EP1359239A1 - Method and device for knitting tubular articles provided with an elastic yarn and thereby manufatured article - Google Patents

Abstract

A knitted article (9) for wear on the hand or foot has at least two sections (910 - 915) that are knitted directly in tubular shape from a number of yarns, including a basic (36) yarn and an elastic (37) yarn of natural or artificial rubber, or a material with similar elasticity and deformation capacity, knitted in under a constant tension. The elastic yarn can be incorporated in certain sections of the article along, and the knit has a gauge of 3 - 16 needles per inch and can be a jersey or similar stitch. The knitting machine has a feeder (7) for the elastic yarn containing a retaining element (72) that responds to changes in tension.

Description

The present invention relates to a method of knitting gloves and similar articles including elastic fibers in their texture, as well as a device implementing the method and a product obtained by this method.

The articles concerned by the present invention are articles made by knitting a fabric from one or more threads. These articles can present a knitting mode forming different types of "armor", that is, the structure and spatial organization of the thread or wires within the knitted fabric. One of the most common armor is for example the one called "jersey" and includes many knitted derivatives according to variants more or less close.

The present invention applies to articles knitted so as to obtain a shape comprising one or more tubular parts obtained directly during knitting, that is to say without the need to close the fabric, for example by sewing or gluing, to obtain this tubular shape.

Current productions falling into this category are, in particular, all types of socks (94) or stockings or mittens, when they are made in tubular form directly to knitting.

Other more complex form productions coming into this category are all types of gloves (91) or mitts (92), or socks (95) with one or more separate toes, where at least a portion tubular is produced as such directly to knitting, for example to form a finger (911 to 915, 921 to 925) or a toe (951 to 955) or a wrist (916, 926) or a sleeve (917), or a cuff (93) with as described in patent FR 02 02572. These articles can also have sleeves (917) or tubular parts extending more or less far away on the limb to be covered, such as upright gloves or socks or separate toe tights.

Such articles of clothing may be used for reasons of comfort or aesthetics, but also include specific technical characteristics for protection, safety, or efficiency, especially in the industrial field.

Although concerning a large part of the clothing items of the human or animal body, similar articles may be used to coat various objects or devices, and fall into the category concerned by the invention since they comprise tubular knitted shapes likely to be performed by the same types of machines.

Throughout this description, the term "knitted article tubular shapes ", or" knitted glove item "will thus be used for designate all the items specified above.

In the field of the manufacture of knitted yarn goods, it is is known to use machines, or knitting machines, specific, which allow the realization of one or more tubular shapes, in one operation keep on going. Such articles may have a single tubular shape as socks, or several tubular forms such as gloves, mittens, or socks with separate toes. These different forms tubulars can optionally be made separately and then assembled between them, or carried out continuously during knitting. Such articles may also include extensions making for example a cuff or sleeve, covering all or part of the coated limb, by example the forearm or the arm. Such sleeves can be made in as integral extensions to gloves or as separate articles usable in themselves.

Machines performing knitting operations, as explained subsequently with reference to the figures, are called knitting looms rectilinear, and are very specially adapted to this type of shape. This kind of profession is specialized to the point that some machines are for example specially designed to knit in parallel the two articles of the same pair of gloves. These machines can often be directly parameterized to choose the size of the article to be produced, so as to make any choice which different sizes of the same article model.

These machines have also been perfected and adapted so specific to achieve a complex shape in one operation keep on going. For example for producing a glove (91), the shapes (912 to 915) tubulars of the different fingers are made separately but on the same machine from the end, then joined together once their length enough to switch from knitting the four separate fingers to knitting the palm, then join it with the thumb (911) to form the large palm (910) then the wrist (916). Such a mode of knitting is in particular described in patent FR 02 02572.

In such machines, the thread hooked by the needles is unwound a coil in a vertical position. This wire then passes through a berth, where it is pinched by mechanical means so as to maintain tension sufficient. This wire then passes through a callback device called system "Fisherman", which dampens the variations in voltage occurring during calls of thread, by the needles at each change of direction of the carriage of knitting. The wire then passes through a wire guide mounted on a sliding system led by a cart that guides it in front of the needles of each needle, at the as the knitting progresses.

