Abstract: A reversible sequin pattern sheet includes a layer of fabric positionable substantially in a plane and a plurality of sequins each having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, the sequins being arranged in an array. Each sequin includes an aperture extending between the first and second surfaces, at least a portion of the first and second surfaces of the sequins having different indicia thereon. A thread extending through each aperture is secured to the fabric layer for securing the sequins to the fabric layer and for allowing each sequin to pivot with respect to the fabric layer between a first position and a second position. The indicia are selected such that when the array is in the first position a first message is conveyed, and when the array is in the second position a second message is conveyed.

Abstract: An ornamental sequin system including a selected visual adaptation provided in a visual plane of at least one sequin to form an ornamental sequin system surface of interlaced colors or images is set forth. A novel method is also set forth. The method includes the following steps: forming a sequin base material; and punching the sequin base material to form a plurality of sequins, the plurality of sequins containing both information required to form an ornamental arrangement and positional information, thereby adapting the plurality of sequins for application to a surface.

Abstract: A single bead-shaped piece fed from a storage pipe storing therein a large number of bead-shaped pieces is carried not on a bearing plate but on a support member provided independently from the bearing plate. The support member is arranged movable on the bearing plate in conjunction with forward and backward movement of a feeding member, and also arranged to be moved relative to the feeding member at the time of the forward or backward movement thereof. The support member is provided with a clamping section for clamping the bead-shaped piece, which is adapted to clamp the bead-shaped piece in conjunction with the relative movement of the feeding member and the support member. This permits the bead-shaped piece to be delivered properly from the storage pipe to the sewing position in a stable manner, and hence a sewing machine can reliably sew the bead-shaped piece on a sewing material.

Abstract: First calculation section calculates, on the basis of sewing data, a sewing-progressing direction angle for rotating a rotary cylinder to orient an embroidering material, guided by a guide lever of a zigzag sewing head, in a sewing-progressing direction. Second calculation section adds or subtracts a zigzag-swinging angle to or from the sewing-progressing direction angle to thereby calculate a target rotational angle of the rotary cylinder. Swinging mechanism may be provided for swinging the guide lever relative to the rotary cylinder, and a swinging amount corresponding to the swinging angle of the rotary cylinder may be added to a width of zigzag-swinging by the swinging mechanism. Alternatively, every swinging movement necessary for zigzagging the embroidering material may be set by the swinging angle without the guide lever being caused to swing relative to the rotary cylinder.

Abstract: Sewing machine includes a plurality of machine heads, and at least one sequin feeder apparatus provided for each of the machine heads. The sequin feeder apparatus of a desired number of machine heads of the plurality of machine heads are grouped into a group, and a sequin feed pitch is variably set independently for each of the grouped sequin feeder apparatus in that group. Such an arrangement allows sequins of different sizes (different feed pitches) to be set on all of the sequin feeder apparatus in the group. If the plurality of machine heads are controlled on a group-by-group basis in order to sew a sequin-contained embroidery pattern, it is possible to increase the variety of sizes of sequins that can be used in the embroidery pattern.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus on an embroidering/stitching machine or sewing machine for applying at least one additional band-like material which can be fed to a needle by means of a feeding device, wherein a cutting device is arranged on the feeding device (4), wherein the feeding device (4) can be rotated together with the cutting device around the axis of the needle (6) by means of a drive and the cutting device is driven or can be driven by means of the drive of the presser (1).

Abstract: Continuous sequin strip having a multiplicity of continuously-connected sequins is let out from a reel and then placed on the upper surface of a supporting plate. Sequin feeder apparatus feeds the sequin strip at a predetermined pitch corresponding to a size of a sequin of the continuous sequin strip through advancing and retracting movement of a feed lever interlocked to sewing operation of a needle bar of a sewing machine. The feed lever includes two engaging portions for engaging a predetermined sequin of the strip to feed the strip. With the two engaging portions engaging at least two points of the sequin, the sequin can be fed out reliably irrespective of the position of the sewing hole formed in the sequin. Thus, even sequins, each having the sewing hole eccentrically offset in a direction perpendicular to a sequin-strip feeding direction, can be fed out at the predetermined pitch with an increased reliability.

Abstract: Sewing machine includes a tension detection section (26) for detecting tension acting on a sewn material (A) paid out from a rotary holder member, and a drive section for driving the rotary holder member, and the driving operation of the drive section (14) is controlled on the basis of the detection by the tension detection section. Once the tension acting on the sewn material has increased, the rotary holder member is driven to rotate by the drive section, so that the sewn material can be paid out smoothly from the rotary holder member. The sewing machine is particularly useful in a case where the rotary holder member is constructed into an increased size so that an increased amount of the sewn material can be wound thereon.

