CN113544321A

CN113544321A - Knitted component with holes

Info

Publication number: CN113544321A
Application number: CN202080019106.XA
Authority: CN
Inventors: H.R.艾米斯; D.马鲁尔
Original assignee: Nike Innovate CV USA
Current assignee: Nike Innovate CV USA
Priority date: 2019-03-04
Filing date: 2020-02-28
Publication date: 2021-10-22
Anticipated expiration: 2040-02-28
Also published as: EP3935210A2; WO2020180701A4; WO2020180701A2; IL285904A; EP3935210B1; WO2020180701A3; CN113544321B; US20200283936A1

Abstract

The knitted component has one or more first courses of knitting and one or more second courses of knitting. One or more apertures are located between the one or more first courses of knitting and the one or more second courses of knitting. The one or more apertures may be formed by an activatable yarn type that is exposed to a stimulus.

Description

Knitted component with holes

Technical Field

Aspects herein relate to knitted components having apertures formed from activatable yarns.

Background

The apertures formed in the knitted component are typically formed by post-processing changes (e.g., cutting) or by modifying the knitting process to create the apertures.

Drawings

Examples of aspects herein are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

fig. 1 illustrates an example knitted component in a first state in accordance with aspects herein;

FIG. 2 illustrates the knitted component of FIG. 1 in a second state, in accordance with aspects herein;

fig. 3 illustrates an example knit schematic of a first region of a knitted component in accordance with aspects herein;

FIG. 4 illustrates a first state of an example knit structure in a first region of the knitted component of FIG. 1, in accordance with aspects herein;

fig. 5 illustrates a second state of the knit structure of fig. 4 in accordance with aspects herein;

FIG. 6 illustrates a first state of an alternative example of a knit structure in a first region of the knitted component of FIG. 1 in accordance with aspects hereof;

fig. 7 illustrates a second state of the alternative knit structure of fig. 6 in accordance with aspects herein;

fig. 8 illustrates an example representation of one or more apertures in a first region of the knit structure of fig. 5 in accordance with aspects herein;

fig. 9 illustrates an example representation of one or more apertures having varying heights in a first region of a knit structure in accordance with aspects herein;

fig. 10 illustrates an example representation of one or more apertures of varying widths in a first region of a knit structure in accordance with aspects herein;

fig. 11 illustrates an example representation of a knit sock having one or more apertures formed from an activatable yarn in accordance with aspects herein;

fig. 12 illustrates an example representation of a knitted shirt having one or more apertures formed from an activatable yarn, in accordance with aspects herein;

fig. 13 illustrates an example representation of a knitted upper having one or more apertures formed from an activatable yarn in accordance with aspects herein; and

fig. 14 is a flow diagram of an example method of knitting a knitted component in accordance with aspects herein.

Detailed Description

The subject matter of the present invention is described with specificity herein to meet statutory requirements. However, the description itself is not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. Rather, the inventors have contemplated that the claimed or disclosed subject matter might also be embodied in other ways, to include different steps or combinations of steps similar to the ones described in this document, in conjunction with other present or future technologies. Moreover, although the terms "step" and/or "block" may be used herein to connote different elements of methods employed, the terms should not be interpreted as implying any particular order among or between various steps herein disclosed unless and except when the order of individual steps is explicitly recited.

At a high level, aspects herein relate to knitted components having one or more apertures formed from an activatable yarn. Typically, the activatable yarn reacts to a stimulus (such as heat energy or an aqueous solution) such that the activatable yarn dissipates, dissolves, melts, etc., thereby forming pores in the knitted component. The aperture may be located between a first row of knitting and a second row of knitting, the first row of knitting and the second row of knitting each including a stabilizing yarn type. The yarn type is stable because it does not typically react to the stimulus by dissipating, dissolving, melting, etc. Generally, the stabilizing yarn types can maintain their structural integrity when exposed to a stimulus. That is, if the stabilizing yarn type includes one or more filaments assembled together, the assembly is maintained even after exposure to a stimulus. Thus, the first and second courses of knitting will retain and form the knit structure around the hole. The apertures are formed by utilizing activatable yarn types and stabilized yarn types, which allows the apertures to be quickly and efficiently made in the knitted component. For example, it may remove any post-processing modifications (cutting, sewing, etc.) of the knitted component used to form the apertures. As another example, using an activatable yarn type to form apertures eliminates increased manufacturing time associated with modifying knitting rotations on, for example, a circular knitting machine used to knit a knitted component.

Next, apertures may be formed in the knitted component based on knitting one or more intermediate courses of knitting with the activatable yarn type, wherein the one or more intermediate courses of knitting are located between the first and second courses of yarn and may be interwoven with the first and/or second courses of yarn. For example, the activatable yarn type may be a fusible yarn type or a dissolvable yarn type. The activatable yarn may extend through the intermediate courses in the course direction. In addition, the one or more intermediate courses of knitting may comprise a continuous course of knitting along the wale direction. At any time during the knitting of one or more intermediate courses of knitting, the stabilizing yarn types of the first course of knitting (located on a first side of the hole-e.g., below the hole) and the second course of knitting (located on the opposite side of the hole-e.g., above the hole) may be interlaced using, for example, tuck stitches or grip stitches.

At some point, after the knitted component is knitted with the activatable yarn type and the stabilizing yarn type, the knitted component may be exposed to a stimulus. For example, the knitted component can be removed from the knitting machine and exposed to steam or water. The activatable yarn will then dissipate, leaving behind pores. As described in more detail below, although the activatable yarn type is described as "dissipating," it is contemplated that, in some aspects, portions of the activatable yarn type may still be present in the knitted component. For example, the activatable yarn type may have washed away or may have fused to the surrounding stabilized yarn type. In addition, portions of the activatable yarn type may not dissipate completely because the knitted component may not be exposed to a sufficient stimulus or not exposed to a stimulus for a sufficient period of time that would leave portions of the activatable yarn type still present in the knitted component.

One or more apertures may be formed in the knitted component after the knitted component is exposed to the stimulus. In particular, one or more apertures may be formed in areas that once occupied or contained one or more intermediate courses of knitting knitted with an activatable yarn type. In this way, one or more apertures may extend in the course direction through the previously knitted intermediate courses. In addition, one or more apertures may extend in the wale direction, such as in the case of intermediate courses of knitting that are continuously knit.

As described above, the stabilizing yarn types of the first row of knitting (located on a first side of the aperture, e.g., below the aperture) and the second row of knitting (located on an opposite side of the aperture, e.g., above the aperture) may be interwoven using, e.g., tuck stitches or grip stitches to at least partially form, e.g., the peripheral edge of the aperture. Thus, the width of the hole in the course direction may be defined in part by the interlacing of the stabilizing yarn types of the first and second courses of knitting.

The peripheral edge defining the aperture may extend through the first, second, third and fourth regions. The first and third regions of the peripheral edge may be defined by an interweaving (e.g., tucking or holding stitch) of the stabilizing yarn type of the first row of knitting with the stabilizing yarn type of the second row of knitting, as described above. The second area may be defined in part by one or more courses of knitting being interwoven on a first side of the aperture (e.g., below the aperture), while the fourth area may be defined in part by one or more courses of knitting being interwoven on a second side of the aperture (e.g., above the aperture).

The present disclosure relies on several terms and therefore definitions are provided herein for clarity. Throughout this disclosure, activatable yarn types may be described as "dissipating", or "dissipated". These terms generally refer to a change in the physical state of the activatable yarn type such that the yarn strand disintegrates. To variously describe this, the fibers, filaments, and/or multiple filaments of the activatable yarn type may have decomposed or lost their structural integrity as a result of melting or dissolving. In some aspects, all of the fibers, filaments, or multiple filaments of the activatable yarn type break down based on exposure to the stimulus.

