GARMENTS

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a textile machine for making woven or knitted garments.

Background Art

As is well known, industrially-made woven or knitted garments such as, e.g., cloths, towels, knitwear, etc..., have a useful portion, which constitutes the actual garment, and a preparation portion associated with the useful portion and intended to be removed.

More specifically, the preparation portion comprises a supporting yarn, generally of the elastic type, partly removable (made of cotton, wool, etc...) and associated with the supporting yarn and a temporary yarn, generally made of nylon or the like, associated with the removable part and positioned between the latter and the useful portion (also made of cotton, wool, etc...).

Generally, once the garment has been completed, an operator manually cuts the ends of the temporary yarn and pulls it off the relevant garment, thereby causing the preparation portion to be separated from the useful portion.

Textile machines of known type are generally composed of a load-bearing frame with which two plates are associated spaced apart from each other to define a gap and each provided with a plurality of movable needles moving close to/away from the gap itself.

On top of the plates, one or more movable yarn carrier elements can be positioned parallel to the development of the gap and are adapted to position the supporting yarn, the working yarns for making the useful portion and the removable part and the temporary yarn at the point where the gap itself is located. The needles supported by the plates are then operable to intercept the yarns positioned by the yarn carrier elements according to a predefined program. More in detail, the supporting yarn is “worked” by the needles in such a way as to intertwine it on itself thus defining a plurality of knots arranged at the point where the centerline of the gap is located. The machines of known type also comprise a movable element, called a “comb”, which is positioned between the aforementioned plates and which is adapted to grasp the knots of the supporting yarn to drag it downwards during the making of the relevant garment.

While making the removable fabric or knitted part, the comb continues to descend downwards and the temporary yarn is positioned at the point where the gap is located by the relevant yarn carrier element so as to intertwine with the removable part being worked.

It is clear that the ways in which a woven or knitted garment is currently made and, therefore, the relevant textile machines used, do have some drawbacks.

In fact, the manual removal of the temporary yarn and, therefore, of the preparation portion from the useful portion of a fabric or knitted garment made according to known techniques, is very impractical and slow.

More specifically, such manual removal requires the constant presence of an operator near the textile machine and causes an increase in the time needed to package the various garments thus made.

All this is inevitably reflected in the final cost of the product thus produced.

A machine designed to overcome these drawbacks is known from EP 2758579, which provides for the presence of a gripping element movable with respect to the comb to intercept the temporary yarn and unthreading means of the temporary yarn itself.

In particular, in the solution described by EP 2758579, the gripping element is arranged next to the comb, externally thereto, and the unthreading means are composed of a pair of counter-rotating rollers adapted to drag, by friction, the temporary yarn once the same has been cut at the end of making the garment. However, this machine also has some drawbacks, since the unthreading means are not very effective and complex to make.

More in detail, the mechanism provided for to position the temporary yarn between the rollers is complex and not very precise, moreover the traction action exerted by the counter-rotating rollers is not very effective.

Last but not least, the gripping element increases the side overall dimensions of the comb, thus making its positioning difficult due to the narrow spaces that characterize these types of machines.

Description of the Invention

The main aim of the present invention is to devise a textile machine for making woven or knitted garments which allows the drawbacks of the prior art to be overcome, and in particular which enables the temporary yarn of a woven or knitted garment to be easily and conveniently unthreaded at the end of its preparation.

Within this aim, one object of the present invention is to devise a machine which allows unthreading the supporting yarn in a reliable and safe manner. Another object of the present invention is to devise a machine which is constructively simple and cost effective.

Yet another object is to devise a machine provided with a gripping element of the temporary yarn and with unthreading means of the same which allow keeping the overall dimensions to a minimum.

Another object of the present invention is to devise a textile machine for making woven or knitted garments which allows the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art to be overcome within a simple, rational, easy and effective to use as well as affordable solution.

