JP7796033B2 - Apparatus and method for joining an annular band to a knitted article having a body portion - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an apparatus for manufacturing knitted products, particularly knitted garments, having a body portion, a pair of leg pieces, and a circular band, particularly an elastic band, sewn to the body portion.

Typical garments include footed tights, footless tights, and pantyhose, which have a pair of leg pieces and a body section that terminates in a typically elastic circular band that encircles the waist when the garment is worn. Modern manufacturing methods include using a circular knitting machine to produce the body section and leg pieces in a single knitting operation. Typically, the elastic band and the knitted product with the body section and leg pieces are manufactured separately and then sewn together.

According to another known method, a knitted garment is produced by knitting two tubular pieces separately, then partially cutting corresponding portions at their ends and sewing them together to form the knitted garment. Each tubular piece has an elastic edge. The elastic edges of the two tubular pieces are cut and then sewn together to form an elastic band that encircles the user's waist when the garment is worn.

The process of joining a circular band to a knitted product is complicated and time-consuming. To speed up this manufacturing process, International Patent Publication WO 2016/157055 discloses an apparatus for facilitating manual assembly. This prior art apparatus includes a mounting mold and a stretching device, which are brought into a coaxial position and moved toward each other, with the mounting mold placed within the space defined by the stretching device. To facilitate the assembly process for joining an elastic circular band or strip to a knitted product, this prior art apparatus provides the following steps: The knitted product is manually mounted on the mold, with the body portion enveloping the mounting side of the mold. The circular strip or band is manually placed on the stretching device. The stretching device then expands to stretch the circular band. The mold with the knitted product mounted thereon is then inserted inside the circular band. The stretching device is then removed, leaving the circular band attached around the portion of the knitted product surrounding the mounting mold.

The above document does not disclose a device for attaching the band to a tensioning device, nor a device for removing the finished garment obtained by sewing the circular band to the body of the knitted product. It also does not disclose a sewing system.

Prior art devices only assist the operator to a limited extent by simplifying some of the assembly steps for joining the annular band and the knitted fabric.

A further drawback of the method disclosed in the above-mentioned prior art document is that both the circular band and the knitted product must be turned inside out before being attached to the tensioning device and the wearable form. In practice, the circular band and the knitted product are produced using a knitting machine, typically a circular knitting machine. Once knitted, they have a front and a back. When removed from the knitting machine, both semi-finished products have their front facing outward and their back facing inward. The finished garment is worn with the circular band and the knitted product, consisting of the torso and leg pieces, facing outward. The sewing should be performed so that the seams are not visible from the front of the garment, i.e., with the seams facing inward. In order to sew the circular band and the knitted product together with the seams on the back of the garment using the device disclosed in International Patent Publication WO 2016/157055, both the circular band and the knitted product must be turned inside out beforehand. Otherwise, the seams would be visible on the outside of the finished garment. The need to invert both the circular band and the knitted product makes the assembly process particularly complicated using known equipment and also prevents efficient automation of the process.

Therefore, there is a need for a more efficient method and apparatus for sewing together, i.e., assembling, an annular band and a body portion of a knitted product, which overcomes or at least mitigates one or more of the shortcomings of the prior art.

According to one aspect, there is provided a method for joining a circular fabric band having a first hem and a second hem to a knitted article having a body portion and two leg pieces, the body portion terminating in an open edge intended to be joined to the circular band along the first hem of the circular band.
In this method, the following steps are carried out in sequence:
a) First, an annular band is mounted on a mounting mold having an outer mounting surface extending about an axis of the mounting mold, the mounting surface being bounded by a first boundary and a second boundary, and the annular band is mounted on the mounting mold such that a first skirt of the annular band is adjacent to the first boundary of the mounting surface.
b) A portion of the body of the knitted product is then placed around the former on the annular band so that the open end is aligned with the first hem of the annular band.
c) Then, the first hem of the annular band and the open end of the body are joined together.
d) Finally, the knitted product with the sewn circular band is removed from the former.

As will become apparent from the detailed description of the embodiments, this method allows the knitted product and annular band to be attached to a former without having to be turned inside out for manufacturing by a knitting machine. The layout and process sequence are such that the seam between the annular band and the knitted product is located on the wrong side of the finished garment.

Essentially, the above method allows for a finished garment with an internal seam to be produced without first having to turn the band and knitted product inside out, and therefore can be produced in significantly less time than prior art methods.

Further features and embodiments of the method according to the present invention are set out in the appended claims, which form an integral part of this specification, and in the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments.

In some embodiments, the step of attaching the annular band to the wearable form comprises:
inserting a tensioning device into the circular band;
engaging the annular band with a tensioning device and stretching the annular band with the tensioning device to form a space inside the annular band;
The method includes the steps of: moving the stretching device to which the stretched circular band is applied and the wearable form toward each other, and positioning the wearable form in the inner space defined by the circular band; and transferring the circular band from the stretching device to the wearable form, attaching the circular band to the mounting surface of the wearable form, and moving the stretching device in a direction away from the wearable form.

Also, a step of engaging the annular band with engaging members attached to the outer peripheral surface of the annular band at at least two locations spaced apart from each other;
lifting the annular band with the engaging member to open the annular band by gravity;
inserting a pair of substantially parallel positioning rollers into the annular band;
The method may further include the steps of: moving the positioning rollers away from each other to expand the circular band and release the circular band from the engaging member; and inserting a stretching device into the circular band between the positioning rollers, and then transferring the circular band from the pair of positioning rollers to the stretching device.

The step of engaging the annular band with the engaging member may include attaching an outer peripheral surface of the annular band to an adhesive tape that cooperates with or is part of the engaging member; and
Preferably, the step of releasing the circular band from the engagement member may include the step of moving the circular band relative to the adhesive tape.

In some embodiments, a process is provided for angularly positioning the annular band on two positioning rollers. This can be achieved, for example, by synchronously rotating the two positioning rollers and detecting the desired angular position of the annular band using a reference mark on the annular band and a sensor that detects the mark.

According to another aspect, there is provided an apparatus for joining a textile annular band having a first hem and a second hem to a knitted product having a body portion and two leg pieces, the body portion terminating in an open edge intended to be joined to the annular band along the first hem of the annular band. The apparatus includes at least a mounting mold having an outer mounting surface extending about its axis, the mounting surface being bounded by a first boundary and a second boundary. To increase the productivity of the apparatus, preferably, a plurality of mounting molds are provided, the plurality of mounting molds being supported by a device that transports them sequentially through a plurality of stations. The apparatus may, for example, be a carousel that rotates about a vertical axis of rotation.

The apparatus may further advantageously comprise a stretching device adapted to receive and spread the circular band. The stretching device and the wearable mold are movable relative to one another so as to position the stretching device around the mounting surface of the wearable mold and release the circular band onto the mounting surface of the wearable mold. A pick-up device is also provided for removing individual circular bands from the storage space and automatically loading them onto the stretching device.
The invention will be better understood by following the description below and the accompanying drawings which show non-limiting embodiments of the invention.