Examples of activatable yarn types include meltable yarn types or dissolvable yarn types. The term dissipating may have different interpretations based on whether the activatable yarn type is a fusible yarn type or a dissolvable yarn type. For example, the term "dissipating" with respect to the fusible yarn may refer to the fusible yarn melting and/or fusing to the surrounding knit structure. With respect to dissolvable yarns, the term "dissipate" may refer to the activatable yarn type dissolving and being washed away. In some aspects, the activatable yarn type has a lower melting point than the stabilizing yarn type. In some aspects, the activatable yarn type may have a melting point of about 40 degrees celsius to about 160 degrees celsius. In some aspects, the activatable yarn has a melting point of about 60 degrees celsius to about 110 degrees celsius. Example activatable yarn types include polyester yarns, such as 33 dtex polyester yarns and/or 55 dtex polyester yarns, each having a melting point of about 60 degrees celsius. Other example activatable yarn types include polyamide yarns, such as 23 dtex polyamide yarns with a melting point of about 110 degrees celsius. Unless otherwise indicated, the term "about" when used, for example, to describe a quantity or a numerical range, is intended to be within ± 10% of the specified value.

Next, the term "dissipating" does not necessarily mean that the activatable yarn type is not present in the knitted component. Indeed, portions of the activatable yarn type may remain in the knitted component. This may occur, for example, where the activatable yarn is a fusible yarn and portions of the fusible yarn are fused to the surrounding knit structure. Thus, activatable yarn types, even if already dissipated, may still be present in the knitted component. Additionally, if the activatable yarn type is exposed to too little or too short of a stimulus, portions of the activatable yarn type may still be present.

It should be understood that although some of the figures describe the activatable yarn type as being absent, this is not intended to convey that the activatable yarn is not present at all in the knitted component. For example, in some aspects, the activatable yarn may be a fusible yarn such that it fuses to the surrounding knit structure, which is not shown herein. Thus, in some example aspects, activatable yarn types are technically present because fusible yarns may have bonded or fused to surrounding stable yarn types.

The term "stimulus" as used herein generally refers to an environmental condition that triggers dissipation of an activatable yarn type. To describe this differently, the physical structure of the fiber, filament, or plurality of filaments in an activatable yarn may break down or lose its structural integrity upon exposure to a stimulus. The stimulus may be any condition, such as an aqueous solution or thermal energy. Example stimuli include water, steam, heat, and the like.

The term "stabilized yarn" type, as used herein, refers to a yarn type that is dimensionally stable when exposed to a stimulus. For example, a yarn type is dimensionally stable if it does not dissipate when exposed to a stimulus. In other words, stable yarn types are dimensionally stable in that they generally retain the same filament or fiber count after exposure to a stimulus. To describe this differently, the stabilized yarn types retain their structure upon exposure to a stimulus. It is contemplated that the overall structural integrity of the stabilizing yarn type is maintained, although the stabilizing yarn type may undergo slight changes, such as shrinkage or expansion. Thus, the stabilized yarn types respond differently to stimuli than the activatable yarn types. Exemplary stabilizing yarn types include polyester yarns, nylon yarns, cotton yarns, or cotton blended yarns, which have a higher melting point than the activatable yarn type. In some aspects, the stabilized yarn type may have a melting point of about 180 degrees celsius to about 300 degrees celsius. In some aspects, the stabilized yarn type may have a melting point of about 220 degrees celsius to about 300 degrees celsius. In some aspects, the stabilized yarn type may have a melting point of about 250 degrees celsius to about 300 degrees celsius.

The term "first state" as used herein refers to a state of the knitted component prior to exposure to a stimulus. The term "second state" as used herein refers to a state of the knitted component after exposure to a stimulus.

The term "course" as used herein refers to a predominantly horizontal row of knitted loops (in a standing fabric as a knitted fabric) produced by adjacent needles during the same knitting cycle. The courses of knitting may include one or more stitch types, such as stitches, hold stitches, floats, tucks, transfers, and the like, as those terms are known in the knitting art. The term "wale" as used herein is a predominantly vertical column of knitted loops which are snared or interwoven with one another, typically produced by the same needle in successive (but not necessarily all) courses or knitting cycles. The terms "horizontal" and "vertical" are used herein with respect to a standing fabric that is a knitted fabric, wherein the head of the knitted stitch faces the top of the fabric and the course of the stitch is first towards the bottom of the fabric.

The term "grip stitch" as used herein may include a stitch having legs (or bases) interwoven in a first course of stitches and a head interwoven in a second course of stitches, wherein one or more intermediate courses of stitches are disposed between the first and second courses of stitches. Based on this definition, a held loop may be created by holding the loops of one or more intermediate courses in the needle in a manner that avoids interlacing with the intermediate courses prior to final interlacing with tissue in the second course. The term "tuck tissue" as used herein generally refers to both grip coils and tuck coils. Tuck stitches may be created when the needle holding the stitch receives a new yarn segment that passes. The new yarn section becomes a tuck stitch included with the needle having the held stitch. The term "holding tissue" as used herein generally refers to both holding loops and floating loops. A float loop is usually formed when the needle holding the loop cannot receive a new yarn section passing by. The term "plating" as used herein refers to a knitting construction in which a yarn and one or more plating yarns are knitted with the same knitting structure using, for example, a body yarn feeder (feeder) and one or more plating feeders. When a particular knitted course is described as including one or more yarn types, it is contemplated herein that one or more yarn types are in a plated relationship.

The term "unitary knit" as used herein may refer to a textile or fabric having yarns from one or more courses of knitting interwoven with one or more courses of knitting of another area. For example, if a yarn from a first area is interwoven with a course of knitting in a second area, the course of knitting from the first area of the knitted component may be integrally knitted with the course of knitting from the second area of the knitted component.

Unless otherwise noted, all measurements provided herein are measured at standard ambient temperature and pressure (25 degrees celsius or 298.15K and 1 bar) with the knitted component in a static or non-stretched state.

Fig. 1 and 2 depict a first state and a second state of knitted component 100 depicted in schematic form. Fig. 1 includes an enlarged photograph 136 of a portion of the first region 102 when the knitted component 100 is in the first state. Fig. 2 includes an enlarged photograph 138 of the first region 102 when the knitted component 100 is in the second state. In addition, knitted component 100 also includes second region 104. In some aspects, the second region 104 is located between two or more first regions (e.g., 102).

Knitted component 100 can be any type of knitted structure that is knitted by a circular or flat knitting machine. For example, knitted component 100 may be any garment, article of footwear, headwear, glove, bag, or the like having a knitted construction. In some aspects, knitted component 100 may be a hosiery, a knitted shirt, or a knitted upper, as described with reference to fig. 11-13. In some aspects, knitted component 100 is integrally knitted and forms an entirety of an article. It is also contemplated herein that knitted component 100 may be joined to one or more additional components (knitted, woven, non-woven) to form an article.

Referring first to fig. 1, the first region 102 may include a plurality of courses of knitting. The first area 102 may comprise one or more first courses of knitting 106, one or more intermediate courses of knitting 122, and one or more second courses of knitting 108. One or more intermediate courses of knitting 122 may be located between one or more first courses of knitting 106 and one or more second courses of knitting 108.

Each of the plurality of courses in the first region 102 may include a different yarn type, such as a stabilizing yarn type and an activatable yarn type. In some aspects, one or more first courses of knitting 106 and one or more second courses of knitting 108 are knitted with a stabilizing yarn type (such as stabilizing yarn 118). One or more intermediate courses of knitting may be knitted with an activatable yarn type, such as activatable yarn 120. It is contemplated that one or more first courses of knitting 106 and one or more second courses of knitting 108 may also include activatable yarn types plated with a stabilizing yarn type. Additionally, it is contemplated that one or more first courses of knitting 106 and one or more second courses of knitting 108 may also include two stabilizing yarn types, wherein the first stabilizing yarn type is plated with the second stabilizing yarn type. Thus, in an exemplary aspect, the one or more first courses of knitting 106 and the one or more second courses of knitting 108 may include a first stabilizing yarn type plated with a second stabilizing yarn type and further plated with an activatable yarn type. Any and all aspects and any variations thereof are contemplated to be within the scope herein.