Depending on the products to be manufactured, several threads can be unwound from several reels, and brought in the same way to the guide-wire to be taken together by the needles. Some of these threads can also be taken only by some needles, for example to make an edge or a zone with ribs, inserting an elastic thread taken by a needle on three, or to achieve different mesh effects in the texture of the knit obtained.

Some of these threads may also be guided by a thread guide at "To vanish", so as to appear only on one side of the texture obtained, for example for reasons of comfort or aesthetics.

With a straight knitting machine, as commonly used for make such knitted glove items, it is possible to use one or several threads, called bottom threads, knitted together by needle beds screwed to screw. These needles are supported and guided in parallel grooves formed on the surface of a support, the assembly constituting a "needle bed".

In many applications, it is possible for some children to to be hooked only by a part of the needles of each needle bed, while other ground wires will be hung by other needles or by all. In using a wool yarn or the like and a yarn with a certain elasticity, it is then possible to produce a fabric which some regions have ribs allowing elastic deformation of the fabric by extension perpendicular to the ribs. Such a technique is used in particular to allow certain parts of a garment to be tightened on the to wear, in order to keep the garment in place. A board with such ribs is commonly performed at the end of a sock or glove. Such ribs are made using a background wire elastic, hooked by only certain needles, for example because one in three.

Gold such son are usually quite thick and sheathed or "gimped" in a non-elastic fiber braid, and an unsightly appearance. Moreover Rib knitting gives elasticity in one direction, matching a large thickness of the textile and low flexibility.

One of the aims of the invention is to propose knitted articles having a more uniform elasticity in their structure, or better flexibility and an unchanged appearance, to be able to make more articles comfortable and benefit from a greater choice of aesthetics.

To satisfy the customer of a given article, it is most often necessary to manufacture and market different sizes of the same item. This variety of sizes makes it necessary to change a number of settings when the making. This variety also requires to reference and store more more articles than if the number of sizes needed was smaller, which is a cost at all stages from design and manufacture to the sale to the end customer.

One of the aims of the invention is to propose knitted articles having a greater elasticity in the structure of their fabric, thereby reducing the number of sizes to be produced and / or stored for the same article template.

These goals are achieved by a knitted article intended to clothe the hand or foot, characterized in that it comprises at least two tubular knitted parts directly in their tubular form from a plurality of wires comprising at least a first wire, called a ground wire, and a second wire, called a wire of elasticity, inserted according to a non-zero tension and substantially constant, the elastic thread being made from natural or artificial rubber or elastane or a material having similar elasticity and deformability.

According to one feature, the elasticity thread is included only in certain regions of the knitted article.

According to one feature, the elastic yarn is a non-elastane yarn sheathed, vanished during knitting.

According to a feature, the article is knitted according to a gauge included between 3 and 16 needles per inch.

According to one feature, the article is knitted in a jersey weave or derived from this armor.

According to one feature, the article makes a piece of clothing intended to cover the hand or the foot, and having at least two parts of forms tubular joining in at least a portion to form a tubular portion communicating with these two tubular parts.

According to one feature, the article has the shape of a glove, or a mitten, or a sock or stocking, the article having at least two fingers separated.

In addition, it is known to insert into the structure of a textile fibers elastics to give them some elasticity, but these techniques are only not adaptable as is to the knitting machines used to produce such tubular shaped articles.

Another object of the invention is to propose a knitting device glove-making or tubular-style making articles with improved elasticity of the structure itself of their knitting.

This goal is achieved by a knitting device of shaped articles tubular, comprising means for supplying at least one wire, bottom, from a wire source to a movable wire guide, which presents this wire near the ends of a succession of needles aligned so parallel and coplanar in two needle beds arranged opposite each other and each carried by a needle bed to allow the knitting of one side of tubular shapes, each of these needles being able to move along its longitudinal axis for gripping this thread in fastening means and bringing it back back during a wire call, passing it through a loop of wire previously formed around this needle, thus forming a new loop overtaking the previous one and then releasing it from the means snap and slide this same needle through this new loop, characterized in that it comprises supply means, said supplier, of at least one yarn of elasticity, spandex or natural rubber or artificial or a material with similar mechanical characteristics, since a source of yarn of elasticity up to the yarn guide for this yarn of elasticity to be grasped by all or some of the needles together with at least one ground wire, the wire guide being made mobile on a carriage ensuring the passage in front of each of the two needle beds to ensure continuity between the two faces knitted tubular shapes, the supplier letting out the thread elasticity towards the wire guide by applying a non-zero tension and substantially constant during and between successive calls for wire undergone by this elastic thread.

