Single knitted fabric having three or more multiple stitches

Abstract

The present invention addresses the problem of making it possible to more efficiently exhibit the function of a skin-facing layer in a multilayer knitted fabric such as that described above. A single knitted fabric according the present invention has three or more multiple stitches, the single knitted fabric being knitted from at least one elastic yarn and at least two surface yarns. The at least two surface yarns have lower elasticity than the elastic yarn. At least one of the at least two surface yarns is knitted using plain knitting. The needle-side loop of the surface yarn knitted using plain knitting is exposed on a first-surface side. At least one of the at least two surface yarns is knitted using float knitting. The sinker-side loop of the surface yarn knitted using float knitting is exposed in a floated state on a second-surface side, which is on the surface opposite from the first surface.

Description

Single knitted fabric with triple or more multiple stitches

[0001] The present invention relates to a single knitted fabric having three or more multiple stitches.

[0002] In the past, there have been three-layer knitted fabrics (see, for example, Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open Publication No. 57-034592) that are knitted with three yarns including one elastic yarn, and of the two yarns other than the elastic yarn, one is exposed on the front side and the other is exposed on the back side, with the elastic yarn sandwiched between the two yarns (see, for example, Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open Publication No. 57-034592) and three-layered fabrics that are knitted with a back layer for absorbing insensible perspiration or sweat from the human body, a middle layer for allowing moisture to pass through the back layer, and a top layer for releasing moisture from the middle layer to the outside air, the back layer being made of hydrophilic fibers, the top layer being made of hydrophobic fibers, and the middle A three-layer fabric has been proposed in which the intermediate layer is composed of hydrophobic fibers and / or hydrophilic fibers, the denier ratio of the yarn forming the surface layer to the yarn forming the back layer is 1:1 to 5:8, the denier ratio of the yarn forming the intermediate layer to the yarn forming the surface layer is 1:4 to 1:7, the weight ratio of the intermediate layer to the entire fabric is 0.4 to 5.0%, the weight ratio of the surface layer to the back layer is 5:6 to 1:2, and the basis weight of the entire knitted fabric is 130 to 600 g / m2 (see, for example, Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 59-169386).

[0003] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 57-034592 Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 59-169386

[0004] An object of the present invention is to enable the layer facing the skin in the above-mentioned multi-layer knitted fabric to more efficiently exhibit its function.

[0005] A single knitted fabric according to a first aspect of the present invention is a single knitted fabric having three or more multiple stitches, and is knitted from at least one elastic yarn and at least two face yarns. Note that the at least two face yarns have lower elasticity than the elastic yarn. At least one of the at least two face yarns is knitted in a plain knitting pattern. The needle-side loops of the face yarn knitted in a plain knitting pattern are exposed on the first surface side. At least one of the at least two face yarns is knitted in a float knitting pattern. The sinker-side loops of the face yarn knitted in a float knitting pattern are exposed in a floated state on the second surface side. Note that the second surface is the surface opposite the first surface.

[0006] In this single knitted fabric, the sinker-side loop of the face yarn, which is knitted in a float knitting pattern, is exposed in a floated state on the second surface side. Therefore, by making the second surface side face the skin, the face yarn can be more easily brought into contact with the skin than in a knitted fabric in which both the front and back surfaces are flat knitted. Therefore, in this single knitted fabric, by using a functional yarn as the face yarn knitted in a float knitting pattern, the face yarn's function against the skin can be more efficiently exerted. Furthermore, in this single knitted fabric, the first surface side, which is the surface opposite the second surface, is flat knitted. Therefore, the first surface side of the single knitted fabric can be kept dense.

[0007] A single knitted fabric according to a second aspect of the present invention is the single knitted fabric according to the first aspect, in which the face yarn knitted in float knitting is more hydrophobic than the face yarn knitted in plain knitting.

[0008] For this reason, if the second surface side faces the skin, the moisture absorption effect of the coarse and dense structure (the effect of moisture moving from a knitted structure with large stitches to a knitted structure with small stitches) will allow moisture such as sweat and insensible perspiration from the skin to move from the second surface side to the first surface side, preventing moisture such as sweat and insensible perspiration absorbed by the face yarn knitted in flat knitting from returning to the skin and preventing moisture from outside, such as rain, from coming into contact with the skin. Also, since the contact area of ​​the face yarn knitted in float knitting with the skin is small, moisture can be made to be less noticeable on the skin.

[0009] A single knitted fabric according to a third aspect of the present invention is the single knitted fabric according to the first aspect, in which the face yarn knitted in the float knitting is a yarn having a function of warming an object that comes into contact with it.

[0010] Therefore, if the second surface is placed facing the skin, it can warm the object of contact, such as human skin. In addition, because the first surface is flat knitted, it is possible to prevent outside air from entering, and it is possible to maintain high efficiency in warming human skin.

[0011] A single knitted fabric according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the single knitted fabric according to the first aspect, in which the elastic yarn is knitted in a plain knitting pattern.

