Abstract: Sewing machine for sewing a rubber strip to a tubular end piece of a garment made from an elastic textile material in order to produce an endless elastic band. The sewing machine comprises a presser foot (18) with an insertion opening (22) for the rubber strip (24), a braking device (48) to resist the insertion movement of the rubber strip and provided with two clamping elements (50, 52) which grip the strip, and a cutting system (26) which can be motor driven in order to cut the rubber strip. To eliminate the reintroduction process of the strip (24) into the insertion opening (22) of the presser foot (18) after said cutting, the cutting system (26) is arranged rear from the insertion opening (22) of and in the presser foot (18), and a drive (56) is associated with the braking device (48) to increase the gap between the two clamping element (50, 52) just before actuation of the cutting system (26).

Abstract: A sewing machine comprising a feed unit 10 to feed a folded tape beneath a presser foot 8, a cutting unit 15 to cut the tape upstream of the presser foot and a hemming group 21 to guide and shape the hem of a workpiece upstream of the presser foot. The feed unit 10, cutting unit 15 and hemming group 21 comprise a feed guide 11, a cutting member 16 and a hem folder 22 respectively, which are individually and selectively movable from a rest position in which they are spaced apart from a workpiece supporting table 3 and the presser foot 8 to a working position in which they are disposed close to the supporting table and presser foot to perform their operating functions.

Abstract: A sewing machine having a reciprocatable needle for stitching material thereunder, a motor driven handwheel for cutting thread or material in the vicinity of the needle within a finite time interval from when actuated and a controller for actuating the cutter at leading and trailing ends of the material. The sewing machine applies a stitch to the material during one complete revolution of the handwheel. The controller comprises a sensor, disposed a given distance from the cutter, for sensing the leading edge and the trailing edge of material under the needle. The number of revolutions of the handwheel is counted after the leading edge is sensed or after the trailing edge is sensed. The stitching speed is sensed, a first reference is provided for indicating the desired number of stitches to be applied in the given distance and a second reference is provided for indicating the finite time interval.

Abstract: Sheet material (30) is cut into rectangular segments (35). The segments are then moved parallel to their cut edges rapidly away from the cutting station into a slower operating first sewing station (40) where elastic bands are sewn to the cut head and foot edge portions of the segment. The rapidly moving trailing portion of the segment (35) of sheet material is temporarily accumulated at the accumulation station (39) and progressively fed at a lower rate from the accumulation station to the first sewing station. The head and foot edge portions are folded into overlying relationship with respect to the main body portion by passing the main body portion through a U-shaped turn and at the same time passing the head and foot edge portions though a pair of 90 degree turns. Sewing machines are moved first inwardly and then outwardly across the folded edge portions of the segment, thus forming the sewn line of chain stitching at the corners of the bedsheet.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting and positioning a chain of stitches for stitching onto material in a sewing machine having a needle and a throat plate, comprising, a cutting knife adapted to sever the chain of stitches after the chain has been sewn onto the material, a device adapted to move the severed chain to a position forwardly of the needle, and a gripping device adapted to be positioned at a level below the throat plate during sewing of the chain stitches onto the material, and to rise up and grip the thus positioned severed chain, and return to below the level of the throat plate to hold the chain, to effect incorporation of the chain during the initial stitches into the seam being formed.

Abstract: The device herein described comprises a feed roller 12 rotated by a motor 16 and disposed before the presser foot 9 at right angles to the feed advance direction of the workpiece. Individually and selectively acting against the feed roller 12 are two pressure backing rollers 19, 20 each of which engages a respective piece of ribbon-like trimmings to push it against the feed roller which carries out the pulling thereof. The pressure backing rollers 19, 20 are supported by a swinging plate which is caused to oscillate upon the action of a fluid-operated cylinder 30 in order to make the backing rollers selectively engage with the feed roller 12 and therefore selectively feed said ribbon-like trimmings under the pressure foot 9.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for applying a protective strip by sewing to an end of a slide fastener, a continuous protective strip is fed downwardly toward a tape supply position on the base of a sewing machine with its one surface facing opposite to a direction of feed of a slide fastener until a leading end portion of the protective tape overlays the base by a predetermined length, then the leading end portion is bent in a direction opposite to the fastener feed direction by a stream of pressurized air issued from an air nozzle, thereafter, a slide fastener is advanced along the base until its leading end reaches to a sewing position located downstream of the tape supply position, thereby causing the leading end portion of the protective tape to bend into a U-shape extending from the back to the face of the slide fastener around the leading end thereof, then the U-shaped leading end portion is cut from the continuous protective tape, thereby forming a U-shaped protective strip which in turn is sewn to the lea