Next, one or more first courses of knitting 106 and one or more second courses of knitting 108 may be interlaced with one or more intermediate courses of knitting 122. As shown, the stabilizing yarn 118 of one or more first courses 106 of knitting may be interwoven with the activatable yarn 120 of one or more intermediate courses 122 of knitting, as indicated by reference numeral 124. The activatable yarn 120 of one or more intermediate courses 122 may be further interwoven with the stabilizing yarn 118 of one or more second courses 108, as indicated by reference numeral 126.

In some aspects, the stabilizing yarns 118 of one or more first courses of knitting 106 may be interwoven with the stabilizing yarns 118 of one or more second courses of knitting 108 at one or more intervals (such as at one or more intervals 116a-e) using, for example, tuck stitches or hold stitches. In some aspects, one or more of the intervals 116a-e may be described as occurring at predetermined intervals. For example, the knitting machine may be programmed to interlace one or more first courses of knitting 106 with one or more second courses of knitting 108 at predetermined intervals.

Upon exposure to a stimulus, the activatable yarn 120 in one or more intermediate courses 122 may dissipate. Accordingly, one or more intermediate courses 122 in the first region 102 may also dissipate. For example, as shown in fig. 1, one or more intermediate courses of knitting 122 are present together with one or more first courses of knitting 106 and one or more second courses of knitting 108. However, as shown in fig. 2, one or more intermediate courses 122 are depicted as not being present to form apertures such as aperture 110 b.

Because one or more of the intermediate courses 122 in the first region 102 dissipate, one or more apertures, such as one or more apertures 110a-e, are formed in the knitted component 100. Specifically, as shown in fig. 2, one or more apertures 110a-e are formed between one or more first courses of knitting 106 and one or more second courses of knitting 108. Additionally, one or more apertures 110a-e may be formed between one or more spaces 116a-e, wherein one or more first courses of knitting 106 are interwoven with one or more second courses of knitting 108 using tuck stitches or hold stitches. As such, one or more apertures 110a-e are formed in first region 102 of knitted component 100.

The first region 102 may include any number of apertures. In some aspects, one or more of the apertures 110a-e may exhibit a mesh or lattice-like structure. Additionally, one or more apertures 110a-e may be physically oriented in any configuration (height, width, shape, spacing between apertures, pattern, etc.). For example, in FIG. 2, the first region 102 depicts one or more apertures 110a-e in a diamond pattern. Additionally, it is contemplated that in a tubular knitted component (e.g., a sock), the first area 102 may extend circumferentially around a tubular portion of the sock.

As described above, knitted component 100 also includes second region 104. In some aspects, each row of knitting in the second region 104 includes a stabilizing yarn type, such as stabilizing yarn 118. And in some aspects it is contemplated that the second region 104 may not include any activatable yarns. Thus, in an exemplary aspect, the second region 104 may not include apertures formed by activatable yarn types. It is contemplated that knitted component 100 may include any number of first regions (e.g., 102) or any number of second regions (e.g., 104).

Fig. 3 illustrates a schematic view 300 of a first region 302 of an example knitted component, such as knitted component 100. Some features of the schematic diagram 300 may be similar to features shown on a knitting programming file (e.g., bitmap) used in knitting a knitted component, such as the knitted component 100. The bitmap can be used to indicate a knitting machine, such as a circular knitting machine or a flat knitting machine, to knit an example knitted component.

Figure 3 schematically depicts a plurality of courses of knitting. For example, each horizontal line depicts a course of knitting. For ease of illustration, a space is shown between each course of stitches, but in practice, the courses will be interlaced. Diagram 300 illustrates one or more first courses of knitting 306 spaced apart from one or more second courses of knitting 308 by one or more intermediate courses of knitting 322. Indeed, in some aspects, portions of one or more first courses of knitting 306 and one or more second courses of knitting 308 may be brought together in physical proximity based on their respective yarn interlacing at intervals 316a-e using tuck stitches or hold stitches (as indicated schematically by

reference numerals

325, 326, 328, 329 and 330 (shown schematically as vertical lines)). For example, as shown in FIG. 1, one or more first courses of knitting 106 are brought together in physical proximity with one or more second courses of knitting 108 at one or more intervals 116 a-e.

Although discussed in more detail below, the schematic view 300 includes a first enlarged view 342 of an example transition before one or more first courses of knitting 306, one or more second courses of knitting 308, and one or more intermediate courses of knitting 322. Similarly, the diagram 300 includes a second enlarged view 343 of an example transition after one or more first courses of knitting 306, one or more second courses of knitting 308, and one or more intermediate courses of knitting 322.

As described below, the example transition illustrates the insertion or introduction of various yarn types. It should be understood that the introduction or introduction of the various yarn types may occur at any point during the knitting of a particular course. The example transition also illustrates the shedding or removal of various yarn types. It should be understood that the shedding or removal of the various yarn types may occur at any point during the knitting of a particular course. It is contemplated that once removed, various yarn types may be cut and secured (e.g., tied). It is also contemplated that the shedding of the various yarn types may include floating the various yarn types until they are reintroduced.

The schematic view 300 and the first and second

enlarged views

342, 343 illustrate one or more first courses 306 of knitting. In some aspects, the one or more first rows of knitting stitches 306 may include a first row of knitting stitches 340. The first row of knitting stitches 340 is depicted as a solid horizontal line to indicate that it may include three yarn types, such as a first yarn type, a second yarn type, and a third yarn type. In some aspects, the first yarn type and the second yarn type may be one or more stabilizing yarn types such that the first yarn type may include a body yarn and the second yarn type may include a plating yarn. In some aspects, the third yarn type may be an activatable yarn type plated with the first yarn type and the second yarn type. As shown in the first enlarged view 342, reference numeral 344 designates an exemplary transition to drop or introduce the third yarn type.

In an example aspect, the one or more first courses of knitting 306 may include a second course of knitting 350. A segment of the second row of knitting 350 is depicted as a half-dashed (long-short) horizontal line to indicate that it may include two yarn types, such as a second yarn type and a third yarn type in plated relation. A segment of the second row of knitting 350, depicted as a half-dashed horizontal line, may not include the first yarn type. It should be understood that in some aspects, a third yarn type may be launched or introduced. As shown in the first enlarged view 342, reference numeral 352 depicts an example transition where a third yarn type may be dropped or introduced into the second row of knitting 350.

In some aspects, the first yarn type can be shed or removed from the second row of knitting 350. Reference numeral 353 illustrates an example transition where the first yarn type drops or is removed. Thus, prior to the introduction of the third yarn type and the doffing of the first yarn type at reference numeral 352, the segment of the second row of knitting 350, represented by reference numeral 353, may include only the first yarn type and the second yarn type, and not the third yarn type.

As mentioned above, the diagram 300 illustrates one or more intermediate courses 322 of knitting. The courses of one or more intermediate courses 322 are depicted with dashed lines (even length) to illustrate that they may include only the third yarn type. In some aspects, the third yarn type may be inserted or introduced prior to knitting one or more intermediate courses 322. As shown in the first enlarged view 342, reference numeral 362 depicts an example transition in which a third yarn type may be dropped or introduced before one or more intermediate courses 322.

Next, reference numeral 364 denotes an example transition to doffing both the first yarn type and the second yarn type. Although fig. 3 depicts an example transition (e.g., 364) as a single point, it is contemplated that the first yarn type and the second yarn type may be shed or removed sequentially or simultaneously. For example, in one aspect, an example transition may include dropping or removing a first yarn type before a second yarn type. In another aspect, the example transition may include dropping or removing the second yarn type before the first yarn type. Based on the shedding or removal of the first yarn type and the second yarn type, one or more intermediate courses 322 may include a third yarn type instead of the first yarn type or the second yarn type. To describe this differently, one or more intermediate courses of knitting 322 may be knitted with a third yarn type, rather than with the first yarn type or the second yarn type.

