Abstract: A seam forming device is provided for a blindstitching machine for starting a seam at the fabric end. This device has a fabric feeding apparatus positioned direct in front of a feed dog, so as to enable it to form seams which begin at the fabric end at which sewing is initiated. This eliminates the unseamed portion at the fabric end at which sewing is initiated, which has previously been inevitable when sewing with a conventional blindstitching machine. Thus, with the present invention, it is no longer necessary to manually finish the seam after blindstitching.

Abstract: An overlock stitch is formed by sewing machine (11) (FIG. 1) into a work product (34) and the work product is accelerated away from the sewing machine so as to stretch the thread chain (FIG. 5). The stretched thread chain is cut by cutter (40), and the leading thread chain (43) recoils back toward the hollow chaining tongue (21) and is drawn into the chaining tongue by the stream of air (26) created by vacuum canister (52) (FIG. 6). The next work product draws the leading thread chain out of the hollow chaining tongue and the sewing machine captures the leading thread chain in the stitch. Transfer conveyor (15) (FIG. 1) moves the work product (34) into alignment with everter tube assembly (106), grippers (109) and (110) grip and open one end of the work product (FIGS. 9-14), and air drawn through the everter tube assembly everts the work product. The gripper tube assembly opens along its lower portion (FIG. 16) and drops the work product.

Abstract: Sheet material 30 is taken from a supply 32 and is cut by cutter 36 into segments 35. The segments are moved rapidly parallel to their cut edges into a slower operating first sewing station 40 where elastic bands are sewn to the side edges of the segments. The rapidly moving trailing portion of the segment 35 of sheet material is temporarily accumulated at the accumulation station 39 and progressively fed at a slower rate through the first sewing station 40. The side edges are folded into overlying relationship with respect to the main body portion at folding station 42. Sewing machines 64 and 165 are moved inwardly of the sewing path to simultaneously cut and sew diagonal corners at the trailing and leading edges of the segments, with the sewing machines pivoting so as to face the relative movement of the sheet material, and the removed corners 25 and elastic banding 21 are pulled away from the work product by a vacuum system 186.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a feed mechanism for a sewing machine for displacement-free, near-edge connection of two flexible layers of fabric in the direction of sewing. The device, which is to be used as an attachment, consists essentially of a driven, endless feeding arrangement guided in the horizontal direction and a plurality of receiving elements which are designed as clamps. The receiving elements include clamp lower parts arranged at a vertically spaced location from the fabric support surface and clamp upper parts that can be actuated like pushbuttons, as well as a pressing element acting on the clamp upper parts.With their edges that are to be connected, the fabric layers are fed into a flat feeding section and fixed and carried by a first clamp and continually fixed by consecutive clamps in the same position in the device, thus carried along the stitch formation site, and continuously released in the sewn state at a discharge point.

Abstract: An apparatus for feeding a sewing machine with a textile fabric with opposite side hems. The sewing machine has a needle assembly and a bobbin assembly which are vertically aligned with each other to sew a textile fabric placed at a position between the needle and bobbin assemblies. The feeding apparatus is designed to set and withdraw the fabric into and from said position.

Abstract: A leading edge of a web is fed to an upstream cutting station and is gripped at the cutting station with an upstream clamp which is then advanced downstream away from the cutting station to a middle station and is arrested in the middle station where the leading edge of the web is gripped with a downstream clamp and released from the upstream clamp. The leading edge held by the downstream clamp is then moved downstream to a holding station and the opened upstream clamp is moved along the web to a position slightly upstream of the upstream cutting station. The web is then gripped immediately downstream of the upstream cutting station with an upstream clamping conveyor and immediately upstream of the downstream holding station with a downstream clamping conveyor, and is gripped immediately upstream of the upstream cutting station with the upstream clamp.

Abstract: A clamping mechanism installed on a circulating conveyor is composed of a clamp and a supporting plate and a latch lever axially attached to the supporting plate. The clamp is designed to be opened to a specified extent by a coiled spring. When the clamp is closed against the operation of the coiled spring, it engages with a latch of a latch lever so as to be locked.A cloth sent out from the sewing machine advances between the opened clamp and the supporting plate. The clamp is closed by an air cylinder and clamps the cloth.When the latch lever engages with a limiting lever set at a specified position in the direction of movement of the conveyor, the lock is unlocked, and the clamp is opened to release the cloth.