1 shows a schematic representation of a garment in the form of tights with an annular band FA and a knitted product M before being joined by the device described herein. 1 shows a schematic representation of a garment in the form of tights with an annular band FA and a knitted product M after they have been joined by the device described herein. 1 is a plan view of an apparatus according to the present invention; 3 is a perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 2, with the application station for applying the circular bands omitted in this view; 3 is a perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 2, with the application station for applying the circular bands omitted in this view; FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a circular band application station. FIG. 10 is a side view of the circular band application station. 1 is a perspective view of a pick-up device for picking up a circular band, the pick-up device being arranged at a mounting station; FIG. 7 is a side view of the pickup device of FIG. 6. FIG. 8 is a front view of the pickup device of FIGS. 6 and 7; FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the rollers and support slides of the pickup device as seen from above. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the rollers and support slides of the pickup device as seen from below. 1 is a perspective view of a tensioning device and a pressing member for transferring the circular band from the tensioning device to the wearable mold; FIG. 9A to 9C are diagrams showing an operation sequence when the pick-up device of FIGS. 6 to 8 is used to take out the circular band from the storage space. 9A to 9C are diagrams showing an operation sequence when the pick-up device of FIGS. 6 to 8 is used to take out the circular band from the storage space. 9A to 9C are diagrams showing an operation sequence when the pick-up device of FIGS. 6 to 8 is used to take out the circular band from the storage space. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pickup device positioned to transfer an annular band to a pair of motorized rollers. 14 is a perspective view of the motorized rollers of FIG. 13 in a spaced apart position to prepare the circular band for transfer onto a stretching device. 10A-10C are perspective views showing the steps for transferring the circular band from the tensioning device to the wearable mold. 10A-10C are perspective views showing the steps for transferring the circular band from the tensioning device to the wearable mold. FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the wearable type. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the wearable type as seen from the rear. 10 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing the relative positions of the wearable form, the tensioning device and the member during the process of transferring the circular band from the tensioning device to the wearable form; FIG. 18 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 17 showing the circular band attached to the wearable mold. 10 is a perspective view of a blocking pad for blocking an annular band on a fitting mold during the process of fitting a knitted product. FIG. 22 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 21 showing the relative positions of the pad and the wearable mold with the circular band attached to the wearable mold. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a state in which the knitted product is attached to the attachment mold. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a state in which the knitted product is attached to the attachment mold. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a mold to which an annular band and a knitted product are attached. FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a gripping unit in a sewing station. FIG. 10 is a rear perspective view of the gripping unit in the sewing station. FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional view of the gripping unit of FIGS. 26 and 27. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a sewing station having a mountable mold engaged by a gripping unit. 1A to 1H are diagrams showing the flow of sewing work. FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a removal station for removing the garment from the wearable mold. 10A to 10S are diagrams showing the flow of the removal process for removing the garment from the wearable mold.

1A and 1B show a schematic representation of a garment in the form of tights, comprising a knitted article M and an annular band FA that are knitted separately and then joined by the apparatus described herein. More specifically, in FIG. 1A, the annular band FA and the knitted article M are shown separate from one another before being sewn together, while in FIG. 1B, these two components are shown assembled to form the finished garment I.

The circular band FA has a first hem O1 and a second hem O2. The knitted fabric M has two leg pieces G and a body C. The body terminates in an open edge MA, which is joined, or sewn, to one of the two hems of the circular band FA, specifically the first hem O1. After sewing the circular band FA to the knitted fabric M, garment I is obtained, having a seam LC connecting the open edge MA of the body G to the hem O1 of the circular band FA. The symbols D and R indicate the front and back surfaces of both the circular band A and the knitted fabric M, i.e., the side (D) that will remain on the outside and the side (R) that will remain on the inside when the garment I is worn. The seam LC is applied so that the seam is on the inside of the garment I. It should be understood that the garment I shown schematically in FIG. 1 is merely an example, and that other garments, such as garments with significantly shorter leg pieces than those shown in FIG. 1, can be manufactured using the method and apparatus disclosed herein.

Referring to Figures 2 to 4, the apparatus 1 for sewing together the circular band FA and the knitted product M comprises two main parts: a loading station 3 configured to load the circular band onto a mounting mold; and a moving member 5 on which an equal number of mounting molds 7 are arranged. The mounting molds 7 are transported through the loading station 3 in turn through other stations for loading the knitted product, sewing the knitted product to the band, and removing the garment. In the illustrated embodiment, the moving member 5 is configured as a carousel adapted to rotate in a stepped manner about a vertical axis A-A. In other embodiments, the mounting molds 7 are moved by a different moving member, for example, a flexible endless conveyor.

For simplicity, the application station 3 for applying the annular band is shown only diagrammatically in Figure 2 and is omitted in Figures 3A and 3B. Details of the application station 3 and its operation are shown in Figures 4 to 16.

In the illustrated embodiment, there are seven molds 7 and seven stations, with the molds 7 being transported sequentially through the stations by a carousel 5. It should be understood that the number of stations and molds 7 may differ from that illustrated.

"Installation Station 3"

Next, with reference to Figures 4 to 16, the loading station 3, which functions to load an annular band onto one of the loading molds 7 provided on the carousel 5, will be described in detail. The operating cycle performed by the loading station will be described below. With reference to Figures 17 to 33, the various stations located after the loading station and the operations performed at these stations will be described.

The loading station 3 includes a bearing structure 9 located radially outside the carousel 5. The bearing structure 9 includes a storage space 11 for storing stacks of annular bands FA (Figures 10 to 13). To maximize the capacity of the storage space 11, the stacks are adjacent to one another. The bearing structure 9 includes a slide 13 carrying a pickup device 15 adapted to remove individual annular bands FA from the storage space 11 and transport them to a stretching device (described below) that loads the annular bands FA into the respective loading molds 7. Reference numeral 17 denotes a guide member along which the slide 13 can move in accordance with the double arrow f13. The movement of the arrow f13 allows annular bands FA to be removed from one or the other of the multiple stacks P arranged in the storage space 11 and transported to the stretching device.

A second guide member 19 is fixed to the bearing structure 9, along which the extension device 21 and pressing member 23 can move independently of each other as indicated by double arrows f21 and f23. Furthermore, the extension device 21 can rotate about a vertical axis (D-D, see Figure 19) perpendicular to the horizontal guide member 19, as schematically represented by double arrow f21x in Figures 5, 9, 15, and 16. The extension device 21 and pressing member 23 are described in detail below.

The pickup device 15 is shown in detail in Figures 4, 6, 7, 8, 8A, and 8B. In the illustrated embodiment, the pickup device 15 includes an engagement member 25 adapted to engage an individual annular band FA from the storage space 11, and a pair of electric positioning rollers 27 that receive the annular band FA from the engagement member 25 and transport the annular band FA to the stretching device 21, described below. The positioning rollers 27 are adapted to rotate in the same direction about respective horizontal axes B-B. In the illustrated embodiment, each positioning roller 27 is rotationally driven by a respective motor, for example, typically an electronically controlled electric motor designated by the reference numeral 29.

