Abstract: An apparatus for trimming the edges of a fabric panel. The apparatus includes a holding fixture for holding the panel such that the edges to be trimmed hang freely in the holding fixture. A trimming apparatus is insertable into the holding fixture for trimming the edges of the panels together while the panels are held in the holding fixture. The trimming apparatus includes a frame having a movable slide and at least one trimming assembly attached to the slide. A fixture drive engages the holding fixture holding the edges of the panels to be trimmed and repositions the holding fixture prior to trimming the edges of the panel.

Abstract: A fabric piece handling apparatus for picking up and placing fabric pieces. The fabric piece handling apparatus includes a pickup assembly having a pair of opposed jaws, a "trapeze" unfolder assembly adjacent to the pickup assembly, and a vacuum assisted magazine for supplying a stack of fabric pieces to the pickup assembly.

Abstract: A combining and binding conveyor system which combines a first fabric piece and a second fabric piece to form a combined fabric piece, such as a men's brief and applies binding to the fabric piece. The apparatus includes an unique combining fixture for receiving and securing the first fabric piece, the second fabric piece, and the combined fabric piece. A conveyor transports the combining fixture to at least one sewing machine work station having means for operating on the first and second fabric pieces. A transfer station removes the combining fixture from the conveyor when the operations are completed and places the fabric piece on an unique binding fixture for engaging, positioning and securing the fabric piece. The conveyor transports the binding fixture to at least one sewing machine work station for operating on the fabric piece while the same is being held by the binding fixture.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming the crotch in a garment having a front panel and a back panel which are joined at respective ends thereof to form the crotch. A holding fixture engages the front and back panels adjacent to the ends to be joined. A first positioning apparatus positions the ends of the front and back panel in their respective grippers. A second positioning apparatus aligns the edges of the front and back panels with respect to one another. After positioning the front and back panels in their respective grippers, the holding fixture positions the ends of the panels in override flapping relationship. A sewing apparatus is insertable into the holding fixture for sewing the ends of the panel together while the panels are held in the holding fixture.

Abstract: A binding conveyor system for applying binding to a fabric piece. The apparatus includes an unique binding fixture for holding the fabric piece. The fixture includes: a base; a support attached to the base; and fabric engaging device mounted on the support for engaging, positioning and securing the fabric piece. A conveyor transports the binding fixture to at least one work station for operating on the fabric piece while the same is being held by the binding fixture. A transfer station places the fabric piece on the binding fixture.

Abstract: A fabric piece handling apparatus for picking up and placing fabric pieces. The fabric piece handling apparatus includes a pickup assembly having a pair of opposed jaws, a "trapeze" unfolder assembly adjacent to the pickup assembly, and a vacuum assisted magazine for supplying a stack of fabric pieces to the pickup assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming the crotch in a garment having a front panel and a back panel which are joined at respective ends thereof to form the crotch. A holding fixture engages the front and back panels adjacent to the ends to be joined. A first positioning apparatus positions the ends of the front and back panel in their respective grippers. A second positioning apparatus aligns the edges of the front and back panels with respect to one another. After positioning the front and back panels in their respective grippers, the holding fixture positions the ends of the panels in override flapping relationship. A sewing apparatus is insertable into the holding fixture for sewing the ends of the panel together while the panels are held in the holding fixture.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming and sewing a waist band to complete a pair of briefs. The apparatus includes a band maker for forming the waist band. The apparatus also includes at least one sewing machine adapted to receive the waist band and a pair of briefs and to sew the waist band onto the pair of briefs. A band inverter and loader transfers the waist band from the band maker to the sewing machine. Finally, a transfer assembly transfers the pair of briefs from an upstream work station to the sewing machine where the waist band and pair of brief are sewn together.

