US 6,732,669 B2 · Machine and method for closing and stitching final edge of filled quilt cover

Abstract

Support members are mounted to move between two separations, respectively less than and greater than the open end of a two-panel cover otherwise seamed together around its edges. Flaps sized to define a desired closure hemm can be in-turned manually along short opposed portions of the panel ends and then positioned over the lesser spaced support members to mount the cover thereon. The support members when at the greater separation will tension the open panel edges and extend the flaps accurately in-folded between the support members. The support members can have a first size defining a large edge opening for receiving a nozzle suited for blowing unwanted materials from between the flaps, and a smaller size for minimally gapping the flaps. A sewing machine can then automatically stitch through the panels and hidden flaps, for closing the cover end edge. Clamps can grip spaced cover locations for added cover support.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A method of closing an edge opening of a cover having adjacent panels secured together along spaced side edge seams, comprising the steps of

in-folding the panels respectively across and adjacent both of the side seams at the edge opening as flaps respectively overlying the side seams and extended therefrom only a small percent of the distance to the opposite side seam along the edge opening;
positioning the folded cover panels and in-folded flaps around support members held at a first separation slightly less than the edge opening, with the in-folded flaps generally at the side seams overlying and against the support members;
separating the support members to a second separation greater than the first separation to tension the cover panels adjacent the edge opening, thereby causing the in-folded flaps overlapping the support members and on the immediately adjacent panel edges to be extended across the entire edge opening and substantially between the side seams;
and
stitching with an automatic sewing machine said cover panels and underlying in-folded flaps together for closing the edge opening as a final seam extended along and substantially between the side seams.

2 more elements

Apparatus for closing and seaming an edge opening of a cover having adjacent panels secured together along spaced side edge seams, comprising the combination of

a sewing machine operable for stitching;
a transfer mechanism including spaced cover support members, and means to move the support members toward and away from one another between first and second separations;
said first separation of the support members being less than the spacing between the cover side seams allowing the cover panels to be positioned thereover, with in-turned flaps across the side seams and with the side seams generally overlying the respective spaced support members, and
said second separation of the support members being substantially the same as or slightly greater than the spacing between the cover side seams thereby tensioning the separate cover panels and causing the flaps then to be extended substantially between the side seams and to define an elongated cover edge opening;
and
means for moving the sewing machine and tensioned cover edge opening operatively together and for stitching the final seam along the cover edge and in-folded flaps.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Machine and method for closing and stitching final edge of filled quilt cover

Life of this patent

Machine and method for closing and stitching final edge of filled quilt cover

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18