The two positioning rollers 27 are movable toward and away from each other along direction f27x, thereby varying their center-to-center distance. In Figures 6, 8, 8A, and 8B, the center-to-center distance of the rollers 27 is minimal. The rollers 27 are also movable along the double arrow f27y parallel to the guide member 17. If the rollers 27 are supported independently of the slide 13, their movement along f27y may be independent of the movement of the slide 13 along f13. The rollers 27 may, for example, be supported by a slide 31 that is integral with the guide member 17 and movable along the arrow f27y along a guide member 33 parallel to it. The slide 31 carries a guide member 35 perpendicular to the guide member 33, on which slides a support carriage 37 supporting the rollers 27 and the respective motors 29, allowing the rollers 27 to move along the arrow f27x. Movement of the rollers 27, carriages 37, and motor 29 according to the arrows f27x is imparted symmetrically to the two rollers 27 by a pair of linear actuators 38, such as pneumatic cylinder piston actuators.

Also mounted on the slide 31 is an actuator that controls the movement of the carriage 37 and each positioning roller 27 in accordance with the arrow f27x. The slide 31 moves back and forth along the direction of the arrow f13 together with the slide 13. The slide 31 also moves in accordance with the double arrow f27y relative to the slide 13, so that the positioning rollers 27 can translate parallel to the guides 17 and 33 relative to the slide 13 for purposes described below. In Figure 8A, reference numeral 39 denotes an actuator that controls the movement of the rollers 27 and the slide 31 carrying them in accordance with the arrow f27y relative to the slide 13.

The engaging member 25 is supported by the slide 13 and is therefore movable in the direction indicated by the double arrow f13. In the illustrated embodiment, the engaging member 25 comprises a head 41 that is vertically movable in the direction indicated by the double arrow f41 using a mechanism with a rack 41 and a pinion 45, which is rotated by an actuator, e.g., an electric motor 47. The head 43 supports an unwinding reel 51 for unwinding the adhesive tape 55 and a rewinding reel 53 for rewinding the adhesive tape 55. Reference numeral 49 denotes a motor that rotates the rewinding reel 53. The path of the adhesive tape 55 extends around two small lower guide rollers 57. The segment of adhesive tape 55 between the lower guide rollers 57 is used to adhesively engage a first annular band FA arranged in one of the stacks P stored in the storage space 11, as will be described below with reference to the sequences shown in Figures 10, 11, and 12.

The above-mentioned tensioning device 21 and pressure member 23 are shown in detail in Figures 9, 15 and 16, in which adjacent parts have been removed for clarity. The unit formed by the tensioning device 21 and pressure member 23 is shown from the side of the carousel 5 in Figures 9 and 16, and from the opposite side, i.e., the side of the positioning roller 27, in Figure 15.

As can be seen in Figures 9, 14, 15, and 16, the tensioning device 21 comprises a ring 59 to which tensioning elements 61 are fixed. In the illustrated embodiment, the tensioning elements are in the form of fingers 61, which are connected to the ring 59 via pivot levers 63. As shown in Figure 14, the fingers 61 are closely spaced, in a position of maximum reciprocal proximity, and are positioned near the axis of the tensioning device 21, i.e., the axis of the ring 59. The fingers 61 are moved apart to spaced positions (Figures 9, 15, and 16) to expand the annular band FA disposed on the tensioning device 21. The movement of the fingers 59 toward and away from each other is controlled by an actuator 65 (Figure 9) of the tensioning device 21.

The pressing member 23 includes a ring 67 that can be positioned coaxially with the ring 59 of the tensioning device 21. The ring 67 of the pressing member 23 carries a plurality of pressing elements or pads 69 that are circumferentially arranged about the axis of the ring 67 and are radially movable, for example, by a plurality of pneumatic cylinder piston actuators 71 or controlled in other ways. In the illustrated embodiment, an actuator 71 is provided for each pad 69.

The above-described loading station 3 is used to load an individual annular band FA onto each of the seven loading dies 7 mounted on the carousel 5. Preferably, the loading dies 7 are identical to each other, and only one of them is shown alone in Figures 17 and 18.

The mounting dies 7 have a substantially circular extension about the central rotation axis C-C. Each mounting die 7 has a disk-shaped portion from which extends a preferably generally cylindrical side wall that externally defines an outer surface 75, also referred to as a mounting surface 75. The cylindrical wall 73 is interrupted at two diametrically opposed locations by a pair of recesses or openings 77 that interrupt the mounting surface 75. The mounting surface 75 has a first boundary 75.1 and a second boundary 75.2.

The mounting mold 7 is idly supported on the suction tube 79, for example via suitable support bearings. The suction tube 79 is fixed to the carousel 5 via uprights 81. Reference numeral 83 denotes a stop device for preventing the mounting mold 7 from rotating about axis C-C relative to the suction tube 79. The suction tube 79 has an upper connection portion 85 with a perforated sheet or mesh filter 87 provided inside. The structure of the mounting mold 7 and how it is idly supported on the lower end of the tube 79 can be better understood from the partial cross-sectional perspective view of Figure 19.

Having described the structure of the loading station 3, the process by which the annular band FA is loaded onto the loading mold 7 for subsequent sewing to the knitted product M will now be described. This process and the sequence of operations that comprise it can be better understood with reference to Figures 10-16 and 19.

First, the circular band FA is removed from the storage space 11 by the pickup device 15. For this purpose, the pickup device 15 is positioned above the stack P by the slide 13, from which the circular band FA will be removed. The pickup device is positioned by maintaining the head 41 of the engaging member 15 in an elevated position (Figure 10). When the head 41 of the engaging member 15 is above the stack P from which the circular band FA is to be removed, the head 41 is lowered until the adhesive tape 55 is pressed against the upper surface of the circular band FA by the guide roller 57 (Figure 11). In this way, the adhesive tape 55 is pressed against the outer surface of the circular band FA by the guide roller 57, so that this outer surface adheres to the adhesive tape 55 at two spaced apart locations.

The head 41 is then lifted (Figure 12). The annular band FA attached to the adhesive tape 55 is lifted along with the head 41 of the locking member 25 and opens due to gravity, forming a generally circular configuration. Now, by moving in accordance with arrow f27y, the positioning roller 27 is inserted into the annular band FA as shown in Figure 13, while the slide 13, and therefore the head 41, remains stationary.

