Knitted fabrics and garments

Abstract

The object of the present invention is to provide a knitted fabric that can minimize the return of moisture that has moved to the first side to the second side on the opposite side of the first side. [Solution] The knitted fabric according to the present invention comprises a first region in which the face yarn AT is arranged on the first side and the back yarn BT is arranged on the second side opposite to the first side, and a second region in which the face yarn is arranged on the second side and the back yarn is arranged on the first side. The back yarn is a yarn that has lower water absorption than the face yarn and is hydrophobic or water-repellent. In this knitted fabric, it is preferable that the first region consists of a plating knit structure knitted with the face yarn and the back yarn.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to knitted fabric. The present invention also relates to wear formed from the knitted fabric.

Background Art

[0002] In the past, there has been proposed "a water-absorbent fabric made of a multi-layer knitted or woven fabric including a surface layer and a back layer, wherein the surface layer is composed of hydrophilic yarns, the back layer is composed of a mixture of hydrophobic yarns and hydrophilic yarns, and when water droplets are dropped from the back surface of the fabric, it instantaneously absorbs water and diffuses it to the surface layer" (for example, see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-256495).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, when the above-described water-absorbent fabric is used for wear (for example, clothes, hats, gloves, leg wear, etc.), it absorbs moisture such as sweat and insensible perspiration from the skin from the back layer side (skin side). However, with the above-described water-absorbent fabric, there is a possibility that the moisture that has moved to the surface layer side may return to the back layer side.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a knitted fabric that can suppress, as much as possible, the return of moisture that has moved to the first side to the second side on the opposite side of the first side.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The knitted fabric according to the first aspect of the present invention comprises a first region and a second region. In the first region, the face yarn is arranged on the first side and the back yarn is arranged on the second side opposite the first side. In the second region, the face yarn is arranged on the second side and the back yarn is arranged on the first side. The back yarn is a yarn that has lower water absorption than the face yarn and is hydrophobic or water-repellent.

[0007] According to the above configuration, absorbed water can be moved from the second side to the first side as much as possible, the return of water that has moved to the first side to the second side can be suppressed as much as possible, and water can be absorbed efficiently in the second region.

[0008] A knitted fabric according to the second aspect of the present invention is a knitted fabric according to the first aspect, wherein the first region consists of a plating knit structure knitted with face yarn and back yarn.

[0009] According to the above configuration, the face yarn can be efficiently arranged on the first side, and the back yarn can be efficiently arranged on the second side.

[0010] The knitted fabric according to the third aspect of the present invention is a knitted fabric according to the first or second aspect, wherein the stitches of the knitted structure formed by the face yarn are smaller than the stitches of the knitted structure formed by the back yarn.

[0011] According to the above configuration, even if the backing yarn has high water repellency, moisture can be efficiently absorbed from the second side. Furthermore, by utilizing the tendency for moisture to move from knitted structures with large stitches to knitted structures with small stitches, and the water absorption of the face yarn, the absorbed moisture can be moved from the second side to the first side, and the return of moisture that has moved to the first side to the second side can be further suppressed.

[0012] The knitted fabric according to the fourth aspect of the present invention is a knitted fabric according to the first or second aspect, wherein the stitches of the knitted structure formed by the face yarn are larger than the stitches of the knitted structure formed by the back yarn.

[0013] With the above configuration, even if a water-repellent yarn is used as the backing yarn, moisture can be efficiently absorbed from the second side by utilizing capillary action. Furthermore, after moving moisture from the second side to the first side by utilizing the water absorption of the face yarn, the moisture that has moved to the first side can be efficiently exposed to the outside air and evaporated.

[0014] The knitted fabric according to the fifth aspect of the present invention is the knitted fabric according to the first aspect, wherein the second region consists of a face yarn misknit structure and a back yarn knit structure.

[0015] According to the above configuration, ventilation in the second region can be improved as much as possible.

[0016] The knitted fabric according to the sixth aspect of the present invention is the knitted fabric according to the first aspect, wherein the second region consists of a structure that combines a tuck knit structure, a face yarn misknit structure, and a back yarn knit structure.

[0017] According to 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 in contact with a person's skin, the contact area between the second region and the skin can be reduced as much as possible, and the person can be prevented from feeling the wetness of the knitted fabric as much as possible.

[0018] The knitted fabric according to the seventh aspect of the present invention is a knitted fabric according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, wherein the first region includes a region consisting of a tuck knit structure.

[0019] According to 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 in contact with a person's skin, the contact area between the second region and the skin can be reduced as much as possible, and the person can be prevented from feeling the wetness of the knitted fabric as much as possible.

[0020] The ware according to the eighth aspect of the present invention is formed from a knitted fabric including a first region and a second region. In the first region, the face yarn is arranged on the side opposite to the skin side and the back yarn is arranged on the skin side. In the second region, the face yarn is arranged on the skin side and the back yarn is arranged on the side opposite to the skin side. And the back yarn is a yarn having lower water absorption than the face yarn and having hydrophobic or water-repellent properties.

