Insert for a textile machine, packaging for at least one insert, method for supplying at least one insert to a textile machine and for operating the textile machine, and system for further processing textile material

Abstract

The present invention relates to an insert part (1) for a textile machine, to a package for at least one insert part for a textile machine, to a method for supplying at least one insert part to a textile machine and for operating said textile machine, and to a system for further processing textile material, the system comprising a textile machine and at least one insert part for operating said textile machine, the at least one insert part (1) being in the form of a textile tool (1) or a system part (1), the at least one insert part being connected to at least one handling part (7) by a disconnection connection (9) that can be manually disconnected without tools at the start of installation, the insert part being handleable by the handling part (7) during installation of the textile machine, and the disconnection connection (9) being disconnectable.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an insert part for a textile machine, a package for at least one insert part for a textile machine, a method for supplying at least one insert part to a textile machine and for operating the textile machine, as well as a system for further processing textile material, the system comprising a textile machine and at least one insert part for operating the textile machine. [Background technology]

[0002] It is known to use inserts for corresponding textile machines, which are used to produce textiles. These inserts include textile tools. Textile tools have the common feature of extending in the longitudinal direction between a front end and a rear end. Textile tools in this context are often very elongated, i.e., their longitudinal extension is much greater than their extension in the other two spatial directions.

[0003] At a certain distance from the rear end of such a textile tool begins the working part of the textile tool, which is adapted to contact the yarn and / or form a stitch. In knitting needles, the large (rear) part is adapted to slide in the needle channel of the knitting machine. In the front region of such knitting needles there is a hook, which forms the stitch during the knitting process. The hook and the front part of the knitting needle that contacts the yarn form the working part of the needle.

[0004] Knitting needles also include so-called sliding needles, in which a slider that slides along the needle shank during knitting opens and closes the needle hook and is involved in the transport of the knitting half stitches. The slider therefore also comes into contact with the yarn during the knitting operation and falls within the definition of a textile tool as described above. WO 2016 / 165991 A1 particularly relates to such sliders.

[0005] So-called sinkers are also frequently used in knitting, which also have in their front area a working part which comes into contact with the yarn during the knitting process and in particular presses down or releases the stitches.

[0006] Knitting needles are usually attached at their rear end to a rod. At their front end they also have a hook for forming the stitch. Other textile tools are known for use in stitch forming machines. To close the toe of the sock, different machine manufacturers use different tools in their sock knitting machines:

[0007] Very commonly used are transfer elements, often designated "spiros" or "spiris." These elements often have a pointed front end, which is used to engage the stitches at the end of the semi-finished sock, which is still in the shape of a tube, so that the semi-finished sock can be quickly knitted and subjected to the next processing step, namely the stitching of the toe part. Elements of the aforementioned type are shown, for example, in Chinese Utility Model No. 20685196U.

[0008] EP 2873761 B1 also discloses components used in connection with closing socks, specifically calling them "transfer devices" or "transfer members" and "strip members." Specifically, the textile tools used in the field of hosiery closing devices are often very small and unwieldy, also in view of the fineness of the hosiery threads. In this specification, in addition to the aforementioned stitch forming tools and stitch processing tools, sewing needles and felting needles are also textile tools.

[0009] In addition to the textile tools, system components are also used as inserts in textile machines. These system components do not come into direct contact with the yarn or fabric during the operation of the textile machine, but provide a force or torque to the textile tools required for the weaving process (drive) or contribute to the selection of textile tools during the weaving process (selection component). Forces or torques are frequently transmitted for the latter purpose (selection). As an example of the transmission of force or torque for the drive of downstream textile tools, WO 2020 / 250088 A1 is mentioned, which presents a "flat component" that transmits force to knitting needles during knitting.

[0010] An example of a selector element, in which an insert element is involved in the selection of textile tools during knitting, thus enabling the production of patterned textiles (e.g., jacquard knits), is given in European Patent No. 859881B1: "Sinker for Selecting and Controlling the Stitch-Forming Action of Knitting Tools in a Knitting Machine," which is involved in the selection of textile tools in the textile manufacturing process in the manner described above. Another relatively clear example is provided by U.S. Pat. No. 4,644,762A. FIG. 1 therein shows a selector element (here, "jack") with the reference symbol "SCH." This selector element has a butt (in English, "butt") that can apply a force during knitting, for example, by means of a cam element. At its front end, the selector element can transmit this force to the needle "N" via another system element without a reference symbol. For this purpose, all three of the aforementioned elements are slidably inserted into a groove in the needle channel cylinder (reference symbol 51 in U.S. Pat. No. 4,644,762A). Therefore, the dimensions and working position of the selected components are very similar to those of the textile tool "Needle N", and fitting these system components to the needle cylinder is just as time-consuming and laborious as fitting the textile tool. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0011] In summary, the aforementioned inserts (system components and textile tools) have many common features:

[0012] As a rule, they are separated from the sheet metal by stamping at the beginning of production. They are often inserted into narrow guide channels and are often slidably held within these channels. As already mentioned, the installation of these many inserts poses problems for the assemblers and operators of the respective textile machines.

[0013] The initial installation of the insert and the replacement of a defective insert with a new insert are difficult.

[0014] Against this background, EP 3889330 A1 aims to improve the manufacturing and handling of a pair of textile tools by connecting two of the textile tools together at a predetermined break point. The teachings of this document are certainly advantageous for certain textile tools. However, there are many types of inserts for textile machines, and it has been found that there is room for further improvement in the handling of inserts when inserting them into textile machines. Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to further facilitate the feeding and mounting of inserts into textile machines and the operation of textile machines. [Means for solving the problem]

[0015] This object is achieved by claims 1, 7, 10 and 14 of the present document.

[0016] With the measures proposed in this document, each insert part is connected to (at least) one handling part that assists the insertion of the insert part into the machine, but does not itself have to be inserted into the machine anymore. Furthermore, it has become clear that the geometric freedom required by the invention (of the handling part) brings about further advantages in the handling of the parts to be inserted.

