Title of Invention	A ROD-LINK THREAD GUIDE ELEMENT FOR WEAVING MACHINESS, IN PARTICULAR A HEDDLE, AND A METHOD FOR THE PRODUCTION OF THE SAME
Abstract	. "A ROD-LIKE THREAD GUIDE ELEMENT FOR WEAVING MACHINES, IN PARTICULAR A MEDDLE, AND A METHOD FOR THE PRODUCTION CF THE SAME" The invention relates to a rod-like thread guide element for textile machines, in particular a heddle, comprising two metallic longitudinal portions (22, 24) merging into a middle portion (16), the thread eye (10) being fastened in the middle portion (16) by means of an adhesive (14). (Figure 1)

Title of Invention

A ROD-LINK THREAD GUIDE ELEMENT FOR WEAVING MACHINESS, IN PARTICULAR A HEDDLE, AND A METHOD FOR THE PRODUCTION OF THE SAME

Abstract

. "A ROD-LIKE THREAD GUIDE ELEMENT FOR WEAVING MACHINES, IN PARTICULAR A MEDDLE, AND A METHOD FOR THE PRODUCTION CF THE SAME" The invention relates to a rod-like thread guide element for textile machines, in particular a heddle, comprising two metallic longitudinal portions (22, 24) merging into a middle portion (16), the thread eye (10) being fastened in the middle portion (16) by means of an adhesive (14). (Figure 1)

