socks

Abstract

We offer a new type of sock that can reduce foot sweating inside shoes. [Solution] The socks of the present invention are socks made of knitted fabric, It comprises a foot section (F) that covers from the toes to the ankle, a body section (B) that covers from the ankle to the leg, and an opening (E). The denier of the knitted yarn forming the foot portion (F) and the knitted yarn forming the body portion (B) is the same, or the difference in denier is 5 denier or less. The yarn used to form the body (B) has a higher filament count than the yarn used to form the foot (F). The yarn used to form the body portion (B) has a filament count that increases from the ankle side towards the opening (E) side.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This invention relates to a novel sock that can reduce foot sweating inside shoes. [Background technology]

[0002] When your feet sweat, moisture gets trapped inside your shoes, making them damp and uncomfortable. This is not only unpleasant, but it can also cause blisters due to soaked skin, and lead to odor due to bacterial growth. In winter, the dampness can also cause your feet to get cold, leading to chilblains.

[0003] As a method to prevent stuffiness, Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose methods to improve the breathability of socks, such as socks made of mesh material and socks with small ventilation holes.

[0004] Furthermore, Patent Document 3 discloses a method for moving and absorbing moisture from the skin surface of the foot to the outside by using a sock knitted in a multi-layered structure, with hydrophobic fibers on the inside that touches the skin and water-absorbing fibers on the outside, utilizing the capillary action between the hydrophobic fibers and within the knitted structure, as well as the water-absorbing and moisture-absorbing properties of the water-absorbing fibers. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-140704 [Patent Document 2] Utility Model Registration No. 3075885 Gazette [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2002-4105 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0006] However, while the socks described in the above patent document can reduce foot stuffiness when not wearing shoes, they do not allow moisture trapped inside shoes to escape, and therefore do not improve the problem of feet getting sweaty inside shoes.

[0007] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a novel sock that can reduce the stuffiness of the feet inside shoes. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The inventors diligently studied to solve the above problems and found that by creating a gradient in the yarn used to form the sock, such that the filament count increases from the toe to the opening, moisture that is dampening the sock inside the shoe can be drawn up to the opening of the sock using capillary action, and the moisture can be guided from inside the shoe to the outside and evaporated, thereby improving stuffiness inside the shoe. The present invention was completed based on these findings.

[0009] In other words, the present invention relates to a sock made of knitted fabric, It has a foot section that covers from the toes to the ankle, a body section that covers from the ankle to the leg, and an opening for wearing. The denier of the yarn forming the foot portion and the yarn forming the body portion are the same, or the difference in denier is 5 denier or less. The yarn used to form the body has a higher filament count than the yarn used to form the foot. The knitted yarn that forms the body of the sock has a filament count that increases from the ankle side to the opening side.

[0010] The present invention also relates to the filament count (FC) of the knitting yarn that forms the opening side of the body portion. b-1 ) and the filament count (FC) of the yarn that forms the foot portion. f The invention provides the sock that satisfies the following formula (1). FC b-1 / FC f ≥2.0 (1)

[0011] The present invention also relates to the filament count (FC) of the knitting yarn that forms the ankle side of the body portion. b-2 ) and the filament count (FC) of the yarn that forms the foot portion. f The invention provides the sock that satisfies the following formula (2). FC b-2 / FC f ≥1.1 (2)

[0012] The present invention also provides a sock in which the knitting yarn is a synthetic fiber multifilament yarn.

[0013] The present invention also provides the sock, wherein the knitting yarn is polyester multifilament yarn. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] The socks of this invention are made of knitted yarn with a gradually increasing filament count, from the foot portion which fits inside the shoe when worn, to the opening side of the body portion which is exposed to the outside of the shoe when worn. In other words, the diameter of the knitted yarn gradually decreases from the foot portion to the opening side of the body portion. As a result, the gaps between the knitted yarns also decrease from the foot portion to the opening side of the body portion, and moisture is efficiently drawn up along the narrower passages by capillary action. This allows moisture from the foot portion to be quickly drawn to the opening side and moisture from inside the shoe to be drawn out of the shoe. Once outside the shoe, the moisture evaporates upon contact with the atmosphere. Therefore, wearing the socks of the present invention under shoes can reduce foot dampness, preventing the skin on the feet from becoming soggy and causing blisters, and suppressing the growth of bacteria and the generation of odor. In addition, in winter, it can suppress the cold and frostbite that can occur due to moisture inside the shoes. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0015] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram illustrating the socks of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram showing an example of the socks of the present invention. [Figure 3]This image shows the results of an experiment comparing the moisture absorption height over time for socks from Example 1 and Comparative Example 1. [Figure 4] This image shows the results of the experiment that followed Figure 3. [Figure 5] This image shows the results of the experiment that followed Figure 4. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0016] [socks] As shown in Figure 1, the socks of the present invention comprise a foot portion (F) that covers from the toes to the ankle, a tubular body portion (B) that covers the leg from the ankle upwards, and an opening (E). When wearing low-cut shoes (i.e., shallow shoes that cover from the toes to the ankle and allow the ankle to be visible), the foot portion (F) fits inside the shoe, while the body portion (B) and opening (E) are exposed outside the shoe.

