Method for detecting the orientation of a textile product having two different ends, apparatus for implementing said method and orientator device associated with said apparatus

Abstract

System for sensing the orientation of a product, especially of a textile article such as a stocking, a sock and the like having a first and a second differently shaped ends, for detecting which of the two ends is forward along a preset work and/or transfer path. The system includes the following operating steps:—subjecting each product to a first reading and a second reading by optical detection means disposed along at least a first front of reading transverse with respect to said work and/or transfer path, said readings being carried out on the foremost portion of the product along a direction of relative advancement thereof with respect to said optical means;—comparing the result of said first and second readings for checking any coincidence between the two readings;—emitting a signal relevant to the identification of either the first or second end in correspondence, respectively, of the coincidence or non-coincidence of the two readings.

1 . Method for detecting the orientation of a product, especially of a textile article such as a stocking, a sock and the like having a first and a second differently shaped ends, for detecting which of the two ends is forward along a preset work and/or transfer path characterized in that it comprises the following operating steps: 
 subjecting each product to a first reading and a second reading by optical detection means disposed along at least a first front of reading transverse with respect to said work and/or transfer path, said readings being carried out on the foremost portion of the product along a direction of relative advancement thereof with respect to said optical means;    comparing the result of said first and second readings for checking any coincidence between the two;    emitting a signal relevant to the identification of either the first or second end in correspondence, respectively, of the coincidence or non-coincidence of the two readings.    
     
     
         2 . Method according to  claim 1 , characterized by simultaneously carrying out said first and second reagings by optical means disposed on two different reading fronts.  
     
     
         3 . Method according to  claim 1 , characterized by simultaneously carrying out said first and second reagings at successive instants by a plurality of optical means disposed on a single reading front.  
     
     
         4 . Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by associating the product with driving means suitable for moving it along a path across said at least one reading front.  
     
     
         5 . Method according to any of  claims 1  to  3 , characterizing by disposing said optical detection means onto driving means suitable for moving the same optical means with respect to the product, so as to define, along a predetermined path, said at least one reading front.  
     
     
         6 . Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the said first and second readings are carried out, with reference to the direction of said work and/or transfer path, respectively in correspondence of the downstream portion and on the upstream portion of the product.  
     
     
         7 . Apparatus for detecting the orientation of a product, especially of a textile article such as a stocking, a sock and the like having a first and a second differently shaped ends, for detecting which of the two ends is presented downstream along a preset work and/or transfer path characterized in that it comprises: 
 optical detection means consisting of a plurality of optical interception means disposed according to a preset order, that is, defining at least one reading front, and each being able to emit a signal in correspondence of the detection being carried out, that is, of the occurred interception;    driving means for moving said detection means relative to a product to be examined, and being able to subject the product to the action of said detection means;    processing means able to determine, based on a comparison between two sets of signals relevant to two readings by said optical means, the presence of either said first end or said second end, that is, able to determine the orientation of the product based on the product's interception occurred upon the two readings being carried out.    
     
     
         8 . Apparatus according to  claim 7 , characterized in that said optical detection means are disposed on two reading fronts across said work and/or transfer path.  
     
     
         9 . Apparatus according to  claim 7 , characterized in that said optical detection means are disposed on a single reading front, and in that timing means are provided able to activate said detection means in correspondence of two different moments corresponding to said two readings.  
     
     
         10 . Apparatus according to any of  claims 7  to  9 , characterized in that it includes product's driving means suitable for conveying the same product along a path across said at least one reading front.  
     
     
         11 . Apparatus according to any of  claims 7  to  9 , characterized in that it includes means for driving optical detection means, suitable for moving the same optical means relative to the product so as define, along a predetermined path, said at least one reading front.  
     
     
         12 . Method for detecting the orientation of a product, especially of a textile article such as a stocking, a sock and the like having a first and a second differently shaped ends, for detecting which of the two ends is forward along a preset work and/or transfer path characterized in that it includes the following operating steps: 
 subjecting each product to a reading by optical detection means disposed along a reading front transverse with respect to said work and/or transfer path, said reading being carried out on the foremost portion of the product along a direction of relative advancement thereof with respect to said optical means;    comparing the result of said reading with an object or parameter, previously stored into memory means, and corresponding to a preset reference sample for checking any coincidence thereof;    emitting a signal relevant to the identification of either the first or second end in correspondence, respectively, of the coincidence or non-coincidence between the reading being carried out and said object or parameter.    
     
