Knit fabrics and garments

Abstract

The invention proposes a knitted fabric capable of minimizing the return of moisture, which has migrated to the first side, to the second side opposite the first. The knitted fabric according to the invention comprises a first region in which a front braid AT is arranged on the first side and a back braid BT is arranged on the second side opposite the first side. The back braid has lower water absorption than the front braid and is hydrophobic or water-repellent. Note that, in this knitted fabric, it is better that the first region is made from a knitted structure of a braided yarn knitted with a front braid and a back braid.

Description

Knitted fabrics and clothing

[0001] The present invention relates to a knitted fabric and to a garment formed from the knitted fabric.

[0002] In the past, a water-absorbent fabric has been proposed (see, for example, JP 2011-256495 A) that is "a water-absorbent fabric made of a multi-layer knitted or woven fabric including a surface layer and a back layer, wherein the surface layer is made of hydrophilic yarn and the back layer is made of a mixture of hydrophobic and hydrophilic yarn, and when water droplets are dropped on the back surface of the fabric, the water is instantly absorbed and diffused into the surface layer."

[0003] JP 2011-256495 A

[0004] When the above-described water-absorbent fabrics are used in, for example, clothing (such as clothes, hats, gloves, legwear, etc.), they absorb moisture such as sweat and insensible perspiration from the skin through the back layer side (skin side). However, with the above-described water-absorbent fabrics, there is a risk that the moisture that has migrated to the front layer side may return to the back layer side.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a knitted fabric that can minimize the return of moisture that has migrated to a first side to a second side opposite the first side.

[0006] A knitted fabric according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a first region in which a front yarn is disposed on a first side and a back yarn is disposed on a second side opposite to the first side. The back yarn has lower water absorption than the front yarn and is hydrophobic or water-repellent.

[0007] According to the above configuration, it is possible to move as much of the absorbed moisture as possible from the second side to the first side, and to prevent the moisture that has moved to the first side from returning to the second side as much as possible.

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

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

[0010] A knitted fabric according to a third aspect of the present invention is the knitted fabric according to the first or second aspect, in which the stitches of the knitted structure knitted with the face yarn are smaller than the stitches of the knitted structure knitted with the back yarn.

[0011] According to the above configuration, even if the back yarn has high water repellency, moisture can be efficiently absorbed from the second side. Furthermore, by utilizing the tendency for moisture to move from a knitting structure with large stitches to a knitting structure with small stitches and the water absorbency of the face yarn, the absorbed moisture can be moved from the second side to the first side, and the moisture that has moved to the first side can be prevented from returning to the second side.

[0012] A knitted fabric according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the knitted fabric according to the first or second aspect, in which the stitches of the knitted structure knitted with the face yarn are larger than the stitches of the knitted structure knitted with the back yarn.

[0013] According to the above configuration, even if a water-repellent yarn is used as the back yarn, moisture can be efficiently absorbed from the second side by utilizing capillary action. Furthermore, after the moisture is transferred from the second side to the first side by utilizing the water-absorbing properties of the face yarn, the moisture transferred to the first side can be efficiently exposed to the outside air and evaporated.

[0014] A knitted fabric according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is a knitted fabric according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, further comprising a second region in which the front yarn is arranged on the second side and the back yarn is arranged on the first side.

[0015] According to the above configuration, the second region can efficiently absorb moisture.

[0016] A knitted fabric according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the knitted fabric according to the fifth aspect, wherein the second region is made of a miss-knitted structure of the front yarn and a knitted structure of the back yarn.

[0017] According to the above configuration, the breathability in the second region can be improved as much as possible.

[0018] A knitted fabric according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is the knitted fabric according to the fifth aspect, wherein the second region has a structure combining a tuck knitting structure, a miss knitting structure of the front yarn, and a knit knitting structure of the back yarn.

[0019] According to the above configuration, when the second side of the knitted fabric is in contact with a person's skin while the knitted fabric is capable of absorbing moisture such as sweat and insensible perspiration, the contact point between the second region and the skin can be reduced as much as possible, and the person can be made to feel as little wet as possible from the knitted fabric.

[0020] A knitted fabric according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is the knitted fabric according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, wherein the first region includes a region made of a tuck knitting structure.

[0021] According to the above configuration, when the second side of the knitted fabric is in contact with a person's skin while the knitted fabric is capable of absorbing moisture such as sweat and insensible perspiration, the contact point between the second region and the skin can be reduced as much as possible, and the person can be made to feel as little wet as possible from the knitted fabric.

[0022] A garment according to a ninth aspect of the present invention is formed from a knitted fabric having a first region in which a front yarn is arranged on the side opposite to the skin side and a back yarn is arranged on the skin side. The back yarn has lower water absorption than the front yarn and is hydrophobic or water-repellent.

[0023] According to the above configuration, moisture such as absorbed sweat and insensible perspiration can be transferred from the skin side to the opposite side (i.e., the outside) as much as possible, and the moisture that has transferred to the opposite side of the skin side can be prevented from returning to the skin side as much as possible. The wearable items include, for example, clothes, hats, gloves, legwear (e.g., socks, tabi socks, stockings, tights, etc.), etc.

