Machine and method for the production of knitted goods

Abstract

A machine for the production of knitted goods includes a plurality of stitch-forming elements, at least one stitch-forming location, an associated spinning device at the at least one stitch-forming location, at which a sliver (FB) or a yarn is produced from a roving yarn (VG) and the sliver (FB) or yarn is fed to the stitch-forming elements. The spinning device has separate drive devices, which can be actuated in a manner that enables the spinning device to produce a sliver (FB) or a yarn of variable thickness from roving yarn (VG) and which can be fed to the stitch-forming elements.

Claims

1. A machine for the production of knitted goods, comprising: a plurality of stitch-forming elements; at least one stitch-forming location; and an associated spinning device positioned at a stitch-forming location; wherein the associated spinning device processes a roving yarn (VG) to produce a sliver (FB) or a yarn and feeds the sliver (FB) or the yarn to the stitch-forming elements; wherein each said associated spinning device has drive devices that are actuated in said associated spinning device to produce the sliver (FB) or the yarn with a variable thickness from the roving yarn (VG); and wherein the sliver (FB) or the yarn that is produced with the variable thickness is fed to the stitch-forming elements.

2. The machine according to claim 1, wherein two spinning devices are provided at two respective stitch-forming locations, wherein the variable thickness of the sliver (FB) or the yarn produced by the respective two spinning devices can be different.

3. The machine according to claim 1, wherein the drive devices are actuated such that the variable thickness of the sliver (FB) or the yarn varies between the stitch-forming elements supplied by a same spinning device.

4. The machine according to claim 1, wherein the drive devices are actuated such that the variable thickness of the sliver (FB) or the yarn produced is different in all the stitch-forming elements supplied by a same spinning device.

5. The machine according to claim 1, wherein the at least one spinning device includes drafting devices with multiple roller pairs, wherein at least two of the roller pairs have an associated drive device and wherein each associated drive of the at least two roller pairs are actuated independently of one another.

6. The machine according to claim 5, wherein the spinning devices are provided with multiple drafting devices arranged next to one another.

7. The machine according to claim 1, wherein the spinning device includes friction spinning devices with at least one feed roller, the speed of which is adjustable in relation to a roller pair.

8. The machine according to claim 1, wherein transport devices for the sliver (FB) or the yarn produced are provided between the spinning devices and the stitch-forming elements.

9. The machine according to claim 8, wherein the the transport devices comprise at least one of transport rollers, transport tubes and a twist element.

10. The machine according to claim 1, configured as any of a circular knitting machine, a flat knitting machine, a hosiery machine or a raschel machine.

11. The machine according to claim 1, configured as a circular knitting machine and further comprising a rotary drivable needle cylinder, a plurality of stitch-forming locations and an associated spinning device at each of the plurality of stitch-forming locations.

12. The machine according to claim 11, wherein a rotational speed of the needle cylinder is adjustable.

13. The method according to claim 1, wherein the speed (V) of the spinning device is adjusted to a new speed (V) that is maintained at least until the spinning device has generated sufficient sliver (FB) or yarn length to form a stitch in a new thickness by the respective stitch-forming element.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein after an amount of the sliver (FB) or yarn length sufficient for a stitch has been generated, the speed (V) of the spinning device can be adjusted to a new speed (V).

15. A method for producing knitted goods with a pattern formed in reliance upon stitches formed with different sliver (FB) or yarn thickness, using a knitting machine comprising a plurality of stitch-forming elements, at least one stitch-forming location and an associated spinning device at the at least one stitch-forming location, wherein the associated spinning device is configured with drive devices, and wherein the method comprises the steps of: producing the sliver (FB) or the yarn from a roving yarn (VG), using the associated spinning device; feeding the sliver (FB) or the yarn to the stitch-forming elements to form stitches with the different sliver (FB) or yarn thickness; wherein the step of producing includes actuating the associated spinning device to control or adjust a speed (V) of the associated spinning device in accordance with a desired thickness of the sliver (FB) or yarn fed to each stitch-forming element, of the stitch-forming elements, depending on the pattern to be formed in the knitted goods.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the speed (V) of the spinning device in any time period to obtain the pattern.

17. The method according to claim 15, wherein the speed (V) of the spinning device is changed abruptly if the pattern is to have hard transitions between areas of different sliver (FB) or yarn thickness.

18. The method according to claim 15, wherein the speed (V) of the spinning device is adjusted in a ramp-like manner or asymptotically to a new speed (V), to define soft transitions between areas of different sliver (FB) or yarn thickness in the pattern.

19. The method according to claim 15, wherein a second roving yarn (VG) is fed to the spinning device.

20. The method according to claim 15, wherein the speed (V) of the spinning device is adjusted by varying a relative speed of roller pairs of the spinning device.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein the spinning device is configured as a friction spinning device and wherein the speed (V) is varied by adjusting a relative speed between a feed roller and a withdrawal roller pair of the spinning device.