Abstract: Pattern printed textile products, such as pillow cases and items of apparel, are produced in such a manner that the pattern is always properly positioned on the final product. The pattern is printed on a fabric web while it moves in a first direction, and in synchronization with the pattern printing a magnetic mark is disposed (e.g. jet printed) on the web in a known position adjacent the pattern in the direction of fabric movement. A number of marks may be printed, which define the perimeter portions of the fabric if cut into fabric panels. Subsequently, the magnetic marking on the fabric is detected, the fabric is stopped, and rough cut is made at a known position with respect to the mark. A fine cut later severs the mark from the rest of the fabric. Automatic hemming can take place during fine cutting, and after fine cutting and hemming, other steps are performed to turn the fabric into a final textile product.

Abstract: A device and method for linearly inserting an interlining into the formation of a waistband of a garment such as slacks. The device has separate guiding means which directs different strips of fabric into a sewing mechanism which, in turn, combines the waistband components. One of the fabrics constitutes the interlining which prevents the waistband from rolling over in use. The guide for feeding the interlining into the sewing mechanism utilizes a linearly moving air cylinder. Pins on a holder pivotally connected to the cylinder attach to the interlining and feed it directly into the sewing mechnism. As a result, the pins and the interlining move linearly toward the sewing mechanism. As the cylinder returns to its starting position, the holder pivots to release the pins from the material to avoid pulling the interlining away from the sewing mechanism. Lastly, a knife connects to a second cylinder through a chain link.

Abstract: A sewing-material cutting device includes a movable upper knife and a stationary bottom knife which cooperates therewith. The upper knife includes a knife holder which holds a replaceable turnable cutting plate having a plurality of cutting edges. A polygonal fastener is provided on the cutting plate for selectively engaging the knife holder in a plurality of positions corresponding to respective cutting positions of the plurality of cutting edges.

Abstract: A cutting device on a sewing machine for cutting a tape or tape-like lace comprising, a first blade which is disposed on a swingable blade guide and which has a cutting edge which cooperates with the cutting edge of a further second blade secured to a holder. The cutting device has a feed device, provided with a shaft for feeding the tape or tape-like lace, the arrangement being such that the cutting edge of the blade on the swingable blade guide is movable in a substantially cylindrical path of swing about the center of swing of the blade guide, and such that the cutting edges of the blades are inclined towards one another when in a cutting position, the holder for the further blade being situated within the cylindrical path of swing of the cutting edge of the blade disposed on the swingable blade guide.

Abstract: A method and apparatus provided for the automatic production of discrete cuffed sleeve blanks from distinct initial sleeve blanks and a continuous roll of knit cuffing material. The initial sleeve blanks are place end-to-end, a gap is introduced between them, and they are passed in a first direction with a first edge thereof parallel to the first direction. The continuous length of cuffing material is folded over to provide a double thickness having a first edge which is parallel to the sleeve blank first edge, the cuffing material and sleeve blank first edges are overlapped, moved together, and sewn to each other with an "over-edger" automatic sewing machine. The cuffing material is stretched just prior to being fed to the sewing machine, and is stretched again after sewing and severed from the rest of the roll. A driven roller includes non-rotatable washers having projecting portions engaging a blade of the cutting mechanism.

Abstract: An apparatus for feeding lengths of tape to a sewing location to be joined to other material including cutting off an end portion of selected length from forward end of tape, then feeding said portion to sewing location.

