WO2025089215A1 - Knitted fabric and legwear - Google Patents

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a knitted fabric configured so that after absorbing moisture, the knitted fabric can cause the absorbed moisture to evaporate as quickly as possible. This knitted fabric comprises a high-absorption region AA and a low-absorption region BA. The low-absorption region is adjacent to the high-absorption region and has lower absorption properties than those of the high-absorption region. It is preferable that the high-absorption region is knit from a first yarn AT having high absorption properties, and it is preferable that the low-absorption region is knit from a second yarn BT having lower absorption properties than the first yarn.

Description

Knitted fabrics and legwear

The present invention relates to a knitted fabric. The present invention also relates to legwear formed from the knitted fabric.

In the past, a fabric with improved stickiness when wet has been proposed, characterized in that the fabric has a saturated water absorption of 2.5 ^cm3 /100 ^cm2 or more, the wet air resistance of the fabric when saturated with water is 100 kPa·s/m or less, and the surface unevenness of at least one side is 5.0 or more (see, for example, JP 2001-303408 A).

JP 2001-303408 A

The above-mentioned fabrics, when used for clothing (e.g., clothing, hats, legwear, etc.), absorb moisture such as sweat and insensible perspiration. However, there is a risk that the absorbed moisture cannot be quickly evaporated by the above-mentioned fabrics.

The objective of the present invention is to provide a knitted fabric that can evaporate the absorbed moisture as quickly as possible after absorbing it.

The knitted fabric according to the first aspect of the present invention comprises a highly absorbent region and a less absorbent region. The less absorbent region is adjacent to the highly absorbent region and has a lower absorbency than the highly absorbent region.

The above configuration allows a boundary between a highly absorbent region and a less absorbent region to be formed, and after absorbing moisture, the absorbed moisture can be evaporated as quickly as possible.

The knitted fabric according to the second aspect of the present invention is the knitted fabric according to the first aspect, in which the highly absorbent region is knitted with a yarn including a first yarn. The less absorbent region is knitted with a yarn including a second yarn that has lower absorbency than the first yarn. The yarn including the first yarn also includes a yarn including only the first yarn, i.e., the first yarn itself. The yarn including the second yarn also includes a yarn including only the second yarn, i.e., the second yarn itself.

The above configuration allows the highly absorbent and less absorbent regions to be organized as efficiently as possible.

The knitted fabric according to the third aspect of the present invention is the knitted fabric according to the second aspect, in which the first yarn is a first surface yarn. The second yarn is a second surface yarn having a lower water absorbency than the first surface yarn. There is a first back yarn corresponding to the first surface yarn, and a second back yarn corresponding to the second surface yarn. The first back yarn and the second back yarn each knit an area separate from the high water absorbency area and the low water absorbency area.

The above configuration can improve the elasticity and durability of the knitted fabric as much as possible depending on the material of the back yarn. The first front yarn and the first back yarn are, for example, supplied to the knitting needles at the same time to knit the knitted fabric by plating knitting. The first front yarn is located on the front side of the knitted fabric and forms a highly absorbent region. The first back yarn is located on the back side of the knitted fabric (opposite the highly absorbent region) and forms a region separate from the highly absorbent region. The second front yarn and the second back yarn are, for example, supplied to the knitting needles at the same time to knit the knitted fabric by plating knitting. The second front yarn is located on the front side of the knitted fabric in the front stitches and forms a low absorbent region. The second back yarn is located on the back side of the knitted fabric (opposite the low absorbent region) and forms a region separate from the low absorbent region.

A knitted fabric according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is a knitted fabric according to the third aspect, wherein the mass ratio per 100 ^cm2 of the first back yarn and the second back yarn to the yarn including the first yarn and the yarn including the second yarn is in the range of 0.25 or more and 4 or less.

By setting the mass ratio of the first back yarn and the second back yarn to the yarn including the first yarn and the yarn including the second yarn per 100 ^cm2 within the above-mentioned range, it is possible to prevent the water absorption capacity from being impaired as much as possible, and to allow the water absorbed by the structure of the yarn including the first yarn and the yarn including the second yarn to evaporate as quickly as possible. In addition, it is possible to improve the stretchability and durability of the knitted fabric as much as possible.

The knitted fabric according to the fifth aspect of the present invention is the knitted fabric according to the third or fourth aspect, in which the high absorbency region and the low absorbency region are provided on a first side. At least one of the first and second rear threads has hydrophobic properties. The hydrophobic rear thread knits a hydrophobic region as a separate region. The hydrophobic region is provided on a second side opposite the first side.

The above configuration makes it possible to better prevent absorbed moisture such as sweat and insensible perspiration from returning to the skin when the second side of the knitted fabric is in contact with the skin of a person while the knitted fabric is capable of absorbing moisture such as sweat and insensible perspiration.

The knitted fabric according to the sixth aspect of the present invention is the knitted fabric according to the fifth aspect, in which at least one of the first and second rear threads has water repellency.

Water repellency is a sub-concept of hydrophobicity, and has the property of repelling moisture more than hydrophobicity, and the water absorption of a water repellent backing yarn is lower than that of a hydrophobic backing yarn. With the above configuration, when the knitted fabric is in a state where it can absorb moisture such as sweat and insensible perspiration and the second side of the knitted fabric is brought into contact with human skin, it is possible to better prevent the absorbed moisture from returning to the human skin side after absorbing moisture such as sweat and insensible perspiration.

The knitted fabric according to the seventh aspect of the present invention is a knitted fabric according to any one of the third to sixth aspects, in which the absorbency of at least one of the first and second back yarns is lower than the absorbency of the yarn including the first yarn and the yarn including the second yarn. The absorbency speed of the back yarn having a lower absorbency than the yarn including the first yarn and the yarn including the second yarn is more than 30 seconds. There is no particular upper limit to the absorption speed, but if an upper limit were to be specified, it would be, for example, 300 seconds.

With the above configuration, when the second side of the knitted fabric is in contact with human skin while the knitted fabric is capable of absorbing moisture such as sweat and insensible perspiration, it is possible to promote as much as possible the movement of the absorbed moisture from the side facing the human skin to the opposite side of the human skin after the moisture such as sweat and insensible perspiration has been absorbed. Details of the water absorption test for determining the water absorption rate of the back yarn will be described later.

A knitted fabric according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is a knitted fabric according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, in which the length of the boundary between the high absorbency region and the low absorbency region per ^cm2 is in the range of 0.67 cm to 16 cm.

The above configuration allows the absorbed moisture to evaporate more quickly after it has been absorbed.

The knitted fabric according to the ninth aspect of the present invention is a knitted fabric according to the first or eighth aspect, in which the number of courses in the high absorbency region is one or more. The number of courses in the low absorbency region is one or more. The ratio of the number of courses in the low absorbency region to the number of courses in the high absorbency region is within the range of 0.2 to 5.

When the ratio of the number of courses in the low absorbency region to the number of courses in the high absorbency region is within the above-mentioned range, moisture such as insensible perspiration and sweat can be sufficiently absorbed, and the absorbed moisture can be quickly evaporated, improving the knitted fabric's ability to separate from the skin and eliminating stickiness as much as possible. There is no particular upper limit to the number of courses in the high absorbency region, but if one were to specify an upper limit, it would be, for example, 30 courses. There is no particular upper limit to the number of courses in the low absorbency region, but if one were to specify an upper limit, it would be, for example, 30 courses.

The knitted fabric according to a tenth aspect of the present invention is a knitted fabric according to any one of the second to seventh aspects, in which the number of courses in the high absorbency region is one or more. The number of courses in the low absorbency region is one or more. The ratio of the number of courses in the low absorbency region to the number of courses in the high absorbency region is within the range of 0.2 to 5.

When the ratio of the number of courses in the low absorbency region to the number of courses in the high absorbency region is within the above-mentioned range, moisture such as insensible perspiration and sweat can be sufficiently absorbed, and the absorbed moisture can be quickly evaporated, improving the knit fabric's ability to separate from the skin and eliminating stickiness as much as possible. There is no particular upper limit to the number of courses in the high absorbency region, but if one were to be set, it would be, for example, 30 courses. There is no particular upper limit to the number of courses in the low absorbency region, but if one were to be set, it would be, for example, 30 courses.

The knitted fabric according to the eleventh aspect of the present invention is any one of the knitted fabrics according to the second to seventh aspects or the knitted fabric according to the tenth aspect, in which the first yarn and the second yarn are switched every other course.

With the above configuration, when the knitted fabric is in a state in which it can absorb moisture such as sweat and insensible perspiration and is in contact with human skin, it can diffuse and evaporate the absorbed moisture more quickly after absorbing the sweat, insensible perspiration, etc.

The knitted fabric according to the twelfth aspect of the present invention is a knitted fabric according to the first, eighth or ninth aspect, in which a border pattern, a stripe pattern, a cut boss pattern, a polka dot pattern, an intarsia pattern, a jacquard pattern or a split foot pattern is formed by the high absorbency region and the low absorbency region.