According to a particularity, the supplier comprises means of restraint of the elastic thread, these retaining means being controlled by means of control responsive to the movement of the needles, or the wire guide, or means for measuring the tension in the elastic thread or in at least one thread background.

According to a particularity, the retaining means comprise a retainer mechanism in contact with the elasticity wire and moving simultaneously with it and without slippage, moving this mechanism retaining device being controlled by a set value to be obtained for the voltage of this elastic yarn downstream of the supplier.

According to one feature, the movement of the holding mechanism is regulated by regulating means responsive to maintain a voltage substantially constant in the elastic wire at the output of the supplier.

According to one feature, the device comprises detection means breakage or drop in tension of the elastic thread between the supplier's exit and the wire guide, these detection means being used by means of command to control the stopping of the knitting when the elastic yarn is broken or that its voltage drops below a certain value.

According to one feature, the device comprises input means at least one computer or electronic data representing a value set point for regulating means acting within the supplier to regulate the tension of the elastic thread.

Another object of the invention is to propose a method allowing the producing, by a straight knitting machine, articles having elasticity improved the structure of the knitting.

This goal is achieved by a process of knitting shaped articles tubular by at least one bed of needles parallel to each other knitting at least a ground wire, characterized in that it comprises the provision of at least one wire of elasticity, made of elastane or natural or artificial rubber or a material similar mechanical characteristics, by means of supply, so-called supplier, from a source of yarn and up to a thread guide moving near the ends of parallel and coplanar needles, the needles belonging to two needles beds arranged opposite each other and served by the mobile wire guide on a trolley to ensure continuity knitting of two opposite faces of the tubular shapes, at least one part of these needles grasping the elastic thread and at least one ground wire in the same cycle of movement to constitute a new loop in bringing these threads through another loop previously formed of the same way, this elastic thread being dispensed at the exit of the supplier in maintaining a non-zero voltage and substantially constant.

According to one feature, the tension in the elastic thread is maintained at a value ranging from 2 grams to 6 grams.

According to one feature, the elastic thread is presented in front of the needles a guide wire, the position of the elastic wire relative to the wire of bottom in front of the needles to obtain a fabric where one of these two son appears mainly on one side, the other thread appearing predominantly on the other side.

According to one feature, the elastic thread is presented in front of the needles by a trimming wire guide, this trimming wire guide being positioned so to leave a maximum distance of 4.3 mm, according to the axis of the needles, between the wire guide and the teeth formed by the upper edge of the needle bed support carrying the needles.

• la figure 1 représente une vue partielle en éclaté d'un dispositif selon l'invention comprenant un fournisseur à tension constante alimenté en fil élasthanne ;
• la figure 2 représente un détail du mode de tricotage en armure jersey dans le cas d'un seul fil de fond et sans vanisage ;
• les figures 3a à 3e représentent des exemples de types d'articles à formes tubulaires réalisables selon l'invention ;
• la figure 4 représente une vue, en extrémité, des deux fontures et du guide-fil à vaniser ;
• la figure 5 représente une vue en perspective d'un guide-fil à vaniser.

The description of the types of articles concerned by the invention, as well as the prior art and features and advantages of the invention, refers to the appended drawings, in which:

• FIG. 1 represents an exploded partial view of a device according to the invention comprising a constant-voltage supplier powered by elastane yarn;
• Figure 2 shows a detail of the knitting mode in jersey weave in the case of a single thread and without lapping;
• FIGS. 3a to 3e show examples of types of articles with tubular shapes that can be produced according to the invention;
• FIG. 4 represents a view, at the end, of the two needle beds and the guide wire to be vanished;
• Figure 5 shows a perspective view of a guide wire to be vanished.

