Side-by-side programmable feed system for a sewing apparatus

A dual feed apparatus comprising:

• a plurality of adjacent feeders for feeding a plurality of workpieces adjacent to each other on respective side-by-side feed paths from an upstream location to a downstream locations.
• control means for energizing each of said plurality of adjacent feeders such that said adjacent feeders may feed said plurality of workpieces along said respective feed paths to said downstream location in a predetermined sequence;
• wherein said workpieces include first and second materials and said adjacent feeders include first feed means for feeding said first material to a downstream station and second feed means for feeding said second material to said downstream station;
• said control means energizes said first feed means to feed said first material to said downstream station in a first predetermined time period and to feed said second material to said downstream station in a second predetermined time period;
• said first and second predetermined time periods are not equal;
• and
• a first cutting means and a second cutting means located at said downstream station wherein said control means energizes said first and second cutting means in a predetermined sequence corresponding to the termination of said first and second predetermined time periods.

An apparatus for feeding two strips of material comprising:

• first and second feed means located along a first feed path and a second feed path, respectively, said first and second feed paths extending in parallel side-by-side relation to each other;
• programmable control means for controlling actuation of said first and second feed means;
• said first and second feed means being operable to feed first and second strips of material along said first and second feed paths independently of each other to a workstation;
• and
• first and second cutting means energized by said programmable control means and located along said first and second feed paths, respectively, for severing said strips of material whereby individual material pieces of predetermined length are formed from said strips of material.

An apparatus for feeding two strips of material comprising:

• first and second feed means located feed path and a second feed path, respectively, said first and second feed paths extending in parallel side-by-side relation to each other;
• programmable control means for controlling actuation of said first and second feed means,
• wherein said first and second feed means being operable to feed first and second strips of material along said first and second feed paths independently of each other to a workstation;
• and
• wherein said programmable control means actuates said first and second feed means to feed said strips of material alternately such that only one of said first and second strips of material is fed at a given time.

An apparatus for feeding first and second strips of material comprising:

• a table including means defining first and second feed paths extending parallel and adjacent to each other, each said feed path having an upstream end and a downstream end;
• a first feed means located along said first feed path and including upper and lower material engaging members;
• a second feed means located in side-by, side relation to said first feed means along said second feed path and including upper and lower material engaging members;
• a first cutting means located at said downstream end of said first feed path for severing the first strip of material;
• a second cutting means located at said downstream end of said second feed path for severing the second strip of material;
• conveying means located adjacent to said first and second cutting means;
• and
• programmable control means coupled to said first and second feed means, said first and second cutting means and said conveying means for selectively energizing said first and second feed means to feed predetermined lengths of said first and second strips of material downstream in a predetermined sequence, for selectively energizing said cutting means to cut said strips of material in a predetermined sequence and for energizing said conveying means to convey said predetermined lengths of material to predetermined locations within a sewing station.