Abstract: A support frame for garments such as brassieres, swimsuits and the like, and a system for forming the support frames. The wire member of each support frame is formed in a preselected, prescribed configuration and plastic protective end caps are adhered to the wire member end portions in a selected manner. The wire end may be modified by a cutter assembly which includes guiding and aligning apparatus for properly locating the wire frame ends relative to spaced rotating saws to remove selected portions and define a centrally located protruding tip portion intermediate spaced shoulders.

Abstract: A bobbin carrier includes a rectangular frame having adjustable support shafts mounted at the corners thereof which, in turn, individually adjustably support brackets, each of which includes means for adjustably and slidably positioning thereon a pair of support rods adapted to receive large yarn bobbins. Yarn bobbins supported upon the carrier are selectively aligned, and spaced uniform distances from generally centrally located first guide means resulting in uniformity of feed of yarns to a machine which utilizes the yarns. Bobbins may be replaced by slidably retracting the support rods relative to the bobbin and the brackets.

Abstract: Breast cups having various types of cuts or configurations are initially molded from basically flat sheets of flexible fabric on a bust cup mold having a prescribed configuration. The resulting, three-dimensional molded fabric cup then is cut by a die having a plurality of cutting surfaces, at least a portion of the outermost cutting surfaces serving as guides for alignment with the outer perimeter of the molded cup and a portion of the cutting surfaces cutting the molded breast cup to the desired shape resulting in a breast cup having a size and configuration differing from that of a bust cup initially molded.

Abstract: Breast cups having various types of cuts or configurations are initially molded from basically flat sheets of flexible fabric on a bust cup mold having a prescribed configuration. The resulting, three-dimensional molded fabric cup then is cut by a die having a plurality of cutting surfaces, at least a portion of the outermost cutting surfaces serving as guides for alignment with the outer perimeter of the molded cup and a portion of the cutting surfaces cutting the molded breast cup to the desired shape resulting in a breast cup having a size and configuration differing from that of a bust cup initially molded.

Abstract: A system for receiving articles fed thereto sequentially at random rates, temporarily storing the articles, and advancing the articles therefrom sequentially at a constant rate of feed to an article processing machine, includes a rotatable magazine having a plurality of storage cylinders rotatable about a common axis, an escapement mechanism for directing an article to an empty cylinder and capable of displacement relative to the magazine, and means for sequentially ejecting the articles from the cylinders in timed relation with the operation of a further article processing machine.

Abstract: A system for packaging articles within containers, each including a lower article receiving portion, wherein a plurality of container receivers are continuously rotated in an endless path and displaced radially of their axis of rotation to various work zones. Each of the receivers is provided with a loading tube and a ram for positioning an article within a container lower receiving portion, and dispensing means are provided for rotating and accurately positioning the container lower portion within the receiver, and for positioning an upper lid or cap portion with respect to the lower container portion.

Abstract: A system for continuously reusing and recycling water and chemicals in consecutive dyeing cycles wherein hosiery goods are placed in a vat and subjected to dyeing, rinsing and finishing operations. The unabsorbed dye bath, rinse waste water and finish waste water are continuously recirculated to eliminate waste discharge to municipal sewage facilities. The waste waters are clarified in a treatment zone, and the unspent dye bath is continuously recirculated or periodically clarified as necessary or desirable. Treatment of the waste waters and the unabsorbed dye bath removes dyes while permitting certain chemical constituents to remain in the clarified water for reuse in subsequent dyeing cycles.

Abstract: A balanced elastic yarn includes an elastomeric core twisted in one direction and a single cover strand helically wrapped about the elastic core in a direction opposite to the twist direction of the elastic core. After a predetermined twist has been inserted in the elastic core, the core is tensioned with the elongation being positively controlled between spaced points intermediate the yarn take up and the elastic core supply and a high number of wraps per inch of the cover strand are helically wound about the elongated core while the core draft or stretch is positively controlled. The elastic core take-up package is subjected to heat to relieve the stresses in the cover strand resulting in a balanced elastic yarn in the relax state.

Abstract: A hand held lightweight apparatus for cleaning lint and fiber waste from the clearer rolls of spinning frames without removing such rolls from the spinning frame includes a driven, monofilament nylon flail which revolves at high speed within a suction head coupled to a vacuum producing apparatus. The nylon cord extends through an opening of the suction head upon each revolution of the driven flail device and the whipping action tears the accumulated lint and waste from the clearer rolls, while sightly roughening the roll surfaces, and the waste is directed to a collection point.

Abstract: A panty hose testing apparatus in which a manikin conforming substantially to the lower portion of a human torso is provided with waist, leg, and hip portions for receiving thereon panty hose garments and the like. The garment is retained upon the manikin, during testing, by opposed clamp assemblies which engage the garment and manikin adjacent the waist portion, and a crotch member is displaceable longitudinally of the leg portions and applies a force to the crotch area of the garment sufficient to initiate seam damage or a tear in the garment fabric. A gauge measures the force necessary to initiate damage to the garment.

