Folding Patents (Class 112/147)
  • Patent number: 10895029
    Abstract: A sewing machine includes an upper feed mechanism, a presser foot mechanism and a control device. The upper feed mechanism feeds a workpiece on a throat plate from above by an upper feed dog. The presser foot mechanism includes a presser foot for pressing the workpiece on the throat plate from above. The control device controls a driving source of the presser foot mechanism. The upper feed mechanism supports the upper feed dog to be vertically movable between an upper retreat position and a lower feed position. The upper feed mechanism includes a detection unit that detects a downward movement of the upper feed dog from the retreat position. The control device controls the driving source to pull the presser foot upward by a detection of the detection unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: JUKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Atsushi Shiraishi, Daishi Kuramashi
  • Patent number: 10316446
    Abstract: A strength member sewing machine is provided which comprises upper and lower feeder spools, a collection spool and idlers positioned on a support structure. A cord supply, a fabric shaper, a speed control and a pressure foot lift are positioned on the structure. Fabric from the spools is kept in tension with the idlers while moving toward the fabric shaper. The fabric from the upper spool is crimped while the fabric from the lower spool remains flat underneath the shaper. Between the fabric layers, pull cords are pulled through from the cord supply thru the fabric shaper. The fabric with crimps and with the pull cords inside the crimps is sewn to the fabric from the lower spool to create casings with a pull cord in the internal space of each casing. The joined fabrics with the pull cords are collected by the collection spool as a finished product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Inventors: Michael J. Kroger, Brian K. Amaral, Robert F. Cutler, III, Michael R. Williams, Charles A. Holicker, Eric A. Lee, Jason R. Bernier, Kathryn A. Best
  • Patent number: 9102127
    Abstract: A textile product in the form of a lightweight, portable and versatile mat that is both waterproof, padded and comfortable. The mat of the present invention comprises a waterproof backing material, a foam padded lining, and an acrylic top layer securely laminated or otherwise affixed one to the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Inventors: Daniel Berkowitz, Eui Teck Hong
  • Publication number: 20150083033
    Abstract: A cloth edge curl correction device includes: a support plate extending along the direction of feed of a cloth at a front position of a turn-back guide device folding up and down over a given width the edge part of the cloth to be fed into a needle location position on a cylindrical bed; a cloth support provided near the support plate and supporting the cloth from the under; and an air ejection nozzle ejecting air toward a base part of the cloth support. Ejected air from the air ejection nozzle is applied to the edge of the cloth on the cloth support so that a curl generated in the edge is smoothed and corrected and then the cloth is fed in a manner that the edge goes along the support plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Takayuki Hayashida, Takashi Iba
  • Publication number: 20140158034
    Abstract: A positioning device and a sewing machine arrange and position a loop on a garment during processing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2013
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: VI.BE.MAC. S.P.A.
    Inventor: Carlo Guerreschi
  • Patent number: 7954532
    Abstract: An apparatus for forming a hem is provided. The apparatus has a tape station for use in application of tape to a blank. A hemmer is used for folding the blank. A driving roller is present for use in moving the blank and for use in compressing the blank and the tape to form a hem. A method of forming a hem is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: U.S. Banner Corp.
