US3478940A - Hosiery inspecting and bagging apparatus - Google Patents

Hosiery inspecting and bagging apparatus Download PDF

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US3478940A
US3478940A US730242A US3478940DA US3478940A US 3478940 A US3478940 A US 3478940A US 730242 A US730242 A US 730242A US 3478940D A US3478940D A US 3478940DA US 3478940 A US3478940 A US 3478940A
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hosiery
inspecting
air
passage
inspection
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Predrag V Sredl
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Southern Textile Machinery Co Inc
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Southern Textile Machinery Co Inc
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    • DTEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06HMARKING, INSPECTING, SEAMING OR SEVERING TEXTILE MATERIALS
    • D06H3/00Inspecting textile materials
    • D06H3/16Inspecting hosiery or other tubular fabric; Inspecting in combination with turning inside-out, classifying, or other handling

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  • This invention relates in general to stocking inspecting apparatus, 'and more particularly to an improved apparat'us for use in inspecting,
  • Another object of the invention is to provide an improved apparatus for inspecting and bagging socks in which the socks are inspected on the open end of a i form, and everted through the form and discharged into a receptacle.
  • an important feature of the invention resides in inducing a flow of air through a hollow inspection form to evert the stockings therethrough by applying a suction to the hollow form intermediate its inlet and outlet. Sufficient velocity is imparted to the socks while moving through the form so that their own inertia carries them past the point where the suction is applied to impel them from the open end of the form.
  • FIG. 1 is an elevation view of a hosiery inspecting, seaming, everting andbagging apparatus according to the i present invention
  • FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 3 is an enlarged elevation view of a portion of the mechanism shown in FIG. 1, with certain parts broken away to more clearly show other parts;
  • FIG. 4 is an end elevation view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 3;
  • FIG. 5 is an end view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 6- is a schematic wiring diagram illustrating the controls for the apparatus.
  • the inspecting apparatus 10 comprises a frame indicated generally by the reference numeral 13 and including a table top 14 supported by vertically adjustable legs 16, with horizontal rails 18 supported on the legs 16 below the table top.
  • An elongated horizontally disposed inspection form 20 has one end pivotally supported on table top 14 for limited pivotal movement about a vertical axis to permit the open end 22 of form 20 to be pivoted from a sewing position disposed adjacent the sewing machine 12 to inspecting and everting positions spaced from the machine as indicated in FIG. 2.
  • Inspection form 20 preferably includes an elongated cylindrical inspection body 24 of transparent material having a hollow passage 26 extending longitudinally therethrough from the open inlet 22 and opening into an enlarged cylindrical chamber 28 at its opposite end.
  • An enlarged bearing sleeve 32 is mounted on the discharge end of body 24 by suitable means such as set screws 34.
  • a counterbore 36 is formed in the end of ring 32 and an elongated cylindrical sleeve 38 is telescopingly received in the counterbore and retained therein by set screws 40.
  • An annular collar 42 is mounted on the ring 32 in concentric, outwardly spaced relation to the sleeve 38 by suitable means such as set screws 44.
  • An annular ring 46 mounted on the discharge end of sleeve 38 and attached thereto by set screws 48, acts as a spacer betweenthe outer cylindrical surface of sleeve 38 and the inner cylindrical surface of collar 42 to define an annular hollow manifold chamber 50 extending around the outer periphery of sleeve 38 along a substantial portion of its length.
  • a plurality of openings 52 spaced both axially and circumferentially along the length of sleeve 38 provides an air passage from the enlarged interior portion 28 of the inspection form to the manifold area 50.
  • Collar 42 is rigidly attached .to ring 46 by set screws 54. If desired, the body 24 may be supported for free rotation about its longitudinal axis by bearing sleeve 32.
  • journal block 56 is rigidly mounted on table top 14 by bolts 58, extending through flange 60.
  • Journal block 56 has a vertical bore 62 formed therein for rotatably supporting a vertically extending hollow shaft 64 having its upper end fixed, as by welding, within an opening 66 in collar 42.
  • Shaft 64 is rotatably supported on the end of journal block 56 by a radially extending flange 68, with the shaft 64 being retained against removal from the bore 62 by a set screw 71 extending through the journal block 56 and projecting into an annular recess 73 formed in the outer surface of the hollow shaft 64.
  • bearing block 56 provides vertical support for the inspection form while permitting pivotal movement of the form in a horizontal plane about the vertical axis of shaft 64.
