GB2496175A

GB2496175A - Sock ironing jig

Info

Publication number: GB2496175A
Application number: GB201119080A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alan Bennett; Christopher Bennett
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-11-04
Filing date: 2011-11-04
Publication date: 2013-05-08
Also published as: GB201119080D0

Abstract

A sock top easing system includes a flat, heat and steam resistant form or jig to accept and hold in place a stretched sock top under tension to, or near, its elastic limit. It may then be placed onto a flat surface e.g. an ironing board to facilitate the application of heat and steam at high temperature using a conventional steam iron. The jig may have different sized sections or single sized sections to allow different sizes of sock tops to be fitted. The applied heat and steam may reduce, relax and degrade the elastic properties of the material within the sock top whilst being held under tension.

Description

I

Sock top easing system This invention relates to a system for easing the tightness of sock tops.

It is known that general socks that can be purchased can have elasticated or suede elasticated tops that can have a constricting effect on the flesh of the lower legs causing worrying, unsightly, uncomfortable and unpleasant marks; they can also have an unhealthy restriction to the veinal blood flow in this area.

It is also know that applying heat to elasticated material with elastic built-in such as a sock top via a heat source such as hot water, tumble dryer, hair dryer etc, but this being done with the material/sock top in its relaxed state and when the heat has been applied pulling or stretching the sock top over a tea cup or similar object, however the sock top is awkward to heat in this way and by the time the sock top has cooled enough to be held by the hands it is only warm and when it is pulled or stretched over the tea cup or other object it has lost most of its heat and this has little effect on reducing the tension or relaxation of the elastic properties of the materiallsock top.

The present invention proposes a flat form or jig to take the various sizes of sock top which can be a kit of single size forms or jigs or a single form or jig which incorporates a choice of various sized forms or the like to stretch the sock top onto to or near the full tension of its elastic limit and then whilst held in this position and under tension on the form orjig high heat and steam is applied from a conventional steam iron, the pressing down action of the very hot iron together with the extremely hot steam and with the material! sock top being under high tension (stretched) greatly alters and destroys most of the properties of the elastic or pseudo elastic material of the sock top but not all causing a considerable reduction in the elastic or pseudo elastic properties of the material/sock top leaving for a more comfortable fit, this action also works on sock tops that have been sewn, knitted, weaved etc to have a pseudo elastic effect. A flat surface would be required for this operation to take place e.g. an ironing board. The flat surface e.g. ironing board may also aid the fitting of the sock top onto the form or jig. The form or jig would be made from approximately one eighth inch thick heat and steam proof material e.g. plastic. The form or jig may have positioning marks or stops for the fitting of the sock top. A conventional thin piece of cotton material may be used as an anti-shine barrier if required.

Because the form or jig holds the material/sock top under tension/stretched to or near its elastic limit whilst the steam and heat and pressure from the steam iron is applied at a temperature extremely hotter than can be held with the hands that enables the breakdown of the elastic or pseudo elastic properties of the material comprising the sock top that enables this process to work and leaves a permanent relaxed elasticity to the material/sock top.

The invention will now be described solely by way of example: After choosing the appropriate size of (and/or on) the form or jig, the form or jig would be held in one hand whilst with the other hand the sock top is stretched onto it to or near its lull tension/elastic limit with the sock top in position on the form or jig, the form or jig would be placed on a flat surface e.g. an ironing board and then the area where the sock top is positioned is pressed or ironed for a few seconds on each side with a conventional steam iron set to high heat and steam, thus greatly reducing relaxing and degrading the elastic or pseudo elastic properties of the materials within the sock top.

It will be appreciated that it is not intended to limit the invention to the above example only, many variations, such as might readily occur to one skilled in the art, being possible, without departing from the scope thereof as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

<claim-text>CLAIMSA sock top easing system comprising a flat heat and steam resistant form or jig to accept and hold in place a stretched sock top under tension to or near its elastic limit to facilitate the application of high temperature heat and steam from a conventional steam iron whilst the form orjig with the sock top fitted is on a flat surface e.g. an ironing board.</claim-text> <claim-text>2 A sock top easing system as claimed in claim 1 whereby a heat and steam resistant form or jig with differently sized sections or single sized sections to allow different sizes of sock tops to be fitted.</claim-text> <claim-text>3 A sock top easing system as claimed in claim I and 2 whereby a heat and steam resistant form or jig to allow the applied heat and steam to reduce, relax and degrade the elastic or pseudo elastic properties of the sock top material whilst the material is held under tension.</claim-text> <claim-text>4 A sock top easing system as herein before described.</claim-text>