Next, as shown in FIG. 14, the positioning rollers 27 are moved away from each other according to the double arrow f27x to stretch the circular band FA. When the motor 29 rotates the two positioning rollers 27 in the same direction, the circular band FA begins to move according to the arrows shown in FIG. 14. This movement can be either clockwise or counterclockwise. The purpose of this movement is to angularly position the circular band FA relative to the positioning rollers 27. For correct positioning, the circular band FA may be provided with a mark MX (FIG. 14) that can be detected by a sensor 89 (FIGS. 8 and 13). When the mark MX detected by the sensor 89 is in the desired position, a signal is generated to stop the motor 29, and the movement of the positioning rollers 27 is stopped. The resulting angular position allows the circular band FA to be loaded onto the loading mold 7 in the correct position for subsequent sewing onto the knitted fabric M.

Once the circular band FA is correctly positioned, it is transferred onto the tensioning device 21. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 14, the tensioning devices 21 are initially adjacent to each other with the fingers 61 in the retracted position, i.e., at their closest position to the axis of the tensioning device 21. When the fingers 61 are inserted between the positioning rollers 27, the fingers 61 expand, causing the positioning rollers 27 to move toward each other again. As a result, the circular band FA is transferred onto the fingers 61 of the tensioning device 21, as shown in FIG. 15, and maintained in a stretched state, resulting in a polygonal stretched configuration. In this configuration, the tensioning device 21 is spaced apart from the pressure member 23 and can be positioned around one of the mounting molds 7, which has been aligned with the mounting station 3 by the carousel 5.

As can be seen from FIG. 15, in order to transfer the annular band FA from the tensioning device 21 to the mounting mold 7, it is first necessary to rotate the tensioning device 21 about a vertical axis, i.e., about an axis that coincides with the vertical diameter of the ring 59 of the tensioning device 21. This axis is only shown in FIG. 19 and is designated by the symbol D-D.

The tensioning device 21 rotates 180° about the radial vertical axis D-D and moves along the guide 19 toward the pressure member 23 until it reaches the position shown in FIG. 16. The fingers 61 are positioned radially so that they can enter the space defined inside the ring 67 of the pressure member 23 without interfering with it. When these movements are performed, the tensioning device 21, pressure member 23, and annular band FA are positioned as shown in FIG. 16. Note that the mounting mold 7 has been omitted from this drawing for clarity. However, the final position is such that the annular band FA, engaged by the fingers 61 of the tensioning device 21, is around the mounting surface 75 of the mounting mold 7, as shown in the cross-sectional perspective view of FIG. 19.

At this point, the pressure element or pad 69 is moved radially inward by the actuator 71, i.e., toward the axis of the mounting mold 7, so that the axis of the tensioning device 21 coincides with the axis of the pressure member 23. When the pad 69 is brought into contact with the mounting surface 75 of the mounting mold 7, the circular band FA is pressed against the mounting surface 75, and the tensioning device 21 moves away from the pressure member 23 and away from the mounting mold 7, thereby releasing the fingers 61 and allowing the elastic or stretchable circular band FA to fully adhere to the mounting surface 75 of the mounting mold 7. The pressure of the pad 69 against the surface 75 of the mounting mold 7 is sufficient to hold the circular band FA and prevent it from being removed along with the fingers 61 of the tensioning device 21. For this reason, an appropriate coefficient of friction is employed for the surface 75 and the pad 69.

At this point, the pad 69 moves radially outward and away from the mounting mold 7. The pressing member 23, which had previously surrounded the mounting mold 7 with the ring 67, moves away from the mounting mold 7 while translating along the guide 19. In this way, the mounting mold 7 with the annular band FA attached can be transported to a subsequent station, which will be described later.

Figure 20 shows the mounting mold 7 with the annular band FA attached and held on the mounting surface 75 by the elastic effect of the annular band.

After the loading station for loading the annular band FA onto the loading mold 7, there is provided a loading station for loading the knitted product M onto the loading mold 7. This loading station for loading the knitted product M is designated by the reference numeral 91 in Figures 2, 3A and 3B.

"Loading station 91 for loading knitted fabric"

The mounting station 91 for mounting the knitted product M will be described below with specific reference to Figures 21 to 25.

The suction duct 93 is associated with the loading station 91 for loading the knitted product M, and has a vertical segment coaxial with the axis A-A of the carousel 5, a horizontal segment, and a second vertical segment terminating in a suction port 95, which interacts with the connection 85 of each loading mold 7 located in turn within the loading station 91. In this way, suction can be generated through the loading mold 7.

In the illustrated embodiment, the suction duct 93 is configured to rotate around the rotation axis A-A of the carousel 5 by an angle and follow each mounting die 7 through a predetermined angle of its circular path. This angle generally corresponds to the angular distance between two successive stations of the machine. In this way, the suction duct 93 interacts with the suction pipe 79 of each mounting die 7, which must reach the mounting station 91 before reaching the angular position at which the knitted product M is mounted on the mounting die 7. This angular position is shown in the plan view of FIG. 2 and is designated by the reference numeral 91. The suction duct 93 rotates counterclockwise, for example, to the position of the mounting die 7 located immediately upstream of the die shown in the mounting station 91 in FIG. 2, i.e., to position 90 shown in FIG. 2. This is the neutral station at which each mounting die 7 arrives while moving from the mounting station 3 for applying the annular band FA to the mounting station 91 for applying the knitted product M.

A blocking pad 97, which is radially movable under the control of an actuator 99, e.g., a cylinder-piston actuator, is associated with the suction duct 93 and serves to block the annular band FA pre-attached to the attachment mold 7, thus preventing the band from accidentally moving during attachment of the knitted product M.

In an advantageous embodiment, the blocking pad 97 is movable about the axis A-A integrally with the suction duct 93 to follow the reciprocating rotational movement of the duct from the neutral station 90 to the loading station 91 for loading the knitted product M.

The angular movement of the suction duct 93 and blocking pad 97 from the loading station 91 to the neutral station 90 and vice versa makes it possible to anticipate the suction action via the suction duct 93 and suction tube 79 and the action of the blocking pad 97 in relation to the process of loading the knitted product M onto the loading mold 7.

The rotational movement about the axis A-A is imparted to the suction duct 93 and the blocking pad 97 by a linear actuator, for example a cylinder-piston actuator 101. Alternatively, the rotational movement about the axis A-A can be exerted by a carousel 5 to which the suction duct is temporarily coupled so as to rotate therewith. In this case, a linear actuator 101 is provided to bring the duct 93 from the loading station 91 back to the neutral station 90 each time.

Figure 22 shows the action of the blocking pad when it is activated. The blocking pad presses against the first boundary 75.1 of the loading surface 75, maintaining the annular band FA in position on the loading mold 7 by friction. In Figure 22, the suction port 95 is lowered by the actuator 103 until it cooperates with the connection 85 of the suction tube 79 associated with the loading mold 7 at the loading station 91. The raising and lowering movement of the suction port 95 (according to the double arrow f95) allows the suction duct 93 to interact with the suction tube 79 and can selectively release the suction duct 93 from the suction tube 79 to move each loading mold 7 to the next station.

