EP2280106A1 - Textile tool with temporary protection - Google Patents

Abstract

On a textile tool 1, a wear protection layer 12 is provided, which extends over a cutting edge 9 or a tip 5 of time. The tip 5 or cutting edge 9 is provided with a cap 7 or 11 of a protective mass, which is preferably formed tough plastic and may have a damping character. The cap 7, 11 is preferably easily removable. For example, it dissolves in the first use of the textile tool in whole or in parts of the textile tool 1. The protective composition is preferably a hot dip compound, for example on a thermoplastic basis.

Description

The invention relates to a textile tool having a point or edge or a stitch-forming part.

Textile tools often have very fine structures, such as in particular tips, edges, hooks, tongues and the like, which must be particularly stable. The stability is achieved for example by appropriate wear protection layers that extend over tips, hooks, tongues or cutting the textile tool away. In particular, such wear protection layers, such as chrome plating, metal overlays, hard coatings or the like provide a high abrasion resistance. Although these wear protection layers thus lend the textile tool increased robustness, they can unexpectedly increase the sensitivity of the textile tool to atypical loads. For example, wear protection layers, in particular in the region of large curvatures, such as points, hooks or edges, at untypical loads, such as impact or impact or in contact with other hard objects, such as other textile tools, tend to flake off. Such chipping the wear protection layer often go unnoticed, especially if the chrome layer has only loosened but not fallen off. Thus, while suitable wear-resistant coatings increase the useful life of a textile tool, they may at the same time increase the sensitivity of the textile tool to harsh handling, particularly during shipping or assembly.

It is known to combine several textile tools, in particular knitting tools, for the purpose of shipping to a block. This is what the EP 1 486 600 A1 different possibilities. For example, there knitting needles are summarized by means of an example caused by lacquer or adhesive adhesive bond to form a larger unit in which the individual knitting needles are kept in an orderly manner. In this way it can be avoided that the individual knitting tools butt against each other during transport and damage each other. In particular, in this way the risk of damage to the hook tips of the knitting tools is at least as long as something mitigated, as the knitting tools are connected together. However, the knitting tools may also be damaged by foreign influence if they are held in the block.

The use of adhesive lacquers or adhesives for the temporary connection of individual parts of a knitting system shows the EP 1 298 238 B1 , Here are adhesive joints between selections and the knitting needles for ease of assembly to hold the said parts together before insertion into the knitting machine.

On this basis, it is an object of the invention to provide a concept for the protection of textile tools at least during transport and the isolated handling prior to installation in textile machines and / or during installation.

This object is achieved with the textile tool according to claim 1:

The textile tool according to the invention has a body on which at least one tip or cutting edge or a stitch-forming part, for example, consisting of a hook and a tongue, is formed. In addition, a wear protection layer is provided on the body, which extends at least over the tip or the cutting edge. The wear protection layer is eg a metal layer, eg a chromium layer.

The tip, the cutting edge or the stitch-forming part is provided with a cap made of a removable protective compound. This cap preferably completely covers the tip, the cutting edge or the stitch-forming part and thus protects them against damage by impact or impact. Other hard objects that act on the textile tool, in particular its tip or blade or its mesh-forming part during transport or during assembly, thus can hardly cause damage to the wear protection layer. In this way it is avoided that the textile tool in question (for example needle, knitting needle, loop taker or knitting needle) is pre-damaged during transport or assembly in a manner which could lead to premature wear of the textile tool during use. In particular, the formation of microcracks in the wear protection layer is prevented. It is also prevented that parts of the wear protection layer partially or completely dissolve and thus the material of the underlying body is exposed to the abrasive attack of textile threads. If the stitch forming part of a knitting tool is covered with protective compound, the hook and / or the tongue are further prevented from being damaged by knitting needles.

The protective compound preferably adheres adhesively to the stitch-forming part, the point or the cutting edge and their immediate surroundings. The protective compound forms a damping elastic or plastic body. Preferably it consists of plastic, for example a thermoplastic hot-dip mass. The protective compound forms a thick-film coating. Preferably, the layer formed by the protective compound is significantly thicker than the wear protection layer. Preferably, the thickness of the protective compound exceeds 10 times the thickness of the wear protection layer. Regardless and preferably, the thickness of the protective compound (measured perpendicular to the surface of the textile tool) is greater than the radius of curvature of the tip or blade.

The cap consisting of the removable protective compound is preferably formed by solidified, previously liquid and therefore informal protective compound. At a tip, the cap is formed, for example, by a solidified protective drop. If the part of the textile tool to be protected is a cutting edge, the cap is preferably formed by a bead consisting of solidified formerly liquid and thus informal protective compound.

Preferably, the protective composition is thermally liquefied for application to the textile tool. It is possible to apply the protection compound cap in a single application. It may also be desirable to form the cap (i.e., the drop or the bead) by a plurality of successively applied protective layers. The protective compound layer can be applied to the textile tool by brief immersion of the textile tool in liquid protective compound. It is also possible to spread the protective compound on the textile tool, drip or spray.

