GB2240993A - Improvements relating to the handling of hosiery - Google Patents

Abstract

A hose blank (B) is mounted on a hose carrier or loader (11) of a toe closer (T) by hanging the welt end of the blank on an expandable holder (10) while the holder is in a collapsed state, the holder (10) is expanded to stretch open the welt end and thereby positively retain it on the holder, and the remainder of the blank (B) is gathered into a suction chamber (14) forming a pant of the holder. The holder is then displaced toward the carrier (11) and when the holder is opposite an end of the carrier (11) the expanded part of the holder and the opened welt end are moved forward to dispose them about an end portion of the carrier (11), suction is released from the said chamber (14), and thereafter the holder is retracted to disengage it from the welt end while the welt end is prevented from slipping off the carrier (11). <IMAGE>

Description

"IMPROVEMENTS RELATING TO THE HANDLING OF HOSIERY" The present invention relates to improvements relating to the handling of hosiery.

More particularly, the invention is concerned with methods and apparatus which can simplify and accelerate the placement of items of hosiery on a hosiery processing machine. The machine may, or may not, be one which performs a seaming operation.

Primarily, but not exclusively, the invention is aimed at automatically loading, for the machine hand, tubular hose on hose supports of the processing machine.

This machine could be a toe closer, a boarding machine, or a hosiery packaging machine for instance.

The loading could be integrated with a transfer operation, which accomplishes the conveyance of hose from one processing machine and the mounting of hose on another processing machine. Exemplary pairs of machines which could be so served include line closer/toe closer or vice versa; toe closer/boarding machine and other machines well known in the hosiery manufacturing business. Either, both, or neither of the associated machines may perform seaming.

In the first instance, this invention was conceived to ease the factory hands' job of loading hose one-by-one onto a toe closing machine, although as will be appreciated from the foregoing the invention has wider application than this.

Toe closers such as Detexomat's SPEEDOMATIC HS and PANTIMATIC machines (see, for example GB-B-1,501,869t GB-B-1,577,758; GB-B-2,066,862; GB-B-2,074,203; US-A4,192,242 and US-A-4,383,490, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference) have reached such a state of development that hose blanks can be repetitively toe seamed within about 2.6 seconds per pair, or even faster. This involves the factory hand loading twolegged line-closed garment blanks on a PANTIMATIC machine continuously at the rate of about 2.6 seconds per garment or quicker. Such a rate of work is, indeed, within the capability of a good hand. It will be recognised that the factory hand handles one hose or garment blank in this time, which has two legs.

Of course, toe closing is not always performed on garment blanks, e.g. when stockings and various types of socks are being produced. Even in the production of pantihose, it may be preferred to toe close the legs individually, before they are made up into a pantihose garment. Desirably, individual hose legs should be toe closed at the same rate as pantihose, using similar machinery. The difficulty for the factory hand, however, is in loading individual hose items onto a toe closer capable of seaming two legs in the span of about 2.6 seconds or shorter. Such a toe closer demands that single leg blanks be loaded within about 1.3 seconds, if a throughput of about 2.6 seconds per pair is to be achieved. Simply, it is impracticable to expect a factory hand to pick-up, load and arrange a hose blank on a toe closer support all within 1.3 seconds, repetitively.Naturally, if the factory hand attempts and fails - to keep up with this production rate, faulty hose and/or machine stoppages are the result. The problems magnify if faster production rates are attempted.

The object of this invention is therefore to devise a way of simplifying and accelerating the placement of hosiery on a hosiery processing machine. In keeping with this object, the invention aims to provide a processing machine with a hose loading device which can relieve a factory hand of some of the hose loading actions, or can coact with a hose transfer means acting between two hose processing machines, to place hose on the second or receiving machine.

