Abstract: An automatic feeding device for a sewing machine, comprising an arm, a cylinder fixed to one end of the arm, and a feeder provided on the other end of the arm. A base cloth is inserted into the feeder and transferred by the cylinder to an operative point adjacent the sewing machine, and further transferable back to a non-operative point away from the sewing machine, in an automatic way. The base cloth is retained and prevented against reverse movement within the feeder which includes a plurality of stopper pins, and forward and rearward retaining members.

Abstract: A sewing apparatus which permits the automatic sewing of a base blank material in a sinuous or wavy fashion. The apparatus includes a sewing machine body, a stationary plate fixed on the table of the sewing machine body, the stationary plate having three guide grooves formed thereon, and a movable plate having three guide rollers provided thereunder, the movable plate receiving the base blank material thereon. The guide rollers are slidably fitted in the respective guide grooves so that the movable plate is moved in a manner guiding the blank material for sewing by the sewing machine body in a sinuous or wavy fashion.

Abstract: A sewing apparatus which permits the automatically sewing of a base blank material in a sinuous or wavy fashion, and for that purpose, it comprises a sewing machine body, a stationary plate fixed of the table of the sewing machine body, the stationary plate having three guide grooves formed thereon, and a movable plate having three guide rollers provided thereunder, the movable plate receiving the base blank material thereon. The guide rollers are slidably fitted in the respective guide grooves so that the movable plate is moved in a manner guiding the blank material for sewing by the sewing machine body in a sinuous or wavy fashion. Also, a supplying guide mechanism and supportive guide mechanism are recited for sewing a rectilinear base blank material to a sinuously-cut base blank material, using the present sewing apparatus.

Abstract: In order to permit a reliable alignment, in the direction transverse to the direction of rotation, of the edge 5 of the opening of a tubular workpiece 4 of medium-heavy to heavy sewing material which is drawn with considerable pre-tension over a tensioning device 3, each of the tensioning rollers 6, 7, 8 belonging to the tensioning device 3 has at least three alignment members 15 distributed uniformly over its circumference. Each alignment member 15 has an engagement side with a gripping surface. After optically scanning the edge 5 of the opening of the workpiece 4, one or more of the alignment members are displaced by a pulsating action of a pressure fluid, radially and axially, in the tensioning roller 6, 7, 8. In this way, the gripping surfaces of the alignment members 15 grip the inner side of the tubular workpiece 4 and displace it transversely to its direction of rotation.

Abstract: A sewing machine for forming successive stitches along an edge of a workpiece, including an endwise reciprocable sewing needle, a feeding device for feeding the workpiece in a feed direction, in synchronization with reciprocations of the needle, a control motor for changing a relative position between the needle and the workpiece in a lateral direction perpendicular to the feed direction, an edge sensor generating an output signal corresponding to a position relative to the workpiece edge in the lateral direction, and a position control device for receiving the output signal from the sensor in synchronization with the needle reciprocations and applying to the control motor a drive signal to control the relative position between the needle and the workpiece edge. The drive signal is determined based on the output signal of the sensor.

Abstract: The machine includes a fixed guide that defines two longitudinal work tops, first and second work tops, which support and guide the edges of leather articles to be sewn together. A curved needle, located next to the first work top, pierce the edge located on the first work top, pass through a slot in a guide, pierce the another edge, which is being pressed onto the second work top by a pressure foot, and, finally, operates in combination with a crochet hook to produce a stitch. The needle-pressure foot assembly serves to intermittently feed the two edges while a feed dog, acting in combination with a second pressure foot located downstream of the assembly, crimps the edge situated on the first work top.

Abstract: A sewing machine having an edge sensor for detecting an edge of a workpiece in a lateral direction perpendicular to the workpiece feed direction, and a tracing control device for controlling a relative position between a needle and the workpiece in the lateral direction to form stitches along a line a predetermined distance away from the workpiece edge. A motor to change a relative position between the workpiece edge and the sensor is operated from a first limit position to a second limit position to obtain first output signals of the sensor, and an average of a maximum and a minimum value of the first output signals is calculated. The motor is then operated from the second limit position toward the first limit position to obtain second output signals of the sensor. A first and a second average position signal are determined such that the average position signals correspond to the average value of the maximum and minimum values of the first output signals.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for aligning fabric as it is advanced in a prescribed direction toward a sewing machine such as a double overlock seamer for stitching pants. Photosensitive devices sense displacement of edges of upper and lower fabric plies relative to a desired alignment line. Error signals are produced when either ply edge is displaced from the desired alignment line. Friction wheels responsive to the respective error signals guide each ply toward the desired alignment line as it is advanced toward the sewing machine. Each friction wheel pivots about an axis perpendicular to the ply and is controlled by a stepper motor. Each friction wheel is movable between an operating position in which it is biased against the respective fabric ply, and a retracted position for insertion or removal of fabric. The pressure applied to the fabric ply by the friction wheel is adjustable.

