Patent ID: 6092478
Filing Date: 2000-07-25
Classification: D05B,D05D

Abstract:
An apparatus for monitoring consumption of a supply of sewing thread, comprising:a) first means for allowing a user to input,i) an initial supply of thread, andii) a minimum allowable supply of thread;b) second means for providing at least one signal indicative of a rate of thread consumption;c) third means for,i) receiving the initial supply and the minimum allowable supply from the first means,ii) receiving the signal indicative of the rate of thread consumption from the second means,iii) calculating a consumed amount of thread based upon at least the signal indicative of the rate of thread consumption,iv) calculating an actual supply of thread remaining based at least upon the consumed amount and the initial supply of thread,v) producing a display signal indicative of at least one of the actual supply and the consumed amount, andvi) producing an alarm signal when the actual supply of thread is approximately equal to or less than the minimum allowable supply of thread; andd) fourth means for displaying at least one of the actual supply and the consumed amount of thread upon receiving the display signal from the third means.