EP1972709A1

EP1972709A1 - Method and device for cutting/holding knitting yarn in weft knitting machine

Info

Publication number: EP1972709A1
Application number: EP06832768A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Masaki Miyamoto
Original assignee: Shima Seiki Mfg Ltd
Current assignee: Shima Seiki Mfg Ltd
Priority date: 2005-11-17
Filing date: 2006-11-16
Publication date: 2008-09-24
Also published as: JP5057991B2; EP1972709A4; JPWO2007058274A1; WO2007058274A1; CN101310058B; CN101310058A

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and apparatus of cutting and holding a knitting yarn in a weft knitting machine, capable of holding end portions of many knitting yarns without being provided with a holding mechanism within or in a vicinity of an area for knitting a knitted fabric. A controller (10) leads to the formation of a crossing portion (8a) that is formed using a plurality of knitting needles (4) and crosses between front and back needle beds (2) and a hold portion (8b) that is formed on the knitting needles (4) on one of the needle beds (2), with a knitting yarn (8) that has been put on standby after knitting of a knitted fabric (9) is completed until the knitting yarn (8) is used for knitting of the next knitted fabric. Thus it is possible to hold the knitting yarn (8) without a special apparatus that holds the knitting yarn (8) being provided. The hold portion (8b) can be provided within or in the vicinity of an area for knitting the knitted fabric (9). Thus, the distance by which the yarn feeding member travels can be made shorter, and production efficiency can be improved. The cutter (11) travels along the needle bed (2) and cuts the knitting yarn in the crossing portion (8a), and thus knitting of the knitted fabric (9) is not hampered.

Description

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus of cutting and holding a knitting yarn in a weft knitting machine, for cutting a knitting yarn that has been put on standby until the knitting yarn is used for knitting of a next knitted fabric after knitting of one knitted fabric is completed and holding the yarn end for knitting of the next knitted fabric.

Background Art

Conventionally, in a weft knitting machine in which front and back needle beds are opposed to each other at a needle bed gap, a yarn feeding member such as a yarn feeder travels on a yarn guide rail that extends above the needle bed gap, and feeds a knitting yarn to a knitting needle that advances to the needle bed gap, thereby knitting a knitted fabric. The end of the knitting yarn fed from the yarn feeding member is held by, for example, a yarn gripping apparatus equipped with a gripper disposed at an end in the longitudinal direction of a needle bed below the needle bed gap (see Japanese Examined Patent Publications JP-B2 1-74463 (1989 ) and JP-B2 2547683 , for example). The yarn gripping apparatus includes a cutting mechanism such as a cutter. In a case where single knitted fabrics in the unit of a garment or the like are continuously knitted, after the knitting is completed, the yarn feeder travels to the position of the yarn gripping apparatus, the gripper grips a knitting yarn, and then the cutting mechanism cuts the knitting yarn extending from the yarn gripping apparatus to the side of the knitted fabric. When knitting of the next knitted fabric starts, the yarn feeder travels to an area for knitting the knitted fabric on the needle bed while the yarn gripping apparatus still grips the end portion of the cut knitting yarn. There is also an apparatus for gripping and cutting a knitting yarn, in which one cutting portion and a plurality of gripping portions are arranged at an end on a needle bed and driven to operate by a cam mechanism that is mounted on a carriage (see Japanese Examined Patent Publication JP-B2 1-56175 (1989 ) and Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication JP-A 2005-48337 , for example).
Furthermore, for example, an apparatus for knitting gloves uses a cutting and holding apparatus called a looper or the like disposed below the needle bed gap. A plurality of loopers may be arranged, not at an end on the knitting needle, but at the middle on the knitting needle.
Herein, in a basic operation of a weft knitting machine, a knitting yarn functioning as a weft is fed from a yarn feeding member such as a yarn feeder, and weft knitting is performed. However, it is also possible to knit a warp-knit structure, with a mechanism that feeds a warp from a yarn feeding member called a lace bar or the like (see Japanese Examined Patent Publication JP-B2 3452639 , for example).
It has been conventionally possible to continuously perform knitting while separating knitted fabrics by cutting in the unit of a garment or the like with the above-mentioned cutting and holding apparatus such as a looper, a cutter, and a gripper. A yarn gripping apparatus including a cutter, gripper, and the like is situated outside an area used for knitting a knitted fabric, at an end portion on the needle bed. Thus, before cutting is performed with the cutter, the yarn feeder or the like has to be moved to the position on the outer side of the gripper in order to cause the gripper to grip a knitting yarn. Further, when knitting of the next garment is started, the yarn feeder has to be moved from the position on the outer side of the gripper into the area used for knitting the knitted fabric. This sort of movement of the yarn feeder makes the movement distance long, which takes time and reduces production efficiency.
There is a limitation on the number of grippers even though a plurality of grippers can be arranged, and thus there is a limitation also on the number of knitting yarns that can be held. Also in the case of a looper, there is a limitation on the number of knitting yarns that can be cut and held. Consequently, in a case where a knitted fabric is knitted using yarn feeders in a number larger than the number of knitting yarns that can be held, knitting yarns that cannot be cut or held extend between garments, and thus separation of knitted fabrics by cutting in the unit of a garment becomes incomplete. The knitting yarns extending between the knitted fabrics in the unit of a garment form cross yarns and have to be cut in post-treatment, which reduces production efficiency. Furthermore, even within the same garment, in a case where sections that are to be knitted with the same yarn feeder are away from each other in the course direction, a cross yarn is formed between the knitted sections. In a case where these cross yarns are long, the cross yarn has to be cut in post-treatment, which reduces production efficiency.

