US 4,656,704 A · Automatic collar separation

Abstract

A method and apparatus provide for the effective automatic separation of two textile blanks, such as collars for knit sport shirts. Blanks are connected together by connector threads which extend generally in a first dimension. The blanks rest on a support surface, and are engaged by a presser foot which moves into contact with them and then moves them horizontally along the support surface to a first position. At the first position, the connector thread is sensed and severed at one edge of the blanks, and at the other edge of the blanks a pair of brushes mounted on a scissors linkage move into engagement with each other to grasp a loop of the connector thread between them. The scissors linkage is then moved in the first dimension away from the blanks to begin unravelling of the connector thread, and then the connector thread is released. As the thread is released it moves into operative association with a hook which pulls the thread through a yarn detector into operative association with a pair of rollers, which then engage the connector thread and unravel it. As the thread is unravelled, an air jet or vacuum acts on it to move it to a disposal area.

Claims24

Dependent claims

Apparatus for automatically separating two textile blanks connected together by connector threads, which threads extend generally in a first dimension, the apparatus comprising:

a support surface on which the textile blanks are disposed;
textile blank engaging means;
means for mounting said textile blank engaging means for back and forth movement with respect to said support surface in a second dimension generally perpendicular to said first dimension;
means for mounting said textile blank engaging means for movement with respect to said support in a third dimension, generally perpendicular to said first dimension;
means for moving said textile blank engaging means in said second dimension;
means for moving said textile blank engaging means in said third dimension;
sensing means for sensing the position of said connector threads between textile blanks;
cutting means responsive to said sensing means for cutting said connector threads;
and
unravelling means for engaging the cut connector threads and unravelling them from the textile blanks so that the blanks are separated.

7 more elements

Apparatus for automatically separating two textile blanks connected together with connector thread, which thread extends generally in a first dimension, the apparatus comprising:

advancing means for advancing the textile blanks in a second dimension generally perpendicular to said first dimension, said advancing means having first and second sides disposed in said first dimension;
cutting means disposed on the first side of said advancing means, for automatically cutting the connector thread at that side;
and
unravelling means mounted at said second side of said advancing means, said unravelling means comprising means for automatically grasping a connector thread at said second side, and effecting unravelling and disposal thereof, said unravelling means comprising first and second brushes;
a scissors linkage for mounting the first and second brushes for movememnt between a first position wherein they grasp a connector thread therebetween, and a second position wherein they release the connector thread;
and means for mounting said scissors linkage for reciprocal linear movement toward and away from the textile blanks.

3 more elements

A method for automatically separating a pair of textile blanks which are connected by a connector thread, the connector thread extending generally in a first dimension, and the textile blanks having first and second sides which are opposite from each other and extend in a second dimension, generally perpendicular to the first dimension, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) automatically operatively engaging the textile blanks and moving them into a first position wherein the connector thread is properly positioned;
(b) automatically, essentially simultaneously, severing the connecting thread at a first side of the textile blanks, while grasping the connector thread at a second side of the textile blanks;
(c) automatically moving the grasped connector thread generally in the first dimension away from the textile blanks;
and
(d) automatically releasing the grasp on the connector thread and then operatively engaging the connector thread and effecting complete unravelling and automatic disposal thereof.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Automatic collar separation

Life of this patent

Automatic collar separation

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims24