GB2247695A

GB2247695A - Attachment of pre-closed bands

Info

Publication number: GB2247695A
Application number: GB9118899A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Maximilian Adamski; Don M Ford
Original assignee: Union Special Corp
Current assignee: Union Special Corp
Priority date: 1990-09-10
Filing date: 1991-09-04
Publication date: 1992-03-11
Also published as: JPH0623173A; CH684417A5; ITTO910689A1; IT1250014B; FR2666492A1; CA2046979A1; ITTO910689A0; GB9118899D0; DE4129992A1; CA2046979C

Abstract

To sew an endless elastic band (38) to the body (40) of a garment, the workpiece edges are monitored during the sewing process by sensors (44) which control means comprising a guiding roller (32), and a feed dog (46) to align the edges automatically while a tensioning roller (30) maintains the workpieces at a desired dimension. <IMAGE>

Description

1 .1

-1DESCRIPTION

ATTACHMENT OF PRE-CLOSED BANDS The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for the automatic attachment of pre-closed bands, such as waist bands, to a garment workpiece Automation of sewing operations has existed for many years. Over time, machines and methods have been developed that allow operators to position pieces of material in a specified location where, thereafter, the sewing machines would complete the aligning and sewing operation. Operation is simplest when there is one workpiece and the geometry of the material sewn is basic (e.g. straight edges), the configuration of the sewn material is easy to maintain during the sewing operation (e.g. an even alignment), and the path of the stitching is simple (e.g. straight and flat).

Automatic aligning and sewing operations are complicated when the characteristics of the material to be sewn venture from the basic, e.g. the sewing of an elastic closed-loop workpiece material to a tubular edge of another non-elastic workpiece. The operator, or the machine, must strive to align the materials such that, when sewn together, the nonelastic and elastic workpieces are subjected to the desired amount of tension in the different materials. If either 1 -2material is not tensioned properly, the resulting combination will have problem areas where the look, feel and final size of the completed garment could be unacceptable.

The joining together of the elastic and nonelastic materials is critical when the elastic material is being used as a waistband. The elastic material makes flaws at the joint more noticeable than the non-elastic materials, because the ends of the elastic material must be joined to form a loop. If the alignment of the two materials is not accurate, the elastic loop may not close properly decreasing the quality of the completed garment.

The garment's waist band can be sewn closed with more accuracy if the loop is closed before the band is sewn to the body of the garment. However, it is burdensome thereafter to attach the pre-closed band to the body of a garment because the time and skill necessary to manoeuvre the materials during the sewing operation decreases the efficiency and speed of the entire process. It is time consuming for an operator to align the materials manually, begin to sew, and then have to realign the periodically throughout the sewing operation until the stitching is complete. This tediousness results from the difficulty in positioning any loop material, elastic or otherwise, 1 -3in proper alignment with the body of a garment and thereafter sewing the materials together in a continuous operation, maintaining the alignment such that the entire loop is sewn to the rest of the garment in the desired configuration.

What is needed is an apparatus or method that is efficient, accurate, speedy and automatic. Such an apparatus or method would most desirably eliminate the need for manual positioning of the materials in relation to each other during the sewing operation, and keep both materials in the proper tension, while also eliminating the need for manual manoeuvering of the aligned workpieces through the sewing machine.

For example, U.S.A. Patent No.4,479,447 and U.S.A. Patent No.4,827,856 disclose an embodiment that sews the edge of a tubular workpiece. Other patents, U.S.A. Patent No.4,512,268, U.S.A. Patent No.4,467,734 and U.S.A. Patent No.4,473,017 relate to sewing apparata that support and tension a tubular workpiece while the workpiece passes through a sewing machine. The typical workpiece here is a garment with a hem or other edge that must be sewn in place. U.S.A. Patent No.4,744,319 discloses a device that controls a workpiece during a sewing operation. The device is applicable for sewing flat (open) materials - it feeds material in a substantially straight line.

1 It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved apparatus for and method to enable the attachment of elastic band materials automatically onto garment bodies to allow the operator to load a second machine while the first machine is joining the elastic band to the body of the garment, thereby increasing productivity.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a new and improved apparatus for and method of attaching pre-closed circular elastic waistbands to circular underwear, swimwear, etc.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved apparatus for and method of joining a pre-closed band to another portion of a garment while expanding and tensioning the materials as necessary for a proper configuration of the completed garment.

