U.S. patent application number 10/488394 was filed with the patent office on 2004-12-09 for device and method for opening the edge of a tubular knitted article or similar.
Invention is credited to Magni, Antonio.
Application Number | 20040244431 10/488394 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 11442268 |
Filed Date | 2004-12-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040244431 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Magni, Antonio |
December 9, 2004 |
Device and method for opening the edge of a tubular knitted article
or similar
Abstract
The device comprises: a tubular member (5A; 5B) in which the
articles are inserted; a plurality of mobile gripping members (49)
mobile between a first closed position and a second open position,
arranged on one outlet end of said tubular member; and guiding and
orienting means (71, 73) associated to said outlet end of said
tubular member, for guiding and orienting the tubular article
inserted in said tubular member towards said gripping members.
Inventors: |
Magni, Antonio; (Firenze,
IT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MCGLEW & TUTTLE, PC
1 SCARBOROUGH STATION PLAZA
SCARBOROUGH
NY
10510-0827
US
|
Family ID: |
11442268 |
Appl. No.: |
10/488394 |
Filed: |
February 26, 2004 |
PCT Filed: |
August 19, 2002 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/IT02/00543 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
66/147 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D04B 9/40 20130101; D04B
15/92 20130101; D06G 3/02 20130101; D06C 5/005 20130101; D06G 3/04
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
066/147 |
International
Class: |
D04B 009/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 28, 2001 |
IT |
FI2001A000163 |
Claims
1. A device for opening an end of a flexible tubular article,
specifically a tubular knitted article including a tubular member
(5A; 58) in which the articles (M) are inserted; a plurality of
gripping members (45A; 45B) mobile between a first closed position
and a second open position, arranged on one outlet end of said
tubular member; and guiding and orienting means associated to said
outlet end of said tubular member, for guiding and orienting the
tubular article inserted in said tubular member towards said
gripping members, characterized in that: said guiding and orienting
means comprise two counterpoised contoured bodies (71, 73) which
extend from said outlet end of the tubular member towards the
inside of the tubular member, said counterpoised contoured bodies
reciprocally delimiting a passage for said article and presenting a
slanted guiding and orienting surface (X.sub.71, X.sub.73) facing
the direction of provenience of said article, the slanted surfaces
of the two contoured bodies having opposite slants; and that each
of said slanted surfaces present a portion which is essentially
flat and a portion which is essentially helical.
2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said passage
presents an elongated transversal cross-section.
3. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that four gripping
members (45A; 45B) are reciprocally arranged at 90.degree. around
an axis.
4. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that two of said
gripping members, reciprocally counterpoised, are aligned according
to a direction which is essentially parallel to the larger
dimension of the transversal cross-section of said passage and that
the other two gripping members, reciprocally counterpoised, are
aligned according to a direction which is essentially orthogonal to
said greater dimension.
5. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said two
contoured bodies present two flat lateral surfaces (Y.sub.71,
Y.sub.73) laterally delimiting said elongated transversal
cross-section passage.
6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that said flat
lateral walls of said contoured bodies are essentially parallel one
with respect to the other and to the axis of the tubular
member.
7. Device according to claim 1 characterized in that each of said
contoured bodies presents a lateral surface (S.sub.71; S.sub.73)
which is essentially cylindrical, whose shape corresponds with the
shape of the internal surface of the tubular member.
8. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that each of said
two contoured bodies consists of three portions; two lateral
portions (71A, 71B; 73A, 73B) being integral with a unit (63) which
is movable with respect to said tubular member, and an intermediate
portion (71C, 73C) being integral with said tubular member; said
tubular member and said unit being reciprocally mobile, to distance
the unit from the outlet end of the tubular member.
9. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that said mobile
unit presents housings (65) for inserting said gripping members
(45A, 45B).
10. Device according to claim 9, characterized in that said mobile
unit presents two of said seats for the gripping members arranged
between the two portions which are integral with said unit of each
of said two contoured bodies, each of said two housings being
additionally delimited by the respective portion, integral with the
tubular member, of the respective contoured body when the mobile
unit is closed on the outlet end of said tubular member.
11. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said
gripping members (45A, 45B) are carried by an annular structure
(31) surrounding the axis of the tubular member and equipped with a
movement which is parallel to the axis of said tubular member.
12. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that opening
members are provided to open the edge of said tubular article.
13. Device according to claim 12, characterized in that said
opening members comprise stems (51) extending in a direction which
is essentially parallel to the axis of said tubular member.
14. Device according to claim 11, characterized in that said
opening members are carried by said mobile annular structure
(31).
15. Device according to claim 13, characterized in that it
comprises a number of said stems (51) which is the same as the
number of the gripping members (45A, 45B).
16. Device according to claim 13, characterized in that said stems
are equipped with a movement between a first reciprocally closed
position and a second open position.
17. Device according to claim 16, characterized in that movement of
said stems between said first and said second position is
essentially parallel with respect to the movement of said gripping
members between their respective first and second position.
18. Device according at least to claim 11, characterized in that
said gripping members are fitted on sliders (53) which slide on
guides (55) integral with said mobile annular structure, said
sliders being operated by respective actuators.
19. Device according to claim 14, characterized in that said stems
are elastically connected to said sliders.
20. Device according to claim 19 characterized in that said
gripping members are operated with movements which are displaced at
least in part.
21. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that said
gripping members (45A, 45B) are operated by initially controlling a
first pair consisting of two counterpoised gripping members for
gripping and opening the tubular article and, after the movement of
said first pair, by controlling the movement of the second pair of
gripping members, which are, reciprocally counterpoised to grip and
open the tubular article.
22. Device according to claim 16, characterized in that said stems
are operated in a coordinated fashion with the movement of said
second pair of gripping members to be taken inside the article
withheld by said gripping members and subsequently opened.
23. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said
gripping members are suction members.
