APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING MEN'S SOCKS

Technical field

[01] The present invention relates to an apparatus for controlling men's socks to be used in association with machines for finishing said men's socks.

Prior art

[02] It is known, in the field of the production of textile items, that men's socks and other similar textile items are subjected to a number of finishing treatments intended to provide the socks with appropriate characteristics. In particular, men's socks are generally subjected to ironing or fixing treatment using pressurized steam. To carry out this treatment, men's socks are inserted and stretched on special templates, which are moved forward step by step through a number of operating stations where, for example, pressing and/or fixing by pressure steam are performed.

[03] Automatic machines are therefore known, which are capable of carrying out the aforementioned men's socks finishing treatments. The aforementioned machines generally provide a loading station for men's socks on respective templates, a series of operating stations wherein the treatment of men's socks inserted on the templates is performed and a station for extracting and discharging treated men's socks from the templates.

[04] The templates usually consist of a shaped plate of metallic material, for example aluminium, shaping an elongated portion from which a shaped end portion extends according to the profile of the foot; in particular, this terminal portion shapes the heel profile.

[05] An apparatus for finishing textile items such as men's socks and the like of this type is illustrated for example in European patent EP 1 604 057 and in patent application WO 2018/069806.

[06] Currently the insertion of men's socks to be treated on the templates is normally made manually by one or more operators, placed at the loading station.

[07] This operation is generally inconvenient, also in relation to the limited period of time in which the insertion of the socks on the templates must take place in order to follow high production rate required by the machine. In particular, in the case of men's socks, the shape of the heel on the templates is an obstacle to an easy insertion of men's socks on the templates. In fact, the operator, with a movement of his hands that hold the socks from the top to the bottom, puts on and stretch the socks on the templates that occur in the loading station moving in a vertical plane placed in front of the operator.

[08] The discontinuity determined by the heel on one side of the template makes the movement of the operator's arms and shoulders asymmetrical and scarcely ergonomic, and in particular of the shoulder on which the greatest effort is made. It is in fact evident that greater effort is required on the part of the shoulder that stretches the socks from the heel side.

[09] Obviously, the difficulty that is found in the manual insertion of men's socks on the templates affects the productivity of the machine. In fact, in order to maintain the speed imposed by the machine, it is often necessary to use more than one operator, for example two side by side operators, with an increase in the cost of labour. It should be noted that the operators usually work in an upright position in front of the loading station.

[10] A problem that arises in men's socks finishing is to perform an adequate quality control of the products. It is in fact known that socks can sometimes have defects which affect their quality, for example the presence of holes in the fabric, a tip that is not correctly sewn, a defective elastic edge, spinning and weaving defects such as loose threads or snags, uneven length.

[1 1] Currently, a quality control is generally made at the exit of the socks from the finishing apparatus. However, this procedure is not very efficient, as the detection of any defects is inaccurate and requires time and additional personnel. The socks must in fact be individually checked on both sides. It is also evident that this quality control method involves the need to perform treatments, with relative use of resources, on products that will subsequently be discarded.

[12] Italian patent IT01264216 and Japanese patent JPS6278254 show examples of feeding apparatuses for women's socks fixing machines, equipped with a control station, which makes it possible to perform a quality control at the entrance of the socks in the fixing machine. However, even these solutions are not free from defects, which limit their effectiveness of use and productivity.

Disclosure

[13] The purpose of the present invention is to solve the above problems, devising an apparatus that allows quality control of men's socks to be loaded in a finishing machine for such men's socks to be made in an optimal manner in order to ensure making products without defects.

[14] Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for controlling men's socks that makes the insertion of the socks on the loading templates easy and ergonomic.

[15] Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for controlling men's socks, which enables the increase of the productivity of the finishing machine.

[16] A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for controlling men's socks, which has a simple construction and functional conception, equipped with a certainly reliable operation, a versatile use, as well as a relatively inexpensive cost.

[17] The above objects are achieved, according to the present invention, by the apparatus for controlling men's socks according to claim 1.

[18] The apparatus for controlling men's socks may be associated with a finishing machine for these men's socks.

[19] The apparatus for controlling men's socks comprises at least a pair of control templates arranged side-by-side in a vertical plane and adapted each to receive a men's sock at a control station wherein said control templates are arranged in a front plane at the work station of an operator.

[20] A handling means is associated with said pair of side-by-side control templates, adapted to alternately move control templates placed said side by side with said control station to a loading station of said men's socks on said finishing machine.

[21] Preferably, said control templates consist respectively of a cylindrical body with a vertical axis.

[22] More preferably, said cylindrical body has a domed top so that the insertion of said men's socks is facilitated.

[23] Preferably said cylindrical body of the control templates is made up by means of a pair of semi-cylindrical portions, suitably spaced from one another in order to define a space, which extends over the entire longitudinal extension of the cylindrical body.

[24] More preferably, respective enlarging means is adapted to enlarge said men's socks in said space to facilitate their transfer onto said finishing machine.

