underwear

Abstract

This underwear offers both superior comfort and high aesthetic appeal through its seamless, one-piece construction using stretchable knitted fabric. [Solution] The underwear 1 of the present invention comprises a torso portion 10, a lower abdomen portion 20, and two thigh portions 30, and has a substantially rectangular shape in a plan view when laid flat, with the crotch height greater than the width, and is characterized by being constructed by knitting a stretchable knitted fabric A in a seamless, one-piece manner, so that the entire knitted fabric A can adhere closely to the wearer's body in a planar manner.

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The present invention relates to underwear, and more particularly to underwear that can achieve both excellent wearing comfort and high aesthetic appeal with a seamless integrated structure of stretchable knitted fabric.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, with the increasing emphasis on health, the importance of cold prevention and warmth promotion has been widely recognized. In particular, when the internal organs get cold, it can cause constipation and diarrhea, and also reduce the activity of digestive enzymes, leading to gas accumulation and a decrease in resistance and immunity. Therefore, to maintain health, it is particularly important to prevent the internal organs from getting cold. Against this background, underwear with a high-waist structure has been developed, which covers the abdomen with a band provided at the waist part of the underwear to prevent the internal organs from getting cold. Patent Document 1 discloses underwear provided with a stretchable band portion that can cover the abdomen along the upper edge of the waistline. Patent Document 2 discloses underwear provided with a foldable tubular high-waist portion. These high-waist structured underwear are utilized in various scenes such as cold prevention for women, body temperature management during pregnancy, and cold prevention of muscles during sports.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The prior art has the following problems. <1> Because the garment uses elastic materials such as rubber bands and gathers to constrict the waist, it creates a feeling of pressure and discomfort for the wearer. In addition, seams and folded edges of the fabric can rub against the skin, causing pain and a feeling of foreign body sensation. <2> The seams can hinder the fabric's stretchability, preventing it from exhibiting sufficient elasticity. This can lead to the fabric not being able to follow body movements, potentially causing it to slip down or twist, resulting in a reduced wearing comfort. <3> The appearance, where the fabric is divided into lines by numerous seams, prioritizes functionality over aesthetics. Furthermore, the seams may protrude from the fabric's surface when worn, potentially disrupting the wearer's body lines and detracting from their style.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide underwear that solves the above-mentioned problems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The underwear of the present invention comprises a torso, a lower abdomen, and two thigh sections, and has a roughly rectangular shape when laid flat and viewed in plan, with the crotch height greater than the width. It is characterized by being constructed from a stretchable knitted fabric that is seamlessly knitted in one piece, so that the entire knitted fabric can adhere closely to the wearer's body in a planar manner.

[0007] The underwear of the present invention comprises a knitted fabric extending at least from the torso to the lower abdomen, comprising a knitted fabric body and a plurality of reinforcing lines extending for a certain length in the height direction and distributed within the knitted fabric body, wherein the reinforcing lines have a denser mesh and lower elasticity than the knitted fabric body, thereby configuring the elasticity of the knitted fabric in the width direction to be higher than the elasticity in the height direction.

[0008] In the underwear of the present invention, the reinforcing lines may be intermittently distributed in the height direction of the knitted fabric body.

[0009] In the underwear of the present invention, the rise height may be 1.3 times or more the width when viewed in plan when laid flat.

[0010] The underwear of the present invention may have a maximum stretch ratio of 2.5 times or more in the width direction and a maximum stretch ratio of 1.5 times or more in the height direction.

[0011] The underwear of the present invention may have a maximum stretch ratio in the width direction that is 1.3 times or more than the maximum stretch ratio in the height direction.

[0012] The underwear of the present invention may have a ring-shaped torso-fitting section that is less elastic than the knitted fabric of the torso, along the circumference of the upper edge of the torso.

