Abstract: A predetermined force is applied to the waistband of a hosiery article to determine the waistband's maximum elongation, for the predetermined force and the band subsequently is relaxed to a preset dimension and the compression force exerted by the band is measured and recorded. The apparatus includes a stationary and a displaceable finger over which the waistband is stretched. A fluid cylinder moves the displaceable finger away from the stationary finger, producing the application of a predetermined force. Once the distance between fingers is measured, the cylinder moves the displaceable finger to position it a predetermined distance from the stationary finger and the compressive force applied by the waistband is measured and recorded. In order to insure that the displaceable finger is stopped with the exact predetermined distance between fingers, a calibration stop is first conducted to determine the distance the displaceable finger moves before it actually stops after receiving a stop signal.

Abstract: In a system for measuring the cross stretch along selected areas of a tubular portion of a hosiery article to determine whether the degree of stretch falls within selected parameters, a pair of arms having designated arcuate portions over which a selected area of the article to be tested is positioned. A fluid cylinder displaces a first arm relative to a second arm to stretch the selected area of the article and therefore apply a force to the second arm. When a prescribed force is reached, a control means, in response to a signal from a load cell coupled to the second arm, records the linear displacement of the first arm and reverses the operation of the fluid cylinder.

Abstract: A hollow container or carton for an article formed of a single blank which has been suitably shaped and provided with selected fold lines. The carton is provided with a bottom structure which may readily snap open to provide access to the carton. The uppermost edges of both the carton front panel and the rear panel define parabolic curves and the carton side panels include tabs having curved outer edge portions conforming to the uppermost edges of the front and rear panels for alignment therewith and securement thereto.

Abstract: A system of printing information on opposite sides of paper board envelopes using heat sensitive films or foils fed between transfer die members and envelopes passing therebetween. The system includes a supply magazine or the like, a conveying system for conveying the envelopes from the supply source to and through the several printers. The printers are longitudinally spaced along the conveyor path and are so located such that information can be printed on both sides of the envelope. At the end or the last printing station a second conveyor or transfer device is provided to transfer the just printed envelopes to a work station wherein delicate articles, such as hosiery, panty hose, etc., are placed therein. The system includes common and well known automatic control means to intermittently feed the envelopes to the several printing stations and subsequently to the envelope filling station.

Abstract: A system of packaging a predetermined number of relatively flat packages or envelopes containing delicate articles such as hosiery, pantyhose, etc., into boxes. The packages or envelopes are printed and garments placed therein at a selected location and then placed on a substantially horizontal conveyor, conveyed to a vertical elevator having provision at the top thereof to accumulate a predetermined number of such packages or envelopes, and then automatically moved from the accumulator to an awaiting open tray or box bottom and placed therein. Prior to arriving at the opened tray, such tray has been automatically removed from a magazine, the sides and ends unfolded and placed on a platform in opened condition awaiting the arrival of the predetermined number of packages or envelopes. Once the envelopes or packages are placed in the tray the same is automatically transferred to a lid opening and applying station where the lid and filled tray are united.

Abstract: A system for automatically handling a label and presenting the label to a hosiery blank mounted upon a line closer machine. A label length is advanced from a label strip supply roll; the projecting label length is clamped by a presentator assembly and then is severed from the remainder of the label strip. The presentator assembly is displaced to position the label at a prescribed location within the confines of a hosiery blank mounted upon the line closer machine. The presentator assembly is displaced to move the label within a hosiery blank past sewing instrumentalities to sew the label to a pair of hosiery blanks as the blanks are seamed together.

Abstract: A system for automatically bending wire into arcuate segments of different selected configurations utilizing a wire bending roll displaceable selectively by a stepping motor which is controlled by a microprocessor to bend a length of wire conforming to data retrieved from a computer. The wire is selectively advanced to a shear assembly where it is severed to a specific length and advanced through feed rolls towards the bending roll. Detection of the advancing severed length of wire locks in a strobe gear and the microprocessor with the stepping motor to determine the position of the wire with respect to the bending roll and to incrementally displace the bending roll in a controlled manner along an arcuate path to produce the desired bend in the wire.

Abstract: A support frame for garments such as brassieres, swimsuits and the like, and a system for forming the support frames. The wire member of each support frame is formed in a preselected, prescribed configuration and plastic protective end caps are adhered to the wire member end portions in a selected manner. The wire end may be modified by a cutter assembly which includes guiding and aligning apparatus for properly locating the wire frame ends relative to spaced rotating saws to remove selected portions and define a centrally located protruding tip portion intermediate spaced shoulders.