| 摘要 |
<p>A sewing machine (M) has a tape feeder (F) for feeding a piece of tape (T1) thereto. The tape feeder (F) includes a triple cylinder unit (4) having first, second and third cylinders (1, 2, 3) connected in series with one another. One end of the triple cylinder unit (4) is pivotally connected to a feeder carrier (8). The tape feeder (F) further includes a movable bracket (7) connected to the other end of the triple cylinder unit (4), two tape folding shafts (11a, 11b) rotatably carried by the movable bracket (7) for folding opposite ends of the piece of tape (T1), and a controller (60) for controlling the triple cylinder unit (4) and the tape folding shafts (11a, 11b). Actuation of the first cylinder (1) moves the tape folding shafts (11a, 11b) towards a first position, at which the piece of tape (T1) is placed, so that distal ends of the tape folding shafts (11a, 11b) are located at the first position. Then, the two tape folding shafts (11a, 11b) are rotated in opposite directions to thereby fold the opposite ends of the piece of tape (T1). A subsequent actuation of the second cylinder (2) moves the tape folding shafts (11a, 11b) towards a second position adjacent to a sewing plate (27) mounted on the sewing machine (M) so that the piece of tape (T1) held by the tape folding shafts (11a, 11b) is located at the second position. A subsequent actuation of the third cylinder (3) moves the tape folding shafts (11a, 11b) towards a third position so that the piece of tape (T1) held by the tape folding shafts (11a, 11b) is located immediately below two holding members (23a, 23b) mounted on the sewing machine (M). <IMAGE></p> |
