Linking method for closing the axial ends of tubular products in particular
A linking method for tubular products addresses the challenge of dense knitting rows by forming chain stitches with paired loops from the last and penultimate rows, resulting in a precise and visually appealing closure.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2025540401
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2023-02-01
- Filing Date
- 2024-01-15
- Publication Date
- 2026-02-10
AI Technical Summary
Traditional methods for closing the axial ends of tubular products, such as socks, face challenges with dense knitting rows that are difficult to fill with yarn, leading to unsatisfactory linking results.
A linking method that involves holding knitted loops from the last and penultimate rows in pairs and forming a chain stitch using a needle or a combination of needles and a looping hook to connect them, ensuring accurate and aesthetically pleasing closure.
The method achieves a reliable, easy-to-implement, and cost-effective closure of tubular product ends, enhancing appearance and precision.
Smart Images
Figure 2026504838000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
[Technical Field]
[0001] The present invention relates in particular to a linking method for closing the axial ends of tubular products. [Background technology]
[0002] Techniques are known for automatically closing knitted tubular products, in particular socks, at their axial ends, i.e., in the case of socks, at the toe, at the end of production on a circular machine for knitting or hosiery.
[0003] Some of these techniques are based on picking up the product from a circular machine for hosiery or knitting at the end of its production and transferring it to a linking or sewing station which is generally located alongside the machine used to produce the product.
[0004] The linking or sewing station is provided with a linking or sewing head, which is used to close the axial end of the product, which is usually constituted by the axial end where the production of the product ends.
[0005] Typically, the product is picked up from the machine that produced it and optionally transferred to a processing device by individually engaging the knitted loops of the last knitted row of the product. The knitted loops of one half-row of such last knitted row individually face the knitted loops of the other half-row before continuing with sewing or linking, thereby closing the axial end of the product by joining two mutually opposing loops of the two half-rows that make up the last knitted row. Therefore, automatically closing the axial end of a knitted tubular product, particularly the toe of a sock, can produce a superior result in terms of precision and appearance.
[0006] The axial end of a knitted product, in particular a sock, can be automatically closed by supporting the knitted product, in particular a sock, with a semi-annular element having a plurality of protrusions regularly spaced apart from one another around the axis of the ring, with two knitted loops arranged on each of the plurality of protrusions, one of which belongs to half of a knitted row and the other to the other half of the same knitted row. The sewing or linking head used generally has 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 operates synchronously with the rotational movement of the semi-annular part around the axis of the ring, is inserted into each pair of knitted loops carried by the protrusions of the semi-annular element, so that the chain stitch gradually links the various pairs of loops together and closes the axial end of the knitted product. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0007] Nowadays, traditional linking is not much appreciated, especially in the case of very "dense" products, mainly because the knitting rows remain "empty" and therefore it is difficult to fill the yarns used to perform the linking.
[0008] To solve this problem, the applicant has previously implemented a "double knit" toe linking function in knitting machines for producing tubular products such as socks, which makes it possible to double the amount of yarn inserted into each linking loop.
[0009] In particular, double knitting means that the curved needle performing the linking enters the linking loop, crosses the looping hook yarn twice in succession, and then moves on to the next linking loop on the adjacent pin (or linking spike).
[0010] Alternatively, a solution has been proposed that involves first linking all loops, followed by a second linking of those same loops. The end product of both systems can be similar, but the linking threads are knit differently.
[0011] The intention of the present invention is to provide a linking method, in particular for closing the axial ends of tubular products, which is capable of improving upon the known art in one or more of the above-mentioned aspects.
[0012] Within this spirit, the object of the present invention is to provide a linking method, in particular for closing the axial ends of tubular manufactures, which allows for the execution of a linking that allows the toe to be closed in an accurate and satisfactory manner, including from the point of view of appearance.
[0013] Another object of the present invention is to provide a linking method, particularly for closing the axial ends of tubular products, which is reliable, easy to implement and low cost. [Means for solving the problem]
[0014] This intention, as well as these and other objects that will become more apparent hereinafter, are achieved by a linking method, in particular for closing axial ends of tubular products, according to claim 1, optionally with one or more of the features of the dependent claims.
[0015] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred but not exclusive embodiments of a linking method according to the invention, in particular for closing axial ends of tubular products, shown by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, in which: [Brief explanation of the drawings]
[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing knitted stitches of conventional linking (current technology). [Figure 2] 1 shows a knitted stitch of a linking formed by the method according to the present invention; FIG. [Figure 3]1 shows a purl stitch of a linking formed by the method of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0017] Referring to the drawings, the present invention relates to a linking method, particularly for closing the axial ends of tubular products.
[0018] This method particularly includes a step of holding knitted loops 10 to be linked, including a first plurality of knitted loops 11 formed in the last knitting row 21 and a second plurality of knitted loops 12 formed in a knitting row other than the last knitting row 21, and a linking step of connecting two knitted loops 10 to be linked together with at least one sewing thread 30.
[0019] Advantageously, a knitting loop 12 of the second plurality of knitting loops 12 is defined in the penultimate knitting row 22 .
[0020] However, there is no reason why knitting loop 12 of the second plurality of knitting loops could not optionally be partially formed in the third to last knitting row.