Abstract: The invention consists in manually inserting a first piece of fabric (49) into the bottom portion of an edge guide comprising three superposed plates (2, 3, 4). The piece of fabric is pushed towards the end of the edge guide by means of jets of air until the side (51) of the piece along which sewing is to be performed is aligned with an end abutment. A dog (17) placed beneath the bottom plate (2) presses the piece of fabric (49) against the bottom face of the middle plate (3) and then displaces it along the sewing line direction until the other side (52) of the corner has reached a reference line (53). A second piece of fabric (54) is manually inserted and is positioned in the same way as the first by means of a dog (18) placed above the top plate (4). Once both of the pieces of fabric (49 and 54) are exactly superposed, the dogs (17, 18) drive them simultaneously at the same speed under the presser foot (47) of the sewing machine.

Abstract: A sewing machine capable of forming a line of stitches along the edge of a workpiece, while the needle is reciprocated by a needle bar relative to the workpiece in a feeding movement. The needle bar is supported by an oscillator which is joggable in a lateral direction substantially perpendicular to the feeding direction. A sensor is provided to detect the fabric edge, by emitting a radiation toward a reflecting surface provided on the work bed of the machine. The sensor determines the position of the fabric edge by detecting an amount of the reflected radiation received. The reflecting surface has a concave shape in cross section taken in a vertical plane parallel to the feeding direction. The lateral jogging movement of the oscillator is controlled according to the amount of the reflected radiation received by the sensor, so that the line of stitches is spaced apart from the edge of the workpiece by a predetermined distance.

Abstract: A sewing machine for sewing a fabric comprising, a reciprociting needle, a hemming device comprising a guide member having an edge guide extending towards the needle, and an elongated hemming guide extending laterally from the guide member and including a device for retaining the fabric in a folded configuration passing towards the needle. The sewing machine has a device for sensing passage of a cross-seam of the fabric as it passes along the guide member, a device responsive to the sensing device for shifting the guide member and hemming guide along with the fabric laterally away while the needle penetrates the fabric in the region of the cross-seam, and a device for returning the guide member and hemming guide along with the fabric to its original position.

Abstract: For use with a sewing machine an attachment for guiding fabric in which use is made of a belt laterally displaced to the side of the feed dogs which is in contact with the fabric, and thus does not require to be descended thereagainst, and which also is oriented in the direction of sewing, wherein the speed at which the belt urges the fabric through the sewing station is controlled to be either slower or faster than the speed at which the fabric is urged through movement by the feed dogs, so that the relative difference between the speeds shifts the fabric in opposite directions laterally of the direction of sewing to thereby enable the sewing of varying curvatures in the edge of the fabric.

Abstract: A method of sewing sheet material passing over a throat plate of a sewing machine by providing a nozzle member having a nozzle adjacent a sewing needle at an upstream side thereof with respect to a moving direction of the sheet material and impregnating the sheet with lubricating fluid by supplying the lubricating fluid from the nozzle such that the fluid contacts a surface of the sheet material facing the throat plate. Thereby, component yarns of the sheet are prevented from being severed when the needle pierces through the sheet material such that the severances are minimized.

Abstract: A pattern sensor installed in a sewing machine for sensing patterns on two opposing sheets of cloth so that the patterns on the separate cloths are correctly aligned while sewing. The sensor is composed of a sensor head disposed between the two sheets of cloth, a light source, a light receiver, two light conduits including bundles of thin optical fibers, and a reflector which is composed of two prisms provided in the sensor head. The light emitted from the light source is transmitted via separate conduits and respectively enters the prisms. One beam is reflected upward toward the upper cloth, and the other is reflected downward toward the lower cloth for sensing the patterns. The light reflected on each cloth returns to the light receiver via the reverse route to be processed as a pattern signal.