[0017] The socks of the present invention are constructed from a knitted fabric formed by knitting yarn. There are no particular restrictions on the knitting method of the fabric, and examples include circular knitting and flat knitting. In addition, the types of knitted fabrics include plain knitting, rib knitting, and pearl knitting.

[0018] The knitted yarn is preferably a multifilament yarn containing multiple long fibers. The filament count of the knitted yarn (i.e., the number of long fibers contained in the knitted yarn) is, for example, 5 or more, preferably 10 or more, more preferably 20 or more, and even more preferably 30 or more. The upper limit of the filament count is, for example, 700, preferably 650, and more preferably 600.

[0019] Synthetic multifilament yarn is preferred as the knitting yarn because it easily absorbs moisture, releases the absorbed moisture into the atmosphere and dries quickly, and the filament count can be easily adjusted.

[0020] The knitting yarn used to form the socks (or the knitted fabric constituting the socks) of the present invention may include yarns other than synthetic fiber multifilament yarns. However, in terms of promoting moisture absorption by capillary action, the proportion of polyester multifilament yarn in the total amount of knitting yarn is preferably 50% by weight or more, more preferably 60% by weight or more, even more preferably 70% by weight or more, particularly preferably 90% by weight or more, and most preferably 95% by weight or more. The upper limit is 100% by weight.

[0021] Examples of synthetic fibers that make up synthetic fiber multifilament yarn include nylon, vinylon, polyester, acrylic, and polypropylene. Among these, polyester is preferred. Therefore, polyester multifilament yarn is preferred as the synthetic fiber multifilament yarn.

[0022] Because polyester multifilament yarn is composed of hydrophobic fibers, moisture easily penetrates between the polyester filaments that make up the yarn, but is hardly absorbed into the interior of the filaments. Therefore, when moisture is drawn up by capillary action, the diffusion rate of moisture is faster than that of synthetic multifilament yarn composed of more hydrophilic filaments, resulting in faster drying. This makes it particularly effective in improving the problem of feet getting sweaty inside shoes.

[0023] There are no particular restrictions on the denier of the knitting yarn, but it is preferable that the foot portion (F) and body portion (B) of the sock be made of knitting yarn of the same denier, or of two or more types of knitting yarn having similar deniers.

[0024] Furthermore, the body portion (B) may be formed from knitted yarn of the same denier, or it may be formed from two or more types of knitted yarn having similar deniers.

[0025] Two or more knitting yarns having similar deniers are knitting yarns with a denier difference of, for example, 5 denier or less. The denier difference is preferably 3 denier or less, more preferably 2 denier or less, and even more preferably 1 denier or less.

[0026] Furthermore, the opening (E) of the sock may be formed with the same denier yarn as the foot portion (F) and body portion (B), or it may be formed with a different denier yarn than the foot portion (F) and body portion (B).

[0027] The denier of the knitted yarn forming the foot portion (F) and the body portion (B) is, for example, 30 to 300, preferably 50 to 250, more preferably 60 to 200, even more preferably 70 to 150, and particularly preferably 80 to 120.

[0028] The denier of the knitted yarn used to form the cuff is, for example, 30 to 300, preferably 50 to 250, more preferably 60 to 200, even more preferably 70 to 150, and particularly preferably 80 to 120.

[0029] Furthermore, in the socks of the present invention, the knitting yarn that forms the body portion (B) has a higher filament count than the knitting yarn that forms the foot portion (F).

