Socks with Opaque Regions and Smoothly-Neighboring Sheer Regions that are Free of Yarn Tails

Abstract

A sock includes: an opaque fabric-region, that blocks passage of at least 90 percent of incoming light; immediately bordering and adjacent to a sheer fabric-region, that blocks passage of 25 to 75 percent of incoming light. The opaque fabric-region and the sheer fabric-region are a continuous fabric structure that is seam-free and stitch-free. Connection regions between the opaque fabric-region and the sheer fabric-region lack any seams and lack any stitches and lack any glue and lack any adhesive material. An inner side and also an outer side, of connection regions between the opaque fabric-region and the sheer fabric-region, are smooth and flush and lack any uncut remainder yarns.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This patent application claims priority and benefit from U.S. 63 / 385,278, filed on Nov. 29, 2022, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.FIELD

[0002] Some embodiments are related to the field of clothing.BACKGROUND

[0003] Clothing articles and clothes are typically formed of textile material and are worn on the body. Clothes are worn for various purposes, for example, to keep the human body warm in a cold weather, to protect the human body from rough surfaces or insects or plants, to provide a hygienic barrier between the human body and the environment, to protect the human body from ultraviolet radiation, to cover genitals, for social reasons or as fashion, or the like.SUMMARY

[0004] Some embodiments provide socks with opaque regions and smoothly-neighboring sheer regions, that are free of yarn tails, and / or such that the opaque regions and the smoothly-neighboring sheer regions are a continuous same-level flush structure and lack any seams or stitches between them or connecting them. Some embodiments further provide systems and methods for producing such socks.

[0005] For example, a sock comprises: an opaque fabric-region, that blocks passage of at least 90 percent of incoming light; immediately bordering and adjacent to a sheer fabric-region, that blocks passage of 25 to 75 percent of incoming light. The opaque fabric-region and the sheer fabric-region are a continuous fabric structure that is seam-free and stitch-free. Connection regions between the opaque fabric-region and the sheer fabric-region lack any seams and lack any stitches and lack any glue and lack any adhesive material. An inner side and also an outer side, of connection regions between the opaque fabric-region and the sheer fabric-region, are smooth and flush and lack any uncut remainder yarns.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] FIG. 1 is an illustration of a prior art sock, demonstrating several “tails” of uncut excess yarn-endings.

[0007] FIG. 2 is an illustration of a portion of a modified knitting machine, demonstrating a Tensioning Unit (e.g., a temporary yarn tensioning unit, or a temporary yarn stretching unit, or a temporary yarn pulling unit), in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments.

[0008] FIG. 3 is an illustration of a portion of a modified knitting machine, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments.

[0009] FIG. 4 is an illustration of a set of two socks, demonstrating a conventional prior art sock having excess uncut tails of yarn, and showing an innovative sock in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments of the present invention having no uncut tails of yarn or yarn remainders.

[0010] FIG. 5 is an illustration of another set of two socks, demonstrating a conventional prior art sock having excess uncut tails of yarn, and showing an innovative sock in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments of the present invention having no uncut tails of yarn or yarn remainders.

[0011] FIG. 6A is an illustration of a sock having opaque fabric-regions that are smoothly bordering opaque fabric-regions, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments.

[0012] FIG. 6B is an illustration of another sock having opaque fabric-regions that are smoothly bordering opaque fabric-regions, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments.

[0013] FIG. 6C is an illustration of yet another sock having opaque fabric-regions that are smoothly bordering opaque fabric-regions, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME DEMONSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

[0014] Some embodiments provide a sock having (i) opaque fabric-regions, that are smoothly neighboring and adjacent to (ii) sheer fabric-regions; and the borders of such regions are tail-free, or have no tails or remainders of loose yarns or post-knitted yarns that were cut off after the knitting process.

[0015] The term “opaque fabric-region” includes a fabric-region that is non-transparent, or that does not enable any passage of light therethrough, or a fabric-region that entirely blocks a viewer from seeing the body beneath that fabric-region; or a fabric-region that blocks passage of 100 percent of incoming light; or a fabric-region that blocks passage of at least 95 percent of incoming light; or a fabric-region that blocks passage of at least 90 percent of incoming light.