As described above, the diagram 300 illustrates one or more second courses of knitting 308. In some aspects, the one or more second courses of knitting 308 may include a third course of knitting 370. A segment of the third row of knitting stitches 370 is depicted as a half-dashed (long-short) horizontal line to indicate that it may include two yarn types, such as a second yarn type and a third yarn type. A segment of third row of knitting stitches 370, depicted as a half-dashed horizontal line, may not include the first yarn type. It should be understood that in some aspects, a third yarn type may be launched or introduced. As shown in the first enlarged view 342, reference numeral 374 depicts an example transition where a third yarn type may be dropped or introduced into the third row of knitting stitches 370.

In some aspects, the first yarn type may be shed or removed from the third row of knitted loops 370. Reference numeral 372 illustrates an example transition where the first yarn type drops or is removed. Accordingly, prior to introducing the third yarn type and dropping the first yarn type at reference numeral 374, the segment of the third row of knit stitches 370, represented by reference numeral 372, may include only the first yarn type and the second yarn type, and not the third yarn type.

In some aspects, the one or more second courses of knitting 308 may include a fourth course of knitting 380. The fourth row of knitting 380 is depicted as a solid horizontal line to indicate that it may include three yarn types, such as a first yarn type, a second yarn type, and a third yarn type. In some aspects, a third yarn type can be cast or incorporated into the fourth course of knitting 380. As shown in the first enlarged view 342, reference numeral 382 designates an exemplary transition into or introducing the third yarn type.

With continued reference to fig. 3, the schematic view 300 shows one or more intermediate courses of knitting 322 interrupted at one or more of the intervals 316a-e by tuck stitches or grip stitches 325, 326, 328, 329 and 330. Tuck stitches or grip stitches 325, 326, 328, 329 and 330 comprise the interlacing of one or more first courses of knitting 306 with one or more second courses of knitting 308. It should be understood that tuck stitches or

gripping stitches

325, 326, 328, 329 and 330 may partially define the peripheral edges of the apertures formed after dissipation of one or more intermediate courses 322.

The interweaving of the yarns at the one or more spaces 316a-e may form one or more knitted sections 390a-d in each of the one or more intermediate courses 322. The length of one or more of the knitted sections 390a-d may include any number of wales in the course direction. For example, each of one or more knitted sections 390a-d may include from 1 wale to 50 wales. It should be appreciated that the length of one or more knitted sections 390a-d may correspond to the length of one or more apertures (e.g., one or more apertures 110a-e) formed by the knitted component upon exposure to the stimulus. It should be appreciated that although fig. 3 illustrates four knit segments (e.g., 390a-d) located between one or more spaces 316a-e, any number of knit segments may be formed in one or more intermediate courses 322.

As mentioned above, the second enlarged view 343 illustrates an example transition after one or more first courses of knitting 306, one or more second courses of knitting 308, and one or more intermediate courses of knitting 322. Reference numeral 346 represents an exemplary transition to drop or remove the third yarn type from the first row of knitted stitches 340. With respect to the second row of knitting 350, reference numeral 354 denotes an example transition of putting in or reintroducing the first yarn type, while reference numeral 356 denotes an example transition of dropping out or removing the third yarn type.

With respect to one or more intermediate courses 322, reference numeral 365 represents an example transition of dropping or reintroducing the first yarn type and the second yarn type, while reference numeral 366 represents dropping or removing of the third yarn type. It is contemplated that the dropping or reintroducing of the first yarn type and the second yarn type may be performed sequentially or simultaneously.

With respect to one or more second courses of knitting 308, reference numeral 376 designates an exemplary transition in the third course of knitting 370 to drop or reintroduce the first yarn type. Reference numeral 378 indicates an example transition to drop or remove the third yarn type from the third row of knitted loops 370. With respect to the fourth row of knitting 380, reference numeral 384 indicates an example transition to drop or remove the third yarn type.

As noted above, in some aspects, one or more first courses of knitting 306 and one or more second courses of knitting 308 are described as including a third yarn type. It should be understood that in some aspects, the activatable yarn type may be fused to the surrounding knit structure after it has been activated. This may be advantageous because it may strengthen the peripheral edges of the apertures that will be formed in the knitted component (e.g., knitted component 100) after the knitted component is exposed to the stimulus. It is contemplated that, in some aspects, one or more first courses of knitting 306 and one or more second courses of knitting 308 may not include a third yarn type.

Fig. 4-5 illustrate examples of knit structures 400 in a first region of knitted component 100, such as first region 102 of fig. 1. Figures 4-5 are provided to illustrate a first state and a second state, respectively, of a knitted structure 400. The knitted construction 400 illustrates a plurality of courses 412 of knitting including a continuous arrangement of courses and a continuous arrangement of wales, wherein the knit stitch forms, for example, a single jersey knit.

The plurality of courses of knitting may include one or more first courses of knitting 406, one or more second courses of knitting 408, and one or more intermediate courses of knitting 422 located between the one or more first courses of knitting 406 and the one or more second courses of knitting 408. These courses of knitting may be similar to the one or more first courses of knitting 306, the one or more second courses of knitting 308, and the one or more intermediate courses of knitting 322 of fig. 3. For example, in some aspects, the one or more first courses of knitting 406 may include a first course of knitting 420 and a second course of knitting 421. In some aspects, the one or more second courses of knitting 408 may include a third course of knitting 424, a fourth course of knitting 426, and a fifth course of knitting 427.

It should be understood that the yarn segments of the courses are depicted in a particular manner to more easily distinguish the yarn types in each of the plurality of knitted courses. For example, first row of knitting 420, fourth row of knitting 426, and fifth row of knitting 427 are shown with positive slope hatching to illustrate that they may include a first yarn type, a second yarn type, and a third yarn type (similar to the yarn types depicted in fig. 3). Second row of knitting 421 and third row of knitting 424 are depicted in stippled form to illustrate that they may include a second yarn type and a third yarn type. Additionally, one or more intermediate courses 422 are depicted with cross-hatching to indicate that they may include a third yarn type.

The one or more intermediate courses 422 are depicted with broken lines to communicate that the one or more intermediate courses 422 may include additional intermediate courses of knitting arranged between the one or more first courses of knitting 406 and the one or more second courses of knitting 408. Any number of intermediate courses of knitting may be included in one or more of the intermediate courses of knitting 422. For example, one or more of the intermediate courses 422 may include the number of courses that the needle can withstand before the tension of the tuck stitch is too high. For example, the one or more intermediate courses 422 may include from about one to about thirty courses of knitting, from about one to about 10 courses of knitting, from about one to about 7 courses of knitting, or from about one to about 5 courses of knitting. It should be appreciated that changing the number of courses of knitting within one or more intermediate courses 422 may be advantageous because it changes the height of the hole to be formed in knitted component 100. To describe this differently, varying the number of intermediate courses of continuous knitting determines the distance the hole extends in the wale direction after the introduction of the stimulus.

As shown, in some aspects, first row of knitting 420 is interwoven with second row of knitting 421. For example, the yarns of the first row of knitting 420 may be interwoven with the yarns of the second row of knitting 421. In some aspects, third row of knitting 424 is interwoven with fourth row of knitting 426. For example, a yarn of third row of knitting 424 may be interwoven with a yarn of fourth row of knitting 426. And the fourth row of knitting 426 is interwoven with the fifth row of knitting 427.

In some aspects, one or more first courses of knitting 406 and one or more second courses of knitting 408 may be interwoven with one or more intermediate courses of knitting 422. For example, with respect to fig. 4, the second row of knitting 421 can be interwoven with one or more intermediate rows of knitting 422. In addition, a third row of knitting 424 can be interwoven with one or more intermediate rows of knitting 422.

In some aspects, one or more first courses of knitting 406, one or more second courses of knitting 408, and one or more intermediate courses of knitting 422 may be interwoven at one or more intervals 416a-c using tuck stitches (e.g., 428, 430, and 432). Each

tuck stitch

428, 430, and 432 may include a grip coil 442 and one or more tuck coils 444. The holding loop 442 and one or more tuck loops 444 may be interwoven with the yarns in the one or more second courses of knitting 408.

