The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 18, 1997
Filed:
May. 15, 1995
M Burl White, Coral Springs, FL (US);
John Keys, Hallandale, FL (US);
Roland Bulnes, Margate, FL (US);
James T Frazer, Coral Springs, FL (US);
L&P Property Management Company, Chicago, IL (US);
Abstract
A quilting method and apparatus in which ticking or facing material changes are effected, preferably under the control of a programmed computer or controller, by automatically retrieving, and preferably also splicing onto a web, selected materials from a facing material supply. The controller preferably also controls a quilter in the stitching of selected patterns along a web, and coordinates the positions of the patterns and material splices between the patterns, in response to measurements and calculations of dimensional changes between infeed webs, quilted tensioned web and cut untensioned panels. Storage compartments are provided for a variety of facing materials, preferably rolls thereof. A retrieval mechanism moves webs selected by the programmed controller to a feed position adjacent the quilter. Preferably, the storage compartments are moveable and suspended from an endless conveyor, and the retrieval mechanism also includes a two holder transfer arm that can exchange webs between the conveyor and a quilter feed position. In a fully automated embodiment, the transfer arm includes V-shaped troughs formed of moveable belts that unwind and rewind the ticking supply rolls.