[0013] The underwear of the present invention may have a thigh-fitting portion that is less elastic than the knitted fabric of the thigh, which is provided around the lower edge of the thigh. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] Because the underwear of the present invention has the above configuration, it has at least one of the following effects. <1> Comfortable to wear By using a highly elastic knitted fabric that wraps around the body in a non-compression structure without using band-like components such as elastic bands, this high-waisted garment protects the intestines without the constricting feeling of corrective underwear, resulting in a flexible and comfortable fit. Furthermore, because it is a seamless construction, there is no discomfort or foreign body sensation caused by seams rubbing against the skin, allowing for stress-free wear. <2> High degree of conformity to the body The seamless, one-piece construction allows the entire knitted fabric to stretch without any seams, resulting in high elasticity that follows the body's movements. This ensures that the knitted fabric flexibly adapts to even the most strenuous movements during sports or work, guaranteeing high functionality. <3> High aesthetic quality The seamless, smooth surface creates a sophisticated aesthetic through a sense of visual unity. Furthermore, because no seams are visible on the surface of the knitted fabric when worn, it beautifully accentuates the body's lines. Additionally, its folded rectangular shape gives it a linear and sharp impression. Thus, while being a highly practical health-promoting product, it also satisfies the wearer's aesthetic needs. <4> Excellent storage capacity Since it can be folded into a rectangular shape, it does not take up much space when stored, and by arranging it in a clothing case or storage shelf without gaps, the storage space can be effectively utilized. <5>Reversible structure Taking advantage of the seamless structure, a reversible design without a front and back can also be adopted. As a result, two types of colors and textures can be enjoyed with one piece of clothing.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0015] [Figure 1] Explanatory drawing of underwear (1) [Figure 2] Explanatory drawing of underwear (2) [Figure 3] Explanatory drawing of the state where the underwear is stretched [Figure 4] Explanatory drawing of the reinforcing strip [Figure 5] Explanatory drawing of the maximum stretch ratio of the underwear [Figure 6] Explanatory drawing of the procedure for folding the underwear [Figure 7] Explanatory drawing of the procedure for folding the underwear

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0016] Hereinafter, the underwear of the present invention will be described in detail while referring to the drawings. In the substitute photograph of the drawings, the shading appearing in the knitted fabric of the torso is due to the light adjustment at the time of photography and does not represent the boundary between the torso and the lower abdomen.

Examples

[0017] <1>Underwear The underwear 1 of the present invention is an underwear having a seamless integrated structure and having a health promotion function of covering the abdomen of the wearer and maintaining / improving the health of the intestines. In this example, an example where the underwear 1 is men's underwear will be described. Underwear 1 consists of a high-waisted structure comprising a torso 10 that generally extends from the wearer's hip bones to above the navel, a lower abdomen 20 that generally extends from the wearer's hip bones to the crotch, and two thigh sections 30 located below the lower abdomen 20 (Figures 1 and 2). The torso 10 is of a height that covers the wearer's mid-abdomen (generally the area from the duodenum to the upper part of the small and large intestines), and preferably its upper edge covers a height of 4-5 cm or more above the navel. In this example, the garment further includes a support portion 40 located in the center of the front of the lower abdomen 20, a torso fit portion 50 that is looped around the waist of the torso 10, and a thigh fit portion 60 that is looped around the thigh of the thigh portion 30. Each of these portions is a part of the same knitted fabric A, but they may be distinguished visually by the density of the mesh, the mesh pattern, etc. In this example, the underwear 1 is provided with a knitted fabric A that extends at least from the torso 10 to the lower abdomen 20, and includes a plurality of reinforcing lines A2 that extend in the height direction for a certain length and are distributed within the knitted fabric A. One feature of the underwear 1 of the present invention is that, through a seamless, one-piece structure of stretchable knitted fabric A, the entire knitted fabric A is configured to fit snugly to the wearer's body.

[0018] <1.1>Sewingless integrated structure Underwear 1 consists of a seamless, one-piece structure made of stretchable knitted fabric A. Here, "seamless, one-piece structure" means that the knitted fabric A of each part is continuous, and no sewing thread is used as a means of connecting the parts. However, this does not preclude the use of thread as a decorative means, such as embroidery thread. Underwear 1 exhibits high elasticity because the entire knitted fabric A stretches as a single unit without being divided by seams (Figure 3). As a result, knitted fabric A adheres closely to the body and is less likely to slip down, and because it covers a wide area of ​​the body in a planar manner, it achieves a comfortable fit that does not constrict the body excessively. In addition, because knitted fabric A has no seams, discomfort and irritation caused by friction against the skin can be eliminated.