[0016] The term “sheer fabric-region” includes a fabric-region that is transparent or is at least partially-transparent or mostly-transparent or semi-transparent; such that it covers the body located beneath it, yet it also enables at least some light to pass therethrough, such that a viewer is not entirely blocked from seeing at least some of the body region through the sheer fabric-region, and such that a viewer can see at least some of the body region through the sheer fabric-region; or, a fabric-region that enables passage therethrough of between 25 to 75 percent of incoming light; or, a fabric-region that enables passage therethrough of between 25 to 50 percent of incoming light; or, a fabric-region that enables passage therethrough of between 10 to 75 percent of incoming light; or, a fabric-region that enables passage therethrough of between 10 to 50 percent of incoming light; or, a fabric-region that enables passage therethrough of between 33 to 75 percent of incoming light.

[0017] The term “High-Count Yarn” or “Heavy Yarn” includes, for example, yarn DX 100 / 4 or yarn having dtex 100 or yarn having dtex 100 / 4, or yarn having linear density (dtex) 100, or having dtex in the range of 80 to 120, or having dtex of at least 80 or at least 100.

[0018] The term “Low-Count Yarn” or “Fine Yarn” includes, for example, yarn DX 33 / 1 or yarn having dtex 33 or yarn having dtex 33 / 1, or yarn having linear density (dtex) 33, or having dtex in the range of 30 to 40 or in the range of 25 to 35, or yarn dtex of up to 40 dtex or up to 33 dtex.

[0019] In accordance with some embodiments, the High-Count Yarn (or the Heavy Yarn) has a dtex (linear density) value that is N times the dtex value of the Low-Count yarn (or the Fine Yarn); wherein N is at least 2. In some embodiments, N is 2. In some embodiments, N is 3. In some embodiments, N is 4. In some embodiments, N is 5. In some embodiments, N is in the range of 2 to 5. In some embodiments, N is in the range o 3 to 5. In some embodiments, N is in the range of 3 to 4. In some embodiments, N is in the range of 3 to 6. The dtex value can be measured as grams per 10,000 meters of yarn.

[0020] The Applicants have realized that in conventional sock knitting machines, an opaque fabric-region is knitted with a high-count yarn, or with a combination of high-count yarn with low-count yarn; whereas a sheer fabric-region is knitted only with a low-count yarn and without any high-count yarn.

[0021] The Applicants have realized that every time that the sock knitting machine needs to knit a sheer fabric-region, the high-count yarn has to be removed from the knitting needle(s), and the low-count yarn (e.g., the “ground” yarn) continues the knitting process.

[0022] The Applicants have realized that when a high-count yarn is exiting the knitting needle(s), an ending of that high-count yarn (“yarn finger”) is often caught in a tooth or a protrusion of a cutting blade of the sock knitting machine, and the remainder of the high-count yarn has to be cut by another blade or knife or cutting unit or trimming unit, and the excess of the cut high-count yarn is removed using suction via an air vacuum or by other yarn-catching unit.

[0023] The Applicants have realized that due to a small distance or gap between the “yarn finger” and the cutting knife, a remainder “tail” of the high-count yarn often remains uncut, and remains attached at the internal side of the sock; having a length of 1 or 2 or 3 or 5 millimeters, and sometimes even in the range of 1 to 20 millimeters. Such tail or remainder yarn is inconvenient or irritating or uncomfortable or bothering to some wearers.

[0024] The Applicants have further realized that when the same sock knitting machine has to continue knitting another opaque fabric-region of the same sock, the high-count yarn may again get caught in knitting needle(s), which in turn may pull the high-count yarn from the trimming unit or from the yarn-catching unit; and again, because of some physical distance or gap, a “tail” or remainder of 1 to 20 millimeters of heavy-count yarn may remain uncut at the internal side of the sock.

[0025] The Applicants have realized that such excess, uncut, internal-side “tails” or remainders of uncut high-count yarn, particularly at the inner side of the sock, may cause inconvenience to some wearers; or may cause irritation or friction to the foot of some wearers; or may reduce the feeling of convenience that the sock provides to some wearers, who may prefer their sock to be entirely-smooth and tails-free.

[0026] Reference is made to FIG. 1, which is an illustration of a prior art sock 100 demonstrating several “tails” of uncut excess yarn-endings 101. The horizontal red stripes indicate opaque fabric-regions; the horizontal black (or darker) stripes indicate sheer fabric-regions. The uncut excess “tails” or remainders of yarn can be seen along a generally-vertical line.

[0027] Some embodiments of the present invention provide a sock having opaque fabric-region that are directly touching or bordering or neighboring sheer fabric-regions; and the internal side of the sock (and also the external side of the sock) lack any uncut excess “tails” or remainders of yarn that characterize a conventional sock that attempts to have both opaque fabric-regions and adjacent sheer fabric-regions. Some embodiments of the present invention further provide a production method and a production system for producing such tails-free socks, or socks that are free of any internal and / or external uncut yarn remainders.

[0028] For demonstrative purposes, some embodiments may utilize a single-cylinder knitting machine, such as “GOAL GK616DF3” available from Lonati.com, which undergoes particular modifications and improvements in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. The modified knitting machine may have, for example, 160 or 180 or 200 or 220 knitting needles; and may use gauge of 14 or 16 or 18 or 20 GG (stitches per inch). Other suitable values may be used, and other types or models of knitting machines may be used.

[0029] In a demonstrative example, the low-count yarn or the “ground” yarn is Nylon Drawn Textured Yarn (DTY) 78 / 48 / 1, such as in black color; which is threaded in the main feed of the knitting machine via a ceramic tube of yarn finger number 1. In some embodiments, the low-count yarn or the “ground” yarn has low elasticity, or has elasticity than is smaller than 150 percent; such that the yarn cannot stretch by more than 50 percent of its original idle length, without breaking or ripping, upon application of a stretching force.

[0030] In a demonstrative example, the high-count yarn or the “major” yarn is Spandex 78 Dtex single yarn (or Lycra, or Elastane, or other form-fitting or stretchable yarn or a synthetic yarn formed of polyether-polyurea copolymer; having stretching capability of at least 300% or at least 400% or at least 500% upon application of a stretching force relative to its idle length without breaking or without being torn or ripped), which may be covered with (or coated by) Nylon 78 / 24 / 2 yarn, such as in red color; which is threaded in color group number 1 of the knitting machine via the ceramic tube of yarn finger number 1; while in the middle, between the yarn's bobbin to the ceramic tube, this yarn passes through Tensioning Unit, which assists in stretching and releasing the high-count yarn.

[0031] Reference is made to FIG. 2, which is an illustration of a portion of a modified knitting machine 200, demonstrating a Tensioning Unit 201 (e.g., a temporary yarn tensioning unit, or a temporary yarn stretching unit, or a temporary yarn pulling unit), in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments.

[0032] The knitting process may be as follows:

[0033] In the opaque fabric-region: Both the low-count yarn (the fine-count yarn) and the high-count yarn (the heavier count) are knitted together to create the opaque fabric-region or opaque stripe.

[0034] In the sheer fabric-region: immediately before starting the knitting of the sheer fabric-region, a blade which is located at the upper head of the machine is stopped from turning or moving, to prevent cutting of the yarn(s); and the head of the knitting machine is raised upwardly, to enable the high-count yarn to move together with the cylinder as it is turning, while the Tensioning Unit 201 allows that yarn to stretch and to withdraw. Immediately after the head of the knitting machine rising up, the yarn finger of the high-count yarn is raised up, to allow it to exit from the knitting needle(s). From this time-point, the knitting machine is able to knit only with the ground / low-count yarn, and it knits the sheer fabric-region or the sheer stripe.

[0035] While the knitting machine knits alternately the opaque fabric-regions and the sheer fabric-regions, the blade (or other cutting unit) at the upper side of the knitting machine is not rotating or is not moving, and the head of the knitting machine remains at the upper position.

[0036] Every time that the knitting machine is about to knit an opaque fabric-region, the yarn finger of the high-count yarn is lowered or descends downwardly, and the knitting needles catch it and engage with it. Every time that the knitting machine is about to knit the sheer fabric-region, the yarn finger of the high-count yarn is moved upwardly and rises up to exit the knitting needles. The knitting process repeats with alternative iterations, knitting opaque fabric-regions and sheer fabric-regions in the alternate.

[0037] Reference is made to FIG. 3, which is an illustration of a portion of a modified knitting machine 300, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments. It indicates the upper head of the knitting machine; the blade; and the high-count (or heavy-count) yarn.

[0038] Reference is made to FIG. 4, which is an illustration of a set 400 of socks. Sock 401 is a conventional prior art sock, showing excess uncut “tails” of yarn. Sock 402 is an innovative sock in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments of the present invention, and has no uncut “tails” of yarn; rather, the ending and the commencement of each fabric-region or fabric stripe, whether it is opaque or sheer, is smooth and tail-free.

[0039] Reference is made to FIG. 5, which is an illustration of another set 500 of socks. Sock 501 is a conventional prior art sock, showing excess uncut “tails” of yarn. Sock 502 is an innovative sock in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments of the present invention, and has no uncut “tails” of yarn; rather, the ending and the commencement of each fabric-region or fabric stripe, whether it is opaque or sheer, is smooth and tail-free.

[0040] For demonstrative embodiments, the opaque fabric-regions and the nearby or adjacent or neighboring alternating sheer fabric-regions are shown as horizontal stripes; however, these are only non-limiting examples, and those regions may be or may include, for example, vertical stripes, diagonal stripes, curved lines, non-linear regions, wave shaped regions or lines, zig-zag regions or lines, chevron regions or lines, or the like.

[0041] In some embodiments, the high-count yarn and the low-count yarn are formed of the same material(s), and differ by their thickness and / or fineness and / or their level of elasticity and / or their stretching capability. In other embodiments, the high-count yarn and the low-count yarn are formed of different material(s). The yarn(s) may be of the same color, or of different colors, or may be raw or white, or may be pre-dyed or pre-colored.

[0042] Some embodiments may be used in conjunction with any suitable knitting technique; for example, rib 2×1, pique 1×1, or the like.

[0043] Reference is made to FIG. 6A, which is an illustration of a sock 610 having opaque fabric-regions 611 that are smoothly bordering opaque fabric-regions 612, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments. Tail-free connection (or bordering) regions / lines 613 are shown, and lack any yarn tails or yarn remainders. Also shown are a cuff / welt region 601, a toes region 602, and a heel / ankle region 603.

[0044] Reference is made to FIG. 6B, which is an illustration of a sock 620 having opaque fabric-regions 611 that are smoothly bordering opaque fabric-regions 612, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments. Tail-free connection (or bordering) regions / lines 613 are shown, and lack any yarn tails or yarn remainders. Additionally or alternatively, tail-free connection (or bordering) regions / lines 614 are shown, and lack any yarn tails or yarn remainders. Also shown are a cuff / welt region 601, a toes region 602, and a heel / ankle region 603.

[0045] Reference is made to FIG. 6C, which is an illustration of a sock 630 having opaque fabric-regions 611 that are smoothly bordering opaque fabric-regions 612, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments. Tail-free connection (or bordering) regions / lines 613 are shown, and lack any yarn tails or yarn remainders. Additionally or alternatively, tail-free connection (or bordering) regions / lines 614 are shown, and lack any yarn tails or yarn remainders. Also shown are a cuff / welt region 601, a toes region 602, and a heel / ankle region 603.

[0046] Some embodiments may comprise a method or process, which may be computer-assisted or machine-assisted, or may be implemented via machines and / or manufacturing equipment (e.g., knitting machine, sewing machine, cutting machine, machine-controlled needles or cutters, robotic arms, conveyor belts, or the like).

[0047] In some embodiments, the high-count yarn or the heavy yarn that is used for knitting the opaque fabric-regions is Reflective Yarn or Retro-Reflective Yarn that contains glass beads or glass fibers or glass micro-prisms (e.g., having at least 25% or 30% or 33% or 40% or 50% of glass beads or glass fiber or glass micro-prism, by weight or by volume; or having between 25 to 75 percent of glass beads or glass fiber or glass micro-prisms, by weight or by volume). The Applicants have realized that this type of yarn, in particular, leaves long and / or hard excess “tails” when it is knitted as part of a conventional sock, since such particular type of yarn is more difficult to cut. Innovatively, some embodiments provide a sock, such as a sports sock, that is knitted with such Reflective Yarn that contains glass beads or glass fibers and that does not have excess uncut yarn “tails” at the internal side of the sock and at the external side of the sock. In a demonstrative embodiment, and as a non-limiting example, the Reflective Yarn may include: 53% glass beads, 22% polyester, 12% phenolic resin, and 13% adhesive.