The above configuration can maximize the design and easily form the boundary between the high and low absorbency regions. In border and stripe patterns, the high and low absorbency regions can be continuously switched in a long and narrow shape, and it is assumed that the moisture absorbed in the high absorbency region can be evaporated from the boundary (boundary line) between the adjacent low absorbency regions. The direction of switching between the high and low absorbency regions is horizontal in border patterns and vertical in stripe patterns. A border pattern can be formed by switching the high and low absorbency regions for each course, and a stripe pattern can be formed by switching the high and low absorbency regions for each wale. In checkerboard and plaid patterns with successive squares and rectangles, it is assumed that moisture can be diffused in various directions, such as the course direction (horizontal direction) and wale direction (vertical direction), and the diffusion speed of moisture can be increased. In addition, in intarsia patterns, jacquard patterns, and other geometric patterns that combine triangles, polygons, and the like in addition to squares and rectangles, it is assumed that the boundary between the high water absorption area and the low water absorption area can be increased, and moisture can be evaporated efficiently. It is also assumed that by switching between the high water absorption area and the low water absorption area in the course direction (horizontal direction) and the wale direction (vertical direction), the knitted fabric can be placed in a pinpoint manner in the area of the sole where there are many sweat glands or where sweat is easily generated. For example, in a dot pattern in which approximately circular high water absorption areas are dispersed in a low water absorption area, moisture is absorbed and diffused in the approximately circular high water absorption area, and moisture is evaporated at the boundary (boundary) between the approximately circular high water absorption area and the low water absorption area, allowing the knitted fabric to dry quickly, and the release property of the knitted fabric from the skin can be improved. Also, for example, in a dot pattern in which roughly circular low absorbency regions are dispersed within a highly absorbent region, moisture is absorbed and dispersed in the highly absorbent region, and moisture is evaporated at the boundary (boundary line) between the highly absorbent region and the roughly circular low absorbency region, allowing for quick drying, which is believed to improve the knit's ability to separate from the skin. It is also believed that by making the highly absorbent region as wide as possible, it is possible to absorb more moisture and reduce the sticky feeling, and by making the low absorbency region as wide as possible, it is possible to improve quick drying and ability to separate from the skin.

The knitted fabric according to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention is a knitted fabric according to any one of the second to seventh aspects, the tenth aspect, or the eleventh aspect, in which a border pattern, a stripe pattern, a cut boss pattern, a polka dot pattern, an intarsia pattern, a jacquard pattern, or a split foot pattern is formed by the high absorbency region and the low absorbency region.

The above configuration can maximize the design and easily form the boundary between the high and low absorbency regions. In border and stripe patterns, the high and low absorbency regions can be continuously switched in a long and narrow shape, and it is assumed that the moisture absorbed in the high absorbency region can be evaporated from the boundary (boundary line) between the adjacent low absorbency regions. The direction of switching between the high and low absorbency regions is horizontal in border patterns and vertical in stripe patterns. A border pattern can be formed by switching the high and low absorbency regions for each course, and a stripe pattern can be formed by switching the high and low absorbency regions for each wale. In checkerboard and plaid patterns with successive squares and rectangles, it is assumed that moisture can be diffused in various directions, such as the course direction (horizontal direction) and wale direction (vertical direction), and the diffusion speed of moisture can be increased. In addition, in intarsia patterns, jacquard patterns, and other geometric patterns that combine triangles, polygons, and the like in addition to squares and rectangles, it is assumed that the boundary between the high water absorption area and the low water absorption area can be increased, and moisture can be evaporated efficiently. It is also assumed that by switching between the high water absorption area and the low water absorption area in the course direction (horizontal direction) and the wale direction (vertical direction), the knitted fabric can be placed in a pinpoint manner in the area of the sole where there are many sweat glands or where sweat is easily generated. For example, in a dot pattern in which approximately circular high water absorption areas are dispersed in a low water absorption area, moisture is absorbed and diffused in the approximately circular high water absorption area, and moisture is evaporated at the boundary (boundary) between the approximately circular high water absorption area and the low water absorption area, allowing the knitted fabric to dry quickly, and the release property of the knitted fabric from the skin can be improved. Also, for example, in a dot pattern in which roughly circular low absorbency regions are dispersed within a highly absorbent region, moisture is absorbed and dispersed in the highly absorbent region, and moisture is evaporated at the boundary (boundary line) between the highly absorbent region and the roughly circular low absorbency region, allowing for quick drying, which is believed to improve the knit's ability to separate from the skin. It is also believed that by making the highly absorbent region as wide as possible, it is possible to absorb more moisture and reduce the sticky feeling, and by making the low absorbency region as wide as possible, it is possible to improve quick drying and ability to separate from the skin.

The knitted fabric according to the 14th aspect of the present invention is a knitted fabric according to any one of the 2nd to 7th aspects, the 10th aspect, the 11th aspect, or the 13th aspect, and the absorbency of the first yarn knitting the highly absorbent region is (a) an absorption speed of more than 30 seconds and an absorption rate of 10% or more, (b) an absorption speed of 30 seconds or less and an absorption rate of less than 10%, or (c) an absorption speed of 30 seconds or less and an absorption rate of 10% or more. The absorbency of the second yarn knitting the low absorbent region is more than 30 seconds and an absorption rate of less than 10%.

According to the above configuration, the absorbency of the first yarn that knits the high absorbency region and the absorbency of the second yarn that knits the low absorbency region can be defined from two perspectives: the absorption speed and the absorption rate. In the case of (a) above, there is no particular upper limit to the absorption speed and the absorption rate of the first yarn, but if an upper limit is specified, it can be, for example, 300 seconds and 100%, respectively. In the case of (b) above, the lower limits of the absorption speed and the absorption rate of the first yarn can be, for example, 1 second and 3%, respectively. In the case of (c) above, the lower limit of the absorption speed of the first yarn can be, for example, 1 second, and there is no particular upper limit to the absorption rate, but if an upper limit is specified, it can be, for example, 100%. In the case of (c) above, there is no particular upper limit to the absorption speed of the second yarn, but if an upper limit is specified, it can be, for example, 300 seconds, and the lower limit of the absorption rate can be, for example, 3%. Details of the water absorption test to determine the water absorption rate and water absorption rate of the first and second threads will be described later.

The knitted fabric according to the fifteenth aspect of the present invention is a knitted fabric according to any one of the second to seventh aspects, the tenth aspect, the eleventh aspect, the thirteenth aspect, or the fourteenth aspect, in which the number of courses in the high absorbency region is one or more courses. The number of courses in the low absorbency region is one or more courses. The fineness of at least one of the first yarn in one course of the high absorbency region and the second yarn in one course of the low absorbency region is 150 denier or more.

The above configuration allows the boundary between the high absorbency region and the low absorbency region to be as clear as possible, and allows the absorbed moisture, such as sweat and insensible perspiration, to evaporate more quickly after absorbing the moisture. When the number of threads in one course is two or more, the fineness of the thread means the total fineness of the thread in that course (i.e., the sum of the fineness of each thread in that course). There is no particular upper limit to the number of courses in the high absorbency region, but if an upper limit were to be specified, it would be 30 courses. There is no particular upper limit to the number of courses in the low absorbency region, but if an upper limit were to be specified, it would be 30 courses. There is no particular upper limit to the fineness of at least one of the first thread in one course of the high absorbency region and the second thread in one course of the low absorbency region, but if an upper limit were to be specified, it would be 500 denier.

The legwear according to the sixteenth aspect of the present invention includes a sole covering part that covers the sole of the foot. The sole covering part is formed from a knitted fabric according to any one of the first to fifteenth aspects. The highly absorbent region and the low absorbent region are located on opposite sides facing the skin.

When a person is wearing legwear, moisture such as sweat and insensible perspiration is easily discharged from the soles of the feet. With the above configuration, the moisture discharged from the soles of the feet can be absorbed and then evaporated as quickly as possible. Examples of legwear include socks, tabi socks, stockings, tights, etc.

The legwear according to the seventeenth aspect of the present invention comprises a sole covering part that covers the sole of the foot. The sole covering part includes a toe covering part that covers the toes of the sole, an arch covering part that covers the arch of the sole, a ball of the foot covering part that covers the ball of the sole, and a ball of the little toe covering part that covers the ball of the little toe of the sole. At least one portion of the toe covering part, the arch covering part, the ball of the foot covering part, and the ball of the little toe covering part is formed from the knitted fabric according to any one of the first to fifteenth aspects. The high absorbency region and the low absorbency region are located on opposite sides facing the skin.

When a person is wearing legwear, moisture such as sweat and insensible perspiration is easily discharged from the sole of the foot, particularly at least one of the toes, arch, ball of the big toe, and ball of the little toe. With the above configuration, the moisture discharged from at least one of the toes, arch, ball of the big toe, and ball of the little toe can be absorbed, and then the absorbed moisture can be evaporated as quickly as possible. Examples of legwear include socks, tabi, stockings, tights, etc.