[0030] The filament count of the knitting yarn forming the foot portion (F) is, for example, 50 or less, preferably 45 or less, and more preferably 40 or less. The lower limit of the filament count is, for example, 10, preferably 20, more preferably 25, and even more preferably 30.

[0031] The filament count of the knitted yarn forming the opening side of the body portion (B) is, for example, greater than 50, preferably 70 or more, more preferably 100 or more, more preferably 150 or more, more preferably 200 or more, even more preferably 250 or more, even more preferably 300 or more, even more preferably 400 or more, and particularly preferably 500 or more. The upper limit of the filament count is, for example, 700, preferably 650, and more preferably 600.

[0032] The difference between the filament count of the knitted yarn forming the opening side of the body portion (B) and the filament count of the knitted yarn forming the foot portion (F) is, for example, 20 or more, preferably 30 or more, more preferably 50 or more, even more preferably 100 or more, even more preferably 150 or more, even more preferably 200 or more, particularly preferably 300 or more, and most preferably 400 or more. The difference in filament count is, for example, 600 or less, preferably 550 or less.

[0033] In the socks of the present invention, the knitted yarn forming the body portion (B) that is exposed to the outside of the shoe has a higher filament count than the knitted yarn forming the foot portion (F) that fits inside the shoe when worn. Therefore, when wearing the socks of the present invention with shoes, moisture inside the shoe can be moved to the outside of the shoe and evaporated using capillary action, thereby reducing stuffiness inside the shoe.

[0034] Furthermore, in the socks of the present invention, the knitted yarn forming the body portion (B) has a filament count that increases from the ankle side towards the opening side. As a result, moisture that moves from the foot portion (F) to the body portion (B) does not stagnate at the ankle side, but is quickly absorbed from the ankle side towards the opening side of the body portion (B), so that moisture inside the shoe is successively drawn out of the shoe, and the inside of the shoe can be dried efficiently.

[0035] The body (B) may be configured such that the filament count increases continuously from the ankle side towards the opening side, or it may be configured so that the filament count increases in stages. If it is configured so that the filament count increases in stages, it may be configured so that the filament count increases in two stages from the ankle side towards the opening side, or it may be configured so that the filament count increases in three or more stages (for example, 3 to 4 stages) from the ankle side towards the opening side.

[0036] When the body part (B) is configured such that the filament count increases step by step from the ankle side toward the opening side, the body part (B) may have a configuration in which a plurality (for example, 2 to 4, preferably 3) of tubular members formed of braided yarns with different filament counts are arranged in the order of gradually increasing filament count, and the tube end portions are connected in the tube axis direction.

[0037] When the body part (B) is configured such that the filament count increases step by step in three or more steps from the ankle side toward the opening side, as shown in FIG. 2, the body part (B) may be composed of three parts: the ankle side (b-2), at least one intermediate part (b-3), and the opening side (b-1).

[0038] When the filament count of the body part (B) is configured to increase step by step, the rate of increase for each step of the filament count can be appropriately adjusted according to the number of steps constituting the body part (B).

[0039] <When the body part (B) of the sock is configured such that the filament count increases in two steps from the ankle side toward the opening side> The filament count (FC b-1 ) of the braided yarn forming the opening side of the body part (B) and the filament count (FC f [[ID=ID=18]]) of the braided yarn forming the foot part (F) preferably satisfy the following formula (1) in terms of improving the water absorption effect by capillary action, more preferably satisfy the following formula (1-1), even more preferably satisfy the following formula (1-2), and particularly preferably satisfy the following formula (1-3). The upper limit value of FC b-1 / FC f is, for example, 120, preferably 18, more preferably 14, even more preferably 10, and particularly preferably 9. FC b-1 / FC f ≧2.0 (1) FC b-1 / FC f ≧3.0 (1-1) FC b-1 / FC f ≥4.0 (1-2) FC b-1 / FC f ≥6.0 (1-3)

[0040] The filament count (FC) of the knitted yarn that forms the opening side of the body part (B) b-1 ) and the filament count (FC) of the yarn that forms the foot portion (F). f The difference between the filament counts is, for example, 20 or more, preferably 30 or more, more preferably 50 or more, even more preferably 80 or more, even more preferably 100 or more, particularly preferably 150 or more, and most preferably 200 or more, in terms of improving the water absorption effect by capillary action. The difference between the filament counts is, for example, 600 or less, preferably 500 or less, more preferably 400 or less, even more preferably 350 or less, even more preferably 300 or less, and particularly preferably 250 or less.

