US20130192311A1 - Hosiery garments with increased stretch characteristics - Google Patents
Hosiery garments with increased stretch characteristics Download PDFInfo
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- US20130192311A1 US20130192311A1 US13/741,914 US201313741914A US2013192311A1 US 20130192311 A1 US20130192311 A1 US 20130192311A1 US 201313741914 A US201313741914 A US 201313741914A US 2013192311 A1 US2013192311 A1 US 2013192311A1
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- Prior art keywords
- section
- sock
- stretch
- knitted
- yarn
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- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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- 229920002334 Spandex Polymers 0.000 claims abstract description 28
- 239000004759 spandex Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 28
- 210000003423 ankle Anatomy 0.000 claims abstract description 19
- 239000004677 Nylon Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 229920001778 nylon Polymers 0.000 claims description 4
- 210000003371 toe Anatomy 0.000 description 13
- 210000002683 foot Anatomy 0.000 description 11
- 238000009940 knitting Methods 0.000 description 7
- 239000004744 fabric Substances 0.000 description 5
- 210000002414 leg Anatomy 0.000 description 5
- 230000003247 decreasing effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000004513 sizing Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000037237 body shape Effects 0.000 description 1
- 244000309466 calf Species 0.000 description 1
- 230000004069 differentiation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 210000003127 knee Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000006467 substitution reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A41—WEARING APPAREL
- A41B—SHIRTS; UNDERWEAR; BABY LINEN; HANDKERCHIEFS
- A41B11/00—Hosiery; Panti-hose
- A41B11/14—Panti-hose; Body-stockings
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A41—WEARING APPAREL
- A41B—SHIRTS; UNDERWEAR; BABY LINEN; HANDKERCHIEFS
- A41B11/00—Hosiery; Panti-hose
- A41B11/003—Hosiery with intermediate sections of different elasticity
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D04—BRAIDING; LACE-MAKING; KNITTING; TRIMMINGS; NON-WOVEN FABRICS
- D04B—KNITTING
- D04B1/00—Weft knitting processes for the production of fabrics or articles not dependent on the use of particular machines; Fabrics or articles defined by such processes
- D04B1/10—Patterned fabrics or articles
- D04B1/12—Patterned fabrics or articles characterised by thread material
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D04—BRAIDING; LACE-MAKING; KNITTING; TRIMMINGS; NON-WOVEN FABRICS
- D04B—KNITTING
- D04B1/00—Weft knitting processes for the production of fabrics or articles not dependent on the use of particular machines; Fabrics or articles defined by such processes
- D04B1/14—Other fabrics or articles characterised primarily by the use of particular thread materials
- D04B1/18—Other fabrics or articles characterised primarily by the use of particular thread materials elastic threads
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D04—BRAIDING; LACE-MAKING; KNITTING; TRIMMINGS; NON-WOVEN FABRICS
- D04B—KNITTING
- D04B1/00—Weft knitting processes for the production of fabrics or articles not dependent on the use of particular machines; Fabrics or articles defined by such processes
- D04B1/22—Weft knitting processes for the production of fabrics or articles not dependent on the use of particular machines; Fabrics or articles defined by such processes specially adapted for knitting goods of particular configuration
- D04B1/24—Weft knitting processes for the production of fabrics or articles not dependent on the use of particular machines; Fabrics or articles defined by such processes specially adapted for knitting goods of particular configuration wearing apparel
- D04B1/243—Weft knitting processes for the production of fabrics or articles not dependent on the use of particular machines; Fabrics or articles defined by such processes specially adapted for knitting goods of particular configuration wearing apparel upper parts of panties; pants
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D04—BRAIDING; LACE-MAKING; KNITTING; TRIMMINGS; NON-WOVEN FABRICS
- D04B—KNITTING
- D04B1/00—Weft knitting processes for the production of fabrics or articles not dependent on the use of particular machines; Fabrics or articles defined by such processes
- D04B1/22—Weft knitting processes for the production of fabrics or articles not dependent on the use of particular machines; Fabrics or articles defined by such processes specially adapted for knitting goods of particular configuration
- D04B1/24—Weft knitting processes for the production of fabrics or articles not dependent on the use of particular machines; Fabrics or articles defined by such processes specially adapted for knitting goods of particular configuration wearing apparel
- D04B1/26—Weft knitting processes for the production of fabrics or articles not dependent on the use of particular machines; Fabrics or articles defined by such processes specially adapted for knitting goods of particular configuration wearing apparel stockings
Definitions
- the present invention is directed towards hosiery garments and, more particularly, towards hosiery garments having increased stretch characteristics, thereby enabling such garments to fit a wider range of body sizes than prior art garments.
