Abstract: Flat knitting allows production of textile structures (e.g., for use in footwear uppers) of a final desired shape such that textile cutting steps can be avoided. Flat knitted elements also can be formed directly in desired three dimensional shapes, which can help avoid the need to use additional support structures (e.g., in footwear construction). By selectively placing multiple different yarns and/or stitch patterns at multiple different locations in the overall structure during the knitting process, flat knitted products may have multiple different physical properties (e.g., different stretchability, different moisture management capabilities, etc.) at multiple different locations or zones within a single, unitary construction (e.g., different properties at different zones or locations within a single footwear structure). Additionally, flat knitting can be used to produce pockets, tunnels, or other layered structures in the final product.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper that is at least partially formed from a base layer and thread sections that lie adjacent a surface of the base layer. The thread sections are positioned to provide structural elements that, for example, restrain stretch in directions corresponding with longitudinal axes of the thread sections. In some configurations of the footwear, a first portion of the thread sections may extend between forefoot and heel regions of the footwear, and a second portion of the thread sections may extend vertically. An embroidering process may be utilized to position the thread sections on the base layer.

Abstract: A method is provided for sewing a seat cover to provide a side panel and an inset panel with a C-shaped separable seam and inner and outer chutes for air bag deployment. The method comprises sewing the side panel and the inner chute together with permanent vertical extending and upper and lower horizontal extending seams that will not break during air bag deployment, and sewing the inset panel and the outer chute together with permanent vertical extending seams and upper and lower horizontal extending seams that will not break during air bag deployment. And thereafter sewing the side panel and the inset panel together with separable vertical extending seams and upper and lower horizontal extending seams that will break upon the air bag deployment to allow inflation of the air bag while the inner chute remains attached to the front panel and the outer chute remains attached to the side panel to guide the inflating air bag.

Abstract: A process is described for treating a nonwoven fabric to improve the gripping ability of the fabric during the preparation of tufted carpets. The process includes the steps of applying an elastomeric binder to the fabric, treating the fabric to provide a series of depressions or holes in a pattern consistent with the tufting needle pattern to be subsequently applied, and then curing the binder. The resultant fabric has a pattern of holes or depressions which are essentially free of binder with excess binder squeezed from the depressions forming rings around the depressions. When the tufting needle is inserted into the depression or hole, the elastomeric ring surrounding the hole expands. Upon retraction of the needle, the elastomeric ring contracts and exerts a firm grip on the tuft in the hole.

Abstract: An airbag is manufactured by sewing a base fabric woven with a first polar fiber by means of a sewing thread. The sewing thread is made up of a yarn formed from a second polar fiber such as nylon 66, and the yarn is subjected to a lubrication treatment using a lubricating agent that consists of a polar group-containing compound having an action to improve lubricity of the sewing thread or that contains mainly such a polar group-containing compound.

Abstract: A method is described using paired templates for simplifying the design and construction of a hexagon based quilt top. This method overcomes the inherent difficulty in traditional hexagon quilting. In order to sew individual hexagons together and have them lie in a plane, the seam that connects each edge must stop short of running the entire length of that edge by the width of the seam on the adjacent edge at each end. A method is described that allows for continuous stitch lines without having to precisely start and stop stitching. It employs a shape within a shape concept, allowing a hexagon to fit inside a triangle which lends itself to sewing together using easier stitching techniques. The hexagon is sized to precisely fit inside an equilateral triangle and the tips of the triangles that fall outside of the hexagon shape, themselves come together to form a hexagon when the triangles are joined together.

Abstract: Reinforcement of sandwich structures with aid of a reinforcing device. The outer layers of the sandwich structure may primarily include a fiber-plastic composite and the core material may include a rigid polymer foam.

Abstract: A process makes stitchbonded fabric having a regionally segmented discontinuous base layer of webs of substrate material extending in the machine direction which webs are laterally separated by a region devoid of substrate material. The region devoid of substrate is formed prior to stitching by either (a) slitting the substrate and folding the material adjacent the slits outwardly in contact with substrate material outboard of the slit, or (b) slitting the substrate while applying tension in the machine direction that moves adjacent lips of the slit material away from each other. Once the discontinuous base layer is formed, threads are stitched through the laterally separated webs of substrate material and the intermediate region devoid of substrate material.

