Apparatus for manufacturing and stacking hemmed fabric pieces

Claim 2

Apparatus for manufacturing and stacking lined hemmed fabric pieces and comprising in combination: a. dispenser means for cutting and feeding automatically a liner tape of constant width in pieces each of a same predetermined length in their lengthwise directions in turn along a path of travel through the apparatus, b. positioner means along said path of travel for accepting the fabric pieces inserted in turn manually and for positioning each of the fabric pieces automatically in a desired orientation with respect to said path of travel and onto one of the liner pieces, c. folder means located along said path of travel for forming a hem out of a margin of the fabric piece folded around its associated said liner piece and having a terminal margin flap tucked under itself ready for sewing, d. sew means located along said path of travel to receive the folded edge of the piece of fabric for sewing the hem along the terminal margin flap, and e. stacker means including a cartridge located along said path of travel to receive the fabric pieces from the sew means for stacking the lined hemmed fabric pieces into said cartridge vertically and means for revolving the cartridge as successive of the lined hemmed fabric pieces are inserted therein whereby uneven height resulting from the hems is distributed peripherally thereabout.

Claim 3

The apparatus of claim 1, further characterized by the dispenser means comprising in combination: a. supply means for supplying a continuous feed of the tape, b. advancer means for advancing the tape one of said lengths at a time forwardly along said path of travel to a cuttable position, c. holder means for holding the tape in the cuttable position, d. cutter means for cutting the tape into said predetermined lengths as the tape is held in the cuttable position, e. a pusher member organized to contact the tape, f. first motion means connected to the pusher member for providing two-way movement of the pusher member forwardly and rearwardly along said path of travel, g. the first mOtion means organized to move the pusher member from an initial forward position rearwardly along said path of travel, h. slip menas for allowing the pusher member not to move the liner tape rearwardly, i. the first motion means including means thereafter automatically to return the pusher member to its forward position moving the liner tape forwardly along said path of travel, j. the first motion means operative from its initial forward position in response to a first signal, k. a finger, l. a second motion means connected to the finger for providing two-way movement transversely of the path between an initial retracted position wherein the finger is retracted and a holding position wherein the finger holds the tape against a platform, m. the second motion means operative from its initial retracted position in response to a second signal, n. at least one endless belt arranged forward of the finger along said path of travel and organized to advance the liner tape forwardly, o. presser means for pressing the liner tape onto the endless belt, p. the cutter means comprising a knife positioned along said path of travel between the finger and the presser means, q. a third motion means connected to the knife for moving the knife transversely of said path of travel between an initial retracted position wherein the knife is retracted and a cutting position wherein the knife cuts from the liner tape one of the liner pieces, r. the third motion means operative from said initial retracted position in response to a third signal, and s. a first sensor for detecting the liner tape in the cuttable position and connected to a dispenser circuit arranged to transmit the first signal to move the pusher member rearwardly and simultaneously to transmit the second signal to move the finger to its holding position, the dispenser circuit arranged then to transmit the third signal to move the knife to its cutting position, the dispenser circuit further including second and third reset means thereafter to return the finger and the knife respectively to their initial positions.

Claim 4

The apparatus of claim 1, further characterized by the positioner means comprising in combination: a. at least one positioner endless belt organized to advance forwardly along said path of travel, b. means for positioning one of the liner pieces on the positioner endless belt, c. a staging member having a horizontal surface and organized to engage the liner piece delivered thereto by the positioner endless belt, d. fourth motion means connected to the staging member for providing two-way movement vertically between an initial receiving position wherein the staging member projects above the positioner endless belt and a withdrawn position wherein the staging member is below the positioner endless belt, e. a shutter above the positioner endless belt and having a planar surface on which one of the fabric pieces can be placed manually, f. a guide abutment aligned with the path whereby the fabric piece is positionable thereagainst, g. uncurler means for directing gas flow over the fabric piece toward the guide abutment to eliminate curls in the fabric piece and to maintain alignment of the fabric piece with the guide abutment, h. fifth motion means connected to the shutter for providing two-way movement horizontally and transversely of the path between an initial position over the belt and a withdrawn position whereby on movement of the shutter to the withdrawn position the fabric piece drops onto the liner piece on the staging member, i. the fourth motion means operative on movement of the shutter to its withdrawn position to seat the fabric piece and the liner piece together onto the positioner endless belt, j. the fourth motion means operative from its initial receiving position in response to a fourth signal, k. the fifth motion means operative from its initial position over the belt in response to a fiFth signal, l. a positioner circuit including a fifth sensor means to detect positioning of the fabric piece on the staging member and aligned with the guide abutment, m. the positioner circuit having means for transmitting the fifth signal on actuation of the fifth sensor means to move the shutter to its withdrawn position, n. the positioner circuit including a fourth switch activated on movement of the shutter to its withdrawn position to move the staging member to its withdrawn position, and o. the positioner circuit further including fourth and fifth reset means thereafter to return the staging member and the shutter respectively to their initial positions.