Abstract: An elastic band feeding and tensioning mechanism and method for the application of an elastic band, having at least a portion thereof tensioned, on a fabric piece fed under a stitching needle of a sewing machine. A footplate guide is provided for positioning the elastic band in alignment on a fabric piece. A sewing guide member is adapted for securement to a foot arm of a sewing machine, and has a jaw opening for receiving the elastic band. A guide mechanism is provided for guiding the elastic band toward the jaw opening. The elastic band is advanced through the sewing machine by the feeddog of the sewing machine and tension is applied to the band by tension members. The tension members comprise a drive and idler rolls driven at a band feeding speed slower than the feeddog, and a further band stretching roll which instantaneously stitches the band between the drive roll and feeddog.

Abstract: A bag closing container device applies a strip of closure tape to a container, and sews stitches through the tape and container walls, as the container is moved past a closure station. A first sensor, located near an encoder disc driven by the container transport motor, generates a signal proportional to the container transport speed. An idler roller frictionally engaged with the closure tape carries an indicator wheel, which generates in a second sensor a signal proportional to the tape speed. The thread used in stitching the containers is wrapped around a detector wheel on its way to the closure station, and is frictionally engaged with the wheel. Wheel rotation generates in a third sensor a signal proportional to thread speed. The device includes a microprocessor which receives the signals as inputs, continually compares container transport speed and thread speed, and generates a thread fault indication if the thread and container speeds deviate from a preselected ratio.

Abstract: An accessory pneumatically operated holding device is disclosed, specifically for industrial sewing machines which device comprises a profiled blade accessory holding element which can be moved by a pneumatic piston along a backward and forward travel with extreme and adjustable precision.The above device can be readily removed from the working plane of the sewing machine.

Abstract: An attachment for a semi-automatic sewing machine ensures that any excess thread chain extending from the leading or trailing edge of a garment during an operation on the garment with the sewing machine, is stitched directly to the garment so that no loose or free ends of thread chain are provided. The completion of stitching by the sewing machine of a first garment is sensed with an electric eye, and the first garment is engaged in response to the sensing by a rubber wheel which moves the garment away from the stitching needle more quickly than the sewing machine stitches the stitch chain. The excess thread chain is automatically severed by a movable plate rotating with respect to a stationary plate, and the excess severed thread chain is automatically positioned (by a blower, a catcher and a block of rubber) so that excess thread chain is stitched to the second garment by the sewing machine.

Abstract: A method of sewing and an automatic sewing apparatus for accurately aligning fabric pieces and continuously fed zipper chain at a sewing station and sequentially thereafter sewing the chain into the fabric in zipper-closed condition, cutting the chain to a length determined by the length of the fabric, cutting the sewing thread upon completion of the sewing operation and stacking the assembled fabric and zipper combination for subsequent removal.

Abstract: A thread chain sewing apparatus for use in overedge sewing machines has a thread chain catcher with a cutter for cutting a thread chain formed to extend from an end of a fabric and suctionally engaged against a suction opening. A presser foot having a guide groove for insertion of the thread chain is movable up and down, and a thread chain carrier is aligned with the thread chain catcher and has a suction nozzle for suctionally receiving the cut-off thread chain to carry it over the presser foot. An air blow tube running under the throat plate can be provided, an aperture thereof blowing the chain toward the suction opening. A thread chain presser mechanism has a holding plate movable up and down over the presser foot for pressing the thread chain into the guide groove of the presser foot.

Abstract: A knife assembly for cutting an elongated web into belt loop strips for a belt loop sewing or tacker machine. The knife assembly has a blade configuration including a plurality of knife blades diverging in opposite directions along the feed path of the web. For each cutting operation, not only is the web of belt loop material severed to form a leading piece and a trailing portion, but the laterally opposite corner portions of the trailing end of the leading piece and the leading end of the trailing portion are trimmed, prior to the formation of a belt loop from each successive leading piece of belt loop material.

