Loading unit for stockings

Abstract: A unit (1) for automatically loading stockings (2), comprises two pairs of loading profiles (14) which can move between a first process station (15) so that each one receives respective stockings (2), and a second process station (9), in which each loading profile (14) is arranged at a respective pair of fixing profiles (6) which are stationary in the second process station (9) in order to feed the corresponding stockings (2) to the fixing profile (6). A transfer means (17) is associated with the two loading profiles (14) in order to move the loading profiles (14) between the first process station (15) and the second process station (9). The transfer means (17) comprises a carousel (28) which is arranged between the first station (15) and the second station (9), and supports the loading profiles (14). Carousel (28) is mounted so that it can rotate about a vertical rotation axis (17a) in order to rotate the loading profiles (14) about the rotation axis (17a) with a selected transfer angle.

Description: The present invention relates to a unit for automatically loading stockings. The present invention is advantageously used in the field of hosiery knitting machines and particularly in the field of stocking fixing machines, to which the following description refers explicitly without thereby being limited thereto. In general, in stocking production lines, once the stockings have been produced it is necessary to subject them to particular fixing treatments suitable to give them their final shape and appearance. These treatments are performed with fixing machines which include a platform which rotates in steps and multiple pairs of fixing profiles which are arranged side by side so as to face each other along a peripheral region of the platform and are suitable to be jogged forward through a loading station, in order to receive corresponding stockings, and through multiple process stations at which the stockings undergo respective fixing treatments. In general, the fixing profiles are formed starting from a tubular part which is bent into a U-shaped configuration or from a plate member, and include an elongated portion, which reproduces the profile of a leg and is connected to the platform, and an end portion, which protrudes upward from the respective elongated portion and reproduces or not, depending on the type of stockings to be processed, the profile of a foot. Usually the stockings are loaded manually by an operator, who fits the stockings over the profiles and simultaneously checks the quality of the stockings, rejecting those which have any manufacturing defects. This kind of procedure, however, entails drawbacks, since during loading the operator can accidentally strike the profiles, suffering unpleasant bums due to the relatively high temperature at which the profiles usually operate. Moreover, the operator must also perform a relatively tiring movement each time, since the arms must be raised above the head owing to the considerable length of the profiles. In order to cope with the above described drawbacks, various automatic loading units have recently been provided which are suitable to load the stockings onto the fixing profiles in a fully automatic manner. A common factor in all these units is the fact that they include at least one pair of loading profiles which can move among a loading position, in which they are arranged outside the fixing machine in order to receive corresponding stockings from an operator; an intermediate loading position, in which they are arranged substantially at the end portion of a pair of fixing profiles; and a final loading position, in which they are arranged substantially at the elongated portion of the pair of fixing profiles in order to fit the corresponding stockings on the fixing profiles. GB-A-2181465 discloses an apparatus for taking off inspected pair of hoses from successive pattern plates, comprising a carousel having a loading station and an opposed transferring station. Automatic loading units of the above described type have some drawbacks due to the fact that they have a very complicated and bulky structure and also have relatively high manufacturing and maintenance costs. The aim of the present invention is to provide a unit for automatically loading stockings which solves the above described drawbacks in a simple and economic manner. Such aim is achieved by a unit as claimed in the appended claims. The invention is now described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate a nonlimitative example of embodiment thereof and wherein: Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view, with some parts shown in cross-section and some parts removed for the sake of clarity, of a preferred embodiment of an automatic loading unit according to the present invention; and Figs. 2, 3 and 4 are views, with some parts shown in cross-section and some parts removed for the sake of clarity, of a detail of the unit of Fig. 1 in respective operating positions. With reference to Fig. 1, the reference numeral 1 generally designates a machine for treating stockings 2, such as pantyhoses, which are shown schematically in Fig. 1 and have an annular girdle 3, two tubular legs 4 which protrude from the girdle 3, and two cup-shaped feet 5 arranged so as to close the respective legs 4. The machine 1 includes a plurality of pairs of fixing profiles 6 (only one of which is shown); a platform 7, which supports the profiles 6 along its peripheral region 8 and is suitable to rotate about a vertical axis (not shown) in order to produce the stepwise advancement of the profiles 6 through a loading station 9; and an automatic loading unit 10, which is arranged substantially at the station 9 in front of the platform 7 and is suitable to automatically load the stockings 2 onto each