[0012] This allows the single knitted fabric to have just the right amount of stretchability.

[0013] A single knitted fabric according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is a single knitted fabric having three or more multiple stitches, and is knitted from at least one elastic yarn and at least two face yarns. The at least two face yarns have lower elasticity than the elastic yarn. The single knitted fabric has a first region and a second region. In the first region, the elastic yarn is knitted in a plain knitting pattern, and at least one of the at least two face yarns is knitted in a plain knitting pattern, with its needle-side loop exposed on the first surface side, and at least one of the at least two face yarns is knitted in a float knitting pattern, with its sinker-side loop exposed in a floated state on the second surface side. The second surface is the surface opposite the first surface. In the second region, the elastic yarn and at least two face yarns are knitted in a plain knitting pattern.

[0014] In this single knitted fabric, the first region can achieve the same effect as the single knitted fabric according to the first aspect, and the second region can achieve the effect resulting from its knitting structure.

[0015] In addition, the single knitted fabric according to the fifth aspect of the present invention can be knitted so that the first region and the second region are distributed in different courses in the same knitted fabric, or so that they are distributed in different wales in the same knitted fabric, or so that they are distributed not only in different courses in the same knitted fabric but also in different wales on the same course.

[0016] A single knitted fabric according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is a single knitted fabric having three or more multiple stitches, and is knitted from at least one elastic yarn and at least two face yarns. The at least two face yarns have lower elasticity than the elastic yarn. The single knitted fabric has a first region and a third region. In the first region, the elastic yarn is knitted in a plain knitting pattern, and at least one of the at least two face yarns is knitted in a plain knitting pattern, with its needle-side loop exposed on the first surface side, and at least one of the at least two face yarns is knitted in a float knitting pattern, with its sinker-side loop exposed in a floated state on the second surface side. In the third region, the elastic yarn is knitted in a plain knitting pattern, and at least two face yarns are knitted in a float knitting pattern.

[0017] In this single knitted fabric, the first region exhibits the same effect as the single knitted fabric according to the first aspect, and the breathability of the third region can be improved.

[0018] In addition, the single knitted fabric according to the sixth aspect of the present invention can be knitted so that the first region and the third region are distributed in different courses in the same knitted fabric, or so that they are distributed in different wales in the same knitted fabric, or so that they are distributed not only in different courses in the same knitted fabric but also in different wales on the same course.

[0019] A single knit fabric according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is a single knit fabric having three or more multiple stitches, and is knitted from at least one elastic yarn and at least two face yarns. The at least two face yarns have lower elasticity than the elastic yarn. The single knit fabric has a first region, a second region, and a third region. In the first region, the elastic yarn is knitted in a plain knitting pattern, and at least one of the at least two face yarns is knitted in a plain knitting pattern, with its needle-side loop exposed on the first surface side, and at least one of the at least two face yarns is knitted in a float knitting pattern, with its sinker-side loop exposed in a floated state on the second surface side. In the second region, the elastic yarn and at least two face yarns are knitted in a plain knitting pattern. In the third region, the elastic yarn is knitted in a plain knitting pattern, and at least two face yarns are knitted in a float knitting pattern.

[0020] In this single knitted fabric, the first region exhibits the same effect as the single knitted fabric according to the first aspect, and the second and third regions can exhibit effects resulting from their knitting structure.

[0021] In addition, the single knitted fabric according to the seventh aspect of the present invention can be knitted so that the first region, the second region and the third region are distributed in different courses in the same knitted fabric, or they can be knitted so that they are distributed in different wales in the same knitted fabric, or they can be knitted so that they are distributed not only in different courses in the same knitted fabric but also in different wales on the same course.

[0022] 1 is a partial plan view of a circular knitting machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the positional relationship between each yarn path and a knitting point;

[0023] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the height relationship between each yarn path in a circular knitting machine according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the height position of a needle and the yarn hung on that needle in a circular knitting machine according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] The dashed arrows shown in this figure do not represent needle movement, but rather represent the chronological state transition of the needle;

[0026] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the height positional relationship between a plain knitting surface yarn passing through a first yarn path, a stretch yarn passing through a second yarn path, and a float knitting surface yarn passing through a third yarn path in the needles of a circular knitting machine according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of legwear according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating regions designated as first and second regions in an example of legwear according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating regions designated as first, second, and third regions in an example of legwear according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating regions designated as first and second regions in an example of legwear according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating regions designated as first and third regions in an example of legwear according to an embodiment of the present invention; 1 is a diagram showing regions designated as a first region, a second region, and a third region in an example of legwear according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a diagram showing regions designated as a first region and a second region in an example of legwear according to an embodiment of the present invention. 3 is a diagram showing regions designated as a first region and a third region in an example of legwear according to an embodiment of the present invention. 4 is a photograph showing an example of legwear shown in FIG. 14. 50x enlarged photograph of the outside (front side) of the first region of the legwear shown in FIG. 15. In this figure, the yarns shown in black are surface yarns for flat knitting, and the yarns shown in white are surface yarns for float knitting. Note that in the figure, symbol Y2 indicates surface yarns for float knitting, and symbol Y3 indicates surface yarns for flat knitting. 50x enlarged photograph of the inside (skin side) of the first region of the legwear shown in FIG. 15. In this figure, the white yarn with floated loops is surface yarn for float knitting, and the white yarn with flat knitting without floated loops is stretch yarn.In the figure, the symbol Y1 indicates the elastic yarn, and the symbol Y2 indicates the surface yarn for floating knitting.