The foregoing specific objects and advantages of the invention are illustrative of those which can be achieved by the present invention and are not exhaustive or limiting of the possible advantages which can be realized. Thus, the present invention includes the novel parts, constructions, arrangements. combinations and improvements herein shown and described.

1 The present invention resides in an apparatus for attaching a pre-closed band to a garment workpiece, comprising:

seaming instrumentalities at a work station; means for guiding and aligning said garment workpiece and said pre-closed band through said station; means for tensioning said pre-closed band and said garment workpiece as necessary to obtain a desired relationship between said pre-closed band and said workpiece; and means for monitoring the position and alignment of said pre-closed band and said garment workpiece at said work station during the attachment process and for adjusting the guiding means accordingly.

The invention includes an apparatus for attaching a pre-closed band to a garment workpiece comprising:

attaching means for attaching said pre-closed band to said garment workpiece; tensioning means for tensioning said pre-closed band and said garment workpiece to a desired garment size; monitoring means for monitoring the positions of said pre-closed band and said garment workpiece; and guiding means for guiding and aligning said preclosed band and said garment workpiece through said 1 -6attaching means in response to said monitoring means.

The invention also includes an apparatus for attaching a pre-closed band to a garment workpiece, comprising:

control means; attaching means for attaching said pre-closed band to said garment workpiece; at least one roller for tensioning said preclosed band and said garment workpiece; at least one sensor for monitoring the positions of said pre-closed band and said garment workpiece and signalling said positions to said control means; and guiding means for guiding and aligning said preclosed band and said garment workpiece through said attachment means in response to signals from said control means.

The invention further resides in a method of attaching a pre-closed band to a garment workpiece, wherein said pre-closed band and said garment workpiece are tensioned and the positions of said preclosed band and said garment workpiece are sensed, and wherein said pre-closed band and said garment workpiece are aligned and guided in response to said sensed positions; and said tensioned and aligned preclosed band is attached to said tensioned and aligned garment workpiece.

c 1 The preferred method of attaching elastic bands to bodies of the garments includes sensing when the materials are in position, tensioning the materials, urging the materials through a sewing machine at the same time the materials are kept in tension and in their desired alignment, monitoring the alignment and position of the materials such that corrections in their alignment and position may be made as deemed necessary, and automatically terminating the sewing process when the stitching is completed.

In a preferred embodiment, the attachment apparatus includes sensors that can determine when the elastic band and the body of the garment are present, a guiding mechanism that manoeuvres the edge of the garment and maintains the desired alignment while the materials are sewn to each other, a tensioning component that ensures the maintenance of the proper tension in the two materials during the attaching process, sensors that monitor the alignment and position of the workpieces such that their signal may be used to manoeuvre the workpieces to the desired positions, and a sewing machine that completes the attachment process.

The invention will be further described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

1 Fig.1 is a perspective view of an attachment apparatus according to the invention and its elements; Fig.2 is a front elevation showing elements of the apparatus that initially come into contact with an elastic band workpiece; Fig.3 is a front elevation showing elements of the apparatus that initially come into contact with a garment body workpiece; Fig.4 is a front elevation of the attachment apparatus according to the invention with elastic band and garment body workpieces; Fig.5 is a side elevation of the attachment apparatus according to the invention; Fig.5a is a plan view of a top roller throw out seam sensor at the point when the start of stitching comes into contact with it; Fig.5b is a plan view of the configuration of the garment, elastic band and stitching when the stitching first comes in contact with the end of a sew sensing mechanism; Fig.Sc is a plan view of the end of sew sensing mechanism after the start of stitching has passed; Figs. 6a and 6b are portions of a timing chart demonstrating the sequence of activities in the attachment process; and j Fig.7 is a circuit interconnect diagram detailing input/output of the control system of the attachment apparatus according to the invention.

Referring to Fig.1, a frame 20 supports the attachment apparatus. A control system box 22 is secured to the lower, back portion of frame 20. Inside the control system box 22 is a central processing unit (CPU) that activates and monitors the sewing and manoeuvering operations. Motor controls for the various moving components are also located in control system box 22.

A sewing machine 24 is affixed to the top of frame 20 and, at a sewing station, has sewing instrumentalities including a presser foot 42 and on or more sewing needles. Sewing machine 24 is electrically connected to appropriate controls in control box 22.

Also electrically connected to appropriate controls in control box 22 are motors for a manipulating cylinder for top roller 28, for a rear puller roller 34, and for a tension roller carriage 36.

