Patent GB-1097076-A (GB)
Title: Automatic device for measuring assorting according to the size and reversing from inside-out toe-closed stockings
IPC: D06H3/16
Filed: 1965-04-28
Abstract: 1,097,076. Turning inside out. A. FORMENTI, F. BALLINI and COCCOLI. April 28, 1965 [April 30, 1964; Feb. 26, 1965], No. 17943/65. Heading D1X. [Also in Division G1] Apparatus for inverting and sorting stockings comprises two tubular members placed one within the other to define a first and a second passage, a plurality of ducts connectible with one of the passages by means of a movable distributor member, means for displacing the distributor member, a vacuum source, valve means for alternatively connecting certain of said ducts and said passages with the vacuum source, a member disposed within one of said passages and responsive to the position of a zone of a stocking therein, and switch means adapted to be actuated by said member for controlling said valve means and said means for displacing the distributor member. A tube 36, mounted co-axially within a tube 36', has a sliding connection with one arm of a tubular elbow 35 rotatably mounted about the axis of said arm within, and co-incident with the axis of a fixed cylindrical chamber 34. Rotation of elbow 35 is effected by selected energisation of solenoids 43, mounted on the periphery of chamber 34, to position the outlet of the other arm of elbow 35 at the inlet of one of a series of ducts 37 radiating from the chamber 34. The outlet of each duct 37 enters one end of a respective horizontal chamber 38 below a perforated partition 47, the lower part of chamber 38 being closed by a pair of outwardly hinged doors (44). The space above each partition 47 is connected to a common duct 49. A valve body 62 is operatively connected to a solenoid 63, and when the latter is de-energised, a suction fan 53a is connected to a pair of ducts 60, 61 communicating with the space between tubes 36 and 36' and a blower fan 53 is connected with a duct 52 communicating with one end of duct 49. When solenoid 63 is energised, blower 53 is disconnected from duct 52, and suction fan 53a is connected to a duct 54 communicating with the other end of duct 49, and to a duct 59 communicating with the interior of tube 36. Tube 36' is formed with an axial slot through which passes the free end of a finger 68 rigid with and radial of a rotary disc 66, finger 68 being biased against the outer end of said slot by a counterweight 69. The periphery of disc 66 is formed with a series of notches 70 of progressively increasing width, each notch 70 being engaged by the actuating member of a respective microswitch 71, whereby, on clockwise rotation of disc 66, the microswitches 71 are progressively actuated to energise successive coils 43 for positioning elbow 35 opposite a corresponding duct 37. To initiate operation, solenoid 63 is deenergised and a stocking 51 is drawn into the space between tubes 36 and 36' by the suction in ducts 60, 61, till the toe of the stocking engages the outer end of tube 36. The top of the stocking engages finger 68 to move the latter a distance corresponding to the stocking length and to actuate a corresponding microswitch 71. A first time delay operates to prevent the energisation of any coil 43 until the stocking is fully stretched, when the corresponding coil 43 is energised, and a solenoid 42 is also energised to withdraw a spring-biased pin 41 from engagement with a notch in a sector 39 rigid with elbow 35. The latter then moves to the position corresponding to the stocking length. A second time delay also operates, at the end of which coils 34 and 42 are de-energised, whereby pin 41 locks elbow 35 in the position to which it has moved. Solenoid 63 is also energised to remove the suction from the space between tubes 36 and 36' and to apply suction to tube 36, whereby the stocking passes toe foremost through tube 36 and is stretched in the corresponding chamber 38 against the perforated partition 47 therein. At the end of a third time delay, solenoid 63 is deenergised and pressure is applied to duct 49, whereby the doors (44) open and the stocking falls on to a horizontal rail positioned below chamber 38. An extension 1a is adjustably fittable to the outer end of tube 36. It is stated that means other than mechanical may be used for detecting stocking dimensions, and that dimensions other than stocking length may be detected.