Abstract: Apparatus for automatically superimposing and folding collants or stockings and transferring the same to packaging. The apparatus comprises a moving chain carrying grippers having the collants leg tips hanging thereon. The chain travels through a narrow loop, at which moving parts are provided and press the two legs of each collant against each other, whereupon a moving member picks up the stockings midway the length thereof, transferring the same as folded up to a collection station.

Abstract: A circular knitting machine for knitting hosiery has a program drum which can be advanced through short or longer-pitch movements in dependence on an arrangement of removable pins located in seats around the drum. The presence, absence, and length of the pins is sensed mechanically by a control device associated with an incremental advance mechanism for the drum. The speed of the needle cylinder is also controlled in dependence on the arrangement of pins. By changing the arrangement, articles of different size can be produced on the machine.

Abstract: In a circular knitting machine having needle and/or jack butts at different levels, control cams for the butts are selectively movable radially of the needle cylinder, and angularly. Radial movement of the control cams causes the cams to act selectively on all of the butts, on only the upper butts, or on none of the butts, and angular movement of the control cams causes the control cams to effect, selectively, raising of the butts, partial raising of the butts, or raising of none of the butts.

Abstract: Apparatus comprising a plurality of shaped bodies carried on a rotable structure. On the end of each body one edge can be manually placed of a tubular element of textile material forming the leg of a stocking. During the rotation of said structure, each body having said element hanging therefrom, is positioned in front of and adjacent to the free end of a mounting tube in a semiautomatic sewing machine. At this position an elongated rod is automatically operated, such a rod being provided with a hook member separating the edge of the tubular element from the shaped body, overturning and transferring it onto the end of the pounting tube and causing it to slide along the tube, where it is caught by the gripping members the sewing machine is fitted with, the machine then providing for sewing the other end of the tubular element forming the tip of a stocking.