24. Device according to claim 1 characterized in that said tubular
member may be connected to a suction tube (61) whose inlet is
arranged on the opposite side of said gripping members with respect
to the outlet end of said tubular member.
25. Device according to claim 24, characterized in that it
comprises means (67) of intercepting the tubular article between
the gripping members and the inlet of the suction tube.
26. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that said suction
tube (61) is connected to said mobile unit (63).
27. Device according at least to claim 11, characterized in that
said mobile annular structure (31) carrying said gripping members
(45A; 45B) comprises radial pressers (35) for engaging said article
and making it slide on the outer surface of said tubular member
(5A, 5B) with a movement of said mobile annular structure with
respect to said tubular member.
28. Device according to claim 27, characterized in that it
comprises sensors for verifying that the article has been gripped
by said gripping members.
29. Device according to claim 11, characterized in that said
tubular member is formed by two tubular elements (5X, 5Y) inserted
one inside the other and reciprocally axially mobile, at least part
of said guiding and orienting means being integral with the
innermost tubular element.
30. Device according to claim 29, characterized in that the
outermost tubular element presents slots developing from the edge
of the outlet end in parallel to the axis of the tubular
member.
31. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that a collar (8)
for reducing the passage cross-section of the tubular member (5A,
5B) is arranged inside said tubular member, upstream to said
guiding and orienting means with the direction of advancement of
the tubular article.
32. Method for opening an end of a flexible tubular article,
specifically a tubular knitted article, comprising the following
phases: pneumatically transferring said article towards one end of
a tubular member; directing the end of said article in a
predetermined position with respect to a plurality of gripping
units; holding said article with said gripping members in
correspondence with the end to be opened; opening the gripping
members whereby opening said ends of the article, wherein said end
edge of the article is oriented to assume a conformation which is
approximately orthogonal to a first direction of reciprocal
alignment of a first pair of said counterpoised gripping members, a
second pair of gripping members are aligned and counterpoised along
a second direction, essentially orthogonal to said first direction,
and said article is engaged by said first pair of gripping members
and stretched along said first direction, while the gripping
members of the second pair are held distanced from the article; and
in which the gripping members of the second pair are subsequently
approached to the article, gripping the article and stretching it
in said second direction.
33. Method according to claim 32, comprising the following phases:
inserting a plurality of opening means in the open end of said
article; tensioning the article in correspondence with its end by
said opening means; turning the end edge of the article inside out
by means of said opening means on the outer surface of said tubular
member.
34. Method according to claim 33 comprising the phase of turning
the entire article inside out on the outer surface of said tubular
member.
35. Method according to claim 32, in which said gripping members
pneumatically engage the article.
36. Method for opening an end of a flexible tubular article,
specifically a tubular knitted article, comprising the following
phases: pneumatically transferring said article towards one end of
a tubular member; directing the end of said article in a
predetermined position with respect to a plurality of gripping
units; holding said article with said gripping members in
correspondence with the end to be opened; opening the gripping
members whereby opening said ends of the article.
37. Method according to claim 36, comprising the following phases:
inserting a plurality of opening means in the open end of said
article; tensioning the article in correspondence with its end by
said opening means; turning the end edge of the article inside out
by means of said opening means on the outer surface of said tubular
member.
38. Method according to claim 37 comprising the phase of turning
the entire article inside out on the outer surface of said tubular
member.
39. Method according to claim 36, in which said end edge of the
article is oriented to assume a conformation which is approximately
orthogonal to a first direction of reciprocal alignment of a first
pair of said counterpoised gripping members, and wherein a second
pair of gripping members are aligned and counterpoised along a
second direction, essentially orthogonal to said first
direction.
40. Method said first pair of gripping members and stretched along
said first direction, while the gripping members of the second pair
are held distanced from the article; and in which the gripping
members of the second pair are subsequently approached to the
article, gripping the article and stretching it in said second
direction.
41. Method according to claim 36 in which said gripping members
pneumatically engage the article.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates to a device for opening the terminal
edge of a tubular article, e.g. tubular knitted articles, such as
stockings or socks and the like.
STATE OF THE ART
[0002] The need to open an edge of articles to perform a number of
machining operations often arises in the production of socks,
stockings, pantyhoses and other tubular knitted articles. These
articles are made using knitting machines, typically circular
knitting machines, which unload semifinished articles whose
starting edge and terminal edge are both open. The terminal edge
must subsequently be sewn or linked to close the toe of the
article.
[0003] This operation entails arranging the article, previously
released by the knitting machien for example into a basket, or
other container, onto the sewing machine members. This is usually
carried out either by hand or by means of complex mechanical
handling systems. Similarly, the article may need to be opened to
perform subsequent operations in other circumstances, e.g. to iron
socks or pair socks prior to packaging.
OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Object of the invention is to make a device for easily,
reliably and fully automatically opening the end, or edge, of a
tubular article, i.e. typically the edge of a sock or stocking.
[0005] According to another aspect of the invention, an additional
object is to realize a method for easily, reliably and
automatically opening the starting edge of a tubular knitted
article, typically a stocking or a sock.
[0006] These and other objects and advantages, which will be clear
to those skilled in the art by reading the text that follows, are
obtained in practice by a device comprising a tubular member in
which the articles are inserted; a plurality of mobile gripping
members mobile between a first closed position and a second open
position arranged on one outlet end of said tubular member; and
guiding and orienting means associated to said outlet end of said
tubular member for guiding and orienting the tubular article
inserted in said tubular member towards said gripping members.
[0007] The tubular article is thus guided along the tubular member
so that the edge of the article reaches the gripping members which
open it.