[0024] A garment according to a tenth aspect of the present invention is the garment according to the ninth aspect, wherein the first region is made of a plating knit structure knitted with a front yarn and a back yarn.

[0025] According to the above configuration, the front yarns can be efficiently arranged on the side opposite to the skin side, and the back yarns can be efficiently arranged on the skin side.

[0026] A garment according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention is the garment according to the ninth or tenth aspect, and includes an interdigital space covering portion that covers the interdigital space of the sole, an arch covering portion that covers the arch of the sole, and a thenar ball covering portion that covers the ball of the foot of the sole. The knitted fabric further includes a second region in which the front yarns are arranged on the skin side and the back yarns are arranged on the opposite side to the skin side. The second region is located in the interdigital space covering portion. The second region is located in the arch covering portion. Either the first region or the second region is located in the thenar ball covering portion. The garment is, for example, legwear such as socks, tabi socks, stockings, or tights.

[0027] According to the above configuration, the interdigital space covering portion and the arch covering portion can efficiently absorb moisture such as sweat, insensible perspiration, etc. Furthermore, in the ball of the foot covering portion, when the first region is located, moisture that has migrated to the side opposite the skin side can be prevented from returning to the skin side as much as possible, and when the second region is located, moisture such as sweat, insensible perspiration, etc. can be efficiently absorbed.

[0028] A garment according to a twelfth aspect of the present invention is the garment according to the eleventh aspect, wherein the second region includes a misknit region formed of a misknit structure for the front yarn and a knit structure for the back yarn, and a combination region formed of a structure combining a tuck structure, a misknit structure for the front yarn, and a knit structure for the back yarn. The first region includes a tuck region formed of a tuck structure. Either the misknit region or the combination region is located in the interdigital space-covering portion. Either the misknit region or the combination region is located in the arch-covering portion. Either the combination region or the tuck region is located in the ball-of-the-foot-covering portion.

[0029] With the above configuration, in the interdigital space covering portion and the arch covering portion, when the misknit region is located, breathability can be improved as much as possible, and when the combination region is located, the contact points between each part of the interdigital space covering portion and the arch covering portion and the skin can be reduced as much as possible, thereby minimizing the wet feeling of the garment for the wearer.Furthermore, in the ball of the foot covering portion, the contact points between the ball of the foot covering portion and the skin can be reduced as much as possible, thereby minimizing the wet feeling of the garment for the wearer.

[0030] A garment according to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention is the garment according to the ninth or tenth aspect, and includes a heel covering portion covering the heel of the sole, a lesser toe ball covering portion covering the lesser toe ball of the sole, a thenar ball covering portion covering the thenar ball of the sole, and a thenar ball covering portion covering the thenar ball of the sole. The knitted fabric further includes a second region in which the front yarns are arranged on the skin side and the back yarns are arranged on the opposite side. Either the first region or the second region is located in the heel covering portion, the lesser toe ball covering portion, thenar ball covering portion, and the thenar ball covering portion. The garment may be legwear such as socks, tabi socks, stockings, or tights.

[0031] According to the above configuration, when the first region is located in the heel covering portion, little toe ball covering portion, big toe ball covering portion and big toe covering portion, moisture that has migrated to the side opposite the skin can be prevented from returning to the skin side as much as possible, and when the second region is located, moisture such as sweat and insensible perspiration can be efficiently absorbed.

[0032] A garment according to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention is the garment according to the thirteenth aspect, wherein the second region includes a combination region having a structure combining a tuck knitting structure, a miss-knit structure for the front yarn, and a knit knitting structure for the back yarn. The first region includes a tuck region having a tuck knitting structure. Either the combination region or the tuck region is located in the heel covering portion, the little toe ball covering portion, the thenar ball covering portion, and the thenar ball covering portion.

[0033] According to the above configuration, it is possible to reduce as much as possible the contact points between the heel covering portion, the little toe ball covering portion, the ball of the big toe covering portion and the skin, thereby minimizing the feeling of wetness of the clothing to the extent possible.

[0034] 1 is a side view of a sock according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] FIG. 1 is a view from the skin side of a region knitted with a plating knit of a water-absorbent surface yarn and a water-repellent backing yarn in a sock according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] FIG. 2 is a view from the side opposite the skin side of a region knitted with a plating knit of a water-absorbent surface yarn and a water-repellent backing yarn in a sock according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a knitting structure of a region knitted with a miss knit of a water-absorbent surface yarn and a knit knit of a water-repellent backing yarn;

[0026] In this figure, the solid line indicates the water-absorbent surface yarn and the dashed line indicates the water-repellent backing yarn, with some of the water-repellent backing yarn not shown;

[0027] FIG. 4 is a view from the skin side of a region knitted with a miss knit of a water-absorbent surface yarn and a knit knit of a water-repellent backing yarn;

[0028] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a knitting structure of a region knitted with a combination of tuck knitting, miss knitting of a water-absorbent surface yarn, and knit knit of a water-repellent backing yarn;