Full Text	The invention relates to a rod-like thread guide element for weaving machines, in particular a heddle. The invention relates, further, to a method for the production of a rod¬like thread guide element for weaving machines, in particular a heddle. Rod-hke thread guide elements designed as heddles for weaving machines are known. Heddles of this type have a thread eye, also referred to as a loop, and are used in weaving machines in order to raise and lower warp threads, which each run through the thread eye, for the purpose of forming the shed. Heddles of this type conventionally have a split middle portion which merges into a longitudinal portion on each of the two sides, the thread eye being soldered in the middle portion. Heddles with a soldered-in thread eye have, inter alia, the disadvantage that they are relatively costly to produce and are relatively heavy. The object of the present invention is to propose an economically more advantageous rod-like thread guide element for textile machines. Accordingly, the present invention provides a rod-like thread guide element for weaving machines, in particular a heddle, comprising two metallic longitudinal portions merging into a middle portion, wherein a thread eye is fastened in the middle portion by means of an adhesive, characterized in that the adhesive is selected from the group consisting of acryhc adhesives and a two-component epoxy adhesive, and wherein the adhesive can be cured chemically or physically within from 0.1 to 20 seconds. Accordingly, the present invention also provides A method for the production of a rod-like thread guide element for weaving machines, in particular a heddle, comprising the steps of: a) providing two longitudinal metallic portions which merge into a middle portion; b) positioning a thread eye in the region of the middle portion; c) firmly connecting the thread eye to the longitudinal portions in the region of the middle portion characterized in that by supplying an adhesive selected from the group consisting of acryhc adhesives and a two-component epoxy adhesive and chemically or physically curing the adhesive within a time of less than 20 seconds in such a way that the thread eye is bonded firmly to the middle portion by means of the cured adhesive. A heddle with a thread eye fastened by adhesive bonding has, for example, the following advantages, as compared with a heddle having a soldered-in thread eve: - The individual heddle has a lower overall weight. - A heddle frame of a weaving machine, comprising a multiplicity of individual heddles, likewise has a lower weight and therefore, for example, can be operated at a higher rotational speed or requires less energy to operate it. - There is no need to coat the thread eye by nickel-plating or tinning, this having been necessary hitherto for soldering in the thread eye. This allows more cost-effective production and, moreover, is ecologically more advantageous. In addition, the outermost surface of the thread eye, said surface being produced by nickel-plating or tinning, was relatively soft, so that there has hitherto been the risk that the guided warp-threads would cut into this outermost surface. - The thread eye has preferably a hardened surface, the surface hardness having hitherto been reduced again by the heating occurring during soldering. Such a reduction in the surface hardness no longer occurs in the case of adhesive bonding. - The adhesive has higher resistance, as compared with chemical means, such as reviving, thus resulting in the heddle having a longer service life. - There is no risk that there will be solder residues which could cut into and thereby damage a warp thread. - No nickel peaks are formed, which have hitherto been produced during final electrolytic nickel-plating when soft solder residues have been present.. - The curing time of an adhesive capable of being cured by means of ultraviolet radiation is shorter, as compared with a soft solder, thus, for example, making quicker manufacture possible. - Existing manufacturing machines for heddles can be converted in a simple way in that the operation of fastening the thread eye is carried out by adhesive bonding instead of by soldering. Another advantage of the method according to the invention is to be seen in that a thread eye which cannot be soldered or which can be soldered only with difficulty may also be used. This also makes it possible, in future, to use substantially more wear-resistant thread eyes, for example made from solid ceramic or with ceramic coatings, for example PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition} or CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition) layers . The thread eye may consist of metal, for example of a rustproof steel, also referred to as "stainless steel", or of a high-alloy steel, and, moreover, may have a hardened surface, as can be achieved, for example, by case hardening, full hardening, tempering, nitriding or nitrocarbonization. The thread eye may also have an additionally applied hard layer which can be applied chemically, electrochemically or in a gas phase (PVD, CVD) . Such layers may, for example, be: chemical, nicVel and nickel dispersion layers or hard material layers based, for example, on (designation of the chemical elements) B, Ti, Cr, W, V, etc. or their compounds with nitrogen, carbon, oxygen, etc. A large number of commercially available products are suitable as an adhesive. Advantageously, an adhesive is used which cures in a short time. An adhesive of this type is, for example, an adhesive which cures by being irradiated with ultraviolet light (UV light} and which cures, for example, within a time of between 0.1 and 20 seconds, for example in one second or in ten seconds. For example, a quick-curing adhesive of this type has a solidification time of 0.1 seconds and a full curing time of 10 to 20 seconds. Quick-acting adhesives which have a short curing time due to chemical or physical influences are suitable. An adhesive of this type may, for example, be produced on the base of polyester urethane acrylate. A heddle is exposed to knocks during operation. The thread eye fastened to the heddle therefore preferably has, to some extent, elastic properties or some toughness. In order to ensure a permanent bond between the heddle and the thread eye, an advantageous adhesive likewise has some elastic properties or appropriate toughness. Moreover, the adhesive should have insensitivity to knocks. In an advantageous embodiment, the thread eye, or at least the faces coming directly into contact with the warp threads, has a hardened surface with, for example, a nitrocarbonization depth of 20 to 50 micrometers. After the thread eye has been fastened by means of adhesive, it may prove advantageous for the entire thread guide element, or at least the thread eye, the middle portion and the adhesive, to be covered with a metallic layer. This metallic layer is preferably applied by electroplating, for example by nickel-plating. One advantage of final nickel-plating of this type is to be seen in that the surface, in particular the surface of the rod-like thread guide element, which may also be formed from wires, has harder properties or properties which are more abrasion-resistant than the warp threads acting on it. The adhesive, which consists, in particular, of plastic, can be electroplated by means of methods known per se from other areas of technology. The rod-like thread guide element according to the invention for textile machines is described in detail with reference to an exemplary embodiment of a round wire heddle. In the drawing: Figure 1 shows a top view of a heddle; Figure 2 shows a cross section along the line A-A according to Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a cross section along the line B-B according to Figure 1; Figure 4 shows a detailed view of the top view of the heddle with a thread eye arranged in it. The heddle 1 illustrated in Figure 1 comprises two metallic longitudinal portions 22, 24 merging into a middle portion 16. The heddle 1 has two metallic round wires 22a, 24b which run parallel to one another and, in the middle portion 16, are at such a distance from one another that a thread eye 10 can be arranged between the round wires 22a, 24b in the middle portion 16. The thread eye 10 is fastened in the middle portion 16 by means of an adhesive 14. The longitudinal portions 22, 24 have, at each of their ends, an end loop 18, 20, illustrated merely by way of example. These ends may be designed in widely varying ways, for example even as hooks. The longitudinal portions 22, 2 4 are illustrated in shortened form. The middle portion 16 has two leg parts 28, 30 which are formed by the round wires 22a, 24b and between which the thread eye 10 is glued by means of adhesive 14. The thread eye 10 has an orifice 26, like a long hole, for guiding a thread. The heddle 1 could also be designed as a flat steel heddle, with a perforation in the middle portion 16, in which case this perforation would be delimited by the leg parts 28, 30 and the thread eye 10 would be arranged between these leg parts 28, 30. In the case of a flat steel heddle of this type, the longitudinal portions 22, 24 and the middle portion 16 would be manufactured from one piece and from metal. Figure 2 shows a cross section through the round wire heddle 1 according to Figure 1 along the line A-A. This makes clear the cross section of the two round wires 22a, 24b mutually connected firmly to one another in the longitudinal portion 22, 24, The round wires 22a, 24b are, for example, connected firmly to one another by mutual tinning and nickel-plating. These round wires 22a, 24b could also have another cross-sectional shape, for example an oval shape. Figure 3 shows a cross section through the round wire heddle 1 according to Figure 1 along the line B-B. This makes clear the two round wires 22a, 24b which in each case form a leg part 28, 30 and to which tlie thread eye 10 is firmly connected by means of the adhesive 14. The thread eye 10 has a kidney-shaped cross-sectional area, surrounds the round leg part 28, 30 over a portion and has a larger width than the leg parts 28, 30. The width of the thread eye 10, said width running in the vertical direction in relation to the illustration according to Figure 3, could also be designed to be equal to or smaller than the width of the leg part 28, 30, and, for example, this would make it possible to have a higher heddle density and could have the effect of exercising greater care on a guided thread. The interspaces formed between the leg parts 28, 30 and the thread eye 10 are filled with adhesive 14, care being taken, in particular, to ensure that the surface of the adhesive 14 between the respective leg part 28, 30 and the thread eye 10 runs uniformly, so that the entire surface of the middle portion 16, together with the glued-in thread eye 10, has, if possible, no edges. This design of the surface makes it possible for a warp thread running through the thread eye 10 to be guided with great care. The thread eye 10 could also have other cross-sectional shapes and, for example, be of circular design. The adhesive 14 is preferably always applied in such a way that a continuously running surface, which has no edges, is obtained between the leg parts 28, 30 and the thread eye 10. Figure 4 shows a detailed view of the middle portion 16 of the heddle 1, the middle portion 16 comprising the two leg parts 28, 30 which are parts of the round wires 22a, 24b. The thread eye 10 is inserted between the leg parts 28, 30, the leg parts 28, 30 and the thread eye 10 being partially in direct contact with one another, and the remaining interspace, located between the two leg parts 28, 30 and the thread eye 10, being filled with adhesive 14, so that the thread eye 10 is held firmly in the middle portion 16 and, with the exception of the orifice 26, there are no cavities in the middle portion 16. A relatively large interspace above and below the thread eye 10 is filled with adhesive 14. By virtue of elastic and tough properties of the adhesive 14, the adhesive 14 located in this interspace acts as a damping element, so that the thread eye 10 is held between the leg parts 28, 30 so as to be insensitive to knocks. This results, even in the case of very high stroke frequencies of the heddle 1, in a permanent bond between the thread eye 10 and the round wires 22a, 24b. The heddle according to the invention is produced, for example, by feeding the individual thread eyes 10 to a vibrating machine and subsequently storing them on a mandrel. The thread eye 10 is thereupon inserted into the middle portion 16 and, by means of a dipping or dabbing method, the adhesive is introduced into the interspace between the thread eye 10 and the two legs 28, 30. The adhesive, which cures quickly under UV light, remains between the round wires 22a and 24b and the thread eye 10 due to the capillary effect. By being irradiated with UV light, the adhesive is cured within a time of between 0.1 and 20 seconds. During irradiation with UV light, the heddle may, for example, be conveyed on a transport rail. The quick-curing adhesive solidifies after 0.1 seconds, the heddle 1 being irradiated with ultraviolet light for a further 10 seconds, until the ultraviolet-curable (UV-curable) adhesive is cured. Depending on the selected adhesive and the UV radiation intensity, the irradiation period may also last for less than 10 seconds, for example 1 second, or else for longer than 10 seconds. For example, a two-component epoxy adhesive is suitable as the adhesive. Furthermore, for example, an adhesive from the group of acrylic adhesives and modified versions, such as UV-curable adhesives, are suitable. WE CLAIM 1. A rod-like thread guide element (1) for weaving machines, in particular a heddle, comprising two metallic longitudinal portions (22, 24) merging into a middle portion (16), wherein a thread eye (10) is fastened in the middle portion (16) by means of an adhesive (14), characterized in that the adhesive (14) is selected from the group consisting of acrylic adhesives and a two-component epoxy adhesive, and wherein the adhesive can be cured chemically or physically within from 0.1 to 20 seconds. 2. The rod-like thread guide element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the thread guide element (1) is designed as a round wire heddle comprising at least two round wires (22a, 24b), and wherein the thread eye (10) is arranged between the round wires (22a, 24b) running at a distance from one another in the middle portion (16). 3. The rod-like thread guide element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the thread guide element (1) is designed as a flat steel heddle with a perforation in the middle portion (16), and wherein the thread eye (10) is arranged in this perforation. 4. The rod-like thread guide element as claimed in one of the claims 1 to 3, wherein the thread eye (10) consists at least partially of plastic, ceramic or metal, in particular of rustproof steel. 5. The rod-like thread guide element as claimed in claim 4, wherein the thread eye (10) has a wear-resistant surface, in particular a surface which is hardened, nitrided or coated with hard material or which consists of a solid ceramic. 6. The rod-like thread guide element as claimed in one of the claims 1 to 5, wherein at least the middle portion (16) together with the thread eye (10) and adhesive (14), preferably also the longitudinal portions (22, 24), are covered with a metallic layer, in particular a layer applied by electroplating, such as a nickel layer. I 7. A method for the production of a rod-like thread guide element (1) for weaving machines, in particular a heddle, comprising the steps of; a) providing two longitudinal metallic portions (22, 24) which merge into a middle portion (16); b) positioning a thread eye (10) in the region of the middle portion (16); c) firmly connecting the thread eye (10) to the longitudinal portions (22, 24} in the region of the middle portion (16) characterized in that by supplying an adhesive (14) selected from the group consisting of acryhc adhesives and a two-component epoxy adhesive and chemically or physically curing the adhesive within a time of less than 20 seconds, thereby firmly bonding the thread eye (10) to the middle portion (16) by means of the cured adhesive (14). 8. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the adhesive (14) is cured by ultraviolet irradiation, 9. A heddle frame or weaving machine, comprising rod-like thread guide elements, in particular heddles, as claimed in one of claims 1 to 6, 10. A rod-like thread guide element for weaving machines, in particular a heddle, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 11. A method for the production of a rod-like thread guide element for weaving machine, in particular a heddle, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Full Text

