US20050115279A1 - Device for transferring a tubular knitted article from the machine where it is made to means for closing the toe - Google Patents

Device for transferring a tubular knitted article from the machine where it is made to means for closing the toe Download PDF

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Publication number
US20050115279A1
US20050115279A1 US10/488,392 US48839204A US2005115279A1 US 20050115279 A1 US20050115279 A1 US 20050115279A1 US 48839204 A US48839204 A US 48839204A US 2005115279 A1 US2005115279 A1 US 2005115279A1
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United States
Prior art keywords
article
tubular member
station
tubular
toe
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Abandoned
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US10/488,392
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English (en)
Inventor
Antonio Magni
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Golden Lady SpA
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Golden Lady SpA
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Assigned to GOLDEN LADY S.P.A. reassignment GOLDEN LADY S.P.A. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: MAGNI, ANTONIO
Publication of US20050115279A1 publication Critical patent/US20050115279A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D04—BRAIDING; LACE-MAKING; KNITTING; TRIMMINGS; NON-WOVEN FABRICS
    • D04B—KNITTING
    • D04B9/00—Circular knitting machines with independently-movable needles
    • D04B9/42—Circular knitting machines with independently-movable needles specially adapted for producing goods of particular configuration
    • D04B9/46—Circular knitting machines with independently-movable needles specially adapted for producing goods of particular configuration stockings, or portions thereof
    • D04B9/56—Circular knitting machines with independently-movable needles specially adapted for producing goods of particular configuration stockings, or portions thereof heel or toe portions
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D04—BRAIDING; LACE-MAKING; KNITTING; TRIMMINGS; NON-WOVEN FABRICS
    • D04B—KNITTING
    • D04B9/00—Circular knitting machines with independently-movable needles
    • D04B9/40—Circular knitting machines with independently-movable needles with provision for transfer of knitted goods from one machine to another
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D04—BRAIDING; LACE-MAKING; KNITTING; TRIMMINGS; NON-WOVEN FABRICS
    • D04B—KNITTING
    • D04B15/00—Details of, or auxiliary devices incorporated in, weft knitting machines, restricted to machines of this kind
    • D04B15/88—Take-up or draw-off devices for knitting products
    • D04B15/92—Take-up or draw-off devices for knitting products pneumatic
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D05—SEWING; EMBROIDERING; TUFTING
    • D05B—SEWING
    • D05B23/00—Sewing apparatus or machines not otherwise provided for
    • D05B23/007—Sewing units for assembling parts of knitted panties or closing the stocking toe part
    • D05B23/009—Toe closers

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a device for transferring tubular articles, e.g. tubular knitted articles, such as stockings or socks and the like, from a knitting machine where they are made, e.g. a circular knitting machine, to means (which are external to the knitting machine) which close the toe of the articles.
  • tubular articles e.g. tubular knitted articles, such as stockings or socks and the like
  • a knitting machine where they are made, e.g. a circular knitting machine, to means (which are external to the knitting machine) which close the toe of the articles.
  • the invention also relates to a method for making tubular knitted articles with closed toe and a knitting machine equipped with a device of this kind.
  • Knitting machines which include particular devices for closing the toe during either a final phase or and initial phase of the knitting process of the article have been designed for this purpose. This approach causes construction problems and cannot be implemented in traditional knitting machines because they cannot be transformed to comprises such devices.
  • WO-A-00/011869 describes a device and a procedure for closing the toe of a tubular article by sewing which consists in arranging a sewing machine under the needle cylinder of the knitting machine.
  • the tubular article is gripped by retaining means before being fully released from the needles of the knitting machine and transferred to the sewing machine underneath by means of an intermediate system for turning it inside out. After being sewn, the article is turned inside out again and removed from the machine.
  • This device and this method present the problem of once again requiring an internal modification of the knitting machien in order to be implemented. Such an intervention is not always possible and implementation depends, among other things, on the dimensions of the machine members and the available space under the needle cylinder, as well as the longitudinal dimension of the articles to be made.
  • EP-A-1118700 describes a device with a system for extracting the article from the knitting machine by means of a tubular guide which is inserted coaxially with respect to the needle cylinder inside and around which the tubular article is formed. The extracted article is then transferred to a system for closing the toe external to the knitting machine and arranged, for example, by the side of it.
  • This system has the advantage, with respect to the preivous one, of being more easily implemented in knitting machine of the existing type.
  • this solution also presents limitations. This is because a considerable axial dimension of the knitting machine is required for implementing the adaptation.
  • knitting machines specifically those use for making socks, stockings and pantyhose legs—implement a pneumatic system for extracting the article from the knitting machine by means of a tube inside which the product is sucked when it is released by the needles.
  • the tubular articles with open toe are then collected in containers in which they are transferred to specific departments where the toes are sewn and other operations are carried out, e.g. in the case of pantyhoses, the two legs (separately made by the knitting machine) are coupled to form a single finished garment.
  • Very complex and costly machines working at extremely high production rates are used to carry out these operations.
  • Each machine receives the tubular articles from a container from the production department, made using several different circular knitting machines.
  • Each machine consists in various stations in which the articles are loaded, oriented, turned inside out, sewn in the toe area, straightened again and unloaded.
  • One single machine of this kind carries out the production of several knitting machines. Examples of machines for sewing pantyhose legs are described in Nils Modig, “ Hosiery Machines: Their Development, Technology and Practical Use ”, Meisenbach Bamberg, 2 nd edition, 1988, page 100 and following.
