EP0180714B1 - Fabric and method for making it - Google Patents

Abstract

1. Method for the production of a cloth web having a basic knitted fabric of intermeshed tricot threads and elastic fringe threads and having a function layer of function threads, which run to and fro between wales with which they are intermeshed, which is applied to the basic knitted fabric, characterized in that the fringe threads are knitted in under initial tension, crossing from wale to wale.

Description

The invention relates to a method for producing a fabric with a basic knitted fabric made from knitted tricot threads and elastic fringed threads and with a functional layer applied to the basic knitted fabric made from functional threads which run back and forth between wales with which they are knitted.

In a known fabric (DE-U-83 11 978) each fringe thread runs along a wale without leaving it. The angora threads of the functional layer, which according to FIG. 5 each jump over a wale, lie loosely on the base fabric in this area and, in order to improve the thermal insulation properties, should bulge up slightly from the base fabric. It was recognized that this slight arching is due to the slight transverse contraction (in the direction of the stitch rows) of the fabric after leaving the knitting machine. In the known fabric web, larger functional layer thicknesses cannot be achieved without special measures (e.g. use of an additional laying rail, which ensures that the functional threads are worked in with pile-like loops).

From DE-OS 2026933 it is known to produce an all-round knitted fabric exclusively from elastic threads using two laying rails. With an additional laying rail, additional pattern threads or the like can be incorporated. The problem of how to obtain a fabric web with a greater functional layer thickness with the simplest possible manufacturing effort, in particular the lowest possible number of laying rails, is not dealt with here.

The object of the invention is to provide a method of the type mentioned at the outset, which allows the production of material webs with increased functional layer thickness with little effort.

This object is achieved in that the fringed threads act crosswise from wales to wales under tension.

The inventive action of the fringe threads under pretension leads to a strong contraction in length (in the direction of the wales) of the fabric, in particular to about a third of the initial length, so that the originally oblique functional threads now run approximately in the transverse direction, and the greater the number of them, the more so from the functional threads skipped stitches. In addition, there is a transverse contraction, the extent (as well as the length contraction) of which depends on the extent of the tension and the fringe thread guidance (fringe amplitude and fringe period). With a fringe amplitude corresponding to a stitch rod spacing and a fringe period corresponding to the repeat (= eight needles), there is a transverse contraction to that with a tension in the preferred range (thread elongation corresponding to 0.8 to 1.2 times the rest length of the thread) about 0.45 times the initial width. The transverse contraction leads directly to the fact that the functional threads bulge away from the basic knitted fabric according to their free length between the wales. The curvature height, which in the extreme case with complete contraction in the transverse direction is equal to half the free thread arch length, is determined by the functional thread amplitude. The bulge height therefore depends directly on the extent of the transverse contraction and on the functional thread amplitude (number of wales plus 1 skipped by the functional thread without binding).

By selecting the following parameters accordingly, a desired functional layer thickness, possibly different in different fabric sections, can be set in a wide range: Functional thread amplitude, tension of the fringe thread; Fringe thread amplitude; Fringe thread period.

The invention also relates to a fabric with a basic knitted fabric made of knitted tricot threads and elastic fringed threads with a functional layer applied to the basic knitted fabric made of functional threads which run back and forth between wales with which they are knitted.

In order to obtain a transverse elasticity of the knitted fabric controlled by the fringe threads in addition to the longitudinal elasticity, it is proposed that the fringe thread crosses from one wale to another wale and forms at least one stitch there. The basic ^g ewirke from inelastic jersey ensures specific mechanical strength and dimensional stability at a pleasant feel. The cross strand of the fringe thread creates the desired cross elasticity. The fabric is now able to adapt to multi-curved substrates, the elastic fringe threads ensure high dimensional stability; ie the fabric returns to its old shape after transverse and longitudinal expansion.

FR-A-2 241 654 discloses a fabric web without an applied functional layer. According to FIG. 2, three fringe threads 7, 8, 9 forming a wale are provided, which are connected to one another in the row direction exclusively by means of tricot threads 10 and 11. The jersey threads 10 and 11 are elastic; the fringe threads 7, 8, 9 are inelastic. However, a functional layer is applied to the fabric web according to the invention. Furthermore, the fringe threads are made of elastic material and the jersey threads are made of inelastic material. The fringe threads cross from wales to wales in Contrary to the known fabric, in which the respective fringe thread runs exclusively along a wale.

The fabric web according to the invention can be produced with conventional knitting machines as a continuous web without any problems if, according to a development of the invention, the fringe thread runs periodically, preferably in a zigzag fashion, between at least two wales and at least one stitch in each of the two wales forms. Of particular note is the particularly high dimensional stability in the transverse direction, since the fringed thread sections running from one wale to the adjacent rod run approximately in the transverse direction during transverse expansion, and consequently the restoring forces are oriented in the transverse direction.

