Method and apparatus for automated loading of apparel segments to a garment assembly machine and the like

摘要

A method of automated garment assembly includes providing a shingled array of limp garment segments on a movable conveyor with the leading portion of the forwardmost segment exposed for contact by the segment transfer device, and subjecting the array to conditions promoting separation of the forwardmost segment from the array without disturbance of the alignment of the remaining segments in the array and simultaneously engaging the forwardmost segment with the segment transfer device and displacing it from the array to a segment processing station. Apparatus for performing the method are also described.