[0017] As already mentioned, the longitudinal direction (z) of the insert is the direction in which the insert remaining in the textile machine after the separation of the break point has the greatest elongation. In the longitudinal direction, the insert extends between its front and rear ends. The insert also extends in the other two spatial directions, the elongations in which are usually significantly smaller. The elongation of the insert in its width direction is often determined by the slenderness, particularly in the case of stitch-forming tools, and is therefore small. The elongation in the height direction, particularly in the case of stitch-forming tools, is naturally significantly larger than the elongation in the width direction, but is still significantly smaller than the elongation in its longitudinal direction.

[0018] As already mentioned at the beginning, the insert may be a textile tool. Such a textile tool has working parts that are arranged in the front region of the textile tool. These working parts are therefore spaced apart from the rear end of the textile tool. The working parts come into contact with the yarn or fiber to be processed and can be used together with a stitch-forming tool to form a stitch. In the case of a knitting needle, the entire hook region and the region through which the unfinished loop moves over the top of the knitting needle during knitting are considered to be part of the working region. In other textile tools, such as the aforementioned "spiro" (a transfer tool for hosiery closures), the tip of the spiro and the part of the shank adjacent to the tip are naturally part of the working region. Those skilled in the art are familiar with the parts of the respective textile tool that come into contact with the yarn or material during operation of the textile machine. In the case of a needle, the tip and the part of the shank that is inserted into the fabric during sewing belong to the respective working region.

[0019] Regarding the use of the term "system component", reference is also made to the above introduction regarding the prior art. A system component in the sense of this specification is used for selecting or driving textile tools. In a knitting machine, such a system component is often inserted into the same groove as a knitting needle or sinker, and therefore has the same "thickness", i.e. the same extension in the width direction, within the meaning of the definition of the term. A system component has a working part that transmits a force or torque to a textile tool or to another system component. Therefore, a system component, in principle, also has a part that initially absorbs this force or torque. These parts can be designed like the butt of a knitting needle. However, in many cases, they are also the front or rear end of a system component. A system component transmits a force or torque directly or indirectly (via one or more other system components) to textile tools, thus enabling the selection of these tools or driving them.

[0020] According to the invention, the insert is connected to the handling element via the breakage point when delivered by its manufacturer or distributor. This handling element can be shaped in any way, in particular differently from the insert element. It can therefore be significantly larger than the insert element, which is often very delicate. The freedom of the shape of the handling element according to the invention (compared to EP 3 889 330 A1) naturally also makes it easier to precisely position the breakage point in a position that makes the insertion of the insert element into the textile machine as easy as possible. There are application situations for insert elements in which the breakage point is not at the rear end of the insert element but somewhere else. Furthermore, the handling element or the unit comprising the handling element and the insert element can have a longitudinal axis that forms an angle, preferably a right angle, in the rear region (i.e., in particular in the region of the handling element). In particular in the case of knitting needles and sinkers used in rib dials or knitting cylinders, it is advantageous for the insert element to have a longitudinal extension, in particular in the height direction of the respective aforementioned textile tool or system component. In this case, an additional or even more advantageous option is to provide the break point at the upper edge of the textile tool or system component. Thus, when the respective unit consisting of the insert part and the handling part is inserted into the rib dial or knitting cylinder, the handling part protrudes beyond the needle channel in which the insert part is located in its height direction, so that the handling part can perform a pivoting movement that has components in the height direction and the width direction of the textile tool and separates the break point. In this case, the pivoting axis of the movement preferably extends in the longitudinal direction of the textile tool, along its upper edge. The pivoting movement is particularly easy and therefore advantageously achieved if the position of the break point in the height direction of the insert part is above the upper edge of the needle channel or is at the same height as the upper edge of the needle channel. The machine operator can also create this situation if the distance between the intended break point and the lower limit of the insert part in the height direction of the insert part is less than the height of the grooved channel in which the insert part occupies its working position, in which case the machine operator inserts the insert part into the grooved channel "from above" until the intended break point is located directly above or at the same height as the upper edge of the wall of the grooved channel.The machine operator then performs a pivoting movement to separate the break point, and finally the insert slides into its working position, leaving the break point on the insert out of the way of other textile machine parts.

[0021] Another additional useful option is to adapt the insert and the associated textile machine so that the part of the insert that remains on the insert after the break point has been separated (the break point) does not collide with parts of the textile machine during operation. In this case, an advantageous measure is to position the break point in the height direction of the insert in such a way that, when the insert has already reached the bottom of the grooved channel, it is located above or at the same height as the upper edge of the needle channel and below a cam part of the associated textile machine for further processing of the textile. The break point can then be separated when the insert has already reached its height position.

[0022] Another advantageous option is to place the break point on or at the bottom of the insert, in which case the part of the break point that remains on the insert becomes part of the batt and slides over the cam of the textile machine (preferably a knitting machine) during operation.

[0023] Furthermore, the insert parts designed according to the invention can be inserted into the respective textile machine using suitable handling parts. When applying the teaching according to EP 3 889 330 A1, one sinker is always left per knitting tool set, and this sinker has to be inserted in the conventional way, i.e. without handling aids.

[0024] A break point within the meaning of the present invention is a point where an insert part and a handling part are connected to each other and is designed to break or separate more easily under load than adjacent parts of the insert part and handling part. The break point can be manually separated without tools to facilitate the assembly or insertion of the insert part. The break point can be achieved, for example, by reducing the cross section of the material and / or by changing the material properties at the break point (e.g., by embrittling the metal). The break point can be separated, in particular, by rotating the handling part about a rotation axis or tilting the handling part about a bending axis. For many insert parts, the bending axis is preferably along the height direction of the insert part, or the bending axis direction has at least a height component and can optionally also have a component in another spatial direction (but preferably in the longitudinal direction). The rotation axis advantageously has at least a longitudinal component and, if necessary, also other spatial components.