[0019] <1.2> Approximately rectangular shape Underwear 1, when laid flat and viewed from above, has a roughly rectangular shape in which the crotch height is greater than the width (Figure 1). Here, "roughly rectangular shape" means that the shape of underwear 1 when laid flat is not a perfect rectangle, and that the dimensions of each side may contain errors of approximately 5% or less from the standard value due to differences in fabric shrinkage rates, expansion and contraction due to temperature and humidity, uneven tension due to shape, dimensional changes in the finishing process, manufacturing errors, etc. In this example, the rise of underwear 1 is set to be at least 1.3 times its width. Here, "width" refers to the dimension of underwear 1 in a plan view when laid flat, not the waist circumference. Specifically, for example, if the width of underwear 1 is 24 cm, the rise height is set to 31.5 cm. By adopting such a high-waisted dimensional ratio, the area of ​​the abdomen covered by the torso 10 is increased, preventing the intestines and internal organs from getting cold, and thus enabling a high level of health promotion function. However, the above dimensional ratio is not an essential configuration for the present invention.

[0020] <1.3> Materials and Manufacturing Method In this example, a blend of polyamide (nylon), polyester, and polyurethane is used as the material for knit fabric A. By combining the durability and flexibility of polyamide, the moisture absorption and quick-drying properties of polyester, and the elasticity of polyurethane, a lightweight yet highly fitted fabric is achieved, allowing for comfort even during prolonged wear. However, the material of knitted fabric A is not limited to the above combinations; it can be selected from blended materials or single materials, including resin materials such as rayon, polypropylene, and acrylic, and natural materials such as cotton, silk, and wool. Furthermore, processing with silver ions or the like may be applied to add antibacterial or thermoregulatory functions. In this example, fabric A is knitted using a warp knitting method, where the stitches are continuous in the vertical direction. More specifically, it is manufactured using double raschel knitting, for example, on a double raschel machine. Double raschel knitting is a method for creating highly decorative patterns and highly breathable meshes, and because it allows for the intricate knitting of areas with different mesh densities within a single piece of fabric A, it is suitable for knitting reinforcing wires A2. Furthermore, because the gauge can be set finely to create dense stitches, it is possible to achieve a stylish appearance and a comfortable fit that conforms closely to the body while maintaining comfort. However, the method for producing knitted fabric A is not limited to double raschel knitting; other known methods such as whole garment (registered trademark), single raschel knitting, circular knitting, and jacquard knitting may also be used.

[0021] <2> Reinforcement wires Reinforcement strip A2 is a linear structure that provides vertical reinforcement to the knitted fabric A. The reinforcing strip A2 extends for a fixed length in the height direction of the knitted fabric A. The reinforcing strip A2 is knitted integrally with the surrounding knitted fabric A1 by knitting the stitches more densely than the main knitted fabric A1 during the knitting process of the knitted fabric A. The reinforcing strips A2 are distributed throughout the entire knitted fabric A. While there are no specific limitations on the arrangement of the reinforcing strips A2, it is desirable that they be distributed roughly evenly throughout the entire knitted fabric A. In this example, the reinforcing wires A2 are arranged intermittently in the height direction. However, this is not the only option; long reinforcing wires A2 may also be arranged continuously in the height direction. Because the reinforcing wire A2 has a denser mesh and lower elasticity than the main knitted fabric A1, the knitted fabric A as a whole is reinforced in the height direction, making it easier to stretch in the width direction than in the height direction. As a result, the stretch rate of knitted fabric A in the width direction becomes higher than the stretch rate in the height direction. In this example, the reinforcing stripe A2 is woven into the mesh pattern of knitted fabric A as part of the design. Specifically, it can be constructed as, for example, the polygonal sides that make up the mesh pattern of knitted fabric A (Figure 4(a)) or as intermittent vertical stripes (Figure 4(b)).

