Abstract: A material handling method and apparatus for flipping a workpiece. The method involves raising a retracted arm out of the worksurface to pivot the workpiece up and away from an edge of the worksurface. The workpiece is then slid in the direction of the edge before being guided thought the remainder of its 180 degree rotation. The guiding step further slides the workpiece toward the edge so that the workpiece is flipped at least partially in place. The apparatus for carrying out the method includes an arm and catcher plate both having an idle position below the worksurface. Pneumatic drives under microprocessor control pivot, slide and flip the workpiece, at least partially in place. An optical sensor array monitors a peripheral area around the worksurface which may be smaller than the workpiece. The drives may be halted upon the array sensing movement of the workpiece beyond a certain distance from the worksurface periphery.

Abstract: A material handling method and apparatus for flipping a workpiece. The method involves raising a retracted arm out of the worksurface to pivot the workpiece up and away from an edge of the worksurface. The workpiece is then slid in the direction of the edge before being guided thought the remainder of its 180 degree rotation. The guiding step further slides the workpiece toward the edge so that the workpiece is flipped at least partially in place. The apparatus for carrying out the method includes an arm and catcher plate both having an idle position below the worksurface. Pneumatic drives under microprocessor control pivot, slide and flip the workpiece, at least partially in place. An optical sensor array monitors a peripheral area around the worksurface which may be smaller than the workpiece. The drives may be halted upon the array sensing movement of the workpiece beyond a certain distance from the worksurface periphery.

Abstract: An automatic handle end cutter to cut individual handles from a web of handle material. A shuttle clamp grips the web and advances it into a cutting area at which time the web is held by two further clamps. The shuttle clamp withdraws and a first cutter cuts the web at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the handle. This is followed by a second cutter which cuts the web at an angle to the handle axis giving handle ends with the corners removed. The severed and configured end handle is ejected and the cycle begun again.

Abstract: An automatic flange applying machine for sewing the raw edges of a mattress panel and attaching a flange strip. A multi-speed sewing machine sews at high speed along straight sides and a straight top end and bottom end and forms rounded corners at a slower speed as the mattress panel is incrementally rotated about a pivot point. Photodetectors align the edges of the panel with the sewing needles while other detectors determine the location of the panel so that suitable operations begin. The panel is moved by pressure rollers through the sewing machine and the corners are formed by reversing certain of the rollers.

Abstract: An automatic mattress handle sewing workstation is employed to install cloth handles to an mattress border two at a time. A flat handle is placed in a pair of twirler clamps which turn the ends of the handle 180.degree. to underlie the remainder of the handle. The twirler clamps are now moved to place two handles in a position under first and second sewing heads and above the web of mattress border. Clamps hold the positions of the handles while the twirler clamps are withdrawn. The left end of each of the two handles is now sewed to the border. The right ends of the handles are then transferred to the sewing heads. A clamp engages the right side of the handle and the right end of the handle is sewn to the border.

Abstract: A powered machine for inserting an attachment member having a filament with a head at one end through an opening in an article and including a needle which is projected from machine in order to penetrate that article and convey the filament head therethrough, in which the needle is cleaned during each actuation thereof by being wiped and/or having a jet of fluid blown across it, and in which the machine is provided with structure for grasping a tag which is to be penetrated by the needle, holding the tag in position while the needle penetrates it, and permitting the release of the tag after the fastening operation has been completed, all with positiveness and facility of manipulation.

Abstract: A synchronized, indexed positive material top feeding system for use with sewing and other applications. For example, material being fed to and through the sewing area of a sewing machine, is constantly "gripped" at the top thereof in front of, behind and in the sewing area as well as through an adjustable presser bar. This process takes place without affecting machine speeds, and in feeding movement that is synchronized with the machine feed dog for similar or variable stitch travel. This process is facilitated by a belt with "teeth" that contact and provide frictional engagement of the top of the material.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a powered tagging system in the forms of either a power attachment for an existing tagger, or a complete powered tagger. This invention virtually eliminates problems associated with carpal tunnel syndrome in users by providing actuating means other than those requiring conventional triggering hand muscles. Means are provided which shield otherwise conventional triggering means. A lightweight, compact, yet powerful power system is provided within a balanced assembly capable of manipulation in one hand. In a preferred embodiment, either hand can be used and no finger pressure is required to activate the system.