- FIG. 1 is schematic representation of a prior art sock
- FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of a sock made in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 3 is schematic representation of a prior art pantyhose garment
- FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of a pantyhose garment made in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.
- the hosiery garment of the present invention is a sock having increased stretch characteristics in the foot portion in both the horizontal and vertical directions.
- a typical sock 10 includes three sections, namely, an ankle section 12 that is configured to fit over the wearer's ankle, a toe section 14 that is configured to fit over the wearer's toes, and a mid-section 16 that is configured to fit over the middle of the wearer's foot.
- the ankle section 12 , mid-section 16 , and toe section 14 are all knitted on a knitting machine with an 8′′ cross stretch in each such section.
- a typical yarn used in such prior art sock is a nylon covered with spandex having a denier ranging from about 10 to about 20.
- the resulting prior art sock 10 has a horizontal stretch characteristic (direction of the length of the foot) in all three sections of the sock of about 225%, wherein about 1′′ of the sock stretches to about 21 ⁇ 4′′. This enables a typical men's size sock to fit the feet of men wearing a shoe size ranging from about size 10 to about size 13.
- the hosiery industry typically uses sock sizing standards established by the National Association of Hosiery Manufacturers (NAHM), which correspond with shoe sizes.
- NAHM National Association of Hosiery Manufacturers
- the present invention is a sock 20 having an ankle section 22 , toe section 24 , and uniquely designed stretch panel 26 that extends between the ankle section 22 and toe section 24 .
- the stretch panel 26 of the sock of the present invention is knitted with a different yarn than the ankle section 22 and toe section 24 , and is knitted in a different way.
- the yarn used in the stretch panel 26 of the sock 20 has a higher denier of spandex than the yarn used in the ankle section 22 and toe section 24 .
- the ankle section 22 and toe section 24 of sock 20 may be knitted with a yarn, such as nylon covered with a spandex, having a denier ranging from about 10 to about 20, as in the prior art sock 10 .
- the stretch panel 26 is knitted with a yarn, such as nylon covered with a spandex, having substantially increased denier, such as about 35 to about 45, and preferably about 44 .
- the denier of the spandex used in the stretch panel 26 of the sock 20 is at least about 1.75 to 4.5 times greater than the denier of the spandex used in the ankle portion 22 and toe portion 24 .
- the knitting process is also modified for the stretch panel 26 as compared to the ankle section 22 and toe section 24 .
- the knitting machine lengthens the loop of the stitch (creates a larger stitch) in the stretch panel 26 in order to loosen the cross stretch within that section 26 such that there is a differentiation in the stretch panel 26 of about 0.75′′ to 1.5′′, and preferably, about 1′′.
- this is achieved by increasing the dropping distance of the cylinder that holds the knitting needles.
- the sock 20 of the present invention may include, for example, an 8′′ cross stretch in the ankle section 22 and toe section 24 , but an increased 9′′ cross stretch in the stretch panel 26 .
- a women's sock 20 constructed in accordance with the present invention may include, for example, an 7.5′′ cross stretch in the ankle section 22 and toe section 24 , but an increased 8.5′′ cross stretch in the stretch panel 26 .