[25] Preferably, said each control template space extends in a vertical plane perpendicular to the laying plane of the templates of control placed side by side.

[26] Advantageously, the apparatus comprises a mirror arranged at the back of said frontal laying plane of the control templates when these are positioned in said control station.

[27] Preferably, a lighting means is associated with said mirror in order to facilitate the vision of men's socks to be checked.

[28] Preferably, said lighting means is arranged in the upper area of said mirror.

[29] Preferably, said handling means comprises a circular platform rotatably supported according to a vertical axis on command of a motor member.

[30] Advantageously, the apparatus comprises a first and a second pair of said control templates arranged in diametrically opposite positions on said circular platform.

[31] The present invention also concerns a method for controlling men's socks in a finishing machine for said men's socks, comprising the steps of a. preparing a pair of side-by-side control templates in a vertical plane at a control station, wherein said control templates are arranged in a laying plane facing the workstation of an operator, said control templates being constituted respectively by a cylindrical body with a vertical axis having a domed top so that the insertion of said men's socks is facilitated; b. inserting on each control template a relative men's sock, so that the respective heel of said men's socks is arranged in a vertical plane perpendicular to said front lying plane of said side-by-side control templates; c. making visual inspection of the quality of said men's socks; d. transferring said pair of side-by-side control templates to a loading station of said men's socks on said finishing machine.

[32] Advantageously, the method provides, during said step d. transferring said pair of side-by- side control templates into a loading station of said men's socks onto said finishing machine, simultaneously transferring a second pair of side-by-side control templates in a vertical plane at said control station.

[33] Advantageously, the method provides, after said step d. transferring said first pair of side- by-side control templates into a loading station of said men's socks onto said finishing machine, and simultaneously transferring a second pair of side-by-side control templates in a vertical plane at said control station, the further phase e. making automatic transfer of said men's socks from said first pair of templates to said finishing machine and at the same time inserting a relative men's sock on each control template of said second pair of control templates, so as to arrange respective heel of said men's socks is in a vertical plane perpendicular to said front laying plane of said side-by-side control templates.

[34] Advantageously, the method provides for inserting on each control templates a relative men's sock, so that said heel is arranged in said vertical plane on the side diametrically opposite to that on which said operator looks.

[35] Preferably, the method provides for making said visual inspection of said men's socks quality with the aid of a mirror placed behind said frontal plane at the work station of the control templates when these are positioned in said control station.

Description of drawings

[36] The details of the invention will be better disclosed in the detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus for controlling men's socks, illustrated only by way of non-limitative example in the accompanying drawings, where:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a machine for finishing men's socks equipped with the apparatus for controlling socks according to the present invention;

Figures 2 and 3 show respectively a front and a rear perspective view of the apparatus for controlling socks;

Figure 4 shows a perspective view of an operative area of the apparatus for controlling socks;

Figures 5 and 6 respectively show a front view and a plan view of said operative area of the apparatus for controlling socks.

Embodiments of the inventions

[37] With particular reference to these figures, the reference numeral 1 indicates the apparatus for controlling men's socks, which is the subject matter of the invention. The control apparatus 1 is provided with a frame 10, which is intended to be associated with a machine 2 for finishing such men's socks, for example an ironing and/or fixing machine, known in itself.

[38] The finishing machine 2 is adapted to move a plurality of ironing and/or fixing templates 20, in a known manner, through a number of operating stations wherein the socks are treated. In the shown case, the templates 20 have the profile shape of the foot and are mounted in pairs on transport devices 21 adapted to be operated synchronously by suitable handling means along a closed path that passes through the operating stations of the finishing machine 2. It is obviously possible to provide that the templates 20 are mounted on a finishing machine of different types, for example with a chain drive or a rotating carousel.

[39] The control apparatus 1 comprises at least one pair of control templates 1 1 , each adapted to receive a relative men's sock. The control templates 1 1 are arranged side-by-side in a vertical plane arranged, in use, in front of the operator, at a station C for controlling men's socks inserted on the control templates 1 1 .

[40] Preferably, as illustrated, the control apparatus 1 comprises a first and a second pair of control templates 1 1 arranged in diametrically opposite positions on a circular platform 12 rotatably supported on the frame 10. The circular platform is rotatable according to a vertical axis, on command of a motor member 13, in order to bring the control templates 1 1 side by side at a loading station L, where the transfer of the men's socks to the templates 20 of the finishing machine 2 is carried out.

[41] The control templates 1 1 consist respectively of a cylindrical body with a vertical axis.

Preferably, this cylindrical body has a domed top so as to facilitate the insertion of socks, as specified below. In particular, the cylindrical body is formed by means of two semi- cylindrical portions 1 1 a, 1 1 b, appropriately spaced from each other so as to define a space 14, which extends over the entire longitudinal extension of the cylindrical body. The space 14 of each control template 1 1 extends in a vertical plane perpendicular to the frontal laying plane of the control templates 1 1 placed side by side.