    Inventor: Terry Puleo
  • Publication number: 20090178254
    Abstract: A support assembly is disclosed generally including a buckle component or components and a positioning member of flexible material that is arranged and configured to support the buckle component in a predetermined elevated position or predetermined positions for multiple components while also allowing for resilient shifting thereof. In the preferred form, the flexible material is belt webbing that has a plurality of fold portions folded and sewn together in a specific manner. Sew patterns are disclosed as well as methods and fixtures for forming the belt webbing positioning member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2009
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Inventors: Thomas Messner, Richard Jodts, Steve Marzi, Marco Amaya, Juan Espinosa, Carlos Camarillo, Paul Smith
  • Publication number: 20080184922
    Abstract: A work piece finishing apparatus including a cutter assembly, a binding tape applier, and a flat bed sewing head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2007
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Applicant: MAPLES INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventor: Robert A. Trobaugh
  • Patent number: 6899043
    Abstract: A method and a device (09) for cutting and folding a fabric section (34) from a continuous material sheeting (01) for producing multilayer casings, in particular pillowcases, having a first gripper (25) that secures and pulls off the front edge (31) of the material sheeting (01) by a first partial amount. A second gripper (26) secures the material sheeting (01) behind the front edge (31) to form a folded edge (33), which can be pulled off by a second partial amount, and at the same time, folded together in multiple layers by movement of the second gripper (26) combined with resetting of the first gripper (25), and a cutting device (27) cuts the material sheeting (01) to form the fabric section (34) the length of which between the front edge (31) and the rear edge (36) corresponds to the sum of the first and second partial amounts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: TEXPA Maschinenbau GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Karl Muessig, Hans Ziegler
  • Patent number: 6848378
    Abstract: In the method, binding tape is fed through a puller assembly in a flat orientation from a source, such as a binding reel assembly. The binding tape is received by a folder assembly via the puller assembly and is folded so as to change orientation of the binding tape from a flat orientation to an orientation that wraps around the edge of the material product. The re-oriented tape is stitched to the material product edge with thread, and for any remaining loose binding or thread, a sealer assembly simultaneously binds the binding tape and thread so as to produce a finished edge. The sealer assembly may include a heated blade that simultaneously cuts and thermally fuses the binding tape to the thread.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: Jet Sew Corproation
    Inventors: Donald P. Kirkland, Kevin J. Brown
  • Patent number: 6725791
    Abstract: A fabric guide device for a sewing machine has an upper plate and a middle plate, and is disposed at the fabric feed side of the presser foot of the sewing machine. The upper plate is disposed on the sewing machine bed in a state of keeping a certain clearance from the sewing machine bed, and its fabric feed side portion is warped upward. The middle plate is disposed beneath said warped portion of the upper plate, and is free to project and retreat from and into the sewing machine bed. The middle plate has upper and lower surfaces for guiding the upper and lower bodies. When sewing said bodies together, first the middle plate projects from the sewing machine bed to insert between the bodies. Then the bodies are pulled forward, and the over-edge chain stitching portions are engaged with the middle plate to be tilted to the fabric feed side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Pegasus Sewing Machine Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hirochika Mukai
  • Patent number: 6591513
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus (40) and a method of aligning an edge (7) of a textile material web (43). Said material web (43) is delivered so as to lie at least in sections flat on top of a work surface (10) and, while lying on the work surface (10), is conveyed in a conveying direction (9) by means of a conveying device (11, 12a, 12b). An adjusting member (46, 47) is applied from above at least in sections against the material web (43) in the course of conveying in conveying direction (9) in the region of at least one edge (7) extending parallel to the conveying direction (9), wherein the material web (43) is at least slightly pressed between adjusting member (46, 47) and work surface (10). The adjusting member (46, 47) is, on the one hand, displaceable synchronously with the conveying motion of the material web (43) parallel to the conveying direction (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Texpa Maschinenbau GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Martin Schnaus, Dieter Koeberlein
  • Patent number: 6530335
    Abstract: A sewing device (1) is provided with a programmable electronic control system (4) for sewing folds and tucks. Such that format-dependent parts (guide tongue, pressure pad) can be eliminated at the time of a change of the seam program the use of a guide tongue is eliminated that depends on the form of the seam and of a format-dependent pressure pad. The feed of the fabric is performed only with a folding tool (5) with straight folding edge and the holding and guiding of the fabric during the sewing operation using a straight pressure pad (7). The electronic control system (4) can be programmed such that the desired seam course is obtained exclusively by the superimposition of longitudinal and transverse movements of the pressure pad (7). Parameters (1′-7IV) that determine the seam course are preferably entered in a graphics-supported manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: G.M. Pfaff Aktiengesellschaft in Insolvenz
    Inventors: Wilfried Halfmann, Andreas RĂ¼bel, Bernd Maue
  • Patent number: 6283054
    Abstract: A textile-edge binding assembly for applying binding tape to the edge of a textile includes a conventional sewing machine having a conventional needle and throat plate, a folding assembly, and a cutting assembly. The cutting assembly is positioned proximate the needle, and includes a first blade coupled to a second blade, with a cutting driving assembly engaging both blades. A cutting aperture traverses the first blade. The folding assembly includes a folding member, which receives and guides the binding tape to be applied to the textile. The folding member traverses the cutting aperture for application of the binding tape. A trigger is connected to the folding assembly such that the folding member can be withdrawn from the cutting assembly, and the cutting driving assembly can actuate the first and second blades to cut the binding tape. Consequently, the operator is able to provide a continuous binding tape to multiple textiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: XYZ Control Inc.