[0021] According to the above configuration, it is possible to move moisture such as absorbed sweat and insensible perspiration from the skin side to the side opposite to the skin side (i.e., the outside) as much as possible, and it is possible to suppress as much as possible the moisture that has moved to the side opposite to the skin side from returning to the skin side. Furthermore, in the second region, moisture can be efficiently absorbed. The ware is, for example, clothing, a hat, gloves, leg wear (e.g., socks, tabi, stockings, tights, etc.).

[0022] The ware according to the ninth aspect of the present invention is the ware according to the eighth aspect, wherein the first region is composed of a plating knitting structure knitted with a face yarn and a back yarn.

[0023] According to the above configuration, the face yarn can be efficiently arranged on the side opposite to the skin side, and the back yarn can be efficiently arranged on the skin side.

[0024] The ware according to the tenth aspect of the present invention is the ware according to the eighth or ninth aspect, and includes an interdigital cavity covering portion that covers the interdigital cavity of the sole of the foot, an instep covering portion that covers the instep of the sole of the foot, and a ball of the big toe covering portion that covers the ball of the big toe of the sole of the foot. In the interdigital cavity covering portion, the second region is located. In the instep covering portion, the second region is located. In the ball of the big toe covering portion, either the first region or the second region is located. This ware is, for example, leg wear such as socks, tabi, stockings, tights, etc.

[0025] According to the above configuration, in the interdigital cavity covering portion and the instep covering portion, moisture such as sweat and insensible perspiration can be efficiently absorbed. Further, in the ball of the big toe covering portion, when the first region is located, it is possible to suppress as much as possible the return of the moisture that has moved to the opposite side of the skin side to the skin side, and when the second region is located, moisture such as sweat and insensible perspiration can be efficiently absorbed.

[0026] The wear according to the eleventh aspect of the present invention is the wear according to the tenth aspect, wherein the second region includes a miss-knit region composed of a miss-knit structure of the face yarn and a knit structure of the back yarn, and a combined region composed of a structure combining a tack-knit structure, a miss-knit structure of the face yarn, and a knit structure of the back yarn. The first region includes a tack region composed of a tack-knit structure. In the interdigital cavity covering portion, either the miss-knit region or the combined region is located. In the instep covering portion, either the miss-knit region or the combined region is located. In the ball of the big toe covering portion, either the combined region or the tack region is located.

[0027] According to the above configuration, in the interdigital cavity covering portion and the instep covering portion, when the miss-knit region is located, the air permeability can be improved as much as possible, and when the combined region is located, the contact points between each part of the interdigital cavity covering portion and the instep covering portion and the skin can be reduced as much as possible, so that the wearer can hardly feel the wet feeling of the wear. Further, in the ball of the big toe covering portion, the contact points between the ball of the big toe covering portion and the skin can be reduced as much as possible, so that the wearer can hardly feel the wet feeling of the wear.

[0028] The wear according to the twelfth aspect of the present invention is the wear according to the eighth or ninth aspect, and includes a heel covering portion covering the heel of the sole, a small toe ball covering portion covering the small toe ball of the sole, a ball of the big toe covering portion covering the ball of the big toe of the sole, and a big toe covering portion covering the big toe of the sole. In the heel covering portion, the small toe ball covering portion, the ball of the big toe covering portion, and the big toe covering portion, either the first region or the second region is located. Note that this wear is leg wear such as socks, stockings, tights, etc.

[0029] With the above configuration, when the first region is located in the heel covering portion, little toe covering portion, big toe covering portion, and big toe covering portion, it is possible to minimize the return of moisture that has moved to the opposite side of the skin to the skin side, and when the second region is located, it is possible to efficiently absorb moisture such as sweat and insensible perspiration.

[0030] The garment according to the 13th aspect of the present invention is the garment according to the 12th aspect, wherein the second region includes a combined region consisting of a structure that combines a tuck knit structure, a face yarn misknit structure, and a back yarn knit structure. The first region includes a tuck region consisting of a tuck knit structure. Either the combined region or the tuck region is located in the heel covering portion, the little toe ball covering portion, the big toe ball covering portion, and the big toe covering portion.