[0023] E1 Exit of first yarn path E2 Exit of second yarn path E3 Exit of third yarn path ND Needle NP Knitting point P1 First yarn path P2 Second yarn path P3 Third yarn path RN Circular knitting machine Y1 Elastic yarn Y2 Surface yarn for float knitting Y3 Surface yarn for flat knitting

[0024] <Configuration of Single Knit Fabric According to an Embodiment of the Present Invention> The single knit fabric according to an embodiment of the present invention is a single knit fabric having triple or more multiple stitches. This single knit fabric is knitted from at least one elastic yarn and at least two face yarns. The at least two face yarns have lower elasticity than the elastic yarn. At least one of the at least two face yarns is knitted in a plain knit pattern. The needle-side loop of the face yarn knitted in a plain knit pattern (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a "face yarn for plain knitting") is exposed on the first surface side. At least one of the at least two face yarns is knitted in a float knit pattern. Here, a float knit pattern is also referred to as a welt knit pattern, a miss knit pattern, or a float knit pattern. The sinker-side loop of the face yarn knitted in a float knit pattern (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a "face yarn for float knitting") is exposed in a floated state on the second surface side. Here, the second surface is the surface opposite the first surface. The elastic yarn is positioned between the plain knitting face yarn and the float knitting face yarn. Incidentally, such a single knitted fabric has the characteristic that it is not thinner than a single knitted fabric knitted with one face yarn and one back yarn only by float knitting.

[0025] <Method of knitting a single knitted fabric according to an embodiment of the present invention> The single knitted fabric according to an embodiment of the present invention can be knitted in a planar shape using a flat knitting machine, or can be knitted in a tubular shape using a circular knitting machine (circular knitting). When knitting a single knitted fabric in a tubular shape, it is preferable that the single knitted fabric is knitted so that the float knitting surface yarn is located on the inside. Below, a method of knitting a single knitted fabric according to an embodiment of the present invention in a tubular shape using a circular knitting machine so that the float knitting surface yarn is located on the inside will be described.

[0026] First, a circular knitting machine used in a method for knitting a single knitted fabric according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. In this circular knitting machine, the yarn path for the elastic yarn will be referred to as the "first yarn path," the yarn path for the float knitting surface yarn will be referred to as the "second yarn path," and the yarn path for the plain knitting surface yarn will be referred to as the "third yarn path."

[0027] In this circular knitting machine RN, the outlets of the three yarn paths are arranged to have the following positional relationships (a) to (f), as shown in Figures 1 and 2. (a) The outlet E1 of the first yarn path P1 is located closest to the knitting point (also referred to as the knitting point) NP in the circumferential direction in a plan view (see Figure 1). (b) The outlet E3 of the third yarn path P3 is located farthest from the knitting point NP in the circumferential direction in a plan view (see Figure 1). (c) The outlet E2 of the second yarn path P2 is located between the outlet E1 of the first yarn path P1 and the outlet E3 of the third yarn path P3 in the circumferential direction in a plan view (see Figure 1). In other words, the circumferential distance from the outlet E2 of the second yarn path P2 to the knitting point NP is longer than the circumferential distance from the outlet E1 of the first yarn path P1 to the knitting point NP, and the circumferential distance from the outlet E3 of the third yarn path P3 to the knitting point NP is shorter than the circumferential distance from the outlet E1 of the first yarn path P1 to the knitting point NP. (d) The outlet E1 of the first yarn path P1 is located lower than the outlet E2 of the second yarn path P2 and the outlet E3 of the third yarn path P3 (i.e., the outlet E1 of the first yarn path P1 is located at the lowest point of the three yarn paths P1 to P3) (see FIG. 2). (e) The outlet E2 of the second yarn path P2 is located higher than the outlet E1 of the first yarn path P1 and the outlet E3 of the third yarn path P3 (i.e., the outlet E2 of the second yarn path P2 is located at the highest point of the three yarn paths P1 to P3) (see FIG. 2). (f) The outlet E3 of the third yarn path P3 is located higher than the height of the outlet E1 of the first yarn path P1 and lower than the height of the outlet E2 of the second yarn path P2 (i.e., the outlet E3 of the third yarn path P3 is located between the outlet E1 of the first yarn path P1 and the outlet E2 of the second yarn path P2) (see FIG. 2).