  • a bracket 70 is mounted on the outer surface of collar 42 and extends horizontally thereabove.
  • An arm 72 is pivotally supported on bracket 70, as by pin 74, and a butterfly valve element 75 is mounted on the lower end of arm 72 in position to engage an annular sealing ring 76 mounted on ring 46 to close the outlet opening 77 of the inspection form.
  • Arm 72 carries an actuator 78 positioned to engage and actuate a micro switch 80 upon pivotal movement of the arm 72 about pin 74 to open the form outlet.
  • Switch 80 is electrically connected to a counter mechanism 81 which is advanced each time the switch 80 is actuated to provide an accurate count of the number of times that the butterfly valve 75 is opened.
  • Actuator element 78 also acts as a counterweight for the butterfly valve element 75 to assist in movement of the valve element to open the interior of the inspection form.
  • the table top 14 has an opening 82 extending downwardly therethrough, with an adapter sleeve 84 fixed therein in fluid communication with the axial bore 86 of the vertical shaft 64.
  • Conduit 88 is releasably attached to the adapter 84 beneath table 14, and is connected to the inlet end of a normally closed vacuum release valve 92, through a sealing ring 94, to an air filter 96 which, in turn, is connected to the inlet 97 of a vacuum pump 98.
  • the vacuum pump 98 exhausts through a flexible conduit 99, mufiler 99a, and outlet 99b.
  • Vacuum release valve 92 is normally held in the closed position by a spring 108, and moved to an open, or vacuum release position by a solenoid 110 to provide a bypass permitting air to flow into the inlet of the vacuum pump without passing through the inspection form.
  • air release valve in the closed, or de-energized position and the vacuum pump operating, air will be drawn from the inspection form through the openings 52 into the manifold area 50 and thence downward through the hollow bore 86 of shaft 64 into the vacuum pump.
  • the reduced pressure causing this flow of air will tend to urge the butterfly valve 75 to the closed position illustrated in the drawing so that a flow of air will be induced through the inspection form from the open inlet 22.
  • a micro switch 112 is mounted on journal block 56- by a suitable bracket 114, and an actuator arm 116 mounted on sleeve 42 projects laterally outward from the inspection form in position to engage and actuate the switch 112 upon pivotal movement of the form about the vertical axis of shaft 64.
  • Switch 112 is connected in the control circuit, as illustrated in FIGS. 3
  • a second micro switch 118 is mounted, by suitable bracket 120, on journal block 56 in position to be engaged and actuated by the cam surface of a second actuat'ing arm 122 extending laterally from sleeve 42 on the side of form 20 opposite the actuating arm 116.
  • Switch 118 is connected in the control circuit for the sewing machine to control energization of a solenoid 119 to actuate the sewing machine brake and clutch mechanism 121 (see FIG.
  • a'horizontally extending bracket extends outwardly from table top 14 and supports an upwardly-extending arm 132 which, in turn, supports an inclined deflector plate '134 in spaced, substantially aligned position from the outlet end of the inspection form.
  • a container 136 for'receiving socks discharged from the inspecting apparatus is positioned beneath the deflector plate 134. While the'container 136 is illustrated in the drawings in 'the form of a rigid frusto-conical container, depositing of the socks in random relation in such a container is normally re ferred to in the hosiery industry as bagging.
  • an operator will manually draw a sock, welt-endfirst, onto the outer surface of the open end of the inspection form by first pivoting the inspection form to the turning and everting position to establish a flow of air therethrough and presenting the open toe end "or the sock to the open end of the inspection form and permitting it to be drawn into the interior of the form. The operator then pivots the form towardthe sewing machine to the inspection position to stop the fiow of air through the form and draws welt end of the sock onto the outer surface of the form.
  • the operator After inspecting the sock in the con ventional manner, the operator then pivots the form to the toe closing position, thereby actuating the' sewing machine, and the open toe of the sock is presented by the operator to the machine to have the toe closed in the manner described in the above-mentioned co-pending application.
  • the flow'bf air through the in: spection form behind the sock greatly relieves the partial vacuum within this area of the inspection form, so that the kinetic energy imparted to the sock impels: it past the small openings 52 in the sleeve 38 to impact'with the closed butterfly valve element 75.
  • the kinetic energy of the sock is sufiicient to permit the sock to be impelled from the interior of the inspection form, under its own inertia, to strike the deflector plate 134 and dropint the container 136.
