Stitch-bonding machine and stitch-bonding method

Abstract

The present invention relates to a stitch-bonding machine with horizontally aligned slide needles arranged at a stitch-bonding station of the stitch-bonding machine, at least one weft thread laying device for laying at least one weft thread in a weft thread laying area of the stitch-bonding machine, and opposing, circulating weft thread transport chains. The invention further relates to a stitch-bonding method in which, on a stitch-bonding machine, when properly set up for operation, at least one horizontally extending weft thread is produced with a reciprocating weft thread laying device, which is fed to horizontally moving slide needles arranged at a stitch-bonding station of the stitch-bonding machine by means of opposing, circulating weft thread transport chains.In the stitch-bonding machine according to the invention, when properly installed, the weft thread laying device is arranged above the stitch-bonding station, and the weft thread transport chains run from top to bottom throughout the entire weft thread laying area. In the stitch-bonding method according to the invention, the at least one weft thread is continuously fed from above to the stitch-bonding station by the weft thread transport chains.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a stitch-bonding machine with horizontally aligned slide needles arranged at a stitch-bonding station of the stitch-bonding machine, at least one weft thread laying device for laying at least one weft thread in a weft thread laying area of the stitch-bonding machine, and opposing, circulating weft thread transport chains. The invention further relates to a stitch-bonding method in which, on a stitch-bonding machine, when properly set up for operation, at least one horizontally extending weft thread is produced with a reciprocating weft thread laying device, which is fed to horizontally moving slide needles arranged at a stitch-bonding station of the stitch-bonding machine by means of opposing, circulating weft thread transport chains.

[0002] On a stitch-bonding machine or in a stitch-bonding process, layers of thread, nonwoven fabric, or other textile surfaces or substrates are sewn together to create textile fabrics. The thread layers are created by laying a large number of threads arranged side by side. A distinction is made between weft thread layers, also called cross thread layers, and warp thread layers, also called standing thread layers.

[0003] The weft thread layer is created by a weft thread laying device. For example, a plurality of weft threads are drawn in side by side. However, it is also possible for the weft thread laying device to produce only one weft thread. The reciprocating weft thread laying device guides at least one weft thread and hooks it into hooks or pins of two continuously drawn weft thread transport chains that limit the working width of the stitch-bonding machine. To prevent the weft threads from becoming skewed, an offset rake is used during the weft thread laying process, for example, in the stitch-bonding machine described in the document DE 3641640 C1.

[0004] In known stitch-bonding machines, the weft thread laying device is located in a weft thread laying area provided behind the stitch-bonding station, in which the weft thread transport chains run horizontally. In order for the at least one horizontally aligned weft thread produced by the weft thread laying device to lie at an angle of 90° to the horizontal compound needle movement during the knitting process, the at least one weft thread must enter the stitch-bonding station from above. In known stitch-bonding machines and stitch-bonding processes, this is achieved by deflecting the weft thread transport chains downwards by 90° toward the stitch-bonding station shortly before the stitch-bonding station.

[0005] The necessary change in direction of at least one weft thread or of the formed weft thread group causes the hook chains to spread out, which leads to positional shifts and thus to inhomogeneous gaps between the weft threads, which impairs the quality of a stitch-knitted fabric formed on the stitch-knitting machine.

[0006] It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a stitch-bonding machine and a stitch-bonding method with horizontal slide needle movement, in which the weft threads are homogeneously integrated into the stitch-bonded fabric to be formed.

[0007] The object is achieved on the one hand by a stitch-bonding machine with horizontally movable slide needles arranged at a stitch-bonding station of the stitch-bonding machine, at least one weft thread laying device for laying at least one weft thread in a weft thread laying area of the stitch-bonding machine and opposite, circulating weft thread transport chains, in which, when correctly set up, the weft thread laying device is arranged above the stitch-bonding station and the weft thread transport chains run from top to bottom in the entire weft thread laying area.

[0008] In the present invention, all information on the arrangement and alignment of elements of the stitch-bonding machine, such as the slider needles or the weft thread transport chains, the threads or layers used thereon and the fabric formed therewith, relate to a functionally correct setup of the stitch-bonding machine.

[0009] The stitch-bonding machine according to the invention differs from the stitch-bonding machines known from the prior art in particular by the differently designed weft thread laying device and the different weft thread transport chain guide.

[0010] In the present invention, the weft thread laying device is located above, not behind, the stitch-bonding station. This ensures sufficient distance between the weft thread laying device and the stitch-bonding tools of the stitch-bonding machine so that they do not collide with each other. "Above" here means that the weft thread laying device is located at a height above the stitch-bonding station. The weft thread laying device can, but does not have to, be located directly above the stitch-bonding station. However, the weft thread laying device is located far enough above the stitch-bonding station that a set of weft threads it produces can be continuously produced from top to bottom. This is possible because the weft thread transport chains run from top to bottom throughout the entire weft thread laying area, i.e., where at least one weft thread is placed.Furthermore, the weft thread laying device is located so far above the stitch-bonding station that a group of weft threads produced by it can be fed continuously from top to bottom to the stitch-bonding station starting from the weft thread laying device.