[0028] Next, a method for knitting a single-knit circular knit fabric according to an embodiment of the present invention using this circular knitting machine RN will be described in detail. As shown in Fig. 3, in this single-knit circular knitting machine RN, whether or not the float knitting surface yarn Y2 is knitted is determined by adjusting the height to which the needle ND is raised as shown in Fig. 3 (Note that in Fig. 3, the portion indicated by the symbol Nm is the "hook," and the portion indicated by the symbol Nb is the "latch." Also, the hook Nm opens toward the inside of the circular knitting machine RN.) That is, as shown on the left side of Fig. 3, if the needle ND does not reach the height at which the float knitting surface yarn Y2 passes, the float knitting surface yarn Y2 is not knitted, and its sinker-side loop portion is left floating. Note that in this case, as shown on the left side of Fig. 3, the needle ND has reached the height at which the plain knitting surface yarn Y3 passes, so the plain knitting surface yarn Y3 and the elastic yarn Y1 passing below it are hung on the needle ND, and the elastic yarn Y1 and the plain knitting surface yarn Y3 are knitted in a plain knit. The height of the needle ND may be adjusted mechanically or programmatically. In this case, as shown in FIG. 4 , the elastic yarn Y1 is positioned on the needle ND closer to the knitting machine RN than the plain knitting front yarn Y3 (the yarns are hung on the needle ND in order from the farthest from the knitting point NP, with the yarns farther from the knitting point NP being closer to the outside of the knitting machine RN and the yarns closer to the knitting point NP being closer to the inside of the knitting machine RN). Therefore, the needle-side loops of the plain knitting front yarn Y3 are exposed on the front side, and the elastic yarn Y1 is exposed on the inside (i.e., the skin side). Furthermore, the float knitting front yarn Y2, which is not hung on the needle, is not knitted, and the sinker-side loops of the float knitting front yarn Y2 float inward. Therefore, essentially, the needle-side loops of the plain knitting front yarn Y3 are exposed on the front side, the sinker-side loops of the float knitting front yarn Y2 are exposed on the inside (i.e., the skin side), and the elastic yarn Y1 is located between them. In this case, the needle side loops of the float knitting front yarn Y2 also come out on the front side.

[0029] On the other hand, as shown on the right side of Fig. 3, when the needle ND reaches a height where the float knitting front yarn Y2 passes, the float knitting front yarn Y2 and the plain knitting front yarn Y3 and elastic yarn Y1 passing underneath are hung on the needle ND, and the float knitting front yarn Y2, the plain knitting front yarn Y3, and the elastic yarn Y1 are knitted in a plain knit. In this case, as shown in Fig. 4, on the needle ND, the plain knitting front yarn Y3 is positioned outside the float knitting front yarn Y2 and the float knitting front yarn Y2 is positioned outside the elastic yarn Y1, so that the needle-side loop of the plain knitting front yarn Y3 is exposed to the front side, the elastic yarn Y1 is exposed to the inside (i.e., the skin side), and the float knitting front yarn Y2 is located therebetween.

[0030] Although not shown, in this circular knitting machine RN, the highest stroke position of the needle ND can be adjusted so that the needle ND does not reach the height at which the plain knitting surface yarn Y3 passes, and the needle ND can knit plain knitting by hooking only the elastic yarn Y1, and the sinker side loop portions of the float knitting surface yarn Y2 and the plain knitting surface yarn Y3 can be left in a floated state without knitting either.

[0031] As described above, in this circular knitting machine RN, by adjusting the highest reach position of the stroke of the needle ND, it is possible to mix, in the same single knit fabric, (i) an area where the elastic yarn Y1, the floating knitting surface yarn Y2, and the plain knitting surface yarn Y3 are all plain knitted, (ii) an area where the elastic yarn Y1 and the plain knitting surface yarn Y3 are plain knitted and the floating knitting surface yarn Y2 is floated, and (iii) an area where the elastic yarn Y1 is plain knitted and the floating knitting surface yarn Y2 and the plain knitting surface yarn Y3 are floated. It is preferable that the area where the floating knitting surface yarn Y2 and the plain knitting surface yarn Y3 should be kept from contacting the skin as much as possible be designated as area (i), the area where only the floating knitting surface yarn Y2 should be brought into contact with the skin be designated as area (ii), and the area where both the floating knitting surface yarn Y2 and the plain knitting surface yarn Y3 should be brought into contact with the skin be designated as area (iii).