The one or more tuck stitches 444 may include any yarn type from the one or more first courses of knitting 406, the one or more second courses of knitting 408, and the one or more intermediate courses of knitting 422. For example, as shown in fig. 4, one or more tuck stitches 444 may comprise the yarn types of the second row of knitting 421, of the one or more intermediate rows of knitting 422, of the third row of knitting 424 and of the fourth row of knitting 426. Tuck stitches 428, 430, and 432 may be advantageous because it may enhance the peripheral edges of apertures that will be formed in knitted component 100 after knitted component 100 is exposed to a stimulus.

As described above, each

tuck tissue

428, 430, and 432 may include a gripping coil 442. The grip loops 442 may include

grip loop legs

436, 438 that extend from the grip loop base 440 through the plurality of courses 412. In some aspects, the grip loop base 440 may be located in one or more first rows of knitting loops 406. The

gripping leg portions

436, 438 can then extend through one or more of the intermediate courses 422. The

gripping leg portions

436, 438 can be interwoven with one or more of the second row of knitting 408. In one exemplary aspect, as shown in fig. 4, the grip stitch base 440 may be located in the first row of knitting stitches 420. The

gripping leg

436, 438 may then extend through the first row of knitting 420, the second row of knitting 421, the one or more intermediate rows of knitting 422, the third row of knitting 424 and the fourth row of knitting 426. The head of the gripping loop 442 may then be located in a fifth row 427 of knitting loops.

It is contemplated that in some aspects, the head of the held loop 442 may be located in the fourth row of knitting 426 or the third row of knitting 424. For example, if the head of the holding stitch is located in the fourth row of knitting 426, the holding

stitch legs

436, 438 may extend through the first row of knitting 420, the second row of knitting 421, the one or more intermediate rows of knitting 422 and the third row of knitting 424. As another example, if the head of the grip stitch is located in the third row of knitting 424, the grip stitch

legs

436, 438 may extend through the first row of knitting 420, the second row of knitting 421, the one or more intermediate rows of knitting 422, and the third row of knitting 424.

It should be understood that in some aspects, one or more intermediate courses 422 may dissipate upon exposure to a stimulus, as shown in fig. 5. Therefore, when the knitted structure 400 is in the second state, the tuck stitches 428, 430 and 432 may appear to extend through four courses of knitting (e.g., the first course of knitting 420, the second course of knitting 421, the third course of knitting 424 and the fourth course of knitting 426). Thus, in some aspects, tuck stitches 428, 430, and 432 maintain at least five courses of knitting at least when initially knitting knitted component 100 because it includes one or more intermediate courses 422.

In some aspects, one or more of the intervals 416a-c can include any number of wales. As shown, fig. 4 depicts an example tuck stitch 430 in a single wale of coils 418. Thus, in some aspects, one or more of the compartments 416a-c may each include tuck stitch in a single wale. However, it is contemplated that one or more of the spaces 416a-c may extend across any number of consecutive wales of loops, wherein each consecutive wale of loops includes tuck stitch. For example, the number of wales can be from two consecutive wales to thirty consecutive wales. It should be appreciated that knitting a continuous tuck stitch in multiple wales may determine a spacing between one or more apertures (e.g., 410a-b) to be formed in the example knitted component 100.

In some aspects, one or more tuck stitches 428, 430, and 432 may form one or more knit sections 450 a-b. One or more of the knit segments 450a-b can include one or more intermediate wales (e.g., 411, 413, 414, and 416). More specifically, knitted section 450a includes

intermediate wales

411 and 413 and knitted section 450b includes

intermediate wales

414 and 416. It is contemplated that each of the one or more knit segments 450a-b can extend through any number of wales. For example, the number of intermediate wales may be in the range of one to forty wales. It should be appreciated that the number of intermediate wales will determine the length of the apertures (e.g., one or more of apertures 410a-b) in the course direction.

With respect to fig. 5, knitted structure 400 has been exposed to a stimulus and one or more apertures 410a-b are formed after one or more intermediate courses 422 dissipate. As such, one or more apertures 410a-b may be formed in multiple courses 412. In some aspects, one or more apertures 410a-b may be located between one or more first courses of knitting 406 and one or more second courses of knitting 408. As shown, in one exemplary aspect, one or more apertures 410a-b can be located between second row of knitting 421 and third row of knitting 424.

Additionally, in some aspects, one or more apertures 410a-b may be located between the interweaving of first row of knitting 420 and fourth row of knitting 426 at intervals 416 a-c. In some aspects, one or more apertures 410a-b may be located between one or

more tuck tissues

428, 430, and 432. In some aspects, the peripheral edges of one or more apertures 410a-b may be defined in part by one or

more tuck tissues

428, 430, and 432.

In some aspects, each of the one or more apertures 410a-b can have a width of one or more knit segments 450 a-b. To describe this differently, one or more of the apertures 410a-b may extend through one or more of the intermediate wales (e.g., 411, 413, 414, and 416). For example, aperture 410a may extend through the

middle wales

411, 413, while aperture 410b may extend through the

middle wales

414, 416. The width of each of the one or more apertures 410a-b may be determined by the number of wales in each of the knit sections 450 a-b.

Turning now to fig. 6-7, these figures illustrate alternative examples of knit structures 600 in a first region of knitted component 100, such as first region 102 of fig. 1. In particular, fig. 6 is used to illustrate a first state of the knitted structure 600, while fig. 7 is used to illustrate a second state of the knitted structure 600.

The knit structure 600 is generally the same as the knit structure 400 described in fig. 4-5. For example, knitted structure 600 includes a plurality of courses of knitting 612 similar to plurality of courses of knitting 412. Accordingly, the knitted structure 600 may include one or more first courses of knitting 606, one or more intermediate courses of knitting 622, and one or more second courses of knitting 608. In some aspects, the one or more first courses of knitting 606 may include a first course of knitting 620 and a second course of knitting 621. The one or more second courses of knitting 608 may include a third course of knitting 624, a fourth course of knitting 626, and a fifth course of knitting 627.

In some aspects, knit structure 600 can include one or more grip stitches 628, 630, and 632 at one or more intervals 616 a-c. For example, in some aspects, one or more first courses of knitting 606 may be interwoven with one or more second courses of knitting 608 at intervals 616a-c using

gripping stitches

628, 630, and 632. Each of the

hold tissues

628, 630, and 632 may include a hold coil 642 and one or more float coils 660. The holding coils 642 of the holding tissue 630 may be similar to the holding coils 442 of the tuck tissue 430 described in fig. 4.

As described above, the

gripping tissue

628, 630, 632 may include one or more floating coils 660. In an exemplary aspect, the second row of knitting 621, the one or more intermediate rows of knitting 622, the third row of knitting 624, and the fourth row of knitting 626 may include floating stitches 660 at one or more of the spacings 616 a-c.

In some aspects, one or more of the spaces 616a-c may extend through any number of wales. As shown, fig. 6 depicts a gripping tissue 630 in a single intermediate wale 618. Thus, in some aspects, one or more of the spaces 616a-c can include gripping tissue in a single wale of the loop. However, it is contemplated that one or more of the spaces 616a-c may extend through any number of consecutive wales of loops. For example, the number of wales can be from two consecutive wales to thirty consecutive wales. It should be appreciated that continuously knitting the grip weave in multiple wales may determine the spacing between one or more apertures (e.g., 610 a-b).

In some aspects, the grip stitches 628, 630, and 632 may define boundaries of one or more knit segments 650a-b, the knit segments 650a-b extending through one or more intermediate wales (e.g., 611, 613, 614, and 616). It is contemplated that each of the one or more knit segments 650a-b can extend across any number of consecutive wales. For example, the number of intermediate wales may be in the range of one to forty consecutive wales. It should be appreciated that varying the number of middle wales will determine the length of the apertures (e.g., 610a-b) in the course direction.