[0011] "From top to bottom" can mean "vertical" but also "oblique from top to bottom." This means that the weft thread transport chains are oriented upright in the present invention. "Upright" in the present invention refers to a non-horizontal orientation of the weft thread transport chains, which includes a vertical orientation of the weft thread transport chains but also an oblique orientation of the weft thread transport chains relative to a horizontal plane in which the horizontally movable compound needles of the stitch-bonding machine are aligned. For example, the oblique orientation of the weft thread transport chains can include a position of the weft thread transport chains at an angle in an angular range of -30° to +30°, preferably in an angular range of -45° to +45°, particularly preferably in an angular range of -60° to +60° relative to the horizontal plane in which the compound needles of the stitch-bonding machine are aligned.

[0012] A weft thread group laid by the weft thread laying device and extending from one of the weft thread transport chains to the opposite one of the weft thread transport chains is therefore not in a horizontal plane, but extends vertically or is inclined.

[0013] In this vertical or oblique orientation, the weft thread sheet in the present invention can be continuously fed to the stitch-bonding point without the need for its deflection.

[0014] Accordingly, the stitch-bonding machine according to the invention prevents the weft thread layer from spreading and unwanted, uneven gaps between the weft threads. As a result, particularly homogeneous textile fabrics can be produced on the stitch-bonding machine according to the invention.

[0015] The stitch-bonding machine according to the invention also has the advantage of a significantly reduced installation space requirement compared to previously known stitch-bonding machines, since the weft thread production and the weft thread feeding do not take place next to, but above the stitch-bonding point.

[0016] In the stitch-bonding machine according to the invention, the weft thread feed can be spatially separated from the substrate feed much more easily than in the prior art. This also results in increased flexibility of the stitch-bonding machine according to the invention, in which areas located behind the stitch-bonding machine can be used, for example, for feeding at least one substrate, such as a nonwoven layer, to the stitch-bonding station.

[0017] In addition, the stitch-bonding machine according to the invention has the advantage that the warp threads do not have to be tensioned so much and yet a secure integration of at least one weft thread into the stitch-bonding point takes place.

[0018] The stitch-bonding machine according to the invention preferably has a single weft thread laying device with two opposing weft thread transport chains. The weft thread transport chains run parallel to each other.

[0019] In other embodiments of the present invention, the stitch-bonding machine according to the invention can also have more than one weft thread laying device, for example, two, three, four, or more than four weft thread laying devices. Then, preferably, at least two of the weft thread laying devices each have two mutually parallel, opposing weft thread transport chains that are oriented at different angles relative to the stitch-bonding point. However, it is also possible for multiple weft thread laying devices to each serve a pair of opposing weft thread transport chains.

[0020] For example, an embodiment of the stitch-bonding machine according to the invention can have at least two weft thread laying devices aligned at an angle to one another, wherein each of the weft thread laying devices is assigned separate pairs of opposite, circulating weft thread transport chains.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment of the stitch-bonding machine according to the invention, the weft thread laying device comprises at least one horizontally movable weft thread layer, which stands on a linear guide arranged above the stitch-bonding station or hangs downward from a linear guide arranged above the stitch-bonding station. Because the weft thread layer is arranged upright on the linear guide or extends downward from the linear guide, at least one weft thread can advantageously be fed to the weft thread transport chains using the weft thread layer or at least one weft thread guide element mounted thereon and suspended in these or in weft thread holding elements provided thereon, with a simultaneous downward movement of the weft thread transport chains.

[0022] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the stitch-bonding machine has a weft offset rake that can be moved horizontally with the weft thread layer and whose height can be adjusted on the weft thread layer. The at least one weft thread can be held on the weft offset rake. Since the weft offset rake on at least one of the weft thread transport chains, preferably on both of the weft thread transport chains, can be adjusted in height first against the direction of movement of the weft thread transport chains and then returned to its starting position, both stitch-correct and non-stitch-correct weft threads can be suspended at 90° angles in the weft thread transport chains or in weft thread transport elements mounted thereon.

[0023] In an alternative, equally advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the weft layer has a weft guide, and a vertically adjustable weft offset rake is arranged next to each of the weft transport chains of the respective weft laying device. In this embodiment of the invention, the weft offset rakes are not moved horizontally, but only adjusted in height, allowing both stitch-correct and non-stitch-correct weft threads to be suspended at 90° angles in the weft transport chains or in the weft transport elements mounted thereon.

[0024] Preferably, the weft offset rake(s) each has a plurality of weft thread take-up eyelets arranged one above the other. Since the weft thread take-up eyelets are arranged one above the other rather than horizontally next to one another—unlike in the prior art—weft threads can be advantageously hooked into the top-down weft thread transport chains or into the weft thread transport elements mounted thereon without requiring a reversal of the weft thread feed direction.

[0025] It is particularly advantageous if the weft offset rake(s) has / have weft guide eyelets arranged at an angle to the weft thread take-up eyelets.

[0026] Weft threads fed from a creel of the stitch-bonding machine can first be picked up via the weft thread guide eyelets and then fed at an angle to the weft thread take-up eyelets corresponding to the weft thread transport chains.

[0027] The weft thread laying device can also be equipped with a weft thread laying robot instead of the weft thread layerer or in addition to the weft thread layerer. If the weft thread layerer is replaced by the weft thread laying robot, the linear guide is also unnecessary.

[0028] It is also possible to omit the weft offset rake(s). Then, with the weft layerer or weft layering robot, weft thread placement in a cross-weft pattern is possible.

