EP1302576A2

EP1302576A2 - Loom and method of making fabrics

Info

Publication number: EP1302576A2
Application number: EP02425625A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Marcello Di Renzo Mario
Original assignee: Tessitura Le Fonatnelle SNC Di Di Renzo Mario Marcello & C
Current assignee: Tessitura Le Fonatnelle SNC Di Di Renzo Mario Marcello & C
Priority date: 2001-10-15
Filing date: 2002-10-14
Publication date: 2003-04-16
Also published as: EP1302576A3

Abstract

Loom comprising an apparatus (1) for feeding weft threads, means for feeding warp threads, a reed (2), a first set of heddles (3) upstream of said reed (2), and means (4, 5) for the removal of the weft threads and the transfer thereof from one side to the other of the loom across the warp, characterized in that it comprises a second set of heddles (6) disposed between the reed (2) and the first heddles (3).

Description

The present invention refers to a loom and a method of making fabrics.
The manufacture of fabrics with weft and warp implies, according to a technique known to those skilled in the art, the making of so-called "selvages" which, by developing parallel to the warp, retain the weft threads during the weaving.
To make the selvages, threads are used usually made from nylon or polyester, fed from two reels (so-called "big reel") located on the two sides of the loom, as shown schematically in Fig. 1. Represented in this figure are the big reels R, warp O, weft-feed system T, heddles L, fabric TE and selvages C.
In practice, the threads of the big reels, by interweaving with the weft threads in the same way as it occurs for those of the warp, form two ribbons of fabric or selvages, in which the warp threads are actually made up of the threads from the big reels. As the very fabric, that is, the one delimited by the selvages, is in the process of formation, the same selvages are cut in the direction of the warp and removed by an aspirator or "selvage puller" which convey them up to a waste-collection point.
As shown in Fig. 1, the cutting of the selvages implies also cutting the end portions of the weft threads by a length slightly greater than the selvages.
The interlace of the threads from the big reels and the lengths of weft threads thus obtained is in fact inextricable, so that it results practically impossible to remove the lengths of weft threads out of said interlace in order to recycle them. All this brings about a significant lost of raw material and weighs a great deal negatively on the production costs. In addition, provision must also be made for suitably disposing the so-called "unclean" scraps or waste, which further contributes to raise the production costs.
The main object of the present invention is to overcome the above drawbacks.
This result has been achieved, according to the invention, by devising an operating method and providing an apparatus having the characteristics indicated in the independent claims. Further characteristics of the present invention being set forth in the dependent claims.
The present invention allows reducing the costs for producing fabrics and recycling a good deal of material which would be otherwise lost. Moreover, a machine according to the invention is relatively simple to make and reliable even after a prolonged service life.
These and other advantages and characteristics of the invention will be best understood from a reading of the following description in conjunction with the attached drawings given as a practical exemplification of the invention, but not to be considered in a limitative sense, wherein:

Fig. 1 shows schematically the operation of a traditional loom;
Fig. 2A shows schematically a loom according to the invention;
Figs. 2B and 2C are enlarged details of the areas encircled in Fig. 2A;
Fig. 3A shows schematically the passage of one weft thread from the thread-delivering reel to the catching hook;
Fig. 3B shows schematically the step of pre-retaining one weft thread within the loom of Fig. 2A;
Fig. 3C shows schematically a subsequent weft thread-retaining step;
Fig. 3D shows schematically a subsequent reed-abutting step;
Fig. 4 is a block diagram of the system for controlling the operating members shown in Figs. 2A-3D.