Abstract: A cutting device for cutting the thread chain, or the like, between successive sewn parts moving along a path through a sewing machine. The sewing machine includes a needle. A holder downstream of the needle includes a horizontal cutout. A hook for lifting the thread chain between adjacent sewn parts on the path is movable up through the cutout for raising the thread chain. A scissors moves across the sewn part path and cuts the upraised thread chain. The holder holds the upstream sewn part from shifting while permitting the downstream sewn part to shift slightly upstream as the hook rises and prior to the cutting, whereby a single cut cuts the thread chain adjacent both sewn parts. A sensor senses the trailing edge of a sewn part and activates a stitch counter to cause the needle to apply a predetermined number of stitches before halting sewing so that the cutting can thereafter take place.

Abstract: A strip of material is advanced a first selected distance along a feed path past a cutter. Then, the free end of the strip of material is gripped by a gripper and pulled a second selected distance so that the strip of material is disposed across a path of a reciprocating frame. The frame is advanced so that a retainer holds the portion of the strip of material to be cut at the time that it is cut by the cutter. The ends of the cut segment, which is held by the retainer, are folded by two pairs of folding pins supported by the frame to form a folded loop. The folded loop is advanced to a sewing machine, when a sewing machine operator activates a switch, to position the folded loop on a sewing plate with the frame being retracted after the folded loop is clamped to the sewing plate and prior to sewing. The movements of the frame and the gripper are controlled from a single driven cam shaft having three cams thereon with one having a plurality of cam profiles.

Abstract: In a button-hole sewing machine where a piece of cloth is cut from a button hole before or after the sewing operation, a moveable knife cooperating with a stationary knife is driven through a mechanical linkage by an air drive unit and the operating pressure and speed of the moveable knife are changed by adjusting the device associated with the air drive unit.

Abstract: A material handling system includes an assembly for feeding, directing and sewing fabric materials, an assembly for cutting fabric, and an assembly for stacking fabric. The feeding and sewing assembly folds a reinforcing binding web over the edge of a garment panel and sews the two together before they are advanced by the binding to the cutter assembly. The cutting assembly includes angularly disposed blades for simultaneously severing the binding web intermediate adjacent garment panels. The stacking assembly includes a conveyor for sequentially advancing severed garment panels to an elevator mechanism for receiving the panels.

Abstract: A conveyor belt carries a plurality of cut pieces of fabric in succession to an edge trimmer which successively cuts a trim edge on each cut piece along a predetermined straight line. A band of trim of double thickness is placed in tension and sewed to the cut pieces to overlap the trim edges thereof. The trim edges are closely spaced together to reduce trim waste. A forwardmost cut piece is separated from the next following cut piece so as to increase blade clearance between them. The resulting blade clearance is large enough to permit the forwardmost cut piece to be severed from the next following cut piece by a blade which cuts that intermediate band section which joins the two. The served cut piece is then picked up and dropped to fall flat on top of a stack.

Abstract: A stitch chain cutting device includes a fixed blade disposed in a horizontal plane and adjacent the suction inlet of a suction housing downstream of the needle and the feed dog of a sewing machine. A movable knife blade is supported for cooperation with the fixed knife blade and the movable knife blade is adjustably biased into cutting engagement with the fixed knife blade to thereby adjust the amount of pressure contact of the movable blade against the fixed blade. A cam is supported on the feed dog and engages and moves the movable knife blade in a cutting movement relative to the fixed knife blade with each reciprocation of the feed dog. The cam is supported for adjustment on the feed dog so as to vary the position of the cutting movement of the movable knife blade against the fixed knife blade when the knife blades become worn or dull in one cutting position.

Abstract: A device for mechanically producing folded hems on the end edges of a piece of cloth detached from a length of fabric, and comprising(a) means for folding the forward end edge of the fabric, corresponding to the folded-in part of the hem to be, over the edge of a delivery member,(b) a gripper arranged on a coiler plate, which is advanced to the delivery edge to grip the fold of the fabric thus that the folded-in part is pressed to contact against the fabric,(c) means for rotating the coiler plate and the fabric fixed therto substantially half a turn, thus that at least a part of the width of the hem to be, is located on a second conveyor track for feeding the piece of cloth to a sewing machine,(d) a holding device pressing the hem against the second conveyor track, while the coiler plate is pulled out of the hem, and(e) an arresting device pressing an inner portion of the fabric against a first track and the delivery member a piece of cloth is detached, each one of the end edges of said piece of cloth which a

