Method and automatic apparatus for ironing socks

Abstract

 A method and an automatic apparatus (10) suitable for steam-ironing pairs of socks and the subsequent removal from respective pairs of ironing forms (14A, 14B), maintaining the socks of each pair alongside one another. The ironing forms (14A, 14B) for each pair of socks are fastened to a pair of shuttles (13A, 13B) configured and positioned for supporting the two ironing forms (14A, 14B) on parallely arranged and spaced apart planes. Each pair of shuttles (13A, 13B) are sequentially movable along branches (I, II, III, IV) of a quadrangular path comprising a boarding zone (15) for loading each pair of socks wherein the shuttles and the ironing forms (14A, 14B) of each pair of shuttles (13A, 13B) are axially spaced apart from one another; the apparatus further comprises a set of combs (40, 43) for approaching and moving away the pairs of shuttles (13A, 13B) at the boarding zone (15) an ironing station (17), a drying station (18) and a station (19) for removal at each pairs of socks by maintaining each pair of ironing forms (14A, 14B) and each pair of socks, alongside one another.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention refers to a method and to an automatic apparatus suitable for simultaneously ironing pairs of men's socks, in particular for coupling, ironing, drying and subsequently removing the men's socks for packaging, maintaining side by side arranged the socks of each pair of socks.

STATE OF THE ART

[0002] Methods and apparatuses for steam-ironing and drying men's socks are well known and used on automatic packaging lines.

[0003] US 1,062,510, US 3,481,516 and EP 1 604 057 illustrate automatic apparatuses for steam ironing and drying of men's socks, wherein the socks are placed on flat ironing and/or drying forms vertically arranged on respective carriages that are moved in sequence and in a controlled manner along a quadrangular path. In particular, EP 1 604 057 illustrates an ironing apparatus for socks or similar textile products, wherein the single ironing forms are fixed to respective conveying carriages that are movable along a rectangular path, wherein the carriages are moved sequentially forwards, maintaining all the carriages in contact with one another along the various branches of the path; thus the single forma for supporting the socks are moved in sequence from a sock boarding zone, through a steam-ironing zone and towards a removal zone for the single socks, which, after being removed, have to be controlled and paired before being packaged.

[0004] Further, in apparatuses of this type, the support carriages for the single ironing forms have to be suitably dimensioned and configured so that in the sock boarding zone, with the carriages in contact with one another, the forms are sufficiently spaced apart to permit easy loading of the socks, nevertheless, the existing space between the forms is then wasted in the other operative stations of the apparatus, making it impossible to reduce the dimensions.

[0005] In turn, FR 2 211 951 and EP 0 652 319 relate to apparatuses for treating socks, of the carousel type, wherein pairs of ironing forms are positioned along the edge of a turn-table, and wherein a form of each pair is pivoted on a fixed support to rotate between a substantially coplanar condition with the other form during loading of the socks, and a parallel condition during ironing.

[0006] Although carousel apparatuses enable to be simultaneously treated pairs of socks arranged on single forms, they nevertheless have numerous limits and drawbacks; in particular the use of a turn-table entails fixed positions for single pairs of forms, consequently limiting the number of ironing forms along the peripheral edge of the turn-table; increasing the number of forms would entail an excessive increase of the diameter of the turn-table with consequent greater overall dimensions and greater weight of the entire apparatus. Further, the use of pairs of forms pivoted on a single fixed support, very close to one another, again complicates sock-loading operations.

[0007] Thus in conventional ironing machines in which the forms are moved along linear paths, as the cycle time required for loading and unloading the socks is a few seconds, the forms have to be suitably spaced apart to permit easy loading of the socks, and as there is the need to circulate the socks for as much time as possible to ensure complete drying, this is possible only by increasing the number of forms, to the detriment of the overall dimensions of the apparatus.