[0032] <Applications of Single Knit Fabrics According to Embodiments of the Present Invention> The single knit fabric according to embodiments of the present invention can be applied to, for example, knit caps, apparel, legwear, armwear, and other wearable devices. When the single knit fabric according to embodiments of the present invention is applied to wearable devices, it is preferable that the sinker-side loops of the floating knitting surface yarn are exposed to the skin side, and the needle-side loops of the plain knitting surface yarn are exposed to the front side. In such cases, by using a functional yarn having the desired function on the skin as the floating knitting surface yarn, the function of the functional yarn can be made to act on the skin, and by using a yarn with excellent appearance or a yarn with a pleasant feel as the plain knitting surface yarn, it is possible to knit a knitted fabric with a surface that is excellent in appearance and feel. As described above, the stretchable yarn should be more stretchable than at least two surface yarns (including the plain knitting surface yarn and the floating knitting surface yarn). Examples of elastic yarns include FTY (filament twisted yarn), SCY (single covered yarn), DCY (double covered yarn), and woolly nylon. It is more preferable to use functional yarns that have the desired skin function and elasticity as the elastic yarns. Below, we will introduce some application examples of this single knitted fabric.

[0033] Furthermore, when the single knit fabric according to the embodiment of the present invention is applied to legwear such as socks having toe coverings and heel coverings, it is preferable to form a first region in the tubular portion covering the base of the foot, sole, instep, ankle, and leg, in which the elastic yarn Y1 and the flat knitting surface yarn Y3 are flat knitted and the float knitting surface yarn Y2 is float knitted. An example of such legwear is shown in Figures 5 and 6. In Figure 5, reference numeral 100 denotes the legwear, reference numeral 105 denotes the leg covering portion, reference numeral 110 denotes the ankle covering portion, reference numeral 120 denotes the heel covering portion, reference numeral 130 denotes the instep covering portion, reference numeral 140 denotes the sole covering portion, reference numeral 150 denotes the base of the foot covering portion, reference numeral 160 denotes the toe covering portion, and reference numeral 180 denotes the tubular portion. In Figure 6, reference numeral R1 denotes the first region described above, and reference numeral R2 denotes the second region described below. The tubular portion 180 is composed of the leg covering portion 105, the ankle covering portion 110, the heel covering portion 120, the instep covering portion 130, the sole covering portion 140, and the base covering portion 150. In this legwear 100, it is preferable to form a second region R2 in which the elastic yarn Y1, the floating knitting surface yarn Y2, and the flat knitting surface yarn Y3 are all flat knitted in the toe covering portion 160 that covers the toes and the heel covering portion 120 that covers the heel (see FIG. 6). In this case, the function of the functional yarn can be applied to the skin in the tubular portion, and the durability of the toe covering portion 160 and the heel covering portion 120 can be increased.

[0034] In such a case, it is preferable that the toe covering portion 160 and the heel covering portion 120 include narrowing stitches where the number of wales gradually decreases and widening stitches where the number of wales gradually increases. This is because the toe covering portion 160 and the heel covering portion 120 can be shaped to fit the shape of the human body, thereby improving the comfort of wearing the legwear 100. Note that the yarns used to knit the toe covering portion 160 and the heel covering portion 120, both the stretch yarn and the face yarn, are usually different from the yarns used to knit the tubular portion 180.

[0035] The toe covering part 160 and the heel covering part 120 may also be flat knitted using the elastic yarn Y1 and any one of the above-mentioned face yarns. The toe covering part 160 and the heel covering part 120 may be knitted by any method other than "a method in which the elastic yarn Y1 and the face yarn for flat knitting Y3 are flat knitted and the face yarn for float knitting Y2 is float knitted."

[0036] 14 and 15, a first region in which the elastic yarn Y1 and the flat knitting surface yarn Y3 are flat knitted and the float knitting surface yarn Y2 is float knitted may also be formed in the toe covering portion 160 and the heel covering portion 120 in addition to the tubular portion 180. Fig. 16 shows a 50x enlarged photograph of the outside (front side) of the first region of the legwear shown in Fig. 15, and Fig. 17 shows a 50x enlarged photograph of the inside (skin side) of the first region of the same legwear. In such a case, it is preferable that the number of wales in the heel covering portion 120 is the same as that of the tubular portion 180, and that the heel covering portion 120 does not include narrowing stitches where the number of wales gradually decreases or widening stitches where the number of wales gradually increases. In this case, the heel covering portion 120 can have the function of the functional yarn applied to the skin, just as in the tubular portion 180, and the sock can have an aesthetically pleasing appearance, since the stitches of the heel covering portion 120 and the tubular portion 180 have the same appearance. It is also preferable to provide a serged edge portion in the center of the tip of the toe covering portion 160, which is formed by either cutting the tip of the tubular portion 180 and rolling the cut seam and sewing it, or by sewing it after cutting. In this case, the toe covering portion 160 can have the function of the functional yarn applied to the skin, just as in the tubular portion 180, and the toe covering portion 160 and the tubular portion 180 have the same appearance, and the seams of the toe covering portion 160 are not noticeable, making the sock an aesthetically pleasing appearance.

[0037] Furthermore, the toe covering portion 160 and the heel covering portion 120 may include narrowing stitches where the number of wales gradually decreases and widening stitches where the number of wales gradually increases, and may include a first region R1 where the elastic yarn Y1 and the flat knitting surface yarn Y3 are flat knitted and the float knitting surface yarn Y2 is float knitted. In this case, the function of the functional yarn can be exerted on the skin, and the toe covering portion 160 and the heel covering portion 120 can be shaped to fit the shape of the human body, improving the comfort of wearing the legwear.