The fringe period and amplitude can be varied accordingly to achieve the desired material properties. The fringe period and amplitude are preferably selected such that the deflection in the direction of the stitch row is approximately twice as large as the deflection in the direction of the wale with the same tensile force. The risk of edge rolling on the edge of the fabric web parallel to the direction of the wales is substantially reduced as a result of the fact that the transverse contraction force causing the edge rolling is comparatively low due to the unavoidable fringe thread pretensioning. Another advantage of different elasticities in the longitudinal and transverse directions is that such a web of material, in a suitable orientation, is particularly pleasant to wear on parts of the body with different curvatures in mutually perpendicular directions (for example in the joint area).

The fringe period preferably corresponds to the repeat length and the fringe amplitude corresponds to a simple stitch spacing. This gives the greatest difference between longitudinal and transverse elasticity with simple control of the knitting machine. In the case of the most common repeat length of 8 stitches, the fringed thread changes the double crochet every 4 stitches. With the same force, the deflection in the transverse direction is approximately twice as large as that in the longitudinal direction.

Furthermore, it is proposed that the fabric web have at least two fabric web sections that follow one another seamlessly in the direction of the wales, with different fringe periods and / or amplitudes. The fabric web can thus be seamlessly composed of several fabric web sections with different elasticity properties, the fringe period or amplitude being changed in the production only by appropriate knitting machine control, depending on the program.

The width of the fabric web (in the direction of the stitch rows) can be reduced in some areas by providing at least one contraction fabric web section which is narrow in the wale direction and comprises one or a few repeat lengths and has a reduced fringe period. The reduced fringe period accordingly results in a greater density of the fringe threads crossing the wales, which in turn leads to an increased transverse contraction force due to the unavoidable fringe thread pretension. This force reduces the width of the finished contraction fabric section. The fringing period is preferably 2 stitches; the fringe thread crosses after each stitch to the adjacent wale. Such contraction fabric sections enable the production of multi-curved fabric articles. Thus, by sewing together two edges of the fabric web parallel to the direction of the stitch rows, a fabric ring can be formed, which is normally cylindrical, but can take the form of a curved tube with the help of at least one contraction fabric web section. It is preferred to use such a double-curved fabric sheet article as a hose for supporting or warming body joints, since the fabric sheet readily assumes the shape of the joint and is consequently comfortable to wear. The risk of slipping is also greatly reduced.

In this context, “fringed thread _” is understood to mean an elastic thread which is knitted into the fabric to form a rod. The fringe thread can be formed, for example, by a rubber thread. The tricot threads connecting the stitch rods preferably consist of spun cotton or animal wool.

The fabric known from the German utility model mentioned at the beginning (DE-U-83 11 978) consists of two layers, namely the basic knitted fabric made of knitted tricot threads and elastic fringed threads and a functional layer of functional threads, in particular angora threads, applied to this basic knitted fabric Stitches with which they are meshed run back and forth. This functional layer serves in particular as a heat-insulating layer, the main heat-insulating effect being attributable to the air pockets between the knitted fabric and the functional layer. For the functional threads therefore come from other material, such as. B. wool, cotton or silk, in question.

However, angora threads are preferred due to the air pockets within the angora hair. In the known fabric, the functional threads are tucked into the basic knitted fabric. 4 of the German utility model 83 11 798, the angora thread 12 encompasses two tricot threads between adjacent sticks to form a closed loop (with a crossing point), specifically as a loop stitch, ie in the area between adjacent sticks. Due to the crossing of the two angora thread strands of the sinker stitch, the thread closer to the knitted fabric becomes strand pressed towards the knitted fabric. This is avoided according to the invention in that the functional threads (in particular angora threads) are meshed with the two wales by means of open stitches. The angora threads are looser and bulge at a greater distance from the knitted fabric. The enclosed air volume increases with a corresponding increase in the insulation properties. The functional thread consumption is also reduced.

Since the bi-elastic knitted fabric has sufficient dimensional stability in the transverse direction, closed stitches can be dispensed with, which reinforce the dimensional stability per se. Another feature of the invention is that the open stitches each encompass a needle stitch, i. H. are localized in the area of the chopsticks. This prevents the open functional thread mesh between neighboring rods from impairing the transverse elasticity of the fabric.

A fabric web can be obtained from seamlessly merging fabric web sections with a differently designed functional layer, in particular a different wear layer thickness, if it is designed in accordance with the invention in such a way that it has at least two fabric web sections which follow one another seamlessly in the direction of the wale and have different functional thread periods and / or amplitudes.

A section of fabric with low functional thread consumption and accordingly reduced insulation properties is obtained if the functional threads in this section of fabric run along a wale without leaving it, ideally in tuck-type binding as an open fringe. The functional thread amplitude is therefore zero in this fabric section. Since increased body warming is often desired, especially in so-called body segment heat therapy, only in partial areas of the fabric to be applied to the body, but high body temperatures are undesirable in the remaining area, the fabric web, which is composed according to the invention from differently isolating fabric web sections, is particularly suitable for this purpose. Another major advantage is the greatly reduced functional thread consumption. This fabric section is preferably a contraction fabric section.

It is also preferably provided that the functional threads in the tied-weave section run as an open fringe along a wale in the fabric section mentioned. Due to this measure, the open fringes do not hinder the contraction of the contraction strip in the transverse direction.