Disclosure of Invention

It is an object of the invention to provide a method and apparatus of cutting and holding a knitting yarn in a weft knitting machine, capable of holding end portions of many knitting yarns without being provided with a holding mechanism within or in a vicinity of an area for knitting a knitted fabric.
The invention is directed to a method of cutting and holding a knitting yarn in a weft knitting machine, for cutting and holding a knitting yarn in a weft knitting machine in which front and back needle beds are opposed to each other with a needle bed gap interposed therebetween, comprising:

forming a crossing portion that crosses between the front and back needle beds, and a hold portion that is formed on a knitting needle on one of the needle beds, with a knitting yarn that has been put on standby until the knitting yarn is used for knitting of a next knitted fabric after knitting of one knitted fabric is completed, using a knitting needle; and
cutting the knitting yarn in the crossing portion and holding an end portion of the knitting yarn which is cut in the hold portion.

Furthermore, in the invention, it is preferable that the crossing portion is formed following a hook stitch, and
the hold portion is formed on a knitting needle on a needle bed which is different from that to which a knitting needle forming the hook stitch belongs.
Furthermore, in the invention, it is preferable that the hold portion includes at least a portion knitted by interlock knitting.
Furthermore, in the invention, it is preferable that in a case where knitted fabrics of a plurality of garments are continuously knitted, the crossing portion and the hold portion are formed between the garments.
Moreover, the invention is directed to an apparatus that cuts and holds a knitting yarn in a weft knitting machine in which front and back needle beds are opposed to each other with a needle bed gap interposed therebetween, comprising:

crossing portion forming means which forms a crossing portion that crosses between the front and back needle beds, with a knitting yarn that has been put on standby until the knitting yarn is used for knitting of a next knitted fabric after knitting of one knitted fabric is completed, using a knitting needle;
hold portion forming means which forms a hold portion which follows the crossing portion and at which the knitting yarn is held, on a knitting needle on one of the needle beds; and
cutting means which cuts the knitting yarn in the crossing portion while moving along the needle beds.

Furthermore, in the invention, it is preferable that the cutting means travels together with a carriage.

Brief Description of Drawings

Other and further objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be more explicit from the following detailed description taken with reference to the drawings.

Fig. 1 is a side cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of an apparatus for cutting and holding a knitting yarn in a weft knitting machine according to an embodiment of the invention.
Fig. 2 is a front view showing a configuration of a portion of a carriage on which a cutter and an operation mechanism are mounted.
Fig. 3 is a schematic view showing an example of yarn treatment in which a crossing portion and a hold portion shown in Fig. 1 are formed.
Figs. 4A and 4B are views showing an example of yarn treatment according to another embodiment of the invention.
Figs. 5A to 5C are schematic views showing a state in which the crossing portion and the hold portion are formed.