22. Knitted goods produced using the method according to claim 15, wherein the pattern is generated by forming stitches with the different sliver (FB) or yarn thickness, and varying a thickness of the sliver (FB) or yarn in stitch row direction, in needle wale direction or both.

23. The knitted goods according to claim 22, wherein pattern has hard transition, soft transitions, or both between stitch areas formed with different sliver (FB) or yarn thickness.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) A preferred embodiment of a machine according to the invention as well as knitted goods according to the invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the drawing figures.

(2) FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a circular knitting machine with first drafting devices;

(3) FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a circular knitting machine with second drafting devices;

(4) FIG. 3 is a plan view onto the circular knitting machine from FIG. 1;

(5) FIG. 4 is a diagram with different speed profiles of the drafting device drives of the circular knitting machine from FIG. 1;

(6) FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of a first knitted product with stitch areas that are produced with different sliver thicknesses;

(7) FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of a second knitted product with stitch areas that are produced with different sliver thicknesses;

(8) FIG. 7 is a schematic representation of a third knitted product with stitch areas that are produced with different sliver thicknesses.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(9) In a schematic elementary drawing FIG. 1 shows a machine 10 for the production of knitted goods formed by a circular knitting machine 11 and spinning devices 12. Of the circular knitting machine 11 the drawing shows a needle cylinder 13, which is fitted with stitch-forming elements 14in the form of latch needles here, and a stitch-forming location 15, at which the stitch-forming elements 14 can be raised for stitch formation. A control device 16 for the entire machine 10 is also indicated.

(10) The stitch-forming location 15 is assigned the spinning device 12, which comprises a drafting device 17 and a twist element 18, wherein the twist element 18 is connected to a transport tube 19. The drafting device 17 has a feed roller pair 20a, 20b, an apron roller pair 21a, 21b and a withdrawal roller pair 22a, 22b. Double aprons 23 are guided over the apron roller pair 21a, 21b. The respective bottom roller 20b, 21b and 22b is driven in each of the roller pairs 20a,b to 22a,b. The drive devices (not shown in more detail here) of the bottom rollers 20b and 22b are connected to the control device 16 and can therefore be actuated by this. Bottom roller 21b is mechanically coupled to bottom roller 20b and therefore rotates at a circumferential speed that stands in a fixed ratio to the circumferential speed of bottom roller 20b.

(11) A roving yarn VG, which is aimed by a flyer frame sliver with a certain twist, is fed to the drafting device 12 in the direction of arrow 24. Because of the twist the roving yarn VG has sufficient strength to allow it to be wound onto bobbins and also fed to the drafting device 12 over longer distances. However, the twist must unravel again in the drafting device so that the roving yarn VG can be drawn to the desired yarn count. The unravelling of the twist occurs in a predrafting zone of the drafting device 12, which extends between the feed roller pair 20a,b and the apron roller pair 21a,b. However, the main drafting zone extends between the apron roller pair 21a,b and the withdrawal roller pair 22a,b. The thickness of the sliver FB generated by the drafting device 12 is determined by the difference in the circumferential speeds of the roller pairs 21a,b and 22a,b. These circumferential speeds can be adjusted by the control device 16 in such a manner that a sliver FB in the desired thickness can be fed to each stitch-forming element 14. This enables a knitted product to be knitted by the circular knitting machine 11 that is provided with a pattern formed by areas of different sliver or yarn thicknesses, wherein such different areas can also be provided within a stitch row. With correspondingly short lengths of the drafting zones of the drafting device 12 and a relatively coarse gauge of the machine 11 a sliver FB or yarn of different thickness can even be fed to each stitch in this case. As a result, patterns in which each stitch has a different thickness, at least in areas, can even be generated.

(12) The sliver FB exiting from the drafting device 12 is given a false twist by the twist element 18, as a result of which it can be fed in a stable manner through the transport tube 19 to the stitch-forming elements 14. The false twist unravels again as the sliver FB passes through the transport tube, so that a sliver FB with substantially parallel oriented fibres can be knitted by the stitch-forming elements 14. A twist element 18 and a transport tube 19 can also become unnecessary if the drafting device 12 is arranged very close to the stitch-forming location 15.

(13) The machine 10 evident from FIG. 2 again has a circular knitting machine 11. In addition, a drafting device 12 is provided which is very similar in structure to the drafting device 12 from FIG. 1 and only differs from this in that all the bottom rollers 20b, 21b and 22b of the roller pairs 20a, 20b; 21a, 21b and 22a, 22b have their own drive devices and can be actuated individually and independently of one another by the control device 16 of the machine 10. As a result, the predrafting of the roving yarn VG can now also be varied by changing the ratio of the circumferential speeds of rollers 20b and 21b to one another. The achievable thickness range of the roving yarn FB can be increased further as a result.