[0008] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the
device according to the invention, the guiding and orienting means
comprise two counterpoised contoured bodies which extend from the
respective outlet end of the tubular member towards the inside of
the tubular member, said counterpoised contoured bodies
reciprocally delimiting a passage for said article. The transversal
cross-section of the passage may be elongated to arrange the
tubular article with the edge folded and flattened in a
predetermined direction, determined by the longitudinal extension
of the cross-section of this passage. This facilitates gripping and
opening the tubular article by the gripping members. In this case,
four gripping members reciprocally arranged at 90.degree. around an
axis can be advantageously envisaged. A first pair of gripping
members are aligned in the direction of development of the passage
of the tubular article and the other two gripping members are
aligned in the respectively orthogonal direction.
[0009] According to a possible currently preferred embodiment of
the invention, each of said two contoured bodies presents a slanted
guiding and orienting surface facing the direction of provenience
of said article, the slanted surfaces of the two contoured bodies
having opposite slants. For example, the guiding surfaces can
present a portion which is essentially flat and a portion which is
essentially helical. This shape makes the arriving article turn to
arrange it in the required position inside the long, narrow passage
delimited by the guiding and orienting means. Additionally, the
contoured bodies can each present a flat lateral surface. The two
flat surfaces, which are preferably parallel one with respect to
the other and to the axis of the tubular member, laterally delimit
the elongated transversal cross-section passage of the tubular
article.
[0010] In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention,
each of said two contoured bodies consists of three portions; two
lateral portions are integral with a mobile unit with respect to
said tubular member and an intermediate portion is integral with
said tubular member; said tubular member and said unit being
reciprocally mobile, to distance the unit from the outlet end of
the tubular member. Advantageously, the mobile unit can present
housings for inserting the gripping members.
[0011] According to a possible configuration, the gripping members
are carried by an annular structure surrounding the axis of the
tubular member and equipped with a movement which is parallel to
the axis of said tubular member. Opening members can be arranged on
this annular structure to open the edge of the tubular article
which has been previously opened by the gripping members. The
gripping members can consist, for example, of a plurality of
extendible stems which are parallel to the axis of the tubular
member. These stems can move parallelly with respect to the axis of
the latter to turn the edge of the tubular article inside out on
the outer surface of the tubular member.
[0012] In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the gripping
members are operated by initially controlling a first pair
consisting of two counterpoised gripping members for gripping and
opening the tubular article and, after the movement of said first
pair, by controlling the movement of the second pair of gripping
members, which are reciprocally counterpoised to grip and open the
tubular article.
[0013] The gripping members are preferably suction members, but can
be made in any other way, e.g. in the form of tongs or other
mechanical means.
[0014] In order to suck the tubular article into the tubular
member, the tubular member may be advantageously connected to a
suction tube whose opening is positioned on the opposite side of
said gripping members with respect to the outlet end of said
tubular member. However, according to an alternative embodiment,
the suction may be directly obtained by means of the gripping
members when these are of the pneumatic type. In this case, the
outlet end of the tubular member is associated with interception
and shutting means, which prevent the tubular article from escaping
and prevent the intake of aspirated air from the outside as well.
If suction is obtained by means of a suction tube temporarily
fitted on the output end of the tubular member, an interception
member which prevents the tubular article from penetrating in the
suction tube is provided to make the tubular article stop in
correspondence with the gripping members. The method according to
the invention for opening an end of a flexible tubular article,
specifically a tubular knitted article, comprises the following
phases:
[0015] pneumatically transferring said article towards one end of a
tubular member;
[0016] directing the end of said article in a predetermined
position with respect to a plurality of gripping units;
[0017] holding said article with said gripping members in
correspondence with the end to be opened;
[0018] opening the gripping members whereby opening said ends of
the article.
[0019] Additional advantageous characteristics and forms of
embodiment of the device and of the method according to the
invention are illustrated in the annexed claims and described in
greater detail below.
[0020] In the descriptions that follows, the direction and
positioning means of the articles and the members for opening the
edge of the articles are described in the context of a particular
device intended to close the tip with a particular mechanism for
transferring the articles from a first station to a second station
and vice versa. This aspect, however, is not binding. It is
understood that this invention can be implemented in a different
context and inserted in a different device, and may also be
intended only to open the article which is later transferred to
other types of machinery.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] The invention will be better understood by ensuing the
description and the enclosed drawing, which shows a practical and
non limiting embodiment of the invention. More particularly, in the
drawing:
[0022] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the device for turning
inside out, transferring and closing a tubular article;
[0023] FIG. 1A shows a perspective view which is similar to the
view show in FIG. 1 with parts removed;
[0024] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a knitting machine
equipped with the device shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;
[0025] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the gripping member unit
for opening the article;
[0026] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view from a different point of
view of the unit in FIG. 3 showing the opening and pressing members
for turning the tubular article inside out,
[0027] FIG. 5 shows an isolated perspective view of the means for
guiding and orienting the article which is supplied to the device
to be opened, turned inside out and closed in the toe area,
[0028] FIGS. 6A and 6B show two perspective views cross-sectioned
along two longitudinal, reciprocally orthogonal planes of one of
the tubular members with gripping members for opening the tubular
article and the means for guiding and orienting the tubular
article,
[0029] FIG. 7 shows the effect of the guiding and orienting means
on the article arriving in the tubular member,
[0030] FIG. 8A shows a perspective cross-sectional view according
to a longitudinal plane of one of the tubular members,
[0031] FIG. 8B shows a perspective view of the terminal part of the
pneumatic transfer tube and the tubular member support,
[0032] FIGS. 9A and 9B show two possible positions in which the
tubular article can be arranged when it arrives at the end of the
tubular member on which it must be turned inside out before the toe
is closed at a later stage,
[0033] figures from 10 to 13 show four subsequent phases of the
opening operation involving the elastic edge of the tubular article
in a cross-section which is orthogonal to the axis of the tubular
member,
[0034] figures from 14 to 18 show, in a longitudinal cross-section,
successive phases of the reversing operation of the elastic edge of
the tubular article on the external surface of the tubular
member,
[0035] FIGS. 19 and 20 are longitudinal cross-sections showing two
successive phases of the tubular article reversing operation on the
outer surface of the tubular member,
[0036] figures from 21A to 21D show four subsequent phases of an
operation for aligning the edge of the tubular article,
[0037] FIG. 22 shows the tubular member with the article turned
inside out on the outer surface prior to being transferred to the
second station where the toe is closed,
[0038] figures from 23 to 28 show, in a longitudinal
cross-sectional view, successive phases of the operation of
tensioning the article for closing the toe and the beginning of the
unloading phase of the article with a closed toe,
[0039] FIGS. 29 and 30 are perspective views cross-sectioned along
two reciprocally orthogonal longitudinal planes of a tubular member
with guiding and orienting means in a different embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0040] FIGS. 1, 1A and 2 show a device according to the invention
applicable to a knitting machine, typically a circular knitting
machine, for the production of tubular articles, such as socks,
stockings or the like. The device is generically indicated with
reference numeral 1 while reference numeral 2 in FIG. 2
schematically indicates a circular knitting machine of the type
known per se to which device 1 is combined.
