Method for varying the curvature of the sewn tip of stockings with a sewing machine and device for carrying out said method

Device for varying the curvature of the tip of stockings, the device comprising:

• a horizontal, circular rotating plane, and a plate arranged coaxially therewith;
• gripping means for separately gripping several points of a free end of a flattened tip of the stocking to be sewn, said free end projecting beyond the rotating sewing plane;
• pneumatic means for activating or deactivating, respectively, said gripping means;
• transmission means for transmitting to said gripping means a rectilinear motion of departure in a longitudinal direction of the stocking in a direction of removal from the sewing plane to obtain a stretching by elastic extension of the fabric of the tip of the stocking which has been gripped by the gripping means, and respectively, a motion of approach to the rotating sewing plane to obtain a rectilinear motion of return of said gripping means to an initial position, after having allowed the gripping of the stocking;
• means for synchronizing the actions of said gripping means with said plate.

Method for varying the curvature of the sewn tip of stockings utilizing means for supporting the stocking and for positioning the tip in a flattened order on a circular, rotating sewing plane in correspondence with the sewing position, the method comprising the steps of:

• (a) gripping a free end of the stocking at two side areas thereof, with respect to a center of the stocking, outside and beyond said rotating sewing plane;
• (b) elastically stretching, in the longitudinal direction of the stocking, the two side areas with respect to the central area to obtain a curvilinear seam with a radius less than the radius of the rotating sewing plane;
• (c) arranging the flattened tip of the stocking elastically stretched on the rotating sewing plane;
• (d) releasing the free end of the tip of the stocking thus arranged;
• (e) carrying out the sewing, progressively rotating the sewing plane and at the same time cutting the excess fabric with respect to a seam line;
• and
• (f) releasing the tip of the stocking sewn.