Method and apparatus for longitudinal orientation of hosiery articles

Abstract

A method for longitudinal orientation of tubular knitted elements such as socks (2), knee socks or the like, wherein a stretching step of the sock (2) is provided in a duct (3) of orientation with its two ends aligned longitudinally. Then, the position of an end that is either a tip portion (2′) or a band portion is detected by means of sensors (13). At the detecting step the sock (2) is conveyed in the duct (3) in a direction according to which the position is known of the band portion with respect to the tip portion (2′), whereby before the introduction of the sock (2) in a loading duct (3) a step is provided of inversion of the sock (2) if the band portion is not oriented in the chosen direction, or a step of rejection. The sock (2) is selectively conveyed in the duct (3) by an air flow in either direction. Also the preliminary stretching step of the sock (2) is carried out by an air flow after preliminary grasping first end thereof, whereby the second end engages the sensors. A mechanical dragging is provided (12) of the sock starting from its second end through the sensors (13), which scan at least part of the first end.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.