized piece are proximate a pair of opposing garment bottom edges of the garment. The discrete garment-sized piece of the web of fabric is folded, whereby one of the garment bottom edges of the pair of opposing garment bottom edges is brought into contact with the other garment bottom edge.

Abstract: A tension relieving towel and method of making including a rectangular towel having opposed long upper and lower edges and opposed short right and left edges. The towel further includes opposed upper right and left corners and opposed lower right and left corners. The rectangular towel is then laid on a flat recipient surface. Next, fold the upper right and left corners downwardly whereby the upper edge is folded in half within the towel whereby an upper peak is formed. Next, fold the upper peak downwardly. Next, roll the upper peak downwardly about eight revolutions to form a round roll. Next, fold the right side of the towel inwardly. Next, roll the right side of the towel inwardly until meeting the left side to form a seam whereby the round roll forms a cap with a tapered portion extending downwardly therefrom. Lastly, stitch the seam together in a spaced relationship.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically cutting notches at specific locations on a web which are separated by predetermined lengths which are the outer dimensions of a pillowtop mattress. The web is pulled through a sewing station with a traction drive. Slack is induced in the web downstream of the traction drive. Predetermined lengths are drawn out of the slack bin in a single motion through a linear measuring device. A knife disposed in close proximity to the measuring device cuts the notches at the specific locations and subsequently severs the notched portion from the remainder of the web.

Abstract: A hem monitoring system for a textile finishing device having one or more sewing heads positioned along a predetermined path for finishing the hem on a textile product in a high speed manner. The monitoring system includes a camera, a monitor, and means for controlling the camera such that an image of the hem is captured and displayed on the monitor so as to inspect the quality of the hem.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for sewing handles lengthwise on a strip of mattress border material or other elongated strip of material. A fold is formed and aligned on a leading end of handle stock and is advanced to a sewing head where the fold is sewn to the strip of material. The handle stock is then cut at a point to leave the proper length of handle stock to form the handle and a fold is formed in the trailing end of the handle, aligned and positioned at the sewing head where it is sewn to the strip material to complete the handle. All of the above are performed automatically under programmable control.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for converting one or more rolls of material into a pillow sham. In one embodiment, three rolls of material are overlapped and fed to a sewing and cutting system. The materials are sewn along their vertical edges and then cut to a determined size. After being cut, the three pieces of fabric are shifted and fed to further sewing heads for sewing the horizontal edges in producing a pillow sham. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the system converts a single roll of material into a pillow sham.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for forming and joining large and small hems particularly on denim jeans and other types of trousers. An internally folded large hem is formed mechanically and in a highly accurate manner by engaging the end portion of a trouser leg under circumferential tension and folding a projected hem margin into the trouser leg while supporting opposite sides of the trouser leg in a region immediately adjacent to the desired hem fold line. A full depth small hem may be formed by compressing a limited portion of the large hem into a fold, with the raw edge of the fabric positioned substantially at the fold line of the large hem. The configuration of the compressed limited portion is retained until the sewing machine is in position to grip it and commence sewing. A continuous fold former is brought into position before sewing is commenced to complete the small hem folding initiated by the initial compression.

Abstract: The manufacturing and wearing benefits of a brassiere having an underwire embodied in each brassiere cup which has a small radius curvature so that it seats within a cooperating infra mammary fold, and provides uplifting support during wearing of the brassiere.

Abstract: An air assisted hem former for folding a margin of a foldable material which uses at least one stream of air to urge margin material through a folded cavity. The folded cavity and airflow moves the margin toward a sewing needle, directs the margin material to a proper stitching position and maintain the stitching position until the needle has stitched the hem. Two similarly formed hem formers can be mounted on opposing sides of a sewing needle to urge, direct and maintain the margin material prior to stitching of a hem.

Abstract: A method of producing fabric covers (19) is disclosed, in particular duvet covers or pillow cases, in which a length of fabric (7) with two longitudinal edges (10, 11) and two transverse edges (8, 9) is laid out flat, the opposing parts (14, 15) of a hook-and-loop tape then being fixed respectively to the two transverse edges (8, 9) at least in strips. The two transverse edges (8, 9) are then brought to lie against one another, the opposing parts (14, 15) of the hook-and-loop tape being aligned, and the superimposed areas of the two longitudinal edges (10, 12) are sewn together by means of ornamental seams (17, 18).