Best Mode for Carrying out the Invention

Now referring to the drawings, preferred embodiments of the invention are described below.
Fig. 1 shows the schematic configuration of an apparatus for cutting and holding a knitting yarn in a weft knitting machine 1 according to an embodiment of the invention. In the weft knitting machine 1, needle beds 2 on a front F and a back B are opposed to each other with a needle bed gap 3 interposed therebetween. Needle grooves are formed on each of the needle beds 2 so as to match the pitch at which the knitting needles are arranged, in which knitting needles 4 are accommodated so as to make such sliding displacement that the knitting needles are advanced to and retracted from the needle bed gap 3. The knitting needles 4 are selectively driven to be slidingly displaced by a cam mechanism mounted on carriages 5 that travel back and forth along the needle beds 2. A yarn guide rail 6 extends above the needle bed gap 3. The yarn guide rail 6 supports a yarn feeder 7 such that the yarn feeder 7 can travel. Although not shown, a plurality of yarn guide rails 6 are usually arranged, and a plurality of yarn feeders 7 may be arranged on the respective yarn guide rails 6. A carriage 5 selectively brings either one of the yarn feeders 7, and the brought yarn feeder 7 feeds a knitting yarn 8 to a hook at the tip of the knitting needle 4 that advances to the needle bed gap 3. A knitted fabric 9 is knitted by combining this sort of feeding of the knitting yarn 8 and advancing-and-retracting movement of the knitting needle 4. A completely knitted portion of the knitted fabric 9 is transferred to the lower portion in the needle bed gap 3 due to the weight thereof or by a pulling-down apparatus.
The weft knitting machine 1 is provided with a controller 10 as control means for automatically knitting the knitted fabric 9 according to knitting data. The controller 10 also controls cutting and holding of the knitting yarn 8 between garments when successively knitting single knitted fabrics 9 in the unit of a garment or the like in the weft knitting machine 1. More specifically, in order to cut and hold the knitting yarn 8, control is performed such that the knitting yarn 8 is used for forming a crossing portion 8a that is formed using the knitting needle 4 and crosses between the front and back needle beds 2 and a hold portion 8b that is formed on one or a plurality of knitting needles 4 on one of the needle beds 2, the knitting yarn 8 having been put on standby after knitting of the knitted fabric 9 is completed until the knitting yarn 8 is used for knitting of the next knitted fabric. Fig. 1 shows a state in which the knitted fabric 9 is knitted with the knitting needle 4 on the needle bed 2 on the front F and then is released, a hook stitch is formed on the knitting needle 4 on the front F to knit the hold portion 8b, and then the hook stitch is transferred to the knitting needle 4 on the back B to form the crossing portion 8a. After the hook stitch is transferred to the knitting needle 4 on the back B, the knitted fabric 9 that has been released from the knitting needle 4 on the front F droops from the knitting needle 4 on the back B in the needle bed gap 3.
In the knitting operation as described above, the knitting needle 4 and the controller 10 forming the crossing portion 8a function as crossing portion forming means. In Fig. 1, the hold portion 8b is formed using a plurality of knitting needles 4. Even in a case where one knitting needle 4 is used, it is possible to form a portion having a similar function, for example, by winding the knitting yarn 8. The knitting needles 4 and the controller 10 forming the hold portion 8b function as hold portion forming means.
A cutter 11 as cutting means is mounted on the carriage 5 in order to cut the crossing portion 8a. An operation mechanism 12 that advances and retracts the cutter 11 with respect to the needle bed gap 3 is also mounted on the carriage 5. The operation mechanism 12 is controlled by the controller 10. The controller 10 controls the operation mechanism 12 such that the cutter 11 is advanced to the needle bed gap 3 only when the crossing portion 8a is to be cut, and the cutter 11 is retracted from the needle bed gap 3 and put on standby at the other times.