[0008] In the case of conventional machines, a choice must therefore be made between a compact machine, provided with a limited number of forms with a low ironing and drying degree of the socks, and a machine provided with a great number of forms, for a higher ironing and drying degree of the socks, in conditions of large overall dimensions.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The main object of the present invention is to provide a method and an apparatus for steam-ironing men's socks that permit to operate with a great number of forms, maintaining the forms in circulation for as long as possible, time necessary to ensure a good ironing quality and a good drying degree of the socks, reducing at the same time the overall dimensions of the entire apparatus.

[0010] A further object of the invention is to allow differentiated movements of the forms along the various branches of a quadrangular path, and to maintain the ironing forms sufficiently spaced apart from one another during the sock-boarding step, subsequently enabling pairs of coupled socks to be moved during the subsequent steps for ironing, drying and removing the socks from the forms, so as to fully exploit the available space.

SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] These and still other objects of the invention are achievable by a method according to claim 1, and by an ironing apparatus according to claim 5.

[0012] The general principle on which the present invention is based consists of supporting the individual forms intended for receiving the each pair of socks, on pairs of suitably configured independent shuttles that are movable in steps along a quadrangular path, thus spacing the single shuttles of each pair at a sock boarding zone, and approaching the shuttles along the remaining part of the quadrangular path.

[0013] This shuttle-coupling operation aligns the support forms for each pair of socks, enabling good ironing/drying quality, but with relatively reduced overall dimensions, and enable the socks of each pair to be maintained perfectly side by side arranged during the removal step, simplifying subsequent packaging operations.

SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] These and other objects are achievable by an ironing apparatus shown in the attached drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a view of the ironing apparatus, from the sock boarding side;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail of figure 1 with the forms in the loading zone;

Fig. 3 is a view according to line 3-3 in figure 2;

Fig. 4 is a top view, according to line 4-4 in figure 2, with the supporting shuttles for the forms spaced apart from one another;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to that in figure 4, with the shuttles close to one another;

Fig. 6 is a schematic top view of the apparatus in figure 1, with the various shuttles positioned at the start instant T0;

Figs 7-11 show the same schematic view of figure 6, with the shuttles positioned at the different instants T2-T5 of the operative cycle;

Fig. 12 is a flow chart illustrating the operative steps that occur along the various branches of the quadrangular path, during an operative cycle;

Fig. 13 is an illustrative view of a possible dragging system of the shuttles along the various branches by quadrangular path;

Fig. 14 is an illustrative view of a possible system for turning the shuttles at the various corners of the quadrangular path;

Fig. 15 is a front view of the steam ironing chamber;

Fig. 16 is a view of the steam ironing chamber according to line 16-16 in figure 15;

Fig. 17 is a longitudinal section of the drying chamber;

Fig. 18 is an enlarged detail of figure 6, suitable for showing a first condition of the opening and closing system for the single pairs of shuttles;

Fig. 19 is an enlarged detail of the opening and closing system of the shuttles in figure 18, in a second condition;

Fig. 20 is a cross-sectional view according to line 20-20 in figure 19.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] As shown in figures 1 to 6, the apparatus 10 for steam ironing men's socks comprises a frame 11 for supporting a guide 12 defining a quadrangular path, shown in figure 6, for a step movement of a plurality of pairs of shuttles 13A, 13B to which flat forms 14A, 14B for boarding socks are fastened.

[0016] As shown in figure 1 and in the example in figure 6, the quadrangular path of the shuttles comprises a first longitudinal branch I along which a boarding zone 15 for the socks is provided, a second cross branch II along which there are provided a station 16 for aligning the edges with elastics of the socks, and a steam-ironing station 17; furthermore comprises a third longitudinal branch III parallel to the branch I, configured with a long drying chamber 18 that extends from the cross branch II to a fourth cross branch IV where an unloading station 19 for the pairs of ironed socks is provided.

[0017] At each of the four angles A, B, C, D of the quadrangular path, the apparatus comprises a turnable device 20 for the shuttles 13, configured for enabling simultaneously rotating by 90° each pair of shuttles 13A, 13B supporting the forms 14, as explained above.