    Inventor: Elbert E. Engle
  • Patent number: 6112683
    Abstract: A device for semi-automatically sewing darts on garments having a set formed by a flat lance, a plate-like rod and a translation plate driven by a feed mechanism of an automatic programmable sewing unit. Fabrics are folded upon the flat lance and held to the translation plate by the plate-like rod such that the fabrics do not touch the working surface of the sewing unit. First and second guide members move the flat lance and the plate-like rod in a coordinated manner to effect the dart sewing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Inventor: Ventrella Francesco
  • Patent number: 6044783
    Abstract: Prior to being introduced into a sewing machine, an elongated binding strip passes through a plow where it is folded lengthwise to create a recess into which the edge of an article to be bound is received. The strip is trimmed by a cutter to a length longer than the edge to be bound. The trailing end portion of the strip is then folded widthwise, around a retractable rod, by a moveable guide and guided into a plow entrance, after the rod is retracted. The trailing end portion overlaps the leading end portion of the strip as it is sewn to the article, such that only the finished end of the strip is visible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Assignee: Klear-Vu Corporation
    Inventor: Anthony R. Moniz
  • Patent number: 6003456
    Abstract: An air assisted hem former for folding a margin of a foldable material which uses at least one stream of air to urge margin material through a folded cavity. The folded cavity and airflow moves the margin toward a sewing needle, directs the margin material to a proper stitching position and maintain the stitching position until the needle has stitched the hem. Two similarly formed hem formers can be mounted on opposing sides of a sewing needle to urge, direct and maintain the margin material prior to stitching of a hem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Orange County Industrial Sewing Machine Co., Inc.
    Inventor: John Y. Lee
  • Patent number: 5954006
    Abstract: The apparatus of the invention is applied to a case of folding, for example, the sleeve cloth of short-sleeved T-shirt in half while conveying. A holding device grips the leading end of the cloth conveyed on a conveying surface of narrow conveyor belts, lifts the gripped leading end of the cloth from the conveying surface, and holds it above the conveying surface temporarily. A cloth stopping device stops conveying of the front side portion of the conveyed cloth on the conveying surface at a position of an upstream side in the conveying direction from the holding device. When cloths are put on the conveying surface by overlaying mutually in part, a space is formed between the preceding cloth and succeeding cloth by the cloth stopping device, so that the leading end of the cloth is gripped and lifted by the holding device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: Pegasus Sewing Machine Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiko Nishikawa, Hiroyuki Okamoto
  • Patent number: 5918560
    Abstract: A textile fold control system (40) includes a hem engager (46) mounted to a downstream side of a sewing machine (42), and a roller (76) for engaging and moving a hem formed in a textile work piece slightly downward so as to bend the hem about a trailing edge (79) of a work surface (54) of the sewing machine, thereby applying increased frictional contact between an edge portion (88) of the work piece and the work surface, and additional surface-to-surface contact between the edge portion and an adjacent body portion (90) of the hem in order to avoid the curling or unfolding of the hem during a pre-feed portion of the sewing cycle of the sewing machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Assignee: Atlanta Attachment Company
    Inventors: Preston B. Dasher, John S. Chamlee, Tadeusz Olewicz
  • Patent number: 5915319
    Abstract: A hemming and seaming machine (5) having a hemming conveyor (16) on which a workpiece is moved along a path of travel toward and through a hemming station which sews a hem in the workpiece is disclosed. The hemmed workpiece is then moved downstream to a folding station (25) where a spaced series of first air jets (61) selectively emit streams of air between a folding plate (26) and clamping plate (55) to create a vacuum therebetween to draw the leading edge of the workpiece off of the hemming conveyor and between the folding plate and the clamping plate. The leading edge of the workpiece is held between the clamping and folding plates while the workpiece continues to move along the path of travel. After a predetermined period of time has elapsed from the detection of the leading edge of the workpiece, or in response to the detection of the trailing edge of the workpiece, the leading edge of the workpiece is released from between the folding and clamping plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: Atlanta Attachment Company
    Inventors: Elvin C. Price, Preston B. Dasher, Tadeusz Olewicz, George Price
  • Patent number: 5906169
    Abstract: A bias binder sewing aid which functions to receive fabric or the like having a predetermined width and automatically fold such fabric wherein the center of the width remains the center of such folded fabric The portion of the fabric to the left of the center is substantially folded in half along its center and the portion of the fabric to the right of the center is substantially folded in half along its center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1999
    Inventor: John D. Martelli