[0022] <2.1> Function of reinforcing wires Underwear 1 has a seamless, one-piece construction, allowing the entire knitted fabric A to stretch uniformly, resulting in high elasticity. However, if the torso portion 10 stretches excessively in the height direction, its support capacity decreases, and there is a risk that the torso portion 10 may slip down. Therefore, in this invention, the knitted fabric A is reinforced in the height direction by distributing reinforcing lines A2 with a dense mesh in the height direction across the entire surface of the knitted fabric A, thereby improving the support capacity of the torso 10. In addition, because the reinforcing lines A2 have a dense mesh, they have a high frictional force, which also improves the grip on the skin. In particular, for body types with a prominent abdominal protrusion, the torso of underwear tends to slip down along the curve of the wearer's abdomen. However, the underwear 1 of the present invention has a structure in which multiple reinforcing lines A2 support the torso 10 in the height direction, and a dense mesh grips the skin, thereby effectively reducing the slippage of the torso 10. Furthermore, in this example, since each reinforcing strip A2 is not completely continuous in the height direction within the knitted fabric A but is distributed independently, the knitted fabric body A1 between the reinforcing strips A2 stretches in the height direction, thus ensuring elasticity in the height direction. Therefore, it easily follows the height direction movements of the body, such as bending forward and backward.

[0023] <3> Support Department The support section 40 is the part that covers the wearer's genitals to prevent visibility. The support section 40 is provided at the center of the front of the lower abdomen 20, extending in the vertical direction. The support section 40 is constructed by tightly knitting the mesh from the knitted fabric body A1 of the lower abdomen 20. In this example, the support section 40 is provided continuously from the crotch of the lower abdomen 20 to the torso 10 (Figure 1). This provides broad vertical support to the genital area, reducing discomfort caused by displacement or twisting of the penis and scrotum. Furthermore, the support section 40 is positioned at the center of the body by the penis, preventing the torso 10 from twisting along the waist. The knit fabric of the support section 40 should preferably be more stretchable than the knit fabric A of the lower abdomen 20 in order to ensure a good fit to the genital area while reducing tightness. In this example, the knitted fabric of the support section 40 is made denser than the knitted fabric A1 of the lower abdomen 20 and looser than the reinforcing strips A2, thereby ensuring higher overall elasticity than the knitted fabric A of the lower abdomen 20. This makes it possible to achieve both comfortable non-constricting wear and reduced transparency. Note that the support portion 40 is not an essential component of the present invention.

[0024] <4> Torso fitting section The torso fitting section 50 is the part that prevents the torso section 10 from slipping down or twisting. The torso fitting section 50 is formed by making the area around the upper edge 11 of the torso section 10 less elastic than the knitted fabric body A1 of the torso section 10, along the circumference of the torso section 10. Here, "less elastic structure" includes not only a structure in which the entire mesh of the torso fitting section 50 is knitted more densely than the knitted fabric body A1, but also a structure in which only parts of it are knitted more densely. Furthermore, the torso fitting portion 50 is not an essential component of the present invention.

[0025] <5> Thigh fit section The thigh fitting section 60 is the part that prevents the thigh section 30 from sliding up or twisting. The thigh fit portion 60 is formed by making the area around the lower edge 31 of the thigh portion 30 less elastic than the knitted fabric body A1 of the thigh portion 30, along the circumference of the thigh portion 30. Here, "less elastic structure" includes not only a structure in which the entire mesh of the thigh fit portion 60 is knitted more densely than the knitted fabric body A1, but also a structure in which only parts of it are knitted more densely. Note that the thigh fitting portion 60 is not an essential component of the present invention.

[0026] <6> Maximum stretch rate Underwear 1 has an extremely high maximum stretch ratio because the entire knitted fabric A is not divided by seams and stretches as a single unit. Here, "maximum stretch ratio" refers to the ratio of the dimensions of Underwear 1 when laid flat to the dimensions when stretched to its maximum extent. In tensile tests using the underwear sample 1, remarkable elasticity was confirmed, ranging from 24 cm to 62 cm in the width direction (maximum stretch ratio of 2.5 times or more) and from 38 cm to 68 cm in the height direction (maximum stretch ratio of 1.5 times or more) (Figure 5). While a high degree of stretchability in the width direction ensures a snug, surface-like fit to the body, if the degree of stretchability in the height direction is greater than that in the width direction, the support capacity of the torso 10 may be compromised. For this reason, it is desirable that the maximum degree of stretchability in the width direction be at least 1.3 times the maximum degree of stretchability in the height direction.

