Abstract: A method and system for tufting fabrics are disclosed. In addition a number of alternative tufting heads are disclosed. The method and system take into account at least one of the following factors: the direction of traverse with respect to filaments, any change in direction of traverse, the yarn type and thickness, the orientation of the needle with respect to the filaments, the distorting effect the needle has on the filament grid network when it is inserted into the backing, and the backing. The position of the needle relative to the positions of the tufts in the pattern is adjusted in order to compensate for positional errors introduced by the factors mentioned. The tufting heads are also modified to make them suitable for automation.

Abstract: A Jacquard emulator for operating the pins of a Jacquard mechanism as is used in the textile industry. The emulator has a number of disks mounted on the shafts of respective stepper motors. The disks have a number of holes therein so that when the disks are brought into contact with the pins by axial movement, predetermined pins align with holes in the disk so that required patterns of pins are actuated. The stepper motors are controlled to orient the disk to vary the pattern of pins actuated as required by a desired program.

Abstract: A method of controlling an embroidery machine (3) using a stitch processor (1) by interpreting a low level language program containing stitch commands and varying the stitch commands to vary certain parameters of the design. The parameters which may be varied in any combination thereof include any of the following stitch density, stitch length, size of the design independent of the stitch density, stitch spacing as a function of stitch length, orientation of the design, mirror image of the design and removing irregularities in the design. The parameters to be varied are entered by a keyboard/display (2). The program may be read from a paper tape reader (4), directly from a computer system (5) used to generate the original stitch commands or any other input device. The modified stitch commands may be fed directly to an embroidery machine or stored in any of the usual methods for communicating to an embroidery machine at a later date.

Abstract: A web of plastic bags is made from rollstock of a strong heat sealable plastic material for the bulk storage and dispensing of liquids by passing two aseptic sheets of the material into a press that heat bonds the longitudinal edges and laterally across the sheets to form a web of sealed bags. The longitudinally bonded strips are perforated to engage sprocket wheels which draw the web of bags to a position at which a dispensing fitment is bonded to the outer surface of one sheet, and then to a station which cuts a short lateral slit across only one sheet. The web then passes over and hangs from the sprocket so that the slit slightly opens to permit filling of the bag from the bottom up with a long pointed diving fill tube that isolates the bag contents from the slit. The area around the slit is then heat sealed against the opposite side of the bag to prevent leakage of the bag contents and the admission of contaminants into the bag.

Abstract: An automatic bag filling and capping apparatus includes an input ramp for receiving a continuous web of flexible laminated plastic bags each having a capped tubular filling fitment. A linear drive conveyer engages the leading bag fitment and pushed it along the ramp to a fitment gripper and, at that point, a severing blade separates the leading bag from the continuous web. The separate bag is then passed to a filling position where the fitment is held by side grippers on a three-position elevator, a cap gripper on a shuttle comes in to grasp the cap which is removed when the elevator is lowered. The elevator is then raised to engage the open fitment with a filling tube. When filled, a pair of temporary sealing cups are brought in to pinch the filled flexible bag just below the fitment to seal the bag against the admission of air.

Abstract: Flexible plastic bags used for the bulk storage and dispensing of fluids are often blocked from dispensing all the contents and/or entrap part of the contents in folds of the plastic as they shrink during dispensing. The invention is for a tongue or dip tube that is attached to the inner wall of the plastic bag near the location of the dispensing aperture. The tongue is formed of a laminate of two dissimilar materials, one non-hygroscopic and the other being hygroscopic, so that upon introduction of moisture into the bag, the hygroscopic layer will expand and the normally flat tongue will curl to form a thick tube that both prevents collapse of the bag and prevents closure of the dispensing aperture by the opposite wall of the bag.

Abstract: Self-closing fluid dispensing valves particularly for use with soft flexible fluid containers. The valves include a tubular outer housing having one end attached to the fluid container and an inner coaxial tubular barrel which may be rotated to align fluid dispensing holes in both housing and barrel. Tabs extending from both housing and barrel permit "two-finger" opening of the valves against spring forces that operate to automatically close the valves.

Abstract: A fluid dispenser for a bulk container for portable liquids or the like. A rigid outer box contains a sealable flexible fluid-containing plastic bag having a tubular dispenser sleeve mounted at an oblique angle to a plastic mounting fixture which is attached to the box that is also sealed to the outer surface of the fluid-containing bag. The dispenser, which is stored prior to use within the box, may be withdrawn and snapped into a horizontal position into a plastic clamp that is part of the mounting fixture and which prevents rotation of the sleeve. A turncock barrel rotatable within the dispensing sleeve has a sharp cutting tip which is normally angled with the angled end of the sleeve positioned to prevent piercing of the fluid bag. When rotated a half turn, the sharp cutting tip pierces the bag to permit the fluid to pass into the bore of the barrel and out through mating apertures in the barrel and sleeve.