More specifically, the apparatus that cuts and holds the knitting yarn 8 in the weft knitting machine 1 in which the front and back needle beds 2 are opposed to each other with the needle bed gap 3 interposed therebetween includes the controller 10 as the control means and the cutter 11 as the cutting means. The controller 10 leads to the formation of the crossing portion 8a that is formed using the plurality of knitting needles 4 and crosses between the front and back needle beds 2 and the hold portion 8b that is formed on the knitting needles 4 on one of the needle beds 2, with the knitting yarn 8 that has been put on standby after knitting of the knitted fabric 9 is completed until the knitting yarn 8 is used for knitting of the next knitted fabric. Thus, it is possible to hold the knitting yarn 8 without a special apparatus that holds the knitting yarn 8 being provided. Accordingly, the limitation due to the number of the yarn gripping apparatuses such as grippers is eliminated, and thus many knitting yarns 8 can be held. The hold portion 8b can be provided within or in the vicinity of an area for knitting the knitted fabric 9. Thus, the distance by which the yarn feeding member travels can be made shorter, and production efficiency can be improved. The cutter 11 travels along the needle bed 2 and cuts the knitting yarn in the crossing portion 8a, and thus knitting of the knitted fabric 9 is not hampered.
Herein, a setup yarn, a draw yarn, a yarn for a waste course, and the like are preferably cut and held by a yarn gripping apparatus that is situated at an end on the needle bed 2.
Fig. 2 shows the configuration of a portion of the carriage 5 on which the cutter 11 and the operation mechanism 12 are mounted. The operation mechanism 12 includes a motor 15, a drive mechanism 16, and a guide mechanism 17. The motor 15 functions as a driving source. The drive mechanism 16 drives the cutter 11 to move, by converting rotation of the motor 15 into swinging movement. The guide mechanism 17 guides movement of the cutter 11 and advances and retracts the cutter 11 with respect to the needle bed gap along such a path that the tip of the cutter 11 does not interfere with the knitting needle or the like. It is possible to cut the crossing portion 8a by advancing the cutter 11 to the needle bed gap 3 at the position of the crossing portion 8a in Fig. 1, and pressing a blade 11a disposed at the tip of the cutter 11 against the crossing portion 8a.
Herein, the cutter 11 may vibrate or may be a rotating round blade in order to reliably perform cutting. Also, the cutter 11 may be in the form of scissors and cut the knitting yarn by shearing. Furthermore, these various cutters may travel on the yarn guide rail 6 or the like and be brought by the carriage 5 similarly as the yarn feeder 7, as well as being mounted on the carriage 5. It is possible to simplify the traveling configuration by causing the cutter 11 as the cutting means to travel together with the carriage 5. It is also possible to provide a mechanism that moves the cutter 11 independently of the carriage 5. In a case where the cutter 11 moves independently of the carriage 5, the cutter 11 may be a fixed blade and move within the needle bed gap 3 to cut the crossing portion 8a.
As described above, the knitting yarn 8 in the crossing portion 8a is cut, and the end portion of the cut knitting yarn 8 in the hold portion 8b is held. Thus, it is possible to hold the end portions of many knitting yarns 8 without a holding mechanism being provided. When knitting of the knitted fabric 9 in the unit of a garment is completed and knitting of the next garment starts, it is possible to form the crossing portion 8a and the hold portion 8b following the knitted fabric 9 that has been completely knitted. Also in a case where the knitting yarn 8 is cut and held within a garment, it is possible to form the crossing portion 8a and the hold portion 8b using the knitting needle 4 within an area for knitting the garment or using an adjacent knitting needle 4 outside the knitting area. As the knitting needle 4 within the knitting area, a vacant knitting needle 4 that is not holding a stitch can be used. Also, even a knitting needle 4 that is holding a stitch can be used after the knitting needle 4 is made vacant by temporarily transferring the stitch to another knitting needle 4. The knitting yarn 8 can be cut and held inside or in the vicinity of the knitted fabric 9 that is being knitted. Thus, the distance by which the yarn feeding member such as the yarn feeder 7 travels can be made shorter, and reduction in production efficiency can be avoided.