1 is a side view of a sock according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a bottom view of a sock according to an embodiment of the present invention. The broken lines in the drawing indicate the positions of the arch covering portion, the ball of the big toe covering portion, and the ball of the little toe covering portion of the lower foot covering portion. 3 is an enlarged view of a highly absorbent region and a less absorbent region of a sock according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a striped knit structure in a foot covering part or ankle covering part of a sock according to an embodiment of the present invention, when viewed from the back side. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a cut boss pattern knitting structure in a foot covering portion or an ankle covering portion of a sock according to modified example (F). Note that in this figure, hydrophobic backing yarns are omitted from the drawing. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a cut boss pattern knitting structure in a foot covering portion or an ankle covering portion of a sock according to modified example (F). Note that in this figure, hydrophobic backing yarns are omitted from the drawing. 1 is a diagram showing an example of an intarsia pattern knitting structure in a foot-covering portion or an ankle-covering portion of a sock according to modified example (F). Note that in this figure, hydrophobic backing yarns are omitted from the drawing. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the results of verification example 1. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the masses of the highly water-absorbent surface yarn, the low water-absorbent surface yarn, and the water-repellent back yarn used in Verification Example 2. FIG. ¹ is a diagram showing the mass ratio per 100 cm2 of the highly water-absorbent surface yarn, the low water-absorbent surface yarn, and the water-repellent back yarn used in Verification Example 2. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the results of verification example 2. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the results of verification example 3. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the results of verification example 4-1. A figure showing the results of verification example 4-2. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the results of verification example 5. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the results of verification example 6.

1. Socks (Legwear)
100 Toe covering part 112a Arch covering part 112b Big toe ball covering part 112c Little toe ball covering part AA Highly absorbent area AT Highly absorbent surface yarn (first yarn, first surface yarn)
BA: low water absorption area BT: low water absorption surface yarn (second yarn, second surface yarn)
BO Plantar Covering Section CT Hydrophobic Backing Thread (First Backing Thread, Second Backing Thread)

<Configuration of legwear according to an embodiment of the present invention>
The legwear according to the embodiment of the present invention is, for example, socks, tabi socks, stockings, tights, etc. One example of the legwear according to the embodiment of the present invention is a sock 1 shown in Fig. 1. The sock 1 will be described in detail below.

As shown in FIG. 1, the sock 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention is mainly made up of a toe covering portion 100, a foot covering portion 110, a heel covering portion 120, an ankle covering portion 130, and an opening portion 140. These portions are described in detail below.

For ease of explanation, the up-down direction and the front-back direction are defined in FIG. 1, and the up-down direction and the left-right direction are defined in FIG. 2. Below, the sock 1 may be described using these directions.

(1) Toe Covering Part The toe covering part 100 is a bag-shaped part for covering the toes, and is formed of an upper toe covering part 101 and a lower toe covering part 102, etc., as shown in Figures 1 and 2. The upper toe covering part 101 is located above the lower toe covering part 102, as shown in Figure 1, and extends forward from the front end of the upper foot covering part 111 of the foot covering part 110. The lower toe covering part 102 is located below the upper toe covering part 101, as shown in Figure 1, and extends forward from the front end of the lower foot covering part 112 of the foot covering part 110, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. The toe covering part 100 can be knitted from yarns such as polyester, cotton, linen, silk, wool, rayon, cupra, acetate, acrylic, nylon, and polyester-cotton blends. Furthermore, the yarn used in the toe covering portion 100 may be either a highly water-absorbent surface yarn AT (described later) or a low water-absorbent surface yarn BT (described later).

(2) Foot Covering Section The foot covering section 110 has a cylindrical shape and is continuous with the ankle covering section 130 via the heel covering section 120 as shown in Fig. 1. The foot covering section 110 is formed of an upper foot covering section 111 and a lower foot covering section 112 as shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. The upper foot covering section 111 is a section for covering the instep side of the foot, and is located above the lower foot covering section 112 as shown in Fig. 1, and extends rearward from the rear end of the upper toe covering section 101 of the toe covering section 100. The lower foot covering section 112 is located below the upper foot covering section 111 as shown in Fig. 1, and extends rearward from the rear end of the lower toe covering section 102 of the toe covering section 100 as shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the lower foot covering part 112, together with the lower toe covering part 102 of the toe covering part 100, forms a sole covering part BO for covering the sole of the foot.

As shown in Fig. 4, the foot covering part 110 is knitted from a highly absorbent front yarn AT having high water absorption, a low absorbent front yarn BT having lower water absorption than the highly absorbent front yarn AT, and a hydrophobic back yarn CT having hydrophobic properties. The method of knitting the foot covering part 110 is not particularly limited, but for example, the highly absorbent front yarn AT and the hydrophobic back yarn CT are simultaneously fed to knitting needles to knit the foot covering part 110 by plating knitting, and the low absorbent front yarn BT and the hydrophobic back yarn CT are simultaneously fed to knitting needles to knit the foot covering part 110 by plating knitting. The highly absorbent front yarn AT is, for example, a hydrophilic yarn, a hydrophobic yarn that has been hydrophilically treated, a hydrophobic yarn with enhanced water absorption, or a highly absorbent and hygroscopic yarn. Examples of hydrophilic yarns include natural fiber yarns such as cotton, hemp, Japanese paper, and silk; regenerated cellulose fibers such as rayon, polynosic, cupra, and lyocell; regenerated fiber yarns made of protein fibers using chitin, chitosan, and casein; semi-synthetic fiber yarns made of acetate fibers such as acetate and triacetate; and synthetic fiber yarns having hydrophilic groups such as nylon. Examples of hydrophobic yarns that have been hydrophilically treated include synthetic fiber yarns that do not have hydrophilic groups, such as polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene, and acrylic, to which hydroxyl groups or carboxyl groups have been added. Examples of hydrophobic yarns with enhanced water absorption include multifilament yarns and modified cross-section yarns. Examples of highly water-absorbent and hygroscopic yarns include cellulose fibers such as Japanese paper, rayon, and acetate, and silk yarns. The low water-absorbent surface yarn BT is, for example, a hydrophobic yarn, a water-repellent processed hydrophobic yarn, or a low water-absorbent but hygroscopic yarn. The hydrophobic yarn is, for example, a synthetic fiber yarn having no hydrophilic group, such as polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene, or acrylic. The hydrophobic yarn is, for example, a synthetic fiber yarn having no hydrophilic group, such as polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene, or acrylic, which is imparted with water repellency by fluororesin, silicone, alkyl group, wax, or the like. The low water-absorbent but hygroscopic yarn is, for example, wool or a water-repellent processed cellulose fiber. The number of highly water-absorbent surface yarns AT per course in the highly water-absorbent region AA is preferably 1 or more, more preferably 2 or more, and even more preferably 3 or more. Here, assuming that the fineness (thickness) of one highly absorbent surface yarn AT is, for example, 75 denier, if the number of highly absorbent surface yarns AT per course in the highly absorbent region AA is, for example, 2, the total fineness of the highly absorbent surface yarn AT in that course will be equivalent to 75×2 denier (150 denier), and if the number of highly absorbent surface yarns AT per course in the highly absorbent region AA is, for example, 3, the total fineness of the highly absorbent surface yarn AT in that course will be equivalent to 75×3 denier (225 denier). The number of low absorbent surface yarns BT per course in the low absorbent region BA is preferably 1 or more, more preferably 2 or more, and even more preferably 3 or more. By increasing the number of at least one of the highly absorbent surface yarns AT per course in the highly absorbent region AA and the low absorbent surface yarns BT per course in the low absorbent region BA, the boundary between the highly absorbent region AA and the low absorbent region BA can be made as clear as possible, and the absorbed moisture can be evaporated more quickly after absorbing moisture such as sweat and insensible perspiration. In addition to increasing the number of at least one of the highly absorbent surface yarns AT per course in the highly absorbent region AA and the low absorbent surface yarns BT per course in the low absorbent region BA, the fineness of at least one of the highly absorbent surface yarns AT and the low absorbent surface yarns BT may be increased. Here, when the number of highly absorbent surface yarns AT in one course of the highly absorbent region AA is two or more, the total fineness of the highly absorbent surface yarns AT in that course is preferably 150 denier or more, and when the number of low absorbent surface yarns BT in one course of the low absorbent region BA is two or more, the total fineness of the low absorbent surface yarns BT in that course is preferably 150 denier or more. When the number of highly absorbent surface yarns AT in one course of the highly absorbent region AA is one, the fineness of the highly absorbent surface yarns AT in that course is preferably 150 denier or more, and when the number of low absorbent surface yarns BT in one course of the low absorbent region BA is one, the fineness of the low absorbent surface yarns BT in that course is preferably 150 denier or more. The hydrophobic back yarn CT is, for example, a yarn in which an elastic core yarn is covered with a hydrophobic covering yarn and has elasticity, or a synthetic fiber having no hydrophilic group and has elasticity. Here, the elastic core yarn is, for example, polyurethane, etc. The hydrophobic covered yarn is, for example, a long fiber yarn such as polyester, polypropylene, or polyethylene. A method of covering an elastic core yarn with a covered yarn is, for example, a method of winding the covered yarn spirally around the core yarn. When winding the covered yarn spirally around the core yarn, the covered yarn is, for example, wound one or more times with an S twist (right twist) or a Z twist (left twist). A water-repellent treatment may be performed on the yarn covered with the hydrophobic covered yarn around the elastic core yarn. The stretchable yarn such as a synthetic fiber having no hydrophilic group is, for example, a yarn (woolly polyester, woolly nylon, etc.) that has been subjected to a shrinking process in which a hydrophobic yarn is false-twisted, heat-set, and untwisted, a side-by-side type conjugate yarn in which at least one or more fibers having hydrophobic properties and different heat shrinkage rates are bonded together and heat-treated to be spirally shrunken, or a yarn (for example, polytrimethylene terephthalate, etc.) that has elastic properties and flexibility due to a crystal structure in which molecules form a loose spiral. In addition, the mass ratio of the hydrophobic back thread CT to the highly absorbent front thread AT and the low absorbent front thread BT per 100 ^cm2 (i.e., the mass of the hydrophobic back thread CT/the mass of the highly absorbent front thread AT and the low absorbent front thread BT) is preferably in the range of 0.25 to 4. When the mass ratio of the hydrophobic back thread CT to the highly absorbent front thread AT and the low absorbent front thread BT per 100 ^cm2 is within this range, the highly absorbent front thread AT and the low absorbent front thread BT can be efficiently switched to each other, and the absorbed moisture such as sweat and insensible perspiration can be evaporated more quickly after absorbing the moisture. In addition, the mass ratio of the hydrophobic back thread CT to the highly absorbent front thread AT and the low absorbent front thread BT per 100 cm2 can be obtained by cutting out a knitted fabric of 10 cm x 10 cm = 100 ^cm2 , unraveling the highly absorbent front thread AT, the low absorbent front thread BT, and the hydrophobic back thread CT and measuring the mass of ^each . In addition, the hydrophobic back thread CT corresponding to the highly absorbent front thread AT and the hydrophobic back thread CT corresponding to the low absorbent front thread BT may be the same thread or different threads. For example, the hydrophobic back thread CT corresponding to the highly absorbent front thread AT and the hydrophobic back thread CT corresponding to the low absorbent front thread BT may be a thread in which polyester is coated around polyurethane. In addition, for example, the hydrophobic back thread CT corresponding to the highly absorbent front thread AT may be a thread in which polyester is coated around polyurethane, and the hydrophobic back thread CT corresponding to the low absorbent front thread BT may be woolly polyester.

