Abstract: A solution is proposed for sewing blocks of signatures in a bookbinding sewing machine. A corresponding method comprises, for each block of signatures, bringing a portion of each sewing thread through a corresponding free loop (by moving obliquely and then along an advancement direction of the blocks of signatures), blocking, cutting and pulling the sewing thread for tightening the free loop around the sewing thread being cut. A further aspect provides a corresponding sewing station. A further aspect provides a bookbinding sewing machine comprising this sewing station.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for the thread-stitching of folded signatures, for which individual folded signatures which are successively lined up along their flat sides are sewn together with at least one sewing needle and at least one hook needle to form a book block. Prior to penetrating the fold of the signature to be sewn from the inside to the outside and before penetrating the eyelet of the previously sewn signature, the hook needle is rotated in such a way around its longitudinal axis that its hook is positioned in a vertical symmetry axis of the eyelet, on a side of the hook needle that faces the previously sewn signature. The hook needle can be rotated for this at an optional angle (?) around its longitudinal axis and the hook can be positioned at an optional rotational position.

Abstract: A method for stitching an interior component is provided. The method including the steps of: stitching an outer skin layer of the interior component with a single needle chain stitch machine having a rotary looper; descending a needle of the machine through the interior component; retracting the needle after is has descended through the interior component; engaging a thread loop formed during the retraction of the needle after it has descended through the interior component with a hook of the rotary looper, wherein a portion of interior component is located above and below the rotary looper as it rotates; and moving the interior component relative to the needle and rotary looper in order to establish a stitch length.

Abstract: An apparatus for thread-stitching a book block includes a thread tensioning device configured to store and tension a binding thread. A single actuator, including a servo drive, drives the thread tensioning device. The method includes storing a length of binding thread; in a separate step, tensioning the binding thread; and thread-stitching the book block.

Abstract: An apparatus for thread-stitching a book block includes a thread tensioning device configured to store and tension a binding thread. A single actuator, including a servo drive, drives the thread tensioning device. The method includes storing a length of binding thread; in a separate step, tensioning the binding thread; and thread-stitching the book block.

Abstract: A device for producing thread-stitched book blocks from a stack of signatures are arranged flat one on top of the other and are stitched together by stitched seams formed at right angles to the folds by a binding thread passed repeatedly in double strands through the folds of the signatures. The device has a first stitching needle that inserts the binding thread and a second stitching needle that draws the binding thread through the fold from the inside. A punch needle, which passes through the fold from the inside edge to form a punched hole, is arranged opposite the first and second stitching needles, each of which forms a stitched seam. The section of the needle that is used to pierce a fold has a polygonal cross-sectional shape.

Abstract: A device for threading a binding thread along a transfer path between a thread spool and a sewing needle of a stitching unit of a thread stitching machine configured for binding a book in sheets at a groove side of the book in sheets has manipulation devices for manipulating the thread along the transfer path. A thread guiding device forming the transfer path is provided and correlated with at least one of the manipulation devices. A compressed air source is connected to the thread guiding device. The thread guiding device performs at least one of the functions of drawing in the thread and transporting the thread in a transport direction by compressed air supplied by the compressed air source.

Abstract: A device for positioning and joining at an angle, by means of a sewing machine, the borders of two flaps of fabric, particularly of a horizontal cloth and of a vertical band for forming the case of a mattress, having an angular element which comprises a first laminar channel, forming a guide for the border of the cloth, and a second laminar channel, which forms a guide for the border of the band; the channels are arranged at a right angle and each channel is comprised between two walls: one wall is external to the channels and the other wall is internal thereto; respective through openings are formed in the outer wall and two feeders are also provided which comprise rotating heads which are arranged so as to tangentially engage the cloth and the band through the through openings in order to place the borders of the cloth and of the band, guided in the channels, adjacent to each other.

Abstract: An automatic flange applying machine for sewing the raw edges of a mattress panel and attaching a flange strip. A multi-speed sewing machine sews at high speed along straight sides and a straight top end and bottom end and forms rounded corners at a slower speed as the mattress panel is incrementally rotated about a pivot point. Photodetectors align the edges of the panel with the sewing needles while other detectors determine the location of the panel so that suitable operations begin. The panel is moved by pressure rollers through the sewing machine and the corners are formed by reversing certain of the rollers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sewing flange material to a fabric panel, preferably the top or bottom panel of a mattress sack. The apparatus includes a sled which pulls the fabric panel to and through the sewing machine. The apparatus also includes an edge guide that guides one edge of the panel to the sewing machine as well as provides a thickness measurement of the panel and smooths the fabric panel prior to sewing. The apparatus also includes a moveable dolly which carries the sewing machine find the flange material, and a wheel which engages the fabric panel during movement of the sewing machine away from the fabric panel to prevent movement of the fabric panel. The apparatus also includes apparatus for automatically removing the fabric panel from the table after completion of the sewing operation, as well as a cutter for cutting the trailing flange material and the sewing threads.

Abstract: An automatic mattress handle sewing workstation is employed to install cloth handles to an mattress border two at a time. A flat handle is placed in a pair of twirler clamps which turn the ends of the handle 180.degree. to underlie the remainder of the handle. The twirler clamps are now moved to place two handles in a position under first and second sewing heads and above the web of mattress border. Clamps hold the positions of the handles while the twirler clamps are withdrawn. The left end of each of the two handles is now sewed to the border. The right ends of the handles are then transferred to the sewing heads. A clamp engages the right side of the handle and the right end of the handle is sewn to the border.

Abstract: A mattress support table with conveyor receives a mattress from a feed conveyor. The support table then indexes to a central position whereat a sewing machine passes around the periphery to sew the uppermost fabric panel to the border panel. The table then indexes to the exit conveyor and discharges the sewn mattress to be turned over, whereupon the mattress is returned to the support table to sew a bottom fabric panel. The table conveyor may be moved with a sewing machine so that an edge of the mattress is presented to the table periphery thereby allowing the sewing machine access to the edge.

Abstract: During manufacture of thread-sewn book blocks (11) from a stack of flat sequentially juxtaposed signatures (3) which are sewn together by way of a double-stranded binding thread (9) which penetrates the folds (4) from the outside and extends in sections along the inside edge of the folds and is pulled out again, the binding thread sections (16, 17) which are inserted by a first sewing needle (5) between the legs (14) of the signatures (3) are captured by a gas jet and conveyed in form of a loop (21) to the adjacent second sewing needle (6) which pulls the loop (21) out of the signature (3) through a return stroke motion using a hook (22).

Abstract: Mattress borders are manufactured by advancing and severing a strip of border maerial into first relatively short lengths of the border material for forming handles, and second relatively longer lengths of the border material for forming mattress borders, folding and hemming the relatively short lengths to form tubular handles, temporarily storing the formed handles out of the path of advance of the strip of border material, aligning formed handles so that their tubular axes extend laterally across the longer lengths of material at desired handle positions, and serging ends of the handles to edges of the longer lengths of material to form mattress borders with handles. The invention also extends to apparatus for performing this method.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sewing a cloth handle to the side panel of a mattress or box spring. The apparatus includes a modified X-Y programmable sewing machine which can sew both ends of a handle to the side panel in sequence without the necessity of removing the handle and side panel from the clamp and manually adjusting the position of the side panel. The apparatus also includes a folding jig, and a clamp with an upper lip to retain the handle in a desired position. The method includes the steps of folding the handle and placing it within the clamp on the sewing machine, and thereafter sequentially stitching each end of the handle to the side panel automatically without removing the handle from the clamp or without manual movement of the side panel.