[0048] In some embodiments, the high-count yarn or the heavy yarn that is used for knitting the opaque fabric-regions is Silicone Yarn that contains Silicone (e.g., and thus improves the grip of the sock to the foot, or provides non-slip properties). The Applicants have realized that this type of yarn, in particular, leaves long and / or hard excess “tails” when it is knitted as part of a conventional sock, since such particular type of yarn is more difficult to cut. Innovatively, some embodiments provide a sock, such as a high-grip sock, that is knitted with such Silicone Yarn that contains Silicone and that does not have excess uncut yarn “tails” at the internal side of the sock and at the external side of the sock.

[0049] In some embodiments, the high-count yarn or the heavy yarn that is used for knitting the opaque fabric-regions is Polyethylene Yarn that contains Polyethylene (e.g., and thus has high modulus and strength). The Applicants have realized that this type of yarn, in particular, leaves long and / or hard excess “tails” when it is knitted as part of a conventional sock, since such particular type of yarn is more difficult to cut. Innovatively, some embodiments provide a sock, such as an anti-friction sock or a low-friction sock, that is knitted with such Polyethylene Yarn that contains Polyethylene (e.g., optionally in a compressed form) and that does not have excess uncut yarn “tails” at the internal side of the sock and at the external side of the sock.

[0050] Some embodiments may utilize mono-filament yarn(s) for increased transparency of the sheer fabric-regions. Other suitable yarns may be used.

[0051] It is noted that some embodiments of the present invention are different from some type of stockings or lingerie. Socks are entirely different garments from stockings or lingerie. Stockings or lingerie utilize highly-delicate and thin yarns, such as 32 to 35 GG, yarn knitted at 30 to 36 gauge (e.g., 30 to 36 stitches per 4 inches or per 10 centimeters), or yarn knitted with at least 30 gauge; and their “tails” can be easily cut short and removed, such that long “tails” may not appear in stockings or lingerie. In contrast, socks (that are not stockings and are not lingerie) use different type of yarns that are much thicker, such as 8 to 16 GG, such as yarn knitted at 6 to 16 gauge (e.g., 6 to 16 stitches per 4 inches or per 10 centimeters), or yarn knitted at 8 to 16 gauge, or yarn knitted at not more than 16 gauge; and the yarns utilized to knit socks leave excess uncut “tails” as described that are otherwise difficult to remove or to cut in conventional systems. Additionally, conventional stockings or conventional lingerie are typically produced by a four-point knitting machine that has four knitting points (rather than the single-point knitting machine that produces socks), which increases the ability of a Stockings / Lingerie knitting machine to alternate between different yarns.

[0052] Some embodiments provide a sock (610, 620, 630) comprising: an opaque fabric-region (611), that blocks passage of at least 90 percent of incoming light; immediately bordering and adjacent to a sheer fabric-region (612), that blocks passage of 25 to 75 percent of incoming light; wherein the opaque fabric-region (611) and the sheer fabric-region (612) are a continuous fabric structure that is seam-free and stitch-free; wherein connection regions (613, 614) between the opaque fabric-region (611) and the sheer fabric-region (612) lack any seams and lack any stitches and lack any glue and lack any adhesive material; wherein an inner side and also an outer side, of connection regions (613, 614) between the opaque fabric-region (611) and the sheer fabric-region (612), are smooth and flush and lack any uncut remainder yarns.

[0053] In some embodiments, the sheer fabric-region (612) is formed of a first yarn having a first stretching capability of at least 300 percent relative to idle unstretched length; wherein the opaque fabric-region (611) is formed of a blend of: (i) said first yarn having the first stretching capability of at least 300 percent relative to idle unstretched length, and (ii) a second yarn having a second stretching capability of less than 150 percent relative to idle unstretched length.

[0054] In some embodiments, the sheer fabric-region (612) is formed of a first yarn having a first stretching capability of at least 300 percent relative to idle unstretched length; wherein the opaque fabric-region (611) is formed of a second yarn having a second stretching capability of less than 150 percent relative to idle unstretched length.

[0055] In some embodiments, the opaque fabric-region (611) is formed of a reflective yarn that contains glass beads or glass micro-prisms.

