WO2020167126A1

WO2020167126A1 - Sock

Info

Publication number: WO2020167126A1
Application number: PCT/NL2020/050084
Authority: WO
Inventors: Harris Johannes Walter VAN EIJK; Jari Michel VAN DEN BROEK; Walterus Gerardus Leonardus FICKINGER; Wilhelmus Johannes MOESKOPS; Steffie Arnoldina Diana VAN EEMEREN
Original assignee: Van Eijk Harris Johannes Walter
Priority date: 2019-02-14
Filing date: 2020-02-14
Publication date: 2020-08-20
Also published as: NL2022579B1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a sock which has a foot portion and a leg portion.Thefoot portionisarranged for comprising a foot below the ankle joint. Theleg portionisarranged for comprising a part of the leg abovethe ankle joint. The leg portion is further comprised of an elastic band positioned near the top edgeof the leg portion at the opening for inserting the foot. Characteristic of the sock according the invention is that the elastic band is made of an elastic waistband.

Description

Title: Sock

Summary:

The present invention relates to a sock which has a foot portion for comprising a foot below the ankle joint and a leg portion for comprising a part of the leg above the ankle joint.

Background:

A sock is a piece of clothing worn on the feet. Socks protect the feet against cold but also against friction caused by the shoe. Socks often come to above the ankle joint and consist of a foot portion and a leg portion. The foot portion is located under the ankle joint. The leg portion is the part of the sock located above the ankle joint. This part can be very short, as is customary with ankle socks, and can also be long, for example with knee socks or stockings.

The foot portion of the sock usually stays well in place because it is enclosed by the shoe. However, the leg portion tends to slip down up to the thickening of the ankle. In order to keep it in place, the sock is provided with one or more elastic yarns woven in or knitted in the leg portion at the upper area of the location of the opening in which the foot can be inserted. The elasticity of these yarns decreases over time and the force these elastic yarns exerts on the lower leg can also be experienced as unpleasant.

From all pieces of clothing, socks are currently considered as those pieces of clothing which are not very fashionable. In cold seasons, socks are often not visible because there are covered by other types of clothing such as jeans. However, especially in warmer seasons or during sport events, in which shorts, skirts and other such pieces of clothing are worn, the socks are often clearly visible and therefore more fashion awareness is present. The use of colors can contribute to this, however, because socks known from the state of the art tends to slip down to the ankle joint, these are less suitable for expressing labels, names and logos and the like.

It is an object of the invention to provide a sock which resolved all or some of the abovementioned drawbacks of known socks.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a sock with an improved degree of elasticity and pretension.

It is another object of the invention to provide a sock arranged for visible fashion expressions thereon such as labels, names and logos that remain visible when used.

This object is, in a first aspect of the invention provided by a sock comprising a foot portion arranged for comprising a foot below the ankle joint, as well as a leg portion arranged for comprising a part of the leg above the ankle joint. The leg portion is further comprised of an elastic band positioned near the top edge of the leg portion at the opening for inserting the foot.

Characteristic of the sock according the first aspect of the invention is that the elastic band is made of an elastic waistband.

The leg portion can be long, for example with sport socks. In this case the elastic waistband at the top edge of the leg portion is positioned above the ankle joint around the lower leg. The top edge of the leg portion of the sock is also called welt. The leg portion can also be short, for example with ankle socks. In this case the elastic waistband is position just above or even on the ankle joint.

Elastic waistbands or elastic narrow fabrics or elastic tapes are produced by a waistband machine and are typically used in underwear and are characterized in that they are designed to hold the particular piece of clothing, in this case the sock, in position in a very efficient manner and under many circumstances. Currently known socks comprise elastic yarns which are integrated into the fabric. Typically, the elastic yarns may also be formed by turning over the upper end of the sock inwardly or outwardly and stitching in one or multiple elastic yarns. Both are considered uncomfortable and less effective when it comes to keeping the sock in its original position. The proposed sock, in which a separate elastic waistband is provided and attached to the sock, does not have such drawbacks. The elastic waistband provides a powerful and higher degree of elasticity then conventional socks with woven or knitted elastic yarns, but not at the expense of comfort. After all, the degree of force exerted by socks known from the state of the art, depends on the degree of elasticity and pretension the elastic yarns can exert. However, such a sufficient degree of elasticity and pretension results in discomfort and pinching of a part of the leg. In case of elastic bands, the degree of elasticity and pretension is distributed over a wide part of the circumference of the leg and is therefore not at the expense of the comfort. Moreover, with elastic narrow fabrics or waistbands the degree of elasticity is distributed over a larger or whole surface of the waistband. In this way a large degree of elasticity and pretension can be achieved without decreasing comfort.

Waistbands provide further advantages over known elastic yarns that are woven or knitted in, since waistband can be provided with fashion expressions on the band and/or the upper portion of the sock while conformity is preserved. In waistbands, the yarns or threads are woven very close to each other, which makes it extremely suitable for weaving in high resolution logos, labels and patterns with the same appearance as for example logos on t-shirts. In knitted fabrics, the structure of the yarns or threads are less dense.