According to the present invention, there is provided a method of placing a hose blank on a hose carrier of a hosiery processing machine, comprising hanging the welt end of a hose blank on an expandable holder while the holder is in a collapsed state, expanding the holder to stretch open the welt end and thereby positively retain it on the holder, gathering the remainder of the blank into a suction chamber forming a part of the holder, advancing the holder and chamber toward the carrier and when the holder is opposite an end of the carrier effecting a first relative movement therebetween to dispose the expanded holder plus the opened welt end about an end portion of the carrier, releasing suction from the said chamber, and thereafter retracting the holder by a second relative movement opposite the first to disengage the holder from the welt end while the welt end is prevented from slipping off the carrier.

Also according to the present invention, there is provided a hosiery processing machine comprising a carrier for supporting a hose blank to be processed by the machine, an expandable, collapsed holder from which to suspend the hose blank to be processed by a welt end thereof, means to expand the holder for stretching open the welt end thereby positively to retain it on the holder, a suction chamber forming part of the holder and operable to gather in the remainder of the blank after expansion of the holder, means to advance the holder and chamber toward the carrier from a location spaced therefrom, and drive means operable, when the holder is opposite an end of the carrier, to effect (i) a first relative movement between the expanded holder and the carrier to dispose the former about an end portion of the carrier, for disposing the opened welt end about the carrier, and (ii) thereafter a second relative movement opposite to the first for disengaging the holder from the welt end to leave the latter mounted on the carrier.

The invention will now be described in more detail by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a partial perspective view of a hose processing machine according to the present invention; Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the interrelationship between a loading device of the machine, and a main hose-supporting part thereof; Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic end view of the loading device embodying this invention, as seen by a factory hand; Fig. 4 is a schematic view of a hose holder of the loading device, in a first working phase of the device; Fig. 5 is a schematic view of the holder of Fig.

4, in a second working phase; Fig. 6 is a schematic view similar to Figs. 4 and 5, showing the holder in a third working phase; Fig. 7 illustrates a mechanism for drawing a hose blank onto a hose carrier of the hose processing machine; and Figs. 8 and 9 illustrate end views of the holder depicted in Figs. 4 and 5, as seen from the left in those Figures.

Referring now to the drawings, Fig. 1 illustrates a hose processing machine embodying the invention. By way of example, the machine is a toe closer T but it could be a boarding machine or a packaging machine, for instance. Toe closer T can be constructed according to the principles taught in the foregoing patents.

According to the present invention, the toe closer T is furnished with a loading device L. In use, a factory hand is placed adjacent the junction between toe closer T and loader L. All the hand has to do is pick up hose blanks, one-by-one from a tray or basket, not shown, and hang the welt of each blank on a holder 10 of the loader L. In operation, the loader then translates or moves the holder 10 carrying a blank towards a carrier leg 11 of the toe closer T. It then presents the blank, with its welt opened, about the receiving carrier leg 11. The toe closer then takes over the blank. The toe closer thus draws the blank onto the carrier leg 11 and positions it appropriately thereon by means already known, in preparation for the subsequent toe seaming operation which the toe closer performs.

The toe closer T can toe seam a leg blank every 1.3 seconds or so, provided - of course - it is fed with a blank every 1.3 seconds or so. In turn, this requires the loader L to present blanks to the toe closer T at this rate, and for the factory hand to mount the blanks one-by-one on the loader L within 1.3 seconds or so.

Since the hand only has to pick up the blanks and simply hang them on the holder 10, the hand can readily keep pace with the toe closer.

In principle, the loader L could comprise but a single hose holder 10 which is driven to and fro to move between a hose collecting position adjacent the factory hand, and a hose presenting position adjacent the receiving carrier leg 11 of the toe closer T.

Preferably, the loader L has two or more identical hose holders 10, e.g. three as in the present embodiment, which is arranged to coact with a toe closer T of the kind which has a plurality of carrier legs 11 mounted on a rotatable turret or carousel 12, as is known. The loader L likewise has a rotatable turret or carousel 13 mounting the holders 10. By suitable shafting and gears, not shown, loader turret 13 is rotated in timed relation with the toe closer turret 12 so as to bring each of its holders 10 in turn into an operative conjunction with a carrier leg 11 for presenting a hose blank thereto. The turrets 12, 13 could rotate continuously, but the machinery is simplified if they index through stepwise rotational movements.

