EP3247830B1 - Method of making a knit fabric, and knit fabric - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a method for producing a knitted part, in particular a bandage, on a knitting machine with two opposing needle beds and a stitch transfer device.

Knitted parts are usually manufactured on knitting machines, with either flat knitting machines or circular knitting machines being used as knitting machines. Every RR knitting machine has at least two opposing needle beds, referred to as the front and rear needle beds on a flat knitting machine, and as a cylinder (front needle bed) and dial (rear needle bed) on a circular knitting machine. Independently of this, the thread or threads are guided with the thread guides and the needles of the respective needle beds of the knitting machine and the knitted body is knitted.

Different types of threads can be processed with machines of this type. In addition to the usual threads forming the basic knitted fabric, elastic threads are also processed in certain applications, which give the knitted part an elasticity. For example, such an elastic thread is processed when knitting a cuff, or when knitting a body-hugging knitted part that is applied to the wearer's body. Such an elastic thread has a high extensibility and a high rebound force, with mostly silicone or elastomer threads being processed.

Frequently, however, it is also desired that a knitted part has, at least in sections, a light adhesive layer on the left side of the fabric, i.e. the side facing the wearer or the skin when worn, which prevents the knitted part from slipping. In order to provide such a knitted part section, it is customary to sew on or sew on an additional adhesive tape, which mostly consists of a textile surface that is covered with an adhesive coating, for example made of silicone. Alternatively, it is also known to apply applications made of silicone, for example, directly to the basic knitted fabric by printing or glue etc. to apply. However, these possibilities are complex, since additional parts have to be produced or sewn on or applied.

Out WO 97/16587 A1 a method for producing a tubular knitted part according to the preamble of claim 10 on a circular knitting machine with two needle groups of first and second needles is known, in which method an elastomer thread is knitted in or clad with the first or second needle group.

Out U.S. 3,392,553 A a knitted part in the form of a stocking is known. This stocking is made on a single-fountain knitting machine, so it is a single-surface knitted fabric with a first fabric side made of right-hand stitches and an opposite fabric side of left-hand stitches. An elastic thread is introduced into the knitted fabric and is bound in a first wale area by a float, while it is plated onto the basic knitted thread in adjacent wale areas for anchoring in the knitted fabric. An adhesive area is formed by the floats of the elastic thread.

Also from FR 2 996 860 A1 a knitted part in the form of a stocking is known which is produced on a single-point knitting machine, that is to say is a single-surface knitted fabric. Here, too, an elastic thread is introduced into an edge region of the knitted fabric, which in sections lies flat.

Finally it's over US 5 299 435 A1 a knitted part is known whose basic knitted fabric according to the preamble of claim 1 is produced on a knitting machine having two needle beds, an additional thread being inserted into the basic knitted fabric.

The invention is thus based on the problem of specifying a method for producing a knitted part which offers the possibility of forming an adhesive area given directly on the knitted part side.

1. a) Stricken eines Grundgestricks auf beiden Nadelbetten,
2. b) Umhängen einzelner, auf voneinander beabstandeten Nadeln der die linke Warenseite bildenden Maschenreihe des ersten Nadelbetts hängender Maschen des Grundgestricks auf gegenüberliegende leere Nadeln des zweiten Nadelbetts,
3. c) Abstricken von mit Fang oder Masche belegten, zu infolge des Umhängens unbelegten Nadeln benachbarten Nadeln des ersten Nadelbetts mittels eines elastischen Fadens unter Bildung einer Flottung,
4. d) Zurückhängen der zuvor umgehängten Maschen auf die früheren Nadeln,
5. e) Abstricken der zurückgehängten Maschen und der aus dem elastischen Faden gestrickten Maschen mit dem das Grundgestrick bildenden Faden.

To solve this problem, in a method for producing a knitted part, in particular a bandage, on a knitting machine with two opposing needle beds and a stitch transfer device, this can be implemented by the following steps:

1. a) knitting a basic knit on both needle beds,
2. b) transferring individual stitches of the basic knitted fabric hanging on the spaced apart needles of the row of stitches forming the left side of the fabric of the first needle bed onto opposing empty needles of the second needle bed,
3. c) knitting off needles of the first needle bed that are covered with a catch or stitch and are adjacent to needles of the first needle bed that are not covered due to the transferring by means of an elastic thread to form a float,
4. d) hanging the previously transferred stitches back onto the previous needles,
5. e) knitting off the looped back stitches and the stitches knitted from the elastic thread with the thread forming the basic knitted fabric.

The method according to the invention makes it possible, as it were, to “knit in” an “adhesive area”, that is to say that a defined adhesive area is formed solely by appropriate knitting. For this purpose, the basic knitted fabric is first formed using a first thread, in which the knitting is carried out on both rows of needles in accordance with the corresponding predetermined knit weave.

In order to knit the "adhesive area", in the next step stitches are specifically hung from one needle bed onto needles of the other needle bed. Specifically, individual, spaced-apart stitches of the row of stitches of the basic knitted fabric forming the left side of the fabric, that is to say the inner side of the knitted fabric, are reassigned to opposite empty needles of the other, second needle bed. This is done by means of a corresponding stitch transfer device of the knitting machine. Depending on the knitted weave, like for example a 2 x 1 patent weave, every 2nd stitch (= 3rd needle) is transferred.

In the next step, those covered with a catch or loop of the basic knitted thread become the ones that are not covered as a result of the hanging The needles of the first needle bed forming the left side of the fabric are knitted by means of an elastic thread to form a float with stitch. The elastic thread is knitted with a stitch on those needles that are on the right and / or left of a needle that is now empty because the stitch was previously transferred. The elastic thread then extends with a float from loop to loop, the float extending over two needles, for example in the case of a 2 x 1 patent weave, but any conceivable combination is possible.

Then, in the next step, the previously transferred stitches of the basic knitted fabric are hung back onto their previous needles by means of the stitch transfer device. This hanging back takes place almost against the floating.

In the last step, the looped back stitches and the stitches knitted from the elastic thread are knitted with the thread forming the basic knit, after which steps b - e (repeat) can be continued or repeated until the "adhesive area" has the desired width and is finished. This can be followed by a knitted fabric of any type, or the knitted fabric can end with the knitting according to step e). The more often the repeat, that is to say steps b) - e), the wider the knitted "adhesive area" becomes. A narrow "adhesive area" can theoretically be formed by performing steps b) - e) once, that is, only one row of stitches.

By transferring the stitches, knitting the elastic thread on the needles of the needle bed knitting the left side of the fabric with float, as well as hanging back, it is achieved that the floated stitches or the stitches that are knitted in the float area with the basic textile thread are pressed into the knitted fabric by the restoring force of the elastic thread. In contrast, the stitches knitted with the elastic thread on the first row of needles are more or less raised, so that the elastic thread protrudes on the left side of the fabric or the inside of the knitted fabric. The protrusion of the elastic thread will it is particularly helpful when the needle on which a loop of the elastic thread is knitted is previously tied with a catch. Because the catch increases the volume of the thread, so that the loop protrudes a little further from the elastic thread.

In this way it is ensured that, on the one hand, there is sufficient material of elastic thread directly on the side of the fabric that rests on the skin side, so that the slightly adhesive property of the elastic thread, for example a silicone or elastane thread, can be used to create a ensure good adhesion to the wearer's skin. At the same time, neighboring stitches, formed by the textile knitting thread, are pressed into the inside of the knitted fabric by the floating of the elastic thread, so they do not lie on the skin side and consequently do not reduce the adhesion of the knitted "adhesive tape". This ensures that a very good adhesive contact can be achieved simply by knitting the elastic thread in the manner described. It is no longer necessary to provide an additional adhesive tape or the like to form the adhesive area.

