JP2005501187A

JP2005501187A - Method and apparatus for opening an edge of a tubular knitted article or similar article

Info

Publication number: JP2005501187A
Application number: JP2003523741A
Authority: JP
Inventors: マニ，アントニオ
Original assignee: ゴールデンレデイソチエタペルアチオーニ
Priority date: 2001-08-28
Filing date: 2002-08-19
Publication date: 2005-01-13
Also published as: WO2003018903A1; KR20040035746A; EP1421236A1; CA2458557A1; RU2004109137A; BR0212231A; ITFI20010163A1; US20040244431A1; MXPA04001817A; CN1549879A; PL368621A1

Abstract

装置が、複数の物品を挿入する管状部材（５Ａ；５Ｂ）と；第一閉鎖位置と第二開放位置との間を動くことができ、前記管状部材の一方の出口端部に配置された複数の把持部材（４９）と；前記前記管状部材の前記出口端部に関連し、管状部材に挿入された管状物品を前記複数の把持部材に向かって案内して、その方向に向ける複数の案内及び方向設定手段（７１、７３）と；を備える。A tubular member (5A; 5B) for inserting a plurality of articles; a plurality of devices arranged between a first closed position and a second open position and arranged at one outlet end of said tubular member A gripping member (49); a plurality of guides associated with the outlet end of the tubular member, for guiding a tubular article inserted into the tubular member toward the plurality of gripping members, Direction setting means (71, 73);

