Knitted micromassaging compression garment for the breast region

Abstract

A knitted micromassaging compression garment for the breast region, comprising a weft knitted tubular manufacture (10) composed of yarns at least part of which are elastically extensible and which form courses and wales of knitted fabric, said manufacture being constituted by a plurality of adjacent areas (1-8) comprising, in a front portion of the manufacture, two cup-shaped areas (1) and an intermediate area (2, 4) between the two cup-shaped areas (1), characterized in that at least the two cup-shaped areas (1) and the intermediate area (2, 4) have, on the side of the manufacture designed to be directed toward the wearer's skin, raised portions caused by tuck stitches (T) and / or by float stitches (F), the raised portions being more widely spaced apart from each other, in the direction of the wales, in the two cup-shaped areas (1) than in the intermediate area (2, 4), so that the intermediate area (2, 4) is denser in raised portions, i.e., thicker and stiffer, than the cup-shaped areas (1).

Description

[0001] KNITTED MICROMASSAGING COMPRESSION GARMENT FOR THE BREAST REGION

[0002] The present invention relates to a knitted micromassaging compression garment for the breast region, particularly suitable for the prevention or treatment of lymphatic circulation disorders or the treatment of scars. The knitted garment according to the invention may be one among a bra (particularly a brassiere, top or sports bra), tank top, bodysuit or T- shirt, with or without sleeves (long or short). The garment according to the invention is suitable to be produced with a circular knitting machine for knitwear or hosiery, particularly of the single-cylinder type.

[0003] Known methods of preventing or treating lymphatic circulation disorders, for example, lymphedema, usually aim at compressing the body in the treated region.

[0004] However, mere compression may not be sufficient to restore or stimulate lymphatic vessel response, i.e., to restore or improve lymphatic fluid transport capacity. For this reason, it may be necessary to apply, by means of manual massage, lymphatic drainage to promote reabsorption of fluid in the lymphatic system.

[0005] The application of pressure is also used in the treatment of scars, such as postoperative scars (for example, after a mastectomy) or scars resulting from burns. In this case, however, any application of treatment massages is manual.

[0006] The aim of the present invention is to provide a knitted garment for the breast region that is capable of improving the background art in one or more of the above-mentioned aspects.

[0007] Within the scope of this aim, an object of the invention is to provide a knitted garment for the breast region that is suitable for the management and alleviation of lymphatic return and for preventing or treating one or more lymphatic circulation disorders, for example, lymphedemas.

[0008] In particular, an object of the invention is to provide a knitted garment for the breast region that is suitable to promote liquid drainage and / or reduction of edemas in the breast or subaxillary region for smoother and firmer skin.

[0009] Moreover, an object of the invention is to provide a knitted garment with the function of a bra, in particular adapted to support the breasts from underneath and keep them spaced apart.

[0010] Another object of the invention is to provide a knitted garment for the breast region that is also suitable for the therapeutic treatment of scars, in particular hypertrophic scars.

[0011] A further object of the invention is to provide a knitted garment for the breast region that is suitable for postoperative use, for example, for additive or reduction mammaplasty or mastectomy.

[0012] Another object of the invention is to provide a knitted garment for the breast region that is seamless or in any case has a small number of seams.

[0013] Moreover, an object of the present invention is to overcome the drawbacks of the background art in a manner that is alternative to any existing solutions.

[0014] Not least object of the invention is to provide a knitted garment for the breast region that is highly reliable, relatively easy to provide, and at competitive costs.

[0015] This aim, as well as these and other objects that will become better apparent hereinafter, are achieved by a knitted garment according to claim 1, optionally provided with one or more of the characteristics of the dependent claims.

[0016] The aim and objects of the invention are also achieved by a method according to claim 8, optionally provided with one or more of the characteristics of the dependent claims.

[0017] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of the knitted garment according to the invention, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0018] Figure 1 is a view of a bra according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0019] Figure 2 shows the technical face of a weave of the cup-shaped areas according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0020] With reference to the cited figures, the knitted garment according to the invention, generally designated by the reference numeral 10, is an elastic tubular weft knitted manufacture formed by knitted courses and wales and composed essentially of a tubular band 11 and, preferably, shoulder straps 12 so as to form a bra, in particular of the brassiere or top or sports bra type. In any case, the knitted garment according to the invention may be a tank top, a bodysuit, a T-shirt with long or short sleeves or sleeveless.