     
         13 . Method according to  claim 12 , characterized in that said object or parameter is a numeric value related to the product's width.  
     
     
         14 . Method according to  claim 12 , characterized in that said object or parameter is an image relating to the disposition and/or shape of said first or second reading.  
     
     
         15 . Apparatus for detecting the orientation of a product, especially of a textile article such as a stocking, a sock and the like having a first and a second differently shaped ends, for detecting which of the two ends is presented downstream along a preset work and/or transfer path characterized in that it includes: 
 optical detection means consisting of a plurality of optical interception means disposed according to a preset order, that is, defining at least one reading front, and each being able to emit a signal in correspondence of the detection being carried out, that is, of the occurred interception;    driving means for moving said detection means relative to a product to be examined, and being able to subject the product to the action of said detection means;    memory means able to store at least one object or parameter for comparison;    processing means able to determine, based on a comparison between two sets of signals received from said optical detection means and said object or parameter, the presence of either said first end or said second end, that is, able to determine the orientation of the product based on the correspondence or non-correspondence between the priduct's interception signals by the optical means and the stored object or parameter.    
     
     
         16 . Apparatus according to  claim 15 , characterized in that said storing means are connected to said optical detection means to receive from the latter at least one set of signals relevant to a sample product and able to define said object or parameter for comparison.  
     
     
         17 . Apparatus according to  claim 15 , characterized in that said object or parameter is a numeric value related to the product's width.  
     
     
         18 . Apparatus according to  claim 15 , characterized in that said object or parameter is an image relating to the disposition and/or shape of said first or second reading.  
     
     
         19 . Device for the orientation of a product, especially for disposing, according to a desired orientation along a work and/or transfer path, a textile product such as a stocking, a sock and the like having a first end and a second end differently shaped, characterized in that it comprises: 
 optical detection means consisting of a plurality of optical interception means disposed according to a preset order, that is, defining at least one reading front, and each being able to emit a signal in correspondence of the detection being carried out, that is, of the occurred interception;    driving means for moving said detection means relative to a product to be examined, and being able to subject the product to the action of said detection means;    processing means able to determine, based on a comparison between two sets of signals received from said optical detection means and said object or parameter, the presence of either said first end or said second end, that is, able to determine the orientation of the product based on the occurred interception of the product upon the two readings being carried out;    means for reversing the orientation of the product, disposed and acting along said path, and connected to said processing means so as to reverse the orientation of the product when the latter does not present itself in the desired orientation.    
     
     
         20 . Device for the orientation of a product, especially for disposing, according to a desired orientation along a work and/or transfer path, a textile product such as a stocking, a sock and the like having a first end and a second end differently shaped, characterized in that it includes: 
 optical detection means consisting of a plurality of optical interception means disposed according to a preset order, that is, defining at least one reading front, and each being able to emit a signal in correspondence of the detection being carried out, that is, of the occurred interception;    driving means for moving said detection means relative to a product to be examined, and being able to subject the product to the action of said detection means;    memory means able to store at least one object or parameter for comparison;    processing means able to determine, based on a comparison between two sets of signals received from said optical detection means and said object or parameter, the presence of either said first end or said second end, that is, able to determine the orientation of the product based on the correspondence or non-correspondence between the priduct's interception signals by the optical means and the stored object or parameter;    means for reversing the orientation of the product, disposed and acting along said path, and connected to said processing means so as to reverse the orientation of the product when the latter does not present itself in the desired orientation.    
     
     
         21 . Device according to  claim 19  or  20 , wherein said path comprises at least one conduit ( 1 ), in which the product ( 2 ) is moved by suction, characterized in that said means for reversing the orientation include a chamber ( 7 ) provided with relevant suction means ( 70 ) and connected to said conduit ( 1 ) through an opening on which a mobile closing element ( 8 ) is made to act under control of siad processing means (MP).  
     
     
         22 . Device according to  claim 21 , characterized in that said closing element ( 8 ) is made up of a portion of said conduit ( 1 ).