[0018] Optionally, as shown in diagram in figure 6, the third longitudinal branch III extends with a hot pressing station 21 for each pair of socks, after they have been dried, maintaining the socks paired together.

[0019] Returning to figures 2-5 and to the diagram in figure 6, the most innovative feature of the present invention consists of providing a plurality of pairs of shuttles 13A, 13B configured for supporting two similarly oriented forms 14A, 14B, to enable boarding and ironing of pair of socks; in particular the shuttles 13A and 13B of each pair are configured for supporting the forms 14A, 14B side by side arranged on parallel planes, for example parallel to the movement directions of the shuttles along the rails 12 of the single branches of the quadrangular path. As a result of this, the two shuttles 13A and 13B of each pair of shuttles, in the loading zone 15 of the socks, can be moved between a spaced apart or "open" condition shown in figures 2 and 4, and a closed condition shown in figures 3 and 5, wherein the two shuttles 13A and 13B are in contact with one another, and wherein the two forms 14A and 14B relative to each pair of socks are side by side arranged; in this manner the necessary space is reduced.

[0020] Thus, unlike ironing apparatuses previously known, according to present invention along the branch I, at the boarding zone 15 of the pairs of socks on the pairs of forms 14A, 14B, the shuttles 13A, 13B are in a "open" condition, i.e. spaced apart from one another by a step, whilst along the remaining part of the quadrangular path the shuttles of each pair are in a close condition i.e., in contact each other as shown in figures 2 and 6; by maintaining the shuttles 14A, 14B in an open condition in the boarding zone 15 for the pairs of socks, and making the shuttles 14A, 14B advance in a close condition with the shuttles in contact with one another in a condition of minimum overall dimensions, it enables the space along the single branches of the quadrangular path to be fully exploited. Further, it enables at least one pair of socks at a time to be ironed, in a steam chamber of reduced dimensions, thus in a lighter steam chamber, with consequent advantages for the opening and closing mechanism of the chamber and reduced steam consumption.

[0021] The rectilinear step movement of the pairs of shuttles 13A, 13B along the various branches of the quadrangular path, occurs by using a pushing or drawing member at each corner A, B, C, D of the quadrangular path, where a corresponding angular rotational device is positioned. As can be seen from figures 13 and 14, step advancement of the pairs of shuttles in a closed condition along each branch is obtained by a linear actuator consisting for example of a pneumatic cylinder 25 fixed to the frame 11, the stem 26 of which is provided with a hooking member 27 suitable for engaging a pin 28 in a position below the shuttles 13; the hooking member 27 is supported by a small carriage 29 that is slidable along a guide rail 30. In this manner the actuator 25, by acting at the rear on the pair of shuttles positioned on the rotational device 20, allows the advancement in sequence of all the pairs of shuttles belonging to a same branch.

[0022] Each rotational device 20, as shown in figure 14, comprises a rail section 12A that is rotatable along a vertical rotation axis 31 operationally connected to a rotating actuator 32; thus the rail section 12A can be rotated in both directions by an angle of 90° to align the rail section 12A alternatively with the fixed rail 12 of one or of the other branch converging on each corner of the quadrangular path. The rotational device 20 further comprises a C-shaped guide plate 33, having a circular internal edge 34 open on two sides, in directions that are orthogonal to one another, to enable single pairs of closed shuttles 13A, 13B in a close condition to enter and exit, as shown in figure 14.

[0023] Thus, by acting on the individual rotational devices 20, to align each rotatable rail section 12A on a corresponding fixed rail 12 of the branches I-IV of the quadrangular path, and by acting with the linear actuators 25, it is possible to introduce each pair of shuttles 13A, 13B into the rotational device 20 and to make the pair of shuttles 13A, 13B exit therefrom.