[0025] The handling element has a shape that makes it impossible to use it as an insert element in the textile machine. It preferably has a simple shape, corresponding to a rectangular tab. This tab often has a protrusion (sometimes called a cross brace) protruding from it, preferably perpendicular to the positive or negative height direction. Especially in connection with small insert elements, it is advantageous if the insert element remaining in the machine after the break point is separated is smaller than the handling element. A large length of the handling element usually serves to separate the break point by lever effect. In particular, for components manufactured from sheet metal by stamping, this generally means that the handling element advantageously has a larger surface area in the plane spanning the length and height of the insert element than the insert element remaining in the machine after the break point is separated. It is advantageous if the entire unit consisting of the insert element and the handling element is manufactured in one manufacturing process. That is, the entire component is stamped, for example, from a metal sheet and then passes through a processing station required, for example, for manufacturing knitting needles. The end result is an insert part integrally connected to the handling part, whereby the breakage point exhibits the aforementioned material weakening, which may consist of chemically or physically induced embrittlement, the handling part and the insert part advantageously being made of the same material.

[0026] Advantageously, the handling part has a larger area in a plane spanning the longitudinal direction of the insert part and the second spatial direction than the rest of the insert part.

[0027] In particular for stitch-forming tools, it is advantageous if the second spatial direction, which spans this plane in addition to the longitudinal direction, is the height direction. The measures shown are particularly advantageous when the insert part is particularly small. In the case of very long knitting needles or similar parts, it can be advantageous if the area of ​​the handling part is much shorter than the knitting needle, but also if its extension in the second spatial direction (preferably the height direction, as mentioned above) is much larger. In this way, an area even larger than the side of the knitting needle can be formed.

[0028] It is also advantageous if the material of the handling part and the insert part, in particular in the case of a stitch-forming tool, has the same thickness in a third spatial direction, which is advantageously the width direction.

[0029] It is also advantageous if the handling component stretches the insert piece in its longitudinal direction while the break point is not broken, the break point being advantageously located at one end of the insert piece where it terminates in its longitudinal direction.

[0030] Advantageously, the unit consisting of an insert part and a handling part shown in this document has exactly one insert part. Advantageously, typically, exactly one handling part is assigned to this insert part. It also makes sense to assign several (N) handling parts to exactly one insert part in order to ensure that the insert part is positioned in its working position in the textile machine. Typically, N handling parts with M planned breaking points are connected to at least one, advantageously exactly one, insert part. Advantageously, N is equal to M. A unit of the aforementioned type allows the insert parts to be moved individually to their working position. Advantageously, a unit comprising an insert part and a handling part is provided in which at least one insert part and one handling part (advantageously, all of these parts constituting the unit) are manufactured in one piece. An advantageous method for manufacturing such a unit is to stamp the entire unit or at least part of it from sheet metal. The associated unit consisting of an insert part and a handling part is provided with a planned breaking point at the boundary between the parts. The aforementioned type of breakage points are also advantageously integrally formed, i.e., made from the same workpiece as the insert and handling element. No other materials, such as adhesives, are required. The insert is advantageously fully formed after it is inserted into the textile machine and the breakage point or breakage points are separated, allowing it to directly participate in the textile production process of the textile machine. Advantageously, the aforementioned handling elements are not spacers that hold the inserts at a distance from each other that approximately corresponds to the distance at their working positions in the textile machine. Rather, it has proven advantageous to introduce specific inserts into the textile machine individually. This is particularly effective when at least one insert and at least one handling element associated with the insert are made of a flat material, and the large outer surfaces of the flat material of the insert and handling elements lie in one plane.

[0031] The supply and attachment of insert parts to a textile machine and the operation of the textile machine are also improved by a package for at least one insert part of the textile machine, which package contains and at least partially surrounds the at least one insert part when the at least one insert part is configured as described above.

[0032] if the insert is at least partially enclosed by the packaging in the transport position, if the packaging has at least one removal opening for at least one insert, and when the removal opening opens the package in the direction in which the handling part is connected to the insertion part via the planned breaking point, Further advantages arise.

[0033] As a result, the insert part connected to the handling part can be easily removed from the packaging for loading into the machine, since the handling part can be directly gripped while the insert part is still in the packaging. Handling of the insert part while it is still connected to the handling part is even easier if the handling part protrudes from the packaging when the insert part is in its transport position in the packaging. As a result of this measure, in particular, the handling part can be more easily gripped for handling. The insert part can then be inserted using the handling part without re-gripping, i.e. without gripping the handling part or the insert part in a different position.

[0034] If at least one insert is designed in the manner described above, the method for supplying and mounting the insert to a textile machine and the operation of the textile machine also improves. Textile machines are operated, in particular, to produce textile products or, in the case of sewing, to join textile surfaces. In the sense of this specification, "involved in the production of textiles" in the case of a textile tool means that its working area comes into contact with textile elements, particularly yarns. As already mentioned several times, system components generally do not come into contact with yarns or textile materials, but rather participate in the production of textiles or the further processing of textile materials by transmitting force or torque directly or indirectly to the textile tool. In many cases, the system component is used to select the textile tool, and in other cases, force or torque is used to activate the textile tool, causing it to perform the required operation in textile production.

[0035] As already frequently mentioned above, the insert part has an intact, and therefore not yet broken or opened, break point in its delivery state, i.e., the state in which it is delivered from the manufacturer to the user in the textile machine. This delivery state is therefore present when the machine is first installed, i.e., the break point is intact at the start of installation. "Handling" in the sense of this specification means that the insert part is inserted, positioned, and / or fixed in the textile machine by manual manipulation by an operator, production technician, or robot. In view of the use of the term "handling part" in this specification, the terms "handling" and "handling" can be considered largely synonymous. Overall, the handling part serves to process the insert part. With the help of the handling part, the insert part can also be transported to a position, which may already be in its working position, and locked or fixed there, if necessary. The type of fixation is determined by a person skilled in the art, taking into account the installation situation and the function of the part.

[0036] As already mentioned several times, handling parts have a different shape than insert parts and usually have different dimensions in one, two or three spatial directions. Handling parts are not suitable as insert parts for the same purpose on the same machine. Handling parts are not involved in the textile production using the textile machine. As a rule, handling parts are removed from the textile machine. Handling parts are often disposable. From a sustainability point of view, it would be advantageous if at least their raw materials could be reused. This is easy if the handling parts are metal parts, as are most insert parts in textile machines.

[0037] It is advantageous to protect the inserts by packaging during transport between their place of manufacture and their place of use (the textile machine location). At least the inserts should be protected by packaging, but in many cases the packaging will enclose the entire insert and handling components. Packaging that contains a larger number of replacement parts in the delivery state is also advantageous. Large containers contain, for example, 500 or 1000 such units (consisting of inserts and handling components).

[0038] The insert part is advantageously already connected to the handling part during production. This connection can be established at the start of production of the part. For example, both parts can be separated or removed from the sheet metal together. The break points can be pre-formed, for example, by making grooves or scoring the sheet metal at the corresponding locations. However, the break points can also be created when the unit consisting of the handling part and the insert part has already been separated. Quite surprisingly, it has been shown that handling the aforementioned unit with the handling part during production brings about further advantages. In some cases, this applies to part or even the entire production process. Therefore, it is advantageous to handle the unit with the handling part when the insert part needs to be fed or placed in a new processing station. The handling part can also be gripped by a mechanical handling device and transport the unit consisting of the handling part and the insert part during processing or between processing stations. However, the fact that the handling part is present at some or all processing stations does not mean that it undergoes all (sometimes very expensive) processing steps that the insert part undergoes. The handling components are therefore designed to be inexpensive to manufacture and, due to their size and characteristics, are well suited to handling the insert components. For example, the transfer components (spiri), already mentioned several times, have tips that are difficult to manufacture. The same applies to needles, for example, the hooks and latches of knitting needles. Therefore, in all embodiments of the invention, it is advantageous if the insert components do not have such features. In all embodiments of the invention, it is also advantageous if the handling components are cheaper to manufacture than the insert components and / or undergo fewer active work steps during their manufacture. In this context, it is worth emphasizing that, even in the case of a unit consisting of insert and handling components made of metal, the raw material costs only account for a very small percentage of the total system cost. Therefore, it is often easy to manufacture handling components that are significantly larger than the corresponding insert components in a much more cost-effective manner than the insert components.

[0039] When the insert part is inserted along its longitudinal direction into a groove- or channel-like receiving part of a textile machine, Until the breakage point approaches the entrance of the groove or channel-shaped receiving part of the textile machine. the breaking point (after being inserted as described above) is separated by a relative movement of the handling part with respect to the insertion part, which is at least partly or mostly located in the receiving part, and is advantageous.

[0040] Such groove- or channel-like receivers in textile machines are particularly common in knitting machines, where knitting needles, and often also sinkers, slide in the channels, so that the working areas of these textile tools in particular protrude from the needle channels towards the knitting area where the knitting is carried out during knitting. It is difficult to insert knitting needles into these needle channels.

[0041] Therefore, the use of a textile tool or system component equipped with a handling element is advantageous in the knitting field. Further advantages are achieved by adopting the following procedure when setting up the aforementioned needle or sinker channel: the textile tool is inserted into the channel first at its tip, i.e., its working area, so that the textile machine operator setting up the textile machine preferably handles the unit consisting of the insert element and the handling element at the latter part. The machine operator then moves the insert element along its longitudinal direction into the needle channel until the intended breaking point is only slightly or not at all distant from the needle channel entrance. The machine operator then preferentially moves the handling element across the width of the insert element and the needle channel, resulting in a relative movement between the insert element and the handling element, since the former is held across the width by the needle channel. This relative movement separates the intended breaking point. The textile tool or insert element is now inserted into the needle or sinker channel. If necessary, further longitudinal movement of the needle channel is required to reach the final working position, which is usually also achieved by manipulating the butt of the textile tool to move the textile tool. Such butts are well known and are usually present on the textile tool to provide the force for the weaving movement.

[0042] The above teachings are also valid when the receiving part is not a needle or sinker channel, in which no fixation of the insert part in the longitudinal direction of the insert part is desired, but rather has a pliers-like function, for example, and fixes the insert part by force in such a way that it is held in all three spatial directions. In this case too, the unit consisting of the insert part and the handling part can be introduced into the pliers-like functional area of ​​the receiving part until the insert part is in a position where it is fixed in the receiving part. In this position, the handling part is not prevented by the receiving part or other elements of the machine from moving relative to the insert part, which separates the intended breaking point. In this situation, the machine operator moves the handling part accordingly so that the relative movement occurs and the intended breaking point is separated.

[0043] The above-described embodiments show that it is possible to separate the break point as long as and to the extent that the elements of the textile machine, including the receiving part, allow a relative movement of the handling element. Separation of the break point can occur when the insert part has already reached its final working position. However, in order to reach any working position, further movement of the insert part relative to the receiving part or relative to the textile machine may be required after the break point has been broken. Therefore, in this context, it is advantageous if the position of the insert part, the handling element, and in particular the break point, is adjusted with the textile machine or at least one receiving part thereof to enable the method described above in such a way that a relative movement of the handling element is possible that is at least sufficient to separate the break point.

[0044] In most textile tools used in tip closure devices (such as the transfer tools or spiri, "transfer device" or "transfer member" and "strip member" already mentioned above), it is preferable to use a receiving part that fixes the textile tool mainly by force engagement, and therefore for these parts the latter method (fixing the tool also in the longitudinal direction and then separating the intended breaking point) is preferred.

[0045] It has already been mentioned above that inserts, in particular for rib dials and knitting cylinders, can be equipped with a handling element whose longitudinal axis is oriented in the vertical direction of the insert or whose break point can be located above the insert. In particular, such a unit consisting of an insert and a handling element is advantageously mounted as follows: i) the unit consisting of the insert and the handling element is fed into the grooved channel of the respective needle bed (which can, of course, also carry, in particular, a sinker or system element), ii) the insert is inserted into the needle channel until the break point is located in the region of the upper limit of the needle channel or until the insert sits at the bottom of the needle channel, iii) a pivoting movement of the handling element is triggered in order to separate the break point.

[0046] The supply and attachment of inserts to a textile machine and the operation of the textile machine are also improved and facilitated by a system for further processing of textile material, comprising a textile machine and at least one insert for operating the textile machine, if the at least one insert is designed in the manner described above, and in connection with this system, the handling part has a different shape from the insert, and the handling part is not an insert for the textile machine.

[0047] The insert part, on the other hand, is adapted to participate in the fabric production by the textile machine. After being inserted, the insert part will participate preferentially in the fabric production. For the purposes of this specification, "participating in the fabric production" means that the insert part will participate in the further finishing of the respective textile substrate in the respective work step for which it is designed.