[0031] With the above configuration, the contact points between the heel covering area, little toe covering area, big toe covering area, and big toe covering area and the skin can be reduced as much as possible, making it possible to minimize the feeling of the garment being wet to the wearer. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0032] [Figure 1] This is a side view of a sock according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a view from the skin side of a region knitted by plating knit of absorbent outer yarn and water-repellent inner yarn in a sock according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This is a view from the opposite side of the skin side of a sock according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing the area knitted by plating knit of absorbent outer yarn and water-repellent inner yarn. [Figure 4] This figure shows an example of a knitted structure in a region knitted with a misknit of absorbent face yarn and a knit of water-repellent back yarn. In this figure, solid lines represent absorbent face yarn and dashed lines represent water-repellent back yarn, with some of the water-repellent back yarn being omitted from the drawing. [Figure 5] This diagram shows the area knitted with absorbent face yarn in a misknit and water-repellent back yarn in a knitted pattern, viewed from the skin side. [Figure 6] This figure shows an example of a knitted structure in a region formed by combining tuck knitting, misknitting of absorbent face yarn, and knitting of water-repellent back yarn. In this figure, solid lines represent absorbent face yarn and dashed lines represent water-repellent back yarn, with some of the water-repellent back yarn being omitted from the drawing. [Figure 7] This diagram shows a region knitted using a combination of tuck knit, misknit with absorbent face yarn, and knitted with water-repellent back yarn, viewed from the skin side. [Figure 8] This figure shows an example of the knitting structure of a region knitted using tuck knitting. In this figure, solid lines represent absorbent face yarns and dashed lines represent water-repellent back yarns, with some water-repellent back yarns omitted from the drawing. [Figure 9] This is a view of the area knitted using tuck stitches, seen from the skin side. [Figure 10] This figure shows an example where the fineness of the absorbent outer yarn is greater than that of the water-repellent backing yarn. [Figure 11] This figure shows an example where the number of absorbent surface threads per course is greater than the number of water-repellent back threads per course. [Figure 12] This figure shows an example where the fineness of the water-absorbing outer yarn is smaller than that of the water-repellent backing yarn. [Figure 13] This figure shows an example where the number of absorbent surface threads per course is less than the number of water-repellent back threads per course. [Figure 14] This figure shows an example where the number of filaments in the absorbent outer yarn is greater than the number of filaments in the water-repellent back yarn. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0033] <Configuration of the wearer according to an embodiment of the present invention> Examples of garments according to embodiments of the present invention include clothing, hats, gloves, and legwear (e.g., socks, tabi socks, stockings, tights, etc.). An example of garments according to embodiments of the present invention is the sock 1 shown in Figure 1. The sock 1 will be described in detail below.

[0034] As shown in Figure 1, the sock 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is mainly formed from 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 parts will be described in detail below.

[0035] For the sake of clarity, Figure 1 defines the vertical and horizontal directions. These directions may be used to describe sock 1 in the following sections.

[0036] (1) Toe covering part The toe covering portion 100 is a bag-like portion for covering the toe, and as shown in Figure 1, it is formed from the anterior toe covering portion 101 and the posterior toe covering portion 102, etc. These portions will be described in detail below.

[0037] (1-1) Front toe covering The anterior toe covering portion 101 is the part that covers the toe and, as shown in Figure 1, is located in front of the posterior toe covering portion 102. The anterior toe covering portion 101 also contains a region (hereinafter referred to as the "plating region") that is knitted using a plating knit (reinforcement yarn knit) of absorbent surface yarn AT and water-repellent backing yarn BT, which has lower water absorption than absorbent surface yarn AT and is water-repellent. In other words, the anterior toe covering portion 101 contains a region consisting of a plating knit structure knitted with absorbent surface yarn AT and water-repellent backing yarn BT. By using plating knit, the absorbent surface yarn AT can be efficiently placed on the opposite side of the skin (i.e., the front side) (see Figure 3), and the water-repellent backing yarn BT can be efficiently placed on the skin side (i.e., the back side) (see Figure 2). Furthermore, the pattern on the skin side of the knitted area will be a horizontal stripe pattern with water-repellent backing yarn BT running horizontally (see Figure 2), while the pattern on the opposite side of the skin side of that area will be a vertical stripe pattern with water-absorbing surface yarn AT running vertically so that the stitches connect in a roughly V-shape (see Figure 3). When knitted, the horizontal stripe pattern with water-repellent backing yarn BT running horizontally on the skin side (see Figure 2) is a coarse knit structure made up of needle loops, while the vertical stripe pattern with water-absorbing surface yarn AT running vertically so that the stitches connect in a roughly V-shape on the opposite side of the skin side (see Figure 3) is a fine knit structure made up of sinker loops. The water-absorbing surface yarn AT can be, for example, a hydrophilic yarn, a hydrophobic yarn that has been treated to be hydrophilic, a hydrophobic yarn with enhanced water absorption, or a yarn that is highly water-absorbent and hygroscopic. Hydrophilic yarns include, for example, natural fiber yarns such as cotton, linen, Japanese paper, and silk; regenerated fiber yarns made from regenerated cellulose fibers such as rayon, polynosic, cupro, and lyocell, or protein fibers using chitin, chitosan, casein, etc.; semi-synthetic fiber yarns made from acetate fibers such as acetate and triacetate; and synthetic fiber yarns with hydrophilic groups such as nylon. Hydrophilic yarns are those that have been treated to be hydrophobic, such as 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. Hydrophobic yarns with enhanced water absorption include, for example, multifilament yarns and irregularly shaped cross-section yarns.Examples of yarns with high water absorption and hygroscopic properties include Japanese paper, cellulose fibers such as rayon and acetate, and silk yarn. However, the water-absorbing face yarn AT is not limited to these yarns. Furthermore, the water-repellent back yarn BT is, for example, a yarn in which a water-repellent covering yarn is coated around an elastic core yarn and is also elastic, or an elastic yarn such as a synthetic fiber without hydrophilic groups. Here, the elastic core yarn is, for example, polyurethane. The water-repellent covering yarn is a yarn that has been treated with a water-repellent finish on a hydrophobic covering yarn (for example, long fiber yarns such as polyester, polypropylene, and polyethylene, or short fiber yarns such as polyester). Alternatively, a covering yarn that has been treated with a water-repellent finish on a hydrophilic long fiber yarn such as nylon, or a short fiber yarn such as cotton or rayon, may be used to cover the elastic core yarn. A method for covering the elastic core yarn with the covering yarn is, for example, a method of spirally winding the covering yarn around the core yarn. When a covering yarn is spirally wound around a core yarn, the covering yarn is wound one or more times using, for example, an S twist (right twist) or a Z twist (left twist). Furthermore, a water-repellent treatment may be applied to a yarn in which a water-repellent covering yarn is wrapped around an elastic core yarn. Also, a water-repellent treatment may be applied to a core-spun yarn in which an elastic core yarn is covered with short fibers during the spinning process. Furthermore, a water-repellent treatment may be applied to a pliable yarn made by twisting an elastic yarn with other yarns. Examples of elastic yarns, such as synthetic fibers without hydrophilic groups, include yarns that have undergone crimping by false-twisting, heat-fixing, and untwisting a hydrophobic yarn (woolly polyester, woolly nylon, etc.), and side-by-side conjugate yarns made by bonding together multiple fibers with different heat shrinkage rates, at least one of which is water-repellent, and then heat-treating them to create a spiral crimp. Note that the water-repellent backing yarn BT is not limited to these yarns. The anterior toe covering portion 101 can be knitted using a back-and-forth rotary knitting method.