Abstract: A pattern aligning device for a sewing machine having two two-dimensional pattern sensors, first and second computing means and first and second actuating mechanisms. Responsive to the two-dimensional pattern data sensed by the sensors, the first and second computing means compute the displacements between the patterns on the two sheets of material in two directions. The calculated displacements in the two directions are actuated by the first and the second actuating mechanisms to correct the alignment of the two sheets of material during sewing.

Abstract: A mock-linking apparatus is disclosed for linking a specially knitted edging trim in the form of a ribbon of knitted yarn with an unfinished edge of a knitted garment, such as a V-neck opening, to obtain a finish which substantially simulates a point-to-point link finish. The trim is weft-knitted on a double bed knitting machine to incorporate a course of transfer stitches followed by a slack tension course which defines a fold line to facilitate tucking-in of the ravel edge, and an adjacent seam line along the folded edge, wherein the seam line is well-defined by a line of outwardly-protruding loops with spaces therebetween. A conventional chain-stitch sewing machine is used, provided with folding means and guide means to bring the seam line of the trim, which has been folded over the unfinished garment edge, into alignment with the needle path, wherein the two pieces of knitted fabric are joined along the seam line with matching thread.

Abstract: The invention relates to automatic sewing and/or joining of textiles, high polymer materials, leather and metals. The object of the invention is to automate the sewing opertion system, to improve the quality of the seam and to conserve labor. A self-regulating system has to be created. According to the invention, the sewing operation is carried out as a control process, in which the deviation of the produced seam shape from the stored seam shape serves as a control value for the transporting elements of the sewing goods. For this, one or a plurality of detection heads and light emitters are arranged in the area of the seaming point, and are connected to an information processing system. The seam shape initially arising is transformed into storable data, is stored together with other data of the seam, and the seam path arising from automatic sewing is compared with the stored data. Deviations from the desired seam path are at once automatically corrected.

Abstract: In an automatic sewing device for sewing together tubular workpieces such as sleeves, and pocket-shaped workpieces, such as cuffs, there are provided an inner clamp, a central clamp and an outer clamp. These clamps are associated with an inner sleeve clamp and an outer sleeve clamp, the latter being associated with a folding device for gathering up a material fullness of the tubular workpiece. Devices are also provided for opening the pocket-shaped workpiece in order that the border of the tubular workpiece may be inserted and positioned. The associated sewing machine can be moved in a straight line relative to the parts described. A part of the border of the tubular workpiece is positioned in the pocket-shaped workpiece and sewn to the latter by means of a straight-line seam. Subsequently, the clamping in this area is released and the positioning of the border of the tubular workpiece in the pocket-shaped workpiece is carried out and clamping is effected.

Abstract: A device for detecting the passage of the edge (4a) of a piece of material (4), not parallel to the advancing direction (A) of the material for a sewing machine including a presser foot (2), a needle (1) and a needle plate (3). The device comprises a sensor (7) for generating a magnetic field and a sensor (10) responsive to this magnetic field. A magnet is coupled to the presser foor (2) so that it is on the one hand, applied to the piece of material (4) at a point situated at a distance and in front of the needle (1) of the sewing machine relatively to the advancing direction (A) of the material, and on the other hand, is moved with respect to the presser foot (2) in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of the needle plate (3). The sensor is mounted opposite the magnet and fixedly in the sewing machine, under the needle plate (3).

Abstract: A sewing machine with a workpiece alignment device for the automatic stitching of workpieces with convex edge sections has a stepwise feed mechanism and an alignment tool operating alternately with the feed mechanism. The tool rotates the workpiece around the axis of the needle when the needle pierces the material, and holds it resting against a guide rule. The alignment tool is driven by drive mechanisms positively connected to one another, because of which the sewing machine can be operated at a relatively high speed.