The fabric web according to the invention can advantageously be used as a body or joint warmer, in which case adapting to the required, possibly locally different elasticity and heat insulation properties, seamlessly merging fabric web sections of different fringe period and / or amplitude and / or functional thread period and / or amplitude are to be provided.

A preferred embodiment of a body warmer according to the invention is characterized in that the functional thread amplitude of a fabric section lying against the body region to be heated is comparatively high, and that the functional thread amplitude of the remaining fabric section is comparatively low. The body warmer adapts easily to the body curvature in the abdomen as well as in the back area if the fringed period of the knitted fabric of both fabric sections corresponds to a repeat length. To this end, the measure also contributes that the two peripheral edges of the body warmer placed around the body run parallel to the wale direction.

The previously known body warmers have a uniform layer thickness and thus constant thermal insulation properties along the entire fabric. If one chooses a material thickness that is favorable from the point of view of thermal insulation, there is the disadvantage of reduced moisture removal, since the thermal insulation is based on reduced air circulation in the mesh. This can lead to an unpleasant build-up of heat. The body warmer designed according to the invention, on the other hand, offers localized heat application (heat body segment therapy) with the possibility of extensive moisture exchange in the remaining area of the fabric. Since the body warmer is made of elastic material all around and, in addition, the thicker fabric section is less elongated than the thinner one for a given tensile force, this fabric section is stretched relatively little when the body warmer is put on, so that it largely retains its insulating properties.

A particularly preferred embodiment of an articulated warmer made from the fabric web described above for a knee or elbow joint is characterized in that the functional thread amplitude of a fabric web section lying on the outside of the joint is comparatively high, and that the functional yarn amplitude of a fabric web section lying in the region of the articulation inside is comparatively low. It is particularly preferably provided that the two peripheral edges of the fabric web wound around the knee run parallel to the wale direction. The functional thread amplitude of the fabric web section lying on the outside of the joint preferably corresponds to twice the wale spacing. The functional thread amplitude of the section of fabric lying in the region of the inside of the joint is also preferably zero. Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the fringed period of the knitted fabric of both fabric sections corresponds to a repeat length. The correspondingly bi-elastic knee warmer adapts well to the shape of the knee without local pressure or tensile stress on the knee. The one that is still proposed also serves this purpose Measure to provide at least one contraction fabric web section in each of the two transition areas between the joint web-side fabric web section and the web-joint fabric web section. This contraction fabric section causes the tubular joint warmer to assume a curvature corresponding to the more or less angled joint from the outset. In contrast to conventional joint warmers, there is therefore no longer a problem that the joint warmer slips during use. The joint warmer according to the invention adapts better to the shape of the body, particularly on the inside of its joint, so that the frictional forces are comparatively greater here. The thinner fabric web can also be deformed better here. The curvature of the joint warmer also contributes to the improved hold. When the joint is bent, the fabric on the outside of the joint is slightly stretched, whereas the fabric on the inside of the joint is compressed more. The thick functional layer on the outside of the joint can be stretched sufficiently well; the thin functional layer on the inside of the joint is easy to compress. Since the functional layer is arranged exclusively on the inside of the fabric facing the body, the joint warmer or body warmer is resistant to abrasion.

One application of the present invention lies in a multi-curved fabric web with a basic knitted fabric made of knitted tricot threads and elastic fringed threads and with a functional layer of functional threads applied to the basic knitted fabric, which run back and forth between wales with which they are knitted. According to the invention it is provided that the fringe thread crosses from one wale to another wale and forms at least one stitch there, that the fabric web has at least two fabric web sections that follow one another seamlessly in the wale direction with at least one first fabric web section with a first fringe period and with at least a second, in the wale direction short panel section (contraction panel section) with a second fringe period smaller than the first fringe period.

• Fig. 1 eine technische Patrone eines erfindungsgemäß hergestellten Grundgewirkes ;
• Fig. 2 die technische Patrone nach Fig. 1 im Bereich einer Trennkante ;
• Fig. 3 eine in ihrer unteren Hälfte der Fig. 1 entsprechende technische Patrone mit applizierten Angorafäden ;
• Fig. 4 das Maschenbild eines Zweischichtenstoffs bei Anwendung der technischen Patrone nach Fig. 3 ;
• Fig. 5 das Maschenbild eines abgewandelten Zweischichtenstoffs ;
• Fig. 6 eine weitere technische Patrone unter Weglassung der Trikotfäden ;
• Fig. 7 eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Leibwärmers und
• Fig. 8 eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Kniewärmers.

The invention is explained below using preferred exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawing. It shows :

• 1 shows a technical cartridge of a basic knitted fabric produced according to the invention;
• FIG. 2 shows the technical cartridge according to FIG. 1 in the area of a separating edge;
• 3 shows a technical cartridge in its lower half of FIG. 1 with angora threads applied;
• 4 shows the stitch pattern of a two-layer fabric when using the technical cartridge according to FIG. 3;
• 5 shows the stitch pattern of a modified two-layer fabric;
• 6 shows a further technical cartridge with the jersey threads omitted;
• Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a body warmer and
• 8 is a perspective view of a knee warmer.