[0038] (1-2) Posterior toe covering The posterior toe covering portion 102 is a portion for covering the interdigital space of the toe, and as shown in Figure 1, it extends posteriorly from the posterior end of the anterior toe covering portion 101. Furthermore, the posterior toe covering portion 102 contains a region (hereinafter referred to as the "mis-knit region") which is knitted with mis-knit (floating knit) of the water-absorbing face yarn AT and knit (plain knit, jersey knit) of the water-repellent back yarn BT. In other words, the posterior toe covering portion 102 contains a region consisting of a mis-knit structure of the water-absorbing face yarn AT and a knit structure of the water-repellent back yarn BT. In the mis-knit region, as shown in Figure 4, the water-absorbing face yarn AT is left floating on the back of the knitted fabric by skipping one or more stitches in the wale direction, while the water-repellent back yarn BT is not skipped in the wale direction. Furthermore, in the misknit area, as shown in Figure 5, the water-absorbing surface yarn AT (the black yarn in Figure 5) is placed on the skin side, and the water-repellent backing yarn BT is placed on the opposite side of the skin side. In addition, in the misknit area, the knitted fabric can be made relatively thin, thereby improving breathability as much as possible. Also, in the misknit area, by using a yarn that does not contain elastic yarn as the water-repellent backing yarn BT, the water-absorbing surface yarn AT can be floated on the back of the knitted fabric, preventing the thin stitches formed by the water-repellent backing yarn BT from shrinking. The posterior toe covering portion 102 can be knitted by knitting all around.

[0039] Furthermore, instead of having a misknit area in the posterior toe covering portion 102, there may be an area (hereinafter referred to as the "combination area") knitted by combining tuck knitting, misknitting of absorbent face yarn AT, and knitting of water-repellent back yarn BT. In other words, the posterior toe covering portion 102 may have an area consisting of a knitting structure that combines a tuck knitting structure, a misknitting structure of absorbent face yarn AT, and a knitting structure of water-repellent back yarn BT. In the combination area, as shown in Figure 6, the absorbent face yarn AT is left floating on the back of the fabric by skipping one or more stitches in the course direction and one or more stitches in the wale direction, while the water-repellent back yarn BT is left skipped by one or more stitches in the course direction and not skipped in the wale direction. Also, in the combination area, as shown in Figure 7, the absorbent face yarn AT (the black yarn in Figure 7) is placed on the skin side and the water-repellent back yarn BT is placed on the opposite side of the skin side. Furthermore, in the combination area, the knitting fabric can be made relatively thin, thereby improving breathability as much as possible. Furthermore, in the combined region, contact with the skin can be minimized, thus preventing the wearer from feeling the wetness of sock 1 as much as possible.

[0040] (2) Foot covering The foot covering portion 110 has a tubular shape and, as shown in Figure 1, extends posteriorly from the posterior end of the posterior toe covering portion 102 of the toe covering portion 100, and is continuous with the ankle covering portion 130 via the heel covering portion 120. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 1, the foot covering portion 110 is formed from the upper foot covering portion 111 and the lower foot covering portion 112, etc. These parts will be described in detail below. Note that the foot covering portion 110 can be knitted all around.

[0041] (2-1) Upper foot covering The upper foot covering portion 111 is the part that covers the top of the foot and is located above the lower foot covering portion 112, as shown in Figure 1. The plating area is located within the upper foot covering portion 111.

[0042] (2-2) Lower foot covering As shown in Figure 1, the lower foot covering portion 112 is located below the upper foot covering portion 111 and is formed from a first lower foot covering portion 112a, a second lower foot covering portion 112b, and a third lower foot covering portion 112c. These portions will be described in detail below.