Description

【技術分野】
【０００１】
本発明は、管状物品、例えばストッキングまたはソックスのような管状編成物品の末端縁部を開く装置に関連するものである。
【背景技術】
【０００２】
ソックス、ストッキング、パンティストッキング及び別の管状編成物品の製造の際に、物品の縁部を開くため多数の機械的動作を行う必要性が生じる。それらの物品は編み機、典型的には円形編み機を利用して作られるもので、それは半分完成した物品を降ろして、その最初の縁部と末端の縁部の両方が開いている。末端縁部を次に、物品のつま先を閉じるため縫い合わせるか、繋げる必要がある。
【０００３】
この動作は、例えば編み機によって事前に解放された物品をバスケットまたは容器の中に、ミシン部材へ配置することを含んでいる。これは通常、手または複雑な機械ハンドリングシステムによって行われている。同様に、別の環境で次の動作を行うため、例えば物品を包装する前に複数のソックスまたは一対のソックスをアイロンがけするために、物品を開く必要がある。
【発明の開示】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
【０００４】
本発明の目的は、管状物品の端部または縁部、すなわち典型的にはソックスまたはストッキングの縁部を簡単、確実且つ完全に自動的に開く装置を作ることである。
【０００５】
本発明の別の概念によると、別の目的は管状編成物品、典型的にストッキングまたはソックスの最初の縁部を簡単、確実且つ自動的に開く方法を実現することである。
【課題を解決するための手段】
【０００６】
それら及び別の目的と利点は、その技術の専門家が以下の記載を読むと理解するように、装置が特に、物品を挿入する管状部材と；前記管状部材の出口端部において第一閉鎖位置と第二開放位置との間を動ける、複数の可動把持部材と；前記管状部材に挿入された管状物品を前記把持部材へ向かって案内し且つ方向を確定させるため、前記管状部材の前記出口端部に関連した案内及び方向設定手段と；を備えることによって達成される。
【０００７】
管状物品が、管状部材に沿って案内され、物品の縁部が、それを開く把持部材に達する。
【０００８】
本発明による装置の特別有利な実施形態によると、案内及び方向設定手段が、管状部材の個々の出口端部から管状部材の内側に向かって延びる、二つの平衡輪郭形成本体（counterpoised contoured bodies）を備え、前記平衡輪郭形成本体が相互に前記物品用の通路を画定している。通路の横断面が、縁部を折り畳んで平らにして管状物品を予定の方向に配置するために伸長し得、方向はこの通路の横断面の長手伸長部によって決定される。これにより、把持部材によって管状物品を把持して開くことを容易にする。この場合、四つの把持部材が軸の周囲で相互に90°で配置されていると、有利であると考えられる。第一対の把持部材が、管状物品の通路の展開方向に整列され、別の二つの把持部材が相互直交方向に配置される。
【０００９】
本発明の現在可能な好ましい実施形態によると、前記二つの輪郭形成本体の各々が前記物品の出所の方向に面する傾斜した案内及び方向設定表面を設けており、二つの輪郭形成本体の傾斜表面が対向した傾斜部を有している。例えば、案内表面が本質的に平らな部分と本質的に螺旋状の部分を設けることができる。この形状が、案内及び方向設定手段によって画定された長く狭い通路の内側の必要な位置に配置するために、到達した物品を向ける。加えて、輪郭形成本体は平坦な横表面を設けている。二つの平坦表面は好ましくは、互いに管状部材の軸に関して平行で、管状物品の長い横断面通路を横方向に画定する。
【００１０】
本発明の特別有利な実施形態において、前記二つの輪郭形成本体の各々が三つの部分から成り；二つの横部分が前記管状部材に関して可動なユニットに組み込まれており、中間部分が前記管状部材に組み込まれ；前記管状部材と前記ユニットが相互に移動でき、ユニットを管状部材の出口端部から引き離す。有利には可動ユニットが把持部材を挿入するハウジングを持つことができる。
【００１１】
可能な形態によると、把持部材が管状部材の軸を囲む環状構造体によって支持され、且つ前記管状部材の軸と平行に移動する。開放部材が、把持部材によって事前に開いた管状物品の縁部を開くため、この環状構造体に配置できる。把持部材が例えば、管状部材の軸に平行な複数の伸縮自在ステムにより構成できる。それらのステムは、管状物品の縁部を管状部材の外表面上で裏返すため、その軸に関して平行に移動できる。
【００１２】
特に有利な実施形態において、管状部材を把持して開くため二つの平衡把持部材から成る第一の対を最初に制御することによって、前記第一の対の移動後、管状部材を把持して開くために相互に平衡する把持部材の第二の対の移動を制御することによって、把持部材が動作される。
【００１３】
把持部材が、好ましくは吸引部材であるが、例えば挟み具または別の機械手段の形をした何か別の方法で、作ることができる。
【００１４】
管状物品を管状部材の中に吸い込むため、管状部材が有利には吸引管に接続され得、その開口部が前記管状部材の出口端部に関して、前記把持部材の逆側に配置される。しかし別の実施形態によると、吸引が空気を利用したタイプであれば、吸引が把持部材によって直接得られる。この場合、管状部材の出口端部が遮断及び閉鎖手段に関連しており、それは管状物品が外部へ逃げるのを防止し、同様に外部から吸い込み空気を取り入れないようにする。もし吸い込みが、管状部材の出力端部に一時的に取り付けられる吸引管によって得られると、管状部材に吸引管内を通さない遮断部材が、把持部材に対応した管状物品停止部を形成するために備えられる。
【００１５】
伸縮性管状物品、特に管状編成物品の端部を開く本発明による方法は、以下の段階：
前記物品を管状部材の一方の端部へ空気により運ぶ段階；
前記物品の端部を複数の把持ユニットに関して予定に位置に向ける段階；
開く端部に対応して前記物品を前記把持部材によって保持する段階；
把持部材を開いて、物品の前記端部を開く段階；
を含んでいる。
【００１６】
本発明による装置及び方法の実施形態の更なる有利な特徴と形式を、添付図面に図示し、以下で更に詳しく記載する。
【００１７】
以下の記載において、物品の方向画定及び配置手段と、物品の縁部を開く部材は、物品を第一ステーションから第二ステーションへ、その逆にも運ぶ特別な機構と共に、先端部を閉じるための特別な装置に関連して記載する。しかし、その解釈に束縛されるものではない。本発明は異なる状況で実行し、異なる装置に挿入でき、後に別のタイプの機械に運ばれる物品を、開くことを単に目的としてもよい。
【発明を実施するための最良の形態】
【００１８】
本発明は、実用的で本発明を制限しない実施例を示した添付図面と、次の記載によってより理解されるであろう。
【実施例１】
【００１９】
図１、図１Ａ及び図２は編み機、典型的に、ソックス、ストッキングなどのような管状物品の製造に関する円形編み機に適用可能な本発明による装置を示している。その装置は、通常は参照符号１で示されており、図２における参照符号２は図解的に既知のタイプの円形編み機を示しており、本質的に装置１に組み合わされている。
【００２０】
装置１は相互に平行な管状部材５Ａ、５Ｂを支持する支持部３を備えている。支持部３は、第二管状部材５Ａ、５Ｂの軸に平行な軸Ａ−Ａにおいて回る。支持部３の回転動作は、固定フレーム９の上に配置され且つ、固定フレームによって支持されたアクチュエータ７によって制御される。回転動作は、支持部と管状部材の必然的な上方への動作によって行うことができ、管状部材は管状部材の下端部を囲む機械部品との（回転中の）衝突を避けるため、利用される。
【００２１】
支持部３は軸Ａ−Ａにおいて180°回り、二つの管状部材５Ａ、５Ｂが隣接する二つのステーションに選択的に配置される。動作が、交互の動作または回転方向を逆転することなく断続的な回転動作をできる。
【００２２】
開放手段が第一ステーションに配置されており、そこで管状部材５Ａが図１Ａ及び図１Ｂに配置されている。開放手段は把持手段を備え、開放手段は第一ステーションにおいて管状部材の中に供給されて、管状部材自体の外表面上で伸縮縁部を開ける各物品の伸縮縁部を保持するためのものである。加えて、管状部材の外表面上で管状物品を逆転する手段を備えている。それらの配置部材の合体構成が図１において符号１１で一般的に示されており、それらの部材の一部をより明らかにするため、図１では取り除かれている。
【００２３】
角度配置手段と張引手段が第二ステーションに配置されており、前記手段が前記手段は一般的に参照符号１３によって示されており、管状物品のつま先を引いて閉じるもので、閉鎖手段１５、特にミシンは、縫い合わせまたは別の動作（例えば繋ぎ合わせ）によって物品のつま先を閉じるためのものである。
【００２４】
物品のつま先を準備して閉じるそれぞれの段階を、以下で詳しく記載する。
【００２５】
編み機２によって作られた管状物品が、角度90°で形成された末端湾曲部１７Ａを有し且つ、一時的に第一ステーションに位置する管状部材５Ａ、５Ｂの一方の第一端部に面した空気移送管１７を介して、装置１へ供給されるようになっており、管状部材５Ａが図１、図１Ａ、図２に示された位置にある。空気移送管１７が、編み機２の針シリンダーの下部分から延びる導管１９に接続されている。参照符号２１によって一般的に示されたインターセプション手段が、管１７と導管１９との間に配置されている。
【００２６】
編み機２によって作られ、針から抜き取られる物品に必要な吸引が、以下で記載するように、管状部材５Ａまたは５Ｂを介して発生させられ、管状部材はインターセプション部材２１を開いたままにしている。
【００２７】
管状物品が、第二ステーションにおいてミシン１５によって閉じられた後、第一ステーションへ再び運ばれて、吸引され、空気抜き取り導管２３を介して取り外される。このために、導管２３が空気移送管１７に接続され、次に吸引装置（図示せず）に接続される取付部２５に接続されている。
【００２８】
物品がつま先を閉じた後に再挿入され、物品が管状部材５Ａまたは５Ｂの内側から吸い込まれ、管１７に沿って、更に導管２３を通って箱２７に到達し、そこで実質的に既知の方法で抜き取られる。この段階でインターセプション手段２１が閉じられている。完成した物品を抜き取った後、新しい物品が導管１９と移送管１７を介して吸い込まれる。
【００２９】
この点に関して記載した装置は、以下のように働く。機械２によって作られた第一の物品が、導管１９と移送管１７を介して吸引され、管状部材５Ａに到達する。機械２によって作られる物品が、伸縮縁部から始まり、つま先で終了するので、物品が管状部材Ａに、伸縮縁部が先に、その後すなわち前進方向に関して下流につま先が到達する。管状部材５Ａの下端部に到達すると、物品が符号１１で通常示される部材によって、管状部材５Ａの外表面上で裏返され、それは下記で詳しく記載する。
【００３０】
配置した後、支持部３を180°回して、管状部材５Ａ、５Ｂの位置をひっくり返して、管状部材５Ａを第二ステーションに位置にし、管状部材５Ｂに第一ステーションを取らせる。ここで物品のつま先が、欧州特許出願公開明細書 EP-A-1118700 などに記載されているものと本質的に似た方法により、引っ張られて縫い合わされる。
【００３１】
張引及び縫い合わせ動作の間、機械２からの別の物品が、第一ステーションに一時的に位置した管状部材５Ｂに挿入される。物品が管状部材５Ｂの外表面上で裏返され、つま先を閉じる準備をする。
【００３２】
第二ステーションにおいて第一の物品のつま先を閉じて、第二の物品を第一ステーションに配置した後、支持部３が180°回って、図１に示された形態に管状部材５Ａ、５Ｂを戻す。第一の物品が吸引され、管１７と導管２３に沿って抜き取られると、次の物品を案内できるようになり、その間に第二ステーションで第二の物品のつま先を閉じる。
【００３３】
第一ステーションまたは第二ステーションにおいてつま先を閉じた後、物品を二度目の裏返しをでき、第一ステーションまたは第二ステーションは両方とも以下で図示するような動作を行う手段を備えている。
【００３４】
上記のように、装置１は二つの物品に対して二つステーションで同時に作業することによって、つま先閉鎖動作を行うことができ、その間に物品が機構３、５Ａ、５Ｂによって運ばれることは明らかである。この方法で、二つを重ね合わせた部分を閉じるために必要である。結果的につま先を閉じるのに必要な総時間が減らされ、装置１がそれに組み合わされる編み機２からの全ての物品を閉じることができる。
【００３５】
図３〜図７は、管状物品を別の管状部材５ａ、５ｂの一方または他方の内側の空気移送管１７によって、個々に供給し、管状物品を開いて裏返す部材を詳細に示している。
【００３６】
部材１１の組立体が、第一ステーションにおいて管状部材５Ａまたは５Ｂと同軸に一時的に配置された、環状構造体３１によって支持されている。環状構造体３１が、摺動部３３によって支持されており（図１、図１Ａ）、摺動部が管状部材５Ａ、５Ｂの軸に平行な垂直案内部３６上を移動する。環状構造体が、複数の放射状に可動な押圧部３５を支持し、その各々が個々のアクチュエータ（３７）に関連している（特に図４参照）。以下で詳しく記載するように、押圧部３５が管状部材５Ａまたは５Ｂの外表面上で管状物品を裏返し、また補助的に機能する。
【００３７】
放射状に配置した押圧部３５の上に、環状構造体３１が四個のアクチュエータ３９、例えばシリンダーピストンアクチュエータを支持しており、それらが案内部４３に沿って動く個々の摺動部４１の動作を制御しており、摺動部は管状部材５Ａ、５Ｂの軸に対して直角である。各摺動部４１が空気把持部材を支持している。第一対の（相互に対置した）把持部材が参照符号４５Ａで示されており、第二対の把持部材が参照符号４５Ｂによって示されている。案内部材と摺動部４１の動作が、二重矢印ｆ４１によって示されている。
【００３８】
各把持部材は、管４９の第一端部に付けられる吸引ヘッド４７を設けており、管の第二端部が可撓管によって吸引ラインに接続されている。可撓管と吸引ラインは、図面を簡略化するために示していない。
【００３９】
個々のステム５１（詳細には図６Ａ及び６Ｂを参照）が、各把持部材４５Ａ、４５Ｂに関連している。ステムが、閉じるべき物品のつま先とは逆側の管状物品の縁部を開く開放手段を形成している。
【００４０】
各ステムが、個々の摺動部４１と一体型の案内部５５上で移動する摺動部５３によって支持されている。各摺動部５３は、個々の摺動部４１に組み込まれた付属部分５９に、牽引バネ５７によって止められており、四つのステム５１が環状構造部３１と管状部材５Ａ及び５Ｂの軸方向に、弾性応力が加えられ、それを以下で描写する。
【００４１】
移動ユニットが、環状構造体３１の下に配置されている。移動ユニットが、支持部６３によって支えられた吸引管６１の上端部を成しており、支持部が矢印ｆ６３に関して（概略的に参照符号６４によって表される）アクチュエータによって、垂直方向に可動且つ制御される。管６１が可撓管によって吸引源に接続されている（両方とも図面に示されていない）。
【００４２】
図５で明確に図示したように、装置の別の構成要素から分離した吸引管６１を示しており、吸引管６１の上部分が把持部材４５Ａ、４８Ｂを通すハウジングを形成しており、それは参照符号６５によって示されている。ハウジング６５の下に、把持部から成るインターセプション部材６７を設けており、それが吸引された管状部材が管の内部を貫通するのを止める。
【００４３】
四個の輪郭形成付属部分が、個々に参照符号７１Ａ、７１Ｂ及び７３Ａ、７３Ｂによって示されており、四個のハウジング６５の間の吸引管６１上に作られている。付属部分７１Ａ及び７３Ｂは相互に対称的である。同じように、付属部分７１Ｂ、７３Ｂも相互に対称的である。
【００４４】
相互に対称的な輪郭形成付属部分７１Ｃ、７３Ｃが、管状部材５Ａ、５Ｂの各々の内部に備えられており、図５では個々の管状部材から分離して示されている。輪郭形成付属部分７１Ｃ、７３Ｃの形状が、輪郭形成付属部分７１Ａ、７１Ｂ、７３Ａ、７３Ｂに関して相補的で、吸引管６１と一体型で、付属部分７１Ｃが輪郭形成本体を形成する付属部分７１Ａと７１Ｂとの間に挿入され、その付属部材の形状は、付属部分７３Ｃを付属部分７３Ａと７３Ｂとの間に挿入した時、付属部分７３Ａ、７３Ｂ、７３Ｃによって形成されたものに関して対称的になる。二つの対称的な輪郭形成本体は、図６Ａ及び図６Ｂにおいて参照符号７１及び７３によって通常示されており、それらは単独部分で作られたように示しており、輪郭形成本体の形状を明確に見せるため各管状部材５Ａ、５Ｂを取り除いたものである。
【００４５】
吸引管６１は、装置１の第一ステーションに一時的に位置する管状部材５Ａまたは５Ｂに関して、二重矢印ｆ６３の方向に可動であり、装置１は以下で詳しく述べるように、把持部材４５Ａ、４５Ｂによって管状物品を開くことができる。
【００４６】
付属部分７１Ａ、７１Ｂ、７１Ｃと７３Ａ、７３Ｂ、７３Ｃを結合させることによって形成された輪郭形成本体７１、７３が、管状部材５Ａまたは５Ｂの下端部に到達する管状物品を案内し且つ方向を確定する手段を形成している。この目的のため、輪郭形成本体７１及び７３が三個の種々の主に輪郭形成表面を設けている。各本体が参照符号Ｓ_７１及びＳ_７３によって示された第一円筒形表面を設けており、相互に管状部材５Ａまたは５Ｂの内側円筒形表面に対応している。加えて、各本体が参照符号Ｘ_７１及びＸ_７３によって示された方向を確定し案内する表面を設けている。それらの表面の展開部は、本質的に平らで上領域で傾斜して、下領域で本質的にらせん状になっている。表面Ｘ_７１及びＸ_７３が管状部材の端部に面しており、そこから管状編成物品が方向を確定され且つ案内されて出る。更に各輪郭形成本体７１、７３が、参照符号Ｙ_７１及びＹ_７３によって示された第三の平坦な表面を設けており、それら第三の平坦な表面が管状部材５Ａ、５Ｂの出口の近くでは、二個の輪郭形成本体の下領域において互いに平行で且つ、縦断面で編成物品の通過領域を画定する個々の管状部材５Ａ、５Ｂの軸に関して平行である。
【００４７】
輪郭形成本体７１及び７３の組み合わせにより、管状部材５Ａまたは５Ｂの内部に到達する管状物品を方向設定し、案内する。管状物品の適所における輪郭形成本体７１、７３の構造の効果が、図７Ａ〜図７Ｆに詳しく図示されており、図７Ａは二つの輪郭形成本体７１、７３の斜視図であり、図７Ｂ〜図７Ｆは図７Ａにおける参照符号Ｂ、Ｃ、Ｄ、Ｅ、Ｆによって示された位置で、管状部材５Ａまたは５Ｂの軸に対して直角な平面に関する断面である。それらの図面において、参照符号Ｍが管状物品を示しており、また物品自体の伸縮縁部の横断面を図示している。図７Ａにおいて、物品Ｍが、伸縮縁部を四つに折り畳んで、表面Ｙ_７１、Ｙ_７３に関して直角方向を向けて示されている。これは、物品が空気移送管１７から出てくることができる可能な形態の一つである。一般的に、物品Ｍが常にこの方法で適切に折り畳まれるが、管状部材の軸においてどの角度方向にも折り畳まれる。
【００４８】
輪郭形成本体７１、７３上で矢印ｆＭに前進して、物品Ｍが表面Ｘ_７１及びＸ_７３と衝突して、強制的に回され、最初の位置すなわち表面Ｙ_７１、Ｙ_７３に対して平行な配置に関して最大で90°回して向けると仮定する。物品Ｍが輪郭形成本体７１、７３と干渉する時、その表面Ｘ７１、Ｘ７３が参照符号Ｍ１によって示された最終的な位置に、またはこの位置に関して180°回して、図面７Ａ〜７Ｆに示されているように、表面Ｙ_７１、Ｙ_７３と常に平行な位置に、物品を持っていくため回転させることが可能である。これにより、以下で図示するようない前に記載した部材によって物品を開いて裏返すことを容易にできる。
【００４９】
図６Ａ及び図６Ｂで明らかに、また図８Ａにも詳細に、管状部材５Ａ、５Ｂの一方の上端部を示しており、上端部は各々二つの同軸管状要素から成っており、図８Ａにおいて内側要素及び外側要素を互いに参照符号５Ｘ及び５Ｙによって示している。管状要素５Ｘが、支持部３によって直接支えられる管状要素５Ｙの内側で、短い距離だけ摺動できる。二つの管状要素５Ｘと５Ｙとの間の間隙に収納されるらせん状圧縮ネジ６が、内側管状要素５Ｘに上へ応力を加える、すなわち管状要素５Ｙの頂部から突出させるのに役立つ。輪郭形成本体７１、７３（または正確にはそれらの一部分７１Ｃ、７３Ｃ）が、個々の管状要素５Ａ、５Ｂの内側管状要素５Ｘに組み込まれる。
【００５０】
図８Ｂに図示され且つ以下に記載する部材によって、内側管状要素５Ｘが下方へ押すことができ、管状要素５Ｙの内側で摺動して、バネ６の弾力を超える。
【００５１】
このため（図８Ｂ参照）、空気移送管１７がカラー１７Ｄを設けた入れ子式伸長部分１７Ｃで終端している。部分１７Ｃの下向き伸長部が、一対のシリンダーピストンアクチュエータ１８によって制御され、その一方が図８Ｂで見ることができ、両方が図１、図１Ａ、図２で見ることができる。部分１７Ｃを下方へ移動させることによって、カラー１７Ｄが対応するカラー５Ｚで止まり、それが管状部材５Ａまたは５Ｂの内側管状要素５Ｘに組み込まれ、管状要素５Ｘを下方へ押すことによって、第一ステーションに一時的に位置する。これにより内側管状要素５Ｘを内側管状要素５Ｙに入れ子式に摺動させ、空気移送管１７を管状部材５Ａまたは５Ｂに空気圧的に接続し、機械２から移送管１７から物品を管状部材５Ａまたは５Ｂへ運ぶ。管状要素５Ｘ、５Ｙの関連する入れ子式摺動機能は、管状物品を裏返す方法を記載した段落で明らかになるであろう。
【００５２】
次につま先を閉じるために第一ステーションに配置された管状部材５Ａまたは５Ｂに、管状物品を配置する装置の動作を以下で例証する。
【００５３】
以下に記載する動作は、管状部材５Ａ及び管状部材５Ｂにおいて選択的に行われる。記載されたその動作は、管状部材５Ａを参照して説明する。管状部材５Ａが管状物品Ｍを機械２から受け取ると仮定する。アクチュエータ７が、管状部材５Ａを図１、図１Ａの位置に配置するような角度位置に支持部３を配置する。アクチュエータ６３が吸引管６１を上方へ移動させ、吸引管に組み合わさった付属部分７１Ａ、７１Ｂ、７３Ａ、７３Ｂに管状部材５Ａの内部を通させて、（付属部分７１Ｃ、７３Ｃと共に）輪郭形成本体７１、７３を完成させる。入れ子式部分１７Ｄが下げられ、空気圧により管１７を管状部材５Ａの内部に接続する。真空が導管１９、空気移送管１７及び管状部材５Ａ内で、吸引管６１によって（インターセプション手段２１を開いて）発生させられる。機械２によって編まれた物品が完成するとすぐに、物品が針によって解放され、管状部材５Ａに向かって吸引される。物品が伸縮縁部とつま先の両方に沿って開かれる。物品は空気路に沿って伸縮縁部を前に、つま先を後ろにして移動する。
【００５４】
空気径路内部の真空は、管状物品Ｍが吸引管６１に組み合わされたグリッド６７に対して衝突するまで、管状物品Ｍを引っ張る。案内及び方向設定手段を形成する輪郭形成本体７１、７３を設けたことにより、物品がいずれかの位置にある管状部材５Ａに到達し、物品がグリッド６７に接触する時、把持部材４５Ａ、４５Ｂの近くに持ってこられた管状部材５Ａの軸に関して、直角な断面を示した図９Ａ及び図９Ｂに概略的に図示された、二つの位置の一方に配置される。
【００５５】
物品Ｍの到着に先立って、把持部材４５Ａ、４５Ｂが図９Ａ及び９Ｂに示されたように配置され：対向配置した把持部材４５Ａが、対向配置した把持部材４５Ｂよりも間隔を空けている。部材４５Ａは、輪郭形成本体７１、７３の下部分において、表面Ｙ_７１、Ｙ_７３によって画定されたより大きな寸法の伸長断面間隙に対応する方向に整列させ、部材４５Ｂが寸法の大きな部分に対して直交する方向に整列させている。
【００５６】
把持手段４５Ａ、４５Ｂがグリップ６７の上に直接配置されるので、それらは編み機２から到達したソックスの伸縮縁部または管状物品が配置され、以下に記載するようにこの縁部を把持することができ、管状部材５Ａの外表面上で物品を開いて裏返す。
【００５７】
物品Ｍが図９Ａ、９Ｂに示した一方または他方の位置に達すると、吸引管６１による吸引が遮断され、対向配置した把持部材４５Ｂを相互に閉じることができ、図１０に示されたように管状物品Ｍに対して押させる。この位置に達すると、吸引を把持部材４５Ｂを介して作用させることができ、把持部材が二つの対向配置領域で管状物品の縁部を掴むようにできる。同時に、アクチュエータによって吸引管６１を下方へ移動して、引き離すことができる。この方法で、間隙が把持部材４５Ａ、４５Ｂの周囲に形成され、前記把持部材が管状部材５Ａの下縁部の下に位置する。
【００５８】
個々のアクチュエータ３９によって制御される把持部材４５Ｂの開放動作は、それにより管状物品Ｍを開き、それは管状部材５Ａの下方出口から突出した領域で図１１に示された位置を想定する。
【００５９】