- the sock 20 of the present invention provides increased stretch characteristics in both the horizontal (direction of the length of the foot) and vertical (direction perpendicular to the length of the foot) directions, as compared to prior art socks 10 that are knitted with substantially the same denier of spandex throughout the foot of the sock and with the same loop length throughout the foot of the sock.
- the prior art sock 10 has a horizontal stretch characteristic in all three sections of the sock 10 of about 225%, wherein about 1′′ of the sock stretches to about 21 ⁇ 4′′.
- the sock 20 of the present invention including the modifications to the spandex denier and loop length in the stretch panel 26 as described herein, about 1′′ of the fabric in the stretch panel 26 stretches to about 3′′ (about 300%) in both the horizontal and vertical directions. Therefore, the sock 20 has increased stretch characteristics that enable a typical men's size sock, for example, to accommodate the feet of men wearing shoe sizes ranging from about size 10 to about size 15, unlike the prior art sock 10 that accommodates shoe sizes ranging from about size 10 to only about size 13.
- the sock 20 enables a typical women's size sock, for example, to accommodate the feet of women wearing shoe sizes ranging from about size 9 to about size 12, unlike the prior art sock 10 that accommodates women's shoe sizes ranging from about size 9 to only about size 11.
- the present invention provides increased stretch characteristics that enable a typically sized adult sock to accommodate at least one to two additional shoe sizes than prior art socks of the same size.
- the sock of the present invention is not limited to an over the calf sock as shown in FIG. 2 . Rather, the sock 20 of the present invention may be configured in different styles including knee high, crew, cuff, anklet, quarter, low cut, and footie socks, and still fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention.
- a hosiery garment such as pantyhose, tights, leggings, stockings, knee-highs, and the like, is provided that includes increased vertical stretch characteristics in isolated and targeted portion(s) of the garment so the garment is able to accommodate a wider range of body sizes.
- a prior art control top pantyhose garment 30 includes a control top section 32 and a leg section 34 , wherein the control top section 32 provides a reinforced panty.
- the control top section 32 is typically knitted in a jersey knit pattern with alternate courses of spandex and textured yarns, wherein the spandex yarn has a denier of about 70 , which is heavier and stronger than the denier used in the leg section 34 .
- the control top section 32 is designed to provide the wearer with stability and durability.
- one disadvantage of these prior art control top sections 32 is that they have a limited range of vertical stretch.
- a typical stretch ratio for a prior art control top section 32 is about 1:33 ⁇ 4, meaning that about 1′′ of fabric will vertically stretch to about 33 ⁇ 4′′.
- This limited vertical stretch is apparent when women of different heights wear the same size pantyhose garment.
- size charts for pantyhose garments are typically based on a combination of height and weight, however, such sizing ranges are not precise.
- a woman who is 5′3′′ may wear the same size pantyhose garment as a woman who is 5′6′′ according to a standard pantyhose size chart.
- the present invention shown in FIG. 4 as part of a pantyhose garment 40 , for example, includes a control top section 42 having stretch bands 46 , 48 , which are isolated and targeted areas of the control top section 42 that include increased vertical stretch characteristics.
- the stretch band 46 which is proximate the top of the control top section 42
- the stretch band 48 which is proximate the bottom of the control top section 42 in the panty area, are both knitted in the same jersey knit pattern as the rest of the control top 42 but the bands 46 , 48 are knit with four courses of spandex yarns instead of alternating courses of spandex and textured yarns.
- the denier remains the same in the stretch bands 46 , 48 and in the rest of the control top section 42 .
- the resulting garment 40 includes significantly enhanced vertical stretch characteristics in the stretch band 46 , 48 areas. Specifically, about 1′′ of fabric in the stretch band areas 46 , 48 stretches to about 5′′, as opposed to non-stretch band section of the control top 42 wherein about 1′′ of the fabric stretches to about 33 ⁇ 4′′.
