JPH0623173A - Device for automatic attaching of elastic waist belt in closed condition - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To reduce the necessity of manual operations by an operator in aligning adjustment relating to a garment body and a passing operation to a sewing machine, etc., and to perform an efficient automatically controlled attaching work at the time of attaching an elastic band to the garment body. CONSTITUTION: This device for attaching the elastic band 38 to the garment body 40 is provided with a frame, a control system box, rolls 26, 28 and 30 and a sensor 44, etc., and a sewing machine 24. During an attaching process, the garment body is monitored and aligning-maintained by the sensor and a guide roll 32 electrically connected to the control system box for facilitating the various kinds of operations and is simultaneously maintained in a desired form by a tension roll 30.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a device and method for sewing, and more particularly to a device and method for automatically and automatically attaching a closed annular elastic waist band to a portion of an annular garment.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Automatic control devices for sewing or sewing operations have been in existence for many years. Machines and methods have been developed over the years in which an operator positions a piece of material in a specialized location such that the sewing machine will perform alignment and sewing operations. There is only one work piece, the shape of the material to be sewn is basic (eg straight edges), and the condition of the sewn material is easily maintained during the sewing process (eg uniform alignment adjustment). ), And if the stitch path is not complex (eg, straight and flat), etc., the overall operation is most simplified.

Such alignment adjustment and automatic control of the sewing operation are performed when the various characteristics of the material to be sewn are not fundamental, for example, elastic closed-loop processed material is used as a tubular edge portion of another inelastic processed material. It is not easy to sew or sew on. The operator or machine must struggle with the alignment of these materials by applying the desired amount of tension in the different materials to the inelastic and elastic workpieces during mutual sewing. . If one of the materials is not properly tensioned, the resulting composite is a problem area where the appearance, feel and final dimensions of the finished garment are unacceptable.

The configuration of both elastic and inelastic materials is important when the elastic material therein is used as a waist band. This elastic material is susceptible to the more notable deficiencies in the configuration consisting of inelastic material, as its ends must be joined to form one loop. If the alignment of these two materials is not accurate, the elastic rule body will not be properly closed and the quality of the finished garment will be impaired.

If the loop body is closed before the band is sewn to the garment, the waist band of the garment can be sewn more accurately to the closed condition. However, it is awkward to attach the pre-closed band to the clothing body after that, because the time and skill required to manipulate these materials during the sewing operation reduce the efficiency and speed of the whole machining process. Because it will be done. It is necessary to manually align these materials, start sewing, and periodically realign these materials over the entire length of the sewing operation until the stitch or stitch is completed. It is a waste of time for the operator. One of the causes of such tedious work is the difficulty of locating all loop-shaped materials, elastic materials or other materials, proper alignment adjustment with the clothing, and subsequent continuous operation of sewing materials. Alternatively, it may be difficult to sew, maintain the alignment so that the entire loop is sewn to the rest of the body in the desired shape, and the like.

[0006] Currently known devices or methods focus on the concerns noted above and sew pre-closed elastic bands to other materials with excellent efficiency, precision, speed and automatic control. It is not suitable for this. The most desirable of such devices or methods is to reduce the need for manual positioning of the materials relative to each other during the sewing operation, to keep both materials in proper tension, and to ensure that such materials in alignment are in place. It is to reduce the need for manual operation on the sewing machine.

For example, Rohr, US Pat. No. 4,4.
No. 79,447 and No. 4,827,856 disclose an embodiment in which an edge portion of a tubular processed material is sewn. Ro
hr by U.S. Patent No. 4,51
2,268 and 4,467,734, and L
U.S. Pat. No. 4,473,017 by etard et al. relates to a sewing machine for supporting a tubular work material on a sewing machine while supporting the work material and applying tension thereto. The typical work piece referred to herein is a garment having edges or other edges that need to be sewn accordingly. Further U.S. Pat. No. 4,744,319 to Rohr discloses a device for controlling a work piece during a sewing operation. This device can sew flat (open) material or the like, and supplies the material in a substantially straight line.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to automatically and elastically attach an elastic band material or the like to an object to be worn by an operator while the first machine is coupling the elastic band to the object. It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved apparatus and method that can be applied to a second machine and can increase productivity.

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

A further object of the present invention is to expand and tension each material for its proper form as a finished garment, while joining the pre-closed band to the rest of the garment. It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved device and method capable of performing the same.