  • Patent number: 5865135
    Abstract: A hemming and seaming machine is disclosed, the machine having a hemming conveyor on which a workpiece is moved along a first leg of a U-shaped path of travel toward and through a hemming station which sews a hem in the workpiece. Thereafter, the hemmed workpiece is then moved downstream toward a folding station where a spaced series of first air jets selectively emit a stream of air in a direction opposite the direction of the path of travel between a folding plate and a clamping plate to create a vacuum therebetween to draw the leading edge of the workpiece upward and between the folding plate and the clamping plate. Thereafter, the leading edge of the workpiece is held between the clamping and folding plates while a second series of air jets positioned upstream of the folding plate selectively blows a stream of air underneath the folding plate and against at least a portion the workpiece as it moves along the path of travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Assignee: Atlanta Attachment Company
    Inventors: Elvin C. Price, Preston B. Dasher, Tadeusz Olewicz, George Price
  • Patent number: 5809920
    Abstract: A folding device is provided for an automatic sewing machine for folding over at least two edge strips of a first fabric part. The edge strips extend at an angle to one another and the first fabric part will be sewn on a second fabric part. The device includes a support plate for the second fabric part, a folding plate movable in relation to the support plate for the first fabric part, and a carrier plate. The carrier plate is movable in relation to the support plate and the folding plate for a pressing plate that can be placed on the first fabric part. At least two folding slides are provided which are arranged at an angle in relation to one another and which are connected to a drive means each. The folding plate and the pressing plate have at least one edge strip each, whose angle is adjustable, and the angle of at least one of the folding slides is adjustable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: G.M. Pfaff AG
    Inventors: Juergen Zantopp, Axel Zinssmeister
  • Patent number: 5795433
    Abstract: The machine of the present invention manufactures low-cost garments out of two plys of web material, preferably nonwoven material. It includes a pair of feeder mechanisms to supply two separate sheets of the web material through cutter mechanisms where the webs are cut into shapes suitable for the desired garment. The shapes of one sheet are larger than the shapes of the other sheet. The sheet with the larger shape is placed on a carrier, and the sheet with the smaller shape is placed thereupon. As the combined sheets are moved by the carrier, a plurality of folding mechanisms turns the edges of the larger sheet around the edges of the smaller sheet to create a seam which is subsequently secured, as by adhesives or sewing. The carrier may be either a rotating cylinder or it may move longitudinally. The seams may be created along machine direction lines, cross machine direction lines, or along lines at acute angles to either the direction of movement or perpendicular thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Inventor: William P. Niedermeyer
  • Patent number: 5743202
    Abstract: A looped elastic waistband (14) is positioned along a circular sewing path (12) with the waist edge (21) of a pair of pants (12) in straddling relationship thereover. The garment parts are advanced past a folding assembly (61), which folds the waist edge (21) of the pants (16) over the waistband (14), and past sewing needles (13) that form lines of stitching along the aligned edges of the pants (16) and waistband (14) and through the folded portion (22) of the pants waist (19). In the meantime, the position of the waist edge (21) of the pants (16) over the waistband (14) is adjusted in response to position the waist edges (21) as detected by body edge sensor (13) which controls the reciprocation of a pair of drive wheels (87 and 88) of an edge guide assembly (86) which engage and urge the waist edge (21) of the pants (16) across from the sewing path (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Assignee: Atlanta Attachment Company
    Inventors: Elvin C. Price, Preston B. Dasher, Michael Pate
  • Patent number: 5730076
    Abstract: A device for adjusting a fold depth of a folding rail is provided for use on a sewing machine. The device includes a rotatable stop disk with an adjusting cam providing a continuously extending surface. An actuator is provided for driving the stop disk. The actuator is preferably a stepping motor and the adjusting cam preferably has a spiral shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Assignee: G.M. Pfaff Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Andreas Ruebel, Eduard Bastian
  • Patent number: 5694876
    Abstract: A fabric feed mechanism that includes a forward feed roller located forward of the stitch forming area and a rear feed roller located to the rear of the stitch forming area. The drive to the forward and rear feed rollers is synchronized such that the fabric is fed to the stitch forming instruments in a relaxed and unstretched condition. There is a independently applied downward pressure to forward and rear feed rollers and the forward feed roller is raised along with the presser foot. The front feed roller has sections that are located on opposite sides of the presser foot toe to thus ensure that the top layer of fabric is fed under the presser foot rather than riding up the front roller. A material folding device is located forward of the stitch forming area for folding material to be fed to the stitch forming area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1997