[0021] The holding step conveniently includes the step of arranging the knitted loops 10 to be linked in pairs facing each other.
[0022] Advantageously, before the holding step, there is a step of transferring the knitted loops 10 to be linked from a circular machine adapted to make tubular products to a semi-annular element having a plurality of protrusions on each of which two mutually opposing loops 10 to be linked are arranged.
[0023] Advantageously, the knitted loops 11 of the first plurality of knitted loops are alternately arranged with respect to the knitted loops 12 of the second plurality of knitted loops.
[0024] The linking step comprises forming a chain stitch performed by at least one needle.
[0025] The step of forming the chain stitch is preferably carried out with two needles, or one needle and a looping hook (of the type shown in Figures 2 and 3).
[0026] According to a further aspect, the invention relates to a tubular product having ends that are closed by a linking operation.
[0027] The linking operation involves linking performed by at least one chain stitch connecting the knitting loops 10 to be linked.
[0028] In particular, the knitted loops 10 to be linked include a first plurality of knitted loops 11 formed in the last knitted row 21 and a second plurality of knitted loops 12 formed in a knitted row other than the last knitted row 21.
[0029] Advantageously, the knitting loop 12 of the second plurality of knitting loops is defined in the penultimate knitting row 22 .
[0030] Preferably, the knitted loops 12 of the second plurality of knitted loops are alternated with the knitted loops 11 of the first plurality of knitted loops.
[0031] The method according to the invention therefore comprises providing a tubular knitted article, for example a sock, on a circular knitting machine or a hosiery knitting machine.
[0032] In the manufacturing process, the knitted loops 10 to be linked, which also constitute the knitted loops that are individually engaged by the processing device, are constituted by a first plurality of knitted loops 11 in the last knitted row and a second plurality of knitted loops 12 in the second to last (or third to last) knitted row.
[0033] At this time, the knitted loops 10 to be linked are transferred in a known manner to a semi-annular support element having a plurality of protrusions regularly spaced apart from one another around an axis, and two of the loops 10 to be linked are placed on each of the plurality of protrusions so as to be stacked opposite each other, one loop belonging to the first half of the knitted loops 10 to be linked and the other loop belonging to the remaining half of the knitted loops 10 to be linked.
[0034] The axial ends of the tubular product are closed by the action of a needle, or more preferably a linking head having two elements, such as two needles or a needle and a looping hook, which cooperate with each other to form a chain stitch.
[0035] One of these elements, which operates in synchronization with the rotational movement of the semi-annular portion about the axis, is inserted into a pair of mutually opposing knitted loops carried by the protrusions of the semi-annular element, so that the chain stitch gradually links the various pairs of loops together and closes the axial end of the knitted tubular product.
[0036] Indeed, it has been found that the present invention fully achieves its intended aims and objectives by providing a linking that allows for toe closure in an accurate and satisfactory manner, including from an aesthetic standpoint.
[0037] The invention thus conceived is susceptible to numerous adjustments and modifications, all of which fall within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, all of the details may be substituted by other technically equivalent elements.
[0038] In fact, the materials used, and the associated sizes and shapes, can be anything depending on the requirements and current technology, so long as the materials used are suitable for the particular application.
[0039] The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. 102023000001539, from which this application claims priority, are incorporated herein by reference.
[0040] Although a reference sign is added after a technical feature described in any claim, such a reference sign is inserted only to enhance the understanding of the scope of the claim, and therefore such a reference sign does not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by such a reference sign as an example.
Claims
1. A linking method, in particular for closing the axial ends of a tubular product, comprising: a holding step of holding knitted loops (10) to be linked, the knitted loops (11) including a first plurality of knitted loops (11) formed in a final knitted row (21) and a second plurality of knitted loops (12) formed in a knitted row other than the final knitted row (21); a linking step in which two knitted loops (10) to be linked are respectively connected by at least one sewing thread (30); A linking method comprising:
2. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein a knitted loop (12) of the second plurality of knitted loops (12) is formed in the penultimate knitted row (22).
3. 2. The linking method according to claim 1, wherein said holding step includes a step of arranging said plurality of knitted loops (10) to be linked in pairs facing each other.
4. 4. The linking method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of transferring the knitted loops (10) to be linked from a circular machine to a semi-annular element having a plurality of protrusions on which two oppositely overlapping loops to be linked are respectively arranged.
5. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the knitted loops (11) of the first plurality of knitted loops are alternately arranged with respect to the knitted loops (12) of the second plurality of knitted loops.
6. The linking method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the linking step comprises forming a chain stitch with at least one needle, preferably two needles, or a needle and a looping hook.
7. A tubular product having ends closed by linking, The linking includes at least one chain stitch linking connecting the knitted loops (10) to be linked, the linking including a first plurality of knitted loops (11) formed in the last knitting row (21) and a second plurality of knitted loops (12) formed in a knitting row other than the last knitting row (21).
8. 8. A tubular article according to claim 7, wherein a knitted loop (12) of the second plurality of knitted loops is formed in the penultimate knitted row (22).
9. 9. A tubular product according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the knitted loops (12) of the second plurality of knitted loops are alternately arranged with the knitted loops (11) of the first plurality of knitted loops.