[0029] The weft thread transport chains preferably have horizontally projecting transport hooks or pins arranged one above the other in the weft thread laying area, serving as weft thread transport elements. Unlike in the prior art, the transport hooks or pins are arranged one above the other in the weft thread laying area, rather than horizontally next to one another. This allows them to advantageously pick up weft threads one after the other during the downward movement of the weft thread transport chains.

[0030] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the weft thread laying device does not have a weft offset rake. In this embodiment, a weft thread guide is formed on the weft thread layer. For example, stacked weft thread take-up eyelets can be integrated into the weft thread layer.

[0031] To ensure stable horizontal guidance of the weft layer, it is advantageous to provide at least one weft layer guide element on both the underside and the top side of the weft layer. A guide roller or a slide rail, for example, can be used as the weft layer guide element.

[0032] It is particularly practical if, in the present invention, the weft thread transport chains have an O-shaped course, wherein they each reverse their direction at a head region of the stitch-bonding machine and below the stitch-bonding point. The reversal of the direction of the weft thread transport chains thus occurs in regions remote from the weft thread laying region and a transport region for the at least one laid weft thread, whereby the reversal of the weft thread transport chains does not cause a reversal of the direction of the at least one weft thread, thus preventing the spread of a weft thread group.

[0033] The object is further achieved by a stitch-bonding method in which at least one horizontally running weft thread is produced on a stitch-bonding machine when it is set up correctly with a reciprocating weft thread laying device, which is fed to horizontally moving slide needles arranged at a stitch-bonding station of the stitch-bonding machine by means of opposite, circulating weft thread transport chains, wherein the at least one weft thread is fed continuously from above to the stitch-bonding station by the weft thread transport chains.

[0034] When multiple weft threads are laid in the stitch-bonding process according to the invention, they are placed vertically spaced from one another by the weft thread laying device. The weft threads are placed in such a way that they are spaced from one another in height above the stitch-bonding point both during and after the laying process. This creates a weft thread group that extends vertically or diagonally from top to bottom.

[0035] In the stitch-bonding method according to the invention, the at least one laid weft thread is continuously fed from above to the stitch-bonding point.

[0036] The weft thread transport chains, which serve as longitudinal conveyors for at least one weft thread, run towards the stitch-bonding tools and run away from the stitch-bonding point again after the stitch-bonded fabric has been formed.

[0037] Since the method according to the invention produces multiple weft threads in the form of a weft thread group, these are produced continuously from top to bottom and moved in this form immediately to the stitch-bonding point. This has the advantage of preventing the weft thread group from spreading and the associated inhomogeneous formation of gaps between the weft threads. Furthermore, the inventive procedure reduces the space required for the stitch-bonding machine, since the weft thread laying and weft thread transport are carried out in an area above the stitch-bonding point, and no space needs to be reserved for this behind the stitch-bonding point.

[0038] Particularly preferably, the weft thread transport chains are not deflected on the path along which the at least one laid weft thread is fed to the stitch-bonding station. Thus, neither in the weft thread laying area nor on the subsequent transport path of a weft thread group to the stitch-bonding station does the weft thread group undergo a single deflection or bend, allowing the weft thread group to be sewn particularly homogeneously with warp threads and, optionally, at least one other thread or layer structure or a substrate to form a stitch-bonded fabric. This allows the use of very wide and therefore very stable weft suspension mounts.

[0039] Preferably, in the method according to the invention, the at least one weft thread is laid by means of a horizontally movable weft thread layer standing on a linear guide or suspended from a linear guide. Since the weft thread layer stands upright on the linear guide or is oriented downwards from the linear guide during the laying of the at least one weft thread, its orientation is adapted to the top-to-bottom movement of the weft thread transport chains, whereby the at least one weft thread can be easily taken over by the weft thread transport chains or the weft thread transport elements provided thereon.

[0040] In an advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, a weft offset rake, which is aligned upright thereon and on which the at least one weft thread is held, is moved horizontally with the weft thread layer. The weft offset rake moves to a distance between transport hooks or pins of a weft thread transport chain and is then offset vertically against the direction of movement of the weft thread transport chains into an offset position. Upon reaching this position, at least one of the weft threads is transferred to one of the transport hooks or pins, after which the weft offset rake is moved back to its starting position in the direction of movement of the weft thread transport chains. This allows both a stitch-true and a non-stitch-true 90° placement of the at least one weft thread.

[0041] In an alternative embodiment of the method according to the invention, which also leads to a stitch-correct or non-stitch-correct 90° laying of the at least one weft thread, the at least one weft thread is held on the weft thread layer and a weft offset rake is arranged next to the weft thread transport chains, which is offset in height after the at least one weft thread has been transferred to a transport hook or pin of the respective weft thread transport chain and is then moved back into its starting position.