It should be understood that while fig. 4-5 depict tuck tissue at one or more spaces 416a-c, and while fig. 6-7 depict grip tissue at one or more spaces 616a-c, any and all variations of grip tissue and tuck tissue at one or more spaces are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure.

Turning now to fig. 7, knitted structure 600 has been exposed to a stimulus and one or more apertures 610a-b are formed after one or more intermediate courses 622 dissipate. As such, one or more apertures 610a-b may be formed in multiple courses 612. In some aspects, one or more apertures 610a-b may be located between one or more first courses of knitting 606 and one or more second courses of knitting 608. As shown, in one exemplary aspect, one or more apertures 610a-b can be located between second row of knitting 621 and third row of knitting 624. Additionally, in some aspects, one or more apertures 610a-b may be located between one or more of the

gripping tissues

628, 630, and 632. In some aspects, the peripheral edges of one or more of the apertures 610a-b can be defined in part by one or more

gripping tissues

628, 630, and 632.

In some aspects, each of the one or more apertures 610a-b can have a width of one or more knit segments 650 a-b. To describe this differently, one or more apertures 610a-b may extend through one or more intermediate wales (e.g., 611, 613, 614, and 616). For example, aperture 610a may extend through the

middle wale

611, 613, while aperture 610b may extend through the

middle wale

614, 616.

Turning now to fig. 8, a portion of a first region 802 of a knitted component is illustrated in accordance with aspects described herein. The first region 802 of fig. 8 refers to the knitted construction 400 of fig. 5 and 6, although the first region may have a configuration similar to that shown in fig. 7. The first area 802 of fig. 8 is depicted in a second state after the knitted component is exposed to the stimulus.

In some aspects, the tension of tuck stitches 428, 430 pulls one or more first courses of knitting 406 toward one or more second courses of knitting 408. This results in the first row of knitting 406 and the second row of knitting 408 being closer together. As shown in fig. 8, tuck stitches 428, 430 may bring first row of knitting 420 and second row of knitting 421 closer to third row of knitting 424 and fourth row of knitting 426, so that rows of

knitting

420, 421, 424 and 426 are adjacent to each other and holes 410a in fig. 8 are rhombus-shaped. It is contemplated that one or more first courses of knitting 406 may not be drawn toward one or more second courses of knitting 408 when the tension of one or more tuck stitches 428, 430 is not high. Thus, the shape of the aperture 410a may appear to have a more rectangular appearance. Any and all aspects and any variations thereof are contemplated within this document.

Aperture 410a includes a peripheral edge 850. The peripheral edge 850 may include one or more regions. In an exemplary aspect, the peripheral edge 850 includes a first region 810, a second region 820, a third region 830, and a fourth region 840. The aperture 410a may be defined by a peripheral edge 850, the peripheral edge 850 extending from the first region 810 to the second region 820, from the second region 820 to the third region 830, from the third region 830 to the fourth region 840, and from the fourth region 840 back to the first region 810.

In some aspects, the interweaving of each of the plurality of courses of knitting 412 may form one or more regions of the peripheral edge 850. For example, first region 810 may be formed by interlacing first row of knitting 420 and fourth row of knitting 426 at interval 416a using tuck stitch 428. Second area 820 may be formed by the interlacing of third row of knitting 424 and fourth row of knitting 426. Third region 830 may be formed by interlacing first row of knitting 420 and fourth row of knitting 426 at interval 416b using tuck stitch 430. Fourth area 840 may be formed by the interlacing of first row of knitting 420 and second row of knitting 421. In an exemplary aspect, second row of knitting 421 may not be interwoven with third row of knitting 424 at second region 820 or fourth region 840.

Turning now to FIG. 9, in accordance with aspects described herein, a portion of a first region 902 is depicted in which apertures 910a-c have different heights in the wale direction. As shown, aperture 910b may have a greater height in the wale direction than aperture 910a or aperture 910 c. To describe this differently, hole 910b may extend through more courses than either hole 910a or hole 910 c.

The number of one or more intermediate courses of knitting may be varied in order to obtain various heights. For example, more intermediate courses (e.g., one or more intermediate courses 422) may increase the height of one or more of the apertures 910 a-c. Although not shown, a first number of intermediate courses of knitting including an activatable yarn type may be knitted in

areas

920a and 920c corresponding to

apertures

910a and 910c, respectively. A second number of intermediate courses including an activatable yarn type are knitted in the area 920b corresponding to the aperture 910 b. The hole 910b has a greater height because the second number of intermediate courses in the area 920b is greater than the first number of intermediate courses in the

areas

920a and 920 c. This is because when the activatable yarn type is exposed to a stimulus, the activatable yarn in one or more of the intermediate courses will dissipate, forming an aperture 910b having a greater height than

apertures

910a and 910 c.

Turning now to FIG. 10, a portion of a first region 1002 having one or more apertures 1010a-c of varying widths is depicted in accordance with aspects described herein. The first region 1002 may be similar to the first region 102 of the knitted component 100. As shown, aperture 1010b may have a greater width in the row direction than either aperture 1010a or aperture 1010 c. To describe this differently, the hole 1010b may extend along more wales than the hole 1010a or the hole 1010 c.

To achieve different widths in each of the one or more apertures 1010a-c, the spacing in the regions 1020a-c may be increased by knitting the spacing 1016a farther away from the spacing 1016 b. This allows to determine the course direction length of the knitted section of any intermediate course of knitting. In other words, increasing the number of wales in the knit section between each of the one or more spacings 1016a-b can increase the course direction length of each of the one or more apertures 1010 a-c.

For example, a first knitted section in one or more intermediate courses extends through a first number of intermediate wales in the

regions

1020a, 1020 c. A second knitted segment in one or more intermediate courses may extend through a second number of intermediate wales in the region 1020 b. To obtain a greater width in hole 1010b than either hole 1010a or hole 1010c, the second number of intermediate wales is generally greater than the first number of intermediate wales. As such, upon introduction of the stimulus, the activatable yarn in the first number of wales of intermediate loops and the second number of wales of intermediate loops will dissipate, thereby forming an aperture 1010b having a greater width than either aperture 1010a or aperture 1010 c.

Additionally, as shown, one or more apertures 1010a-c are spaced apart in the row direction. To further space one or more of the apertures 1010a-c, the number of consecutive wales in each space 1016a-b can be increased. In other words, the number of successive tuck tissues (or hold tissues) in intervals 1016a-b may be increased, as shown by the presence of four vertical lines in each of intervals 1016 a-b. It should be appreciated that varying the length of the spacings 1016a-b can create a unique aesthetic and different pattern in the first region 1002. In addition, it may increase or decrease the amount of ventilation. It should be understood that although not shown, the length of each interval within intervals 1016a-b may vary. In other words, the spacing may extend over more consecutive wales than different spacings.

Additionally, it is contemplated that a first region within a knitted component may have a different configuration than another first region. For example, a knitted component may have a first region with larger apertures and a different first region with smaller apertures. This may be advantageous because certain areas of the knitted component may require greater ventilation than other areas. Additionally, in some aspects, the density of pores (e.g., the number of pores or the spacing between pores) between the first regions may be increased or decreased. Controlling the density of the apertures of each of the first regions (e.g., 102) may increase or decrease ventilation.

Turning now to fig. 11, an example representation of a knit sock 1100 including a first region 1102 is illustrated in accordance with aspects herein. The knitted sock 1100 is similar to the knitted component of figure 1. Knitted sock 1100 may include a sock body 1110 having a plurality of regions, such as a toe region 1120, a midfoot region 1130, a heel region 1140, and a leg region 1150. In some aspects, first region 1102 extends circumferentially around sock body 1110 in leg region 1150. An enlarged view 1170 of the first region 1102 is provided. As shown in the enlarged view 1170, the first region 1102 is similar to, for example, the first region 102 described herein. It should be understood that the location of the first region 1102 is an example location. In some aspects, first region 1102 may be located anywhere on sock body 1110, such as in toe region 1120, midfoot region 1130, or heel region 1140. Additionally, it is contemplated that sock body 1110 includes a plurality of first regions 1102. Sock body 1110 may also include second region 1104, similar to second region 104 of knitted component 100 depicted in FIG. 1. Second region 1104 may be located anywhere on sock body 1110, such as in toe region 1120, midfoot region 1130, or heel region 1140.

