Hanes Corporation

Willie M Lathery

J Frank King

Howard L Beamon

Automated machine and method for closing the toe ends of an otherwise completed panty hose type garment, by seams which are inside the toes when the finished garment is right side out. The machine consists basically of a garment input section, toe closing section and discharge section. The input section includes means for mounting the garment and then advancing the toe ends of its leg portions to the toe closing section, preparatory to closing the toes. The toe closing section includes a seaming device forming identical seams in the toe ends of the garment by a chain of stitches, an automatic trimmer for cutting the chain of stitches close to the toe fabrics and toe fabric clamping assemblies to deliver the toe ends to the seaming device. The discharge section includes means for receiving the garment, following the toe closing operation, and for the removal of the finished garment, right side out, from the machine in completed condition ready for packaging. The method of the invention is carried out in timed sequence at high speed to produce a finished panty hose type garment in which the toe ends of both legs have been closed by precisely controlled toe closing operations to produce identical toe closing results in the garment.

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Winston-Salem, NC, United States of America

Willie M Lathery