Abstract: Putting on aid for putting on stockings, particularly compression stockings, characterized by a frame-like construction with at least four substantially equidistantly spaced, parallel-extending support rods (10,12,14,16) whereof first ends are interconnected by means of a first clip (18) and whereof the second ends are interconnected by means of a second clip (20), the first substantially semicircular clip (18) with a diameter corresponding to the stocking width and the substantially U-shaped second clip (20) with a significantly greater width being interconnected.

Abstract: A device for the automatic transfer of pantyhose and similar manufactured articles from a toe sewing machine, of a carrousel type with vertical axis, to a drawing machine of the type having a pair of vertical fixed shapes, includes a gripper for gripping the elastic edge of the articles in a loading station of a sewing machine, in order to transfer an elastic edge out of the sewing machine, overturning the edge, and for keeping the pantyhose in pendent and overturned attitude. The device includes a pusher for picking up the elastic edge of the pantyhose from the gripper while stretching it in the form of a rectangle and transferring the article in a pendant attitude to a predetermined position relative to the shapes of the drawing machine.A transfer device for transferring the article onto the drawing machine effects the fitting of the legs of the pantyhose articles on the relevant shapes.

Abstract: An improvement on the device disclosed in my previous U.S. Pat. No. 4,637,532 for a device for assisting in the putting on of elastic hosiery. The current invention includes the improvement of providing an expandable tip to open the stocking even wider than was possible with my previous device. The expansion is accomplished by dividing the portion over which the stocking is placed; biasing the two split parts to a normally closed position, and providing a latch to hold the device in an open position while it is in use.

Abstract: For the manufacture of pantihose, a gusset inserting machine is coupled to a hosiery machine such as a boarding or toe closing machine, for automatic transfer or gussetted pantihose to the latter machine, by a first transfer mechanism which strips pantihose from the gusset machine and loads a rotary conveyor and by a second transfer mechanism which strips the pantihose from the conveyor and loads it on a pair of supports of the receiving hosiery machine. After the gusset machine has seamed a gusset into the pantihose, a support head on which the pantihose is mounted for gusset insertion is rotated through a predetermined angle for orienting the pantihose according to the loading requirements of the receiving machine, and the two transfer mechanisms and conveyor maintain the orientation of the pantihose as established by rotation of the support head.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for automatically taking off inspected hose from a pattern plate of a hose-inspecting apparatus and fitting them on a pattern plate of a hose-finishing apparatus, to be disposed in the middle of where each one of the inspecting pattern plates and each one of the finishing pattern plates are opposed at a certain interval. The hose-fitting apparatus is constructed substantially of a finger and a pair of levers that serve to make the finger ascend and descend with its position kept upright along a certain eldless track pierced through a pair of plates on both sides of it by means of a pair of belts respectively provided to the plates and a driving means. Thus, in the ascending progress close to the inspecting pattern plate, the finger can remove a pair of hose from it upward getting in from its bottom and, in the descending progress close to the finishing plate, put the hose on it getting out therefrom repeatedly.

Abstract: A shaping machine which is provided for the shaping of panty hose and other hosiery articles includes two substantially vertically extending elongated blades. A motor driven belt drive extends along each of the longitudinal lateral edges of the blades. Each of these belt drives includes at least one endless belt which has a run that projects beyond the blades in such a manner that the contour of this belt run delimits the contour of the blades at their longitudinal sides. The directions of movement of the belt drives are chosen in such a manner that the outer runs of the respective belts move upwardly in the pulling-on position of the blades and downwardly in the pulling-off positions of the blades. The front one of the blades additionally includes a holding arrangement for insert sheets, the holding arrangement being supplied with the insert sheets by a supply device which is arranged laterally next to the blades on the machine frame.

Abstract: An apparatus for drying and removing flaccid articles (socks) from boarding forms and stacking the flaccid articles in a layed out fashion comprising: an essentially enclosed heating chamber having first and second slit-like openings; first, second, third and fourth tracks for receiving, transporting and discharging a form carrier device, the first track is a continuous track disposed in the heating chamber and has at least one receiver and the second, third and fourth tracks are disposed outside of the heating chamber; the second track is aligned with the first slit and has a channel to receive a form carrier (on which a boarding form is disposed from the first track and transported it to the third track; the third track has a forked receiver device to receive a form carrier and transport it to the fourth track; the fourth track is aligned with the second slit and has a channel to receive a form carrier from the third track and discharge it through the second slit to the receiver of the first track; and, a f

Abstract: A transfer mechanism for transferring hosiery from a toe-closing machine to a hosiery boarding machine is disclosed which enables the labor content of hosiery production to be reduced. The hosiery is mechanically removed from the toe-closing machine and supported upon a transfer form at its welt end. The hosiery is then stretched and driven fully onto the transfer form. Thereafter a hosiery boarding form is inserted into the foot end of the hosiery to draw the hosiery thereonto while simultaneously turning it.

Abstract: A device to assist in the donning of elastic hosiery. The device includes a form for holding the hosiery, one part of which can be spread from the rest to open and stretch the hosiery. The device is elongated to be used in the same manner as a shoehorn. A base may be provided so that the spreading can be foot operated or power operated by use of a hydraulic, pneumatic or mechanical means. The device also is formed so that the stocking will be releasably retained on the device while the ease of sliding the foot into the stocking is enhanced.