Another advantage of an elastic waistband is that logos, labels, patterns or other fashion expressions can be printed on the waistband.

Yet another advantage of elastic waistband is that they are readily commercially available at reduced costs, so that the improved socks can be produced at low overall production costs.

The elastic waistband is preferably a separate narrow elastic fabric which is attached to the sock and which comprises a set of warp yarns and weft yarns of which between 1 and 90 percent of the warp yarns comprise elastic yarns, more preferably between 3 and 80 percent, more preferably between 4 and 70, 5 and 60 and most preferably between 10 and 30 percent. The elastic waistband is preferably a twill weave, or alternatively a plain weave or satin weave. Such twill weave has the advantage that it has fewer interlacings of the weft and warp yarns, as compared to other weaves which allow the yarns to move more freely. As such a twill woven elastic waistband is softer and more pliable, and drapes better than for example a plain-weave textile. Twill woven elastic waistband also has improved recovery from creasing. It also allows for fewer interlacings, the yarns can be packed closer together to produce high- count fabrics. With higher counts, including high-count twills, the fabric is more durable, and is air- and water-resistant.

The sock is preferably comprised of a knit fabric whereas the elastic waistband is preferably comprised of a woven fabric having elastic yarns. These elastic yarns may comprise rubber, spandex or a combination of both. The elastic yarns are preferably arranged for providing a high level of elasticity in longitudinal direction and a preferably arranged to be resiliently stiffened in its widthwise direction, e.g. by having elastic yarns of the warp yarns woven in the weft yarns in a rib wave. In this weave the elastic yarns preferably pass over at least 2, more preferably 3, and even more preferably 4 adjacent weft yarns. This creates a pronounced rib wave over a portion of the width of the fabric with the rib running in the direction of the width of the fabric and thus the circumference of the elastic waistband. In order to provide the resiliently stiffness in the widthwise direction, those elastic yarns may be wrapped with a polyester or nylon yarn. The elastic yarns are preferably mono-filament yarns, or alternatively multi-filament yarns.

To express the elasticity in a numerical value Young’s modulus can be used. This is a measure of the ability of a material to withstand changes in length when undergoing lengthwise tension, which is equal to the longitudinal stress divided by the strain. The value for elasticity for the elastic waistband of the sock is between lower than 1 gigapascal, more preferably lower than 0,8, more preferably lower than 0,5 and even more preferably lower than 0.1.

The height of the elastic waistband is typically at least 1 centimeter, typically up to several centimeters up to for example 12 centimeter, and preferably between 1 and 3 centimeter.

Preferably, the elastic band is woven. A woven fabric is any textile formed by weaving. Woven fabrics are made of many threads woven on a warp that runs in the longitudinal direction and a weft that runs in the width direction. Technically, a woven fabric is made by interlacing two or more threads at right angles to one another. Because the woven fabric is compact and stiff, fashion expressions like logos can be displayed sharply and with good quality on it. Because the elastic waistband is more resilient then bands used in socks of the state of the art, the sock fits well to the shape of the leg and will not club out easily, which would cause the sock to slip down.

Preferably, the said elastic waistband is made of a woven jacquard fabric. A jacquard elastic band has fine pattern, smooth hand feel, good strength, durable, high color fastness, and will never deform. A jacquard band or jacquard belt can be divided into warp and weft. The pattern of the warp jacquard band is relatively simple and single, while the pattern of the weft jacquard band is large and exquisite, with clear and three-dimensional color.

A jacquard elastic band can be made of a single-sided jacquard fabric or of a double-sided jacquard fabric. A single-sided jacquard fabric only has jacquard pattern on the front, but not on the back. A double sided jacquard fabric has jacquard pattern on both sides. This jacquard is more beautiful and fashionable, highlighting the designer’s design concept. Preferably, the elastic waistband is made of a plain weave, balanced plain weave or basket weave fabric, which are three fundamental types of textile weaves and are strong and hard-wearing and commonly used for fashion fabrics.

Preferably, the elastic waistband is made of a composition of nylon, polyester and elastane or any other combination of one or more of these.

The foot portion and the leg portion of the sock are preferably made of a textile. Preferably, the foot portion and leg portion are made of a textile comprising elastane. This results in a comfortable fit of the sock around the foot. More preferably, the foot portion and only the lower part of the leg portion of the sock comprises elastane. The top edge of the leg portion, that is that part of the leg portion to which the elastic band is attached, does not comprise elastane. Because of the absence of elastane, there is little to no elasticity in the leg portion near the welt of the sock which ensures a better attachment of the waistband to the leg portion of the sock.

In an example the foot portion and the leg portion are made of a woven fabric, but more preferably the foot portion and the leg portion are made of knitted textile. Knitted textile consists of threads or yarns that are laid in a wave form and are mixed together looped continuously to produce a braided look. A knitted textile or fabric is more stretchable, flexible and comfortable than a woven fabric and can be more readily constructed into smaller pieces, making it ideal for socks. The flexibility of a knitted textile allows it to form in all sorts of directions making it comfortable to wear. It is also this property of a knitted textile which makes it less suitable for elastic fabrics. Because of the open structure of neighboring yarns or threads in a knitted textile, the fabric will lump out after a while and lose their elastic property.