Abstract: A synchronized, indexed, positive material top feeding system for use with sewing and other applications. For example, material being fed to and through the sewing area of a sewing machine, is constantly "gripped" at the top thereof in front of, behind and in the sewing area as well as through an adjustable presser bar. This process takes place without affecting machine speeds, and in feeding movement that is synchronized with the machine feed dog for similar or variable stitch travel. This process is facilitated by a belt with "teeth" that contact and provide frictional engagement of the top of the material.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a powered tagging system in the forms of either a power attachment for an existing tagger, or a complete powered tagger. This invention virtually eliminates problems associated with carpal tunnel syndrome in users by providing actuating means other than those requiring conventional triggering hand muscles. Means are provided which shield otherwise conventional triggering means. A lightweight, compact, yet powerful power system is provided within a balanced assembly capable of manipulation in one hand.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a system, including novel apparatus and novel method, which is capable of feeding or delivering and inserting relatively small parts to a sewing or joining station. By the term small parts it is contemplated that the system according to the present invention feed and insert items such as, but not limited to, apparel labels and strips of hooks and/or loops available from the Velcro company. These small parts are either fed from a magazine or stacking chamber where individual pre-cut parts are stacked or, in the alternative, a relatively continuous strip or roll of the material to be fed is cut in predetermined lengths. More specifics of the system will become apparent from the annexed specification and drawings.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically tagging selected layers of multi-layered articles by the operation of a single switch that initiates the sequential stepped operation of a clamp for holding the selected layers in a tagging position while a tag is fed and tacked, as by a bar tack, to join the tag to the selected layers. When the tagging sequence is completed, the article is removed from the apparatus, thereby separating the joined bar tack and tag from the apparatus for similar subsequent automatic repetitive operations.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a system, including novel apparatus and novel method, which is capable of feeding or delivering and inserting relatively small parts to a sewing or joining station. By the term small parts it is contemplated that the system according to the present invention feed and insert items such as, but not limited to, apparel labels and strips of hooks and/or loops available from the Velcro company. These small parts are either fed from a magazine or stacking chamber where individual pre-cut parts are stacked or, in the alternative, a relatively continuous strip or roll of the material to be fed is cut in predetermined lengths. More specifics of the system will become apparent from the annexed specification and drawings.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a system which, utilizing pneumatic logic, folds and positions pre-cut belt loop material for joinder to pants. The pre-cut material is loaded while joinder is occuring. Two pairs of upstanding pins supported by fingers receive individually cut belt loop fabric pieces which can be made from scrap to match colors and, in a preferred embodiment of this invention, two tacks secure the loop to pants in the case of jeans. A novel adjustable cam control arrangement and means for rotating the fingers is described in the following specification. In a second embodiment, one visible and one invisible tack can be made securing the belt loop to the pants, with the visible and invisible tacks being placed either top and bottom or bottom and top, respectively, as selected.

Abstract: A fluid actuated cutting machine comprising a stationary lower blade and a vertically movable upper blade mounted at one end to a pivot rod. The upper blade is disposed at angle relative to the horizontal plane. The other free end of the upper blade is disposed beyond a vertical plane on which lies the cutting edge of the lower blade. A pressure arm, mounted on a cantilivered beam connected to the base of the machine, acts against any tendency for the upper blade to align its cutting edge with the cutting edge of the lower blade. During its downward movement, the upper blade is constantly drawn from its horizontally angled position relative to the lower blade towards alignment with the lower blade. This movement is resisted by the pressure arm. The resistance causes a firm cutting pressure between the two blades at the constantly moving contact point during the downward movement of the upper blade.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a high-speed indexing system for use with any number of fabric-moving apparatus, a novel braking system for use within the indexing system, and a novel puller accessory. The high-speed adjustable indexing system is illustrated in connection with a sewing machine, as an example. In sewing machine applications, a synchronized intermittent advancement of fabric in unison with the movement of an associated feed dog is provided. Undesirable inertia-caused roller overshooting, heretofore treated with anti-reverse clutches and other approaches, is eliminated, thereby enabling high speed indexing at machine operating speeds conventionally unattainable in the art. An adjustable spring-biased braking arrangement is provided which may be preset for known machine operating speeds.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a system which, utilizing pneumatic logic, folds and positions pre-cut belt loop material for joinder to pants. The pre-cut material is loaded while joinder is occurring. Two pairs of upstanding pins supported by fingers receive individually cut belt loop fabric pieces which can be made from scrap to match colors and, in a preferred embodiment of this invention, two tacks secure the loop to pants in the case of jeans. A novel adjustable cam control arrangement and means for rotating the fingers is described in the following specification.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a high-speed indexing system for use with any number of fabric-moving apparatus, a novel braking system for use within the indexing system, and a novel puller accessory. The high-speed adjustable indexing system is illustrated in connection with a sewing machine, as an example. In sewing machine applications, a synchronized intermittent advancement of fabric in unison with the movement of an associated feed dog is provided. Undesirable inertia-caused roller overshooting, heretofore treated with anti-reverse clutches and other approaches, is eliminated, thereby enabling high speed indexing at machine operating speeds conventionally unattainable in the art. An adjustable spring-biased braking arrangement is provided which may be preset for known machine operating speeds.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided having a continuous band of material passing through the stitching means of a sewing machine. Pieces of material are manually placed individually on the band and hemmed to it at a side which has been folded under the band by a mechanical folder. A sensing means senses the passage of an end of each piece which has had a portion raised from the band and in response activates a cutter which cuts away a strip of the band to which the piece was hemmed. A removal means for moving the strip away from the band and into a stacker is activated after the strip has been cut away from the band. The stacker has a base supporting two spaced, upwardly extending sidewalls defining a passage therebetween. Each of the sidewalls supports a ledge protruding into the passage. A portion of the base is vertically movable and adapted to fit within the space between the ledges.

Abstract: The present invention includes a high-speed, relatively low-inertia, gearless, synchronized puller attachment for cooperative use with fabric sewing, handling and fastening machines, or the like. In the case of sewing machine applications, uniform stitch repeatability is achieved through the provision of top and bottom pulling rollers that are each positively driven at high speeds through anti-reversing means positioned relatively near the needle side of the sewing machine. Little, if any, output inertia is present, thereby permitting high-speed indexing without braking means being necessary. A novel adjustable linkage provides a reliable and substantially equal angular displacement of both pulling rollers in a harmonic motion synchronized both as between said pulling rollers as well as the sewing machine feed.