pair of profiles 6. The profiles 6 of each pair are arranged along the peripheral region 8 in a fixed position with respect to each other and in a loading position in which the profiles 6 are mutually parallel and face each other. In particular, the profiles 6 cantilever out vertically upward from the platform 7 and each profile includes an elongated portion 11, which is rigidly connected at a lower end to the platform 7, and an end portion 12, which protrudes freely from the respective elongated portion 11. In the example of embodiment shown in Figure 1, the profiles 6 are formed by a contoured plate 13. Otherwise, in an embodiment which is not shown, the profiles 6 can be provided by a tubular part bent into a U-shaped configuration. In both cases, anyway, each profile 6 lies on a respective vertical plane K which is parallel to the rotation axis and to the plane K of the other profile 6, and has a portion 11 which is substantially shaped like the profile of a leg 4 and a portion 12 which is substantially shaped like the profile of a foot 5. The unit 10 includes two pairs of loading profiles 14, which are suitable to receive from an operator (not shown) stockings 2 at a receiving station 15 arranged outside the machine 1 so as to be substantially aligned with the station 9 along a radial direction of the machine 1 and are suitable to fit the stockings 2 over the fixing profiles 6 at the station 9. The unit also includes, for each pair of profiles 14, a reversible lifting device 16 which supports the corresponding pair of profiles 14 and is suitable to move the profiles 14 in a translatory or insertion direction D1 which is parallel to the vertical axis in order to form, as described in greater detail hereinafter, the foot of the stockings 2 on the fixing profiles 6. The unit 10 also includes a transfer device 17 which supports the two lifting devices 16 on opposite sides with respect to a vertical rotation axis 17a which is parallel to the direction D1 and is suitable to rotate the lifting devices 16 about the axis 17a through 180° in two opposite directions of rotation so as to alternatively arrange one lifting device 16 between the axis 17a and the platform 7 and simultaneously arrange the other lifting device 16 at the station 15. The loading profiles 14 are shaped substantially like the fixing profiles 6 but are shorter, and are provided by respective tubular parts 18 which are bent in a U-shaped configuration on a respective vertical plane H which is parallel to the rotation axis. Profiles 14 furthermore have a respective spacer plate 19 which is connected to the corresponding part 18 and is arranged transversely to the respective plane H so as to make the leg 4 of stockings 2 fitted over the profiles 14 assume a substantially tubular shape so as to allow the gradual insertion of the corresponding fixing profile 6 inside the leg 4. The tubular parts 18 of the profiles 14 are fixed, at their ends, to respective horizontal supporting arms 20 which are connected to a bracket 21 of the corresponding lifting device 16 and are hinged, at one of their ends, to a common end hinge 22 of the bracket 21 which has a rotation axis A which is parallel to the direction D1. In particular, the arms 20 of each pair of profiles 14 are suitable to rotate about the corresponding axis A under the action of an orientating device 23 which is part of the unit 10 and includes, for each profile 14 of each pair of profiles 14, a linear actuator 24 which is pivoted at one of its ends to the arm 20 of the corresponding profile 14 and to the bracket 21 at the opposite end, and is suitable to rotate the corresponding arm 20 between an open position (shown in Figs. 1 and 3), which corresponds to a mutually spaced position of the corresponding loading profiles 14 in which the two arms 20 are mutually aligned, and a closed position (shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3), which corresponds to a mutually adjacent position of the profiles 14 and in which the two arms 20 are folded shut against each other and form an opening 25 between them. In their mutually spaced position, the loading profiles 14 are side by side and their respective planes H are mutually co-planar, whilst in their mutually adjacent position the loading profiles 14 face each other so that their respective planes H are mutually parallel and so that the plate 19 of one of the profiles 14 is arranged substantially in contact with the plate 19 of the other profile 14. During use, when the loading profiles 14 are folded shut against each other in their mutually adjacent position, the stockings 2 previously fitted on the loading profiles 14 are also folded shut so that the respective girdle 3 is folded over in a U-like shape, whilst the respective legs 4 and the feet 5 are substantially mutually superimposed. The transfer device 17 comprises: a footing 26, which is arranged in a fixed position laterally to the platform 7 and a post 27, which lies along the axis 17a of the footing 26. Transfer device 17 also comprises a carousel 28, which is mounted transversely to the axis 17a of the post 27 in order to support the two lifting devices 16; and a motor 29, which is connected to the carousel 28 by a connecting transmission 30 in order to turn the carousel 28 alternatively about the axis 17a. In particular, the carousel 28 includes a fixed circular portion 31, which is rigidly connected to the post 27, and a movable circular portion 32, which is rotatably coupled to the portion 31 in order to rotate about the axis 17a and is connected to an output pinion 33 of the motor 29 by virtue of a toothed belt 34 which is part, together with the pinion 33, of the transmission 30 and is wound in a loop around the portion 32 and the pinion 33. The transfer device 17 also includes a retaining and positioning device 35, which is adapted to mechanically position the carousel 28 at each rotation through 180° of the carousel 28 about the axis 17a in order to stop the lifting devices 16 and in particular the corresponding loading profiles 14 exactly at the loading station 9 and at the receiving station 15. In particular, the device 35 includes two stop members 36 which are fitted on opposite sides of the axis 17a along a peripheral region of the fixed circular portion 31 at 180° to each other and includes, for each stop member 36, a respective movable abutment 37 which is fitted along a peripheral region of the movable portion 32 of the carousel 28 at 180° with respect to the other abutment 37 and is suitable to stop against a stop member 36, exactly determining the angular position of the carousel 28. Each lifting device 16 comprises a guiding column 38, which rises vertically from the movable circular portion and is parallel to the axis 17a and to the post 27, and a carriage 39, which is fitted so that it can slide along the corresponding column 38 and is formed by a plate 40 for supporting a corresponding bracket 21 and by three wheels 41 which are rigidly coupled to the plate 40, are fitted on the opposite side of the plate 40 with respect to the bracket 21, and are coupled so that they can rotate along two tracks 42 formed laterally with respect to the corresponding column 38 for guiding the carriage 39 in the direction D1. Each lifting device 16 also comprises a motor 43 which is supported by a plate 44 for connection between the two columns 38 which is arranged at the upper ends of the columns 38, is rotatably mounted on the post 27, and is connected to a belt drive 45 for moving the corresponding carriage 39 along the corresponding column 38 between a lowered operating position, in which the corresponding profiles 14 are arranged substantially at a lower end of the corresponding tracks 42, and a raised operating position, in which the corresponding profiles 14 are arranged substantially at an upper end of the corresponding tracks 42. In particular, each belt drive 45 includes two guiding pulleys 46, which are rigidly mounted at the opposite ends of the corresponding column 38 in order to rotate about respective horizontal rotation axes, and a belt 47, which is wound in a loop around the pulleys 46 and is rigidly coupled to the plate 40 along one of the two respective transmission portions in order to move the corresponding carriage 39 along the tracks 42 parallel to the direction D1. The loading unit 10 also comprises a suction device 48 adapted to make it easier to fit the stockings 2 on the loading profiles 14, and a lighting device 49 which is mounted in a fixed position at the station 15 and is suitable to light the stockings 2 as they are loaded onto the profiles 14 in order to allow the operator to check the quality of the stockings 2. The device 48 comprises a suction impeller 50, which is arranged above a plate 51 mounted at an upper end of the post 27, and a suction duct 52, which runs parallel to the post 27 in a downward direction and toward the receiving station 15 and is connected in output to the impeller 50 and in input to a hood 53 which is part of the device and is arranged directly above the station 15 at a preset distance from a pair of profiles 14 which are waiting for corresponding stockings 2. The device 48 is adapted to draw the legs 4 of each pair of stockings 2 into the hood 53 and along part of the duct 52, so as to allow the operator to better fit the stockings 2 on the profiles 14. The lighting device 49 is interposed between the post 27 and the station 15 to light a pair of profiles 14, which are arranged in the station 15 and are waiting for a corresponding pair of stockings 2, and includes a light-box 54, which is supported by a beam having a quadrangular cross-section which protrudes downward from the plate 51. The light-box is formed by a semitransparent plate 56 made of translucent material and by a box 57 which supports the plate 56 and contains two lamps (not shown). The plate 56, in addition to forming a lateral wall of the box 57, is furthermore parallel to a pair of profiles 14 arranged in their mutually spaced position and allows the bracket 21 to pass under it during the positioning of a pair of profiles 14 in the station 15 during use. The operation of the unit 10 is now described with reference to only one of the two pairs of loading profiles 14, with reference to Figs. 2, 3 and 4, and starting from the time when a pair of fixing profiles 6 is placed by the platform 7 so that it is stationary at the loading station 9 and the loading profiles 14 are arranged at the receiving station 15 in their mutually spaced position in front of the plate 56 and in their lowered position below the hood 53. At this time the operator, by gripping the stockings by the corresponding girdle 3, throws the legs 4 upward. The legs are partially sucked up by the suction device 48 inside the hood 53, and the operator arranges the stockings 2 on the loading profiles 14 whilst the girdle is stretched and arranged substantially on a plane which is co-planar to the planes H and so that the legs 4 and the feet 5 are arranged around the profiles 14 and the spacing plates 19. During the loading operation, the operator, by virtue of the light diffused by the light-box 55 and of the fact that the loading profiles 14 are hollow profiles, checks the stockings 2 against the light so as to detect any manufacturing defects. After the pair of stockings has been fitted over the loading profiles 14, the carousel 28 rotates through a transfer angle of 180°, turning the reversible lifting device 16 related to the pair of profiles 14 about the axis 17a and arranging the lifting device 16 substantially in front of the fixing profiles 6 that are stationary in the