An end-of-sew proximity sensor 58, a top roller proximity sensor 56, a coarse edge-guider sensor 44 and variable home and selected position magnetic proximity sensors 72 are mechanically connected to the J -10attachment apparatus at various locations and are electrically connected to control box 22. Each sensor produces a signal that is used to control various steps in the attachment process. A roller 25, a roller 26 and a tension roller 30 are also shown.

Figs. 2 and 3 show more detailed views of manoeuvering components with reference to the position of an elastic band 38 and a garment body 40 after the two workpieces have been positioned in the attachment apparatus, just before the sewing operation has begun. The operator manually loads elastic band 38 first. positioning band 38 against an edge stop 54. The loading of either elastic band 38 or garment body 40, or both, may be accomplished by a mechanical or automated means.

Elastic band 38 is typically a pre-closed circular waist band, but may be the band of another piece of a garment (e.g. a collar, a wrist band) and need not be elastic. The apparatus of the invention. however, is preferably designed to attach elastic bands to garments, a more difficult sewing operation.

Elastic band 38 is situated such that it is under presser foot 42 of sewing machine 24 and over roller 25, roller 26, top roller 28 and tension roller 30. Roller 25, roller 26, top roller 28 and tension roller 30 rotate relative-to the movement of elastic band 38.

j X _11Roller 25, roller 26, top roller 28 and tension roller 30 should be constructed of materials appropriate to manoeuvre elastic band 38 without allowing slippage and without causing undesirable wear and tear on elastic band 38 during the sewing operations. The two long rollers (tension roller 30 and roller 26) preferably have crowned sections to keep the elastic band on track. However, roller 25 is preferably tapered with a high friction surface to prevent elastic band 38 from slipping until the tensioning is completed. The taper is to force elastic band 38 on the wider portion of roller 25 towards the fixed edge stop 54, and away from the open edge of roller 25.

The portion of garment body 40 to which elastic band 38 is to be attached is manually situated (in this particular embodiment) over a coarse guider roller 32 (see Figs. 3 and 5). Like the other rollers, coarse guider roller 32 should be of a material and size appropriate for manoeuvering garment body 40 in the desired fashion during the sewing operation. Moreover, the roller 32 is preferably smooth with low friction so that garment body 40 can move when responding to the edge-aligning forces.

Garment body 40 is then routed under presser foot 42, located to cover coarse edge-guider sensor 44 and fine edge-guider sensor 50 and then positioned over - i -12tension roller 30 and roller 26. Coarse edge-guider sensor 44 may be of such a type as that disclosed in U.S.A. Patent No. 4 467 734. It monitors the alignment and produces a signal that may be used to make rough alignment adjustments. On the other hand, fine edge-guider sensor 50 may be of such a type as disclosed in U.S.A. Patent No. 4 744 319. It provides the signal that controls, for instance, a fine alignment mechanism incorporated in the sewing head that maintains the edge of garment body 40 in a very precise location during sewing. Fine edgeguider sensor 50 may be, for example, a photo-optic sensor that reflects off an object above it, such as a flag 78 of an end-of-sew sensor 58 described below with reference to Figs. 5b and 5c. Until such time as the flag 78 is displaced, it is prevented from being "confined" by the elastic band 38.

Although the sequence of positioning the two workpieces over the rollers and under presser foot 42 may differ, the initial positioning, in this embodiment, is critical. That is, in the loaded, presewn configuration, elastic band 38 should be under presser foot 42 and over roller 25, roller 26, tension roller 30 and top roller 28 while garment body 40 should be positioned under presser foot 42 and over coarse guider roller 32, roller 26, tension roller 30, J -13fine edge-guider sensor 50 and coarse edge-guider sensor 44. The remainder of garment body 40, that which is not being attached to elastic band 38, should be allowed to fall between the attachment apparatus and the operator.