続いて、把持部材４５Ａを相互に接近させ、図１２に示されているように、二つの把持部材４５Ｂの間にある領域で、管状物品Ｍの縁部に対して押圧させる。管状物品Ｍを把持物品４５Ａの二つの前表面の間で押した後、物品が内部で吸引力の発生によって作用を受け、管状物品が部材によって引き込まれる。把持部材４５Ａが次に開放動作して、物品Ｍを完全に開き、それは図１３に示された位置を想定する。
【００６０】
図１４が、管状部材５Ａの縦断面を示しており、物品Ｍの伸縮縁部を開いている。参照符号ＭＢが物品の伸縮縁部を示しており、参照符号ＭＰがつま先を示しており、すなわちそれは装置１の第二ステーションに近づいた後に、物品の閉じたつま先を形成するために役立つ縁部である。図１５及び図２０は、同じ断面で管状部材５Ａ上において管状物品Ｍを裏返す動作を示している。
【００６１】
図１５において、ステム１５が管状物品Ｍの開口縁部ＭＢの内側に挿入されている。把持部材とそれにもはや付いていない縁部ＭＢの繊維を止めた後、ステムが縁部を抑える。アクチュエータ３９が、図１５において矢印で示されているように、ステム５１を開いて、図１６に示された位置に到達させる。ここで四個のステム５１（断面では二個だけ表わしている）が、物品Ｍの縁部ＭＢを管状部材５Ａの入り口から離れて配置して、広く開いた位置にある。開放動作が異なる手段によって、例えば機械タイプの把持手段の単独セットによっても行われることを含んでいる。しかし、個々で記載した配置は、物品を形成する繊維を偶発的に損傷させるのを避けるので、特に信頼性がある。
【００６２】
図１４及び図１５に示されているように、物品Ｍの縁部ＭＢを開いた時、内側管状要素５Ｘが引き込み位置、すなわち管状部材５Ｙに沿って引き込んだ位置にある。これは空気移送管１７のカラー１７Ｄ及び部分１７Ｃを上方へ戻すこと（図８Ｂ）によって、得られる。逆に図１６において、内側管状部材５Ｘが下方位置に再び押され、入口を外側管状要素５Ｙの入口に整列させる。この動作は、管状部材５Ａの下入口に関して管状要素５Ｘと一体型の付属部分７１Ｃ、７３Ｃの位置を変化させる。
【００６３】
ステム５１を支える環状構造体３１の矢印ｆ３１による上向きの動作が、図１７及び図１８に示したように、物品Ｍの伸縮縁部ＭＢを管状部材５Ａの外表面上で裏返される。ステム５１が引き込まれる。
【００６４】
物品Ｍの縁部ＭＢを管状部材５Ａの外表面上で返した後、放射状配置押圧部を縁部自体に対して押して、加えて前記放射状配置押圧部を支える構造体３１も、上方へ移動させられる（図１９、図２０参照）。このようにして、放射状配置押圧部３５が、管状物品Ｍを裏返しながら内側から管状部材５Ａの外表面へ移動させ、閉じるつま先の縁部によって形成された縁部ＭＰを、管状部材の外表面に持っていく。構造体３１の一回以上の運動が長い物品の場合必要であり、開いて放射状配置した押圧部３５を上方へ移動させ、管状部材５Ａにおいて閉じた放射状配置押圧部３５によって、再び下方へ移動させる。
【００６５】
閉じたつま先を形成するために縁部ＭＰを、管状部材５Ａの外表面上へ持っていく時、すなわち物品Ｍが完全に裏返されて、管状部材の外表面上にある時、その順序は管状部材５Ａを支える支持部３を上昇させて、180°回し、つま先を閉じる第二ステーションへ降ろす。
【００６６】
最初に縁部ＭＰを整列させて、管状部材５Ａの入口縁部に対して平行にする必要がある。この動作は、第一ステーションまたは第二ステーションにおいて行うことができ、図２１Ａ〜２１Ｄの図面に図示されている。図２１Ａにおいて、物品Ｍを管状部材５Ａの外表面上で全体的に裏返し、閉じたつま先を形成するための縁部ＭＰを、管状部材５Ａの末端縁部に関して一時的に不規則な引き込み位置に配置される。放射状配置押圧部３５が、管状部材の末端領域に対応して、縁部ＭＰの下に配置され、管状部材の外表面に近づく。縁部ＭＰを合わせるため押圧部を上げて、縁部ＭＰを全ての押圧部３５で確実に静止するのに充分な距離分、上方へ摺動させる（図２１Ｂ）。この方法で、縁部ＭＰが頂部接平面上に位置する典型的な円周上に好ましく配置される。この点で、押圧部３５を開いて、更に縁部ＭＰのすぐ上の高さまで上方へ移動させ、閉じて管状物品Ｍを押す。その次の段階で、閉じた押圧部を下げて、図２１Ｄの形態では縁部ＭＰを管状部材５Ａの下末端縁部と整列させている。その工程を、例えば光センサー（図示せず）によって制御できる。図２１Ｄにおいて、縁部ＭＰが管状部材の軸と直交し、且つ管状部材５Ａの下縁部を含んだ平面上で整列させられる。縁部ＭＰを整列させる手順は、類似の放射状配置押圧部によって第二ステーションにおいても行うことができ、類似の放射状配置押圧部が、以下で例証するような別の機能に関して前記ステーションに備えられる。
【００６７】
図２２は、管状部材５Ａの縦断面を示しており、物品を裏返して、管状部材５Ａを第二ステーションへ運ぶ支持部３を180°回転させる前に、物品の縁部ＭＰを整列させたことを含む動作後である。
【００６８】
図２３及び図２７が、つま先を閉じる前に第二ステーションにおいて管状物品を引っ張る動作を示している。
【００６９】
構造体３１に類似の環状構造体８１が、第二ステーションに配置され且つ、垂直案内部８５上を移動する摺動部８３によって支えられている（図１及び図２参照）。環状構造体８１がアクチュエータ８９によって動作する放射状配置押圧部８７を設けており、それらは放射状配置押圧部３５と個別のアクチュエータ３７に類似している。環状構造体８１がそれに取り付けられた放射状配置押圧部を具備し、第二ステーションに一時的に配置される管状部材５Ａまたは５Ｂの軸と同軸上で、角度的な移動が可能である。角度的な移動が、アクチュエータ９０によって行われる（図１〜図２）。
【００７０】
この方法で、放射状配置押圧部８７を管状物品Ｍの表面に対して押し、管状物品の縁部ＭＰを管状部材５Ａに関して角度的に配置でき、二つの縁部を閉じたつま先を形成するため接合するために持っていき、それら縁部を外側管状要素５Ｙの末端領域に沿って、その縁部から、径方向に向かい合った、二つのスロットまたは溝５Ｄと整列させ、それは特に図２５で見られる。もし管状部材５Ａが支持部３に関して角度的に固定されるか、その角度位置を知っていれば、スロット５Ｄの角度位置を事前に知ることができる。光セルまたは他の光センサー９１（図２５に示されている）が、管状物品Ｍの正確な角度位置を、例えば適切な色の糸で編むマーキングによって確認するために使用される。物品を取り付けた管状部材に関する管状物品の角度確定動作は、第二ステーションに代わる第一ステーションにおいても行うことができる。更に、それは管状部材を回すことによっても、放射状配置押圧部によって物品を角度的に停止させて保持することによっても、行うことができる。一般的に、角度確定は管状部材に関して物品を相互に移動させることによって、結果的に得られ、そこで一方または他方が固定要素であり得る。
【００７１】
管状物品Ｍを角度的に整列させた後（図２３、図２４）または前記の動作中、張引手段１３に付属する二個のブラケット１３Ａを、底部から管状部材の内部に案内することができる（図２４、図２５）。ブラケット１３Ａが管状部材から径方向に向かい合ったスロット５Ｄを介して外側へ突出して、角度配置した後、ブラケット１３Ａを開くことができ（図２６）、物品の縁部ＭＰを図２６に示したように、引っ張る。ブラケット１３Ａを次に下方へ移動することで、管状部材の下縁部の下に引っ張った縁部を、ミシン１５または別の適切な手段によって縫い合わせる領域に運ぶようになっており、例えばミシンが断裁機を装備し、そこを縁部ＭＰの繊維が貫通する。閉鎖動作が本質的に既知の方法で行われているので、ここでは記載しない。
【００７２】
つま先を閉じた後、管状部材５Ａの内部を貫通する物品Ｍを再び裏返して、取り外すことができる。この動作を放射状配置押圧部によって、再び行う。示されている例では、閉じられる新しい物品を供給し、且つ閉じた物品を動かして離すために使用する、空気移送管１７が一つだけあるので、物品を裏返して、それを引き離すことを含む第二動作が、支持部３を新たに180°回転させることによって管状部材５Ａが戻される第一ステーションにおいて行われる。結果的にこの場合、放射状配置押圧部３５が、物品を裏返すことを含む第二動作が行われ、その間に上向きの吸引が管状部材５Ａの内部に生じさせられる。図２８は、放射状配置押圧部３５の一つかそれ以上の選択的なストロークによって、伸縮縁部ＭＢを管状部材５Ａの中に吸引するまで、実行される第二の裏返し動作の最初の段階を示している。
【００７３】
第二ステーションにおいて閉じた物品を下ろす可能性を考える。例えば、移送管１７に類似した吸引導管を備え、移送手段の上で管状部材５Ａまたは５Ｂと直線状に配置することができ、管状部材は一時的に第二ステーションに位置する。この場合、つま先を閉じた後に管状物品を裏返すことを含む第二動作は、放射状配置押圧部８７によって第二ステーションにおいて実行される。
【００７４】
勿論、この場合、二つのステーションの間のそれぞれの段階の分類はまた別である。どの場合でも、順序は伸縮縁部ＭＢを開いて、つま先ＭＰを閉じる動作が二つの異なるステーション、すなわち第一ステーションと第二ステーションにおいて行う必要がある。他方で残りの動作が二つのステーションの一方または他方で行うことができ、必要性またはオペレーターの選択により分類でき、その際につま先を閉じるために必要な総時間を最短にするために必要なことを常に考慮する。特に物品の角方向設定（図２３、図２４）は、第一ステーションにおいて行うことができ、その場合は環状構造体３１が角方向に動くことができる。第二ステーションにおいて縁部ＭＰの整列（図２１Ａ〜図２１Ｄ）が、放射状配置押圧部８７によって行うことができる。記載したように、物品を裏返して、それを降ろすことを含む第二動作が、第二ステーションにおいて行うことができる。
【実施例２】
【００７５】
図２９及び図３０は、図６Ａ及び図６Ｂに示された断面に類似した、二つの断面を有する装置の別の実施例を示している。同じ参照符号は、図６Ａ及び図６Ｂのものと同じか対応する部分を表わしている。この第二実施例は、把持手段に関して上向きに案内及び方向設定する手段の別の形態に関して、従来のものとは異なっている。この場合、管状部材５Ａ、５Ｂの末端部分（下方）が、管状物品の伸縮縁部ＭＢを四個の円筒表面１０３に向かって案内する内部切頭円錐形表面１０１から成っており、四個の円筒表面は把持手段に対応して配置されている。この方法で、管状物品の縁部が別の管状物品の軸方向に締め付けられ、把持手段によって掴まれる。その解決手段は従来のものよりも有利ではない。なぜなら物品を配置する位置が画定されず、物品を開くために、把持部材４５Ａ、４５Ｂの動作を数回繰り返す必要があるからである。
【００７６】
第二実施例は、従来のものとは異なっており、それは第一実施例においてカラー８を備えて管状部材５Ａ、５Ｂの断面を減しているからである。カラーが輪郭を形成して引き込むような断面を有し、管状物品を通り易くしている。これは物品が輪郭形成本体７１、７３に衝突するのを防止し、次の方向設定のために入ってくる製品を制限することによって、製品を配置する。
【００７７】
図面は単に一例を示したもので、本発明の範囲内でここで考えられる本発明の構造及び実施例に関して、多くの変形を行うことができる。添付の請求項における参照符号の提示は、請求項を記載部分を参照して容易に理解することを目的としており、請求項によって示された保護の範囲を制限するものではない。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【００７８】
【図１】管状物品を裏返して、運び、閉じる装置の斜視図。
【図１Ａ】数個の部品を取り除いて示した図１に類似の斜視図。
【図２】図１及び図２に示した装置を具備した編み機の斜視図。
【図３】物品を開放する把持部材ユニットの斜視図。
【図４】管状物品を裏返しにする開放押圧部材を示した、図３のユニットの視点と異なる斜視図。
【図５】開いて、裏返して、つま先領域で閉じる装置に供給される物品を、案内して方向設定しる手段を分離した斜視図。
【図６Ａ】管状部材の一つを管状物品を開放する把持部材と管状物品の案内及び方向設定手段と共に、長手方向で相互に直交した平面に沿って示した図。
【図６Ｂ】管状部材の一つを管状物品を開放する把持部材と管状物品の案内及び方向設定手段と共に、長手方向で相互に直交した平面に沿って示した図。
【図７】管状部材に達した物品に対する案内及び方向設定手段の作用を示した図。
【図８Ａ】管状部材の日取るの長手平面に関する斜視部分断面図。
【図８Ｂ】空気移送管と管状部材支持部の末端部分の斜視図。
【図９Ａ】二つの可能な位置、管状物品が管状部材の端部に到達した時に管状物品が配置できる位置と、最終段階でつま先を閉じる前に、管状物品が裏返される位置とを示した図。
【図９Ｂ】二つの可能な位置、管状物品が管状部材の端部に到達した時に管状物品が配置できる位置と、最終段階でつま先を閉じる前に、管状物品が裏返される位置とを示した図。
【図１０】管状部材の軸線に対して直角な断面で管状物品の伸縮縁部を含む開口動作の四つの連続段階。
【図１１】管状部材の軸線に対して直角な断面で管状物品の伸縮縁部を含む開口動作の四つの連続段階。
【図１２】管状部材の軸線に対して直角な断面で管状物品の伸縮縁部を含む開口動作の四つの連続段階。
【図１３】管状部材の軸線に対して直角な断面で管状物品の伸縮縁部を含む開口動作の四つの連続段階。
【図１４】管状微罪の外表面上における管状物品の伸縮縁部の逆転動作の連続段階を、縦断面で示した図。
【図１５】管状微罪の外表面上における管状物品の伸縮縁部の逆転動作の連続段階を、縦断面で示した図。
【図１６】管状微罪の外表面上における管状物品の伸縮縁部の逆転動作の連続段階を、縦断面で示した図。
【図１７】管状微罪の外表面上における管状物品の伸縮縁部の逆転動作の連続段階を、縦断面で示した図。
【図１８】管状微罪の外表面上における管状物品の伸縮縁部の逆転動作の連続段階を、縦断面で示した図。
【図１９】管状部材の外表面上における管状物品逆転動作の二つの連続段階を示した縦断面図。
【図２０】管状部材の外表面上における管状物品逆転動作の二つの連続段階を示した縦断面図。
【図２１Ａ】管状物品の縁部を並べる動作の四つの連続段階。
【図２１Ｂ】管状物品の縁部を並べる動作の四つの連続段階。
【図２１Ｃ】管状物品の縁部を並べる動作の四つの連続段階。
【図２１Ｄ】管状物品の縁部を並べる動作の四つの連続段階。
【図２２】つま先を閉じる第二ステーションへ運ぶ前、外表面で裏返された物品と共に管状部材を示した図。
【図２３】つま先を閉じるために物品を引っ張る動作の連続した段階と、つま先を閉じて物品を抜き取る段階の最初を、縦断面で示した図。
【図２４】つま先を閉じるために物品を引っ張る動作の連続した段階と、つま先を閉じて物品を抜き取る段階の最初を、縦断面で示した図。
【図２５】つま先を閉じるために物品を引っ張る動作の連続した段階と、つま先を閉じて物品を抜き取る段階の最初を、縦断面で示した図。
【図２６】つま先を閉じるために物品を引っ張る動作の連続した段階と、つま先を閉じて物品を抜き取る段階の最初を、縦断面で示した図。
【図２７】つま先を閉じるために物品を引っ張る動作の連続した段階と、つま先を閉じて物品を抜き取る段階の最初を、縦断面で示した図。
【図２８】つま先を閉じるために物品を引っ張る動作の連続した段階と、つま先を閉じて物品を抜き取る段階の最初を、縦断面で示した図。
【図２９】別の実施例であり、案内及び方向設定手段の二つの相互に直交する長手平面に沿った断面を示した斜視図。
【図３０】別の実施例であり、案内及び方向設定手段の二つの相互に直交する長手平面に沿った断面を示した斜視図。【Technical field】
[0001]
The present invention relates to a device for opening the distal edge of a tubular article, for example a tubular knitted article such as a stocking or sock.
[Background]
[0002]
During the manufacture of socks, stockings, pantyhose and other tubular knitted articles, a need arises to perform a number of mechanical operations to open the edges of the article. The articles are made using a knitting machine, typically a circular knitting machine, which lowers the half-finished article and opens both its first and end edges. The end edges must then be sewn or tied together to close the toe of the article.
[0003]
This operation includes, for example, placing an article previously released by a knitting machine into a sewing machine member in a basket or container. This is usually done by hand or complex mechanical handling systems. Similarly, the article needs to be opened in order to perform the following actions in another environment, for example to iron multiple socks or a pair of socks before packaging the article.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
[0004]
It is an object of the present invention to create a device that automatically, reliably and completely automatically opens the end or edge of a tubular article, typically the edge of a sock or stocking.
[0005]
According to another concept of the invention, another object is to provide a simple, reliable and automatic method for opening the first edge of a tubular knitted article, typically a stocking or sock.
[Means for Solving the Problems]
[0006]
These and other objects and advantages include a tubular member into which the article is inserted, particularly as the technical expert reads the following description; a first closed position at the outlet end of the tubular member; A plurality of movable gripping members movable between the first open position and the second open position; the outlet end of the tubular member for guiding a tubular article inserted into the tubular member toward the gripping member and determining a direction; And a direction setting means associated with the section.
[0007]
The tubular article is guided along the tubular member and the edge of the article reaches the gripping member that opens it.
[0008]
According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the device according to the invention, the guiding and orientation means comprise two counterpoised contoured bodies extending from the individual outlet end of the tubular member towards the inside of the tubular member. And wherein the balance profile bodies define a passage for the article with respect to each other. The cross section of the passage can be elongated to fold the edges flat and place the tubular article in a predetermined direction, the direction being determined by the longitudinal extension of the cross section of the passage. Thereby, it is easy to grasp and open the tubular article by the grasping member. In this case, it is considered advantageous if the four gripping members are arranged at 90 ° to each other around the axis. The first pair of gripping members are aligned in the developing direction of the passage of the tubular article, and the other two gripping members are arranged in the mutually orthogonal directions.
[0009]
According to a presently preferred embodiment of the invention, each of the two contoured bodies is provided with an inclined guide and direction setting surface facing the direction of the origin of the article, and the inclined surfaces of the two contoured bodies Have inclined portions facing each other. For example, the guide surface can be provided with an essentially flat part and an essentially helical part. This shape directs the arrived article for placement at the required location inside the long narrow passage defined by the guide and direction setting means. In addition, the contoured body has a flat lateral surface. The two flat surfaces are preferably parallel to each other with respect to the axis of the tubular member and transversely define a long cross-sectional passage of the tubular article.