The principle of knitting will first be described, in order to facilitate the understanding of the whole.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, a specialized machine operating according to the invention realizes an article (9) of tubular shape using two beds needles, or needle beds (1, 2), the needles being parallel and coplanar between they are in the same bed. These two needle beds, or needle beds, are rectilinear type and arranged opposite each other, often at an angle of 90 ° between the planes of the two needle beds, the ends of the needles being directed towards the center and upwards. These needles knit in one continuous operation both sides of a flattened tubular shape (9), while ensuring continuity between the two ends of these two needle beds. For this, knitting is made by running in front of the needles (11, 12, 13) a wire (36) driven by a wire-guide trolley (3), which each needle (11) hangs in turn in a hook (111) at its end, advancing (d11) along its axis longitudinal. The hook (111) can be closed by closure means like a palette (112). Once she has hooked the thread, the needle (12) back (d12) away from the carriage path, and thus returns the wire (36) to through an old loop (m121), or mesh, formed around this same needle and belonging to a previous row made in a previous passage of the wire. The wire drawn through this old loop (m121) then forms a new loop (m122), through which the needle slips when it returns to its position (13) of rest after having released the means wire hooking.

The continuity between the two faces of the tubular form is ensured by example by the continuous and successive passage of the thread in front of the two beds of needles, guided in this by a wire guide (3) movable on a carriage. The seizure of thread by a last needle of a needle bed is then followed by the seizure of the thread by a needle facing him in the other needle bed, which becomes the first needle of this other needle bed during this new passage.

When knitting such tubular articles, the invention proposes to integrate one or more elastic threads (37) directly into the main mesh, assembled with the background wire or vanished during knitting. In bringing to the thread guide, along with the thread or threads, such a thread elastic tension maintained under a certain tension, the invention makes it possible to article (91 to 95; FIGS. 3a to 3e) tubular having high elasticity according to an extremely uniform structure, while knitting directly all or part of the article in its final form.

Such an elastic thread, called elastic thread (37), is formed of at least one fiber elastane, or natural rubber, or a material with the characteristics similar elasticity and deformation. Depending on the applications and size or desired deformation possibilities for the finished article, this elastic yarn can be chosen from different thicknesses, or titrations. In the embodiment described here and for the tests carried out by the inventor, this titration can be understood in a range from 28,000m / kg to 50,000m / kg or in a range from from 22 decitex to 150 decitex.

An article according to the invention is thus a knitted article comprising one or several tubular portions knitted directly in their tubular form, and having an elasticity thread included at a non-zero tension and substantially constant in all or part of the fabric. Such an article can in particular include such a thread of elasticity only certain regions. These regions can be chosen made to get reinforcements in some parts, for example in the form of stripes or localized areas. These regions can be made for reasons of strength, comfort, sealing, or according to characteristics specific to the wires used. It is possible, for example, to make gloves with stripes including threads conductors, so as to avoid any discharge of static electricity when handling electronic components. The inclusion of a wire elasticity in these scratches can then compensate for stiffness largest of these regions, and thus maintain some comfort or certain holding of the fabric on the hand.

These areas can also be realized for reasons aesthetics, to obtain a different aspect of the fabric in these regions, or to obtain a deformation of the fabric producing a certain effect of form or texture, for example puckering or pleating.

An article according to the invention may comprise one or more threads of elasticity, adjoining one or more background threads. These ground strands can be made of any material normally used for the knitting of such tubular shaped articles. In particular, these ground strands may include materials based on aramid, meta-aramid, para-aramid, PBO, PBI, polyester, polyamide, cotton, wool, glass thread, yarn metal, polypropylene, chlorofibers, polyethylene, polyolefins, acrylic, or viscose.

Bottom threads may comprise fibers of one or more materials intimately mixed, that is to say at the time of manufacture or preparing the yarn, before reeling and supplying the loom to knitting.

Bottom yarns, such as yarns of elasticity, can also be assembled or twisted during knitting, that is to say, supplied from different bobbins but assembled before knitting, before the thread guide or in the guide-wire. This assembly can join several ground wires together, or several threads of elasticity between them, or a mixture of threads and threads elasticity.

Yarns of elasticity as well as conventional yarns stocked by a conventional system can also be knitted by vanisage.