Abstract: An automatic feeder unit for a twin or triple needle bottom cover stitch machine which allows hemmed garments to be chained off while being sewn automatically. The feed unit comprises a top feed conveyor coupled to a synchronizer which senses the speed of the main shaft of the sewing head to control the speed of the top feed conveyor in relation to the speed of the sewing head. Further a feed dog and throat plate assembly comprises an extended land area beyond the chaining finger and having a slot located therebeyond through which a feed dog protrudes during operation, to thereby retain the chain stitch during chaining off.

Abstract: A device for use with sewing machines for transport of work pieces. The transport device removes finished workpieces from a sewing area and feeds the workpieces to a transfer point at which the end section of the work piece is held with little force to allow the workpiece to be gripped by a stacking element. The arrangement allows for the next workpiece to be inserted into the sewing area simultaneous with the removal of the finished workpiece. The transport device includes a swivelable arm carrying a driven conveyor belt. The arm may be swivelled upward once the front section of the work piece has been moved underneath the swivelling axis of the arm, so that a new workpiece can be inserted. The conveyor belt can be arrested before the end section of the workpiece passes through. The conveyor belt contact pressure can be reduced such that the work piece can be pulled out easily by a stacker.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring groups of pantyhose from loading stations to an unloading station with intermediate accumulating stations inbetween. An endless conveyor belt advances the pantyhose groups from either of the unloading stations to the next empty intermediate accumulating station, from one intermediate accumulating station to the next, and from an adjacent intermediate accumulating station to the unloading station. The belt operates in either direction depending on location of the station from which the pantyhose groups are to be advanced with respect to the unloading station. The conveyor belt is formed of a plurality of spaced elements and the platform is formed of spaced strips provided for extension through the spaces in the belt to support and retain pantyhose groups at a station while the belt advances pantyhose groups between other stations. The platform is retractable through the belt to place the pantyhose group on the belt for advancing from the station to the next station.

Abstract: A sewing installation for fabric articles, comprising a first material handling device which transfers the fabric articles from a stockpile to a second material handling device having endless conveyor belts. A lifting device is provided for raising the conveyor belts for the introduction of the fabric articles over a portion of their length and for lowering the conveyor belts for the pick-up and further conveyance of the fabric articles to at least one sewing machine. The lifting device comprises movable lifting elements which engage from below in turn on the bottom drums of the conveyor belts. The lifting elements are arranged so taht they can be moved back and forth substantially parallel to the conveyor belts and can be driven in the direction of conveyance when in a raised state and in the opposite direction when in a lowered state.

Abstract: A hemmer seamer assembly comprising an apparatus for positioning a chain of stitches for stitching onto fabric having a needle and a throat plate, including a device for positioning the chain of stitches forwardly of the needle, and a device for moving the fabric to the throat plate for sewing the chain onto the fabric.

Abstract: A device for folding an edge of a fabric for making a single or a double hem. The device includes a pair of cooperating endless, driven bands for conveying the fabric edge through the device. One of the bands cooperates with a fixed rule and is twisted to correspond to the gradual folding of the fabric edge. The speed of one of the bands can be temporarily varied relative to the other so that the trailing edge of the hem is located somewhat inside of an edge of the fabric which extends transversely to the hem.

Abstract: A hemmer seamer assembly comprising an apparatus for positioning a chain of stitches for stitching onto fabric having a needle and a throat plate, including a device for positioning the chain of stitches forwardly of the needle, and a device for moving the fabric to the throat plate for sewing the chain onto the fabric.

Abstract: An easing drum has an elongated horizontal shaft having an elongated horizontal axis about which the shaft is rotatable. A plurality of like circular discs are secured at their centers to said shaft and are rotatable therewith. The discs are spaced apart and lie in parallel vertical planes, each disc having an external periphery covered with a high friction coating. A mechanism is connected to the shaft to rotate it. A horizontally elongated grating is disposed above the shaft. The grating has spaced openings, each opening being aligned with a portion of the external periphery of the corresponding disc. The shaft can be raised to a first position at which the portions of the peripheries extend through the grating openings and can be lowered to a second position at which the openings are spaced above these portions.

