Abstract: A belt drive includes a belt and at least one pair of spaced apart rails extending in a first direction and defining a gap. The belt is aligned with the gap and to be driven in an endless loop with the belt including a first movable portion external to the gap on a first side of the rails and a second movable portion biased to be recessed within the gap on an opposite second side of the rails. A rewritable display medium is releasably engageable in a sandwiched position between a slidable contact surface of the rails and a first segment of the second movable portion external to the gap to move the display medium in the first direction for contact-less imaging via a unit spaced from the rails.

Abstract: A web centering and spreading processing system and related method are used to center a moving web and then spread the web in order to remove wrinkles from the web. The centering mechanism, in one example, has a centering roller that receives the wrinkles web. The outer edges of the web, which tend to be uneven and not centered, are detected and a signal is sent to the centering roller to move the web laterally and thereby center the web. The centered web, which is substantially centered but not necessarily precisely centered, moves to a spreader station that receives the web and spreads it thereby removing any wrinkles in the web. The spreader station may include a roller with a recessed center area and that has at least one set of contoured plates that move across the roller from an inner position to an outer position. The plates have gripping surfaces that grip the edges of the web and spread the web to remove the wrinkles.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for flattening a substrate against a surface of a platform is provided. The method comprising positioning guides within a platform so that opposite edges of a substrate placed on the platform do not come in contact with at least one print head in close proximity over the substrate.

Abstract: A true/complement signal generator for a dynamic logic circuit having a dynamic node is disclosed. The true/complement signal generator for a dynamic logic circuit having a dynamic node includes a cascaded inverter circuit, a first half-latch circuit, and a second half-latch circuit. The cascaded inverter circuit, which is connected to the dynamic node, includes a first inverter connected in series with a second inverter. Connected to an output of the second inverter of the cascaded inverter circuit, the first half-latch circuit generates an output signal. Connected to an output of the first inverter of the cascaded inverter circuit, the second half-latch circuit generates a complement output signal.

Abstract: An apparatus for tensioning, stretching or pulling a traveling web of material (e.g., single or multiple layers) lateral to the longitudinal or machine direction of the traveling web is disclosed. The apparatus includes at least one but usually a pair of clamping devices to be disposed opposite each other on lateral edges of the traveling web upstream of a processing area where the clamping devices include stationary members, where at least one stationary member includes first and second ends and a material-engagement surface, wherein, when in operational position, the first and second ends define a direction of the material-engagement surface that is transverse to the machine direction of the traveling web. A method of stretching or pulling a single layer or multiple layer web of material laterally to the machine direction of the traveling web to remove wrinkles also is disclosed.

Abstract: A continuous loop waist band (10) is placed in edge alignment with a garment body (11), and the garment parts are stretched about spindles (19, 20, 21 and 23). The spindles are moved away from one another so as to stretch the aligned edges of the garment parts. The edges of the garment parts tend to curl when stretched, and an edge decurler (84) removes the curl from the stretched garment parts as the edges approach the sewing machine needle (26). Edge guide (102) maintains the plies of material in overlying contact so as to make sure the curls do not reappear in the garment parts as the parts approach the sewing machine.

Abstract: A tenter frame for spreading and treating open widths of a moving fabric which includes a pair of endless tenter chains each of which has a plurality of upstanding pins adapted to engage opposed edges of the fabric for transporting the fabric through the tenter through a first generally horizontal plane. A feed roll is provided for guiding the fabric which has an upper periphery located in a second generally horizontal plane which is higher than the horizontal plane of the tenter chain. A static decurling apparatus is disposed along each side of the tenter frame at a point between the ends of the tenter chains and the feed roll and extends in a generally inclined plane which intersects the first plane and the second plane. The decurling apparatus contacts the edges of the moving fabric and removes the curl, folds and the like from the edges for guiding the fabric towards the tenter chains.

Abstract: An apparatus for eliminating curls at the cut ends of fabric workpieces provides air tubes directed toward the curls so that air flow flattens the curls. The apparatus includes a device for generating air flow; a first tube connected to the device for generating air flow and having one end fixed to the presser foot of a sewing machine; a second tube connected to the device for generating air flow and having one end situated under the throat plate of a sewing machine; and a valve positioned between the device for generating air flow and the tubes. The first tube includes an opening facing the curls and a contact portion extending horizontally and overlapping the curled edge of the workpiece for contacting the curled edge when the presser foot is moved downwardly. The second tube includes an opening facing the curls. The pattern of air flow is switchable to one or both of the tubes depending on the configuration of the curls; that is, whether the fabric is outwardly curled or inwardly curled.

Abstract: A web replenishing apparatus and method for replacing an exhausted web supply with a fresh web supply. The apparatus includes means for detecting the exhaustion of the web supply and for stopping the web processing machine when the tail end of the web reaches a predetermined location. After the web processing machine is stopped, the empty spool or beam is removed by an operator and a fresh supply beam is placed thereon. The head end of the replacement fabric is draped over a lift roll and a supporting surface into a predetermined position. A clamp is provided for locating and securing the edges of the tail end of the exhausted web and the edges of the head end of the replacement web and for bringing them into alignment with each other at a sewing station. The excess web is pretrimmed from the head and tail ends and the head and tail ends of said webs are sewn together by a horizontal sewing machine.

