WO2009025556A1

WO2009025556A1 - Knit having at least locally two spaced layers and a method to produce such a knit

Info

Publication number: WO2009025556A1
Application number: PCT/NL2008/050564
Authority: WO
Inventors: Job Adriaan George Marie DRÖGE; Rogier Cornelis Augustinus Marie DRÖGE; Johannes Cornelis Van De Ven
Original assignee: Innotex Beheer B.V.
Priority date: 2007-08-22
Filing date: 2008-08-22
Publication date: 2009-02-26
Also published as: NL2000825C2

Abstract

The invention relates to a knit, containing at least two knitting layers which locally are distant from each other and which layers at those points are connected by at least one pile-thread that grasps on both layers but locally the knit contains also just one combined layer in which threads, coming from both spaced layers are united in that single combined layer. The invention also relates to a method for such a knit.

Description

KNIT HAVING AT LEAST LOCALLY TWO SPACED LAYERS AND A METHOD TO PRODUCE SUCH A KNIT

The invention in question relates to a knit, locally comprising at least two spaced layers, which layers where these are spaced apart, are mutually connected by at least one spacer thread that grasps on both layers. The invention also relates to a method to produce such a knit.

Knitting is a method of making a looped structure by using several needles. Already the ancient Egyptians knew handmade knits but nowadays we have knitting machines that produce fabrics on an industrial basis. Knitting machines with hundreds of needles knit a complete row in just a couple of seconds. There are so called circular knitting machines that produce large quantities of cylindrical shaped fabrics. The industrial knitting machines have a lot of possibilities; computer-controlled they can make various kinds of stitches and patterns. In mechanized knitting generally thinner fibers like acrylic, cotton, wool-acrylic and cotton-acrylic are used. With industrial knitting machines also the so called "spacer- fabric" is produced; a knit used in amongst others mattresses and flannels. Two knitted layers with spacer threads (also called "pile-threads") in between, keep the two layers - in unloaded situations- distant from each other. The advantage of a space between the two layers is the air circulation. In this way people lying on a mattress or flannel having a spacer fabric, have a better regulation of body-temperature and also moisture evaporates much faster.

A disadvantage of the current spacer fabric are the limited possibilities in design and/or decoration.

The object of the invention is - while upholding the advantages of modern techniques- to create of a knit with at least two locally spaced layers, a so called spacer-fabric that offers more possibilities in designs and/or decoration. Another object is to create a manufacturing process to produce such a spacer fabric.

The invention provides a knit of the type at which the knit locally also has a single, combined knitting layer in which yarns coming from the two spaced-apart knitting layers, are united in a single combined layer. A knit is meant to be a knitted textile which, in this case, locally consists of multiple layers. There where the layers are distant from each other they substantially run parallel. Apparently, locations at which two layers are distant from each other alternate with locations where the knit locally contains only one combined layer. Accordingly, the flat, outwards turned sides of the 5 spacer fabric will show higher areas (where two spaced layers are kept at a distance from each other by at least one pile-thread) alternated by lower areas (where only a single combined layer is present) By applying alternating higher and lower areas in a controlled manner, designs, patterns and/or symbols in relief can be applied to the spacer fabric. This offers the possibility to create names, markings, decorations or0 otherwise in the spacer fabric as desired. This enlarges the attraction of the application of spacer fabric; besides the beneficial properties of the embedded air layer, the invention in question offers also a freedom in controlled design of relief. Another great advantage is that the locally present single combined layer leads to a better connection of the two layers at the point where they are united by just one pile-thread. The knit S according to the invention also has an intrinsically higher firmness and/or density in view to a spacer fabric according to the prior art.

In a preferred embodiment at least one pile-thread runs mainly parallel to the single combined layer at the point where there locally is just one single combined layer. The0 firmness of the pile thread which can be beneficial there where the layers are kept distant from each other, does not have to lead to adverse consequences there where the knit consists of just one single combined layer; the parallel position to the single combined layer makes the pile-thread hardly visible or noticeable. In the single layer one can also see the formation of loops which produces a "terry effect". The pile-thread5 that is used is made of e.g. synthetic yarn like polypropylene, polyester or nylon. These yarns consist of at least one filament. A one filament yarn is also called "fish-fiber". The use of such single (mono) filament yarn mostly results in a stiff fabric. By using a yarn with more filaments (multi-filament yam) you get a fabric that feels less firm. A combination of mono- and multi- filament yarn is possible as well and also in this way a0 flexible fabric can be produced. On spot of the single combined layer, the pile-fiber can be incorporated flat (or at least substantially flat) into the knitting layer. The advantage is that the pile-thread may be optimized for the situation in which it acts for keeping distance. In a preferred embodiment a thread, which is part of just one of both knitting layers at the point were locally is only one combined layer, is visible at the side of the single combined layer which is turned away from this one of two layers. If the thread has an appearance differing from other threads ,the appearance of the spacer fabric may also differ in locations where the two and respective the single combined layer are present. In this way it is possible to emphasize the possible relief differences in the knit by different colors or different luster of these surface parts.

In another embodiment in which one or more threads are placed flat between the two layers and the at least one thread will be visible as preferredon all or just part of the locations of the single combined layer, one may also realize differences in appearance of the spacer fabric on the locations having two knitting layers and the locations having the single combined knitting layer. As desired, this/these thread(s) which is/are not visible at the spots with two layers is/are visible at one or both sides of the spots with the single combined layer. It is even possible to alternate this, which implies that this thread may or may not be visible at locations having the single combined layer. In this way the knit, on those locations having the the single combined knitting layer ,may have a color that is not visible elsewhere.

