Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to a method of making a lined fabric product having an open hem construction. An open hem construction refers to a lined fabric product in which a liner fabric is hemmed separately from a cover fabric. In this configuration, the liner fabric is allowed to drape independently from the cover fabric. In the past, fabric articles, such as curtains and draperies, having an open hem construction were primarily made exclusively by hand. The process of the present invention, on the other hand, allows some automation, improving the speed and cost at which the products are made.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for simultaneously feeding one or more rolls of material into a sewing and cutting system. In one embodiment, the material is cut into predetermined lengths of cloth and during processing, each side of the cloth is hemmed automatically. The system of the present invention is particularly well suited to producing draperies and other similar fabric products.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for converting one or more rolls of material into a pillow sham. In one embodiment, three rolls of material are overlapped and fed to a sewing and cutting system. The materials are sewn along their vertical edges and then cut to a determined size. After being cut, the three pieces of fabric are shifted and fed to further sewing heads for sewing the horizontal edges in producing a pillow sham. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the system converts a single roll of material into a pillow sham.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for converting a roll of material into various products such as curtains, draperies, valances, or the like. Specifically, the apparatus includes a roll let off for supporting and feeding a roll of material or cloth. After the let off, the edges of the cloth are cut if desired and are engaged by a pair of edge folding and positioning stations for forming vertically folded edges. The folded edges are then converted into hems and sewn into the material by a pair of corresponding hem sewing heads and cloth advancers. Once vertical hems are formed in the cloth, the cloth is cut to predetermined lengths and if desired, folded in a predetermined pattern. The folded pattern can then be transported to a sewing station for further sewing the material into a desired product.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for converting a roll of material into various products such as curtains, draperies, valances, or the like. Specifically, the apparatus includes a roll let off for supporting and feeding a roll of material or cloth. After the let off, the edges of the cloth are cut if desired and are engaged by a pair of edge folding and positioning stations for forming vertically folded edges. The folded edges are then converted into hems and sewn into the material by a pair of corresponding hem sewing heads and cloth advancers. Once vertical hems are formed in the cloth, the cloth is cut to predetermined lengths and if desired, folded in a predetermined pattern. The folded pattern can then be transported to a sewing station for further sewing the material into a desired product.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for simultaneously feeding two or more rolls of material into a sewing and cutting system. Specifically, the apparatus includes a roll let-off for supporting and feeding a first roll of material or cloth. The let-off includes a tension control unit for feeding the cloth at constant tension. A second roll let-off is also included for supporting and feeding a second roll of material. The second roll let-off also includes a tension control unit in combination with a torque supplying device. The tension control unit and the torque supplying device are adjusted to place a single tension on the material that allows the second roll of material to be fed with the first roll of material simultaneously and uniformly. By using the apparatus of the present invention, improved sewn products can be produced automatically.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for converting a roll of material into various products such as curtains, draperies, valances, or the like. Specifically, the apparatus includes a roll let off for supporting and feeding a roll of material or cloth. After the let off, the edges of the cloth are cut if desired and are engaged by a pair of edge folding and positioning stations for forming vertically folded edges. The folded edges are then converted into hems and sewn into the material by a pair of corresponding hem sewing heads and cloth advancers. Once vertical hems are formed in the cloth, the cloth is cut to predetermined lengths and if desired, folded in a predetermined pattern. The folded pattern can then be transported to a sewing station for further sewing the material into a desired product.

Abstract: Cloth moves from a reel along its length, a first "right-handed" edge treatment system positioned at one edge of the path of movement of the cloth treats one edge of the cloth, the cloth is turned over and a second "right-handed" edge treatment system positioned at the edge of the path of movement treats the opposite edge of the cloth. The cloth then moves into a cutting station where the cloth is cut into smaller sections. The cut sections are moved along an L-shaped path by a conveyor system with the cut edges extending along the path, and a third "right-handed" edge treatment system positioned adjacent the first leg of the L-shaped path treats one cut edge of the sections, the sections are turned over as they move into the second leg of the L-shaped path, and a fourth "right-handed" edge treatment system treats the opposite cut edge of the sections. The sections are then stacked.

Abstract: Sheet material is taken from a supply, moved along its length to a cutting station, an edge thereof is hemmed as it moves toward the cutting station, the sheet material is cut into segments, and the cut segments are moved parallel to their cut edges, the cut edges are hemmed, and the segments are folded. At the cutting station the leading portion of the sheet material is gripped and pulled from the entrance to the cutting station to the other side thereof, a slack bar is moved downwardly into the segment of sheet material in the cutting station to form slack in the segment, the sheet material is clamped adjacent the entrance to the cutting station and the segment in the cutting station is clamped against parallel conveyor tapes. A cutting disc is drawn across the sheet material at the entrance to the cutting station, and the parallel conveyor tapes move the sheet parallel to its cut edges to a hemming station where the edges are folded and hemmed.