The technical cartridge according to FIG. 1 shows five rows of needles 2 lying next to one another, each row of needles defining a wale of the finished knitted fabric produced in accordance with the cartridge. FIG. 4 shows a knitted fabric 4 produced in accordance with the technical cartridge in FIG. 3, with four wales 6 lying next to one another. The longitudinal direction of the wales is denoted by A, the direction of the stitch row perpendicular to this is B.

Back to the technical cartridge according to FIG. 1. Tricot threads 8, made of spun, non-elastic material, are placed around the needles 2 in a zigzag fashion, each connecting two adjacent wales. The jersey threads 8 each form a stitch around each needle 2. Fringed threads 12 made of elastic material, in particular of a continuous rubber thread, run along the wales 6. In order to make the course of a fringe thread 12 obvious, the fringe thread 12 beginning at the bottom left in FIG. 1 is shown with a solid line. It can be seen that the fringed thread runs around four needles of the left-hand crochet 6, then crosses to the next higher needle of the right-hand adjacent wale, then wraps four needles of this wale with open stitches and finally returns diagonally to the wale on the left. The fringe thread 12 next to the strongly drawn fringe thread 12 in FIG. 1 in the direction of the stitch row B corresponds in its course to the fringe thread just described (apart from the shift to the right by a simple stitch spacing d). The course of the other fringe threads is corresponding. 1 is to be periodically supplemented upwards and downwards accordingly. The amplitude of each fringe thread corresponds to the simple stitch spacing d. The period b, after which the fringe thread path is repeated in its shape, is eight stitches, ie eight times the distance c between successive needles. These eight stitches correspond to the usual repeat length. In the case of a section of fabric corresponding to a repeat length, each fringe thread 12 crosses twice from one wale to the other. The result is a certain transverse elasticity of the fabric web, which is superimposed on the longitudinal elasticity running in the direction of the rods due to the predominant fringe thread course along the wales. According to the selected fringe thread period and amplitude in the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 1, the deflection in the transverse direction (stitch direction B) is approximately twice as large as that in the longitudinal direction (stitch direction A), provided the same deflection force. So you get one bi-elastic knitted fabric with anisotropic elasticity.

For the subsequent separation of a finished fabric web into partial webs with a dividing line running between two wales, a dashed thread 14 is used according to FIG. 2, which is used as a weft thread, ie. H. without forming stitches, which connects the adjacent wales 6 'and 6 "until it dissolves. The separating thread 14 is steam-soluble (poyamide thread) and consequently dissolves when the knitted fabric is finished. This is because the fabric is generally steam-treated In order to make the fabric wrinkle-free and to fix it, the separating thread 14 shrinks until it finally tears under the action of steam, and the partial webs 16, which are now separated from one another, are now completely separated from one another in Fig. 2, to symbolize the separation process, the two wale stitches concerned 6 'and 6 "are already shown at a distance from one another, although, of course, they have the usual wale spacing d from one another during the knitting.

1 with fringe thread alternating between wales, the problem arises that the partial web edge (wales 6 'or 6 "is not smooth, since in some areas no fringe thread runs along the wale. There is therefore an additional fringe thread 20 is used, which runs along the respective wale 6 'or 6 "located on the edge without crossing to an adjacent wale. This additional fringe thread therefore has the amplitude zero in the sense of the embodiment of FIG. 1. To illustrate the respective course, is the additional separating thread 20 running along the wale 6 "in FIG. 2 is shown with a solid line, as is a fringe thread 12 shown on the left in FIG. 2, which also interacts with the wale 6 '.

With the aid of the separating thread 14 shown in FIG. 2, not only can the fabric web be divided into partial webs, but also the edge of a fabric web can be made uniform over the full width by cutting off a marginal strip that is only a few sticks wide.

