Abstract: A sewing machine includes a material sandwiching unit to sandwich two materials having annular edges from above and below while they are stacked so that the material on an inner wheel side is located on the lower side and the material on an outer wheel side is located on the upper side, wherein a part of the material sandwiching unit located above the two materials is vertically movable, the material sandwiching unit includes a curl-removing mechanism to straighten curls occurring on the edges of the two materials, the material sandwiching unit includes inclined parts that serve as the curl-removing mechanism and have edges extending backward from a farther side of the edges toward the edge side at a position where the two materials pass therethrough, and the inclined parts have air ejectors to eject air so as to form airflows that straighten portions of the materials where curls have occurred.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a servo motor controller for controlling a servo motor having a current limiting unit, and a tuningless nonlinear control method thereof. According to the present invention, the servo motor controller control method for controlling a servo motor including a current limiting unit comprises the steps of: detecting that the limited current is output according to a current command of the current limiting unit; adjusting a disturbance estimation gain of the servo motor controller in response to the output of the limited current; and generating a control input provided from the servo motor controller to the current limiting unit on the basis of the adjusted disturbance estimation gain.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing large stitched products has a multiple needle stitching unit, a storage device, and a processing station. The multiple needle stitching unit has a large number of stitching elements and a guide device which is arranged in the region of the stitching elements and movable in relation to the stitching elements in a direction substantially perpendicular to the conveying direction of the stitched product. Between the multiple needle stitching unit and the processing station is a device for compensating for an annular offset of the stitched product between an output of the guide device and an input of the processing station.

Abstract: A system for processing a material panel is provided including a table supported by a plurality of legs, the table having at least one linear edge. A sewing machine is provided functionally connected to the table at the at least one linear edge. An elongate track is provided mounted along the at least one linear edge. At least one sensor movable along said track is provided for measuring at least a length of the material panel.

Abstract: A method for straightening the edges of a work piece. The method includes the steps of determining the average edge position of each edge of the work piece, calculating an average edge line for each edge of the work piece, determining an actual corner point for each corner of the work piece, calculating a determined edge line through each of the actual corner points of the work piece, determining a number of actual edge points, determining if actual edge points are within the determined edge lines, and adjusting the determined edge lines inward until the actual edge points are within the determined edge lines.

Abstract: A work positioning device for a computer sewing machine includes an auxiliary table and a positioning arm having one end removably and turnably connected to the auxiliary table. The positioning arm has the opposite end provided with a positioning part and may be turned between an upper position where the positioning part is spaced from the upper surface of the auxiliary table and a lower position where the positioning part is in contact with the upper surface of the table, the positioning part having a reference mark provided for showing an initialized position for starting the pattern stitching operation when the embroidery frame is connected to the carriage.

Abstract: An automated sewing device for automatically sewing together rectilinear and curved end portions respectively of two base materials. A guide element is provided to separate the two base materials from each other and guide them in a sewing direction, and a guide roller mechanism is provided, which operates to adjustingly bring one guide roller to contact with the base material having the curved end portion and rotate the guide roller to move that base material in a direction orthogonal with the sewing direction, thereby keeping the rectilinear and curved end portions in alignment with each other. Hence, a seam is created along the curved end portion with a constant margin given between the seam and the curved contour of the curved end portion. A pair of guide rollers may be provided to move two curved end portions in a direction orthogonal with the sewing direction for the same alignment purpose.

Abstract: An automated feeding mechanism for sewing machine is comprised of: a rotary support element rotatably mounted on a table in the vicinity of the sewing machine having a feed dog member; and support elements provided on one side of the rotary support element. A trim cover assembly may be attached on the rotary support element, such that the arcuate peripheral cover section thereof is supported on the support elements and also temporarily retained thereon by a clamp element. A hard synthetic resin material may be stored in that mechanism. With this feeding mechanism, upon rotation of the rotary support element, the arcuate peripheral cover section supported on the support elements and the hard synthetic resin material juxtaposed with that peripheral cover section are smoothly and precisely fed to the sewing machine and thereby sewn together.