  • Machines of this kind are not suitable for automatically making socks, because in many cases labor intensive operations are required and because they are only suitable for mass production while socks are usually made in small batches.
  • Object of the invention is to make a device which can be easily applied to a traditional knitting machine and which can be used to close the toe of the tubular articles made by the knitting machine outside the machine itself.
  • An additional object of the invention is to provide a new method for the production of tubular knitted articles whose toe is closed automatically at the end of the knitting process without the need for complex handling or labor.
  • the invention relates to a device for closing the toe of a tubular knitted article coming from the knitting machine where it is made, comprising the following combination:
  • a device of this kind can be easily interfaced with a single knitting machine or several machines by means of the pneumatic transfer tube.
  • the articles are thus unloaded from the machine according to traditional methods with the toe open and without the need for inserting any sort of collection device, apparatus or mechanism inside the machine other than a simple pneumatic transfer tube or conduit.
  • the product received from the machine is then positioned, turned inside out, sewn or linked, or another operation is made for closing the toe, turned inside out again and finally unloaded following machining in two separate stations.
  • the article is then transferred from one station to the other by means of a system consisting of two mobile tubular members.
  • said operations can be carried out in parallel on two articles.
  • the tubular member support can turn (intermittently always in the same direction or alternatingly) on an axis for positioning the first and the second tubular member alternatively in the first and the second station.
  • the two tubular members can be arranged either reciprocally parallel or slanted. Preferably, they are reciprocally parallel and parallel to the axis of rotation and oscillation of the respective support although other configurations are possible.
  • the tubular article from the knitting machine can be presented to the tubular member which is in the first station on the end of the member corresponding to the position where the toe is positioned and closed.
  • the article is supplied to the tubular member from the opposite side.
  • the outlet of the pneumatic transfer tube in this case faces towards the inside of the tubular member which is temporarily in the first station.
  • the article is sucked by suitable suction, leaves the pneumatic transfer tube and enters inside the tubular member where it is stopped near the opposite end to the end through which it entered. Opening and positioning means are found in this position, comprising the means of turning inside out and positioning the edges to be sewn.
  • An arrangement of this kind results in a structure which is very simple, cost-effective and reliable, with a reduced number of parts, capable of reducing handling times of the article.
  • the latter penetrates in the tubular member with the edge opposite to the toe to be closed first, i.e. with the toe facing upstream with respect to the advancement movement of the article along the pneumatic transfer tube and along the tubular member.
  • the opening means comprise gripping means (e.g. preferably pneumatic means) to grip the end of said article opposite to toe to be closed, i.e. in the case of an article in the form a sock, the elastic edge of the article.
  • the gripping means open the elastic edge and turn it inside out on the outer surface of the tubular member.
  • a method for the production of a tubular knitted article with a closed toe can be implemented using a device of the type herein described, the method comprising the following phases:
  • the end of the tubular article opposite to said toe is opened in the first station and the article is turned inside out.
  • the operations to be carried out on the tubular article can be variously subdivided between the first and second station.
  • the article can be fed to the first station, transferred to the second station and removed from the second station. Alternatively, from here, it can be transferred back to the first station and removed pneumatically from the first station.
  • the article after closing the toe, can be turned inside out again from outside to inside said tubular member and removed by suction through said tubular member in the first or second station.
  • the method comprises the following phases:
  • the device and method according to the invention will be described in the context of an embodiment implementing particularly innovative means for orienting, positioning and opening the single articles. However, it is understood that the invention can be implemented with other orientation, positioning and opening means.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the device for turning inside out, transferring and closing a tubular article
  • FIG. 1A shows a perspective view which is similar to the view show in FIG. 1 with parts removed;
  • FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a knitting machine equipped with the device shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 ;
  • FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the gripping member unit for opening the article
  • FIG. 4 shows a perspective view from a different point of view of the unit in FIG. 3 showing the opening and pressing members for turning the tubular article inside out
  • FIG. 5 shows an isolated perspective view of the means for guiding and orienting the article which is supplied to the device to be opened, turned inside out and closed in the toe area,
  • FIGS. 6A and 6B show two perspective views cross-sectioned along two longitudinal, reciprocally orthogonal planes of one of the tubular members with gripping members for opening the tubular article and the means for guiding and orienting the tubular article,
  • FIG. 7 shows the effect of the guiding and orienting means on the article arriving in the tubular member
  • FIG. 8A shows a perspective cross-sectional view according to a longitudinal plane of one of the tubular members
  • FIG. 8B shows a perspective view of the terminal part of the pneumatic transfer tube and the tubular member support
  • FIGS. 9A and 9B show two possible positions in which the tubular article can be arranged when it arrives at the end of the tubular member on which it must be turned inside out before the toe is closed at a later stage
  • FIGS. 10 to 13 show four subsequent phases of the opening operation involving the elastic edge of the tubular article in a cross-section which is orthogonal to the axis of the tubular member
  • FIGS. 14 to 18 show, in a longitudinal cross-section, successive phases of the reversing operation of the elastic edge of the tubular article on the external surface of the tubular member
  • FIGS. 19 and 20 are longitudinal cross-sections showing two successive phases of the tubular article reversing operation on the outer surface of the tubular member
  • FIGS. 21A to 21 D show four subsequent phases of an operation for aligning the edge of the tubular article
  • FIG. 22 shows the tubular member with the article turned inside out on the outer surface prior to being transferred to the second station where the toe is closed
  • FIGS. 23 to 28 show, in a longitudinal cross-sectional view, successive phases of the operation of tensioning the article for closing the toe and the beginning of the unloading phase of the article with a closed toe
  • FIGS. 29 and 30 are perspective views cross-sectioned along two reciprocally orthogonal longitudinal planes of a tubular member with guiding and orienting means in a different embodiment.