The period (or period length) b and the amplitude a of the fringe thread guide can, if necessary, be changed to change the elastic properties of the fabric. FIG. 3 shows two fabric web sections 22, 24 which are distinguished from one another by a dash-dot-dot line and which merge seamlessly into one another in the wale direction. The fringe thread guide of the lower section 22 in FIG. 3 corresponds to that in FIG. 1 (period corresponding to a cartridge; amplitude corresponding to a simple stitch spacing d). In the upper section 24, on the other hand, the fringe threads 12 run exclusively along a single wale 6. The amplitude of the fringe thread in this section is therefore O. This web section 24 consequently has no transverse elasticity due to the fringe threads. In addition to the values O and single stitch spacing d, the amplitude a may also assume two or more mesh spacings c. Furthermore, the period (or period length b) can also differ from the repeat length. In order to explain this, a technical cartridge similar to FIG. 1 is shown in FIG. 6 but with the jersey threads omitted. One recognizes three wales 6, which form part of two seamlessly connected fabric web sections 26, 28 separated by a dash-dot-dot line. With regard to the fringe thread guidance, the lower fabric section 26 corresponds to the arrangement in FIG. 1 and to section 22 in FIG. 3 (amplitude a corresponds to a simple wale spacing d; period b corresponds to a repeat length). In contrast, in the upper panel section 28, the amplitude a 'also takes on the value of the wale spacing d; however, the period b 'is only two mesh spacings c. To clarify the course of the fringe thread, the middle fringe thread is shown in FIG. 6 with a reinforced line. Due to the reduced period b ', a fringed edge 12 crosses four times as often between two adjacent wales as in the case of a period b corresponding to the repeat length. Since a certain basic pretension of the fringe threads 12 consisting of rubber threads cannot be avoided and should not be avoided at all, there is a greater transverse contraction force in the finished knitted fabric in the section 28 compared to the section 26. The section 28 will consequently become transverse contract compared to section 26. It is therefore possible to act on contraction strips in the fabric web, each of which consists of a relatively narrow (one or a few repeat lengths) section 28, on which sections 26 with “normal”, ie reduced, transverse contraction follow on both sides in the direction of the wales A becomes an application for such contraction strips described later with reference to Fig. 8. The knitted fabric resulting from the technical cartridges described can advantageously (but need not) be provided with a functional layer consisting of functional threads (in general angora threads) which are knitted with the knitted fabric 4 shows the knitted fabric 4 in simplified form corresponds to the technical cartridge according to FIG. 3. Below the dash-dot-dot line is the fabric section 22 and above this line the fabric section 24. The tricot threads 8 are at least in the area of the wales 30 in general not from the fringe threads 12 below to depart. However, one can see between the wales 6 in section 22 the crossing fringe threads 12 between two rows of stitches 32 and 34 preceding the dash-dot-dot line.

The functional threads 36 knitted with the knitted fabric 4 are indicated with a broken line in the technical cartridge according to FIG. 3 and in Fig. 4 with a thin solid line. In order to clarify the course of the thread, a functional thread is highlighted in both FIGS. 3 and 4 by means of reinforced lines. It can be seen that in the lower fabric section 22, the functional threads 36 each run in a zigzag fashion between two wales separated by a wale. The functional thread 36a, which is highlighted with a strong line in FIG. 3, is, for example, meshed with a wale 6a and a wale 6c, whereby it jumps over the wale 6b in between. The connection with the two wales 6a and 6c takes place via open needle stitches 40, each of which engages around a needle stitch 42 of the knitted fabric 4 and is thus held on the needle stitch. The functional threads 36 are located exclusively on one side of the knitted fabric and, apart from the area of the open stitches 40, they are neither overlapped by tricot threads 8 nor by fringe threads 12. The functional threads therefore bulge freely above the middle wale (e.g. 6b). In areas outside the edge stitches (e.g. 6a and 6c), the functional threads 36 do not cross each other or themselves (open stitch 40), so that there is a particularly high, uniform curvature of the functional layer with a correspondingly high air inclusion between the knitted fabric and the functional layer . The thermal insulation capacity is accordingly high.

The periodic course of the functional threads 36 can in turn be characterized by period and amplitude. In Fig. 3, the period is designated e and is twice the needle pitch c. The amplitude f is twice the stitch spacing d.

As with the jersey threads, amplitude f and period e can also be varied for the functional threads in order to obtain the desired material properties. 3 and 4 that the course of the functional threads in the upper fabric section 24 is characterized by the amplitude O. The functional threads 36 therefore each run along a wale 6 without leaving it. They are stitched here as an open fringe in tied loops with the respective crochet 6 of the knitted fabric 4. Since the functional threads 36 no longer cross vault-like wales in the fabric section 24, the corresponding insulating effect is eliminated. The fabric section 24 thus has significantly reduced thermal insulation properties. On the other hand, the gas transport across the fabric is much easier, so that, for example, body moisture can be easily removed.

5 shows a further example of a fabric web consisting of a knitted fabric 104 with a functional layer 160 on one side and consisting of two different fabric web sections 122 and 124. The knitted fabric 104 consists uniformly in both sections 122 and 124 of tricot threads 108 and fringed threads 112, which are knitted according to the technical cartridge in FIG. 1. The amplitude a of the fringe threads thus corresponds to a simple wale spacing d in both fabric sections 122 and 124; the period b corresponds to a repeat length. In the fabric section 122, the amplitude f 'is twice the stitch spacing d, whereas in the upper fabric section 124 the amplitude f "only corresponds to the single stitch spacing d. The insulating effect of the fabric section 124 is consequently less than that of the fabric section 122, but greater than that of the fabric section 24 in Fig. 3.

However, the amplitude f can also be increased further, in particular up to a value corresponding to four times the wale spacing d. You can also increase the period (or period length).

In order to prevent the functional thread 36 closest to the edge from having loops protruding beyond the edge at the edge of a fabric web, this and possibly also the next one is omitted, that is to say the functional thread density is locally reduced.

The fabric web described above is characterized in particular by the fact that its bi-elastic properties and its heat insulation ability, possibly independently of one another, can be varied within a wide range by appropriately determining the amplitude and period of the fringe threads and the functional threads. If necessary, the fabric web can consist of fabric web sections of different properties that follow one another seamlessly in the wale direction A. A preferred application of the fabric web according to the invention is body segment heat therapy, in which body segments are to be brought to an elevated temperature, whereas the surroundings are to be heated less strongly. In addition to the increased therapeutic effect, it is also more comfortable to wear, since the less heat-insulating fabric sections allow sufficient moisture exchange (perspiration). The bielasticity of the fabric allows the fabric to be adapted well to multi-curved parts of the body, which increases the warming effect (better air inclusion) and improves comfort (no pressure points). The risk of the fabric slipping on the body is greatly reduced.