Abstract: A method of aligning a portion of textile fabric, whereby at least two movable gripping elements of a display device are brought alongside one another into contact with and fastened to a front edge of the portion of fabric and the gripping elements are moved substantially parallel to the surface of a display surface until the portion of fabric is laid out with one side flat on the display surface. In this case, the feed rate of the independently controllable gripping elements (2a, 2b) is so selected that the alignment of the portion of fabric (4) is variable by a feed difference (d, v) between the gripping elements (2a, 2b).

Abstract: A panel positioning system can be used to position side panels during manufacture of a pant. As a pant is transported in a machine direction, the panel positioning system moves a pant side panel in a direction generally perpendicular to the machine direction. The panel positioning system can comprise a drive mechanism, a positioning mechanism operatively connected to the drive mechanism, and a head connected to the positioning mechanism. The drive mechanism and the positioning mechanism can cause the head to move in an orbital profile and contact the side panel. The orbital profile can lie in a plane generally perpendicular to a pant transport plane or in a plane oblique to a pant transport plane.

Abstract: A quilting machine is provided having a first station and a second station, one being a printing station and one being a quilting station. The printing station is located either in line and preferably upstream of the quilting station, with a conveyor extending through each of the stations to convey a web of quilting material through the machine, or is off of the quilting line such that the material with a pre-applied pattern thereon is transferred, preferably in web form, to the line of the second station for the application of a pattern in registration with the first applied pattern. At the second station, for example, registration of a plurality of transversely spaced points is detected to determine longitudinal and transverse registration as well as skewing or rotation of the material, and the opposite transverse sides of the material are differently adjusted to orient and register the material.

Abstract: A collar attachment station having an automatic collar loading system that includes a pair of guide rollers about which a circular collar is received. The guide rollers have a substantially conical construction and a roughened outer surface. As the guide rollers are rotated, the collar is drawn along the roughened surface of the guide rollers and into a sewing position beneath the sewing needle and presser foot of a sewing machine for the collar attachment station. A shirt body is placed over the collar and the collar and shirt body are expanded, and the edges of the collar and the neck opening of the shirt body are sewn together to attach the collar to the shirt body.

Abstract: A device and method of guidance equipping a sewing machine provided with a work carrier plate, and a presser foot (5) for driving the material to be sewn, associated with at least one needle comprising at least one member (10) for adjusting the transverse position of the material, applied in contact with the material at a point of contact (12): offset laterally from a driving straight line (18); situated in operation at least substantially in line with the presser foot (5) and oriented with a fixed non-zero angle with respect to the driving straight line. A machine equipped with this device is also disclosed.

Abstract: Sewing apparatus for joining a first panel and a second panel and having an arm that is rotated about an axis normal to the surface of the first panel to rotate the first panel, a shoe biased to follow an edge of the first panel as the first panel is fed to the sewing machine, a detector to monitor the shoe and provide a signal indicative of a longitudinal orientation of the edge of the first panel, and means for adjusting the longitudinal orientation of the first panel with respect to a true feed direction in response to the longitudinal orientation signal. An edge flattener including a generally cylindrical component is provided.

Abstract: A guiding system for use with translucent textile work pieces is disclosed. A free edge (52) of a tubular work piece extends along a continuous processing path and is folded under the work piece to form a hem in the work piece. The work piece is then advanced along the processing path toward a downstream sewing machine (11), whereupon the hem is sewn in the work piece. A lower ply sensing opposed beam sensor (76) upstream of the sewing machine detects a multiple ply leading edge of the folded hem, and is moved by a pneumatic cylinder (88) into a position laterally with respect to the processing path where it will detect the free edge of the folded and sewn hem, and will control a lower work piece guide assembly (34) so as to maintain a proper depth of the hem. This enables the sewing needles (20) of the sewing machine to align the two spaced parallel lines of stitching (68) at the beginning and end of the hem line for minimizing waste in such hem forming operations.