  • the apparatus may be modified to include suitable means for sensing the movement of a sock through the inspection form and to energize the vacuum release valve when the sock reaches a predetermined point.
  • suitable means for sensing the movement of a sock through the inspection form and to energize the vacuum release valve when the sock reaches a predetermined point.
  • photo electric cell could be employed to se'nse, a sock approaching or moving into the enlarged cham'ber..2 8.
  • This arrangement may be desired, where 'the inspector does not evert the hose onto'the open end of the form, or to permit use of the apparatus withrelatively lightweight stockings.
  • a manually activated switch be provided to control activation of the vacuum control valve, or of the sewing machine, or both, to permit more freedom of movement of the form to suit the convenience of the operator.
  • a hosiery inspecting and bagging apparatus including an elongated form having a passage extending longitudinally therethrough from an inlet at one end to an outlet, and means for inducing a flow of air through the passage from the inlet to evert hosiery through the inlet into the passage and discharge the hosiery from the outlet, the improvement comprising port means in said form communicating with said passage intermediate said inlet and said outlet, and exhaust means operatively connected with said port means, said exhaust means being operable to evacuate air from said passage through said port means to induce a flow of air through said passage from sai dinlet at a rate to impart sufiicient velocity to hosiery everted into said passage to impel the hosiery past said port means and out of said passage through said outlet.
  • hosiery inspecting and bagging system in which hosiery inspected on an elongated form is everted through an inlet into a passage extending longitudinally thr ugh the form and discharged from the passage through an outlet by indducing a flow of air through the passage from said inlet, the improvement comprising the steps of inducing said flow of air by evacuating air from said passage through a port positioned intermediate said inlet and said outlet at a rate to impart suflicient velocity to hosiery everted into said passage to impel the hosiery past the port and out of said passage through said outlet.
  • a hosiery inspecting and bagging apparatus including an elongated form having a free end and a hosiery passage extending longitudinally therethrough from an inlet opening at said free end to a discharge opening at the end opposite said free end, and means for inducing a How of air through said form to convey hosiery therethrough from said inlet opening and discharge the hosiery from said discharg opening, the improvement wherein said means for inducing said flow of air comprises port means in said form communicating with said hosiery passage adjacent said discharge opening, duct means connected to said port means, and exhaust means for producing a reduced pressure in said duct means, said exhaust means being effective to produce a fiow of air through said hosiery passage to impart sufficient velocity of hosiery everted into said passage to impel the hosiery past said port means and out through said discharge opening.
  • valve means in said duct means between said port means and said exhaust means, said valve means being movable between a first position permitting said exhaust means to produce a flow of air through said passage and a second position to interrupt said flow of air.
  • control means responsive to the pivotal movement of said form for controlling operation of said valve means to provide a flow of air through said passage when said form is in said everting position and to stop the flow of air through said passage when said form is in said toe closing position.
  • control means includes means responsive to pivotal movement of said form for activating a sewing machine when said form is in said toe closing position and for deactivating the sewing machine when said form is moved from said toe closing position.
  • said port .means comprises a plurality of ports spaced longitudinally and circumferentially of said form adjacent said outlet opening, and exhaust manifold means surrounding said openings.
  • a hosiery inspecting and bagging apparatus according to claim 10, the further improvement wherein said hosiery passage in said form is of substantially increased diameter adjacent said outlet opening, said plurality of openings extending through said form in the area of said increased diameter.

Description

Nov. 18, 1969 P. v. SREDL 3,478,940
HOSIERY INSPECTING ANI) BAGGING APPARATUS Filed May 20, 1968 3 Sheets-Sheet l a [I I! 2 LIL- w INVENTOR PREDRAG V4 SREDL wwu, chuylu em/age ATTORNEYS Nov. 18, 1969 P. v. SREDL HOSIERY INSPECTING AND BAGGING APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 iled May 20, 1968 I O O 0 A w? 7 a g a a on? a 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Nov. 18, 1969 P. v. SREDL HOSIERY INSPECTING AND BAGGING APPARATUS Filed May 20, 1968 w Q Isa; 55% 5% E33,; 97% 2110A! a: 2: 258 Qzsw 0 Q 5 1 =2 mo :22; $55 3% 55a; 52 IE DEED mx N m o 2 Es NR 5 5 3 I a. a $538 Q United States Patent US. Cl. 223-43 11 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A hosiery inspecting and bagging apparatus of the type in which hosiery inspected on an elongated form is everted through an inlet into a passage extending longitudinally through the form and discharged therefrom through an outlet by inducing a flow of air through the form from the inlet. Suflicient velocity is imparted to the hosiery ,moving through the passage to impel the hosiery out of the opening-through influence of its own inertia.