[0029] In this figure, the solid line indicates the water-absorbent surface yarn and the dashed line indicates the water-repellent backing yarn, with some of the water-repellent backing yarn not shown. 1 is a view from the skin side of an area knitted with a combination of tuck knitting, miss knitting of a water-absorbent front yarn, and knit knitting of a water-repellent back yarn. FIG. 2 is a view showing an example of a knit structure of an area knitted with tuck knitting. In this view, solid lines indicate the water-absorbent front yarn and dashed lines indicate the water-repellent back yarn, and the drawing of part of the water-repellent back yarn is omitted. FIG. 3 is a view from the skin side of an area knitted with tuck knitting. FIG. 4 is a view showing an example where the fineness of the water-absorbent front yarn is greater than that of the water-repellent back yarn. FIG. 5 is a view showing an example where the number of water-absorbent front yarns per course is greater than the number of water-repellent back yarns per course. FIG. 6 is a view showing an example where the fineness of the water-absorbent front yarn is smaller than that of the water-repellent back yarn. FIG. 7 is a view showing an example where the number of water-absorbent front yarns per course is less than the number of water-repellent back yarns per course. FIG. 8 is a view showing an example where the number of water-absorbent front yarns per course is less than the number of water-repellent back yarns per course. FIG. 9 is a view showing an example where the number of filaments of the water-absorbent front yarn is greater than the number of filaments of the water-repellent back yarn.

[0035] 1 Socks (wear) 101 Front toe covering part (big toe covering part) 102 Back toe covering part (intertoe space covering part) 112a First lower foot covering part (big toe ball covering part, little toe ball covering part) 112b Second lower foot covering part (arch covering part) 120 Heel covering part AT Water-absorbing front thread (front thread) BT Water-repellent front thread (back thread)

[0036] <Configuration of Wear According to an Embodiment of the Present Invention> Wear according to an embodiment of the present invention is, for example, clothing, a hat, gloves, legwear (e.g., socks, tabi socks, stockings, tights, etc.), etc. One example of wear according to an embodiment of the present invention is a sock 1 shown in Fig. 1. This sock 1 will be described in detail below.

[0037] 1, a sock 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is mainly composed of a toe covering portion 100, a foot covering portion 110, a heel covering portion 120, an ankle covering portion 130, and an opening portion 140. These portions will be described in detail below.

[0038] For ease of explanation, the up-down direction and the front-rear direction are defined in Fig. 1. Hereinafter, the sock 1 may be described using these directions.

[0039] (1) Toe Covering Portion The toe covering portion 100 is a pouch-shaped portion for covering the toes, and as shown in Fig. 1, is formed of a front toe covering portion 101, a rear toe covering portion 102, etc. These portions will be described in detail below.

[0040] (1-1) Front Toe Covering Section The front toe covering section 101 is a section for covering the toes and, as shown in FIG. 1, is located in front of the back toe covering section 102. The front toe covering section 101 also includes a region (hereinafter referred to as the "plating region") knitted with plating knitting (plated knitting) of a water-absorbent front yarn AT and a water-repellent back yarn BT, which has lower water absorption and water repellency than the water-absorbent front yarn AT. In other words, the front toe covering section 101 includes a region formed by a plating knit structure knitted with the water-absorbent front yarn AT and the water-repellent back yarn BT. The use of plating knitting allows the water-absorbent front yarn AT to be efficiently positioned on the side opposite the skin side (i.e., the front side) (see FIG. 3), and the water-repellent back yarn BT to be efficiently positioned on the skin side (i.e., the back side) (see FIG. 2). The pattern on the skin side of the knitted area is a horizontal stripe pattern in which the water-repellent back yarn BT runs horizontally (see Figure 2), and the pattern on the opposite side of the skin side of the area is a vertical stripe pattern in which the water-absorbent front yarn AT runs vertically so that the loops are connected in a roughly V-shape (see Figure 3). When knitted, the horizontal stripe pattern in which the water-repellent back yarn BT runs horizontally on the skin side (see Figure 2) is a coarse knit stitch formed by needle loops, while the vertical stripe pattern in which the water-absorbent front yarn AT runs vertically so that the loops are connected in a roughly V-shape on the opposite side of the skin side (see Figure 3) is a fine knit stitch formed by sinker loops. The water-absorbent front yarn AT may be, for example, a hydrophilic yarn, a hydrophobic yarn that has been hydrophilically treated, a hydrophobic yarn with enhanced water absorbency, or a highly water-absorbent and hygroscopic yarn. Examples of hydrophilic yarns include natural fiber yarns such as cotton, hemp, Japanese paper, and silk; regenerated fiber yarns made from regenerated cellulose fibers such as rayon, polynosic, cupra, and lyocell, or protein fibers using chitin, chitosan, and casein; semi-synthetic fiber yarns made from acetate fibers such as acetate and triacetate; and synthetic fiber yarns having hydrophilic groups such as nylon. Examples of hydrophobic yarns that have been hydrophilically treated include synthetic fiber yarns that do not have hydrophilic groups, such as polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene, and acrylic, to which hydroxy groups or carboxy groups have been added. Examples of hydrophobic yarns with enhanced water absorbency include multifilament yarns and modified cross-section yarns.Examples of highly water-absorbent and hygroscopic yarns include cellulosic fibers such as Japanese paper, rayon, and acetate, and silk yarns. The water-absorbent face yarn AT is not limited to these yarns. The water-repellent back yarn BT is, for example, a stretchable yarn in which an elastic core yarn is covered with a water-repellent covering yarn, or a stretchable yarn such as a synthetic fiber without hydrophilic groups. Here, the elastic core yarn is, for example, polyurethane. The water-repellent covering yarn is, for example, a hydrophobic covered yarn (e.g., a long fiber yarn such as polyester, polypropylene, or polyethylene, or a short fiber yarn such as polyester) that has been treated with a water-repellent finish. The elastic core yarn may be covered with a hydrophilic long fiber yarn such as nylon, or a short fiber yarn such as cotton or rayon that has been treated with a water-repellent finish. A method for covering the elastic core yarn with the covering yarn is, for example, a method of spirally winding the covering yarn around the core yarn. When a covered yarn is spirally wound around a core yarn, the covered yarn is wound one or more times, for example, with an S twist (right twist) or a Z twist (left twist). A water-repellent covered yarn may be further treated with a water-repellent finish on a yarn in which an elastic core yarn is covered with a short fiber or the like during the spinning process. A water-repellent finish may also be applied to a core-spun yarn in which an elastic core yarn is covered with short fibers or the like. A water-repellent finish may also be applied to a plied-twisted yarn in which an elastic yarn is twisted with another yarn. Examples of stretchable yarns, such as synthetic fibers without hydrophilic groups, include yarns (woolly polyester, woolly nylon, etc.) that have been crimped by false-twisting, heat-setting, and untwisting a hydrophobic yarn, and side-by-side conjugate yarns in which multiple fibers, at least one of which is water-repellent and has different heat shrinkage rates, are bonded together and heat-treated to form a spiral crimp. The water-repellent backing yarn BT is not limited to these yarns. The front toe covering portion 101 can be knitted by reciprocal rotary knitting.