Abstract: Sequin feeder apparatus includes at least two sequin feed units each including a sequin feed mechanism for feeding a continuous sequin strip toward a predetermined cutting position and a sequin-cutting cutter section located in the predetermined cutting position. One of the sequin feed units is selected and positioned in a predetermined sewing operation position, and driving force of a feeding drive mechanism is transmitted to the sequin feed mechanism to feed out a sequin. Respective cutting positions of the cutter sections of the feed units are adjustable independently of each other.

Abstract: Sequin feeder device includes an adjustment member mounted on a feed lever, and the adjustment member controls pivot timing of a lock lever by its adjustment piece abutting against a lock lever. The pivot timing of the lock lever is adjustable as desired, in accordance with a relative position of the adjustment piece, and thus, timing at which an engaging claw of the lock lever engages a sequin is adjustable as desired. Further, on a support plate, there is mounted a sequin feed guide member for guiding a continuous sequin strip to allow the sequin strip to be fed straight in the predetermined feeding direction. The sequin feed guide member can be appropriately positioned by merely being fixed to the support plate with its side edge abutted against a side wall of the support plate, without a need for particular positional adjustment of the guide member.

Abstract: A feeding mechanism (6) feeds a plurality of continuous sequin strips (3, 60), which are supplied in an overlapped state, a predetermined pitch at a time to a sewing mechanism (2, 31, 32, 41, 50, 51) while keeping the continuous sequin strips in the overlapped state. The sewing mechanism sews leading sequins (S, S2) of the respective continuous sequin strips together in the overlapped state onto a sewn-to member. A cutting mechanism (27, 30) cuts the sequins sewn at the same time in the overlapped state. For example, a plurality of continuous sequin strips let out from a plurality of reels (5, 61) housing the respective continuous sequin strips are overlapped via a lead-in section (63), so that the plurality of continuous sequin strips (3, 60) are supplied in the overlapped state. As a result, a highly decorative sequin sewn member in which a plurality of sequins are overlapped can be produced with ease.

Abstract: Sequin feeding operation is performed by causing a feed lever (18) to move forward with a distal-end hook portion (18a) of the feed lever engaging a sequin center hole (3a) of a continuous sequin strip (3) let out from a reel (5) and then placed on the upper surface of a supporting plate (8), and the successive sequins can be fed one by one by repeating forward and rearward movement of the feed lever. Lock lever (33) having an engaging claw (33a) engageable with the sequin center hole is pivotably supported near the feed lever. When predetermined-pitch feeding, by the feed lever, of the continuous sequin strip has been completed, the engaging claw (33a) of the lock lever is caused to engage a center hole following the center hole engaged by the hook portion of the feed lever, to thereby immovably lock the continuous sequin strip.

Abstract: A sewing machine has a sewing head which includes a needle bar drive mechanism for vertically reciprocally moving a needle bar, a presser foot drive mechanism operable to vertically move a presser foot in synchronism with the vertical movement of the needle bar, a direction control mechanism operable to pivot the presser foot about the needle bar for controlling a direction of the presser foot to a predetermined direction, and a guide member drive mechanism operable to reciprocally pivot a guide member. The guide member is adapted to guide a cord-like material to be sewn on a work. The presser foot drive mechanism, the direction control mechanism and the guide member drive mechanism have a first drive source, a second drive source and a third drive source, respectively, provided independently of each other.

Abstract: An embroidery machine equipped with plural sets of needles and take-up levers, one set of which is thrown into stitching operation, and with a plurality of spangle cases each equipped with a spangle feeding device respectively and in which is shiftably accommodated a blank consisting of series of unfinished spangles, one selected spangle case being shifted laterally and vertically to be thrown into a position whereat the blank is cut off by a cutting means of the spangle feeding device to produce a single spangle and the single spangle is sewn on fabric by means of two threads supplied through a needle and a bobbin case.

Abstract: An embroidery and applique machine having a number of article feeding modules, each adapted to supply articles such as sequins which are to be appliqued in alignment with a needle. The feeder modules are mounted on a carriage for movement therewith. A motor moves the carriage back and forth along a fixed path relative to the needles. An indexing mechanism is effective for stopping the carriage at any one of a number of positions in which the feeder modules are in register with the needles for supplying articles in alignment with a particular needle. A number of carriages may be provided at positions relative to the needles. A lost motion flange on the carriage contacts abutments on the indexing mechanism and enables the feeder modules on the carriage to register with the needles irrespective of the direction of movement of the carriage on the path.

Abstract: For the purpose of sewing appliques to garments of an air porous fabric, the surface on which the garment is supported during the sewing process is provided with numerous small holes arranged in an area around the needle of the sewing machine. A source of vacuum is connected to these openings, the amount of vacuum being applied being adequate to hold the fabric of the garment firmly against the support surface and the applique firmly against the garment. The air pressure differential created by the vacuum is sufficient to positively hold the applique in place even though it and the garment are moved rapidly to align the target to be stitched with the needle.