Method of gripping corner of strip of cloth

A method of gripping corners of a strip of cloth, comprising the steps of:

• gripping one corner of a rectangular strip of cloth with a first chuck and suspending said strip by said gripping corner;
• providing means for squeezing said strip of cloth;
• providing means for conveying said first chuck so as to convey said strip of cloth through the squeezing means;
• providing a detector for detecting a lowermost corner of said strip of cloth as it is conveyed through said squeezing means;
• providing a plurality of empty chucks;
• successively positioning each of said empty chucks at one predetermined set location in proximity to the squeezing means, the thus positioned empty chuck being a second chuck in position to grip said lowermost corner of said strip;
• conveying said first chuck so as to convey said strip of cloth through said squeezing means and detect the lowermost corner of said strip with the detector, wherein a signal is generated by the detector upon detection of the lowermost corner of said strip of cloth;
• gripping the detected lowermost corner of said suspended strip with said second chuck at said one predetermined location in response to said signal;
• raising one of said gripped corners in a substantially vertical direction to detect a corner of said strip adjacent said gripped corners;
• applying a braking force to the other gripped corner to impart tension to said strip;
• gripping said adjacent corner of said strip;
• and
• releasing either said one corner or said lowermost corner to hold one edge of said rectangular strip substantially horizontal.

A method of gripping a corner of a strip of cloth, comprising:

• (A) gripping a strip of cloth at any portion thereof with a first chuck;
• (B) providing means for squeezing said strip of cloth;
• (C) providing means for conveying said first chuck so as to convey said strip of cloth through the squeezing means;
• (D) providing a detector for detecting a lowermost corner of said strip of cloth as it is conveyed through said squeezing means;
• (E) providing a plurality of empty chucks;
• (F) successively positioning each of said empty chucks at one predetermined set location in proximity to the squeezing means, the thus positioned empty chuck being a second chuck in position to grip said lowermost corner of said strip;
• (G) conveying said first chuck so as to convey said strip of cloth through said squeezing means and detect the lowermost corner of said strip with the detector, wherein a signal is generated by the detector upon detection of the lowermost portion of said strip of cloth;
• (H) closing said second chuck in response to said signal so as to grip the detected lowermost corner of said strip of cloth at said one predetermined set location.