Abstract: Pieces are cut off the end of a long web by first impaling the leading end of the web on a crosswise circulating needle bar that is then moved downstream from a cutting to a holding section. Then at the cutting station another such circulating needle bar and a noncirculating needle bar are poked through the web, with the noncirculating bar being downstream (relative to the displacement direction of the web) of the circulating bar. Then the web is cut across between the two upstream bars and the noncirculating bar and the downstream circulating bar are dropped down to transfer the piece thus cut from themselves to a transverse needle-chain conveyor. Then the circulating bar is moved back from the downstream holding station to the upstream cutting station while the second circulating bar pulls another piece of the web downstream across above the transverse conveyor.

Abstract: A hemmer seamer assembly comprising an apparatus for positioning a chain of stitches for stitching onto fabric having a needle and a throat plate, including a device for positioning the chain of stitches forwardly of the needle, and a device for moving the fabric to the throat plate for sewing the chain onto the fabric.

Abstract: Sheet material (30) is cut into rectangular segments (35). The segments are then moved in sequence parallel to their cut edges (26) rapidly away from the cutting station (34) into a slower operating first sewing station (40) where elastic bands (20, 21) are sewn to the cut head and foot edge portions (26, 27) of the segments. The rapidly moving trailing portion of each segment (35) of sheet material is temporarily accumulated at the accumulation station (39) and progressively fed at a lower rate from the accumulation station to the first sewing station (40). The head and foot edge portions (26, 27) of each segment are folded into overlying relationship with respect to the main body portion by passing the main body portion through a U-shaped turn (49) and at the same time passing the head and foot edge portions through a pair of reverse 90 degree turns (50 and 53).

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: 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 hemmer seamer assembly comprising an apparatus for positioning a chain of stitches for stitching onto fabric having a needle and a throat plate, including a device for positioning the chain of stitches forwardly of the needle, and a device for moving the fabric to the throat plate for sewing the chain onto the fabric.

Abstract: The start and end timing of fabric feed in a sewing machine greatly affects the tightening of needle thread, that is, the sewing quality. Among the electronically controlled zigzag sewing machines, those equipped with feed means directly driven by a pulse motor supplied with command pulses, it has become possible to control freely the start and end timing of fabric feed.

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

Abstract: A multi-needle sewing machine has a workpiece feed mechanism which includes first and second side supports located to opposite ends of the needle bar. A plurality of shafts extend between the side supports at locations spaced from the front region progressively rearwards towards the rear region of those supports. A plurality of transversely spaced endless belts pass around front and rear rollers rotatably mounted on foremost and rearmost ones of the shafts. Intermediate shafts carry respective front and rear guide rollers which guide an upper run of the conveyor belt to lie adjacent to a lower run of that belt and below the needle bar. The belts are driven so that the lower runs thereof travel from the front towards the rear of the side supports.

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

Abstract: An apparatus for conveying an article, as during a sewing operation, includes a pair of driving pulleys supported on a first support simultaneously rotatably by an electric motor and spaced apart from each other transversely of the apparatus and a pair of driven pulleys supported simultaneously rotatably on a second support and spaced apart from each other transversely of the apparatus. A pair of first fixed intermediate pulleys and a pair of first movable intermediate pulleys are supported simultaneously rotatably on the first support below the driving pulleys and between the driving pulleys and the fixed intermediate pulleys, respectively. The second support is spaced apart from the first support longitudinally of the apparatus and the first and second supports are horizontally movable to and away from each other.

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: 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: A garment portion loader utilizes a plurality of photo-electric sensors to determine the positions of garment portions at selected stations including a delivery assembly which supplies garment portions for loading, a pick-up assembly which removes garment portions from the delivery assembly and places them on an alignment conveyor, and an alignment assembly which aligns the garment portions with a pre-established standard relative to the alignment conveyor. A rejection assembly is provided to remove garments which are not properly aligned. The loader may be controlled by a microprocessor receiving input from the sensors and controlling the various assemblies.

Abstract: An athletic supporter formed by a method in which a pouch and leg strap subassembly is attached to an endless length waistband by means of a continuous stitch line that is sewn along that waistband. The location of the subassembly's leg strap ends and the pouch piece, relative one to the other, on the endless waistband is established by an endless spacer chain that continuously moves along a work table over which the waist band also continously moves, that spacer chain having a series of guide fingers against which the leg strap and pouch piece end edges are positioned by the sewing machine operator. The waistband is cut to length after the subassembly is stitched thereto by the continuous length stitch line, and the waistband's ends are then sewn together, to provide the final athletic supporter product with closed loop waistband, and with leg straps and pouch attached.