The above-described special objects and advantages of the present invention are merely examples of what can be achieved by the present invention, and are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit possible advantages. Therefore, the object advantages and other object advantages of the present invention will be clarified from the following description, or the invention on both sides of the modified examples in view of the examples here and any modifications that are obvious to those skilled in the art. Can be learned from the implementation of. Accordingly, the invention resides in the novel parts, constructions, configurations, combinations, improvements and the like shown and described herein.

[0012]

The above and other objects of the invention are achieved by the novel and improved apparatus and method according to the invention. The preferred method for attaching elastic bands to clothing is to detect the placement of these materials, apply tension to these materials, and maintain these materials in a tensioned and desired alignment. Is urged to hang on the sewing machine, and if necessary, these alignment states and positions are monitored to correct the alignment state and position of these materials, and the sewing process is automatically performed when stitching or sewing is completed. Including controlled termination.

In one preferred embodiment, the attachment device is a frame, elastic band, and sensor capable of determining the presence of the article, which is desirable to manipulate the edges of the article during the reciprocal attachment operation of these materials. A guide mechanism to maintain alignment, a tensioning component to ensure proper tensioning of the two materials during the sewing process, and a signal output used to manipulate these materials into their desired positions A sensor for monitoring the alignment position of these materials, and a sewing machine for completing the above-mentioned attachment processing are provided.

While the above brief description and the following detailed description are illustrative of the invention, they are not intended to be limiting or intended to limit the advantages or the like achievable by the invention. If so, please understand. Accordingly, the drawings, which are referred to below and which form a part of this invention, illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention, and together with the detailed description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

The above-mentioned objects, features and advantages or other objects of the present invention will be clarified by the detailed description given below with reference to the drawings.

[0016]

1 shows a mounting device according to the invention. In this particular embodiment, the frame 20 carries the mounting device. Control system box 22
Is fixed to the lower rear area of the frame 20. Inside the control system box 22 is a central processing unit (CPU) that activates and monitors sewing operations and operations.
Motor controls for the various moving components are also provided within this control system box 22.

The sewing machine or sewing machine 24 is fixed to the upper portion of the frame 20. The sewing machine 24 is electrically connected to the adaptive control section in the control box 22.

Motors for the operating cylinder, the upper roll 28, the rear take-up roll 34, and the tension roll carriage 36 are further electrically connected to this adaptive control section in the control box 22.

The ends of the sewn proximity sensor 58, the upper roll proximity sensor 56, the rough edge guide guide sensor 44, and the variable home and selected position magnetic proximity sensors 72 are mechanically coupled to various locations on the mounting apparatus. And is electrically connected to the control box 22. Each sensor produces a signal that is used to control various stages of the mounting device fabrication process. Roll 25, roll 2
6, and tension roll 30 are also shown.

2 and 3 are more detailed front views of the operating components with respect to the position of the elastic band 38 and the clothing 40, the sewing operation being started after these workpieces have been placed in the attachment device. FIG. The operator positions the elastic band 38 relative to the edge stop 54 and first loads the elastic band 38 manually. As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, loading elastic band 38 or clothing 40, or both, can be accomplished by mechanical or automatic control means or the like.

A typical elastic band 38 is a waist band or a waist band, but it need not be another part of the clothing (eg, collar and arm band, etc.) or an elastic body. However, in the present invention, the elastic band is designed to be attached to clothing, which is a more difficult sewing operation.

The elastic band 38 is used for the sewing machine or the sewing machine 24.
Below the presser foot 42, the roll 25, the roll 26, the upper roll 28, and the tension roll 30 are wound around the rolls 25, 26, and 28. Roll 25, roll 26, top roll 28, and tension roll 30 are rotating relative to elastic band 38. The roll 25, roll 26, top roll 28, and tension roll 30 must be constructed of materials suitable for manipulating the elastic band 38 so that they do not slip during sewing operations and suffer from undesirable wear and tear. The elastic band 38 does not generate. Two
The two long rolls (tension rolls 30 and 26) may preferably be provided with crown portions or raised portions to maintain the course of the elastic band. But roll 25
Is preferably tapered with a high friction surface,
The elastic band 38 is prevented from slipping until the tension operation is completed. This taper forces the elastic band 38 on the wider portion of the roll 25 toward the fixed edge stop 62 and away from the open end of the roll 25.