7 shows a body warmer 200 as the first application. This consists of three seamlessly merging fabric sections 202, 204 and 206, which are closed to form a cylindrical tube (seam 208 between the two lateral transverse edges of sections 202 and 206 parallel to the row direction). The two peripheral edges 210 of the body warmer 200 accordingly run parallel to the wale direction. The separation lines 212 corresponding to the section separation lines 70 in FIGS. 3, 4, 5 and 6 between the sections 202 and 204, and 204 and 206, respectively are drawn in Fig. 7. The fabric section 204 lies in the back area. The fabric sections 202 and 206 accordingly run over the sides of the body and the area of the abdomen. The fabric sections are each constructed in two layers from an outer knitted fabric 214 and an inner functional layer 216 (heat layer). The structure of the knitted fabric corresponds to the technical cartridge according to FIG. 1 (fringe thread amplitude a = wale spacing d; period b corresponds to the repeat length). The fabric web section 204 in the back is formed with a thick and therefore more insulating functional layer corresponding to the fabric web section 122 in FIG. 5 (functional thread amplitude f ⁼ 2d; period e corresponds to twice the needle spacing c).

The structure of the sections 202 and 206 adjoining on both sides in the circumferential direction of the body warmer 200 corresponds to section 124 in FIG. 5 (functional thread amplitude f '= d; period e = 2 x c). As shown in FIG. 5, the transition between the different sections is problem-free, since in both sections the number of separate functional threads guided parallel to one another is unchanged and corresponds to the number of wales. The same applies to the case of the transition between sections with different fringe thread amplitude and period (see, for example, FIGS. 3 and 6).

Another application is in the knee warmer 300 shown in simplified form in FIG. 8. Here too, a fabric web with differently thick, seamlessly merging fabric web sections 302, 304 and 306 is closed to form a tube (seam 308). The two peripheral edges 310 of the knee warmer 300 also run parallel to the wale direction. The areas of the thick and thin layers are reversed. 7, the circumferential length D of the thicker fabric section 204 is approximately one third of the total circumference, in the knee warmer 300 the circumferential portion E of the thinner fabric section 304 is of the order of one third of the total circumference.

The thicker fabric section 302 and the equally thick fabric section 306 which is connected to it via the seam 308 correspond in structure to their knitted fabric 312 and the functional layer 314 applied on the inside to section 22 in FIGS. 3 and 4 (fringe thread amplitude a = _d ; fringe thread period b = repeat length; function thread amplitude f = 2d; function thread period e = 2 xc). At the transition to the thinner fabric section 304, the structure of the knitted fabric does not change (i.e. fringe thread amplitude a = d, fringe thread period b = 8 xc). The angora threads, on the other hand, correspond to section 24 in FIGS. 3 and 4 with functional thread amplitude = 0, in each case designed as an open fringe in a tied handle. The bielastic properties are therefore approximately the same for all fabric web sections 302, 304 and 306 (greater flexibility in the direction of the hose axis 318 of the knee warmer 300 than in the circumferential direction). The thicker fabric sections 306 and 302 lying on the outside of the knee (in the region of the kneecap and to the side of it) ensure strong heating in this region; the thinner fabric section 304 in the back of the knee area prevents heat build-up and allows the body moisture to be dissipated in this area.

The curved shape which can be seen in FIG. 8 and corresponds to an average curvature of the knee is achieved in each case by two contraction fabric web sections 320 which are inserted into the thicker fabric web sections 302 and 306 in the vicinity of the thinner fabric web section 304. The length of each contraction fabric section 320 in the wale direction (= circumferential direction of the knee warmer 300) corresponds to a repeat length. The structure of the knitted fabric of each contraction fabric section 320 corresponds to section 28 in FIG. 6 (fringe thread amplitude a '= d; fringe thread period b' = 2 x c). Since a fabric section with a knitted fabric according to section 26 in FIG. 6 adjoins both sides of the respective contraction fabric section in the wale direction (fringe thread period b = 8 × c), the four times the number of fringe yarn crossings between the adjacent wales per repeat length leads to a contraction of the contraction fabric section 320 in the course of the course , ie in the direction parallel to the curved axis 318 of the knee warmer 300. Since the total of four contraction fabric sections 320 are attached near the inside of the knee and the thinner fabric section 304 lying between the pairs of contraction strips can be easily pushed together (compressed), in contrast to that due to the thicker functional layer 314 relatively thick front of the knee warmer 300, this receives the curved shape according to FIG. 8. The risk of the knee warmer slipping is thereby greatly reduced; the comfort is improved.

The seam 308 can also be arranged elsewhere, in particular on one of the edges of the thinner fabric section 304.