By knitting the foot covering part 110 from the highly absorbent front yarn AT, the low absorbent front yarn BT, and the hydrophobic back yarn CT, as shown in Figs. 1 to 3, the highly absorbent area AA knitted from the highly absorbent front yarn AT, the low absorbent area BA knitted from the low absorbent front yarn BT, and the hydrophobic area (not shown) knitted from the hydrophobic back yarn CT are knitted in the foot covering part 110. The absorbency of the highly absorbent area AA and the low absorbent area BA will be described later in the section on absorbency. The highly absorbent area AA and the low absorbent area BA are knitted on the side opposite to the skin side of the foot covering part 110 (i.e., the front side), and the hydrophobic area is knitted on the skin side of the foot covering part 110 (i.e., the back side). As shown in Figs. 1 to 4, the highly absorbent area AA and the low absorbent area BA form a border pattern (striped pattern). In addition, the number of courses in the high absorbency region AA (i.e., the number of stitches in the longitudinal direction of the boundary line between the high absorbency region AA and the low absorbency region BA) is one course or more, and the number of courses in the low absorbency region BA is one course or more. FIG. 4 shows an example in which the number of courses in the high absorbency region AA and the number of courses in the low absorbency region BA are one course each. When the number of courses in the high absorbency region AA is one course, the high absorbency region AA becomes the high absorbency surface yarn AT, and when the number of courses in the low absorbency region BA is one course, the low absorbency region BA becomes the low absorbency surface yarn BT. The ratio of the number of courses in the low absorbency region BA to the number of courses in the high absorbency region AA (i.e., the number of courses in the low absorbency region BA/the number of courses in the high absorbency region AA) is preferably in the range of 0.2 to 5, and more preferably 1. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4, it is preferable that the high absorbency surface yarn AT and the low absorbency surface yarn BT are switched every other course. In this case, after absorbing moisture such as sweat and insensible perspiration, the absorbed moisture can be diffused and evaporated more quickly, and the wearer can be prevented from feeling stuffy as much as possible. In addition, the length of the boundary line between the highly absorbent area AA and the low absorbent area BA per 1 ^cm2 is preferably within a range of 0.67 cm to 16 cm. When the length of the boundary line between the highly absorbent area AA and the low absorbent area BA per 1 ^cm2 is within this range, the absorbed moisture can be evaporated more quickly after absorbing moisture such as sweat and insensible perspiration. The length of the boundary line between the highly absorbent area AA and the low absorbent area BA per 1 ^cm2 can be obtained by, for example, cutting out a knitted fabric of 3 cm x 3 cm = 9 ^cm2 , measuring the length of the boundary line between the highly absorbent area AA and the low absorbent area BA in the cut-out knitted fabric, and converting it to ^{per cm2} . For example, referring to Fig. 3, if the area of the square SQ is 9 ^cm2 and the length of one boundary between the high absorbency region AA and the low absorbency region BA is 3 cm, the length of the boundary between the high absorbency region AA and the low absorbency region BA per ^cm2 is 3 x 4/9 = 1.33.... The boundary between the high absorbency region AA and the low absorbency region BA is a substantially straight line as shown in Figs. 1 to 3. However, when the boundary between the high absorbency region AA and the low absorbency region BA is viewed at a larger magnification than that shown in Fig. 3, the boundary between the high absorbency region AA and the low absorbency region BA is actually a substantially broken line (a substantially zigzag line).

(3) Heel Covering Part The heel covering part 120 is a part for covering the heel, and extends rearward from the rear end of the lower foot covering part 112 of the foot covering part 110 as shown in Figures 1 and 2, and can be knitted from yarns such as polyester, cotton, linen, silk, wool, rayon, cupra, acetate, acrylic, nylon, polyester-cotton blend, etc. The yarn used for the heel covering part 120 may be either the highly absorbent surface yarn AT or the low absorbent surface yarn BT.

(4) Ankle Covering Part The ankle covering part 130 is a tubular part for covering the ankle. As shown in FIG. 1 , it extends upward from the upper end of the heel covering part 120 and is continuous with the foot covering part 110 via the heel covering part 120.

As shown in FIG. 4, the ankle covering portion 130 is knitted from highly absorbent front yarn AT, low absorbent front yarn BT, and hydrophobic back yarn CT. The highly absorbent front yarn AT, low absorbent front yarn BT, and hydrophobic back yarn CT are as described above.

In addition, by knitting the ankle covering part 130 from the highly absorbent front yarn AT, the low absorbent front yarn BT, and the hydrophobic back yarn CT, as shown in Figures 1 and 3, the foot covering part 110 is knitted with a highly absorbent area AA knitted from the highly absorbent front yarn AT, a low absorbent area BA knitted from the low absorbent front yarn BT, and a hydrophobic area (not shown) knitted from the hydrophobic back yarn CT. The highly absorbent area AA, the low absorbent area BA, and the hydrophobic area are as described above.

1, the opening part 140 is formed on the upper side of the ankle covering part 130, and can be knitted from yarns such as polyester, cotton, linen, silk, wool, rayon, cupra, acetate, acrylic, nylon, polyester-cotton blends, etc. The yarn used for the opening part 140 may be the same as either the highly absorbent surface yarn AT or the low absorbent surface yarn BT.

<About water absorption>
The absorbency of the highly absorbent region AA and the low absorbent region BA (i.e., the absorbency of the highly absorbent front yarn AT and the low absorbent front yarn BT) in the embodiment of the present invention will be described below. First, the following four classifications A to D are prepared based on the absorption speed (described later) and the absorption rate (described later).

A. The water absorption speed is more than 30 seconds, and the water absorption rate is less than 10%.
B. The water absorption speed is more than 30 seconds, and the water absorption rate is 10% or more.
C. The water absorption speed is 30 seconds or less, and the water absorption rate is less than 10%.
D. The water absorption speed is 30 seconds or less, and the water absorption rate is 10% or more.

The absorbency test for the high absorbency region AA and the low absorbency region BA can be performed by the following method with reference to the sedimentation method based on JIS L 1907, to determine the absorbency rate and absorbency rate in each region. The absorbency test for the high absorbency region AA may be performed first, or the absorbency test for the low absorbency region BA may be performed first, or these absorbency tests may be performed simultaneously.

(Water absorption test for highly water absorbent region AA)
1. Take 100 cm of highly absorbent face yarn AT from the highly absorbent region AA.
2. Measure the weight of the sample. The measured weight is the weight before water absorption (WB).
3. Tie the sample into a block.
4. Float the sample on the water.
5. Measure the water absorption rate (seconds), which is the time it takes for the sample to start to sink. If the sample does not sink and remains floating on the water even after 60 seconds have passed, the water absorption rate is deemed to be 60 seconds or more.
6. Immerse the sample in water for 10 minutes. If the sample floats, use tweezers to push it back down.
7. Remove the sample from the water and wait until no more liquid drops fall from the sample on their own.
8. With the sample sandwiched between two pieces of filter paper, a 400 g weight is placed on the sample for 30 seconds.
9. Measure the weight of the sample. The measured weight is the weight after water absorption, WA.
10. Calculate the water absorption rate (%) from the formula [(weight after water absorption WA - weight before water absorption WB) / weight before water absorption WB x 100].