Abstract: The cloth end position control apparatus for a sewing machine of the present invention functions to control the end portion of the cloth to a specified sewing position. A cloth end control roller corrects the position deviation of the cloth by rotating in a direction orthogonal to the cloth feed direction depending on the detection by a cloth end detector for detecting the end portion of the cloth C. A pressing member guides the end portion of the cloth C by gripping the cloth C against the cloth end control roller. The cloth roller is rotatable about a shaft disposed at the cloth feed-in side to the roller and in a horizontal direction orthogonal to the cloth feed direction, and is elastically thrust in a direction reverse to the cloth feed direction through a coil spring.

Abstract: The sewing apparatus of the invention is applied, for example, in sewing of a tape-form circular rib to the end portion of a tubular cloth such as the waist portion of briefs. A cutter 19 disposed in front of the needle drop point 5 of the sewing machine cuts the tubular cloth C along the direction matching with the cloth feed direction. A cloth end correcting device guides the end portion of the set tubular cloth C in a direction crossing the cutting line of the cutter 19. A cloth end detector 26 detects the end portion of the tubular cloth C at a first position on the cutting line parallel to the cloth feed direction passing through the cutter 19 and a second position remote from the cutting line in a direction crossing the cloth feed direction.

Abstract: A machine for automatically aligning cut sleeve blanks after they are manually placed on the conveying surface by the operator. A material presence sensor is provided that recognizes the leading edge of the cut sleeve blank as it is being fed toward the hemming machine. Recognition of the leading edge of the sleeve blank causes an edge guider and blowers to be activated. An edge sensor is provided that senses the location of the marginal edge of the sleeve blank relative to the stitch line and sends signals that are conveyed to the edge guider. The edge guider maintains the marginal edge of the sleeve blank a predetermined distance from the stitch line. Air jets are directed on the upper surface of the sleeve blank to maintain it flat during the aligning process. The leading edge of the cut shirt blank is captured by a driven top belt conveyor which functions to maintain control of the sleeve blank.

Abstract: A looped elastic waistband (14) is positioned along a circular sewing path (12) with the waist edge (21) of a pair of pants (12) in straddling relationship thereover. The garment parts are advanced past a folding assembly (61), which folds the waist edge (21) of the pants (16) over the waistband (14), and past sewing needles (13) that form lines of stitching along the aligned edges of the pants (16) and waistband (14) and through the folded portion (22) of the pants waist (19). In the meantime, the position of the waist edge (21) of the pants (16) over the waistband (14) is adjusted in response to position the waist edges (21) as detected by body edge sensor (13) which controls the reciprocation of a pair of drive wheels (87 and 88) of an edge guide assembly (86) which engage and urge the waist edge (21) of the pants (16) across from the sewing path (12).

Abstract: A sewing machine in combination with a workpiece control and advancing mechanism for automatically forming a seam along the aligned edges of a two ply waist band and a shirt body. The mechanism includes edge guiders, that are controlled by sensors, for individually controlling each workpiece edge such that the marginal edges of all layers are aligned.

Abstract: A cloth edge control device for a sewing machine includes a pair of rollers, an optical sensor, and controller. The pair of rollers are arranged near a needle location in such a manner that the rollers are rotating about an axis perpendicular to a direction in which a cloth material is fed, so as to be pushed against the cloth material. The optical sensor is adapted for detection of the cloth material at a plurality of points on a line along a direction intersecting with the feed direction before the needle location. The controller detects the position and curvature of the edge of the cloth material according to a light intercept signal from the optical sensor and rotates the rollers independently of each other according to the position and curvature thus detected.

