Abstract: One general aspect of the present disclosure includes an assembly including: a support device having a surface for receiving a textile component; and an actuation device, the actuation device having at least one actuation surface that at least partially surrounds the support device, where the actuation surface is movable with respect to the surface of the support device such that, when the textile component is held by the support device, movement of the actuation surface with respect to the surface of the support device causes movement of the textile component with respect to the surface of the support device.

Abstract: A fabric treating apparatus including: a cabinet defining a treating chamber in which clothes is accommodated; a first conveyer and a second conveyer for conveying the clothes in one direction; a first fixing member to which the first conveyer is fixed, and which is rotatably installed in the cabinet; and a second fixing member to which the second conveyer is fixed, and which is rotatably installed in the cabinet.

Abstract: Textile articles to be treated are fed on to shapes fitted to supporting members. Gliding independently each other on a platform of the boarding or semi-boarding machine, and positioned in mutual contact at respective sides along a polygonal pathway defined by a guiding device. The supporting members are transported in step along the polygonal pathway, by the engagement with a towing device acting independently at each linear stretch of the polygonal pathway, so that in each step at least one position at the concurrence of two linear stretches of the polygonal pathway is maintained unoccupied. At least one of the supporting members, on which the textile articles to be treated are fed, is arranged in a halt position upstream from a semi-boarding station and then is moved to take the shapes into the semi-boarding station. After the semi-boarding treatment, this supporting member is transferred to a station where the textile articles, treated, are extracted from the shapes.

Abstract: This method is applied in men stocking boarding units including an implement bearing several boarding shapes and suited to be led into a steam boarding chamber defined by two shells, movable with respect to each other into a mutual opening and closing position. The method provides for grasping the stocking inserted on a relevant boarding shape, in correspondence with the cuff of said stocking and on opposing sides of boarding shape itself, inside said boarding chamber, by means of opposing gripping means bound to shells of boarding chamber. Upon boarding unit shells closure, said gripping means are elastically deformed and stretch the stocking leg on the boarding shape to a preset length. The stocking leg is kept stretched during the boarding phase inside the boarding chamber.

Abstract: The equipment comprises a carousel (2) provided with a plurality of forms (3) designed to receive the products and stations, outside the carousel, for the loading and inspection (9) of the product, for setting (11) in a chamber and for discharge (13). On the carousel there are provided a plurality of units, each having guide means (29) for the radial sliding of a sliding support (31) on which the corresponding form (3) lies in a radial plane. Each of the stations (9, 11, 13) comprises a servo mechanism capable of moving said support to the outside of the carousel or in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A continuous and uninterrupted process for knitting a plurality of cylindrical blanks, automatically transferring the knit blanks sequentially to a shrink apparatus, continuously shrinking the blanks for a predetermined period of time, and automatically transferring the shrunken blanks from the shrink apparatus to a remote location. The invention also includes an apparatus for carrying out the process having a shrink apparatus with a blank input conduit, a blank output conduit, a plurality of heating chambers, and means for transferring knitted tubular blanks from knitting machines to heating chambers. A heat source transfers heat to the heating chambers to heat and shrink the blanks, and an associated component automatically transfers the shrunken blanks to a remote location.

Abstract: There are provided a device and a method for shaping and inspecting pantyhose for defects comprising flat stretchers for stretching the pantyhose, the stretchers being arranged in pairs one beside the other and so that they can be brought into a mutually aligned position and the pantyhose being preferably exposed to the action of steam in a steam-shaping station. In order to permit visual inspection of both the front and the back faces of the pantyhose, neighboring stretchers are rotatable by approximately 180.degree. about a common axis so that the fully spread pantyhose can be inspected easily and by direct eye contact. Subsequent heat-treatment is effected on the same stretchers, preferably by means of steam. The device is preferably designed as circular indexing machine, where the stretchers are arranged in pairs along the circumference of a rotary plate by means of which the stretchers are indexed through the different treating stations.

Abstract: An automatic boarding machine and method provides convenience, precision and efficiency of operation. Boarding forms are horizontally positioned for easy loading and ergonomic advantage. Microprocessor controls allow variable speed and cycle times while independent temperature controls permit precise temperature adjustments for a series of thermal pressers. The boarding machine is configured to provide space saving circular movement of a plurality of forms which pass sequentially through a moisture treatment, heated presses, and an unloader. The processed hosiery is then stacked on a conveyor, and excess yarn ends are removed by an electrical trimmer. A control panel allows the operator to change and adjust all phases of the operation easily and quickly to insure uniformity of the finished product.