  • FIGS. 1, 1A and 2 show a device according to the invention applicable to a knitting machine, typically a circular knitting machine, for the production of tubular articles, such as socks, stockings or the like.
  • the device is generically indicated with reference numeral 1 while reference numeral 2 in FIG. 2 schematically indicates a circular knitting machine of the type known per se to which device 1 is combined.
  • the device 1 presents a support 3 which carries two reciprocally parallel tubular members 5 A, 5 B.
  • the support 3 turns on an axis A-A which is parallel to the axis of the two tubular members 5 A, 5 B.
  • the rotary movement of the support 3 is controlled by an actuator 7 arranged above and carried by a fixed frame 9 .
  • the rotary movement can be proceeded by an upwards movement of the support and consequently of the tubular members which are applied to it to avoid the collision (during rotation) with the mechanical parts surrounding the lower end of the two tubular members.
  • the support 3 turns by 180° on the axis A-A and the two tubular members 5 A, 5 B are alternatively positioned in two stations side by side.
  • the movement can be either an alternating movement or an intermittent rotary movement without reversing the direction of rotation.
  • Opening means are arranged in the first station where the tubular member 5 A is located in FIGS. 1A, 1B .
  • the opening means comprise gripping members and opening means for holding the elastic edge of each article which is supplied into the tubular member in the first station and to open the elastic edge on the outer surface of the tubular member itself. Additionally, means for reversing the tubular article on the outer surface of the tubular member are provided.
  • the union of these positioning members is generically indicated by reference numeral 11 in FIG. 1 , while a part of these members has been removed in FIG. 1A for greater clarity.
  • Angular orienting means and tensioning means are arranged in the second station, said means being generically indicated by reference numeral 13 , to pull the toe of the tubular article to be closed and closing means 15 , specifically a sewing machine, for closing the toe of the article by sewing or other operation (e.g. linking).
  • the tubular articles made by the knitting machine 2 are supplied to the device 1 via a pneumatic transfer tube 17 presenting a terminal curve 17 A arranged at an angle of 90° and facing one first end of the tubular member 5 A, 5 B which is temporarily in the first station, i.e. the tubular member 5 A in the position shown in FIGS. 1, 1A , 2 .
  • the pneumatic transfer tube 17 is connected to a conduit 19 leading from the lower part of the needle cylinder of the knitting machine 2 .
  • Interception means generically indicated by reference numeral 21 , are arranged between the tube 17 and the conduit 19 .
  • the suction required for collecting the article made by the machine 2 and discharged from the needles is generated, as described below, through the tubular member 5 A or 5 B which is temporarily in the first station holding the interception members 21 open.
  • the tubular article after being closed by the sewing machine 15 in the second station is transferred again to the first station and sucked to be removed via a pneumatic unloading conduit 23 .
  • the conduit 23 is connected to the pneumatic transfer tube 17 and to a fitting 25 which is in turn connected to a suction device (not shown).
  • the article is aspirated from inside the tubular member 5 A or 5 B in which it is reinserted after closing the toe and transits along the tube 17 and along the conduit 23 to reach a box 27 where it is unloaded in a way which is known per se.
  • the interception means 21 are closed. After unloading the finished article, a new article is aspirated through the conduit 19 and the transfer tube 17 .
  • the device described to this point works as follows. A first article made by the machine 2 is sucked via the conduit 19 and the transfer tube 17 to reach the tubular member 5 A. Since the article is made by the machine 2 starting from the elastic edge and ending with the toe, it reaches the tubular member 5 A with the elastic edge first and the toe behind, i.e. downstream with respect to the direction of advancement. Having reached the lower end of the tubular member 5 A, the article is turned inside out on the outer surface of the tubular member 5 A by the members generically indicated with reference numeral 11 and described in greater detail below.
  • the support 3 After being positioned, the support 3 is turned by 180° and the position of the tubular members 5 A, 5 B is turned inside out, so that the tubular member 5 A is in the second station while the tubular member 5 B is taken to the first station.
  • the toe of the article is pulled and sewn according to a method which is essentially similar to that described in EP-A-1118700 or the like.
  • the support 3 After closing the toe of the first article in the second station and positioning the second article in the first station, the support 3 turns again by 180° to return the tubular members 5 A, 5 B in the configuration shown in FIG. 1 .
  • the first article is sucked and unloaded along the tube 17 and the conduit 23 to permit the introduction of the next article while the toe of the second article is closed in the second station.
  • the article can be turned inside out the second time after closing the toe in the first or second station both being equipped with means for performing the operation as illustrated below.
  • the device 1 is capable of performing the toe closing operations by working on two articles at the same time in the two stations between which the articles are transferred by mechanism 3 , 5 A, 5 B. In this way, the operations needed to close the two overlap. Consequently, the total time required to close the toe is reduced and the device 1 can close all articles from the knitting machine 2 to which it is combined.
  • FIGS. 3 to 7 show in detail the members for opening and turning inside out the tubular articles which are individually supplied by the pneumatic transfer tube 17 inside either one or the other tubular member 5 A, 5 B.
  • the assembly of the members 11 is carried by an annular structure 31 which is coaxial with the tubular member 5 A or 5 B temporarily located in the first station.
  • the annular structure 31 is carried by a slide 33 ( FIGS. 1, 1A ) moving on a vertical guide 36 parallel to the axis of the tubular members 5 A, 5 B.