    Assignee: One Union Special Corporation
    Inventors: Manfred Ackermann, Dale R. Carr
  • Patent number: 5640917
    Abstract: A welt forming device comprises: base fabric holding means which is able to hold a base fabric flat at all times; and welt fabric holding means for fixedly holding a welt fabric on the base fabric. Those means are moved in a sewing direction in synchronization with the vertical movement of the sewing needle of seam forming means, to form a first seam to sew the welt fabric to the base fabric. The device further comprises: first welt fabric folding means for folding one side portion of the welt fabric along the first seam over the other side portion; second welt fabric holding means for folding the other side portion of the welt fabric over the one side portion which has been folded by the first welt fabric holding means; and auxiliary moving means for moving the relative position of the base fabric holding means and the sewing needle in a direction which is across the sewing direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1997
    Assignee: Juki Corporation
    Inventors: Tomio Nii, Yutaka Hirasawa
  • Patent number: 5636582
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a semi-automatic device for sewing full felled inseams or outer seams on jeans. The fell seamer employs optical sensors and spline rolls to guide the material into and through the folder. Sensors are embedded in the folder of the device to indicate the amount of material to be introduced into the folder. A computer controlled interface indicates the adjustments to be made and automatically sends instructions to the machine to effect the adjustments. The full fell seamer device includes an upper cylinder assembly, an upper pivot assembly, an upper spline assembly, an upper flex shaft assembly, a lower cylinder assembly, a lower spline assembly, a folder assembly, an upper motor assembly, a lower flex shaft assembly, a control box assembly and a pneumatic assembly. The vision, logic and drive systems sense the material being fed and compute the information gathered and then effect the drive system functioning as required by the material to be sewn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1997
    Assignee: AMF Reece, Inc.
    Inventors: Vivian Ferguson, Louis A. Tocchio
  • Patent number: 5617802
    Abstract: A multi-needle border machine having folders employable, for example, in mattress manufacturing. A multi-needle quilter for sewing mattress top pieces can be converted to sew one or many border pieces or a smaller version employing the same multi-needle technology can be made which can sew simultaneously, for example, one to three border pieces. For example, the machine is used to sew a mattress border piece including a ticking and a filler such as foam, the border having a des mired sewn pattern thereon. The border is the piece which goes around the sides of the mattress. By folding the edges of the ticking before sewing and by sewing so that the pattern sews into the folded areas, the need for a separate border serger is eliminated. By balancing machine components, the weight of the machine can be greatly reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1997
    Assignee: James Cash Machine Co., Inc.
    Inventor: David R. Cash
  • Patent number: 5605106
    Abstract: A fabric feed mechanism that includes a forward feed roller located forward of the stitch forming area and a rear feed roller located to the rear of the stitch forming area. The drive to the forward and rear feed rollers is synchronized such that the fabric is fed to the stitch forming instruments in a relaxed and unstretched condition. There is a independently applied downward pressure to forward and rear feed rollers and the forward feed roller is raised along with the presser foot. The front feed roller has sections that are located on opposite sides of the presser foot toe to thus ensure that the top layer of fabric is fed under the presser foot rather than riding up the front roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1997
    Assignee: Union Special Corporation
    Inventors: Manfred Ackermann, Dale R. Carr, Larry D. Crisler
  • Patent number: 5572940
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for converting a roll of material into various products such as curtains, draperies, valances, or the like. Specifically, the apparatus includes a roll let off for supporting and feeding a roll of material or cloth. After the let off, the edges of the cloth are cut if desired and are engaged by a pair of edge folding and positioning stations for forming vertically folded edges. The folded edges are then converted into hems and sewn into the material by a pair of corresponding hem sewing heads and cloth advancers. Once vertical hems are formed in the cloth, the cloth is cut to predetermined lengths and if desired, folded in a predetermined pattern. The folded pattern can then be transported to a sewing station for further sewing the material into a desired product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Assignee: Burton & Noonan
    Inventors: Perry E. Burton, John V. Noonan
  • Patent number: 5507240
