Plastic Mesh Having Double Chains, and Device for Producing a Plastic Mesh

Abstract

The invention relates to a plastic mesh having a plurality of chains extending parallel to one another in a longitudinal direction, which plastic mesh has a plurality of groups of chains (2) adjacent to one another, which are in each case formed of at least two chains (2a, 2b). The groups of chains (2) have a greater spacing relative to one another or also relative to a further individual chain (1) than the chains (2a, 2b) within a group of chains (2). A thread (3) runs in a zigzag between two adjacent groups of chains (2) or also between one group of chains (2) and an individual chain (1) and connects the chains (1) or groups of chains (2).

Claims

1-8. (canceled)

9. A plastic mesh, comprising a plurality of chains extending parallel to one another in a longitudinal direction, wherein: at least two chains extend at a short distance to one another and form a group of chains; at least one additional chain is adjacent to the group of chains; the distance between the at least one additional chain and the group of chains is greater than the short distance between the chains within the group of chains; a thread runs back and forth between the additional chain and the group of chains and connects the additional chain and the group of chains; a plurality of additional groups of chains is adjacent to one another and each formed of at least two chains, the plurality of additional groups of chains has a greater distance between one another than the at least two chains within the group of chains; a thread runs back and forth between two adjacent ones of the additional groups of chains in each case and connects the additional groups of chains; the plastic mesh is completely formed by groups of chains.

10. The plastic mesh of claim 9, wherein the distance between two directly adjacent chains within a group of chains is in a range between 2 and 10 mm.

11. The plastic mesh of claim 9, wherein the distance between a group of chains and the at least one additional chain is in a range between 20 millimeters and 80 millimeters.

12. The plastic mesh of claim 9, wherein at least one of the chains is made of a plastic film thread.

13. The plastic mesh of claim 12, wherein a plastic film of the plastic film thread has a thickness of 100 m or less.

14. The plastic mesh of claim 9, wherein at least a portion of the additional groups of chains has three or more chains.

15. The plastic mesh of claim 9, wherein the thread running back and forth between the additional chain and the group of chains runs zigzag.

16. The plastic mesh of claim 9, wherein the thread running back and forth between the additional chain and the group of chains comprises at least two thread elements running together with one another.

Description

[0036] These and additional features and advantages of the invention will be explained in the following text based on examples with the aid of the accompanying figures, in which:

[0037] FIG. 1 shows a section from a plastic mesh according to the invention;

[0038] FIG. 2 shows another embodiment of a plastic mesh in different situations of use;

[0039] FIG. 3 shows a hay bale wrapped into the plastic mesh;

[0040] FIG. 4 shows a schematic setup of a Raschel machine in its previous design; and

[0041] FIG. 5 shows a detail from a Raschel machine according to the invention.

[0042] FIG. 1 shows a section from a plastic mesh according to the invention.

[0043] In the plastic mesh, several or a plurality of chains extend parallel to one another, of which only some are partially shown in FIG. 1. Every single chain is knitted or woven from one or more plastic threads, wherein the production processes of the plastic threads or chains run parallel so that the plastic mesh can be warp knitted as a unit.

[0044] A portion of the chains runs as a single chain 1. Other chains are paired to one another and form a double chain 2 each. The arrangement of two chains 2a, 2b of a double chain 2 paired to one another, i.e. running toward one another at only a very short distance, is also designated as a group of chains.

[0045] As can be seen from FIG. 1, the individual chains 2a, 2b of a double chain 2 extend at a short distance e of, for example, 2 to 5 millimeters only. In this process, the distance e is so small that the chains 2a, 2b will make contact at least partially in practice.

[0046] Compared therewith, the single chains 1 run at a greater distance x of, for example, 1 inch (25.4 millimeters) up to 2 inches (50.8 millimeters), depending on the setup of the Raschel machine. The values given are approximate figures and can easily deviate in practice. In this process, it is solely decisive that the distance between the chains within a group of chains or double chain 2 is significantly smaller than the distance x to a distantly adjacent chain.

[0047] The total width of the mesh can, depending on the type of application, also be varied and, for example, be in a range of 50 to 170 centimeters.

[0048] A thread 3, which is also made of a plastic film material and covers the broad distance, runs zigzag between the distantly adjacent chains in each case. The thread 3 is sewn in with the respective chains (single chains 1, double chains 2).

[0049] FIG. 1 only shows a section from the entire mesh. Naturally, also the zones in between are fitted with corresponding single chains 1 or double chains 2. In total, at least 50 chains or more can extend parallel across the width of the mesh.

[0050] For the production of a single chain 1, a single guide needle 4 is provided, which works together with a single needle 5. Thus, by corresponding guidance of the plastic thread, the single chain 1 can be knitted. In addition, a guide needle plate 6 is provided.

[0051] A double chain 2 consisting of two single chains 2a, 2b is produced with the aid of two guide needles 7, which are held by a guide needle carrier 8 and each work together with a needle 9.

[0052] FIG. 2 shows a variant of the mesh where no single chains, but only double chains 2 are provided, which are each connected to one another by threads 3.

[0053] FIG. 2A shows the starting situation where the respective single chains 2a, 2b of a double chain 2 still have a specific distance between one another.

[0054] After having wrapped the mesh around a hay bale, for example, the chains 2a, 2b tighten and thus contract closer, as shown in FIG. 2B.

[0055] The distance between the single chains 2a, 2b is reduced in such a manner that the single chains 2a, 2b make contact. Thus, the chains 2a, 2b mutually reinforce one another so that a high strength can be achieved.

[0056] When wrapping a hay bale on a wrapping machine, the mesh is wrapped around the hay bale with high tension so that it is pressed tight. Thus, the chains 2a, 2b are tightened and move closer to one another, whereby a tighter effect on one hand and a better optical result of the bale on the other hand is achieved.

[0057] FIG. 3 shows schematically how a hay bale can be held together by the plastic mesh according to the invention.

[0058] The improved optical overall impression can be attributed to the provision of double chains 2.

[0059] In FIG. 4, a section from a schematic setup of a well-known Raschel machine is shown, comprising a guide needle 10 and a plurality of needles 11 (of which only one is shown in FIG. 4) arranged around a machine level 12. The machine level 12 characterizes the area, in which the needles 10, 11 work together to warp knit a respective chain from a plastic film thread.

[0060] In contrast, FIG. 5 shows a novel Raschel machine, comprising a double guide needle 13 opposite to which corresponding double needles 14 are arranged. The distance between the guide needles of the double guide needle 13 is e=2-5 mm in the example shown and is adjustable. For the adjustment of the distances between the needles or guide needles, the Raschel machine can be modified accordingly.

[0061] The arrangement shown in FIG. 5 is capable of producing a double chain 2. Accordingly, for the production of an entire mesh, many double guide needles 13 and double needles 14 must be provided which must be arranged side by side in the area of the machine level 12, as shown in FIG. 1.