[0042] Preferred embodiments of the stitch-bonding machine according to the invention and the stitch-bonding process carried out thereon are explained in more detail below with reference to figures, wherein Figure 1 schematically shows a side view of a weft thread transport chain of an embodiment of a stitch-bonding machine according to the invention; Figure 2 schematically shows a possible embodiment of a weft thread laying device of a stitch-bonding machine according to the invention;Figure 3 schematically shows elements of an embodiment of a stitch-bonding machine according to the invention with two weft thread transport chains arranged on opposite sides of a stitch-bonding station and a reciprocating weft thread layer in a perspective side view, wherein the weft thread layer is arranged between the weft thread transport chains in a front view of the stitch-bonding machine and behind the weft thread transport chains in a side view of the stitch-bonding machine, and wherein for each of the weft thread transport chains, its feed and output strands are arranged opposite one another in the direction of movement of the weft thread layer and the weft thread transport chains move mirror-symmetrically to one another; Figure 4 schematically shows the elements of the stitch-bonding machine from ; Figure 3in a side view of the stitch-bonding machine; Figure 5 schematically shows elements of an embodiment of a stitch-bonding machine according to the invention with two weft thread transport chains arranged on opposite sides of a stitch-bonding station, formed parallel to one another and moving parallel to one another, and a reciprocating weft thread layer in a perspective side view, wherein the weft thread layer is arranged between the weft thread transport chains in a front view of the stitch-bonding machine and behind the weft thread transport chains in the side view of the stitch-bonding machine, and wherein in each of the weft thread transport chains, the feed and output strands are arranged opposite one another orthogonally to the direction of movement of the weft thread layer; Figure 6 schematically shows the elements of the stitch-bonding machine from Figure 5in a side view of the stitch-bonding machine; Figure 7 schematically shows elements of an embodiment of a stitch-bonding machine according to the invention with two weft thread transport chains arranged on opposite sides of a stitch-bonding station, formed parallel to one another and moving parallel to one another, and two reciprocating weft thread layerers in a perspective side view, wherein the two weft thread layerers are arranged between the weft thread transport chains in a front view of the stitch-bonding machine, a first of the weft thread layerers is arranged in front of the weft thread transport chains in the side view of the stitch-bonding machine and a second of the weft thread layerers is arranged behind the weft thread transport chains in the side view of the stitch-bonding machine; Figure 8 schematically shows the elements of the stitch-bonding machine from Figure 7in a side view of the stitch-bonding machine; Figure 9 schematically shows elements of an embodiment of a stitch-bonding machine according to the invention with two weft thread transport chains arranged on opposite sides of a stitch-bonding station, formed parallel to one another and moving parallel to one another, and two weft thread layerers moving back and forth in a perspective side view, wherein the two weft thread layerers are arranged between the weft thread transport chains in a front view of the stitch-bonding machine and wherein a first of the weft thread layerers is arranged between the weft thread transport chains in the side view of the stitch-bonding machine and a second of the weft thread layerers is arranged behind the weft thread transport chains in the side view of the stitch-bonding machine; Figure 10 schematically shows the elements of the stitch-bonding machine from Figure 9shows a side view of the stitch-bonding machine; Figure 11 schematically shows elements of an embodiment of a stitch-bonding machine according to the invention in a perspective side view, in which two weft thread transport chains are arranged on opposite sides of a stitch-bonding station, which are formed parallel to one another and move parallel to one another, wherein the feed and output strands of the opposite weft thread transport chains are arranged opposite one another in the direction of movement of the weft thread layer and the weft thread transport chains move mirror-symmetrically to one another, and wherein the stitch-bonding machine has two reciprocating weft thread layers,wherein the two weft thread layerers are arranged between the weft thread transport chains in a front view of the stitch-bonding machine, and wherein a first of the weft thread layerers is arranged in front of the weft thread transport chains in a side view of the stitch-bonding machine, and a second of the weft thread layerers is arranged behind the weft thread transport chains in a side view of the stitch-bonding machine; Figure 12 schematically shows the elements of the stitch-bonding machine from , Figure 11shows a side view of the stitch-bonding machine; Figure 13 schematically shows elements of an embodiment of a stitch-bonding machine according to the invention in a perspective side view, in which two weft thread transport chains are arranged next to one another and move mirror-symmetrically to one another on opposite sides of a stitch-bonding station, whereby two opposing pairs of weft thread transport chains are formed with weft thread transport chains running and moving parallel to one another, and wherein the stitch-bonding machine has two reciprocating weft thread layerers which, in a front view of the stitch-bonding machine, are arranged between the weft thread transport chains, wherein the weft thread layerers are arranged in the side view of the stitch-bonding machine between the feed and output strands of a pair of opposing weft thread transport chains;Figure 14 schematically shows the elements of the stitch-bonding machine; Figure 13shows a side view of the stitch-bonding machine; Figure 15 schematically shows elements of an embodiment of a stitch-bonding machine according to the invention in a perspective side view, in which two weft thread transport chains are arranged on opposite sides of a stitch-bonding station, aligned at an acute angle to one another and moving towards one another, whereby two opposing pairs of weft thread transport chains are formed, with weft thread transport chains running parallel to one another and moving, and wherein the stitch-bonding machine has two reciprocating weft thread layerers, which are arranged between the weft thread transport chains in a front view of the stitch-bonding machine,wherein a first of the weft thread layers is arranged between a first pair of weft thread transport chains in the side view of the stitch-bonding machine and a second of the weft thread layers is arranged between a second pair of weft thread transport chains in the side view of the stitch-bonding machine; and Figure 16 schematically shows the elements of the stitch-bonding machine from , Figure 15 shows a side view of the stitch-bonding machine.

[0043] Figure 1 shows schematically a weft thread transport chain 1 of an embodiment of a stitch-bonding machine according to the invention. In the stitch-bonding machine, the weft thread transport chain 1a shown is provided with a Figure 5 Opposite the further weft thread transport chain 1b shown. The weft thread transport chains 1a, 1b each run continuously. Hooks for receiving at least one weft thread are located on the weft thread transport chains 1a, 1b.

[0044] In the embodiment shown, the weft thread transport chains 1a, 1b have an O-shaped course. The weft thread transport chains 1 move from top to bottom towards a stitch-bonding station 2 of the stitch-bonding machine in order to feed at least one weft thread to the stitch-bonding station 2. This direction of movement of the weft thread transport chain 1a is shown in Figure 1 marked with arrow A. The weft thread transport chains 1a, 1b move from bottom to top after the stitching step from the stitching point 2, which direction of movement is Figure 1 is marked by the arrow A'.

[0045] The weft thread transport chains 1a, 1b are each deflected in a head region 25 of the stitch-bonding machine and a lower region 26 of the stitch-bonding machine located below the stitch-bonding point 2.

[0046] The stitch-bonding station 2 has a compound needle bar 21 with horizontally movable compound needles, a locking wire bar 22 with locking wires guided thereon, a guide needle bar 23 with guide needles guided thereon, and a standing thread bar 24. The aforementioned sewing tools of the stitch-bonding station 2 are held on a machine support 27 of the stitch-bonding machine.

[0047] Figure 2 shows schematically a possible design of a weft thread laying device 3 of a stitch-bonding machine according to the invention.

[0048] The weft thread laying device 3 has a movable weft thread layer 31, which is designed in the form of a weft carriage. In the illustrated embodiment, the weft carriage is designed in the form of a frame tower made of struts, but can be designed differently. The frame tower tapers from bottom to top.

[0049] In other embodiments of the present invention not shown, the weft thread layer 31 can also hang downwards from a linear guide 32.

[0050] The weft layer 31, in the embodiment shown, stands upright on a linear guide 32. The linear guide 32 is a rail guide in the embodiment shown, but can also be a carriage guide or another linear guide. On an underside of the weft layer 31, weft layer guide elements 36 in the form of guide rollers are arranged, which are guided on a correspondingly designed guide rail of the linear guide 32. On an upper side of the weft layer 31, in the embodiment shown, a further weft layer guide element 37 in the form of a guide roller is arranged, which is arranged on an upper part of the linear guide 32, which in the Figure 2 not shown.

[0051] In another embodiment of the present invention, not shown, slide rails may also be provided instead of the guide rollers.

[0052] Along the linear guide 32, the weft layer 31 can move back and forth between at least two weft transport chains 1a, 1b, one of which, for example, Figure 1 is shown.

[0053] A weft offset rake 33 is mounted on the weft layer 31. The weft offset rake 33 has a plurality of weft thread take-up eyelets 34 arranged one above the other, each for receiving a weft thread. These eyelets are moved between the weft thread transport chains 1a, 1b in order to transfer the weft threads to the weft thread transport chains 1a, 1b or to weft thread transport elements arranged thereon. Furthermore, the weft offset rake 33 has a plurality of weft thread guide eyelets 35 aligned at an acute angle to the weft thread take-up eyelets 34, by which the weft threads fed from a creel (not shown here) of the stitch-bonding machine are first taken up and then fed to the weft thread take-up eyelets 34.

[0054] The Figures 3, 5 , 7, 9 , 11, 13 and 15 show schematically elements of various embodiments of the stitch-bonding machine according to the invention, each in a perspective side view. Figures 4, 6 , 8, 10 , 12, 14 and 16 show the Figures 3, 5 , 7, 9 , 11, 13 and 15 shown embodiments schematically in the corresponding side view. In the Figures 3 to 16 the respective sewing point 2 is simplified by a horizontal needle point direction.

[0055] Figure 3 shows elements of a stitch-bonding machine in which a weft thread transport chain 1a, 1b is arranged on opposite sides of a stitch-bonding station 2 of the stitch-bonding machine. The weft thread transport chains 1a, 1b are aligned upright. The weft thread transport chains 1a, 1b have mutually opposite directions of movement A, B. The circulating weft thread transport chains 1a, 1b each move from top to bottom toward the stitch-bonding station 2 and back from the stitch-bonding station 2 from bottom to top.

[0056] In the embodiment shown, the respective feed strands 10a, 10b of the weft thread transport chains 1a, 1b are aligned so that they are directly opposite each other, i.e., point inward and face each other. The respective output strands 11a, 11b of the weft thread transport chains 1a, 1b are facing away from each other, i.e., point outward.

[0057] In the description of the various embodiments of the present invention, the terms "feed strand" and "drive strand" of one and the same weft thread transport chain do not refer to physically different or adjacent strands, but rather indicate the position of the respective weft thread transport chain. This means that the feed strand merges into the drive strand after the direction of movement of the respective weft thread transport chain is reversed, and vice versa.

[0058] The weft thread transport chains 1a, 1b are arranged in the Figures 3 and 4 shown embodiment is operated by the same weft thread laying device 3. This means that the weft thread laying device 3 alternately inserts at least one weft thread into the weft thread transport chains 1a, 1b. For this purpose, as shown by the arrow C, a weft thread layer of the weft thread laying device 3 moves back and forth between the weft thread transport chains 1a, 1b. In a front view of the stitch-bonding machine, the weft thread laying device 3 is located between the weft thread transport chains 1a, 1b and in the Figure 4 shown schematic side view of the stitch-bonding machine behind the weft thread transport chains 1a, 1b.

