Abstract: A device for positioning and joining at an angle, by a sewing machine, the edges of two flaps of fabric, particularly of a horizontal sheet and of a vertical band for forming a mattress case, said device comprising a first guiding wall for the edge of the sheet and a second guiding wall for the edge of the band, said walls forming mutually adjacent cylindrical sectors, two advancement elements being further provided which comprise rotating heads accommodated within cavities formed by said walls, said walls being movable between a position in which said rotating heads tangentially engage the edges of said sheet and said band on said walls in order to advance said edges toward a sewing region and a position in which said walls allow said heads to disengage from said walls.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for sewing handles lengthwise on a strip of mattress border material or other elongated strip of material. A fold is formed and aligned on a leading end of handle stock and is advanced to a sewing head where the fold is sewn to the strip of material. The handle stock is then cut at a point to leave the proper length of handle stock to form the handle and a fold is formed in the trailing end of the handle, aligned and positioned at the sewing head where it is sewn to the strip material to complete the handle. All of the above are performed automatically under programmable control.

Abstract: A machine for automatically producing a mattress border with handles sewn to the border material. Border material is pre-fed from a selected spool, screened for splice avoidance and measured. Handle material is fed from a selected spool mounted in a multiple handle material spool magazine mounted on rails, fed into a handle folding assembly, and cut to length. Ends of the handle material are folded under by the handle folding assembly and the handle then transferred in a folded condition from the handle folding assembly to a correct position on the border material. A double frame handle press holds each folded end of the handle material in place as each end is maneuvered under a sewing head needle to apply a stitch pattern to secure the folded ends to the border material. The double frame handle press is translated separately from the carriage assembly which travels in the sew pattern, to position the other end of the handle under the sewing needle.