Turning now to fig. 12, an example representation of a knitted shirt 1200 including a first region 1202 is illustrated, in accordance with aspects herein. Knitted shirt 1200 is similar to the knitted component of fig. 1. Although shown in the form of a short-sleeved shirt, it is contemplated herein that the garment may take other forms, such as a long-sleeved shirt, a pullover, a hooded shirt, a jacket, and the like. Knitted shirt 1200 may include first region 1202 in shoulder region 1220 and side portion 1250. An enlarged view 1230 of the first region 1202 in the shoulder region 1220 is provided. As shown in enlarged view 1230, first region 1202 is similar to first region 102 of knitted component 100 depicted in FIG. 1. In addition, the remaining area 1240 of knitted shirt 1200 can include second area 1204, similar to second area 104 of knitted component 100 depicted in fig. 1. It is contemplated that first region 1202 and second region 1204 may be located in any region of knitted shirt 1200. For example, the placement of the first region 1202 and the second region 1204 may be based on, for example, the heat or sweat pattern of a human body.

Turning now to fig. 13, an example representation of a knitted upper 1300 of a shoe including a first region 1302 is illustrated in accordance with aspects herein. Knitted upper 1300 may be similar to knitted component 100 of fig. 1. Knit upper 1300 may include midfoot region 1310, heel region 1306, throat region 1308, and toe region 1312. An enlarged view 1330 of midfoot region 1310 is provided. As shown in enlarged view 1330, midfoot region 1310 includes a first region 1302 similar to first region 102 of knitted component 100 of figure 1. Additionally, knitted upper 1300 may include second region 1304. It is contemplated that first region 1302 and second region 1304 may be located anywhere on knit upper 1300, including heel region 1306, throat region 1308, and toe region 1312. It is contemplated that knit upper 1300 includes a plurality of first regions (e.g., 1302).

Turning now to fig. 14, a flow diagram of an example method 1400 of knitting a knitted component (such as knitted component 100 of fig. 1) is provided in accordance with aspects herein. In an exemplary aspect, it is contemplated herein that the knitted component can be knitted on a circular knitting machine. It is also contemplated herein that the knitted component can be knitted on a double needle bed flat knitting machine. At block 1410, a first row of knitting stitches is knitted with the first yarn type, the second yarn type, and the third yarn type. In some aspects, both the first yarn type and the second yarn type are stabilizing yarn types. In some aspects, the third yarn type comprises an activatable yarn type. For example, the stabilizing yarn type may be dimensionally stable when exposed to a stimulus. In one example aspect, the first yarn type is plated with a second yarn type and a third yarn type in the first knitted course. In some aspects, the third yarn type is dropped or introduced prior to knitting to the first row of knitting stitches.

At block 1420, a second row of knitting is knitted with the second yarn type and the third yarn type. In some aspects, the second row of knitting is interwoven with the first row of knitting. In some aspects, the second yarn type is plated with a third yarn type in the second knitted course.

At block 1430, one or more intermediate courses of knitting are knitted with the third yarn type. In some aspects, one or more intermediate courses of knitting are interwoven with the second course of knitting. In some aspects, one or more of the intermediate courses includes the third yarn type but does not include the stabilizing yarn type. In some aspects, the first yarn type and/or the second yarn type are shed (or removed) prior to knitting the one or more intermediate courses of knitting.

At block 1440, a third knitted course is knitted with the second yarn type and the third yarn type. In some aspects, the third row of knitting is interwoven with one or more intermediate rows of knitting.

At block 1450, a fourth row of knitting is knitted with the first yarn type, the second yarn type, and the third yarn type. In some aspects, the fourth row of knitting is interwoven with the third row of knitting. In addition, in some aspects, the first row of knitting stitches is interwoven with the fourth row of knitting stitches at two or more intervals during the knitting sequence. For example, a first row of knitting may be knitted with a fourth row of knitting using one or more tuck stitches (such as tuck stitches 428, 430, and 432 of fig. 4) or one or more grip stitches (such as grip stitches 628, 630, and 632 of fig. 6, for example).

Although not shown, in some aspects, method 1400 may also include activating the third yarn type to form apertures, such as apertures 110a-e, in the knitted component. In one example aspect, activating the third yarn type can include exposing the knitted component to a stimulus. In some aspects, the knitted component can be removed from the knitting machine and exposed to a stimulus.

The following clauses represent exemplary aspects of the concepts contemplated herein. Any of the following clauses may be combined in a number of dependent ways to depend on one or more other clauses. Further, any combination of dependent clauses (clauses expressly dependent on previous clauses) may be combined while remaining within the scope of the aspects contemplated herein. The following clauses are examples and not limitations.

Clause 1. a method of manufacturing a knitted component, the method comprising:

knitting a first row of knitting stitches with a first yarn type, a second yarn type, and a third yarn type, wherein the third yarn type comprises an activatable yarn type;

knitting a second row of knitting with the second yarn type and the third yarn type, wherein the second row of knitting is interwoven with the first row of knitting;

knitting an intermediate course of knitting with the third yarn type, wherein the intermediate course of knitting is interwoven with the second course of knitting;

knitting a third row of knitting with the second yarn type and the third yarn type, wherein the third row of knitting is interwoven with the middle row of knitting; and

knitting a fourth course of knitting with the first yarn type, the second yarn type, and the third yarn type, wherein the fourth course of knitting is interwoven with the third course of knitting, and wherein the first course of knitting is interwoven with the fourth course of knitting at two or more intervals during a knitting sequence.

Clause 2. the method of manufacturing a knitted component of clause 1, further comprising: activating the third yarn type to form apertures in the knitted component.

Clause 3. the method of manufacturing a knitted component according to any of clauses 1-2, wherein the first region that partially defines the peripheral edge of the aperture includes a portion of the second course of knitting, and wherein the second region that partially defines the peripheral edge of the aperture includes a portion of the third course of knitting.

Clause 4. the method of manufacturing a knitted component according to any of clauses 1-3, wherein the first course of knitting is interwoven with the fourth course of knitting at the two or more intervals using tuck stitch.

Clause 5. the method of manufacturing a knitted component according to any of clauses 3-4, wherein additional regions of the peripheral edge defining the aperture include the tuck stitch at each of the two or more intervals.

Clause 6. the method of manufacturing a knitted component of any of clauses 1-5, wherein the first yarn type is plated with the second yarn type and the third yarn type in the first knitted course.

Clause 7. the method of manufacturing a knitted component of any of clauses 1-6, wherein the second yarn type is plated with the third yarn type in the second knitted course.

Clause 8. the method of manufacturing a knitted component of any of clauses 1-7, wherein the third yarn type is activated in response to a stimulus.

Clause 9. the method of manufacturing a knitted component of clause 8, wherein the stimulus comprises heat energy.

Clause 10. the method of manufacturing a knitted component of any of clauses 8-9, wherein the stimulus comprises an aqueous solution.

Clause 11. the method of manufacturing a knitted component of any of clauses 8-10, wherein the first yarn type and the second yarn type are dimensionally stable when exposed to the stimulus.

Clause 12. a knitted component, comprising:

a plurality of courses of knitting including at least a first course of knitting, a second course of knitting, a third course of knitting, and a third course of knitting; and

an aperture defined by a peripheral edge extending from a first region to a second region, from the second region to a third region, from the third region to a fourth region, and from the fourth region to the first region, wherein:

the first area is formed by the interlacing of the first course of knitting and the fourth course of knitting,

the second area is formed by the interlacing of the first and second courses of knitting,

the third area is formed by the interlacing of the first and fourth courses of knitting, an

The fourth area is formed by the interweaving of the third and fourth courses of knitting.

