Abstract: A turning device for sewing or grafting stations for automated closing of the tubular knitted items at a first end thereof includes a lower portion and an upper portion, arranged below and above an intermediate area on which can be positioned supporting means for the tubular item to be turned, hanging at its first axial end, and at least one tubular body to be inserted from below to above, with the upper axial end thereof, through the axial end of the item hanging from the supporting means for turning the tubular item. The device includes moving mechanisms for positioning the lower portion between a first operating position, in which it is vertically aligned with the upper portion, and a second operating position, in which it is displaced laterally with respect to the upper portion; a manipulating mechanism, movable between a non-operating position, in which it does not interact with the tubular item, and an operating position, in which it is placed above the tubular item.

Abstract: Computer based systems and methods for designing (e.g., customization) of consumer products, articles of footwear, knit footwear uppers, and the like. In some embodiments, a user may generate and/or modify footwear designs using a footwear design interface. Additionally or alternatively, the footwear design interface may be configured to simulate the layout and/or operation of a knitting machine to provide the user with the impression of physically designing and/or manufacturing an article of footwear. In other embodiments, the system may disallow prospective footwear design changes based on limitations associated with inventory availability and the footwear design characteristics.

Abstract: Present aspects hereof are directed to a circular knitted garment, such as a sock, or a sleeve. The garment has at least a first segment with multiple knit courses, and a second segment having the same number of multiple knit courses as the first segment. The garment has an aperture separating the first segment and the second segment, where the aperture is occupied by a single strand of yarn extending from the first segment to the second segment. The first and second segments are formed by changing the circular knitting direction from one course to the next course in a reciprocating fashion, until the last course is formed, wherein the single strand of yarn moves from the last course in the current segment to the first course in a next, adjacent segment.

Abstract: A process for making a seamless, reversible two-color jersey, including the following steps: knitting with a wholegarment knitting machine in such manner to make a seamless reversible jersey; closing the bottom and the cuffs of the jersey, making tracks on the sides of each sleeve and of the body, dry-cleaning the jersey, removing the stains, finishing the jersey, tacking a patch on the jersey to cover the opening generated by the neck, pre-ironing the jersey, dyeing the jersey, wherein the dye color is absorbed in a different way on the external surface of the jersey and on the internal surface of the jersey, in such manner to obtain a two-color jersey, removing the patch and the seals of the bottom and of the cuffs.

Abstract: A double-cylinder circular hosiery knitting machine with device for tensioning the manufacture during its production, comprising a supporting structure which is provided with a footing and supports, so as to allow rotation about its own vertically oriented axis, a lower needle cylinder and an upper needle cylinder, a device for tensioning the manufacture during its production is accommodated inside the needle cylinders and comprises elements for retaining the manufacture, the retention elements comprising a suction tube, which is accommodated internally and coaxially to the lower needle cylinder, and an element for locking the manufacture, which faces the upper end of the suction tube and is supported by the upper needle cylinder, the locking element being movable on command along the axis of the upper needle cylinder to engage or disengage the upper end of the suction tube.

Abstract: A double-cylinder circular hosiery knitting machine with device for tensioning the manufacture during its production, comprising a supporting structure which is provided with a footing and supports, so as to allow rotation about its own vertically oriented axis, a lower needle cylinder and an upper needle cylinder, a device for tensioning the manufacture during its production is accommodated inside the needle cylinders and comprises elements for retaining the manufacture, the retention elements comprising a suction tube, which is accommodated internally and coaxially to the lower needle cylinder, and an element for locking the manufacture, which faces the upper end of the suction tube and is supported by the upper needle cylinder, the locking element being movable on command along the axis of the upper needle cylinder to engage or disengage the upper end of the suction tube.