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 device for forming a doubly turned hem on lengths of fabric with a folding sleeve, in the inner space of which a flexible sheet is provided as auxiliary folding device, which presses the fabric against the guiding surface of the folding sleeve and, as the start of fabric is pushed through the folding sleeve, constantly follows its cross-sectional shape. The effective area of the auxiliary folding device can have a fur-like surface, the pile of which is aligned in the direction of advance of the material to be sewn. In order to open a gap for the unimpeded introduction of the edge of the fabric, a shaped metal plate, by means of which the auxiliary folding device is coiled, is movable between the guiding surface of the folding sleeve and the auxiliary folding device.

Abstract: Efficient stacking of sheets, such as garments, is practiced utilizing a stacker which includes a number of rods slidably received in parallel through-extending openings in an elongated support, the openings being generally perpendicular to the dimension of elongation of the support. The support is rotated about an axis coincident with the dimension of elongation in 180.degree. increments. The support is positioned so that the rods move in an arcuate path through spaces between parallel slats which support a garment, to move the garment from being supported by the slats and to stack it in a pile adjacent the slats. Once the rods have been moved to a position stacking the garment, they are powered by a roller so that they move linearly with respect to the support, through the openings in the support, until they are again positioned below the slat openings and await the next garment.

Abstract: A device for folding at least one edge of a fabric for making a single or a double hem, said fabric edge being passed through shaping means contained in the device. The object of the invention is to provide a folding device, which within a relatively large area with respect to the most common fabrics, is insensitive to variations in thickness of the fabric, whether several fabric edges are to be folded simultaneously or whether transverse seem with considerable thickness occur. This object has been solved by the fact that the shaping means comprises portions of at least one endless, driven band, which is twisted in correspondance with the gradual folding of the fabric edge during the transport thereof through the device and said band being arranged to cooperate with at least one fixed rule arranged in direct connection with at least a part of the band portions.

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

Abstract: A limp material handling system includes a manipulating apparatus for selectively manipulating one or more layers of limp material on a support table. Folding is accomplished by lifting a curvilinear region of the material, reshaping that lifted region as desired, and lowering that lifted region to a curvilinear region on the support table. A seamed article assembly system incorporates the manipulating apparatus, a seam joining apparatus and a multiple parallel endless belt system for tactile presentation of the limp material to the seam joining apparatus. An optical sensing system provides information representative of the position of the limp material being handled. A programmable computer, or controller, coordinates and controls the operation of the manipulating apparatus, seam joining apparatus, belt assembly, and optical sensing system to provide automatic assembly of seamed articles.

Abstract: A dual-chain sewing machine for aligning the edges and the corresponding seam tracks of pieces of a garment that have different curvatures and for sewing the pieces together along the seam tracks includes two flexible, elongated carriers, which move at approximately the same linear speed and which are mounted and arranged for motion around continuous paths. Each carrier has pins extending from it in a direction transverse to the direction of movement, with the pins of one carrier extending toward the pins of the other carrier. A first fabric piece is applied to the pins of the first carrier when a pin bearing portion of the first carrier is in a path segment corresponding to the seam track on the first fabric piece; a second fabric piece is applied to the pins of the second carrier when a pin bearing portion of the second carrier is in a path segment corresponding to the seam track on the second fabric piece.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for successively fabricating pillowcases from a continuous open width textile fabric and in which the leading end portion of the textile fabric is folded over onto an adjacent trailing portion before the fabric is transversely cut. The folding of the leading end portion of the textile fabric over and above the adjacent trailing portion provides positive and accurate control and positioning of the corresponding edges of the upper and lower layers of the pillowcase blank. This accurate alignment of the edges of the upper and lower layers of the pillowcase blank is maintained while respective side and bottom seams are formed along the corresponding edges of the pillowcase blank.

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: A system for folding limp material segments. A system includes a support surface for the segment, a belt assembly including a matrix of elongated parallel endless belts overlying that surface. A controller for permitting rotation of the surface with respect to the belt matrix, a fold-locus-defining assembly including a sheet member having a leading edge which may be adjustably positioned with respect to a material segment between the belts and the support surface, a sensor for generating a position signal representative of the segment on the support surface. A controller is responsive to the position signal and applied signals representative of a desired fold locus on the segment to control the belt assembly, the support surface, the fold-locus-defining assembly so that the segment is folded about a desired linear folding locus.

