Abstract: A product packaging system for organizing and packing a number of different items into a set. The system may include a number of staging conveyors. Each of the staging conveyors may carry a stack of items from the number of different items. The system further may include a positioning conveyor positioned adjacent to the staging conveyors and a number of removal devices positioned adjacent to the positioning conveyor. The removal devices may remove one item from the stack of items on each of the staging conveyors and place the item on the positioning conveyor. The system also may include one or more rotation devices positioned about the positioning conveyor so as to rotate the one items on the positioning conveyor.

Abstract: An apparatus for closing an open side of a fabric article from a first end to a second end. The apparatus may include a gripping device for gripping the first end and the second end of the open side of the fabric article and then tensioning the open side. The apparatus also may include a closing device positioned adjacent to the gripping device such that the closing device maneuvers along the fabric article to fasten the open side from the first end to the second end.

Abstract: A product packaging system for organizing and packing a number of different items into a set. The system may include a number of staging conveyors. Each of the staging conveyors may carry a stack of items from the number of different items. The system further may include a positioning conveyor positioned adjacent to the staging conveyors and a number of removal devices positioned adjacent to the positioning conveyor. The removal devices may remove one item from the stack of items on each of the staging conveyors and place the item on the positioning conveyor. The system also may include one or more rotation devices positioned about the positioning conveyor so as to rotate the one items on the positioning conveyor.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a valance with a number of transverse pockets from a continuous strip of material. The apparatus may include a feed pull assembly positioned along a predetermined path for pulling a predetermined length of the continuous strip of material onto a tabletop, a cutter assembly for cutting the predetermined length of the material from the strip, a first fold assembly to fold a first end of the length of the material, a second fold assembly to fold a second end of the length of the material under the first end, and a hemming assembly to sew the transverse pockets.

Abstract: An apparatus for closing an open side of a fabric article from a first end to a second end. The apparatus may include a gripping device for gripping the first end and the second end of the open side of the fabric article and then tensioning the open side. The apparatus also may include a closing device positioned adjacent to the gripping device such that the closing device maneuvers along the fabric article to fasten the open side from the first end to the second end.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a valance with a number of transverse pockets from a continuous strip of material. The apparatus may include a feed pull assembly positioned along a predetermined path for pulling a predetermined length of the continuous strip of material onto a tabletop, a cutter assembly for cutting the predetermined length of the material from the strip, a first fold assembly to fold a first end of the length of the material, a second fold assembly to fold a second end of the length of the material under the first end, and a hemming assembly to sew the transverse pockets.

Abstract: A hem monitoring system for a textile finishing device having one or more sewing heads positioned along a predetermined path for finishing the hem on a textile product in a high speed manner. The monitoring system includes a camera, a monitor, and means for controlling the camera such that an image of the hem is captured and displayed on the monitor so as to inspect the quality of the hem.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for sealing a corner of a fabric article. The invention includes a conveyor for maneuvering the fabric article along a predetermined path and has an air gun positioned adjacent to the path. The air gun has maneuvering means for motion about the path. The air gun blows air onto the corner of the fabric article as the article is maneuvered along the path adjacent to the air gun.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a pillow sham from a sheet of material. The apparatus includes one or more hemmers positioned on a predetermined path for hemming one or more lateral edges of the sheet, a tri-fold assembly positioned on the predetermined path such that the sheet is folded into a front panel, a first back panel, and a second back panel, and one or more sewing assemblies positioned on the predetermined path such that the panels are sewn into place.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for sealing a corner of a fabric article. The invention includes a conveyor for maneuvering the fabric article along a predetermined path and has an air gun positioned adjacent to the path. The air gun has maneuvering means for motion about the path. The air gun blows air onto the corner of the fabric article as the article is maneuvered along the path adjacent to the air gun.

Abstract: A device to remove any bias in the position of a cut line on a continuous strip of cloth. The device has at least two detecting devices located along a predetermined path to detect the position of the cut line and a straightening bar to tilt the continuous strip to compensate for the bias.

Abstract: An adjustable template for maneuvering a textile product. The template includes a template base with several template shoes movably mounted along the sides of the base. The position of the template shoes with respect to the template base is adjusted in response to the detection of the length and the width of the textile product such that when the template is positioned on the product, each template shoe is positioned at a predetermined distance from a lateral edge of the textile product.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing a textile product from a continuous strip of material having borders defining discrete panels. The apparatus pulls the strip along a pre-determined path. As the strip is advanced, the border of a panel is detected. Based upon the distance the panel is advanced after the detection of the border, the length of each panel is determined while the width of each panel is measured. Each panel is then cut from the strip and maneuvered along a calculated path for finishing based upon the determination of length and width.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for constructing pillowcases, upper and lower layers of fabric are conveyed along separate paths with their obverse surfaces facing upwardly. Cuffs are formed along one longitudinal edge of each layer. The upper layer of fabric is then reversed to an obverse-side down orientation, and the upper and lower layers of fabric are superimposed with their obverse surfaces mutually facing and their cuffed lateral edges mutually corresponding. The superimposed upper and lower layers of fabric are then stitched together along the lateral edge opposite the cuffed lateral edge. Next, a length of the superimposed upper and lower layers of fabric is cut to a length equal to the desired width of a finished pillowcase. The resulting rectangular workpiece comprises upper and lower panels of fabric stitched together along one transverse edge and cuffed at their opposite transverse edge.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for constructing pillowcases, upper and lower layers of fabric are conveyed along separate paths with their obverse surfaces facing upwardly. Cuffs are formed along one longitudinal edge of each layer. The upper layer of fabric is then reversed to an obverse-side down orientation, and the upper and lower layers of fabric are superimposed with their obverse surfaces mutually facing and their cuffed lateral edges mutually corresponding. The superimposed upper and lower layers of fabric are then stitched together along the lateral edge opposite the cuffed lateral edge. Next, a length of the superimposed upper and lower layers of fabric is cut to a length equal to the desired width of a finished pillowcase. The resulting rectangular workpiece comprises upper and lower panels of fabric stitched together along one transverse edge and cuffed at their opposite transverse edge.