Apparatus and method for automatically orienting hosiery articles for closing toe ends thereof

An apparatus for automatically orienting and positioning an open toe end of a tubular sock blank so that the toe end can be closed in an automatic sewing machine, the toe end defining a toe opening encircled by an edge of the blank made up of first and second edge portions that are joined at junctures located on generally diametrically opposite sides of the toe opening, the first edge portion delimiting an extended toe portion of the sock blank extending axially beyond the second edge portion when the sock blank is opened up into a generally tubular shape, the apparatus comprising:

• a tube for supporting the sock blank sleeved thereover such that the sock blank extends lengthwise along a longitudinal axis of the tube with the toe end opened up into a generally tubular shape and with the edge portions of the toe opening extending beyond an end of the tube;
• at least one clamp member operable to engage the sock blank on the tube and having an actuator operable to cause the clamp member to rotate the sock blank and the toe end thereof about the longitudinal axis of the tube;
• a sensor system positioned proximate the end of the tube and operable for detecting at least one predetermined feature of the toe end and for providing a signal upon detection of said feature by the sensor system;
• a processor arranged to receive the signal from the sensor system and signals from the actuator and to control the rotation of the clamp member in response to said signals so as to position the toe end in a nominal position in which said junctures between the first and second edge portions are aligned along a transverse axis that is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tube;
• and
• a spreader device operable to move into the open toe end of the sock blank to a position proximate the end of the tube and to grip opposite portions of the toe end proximate said junctures and move the opposite portions apart along said transverse axis to spread the toe end of the sock blank into a flattened configuration having the first and second edge portions overlying and generally aligned with each other, the spreader device being further operable to remove the sock blank from the tube and to move the sock blank to said automatic sewing machine for feeding the flattened toe portion of the sock blank thereinto.