A machine according to the invention for knitting directly from such articles (9) of tubular form, is shown in FIG. machine, the one or more bottom wires (36) are unwound from reels (6) or coils gathered. These bottom wires (36) then pass through a docking station, where a clamp (5) for tension adjustment holds them sufficiently for their sufficient voltage, for example to prevent them from tangling.

The ground wires then pass through a selected guiding device by elastic means, for example a spring steel wire having a ring at its end, and called the fisher system (4). Bottom threads are then brought to the wire guide (3), which presents them together successively in front of each needle of the needle (1, 2). This fisherman system presents a large range of motion that helps dampen variations in tensions in the ground wires, during wire calls due to the displacement (d3) of the wire or traction guide (d12) of each needle (12) on the wire during its movement cycle.

Such a docking station is able to maintain tension sufficient to prevent the threads from getting entangled or to ensure uniform size between the different stitches of a fabric. However, when we try to replace a ground wire with a wire of elasticity, one can see clearly that this device does not provide a sufficiently constant voltage during operation to ensure a homogeneous distribution of the wire elastic in the fabric.

In the same way, the regularity varies in a way that is unpredictable when one changes the average voltage in the wire. In addition, such a restraint system friction in a clamp is unstable depending on the conditions atmospheric and the composition or surface condition of the fiber elastic. This docking system therefore does not make it possible to determine precise way a quantified value for the tension, as well as to keep a same setting over a long period of time.

To obtain a regularity and a sufficient precision in the tension of the yarn (37) of elasticity, the invention provides an arrival circuit different from that which exists on such knitting machines. In the experimented embodiment by the inventor, the yarn (37) of elasticity is dispensed to the yarn guide (3) according to a determined and constant voltage by a wire supply device, said supplier (7).

This supplier comprises means for retaining the elastic thread, which are controlled by electronic processing means. These means of restraint are controlled so as to maintain a constant voltage and not zero in the yarn (37) of elasticity at the exit of the supplier (7). This order can be done for example by a motor with constant effort or by a motor not in step with the tension of the output wire or the amplitude of the movements of the different pieces making the knitting. This voltage can be programmed from digital way by entering a set value, through means of typed as a keyboard (not shown).

In one embodiment, these retaining means comprise at least one minus one piece (72) of revolution on which the elastic thread is in contact without sliding, and whose movement is retained or controlled so as to vary the tension of the thread. This contact without slip can for example be obtained by winding the elastic yarn in one or more turns (721) around this piece (72) of revolution. The supplier has means (73) for detecting the output voltage of the wire, to which are enslaved the retaining means via the processing means.

In a variant, the movements of these retaining means are enslaved to the movements of the knitting machine, for example depending on the movement of the thread guide.

In a variant, the piece (72) of revolution is retained in its accompanying motion of the wire by an actuator or motor applying a constant angular force and regulated according to the value of entered instruction for the tension to be obtained.

In the case of a rupture of the elastic thread downstream of the supplier, or excessive variation in its voltage, the supplier has detection means connected (75) to control means adapted to trigger a stop of the knitting machine.

Depending on the application, it is possible to use a wire guide type guide wire to be vanished, receiving the yarn of elasticity so as to obtain a knitting including this thread of elasticity by vanisage. Vanisage is a known method of knitting, which consists in keeping a thread, said plaiting wire, in a position specific and distinct in relation to the ground wires, within the wire guide, for get this thread visible only on one side of the fabric.

Such a thread guide (3) to be vanished is represented in FIG. 5, and comprises two different passages for knitting yarns. A passage (306) of ground wire has a duct of substantially circular section, while the passage 307) has the shape of an elongate shape in the direction of moving the wire guide and protruding on either side of the lead passage background. Thus, during the movement of the wire guide, the wire to be vanished (37) will be driven by its inertia at the end (307g, 307d) of the slot located behind the wire (36) background, regardless of the direction of travel.

This specific position at the exit of the thread guide, for example behind the background wires in relation to the direction of travel of the carriage causing the wire guide, makes it possible for the needles to catch this vanishing wire always in the same position with respect to the background wire, for example by a specific and distinct part of the needle. The vanishing wire may for example being folded down by the movable pallet (112) which closes the hook (111) of the needle, instead of going by itself inside the hook. Hanging the wire of vanishing by a part of the needle distinct from that hanging the wire of bottom, or at a different time, pulls the bottom thread and the plumbing wire always in the same position relative to each other. This particularity allows in particular to achieve an armor where the vanishing wire is visible only on one side of the fabric.

