Abstract: An automated quilting and tufting system for application of tufts at selected locations along a web of material, including a sewing head receiving a series of tufts or rosettes from a supply. The tufts are removed from their supply and are placed at selected locations on the web of material for attachment to the web of material by the sewing head. Thereafter, the web of material can be cut to form a panel of a desired size.

Abstract: An automated quilting and tufting system for application of tufts at selected locations along a web of material, including a sewing head receiving a series of tufts or rosettes from a supply. The tufts are removed from their supply and are placed at selected locations on the web of material for attachment to the web of material by the sewing head. Thereafter, the web of material can be cut to form a panel of a desired size.

Abstract: A system for quilting fabric materials includes a quilter unit having a reciprocating needle bar with a series of needles spaced therealong and carrying a series of threads for forming quilted patterns in fabric materials passing below the needles. The quilted fabric materials then can be collected on a supply roll or fed to a panel cutter downstream from the quilter unit. The panel cutter can include a panel cutting blade for cutting the quilted material in different panel lengths or sizes, as well as a series of slitting blades that can be moved into engagement with the quilted material for forming strips of the quilted material in desired widths.

Abstract: An apparatus for attaching a gusset to a panel includes a gusset folder that receives and folds a gusset material to form the gusset. The panel is supported by a sewing table. A sewing machine is positioned relative to the sewing table so as to be able to sew the gusset to the panel. A gusset guide guides the gusset toward a selected edge of the panel so that the gusset is held in substantial alignment with the edge of the panel. An edge detector detects when a next edge of the panel is approaching the sewing machine. A turning mechanism is positioned along the sewing table and is moveable into engagement with the panel. The turning mechanism turns the panel relative to the sewing machine when the edge detector detects the next edge of the panel is approaching the sewing machine.

Abstract: An apparatus for attaching a gusset to a panel includes a gusset folder that receives and folds a gusset material to form the gusset. The panel is supported by a sewing table. A sewing machine is positioned relative to the sewing table so as to be able to sew the gusset to the panel. A gusset guides the gusset toward a selected edge of the panel so that the gusset is held in substantial alignment with the edge of the panel. An edge detector detects when a next edge of the panel is approaching the sewing machine. A turning mechanism is positioned along the sewing table and is moveable into engagement with the panel. The turning mechanism turns the panel relative to the sewing machine when the edge detector detects the next edge of the panel is approaching the sewing machine.

Abstract: An automatic border sewing system having a pre-feed assembly for feeding a length of material for forming a mattress border. A feed and cut assembly feeds the border material into a sewing station for forming mitered corners in the border material and thereafter cuts the border material to form a border of a desired length. The mitered border is moved to a closer station for closing the leading and trailing edges of the border.

Abstract: An automatic border sewing system having a pre-feed assembly for feeding a length of material for forming a mattress border. A feed and cut assembly feeds the border material into a sewing station for forming mitered corners in the border material and thereafter cuts the border material to form a border of a desired length. The mitered border is moved to a closer station for closing the leading and trailing edges of the border.