Abstract: Combination quilted patterns of which at least one component pattern is continuous are sewn on a multi-layered web of material with the sewing heads on one bridge as the material is advanced longitudinally. The bridge might or might not also move longitudinally. Simultaneously, different patterns, either continuous or discontinuous, are sewn with another independently moveable bridge. The continuous patterns extend substantially the lengths of quilted panels on a web, and may extend without thread cuts or tacks along the web across the lengths of more than one panel. One pattern can be changed while the other pattern continues along the web. New patterns, intermediate quilted products and methods for quilting them are provided.

Abstract: A cover assembly for vertical blinds comprising a front cover having an aesthetically pleasing design having a front cover top, bottom, and two sides; a back cover having a back cover top, bottom, and two sides, the back cover secured to the front cover at their respective two sides and bottom; and a securing means for closing the front cover top and back cover top that does not close a middle section of the top to permit the stem to pass through, the securing means taken from the group consisting of snaps, buttons, hook and loop fasteners, elastic ribbon, and a drawstring.

Abstract: A durable pet toy and a method of constructing thereof, where the toy is constructed by first forming pieces of three-layered material by bonding together an inside layer, a middle layer and an outside layer. The pieces of the three-layered material are then sewn together with a seam and a binding is applied to stress points of the pet toy.

Abstract: In a method for attaching s surface skin member with a stitch line onto a base core member, meandering of a stitch line is eliminated and thus a smart stitch line is formed. A stitch line A is formed on a surface skin member 33 of which material is artificial leather or genuine leather, a rod 36 is temporarily joined along the stitch line A on a reverse side of the surface skin member 33, a groove 311 is provided along the stitch line A on a surface of a base core member 31, the surface skin member 33 is attached and fixed on the surface of the base core member 31 while accurately positioning the stitch line A by accommodating the rod 36 inside the groove 311, and then the rod 36 is drawn out so as to accurately form the stitch line A.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a simple and inexpensive method for producing a mattress panel or quilt having corners which deviate from an orthogonal pattern. The method renders a material having two stitched seams between two sewn products that are arranged adjacently. The two stitched seams are created by a sewing device, which moves transversely to the conveying direction of the material. The material is cut between said seams by a sewing unit, located within the sewing device. Prior to or during the stitching of the seams, another device removes a sub-area comprising both sewn products, resulting in a mattress panel or quilt with corners deviating from an orthogonal pattern.

Abstract: A template and a method guide a cutting tool during cutting of a quilt block having a selected one of at least two alternate kaleidoscope patterns from a quilting blank having a given pattern of sections seamed together along seam lines intersecting at a common seam origin. The template provides right angle corners and obtuse angle corners for accommodating the alternate kaleidoscope patterns, and includes cutting guides and registration indicators which when registered with seam lines of the quilting blank locate one or more of the cutting guides for cutting one or more segments of the border of a selected kaleidoscope pattern. Indexing of the template and the quilting blank relative to one another relocates the cutting guides for cutting further segments of the border to complete the selected kaleidoscope pattern.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of manufacturing a fiber mat adapted for use in the manufacture of a fiber-reinforced device, said fiber mat comprising at least two essentially longitudinally extending and parallel batches of fibers. Novel aspects of the method according to the invention involves that the method comprises that the batches are joined by holder means that span above or below each batch, whereby the holder means impart an influence to each batch which is essentially symmetrical about an axis situated longitudinally between the batches. A symmetrical influence about an axis longitudinally between the batches accomplishes that influence from one side is matched by influence from an opposite side. Hereby it is prevented that the batch will undulate. Simultaneously the batches are clearly separated, whereby resin is more easily conducted longitudinally of the batches.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an airbag with which an airbag having a left airbag section and a right airbag section and constituted so that peripheral edge portions of an opening of an opposing face of each bag are sewn together can be easily manufactured. An airbag 10 is constituted by a total of two panels, namely, an inside panel 20 and an outside panel 30. After the inside panel 20 and the outside panel 30 are overlapped in a double-folded state so that airbag outer side faces thereof oppose to each other, opposite sides 61, 62 are sewn together, and lower edge portions of the inside panel 20 and the outside panel 30 are sewn together. Then, the inside panel 20 is reversed so that airbag outer side faces of a right side 20R and a left side 20L oppose each other, and the peripheral edge portions of the openings 18, 18 are sewn together. Then, the remaining peripheral edge portions of the inside panel 20 and the outside panel 30 are sewn together.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system of manual sewing comprising using solid or hollow shapes, that is planar surfaces, to stabilize and display the area being worked on and using both hands to accomplish the sewing tasks. The area to be worked on is spread out and stabilized on a planar surface, and the planar surface itself is stabilized in space with a holding device or by the surroundings. Both hands are then free to do the actual sewing. Pincers and needle holders designed to assist the use in proper use are employed to optimize visualization and to facilitate the actual sewing. The use of eyeless needles with pre-attached thread, preferably swaged-on threads, eliminates the need for threading. Use of curved needles with needle holders facilitates sewing in small spaces. Kits are also contemplated that comprise a variety of sewing crafts of the present invention.