station 9. The rotation of the carousel 28 is limited by the retention and positioning device 35, and during this rotation the carriage 39 is moved upward in the direction D1 along the corresponding tracks 42 and the profiles 14 are arranged in their mutually adjacent position. In this manner, when the profiles 14 arrive at the station 9, the profiles 14 are arranged vertically above a pair of fixing profiles 6. Whilst the loading profiles 14 fold shut against each other, the girdle 3 is folded over in a U-shaped configuration, whilst the legs 4 and the feet 5 are arranged so as to face each other. At this time the carriage 39 is lowered along the column 38, moving the loading profiles 14 with respect to the fixing profiles 6 so as to gradually fit the stockings 2 over the fixing profiles 6. In particular, the lowering of the profiles 14 causes the profiles 6 to gradually engage the opening 25 and to arrange themselves so that the plate 13 of each one is substantially adjacent to the tubular parts 18 and in an intermediate position between the respective spacing plates 19. In this manner, the profiles 6 gradually enter the girdle 3 and then the legs 4 until the respective end portions 12 make contact with the feet 5. Once the end portions 12 of the fixing profiles 6 have made contact with the respective feet 5, the gradual lowering of the loading profiles 14 causes the simultaneous removal of the stockings 2 from the profiles 14 and the full insertion of the profiles 6 inside the stockings 2. When the stockings 2 have fully disengaged the loading profiles 14, the device 23 opens the profiles 14, arranging them again in their mutually spaced position, and fully disengages the profiles 14 from the profiles 6. The above described operations, which as mentioned relate to one of the two pairs of loading profiles 14, are performed in the same manner for the other pair of profiles 14 as well, but are delayed by a time interval which is equal to one loading cycle. Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly, such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the scope of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims: Unit (1) for automatically loading stockings (2), comprising two pairs of loading profiles (14) which can move between a first process station (15) so that each one receives respective stockings (2), and a second process station (9), in which each loading profile (14) is arranged at a respective pair of fixing profiles (6) in order to feed the corresponding stockings (2) to said fixing profiles (6) which are stationary in said second process station (9); a transfer means (17) which is associated with the two loading profiles (14) in order to move said loading profiles (14) between the first process station (15) and the second process station (9); said transfer means (17) comprising a carousel (28) which is arranged between the first station (15) and the second station (9), said carousel (28) supporting said loading profiles (14) and being mounted so that it can rotate about a vertical rotation axis (17a) in order to rotate the loading profiles (14) about said rotation axis (17a) through a preset transfer angle; characterized in that it comprises an orientation means (23) which is associated with said loading profiles (14) in order to orientate said loading profiles (14) between a receiving position, in which said loading profiles (14) are stationary In said first process station (15) and are mutually side by side and co-planar, and a loading position, in which said loading profiles (14) are stationary in said second process station (9) and are folded shut against each other; said unit further comprising a reversible lifting means (16) which is associated with said loading profiles (14) in order to move said loading profiles (14) in an insertion direction (D1) which is parallel to said rotation axis (17a), thereby feeding the stockings mounted on the Bading profiles (14) onto said fixing profiles (6). Unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the first process station (15) and the second process station (9) are arranged on opposite sides of said rotation axis (17a) and determine a specific breadth of said transfer angle. Unit according to claim 2, characterized in that the breadth of said transfer angle is 180°. Unit according to claim 3, characterized in that two pairs of loading profiles (14) are arranged on opposite sides of said rotation axis (17a). Unit according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a retaining and positioning means (35) which is associated with said carousel (28) in order to stop the carousel (28) at each rotation equal to said transfer angle. Unit according to claim 5, characterized in that it comprises a single motor (29) for driving said carousel (28) in order to rotate said carousel (28) alternatively through said transfer angle about said rotation axis (17a). Unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a lighting means (49) which is arranged in a fixed position at said first station (15) in order to light a pair of loading profiles (14) which are stationary in said first station (15). Unit according to claim 1, characterized in that said lifting means (16) comprises a guiding means (38), which lies vertically and is arranged peripherally to said carousel (28), and a carriage (39) which can move in a reciprocating manner on said guiding means (38) under the actuation of a motor unit (43) by means of a flexible transmission member (45) which winds around a pair of pulleys (46) which are supported, at the opposite ends of said guiding means (38), so as to rotate about parallel horizontal axes.

Inventors: CORTESE CARMELO ANGELO, CORTESE, CARMELO ANGELO
Applicants: CORTESE S P A, CORTESE S.P.A.
Application year: 1998
Main classification: D06C5
IPC codes: D06C5