Preferably, the needles that are knitted with the elastic thread with stitches are previously only covered with a catch which, as described, does not form a stitch of its own but merely increases the "thread volume" on the needle, which means that the elastic thread still slightly further emerges from the knitted fabric level. This also leads to the elastic thread always prominently emerging from stitch row to stitch row. At the same time, the needle could also be covered with a stitch made from the basic textile knitted thread. In this case, the textile thread and the elastic thread would alternate from stitch row to stitch row. Viewed in the longitudinal direction of the knitted fabric, the assignment with the catch means that a quasi-closed line (wales) of elastic thread loops is formed on the inside of the knitted fabric, while when a textile loop is made from the basic knitted fabric thread from row to row of stitches, textile thread and elastic thread alternate in Seen in the longitudinal direction of the knitted fabric would be given.

In a further development of the invention it can be provided that at least one, preferably at least two needles are located between two looped stitches. Depending on how many needles lie in between, the length of the float and consequently the distance between the "adhesive rows" seen in the transverse direction of the knit is made of elastic thread loops.

As described, in the last step of such a knitted weave, the basic knitted thread is knitted. This can be done in such a way that the needles knitted with the elastic thread are knitted either with tuck or with stitches, while the needles with the stitches hung back are knitted with stitches. The difference between knitting a catch or a loop in relation to the protrusion of the elastic thread loops has already been explained above. The needles with the stitches that have been hung back are preferably knitted with stitches, since this stitch is again transferred in the next process pass, thus ensuring a problem-free process. With a suitable thread material, it is also conceivable to use the floating and / or catching binding elements on this needle on a tour. It is useful if, when knitting off according to the last step, the stitches of the opposite needle bed are also knitted off with the thread forming the basic knitted fabric.

It is conceivable to knit only one needle with the elastic thread at a time. This means that each float runs from a single mesh to the next individual mesh. Alternatively, it is also conceivable that two needles lying next to one another are knitted with the elastic thread. In this case, both needles would be covered with tuck or stitch of the basic knit. Overall, broader rows, viewed in the transverse direction of the knit, are made of elastic thread.

In a further development of the invention, it can be provided that the stitches are transferred over the entire width of the basic knitted fabric, distributed according to a pattern. Alternatively, it is conceivable to transfer the stitches only in individual areas of the basic knitted fabric. This allows the protruding rows or Areas of elastic thread only partially develop so that the adhesive effect is only partially effective, for example to be able to sew over this area without any problems or to limit the adhesive effect locally, etc. In areas where there is no transferring, there is consequently no float, which could hold back the stitches knitted with the basic knitted thread or would press into the inside of the knitted fabric. Rather, the knitted stitches emerge in these areas that are not hung around and form the inside of the knitted fabric. There is no noteworthy adhesive effect in this area. The stitches, knitted with the elastic thread, recede, they pull themselves into the knitted fabric, the adhesive effect in this area inevitably decreases. This means that you can hang around in a distributed pattern and / or in blocks, in order to only partially knit in the "adhesive tape".

A silicone or elastane thread is preferably used as the elastic thread. In principle, if the knitting machine is configured accordingly, it is possible to work with "bare", that is, uncoiled silicone or elastane threads. Preferably, however, an elastic thread is used around which a wrapping thread which is soluble in a fluid, in particular water-soluble, is used. Such a winding thread reduces the friction of the otherwise slightly adhering silicone or elastane material on the loop-forming elements (needle, thread guide, etc.) and the thread feed (feeder, thread tensioner, thread brake, etc.). For example, a winding thread made of "Solvron®" is used, which is water-soluble. This means that the knitted part has to be washed after knitting, which means that the water-soluble winding thread dissolves and the adhesive properties of the silicone or elastane thread come into their own.

Finally, it is conceivable to insert an elastic weft thread before or after knitting with the elastic thread. This weft thread, which can be inserted, for example, when a compressive knitted part is to be knitted, does not impair the function of the "knitted adhesive tape" in any way.