Fig. 3 schematically shows an example of yarn treatment in which the crossing portion 8a and the hold portion 8b shown in Fig. 1 are formed. The front and back needle beds of the front and back needle beds 2 are respectively represented as F and B. For example, Fig. 3A shows a state in which the carriage travels from the right to left to knit the final course in the knitted fabric 9 shown in Fig. 1. Next, in Fig. 3B, the carriage travels without being fed the knitting yarn 8 and releases stitches in the final course. Usually, a plurality of systems of cam mechanisms are mounted on the carriage, and a knitting needle can be advanced and retracted a plurality of times with one travel of the systems. Thus, it is possible to perform the knitting in Fig. 3A with a system of a proceeding cam mechanism and to perform the release in Fig. 3B with a system of a following cam mechanism. Next, in Fig. 3C, the carriage travels from the left to right to form hook stitches on the knitting needles on the needle bed on the front F. The hook stitches are spaced apart from each other without being formed on a part of the knitting needles. More specifically, in a case where knitting needles a, b, c, d, e, f, g, and h are arranged side by side on the needle bed on the front F, for example, the hook stitches are formed only on the knitting needles a, b, d, f, and h, and no hook stitch is formed on the knitting needles c, e, and g. Next, in Fig. 3D, the carriage travels from the right to left to form hook stitches only on the knitting needles c, e, and g on which no hook stitch is formed in Fig. 3C. In the zone of the knitting needles b, c, d, e, f, g, and h, hook stitches are formed in Fig. 3C on the knitting needles b, d, f, and h by needle miss knitting, and hook stitches are formed in Fig. 3D on the knitting needles c, e, and g on which no hook stitch is formed in Fig. 3C, and thus interlock knitting is performed.
Next, in Fig. 3E, the carriage travels from the left to right to perform a course knitting of knit on the knitting needles b, c, d, e, f, g, and h except for the knitting needle a on the left end. This knitting may be performed for a plurality of courses. In Fig. 3C, a hook stitch is also formed on the knitting needle b adjacent to the knitting needle a on the front F. However, in Fig. 3E, the hook stitch on the knitting needle b is knocked over to form a previous loop. Next, in Fig. 3F, the hook stitch on the knitting needle a formed in Fig. 3C is transferred to a knitting needle on the back B. The knitting yarn crossing between the knitting needle on the back B and the previous loop having been already knocked over from the knitting needle b on the front F forms the crossing portion 8a, and the knitting yarn hooked on the knitting needles b, c, d, e, f, g, and h on the front F forms the hold portion 8b. Next, in Fig. 3G, the crossing portion 8a formed in Fig. 3F is cut with the cutter 11 in Fig. 1. The portion extending from the cut portion via the knitting needle on the back B to the knitted fabric 9 in Fig. 1 is discharged downward together with the knitted fabric 9 through the needle bed gap 3. Knitting of the next knitted fabric can be started using the knitting yarn 8 extending to the yarn feeder 7 in a state where the hold portion 8b is held on the knitting needles b, c, d, e, f, g, and h. The hold portion 8b can be knitted into a waste course at setup before the next garment is knitted. In a case where sections that are to be knitted with the knitting yarn 8 fed from the same yarn feeder 7 are within the same garment but away from each other in the course direction, the knitting yarn 8 is held using the knitting needle and cut in a similar manner, and thus a cross yarn can be prevented from being formed between the knitted sections. Thus, it is possible to save steps of treating yarns.
In other words, knitting of the hold portion 8b is performed including the first course knitting shown in Fig. 3C, the second course knitting shown in Fig. 3D, and the third course knitting shown in Fig. 3E. In the first course knitting and the second course knitting, interlock knitting is performed with hook stitches. In the third course knitting, knitting is performed in which stitches of knit are formed with all knitting needles with which interlock knitting has been performed, except for the knitting needle on which a hook stitch has been formed first in the first course knitting. Course knitting similar to the third course knitting may be repeated a plurality of times. The crossing portion 8a is formed with a knitting yarn between a hook stitch formed in the first knitting course and a stitch of a previous loop adjacent to the hook stitch. The hold portion is formed with an interlock portion contining to the crossing portion and the stitches of knit following the interlock portion. Thus, the hold portion can be held such that a yarn end is not loosened.
The knitted fabric is released in Fig. 3B. However, in a case where the knitted fabric is not released, a portion crossing between the front and back needle beds is also generated from a knitting needle on the left side of the crossing portion 8a on the front F in the state in Fig. 3F, and thus this portion can be cut. Herein, it is more preferable to cut a portion that is formed as the crossing portion 8a and closer to the hold portion 8b. In a case where the knitted fabric is released in Fig. 3B or the like, a knitting yarn on the left side of the crossing portion 8a cannot be cut in Fig. 3G.