- the wearer By strategically positioning the stretch band 46 proximate the top of the control top section 42 , and the stretch band 48 proximate the bottom of the control top section 42 near the leg portion 44 , the wearer is optimally provided with the stability of the overall control top section 42 and the increased vertical stretch characteristics in the locations (stretch bands 46 , 48 ) where it is most needed to accommodate comfort of the wearer during movement. This is particularly helpful for women whose height is at the top of their respective size ranges for the pantyhose garment so that they do not feel the need to constantly pull up the top of the control top section 42 and/or pull up the top of the leg portion 44 .
- the stretch band areas do not necessarily need to increase to their maximum vertical stretch capacity so the fabric in those areas merely lies without buckling.
- the resulting pantyhose garment 40 as shown in FIG. 4 and described above, enables one garment size to accommodate a wider range of body shapes, and particularly a wider range of wearer heights.
- stretch bands knitted with four courses of spandex yarns as opposed to alternating courses of spandex and textured yarns can be incorporated into other types of hosiery garments to also provide such other garments with increased vertical stretch in targeted and insolated areas.
- a stretch band can be positioned under the waistband at the top of the panty.
- a stretch band can be positioned under the welt/band. All such hosiery garments generally knitted with alternating courses of spandex and textured yarns but with an isolated area(s) knitted with four courses of spandex yarns fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention.
- the increased stretch characteristics in the respective hosiery garments enable each such garment to fit a wider range of wearer body types. This provides the manufacturer with the flexibility to manufacture fewer sizes of such garments (resulting in less SKUs) while still accommodating the same or an even broader range of body configurations. This can result in significantly decreased manufacturing and marketing costs, which can also trickle down to decreased retail prices.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Textile Engineering (AREA)
- Socks And Pantyhose (AREA)
Abstract
A sock having a toe section, mid-section, and ankle section, wherein the denier of the toe and ankle sections is significantly less than the denier of the mid-section to provide increased stretch in the mid-section of the sock. To further increase the stretch in the mid-section of the sock, the mid-section is knitted with a longer stitch loop than the toe and ankle sections. A hosiery garment includes a leg section and a control top section. The control top section includes a stretch band that provides increased vertical stretch in that area. The stretch band is knitted in a jersey knit pattern with four courses of spandex yarn, where as the remainder of the control top section and leg sections are knitted with alternating courses of spandex and textured yarns.
Description
- This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/592,765, filed Jan. 31, 2012, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference.
- The present invention is directed towards hosiery garments and, more particularly, towards hosiery garments having increased stretch characteristics, thereby enabling such garments to fit a wider range of body sizes than prior art garments.
- The present invention will be further apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, when taken together with the accompanying specification and the drawings, in which:
-
FIG. 1 is schematic representation of a prior art sock; -
FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of a sock made in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 3 is schematic representation of a prior art pantyhose garment; and -
FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of a pantyhose garment made in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. - The accompanying drawings and the description which follows set forth this invention in its preferred embodiments. However, it is contemplated that persons generally familiar with knitting hosiery garments will be able to apply the novel characteristics of the structures illustrated and described herein in other contexts by modification of certain details. Accordingly, the drawings and description are not to be taken as restrictive on the scope of this invention, but are to be understood as broad and general teachings.