Abstract: Apparatus including a mattress support for supporting a mattress lying on a first major face or panel thereof and conveying the mattress as a sewing operation, such as an edge sewing and taping operation, is performed with respect to the first major face. A mattress flipping mechanism is provided and may include a pivoting support portion of the mattress support connected to a powered lift mechanism. Mattress elevating units are provided to create slack in the top panel of the mattress for easier grasping by the operator during a sewing operation. A mattress guide arm is provided for holding the mattress down during the sewing operation. A mattress inclining mechanism is provided for selectively moving the mattress from a generally horizontal orientation used for mattress conveying and flipping operations to an inclined orientation used during sewing to gravity feed the mattress into engagement with the sewing machine.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a partial mattress sack which prevents radial bunching of the mattresses. The method includes the steps of feeding first and second panels having different edge lengths at different rates through a sewing machine to form the partial mattress sack. The apparatus includes a variable speed upper walking foot having an automatic speed adjustment.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a side panel for a mattress sack or a box spring enclosure. The apparatus includes a double needle sewing machine and a guide for the ends of the folded side panel which are being stitched together which aligns and guides the ends through the stitching area. Photocells are provided to start and stop the stitching process. The method includes the step of stopping the stitching process after a predetermined number of stitches if light from a second photocell in the feed direction is not interrupted within a predetermined number of stitches.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing thread-stitched books and an arrangement for carrying out the method, the method including gathering individual folded printed sheets into sheet blocks in a gathering unit, and loading after each gathering cycle the sheet blocks onto a block receiving unit of a storage unit releasably connected to the gathering unit. Batches of the sheet blocks are supplied to at least one book sewing machine. Subsequently, the sheets are sewn together into book blocks in the at least one book sewing machine.

Abstract: A cover for a waterbed mattress includes a top layer suitably sized to cover the waterbed mattress and an inner backing layer of substantially the same overall outline as the top portion disposed so that the top layer lies over the backing layer. A bottom is spaced away from the top layer and the inner backing layer so as to provide a cavity for a water mattress, with the bottom disposed below the cavity and the inner backing layer being disposed above the cavity. The top layer is divided into at least three sections, each section extending substantially across the top layer. The first section is fixedly secured to the inner backing layer by stitches disposed in a first stitching pattern while the other two sections are fixedly secured to the inner backing layer by stitches disposed in a second stitching pattern. It is preferred that one of the stitching patterns be a continuous wave stitching pattern and that the other be a tack and jump stitching pattern.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for the assembly of pillow-top mattress covers. In the method of this invention, the gussets for a pillow-top mattress cover are prepared in a single step in which the gusset material is folded longitudinally, and the flange material is attached thereto and the gusset material is sewn together in one stitch. Thereafter, a gusset is attached to each of the top and bottom panels of the cover along its outer edge. Each gusset is secured to the underside of its associated top or bottom panel at the folded edge using a blind stitch which is not visible externally of the panel. No gluing is required. During the step of attaching the gusset to its associated mattress cover panel, precisely positioned mitered corners are formed on the gusset where the gusset is to be attached to the corner of its associated panel.

Abstract: Apparatus including a mattress support for supporting a mattress lying on a first major face or panel thereof and conveying the mattress as a sewing operation, such as an edge sewing and taping operation, is performed with respect to the first major face. A mattress flipping mechanism is provided and may include a pivoting support portion of the mattress support connected to a powered lift mechanism. In one preferred embodiment the mattress support includes a split conveyor and the pivoting support portion of the mattress support is disposed within the space defined between adjacent belts of the split conveyor. Mattress elevating units are provided to create slack in the top panel of the mattress for easier grasping by the operator during a sewing operation. A mattress guide arm is provided for holding the mattress down during the sewing operation.

Abstract: A compressed air operated ergonomic system used with a tape edge machine carriage employed in mattress manufacturing. The operator's arm, leg, knee, or foot can be used to stop the sewing operation and stop the carriage from moving around the table. The compressed air system can also provide an operator air source, engage the gear mechanisms which permit the carriage to move around the table, provide needle cooling, and permit the sewing machine presser foot to be raised.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sewing the perimeter seam of an upholstered or trimmed article whereby the article is positioned upon a table having a planar sliding surface and a sewing machine located adjacent one side of the table. The table is variably adjustable at an incline between 0 and 90 degrees relative to horizontal so that when an article is placed on the planar surface, normal gravitational forces acting on the article force that article towards the sewing machine thereby facilitating the handling and introduction of the article to the sewing machine.

Abstract: For making seams on three-dimensional objects, a manipulator (20) is used at the manipulator arm (19) of which a sewing machine (18) is secured. The cuttings (12,14) to be sewn are fixed to a holding device (10), and the sewing machine (18) sews the protruding edge strips (16) which confront each other. The sewing machine (18) can be guided by the manipulator arm (19) along the intended seam line at constant speed. While the needle penetrates the material, the sewing machine being guided on a guide (21) by means of a carriage (22) is driven in a direction opposite to the feeding direction of the manipulator so that the sewing machine is at a temporary standstill with respect to the holding device (10). After completion of the stitch, the carriage (22) is advanced on the guide (21) in feeding direction so that the sewing machine catches up with the lag. With each stitch, the edge strip (16) is clamped between a needle plate and a presser of the sewing machine.