This invention relates in general to stocking inspecting apparatus, 'and more particularly to an improved apparat'us for use in inspecting,
toe closing, everting and bagging socks.
It is well-known to inspect hosiery on the open end of an elongated,- hollow'inspection form, and to evert "the hosiery through the form and discharging it from an outlet spaced from the open end. This is accomplished by causing a flow of air through the form from the open end to draw the stocking into and evert the stocking through the form. Such an apparatus is disclosed, for
"example, in US. Patent No. 2,869,765. It is also known to support the elongated hosiery inspection form for pivotal movement about a vertical axis and to mount a "sewing machine adjacent the open end of the form so that stockings knitted with open toes may be inspected on 'the form, with the form then being pivoted past the *sewing" machine to close the toe of the stocking, and to Y subsequentlyever't the sewn stocking through the inspec- 'tion form. Such an apparatus is disclosed in US. patent application Ser. No. 584,455, filed Oct. 5, 1966, now Patent'No. 3,327,664, assigned to the assignee of the present invention. While the apparatus disclosed in this co-pending application has many advantages over the devices of 'theprior art, it has not been entirely satisfactory for inspecting, sewing, everting and bagging relatively heavy hosiery such, for example, as mens work socks. Accordingly, it isan object of the present invention to provide an improved'apparatus for inspecting and bagging socks.
' Another object of the invention is to provide an improved apparatus for inspecting and bagging socks in which the socks are inspected on the open end of a i form, and everted through the form and discharged into a receptacle.
In the attainment of the foregoing and other objects, an important feature of the invention resides in inducing a flow of air through a hollow inspection form to evert the stockings therethrough by applying a suction to the hollow form intermediate its inlet and outlet. Sufficient velocity is imparted to the socks while moving through the form so that their own inertia carries them past the point where the suction is applied to impel them from the open end of the form.
Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following specification, taken with the drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is an elevation view of a hosiery inspecting, seaming, everting andbagging apparatus according to the i present invention;
3,478,940 Patented Nov. 18, 1969 FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged elevation view of a portion of the mechanism shown in FIG. 1, with certain parts broken away to more clearly show other parts;
FIG. 4 is an end elevation view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is an end view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1; and
FIG. 6- is a schematic wiring diagram illustrating the controls for the apparatus.
Referring now to the drawings in detail, the inspecting, turning and bagging apparatus of the present invention is indicated generally by the reference numeral 10 and is illustrated in position adjacent a conventional overedge sewing machine 12 to permit knitted socks to be inspected on the apparatus, then have their open toe sewn closed on the machine while the socks remain on the inspecting apparatus. The inspecting apparatus 10 comprises a frame indicated generally by the reference numeral 13 and including a table top 14 supported by vertically adjustable legs 16, with horizontal rails 18 supported on the legs 16 below the table top. An elongated horizontally disposed inspection form 20 has one end pivotally supported on table top 14 for limited pivotal movement about a vertical axis to permit the open end 22 of form 20 to be pivoted from a sewing position disposed adjacent the sewing machine 12 to inspecting and everting positions spaced from the machine as indicated in FIG. 2.
Inspection form 20 preferably includes an elongated cylindrical inspection body 24 of transparent material having a hollow passage 26 extending longitudinally therethrough from the open inlet 22 and opening into an enlarged cylindrical chamber 28 at its opposite end.
An enlarged bearing sleeve 32 is mounted on the discharge end of body 24 by suitable means such as set screws 34. A counterbore 36 is formed in the end of ring 32 and an elongated cylindrical sleeve 38 is telescopingly received in the counterbore and retained therein by set screws 40. An annular collar 42 is mounted on the ring 32 in concentric, outwardly spaced relation to the sleeve 38 by suitable means such as set screws 44. An annular ring 46, mounted on the discharge end of sleeve 38 and attached thereto by set screws 48, acts as a spacer betweenthe outer cylindrical surface of sleeve 38 and the inner cylindrical surface of collar 42 to define an annular hollow manifold chamber 50 extending around the outer periphery of sleeve 38 along a substantial portion of its length. A plurality of openings 52 spaced both axially and circumferentially along the length of sleeve 38 provides an air passage from the enlarged interior portion 28 of the inspection form to the manifold area 50. Collar 42 is rigidly attached .to ring 46 by set screws 54. If desired, the body 24 may be supported for free rotation about its longitudinal axis by bearing sleeve 32.