The invention relates to a rod-like thread guide element for weaving machines, in particular a heddle. The invention relates, further, to a method for the production of a rod¬like thread guide element for weaving machines, in particular a heddle.
Rod-hke thread guide elements designed as heddles for weaving machines are known. Heddles of this type have a thread eye, also referred to as a loop, and are used in weaving machines in order to raise and lower warp threads, which each run through the thread eye, for the purpose of forming the shed. Heddles of this type conventionally have a split middle portion which merges into a longitudinal portion on each of the two sides, the thread eye being soldered in the middle portion.
Heddles with a soldered-in thread eye have, inter alia, the disadvantage that they are relatively costly to produce and are relatively heavy.
The object of the present invention is to propose an economically more advantageous rod-like thread guide element for textile machines.
Accordingly, the present invention provides a rod-like thread guide element for weaving machines, in particular a heddle, comprising two metallic longitudinal portions merging into a middle portion, wherein a thread eye is fastened in the middle portion by means of an adhesive, characterized in that the adhesive is selected from the group consisting of acryhc adhesives and a two-component epoxy adhesive, and wherein the adhesive can be cured chemically or physically within from 0.1 to 20 seconds.
Accordingly, the present invention also provides A method for the production of a rod-like thread guide element for weaving machines, in particular a heddle, comprising the steps of: a) providing two longitudinal metallic portions which merge into a middle portion; b) positioning a thread eye in the region of the middle portion; c) firmly connecting the thread eye to the longitudinal portions in the region of the middle portion characterized in that by supplying an adhesive selected from the group consisting of acryhc adhesives and a two-component epoxy adhesive and chemically or physically curing the adhesive within a time of less than 20 seconds in such a way that the thread eye is bonded firmly to the middle portion by means of the cured adhesive.

