for example a pneumatic cylinder as shown in particular in fig7 to 10 the valve means also comprise a third gate 36 opening and closing the second port 26 and the third port 28 of the fourth compartment 22 the third gate 36 too can be simply constituted by a plate which is slideable at right angles to the axes of the ports 26 and 28 and is provided with a hole 37 which can be arranged through the sliding of the gate 36 at the second port 26 in order to connect the fourth compartment 22 to the outside simultaneously closing the third compartment 28 or at the third port 28 closing the second port 26 the third gate 36 too can be simply actuated by means of a fluid actuated cylinder 38 preferably constituted by a pneumatic cylinder as shown in particular in fig7 to 10 advantageously proximate to the first opening 4 in the spreading chamber 3 a perforated flap 39 is oscillatably provided about an axis 40 which is horizontal and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the spreading chamber 3 so as to close the first opening 4 partially or open it completely as will become apparent hereinafter the means for gripping the hosiery item 6 comprise a presser element 41 located proximate to the second opening.