Process and apparatus for affixing labels to garments and the like

Abstract

Disclosed is a process and apparatus for affixing, specifically, sewing, labels to garments and the like. The process comprises the removal of labels one by one from a vertically disposed stack of the same located adjacent the sewing station. These labels are lifted vertically from the stack, transferred to the sewing station by swinging the label transversely from over the stack to a position over the sewing station. Upon arrival thereat the label is lowered vertically onto the workpiece such as a garment at said sewing station. The label is then held in contact with the workpiece by pressing downwardly about at least a portion of its periphery and while so held is sewed to the workpiece. The apparatus comprises a magazine for a vertically arranged stack of labels, together with a pneumatic pick-up device which is operable to remove the labels one by one from the top of the stack and transfer them to the sewing station. The sewing station may be a commercial sewing machine equipped with a hold-down member for the label, which hold-down member generally is in the form of a centrally open frame-like member. The label is delivered through the top of a hold-down member, namely, through the opening thereof, and snaps under the periphery of the hold-down member, which lowers, holding the label at least about a portion of its periphery. The label is then sewn with a continuous stitch, just inside the periphery of the label thus securing it to the garment.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.