[0010]
In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, each of the two contoured bodies consists of three parts; two lateral parts are incorporated into the movable unit with respect to the tubular member, and an intermediate part is attached to the tubular member. Incorporated; the tubular member and the unit can move relative to each other, pulling the unit away from the outlet end of the tubular member. The movable unit can advantageously have a housing into which the gripping member is inserted.
[0011]
According to a possible configuration, the gripping member is supported by an annular structure surrounding the axis of the tubular member and moves parallel to the axis of the tubular member. An opening member can be placed on the annular structure to open the edge of the tubular article previously opened by the gripping member. The gripping member can be constituted by, for example, a plurality of telescopic stems parallel to the axis of the tubular member. The stems can be moved parallel with respect to their axes to flip the edge of the tubular article over the outer surface of the tubular member.
[0012]
In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the tubular member is gripped and opened after movement of the first pair by first controlling a first pair of two balanced gripping members to grip and open the tubular member. For this purpose, the gripping member is operated by controlling the movement of the second pair of gripping members that balance with each other.
[0013]
The gripping member is preferably a suction member, but can be made in some other way, for example in the form of a pincer or another mechanical means.
[0014]
For sucking the tubular article into the tubular member, the tubular member may advantageously be connected to a suction tube, the opening of which is arranged on the opposite side of the gripping member with respect to the outlet end of the tubular member. However, according to another embodiment, if the suction is of a type using air, the suction is obtained directly by the gripping member. In this case, the outlet end of the tubular member is associated with a blocking and closing means, which prevents the tubular article from escaping to the outside and likewise prevents intake air from being drawn in from the outside. If suction is obtained by a suction tube temporarily attached to the output end of the tubular member, a blocking member that does not pass through the suction tube through the tubular member is provided to form a tubular article stop corresponding to the gripping member. It is done.
[0015]
The method according to the invention for opening the end of an elastic tubular article, in particular a tubular knitted article, comprises the following steps:
Conveying the article by air to one end of the tubular member;
Directing an end of the article to a predetermined position with respect to a plurality of gripping units;
Holding the article by the gripping member corresponding to the open end;
Opening the gripping member to open the end of the article;
Is included.
[0016]
Further advantageous features and forms of embodiments of the apparatus and method according to the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in more detail below.
[0017]
In the following description, the means for defining and positioning the article and the member that opens the edge of the article, together with a special mechanism for carrying the article from the first station to the second station and vice versa, close the tip. Described in connection with special equipment. However, it is not bound by its interpretation. The present invention may be implemented in different situations and may simply be intended to open articles that can be inserted into different devices and later transported to another type of machine.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0018]
The present invention will be better understood with reference to the following drawings, which illustrate practical and non-limiting embodiments and the following description.
[Example 1]
[0019]
1, 1A and 2 show an apparatus according to the invention applicable to a knitting machine, typically a circular knitting machine for the manufacture of tubular articles such as socks, stockings and the like. The apparatus is generally indicated by reference numeral 1 and reference numeral 2 in FIG. 2 represents a circular knitting machine of a known type diagrammatically and is essentially combined with the apparatus 1.
[0020]
The apparatus 1 includes a support portion 3 that supports tubular members 5A and 5B that are parallel to each other. The support part 3 rotates on an axis AA parallel to the axis of the second tubular members 5A, 5B. The rotation operation of the support unit 3 is controlled by an actuator 7 that is disposed on the fixed frame 9 and supported by the fixed frame. The rotational movement can be performed by the inevitable upward movement of the support and the tubular member, which is utilized to avoid collisions (during rotation) with the mechanical parts surrounding the lower end of the tubular member. .
[0021]
The support 3 rotates 180 ° about the axis A-A, and the two tubular members 5A, 5B are selectively disposed at two adjacent stations. The operation can be an alternating operation or an intermittent rotation operation without reversing the direction of rotation.
[0022]
The opening means is located at the first station, where the tubular member 5A is located in FIGS. 1A and 1B. The opening means comprises a gripping means, which is fed into the tubular member at the first station to hold the expanding and contracting edge of each article that opens the expanding and contracting edge on the outer surface of the tubular member itself. is there. In addition, means are provided for reversing the tubular article on the outer surface of the tubular member. The combined configuration of these placement members is generally indicated at 11 in FIG. 1 and has been removed in FIG. 1 to make some of those members more clear.
[0023]
Angular positioning means and tensioning means are located at the second station, said means being indicated generally by the reference 13 and closing the toe of the tubular article, closing means 15, In particular, the sewing machine is for closing the toes of an article by stitching or another action (for example, stitching).
[0024]
Each step of preparing and closing the toe of the article is described in detail below.
[0025]
The tubular article made by the knitting machine 2 has a terminal curved portion 17A formed at an angle of 90 ° and faces one first end of the tubular members 5A, 5B temporarily located at the first station. It is supplied to the apparatus 1 through the air transfer pipe 17, and the tubular member 5A is in the position shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 1A, and FIG. An air transfer tube 17 is connected to a conduit 19 extending from the lower part of the needle cylinder of the knitting machine 2. Interception means, indicated generally by the reference numeral 21, is arranged between the tube 17 and the conduit 19.
[0026]
The suction required for the article made by the knitting machine 2 and withdrawn from the needle is generated via the tubular member 5A or 5B, as described below, which keeps the intercepting member 21 open. .
[0027]
After the tubular article is closed by the sewing machine 15 at the second station, it is transported back to the first station where it is aspirated and removed via the air bleed conduit 23. For this purpose, the conduit 23 is connected to the air transfer tube 17 and then to a mounting 25 which is connected to a suction device (not shown).
[0028]
The article is reinserted after closing the toes and the article is sucked in from the inside of the tubular member 5A or 5B and reaches the box 27 along the tube 17 and further through the conduit 23, where it is in a substantially known manner. Extracted. At this stage, the intercepting means 21 is closed. After extracting the finished article, a new article is drawn through the conduit 19 and the transfer tube 17.
[0029]
The device described in this regard works as follows. The first article made by the machine 2 is sucked through the conduit 19 and the transfer pipe 17 and reaches the tubular member 5A. Since the article made by the machine 2 begins with a telescopic edge and ends with a toe, the article reaches the tubular member A, the telescopic edge first, and then downstream, with respect to the direction of advancement. Upon reaching the lower end of the tubular member 5A, the article is flipped over the outer surface of the tubular member 5A by the member normally indicated at 11, which will be described in detail below.
[0030]
After the placement, the support part 3 is turned 180 °, the positions of the tubular members 5A and 5B are turned over, the tubular member 5A is placed at the second station, and the tubular member 5B is taken by the first station. Here, the toes of the article are pulled and sewn in a manner essentially similar to that described in EP-A-1118700 and the like.
[0031]
During the tensioning and stitching operation, another article from the machine 2 is inserted into the tubular member 5B temporarily located at the first station. The article is turned over on the outer surface of the tubular member 5B, ready to close the toe.
[0032]
After the toe of the first article is closed at the second station and the second article is placed at the first station, the support portion 3 is rotated 180 ° to place the tubular members 5A, 5B in the form shown in FIG. return. As the first article is aspirated and withdrawn along the tube 17 and the conduit 23, the next article can be guided while the toe of the second article is closed at the second station.
[0033]
After closing the toes at the first station or the second station, the article can be turned over a second time, both the first station or the second station being provided with means for performing the operations as illustrated below.
[0034]
As described above, it is clear that the device 1 can perform a toe closing operation by simultaneously working on two articles at two stations, during which the articles are carried by mechanisms 3, 5A, 5B. is there. In this way, it is necessary to close the overlapped part. As a result, the total time required to close the toes is reduced and all items from the knitting machine 2 with which the device 1 is associated can be closed.
[0035]
3-7 show in detail a member in which a tubular article is supplied individually by means of an air transfer tube 17 inside one or the other of the other tubular members 5a, 5b and the tubular article is opened and turned over.
[0036]
