Apparatus and method for removing chains of stitches between successive articles

Claim 2

In an apparatus having means for advancing a plurality of spaced, successive articles of sheet material having longitudinal side edges, a leading edge and a trailing edge along a predetermined longitudinal path of travel, and stitching means mounted adjacent the moving articles for stitching the articles along at least one longitudinal side edge and forming at least one connecting chain of stitches between the trailing and leading edges of successive articles; the improvement of means for automatically severing and removing the chains of stitches closely adjacent the trailing and leading edges of successive articles, said means comprising first cutting means mounted adjacent the moving articles for severing the connecting chain of stitches closely adjacent the leading edge of each article and thereby freeing the trailing end of each connecting chain of stitches, sensing means operatively connected with said first cutting means and being positioned for sensing the leading edge of each successive article and for actuating said first cutting means in predetermined timed relationship, suction means mounted adjacent to and in substantial alignment with the path of travel of the moving articles and in a position subsequent to said first cutting means for drawing therein and holding the free trailing end of the chain of stitches after cutting thereof by said first cutting means, and second cutting means mounted adjacent the moving articles and adjacent said suction means in cooperative relationship therewith for severing the chain of stitches closely adjacent the trailing edge of each article while the chain of stitches is being held by said suction means and while each article is being advanced to free the remaining leading end of each connecting chain of stitches so that the severed chain of stitches will be removed by said suction means.

Claim 3

Apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, in which said stitching means comprises a separate stitching means mounted adjacent each longitudinal edge of the moving articles for stitching the articles along each longitudinal side edge and forming a connecting chain of stitches between the trailing and leading edges of successive articles along each longitudinal edge thereof, and in which said means for severing and removing the chains of stitches closely adjacent the trailing and leading edges of successive articles comprises separate means mounted adjacent each longitudinal edge of the moving articles for severing and removing each of the chains of stitches.

Claim 4

Apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said first cutting means comprises a pair of cooperating scissors-type cutting blades positioned in the open condition thereof such that the connecting chains of stitches will pass between said blades.

Claim 5

Apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said sensing means comprises photoelectric cell detecting means mounted adjacent to and in alignment with said cutting blades in the path of travel of the moving articles for sensing the leading edge of each moving article as the trailing end of each connecting chain of stitches is passing through said cutting blades for immediately actuating said first cutting means.

Claim 6

Apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said suction means comprises a suction conduit having an opening disposed adjacent to and in advance of said second cutting means in the path of travel of the moving articles for drawing therein and holding the free end of the chain of stitches in said opening.

Claim 7

Apparatus, as set forth in claim 5, wherein said second cutting means comprises a pair of superimposed, cooperating, rotating cutting wheel means having their axis of rotation substantially perpendicular to the moving articles and being disposed between said opening in said suction conduit and the moving articles in such a position that the chain of stitches will be drawn into severing relation between said pair of cutting wheels.

Claim 8

In an apparatus having means for advancing a plurality of spaced, successive articles of sheet material having longitudinal side edges, a leading edge and a trailing edge along a predetermined longitudinal path of travel, and stitching means mounted adjacent the moving articles for stitching the articles along at least one longitudinal side edge and forming at least one connecting chain of stitches between the trailing and leading edges of successive articles; the improvement of means for automatically severing and removing the chains of stitches closely adjacent the trailing and leading edges of successive articles, said means comprising first cutting means comprising a pair of cooperating scissors-type cutting blades mounted adjacent the moving articles and positioned in the open condition thereof such that the connecting chains of stitches will pass between said blades for severing the connecting chain of stitches closeLy adjacent the leading edge of each article and thereby freeing the trailing end of each connecting chain of stitches, sensing means comprising photoelectric cell detecting means mounted adjacent to and in alignment with said cutting blades in the path of travel of the moving articles for sensing the leading edge of each successive article as the trailing end of each connecting chain of stitches is passing through said cutting blades for immediately actuating said cutting blades, suction means comprising a suction conduit having an opening positioned in substantial alignment with the path of travel of the moving articles and in a position subsequent to said first cutting means for drawing therein and holding the free trailing end of the chain of stitches after cutting thereof by said first cutting means, and second cutting means comprising a pair of superimposed, cooperating, rotating cutting wheel means having their axis of rotation substantially perpendicular to the moving articles and being disposed between said opening in said suction conduit and the moving articles in such a position that the chain of stitches will be drawn into severing relation between said pair of cutting wheels while the chain of stitches is being held by said suction means and while each article is being advanced to free the remaining leading end of each connecting chain of stitches so that the severed chain of stitches will be removed by said suction means.

Claim 9

In an apparatus having means for advancing a plurality of spaced, successive articles of sheet material having longitudinal side edges, a leading edge and a trailing edge along a predetermined longitudinal path of travel, and stitching means mounted adjacent the moving articles for stitching the articles along at least one longitudinal side edge and forming at least one connecting chain of stitches between the trailing and leading edges of successive articles; the improvement of means for automatically severing and removing the chains of stitches closely adjacent the trailing and leading edges of successive articles, said means comprising first cutting means comprising a pair of cooperating scissors-type cutting blades mounted adjacent the moving articles and positioned in the open condition thereof such that the connecting chains of stitches will pass between said blades for severing the connecting chain of stitches closeLy adjacent the leading edge of each article and thereby freeing the trailing end of each connecting chain of stitches, sensing means comprising photoelectric cell detecting means mounted adjacent to and in alignment with said cutting blades in the path of travel of the moving articles for sensing the leading edge of each successive article as the trailing end of each connecting chain of stitches is passing through said cutting blades for immediately actuating said cutting blades, suction means comprising a suction conduit having an opening positioned in substantial alignment with the path of travel of the moving articles and in a position subsequent to said first cutting means for drawing therein and holding the free trailing end of the chain of stitches after cutting thereof by said first cutting means, and second cutting means comprising a pair of superimposed, cooperating, rotating cutting wheel means having their axis of rotation substantially perpendicular to the moving articles and being disposed between said opening in said suction conduit and the moving articles in such a position that the chain of stitches will be drawn into severing relation between said pair of cutting wheels while the chain of stitches is being held by said suction means and while each article is being advanced to free the remaining leading end of each connecting chain of stitches so that the severed chain of stitches will be removed by said suction means.

Claim 10

Apparatus, as set forth in claim 7, in which said stitching means comprises a separate stitching means mounted adjacent each longitudinal edge of the moving articles for stitching the articles along each longitudinal side edge and forming a connecting chain of stitches between the trailing and leading edges of successive articles along each longitudinal edge thereof, and in which said means for severing and removing the chains of stitches closely adjacent the trailing and leading edges of successive articles comprises separate means mounted adjacent each longitudinal edge of the moving articles for severing and removing each of the chains of stitches.

Claim 13

The method, as set forth in claim 9, including the step of sensing the leading edge of each successive article while simultaneously severing the trailing end of each connecting chain of stitches closely adjacent the leading edge of each successive article.