Abstract: A device for assisting a handicapped person in donning and removing an article of hosiery comprising a support of such size as to be accommodated in the article of hosiery, a handle for manipulating the support, and a flexible strap coupling the support to the handle. The support has laterally extending projections between which portions of the article of hosiery may be positioned to resist separation of the support and the hosiery.

Abstract: A carriage is reciprocately movable along the length of a pair of eversion tubes which carry pantyhose legs in an everted condition. The carriage carries two pairs of grippers which are engageable over each pantyhose leg and on side fingers on each tube. The grippers are brought to a partially closed position where they do not touch the fabric while the carriage is slowly moved along the tubes to scan the exterior of the fabric. A detection point is provided on the fabric which is detectable by a probe that operates a mechanism for fully closing the grippers. Further movement of the carriage with the grippers closed causes sliding of the fabric on the tubes. Even with the detection points misaligned on the tubes, the grippers will close at the appropriate instant to concurrently bring both legs of the pantyhose to the ends of the tubes.

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: Hosiery manufacturing equipment comprises a line closer (L) and a toe closer (T) which are linked by a hose transfer mechanism (M) consisting of two conveyors (30, 31) which overlap in a region between the closers (L, T). The conveyors have respective hose holders (39, 40) which coact in the overlap region so that hose carried by the first holder (39) are stripped therefrom and taken over by the second holder (40) which ultimately mounts the hose on the toe closer (T); the first holder is responsible for stripping the hose from the line closer (L) and for rotating the hose through a predetermined angle which is related to a difference in angular attitude between respective hose supports (10, 16) of the two closers (L, T).

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 method and apparatus (12) for handling hosiery is disclosed. A generally flat form (14) dimensioned to be inserted into hosiery is supported for motion on a conveyor chain (18). The form (14) is driven by a loading station (34) where hosiery is placed upon the form (14). A clamp mechanism (46) is carried on the form (14) for vertical motion along its length. The form (14) is thereafter moved past an elevator mechanism (16). The elevator mechanism (16) moves the clamp mechanism (46) upward until it contacts a bottom portion of the hosiery on the form and moves the bottom portion of the hosiery upward. Clamp jaws (52) of the clamp mechanism (46) thereafter clamp down on the hosiery placed on the form (14). After the jaws (52) have been clamped on the hosiery, the clamp mechanism (46) is forced downwardly by a cam plate (202).

Abstract: A device for transferring tubular fabrics, particularly panty hose, the opening or mouth of which is fitted on support hangers which are spaced apart from one another and hold the mouth at an open position, and for transferring such tubular fabrics onto a rigid body adjacent to and aligned with the hangers by inverting the tubular fabrics on such rigid body. The device includes a slide longitudinally movable on a fixed guide, jaws mounted on the slide and includes four discrete rotable elements in two pairs on two discrete planes, a pan projecting forwardly of the slide and freely axially movable relative thereto against the action of a spring, plungers supported from the jaws which project for insertion in the mouth or opening of the tubular fabric as the slide moves forward, followed by lifting such fabric out of the support hangers when the jaws are spread out.

Abstract: A method and apparatus (12) for handling hosiery is disclosed. A generally flat form (14) dimensioned to be inserted into hosiery is supported for motion on a conveyor chain (18). The form (14) is driven by a loading station (34) where hosiery is placed upon the form (14). A clamp mechanism (46) is carried on the form (14) for vertical motion along its length. The form (14) is thereafter moved past an elevator mechanism (16). The elevator mechanism (16) moves the clamp mechanism (46) upward until it contacts a bottom portion of the hosiery on the form and moves the bottom portion of the hosiery upward. Clamp jaws (52) of the clamp mechanism (46) thereafter clamp down on the hosiery placed on the form (14). After the jaws (52) have been clamped on the hosiery, the clamp mechanism (46) is forced downwardly by a cam plate (202).

Abstract: Apparatus for automatically laying out stockings or collants for visual control and possible treatments thereof. The apparatus comprises a rigid shaped form, having a stocking inlet applied thereto, and an elongated element movable between a position, at which it is within the form, and a position, at which is projects from the form, stretching out the stacking that can be therefore controlled. At its stretched out position, the stocking tip is automatically gripped by a pliers, while the movable element is withdrawn, thereby leaving the stocking hanging from the pliers.

Abstract: Apparatus for automatically boarding, stripping and stacking hosiery. Interiorly heated boarding forms are mounted on a table for indexing from a loading station at which an operator places hosiery on the forms to a stripping station at which the forms are presented in sets, with spaced clamps engaging the hosiery on the forms of the set at the stripping station and removing them longitudinally of the forms. The clamps are mounted on a carrier that moves on a carriage with the carriage moving laterally of the forms to move the clamps into clamping position and the carrier moving in tracks on the carriage to move the clamps vertically for stripping the hosiery longitudinally from the forms and then to a horizontal position at which the clamps dispose the hosiery in laid out disposition above a stacking table for release onto a collection board. The forms are spaced apart a distance equivalent to the width of the hosiery with the hosiery deposited on the stacking table at this spacing.

Abstract: A system for closing the open end portions of articles, particularly hosiery, includes a plurality of toe closing units arranged in a semi-circular configuration for loading by an operator. Each unit includes a camera-type shutter for gripping the garment, a heating mechanism for fusing closed the open toe, and vacuum systems urging portions of the garments on opposite sides of the shutter in opposite directions and for automatically transferring the toe waste portions and the toe closed garments to predetermined locations.