Abstract: The present seamless knit tubular blank is particularly adapted for use in forming body garments, such as panties and the like. In one embodiment, the panty is formed of a single seamless tubular blank while a second embodiment of the panty is formed of two seamless tubular blanks. In each embodiment, the seamless tubular blanks are provided with a visual cutting guide which is formed during knitting of the blank for providing a visually detectable different appearance and a visual separation between first and second fabric portions of the blank. The second fabric portions of the blank are adapted to be removed from the first fabric portions to impart the requisite shape to the first fabric portions for use in forming the body garment.

Abstract: A hosiery toe closing machine is provided with automatic hosiery donning means for drawing successive hosiery blanks onto successive hosiery carriers as they move into position at a hosiery receiving station of the hosiery toe closing machine. A hot wire slitter is also provided at the hosiery receiving station for longitudinally slitting the leading end of the hosiery blank as it is automatically drawn onto the hosiery carrier. The hosiery donning and slitting devices permit the economical processing of hosiery blanks in preparation for forming pantyhose therefrom.

Abstract: Elastic yarn is incorporated in different manners in two circumferential sections of the ankle and arch portions of the sock to provide compressive force and support to these areas of the wearer. The elastic yarn is incorporated in spaced-apart wales of each course of the ankle and arch portions and is floated inside of plural wales in the rear half of successive courses in the ankle and lower half of the arch to form mock ribs extending around substantially the rear half of the sock. The elastic yarn is incorporated in every other wale of single alternating courses and in the remaining wales of single intervening courses in the front half of the ankle and upper half of the arch to form a diamond pattern extending around substantially the front half of the sock. By incorporating the elastic yarn in two different manners in every course, the proper amount of compressive force and support is provided on the ankle and arch of the wearer.

Abstract: Both the leading and trailing ends of the respective yarns introduced to and removed from active knitting position are of uniform length on the inside of the sock when forming solid color patterned areas in the sock. The cutting of all yarn ends inside of the sock, enables the operator to easily evert and inspect the inside of the socks as they are removed from the knitting machine and eliminates the usual time consuming operation of cutting the yarn ends after the sock is knit. The cutting and clamping apparatus is illustrated in association with a four-feed solid color patterned knitting machine of the type normally employed in knitting argyle patterns in socks, and includes a vertically disposed suction tube with the lower end disposed within the upper end of the needle circle. A yarn clamping member is associated with the lower end of the suction tube and a hot wire cutter is positioned between the needle circle and the clamping member.

Abstract: The high-splice area, heel, instep, sole ring-toe area, and toe of the present sock includes a heavy wool yarn knit in plated relationship with body yarn so that the wool yarn is exposed on the outside of these areas of the sock to provide a soft and fuzzy appearance thereto. The wool yarn also forms inwardly extending terry loops in these areas of the sock to provide a "cushion foot" and good moisture absorbency to the lower portion of the foot of the sock. Elastic yarn is incorporated in spaced-apart wales and floats inside of multiple wales to form mock ribs in the leg and instep while the elastic yarn is incorporated in alternate single wales of alternate single courses and in intervening single wales of intervening single courses of the high-splice area and sole, and ring-toe area to provide stretchability and firm support so that these areas are maintained in close engagement with the lower portion of the foot of the wearer.

Abstract: The run-resistant toe portion is of substantially the same dyed shade and has the same sheer appearance as the adjacent foot portion of the hosiery article. The run-resistant toe portion is knit with every other course being knit of a yarn which is capable of being dyed and the remaining courses are knit of a dye-resistant yarn which is not capable of being dyed. Intervening single courses of the toe portion are knit with alternating tuck and plain stitch loops in adjacent wales while alternating courses are knit with plain stitch loops in every wale and of a smaller stitch loop size to enhance the run-resistant characteristics of the toe portion.

Abstract: The double-layer fabric extends throughout at least a substantial portion of the foot of the sock and both the inner and outer layers of the double-layer fabric in the foot include the same number of wales as the number of wales in the leg portion of the sock. The sock can be knit on a conventional hosiery knitting machine provided with a single set of needles and special sinkers for holding the stitch loops of the last course of the leg while the inner and outer layers of the foot portion of the sock are being knit. The double-layer fabric in the foot of the sock provides improved cushioning and moisture-absorbing characteristics to the sock.

Abstract: A pair of spaced-apart and identically shaped elongate boards is supported for vertical adjustment on a pedestal-type stand. The boards are interconnected and maintained in spaced-apart relationship at their lower ends and the upper or free toe end portions are spaced apart so that the panty hose can be easily drawn onto and off of the sizing form. Opposite side edges of the boards are contoured symmetrically with gradually curving configurations which progressively increase in width from the free toe ends downwardly to the panty portion so that the panty hose can be easily drawn onto and removed from the sizing form. The shape of the form permits the panty hose to be positioned on the sizing form with the fabric in uniformly stretched condition throughout all areas of the panty hose.

