US 5,915,319 A · Method and apparatus for producing a hemmed, folded, and seamed finished workpiece

Abstract

A hemming and seaming machine (5) having a hemming conveyor (16) on which a workpiece is moved along a path of travel toward and through a hemming station which sews a hem in the workpiece is disclosed. The hemmed workpiece is then moved downstream to a folding station (25) where a spaced series of first air jets (61) selectively emit streams of air between a folding plate (26) and clamping plate (55) to create a vacuum therebetween to draw the leading edge of the workpiece off of the hemming conveyor and between the folding plate and the clamping plate. The leading edge of the workpiece is held between the clamping and folding plates while the workpiece continues to move along the path of travel. After a predetermined period of time has elapsed from the detection of the leading edge of the workpiece, or in response to the detection of the trailing edge of the workpiece, the leading edge of the workpiece is released from between the folding and clamping plates. The workpiece is then moved to a downstream seamer station (175), which sews a seam in the workpiece, and then to a downstream workpiece stacking station (177).

Claims23

Dependent claims

A sewing apparatus for hemming, folding and seaming workpieces, each workpiece having a leading edge, a trailing edge and parallel side edges, as the workpieces are moved in series along a path of travel, comprising:

a folding station positioned along the path of travel of the workpieces;
a folding plate positioned at said folding station and having upstream and downstream ends;
said folding plate including a series of internally defined channels for directing a flow of air through said folding plate, and means for supplying the flow of air to said channels;
a clamping plate mounted above and reciprocably movable toward and away from said folding plate for engaging and clamping the leading edges of the workpieces between said folding and clamping plates;
and
means for creating a vacuum between said folding and clamping plates to draw the leading edges of the workpieces therebetween as the workpieces are passed beneath said folding plate;
wherein the workpieces are at least partially folded as the workpieces progress along the path of travel through said folding station.

4 more elements

A method of folding a workpiece as the workpiece is conveyed along a path of travel, said method comprising:

moving the workpiece into a folding station;
as the workpiece enters the folding station, drawing a leading edge of the workpiece between a folding plate and a spaced clamping plate;
clamping a leading edge portion of the workpiece between the folding and clamping plates as a trailing edge portion of the workpiece is conveyed along the path of travel beneath the folding plate;
directing a flow of air through said folding plate and toward the workpiece as the workpiece continues to move beneath the folding plate and separating the leading and trailing edge portions of the workpiece in response thereto, thereby assisting in folding the workpiece;
and
releasing the leading edge portion of the workpiece onto the trailing edge portion of the workpiece to complete the folding of the workpiece.

3 more elements

Apparatus for folding a workpiece, the workpiece having leading edge and trailing edge portions, and side edges, comprising:

a folding plate including an upstream edge, a downstream edge, and a plurality of internal chambers defined therein for receiving and distributing a flow of air across a series of ports extending at least partially along said downstream edge;
means for supplying air to said folding plate, mounted to said folding plate and communicating with said internal chambers;
and
a clamping plate movable into and out of engagement with said folding plate for clamping the leading edge portion of the workpiece therebetween;
whereby as the leading edge portion of the workpiece is received and clamped between said folding and clamping plates, said flow of air is directed through the folding plate at a portion of the workpiece to at least partially inflate the workpiece as the trailing edge portion passes below the folding plate to separate the leading edge and trailing edge portions of the workpiece, and assist in the folding of the workpiece.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and apparatus for producing a hemmed, folded, and seamed finished workpiece

Life of this patent

Method and apparatus for producing a hemmed, folded, and seamed finished workpiece

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims23