Functional knitted fabrics and socks

Abstract

The present invention provides functional knitted fabrics and socks that can exhibit functional properties on either the surface or the back surface. [Solution] In a functional knitted fabric or sock having a first surface and a second surface, which is knitted using a face yarn 1, a second yarn and a back yarn 3, the second yarn is a functional yarn 2 having functionality, the face yarn 1 is located on the first surface side, the back yarn 3 is located on the second surface side, and the functional yarn 2 is located between the face yarn 1 and the back yarn 3, with the back yarn 3 being thinner than the face yarn 1.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a functional knitted fabric and socks using functional yarns.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, knitted fabrics using functional yarns have been used to impart functionality to clothing, socks, gloves, etc. For example, socks having functions such as antibacterial, deodorant, and anti-slip are known. Regarding anti-slip, in the case of sports socks, it is necessary to reduce the slippage between the shoe and the foot (sock) in order to maximize the exercise ability. Also, in daily life, when the friction between the floor surface and the sock is small, the foot is likely to slip and the risk of falling increases, so it is also necessary to make the sock less slippery on the floor surface. Furthermore, in the case of socks and gloves, if they are likely to slip on the body, they are likely to slip off during wearing, so it is necessary to make them less slippery on the body.

[0003] In order to solve such problems, various proposals have been made. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a knitted fabric having anti-slip properties in which polyurethane bearing yarns are knitted together with knitting yarns at least partially, and the average protrusion length of the polyurethane bearing yarns from the surface on the anti-slip surface of the knitted fabric is 70 μm or more and the average thickness is 70 μm or more. In this knitted fabric, the knitted fabric is made less slippery on the contact surface by the polyurethane yarns protruding on the anti-slip surface of the knitted fabric.

[0004] Furthermore, Patent Document 2 discloses a functional knitted fabric characterized by a pile knit structure in which split fiber yarn is used as the face yarn, and elastic yarn is inserted in a pique-like pattern, and the side without the napped loops is brought into contact with the object to be prevented from slipping. In this functional knitted fabric, because split fiber yarn is used as the face yarn, the friction between the side of the functional knitted fabric without loops and the object it comes into contact with is increased, making it less slippery. In addition, because elastic yarn with a high coefficient of friction is inserted in a pique-like pattern, the side of the functional knitted fabric with loops also becomes less slippery between it and the object it comes into contact with. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2013-014865 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2021-075817 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0006] Thus, in the knitted fabrics described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, the use of yarn with a high coefficient of friction makes it difficult for the fabric to slip between the fabric and the object it comes into contact with. However, since these knitted fabrics are primarily intended to prevent slipping on the surface of the sock (the side that comes into contact with the shoe or floor), they cannot be expected to provide any anti-slip effect on the underside of the sock (the side that comes into contact with the body). Although Patent Document 2 describes an anti-slip effect between the sock and the body, the contact area between the elastic yarn and the body is small, so the anti-slip effect is considered to be insufficient.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and its object is to provide a functional knitted fabric and socks that can exhibit functionality on the surface or back surface. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To solve the above problems, the functional knitted fabric according to the present invention, which is knitted using a first yarn, a second yarn, and a third yarn as supplementary yarns and has a first surface and a second surface, wherein the second yarn is a functional yarn having functionality, the first yarn is located on the first surface side, the third yarn is located on the second surface side, and the second yarn is located between the first yarn and the third yarn, and the third yarn is thinner than the first yarn.

[0009] In this configuration, the functional second yarn is knitted as a reinforcing yarn in a so-called three-layer structure, sandwiched between the first yarn and a third yarn that is thinner than the first yarn. As a result, the second yarn is more easily exposed on the third yarn side, i.e., the second surface side. This allows the functionality to be exerted on the second surface side. For example, in a functional knitted fabric that has the function of suppressing slippage, the space between the second surface and the object it comes into contact with becomes less slippery.

[0010] Furthermore, the present invention also covers socks knitted using a first yarn, a second yarn, and a third yarn, wherein the second yarn is a functional yarn that has the function of suppressing slippage, the first yarn is located on the surface side that does not come into contact with the body, the third yarn is located on the back side that comes into contact with the body, and the second yarn is knitted so that it is located between the first yarn and the third yarn, and the third yarn is thinner than the first yarn.

[0011] In this configuration, the second thread is more likely to be exposed on the reverse side, making the sock less likely to slip against the body. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] This is a schematic perspective view of a circular knitting machine. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram of a functional knitted fabric. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] Embodiments of the functional knitted fabric and socks according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the functional knitted fabric in this embodiment. As shown in the figure, the functional knitted fabric A in this embodiment is knitted as plain knit plating using face yarn 1 (an example of the first yarn in this invention), functional yarn 2 (an example of the second yarn in this invention), and back yarn 3 (an example of the third yarn in this invention). In this figure, the upper side is the surface (an example of the first surface in this invention), and the lower side is the back (an example of the second surface in this invention). The functions of the functional knitted fabric and socks according to the present invention are achieved by exposing the second yarn. In this embodiment, the function described is the suppression of slippage achieved by exposing the second yarn, which has a high coefficient of friction.

[0014] As shown in the figure, functional knitted fabric A has a three-layer structure. Specifically, face yarn 1 is on the surface side, back yarn 3 is on the back side, and functional yarn 2 is located between face yarn 1 and back yarn 3. Conventional yarns can be used for face yarn 1 and back yarn 3, and the materials are not particularly limited. On the other hand, the details of functional yarn 2 will be described later, but as mentioned above, it has the function of suppressing slippage.

[0015] The functional knitted fabric A according to the present invention has a three-layer structure as described above, and is characterized by the relationship between the thickness of the face yarn 1 and the back yarn 3. Specifically, the thickness of the face yarn 1 and the back yarn 3 are different. In this embodiment, the back yarn 3 is thinner than the face yarn 1. With this configuration, the functional yarn 2 is more easily exposed on the back side than on the front side. The thinner the back yarn 3 is, the greater the degree to which the functional yarn 2 is exposed on the back side, and the thicker the back yarn 3 is (however, thinner than the face yarn 1), the less the functional yarn 2 is exposed on the back side. In other words, the degree to which the function is exhibited on the back side can be controlled by the thickness of the back yarn 3.

[0016] FIG. 2 is a partial schematic perspective view of a circular knitting machine B for knitting the functional fabric A. As shown in the figure, the circular knitting machine B includes a bobbin member 5, a plate-shaped sinker 6, and knitting needles 7. The bobbin member 5 is substantially cylindrical, and a plurality of sinkers 6 are attached to its circumference at equal intervals. Further, a plurality of knitting needles 7 are attached between adjacent sinkers 6. In FIG. 2, only some of the sinkers 6 and knitting needles 7 are shown.

[0017] The bobbin member 5 is configured to rotate counterclockwise in a plan view by a driving function not shown. Also, the sinker 6 can move forward and backward in the radial direction of the bobbin member 5, and the knitting needle 7 can move forward and backward in the vertical direction.

[0018] A ring-shaped fitting (not shown) is provided near the upper surface of the bobbin member 5. A sinker path (not shown) in a substantially annular groove shape is formed on the back surface of this ring-shaped fitting. Also, a cam mechanism (not shown) for moving the knitting needle 7 forward and backward in the vertical direction is provided near the side surface of the bobbin member 5. When the bobbin member 5 rotates, the ring-shaped member and the cam mechanism do not rotate.

[0019] The sinker 6 is a plate-shaped member, and a butt 61 is formed at the radially outer end. Although details are omitted, as the butt 61 is guided into the sinker path of the ring-shaped member as the bobbin member 5 rotates, the sinker 6 is configured to move forward and backward in the radial direction.

[0020] The knitting needle 7 is a substantially rod-shaped member, and a butt 71 is formed at the lower end. Although details are omitted, as the butt 71 engages with the cam mechanism as the bobbin member 5 rotates, the knitting needle 7 is configured to move forward and backward in the vertical direction.

[0021] In this way, with the circular knitting machine B, the functional fabric A can be knitted by the rotation of the bobbin member 5, the forward and backward movement of the sinker 6 in the radial direction, and the forward and backward movement of the knitting needle 7 in the vertical direction.

[0022] Next, a method of knitting the functional knitted fabric A using the circular knitting machine B will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the circular knitting machine B includes a yarn feeding member 9 in which three yarn paths 91, 92, and 93 are formed, and the surface yarn 1, the functional yarn 2, and the back yarn 3 are fed to the knitting needles 7 through the respective yarn paths 91, 92, and 93. Note that the functional yarn 2 in the present embodiment is not a single yarn, but is composed of a core yarn 21 and a wrapper yarn 22. In the present embodiment, the core yarn 21 is a polyurethane yarn, and a function of suppressing slippage can be produced from its large friction coefficient. On the other hand, known yarns can be used for the surface yarn 1, the wrapper yarn 22, and the back yarn 3, and those suitable for the application may be selected. However, in the present embodiment, a thinner back yarn 3 than the surface yarn 1 is used.

[0023] In the present embodiment, the functional yarn 2 is configured to wind the wrapper yarn 22 around the core yarn 21 during the yarn feeding process. Specifically, the core yarn 21 is pulled out from below to above inside a yarn bobbin 22a that winds and holds the wrapper yarn 22, and is then guided to the yarn path 9ii in a state where the wrapper yarn 22 is wound around it.

[0024] As shown in the figure, the yarn paths 91, 92, and 93 are arranged in the order of the yarn paths 91, 92, 93 from the upstream side in the rotation direction (counterclockwise) of the bobbin member 5. Therefore, the knitting needles 7 pick up the surface yarn 1, the functional yarn 2, and the back yarn 3 in this order. Since the knitting needles 7 pick up the respective yarns when descending along with the rotation of the bobbin member 5, the respective yarns picked up in this order are positioned in the order of the surface yarn 1, the functional yarn 2, and the back yarn 3 from the top. By flat knitting the three yarns positioned in this way, the functional knitted fabric A as shown in FIG. 1 can be knitted.