[0056] In some embodiments, the opaque fabric-region (611) is formed of: a reflective yarn that contains glass beads or glass micro-prisms in a range of 25 to 75 percent by volume or by weight. In some embodiments, the sheer fabric-region (612) excludes any reflective yarn, and excludes any glass beads, and excludes any glass micro-prisms.

[0057] In some embodiments, the opaque fabric-region (611) is formed of a silicone yarn that contains poly-siloxane. In some embodiments, the sheer fabric-region (612) lacks any silicone and lacks any poly-siloxane.

[0058] In some embodiments, the opaque fabric-region (611) is formed of a yarn that contains Polyethylene. In some embodiments, the sheer fabric-region (612) lacks any Polyethylene.

[0059] In some embodiments, the opaque fabric-region (611) ends with reduced-length yarn-ends which are remainders of yarns that were cut while said yarn was in a stretched state or a tensioned state.

[0060] In some embodiments, the sock (610, 620, 630) is a non-stocking non-lingerie clothing article, and is structured to cover a foot of a human wearer and a leg portion below a knee; and wherein an upper-most edge of the sock (610, 620, 630) or a cuff welt region (601) of the sock (610, 620, 630) is structured to reach below the knee and cannot be stretched to cover the knee.

[0061] In some embodiments, the sock (610, 620, 630) is a non-stocking non-lingerie clothing article, that is formed exclusively of yarns knitted at gauge in the range of 6 to 16.

[0062] In some embodiments, the sock (610, 620, 630) is a non-stocking non-lingerie clothing article, that is formed exclusively of yarns knitted at a gauge that is not more than 16.

[0063] In some embodiments, opaque fabric-regions (611) and sheer fabric-regions (612) are alternating horizontally and not vertically, and have tails-free connection regions (613, 614). In some embodiments, opaque fabric-regions (611) and sheer fabric-regions (612) are alternating vertically and not horizontally, and have tails-free connection regions (613, 614). In some embodiments, opaque fabric-regions (611) and sheer fabric-regions (612) are alternating both vertically and horizontally, and have tails-free connection regions (613, 614).

[0064] Some embodiments provide a production system (200, 300) for producing the sock (610, 620, 630); the system comprising: (a) a knitting machine, configured to knit the opaque fabric-region and to also knit the sheer fabric-region; (b) a cutting unit, configured to cut yarn-ends of the opaque fabric region; (c) a tensioning unit, configured to temporarily stretch yarns of the opaque fabric-region during a cutting operation of said cutting unit that cuts yarn-ends of the opaque fabric region. Some embodiments include a sock that was produced by said production system.

[0065] Some embodiments provide a method for producing the sock (610, 620, 630), the method comprising: (a) at a knitting machine, performing knitting of the opaque fabric-region and performing knitting of the sheer fabric-region; (b) at a cutting unit, performing cutting of yarn-ends of the opaque fabric region; (c) at a tensioning unit, temporarily stretching yarns of the opaque fabric-region during a cutting operation of said cutting unit that cuts yarn-ends of the opaque fabric region. Some embodiments include a sock that was produced by said method.

[0066] Functions, operations, components and / or features described herein with reference to one or more embodiments, may be combined with, or may be utilized in combination with, one or more other functions, operations, components and / or features described herein with reference to one or more other embodiments, or vice versa.

[0067] While certain features of some embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes, and equivalents may occur to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the claims are intended to cover all such modifications, substitutions, changes, and equivalents.

Claims

1. A sock (610, 620, 630) comprising:an opaque fabric-region (611), that blocks passage of at least 90 percent of incoming light;immediately bordering and adjacent toa sheer fabric-region (612), that blocks passage of 25 to 75 percent of incoming light;wherein the opaque fabric-region (611) and the sheer fabric-region (612) are a continuous fabric structure that is seam-free and stitch-free,wherein connection regions (613, 614) between the opaque fabric-region (611) and the sheer fabric-region (612) lack any seams and lack any stitches and lack any glue and lack any adhesive material;wherein an inner side and also an outer side, of connection regions (613, 614) between the opaque fabric-region (611) and the sheer fabric-region (612), are smooth and flush and lack any uncut remainder yarns.