[0048] In its preferred embodiment, the system has the following features: the textile machine has a receiving part in which the insert part can be fixed in the first working position, the handling part is manually accessible when the insertion part is in the first working position; the receiving part allows at least one relative movement of the handling part with respect to the insert part fixed in the receiving part when the insert part is in the first working position; and that at least one relative movement is suitable for separating the intended breakage points.

[0049] To the extent that the textile machine (and here in particular at least one receiving part and adjacent parts of the textile machine), the insertion part and the handling part are adjusted to one another so that the above requirements are met, the latter method described above in relation to the method according to the invention (fixing the tool also in the longitudinal direction and then separating the intended breaking point) can be implemented in the system. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0050] Further details and embodiments of the present invention will become apparent from the figures listed below: [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows the first textile tool, which is the transfer part of the hosiery closure machine. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 shows a textile tool that has been slightly modified compared to the textile tool shown in FIG. 1 and is connected to a handling part via a (still) intact breakaway point. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 shows another textile tool that interacts with the transfer component of a hosiery closure device. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 shows another textile tool with an alternative transfer component. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 shows the textile tool from FIG. 3 connected to a handling part via the (still) intact breakaway point. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 shows the textile tool from FIG. 4 connected to a handling part via an intact breakaway point. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 shows a tool receiver with a sock closure device with a transfer component. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 shows a unit consisting of the textile tool and handling parts from FIG. 2, in which the textile tool is enclosed by a packaging. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 shows the unit from FIG. 8 partially enclosed in the packaging in FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 shows the unit from FIG. 8 mostly enclosed in the packaging in FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 shows another textile tool, a knitting needle, also connected to a handling element. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 shows the unit consisting of the handling part and the knitting needle from FIG. 11 inserted into the needle channel. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 shows selected parts of a circular knitting machine, other system components, and needles. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 shows selected parts from FIG. 13 in their as-delivered state. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 shows in detail a further system component 31 from FIG. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 shows in detail the tool receiver with sock closure device from FIG. [Figure 17] Figure 17 relates to a needle 1 similar to that of Figures 11 and 12, but with the handling parts mounted in a different position. [Figure 18] Figure 18 also relates to a needle 1 that is similar to the needle of Figures 11 and 12, but with the handling parts attached in a different position, already inserted into the needle channel. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 relates to a textile tool similar to the textile tool 1 from FIG. 4, but whose handling element 7 is also connected to the textile tool 1 in a different position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0051] FIG. 1 shows a first textile tool 1, which is a transfer element of a hosiery closure device. This element, also called a "spiro," has a tip 2, a shank 3 extending primarily in the longitudinal direction z, and a fastening area 4 extending primarily transversely to the shank and primarily in the vertical direction x, part of which is adapted to be received in a tool receiving section of a hosiery closure device. The fastening area 4 has a notch 5. Many different embodiments of such a transfer element 1 are known. Most of these transfer elements have in common their delicate shape. As a rule, these elements, as well as other insert elements of a hosiery closure device, are relatively difficult to insert into their receiving sections. It should also be noted that the textile tool 1, designed as a transfer element, extends in the z direction between its front end 24 and rear end 25, having a longitudinal extension 26 between these points.

[0052] FIG. 2 shows a slightly different design of a transfer element 1 of a hosiery closure device, which is connected to a handling element 7 via an intact breakable joint 9. The handling element 7 also extends primarily in the longitudinal direction z of the weaving tool 1. At the rear end of its longitudinal extension, the handling element 7 has a cross strut 8, which extends primarily in the height direction x of the transfer element 1. For symbolic reasons, a stitch 6 is also shown in FIG. 2. This stitch is intended only to clarify that the tip 2 and part of the shank 3 of the transfer element 1 come into contact with the stitch 6 during operation of the weaving machine into which the transfer element 1, which is naturally an insert element within the meaning of this specification, is inserted. The transfer element 1 is therefore a "weaving element" within the meaning of this specification and also falls under the general term "insertion element." The area of ​​the transfer part 1, which is a textile tool in the sense of this document, that comes into contact with the yarn or stitch 6 is also called the working part 22. The entire unit 20, including the insertion part 1 and the handling part 7, has a longitudinal extension 27 that is greater than the longitudinal extension 26 of the insertion part 1 by an extension factor.

[0053] FIG. 3 shows a further textile tool 1 which cooperates with a transfer element 1 as shown in FIG. 4 in a hosiery closure device. FIG. 4 shows this transfer element 1 with a shank 3 and a tip 2. FIG. 5 shows again a textile tool 1 of the type already shown in FIG. 3. However, the textile tool 1 shown in FIG. 5 is connected to a handling element 7 via an intact break point 9. The handling element 7 shown in FIG. 5 is mainly composed of its transverse struts 8. The break point 9 is formed by a circular punch 19 in the surrounding shank area. This method of forming the break point is also efficient and therefore advantageous. FIG. 6 shows again a textile tool 1 of the type of transfer element already shown in FIG. 4. This textile tool 1 is also connected to a handling element 7. The associated break point 9 is also produced by the circular punch 19 method. The textile tool 1 shown in FIG. 19 is similar to the textile tool 1 shown in FIGS. 4 and 6. The textile tool of Fig. 19 is also connected to the handling element 7 via a break point 9 produced by means of a circular punch 19. However, the break point is located at the upper edge of the textile tool 1. The handling element 7 has a longitudinal extension which extends at least for the most part in the height direction x of the textile tool, and therefore perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the textile tool.

[0054] FIG. 7 shows a tool receiving part 10 of a sock closing device. The tool receiving part 10 partially comprises a transport part 1 similar to the transport part 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. One of these transport parts 1 is also connected to a handling part 7 via a break point 9, not shown in FIG. 7. In FIG. 7, it can be seen that the tool receiving part 10 of the sock closing device does not get in the way when the handling part 7 is rotated in the width direction y and the longitudinal direction z of the transport part 1 relative to its insertion part 1, which has already been inserted into the tool receiving part 10 and fixed there, so that the break point 9 is broken. The arrow 37 symbolizes the rotational movement that the handling part 7 undergoes in order to separate the break point 9. FIG. 16 shows in detail the tool receiving part with the sock closing device of FIG. 7.