[0041] The filament count (FC) of the knitting yarn that forms the ankle side of the body part (B) b-2 ) and the filament count (FC) of the knitting yarn that forms the foot part (F) f It is more preferable that the following equation (2) is satisfied, even more preferable that the following equation (2-1) is satisfied, particularly preferable that the following equation (2-2) is satisfied, and most preferable that the following equation (2-3) is satisfied. FC b-2 / FC f The upper limit is, for example, 5, preferably 4. FC b-2 / FC f ≥1.1 (2) FC b-2 / FC f ≥1.2 (2-1) FC b-2 / FC f ≥1.3 (2-2) FC b-2 / FC f ≥2.0 (2-3)

[0042] The filament count (FC) of the knitting yarn that forms the ankle side of the body part (B) b-2) and the filament count (FC) of the yarn that forms the foot portion (F). f The difference in the filament count is, for example, 5 or more, preferably 10 or more, more preferably 20 or more, and even more preferably 30 or more, in terms of improving the water absorption effect by capillary action. The difference in the filament count is, for example, 200 or less, preferably 150 or less, more preferably 100 or less, more preferably 70 or less, even more preferably 50 or less, and particularly preferably 40 or less.

[0043] The filament count (FC) of the knitted yarn that forms the opening side of the body part (B). b-1 ) and the filament count (FC) of the knitting yarn that forms the ankle side. b-2 ) is preferable to satisfy the following formula (3), more preferably (3-1), even more preferably (3-2), and particularly preferably (3-3) in order to improve the water absorption effect by capillary action. FC b-1 / FC b-2 The upper limit is, for example, 10, preferably 9, more preferably 7, and even more preferably 5. FC b-1 / FC b-2 ≥1.5 (3) FC b-1 / FC b-2 ≥2.0 (3-1) FC b-1 / FC b-2 ≥3.0 (3-2) FC b-1 / FC b-2 ≥4.0 (3-3)

[0044] The filament count (FC) of the knitted yarn that forms the opening side of the body part (B). b-1 ) and the filament count (FC) of the knitting yarn that forms the ankle side. b-2The difference between the filaments is, for example, 30 or more, preferably 50 or more, more preferably 70 or more, more preferably 80 or more, more preferably 90 or more, even more preferably 100 or more, even more preferably 150 or more, and particularly preferably 200 or more, in terms of improving the water absorption effect by capillary action. The difference between the filaments is, for example, 550 or less, preferably 400 or less, more preferably 300 or less, and preferably 250 or less.

[0045] <When the body portion (B) of the sock is constructed so that the filament count increases in three or more stages from the ankle side to the opening side> The filament count (FC) of the knitted yarn that forms the opening side of the body part (B) b-1 ) and the filament count (FC) of the yarn that forms the foot portion (F). f ) preferably satisfies formula (1) below, more preferably satisfies formula (1-4) below, even more preferably satisfies formula (1-5) below, even more preferably satisfies formula (1-6) below, even more preferably satisfies formula (1-7) below, and particularly preferably satisfies formula (1-8) below. FC b-1 / FC f The upper limit is, for example, 20, preferably 18. FC b-1 / FC f ≥2.0 (1) FC b-1 / FC f ≥4.0 (1-4) FC b-1 / FC f ≥5.0 (1-5) FC b-1 / FC f ≥6.0 (1-6) FC b-1 / FC f ≥10.0 (1-7) FC b-1 / FC f ≥12.0 (1-8)

[0046] The filament count (FC) of the knitted yarn that forms the opening side of the body part (B) b-1) and the filament count (FC) of the yarn that forms the foot portion (F). f The difference in the filament count is, for example, 80 or more, preferably 100 or more, more preferably 150 or more, even more preferably 180 or more, even more preferably 200 or more, even more preferably 220 or more, particularly preferably 300 or more, and most preferably 400 or more, in terms of improving the water absorption effect by capillary action. The difference in the filament count is, for example, 700 or less, preferably 650 or less, more preferably 600 or less, and even more preferably 550 or less.

[0047] The filament count (FC) of the knitting yarn that forms the ankle side of the body part (B) b-2 ) and the filament count (FC) of the yarn that forms the foot portion (F). f ) preferably satisfies formula (2) below, more preferably satisfies formula (2-5) below, even more preferably satisfies formula (2-6) below, even more preferably satisfies formula (2-7) below, and particularly preferably satisfies formula (2-8) below. FC b-2 / FC f The upper limit is, for example, 3, preferably 2.5. FC b-2 / FC f ≥1.1 (2) FC b-2 / FC f ≥1.2 (2-5) FC b-2 / FC f ≥1.3 (2-6) FC b-2 / FC f ≥1.5 (2-7) FC b-2 / FC f ≥1.8 (2-8)

[0048] The filament count (FC) of the knitting yarn that forms the ankle side of the body part (B) b-2 ) and the filament count (FC) of the yarn that forms the foot portion (F). f) The difference is, in terms of improving the water absorption effect due to capillary action, for example, 3 or more, preferably 5 or more, more preferably 7 or more, still more preferably 10 or more, particularly preferably 20 or more. The difference in the filament count is, for example, 100 or less, preferably 80 or less, more preferably 50 or less, still more preferably 40 or less.

[0049] The filament count (FC b-1 ) of the knitting yarn forming the opening of the body part (B) and the filament count (FC b-2 ) of the knitting yarn forming the ankle side preferably satisfy the following formula (3) in terms of improving the water absorption effect due to capillary action, more preferably satisfy the following formula (3-5), still more preferably satisfy the following formula (3-6), still more preferably satisfy the following formula (3-7), still more preferably satisfy the following formula (3-8), and particularly preferably satisfy the following formula (3-9). FC b-1 / FC b-2 The upper limit value of is, for example, 10, preferably 9. FC b-1 / FC b-2 ≧1.5 (3) FC b-1 / FC b-2 ≧2.0 (3-5) FC b-1 / FC b-2 ≧3.0 (3-6) FC b-1 / FC b-2 ≧4.0 (3-7) FC b-1 / FC b-2 ≧5.0 (3-8) FC b-1 / FC b-2 ≧7.0 (3-9) [[ID=5�]]

[0050] The filament count (FC b-1 ) of the knitting yarn forming the opening side of the body part (B) and the filament count (FC b-2The difference between the filaments is, for example, 30 or more, preferably 50 or more, more preferably 70 or more, more preferably 80 or more, even more preferably 90 or more, even more preferably 150 or more, even more preferably 200 or more, particularly preferably 300 or more, and most preferably 400 or more, in terms of improving the water absorption effect by capillary action. The difference between the filaments is, for example, 700 or less, preferably 600 or less, and more preferably 550 or less.

[0051] The body portion (B) has one or more intermediate sections (i.e., intermediate sections on the opening side and the ankle side). If the intermediate section of the body portion (B) has one section, the yarn forming the intermediate section adjacent to the ankle side and the yarn forming the intermediate section adjacent to the opening side are the same yarn, and the filament count (FC) described later is b-3-2 ) and (FC b-3-1 ) are the same.

[0052] The filament count (FC) of the knitting yarn that forms the intermediate part adjacent to the ankle side of the body part (B) b-3-2 ) and the filament count (FC) of the knitting yarn that forms the ankle side. b-2 ) preferably satisfies the following formula (4), and more preferably satisfies the following formula (4-1). FC b-3-2 / FC b-2 The upper limit is, for example, 6, preferably 5, more preferably 2.5, and even more preferably 2. FC b-3-2 / FC b-2 ≥1.1 (4) FC b-3-2 / FC b-2 ≥1.2 (4-1)

[0053] The filament count (FC) of the knitting yarn that forms the intermediate section adjacent to the ankle side of the body section (B) b-3-2 ) and the filament count (FC) of the knitting yarn that forms the ankle side. b-2The difference in the filament count is, for example, 10 or more, preferably 15 or more, and more preferably 20 or more, in terms of improving the water absorption effect by capillary action. The difference in the filament count is, for example, 150 or less, preferably 100 or less, more preferably 80 or less, even more preferably 50 or less, and particularly preferably 30 or less.