(Water absorption test for low water absorption area BA)
1. Take 100 cm of low water absorbency face yarn BT of the low water absorbency region BA.
2. Measure the weight of the sample. The measured weight is the weight before water absorption (WB).
3. Tie the sample into a block.
4. Float the sample on the water.
5. Measure the water absorption rate (seconds), which is the time it takes for the sample to start to sink. If the sample does not sink and remains floating on the water even after 60 seconds have passed, the water absorption rate is deemed to be 60 seconds or more.
6. Immerse the sample in water for 10 minutes. If the sample floats, use tweezers to push it back down.
7. Remove the sample from the water and wait until no more liquid drops fall from the sample on their own.
8. With the sample sandwiched between two pieces of filter paper, a 400 g weight is placed on the sample for 30 seconds.
9. Measure the weight of the sample. The measured weight is the weight after water absorption, WA.
10. Calculate the water absorption rate (%) from the formula [(weight after water absorption WA - weight before water absorption WB) / weight before water absorption WB x 100].

In the embodiment of the present invention, the water absorption speed and water absorption rate in the high water absorption area AA and the low water absorption area BA are determined, and the water absorption rate in the high water absorption area AA is classified into categories B to D, and the water absorption rate in the low water absorption area BA is classified into category A. Here, the measurement results of the water absorption speed when the above water absorption test was performed using unprocessed polyester as the low water absorption surface yarn BT in the low water absorption area BA are shown in Table 1 below, and the calculation results of the water absorption rate are shown in Table 2 below. In addition, the measurement results of the water absorption speed when the above water absorption test was performed using (a) water-absorbent polyester (e.g., Sorbtek (registered trademark), etc.), (b) rayon filament, (c) rayon spun, and (d) combed cotton as the high water absorption surface yarn AT in the high water absorption area AA are shown in Table 1 below, and the calculation results of the water absorption rate are shown in Table 2 below.

 

 

 

 

From the above, it can be seen that the low absorbency region BA has a slower water absorption speed and a lower water absorption rate. It can also be seen that the high absorbency region AA has a faster water absorption speed or a higher water absorption rate than the low absorbency region BA. When the water absorption speed in the high absorbency region AA is 30 seconds or less, the moisture absorbed in the high absorbency region AA can be diffused as quickly as possible compared to when the water absorption speed exceeds 30 seconds. For this reason, in the embodiment of the present invention, it is preferable that the water absorption speed in the high absorbency region AA is 30 seconds or less. For this reason, for example, it is preferable to combine a low absorbency region BA having a water absorption speed of more than 30 seconds and a water absorption rate of less than 10% with a high absorbency region AA having a water absorption speed of 30 seconds or less and a water absorption rate of 10% or more. In addition, it is preferable to use a hygroscopic yarn as the high absorbency surface yarn AT for knitting the high absorbency region AA. This makes it easier to retain moisture such as sweat and insensible perspiration, and reduces the humidity difference between the outside and inside of the sock 1. In addition, in the embodiment of the present invention, by imparting water repellency to the low absorbency region BA with fluorine resin or the like, it is possible to prevent moisture from being contained in the low absorbency region BA, thereby improving the skin separation property as much as possible and preventing the wearer from feeling sticky or stuffy as much as possible. In addition, the larger the difference between the water absorption rate in the high absorbency region AA and the water absorption rate in the low absorbency region BA, the faster the moisture such as sweat and insensible perspiration can be absorbed and the absorbed moisture can be evaporated as quickly as possible when worn. For this reason, in the embodiment of the present invention, it is preferable that the difference between the water absorption rate in the high absorbency region AA and the water absorption rate in the low absorbency region BA is large. In addition, in the embodiment of the present invention, it is preferable that the water absorption speed in the low absorbency region BA is 60 seconds or more. For this reason, it is particularly preferable to combine a low absorbency region BA with an absorption speed of 60 seconds or more and an absorption rate of less than 10% with a high absorbency region AA with an absorption speed of 30 seconds or less and an absorption rate of 50% or more.

<Features of the socks according to the embodiment of the present invention>
(1)
In the sock 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the foot covering part 110 includes a highly absorbent region AA knitted from a highly absorbent surface yarn AT, and a low absorbent region BA knitted from a low absorbent surface yarn BT. The highly absorbent region AA and the low absorbent region BA are formed on the opposite side of the skin side of the foot covering part 110 and the ankle covering part 130. Therefore, in this sock 1, after absorbing moisture such as sweat and insensible perspiration excreted by the foot, the absorbed moisture can be evaporated as quickly as possible.

(2)
In the sock 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the foot covering part 110 includes a hydrophobic region knitted from a hydrophobic backing yarn CT. The hydrophobic region is formed on the skin side of the foot covering part 110 and the ankle covering part 130. This makes it possible to prevent as much as possible the absorbed moisture, such as sweat and insensible perspiration, discharged from the foot from returning to the skin side of the person after the moisture is absorbed. In addition, in the sock 1, the hydrophobic backing yarn CT is not only hydrophobic but also stretchable. This makes it possible to improve the stretchability of the sock 1 as much as possible.

(3)
In the sock 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the high absorbency area AA and the low absorbency area BA form a border pattern, which allows the design of the sock 1 to be maximized, and also allows the boundary between the high absorbency area AA and the low absorbency area BA to be formed as easily as possible.

(4)
In the sock 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the mass ratio of the hydrophobic back yarn CT to the highly absorbent front yarn AT and the low absorbent front yarn BT per 100 ^cm2 is in the range of 0.25 to ^4. The ratio of the number of courses in the low absorbent region BA to the number of courses in the highly absorbent region AA is in the range of 0.2 to 5. The length of the boundary line between the highly absorbent region AA and the low absorbent region BA per cm2 is in the range of 0.67 cm to 16 cm. Therefore, in the sock 1, after absorbing moisture such as sweat and insensible perspiration discharged from the foot, the absorbed moisture can be evaporated more quickly.

<Modification>
(A)
Although not mentioned in the sock 1 according to the previous embodiment, the lower toe covering part 102 of the toe covering part 100 may be knitted from highly absorbent surface yarn AT, low absorbent surface yarn BT, and hydrophobic back yarn CT. In the lower toe covering part 102 of the toe covering part 100, a highly absorbent area AA knitted from highly absorbent surface yarn AT, a low absorbent area BA knitted from low absorbent surface yarn BT, and a hydrophobic area knitted from hydrophobic back yarn CT may be formed. Alternatively, the lower toe covering part 102 of the toe covering part 100 may be knitted only from highly absorbent surface yarn AT and low absorbent surface yarn BT, and no hydrophobic area may be formed in the lower toe covering part 102 of the toe covering part 100. In addition, when the lower toe covering part 102 of the toe covering part 100 is knitted from the highly absorbent surface yarn AT, the low absorbent surface yarn BT, and the hydrophobic back yarn CT, the lower foot covering part 112 of the foot covering part 110 may be knitted from yarns other than the highly absorbent surface yarn AT, the low absorbent surface yarn BT, and the hydrophobic back yarn CT.

(B)
Although not mentioned in the sock 1 according to the previous embodiment, the heel covering part 120 may be knitted from highly absorbent surface yarn AT, low absorbent surface yarn BT, and hydrophobic back yarn CT. In the heel covering part 120, a highly absorbent area AA knitted from highly absorbent surface yarn AT, a low absorbent area BA knitted from low absorbent surface yarn BT, and a hydrophobic area knitted from hydrophobic back yarn CT may be formed. Alternatively, the heel covering part 120 may be knitted only from highly absorbent surface yarn AT and low absorbent surface yarn BT, and no hydrophobic area may be formed in the heel covering part 120.

(C)
In the sock 1 according to the above embodiment, the upper foot covering part 111 of the foot covering part 110 is knitted from highly absorbent front yarn AT, low absorbent front yarn BT, and hydrophobic back yarn CT. However, the upper foot covering part 111 of the foot covering part 110 may be knitted from yarns other than the highly absorbent front yarn AT, low absorbent front yarn BT, and hydrophobic back yarn CT.

(D)
In the sock 1 according to the previous embodiment, the entire lower foot covering part 112 of the foot covering part 110 is knitted from highly absorbent surface yarn AT, low absorbent surface yarn BT, and hydrophobic back yarn CT. However, at least one of the arch covering part 112a (see FIG. 2), the ball of the foot covering part 112b (see FIG. 2), and the little ball of the foot covering part 112c (see FIG. 2) of the lower foot covering part 112 of the foot covering part 110 may be knitted from highly absorbent surface yarn AT, low absorbent surface yarn BT, and hydrophobic back yarn CT.

(E)
In the sock 1 according to the above embodiment, the ankle covering part 130 is knitted from highly absorbent front yarn AT, low absorbent front yarn BT, and hydrophobic back yarn CT. However, the ankle covering part 130 may be knitted from yarns other than the highly absorbent front yarn AT, low absorbent front yarn BT, and hydrophobic back yarn CT.

(F)
In the sock 1 according to the previous embodiment, the foot covering portion 110 is knitted from the highly absorbent surface yarn AT, the low absorbent surface yarn BT, and the hydrophobic back yarn CT, and the highly absorbent area AA, the low absorbent surface yarn BT, and the hydrophobic area are formed in the foot covering portion 110. However, the foot covering portion 110 may be knitted only from the highly absorbent surface yarn AT and the low absorbent surface yarn BT, and the hydrophobic area may not be formed in the foot covering portion 110. Also, in the sock 1 according to the previous embodiment, the ankle covering portion 130 is knitted from the highly absorbent surface yarn AT, the low absorbent surface yarn BT, and the hydrophobic back yarn CT, and the highly absorbent area AA, the low absorbent surface yarn BT, and the hydrophobic area are formed in the ankle covering portion 130. However, the ankle covering portion 130 may be knitted only from the highly absorbent surface yarn AT and the low absorbent surface yarn BT, and the hydrophobic area may not be formed in the ankle covering portion 130.

(G)
In the sock 1 according to the above embodiment, the high absorbency area AA and the low absorbency area BA form a border pattern. However, the pattern formed by the high absorbency area AA and the low absorbency area BA is not limited to a border pattern. For example, the high absorbency area AA and the low absorbency area BA may form a stripe pattern, a cut boss pattern (see Figs. 5 and 6), a dot pattern, an intarsia pattern (see Fig. 7), a jacquard pattern (e.g., a pattern that creates a three-dimensional effect in the knitted fabric), or a split foot pattern (e.g., a pattern in which the upper foot covering part 111 and the lower foot covering part 112 of the foot covering part 110 are knitted with different types of yarn or different color yarn).

(H)
In the sock 1 according to the above embodiment, the boundary between the high absorbency region AA and the low absorbency region BA is a substantially straight line when viewed at a smaller magnification than that shown in the enlarged view of Fig. 3. However, the boundary between the high absorbency region AA and the low absorbency region BA in this case is not limited to a substantially straight line and may be, for example, a substantially broken line or a substantially wavy line.

(I)
In the sock 1 according to the previous embodiment, the hydrophobic region is knitted from the hydrophobic rear yarn CT. However, a water-repellent rear yarn may be used instead of the hydrophobic rear yarn CT, and the water-repellent region may be knitted from the water-repellent rear yarn. In addition, the rear yarn corresponding to one of the surface yarns of the highly absorbent surface yarn AT and the low absorbent surface yarn BT may be the hydrophobic rear yarn CT, and the rear yarn corresponding to the other surface yarn of the highly absorbent surface yarn AT and the low absorbent surface yarn BT may be the water-repellent rear yarn. In addition, the rear yarn corresponding to one of the surface yarns of the highly absorbent surface yarn AT and the low absorbent surface yarn BT may be either the hydrophobic rear yarn CT or the water-repellent rear yarn, and the rear yarn corresponding to the other surface yarn of the highly absorbent surface yarn AT and the low absorbent surface yarn BT may be a rear yarn other than the hydrophobic rear yarn CT and the water-repellent rear yarn. The water-repellent region has a lower water absorption than the hydrophobic region. The water-repellent backing yarn is, for example, a yarn in which a water-repellent covering yarn is covered around an elastic core yarn and has elasticity, or a synthetic fiber having elasticity without a hydrophilic group. Here, the elastic core yarn is, for example, polyurethane. The water-repellent covering yarn is a yarn in which a hydrophobic covering yarn (for example, a long fiber yarn such as polyester, polypropylene, polyethylene, etc.) is treated to be water-repellent. Note that a covering yarn in which a hydrophilic long fiber yarn such as nylon is treated to be water-repellent may be covered around the elastic core yarn. A method of covering the covering yarn around the elastic core yarn is, for example, a method of winding the covering yarn spirally around the core yarn. When winding the covering yarn spirally around the core yarn, the covering yarn is, for example, wound one or more times with an S twist (right twist) or a Z twist (left twist). Note that a water-repellent treatment may be further performed on the yarn in which the water-repellent covering yarn is covered around the elastic core yarn. Elastic yarns such as synthetic fibers without hydrophilic groups include, for example, yarns (woolly polyester, woolly nylon, etc.) that have been subjected to a shrink process in which hydrophobic yarns are false-twisted, heat-set, and untwisted, and side-by-side conjugate yarns in which multiple fibers, at least one of which is water-repellent and has different thermal shrinkage rates, are bonded together and heat-treated to be spirally shrunk.

(J)
In the sock 1 according to the above embodiment, it is preferable that the high absorbency region AA and the low absorbency region BA are switched every course. However, the high absorbency region AA and the low absorbency region BA may be switched every wale. In a checkered or plaid pattern, the high absorbency region AA and the low absorbency region BA may be adjacent to each other and alternately repeated in the minimum unit of 2 courses x 2 wales. In a checkered or plaid pattern (lattice pattern), the high absorbency region AA and the low absorbency region BA may each be repeated in a pattern of 1 to 256 regions ^per cm2 (16 regions x 16 regions when a lattice of 1 course x 1 wale is made).

(K)
Although not mentioned in the sock 1 according to the previous embodiment, the highly absorbent surface yarn AT may be aligned with a surface yarn other than the low absorbent surface yarn BT. In such a case, only the highly absorbent surface yarn AT may knit the highly absorbent region AA, or the highly absorbent surface yarn AT and the other surface yarn may knit the highly absorbent surface yarn AT together. Also, the low absorbent surface yarn BT may be aligned with a surface yarn other than the highly absorbent surface yarn AT. In such a case, only the low absorbent surface yarn BT may knit the low absorbent region BA, or the low absorbent surface yarn BT and the other surface yarn may knit the low absorbent region BA together.

(L)
In the previous embodiment, the present invention is applied to socks 1, but the present invention may also be applied to legwear other than socks 1 (e.g., tabi, stockings, tights, etc.) or to clothing other than legwear (e.g., clothes, hats, etc.).

The above-mentioned variations may be used individually or in appropriate combinations as long as no contradictions are present.

<Verification example>
The present invention will be described in more detail below by showing verification examples. Note that the present invention is not limited to the verification examples shown below.

(Verification Example 1)
A knitted fabric consisting of a highly absorbent region AA over the entire surface and a knitted fabric in which the highly absorbent region AA and the low absorbent region BA are switched every other course were prepared. The size of each knitted fabric was 5 cm x 5 cm, and a polyester that had been treated for water absorption was used as the highly absorbent surface yarn AT, and an untreated polyester was used as the low absorbent surface yarn BT. Then, 0.3 ml of water was dropped onto each knitted fabric, and the diffusible residual moisture content (%) after 30 minutes was calculated. The diffusible residual moisture content (%) after 30 minutes was calculated by the formula [(mass of knitted fabric after 30 minutes - mass of knitted fabric before water dropping) / (mass of knitted fabric immediately after water dropping - mass of knitted fabric before water dropping) x 100]. As a result, the results shown in FIG. 8 were obtained. As shown in Figure 8, the diffusible residual moisture rate (%) after 30 minutes was 33.22 for the knitted fabric whose entire surface was made up of high absorbency region AA, and 24.58 for the knitted fabric whose adjacent high absorbency region AA and low absorbency region BA were switched every other course. This verification showed that the knitted fabric whose adjacent high absorbency region AA and low absorbency region BA were switched every other course had higher moisture diffusibility and quick-drying properties than the knitted fabric whose entire surface was made up of high absorbency region AA.

(Verification Example 2)
The following seven types of knitted fabrics, each measuring 10 cm x 10 cm, were prepared.
(1) A knitted fabric having a water-repellent region in which a highly absorbent region AA in which the number of highly absorbent surface yarns AT (water-absorbent polyester) per course is three is adjacent to a low-absorbent region BA in which the number of low-absorbent surface yarns BT (unprocessed polyester) per course is three, and in which water-repellent FTY30/150 is used as the water-repellent back yarn. (2) A knitted fabric having a water-repellent region in which a highly absorbent region AA in which the number of highly absorbent surface yarns AT (water-absorbent polyester) per course is two is adjacent to a low-absorbent region BA in which the number of low-absorbent surface yarns BT (unprocessed polyester) per course is two is adjacent to a water-repellent region in which water-repellent FTY30/150 is used as the water-repellent back yarn. (3) A knitted fabric that is the same as the knitted fabric in (2) above, except that regular (R) FTY30/150 is used as the water-repellent back yarn. (4) A knitted fabric that is the same as the knitted fabric (2) above except that regular FTY30/75 is used as the water-repellent backing yarn. (5) A knitted fabric having a water-repellent region in which a highly absorbent region AA, in which there is one highly absorbent surface yarn AT (water-absorbent polyester) per course, is adjacent to a low-absorbent region BA, in which there is one low-absorbent surface yarn BT (untreated polyester) per course, and in which water-repellent FTY30/150 is used as the water-repellent backing yarn. (6) A knitted fabric that is the same as the knitted fabric (5) above except that regular (R) FTY30/150 is used as the water-repellent backing yarn. (7) A knitted fabric that is the same as the knitted fabric (5) above except that regular FTY30/75 is used as the water-repellent backing yarn.

