SE2050492A1 - Set of garments - Google Patents

Abstract

A set of garments comprising a first garment item (100A; 200A; 300A)and a second garment item (100B; 200B; 300B) is provided. Each garment item comprises a tubular portion (103A, 103B; 203A, 203B; 303A, 303B) supporting a loop (105A, 105B; 205A, 205B; 308A, 309A, 308B, 309B). Each loop (105A, 105B; 205A, 205B; 308A, 309A, 308B, 309B) comprises a closed configuration, and each loop has a circumference larger than 3 cm, such that the loop (105A; 205A; 308A, 309A) of the first garment item (100A; 200A; 300A) allows the second garment item (100B; 200B; 300B) to be inserted into and pulled through said loop, and such that the loop (105B; 205B; 308B, 309B) of the second garment item (100B; 200B; 300B) allows the first garment item (100A; 200A; 300A) to be inserted into and pulled through said loop.Figure for publication: Fig. 1A

Description

SET OF GARMENTS Field of the invention The invention relates to a set of garments comprising a first garment item and a second garment item that are interconnectable to one another.

Background art Many garments come in pairs of two garment items. lt may by way of example be a pair of socks or a pair of gloves. When manufactured, the tvvo garmentitems are interconnected by using a variety of connecting means using plastics,metal and paper materials, and often a combination thereof, for keeping the twoitems together as a pair until purchase. ln the case of a pair of socks, the two socksare often interconnected by a clip or a string, and then a sleeve or wrapper isadditionally used to keep them together while also serving as an information carrier.Typical information may be a logotype, price tag, material information and laundryinstructions. However, the moment this type of packaging is broken, the two garmentitems are solitary items.

Socks are often stored painNise in a wrapped single-unit condition in theuser's drawer. However, after use, during laundry and after laundry they are againsolitary items which must be sorted and wrapped into a single-unit condition beforeputting back to the drawer. This is time consuming, and frequently one item is lostsomewhere in the chain. lf one lost, the remaining sock is often thrown away asgarbage rather than being recycled.

There is hence a need for a solution that reduces work during and afterlaundry and which also minimises the risk of one garment item in a pair being lost.

Summary of the invention ln view of the above, one object of the present invention is to provide a set ofgarments that can be handled as a single unit also when not in use.

Another object is to provide a set of garments that facilitates the manual workand time required during laundry, and which minimizes the risk of one item beinglost.

Yet another object is to provide a set of garments which at least partly mayreduce the amount of packaging material and hence waist material in the logisticchain.

These and other objects are solved by the provision of a set of garmentscomprising a first garment item and a second garment item, each garment itemcomprising a tubular portion supporting a loop, and wherein each loop comprises a closed configuration, and each loop having acircumference larger than 3 cm, such that the loop of the first garment item allowsthe second garment item to be inserted into and pulled through said loop, and suchthat the loop of the second garment item allows the first garment item to be insertedinto and pulled through said loop.

By each garment item being provided with a loop, the two garment items mayeasily be arranged in an interlocked condition to thereby form a single unit. This ismade by the second garment item being inserted and partly or completely beingpulled through the loop in the first garment item, and the first garment item beinginserted and partly or completely being pulled through the loop in the secondgarment item. This interlocked condition may be used to present the set of garmentsduring the logistic chain when handling/marketing/displaying the garments to thecustomer before purchase. Thereby the use of clips, wrappers and the like may beomitted. Further, the interlocked condition may be used by the customer whenstoring the set of items in a drawer, but also during laundry. The latter reduces thetime-consuming work of sorting and pairing e.g. a left foot and a right foot sock, afterlaundry. ln the context of the invention, the term “closed configuration” is to beunderstood as a loop having no broken or no openable portion, but instead acontinuous extension along its full circumference. Thus, in the context of theinvention, the loop may be a hanger, i.e. a band, which is attached in both of its endsto the tubular portion of the garment item, where the loop thereby is formed by thehanger alone, or by the hanger and a portion of the tubular portion of the garmentitem. Also, within the context of the invention, the loop may be a through-going holeformed in a wall portion of the tubular portion of the garment item. No matterconfiguration, the loop may be made of the same material as the tubular portion ofthe garment item or wholly or partly be made of a different material. Also, thematerial may be elastic or non-elastic.

