Patents by Inventor Willie M. Lathery

Willie M. Lathery has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 4704976
    Abstract: A system for forming substantially diamond-shaped gussets to be used in the production of panty hose garments wherein the gussets are formed by severing a circular knit tube along a bias angle of approximately 30.degree. subsequently to form strips having a width corresponding to the desired width of a gusset. The strip then is severed along a prescribed angle of approximately 30.degree. to define a gusset wherein the fabric wales extend parallel to a line extending from one point to the diagonally opposite point of the diamond-shaped gusset. The gusset is then transferred and oriented for subsequent sewing to hosiery blanks in the forming of panty hose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1987
    Assignee: Sara Lee Corporation
    Inventors: J. Reid London, Cecil R. Bell, Jr., A. Russell Edwards, Willie M. Lathery, Lee A. Efird, Richard M. Porter, Stephen K. Shaw, Thomas J. Costello, August A. Pike, Donald G. Bell, Harold Setliff
  • Patent number: 4640162
    Abstract: A system for forming substantially diamond-shaped gussets to be used in the production of panty hose garments wherein the gussets are formed by severing a circular knit tube along a bias angle of approximately 30.degree. subsequently to form strips having a width corresponding to the desired width of a gusset. The strip then is severed along a prescribed angle of approximately 30.degree. to define a gusset wherein the fabric wales extend parallel to a line extending from one point to the diagonally opposite point of the diamond-shaped gusset. The gusset is then transferred and oriented for subsequent sewing to hosiery blanks in the forming of panty hose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1987
    Assignee: Sara Lee Corporation
    Inventors: J. Reid London, Cecil R. Bell, Jr., A. Russell Edwards, Willie M. Lathery, Lee A. Efird, Richard M. Porter, Stephen K. Shaw, Thomas J. Costello, August A. Pike, Donald G. Bell, Harold Setliff
  • Patent number: 4602710
    Abstract: A system for automatically orienting hosiery blanks upon a conveyor, selectively transferring blanks from the conveyor to a turret assembly by means of a pick-up assembly, the turret assembly including a plurality of support units for sequentially conveying a plurality of blanks in an arcuate path to an automatic toe closing machine, everting the blanks and sewing closed the toe portions of the blanks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 29, 1986
    Assignee: Sara Lee Corporation
    Inventors: Cecil R. Bell, Jr., Willie M. Lathery, Navin D. Patel, Jasper R. London
  • Patent number: 4598817
    Abstract: A system for automatically orienting hosiery blanks upon a conveyor, selectively transferring blanks from the conveyor to a turret assembly by means of a pick-up assembly, the turret assembly including a plurality of support units for sequentially conveying a plurality of blanks in an arcuate path to an automatic toe closing machine, everting the blanks and sewing closed the toe portions of the blanks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1986
    Assignee: Sara Lee Corporation
    Inventors: Cecil R. Bell, Jr., Willie M. Lathery, Navin D. Patel, Jasper R. London
  • Patent number: 4539924
    Abstract: A system for automatically orienting hosiery blanks upon a conveyor, selectively transferring blanks from the conveyor to a turret assembly by means of a pick-up assembly, the turret assembly including a plurality of support units for sequentially conveying a plurality of blanks in an arcuate path to an automatic toe closing machine, everting the blanks and sewing closed the toe portions of the blanks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1981
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1985
    Assignee: Consolidated Foods Corporation
    Inventors: Cecil R. Bell, Jr., Willie M. Lathery, Navin D. Patel, Jasper R. London
  • Patent number: 4364320
    Abstract: A system for automatically closing the toe portions of tubular hosiery blanks includes an automatic loader assembly for receiving, supporting and spreading open an end portion of a hosiery blank, for transporting the blank to a toe closing machine, and for carrying the opened end of the blank over a loading tube of a toe closing machine while everting the blank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1981
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1982
    Assignee: Consolidated Foods Corporation
    Inventors: George D. Nakhle, Cecil R. Bell, Arthur R. Edwards, Willie M. Lathery, Navin D. Patel
  • Patent number: 4020775
    Abstract: Automated machine and method for closing the toe ends of an otherwise completed panty hose type garment, by seams which are inside the toes when the finished garment is right side out. The machine consists basically of a garment input section, toe closing section and discharge section. The input section includes means for mounting the garment and then advancing the toe ends of its leg portions to the toe closing section, preparatory to closing the toes. The toe closing section includes a seaming device forming identical seams in the toe ends of the garment by a chain of stitches, an automatic trimmer for cutting the chain of stitches close to the toe fabrics and toe fabric clamping assemblies to deliver the toe ends to the seaming device. The discharge section includes means for receiving the garment, following the toe closing operation, and for the removal of the finished garment, right side out, from the machine in completed condition ready for packaging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1975
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1977
    Assignee: Hanes Corporation
    Inventors: J. Frank King, Willie M. Lathery, Howard L. Beamon