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a continuous slide fastener stringer chain including space portions devoid of coupling elements at longitudinal intervals. The apparatus comprises feed rollers for continuously feeding a pair of continuous stringer tapes, in synchronism with a sewing machine, to a sewing area in the sewing machine, a stationary guide member having a longitudinal channel for the passage of a pair of interengaged rows of coupling elements, and a toothed wheel projecting into the guide channel and rotatable for intermittently feeding the coupling elements in synchronism with the sewing machine to the sewing area. A cutter assembly is disposed between the sewing area and the toothed wheel for cutting off a length of coupling elements then being sewn from the interengaged rows of continuous coupling elements each time the latter stops moving.

Abstract: Two blade members are counter-rotated from a rest position to a cutting position in which radially directed cutting surfaces cooperate to snip a strip of material by a shearing action as the strip of material flows from a sewing machine or other processing machine. The blade members are reversible and are biased against each other to ensure positive cutting. A hinge-like linkage permits an offset between the blade members and power means to increase versatility. The cutting apparatus can include sensing means to permit automatic cutting of a completed workpiece from an excess of a strip of material which is sewn to the workpiece during the manufacture of a garment.

Abstract: An automated thread trimming apparatus is provided for use with a sewing machine having a plurality of needles. The apparatus is mounted on the side of the sewing machine away from the sewing machine operator. A pair of blades is provided for each needle of the sewing machine. The blades are adjustably mounted on blade mounting bars. Upon actuation, the blades are positioned to straddle each array of stitches produced by the sewing machine needles. The blade mounting bars are then moved slidably relative to one another so that each pair of blades severs an array of stitches. The blade mounting bars are then moved away from the work table of the sewing machine allowing the next workpiece to be sewn.

Abstract: A method of and a sewing machine for affixing a continuous chain of coupling members for a slide fastener to a flexible support, e.g. a garment or a tape to be applied to a garment, utilizes a fabric fed by a mechanism below the worktable and a presser foot with a feeder above the worktable which advances the coupling chain in a composite movement including up-and-down and back-and-forth components. According to the invention, at least one of the drives is adjustable so that the increment of the displacement of the respective member (fabric or coupling chain) can be varied to ensure that the two members are stitched together free from undulations or corrugations after the stitching operation or any subsequent treatment to which the product may be subjected.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a dual-ply fumigation and plant bed cover including an imperforated plastic type cover that acts to effectively seal a plant bed during fumigation and a cloth type cover for providing basic plant protection during the early growth of plants within the covered plant bed. The plastic type cover is stitched to the cloth type cover about a tear seam in order that at a selected time the plastic type cover can be torn or stripped away from the cloth type cover, leaving the cloth type cover stretched over the plant bed. To form the tear seam, a tape cloth strip is secured over the plastic layer about each side, and stitches are sewn through the tape cloth, plastic, and cloth layers. As a part of the method of the present invention, as disclosed herein, after seeding, the plastic type cover may remain intact with said cloth type cover until seed germination, so as to effectively expedite seed germination because of a greenhouse effect realized by the plastic type cover.

Abstract: Two workpiece plies, placed on one another, of which the lower one is larger in width than the upper one, are to be sewn together with their edge contours aligned with each other. The device used for this purpose comprises a cutting mechanism provided ahead of the sewing machine in a workpiece feed direction, and following the contour of the upper work ply by means of guide unit for sensing this contour, so that the projecting portion of the work ply is cut off. To prevent the work plies from mutual displacement during their feeding toward the sewing machine, they are secured to each other by spot sealing at some locations wherefor a sealing tape is introduced between the plies.

Abstract: A web of fabric material is fed flat along a substantially horizontal table. The web is continuous and is marked and then partly cut just short of its edges while in the feeding plane. The edges of the web are then gripped, moved together, and overlapped as the web is moving, and the edges are sewn. A moving gripper pulls the web through the apparatus to an off the arm sewing machine, and a puller roll downstream of the sewing machine assists pulling of the web and maintains the seam tensioned during sewing.