Each loop has a circumference being larger than 3 cm, more preferred largerthan 5 cm, and even more preferred larger than 6 cm. ln case of the material havingelastic properties, the circumference of the loop is measured in a partially or fullystretched condition.

The tubular portion of the garment item may by way of example be a wristletor a hosiery leg.

The first garment item may be a right-hand item and the second garment itemmay be a left-hand item, and the first and second garment items may be of the sametype of garment. Thus, the garment items may by way of example be socks, mittensor gloves.

Each loop may be made of a textile material and/or each loop may be madeof a non-elastic material. Alternatively, the textile material may have elasticproperties. No matter properties, the loop may have a circumference larger than 3cm, more preferred larger than 5 cm and even more preferred larger than 6 cm asseen in a non-stretched condition or in a stretched-out condition.

By providing the loops of a non-elastic material, the loops may be preventedfrom tearing or being worn-out during use or during for example laundry of thegarments. Providing the loops of a non-elastic material may improve the life span ofthe garment items.

The loops of the first garment item and the second garment item respectivelymay be connected in the same position on the tubular portion of the first and secondgarment items respectively.

The loop may be positioned at a rear side of the garment item, such as abovea heel portion in the event the garment item being a sock. ln another embodiment,the loop may be positioned at a side portion of the garment item. The loop may bepositioned such that it is not visible from an outside when the garment item is worn.The loop may be made of a foldable material such that the loop may be foldedinwards when the garment is worn such that no piece of the loop is visible The loops of the first garment item and the second garment item respectivelymay be projecting past a free edge portion of the tubular portion of the first andsecond garment items respectively.

The loops of the first garment item and the second garment item respectivelymay be arranged along an inner or along an outer envelope surface of the tubularportion of the first and second garment items respectively. ln the event the loops are arranged on an inner envelope surface of thetubular portion, the loops Will not be visible during normal use, i.e. when worn. ln the event the loops instead are arranged on an outer envelope surface ofthe tubular portion, the loops will be visible during normal use, i.e. when worn,whereby the loops may be provided as a decoration, or a brand label.

The loops may be attached by sewing, adhesive or welding, or be integrallyformed with the garment. The term “integrally formed” is to be understood as being formed unitary with the garment item. This may be achieved by the loop being knittedwhile knitting the garment item.

The set of garments may be a pair of socks, and the loops of the first garmentitem and the second garment item respectively may be arranged on a rear portion ofthe tubular portion, on an inner ankle portion configured to face the other foot of auser, or on an outer ankle portion configured to face away from the other foot of ausen The loop may be positioned above an ankle portion of the sock. Thereby theloop will not cause any blisters.

The set of garments may be a pair of socks, a pair of gloves, or a pair ofmittens.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be obvious to aperson skilled in the art reading the detailed description given below which describesdifferent embodiments.

Brief description of the drawinqsThe invention will be described in detail with reference to the schematicdrawings.Figs. 1A-1 C disclose a first embodiment of a set of garments.Figs. 2A-2C disclose a second embodiment of a set of garments.Figs. 3A-3C disclose a third embodiment of a set of garments.

Detailed descriptionThe invention will be exemplified below in the form of a pair of socks. A pair of socks, comprising a right sock and a left sock constitutes, in the context of theinvention, a set of garments. The right sock may constitute a first garment item andthe left sock may constitute a second garment item, or vice versa.

Now turning to Figs. 1A to 1C, a first embodiment of the invention will bedisclosed. A sock 100A, 100B is a garment item which as such is well known in theart. lt comprises a toe portion 101A, 101 B, a foot portion 102A, 102B and a tubularportion 103A, 103B having an open free end 104A, 104B configured to allowinsertion of a foot. The tubular portion of a sock is also known as a hosiery leg.

Each sock 100A, 100B comprises a loop 105A, 105B. The loop 105A, 105Bis connected to the free end 104A, 104B of the tubular portion 103A, 103B. The loop105A, 105B is in this specific embodiment provided as a hanger 106 which is formedby a band 107 which is attached in both of its ends to the tubular portion 103A, 103B. Each loop 105A, 105B thereby has a closed configuration, i.e. it has nobroken or openable portion but instead a continuous extension along its fullcircumference.