[0043] (2-2-1) First lower foot covering The first lower foot covering portion 112a, as shown in Figure 1, is a portion for covering the area from the little toe ball to the big toe ball, and is located on the front side of the second lower foot covering portion 112b. The first lower foot covering portion 112a also contains a region knitted with tuck stitch (hereinafter referred to as the "tuck region"). In other words, the first lower foot covering portion 112a contains a region consisting of a tuck stitch structure. In the tuck region, as shown in Figure 8, the absorbent surface yarn AT and the water-repellent backing yarn BT are skipped by one or more stitches in the course direction. Also, in the tuck region, as shown in Figure 9, the absorbent surface yarn AT is positioned on the opposite side from the skin, and the water-repellent backing yarn BT (the white yarn in Figure 9) is positioned on the skin side. In addition, in the tuck region, contact with the skin can be reduced as much as possible, so that the person does not feel the wetness of the sock 1 as much as possible.

[0044] Furthermore, the first lower leg covering portion 112a may not contain a tuck region, but rather a plating region, a misknit region, or a combination region.

[0045] (2-2-2) Second lower foot covering The second lower foot covering portion 112b, as shown in Figure 1, is a portion for covering the arch of the foot and is located between the first lower foot covering portion 112a and the third lower foot covering portion 112c. Furthermore, a misknit area is located within the second lower foot covering portion 112b.

[0046] Furthermore, the second lower leg covering portion 112b may contain a combination region instead of a misknit region.

[0047] (2-2-3) Third lower foot covering As shown in Figure 1, the third lower foot covering portion 112c is located between the second lower foot covering portion 112b and the heel covering portion 120, and covers the portion of the sole of the foot between the portion covered by the second lower foot covering portion 112b and the portion covered by the heel covering portion 120. In addition, a tuck region is located in the third lower foot covering portion 112c. In other words, the third lower foot covering portion 112c contains a region consisting of a tuck knit structure.

[0048] Furthermore, the third lower leg covering portion 112c may not have a tuck region, but may have a plating region, a misknit region, or a combination region.

[0049] (3) Heel covering The heel covering portion 120 is a part that covers the heel and, as shown in Figure 1, extends rearward from the rear end of the third lower foot covering portion 112c of the lower foot covering portion 112 of the foot covering portion 110. Furthermore, a plating area is located within the heel covering portion 120. In other words, the heel covering portion 120 contains an area consisting of a plating knit structure. The heel covering portion 120 can be knitted using a back-and-forth rotary knitting method.

[0050] (4) Ankle covering The ankle covering portion 130 is a tubular portion for covering the ankle, and as shown in Figure 1, it extends upward from the upper end of the heel covering portion 120 and is continuous with the foot covering portion 110 via the heel covering portion 120. A plating area is also located in the ankle covering portion 130. The ankle covering portion 130 can be knitted by knitting all around.

[0051] (5) Opening of the shoe The opening portion 140 is formed above the ankle covering portion 130, as shown in Figure 1. A plating area is also located within the opening portion 140. The opening portion 140 can be knitted using a full-circumference knitting method.

[0052] <Regarding the adjustment method for the stitch size of knitted fabrics using water-absorbing face yarn and water-repellent back yarn in the plating and tuck regions.> In areas such as the plating region and tuck region of the sock 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, where the water-absorbing surface yarn AT is positioned on the opposite side of the skin and the water-repellent backing yarn BT is positioned on the skin side, it is preferable to make the stitches of the knitted structure formed by the water-absorbing surface yarn AT smaller or larger than the stitches of the knitted structure formed by the water-repellent backing yarn BT in order to enjoy the effects described later. Here, a method for adjusting the size of the stitches of the knitted structure formed by the water-absorbing surface yarn AT and the knitted structure formed by the water-repellent backing yarn BT in the above-mentioned plating region and tuck region will be explained with reference to Figures 10 to 14. In Figures 10 to 14, human skin is indicated by the symbol SK.

[0053] - When the stitches of a knitted fabric made with absorbent face yarn AT are smaller than the stitches of a knitted fabric made with water-repellent back yarn BT. In this case, possible adjustment methods include making the fineness (thickness) of the water-absorbing surface yarn AT greater than the fineness of the water-repellent backing yarn BT, and making the number of water-absorbing surface yarns AT per course greater than the number of water-repellent backing yarns BT per course. An example of the case where the fineness of the water-absorbing surface yarn AT is greater than the fineness of the water-repellent backing yarn BT is shown in Figure 10. In Figure 10, the fineness of the water-absorbing surface yarn AT is, for example, 150 denier, and the fineness of the water-repellent backing yarn BT is, for example, 75 denier. An example of the case where the number of water-absorbing surface yarns AT per course is greater than the number of water-repellent backing yarns BT per course is shown in Figure 11. In Figure 11, the number of water-absorbing surface yarns AT per course is 2, and the number of water-repellent backing yarns BT per course is 1. The number of absorbent face yarns AT per course should be one more than the number of water-repellent back yarns BT per course, but it is preferable that the number of absorbent face yarns AT per course be at least twice the number of water-repellent back yarns BT per course. In addition, the fineness of each absorbent face yarn AT, of which there are two or more per course, may be the same or different. For example, if there are two absorbent face yarns AT in one course, the fineness of one absorbent face yarn AT and the fineness of the other absorbent face yarn AT may both be 150 denier, or, as shown in the example in Figure 11, the fineness of one absorbent face yarn AT may be 150 denier and the fineness of the other absorbent face yarn AT may be 75 denier. In addition, the fineness of each water-repellent back yarn BT, of which there are two or more per course, may be the same or different. By making the stitches of the knitted fabric formed with the absorbent surface yarn AT smaller than those of the knitted fabric formed with the water-repellent backing yarn BT, even when the water-repellent backing yarn BT has high water repellency, moisture such as sweat and insensible perspiration can be efficiently absorbed from the skin side. Furthermore, by utilizing the tendency for moisture to move from knitted fabrics with larger stitches to those with smaller stitches, and by taking advantage of the absorbency of the absorbent surface yarn AT, absorbed moisture can be efficiently moved from the skin side to the opposite side, and the return of moisture that has moved to the opposite side of the skin can be minimized.