2. The sock (610, 620, 630) of claim 1,wherein the sheer fabric-region (612) is formed of a first yarn having a first stretching capability of at least 300 percent relative to idle unstretched length;wherein the opaque fabric-region (611) is formed of a blend of: (i) said first yarn having the first stretching capability of at least 300 percent relative to idle unstretched length, and (ii) a second yarn having a second stretching capability of less than 150 percent relative to idle unstretched length.

3. The sock (610, 620, 630) of claim 1,wherein the sheer fabric-region (612) is formed of a first yarn having a first stretching capability of at least 300 percent relative to idle unstretched length;wherein the opaque fabric-region (611) is formed of a second yarn having a second stretching capability of less than 150 percent relative to idle unstretched length.

4. The sock (610, 620, 630) of claim 1,wherein the opaque fabric-region (611) is formed of a reflective yarn that contains glass beads or glass micro-prisms.

5. The sock (610, 620, 630) of claim 1,wherein the opaque fabric-region (611) is formed of:a reflective yarn that contains glass beads or glass micro-prisms in a range of 25 to 75 percent by volume or by weight.

6. The sock (610, 620, 630) of claim 5,wherein the sheer fabric-region (612) excludes any reflective yarn, and excludes any glass beads, and excludes any glass micro-prisms.

7. The sock (610, 620, 630) of claim 1,wherein the opaque fabric-region (611) is formed of a silicone yarn that contains poly-siloxane.

8. The sock (610, 620, 630) of claim 7,wherein the sheer fabric-region (612) lacks any silicone and lacks any poly-siloxane.

9. The sock (610, 620, 630) of claim 1,wherein the opaque fabric-region (611) is formed of a yarn that contains Polyethylene.

10. The sock (610, 620, 630) of claim 9,wherein the sheer fabric-region (612) lacks any Polyethylene.

11. The sock (610, 620, 630) of claim 1,wherein the opaque fabric-region (611) ends with reduced-length yarn-ends which are remainders of yarns that were cut while said yarn was in a stretched state or a tensioned state.

12. The sock (610, 620, 630) of claim 1,wherein the sock (610, 620, 630) is a non-stocking non-lingerie clothing article,and is structured to cover a foot of a human wearer and a leg portion below a knee, and wherein an upper-most edge of the sock (610, 620, 630) or a cuff welt region (601) of the sock (610, 620, 630) is structured to reach below the knee and cannot be stretched to cover the knee.

13. The sock (610, 620, 630) of claim 1,wherein the sock (610, 620, 630) is a non-stocking non-lingerie clothing article,that is formed exclusively of yarns knitted at gauge in the range of 6 to 16.

14. The sock (610, 620, 630) of claim 1,wherein the sock (610, 620, 630) is a non-stocking non-lingerie clothing article,that is formed exclusively of yarns knitted at a gauge that is not more than 16.

15. The sock (610, 620, 630) of claim 1,wherein opaque fabric-regions (611) and sheer fabric-regions (612) are alternating horizontally and not vertically, and have tails-free connection regions (613, 614).

16. The sock (610, 620, 630) of claim 1,wherein opaque fabric-regions (611) and sheer fabric-regions (612) are alternating vertically and not horizontally, and have tails-free connection regions (613, 614).

17. The sock (610, 620, 630) of claim 1,wherein opaque fabric-regions (611) and sheer fabric-regions (612) are alternating both vertically and horizontally, and have tails-free connection regions (613, 614).

18. A system (200, 300) for producing the sock (610, 620, 630) of claim 1.the system comprising:a knitting machine, configured to knit the opaque fabric-region and to also knit the sheer fabric-region;a cutting unit, configured to cut yarn-ends of the opaque fabric region;a tensioning unit, configured to temporarily stretch yarns of the opaque fabric-region during a cutting operation of said cutting unit that cuts yarn-ends of the opaque fabric region.

19. A method for producing the sock (610, 620, 630) of claim 1,the method comprising:at a knitting machine, performing knitting of the opaque fabric-region and performing knitting of the sheer fabric-region;at a cutting unit, performing cutting of yarn-ends of the opaque fabric region;at a tensioning unit, temporarily stretching yarns of the opaque fabric-region during a cutting operation of said cutting unit that cuts yarn-ends of the opaque fabric region.

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