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

Abstract

The device comprises the following combination: a support ( 3 ) with a first tubular member ( 5 A) and a second tubular member ( 5 B) I each of which can be alternatively positioned in a first and a second station; a pneumatic transfer tube ( 17 ) which can be interfaced with the knitting machine ( 2 ) where the article is made, to transfer the articles to be closed from said machine to said first station; in the first station, positioning members for positioning said article on said first and second tubular member in said first station; in the second station, means for tensioning the toe of the tubular article and closing means for closing the toe; a pneumatic conduit ( 171 23 ) for unloading the article after closing the toe.

1 . Device for closing the toe of a tubular knitted article from the knitting machine where it is made comprising the following combination: 
 a support with a first tubular member and a second tubular member, each of which can be alternatively positioned in a first and a second station;    a pneumatic transfer tube which can be interfaced with the knitting machine where the article is made to transfer the articles to be closed from said machine to said first station;    in the first station, positioning members for positioning said article on said first and second tubular member in said first station, the positioning members comprising opening means for opening the article coming from the pneumatic transfer tube,    in the second station, means for tensioning the toe of the tubular article and closing means for closing the toe;    a pneumatic conduit for unloading the article after closing the toe.    
   
   
       2 . Device according to  claim 1 , in which said support can turn on an axis to position said first and second tubular members alternatively in said first and in said second station.  
   
   
       3 . Device according to  claim 2 , in which said first and said second tubular member are essentially reciprocally parallel.  
   
   
       4 . Device according to  claim 2 , in which said tubular members are parallel to the axis of rotation of said support.  
   
   
       5 . Device according to  claim 1 , in which in said first station the positioning members position the article to be closed on a first end of the tubular member which is temporarily in said first station, said article being inserted in said tubular member by pneumatic transfer tube on the opposite end of said tubular member.  
   
   
       6 . Device according to  claim 1 , in which an actuator is provided in said second station to turn the article with respect to the tubular member which is temporarily in said second station.  
   
   
       7 . Device according to  claim 1 , in which members for turning the tubular article inside out are provided-In said first station, the members turning said article inside out fitting it from inside to the outer surface of the tubular members which is temporarily in said first station.  
   
   
       8 . Device according to  claim 1 , in which suction means are arranged in the first station for sucking the article inside the tubular member which is temporarily in said first station.  
   
   
       9 . Device according to  claim 1 , in which said opening means comprise gripping means for gripping the end of said article which is opposite to the end to be sewn.  
   
   
       10 . Device according to  claim 9 , in which said opening means comprise opening members for stretching said end and fitting it outside the tubular member which is temporarily in said first station.  
   
   
       11 . Device according at least to  claim 7 , in which said members for turning the article inside out comprise pressers which are radially and axially mobile along the tubular member which is temporarily in said first station for turning the tubular article inside out by removing it from inside said tubular member and taking it onto its outside surface.  
   
   
       12 . Device according to  claim 6 , in which said actuator for turning the article and the tubular member on which the article is arranged one respect to the other are arranged in the second station.  
   
   
       13 . Method for the production of a tubular knitted article with closed toe, comprising the following phases: 
 knitting said tubular article on a knitting machine;    unloading the tubular article with an open toe from said knitting machine and introducing it directly into a pneumatic transfer path;    feeding said article to a first station where it is opened and positioned, by means of said pneumatic transfer path;    transferring the positioned article to a second station in which the toe is closed while a second tubular article is opened and positioned in said first station;    removing said first article after closing the toe.    
   
   
       14 . Method according to  claim 13 , in which in said first station the end of the tubular article opposite to said toe is opened and the article is turned inside out.  
   
   
       15 . Method according to  claim 13 , in which a first and a second tubular member is alternatively positioned in said first and said second station.  
   
   
       16 . Method according to  claim 15 , in which said tubular article is inserted from said pneumatic transfer path inside said first or second tubular member from one end thereof with the edge opposite to the toe to be closed in an advanced position with respect to the toe, said edge being turned inside out on the outside of the tubular member in correspondence with its end which is opposite the end on which said article is inserted in said tubular member.  
   
   
       17 . Method according to  claim 15 , in which: 
 a first article is positioned on said first or second tubular member which is temporarily in said first station;    the tubular member on which said first article was positioned is transferred to said second station and the other of said first and second tubular members is taken to said first station on which a second article is positioned while the toe of said first article is closed in said second station.    
   
   
       18 . Method according to  claim 17 , in which: 
 the end of the first article opposite to the toe to be closed is opened and turned inside out on the outer surface of the tubular member;    the article is turned inside out and fitted on the outer surface of said tubular member;    the article is transferred to the second station;    the toe is closed in said second station; and    the article is removed.    
   
   
       19 . Method according to  claim 18 , in which after closing the toe the article is turned inside out again from the outside to the inside of said tubular member and removed by suction through said tubular member.  
   
   
       20 . Method according to  claim 13  comprising the following phases: 
 a) arranging a first tubular member in said first station;    b) introducing a first article in said first tubular member;    c) turning said first article inside out on the outer surface of said first tubular member;    d) transferring said first tubular member to said second station and arranging a second tubular member in said first station;    e) closing the toe of the first article while a second article is introduced in the second tubular member which is temporarily in said first station and turning it inside out on the outer surface of the tubular member;    f) transferring the second tubular member to the second station and the first tubular member to the first station;    g) turning the first article inside out again inserting it in the first tubular member and removing said first tubular article by sucking it into said first tubular member.    
   
   
       21 . Method according to  claim 13 , comprising the following phases: 
 a) arranging a first tubular member in said first station;    b) introducing a first article in said first tubular member;    c) turning said first article inside out on the outer surface of said first tubular member;    d) transferring said first tubular member to said second station and arranging a second tubular member in said first station;    e) closing the toe of the first article and turn inside out the first article again while a second article is introduced in the second tubular member which is temporarily in said first station and turning it inside, out on the outer surface of the tubular member;    f) removing the first ‘article;    g) transferring the second tubular member to the second station and the first tubular-member to the first station.    
   
   
       22 . Method according to  claim 13 , comprising the following phases: 
 a) arranging a first tubular member in said first station;    b) introducing a first article in said first tubular member;    c) transferring said first tubular member to said second station and arranging a second tubular member in said first station;    d) turning said first article inside out on the outer surface of said first tubular member;    e) closing the toe of the first article while a second article is introduced in the second tubular member and turned inside out;    f) transferring the second tubular member to the second station and the first tubular member to the first station;    g) turning the first article inside out again inserting it in the first tubular member and removing said first tubular article.    
   
   
       23 . Knitting machine equipped with a device according to  claim 1.