EP0317434A1 - Method for manufacturing a double layered sock - Google Patents

Abstract

In the method for manufacturing a double-layered sock: a first row knitted by the needles and corresponding to the end of the tip of the first layer is transferred to the central transfer plate of the machine, where it is kept on stand-by; the knitting of the first layer is continued from the tip to the side edges, and then knitting is continued from the side edges of the second layer to the tip, the knitted tubular structure constantly being suspended by one (circular) end on the central transfer plate and by the other circular end on the needle cylinder while the work is being carried out, thereby shaping the two concentric layers (12 and 13) engaged one in the other; the initial stand-by row is transferred to the needle plate of the cylinder in order to make the junction between the two layers to form a single end layer (15). <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention relates to a method allowing the automatic production on a knitting machine, in particular single-cylinder, of a sock of the type with two concentric layers and threaded one inside the other.

We know the advantages of socks consisting of two substantially concentric tubular structures and consisting of an inner layer and an outer layer, the two layers joining and being secured at the tip of the toe.

Socks of this type have advantages in terms of user comfort.

They in fact allow various methods of realization from suitable knitting points or structures and positioned suitably on each of the layers so as to provide the user with a feeling of well-being, particularly appreciable at the level of organs or sensitive members like the feet.

These advantages are well known in particular to athletes who have always known the use of two socks strung one on the other; it is obviously simpler to provide from the manufacturing level a pair of socks, each sock comprising a double structure and designed to provide the advantages sought by the user in this type of article.

But the daily use of socks providing special comfort and comfort properties will also be invaluable for people practicing an active life, involving walking, or people whose profession requires a prolonged standing position.

In addition to an obvious thermal insulation which is particularly effective, the two-layer socks of the type here concerned, allow absorption and evacuation of naturally exuded moisture; but moreover the making of socks on two layers, makes it possible to put in place comfort structures in particular in the form of loops thus allowing the foot to rest on a real carpet inside the shoe ensuring a damping sensation at each contact of the foot on the ground and consequently in addition to a pleasure and a feeling of "hushed walking", the removal of a source of fatigue and discomfort.

The double type socks concerned here are traditionally made on a double cylinder knitting machine, the sock being knitted successively in one piece from the tip (open) of a layer, to the ribbing, knitting continuing without interruption through the ribbing of the other layer to the open tip of the second layer, after which the knitting operation is finished.

A structure is thus obtained in reality consisting of two socks symmetrically opposed by their common rib edges.

It is then necessary to manually carry out an operation of integration and positioning of the inner sock in the outer sock; this operation carried out manually implies that the operator puts his hand through the open point of the outer sock and goes to look inside the sock for the opposite point which is then brought back to be brought into alignment and in conjunction with the first point.

After which the two points being laid flat and therefore having 4 superimposed layers, are joined together by linear stitching.

This operation has serious drawbacks in that it requires for each sock a manual operation intended to pass from a single collinear tubular structure, to a tubular structure with two concentric layers.

In addition, the finishing operation represented by the joining of the two points, with the necessary assembly of four layers also represents an operation not without difficulties and which results in a terminal area of extra thickness at the level of the toe, source of inconvenience and inconvenience to the user.

And these operations are all the longer and costly in labor, as it is necessary to align the four layers conforming to the final tip and intended to be secured, according to a determined plane, so that the sock finished, has a terminal seam substantially along the transverse line of the toes.

The present invention relates to improvements which make it possible to produce, in a particularly simple and elegant manner, a tubular structure intended to conform a two-layer sock, and in which the structure with two concentric layers is obtained directly on the machine which secures the two layers when the knitting operation of the entire structure is completed.

The invention thus makes it possible to save the operation of shaping the sock by integrating the two layers into one another and it also considerably facilitates the finishing operation consisting in closing the sock at the tip.

The invention also makes it possible to use circular single-cylinder knitting machines with the advantages of the simple operation of this material.

