Linking method, particularly for closing an axial end of a tubular manufacture

Abstract

A linking method, particularly for closing an axial end of a tubular manufacture, comprising a step of holding loops of knitting (10) to be linked which comprise a first plurality of loops of knitting (11) formed at the last course of knitting (21) and a second plurality of loops of knitting (12) formed at a course of knitting other than the last course of knitting (21), a step of linking that consists in joining, in each instance, by means of at least one sewing thread (30), two loops of knitting (10) to be linked.

Description

[0001] LINKING METHOD, PARTICULARLY FOR CLOSING AN AXIAL END OF A TUBULAR MANUFACTURE

[0002] The present invention relates to a linking method, particularly for closing an axial end of a tubular manufacture.

[0003] Techniques are known for executing the automated closure of knitted tubular articles, in particular socks, at an axial end thereof, i.e. at the toe in the case of socks, at the end of their production on circular machines for knitting or hosiery.

[0004] Some of these techniques are based on picking up the article, at the end of its production, from the circular hosiery or knitting machine and on transferring it to a linking or sewing station, which is generally arranged beside the machine used to produce the article.

[0005] In the linking or sewing station, there is a linking or sewing head with which the closure is carried out of the axial end of the article, which usually is constituted by the axial end at which production of the article ended.

[0006] Usually, picking up the article from the machine that produced it and optionally transferring it to the handling device are done by individually engaging the loops of knitting of the last course of knitting formed of the article, and the loops of knitting of one half-row of such last course of knitting are individually faced toward the loops of knitting of the other halfrow, before proceeding with the sewing or linking so that the closure of the axial end of the article is carried out by joining, in each instance, two mutually facing loops of the two half-rows that make up the last course of knitting formed. By virtue of this fact, an excellent result in terms of precision and appearance is obtained in the automated closure of axial ends of knitted tubular articles, in particular in the automated closure of the toes of socks.

[0007] The automated closure of an axial end of a knitted manufacture, in particular of socks, can therefore be executed by supporting the manufacture by means of a semi-annular element provided with a plurality of prongs, regularly spaced apart from each other around the axis of the annulus, on each one of which two loops of knitting are arranged, one belonging to one half of a course of knitting and one belonging to the other half of the same course of knitting. The sewing or linking head used is generally provided with two elements, for example two needles or a needle and a looping hook, which cooperate with each other to form a chain stitch. One of these two elements, which are actuated in a synchronized manner and with the rotary motion of the semi-annular portion around the axis of the annulus, is inserted with its prong, in each instance, into a pair of loops of knitting carried by a same prong of the semi-annular element so that the chain stitch progressively links together the various pairs of loops, thus effecting the closure of the axial end of the knitted manufacture.

[0008] Recently, and especially with manufactured articles of great “fineness”, traditional linking is little appreciated, mainly because the course of knitting remains “empty”, and therefore difficult to fill with the thread used to create the linking.

[0009] In order to solve this problem, the applicant has for some time implemented on knitting machines for producing tubular manufactures, such as socks, the capability to link the toes with a “double stitch”, and so has made it possible to double the amount of yarn that is inserted into each loop of linking.

[0010] In particular, by double stitch what is meant is that the curved needle that executes the linking enters the linking loops and intersects with the thread of the looping hook, twice consecutively, before passing on to the next linking loops that are on the adjacent pin (or linking spike).

[0011] Alternatively, solutions have been proposed, in which a first linking is performed of all the loops and subsequently a second linking is performed of those same loops. The end result of both systems can be similar but the weave of the linking threads is different.

[0012] The aim of the present invention is to provide a linking method, particularly for closing an axial end of a tubular manufacture, that is capable of improving the known art in one or more of the above-mentioned aspects.

[0013] Within this aim, an object of the invention is to provide a linking method, particularly for closing an axial end of a tubular manufacture, that makes it possible to execute a linking capable of closing the toe in a precise and satisfactory manner, including from the point of view of appearance.

[0014] Another object of the invention is to provide a linking method, particularly for closing an axial end of a tubular manufacture, that is highly reliable, easy to implement and of low cost.

[0015] This aim and these and other objects which will become better apparent hereinafter are achieved by a linking method, particularly for closing an axial end of a tubular manufacture, according to claim 1, optionally provided with one or more of the characteristics of the dependent claims.

[0016] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the detailed description that follows of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of the linking method, particularly for closing an axial end of a tubular manufacture, according to the invention, which is illustrated for the purposes of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings wherein:

[0017] Figure 1 is a view of the knit stitch of a traditional linking (state of the art);

[0018] Figure 2 is a view of the knit stitch of a linking made with the method according to the invention;

[0019] Figure 3 is a view of the purl stitch of a linking made with the method according to the invention.

[0020] With reference to the figures, the invention relates to a linking method, particularly for closing an axial end of a tubular manufacture.

[0021] The method comprises, in particular, a step of holding loops of knitting 10 to be linked which comprise a first plurality of loops of knitting 11 formed at the last course of knitting 21 and a second plurality of loops of knitting 12 formed at a course of knitting other than the last course of knitting 21, and a step of linking that consists in joining, in each instance, by means of at least one sewing thread 30, two loops of knitting 10 to be linked.

[0022] Advantageously, the loops of knitting 12 of the second plurality of loops of knitting 12 are defined at the penultimate course of knitting 22.

