Abstract: A system and method for managing abrasive blasting may include cumulatively timing a duration of blast media being blown in performing abrasive blasting using an abrasive blasting machine. A cumulative time duration that an operator worked in association with the duration of the blast media being blown may be received. A blasting efficiency ratio may be computed based on the cumulative time duration of the blasting media being blown over a time period, such as a time period that the operator worked. The blasting efficiency ratio may be displayed to a user.

Abstract: A washable, reusable mat that serves as a stimulation device for animals, the mat having a base a base with a pile thereon, the pile being formed from a plurality of fingers which are arranged to form a structure with a plurality of spaces. Food or treats for the animal (e.g., a dog), are placed on the mat, and the food or treats fall among the fingers and are captured within the spaces formed in the pile by the fingers. The animal locates the food or treats by employing the animal's olfactory senses, such as smell and taste, to locate the food within the matt pile. The animal may use its nose (or paws) to gain access to the captured food by tunneling among the fingers, moving the fingers aside, or other action to access the hidden food.

Abstract: The object of the invention is to provide a method which is as simple and economical as possible for manufacturing a tufted product, in particular a tufted top layer of a carpet, having improved nep adhesion properties. For this purpose splittable fibers are used which split on or in the region of the puncture site during tufting.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method to, using self-vulcanizing material in the form of a narrow tape or thread (1), wind the tape or thread (1) around the sewing thread (7) of the sewed-on button (3) between the button (3) and a textile (2) in question a few turns, and after that, tear off the tape or thread (1). The remaining tape or thread (1) is pressed together using a pliers-like hand tool (4) into a soft neck (10), which within approx. two hours has been vulcanized together. Then, the sewing thread (7) does not unwind and the button (3) stably stays in place. The invention also relates to a means for carry out the method.

Abstract: An embroidery sewing machine hoop guard includes a strap held by a handle portion having a grip, a strap attachment wall for attachment of one end of the strap, and a buckle for receiving the other end, allowing the strap to be held on edge in a generally circular position. The strap adjusts to fit within a hoop while allowing adhesive spraying of a flat area of clothing material to be embroidered, protecting from overspray of adhesive, thus avoiding periodic cleaning of the hoop. The hoop guard may be held on any surface within which a spray material or coating is applied to the surface, by gripping with one hand while a spray device is operated by the other hand to spray an area of the surface within the boundary formed by the strap and handle portion. This prevents overspray beyond that area, protecting other elements or surfaces.

Abstract: A lighting apparatus for a sewing machine having a lamp holder, which retains at least one lamp, is arranged on the underside of the head of a sewing machine, and within the range of the needle bar and the presser foot bar. The lamp is constructed to loop around the needle bar and the presser foot bar over an angular range of more than 180°. The type of lamp used is, preferably, a cold-light-cathode florescent lamp, which radiates little, if any, heat, while emitting a pleasant light.

Abstract: A sewing machine type decorative box includes a sewing machine body and a box engaged with the sewing machine body. A music device is provided within the box, and this music device includes a rolling wheel and an end gear connected at a first end of the wheel. A rotary disk also is installed within the box, wherein a periphery of the rotary disk engages the end gear of the music device. Additionally, a rod is provided that rotates along with the rotary disk. The sewing machine body includes first and second transverse axes. A first gear is provided at a first end of the first transverse axis, and an eccentric cam is provided at a second end of the first transverse axis. The second transverse axis includes a gear at one end that engages with the first gear of the first transverse axis. A longitudinal driving axis extends between the sewing machine body and the box.

Abstract: An applique such as a lace-trimming is grafted onto a region of a textile product, such as a towel or a pair of blue-jeans. Previously, said region is marked by lockstitching on the product base material by means of an embroidering machine and removed therefrom, preferably by cutting or punching in a press. The applique is then bridged onto the removed portion of the base material with only a small overlap thereover and joined thereto by embroidering a seam all the way round the overlap with the machine. The seam is preferably about 4 mm wide and the overlap between 2 mm and 3 mm. A method is disclosed wherein the product is permanently retained in a hoop between the marking and joining steps, through the removing step, thus enabling the product to be uniquely placed relative to the embroidering machine before and after temporary removal to the press.