  • the annular structure carries a plurality of radially movable pressers 35 , each of which is associated with a respective actuator 37 (see FIG. 4 in particular). As better described below, the pressers 35 turn the tubular article inside out on the outer surface of the tubular member 5 A or 5 B and other auxiliary functions.
  • the annular structure 31 carries four linear actuators 39 , e.g. cylinder-piston actuators, which control the movement of respective sliders 41 moving along guides 43 , which are orthogonal to the axis of the tubular members 5 A, 5 B.
  • Each slider 41 carries a respective pneumatic gripping member.
  • the gripping members of a first pair are indicated by reference numeral 45 A, while the gripping members of the second pair are indicated by reference numeral 45 B.
  • the movement of the gripping members and the sliders 41 is indicated by the double arrow f 41 .
  • Each gripping member presents a sucking head 47 applied to a first end of a tube 49 whose second end is connected by means of a flexible tube to a suction line.
  • the flexible tubes and the suction line are not shown for the sake of simplicity of the drawing.
  • a respective stem 51 (see FIGS. 6A and 6B in detail) is associated to each gripping member 45 A, 45 B.
  • the stems form opening means for opening the edge of the tubular article opposite to the toe of the article which must be closed.
  • Each stem is carried by a slide 53 moving on a guide 55 which is integral with a respective slider 41 .
  • Each slide 53 is secured by a traction spring 57 to an appendix 59 which is integral with the respective slider 41 so that the four stems 51 are elastically stressed towards the axis of the annular structure 31 and of the tubular member 5 A and 5 B for the purposes which will be illustrated below.
  • a mobile unit 31 is arranged under the annular structure.
  • the mobile unit comprises the upper end of a suction tube 61 carried by a support 63 vertically movable and controlled by an actuator (schematically referred to by numeral 64 ) according to the double arrow f 63 .
  • the tube 61 is connected to a suction source by means of a flexible tube (both not shown in the drawing).
  • FIG. 5 which shows the suction tube 61 isolated from the other components of the device
  • the upper part of the suction tube 61 forms housings for the passage of the gripping members 45 A, 45 B, indicated by reference numeral 65 .
  • the suction tube 61 presents an interception member 67 consisting of a grid to stop the sucked tubular articles from penetrating inside the tube.
  • the appendixes 71 A and 73 A are reciprocally symmetric.
  • the appendixes 71 B, 73 B are also reciprocally symmetrical.
  • Reciprocally symmetric contoured appendixes 71 C, 73 C are provided inside each of the tubular members 5 A, 5 B and shown isolated from the respective tubular member in FIG. 5 .
  • the shape of the contoured appendixes 71 C, 73 C is complementary with respect to the contoured appendixes 71 A, 71 B, 73 A, 73 B and integral with the suction tube 61 so that the appendix 71 C is inserted between the appendixes 71 A, 71 B forming a contoured body which shape is symmetrical with respect to that formed by the appendixes 73 A, 73 B, 73 C when the latter are inserted between the appendixes 73 A, 73 B.
  • the two symmetric contoured bodies are generically indicated by reference numerals 71 and 73 in FIGS. 6A and 6B where they are shown as if they were made of a single part and where the respective tubular member 5 A, 5 B has been removed to clearly show the shape of the contoured bodies.
  • the suction tube 61 is mobile in the direction of the double arrow f 63 with respect to the tubular member 5 A or 5 B which is temporarily in the first station of the device 1 allowing the opening of the tubular article by the gripping members 45 A, 45 B, as clearly described below.
  • the contoured bodies 71 , 73 formed by coupling the appendixes 71 A, 71 B, 71 C and 73 A, 73 B, 73 C form means for guiding and orienting the tubular article which reaches the lower end of the tubular members 5 A or 5 B.
  • the contoured bodies 71 and 73 present three main variously contoured surfaces.
  • Each body presents a first cylindrical surface, indicated by reference S 71 and S 73 , reciprocally, corresponding to the internal cylindrical surface of the tubular member 5 A or 5 B.
  • each body presents a orienting and guiding surface indicated by reference X 71 and X 73 .
  • each contoured body 71 , 73 presents a third flat surface indicated by reference Y 71 and Y 73 which are parallel one with respect to the other and to the axis of the respective tubular member 5 A, 5 B defining a passage area of the knitted article with an elongated cross-section in the lower area of the two contoured bodies near the outlet of the tubular member 5 A, 5 B.
  • FIGS. 7A to 7 F The conformation of the contoured bodies 71 and 73 orients and guides the tubular article which reaches inside the tubular member 5 A or 5 B.
  • FIGS. 7A to 7 F The effect of the conformation of the contoured bodies 71 , 73 on the position of the tubular article is clearly illustrated in FIGS. 7A to 7 F, where FIG. 7A is a perspective view of the two contoured bodies 71 , 73 and FIGS. 7 B to 7 F are cross-sections according to planes which are orthogonal to the axis of the tubular member 5 A or 5 B in the positions indicated by references B, C, D, E, F in FIG. 7A .
  • reference M indicates the tubular article illustrating a transversal cross-section of the elastic edge of the article itself.
  • FIG. 7A is a perspective view of the two contoured bodies 71 , 73 and FIGS. 7 B to 7 F are cross-sections according to planes which are orthogonal to the
  • the article M is shown with the elastic edge folded in four and orthogonally oriented with respect to the surfaces Y 71 , Y 73 .
  • This is one of the possible configurations in which the article can arrive from the pneumatic transfer tube 17 .