Reduced to its basic structure, and reference being made to the figures and the attached drawings, a loom according to the present invention comprises an apparatus for feeding weft threads, means (not shown in the drawings) for feeding the warp threads, a reed 2 and a set of heddles 3 upstream of the reed 2, means for withdrawing the weft threads and transferring them from one side to the other of the loom across the warp, with a thread-delivering reel 4 and an opposite needle-shaped movable catching hook 5 which are disposed downstream of the reed 2, and means (not shown) for collecting the fabric as it is being formed. The structure and operation of apparatus 1, warp-feeding means, reed 2, heddles 3, reel 4, hook 5, and of fabric-collecting means are of a type known to those skilled in the art and, therefore, will not be described in greater detail.
Advantageously, according to the invention, the present tool comprises two sets of additional heddles 6 disposed between the reed 2 and the first heddles 3. The extension of the additional heddles 6 in the direction of the weft is such that each set operates on a corresponding side band of the fabric in the course of formation.
The loom is also advantageously provided with means for cutting end portions of weft threads projecting from the warp downstream of the reed 2, and means for the recovery of lengths of weft threads thus obtained.
According to the example illustrated in the figures of the accompanying drawings, said cutting means comprise, for each side of the loom, two circular blades 7 fitted on a support 8 in correspondence of which a suction mouth 9 is provided for aspirating the lengths of threads as they are being cut and conveying them downstream up to a collection point via suitable channels.
Moreover, positioned between the reed 8 and said cutting means 7, is a clamp 10, intended for retaining each weft thread hooked up by said catching hook 5 upon the return of the latter to its initial position. A further clamp, constructed likewise, is provided in a position corresponding to the side of the weft threads-feeding apparatus 1.
The operation of the machine above described is as follows. With the first heddles 3 being open and the additional heddles 6 open as well, the thread-delivering reel 4 takes a weft thread from the feeder 1 and delivers it to the hook 5 (Fig. 3A) which carries the corresponding end thereof to the other side. Just before the end of stroke of hook 5, the additional heddles 6 are closed (Fig. 3B). Then, the first heddles 3 are closed, the weft thread is retained by the clamp 10 and the side heddles 6 open up (Fig. 3C). Afterwards, the reed 2 is made to abut and to push the weft thread, already steadily interwoven with the warp threads, towards the unit for cutting and drawing the end lengths (Fig. 3D). The latter are clean, that is, not interwoven nor mixed with different threads, so that they can be easily recycled, which proves to be even more advantageous when dealing with valuable or precious yarns.
An operational method according to the invention implies, therefore, carrying out the weaving by using a set of additional heddles disposed between the main heddles and the reed of the loom, and advantageously acting on two sides of the fabric in the course of formation, while a wider central region being acted upon by the main heddles alone.
Fig. 4 shows a possible embodiment of an automatic system for controlling'the operating members of the loom, with a programmable central unit 11 connected to the controls of the feeder 1, reed 2, first heddles 3, reel 4, hook 5, second heddles 6, blades 7 and clamp 10, according to a functional scheme known per se to those skilled in industrial automation and, accordingly, not described herein in greater details.

Claims

Loom comprising an apparatus (1) for feeding weft threads, means for feeding warp threads, a reed (2), a first set of heddles (3) upstream of said reed (2), and means (4, 5) for the removal of the weft threads and the transfer thereof from one side to the other of the loom across the warp, characterized in that it comprises a second set of heddles (6) disposed between the reed (2) and the first heddles (3).
Loom according to claim 1, characterized in that the said second heddles (6) act upon two sides of the fabric in the process of formation, while leaving a wider central region being acted upon by the first heddles (3) alone.
Loom according to one or more preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises means (10) for temporary retaining the weft threads after the latter have crossed the warp.
Loom according to claim 3, characterized in that the said means (10) are clamp means.
Loom according to one or more preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises means (7, 9) intended for cutting end portions of weft threads projecting out of the warp and aspirating the same portions for collecting them.
Loom according to claim 5, characterized in that the said cutting means and said suction means are mounted on single supports (8).
Method for making fabrics with weft and warp by means of a loom comprising a set of heddles (3) and a reed (2) to interweave the weft threads with those of the warp, characterized in that it implies performing the weaving by using a set of additional heddles (6) disposed between said heddles (3) and said reed (2).
Method according to claim 7, characterized in that the said additional heddles (6) operate on two sides of the fabric in the process of formation, while leaving a wider central region being treated by the main heddles (3) alone.