EP2258894A1

EP2258894A1 - Self-supporting stocking and a method for its manufacture on knitting machines

Info

Publication number: EP2258894A1
Application number: EP10425185A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Davide Rossi; Nicola Vergna
Original assignee: Contifibre SpA
Current assignee: Contifibre SpA
Priority date: 2009-06-03
Filing date: 2010-05-28
Publication date: 2010-12-08
Also published as: ITBS20090096A1

Abstract

This invention concerns a knitted garment, in particular a self-supporting stocking, that comprises a self-supporting band (11) made of a knitted fabric with at least a base thread and an added thread, and a method for its complete manufacture on a knitting machine. The self-supporting band has a plurality of adhesive areas (17) appearing from the internal surface of at least some parts of the knitted fabric and defined by localised portions (18) of an additional thread made up of a bare elastomeric thread.

Description

Field of the Invention

This invention concerns knitted garments, in particular the so-called self-supporting stockings, as well as a method for their manufacture on knitting machines.

State of the Technique

Self-supporting stockings are well known in the stockings field. They are stockings, in particular nylon or other fibers, which are up to the thigh in length, or at least above the knee, finishing with a self-supporting band which is entirely elasticized or siliconized, also called a flounce. This increases the adherence of the band to the skin allowing the stocking to remain in position by itself without the help of other elements such as suspender belts or garters. They are therefore stockings that support themselves by adhering to the leg.
Usually the flounce is made starting from strips, previously produced by an appropriate machine, to which silicone is applied and which are then cut and applied to the stockings manufacturte beforehand on a knitting machine for hosiery, with an additional operation.
As an alternative the self-supporting band is manufactured integrally with the stocking directly on the hosiery machine. The article so manufactured is then taken again to apply the silicon on the inside of the band by a molding process. Besides involving an additional operation, also in this case, the molding can be made only on flat surfaces and therefore it cannot be continuously carried out on all the surfaces of the band which is in fact circular; consequently areas without silicone are created which become deformed when the stocking is put on, not guaranteeing a perfect fit.
Self-supporting elasticized bands made directly on hosiery knitting machines using an elastic thread, have also been proposed. To guarantee that the stocking does not slip once it has been put on and during movements, however, such a band must be very tight, which besides being uncomfortable, tends to create anti-aesthetic creases on the skin of the person wearing it.

Objectives and Summary of the Invention

One objective of this invention is to obviate the drawbacks mentioned above by a knitted garment, particularly in the form of a self-supporting stocking, that can be totally made on a knitting machine, eliminating successive work for the application of the self-supporting band or for the application of silicone and consequently reducing production time and costs.
Another objective of the invention is to provide a particularly comfortable and esthetically appreciable garment.
Said objectives and implicit advantages are achieved by knitted garment according to claim 1, and by a method for its manufacture on a knitting machine in accordance with claim 3.

Brief description of the Drawings

The invention will however be described in greater detail making reference to the enclosed indicative and not limiting drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 shows an example of a garment in the form of a self-supporting stocking in a first realization; and
Fig. 2 shows a part of a self-supporting stocking according to another way of realization.

Detailed Description of the Invention

As an example a self-supporting stocking is shown, but the invention can also be used with other types of knitted garments such as woollen socks, sleeves or whatever else requires a supporting band.
As shown the self-supporting stocking comprises a self-supporting band 11, followed by a leg portion 12, a heal portion 13, a foot portion 14 and completed by a toe portion 15.
The self-supporting band has an initial elastic edge 16 that can be smooth or differently knitted.
According to the invention, the self-supporting band contains at least a bare elastomeric thread, knitted with at least a base thread so as to form, from its internal side, adhesive areas 17, of any shape and size, made up of non stitched portions of bare elastomeric thread 18 and therefore floating and exposed. Once the garment has been put on, these areas are in contact with the skin of the user, creating adhesion that holds the garment in a similar way to that of the silicone. In this way the garment does not slip, not so much because of the elasticity of the self-supporting band, as the friction that is created, due to the characteristics of the bare elastomeric, between the skin of the person wearing the garment and the adhesive surfaces 16. Figs. 1 and 2 show two examples of self-supporting bands that have different workmanship that correspond to different adhesive surfaces 16.
The garment described above can be made on knitting machines such as circular knitting machines for hosiery or knitwear having a cylinder holding a number of needles and provided with, as is usual, thread guides for feeding at least one base thread and at least one additional thread, in this specific case a bare elastomeric thread, starting from the construction of the elastic edge, which can be made in different ways.
In continuation with the edge the self-supporting band is manufactured, with an alternation of contiguous stitches in which the bare elastomeric is inserted with the base thread and contiguous stitches in which the bare elastomeric is left floating. These areas can alternate according to any selection so as to form surfaces of various shapes and sizes in which the bare elastomeric thread remains exposed inside the self-supporting band.
Once the self-supporting band is finished, the rest of the garment is constructed according to the known technique.
In the case of a self-supported stocking it will be constructed from the leg portion, continuing with the construction of the heel portion, followed by the foot portion and last of the entire toe portion.
The garment can be made using any type of thread, in various lengths and size and be smooth and/or designed depending on the type of knitting machine used.
In fact the use of a bare elastomeric instead of silicone makes a self-supporting band more elastic and consequently more comfortable; furthermore, when exposed, the bare elastomeric gives an adhesion effect to the skin or however to the surface it comes into contact with, that provides correct wearability without any uncomfortable compression.
Furthermore, thanks to the construction method proposed the garment can be made entirely by a knitting machine.

Claims

A knitted garment, in particular a self-supporting stocking, comprising a self-supporting band (11) made of a knitted fabric including at least a base thread and an added thread, characterised in that the self-supporting band has a plurality of adhesive zones (17) appearing from the internal surface of at least some areas of the knitted fabric and defined by localised portions (18) of the additional thread made up of a bare elastomeric thread.
The knitted article according to claim 1, wherein the thread portions (18) defining the adhesive zones (17) are freely exposed towards the inside of the self-supporting band in and between parts of knitted material knitted with the contribution of base thread.
A method of manufacturing a knitted garment, in particular a self-supporting stocking, on a circular knitting machine for stockings or knitwear having a cylinder with a plurality of needles and provided with thread guides for feeding at least a base thread and a bare elastomeric thread, comprising the steps of:
a- loading all the needles with at least the base thread and knitting a first portion to define an edge;

b- forming alternately knitted parts with base thread and bare elastomeric thread knitted together, followed by knitted parts with base thread, leaving the bare elastomeric thread portions floating and exposed;

c- repeating step b- according to different sequences to create a self-supporting band having, on the internal side, adhesive surfaces, made up of exposed bare elastomeric thread portions; and

d- manufacturing in continuation the remaining part of the knitted item.
The method for manufacturing a knitted article according to claim 3, wherein the parts of the knitting in which the bare elastomeric thread is floating are exposed towards the inside of the self-supporting band.