  • the article M will always arrive approximately folded in this way, but with any angular orientation on the axis of the tubular member.
  • the article M collides with the surfaces X 71 and X 73 and is so forced to turn to assume a turned orientation to a maximum of 90° with respect to the initial orientation, i.e. arranged parallelly to the surfaces Y 71 , Y 73 .
  • the surfaces X 71 , X 73 thereof cause the possible rotation to take the article to the final position indicated by reference M 1 or to the position which is turned by 180° with respect to this position, i.e. always parallel to the surfaces Y 71 , Y 73 as shown in FIGS. 7A to 7 F. This facilitates opening and turning the articles inside out by means of the previously described members, as illustrated below.
  • FIG. 8A which shows the upper end of one of the tubular members 5 A, 5 B
  • the latter each consists of two coaxial tubular elements, internal and external reciprocally, identified by references 5 X and 5 Y in FIG. 8A .
  • the tubular element 5 X can slide for a short distance inside the tubular element 5 Y which is directly supported by support 3 .
  • a helical compression spring 6 housed in a gap between the two tubular elements 5 X, 5 Y tends to stress the internal tubular element 5 X upwards, i.e. to project from the top of the tubular element 5 Y.
  • the contoured bodies 71 , 73 (or more precisely the portions 71 C, 73 C of them) are integral with the internal tubular element 5 X of the respective tubular member 5 A, 5 B.
  • the internal tubular element 5 X can be pushed downwards and slide inside the tubular element 5 Y whereby overcoming the elastic force of the spring 6 .
  • the pneumatic transfer tube 17 ends with a telescopically elongating portion 17 C presenting a collar 17 D. Downwards elongation of the portion 17 C is controlled by a pair of cylinder-piston actuators 18 , one of which is visible in FIG. 8B while both are visible in FIGS. 1, 1A , 2 .
  • the collar 17 D rests on a corresponding collar 5 Z, which is integral with the internal tubular element 5 X of the tubular member 5 A or 5 B, which is temporarily in the first station by pushing the tubular element 5 X downwards.
  • the operations described below are carried out alternatively on the tubular member 5 A and on the tubular member 5 B.
  • the operation hereof described are explained with reference to tubular member 5 A.
  • the actuator 7 places the support 3 in an angular position so to arrange the tubular member 5 A in the position of FIGS. 1, 1A .
  • the actuator 63 moves the suction tube 61 upwards making the appendixes 71 A, 71 B, 73 A, 73 B which are integral with it penetrate inside the tubular member 5 A to complete the contoured bodies 71 , 73 (with the appendixes 71 C, 73 C).
  • the telescopic portion 17 D is lowered to pneumatically connect the tube 17 with the inside of the tubular member 5 A. Vacuum is created in conduit 19 , the pneumatic transfer tube 17 and the tubular member 5 A by means of the suction tube 61 (the interception means 21 are open). As soon as the article being knitted by the machine 2 is completed, it is released by the needles and sucked towards the tubular member 5 A. The article is open along both the elastic edge and the toe. It moves along the pneumatic path with the elastic edge forwards and the toe behind.
  • the vacuum inside the pneumatic route pulls the tubular article M until it collides against the grid 67 which is integral with the suction tube 61 .
  • the article reaches the tubular member 5 A in any position and when it comes into contact with the grid 67 it is arranged in one of the two positions which are schematically illustrated in FIGS. 9A and 9B which are orthogonal cross-sections with respect to the axis of the tubular member 5 A carried out near the gripping members 45 A, 45 B.
  • the gripping members 45 A, 45 B are positioned as shown in FIGS. 9 A and 9 B: the counterpoised gripping members 45 A are more distanced with respect to the counterpoised gripping members 45 B.
  • the members 45 A are aligned in the direction corresponding to the greater dimension of the elongated cross-section gap defined by the surfaces Y 71 , Y 73 on the lower part of the contoured bodies 71 , 73 while the members 45 B are aligned in the direction which is orthogonal to the larger dimension.
  • the gripping members 45 A, 45 B are arranged directly over the grid 67 , they are in the position where the elastic edge of the sock or other tubular article arriving from the knitting machine 2 is arranged and are capable of gripping this edge to open it and turn it inside out on the outer surface of the tubular member 5 A as described below.
  • suction in the suction tube 61 can be discontinued and the counterpoised gripping members 45 B can be reciprocally closed and pressed against the tubular article M as shown in FIG. 10 . Having reached this position, suction can be activated through the gripping members 45 B so that they can grip the edge of the tubular article in two counterpoised areas. At the same time, the suction tube 61 can be moved downwards and distanced by the actuator 63 . In this way, a gap is created around the gripping members 45 A, 45 B, said gripping members being under the lower edge of the tubular member 5 A.
  • the opening movement of the gripping members 45 B controlled by the respective actuators 39 thus opens the tubular article M which assumes the position shown in FIG. 11 in the area projecting from the lower inlet of the tubular member 5 A.
  • the gripping members 45 A are reciprocally approached and pressed against the edge of the tubular article M in the area comprised between the two gripping members 45 B, as shown in FIG. 12 .
  • the latter are activated by creating inside a suction so that the tubular article is engaged by the members.
  • the following opening movement of the gripping members 45 A causes the complete opening of the article M which assumes the position shown in FIG. 13 .
  • FIG. 14 shows a longitudinal cross-section of the tubular member 5 A while opening the elastic edge of the article M.
  • Reference MB indicates the elastic edge of the article and reference MP indicates the toe, i.e. the edge intended to form the closed toe of the article after being closed in the second station of the device 1 .
