Other

Staubli Italia S.p.a.

Meritex S.r.l.

Conti, Gianni

Venni, Massimo

Loop S.r.l.

Gianni Conti

Massimo Venni

Paolo Conti

Benito Manini

Franco Gariboldi

Mauro Barbieri

The method for manufacturing tubular knitted articles (M) comprises the steps of: a) knitting a tubular knitted article (M) with the needle cylinder (); b) transferring loops (MA) of a last-formed course of loops from the needles () of the needle cylinder () onto the pick-up members (A,B) of a transfer unit (), divided into two circular half-rings (A,B,A,B) which can be overturned over each other; c) overturning one of the circular half-rings (A,B,A,B) of pick-up members (B) onto the other so as to arrange two edge portions of the final edge of the tubular knitted article (M) one onto the other; d) joining the two edge portions to one another by means of joining stitches (A, B, C, D) formed in intermediate spaces between adjacent pick-up members (A), whereon the knitted tubular article (M) is retained; e) unloading the knitted tubular article (M) with the closed toe from the transfer unit ().

Method and machine for knitting tubular knitted articles

The method provides for arranging a pick-up member for the tubular knitted article (M) coaxially with the needle cylinder, when knitting has been completed. The pick-up member () is provided with a plurality of pick-up hooks (A,B) arranged according to a circular ring subdivided into two circular half-rings that can be overturned over each other. The tubular article is engaged by the pick-up hooks while the stitches of the last course of the knitted article are still held by the needles () of the knitting machine. The stitches of the last curse are then removed from the needles and the tubular article is removed from the needle cylinder () by means of the pick-up member (). The two half-rings of pick-up hooks are overturned one onto the other, putting one of two opposite edges of the toe of the tubular article onto the other. The two edges are then sewn or linked.

Several pairs of tubular articles are formed on two circular fixed fronts of needles using threads reciprocating transfer mechanism. The articles are alternatively formed by the two fronts by using sets of needles whose number may also vary. By using adjacent sets of needles, the two tubular, leg-shaped articles of each pair are successively formed to make up a body, that is, the panties portion for a pantyhose garment.

Process and circular knitting machine for manufacturing pantyhose

A knitting machine includes latchless needles, and selector elements located in positions corresponding therewith. Each selector element comprises a hook-like extension directed towards the needle point and arranged to penetrate into a longitudinal slot in the needle. The selector elements are subjected to sliding movements approximately perpendicular to the needles, together with lifting and lowering movements so that they penetrate into the needle slot, and are lifted in order to take-up the stitch engaged by the needle and to remove it therefrom. Alternatively the selector element can abandon the stitch by lowering its hook-like extension below the plane of formation of the fabric.

Growing community of inventors

Florence, Italy

Gianni Conti