As the loader turret 13 rotates, each of its holders 10 moves from a hose collecting station I to a hose presenting station III via an intermediate station II, and then back again to station I. See Fig. 3. Each time a holder arrives at station I, the factory hand drapes a hose blank on the holder such that the holder enters the welt of the blank.

The arrangement and operation of a loader holder 10 will now be described with reference to Figs. 4 to 9.

The holder 10 is collapsible and expandable. It is collapsed at the hose collecting station and expanded when moved away from this station. The holder is expanded to retain a hose blank thereon and to open its welt end for presentation to the toe closer carrier leg 11. Allied with the holder 10 is a suction chamber or tube 14 which serves as a repository for the bulk of the hose blank save, of course, for the welt end held by the expandable holder 10.

The holder 10 comprises a set of arms 16 all pivoted at 18 to a suitable support 20, see Fig. 4. The arms 16 have free ends which are adjacent one another when the holder 10 is collapsed, for convenient reception of a blank - see Fig. 8. The arms 16 are preferably cranked as shown so that, when opened or expanded, end portions 16a which engage the welt of a blank are divergent towards their free ends - see Fig. 5. This prevents the blank from detaching inadvertently from the holder 10.

There are four arms 16 in the preferred holder 10, and when pivoted to the expanded holder condition, they open the welt of a blank to a square or rectangular shape as shown in Fig. 9. The welt is maintained in this shape for presentation to the toe closer carrier leg 11.

All four arms 16 are moved simultaneously between the collapsed and expanded conditions by drive means 22.

Drive means 22 can take a variety of forms. By way of example, drive means 22 can comprise a cam, a solenoid, a motor or a ram, e.g. a pneumatic ram, coupled through appropriate linkages to the respective arms 16. Each arm 16 could have a separate drive means 22, but ordinarily a single drive means will activate all four arms 16 in unison. Control of the drive means 22 can be by way of a photosensor 24. This can act to activate the drive means 22 to expand the holder 10, pivoting the arms 16 away from one another, when a hose blank is placed on the holder 10. When the blank is removed from the holder 10, the photosensor 24 can deactivate or reverse the drive means 22 to return the arms 16 and thus the holder 10 to the collapsed condition.Removal of the blank from the holder 10 occurs when the blank has been presented to the toe closer carrier leg 11 and taken over by the toe closer T.

After the holder 10 has received a hose thereon at Station I, and after it has expanded, suction is applied to tube 14 so as to gather in and retain the main part of the blank which is not held on and by the arms 16. For instance, when the turret 13 moves the justloaded holder 10 away from station I, a valve may be caused to open to communicate the suction tube to a suction system. Alternatively, after the holder 10 and allied suction tube move away from station I, the tube 14 may be brought into conjunction with an elongated suction port which extends towards station III, and is coupled to a suction system.

As described above, Fig. 4 represents the collapsed condition of the holder 10. It is in this condition at station I, when end portions 16a of the arms 16 are adjacent one another and together form a single post or peg on which the welt end of a hose blank is hung by the factory hand. At this time, no suction is exerted by suction tube 14.

Fig. 5 represents the expanded condition of the holder, and when suction has also been exerted in the suction tube. This condition applies between stations I and III. Fig. 5 shows the hose blank B as it is mounted on the loader L between these stations. The blank B is partially everted into the suction tube 14. The part 26 of the blank encompassing the end portions 16a of the arms is right-side out, as the blank is received by the factory hand.

Desirably, and as a comparison of Figs. 4 and 5 will reveal, the suction tube 14 is moved forwardly toward the free ends of the arms 16, to ensure it will capture and suck in the main bulk of the hose B.

Alternatively, or additionally, the arms 16 of the holder 10 may be moved rearwardly, toward the turret 13 and the open mouth of the suction tube 14. Rams, solenoids, or camming means activated by rotation of the turret 13, can be used to effect the desired movement of the suction tube 14, the holder 10, or both as desired by the machine constructor.

