Automatic feeder and inverter for fabric workpieces
US5967505A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 21, 1997 |
| Grant date | Oct 19, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 21, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65H2511/16
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An apparatus is provided for feeding fabric workpieces one at a time from the top of a stack of like workpieces having a first rough side and a second smooth side, the workpieces being stacked with alternating sides up. A computer controlled picker is used to separate the top workpiece from the remaining workpieces in the stack, and for depositing the workpiece on a downstream conveyor. An ultrasonic face detector is mounted above the first conveyor for determining whether the side of the workpiece facing the face detector--the top surface--is relatively rough or relatively smooth. A pivoting feeder/inverter is provided at the end of the first conveyor. If the workpiece has the desired side up for subsequent sewing operations, the inverter/conveyor is placed in a first position so that the workpiece is directed into a sandwich belt type conveyor which will not change the orientation of the workpiece. If the workpiece has the desired side down, the feeder/inverter is pivoted to a second position to enable the workpiece to enter an inverter conveyor which will rotate the workpiece 180 degrees about an axis along the direction of travel to place the workpiece in the correct orientatio…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.