[42] Respective enlarging means 3 are adapted to move the men's socks through the space 14 of the control templates 1 1 to facilitate their transfer onto the templates 20 of the finishing machine 2.

[43] The apparatus also provides for a mirror 15 integral with the framework 10 arranged in a rear position to the front laying plane of the control templates 1 1 when these are positioned in the control station C. The mirror 15 enables the operator placed in the workstation to make the inspection of non directly visible portion of the men's socks inserted on the control templates 1 1.

[44] Suitable lighting means, for example LED lights, is associated with the mirror 15 to facilitate viewing of the socks to be checked. Such lighting means is preferably arranged at the upper zone of the mirror 15.

[45] The operation of the apparatus for controlling men's socks is easily understandable from the above description.

[46] The operator placed at the workstation in front of the control station C inserts in succession the men's socks to be treated on the pair of control templates 1 1 arranged in a vertical frontal plane at the aforesaid control station C. In particular, the operator inserts each sock on the cylindrical body of a relative loading template 1 1 so as to place the heel of this sock in a vertical plane perpendicular to the frontal lying plane of the control templates 1 1 ; more precisely, the sock is suitably fitted on the cylindrical body so that the heel is arranged on the side of this diametrically opposite cylindrical body with respect to that to which the operator looks at. Obviously, in this way the tip of the sock is arranged in front of the operator.

[47] If, during this step, the operator notices manufacturing defects of the socks, such as for example holes in the fabric, a tip that is not correctly sewn, a defective elastic edge, spinning and weaving defects such as loose threads or snags, uneven length and the like, stops the apparatus and removes the defective products. Conveniently, the defective socks can be introduced into a scrap selection device 6 carried by the frame 10 at the control station C. In the illustrated case, the selection device 6 provides four containers 60 intended to receive in a differentiated manner socks presenting four different types of defects. Preferably the containers 60 of the selection device 6 are provided with detecting means for the automatic counting of the rejected products for each type of defect.

[48] It should be noted that the insertion of the socks in the above described position, with the heel arranged on the side of the cylindrical body diametrically opposite to which the operator looks at, allows the operator to check the correct seam of the socks tip. On the other hand, the control of the absence of defects in the rear part of the socks, and in particular in the socks heel, is made by the operator with the aid of the mirror 15.

[49] Once the quality control of the socks has been successfully completed, the angular rotation of the circular platform 12 of the apparatus is activated, in order to move the control templates 1 1 at the loading station L of the men's socks onto the templates 20 of the finishing machine 2.

[50] It should be noted that the angular rotation of the circular platform 12 simultaneously brings the second pair of control templates 1 1 to the control station C. In this way, while in the loading station L the men's socks are automatically transferred onto the templates 20 of the finishing machine 2, the operator inserts a new pair of socks on the control templates 1 1 at the control station C and performs the inspection in order to verify the absence of defects. [51] In this way, downtime is avoided since the insertion of the socks on the control templates and the subsequent control take place simultaneously with the transfer of the previously controlled socks onto the templates of the finishing machine.

[52] The described apparatus therefore achieves the aim of optimally performing the quality control of men's socks to be loaded in a finishing machine for such men's socks, so as to ensure making products without defects.

[53] In particular, the described apparatus and method allow both the correct making of the seam, and the possible presence of defects on the entire surface of the socks to be verified. This ensures the absence of defects in the products leaving the finishing apparatus.

[54] A prerogative of the apparatus is that the movement performed by the operator to insert the socks onto the cylindrical bodies of the loading templates is perfectly ergonomic and therefore less tiring for the operator. In fact, with both forearms the operator performs the same symmetrical movement of lifting the sock to the top of the cylindrical body of the loading template and then putting it on the same cylindrical body. It should be noted that this insertion does not imply shoulder movements. The cylindrical shape of the loading templates makes insertion even easier.

[55] It is also possible to provide for the loading templates to be arranged at the most appropriate height from an ergonomic point of view, allowing for example the operator to insert the socks from a sitting position.

[56] It should be pointed out that this is possible because the operator does not have to lean inside the finishing machine to load the socks, as happens in the traditional technique. Conversely, the above loading templates are moved to an external area of the finishing machine by the circular platform on which the loading templates are mounted. It should be noted that conveniently the operator, in the sitting position, can place himself with his legs below the circular platform.

[57] Obviously the reduction in effort required from the operator also allows an increase in productivity.

[58] A further advantage offered by the apparatus is to allow the selective scrap of the possibly defective products before they undergo the finishing treatment. The costs related to the performing of superfluous treatments on products intended to be rejected are thus avoided.

[59] The apparatus for controlling men's socks, described by way of example, may have numerous modifications and variations according to the different requirements.

[60] In the practical embodiment of the invention, the materials used, as well as the shape and dimensions, may vary according to the requirements.

[61] Should the technical features mentioned in any claim be followed by reference signs, such reference signs were included strictly with the aim of enhancing the understanding of the claims and hence they shall not be deemed restrictive in any manner whatsoever on the scope of each element identified for exemplifying purposes by such reference signs.