• Figur 1 eine Wirknadel in ausschnittsweiser Seitenansicht mit einer Schutzkappe,
• Figur 2 die Wirknadel nach Figur 1 in Draufsicht mit einer Kappe aus Schutzmasse,
• Figur 3 eine ausschnittsweise perspektivische Darstellung der Wirknadel nach Figur 1 und 2,
• Figur 4 die Spitze des Textilwerkzeugs nach Figur 1 bis 3 in ausschnittweiser vergrößerter Schnittansicht,
• Figur 5 eine ausschnittsweise perspektivische Darstellung der Wirknadel nach Figur 1 und 2 mit vergrößerter Schutzkappe,
• Figur 6 einen Schlingengreifer in Seitenansicht,
• Figur 7 den Schlingengreifer nach Figur 6 mit einer Kappe aus Schutzmasse an einer Schneide, in perspektivischer ausschnittsweiser Darstellung,
• Figur 8 eine ausschnittsweise Schnittdarstellung des Schlingengreifers nach Figur 7 in vergrößerter Darstellung, und
• Figur 9 eine Stricknadel in ausschnittsweiser Perspektivansicht mit einer Schutzkappe.

Further details of advantageous embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the drawings, the description or claims. The description is limited to essential aspects of the invention and other circumstances. The drawing is to be used as a supplement. Show it:

• FIG. 1 a knitting needle in a sectional side view with a protective cap,
• FIG. 2 the knitting needle after FIG. 1 in plan view with a cap of protective material,
• FIG. 3 a fragmentary perspective view of the knitting needle according to FIGS. 1 and 2 .
• FIG. 4 the tip of the textile tool Figure 1 to 3 in a sectioned enlarged sectional view,
• FIG. 5 a fragmentary perspective view of the knitting needle according to FIGS. 1 and 2 with enlarged protective cap,
• FIG. 6 a loop grab in side view,
• FIG. 7 the looper FIG. 6 with a cap of protective material on a cutting edge, in perspective cutout representation,
• FIG. 8 a partial sectional view of the loop taker after FIG. 7 in an enlarged view, and
• FIG. 9 a knitting needle in a fragmentary perspective view with a protective cap.

In FIG. 1 is an exemplary representative of a textile tool 1 a knitting needle 2 shown in fragmentary form. The term "textile tool" 1 but is general understood any tool that is used in the textile industry for acting on threads or threads of existing material. Textile tools are in this sense, in particular knitting needles, such as latch needles or needles or tongeless needles, sewing needles, knitting needles, felting needles, tufting needles, loop grabs, tufting knives, strands, slats or the like.

The knitting needle 2 has a body 3, which preferably consists of steel. At one end 4, which acts on a textile and a thread and therefore forms the operative portion, the body 3 is provided with a point 5, in the vicinity of which a hook 6 can be provided. At least in the region of the tip 5, but preferably on the entire end 4 or over a larger area of the body 3 or over the entire surface of the body 3 is provided with a wear protection layer 12, consisting of FIG. 4 is apparent. This can be formed, for example, by a galvanically applied chromium layer. Additionally or alternatively, other wear protection layers of other metals, alloys or compounds may be provided.

The tip 5 is provided with a preferably approximately spherical or teardrop-shaped cap 7, which is drop-shaped in the present embodiment, but may also have any other suitable shape. The cap 7 consists of a protective compound. The protective compound is preferably a viscoplastic plastic material adhering to the surface of the body 3, preferably based on hydrocarbons. The protective composition may be a thermoplastic polymer. It may, for example, form a teardrop-shaped cap which covers the tip 5 and the parts immediately adjacent to the tip 5.

As in FIG. 4 is indicated, the thickness of the protective composition of the cap 7, measured perpendicular to the surface of the knitting needle 2, significantly larger, preferably more than ten times as large as the radius of curvature R of the tip 5. In addition, the protective layer, forming the cap 7, preferably substantially thicker, preferably more than ten times as thick as the wear protection layer 12.

FIG. 2 illustrates the cap 7 from a different perspective. It can be seen that the cap 7 has a large layer thickness, which is preferably greater than the thickness of the region of the body 3 adjoining the tip 5.

FIG. 3 illustrates the cap 7 again in perspective. It hollows the entire area of the body 3 to be protected at the end 4. The material of the cap 7 is preferably such that it can be wiped off with a soft tool, for example a plastic scraper. In this case, the cap 7 may crumble or be stripped off the end 4 as a whole. However, the adhesion of the cap 7 to the surface of the body 3 is preferably at least so great that it does not fall off the body 3 during transportation or during installation of the knitting needle 2.

It is also possible to adjust the adhesion and the strength of the cap 7 so that it is replaced when starting the knitting needle 2 when piercing a textile web of the body 3 alone. In addition, it is possible to liquefy the cap 7 as needed with a solvent or by the action of heat and so to remove.

As FIG. 5 illustrated, the cap 7 may also be formed so large that they not only on the outermost tip 5 of the knitting needle but over a larger Part of their end 4 extends. If necessary, the cap 7 can encase further structures of the knitting needle 2, such as its hook 6 mit.