[0054] The filament count (FC) of the knitted yarn that forms the opening side of the body part (B). b-1 ) and the filament count (FC) of the knitting yarn that forms the intermediate part adjacent to the opening side. b-3-1 ) is preferably satisfied with the following formula (5), more preferably with the following formula (5-1), even more preferably with the following formula (5-2), and particularly preferably with the following formula (5-3), in order to improve the water absorption effect by capillary action. FC b-1 / FC b-3-1 The upper limit is, for example, 4, preferably 3. FC b-1 / FC b-3-1 ≥1.2 (5) FC b-1 / FC b-3-1 ≥1.3 (5-1) FC b-1 / FC b-3-1 ≥1.5 (5-2) FC b-1 / FC b-3-1 ≥1.8 (5-3)

[0055] The filament count (FC) of the knitted yarn that forms the opening side of the body part (B). b-1 ) and the filament count (FC) of the knitting yarn that forms the intermediate part adjacent to the opening side. b-3-1 The difference between the filaments is, for example, 30 or more, preferably 50 or more, more preferably 80 or more, even more preferably 100 or more, even more preferably 120 or more, even more preferably 150 or more, and particularly preferably 200 or more, in terms of improving the water absorption effect by capillary action. The difference between the filaments is, for example, 400 or less, preferably 350 or less, and even more preferably 300 or less.

[0056] If the middle section of the body (B) has two or more stages, the filament count of the knitting yarn that forms the middle section adjacent to the opening side (FC b-3-1 ) is the filament count (FC) of the knitting yarn that forms the intermediate part adjacent to the ankle. b-3-2 ) is greater than ). Furthermore, these filament counts are preferably satisfied with the following formula (6), more preferably with the following formula (6-1), even more preferably with the following formula (6-2), and particularly preferably with the following formula (6-3), in terms of improving the water absorption effect by capillary action. FC b-3-1 / FC b-3-2 The upper limit is, for example, 5, preferably 4. FC b-3-1 / FC b-3-2 ≥1.5 (6) FC b-3-1 / FC b-3-2 ≥2.0 (6-1) FC b-3-1 / FC b-3-2 ≥2.5 (6-2) FC b-3-1 / FC b-3-2 ≥3.0 (6-3)

[0057] The filament count (FC) of the knitted yarn that forms the intermediate part adjacent to the opening side of the body part (B). b-3-1 ) and the filament count (FC) of the knitting yarn that forms the intermediate part adjacent to the ankle. b-3-2 The difference in the filament count is, for example, 30 or more, preferably 50 or more, more preferably 70 or more, more preferably 80 or more, even more preferably 90 or more, even more preferably 120 or more, and particularly preferably 160 or more, in terms of improving the water absorption effect by capillary action. The difference in the filament count is, for example, 400 or less, preferably 350 or less, more preferably 300 or less, and even more preferably 250 or less.

[0058] The socks of the present invention can be manufactured, for example, by using a knitting machine and knitting while switching between yarns with different filament counts.

[0059] The configurations and combinations thereof described above are merely examples, and additions, omissions, substitutions, and modifications to the configurations are permitted as appropriate, without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited by its embodiments. [Examples]

[0060] The present invention will be described more specifically below with reference to examples, but the present invention is not limited to these examples.

[0061] Example 1 Using a circular knitting machine, a sock was knitted using the following yarns to form the foot section (F), the ankle section (b-2), the middle section (b-3), and the cuff section (b-1) of the body section (B), resulting in a sock with a foot section (F) length of 23 cm and a body section (B) length of 14 cm (see Figure 2). Body part, opening side (b-1): Polyester multifilament yarn (100 denier, filament count: 288) x 2 strands Body section (b-3): Polyester multifilament yarn (100 denier, filament count: 144) x 2 strands Body section, ankle side (b-2): Polyester multifilament yarn (100 denier, filament count: 48) x 2 strands Foot section (F): Polyester multifilament yarn (100 denier, filament count: 36) x 2 strands

[0062] Comparative Example 1 A sock was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1, except that two strands of polyester multifilament yarn (100 denier, filament count: 36) were used as the knitting yarn to knit the entire sock.

[0063] (evaluation) For the socks obtained in Example 1 and Comparative Example 1, the portion from the toe to the heel of the foot area (indicated as F' in Figure 2) was removed and used as a sample. The effect of improving stuffiness inside shoes was verified by comparing the moisture absorption height using the method described below. Under normal pressure and at room temperature (25°C), a rectangular container filled with colored water was placed on a flat surface. The sample was suspended from the top of the container with its feet facing downwards, and the feet were immersed in the water. The height to which the sample absorbed the water was observed over time from 1 minute to 15 minutes after the start of immersion. The results are shown in Figures 3-5. The dashed arrows in Figures 3-5 indicate the height to which the water was absorbed.