A journal block 56 is rigidly mounted on table top 14 by bolts 58, extending through flange 60. Journal block 56 has a vertical bore 62 formed therein for rotatably supporting a vertically extending hollow shaft 64 having its upper end fixed, as by welding, within an opening 66 in collar 42. Shaft 64 is rotatably supported on the end of journal block 56 by a radially extending flange 68, with the shaft 64 being retained against removal from the bore 62 by a set screw 71 extending through the journal block 56 and projecting into an annular recess 73 formed in the outer surface of the hollow shaft 64. Thus, bearing block 56 provides vertical support for the inspection form while permitting pivotal movement of the form in a horizontal plane about the vertical axis of shaft 64.
A bracket 70 is mounted on the outer surface of collar 42 and extends horizontally thereabove. An arm 72 is pivotally supported on bracket 70, as by pin 74, and a butterfly valve element 75 is mounted on the lower end of arm 72 in position to engage an annular sealing ring 76 mounted on ring 46 to close the outlet opening 77 of the inspection form. Arm 72 carries an actuator 78 positioned to engage and actuate a micro switch 80 upon pivotal movement of the arm 72 about pin 74 to open the form outlet. Switch 80 is electrically connected to a counter mechanism 81 which is advanced each time the switch 80 is actuated to provide an accurate count of the number of times that the butterfly valve 75 is opened. Actuator element 78 also acts as a counterweight for the butterfly valve element 75 to assist in movement of the valve element to open the interior of the inspection form.
As is most clearly seen in FIGS. 1 and 4, the table top 14 has an opening 82 extending downwardly therethrough, with an adapter sleeve 84 fixed therein in fluid communication with the axial bore 86 of the vertical shaft 64. Conduit 88 is releasably attached to the adapter 84 beneath table 14, and is connected to the inlet end of a normally closed vacuum release valve 92, through a sealing ring 94, to an air filter 96 which, in turn, is connected to the inlet 97 of a vacuum pump 98. The vacuum pump 98 exhausts through a flexible conduit 99, mufiler 99a, and outlet 99b. Pump 98 is driven, through pulley 100, a belt 102 and pulley 104, by a suitable electric motor 106 mounted on frame 13 beneath rails 18. Vacuum release valve 92 is normally held in the closed position by a spring 108, and moved to an open, or vacuum release position by a solenoid 110 to provide a bypass permitting air to flow into the inlet of the vacuum pump without passing through the inspection form. However, with the vacuum release valve in the closed, or de-energized position, and the vacuum pump operating, air will be drawn from the inspection form through the openings 52 into the manifold area 50 and thence downward through the hollow bore 86 of shaft 64 into the vacuum pump. The reduced pressure causing this flow of air will tend to urge the butterfly valve 75 to the closed position illustrated in the drawing so that a flow of air will be induced through the inspection form from the open inlet 22.
To control actuation of the vacuum release valve solenOid 110, a micro switch 112 is mounted on journal block 56- by a suitable bracket 114, and an actuator arm 116 mounted on sleeve 42 projects laterally outward from the inspection form in position to engage and actuate the switch 112 upon pivotal movement of the form about the vertical axis of shaft 64. Switch 112 is connected in the control circuit, as illustrated in FIGS. 3
' and 6, to actuate the switch 112 to energize solenoid 110 to release the vacuum within the inspection form when the form is in the inspecting position illustrated as the intermediate dotted line position in FIG. 2 or the sewing position in which the open end 22 is disposed adjacent the sewing machine 12, as illustrated in full line in FIG. 2. Pivotal movement of the form past the intermediate dotted line (inspection) position to the extreme dotted line (turning or everting) position shown in FIG. 2 actuates switch 112 to de-energize solenoid 110, thereby permitting spring 108 to close valve 92 to apply a vacuum within the manifold 50 to cause a flow of air through inspection form 20.
