Abstract: A device for regulating the length of thread absrobed by a knitting machine and/or for correcting the variations in tension of a thread supplying a textile machine, is disclosed. The device comprises a tensioning means of any type, a drive member whose rotation results in the movement of the tension-generating member of the tensioning means, a feeler element over which the thread passes and which is moved when the length of thread absorbed and/or the tension of the thread varies and two switches, one controlling the placing in rotation of the drive member in one direction and the other the placing in rotation in the other direction. The direction of rotation of the drive member is selected so that the corelative action of the feeler corrects the variation in the length of thread absorbed and/or of the tension which is the cause of triggering this rotation.

Abstract: A tube of flexible material moving longitudinally undergoes transition between annular cross section and flattened straight cross section, without change in the length of perimeter of its cross sections, by one stage of changing between the annular cross section and a rectangular cross section, and another stage of changing between that rectangular cross section and the flattened cross section through successively longer and narrower rectangular cross sections. The method is applicable to material produced by a circular knitting machine. Preferably there is a polyhedral guide within the tube.