A heddle with a thread eye fastened by adhesive bonding has, for example, the following advantages, as compared with a heddle having a soldered-in thread eve:
- The individual heddle has a lower overall weight.
- A heddle frame of a weaving machine, comprising a multiplicity of individual heddles, likewise has a lower weight and therefore, for example, can be operated at a higher rotational speed or requires less energy to operate it.
- There is no need to coat the thread eye by nickel-plating or tinning, this having been necessary hitherto for soldering in the thread eye. This allows more cost-effective production and, moreover, is ecologically more advantageous. In addition, the outermost surface of the thread eye, said surface being produced by nickel-plating or tinning, was relatively soft, so that there has hitherto been the risk that the guided warp-threads would cut into this outermost surface.
- The thread eye has preferably a hardened surface, the surface hardness having hitherto been reduced again by the heating occurring during soldering. Such a reduction in the surface hardness no longer occurs in the case of adhesive bonding.
- The adhesive has higher resistance, as compared with chemical means, such as reviving, thus resulting in the heddle having a longer service life.
- There is no risk that there will be solder residues which could cut into and thereby damage a warp thread.
- No nickel peaks are formed, which have hitherto been produced during final electrolytic nickel-plating when soft solder residues have been present..
- The curing time of an adhesive capable of being cured by means of ultraviolet radiation is shorter, as