Abstract: A binding conveyor system for applying binding to a fabric piece. The apparatus includes an unique binding fixture for holding the fabric piece. The fixture includes: a base; a support attached to the base; and fabric engaging device mounted on the support for engaging, positioning and securing the fabric piece. A conveyor transports the binding fixture to at least one work station for operating on the fabric piece while the same is being held by the binding fixture. A transfer station places the fabric piece on the binding fixture.

Abstract: A waist band (18) is placed in straddling relationship about spindles (11-14). The waist edge (24) of the garment body (19) is telescoped about the waist band (18), also in straddling relationship about the spindles (11-14). The garment parts are advanced by the rotation of the spindles (11-14) past a sewing needle (17) that forms a line of stitching at the aligned edges of the shirt body and waist band. In the meantime, the end spindles (11 and 13 and 14) move longitudinally along the sewing path to adjust the position of the waist band in response to the position of the folded edges (22, 23) of the waist band (18) as detected by band sensor (128), and the star wheels (119) engage and urge the waist band (18) and the garment body (19) toward or away from the sewing path (16) as controlled by band and body edge sensors (112, 129).

Abstract: A system for supplying and setting two separate base materials in a neat condition ready to be sewn by a sewing machine, which includes a supplying mechanism and a setting mechanism. A first one of the two base materials is automatically supplied by operation of the supplying mechanism to a movable guide plate movable toward the sewing machine, and then automatically set at a predetermined position thereon by operation of the setting mechanism, after which, another of the two base materials is likewise automatically set and juxtaposed on the thus-set first base material. The supplying mechanism includes a robot-hand unit for catching one of the two base materials and a transfer element for transferring the robot-hand unit to the movable guide plate.

Abstract: A sewing machine in combination with a workpiece control and advancing mechanism for automatically forming a coverstitch over an existing overedge stitch. The workpiece control and advancing mechanism includes an edge sensor and an edge guider and a feed roller for stretching the garment to place the garment in a condition that it can be automatically processed.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically feeding one edge of a textile article to a sewing machine. The apparatus includes a first gripper adjacent to the sewing machine for gripping the leading portion of the edge of the textile article. A feed dog is adjacent to the first gripper for advancing the edge of the textile article with respect to the sewing machine. A second gripper grips the trailing portion of the edge of the textile article. A positioner supporting the second gripper means moves the second gripper with respect to the feed means. Finally, a programmable controller controls the movement of the positioner to advance the trailing portion of the edge of the textile article in response to the movement of the leading portion of the edge of the textile article.

Abstract: An apparatus for feeding a workpiece in a machine tool, particularly in a sewing machine, comprises a main conveyor for longitudinally conveying the workpiece in a feeding direction and an auxiliary conveyor for transversely conveying the workpiece to align the same, which auxiliary conveyor comprises a conveying mechanism, which precedes or succeeds the main conveyor and is engageable with the workpiece as it is guided along a guideway and comprises conveying elements which are adapted to be driven to move transversely to the feeding direction.

Abstract: A material handling system for forming an air bag in a plurality of workstations. The system includes a pallet for holding a workpiece in a predetermined orientation and a locator for locating the pallet in a plurality of workstations for performing different operations on the workpiece. The pallet is provided with structure for aligning the pallet in at least two workstations for performing different operations on the workpiece. The workstations preferably include a sewing station and a punch press station wherein the pallet is adapted to be accurately aligned in each of the stations for performance of respective sewing and hole cutting operations. The locator is operable for moving the pallet from a loading station to the sewing station and then to the punch press station. Further, the locator is operable to subsequently move the pallet to an unloading station or to a further workstation.

Abstract: An apparatus for high production assembly and sewing of tubular sleeve sections to shirt bodies. Tubular sleeve sections are loaded onto sleeve cones, preferably of cylindrical or frusto-conical form. The sleeve cones may be mounted for pivoting movement to facilitate manual loading. A retractable, hollow body shell closes over the loaded sleeve cones, and a shirt body is loaded over the body shell and previously loaded sleeve sections. Load fixtures, comprising a body shell and a pair of sleeve cones as described, are mounted on a carrier, preferably a rotary turret, for advancement from one work station to another, for loading, sewing and unloading operations. For sewing, the load fixtures are bodily detachable from the carrier, and rotated about the axis of the sleeve cones, while the shoulder seams are sewn by a stationary sewing apparatus.

