Abstract: A camouflage material comprises a plurality of parallel strips of camouflage fabric attached side by side laterally across a substrate and extending longitudinally along the substrate. The strips have a plurality of longitudinally spaced edge strips extending laterally from side edges of a central portion. The edge strips have a flat body that extends outwardly from the central portion to an outer end. The edge strips are formed so that at lest some of the edge strips deflect outwardly and downwardly to give the fabric a three-dimensional contour. The three-dimensional effect is achieved by employing enlarged bulbous ends on some edge strips or by orienting the edge strips at an upward inclined angle, or both.

Abstract: A process for producing a camouflage material having a three-dimensional surface contour comprises providing a plurality of parallel strips of thermoplastic camouflage material having irregular side edges and positioning the strips, preferably with overlapping edges, on an underlying substrate in a multiple head bonding machine, such as a quilting machine, that simultaneously bonds a number of strips of material to the substrate in parallel fashion. Prior to bonding the strips to the substrate, the strips are spaced apart from the substrate and freely suspended. While freely suspended, a series of hot gas pulses (typically hot air) are delivered at spaced, discreet locations along the longitudinal outer surface of the strips of camouflage fabric. The temperature and duration of the air pulses are such that the hot pulses form shallow, cup-shaped depressions in the camouflage fabric, causing the camouflage fabric to spring away from the plane of the substrate at intermittent intervals along its length.

Abstract: A three-dimensional camouflage fabric is produced in a multi-head quilting machine by sewing a multiplicity of transversely spaced, elongated strips of relatively narrow fabric on a relatively wide web of a substrate fabric along laterally spaced lines of attachment positioned between the side edges of the strips. The strips are attached to the substrate in a longitudinal wrinkled condition, giving the strips a three-dimensional contour. The side edges of the strips are formed in an irregular pattern, with edge patterns of adjacent strips being different. The edges of the strips desirably overlap so as to enhance the three-dimensional appearance. The strips can be wrinkled by feeding the strips at a faster rate than the substrate. This can be achieved by a spring feeding mechanism or by sewing the strips at an inclined angle to the substrate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cleaning debris, such as lint-like residue, from the bristle blocks of an automatic fabric cutting machine cutting bed, utilizing a linear motion device connected to a head by motion-amplifying linkages in order to amplify the acceleration produced by the motion device and thereby accelerate a slat of bristle blocks toward a grate. When the slat contacts the grate it is abruptly decelerated, which causes the debris to travel out from between the bristles. The grate is indexed between cycles of the head so that different portions of the slat strike the grate each cycle.

Abstract: For the purpose of sewing appliques to garments of an air porous fabric, the surface on which the garment is supported during the sewing process is provided with numerous small holes arranged in an area around the needle of the sewing machine. A source of vacuum is connected to these openings, the amount of vacuum being applied being adequate to hold the fabric of the garment firmly against the support surface and the applique firmly against the garment. The air pressure differential created by the vacuum is sufficient to positively hold the applique in place even though it and the garment are moved rapidly to align the target to be stitched with the needle.