Abstract: An automatic placket shirt front forming machine and method for sewing placket shirt fronts is provided which utilizes an apparatus and method to automatically position, sew, mitre cut and remove a sewn placket shirt front and stack the placket shirt front. The method and apparatus requires the operator to only master the task of properly layering the material which may be facilitated by utilizing a set of guides. Once the material is layered and aligned, the operator has only to activate a start or reset button to clamp, transfer and position the placket shirt front and automatically start the sequential operation of sewing and mitre cutting, thread cutting and stacking of the finished placket shirt front.

Abstract: A sewing machine having a scissor-like cutting device for severing a continuous strip of tape or the like immediately subsequent to its exit from beneath the presser foot assembly of the machine. The operation of the cutting device is influenced by a control system which includes a fiber optic light source for detecting the passage of work through the sewing area of the machine.

Abstract: A fabric label feeding apparatus for use in a stitching process including a roll of continuous labels in strip form, a feeding cylinder for engaging a raised stitch incorporated in each individual label and cut-off means for separating individual labels from the label strip.

Abstract: The application discloses a method and apparatus for cutting bed sheets and the like from a large, continuous length of fabric, forming hems on the cut edges of the fabric panels, and then sewing the hems. The fabric is fed "wrong side out", and one of the hems is formed upside down while the other is formed right side up. One hem is formed more or less directly above the other. A pair of sewing machines are mounted one above the other, and the entire fabric panel, with the just-formed hem folds, is advanced laterally through the sewing machines, simultaneously sewing both hems. By arranging for the mounting of both sewing machines, one above the other, servicing of the machines by a single operator is readily accomplished. Moreover, the substantial amount of fabric between the two hems is accommodated in a generally vertically oriented loop of the fabric providing for highly efficient utilization of factory space.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a cutting apparatus for sewing machines disposed downstream of the machine's sewing zone. The apparatus includes a cutting blade and a protective guard for the blade both of which have independent actuating devices. The actuating devices are effective in moving the guard and blade between one position which provides clearance for the workpieces being advanced along the machine's work surface and another position where they are operatively associated with the workpieces. A timing element is operatively associated with both actuating devices and is effective in causing the protective guard to be moved toward the workpieces prior to movement of the blade.

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: An overedge sewing machine having a reciprocating trimmer knife is used to sew elastic tape to a fabric. The elastic tape is fed through a tape guide which is movable from a rest position in which it guides the tape toward the stitch-forming mechanism of the sewing machine in the direction of material movement, to a second position in which it guides the tape to a position to be cut off by the trimmer knife. The tape guide includes a controllable tension which is located close to the stitch-forming mechanism when the tape guide is in its rest position to effect instant control of gathering. The tape guide is controlled by a knee shift which is movable from a rest position, through a "gathering" position, to a "cut-off" position. A stop mechanism requires the application of significant additional pressure on the knee shift to move it from the "gathering" position to the "cut-off" position.

Abstract: A placket forming system comprises a double needle sewing machine with a cutter which cuts between the lines of stitching and a positioning apparatus including mechanically movable arms with gripping surfaces which operate in conjunction with the sewing machine and cutter apparatus. The positioning apparatus grips a work piece such as a shirt front placket assembly at the sewing machine work surface after the work piece has been sewn and cut and moves the work piece a predetermined distance along the work surface to a proper position under a cutting blade, and the cutting blade is actuated to make a crow's foot cut in the work piece at the end of the line of stitching in the work piece.

Abstract: Attachment for sewing machine is driven by the needle bar and includes knife which engages and feeds step-by-step fashion the fastener ladder through machine as machine stitches it to fabric. Means on the attachment are provided to selectively drive knife into deeper engagement with ladder to sever ladder at end of slide fastener. Computer/control devices are provided.