- In a first embodiment, the hosiery garment of the present invention is a sock having increased stretch characteristics in the foot portion in both the horizontal and vertical directions. As shown in
FIG. 1 , atypical sock 10 includes three sections, namely, anankle section 12 that is configured to fit over the wearer's ankle, atoe section 14 that is configured to fit over the wearer's toes, and a mid-section 16 that is configured to fit over the middle of the wearer's foot. In a typical prior art men's size sock, theankle section 12, mid-section 16, andtoe section 14 are all knitted on a knitting machine with an 8″ cross stretch in each such section. A typical yarn used in such prior art sock is a nylon covered with spandex having a denier ranging from about 10 to about 20. The resultingprior art sock 10 has a horizontal stretch characteristic (direction of the length of the foot) in all three sections of the sock of about 225%, wherein about 1″ of the sock stretches to about 2¼″. This enables a typical men's size sock to fit the feet of men wearing a shoe size ranging from aboutsize 10 to about size 13. The hosiery industry typically uses sock sizing standards established by the National Association of Hosiery Manufacturers (NAHM), which correspond with shoe sizes. - In order to increase the stretch characteristics of socks to accommodate larger ranges of foot sizes, the present invention, as shown in
FIG. 2 , is asock 20 having anankle section 22,toe section 24, and uniquely designedstretch panel 26 that extends between theankle section 22 andtoe section 24. Unlike theprior art sock 10 described above, thestretch panel 26 of the sock of the present invention is knitted with a different yarn than theankle section 22 andtoe section 24, and is knitted in a different way. Specifically, the yarn used in thestretch panel 26 of thesock 20 has a higher denier of spandex than the yarn used in theankle section 22 andtoe section 24. For example, theankle section 22 andtoe section 24 ofsock 20 may be knitted with a yarn, such as nylon covered with a spandex, having a denier ranging from about 10 to about 20, as in theprior art sock 10. However, in thesock 20 of the present invention, thestretch panel 26 is knitted with a yarn, such as nylon covered with a spandex, having substantially increased denier, such as about 35 to about 45, and preferably about 44. Thus, the denier of the spandex used in thestretch panel 26 of thesock 20 is at least about 1.75 to 4.5 times greater than the denier of the spandex used in theankle portion 22 andtoe portion 24. - In addition to increasing the denier of the spandex in the
stretch panel 26 of thesock 20, the knitting process is also modified for thestretch panel 26 as compared to theankle section 22 andtoe section 24. Specifically, when thesock 20 is being knitted, the knitting machine lengthens the loop of the stitch (creates a larger stitch) in thestretch panel 26 in order to loosen the cross stretch within thatsection 26 such that there is a differentiation in thestretch panel 26 of about 0.75″ to 1.5″, and preferably, about 1″. On a typical knitting machine, this is achieved by increasing the dropping distance of the cylinder that holds the knitting needles. Thus, unlike the prior art men'ssock 10 having an 8″ cross stretch in all three sections of thesock 10, thesock 20 of the present invention may include, for example, an 8″ cross stretch in theankle section 22 andtoe section 24, but an increased 9″ cross stretch in thestretch panel 26. Similarly, a women'ssock 20 constructed in accordance with the present invention, may include, for example, an 7.5″ cross stretch in theankle section 22 andtoe section 24, but an increased 8.5″ cross stretch in thestretch panel 26. - As a result of the increased denier of the spandex yarn and the lengthened loop of the stitch in the
stretch panel 26 of the sock 20 (as compared to theankle section 22 and toe section 24), thesock 20 of the present invention provides increased stretch characteristics in both the horizontal (direction of the length of the foot) and vertical (direction perpendicular to the length of the foot) directions, as compared toprior art socks 10 that are knitted with substantially the same denier of spandex throughout the foot of the sock and with the same loop length throughout the foot of the sock. As noted above, theprior art sock 10 has a horizontal stretch characteristic in all three sections of thesock 10 of about 225%, wherein about 1″ of the sock stretches to about 2¼″. However, in thesock 20 of the present invention, including the modifications to the spandex denier and loop length in thestretch panel 26 as described herein, about 1″ of the fabric in thestretch panel 26 stretches to about 3″ (about 300%) in both the horizontal and vertical directions. Therefore, thesock 20 has increased stretch characteristics that enable a typical men's size sock, for example, to accommodate the feet of men wearing shoe sizes ranging from aboutsize 10 to about size 15, unlike theprior art sock 10 that accommodates shoe sizes ranging from aboutsize 10 to only about size 13. Similarly, thesock 20 enables a typical women's size sock, for example, to accommodate the feet of women wearing shoe sizes ranging from about size 9 to aboutsize 12, unlike theprior art sock 10 that accommodates women's shoe sizes ranging from about size 9 to only about size 11. Thus, the present invention provides increased stretch characteristics that enable a typically sized adult sock to accommodate at least one to two additional shoe sizes than prior art socks of the same size. - It should be understood that the sock of the present invention is not limited to an over the calf sock as shown in
FIG. 2 . Rather, thesock 20 of the present invention may be configured in different styles including knee high, crew, cuff, anklet, quarter, low cut, and footie socks, and still fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention. - Turning now to a second embodiment of the present invention, a hosiery garment, such as pantyhose, tights, leggings, stockings, knee-highs, and the like, is provided that includes increased vertical stretch characteristics in isolated and targeted portion(s) of the garment so the garment is able to accommodate a wider range of body sizes.