[0041] The device 1 presents a support 3 which carries two
reciprocally parallel tubular members 5A, 5B. The support 3 turns
on an axis A-A which is parallel to the axis of the two tubular
members 5A, 5B. The rotary movement of the support 3 is controlled
by an actuator 7 arranged above and carried by a fixed frame 9. The
rotary movement can be proceeded by an upwards movement of the
support and consequently of the tubular members which are applied
to it to avoid the collision (during rotation) with the mechanical
parts surrounding the lower end of the two tubular members.
[0042] The support 3 turns by 180.degree. on the axis A-A and the
two tubular members 5A, 5B are alternatively positioned in two
stations side by side. The movement can be either an alternating
movement or an intermittent rotary movement without reversing the
direction of rotation.
[0043] Opening means are arranged in the first station where the
tubular member 5A is located in FIGS. 1A, 1B. The opening means
comprise gripping members and opening means for holding the elastic
edge of each article which is supplied into the tubular member in
the first station and to open the elastic edge on the outer surface
of the tubular member itself. Additionally, means for reversing the
tubular article on the outer surface of the tubular member are
provided. The union of these positioning members is generically
indicated by reference numeral 11 in FIG. 1, while a part of these
members has been removed in FIG. 1A for greater clarity.
[0044] Angular orienting means and tensioning means are arranged in
the second station, said means being generically indicated by
reference numeral 13, to pull the toe of the tubular article to be
closed and closing means 15, specifically a sewing machine, for
closing the toe of the article by sewing or other operation (e.g.
linking).
[0045] The various phases for preparing and for closing the toe of
the article will be described in greater detail below.
[0046] The tubular articles made by the knitting machine 2 are
supplied to the device 1 via a pneumatic transfer tube 17
presenting a terminal curve 17A arranged at an angle of 90.degree.
and facing one first end of the tubular member 5A, 5B which is
temporarily in the first station, i.e. the tubular member 5A in the
position shown in FIGS. 1, 1A, 2. The pneumatic transfer tube 17 is
connected to a conduit 19 leading from the lower part of the needle
cylinder of the knitting machine 2. Interception means, generically
indicated by reference numeral 21, are arranged between the tube 17
and the conduit 19.
[0047] The suction required for collecting the article made by the
machine 2 and discharged from the needles is generated, as
described below, through the tubular member 5A or 5B which is
temporarily in the first station holding the interception members
21 open.
[0048] The tubular article, after being closed by the sewing
machine 15 in the second station is transferred again to the first
station and sucked to be removed via a pneumatic unloading conduit
23. For this purpose, the conduit 23 is connected to the pneumatic
transfer tube 17 and to a fitting 25 which is in turn connected to
a suction device (not shown).
[0049] The article is aspirated from inside the tubular member 5A
or 5B in which it is reinserted after closing the toe and transits
along the tube 17 and along the conduit 23 to reach a box 27 where
it is unloaded in a way which is known per se. In this phase, the
interception means 21 are closed. After unloading the finished
article, a new article is aspirated through the conduit 19 and the
transfer tube 17.
[0050] The device described to this point works as follows. A first
article made by the machine 2 is sucked via the conduit 19 and the
transfer tube 17 to reach the tubular member 5A. Since the article
is made by the machine 2 starting from the elastic edge and ending
with the toe, it reaches the tubular member 5A with the elastic
edge first and the toe behind, i.e. downstream with respect to the
direction of advancement. Having reached the lower end of the
tubular member 5A, the article is turned inside out on the outer
surface of the tubular member 5A by the members generically
indicated with reference numeral 11 and described in greater detail
below.
[0051] After being positioned, the support 3 is turned by
180.degree. and the position of the tubular members 5A, 5B is
turned inside out, so that the tubular member 5A is in the second
station while the tubular member 5B is taken to the first station.
Here, the toe of the article is pulled and sewn according to a
method which is essentially similar to that described in
EP-A-1118700 or the like.
[0052] During the tensioning and sewing operations, another article
from the machine 2 is inserted in the tubular member 5B which is
temporarily in the first station. The article is turned inside out
on the outer surface of the tubular member 5B and is prepared for
closing the toe.
[0053] After closing the toe of the first article in the second
station and positioning the second article in the first station,
the support 3 turns again by 180.degree. to return the tubular
members 5A, 5B in the configuration shown in FIG. 1. The first
article is sucked and unloaded along the tube 17 and the conduit 23
to permit the introduction of the next article while the toe of the
second article is closed in the second station.
[0054] The article can be turned inside out the second time after
closing the toe in the first or second station both being equipped
with means for performing the operation as illustrated below.
[0055] As described above, it is clear that the device 1 is capable
of performing the toe closing operations by working on two articles
at the same time in the two stations between which the articles are
transferred by mechanism 3, 5A, 5B. In this way, the operations
needed to close the two overlap. Consequently, the total time
required to close the toe is reduced and the device 1 can close all
articles from the knitting machine 2 to which it is combined.