Abstract: A double-cylinder circular machine, particularly for knitting hosiery items, with simplified actuation mechanism, comprising a supporting structure which comprises a footing, which supports a lower needle cylinder, and a column which extends substantially vertically, protrudes upwardly from the footing and supports an upper needle cylinder, which is arranged above and coaxially with respect to the lower needle cylinder, and further comprising elements for the actuation of the lower needle cylinder and of the upper needle cylinder with a rotary motion about a common axis, the actuation elements comprising an electric motor which is connected kinematically to the lower needle cylinder and to the upper needle cylinder and is accommodated inside the column.

Abstract: The method comprises the phases of: knitting at least one part (5 A, 5B) of the body (1) with reciprocating motion of the two cylinders of a double-cylinder machine; —knitting the leg pieces (9 A, 9B) with a continuous rotational motion of the two cylinders (11, 13), a first leg piece being knitted by a first of said cylinders and a second leg piece being knitted by a second of said cylinders. It is provided for an arc of needles (C) to be maintained temporarily inactive on each of said two cylinders while knitting said at least one part (5 A, 5B) of the body (1) with reciprocating motion. Furthermore, it is provided that the temporarily inactive needles are set to work at the end of the knitting of said at least one part (5 A, 5B) of the body (1) with reciprocating motion, thus forming an interknitting line (CC) for joining the two leg pieces (9 A, 9B), then continuing the knitting with continuous rotary motion with all the needles (15) of both the cylinders (11, 13).

Abstract: The method comprises the phases of: knitting at least one part (5A, 5B) of the body (1) with reciprocating motion of the two cylinders of a double-cylinder machine; -knitting the leg pieces (9A, 9B) with a continuous rotational motion of the two cylinders (11, 13), a first leg piece being knitted by a first of said cylinders and a second leg piece being knitted by a second of said cylinders. It is provided for an arc of needles (C) to be maintained temporarily inactive on each of said two cylinders while knitting said at least one part (5A, 5B) of the body (1) with reciprocating motion. Furthermore, it is provided that the temporarily inactive needles are set to work at the end of the knitting of said at least one part (5A, 5B) of the body (1) with reciprocating motion, thus forming an interknitting line (CC) for joining the two leg pieces (9A, 9B), then continuing the knitting with continuous rotary motion with all the needles (15) of both the cylinders (11, 13).

Abstract: A double-cylinder circular knitting machine for hosiery or other knitted articles comprises a lower needle cylinder with a vertical axis and an upper needle cylinder arranged above and coaxially to the lower needle cylinder. Aligned axial slots are formed on the lateral surface of the lower and upper needle cylinders. Each of the axial slots of the lower and upper needle cylinders accommodates an actuation element which can engage a needle to be actuated and is provided with a fixed heel, and with a heel which can be extracted radially on command from the axial slot. The transfer of a needle from one needle cylinder to the other is performed by fixed cams and by a selection device producing transition into the extracted position of the movable heel exclusively of the actuation elements that correspond to the needles to be moved to the lower needle cylinder.

Abstract: The invention is a new container for food and for cooking food, entirely or partially made from a plastic film, provided with one opening (B) suited to be closed and hermetically sealed after the introduction of the food to be cooked and comprising at least one valve (L) made from a material having a lower melting point than said plastic film, so that the increase in temperature and pressure inside the container during the cooking of the food causes said valve (L) to open and part of the steam generated inside the container to be discharged.

Abstract: The invention relates to a double cylinder circular knitting machine which comprises at least one nozzle (18) providing a blast of air close to a yarn cutting-and-locking unit (13) to divert the ends of yarns cut and held by the said unit towards the interior of the cylinder, that is towards the reverse side of the item being manufactured. At the same time each cam (14, 21) for moving the needles where the yarns are picked up from the yarn guides is located and configured to move the needles at a predetermined distance from the yarn cutting-and-locking unit so as to leave a space for diverting the end (20) of the cut yarn towards the interior of the cylinder.

