Abstract: There is disclosed a method and apparatus for processing hosiery having synthetic fibers that are adapted to be steamed on forms for setting the fibers, in which there is provided a pressing operation for the hosiery for smoothing and reducing for example, the seam where the toe is closed by sewing. The pressing operation is applied after the initial application of steam to permit movement of the hosiery on the forms as the fibers shrink.

Abstract: A method of handling hosiery after the hosiery has been stripped from a form is disclosed and comprises the steps of: (a) transferring hosiery one at a time from a stripping mechanism to an accumulating mechanism; (b) vertically suspending the hosiery from the accumulating mechanism; (c) straightening the hosiery by contacting the hosiery, while it is vertically suspended from the accumulating mechanism, with a stroking element and moving the stroking element over a portion of the hosiery's length; (d) accumulating a desired number of hosiery in the accumulating mechanism by performing steps (a), (b) and (c) for the desired number; and (e) transferring the desired number from the accumulator mechanism by releasing the accumulated hosiery from the accumulator mechanism when the stroking element is in contact with the accumulated hosiery intermediate its length so that the accumulated hosiery folds over the stroking element, and moving the stroking element to a hosiery transfer location.

Abstract: A hosiery processing method and apparatus are disclosed. The apparatus includes a support frame; a plurality of hosiery carrying forms; an endless drive chain having a mechanism for carrying the forms; a drive for continuously driving the chain; and a flat steam chamber including a stationary first wall member and a movable second wall member. The steam chamber has a flat configuration such that the distance between the interior major surfaces of the chamber is only slightly greater than the thickness of the forms. The movable wall member is support for horizontal motion toward and away from the stationary wall member in order to open and close the flat steam chamber. A latch mechanism selectively holds the second wall member in the closed position. A holding and advancing mechanism holds a section of the drive chain temporarily stationary at the flat steam chamber and advances the section of the drive chain after it has been temporarily held stationary.

Abstract: A rotary receptacle forming apparatus is disclosed which automatically forms a receptacle from a precut and prescored flat receptacle blank. Individual ones of the receptacle blanks are fed by a feeding mechanism from a stack of receptacle blanks to a die. According to the present invention, the rotating mandrel and the die cooperate with each other to achieve linear motion. This is accomplished by constantly maintaining the rotating mandrel in a fixed orientation parallel to the die while the mandrel passes through the die and, at the same time, enabling the die to track the mandrel by moving radially of the circular path of the mandrel. After the mandrel moves through the die, movable forming means on the mandrel fold the corner hinges on the receptacle blank. The driving force for the movable forming means is derived from the movement which enables the mandrel to maintain a fixed orientation relative to the die.

Abstract: A bi-component friction disc for imparting false twist to yarn to texture the yarn comprising an inner surface having a first portion of ceramic material surrounded by a second portion of polyurethane or rubber. Typically, one of these discs is installed on each end of a hollow tube, and two sets of tubes and discs are used in order to allow the yarn being textured to make four passes over the discs to impart the false twist.