• a) une première rangée tricotée par les aiguilles, et correspondant à l'extrémité de la pointe d'une première couche, est reportée sur le plateau central de transfert de la machine où elle est maintenue en attente;
• b) on poursuit le tricotage de la première couche, de la pointe aux bords côte, puis on continue le tricotage des bords côte de la seconde couche jusqu'à la pointe, la structure tubulaire tricotée étant constamment suspendue par une extrémité (circulaire) au plateau de transfert central, et par l'autre extrémité circulaire, au cylindre d'aiguilles en cours de travail, en conformant ainsi les deux couches concentriques et engagées l'une dans l'autre ;
• c) on transfère la rangée initiale en attente sur le plateau (correspondant à la pointe d'une première couche) aux aiguilles du cylindre (qui viennent de tricoter la pointe de l'autre couche) pour opérer la jonction des deux couches situées par conséquent au niveau des deux pointes de chaque couche ;
• d) on poursuit le tricotage sur une seule couche, constituant alors une couche unique terminale cylindrique, la couche unique terminale prolongeant les deux couches précédentes, cette couche unique terminale comportant un nombre de rangées appropriées ;
• e) on interrompt le tricotage de la chaussette double qui constitue alors une ébauche terminée, dont la pointe cylindrique, formée de la couche unique terminale, et restée ouverte ;
• f) on met à plat (de façon connue en soi) la couche cylindrique unique terminale et on solidarise par tout moyen approprié tel que remaillage ou couture, éventuel­lement soudure par fil thermofusible, les deux faces jumelées de cette couche pour refermer la pointe de la chaussette.

To this end, the invention relates to a method of knitting, on a single-cylinder circular knitting loom, a sock of the two-layer type, respectively inner and outer, method in which a first layer is knitted successively from the tip of the foot to the heel then from the heel to the ribbed edges, then continuously, the second layer, forming a body and in the extension of the first, from the ribbed edge to the heel and from the heel to the toe, and the process is characterized by the succession of the following operations

• a) a first row knitted by the needles, and corresponding to the end of the tip of a first layer, is transferred to the central transfer plate of the machine where it is kept waiting;
• b) the knitting of the first layer is continued, from the tip to the rib edges, then the knitting of the rib edges of the second layer is continued up to the tip, the knitted tubular structure being constantly suspended by one end (circular) at the central transfer plate, and by the other circular end, to the cylinder of needles during work, thus conforming the two concentric layers and engaged one inside the other;
• c) the initial waiting row is transferred to the tray (corresponding to the tip of a first layer) to the needles of the cylinder (which have just knitted the tip of the other layer) to effect the joining of the two layers therefore located at the two points of each layer;
• d) knitting is continued on a single layer, then constituting a single cylindrical terminal layer, the single terminal layer extending the two preceding layers, this single terminal layer comprising a number of suitable rows;
• e) the knitting of the double sock is interrupted, which then constitutes a finished blank, the cylindrical tip of which is formed from the single terminal layer, and which remains open;
• f) the single terminal cylindrical layer is laid flat (in a manner known per se) and the two twin sides of this layer are joined together by any suitable means such as remeshing or sewing, possibly welding by hot-melt wire to close the point of the sock.

Preferably within the framework of the implementation of the invention an inner layer is produced forming a uniform cylindrical tubular structure from the initial tip (waiting on the plate) to the ribs, while the outer layer comprises at the level appropriate and in a manner known per se, shaping the heel.

According to another development of the invention, two flexible locating means are inserted at two diametrically opposite points on the cylinder of the needles, such as sections of filler wires, the two sections being diametrically opposite on the cylinder of needles, and on the last rows of the terminal single layer (resulting from the junction of the interior and exterior layers), the marks formed by the filler wires making it possible during the finishing operation to arrange the sock for the closure of the toe, automatically presenting the single terminal layer, face to face, along an appropriate and determined axis.

And preferably the two marks are positioned along a diametral axis perpendicular to the plane of symmetry of the heel conformation on the outer layer, so that the alignment of the single terminal layer between the two reference points, the single terminal layer being brought face to face, automatically creates a transverse line corresponding substantially to the alignment of the toes.