Abstract: Sheet material is taken from a supply, moved along its length to a cutting station, an edge thereof is hemmed as it moves toward the cutting station, the sheet material is cut into segments, and the cut segments are moved parallel to their cut edges, the cut edges are hemmed, and the segments are folded. At the cutting station the leading portion of the sheet material is gripped and pulled from the entrance to the cutting station to the other side thereof, a slack bar is moved downwardly into the segment of sheet material in the cutting station to form slack in the segment, the sheet material is clamped adjacent the entrance to the cutting station and the segment in the cutting station is clamped against parallel conveyor tapes. A cutting disc is drawn across the sheet material at the entrance to the cutting station, and the parallel conveyor tapes move the sheet parallel to its cut edges to a hemming station where the edges are folded and hemmed.

Abstract: Cloth moves from a reel along its length, a first "right-handed" edge treatment system positioned at one edge of the path of movement of the cloth treats one edge of the cloth, the cloth is turned over and a second "right-handed" edge treatment system positioned at the edge of the path of movement treats the opposite edge of the cloth. The cloth then moves into a cutting station where the cloth is cut into smaller sections. The cut sections are moved along an L-shaped path by a conveyor system with the cut edges extending along the path, and a third "right-handed" edge treatment system positioned adjacent the first leg of the L-shaped path treats one cut edge of the sections, the sections are turned over as they move into the second leg of the L-shaped path, and a fourth "right-handed" edge treatment system treats the opposite cut edge of the sections. The sections are then stacked.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for inspecting and marking flawed sheet material is disclosed. Sheet material is moved from a supply along its length through a path to a cutter. The sheet material is visually inspected as it moves along its path, and a temporary electrically conductive mark is applied to the moving material at a predetermined distance away from any flaw that appears in the sheet material. The temporary mark is electrically detected at a position along the path the same predetermined distance away from the cutter as the flaw moves into the cutter, and as the last portion of the segment to be cut from the sheet material moves to the cutter, the sheet material is marked with a permanent mark. The sheet material is then cut and folded, and the permanent mark is located at a predetermined position in the folded segment of sheet material, no matter at what location in the segment of the sheet material the flaw appears.

Abstract: The rate of speed of thread being fed to a sewing machine needle is monitored so that when the thread speed decreases, indicating one or more malfunctions in the sewing operation, the operation of the sewing machine is automatically terminated.

Abstract: The label dispensing system includes an upright label housing which is open at its lower end, a stationary shelf at one side of the opening of the housing for supporting the edge portion of the bottom label in a stack of labels in the housing, a movable platform at the opposite side of the opening of the housing, and pointed instruments movable through slots in the shelf to impale and push the bottom label off the shelf. The platform moves to a level above the shelf to bow the bottom label downwardly as the pointed instruments impale and push the bottom label off the shelf. A suction head is movable from a position immediately beneath the bottom label in the housing through a downward arc to a position above a moving work piece, to grasp and pull the bottom label from the platform and move the bottom label from the stack in the housing to the work piece.

Abstract: Cloth moves from a reel along its length, a first "right-handed" edge treatment system positioned at one edge of the path of movement of the cloth treats one edge of the cloth, the cloth is turned over and a second "right-handed" edge treatment system positioned at the edge of the path of movement treats the opposite edge of the cloth. The cloth then moves into a cutting station where the cloth is cut into smaller sections. The cut sections are moved along an L-shaped path by a conveyor system with the cut edges extending along the path, and a third "right-handed" edge treatment system positioned adjacent the first leg of the L-shaped path treats one cut edge of the sections, the sections are turned over as they move into the second leg of the L-shaped path, and a fourth "right-handed" edge treatment system treats the opposite cut edge of the sections. The sections are then stacked.

Abstract: The guidance system pulls sheet material along its length from a supply and moves the sheet material across a work table through a sewing machine and the like. The sheet material extends through a loop and is moved from a level displaced from the level of the work surface of the work table about a horizontal guide bar and then onto the work table. An edge detector senses the edge of the sheet material, and the guide bar is pivoted about an upwardly extending axis in response to the drifting of the edge of the sheet material away from the desired predetermined path of movement toward the sewing machine to guide the edge of the material back to its desired path.