Abstract: A fabric conveying, aligning and fabricating system comprising a table having a support surface having a length over which fabric blanks are conveyed with continuous and uninterrupted movement. Conveyors are associated with the table which are adapted to convey successive fabric blanks over the support surface. Fabric blank aligning apparatus is arranged intermediate the support surface length and includes steering apparatus operable to steer a longitudinal edge of the fabric blank. Edge sensing apparatus is operative to sense the location of the longitudinal edge of the fabric blank relative to a fixed reference during its movement over the support surface. The edge sensing apparatus is operative to actuate the edge steering apparatus which acts continuously to positively steer the longitudinal edge along the fixed reference during the movement of the fabric blank through the aligning apparatus. The aligning apparatus also includes fabric blank end control apparatus.

Abstract: Two workpiece portions (30, 32) that are to be stitched together along a stitching path (28) each have a stitching region (24, 26) which corresponds to the stitching path (28), but which is so shaped that the regions do not overlap when the workpieces (30, 32) are in a substantially flat condition. Thus some three-dimensional shaping is imparted to the portions during stitching. Each of the workpiece portions (30, 32) is clamped between two rollers (10, 12, 24) one of which is driven and the other freely rotatable, the driven rollers (10, 12) serving to distort the stitching regions into a desired overlapping position progressively in preparation for each successive stitching operation. The rollers are also bodily movable to advance the workpiece portions (30, 32) step-by-step through the operating locality (4) of the sewing machine. For sensing when the stitching regions are in the desired overlapping relationship suitable edge sensing means (40, 42, 44) is provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for maniuplating and sewing first and second panels together is disclosed including a rotatable arm for rotating a first panel and control means for reducing the stitching speed in response to detection of a comer of the first panel.

Abstract: The waist band (16) is placed in straddling relationship about spindles (12-15). The waist edge (23) of the shirt body (17) is telescoped about the waist band, also in straddling relationship about the spindles (12-15). The garment parts are advanced by the rotation of the spindles and the sewing needle (9) forms a line of stitching at the aligned edges of the shirt body and waist band. In the meantime, the end spindles (14 and 15) move laterally of the sewing path to adjust the position of the waist band in response to the position of the folded edge (21) of the waist band as detected by photocell (30/138), and the star wheels (32) (FIGS. 5-7) reach across the waist band and urge the shirt body toward or away from the sewing path as controlled by the photocell (31/208).

Abstract: A device for guiding a cover member to a sewing machine, which basically includes a control arm supported pivotally on the table of sewing machine, a guide roller assembly mounted rotatably to the control arm, and a link assembly supported pivotally on the sewing machine table. The guide roller assembly, which is to retain the cover member therein, may be adjustably displaced in conjuction with the link assembly by a control drive mechanism which is operatively connected to the control arm. With detection of one curved end of the cover member, this guiding device permits even a multilayer-type cover member to be sewn, smoothly and precisely, along its one curved end.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically feeding one edge of a textile article to a sewing machine. The apparatus includes a first gripper adjacent to the sewing machine for gripping the leading portion of the edge of the textile article. A feed dog is adjacent to the first gripper for advancing the edge of the textile article with respect to the sewing machine. A second gripper grips the trailing portion of the edge of the textile article. A positioner supporting the second gripper means moves the second gripper with respect to the feed means. Finally, a programmable controller controls the movement of the positioner to advance the trailing portion of the edge of the textile article in response to the movement of the leading portion of the edge of the textile article.

