Importance

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Abstract

An apparatus for attachment to a programmable sewing machine having a sewing needle and an arch clamp assembly for moving a label and a product relative to the sewing needle to effectively attach the label to the product. In one emboiment, the present invention includes an outer clamping device, effectively connected to the arch clamp assembly, which engages the product and moves the product and label in the desired pattern, a clamping plate, also effectively connected to the arch clamp assembly, which firmly secures the label down upon the product, a movable connector between the clamping plate and, effectively, the arch clamp assembly, and a positioning mechanism attached to the programmable sewing machine which mechanically moves the connector between two positions to allow the sewing needle of the programmable sewing machine to 'travel' around the entire perimeter of the clamping plate and label. One embodiment of the movable connector assumes a substantially U-shaped configuration. Consequently, when sewing operations are to be initiated, the positioning mechanism places the connector into a position where the sewing needle of the programmable sewing machine may be in the inner cavity thereof. The sewing needle is thus able to exit the connector through the opening to the cavity and 'travel' around the perimeter of the clamping plate and label. As the sewing needle nears completion of the 360.degree. pattern, the positioning mechanism moves the connector to its second position such that the sewing needle may again enter the interior cavity thereof to complete the 360.degree. pattern.

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First Claim