A textile tool part pair (15) consisting of two textile tool parts (16) and a method of equipping a textile machine with the aid of such a textile tool part pair (15) are disclosed. Each textile tool part (16) extends in a longitudinal direction (L) between a trailing end (21) and a leading end (22). Proceeding from the trailing ends (21) thereof, the textile tool parts (16) extend away from one another and counter to one another as far as the leading end (22). At the trailing ends (21), the two textile tool parts (16) of a common textile tool part pair (15) are interconnected by a predetermined breaking connection (45). The predetermined breaking connection (45) can be manually separated without tools, in particular by bending about a bending axis (A).

A textile tool part pair (15) consisting of two textile tool parts (16) and a method of equipping a textile machine with the aid of such a textile tool part pair (15) are disclosed. Each textile tool part (16) extends in a longitudinal direction (L) between a trailing end (21) and a leading end (22). Proceeding from the trailing ends (21) thereof, the textile tool parts (16) extend away from one another and counter to one another as far as the leading end (22). At the trailing ends (21), the two textile tool parts (16) of a common textile tool part pair (15) are interconnected by a predetermined breaking connection (45). The predetermined breaking connection (45) can be manually separated without tools, in particular by bending about a bending axis (A).

Some implementations of the described invention relate to a knitting needle. While this first knitting needle can have any suitable characteristic or component, in some cases, it defines a groove that extends longitudinally along a length of the knitting needle. In some cases, the groove opens near a point end (or distal end) of the first needle. Thus, in some cases, a tip of a second knitting needle can run through the groove, such that the tip of the second needle is able to readily pass under a portion of yarn (or other material) that is on the first knitting needle. In some cases, a proximal end of the knitting needle comprises an object that is wider than a width of a shaft of the needle. In some cases, the described knitting needle is coupled with another needle via a non-resilient coupler. Other implementations are described.

Some implementations of the described invention relate to a knitting needle. While this first knitting needle can have any suitable characteristic or component, in some cases, it defines a groove that extends longitudinally along a length of the knitting needle. In some cases, the groove opens near a point end (or distal end) of the first needle. Thus, in some cases, a tip of a second knitting needle can run through the groove, such that the tip of the second needle is able to readily pass under a portion of yarn (or other material) that is on the first knitting needle. In some cases, a proximal end of the knitting needle comprises an object that is wider than a width of a shaft of the needle. In some cases, the described knitting needle is coupled with another needle via a non-resilient coupler. Other implementations are described.

A circular knitting machine for hosiery, comprising at least one needle cylinder configured to provide a tubular item, and a pickup device which is adapted to pass between a pickup position and a release position at a further processing station, a turning device being provided which comprises a lower portion designed to accommodate coaxially the tubular item, wherein the circular machine comprises a lifting element which is adapted to pass between an inactive condition, in which it is arranged externally with respect to the region affected by the movement of the pickup device and of the corresponding tubular item and an active position, in which the lifting element is adapted to interact with at least one portion of the tubular item.

The linking device (9) includes a first bowed needle (17) mounted on a first shaft (13) and a second bowed needle (19) mounted on a second shaft (15). The first shaft (13) and the second shaft (15) are mutually inclined to each other and are controlled in order to pivot alternatingly around a pivot axis (A-A) of the first shaft (13) and a pivot axis (B-B) of the second shaft (15), respectively. The first shaft (13) is rigidly coupled to a first pin (27) pivoting therewith; the second shaft (15) is rigidly coupled to a second pin (31) pivoting therewith; and a slider (35) is slidingly mounted on the first pin (27) and on the second pin (31).

The linking device (9) includes a first bowed needle (17) mounted on a first shaft (13) and a second bowed needle (19) mounted on a second shaft (15). The first shaft (13) and the second shaft (15) are mutually inclined to each other and are controlled in order to pivot alternatingly around a pivot axis (A-A) of the first shaft (13) and a pivot axis (B-B) of the second shaft (15), respectively. The first shaft (13) is rigidly coupled to a first pin (27) pivoting therewith; the second shaft (15) is rigidly coupled to a second pin (31) pivoting therewith; and a slider (35) is slidingly mounted on the first pin (27) and on the second pin (31).

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).