Abstract: A cutting apparatus for cutting a strip of tape connected to a shoe upper component and extending beyond the edges thereof includes a blade for cutting the tape and presser feet for tensioning the tape during cutting. The blade and presser feet are independently actuated by plungers, which are slidable in a casing mounted on the sewing machine used to sew the tape onto the upper component. The plungers are provided with magnetic cores, and separate coils around the cores are energized in response to signals from photosensors in the work surface of the sewing machine to effect tensioning of the tape, followed by cutting at the edge of the upper component. Springs in the casing around the plungers return the plungers to a rest position, and the tape tensioning and cutting operations are repeated at each component edge.

Abstract: A series of shirt cuff pattern parts are placed in spaced apart relationship on a web of lining material and a conveyor belt system engages and holds the layers of material together as they are moved through a folder and a sewing machine. The movement terminates automatically if the space between the pattern part last received by the system and the pattern part next to be fed to the system is too great or too small. The connected together series of partially completed shirt cuffs is continuously accumulated from the sewing machine on a reel, and the reel is subsequently moved to another work station where the connected series of partially completed shirt cuffs is fed to a cutter on a demand basis. The web of lining material is cut adjacent the trailing edge of the leading pattern part, and when an operator removes the separated partially completed shirt cuff from the connected series for further processing, the feeding and cutting steps are repeated.

Abstract: A discharge and cutting apparatus for attachment to the trailing end of a tandem sewing machine, which is used to sew footwear components and apply tape to the seam, includes a frame having a base plate contiguous with the work surface of the sewing machine for receiving the footwear components interconnected by the continuous strip of tape, a pair of opposed pressure rollers for drawing the components and tape from the sewing machine, a smaller pressure roller driven in synchronism with the first pressure rollers for maintaining the components and tape under tension, a cutting device including an electromagnetically operated blade for chopping the tape at the leading and trailing edges of the components, and a second pair of opposed small pressure rollers for receiving the components and tape from the cutting operation and discharging the components and tape from the apparatus.

Abstract: A two-needle sewing machine includes a machine casing having a sewing head mounting the needles, a work support plate, and a ripping knife supported in the sewing head and working between the needles to form an elongated slot of a braid opening in a cut garment piece. A supporting bar is guided in the machine casing for longitudinal displacement perpendicular to the work support plate, and is rotatable into different angular positions. A single angular cross-section cutting knife is mounted on the supporting bar and serves as a tool for making diverging corner cuts at the opposite ends of the elongated slot. Air-operated piston-cylinder actuators are provided to rotate the supporting bar between two positions spaced angularly by 180.degree., and to displace the supporting bar longitudinally to effect the diverging corner cuts. The sewing head mounts a sliding foot arrangement for moving the work in a direction opposite to the normal work feeding direction.

Abstract: An improved mechanism for cutting and inserting a strip of elastic material or the like beneath the presser foot of a sewing machine in which guide means is provided which automatically adjusts its position relative to the presser foot regardless of the height of the presser foot and which feeds the elastic material into position for stitching beneath the presser foot.

Abstract: Apparatus forming a style loop which has one end folded over and the other end turned flat under the loop attaches the folded end and the flat end to a surface to provide the style loop which can be used, for example, as a belt loop on pants. The apparatus first folds the one end of the loop material upwardly from the surface to which the loop will be attached. The upwardly folded end is then transferred to a turning clamp which holds the folded end while the flat end of the loop is attached to the surface. The turning clamp is then moved relative to the surface to turn the loop over the attached flat end and rotated for turning the upward fold in the one end of the loop downwardly toward the surface for attachment.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided having a continuous band of material passing through the stitching means of a sewing machine. Pieces of material are manually placed individually on the band and hemmed to it at a side which has been folded under the band by a mechanical folder. A sensing means senses the passage of an end of each piece which has had a portion raised from the band and in response activates a cutter which cuts away a strip of the band to which the piece was hemmed. A removal means for moving the strip away from the band and into a stacker is activated after the strip has been cut away from the band. The stacker has a base supporting two spaced, upwardly extending sidewalls defining a passage therebetween. Each of the sidewalls supports a ledge protruding into the passage. A portion of the base is vertically movable and adapted to fit within the space between the ledges.