Once the mounting mold 7 with each annular band FA attached is in the mounting station 91 and suction is activated via the blocking pad 95 and suction duct 93, an operator can manually mount the knitted product M, as shown in Figures 23 and 24. To this end, the mounting mold 7 has a central suction port 105 connected to the suction tube 79 and suction duct 93. The operator inserts the leg piece G of the knitted product M into the central suction port 105 and then inserts the entire knitted product M, excluding the body portion C, into the suction tube 79. A grid or mesh filter 87 prevents the knitted product M from slipping out from the side that rotates integrally with the mounting mold 7 along with the carousel 5. Only the end of the body portion C is turned inside out and positioned with its open end MA approximately aligned with the first hem O1 of the annular band FA. Figure 25 shows a cross-section of the mounting mold 7 at the mounting station 91 with the annular band FA and knitted product M attached to the mounting mold 7. The cross section is taken along a vertical plane including the axis C-C of the mounting mold 7.

Once both the circular band FA and the knitted product M have been attached to the attachment mold 7 as described above, the attachment mold is moved by the carousel 5 toward the sewing station 107, which will be described later.

"Sewing Station 107"

At the sewing station, as shown in particular in the plan view of Figure 2 and the perspective view of Figure 29, several members are provided outside the carousel 5.

The components and operation of the sewing station will now be described with specific reference to Figures 2, 27-29, and 30(A)-30(H). The sequence of Figures 30(A)-30(H) details the various operations performed to sew together the annular band FA and the knitted product M.

More specifically, the sewing station 107 outside the carousel 5 is provided with a gripping unit 109 that cooperates with the mounting molds 7 that are sequentially arranged at the sewing station 107. As will be explained in more detail below, the function of the gripping unit 109 is to engage and rotate the mounting molds 7 to maintain the knitted product M and the annular band FA in a predetermined position on the mounting molds during sewing. The rotational movement of the mounting molds 7 allows the hem O1 of the annular band FA to be sewn along the opening edge MA of the knitted product M via the sewing device 111.

The gripping unit 109 includes a drag head 113 rotatably supported on a bearing structure 115. Line E-E indicates the horizontal axis of rotation of the drag head 113. The drag head 113 consists of a plurality of sectors or pliers 117 arranged around the axis of rotation E-E and is actuated by an actuator 119, for example a pneumatic cylinder-piston actuator, to move the pliers 117 radially in the direction of the axis E-E.

The drag head 113 is supported via bearings 121 for free rotation and is driven by a motor 123 via a belt 125, rotating around axis E-E (see Figure 28 in particular). A rotary joint 127 is provided to supply air pressure to the actuator 119 when the drag head 113 rotates.

The drag head is controlled by an actuator 131 that controls the movement of a slide 133 on which the drag head 113 and each motor 123 are supported, and is configured to move radially relative to the axis A-A according to the double arrow f113.

The operations performed at the sewing station 107 are shown in the sequence of Figures 30(A) through 30(H) and are briefly described below. In Figure 30(A), the mounting mold 7 having the annular band FA and knitted product M is aligned with the drag head 113 of the sewing station 107. The sewing device 111 is in front of the drag head 113. The drag head 113 moves radially toward the rotation axis A-A of the carousel 5 until the pliers 117 surround the mounting mold 7, and the sewing device 111 translates radially outward toward the mounting mold 7 (see Figure 30(B)).

The pliers 117 of the drag head 113 are then closed against the mounting mold 7, and the sewing device 111 is moved toward the mounting mold 7 (see FIG. 30(C)). FIG. 30(D) shows further radial inward movement of the drag head 113 to slide the annular band FA and the body portion of the knitted product M toward the axis A-A, increasing the fabric portions of the annular band FA and the knitted product M that protrude beyond the first boundary 75.1 of the mounting surface, if necessary, to facilitate sewing. The sewing device 111 is also moved further toward the mounting mold 7.

Figure 30(E) shows the relative positions of various components at the sewing station 107 during sewing. Sewing is performed by rotating the drag head 113 about axis E-E using the motor 123. The drag head 113 drives the mounting mold 7, on which the annular band FA and knitted product M are mounted, to rotate relative to the sewing device 111. During rotation, the sewing device 111 performs sewing. To achieve this rotation, the mounting mold 7, which was previously prevented from rotating by the actuator 83, can be released to rotate freely about the same mounting mold axis.

In Figure 30(F), the stitching device disengages, cutting the chain and allowing the mounting die 7 to rotate and be properly phased for subsequent operation. In Figure 30(G), the pliers 117 of the drag head 113 open to prevent rotation of the mounting die 7 after it has been relocked by the actuator 83.

Finally, as shown in Figure 30(H), the drag head 113 and stitching device 111 are completely disengaged from the former 7, allowing the former to be transported through the rotation of the carousel 5 to the subsequent unloading station 135, the components and operation of which are described below.

"Removal Station 135"

The structure of the removal station 135 for removing the finished garment I from the wearable mold 7 will now be described, first with reference to Figures 31, 32(A), and 32(B). Figure 31 is a perspective view of the removal station 135 with the wearable mold 7 disposed therein. Figure 32(B) is a view along a vertical plane containing the rotational axis A-A of the carousel 5. Figure 32(A) is a view along a plane perpendicular to the plane of the view of Figure 32(B), and for simplicity of illustration, some components of the removal station 135 have been omitted. The sequence shown in Figures 32(A) to 32(S) illustrates the operations performed in the removal station 135, which will be described below.

The removal station 135 includes a bearing structure 137 that carries a member for engaging with a garment I attached to a mounting mold 7 consisting of an annular band FA and a knitted product M, and for removing the garment I from the mounting mold 7.

More specifically, the bearing structure 137 is provided with two removal members 139 for removing the knitted product M to which the elastic band FA is sewn. Each of the two removal members is constituted by or includes two pairs of removal fingers 139. Hereinafter, the reference numeral 139 specifically denotes the two pairs of removal fingers. These pairs are horizontally movable relative to each other and are configured to move toward and away from each other as part of the two removal members. The fingers are movable along a crossbar 141 carried by the bearing structure 137, to which a guide 142 is fixed for sliding a carriage 143 on which the two pairs of fingers 139 are mounted. An actuator 145, for example, a pneumatic cylinder-piston actuator, controls the movement of the two carriages 143 toward and away from each other, and therefore the movement of the two pairs of fingers 139 in the direction f139. A pad 147 is hingedly connected to each carriage 143 and cooperates with each pair of fingers 139. Each pad is controlled to be pressed against or away from the pair of fingers 139 by an actuator 149, such as a pneumatic cylinder piston actuator, supported by each carriage 143.

The crossbar 141 is supported by a slide 151 that is movable along a guide 153. The double arrow f151 indicates the direction of movement of the slide 151, which is perpendicular to the crossbar 141 and radial to the rotation axis A-A of the carousel 5. The movement of the slide 151 is controlled by a motor 155 fixed to the bearing structure 137.

Supported on the bearing structure 137 are a pair of removal rollers 157, which are parallel to each other and have horizontal axes. The removal rollers 157 are supported by a crossbar 159, which is supported by a vertical post 161 having an axis F-F. Via a motor 163, the vertical post 161 rotates the crossbar 159 about the axis F-F.