[0021] Each shoulder strap 12 may be formed by two appendages that protrude from substantially opposite parts of the tubular band 11 and are sewn together at their respective free end.

[0022] The tubular band 11 may comprise an elastic band 7 sewn at the opposite edge with respect to the shoulder straps 12.

[0023] The tubular manufacture 10 is obtained with a circular knitting machine for knitwear or hosiery of the type with at least two feeds (or drops) and more preferably four feeds (I, II, III and IV), more particularly of the type with a single needle cylinder.

[0024] As is known, circular knitting machines comprise a needle cylinder with a vertical axis, on the lateral surface of which there is a plurality of axial grooves, each of which accommodates a corresponding needle so that it can slide parallel to the axis of said needle cylinder. The needles can be actuated with a reciprocating motion along the corresponding axial groove in such a way as to take up at least one yarn dispensed at a feed (or drop) of the machine and form stitches. The yams to be used for producing knitted fabric are dispensed by special yarn guides, which are arranged at the machine drops. The needles are provided with butts that protrude from the lateral surface of the needle cylinder and engage paths formed by needle actuation cams which face the lateral surface of the needle cylinder. These paths have ascending portions and descending portions so that the needle butts, following these paths as a result of the rotation of the needle cylinder about its own axis relative to the needle actuation cams, are pushed out with their hook in an upward region from the needle cylinder to take at least one yarn dispensed at a feed (or drop) and then to descend to form new stitches with the yarn they have taken.

[0025] These machines are generally equipped with sinkers which are arranged within radial grooves of an adapted support, known as sinker wheel, which is integrally associated with the needle cylinder at its upper end.

[0026] Moreover, the machine is provided with electronic needle selection devices, of a known type, which allow to select the needles of the machine that are to be actuated to take or “hook” the yam or yams dispensed at the machine feeds while other needles are excluded from taking this yam or yams. Moreover, such a machine is provided, in a per se known manner, with needle actuation cams to move the needles to take up the yarn or yarns dispensed by the feeds in a “tuck height” (or “tuck stitch”) position or in a “clearing height” (or maximum rise) position or to move the needles to a “miss height” (or inactive or “float stitch”) position for their exclusion from taking up the yarn or yams dispensed at the feeds.

[0027] More particularly, under the preferred assumption of using a singlecylinder circular knitting machine for knitwear or hosiery and of producing the tubular manufacture 10 with the needles located in the needle cylinder that is arranged with its axis being vertical, the taking, or hooking, of the yam or yams by needles in the “clearing height” position is done by lifting, by means of the corresponding actuation cams, the needles to a height level such that their hook is extracted above the sinkers to take the yarn or yams at a height level sufficient to allow the previously formed loop to slide below the needle latch. In this way, upon the next descent, caused by the corresponding sinker cams, these needles will form a new loop by knocking over the respective previously formed loop.

[0028] The takeup, or hooking, of the yam or yams by needles in the “tuck height” position is performed by raising, by means of the corresponding actuation cams, the needles to a height level such that their hook is extracted above the sinkers, but at a height level that is not sufficient to allow the previously formed loop or loops to slide below the latch of the corresponding needle. In practice, the needle latch does not rise above the knock-over plane of the sinker. In this way, on the next descent, caused by the corresponding actuation cams, these needles form a new loop without knocking over the previously formed or loop or lips, which remain, together with the new loop, in the hook of the corresponding needle. When the loops held by the hook are finally cleared or knocked over, the resulting stitch is known as “tuck stitch”.

[0029] When the needles are in the “miss height” position, their hook is below the sinker knock-over plane and they hold the previously formed loop or loops. In this position, the needles cannot take up the yam or yams that are dispensed at the corresponding feed and therefore cannot form knitted fabric. When the loop is finally cleared or knocked over, the resulting stitch is known as “float stitch”.

[0030] Going back to Figure 1, in which the reference numerals designate both the areas of the bra and the respective knitting weave of those areas, the knitted manufacture 10 is constituted by a plurality of mutually contiguous areas comprising first of all, in a front portion of the manufacture 10, two cup-shaped areas 1 and an intermediate area 2, 4 between the two cup-shaped areas 1. The intermediate area, in particular, is formed by a central area 4 interposed between two crescent-shaped areas 2 which are substantially mirror-symmetrical with respect to a centerline axis of the central area 4. Each of the crescent-shaped areas 2 has a concave side which is contiguous to the curved and convex perimeter of the respective cup-shaped area 1. The cup-shaped areas 1 are substantially mirror- symmetrical with respect to the centerline axis of the central area 4.

[0031] Optionally, it is possible to provide, around each cup-shaped area 1, along the corresponding portion of the perimeter not affected by the respective crescent-shaped area 2, a peripheral area 8 which is contiguous to the cup-shaped area 1 and in which the knitted fabric is stiffer, i.e., less extensible, than the knitted fabric of the cup- shaped area 1.

[0032] The two cup- shaped areas 1 and the intermediate area 2, 4 have, on the back side, i.e., on the side of the manufacture designed to be directed toward the wearer's skin, raised portions caused by tuck stitches and / or float stitches.

[0033] In particular, the raised portions are obtained by means of needle selections, in which first needles (in the positions indicated by “A” in the example of Fig. 2) of the cylinder of the machine form a preset number of courses of loops by forming cleared (or normal) loops, while second needles (positions “B” of Fig. 2) of the cylinder of the machine, alternating with the first needles around the cylinder, are prevented from clearing the loop formed with the yarn previously taken up at a feed of the machine. This can be achieved by raising the second needles B to the “tuck height” or “tuck stitch” level at every second feed, in order to take up the corresponding yarn of that feed (for example, at feeds II and IV, i.e., in the even position around the needle cylinder), while in the other feeds of the machine (for example, at feeds I and III, i.e., in the odd position) the yarn is not taken up by the second needles B, which reach the miss height position while continuing to hold the yam or yams taken up at the previous feed or feeds. It is thus possible to obtain, when the second needles B are finally brought to the clearing position, tuck stitches and / or float stitches adapted to form raised portions at least on the side of the manufacture designed to face the wearer's skin, i.e., on the back side of the manufacture 10.

[0034] The number of revolutions of the cylinder in which said selection is performed until the second needles clear the loops is chosen on the basis of the greater / lower thickness that one wishes to give to the raised portions or of the greater / lower stiffness of the stitches in the area of the manufacture of interest. For example, the second needles B may be prevented from clearing the loop while the first needles A form eight to thirty -two courses of loops.

[0035] In the feeds at the odd-numbered positions I and III, i.e., those at which the second needles move to the miss height position, it is possible to feed a first elastomer yam, for example with a count of 100 and 78 / 68 (78 dtex and 68 strands) single-coated (SC) or double-coated (DC). Such elastomer yam is preferably of the bacteriostatic type.

[0036] In the feeds at the even-numbered positions II and IV (where the second needles engage the yam in the tuck height position), it is possible to feed a second polyamide yam, preferably an antibacterial one (for example, with a 78 / 68 count) and plate knitted with an elastomer yam having a lower count than the other feeds (for example, 17 SC or 11 / 7 DC).

[0037] The denier count of the elastomer yams can be chosen according to the degree of compression to be provided. The polyamide or natural fiber yams also can be varied in their denier count or composition depending on the fabric that one wishes to obtain.

[0038] After an initial number of revolutions of the needle cylinder around its axis, the second needles also clear the loops, moving to the working or clearing height.

[0039] The resulting tuck stitch T thus obtained, thickened by the various yams held by the respective second needle B, extends over multiple courses (made by the first needles A), the number of which is determined by the number of revolutions of the cylinder and the number of feeds. Some float stitches (F) are above said tuck stitch (on the back side) and derive from the yam of those feeds (I and III) from which the second needle B had not taken up the yam but had continued to hold the yam or yams taken from the previous feeds during the first number of revolutions. With these tuck stitches T, the elasticity of the yarns causes the fabric to wrinkle, thus forming the raised portion, constituted by the stitches knitted by the first needles A, by the float stitches F and by the head of the tuck stitch T on which multiple yams are accumulated.

[0040] After said first number of revolutions of the cylinder, at all the feeds of the machine and for a second number of revolutions of the cylinder, the first and second needles are brought to the maximum rise position to engage the yarn and clear the loop at each feed.

[0041] Then the step of forming the raised portions and forming the plain knit is repeated, preferably with the same selection of needles and cylinder revolutions used for that area of the manufacture in the previous formation step and optionally staggering or varying the number of first needles with respect to the number of second needles depending on the raised portion to be formed. Figure 2 shows a situation in which, after a second number (equal to three) of full revolutions of the cylinder, in which twelve courses of plain knit are formed by all the needles A and B, twelve courses are formed with a first number of full revolutions (again equal to three) with tuck stitches and 1:1 selection as described above.

[0042] Preferably, the inward raised portions of the manufacture are provided according to a wave-like or zigzag pattern in plan view, as shown schematically in Figure 1 in the cup-shaped areas 1, in the compensation area 3 and in the rear area 6.

[0043] The raised portions are advantageously interleaved with portions of plain knit. In the case of raised portions that follow a wave-like or zigzag pattern (in plan view) as in Figure 1, such raised portions are alternated, along substantially the direction of the wales of the manufacture, with regions of plain knit which also have a wave-like or zigzag pattern when seen in plan view. By virtue of the wave-like or zigzag pattern, regions without raised portions are avoided along any circumference around the central axis of the tubular manufacture.

[0044] The first and second needles are actuated so that the intermediate area 2 and 4 of the manufacture is denser in raised portions, i.e., thicker and stiffer, than the cup-shaped areas 1.

[0045] For example, the raised portions can be spaced further apart, in the direction of the wales, in the two cup-shaped areas 1 than in the intermediate area 2 and 4, so that the intermediate area 2 and 4 is more dense in raised portions, i.e., thicker and stiffer, than the cup-shaped areas 1. Further spacing can be achieved, for example, by providing (with all the needles of the area of interest) a greater number of courses of plain knit between one raised portion and the next.

[0046] Preferably, the central area 4 is stiffer, i.e., less extensible, than the crescent- shaped areas 2.

[0047] The raised portions on the side of the manufacture designed to face the wearer's skin are present also in a compensation area 3 located substantially above and below the cup-shaped areas 1 and below the central area 4, limited to the front portion of the band 11. In this case, the raised portions of said compensation area 3 may be more widely mutually spaced than the raised portions of the intermediate area 2, 4 and are preferably also arranged in a wave-like or zigzag pattern.

[0048] The compensation area 3 is advantageously conceived to lengthen the front portion of the manufacture 10, which, because of the raised portions amassed especially in the intermediate region 2 and 4, would otherwise be shorter with respect to the rear portion of the manufacture.

[0049] Other raised portions may in any case also be present on the rear portion 6 of the manufacture and may have thicker tuck stitches than those of the compensation area 3.

[0050] In order to obtain the raised portions according to one embodiment of the invention, a 1:1 selection of the needles can be performed in the cupshaped areas 1, i.e., a single first needle A and a single second needle B alternating along two respective segments of the cylinder on which the cupshaped areas 1 are formed. In the first number of revolutions of the cylinder, the first needle A engages the yam in the maximum height position at all the feeds, and the second needle B engages the yarn of the feeds in even- numbered position (II and IV) in the tuck height position and, in the feeds in odd-numbered position (I and III), moves to the miss height position so as not to engage the corresponding yam of those feeds. Thus, with three full revolutions of the cylinder, a weave with tuck stitches T and float stitches F like the one of Figure 2 is obtained.

[0051] The first number of revolutions in which this actuation of the first and second needles is performed can be the same as the second number of revolutions in which, instead, the first needle A and the second needle B of each pair of needles providing the respective cup-shaped area 1 move to the maximum height position and clear the loop at each feed.

[0052] For example, the first number and the second number of revolutions can be equal to three. With four feeds, this means providing twelve courses with one tuck stitch on every second wale (the other wale is formed by twelve normal stitches) alternating with twelve courses of plain knit.

[0053] In order to provide the central area 4, the 1: 1 needle selection can be performed again, but with a first number of cylinder revolutions that is preferably greater than the first number of revolutions used to provide the cup- shaped areas 1 and a second number of revolutions preferably smaller than the second number of revolutions used to provide the cup-shaped areas 1, so as to form thicker tuck stitches and closer raised portions (i.e., with fewer plain knit courses interposed) with respect to those of the cup-shaped areas 1.

[0054] For example, the 1:1 selection can be repeated for 16 courses (i.e., four full revolutions of the cylinder in the case of four feeds), and the plain knit can affect only two courses instead (i.e., half a revolution of the cylinder in which the first and second needles reach maximum height and clear the loop at two feeds; or a full revolution of the cylinder in which the needles reach maximum height at each feed but at two feeds do not descend to the miss height position or tuck height position).

[0055] The knitting of the peripheral areas 8 can be provided in the same way as the central area 4.

[0056] In order to provide the crescent-shapes areas, it is possible to perform a 3:1 selection (i.e., with a plurality of contiguous groups of needles having each a single first needle A and three contiguous second needles B) for a first number of full revolutions of the cylinder (for example, for a first number of revolutions substantially equal to the first number of revolutions to provide the cup-shaped areas 1), while the second number of revolutions is smaller than the second number of revolutions to provide the cup-shaped areas 1. In practice, when the needles A and B clear the loops after a first number of revolutions of the cylinder, three laterally adjacent tuck stitches are obtained, alternating with a wale of normal stitches (for example twelve, in the case of a first number of revolutions equal to three), which is wrinkled by the tuck stitches by virtue of the elasticity of the yam. The courses of the stitches thus obtained alternate, for example, with two courses of plain knit, so that the raised portions are very close together in the direction of the wales.

[0057] The selections of the intermediate area 2, 4, i.e., the central area 4 and the crescent-shaped areas 2, are preferably fixed, i.e., not “stepped” as occurs instead in areas where wave-like or zigzag raised portions are preferred (cup-shaped areas 1, compensation area 3 and rear area 6).

[0058] In order to provide the compensation area 3, the 1: 1 selection can be used again, with a first number of revolutions of the cylinder that is substantially equal to the first number of revolutions used to provide the cup-shaped areas 1 and a second number of revolutions comprised between the second number of revolutions used to provide the plain knit courses of the intermediate area 2, 4 and the second number of revolutions used to provide the plain knit courses of the cup-shaped areas 1. For example, twelve courses can be provided with the first number of revolutions (three revolutions) and eight courses with the second number of revolutions (two revolutions).

[0059] The rear area 6 can again be provided with the 1: 1 selection but with a first number of revolutions of the cylinder that is greater than the first number of revolutions to provide the compensation area 3, for example four revolutions to provide sixteen courses, while the second number of revolutions of the cylinder can be the same as for the compensation area 3 (two revolutions to provide eight courses).

[0060] The shoulder strap area 5 can again be provided by means of a fixed 1 : 1 selection, with a first and second number of cylinder revolutions equal to, for example, the first and second number of revolutions used for the crescent- shaped areas 2.

[0061] In practice it has been found that the invention achieves the intended aim and purposes.

[0062] In particular, the elasticity of the yams and the raised portions obtained by means of tuck stitches and / or float stitches with a differentiation of the stiffness of the weft knitting makes it possible to combine the advantages of elasto-compression with those of massage provided by the raised portions pressing on the skin of the breasts and other parts of the bust. With the intermediate area 2, 4 it is possible to block the mesh, which remains tighter, favoring the cup-shaped areas in which the weft, by remaining more relaxed, can form a pouch. This intermediate area, which is arranged between the cup-shaped areas 1 and extends below said areas 1 due to the crescent-shaped areas 2, being very thick due to the density and thickness of the raised portions obtained by means of tuck stitches, serves advantageously to keep the breasts separate and as a support for them. Optionally, in the step for providing the cup-shaped areas the height of the sinker cam can be varied to further widen the knitting and thus favor the convexity of the cups.

[0063] The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims; moreover, all the details may be replaced with other technically equivalent elements.

[0064] In practice, the materials used, so long as they are compatible with the specific use, as well as the contingent dimensions and shapes, may be any according to the requirements and the state of the art.

[0065] The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. 102023000018435 from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference.

[0066] Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A knitted micromassaging compression garment for the breast region, comprising a weft knitted tubular manufacture (10) composed of yams at least part of which are elastically extensible and which are interwoven so as to form courses and wales of knitted fabric, said manufacture being constituted by a plurality of adjacent areas (1-8) comprising, in a front portion of said manufacture, two cup-shaped areas (1) and an intermediate area (2, 4) between the two cup-shaped areas (1), characterized in that at least said two cup-shaped areas (1) and said intermediate area (2, 4) have, on the side of the manufacture designed to be directed toward the wearer's skin, raised portions caused by tuck stitches (T) and / or by float stitches (F), said raised portions being more widely spaced apart from each other, in the direction of the wales, in the two cup-shaped areas (1) than in the intermediate area (2, 4), so that said intermediate area (2, 4) is denser in raised portions, i.e., thicker and stiffer, than said cupshaped areas (1).

2. The knitted garment according to claim 1, wherein each of said cup- shaped areas (1) has an enclosed curvilinear perimeter and said intermediate area is formed by a central area (4) which is interposed between two crescent- shaped areas (2) which are substantially mirror- symmetrical with respect to a centerline axis of said central area (4), each of said crescent-shaped areas (2) having a concave side adjacent to the curved and convex perimeter of the respective cup-shaped area (1).

3. The knitted garment according to the preceding claim, wherein the knitted fabric of said central area (4) is stiffer, i.e., less extensible than the knitted fabric of said crescent-shaped areas (2).

4. The knitted garment according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said raised portions on the side of the manufacture designed to be directed toward the wearer's skin are also present in a compensation area (3) of said front portion of the manufacture, said compensation area (3)being arranged above and / or below said cup- shaped areas (1) and said intermediate area (2, 4), the raised portions of said compensation area (3) being more widely spaced apart from each other than the raised portions of said intermediate area (2, 4).

5. The knitted garment according to the preceding claim, wherein said raised portions are also present on the rear portion of the manufacture.

6. The knitted garment according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said raised portions are interleaved with portions of plain knit which substantially define said spacing between the raised portions.

7. The knitted garment according to one or more of the preceding claims, further comprising two shoulder straps.

8. A method for manufacturing a knitted micro-massaging compression garment for the breast region, comprising a step of producing a tubular manufacture (10) by weft knitting yams at least part of which are elastically extensible, with a circular knitting machine for knitwear or hosiery having a needle cylinder and a plurality of feeds around the needle cylinder, said manufacture being constituted by a plurality of adjacent areas (1-8) comprising, in a front portion of the manufacture, two cup-shaped areas (1) and an area (2, 4) which is intermediate between the two cupshaped areas (1), characterized in that during said production at least said two cup-shaped areas (1) and said intermediate area (2, 4) are provided by forming, with first needles (A) of the cylinder, a preset number of courses by performing cleared loops, while second needles (B) of the cylinder, alternated with said first needles (A) around the cylinder, are prevented from clearing the knitted fabric formed with the yarn previously coupled to a feed of the machine, said first and second needles (B), after a first number of revolutions of the cylinder, being actuated to form cleared loops so as to obtain tuck stitches and / or float stitches suitable for forming raised portions at least on the side of the manufacture (10) designed to be directed toward the wearer's skin, said method being further characterized in that said firstneedles (A) and said second needles (B) are actuated so that said intermediate area (2, 4) is denser in raised portions, i.e., thicker and stiffer, than said cup- shaped areas (1).

9. The method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said circular knitting machine comprises a plurality of feeds (I-IV), said second needles (B), during the step in which said second needles (B) are prevented from clearing the loop, being actuated to engage the yam or yams dispensed at one feed of every two contiguous feeds of the machine.

10. The method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein after said first number of revolutions of the cylinder, at all the feeds (I-IV) and for a second number of revolutions of the cylinder, said first and second needles (A, B) are brought to the maximum height position to engage the yarn and clear the loop at each feed.

11. The method according to the preceding claim, wherein a 1: 1 selection of the needles is performed in said cup-shaped areas (1), i.e., a single first needle (A) and a single second needle (B) alternating along two respective segments of the cylinder on which said cup-shaped areas (1) are formed, said first number of revolutions being preferably equal to said second number of revolutions.

12. The method according to the preceding claim, wherein in order to provide said intermediate area (2, 4) a 1 : 1 selection of needles is performed but with a first number of revolutions greater than the first number of revolutions used to provide said cup-shaped areas (1), and a second number of revolutions smaller than the second number of revolutions used to provide said cup-shaped areas (1), so as to form thicker tuck stitches (T) and closer raised portions than those of said cup-shaped areas (1).

13. The method according to the preceding claim, wherein said intermediate area is formed by a central area (4) interposed between two crescent- shaped areas (2) which are substantially mirror-symmetrical with respect to a centerline axis of said central area, said 1:1 selection of thepreceding claim being performed to provide said central area (4), whereas a 3: 1 selection is performed to provide said ere scent- shaped areas (2), i.e., a single first needle (A) and three contiguous second needles (B), for a first number of revolutions substantially equal to the first number of revolutions in order to provide said cup-shaped areas (1), while said second number of revolutions in order to provide said crescent- shaped areas (2) is smaller than the second number of revolutions in order to provide said cup-shaped areas (1).

14. The method according to claim 12 or 13, wherein a compensation area (3) arranged above and / or below said cup-shaped areas (1) and said intermediate area (2, 4) is provided by means of a 1 : 1 selection, with a first number of revolutions substantially equal to the first number of revolutions used to provide said cup-shaped areas (1), and a second number of revolutions comprised between the second number of revolutions used to provide said intermediate area (2, 4) and the second number of revolutions used to provide said cup-shaped areas (1).

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