[0055] Figure 8 shows again the unit 20 consisting of the transport part 1 and the handling part 7 already shown in Figure 2. However, the transport part 1 is surrounded by a packaging 11. The packaging 11 has an opening (removal opening) 12 that opens the packaging 11 in the direction of the handling part 7. In Figure 9, the unit 20 is again shown, where the packaging 11 now completely surrounds the transport part 1 and partially surrounds the handling part 7. The opening 12 in the packaging 11 again opens the packaging in the direction of the longitudinal extension z of the transport part 1, where the handling part 7 is now adjacent to the transport part 1.

[0056] Figure 10 shows a similarly designed unit consisting of a transfer part 1 and a handling part 7, with a packaging 11 very similar to the one already shown in Figure 9. Furthermore, the retaining lip 13 of the packaging 11 is shown, which engages with the outer struts 8 of the transfer part 1 and prevents it from accidentally falling out of the packaging 11 through the opening 12. The packaging depicted in the above figure is of a rather symbolic nature, since packaging is usually used to package various textile tools. However, such a packaging could in principle accommodate a unit 20 comprising an insert part 1 and a handling part 7 in a manner equivalent to the individual packaging 11 shown in Figures 8, 9 and 10.

[0057] The insert 1 shown in FIG. 11 is a knitting needle. It has a shank 3, a tip 2, a hook 14, a latch 15, a jaw 23, a stitch support 29, and a butt 21. The area of ​​the knitting needle 1 between the tip 2 or the hook 14 and the stitch support 29 is called the working part 22, since it may come into contact with the yarn or stitch 6 during knitting. In this example, the distance 28 between the rear end 25 of the knitting needle 1 and the stitch support 29 therefore coincides with the distance 28 between the working part 22 and the rear end 25 of the knitting needle 1. The knitting needle 1 is connected to a handling part 7 via a break point 9. The latter has an outer support 8 at the end of the insert 1 in the longitudinal direction z. It should also be mentioned that the textile tool formed as the knitting needle 1 extends in the z direction between its front end 24 and rear end 25 and has a longitudinal extension 26 between these points. The entire unit 20 including the insert part 1 and the handling part 7 has a longitudinal extension 27 which is greater than the longitudinal extension 26 of the insert part 1 by an extension factor.

[0058] In Figure 12, the same unit 20 as in Figure 11 is again shown, consisting of a knitting needle 1 and an insert part 7. However, Figure 12 shows the situation that occurs when this unit 20 or the associated knitting needle 1 is inserted into the needle bed 16.

[0059] In Fig. 12, for illustrative purposes, the needle bed 16 only includes a grooved channel 17 into which the knitting needle must be inserted in order to participate in the knitting operation. The needle bed of a flat knitting machine and the knitting cylinder of a circular knitting machine, i.e., typical receiving parts or receiving devices of these textile tools and system components in these textile machines, have several such grooved channels 17 along which the knitting needle 1 is moved in its longitudinal direction z or along the longitudinal direction of the grooved channel. Fig. 12 shows a situation in which the knitting needle 1 has already been largely inserted into the grooved channel 17 by moving it in its negative longitudinal direction z, i.e., up to just before the planned breaking point 9. In this state, the handling element 7, again with the cross strut 8, protrudes beyond the opening (entrance) 18 of the needle bed 16. It is advantageous if neither the needle bed nor other parts of the machine hinder the machine operator from moving the handling element 7, for example, in the width direction y of the knitting needle 1. Such a movement leads to a rotation of the handling part 7 about the axis of the break point 9, since the knitting needle 1 is held against this movement in the channel 17. This movement allows the break point 9 to be separated.

[0060] 12 thus shows an example in which the break point 9 is opened while the insert part (textile tool or system part) is located in the channel 17, preferably not fixed in the longitudinal direction z. In FIG. 7, which shows a partially equipped tool receiver of the sock closure device, the textile tool 1 is already fixed in the receiver when the break point 9 is released.

[0061] FIG. 17 shows a needle 1 similar to that of FIGS. 11 and 12, but with a handling element 7 at a different location, i.e., at its upper edge. A needle is a textile tool, as defined herein, a portion of which is referred to as an "insertion element." FIG. 17 shows a needle, and thus a textile tool, and thus also an insert element 1, with its longitudinal extension in the z-direction, while the longitudinal extension of the handling element extends in the positive x-direction, i.e., along the height of the textile tool. This arrangement of the longitudinal axes of the two parts of the unit 20 consisting of the insert element 1 (here a textile tool) and its handling element 7 is particularly advantageous for needles, sinkers, or system elements used in rib dials and knitting cylinders (e.g., in circular knitting machines). The machine operator who installs these elements can insert the associated insert element 1 into the needle channel 17 "from above," resulting in the situation shown in FIG. 18. FIG. 18 shows a knitting needle 1 being inserted into a grooved channel 17 of a needle bed 16 (which may be a rib dial or a knitting cylinder). In this situation, the upward-facing handling element 7 can be separated from the needle 1 by a pivoting movement in the x and y directions ("breaking or separating the break point 9"). However, since the break point 9 is located below the upper edge of the needle channel 17, the situation in FIG. 18 may prevent the aforementioned pivoting movement for separating the break point 9, symbolized by the double arrow 31 (37) in FIG. 7. Therefore, it is advantageous if the break point 9 is located above the upper edge of the needle channel 17 or at least approximately at the same height as the upper edge of the needle channel 17 during the pivoting movement. The machine operator may also achieve this situation in the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 18 by interrupting the insertion movement and separating the break point 9 shortly before or when it reaches the height of the grooved channel 17.