Next, the operations performed at the removal station 135 to remove the garment from the wearable mold 7 to be removed will be described with reference to the sequence shown in Figures 32(A) to 32(S).

As noted above, Figures 32(A) and 32(B) show two views of the unloading station 135 and the mold 7 positioned therein. For clarity of presentation, the mechanical structure associated with the mold 7, as well as the unloading roller 157 and respective bearing structures, have been omitted. In the process shown in Figures 32(A) and 32(B), the fingers 139 and pads 147 are in a spread position and are outside the mold 7, i.e., at a greater distance from axis A-A than the mold 7. This spaced position allows the mold 7 to be inserted into the unloading station 135.

The slide 151 is then translated onto the rotation axis A-A of the carousel 5, bringing the fingers 139 and pads 147 to a position between the mounting mold 7 and the rotation axis A-A of the carousel 5, i.e., behind the mounting mold 7, as shown in FIG. 32(C). In this position, the carriages 143 move toward each other, moving the two pairs of fingers 139 toward each other, while the pads 147 are spaced apart from each other. As shown in FIG. 32(D), following this movement of the carriages 143 toward each other, the fingers 139 are positioned inside a cylindrical surface that forms an ideal extension of the mounting surface 75 of the mounting mold 7, while the pads 147 are positioned outside this cylindrical surface.

32(E), the slide 153 moves in the opposite direction until the fingers 139 are positioned inside the cylindrical wall 73 of the mounting mold 7, while the pad 147 is positioned laterally outside the cylindrical wall 73. Note that the angular position of the mounting mold 7 is such that the recesses 77 are aligned with the fingers 139. This allows the fingers 139 to move away from each other through symmetrical movement of the carriage 143. As this occurs, the fingers 139 pass through the recesses or openings 77 and move outward from the cylindrical wall 73 and mounting surface 75, as shown in FIG. 32(F). The pad 147 is still separated from the fingers 139. This stretching action of the pair of fingers 139 stretches the annular band FA and the body portion C of the knitted product M over the fingers 139, partially separating them from the mounting surface 75 of the mounting mold 7.

In the subsequent step shown in Figure 32(G), the pad 147 is actuated by the actuator 149 and pressed against the fingers 139, so that the garment I formed by the circular band FA and the knitted product M is clamped between the two pairs of fingers 139.

Now that the fingers 139 and pad 147 are outside the mold 7, the slide 151 can be moved radially outward, away from the rotational axis A-A of the carousel 5, to the position shown in FIGS. 32(H) and 32(I), away from the mold 7. The garment I is thus removed from the mounting surface 75 of the mold 7, while the annular band FA and the body portion C of the knitted product M remain engaged by the fingers 139, which are pressed against the fingers by the pad 147. The leg piece G is still inside the suction tube 79. A rod 165 rotatably supported in the bearing structure 133 can be inserted into the space formed between the fingers 139 and the mold 7. The rod 165 rotates about a horizontal axis (arrow f165 in FIG. 32(J)) controlled by an actuator, such as a pneumatic cylinder/piston actuator 167, and can be moved from a vertical position (FIGS. 32(A)-32(I)) to a horizontal position.

From the position shown in Figure 32(J), movement of the slide 169, on which the rod 165 and actuator 167 are mounted, causes the rod 165 to move vertically downward. Reference numeral 171 denotes a guide, along which the slide 169 moves. This downward movement (arrow f165X in Figures 32(L) and 32(M)) completely removes the leg piece G from the suction tube 79.

Figures 32(N), 32(O), and 32(P) show further movement of slide 151, which subsequently moves annular band FA and body portion C of knitted product M onto removal roller 157. Upon reaching the position shown in Figure 32(P), pad 147 and fingers 139 can release garment I, which is then transferred to removal roller 157. Removal is accomplished by moving pad 147 away from fingers 139 and rotating the fingers about their respective vertical axes.

In Figure 32(Q), garment I is being transferred onto removal roller 157. Once garment I, formed by knitted product M and annular band FA sewn thereto, is transferred onto removal roller 157, finger 139 and pad 147 move away from removal roller 157 toward rotation axis A-A of carousel 5, as shown in Figure 32(R), and removal roller 157 rotates about axis F-F, as shown in Figure 32(S), to present the garment to a worker or to a conveyor that transports the garment to a subsequent processing station, for example, to close the toe of leg piece G.

1 Device 3 Mounting station 5 Moving member: carousel 7 Mounting mold 9 Mounting station bearing structure 11 Storage space for annular band FA 13 Slide of pickup device 15 Pickup device 17 Guide of slide 13 19 Guide 21 of tensioning device 21 and pressing member 23 Stretching device 23 Pressing member 25 Engagement member 27 Positioning roller 29 Motor of roller 27 31 Slide of roller 27 33 Guide 31 of slide 35 Guide 37 of roller 27 Support carriage 38 for roller 27 and motor 29 Linear actuator 39 of carriage 37 Actuator 41 Head part of engagement member 43 Rack 45 Pinion 47 Electric motor 49 for moving head part 41 Motor for adhesive tape 51 Unwinding reel 53 Rewinding reel 55 Adhesive tape 57 Small guide roller 59 for guiding adhesive tape 55 Ring 61 of tensioning device 21 Finger 63 of tensioning device 21 Lever 65 of finger 61, actuator 67 of tensioning device 21, ring 69 of pressure member 23, pad 71, actuator 73 of pad 69, cylindrical wall 75 of mounting mold 7, mounting surface 75.1, first boundary 75.2 of the mounting surface, second boundary 77 of the mounting surface, recess or opening 79 in wall 73, suction tube 81, support upright 83 for mold and suction tube, stop actuator 85 for stopping rotation of mounting mold 7, connection part 87 of suction tube 79, mesh filter 89, band FA reading sensor 90, neutral station 91, mounting station 93 for mounting knitted product M on mounting mold 7, suction duct 95, suction port 97, blocking pad 99, actuator 101 of blocking pad 97, rotation actuation actuator 103 of suction duct 93, actuator 105 of suction port, central suction port 107 of mounting mold 7, sewing station 109, gripping unit 111, sewing device 113, drag head 115 Support structure 117 for drag head 113; Pliers or moving part 119 for drag head 113; Actuator 121 for pliers 117; Support bearing 123 for head 113; Motor 125 for head 113; Belt 127; Rotary joint 131; Actuator 133; Support slide 135 for drag head 113; Detachment station 137; Bearing structure 139 in detachment station; Detachment finger/member 141; Support crossbar 142 for finger 139; Guide 143 for finger 139; Carriage 145 for finger 139; Actuator 147 for finger 139; Pad 149; Actuator 151 for pad 147; Support slide 153 for crossbar 141; Guide 155 for slide 151; Motor 157 for slide 151; Detachment roller 159; Support crossbar 161 for detachment roller 157 Bearing post 163 of removal roller 157, rotation motor 165 of removal roller 157, rod 167, actuator 169 of rod 165, slide 171 of rod 165, guide A-A of slide 169, axis FA of carousel 5, circular band P, pile B-B of circular band FA, axis C-C of roller 27, axis D-D of mounting mold 7, vertical rotation axis M of stretching device 21, knitted product D, surface R of garment, back surface I of garment, garment MX, mark MA on circular band FA, opening edge E-E, rotation axis F-F of drag head 113, rotation axis of removal roller

