Patent ID: 7412936

Claim:
A method of attaching a gusset to a panel, comprising the steps of: attaching a gusset to a panel as the gusset and panel are moved along a first substantially linear path as a sewing machine operable for applying stitches to attach the gusset to the panel; detecting a corner of the panel; turning the panel in response to the corner of the panel being detected, so that the gusset follows a curved path adjacent the corner of the panel; and providing an independently operable pleat generator to form at least one pleat at a desired location about the panel, said pleat generator operable in timed relation with the operation of the sewing machine; and providing a system controller to control attachment of the gusset and panel, wherein said system controller controls attachment of the gusset to the panel by the pleat generator independently of the operation of the sewing machine and a number of stitches applied thereby, the pleat generator operable at varying rates to enable high speed attachment of the gusset to the panel during part of a sewing operation and attachment of the gusset to the panel at a different rate for pleat generation.