Claim 5

The apparatus of claim 1, further characterized by the folder means comprising in combination: a. means for feeding the fabric piece and the liner piece together along said path of travel so that they are arranged one atop the other, b. the fabric piece having a margin which projects transversely of said path of travel beyond the liner piece, c. the margin having a leading margin end which viewed from the front is considered to have an initial zero degree rotational orientation in a plane normal to said path of travel, d. a folder endless belt organized to engage the fabric piece for advancing the fabric piece and the liner piece together in contact with a folder plate along said path of travel, e. the folder plate having a folder plate edge along said path of travel, f. at least one stationary folder member along said path of travel for folding the advancing margin around the folder plate edge, g. the margin terminating transversely in a margin flap, h. a die arranged along said path of travel forward of the folder member and organized for folding the advancing margin flap toward the folder plate and backward to the initial orientation of the leading margin end, and i. means for withdrawing the liner piece and the fabric piece from the folder plate together whereby the fabric piece leaves the folder plate with the hem folded over the liner piece and with the margin flap tucked under itself all ready for sewing.

Claim 6

The apparatus of claim 1, further characterized by the stacker comprising in combination: a. a revolvable frame mounted for revolving about a vertical axis and adapted to support the cartridge, b. the cartridge having a cartridge bottom provided with a cartridge bottom opening, c. delivery means for delivering the pieces in turn beneath the revolvable frame, d. an elevator, e. sixth motion means connected to the elevator for providing up and down movement between an initial down position wherein the elevator is below the delivery means and an up position wherein the elevator lifts one of the lined hemmed fabric pieces into the cartridge via the cartridge bottom opening, f. the elevator being provided with a horizontal profile smaller than that of the lined hemmed fabric pieces and the cartridge bottom opening being smaller than the horizontal profile of the lined hemmed fabric pieces, whereby each of the lined hemmed fabric pieces is deformed as it enters the cartridge and relaxes therein so that on return of the elevator to its down position the lined hemmed fabric piece sits on the cartridge bottom about the cartridge bottom opening, and g. seventh motion means for revolving the revolvable frame about the axis so that as succeeding of the lined hemmed fabric pieces form a stack the enlarged height is distributed peripherally thereabout.

Claim 7

Apparatus for manufacturing and stacking hemmed fabric pieces and comprising in combination: a. positioner means along a path of travel through the apparatus, for accepting the fabric pieces inserted in turn manually and for positioning each of the fabric pieces automatically in a desired orientation with respect to said path of travel, b. folder means located along said path of travel for forming a hem out of a margin of the fabric piece and Having a terminal margin flap tucked under itself ready for sewing, c. sew means located along said path of travel for sewing the hem along the terminal margin flap, and d. stacker means including a cartridge located along said path of travel to receive the fabric pieces from the sew means for stacking the hemmed fabric pieces into said cartridge vertically and means for revolving the cartridge as successive of the hemmed fabric pieces are inserted therein whereby uneven height resulting from the hems is distributed peripherally thereabout.

Claim 8

Apparatus for manufacturing and stacking hemmed fabric pieces and comprising in combination: a. positioner means along a path of travel through the apparatus, for accepting the fabric pieces inserted in turn manually and for positioning each of the fabric pieces automatically in a desired orientation with respect to said path of travel, b. folder means located along said path of travel for forming a hem out of a margin of the fabric piece and Having a terminal margin flap tucked under itself ready for sewing, c. sew means located along said path of travel for sewing the hem along the terminal margin flap, and d. stacker means including a cartridge located along said path of travel to receive the fabric pieces from the sew means for stacking the hemmed fabric pieces into said cartridge vertically and means for revolving the cartridge as successive of the hemmed fabric pieces are inserted therein whereby uneven height resulting from the hems is distributed peripherally thereabout.

Claim 9

The apparatus of claim 6, further characterized by the positioner means comprising in combination: a. at least one positioner endless belt organized to advance forwardly along said path of travel, b. a staging member located along said path of travel and having a horizontal surface, c. fourth motion means connected to the staging member for providing two-way movement vertically between an initial receiving position wherein the staging member projects above the positioner endless belt and a withdrawn position wherein the staging member is below the positioner endless belt, d. a shutter above the positioner endless belt and having a planar surface on which one of the fabric pieces can be placed manually, e. a guide abutment aligned with said path of travel whereby the fabric piece is positionable thereagainst, f. uncurler means for directing gas flow over the fabric piece toward the guide abutment to eliminate curls in the fabric piece and to maintain alignment of the fabric piece with the guide abutment, g. fifth motion means connected to the shutter for providing two-way movement horizontally and transversely of said path of travel between an initial position over the belt and a withdrawn position whereby on movement of the shutter to the withdrawn position the fabric piece drops onto the staging member, h. the fourth motion means being operative on movement of the shutter to its withdrawn position to seat the fabric piece onto the positioner endless belt, i. the fourth motion means being operative from its initial receiving position in response to a fourth signal, j. the fifth motion means being operative from its initial position over the belt in response to a fifth signal, k. a positioner circuit including a fifth sensor means to detect positioning of the fabric piece on the staging member and aligned with the guide abutment, l. the positioner circuit having means for transmitting the fifth signal on actuation of the fifth sensor means to move the shutter to its withdrawn position, m. the positioner circuit including a fourth switch activated on movement of the shutter to its withdrawn position to move the staging member to its withdrawn position, and n. the positioner circuit further including fourth and fifth reset means thereafter to return the staging member and the shutter respectively to their initial positions.