It should be noted that the knitted fabric can be released in a step other than Fig. 3B. For example, it is also possible to perform the knitting in Fig. 3C and thereafter by temporarily transferring the stitches formed in Fig. 3A to the knitting needles on the back B. In this case, the knitted fabric may be released after Fig. 3C, 3D, or 3E, that is, before Fig. 3F. Moreover, it is also possible to perform the knitting in Fig. 3C and thereafter with the knitting needles on the back B, following Fig. 3A. Also in this case, the knitted fabric may be released at any time before Fig. 3F.
Figs. 4A and 4B show an example of yarn treatment as another embodiment of the invention. In contrast to the stitch transfer in Fig. 3F, in Fig. 4A, the stitch on the knitting needle a remains on the front F, and the stitches of knit on the knitting needles b, c, d, e, f, g, and h are transferred to the back B to form the crossing portion 8a and the hold portion 8b. The thus formed crossing portion 8a can be cut with a cutter as shown in Fig. 4B.
It is preferable to form the hold portion 8b on the back B in this manner in particular in a case where a warp fed from a warp insertion mechanism that includes a member called a lace bar is cut and held in a weft knitting machine equipped with the warp insertion mechanism. A weft knitting machine equipped with a warp insertion mechanism is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Examined Patent Publication JP-B2 3452639 . Furthermore, the applicant has manufactured and sold a weft knitting machine equipped with a warp insertion mechanism under the product name SPL122CS or LAPIS. These weft knitting machines are specified such that front and back needle beds are arranged, the warp insertion mechanism is situated above the back needle bed, and a warp can be fed only to a knitting needle on the front needle bed.
More specifically, a knitting yarn can be cut and held, even in knitting with a warp fed from the warp insertion mechanism that is specified so as to insert a warp for knitting of a warp-knitted structure with a knitting needle on one of the needle beds, by performing a lapping operation in a direction along the needle bed and a swing operation in a direction perpendicular to the lapping operation. The hold portion and the warp insertion mechanism including the lace bar are positioned on the side of the needle bed on the back B, which is the opposite side, and thus the warp crossing from the hold portion 8b to the lace bar is also positioned above the needle bed on the back B. When the cutter is mounted on the carriage on the needle bed on the front F, which is on one side, the warp crossing from the hold portion 8b to the lace bar can be prevented from being cut with the cutter or obstructing.
Figs. 5A to 5C schematically show a state in which the crossing portion 8a and the hold portion 8b are formed. Fig. 5A shows the state of the crossing portion 8a and the hold portion 8b formed as shown in Figs. 3A to 3G. The combination of hook stitches and stitches of knit is not limited to this. For example, of course, knitting of the hold portion 8b can be realized with a combination other than that of interlock knitting and formation of stitches of knit. It is also possible to form hook stitches on a plurality of knitting needles and transfer a part of the hook stitches, thereby forming the crossing portion 8a between the hook stitches. In this case, the remaining stitches that have not been transferred are included in the hold portion 8b. Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 5B, it is also possible to form all of a plurality of hook stitches and the hold portion 8b on different needle beds, and to form the crossing portion 8a between the hook stitches and the hold portion 8b. Moreover, as shown in Fig. 5C, it is also possible to form a hook stitch and the hold portion 8b outside the region for knitting the knitted fabric 9 without releasing the knitted fabric 9 from the knitting needle 4, and to form the crossing portion 8a by transferring the hold portion 8b. It is also possible to form the hold portion 8b on a different needle bed from that for the knitted fabric 9 by forming hook stitches and then forming the crossing portion 8a crossing between the needle beds.
The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description and all changes which come within the meaning and the range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