- As shown in
FIG. 3 , a prior art controltop pantyhose garment 30 includes acontrol top section 32 and aleg section 34, wherein thecontrol top section 32 provides a reinforced panty. Thecontrol top section 32 is typically knitted in a jersey knit pattern with alternate courses of spandex and textured yarns, wherein the spandex yarn has a denier of about 70, which is heavier and stronger than the denier used in theleg section 34. Thecontrol top section 32 is designed to provide the wearer with stability and durability. However, one disadvantage of these prior art controltop sections 32 is that they have a limited range of vertical stretch. For example, a typical stretch ratio for a prior artcontrol top section 32 is about 1:3¾, meaning that about 1″ of fabric will vertically stretch to about 3¾″. This limited vertical stretch is apparent when women of different heights wear the same size pantyhose garment. Specifically, size charts for pantyhose garments are typically based on a combination of height and weight, however, such sizing ranges are not precise. Thus, a woman who is 5′3″ may wear the same size pantyhose garment as a woman who is 5′6″ according to a standard pantyhose size chart. However, the woman who is 5′6″, given her taller stature, may be more inclined to have issues with thecontrol top section 32 slipping down when the woman bends over such that the woman feels the need to have to readjust thecontrol top section 32 and pull up the top of theleg sections 34 when she stands back up, all due to there not being sufficient stretch in the vertical direction of thecontrol top section 32. - The present invention, shown in
FIG. 4 as part of apantyhose garment 40, for example, includes acontrol top section 42 having stretch bands 46, 48, which are isolated and targeted areas of thecontrol top section 42 that include increased vertical stretch characteristics. In the example shown inFIG. 4 , the stretch band 46, which is proximate the top of thecontrol top section 42, and the stretch band 48, which is proximate the bottom of thecontrol top section 42 in the panty area, are both knitted in the same jersey knit pattern as the rest of thecontrol top 42 but the bands 46, 48 are knit with four courses of spandex yarns instead of alternating courses of spandex and textured yarns. In one aspect of this embodiment, the denier remains the same in the stretch bands 46, 48 and in the rest of thecontrol top section 42. However, by knitting the stretch bands 46, 48 with the four courses of spandex, as opposed to the alternating courses of spandex and textured yarn, the resultinggarment 40 includes significantly enhanced vertical stretch characteristics in the stretch band 46, 48 areas. Specifically, about 1″ of fabric in the stretch band areas 46, 48 stretches to about 5″, as opposed to non-stretch band section of thecontrol top 42 wherein about 1″ of the fabric stretches to about 3¾″. - By strategically positioning the stretch band 46 proximate the top of the
control top section 42, and the stretch band 48 proximate the bottom of thecontrol top section 42 near theleg portion 44, the wearer is optimally provided with the stability of the overallcontrol top section 42 and the increased vertical stretch characteristics in the locations (stretch bands 46, 48) where it is most needed to accommodate comfort of the wearer during movement. This is particularly helpful for women whose height is at the top of their respective size ranges for the pantyhose garment so that they do not feel the need to constantly pull up the top of thecontrol top section 42 and/or pull up the top of theleg portion 44. For women wearing the same size pantyhose garment who are on the shorter end of the respective size range, the stretch band areas do not necessarily need to increase to their maximum vertical stretch capacity so the fabric in those areas merely lies without buckling. Thus, the resultingpantyhose garment 40, as shown inFIG. 4 and described above, enables one garment size to accommodate a wider range of body shapes, and particularly a wider range of wearer heights. - It is noted that use of the stretch bands knitted with four courses of spandex yarns as opposed to alternating courses of spandex and textured yarns can be incorporated into other types of hosiery garments to also provide such other garments with increased vertical stretch in targeted and insolated areas. For example, in pantyhose that are sheer to the waist and do not have a control top section, a stretch band can be positioned under the waistband at the top of the panty. In knee-highs, thigh-highs, and stockings, a stretch band can be positioned under the welt/band. All such hosiery garments generally knitted with alternating courses of spandex and textured yarns but with an isolated area(s) knitted with four courses of spandex yarns fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention.