• a) une première rangée tricotée par les aiguilles est reportée sur le plateau central de transfert de la machine où elle est maintenue en attente ;
• b) on poursuit le tricotage sur une longueur appropriée correspondant à sensiblement deux fois la hauteur de la tige, en conformant ainsi les deux couches concentriques au niveau de la tige ;
• c) on transfère une première fois la rangée initiale depuis le plateau central sur le cylindre d'aiguilles pour tricoter une couche unique résultant de la jonction des deux couches qui conforment ensemble la tige de la chaussette double ;
• d) on reporte à nouveau après tricotage de ladite couche unique sur un nombre de rangées déterminé, les mailles de ladite couche unique sur le plateau central de transfert ;
• e) on poursuit alors le travail de tricotage tubulaire sur une longueur nécessaire pour conformer successivement la couche intérieure de la cheville jusqu'à la pointe et la couche extérieure de la pointe à la cheville ;
• f) on reporte alors à nouveau la rangée de mailles en attente sur le plateau sur le cylindre d'aiguilles pour réunir les deux couches à un niveau voisin de la couche unique initiale intermédiaire et correspondant sensiblement au niveau de la cheville ;
• g) on referme la partie ouverte de la pointe par remaillage ou couture.

According to an embodiment representing an alternative implementation, the method is characterized by the succession of the following operations:

• a) a first row knitted by the needles is transferred to the central transfer plate of the machine where it is kept waiting;
• b) knitting is continued over an appropriate length corresponding to substantially twice the height of the rod, thus conforming the two concentric layers at the level of the rod;
• c) the initial row is transferred for the first time from the central plate to the needle cylinder to knit a single layer resulting from the junction of the two layers which together form the upper of the double sock;
• d) once again knitting of said single layer is transferred to a determined number of rows, the stitches of said single layer on the central transfer plate;
• e) the tubular knitting work is then continued over a length necessary to successively conform the inner layer of the ankle to the tip and the outer layer of the tip to the ankle;
• f) the row of stitches awaiting on the plate is then transferred again to the needle cylinder to join the two layers at a level close to the initial single intermediate layer and corresponding substantially to the level of the ankle;
• g) the open part of the tip is closed by remeshing or sewing.

According to a second variant, the double sock joined together at the ankle could also be shaped (in particular to allow threading conveniences at the level of fitting on the user's leg), by knitting the foot and then the stem.

• a) on tricote une première rangée qui est reportée sur le plateau central de transfert de la machine où elle est maintenue en attente ;
• b) on poursuit le tricotage sur une longueur appropriée pour conformer la couche intérieure sensiblement depuis la cheville jusqu'à la pointe et de façon continue la couche extérieure depuis la pointe jusqu'à la cheville, en conformant notamment le talon de la couche extérieure.
• c) on transfère une première fois la rangée initiale depuis le plateau central sur le cylindre d'aiguilles pour tricoter une couche unique résultant de la jonction des deux couches respectivement intérieures et extérieures.
• d) on reporte à nouveau après tricotage de ladite couche unique sur un nombre de rangées déterminé, les mailles de cette couche unique sur le plateau central ;
• e) on poursuit le travail de tricotage tubulaire sur une longueur permettant de conformer successivement la couche intérieure de la cheville jusqu' au sommet (bords côte) et en retour de la couche extérieure depuis le bord côte jusqu'à la cheville ;
• f) on reporte à nouveau la rangée de mailles en attente sur le plateau sur le cylindre à aiguilles pour réunir les deux couches sensiblement au niveau de la cheville ;
• g) et on ferme la partie ouverte de la pointe de la chaussette double par remaillage ou couture.

In the implementation of this variant, the method comprises the following operations:

• a) a first row is knitted which is transferred to the central transfer plate of the machine where it is kept waiting;
• b) knitting is continued over an appropriate length to conform the inner layer substantially from the ankle to the tip and continuously outer layer from the tip to the ankle, notably conforming the heel of the outer layer.
• c) the initial row is transferred for the first time from the central plate to the needle cylinder to knit a single layer resulting from the junction of the two inner and outer layers respectively.
• d) after again knitting said single layer over a determined number of rows, the stitches of this single layer are transferred to the central plate;
• e) the tubular knitting work is continued over a length making it possible to successively conform the inner layer of the ankle to the top (rib edges) and in return for the outer layer from the rib edge to the ankle;
• f) the row of stitches pending on the plate is again transferred to the needle cylinder in order to join the two layers substantially at the ankle;
• g) and the open part of the point of the double sock is closed by remeshing or sewing.