Fig. 6 shows the holder 10 at station III, when it is operatively juxtaposed with the toe closer carrier leg 11. The holder 10 presents the hose to the carrier leg 11 when it is disposed opposite to the free end of the carrier leg 11 at station III.

To present the hose blank B to the carrier leg 11, the holder 10 is moved forwardly past the free end of the carrier leg 11. The arms 16, still in the expanded condition, thereby encompass part of the free end of the leg 11. Part of the hose blank B, including the opened welt portion retained on the arms 16, is thus disposed around the leg 11. At about the time the holder 10 is moved forwardly (away from turret 13 and toward turret 12) suction in tube 14 is relieved. The toe closer T applies suction within the carrier leg 11, which - as is known - is used as a suction everter. The bulk of the hose blank is then sucked out of tube 14 and into the adjacent leg 11. Relief of suction in tube 14 can be timed to occur before, after or coincidentally with the forward movement of the holder 10. Application of suction to the leg 11 can be timed with similar freedom.

When the welt end of the hose blank B is disposed about the carrier leg 11 by the holder 10, it is located rearwardly of a welt catcher 28 (Fig. 7). Welt catcher 28 includes a hook 30 mounted alongside the carrier leg.

Once the welt has been placed to the rear of the hook 30, the holder 10 can be retracted toward the turret 13, in readiness to be returned to station I to repeat the loading process with another hose blank. The welt catcher 28 holds the welt against (a) suction in the leg 11 and (b) retraction with the holder 10.

Thereafter the welt catcher 28 executes a mounting stroke which pulls the blank, welt-first further onto the carrier leg 11, simultaneously drawing the blank B outwardly of the leg interior and over its exterior.

The welt catcher could draw the blank fully onto the exterior of the leg. In general, however, it is more convenient for the welt catcher only partially to draw the blank onto the leg, leaving a wind-on mechanism (known, and not shown) to complete the drawing of the blank B onto the carrier leg. When the blank B has been drawn fully onto leg 11, it is in an everted condition relative to the state in which the blank was delivered to the factory hand. The blank can now be subjected to the normal toe closing operations which may include toe and maybe heel positioning, toe clamping, toe seaming and ultimately discharge from the toe closer.

To and fro movement of the welt catcher 28 can be accomplished by a double acting cylinder/piston device, or by a reversible pulley/endless band system 32 driven by a motor M, as shown in Fig. 7.

The welt catcher 28 could be omitted, and for example be replaced by a clamp which holds the welt on the leg 11 until a wind-on mechanism is brought into action to draw the blank B onto the leg 11.

As described above, the holder 10 is moved forwardly to present the welt to the leg 11 and is then retracted. To this end, the loader L includes a holder displacing means 36 (see Fig. 4). The holder displacing means 36 can be linked to supporting means 20 so as to shift the arms 16 jointly to and fro. Alternatively it could be connected to the individual arms 16, which can be arranged to travel along guideways (not shown) under the action of the displacing means 36. The displacing means can take any convenient form, and can be selected inter alia from a motor driven lead screw, a pneumatic or hydraulic ram, a solenoid and a camming means responseive to rotation of the turret 13.

The equipment described hereinbefore can be constructed using principles well known to the deviser of hosiery manufacturing machinery, and by arranging for it to be powered by a take off from the toe closer, synchronous and reliable cooperation of loader L and toe closer T can be attained with a minimum of complexity.

Although the invention has been described in connection with a toe closer, the loader L can be embodied in other hosiery manufacturing machines which require a hose to be loaded welt first onto a machine support or carrier. Exemplary machines include line closers, boarding machines and packaging machines.

Again, the invention has been described in terms of a machine incorporating a loader L that is manually supplied with hose blanks to be processed by the machine.

The simple act of hanging the welt of a blank over a loading post (i.e. the contiguous free ends 16a of the arms of the collapsed holder 10) lends itself to the automated supply of hose to the loader L. Therefore, the loader L could comprise an important link in transferring hose blanks automatically from one hose processing machine to another.