[0041] (1-2) Rear Toe Covering Portion The rear toe covering portion 102 is a portion for covering the interdigital space of the toe and, as shown in FIG. 1, extends rearward from the rear end of the front toe covering portion 101. The rear toe covering portion 102 also includes an area knitted with a mis-knit (floating) structure of the water-absorbent front yarn AT and a knit (flat knit, jersey knit) structure of the water-repellent back yarn BT (hereinafter referred to as the "mis-knit area"). In other words, the rear toe covering portion 102 includes an area consisting of a mis-knit structure of the water-absorbent front yarn AT and a knit structure of the water-repellent back yarn BT. In the mis-knit area, as shown in FIG. 4, the water-absorbent front yarn AT is floated on the back of the knitted fabric by skipping one or more stitches in the wale direction, and the water-repellent back yarn BT is not skipped in the wale direction. In the misknit region, as shown in Figure 5, the water-absorbent front yarn AT (black yarn in Figure 5) is positioned on the skin side, and the water-repellent back yarn BT is positioned on the opposite side. In the misknit region, the knitted fabric can be made relatively thin, thereby improving breathability as much as possible. Furthermore, by using a yarn that does not contain elastic yarn as the water-repellent back yarn BT in the misknit region, the water-absorbent front yarn AT can be raised to the back of the knitted fabric, preventing shrinkage of the thin stitches formed by the water-repellent back yarn BT. The rear toe covering portion 102 can be knitted using full-circle knitting.

[0042] The rear toe covering portion 102 may not include a miss-knit region, but may include a region knitted with a combination of tuck knitting, miss knitting of the water-absorbent front yarn AT, and knitting of the water-repellent back yarn BT (hereinafter referred to as a "combination region"). In other words, the rear toe covering portion 102 may include a region knitted with a combination of tuck knitting, miss knitting of the water-absorbent front yarn AT, and knitting of the water-repellent back yarn BT. In the combination region, as shown in FIG. 6, the water-absorbent front yarn AT is floated on the back of the knitted fabric by skipping one or more stitches in the course direction and one or more stitches in the wale direction, while the water-repellent back yarn BT is skipped one or more stitches in the course direction but not in the wale direction. In the combination region, as shown in FIG. 7, the water-absorbent front yarn AT (the black yarn in FIG. 7) is positioned on the skin side, and the water-repellent back yarn BT is positioned on the opposite side. In the combination region, the knitted fabric can be made relatively thin, thereby maximizing breathability. Furthermore, in the combined region, the contact points with the skin can be reduced as much as possible, so that the sock 1 does not feel wet to the wearer as much as possible.

[0043] (2) Foot Covering Section The foot covering section 110 is tubular and, as shown in Figure 1, extends rearward from the rear end of the rear toe covering section 102 of the toe covering section 100, and is continuous with the ankle covering section 130 via the heel covering section 120. As shown in Figure 1, the foot covering section 110 is formed from an upper foot covering section 111 and a lower foot covering section 112, etc. These sections are described in detail below. The foot covering section 110 can be knitted using circumferential knitting.

[0044] (2-1) Upper Foot Covering Part The upper foot covering part 111 is a part for covering the instep of the foot, and as shown in Fig. 1, is located above the lower foot covering part 112. In addition, a plating region is located in the upper foot covering part 111.

[0045] (2-2) Lower Foot Covering Section As shown in Fig. 1, the lower foot covering section 112 is located below the upper foot covering section 111 and is composed of a first lower foot covering section 112a, a second lower foot covering section 112b, and a third lower foot covering section 112c. These sections will be described in detail below.