The disclosed loop 105A, 105B is formed by the hanger 106 alone by theends of the band 107 being arranged in an overlapping closed relation. The loop105A, 105B may be attached by sewing, adhesive or welding. lt may even beintegrally formed with the garment. The term “integrally formed” is to be understoodas being formed unitary with the garment item. This may be achieved by the loopbeing knitted while knitting the socket.

The loop 105A, 105B may be made of a textile material or a non-textilematerial. The material, no matter if it is a textile or non-textile material may be madeof a non-elastic material or an elastic material. ln the disclosed embodiment, the loops 105A, 105B are projecting past thefree edge ends 104A, 104B of the tubular portions 103A, 103B. Also, the loops105A, 105B are disclosed as being connected in the same position on the tubularportions 103A, 103B of the two socks 100A, 100B. Different positions may be usedwith remained function.

The loop 105A, 105B may be positioned at a rear side of the sock 100A,100B, such as above a heel portion. Alternatively, the loop 105A, 105B may bepositioned at a side portion of the sock 100A, 100B. The loop 105A, 105B may bepositioned such that it is not visible from an outside when the sock is worn. The loop105A, 105B may be made of a foldable material such that the loop 105A, 105B maybe folded inwards when the sock is worn. Thereby the loop will be concealed.

The loop 105A, 105B may be arranged along an inner or along an outerenvelope surface of the tubular portion 103A, 103B of the sock 100A, 100B. ln thedisclosed embodiment the loops 1005A, 105B are arranged on the outer envelopesurface of the tubular portions 103A, 103B.

The loop material may have elastic, or non-elastic properties. Each loop hasa circumference larger than 3 cm, more preferred larger than 5 cm, or even morepreferred larger than 6 cm as measured in a non-stretched condition (in the event ofa non-elastic material) or in a stretched-out condition (in the event of an elasticmaterial). The loop 105A of the first sock 100A thereby easily allows the second sock100B to be inserted into and pulled through said loop 1005A, and the loop 105B ofthe second sock 100B easily allows the first sock 100A to be inserted into and pulledthrough said loop 105B. ln the following the operation of the first embodiment of the invention will bedescribed. Starting with Fig.1A, to lockingly engage the two socks 100A, 100B, the toe portion 101A of the first sock 100A is inserted into the loop 105B of the secondsock 100B, and the toe portion 101B of the second sock 100B is inserted into the loop 105A of the first sock 100A. This is schematically disclosed by the arrows in Fig. 1A. Then, the two socks 100A, 100B are pulled away from each other, see arrows inFig. 1B. Thereby, the first sock 100A is completely pulled through the loop 105B ofthe second sock 100B. Also, the second sock 100B is completely pulled through theloop 105A of the first sock 100A. ln the fully pulled-through condition, see Fig. 1C,the loops 105A, 105B of the first and second socks 100A, 100B are lockinglyengaging each other. ln this interlocked condition, the two socks 100A, 100B may behandled as a single unit.

Now turning to Figs. 2A-2C, a second embodiment will be described. Eachsock 200A, 200B comprises a loop 205A, 205B in the form of a band 207 whichextends along a circumferential portion of the outer envelope surface of the tubularportion 203A, 203B of the sock 200A, 200B. This is best seen in Fig. 2A. Therespective loop 205A, 205B is hence formed by the band 207 being attached in bothof its free ends to the tubular portion 203A, 203B, whereby the resulting loop 205,205B is partly formed by the band 207 and partially by a portion of the tubular portion203A, 203B. Hence, in this embodiment, the ends of the band 207 are separated.

To lockingly engage the tvvo socks 200A, 200B, the toe portion 201A of thefirst sock 200A is inserted into the loop 205B of the second sock 200B, and the toeportion 201 B of the second sock 200B is inserted into the loop 205A of the first sock200A. This is schematically disclosed by the arrows in Fig. 2A. Then, the two socks200A, 200B are pulled away from each other, see arrows in Fig. 2B. Thereby, thefirst sock 200A is partially pulled through the loop 205B of the second sock 200B.Also, the second sock 200B is partially pulled through the loop 205A of the first sock200A. ln its fully engaged position, the first and second socks 200A, 200B willlockingly engage each other, see Fig. 2C. ln this interlocked condition, the two socks200A, 200B may be handled as a single unit.