A second micro switch 118 is mounted, by suitable bracket 120, on journal block 56 in position to be engaged and actuated by the cam surface of a second actuat'ing arm 122 extending laterally from sleeve 42 on the side of form 20 opposite the actuating arm 116. Switch 118 is connected in the control circuit for the sewing machine to control energization of a solenoid 119 to actuate the sewing machine brake and clutch mechanism 121 (see FIG. 6)- Switch 118 is connected in the circuit so that actuation of the switch by the arm 122 upon pivotal movement of the inspection form 20* to the toe closing position will close a circuit energizing a solenoid to release the brake and simultaneously engage the clutch of the sewing machine so that the machine is automatically operated when the form is in the toe closing position. Movement of the form awayfr'om the toe closing position toward the inspecting position releases the drive clutch and engages the brake to stop the sewing machine.
Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 2, a'horizontally extending bracket extends outwardly from table top 14 and supports an upwardly-extending arm 132 which, in turn, supports an inclined deflector plate '134 in spaced, substantially aligned position from the outlet end of the inspection form. A container 136 for'receiving socks discharged from the inspecting apparatus is positioned beneath the deflector plate 134. While the'container 136 is illustrated in the drawings in 'the form of a rigid frusto-conical container, depositing of the socks in random relation in such a container is normally re ferred to in the hosiery industry as bagging.
In operation of the apparatus according to this invention, an operator will manually draw a sock, welt-endfirst, onto the outer surface of the open end of the inspection form by first pivoting the inspection form to the turning and everting position to establish a flow of air therethrough and presenting the open toe end "or the sock to the open end of the inspection form and permitting it to be drawn into the interior of the form. The operator then pivots the form towardthe sewing machine to the inspection position to stop the fiow of air through the form and draws welt end of the sock onto the outer surface of the form. After inspecting the sock in the con ventional manner, the operator then pivots the form to the toe closing position, thereby actuating the' sewing machine, and the open toe of the sock is presented by the operator to the machine to have the toe closed in the manner described in the above-mentioned co-pending application.
Upon completion of the toe closing operatiomthe inspection form is then pivoted back to the turning position, thereby stopping the sewing machine and simultaneously closing the vacuum release valve to create a -flow of air through'the inspection form from the open inlet 22. This flow of air draws the toe of the sock into the form, thereby automatically everting the sock as it is drawn into the form. The sock tends to restrict the flow of air through the form so that the reduced air pressure within the form accelerates the sock until it has attained a relatively high rate of speed as it enters the eularged portion of the hollow interior of the inspection form at 28. At this point, the flow'bf air through the in: spection form behind the sock greatly relieves the partial vacuum within this area of the inspection form, so that the kinetic energy imparted to the sock impels: it past the small openings 52 in the sleeve 38 to impact'with the closed butterfly valve element 75. The kinetic energy of the sock is sufiicient to permit the sock to be impelled from the interior of the inspection form, under its own inertia, to strike the deflector plate 134 and dropint the container 136. I I I Although the above-described apparatus has proven satisfactory for commercial use, it is contemplated that the apparatus may be modified to include suitable means for sensing the movement of a sock through the inspection form and to energize the vacuum release valve when the sock reaches a predetermined point. For example, photo electric cell could be employed to se'nse, a sock approaching or moving into the enlarged cham'ber..2 8. This arrangement may be desired, where 'the inspector does not evert the hose onto'the open end of the form, or to permit use of the apparatus withrelatively lightweight stockings. It is also contemplated thata manually activated switch be provided to control activation of the vacuum control valve, or of the sewing machine, or both, to permit more freedom of movement of the form to suit the convenience of the operator.
While I have disclosed and described a preferred embodiment of my invention, I wish it understood that I do not intend to be solely restricted thereto, but that I do intend to include all embodiments thereof which would be apparent to one skilled in the art and which come within the spirit and scope of my invention.
1. In a hosiery inspecting and bagging apparatus including an elongated form having a passage extending longitudinally therethrough from an inlet at one end to an outlet, and means for inducing a flow of air through the passage from the inlet to evert hosiery through the inlet into the passage and discharge the hosiery from the outlet, the improvement comprising port means in said form communicating with said passage intermediate said inlet and said outlet, and exhaust means operatively connected with said port means, said exhaust means being operable to evacuate air from said passage through said port means to induce a flow of air through said passage from sai dinlet at a rate to impart sufiicient velocity to hosiery everted into said passage to impel the hosiery past said port means and out of said passage through said outlet.