Abstract: A sewing machine system adapted for joining portions of a multiple layer limp fabric workpiece includes a workpiece support surface and a sewing head assembly. The sewing head assembly houses an elongated needle adapted for reciprocating motion along a needle axis extending through an aperture in the workpiece support surface. A selectively operable feeder is adapted to transport a region of a limp fabric workpiece on the workpiece support surface in the direction of a feed axis having a fixed orientation with respect to the feeder. A coupling assembly rotatably couples the feeder to the sewing head assembly so that the feeder is selectively rotatable about the needle axis. A feed controller controls the feeder and includes an orientation controller adapted to selectively control the angular orientation of the feeder with respect to the sewing head assembly so that the feed axis may be adjustably offset with respect to a reference axis on the workpiece support surface.

Abstract: The device according to the invention comprises a passive guiding assembly and a correction device, acting in combination to offer a regular fold before the stitching station. The passive assembly comprises two elements of which one is placed inside the other in the form of a U during formation of the fold. The upper and lower faces of the inner element are plane and horizontal, the lower face being in the working plane of the stitching station. The recess between the two elements allows passage of the fabric. The correction device comprises a device for detecting the presence of the fabric placed under the inner element and an active guiding assembly. The active guiding assembly abuts on the fabric and ensures transverse displacement thereof as a function of the instructions given by the detection device.

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 installation for linear treatment, such as the edging of textile pieces. It comprises a sewing machine, equipped with a feed dog/presser foot system, a work table which supports the piece during edging, a detection device and two recentering means controlled together or independently of each other by the instructions given by the detection device. The two recentering means consist, on the one hand, of an active guide placed immediately in front of the presser foot and ensuring displacement of that part of the piece located near the presser foot, substantially transversely with respect to the line of stitching, and, on the other hand, of a mobile support placed upstream of the active guide presenting a mobile flat surface, on the same plane as the work table.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for accurately aligning the top and bottom edges of a garment's workpieces to assure even cuffs after sewing, the apparatus comprising two locking jaw assemblies which cooperate with drive rollers (all of which are located upstream of the sewing head) and the conventional bottom feed action of the lower feed dogs on a sewing machine to capture any excess length or slack of the garment's panels between the locking jaws (to match the cuffs ) and then to drive any excess slack out of the panels as they are fed to the sewing head to be sewn.

Abstract: A zig zag sewing machine having a feed device for feeding a workpiece in a feed direction on a work bed, an endwise reciprocable needle bar for carrying a needle, and a support member joggable laterally with respect to the feed direction and supporting the needle bar, including a detector having a light emitting portion and a light receiving portion and disposed on the support member for detecting the edge of the workpiece extending in the feed direction. The detector is movable laterally with respect to the feed direction in a predetermined positional relation with the support member at least when the support member is laterally moved. The lateral positions of the support member and the detector are changed by a driving device which is controlled so that an amount of light received by the light receiving portion coincides with a predetermined amount, whereby successive stitches to be formed by the needle are placed on a line which is away from the workpiece edge by a predetermined constant distance.

Abstract: A sewing machine for the generation of an edge-parallel seam in a workpiece with at least one projecting zone. The sewing machine has an edge-guide member, a supporting surface, a presser foot and a feeding device for the workpiece. The edge-guide has two stop members arranged laterally and in front of and behind the needle viewed with respect to the feed direction. The stop members are relocatable into various positions. At least one of the stop members is additionally relocatable into a lifted position with respect to the supporting surface.

Abstract: Device for aligning automatically the contours of two plies to be sewed one upon the other, consisting of three superimposed blades (1,2,3) hinged to one another at one end by means of a cross pin (4) so as to generally form a double pliers. From the pin (4) onwards the device comprises :elastic means (7) which can be calibrated and tending to press the blade (2) against the blade (1) and the blade (3) against the blade (2); means (8) to vary the angular opening between the blades (1,2,3), means (9) to adjust the maximum and minimum angular opening between the blades (1,2,3), abuting means (28a,28b,28c) to define the alignment position of the contours of the plies (T,t) to be sewed and means to bring the plies to the alignment on an air pad or by friction.