[0054] As shown in Figure 14, the above-mentioned effect can also be achieved by increasing the number of filaments (long fibers) of the water-absorbing surface yarn AT to more than the number of filaments of the water-repellent backing yarn BT. An example of the case where the number of filaments of the water-absorbing surface yarn AT is greater than the number of filaments of the water-repellent backing yarn BT is shown in Figure 14. In Figure 14, the water-absorbing surface yarn AT is, for example, a yarn made by bundling 72 filaments together (i.e., the number of filaments of the water-absorbing surface yarn AT is 72), and the water-repellent backing yarn BT is, for example, a yarn made by winding 36 filaments around a core yarn (i.e., the number of filaments of the water-repellent backing yarn BT is 36).

[0055] - When the stitches of a knitted structure made with water-absorbing face yarn AT are larger than the stitches of a knitted structure made with water-repellent back yarn BT. In this case, adjustment methods include making the fineness of the water-absorbing surface yarn AT smaller than the fineness of the water-repellent backing yarn BT, and making the number of water-absorbing surface yarns AT per course less than the number of water-repellent backing yarns BT per course. An example of the case where the fineness of the water-absorbing surface yarn AT is smaller than the fineness of the water-repellent backing yarn BT is shown in Figure 12. In Figure 12, the fineness of the water-absorbing surface yarn AT is, for example, 75 denier, and the fineness of the water-repellent backing yarn BT is, for example, 150 denier. An example of the case where the number of water-absorbing surface yarns AT per course is less than the number of water-repellent backing yarns BT per course is shown in Figure 13. In Figure 13, the number of water-absorbing surface yarns AT per course is 1, and the number of water-repellent backing yarns BT per course is 2. The number of water-repellent backing yarns BT per course should be 1 more than the number of water-absorbing surface yarns AT per course, but it is preferable that it be twice or more the number of water-absorbing surface yarns AT per course. Furthermore, the fineness of each water-repellent backing yarn BT, of which there are two or more threads per course, may be the same or different. For example, if there are two water-repellent backing yarns BT in one course, the fineness of one water-repellent backing yarn BT and the fineness of the other water-repellent backing yarn BT may both be 150 denier, or, as shown in the example in Figure 13, the fineness of one water-repellent backing yarn BT may be 150 denier and the fineness of the other water-repellent backing yarn BT may be 75 denier. Also, the fineness of each water-absorbing surface yarn AT, of which there are two or more threads per course, may be the same or different. In this way, by making the stitches of the knitted structure formed by the water-absorbing surface yarn AT larger than the stitches of the knitted structure formed by the water-repellent backing yarn BT, even when using water-repellent backing yarn BT as the backing yarn, moisture can be efficiently absorbed from the skin side using capillary action. Furthermore, after moving moisture from the skin side to the opposite side using the water-absorbing properties of the water-absorbing surface yarn AT, the moisture that has moved to the opposite side can be efficiently exposed to the outside air and evaporated.

[0056] Although not shown in the diagram, the above effect can also be achieved by making the number of filaments in the absorbent face yarn AT less than the number of filaments in the water-repellent back yarn BT. For example, if the absorbent face yarn AT is a yarn made by bundling 36 filaments together (i.e., the number of filaments in the absorbent face yarn AT is 36), and the water-repellent back yarn BT is a yarn made by wrapping 72 filaments around a core yarn (i.e., the number of filaments in the water-repellent back yarn BT is 72), then the number of filaments in the absorbent face yarn AT will be less than the number of filaments in the water-repellent back yarn BT.

[0057] <Features of socks according to embodiments of the present invention> (1) The sock 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention has a region in which the water-absorbing outer yarn AT is positioned on the opposite side of the skin and the water-repellent inner yarn BT is positioned on the skin side. Therefore, in this sock 1, moisture such as absorbed sweat and insensible perspiration can be moved as much as possible from the skin side to the opposite side of the skin, and the return of moisture that has moved to the opposite side of the skin to the skin side can be suppressed as much as possible.

[0058] (2) In the sock 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, the areas knitted with a misknit of the absorbent outer yarn AT and a knitted of the water-repellent inner yarn BT are located in the posterior toe covering portion 102 of the toe covering portion 100 and the second lower foot covering portion 112b of the lower foot covering portion 112 of the foot covering portion 110. Therefore, this sock 1 can efficiently absorb moisture such as sweat and insensible perspiration from the skin side, while also improving breathability as much as possible.