(14) FIG. 3 is a plan view onto the machine 10 from FIG. 1. It may be seen that multiple stitch-forming locations 15, 15.1, 15.2, 15.3 distributed over the circumference are provided on the needle cylinder 13 of the circular knitting machine 11, and only four of these are shown for reasons of clarity. Each stitch-forming location 15, 15.1, 15.2, 15.3 has an associated drafting device 12, 12.1, 12.2, 12.3, wherein these are identical in structure and have respective feed roller pairs 20a,b, 20.1a,b, 20.2a,b, 20.3a,b, apron roller pairs 21a,b, 21.1a,b, 21.2a,b, 21.3a,b and withdrawal roller pairs 22a,b, 22.1a,b, 22.2a,b, 22.3a,b. Each feed roller 20h, 20.1b, 20.2b, 20.3b has a respective associated drive device 30, 30.1, 30.2, 30.3. The withdrawal rollers 22b, 22.1b, 22.2b, 22.3b also have drive devices 31, 31.1, 31.2, 31.3. All the drive devices 30. 30.1, 30.2, 30.3, 31, 31.1, 31.2, 31.3, which can preferably be configured as electric motors, are connected to the control device 16 and can respectively be actuated by this completely independently of each of the other drive devices 30. 30.1, 30.2, 30.3, 31, 31.1, 31.2, 31.3. As a result, it is possible to produce a sliver of a different thickness with each of the drafting devices 12, 12.1, 12.2, 12.3 and feed it to the associated stitch-forming location 15, 15.1, 15.2, 15.3. Thus, knitted goods can be produced with a pattern in which the yarn thickness changes multiple times within a stitch row.

(15) FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of some possible time curves of the drafting speed V of a drafting device 12, which is defined as relative speed between the apron roller pair 21a,b and the withdrawal roller pair 22a,b.

(16) In curve a the speed V is adjusted from a base speed V0 to a lower value V1 for a specific time interval and then back to value V0. During the time interval, in which the speed V assumes the value V1, a thicker sliver FB is generated by the drafting device and fed to the stitch-forming elements than in the time periods, in which the value amounts to V0. The transitions between values V0 and V1 are respectively ramp-like and relatively steep, as a result of which the pattern area knitted with the thicker sliver has sharp edges on both sides.

(17) Curves b, c and d show a periodic increase in speed V from value V0 to higher values V2, V3, V4. The time intervals, in which the speed V assumes the respective higher value, differ from curve to curve, as does the start time of the speed increase. However, each of the curves leads to pattern areas, in which stitches are formed with a finer yarn or sliver. These areas are sharply defined on both sides in the case of curves b and c. However, in curve d the speed is rapidly increased from value V0 to value V4, but is then decreased relatively slowly again. As a result, the stitch ara, which is knitted with a lower yarn count, is given a sharp edge on one side and a gradual transition to the stitch area in the base count on the other side.

(18) The represented curves of the drafting speed V are merely exemplary. In principle, the speed can vary within a permissible amplitude range in any desired time period. The permissible amplitude range is dependent on the roving yarn used and also the drafting device properties. The produced sliver must be sufficiently thin to enable it to be processed by the stitch-forming elements, but must also be thick enough to have the necessary stability.

(19) FIGS. 5 to 7 show three examples of sections of knitted goods according to the invention, which are respectively provided with patterns formed by specific stitch areas being knitted with a different sliver or yarn thickness. In FIGS. 3 to 5 those areas that are characterised by closely arranged dots are stitch areas that have been knitted with a thicker sliver or yarn.

(20) The knitted product 50 from FIG. 5 has a base knit 51 that was produced with a uniform sliver or yarn thickness. There is a diamond-shaped area 52 provided within this base knit 51 that was produced with a greater sliver or yarn thickness. The area 52 has sharp outer contours in this case.

(21) In contrast, the knitted product 60 from FIG. 6 has a pattern that is formed by four stripes 61-64 overall, which were all produced with yarns or slivers of different thickness.

(22) The knitted product shown in FIG. 7 has a base knit 71 with two irregular cloud-shaped stitch areas 72 and 73 that are respectively produced in different yarn or sliver thicknesses. As in the case of area 52 of the knitted product 50 from FIG. 5, variations in the sliver or yarn thickness both in stitch row direction and in needle wale direction are necessary to knit areas 72 and 73.

(23) It is understood that in the case of machines 10 and 10 the drafting devices 12 or 12 could also be replaced by other spinning devices such as friction spinning devices. Yarns of different thickness can also be produced by regulating the spinning speed with these machines. The circular knitting machine 11 could also be replaced by a flat knitting machine, a hosiery knitting machine or a raschel machine.