Method and apparatus for closing a tubular knitted article at one of its axial ends, at the end of its production cycle on a circular knitting machine for hosiery or the like

Abstract

A method for closing a tubular knitted article (101) at one of its axial ends, at the end of its production cycle on a circular knitting machine for hosiery or the like, characterized in that it comprises an initial step of: – producing the article (101) up to the formation of the last row of knitting, at the axial end of the article that lies opposite the axial end at which knitting began, by retaining the loops of knitting of the last row of knitting in the head of the needles of the machine that formed them; and the following steps of: – individually picking up the loops of knitting by means of pick-up members (11); – removing the article (101) from the machine that produced it, retaining each loop of knitting of the last formed row of knitting by means of the pick-up members (11); – positioning the article (101) at a sewing or looping station; – the individual passage of the loops of knitting from the pick-up members (11) to spikes (4) of an annular handling device (60) composed of two semi-annular elements (3a, 3b) one of which can be overturned with respect to the other about a diametrical axis (202), at least one first group of spikes (4) having, along its longitudinal extension (102), at least one retention portion (5) which extends transversely with respect to the axis of longitudinal extension (102) of the spike (4), the individual passage step comprising a step of translating the corresponding loop of knitting from the pick-up members (11) at least to the corresponding retention portion (5) of the respective spike (4) of the at least one first group of the spikes; – turning the article (101) retained by the handling device (60); – superimposing each of the loops of knitting of one half-row of knitting on a corresponding loop of knitting of the other half-row of the last row of knitting on a same spike (4) of the handling device (60) by means of the overturning, through an arc of substantially 180° about the diametrical axis (202), of one of the two semi-annular elements (3b) of the handling device (60) with respect to the other semi-annular element (3a), – sewing or looping the mutually overlapping pairs of loops of knitting; – disengaging the article (101) from the handling device (60).

Description

[0001] METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CLOSING A TUBULAR KNITTED ARTICLE AT ONE OF ITS AXIAL ENDS, AT THE END OF ITS PRODUCTION CYCLE ON A CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINE FOR HOSIERY OR THE LIKE

[0002] The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for closing a tubular knitted article at one of its axial ends, at the end of its production cycle on a circular knitting machine for hosiery or the like.

[0003] As is known, tubular knitted articles, such as for example hosiery items, are generally manufactured by means of circular hosiery knitting machines and are unloaded from the machine with both of their axial ends open.

[0004] In the case of hosiery items, after being unloaded from the machine that produced them, it is necessary to close the toe, an operation that is carried out by means of sewing or looping machines.

[0005] Since this operation requires the use of additional machines and labor, which significantly affects the overall manufacturing costs of hosiery production, several techniques have been provided to automate the closing of the toe of hosiery items or, more generally, the closing of an axial end of tubular knitted articles manufactured with circular knitting machines for hosiery or the like.

[0006] The various techniques provided to date can be divided into two main categories: a first category comprising techniques based on performing the closure directly on the machine that produces the article, either at the beginning or at the end of its production, and a second category comprising techniques that are based on performing the closure in a dedicated sewing or looping station, which is spaced from the machine that produces the article.

[0007] The first category has the drawback of significantly limiting the machine productivity, since the closing operation takes a certain amount of time, during which the machine cannot produce a new article.

[0008] The second category, to which for example the technique described in IT 1,300,622 belongs, is able to at least partially obviate this problem, since the productive potential of the machines is penalized only as regards the time required for the removal of the article from the machine that produced it, after which time the machine can begin the production of a new article while the previous article is subjected to sewing or looping.

[0009] On the other hand, the operations for transferring the article from the production machine to the looping station often require the use of complex apparatuses that must ensure extremely precise operation.

