WO2007068388A1

WO2007068388A1 - Leno heddle device for a weaving loom

Info

Publication number: WO2007068388A1
Application number: PCT/EP2006/011743
Authority: WO
Inventors: Patrick Glorie; Ignace Meyns
Original assignee: Picanol Nv
Priority date: 2005-12-13
Filing date: 2006-12-07
Publication date: 2007-06-21
Also published as: CN101331253A; BE1016891A6; CN101331253B; EP1960576A1

Abstract

A leno heddle device (1) for a weaving loom comprising a leno heddle (4) and lifting heddles (2,3) for the leno heddle (4) whereby one leg (12,13) of the leno heddle (4) is guided in a slot (18,19) of a lifting heddle (2,3), and whereby the leno heddle (4) comprises a leg (12,13) comprising a principally inclined end section (22,23) and a lifting heddle (2,3) comprises a slot (18,19) comprising a principally inclined end section (24,25).

Description

Leno heddle device for a weaving loom

[0001] The invention relates to a leno heddle device for a weaving loom comprising a leno heddle and lifting heddles for the leno heddle whereby one leg of the leno heddle is guided in a slot of a lifting heddle.

[0002] The forming of a leno heddle weave or so-called leno weave with a leno heddle device is known from EP 1428916 A2. A leno heddle device of this kind comprises two lifting heddles and a leno heddle that is operated by the lifting heddles. The leno heddle com- prises a thread eye to guide a first warp thread. The lifting heddles each work together with a leg of the leno heddle in order to move the leno heddle with a lifting heddle. Furthermore, each lifting heddle comprises a magnet that allows a leg of the leno heddle to be attracted while that lifting heddle moves the leno heddle. A second warp thread is guided between the lifting heddles and outside the circumference of the leno heddle. Each lifting heddle can be driven by a weaving frame or by a corresponding drive element. By allowing the lifting heddles to move opposite to one another, the leno heddle is moved each time together with one of the lifting heddles. This allows a so-called leno heddle weave or leno weave to be formed whereby the second warp thread being twisted around the first warp thread. A first and second warp thread that work together with a leno heddle device are also referred to as heddle thread, leno thread, split thread, selvedge thread or waste thread.

[0003] In a leno heddle device of this kind, the lifting heddles are generally made of plastic while the leno heddle is generally made of steel. A plastic lifting heddle of this kind is subject to wear due to the impact of the leno heddle and due to the impact of the warp threads on the lifting heddle. Such wear can result in the lifting heddle causing damage to a warp thread guided by the leno heddle device. Such wear also results in the lifting heddles having to be replaced relatively quickly.

[0004] During weaving, the warp threads move relative to the leno heddle and relative to the lifting heddles. As a result of the relative movement, weaving dust is generally produced that can pile up in the leno heddle device, more particularly in the area of the lifting heddles at a point close to the end sections of the legs of the leno heddle. The up and down movement of the warp threads also causes the tension in these warp threads to change. In order to control the variations in the tension of the warp threads, a thread compensator and a thread hold-down device are generally provided be- tween each thread supply unit for a warp thread and the heddle device. The friction of the warp threads with the thread compensator and/or with the thread hold-down device can also create weaving dust that can pile up in the heddle device.

[0005] The object of the invention is to improve a leno heddle device in order to avoid weaving dust piling up in the area of the heddle device.

[0006] In order to achieve this object, the leno heddle device com- prises a leno heddle with at least one leg comprising an end section and at least one lifting heddle with a slot that near an end section of the leno heddle comprises a corresponding end section, whereby the end section of the leno heddle and the corresponding end section of the lifting heddle forming a wedge extending in the plane of the leno heddle in such a way that weaving dust located between both end sections is pushed out of the leno heddle device while both end sections are moved towards one another.

[0007] According to a preferred embodiment, the heddle device comprises a leno heddle with at least one leg comprising a principally inclined end section, and at least one lifting heddle with a slot that near a principally inclined end section of the leno heddle comprises a corresponding principally inclined end section, whereby the principally inclined end section of the leno heddle and the corresponding principally inclined end section of the lifting heddle being oriented opposite one another and forming a wedge in such a way that weaving dust located between both end sections is pushed out of the leno heddle device while both end sections are moved to- wards one another. The principally inclined end section of the lifting heddle preferably extends in a transverse direction along the plane of the leno heddle practically up to a side edge of the lifting heddle in such a way that weaving dust located between both end sections is pushed principally in a transverse direction along the plane of the leno heddle laterally out of the leno heddle device while both end sections are moved towards one another.