FIG. 6 illustrates as another example of a textile tool 1 a loop taker 8, which consists of one or more parts and is provided for a tufting machine. In the present exemplary embodiment, the loop taker 8 has a cutting edge 9 in the vicinity of a gripper section 10. The cutting edge 9 can be formed directly on the body 3 or on a part received by the body 3, for example a cemented carbide insert (not further illustrated). The cutting edge 9 is in turn before the first use of the loop taker 8 with a FIG. 7 apparent cap 11 provided, which consists of the protective compound. The cap 11 extends along the entire cutting edge 9. The cap 11 is preferably formed as a bead or "bead". With regard to the nature, strength and the treatment of the cap 11, the above statements apply to the cap 7 accordingly.

FIG. 8 Figure 3 illustrates the body 3 of the loop taker 8 and the wear protection layer 12 present on the body 3. As can be seen, the cap 11 extends around the cutting edge 9 and thus protects it from mechanical damage until the cap 11 is in one of the above manners or by cooperation a not further illustrated cutting blade or thread with the cutting edge 9 is removed. Again, the perpendicular to the surface of the textile tool 1 to be measured thickness of the protective layer is greater, preferably at least ten times greater than the thickness of the wear protection layer 12. Additionally or alternatively, the thickness of the protective layer is greater, preferably at least ten times as great as the radius of curvature R of the cutting edge 9.

The radius of curvature R of the tip 5 or the blade 9 is typically small. Preferably, it is between fractions of a micrometer to a few 10 microns. The radii of curvature R can also be larger. In particular, this may be the case when provided as a "cutting edge" edges with the protective layer, which should not cut a textile thread. Such edges are e.g. Sliding edges. Also, the tip 5 may have a larger radius of curvature R, e.g. is designed as a ball tip or the like.

Out FIG. 9 a further embodiment of the invention in an application in a knitting needle 14 can be seen. This has a stitch-forming part 15 which comprises a hook 16 and a pivotally mounted tongue 17. The stitch-forming part 15 is the active portion of the knitting needle 14. The tongue 17 is only one example of a hook associated with the closing member 18. Instead of the tongue 17 may serve as a closing member, for example, a slider.

Again, a cap 7 is provided, which envelops here at least the hook 16 or the closing member 18, but preferably the entire stitch-forming part. The cap 7 is for temporary protection only. For their nature, reference is made to the previous description.

In all the embodiments described above, the thickness of the wear protection layer may at least preferably be in the range of 1 μm to 300 μm.

On a textile tool 1 is a wear protection layer 12 is provided, which extends over a cutting edge 9 or a tip 5 of time. The tip 5 or cutting edge 9 is provided with a cap 7 or 11 of a protective mass, which is preferably formed tough plastic and may have a damping character. The cap 7, 11 is preferably easily removable. For example, it dissolves in the first use of the textile tool in whole or in parts of the textile tool 1. The protective composition is preferably a hot dip compound, for example on a thermoplastic basis.

Reference numerals:

1

textile tool

2

knitting needle

3

body

4

The End

5

top

6

hook

7

cap

8th

looper

9

cutting edge

10

gripper section

11

cap

12

Wear protection layer

14

knitting needle

15

stitch forming part

16

hook

17

tongue

18

closing member

Claims (15)

Textile tool (1)
with a body (3) on which at least one active portion (4, 9, 15) is formed,
with a wear protection layer (12) provided on the active section (4, 9, 15),
characterized,
that on the active portion (4, 9, 15) a cap (7, 11) is mounted in a removable protective material. Textile tool according to claim 1, characterized in that the knitting section (4, 8, 15) is a stitch-forming part (15) of a knitting needle (14). Textile tool according to claim 1, characterized in that the stitch-forming part (15) comprises a hook (16) and a closing member (18). Textile tool according to claim 1, characterized in that the active portion (4, 9, 15) is a tip (4) of a needle (2). Textile tool according to claim 1, characterized in that the operative portion (4, 9, 15) is a cutting edge of a loop taker (10). Textile tool according to claim 1, characterized in that the protective compound is a plastic. Textile tool according to claim 1, characterized in that the protective compound is a thermoplastic hot-dip mass. Textile tool according to claim 1, characterized in that the protective compound is a thick-film coating. Textile tool according to claim 1, characterized in that the protective compound is designed shock absorbing. Textile tool according to claim 1, characterized in that the wear protection layer (12) is a chromium layer. Textile tool according to claim 1, characterized in that the cap (7, 11) is formed from protective compound by a solidified protective mass drop. Textile tool according to claim 1, characterized in that the textile tool (1) is a needle (2). Textile tool according to claim 1, characterized in that the textile tool (1) is a loop taker (8) for a tufting machine. Textile tool according to claim 1, characterized in that the cap (11) is a bead provided along the cutting edge (9). Textile tool according to claim 1, characterized in that the thickness of the protective compound of the cap (7, 11) measured perpendicular to the surface of the textile tool (1), greater than the radius of curvature of the tip (5) or cutting edge (9).

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