In the method according to the invention, it may be advantageous to insert the thread elasticity by vanisage, for example turned inward of the form tubular. This makes it possible, for example, to keep the bottom wires turned towards outside, and thus to obtain on the outside of the article the desired aesthetic rendering when choosing these background wires. The fact that elastic fibers are all on the same side of the fabric also allows for good sliding of mesh between them during the extension, which ensures a good flexibility and regularity to the fabric during its deformations.

To obtain good performances in matters of regularity and reliability of the process, the invention also proposes to modify certain settings of knitting looms specifically used for such items in the case of an insertion of elastic thread by vanisage. The the distance between the needles (12, 13) and the vanishing wire guide constitutes a parameter set at the factory, which can affect the quality and regularity of the mesh. In order to get the needles to hang the thread of elasticity with sufficient reliability, especially at the time of each firm departure, the invention proposes to substantially reduce this distance.

Indeed during a knitting with vanisage, the wire of vanisage is the most often received by the needle later than the background thread, making it more delicate its hooking by the hook (111). In the usual way, this hanging is facilitated or ensured by closing the pallet (112) which closes the hook, this pallet being folded back by the wire constituting the mesh (m121) preceding when the needle (12) retracts (d12) to create a new loop (m122). However, for to produce an article comprising a vanished elastic thread throughout its structure, or in end parts, it may be necessary to start knitting by inserting this elastic thread from the beginning. Such a beginning is called firm departure and uses a specific knitting mode designed to avoid demisting the edge thus created, whether at a closed end of a tubular shape or on an edge to remain free.

During such a firm departure, the needle does not wear mesh "Previous" that can close the valve (112) of the needle on the wire elasticity (37). As a result, the yarn of elasticity must be grasped only the hook of the needle, which requires a different setting, including particular a fine and maximum approach of the wire guide with respect to the advanced needles in work.

As an example, this restoring of the thread guide with respect to needles has been tested and will be quantified here for a knitting machine type Matsuya SGT (registered trademark), in gauge of 10 needles per inch and make articles up to sizes L and LL. On this machine, the distance modified will be defined by the free space, in the axis of the needles, between the outer surface of the plumbing wire guide and the upper edge (100) of the edge closer to the support (10) receiving the needles (11) of each needle bed (1), as illustrated in Figure 4. On a machine of this type installed with the option vanishing, the value of this distance is causing about 4.9 millimeters. In the experiments carried out, good results were obtained in reducing this distance to less than 4.5 mm, and in particular 4.3 mm.

For the elastane titrations mentioned above, a supplier of Memminger type EFS (registered trademark) has given good results with a tension of 2 to 3 grams. For other types of articles or to obtain articles of a different "hold", the voltages used may also be go up to a value of 4 to 6 grams.

It must be obvious to those versed in the art that the present invention allows embodiments under many other specific forms without distancing it from the scope of the invention as claimed. Therefore, the present modes of realization should be considered as an illustration, but can be modified in the field defined by the scope of the attached claims, and the invention should not be limited to the details given above.

Claims (17)