Claims (16)

CLAIMS:

1. A method of placing a hose blank on a hose carrier of a hosiery processing machine, comprising hanging the welt end of a hose blank on an expandable holder while the holder is in a collapsed state, expanding the holder to stretch open the welt end and thereby positively retain it on the holder, gathering the remainder of the blank into a suction chamber forming a part of the holder, advancing the holder and chamber toward the carrier and when the holder is opposite an end of the carrier effecting a first relative movement therebetween to dispose the expanded holder plus the opened welt end about an end portion of the carrier, releasing suction from the said chamber, and thereafter retracting the holder by a second relative movement opposite the first to disengage the holder from the welt end while the welt end is prevented from slipping off the carrier.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the hose blank is pulled welt end first more fully onto the carrier while disengaging the holder therefrom, the hosepulling step preventing the welt end from slipping off the carrier.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the welt end is clamped to the carrier while disengaging the holder therefrom, thereby preventing the welt end from slipping off the carrier.

4. A method according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein a plurality of hose blanks are sequentially hung on a plurality of holders which are carried by a carousel, the carousel is rotated to bring the holders in turn to each of a plurality of carriers of the hosiery processing machine, and the blanks are each deposited in turn on respective carriers of the machine.

5. A method according to any of claims 1, 2, 3 or 4, wherein the or each hose blank is mechanically or pneumatically off-loaded from a first hosiery processing machine after a processing operation has been performed thereby, the blank is transported by a conveying means to the holder and is hung thereon, and by operation of the holder is deposited on a carrier of a second hosiery processing machine for processing thereby, and at least one of the two processing machines is operative to perform a seaming operation on the hose blank.

6. A method of placing a hose blank on a hose carrier of a hosiery processing machine, substantially s herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

7. A hosiery processing machine comprising a carrier for supporting a hose blank to be processed by the machine, an expandable, collapsed holder from which to suspend the hose blank to be processed by a welt end thereof, means to expand the holder for stretching open the welt end thereby positively to retain it on the holder, a suction chamber forming part of the holder and operable to gather in the remainder of the blank after expansion of the holder, means to advance the holder and chamber toward the carrier from a location spaced therefrom, and drive means operable, when the holder is opposite an end of the carrier, to effect (i) a first relative movement between the expanded holder and the carrier to dispose the former about an end portion of the carrier, for disposing the opened welt end about the carrier, and (ii) thereafter a second relative movement opposite to the first for disengaging the holder from the welt end to leave the latter mounted on the carrier.

8. A machine according to claim 7, wherein the drive means is adapted to move the holder away from and toward the suction chamber, toward and away from a free end of the carrier.

9. A machine according to claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the holder comprises a plurality of arms having foe ends which are contiguous in a collapsed state of the holder and form a post or peg on which the welt end is, in use hung.

10. A machine according to claim 7, 8, or 9, wherein the holder is movable in a lateral direction toward the carrier and then in an axial direction for depositing a hose blank on the carrier.

11. A machine according to claim 7, 8, 9 or 10, wherein there are a plurality of identical holders and suction chambers mounted on a carousel rotatable to move each holder in turn into juxtaposition with a respective one of a plurality of carriers, for hose blanks held by separate holders to be deposited in turn on the respective carriers.

12. A machine according to any of claims 7 to 11, further including clamp means associated with the carrier for gripping the hose blank during disengagement of the holder therefrom.

13. A machine according to any of claims 7 to 11, further including hose pulling means engageable with a hose blank and operative to pull the blank onto the carrier during disengagement of the holder from the blank.

14. A machine according to any of claims 7 to 13, which comprises a toe closer.

15. A machine according to any of claims 7 to 14, in combination with a second hosiery processing machine, means to convey a hose blank from the second machine to the holder, and means to suspend the blank from the holder by placement of its welt thereon.

16. A hosiery processing machine substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.