2. In a hosiery inspecting and bagging system in which hosiery inspected on an elongated form is everted through an inlet into a passage extending longitudinally thr ugh the form and discharged from the passage through an outlet by indducing a flow of air through the passage from said inlet, the improvement comprising the steps of inducing said flow of air by evacuating air from said passage through a port positioned intermediate said inlet and said outlet at a rate to impart suflicient velocity to hosiery everted into said passage to impel the hosiery past the port and out of said passage through said outlet.
3. In a hosiery inspecting and bagging apparatus including an elongated form having a free end and a hosiery passage extending longitudinally therethrough from an inlet opening at said free end to a discharge opening at the end opposite said free end, and means for inducing a How of air through said form to convey hosiery therethrough from said inlet opening and discharge the hosiery from said discharg opening, the improvement wherein said means for inducing said flow of air comprises port means in said form communicating with said hosiery passage adjacent said discharge opening, duct means connected to said port means, and exhaust means for producing a reduced pressure in said duct means, said exhaust means being effective to produce a fiow of air through said hosiery passage to impart sufficient velocity of hosiery everted into said passage to impel the hosiery past said port means and out through said discharge opening.
4. In a hosiery inspecting and bagging apparatus according to claim 3, the further improvement comprising valve means in said duct means between said port means and said exhaust means, said valve means being movable between a first position permitting said exhaust means to produce a flow of air through said passage and a second position to interrupt said flow of air.
5. In a hosiery inspecting and bagging apparatus according to claim 4, the further improvement comprising support means at the end of said form opposite said free end .mounting said form for limited pivotal movement about a substantially vertical axis between an everting position and a toe closing position.
6..In a hosiery inspecting and bagging apparatus according to claim 5, the further improvement comprising control means responsive to the pivotal movement of said form for controlling operation of said valve means to provide a flow of air through said passage when said form is in said everting position and to stop the flow of air through said passage when said form is in said toe closing position.
7. In a hosiery inspecting and bagging apparatus according to claim 6, the further improvement wherein said control means includes means responsive to pivotal movement of said form for activating a sewing machine when said form is in said toe closing position and for deactivating the sewing machine when said form is moved from said toe closing position.
8. In a hosiery inspecting and bagging apparatus according to claim 4, the further improvement comprising check valve means for closing said discharge opening to restrict the flow of air through said passage from said discharge opening, said check valve means being normally closed and movable to an open position by impact of hosiery moving through said passage.
9. The hosiery inspecting and bagging apparatus defined in claim 8, wherein said check valve means is urged to aclosed position by said exhaust means when said valve means is in said open position.
10. In a hosiery inspecting and bagging apparatus according to claim 4, the further improvement wherein said port .means comprises a plurality of ports spaced longitudinally and circumferentially of said form adjacent said outlet opening, and exhaust manifold means surrounding said openings.
11. In a hosiery inspecting and bagging apparatus according to claim 10, the further improvement wherein said hosiery passage in said form is of substantially increased diameter adjacent said outlet opening, said plurality of openings extending through said form in the area of said increased diameter.
References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,899,116 8/1959 Long et al. 22343 2,944,709 7/1960 Kienel 223-43 3,351,033 11/1967 Kienel 1l2-20 MERVIN STEIN, Primary Examiner G. V. LARKIN, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R.
US730242A 1968-05-20 1968-05-20 Hosiery inspecting and bagging apparatus Expired - Lifetime US3478940A (en)

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Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3577942A (en) * 1969-07-30 1971-05-11 Sliver Knit Hosiery Mills Inc Apparatus for closing hosiery toes and everting hosiery and method

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2899116A (en) * 1959-08-11 Hosiery clipping and everting machine
US2944709A (en) * 1954-11-12 1960-07-12 Joseph E Kienel Pneumatic apparatus for turning and stacking hosiery
US3351033A (en) * 1963-04-26 1967-11-07 Joseph E Kienel Apparatus and method for seaming hosiery blanks

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2899116A (en) * 1959-08-11 Hosiery clipping and everting machine
US2944709A (en) * 1954-11-12 1960-07-12 Joseph E Kienel Pneumatic apparatus for turning and stacking hosiery
US3351033A (en) * 1963-04-26 1967-11-07 Joseph E Kienel Apparatus and method for seaming hosiery blanks

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3577942A (en) * 1969-07-30 1971-05-11 Sliver Knit Hosiery Mills Inc Apparatus for closing hosiery toes and everting hosiery and method

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Publication number Publication date
DE1908882A1 (en) 1970-09-10
FR2008850A1 (en) 1970-01-30

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