Abstract: Edge guiding apparatus for a sewing machine that controls the position of a fabric ply edge relative to a reference line. A friction wheel feeds a fabric ply toward a sewing station. If the fabric ply edge displaces from the reference line, control circuitry energizes a drive motor that displaces the friction wheel along an axis perpendicular to the reference line. Simultaneously the friction wheel pivots about a support axis that is orthogonal to a plane containing the reference line and displacement axis. Pressure apparatus holds the friction wheel against a fabric ply with a substantially constant force.

Abstract: A device for aligning a garment for a sewing machine provided with a device for moving the garment towards the sewing machine, and a device for aligning the garment to a lateral window along the moving device to obtain precision in alignment of the garment.

Abstract: An automatic hemming apparatus for supplying a tubular workpiece in an adequate attitude to a sewing machine (4) is disclosed. The apparatus has a workpiece position control device (21) and a guide (19) for folding a circular edge of the workpiece in front of a sewing bed (6). The sewing machine (4) is provided with a delivery roller (10) at the rear side and an assisting feed belt (26) at the outside of the sewing bed (6). The device (21) comprises an edge sensor (17) and inclined freely rotatable rollers (22A to 22D) so as to contact with the workpiece on the outer surfaces thereof. On the feeding operation of roller (10) and belt (26), according to a signal from the sensor (17), a stepping motor (24) changes the inclining direction of the rollers (22A to 22D) and the workpiece is moved toward the right or left.

Abstract: A device for aligning the margin and leading edges of plies of material to be sewed and locating the aligned edges at the stitch forming location of a sewing machine. A first sensor for detecting the presence of the work piece and actuating a power driven gripper wheel in response to sensing the work piece. The power driven gripper wheel moves the work piece toward a second sensor that detects the work piece's margin edge and stops the power driven gripper wheel and actuates a power driven feeding wheel that feeds the work piece toward the stitch forming location. A third sensor detects the leading edge of the work piece as it approaches the stitch forming location. Control mechanisms are provided for commencing the sewing operation when the work material is at the stitch forming location.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for controlling the fabric edge position wherein a fabric fed to the needle location of a sewing machine is fed downstream, feeding distances per unit time at two feeding points, which are along a direction almost perpendicular to the fabric feeding direction, are differentiated by detecting the fabric edge position in the vicinity of the needle location, thereby shifting rightward and leftward the fabric edge position in the vicinity of the needle location so as to form a seam at a constant distance from the fabric edge.

Abstract: A device for applying fabric webs includes upper and lower runners each formed with a respective edge facing a pile edge of the web and provided with respective first, second and third segments which are differently shaped and provide aligning of the edge and a seam during hemming and sewing operations.

Abstract: To scan the material being sewn (30, 31) in a sewing machine in an annular area around the presser foot, an annular lens system (25) is provided, which images a circle (33) concentrically surrounding the presser foot in the plane (A) of the material being sewn onto the light inlet ends of a likewise annularly arranged plurality of optical fibers (26). The optical fibers (26) lead, in an individual assignment, to the individual light-receiving elements of a photoelectric sensor line of a line camera, which sensor line can be read cyclically.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for attaching a continuous tape to a circular edge of a tubular workpiece with a sewing machine, and cutting the tape so that an overlapping length of the tape tail end on the sewing front portion of the tape is of a uniform length for various kinds of workpieces without changing the preset conditions.The apparatus has a stitch counter, a tape cutter and a thickness detecting sensor of the light transmission type for detecting the presence or absence of thick materials in front a presser foot 2. In the tape sewing process, when the sewing front end makes a full turn and reaches the thickness detecting sensor and this sensor detects that the quantity of transmitted light is lower than a specific level, the stitch counter begins to count the number of stitches, and when the low level continues over a specific number of stitches, the tape cutter is actuated.