The assembly of members 11 is supported by an annular structure 31 which is temporarily arranged coaxially with the tubular member 5A or 5B at the first station. The annular structure 31 is supported by the sliding portion 33 (FIGS. 1 and 1A), and the sliding portion moves on the vertical guide portion 36 parallel to the axis of the tubular members 5A and 5B. An annular structure supports a plurality of radially movable pressing portions 35, each of which is associated with an individual actuator (37) (see in particular FIG. 4). As will be described in detail below, the pressing portion 35 reverses the tubular article on the outer surface of the tubular member 5A or 5B and functions in an auxiliary manner.
[0037]
The annular structure 31 supports four actuators 39, for example, cylinder piston actuators, on the pressing portions 35 arranged radially, and the movement of the individual sliding portions 41 that move along the guide portions 43. The sliding part is perpendicular to the axis of the tubular members 5A, 5B. Each sliding portion 41 supports the air gripping member. A first pair of gripping members (facing each other) is indicated by reference numeral 45A, and a second pair of gripping members is indicated by reference numeral 45B. The operation of the guide member and the sliding portion 41 is indicated by a double arrow f41.
[0038]
Each gripping member is provided with a suction head 47 attached to a first end of a tube 49, and a second end of the tube is connected to a suction line by a flexible tube. The flexible tube and the suction line are not shown to simplify the drawing.
[0039]
An individual stem 51 (see FIGS. 6A and 6B for details) is associated with each gripping member 45A, 45B. The stem forms an opening means that opens the edge of the tubular article opposite the toe of the article to be closed.
[0040]
Each stem is supported by a sliding portion 53 that moves on a guide portion 55 that is integral with the individual sliding portion 41. Each sliding portion 53 is fixed to an attached portion 59 incorporated in each sliding portion 41 by a traction spring 57, and four stems 51 are arranged in the axial direction of the annular structure portion 31 and the tubular members 5A and 5B. Elastic stress is applied and is described below.
[0041]
A moving unit is disposed under the annular structure 31. The moving unit forms the upper end of the suction tube 61 supported by the support 63, and the support is movable and controlled in the vertical direction by an actuator (represented schematically by reference numeral 64) with respect to the arrow f63. Is done. Tube 61 is connected to a suction source by a flexible tube (both not shown in the drawing).
[0042]
As clearly shown in FIG. 5, the suction tube 61 is shown separated from other components of the device, the upper part of the suction tube 61 forms a housing through which the gripping members 45A, 48B pass, which is referred to This is indicated by the reference numeral 65. Under the housing 65, an intercepting member 67 comprising a gripping portion is provided, which stops the sucked tubular member from penetrating the inside of the tube.
[0043]
Four contouring appendages are individually indicated by reference numerals 71A, 71B and 73A, 73B and are made on the suction tube 61 between the four housings 65. The attachment portions 71A and 73B are symmetrical to each other. Similarly, the attached portions 71B and 73B are symmetrical with each other.
[0044]
Mutually symmetric contoured appendages 71C, 73C are provided within each of the tubular members 5A, 5B and are shown separately from the individual tubular members in FIG. The shapes of the contouring attachment portions 71C and 73C are complementary with respect to the contouring attachment portions 71A, 71B, 73A and 73B, and are integral with the suction tube 61, and the attachment portion 71C forms the contouring body 71A and 71B. The shape of the attachment member is symmetrical with respect to that formed by the attachment portions 73A, 73B, and 73C when the attachment portion 73C is inserted between the attachment portions 73A and 73B. Two symmetrical contoured bodies are generally indicated by reference numerals 71 and 73 in FIGS. 6A and 6B, which are shown as made of a single part, and clearly define the shape of the contoured body. The tubular members 5A and 5B are removed for the purpose of showing.
[0045]
The suction tube 61 is movable in the direction of the double arrow f63 with respect to the tubular member 5A or 5B temporarily located at the first station of the device 1, and the device 1 is gripping members 45A, 45B as described in detail below. Can open the tubular article.
[0046]
Contoured bodies 71, 73 formed by joining the attached portions 71A, 71B, 71C and 73A, 73B, 73C guide and define the direction of the tubular article reaching the lower end of the tubular member 5A or 5B Forming means. For this purpose, the contouring bodies 71 and 73 are provided with three different main contouring surfaces. Each body has a reference S ₇₁ And S ₇₃ Are provided, corresponding to the inner cylindrical surfaces of the tubular members 5A or 5B. In addition, each body has a reference X ₇₁ And X ₇₃ A surface is provided for determining and guiding the direction indicated by. Their surface developments are essentially flat, inclined in the upper region and essentially spiral in the lower region. Surface X ₇₁ And X ₇₃ Faces the end of the tubular member, from which the tubular knitted article is directed and guided out. Further, each of the contour forming bodies 71 and 73 is denoted by reference symbol ₇₁ And Y ₇₃ Provided in the lower region of the two contoured bodies near the outlets of the tubular members 5A, 5B and longitudinally crossing each other. Parallel to the axis of the individual tubular members 5A, 5B that define the passage area of the knitted article in the plane.
[0047]
The combination of the contour forming bodies 71 and 73 directs and guides the tubular article that reaches the inside of the tubular member 5A or 5B. The effect of the structure of the contouring bodies 71, 73 in place on the tubular article is illustrated in detail in FIGS. 7A-7F, where FIG. 7A is a perspective view of the two contouring bodies 71, 73, FIGS. 7F is a cross-section with respect to a plane perpendicular to the axis of the tubular member 5A or 5B at the position indicated by reference numerals B, C, D, E, F in FIG. 7A. In these drawings, reference numeral M denotes a tubular article and illustrates a cross section of the stretchable edge of the article itself. In FIG. 7A, the article M has a surface Y ₇₁ , Y ₇₃ With respect to the right angle. This is one possible form in which the article can come out of the air transfer tube 17. In general, the article M will always be properly folded in this manner, but will be folded in any angular direction on the axis of the tubular member.
[0048]
Advancing in the arrow fM on the contour forming bodies 71 and 73, the article M is surface X ₇₁ And X ₇₃ The first position or surface Y ₇₁ , Y ₇₃ Suppose that it is turned up to 90 ° with respect to the parallel arrangement. When the article M interferes with the contoured bodies 71, 73, the surfaces X71, X73 are shown in FIGS. 7A-7F, with the surface X71, X73 turned to the final position indicated by reference numeral M1 or 180 ° relative to this position. Surface Y as ₇₁ , Y ₇₃ It is possible to rotate it to bring the article to a position that is always parallel. This facilitates opening and turning the article with the previously described members not shown below.
[0049]
6A and 6B, and also in detail in FIG. 8A, one upper end of the tubular member 5A, 5B is shown, each of which consists of two coaxial tubular elements, in FIG. The element and the outer element are denoted by reference numerals 5X and 5Y, respectively. The tubular element 5X can slide a short distance inside the tubular element 5Y supported directly by the support 3. A helical compression screw 6 housed in the gap between the two tubular elements 5X and 5Y serves to stress the inner tubular element 5X upward, i.e. project from the top of the tubular element 5Y. The contouring bodies 71, 73 (or precisely their portions 71C, 73C) are incorporated into the inner tubular element 5X of the individual tubular elements 5A, 5B.
[0050]
The member shown in FIG. 8B and described below allows the inner tubular element 5X to be pushed downward and slides inside the tubular element 5Y to exceed the spring 6 elasticity.
[0051]
For this reason (see FIG. 8B), the air transfer tube 17 terminates in a telescopic extension 17C provided with a collar 17D. The downward extension of portion 17C is controlled by a pair of cylinder piston actuators 18, one of which can be seen in FIG. 8B, both of which can be seen in FIG. 1, FIG. 1A, FIG. By moving the portion 17C downward, the collar 17D stops at the corresponding collar 5Z, which is incorporated into the inner tubular element 5X of the tubular member 5A or 5B, and pushes the tubular element 5X downward to the first station. Located temporarily. As a result, the inner tubular element 5X is slid in the inner tubular element 5Y, the air transfer pipe 17 is pneumatically connected to the tubular member 5A or 5B, and the article is transferred from the machine 2 from the transfer pipe 17 to the tubular member 5A or 5B. Carry to. The associated telescoping function of the tubular elements 5X, 5Y will become apparent in the paragraph describing how to turn the tubular article upside down.
[0052]
The operation of the apparatus for placing the tubular article on the tubular member 5A or 5B located at the first station for closing the toes will now be illustrated.
[0053]
The operations described below are selectively performed in the tubular member 5A and the tubular member 5B. The described operation will be described with reference to the tubular member 5A. Assume that the tubular member 5A receives the tubular article M from the machine 2. The actuator 7 arranges the support portion 3 at an angular position where the tubular member 5A is arranged at the position shown in FIGS. 1 and 1A. The actuator 63 moves the suction pipe 61 upward, passes the inside of the tubular member 5A through the attached portions 71A, 71B, 73A, 73B combined with the suction pipe, and (with the attached portions 71C, 73C) the contour forming body 71 , 73 is completed. The telescopic part 17D is lowered, and the pipe 17 is connected to the inside of the tubular member 5A by air pressure. A vacuum is generated in the conduit 19, the air transfer tube 17 and the tubular member 5A by the suction tube 61 (opening the intercepting means 21). As soon as the article knitted by the machine 2 is completed, the article is released by the needle and sucked towards the tubular member 5A. The article is opened along both the telescoping edge and the toe. The article moves along the air path with the telescoping edge forward and the toe back.
[0054]