• La figure 1 représente une vue avec arrachés partiels de la chaussette terminée et réalisée selon le procédé de l'invention.
• La figure 2 représente une vue schématique montrant la mise en place des premières rangées de mailles sur le plateau de transfert central.
• Les figures 3 et 4 montrent des phases ultérieures de la chaussette en cours de tricotage à deux phases successives de sa réalisation.
• La figure 5 montre la phase terminale de réalisation de la chaussette dans laquelle les deux couches sont réunies par report de la rangée de mailles en attente depuis le plateau de transfert sur le jeu des aiguilles circulaires.
• La figure 6a représente l'ébauche de la chaussette telle qu'elle est délivrée par la machine en fin de tricotage selon une vue en coupe transversale, avec chaussette intérieure tubulaire, qui dans la figure 6b comporte un talon façonné.
• La figure 7 montre une vue avec arraché du pied de la chaussette avant l'opération de finition c'est-à-dire de solidarisation des deux faces de la pointe.
• La figure 8 montre le pied de la chaussette une fois terminée et après l'opération de solidarisation des deux faces de la pointe.
• La figure 9 montre un schéma du travail successif des aiguilles tout au long de la confection de la structure tubulaire devant conformer l'ébauche de la chaussette.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from the description which follows and which is given in connection with a preferred embodiment presented by way of example and in the light of the appended drawings in which:

• Figure 1 shows a view with partial cutaway of the sock finished and produced according to the method of the invention.
• Figure 2 shows a schematic view showing the establishment of the first rows of meshes on the central transfer plate.
• Figures 3 and 4 show subsequent phases of the sock during knitting in two successive phases of its production.
• Figure 5 shows the final phase of production of the sock in which the two layers are joined by transferring the row of stitches on hold from the transfer plate to the set of circular needles.
• Figure 6a shows the blank of the sock as it is delivered by the machine at the end of knitting in a cross-sectional view, with tubular inner sock, which in Figure 6b has a shaped heel.
• Figure 7 shows a view with torn off the foot of the sock before the finishing operation, that is to say of joining the two faces of the tip.
• Figure 8 shows the foot of the sock once completed and after the joining operation of the two faces of the tip.
• Figure 9 shows a diagram of the successive work of the needles throughout the making of the tubular structure to conform the blank of the sock.

In the context of the implementation of the present invention, a single-cylinder circular knitting machine of known type is used.

In Figures 2 to 5 there is shown along the dotted line 1 the crown of needles of which only the needles 2,3,4, etc ... have been shown.

In the center of the crown of the needles is shown, schematically, the transfer plate or transfer plate 5.

It is specified that this plate is here represented diagrammatically and it is separated from the crown of the needles 1 by a distance in the form of a crown considerably enlarged for the simple clarity of the drawings, it being understood that in reality the transfer plate 5 comes into position immediately juxtaposed relative to the crown of the needles 1, thus allowing interference games between the transfer needles (not shown) positioned radially on the plate and the knitting needles 2,3,4 belonging to the crown 1.

In a manner known per se, as soon as the first row of stitches is knitted, the needles of the plate 5 are put into action to pick up the first knitted row and keep this row pending on the plate, while the work of the needles 2, 3,4 is continued, thus knitting a tubular structure, this in a conventional manner.

As can be seen in FIG. 3, then in FIG. 4, as knitting from the thread 6 which feeds the machine, there is knitted a tubular structure of which a circular end 7 is waiting on the plate 5 while the other end 8 is formed by the row of stitches being knitted.

And between these two ends, the tubular structure is suspended; and as the two ends respectively on standby 7 and during knitting 8 are substantially at the same level, the knitting rows accumulating, the tubular structure thus shaped is at all times in a concentric position and consequently defining two layers, namely an inner layer 9 and an outer layer 10, joined by the lower corner gear 11.

The details of the knitting structures used will be described below, it being understood that the knitting structures may vary and are not characteristic of the implementation of the invention, the data subsequently specified corresponding only to one modality and a particular embodiment.