The aforementioned objects are achieved by the present textile machine for making woven or knitted garments according to claim 1.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of a textile machine for making woven or knitted garments, illustrated by way of an indicative, yet non-limiting example, in the accompanying tables of drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is an axonometric view of a machine according to the invention, with the gripping element in the home position;

Figure 2 is an enlargement of a detail of the machine in Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is an axonometric view of the machine in Figure 1 with the gripping element in the gripping position;

Figure 4 is an axonometric view of the machine in Figure 1 with the gripping element returned to the home position and engaged with the temporary yarn; Figure 5 is an axonometric view of the unthreading means of the machine in Figure 4 with the winding element in the home position;

Figure 6 is an axonometric view of the unthreading means of the machine in Figure 4 with the winding element in the work position and the gripping element in the home position;

Figure 7 is an axonometric view of the unthreading means of the machine in Figure 4 with the winding element in the work position and the gripping element in the gripping position;

Figure 8 is an axonometric view of the unthreading means of the machine in Figure 4 with the winding element rotating around its axis to form a hank of temporary yarn;

Figure 9 is an axonometric view of the unthreading means of the machine in Figure 4 with the winding element in the home position for the release of the hank of temporary yarn;

Figure 10 is a simplified representation of a garment with the preparation portion joined to the useful portion.

Embodiments of the Invention

With particular reference to these figures, reference numeral 1 globally indicates a textile machine for making woven or knitted garments.

The textile machine 1 is adapted to make woven or knitted garments C of the type comprising a useful portion U with which a preparation portion P is associated and intended to be removed; wherein the preparation portion P is provided with at least one supporting yarn S, e.g. of the type of an elastic band, with a removable part R and with a temporary yarn N positioned between the removable part R and the useful portion U.

The temporary yarn N is generally made of nylon or the like.

In the production of the garments C, the machine 1 operates according to the methods known to the technician in the sector and which are not given in detail herein.

The machine 1 comprises a load-bearing frame 20 with which two plates 2 are associated, which are arranged facing each other and spaced apart to define a gap 3 positioned between them. Each plate 2 comprises a plurality of weaving needles, not visible in detail in the figures, which are operable to make the useful portion U and the preparation portion P. In more detail, as visible from the attached figures, the plates 2 define respective inclined planes and the weaving needles are movable along such inclined planes. Then, the machine 1 comprises one or more yarn carrier elements 4, arranged on top of the plates 2 and movable along a direction substantially parallel to the gap 3, adapted to position, at a predefined working height, at the point where the gap itself is located, the supporting yarn S, one or more working yarns F to make the useful portion U and the removable part R, and the temporary yarn N; the aforementioned weaving needles being operable to intercept the yarns S, F and N from time to time positioned by the relevant yarn carrier elements 4. Appropriately, the machine 1 comprises guiding means 5 of the yarn carrier elements 4 arranged on top of the plates 2 and extending parallel to the gap 3. More particularly, the guiding means 5 have greater extension than that of the gap 3 and the yarn carrier elements 4 have at least one relevant end-of-stroke position which is arranged laterally with respect to the overall dimensions of the plates 2.

Advantageously, a so-called “comb”, identified with reference numeral 6, is positioned between the plates 2, which is vertically movable and comprises a load-bearing body 6a and one or more hook- shaped fastening elements 7, locked together with the load-bearing body 6a and adapted to intercept the supporting yarn S positioned by the relevant yarn carrier element 4 at the point where the gap 3 is located. The fastening elements 7 are substantially aligned with each other along a fastening direction 21 and are fixed with respect to the load-bearing body 6a.

The comb 6 is operable upwardly to allow the supporting yarn S to be gripped by the fastening elements 7 and downwardly to drag the supporting yarn itself during the weaving of a garment C.

The machine 1 comprises motor means, not shown in detail in the figures, adapted to vertically move the comb 6. Conveniently, the comb 6 is movable between two end-of-stroke positions, one upper end-of-stroke position, at which the fastening elements 7 protrude from the gap 3, and a lower end-of-stroke position; on the way from the upper end- of-stroke position to the lower end-of-stroke position, the comb 6 drags the garment C being made with it. More particularly, the machine 1 comprises two gripping cylinders 8 (in the figures only one is drawn for simplicity of representation) movable in the direction of mutual close/away movement, which are activated upon reaching the lower end-of-stroke position of the comb 6 in such a way as to mutually approach each other by engaging the useful portion U dragged downwards by the comb itself during the making of the relevant garment C.

The machine 1 then comprises at least one gripping element 9 movable along a gripping direction 22 with respect to the plates 2 to intercept the temporary yarn N positioned and held by the relevant yarn carrier element 4 and unthreading means 10 of the temporary yarn N intercepted by the gripping element 9 for the removal thereof from the relevant garment C. In the preferred embodiment shown in the figures, the gripping direction 22 along which the gripping element 9 moves is substantially (i.e., unless machining and assembly tolerances) vertical.

More particularly, the gripping element 9 is operable along the gripping direction 22 with respect to the load-bearing body 6a in order to intercept the temporary yarn N.

The gripping element 9 is movable along the gripping direction 22 with respect to the load-bearing body 6a between a home position, wherein it is substantially aligned with the fastening elements 7 along the fastening direction 21, and a gripping position, wherein it is lifted with respect to the fastening elements 7. The home position, wherein it is aligned with the fastening elements 7, thus corresponds to the lower end-of-stroke position of the gripping element 9.

In more detail, the gripping element 9 is constrained to the load-bearing body 6a during the vertical displacement thereof and is movable with respect thereto along the gripping direction 22. In other words, the gripping element 9 is dragged by the load-bearing body 6a during the vertical displacement thereof, either downwardly or upwardly, but at the same time it can move with respect thereto along the gripping direction 22.

Preferably, the gripping element 9 is arranged inside the overall space defined by the load-bearing body 6a along the fastening direction 21.

In other words, when the gripping element 9 is in the home position, it basically corresponds to the last of the fastening elements 7.

According to the invention, the unthreading means 10 comprise at least one winding element 11 provided with engagement means 12 with the temporary yarn N and operable in rotation around a relevant axis of winding X so as to wind it around the winding element itself to form a hank M.

Thus, the unthreading means 10 comprise first drive means 13, of the type of an electric motor, adapted to move in rotation the winding element 11 around the axis of winding X.

Preferably, the engagement means 12 comprise at least one slot, hereinafter identified with the same reference numeral 12, adapted to receive the temporary yarn N. More particularly, the slot 12 defines two walls 12a facing each other and adapted to intercept the temporary yarn N due to the effect of the rotation around the axis of winding X, so as to wind it.

The slot 12 has an elongated shape and is therefore provided with a relevant longitudinal axis.

Conveniently, the slot 12 is open at one end and the winding element 11 is movable by shifting along a sliding direction 23 between a home position, wherein it is disengaged from the temporary yarn N, and a work position, wherein it is moved along the sliding direction 23 with respect to the home position so as to fit the temporary yarn N inside the slot 12.

In other words, as a result of the displacement of the winding element 11 along the sliding direction 23 the temporary yarn N fits inside the slot 12 and, as a result of the rotation of the winding element 11 around the axis of winding X, the walls 12a bordering the slot itself contact the temporary yarn N from opposite sides, bending and winding it around the winding element itself. Thus, the unthreading means 10 comprise second drive means 14, e.g. of the type of an electric motor, adapted to move the winding element 11 by shifting along the sliding direction 23.

Advantageously, the winding element 11 is at least partly overlapped vertically to the gripping element 9 in the work position. More specifically, the winding element 11 comprises at least one through opening 15 adapted to receive, in the work position, the gripping element 9 as a result of its displacement upwardly along the gripping direction 22.

In other words, as a result of the displacement of the winding element 11 along the sliding direction 23, the temporary yarn N enters the inside of the slot 12, in such a way that it can be subsequently wound as described above, but it is still held by the gripping element 9. Once the temporary yarn N is housed inside the slot 12, the gripping element 9 is moved along the gripping direction 22, upwardly, so that it passes through the through opening 15. As a result of the interaction of the temporary yarn N with the border of the winding element 11 delimiting the opening 15, the temporary yarn N is released from the gripping element 9.

Next, the gripping element 9 is again moved along the gripping direction 22, this time downwardly, so as to exit the opening 15. On the other hand, the temporary yarn N is held inside the slot 12. Conveniently, the through opening 15 is substantially aligned to the slot 12 along the sliding direction 23.

Advantageously, the winding element 11, in the home position, is vertically staggered with respect to the gripping element 9 so as to remain outside of its movement path. This makes it possible to prevent the gripping element 9 from interfering with the winding element 11 during the making of the garment C, when the comb 6 progressively drops downwards, thus dragging the gripping element 9 with it, or when the comb 6 is brought back upwards to start the preparation of a new garment C.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 1 and 4 to 9, the winding element 11 is made in a single body piece and has just one slot 12 and just one opening 15. In the embodiment shown in Figures 10 to 16, on the other hand, the winding element 11 comprises two winding portions 111 which are separate and spaced apart from each other, wherein each of such winding portions 111 comprises a relevant slot 12. The winding portions 111 are operable locked together with each other in rotation around the axis of winding X so as to wind the temporary yarn N around them forming the hank M.

Preferably, the winding portions 111 move locked together with each other along the sliding direction 23.

Furthermore, each winding portion 111 comprises a relevant opening 15.

More in detail, in the work position of the winding element 11 one of the winding portions 111 is arranged at least partly overlapped vertically onto the gripping element 9, which is adapted to be fitted into the opening 15 defined on such winding portion 111 as a result of its displacement upwardly along the gripping direction 22. It follows, therefore, that only one of the two winding portions 111 is adapted to intercept the temporary yarn N with the relevant slot 12 and to receive inside the relevant opening 15 the gripping element 9 as a result of its displacement upwardly along the gripping direction 22. Advantageously, each winding portion 111 is hinged around a relevant axis of hinging Y that is separate from the axis of winding X. The winding portions 111 are movable in rotation around the relevant axes of hinging Y independently of each other. More particularly, the axes of hinging Y are substantially aligned with each other and belong to a plane arranged transversely with respect to the axis of winding X.

Preferably, in this embodiment, the unthreading means 10 also comprise rolling means 26 adapted to interact with the winding portions 111 during the displacement thereof along said sliding direction 23 to facilitate the movement thereof. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the rolling means 26 comprise two rolling elements, e.g. of the type of bearings or cylindrical elements, each of which is positioned in contact with a relevant winding portion 111 and is operable in rotation around a relevant axis of rolling Z due to the effect of the displacement of the winding portions 111 along the sliding direction 23.

In other words, as a result of the displacement of the winding element 11, and therefore of the relevant winding portions 111, along the sliding direction 23, the contact between the winding portions themselves and the rolling elements 26 does not result in friction by sliding, but rather causes the rolling elements 26 to rotate around the relevant axes of rolling Z.

Conveniently, the axes of rolling Z are arranged substantially parallel to said axes of hinging Y.

Preferably, the machine 1 comprises sensor means 16 adapted to detect the height reached by the comb 6 along the vertical displacement thereof and/or the position of the winding element 11 and comprises at least one electronic control unit 17 operatively connected to the sensor means 16, to the motor means of the comb 6 and to the winding element 11. Such electronic control unit 17 is programmed to stop the operation of the motor means when the comb 6 is at a lower height than the winding element 11 and the latter is in the work position. In this way, the electronic control unit 17 prevents the comb 6 from lifting when the winding element 11 is in the work position, so as to prevent mutual collision.

Advantageously, the unthreading means 10 comprise at least one supporting element 18 of the winding element 11 , operable in rotation around the axis of winding X and with respect to which the winding element 11 is movable along the sliding direction 23.

More particularly, the winding element 11 is movable along the sliding direction 23 until it reaches at least one release position of the hank M wherein the slot 12 is at least partly contained within the supporting element 18. Preferably, the supporting element 18 comprises at least one slit 19 through which the winding element 11 slides, where the wall of the supporting element 18 delimiting the slit 19 serves as a stop for the hank M during the displacement of the winding elements itself towards the release position. The slit 19 is then cut to length on the winding element 11.

In other words, once the temporary yarn N has wound itself around the winding element 11 forming the hank M, the displacement of the winding element itself along the sliding direction 23 towards the release position results in the hank M thus formed being dragged towards the supporting element 18 until it interacts with it when the slot 12 enters it.

Conveniently, the winding element 11 has at least one outer wall 11a converging towards the open end of the slot 12, so as to facilitate the release of the hank M when the winding element itself reaches the release position. Preferably, the outer walls of the winding element 11 have a substantially conical conformation.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 10 to 16, the supporting element 18 has two slits 19 through which the winding portions 111 slide. The slits 19 are cut to size to allow the largest section of each winding portion 111 to pass through. Conveniently, each winding portion 111 has two outer walls 111a converging with each other towards the open end of the respective slot 12. The cross section of the winding portions 111 is then decreasing as it proceeds closer to the relevant slot 12 so that as the winding portions 111 move towards the release position the clearance with the relevant slits 19 increases.

Therefore, once the temporary yarn N has wound around the winding portions 111 forming the hank M and the winding portions themselves move along the sliding direction 23 towards the release position, due to the pressure exerted by the hank M and the clearance left by the slits 19 the winding portions 111 rotate around the relevant axes of hinging Y in the direction of mutual approach. Such rotation of the winding portions 111 around the relevant axes of hinging Y facilitates the detachment of the hank M as a result of the interaction with the supporting element 18. In the embodiments shown in the figures, both the winding element 11 shown in Figures 1 and 4-9, and the winding portions 111 shown in Figures 10-16, have a substantially plate-shaped conformation, i.e., characterized by a significantly lower thickness than the other dimensions.

Alternative embodiments cannot however be ruled out wherein the winding element 11, or the relevant winding portions 111, have different conformations, e.g. cylindrical.

Advantageously, the unthreading means 10 comprise at least one guiding element 24 of the temporary yarn N arranged superiorly to the winding element 11 and staggered with respect to the vertical plane passing through the axis of winding X. In other words, the guiding element 24 is arranged superiorly to the winding element 11 and arranged laterally with respect to a vertical plane passing through the gripping direction 22 and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the slot 12 which intercepts the temporary yarn N. In particular, in the embodiment shown in Figures 10 to 16, the winding portions 111 are arranged, horizontally, on opposite sides to each other with respect to the guiding element 24.

The unthreading means 10 also comprise at least one abutment element 25 arranged on the opposite side of the guiding element 24 with respect to the winding element 11 , and adapted to hold in support the temporary yarn N as a result of the unthreading thereof. The abutment element 25 is therefore arranged laterally with respect to the aforementioned vertical plane, on the opposite side of the guiding element 24.

Appropriately, the guiding element 24 and the abutment element 25 are then arranged on opposite sides to each other with respect to a horizontal plane passing through the axis of winding X. The temporary yarn N that descends from the relevant yarn carrier element 4 then interacts with the guiding element 24, fits within the slot 12 and rises to the top, as shown in Figures 6 and 12.

At least one of either the guiding element 24 or the abutment element 25, preferably both, is locked together with the winding element 11 by shifting along the sliding direction 23.

In more detail, the unthreading means 10 comprise a holding member 28 supporting the winding element 11, the guiding element 24 and the abutment element 25 by shifting.

Appropriately, the first drive means 13 comprise a fixed portion locked together with the holding member 28 and a movable portion locked together with the winding element 11. In turn, the second drive means 14 comprise a fixed portion locked together in rotation with a connection element 29 associable with the load-bearing frame 20, and a movable portion connected in a kinematic manner, e.g. by means of a gear, to the holding member 28 so as to move it along the sliding direction 23. The supporting element 18 is locked by shifting together with the connection element 29 but is movable in rotation with respect thereto around the axis of winding X. In particular, the supporting element 18 is associated idle in rotation with the connection element 29.

The operation of the present invention is as follows. As known to the person skilled in the art, the making of a garment C begins by positioning, by means of a yarn carrier element 4, a supporting yarn S at the gap 3 in such a way that said supporting yarn S can be intercepted by the fastening elements 7 of the comb 6.

Next, the weaving of the removable part R begins, during which the temporary yarn N is also placed at the gap 3 so that it intertwines with the working yarn F being prepared.

During these operations, the gripping element 9 is kept in the home position, i.e. aligned with the fastening elements 7 and below the working height of the yarn carrier elements 4. During this phase, the gripping element 9 is therefore below the height of the yarns S, N and F from time to time positioned at the gap 3, in order to prevent it from interfering with the stroke of the yarn carrier elements 4 or to intercept one of the yarns S and F, thus jeopardizing the execution of the preparation portion P.

During the execution of the preparation portion P, the comb 6 moves downwards, dragging the removable part R with it.

As soon as the yarn carrier element 4 supporting the temporary yarn N, which performs a plurality of strokes in opposite directions, reaches the end-of-stroke position, the gripping element 9 is moved along the gripping direction 22 towards the work position. The gripping element 9 then moves to a higher height than the temporary yarn N supported by the relevant yarn carrier element 4 and during its return stroke towards the home position intercepts it by dragging it downwards.

Once the return stroke has been completed, the gripping element 9 returns to the home position, aligning itself again with the fastening elements 7 and displacing downwards locked together with the comb 6. When the comb 6 reaches the lower end-of-stroke position the cylinders 8 move in the mutual approaching direction and contact with the garment C, by holding it.

The winding element 11 is then moved along the sliding direction 23 so as to bring it to the work position, wherein the temporary yarn N fits inside the slot 12 by passing through its open end of the slot 12.

Next, the gripping element 9 is lifted along the gripping direction 22 so as to pass through the opening 15 and thus release the temporary yarn N, which therefore remains inside the slot 12. The gripping element 9 then descends again until it returns to the home position. At this point the winding element 11 makes a few turns around the axis of winding X in such a way as to partly wind the temporary yarn N, after which the machine 1 cuts its end associated with the relevant yarn carrier element 4. More particularly, in the embodiment shown in Figures 10 to 16, the winding portions 111 are moved along the sliding direction 23 so as to bring them to the work position, and the temporary yarn N is fitted inside the slot 12 defined on one of them. Subsequently, the gripping element 9 is lifted along the gripping direction 22 so as to pass through the opening 15 of the winding portion 111 arranged on top of it and thus release the temporary yarn N, which therefore remains inside the slot 12. The gripping element 9 then descends again until it returns to the home position. At this point, the winding portions 111 make a few turns around the axis of winding X in such a way as to partly wind the temporary yarn N, after which the machine 1 cuts its end associated with the relevant yarn carrier element 4.

Once the end of the temporary yarn N has been cut, the winding element 11 rotates around the axis of winding X, driven by the first drive means 13, until the temporary yarn itself has been completely wound around it to form a hank

M.

Once the winding of the temporary yarn N is completed, the winding element 11 is made to shift, by means of the second drive means 14, along the sliding direction 23 until it reaches the release position. During such displacement, the winding element 11 passes through the slit 19 and the hank M, having larger overall dimensions than the winding element itself, interacts with the wall of the supporting element 18 bordering the slit itself.

As a result of this interaction and of the movement of the winding element 11 , the hank M pulls out of the latter by falling downwards. The substantially conical conformation of the winding element 11 promotes the release of the hank M.

More in detail, in the embodiment shown in Figures 10 to 16, during the displacement of the winding portions 111 along the sliding direction 23, towards the release position, due to the pressure exerted by the hank M and the clearance between the winding portions themselves and the relevant slits 19, the winding portions 111 rotate around the relevant axes of hinging Y by approaching each other in such a way as to facilitate the release of the hank itself. The retraction of the winding portions 111 towards the release position is facilitated by the interaction with the rolling elements 26 which, due to the effect of friction with the winding elements themselves, rotate around the respective axes of rolling Z.

At this point, the comb 6 can be lifted again to begin making a new garment C. If the winding element 11 accidentally remains in the work position, the electronic control unit prevents the comb 6 from displacing upwards as this movement would cause a collision with the winding element itself.

It has in practice been ascertained that the described invention achieves the intended objects and in particular the fact is emphasized that the textile machine to which the present invention relates allows, thanks to the winding of the temporary yarn, carrying out the unthreading of the temporary yarn itself from the relevant fabric garment in a practical and safe way. Moreover, the combined movement, by rotation and shift, of the winding element, ensures both the unthreading of the temporary yarn and the release thereof.

The conformation and composition of the unthreading means allows keeping the overall dimensions to a minimum, thus facilitating their application even in existing machines.