[0008] A leno heddle device of this kind prevents weaving dust piling up in the leno heddle device. If weaving dust does enter the slot, the leno heddle can move this weaving dust to a principally inclined end section of the slot. With the principally inclined end section of the leno heddle and the corresponding principally inclined end section of the slot that together form a practically V-shaped wedge, the weaving dust can be driven principally laterally along the plane of the leno heddle and out of the slot when both end sections are moved towards one another. This prevents weaving dust piling up and jamming in the slot. In order to push the weaving dust out of the leno heddle device, according to one embodiment the principally inclined end section and the principally inclined end section are oriented op- posite one another. The principally inclined end section of the lifting heddle extends here in a traverse direction along the plane of the leno heddle practically up to one side edge of the lifting heddle so that the weaving dust can leave the leno heddle device laterally along the above-mentioned plane. This ensures that the leno heddle device can operate faultlessly at all times, and that standstills of the weaving loom or faulty leno heddle weaves can be avoided. This latter aspect benefits the quality of the woven fabric. As a result, the leno heddle device according to the invention is also suitable for use for the weaving of warp threads that normally produce a relatively high quantity of weaving dust. Such a leno heddle device is also suitable for use in high-speed weaving looms.

[0009] The leno heddle device preferably comprises a leno heddle with two legs comprising a principally inclined end section, and two lifting heddles with a slot, each of which comprising a principally inclined end section near a principally inclined end section of the leno heddle, whereby each principally inclined end section of a heddle and the corresponding principally inclined end section of a lifting heddle being oriented in such a way that weaving dust located between both end sections is preferably pushed laterally out of the leno heddle device while both end sections are moved towards one another. This allows weaving dust to be prevented from piling up in the area of either slot of the slots in the leno heddle device.

[0010] According to a preferred embodiment, the principally inclined end section of the lifting heddle extends in a transverse direction along the plane of the leno heddle practically from one side edge of the lifting heddle. Hereby the above-mentioned end section forms an obtuse angle with the corresponding side edge of the lifting heddle.

[0011] In order to highlight the characteristics and further advantages of the invention more clearly, the invention is explained in further detail below by reference to drawings with illustrative embodi- ments.

[0012] Figure 1 shows a side view of a leno heddle device according to the invention;

Figure 2 shows in enlarged form the leno heddle device from Fig- ure 1 ;

Figure 3 shows a side view of the leno heddle device from Figure 2; Figure 4 shows a front view of a leno heddle according to the invention; Figures 5 and 6 show a front view of a lifting heddle according to the invention;

Figure 7 shows in enlarged form an end section of a leg of a leno heddle that interacts with an end section of a slot of a lifting heddle; Figure 8 shows in enlarged form a section along line VIII-VIII in Fig- ure 5;

Figure 9 shows in enlarged form a section along line IX-IX in Figure 6;

Figures 10 to 16 show variants of Figure 7; Figure 17 shows in enlarged form a section along line XVII-XVII in Figure 16.

[0013] The leno heddle device 1 shown in Figure 1 comprises two lifting heddles 2 and 3 that, for example, can be manufactured principally of plastic. The leno heddle device 1 also comprises a leno heddle 4 that, for example, is manufactured from magnetizable steel or metal. The leno heddle 4 can be moved in a known manner by a lifting heddle 2 or 3. The leno heddle 4 comprises a thread eye 5 to guide a first warp thread 6.

[0014] A second warp thread 7 is guided between the lifting heddles 2 and 3 and outside the circumference of the leno heddle 4. The warp threads 6 and 7 each come from a thread supply unit (not illustrated) and are guided to the heddle device 1 via a thread guide 8. The thread guide 8 is oriented in such a way that in the embodiment shown the warp threads 6 and 7 are pushed downwards. The warp threads 6 and 7 are guided past the leno heddle device 1 to the woven fabric 9. Such warp threads 6 and 7 that interact with a leno heddle device 1 are also called selvedge threads or leno threads. A thread compensator such as a spring-loaded thread compensator and/or a thread monitor can also be installed between each thread supply unit and the thread guide 8 in the known manner.

[0015] Each lifting heddle 2 or 3 comprises at least one magnet 10 or 11 that can interact with a leg 12 or 13 respectively of the heddle 4 in the known manner. The magnets 10 and 11 are oriented in the known manner in such a way that during operation a magnet 10 or 11 of the lifting heddle 2 or 3 positioned at the top in the example shown can attract the leno heddle 4. The lifting heddle 2 can be driven via drive elements 14 and 15, while the lifting heddle 3 can be driven via drive elements 16 and 17. The drive elements 14 to 17 are driven, for example, in the known manner via a drive mechanism, for example a drive mechanism of the type as described in US 5803133. The drive elements 14 to 17 can also be driven in a manner as described in US 4967802. The drive elements 14 to 17 can also be driven in the known manner by weaving frames or by any other drive mechanism.