Preferably, however, and as can be seen more clearly in FIG. 6, at first the machine knits a uniform tubular structure and of constant section 12, which will constitute the inner sock; arrived at a suitable place corresponding to the level of the heel 14, the knitting machine makes in a known manner a protuberance (in Y) which will conform the heel on the outer sock 13.

And according to FIGS. 5 and 6, it can be seen that when the sock has been knitted over the entire length corresponding to the blank to be released from the machine, the initial row of stitches which was waiting on the transfer plate is transferred to knitting needles belonging to cylinder 1.

This operation is done in a conventional manner, the needles of the plate, which support the stitches, are brought by a horizontal and radial sliding movement, at the level of the knitting needles, which are inserted in the eye of the transfer needles and can thus take over each of the meshes positioned on standby on the transfer plate.

At this level the waiting stitches which consequently constitute the end edge 7, come to integrate and become one with the end edge 8 during knitting and these two rows of meshes are then joined and assembled, the subsequent work of the machine producing a series of rows of meshes defining a single end layer 15 resulting from the junction of the two layers 9 and 10 respectively.

This single terminal layer 15 extends over a few rows so as to subsequently allow the point to be secured and closed.

It is thus seen in particular in the light of Figure 6 which shows the blank (seen in section) as it comes out of the machine, which was obtained by the use of mechanical means existing on the knitting machine monocylindrical, a complex assembly in which the two inner layers 12 and outer 13 respectively are threaded one inside the other on the one hand, this automatically and without manual intervention, while moreover these two layers are at their upper ends, corresponding to the tip of the foot, united in a terminal layer 15.

This has, as we have explained, the double advantage:
on the one hand, to avoid the manual operation of assembling and engaging the two layers in one another;
- And on the other hand to offer, at the point which must be closed, not four thicknesses intended to be assembled but a single cylindrical layer 15 which, laid flat and face against face, will therefore represent the assembly only two thicknesses.

In addition, according to a feature of the invention, two sections of filler threads 16.16 ′ are brought automatically, when knitting the last row of the single end layer 15.

These threads are preferably of a coloring allowing them to be easily identified by eye and they effectively constitute each a mark which will allow the alignment and the correct positioning of the single end layer 15 during the final shaping operation for closure. of the tip.

These two locating wires 16 and 16 ′ are easily positioned on the machine, when knitting the end rows of the single layer 15, the filler wires 16 and 16 ′ being positioned diametrically opposite and perpendicular to the plane of symmetry of heel making.

Thus by flattening the single end layer 15 between the two locating wires 16 and 16 ′ it is possible to position the closure of the tip along a horizontal line which will correspond substantially to the alignment of the end of the toes thereby allowing the sock to match the morphology of the foot.

According to a variant which has not been shown, it is possible to provide for the programming of the knitting work (on the control cylinder or by computerized programming means) so as to cause decreases at the point and at the junction of the two inner layers 12 and outer 13; it will be understood that in this case the work of the machine will start from a narrower tubular structure and will grow rapidly to arrive at the tubular structure 12 corresponding to the inner sock and at the end of knitting we will cause the opposite operation, that is to say a decrease causing the diameter to shrink to reach the initial diameter, the two ends of the blank at the end of knitting then joining together according to a diameter identical to conform the terminal layer 15.

Figure 1 on the one hand and the knitting diagram 9 on the other hand gives a detail of implementation and embodiment of the invention according to a particular form presented by way of illustrative example.

On the sock shown in FIG. 1, we see at 17 the double knit cuff, knitted (on a single cylinder) in a jersey texture with rubber screening on a selection base 1 and 1, giving a rib aspect 1 x 1 ( type of selection allowing different kinds of coast).

17a represents the inner layer in rib 1 x 1 identical to the outer layer 17b; one could however foresee that the inner layer 17a is produced on a jersey base like the whole of the inner sock of tubular structure with constant section (see FIG. 6).

In 18 is shown the upper, the inner layer 18a is made in a jersey texture on cotton yarn vanized one row in two with lycra gum thread; we could alternatively make the stocking stitch in a vanized texture on all the rows.