[0024] In fact, by turning the rotatable rail section 12A by 90° to align the rail section 12A on the fixed rail 12 of a branch of the quadrangular path, and by acting with one of the linear actuators 25 it is possible to transfer each pair of shuttles 13A, 13B from a branch to the rotational device 20 and from the latter to another branch of the quadrangular path. In figures 13 and 14, by way of example a particular linear actuator for pushing or pulling the shuttles 13A, 13B in a closed conditions and a particular rotational device 20 at 90° for the rail section 12A are shown; it is nevertheless clear that instead of, or in replacement of the shown devices it is possible to use any other device that is suitable and configured for performing the same function.

[0025] Figures 18, 19 and 20 on the other hand show a comb device that is suitably and configured for performing "opening", "closing" and "moving" operations forwards of pairs of shuttles 13A, 13B along the branch I, at the boarding zone 15 for loading pairs of socks on the two forms 14A and 14B that are spaced apart from one another.

[0026] The comb device, which is indicated overall by reference number35, comprises a first support plate 36 that extends parallel to the shuttles 13 on the inner side of the branch I; the support plate 36 of the opening and closing combs for the shuttles 14A, 14B is transversely movable on guides 37 and is operatively connected to a linear actuator 38, such as a pneumatic cylinder or actuator of another type. The movable plate 36 is provided with a longitudinal guide 39 on which a first comb 40 runs that is configured for engaging and opening of each pair of shuttles 13A, 13B simultaneous dragging thereof forwards; the forwards and backwards movements of the comb 40 are controlled by a linear actuator 41, for example by a pneumatic cylinder connected between the movable plate 36 and the comb 40.

[0027] As shown in figure 18, the comb 40, along the longitudinal edge facing the row of shuttles 14, is configured with a set of frontally open cavities 42 to engage the pins 28 hanging from the single shuttles 13, following a forward movement of the movable plate 36.

[0028] The comb device 35, further comprises a second comb 43 slidable on the guide 39, axially aligned to the comb 40. The comb 43 is in turn driven by a respective linear actuator 44 connected between the two combs 40 and 43; the second comb 43, which is movable in relation to the first, is configured with a sole cavity 42 suitable for engaging a pin of the shuttle 13B of the pair of open shuttles facing the rotational device 20 in the corner B comprised between the first I and the second II branch of the quadrangular path.

[0029] The comb device 35 further comprises a third comb 45, on the side opposite the comb 40, that substantially extends over the entire length of the first branch I to keep the shuttles stationary during boarding of pairs of socks on respective forms 14.

[0030] Figures 15 and 16 in turn show two different views of the steam ironing station 17; as shown, the ironing station 17 comprises a steaming chamber consisting of a first and second part 50 and 51 that are movable in relation to one another to be approached in a closed condition and moved away in an open condition by suitable linear actuators. The two parts 50 and 51 of the steaming chamber are fastened to respective brackets 52, 53 which are movable along horizontal guides 54, by respective linear actuators 55.1 and 55.2.

[0031] One of the parts of the steam chamber, part 51, is provided with pins 56 configured for engaging respective hooking members 57 on the other part 50 of the steam chamber; one of the two parts of the steam chamber, in particular part 50, is further provided with a conduit 58 for supplying steam for ironing the socks, for example at pressure of 3 bar.

[0032] Figure 17 lastly shows a schematic view of the drying chamber 18 that extends over the entire length of the third branch III, or part thereof, of the quadrangular path.

[0033] As shown, the pairs of forms 14A, 14B supported by the pairs of closed shuttles 13A, 13B that enter for example from the right side of the drying chamber 18, are made to advance by steps until they exit from the left side, opposite the previous one, remaining in the closed condition in to the chamber 18 for a time required for drying and stabilisation of the ironed socks.

[0034] Inside the drying chamber 18 a flow of hot air is continuously circulated, for example by two fans 60 and 61 that suck air from inside the chamber 18, making two flows of air circulate in opposite directions, along respective vertical channels 62, 63, through electrical resistances 64 or another air-heating member, then through a long vertical slit configured for generating a flow of horizontal air that hits the pairs of socks supported by the various pairs of forms 14A, 14B in a closed or approached condition inside the drying chamber 18.