Abstract: Machine for the control and boarding of stockings and tights with automatic loading and unloading of material, comprising a circular transfer type base 1 carrier for the forms 2, which can be fixed with foot inclined between approximately 5 and 15 degrees in relation to its longitudinal axis or articulated with leg extendable in width and pivoting foot 17, and a series of functional stations through which these forms successively pass, the stockings being subjected firstly to a steaming treatment in a double chamber autoclave 7 and to drying in a hot air kiln 8 divided into two parts by inner gates 35, the stockings being deposited directly on to the forms without the intervention of the intermediate transporting elements from the loading supports 13 where they are positioned by hand by the operator.

Abstract: A machine for ironing and stacking men's socks comprising:--a circular plate 1 with a central horizontal shaft 12;--an electric motor 2;--a plurality of socks-supporting flat shapes 10 equally spaced apart along a circumference of the plate 1, projecting from the same face thereof 1, oriented almost tangentially thereto, and having a horizontal shaft 13;--a curvilinear cam 3 located opposite to the shapes 10 with respect to the plate 1 to operate the rotation of each shape 10, in cooperation with a corresponding feeler 15 provided with a return spring 16;--a chamber 4 for steaming and pressing the socks;--a chamber 5 for pressing and drying the socks;--a clamp 6 for withdrawing the thus ironed sock, with the leg and foot thereof in horizontal position, by acting in correspondence of the foot 14 region, and placing the sock onto an underlying horizontal belt conveyer 7;--a plurality of suction nozzles 9 borne by a horizontal arm 90 for the vertical removal and lifting of the thus withdrawn and faultless sock,

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: A finishing device for setting and finishing stockings hose such as stockings and panty hose through steam treatment while they are loaded onto templates, the finishing device including a pair of templates which intermittently move, a steam setting section, a stocking take-off section, and opening-closing mechanisms for the templates.When the templates having a stocking inserted thereon face the steam setting section, the stocking is steam set with steam supply. The steam setting section is composed of a two-part kiln. The templates are folded in two after the setting, and the stocking is taken off the templates at the stocking take-off section for the transfer to the packaging process, with the template open in parallel, ready for the insertion of another stocking.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically finishing pantyhose includes pairs of pattern frames on which a pair of pantyhose are fitted and which are respectively mounted on a revolving ring plate which stops at stations for pantyhose inspection, drying, and pulling-out. At the inspection station, the pattern frames are lifted by an elevating device and their width is increased for inspection of the pantyhose. At the drying station, they are dried and set to the shape of the widened pattern frames by an infrared heater. At the pulling-out station, a device clamps their toe portion and pulls them into a folding device, a lowering device lowers the pattern frames and narrows their widths, and a tucking-up device is lifted so as to raise the mouth portion of the pantyhose. The folding device folds them in two before they are forwarded to a packaging station.

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: 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: 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 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: Hosiery toe closing and boarding apparatus has a pair of heatable boarding forms to which hose are fed by a reciprocally-acting transfer mechanism from carriers of a known toe closing machine. The boarding forms are mounted on a turret to move between hose-receiving and hose-discharging positions respectively associated with wind-on and wind-off rollers. At their ends remote from the toe closing machine the boarding forms are interconnected by a hinge with a rotatably-drivable hinge pin for causing one form to swing into a superposed, registered position over the other form immediately prior to discharge of the hose from the boarding apparatus.

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: This invention relates to a method of dyeing and fixing knitted socks, stockings, panty hose or similar knitted articles of clothing of highly elastic material, preferably synthetic fibers. In this method, the articles of clothing are pulled onto flat forms and pass in succession through stations for dyeing, fixing and drying, as well as possibly preforming, rinsing and/or after-forming. In order to prevent deformations resulting from loads exerted on the knitted fabric, the articles of clothing travel, while lying approximately horizontal, through the individual treatment stations with their fibers extending in the longitudinal direction of the article of clothing. In the apparatus for the carrying out of the process, which has a plurality of flat forms onto which the articles of clothing to be treated are pulled and which, between a pulling-on and pulling-off station, are movable by a transportation device through the treatment stations, the card-shaped forms are inclined at most by an angle of 25.degree.

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: Hosiery toe closing and boarding apparatus has a pair of heatable boarding forms to which hose are fed by a reciprocally-acting transfer mechanism from carriers of a known toe closing machine. The boarding forms are mounted to a turret to move between hose-receiving and hose-discharging positions respectively associated with wind-on and wind-off rollers. At their ends remote from the toe closing machine the boarding forms are interconnected by a hinge with a rotatably-drivable hinge pin for causing one form to swing into a superposed, registered position over the other form immediately prior to discharge of the hose from the boarding apparatus.