[0046] (2-2-1) First Lower Foot-Covering Part As shown in FIG. 1, the first lower foot-covering part 112a is a part for covering the area from the ball of the little toe to the ball of the big toe, and is located in front of the second lower foot-covering part 112b. The first lower foot-covering part 112a also has a region knitted with tuck knitting (hereinafter referred to as the "tuck region"). In other words, the first lower foot-covering part 112a has a region formed with a tuck knitting structure. In the tuck region, as shown in FIG. 8, the water-absorbent front yarn AT and the water-repellent back yarn BT are skipped one or more stitches in the course direction. In the tuck region, as shown in FIG. 9, the water-absorbent front yarn AT is positioned on the side opposite the skin side, and the water-repellent back yarn BT (the white yarn in FIG. 9) is positioned on the skin side. The tuck region minimizes contact with the skin, thereby minimizing the wet feeling of the sock 1.

[0047] The first lower foot-covering part 112a may not have a tuck region, but may have a plating region, a misknit region, or a combination region.

[0048] (2-2-2) Second Lower Foot-Covering Part The second lower foot-covering part 112b is a part for covering the arch of the foot, and is located between the first lower foot-covering part 112a and the third lower foot-covering part 112c, as shown in Fig. 1. A misknit region is located in the second lower foot-covering part 112b.

[0049] The second lower foot-covering part 112b may have a combination region instead of a misknit region.

[0050] (2-2-3) Third Lower Foot Covering Part As shown in Fig. 1, the third lower foot covering part 112c is located between the second lower foot covering part 112b and the heel covering part 120, and covers the area of ​​the sole between the area covered by the second lower foot covering part 112b and the area covered by the heel covering part 120. The third lower foot covering part 112c also has a tuck area. In other words, the third lower foot covering part 112c has an area with a tuck knitting structure.

[0051] The third lower foot-covering part 112c may not have a tuck region, but may have a plating region, a misknit region, or a combination region.

[0052] (3) Heel Cover The heel cover 120 is a portion for covering the heel, and as shown in FIG. 1, extends rearward from the rear end of the third lower foot cover portion 112c of the lower foot cover portion 112 of the foot cover 110. A plating region is also located in the heel cover 120. In other words, a region made of a plating knitting structure is located in the heel cover 120. The heel cover 120 can be knitted using reciprocating rotary knitting.

[0053] (4) Ankle Covering Part The ankle covering part 130 is a tubular part for covering the ankle, and as shown in Fig. 1, it extends upward from the upper end of the heel covering part 120 and is continuous with the foot covering part 110 via the heel covering part 120. A plating region is also located in the ankle covering part 130. The ankle covering part 130 can be knitted by full-circumference knitting.

[0054] (5) Opening Section As shown in Fig. 1, the opening section 140 is formed above the ankle covering section 130. A plating area is located in the opening section 140. The opening section 140 can be knitted by full-circle knitting.

[0055] <Method for Adjusting the Stitch Size of the Knitted Structure Knitted with the Water-Absorbent Front Yarn and the Stitch Size of the Knitted Structure Knitted with the Water-Repellent Back Yarn in the Plating Region and the Tuck Region> In regions such as the plating region and tuck region of the sock 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, where the water-absorbent front yarn AT is positioned opposite the skin side and the water-repellent back yarn BT is positioned on the skin side, it is preferable to make the stitches of the knitted structure knitted with the water-absorbent front yarn AT smaller or larger than the stitches of the knitted structure knitted with the water-repellent back yarn BT in order to achieve the effects described below. Here, a method for adjusting the stitch size of the knitted structure knitted with the water-absorbent front yarn AT and the stitch size of the knitted structure knitted with the water-repellent back yarn BT in the above-mentioned plating region and tuck region will be described with reference to Figures 10 to 14. Note that in Figures 10 to 14, human skin is indicated by the symbol SK.

[0056] - When the stitches in the knitted structure knitted with the water-absorbent front yarn AT are smaller than the stitches in the knitted structure knitted with the water-repellent back yarn BT. In this case, adjustment methods include making the fineness (thickness) of the water-absorbent front yarn AT larger than that of the water-repellent back yarn BT, and making the number of water-absorbent front yarns AT per course larger than the number of water-repellent back yarns BT per course. Figure 10 shows an example in which the fineness of the water-absorbent front yarn AT is larger than that of the water-repellent back yarn BT. In Figure 10, the fineness of the water-absorbent front yarn AT is, for example, 150 denier, and the fineness of the water-repellent back yarn BT is, for example, 75 denier. Figure 11 shows an example in which the number of water-absorbent front yarns AT per course is larger than the number of water-repellent back yarns BT per course. In Figure 11, the number of water-absorbent front yarns AT per course is two, and the number of water-repellent back yarns BT per course is one. The number of water-absorbent front threads AT per course may be one more than the number of water-repellent back threads BT per course, but is preferably at least twice the number of water-repellent back threads BT per course. Furthermore, when there are two or more water-absorbent front threads AT per course, the fineness of each may be the same or different. For example, when there are two water-absorbent front threads AT per course, the fineness of one water-absorbent front thread AT and the fineness of the other water-absorbent front thread AT may be 150 denier, or, as shown in the example in Figure 11, the fineness of one water-absorbent front thread AT may be 150 denier and the fineness of the other water-absorbent front thread AT may be 75 denier. Furthermore, when there are two or more water-repellent back threads BT per course, the fineness of each may be the same or different. By making the stitches of the knitted structure knitted with the water-absorbent front yarn AT smaller than the stitches of the knitted structure knitted with the water-repellent back yarn BT in this way, moisture such as sweat and insensible perspiration can be efficiently absorbed from the skin side even if the water-repellent back yarn BT has high water repellency. Furthermore, by utilizing the tendency for moisture to move from a knitted structure with large stitches to a knitted structure with small stitches and the water absorbency of the water-absorbent front yarn AT, it is possible to efficiently move absorbed moisture from the skin side to the opposite side of the skin side and minimize the moisture that has moved to the opposite side of the skin side returning to the skin side.