[0035] With reference now to figures 6 to 12 and to figures 18-20 the method and the apparatus according to the present invention will be better disclosed.

[0036] Figure 6 shows the position of the various shuttles 13 at the start instant T0 of the operative cycle; in this condition the comb unit 40, 43 is in the retracted position of figure 18, whilst the comb 45 on the opposite side is in the advanced position in which it engages the pins 28 of all the shuttles 13 of the branch I, retaining the pins 28 to enable pairs of socks to be loaded onto the pairs of shuttles 13A and 13B that at that moment are spaced apart in the "open" condition as shown. For the purposes of the present description it is pointed out that the shuttles 13 of the apparatus will be numbered below with references S1 to S38.

[0037] At the start instant T0, a closed pair of shuttles S25, S26 and S33, S34 are at the rotational devices 20 at the ends of the branch IV, at the angle D, respectively at the angle A; in these conditions the pairs of shuttles in the rotational devices 20 are oriented in the direction of the branches I and III, whilst the rotational devices 20 at the opposite angles B and C are empty, with the rail sections 12A axially aligned to respective fixed rails 12.

[0038] As shown in diagram in figure 12, the operative cycle occurs in six steps; during the first step between the instants T0 and T1, after the comb 45 has been retracted, by disengaging the shuttles 13 on the branch I, and after the combs 40 and 43 have been advanced for engaging the pairs of open shuttles S1-S2, S37-S38 and the shuttle S36, by acting with the same combs 40, 43 and with the actuator 25 in relation to the rotation device 20 of the angle A, forward rectilinear movement by one step of the entire shuttles is caused on the branch I.

[0039] During this first step, as shown in figure 7, the shuttles S33-S34 in a closed condition are moved from the rotational device 20 to the closed position on the branch I; moreover the shuttles S35-S36 are opened and moved forwards at the same time as the open shuttles S37-538. Otherwise, the shuttles S1-S2 are closed, i.e. moved near one another and pushed forwards by one step, they in turn pushing the closed shuttles S3-S4 onto the rotational device 20 at the corner B; after this rectilinear step, an operator can position a pair of socks on the forms 14A, 14B of the pairs of open shuttles S35-S36, and S37-538.

[0040] Also during this first step, on the other branches II, III and IV of the quadrangular path the pairs of shuttles S5-S6 to S31-S32 remain stationary at the pairing 16, ironing 17, drying 18 and removing 19 stations for the pairs of socks.

[0041] During the subsequent step between T1 and T2, as shown in figure 8, along the continuous branch I the boarding of pairs of socks on the open shuttles continues, whilst on the remaining branches the pairing operations of the socks in the station 16, steam ironing in the station 17 and removal in the station 19 continue, whilst the shuttles are maintained closed and stationary in position.

[0042] During the third step between T2 and T3, as shown in figure 9, whilst sock-boarding operations continue on the forms 14 of the pairs of open shuttles S35-S36 and S37-S38, the following operations occur: the rail section 12A at the corner A is rotated by 90° and aligned to the fixed rail 12 of the branch IV; the pair of closed shuttles S3-S4, by the rotational device 20 at the corner B is rotated by 90°, being aligned in contact with the pairs of closed shuttles of the branch II. Simultaneously, the rail section 12A of the rotational device 20 relative to the angle C is rotated by 90° to align the rail section 12A to the fixed rail 12 of the branch II, whilst the pair of closed shuttles S25-S26 at the corner D is in turn rotated by 90°, aligning the rail section 12A of the rotational device 20, to the fixed rail 12 of the branch IV. In the meanwhile the sock pairing, ironing, drying and removal operations continue, with the pairs of shuttles stationary in the respective stations and with the pairs of forms 14A, 14B parallely arranged alongside one another.