19 shows the top of the heel in which the loops provided on the inner face of the outer layer appear.

The heel 20 has here been shaped in Y shape to ensure better comfort always in a looped texture called sandwich in cotton, polyamide or lycra, but the heel could be made in simplified form or in pocket form.

The foot 21 is knitted in the same texture as looped sandwiches in cotton wadding, polyamide or lycra; the foot can be knitted in full loops; it could also include loops on the sole sole, the upper being made in jersey.

The tip 22 can be shaped, diminished or straight, always in cotton, polyamide or lycra with loops up to the tip end.

The assembly of the two layers is obtained as previously described by transfer of stitches directly on the knitting machine; the 16,16 ′ embroidery threads ensuring good centering for remeshing.

It is understood that the order of the comments which has been used here for FIG. 1 does not correspond to the order of the knitting operations since (as clearly explained above) the knitting starts from the tip of the inner layer to the edge side and then continuously returns from the side edges to the tip of the outer layer.

This is what is moreover clearly illustrated in FIG. 9 which gives a diagram of knitting structure in which the references indicated correspond to the operations specified below and using the threads thus defined:
- cotton / acrylic 75/25 - 4/70 nm
- covered polyamide elastane (1) - 95 dtex
- covered elastane polyamide (2) - 1 / 10.3 nm
- polyamide - 2/78 dtex 20 strands

A) Knitting from the start of the sock with transfer of the stitch onto the transfer plate.

A1 - Transfer patinas
A2 - Polyamide 1 end
A3 - Polyamide 2 ends

B) Cotton or silk jersey inner sock, lycra or polyamide.

B1 - Covered elastane (1) 1 end
B2 - Cotton / acrylic 1 end
B3 - Cotton / acrylic 1 end

C) Double aspect 1 x 1 reverse

C1 - Cotton / acrylic 2 ends
C2 - Covered elastane (2) 1 end

D) Rib 3 x 1

D1 - Cotton / acrylic 2 ends
D2 - Covered elastane (2) 1 end

E) High heel loop called sandwich

E1 - Loop felling stages
E2 - Cotton / acrylic 1 end
E3 - Polyamide 2 ends

F) Buckle heel called sandwich

F1 - Loop felling stages
F2 - Cotton / acrylic 2 ends
F3 - Polyamide 2 ends

G) Any loop called sandwich foot

G1 - Loop felling plates
G2 - Cotton / acrylic 2 ends
G3 - Polyamide 2 ends

H - Tapering point or straight loop called sandwich

H1 - Loop felling plates
H2 - Cotton / acrylic 2 ends
H3 - Polyamide 2 ends

I - Transfer of mesh from the inner sock to the outer sock

I1 - Polyamide 2 ends
I2 - Polyamide 2 ends
I3 - Transfer plate

J - Remeshing position

J1 - Polyamide 1 end

K - Low throw with embroidery thread marking for centering of the point

K1 - 3-end acrylic cotton + 2-end polyamide
K2 - Acrylic cotton embroidery thread 2 ends

The invention also makes it possible to produce socks with high decorative power; indeed the effect yarns or decorative yarns added during knitting, in the case of a conventional simple sock overflow and float on the inner face of the sock where they constitute a risk of snagging for example for the toes when the sock is put on, in addition to the unsightly appearance of these floating threads. In the case of the sock according to the invention the effect yarns added during knitting on the outer layer, can be left projecting on the rear face since this face is doubled by the layer constituting the inner sock; the decorative threads therefore remain hidden in the interface between the two layers while respecting the beautiful presentation of the assembly and the plain wall encountered by the foot when the sock is put on. FIG. 6b shows these floating wires 23 between two rows 24, 24 ′ forming decorative stripes; the floating threads are trapped between the layers 13 and 12 and cannot attack the foot when the sock is put on any more than they are visible on the sock even turned over.

The invention also makes it possible to produce orthopedic socks comprising an inner layer forming a support or compression envelope associated with an outer layer of normal appearance decorated or not, thereby avoiding the sometimes unsightly appearance of care or medical socks. The sock or inner layer can indeed be knitted with suitable characteristics to ensure the desired holding effect.