[0016] As illustrated in Figures 2 to 9, the lifting heddle 2 comprises a slot 18 and the lifting heddle 3 a slot 19. The leg 12 of the leno heddle 4 can be guided in the slot 18, while the leg 13 of the leno heddle 4 can be guided in the slot 19. Each lifting heddle 2 and 3 can also be provided with metal pieces 20 or 21 that in the example shown are located near the middle of the lifting heddles 2 or 3 re- spectively. The warp threads 6 and 7 can thus slide against such a piece 20 or 21 and wear on the plastic of the lifting heddles 2, 3 can be limited. Such a piece 20, 21 can be arranged in the plastic part of the corresponding lifting heddle 2, 3 in the known manner, more particularly in such a way that the leno heddle 4 cannot come into con- tact with either of the pieces 20, 21 while the leno heddle 4 is moved by an above-mentioned lifting heddle 2 or 3. For this the pieces 20 and 21 can be arranged and glued in the lifting heddle 2 or 3 in a manner such as shown, for example, in Figure 8 for the pieces 21 in the lifting heddle 3. During the movement of the leno heddle 4 with a lifting heddle 2 or 3, the leno heddle 4 is carried along by the magnet 10 or 11 of the lifting heddle 2 or 3 moving upwards in the example shown.

[0017] Furthermore, the leno heddle 4 comprises two legs 12 and 13 that have an inclined end section 22 or 23 respectively. The slot 18, 19 of the lifting heddle 2, 3 comprises an inclined end section 24, 25 lying near the corresponding inclined end section 22, 23 of the leno heddle 4 when the leno heddle 4 is carried along by the corres- ponding lifting heddle 2, 3. The inclined end section 22, 23 and the corresponding inclined end section 24, 25 are oriented in such a way that weaving dust located between both is pushed laterally out of the leno heddle device 1 while both are moved towards one another. "Inclined" means primarily here forming an angle with the lon- gitudinal direction B of the leno heddle device 1 that differs from a right angle. Such an angle D or E as shown in Figures 5 or 6 is thereby larger than a right angle.

[0018] During operation, the leno heddle 4 is oriented in a plane 26 as indicated in Figure 3. Following the transverse direction A indicated in Figure 4 and extending in the plane 26 of the leno heddle 4, a principally inclined end section 24, 25 extends from a slot 18, 19 of at least one of the lifting heddles 2, 3 practically up to a side edge 27, 28 of a corresponding lifting heddle 2, 3. This allows weaving dust located between the leno heddle 4 and the corresponding lifting heddle 2, 3 to be pushed laterally out of the leno heddle device in a transverse direction A along the above-mentioned plane 26. The principally inclined end section 24, 25 of the lifting heddle 2, 3 extends here in a transverse direction A along the plane 26 of the heddle from a side edge 27, 28 of the lifting heddle 2, 3. The above- mentioned end section 24, 25 forms an obtuse angle D or E with the corresponding side edge 27, 28 of the lifting heddle 2, 3.

[0019] The slots 18, 19 comprise an opening 29, 30 arranged near an end section 24, 25 of the slot 18, 19 of the lifting heddle 2, 3 on one side edge 27, 28 of the lifting heddle 2, 3. In the example shown in Figures 2 to 9, the openings 29, 30 are oriented in such a way that they are arranged on the outer edge of the heddle device 1. An opening 29, 30 allows weaving dust to escape from the leno heddle device 1 at the outer side of the leno heddle device 1. As indicated in Figures 5 and 6, the obtuse angle D or E is determined as the angle between the edge of the end section 24, 25 and the edge of the side edge 27, 28 lying past the opening 29, 30 of the slot 18, 19. As shown in Figure 8 the slot 19 is formed between the edge 33 and the transverse edges 34 and 35 of the lifting heddle 3. By analogy, the slot 18 as shown in Figure 9 is formed between the edge 32 and the transverse edges 36 and 37 of the lifting heddle 2.

