Patent ID: 6119612
Filing Date: 2000-09-19
Classification: D05B

Abstract:
A hem former for folding back the margin of sheet material in preparation for sewing, comprising a support plate having an upper surface and a lower surface, said upper surface and said lower surface merging along an elongated front edge, said support plate having at least one orifice extending from said lower surface adjacent said elongated front edge; first guide means mounted adjacent said elongated front edge for deflecting the margin of the sheet material downward; second guide means mounted beneath said lower surface for aligning and guiding the margin of the sheet material, said support plate mounted for reciprocal movement of said elongated front edge between a first position extending beyond said second guide means and proximal said first guide means and as second position retracted behind said second guide means and distal from said first guide means; means for moving said support plate, and means for generating an airstream flowing beneath said support bottom surface and into said support plate orifice, whereby the margin of sheet material positioned upon the support plate in its first position is urged over the elongated front edge of the support plate and entrained into the air stream flowing from said means for generating an airstream so as to be folded back along said elongated front edge into abutment with the second guide means in preparation for sewing, and whereby the support plate is moved to its second position to complete the sewing of the margin.