Abstract: A golf mat includes artificial grass fibers attached to and extending upward from a backing material, which may be one or more layers. The artificial grass fibers include groups of at least two different kinds of fiber sewn through a common path in the backing material. One of the kinds of fibers in each group is shaped so as to appear like a blade of grass. The other kind of fiber in each group is pre-stressed/crimped so that the relaxed shape of the fiber is nonlinear, resembling a curlicued or articulated form having lateral excursions. The lateral excursions cause portions of one such pre-stressed fiber to overlap and interfere with another, forming a mesh. The height of the pre-stressed fibers in their relaxed state in the turf is less than the height of the relatively unstressed artificial grass fiber(s). The crimped fibers form a resilient mat with impact characteristics similar to natural turf.

Abstract: A system (10) for manufacturing a mattress (300) comprises multiple modules or stations (12, 132, 188, 200) used to sew together multiple components into a casing (252). A spring or other core (270) is inserted into the casing (252) before a top (274) is secured to the casing (252) to complete the mattress (300). One or more flanges (261, 266) may be incorporated into the casing (252) for securing the core (270) inside the casing (252). The system (10) provides an operator flexibility to manufacture different types of mattress with minimal changes.

Abstract: Textile Components, such as upper members for articles of footwear, include: (a) a first portion having a first edge, wherein the first edge includes a first portion of material engaged with a first seam support material via a first thermoplastic material; (b) a second portion having a second edge, wherein the second edge includes a second portion of material engaged with a second seam support material via a second thermoplastic material; and (c) structure to engage the first and second edges in an abutting edge joint (such as a zig-zag stitch). The resulting textile components may be lightweight and breathable (e.g., due to use of lightweight upper fabric), having a comfortable fit (e.g., due to the abutting edge joint), while still providing a strong, stable, and durable construction (e.g., due to the presence of the seam support member(s)).

Abstract: The multipurpose bag and method for making the same utilizes three pieces of substantially rectangular material that are cut, folded, and secured together to form a bag having an open top end and a closed bottom end. The bag is preferably formed from cotton, and includes cording material to form drawstrings. Handles for carrying the bag and are attached to the bag near the open top end. The bag is formed to be symmetric about central vertical planes, and a pair of flaps are provided to cover a pair of symmetrical outer pockets. A plurality of inner pockets are defined within the multipurpose bag, with the pockets being symmetrical and equally positioned therein.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a manufacturing system and a method for manufacturing sheet-like structures. The manufacturing system of sheet-like structures contains a loosened portion forming apparatus by which plural loosened portions, which are substantially U-shaped, are formed on a cord member, and plural linear portions, which connect each of the plural loosened portions, are formed substantially linearly; and a sewing apparatus by which each of the plural absorbing members and each of the plural linear portions are sewn with a thread member.

Abstract: To provide a manufacturing system and a method for manufacturing sheet-like structures. The manufacturing system of sheet-like structures comprises a loosened portion forming apparatus which forms plural loosened portions, which are substantially U-shaped on a cord member, an arranging apparatus which inserts each of the plural loosened portions into each of the plural openings formed on a belt-like member and form plural linear portions in substantial linear form which connect each of the plural loosened portions respectively, a sewing apparatus which sews a belt-like member and each of the plural linear portions together with a thread member, and a belt-like member cutting apparatus which cuts a belt-like member in prescribed forms.

