Abstract: A handling device and installation for bringing to a second station, in a predetermined and fixed orientation and position, a piece, and in particular a supple piece in sheet form such as a fabric, situated in a first station in an approximative position. The installation includes photoelectric edge detectors for locating the position of the piece at the first station, drive motors for bringing and positioning a carriage opposite so-called gripping zones which are predetermined locations on the piece, and shoes for gripping the piece at the first station at the gripping zone and moving the piece to the second station whereby pieces of fabric are supplied in a predetermined orientation to a sewing station.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for positioning a supple piece in sheet form on a support surface and to a handling installation applying this process, whereby the piece on the storage support is gripped by two so-called gripping points, these points are displaced along parallel paths above the support surface so that one end of the piece trails on this surface, and each of said gripping points is released independently of each other, as soon as the trailing free edge of the piece passes through a respective point of alignment of the support surface. The invention is particularly applied to the automatic supply of a sewing station.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for handling sheet-like pieces, whereby a swell is made on a zone of a piece in sheet form by pressing the latter between the support and a pressing member, the piece is gripped at the level of this zone, between the pressing member and a finger, and the piece thus gripped is displaced with respect to the support. The invention is more particularly applicable to the handling of pieces of material stacked in a pile.

Abstract: An installation for the linear treatment, such as sewing, along a curved edge, of a flexible piece of fabric or other material comprises: a sewing machine; a device for moving the piece along an axis; a work table for supporting the piece during its treatment; and a correcting device comprising: detection means for detecting the presence of the piece 1 in a zone upstream of the point of treatment and situated on one side with respect to the axis of treatment, and re-centering means comprising one part of the work table which is movable in rotation about an axis which is offset with respect to the axis of treatment and a motor controlled by the said detection means for driving the said part in rotation. The invention finds an application with cording machines in particular.