Industrial Applicability

According to the invention, a crossing portion and a hold portion are formed using a knitting needle, a knitting yarn in the crossing portion that crosses between front and back needle beds is cut, and the end portion of the cut knitting yarn in the hold portion is held. Thus, it is possible to hold end portions of many knitting yarns without a holding mechanism being provided. When knitting of a knitted fabric in the unit of a garment is completed and knitting of the next garment starts, it is possible to easily form the crossing portion and the hold portion. Also in a case where the knitting yarn is cut and held within a garment, it is possible to form the crossing portion and the hold portion, for example, using a knitting needle that is not in use in an area for knitting the garment. Also, it is possible to form the crossing portion and the hold portion, using an adjacent knitting needle outside the knitting area, or using a knitting needle that has been made vacant by transferring a stitch from the knitting needle holding the stitch to another knitting needle. The knitting yarn can be cut and held inside or in the vicinity of the knitted fabric that is being knitted. Thus, the distance by which the yarn feeding member such as a yarn feeder travels can be made shorter, and reduction in production efficiency can be avoided. Furthermore, also a warp that is inserted from a warp insertion mechanism including a lace bar and the like can be efficiently cut and held, similarly as the knitting yarn functioning as a weft that is fed from the yarn feeder.
Furthermore, according to the invention, the crossing portion is formed between the front and back needle beds after a hook stitch is formed, and the hold portion is formed on a knitting needle on a needle bed different from that to which a knitting needle forming the hook stitch belongs. Thus, it is possible to easily remove the side of the hook stitch by cutting the crossing portion, and to hold the side of the hold portion with the knitting needle.
Furthermore, according to the invention, with interlock knitting, the hold portion can be held such that a yarn end is not loosened even when the crossing portion is cut. Furthermore, knitting following the formation of the hold portion can be performed.
Furthermore, according to the invention, in a case where knitted fabrics of a plurality of garments are continuously knitted, the crossing portion and the hold portion are formed between the garments. Thus, it is possible to cut the knitting yarn of a knitted fabric of a completely knitted garment and to hold the yarn end, thereby performing setup for a knitted fabric of the next garment.
Furthermore, according to the invention, the apparatus that cuts and holds the knitting yarn in the weft knitting machine in which the front and back needle beds are opposed to each other with the needle bed gap interposed therebetween includes crossing portion forming means, hold portion forming means, and cutting means. The crossing portion forming means forms a crossing portion that crosses between the front and back needle beds, using a knitting needle, with a knitting yarn that has been put on standby after knitting of a knitted fabric is completed until the knitting yarn is used for knitting of a next knitted fabric. The hold portion forming means forms a hold portion at which the knitting yarn is held, following the crossing portion, on a knitting needle on one of the needle beds. Thus, it is possible to hold a knitting yarn without a special apparatus that holds the knitting yarn being provided. The holding portion can be provided within or in the vicinity of an area for knitting the knitted fabric. Thus, more hold portions can be formed than in a case where an apparatus that holds the knitting yarn is provided. Further, the distance by which the yarn feeding member travels can be made shorter, and production efficiency can be improved. The cutting means travels along the needle bed and cuts the knitting yarn in the crossing portion, and thus knitting of the knitted fabric is not hampered.
Furthermore, according to the invention, the cutting means travels together with a carriage. Thus, it is possible to simplify the traveling configuration by causing the cutting means to be mounted on the carriage or to be brought by the carriage.

Claims

A method of cutting and holding a knitting yarn in a weft knitting machine, for cutting and holding a knitting yarn in a weft knitting machine in which front and back needle beds are opposed to each other with a needle bed gap interposed therebetween, comprising:
forming a crossing portion that crosses between the front and back needle beds, and a hold portion that is formed on a knitting needle on one of the needle beds, with a knitting yarn that has been put on standby until the knitting yarn is used for knitting of a next knitted fabric after knitting of one knitted fabric is completed, using a knitting needle; and

cutting the knitting yarn in the crossing portion and holding an end portion of the knitting yarn which is cut in the hold portion.
The method of claim 1, wherein the crossing portion is formed following a hook stitch, and
the hold portion is formed on a knitting needle on a needle bed which is different from that to which a knitting needle forming the hook stitch belongs.
The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the hold portion includes at least a portion knitted by interlock knitting.
The method of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein in a case where knitted fabrics of a plurality of garments are continuously knitted, the crossing portion and the hold portion are formed between the garments.
An apparatus that cuts and holds a knitting yarn in a weft knitting machine in which front and back needle beds are opposed to each other with a needle bed gap interposed therebetween, comprising:
crossing portion forming means which forms a crossing portion that crosses between the front and back needle beds, with a knitting yarn that has been put on standby until the knitting yarn is used for knitting of a next knitted fabric after knitting of one knitted fabric is completed, using a knitting needle;

hold portion forming means which forms a hold portion which follows the crossing portion and at which the knitting yarn is held, on a knitting needle on one of the needle beds; and

cutting means which cuts the knitting yarn in the crossing portion while moving along the needle beds.
The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the cutting means travels together with a carriage.