The vacuum inside the air path pulls the tubular article M until the tubular article M collides against the grid 67 combined with the suction tube 61. By providing the contour forming bodies 71 and 73 that form the guide and direction setting means, when the article reaches the tubular member 5A at any position and the article contacts the grid 67, the gripping members 45A and 45B With respect to the axis of the tubular member 5A brought close to it, it is arranged in one of two positions, schematically illustrated in FIGS. 9A and 9B showing a cross section at right angles.
[0055]
Prior to the arrival of the article M, the gripping members 45A, 45B are arranged as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B: the gripping members 45A facing each other are more spaced than the gripping members 45B facing each other. The member 45A has a surface Y at the lower part of the contour forming bodies 71, 73. ₇₁ , Y ₇₃ And the member 45B is aligned in a direction perpendicular to the larger dimension portion.
[0056]
Since the gripping means 45A, 45B are arranged directly on the grip 67, they are arranged with stretchable edges or tubular articles of socks reaching from the knitting machine 2 and can grip this edge as described below. The article is opened and turned over on the outer surface of the tubular member 5A.
[0057]
When the article M reaches one or the other position shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the suction by the suction pipe 61 is cut off, and the gripping members 45B arranged opposite to each other can be closed to each other, as shown in FIG. Press against the tubular article M. When this position is reached, suction can be applied via the gripping member 45B, and the gripping member can grip the edge of the tubular article in two opposing placement regions. At the same time, the suction pipe 61 can be moved downward by the actuator and pulled apart. In this manner, a gap is formed around the gripping members 45A and 45B, and the gripping member is located below the lower edge of the tubular member 5A.
[0058]
The opening action of the gripping member 45B controlled by the individual actuators 39 thereby opens the tubular article M, which assumes the position shown in FIG. 11 in the region protruding from the lower outlet of the tubular member 5A.
[0059]
Subsequently, the gripping members 45A are brought close to each other, and are pressed against the edge of the tubular article M in a region between the two gripping members 45B as shown in FIG. After pushing the tubular article M between the two front surfaces of the gripping article 45A, the article is acted on by the generation of suction force inside and the tubular article is pulled by the member. The gripping member 45A then opens to fully open the article M, which assumes the position shown in FIG.
[0060]
FIG. 14 shows a longitudinal section of the tubular member 5 </ b> A, and the stretchable edge of the article M is opened. Reference numeral MB indicates the stretchable edge of the article and reference numeral MP indicates the toe, i.e. the edge that serves to form a closed toe of the article after it has approached the second station of the device 1. It is. 15 and 20 show the operation of turning the tubular article M upside down on the tubular member 5A with the same cross section.
[0061]
In FIG. 15, the stem 15 is inserted inside the opening edge MB of the tubular article M. After stopping the gripping member and the fibers of the edge MB that are no longer attached to it, the stem holds the edge. Actuator 39 opens stem 51 to reach the position shown in FIG. 16, as indicated by the arrow in FIG. Here, four stems 51 (only two are shown in the cross section) are in a wide open position with the edge MB of the article M being arranged away from the entrance of the tubular member 5A. It includes that the opening action is performed by different means, for example by a single set of machine-type gripping means. However, the individually described arrangement is particularly reliable because it avoids accidental damage to the fibers forming the article.
[0062]
As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, when the edge MB of the article M is opened, the inner tubular element 5X is in the retracted position, that is, the position retracted along the tubular member 5Y. This is obtained by returning the collar 17D and the portion 17C of the air transfer tube 17 upward (FIG. 8B). Conversely, in FIG. 16, the inner tubular member 5X is pushed again to the lower position, aligning the inlet with the inlet of the outer tubular element 5Y. This operation changes the position of the attachment portions 71C and 73C integral with the tubular element 5X with respect to the lower entrance of the tubular member 5A.
[0063]
As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the upward movement of the annular structure 31 supporting the stem 51 by the arrow f <b> 31 is reversed on the outer surface of the tubular member 5 </ b> A. The stem 51 is retracted.
[0064]
After the edge MB of the article M is returned on the outer surface of the tubular member 5A, the radial arrangement pressing part is pushed against the edge itself, and the structure 31 supporting the radial arrangement pressing part is also moved upward. (See FIGS. 19 and 20). In this way, the radially arranged pressing portion 35 moves the tubular article M from the inside to the outer surface of the tubular member 5A while turning it over, and the edge MP formed by the edge of the closed toe is applied to the outer surface of the tubular member. Take. This is necessary for articles that require one or more movements of the structure 31, and the pressing portions 35 that are opened and arranged radially are moved upward, and are moved downward again by the radially arranged pressing portions 35 that are closed in the tubular member 5 </ b> A. .
[0065]
When bringing the edge MP onto the outer surface of the tubular member 5A to form a closed toe, i.e., when the article M is fully turned over and is on the outer surface of the tubular member, the sequence is tubular. The support part 3 that supports the member 5A is raised, rotated 180 °, and lowered to the second station that closes the toe.
[0066]
First, the edge MP needs to be aligned and parallel to the inlet edge of the tubular member 5A. This operation can be performed at the first station or the second station and is illustrated in the drawings of FIGS. In FIG. 21A, the article M is turned over entirely on the outer surface of the tubular member 5A, and the edge MP for forming a closed toe is in a temporarily irregular retracted position with respect to the distal edge of the tubular member 5A. Be placed. Radial arrangement pressing portions 35 are arranged under the edge MP corresponding to the end region of the tubular member and approach the outer surface of the tubular member. In order to match the edge MP, the pressing portion is raised, and the edge MP is slid upward by a distance sufficient to ensure that all the pressing portions 35 are stationary (FIG. 21B). In this way, the edge MP is preferably arranged on a typical circumference located on the top tangent plane. At this point, the pressing portion 35 is opened and further moved upward to a height just above the edge portion MP, and then closed and the tubular article M is pushed. At the next stage, the closed pressing portion is lowered to align the edge MP with the lower end edge of the tubular member 5A in the form of FIG. 21D. The process can be controlled by, for example, an optical sensor (not shown). In FIG. 21D, the edge MP is aligned on a plane perpendicular to the axis of the tubular member and including the lower edge of the tubular member 5A. The procedure of aligning the edges MP can also be performed at the second station by a similar radial placement press, which is provided at said station for another function as illustrated below.
[0067]
FIG. 22 shows a longitudinal section of the tubular member 5A with the edge MP of the article aligned prior to turning the article over and rotating the support 3 carrying the tubular member 5A to the second station by 180 °. After the operation including.
[0068]
FIGS. 23 and 27 illustrate the action of pulling the tubular article at the second station before closing the toe.
[0069]
An annular structure 81 similar to the structure 31 is arranged at the second station and supported by a sliding portion 83 that moves on the vertical guide portion 85 (see FIGS. 1 and 2). The annular structure 81 is provided with a radial arrangement pressing part 87 which is actuated by an actuator 89, which are similar to the radial arrangement pressing part 35 and the individual actuators 37. The annular structure 81 is provided with a radially arranged pressing portion attached thereto, and can be moved angularly on the same axis as the axis of the tubular member 5A or 5B temporarily arranged at the second station. Angular movement is performed by the actuator 90 (FIGS. 1-2).
[0070]
In this way, the radial arrangement pressing part 87 can be pushed against the surface of the tubular article M, the edge MP of the tubular article can be angularly arranged with respect to the tubular member 5A and joined to form a toe with the two edges closed. And aligning the edges along the distal region of the outer tubular element 5Y with two slots or grooves 5D that are radially opposite from that edge, which is particularly seen in FIG. . If the tubular member 5A is angularly fixed with respect to the support portion 3 or knows its angular position, the angular position of the slot 5D can be known in advance. A light cell or other light sensor 91 (shown in FIG. 25) is used to confirm the exact angular position of the tubular article M, for example by markings knitted with the appropriate colored thread. The angle determination operation of the tubular article with respect to the tubular member to which the article is attached can also be performed at the first station instead of the second station. Furthermore, this can be done either by turning the tubular member or by holding the article angularly stopped by the radially arranged pressing part. In general, the angle determination is obtained as a result of moving the articles relative to each other with respect to the tubular member, where one or the other can be a fixed element.
[0071]
After the tubular article M is angularly aligned (FIGS. 23 and 24) or during the operation described above, the two brackets 13A attached to the tensioning means 13 can be guided from the bottom into the tubular member. (FIGS. 24 and 25). After the bracket 13A protrudes outward from the tubular member through the radially facing slot 5D and is angularly arranged, the bracket 13A can be opened (FIG. 26), and the edge MP of the article is as shown in FIG. Pull on. The bracket 13A is then moved downward so that the edge pulled below the lower edge of the tubular member is brought to the area where it is sewn by the sewing machine 15 or another suitable means, for example, the sewing machine Equipped with a machine, the fiber of the edge MP penetrates there. Since the closing operation is performed in a manner known per se, it is not described here.
