Abstract: An apparatus for loading a line closing machine with pairs of stockings. The apparatus includes a pair of cooperating fingers mounted on the end of a carousel transfer arm. Pairs of stockings are loaded onto the fingers so as to stretch the open ends of the stockings between the fingers. The carousel advances the fingers towards a line closing machine and the fingers orient the open ends of the stockings in a horizontal vertically spaced manner so as to accept a pair of stocking supports on the line closing machine. The fingers then pivot so as to release the pair of stockings onto the stocking supports of the line closing machine.

Abstract: An apparatus for flat seaming together a panti-hose half and a gusset has first and second carriers (16,18). The first carrier is moved from a loading station where a body portion of the panti-hose half is drawn on to the carrier, through an opening station where the body portion is opened along a preselected line extending from the waistband, into a seaming station. The second carrier is moved from the loading station where a gusset is loaded on to the carrier, to the seaming station. Each carrier has respective clamps (24,38), including an array of needles, which serve to grip the body portion and the gusset to their respective carriers. At the seaming station the free edges of the body portion, formed when the latter is opened at the opening station, and the free edge of the gusset are seamed together.