Abstract: An apparatus for and method of attaching an elastic band to the body of a garment is provided. The workpieces are monitored and aligned during the attachment process by sensors and guide mechanisms, electrically coupled to a controller that facilitates the activities, while a tensioning mechanism maintains the workpieces in a desired configuration. The use of the apparatus and method results in an efficient and automatic process of attachment that eliminates the need for an operator to manually align and guide the workpieces through the sewing instrumentality.

Abstract: In a process and apparatus to automatically make textile sleeves for toothed belts, a continuously fed fabric 4a is cut to obtain a plurality of cloths 7 of predetermined sizes. The cloths 7 are joined together by sewing them along respective edges that are perpendicular to the cut thus forming a continuous textile band 12. The front end 12b of the textile band 12 is locked to a predetermined position after a band moving step is carried out. During the movement, a photoelectric cell 46 and an encoder 28 identify the distance between the front end 12b of the band and the first connecting seam 12a. If this distance is less than a minimum value, the band 12 is cut upstream of the seam 12a and the moving step is repeated. If the distance exceeds the minimum value, the band is formed into a loop 44 of predetermined width.

Abstract: A workpiece guide device on a sewing machine serves for the automatically controlled alignment of a workpiece, with respect to its edge, for the purpose of sewing along the edge of the workpiece at the correct distance from that edge. The circumferential side of a motor-driven guide wheel (36) carries wheels (34) which are likewise motor-driven and which guide the workpiece transversely to the direction prescribed by the guide wheel (36).

Abstract: An automatic sewing apparatus for hemming and closing a sleeve is used for making a tubular sleeve a short-sleeved T-shirt. After placing the sleeve blanks on a conveyor only, subsequent operations are done fully automatically and continuously to make tubular sleeves, resulting in labor savings, productivity enhancement, and a reduction in savings production cost. In particular two types of shapes cut for sleeves can be sewn by using the apparatus by turning them in the appropriate direction. The apparatus comprises a first sewing machine for hemming and a second sewing machine for edge sewing disposed at both inner corner sides of an L-shaped sewing table, a blank feed device installed at a table part of the first sewing machine side, a folding member for the blank edge, a hemmed piece deflecting device, and direction turning members for turning the deflected piece.

Abstract: An apparatus for sewing elastic hems on fabric pieces is designed as a tandem machine. In a first sewing machine (26a), an elastic band (6) is prefixed at the edge of a fabric piece (8). During further conveyance thereof, the thus created double-ply structure is folded by 180.degree. by a baffle plate (34). A pair of conveying rollers (36, 38) withdraws the double-ply structure from the baffle plate. Between the first sewing machine (26a) and a second sewing machine (26b), provided for finishing the elastic hem, there is provided a deflection roller (40) deflecting the triple-ply structure, formed by said folding and consisting of fabric edge portion, an elastic band, and a fabric folding portion, from the horizontal. The deflection roller (40) is driven in a direction opposite to the conveying direction and thus takes care that the triple-ply structure, also in case of curved seams, remains closed and is sewn correctly.

Abstract: An apparatus for aligning the cross-seams of similar lateral edges of two composite limp material segments, where each composite limp material segment includes two panels joined at a cross-seam extending transversely from corresponding points in the lateral edges-to-be-aligned. Following alignment of the cross-seams of the lateral edges, the segments are fed from the apparatus with the lateral edges and corresponding points of the cross-seams in overlapping alignment. Thereafter, the aligned edges may be joined using a conventional sewing machine.

Abstract: A processing device for processing a sheet material with a pattern of the present invention is such as a sewing machine with pattern matching operation. The processing device has a detecting unit for detecting a color state of the pattern of the sheet material and producing a color state signal indicative of the color state. The processing device processes the sheet material on the basis of the color state signal produced by said detecting means. According to the present invention, the processing device is provided with an automatic adjusting unit for adjusting the detecting unit to allow the detecting unit to produce a desired color state signal with respect to a reference color state. Therefore, the white balance or the dynamic range is properly adjusted simply and reliably for the processing device.