[0038] 7 to 13 are examples other than those described above. Fig. 7 shows an example in which the leg covering portion 105, the ankle covering portion 110, the heel covering portion 120, the instep covering portion 130, and the sole covering portion 140 are defined as a first region R1, and the groin covering portion 150 is defined as a third region R3. The third region R3 is a region in which the elastic yarn Y1 is knitted in a flat knitting pattern, and the flat knitting surface yarn Y3 and the float knitting surface yarn Y2 are knitted in a float knitting pattern. Fig. 8 shows an example in which the leg covering portion 105, the ankle covering portion 110, the instep covering portion 130, and the sole covering portion 140 are defined as a first region R1, the toe covering portion 160 and the heel covering portion 120 are defined as a second region R2, and the groin covering portion 150 is defined as a third region R3. Fig. 9 shows an example in which the instep covering portion 130 is the second region R2 and the sole covering portion 140 is the first region R1. Fig. 10 shows an example in which the instep covering portion 130 is the third region R3 and the sole covering portion 140 is the first region R1. Fig. 11 shows an example in which the upper portion of the instep covering portion 130 is the third region R3, the combined lower portion of the instep covering portion 130 and the upper portion of the sole covering portion 140 is the second region R2, and the lower portion of the sole covering portion 140 is the first region R1. Fig. 12 shows an example in which the sole covering portion 140 is the first region R1, and the instep covering portion 130, toe covering portion 160, and heel covering portion 120 are the second region R2. FIG. 13 also shows an example in which the leg covering portion 105, the ankle covering portion 110, and the instep covering portion 130 are defined as the third region R3, and the sole covering portion 140 is defined as the first region R1.

[0039] (1) First Application Example As a first application example, a wearing device that is comfortable in the summer will be introduced below. Because people tend to sweat more easily in the summer and experience discomfort, there is a demand for a wearing device that reduces this discomfort. To produce such a wearing device, for example, a hydrophobic or water-repellent yarn is used as the float knitting face yarn, and a hydrophilic or water-absorbent yarn is used as the flat knitting face yarn. In this example, the hydrophobic or water-repellent yarn is float knitted to form a knitted structure on the skin side, and the hydrophilic or water-absorbent yarn is flat knitted to form a knitted structure with finer stitches than the skin side. By knitting a single knit fabric according to an embodiment of the present invention in this manner, a coarse-dense structure is formed in the single knit fabric, with the knitted structure on the skin side being sparse and the knitted structure on the front side being dense. The water-absorbing effect of this coarse-dense structure allows moisture such as sweat to move from the skin side to the front side, and the hydrophobicity and water-repellency of the float knitting face yarn makes it difficult for moisture to return from the front side to the skin side. In addition, the sinker side loops of the floating knitting face yarn reduce the area of ​​the single knit fabric that comes into contact with the skin, making it less likely that the skin will feel moisture.

[0040] Incidentally, when the above-mentioned wearing device is legwear such as socks with a heel covering portion, it is preferable to form an area in the tubular portion covering the sole, instep, ankle, and leg where the elastic yarn Y1 and the flat knitting surface yarn Y3 are flat knitted and the floating knitting surface yarn Y2 is float knitted. In particular, it is preferable to form an area in the portion covering at least one of the base of the toe and the sole, which are prone to sweating, where the elastic yarn Y1 and the flat knitting surface yarn Y3 are flat knitted and the floating knitting surface yarn Y2 is float knitted. It is also preferable to form an area in the portion covering at least one of the base of the toe and the instep where the elastic yarn Y1 is flat knitted and the floating knitting surface yarn Y2 and the flat knitting surface yarn Y3 are float knitted. In this case, moisture such as sweat on at least one of the base of the toe and the sole is prevented from moving from the skin side to the surface side, minimizing the feeling of wetness, and it is possible to maximize the breathability of at least one of the base of the toe and the instep.

[0041] (2) Second Application Example As a second application example, a wearing device that is comfortable in winter will be introduced below. Because the human body (especially the legs, feet, and hands) is prone to getting cold in winter, there is a demand for a wearing device that warms the human body. To produce such a wearing device, for example, a yarn that has the function of warming the human body (e.g., a yarn that has a warming effect when it comes into contact with the human skin, such as a contact warming yarn, a thermosensory stimulating yarn that stimulates TRPV1, or a moisture-absorbing and heat-generating yarn that generates heat in response to moisture such as sweat or insensible perspiration) is used as the surface yarn for float knitting, and a yarn with insulating properties is used as the surface yarn for flat knitting. In this example, the knitting structure on the skin side is formed by float knitting with the yarn with the function of warming the human body, and the knitting structure on the skin side is formed by flat knitting with the insulating yarn, with the stitches tighter than the skin side. By knitting a single knitted fabric according to an embodiment of the present invention in this way, the knitting structure on the skin side of the single knitted fabric becomes sparse, making it easier for an air layer to form within the knitting structure on the skin side, and the knitting structure on the front side becomes dense, blocking outside air with the knitting structure on the front side and making it difficult for the air warmed by body temperature to escape within the knitting structure on the skin side. In such cases, the effect can be further enhanced by making the floating portion (float portion) of the front yarn for floating knitting into a honeycomb or lattice shape, and in some cases it is expected that it will be possible to achieve warmth comparable to that of terry knitting while being thinner than terry knitting. Furthermore, raising the skin side portion including the floating portion (float portion) is expected to make it softer and allow it to contain more air.