Regarding the contraction fabric web sections 320, it should be added that the functional thread guide in these sections corresponds to section 24 according to FIG. 3, that is, with the functional thread amplitude = 0. The functional threads run in tied loops as an open fringe each along a wale and thus do not impair the transverse contraction of the respective contraction fabric web section 320 .

The knee warmer described above with reference to FIG. 8 can also be used successfully as an elbow warmer, other web dimensions being selected if necessary.

In order to show the extent of the increase in the functional layer thickness with a corresponding parameter change within the scope of the invention Two exemplary embodiments are described below:

Pattern A - basic knitted fabrics according to FIG. 1 made of inelastic tricot threads 8 and elastic fringe threads 12 with a fringe amplitude a corresponding to the simple wale spacing d and with a fringe period b corresponding to 8 needles; the tensile pretension of the fringe thread when acting is in a range which corresponds to a thread elongation corresponding to 0.8 to 1.2 times the thread rest length. This basic knitted fabric is covered in a basic zone with angora threads corresponding to section 122 in FIG. 5, that is to say with a functional thread amplitude f corresponding to twice the double-crochet spacing d and with a functional thread period e corresponding to 2 needles. In contrast, in a heat zone the angora threads are knitted with a functional thread amplitude corresponding to three times the wale spacing with an unchanged period. In the basic zone, the functional threads therefore cross one wale without a tie and in the warm zone two wales without a tie. Two laying rails are required to produce this pattern, one laying rail for the basic knitted fabric made of the inelastic tricot threads and the elastic fringed threads and one laying rail for the functional threads. Measurements according to DIN 53 855 T 1 with a load of 2 cN / cm ² resulted in a standard thickness of 4.62 mm in the base zone and a standard thickness of 6.38 mm in the heating zone for the sample A (average of five individual measurements each). The thickness of the sample without load was also determined by visual determination from enlarged cross-sectional photos and averaging from five individual measurements in each case. The thickness of sample A in the base zone without load is 4.88 mm and that in the heat zone is 6.44 mm.

Pattern B - The structure of the basic knitted fabric corresponds to that of pattern A. The only difference is that the functional thread amplitude in the basic zone is now only one wale spacing and thus corresponds to section 124 in FIG. 5. Accordingly, the functional thread amplitude in the heat zone is twice the stitch spacing (corresponding to section 122 in FIG. 5). The standard thickness of sample b under load gave a value of 3.47 mm in the base zone and a value of 4.55 mm in the heat zone. Without load, the base zone was 3.80 mm thick and the heat zone was 4.77 mm thick.

These examples show that by simply varying a parameter during fabric manufacture (here by changing the functional thread amplitude) a significant change in thickness (in the examples in the range of 25% and 38%) can be achieved. The difference in the functional thread amplitude in each of the two examples is a stitch spacing, but there are also major differences; the functional thread amplitude can also be zero in a fabric section (corresponding to the upper half of FIG. 4).

As mentioned at the beginning, the material thickness can also be controlled individually or in combination by changing the other three parameters of tension of the fringe threads, fringe thread period and fringe thread amplitude.

Since the thermal insulation properties of a fabric web depend on the fabric web thickness, the fabric web sections produced according to the invention with different thicknesses also have different thermal insulation properties. If you change the fringe thread laying in the basic knitted fabric, the elastic properties of the fabric can also be varied.

The resulting thread elongation (thread extension) in the tension tension applied to the fringe thread corresponds to 0.8 to 1.2 times the idle length, so that the thread length under this bias is 1.8 to 2.2 times the idle length.

Claims (31)

1. Method for the production of a cloth web having a basic knitted fabric of intermeshed tricot threads and elastic fringe threads and having a function layer of function threads, which run to and fro between wales with which they are intermeshed, which is applied to the basic knitted fabric, characterised in that the fringe threads are knitted in under initial tension, crossing from wale to wale.

2. Method according to Claim 1, characterised in that the initial tension corresponds to a thread elongation by 0.8 to 1.2 times the length at rest of the fringe thread.

3. Method according to Claim 1 or 2, characterised in that for the production of a cloth web with cloth web sections with different function layer thickness merging seamlessly into one another in the wale direction the amplitude, parallel to the stitch row direction, with which the fringe threads run to and fro periodically between the wales is set differently in the cloth web sections.

4. Method according to one of the preceding Claims, characterised in that for the production of a cloth web with cloth web sections with different function layer thicknesses merging seamlessly into one another in the wale direction, the amplitude and/or the period with which the fringe threads run to and fro periodically between the wales and/or the initial tension of the fringe threads in the cloth web sections are set differently.

5. Method according to one of the preceding Claims, characterised in that the function threads are Angora threads and/or in that the tricot threads are inelastic.

6. Method according to one of the preceding Claims, characterised in that the function threads jump over one or more wales without binding with these.

7. Cloth web having a basic knitted fabric of intermeshed tricot threads (8) and elastic fringe threads (12) and having a function layer, applied to the basic knitted fabric, of function threads (36) which run to and fro between wales (6) with which they are intermeshed, characterised in that the fringe thread (12) of each one wale (6) crosses to another wale (6) and there forms at least one stitch (30).

8. Cloth web according to Claim 7, characterised in that the fringe thread (12) runs to and fro periodically between at least two wales (6) and at each of the two wales (6) forms at least one stitch (30).