Abstract: The subject matter of the present invention is a method for joining at least two portions or sections of clothing or covering materials in the form of pieces of flexible skins, the materials of the two pieces of skin having a similar or different thickness and/or rigidity or folding stiffness, the join being formed between and along two edges folded opposite one another and in contact end to end of said pieces of skin, so as to form a joining line.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for feeding and slitting mattress covers, quilts and other soft goods supported on a table. The apparatus has a first slitting wheel rotatable by a motor. A second slitting wheel is rotatable by the motor and contacts the first slitting wheel to provide a cutting action. The apparatus further includes a conveyor operable by the motor for conveying the soft goods past the slitting wheels, and a compression assembly having an actuator, a swing arm, and wheels for compressing the soft goods and holding the soft goods against the conveyor to preventing slippage or twisting.

Abstract: A padded covering for parts of a chair, consisting of a padded material (2) with elastic properties at least within the thickness thereof, and covered with a semi-transparent, perforated mesh fabric, wherein said padded material has a three-dimensional structure that is at least partially visible through said fabric and comprises recesses opening out onto the fabric (3). Said covering is produced via a method comprising the steps of cutting out a suitably-shaped piece capable of covering the specific chair portion; stitching at least two concentric lines at the edges and over the entire periphery of the piece in order to flatten the edge region; cutting out, in a semi-transparent perforated mesh fabric (3), a correspondingly-sized piece; placing said semi-transparent fabric piece on top of the padded piece; and fastening the piece.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for feeding and slitting mattress covers, quilts and other soft goods supported on a table. The apparatus has a first slitting wheel rotatable by a motor. A second slitting wheel is rotatable by the motor and contacts the first slitting wheel to provide a cutting action. The apparatus further includes a conveyor operable by the motor for conveying the soft goods past the slitting wheels, and a compression assembly having an actuator, a gear housing, and powered wheels for compressing the soft goods and holding the soft goods against the conveyor to preventing slippage or twisting.

Abstract: A method is provided for sewing a seat cover to provide a front panel and a side panel with an L-shaped separable seam and inner and outer chutes for air bag deployment. The method comprises sewing the front panel and the inner chute together with permanent vertical extending and horizontal extending seams that will not break during air bag deployment, and sewing the side panel and the outer chute together with permanent vertical extending seams and horizontal extending seams that will not break during air bag deployment. And thereafter sewing the front panel and the side panel together with separable vertical extending seams and horizontal extending seams that will break upon the air bag deployment to allow inflation of the air bag while the inner chute remains attached to the front panel and the outer chute remains attached to the side panel to guide the inflating air bag.

Abstract: A laminated body for a vehicle includes a surface material, a cushion material, and a backing cloth that are stacked. The backing cloth is formed by stacking a plurality of short fibers so that the short fibers are oriented in different directions that cross each other, and then, three-dimensionally interlacing the short fibers with each other.

Abstract: A method of assembling a prosthetic valve using sheets of material, such as pericardium material, polymer or bioengineered film, or other material. The method provides an accurate and repeatable system of making pericardial valves in which sheets or pieces of material are held securely in place relative to each other throughout the steps of assembling the valve. In addition, methods of the present invention include maintaining consistent alignment of the fixtures and pericardium material throughout the valve assembly process and utilize features that make the tooling components easy to assemble and handle. Certain aspects of the invention can be used to help establish a repeatable sewing and cutting technique for creating a pattern shape for valve leaflets, establishing stitch lengths, and determining the exact placement of stitches.

Abstract: An airbag cushion is manufactured with a rear fabric panel and two front fabric panels. Each front fabric panel has a projecting tether portion to be sewn to an inner face of the rear fabric panel. The front fabric panels are, firstly, superimposed each other. A back end of the projecting tether portion is sewn to a part of a periphery of the front fabric panel, to form a second stitch portion in a recessed shape. A front end of the tether portion is then sewn to the inner face of the rear fabric panel. A periphery of the rear fabric panel is, in addition, sewn to a periphery of the front fabric panel corresponding to the periphery of the rear fabric panel, to form a third stitch portion.

Abstract: Structure of semifinished product (10) for floating products comprising a plurality of layers (1a-Id) of flexible material having density less than water, for example foam polyethylene, mutually constrained to each other. In particular, the layers (1a-Id) are arranged according to an overlapped configuration and then constrained at fastening points, for example, seams (6) made by a stitching head (50) equipped with one or more needles (55) acting along a direction (60) substantially orthogonal to the layers (1a-Id). Each seam point (6) is, in particular, insulated, i.e. is made in order to result distanced from the other seams (6). This is to avoid the production of weakening lines, or zones, in the semifinished product (10) and to obtain, then a highly flexible product and at the same time having a high mechanical resistance. The seams (6) can be made in a random way or following a predetermined scheme to provide a homogeneous distribution on all the surface of the layers (1a-Id).