[0020] Each inclined end section 22, 23 and the corresponding inclined end section 24, 25 are oriented opposite one another. As can be seen in detail in Figure 4, the outer side of the end section 22, 23 of each leg 12, 13 of the leno heddle 4 lies closer to the top 31 of the leno heddle 4 in longitudinal direction B of the leno heddle 4 than the inner side of the end section 22, 23 of each leg 12, 13 of the leno heddle 4. This allows the weaving dust at the outer edge, more particularly at the outermost side edge 27, 28, of each lifting heddle 2, 3 to be removed. In the position as shown in Figure 7, the inclined end section 22 of a leg 12 of the leno heddle 4 and the in- dined end section 24 of the slot 18 of the lifting heddle 2 together form a wedge 40, more particularly a practically V-shaped wedge. The wedge 40 extends here in the plane 26 (Figure 3) of the leno heddle 4. Such a V-shaped wedge 40 is advantageous for the removal of weaving dust. In the case where the end section 22 moves towards the end section 24, weaving dust is pushed or forced out of the leno heddle device 1 due to the wedge 40 formed by the opposed inclined orientation or inclination of the end section 22 and the end section 24 and due to the opening 29 of the slot 18 arranged near the end section 24 at the outer side of the lifting heddle 2.

[0021] It is clear that the end section 22, 23 and/or the end section 24, 25 that together form a wedge do not have to be completely in- dined, but need to be inclined only for the most part in order to achieve the function according to the invention. Figure 10 shows a variant in which the principally inclined end section 22 also comprises a part 38 that is oriented more or less perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction B of the leno heddle 4. The part 38 does not disturb the function of the leno heddle device 1 according to the invention to any notable extent and offers the advantage that the end section 22 of the leg 12 of the leno heddle 4 has no sharp point. By analogy, the principally inclined end section 24 of the lifting heddle 2, 3 can comprise a part 39 that is oriented more or less perpendicu- larly to the longitudinal direction B of the heddle 2. The inclined part of the end section 24 extends here more or less from one side edge 27 of the lifting heddle 2, more particularly from a relatively short distance from the side edge 27. Figure 11 shows a further variant in which the end section 23 of the leg 13 comprises a part 41 that is oriented more or less parallel to the end section 25. Figure 12 shows a further variant in which, by analogy with Figure 10, the leg 13 comprises an end section 23 and a part 38 while the lifting heddle 3 comprises an end section 25 and a part 42 that is oriented perpendicularly to the edge 33 and parallel to the part 38. As the end sections 23 and 25 form a practically V-shaped wedge over a sufficient distance, this embodiment allows weaving dust to be removed in accordance with the invention by analogy with the embodiments in Figures 1 to 9.

[0022] Figure 13 shows a variant in which the end section 22 of a leg 12 of the leno heddle 4 and an end section 24 of a slot 18 of a lifting heddle 2 are oriented opposite one another and are also oriented opposite the end sections 22, 24 as shown in Figure 7. In this embodiment, an opening 43 is provided in the area of the edge 32 of a side edge 44 of the lifting heddle 2 through which weaving dust can escape, said side edge 44 lying on the opposite side of the lifting heddle 2 to the side edge 27, in other words said side edge 44 lying on the inner side of the heddle device 1 being arranged be- tween the lifting heddles 2 and 3.

[0023] Figure 14 shows a further variant in which the leg 13 comprises a first end section 23 that is oriented opposite a corresponding end section 25 of a slot 19 of a lifting heddle 3 and also com- prises a second end section 45 that is oriented opposite a corresponding end section 46 of the slot 19 of the lifting heddle 3. In this case, the lifting heddle 3 comprises both an opening 30 and an opening 43 provided on one side edge 44 or 28 and through which weaving dust can be removed.

[0024] Notwithstanding the fact that the invention already offers advantages in that the end section of one leg and the corresponding end section of the slot of one lifting heddle are designed in accordance with the invention, it is nevertheless preferable that the end sections of both legs and the corresponding end sections of the slot of both lifting heddles are designed in accordance with the invention.

[0025] Figure 15 shows a variant in which the end section 47 of the leg 13 has a rounded form. This end section 47 can interact with an inclined end section 25 of the lifting heddle 3 in order to form a wedge for the removal of weaving dust through the opening 19 of the lifting heddle 3.

[0026] Figures 16 and 17 show a further variant in which an opening 48 is also provided in the transverse edges 36 and 37 in addition to the opening 29 as shown in Figure 7. These openings 48 are also shown in the sectional view in Figure 17 and allow weaving dust to be removed also in a direction perpendicular to the lateral transverse direction A. This means that weaving dust can be removed through both the opening 29 and through both openings 48.