[0056] Figures from 3 to 7 show in detail the members for opening
and turning inside out the tubular articles which are individually
supplied by the pneumatic transfer tube 17 inside either one or the
other tubular member 5A, 5B.
[0057] The assembly of the members 11 is carried by an annular
structure 31 which is coaxial with the tubular member 5A or 5B
temporarily located in the first station. The annular structure 31
is carried by a slide 33 (FIG. 1, 1A) moving on a vertical guide 36
parallel to the axis of the tubular members 5A, 5B. The annular
structure carries a plurality of radially movable pressers 35, each
of which is associated with a respective actuator 37 (see FIG. 4 in
particular). As better described below, the pressers 35 turn the
tubular article inside out on the outer surface of the tubular
member 5A or 5B and other auxiliary functions.
[0058] Over the radial pressers 35, the annular structure 31
carries four linear actuators 39, e.g. cylinder-piston actuators,
which control the movement of respective sliders 41 moving along
guides 43, which are orthogonal to the axis of the tubular members
5A, 5B. Each slider 41 carries a respective pneumatic gripping
member. The gripping members of a first pair (reciprocally
counterpoised) are indicated by reference numeral 45A, while the
gripping members of the second pair are indicated by reference
numeral 45B. The movement of the gripping members and the sliders
41 is indicated by the double arrow f41.
[0059] Each gripping member presents a sucking head 47 applied to a
first end of a tube 49 whose second end is connected by means of a
flexible tube to a suction line. The flexible tubes and the suction
line are not shown for the sake of simplicity of the drawing.
[0060] A respective stem 51 (see FIGS. 6A and 6B in detail) is
associated to each gripping member 45A, 45B. The stems form opening
means for opening the edge of the tubular article opposite to the
toe of the article which must be closed.
[0061] Each stem is carried by a slide 53 moving on a guide 55
which is integral with a respective slider 41. Each slide 53 is
secured by a traction spring 57 to an appendix 59 which is integral
with the respective slider 41 so that the four stems 51 are
elastically stressed towards the axis of the annular structure 31
and of the tubular member 5A and 5B for the purposes which will be
illustrated below.
[0062] A mobile unit 31 is arranged under the annular structure.
The mobile unit comprises the upper end of a suction tube 61
carried by a support 63 vertically movable and controlled by an
actuator (schematically referred to by numeral 64) according to the
double arrow f63. The tube 61 is connected to a suction source by
means of a flexible tube (both not shown in the drawing).
[0063] As clearly illustrated in FIG. 5, which shows the suction
tube 61 isolated from the other components of the device, the upper
part of the suction tube 61 forms housings for the passage of the
gripping members 45A, 45B, indicated by reference numeral 65. Under
the housings 65, the suction tube 61 presents an interception
member 67 consisting of a grid to stop the sucked tubular articles
from penetrating inside the tube.
[0064] Four contoured appendixes, indicated by reference numerals
71A, 71B and 73A, 73B respectively, are made on the suction tube 61
between the four housings 65. The appendixes 71A and 73A are
reciprocally symmetric. Similarly, the appendixes 71B, 73B are also
reciprocally symmetrical.
[0065] Reciprocally symmetric contoured appendixes 71C, 73C are
provided inside each of the tubular members 5A, 5B and shown
isolated from the respective tubular member in FIG. 5. The shape of
the contoured appendixes 71C, 73C is complementary with respect to
the contoured appendixes 71A, 71B, 73A, 73B and integral with the
suction tube 61 so that the appendix 71C is inserted between the
appendixes 71A, 71B forming a contoured body which shape is
symmetrical with respect to that formed by the appendixes 73A, 73B,
73C when the latter are inserted between the appendixes 73A, 73B.
The two symmetric contoured bodies are generically indicated by
reference numerals 71 and 73 in FIGS. 6A and 6B where they are
shown as if they were made of a single part and where the
respective tubular member 5A, 5B has been removed to clearly show
the shape of the contoured bodies.
[0066] The suction tube 61 is mobile in the direction of the double
arrow f63 with respect to the tubular member 5A or 5B which is
temporarily in the first station of the device 1 allowing the
opening of the tubular article by the gripping members 45A, 45B, as
clearly described below.
[0067] The contoured bodies 71, 73 formed by coupling the
appendixes 71A, 71B, 71C and 73A, 73B, 73C form means for guiding
and orienting the tubular article which reaches the lower end of
the tubular members 5A or 5B. For this purpose, the contoured
bodies 71 and 73 present three main variously contoured surfaces.
Each body presents a first cylindrical surface, indicated by
reference S.sub.71 and S.sub.73, reciprocally, corresponding to the
internal cylindrical surface of the tubular member 5A or 5B.
Additionally, each body presents a orienting and guiding surface
indicated by reference X.sub.71 and X.sub.73. The development of
these surfaces is essentially flat and slanted in the upper area
and essentially helical in the lower area. The surfaces X.sub.71
and X.sub.73 face the end of the tubular member from which the
tubular knitted article to be oriented and guided comes. Moreover,
each contoured body 71, 73 presents a third flat surface indicated
by reference Y.sub.71 and Y.sub.73 which are parallel one with
respect to the other and to the axis of the respective tubular
member 5A, 5B defining a passage area of the knitted article with
an elongated cross-section in the lower area of the two contoured
bodies near the outlet of the tubular member 5A, 5B.
