Patent ID: 6283055
Filing Date: 2001-09-04
Classification: D05B

Abstract:
An apparatus for automatically feeding tubular articles, particularly hosiery articles, to a sewing machine adapted to close the tubular articles at one of their axial ends, comprising:means for feeding an article, which are adapted to fit an axial end of the article which is provided with a border which is thicker than at least one adjacent portion of the article on grip means which can be actuated in order to engage within said axial end so as to support said article in a substantially vertical arrangement and in order to produce a spacing of two diametrically opposite regions of said axial end transversely to an axial extension of the article;means for supporting the article, which form a first slit-like passage which is arranged substantially horizontally and is adapted to receive a portion of the article that is arranged below said border;means for tensioning in a downward direction the article inserted in said first slit-like passage, said supporting means and said tensioning means being movable on command in order to insert the portion of said article that lies directly below said border along a second slit-like passage formed by two side-by-side guides for feeding a sewing machine.