Abstract: A feed drive for the work holder of a zig-zag stitch group sewing machine comprises a rotatable cam plate and a work holder which is engaged with the plate and moved thereby within a rectilinear guide arranged adjacent the head portion of the sewing machine. The work holder is located adjacent the needle and it includes a driver plate which extends below the sewing machine arm portion and grips the workpiece from above. The cam plate is arranged in a standard of the machine and the work holder is driven by engagement of a sensing element in a groove of the cam plate which is connected to the work holder through a lever drive acting on a rotatable shaft arranged below the arm of the machine and connected with a crank and a link with a slide carrying the work holder which is disposed in a guide. The construction includes a seating for the workpiece which is movable parallel to the guide and is coupled with the driving plate.

Abstract: A hemming machine has a first station with an ultrasonic slitting device for cutting woven material that has enough thermoplastic content to be cut and fused by an ultrasonic device. At a second station, a hemming device folds and sews the material and by providing only two folds, results in a three layer hem which does not fray because the edge has been fused by the ultrasonic slitting device.

Abstract: A work advancing mechanism for a sewing machine which includes a driven circulatory belt for positively advancing the work beneath the presser foot of the machine. The belt is entrained about and driven by a wheel assembly having an adjustable operative circumference for modulating the lineal advancement rate of the belt.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for automatically sewing an advancing workpiece. To facilitate subsequent sewing operations, the workpiece length is calculated as the workpiece moves along its predetermined path of travel. If the advancing workpiece length lies within a preselected range of sizes, the workpiece will continue to move along its predetermined path. Should the workpiece length be calculated to be outside the preselected range of sizes, the workpiece is rejected from the predetermined path of travel.

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: Non-woven, bias laid fabrics, where the various fabric layers are held together by external means, such as stitching, and wherein, preferably, at least two of the layers are formed at an angle of from 30.degree. to 150.degree. relative to the long axis of the fabric, are formed by directing at least two pluralities of yarns back and forth across the width of the forming fabric, to be wrapped around or mounted on a series of needles formed on a moving conveyor, one conveyor being placed on either side and moving in the direction of the long axis of the fabric. Speed of movement of the yarns can be determined by the speed of movement of the mechanism for the machine operated to hold the various fabric layers together; preferably said machine mechanism moves more slowly near the ends of each cycle, so that yarn carriers are similarly slowed at either end of the forming fabric width, aiding in making successive courses of yarn lie parallel to each other without the necessity for extra equipment.

Abstract: A dual-chain sewing machine for aligning the edges and the corresponding seam tracks of pieces of a garment that have different curvatures and for sewing the pieces together along the seam tracks includes two flexible, elongated carriers, which move at approximately the same linear speed and which are mounted and arranged for motion around continuous paths. Each carrier has pins extending from it in a direction transverse to the direction of movement, with the pins of one carrier extending toward the pins of the other carrier. A first fabric piece is applied to the pins of the first carrier when a pin bearing portion of the first carrier is in a path segment corresponding to the seam track on the first fabric piece; a second fabric piece is applied to the pins of the second carrier when a pin bearing portion of the second carrier is in a path segment corresponding to the seam track on the second fabric piece.

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 method and apparatus are provided for acting upon a cloth in a manner for automatically forming a shirt sleeve from a sleeve blank. The blank is conveyed by a conveyor is a first direction and a hem is automatically formed and secured along a longitudinal edge thereof. The blank is automatically picked up off the conveyor and folded about an axis substantially transverse to the first direction. The transference of the hemmed and folded sleeve is controlled such that the overlapping edges of the folded blank are in substantial alignment relative to one another when deposited on a second conveyor which conveys the blank in a second direction. As the blank is conveyed by the second conveyor, the overlapping and generally aligned edges of the folded workpiece are secured together to form a shirt sleeve.

Abstract: A system for the manufacture of seamed articles from a strip of limp fabric includes an apparatus for feeding strips of fabric and for automatically folding the strips along desired fold lines. A fabric joining apparatus forms seams in the folded strips of fabric at desired locations while providing near-field control of the fabric using selectively operative feed dogs and far-field control using a matrix of selective retractable endless belts.