A knitted part according to the invention, in particular a bandage, consists of a thread forming the basic knitted fabric and an elastic thread knitted in at least in sections, the basic knitted fabric having two surfaces and the elastic thread being raised in at least a part of the rows of stitches running in the transverse direction of the knitted fabric on the left side of the fabric and adjacent Meshes of the basic knitted thread are pressed into the inside of the knitted fabric by the floatation of the elastic thread.

The basic knitted fabric is preferably knitted with a 2 x 1 patent binding. The weave shown in particular in the following figures in the grain line ( Fig. 1 ) and stitch pattern ( Fig. 2 ) of a 2 x 1 patent only serves as an example, further binding variants based on the functionality presented (highlighting stitches knitted with elastic threads and pushing back stitches knitted with classic thread material by floating the elastic thread) are of course possible.

Fig. 1

ein Diagramm zur Darstellung des Fadenverlaufs zur Erläuterung des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens, und

Fig. 2

eine Darstellung des Maschenbildes der linken, zum Körper gewandten Warenseite eines erfindungsgemäße Gestrickteils.

Further advantages and details of the invention emerge from the exemplary embodiment described below and with reference to the drawing. Show:

Fig. 1

a diagram to illustrate the thread course to explain the method according to the invention, and

Fig. 2

a representation of the stitch pattern of the left side facing the body of a knitted part according to the invention.

Fig. 1 shows in the form of five partial diagrams a) -e) the thread course of the different threads forming a knitted part according to the invention.

It is assumed that knitting is carried out on a flat knitting machine which has a rear needle bed 1 and a front needle bed 2. On the one hand, knitting is done with a classic knitting thread 3, which forms the basic knit, for example made of wool, cotton, polyamide, viscose, polyester, polyacrylic etc. Furthermore, an elastic thread 4 is knitted, for example a silicone or elastane thread, which is optionally provided with a water-soluble winding thread.

Diagram a) shows the starting position and the basic offset position. The left side of the fabric, that is to say the inside of the knitted fabric facing the wearer, is knitted on the rear needle bed 1, while the outside of the knitted fabric is knitted on the front needle bed 2.

Each needle bed 1, 2 has a large number of individual needles 5, 6, which, depending on the binding technique to be knitted, are appropriately covered with stitches or catches or unoccupied. In the example shown, it is assumed that a 2 x 1 patent weave is being knitted. As can be seen, the basic knitted thread 3 runs around both needles 5 of the rear needle bed and needles 6 of the front needle bed. In the example shown, the needles 5a of the rear needle bed are each covered with a catch 7 of the basic knitted thread, while the needles 5b of the rear needle bed are covered with a stitch 8. The remaining needles 5c are not used.

On the front needle bed 2, the needles 6a are each covered with a loop 9 of the basic knitted thread, while the needles 6b are free.

In the next step, see diagram b), which shows the beginning of the repeat, the stitches 8 are transferred from the needles 5b of the rear needle bed 1 to the needles 6b of the front needle bed. You are now on the front needle bed 2.

In the next step according to diagram c) the elastic thread 4 is knitted. For this purpose, stitches 10 are knitted on needles 5a with catch 7, as diagram c) clearly shows. Otherwise, the elastic thread 4 is floating, that is to say that there is a floating 11 between two loops 10. In the case of the 2 × 1 patent binding shown here, this float 11 extends over two needles 5b and 5c which are now empty due to the hanging of the stitches 8.

In the next step shown in diagram d), the previously transferred stitches 8 are transferred again from the needles 6b to the needles 5b of the rear needle bed 1. This hanging takes place almost against the floating elastic thread 4, which is knitted on the first or rear needle bed 1 in accordance with step c).

In the last step according to diagram e) the basic knitted fabric thread 3 is knitted again, with it again the same needles 5a with a catch 7 or 5b with a stitch 8 or 6a with a stitch 9, as for the basic offset position according to Diagram a) shown. This means that the diagram e) ultimately represents the end of the report, but at the same time also the initial situation for the start of the report according to diagram b).