[0057] The above-mentioned effect can also be achieved by making the number of filaments (long fibers) in the water-absorbent front yarn AT greater than the number of filaments in the water-repellent back yarn BT, as shown in Fig. 14. An example in which the number of filaments in the water-absorbent front yarn AT is greater than the number of filaments in the water-repellent back yarn BT is shown in Fig. 14. In Fig. 14, the water-absorbent front yarn AT is a yarn formed by bundling, for example, 72 filaments (i.e., the water-absorbent front yarn AT has 72 filaments), and the water-repellent back yarn BT is a yarn formed by winding, for example, 36 filaments around a core yarn (i.e., the water-repellent back yarn BT has 36 filaments).

[0058] - When the stitches of the knitted structure knitted with the water-absorbent front yarn AT are larger than the stitches of the knitted structure knitted with the water-repellent back yarn BT. In this case, adjustment methods include making the fineness of the water-absorbent front yarn AT smaller than that of the water-repellent back yarn BT, and making the number of water-absorbent front yarns AT per course smaller than the number of water-repellent back yarns BT per course. Figure 12 shows an example of a case where the fineness of the water-absorbent front yarn AT is smaller than that of the water-repellent back yarn BT. In Figure 12, the fineness of the water-absorbent front yarn AT is, for example, 75 denier, and the fineness of the water-repellent back yarn BT is, for example, 150 denier. Figure 13 shows an example of a case where the number of water-absorbent front yarns AT per course is smaller than the number of water-repellent back yarns BT per course. In Figure 13, the number of water-absorbent front yarns AT per course is one, and the number of water-repellent back yarns BT per course is two. The number of water-repellent back threads BT per course may be one more than the number of water-absorbent front threads AT per course, but is preferably at least twice the number of water-absorbent front threads AT per course. Furthermore, when there are two or more water-repellent back threads BT per course, the fineness of each water-repellent back thread BT may be the same or different. For example, when there are two water-repellent back threads BT per course, the fineness of one water-repellent back thread BT and the fineness of the other water-repellent back thread BT may be 150 denier, or, as shown in the example in Figure 13, the fineness of one water-repellent back thread BT may be 150 denier and the fineness of the other water-repellent back thread BT may be 75 denier. Furthermore, when there are two or more water-absorbent front threads AT per course, the fineness of each water-repellent back thread BT may be the same or different. By making the stitches of the knitted structure knitted with the water-absorbent front yarn AT larger than the stitches of the knitted structure knitted with the water-repellent back yarn BT in this way, even if the water-repellent back yarn BT having water repellency is used as the back yarn, moisture can be efficiently absorbed from the skin side by utilizing capillary action. Furthermore, after the moisture is transferred from the skin side to the opposite side of the skin side by utilizing the water-absorbing property of the water-absorbent front yarn AT, the moisture transferred to the opposite side of the skin side can be efficiently exposed to the outside air and evaporated.

[0059] Although not shown, the above-mentioned effect can also be achieved by making the number of filaments in the water-absorbent front thread AT smaller than the number of filaments in the water-repellent back thread BT. For example, if the water-absorbent front thread AT is a yarn formed by bundling 36 filaments (i.e., the water-absorbent front thread AT has 36 filaments) and the water-repellent back thread BT is a yarn formed by winding 72 filaments around a core yarn (i.e., the water-repellent back thread BT has 72 filaments), the number of filaments in the water-absorbent front thread AT will be smaller than the number of filaments in the water-repellent back thread BT.

[0060] <Features of the Sock According to the Embodiment of the Present Invention> (1) The sock 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention has an area in which the water-absorbent front yarn AT is arranged on the side opposite the skin side and the water-repellent back yarn BT is arranged on the skin side. As a result, the sock 1 can move as much moisture as possible, such as absorbed sweat and insensible perspiration, from the skin side to the side opposite the skin side, and can minimize the moisture that has moved to the side opposite the skin side returning to the skin side.

[0061] (2) In the sock 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the areas knitted with the water-absorbent outer yarn AT knitted in a miss-knit pattern and the water-repellent inner yarn BT knitted in a knit pattern are located in the rear toe covering portion 102 of the toe covering portion 100 and the second lower foot covering portion 112b of the lower foot covering portion 112 of the foot covering portion 110. This allows the sock 1 to efficiently absorb moisture such as sweat and insensible perspiration from the skin side, while also improving breathability as much as possible.

