Abstract: A seaming machine and method are provided for seaming segments of sheet material to one another to form larger sheets. The machine typically includes a frame with a pair of spaced seaming devices mounted thereon for respectively seaming opposed edges of the segments of sheet material to one another. The process allows for the seaming of multiple sheet segments while the sheet segments remain atop a work surface. Relative back and forth movement between various components and the work surface typically facilitate the process.

Abstract: A multi-head sewing machine includes a machine table (10) and a plurality of sewing heads (12). The sewing heads are disposed to oppose to the machine table and arranged in a row in a first direction substantially parallel to a surface of the machine table. A workpiece setting frame (20) serves to releasably hold a long workpiece (40) and is movable within a plane substantially parallel to the surface of the machine table. A feeding mechanism (W1, 30, W2) serves to feed the workpiece relative to the workpiece setting frame in a direction substantially parallel to the first direction.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing front panels for men's underwear from continuous bands of web material. The apparatus includes a pay-out mechanism for paying out the continuous bands of web material. A web conveyance system conveys first and second continuous bands of web material along an assembly line to a plurality of stations disposed along the assembly line for fabricating discrete front panel assemblies from the continuous bands of web material. An automatic loader receives the front panel assembly from the web conveyance system and transfers the front panel assemblies to a receiving apparatus where it is bound into bundles for subsequent use.

Abstract: The invention provides that a sewing machine is used for sewing the adjacent edges of a flat felt web which is folded to bring the edges together. The web moves past the sewing machine, and the sewing machine is mounted so as to reciprocate in a forward stroke in the direction of the web during the stitching, and to move rearward back to an initial position to effect the next stitch. The drive mechanism of the sewing machine is such that from the commencement of the forward stroke the machine is accelerated up to the speed of the web the needle penetrates the web and effects the stitch, the needle is removed from the web, and then is decelerated to zero before completing the backstroke. The invention also relates to an optical sensing mechanism for examining the presence of stitches.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically sewing a succession of fabric pieces to a continuous slide fastener chain comprises a sewing machine for feeding and sewing the fabric pieces and slide fastener chain together; a guiding apparatus disposed upstream of the sewing machine and including a pair of opposed guide rollers urged towards each other with the slide fastener chain interposed therebetween so as to be driven via the slide fastener chain by the sewing machine while guiding the slide fastener chain towards the sewing machine; and a feeding apparatus disposed between the guiding apparatus and the sewing machine and including a pair of opposed feed rollers urged towards each other so as to convergently place therebetween the slide fastener chain into superimposed relation to the fabric pieces and to feed the fabric pieces with the slide fastener chain thus superimposed thereon to the sewing machine.

Abstract: A feeding device for feeding elastic strip material to a sewing machine feeding a strip in response to one or more control signals. The strip feeder uses a feed roller having an associated pressure roller to provide a feed nip with the feeding roller, a sensor directly senses the rate of feed of the strip and generates one or more sensing signals. The sensor uses a signal generator which is a rotary pulse generator, or a photoelectric device for detecting marks on the strip. A controller receives the sensing signals and generates control signals for controlling the rate of feed of the strip.

Abstract: A pair of first and second working tables which are oppositely disposed and defining a space therebetween. Provided at the first working table is a detector for identifying a thickness of a plain fabric portion from that of a pile fabric portion of a towel cloth. Provided also at the first working table this is a cutting unit spaced from the detector in a predetermined interval for cutting the towel cloth. Provided at the second working table is a base plate on which a clamping unit is mounted for clamping and drawing the towel cloth. Over the space between the first and the second working tables there is provided a towel cloth drawing unit across the towel cloth and movable vertically for drawing the towel cloth from a towel material.

Abstract: A tape feed device for a sewing machine for feeding to a sewing location of the sewing machine at least one tape from a supply having a drive roll for feeding the tape, a feed roll disposed in the path of the tape between the supply and the drive roll, a stepping motor for driving both the drive roll and the feed roll, and a guide for passing tape around at least part of the feed roll which is capable of feeding more tape than the drive roll.

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: In a method and apparatus for constructing pillowcases, upper and lower layers of fabric are conveyed along separate paths with their obverse surfaces facing upwardly. Cuffs are formed along one longitudinal edge of each layer. The upper layer of fabric is then reversed to an obverse-side down orientation, and the upper and lower layers of fabric are superimposed with their obverse surfaces mutually facing and their cuffed lateral edges mutually corresponding. The superimposed upper and lower layers of fabric are then stitched together along the lateral edge opposite the cuffed lateral edge. Next, a length of the superimposed upper and lower layers of fabric is cut to a length equal to the desired width of a finished pillowcase. The resulting rectangular workpiece comprises upper and lower panels of fabric stitched together along one transverse edge and cuffed at their opposite transverse edge.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for supplying a secondary fabric to a fabric processing machine. The movement of the primary fabric to the fabric processing machine is interrupted and the primary fabric is clamped at spaced points. The primary fabric is severed at a point between the clamping points and the tail end of the primary fabric is aligned with the head end of the secondary fabric and the two are sewn together by a sewing machine which traverses the widths of the fabrics. The head end of the primary fabric is moved to a holding position. The clamp for the head end of the secondary fabric and the clamp for the tail end of the primary fabric are released and the feeding means for feeding the fabric is restarted to feed the secondary fabric to the fabric processing machine.