[0059] The weft thread transport chains 1a, 1b are in the Figures 3 and 4In the embodiment shown, the weft thread transport chains 1a, 1b are aligned such that their respective feed strands and their output strands, i.e., the feed strand 10a and the output strand 11a or the feed strand 10b and the output strand 11b, are arranged opposite one another in the direction of movement C of the weft thread layer of the weft thread laying device 3. In the embodiment shown, the weft thread transport chains 1a, 1b move mirror-symmetrically to one another.

[0060] The Figures 5 and 6 schematically show elements of a further embodiment of a stitch-bonding machine according to the invention, in which a weft thread transport chain 1a, 1b is arranged on opposite sides of a stitch-bonding station 2 of the stitch-bonding machine. The weft thread transport chains 1a, 1b are arranged parallel to one another. The weft thread transport chains 1a, 1b are oriented upright. The weft thread transport chains 1a, 1b have mutually parallel, identical directions of movement D.

[0061] The weft thread transport chains 1a, 1b each move from top to bottom towards the stitching point 2 and from the stitching point 2 from bottom to top back again.

[0062] The weft thread transport chains 1a, 1b are operated by the same weft thread laying device 3. This means that the weft thread laying device 3 alternately inserts at least one weft thread into the weft thread transport chains 1a, 1b. For this purpose, a weft thread layer of the weft thread laying device 3 moves back and forth between the weft thread transport chains 1a, 1b, as shown by arrow C. In the embodiment shown, for each of the weft thread transport chains 1a, 1b, its feed strand 10a, 10b and its output strand 11a, 11b are arranged opposite one another orthogonally to the direction of movement C of the weft thread laying device 3.

[0063] In a front view of the stitch-bonding machine, the weft thread laying device 3 is located between the weft thread transport chains 1a, 1b and in the Figure 6 shown schematic side view of the stitch-bonding machine behind the weft thread transport chains 1a, 1b.

[0064] The Figures 7 and 8 schematically show elements of a further embodiment of a stitch-bonding machine according to the invention with two weft thread transport chains 1a, 1b arranged on opposite sides of a stitch-bonding station 2, arranged parallel to one another, and moving parallel to one another. The weft thread transport chains 1a, 1b are aligned upright. The weft thread transport chains 1a, 1b have parallel, unidirectional directions of movement D. The circulating weft thread transport chains 1a, 1b each move from top to bottom towards the stitch-bonding station 2 and from bottom to top back from the stitch-bonding station 2.

[0065] The Figures 7 and 8 The embodiment shown has a weft thread laying device 3 with two reciprocating weft thread layers 31, 31'. The two weft thread layers 31, 31' are arranged between the weft thread transport chains 1a, 1b in a front view of the stitch-bonding machine. A first of the weft thread layers 31 is in the Figure 8 In the side view of the stitch-bonding machine shown, one of the weft thread layerers 31' is arranged in front of the weft thread transport chains 1a, 1b, and a second of the weft thread layerers 31' is arranged behind the weft thread transport chains 1a, 1b in the side view of the stitch-bonding machine. The two weft thread layerers 31, 31' are thus located outside the range of movement of the weft thread transport chains 1a, 1b in the side view.

[0066] In the embodiment shown, in each of the weft thread transport chains 1a, 1b, the feed strand 10a, 10b and the output strand 11a, 11b are arranged opposite one another orthogonally to the direction of movement C of the weft thread layerers 31, 31' of the weft thread laying device 3.

[0067] In the Figures 7 and 8 In the embodiment of the invention shown, the first of the weft thread layerers 31 runs on the feed strands 10a, 10b of the weft thread transport chains 1a, 1b, while the second of the weft thread layerers 31' runs on the output strands 11a, 11b of the weft thread transport chains 1a, 1b.

[0068] The Figures 9 and 10schematically show elements of a further embodiment of a stitch-bonding machine according to the invention with two weft thread transport chains 1a, 1b arranged on opposite sides of a stitch-bonding station 2 of the stitch-bonding machine, arranged parallel to one another, and moving parallel to one another. The weft thread transport chains 1a, 1b are aligned upright. The weft thread transport chains 1a, 1b have parallel, unidirectional directions of movement D. The circulating weft thread transport chains 1a, 1b each move from top to bottom towards the stitch-bonding station 2 and, on their output side, from bottom to top back from the stitch-bonding station 2.

[0069] Between the weft thread transport chains 1a, 1b, two weft thread layerers 31, 31' of a weft thread laying device 3 of the stitch-bonding machine move back and forth in the directions of movement schematically indicated by the arrows C, C'. In a front view of the stitch-bonding machine, the two weft thread layerers 31, 31' are arranged between the weft thread transport chains 1a, 1b. In a side view of the stitch-bonding machine, a first of the weft thread layerers 31 is arranged between the weft thread transport chains 1a, 1b, i.e., inside, and a second of the weft thread layerers 31' is arranged behind the weft thread transport chains 1a, 1b, i.e., outside, in the side view of the stitch-bonding machine.

[0070] This makes it possible to insert twice the number of weft threads into the weft thread transport chains 1a, 1b simultaneously and in a space-saving manner. This allows for a reduction in the laying speed, since only every second hook of the respective weft thread transport chain 1a, 1b needs to be loaded with a weft thread.