End-of-sew flag 78 of the end-of-sew proximity sensor 58 sits in between elastic band 38 and garment body 40 when the workpieces are loaded. Endof-sew flag 78 is positioned above fine edge guider sensor 50 until flag 78 is moved by the stitch joining the workpieces (see discussion of Figs. 5b and 5c below). An aligning feed dog 46 is positioned beneath the upper rim of the garment body 40 and is moved by a stepper motor 62 in response to the signal generated by fine edge-guider sensor 50. Stepper motor 62 may be of the type, for example, disclosed in U.S.A. Patent No.4,467,734. Feed dog 46 which helps urge the workpieces from one side of presser foot 42 to the other may be of the kind, for example, disclosed in U.S.A. Patent No.4,744,319. A rear puller motor 64 is in position to rotate rear puller roller 34 when rear puller roller 34 is lowered onto elastic band 38 and garment body 40 by a rear puller lift cylinder 68. A knife throw out cylinder 70 is poised to place a cutting knife in its normal operative position after elastic band 38 and garment body 40 are in place.

i Figs. 4 and 5 show the main features of the attachment operation. Fig.4 shows the garment body 40 and the elastic band 38 in order to demonstrate a 'loaded" configuration. When garment body 40 is positioned over coarse guider roller 32, fine edgeguider sensor 50 and coarse edge-guider sensor 44, sewing process begins. Following the sequence programmed by the CPU, presser foot 42 is lowered to compress elastic band 38 and garment body 40. Rear puller roller 34 is positioned by rear puller lift cylinder 68 such that roller 34 is in contact with elastic band 38 and garment body 40. Tension roller 30 descends to its pre-programmed position, moving with tension roller carriage 36 and monitored by variable home and selected position magnetic proximity sensors 72 (see Fig.1), to tension both elastic band 38 and garment body 40 to a pre-determined extent. Thereafter, sewing machine 24 is started and rear puller roller 34 and feed dog 46 begin to urge the workpieces through sewing machine 24. Examples of feed dog mechanisms particularly applicable to this sewing process are described in U.K. patent applications Nos. 2194559A and 2213170A. The feed dog may be driven, for example, by a device such as the device disclosed in U.K. patent application No.2230907A. Fig.5 shows a sewing machine 24, roller -1528, tension roller 30, tension roller carriage 36, coarse guider roller 32, presser foot 42, roller 25 and roller 26.

As the movement of elastic band 38 and garment body 40 begins, fine edgeguider sensor 50 and coarse edge-guider sensor 44 monitor the alignment of the workpieces. These sensors send signals to control box 22 which uses the signals to determine the necessary manipulations of the workpieces during the sewingaligning-realigning process.

Fig.5a shows the operation of top roller throwout seam proximity sensor 56. As the start of the stitching 52 between elastic band 38 and garment body 40 passes spring-biased pivoting lever 76, stitching 52 swings lever 76 in the direction of the workpieces' motion. This movement activates top roller throw-out seam proximity sensor 56 which sends a signal to the CPU. The CPU, in turn, sends a signal which causes top roller 28 to retract from beneath elastic band 38. Although coarse guider roller 32 is also shut off, rear puller roller 34 and feed dog 46 continue to manoeuvre the workpieces through the sewing machine and to urge the workpieces from one side of presser foot 42 to the other.

Figs. 5b and 5c show the operation of end-of-sew proximity sensor 58 at the time just before and after i k -16start of stitching 52 comes into contact with sensor 58. When start of stitching 52 pushes end-of-sew flag 78, end-of-sew proximity sensor 58 sends a signal to the CPU. The signal initiates the CPU's stitch counting process. After a pre-determined stitch count has been generated, the sewing operation is terminated and all of the apparatus' mechanisms and controls return to the initial, stand-by configuration. This return to initial settings includes the return of endof-sew flag 78 to its position out of the elastic band 38 for easier loading of elastic band 38 by the use of flag throw-out cylinder 80.

The operator, or a mechanical means, may now unload the completed garment. and the apparatus is ready for the next operation cycle.

The timing of the automated activities. in a preferred embodiment, is shown in the timing chart illustrated in Figs. 6a and 6b. The power-up functions, the systems that come on when the power is turned on, include a micro-computer that controls and monitors the automated activities, and a display that provides a means for an operator to see the initial settings, to see changes made in the settings, and to monitor the programmed activities.

The operator loads the elastic band 38 and the garment body 40 as described above and ensures that -17the garment body 40 partially overlaps the fine edgeguider sensor 50 which defines the "photocell line" along the line of feed.

The automated activities begin when the coarse edge guider sensor 44 is covered by the garment body and the end-of-sew flag 78 overlies the fine edgeguider sensor 50. The sewing start switch is pressed. In addition, the tensioning cylinder valve is turned on while the stop valve is turned off, which in combination lowers the tension roller (moving the carriage out and tensioning the workpieces). The tension cylinder moves the roller downward until the selected position proximity sensors 72 indicate that the tension roller is in its pre-determined position (which varies depending on the size of the garment).