[0042] Incidentally, when the above-mentioned wearing device is legwear such as socks with a heel covering portion, it is preferable to form an area in the tubular portion covering the sole, instep, ankle, and leg where the elastic yarn Y1 and the flat knitting surface yarn Y3 are flat knitted and the floating knitting surface yarn Y2 is float knitted. Furthermore, it is preferable to form an area where the elastic yarn Y1 and the flat knitting surface yarn Y3 are flat knitted and the floating knitting surface yarn Y2 is float knitted in the portion covering at least one of the following parts: the toes, which are at the extremities of the human body and where blood circulation is likely to be poor; the soles of the feet, which are likely to lose body heat through heat conduction when in contact with the soles or floor and become cold; and the ankles, where blood vessels (arteries) with a high blood flow run close to the skin. This is because the floating knitting surface yarn, which has the function of warming the human body, directly contacts the skin in the parts of the foot that are prone to getting cold, prevents the outside air from coming into contact with the skin in those parts, and prevents the air in the knitting structure on the skin side that has been warmed by body temperature from escaping, thereby more effectively warming those parts.

[0043] <Features of single circular knitted fabric according to an embodiment of the present invention> In a single circular knitted fabric according to an embodiment of the present invention, the sinker side loop of the float knitting face yarn is exposed in a floated state on the skin side. Therefore, compared to a knitted fabric in which both the front and back sides are plain knitted, the float knitting face yarn can be more easily brought into contact with the skin. Therefore, in this single circular knitted fabric, by using a functional yarn as the float knitting face yarn, the function of the float knitting face yarn on the skin can be more efficiently exerted. Furthermore, in this single circular knitted fabric, the face side is plain knitted. Therefore, the face side of the single circular knitted fabric can be kept dense.

[0044] <Modifications> (A) In the circular knitting machine RN according to the previous embodiment, the elastic yarn Y1 was passed through the first yarn path P1, but the elastic yarn Y1 may be passed through the second yarn path P2. In such a case, the floating knitting surface yarn Y2 may be passed through the first yarn path P1 or the third yarn path P3, and the plain knitting surface yarn Y3 is passed through the yarn path that the floating knitting surface yarn Y2 is not passed through. In such a case, it is possible to knit a knitted fabric with a distinctive texture having an uneven surface.

[0045] (B) In the circular knitting machine RN according to the previous embodiment, the elastic yarn Y1 was passed through the first yarn path P1. However, the elastic yarn Y1 may be passed through the third yarn path P3. In this case, the floating knitting surface yarn Y2 may be passed through either the first yarn path P1 or the second yarn path P2, and the flat knitting surface yarn Y3 is passed through the yarn path that does not contain the floating knitting surface yarn Y2. In this case, it is possible to pass the yarn that should not come into contact with the skin (e.g., a hard yarn such as a metal yarn) through the first yarn path P1, and the yarn that should come into contact with the skin through the second yarn path P2. By doing so, for example, aluminum-vapor-deposited yarn or aluminum-slit yarn can be used as the metal yarn, preventing body heat from being released due to the heat-reflecting effect of aluminum. Furthermore, a substrate fabric for a wearable device can be knitted using conductive fiber as the metal yarn.

[0046] (C) Although not provided in the circular knitting machine RN according to the previous embodiment, the circular knitting machine RN may be provided with a height adjustment mechanism for adjusting the height of the third yarn path P3. In such a case, the highest stroke position of the needle ND may or may not be adjusted. This makes it possible to mix, in the same single knit fabric, (i) areas in which the elastic yarn Y1, the float knitting surface yarn Y2, and the plain knitting surface yarn Y3 are all plain knitted, (ii) areas in which the elastic yarn Y1 and the plain knitting surface yarn Y3 are plain knitted and the float knitting surface yarn Y2 is float knitted, and (iii) areas in which the elastic yarn Y1 is plain knitted and the float knitting surface yarn Y2 and the plain knitting surface yarn Y3 are float knitted.

[0047] When knitting the above region (i), the height of the third yarn path P3 is arbitrary. When knitting the above region (ii), the third yarn path P3 is moved to a height between the first yarn path P1 and the second yarn path P2. When knitting the above region (iii), the third yarn path P3 is moved to a position higher than the second yarn path P2.