Now turning to Figs. 3A-3C which discloses an embodiment where eachtubular portion 303A, 303B comprises two loops 308A, 309A, 308B, 309B. Each loop308A, 309A, 308B, 309B is formed as a through-going hole in the tubular portion303A, 303B. The loops 308A, 309A, 308B, 309B are arranged in opposite wallportions of the tubular portion 303A, 303B. The two loops 308A, 309A, 308B, 309Bin each tubular portion 303A, 303B are aligned with each other. The loops 308A,309A, 308B, 309B may be formed while knitting the respective sock 300A, 300B.Alternatively, the loops 308A, 309A, 308B, 309B maybe formed by cutting after knitting the sock 300A, 300B. No matter how the loops 308A, 309A, 308B, 309B areformed, the circumferential edge portion of the loop 308A, 309A, 308B, 309B may beprovided with a reinforcement. The reinforcement 310A, 310B may be made bystitches or by a ribbon which attached along the edge of the loop 308A, 309A, 308B,309B. The skilled person realizes that the reinforcing effect may be provided by othermeans as well with remained function. Since the loops 308A, 309A, 308B, 309B arearranged in the tubular portions 303A, 303B of the socks 300A, 300B which portionsas such typically have elastic properties, it is preferred that also the loops 308A,309A, 308B, 309B have elastic properties. Each loop 308A, 309A, 308B, 309Bpreferably has a circumference larger than 3 cm, more preferred larger than 5 cm, oreven more preferred larger than 6 cm as measured in a stretched-out condition.

The two loops 308A, 309A in the first sock 300A are arranged on theopposing side portions of the tubular portion 303A, as seen when the sock 300A isarranged in a flat condition. Thus, when worn on the foot, one loop 308A will face theother foot/leg while the other loop 309B will face away from the other foot or leg. Thesame configuration applies to the second sock 300B. When worn, the loops 308A,309B will be concealed by the legs of a pair of trousers.

To lockingly engage the two socks 300A, 300B, the toe portion 301A of thefirst sock 300A is inserted into the loops 308B, 309B of the second sock 300B, andthe toe portion 301 B of the second sock 300B is inserted into the loops 308B, 309Bof the first sock 300A. This is schematically disclosed by the arrows in Fig. 3B. Then,the two socks 300A, 300B are pulled away from each other, see arrows. Thereby,the first sock 300A is partially pulled through the loops 308B, 309B of the secondsock 300B. Also, the second sock 300B is partially pulled through the loops 308A,309A of the first sock 300A. The first and second socks 300A, 300B will therebylockingly engage each other in a knot-like condition, see Fig. 3C. ln this interlockedcondition, the two socks 300A, 300B may be handled as single unit.

Although this third embodiment is disclosed as having two loops in each sock,it is to be understood that the same principle applies equally well with one loop onlyin each sock.

No matter embodiment, the foot portions of the two socks in a pair of sockswill be freely exposed in the interlocked condition, whereby the interlocked conditionmay be used not only when storing a pair of socks in a drawer or whenhandling/marketing/displaying the sock to the customer before purchase, but alsoduring laundry or when drying after laundry. The latter reduces the time-consumingwork of sorting and pairing a left sock and a right sock after laundry.

Three embodiments have been disclosed with three different embodiments ofa loop having a closed configuration, i.e. a non-broken or non-openable portion andhence having a continuous extension along its full circumference. The loop has beenexemplified as a hanger Which is attached in both of its ends to the tubular portion ofthe garment item. Also, the loop has been exemplified as a through-going holeformed in a wall portion of the tubular portion of the garment item. No matterconfiguration, the loop may be made of the same material as the tubular portion ofthe garment item or wholly or partly of a different material. Also, the material may beelastic or non-elastic. ln case of the material having elastic properties, thecircumference of the loop is measured in a partially or fully stretched condition.