Claims (6)

1 - Knitting process, on a single-cylinder circular knitting loom, of a sock of the two-layer type, respectively inner and outer, process in which a first layer is knitted successively from toe to heel and then from heel to ribbed edges , then continuously, the second layer, forming a body and in the extension of the first, from the rim to the heel and from the heel to the tip, and the process is characterized by the succession of the following operations: a) a first row (7) knitted by the needles, and corresponding to the end of the tip of a first layer, is transferred to the central transfer plate (5) of the machine where it is kept waiting; b) the knitting of the first layer is continued, from the tip to the rib edges, then the knitting of the rib edges of the second layer is continued up to the tip, the knitted tubular structure being constantly suspended by one end (circular) at the transfer plate (5) central, and by the other circular end, to the cylinder (1) of needles during work, thus conforming the two layers (9 and 10) concentric and engaged one inside the other ; c) transferring the initial row (7) pending on the plate (corresponding to the tip of a first layer) to the needles (2,3,4) of the cylinder (1) (which have just knitted the tip of the other layer) to operate the junction of the two layers therefore located at the two points of each layer; d) knitting is continued on a single layer (15), thus constituting a single cylindrical terminal layer, the single terminal layer extending the two preceding layers (9 and 10) or (12 and 13), this single terminal layer (15) with an appropriate number of rows; e) the knitting of the double sock is interrupted, which then constitutes a finished blank, the cylindrical tip of which is formed from the single terminal layer (15), and which remains open; f) the single terminal cylindrical layer is laid flat (in a manner known per se) and the two twin sides of this layer are joined together by any suitable means such as remeshing or sewing to close the point of the sock. 2 - Method according to claim 1, further characterized in that an inner layer is formed forming a uniform cylindrical tubular structure (12) from the initial tip (waiting on the plate) to the rib edges, while the outer layer (13) comprises at the appropriate level and in a manner known per se, a shaping of the heel (14). 3 - Method according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that one inserts, on two diametrically opposite points of the cylinder (1) of the needles (2,3,4) two flexible locating means, such as sections of filler wires (16,16 ′), the two sections being diametrically opposite on the needle cylinder, and on the last rows of the single terminal layer (15) (resulting from the junction of the inner and outer layers), the marks constituted by the filler wires (16,16 ′) allowing during the finishing operation to arrange the sock for the closure of the toe, automatically presenting the single terminal layer (15), face to face , along an appropriate and determined axis. 4 - Method according to claim 3, characterized in that the two pins (16,16 ′) are positioned along a diametrical axis perpendicular to the plane of symmetry of the heel conformation (14) on the outer layer (13), so that the alignment of the single terminal layer between the two reference points, the single terminal layer being brought face to face, automatically creates a transverse line corresponding substantially to the alignment of the toes. 5 - Method for producing a two-layer sock, characterized by the succession of the following operations: a) a first row knitted by the needles is transferred to the central transfer plate of the machine where it is kept waiting; b) knitting is continued over an appropriate length corresponding to substantially twice the height of the rod, thus conforming the two concentric layers at the level of the rod; c) the initial row is transferred for the first time from the central plate to the needle cylinder to knit a single layer resulting from the junction of the two layers which together form the upper of the double sock; d) once again knitting of said single layer is transferred to a determined number of rows, the stitches of said single layer on the central transfer plate; e) the tubular knitting work is then continued over a length necessary to successively conform the inner layer of the ankle to the tip and the outer layer of the tip to the ankle; f) the row of stitches awaiting on the plate is then transferred again to the needle cylinder to join the two layers at a level close to the initial single intermediate layer and corresponding substantially to the level of the ankle; g) the open part of the tip is closed by remeshing or sewing. 6 - Method of knitting a double sock characterized by the following operations: a) a first row is knitted which is transferred to the central transfer plate of the machine where it is kept waiting; b) knitting is continued over an appropriate length to conform the inner layer substantially from the ankle to the tip and continuously the outer layer from the tip to the ankle, in particular by conforming the heel of the outer layer. c) the initial row is transferred for the first time from the central plate to the needle cylinder to knit a single layer resulting from the junction of the two inner and outer layers respectively.

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