Abstract: A slider for double-cylinder circular knitting machines which comprises an elongated laminar body which has a first longitudinal side which is meant to be rested on the bottom of an axial slot formed in the curved surface of the lower needle cylinder or in the curved surface of the upper needle cylinder and at least two heels which protrude transversely to the longitudinal extension of the laminar body on the second longitudinal side of the laminar body that lies opposite the first side. The laminar body has, proximate to one of its longitudinal ends, a hook for engagement with a needle. A first one of the two heels is arranged on a portion of the laminar body which can move with respect to the remaining part of the laminar body in a direction which has a component which is transverse with respect to the longitudinal extension of the laminar body for the transfer of the first heel from an inactive position to an active position, or viceversa.

Abstract: Double-cylinder circular knitting machine for hosiery or the like. The machine comprises a lower needle cylinder having a substantially vertical axis and an upper needle cylinder that is arranged above and coaxially with respect to the lower needle cylinder. A plurality of axial grooves is formed in the skirt of the needle cylinders and each groove accommodates a double-beak needle that can move axially along the corresponding groove. In each one of the grooves there is a lower pusher, which is arranged below the needle and faces the lower head of the needle with its upper end, and an upper pusher, which is arranged above the needle and faces the upper head of the needle with its lower end.

Abstract: A device for positioning thread guides in selectable points in a circular knitting machine, which has a unit for moving the thread guide closer or further away from the cylinder. The unit is a rod-and-crank system in which an intermediate region of the rod is slides guided with respect to a fixed slider. The end of the rod that supports the thread guide is adapted to move, as the crank is actuated, along a curved path from a spaced inactive position to an advanced thread delivery position. The unit is provided with elements for articulation to a fixed frame along an axis that is substantially parallel to the axis of the crank. An elastic return spring and an angular spacing piston are arranged between the unit and the frame and can be actuated selectively to move the thread position to different locations.

Abstract: A selecting device for needles of a circular knitting machine for the production of hosiery goods includes swingable selecting jacks having two guiding butts, one guiding butt at each end, alternately selectable for engagement with cam paths of a needle cylinder. A profile for engagement with a firm push button is formed at one guiding butt above a swinging point of one swingable selecting jack and a profile for engagement with another firm push button is formed on another swingable selecting jack below the swinging point.

Abstract: A circular knitting machine for manufacturing hosiery comprises a lower needle cylinder (1) having a cam section arrangement (5, 6, 7, 8, 9) and a verticle trick (2) grooved on the needle cylinder (1) near the arrangement (5, 6, 7, 8, 9). The cam section arrangement (5, 6, 7, 8, 9) defines a plurality of channels (13, 14, 15, 16). A sinker arrangement (3, 4) is disposed in the verticle trick (2) for verticle movement and has guiding butts (41, 42) alternately engageable with the channels (13, 14, 15, 16). The guiding butts (41, 42) are movable in the channels (13, 14, 15, 16) in a knitting direction (S) and a reverse knitting direction (S'). A plurality of needles (4') are engaged with the sinker arrangement (3, 4). Stitch cams (10, 11) are mounted to the cam section arrangement (5, 6, 7, 8, 9) for engaging the needle (4') when the needles (4') are moved in the knitting direction (S).

Abstract: A cam actuator for selectively moving cam elements axially between distinct operative positions in a circular knitting machine, the actuator including a series of adjacent pistions arranged along the axial line of displacement, and stop means for limiting the axial stroke of each piston in the direction of extension. Each piston co-operates with adjacent pistons in the series such that displacement of a given piston in the extend direction causes the remaining pistons located between the cam element and the given piston to be displaced in the extend direction by the stroke length undergone by the given piston.

Abstract: A yarn feed finter for use on circular Links and Links knitting apparatus for the manufacture of plaited fabric. The finger has a generally elongated, rectangular-shaped flat body having a pair of eyelets located thereon in a side-by-side disposition and which are slightly offset from each other. The finger is adapted for pivotal movement into and out of active position with the needles of the apparatus and to direct through the eyelets simultaneously in parallel with each other and at different angles of approach to the needles to feed at least two yarns to the needles to produce a plaited fabric in which one yarn is visible on one side of the fabric, and another yarn is visible on the other side.