Abstract: A combining conveyor system for combining a first fabric piece and a second fabric piece to form a combined fabric piece, such as a men's brief. The apparatus includes an unique combining fixture. The fixture includes: a base; fabric clamping device for receiving and securing the first fabric piece, the second fabric piece, and the combined fabric piece; and a support attached to the base and supporting the fabric clamping device. A conveyor transports the combining fixture to at least one work station for operating on the first and second fabric pieces. A transfer station removes the combining fixture from said conveyor when the operations are completed.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying a binding material to the edge of a leg opening in a pair of unfinished men's briefs during the manufacturing thereof. The apparatus includes a holding fixture for receiving and holding the pair of men's briefs before the crotch is sewn such that the edge of the leg opening is stretched longitudinally. A conveyor conveys the holding fixture to a staging mechanism for engaging and positioning the edge of the leg opening while the brief is conveyed in the holding fixture. A sewing apparatus disposed adjacent the staging mechanism sews the binding material to the edges of the leg openings as the holding fixture is conveyed through the sewing apparatus. A trimmer disposed adjacent the output side of the staging mechanism trims the binding material after it is applied to the leg opening.

Abstract: A fabric piece handling apparatus for picking up and placing fabric pieces. The fabric piece handling apparatus includes a pickup assembly having a pair of opposed jaws, a "trapeze" unfolder assembly adjacent to the pickup assembly, and a vacuum assisted magazine for supplying a stack of fabric pieces to the pickup assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing front panels for men's underwear from continuous bands of web material. The apparatus includes a pay-out mechanism for paying out the continuous bands of web material. A web conveyance system conveys first and second continuous bands of web material along an assembly line to a plurality of stations disposed along the assembly line for fabricating discrete front panel assemblies from the continuous bands of web material. An automatic loader receives the front panel assembly from the web conveyance system and transfers the front panel assemblies to a receiving apparatus where it is bound into bundles for subsequent use.

Abstract: An apparatus for sewing two fabric panels together along the edges thereof. The apparatus includes a combining fixture for holding the panels such that the edges to be joined hang freely in the combining fixture. A staging mechanism engages the edges of the panels to be joined and disposes the edges in overlapping relationship with one another. A sewing apparatus is insertable into the combining fixture for sewing the edges of the panels together while the panels are held in the combining fixture. Finally, the apparatus includes means for movably mounting the sewing apparatus for reciprocal movement between a retracted position and an extended position with respect to the combining fixture.

Abstract: A fabric panel loader for automatically feeding a fabric panel from a stack of fabric pieces to a work station. The apparatus includes a fabric pickup assembly for removing the fabric panel from the stack of fabric pieces and transferring the panel to a smoothing table. The smoothing table receives the fabric panel and automatically moves the fabric panel from the stack of fabric pieces to a predetermined orientation. A panel loader removes the fabric panel from the table and transfers the panel to the work station.

Abstract: An automatic sandwich preparation system including a meat patty and bun storage and delivery system. The patty system includes a number of canisters containing meat patties mounted on a carrousel and tilted inwardly toward the center of the canister. An ejection blade slides the bottom patty from the bottom of a selected canister onto a wire conveyor. Each canister is coded for the size of the meat patties contained in it. The carrousel is mounted in a freezing chamber. The bun system includes parallel shelves holding the bun portions in rows separated by step-driven dividers. The bun portions are delivered from the trays into a bun transport that in turn delivers the bun portions to a toaster.

Abstract: An automatic sandwich preparation system in which each sandwich is prepared under the control of a computer with condiments as ordered. Meat patties are packaged in spaced positions along a plastic strip and then frozen. The strips are packed in shipping and storing containers that are received by the automatic sandwich preparation equipment. The meat patties are removed from the strip by directing the strip over a small diameter roller that frees the patty. Two face-to-face plastic strips may be heat sealed to form pockets for the meat patties and also for serving portions of other sandwich components such as chopped vegetables, catchup, mustard and the like. The contents are removed by physical separation of the two strips. In another arrangement, ground meat is formed into a log shape that is frozen. While the log remains frozen individual meat patties are sawed from the log.

Abstract: An automatic sandwich preparation system in which each sandwich is prepared under the control of a computer with condiments as ordered. Shredded lettuce is delivered by an automatic volume measuring mechanism or by a weight responsive delivery system. Condiments such as mayonnaise and mustard are delivered by a volumetric pump and a flexible spreader blade that rotates over a screen above the surface of the bun. In an alternative arrangement, radial dispensing orifices rotate over the bun followed by a flexible spreader blade. In another alternative, the condiments are fed individually through flexible tubes to the bun surface while the positions of each of the delivery orifices are controlled by a common mechanism.