[0071] The Figures 9 and 10 The embodiment shown has the advantage over the embodiment shown in Figures 7 and 8 that the weft threads do not have to be guided over the upper deflection position on the output side.

[0072] In the embodiment shown, in each of the weft thread transport chains 1a, 1b, the feed strand 10a, 10b and the output strand 11a, 11b are arranged opposite one another orthogonally to the direction of movement C of the weft thread layerers 31, 31' of the weft thread laying device 3.

[0073] The Figures 11 and 12schematically show elements of an embodiment of a stitch-bonding machine according to the invention, in which two weft thread transport chains 1a, 1a' and 1b, 1b', which are arranged parallel to one another and move parallel to one another, are arranged on opposite sides of a stitch-bonding station of the stitch-bonding machine. The weft thread transport chains 1a, 1a', 1b, 1b' are oriented upright. The weft thread transport chains 1a, 1a' arranged on a first side of the stitch-bonding station 2 have mutually parallel movement directions A, A'.

[0074] The weft thread transport chains 1b, 1b' arranged on a second side of the stitch-bonding station 2 opposite the first side have mutually parallel movement directions B, B'. The weft thread transport chains 1a, 1a' on the one hand and the weft thread transport chains 1b, 1b' on the other hand have mutually opposite movement directions A, A' on the one hand and B, B' on the other. The circulating weft thread transport chains 1a, 1a', 1b, 1b' each move from top to bottom towards the stitch-bonding station 2 and back from the stitch-bonding station 2 from bottom to top.

[0075] The stitch-bonding machine has two weft thread layerers 31, 31' of a weft thread laying device 3, each moving back and forth in the directions of movement C and C', respectively.

[0076] In the case of the weft thread transport chains 1a and 1b or 1a' and 1b', which are located opposite one another, their feed strand and their output strand are arranged opposite one another in the movement directions C, C' of the weft thread layerers 31, 31'.This means that the feed strand 10a of the weft thread transport chain 1a is arranged opposite the driven strand 11a of the same weft thread transport chain 1a in the direction of movement C of the weft thread layer 31, the feed strand 10a' of the weft thread transport chain 1a' is arranged opposite the driven strand 11a' of the same weft thread transport chain 1a' in the direction of movement C of the weft thread layer 31, the feed strand 10b of the weft thread transport chain 1b is arranged opposite the driven strand 11b of the same weft thread transport chain 1b in the direction of movement C' of the weft thread layer 31' and the feed strand 10b' of the weft thread transport chain 1b' is arranged opposite the driven strand 11b' of the same weft thread transport chain 1b' in the direction of movement C' of the weft thread layer 31'.Thus, the internally arranged feed strands 10a, 10a' on one side and the feed strands 10b, 10b' on the other side face each other, while the output strands 11a, 11a' on one side and the external output strands 11b, 11b' face away from each other.

[0077] In the Figures 11 and 12 In the embodiment shown, the weft thread transport chains 1a, 1a' on the one hand and the weft thread transport chains 1b, 1b' located on the other side of the stitch-bonding station 2 on the other hand move mirror-symmetrically to one another. The weft thread transport chains 1a, 1a', 1b, 1b' are aligned upright.

[0078] In a front view of the stitch-bonding machine, the two weft thread layerers 31, 31' are arranged between the weft thread transport chains 1a, 1a' on the one hand and 1b, 1b' on the other hand, with a first of the weft thread layerers 31 in the Figure 12shown side view of the stitch-bonding machine in front of the weft thread transport chains 1a, 1b and a second one of the weft thread layer 31' in the side view in Figure 12 shown on the stitch-bonding machine is arranged behind the weft thread transport chains 1a', 1b'.

[0079] The Figures 13 and 14 show schematically elements of a further embodiment of a stitch-bonding machine according to the invention, in which two weft thread transport chains 1a, 1a' on the one hand and 1b, 1b' on the other hand, which are arranged next to one another and move mirror-symmetrically to one another in the directions of movement D and D', respectively, are arranged on opposite sides of a stitch-bonding station 2.

[0080] In the Figures 13 and 14 In the embodiment shown, two opposing pairs of weft thread transport chains, 1a and 1b or 1a' and 1b', are formed with weft thread transport chains running and moving parallel to one another.

[0081] The stitch-bonding machine shown has two reciprocating weft layerers 31, 31' of a weft layering device 3 of the stitch-bonding machine. In a front view of the stitch-bonding machine, the weft layerers 31, 31' are arranged between the weft transport chains 1a, 1b and 1a', 1b', respectively, with a first of the weft layerers 31 in the Figure 14 shown side view of the stitch-bonding machine between the feed and driven strands of the weft thread transport chains 1a, 1b and a second of the weft thread layer 31' in the Figure 14 shown side view of the stitch-bonding machine is arranged between the feed and output strands of the weft thread transport chains 1a', 1b'.

[0082] The characters Figures 15 and 16show schematically elements of a further embodiment of a stitch-bonding machine according to the invention, in which on opposite sides of a stitch-bonding station 2 two weft thread transport chains 1a, 1a' are arranged on a first side of the stitch-bonding station 2 and 1b, 1b' on a second side of the stitch-bonding station 2 opposite the first side, which are aligned at an acute angle to one another but nevertheless upright and move towards one another in accordance with the directions of movement D, D'.