Depending on the position of the loop on the tubular portion, the loop will beeither visible or concealed when the garment item is worn in the body. The loop mayin fact be arranged as a decoration or as a part of a commercial brand.

The invention has been described as applied on a pair of socks. lt is to beunderstood that the invention is equally applicable to any other set of garments.Thus, the set of garments may be a pair of socks, a pair of gloves, or a pair ofmittens. ln the event of a pair of gloves or mittens, the tubular portion may be awristlet thereof.

Claims (10)

1. A set of garments comprising a first garment item (10OA; 200A; 300A)and a second garment item (100B; 200B; 300B), each garment item comprising atubular portion (103A, 103B; 203A, 203B; 303A, 303B) supporting a loop (105A,105B; 205A, 205B; 308A, 309A, 308B, 309B), and whereineach loop (105A, 105B; 205A, 205B; 308A, 309A, 308B, 309B) comprises a closed configuration, and each loop (105A, 105B; 205A, 205B; 308A, 309A, 308B,309B) having a circumference larger than 3 cm, such that the loop (105A; 205A;308A, 309A) of the first garment item (10OA; 200A; 300A) allows the second garmentitem (100B; 200B; 300B) to be inserted into and pulled through said loop, and suchthat the loop (105B; 205B; 308B, 309B) of the second garment item (100B; 200B;300B) allows the first garment item (10OA; 200A; 300A) to be inserted into and pulledthrough said loop.

2. The set of garments according to claim 1, wherein the tubular portion(103A, 103B; 203A, 203B; 303A, 303B) is a wristlet or a hosiery leg.

3. The set of garments according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first garmentitem (10OA; 200A; 300A) is a right-hand item and the second garment item (100B;200B; 300B) is a left-hand item, and wherein the first and second garment items areof the same type of garment.

4. The set of garments according to any of the previous claims, wherein eachloop (105A, 105B; 205A, 205B; 308A, 309A, 308B, 309B) is made of a textile-material and/or wherein each loop (105A, 105B; 205A, 205B; 308A, 309A, 308B,309B) is made of a non-elastic material.

5. The set of garments according to any of the previous claims, wherein theloops (105A, 105B; 205A, 205B; 308A, 309A, 308B, 309B) of the first garment item(10OA; 200A; 300A) and the second garment item (100B; 200B; 300B) respectivelyare connected in the same position on the tubular portion (103A, 103B; 203A, 203B;303A, 303B) of the first and second garment items respectively.

6. The set of garments according to any of the previous claims, wherein theloops (105A, 105B; 205A, 205B; 308A, 309A, 308B, 309B) of the first garment item(10OA; 200A; 300A) and the second garment item (100B; 200B; 300B) respectively are projecting past a free edge portion (104A, 104B; 204A, 204B, 304A, 304B) of thetubular portion (103A, 103B; 203A, 203B; 303A, 303B) of the first and second garment items respectively.

7. The set of garments according to any of the previous c|aims, wherein theloops (105A, 105B; 205A, 205B; 308A, 309A; 308B, 309B) of the first garment item(100A, 200A, 300A) and the second garment item (100B; 200B; 300B) respectivelyare arranged along an inner or an outer envelope surface of the tubular portion(103A, 103B; 203A, 203B; 303A, 303B) of the first and second garment items(100A, 200B; 200A, 200B; 300A, 300B) respectively.

8. The set of garments according to any of the previous c|aims, wherein theset of garments is a pair of socks, and wherein the loops (105A, 105B; 205A, 205B;308A, 309A; 308B, 309B) of the first garment item (100A, 200A, 300A) and thesecond garment item (100B; 200B; 300B) respectively, are arranged on a rearportion of the tubular portion (103A, 103B; 203A, 203B; 303A, 303B), on an innerankle portion configured to face the other foot of a user, or on an outer ankle portionconfigured to face away from the other foot of a user.

9. The set of garments according to c|aim 8, wherein the loop (105A, 105B;205A, 205B; 308A, 309A; 308B, 309B) is positioned above an ankle portion of thesock.

10. The set of garments according to any of c|aims 1-7, wherein the set ofgarments is a pair of socks, a pair of gloves, or a pair of mittens.