[0023] However, there is no reason why the loops of knitting 12 of the second plurality of loops of knitting cannot be formed, optionally in part, at the third last course of knitting.

[0024] Conveniently, the holding step comprises a step of arranging the plurality of loops of knitting 10 to be linked so that they face each other in pairs.

[0025] Conveniently, before the holding step, there is a step of transferring the loops of knitting 10 to be linked from a circular machine, adapted to provide the tubular manufacture, to a semiannular element provided with a plurality of prongs on each one of which two mutually facing loops 10 to be linked are arranged.

[0026] Advantageously, the loops of knitting 11 of the first plurality of loops of knitting are arranged alternately with respect to the loops of knitting 12 of the second plurality of loops of knitting.

[0027] The linking step comprises a step of forming a chain stitch, performed by at least one needle.

[0028] Preferably, the step of forming a chain stitch is performed by two needles or by one needle and a looping hook (of the type shown in Figures 2 and 3).

[0029] According to a further aspect, the present invention relates to a tubular manufacture that has an end closed by means of a linking operation.

[0030] The linking operation comprises linking performed by means of at least one chain stitch connecting loops of knitting 10 to be linked. In particular, the loops of knitting 10 to be linked comprise a first plurality of loops of knitting 11 formed at the last course of knitting 21 and a second plurality of loops of knitting 12 formed at a course of knitting other than the last course of knitting 21.

[0031] Advantageously, the loops of knitting 12 of the second plurality of loops of knitting are defined at the penultimate course of knitting 22.

[0032] Preferably, the loops of knitting 12 of the second plurality of loops of knitting are arranged alternately with the loops of knitting 11 of the first plurality of loops of knitting.

[0033] The method according to the invention therefore entails providing, on circular or hosiery knitting machines, a knitted tubular manufacture, for example a sock.

[0034] In the production step, the loops of knitting 10 to be linked, which also constitute the loops of knitting that are engaged individually by a handling device, are constituted by a first plurality of loops of knitting 11 of the last course of knitting and also by a second plurality of loops of knitting 12 of the penultimate (or third last) course of knitting.

[0035] At this point, the loops of knitting 10 to be linked are transferred, in a known manner, to a semi-annular supporting element provided with a plurality of prongs, regularly spaced apart from each other around an axis, on each one of which two mutually facing and superimposed loops 10 to be linked are arranged, one belonging to a first half of the plurality of loops of knitting 10 to be linked, and one belonging to the other half of the loops of knitting 10 to be linked.

[0036] Closure of the axial end of the tubular manufacture is performed by virtue of the action of a linking head which has a needle, or more preferably two elements, for example two needles or a needle and a looping hook, which cooperate with each other to form a chain stitch.

[0037] One of these elements, which are actuated in a synchronized manner and with the rotary motion of the semi-annular portion around the axis, is inserted with its prong, in each instance, into a pair of mutually facing loops of knitting carried by a same prong of the semiannular element so that the chain stitch progressively links together the various pairs of loops, thus effecting the closure of the axial end of the knitted tubular manufacture.

[0038] In practice it has been found that the invention fully achieves the intended aim and objects by providing a linking that is capable of closing the toe in a precise and satisfactory manner, including from the point of view of appearance.

[0039] The invention, thus conceived, is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, all the details may be substituted by other, technically equivalent elements.

[0040] In practice the materials employed, provided they are compatible with the specific use, and the contingent dimensions and shapes, may be any according to requirements and to the state of the art.

[0041] The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. 102023000001539 from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference.

[0042] Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, such reference signs have been inserted for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A linking method, particularly for closing an axial end of a tubular manufacture, characterized in that it comprises a step of holding loops of knitting (10) to be linked which comprise a first plurality of loops of knitting (11) formed at the last course of knitting (21) and a second plurality of loops of knitting (12) formed at a course of knitting other than the last course of knitting (21), and a step of linking that consists in joining, in each instance, by means of at least one sewing thread (30), two loops of knitting (10) to be linked.

2. The linking method according to claim 1, characterized in that the loops of knitting (12) of said second plurality of loops of knitting (12) are formed at the penultimate course of knitting (22).

3. The linking method according to claim 1 , characterized in that said holding step comprises a step of arranging said plurality of loops of knitting (10) to be linked so that they face each other in pairs.

4. The linking method according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a step of transferring said loops of knitting (10) to be linked from a circular machine to a semi-annular element provided with a plurality of prongs on each one of which two facing and superimposed loops to be linked are arranged.

5. The linking method according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the loops of knitting (11) of said first plurality of loops of knitting are arranged alternately with respect to the loops of knitting (12) of said second plurality of loops of knitting.

6. The linking method according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said linking step comprises a step of forming a chain stitch made by at least one needle, and preferably by two needles or by a needle and a looping hook.

7. A tubular manufacture with an end closed by linking, characterized in that said linking comprises a linking made by means of at least one chainstitch connecting loops of knitting (10) to be linked which comprise a first plurality of loops of knitting (11) formed at the last course of knitting (21) and a second plurality of loops of knitting (12) formed at a course of knitting other than the last course of knitting (21).

8. The tubular manufacture according to claim 7, characterized in that the loops of knitting (12) of said second plurality of loops of knitting are formed at the penultimate course of knitting (22).

9. The tubular manufacture according to one or more of claims 7 to 8, characterized in that the loops of knitting (12) of said second plurality of loops of knitting are arranged alternately with the loops of knitting (11) of said first plurality of loops of knitting.

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