[0059] (3) In the sock 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, the areas knitted with tuck knitting are located in the first lower foot covering portion 112a, the third lower foot covering portion 112c, and the heel covering portion 120 of the lower foot covering portion 112 of the foot covering portion 110. Therefore, in this sock 1, the contact points between each part of the first lower foot covering portion 112a, the third lower foot covering portion 112c, and the heel covering portion 120 of the lower foot covering portion 112 of the foot covering portion 110 and the skin can be reduced as much as possible, and the wearer can be made to feel as little as possible that the sock 1 is wet.

[0060] <Variation> (A) In the sock 1 according to the previous embodiment, a plating area was located in the anterior toe covering portion 101 of the toe covering portion 100. However, the anterior toe covering portion 101 of the toe covering portion 100 may have one of the following areas: a misknit area, a combination area, or a tuck area. Alternatively, one of the following areas may be located only in the portion of the anterior toe covering portion 101 of the toe covering portion 100 that covers the big toe: a misknit area, a combination area, or a tuck area.

[0061] Furthermore, in the sock 1 according to the previous embodiment, a plating area was located in the heel covering portion 120. However, the heel covering portion 120 may also have one of the following areas: a misknit area, a combination area, or a tuck area.

[0062] (B) In the sock 1 according to the previous embodiment, it was preferred that the stitches of the knitted structure made with water-absorbing surface yarn AT be smaller or larger than the stitches of the knitted structure made with water-repellent backing yarn BT in the plating region and the tuck region. However, the stitch size of the knitted structure made with water-absorbing surface yarn AT and the stitch size of the knitted structure made with water-repellent backing yarn BT may be the same in the plating region and the tuck region.

[0063] (C) In the sock 1 according to the previous embodiment, a water-repellent backing yarn BT was used as the backing yarn, which has lower water absorption and water repellency than the water-absorbing front yarn AT. However, a hydrophobic backing yarn, which has lower water absorption and hydrophobicity than the water-absorbing front yarn AT, may also be used as the backing yarn. The hydrophobic backing yarn is, for example, a yarn in which a hydrophobic covering yarn is coated around an elastic core yarn and is also elastic, or an elastic yarn such as a synthetic fiber that does not have hydrophilic groups. Here, the elastic core yarn is, for example, polyurethane. The hydrophobic covering yarn is, for example, a long fiber yarn such as polyester, polypropylene, polyethylene, or a short fiber yarn such as polyester. A method of coating the elastic core yarn with the covering yarn is, for example, a method of spirally winding the covering yarn around the core yarn. When spirally winding the covering yarn around the core yarn, the covering yarn is, for example, wrapped once or more times in an S twist (right twist) or Z twist (left twist). Furthermore, a water-repellent treatment may be applied to the yarn in which the hydrophobic covering yarn is coated around an elastic core yarn. Examples of elastic yarns, such as synthetic fibers that do not have hydrophilic groups, include yarns that have undergone crimping by false-twisting, heat-fixing, and untwisting hydrophobic yarns (woolly polyester, woolly nylon, etc.), side-by-side conjugate yarns made by bonding together multiple fibers that have at least one hydrophobic component and different heat shrinkage rates, and then heat-treating them to create a spiral crimp, and yarns that have elastic properties and flexibility due to a crystalline structure in which molecules form a loose helix (e.g., polytrimethylene terephthalate, etc.).

[0064] (D) In the sock 1 according to the previous embodiment, a tuck area was located in the first lower foot covering portion 112a of the lower foot covering portion 112 of the foot covering portion 110 that covers the area from the ball of the little toe to the ball of the big toe. However, the tuck area may be located only in the portion of the first lower foot covering portion 112a of the lower foot covering portion 112 of the foot covering portion 110 that covers the ball of the little toe and the ball of the big toe.

[0065] (E) Although not mentioned in the previous embodiment of sock 1, in each part of sock 1 that can cover the part of the foot where sweating is high, there may be a region where the absorbent surface yarn AT is located on the opposite side of the skin and the water-repellent back yarn BT is located on the skin side, or there may be a region where the absorbent surface yarn AT is located on the skin side and the water-repellent back yarn BT is located on the opposite side of the skin side. Sweating can be categorized into psychological sweating and thermoregulatory sweating. Psychological sweating is sweating associated with mental changes, while thermoregulatory sweating is sweating associated with high temperatures or exercise. Parts of the foot where sweating is high due to psychological sweating include, for example, the entire sole (especially the arch and big toe), the toes on the top of the foot, the medial ankle side, and the lateral ankle side. Parts of the foot where sweating is high due to thermoregulatory sweating include, for example, the arch, the entire top of the foot, the medial ankle side, and the lateral ankle side. Therefore, in each part of the sock 1 that can cover the part of the foot where the amount of sweating due to psychogenic sweating is high (for example, the bottom part of the toe covering part 100, the lower foot covering part 112 of the foot covering part 110, the top part of the toe covering part 100, the medial ankle part of the foot covering part 110, and the lateral ankle part of the foot covering part 110, etc.), there may be either a region where the water-absorbing surface yarn AT is positioned on the opposite side of the skin and the water-repellent backing yarn BT is positioned on the skin side, or a region where the water-absorbing surface yarn AT is positioned on the skin side and the water-repellent backing yarn BT is positioned on the opposite side of the skin side. Furthermore, in each part of the sock 1 that can cover the part of the foot where the amount of sweating due to thermoregulatory sweating is greatest (for example, the second lower foot covering part 112b of the lower foot covering part 112 of the foot covering part 110, the instep part of the toe covering part 100 and the upper foot covering part 111 of the foot covering part 110, the medial ankle part of the foot covering part 110, and the lateral ankle part of the foot covering part 110, etc.), there may be either a region where the water-absorbing surface yarn AT is positioned on the opposite side of the skin and the water-repellent backing yarn BT is positioned on the skin side, or a region where the water-absorbing surface yarn AT is positioned on the skin side and the water-repellent backing yarn BT is positioned on the opposite side of the skin side. When there is a region where the water-absorbing surface yarn AT is positioned on the opposite side of the skin and the water-repellent backing yarn BT is positioned on the skin side, it is possible to minimize the return of moisture that has moved to the opposite side of the skin side back to the skin side. When there is a region where the water-absorbing surface yarn AT is positioned on the skin side and the water-repellent backing yarn BT is positioned on the opposite side of the skin side, moisture can be efficiently absorbed from the skin side.

