Abstract: The invention proposes a method for banding textile articles with labels, comprising the steps of feeding the article into a receiving unit, holding the article in the receiving unit and stretching it in its longitudinal direction, feeding the label to the article, wrapping the label around the article and fixing the ends of the label. There is further proposed a device for banding a textile article with labels, where the article is initially fed into a receiving unit comprising gripper elements, that can be moved one relative to the other, for gripping the article by its two outer lengthwise ends and for stretching the article in its longitudinal direction. The device further comprises a label feeding unit for feeding a label in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the article to a central area of the article, between its two ends, as well as a device for wrapping the label around the article and for fixing the ends of the label.

Abstract: A method for folding hosiery items is disclosed. The hosiery items are wrapped about a folding card and are folded, together with the folding card, against an inclined belt at an acute angle relative to a lower belt, with the trailing portion of the hosiery item resting on that lower belt. The hosiery item is then initially clamped against the lower belt in the vicinity of the folding card, preferably by means of a clamping slide, and is then tensioned about the folding card, preferably by means of a tensioning slide, before the hosiery item is transferred, by advancing the lower belt and the inclined belt, to the pivoting belt, after the latter has been returned to its original position, from where it is then transported between two subsequent, mutually parallel belts, one of which can be moved away from the other in parallel orientation, in order to prevent any rolls from forming during movement into the space between the two belts.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for straightening substantially tubular textile goods, such as socks, stockings, tights etc., which have an asymmetry, such as a reciprocated heel. According to the invention the textile goods are drawn onto a substantially cylindrical form, the form with the textile product drawn onto it is rotated about a longitudinal axis, during rotation the asymmetry position is detected as is the position of the form and finally the form is rotated into a predetermined position corresponding to the detected asymmetry position. Preferably, simultaneously the stitch pattern of the textile product drawn onto the form is inspected for faults and flaws.

Abstract: There are provided a device and a method for shaping and inspecting pantyhose for defects comprising flat stretchers for stretching the pantyhose, the stretchers being arranged in pairs one beside the other and so that they can be brought into a mutually aligned position and the pantyhose being preferably exposed to the action of steam in a steam-shaping station. In order to permit visual inspection of both the front and the back faces of the pantyhose, neighboring stretchers are rotatable by approximately 180.degree. about a common axis so that the fully spread pantyhose can be inspected easily and by direct eye contact. Subsequent heat-treatment is effected on the same stretchers, preferably by means of steam. The device is preferably designed as circular indexing machine, where the stretchers are arranged in pairs along the circumference of a rotary plate by means of which the stretchers are indexed through the different treating stations.