Automatic collar separation

摘要

A method and apparatus provide for the effective automatic separation of two textile blanks, such as collars for knit sport shirts. Blanks are connected together by connector threads which extend generally in a first dimension. The blanks rest on a support surface, and are engaged by a presser foot which moves into contact with them and then moves them horizontally along the support surface to a first position. At the first position, the connector thread is sensed and severed at one edge of the blanks, and at the other edge of the blanks a pair of brushes mounted on a scissors linkage move into engagement with each other to grasp a loop of the connector thread between them. The scissors linkage is then moved in the first dimension away from the blanks to begin unravelling of the connector thread, and then the connector thread is released. As the thread is released it moves into operative association with a hook which pulls the thread through a yarn detector into operative association with a pair of rollers, which then engage the connector thread and unravel it. As the thread is unravelled, an air jet or vacuum acts on it to move it to a disposal area.