[0072]
After closing the toe, the article M penetrating the inside of the tubular member 5A can be turned over again and removed. This operation is performed again by the radially arranged pressing portion. In the example shown, there is only one air transfer tube 17 used to supply a new article to be closed and to move and release the closed article, including turning the article over and pulling it apart. The second operation is performed at the first station where the tubular member 5A is returned by newly rotating the support 3 by 180 °. As a result, in this case, the second operation including turning over the article is performed by the radially arranged pressing portion 35, and upward suction is generated in the tubular member 5A during that time. FIG. 28 shows the first stage of the second flipping operation that is carried out until one or more selective strokes of the radial placement press 35 sucks the telescopic edge MB into the tubular member 5A. ing.
[0073]
Consider the possibility of dropping a closed article at the second station. For example, a suction conduit similar to the transfer tube 17 may be provided and placed on the transfer means in a straight line with the tubular member 5A or 5B, which is temporarily located at the second station. In this case, a second action including turning the tubular article over after closing the toe is performed at the second station by the radial placement push 87.
[0074]
Of course, in this case, the classification of each stage between the two stations is also different. In any case, the sequence needs to open the telescopic edge MB and close the toe MP at two different stations, the first station and the second station. On the other hand, the remaining actions can be performed on one or the other of the two stations, and can be classified according to need or operator choice, in order to minimize the total time required to close the toes Always consider. In particular, the angular direction setting of the article (FIGS. 23 and 24) can be performed at the first station, in which case the annular structure 31 can move in the angular direction. The alignment of the edges MP (FIGS. 21A to 21D) at the second station can be performed by the radial arrangement pressing part 87. As described, a second action can be performed at the second station, including turning the article over and taking it down.
[Example 2]
[0075]
FIGS. 29 and 30 show another embodiment of a device having two cross sections, similar to the cross section shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B. The same reference numerals represent the same or corresponding parts as those in FIGS. 6A and 6B. This second embodiment differs from the prior art with respect to another form of means for guiding and orienting upward with respect to the gripping means. In this case, the end portions (downward) of the tubular members 5A, 5B consist of an internal frustoconical surface 101 which guides the telescopic edge MB of the tubular article towards the four cylindrical surfaces 103, The cylindrical surface is arranged corresponding to the gripping means. In this way, the edge of the tubular article is clamped in the axial direction of another tubular article and is gripped by the gripping means. The solution is less advantageous than the conventional one. This is because the position where the article is arranged is not defined, and it is necessary to repeat the operation of the gripping members 45A and 45B several times in order to open the article.
[0076]
The second embodiment is different from the conventional one because in the first embodiment, the collar 8 is provided to reduce the cross-section of the tubular members 5A and 5B. The collar has a cross-section that forms and retracts to facilitate passage through the tubular article. This prevents the article from colliding with the contoured bodies 71, 73 and places the product by limiting the incoming product for the next direction setting.
[0077]
The drawings are merely exemplary, and many variations may be made to the structure and embodiments of the invention contemplated herein within the scope of the invention. The presentation of reference signs in the appended claims is intended to facilitate the understanding of the claims with reference to the written description and does not limit the scope of protection indicated by the claims.
[Brief description of the drawings]
[0078]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus for flipping, carrying and closing tubular articles.
FIG. 1A is a perspective view similar to FIG. 1 with several parts removed.
2 is a perspective view of a knitting machine including the apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a gripping member unit that opens an article.
4 is a perspective view different from the perspective of the unit of FIG. 3, showing an open pressing member that turns the tubular article upside down.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view with separated means for guiding and orienting articles supplied to a device that opens, flips over and closes in the toe area.
FIG. 6A is a view showing one of the tubular members along a plane orthogonal to each other in the longitudinal direction, together with a gripping member for opening the tubular article and guiding and direction setting means for the tubular article.
FIG. 6B is a view showing one of the tubular members along a plane perpendicular to each other in the longitudinal direction, together with a gripping member for opening the tubular article and guide and direction setting means for the tubular article.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the operation of the guide and direction setting means for an article that has reached a tubular member.
FIG. 8A is a perspective partial cross-sectional view with respect to the longitudinal plane of the tubular member awning.
FIG. 8B is a perspective view of the end portion of the air transfer tube and the tubular member support.
FIG. 9A illustrates two possible positions: a position where the tubular article can be placed when the tubular article reaches the end of the tubular member, and a position where the tubular article is turned over before closing the toe in the final stage. Figure.
FIG. 9B illustrates two possible positions: a position where the tubular article can be placed when the tubular article reaches the end of the tubular member, and a position where the tubular article is turned over before closing the toe in the final stage. Figure.
FIG. 10 shows four successive stages of opening motion involving the telescopic edge of the tubular article in a cross section perpendicular to the axis of the tubular member.
FIG. 11 shows four successive stages of opening motion including the telescoping edge of the tubular article in a cross section perpendicular to the axis of the tubular member.
FIG. 12 shows four successive stages of opening motion involving the stretchable edge of the tubular article in a cross section perpendicular to the axis of the tubular member.
FIG. 13 shows four successive stages of opening motion involving the telescopic edge of the tubular article in a cross section perpendicular to the axis of the tubular member.
FIG. 14 is a longitudinal sectional view showing successive stages of the reversing operation of the expansion / contraction edge of the tubular article on the outer surface of the tubular fine crime.
FIG. 15 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing successive stages of the reversing operation of the expansion / contraction edge of the tubular article on the outer surface of the tubular fine crime.
FIG. 16 is a longitudinal sectional view showing successive stages of the reversing operation of the expansion / contraction edge of the tubular article on the outer surface of the tubular fine crime.
FIG. 17 is a longitudinal sectional view showing successive stages of the reversing operation of the expansion / contraction edge of the tubular article on the outer surface of the tubular fine crime.
FIG. 18 is a longitudinal sectional view showing successive stages of the reversing operation of the expansion / contraction edge of the tubular article on the outer surface of the tubular fine crime.
FIG. 19 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing two successive stages of tubular article reversing motion on the outer surface of the tubular member.
FIG. 20 is a longitudinal sectional view showing two successive stages of tubular article reversing motion on the outer surface of the tubular member.
FIG. 21A shows four consecutive stages of aligning the edges of a tubular article.
FIG. 21B shows four consecutive stages of aligning the edges of the tubular article.
FIG. 21C shows four successive stages of aligning the edges of a tubular article.
FIG. 21D shows four successive stages of aligning the edges of a tubular article.
FIG. 22 shows the tubular member with the article flipped on its outer surface before being transported to the second station to close the toe.
FIG. 23 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing successive stages of pulling the article to close the toe and the beginning of the stage of closing the toe and pulling out the article.
FIG. 24 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing a continuous stage of pulling the article to close the toe and an initial stage of closing the toe and extracting the article.
FIG. 25 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the successive stages of pulling the article to close the toe and the beginning of the stage of closing the toe and extracting the article.
FIG. 26 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of successive stages of pulling the article to close the toe and the beginning of the stage of closing the toe and extracting the article.
FIG. 27 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a continuous stage of pulling the article to close the toe and the beginning of the stage of closing the toe and extracting the article.
FIG. 28 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the successive stages of pulling the article to close the toe and the beginning of the stage of closing the toe and extracting the article.
FIG. 29 is a perspective view showing a cross section along two mutually perpendicular longitudinal planes of the guide and direction setting means according to another embodiment.
FIG. 30 is a perspective view showing a cross section along two mutually perpendicular longitudinal planes of the guide and direction setting means according to another embodiment.