[0025] When this functional knitted fabric A is used to make socks, the reverse side can be the side that comes into contact with the body, and the upper side can be the side that comes into contact with shoes, floors, etc. Therefore, socks made from this functional knitted fabric A have increased friction between the sock and the body (foot), making it less likely for the foot to slip on the sock. It is also possible to use the functional knitted fabric A for the entire sock, or to use it only for the parts that come into contact with the sole of the foot, or other parts where slippage is to be suppressed. Furthermore, if a strong anti-slip effect is to be added to the part of the sock that comes into contact with shoes or floors, resins such as silicone, acrylic, or polyvinyl chloride can be attached.

[0026] In the case of sports socks, even if the surface (the side that contacts the shoe, etc.) has sufficient anti-slip properties, if the foot slips easily against the sock, it can lead to a loss of strength or loss of balance during sudden changes in movement, resulting in decreased performance. In the case of socks for the elderly, even if the surface of the sock is designed to prevent slipping due to other anti-slip properties, there is a risk of falling if the foot slips easily against the sock when walking on slippery floors such as hardwood floors. In contrast, socks using functional knitted fabric A in this embodiment have an anti-slip effect that is easily generated between the sock and the foot, making it less likely for the foot to slip against the sock. This can reduce the risk of decreased performance and falls.

[0027] Contrary to the configuration of the functional knitted fabric and socks in the above-described embodiment, it is also possible to make the face yarn 1 thinner than the back yarn 3. In this case, the face yarn 1 corresponds to the third yarn, the back yarn 3 to the first yarn, the front surface to the second surface, and the back surface to the first surface. Furthermore, since the functional yarn 2 is more easily exposed on the surface side, the function of the functional yarn 2 is more easily exhibited on the surface. Functional knitted fabrics and socks with such a configuration can be produced using the same knitting method as in the above-described embodiment simply by changing the thickness of the face yarn 1 and the back yarn 3. In other words, with the functional knitted fabric and socks according to the present invention, the side exhibiting functionality can be the front or back side without changing the knitting method, simply by changing the relationship between the thickness of the face yarn 1 and the back yarn 3.

[0028] The above description is merely illustrative of embodiments, and therefore the technical scope of the present invention is not limited thereto. Modifications are possible as long as they achieve the effects and advantages of the present invention.

[0029] [Another embodiment]

[0030] (1) In the above embodiment, polyurethane yarn was used as the functional yarn 2, but yarn made of other materials with a high coefficient of friction may also be used. Furthermore, if other functions are required for the functional yarn 2, yarn made of a material appropriate to those functions may be used.

[0031] (2) In the above embodiment, the functional yarn 2 was composed of a core yarn 21 and a reinforcing yarn 22, but it may also be composed of a single yarn.

[0032] (3) In the above embodiment, the order of the three threads picked up by the knitting needle 7 was determined by making the positions of the thread paths that supply each thread different in the rotation direction of the bobbin member 5, but the order of the three threads may be different by other means. For example, the order of the threads picked up by the knitting needle 7 can also be determined by making the heights of the three thread paths different.

[0033] (4) In the above embodiment, the knit was made with three yarns: face yarn 1, functional yarn 2, and back yarn 3, but more than one yarn may be used. [Industrial applicability]

[0034] The present invention can be used in functional knitted fabrics, particularly functional knitted fabrics in which the functionality is exhibited by the exposure of functional yarn on the surface or back of the knitted fabric. Furthermore, the present invention can be used in items worn on the body, such as socks and gloves, using functional knitted fabrics that have the functionality of anti-slip properties. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0035] A: Functional knitted fabric B: Circular knitting machine 1: Face yarn 2: Functional yarn 21: Core yarn 21a: Thread winding 22: Supplementary thread 3: Backing thread 5: Kettle components 6: Sinker 61: Bat 7: Knitting needles 71: Bat 9: Yarn feeding member 91: Itomichi 92: Itomichi 93: Itomichi

Claims

1. A functional knitted fabric having a first surface and a second surface, which is knitted using a first yarn, a second yarn, and a third yarn as supplementary yarns. The aforementioned second yarn is a functional yarn having functionality, The first yarn is positioned on the first surface side, the third yarn is positioned on the second surface side, and the second yarn is positioned between the first yarn and the third yarn, A functional knitted fabric in which the third yarn is thinner than the first yarn.

2. A sock knitted using a first yarn, a second yarn, and a third yarn as supplementary yarns, The second yarn is a functional yarn that has the function of suppressing slippage. The first thread is located on the surface side that does not come into contact with the body, the third thread is located on the back side that comes into contact with the body, and the second thread is located between the first thread and the third thread. A sock in which the third thread is thinner than the first thread.

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