  • FIGS. 15 and 20 show the operations for turning the tubular article M inside out on the tubular member 5 A according to the same cross-section.
  • stems 51 have been inserted inside the open edge MB of the tubular article M.
  • the stems withhold the edge after deactivating the gripping members and the fabric of the edge MB no longer adheres to them.
  • the actuators 39 open the stems 51 as shown by the arrows in FIG. 15 to reach the position shown in FIG. 16 .
  • the four stems 51 (of which only two appear in the cross-section view) are in such a widely open position that the edge MB of the article M is arranged clear of the inlet of the tubular member 5 A. It is not ruled out that the opening operations be carried out by different means, e.g. by a single set of gripping means also of the mechanical type.
  • the arrangement herein described is particularly reliable because it avoids accidentally damaging the fabric which forms the article.
  • the internal tubular element 5 X when opening the edge MB of the article M the internal tubular element 5 X is in retracted position, i.e. made to retract along the tubular element 5 Y. This is obtained by returning the collar 17 D and the portion 17 C of the pneumatic transfer tube 17 upwards ( FIG. 8B ). Conversely, in FIG. 16 , the internal tubular element 5 X is pushed again in the lower position, i.e. with the inlet aligned with the inlet of the external tubular element 5 Y. This movement modifies the position of the appendixes 71 C, 73 C which are integral with the tubular element 5 X with respect to the lower inlet of the tubular member 5 A.
  • the radial pressers After turning the edge MB of the article M on the outer surface of the tubular member 5 A, the radial pressers are pressed against the edge itself and the structure 31 which also carries said radial pressers is additionally moved upwards (see FIGS. 19, 20 ). In this way, the radial pressers 35 move the tubular article M turning it inside out from inside to outer surface the tubular member 5 A to also take the edge MP formed by the edges of the toe to be closed on the outer surface of the tubular member. More than one travel of the structure 31 may be needed in the case of long articles in which the open radial pressers 35 are moved downwards and upwards again with the radial pressers 35 closed on the tubular member 5 A.
  • the edge MP may need to be aligned and taken parallel to the inlet edge of the tubular member 5 A.
  • This operation can be performed in the first or the second station and is illustrated in FIGS. 21A to 21 D.
  • the article M is entirely turned inside out on the outer surface of the tubular member 5 A and the edge MP intended to form the closed toe is arranged in a casual, irregular retracted position with respect to the terminal edge of the tubular member 5 A.
  • the radial pressers 35 are arranged in correspondence with the terminal area of the tubular member under the edge MP and approached to the external surface of the tubular member.
  • the edge MP is approximately aligned on an ideal circumference which is on top tangent the radial pressers 35 .
  • the pressers 35 are opened and additionally moved upwards to a height which is immediately over the edge MP ( FIG. 21C ) and closed to press on the tubular article M.
  • the closed pressers are lowered to align the edge MP with the lower terminal edge of the tubular member 5 A in the configuration of FIG. 21D .
  • the process can be controlled, for example by means of optical sensors (not shown).
  • the edge MP is aligned on a plane which is orthogonal with the axis of the tubular member and which contains the lower edge of the tubular member 5 A.
  • the procedure for aligning the edge MP could be carried out in the second station with similar radial pressers which are provided in said station for other functions as illustrated below.
  • FIG. 22 shows a longitudinal cross-section of the tubular member 5 A after the operation consisting in turning the article inside out and aligning the edge MP of the article before rotating the support 3 by 180° which transfers the tubular member 5 A to the second station.
  • FIGS. 23 and 27 show the operations of tensioning the tubular article in the second station before closing the toe.
  • An annular structure 81 which is similar to structure 31 is arranged in the second station and carried by a slide 83 moving on a vertical guide 85 (see FIGS. 1 and 2 ).
  • the annular structure 81 presents radial pressers 87 which are operated by actuators 89 , similar to the radial pressers 35 and the respective actuators 37 .
  • the annular structure 81 with the radial pressers which are fitted on it is angularly mobile on its axis coinciding with the axis of the tubular member 5 A or 5 B temporarily located in the second station.
  • the angular movement is provided by an actuator 90 ( FIGS. 1-2 ).
  • the radial pressers 87 are pressed against the outer surface of the tubular article M, the edge MP of the tubular article can be positioned angularly with respect to the tubular member 5 A to take the two edges to be joined to form the closed toe and align them with two slots or grooves 5 D diametrically opposed along the terminal area of the external tubular element 5 Y from the edge of the latter and visible in particular in FIG. 25 .
  • the tubular member 5 A is angularly fixed with respect to the support 3 or if its angular position is known, the angular position of the slots 5 D is known beforehand.
  • a photocell or other optical sensor 91 shown in FIG.
  • This angular orientation operation of the tubular article with respect to the tubular member on which the article is fitted can be carried out also in the first station instead of the second. Furthermore, it can be carried out also by turning the tubular member and keeping the article angularly stopped by means of the radial pressers. In general, the angular orientation is obtained, consequently, by reciprocally moving the article which respect to the tubular member where the fixed element can be either one or the other.
  • brackets 13 A belonging to the tensioning means 13 can be introduced inside the tubular member from the bottom ( FIGS. 24, 25 ).
  • the brackets 13 A can be opened ( FIG. 26 ) projecting outwards radially from the tubular member 5 A through the diametrically opposite slots 5 D to tension the edge MP of the article, as shown in FIG. 26 .
  • a subsequent downwards movement of the brackets 13 A carries the tensioned edge under the lower edge of the tubular member into an area in which it is sewn by sewing machine 15 or other suitable means, equipped for example with a guillotine in which the fabric of the edge MP penetrates.