[0064] Figures 3-5 show that the socks of Example 1 can absorb moisture more quickly and to a higher level compared to the socks of Comparative Example 1.

[0065] From this, it can be seen that the socks of the present invention are formed with a knitted yarn that has a higher filament count in the body portion than in the foot portion, and furthermore, the body portion is formed using a knitted yarn that has a higher filament count from the ankle side to the opening side. Therefore, compared to socks in which the foot portion and body portion are made of knitted yarn with the same filament count, the socks can efficiently draw up water by capillary action and have a superior effect in improving stuffiness inside the shoe.

[0066] Example 2 Using a circular knitting machine and the following yarn, a sock body (14 cm in length) was obtained with four stages of filament count variation. The lengths of the four stages constituting the body (b-1), (b-3-1), (b-3-2), and (b-2) were equal, and the sum of these lengths was 14 cm. Body part, opening side (b-1): Polyester multifilament yarn (100 denier, filament count: 576) x 2 strands Body section (b-3-1): Polyester multifilament yarn (100 denier, filament count: 288) x 2 strands Body section (b-3-2): Polyester multifilament yarn (100 denier, filament count: 96) x 2 strands Body part, ankle side (b-2): Polyester multifilament yarn (100 denier, filament count: 72) x 2 strands

[0067] (evaluation) Using the sock body obtained in Example 2 as a sample, the effect of improving stuffiness inside shoes was verified by comparing the moisture absorption height using the method described below. Under normal pressure, room temperature of 23°C, and humidity of 36%, a rectangular container filled with colored water (water temperature: 32°C or 35°C) was placed on a flat surface. A sample was suspended from the top of the container with its ankle end facing downwards, and the tip of the sample was immersed in the water. The time required for the water to be absorbed up to the opening of the sample was then measured. The results are shown in Table 1 below.

[0068] [Table 1]

[0069] Examples 3, 4, Comparative Example 2 The sock body (14 cm in length) was obtained in the same manner as in Example 2, except that the filament count of the knitting yarn was changed from four stages to two stages, and knitting yarn having the filament counts listed in Table 2 below was used. The lengths of the two stages (b-1) and (b-2) that make up the body are equal, and the sum of these lengths is 14 cm. The resulting body was then evaluated using the same method as in Example 2. The results are shown in Table 2 below.

[0070] [Table 2]

[0071] From Tables 1 and 2 above, it can be seen that the socks of the present invention can efficiently draw up moisture through capillary action and guide moisture from inside the shoe to the outside. Furthermore, it can be seen that the moisture-absorbing effect can be further improved by increasing the filament count of the sock body in more stages and reducing the rate of increase at each stage. Furthermore, since the water absorption rate of the socks of the present invention increases even further as the water temperature rises, it can effectively eliminate the problem of feet becoming sweaty inside shoes in high-temperature environments such as summer. [Explanation of symbols]

[0072] F Foot area (from toes to ankle) F' Foot area (from toe to heel) B Body section (from the ankles up) b-1 The opening side of the body b-2 Body part, ankle side b-3 Middle section of the body E Opening

Claims

1. Socks made of knitted fabric, It has a foot section that covers from the toes to the ankle, a body section that covers from the ankle up, and an opening for wearing. The denier of the yarn used to form the foot portion and the yarn used to form the body portion are the same, or the difference in denier is 5 denier or less. The yarn used to form the body has a higher filament count than the yarn used to form the foot. These socks are made with knitted yarn that forms the body of the sock, with the filament count increasing from the ankle side towards the opening.

2. Filament count (FC) of the knitted yarn that forms the opening side of the body part ｂ－１ ) and the filament count (FC) of the yarn that forms the foot portion. ｆ The sock according to claim 1, satisfying the following formula (1). FC ｂ－１ / FC ｆ ≧2.0 (1)

3. The filament count (FC) of the knitted yarn that forms the ankle side of the body section. ｂ－２ ) and the filament count (FC) of the yarn that forms the foot portion. ｆ The sock according to claim 1 or 2, satisfying the following formula (2). FC ｂ－２ / FC ｆ ≧1.1 (2)

4. The sock according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the knitting yarn is a synthetic fiber multifilament yarn.

5. The sock according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the knitting yarn is polyester multifilament yarn.

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