Abstract: Transfer and positioning apparatus including a vertically adjustable table, a workpiece introducing belt adapted to slidably move an underlying workpiece into a first location on the table. At the first location, the workpiece is engaged by fingers which depress the table to disengage the workpiece from the belt and subsequently move the workpiece across the table to a second location while changing the direction and orientation of the workpiece. At the second station, the fingers are elevated, allowing an elevation of the table and an engagement of the workpiece with a second belt which in turn slides the workpiece from the table to a second station.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for processing rectangular pieces of fabric wherein the piece of fabric is moved in a first direction until the front edge reaches and is held in a predetermined front position, whereas the remaining part of said piece continues to move in said first direction until the rear edge reaches and is held in a predetermined rear position. The piece is thereafter moved in a second position while the front and rear edges are kept apart at a predetermined distance, and the aforesaid edges are hemmed simultaneously by hemming machines. The method and device according to the invention are used for hemming pieces having two parallel edges, and in particular rectangular pieces cut from a continuous web of fabric, such as for example floor cloths.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and installation for supplying a machine for linear treatment such as a sewing machine for joining flexible elements such as textile pieces, said method comprising the steps of gripping at least one flexible element by a gripping zone thereof and placing and maintaining this gripping zone at a predetermined fixed spot by means of a first gripping device (fixed clips); gripping the flexible element by said gripping zone thus positioned by means of a second gripping device (carriage provided with clips); displacing the flexible element by means of the second gripping device up to driver members of the machine for linear treatment.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for detecting defects in needles on a knitting loom which is operating. The device comprises at least one Hall probe magnetic detector the active surface of which has a width less than the thickness of the needles to be detected. The detector is mounted such that the needles all pass successively in front of it during their working movement, and an electronic circuit transforms the signals received from the magnetic detector into a signal for controlling the stoppage of said loom. The electronic circuit comprises first and second electronic circuits each of which is adapted to supply a signal for controlling the stoppage of the loom.