[0066] (F) In the above embodiment, the present invention was applied to socks 1, but the present invention may also be applied to legwear other than socks 1 (e.g., tabi socks, stockings, tights, etc.), or to clothing other than legwear (e.g., clothes, hats, gloves, etc.).

[0067] Furthermore, each of the above-mentioned variations may be adopted individually, or they may be combined as appropriate within the bounds of consistency. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0068] 1. Socks (clothing) 101 Front toe covering part (big toe covering part) 102 Posterior toe covering area (interdigital space covering area) 112a First lower foot covering part (big toe ball covering part, lesser toe ball covering part) 112b Second lower foot covering (arch covering) 120 Heel covering AT absorbent surface yarn (surface yarn) BT water-repellent outer yarn (back yarn)

Claims

1. A first region in which the face yarn is arranged on the first side and the back yarn is arranged on the second side opposite to the first side, A second region in which the face yarn is arranged on the second side and the back yarn is arranged on the first side Equipped with, The aforementioned backing yarn has lower water absorption than the aforementioned front yarn and is a hydrophobic or water-repellent yarn. Knitted fabric.

2. The first region consists of a plating knit structure formed by the face yarn and the back yarn. The knitted fabric according to claim 1.

3. The stitches of the knitted fabric formed by the aforementioned face yarn are smaller than the stitches of the knitted fabric formed by the aforementioned back yarn. The knitted fabric according to claim 1.

4. The stitches of the knitted fabric formed by the aforementioned face yarn are larger than the stitches of the knitted fabric formed by the aforementioned back yarn. The knitted fabric according to claim 1.

5. The second region consists of the face yarn's misknit structure and the back yarn's knitted structure. The knitted fabric according to claim 1.

6. The second region consists of a structure that combines a tuck knit structure, a misknit structure of the face yarn, and a knit knit structure of the back yarn. The knitted fabric according to claim 1.

7. The first region includes a region consisting of a tuck knit structure. The knitted fabric according to claim 1.

8. The knitted fabric comprises a first region in which the face yarn is positioned on the opposite side of the skin and the back yarn is positioned on the skin side, and a second region in which the face yarn is positioned on the skin side and the back yarn is positioned on the opposite side of the skin side. The aforementioned backing yarn has lower water absorption than the aforementioned front yarn and is a hydrophobic or water-repellent yarn. Clothing.

9. The first region consists of a plating knit structure formed by the face yarn and the back yarn. The wear described in claim 8.

10. The interdigital space covering portion that covers the interdigital space on the sole of the foot, The arch covering portion that covers the arch of the sole of the foot, The foot comprises a toe-covering portion that covers the ball of the big toe on the sole of the foot, The second region is located in the interdigital space covering portion, The second region is located in the arch covering portion of the foot. The toe ball covering portion includes either the first region or the second region. The wear described in claim 8.

11. The second region includes a misknit region consisting of a misknit structure of the face yarn and a knitted structure of the back yarn, and a combined region consisting of a structure that combines a tuck knit structure, a misknit structure of the face yarn and a knitted structure of the back yarn. The first region includes a tuck region consisting of a tuck knit structure, The interdigital space covering portion includes either the misknit region or the combined region, The arch covering portion of the foot is located in either the misknit region or the combined region. The toe ball covering portion includes either the combination region or the tuck region. The wear according to claim 10.

12. The heel cover portion that covers the heel of the sole of the foot, The aforementioned part covering the little toe ball of the sole of the foot, The aforementioned toe ball covering portion covers the ball of the big toe on the sole of the foot, The sole of the foot comprises a big toe covering portion, The heel covering portion, the little toe ball covering portion, the big toe ball covering portion, and the big toe covering portion are located in either the first region or the second region. The wear described in claim 8.

13. The second region includes a combination region consisting of a structure that combines a tuck knit structure, a misknit structure of the face yarn, and a knit knit structure of the back yarn. The first region includes a tuck region consisting of a tuck knit structure, The heel covering portion, the little toe ball covering portion, the big toe ball covering portion, and the big toe covering portion each contain either the combination region or the tuck region. The wear according to claim 12.

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