Abstract: A device for removing curl, folds and the like from a moving web in which opposing banks of elongate fins cooperate to define a web passageway therebetween. The banks of fins are preferably associated with top and bottom plates, respectively, that may be biasable apart by seams, etc., passing therebetween, and may include quick release coupling to facilitate assembly and disassembly of the device without affecting the process with which the device is employed. Relative positions of the top and bottom banks of fins may be adjustably controlled. Preferred different fin spacing permits the handling of webs of varying weights and construction. Fin banks are of unitary construction from material exhibiting a low coefficient of friction as exemplified by ultra high molecular weight polyethylene.

Abstract: A device for removing curl, folds and the like from a moving web in which elongated fins associated with top and bottom plates cooperate to define a web passageway therebetween. The top plate is preferably associated with the bottom plate such that the top plate is biasable away from the bottom plate by seams, etc., passing therebetween, and may include quick release coupling to facilitate assembly and disassembly of the device without affecting the process with which the device is employed. Relative positions of the top and bottom fins may be adjustably controlled. Preferred different fin spacing permits the handling of webs of varying weights and constructions.

Abstract: Method and apparatus to remove wrinkles in a running web of material by the use of rotating members on the selvedges of the fabric in conjunction with vacuum pressure to urge the selvedges outward and to slightly overfeed the fabric.

Abstract: A web is conducted through various equipments for printing, cutting, creasing etc. It is important to make certain positional adjustments of the web as it travels through such equipment. For example, a web supplied from a roll has a natural but deleterious tendency to curl. A web decurler cancels this tendency by inducing a reverse curl. A web decurler or other such web handling equipment is adjusted through a control signal from a control signal generator. The control signal generator includes a metering device for producing a web signal signifying the longitudinal displacement of the web. Also included is a sensor for producing an adjust signal, signifying the extent of adjustment of the web. A manually operable device can vary the control signal and thus adjust the decurler or other such web handling equipment. A memory is used to store at least one contemporaneous pair of values of the web and adjust signals during an initial interindex interval.

Abstract: An improved sculpturing apparatus having an asymmetric blade, improved fabric support means and an improved screen for applying stiffening agent is disclosed.

Abstract: A device for engagement with a moving web to remove curl, fold or crease from an edge thereof. Opposite banks of elongated stationary fins are angularly disposed with respect to the direction of movement of the web and are spaced apart to define a predetermined web passageway therethrough. The edge of the traveling web passes between the banks of fins and cooperative forces produced by the opposing banks of the elongated angularly disposed fins remove curl from the edge of the web as well as removing folds and creases. In a preferred embodiment, the elongated fins have opposite taper at leading and trailing ends to permit proper feeding of a web therebetween and to permit location of the device in close proximity to adjacent web handling equipment. In another preferred embodiment, the two banks of elongated fins are operatively associated under spring tension, whereby adjustment may be made between banks of fins while damage to a web passing therethrough or to the device is substantially alleviated.

Abstract: A sheet workpiece having an edge bent over on one face of the workpiece towards the center of the workpiece is continuously displaced in a transport direction over a flat support surface that lies against the other face of the workpiece at the bent-over edge. Compressed air is blown from a guide in a flow direction extending transverse to the transport direction, outwardly from the workpiece center, and generally parallel to the surface so as to blow this bent-over edge flat. A plurality of nozzles inclined slightly downwardly toward the surface and backwardly in the transport direction may be employed, as a single elongated nozzle producing a band-shaped current of air may be used, or a plurality of nozzles spread out in a two-dimensional array. Such a flow of air may also be directed from both faces at the workpiece edge in order to flatten out this edge no matter which way it is bent over.

Abstract: A sheet workpiece having an edge bent over on one face of the workpiece towards the center of the workpiece is continuously displaced in a transport direction over a flat support surface that lies against the other face of the workpiece at the bent-over edge. Compressed air is blown from a guide in a flow direction extending transverse to the transport direction, outwardly from the workpiece center, and generally parallel to the surface so as to blow this bent-over edge flat. A plurality of nozzles inclined slightly downwardly toward the surface and backwardly in the transport direction may be employed, as a single elongated nozzle producing a band-shaped current of air may be used, or a plurality of nozzles spread out in a two-dimensional array. Such a flow of air may also be directed from both faces at the workpiece edge in order to flatten out this edge no matter which way it is bent over.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises guide means including a stationary roller and a movable roller opposed to the stationary roller and movable toward or away therefrom to nip a selvage of the fabric between the rollers when required to correct deviation of the fabric, and unfolding and spreading means including at least three screw rollers arranged side by side at the feed side of the guide means and along the direction of travel of the fabric. Each of the screw rollers is rotatable by a motor in the direction of unfolding and spreading the fabric, at least one of the screw rollers other than the screw rollers at the opposite sides thereof being pivotally movable toward or away from the surface of the fabric. The stationary roller of the guide means includes a roller main body and a shaft rotatable by the motor in the same direction as the direction of travel of the fabric.

Abstract: A sheet workpiece having an edge bent over on one face of the workpiece towards the center of the workpiece is continuously displaced in a transport direction over a flat support surface that lies against the other face of the workpiece at the bent-over edge. Compressed air is blown from a guide in a flow direction extending transverse to the transport direction, outwardly from the workpiece center, and generally parallel to the surface so as to blow this bent-over edge flat. A plurality of nozzles inclined slightly down toward the surface and backwardly in the transport direction may be employed, as a single elongated nozzle producing a band-shaped current of air may be used, or a plurality of nozzles spread out in a two-dimensional array. Such a flow of air may also be directed from both faces at the workpiece edge in order to flatten out this edge no matter which way it is bent over.