compared with a soft solder, thus, for example, making quicker manufacture possible.
- Existing manufacturing machines for heddles can be converted in a simple way in that the operation of fastening the thread eye is carried out by adhesive bonding instead of by soldering.
Another advantage of the method according to the invention is to be seen in that a thread eye which cannot be soldered or which can be soldered only with difficulty may also be used. This also makes it possible, in future, to use substantially more wear-resistant thread eyes, for example made from solid ceramic or with ceramic coatings, for example PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition} or CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition) layers .
The thread eye may consist of metal, for example of a rustproof steel, also referred to as "stainless steel", or of a high-alloy steel, and, moreover, may have a hardened surface, as can be achieved, for example, by case hardening, full hardening, tempering, nitriding or nitrocarbonization. The thread eye may also have an additionally applied hard layer which can be applied chemically, electrochemically or in a gas phase (PVD, CVD) . Such layers may, for example, be: chemical, nicVel and nickel dispersion layers or hard material layers based, for example, on (designation of the chemical elements) B, Ti, Cr, W, V, etc. or their compounds with nitrogen, carbon, oxygen, etc.
A large number of commercially available products are suitable as an adhesive. Advantageously, an adhesive is used which cures in a short time. An adhesive of this type is, for example, an adhesive which cures by being irradiated with ultraviolet light (UV light} and which cures, for example, within a time of between 0.1 and 20 seconds, for example in one second or in ten seconds. For example, a quick-curing adhesive of this type has a solidification time of 0.1 seconds and a full curing time of 10 to 20 seconds.

Quick-acting adhesives which have a short curing time due to chemical or physical influences are suitable. An adhesive of this type may, for example, be produced on the base of polyester urethane acrylate.
A heddle is exposed to knocks during operation. The thread eye fastened to the heddle therefore preferably has, to some extent, elastic properties or some toughness. In order to ensure a permanent bond between the heddle and the thread eye, an advantageous adhesive likewise has some elastic properties or appropriate toughness. Moreover, the adhesive should have insensitivity to knocks.
In an advantageous embodiment, the thread eye, or at least the faces coming directly into contact with the warp threads, has a hardened surface with, for example, a nitrocarbonization depth of 20 to 50 micrometers.
After the thread eye has been fastened by means of adhesive, it may prove advantageous for the entire thread guide element, or at least the thread eye, the middle portion and the adhesive, to be covered with a metallic layer. This metallic layer is preferably applied by electroplating, for example by nickel-plating. One advantage of final nickel-plating of this type is to be seen in that the surface, in particular the surface of the rod-like thread guide element, which may also be formed from wires, has harder properties or properties which are more abrasion-resistant than the warp threads acting on it. The adhesive, which consists, in particular, of plastic, can be electroplated by means of methods known per se from other areas of technology.
The rod-like thread guide element according to the invention for textile machines is described in detail with reference to an exemplary embodiment of a round wire heddle. In the drawing:
Figure 1 shows a top view of a heddle;
Figure 2 shows a cross section along the line A-A according to Figure 1;