[0010] EP2250305B1 in the name of Lonati describes a method for closing a tubular knitted article at one of its axial ends, at the end of its production cycle on a circular knitting machine for hosiery or the like, comprising an initial step of producing the article up to the formation of the last row of knitting, at the axial end of the article that lies opposite the axial end at which knitting began, by retaining the loops of knitting of the last row of knitting in the head of the needles of the machine that formed them, and characterized in that it comprises the following additional operating steps of:

[0011] - individually picking up the loops of knitting by virtue of pickup members arranged against the region of the stem of each needle located proximate to the latch on the opposite side with respect to the head;

[0012] - removing the article from the machine that produced it, retaining each loop of knitting of the last formed row of knitting by means of said pick-up members;

[0013] - positioning the article at a sewing or looping station;

[0014] - the individual passage of the loops of knitting from said pickup members to spikes of an annular handling device composed of two semiannular elements, one of which can be overturned with respect to the other about a diametrical axis;

[0015] - turning the article retained by said handling device;

[0016] - superimposing each of the loops of knitting of one half-row of knitting on a corresponding loop of knitting of the other half-row of said last row of knitting on a same spike of said handling device by means of the overturning, through an arc of substantially 180° about said diametrical axis, of one of said two semi-annular elements of the handling device with respect to the other semi-annular element;

[0017] - sewing or looping the mutually superimposed pairs of loops of knitting;

[0018] - disengaging the article from said handling device.

[0019] Conventional solutions, while valid, are in some cases complex from a construction standpoint.

[0020] Moreover, in conventional solutions the loops of knitting transferred to the handling device undergo, during the overturning of a semi-annular element and before the turning step, stresses due indeed to the overturning operations, which may cause a risk of removal of the loops of knitting from the respective spikes.

[0021] The aim of the present invention is to provide a method and an apparatus for closing a tubular knitted article at one of its axial ends at the end of its production cycle on a circular hosiery knitting machine or the like, which are capable of avoiding the drawbacks of the background art in one or more of the above cited aspects.

[0022] Within this aim, an object of the invention is to provide an apparatus that can be installed on a wide range of circular knitting machines for hosiery or the like.

[0023] A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus that is structurally simple, has a small space occupation, and can be manufactured at competitive costs.

[0024] Not least object of the invention is to provide a method and an apparatus for closing a tubular knitted article at one of its axial ends, at the end of its production cycle on a circular knitting machine for hosiery or the like, which are highly reliable, relatively easy to provide, and at competitive costs.

[0025] This aim, as well as these and other objects which will become better apparent hereinafter, are achieved by a method and an apparatus for closing a tubular knitted article at one of its axial ends, at the end of its production cycle on a circular knitting machine for hosiery or the like, according to the independent claims, optionally provided with one or more of the characteristics of the dependent claims.

[0026] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the description of some preferred, but not exclusive, embodiments of the method and apparatus for closing a tubular knitted article at one of its axial ends, at the end of its production cycle on a circular knitting machine for hosiery or the like according to the invention, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0027] Figure 1 is a schematic view of the step of positioning the article, retained by the pick-up members, at a sewing or looping station in which the handling device and the turner, shown in axial cross-section, are arranged;

[0028] Figures 2 to 3 are schematic views of the step of the individual transition of the loops of knitting from the pick-up members of the pick-up device to the spikes of the handling device, with the handling device and the turner shown in axial cross-section;

[0029] Figures 4 and 4a are schematic views of the step of turning the article retained by the handling device;

[0030] Figure 5 is a schematic view, in a cross-section similar to Figure 4, of the step of superimposing each of the loops of knitting of one half-row of knitting on a corresponding loop of knitting of the other half-row of the last row of knitting of the article on a same spike of the handling device by overturning, through an arc of substantially 180°, one of the two semiannular elements that compose the body of the handling device with respect to the other semi-annular element and the step of sewing or looping the pairs of mutually superimposed loops of knitting;

[0031] Figures 6 and 6a are respective lateral elevation views of two further embodiments of the handling device with the semi-annular elements arranged so as to be substantially coplanar;

[0032] Figures 7 and 7a are top views of the handling devices of Figure 6 and Figure 6a, respectively;

[0033] Figures 8 to 10 are views of the sequence of overturning a semiannular element through an arc of substantially 180°;

[0034] Figures 11 and 13 are perspective views, from two different viewpoints, of a first embodiment of the spikes of the first group of spikes;

[0035] Figures 12 and 14 are perspective views, from two different viewpoints, of a second embodiment of the spikes of the first group of spikes.