[0027] <7> Folding underwear Since underwear 1 is roughly rectangular in plan view, it can be folded by aligning its edges in the width and height directions. In detail, it can be folded using the following procedure, for example. (1) Lay underwear 1 flat and fold it in the width direction along the center line (Figure 6(a)). In this example, the reinforcing line A2 extends in the height direction of knitted fabric A, and flexibility is ensured in the width direction of knitted fabric A. Therefore, it is easy to fold in the width direction. (2) Fold the lower part upwards at approximately one-third of the height from the bottom (Figure 6(b)). In this example, since the reinforcing wire A2 is not continuous in the height direction but is arranged intermittently, folding in the height direction is also easy. (3) Fold the top part downwards to about one-third of the height from the top (Figure 6(c)). Following the above steps, underwear 1 can be folded into a small rectangular prism. This rectangular prism has a neat appearance with aligned edges, like a handkerchief, making it highly effective for product displays. Furthermore, it can be lined up without gaps in clothing cases or storage shelves, making efficient use of storage space. [Examples]

[0028] [Examples of cases where the underwear is for women] In Example 1, underwear 1 was men's underwear equipped with a support portion 40, but the target of underwear 1 is not limited to men. In this example, underwear 1 is women's underwear that does not have a support portion 40 (Figure 7). In other words, underwear 1 is a unisex design with excellent elasticity and comfortable fit, suitable for both male and female wearers. Women's underwear 1, with its seamless, one-piece construction and high elasticity, can conform to the unique curves of a woman's body, from a slender waist to widening hips, ensuring a beautiful waistline while providing a comfortable fit. [Examples]

[0029] [Example without reinforcing wires] In Example 1, the underwear 1 had multiple reinforcing lines A2 distributed within the knitted fabric body A1, but the reinforcing lines A2 are not essential components of the present invention. In this example, the underwear 1 does not have reinforcing lines A2. In this example, the reinforcing wire A2 does not provide vertical reinforcement to the knitted fabric A. However, by adjusting the mesh density and material selection of the knitted fabric A, the stretchability in the width direction of the knitted fabric A can be ensured to a predetermined value or higher, thereby preventing the torso 10 from slipping down. [Explanation of symbols]

[0030] 1 Underwear 10 Torso 10a Upper edge 11 Torso Fit Section 20 Lower abdomen 30 Thigh 30a lower edge 31 Thigh Fitting Area 40 Support Department A Fabric A1 Knitted fabric body A2 Reinforcement wire

Claims

1. Underwear comprising a torso, a lower abdomen, and two thigh sections, When laid flat and viewed from above, it has a roughly rectangular shape, with the rise height being greater than the width. This garment is characterized by being constructed by seamlessly knitting a stretchable knitted fabric, allowing the entire fabric to adhere closely to the wearer's body in a planar manner. underwear.

2. At least the knitted fabric extending from the torso to the lower abdomen comprises a knitted fabric body and a plurality of reinforcing lines extending for a certain length in the height direction and distributed within the knitted fabric body, The reinforcing strips are characterized by having a denser mesh and lower elasticity than the knitted fabric body, thereby resulting in the knitted fabric having greater elasticity in the width direction than in the height direction. Underwear according to claim 1.

3. The reinforcing lines are characterized in that they are intermittently distributed in the height direction of the knitted fabric body. Underwear according to claim 2.

4. The aforementioned lower abdomen is equipped with a support portion located in the center of the front, The mesh of the support portion is denser than that of the knitted fabric body and sparser than that of the reinforcing wires, thereby providing the support portion with greater elasticity than the knitted fabric of the lower abdomen. Underwear according to claim 2.

5. In a plan view when laid flat, the rise height is 1.3 times or more the width. Underwear according to claim 1.

6. The maximum expansion ratio in the width direction is 2.5 times or more. It is characterized by having a maximum extension ratio of 1.5 times or more in the height direction. Underwear according to claim 1.

7. The maximum expansion ratio in the width direction is characterized by being 1.3 times or more the maximum expansion ratio in the height direction. Underwear according to claim 6.

8. A ring-shaped body-fitting section with less elasticity than the knitted fabric of the body is provided along the circumference of the upper edge of the body portion. Underwear according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. A ring-shaped thigh-fitting portion is provided along the lower edge of the thigh, with less elasticity than the knitted fabric of the thigh. Underwear according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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