    Abstract: A folding stamp for folding sewing parts which are to be attached to a main sewing part, in a sewing system for making pockets in articles of clothing. The additional sewing parts, such as flaps or pocket-bag blanks, can be fed manually. This folding stamp has a fastening unit arranged on an upwardly and rearwardly extending extension formed on a vertical web. The fastening unit thereby extends above a resting surface on top of the web and in the direction toward the rear end of the folding stamp. The folding stamp is thereby arcuate or C-shaped in longitudinal cross-section, which gives it a compact construction and gives the operator an unimpeded view of the region in which he must feed the additional sewing parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1996
    Assignee: Durkopp Adler Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Heinz Goldbeck, Werner Meyer, Herbert Struck
  • Patent number: 5476053
    Abstract: The edge portion (18) of sheet material moves about a turning plate (65), moving through first and second right angle turns (44) and (45). A turning belt (50) moves in unison with the edge portion (18) through the first two turns, and then moves through third and fourth right angle turns to advance along its return flight. An open ended slot (73) is formed between the first and second right angle turns to allow the turning belt and edge portion to move from beneath the turning plate to above the turning plate, so as to permit the edge portion of the sheet material to always turn in a downward direction as it is being turned over and placed in a folded position. Folding plate (77) guides the sheet material to help form the fold (20) in the sheet material, and separator plate (76) separates the edge portion (18) of the sheet material from the turning belt (50).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1995
    Assignee: Sew Simple Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles E. Brocklehurst
  • Patent number: 5448960
    Abstract: A method and device that provides the operator with an unrestricted view of the stitch forming area of a sewing machine when binding a fabric edge and applying an elastic tape within the bound edge. The elastic tape is secured to the undersurface of the garment where it cannot become exposed or visible on the outside of the garment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1995
    Assignee: Union Special Corporation
    Inventors: David M. Navlyt, Gregg A. Gibson, Maximilian Adamski, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5441004
    Abstract: A hem former (75) for folding the margin of a sheet of material in preparation for sewing is mounted to the sewing bed (71) of a sewing machine (70). The hem former has a mounting block (76), a guide plate (83) having a guide edge (93) and channels (94) extending therethrough, a top folder plate (80) pivotally mounted to the mounting block, and a lower folder assembly (85). The lower folder assembly has a lower folder plate (97) mounted for reciprocal movement over the guide plate and a hem edge detector (100). The mounting block has air nozzles (95) coupled to a supply of compressed air so as to generate an airstream directed beneath the lower folder plate and into the channels of the guide plate. The movement of the top folder plate over the lower folder plate creates an inward fold IF and an outward fold OF in the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1995
    Inventors: Joseph A. Bottoms, Joseph C. Bottoms, Jr., Ronald C. Lovejoy
  • Patent number: 5365867
    Abstract: There is disclosed a computerized control system for stitching apparel parts in various stitching patterns according to individual designs or styles. The control system prevents mismatching the hardware components used to hold the apparel parts during stitching thereof and a selected computerized program which controls an individual stitching pattern. A program may not be selected unless a code identifying such program is found to match the code which identifies the hardware used for a particular style or design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1994
    Assignee: Jet Sew Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathaniel E. Hatch, Tadeusz Olewicz, Ernst Schramayr
  • Patent number: 5363784
    Abstract: A device for picking up, turning over, folding and aligning a sleeve cloth that is continuously carried by a moving conveyer. The device comprises a jaw located above the upper surface of the moving conveyer and a lifting blade located below the bottom surface of a moving conveyer. The leading edge of the sleeve cloth is detected by a sensor that triggers the lifting blade to push a front portion of the cloth up and into the jaw which holds the cloth as the conveyer continues to move. The cloth is folded and aligned by the action of the conveyor belt and a first blower, which blows air on a top side of the cloth, and a second blower, which blows air on a bottom side of the cloth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1994
    Assignee: Union Special Corporation
    Inventors: Maximilian Adamski, Jr., Paul A. Berg
  • Patent number: 5333563
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of and an apparatus for finishing pipings or a box pocket portion and face portion neighbouring therewith in a flat form irrespective of the thickness of fabrics to be used in stitching the pipings or box pockets. The method is constituted in such a manner that two seam lines (3 and 6) come as close as possible and folding is made so that the same superimposition is created at both sides of the seam lines (3 and 6) i.e. in an edge forming part and its neighbouring face cloth portion. The apparatus is constructed such that one or more base cloth material supporting members (20) and one or more patch cloth holding and folding guide mechanisms (21) are laterally displaceable in synchronization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1994
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Yamanoi