Abstract: A thread cutting and holding device in double-cylinder circular knitting machine has a movable cutting plate, stationary cutting blade and pressing finger. Stationary and movable plates are arranged between the cutting plate and the pressing finger. Both movable plates are controlled by one lever. The stationary holding plate is arranged between the movable plates and is provided at its operative end with a V-shaped cutout, in which the threads are collected and held be the movable holding plate. The movable holding plate is for this reason provided with a side cutout with transverse holding edge.

Abstract: A universal circular knitting machine with a plurality of knitting stations, having two revolving cylinders axially aligned with each other surrounded by cam skirts, selection devices, stitch length regulation devices and yarn selector devices mounted on a stationary structure. Each movable element for determining needle selection and needle vertical movement, along with yarn-guide actuation, is driven by an electromechanical actuator mounted on the stationary structure. A central electronic control unit sends actuation command signals to the electromechanical actuators. The signals are synchronized with the revolution of the cylinders in accordance with a pattern corresponding to a knitted fabric to be produced.

Abstract: The selection system is based on a reciprocal action of a selector jack for each needle and operative cams, such that each selector jack may not be selected or may be selected one or two times during its engagement with one same operative cam, owing to the existence of two electronic controls for each cam. Each control includes a box having a plurality of selectors for the jacks, and the selectors may be moved from a retracted inoperative position to an extended activated position for a very short period of time due to a special arrangement of magnets.

Abstract: A terrying mechanism for mounting on that one of the two cylinders (2) of a double-cylinder knitting machine, through which fabric is not removed from take-down. The mechanism includes a pillar (22) adapted for journalling at one end on a part (14) at the base of the cylinder (2) rotating jointly therewith and carrying at the other end an annular cam system (20) with a retractable cam means (55) for coacting with terrying instruments (90, 91, 94) carried in generally radially extending tricks (60) in a dial (62) having a journalling means (68) in axial alignment of the pillar (22).

Abstract: The machine comprises a plurality of selectors which are slideably accommodated in the grooves of the lower needle-bearing cylinder and act each with its upper end on a transfer sinker, or slider, for moving the matching needle. The machine has the peculiarity that in a same groove of the lower needle-bearing cylinder is accommodated, proximate to the upper end of the selector, a pusher element, controllably engageable with the lower end of the matching transfer sinker. The pusher element has the possibility of being operated independently from the selector accommodted in the same groove, since it is provided with a heel which is engageable in suitably defined tracks on the skirt of the cams of the lower needle-bearing cylinder.

Abstract: Procedure for knitting hose with a toe and heel in a circular knitting machine having more than one feed and two needle cylinders. All needles are brought to an upper path during knitting of the toe and heel with alternating motion, and at every oscillation of the cylinder those needles alone which have been selected to knit the course relative to the oscillation are brought back to work from the upper path towards a lower working path. The selection of needles is brought about by cooperation between fixed radial cams situated so as to correspond with the main feed and appropriate selection actuators. The selection for jacquard designs takes place upwardly from the lower path to the upper path by cooperation between appropriate selection actuators and movable radial cams located so as to correspond with each feed. The upper path serves to exclude the needles of the lower cylinder from work and also to protect the upper cylinder needles, the lower path being the path for jacquard designs.

Abstract: A knitwork drawing device which has a hollow piston rod movable axially through one of the needle cylinders in a double cylinder circular knitting machine, and a knitwork retaining member arranged at the height of the stitch-formation area and rotatable with the needle cylinders. The hollow piston rod is secured to a fluid-operated piston slidable in a cylindrical chamber coaxial with the needle cylinders. Tensioning of the knitwork is effected by leaving the hollow piston rod to rest on the knitwork being knitted, which is held at its initial portion by the retaining member internally of the hollow piston rod and by the needles which continue to knit externally of the hollow piston rod. The whole stroke of the piston and hollow piston rod is thus the half of the whole length of the knitwork and the axial dimension of the knitting machine is considerably reduced.