The highly absorbent front yarn AT, the low absorbent front yarn BT, and the water-repellent back yarn were unwound from each knitted fabric, and their masses (g) were measured, and the results are shown in Figure 9. As shown in Figure 9, the masses (g) of each yarn are as follows: highly absorbent front yarn AT: 5.345, low absorbent front yarn BT: 1.76, and water-repellent back yarn: 6.219 in knitted fabric (1); highly absorbent front yarn AT: 3.417, low absorbent front yarn BT: 1.165, and water-repellent back yarn: 5.216 in knitted fabric (2); highly absorbent front yarn AT: 3.4, low absorbent front yarn BT: 1.156, and water-repellent back yarn: 5.82 in knitted fabric (3); and highly absorbent front yarn AT: 3.4, low absorbent front yarn BT: 1.156, and water-repellent back yarn: 5.82 in knitted fabric (4). : 3.288, low water-absorbency surface yarn BT: 1.067, water-repellent back yarn: 2.865, in the knitted fabric of (5), high water-absorbency surface yarn AT: 1.673, low water-absorbency surface yarn BT: 0.532, water-repellent back yarn: 5.066, in the knitted fabric of (6), high water-absorbency surface yarn AT: 1.688, low water-absorbency surface yarn BT: 0.554, water-repellent back yarn: 5.669, in the knitted fabric of (7), high water-absorbency surface yarn AT: 1.6, low water-absorbency surface yarn BT: 0.503, water-repellent back yarn: 2.715. The mass ratio (%) per 100 ^cm2 of the high water-absorbency surface yarn AT, low water-absorbency surface yarn BT, and water-repellent back yarn was calculated from these masses, and the results are shown in FIG. 10. As shown in FIG. 10, the mass ratio (%) per 100 cm2 of each yarn was calculated. In the knitted fabric of ( ¹ ), the mass ratio (%) of highly absorbent surface yarn AT:low absorbent surface yarn BT:water-repellent back yarn is 40.12:13.21:46.68, in the knitted fabric of (2), highly absorbent surface yarn AT:low absorbent surface yarn BT:water-repellent back yarn is 34.87:11.89:53.24, in the knitted fabric of (3), highly absorbent surface yarn AT:low absorbent surface yarn BT:water-repellent back yarn is 32.77:11.14:56.09, in the knitted fabric of (4), highly absorbent surface yarn AT:low absorbent surface yarn BT:water-repellent back yarn is 32.77:11.14:56.09, The ratios of water-absorbent surface yarn BT:water-repellent back yarn=45.54:14.78:39.68, in the knitted fabric of (5), the ratios of highly absorbent surface yarn AT:low absorbent surface yarn BT:water-repellent back yarn=23.01:7.32:69.67, in the knitted fabric of (6), the ratios of highly absorbent surface yarn AT:low absorbent surface yarn BT:water-repellent back yarn=21.34:7.00:71.66, and in the knitted fabric of (7), the ratios of highly absorbent surface yarn AT:low absorbent surface yarn BT:water-repellent back yarn=33.21:10.44:56.35. Then, 2 ml of water was dropped onto each knitted fabric, and the diffusible residual moisture content (%) after 60 minutes was determined. The diffusible residual moisture content (%) after 60 minutes is calculated by the formula: [(mass of knitted fabric after 60 minutes - mass of knitted fabric before water is added) / (mass of knitted fabric immediately after water is added - mass of knitted fabric before water is added) x 100]. As a result, the results shown in Figure 11 were obtained. As shown in Figure 11, the diffusible residual moisture content (%) after 60 minutes was 49.54 for knitted fabric (1), 50.99 for knitted fabric (2), 47.77 for knitted fabric (3), 54.11 for knitted fabric (4), 56.41 for knitted fabric (5), 57.52 for knitted fabric (6), and 58.62 for knitted fabric (7). For the knitted fabric that is the same as the knitted fabric in (1) above except that Regular (R) FTY30/150 was used as the water-repellent back yarn, the mass (g) of each yarn was not measured and the mass ratio (%) of each yarn per 100 ^cm2 was not calculated, but the diffusible residual moisture content (%) after 60 minutes was 47.89. For the knitted fabric that is the same as the knitted fabric in (1) above except that Regular FTY30/75 was used as the water-repellent back yarn, the mass (g) of each yarn was not measured and the mass ratio (%) of each yarn per 100 ^cm2 was not calculated, but the diffusible residual moisture content (%) after 60 minutes was 43.22. This verification showed that the quick-drying property tends to deteriorate when the ratio of the water-repellent back yarn to the highly absorbent front yarn AT and the low absorbent front yarn BT increases.

(Verification Example 3)
The following nine types of knitted fabrics, each measuring 10 cm x 10 cm, were prepared.
(1) A knitted fabric having a water-repellent region in which a highly water-absorbent region AA, in which the number of highly water-absorbent surface yarns AT (water-absorbent polyester) per course is three, is adjacent to a low water-absorbent region BA, in which the number of low water-absorbent surface yarns BT (unprocessed polyester) per course is three, and in which water-repellent FTY30/150 is used as the water-repellent back yarn. (2) A knitted fabric that is the same as the knitted fabric (1) above, except that regular (R) FTY30/150 is used as the water-repellent back yarn. (3) A knitted fabric that is the same as the knitted fabric (1) above, except that regular FTY30/75 is used as the water-repellent back yarn. (4) A knitted fabric having a water-repellent region in which a highly water-absorbent region AA, in which the number of highly water-absorbent surface yarns AT (water-absorbent polyester) per course is two, is adjacent to a low water-absorbent region BA, in which the number of low water-absorbent surface yarns BT (unprocessed polyester) per course is two, and in which water-repellent FTY30/150 is used as the water-repellent back yarn. (5) A knitted fabric that is the same as the knitted fabric in (4) above, except that regular (R) FTY30/150 is used as the water-repellent back yarn. (6) A knitted fabric that is the same as the knitted fabric in (4) above, except that regular FTY30/75 is used as the water-repellent back yarn. (7) A knitted fabric having a water-repellent region in which a highly absorbent region AA, in which the number of highly absorbent surface yarns AT (water-absorbent polyester) per course is one, is adjacent to a low-absorbent region BA, in which the number of low-absorbent surface yarns BT (untreated polyester) per course is one, and in which water-repellent FTY30/150 is used as the water-repellent back yarn. (8) A knitted fabric that is the same as the knitted fabric in (7) above, except that regular (R) FTY30/150 is used as the water-repellent back yarn. (9) A knitted fabric that is the same as the knitted fabric in (7) above, except that regular FTY30/75 is used as the water-repellent back yarn.

Then, steam was applied to the skin side of each knitted fabric (i.e., the side where the water-repellent region is knitted) for 30 seconds. Next, the skin side of each knitted fabric was turned upwards, filter paper was applied to the skin side and outer side of each knitted fabric (i.e., the side where the high water absorbency region AA and low water absorbency region BA are knitted), and a weight was placed on top of the filter paper applied to the skin side of each knitted fabric for 30 seconds. The weight gain (g) of each filter paper was then calculated. As a result, the results shown in Figure 12 were obtained. As shown in FIG. 12, the weight increase (g) of each filter paper was as follows: for knitted fabric (1), skin side filter paper: 0.0375, outer filter paper: 0.056; for knitted fabric (2), skin side filter paper: 0.025, outer filter paper: 0.186; for knitted fabric (3), skin side filter paper: 0.0245, outer filter paper: 0.12; for knitted fabric (4), skin side filter paper: 0.0235, outer filter paper: 0.086; and for knitted fabric (5), is skin side filter paper: 0.0255, outer filter paper: 0.2095, in knitted fabric (6) skin side filter paper: 0.0255, outer filter paper: 0.1775, in knitted fabric (7) skin side filter paper: 0.031, outer filter paper: 0.1035, in knitted fabric (8) skin side filter paper: 0.0185, outer filter paper: 0.2655, in knitted fabric (9) skin side filter paper: 0.0205, outer filter paper: 0.18. This verification confirmed that by providing the high water absorbency region AA and the low water absorbency region BA on the outside (opposite the skin side) and knitting the water repellent region on the skin side, moisture moves from the skin side of the knitted fabric to the outside, resulting in skin separation.

(Verification Example 4-1)
A knitted fabric with a boundary line between the high water absorption area AA and the low water absorption area BA per 1 ^cm2 of 1.33 (cm), a knitted fabric with a length of 8, and a knitted fabric with a length of 16 were prepared. The size of each knitted fabric was 5 cm x 5 cm, and a polyester with a water absorption treatment was used as the high water absorption surface yarn AT, an untreated polyester was used as the low water absorption surface yarn BT, and FTY30/150 was used as the water repellent back yarn. Then, 0.3 ml of water was dropped onto each knitted fabric, and the diffusible residual moisture content (%) after 30 minutes was calculated. The diffusible residual moisture content (%) after 30 minutes was calculated by the formula [(mass of knitted fabric after 30 minutes - mass of knitted fabric before water dropping) / (mass of knitted fabric immediately after water dropping - mass of knitted fabric before water dropping) x 100]. As a result, the results shown in FIG. 13 were obtained. As shown in Fig. 13, the diffusible residual moisture content (%) after 30 minutes was 56.0% for a knitted fabric in which the length of the boundary line between the high absorbency region AA and the low absorbency region BA per ^cm2 was 1.33, 41.75% for a knitted fabric in which the length was 8, and 35.4% for a knitted fabric in which the length was 16. This verification showed that the longer the boundary line between the high absorbency region AA and the low absorbency region BA per ^cm2 (i.e., the smaller the border width), the faster the drying properties.

