Device and method for applying a marking to a knitted garment, such as tights or the like

Abstract

A device method for applying a marking to a knitted garment (T) with a body equipped with a waistband, such as tights or the like. The device comprises a marking element ( 59 ) and engaging elements ( 41, 42 ) for the waistband of the garment, which engage a portion of the waistband and cause it to partially overturn, exposing the internal surface of the waistband to said marking element.

1 . Method for applying a marking to a knitted garment with a body having a waistband, such as tights or the like, characterized in that said marking is applied to the inside of said garment, in proximity to said waistband.  
     
     
         2 . Method as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that said marking is applied with a heat-transfer procedure.  
     
     
         3 . Method as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized by the following steps: 
 inserting the garment on a template;    raising a portion of the waistband from the template;    applying said marking to the internal surface of the garment in proximity to the raised portion of waistband.    
     
     
         4 . Method as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized by the following steps: 
 inserting said garment on a setting template;    setting said garment on said template;    raising a portion of the waistband from the template;    applying said marking to the internal surface of the garment in proximity to the raised portion of waistband;    removing said garment from the setting template.    
     
     
         5 . Method as claimed in  claim 3 , characterized by: positioning a pair of clamps next to said template; translating the clamps along said template to intercept the waistband of the garment; engaging the waistband of the garment with said clamps; moving the clamps away from the template, to detach a portion of the waistband of the garment from it; partially overturning said portion of waistband around a section over which the waistband is pulled by said clamps; applying the marking to said portion of waistband.  
     
     
         6 . A device to apply a marking to a knitted garment with a body having a waistband, such as tights or the like, characterized in that it comprises a marking element and engaging elements for the waistband, which engage a portion of the waistband and cause it to partially overturn, exposing the internal surface of the waistband to said marking element.  
     
     
         7 . Device as claimed in  claim 6 , characterized in that said marking element is a heat transfer element for a transfer, comprising a heated pad  5  cooperating with a pressing surface.  
     
     
         8 . Device as claimed in  claim 6 , characterized in that said engaging elements comprise a pair of clamps.  
     
     
         9 . Device as claimed in  claim 8 , characterized in that a section is positioned between said pair of clamps, around which the portion of waistband of the garment engaged between said clamps is at least partially overturned by the relative movement between said section and said clamps.  
     
     
         10 . Device as claimed in  claim 7 , characterized in that said section is associated with said pressing surface.  
     
     
         11 . Device as claimed in  claim 10 , characterized in that said clamps are equipped with a translating movement parallel to said pressing surface.  
     
     
         12 . Device as claimed in  claim 9 , characterized in that said clamps are equipped with a first closing movement controlled by respective closing actuators and a second translating movement in relation to said section.  
     
     
         13 . Device as claimed in  claim 8 , characterized in that each of said clamps comprises a first engaging element for the waistband of the garment and a second contrast element, the waistband of the garment being clamped between said first and said second element.  
     
     
         14 . Device as claimed in  claim 13 , characterized in that said second element of each clamp is constituted by a cylinder in elastomeric material.  
     
     
         15 . Device as claimed in  claim 6 , characterized in that said engaging elements for the waistband of the garment and said marking element are supported by a moving unit along a substantially vertical upright.  
     
     
         16 . Device as claimed in  claim 7 , characterized in that said unit carries means to support and unwind a strip carrying the transfers to be transferred to said garment.  
     
     
         17 . Device as claimed in  claim 15 , characterized in that the movement of said moving unit along said upright is controlled by a raising and lowering actuator, the movement of which is controlled by a sensor which detects the position of the waistband of the garment.  
     
     
         18 . Device as claimed in  claim 15 , characterized in that said moving unit carries an assembly carrying said engaging elements and said marking element, said assembly being movable in relation to said unit in an inclined direction in relation to the direction of movement of the unit along the upright.  
     
     
         19 . Device as claimed in  claim 7 , characterized in that said assembly carries said clamps, said section, said pressing surface and said heated pad and at least a pair of guide rollers for said strip.  
     
     
         20 . Device as claimed in  claim 19 , characterized in that at least a first actuator to position said pair of guide rollers against clamping stops of the strip bearing the transfers and to press the heated pad against the pressing surface is associated with said assembly.  
     
     
         21 . Device as claimed in  claim 19 , characterized in that said assembly comprises a plate to which said at least one actuator is anchored and running on which are a first slide carrying said clamps, a second slide carrying said heated pad and guide means for a third slide carrying said at least one pair of guide rollers.  
     
     
         22 . Device as claimed in  claim 21 , characterized in that said assembly and said first actuator are movable in relation to said moving unit movable along the vertical upright, a second actuator being provided to translate said assembly in relation to said moving unit.  
     
     
         23 . A finishing machine for knitted garments, such as tights and the like, comprising a carousel with a plurality of setting templates, which are translated in sequence along successive work stations, characterized in that it comprises a device according to  claim 6 , associated with one of said stations.  
     
     
         24 . A knitted garment comprising a waistband, characterized by a marking applied internally to the garment along its waistband.  
     
     
         25 . Knitted garment as claimed in  claim 24 , characterized in that said marking is a transfer.  
     
     
         26 . Knitted garment as claimed in  claim 24 , characterized in that it is tights.