Several automatic sewing functions are also commenced when the tension roller has reached the predetermined location. The knife throw-out cylinder, the flag throw-out cylinder, the final seam proximity trip switch (electrically connected to end-of-sew pivoting proximity sensor 58, see Figs. 5b and 5c), and the venturi are all turned off. The knife throwout cylinder moves the knife into its operable position during the sewing process. It retracts the knife to a lower position after the sewing process is complete to make it easier to load the next 1 -18workpieces. The flag throw-out cylinder moves the flag to its normal position during the sewing process from a location away from the work area when the flag did not inhibit the easy loading of the workpieces. The venturi is a vacuum which sucks the workpiece edge trimmings after the knife has cut the edge of the garment body.

Other automatic sewing functions commence after the first set of automated activities has begun. For instance, a pre-determined time after tension roller has been lowered, the belt puller cylinder is turned on while the presser foot lift cylinder is turned off (i.e. the presser foot is lowered). After another pre-determined delay, the synchronizer and the sewing head motor begins to move the sewing needle in the motion necessary to produce a seam that joins the elastic band to the garment body. (In addition, miscellaneous outputs produced during the sewing cycle, such as those associated with the pivoting feed dog photocell, the pivoting feed dog stepper motor, the front feed roller photocell, and the micromotor driven front guidance roller are generated simultaneously with the beginning of stitching or very soon after the stitching begins).

In a small interval of time after the stitching begins (e.g. a programmed delay equivalent to 1 1 0 lk- _19approximately 0 m sec), the belt motor is turned on. After a pre- determined number of stitches (preferably four stitches), the front feed roller drive motor is turned on and the workpieces begin to move.

The sewing process is now in its programmed operation. This sewing operation continues until the first seam proximity trip switch (electrically connected to top roller throw-out seam proximity sensor 56, see Fig.5a) is turned off. This action is simultaneous with the termination of the front feed roller photocell (in a covered configuration) output and the micromotor driven front guidance rollers (in an off configuration) output.

After the trip switch is turned off, the top roller pullout cylinder,. which had been on since the power switch was turned on, is automatically turned off, i.e. the top roller is retracted. (The first seam proximity trip switch turns back on sometime after the top roller pullout cylinder has been turned off, returning the switch to its initial position).

Later, the final seam proximity trip switch (electrically connected to end-of-sew pivoting proximity sensor 58, see Figs. 5a and 5b) is turned on and off. When the switch is turned on, the stitch counting routine commences, the pivoting feed dog photocell begin to output a constant covered signal, I -20and the pivoting feed dog stepper motor begins to output a counter- clockwise (CCW) signal.

The stitch bunching cylinder is turned on at the same time that the belt puller cylinder is turned off a pre-determined number of stitches (e.g. five stitches) after the final seam proximity trip switch has been turned on. After another pre-determined number of stitches (e.g. twelve stitches), the sewing head motor, the front feed roller driver motor and the belt puller motor are turned off, thereby terminating the stitching activity.

After the stitching has stopped, (1) the tension roller is raised, (2) the selected position proximity sensors are in the uncovered mode. (3) the knife throw-out cylinder is turned on, (4) the flag throwout cylinder is turned on, (5) the final seam proximity trip switch is turned on for the second time during this cycle, (6) the stitch bunching cylinder is turned off, (7) the venturi is turned on, (8) the presser foot lift cylinder is turned on (raising the presser foot), (9) the pivoting feed dog photocell returns to its initial uncovered output mode (10) the pivoting feed dog stepper motor returns to its initial clockwise (CW) mode, and (11) the front feed roller photocell returns to its initial uncovered mode.

j f When the tension roller carriage has returned to the initial position (the carriage has moved home and the tensioning cylinder stop valve has been turned on), the top roller pullout cylinder is turned off (returning the top roller to the loading position). At such time, all of the system components and signals have been returned to their initial status, the operator may remove the completed garment and load the apparatus in preparation for the next sewing (attachment) operation.

The inputs and outputs of control box 22 (see Figs. 1 and 5) are shown in Fig.7. The inputs to control box 22 include inputs into the CPU such as sensor readings from position sensors, e.g. the feed dog sensor (fine edge guider sensor 48, see Figs. 2 and 3) and the material present sensor (e.g. coarse edge guider sensor 44, see Figs. 1, 2 and 3). Inputs also come from a signal from the synchronizer (in control box 22, see Figs. 1 and 5), end of sew proximity sensor 58 (see Figs. 5b and 5c) and top roller proximity sensor 56 (see Fig.5a). In addition, the CPU receives a 220 volt 60 Hz signal (3-degree phase shift), along with information from the machine operator's key pad box.