The steps according to diagrams b) -e), which correspond to method steps b) -e) according to the invention, and which represent the repeat, can now be repeated as often as desired. The more often they are repeated, the wider the knitted "adhesive area" becomes. A narrow adhesive area can also only be formed by such a row of stitches. The conclusion can be made by knitting off according to step e), or any further knitted fabric section with any type of weave can follow.

By transferring the stitches 8, the transferred loop is located when the elastic thread 4 is knitted in relation to the left side of the fabric, that is, the row of stitches of the rear needle bed 1 forming the inside of the knitted fabric is offset to the inside of the knitted fabric. This means that the float 11 of the elastic thread 4 is arranged in relation to the inside of the knitted fabric in front of the looped stitches 8, that is to say the part of the basic knitted fabric that lies between the stitches 10 from the elastic thread 4. This now leads to the fact that on the finished knitted part the float 11 pushes the stitches 8 in the direction of the outside of the knitted fabric, that is to say pushes them into the inside of the knitted fabric. In contrast, the stitches 10 of the elastic thread, which are knitted on the rear needle bed 1, are highlighted on the left side of the fabric, ie the inside of the knitted fabric are. This means that there is a lot of elastic thread material facing the inside of the knitted fabric. Since the elastic thread, be it the silicone thread, be it the elastane thread, has a corresponding adhesive property and since the stitches 10 are emphasized or raised, this results in a corresponding adhesive area, which is defined solely by the rows of stitches from the stitches 10 of the elastic thread 4 is formed. The adhesive properties are remarkably good, since they are not impaired by the pushed back stitches 8 from the non-adhesive basic stitch thread.

On the finished knitted part, longitudinal wales 12, seen in the longitudinal direction of the knitted fabric, result from the stitches 10, adjacent to those, as it were deepened towards the inside of the knitted fabric, the floats 11 of the elastic thread 4 and behind these wales from the stitches 8 and 9 (seen in the longitudinal direction of the knitted fabric) of the basic knit lie.

An exemplary mesh pattern of the left side of the fabric, i.e. the side facing the body, i.e. the inside of the knitted fabric, in the form of a 2 x 1 patent weave is shown in Fig. 2 shown.

The meshes 10 made of the elastic thread 4 are shown, which, viewed in the longitudinal direction of the knitted fabric, form longitudinal, raised wales 12. Also shown are the corresponding catches 7 of the basic knitted textile thread 3 on which the stitches 10 of the elastic thread 4 are knitted.

Between the wales 12 and the stitches 10, respectively, the floats 11 of the elastic thread 4 run. These are directed towards the inside of the knitted fabric above the stitches 8 and 9 behind them as seen towards the outside of the knitted fabric. The stitches 8 are the stitches that were knitted on the rear needle bed 1 and were hung around and back, while the stitches 9 are the stitches that were knitted exclusively on the front needle bed 2. Due to the restoring force of the elastic thread 4 in the area of the float and the formation of the stitches 10, knitted on the catch 7, lie the wales 12 are raised with respect to the plane of the floats 11, so that a raised rib structure is produced, which is formed by the elastic thread 4.

If a thread wrapped with a water-soluble winding thread is used as the elastic thread 4, it is necessary to wash it after the knitted part has been produced so that the winding thread dissolves and the respective silicone or elastane thread is then exposed.

Although the exemplary embodiment shows a 2 x 1 weave in each case, it is equally conceivable to knit a type of 1 x 1 weave. In this case, only one wale would be formed between two wales 12 (seen in the longitudinal direction of the knitted fabric) from the stitches 9 on the needle bed 2, which forms the right side of the fabric. wider ribs, you increase the number of wales from the stitches 9 on the needle bed 2. The ribs on the needle bed 1, left fabric side towards the body, can also be widened by increasing the ribs from the catch 7 in a suitable combination with the wales from the stitches 9 on the needle bed 2 and the subsequent knitting through stitches 10 with the elastic thread 4. By increasing the number of stitches 8 on the needle bed 1 and the corresponding free needles 6b on the needle bed 2, the width of the float 11 raise..

