A dyeing apparatus is configured to be connected to an embroidery apparatus. The dyeing apparatus includes a dyer configured to dye a thread; a conveying path in which a path length of the thread from the dyer to the embroidery apparatus is changed according to an operation of the embroidery apparatus; and a conveyance control unit configured to adjust a conveyance speed of the thread in the conveying path, according to a change in the path length. The dyer dyes the thread at a dyeing speed that matches the adjusted conveyance speed.

A liquid application unit includes a supply member, a liquid application device, and an application controller. The supply member includes a cylindrical or columnar winding core around which a linear medium is wound. The liquid application device applies liquid to the linear medium unwound and fed from the supply member. The application controller adjusts a liquid application length of the liquid applied by the liquid application unit to the linear medium in a feed direction of the linear medium. The application controller adjusts the liquid application length in the feed direction of the linear medium in accordance with a winding thickness of a remaining amount of the linear medium from an outer peripheral surface of the winding core.

An embroidery device includes a needle including a hole through which a thread has been passed, a dyeing unit configured to dye the thread in different colors, an embroidery unit configured to move the needle to perform a sewing process on a medium with the thread dyed in the different colors by the dyeing unit, and a remover configured to remove the linear member in a vicinity of the needle.

A treatment unit for in-line treatment of at least one thread for use with a thread consuming device is provided.

A treatment unit for in-line treatment of at least one thread for use with a thread consuming device is provided.

A liquid discharge apparatus includes a discharge head having a nozzle row, a conveyor is configured to convey a discharge target medium, a head mover configured to move the discharge head in an orthogonal direction, a head rotator configured to rotate the discharge head, and circuitry configured to perform a position setting operation to cause the head mover to move the discharge head to a position in the orthogonal direction, a discharging operation to cause the discharge head to discharge a liquid at the position, a medium conveying operation to cause the conveyor to convey the discharge target medium, and a changing operation to cause the head mover to change the position of the discharge head, and cause the head rotator to rotate the discharge head based on a length of droplets of the liquid landed on the discharge target medium by the above-described operations.

An integrated system for treating a thread and using the treated thread, comprising: a thread treatment machine for treating a thread or portions thereof; a thread applicator configured for using the treated thread such as a stitching machine of 3D printer; at least one mechanism for collecting and trimming thread portions; and a control unit, configured for controlling at least the thread treatment machine, the thread applicator and the collecting and trimming mechanism and for coordinating the treatment of the thread with the operation of the thread applicator, wherein the control unit is further configured for controlling the collecting and trimming mechanism for collecting untreated thread edge portions for allowing using only treated thread portions.

An integrated system for treating a thread and using the treated thread, comprising: a thread treatment machine for treating a thread or portions thereof; a thread applicator configured for using the treated thread such as a stitching machine of 3D printer; at least one mechanism for collecting and trimming thread portions; and a control unit, configured for controlling at least the thread treatment machine, the thread applicator and the collecting and trimming mechanism and for coordinating the treatment of the thread with the operation of the thread applicator, wherein the control unit is further configured for controlling the collecting and trimming mechanism for collecting untreated thread edge portions for allowing using only treated thread portions.

The present application discloses a softening device (200) by which an outer insulating layer of an elongate electrical heating element (121) to be secured onto a cushion, especially a vehicle seat or rest cushion is able to be softened, the softening device (200) comprising: a body (210), wherein the body is provided with a gas passage, a feeding passage (211), and an open cavity (213), wherein hot air is able to be driven through the gas passage, and the elongate electrical heating element (121) is able to be conveyed through the feeding passage (211), wherein the gas passage and the feeding passage (211) are isolated from each other but both of them open into the open cavity (213), wherein after passing through the feeding passage (211) and the open cavity (213), the electrical heating element (121) is able to be discharged out of the body (210). The present application also discloses an electrical heating element (121), a sewing apparatus comprising the softening device, and a method for controlling the softening device.

A system for in-line treatment of thread for use with a thread consuming device is provided. The system includes a treatment unit having a plurality of nozzles arranged at different positions relative the thread, said thread being in motion in use, each nozzle being configured to dispense one or more coating substances onto the thread when activated; and a control unit configured to activate at least two of the nozzles to dispense the coating substance at different circumferential positions of the thread when the thread twists along its longitudinal axis.