[0062] (3) In the sock 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the areas knitted with tuck knitting are located in the first lower foot-covering portion 112a, the third lower foot-covering portion 112c, and the heel-covering portion 120 of the lower foot-covering portion 112 of the foot-covering portion 110. Therefore, in this sock 1, it is possible to minimize the contact points between the skin and each of the first lower foot-covering portion 112a, the third lower foot-covering portion 112c, and the heel-covering portion 120 of the lower foot-covering portion 112 of the foot-covering portion 110, and to minimize the feeling of wetness in the sock 1.

[0063] <Modifications> (A) In the sock 1 according to the previous embodiment, a plating region was located in the front toe covering portion 101 of the toe covering portion 100. However, any one of a misknit region, a combination region, and a tuck region may be located in the front toe covering portion 101 of the toe covering portion 100. Alternatively, any one of a misknit region, a combination region, and a tuck region may be located only in the portion of the front toe covering portion 101 of the toe covering portion 100 that covers the big toe.

[0064] In the sock 1 according to the previous embodiment, a plating region was located in the heel covering portion 120. However, the heel covering portion 120 may also include any one of a misknit region, a combination region, and a tuck region.

[0065] (B) In the sock 1 according to the previous embodiment, it was considered preferable that the stitches of the knitted structure knitted with the water-absorbent front yarn AT in the plating region and the tuck region be smaller or larger than the stitches of the knitted structure knitted with the water-repellent back yarn BT. However, in the plating region and the tuck region, the stitch size of the knitted structure knitted with the water-absorbent front yarn AT and the stitch size of the knitted structure knitted with the water-repellent back yarn BT may be the same.

[0066] (C) In the sock 1 according to the previous embodiment, the back yarn used was a water-repellent back yarn BT, which has lower water absorption and water repellency than the water-absorbent front yarn AT. However, a hydrophobic back yarn, which has lower water absorption and hydrophobicity than the water-absorbent front yarn AT, may also be used as the back yarn. The hydrophobic back yarn may be, for example, a stretchable yarn in which an elastic core yarn is covered with a hydrophobic covering yarn, or a stretchable yarn such as a synthetic fiber without hydrophilic groups. Here, the elastic core yarn may be, for example, polyurethane. The hydrophobic covering yarn may be, for example, a long fiber yarn such as polyester, polypropylene, or polyethylene, or a short fiber yarn such as polyester. A method for covering an elastic core yarn with a covering yarn is, for example, to spirally wind the covering yarn around the core yarn. When spirally winding the covering yarn around the core yarn, the covering yarn may be wound one or more times using, for example, an S twist (right twist) or a Z twist (left twist).

[0013] The stretchable yarn, such as a synthetic fiber having no hydrophilic groups, may be, for example, a yarn that has been subjected to a crimping process in which a hydrophobic yarn is false-twisted, heat-set, and untwisted (woolly polyester, woolly nylon, etc.), a side-by-side conjugate yarn in which a plurality of fibers, at least one of which is hydrophobic and has different thermal shrinkage rates, are bonded together and heat-treated to be spirally crimped, or a yarn that has elastic properties and flexibility due to a crystalline structure in which the molecules form a loose spiral (e.g., polytrimethylene terephthalate, etc.).

[0067] (D) In ​​the sock 1 according to the previous embodiment, the tuck region was located in the first lower foot-covering portion 112a of the lower foot-covering portion 112 of the foot-covering portion 110, which covers the area from the ball of the little toe to the ball of the big toe. However, the tuck region may be located only in the area of ​​the first lower foot-covering portion 112a of the lower foot-covering portion 112 of the foot-covering portion 110 that covers the ball of the little toe and the ball of the big toe.

[0068] (E) Although not mentioned in the sock 1 according to the previous embodiment, each part of the sock 1 that covers the areas of the foot that tend to sweat more may have an area where the water-absorbent outer yarn AT is positioned on the side opposite the skin side and the water-repellent inner yarn BT is positioned on the skin side, or an area where the water-absorbent outer yarn AT is positioned on the skin side and the water-repellent inner yarn BT is positioned on the side opposite the skin side. Sweating can be divided into psychological sweating and thermal sweating. Psychological sweating is sweating caused by psychological changes, while thermal sweating is sweating caused by high temperatures or exercise. Areas of the foot that tend to sweat more due to psychological sweating include, for example, the entire sole (especially the arch and big toe), the instep toes, the sides of the medial malleolus, and the sides of the lateral malleolus. Areas of the foot that tend to sweat more due to thermal sweating include, for example, the arch, the entire instep, the sides of the medial malleolus, and the sides of the lateral malleolus. Therefore, in each part of the sock 1 that can cover parts of the foot where sweating due to psychological sweating increases (for example, the bottom part of the toe covering part 100, the lower foot covering part 112 of the foot covering part 110, the instep part of the toe covering part 100, the medial malleolus part of the foot covering part 110, and the lateral malleolus part of the foot covering part 110, etc.), there may be either a region where the water-absorbent outer thread AT is arranged on the side opposite to the skin side and the water-repellent inner thread BT is arranged on the skin side, or a region where the water-absorbent outer thread AT is arranged on the skin side and the water-repellent inner thread BT is arranged on the side opposite to the skin side. Furthermore, in each region of the sock 1 that can cover parts of the foot that experience increased sweating due to thermal sweating (e.g., the second lower foot covering portion 112b of the lower foot covering portion 112 of the foot covering portion 110, the instep region of the toe covering portion 100 and the upper foot covering portion 111 of the foot covering portion 110, the medial malleolus region of the foot covering portion 110, and the lateral malleolus region of the foot covering portion 110), either a region in which the water-absorbent outer yarn AT is arranged on the side opposite the skin side and the water-repellent inner yarn BT is arranged on the skin side, or a region in which the water-absorbent outer yarn AT is arranged on the skin side and the water-repellent inner yarn BT is arranged on the side opposite the skin side, may be present. When a region in which the water-absorbent outer yarn AT is arranged on the side opposite the skin side and the water-repellent inner yarn BT is arranged on the skin side is present, moisture that has migrated to the side opposite the skin side can be prevented from returning to the skin side as much as possible. When there is a region where the water-absorbent front yarn AT is arranged on the skin side and the water-repellent back yarn BT is arranged on the opposite side to the skin side, moisture can be efficiently absorbed from the skin side.