  • the closing operation is carried out in a way which is known per se and will not be described herein.
  • the article M After closing the toe, the article M can be turned inside out again penetrating inside the tubular member 5 A and removed. This operation is carried out again by the radial pressers.
  • the second operation consisting in turning the article inside out and distancing it are carried out in the first station where the tubular member 5 A is returned by a new 180° rotation of the support 3 . Consequently, in this case, the radial pressers 35 carry out the second operation consisting in turning the article inside out while an upwards suction is generated inside the tubular member 5 A.
  • FIG. 28 shows the initial phase of the second inside out turning operation which is obtained by one or more alternating strokes of the radial pressers 35 until the elastic edge MB is sucked into the tubular member 5 A.
  • a suction conduit similar to the transfer tube 17 can be provided and arranged over the transfer means in line with the tubular member 5 A or 5 B which is temporarily in the second station.
  • the second operation consisting in turning the tubular article inside out after closing the toe is carried out in the second station by means of the radial pressers 87 .
  • the distribution of the various phases between the two stations will be different.
  • the sequence will entail that the operations of opening the elastic edge MB and closing the toe MP must necessarily be carried out in two different stations, i.e. in the first station and in the second station.
  • the remaining operations can be carried out in either one or the other of the two stations and distributed according to the need or choice of the operator, always considering the need to minimize the total time needed to close the toe.
  • the angular orientation of the article FIGS. 23, 24
  • Alignment of the edge MP ( FIGS. 21A-21D ) can in principle be carried out by means of the radial pressers 87 in the second station.
  • the second operation consisting in turning the article inside out and unloading it could be carried out in the second station.
  • FIGS. 29 and 30 show a different embodiment of the device according to two cross-sectional views which are similar to the cross-sectional views shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B .
  • the same reference numbers indicate parts which are the same or correspond to those in FIGS. 6A, 6B .
  • This second embodiment differs from the previous one for the different configuration of the guiding and orienting means upwards with respect to the gripping means.
  • the terminal portion (lower) of the tubular members 5 A, 5 B consists of an internal frusto-conical surface 101 which guides the elastic edge MB of the tubular article towards four cylindrical surfaces 103 which are arranged in correspondence with the gripping members 45 A, 45 B.
  • the edge of the tubular article is tightened on the axis of the other tubular member and is gripped by the gripping means.
  • the solution is less advantageous than the previous one because the position in which the tubular article is arranged is not determined and several repeated movements of the gripping members 45 A, 45 B may be needed for opening it.
  • the second embodiment differs from the previous one also because in the first embodiment a collar 8 is provided to reduce the cross-section of the tubular member 5 A, 5 B.
  • the collar presents a contoured lead-in cross-section to facilitate the passage of the tubular article. This prevents the article from colliding into the contoured bodies 71 , 73 , and by restricting the incoming product, arranges it for the subsequent orientation.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Textile Engineering (AREA)
  • Treatment Of Fiber Materials (AREA)
  • Sewing Machines And Sewing (AREA)
  • Knitting Machines (AREA)
  • Braiding, Manufacturing Of Bobbin-Net Or Lace, And Manufacturing Of Nets By Knotting (AREA)
US10/488,392 2001-08-28 2002-08-19 Device for transferring a tubular knitted article from the machine where it is made to means for closing the toe Abandoned US20050115279A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ITFI2001A000164 2001-08-28
IT2001FI000164A ITFI20010164A1 (it) 2001-08-28 2001-08-28 Dispositivo per il trasferimento di un manufatto tubolare in tessuto a maglia dalla macchina che lo produce a mezzi di chiusura della punta
PCT/IT2002/000541 WO2003018891A1 (en) 2001-08-28 2002-08-19 Device for transferring a tubular knitted article from the machine where it is made to means for closing the toe

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US20050115279A1 true US20050115279A1 (en) 2005-06-02

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US (1) US20050115279A1 (cs)
EP (1) EP1421231A1 (cs)
JP (1) JP2005501186A (cs)
KR (1) KR20040035740A (cs)
CN (1) CN1561416A (cs)
CA (1) CA2458633A1 (cs)
CZ (1) CZ2004289A3 (cs)
IT (1) ITFI20010164A1 (cs)
MX (1) MXPA04001823A (cs)
RU (1) RU2004109138A (cs)
WO (1) WO2003018891A1 (cs)

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US20080190340A1 (en) * 2004-11-02 2008-08-14 Cesare Colosio S.P.A. Automatic Sewing Device for Hosiery Knitting Machines
CN103451847A (zh) * 2013-08-27 2013-12-18 海宁阳光袜业有限公司 一种全自动织袜机
US20150354108A1 (en) * 2013-01-16 2015-12-10 Lonati S.P.A. Method for Closing Automatically an Axial End of a Tubular Manufacture and for Unloading it in an Inside-out Configuration, and Apparatus for performing the Method
US20160053421A1 (en) * 2013-02-26 2016-02-25 Matteo Lonati Method for performing the automated closure of an axial end of a tubular manufacture and for unloading it inside out and apparatus for performing the method
US9365961B2 (en) 2011-09-19 2016-06-14 Lonati S.P.A. Double-cylinder circular hosiery knitting machine with device for tensioning the manufacture
US10499701B2 (en) * 2016-07-25 2019-12-10 Sincetech (Fujian) Technology Co., Ltd. One-piece-vamp manufacture method and one-piece-woven-vamp

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ITMI20030896A1 (it) 2003-04-30 2004-11-01 Lonati Spa Dispositivo per perfezionare il posizionamento della punta
ITFI20040090A1 (it) * 2004-04-16 2004-07-16 Golden Lady Spa Metodo e dispositivo per manipolare un manufatto tubolare a maglia,in specie un calzino
ITFI20040259A1 (it) 2004-12-10 2005-03-10 Golden Lady Co Spa Dispositivo e metodo per manipolare manufatti tubolari a maglia come calzini o simili per eseguire la cucitura della punta
JP2007532229A (ja) * 2004-04-16 2007-11-15 ゴールデン レデイ カンパニー ソチエタ ペル アチオーニ ソックス等の管状編物品を取扱う機械
ITFI20050143A1 (it) * 2005-06-29 2005-09-28 Golden Lady Co Spa Dispositivo per manipolare manufatti tubolari a maglia, in specie calzini e simili
ITFI20060249A1 (it) * 2006-10-13 2008-04-14 Golden Lady Co Spa Dispositivo per allineare il bordo circondante una estremita' di un manufatto a maglia tubolare e relativo metodo
ITMI20080399A1 (it) 2008-03-10 2009-09-11 Lonati Spa Dispositivo rovesciatore di manufatti tubolari a maglia, particolarmente per stazioni di cucitura o di rimagliatura per la chiusura automatizzata dei manufatti tubolari in corrispondenza di una loro estremita' assiale.
