Handling apparatus

Abstract

Handling apparatus for use in conjunction with a sewing machine and a stitching template for sewing the longitudinal seam in a prepared tie blank. The apparatus comprises a table (1) designed to accomodate a base plate (2) of the sewing machine in a rear central region of the table. The table defines a template loading station (47a) at a front part of the table and to a first side of the table center, a template presentation station (47b) at a rear part of the table and to the first side of the table center, a template delivery station (47c) at a rear part of the table and to a second side of the table center and a template return station (47d) at a front part of the table and to the second side of the table center. Positioning means (69, 71) are provided at the loading station to assist in positioning the tie blank on the template. First drive means (33, 35) are provided for moving a loaded template from the sewing machine to the delivery station; second drive means (41) are provided for moving the template from the delivery station to the return station; and third drive means (46) are provided for moving the template from the return station towards the loading station.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.