Claim 10

The apparatus of claim 6, further characterized by the folder means comprising in combination: a. means for feeding the fabric piece along said path of travel, b. the fabric piece having a margin which projects transversely of said path of travel, c. said margin having a leading margin end which, viewed from the front, is considered to have an initial zero degree rotational orientation in a plane normal to said path of travel, d. a folder endless belt organized to engage the fabric piece for advancing it in contact with a folder plate along said path of travel, e. the folder plate having a folder plate edge along said path of travel, f. at least one stationary folder member along said path of travel for folding the advancing margin around the folder plate edge, g. the margin terminating transversely in a margin flap, h. a die arranged along said path of travel forward of the folder member and organized for folding the advancing margin flap toward the folder plate and backward to the initial oRientation of the leading margin end, and i. means for withdrawing the fabric piece from the folder plate with the hem folded and with the margin flap tucked under itself ready for sewing.

Claim 11

The apparatus of claim 6, further characterized by the stacker comprising in combination: a. a revolvable frame mounted for revolving about a vertical axis and adapted to support the cartridge, b. the cartridge having a cartridge bottom provided with a cartridge bottom opening, c. delivery means for delivering the pieces in turn beneath the revolvable frame, d. an elevator, e. sixth motion means connected to the elevator for providing up and down movement between an initial down position wherein the elevator is below the delivery means and an up position wherein the elevator lifts one of the hemmed fabric pieces into the cartridge via the cartridge bottom opening, f. the elevator being provided with a horizontal profile smaller than that of the hemmed fabric pieces and the cartridge bottom opening being smaller than the horizontal profile of the hemmed fabric pieces, whereby each of the hemmed fabric pieces is deformed as it enters the cartridge and relaxes therein so that on return of the elevator to its down position the hemmed fabric piece sits on the cartridge bottom about the cartridge bottom opening, and g. seventh motion means for revolving the revolvable frame about the axis so that as succeeding of the hemmed fabric pieces form a stack the enlarged height is distributed peripherally thereabout.

Claim 12

Apparatus for manufacturing and stacking hemmed fabric pieces and comprising in combination: a. positioner means located along a path of travel through the apparatus for accepting the fabric pieces inserted in turn and for positioning each of the fabric pieces automatically in a desired orientation with respect to said path of travel, b. folder means located along said path of travel for forming a hem out of a margin of the fabric piece, c. sew means located along said path of travel for sewing the hem along said margin, and d. stacker means located along said path of travel, e. said stacker means including a cartridge for receiving the hemmed fabric pieces and for stacking the pieces into said cartridge vertically and means for revolving the cartridge as successive of the hemmed fabric pieces are inserted therein whereby uneven height resulting from the hems is distributed peripherally thereabout.

Claim 13

Apparatus for manufacturing and stacking hemmed fabric pieces and comprising in combination: a. positioner means located along a path of travel through the apparatus for accepting the fabric pieces inserted in turn and for positioning each of the fabric pieces automatically in a desired orientation with respect to said path of travel, b. folder means located along said path of travel for forming a hem out of a margin of the fabric piece, c. sew means located along said path of travel for sewing the hem along said margin, and d. stacker means located along said path of travel, e. said stacker means including a cartridge for receiving the hemmed fabric pieces and for stacking the pieces into said cartridge vertically and means for revolving the cartridge as successive of the hemmed fabric pieces are inserted therein whereby uneven height resulting from the hems is distributed peripherally thereabout.

Claim 14

Apparatus for manufacturing and stacking hemmed fabric pieces and comprising in combination: a. positioner means located along a path of travel through the apparatus for accepting and advancing the fabric pieces, b. folder means located along said path of travel for forming a hem out of a margin of the fabric piece, c. sew means located along said path of travel for sewing the hem along said margin, d. stacker means located along said path of travel, and e. said stacker means including a cartridge for receiving the hemmed fabric pieces and for stacking the pieces into said cartridge vertically and means for revolving the cartridge as successive of the hemmed fabric pieces are inserted therein whereby uneven height resulting from the hems is distributed peripherally thereabout.

Claim 15

Apparatus for manufacturing and stacking hemmed fabric pieces and comprising in combination: a. positioner means located along a path of travel through the apparatus for accepting and advancing the fabric pieces, b. folder means located along said path of travel for forming a hem out of a margin of the fabric piece, c. sew means located along said path of travel for sewing the hem along said margin, d. stacker means located along said path of travel, and e. said stacker means including a cartridge for receiving the hemmed fabric pieces and for stacking the pieces into said cartridge vertically and means for revolving the cartridge as successive of the hemmed fabric pieces are inserted therein whereby uneven height resulting from the hems is distributed peripherally thereabout.