Embodiments described herein are systems for filling machines which use treatment materials contained in cartridges. Optionally, the machine is a dyeing machine, and the treatment material is ink. Some embodiments relate to a liquid management system for conveying a plurality of unique treatment liquids, comprising: a first receptacle adapted to receive a single cartridge, the receptacle having multiple conduits, each conduit configured to transport a unique liquid, and each conduit corresponding to a different position on a cartridge; a plurality of cartridges configured to contain a liquid, the cartridges each comprising a flow outlet located at a position in the cartridge corresponding to one of the conduits of the receptacle; wherein, when a filled cartridge is introduced into the receptacle, liquid may flow through the flow outlet and into one of the conduits of the receptacle.

Disclosed is a method for producing an embroidery pattern through stitching to a substrate, particularly a method for producing a colored embroidery pattern having color disposition corresponding to a complex shape or stitches, simply and at low cost. The method includes: forming an embroidery base pattern to a substrate by use of single-color embroidery thread; printing a transfer image on an intermediate recording medium having a total light transmittance Tt of 60% or higher by use of a sublimable disperse dye, the transfer image being used for dyeing the embroidery thread of the embroidery base pattern; superposing the transfer image on the embroidery base pattern, while the intermediate recording medium is positioned from the backside of a printed surface of the recording medium; and heat-pressing the intermediate recording medium from the backside of the recording medium, to thereby dye the embroidery thread of the embroidery base pattern.

Disclosed is a method for producing an embroidery pattern through stitching to a substrate, particularly a method for producing a colored embroidery pattern having color disposition corresponding to a complex shape or stitches, simply and at low cost. The method includes: forming an embroidery base pattern to a substrate by use of single-color embroidery thread; printing a transfer image on an intermediate recording medium having a total light transmittance Tt of 60% or higher by use of a sublimable disperse dye, the transfer image being used for dyeing the embroidery thread of the embroidery base pattern; superposing the transfer image on the embroidery base pattern, while the intermediate recording medium is positioned from the backside of a printed surface of the recording medium; and heat-pressing the intermediate recording medium from the backside of the recording medium, to thereby dye the embroidery thread of the embroidery base pattern.

An embroidery apparatus is configured to perform an embroidery operation according to embroidery data. The embroidery apparatus includes a thread assumed consumption amount calculator configured to calculate an assumed consumption amount of a thread in the embroidery operation, based on initial embroidery data input in advance; a thread consumption amount detection mechanism configured to detect an actual consumption amount of the thread; and a thread consumption amount adjuster configured to adjust the actual consumption amount of the thread in the embroidery operation by adjusting output embroidery data to be output, based on a difference between the calculated assumed consumption amount of the thread and the detected actual consumption amount of the thread.

An embroidery apparatus is configured to perform an embroidery operation according to embroidery data. The embroidery apparatus includes a thread assumed consumption amount calculator configured to calculate an assumed consumption amount of a thread in the embroidery operation, based on initial embroidery data input in advance; a thread consumption amount detection mechanism configured to detect an actual consumption amount of the thread; and a thread consumption amount adjuster configured to adjust the actual consumption amount of the thread in the embroidery operation by adjusting output embroidery data to be output, based on a difference between the calculated assumed consumption amount of the thread and the detected actual consumption amount of the thread.

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 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.

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.