(Verification Example 4-2)
A knitted fabric with a boundary line between the high water absorption area AA and the low water absorption area BA per 1 ^cm2 of 0.67 (cm) and a knitted fabric with a length of 14 cm were prepared. The size of each knitted fabric was 5 cm x 5 cm, and cotton was used as the high water absorption surface yarn AT, polypropylene was used as the low water absorption surface yarn BT, and FTY30/75 was used as the water repellent back yarn. Then, 0.3 ml of water was dropped onto each knitted fabric, and the diffusible residual moisture content (%) after 30 minutes was calculated. The diffusible residual moisture content (%) after 30 minutes was calculated by the formula [(mass of knitted fabric after 30 minutes - mass of knitted fabric before water dropping) / (mass of knitted fabric immediately after water dropping - mass of knitted fabric before water dropping) x 100]. As a result, the results shown in FIG. 14 were obtained. As shown in Fig. 14, the diffusible residual moisture content (%) after 30 minutes was 55.5% for a knitted fabric in which the length of the boundary between the high absorbency region AA and the low absorbency region BA per ^cm2 was 0.67, and 23.7% for a knitted fabric in which the length was 14. This verification example showed that the quick-drying property increased as the boundary between the high absorbency region AA and the low absorbency region BA per ^cm2 became longer (i.e., the smaller the border width).

(Verification Example 5)
A knitted fabric having one course in the high absorbency region AA and one course in the low absorbency region BA, a knitted fabric having one course in the high absorbency region AA and five courses in the low absorbency region BA, and a knitted fabric having five courses in the high absorbency region AA and one course in the low absorbency region BA were prepared. The size of each knitted fabric was 10 cm x 10 cm, and water-absorbent polyester was used as the high absorbency surface yarn AT, and untreated polyester was used as the low absorbency surface yarn BT. 2 ml of water was dropped onto each knitted fabric, and the diffusible residual moisture content (%) was obtained after 60 minutes and 90 minutes. The diffusible residual moisture rate (%) after 60 minutes is calculated by the formula [(mass of knitted fabric after 60 minutes-mass of knitted fabric before water is added)/(mass of knitted fabric immediately after water is added-mass of knitted fabric before water is added) x 100], and the diffusible residual moisture rate (%) after 90 minutes is calculated by the formula [(mass of knitted fabric after 90 minutes-mass of knitted fabric before water is added)/(mass of knitted fabric immediately after water is added-mass of knitted fabric before water is added) x 100]. As a result, the results shown in FIG. 15 were obtained. As shown in Figure 15, the diffusible residual moisture content (%) after 60 minutes was 50.98548 for the knitted fabric having one course in the high absorbency region AA and one course in the low absorbency region BA, 53.91217 for the knitted fabric having one course in the high absorbency region AA and five courses in the low absorbency region BA, and 56.8029 for the knitted fabric having five courses in the high absorbency region AA and one course in the low absorbency region BA. 15, the diffusible residual moisture content (%) after 90 minutes was 26.40041 for a knitted fabric with one course in the high absorbency region AA and one course in the low absorbency region BA, 31.6002 for a knitted fabric with one course in the high absorbency region AA and five courses in the low absorbency region BA, and 35.85101 for a knitted fabric with five courses in the high absorbency region AA and one course in the low absorbency region BA. This verification showed that the quickest drying was achieved when the number of courses in the high absorbency region AA and the number of courses in the low absorbency region BA were each one course.

(Verification Example 6)
A knitted fabric having one course in the high absorbency region AA and one course in the low absorbency region BA, a knitted fabric having one course in the high absorbency region AA and five courses in the low absorbency region BA, and a knitted fabric having five courses in the high absorbency region AA and one course in the low absorbency region BA were prepared. The size of each knitted fabric was 10 cm x 10 cm, and water-absorbent polyester was used as the high absorbency surface yarn AT, and untreated polyester was used as the low absorbency surface yarn BT. Then, steam was applied to the skin side (i.e., the side on which the water-repellent region is knitted) of each knitted fabric for 30 seconds. Next, the skin side of each knitted fabric was turned up, and filter paper was applied to the skin side and the outside (i.e., the side on which the high absorbency region AA and the low absorbency region BA are knitted) of each knitted fabric, and a weight was placed on the filter paper applied to the skin side of each knitted fabric for 30 seconds. Then, the weight increase (g) of each filter paper was obtained. As a result, the results shown in Figure 16 were obtained. As shown in Figure 16, the weight increase (g) of each filter paper was 0.0235g for the skin side filter paper and 0.0860g for the outer filter paper in the knitted fabric with one course in the high absorbency region AA and one course in the low absorbency region BA, 0.0353g for the skin side filter paper and 0.0880g for the outer filter paper in the knitted fabric with one course in the high absorbency region AA and five courses in the low absorbency region BA, and 0.0210g for the skin side filter paper and 0.0867g for the outer filter paper in the knitted fabric with five courses in the high absorbency region AA and one course in the low absorbency region BA. This verification showed that when the ratio of the number of courses in the low absorbency region BA to the number of courses in the high absorbency region AA was in the range of 0.2 to 5, the absorbed moisture moved from the skin side of the knitted fabric to the outside, and skin separation was obtained.

Claims (15)

A highly absorbent region;
A knitted fabric comprising a low absorbency region adjacent to the high absorbency region and having a lower absorbency than the high absorbency region. The highly absorbent region is knitted with yarn including a first yarn,
The knitted fabric according to claim 1 , wherein the low water absorbency region is knitted with yarn including a second yarn having a lower water absorbency than the first yarn. the first yarn is a first face yarn;
the second yarn is a second surface yarn having a lower water absorbency than the first surface yarn,
a first back yarn corresponding to the yarn including the first yarn and a second back yarn corresponding to the yarn including the second yarn;
The knitted fabric according to claim 2 , wherein the first rear yarn and the second rear yarn each knit an area separate from the high water absorbency area and the low water absorbency area. The knitted fabric according to claim 3 , wherein a mass ratio of the first back yarn and the second back yarn to a yarn including the first yarn and a yarn including the second yarn per 100 cm ² is within a range of 0.25 or more and 4 or less. The high absorbency region and the low absorbency region are provided on a first side,
At least one of the first rear yarn and the second rear yarn has hydrophobicity,
The hydrophobic rear yarn knits a hydrophobic region as the separate region,
The knitted fabric of claim 3 , wherein the hydrophobic region is provided on a second side opposite the first side. The knitted fabric according to claim 5 , wherein at least one of the first rear yarn and the second rear yarn has water repellency. The water absorbency of at least one of the first rear yarn and the second rear yarn is lower than the water absorbency of the yarn including the first yarn and the yarn including the second yarn;
The knitted fabric according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the back yarn, which has a lower water absorption rate than the water absorption rate of the yarn including the first yarn and the yarn including the second yarn, has a water absorption speed of more than 30 seconds. The knitted fabric according to claim 1 , wherein the length of the boundary line between the highly absorbent region and the low absorbent region per cm ² is in the range of 0.67 cm to 16 cm. The number of courses in the highly absorbent region is one or more,
The number of courses in the low water absorbency region is one or more,
The knitted fabric according to claim 2 , wherein a ratio of the number of courses in the low absorbency region to the number of courses in the high absorbency region is within a range of 0.2 or more and 5 or less. The knitted fabric according to claim 9 , wherein the first yarn and the second yarn are switched every other course. The knitted fabric according to claim 1, wherein the high absorbency regions and the low absorbency regions form a border pattern, a stripe pattern, a cut boss pattern, a polka dot pattern, an intarsia pattern, a jacquard pattern or a split foot pattern. The absorbency of the first yarn knitting the highly absorbent region is: (a) an absorption speed of more than 30 seconds and an absorption rate of 10% or more; (b) an absorption speed of 30 seconds or less and an absorption rate of less than 10%; or (c) an absorption speed of 30 seconds or less and an absorption rate of 10% or more;
The knitted fabric according to claim 2 , wherein the second yarn used to knit the low water absorbency region has a water absorption speed of more than 30 seconds and a water absorption rate of less than 10%. The number of courses in the highly absorbent region is one or more,
The number of courses in the low water absorbency region is one or more,
The knitted fabric according to claim 2 , wherein at least one of the first yarn in one course of the high water absorbency region and the second yarn in one course of the low water absorbency region has a fineness of 150 denier or more. A sole covering portion for covering the sole of the foot is provided.
The sole covering portion is formed from the knitted fabric according to claim 1,
The highly absorbent region and the low absorbent region are located on opposite sides facing the skin. A sole covering portion for covering the sole of the foot is provided.
The sole covering portion includes a toe covering portion that covers the toes of the sole, an arch covering portion that covers the arch of the sole, a thenar covering portion that covers the thenar ball of the sole, and a little toe covering portion that covers the little toe ball of the sole,
At least one of the toe covering portion, the arch covering portion, the ball of the big toe covering portion, and the ball of the little toe covering portion is formed from the knitted fabric according to claim 1;
The highly absorbent region and the low absorbent region are located on opposite sides facing the skin.

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