Knitted article (91, 92, 93, 94, 95) for clothing the hand or the foot, characterized in that it comprises at least two tubular parts (910 to 915) knitted directly in their tubular form from a plurality of wires comprising at least a first wire (36), said ground wire, and a second wire (37), said elastic wire, inserted at a non-zero voltage and substantially constant, the elastic wire being produced from natural or artificial rubber or elastane or a material with similar elasticity and deformability. Article according to claim 1, characterized in that the elastic thread is included only in certain regions of the knitted article. Article according to one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the elastic yarn is an unsheathed elastane yarn, vanished during knitting. Article according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it is knitted according to a gauge of between 3 and 16 needles per inch. Article according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it is knitted in a jersey weave or derived from this weave. Article according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it produces a clothing part (91, 92, 95) intended to cover the hand or foot, and having at least two parts (911, 912, 921, 922, 951, 952) of tubular shapes joining at least a portion (910, 920, 950) to form a tubular portion communicating with these two tubular portions. Article according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it is in the form of a glove (91), or a mitten (92), or a sock (95) or stockings, the article having at least two separate fingers. Device for knitting tubular articles, comprising means for supplying at least one wire (36), said ground wire, from a source (6) of wire to a movable wire guide (3), which has this wire near the ends of a succession of needles aligned in parallel and coplanar manner in two beds (1, 2) of needles arranged opposite each other and each carried by a needle bed to allow knitting a face of the tubular shapes, each of these needles (11, 12, 13) being movable (d11) along its longitudinal axis to seize this thread in means (111) of attachment and bring it back ( d12) back during a wire call, passing it through a loop (m121) of wire previously formed around this needle (12), thereby forming a new loop (m 122) exceeding the previous one , then by releasing the attachment means and to slide this same needle through this new loop, ca characterized in that it comprises means of supply, said supplier (7), of at least one yarn (37) of elasticity, made of elastane or natural or artificial rubber or a material of similar mechanical characteristics, since source (8) of elastic thread to the thread guide (3) so that the thread (37) of elasticity is grasped by all or some of the needles together with at least one thread, the guide -fil (3) being made mobile on a carriage ensuring the passage in front of each of the two needle beds to ensure continuity between the two faces of the knitted tubular shapes, the supplier (7) allowing the elastic thread to escape towards the guide by applying to it a non-zero and substantially constant tension during and between the successive thread-calling operations undergone by this elasticity thread. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the supplier (7) comprises means (72) for retaining the elastic yarn, these retaining means being controlled by control means responsive to the movement of the needles, or the guide- thread, or means for measuring the tension in the elastic thread or in at least one thread. Device according to one of claims 8 to 9, characterized in that the retaining means comprise a retaining mechanism in contact with the elastic thread (37) and moving simultaneously with it and without sliding, the displacement of this mechanism of Withholding being slaved to a set value to be obtained for the tension of this elastic yarn downstream of the supplier. Device according to one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the movement of the retaining mechanism is regulated (74) by regulating means responsive to maintain a substantially constant tension in the elastic wire at the output of the supplier. Device according to one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that it comprises means (73) for detecting breakage or drop in tension of the elastic wire between the output of the supplier and the wire guide, these means detection means being used by control means to control (75) the stopping of the knitting when the elasticity thread is broken or its tension decreases below a determined value. Device according to one of claims 8 to 12, characterized in that it comprises means for capturing at least one computer or electronic data representing a set value for the regulation means acting within the supplier (7) for regulate the tension of the elastic thread. Process for knitting tubular articles by at least one bed (1, 2) of needles parallel to one another knitting at least one thread (36), characterized in that it comprises the provision of at least one yarn (37) of elasticity, of elastane or natural or artificial rubber or of a material of similar mechanical characteristics, by means of supply, said supplier (7), from a source (8) of yarn elasticity and up to a wire guide (3) moving near the ends of needles (11, 12, 13) parallel and coplanar, the needles belonging to two needle beds arranged one in front of the other and served by the wire guide (3) movable on a carriage so as to ensure the continuity of the knitting of two opposite faces of the tubular shapes, at least a portion of these needles grasping the elastic thread and at least one thread of background in the same cycle of movement to constitute a new loop (m122) in bringing these son through another loop (m121) previously formed in the same way, the elastic wire being dispensed at the output of the supplier maintaining a non-zero voltage and substantially constant. Method according to claim 14, characterized in that the tension in the yarn (37) of elasticity is maintained at a value ranging from 2 grams to 6 grams. Method according to one of Claims 14 to 15, characterized in that the yarn (37) of elasticity is presented in front of the needles by a vanishing thread guide, the position of the elastic yarn with respect to the thread (36) bottom in front of the needles (1, 2) to obtain a fabric where one of these two son appears mostly on one side, the other wire appearing mainly on the other side. Method according to one of claims 14 to 16, characterized in that the yarn (37) of elasticity is presented in front of the needles by a guide-wire of vanisage, this guide-thread (3) of vanisage being positioned so as to leave a maximum distance (dv) of 4.3 mm, along the axis of the needles, between the wire guide (3) and the teeth (101) formed by the upper edge of the support (10) of needle-bedding carrying the needles.

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