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: A process and a device for smoothing tubular, extensible material with at least one closed end, especially for shaping stockings or tights, is described, with at least one apparatus to feed in and stretch the material on an elongated stretcher being provided, also with at least one apparatus to heat the material on the stretcher, such that the apparatus for feeding in and stretching the material has a gathering fixture to pre-gather the material and a stretching apparatus that has gripper elements to transfer the gathered-up material from the gathering fixture, that can be moved along the elongated stretcher in order to slip the gathered material onto the stretcher. This arrangement guarantees particularly gentle handling of the material, and uniform stretching on the stretcher.

Abstract: In a process for pulling stockings off a stretcher, the stockings are stretched on two essentially U-shaped frames next to one another. The stockings are pulled off the frames means of pull-off belts placed laterally against the narrow side of the frame. While the stockings are being pulled off the stretcher, folding of the stockings is already being initiated, ensuring correct position of the fold and ruling out later changes in shape. Preferable the folding apparatus has a package liner feeder, so that the stockings are folded around a package liner under tension. This completely rules out later shrinkage of the stockings.