Figure 3 shows a cross section along the line B-B according to Figure 1;
Figure 4 shows a detailed view of the top view of the heddle with a thread eye arranged in it.
The heddle 1 illustrated in Figure 1 comprises two metallic longitudinal portions 22, 24 merging into a middle portion 16. The heddle 1 has two metallic round wires 22a, 24b which run parallel to one another and, in the middle portion 16, are at such a distance from one another that a thread eye 10 can be arranged between the round wires 22a, 24b in the middle portion 16. The thread eye 10 is fastened in the middle portion 16 by means of an adhesive 14. The longitudinal portions 22, 24 have, at each of their ends, an end loop 18, 20, illustrated merely by way of example. These ends may be designed in widely varying ways, for example even as hooks. The longitudinal portions 22, 2 4 are illustrated in shortened form. The middle portion 16 has two leg parts 28, 30 which are formed by the round wires 22a, 24b and between which the thread eye 10 is glued by means of adhesive 14. The thread eye 10 has an orifice 26, like a long hole, for guiding a thread.
The heddle 1 could also be designed as a flat steel heddle, with a perforation in the middle portion 16, in which case this perforation would be delimited by the leg parts 28, 30 and the thread eye 10 would be arranged between these leg parts 28, 30. In the case of a flat steel heddle of this type, the longitudinal portions 22, 24 and the middle portion 16 would be manufactured from one piece and from metal.
Figure 2 shows a cross section through the round wire heddle 1 according to Figure 1 along the line A-A. This makes clear the cross section of the two round wires 22a, 24b mutually connected firmly to one another in the longitudinal portion 22, 24, The round wires 22a, 24b are, for example, connected firmly to one another by mutual tinning and nickel-plating. These

round wires 22a, 24b could also have another cross-sectional shape, for example an oval shape.
Figure 3 shows a cross section through the round wire heddle 1 according to Figure 1 along the line B-B. This makes clear the two round wires 22a, 24b which in each case form a leg part 28, 30 and to which tlie thread eye 10 is firmly connected by means of the adhesive 14. The thread eye 10 has a kidney-shaped cross-sectional area, surrounds the round leg part 28, 30 over a portion and has a larger width than the leg parts 28, 30. The width of the thread eye 10, said width running in the vertical direction in relation to the illustration according to Figure 3, could also be designed to be equal to or smaller than the width of the leg part 28, 30, and, for example, this would make it possible to have a higher heddle density and could have the effect of exercising greater care on a guided thread. The interspaces formed between the leg parts 28, 30 and the thread eye 10 are filled with adhesive 14, care being taken, in particular, to ensure that the surface of the adhesive 14 between the respective leg part 28, 30 and the thread eye 10 runs uniformly, so that the entire surface of the middle portion 16, together with the glued-in thread eye 10, has, if possible, no edges. This design of the surface makes it possible for a warp thread running through the thread eye 10 to be guided with great care. The thread eye 10 could also have other cross-sectional shapes and, for example, be of circular design.
The adhesive 14 is preferably always applied in such a way that a continuously running surface, which has no edges, is obtained between the leg parts 28, 30 and the thread eye 10.
Figure 4 shows a detailed view of the middle portion 16 of the heddle 1, the middle portion 16 comprising the two leg parts 28, 30 which are parts of the round wires 22a, 24b. The thread eye 10 is inserted between the leg parts 28, 30, the leg parts 28, 30 and the thread eye 10 being partially in direct contact

with one another, and the remaining interspace, located between the two leg parts 28, 30 and the thread eye 10, being filled with adhesive 14, so that the thread eye 10 is held firmly in the middle portion 16 and, with the exception of the orifice 26, there are no cavities in the middle portion 16. A relatively large interspace above and below the thread eye 10 is filled with adhesive 14. By virtue of elastic and tough properties of the adhesive 14, the adhesive 14 located in this interspace acts as a damping element, so that the thread eye 10 is held between the leg parts 28, 30 so as to be insensitive to knocks. This results, even in the case of very high stroke frequencies of the heddle 1, in a permanent bond between the thread eye 10 and the round wires 22a, 24b.
The heddle according to the invention is produced, for example, by feeding the individual thread eyes 10 to a vibrating machine and subsequently storing them on a mandrel. The thread eye 10 is thereupon inserted into the middle portion 16 and, by means of a dipping or dabbing method, the adhesive is introduced into the interspace between the thread eye 10 and the two legs 28, 30. The adhesive, which cures quickly under UV light, remains between the round wires 22a and 24b and the thread eye 10 due to the capillary effect. By being irradiated with UV light, the adhesive is cured within a time of between 0.1 and 20 seconds. During irradiation with UV light, the heddle may, for example, be conveyed on a transport rail. The quick-curing adhesive solidifies after 0.1 seconds, the heddle 1 being irradiated with ultraviolet light for a further 10 seconds, until the ultraviolet-curable (UV-curable) adhesive is cured. Depending on the selected adhesive and the UV radiation intensity, the irradiation period may also last for less than 10 seconds, for example 1 second, or else for longer than 10 seconds.
For example, a two-component epoxy adhesive is suitable as the adhesive. Furthermore, for example, an

adhesive from the group of acrylic adhesives and modified versions, such as UV-curable adhesives, are suitable.