[0027] Notwithstanding the fact that in the examples shown, the legs 12 and I3 of the leno heddle 4 are arranged under the thread eye 5, it is clear that the leno heddle 4 can also be arranged with a different orientation with the legs 12 and 13 above the thread eye 5, for example oriented in the same way as the leno heddle device as described in DE 29604451 U1. In this case, the lifting heddles 2 and 3 must also be arranged with a different orientation. In this case, all the references in the above-mentioned description to upwards, above or upper edge must be replaced by downwards, below and lower edge.

[0028] The leno heddle device according to the invention is of course not limited to the embodiments described as examples and shown in the figures, and within the scope of the invention can be constructed as different variants and/or combinations of the embodiments shown.

Claims

1. A leno heddle device (1 ) for a weaving loom comprising a leno heddle (4) and lifting heddles (2,3) for the leno heddle (4) whereby one leg (12,13) of the leno heddle (4) is guided in a slot (18,19) of a lifting heddle (2,3), characterized in that the leno heddle device (1 ) comprises a leno heddle (4) with at least one leg (12,13) comprising an end section (22,23,45) and comprising at least one lifting heddle (2,3) with a slot (18,19) that near an end section (22,23,45) of the leno heddle (4) comprises a corresponding end section (24,25,46), whereby the end section (22,23,45) of the leno heddle (4) and the corresponding end section of the lifting heddle (2,3) forming a wedge (40) extending in the plane (26) of the leno heddle (4) in such a way that weaving dust located between both end sections (22,23,45;24, 25,46) is pushed out of the heddle device (1 ) while the both sections (22, 23,45;24, 25,46) are moved towards one another.

2. The leno heddle device according to claim 1 , characterised in that the leno heddle device (1 ) comprises a leno heddle (4) with at least one leg (12,13) comprising a principally inclined end section (22,23,45), and comprises at least one lifting heddle (2,3) with a slot (18,19) that near a principally inclined end section (22,23,45) of the leno heddle (4) comprises a corresponding principally inclined end section (24,25,46), whereby the principally inclined end section (22,23,45) of the leno heddle (4) and the corresponding principally inclined end section (24,25,46) of the lifting heddle (2,3) being oriented opposite one another and forming a wedge (40) in such a way that weaving dust located between both end sections (22,23,45;24,25,46) is pushed out of the leno heddle device (1 ) while both end sections (22,23,45; 24,25,46) are moved towards one another.

3 The leno heddle device according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the principally inclined end section (22,23,45) of the lift- ing heddle (2,3)

extends in a transverse direction (A) along the plane (26) of the leno heddle (4) practically up to a side edge (27,28,44) of the lifting hed- die (2,3) in such a way that weaving dust located between both end sections (22,23,45;24,25,46) is pushed principally in a transverse direction (A) along the plane (26) of the leno heddle (4) laterally out of the leno heddle device (1) while both end sections (22,23,45; 24,25,46) are moved towards one another.

4. The leno heddle device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the leno heddle device (1 ) comprises a leno heddle (4) with two legs (12,13) comprising a principally inclined end section (22,23), and comprises two lifting heddles (2,3) with a slot (18,19), each of which comprising a principally inclined end section (24,25) near a principally inclined end section (22,23) of the leno heddle (4), whereby each principally inclined end section (22,23) of the leno heddle (4) and the corresponding principally inclined end section (23,24) of a lifting heddle (2,3) being oriented in such a way that weaving dust located between both end sections (22,23,45;24,25,46) is pushed laterally out of the heddle device (1 ) while both end sections (22, 23,45;24, 25.46) are moved towards one another.

5. The leno heddle device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the slot (18,19) comprises an opening (29,30,43) arranged near an end section (24,25) of the slot (18,19) of the lifting heddle (2,3) on one side edge (27,28,44) of the lifting heddle (2,3).

6. The leno heddle device according to claim 5, characterised in that the openings (29,30) of the slots (18,19) are arranged on the outer side of the leno heddle device (1).

7. The leno heddle device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the principally inclined end section (22,23) of the leno heddle (4) and the principally inclined end section (23,24) of the slot (18,19) of the lifting heddle (2,3) together form a practically V-shaped wedge (40).

8. The leno heddle device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that a principally inclined end section (22,23) of the leno heddle (4) extends in a transverse direction (A) along the plane (26) of the leno heddle (4) practically from a side edge (27,28) of the lifting heddle (2,3).

9. The leno heddle device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characteried in that an end section (24,25) and the corresponding side edge (27,28) of the lifting heddle (2,3) form an obtuse angle (D₁E).

10. The leno heddle device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the lifting heddles (2,3) comprise plastic, the lifting heddles (2,3) comprise a magnet (10,11 ) and/or the leno heddle (4) comprises metal.