[0062] As already mentioned above, it is also advantageous for all exemplary embodiments of the invention having an upward-facing handling part 7 if the position of the break point 9 in the unit consisting of the handling part 7 and the insert part 1 and the upper edge of the grooved channel 17 are adjusted to one another in such a way that the break point 9 in the insertion position in the grooved channel 17 has the same height as the upper edge of the grooved channel 17 or protrudes beyond this 17. In the latter case, it is necessary to avoid that the part of the break point 9 remaining on the insert part 1 clashes with parts of the textile machine, its cam parts, during operation of the textile machine, which can be achieved by an appropriate adjustment of the dimensions of the textile machine parts and of the unit 20 comprising the insert part 1 and the handling part 7. This can also be achieved by arranging the break point 9 at a height x below the upper end of the butt or butts 21 of the insert part 1 by a certain amount. Alternatively or additionally, the break point 9 can also be provided on the butt 21.

[0063] FIG. 13 shows a relatively clear example of the function of the system component 1, which is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,466,762 B and was mentioned earlier. The system component 1 (generic name here) in FIG. 13 is a selection component (subtitled here). In the aforementioned publication, this selection component is called a "jack" and is designated by the reference symbol "SCH" in FIG. 1 therein. In FIG. 13 of the present specification, this selection component plays the role of the associated insert component and is designated by the reference symbol 1. This selection component 1, like the previously described weaving tool, extends primarily in its longitudinal direction z between its front end 24 and its rear end 25. The longitudinal extension of this system component is also designated by the reference symbol 26 in FIG. 13. It has a butt 21 (in English, butt), to which forces can be applied during the knitting operation, for example, from a cam component. Thus, the butt 21 of the system component 1 simultaneously functions as a working element 34 for absorbing the forces of the system component. The depicted selection element 1 transmits the absorbed forces mainly along the needle channel and thus along its longitudinal direction z, as is typical for selection elements of knitting machines.

[0064] In addition to the selection element 1, FIG. 13 shows a further system element 31 and a further needle 30 in the order they are present in the needle channel during knitting. Thus, the selection element 1 first transmits the force absorbed by its butt 21 or force-absorbing working element 34 via its force-transmitting working element 33, which is synonymous with its front end 24, to the further system element 31, which then transmits the force to the needle 30. Thus, in this case, an indirect, i.e., indirect, force transmission from the selection element 1 to the needle 30, which is a textile tool within the meaning of this specification, occurs. Thus, the system components according to this specification transmit forces or torques directly or indirectly to the textile tool. The indirect, i.e., indirect, force transmission from the first system element 1 to the textile tool can be achieved by the further system element 31 or by several further system elements 31, without the first system element 1 losing its status as a "system element" within the meaning of this specification. Similar to the use of the terms system component, textile tool, and insert component, the further system component 31 and the further needle 30 may also be designated as further insert component 36 (general term). The additional needle 30 also falls under the general term additional textile tool 30.

[0065] Figure 14 shows the selected part 1 in its delivered state, connected to the handling part 7 via an intact and not yet separated planned breaking point 9, which consists of the lateral support 8 and the parallel part 32 of the handling part 7.

[0066] Figure 15 shows a further system part 31 from Figure 13. It can be seen that the system part 31 with its rear end 25 also has a working part 34 for absorbing forces or torques. The system part 31 also participates in the selection of the knitting needle 30 of the circular knitting machine according to US Pat. No. 4,466,762 B by transmitting the forces absorbed along the needle channel to the needle 30 from Figure 13 at its front end 24, which is also a force-transmitting working part. It should be noted that the inclined part 35 of the further system part 31 can also belong to the force-transmitting working part 33. For this reason, the force-transmitting working part 33 is represented in Figure 15 by a curved bracket overlapping the parts indicated by the reference numerals 24 and 35. [Explanation of symbols]

[0067] 1: Insertion parts, weaving tools, transfer parts, knitting needles, selection parts 2:Tip 3: Shank 4: Fixed area 5: Cutout 6: Knit stitch 7: Handling parts 8: Horizontal support for handling parts 9: Planned breakage location, planned breakage connection 10: Tool receiving part of sock closing device 11: Packaging 12: Opening of package / removal opening of package 13: Retaining lip of package 14: Hook 15: Latch 16: Needle bed 17: Groove-shaped channel of needle bed / groove-shaped or channel-shaped receiving portion of textile machine (17) 18: Needle bed opening / inlet of groove-like or channel-like receiving portion (17) of textile machine 19: Punching 20: Unit (consisting of insertion parts and handling parts) 21: Bat 22:Working section 23: Chin 24: Front end of textile tool / system component / insertion component 25: Back end of textile tool / system component / insertion component 26: Longitudinal extension of textile tool / system component / insertion component 27: Longitudinal extension of the unit (consisting of the insertion part and handling part) 28: Distance between the working part (22) and the rear end (25) of the textile tool in the longitudinal direction (z) 29: Knit support part 30: More needles / more textile tools 31: Further system components 32: Parallel part of handling parts 33: Force transmission working part (system part) 34: Force absorption working part (system part) 35: Inclined portion of further system component 31 36: Further insert parts 36 37: Arrow symbolizing the rotational movement undergone by the handling parts to separate the breakaway part z: Longitudinal direction of insert / weaving tool / system component x: Height direction of insert / weaving tool / system component y: width or thickness direction of insert / textile tool / system component

Claims

1. An insert (1) for a textile machine, comprising: extending in its longitudinal direction (z) between a front end (24) and a rear end (25); It is designed as a textile tool (1) or as a system component (1), When designed as the textile tool (1), it has a working part (22) usable for yarn contact and / or stitch formation, which is spaced apart from the rear end (25) in the longitudinal direction (z) of the textile tool (1), It has a working part (33) which, when designed as a system part (1), serves to select or drive the textile tool (1) and is also able to transmit forces and / or torques to a further insert part (36), The insert part (1) in the delivery state is connected to at least one handling part (7) via a breakable connection (9) that can be manually and without tools separated, The handling part (7) has a different shape than the insert part (1), and An insert (1) for a textile machine, characterized in that the handling part (7) is not an insert part (1) for the textile machine.

2. 2. An insert (1) for a textile machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the insert (1) and the handling element (7) are made of the same material and / or have undergone the same manufacturing process during manufacture.

3. 3. An insert (1) for a textile machine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the handling element (7) has a larger area than the insert (1) in a plane spanning the longitudinal direction (z) of the insert (1) and a second spatial direction (x).