Abstract: Apparatus and a concomitant method for sewing seams in upholstered furniture such as mattresses. The apparatus contains a sewing machine located adjacent a conveyor belt which moves the mattress in a linear direction beneath the sewing machine, a presser arm for turning the mattress, and a fastening cylinder for temporarily attaching the mattress to the presser arm during the turning process. A single motor drives the sewing machine, the conveyor belt and the presser arm. As the mattress is moved by the conveyor belt at a first speed, the sewing machine sews a linear portion of a seam in the mattress. A sensor indicates when a corner of the mattress approaches the sewing machine. When the sensor indicates the approach of the corner, the conveyor belt is halted and the motor changes to a slower speed such that the sewing speed is slowed. Simultaneously, the fastening cylinder temporarily attaches a presser arm to the mattress.

Abstract: A shirring blade assembly is added to a quilting machine to enable the fabrication of a shirred topmost quilting layer on an upper sleeping surface of a mattress fabricated by the machine. The various layers to be laminated into the quilted upper sleeping surface include filler and foam layers for resilience. As the various layers are fed through the quilting machine, the shirring blade assemblies reciprocate in and out to gather the material in the desired shirred configuration, and the configuration is fixed by stitching along selectively spaced stitch lines. The resulting product is cut, trimmed and beaded about its periphery, after which it is incorporated in a mattress.

Abstract: A fitted mattress cover for enveloping the top surface side and end surfaces of a mattress constructed to drastically minimize the shifting of the cover relative to the mattress. The fitted mattress cover includes a top panel for fitting in overlaying relationship to the top surface of the mattress and a peripheral skirt depending from the peripheral edge of the top panel for fitting an overlaying relationship to the sides and ends of the mattress. The depending skirt includes a layer of fabric material and a plurality of parallel, spaced-apart elastic cords stitched into the skirt fabric to gather the fabric material into folds perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the elastic cords.

Abstract: Stacks consisting of selected numbers of neighboring signatures are bound together by at least two rows of stitches. The thread which is used to form the rows of stitches is severed subsequent to completed assembly of a stack and following partial assembly of the next-following stack. It is preferred to assemble at least two signatures of the next-following stack prior to severing of the thread between the finished stack and the growing stack.

Abstract: A fitted mattress cover for enveloping the top surface side and end surfaces of a mattress constructed to drastically minimize the shifting of the cover relative to the mattress. The fitted mattress cover includes a top panel for fitting in overlaying relationship to the top surface of the mattress and a peripheral skirt depending from the peripheral edge of the top panel for fitting in overlaying relationship to the sides and ends of the mattress. The depending skirt includes a layer of fabric material and a plurality of parallel, spaced-apart elastic cords stitched into the skirt fabric to gather the fabric material into folds perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the elastic cords.

Abstract: A device for sewing the edges of a mattress contains a movable supporting face, a sewing mchine, and a swingable arm cooperating with holding means for swinging the mattress around one of its corners. Furthermore, sensors for sensing the position of the mattress are provided, as well as a control device for activating the swingable arm, dependent on the signals issued by the sensors. The control device also contains counting devices and memory elements for automatically stitching one complete edge of a mattress.

Abstract: The tape-like facing band is fitted annularly around the carcass (M) and the front surface of the casing is supported on said carcass, which is received in a containing structure (3) with a boundary edge (3B) from which the carcass and the facing band partially project; a guide rail (7,9) extends around said edge for a supporting carriage (20) which has orientable rollers (24) for passing over the curves at the corners and is motorized; a further trolley (42) is movable on said rails and connected to said supporting carriage by an articulation (40); a cutter (18) is capable of acting in a position in front of that of the stitcher.