[0048] Furthermore, by adjusting the highest reach position of the stroke of the needle ND or by moving the needle ND to the height position of the third yarn path P3 after the cylinder of the circular knitting machine RN has made at least one revolution, it is possible to knit a combination of the above region (i), the above region (ii), and the above region (iii) in different courses of the same knitted fabric. Furthermore, by adjusting the highest reach position of the stroke of the needle ND or by moving the needle ND to the height position of the third yarn path P3 while the cylinder is making one revolution, it is possible to knit a combination of the above region (i), the above region (ii), and the above region (iii) in different wales in the same course of the same knitted fabric. As a result, it is possible to knit the above region (i), the above region (ii), and the above region (iii) in any position.

Claims

1. A single knitted fabric having three or more multiple stitches, knitted from at least one elastic yarn and at least two surface yarns that are less elastic than the elastic yarn, wherein at least one of the at least two surface yarns is knitted in a flat knitting style with its needle side loops exposed on the side of a first surface, and at least one of the at least two surface yarns is knitted in a floating knitting style with its sinker side loops exposed in a floating state on the side of a second surface that is the opposite side of the first surface.

2. A single knitted fabric having three or more multiple stitches according to claim 1, wherein the face yarn knitted in the float knitting is more hydrophobic than the face yarn knitted in the flat knitting.

3. A single knitted fabric having three or more multiple stitches as described in claim 1, wherein the face yarn knitted in the floating stitches is a yarn that has the function of warming an object that it comes into contact with.

4. The single knitted fabric having three or more multiple stitches according to claim 1, wherein the elastic yarn is knitted in a plain knitting pattern.

5. A single knitted fabric with triple or more multiple stitches, knitted from at least one elastic yarn and at least two face yarns having less elasticity than the elastic yarn, wherein the elastic yarn is knitted in a plain knitting pattern and at least one of the at least two face yarns is knitted in a plain knitting pattern with its needle side loop exposed on the side of a first surface and at least one of the at least two face yarns is knitted in a floating knitting pattern with its sinker side loop exposed in a floating state on the side of a second surface opposite to the first surface, and a second region in which the elastic yarn and the at least two face yarns are knitted in a plain knitting pattern.

6. A single knitted fabric having three or more multiple stitches according to claim 5, wherein the first region and the second region are distributed in different courses in the same knitted fabric.

7. A single knitted fabric having three or more multiple stitches according to claim 5, wherein the first region and the second region are distributed in different wales in the same knitted fabric.

8. A single knitted fabric having three or more multiple stitches according to claim 5, wherein the first region and the second region are distributed not only in different courses in the same knitted fabric but also in different wales on the same course.

9. A single knitted fabric with three or more multiple stitches, knitted from at least one elastic yarn and at least two face yarns having less elasticity than the elastic yarn, having a first region in which the elastic yarn is knitted in a plain knitting pattern and at least one of the at least two face yarns is knitted in a plain knitting pattern with its needle side loop exposed on the side of a first surface and at least one of the at least two face yarns is knitted in a floating knitting pattern with its sinker side loop exposed in a floating state on the side of a second surface opposite the first surface, and a third region in which the elastic yarn is knitted in a plain knitting pattern and the at least two face yarns are knitted in a floating knitting pattern.

10. A single knitted fabric having three or more multiple stitches according to claim 9, wherein the first region and the third region are distributed in different courses in the same knitted fabric.

11. A single knitted fabric having three or more multiple stitches according to claim 9, wherein the first region and the third region are distributed in different wales in the same knitted fabric.

12. A single knitted fabric having three or more multiple stitches according to claim 9, wherein the first region and the third region are distributed not only in different courses in the same knitted fabric but also in different wales on the same course.

13. A single knitted fabric with three or more multiple stitches, knitted from at least one elastic yarn and at least two face yarns having less elasticity than the elastic yarn, the single knitted fabric having: a first region in which the elastic yarn is knitted in a plain knitting pattern and at least one of the at least two face yarns is knitted in a plain knitting pattern, with its needle side loops exposed on a first surface side and at least one of the at least two face yarns is knitted in a floating knitting pattern, with its sinker side loops exposed in a floating state on a second surface side opposite the first surface; a second region in which the elastic yarn and the at least two face yarns are knitted in a plain knitting pattern; and a third region in which the elastic yarn is knitted in a plain knitting pattern and the at least two face yarns are knitted in a floating knitting pattern.

14. A single knitted fabric having three or more multiple stitches according to claim 13, wherein the first region, the second region and the third region are distributed in different courses in the same knitted fabric.

15. A single knitted fabric having three or more multiple stitches according to claim 13, wherein the first region, the second region and the third region are distributed in different wales in the same knitted fabric.

16. A single knitted fabric having three or more multiple stitches as described in claim 14, wherein the first region, the second region and the third region are distributed not only in different courses in the same knitted fabric but also in different wales on the same course.

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