Stocking toe end closing apparatus

Abstract

Stocking toe end closing apparatus of the type having a series of horizontal stocking turning tubes mounted on a rotatable base for indexing to a position for spreading stocking toe ends carried on the supports, and for further indexing to a seaming position where the stocking toe ends are closed. Spreading fingers with stocking-penetrating needles in their ends are inserted longitudinally into the open free ends of the supported stockings at the spreading position and expand through longitudinal slots in the tubes for lateral spreading of the stocking toe ends to a width suitable for seaming, and the fingers are then moved away from the support end first in a longitudinal direction and then in a diagonal direction with respect to the elongation of the tubes in synchronism with the index motion of the tube, so that the stocking toe end is carried by the fingers to a position where the fingers and the toe end extremity lie beyond an arcuate clamp which then engages and clamps the widespread toe end while it is held by the needled finger ends. The fingers are next contracted to release the toe end and are then removed longitudinally from the toe end, which is held in position for rotation of the clamp and the toe end extremity past a sewing machine for closing. Suction from the same suction source that provides suction for everting stockings is applied underneath a perforated suction plate adjacent the clamp for sucking and holding down the toe end extremity (and any loose ends thereof) away from the clamp for guidance and direction into the sewing machine and to hold it clear of the fingers during their return diagonal movement for subsequent insertion into another open toe end. The fingers are longitudinally returned from their longitudinal removal position prior to spreading another open toe end.