[0068] The conformation of the contoured bodies 71 and 73 orients
and guides the tubular article which reaches inside the tubular
member 5A or 5B. The effect of the conformation of the contoured
bodies 71, 73 on the position of the tubular article is clearly
illustrated in figures from 7A to 7F, where FIG. 7A is a
perspective view of the two contoured bodies 71, 73 and figures
from 7B to 7F are cross-sections according to planes which are
orthogonal to the axis of the tubular member 5A or 5B in the
positions indicated by references B, C, D, E, F in FIG. 7A. In
these figures, reference M indicates the tubular article
illustrating a transversal cross-section of the elastic edge of the
article itself. In FIG. 7A, the article M is shown with the elastic
edge folded in four and orthogonally oriented with respect to the
surfaces Y.sub.71, Y.sub.73. This is one of the possible
configurations in which the article can arrive from the pneumatic
transfer tube 17. In general, the article M will always arrive
approximately folded in this way, but with any angular orientation
on the axis of the tubular member.
[0069] Advancing on the contoured bodies 71, 73 according to the
arrow fM, the article M collides with the surfaces X.sub.71 and
X.sub.73 and is so forced to turn to assume a turned orientation to
a maximum of 90.degree. with respect to the initial orientation,
i.e. arranged parallelly to the surfaces Y.sub.71, Y.sub.73.
Regardless of the position that the article M assumes when it
interferes with the contoured bodies 71, 73, the surfaces X.sub.71,
X.sub.73 thereof cause the possible rotation to take the article to
the final position indicated by reference M1 or to the position
which is turned by 180.degree. with respect to this position, i.e.
always parallel to the surfaces Y.sub.71, Y.sub.73 as shown in
figures from 7A to 7F. This facilitates opening and turning the
articles inside out by means of the previously described members,
as illustrated below.
[0070] As appears in FIGS. 6A and 6B and in detail also in FIG. 8A,
which shows the upper end of one of the tubular members 5A, 5B, the
latter each consists of two coaxial tubular elements, internal and
external reciprocally, identified by references 5X and 5Y in FIG.
8A. The tubular element 5X can slide for a short distance inside
the tubular element 5Y which is directly supported by support 3. A
helical compression spring 6 housed in a gap between the two
tubular elements 5X, 5Y tends to stress the internal tubular
element 5X upwards, i.e. to project from the top of the tubular
element 5Y. The contoured bodies 71, 73 (or more precisely the
portions 71C, 73C of them) are integral with the internal tubular
element 5X of the respective tubular member 5A, 5B.
[0071] By means of the members illustrated in FIG. 8B and described
below, the internal tubular element 5X can be pushed downwards and
slide inside the tubular element 5Y whereby overcoming the elastic
force of the spring 6.
[0072] For this purpose (see FIG. 8B), the pneumatic transfer tube
17 ends with a telescopically elongating portion 17C presenting a
collar 17D. Downwards elongation of the portion 17C is controlled
by a pair of cylinder-piston actuators 18, one of which is visible
in FIG. 8B while both are visible in FIGS. 1, 1A, 2. By moving the
portion 17C downwards, the collar 17D rests on a corresponding
collar 5Z, which is integral with the internal tubular element 5X
of the tubular member 5A or 5B, which is temporarily in the first
station by pushing the tubular element 5X downwards. This makes the
internal tubular element 5X slide telescopically with respect to
the external tubular element 5Y and pneumatically connects the
pneumatic transfer tube 17 to the tubular member 5A or 5B, in order
to transfer the article from the machine 2 from the transfer tube
17 to the tubular member 5A or 5B. The relative telescopic sliding
function of the tubular elements 5X, 5Y will be clarified in the
paragraphs describing the method for turning the tubular article
inside out.
[0073] The operation of the device for positioning the tubular
article on the tubular member 5A or 5B located in the first station
for subsequently closing the toe is illustrated below.
[0074] The operations described below are carried out alternatively
on the tubular member 5A and on the tubular member 5B. The
operation hereof described are explained with reference to tubular
member 5A. We will suppose that the tubular member 5A will receive
the tubular article M from the machine 2. The actuator 7 places the
support 3 in an angular position so to arrange the tubular member
5A in the position of FIGS. 1, 1A. The actuator 63 moves the
suction tube 61 upwards making the appendixes 71A, 71B, 73A, 73B
which are integral with it penetrate inside the tubular member 5A
to complete the contoured bodies 71, 73 (with the appendixes 71C,
73C). The telescopic portion 17D is lowered to pneumatically
connect the tube 17 with the inside of the tubular member 5A.
Vacuum is created in conduit 19, the pneumatic transfer tube 17 and
the tubular member 5A by means of the suction tube 61 (the
interception means 21 are open). As soon as the article being
knitted by the machine 2 is completed, it is released by the
needles and sucked towards the tubular member 5A. The article is
open along both the elastic edge and the toe. It moves along the
pneumatic path with the elastic edge forwards and the toe
behind.
[0075] The vacuum inside the pneumatic route pulls the tubular
article M until it collides against the grid 67 which is integral
with the suction tube 61. Thanks to the presence of contoured
bodies 71, 73 which form guiding and orientation means, the article
reaches the tubular member 5A in any position and when it comes
into contact with the grid 67 it is arranged in one of the two
positions which are schematically illustrated in FIGS. 9A and 9B
which are orthogonal cross-sections with respect to the axis of the
tubular member 5A carried out near the gripping members 45A,
45B.
[0076] In advance with respect to the arrival of the article M the
gripping members 45A, 45B are positioned as shown in FIGS. 9A and
9B: the counterpoised gripping members 45A are more distanced with
respect to the counterpoised gripping members 45B. The members 45A
are aligned in the direction corresponding to the greater dimension
of the elongated cross-section gap defined by the surfaces
Y.sub.71, Y.sub.73 on the lower part of the contoured bodies 71, 73
while the members 45B are aligned in the direction which is
orthogonal to the larger dimension.
[0077] Since the gripping members 45A, 45B are arranged directly
over the grid 67, they are in the position where the elastic edge
of the sock or other tubular article arriving from the knitting
machine 2 is arranged and are capable of gripping this edge to open
it and turn it inside out on the outer surface of the tubular
member 5A as described below.