Abstract: A double cylinder knitting machine has a plurality of pivotable feeders with yarn feeding ends movable through arcs from a trap position, through a feed position to a cross-over park position upstream of the feed position. Movement is imparted to the feeders via a plurality of rotatable cams and cam followers which cause the feeders to pivot upstream of the feed position to an extent sufficient to clear a latchguard and sinkers of the knitting machine followed by further pivotal movement for cross-over and reaching of the park position. The feeders are arrested in predetermined park positions while the cam followers are still on an inclined part of the cams and continued motion of the cams is ineffective after the feeders have reached the park positions.

Abstract: A knitwork drawing device which has a hollow piston rod movable axially through one of the needle cylinders in a double cylinder circular knitting machine, and a knitwork retaining member arranged at the height of the stitch-formation area and rotatable with the needle cylinders. The hollow piston rod is secured to a fluid-operated piston slidable in a cylindrical chamber coaxial with the needle cylinders. Tensioning of the knitwork is effected by leaving the hollow piston rod to rest on the knitwork being knitted, which is held at its initial portion by the retaining member internally of the hollow piston rod and by the needles which continue to knit externally of the hollow piston rod. The whole stroke of the piston and hollow piston rod is thus the half of the whole length of the knitwork and the axial dimension of the knitting machine is considerably reduced.

Abstract: A double cylinder circular knitting machine for forming articles of terry fabric, comprises, in one of the cylinders (3), a ring of arcuate terry sinkers (24) each controlled by a butt (24A) so that it carries out a reciprocating angular sliding movement in an arcuate seat (22) in the end of the cylinder (3), and a loop withdrawal ring (26) for retaining the loop during the withdrawal of the end of the sinker (24) from the loop. The working end of the sinker (24) is rotated before its forward movement, so as to move it away from the loop withdrawal ring (26), and enables it to pass over the loop just formed on the previous course, the sinker (24) then being rotated in the reverse direction for forming the next loop. This arrangement permits loops to be formed in each course of the fabric.

Abstract: In a double cylinder knitting machine the grooves in which the needles and the sliders are displaced are provided with corner edges on which the latch of the needle rests. Prior to hooking the needles onto their respective sliders and while the needles are displaced axially toward the interior of their respective grooves, the shoulders engage and force the latch to rotate to the open position.

Abstract: A shogging mechanism for use for example in knitting cable pattern on circular knitting machines incorporates a cam on a mounting fixed with respect to one needle bed of the circular knitting machine. Movement of the cam on its mounting causes another needle bed of the circular knitting machine to be relatively displaced to an extent determined by the cam profile. The shogging mechanism cam is preferably rotatable by means of a further cam having a fixed relationship to the cam system of the knitting machine.

Abstract: A method for knitting a garment on a double-cylinder circular knitting machine, comprising the steps of withdrawing the stitch sinkers firstly with only the yarn taken up by the lower cylinder needles, subsequently lowering the upper cylinder needles to pick up the yarn while causing the stitch sinkers to outwardly project and to pick up the yarn taken by the upper cylinder needles, and raising the lower cylinder needles only after the sinkers have been withdrawn. There is also disclosed a double-cylinder circular knitting machine in which the cams for controlling the sinkers have a notch in a position substantially vertically below the lowering cam which controls lowering of the upper cylinder needles to take up the yarn, the notch being arranged before the raising cam controlling raising of the lower cylinder needles for taking up the yarn.