[0036] With reference to the figures, the apparatus according to the present invention, generally designated by the reference numeral 1, for closing a tubular knitted article 101 at one of its axial ends, at the end of its production cycle on a circular knitting machine for hosiery or the like, substantially comprises: a pick-up device 10, which can move from the machine (not shown) that is used to produce the article 11 to a sewing or looping station, spaced laterally to the machine, a handling device 60, a turner 130 and a sewing or looping head 170, which are arranged at the sewing or looping station.

[0037] The circular knitting machine for hosiery or the like that is used for the production of the article 101 is preferably constituted by a singlecylinder or double-cylinder circular machine provided, in a per se known manner, with a needle cylinder, with its axis oriented vertically. On the lateral surface of the needle cylinder there is a plurality of axial slots, each of which accommodates a needle which can be actuated with a reciprocating motion along the corresponding axial slot to form knitting.

[0038] Within the needle cylinder there may be, in a per se known manner, a suction tube, which is coaxial to the needle cylinder. This suction tube, the upper end of which is open and sometimes goblet- shaped, can move along the axis with respect to the needle cylinder in such a way that it can protrude, for a portion of its extension, from the upper end of the needle cylinder.

[0039] The needles are actuated in a per se known manner, for example, by means of cams, which are arranged around the needle cylinder and are engageable, as a result of the rotation of the needle cylinder about its axis relative to said cams, with the heels of the needles that protrude radially from the lateral surface of the needle cylinder. The machine, being substantially of a known type, is not described further for the sake of clarity.

[0040] The pick-up device 10 comprises an annular body which is arranged so that its axis I la is vertical; the body is preferably fixed to the end of an arm, which is arranged horizontally and is connected, with its opposite end, to a sleeve which has a vertical axis. The sleeve is fitted coaxially around a hollow shaft and is integral with it in rotation about its axis. The hollow shaft is supported, so that it can rotate about its axis, by a supporting structure, which can be constituted by the own supporting structure of the machine or by an independent supporting structure that is optionally associable with the supporting structure of the machine.

[0041] The body of the pick-up device 10 has, for example, a plurality of radial slots, within each of which a pick-up member 11 is accommodated so that it can slide.

[0042] Each pick-up member 11 advantageously has a laminar body that is arranged on a radial plane with respect to the axis 1 la of the body.

[0043] More particularly, the body of the pick-up device 10 carries as many pick-up members 11 as there are needles of the machine, and said pick-up members 11 are angularly spaced around the axis I la of the body in a manner that corresponds to the angular spacing, around the axis of the needle cylinder, that exists between the needles of the machine. Adapted control elements, usually provided in modern circular knitting machines for hosiery or the like, allow the precise angular positioning of the needle cylinder about its axis relative to the supporting structure of the machine and thus allow to position each needle of the machine in radial alignment with the seat of a corresponding pick-up member 11 when required.

[0044] The apparatus 1 moreover comprises a handling device 60 arranged at the sewing or looping station and provided with an annular body 3 composed of two semi-annular elements 3a and 3b with spikes 4 which are arranged according to a cylindrical surface having an axis 100 which coincides with the axis of the body of the handling device and are oriented axially.

[0045] For greater clarity, in Figures 7 to 10 only some of the spikes 4 have been shown, in dashed lines.

