Apparatus for forming an end closure in a tubular knitted article

Abstract

The end closure apparatus is incorporated in the cylinder of a circular knitting machine in surrounding relation to tubular knit fabric advancing from the knitting needles. The apparatus includes constricting elements that are operable simultaneously to close radially on the surrounded tube to constrict it into a compact substantially solid mass. Each constricting element is formed with an intermediate slit so that the elements constrict the fabric at two zones with a space therebetween for heat severing and sealing operation of an electrical resistence heating tool that moves in the slits through the mass of fabric between the zones and dwells thereat to complete sealing and form a small disc-like heat set closure core connecting the yarns of the fabric into a closed end both on the severed tube portion and on the tube portion remaining depending from the needles of the machine. The fabric at the portion being constricted, severed, and sealed includes synthetic fusible thermoplastic yarn capable of being severed and sealed by the apparatus. Also disclosed is an end closure apparatus having open ring spring-stressed members having end extensions forming inlets for lateral insertion of tubular articles. These members are mounted on a rotatable structure that rotates the members sequentially through a fabric insertion station, and severing and sealing station, and a removal station.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.