Clause 13. the knitted component of clause 12, wherein the first course of knit stitches is interwoven with the fourth course of knit stitches at the first region and the third region using tuck stitch.

Clause 14. the knitted component of any of clauses 12-13, wherein the first course of knitting includes a first yarn type and a second yarn type, and wherein the fourth course of knitting includes the first yarn type and the second yarn type.

Clause 15. the knitted component of any of clauses 12-14, wherein the first yarn type is plated with the second yarn type in the first and third courses of knitting.

Clause 16. the knitted component of any of clauses 12-15, wherein the second row of knitting includes the second yarn type, and wherein the third row of knitting includes the second yarn type.

Clause 17. a knitted component, comprising:

a first region, the first region comprising:

a first knitted course comprising a first yarn type and a second yarn type;

a second course of knitting comprising the second yarn type, the second course of knitting being interwoven with the first course of knitting;

a third row of knitting stitches comprising the second yarn type, wherein the third row of knitting stitches is not interwoven with the second row of knitting stitches; and

a fourth course of knitting comprising the first yarn type and the second yarn type, the third course of knitting interwoven with the fourth course of knitting, and wherein the fourth course of knitting is interwoven with the first course of knitting at two or more intervals.

Clause 18. the knitted component of clause 17, further comprising: a series of holes located between the second row of knitting and the third row of knitting.

Clause 19. the knitted component of any of clauses 17-18, wherein tuck stitch is used to interlace the first yarn type and the second yarn type of the fourth course of knitting with the first yarn type and the second yarn type of the first course of knitting at each of the two or more intervals.

Clause 20 the knitted component of any of clauses 18-19, wherein at least one of the series of apertures is defined by a plurality of peripheral edges, and wherein the plurality of peripheral edges partially include the tuck stitch at each of the two or more intervals.

Clause 21 the knitted component of any of clauses 17-20, further comprising a second region, wherein the second region further comprises an interwoven middle course of knitting located between the second course of knitting and the third course of knitting, wherein the middle course of knitting is interwoven with the second course of knitting, and wherein the middle course of knitting is interwoven with the third course of knitting.

Clause 22. the knitted component of any of clauses 17-21, wherein the first yarn type is plated with the second yarn type in the first and third courses of knitting.

Aspects of the present disclosure have been described as illustrative and not restrictive. Alternative aspects will become apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope thereof. Alternative means of accomplishing the above improvements may be developed by skilled artisans without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations and are contemplated within the scope of the claims. Not all steps listed in the various figures need be performed in the particular order described.

The claims (modification according to treaty clause 19)

1. A method of manufacturing a knitted component, the method comprising: knitting a first row of knitting stitches with a first yarn type, a second yarn type, and a third yarn type, wherein the third yarn type comprises an activatable yarn type; knitting a second course of knitting with the second yarn type and the third yarn type after dropping off the first yarn type, wherein the second course of knitting is interwoven with the first course of knitting; knitting an intermediate course of knitting with the third yarn type after dropping the second yarn type, wherein the intermediate course of knitting is interwoven with the second course of knitting; knitting a third row of knitting with the second yarn type and the third yarn type after the second yarn type is dropped, wherein the third row of knitting is interwoven with the middle row of knitting; and knitting a fourth course of knitting with the first yarn type, the second yarn type, and the third yarn type after the first yarn type is dropped, wherein the fourth course of knitting is interwoven with the third course of knitting, and wherein the first course of knitting is interwoven with the fourth course of knitting at two or more intervals during a knitting sequence.

2. The method of manufacturing a knitted component of claim 1, further comprising: activating the third yarn type to form apertures in the knitted component.

3. The method of manufacturing a knitted component according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein a first area defining a peripheral edge of the aperture comprises a portion of the second course of knitting, and wherein a second area defining the peripheral edge of the aperture comprises a portion of the third course of knitting.

4. The method of manufacturing a knitted component according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first course of knitting is interwoven with the third course of knitting at the two or more intervals using tuck stitches.

5. The method of manufacturing a knitted component according to any one of claims 3 to 4, wherein additional areas of the peripheral edge defining the aperture include the tuck stitch at each of the two or more intervals.

6. The method of manufacturing a knitted component in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first yarn type is plated with the second yarn type and the third yarn type in the first knitted course.

7. The method of manufacturing a knitted component in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the second yarn type is plated with the third yarn type in the second knitted course.

8. The method of manufacturing a knitted component according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the third yarn type is activated in response to a stimulus.

9. The method of manufacturing a knitted component in accordance with claim 8, wherein the stimulus comprises thermal energy.

10. The method of manufacturing a knitted component according to any one of claims 8 to 9, wherein the stimulus comprises an aqueous solution.

11. The method of manufacturing a knitted component according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the first yarn type and the second yarn type are dimensionally stable when exposed to the stimulus.

12. A knitted component comprising: a plurality of courses of knitting, the plurality of courses of knitting including at least a first course of knitting, a second course of knitting, a third course of knitting, and a fourth course of knitting; and an aperture defined by a peripheral edge extending from a first region to a second region, from the second region to a third region, from the third region to a fourth region, and from the fourth region to the first region, wherein: the first area is formed by the interweaving of the first and fourth courses of knitting, the second area is formed by the interweaving of the first and second courses of knitting, the third area is formed by the interweaving of the first and fourth courses of knitting, and the fourth area is formed by the interweaving of the third and fourth courses of knitting.

13. The knitted component of claim 12, wherein the first course of knitting is interwoven with the fourth course of knitting at the first region and the third region using tuck stitch.

14. The knitted component of any of claims 12 to 13, wherein the first row of knitting includes a first yarn type and a second yarn type, and wherein the fourth row of knitting includes the first yarn type and the second yarn type.

15. The knitted component of any of claims 12 to 14, wherein the first yarn type is plated with the second yarn type in the first and fourth courses of knitting.

16. The knitted component of any of claims 12 to 15, wherein the second course of knitting includes the second yarn type, and wherein the third course of knitting includes the second yarn type.

17. A knitted component comprising: a first region, the first region comprising: a first course of knitting stitches comprising a first yarn type and a second yarn type; a second course of knitting comprising the second yarn type, the second course of knitting being interwoven with the first course of knitting; a third course of knitting, the third course of knitting including the second yarn type, wherein the third course of knitting is not interwoven with the second course of knitting; and a fourth course of knitting, the fourth course of knitting including the first yarn type and the second yarn type, the third course of knitting interwoven with the fourth course of knitting, and wherein the fourth course of knitting is interwoven with the first course of knitting at two or more intervals.

18. The knitted component of claim 17, further comprising: a series of holes located between the second row of knitting and the third row of knitting.

19. The knitted component of any of claims 17 to 18, wherein tuck stitch is used to interlace the first yarn type and the second yarn type of the fourth course of knitting with the first yarn type and the second yarn type of the first course of knitting at each of the two or more intervals.

20. The knitted component of any of claims 18-19, wherein at least one of the series of apertures is defined by a plurality of peripheral edges, and wherein the plurality of peripheral edges includes, in part, the tuck stitch at each of the two or more spaces.

Claims

1. A method of manufacturing a knitted component, the method comprising: knitting a first row of knitting stitches with a first yarn type, a second yarn type, and a third yarn type, wherein the third yarn type comprises an activatable yarn type; knitting a second row of knitting with the second yarn type and the third yarn type, wherein the second row of knitting is interwoven with the first row of knitting; knitting an intermediate course of knitting with the third yarn type, wherein the intermediate course of knitting is interwoven with the second course of knitting; knitting a third row of knitting with the second yarn type and the third yarn type, wherein the third row of knitting is interwoven with the middle row of knitting; and knitting a fourth course of knitting with the first yarn type, the second yarn type, and the third yarn type, wherein the fourth course of knitting is interwoven with the third course of knitting, and wherein the first course of knitting is interwoven with the fourth course of knitting at two or more intervals during a knitting sequence.