Abstract: A device for producing a heat and tension resistant, flexible connection between a thread layer of parallel threads and a web-shaped material. The device includes a sewing arrangement for sewing the thread layer and the web-shaped material together at the point of connection. In particular, the device includes clamping arrangements for sandwiching the thread layer between a continuous length of the web-shaped material and a relatively short length of the material. The sewing arrangement is then caused to traverse across the width of the thread layer and web-shaped material between the clamping arrangements thereby sewing a seam therethrough connecting the web-shaped materials to the thread layer.

Abstract: A device for mechanically producing folded hems on the end edges of a piece of cloth detached from a length of fabric, and comprising(a) means for folding the forward end edge of the fabric, corresponding to the folded-in part of the hem to be, over the edge of a delivery member,(b) a gripper arranged on a coiler plate, which is advanced to the delivery edge to grip the fold of the fabric thus that the folded-in part is pressed to contact against the fabric,(c) means for rotating the coiler plate and the fabric fixed therto substantially half a turn, thus that at least a part of the width of the hem to be, is located on a second conveyor track for feeding the piece of cloth to a sewing machine,(d) a holding device pressing the hem against the second conveyor track, while the coiler plate is pulled out of the hem, and(e) an arresting device pressing an inner portion of the fabric against a first track and the delivery member a piece of cloth is detached, each one of the end edges of said piece of cloth which a

Abstract: The present invention relates to a dual-ply fumigation and plant bed cover including an imperforated plastic type cover that acts to effectively seal a plant bed during fumigation and a cloth type cover for providing basic plant protection during the early growth of plants within the covered plant bed. The plastic type cover is stitched to the cloth type cover about a tear seam in order that at a selected time the plastic type cover can be torn or stripped away from the cloth type cover, leaving the cloth type cover stretched over the plant bed. To form the tear seam, a tape cloth strip is secured over the plastic layer about each side, and stitches are sewn through the tape cloth, plastic, and cloth layers. As a part of the method of the present invention, as disclosed herein, after seeding, the plastic type cover may remain intact with said cloth type cover until seed germination, so as to effectively expedite seed germination because of a greenhouse effect realized by the plastic type cover.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a material dispensing apparatus having a unique closed loop servo system for advancing material to a receiving machine in accordance with the use demands thereof.

Abstract: A web of fabric material is fed flat along a substantially horizontal table. The web is continuous and is marked and then partly cut just short of its edges while in the feeding plane. The edges of the web are then gripped, moved together, and overlapped as the web is moving, and the edges are sewn. A moving gripper pulls the web through the apparatus to an off the arm sewing machine, and a puller roll downstream of the sewing machine assists pulling of the web and maintains the seam tensioned during sewing.

Abstract: The application discloses a method and apparatus for cutting bed sheets and the like from a large, continuous length of fabric, forming hems on the cut edges of the fabric panels, and then sewing the hems. The fabric is fed "wrong side out", and one of the hems is formed upside down while the other is formed right side up. One hem is formed more or less directly above the other. A pair of sewing machines are mounted one above the other, and the entire fabric panel, with the just-formed hem folds, is advanced laterally through the sewing machines, simultaneously sewing both hems. By arranging for the mounting of both sewing machines, one above the other, servicing of the machines by a single operator is readily accomplished. Moreover, the substantial amount of fabric between the two hems is accommodated in a generally vertically oriented loop of the fabric providing for highly efficient utilization of factory space.

Abstract: A continuous, automated method and apparatus for manufacturing pillowcases in which a hem is continuously formed along one longitudinal edge of an indeterminate length fabric, and the fabric is thereafter successively cut to length and folded, with the folded pieces being sewn along the side and end thereof to form successive completed pillowcases. The versatile method and apparatus of this invention is adapted for manufacturing pillowcases of the conventional folded hem style, as well as pillowcases of the attached hem and mock attached hem styles.

Abstract: An automatic sewing machine is provided wherein the clamps for holding the workpiece can be used to define at least two different sewing patterns. The sewing pattern which is particularly defined by a given arrangement of clamps is indicated to a digital control system within the sewing machine. The control system is operative to subsequently implement an automated stitching of the particular sewing pattern which has thus been indicated thereto. This automatic stitching is accomplished through a sequential reading of a set of instructions previously stored within a memory associated with the control system. The set of instructions remain the same for at least two different sewing patterns. These instructions are altered upon read out by certain control logic which takes note of which pattern has been defined by the given arrangement of clamps. The automated stitching is completed by an automatic ejection of the clamped workpiece.