Abstract: A method of constructing a patchwork quilt by (1) providing a number of pieces of foldable material specifically shaped to be folded and sewn together to make a quilt that appears to be made with a larger number of pieces than are actually used; (2) folding the material to give the appearance that each piece is made of several smaller pieces which have been sewn together; (3) sewing the pieces of folded material together to form a block suitable for use as one block of the top layer of a quilt; (4) providing layers of insulating material and backing adjacent to the bottom surface of the composite piece; (5) sewing the three layers together so that the fabric is quilted and pieced all in one step to form a patchwork quilt block; and (5) joining several blocks together to make a quilt.

Abstract: A device for adding extra stuffing to quilted items. A trapunto rod consists of a tube 10 which holds the stuffing material, an ejection means (piston) 14 driven by a linear drive means (inner rod) 12 which slides inside the tube and ejects the stuffing material at a specific location between the layers of a quilted item, and a handle 16 which stops the piston at its ejecting limit.

Abstract: The present invention permits the testing of the sewing characteristics of various types of sewing threads under conditions which simulate the normal conditions encountered when performing various fabric seaming operations in the conventional manner. The testing of the sewing characteristics of the sewing threads is carried out in an economical manner by using narrow test strip fabric so that the test results can be ascertained in a short period of time. The method and apparatus of the present invention permits various types of sewing threads to be subjected to the identical and repeatable conditions so that an accurate comparison of the sewing characteristics can be made. The sewing thread test can be carried out on relatively inexpensive narrow test fabric strips which are fed to and past the stitching needle of the sewing machine in various angular paths of travel relative to the needle and at preselected variable speed rates.

Abstract: Variable potential and breaking detection potential of a controller in a sewing machine are respectively subjected to analog-to-digital conversions, thereby to make it possible that the breaking detection of the controller and correction of dispersions of component accuracies of the controller are effected at one time.

Abstract: An industrial sewing machine having a main shaft which can be driven by an electric motor drive, a positioner disposed on the main shaft, a regulating and control system controlling the electric motor drive, an operating and display system, and an interface system producing the connection between the operating and display system on the one hand and the regulating and control system on the other. Such an industrial sewing machine is to be configured such that great freedom from electrical interference will be achieved in spite of the individual connection of additional unfiltered electrical components.

Abstract: A sewing machine control box mounted on a non-operative end of a sewing machine frame, and including a partition board which divides the control box into first and second chambers. A transformer which gives off heat in operation is provided in a first chamber, and a printed circuit board which otherwise might be damaged by the heat generated by the transformer is provided in a second chamber. The dividing of the control box into these first and second chambers prevents excessive heat transfer from the transformer to the printed circuit board during operation of the sewing machine.

Abstract: An efficiency monitoring device determines the efficiency of a machine and operator where the machine is turned off and on by the operator. Efficiency is determined by first monitoring the cycle speed of a machine by means of a light source, a reflective tape, and a photoelectric cell which produces a signal from which a digital computer can continuously calculate the instantaneous cycle speed. The computer maintains a continuous time base, and then plots the cycle speed as a function of time to produce an efficiency profile for the machine and operator.

Abstract: A gage for setting sewing machine bobbin tension is comprised of a tensioning member which is located substantially within an open topped cylindrical case and which has gripping means arranged to extend out of the case, through an elongate opening in its side, for releasably engaging thread from a sewing machine bobbin. The tensioning member includes a tightly wound coil which fits rotatably over a post located in the case, but which is prevented from rotating on the post by means of a tab extending from one of its ends. The other end of the coil extends across the case to provide a straight indicating section, and an extention section extends at an acute angle from the indicating section back across and out of the case through the opening. A window located in a lid which covers the open top of the case is arranged to display a portion of the indicating section.