[0078] When the article M reaches either one or the other position
shown in FIGS. 9A, 9B, suction in the suction tube 61 can be
discontinued and the counterpoised gripping members 45B can be
reciprocally closed and pressed against the tubular article M as
shown in FIG. 10. Having reached this position, suction can be
activated through the gripping members 45B so that they can grip
the edge of the tubular article in two counterpoised areas. At the
same time, the suction tube 61 can be moved downwards and distanced
by the actuator 63. In this way, a gap is created around the
gripping members 45A, 45B, said gripping members being under the
lower-edge of the tubular member 5A.
[0079] The opening movement of the gripping members 45B controlled
by the respective actuators 39 thus opens the tubular article M
which assumes the position shown in FIG. 11 in the area projecting
from the lower inlet of the tubular member 5A.
[0080] Subsequently, the gripping members 45A are reciprocally
approached and pressed against the edge of the tubular article M in
the area comprised between the two gripping members 45B, as shown
in FIG. 12. After pressing the tubular article M between the two
front surfaces of the gripping article 45A, the latter are
activated by creating inside a suction so that the tubular article
is engaged by the members. The following opening movement of the
gripping members 45A causes the complete opening of the article M
which assumes the position shown in FIG. 13.
[0081] FIG. 14 shows a longitudinal cross-section of the tubular
member 5A while opening the elastic edge of the article M.
Reference MB indicates the elastic edge of the article and
reference MP indicates the toe, i.e. the edge intended to form the
closed toe of the article after being closed in the second station
of the device 1. FIGS. 15 and 20 show the operations for turning
the tubular article M inside out on the tubular member 5A according
to the same cross-section.
[0082] In FIG. 15, stems 51 have been inserted inside the open edge
MB of the tubular article M. The stems withhold the edge after
deactivating the gripping members and the fabric of the edge MB no
longer adheres to them. The actuators 39 open the stems 51 as shown
by the arrows in FIG. 15 to reach the position shown in FIG. 16.
Here the four stems 51 (of which only two appear in the
cross-section view) are in such a widely open position that the
edge MB of the article M is arranged clear of the inlet of the
tubular member 5A. It is not ruled out that the opening operations
be carried out by different means, e.g. by a single set of gripping
means also of the mechanical type. However, the arrangement herein
described is particularly reliable because it avoids accidentally
damaging the fabric which forms the article.
[0083] As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, when opening the edge MB of the
article M the internal tubular element 5X is in retracted position,
i.e. made to retract along the tubular element 5Y. This is obtained
by returning the collar 17D and the portion 17C of the pneumatic
transfer tube 17 upwards (FIG. 8B). Conversely, in FIG. 16, the
internal tubular element 5X is pushed again in the lower position,
i.e. with the inlet aligned with the inlet of the external tubular
element 5Y. This movement modifies the position of the appendixes
71C, 73C which are integral with the tubular element 5X with
respect to the lower inlet of the tubular member 5A.
[0084] An upwards movement according to the arrow f31 of the
annular structure 31 which carries the stems 51 causes the elastic
edge MB of the article M to be turned inside out on the outer
surface of the tubular member 5A, as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18. The
stems 51 are retracted.
[0085] After turning the edge MB of the article M on the outer
surface of the tubular member 5A, the radial pressers are pressed
against the edge itself and the structure 31 which also carries
said radial pressers is additionally moved upwards (see FIG. 19,
20). In this way, the radial pressers 35 move the tubular article M
turning it inside out from inside to outer surface the tubular
member 5A to also take the edge MP formed by the edges of the toe
to be closed on the outer surface of the tubular member. More than
one travel of the structure 31 may be needed in the case of long
articles in which the open radial pressers 35 are moved downwards
and upwards again with the radial pressers 35 closed on the tubular
member 5A.
[0086] When the edge MP intended to form the closed toe is taken
onto the outer surface of the tubular member 5A, i.e. when the
article M has been completely turned inside out and is on the outer
surface of the tubular member, a sequence consisting in raising,
turning by 180.degree. and lowering the support 3 carrying the
tubular member 5A to the second station for closing the toe is
performed.
[0087] Preliminarly the edge MP may need to be aligned and taken
parallel to the inlet edge of the tubular member 5A. This operation
can be performed in the first or the second station and is
illustrated in figures from 21A to 21D. In FIG. 21A, the article M
is entirely turned inside out on the outer surface of the tubular
member 5A and the edge MP intended to form the closed toe is
arranged in a casual, irregular retracted position with respect to
the terminal edge of the tubular member 5A. The radial pressers 35
are arranged in correspondence with the terminal area of the
tubular member under the edge MP and approached to the external
surface of the tubular member. They are then lifted to meet the
edge MP and make the edge slide upwards for a distance which is
sufficient to ensure that the edge MP is resting on all pressers 35
(FIG. 21B). In this way, the edge MP is approximately aligned on an
ideal circumference which is on top tangent the radial pressers 35.
At this point, the pressers 35 are opened and additionally moved
upwards to a height which is immediately over the edge MP (FIG.
21C) and closed to press on the tubular article M. In the following
phase, the closed pressers are lowered to align the edge MS with
the lower terminal edge of the tubular member 5A in the
configuration of FIG. 21D. The process can be controlled, for
example by means of optical sensors (not shown). In FIG. 21D, the
edge MP is aligned on a plane which is orthogonal with the axis of
the tubular member and which contains the lower edge of the tubular
member 5A. The procedure for aligning the edge MP could be carried
out in the second station with similar radial pressers which are
provided in said station for other functions as illustrated
below.
[0088] FIG. 22 shows a longitudinal cross-section of the tubular
member 5A after the operation consisting in turning the article
inside out and aligning the edge MP of the article before rotating
the support 3 by 180.degree. which transfers the tubular member 5A
to the second station.
