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Device for handling tubular knitted articles, in particular socks and the likeDevice for handling tubular knitted articles, in particular socks and the like description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20090107375, Device for handling tubular knitted articles, in particular socks and the like. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
The present invention relates to a device for handling tubular knitted articles, such as stockings, socks or the like, and in particular to prepare the article for subsequent handling operations, such as opening one of the ends thereof, in particular the end formed by the elastic edge. In the production of tubular knitted articles, such as stockings or socks, circular knitting machines are used to produce tubular articles, with an elastic edge defining the end from which the sock is put on, and with a toe end which will be closed by sewing or linking. In some of these machines the toe is closed before the sock or other textile article is unloaded therefrom. In machines which are more conventional and of simpler construction, on the other hand, the sock or other article is unloaded in the form of a semi-finished article with the toe open. The semi-finished articles are then collected in containers, from which an operator picks them up one at a time to insert them over transport tubes that convey the article towards a sewing machine. There are also automatic mechanisms for handling the article and inserting it in the suitable position over the tube for transport towards the sewing machine. An example of devices of this type is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,040,475. One of the problems encountered in automated handling of semi-finished articles to be inserted over tubes for transport towards sewing machines, is represented by the difficulty in opening the end edge correctly. For this purpose various mechanisms have been studied. For example, EP-A-0882829 describes a pneumatic system, in which the semi-finished article is sucked into a tube with a narrow section, positioned at the end of which is a rod-shaped member which is inserted into the end edge of the textile article, causing it to open. A stretching member then engages the elastic edge and stretches it to insert it over the transport tube. Prior art solutions adopted to pick up the elastic edge of the tubular textile articles, such as socks or the like, have not provided satisfactory results. An object of the present invention is therefore to provide a particularly efficient device and method to prepare the elastic edge of a tubular textile article, such as a sock, a stocking or the like, to be subsequently stretched and inserted over a tube for transport towards a sewing machine or for other processing operations. More generally, an object of the present invention is to provide a device particularly suitable to prepare a tubular knitted article, such as a stocking or sock, for subsequent handling operations, or for automatic recognition and subsequent handling operations. In substance, therefore, according to a first aspect of the invention, a device is provided to handle tubular knitted articles comprising: a tubular member with a first end and a second end, associated with suction means and inside which a tubular article, comprising a first end portion and a second end portion, is sucked; a moving pick-up element to engage a first end portion, or first end, of the tubular article and remove it from said tubular member, said pick-up element which can be moved towards said second end of the tubular member; a shaped block, cooperating with the inner part of the tubular member, to define a constriction with variable conformation at the second end of the tubular member, said constriction being suitable to define a narrow and elongated section of passage of the tubular article, in which said tubular article is forced to take a spread arrangement at least at the level of the second end. The first end and the second end of the tubular member can be composed respectively of an inlet end and of an outlet end for the tubular article. According to an advantageous embodiment, the shaped block has a surface portion opposite a portion of the inner surface of the tubular member and substantially parallel thereto, to define a constriction with a cross section with an arched shape. The constriction has an approximately crescent conformation and can be modified during operation in the various operating steps, as will be explained hereunder. Advantageously, the device can be provided with a suction mouth movable towards the second end of the tubular member, through which a flow of air is generated in said tubular member, oriented from the first end to the second end, to draw the tubular article. Advantageously, to block the tubular article in the most suitable position, an interception element can be inserted in the suction mouth, which prevents tubular articles from entering said suction mouth and which forms a stop for the tubular articles drawn by the flow of air. The pick-up element, for example a mechanical gripper or the like, and the suction mouth can form a single unit movable parallel to the axis of the tubular member, although other solutions would also be possible, such as with independent units supporting the two elements. Integration in a single unit has clear advantages in terms of constructional simplicity and movement control. According to an advantageous embodiment, the pick-up element, the shaped block and the suction mouth are arranged and produced so that when the suction mouth is moved towards the second end of the tubular member, the pick-up element is interposed between the shaped block and said suction mouth. According to an advantageous embodiment, the shaped block can be provided with a movement according to a direction inclined with respect to the axis of the tubular member to move towards and away from a portion of the inner surface thereof. It would also be possible for the shaped block to be provided with a movement orthogonal to the axis of the tubular member. To handle the tubular article after the elastic edge thereof has been flattened and prepared for subsequent pick-up, the device can be provided with a stretching device, arranged and controlled to engage a spread end portion of the tubular article, when the latter has been almost fully removed from the tubular member, and to open out said end portion. According to another aspect, the invention relates to a device of the aforesaid type, wherein said suction means, said tubular member and said pick-up element are controlled and arranged to partially insert a tubular article into said tubular member through the second aperture of said tubular member, and to remove it therefrom, said shaped block being arranged in a position for maximum aperture of the second end of the tubular member when said article is partially inserted in said tubular member and in a position of maximum constriction of the cross section for passage of the tubular article, when the latter is removed again from the tubular member. The device can also have a dual station, with two tubular members, arranged and produced to flatten or spread two different end portions of the same tubular article in sequence and separately. According to a different aspect, the invention relates to a method for preparing the elastic edge of a tubular knitted article, such as a stocking or a sock, for subsequent handling to be opened and stretched, comprising the steps of:
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