Abstract: A tracheostomy tie includes a padded collar with a surface engagement side, a strap coupled to the padded collar on a side opposite from the surface engagement side and extending from opposite ends of the padded collar. The strap includes a loop material outer surface and tapered distal ends. Connectors tapered at both distal ends are connected to respective tapered distal ends of the strap, each of the tapered connectors having a hook material outer surface. The tapered connectors are operable to pass through respective tracheostomy tube connectors and loop back to engage the loop material so the padded collar may securely fastens and positions a tracheostomy tube.

Abstract: A system (10) for manufacturing a mattress (300) comprises multiple modules or stations (12, 132, 188, 200) used to sew together multiple components into a casing (252). A spring or other core (270) is inserted into the casing (252) before a top (274) is secured to the casing (252) to complete the mattress (300). Two or more flanges (261, 266) may be incorporated into the casing (252) for securing the core (270) inside the casing (252), The system (10) provides an operator flexibility to manufacture different types of mattress with minimal changes.

Abstract: A decorative cover for a vehicle trim component includes a resilient skin including an edge for insertion into a groove of the vehicle trim component. At least one tab extends from the skin edge. At least one line of stitching is located on the resilient skin. The at least one line of stitching has at least one stitching end section extending beyond the skin edge and onto the at least one tab.

Abstract: A medical device for body cavity which has a main stent body and a sheet-shaped member having an opening and covering at least a part of the main stent body as described above. It is desirable that, when the main stent body is dilated from the first diameter in the compressed state to the second diameter, the above-described sheet-shaped member spreads so as to cover at least a part of the main stent body without restricting the movement of the main stent body toward the circumferential direction while the shape of the opening of the above-described sheet-shaped member is retained even after the dilation of the main stent body. The above-described medical device for body cavity is applied to a delivery system which has a first catheter for transporting the medical device for body cavity into the body. In this delivery system, the above-described medical device for body cavity is located at the front end of the first catheter as described above so as to allow indwelling thereof.

Abstract: A production method for producing sanitary tampons implements a cord placement step of placing at least two continuous string-like cords in parallel on surfaces of at least two cotton pad pieces sequentially placed along a sewing line in a sewing direction of a sewing machine, a first cord sewing step of sewing the cord to one of two cotton pad pieces placed in an adjacent manner, a second cord sewing step of sewing the cord to the other of the two cotton pad pieces, and a cord switching step of switching the cords to be sewn to the cotton pad piece between the first cord sewing step and the second cord sewing step.

Abstract: Method and device for continuous production of three dimensional fabrics (50) made up of two or more external layers (51,52) of fabric connected to each other using thread strands (53) starting from separate pieces of fabric, overlapping and joining them and proceeding to sewing using strands (53), said sewing using strands (53) being performed using two pieces of fabric lying and sliding on the opposite faces of a spacer comb-like structure (6), that determines the length of the thread strands (53).

Abstract: In one embodiment, a mattress is constructed of a core having a first side and a second side. A padding layer is positioned at the first side of the core and has a contoured surface and a planar surface. A layer of individual fiberballs is disposed on the planar surface of the padding layer.

Abstract: The method of making a folding coin purse involves forming a first pocket and a second pocket on a layer of rectangular material. A peripheral border is biased into an upstanding position. The peripheral border frames an access opening between the first pocket and the second pocket. A second half of the body folds over a first half of the body to close the access opening.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing a large sewn product, such as a mattress panel or a quilt, having two stitched seams created by a sewing device, moving transversely to the direction of feed, between two adjacently arranged sewn products. The material between said seams is subsequently cut by the sewing unit, located within the sewing device. The apparatus comprises a conveyor mechanism, a sewing device consisting of a sewing unit with at least two needles, a gripper box with grippers allocated to said needles, a tape-like element, a cutting element, and a storage mechanism. By guiding the sewing unit along a first guide means, and by guiding the gripper box along a second guide means, and synchronizing both, material can be cut and sewn on the rim without tension, thereby improving current methods by avoiding sewing inaccuracies and eliminating their subsequent remedies.

Abstract: A holder for use on a duty belt comprising a backing portion including a synthetic material coupled to a cover portion including a synthetic material is disclosed. An edging portion at least partially covers an edge of either the backing portion, the cover portion, or both. The backing portion and the cover portion are coupled by stitching, the stitching passing through the backing portion and the cover portion, and the backing portion and the cover portion are substantially flush along a seam at which the backing portion and the cover portion are joined.

