Importance

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Abstract

A fabric conveying, aligning and fabricating system comprising a table having a support surface having a length over which fabric blanks are conveyed with continuous and uninterrupted movement. Conveyors are associated with the table which are adapted to convey successive fabric blanks over the support surface. Fabric blank aligning apparatus is arranged intermediate the support surface length and includes steering apparatus operable to steer a longitudinal edge of the fabric blank. Edge sensing apparatus is operative to sense the location of the longitudinal edge of the fabric blank relative to a fixed reference during its movement over the support surface. The edge sensing apparatus is operative to actuate the edge steering apparatus which acts continuously to positively steer the longitudinal edge along the fixed reference during the movement of the fabric blank through the aligning apparatus. The aligning apparatus also includes fabric blank end control apparatus. The end control apparatus comprises a rotating press belt arranged above the support surface, an idler roll carrying the forward section of the press belt, and apparatus mounting the idler roll for movement between a first position elevated above the support surface and a second position in contact with the support surface. Sensing means operates to sense the departure of a fabric blank from the aligning apparatus and acts to control the idler roll between the first and second position.

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First Claim