Importance

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Abstract

Apparatus for automatically inverting workpieces of limp sheet material, such as fabric sheet material, including an endless primary conveyor having a forward-traveling reach for conveying workpieces in a forward direction, each workpiece having a leading edge and a trailing edge. A gripper engages a portion of the workpiece generally adjacent its leading edge as the workpiece travels on the primary conveyor and holds the leading edge portion stationary. The primary conveyor includes a series of flights spaced at intervals therealong with openings between the flights. The trailing edge of the workpiece and the adjacent trailing edge portion drop through an opening between a leading flight and a trailing flight after the gripper engages and holds stationary the leading edge portion. A pushing mechanism acts on the trailing edge portion of the workpiece for pushing the trailing edge portion forardly to invert the trailing edge portion as the leading edge portion is held stationary by the gripper. The leading edge portion of the workpiece is released from the gripper after the trailing edge portion of the workpiece has been inverted, whereupon the workpiece is in a generally flat, inverted position in which the leading edge is rearward of the trailing edge.

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First Claim