- In both embodiments of the present invention as described herein, the increased stretch characteristics in the respective hosiery garments enable each such garment to fit a wider range of wearer body types. This provides the manufacturer with the flexibility to manufacture fewer sizes of such garments (resulting in less SKUs) while still accommodating the same or an even broader range of body configurations. This can result in significantly decreased manufacturing and marketing costs, which can also trickle down to decreased retail prices.
- While preferred embodiments of the invention have been described using specific terms, such description is for present illustrative purposes only, and it is to be understood that changes and variations to such embodiments, including but not limited to the substitution of equivalent features or parts, and the reversal of various features thereof, may be practiced by those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure.
Claims (9)
1. A sock comprising:
a toe section knitted with a first yarn having a first denier;
an ankle section knitted with the first yarn having the first denier; and
a mid-section that is disposed between the toe section and the ankle section, the mid-section being knitted with a second yarn having a second denier, the second denier being about 1.75 to about 4.5 times greater than the first denier of the first yarn.
2. The sock of claim 1 wherein the first yarn and the second yarn comprise nylon covered with spandex.
3. The sock of claim 1 wherein the first denier of the first yarn is about 10 to about 20.
4. The sock of claim 1 wherein the second denier of the second yarn is about 35 to about 45.
5. The sock of claim 1 wherein the sock is knitted on a machine such that the toe section and ankle section are knitted with a first loop having a first length and the mid-section is knitted with a second loop having a second length that is about 0.75″ to about 1.5″ greater than the first length of the first loop.
6. A hosiery garment comprising:
a leg section; and
a control top section further comprising a first stretch band;
wherein, except for the first stretch band, the control top section is knitted in a jersey knit pattern with alternate courses of a first spandex yarn and a first textured yarn; and
wherein the first stretch band is knitted in the jersey knit pattern with four courses of a second spandex yarn.
7. The hosiery garment of claim 6 wherein the first spandex yarn is the same as the second spandex yarn.
8. The hosiery garment of claim 6 wherein the first stretch band is proximate to a top of the control top section.
9. The hosiery garment of claim 6 further comprising a second stretch band that is knitted in the jersey knit pattern with four courses of the second spandex yarn, the second stretch band being proximate to a bottom of the control top section.
