Apparatus for applying fusible adhesive means to garments and the like

Abstract

Two-sided fusible tape is mounted in an effective manner upon the sleeve seam allowance of a garment comprising the steps of placing a jacket arranged inside out upon a heated stationary buck, the jacket being positioned on the buck so that the sleeve seam allowance is properly aligned. An exposed surface of a two-sided fusible strip is placed along the sleeve seam allowance, the other fusible surface being covered with a protective sheet. A vacuum communicating with the buck is drawn to retain the garment in the proper position. A pair of heated heads having pressing surfaces conforming to the shape of the buck are simultaneously driven toward the buck to press the fusible strip against the sleeve seam allowance of the garment, the heat from the buck and the heads activating the fusible. Steam may be ejected from the heads when the fusible employed requires steam for activation. The heads are withdrawn from the buck and the garment is removed in preparation for mounting a shoulder pad to the garment. A single drive assembly simultaneously moves the heads between their open and closed positions. Pivot arms supporting the heads are arranged in "criss-cross" fashion to minimize the space occupied by the drive mechanism and pivot arms, especially when in the open position. The heads substantially exactly conform to the contour of the buck and engage end to end without overlapping preventing distortion of the garment due to the application of the fusible.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.