[0069] (F) In the previous embodiment, the present invention was applied to socks 1, but the present invention may also be applied to legwear other than socks 1 (e.g., tabi socks, stockings, tights, etc.), or to wear other than legwear (e.g., clothing, hats, gloves, etc.).

[0070] The above-described modifications may be adopted individually or in appropriate combinations within a range that does not cause any contradictions.

Claims

1. A knitted fabric comprising a first region in which a face yarn is arranged on a first side and a back yarn is arranged on a second side opposite the first side, the back yarn being a yarn that has lower water absorption than the face yarn and is hydrophobic or water repellent.

2. The knitted fabric according to claim 1, wherein the first region is made of a plating knit structure knitted with the face yarn and the back yarn.

3. The knitted fabric according to claim 1, wherein the stitches of the knitted structure knitted with the front yarn are smaller than the stitches of the knitted structure knitted with the back yarn.

4. The knitted fabric according to claim 1, wherein the stitches of the knitted structure knitted with the front yarn are larger than the stitches of the knitted structure knitted with the back yarn.

5. The knitted fabric according to claim 1, further comprising a second region in which the front yarn is disposed on the second side and the back yarn is disposed on the first side.

6. The knitted fabric according to claim 5, wherein the second region is comprised of a mis-knitted structure of the face yarn and a knitted structure of the back yarn.

7. The knitted fabric according to claim 5, wherein the second region is made of a combination of a tuck knit structure, a miss knit structure of the front yarn, and a knit knit structure of the back yarn.

8. The knitted fabric according to claim 1, wherein the first region includes a region consisting of a tuck knit structure.

9. A garment formed from a knitted fabric having a first region in which a face yarn is arranged on the side opposite to the skin side and a back yarn is arranged on the skin side, the back yarn being a yarn that has lower water absorption than the face yarn and is hydrophobic or water repellent.

10. The garment according to claim 9, wherein the first region is made of a plating knit structure knitted with the face yarn and the back yarn.

11. The garment according to claim 9, comprising an interdigital space covering portion covering the interdigital space of the sole of the foot, an arch covering portion covering the arch of the sole of the foot, and a thenar ball covering portion covering the thenar ball of the sole of the foot, wherein the knitted fabric further comprises a second region in which the front yarn is arranged on the skin side and the back yarn is arranged on the side opposite the skin side, the second region being located in the interdigital space covering portion, the second region being located in the arch covering portion, and either the first region or the second region being located in the thenar ball covering portion.

12. The garment as described in claim 11, wherein the second region includes a misknit region consisting of a misknit structure of the front yarn and a knit structure of the back yarn, and a combination region consisting of a tuck structure and a structure combining the misknit structure of the front yarn and the knit structure of the back yarn, the first region includes a tuck region consisting of a tuck structure, either the misknit region or the combination region is located in the interdigital space covering portion, either the misknit region or the combination region is located in the arch covering portion, and either the combination region or the tuck region is located in the ball of the foot covering portion.

13. The garment according to claim 9, comprising a heel covering portion covering the heel of the sole of the foot, a lesser toe ball covering portion covering the lesser toe ball of the sole of the foot, a thenar ball covering portion covering the thenar ball of the sole of the foot, and a thenar covering portion covering the thenar ball of the sole of the foot, wherein the knitted fabric further comprises a second region in which the front yarn is arranged on the skin side and the back yarn is arranged on the side opposite the skin side, and wherein either the first region or the second region is located in the heel covering portion, the lesser toe ball covering portion, the thenar ball covering portion and the thenar ball covering portion.

14. The garment described in claim 13, wherein the second region includes a combination region consisting of a structure combining a tuck knit structure, a miss-knit structure of the front yarn and a knit knit structure of the back yarn, the first region includes a tuck region consisting of a tuck knit structure, and either the combination region or the tuck region is located in the heel covering portion, the little toe ball covering portion, the big toe ball covering portion and the big toe covering portion.

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