Abstract: A double-cylinder circular knitting machine with latch needles and a device for automatically causing the latches of the needles operating in the upper needle cylinder to open before knitting. The device comprises cams defining a path for the needle-free sliders of the lower needle cylinder which lies constantly all around the cam box at a level corresponding to that at which the tips of the sliders engage the latches of the rib needles to open them. The needle-free sliders are selectively passed into this path and are subsequently returned into the normal knitting path when knitting plain fabric. The arrangement of the continuous path at a constant level all around the needle cylinder allows a more simple configuration of the latchguard cams and less wear and stresses in the needle latches.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of manufacturing patterned knitted fabrics on a double cylinder knitting machine, in which the pattern jacks associated with needles in the lower needle cylinder having already picked up a yarn at any of the feeds but one thereof are brought into a position in which they can no longer be selected to bring the associated needles to knit in the same knitting course. Same occurs for the jacks associated with the needles knitting in the upper needle cylinder. All these jacks are then brought into a position capable of being raised on the jack raising cam associated with the remaining feed, but only those jacks are raised which are associated with needles knitting in the upper needle cylinder. The machine has a number of jack selecting devices which is by one unit smaller than the number of yarn feeds, and cams for causing the jacks to move as above described.

Abstract: Method and means for transferring knit loops from single-hook needles on one cylinder to single-hook needles on the other cylinder of a double cylinder circular knitting machine. In the method and needles are displaced at an inclination outwardly of their cylinders to allow axial sliding of the opposing needles behind the inclined needles and into the loops held on the inclined needles; the inclined needles are then withdrawn to shed the hooks, which are then received on the hooks of the other needles. The means includes radial pins slidably carried in the cylinders for engagement and operation by stationary radial cams located within the cylinders, the pins extending through the cylinders and into engagement with the stems of the needles for radially displacing the needles outwardly to the inclined positions required by the described method.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing panty hose or like fabrics including two leg portions and a panty portion integral therewith, the leg portions being knitted as tubular portions by continuous rotary motion of a needle cylinder or needle cylinders of a circular knitting machine and the panty portion being knitted by reciprocatory motion. Knitting of the panty portion included inactivation of a number of needles, knitting a first part of constant width formed by partial courses defining selvedge edges at their ends, knitting a central part by firstly narrowing and widening like a heel and then newly narrowing and widening, and knitting a second part of constant width formed by partial courses defining selvedge edges at their ends. The fabric is then cut to define the waist opening and the two parts of constant width are sewn together along the corresponding selvedge edges.

Abstract: There is disclosed a yarn cutting and gripping device of the type including a plurality of strip-like elements lengthwise movable adjacent a fixed blade and having a hooked end for cutting the yarn in cooperation with the fixed blade. The strip-like elements are resiliently urged against the fixed blade by a block arranged at the side of the strip-like elements opposite to the fixed blade. Each element has a lug extending below the hooked end substantially parallel thereto and recessed with respect to the cutting plane so as to seize the yarn and cause it to form a loop about this lug before and after being cut by the hooked end, thus increasing the retaining force of the cut yarn. The strip-like elements may be formed by two parallel parts, the one having the hooked end and the other the projecting lug.

Abstract: There is disclosed a circular knitting machine of the type including an upper and a lower needle cylinder and comprising a safety device for opening the latches of the double-hooked needles which are to be transferred from one needle cylinder to the other one. For this purpose the machine includes an auxiliary cam located upstream of the zone at which transfer of the needles occurs, the cam being arranged and shaped so as to bring all the sliders and corresponding needles movable along a floating track to a height in which the needle hook and corresponding latch contact the tip of the corresponding slider of the opposite needle cylinder, thus causing the latch to open by interaction between the needle and the tip of the slider. The machine also includes a subsequent cam for raising to a needle transfer position the sliders whose needles are to be transferred to the other needle cylinder and for newly lowering into the floating track the sliders whose needles are not to be transferred.

