Patents by Inventor David C. Howell

David C. Howell has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 5582122
    Abstract: An apparatus for automatically feeding one edge of a textile article to a sewing machine. The apparatus includes a first gripper adjacent to the sewing machine for gripping the leading portion of the edge of the textile article. A feed dog is adjacent to the first gripper for advancing the edge of the textile article with respect to the sewing machine. A second gripper grips the trailing portion of the edge of the textile article. A positioner supporting the second gripper means moves the second gripper with respect to the feed means. Finally, a programmable controller controls the movement of the positioner to advance the trailing portion of the edge of the textile article in response to the movement of the leading portion of the edge of the textile article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1996
    Assignee: Sara Lee Corporation
    Inventors: C. Michael Funderburk, P. Kurt Jordan, John A. Newman, J. C. McEwen, David C. Howell
  • Patent number: 5461998
    Abstract: An apparatus for automatically feeding one edge of a textile article to a sewing machine. The apparatus includes a first gripper adjacent to the sewing machine for gripping the leading portion of the edge of the textile article. A feed dog is adjacent to the first gripper for advancing the edge of the textile article with respect to the sewing machine. A second gripper grips the trailing portion of the edge of the textile article. A positioner supporting the second gripper means moves the second gripper with respect to the feed means. Finally, a programmable controller controls the movement of the positioner to advance the trailing portion of the edge of the textile article in response to the movement of the leading portion of the edge of the textile article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1995
    Assignee: Sara Lee Corporation
    Inventors: C. Michael Funderburk, P. Kurt Jordan, John A. Newman, J. C. McEwen, David C. Howell
  • Patent number: 5315946
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for attaching a collarette, display, and label incorporating the use of a sewing machine having a sewing head, a collarette feed means, a display feeder, a label feeder, leading and trailing edge detectors, a stitch counter, and a controller to control each device and perform necessary calculations is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1994
    Assignee: Sara Lee Corporation
    Inventors: David C. Howell, John C. McEwen
  • Patent number: 5167197
    Abstract: A system is disclosed for continuously, sequentially, fabricating garment components from fabric blanks by orienting the blanks and sequentially advancing them to a first station where they are aligned with a continuous extending fusible interfacing tape. A heated plate folds a marginal edge of the blank at the first station into engagement with the interfacing tape and selectively applies heat and pressure to adhesively bond the fabric folded portion to the interfacing tape. The fabric blank and tape are advanced to a sewing machine where the blank is hemmed to define the garment component. A cutter removes the tape intermediate adjacent components and the components are subsequently collected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1992
    Inventors: Edward R. Lavelle, Charles M. Funderburk, John C. McEwen, David C. Howell
  • Patent number: 5070542
    Abstract: A collar edge construction for a knitted garment. The construction includes a garment body provided with a finished lower edge and sleeves suitably attached opposite side of the upper end of the garment body. The body is cut away in the usual manner at its upper extremity to form a neck opening. The neck opening is visibly framed by a strip of collarette material which is folded longitudinally to form inner and outer layers. The lower portion of the outer layer is preferably folded inwardly to form a folded portion. The lower edge of the inner layer is also preferably folded to form a second folded portion. In accordance with the preferred embodiment, the edge of the body extends upwardly between the layers substantially to the longitudinal fold in the collarette. Preferably, at least two parallel lines of stitching pass through the lower portions of the collarette strip and the body fabric to complete the assembly. Because both edges of the collarette are folded inwardly, no raw edges show.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1991
    Assignee: Sara Lee Corporation
    Inventors: Edward R. LaVelle, John C. McEwen, Tyler L. Cole, David C. Howell
  • Patent number: 4481713
    Abstract: A reciprocating drafting pen device is provided for automatically lifting a technical pen and replacing it onto drafting paper while the pen is drawn transversely across the paper, for stippling, or for the drawing of various other interrupted lines. The apparatus includes a barrel, a piston mechanism disposed within the barrel and longitudinally movable therein, a technical pen held by the piston mechanism and movable therewith, including an ink reservoir and a pen nib extending out one end of the barrel. A guide foot is adjustably attached to one end of the barrel for maintaining a desired standoff between the barrel and the drafting paper to be inked. An electromechanical drive mechanism moves the piston mechanism longitudinally, and thereby also moves the drafting pen such that the nib is brought alternately into contact and out of contact with the drafting paper. Favorably, one or more adjustable piston stops can be provided for to facilitate removal of the technical pen from the piston mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1983
    Date of Patent: November 13, 1984
    Inventor: David C. Howell