Abstract: A method and apparatus for transferring single pieces from a stack (16) of limp fabric pieces to a receptor (25) for further processing wherein a drum (10) is brought into pressure contact with the top piece in said stack (16) and a marginal portion of that fabric piece is gripped by the drum (10) via a friction roller (20) carried by the drum. The drum (10) is then rolled over the stack (16) so the top fabric piece to be wrapped about the periphery of the drum (10). The drum (10) is then transported to an operative position above the receptor (20) and rolled thereover to lay the fabric piece flat on the receptor (25).

Abstract: A method of sewing along a marginal edge of a fabric piece wherein the fabric piece in a flat state is gripped between a stationary low friction surface and a movable high friction surface, so that movement of the high friction surface relative to the low friction surface will slide the fabric piece over the low friction surface, while maintained in the flat state. The fabric piece is gripped so that the marginal portion to be sewn is exposed, and as the fabric piece is moved over the low friction surface the marginal portion of the fabric piece is moved along a path through a sewing machine head so a sewing operation may be performed thereon.

Abstract: A clarifier for treatment of water and other liquids including a housing having a generally channel shaped member having an inlet arm and an outlet arm. The inlet arm forms a flocculation zone and the outlet arm forms a settling zone.The inlet arm may be provided with means for causing influent to travel a tortuous or serpentine flow path and the settling zone may include settling means so as to increase the effective surface area of the settling zone. Suitably both the inlet arm and outlet arm are substantially parallel to each other with the inlet arm being spaced from and located upwardly of the outlet arm.A sludge collection zone may be provided at the junction of the inlet arm and the outlet arm and may have associated therewith one or more sludge removal conduits.

Abstract: A knitted sock of a length not extending above the knee of the wearer and of a fabric having less than about 105 stitches per square centimeter, the fabric of the sock having an elastic character that varies progressively from the ankle area to the top marginal area in a manner so that the fabric-to-leg pressure at the mid-calf is less than 60% of the pressure at the area of minimum leg circumference.