Preferably, the distance between the knitting-layers which locally are distant from each other, is substantially constant This enables an efficient mechanized knitting of the spacer fabric.

The invention also provides a method for the production of a knit as mentioned before which knit is produced in a single knitting run. Therefore, the movement of the needles is of course very discerning. By a computerized control of the needles, based on a specially made program, spacer fabrics with specific styling of both patterns in the variety of multiple knitting layers with a single combined layer, as patterns in the diversity of the visibility of certain yarns, can be produced according to the invention in question.

The present invention will be subsequently illustrated by the non-restrictive construction models in the following figures. Figure IA shows a perspectival view of a construction model of a knit according to the present invention. Figure IB is a cross section of the knit as shown in figure IA. Figure 2 A is a perspectival view of an alternative construction model of a knit according to the present invention

Figure 2B is a cross section of the knit as shown in figure 2A. Figure 3A is a cross section of another construction version of the knit according to the present invention.

Figure 3B is a cross section of again another construction version of the knit according to the present invention.

Figure 1 A shows a knit with two layers 2, 3 which are kept distant from each other by a pile-thread 4. In knit 1 there are also segments 5, 6 that consist of just one combined layer 7. These segments 5, 6 with a single combined layer 7, lie deeper in relation to the vicinity where the two layers 2, 3 are kept apart by the pile-thread 4. Thus, e.g. text- segments 5, and purely decorative segments 6, can be incorporated into the knit.

Figure IB shows how the knitting layers 2, 3 from figure IA are kept distant from each other by pile-thread 4. It may be clear, that for this purpose pile-thread 4 needs some sturdiness. There where knitting layers 2, 3 are turned into the single combined layer 7, pile-thread 4 is more or less integrated flat in this combined layer 7.

Figure 2A shows as an alternative construction version, knit 10, also equipped with two knitting layers 11,12 which are kept apart by pile-thread 13.

In knit 10 there are also segments 14, that consist of just one single combined layer 15. The segments 14 with the single combined layer 15 distinguish themselves by not only the relief of the other part of knit 10, but also because the combined layer segments 14 have, at the described side, a different color compared to the vicinity. The reason behind this is that the combined layer segments 14 give a different view to at least one thread that is part of the knit which thread can not be seen in the same way elsewhere outer. Thus, with the deviant look, the view on the segments 14 is compared to the view on layer 11 that surrounds the combined layer-segments 14.

In figure 2B is shown how the layers 11, 12 from figure 2 A are kept apart from each other by pile-thread 13. There where the layers 1 1, 12 turn into the single combined layer 15, at least one of a to a lower layer 12 belonging thread 16, will become visible at the opposite (upper) layer 11. In this way the combined layer- segment 14 will visually (e.g. in color and/or texture) differ from the surrounding layer 11.

Figure 3 A shows a cross section of again another knit with a segment consisting of two layers 21,22 with layers 21, 22 are kept apart by a pile-thread 23. Besides the pile- thread 23 an additional thread 24 is put up between the layers 21 , 22. Near the two layers 21, 22 it is loose but near the single combined layer 25 this additional thread 24 is attached in this combined layer in a way that from at least one side of the knit 20 this additional thread 24 is visible. As alternative (not shown here) it is also possible that near combined layer 25 the additional thread 24 is visible from both sides of the knit 20. In this way it will be possible that the combined layer 25 can differ visually from the surrounding layers 21, 22.

Figure 3B shows a cross section of again another construction version of a knit 30 according to the invention. Again the knit locally has two knitting layers 31, 32, which layers 31, 32 only on a part of their surfaces are kept apart from each other by a pile- thread 33. On another part of the surfaces of layers 31, 32 (Note: this part is marked as 34) the layers 31, 32 however are not linked by means of pile-thread 33. Furthermore the knit shown here, looks considerably like knit 1 shown in figure IB. There, where the knitting layers 31, 32 transfer in a single combined layer 34, the pile-thread 33 is more or less assimilated flat into the combined knitting layer 34.

Claims

1. A knit, comprising at least two knitting layers that locally are distant from each other and which layers are, at the point where they are distant from each other,

S connected by at least one pile-thread that grasps on both layers, wherein also locally the knit contains only a single combined knitting layer in which threads coming from the two spaced layers are combined in this combined knitting layer.

2. Knit according to claim 1 characterised in that that the layers at the point where0 they are distant from each other run substantially parallel.

3. Knit according to claim 1 or 2 characterised in that at the point where locally there is only a combined knitting layer, the at least one pile-thread runs substantially parallel to this single combined knitting layer.

4. Knit according to one of the previous claims characterised in that at the pointS where there is only one combined knitting layer, a thread, belonging to just one of the two layers is visible at the side of the single combined knitting layer which is turned away from this one of both layers.

5. Knit according to one of the previous claims characterised in that at locations having two knitting layers a thread is placed flat between these layers which at0 least one selected thread is visible on at least a part of the points with the single combined layer.

6. Knit according to one of the previous conclusions claims characterised in that the distance between the layers which are locally distant from each other, is substantially constant. 5 7. Method for the mechanical production of a knit according to one of the previous claims in one single production-run.