A continuous stream of elements or parts of garments is formed by providing a continuous first substrate and optionally a continuous fusible substrate; positioning the continuous fusible substrate on the continuous first substrate to form a combination; fusing the combination to form a first fused combination; folding the first fused combination to form a folded fused combination; and then pressing the folded fused combination to form the continuous stream, wherein the continuous stream includes multiple individual elements or parts. The elements or parts may be collar stands or waistbands.

A method of manipulating thermoplastic film to create integrated features and particularly relates to an improved method of manufacturing a packaging bag that is reclosable after initial opening. Multiple sections of thermoplastic film are layered on top of themselves to form a multi-layer portion of the thermoplastic film. The multi-layer portion may then be conglomerated into a unitary thicker portion of the film that can then be shaped into a closure strip. In order to form a bag, a second such closure strip may be made. The two closure strips are then aligned and the remaining open portions of the bag are then sealed such that the closure strips form a reclosable opening that may be opened and closed repeatedly.

A method of manipulating thermoplastic film to create integrated features and particularly relates to an improved method of manufacturing a packaging bag that is reclosable after initial opening. Multiple sections of thermoplastic film are layered on top of themselves to form a multi-layer portion of the thermoplastic film. The multi-layer portion may then be conglomerated into a unitary thicker portion of the film that can then be shaped into a closure strip. In order to form a bag, a second such closure strip may be made. The two closure strips are then aligned and the remaining open portions of the bag are then sealed such that the closure strips form a reclosable opening that may be opened and closed repeatedly.

A method of manipulating thermoplastic film to create integrated features and particularly relates to an improved method of manufacturing a packaging bag that is reclosable after initial opening. Multiple sections of thermoplastic film are layered on top of themselves to form a multi-layer portion of the thermoplastic film. The multi-layer portion may then be conglomerated into a unitary thicker portion of the film that can then be shaped into a closure strip. In order to form a bag, a second such closure strip may be made. The two closure strips are then aligned and the remaining open portions of the bag are then sealed such that the closure strips form a reclosable opening that may be opened and closed repeatedly.

An element for a garment includes a fused combination formed by a fusible substrate fused on a first substrate at a first temperature, and then folded and then pressed at a second temperature, wherein said second temperature is lower than said first temperature.

A system and method for welding edge seams at the edges of fabric is presented. A method begins by lowering a fabric pre-fold bar onto a piece of fabric. A pre-aligned portion of the fabric is pushed on top of the pre-fold bar so that the pre-fold bar is between the portion of fabric on top of the fabric pre-fold bar and other fabric below the pre-fold bar. The fabric on top of the fabric pre-fold bar is folded edge fabric and fabric not on top of the fabric pre-fold bar is not folded edge fabric. A folded edge is formed between these two sections of fabric. The method pinches some of the fabric at the folded end and then pulls the folded edge fabric off of the fabric pre-fold bar. After that, the method welds at least some of the folded edge fabric to the not folded edge fabric.

A machine and method for welding sheets of plastic material. The machine includes a housing with a lower weld bar and an upper weld bar. A vertically-oriented gap is defined in a gripper assembly pivotally mounted to the housing beneath the work surface. A sheet of material is laid over the work surface covering the lower weld bar and gap. The upper weld bar is lowered to hold the sheet in place and a pusher plate is lowered relative to the upper weld bar to push some material into the gap, thereby creating a fold in the material. After withdrawing the upper weld bar and pusher plate, the gripper assembly is pivoted through ninety degrees and lays some of the folded material over the lower weld bar. The upper weld bar is lowered to weld a portion of the folded material and thereby create a pocket in the material.

A system for producing a continuous stream of elements of garments stream includes: a first fusing press to fuse the combination at a first temperature to form a first fused combination from a combination formed by a continuous fusible substrate on a continuous first substrate; at least one folder positioned to take the first fused combination from the first fusing press and to form a folded fused combination; and a second fusing press positioned to take the folded fused combination from the at least one folder and to form the continuous stream of elements of garments by pressing the folded fused combination at a second temperature. The second temperature is lower than the first temperature, and the continuous stream of elements of garments comprises multiple individual elements of multiple garments.

An apparatus includes upper and lower pressing tools arranged on platens that move relative to one another in a stroke direction. A slider unit moves in a direction transverse to the stroke direction, coordinated with the relative motion of the platens. In a retracted position the slider unit is displaced laterally from the lower pressing tool. In an active position the slider unit protrudes laterally over an edge portion of the lower pressing tool. Pressure actuators between the lower platen and the lower pressing tool apply an increased active pressing force on the lower pressing tool toward the upper pressing tool. Through the combined motions, the pressing tools press a laminated component including a cover layer on a substrate, and the slider unit folds and presses a protruding margin of the cover layer around an edge and onto a back surface of the substrate to form a folded-back rim.

A system and method for welding edge seams at the edges of fabric is presented. A method begins by lowering a fabric pre-fold bar onto a piece of fabric. A pre-aligned portion of the fabric is pushed on top of the pre-fold bar so that the pre-fold bar is between the portion of fabric on top of the fabric pre-fold bar and other fabric below the pre-fold bar. The fabric on top of the fabric pre-fold bar is folded edge fabric and fabric not on top of the fabric pre-fold bar is not folded edge fabric. A folded edge is formed between these two sections of fabric. The method pinches some of the fabric at the folded end and then pulls the folded edge fabric off of the fabric pre-fold bar. After that, the method welds at least some of the folded edge fabric to the not folded edge fabric.