Abstract: A rotational stitching apparatus with separately driven stitching head is used for stitching folded sheets by wire and thread clamping, thread sealing, and loop thread stitching. The drive system permits autarkic stitching heads to be optionally replaced and to be adjusted in correspondence with the product assortment. Each stitching head has a stitching head driveshaft, by means of which it is connected to the stitching cylinder driveshaft 1 or the cylinder axle 37, preferably by way of a gear or the toothed belt. Implementation of various stitching technologies is made possible by additional apparatus disposed peripherally to the stitching cylinder circumference.

Abstract: The automatic apparatus for the manufacture of mattress-sacks includes: a base plane supporting the sack to be manufactured and having a work side, a sewing machine overhanging by said side and adapted to operate along a border of the sack parallel to said side, an auxiliary work plane rotatable on said base plane about a vertical axis, and presser elements rotatably supported about the same vertical axis and adapted to secure on said rotatable plane the border of the sack being sewn so as to allow its rotation for the sewing of a following border perpendicular to the preceding one.

Abstract: With the carcass of a mattress or with the aid of a template and the use of beaders, the cover or sheath is formed with transit and dwelles; on at least a loading bench; in at least a first beader, in order to bead a perimetral valance to a sheath bottom; in at least an overturning device; in at least a second beader; on at least a bench for the unloading and possible withdrawal of template.

Abstract: The guide apparatus comprises: a fixed structure with perimetrical tracks for a beading machine; a frame for a template for the assembly of the cover components; orthogonally extending guide means for the displacement of said frame in its plane with a limited inclination with respect to said tracks. Thrust means can be activated and deactivated according to the position reached by the beading machine along the tracks, in order to move, in a predetermined fashion, the template close to particular zones of the track means are provided to secure the frame to the structure in alignment with to the curved trajectories of the beading machine, and to release the frame to set free the movements thereof during the beading of the same curves.

Abstract: A sewing-press for thread-sewing book blocks which are formed from individual book block sections comprises an endless conveyor which transports the block sections into registration with a sewing head. The conveyor includes sewing saddles which support the block sections during sewing, the saddles being articulated to a continuously moving chain so as to have a dwell phase in the sewing region. The sewing needles, after punching the sewing thread through the block section, pivot to directly transfer the thread to the cooperating hook needles which, in turn, draw the thread back through the block section in the form of a loop which is linked to a loop on the preceding block section.

Abstract: The device for piercing thread staples into folded sheets travelling in a plane includes an endless chain travelling at the same speed above the sheet feeding plane and supporting at regular intervals thread feeding plates which in turn support for a reciprocating movement a needle carrier with two needles having bifurcated points for engaging a thread length in the plate. The needle carrier supports two cam following rollers cooperating, respectively, with a stationary cam assembly above the chain. The cam assembly includes a lower cam for imparting a lifting movement to the needle carrier and a pivotable upper cam for imparting a lowering movement to the carrier against the sheet to be stitched. The upper cam cooperates with a solenoid which urges the same into its working position, and with a tensioning spring which urges the cam into its inoperative position against the force of the solenoid.

Abstract: A device for thread stitching layers to form a book wherein the stitching apparatus comprises a conveying mechanism for transporting a plurality of open layers in spaced relation to each other, the conveying device transporting the layers with respect to at least one spiral sewing needle which is rotationally driven, the point of the spiral needle penetrating into the layer backs and exiting the layer backs to stitch the layers together in sequence.

Abstract: To manufacture a sewn book from a plurality of signatures, a length of thermoplastic filament is inserted through holes in the spine of each signature so that part of the filament is on the inside and the ends of the filament extend out through the holes, and the exterior parts of the filaments of a plurality of such signatures are interconnected by welding, preferably by welding them to transverse thermoplastic members, in order to join these signatures together.

Abstract: A book sewing machine having an incorporated automatic feeder is disclosed. The automatic feeder has two stacks of signatures and acts to remove one signature from each stack simultaneously. The two signatures are both opened and then placed directly astride a sewing saddle of the sewing machine. The sewing saddle carries means for adjusting the spacing of the two signatures, and means for holding the two signatures in place as the sewing saddle moves to the sewing position where the two signatures are both sewn in one operation and then passed for further processing. One embodiment incorporates an automatic paster which applies paste to the signatures adjacent their backbones prior to placing them on the sewing saddle.