Abstract: An umbrella cover if formed from a unitary piece of material, an octagonal piece of material having eight corners, which may be decorated, such as by printing, without image segmentation. The cover has eight generally triangular slits therein extending one from each corner of the octagon toward, but in spaced relation from, a center point, a point of each triangle at the inner end of the slit. An image is printed on the cover. The sides of each slit are sewn together to form a dart. The cover is tacked to an eight-rib frame, with each dart tacked adjacent a flexion point in a rib.

Abstract: An air bag comprises inside and outside base fabrics that are stitched to constitute an outer bag that is flat when receiving no gas. The outer bag is formed with a gas inlet opening through which an inflation gas is led into the outer bag to expand the same. The air bag further comprises inside and outside smaller fabrics that are stitched to constitute an inner bag that is installed in the outer bag. Given portions of the inside and outside smaller fabrics are stitched to given portions of the inside and outside base fabrics respectively to form a plurality of narrow auxiliary chambers between the inner bag and the outer bag.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improvements in or relating to saddles and saddle trees, especially English saddle trees, particularly for horses. In particular, we describe a method of manufacture for a tree which is simplified by the use of leather, webbing and plastic in flat sheet material. This fabrication can be simply stitched and riveted together and a Y-bar and headplate are then bolted and or riveted to the finished leather plastic fabrication. This method of making a tree is fast, efficient, cost effective, safe, reliable, provides more consistent symmetrical performance, and above all is very light, providing a weight saving of 60% compared with conventional methods. The tree fabrication requires no additional finishing or tidying, unlike other forms of manufacture. As soon as the parts are assembled they are ready to go to the next stage of making the finished seat for the saddle.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sanitary shopping cart organizer device in which a material is attached to a handle of a shopping cart. The material provides a barrier to germs or dirt on the handle or the shopping cart. Preferably, the material is a durable material, such as a backpack material. The material can include a coating to provide waterproofing or wiping down of liquids or dirt from the material. In one embodiment, the material is formed of fabric to allow machine washing and drying and to provide comfort to a user such that the temperature of the handle is not felt by the user. The device can be expeditiously attached to the handle of the shopping cart, for example with a VELCRO® material. One or more pockets can be formed in a front surface of the device. The pockets can be used to hold, for example, a shopping list, coupons, pad, pen, eyeglasses, key and the like. The device can be formed of a single piece of material.

Abstract: In a quilting system, a support and cassette apparatus includes a support with a cassette movably connected with the support such that the cassette captures the support within the cassette. A carriage is attached to the cassette.

Abstract: A piece for a skin member of a vehicular seat has a base member and a leather laminated to the base member. The base member has a cushion having elastic properties and a base cloth adhered to the cushion. The base member and the leather include an adhering portion bonded by an adhering agent, a sewing portion formed by being sewn at outer peripheral portions of the base member and the leather, and a nonbonding portion in which the base member and the leather are not bonded between the adhering portion and the sewing portion.

Abstract: A carrying case includes a backbone panel forming a back and base for the carrying case. A rear-top panel is connected to the backbone panel forming at least a portion of the sides and top of the carrying case. A left side and a right side panel are connected to the backbone panel forming a portion of the left side and right side of the carrying case, respectively. A mid-top panel is connected to the left side and right side panels, forming a portion of the sides and top of the carrying case. A mid-front panel is connected to the mid-top panel, the left side and right side panels, and the backbone panel, the mid-front panel forming the front of the carrying case. A first zipper is connected to the rear-top panel and the mid-top panel. The backbone panel, rear-top panel, left side and right side panels, mid-top panel, mid-front panel, and zipper form a first pocket in the carrying case.

Abstract: A shaped conductive pattern is located very-close to the top and bottom edges of a print ribbon, e.g., 0.18? or less, where the conductive pattern is sewn using a partially conductive thread, such as 20% steel and 80% polyester. A two-piece clamp used to sew the conductive feature has shaped opening in both pieces, a peripheral groove surrounding the shaped opening and vertical grooves outside peripheral groove in one piece, and a peripheral tongue surrounding the shaped opening and vertical tongues outside the peripheral tongue in the other piece, where the width of the vertical grooves is larger than the width of the peripheral groove.