[0046] One of the two semi-annular elements (in the figures, the one designated by the reference numeral 3b) can be overturned with respect to the other semi-annular element 3a about a diametrical axis 202 so that its spikes 4 individually face, and are aligned with, the spikes of the other semi-annular element 3a, so as to allow the passage of the loops of knitting from the spikes 4 of one semi-annular element (in the specific case, the semi-annular element 3a) to the spikes 4 of the other semi-annular element (the semi-annular element 3b) of the body of the handling device.

[0047] The transition of the loops from the needles of the semi-annular element 3a to those of the semi-annular element 3b can be performed by using a presser element or pusher 6.

[0048] The apparatus 1 further comprises a turner 130 for tubular articles 101 which is arranged at the sewing or looping station and can be operate to turn a tubular article that is retained, at one of its axial ends, by the spikes 4 of the handling device 60.

[0049] The sewing or looping head 170 is arranged at the looping station and is provided with per se known sewing or looping elements which interact with the spikes 4 of a semi-annular element of the body of the handling device 60 to close the axial end of the article 101 by joining the pairs of loops of knitting carried by a same spike 4 of the semi-annular element of the body of the handling device.

[0050] According to the present invention, at least one first group of the spikes 4 has, along its longitudinal extension 102, at least one retention portion 5 which extends transversely with respect to the axis of longitudinal extension of the pick-up spike 4.

[0051] The apparatus moreover has axial pusher means 7 which interact with the pick-up members 11 of the pick-up device 10 in the sewing or looping station and with said spikes 4 of the handling device 60 to perform the individual passage of the loops of knitting from the pick-up elements 11 to the spikes 4 of the handling device 60.

[0052] In particular, the axial pusher means 7 are adapted to translate the loops of knitting designed to be transferred to the spikes 4 of the first group of spikes at least up to the corresponding retention portion 5.

[0053] It is desirable to provide that the first group of pick-up spikes 4 have, along their longitudinal extension 102, at least one retention portion 5 constituted by at least the pick-up spikes of the semi-annular elements 3a and 3b arranged proximate to the diametrical axis 202 around which the semi-annular element 3b can be overturned.

[0054] Moreover, some of the spikes 4 have a longitudinal groove 4a designed to define a longitudinal seat configured to accommodate a portion of the sewing needle during the sewing process.

[0055] As is known, the spikes 4 can be of the "male" type and the "female" type.

[0056] The "female" type spikes, shown for example in Figure 12 and Figure 14, have a front recess 4b intended to accommodate a portion of the tip of a "male" type spike at the end of the overturning step, so as to facilitate the transfer of the loops of knitting.

[0057] In any case, the first group of spikes 4 may correspond to all the spikes of the semi-annular elements 3a and 3b, or said first group of spikes 4 can comprise a plurality of spikes arranged so as to be angularly spaced around the axis 101 and possibly alternating with spikes not provided with the retention portion 5.

[0058] Preferably, between the supporting structure 3c of the semi-annular elements 3a, 3b and the semi-annular element 3b there are two articulation hinges 3d, 3d' arranged on diametrically opposite sides with respect to the annular body 3.

[0059] With reference to the embodiment shown in Figures 6 and 7, the two hinges 3d, 3d' are arranged externally with respect to the annular body, so that during the overturning of the semi-annular element 3b about the axis 202 to make its spikes 4 individually face, and align with, the spikes 4 of the other semi-annular element in order to allow the loops of knitting to pass from the spikes of one semi-annular element 3a to the spikes of the other semi-annular element 3b of the body of the handling device 60, the loops of knitting engaged with the spikes 4 arranged proximate to the axis 202 are less subject to force and stressed.

[0060] Nothing of course forbids, as shown in the embodiment of Figures 6a and 7a, the use of a handling device 60 with a "traditional" annular body 30, i.e., in which the articulation hinges 3d, 3d' are arranged internally with respect to the annular body 3.