4. 4. An insert (1) for a textile machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the materials of the handling element (7) and the insert element (1) have the same thickness in the third spatial direction (y).

5. a unit (20) including the handling component (7) and the insert component (1) has a longitudinally extending portion (27) in the longitudinal direction (z) of the insert component (1) when the connection (9) to be broken is not broken; the longitudinally extending portion (27) of the unit (20) is longer in its longitudinal direction (z) than the longitudinally extending portion (26) of the insert (1) by an extension factor; 5. Insert (1) for a textile machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the extension factor is in particular greater than 1.5, preferably greater than 2, particularly preferably greater than 3.

6. the planned breaking point (9) is located at one end (24, 25) of the insert (1) in the longitudinal direction (z), or 6. An insert (1) for a textile machine according to claim 5, characterized in that the intended breaking point (9) is located at the upper end of the insert (1) and the insert (1) extends from the intended breaking point in the positive height direction (x).

7. 7. An insert (1) for a textile machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the insert belongs to a unit consisting of a handling part and an insert part, the unit having exactly one insert part.

8. 8. An insert part for a textile machine according to claim 7, characterized in that said unit consisting of a handling part and an insert part comprises a plurality of insert parts.

9. Insert (1) for a textile machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the insert belongs to a unit consisting of a handling part and an insert part, the unit being manufactured in one piece.

10. 10. An insert (1) for a textile machine according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the insert, after being separated from the handling part, does not require any further manufacturing steps for use in the textile machine.

11. A packaging (11) for at least one insert (1) of a textile machine, the packaging (11) containing and at least partially surrounding the at least one insert (1), the at least one insert (1) comprising: extending in its longitudinal direction (z) between a front end (24) and a rear end (25); It is designed as a textile tool (1) or as a system component (1), When designed as the textile tool (1), it has a working part (22) usable for yarn contact and / or stitch formation, which is spaced apart from the rear end (25) of the textile tool (1) in the longitudinal direction (z) of the textile tool (1), when designed as a system component (1), it has a working part (33) which serves to select or drive the textile tool (1, 30) and is also able to transmit a force or a torque to a further insert part (36), said insert part in the delivery state is connected to at least one handling part (7) via a breakable connection (9) that can be manually and without tools separated, The handling part (7) has a different shape than the insert part (1), and A packaging (11) characterized in that said handling element (7) is not an insert element (1) of a textile machine.

12. said insert (1) being at least partially surrounded by said packaging (11) in the transport position; The packaging (11) has at least one removal opening (12) for the at least one insert (1), The packaging (11) according to claim 11, characterized in that the removal opening (12) opens the packaging in a direction (z) in which the handling part (7) is connected to the insert part (1) via the intended breaking point (9).

13. 13. The packaging according to claim 12, characterized in that when the insert (1) is in the packaging (11) in the transport position, a part of the handling part (7) protrudes beyond the at least one removal opening (12) of the packaging (11).

14. A method for supplying at least one insert part (1) to a textile machine and operating said textile machine, said method comprising: designed to participate in fabric production during operation of the textile machine; extending in its longitudinal direction (z) between a front end (24) and a rear end (25); Designed as a textile tool (1) or as a system component (1), When the textile tool (1) is designed as such, it has a working part (22) usable for yarn contact and / or stitch formation, which is arranged at a distance (28) from the rear end (25) in the longitudinal direction (z) of the textile tool, When designed as a system component (1), it has a working part (33) which serves to select or drive the textile tool (1) and is able to transmit forces and / or torques to a further insert part (36), said at least one insert part (1) being connected to at least one handling part (7) via a breakable connection (9) which can be manually disconnected without tools at the start of installation, handling the insert (1) with the handling element (7) when installing the textile machine; separating the connection (9) to be broken after the at least one insert part (1) has been inserted into a working position in the textile machine, The handling part (7) has a different shape from the insert part (1), and The method is characterized in that after inserting the insert part (1) into the textile machine, the handling part (7) is not involved in textile production and the insert part (1) is involved in textile production.

15. 15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that the at least one insert element (1), which is connected to the handling element (7) via the planned breaking point (9), is at least partially contained in a package (11) during at least part of its transport path from the production site to the textile machine.

16. said at least one insert part (1) is connected to said handling part (7) in advance during part or all of the manufacturing process; 16. Method according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that the at least one insert part (1) is handled in advance by the handling part (7) during part or all of the manufacturing process.

17. until the breakage point (9) approaches the entrance (18) of a groove- or channel-shaped receiving portion (17) of the textile machine. Inserting the insert part (1) along its longitudinal direction (z) into the groove- or channel-like receiving part (17) of the textile machine, 17. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 16, characterized in that the intended breaking point (9) is separated by a relative movement of the handling part (7) with respect to the insert part (1) which is at least partially located in the groove- or channel-shaped receiving part (17).

18. A system for further processing textile material, comprising a textile machine and at least one insert (1) for operating the textile machine, said at least one insert (1) comprising: adapted to participate in fabric production during operation of the textile machine; extending in its longitudinal direction (z) between a front end (24) and a rear end (25); It is designed as a textile tool (1) or as a system component (1), When designed as the textile tool (1), it has a working part usable for yarn contact and / or stitch formation, which has a distance (28) to the rear end (25) in the longitudinal direction (z) of the textile tool (1), It has a working part (33) which, when designed as a system part (1), serves to select or drive the textile tool (1) and is also able to transmit forces and / or torques to a further insert part (36), the at least one insert part (1) is connected to the at least one handling part (7) via a breakable connection (9) that can be manually disconnected without tools at the start of installation, said insert part can be handled by said handling part (7) when installing said textile machine, The connection portion (9) to be broken is separable, The handling part (7) has a different shape than the insert part (1), and A system characterized in that said handling element (7) is not an insert element (1) for said textile machine.

19. the textile machine has a receiving part (17) capable of fixing the insert part (1) in a first working position, the handling part is manually accessible when the insert part (1) is in the first working position, the receiving part (17) allows at least one relative movement of the handling part (7) with respect to the insert part (1) fixed in the receiving part (17) when the insert part (1) is in the first working position, 19. A system according to claim 18, characterized in that said at least one relative movement makes it possible to separate said connection to be broken (9).

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