Kenneth E Thompson

US Patent:

44649134, Aug 14, 1984

Filed:

Jan 12, 1983

Appl. No.:

6/457286

Inventors:

Joel C. Rosenquist - Kernersville NC
Kenneth J. Thompson - Lexington NC
Wayne G. Foster - Advance NC

Assignee:

Consolidated Foods Corporation - Winston-Salem NC

International Classification:

D04B 3520

US Classification:

66166

Abstract:

A rundown detector system for controlling operation of the cylinder of a circular knitting machine includes a photoelectric circuit, including fiber optic means and a sensor for sensing predetermined extended periods of low reflected light level and emitting signals to a logic circuit. The logic circuit includes a timer and counting mechanism for stopping rotation of the machine cylinder if a predetermined number of signals are emitted to the logic circuit within a predetermined time period. The timer mechanism also prevents stopping of the machine cylinder, upon start-up of the machine, until a predetermined amount of knit fabric absent of defects has moved past the sensor.

US Patent:

46168206, Oct 14, 1986

Filed:

May 3, 1985

Appl. No.:

6/730159

Inventors:

Kenneth J. Thompson - Lexington NC
Joel C. Rosenquist - Kernersville NC
Wayne G. Foster - Advance NC

Assignee:

Sara Lee Corporation - Winston-Salem NC

International Classification:

B65H 2934

US Classification:

271189

Abstract:

A material handling system includes an assembly for feeding, directing and sewing fabric materials, an assembly for cutting fabric, and an assembly for stacking fabric. The feeding and sewing assembly folds a reinforcing binding web over the edge of a garment panel and sews the two together before they are advanced by the binding to the cutter assembly. The cutting assembly includes angularly disposed blades for simultaneously severing the binding web intermediate adjacent garment panels. The stacking assembly includes a conveyor for sequentially advancing severed garment panels to an elevator mechanism for receiving the panels.

US Patent:

53819373, Jan 17, 1995

Filed:

Jan 4, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/177238

Inventors:

Kenneth J. Thompson - Lexington NC
John R. Everhart - Winston-Salem NC
Joel C. Rosenquist - Kernersville NC
Wayne G. Foster - Winston-Salem NC

International Classification:

A41H 3300
D06C 1500

US Classification:

223 37

Abstract:

A pocket-folding device for folding a pocket blank and securing the folded pocket to a pocket-carrying article, the device having a locating fixture supported by a frame to receive the unfolded pocket blank, a top die and movable bottom die supported by the frame, and a vacuum hand associated with the frame selectively moving to pick up the unfolded pocket blank from the locating fixture and carry it and release it over the pocket form to form side and bottom-draped edges. The pocket form and pocket blank move up to mate with the top die. The bottom die then moves up to mate with the top die to form a die cavity around the pocket form and pocket blank while selectively directed air flows into the top die and folds the draped pocket edges around the pocket form. Heat is applied to the folded pocket edges to set pocket edge creases therein, and the pocket form, pocket and bottom die move downwardly to the original bottom die position with the pocket-folded edges held between the pocket form and the bottom die. The pocket form is moved away from the pocket and bottom die.

US Patent:

45506701, Nov 5, 1985

Filed:

Jan 12, 1983

Appl. No.:

6/457457

Inventors:

Kenneth J. Thompson - Lexington NC
Joel C. Rosenquist - Kernersville NC
Wayne G. Foster - Advance NC

Assignee:

Consolidated Foods Corporation - Winston-Salem NC

International Classification:

D05B 1900

US Classification:

11212111

Abstract:

A material handling system includes an assembly for feeding, directing and sewing fabric materials, an assembly for cutting fabric, and an assembly for stacking fabric. The feeding and sewing assembly folds a reinforcing binding web over the edge of a garment panel and sews the two together before they are advanced by the binding to the cutter assembly. The cutting assembly includes angularly disposed blades for simultaneously severing the binding web intermediate adjacent garment panels. The stacking assembly includes a conveyor for sequentially advancing severed garment panels to an elevator mechanism for receiving the panels.

US Patent:

48224480, Apr 18, 1989

Filed:

Apr 29, 1987

Appl. No.:

7/044063

Inventors:

Kenneth J. Thompson - Lexington NC
Wayne G. Foster - Advance NC
Joel C. Rosenquist - Kernersville NC
David S. Ketner - Jamestown NC

International Classification:

B65G 5716

US Classification:

156538

Abstract:

An apparatus for securing the free ends of an elongated strip of flexible material to form a band, such as an elastic band, for various types of apparel. The machine includes a securing station, such as a sewing station including a sewing machine, and an apparatus for drawing a strip of flexible material longitudinally beneath the securing station in a measuring path. An adjustable measuring device deflects a predetermined length of the strip downward away from the measuring path to form a measured open loop. A knife mechanism cuts the trailing end portion of the loop. Loading and clamping mechanisms position the free ends of the loop in the securing station for attachment, such as by stitching. An extraction and transfer mechanism withdraws the finished loop from the sewing station and transfers it to a label application station. The label application station includes upper and lower heat platens between which a portion of the loop is placed for heat sealing a label or the like thereon.