Abstract: A system and method for producing multi-colored carpets using a tufting machine. The present invention features a system and method for: providing a multi-colored pattern which is analyzed for validity with reference to a particular tufting machine; collecting parameters concerning a particular tufting machine; determining the colors of yarn to load with each needle of the particular tufting machine; and generating a report including a palette of colors used within the pattern, a chart indicating which color of yarns are used within each needle position, and a summary of the number of yarn cones needed to create a carpet of a predetermined size with the particular tufting machine.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the maintenance of a plurality of processing stations (13) of a textile machine (10), whereby at least one first maintenance unit (14a-d) can travel alongside the processing stations (13) in order to service and/or control the processing stations (13). The maintenance unit (14a-d) may be moved into an optimized readiness position when none of the processing stations (13) needs to be serviced and/or controlled by the maintenance unit. Alternatively, the direction of travel in which the maintenance unit (14a-d) is to travel to the next processing station (13) in need of service is determined, whereby the direction of travel depends on the totality of processing stations in need of maintenance.

Abstract: A method of evaluating a product for use on a body used to develop a preferred product configuration using a computer-based virtual product development and testing system. A virtual wearer sub-model is created of the body and a virtual product sub-model is created of a product for use on the body. An environment sub-model is generated so that environmental factors affecting the product or the body are also used in designing or evaluating the product. Instructions defining how the wearer sub-model, the product sub-model and the environment sub-model interact are introduced in an interaction model. The sub-models and the interaction defined by the interaction model are then combined to create a virtual use model simulating the use of the virtual product sub-model by the virtual wearer sub-model. The use model determines the forces, deformations and stresses caused by movement and interaction between the virtual wearer sub-model and the virtual product sub-model using numerical method analysis.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing garments with improved and customized fits to one or more target consumer groups fit are described in the present invention. One method provides for a garment fit to a target consumer group comprising the steps of determining common body types for the target consumer group, establishing customized body measurement standards for each body type, selecting at least one real fit model for each body type, creating a sample garment in a range of sizes using grading rules, checking each sample garment on a fit model selected for each size and body type, preparing a block for each sample garment size and body type, and using the block to provide a garment fit for a target consumer group. Additional aspects are also disclosed.

Abstract: A multi-needle quilting machine (10) and method are provided, in most embodiments of which needles (132) reciprocate horizontally through material (12) supported in a vertical quilting plane (16). Two or more bridges (21,22) are provided having separate motion control. Each bridge (21,22) has a row of selectively operable stitching element pairs (90), which may be fixed to or transversely moveable on the bridges (21,22). Either the material or the bridges may be moved relative to the frame. The bridges (21,22) each move transversely and vertically with the stitching elements (90) on each bridge can operate at different speeds. Each of the needle drives (25) and, in some embodiments the looper drives (26), can be selectively activated and deactivated. Control schemes are provided to quilt continuous patterns, discrete patterns, linked multiple patterns, 360 degree patterns, closely spaced patterns. A plurality of small presser feet (158) are provided, each for one or more needles (132).

Abstract: A method of embroidering a pattern by means of a processor-controlled sewing machine, the method comprising the following steps: the fabric that is to be embroidered is placed in the required position in relation to a threaded needle on the sewing machine, a number of embroidery elements having pre-programmed embroideries are provided, each embroidery element is provided with a starting point and an end point for an embroidery on a corresponding physical embroidery element, a directional change associated with the end point is assigned to the embroidery element, in embroidering a sequence of physical embroidery elements by means of the sewing machine a succeeding physical embroidery element is rotated corresponding to the directional change in the preceding physical embroidery element, an embroidery having any desired number of physical embroidery elements in sequence is performed by the sewing machine according to the sequence of selected embroidery elements.

Abstract: A thread tension regulating apparatus for an over-lock sewing machine is disclosed, wherein there are provided between an adjusting knob and a home position returning lever a first interlock device for displacing a home position returning lever in response to motion of the adjusting knob displacing from a home position in a pressurizing direction, and a second interlock device for displacing the home position returning lever in response to motion of the adjusting knob of the thread tension unit displacing from the home position in a depressurizing direction. These two interlock devices are provided respectively with an interlock obviating device for causing the second interlock device to take a non-operating condition when the first interlock device operates, and an interlock obviating device causing the first interlock device to take a non-operating condition when the second interlock device operates.

Abstract: A system and method for enabling customer specification of images to be used for decorating textile substrates at the economies of mass customization. An automated patterning apparatus is implemented that comprises a plurality of individual colorant substances that are directed through a set of colorant applicators in accordance with predetermined pattern data, the colorant substances capable of being selectively applied to individual pixels on the substrate in accordance with the predetermined pattern data. The system and method particularly implements a device providing an interface for enabling remote access to an image manipulation design tool that enables user customization of the digitized image to form a target image over a communications network. A digitized image of the user's choice is imported into the image manipulation design tool and that image is manipulated according the user's artistic vision.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming flanged quilted panels from an infed web of quilted material (18) has a panel cutter (14) which receives the web of quilted material (18) and severs it into discrete quilted panels (16). A flanger (34) integrated with the panel cutter (14) has a table (40) which supports individual panels in a fixed position while a trimming and sewing head (60) is moved around the perimeter of the panel to trim the panel to a desired size and to stitch a flange near the trimmed edge. Because the panel is trimmed prior to stitching, precise alignment of the panel on the table is not required. The flanger (34) may further include a cutting head (72) which is movable relative to the table (40) and enables the flanger (34) to cut very thick quilted material without the need for precise holding and guiding of the material.

