Quilting material handling and feeding method and apparatus
US5603270A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 15, 1995 |
| Grant date | Feb 18, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 15, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC D)Textiles; Paper
- CPC primaryD05D2305/14
- WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A quilting method and apparatus in which ticking or facing material changes are effected, preferably under the control of a programmed computer or controller, by automatically retrieving, and preferably also splicing onto a web, selected materials from a facing material supply. The controller preferably also controls a quilter in the stitching of selected patterns along a web, and coordinates the positions of the patterns and material splices between the patterns, in response to measurements and calculations of dimensional changes between infeed webs, quilted tensioned web and cut untensioned panels. Storage compartments are provided for a variety of facing materials, preferably rolls thereof. A retrieval mechanism moves webs selected by the programmed controller to a feed position adjacent the quilter. Preferably, the storage compartments are moveable and suspended from an endless conveyor, and the retrieval mechanism also includes a two holder transfer arm that can exchange webs between the conveyor and a quilter feed position. In a fully automated embodiment, the transfer arm includes V-shaped troughs formed of moveable belts that unwind and rewind the ticking supply rolls.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.