Abstract: A sewing machine in combination with a workpiece control and advancing mechanism for automatically forming a coverstitch over an existing overedge stitch. The workpiece control and advancing mechanism includes an edge sensor and an edge guider and a feed roller for stretching the garment to place the garment in a condition that it can be automatically processed.

Abstract: A sleeve loader having a table for positioning trays container either a stack of folded or unfolded sleeves at a processing position, a device for lifting up an upper ply of a garment in the stack of sleeves, a device for picking up the upper ply of the sleeves in the stack, a device for assuring the correct orientation of the sleeve for sewing, a device for alignment of the sleeves in a correct position for sewing, and a device for rejecting sleeves having an undesirable characteristic or orientation.

Abstract: A hemmer seamer assembly comprising an apparatus for positioning a chain of stitches for stitching onto fabric having a needle and a throat plate, including a device for positioning the chain of stitches forwardly of the needle, and a device for moving the fabric to the throat plate for sewing the chain onto the fabric.

Abstract: A hemmer seamer assembly comprising an apparatus for positioning a chain of stitches for stitching onto fabric having a needle and a throat plate, including a device for positioning the chain of stitches forwardly of the needle, and a device for moving the fabric to the throat plate for sewing the chain onto the fabric.

Abstract: A hemmer seamer assembly comprising an apparatus for positioning a chain of stitches for stitching onto fabric having a needle and a throat plate, including a device for positioning the chain of stitches forwardly of the needle, and a device for moving the fabric to the throat plate for sewing the chain onto the fabric.

Abstract: A hemmer seamer assembly comprising an apparatus for positioning a chain of stitches for stitching onto fabric having a needle and a throat plate, including a device for positioning the chain of stitches forwardly of the needle, and a device for moving the fabric to the throat plate for sewing the chain onto the fabric.

Abstract: A hemmer seamer assembly comprising an apparatus for positioning a chain of stitches for stitching onto fabric having a needle and a throat plate, including a device for positioning the chain of stitches forwardly of the needle, and a device for moving the fabric to the throat plate for sewing the chain onto the fabric.

Abstract: A hemmer seamer assembly comprising an apparatus for positioning a chain of stitches for stitching onto fabric having a needle and a throat plate, including a device for positioning the chain of stitches forwardly of the needle, and a device for moving the fabric to the throat plate for sewing the chain onto the fabric.

Abstract: A hemmer seamer assembly comprising an apparatus for positioning a chain of stitches for stitching onto fabric having a needle and a throat plate, including a device for positioning the chain of stitches forwardly of the needle, and a device for moving the fabric to the throat plate for sewing the chain onto the fabric.

Abstract: A sleeve handling device comprising, a first moving conveyor, a second moving conveyor disposed at an angle to the first conveyor, and a device for picking up a cloth on the first conveyor at a central portion thereof. The sleeve handling device has a device for moving the picking up device to a location above the second conveyor and dropping off the folded cloth onto the second conveyor.

Abstract: A hemmer seamer assembly comprising an apparatus for positioning a chain of stitches for stitching onto fabric having a needle and a throat plate, including a device for positioning the chain of stitches forwardly of the needle, and a device for moving the fabric to the throat plate for sewing the chain onto the fabric.

Abstract: An apparatus for positioning a chain of stitches for stitching onto material in a sewing machine having a needle and a throat plate. The apparatus has a blower for positioning the chain of stitches forwardly of the needle. The apparatus has grasping members for grasping the chain in the forward position. The apparatus also has a cylinder for moving the grasping members between a first position adjacent the throat plate when the chain is being grasped, and a second position away from the throat plate after the chain has been grasped to tighten the grasped chain.

Abstract: An automatic transfer apparatus for delivering textile articles from a first conveyor to a second conveyor; each conveyor moving the articles in separate directions. The apparatus includes an article gripping head mounted for pivotal movement between two positions and a drive mechanism. The apparatus operates such that the article is removed from the first conveyor, subsequently folded in half about its midpoint and deposited on the second conveyor with substantially no horizontal velocity component being imparted to the workpiece in the direction of the first conveyor system.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a guidance system operable in combination with an automatic transfer apparatus. The guidance system is effective to position each half of a folded and hemmed workpiece together in a proper orientation relative to each other and relative to a predetermined path during the time that the workpiece is removed from a first conveyor. The guidance system includes: a pair of workpiece hem aligners and hem guides.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a guidance system operable in combination with an automatic transfer apparatus. The guidance system is effective to position each half of a folded and hemmed workpiece together in a proper orientation relative to each other and relative to a predetermined path during the time that the workpiece is removed from a first conveyor. The guidance system includes: a pair of workpiece hem aligners and hem guides.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for acting upon a cloth in a manner for automatically forming a shirt sleeve from a sleeve blank. The blank is conveyed by a conveyor is a first direction and a hem is automatically formed and secured along a longitudinal edge thereof. The blank is automatically picked up off the conveyor and folded about an axis substantially transverse to the first direction. The transference of the hemmed and folded sleeve is controlled such that the overlapping edges of the folded blank are in substantial alignment relative to one another when deposited on a second conveyor which conveys the blank in a second direction. As the blank is conveyed by the second conveyor, the overlapping and generally aligned edges of the folded workpiece are secured together to form a shirt sleeve.

Abstract: A mechanism for transfering workpieces received from an automatic sewing machine and stacking same at a location remote from the machine. The mechanism includes a pivotally arranged stacker device that is movable toward and away from the sewing machine. The stacker device includes a rotational work supporting surface against which the workpiece exiting from the machine is releasably held. The stacker device also includes a mechanism for orientating the workpiece in a predetermined disposition on the work supporting surface of the stacker device during transferance to insure proper workpiece stacking.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for aligning fabric edges which includes a microprocessor, a photocell array, A/D converter and multiplexer. Various readings of the photocell array are made during the cycle. These readings are recorded and in conjunction with others made during the fabric edge alignment step, are employed to determine when the fabric edges are aligned.

Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to an auxiliary feed mechanism adapted to maintain an edge of a workpiece in substantial registration with a predetermined path along which the workpiece edge is moved. The invention includes a motor driven auxiliary feed device which is operatively associated with a unique servosystem. The invention further includes sensing elements arranged to monitor the position of the workpiece edge and devices operatively associated with the sensing elements and the servosystem for automatically adjusting the feed rate of the auxiliary mechanism according to the characteristics of the work being sewn and for effecting the speed of the auxiliary mechanism relative to the velocity of the workpiece whereby maintaining the desired alignment of the workpiece edge relative its predetermined position or path during the sewing operation.