  • Patent number: 5272994
    Abstract: So as to sew a pocket-flap to a workpiece, the pocket-flap and a cut-out pocket are positioned relative to each other at a predetermined distance, in which they do not overlap, and relative to the workpiece. The workpiece, the cut-out pocket and the flap are conveyed to a sewing position without being displaced one in relation to the other. In the sewing position the cut-out pocket and the workpiece are joined together by means of a seam. The pocket-flap is then moved from a first position into a second position, in which it partially overlaps the cut-out pocket. It is then connected with the workpiece by a fastening seam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1993
    Assignee: Durkopp Adler Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Hans Scholl, Jochen Fischer
  • Patent number: 5257591
    Abstract: An automatic sewing apparatus for hemming and closing a sleeve is used for hemming a sleeve blank and sewing it into tubular form for making, for example, a short-sleeved T-shirt. The steps subsequent to putting the sleeve blank on a conveyor are done fully automatically and continuously to make the tubular sleeve. The apparatus according to one embodiment of the invention comprises first and second sewing machines disposed at inner corner sides of an L-shaped sewing table, a feed device having a conveying surface disposed on a table part of the first sewing machine side of the sewing table, a folding member for folding the blank edge along the feed direction, a deflecting device having a member for stopping the running of the front end of the hemmed piece above the conveying surface, and a transfer device for feeding the deflected piece of a hemmed sleeve blank to the second sewing machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1993
    Assignee: Pegasus Sewing Machine Mfg., Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukinori Suzuki, Hayami Kawamoto, Tatsuaki Kaneda, Masahiko Nishikawa
  • Patent number: 5237943
    Abstract: In addition to a sewing machine, a sewing unit has a workpiece holder, which has two workpiece bearing plates displaceable relative to each other, a holding bar, a folding, bar, a thrower device, a cloth slider and a folding device. By these devices, first and second trouser parts having rim strips are faced and overlapped inside-out onto a zipper. The front inseam is sewn, then the rim strip of the second trouser part is folded over and a first zipper seam is sewn. The second trouser part is folded over right-side out and the j-seam is sewn. The rim strips of the first and second trouser parts can be folded before sewing, seam locks can be provided, and a lower covering strip can be provided to the zipper as well. Thus, all three seams can be sewn with a single sewing arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1993
    Assignee: Durkopp Adler AG
    Inventors: Michael Klein, Benny Lapp, Ole Nielsen
  • Patent number: 5235923
    Abstract: A device for producing a rolled hemming of a cloth including a rolling tool for rolling an edge of said cloth therein. The tool has an outer shell member and an inner shell member. A spiral shaped gap is formed between the shells for feeding the cloth edge therethrough. The gap has an entry opening for receiving the cloth edge and a discharge opening from which the cloth edge is discharged. The width of said gap decreases from the entry opening to the discharge opening. The tool is fixedly mounted upstream of a presser foot of a sewing machine with respect to a feeding direction of the cloth and downstream of the presser foot with respect to a cloth edge rolling direction. A cloth feeding mechanism for coercively tucking the cloth into the rolling tool in the rolling direction includes an endless sliding member for clamping the cloth edge at a portion of the shells whereby a portion of the cloth is exposed out of both shell members; and a rotary driving mechanism for driving the endless sliding member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1993
    Assignee: The Singer Company N.V.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Kojima, Takeshi Yoshida
  • Patent number: 5226378
    Abstract: An automatic sewing apparatus for hemming and closing a sleeve is used for making a tubular sleeve a short-sleeved T-shirt. After placing the sleeve blanks on a conveyor only, subsequent operations are done fully automatically and continuously to make tubular sleeves, resulting in labor savings, productivity enhancement, and a reduction in savings production cost. In particular two types of shapes cut for sleeves can be sewn by using the apparatus by turning them in the appropriate direction. The apparatus comprises a first sewing machine for hemming and a second sewing machine for edge sewing disposed at both inner corner sides of an L-shaped sewing table, a blank feed device installed at a table part of the first sewing machine side, a folding member for the blank edge, a hemmed piece deflecting device, and direction turning members for turning the deflected piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1993
    Assignee: Pegasus Sewing Machine Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukinori Suzuki, Hayami Kawamoto, Tatsuaki Kaneda, Masahiko Nishikawa
  • Patent number: 5218915