In principle, it would also be conceivable to form two such wales 12 per width area of the knitted part instead of one wale 12. In this case, the elastic thread would have to be knitted on two adjacent needles 5 of the rear needle bed 1 in the step according to diagram c). The result would then be somewhat broader adhesive rows of stitches in total due to the adjacent wales 12 lying parallel.

Finally, of course, there is also the possibility, depending on the type of weave chosen, not only to hang one stitch 8, but for example two such stitches, which are to the left and right of the needle that is to be knitted with the elastic thread. In this regard, too, there is a possibility of variation. In addition, a process step can of course also be inserted at any time with which the needles are additionally knitted on the front needle bed 2, for example to form a pattern, etc.

The adhesive area according to the invention can be knitted onto any basic or basic knitted section. For example, in the case of a bandage, the tubular knitted body, e.g. B. as a compression knitted fabric, after which the adhesive area is knitted using the method according to the invention. Such an adhesive area can of course also be provided on both ends of the knitted part, as it can theoretically also extend over the entire length of the knitted part.

Claims (12)

1. Method for producing a knitted fabric panel on a knitting machine having two mutually opposite needle beds (1, 2) and a loop transfer installation, comprising the following steps:

   a) knitting a knitted ground fabric on both needle beds (1, 2);

   b) transferring individual loops (8) of the knitted ground fabric that are suspended from mutually spaced apart needles (5b) of the stitch course of the first needle bed (1) that forms the left fabric side to opposite empty needles (6b) of the other, second, needle bed (2);
   characterized by

   c) casting off needles (51) which are populated by a tuck (7) or a loop to neighbouring needles (5b) of the first needle bed (1), said neighbouring needles (5b) being unpopulated as a consequence of the transfer, by means of an elastic thread (4) while forming a float (11);

   d) returning the previously transferred loops (8) to the previous needles (5b);

   e) casting off the returned loops (8) and the loops (10) knitted from the elastic thread (4) conjointly with the threads (3) that form the knitted ground fabric.
2. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that at least one needle, preferably at least two needles (5a, 5c), lie/lies between two transferred loops (8) .
3. Method according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the needles (5a) cast off with the elastic thread (4) are cast off with the tuck (7) or loop together with the thread (3) that forms the knitted ground fabric, and needles (5b) with the returned loops (8) are cast off with the loop (8) together with the thread (3) that forms the knitted ground fabric.
4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the loops of the needles (6) of the second needle bed (2) are also cast off when casting off together with the threads (3) that form the knitted ground fabric.
5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that only one needle (5a) with the elastic thread (4) is in each case cast off, or in that two or more needles (5a) with the elastic thread (4) lying next to one another are cast off.
6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the loops (8) are transferred so as to be symmetrically distributed across the entire width of the knitted ground fabric, and/or in that the loops (8) are transferred only in individual regions of the knitted ground fabric.
7. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a silicone or elastane thread is used as the elastic thread (4).
8. Method according to Claim 7, characterized in that an elastic thread (4) which is wrapped by a fluid-soluble, in particular water-soluble, wrapping thread is used.
9. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an elastic weft thread is inserted before or after casting-off with the elastic thread (4).
10. Knitted fabric panel composed of a thread (3) that forms the knitted ground fabric, and an elastic thread (4) that is incorporated in at least regions of the knitted structure, wherein the knitted ground fabric is configured so as to be bi-planar, characterized in that the elastic thread (4) stands proud in at least part of the stitch courses that run in the transverse direction of the knitted fabric on the left fabric side, and neighbouring loops of the knitted base fabric thread (3) are impressed into the interior of the knitted fabric by a float (11) of the elastic thread (4).
11. Knitted fabric panel according to Claim 10, characterized in that said knitted fabric panel is a bandage.
12. Knitted fabric panel according to Claim 10, characterized in that the knitted ground fabric is knitted in a 1 x 1, a 2 x 1, or a 3 x 1 brioche stitch, or any other combination of a brioche stitch.

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