Abstract: This invention relates to a method of dyeing and fixing knitted socks, stockings, panty hose or similar knitted articles of clothing of highly elastic material, preferably synthetic fibers. In this method, the articles of clothing are pulled onto flat forms and pass in succession through stations for dyeing, fixing and drying, as well as possibly preforming, rinsing and/or after-forming. In order to prevent deformations resulting from loads exerted on the knitted fabric, the articles of clothing travel, while lying approximately horizontal, through the individual treatment stations with their fibers extending in the longitudinal direction of the article of clothing. In the apparatus for the carrying out of the process, which has a plurality of flat forms onto which the articles of clothing to be treated are pulled and which, between a pulling-on and pulling-off station, are movable by a transportation device through the treatment stations, the card-shaped forms are inclined at most by an angle of 25.degree.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device for the bending and/or distortion-free hardening of bar material, particularly leaf springs, which device has a plurality of frame-shaped tools which upon their closing bend the heated workpiece and lower it in clamped condition into a treatment tank. For the bending and lowering the tools are moved in vertical direction in a portal and discharging from the portal in its lowest position and fed by guide rails of a transport device in a treatment tank. Thereupon the tools are grasped by a lift portal and raised into a position lying above the treatment tank in which position they are opened, the workpiece is removed, and the opened tool is transferred via guide rails of another transport device into a ready position.