[0061] According to a preferred embodiment, the retention portion 5 comprises a body 5a which is elastically deformable in a radial direction with respect to the direction of extension 102 of the spike 4 to pass from an extended condition, in which it has a first space occupation in the radial direction, to a retracted condition, in which it has a second space occupation that is smaller than the first space occupation.

[0062] In particular, the elastically deformable body 5a is configured to pass from the extended condition to the retracted condition as a result of the sliding of a respective loop of knitting at the retention portion 5 and is adapted to pass from the retracted condition into the extended condition once the loop of knitting has moved beyond the retention portion 5.

[0063] By way of example, the elastically deformable body 5a comprises a leaf spring.

[0064] According to a preferred embodiment, the body of the handling device 2 is oriented so that its axis 100 is vertical.

[0065] Preferably, the turner 130 is arranged in the sewing or looping station and is composed of a lower portion (not shown) and an upper portion, which can be positioned coaxially to each other, along a main vertical axis that coincides with the axis 100 of the body of the handling device 60.

[0066] The turner 130 comprises a tubular body 31a that is insertable upward from below through the body of the handling device to turn the article 101 that hangs from the spikes 4, everting it onto its outer lateral surface, as will become better apparent hereinafter.

[0067] The lower portion of the turner 130 comprises lower supporting means of the tubular body and lower actuation means for the same tubular body along the axis I la to make the tubular body pass through the body of the handling device 60 starting from a lowered position, in which the tubular body faces with its upper axial end in a downward region with respect to the body of the handling device 60, to a raised position, in which it is arranged with its upper axial end above the body of the handling device 2 and with its lower axial end proximate to the body of the handling device 2.

[0068] According to a further aspect, the present invention relates to a method for closing a tubular knitted article 101 at one of its axial ends at the end of its production cycle on a circular knitting machine for hosiery or the like.

[0069] By virtue of the presence of the elastically deformable body 5a, the loops of knitting of the last row of knitting that are arranged around the spike 4 are retained stably, even during the operations for overturning the semi-annular element 3b.

[0070] In fact, during the operations for overturning the semi-annular element 3b, near the diametrical axis 202, the displacement of the spikes 4 generates a tension on the sinker loops (interposed between the loops of knitting accommodated around spikes 4), and said tension tends to make the loop of knitting slide toward the free end of the spike 4.

[0071] The presence of the elastically deformable bodies 5a retains the respective loops of knitting on the spikes, contrasting their slippage.

[0072] If there are heavy yarns, it is useful to use spikes 4 with elastically deformable bodies 5a along the entire extension of the annular body 3.

[0073] The method according to the invention provides for an initial step of:

[0074] - producing the article 101 up to the execution of the last row of knitting, at the axial end of the article that is opposite with respect to the axial end at which knitting began, retaining the loops of knitting of the last row of knitting in the head of the needles 12 of the machine 10 that formed them; and provides for the following steps of:

[0075] - individual picking up of the loops of knitting by means of pick-up members 11;

[0076] - removing the article from the machine that produced it, retaining each loop of knitting of the last row of knitting formed by means of the pick-up members 11 ;

[0077] - positioning the article 101 at a sewing or looping station;

[0078] - individually passing the loops of knitting from the pick-up members 11 to spikes 4 of an annular handling device 60 composed of two semiannular elements 3a, 3b, one of which can be overturned with respect to the other about a diametrical axis 202, at least one first group of the spikes 4 having, along its longitudinal extension 102, at least one retention portion 5 which extends transversely with respect to the axis of longitudinal extension 102 of the spike 4, the individual transition step comprising a step of translating the corresponding loop of knitting from the pick-up members 11 at least to the corresponding retention portion 5 of the respective spike 4 of the at least one first group of spikes;

[0079] - turning the article retained by the handling device 60;

[0080] - superimposing each of the loops of knitting of one half-row of knitting on a corresponding loop of knitting of the other half-row of the last row of knitting on a same spike 4 of the handling device by overturning, through an arc of substantially 180° about the diametrical axis 202, one of the two semi-annular elements 3b of the handling device 60 with respect to the other semi-annular element 3a;

[0081] - sewing or looping the mutually superimposed pairs of loops of knitting;

[0082] - disengaging the article from the handling device 60.