Claims (30)

A method for assembling a fabric annular band (FA) having a first hem (O1) and a second hem (O2) and a knitted product (M) having a body (C) and two leg pieces (G), comprising:
The method, wherein the body portion terminates in an open edge (MA) for joining to an annular band (FA) along a first skirt (O1),
The method comprises:
a step of mounting an annular band (FA) on a mounting mold (7) having a substantially cylindrical outer mounting surface (75) extending around a central rotation axis (C-C) of the mounting mold (7), the mounting surface (75) being defined between a first boundary (75.1) and a second boundary (75.2), the step of mounting the annular band on the mounting mold (7) so that a first skirt (O1) of the annular band (FA) is near the first boundary (75.1) of the mounting surface, the step of mounting the annular band on the mounting mold (7) being carried out by a stretching device (21) adapted to receive and stretch the annular band (FA), the stretching device (21) and the mounting mold (7) being movable relative to each other, the stretching device (21) positioning the stretching device (21) around the mounting surface (75) of the mounting mold (7) and releasing the annular band (FA) onto the mounting surface (75) of the mounting mold (7);
a step of fitting a part of the body portion (C) of the knitted product (M) around a fitting mold (7) overlapping the annular band (FA) with the open edge (MA) aligned with the first hem portion (O1) of the annular band (FA), in which the part of the body portion (C) is fitted to the fitting mold (7) by inserting a leg piece (G) of the knitted product (M) into a suction port (105) that is substantially concentric with the fitting surface (75), inverting the part of the body portion (C) around the fitting mold (7), and abutting the inverted part against the annular band (FA) fitted to the fitting surface (75);
a step of joining the first hem portion (O1) of the annular band (FA) to the opening edge portion (MA) of the body portion (C), the joining step being carried out by a sewing device (111) that cooperates with a mounting form (7) to sew together the annular band (FA) and the knitted product (M) placed on the mounting form (7), the mounting form (7) and the sewing device (111) being configured to perform sewing by rotating the mounting form (7) around its axis (C-C);
and removing the knitted product (M) with the sewn annular band (FA) from the wearing mold (7) by a removing device. The step of attaching an annular band (FA) to the attachment mold (7)
Inserting a tensioning device (21) into the annular band (FA);
A step of engaging the annular band (FA) with a stretching device (21) and stretching the annular band (FA) with the stretching device (21) to form a space inside the annular band;
a step of moving the stretching device (21) to which the stretched circular band (FA) is applied and the wearable mold (7) toward each other, and placing the wearable mold (7) in the inner space defined by the circular band (FA);
transferring the annular band (FA) from the stretching device (21) to the mounting mold (7) and attaching the annular band to the mounting surface (75) of the mounting mold (7);
and moving the tensioning device away from the mounting form (7). Engaging the annular band (FA) with engaging members (25) attached to the outer surface of the annular band (FA) at at least two locations spaced apart from each other;
Lifting the annular band (FA) by the engaging member (25) and allowing the annular band (FA) to open by gravity;
Inserting a pair of substantially parallel positioning rollers (27) into the annular band (FA);
3. The method according to claim 2, further comprising the steps of: stretching the circular band (FA) by moving the positioning rollers (27) away from each other, releasing the circular band from the locking member (25), inserting the stretching device (21) into the circular band (FA), and then transferring the circular band (FA) from the pair of positioning rollers (27) to the stretching device (21) between the positioning rollers (27). The step of engaging the annular band (FA) with the engaging member (25) includes a step of attaching the outer surface of the annular band (FA) to an adhesive tape (55) that cooperates with or is part of the engaging member (25),
4. A method according to claim 3, characterized in that the step of releasing the annular band (FA) from the engagement member (25) preferably comprises the step of moving the annular band (FA) relative to an adhesive tape (55). a step of angularly positioning the annular band (FA) on the two positioning rollers (27) by rotating the two positioning rollers (27) synchronously;
5. The method according to claim 3 or 4, further comprising the step of detecting the desired angular position of the annular band (FA) using a mark (MX) made on the annular band (FA) and a sensor (89) adapted to detect the mark (MX). A step of transferring the circular band (FA) from the stretching device (21) to the wearing mold (7),
placing a plurality of pads (69) movable radially towards the axis (C-C) of the wearable mould (7) around the stretching device (21) and outside the annular band (FA) engaged by said stretching device;
moving the pad (69) radially toward the mounting surface (75) so that the pad (69) presses the annular band (FA) against the mounting surface;
and removing the tensioning device (21) from the annular band (FA) while maintaining the annular band (FA) on the mounting surface (75) with the pad (69) by moving the tensioning device (21) away from the mounting form. A step of stretching the annular band (FA) by a stretching device (21),
Inserting a plurality of adjacent tension elements (61) into an annular band (FA);
and moving the tensioning elements (61) away from each other and spaced apart from each other around the axis of the tensioning device (21), and attaching an annular band (FA) to the tensioning elements (61) from the outside and surrounding them. 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising the step of blocking the annular band (FA) against the mounting mold (7) with a blocking pad (97) to maintain the annular band (FA) in position against the mounting surface (75). a step of joining the first skirt portion (O1) of the annular band (FA) to the open edge portion (MA) of the body portion (C),
Rotating the mounting mold (7) around its axis (C-C);
and sewing the open edge (MA) of the body part (C) to the annular band (FA) by means of a sewing device (111) cooperating with the wearing form (7). maintaining the annular band (FA) and the body portion (C) in a blocked state against the mounting form (7) by a plurality of pliers (117) arranged circumferentially around the mounting surface (75) during rotation of the mounting form (7), and pressing the annular band (FA) and the body portion (C) against the mounting surface (75);
10. Method according to claim 9, characterized in that the pliers (117) are preferably electrically driven and drive the mounting mould (7) in rotation about its axis (C-C). A step of removing the knitted product (M) to which the annular band (FA) is sewn from the wearing mold (7),
Inserting a pair of removal members inside the side walls (73) of the mounting mold (7) that define the mounting surface (75);
moving the removal members (139) away from each other through the openings (77) in the mounting surface (75) to stretch the knitted product (M) and the annular band (FA) on the removal members (139);
and axially moving the removal member (139) and the mounting form (7) away from each other, thereby removing the knitted product (M) and the annular band (FA) from the mounting form (7). 1. An apparatus for joining a textile annular band (FA) having a first hem (O1) and a second hem (O2) to a knitted product (M) having a body (C) and two leg pieces (G), the body ending in an open edge (MA) intended to be joined to the annular band along the first hem (O1) of the annular band (FA),
at least one mounting mold (7) having a substantially cylindrical outer mounting surface (75) extending about its central rotation axis (C-C), said mounting surface (75) being delimited between a first boundary (75.1) and a second boundary (75.2), the mounting mold (7) having a suction port (105) substantially concentric with the mounting surface (75);