[0043] During the fourth step between the instants T3 and T4 of figure 10, the set of closed shuttles on the branch II is pushed forwards by the pushing member 25 of the rotational device 20 of the corner B, pushing in turn the pair of closed shuttles S11-S12 on the rotational device 20 at the corner C; the pair of closed shuttles S11-S12 on the rotational device 20 at the corner D is in turn pushed or dragged forward on the fixed rail 12 of the branch IV, in contact with the already existing shuttles.

[0044] During the fifth step between T4 and T5, as shown in figure 11, whilst the operator continues the boarding of the socks on the forms of the shuttles stationary on the branch I, and whilst the sock ironing, drying and removal operations continue in the respective stations on the branches II, III, IV, the pairs of closed shuttles S12-S13 and S31-S32 existing on the rotational devices 20 in the corners A and C are rotated by 90°.

[0045] Lastly, during the sixth and last step, between T5 and T6, wherein T6=T0, the set of shuttles on the branch III is pushed forwards in a step manner, as shown in figure 6.

[0046] At this point, the operative cycle may again starts from the instant T0, as disclosed previously.

[0047] From what has been said and shown in the example in figure 1-20, it is clear that a method and an apparatus have been provided for the steam ironing of socks, which substantially innovate and are distinguished from known methods and apparatuses, both for the particular operating cycle, and for the greater ease of use of the apparatus during boarding of the socks with the shuttles and the corresponding forms in spaced apart conditions and the possibility of using a great number of supporting forms for the socks in a comparatively reduced space, given the possibility of bringing into contact with one another the pairs of shuttles after boarding of the socks on the forms, whilst the pairing, steam ironing, drying operations, and removal from the forms each pair of paired socks occur.

[0048] It is thus understood that what has been said and shown with reference to the attached drawings has been given by way of illustrative example of a preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0049] Accordingly, other modifications and/or variations can be made to the method and to the apparatus or parts thereof without thereby departing from the claims.

Claims

1. A method for steam ironing men's socks, according to which the socks are loaded onto respective support forms (13) each fastened to a respective shuttle (14) movable in a step manner, along branches (I, II, III, IV) of a quadrangular path comprising a sock-boarding zone (15), a steam ironing station (17), a drying station (18) and a station (19) for removing the socks from the support forms (14), and wherein the shuttles (13) are sequentially moved along said quadrangular path, transferring the shuttles (13) from one branch to another (I, II, III, IV) at the corners (A, B, C, D) of the quadrangular path, characterised by:

providing a plurality of pairs of independent shuttles (13A, 13B), each pair of shuttles (13A, 13B) comprising first and second sock support forms (14A, 14B) for a pair of socks, longitudinally oriented to the moving direction of the same frames;

opening the shuttles of each pair (13A, 13B) to space apart the support forms (14A, 14B) for the socks, at the boarding zone (15);

closing the shuttles (14A, 14B) of each pair of shuttles in contact with one another and positioning side by side the support forms (14A, 14B) for each pair of socks to be ironed;

moving sequentially each pair of shuttles (13A, 13B) with the sock support forms (14A, 14B) side by side arranged, through the ironing station (17), along the drying station (18) and through the removal station (19) for the socks;

selectively rotating single pairs of shuttles (13A, 13B) at the corners (A, B, C, D) of the quadrangular path, to transfer pairs of shuttles (13A, 13B) from one branch to the next one of the quadrangular path, while maintaining the shuttles (13A, 13B) of each pair of shuttles in a closed condition with the sock support forms (14A, 14B) next to one another; and

simultaneously removing each pair of socks from the support forms (14A, 14B), at said removal station (19).

2. The method for ironing men's socks according to claim 1, characterised by performing pairing of the socks on the support forms (14A, 14B), before the ironing step.

3. The method for ironing men's socks according to claim 1, characterised by performing hot pressing of each pair of socks, after drying, with the socks in a paired configuration.