Abstract: Method for knitting a sock, wherein for casting on the yarn the feeder is brought behind the knitting point, while the clamping means retaining the yarn end is before the knitting point as viewed in the direction of rotation of the needle cylinder, and after engagement of the knitting yarn by the first needles, the clamping means is moved to a yarn feeding position for knitting. After the first needle, one or a plurality of needles is brought into a position in which the yarn is not engaged at the knitting point, so that the yarn initially present between the feeder and the first needle is included in the fabric by the needles initially not engaging the yarn during the knitting of the subsequent courses.

Abstract: A double-cylinder revolving cam-box circular knitting machine including pawl and ratchet structure which is selectively operable to perform a racking motion wherein one of the coupled cylinders of the knitting machine mounted at top and bottom is revolved in the circumferential direction concentrically with respect to the other.

Abstract: A circular knitting machine with rockable jacks has cams for displacing butts of the jacks along tricks in a needle cylinder, and means for rocking the jacks to provide an interruption in a guide track for certain jacks so that their other butts project and to permit butts of jacks following another track to pass through the interruption.

Abstract: A method for forming a closed end on a tubular knitted fabric, such as a stocking, on a circular knitting machine, in which two annular tubular layers are formed as continuations of the tubular knitted fabric at separate stages by needles operating in the same cylinder of the machine. The two layers are supported on separate circles of support members while a relative rotation through at least 180.degree. between the circles of support members is effected, and a final few rows of substantially run-proof close knitting are made before the fabric is cast-off from the needles.

Abstract: The pant or body portion of a pair of tights or panty hose is produced on a dual-cylinder knitting machine using oscillatory motion of the two cylinders. Subsequently the leg portions of the tights are produced using continuous motion of the two cylinders, one leg portion being formed within the other leg portion.

Abstract: The process is designed for the forming of a collant, i.e. pantyhose article or the like, with a double cylinder circular hosiery machine. The two legs or the like are knit on two cylinders in a simultaneous manner, with a continuous rotational motion, and the pant portion is formed with a fabric knit alternately on the two cylinders, to which the yarn is alternately fed. During the forming of the pant portion one proceeds with a continuous rotational motion of the two cylinders, passing the yarn from the needles of the first cylinder to the needles of the second cylinder at a position angularly spaced from the one wherein the yarn has passed from the needles of the second cylinder to those of the first cylinder. In this manner the tubular fabrics formed by the two cylinders are bound with one another at least at these two positions. In correspondence with the intermediate fabric portion between the two positions, a longitudinal separation cutting is effected.

Abstract: A circular knitting machine for stockings, particularly for the manufacture of stockings closed at the toe directly on the machine, having a coupling joint for disengaging the lower needle cylinder from the upper needle cylinder or from the welt dial. The coupling joint consists of a substantially flanged element rigid with the shaft driving the lower needle cylinder and of a gear wheel mounted idly and axially displaceable on the shaft. The gear wheel engages with a corresponding crown gear for rotation of the upper needle cylinder or the welt dial. The flanged element and the gear wheel have means for mutual engagement and the machine further comprises means for the axial displacement of the gear wheel to disengage it from the flanged element, these means being responsive to the machine program.

Abstract: A method of knitting, on a circular knitting machine, a succession of tubular articles such as socks or stockings, each having an elasticized roll welt having an elastic yarn laid therein, wherein a leading end of the elastic yarn is temporarily anchored in knitted stitches of each completed article and thereafter the elastic yarn is laid within the welt fold of the next succeeding article.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing stockings, socks and the like and closing the toe thereof on a double cylinder knitting machine, comprising the steps of manufacturing a leg, heel and foot portion by selecting the needles to knit in both needle cylinders in a manner to make the reverse fabric side on the exterior as discharged from the machine, operating a 1:1 selection of the needles, lowering a first group of selected needles in the lower needle cylinder and inactivating these needles in the lower cylinder, knitting the toe with the needles which have been transferred to the upper needle cylinder thereby providing an additional pocket around which non knitted thread is wound and interknitting the final part of the additional pocket with the initial part thereof and with the foot portion of the stocking.