| 摘要 |
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for the automatic insertion of an individual upholstery tuft ( 3 ) and washer ( 1 ) from a plurality of connected tufts ( 4 ) and a plurality of connected washers ( 2 ) into an upholstered article. The apparatus has a cutting blade ( 35 ) to separate an individual tuft ( 3 ) from the plurality of connected tufts ( 4 ). The turf ( 3 ) is then engaged by a pair of arms ( 27, 28 ) and fed into a tuft insertion needle ( 14 ). The arms are connected to automatic washer feed apparatus which feeds an individual washer ( 1 ) from the plurality of connected washers ( 2 ) and aligns it with the tuft insertion needle ( 14 ) ready for insertion. The insertion needle ( 14 ) is pneumatically actuated to force the tuft ( 3 ) through the washer ( 1 ), into the upholstered article, release the tuft ( 3 ) and subsequently withdraw the needle ( 14 ) from the article.
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