IT1396192B1 (it) * 2009-10-07 2012-11-16 Santoni Spa Macchina circolare per maglieria per la produzione di capi di abbigliamento del tipo "seamless", a funzionalita' ncrementata.
CN102383300B (zh) * 2011-11-07 2015-03-18 江阴市北国包装设备有限公司 一种自动翻边机构
ITBS20130138A1 (it) * 2013-10-02 2015-04-03 Santoni & C Spa Macchina tessile circolare
CN104611823B (zh) * 2015-01-31 2017-01-25 诸暨镭尔福机械科技有限公司 一种织袜缝头一体的纬编织袜机及使用方法
ITUB20155793A1 (it) 2015-11-20 2017-05-20 Golden Lady Co Spa Dispositivo per aprire il bordo elastico di un manufatto tubolare a maglia, macchina comprendente il dispositivo e relativo metodo
IT201600082235A1 (it) * 2016-08-04 2018-02-04 Golden Lady Co Spa Dispositivo e metodo per cucire la punta di un manufatto tubolare a maglia
CN109610097B (zh) * 2018-12-14 2021-07-09 西安理工大学 一种用于袜子的传送、对接及缝合一体化设备
CN110284268B (zh) * 2019-05-28 2021-04-27 塑晟机械(嘉兴)有限公司 一种自动织袜机袜头单针缝合机构及缝合工艺
CN113862889B (zh) * 2021-11-03 2022-11-11 绍兴绿地针织有限公司 一种便于不同型号袜子出料的织袜机
CN117385562A (zh) * 2023-11-14 2024-01-12 义乌市奥锣拉机械有限公司 一种袜子缝头用翻袜管旋转装置

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US6158367A (en) * 1999-03-17 2000-12-12 B. B. & S. Knitting Consultants Apparatus and method for automatically orienting hosiery articles for closing toe ends thereof

Cited By (10)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20080190340A1 (en) * 2004-11-02 2008-08-14 Cesare Colosio S.P.A. Automatic Sewing Device for Hosiery Knitting Machines
US7640880B2 (en) * 2004-11-02 2010-01-05 Cesare Colosio, Spa Automatic sewing device for hosiery knitting machines
US9365961B2 (en) 2011-09-19 2016-06-14 Lonati S.P.A. Double-cylinder circular hosiery knitting machine with device for tensioning the manufacture
US20150354108A1 (en) * 2013-01-16 2015-12-10 Lonati S.P.A. Method for Closing Automatically an Axial End of a Tubular Manufacture and for Unloading it in an Inside-out Configuration, and Apparatus for performing the Method
US10011928B2 (en) * 2013-01-16 2018-07-03 Lonati S.P.A. Method for closing automatically an axial end of a tubular manufacture and for unloading it in an inside-out configuration, and apparatus for performing the method
US20160053421A1 (en) * 2013-02-26 2016-02-25 Matteo Lonati Method for performing the automated closure of an axial end of a tubular manufacture and for unloading it inside out and apparatus for performing the method
US9617672B2 (en) * 2013-02-28 2017-04-11 Lonati S.P.A. Method for performing the automated closure of an axial end of a tubular manufacture and for unloading it inside out and apparatus for performing the method
CN103451847A (zh) * 2013-08-27 2013-12-18 海宁阳光袜业有限公司 一种全自动织袜机
CN103451847B (zh) * 2013-08-27 2015-06-24 海宁阳光袜业有限公司 一种全自动织袜机
US10499701B2 (en) * 2016-07-25 2019-12-10 Sincetech (Fujian) Technology Co., Ltd. One-piece-vamp manufacture method and one-piece-woven-vamp

Also Published As

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ITFI20010164A1 (it) 2003-02-28
MXPA04001823A (es) 2004-07-23
CN1561416A (zh) 2005-01-05
EP1421231A1 (en) 2004-05-26
JP2005501186A (ja) 2005-01-13
KR20040035740A (ko) 2004-04-29
RU2004109138A (ru) 2005-09-27
CZ2004289A3 (cs) 2004-05-12
CA2458633A1 (en) 2003-03-06
WO2003018891A1 (en) 2003-03-06

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