[0083] Preferably, the retention portion 5 comprises a body 5a which is elastically deformable radially with respect to the direction of extension 10 of the spike 4 to pass from an extended condition, in which it has a first space occupation in a radial direction, to a retracted condition, in which it has a second space occupation that is smaller than said first space occupation.

[0084] Advantageously, the elastically deformable body 5a is configured to pass from the extended condition to the retracted condition as a result of the sliding of a respective loop at the retention portion 5 and is adapted to pass from the retracted condition to the extended condition once the loop has moved beyond the retention portion 5.

[0085] By way of example, the elastically deformable body 5a comprises a leaf spring.

[0086] According to a possible embodiment, the superimposing step comprises a step of pushing, for example by means of a presser element or pusher 6, the loops of knitting arranged around the spikes 4 of the semi- annular element 3b toward the corresponding spikes of the other semiannular element 3a.

[0087] In practice it has been found that the invention achieves the intended aim and objects, by providing an apparatus for closing a tubular knitted article at one of its axial ends, which allows to simplify the operations for transferring the article from the circular machine to the sewing or looping station.

[0088] In particular, the provided solution in practice allows to extremely efficiently manage the transfer of the loops of knitting from the pick-up members to the spikes.

[0089] The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims; all the details may furthermore be replaced with other technically equivalent elements.

[0090] In practice, the materials used, so long as they are compatible with the specific use, as well as the contingent shapes and dimensions, may be any according to the requirements and the state of the art.

[0091] The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. 102023000015648 from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference.

[0092] Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A method for closing a tubular knitted article (101) at one of its axial ends, at the end of its production cycle on a circular knitting machine for hosiery or the like, characterized in that it comprises an initial step of:- producing the article (101) up to the formation of the last row of knitting, at the axial end of the article that lies opposite the axial end at which knitting began, by retaining the loops of knitting of said last row of knitting in the head of the needles of the machine that formed them; and the following steps of- individually picking up the loops of knitting by means of pick-up members (11);- removing the article (101) from the machine that produced it, retaining each loop of knitting of the last formed row of knitting by means of said pick-up members (11);- positioning the article (101) at a sewing or looping station;- the individual passage of the loops of knitting from said pick-up members (11) to spikes (4) of an annular handling device (60) composed of two semi-annular elements (3 a, 3b) one of which can be overturned with respect to the other about a diametrical axis (202), at least one first group of said spikes (4) having, along its longitudinal extension (102), at least one retention portion (5) which extends transversely with respect to the axis of longitudinal extension (102) of said spike (4), said individual passage step comprising a step of translating the corresponding loop of knitting from said pick-up members (11) at least to the corresponding retention portion (5) of the respective spike (4) of said at least one first group of said spikes;- turning the article (101) retained by said handling device (60);- superimposing each of the loops of knitting of one half-row of knitting on a corresponding loop of knitting of the other half-row of said last row of knitting on a same spike (4) of said handling device (60) by means of the overturning, through an arc of substantially 180° about saiddiametrical axis (202), of one of said two semi-annular elements (3b) of the handling device (60) with respect to the other semi-annular element (3a),- sewing or looping the mutually overlapping pairs of loops of knitting;- disengaging the article (101) from said handling device (60).

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that said retention portion (5) comprises a body (5a) which is elastically deformable in a radial direction with respect to the direction of extension (102) of said spike (4) for passing from an extended condition, in which it has a first space occupation in a radial direction, to a retracted condition, in which it has a second space occupation that is smaller than said first space occupation.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that said elastically deformable body (5a) is configured to pass from said extended condition to said retracted condition as a result of the sliding of a respective loop at said retention portion (5) and is adapted to pass from said retracted condition to said extended condition once said loop has moved beyond said retention portion (5).

4. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that said elastically deformable body (5a) comprises a leaf spring.

5. An apparatus for closing a tubular knitted article (101) at an axial end thereof, at the end of its production cycle on a circular knitting machine for hosiery or the like, comprising:- a pick-up device (10) provided with an annular body which supports pick-up members (11), which can engage the needles of the machine and are adapted to pick up individually the loops of knitting retained on said needles; said pick-up device (10) being movable on command from a pick-up position, in which it is arranged with its body coaxially around the needle cylinder of the machine, to a release position, in which it is arranged with its body at a sewing or looping station which isspaced laterally to the machine;- a handling device (60), arranged at said sewing or looping station and provided with an annular body (3) composed of two semi-annular elements (3a, 3b) with spikes (4), which are arranged along a cylindrical surface having an axis (100) which coincides with the axis (1 la) of the body of the handling device (60) and are oriented axially; one of said two semiannular elements (3b) allowing to be overturned with respect to the other semi-annular element (3a) around a diametrical axis (202) in order to make its spikes (4) individually face and align with the spikes (4) of the other semi-annular element to allow the passage of the loops of knitting from the spikes of one semi-annular element to the spikes of the other semi-annular element of the body of the handling device (60),- a turner (130) for tubular articles (101), which is arranged at said sewing or looping station and can be operated to turn a tubular article retained, at an axial end thereof, by the spikes (4) of said handling device (60);- a sewing or looping head (170), which is arranged at said looping station and is provided with sewing or looping elements which interact with the spikes (4) of a semi-annular element of the body of said handling device (60) in order to close the axial end of the article by joining the pairs of loops of knitting carried by a same spike (4) of said semi-annular element of the body of the handling device (60); characterized in that the spikes of at least one first group of said spikes (4) have, along their longitudinal extension (102), at least one retention portion (5) which extends transversely with respect to the axis of longitudinal extension of said pick-up spike (4), axial pusher means (6) being furthermore provided which interact with said pick-up members (11) of the pick-up device (10) in said sewing or looping station and with said spikes (4) of the handling device (60) to individually pass the loops of knitting from said pick-up members (11) to said spikes (4) of the handlingdevice (60), said axial pusher means (6) being adapted to translate the loops of knitting intended to be transferred to the spikes (4) of said first group of spikes at least up to the corresponding retention portion (5).

6. The apparatus (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that said retention portion (5) comprises a body (5a) which is elastically deformable in a radial direction with respect to the direction of extension (102) of said pick-up spike (4) in order to pass from an extended condition, in which it has a first space occupation in a radial direction, to a retracted condition, in which it has a second space occupation which is smaller than said first space occupation.

7. The apparatus (1) according to one or more of claims 5 to 6, characterized in that said elastically deformable body (5a) is configured to pass from said extended condition to said retracted condition as a result of the sliding of a respective loop of knitting at said retention portion (5) and is adapted to pass from said retracted condition to said extended condition once said loop has moved beyond said retention portion (5).

8. The apparatus according to one or more of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that said elastically deformable body (5a) comprises a leaf spring.

9. The apparatus (1) according to one or more of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that said first group of pick-up spikes (4) having said at least one retention portion (5) comprises at least the pick-up spikes of the semi-annular elements (3a, 3b) that are arranged proximate to the diametrical axis (202) around which the semi-annular element (3b) can be overturned.

10. The apparatus (1) according to one or more of claims 5 to 9, characterized in that said first group of pick-up spikes (4) comprises all the spikes of said semi-annular elements (3a, 3b).

11. The apparatus (1) according to one or more of claims 5 to 10, characterized in that said overturning semi-annular element (3b) issupported, so that it can rotate about the axis (202), by an oscillation structure (3c) which has at least one hinge (3d, 3d') for articulation with the semi-annular element (3b) which is arranged externally with respect to the extension of the annular body (3).

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