9. Cloth web according to Claim 8, characterised in that the fringe period (b) corresponds to the periodicity length and the fringe amplitude (a) corresponds to a single wale interval (d).

10. Cloth web according to Claim 9, characterised in that the fringe period (b) and amplitude (a) are so selected that for equally great tension force the deflection in the stitch row direction (B) is about twice as great as the deflection in the wale direction (A).

11. Cloth web according to one of Claims 7-10, characterised in that it comprises at least two cloth web sections (22, 24) with fringe periods (b) and/or amplitudes (a) different from one another, which sections seamlessly follow one another in the wale direction (A).

12. Cloth web according to Claim 11, characterised in that for the contraction by sections of the cloth web in the stitch row direction (B) at least one contraction cloth web section (28) is provided which is narrow in the wale direction (A) and comprises one or a few periodicity lengths, with reduced fringe period (b').

13. Cloth web having a basic knitted fabric of intermeshed tricot threads (8) and elastic fringe threads (12) and having a function layer, applied to the basic knitted fabric, of function threads (36) which run to and fro between wales (6) with which they are intermeshed, characterised in that the function threads (36) are intermeshed by means of open stitches with the two wales (6a, 6c).

14. Cloth web according to Claim 13, characterised in that the open stitches each grasp around a needle stitch (30).

15. Cloth web according to Claim 13 or 14, characterised in that it comprises at least two cloth web sections (22, 24; 122, 124) with mutually different function thread periods (e) and/or amplitudes (f), which sections follow one another seamlessly.

16. Cloth web according to one of Claims 13 to 15, characterised in that in a cloth web section (24) the function threads (36) extend each along a wale (6), without departing from it (function thread amplitude f = 0).

17. Cloth web according to Claim 16, characterised in that the one cloth web section (24) is a contraction cloth web section (28).

18. Cloth web according to Claim 16 or 17, characterised in that in the one cloth web section (24) the function threads extend in catch lug interlacing, as open fringe along a wale (6).

19. Cloth web according to one of Claims 13 to 18, characterised in that in the region of the two cloth web edges parallel to the wale direction (A) the function thread density is reduced.

20. Body or joint warmer having a cloth web according to one of Claims 7 to 19, characterised by cloth web sections (202, 204, 206; 302, 304, 306) of different fringe periods and/or amplitudes and/or function thread periods and/or amplitudes.

21. Body warmer with a cloth web according to one of Claims 7 to 19, characterised in that the function thread amplitude of a cloth web section (204) resting on the body region to be warmed is comparatively high, and in that the function thread amplitude of the other cloth web section (206, 208) is comparatively low.

22. Body warmer according to Claim 21, characterised in that the function thread amplitude of the cloth web section (204) resting on the body part to be warmed corresponds to three times the wale interval, and in that the function thread amplitude of the other cloth web section (206, 208) corresponds to once the wale interval.

23. Body warmer according to Claim 22, characterised in that the fringe thread period of the knitted fabric of the two cloth web sections (202, 204, 206) corresponds to one periodicity length.

24. Body warmer according to Claim 22 or 23, characterised in that the two peripheral edges (210) of the body warmer (200) laid around the body extend parallel to the wale direction.

25. Joint warmer for a knee or elbow joint, having a cloth web according to one of Claims 7-9, characterised in that the function thread amplitude of a cloth web section (302) resting on the outside of the joint is comparatively high, and in that the function thread amplitude of a cloth web section (304) in contact in the region of the inside of the joint is comparatively low.

26. Joint warmer according to Claim 25, characterised in that the function thread amplitude of the cloth web section (302) resting on the outside of the joint corresponds to twice the wale interval (b).

27. Joint warmer according to Claim 25 or 26, characterised in that the function thread amplitude of the cloth section (304) in contact in the region of the inside of the joint amounts to zero.

28. Joint warmer according to one of Claims 25 to 27, characterised in that the fringe period of the knitted fabric of both cloth web sections (302, 304, 306) corresponds to one periodicity length.

29. Joint warmer according to one of Claims 25 to 28, characterised in that the two peripheral edges (310) of the cloth web wound around the knee extend parallel to the wale direction.

30. Joint warmer according to one of Claims 25 to 29, characterised in that in each of the two transition regions between the cloth web section (302, 306) on the outside of the joint and the cloth web section (304) on the inside of the joint there is provided at least one contraction cloth web section (320).

31. Repeatedly curved cloth web having a basic knitted fabric of intermeshed tricot threads (8) and elastic fringe threads (12) and having a function layer, applied to the basic knitted fabric, of function threads (36) which run to and fro between wales (6) with which they are intermeshed, characterised in that the fringe thread (12) of each wale (60) crosses to another wale (6) and there forms at least one stitch (30), in that the cloth web comprises at least two cloth web sections (26, 28) seamlessly following one another in the wale direction, with at least one first cloth web section (26) with a first fringe period (b) and with at least one second cloth web section (28) (contraction cloth web section), which is short in the wale direction (A), with a second fringe period (b') shorter than the first fringe period (b').

Images