Abstract: The crotch area is integrally knit with the pantyhose blanks to eliminate the need for separately knit and cut crotch patches. The integrally knit crotch area includes a repeating four-course pattern of course portions with certain of the course portions including alternating jersey stitches and tuck loops to form openings in the crotch area and provide ventilation thereto. The repeating course portions also include selected courses with a hydrophilic yarn knit in plated relationship and on the inside of the body yarn to provide moisture-absorbing characteristics to the crotch area.

Abstract: The knitting machine is provided with a yarn tension indicator for continuously monitoring the tension of an elastomeric yarn being withdrawn from a yarn supply source and fed to the needles of the circular knitting machine and for providing a constant visual indication to the machine operator of the tension in the running yarn. The yarn tension indicator includes a base plate and a pointer lever supported in a substantially horizontal position and for pivotal movement on the base plate. Fixed guides are provided for directing the yarn through a movable yarn guide supported for longitudinal adjustment on the pointer lever to urge the same in an upward direction. Weights are supported for longitudinal adjustment on the pointer lever for urging the pointer lever in a downward direction so that when the tension in the running yarn is proper, the pointer lever maintains a horizontal position which may be easily observed by the knitting machine operator.

Abstract: The knitting machine is provided with latch detector means including primary and secondary sensor means for detecting a latch improperly positioned in a closed position and for signaling when such a condition occurs. A trigger lever (30) having a free inner end (31) is normally positioned in an operative latch detecting position (FIG. 3) immediately below the path of travel of the hooked upper ends (10) of the needles N so that a latch (11) in the proper open position will not engage and trip the trigger lever (30) while a latch (11) in an improper closed position will engage and trip the trigger lever (30). A tension spring (45) is provided to immediately move the trigger lever (30) to the inoperative position (FIG. 4) with the inner free end (31) outwardly and away from the path of travel of the needles N upon being engaged by a latch in an improper closed position.

Abstract: A reinforced toe with varying density is provided for hosiery articles such as sheer stockings, pantyhose and the like so that there is no sharply contrasting line of demarcation between the sheer fabric in the foot portion and the reinforced fabric in the toe pocket and while providing full reinforcement in the area of the toe pocket at the ends of the toes where the need is greatest. The reinforced toe is produced by knitting a reinforcing yarn in plated relationship with the body yarn in spaced-apart courses in a first group of courses adjacent the sheer foot and knitting the reinforcing yarn in more closely spaced courses of a second group of courses adjacent the closed end of the toe pocket. This arrangement provides a gradual or stepped transition from the sheer fabric of the foot to the relatively heavy fabric at the closed end of the toe pocket and provides the reinforced toe with varying or increasing fabric density from the foot to the closed end thereof.

Abstract: The triple layer fabric extends throughout at least a substantial portion of the foot portion and provides improved cushioning and moisture-absorbing characteristics thereto. The sock can be knit on a conventional hosiery knitting machine with very little modification being required. The inside and outside fabric layers of the foot are knit of hydrophobic yarn and the intermediate layer is knit at least in part of hydrophilic yarn so that moisture from the foot is wicked through the inner layer and into the intermediate layer where the moisture is absorbed and then wicked and evaporated through the outside layer. The triple layer in the foot of the sock maintains the foot of the wearer in a dry condition and provides cushioning for at least the ball and toes of the foot of the wearer.

Abstract: The knitting machine is provided with latch detector means for detecting a latch improperly positioned in a closed position and for signaling when such a condition occurs. A trigger lever (30) having a free inner end (31) is normally positioned in an operative latch detecting position (FIG. 3) immediately below the path of travel of the hooked upper ends (10) of the needles N so that a latch (11) in the proper open position will not engage and trip the trigger lever (30) while a latch (11) in an improper closed position will engage and trip the trigger lever (30). A tension spring (45) is provided to immediately move the trigger lever (30) to the inoperative position (FIG. 4) with the inner free end (31) outwardly and away from the path of travel of the needles N upon being engaged by a latch in an improper closed position.

Abstract: This tube sock is of a medium or dress weight so that the sock may be comfortably worn with dress shoes and includes very long and fine terry loops in the heel and sole area to provide the sock with cushion and comfort characteristics of the type normally provided in heavy weight athletic type socks. The sock is knit on a fine gauge machine of the type normally employed in knitting ladies' sheer hosiery and panty hose, usually provided with 400 needles. The sock is knit on every other or alternative needles so that it contains only 200 wales instead of the normal 400 wales usually contained in ladies' sheer hosiery articles. The terry loops formed in the heel and sole area are formed on dial instruments projected outwardly over an idle needle so that unusually long terry loops are formed of a fine cotton yarn which are three to five times as long as the stitch loops formed of the body yarn. spThis a division of application Ser. No. 939,261, filed Sept. 7, 1978 now U.S. Pat. No. 4,172,370.