[0089] FIGS. 23 and 27 show the operations of tensioning the
tubular article in the second station before closing the toe.
[0090] An annular structure 81 which is similar to structure 31 is
arranged in the second station and carried by a slide 83 moving on
a vertical guide 85 (see FIGS. 1 and 2). The annular structure 81
presents radial pressers 87 which are operated by actuators 89,
similar to the radial pressers 35 and the respective actuators 37.
The annular structure 81 with the radial pressers which are fitted
on it is angularly mobile on its axis coinciding with the axis of
the tubular member 5A or 5B temporarily located in the second
station. The angular movement is provided by an actuator 90 (FIGS.
1-2).
[0091] In this way, the radial pressers 87 are pressed against the
outer surface of the tubular article M, the edge MP of the tubular
article can be positioned angularly with respect to the tubular
member 5A to take the two edges to be joined to form the closed toe
and align them with two slots or grooves 5D diametrically opposed
along the terminal area of the external tubular element 5Y from the
edge of the latter and visible in particular in FIG. 25. If the
tubular member 5A is angularly fixed with respect to the support 3
or if its angular position is known, the angular position of the
slots 5D is known beforehand. A photocell or other optical sensor
91 (shown in FIG. 25) can be used to identify the correct angular
position of the tubular article M, e.g. by marking by knitting in a
thread of suitable color. This angular orientation operation of the
tubular article with respect to the tubular member on which the
article is fitted can be carried out also in the first station
instead of the second. Furthermore, it can be carried out also by
turning the tubular member and keeping the article angularly
stopped by means of the radial pressers. In general, the angular
orientation is obtained, consequently, by reciprocally moving the
article which respect to the tubular member where the fixed element
can be either one or the other.
[0092] After angularly aligning the tubular article M (FIGS. 23,
24) or during said operation, two brackets 13A belonging to the
tensioning means 13 can be introduced inside the tubular member
from the bottom (FIGS. 24, 25). After angular positioning, the
brackets 13A can be opened (FIG. 26) projecting outwards radially
from the tubular member 5A through the diametrically opposite slots
5D to tension the edge MP of the article, as shown in FIG. 26. A
subsequent downwards movement of the brackets 13A carries the
tensioned edge under the lower edge of the tubular member into an
area in which it is sewn by sewing machine 15 or other suitable
means, equipped for example with a guillotine in which the fabric
of the edge MP penetrates. The closing operation is carried out in
a way which is known per se and will not be described herein.
[0093] After closing the toe, the article M can be turned inside
out again penetrating inside the tubular member 5A and removed.
This operation is carried out again by the radial pressers. In the
example shown, since there is only one pneumatic transfer tube 17
used to supply the new articles to be closed and to move the closed
articles away, the second operation consisting in turning the
article inside out and distancing it are carried out in the first
station where the tubular member 5A is returned by a new
180.degree. rotation of the support 3. Consequently, in this case,
the radial pressers 35 carry out the second operation consisting in
turning the article inside out while an upwards suction is
generated inside the tubular member 5A. FIG. 28 shows the initial
phase of the second inside out turning operation which is obtained
by one or more alternating strokes of the radial pressers 35 until
the elastic edge MB is sucked into the tubular member 5A.
[0094] The possibility of unloading the closed articles in the
second station is not excluded. For example, a suction conduit
similar to the transfer tube 17 can be provided and arranged over
the transfer means in line with the tubular member 5A or 5B which
is temporarily in the second station. In this case, the second
operation consisting in turning the tubular article inside out
after closing the toe is carried out in the second station by means
of the radial pressers 87.
[0095] Naturally, in this case, the distribution of the various
phases between the two stations will be different. In any case, the
sequence will entail that the operations of opening the elastic
edge MB and closing the toe MP must necessarily be carried out in
two different stations, i.e. in the first station and in the second
station. The remaining operations on the other hand can be carried
out in either one or the other of the two stations and distributed
according to the need or choice of the operator, always considering
the need to minimize the total time needed to close the toe.
Particularly, the angular orientation of the article (FIGS. 23, 24)
can be carried out in the first station in which case the annular
structure 31 will be angularly mobile. Alignment of the edge MP
(FIGS. 21A-21D) can in principle be carried out by means of the
radial pressers 87 in the second station. As mentioned, the second
operation consisting in turning the article inside out and
unloading it could be carried out in the second station.
[0096] FIGS. 29 and 30 show a different embodiment of the device
according to two cross-sectional views which are similar to the
cross-sectional views shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B. The same reference
numbers indicate parts which are the same or correspond to those in
FIG. 6A, 6B. This second embodiment differs from the previous one
for the different configuration of the guiding and orienting means
upwards with respect to the gripping means. In this case, the
terminal portion (lower) of the tubular members 5A, 5B consists of
an internal frusto-conical surface 101 which guides the elastic
edge MB of the tubular article towards four cylindrical surfaces
103 which are arranged in correspondence with the gripping members
45A, 45B. In this way, the edge of the tubular article is tightened
on the axis of the other tubular member and is gripped by the
gripping means. The solution is less advantageous than the previous
one because the position in which the tubular article is arranged
is not determined and several repeated movements of the gripping
members 45A, 45B may be needed for opening it.
[0097] The second embodiment differs from the previous one also
because in the first embodiment a collar 8 is provided to reduce
the cross-section of the tubular member 5A, 5B. The collar presents
a contoured lead-in cross-section to facilitate the passage of the
tubular article. This prevents the article from colliding into the
contoured bodies 71, 73, and by restricting the incoming product,
arranges it for the subsequent orientation.
[0098] It is noted that the drawing is provided by the way of an
example only and that numerous changes can be implemented to the
construction and embodiments of the invention herein envisaged
without departing from the scope of the present invention. The
presence of reference numerals in the annexed claims has the
purpose of facilitating comprehension of the claims with reference
to the description and does not limit the scope of protection
represented by the claims.
* * * * *