Clothing 4 to which elastic band 38 is attached
A portion of 0 is manually placed (in this particular embodiment) on the rough guide roll 32. Like the other rolls, the rough guide roll 32 should be of a suitable material and size to operate the article 40 during the sewing operation according to the desired method. Further, this roll is preferably
Friction is smooth and smooth to allow the article 40 to move in response to edge alignment forces.

The clothing 40 is routed under the presser 42 and is arranged so as to cover the edge rough guide sensor 44 and the edge fine guide sensor 50, and the tension roll 30
And will be located on roll 26. The edge rough guide sensor 44 is disclosed in Rohr US Pat. No. 4,467,
It can be of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 734 (patent date: August 28, 1984), which is hereby incorporated by reference. It monitors or monitors the match and outputs a signal used for coarse adjustment of the match. On the other hand, the edge fine guide sensor 50 is based on Rohr's US Pat. No. 4,744,3.
No. 19 (Patent Date: May 17, 1988), which can be of the type disclosed and incorporated herein by reference. This provides, for example, a signal to control a fine alignment feature incorporated in the sewing machine head to maintain a very precise placement of the edges of the article 40 during sewing. The edge fine guide sensor 50 can be, for example, an optical sensor that utilizes reflection of light from an object above.

Although the procedure for positioning these two processed materials on the roll and on the presser 42 may be different, the initial arrangement thereof is essential in this embodiment. That is, in the arrangement before sewing in the loaded state, the clothes 4
0 is located below the presser 42 and is arranged on the rough guide roll 32, the roll 26, the tension roll 30, the edge fine guide sensor 50 and the edge coarse guide sensor 44, while the elastic band 38 is provided on the presser 42. Below, roll 25,
It must be located on roll 26, tension roll 30 and top roll 28. The rest of the clothing 40 that cannot be attached to the elastic band 38 should be hung between the attachment device and the operator.

The end of the sewn proximity sensor 58 sits between the elastic band 38 and the clothing 40 when they are loaded. The end of the sewn proximity sensor 58 is provided with a flag 78 located above the edge fine guide sensor 50 until it is moved by a stitching part (described below with reference to FIGS. 5b and 5c) stitching the work pieces together. ing.
Below the clothing body 40, a stepper motor 62 is located to move the matching feed dog according to the signal output by the edge fine guide sensor 50. The stepper motor 62 may be of the type disclosed in US Pat. No. 4,467,734, for example. The feed dog 46 that assists in biasing the work piece 42 from one side to the other may be of the type disclosed in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,744,319. The rear take-up roll motor 64 can rotate the rear take-up roll 34 when the rear take-up roll lift cylinder 68 lowers the rear take-up roll 34 onto the elastic band 38 and the clothing 40. After the elastic band 38 and the clothing 40 are in place, a knife overhanging cylinder 70 is placed to place the cutting knife in its normal operating position.

4 and 5 show the main components of the mounting device. FIG. 4 shows a state in which the clothing 40 and the elastic band 38 are loaded and arranged. Clothing 40
Is placed on the rough guide roll 32, the edge fine guide sensor 50 and the edge rough guide sensor 44, the sewing process starts. The presser foot 42 is lowered to compress the elastic band 38 and the body 40 according to the sequence programmed in the CPU. The rear take-up roll 34 is arranged by the rear take-up lift cylinder 68 to come into contact with the elastic band 38 and the clothing 40. The elastic band 38 and clothing 40 are predetermined while moving with the tension roll carriage 36 and monitored by a magnetic proximity sensor 72 (see FIG. 1) for various variable home and select positions. The tension roll 30 is lowered to its pre-programmed position in order to extend to a sufficient extent. After that, the sewing machine or the sewing machine 24 is started, and the rear take-up roll 34 and the feed dog 46 feed the work material to the sewing machine 2.
Start urging to multiply 4. As an example of the feed dog mechanism which can be particularly applied to this sewing process, there is a currently pending R mechanism.
US Patent Application No. 332,645 by Ohr (1989)
Filed Apr. 3, 2014, Title of invention "Feed Dog Dr"
ive for Sewing Machines ”)
No. 268,817 (1
Filed on November 8, 988, entitled "A Sewin"
g Machine For Sewing on a
Tape "), which are incorporated herein by reference. The feed dog is, for example, US Patent Application No. 490,780 to Rohr et al. Rec
It is driven by a device such as that disclosed in "iprocating Part", which is incorporated herein by reference.
FIG. 5 is a side view of the sewing machine 24 according to the present invention, which includes a roll 28, a tension roll 30, a tension roll carriage 36, a rough guide roll 32, a presser 42, a roll 25 and a roll 26.
Some of the above-mentioned components are shown.

The edge fine guide sensor 50 and the edge rough guide sensor 44 monitor the alignment of these workpieces as the elastic band and the clothing 40 start to move.
These sensors will output a signal to the control box 22 which will be used to determine the processing or operation required on the workpiece during the sewing / alignment / realignment machining process.

FIG. 5a illustrates the operation of the stitch proximity sensor 56 for overhanging the upper roll. When the starting point of the stitching or stitching portion 52 between the elastic band 38 and the body 40 passes through the spring biased pivoting lever 76, the stitching portion 52 moves the lever 76 in the direction of movement of these workpieces. This movement activates the stitch proximity sensor 56 for projecting the upper roll so as to output a signal to the CPU. In turn, the CPU will output a signal to retract the upper roll 28 from below the elastic band 38. The rough guide roll 32 is also stopped and the rear take-up roll 34 and the feed dog 46 are subsequently manipulated to pass the work piece through the sewing machine and bias the work piece 42 from one side to the other.

5b and 5c show the actuation of the ends of the stitching portion 52 just before and after the starting point of the stitching portion 52 contacts the sewing proximity sensor 58. When the starting point of the stitch portion 52 presses the end portion of the sewing flag 78, the end portion of the sewing proximity sensor 58 sends a signal to the CPU. This signal initiates the stitch counting process of the CPU. After the predetermined stitch count has occurred, the sewing operation is terminated and all of the machine's mechanisms and controls will return to their initial standby state. Returning to such an initial setting is to use the flag overhanging cylinder 80 for easier loading of the elastic band 38.
It includes returning the end of the sewing flag 78 to a position deviating from 8.

The operator or mechanical means can now remove the completed clothing and the device is ready for the next operating cycle.

The timing of the automatic control operation in the preferred embodiment is shown in the time charts illustrated in FIGS. 6a and 6b. The power-up function, that is, the system is started when the power is turned on, the microcomputer that controls and monitors the automatically controlled operation, and the operator observes the above various initial settings and observes the changes in the various settings. And includes a display that provides a means for monitoring programmed activity.

When the end of the sewing sensor and the rough guide sensor are covered with the clothing, various automatically controlled operations are started. The sewing start switch is pressed. In addition, the tensioning cylinder value is turned on with the stop value turned off and these are combined to lower the tension rolls (the carriage is moved to apply tension to the work material). The tensioning cylinder extends its tension roll to a selected proximity position associated with a positioning sensor that indicates that the tension roll is in its predetermined position, which varies depending on the size or size of the article. Move down.

A number of automatically controlled sewing functions are also initiated when the tension roll reaches its predetermined position. Knife overhang cylinder, flag overhang cylinder, trip switch for final stitch proximity (electrically connected to end of sewing pivot proximity sensor 58 as shown in Figures 5b and 5c), and venturi. All tube means are turned off. The knife overhanging cylinder moves the knife to its operating position during the sewing process. Further, after the sewing process is completed, the knife is retracted to the lower position to facilitate the loading of the next processed material. The flag overhanging cylinder moves the flag from its operating position to its normal position during the sewing process such that the flag is moved away from the working area so that the flag does not interfere with easy loading of the work material. The Venturi tube means is in a vacuum state, and after the knife cuts the edge of the clothing body, the edge cutting waste of the processed material is sucked.

After the first set of the above-mentioned automatically controlled operations is started, another automatically controlled sewing function is started. For example, the belt tensioning cylinder is turned on at a predetermined time after the tension roll is lowered, while the presser lifting cylinder is turned off (that is, the presser is lowered).
After a further predetermined delay, the synchronizer and the sewing head motor are activated to cause the sewing needle to perform the movements necessary to create the seam connecting the elastic band to the article. (Furthermore, miscellaneous outputs during such sewing cycles, such as rotary feed tooth photocells or photocells, rotary feed tooth stepper motors, front feed roll photocells, and microcomputer driven. The outputs, etc. associated with the front guide rolls occur at the same time as or immediately after the start of the stitching or stitching operation.) Within a short time after the start of the stitching operation (eg, a programmed period equal to 0 milliseconds) the belt The motor is turned on. After a predetermined number of stitches or stitches (preferably four stitches), the drive motor for the front feed roll is turned on, and the workpiece starts to move.

The sewing process is thus put into operation according to the program. This sewing operation is continued until the first stitch proximity trip switch (which is electrically connected to the stitch proximity sensor 56 for overhanging the upper roll as shown in FIG. 5a) is turned off. This operation is simultaneous with the end of the output of the front feed roll photocell (cover state) and the output of the front guide roll (departure state) driven by the micromotor.

After the trip switch is turned off, since the power switch is in the on state, the upper roll withdrawing cylinder that has been kept in the on state is automatically turned off and the upper roll is retracted. (The upper roll pull-out cylinder is turned off and the first stitch proximity trip switch is immediately returned to its initial position.) After that, the final stitch proximity trip switch (as shown in FIGS. 5a and 5b, (Electrically connected to the end of the sewing rotation proximity sensor) is turned on and off. When this switch is turned on, the stitch count routine starts, the photocell for rotary feed teeth starts to output a constant cover state signal, and the stepper motor for rotary feed teeth rotates in the counterclockwise (CCW) direction. Start outputting signals.

The belt pulling cylinder is turned off at a predetermined number of stitches (for example, 5 stitches) after the final stitch approach trip switch is turned on, and at the same time, the stitch bundling cylinder is turned on. After a further predetermined number of stitches (eg 12 stitches), the sewing head motor,
The front feed roll driving motor and the bell pulling motor are turned off, and the stitch operation is completed.

After the stitch operation is stopped, (1) the tension roll is raised, (2) the vicinity of the selected position is uncovered, (3) the knife overhang cylinder is turned on,
(4) The flag overhang cylinder is turned on, (5)
The final stitch proximity trip switch is turned on to enter the next preparation during this cycle, (6) stitch bundling cylinder is turned off, (7) venturi tube means is turned on, (8) presser foot lift cylinder is turned on. (9) The rotation feed dog photocell is in its initial non-covered state output mode, and (10) the rotation feed tooth stepper motor is in its initial clockwise direction (CW) mode. (11) The front feed roll photocell is in its initial non-covered state mode.

When the tension roll carriage returns to the initial position (when the carriage moves to the home position and the tension cylinder stop valve is turned on), the upper roll draw cylinder is turned off (the upper roll is returned to the loading position). ). At this time, all of the system components and signals are returned to their respective initial states, and the operator can remove the finished garment and treat the device in preparation for the next sewing (attachment) operation. The inputs and outputs of the control box 22 (see FIGS. 1 and 5) are shown in FIG. On the input side of the control box 22, as a CPU input, for example, a feed dog sensor (edge fine guide sensor 48 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3) and a workpiece providing sensor (as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3). There is a detection indication from each position sensor such as the edge rough guide sensor 44). Inputs further include signals from the synchronizer (in the control box, see FIGS. 1 and 5), the end of the sewing proximity sensor 58 (see FIGS. 5b and 5c), and the upper roll proximity sensor 56 (see FIG. 5a). Etc. In addition, the CPU inputs 220 volts, 60 hertz (3 degree phase shift) with information from the machine operator's keypad box.

The output from the CPU is output directly from the CPU, or indirectly from the CPU via the DC motor drive board or the stepper motor drive board. Direct output is sent to each component, for example, presser foot 42 (see FIGS. 2 and 3), feed dog sensor flag (edge fine guide sensor 50), knife (for operating knife overhang cylinder 70, FIG. 2 and FIG. 3), the tension roll 30 (operation by the tension roll carriage 36,
1, FIG. 4 and FIG. 5), sewing machine motor (sewing machine 24
1 member, see FIGS. 1 to 5), rear take-up and raising cylinder 68 (see FIGS. 2 to 4), upper roll 28 (operation by cylinder 66, see FIGS. 1 and 5), etc. Become. The output from the stepper motor drive board is sent to the rear roll motor 64 (see FIGS. 2 to 4) and the feed dog motor 74 (see FIGS. 2 and 3), respectively, while the output from the DC motor drive board is for matching. A motor and an edge guiding motor (these are combined to form a stepper motor 62, see FIGS. 2 and 3).

Although the preferred embodiments have been described above, many modifications and the like are within the scope of the present invention without violating the principles of the present invention and without sacrificing the main advantages of the present invention. Those skilled in the art will understand that it can be performed within For example, the placement of the workpieces in their predetermined initial position can be done via mechanical means rather than manually as disclosed herein. The terms and expressions used herein are for convenience of description and are not meant to be limiting. Such terms and expressions are not intended to exclude any equivalents of the features or portions of features shown and described herein, and the invention should be defined according to the claims that follow.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an attachment device and its components according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the main parts of the mounting device in which each component is in contact with the elastic band material in the initial state.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the main parts of the mounting device in which each component is in contact with the workpiece material in the initial state.

FIG. 4 is an overall front view showing a mounting device according to the present invention including an elastic band and a clothing body.

FIG. 5 is an overall side view showing a mounting device according to the present invention. FIG. 5a is a plan view showing the stitch sensor for overhanging the upper roll at the point where the stitch starting point comes into contact. FIG. 5b is a plan view showing the configurations of the clothing body, the elastic band, and the stitch portion when the stitch portion first contacts the end portion of the sewing detection mechanism. FIG. 5c is a plan view showing an end portion of the sewing detection mechanism after the stitch portion has passed.

FIG. 6a is a partial time chart showing a sequence of various operations in an attachment processing step. Figure 6b shows
It is a partial time chart which shows the sequence of various operations of an attachment process.

FIG. 7 is an interconnection wiring diagram showing details of inputs and outputs of the control system for the mounting device according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

22 Control box 24 Sewing machine 25 Roll 26 Roll 28 Upper roll 30 Tension roll 32 Roll 34 Rear take-up roll 38 Elastic band 40 Clothes 42 Presser foot

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] December 10, 1991

[Procedure Amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Name of item to be amended] Claims

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

[Claims]

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── --Continued Front Page (72) Inventor Don M. Ford Stockbridge Place 950, Erigin, 60120, Illinois, USA

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A device for attaching a closure band to a work piece, comprising: a machine for attaching the closure band to the work piece while maintaining a desired alignment with a frame, the work piece and the closure band. Guide means for guiding to pass through, and a monitor means for monitoring the position and alignment of the closed band and the workpiece to enable the arrangement of the guide means to be changed during the attaching step. A tensioning means for applying a tension necessary for fixing the desired shape of the closing band and the workpiece to the closing band and the workpiece, and the closing band and the workpiece to the desired mutual relation. Means for attaching the closure band to the workpiece while maintaining proper alignment. 2. The monitor means continuously monitors the position of the edge of the workpiece and a signal for moving the workpiece by the guide means to achieve a desired alignment with the closure band. The device of claim 1 comprising at least one sensor for emitting. 3. The sensor comprises: a rough edge guide sensor; and a second edge fine guide mechanism for maintaining the edge of the work piece in a fixed position with respect to the sensor means during sewing. The apparatus of claim 2 comprising: 4. The guide means includes a feed dog mechanism that moves the edge of the workpiece to maintain the desired alignment while the closure band is moved to the dressing. The apparatus of claim 1 comprising manipulating the closure band and the work piece to pass through an attachment mechanism. 5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said guide means comprises at least one roll for delivering said closure band and workpiece to said desired alignment. 6. The tensioning means comprises at least one roll that moves to tension and maintain the closure band and the workpiece.
Equipment. 7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said mounting means comprises a sewing machine. 8. A device for attaching a closure band to a work piece, comprising: a frame, a control means, and arranged on the frame to maintain a desired alignment in response to a signal from the control means. Guide means for operating the means for attaching the closure band to the work piece to allow the closure band and the work piece to pass therethrough, and for monitoring the position of the closure band and the work piece during the attaching process. And to issue a signal to the control means for changing the position of the guide means,
At least one sensor connected to the control means and disposed on the frame to provide the closure band and the work piece with the tension necessary to fix the desired configuration of the closure band and the work piece. Apparatus for attaching the closure band to the work piece while maintaining the closure band and the work piece in the desired alignment. 9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said attachment means comprises sewing means. 10. A method of attaching a closure band to a work piece to be worked, wherein the work piece and the closure band are passed through an attachment means while the work piece and the closure band are manipulated into a desired shape. Guiding, applying the tension necessary to maintain the desired shape and desired alignment between the closure band and the work piece to the closure band and the work piece; Attaching the closure band to the work piece while maintaining the desired alignment between the band and the work piece; and detecting the position and alignment of the work piece and the closure band. Using a signal from at least one such sensing means during the mounting process for guiding the work piece and the closure band. Method comprising.