Claims

In an apparatus for closing the end of a flexible tubular article, in particular a tubular knitted article,
A tubular member for inserting a plurality of articles; a plurality of gripping members movable between a first closed position and a second open position and disposed at one outlet end of the tubular member; A plurality of guides and direction setting means for guiding a tubular article inserted into the tubular member toward the plurality of gripping members and directing the tubular article in the direction thereof in relation to the outlet end of the member; Device to do.

The plurality of guide and direction setting means comprise two balanced contour bodies extending from the outlet end of the tubular member toward the inside of the tubular member, the balanced contour bodies defining a passage for the article relative to each other. The apparatus according to claim 1.

The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the passage has a long cross section.

4. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the four gripping members are arranged at 90 [deg.] From each other around the axis.

Two of the gripping members in equilibrium with each other are aligned with respect to a direction essentially parallel to a large dimension of the cross-section of the passage, and the other two of the gripping members in equilibrium with each other have the large dimension. 5. Apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that it is aligned with respect to a direction substantially perpendicular to the part.

Each of the two contour forming bodies has a plurality of inclined guide and direction setting surfaces facing the direction of the origin of the article, and the inclined surfaces of the two contour forming bodies have a plurality of inclined portions facing each other. An apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 5.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein each of the plurality of inclined surfaces has an essentially flat portion and an essentially helical portion.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the two contoured bodies have two flat transverse surfaces that define the longitudinal cross-sectional passage in a transverse direction.

9. A device according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the plurality of lateral walls of the plurality of contouring bodies are essentially parallel to each other and parallel to the axis of the tubular member.

10. Each of the contoured bodies has an essentially cylindrical lateral surface, the shape of which corresponds to the shape of the inner surface of the tubular member. The device described.

Each of the two contoured bodies consists of three parts; two lateral parts are incorporated into a movable unit with respect to the tubular member, an intermediate part is incorporated into the tubular member; the tubular member and the unit are tubular 11. A device according to any one of claims 2 to 10, characterized in that it can move relative to each other to pull the unit away from the outlet end of the member.

The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the movable unit has a plurality of housings into which the plurality of gripping members are inserted.

The movable unit has two seats for a plurality of gripping members disposed between two parts incorporated in the unit of each of the two contour forming bodies, and the movable unit is the tubular member. 13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein each of the two housings is further defined by an individual portion that is incorporated into a tubular member in the contoured body when closed at the outlet end.

The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the plurality of gripping members are supported by an annular structure surrounding an axis of the tubular member and move parallel to the axis of the tubular member.

16. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a plurality of opening members are provided for opening the edges of the tubular article.

The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the opening means comprises a plurality of stems extending in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of the tubular member.

16. A device according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the plurality of opening devices are supported by the annular structure.

The apparatus according to claim 16, comprising the same number of the stems as a plurality of gripping members.

19. A device according to claim 16, 17 or 18, wherein the plurality of stems move between a first mutual closed position and a second open position.

The movement of the plurality of stems between the first position and the second position is essentially parallel with respect to the movement of the plurality of gripping members between the first position and the second position; The apparatus according to claim 19, characterized in that:

The plurality of gripping members are attached to a plurality of sliding portions that slide a plurality of guide portions incorporated in the annular structure, and the plurality of sliding portions are operated by individual actuators. The apparatus of claim 14.

The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the plurality of stems are elastically connected to the plurality of sliding portions.

The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 22, wherein the plurality of gripping members perform a plurality of movements that change positions at least partially.

A first pair of two balanced gripping members that grip and open the tubular article is first controlled, and after the movement of the first pair, a second pair of gripping member movements that are balanced with each other to grip and open the tubular article. The apparatus according to claim 4 or 23, wherein the plurality of gripping members are operated by controlling.

The plurality of stems are operated cooperatively with movement of a second pair of gripping members to take inside the article constrained by the pair of gripping members and then open. 25. Apparatus according to any one of 19 or 24.

The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 25, wherein the plurality of gripping members are a plurality of suction members.

27. The tubular member according to any one of claims 1 to 26, wherein the tubular member can be connected to a suction tube, the inlet of which is disposed on the opposite side of the plurality of gripping members relative to the outlet end of the tubular member. A device according to claim 1.

28. The apparatus of claim 27, comprising means for blocking the tubular article between the plurality of gripping members and the inlet of the suction tube.

29. Apparatus according to any one of claims 11 or 27 or 11 or 28, wherein the suction tube is connected to the movable unit.

A plurality of movable annular structures supporting the plurality of gripping members capture the article and slide it on the outer surface of the tubular member by moving the movable annular structure relative to the tubular member. The device according to claim 14, further comprising a radially arranged pressing portion.

The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 30, further comprising a plurality of sensors for confirming that an article is gripped by the plurality of gripping members.

The tubular member is formed by the two tubular elements that can be moved axially relative to each other, with one inserted into the other, and at least a portion of the plurality of guide and direction defining means is located on the innermost tubular element. 32. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 31, wherein the device is incorporated.

33. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the outermost tubular element has a plurality of slots that extend parallel to the axis of the tubular member from the edge of the outlet end.

A collar that reduces the passage cross-section of the tubular member is disposed inside the tubular member and downstream of the plurality of guides and direction defining means in the direction of travel of the tubular article. The apparatus as described in any one of.

35. The plurality of guide and direction defining means of the tubular article has a frustoconical surface following four cylindrical surfaces corresponding to the plurality of gripping means. The device according to item.

In a method for opening an end of a flexible tubular member, in particular a tubular knitted article:
Conveying the article to one end of the tubular member by air;
Directing an end of the article to a predetermined location associated with a plurality of gripping units;
Holding the article by the plurality of members corresponding to the closing end;
Opening a plurality of gripping members to open an end of the article;
35. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 34, comprising:

Inserting a plurality of opening means into the open end of the article;
Pulling the article by the opening means corresponding to its end;
Turning over the edge of the article by the opening means on the outer surface of the tubular member;
38. The method of claim 36, comprising:

38. The method of claim 37, comprising flipping the entire article over the outer surface of the tubular member.

Orienting the entire edge so that the first pair of balanced gripping members is substantially perpendicular to the first direction aligned with each other, and the second pair of gripping members 39. A method according to any one of claims 36 to 38, wherein is aligned and balanced along a second direction essentially orthogonal to the first direction.

The article is captured by the first pair of gripping members and stretched along the alternate direction while a second pair of gripping members are held away from the article; a second pair of gripping members 40. The method of claim 39, wherein the method then approaches the article, grasps the article and stretches in the second direction.

41. The method according to any one of claims 36 to 40, wherein the plurality of gripping members capture an article with air.