Abstract: A circular knitting machine for producing a tubular knitted article having a closed end is disclosed. The apparatus includes a knitting cylinder for forming the tubular knitted material; an accumulator downstream of the knitting cylinder for permitting the knitting cylinder to continuously form the tubular knitted material; and a stitching closure assembly downstream from the accumulator. The stitching closure assembly includes a sewing head, a fabric positioner, a conduit for connecting the fabric positioner to the accumulator and a fabric guide. Further, the circular knitting machine may include a fabric control system for selectively actuating the sewing head, the fabric positioner and the fabric guide for automatically producing the tubular knitted article having a closed end.

Abstract: A knitted article that includes a top portion, a bottom portion and a seam is disclosed. The top portion has a cross stretch less than about 12. The bottom portion may be formed from a lock stitch and may have a cross stretch greater than about 12. Also in the bottom portion, at least one yarn end may be different from the yarn forming the top portion. The seam extends substantially from the toe of the bottom portion to the heel of the bottom portion, thereby forming the sides and sole of said knitted article. An insert board may be included for forming a package.

Abstract: A circular knitting machine for producing a tubular knitted article having a closed end. The apparatus includes a circular knitting element for forming the tubular knitted article and a closure assembly located downstream of the circular knitting element for forming the closed end. An accumulator assembly is located between the circular knitting element and the closure assembly to provide tension to the tubular knitted article when the closure assembly is closed, thereby permitting the circular knitting element to continuously form the tubular knitted article during the operation of the closure assembly. Also, in the preferred embodiment, a cutting assembly is located between the accumulator assembly and the closure assembly, the cutting assembly being selectively operable to cut the tubular knitted article during the operation of the closure assembly.

Abstract: A tap-resistant security circuit. In the preferred embodiment, the apparatus includes a conduit including an electrically conductive wire surrounded by a gas-filled, gas impermeable sheath. At one end of the conduit is a pressure switch which is normally open but is maintained closed by the pressure in the gas-filled conduit. The other end of the conduit is sealed. If the gas-filled conduit is disturbed, for example, if an attempt is made to cut the wire, the gas within the conduit escapes, the pressure holding the switch closed drops and the circuit is opened. As a result, any attempt to by-pass or "tap" the wire results in the current through the wire being interrupted.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for use in a circular knitting machine to form an end closure in a knitted tube made of thermoplastic yarn. The apparatus includes a tube constrictor mounted on the knitting machine for constricting the knitted tube formed by the knitting machine to form a generally solid, compact mass. The tube constrictor includes a plurality of constricting elements which define an aperture through which the knitted tube extends. The constricting elements are moveable between an open position and a closed position in which the knitted tube is gathered into a generally solid compact mass. A hot-air nozzle connected to a hot-air source is engageable with the air passage in the tube constrictor for directing a stream of hot air through said passage to sever and fuse said compact mass and to form a heat-sealed closure at one end of the tube segment severed from the knitted tube.

Abstract: A foot and shoe protector. The protector includes an enclosed toe portion shaped to substantially conform to and incase the toe area of a foot and a generally rectangular heelless sole portion attached along one edge to the enclosed toe portion. The heelless sole portion extends beyond the edges of the toe portion to form a pair of flaps for preventing contact between the upper edges of the shoe and the foot.

Abstract: A sewing apparatus and method for receiving tubular knit fabric from a pre-knitted roll and making the fabric into foot covers. The fabric is first passed through an unique spreader which is mounted at the end of a pivotal boom adjacent a sewing machine. A gripping head advances to the spreader and grips the portion of the fabric held by the spreader. The gripping head than withdraws a predetermined length of fabric from the pre-knitted roll through the spreader. An air jet blows the free end of the length of tubular knit fabric into a vacuum take-off tube connected to a gathering box. The pivotal boom then swings toward the sewing machine. As the pivotal boom completes it swing, the tubular knit fabric is fed to the sewing machine which simultaneously sews the end immediately adjacent the spreader, cuts the free end from the pre-knitted roll, and gathers the finished product in the take-off tube.