In an example, the sock is knitted circularly by a circular knitting machine, like a single cylinder machine or a double cylinder machine. Preferably, a single cylinder knitting machine is used for creating the sock according to the invention. With this machine the upper edge of the leg portion is made as thinner than the fabric created by a double cylinder knitting machine, which results in minimal sensible overlap of the elastic band and the leg portion and maximum comfort.

In an example, the top edge or welt of the leg portion of the sock is comprised of tuck stitches. A tuck stitch or tuck knit is a fold in fabric that is sewn or stitched in place and can for example be formed by knitting stitches together. The tuck stitched structure is less extensible and reduces elasticity and is therefore advantageous for a better adhesion of the elastic waistband to the leg portion. More preferably, the tuck stitch is a Pique tuck stitch.

In another example, the top edge of the leg portion of the sock is comprised of rib stitches, in order to ensure the top edge of the leg portion is strong enough for attaching the elastic waistband.

The attachment of the elastic waistband to the leg portion of the sock is best when no elastane is present in the textile near the top edge of the leg portion of the sock and the top edge of the leg portion of the sock contains either tuck stitches or rib stitches.

The elastic band can completely or partially overlap the leg portion. With a complete overlap, when the entire circumference of the elastic band overlaps the leg portion, the elastic band is preferably arranged on the outside. In the case of a partial overlap, when a part of the circumference of the elastic band overlaps the leg portion, the overlap surface preferably only covers a small part of the entire surface of the band, for example a maximum of 40%, more preferably about 25% or less.

The elastic band and the leg portion overlap each other in an interface section. This section is preferably provided with synthetic adhesive means for attaching the elastic band and the leg portion. This can be for example be glue or any other known adhesive. The interface section can also be provided with a mechanical attachment, for example by stitching, preferably by overlock stitching. Stitching is preferably done with an elastic thread or yarn in order to preserve the elastic properties of the sock.

The invention will now be explained with reference to the drawing, which drawing shows in figure 1 an embodiment of a sock according to the invention.

Detailed description of the drawing

Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a sock 1 according to the invention. The sock 1 is comprised of a foot portion 2 and a leg portion 3 where the foot can be inserted through an opening 5 in the sock 1. The foot portion 2 and the leg portion 3 are preferably made from a single textile and therefore seamless. An elastic band 4 is provided near the leg portion 3, which ensures that in particular the leg portion 3 will not slip down to the ankle joint. To this end, the elastic band 4 comprises an elasticity and applied pretension, which means that in a neutral position the band has a smaller diameter than the neutral position of the leg portion 3 of the sock 1. As can be seen in figure 1 , the sock is made from a part of an elastic waistband 4 as commercially available. The waistband 4 partly overlaps the leg portion 3 of the sock 1 and is attached to the leg portion 3 by stitching. By using the band 4, which has a certain height, this is arranged to affix a logo 6 on it by which fashion expression can be made on the sock 1.

Claims

1. A sock comprising a foot portion arranged for comprising a foot below the ankle joint, as well as a leg portion arranged for comprising a part of the leg above the ankle joint, said leg portion is further comprised of an elastic band positioned near the top edge of said leg portion at the opening for inserting the foot, wherein said elastic band is made of an elastic waistband.

2. The sock according to claim 1 , wherein said elastic waistband is made of a woven fabric.

3. The sock according to claim 1 , wherein said elastic waistband is made of a woven jacquard fabric.

4. The sock according to claim 1 , wherein said elastic waistband is made of one of a plain weave, balanced plain weave or basket weave fabric.

5. The sock according to one or more of the previous claims, wherein said elastic waistband is made of a composition of nylon and/or polyester and/or elastane.

6. The sock according to one or more of the previous claims, wherein only said food portion and the lower part of said leg portion of the sock comprises elastane.

7. The sock according to one or more of the previous claims, wherein said foot portion and said leg portion of the sock are made of a textile.

8. The sock according to one or more of the previous claims, wherein said foot portion and said leg portion of the sock are made of a knitted textile.

9. The sock according to one or more of the previous claims, wherein said foot portion and said leg portion of the sock are made of a woven fabric.

10. The sock according to one or more of the previous claims, wherein the top edge of said leg portion is comprised of tuck stitches.

1 1. The sock according to claim 10, wherein said tuck stitches are pique tuck stitches.

12. The sock according to one of the claims 1 - 9, wherein the top edge of said leg portion is comprised of rib stitches.

13. The sock according to one or more of the previous claims, wherein the entire circumference of said elastic band overlaps said leg portion.

14. The sock according to one or more of the previous claims, wherein a part of the circumference of said elastic band overlaps said leg portion.

15. The sock according to claim 14, wherein an interface section where said elastic band and said leg portion overlap is provided with synthetic adhesive means for attaching said elastic band and said leg portion.

16. The sock according to claim 14, wherein an interface section where said elastic band and said leg portion overlap is provided with a mechanical attachment, for attaching said elastic band and said leg portion.

17. The sock according to claim 16, wherein said mechanical attachment is stitching, preferably stitching with an elastic yarn.