Abstract: An edge guiding device is provided for sewing work with several edges extending at angles to each other, and on which parallel seams are to be formed, e.g., collars. The device has an edge ruler which is formed by a central section and two sections controllable independently of the central section, each with a guide face. During the formation of seams which begin or end at inside corners of the collar or work, the edge ruler is moved synchronously with the work displacement. Thereby, e.g., one-piece collars plus collarbands can be securely guided from the start during the formation of the seam sections beginning or ending at the inside corners of the collars. For guiding at a long side of the collar, which is usually curved, the outer sections of the edge ruler are pulled back and only the central section with its arched guide face is used for guiding the work.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for successively fabricating pillowcases and the like from a continuous open width textile fabric with each of the successively produced pillowcases including correctly aligned and stitched together hemmed open ends, and side and bottom edges. The fabric is withdrawn from a supply source and successively cut to form individual blanks of predetermined length. The blanks are moved along a substantially rectangular path of travel with the completed pillowcases being deposited in a position adjacent the supply source of the open width fabric. A folding station is provided for successively folding the hemmed blanks along a fold line extending longitudinally along the medial portion with the opposite side edges and the hem end in substantial overlying alignment with one another.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for forming and securing by stitching articles with mitered corners such as bed sheets or the like in which the mitered corner is contorted into a substantially flat configuration capable of being secured by a straight line of stitching.

Abstract: A device for the finishing of at least one lengthwise edge of a sheet of material, which at least on the one lengthwise edge has a lengthwise strip which is thinner than the remainder of the sheet of material, in that the finished lengthwise edge runs parallel to the lengthwise edge of the sheet to the side bordering the different material thicknesses, and at least two scanning devices are provided, responsive to the variations of thickness of the sheet. One scanning device is arranged to scan the lengthwise strips of the sheet which are thinner and the other scanning device is arranged to scan the sheet in its area of greater thickness. The two scanning devices are positioned transverse to the direction of movement of the sheet and are spaced so that they normally scan the sheet close to the lengthwise edge thereof, on the side bordering the different material thicknesses.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically fabricating cut and edge stitched articles, such as washcloths and the like from a continuous length of textile material includes the following mechanisms. Mechanisms successively withdraw predetermined lengths of textile fabric from a supply source along a path of travel in a longitudinal direction of the fabric. Cutting mechanisms are positioned in the path of travel of the fabric for successively transversely cutting the fabric into individual articles of predetermined dimensions. Mechanisms successively feed the cut articles from the cutting mechanisms in a generally straight-line path of travel and to mechanisms for squaring the cut articles in the path of travel. A robot successively picks up the cut articles from the squaring mechanisms and transports the cut articles to edge stitching mechanisms which complete fabrication of the article.

Abstract: A pair of superposed flexible web workpieces lying on a horizontal table are fed in a horizontal transport direction to a treatment location downstream of an edge guide having vertically spaced upper, lower, and middle blades defining upper and lower horizontally open slots by continuously horizontally reciprocating the table with a stroke sufficiently long relative to the surface structure of the lower face of the underlying workpiece and at a frequency sufficiently high relative to the inertia of the workpieces that the workpieces will move horizontally relative to the table without substantial friction. An edge of each of the workpieces is engaged in a respective one of the slots and jets of gas are directed from the plates at an angle against the workpieces to hold up the upper and middle plates while urging the workpiece edges into the respective slots substantially out of contact with the plates.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for automatically guiding, trimming, splitting and side hemming continuous textile material having thickened individual portions, such as terry towels, woven therein in side-by-side relationship transversely of the material and in series longitudinally of the material. This material is fed through the apparatus and thinned selvage edge portions are trimmed to a predetermined width, hems are formed in each of the trimmed selvage edges and stitched with mechanisms in a first work station of the apparatus. The trimming, folding and stitching mechanisms on each side of the traveling material are individually moved and aligned in proper transverse positions relative to each of the selvage edges regardless of transverse deviation in the longitudinal paths of travel of the selvage edges as the material travels through the first work station.

Abstract: A sewing machine for automatically making edge-parallel seams comprises a scanning device for recognizing the geometric form of the workpiece edge and a pressure piston lowerable laterally of the stitch formation point. For straight workpiece edges extending at an angle to each other, the pressure piston, having been lowered onto the workpiece with the sewing machine stopped, is rotated around the needle which is inserted in the workpiece, the workpiece being taken along accordingly. For a convexly arcuate edge pattern, first the lateral distance of the pressure piston from the needle is readjusted in such a way that it corresponds to the radius of the edge arc (e.g. scallop). Thereafter, with the sewing machine continuing to run, the pressure piston is lowered, whereupon the feed dog of the sewing machine rotates the workpiece around the pressure piston.

Abstract: An automatic sewing machine installed with a sewing head and a feeding device is disclosed for successively sewing workpieces which are flexibly connnected to one another by a thread chain. The feeding device is arranged with a workpiece holder for receiving the workpiece and guiding the latter according to the extension of a seam situated in the workpiece.In order to simplify automatic sewing processes in front of the sewing head, there is arranged a reel carrying workpieces still to be provided with the seam. Behind the sewing head there is arranged a reel for receiving the sewn workpieces. The reel installed in front of the sewing head is stationarily arranged in a position relative to the workpiece holder. Between the sewing head and the reel arranged behind the sewing head there is installed a further feeding device.

Abstract: A detachable and slideable fabric guide is used in combination with a sewing machine and adapted to bridge a sewing machine bed of a certain width, the fabric guide comprising an elongated main body made of an elastic material with sides which comprise vertical opposite faces, at least one of which is used to contact a fabric edge during stitching operation. The opposite ends of the main body are respectively curved down to integrally form hook portions which are, terminated with opposite abutments or grips each extending laterally of the main body. The opposite abutments normally define therebetween a predetermined distance a little smaller than the width of the sewing machine bed, which distance may be enlarged due to an outward flexing of the hook portions. One of the vertical faces of the main body is provided with a pair of walls protruding laterally therefrom to define therebetween a groove extending the substantial length of the elongated body.

Abstract: A feed device for feeding a material pattern cut to a sewing machine for the forming of stitch groups such as a row of button holes by a reciprocating needle operating on the material pattern which is advanced through the needle path and moved in a draw-off path, comprising a draw-off roll arranged alongside the needle in a position to engage the material. The draw-off roll is arranged on a shaft which is coupled through a sleeve to another shaft containing a transport roller forming part of a material transport. Drive means are connected to drive the shafts of the draw-off roller and a laterally arranged transport roller and a drive belt is interconnected between the transport roller and a second transport roller which extends rearwardly thereof and is located at the turning point of the material draw-off.

Abstract: An arrangement for folding and reinforcing an edge portion of a fabric includes at least two pairs of press rolls and a folding unit therebetween. The folding unit is provided with a conveyor whose upper extension projects beyond the plane along which the fabric is forwarded. Thus, the edge portion will be lifted when engaged by this conveyor while the remaining portion of the fabric is downwardly pressed by a stationary press pad. Cooperating with this conveyor is a further conveyor which has a section inwardly directed toward the edge portion so that once the edge portion is lifted by the one conveyor, the other conveyor will fold the edge portion through the inward motion.

Abstract: An apparatus for putting ribbon pieces on a textile fabric's edge comprising a ribbon folding apparatus with a fold plate having two long sides with slanting, converging fold edges and two fold plate stops engageable by the slanting fold edges and a fold edge on its front side lying parallel to the textile fabric's feed direction which is engageable with the ribbon alternatively to the slanting fold edges so as to make ribbon pieces that are V-shaped or simply folded over on themselves; and a ribbon feed apparatus having a ribbon oriented transverse to and adjustably perpendicular to or at an acute angle to the textile fabric's plane of motion, a ribbon-holding clamp positioned above the fold edge's point of engagement with the ribbon to support the ribbon prior to engagement with the fold plate, and a ribbon cutting apparatus mounted in the feed direction above the place of engagement of the ribbon by the fold plate.

Abstract: In a sewing machine for performing twin overedging and seaming in one high-speed operation, specially designed top and bottom variable feed dogs pull the two plies through a three needle stitching area with improved, simplified elements for diverting one ply edge while the other is being overcast. The upright overcast edge of the top ply passes through a tunnel formed through the top feed dog. A guide wall attached to the throat plate guides the top edge away from the bottom overedging station. A guard wall can be attached to the presser foot to keep the turned-up top edge away from the seaming needle. A fiber optic/pneumatic system controls automatic stop, presser foot/top feed retraction and between-work thread cutter functions. Alternative front edge guides facilitate feeding the two plies in registration.

Abstract: A fabric-guiding apparatus for guiding a fabric layer across a line of fabric feed along a side edge of the fabric layer, including a detector sensing the side edge of the fabric layer and generating a detection signal, a guiding wheel rotatable about an axis parallel to the line of fabric feed, a pressure exerting device for exerting a contact pressure urging the guiding wheel into engagement with the fabric layer, and a first drive motor to rotate the guiding wheel for laterally moving the side edge of the layer into position prior to a sewing cycle. The pressure exerting device comprises a pressure adjusting mechanism to adjust the contact pressure, a second drive motor to actuate the adjusting mechanism, a drive circuit responsive to command signals, a memory storing command data relating to the command signals, and a control circuit.

Abstract: In pantyhose hip portion seaming operation, the open ends of a pair of stockings mounted respectively on upper and lower templates of a template unit are detected by means of phototubes to allow the both ends to be automatically positioned so that they are properly aligned.After a pair of stockings are mounted on the upper and lower templates of a template unit, a pair of phototubes arranged in upper and lower positions are moved to the ends of the stockings in such a way that upon one of the stocking ends being detected by one of the phototubes, the one phototube is caused to stop moving, the other phototube is caused to detect the presence of the other stocking.According to the condition of the other stocking as detected by the other phototube, the other stocking is moved forward or backward as required, and upon the end of the other stocking being detected by the other phototube, the hose is caused to stop moving, whereby the ends of the both stockings are properly aligned.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing pantyhose by means of sewing machine using hose shaped leg parts comprises arranging the leg parts in a flattened side by side longitudinal relationship, cutting each leg part along an edge from the waist rim of its panty area up to a crotch leaving a remaining leg portion of each leg uncut so as to form upper and lower plies of each leg cut along their inner opposite edges, sewing the cut edges of the laterally adjacent plies together from the waist rim to the crotch to form a seam, deflecting the outer plies outwardly to overlie the remaining leg portions and continuing to sew the seam by sewing in the same direction the edge portions of the upper plies together. A sewing machine carrying out the invention includes a presser foot having a sole with a toe shaped front part which engages into each leg portion of the pantyhose to be formed.

Abstract: A hand stitching presser foot, for a zigzag sewing machine having a fabric feed direction and a presser foot holder, for forming a hem on a fabric, the presser foot consisting of a fabric presser member pivotally mounted to the presser foot holder and having one end, an elastic fabric presser portion and a cutout having an open edge extending in the fabric feed direction, the cutout forming a needle drop hole on an edge of the cutout opposite from the open edge, a fabric guide member disposed a distance from the presser foot holder, fixed to the fabric presser member at one end and adjacent to the open edge, the fabric guide member forming a fabric guide portion having a vertical face disposed substantially along the fabric feed direction for guiding the fabric in the fabric feed direction, and a thread guide member having a thread guide portion fixed to the fabric guide member and arranged so as to extend across the cutout in the region of the open edge, the elastic fabric presser portion being located betwe

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

Abstract: A sewing machine with a guiding device for the automatic sewing of a curved seam parallel to the edge. Provided are an edge guide ruler and a device with a first setting means to raise and lower a pressure pad disposed at a lateral distance from the needle and exerting a braking force on the workpiece and effecting, in interaction with the material feeder, the workpiece alignment motion. For more precise control the pressure pad is movable transverse to the workpiece direction by a second setting means to vary its lateral distance from the needle, and the setting means is controllable as a function of predeterminable part sections of the entire seam. This makes it possible to cause the pressure pad to contact the workpiece in the respective center of rotation of outside curves.

Abstract: A stitching assembly for a sewing machine has a stationary stitch plate having a flat upper face defining a stitching location, provided on the face adjacent the stitching location with an upstanding edge guide extending in and defining a transport direction, and formed with an upwardly open elongated groove extending upstream in the transport direction from the stitching location and having an outer flank turned toward and mainly parallel to the edge guide and an inner flank turned away from and mainly parallel to the edge guide. A presser foot has a sole plate with a lower face turned toward and confronting the upper face of the stitch plate at the stitching location and provided on its lower face with a downwardly projecting guide ridge that extends in the transport direction and that has an inner flank turned toward and generally parallel to the edge guide and an outer flank turned away from and generally parallel to the edge guide.

Abstract: A plurality of like fabric layers, each of which is formed with a concavely curved edge, a convexly curved edge, and a straight edge, are held together at one end with a metal grommet. A selected edge and selected numbers of layers are disposed under a presser foot against a thickened edge of material to be sewn to support and maintain the presser foot level, and to thereby prevent stitch shortening.