WE CLAIM
1. A rod-like thread guide element (1) for weaving machines, in particular a heddle, comprising two metallic longitudinal portions (22, 24) merging into a middle portion (16), wherein a thread eye (10) is fastened in the middle portion (16) by means of an adhesive (14), characterized in that the adhesive (14) is selected from the group consisting of acrylic adhesives and a two-component epoxy adhesive, and wherein the adhesive can be cured chemically or physically within from 0.1 to 20 seconds.
2. The rod-like thread guide element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the thread guide element (1) is designed as a round wire heddle comprising at least two round wires (22a, 24b), and wherein the thread eye (10) is arranged between the round wires (22a, 24b) running at a distance from one another in the middle portion (16).
3. The rod-like thread guide element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the thread guide element (1) is designed as a flat steel heddle with a perforation in the middle portion (16), and wherein the thread eye (10) is arranged in this perforation.
4. The rod-like thread guide element as claimed in one of the claims 1 to 3, wherein the thread eye (10) consists at least partially of plastic, ceramic or metal, in particular of rustproof steel.
5. The rod-like thread guide element as claimed in claim 4, wherein the thread eye (10) has a wear-resistant surface, in particular a surface which is hardened, nitrided or coated with hard material or which consists of a solid ceramic.
6. The rod-like thread guide element as claimed in one of the claims 1 to 5, wherein at least the middle portion (16) together with the thread eye (10) and adhesive (14), preferably also the longitudinal portions (22, 24), are covered with a metallic layer, in particular a layer applied by electroplating, such as a nickel layer.

I
7. A method for the production of a rod-like thread guide element (1) for weaving
machines, in particular a heddle, comprising the steps of;
a) providing two longitudinal metallic portions (22, 24) which merge into a middle
portion (16);
b) positioning a thread eye (10) in the region of the middle portion (16);
c) firmly connecting the thread eye (10) to the longitudinal portions (22, 24} in the
region of the middle portion (16) characterized in that by supplying an adhesive (14) selected
from the group consisting of acryhc adhesives and a two-component epoxy adhesive and
chemically or physically curing the adhesive within a time of less than 20 seconds, thereby
firmly bonding the thread eye (10) to the middle portion (16) by means of the cured adhesive
(14).
8. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the adhesive (14) is cured by ultraviolet
irradiation,
9. A heddle frame or weaving machine, comprising rod-like thread guide elements, in
particular heddles, as claimed in one of claims 1 to 6,
10. A rod-like thread guide element for weaving machines, in particular a heddle,
substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
11. A method for the production of a rod-like thread guide element for weaving machine, in
particular a heddle, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying
drawings.

Documents:

2730-mas-1998 abstract-duplicate.pdf

2730-mas-1998 abstract.jpg

2730-mas-1998 abstract.pdf

2730-mas-1998 claims-duplicate.pdf

2730-mas-1998 claims.pdf

2730-mas-1998 correspondence-others.pdf

2730-mas-1998 correspondence-po.pdf

2730-mas-1998 description (complete)-duplicate.pdf

2730-mas-1998 description (complete).pdf

2730-mas-1998 drawings.pdf

2730-mas-1998 form-1.pdf

2730-mas-1998 form-19.pdf

2730-mas-1998 form-26.pdf

2730-mas-1998 form-4.pdf

2730-mas-1998 others.pdf

2730-mas-1998 petition.pdf

« Previous Patent

Next Patent »

Patent Number

202171

Indian Patent Application Number

2730/MAS/1998

PG Journal Number

05/2007

Publication Date

02-Feb-2007

Grant Date

14-Sep-2006

Date of Filing

07-Dec-1998

Name of Patentee

M/S. BRACKER AG

Applicant Address

OBERMATTSTRASSE 65, CH-8330 PFAFFIKON ZH

Inventors:

#	Inventor's Name	Inventor's Address
1	KAGI JORG	DROSSLI, CH-8498 GIBSWILL

PCT International Classification Number

D03C9/04

PCT International Application Number

N/A

PCT International Filing date

PCT Conventions:

#	PCT Application Number	Date of Convention	Priority Country
1			NA