The outputs from the CPU come directly from the CPU or indirectly via way of D.C. motor driver boards i r -22and stepper motor driver boards. The direct outputs go to components that control such items as, for example, presser foot 42 (see Figs. 2 and 3), the feed dog sensor flag (fine edge guider sensor 50), the knife (by manipulating knife throw-out cylinder 70, see Figs. 2 and 3), tension roller 30 (manipulated by tension roller carriage 36, see Figs. 11 4 and 5), the sewing machine motor. (part of sewing machine 24, see Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5), rear puller lift cylinder 68 "(see Figs. 2, 3 and 4), and top roller 28 (manipulated by cylinder 66, see Figs. 1 and 5). The outputs from the stepper motor driver boards go to rear roller motor 64 (see Figs. 2, 3 and 4) and feed dog motor 74 (see Figs. 2 and 3) while those from the D.C. motor driver boards go to edge aligner motor and edge guider motor (which combined make up the stepper motor 62, see Figs. 2 and 3).

Although illustrative preferred embodiments have thus been described herein in detail, numerous variations may be made within the scope of this invention without departing from the scope of the claims and without sacrificing its chief advantages. For example, the workpiece materials may be placed in their initial position in the apparatus by a mechanical means instead of the manual means as described herein. The terms and expressions have been -23used as terms of description and not terms of limitation. Use of terms or expressions does not exclude any equivalents of features shown and described or portions thereof and the invention is defined in accordance with the claims.

1

Claims

-24CLAIMS

1. A apparatus for attaching a pre-closed band to a garment workpiece, comprising:

seaming instrumentalities at a work station; means for guiding and aligning said garment workpiece and said pre-closed bank through said station; means for tensioning said pre-closed band and said garment workpiece as necessary to obtain a desired relationship between said pre-closed band and said workpiece; and means for monitoring the position and alignment of said pre-closed band and said garment workpiece at said work station during the attachment process and for adjusting the guiding means accordingly.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the seaming instrumentalities are sewing instrumentalities.

3. An apparatus for attaching a pre-closed band to a garment workpiece comprising:

attaching means for attaching said pre-closed band to said garment workpiece; tensioning means for tensioning said pre-closed band and said garment workpiece to a desired garment size; 1 0 monitoring means for monitoring the positions of said pre-closed band and said garment workpiece; and guiding means for guiding and aligning said preclosed band and said garment workpiece through said attaching means in response to said monitoring means.

4. An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said monitoring means includes a sensor means for sensing an edge of said garment workpiece.

5. An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said sensor means comprises a coarse edge-guider sensor and a fine edge-guider sensor.

6. An apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, wherein said guiding means includes a feed dog mechanism for manoeuvering said preclosed band and said garment workpiece through said attaching means and for maintaining said edge of said garment workpiece in proper alignment.

7. An apparatus according to any of claims 3 to 6, wherein said guiding means includes at least one roller configured to transport and align said preclosed band and said garment workpiece.

8. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said tension means includes at least one roller for imposing and maintaining tension in said preclosed band and in said garment workpiece.

t

9. An apparatus for attaching a pre-closed band to a garment workpiece, comprising:

10. An apparatus according to any of claims 3 to 9, wherein said attaching means is a sewing machine.

11. A method of attaching a pre-closed band to a garment workpiece wherein said pre-closed band and said garment workpiece are tensioned and the positions of said pre-closed band and said garment workpiece are sensed, and wherein said pre-closed band and said garment workpiece are aligned and guided in response to said sensed positions; and said tensioned and aligned pre-closed band is attached to said tensioned and aligned garment workpiece.

4 k 1

12. A method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the closed band is elasticated.

13. An apparatus for attaching a pre-closed band to a workpiece constructed and adapted to operate substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

14. A method of attaching a pre-closed band to a workpiece substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Published 1992 at The Patent Office. Concept House, Cardiff Road. Newport, Gwent NP9 I RH. Further copies may be obtained from Sales Branch, Unit 6, Nine Mile Point, Cwnifelinfach. Cross Keys, Newport, NP I 7HZ. Printed by Multiplex techniques lid, St Mary Cray, Kent.