4. The method for ironing men's socks according to claim 1, characterised by selectively opening and closing different pairs of shuttles (13A, 13B), to move away and approach the forms (14A, 14B) along the boarding zone (15), pairing the socks in said first branch (I) of the quadrangular path.

5. An apparatus suitable for ironing men's socks by the method of claim 1, wherein the shuttles (13) are movable along longitudinal and cross branches (I, II, III, IV) converging at respective corners (A, B, C, D) of a quadrangular path, characterised by comprising:

a plurality of pairs of shuttles (13A, 13B) each provided with a pair of sock support member (14A, 14B) for boarding pairs of socks, wherein the shuttles (13A, 13B) of each pair of shuttles are relatively movable between a spaced apart or open condition and a near or closed condition along the socks boarding zone (15) of the quadrangular path;

wherein the shuttles (13A, 13B) of each pair of shuttles are configured for coming into contact with one another in their close condition, maintaining the support forms (14A, 14B) of each pair of socks next to one another;

the apparatus further comprising a rotational device (20) and an entraining device (25) for the pairs of shuttles (13A, 13B), configured for angularly rotating each pair of shuttles (13A, 13B), at each corner (A, B, C, D), respectively for step entraining the pairs of shuttles (13A, 13B) along each branch (I, II, III, IV) of the quadrangular path;

and a set of combs (40, 43) and of linear actuators (41, 44), configured for engaging and disengaging each pair of shuttles (13A, 13B), respectively for approaching and moving away the shuttles of least one pair of shuttles (13A, 13B), at the boarding zone (15) of the socks.

6. The apparatus suitable for ironing men's socks according to claim 5, wherein the shuttles (13) are movable along a guide rail (12) longitudinally extending to each branch (I, II, III, IV) of the quadrangular path, each rotational device (20) comprising a rotatably supported rail section (12A), operatively connected to an actuator (32), and comprising a C-shaped guide plate (33), having a circular inner guiding edge for the shuttles (13A, 13B), wherein the internal edge of the guide plate (33) is open on two sides to branches (I, II, III, IV) of the quadrangular path oriented towards a same rotational device (20).

7. The apparatus suitable for ironing men's socks according to claims 5 and/or 6 characterised by comprising at least one pushing actuator (25) for the pairs of shuttles (13A, 13B), at each rotational device (20).

8. The apparatus suitable for ironing men's socks, according to any preceding claim, characterised by comprising on one side of the sock boarding zone (15), a first (40) and respectively a second (43) entraining comb conformed for opening, closing and entraining pairs of shuttles (13A, 13B), movable in relation to one another in the movement direction of the shuttles (13A, 13B).

9. The apparatus suitable for ironing men's socks according to claim 8, characterised in that the first and the second entraining comb (40, 43) for the pairs of shuttles (13A, 13B) are arranged on a support member (36) movable orthogonally to the movement rail (12) for the pairs of shuttles (13A, 13B).

10. The apparatus suitable for ironing men's socks according to claim 8 and/or 9, characterised by comprising on the opposite side to that of the entraining combs (40, 43) a supplementary comb (45) for locking the shuttles (13A, 13B) along the boarding zone (15).

11. The apparatus suitable for ironing men's socks according to claim 5, characterised in that the boarding zone (15), the ironing station (17), the drying station (18) and the station (19) for removing the pairs of socks are positioned at different branches (I, II, III, IV) of the quadrangular path.

12. The apparatus suitable for ironing men's socks according to claim 11, characterised by comprising a pairing station (16) for pairing the socks on the supporting forms (14A, 14B), upstream of the ironing station (17) on the same branch (II) of the quadrangular path.

13. The apparatus suitable for ironing men's socks according to claim 5, further characterised by comprising a hot pressing station (21) for the pairs of socks on the support forms (14A, 14B).

14. The apparatus suitable for ironing men's socks according to claim 13, characterised in that the hot pressing station (21) is axially aligned on the drying station (18).

Drawing