| 摘要 |
<p>Apparatus and method for enclosing a continuous ring of elastic strip material (28) in a hem around a garment opening e.g. a waistband comprises support means (22, 40) for supporting the tensioned ring, first folder (50), a second folder (56) movable between an operative and retracted position, and means (32, 34) for moving a first portion (22) of the support to present the ring (28) to the first folder (50) as the second folder (56) is retracted to effect a first fold around the leading edge (74) of the ring (28) and means (68, 66) for moving the second folder (56) to its operative position to position the ring (28) in the garment hem. The initial part of the hem region and ring (28) are fed to a sewing machine (12) to secure the ring (28). Continuing feed of the hem region and ring (28) to the sewing machine (12) progressively folds the remainder of the hem region round the ring (28) as they pass the folders (50, 56), forming an elasticated hem.</p> |
