A circular knitting machine with a needle cylinder configured to provide a tubular item and comprising a pickup device passing between a pickup position, in which it is arranged coaxially around the cylinder to pick up the item, and a position for its release at a station which is spaced laterally from the cylinder, at the station is a turning device comprising a lower portion forming an access inlet, the lower portion of the turning device being designed to accommodate coaxially the item to turn it, the circular machine comprises traction means acting on command at the outer surface of the tubular item and adapted to convey one portion of it at one accumulation region, the turning device being associated with suction means to transfer one portion of the tubular manufacture conveyed in the accumulation region toward the lower portion of the turning device through the access inlet.

The method for manufacturing tubular knitted articles (M) comprises the steps of: a) knitting a tubular knitted article (M) with the needle cylinder (3); b) transferring loops (MA) of a last-formed course of loops from the needles (5) of the needle cylinder (3) onto the pick-up members (27A, 27B) of a transfer unit (21), divided into two circular half-rings (25A, 25B, 27A, 27B) which can be overturned over each other; c) overturning one of the circular half-rings (25A, 25B, 27A, 27B) of pick-up members (27B) onto the other so as to arrange two edge portions of the final edge of the tubular knitted article (M) one onto the other; d) joining the two edge portions to one another by means of joining stitches (A, B, C, D) formed in intermediate spaces between adjacent pick-up members (27A), whereon the knitted tubular article (M) is retained; e) unloading the knitted tubular article (M) with the closed toe from the transfer unit (21).

The method for manufacturing tubular knitted articles (M) comprises the steps of: a) knitting a tubular knitted article (M) with the needle cylinder (3); b) transferring loops (MA) of a last-formed course of loops from the needles (5) of the needle cylinder (3) onto the pick-up members (27A, 27B) of a transfer unit (21), divided into two circular half-rings (25A, 25B, 27A, 27B) which can be overturned over each other; c) overturning one of the circular half-rings (25A, 25B, 27A, 27B) of pick-up members (27B) onto the other so as to arrange two edge portions of the final edge of the tubular knitted article (M) one onto the other; d) joining the two edge portions to one another by means of joining stitches (A, B, C, D) formed in intermediate spaces between adjacent pick-up members (27A), whereon the knitted tubular article (M) is retained; e) unloading the knitted tubular article (M) with the closed toe from the transfer unit (21).

A method for preparing a tubular article, such as a sock or the like, for automated pickup at the end of its forming on a double cylinder circular machine with at least one feed or drop, and to a double cylinder circular machine for the execution thereof. The method in question is executed on a machine with at least one feed or drop and with the needle cylinders actuatable with a rotary motion about their own axes with respect to needle actuation cams, to cams for actuating the knockover sinkers and to the feed or drop.

A method for preparing a tubular article, such as a sock or the like, for automated pickup at the end of its forming on a double cylinder circular machine with at least one feed or drop, and to a double cylinder circular machine for the execution thereof. The method in question is executed on a machine with at least one feed or drop and with the needle cylinders actuatable with a rotary motion about their own axes with respect to needle actuation cams, to cams for actuating the knockover sinkers and to the feed or drop.

A turning device for knitted tubular articles, particularly for turning inside-out tubular articles with pockets that protrude from the lateral surface thereof. The turning device in question comprises a main supporting structure which supports a tubular body arranged with its axis substantially vertical. The tubular body has its upper axial end beveled along a plane that is inclined with respect to its axis. The turning device comprises first actuation means which can be activated to perform a translation of the tubular body along its axis with respect to the main supporting structure. The tubular body is insertable, with its upper axial end, through an axial end of a tubular article in order to turn it inside out. The turning device comprises second actuation means which can be activated to rotate the tubular body about its own axis, through an angle of preset breadth, with respect to the main supporting structure.

A turning device for knitted tubular articles, particularly for turning inside-out tubular articles with pockets that protrude from the lateral surface thereof. The turning device in question comprises a main supporting structure which supports a tubular body arranged with its axis substantially vertical. The tubular body has its upper axial end beveled along a plane that is inclined with respect to its axis. The turning device comprises first actuation means which can be activated to perform a translation of the tubular body along its axis with respect to the main supporting structure. The tubular body is insertable, with its upper axial end, through an axial end of a tubular article in order to turn it inside out. The turning device comprises second actuation means which can be activated to rotate the tubular body about its own axis, through an angle of preset breadth, with respect to the main supporting structure.

A removal device for removing a knitted tubular manufacture from a circular knitting machine, comprising an annular removal body which supports a plurality of removal members arranged around the axis of the removal body, the removal body being arrangeable coaxially around the needle cylinder of a circular knitting machine, wherein the removal members are supported by a first annular portion and a second annular portion which can rotate with respect to each other about an oscillation axis to pass between a removal condition, in which they are arranged so as to form a circumference that is coaxial with the axis of the removal device, and a sewing condition, in which the annular portions are arranged so as to face each other.

A removal device for removing a knitted tubular manufacture from a circular knitting machine, comprising an annular removal body which supports a plurality of removal members arranged around the axis of the removal body, the removal body being arrangeable coaxially around the needle cylinder of a circular knitting machine, wherein the removal members are supported by a first annular portion and a second annular portion which can rotate with respect to each other about an oscillation axis to pass between a removal condition, in which they are arranged so as to form a circumference that is coaxial with the axis of the removal device, and a sewing condition, in which the annular portions are arranged so as to face each other.

A pick-up device for picking up a tubular knitted article from a circular knitting machine, comprising an annular pick-up body which supports pick-up elements which can slide relative to the pick-up body along radial directions. The end of each one of the pick-up elements has a seat which can engage a region of the stem of the needle located proximate to the latch of the needle on the opposite side with respect to the head of the needle. The device comprises actuation elements formed by elastic elements which act on the pick-up elements for their sliding toward the axis of the pick-up body and radial pushers which act on the pick-up elements for their sliding away from the axis of the pick-up body in contrast with the action of the elastic elements.