    Abstract: A workpiece fabric holding device for producing neatly folded pocket pieces for attachment to an article clothing. When a peripheral edge of a patch pocket P put on a gage plate at an operational position is folded back under the gage plate, a folded portion around the edge with a double folded portion formed at the corners of the patch pocket P. Then the gage plate is moved downward and the folded portion and the double folded portion are depressed to a cloth W positioned on a machine table. A hollow is formed on the machine table which opposes and receives the double folded portion. A stopper is arranged in the hollow to prevent the cloth of the folded portion or the double folded portion from being drawn out beyond the periphery of the patch pocket P.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1993
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshiaki Iwasaki, Satoshi Morii, Hiroyuki Mitsui, Minoru Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 5211320
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to a device for bending over a fabric, especially pockets to be sewn onto a fabric layer, with plates that are arranged in essentially parallel planes and cooperate with one another, a fabric support plate and bending plates, and with a pressing member that can be placed over the fabric, as well as with guide surfaces for the bending area of the fabric. It accomplishes the task of designing the device such that reliable and accurate bending of the fabric is made possible in a relatively simple manner, with only minor effort for adjustment. To achieve this, it has a pressing member (4), whose outer contour extends beyond the outer contour of the fabric support plate (1) in the area of the bending edges of the fabric support plate (1), and which has, at least in its edge zone, an elastically deformable holding member (15) for the fabric (2), which forms a guide surface for the fabric (2) in its bending area after the pressing member (4) has been placed over the fabric (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1993
    Assignee: G. M. Pfaff Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Heinz Hubele
  • Patent number: 5203268
    Abstract: An apparatus for sewing elastic hems on fabric pieces is designed as a tandem machine. In a first sewing machine (26a), an elastic band (6) is prefixed at the edge of a fabric piece (8). During further conveyance thereof, the thus created double-ply structure is folded by 180.degree. by a baffle plate (34). A pair of conveying rollers (36, 38) withdraws the double-ply structure from the baffle plate. Between the first sewing machine (26a) and a second sewing machine (26b), provided for finishing the elastic hem, there is provided a deflection roller (40) deflecting the triple-ply structure, formed by said folding and consisting of fabric edge portion, an elastic band, and a fabric folding portion, from the horizontal. The deflection roller (40) is driven in a direction opposite to the conveying direction and thus takes care that the triple-ply structure, also in case of curved seams, remains closed and is sewn correctly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1993
    Assignee: Schips AG Nahautomation
    Inventor: Helmut Schips
  • Patent number: 5203269
    Abstract: Apparatus and a method enable the production of novel decorative fabrics having flat narrow fabrics stitchingly secured in longitudinally compressed substrate. The narrow fabrics are such as lace, ribbon, braid or tape. The apparatus and method function so as to guide a narrow fabric into the path of a conventional reciprocating sewing needle whereby the needle on each downward stroke strikes the fabric and advances it in a compressed convoluted condition toward the needle plate whereupon the fabric is stitched in its compressed convoluted condition to a substrate or devoid of a substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1993
    Assignee: Sewing Center Supply Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas J. Glenn
  • Patent number: 5199364
    Abstract: A sewing machine having two bordering guides (11, 16) that are used to apply two different ribbon-like trimmings to a workpiece. The first bordering guide (11) is mounted on a machine bed (2) and oscillatable about a vertical axis spaced apart sideways from the working position located in front of a machine presser foot. The second bordering guide (16) is mounted on the machine bed (2) and oscillatable about a horizontal axis arranged at right angles to a workpiece advancing direction and below the working position. Each of the first and second bordering guides is moved from a rest position to a working position located before the presser foot so that they reach the working position alternately with the other while the stitching operation is being carried out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1993
    Assignee: Rimoldi, S.R.L.
    Inventors: Robert F. I. Conte, Angiolicchio Raffaele
  • Patent number: 5197400
    Abstract: A trimming apparatus adapted to be used with a sewing machine in order to form a hem is provided. The trimming apparatus includes a support member upon which the edge of a garment can be fed which is positioned upstream from the stitching needles of the sewing machine. A folder is attached to the trimming apparatus which is capable of folding the edge of the garment over an end of the support member such that the edge is in alignment with the stitching needles as the garment is fed along the support member. A stationary blade is mounted below and adjacent the end of the support member and is also aligned with the stitching needles. In addition, a rotatable blade is positioned adjacent to the stationary blade so as to cooperate with the stationary blade in a manner in which a predetermined portion of the edge is trimmed as the edge is folded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1993
    Assignee: Kansai Special USA Corp.
    Inventor: Eugene R. Prais