a stretching device (21) adapted to receive and stretch the circular band (FA), wherein the stretching device (21) and the mounting form (7) are movable relative to each other, so that the stretching device (21) is arranged around the mounting surface (75) of the mounting form (7) and the circular band (FA) is released onto the mounting surface (75) of the mounting form (7);
a pick-up device (15) adapted to remove the individual annular bands (FA) from the storage space (11) and to attach them to a stretching device (21);
a sewing device (111) adapted to cooperate with the mounting form (7) to sew together the circular band (FA) placed on the mounting form (7) and the knitted product (M), the mounting form (7) and the sewing device (111) being configured to perform sewing by rotating the mounting form (7) around its axis (C-C);
and a removal device for removing the knitted product with the sewn annular band (FA) from the wearing mold (7). a mounting station (3) provided with a pickup device (15) for mounting the annular band (FA) onto a mounting mold (7);
a loading station (91) for loading a knitted product (M);
a sewing station (107);
a removal station (135) for removing the knitted product (M) and the annular band (FA) sewn together,
A moving member (5) on which a wearable mold (7) is disposed,
13. Apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that the moving member (5) is configured to move the mould (7) sequentially through a number of successive stations. 14. Apparatus according to claim 13, characterized in that a further plurality of moulds (7) are arranged on the moving member (5), the moulds being identical to one another and selectively and sequentially moving through a plurality of stations. 15. Device according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the moving member is constituted by a carousel (5) rotating about a vertical axis (AA). A pickup device (15)
an engagement member (25) adapted to engage with the annular band (FA) in the storage space (11);
a pair of substantially parallel positioning rollers (27) whose center-to-center distance varies;
16. The device according to any one of claims 12 to 15, characterized in that the engaging member (25) and the pair of positioning rollers (27) are adapted to move relative to each other so as to insert the positioning rollers (27) into the annular band (FA) engaged by the engaging member (25). 17. Apparatus according to claim 16, characterized in that the positioning rollers (27) are motor-driven and rotate about their respective axes of rotation. a sensor (89) adapted to detect a mark (MX) on the annular band (FA),
18. The device according to claim 17, characterized in that the positioning roller (27) is driven in rotation by means of an electric drive system (29) controlled through a signal generated by the sensor (89) to position the annular band (FA) at an angle relative to the positioning roller (27). The engaging member (25) has a positioning system for positioning a portion of the adhesive tape (55) unwound from the adhesive tape reel (51) supported by the engaging member (25),
19. Device according to any one of claims 16 to 18, characterized in that the adhesive tape grips an annular band (FA). 20. The device according to any one of claims 16 to 19, characterized in that the engaging members (25) are controlled to move towards and away from a storage space (11) containing the annular bands (FA) in order to remove individual annular bands (FA) from the storage space (11) and place them in front of a positioning roller (27). The engaging member (25) and the positioning roller (27) are supported by a slide (13) movable towards and away from the stretching device (21);
a positioning roller (27) movable relative to the slide (13) parallel to its axis;
The slide (13) is preferably movable in a horizontal direction,
21. Device according to claim 20, characterized in that a storage space (11) is provided below the track of the slide. A stretching device (21)
adjacent positions arranged adjacent to each other near the axis of the stretching device (21);
and a plurality of tensioning elements (61) configured to alternate between mutually spaced positions spaced apart from one another around the axis of the tensioning device (21),
The tension elements (61) are adapted to be inserted into the annular band (FA) engaged by the pick-up device (15) in mutually adjacent positions,
22. The device according to any one of claims 12 to 21, characterized in that the tensioning elements (61) are adapted to keep the annular band (FA) in tension in the mutually spaced apart position and to create a space inside the annular band (FA) sufficient to arrange the annular band (FA) and the tensioning elements (61) concentrically around the mounting surface (75) of the mounting mold (7). 23. Apparatus according to any one of claims 12 to 22, characterized in that the stretching device (21) has a transfer movement between the pick-up device and the mould (7) and a rotation movement about an axis perpendicular to the axis of the stretching device and perpendicular to the direction of the transfer movement so as to selectively bring the pick-up device (15) and the mould (7) face to face. a pressing member (23) interposed between the stretching device (21) and the mounting mold (7), adapted to move parallel to the axis (C-C) of the mounting mold (7) to assume a position substantially concentric with the mounting mold (7) when the stretching device (21) and the mounting mold (7) are in a mutual position where the annular band (FA) is transferred from the stretching device (21) to the mounting mold (7);
24. The device according to any one of claims 12 to 23, characterized in that the pressing member (23) comprises a plurality of annular positioning pads (69) adapted to press the annular band (FA) engaged by the tensioning device (21) against the mounting surface (75) of the wearable mold (7) when the tensioning device is positioned around the mounting surface (75) of the wearable mold (7). 25. The device according to any one of claims 12 to 24, characterized in that the mounting mould (7) has a suction opening (105) surrounded by a mounting surface (75). The mounting mold (7) is rotatably supported about its axis (C-C) by a bearing structure;
26. Apparatus according to any one of claims 12 to 25, characterized in that a stop member (83) is adapted to selectively prevent rotation of the mounting mould (7) about its axis (C-C) to stop the rotation. At the loading station (91) where the knitted product (M) is loaded onto the loading mold (7), a blocking pad (97) is further provided which is adapted to act against the loading mold (7),
27. Apparatus according to any one of claims 12 to 26, characterized in that the blocking pad (97) is adapted to maintain an annular band (FA) in place on the mounting form (7) when a knitted product (M) is mounted on the mounting form. pliers (117) associated with the sewing device (111);
28. The device according to any one of claims 12 to 27, characterized in that the pliers are arranged circumferentially around the axis of the pliers and are adapted to be arranged circumferentially around the mounting form (7) when the mounting form (7) is arranged coaxially with the pliers (117) and to press against the mounting surface (75) of the mounting form (7) to maintain the body portion (C) and the annular band (FA) in a predetermined position on the mounting surface (75). 29. Apparatus according to claim 28, characterized in that the pliers (117) are motor-driven to rotate about their axis of rotation, driving the mounting die (7) in rotation together with the pliers during sewing. the removal device comprises a pair of removal members (139) that are relatively movable toward and away from each other and that are movable relative to the mounting mold (7) so as to be inserted into a volume enclosed by the mounting surface (75);
30. The device according to any one of claims 12 to 29, characterized in that the mounting surface (75) has an opening (77) that allows the removal member (139) to move from inside the volume enclosed by the mounting surface (75) to outside the mounting surface.