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US13/741,914 US20130192311A1 (en) | 2012-01-31 | 2013-01-15 | Hosiery garments with increased stretch characteristics |
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US201261592765P | 2012-01-31 | 2012-01-31 | |
US13/741,914 US20130192311A1 (en) | 2012-01-31 | 2013-01-15 | Hosiery garments with increased stretch characteristics |
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US20130192311A1 true US20130192311A1 (en) | 2013-08-01 |
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US13/741,914 Abandoned US20130192311A1 (en) | 2012-01-31 | 2013-01-15 | Hosiery garments with increased stretch characteristics |
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Cited By (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20150128652A1 (en) * | 2012-02-28 | 2015-05-14 | Bauerfeind Ag | Meshwear with different zones in stress-elongation behaviour |
GB2537869A (en) * | 2015-04-29 | 2016-11-02 | Adrian Taaffe Dawn | Stretchable legwear |
US9572375B2 (en) * | 2011-02-04 | 2017-02-21 | Okamoto Corporation | Vapor-permeable waterproof sock |
EP3369331A1 (en) | 2017-03-01 | 2018-09-05 | ILNA Inc. | Sock |
CN108642692A (en) * | 2018-03-28 | 2018-10-12 | 海宁威尔斯针织有限公司 | The production technology of men sport Knee-socks |
US20190365049A1 (en) * | 2018-06-04 | 2019-12-05 | Cole Haan Llc | Shoe Having A Structural Knit Region |
US11041262B2 (en) | 2016-07-08 | 2021-06-22 | Cole Haan Llc | Shoe having knit wingtip upper |
US11639564B1 (en) * | 2022-07-15 | 2023-05-02 | Wetsox, LLC | Twisted yarns and methods of manufacture thereof |
US20230337753A1 (en) * | 2022-04-25 | 2023-10-26 | Stephan Shin | Sporting Socks |
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US3798677A (en) * | 1972-08-31 | 1974-03-26 | Bear Brand Hosiery Co | Method of seaming panty hose |
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US4903345A (en) * | 1988-11-16 | 1990-02-27 | Oakley Thurman B | Stockings with connecting crotchpiece |
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US3763668A (en) * | 1971-10-29 | 1973-10-09 | Ithaca Textiles Inc | Method and construction for form fitting panty hose |
US3798677A (en) * | 1972-08-31 | 1974-03-26 | Bear Brand Hosiery Co | Method of seaming panty hose |
US4027667A (en) * | 1975-07-03 | 1977-06-07 | The Kendall Company | Therapeutic stocking |
US4390999A (en) * | 1980-12-29 | 1983-07-05 | Kellwood Company | Panty hose with body bulge control |
US4903345A (en) * | 1988-11-16 | 1990-02-27 | Oakley Thurman B | Stockings with connecting crotchpiece |
Cited By (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US9572375B2 (en) * | 2011-02-04 | 2017-02-21 | Okamoto Corporation | Vapor-permeable waterproof sock |
US20150128652A1 (en) * | 2012-02-28 | 2015-05-14 | Bauerfeind Ag | Meshwear with different zones in stress-elongation behaviour |
GB2537869A (en) * | 2015-04-29 | 2016-11-02 | Adrian Taaffe Dawn | Stretchable legwear |
GB2537869B (en) * | 2015-04-29 | 2020-10-07 | Adrian Taaffe Dawn | Stretchable legwear |
US11041262B2 (en) | 2016-07-08 | 2021-06-22 | Cole Haan Llc | Shoe having knit wingtip upper |
EP3369331A1 (en) | 2017-03-01 | 2018-09-05 | ILNA Inc. | Sock |
CN108642692A (en) * | 2018-03-28 | 2018-10-12 | 海宁威尔斯针织有限公司 | The production technology of men sport Knee-socks |
US20190365049A1 (en) * | 2018-06-04 | 2019-12-05 | Cole Haan Llc | Shoe Having A Structural Knit Region |
US20230337753A1 (en) * | 2022-04-25 | 2023-10-26 | Stephan Shin | Sporting Socks |
US11639564B1 (en) * | 2022-07-15 | 2023-05-02 | Wetsox, LLC | Twisted yarns and methods of manufacture thereof |
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Legal Events
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AS | Assignment |
Owner name: KAYSER-ROTH CORPORATION, NORTH CAROLINA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:SIMMONS, MICHAEL DANIEL;REEL/FRAME:030206/0568 Effective date: 20130408 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |