Title: Method and apparatus for making shirt cuffs

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Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a multi-ply fabric or clothing material unit such as a shirt cuff or the like. A continuous strip of material is fed to a stitching head, and precut fabric pieces are placed on the strip at a positioning station in end to end relation to each other. The continuous strip conveys the fabric pieces through the apparatus. A side edge of each fabric piece is folded around a side edge of the strip by a folder and the folded piece is stitched to the strip by the stitching head. The continuous strip can be fed and stitched continuously or intermittently. The strip with the pieces stitched to it is fed to a cutter where the strip is cut into individual pieces along the ends of the fabric pieces. The cutter is actuated in response to sensing an end edge of a fabric piece sewn to the strip. Feed of the strip at the cutter is arrested by a blocking mechanism including a slip clutch, ratchet wheel, and pawl which blocks the feed so cutting occurs while the strip is stationary. Resumption of feeding at the cutter is prevented until after the severed piece is moved from a position in the path of travel of the strip. To prevent jamming at the cutter, the control arrangement includes two sensing devices for sensing the proper feeding of the strip. Failure of either sensing device to operate prevents actuation of the cutter thereby avoiding the danger of severing the strip except when the feed is operating properly. A unique feed roller arrangement grips the strip and clothing material pieces across the width of the strip to ensure proper tensioning and feeding at the stitching head.


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