Abstract: A system for receiving semi-rigid or flexible workpieces from a prior operation, and stacking the workpieces in a specified, stable fashion for employment in a subsequent operation. A conveyer advances sequentially random spaced workpieces to the bottom of a vertical stack which is driven in a circular path upon a support plate by a rotor assembly. A ramp or scoop of the support plate extends generally radially from the axis of rotation of the rotor assembly and directs workpieces from the conveyor to the top of the support plate and beneath the workpieces already positioned within the stack.

Abstract: Automated machine for the continuous bias cutting of an elongated tube of material, such as tubular knitted fabric, into a plurality of individual strips, and winding the strips into a plurality of rolls. The tubular material is advanced axially at a uniform rate from a supply to a cutting and rolling section by a plurality of skewable rotatable cylinders acting as a positive feeding means. As the tubular material is withdrawn from the supply, it passes over a spreader which opens and tensions it. The skewed cylinders cause the tube to rotate about its axis as it advances. Control means are utilized to adjust automatically the skew angles of the cylinders, to increase or decrease the rate of advance of the tube, to compensate for variations inherent in the material which affect its rate of feed. Control means also are utilized to adjust automatically the tension exerted by the spreader, to correlate such tension with the rate of advance as determined by the skew angles of the cylinders.

Abstract: Apparatus for binding the severed end portion of a tensioned elastomeric yarn on a circular knitting machine including a binder element fixably mounted up on the machine dial and having a free end portion which normally engages the dial. The free end portion of the binder element has a blade-like edge which is automatically displaced in a first direction by the elastomeric yarn when the yarn is in the knit position and again prior to severing the yarn from the knitted fabric. The retractive forces of the tensioned elastomeric yarn automatically cause the blade-like edge of the binder element to be displaced to wedge the yarn against the dial upon severing the yarn by holding the yarn in position for subsequent reintroduction to the needles.

Abstract: A system for folding and packaging articles such as towels or T-shirts wherein, the article is partially folded over a cardboard insert and conveyed along a path at a selected speed through various folding locations until the article is completely folded, flattened, pressed, rotated if necessary and inserted into a bag which is subsequently sealed. The apparatus for performing such functions includes a reciprocating entry section for receiving one or more articles and folding the articles transversely over a cardboard insert. Blades for completely folding the articles longitudinally are readily adjustable relative to the machine frame and to each other vertically and horizontally to accommodate articles of various sizes and styles and to accommodate a single article or a plurality of articles.

Abstract: A system for closing the open end portions of articles, particularly hosiery, includes a plurality of toe closing units arranged in a semi-circular configuration for loading by an operator. Each unit includes a camera-type shutter for gripping the garment, a heating mechanism for fusing closed the open toe, and vacuum systems urging portions of the garments on opposite sides of the shutter in opposite directions and for automatically transferring the toe waste portions and the toe closed garments to predetermined locations.

Abstract: A woman's swimsuit includes a body having a front portion defining breast cups and a rear portion adapted to extend across the back of a wearer, joined together forming side seams. A bust support extends across the inside of the front portion and is joined to the garment side seams by tension balancing panels.

Abstract: Automated machine for the continuous bias cutting of an elongated tube of material, such a tubular knitted fabric, into a plurality of individual strips, and winding the strips into a plurality of rolls of fabric. The machine comprises a supply section, a spreading and tensioning section and a cutting and rolling section. The tubular material or fabric is stored in the supply section in a rotatable receptacle in the form of a stack of untensioned superimposed flattened folds. The tube is advanced axially from the supply to the cutting and rolling section of the machine by a plurality of skewed rotatable cylinders. As the flattened tube is withdrawn from the supply, it passes over a spreader which opens and tensions it. The rotatable skewed cylinders cause the advancing tube to rotate about its axis as it advances to be cut into strips.

Abstract: Automated machine and method for closing the toe ends of an otherwise completed panty hose type garment, by seams which are inside the toes when the finished garment is right side out. The machine consists basically of a garment input section, toe closing section and discharge section. The input section includes means for mounting the garment and then advancing the toe ends of its leg portions to the toe closing section, preparatory to closing the toes. The toe closing section includes a seaming device forming identical seams in the toe ends of the garment by a chain of stitches, an automatic trimmer for cutting the chain of stitches close to the toe fabrics and toe fabric clamping assemblies to deliver the toe ends to the seaming device. The discharge section includes means for receiving the garment, following the toe closing operation, and for the removal of the finished garment, right side out, from the machine in completed condition ready for packaging.

Abstract: Apparatus for binding the severed end portion of a tensioned elastomeric yarn on a circular knitting machine including a binder element fixably mounted up on the machine dial and having a free end portion which normally engages the dial. The free end portion of the binder element has a blade-like edge which is automatically displaced in a first direction by the elastomeric yarn when the yarn is in the knit position and again prior to severing the yarn from the knitted fabric. The retractive forces of the tensioned elastomeric yarn automatically cause the blade-like edge of the binder element to be displaced to wedge the yarn against the dial upon severing the yarn by holding the yarn in position for subsequent reintroduction to the needles.