Abstract: A system for inserting a weft thread into a shed of an air jet weaving machine includes a thread store with a measuring apparatus, a plurality of air nozzles for the insertion of the weft thread and a control system which is connected to the measuring apparatus in order to be able to control the compressed air supply of the air nozzles in dependence on measurement values of the measuring apparatus. Switch-on points are associated with the air nozzles, with the control system charging one or more of the air nozzles with compressed air as soon as a predictor value for the position of the weft thread tip, which is formed with the help of the measurement values, reaches the switch-on point of the relevant air nozzle or air nozzles respectively.

Abstract: A quilting machine (10, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600) is provided with a printing station (20, 125, 225, 325, 425, 525, 611, 626, 631) and a quilting station (44, 127, 227, 327, 427, 527, 627, 632), either on the same or a different production line. Ticking is preprinted with a plurality of different patterns, organized and coordinated by the computer so that a print head can scan the material and print different patterns of different panels (32). Identifying data (40) for matching the panels of a mattress product can be provided in data files and codes can be printed on the fabric. Panels can be matched and assembled into products based on the codes, and quilting, cutting, slitting and other operations can be controlled by printed codes and other data. The quilting and combining of the panels for assembly of a mattress product can be carried out manually or automatically using the data.

Abstract: An eye protection device is disclosed herein. The eye protection device includes an open face frame, a lens frame with a lens coupled thereto, and means for coupling the lens frame to the open face frame, wherein the lens frame, if pivotally coupled, may be selectively positionable with respect to the open face frame, and has one or more antifogging passageways.

Abstract: A garment facility produces custom-made garments according to the body contour and the fit preferences of a customer. Try-on garments for various styles of garments are presented to customers for selection. The tailor will retrieve the one or more base patterns associated with the try-on garment. The pieces of the base patterns are marked and modified according to both the body contour and the fit preferences of a customer and connected as sample garment for try-on. The marked pieces are recorded and sent to a cutting machine as digital data. Multiple try-on garments can be combined to form new sample garments. A favorite garment of the customer can be recorded as digital data to re-produce the custom-made garments.

Abstract: The present invention provides an embroidering machine which is made up of a thread station at which a plurality of spools of different colored threads are installed; a frame on which a work-piece is carried in tension mode; an embroidery stitching mechanism having a plurality of needles to which the colored threads are routed, respectively, and stitching the work-piece with the colored thread routed to a selected needle; a color recognizing device for recognizing the color of each of the threads routed to the respective needles; data reading means for reading embroidering data relating to the embroidering pattern; a comparing device matching a color indication included in the embroidering data with the color of each of the threads which is recognized by the color recognizing device, the comparing device selecting one of the threads to which the thread of the matched color is routed for determining the selected needle; and a control device for controlling the selected needle of the embroidery stitching mechan

Abstract: A method for realizing embroidery simulation which can be used as an alternative sample to an actual object. A shade is added to a stitch not to brighten the center of the stitch and to darken the opposite ends thereof as shown at (a) but to brighten a stitch A close to a light source most and to darken a stitch B remote from the light source most as shown at (b). Assuming that the light source is not located on a two-dimensional plane where the stitch exists but a light beam enters obliquely from the upper space, variation of shade is also added in the widthwise direction of a yarn similarly to the longitudinal direction thereof in order to impart three-dimensional feeling thus attaining a simulation image having highly massive feeling.

Abstract: A corner turning assist device for a sewing machine includes at least one sensor and at least one rotating mechanism engaging the workpiece from the underside of the same. The at least one sensor(s) provides signaling to a motor and the at least one rotating mechanism to indicate when the workpiece has reached a point for pivoting.

Abstract: An apparatus for orienting sock blanks or the like so that the open toes of the blanks can be sewn closed includes a device for turning the sock inside out, a sock rotation device for grasping the sock and rotating it until sensors detect that the sock is in the proper orientation, a sock transfer device for taking the sock from the sock rotation device toward a sewing machine, and sock guiding and positioning mechanisms for feeding the sock into the in-feed nip of the sewing machine.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for making a pressure garment, comprising the steps of: defining 3D shape and pressure profile characteristics of a garment; specifying a knitting pattern for the garment; calculating yarn feed data for the knitting pattern to produce the defined shape and pressure profile characteristics; and, knitting the garment according to the knitting pattern and the yarn feed data.

Abstract: A method for monitoring the transport of a thread in a weaving machine is presented in which the thread includes thread sections (21, 21.i) which are transported with an associated speed (vi). In this method, values (24) of at least one kinematic measurement parameter of at least one thread section (21, 21.i) are measured and, based on the measured values (24), approximation values (25) of the tensile force which acts on at least one thread section (21, 21.i) are calculated by means of a computation model (2). The computed approximation values (25) are displayed for monitoring purposes.

Abstract: A sewing apparatus such as a sewing machine includes a sewing mechanism in which a needle thread is used, a cassette mount to which a thread cassette, while in a closed state, holding the needle thread used in the sewing mechanism is detachably attached, a determining unit determining a type of the thread cassette attached to the cassette mount, and a control device controlling the sewing mechanism according to the type of the thread cassette determined by the determining unit.