Abstract: An envelope-type container (10), in particular for stockings and the like, is made with a dinked basically flat element (11). The flat element (11) presents lines of facilitated folding (12) which identify one first side (23) of the envelope-type container (10), and, in addition, closing flaps (24, 24′) associated to the first side (23), three of the said flaps (24) being folded back along the lines of facilitated folding (12) and being mutually connected to form one second side of the container (10), opposite to the first side (23). Furthermore, the container (10) is accessible through at least one opening (16), removably closeable by means of a fourth closing flap (24′). The fourth closing flap (24′) presents an incision (17) to facilitate the operations of opening the container (10) when the latter is closed.

Abstract: The seams for joining together, along the crotch, the pieces of fabric making up the article and/or for closing the toes of the legs, are made with two needle threads (F1, F2) and one looper thread (F3) that forms a chain stitch, all of them forming long stitches, in such a way that, under the stretching of the garment as it is put on, the seams become essentially “flat”, that is to say very thin and certainly much thinner than they are wide.

Abstract: The equipment comprises in combination: a twin needle (15, 17) fed with two needle threads (F1, F2); an upper looper (30) fed with a looper thread (F3), and a lower spreader (31); a throat plate (36) with two slots (38, 40) for the needles (15, 17) and the stitch finger (42) on the line of the cut (T) of increased width (D); and a thread-pulling arm (25) for pulling off an increased amount of the thread (F3) for the looper at each angular stroke.

Abstract: On the disc (5) carrying the hooks (7) are two concentric pipes (12, 14) for tensioning the tubular fabric and for inverting it at the conclusion of the formation of the article. To close the toe: the loops of half of the needles (3A) are loaded onto the corresponding hooks (7A) and a first non-run lip (21) is formed and released onto the hooks (7A); the needles (3B) of the other half of the needles are used to form a second non-run lip (23) which is then transferred to the fabric-free needles (3A) of the opposite half, which engage the fabric along the second non-run lip (21) is passed from the hooks (7A) to the needles (3A), and a third non-run lip (25) is formed.

Abstract: The machine comprises in combination: two side units (1, 3) each having its own fabric forming cylinder (1C, 3C) with a plurality of needles and needle operating elements (1F, 3F, A1-A8), the cylinders being parallel with each other and close together and, in an intermediate position between said two cylinders (1C, 3C), two rectilinear beds (11A, 11B) next to each other, each with its own needles and elements (17A, 17B, A9, A17) for operating the needles of said beds.

Abstract: The antitwist device for circular knitting machines comprises a perforated tube (15E) rotating with the needle cylinder (1) of the knitting machine and a fixed outer tube (15A) essentially coaxial with the perforated tube (15E), inside which is generated a vacuum through a side air connection (15D), a space being defined between said perforated tube (15E) and the outer tube (15A). Inside this space, there is at least one cleaning element (45) attached to an actuator device (43) that moves the cleaning element into contact with the outer surface of the perforated tube (15E).

Abstract: The fabric (T) for the toe pouch is first formed by the needles (1) of a first semicircle (A), and then, in order to transfer the initial free edge (T1) of said pouch (T) to the needles of the complementary arc and thus to start the tubular fabric, a region of concentrated suction of air is created by of a mouth (22) extending around the inside of a portion of the needle circle in order to capture said free edge of the pouch in transit; next, by a centrifugal movement of sinkers each provided with a spike, said free edge (T1) is moved progressively out beyond the circle of the needles, which rise and pass through the fabric (T) around said initial edge (T1).

Abstract: A sock or other tubular article with one closed end and with rib fabric--that is, with face and reverse stitches--is formed in a double-cylinder circular machine (1, 3), in which the toe is closed at the end of the process of forming the tubular fabric, by a device (41, 51, 53, 49) that transfers the stitches of one semicircle to the stitches of the opposite semicircle.

Abstract: The device, which is combined with the needle (1A; 1B) cylinder and cooperates with a normal disc (5) that has hooks (7A, 7B), is located coaxially with the cylinder and can be raised axially; the hooks (7A) of one semicircle can be actuated to take stitch loops from one semicircle of needles (1A) for transfer to the opposite semicircle of needles (1B); a half ring (9), external to the needle (1A, 1B) cylinder, is hinged at both its ends about a diametrical axis (X--X) in the working area of the needles and in such a way that it can rotate through 180.degree.; sliding in radial slots in the half ring are pick-up hooks (10) with closing sliders (12-12A) for engaging the initial loops of toe fabric formed by said needles (1A), which loops are transferred from hooks (7A); by rotating upwards, the half-ring (9) transfers these loops and brings them down over the needles (1B) of the opposite semicircle, so that the toe (P) fabric is engaged by said needles (1B) of the opposite semicircle.

Abstract: A push rod (38) with a pick-up hook (38A) at the end is moved in an axial plane of symmetry to engage by means of the pick-up hook in an intermediate position the partial initial courses (M1) of a pocket (M2) and to bring them progressively to the side opposite the arc of working needles with the progressive formation of the fabric; a body in the form of a shaped annular ring (18), disposed inside the needle cylinder, has a radial slot (22) for said push rod (38) and radial slots (24) in the area opposite said arc of working needles; hooks (60) movable in said slots (24) can be moved from a concealed position to a raised position to make pin-shaped appendages (62) penetrate into the fabric along the initial edge (M1) when this has been brought by the push rod (28) to the side opposite that of the arc of working needles, and subsequently to move the initial comes (M1) progressively up to the needles which are raised and inserted into the fabric to engage said edge (M1).

Abstract: A plurality of hooks (23U) is capable of engaging the initial hem of a pocket (MP) formed by the needles (7X) of a sector covering approximately a semicircumference, and of transferring the said initial hem to the needles of the other opposite sector of needles; the said hooks (23U) are disposed at the ends of rods (23) which are elastically flexible and moved longitudinally; a curved support (47) is hinged so that it can oscillate about an axis which is diametric with respect to the circumferential working area of the needles (7) of the cylinder (1); radial sliding passages for the individual rods are formed radially in the said support.