Device and method for sewing the toe of a tubular knitted article

Abstract

The device (1) comprises a continuous flexible member (7), configured and arranged to press with a branch thereof an end portion of the tubular knitted article (G1, G2) against a supporting surface (31) and to feed the tubular knitted article (G1, G2) along a feed path from an insertion position toward and through a sewing area in which there is arranged a sewing machine (5). In the insertion area the portion of continuous flexible member in contact with the tubular knitted article (G1, G2) forms a first curve (7A; 7B). In the sewing area, the continuous flexible member (7) co-acts with a convex deflector profile (25), which imparts to the continuous flexible member (7) a curvature with a convexity facing the same part as the convexity of the first curve (7A; 7B) of the continuous flexible member (7).

1 . A device for sewing a toe of a tubular knitted article, the device comprising:
 a continuous flexible member comprising a branch, said continuous flexible member being configured and arranged to press an end portion of the tubular knitted article with the branch against a supporting surface and to feed the tubular knitted article along a feed path from an insertion position toward and through a sewing area, wherein a sewing machine is arranged for sewing the toe of the tubular knitted article, wherein the branch of the continuous flexible member forms a curve in the insertion position wherein the continuous flexible member co-acts with a convex deflector profile in the sewing area, wherein the convex deflector profile forms a curvature in the continuous flexible member, the curvature comprising a convexity facing on a same side as a convexity of the curve of the continuous flexible member.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising an inserter for transferring the tubular knitted article from a first position to the insertion position between the continuous flexible member and the supporting surface, the convexity of the curve facing in a direction of feed of the tubular knitted article from the first position to the insertion position. 
     
     
         3 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the continuous flexible member forms a curved segment between the curve and the convex deflector profile, the curved segment comprising a concavity opposite with respect to a concavity of the curve. 
     
     
         4 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the convex deflector profile is formed by a stationary cam. 
     
     
         5 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the convex deflector profile comprises a maximum point positioned approximately at a sewing point of the sewing machine. 
     
     
         6 . The device as claimed in is  claim 1 , wherein the convex deflector profile is adjustable at least in a direction approximately orthogonal to the feed path of the tubular knitted article. 
     
     
         7 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the continuous flexible member forms another curve having an another curve convexity facing the same side as the convexity of the curve, the curve and the another curve being arranged in sequence along the feed path of the tubular knitted article. 
     
     
         8 . The device as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein each of the curve and the another curve formed by the continuous flexible member is adjustable. 
     
     
         9 . The device as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein each of the curve and the another curve of the continuous flexible member is formed by one or more of idle wheels and guide profiles, adjustable in position to change a shape of at least the curve. 
     
     
         10 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the supporting surface is at least partially formed by a plate movable in a direction approximately orthogonal to the feed path of the tubular knitted article and to a direction of insertion of the tubular knitted article. 
     
     
         11 . The device as claimed in  claim 10 , further comprising a movable presser arranged and controlled to pinch the tubular knitted article against the plate, outside a path defined by the continuous flexible member. 
     
     
         12 . The device as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the movable presser is controlled so as to move away from the plate and allow transfer of the tubular knitted article along the movable plate by friction of the continuous flexible member. 
     
     
         13 . The device as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the inserter comprises at least a pair of wings, the tubular knitted article being inserted on the pair of wings, the tubular knitted article being transferred in the insertion position via the pair of wings between the continuous flexible member and the supporting surface. 
     
     
         14 . The device as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the inserter comprises at least a pair of wings, the tubular knitted article being inserted on the pair of wings, the knitted article being transferred in the insertion position via the pair of wings between the continuous flexible member and the supporting surface, the pair of wings, the movable presser and the plate being arranged and controlled so that when the pair of wings are positioned between the plate and the movable presser with the tubular knitted article inserted thereon, the movable plate and the movable presser are moved toward each other pinching the tubular knitted article against the pair of wings, and the pair of wings are retracted and withdrawn from the tubular knitted article, the tubular knitted article remaining pinched between the plate and the movable presser. 
     
     
         15 . A method for sewing a toe of a tubular knitted article, the method comprising the steps of:
 engaging the tubular knitted article in an area of the toe of the tubular knitted article between an opposing surface and a continuous flexible member, the continuous flexible member forming a curve in an engaging area, the curve comprising a convexity facing the toe of the tubular knitted article;   the tubular knitted article via the continuous flexible member along an opposing surface toward a sewing area, imparting to the toe of the tubular knitted article an inverse curvature with respect to the curve of the continuous flexible member in the engaging area;   sewing the toe of the tubular knitted article via a sewing machine by feeding the toe of the tubular knitted article through a sewing area via the continuous flexible member, the continuous flexible member being curved in the sewing area according to a curvature having a convexity facing a same side as the curve of the continuous flexible member.   
     
     
         16 . The method as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein engaging the end of the tubular knitted article between the opposing surface and the continuous flexible member comprises the following steps:
 positioning an inserter between the opposing surface and the continuous flexible member, the tubular knitted article being arranged on the inserter;   pinching the tubular knitted article on opposite sides by the opposing surface and a movable presser, which pinch the tubular knitted article against the inserter;   withdrawing the inserter from the tubular knitted article, wherein the tubular knitted article is pinched between the movable presser and the opposing surface to retain a position of the tubular knitted article when the inserter is withdrawn from the tubular knitted article;   lifting the movable presser maintaining the tubular knitted article between the continuous flexible member and the opposing surface.   
     
     
         17 . The method as claimed in  claim 15 , further comprising the step of sequentially sewing two toes of two tubular knitted articles to form part of a garment, wherein the two tubular knitted articles are sewn according to mutually symmetric lines, each of the mutually symmetric lines being shaped to adapt to an asymmetrical profile of a toe-end of a foot.