[0083] In this case, two opposing pairs of weft thread transport chains 1a, 1b on the one hand and 1a', 1b' on the other hand are formed with weft thread transport chains running and moving parallel to each other.

[0084] The stitch-bonding machine further comprises two reciprocating weft-thread layerers 31, 31' of a weft-thread laying device 3 of the stitch-bonding machine. In a front view of the stitch-bonding machine, the weft-thread layerers 3 are arranged between the weft-thread transport chains 1a, 1a' on the one hand and 1b, 1b' on the other hand. A first of the weft-thread layerers 31 is in the position shown in Figure 16 shown side view of the stitch-bonding machine between a first pair of weft thread transport chains 1a, 1b and a second pair of weft thread layers 31' in the Figure 16 shown side view of the stitch-bonding machine between a second pair of weft thread transport chains 1a', 1b'.

[0085] The embodiments illustrated in the figures offer the possibility of providing, in addition to the weft insertion using the upright weft thread transport chains, a further weft insertion system with vertically or horizontally aligned weft thread transport chains on the same stitch-bonding machine. This allows both stitch-aligned and non-stitch-aligned weft insertion to be performed on a single stitch-bonding machine, something which previously required separate stitch-bonding machines.

Claims

1. Stitch-bonding machine with stitch-bonding tools arranged at a stitch-bonding station (2) of the stitch-bonding machine, with horizontally aligned slide needles (21), at least one weft thread laying device (3) for laying at least one weft thread in a weft thread laying area (30) of the stitch-bonding machine and oppositely arranged, circulating weft thread transport chains (1), characterized in that when the stitch-bonding machine is set up correctly, the weft thread laying device (3) is arranged above the stitch-bonding station (2) and the weft thread transport chains (1) run from top to bottom in the entire weft thread laying area (30).

2. Stitch-bonding machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the weft thread laying device (3) has at least one horizontally movable weft thread layer (31, 31') which stands on a linear guide (32) arranged above the stitch-bonding point (2) or hangs downwards from a linear guide (32) arranged above the stitch-bonding point (2).

3. Stitch-bonding machine according to claim 2, characterized in that the stitch-bonding machine has a weft offset rake (33) which is horizontally movable with the weft thread layer (31, 31') and whose height (h) can be adjusted on the weft thread layer (31).

4. Stitch-bonding machine according to claim 2, characterized in that the weft thread layer (31, 31') has a weft thread guide and a weft offset rake (33) which is adjustable in height (h) is arranged next to each of the weft thread transport chains (1) of the respective weft thread laying device (3).

5. Stitch-bonding machine according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the weft offset rake(s) (33) each have(s) a plurality of weft thread take-up eyelets (34) arranged one above the other.

6. Stitch-bonding machine according to claim 5, characterized in that the weft offset rake(s) (33) each have / have weft guide eyelets (35) arranged at an angle to the weft thread take-up eyelets (34).

7. Stitch-bonding machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the weft thread transport chains (1) have horizontally projecting transport hooks or pins arranged one above the other in the weft thread laying area.

8. Stitch-bonding machine according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that at least one weft thread layer guide element (36, 37) is provided on an underside and on an upper side of the weft thread layer (31, 31').

9. Stitch-bonding machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the weft thread transport chains (1) have an O-shaped course, wherein they each reverse their direction at a head region (25) of the stitch-bonding machine and below the stitch-bonding point (2).

10. Stitch-bonding machine according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in thatthe stitch-bonding machine has at least two weft thread laying devices (3) aligned at an angle to one another, wherein each of the weft thread laying devices (3) is assigned separate pairs of opposite, circulating weft thread transport chains (1) or wherein the at least two weft thread laying devices (3) are assigned a pair of opposite, circulating weft thread transport chains (1).

11. Stitch-bonding process in which at least one weft thread is produced on a stitch-bonding machine when it is set up correctly with a reciprocating weft thread laying device (3), which is fed by means of opposite, circulating weft thread transport chains (1) to horizontally moving needles arranged at a stitch-bonding station (2) of the stitch-bonding machine, characterized in that the at least one weft thread is continuously fed from above to the stitch-bonding station (2) by the weft thread transport chains (1).

12. Stitch-bonding process according to claim 10, characterized in that on the path (A) on which the at least one laid weft thread is fed to the stitch-bonding station (2), the weft thread transport chains (1) are not deflected.

13. Stitch-bonding process according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the at least one weft thread is laid by means of a horizontally movable weft thread layer (31, 31') standing on a linear guide (32) or hanging from a linear guide (32).

14. Stitch-bonding process according to claim 13, characterized in thata weft offset rake (33) which is aligned upright thereon and on which the at least one weft thread is held is moved horizontally with the weft thread layer (31, 31'), the weft offset rake (33) moving into a distance between transport hooks or pins (5) of a weft thread transport chain (1) and then being displaced in its height (h), whereby the at least one weft thread is transferred to one of the transport hooks or pins.

15. Stitch-bonding process according to claim 13, characterized in that the at least one weft thread is held on the weft thread layer (31, 31') and a weft offset rake (33) is arranged next to the weft thread transport chains (1), which is offset in height (h) after the at least one weft thread has been transferred to a transport hook or pin (5) of the respective weft thread transport chain (1).

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