Sock having an optimized cuff

Abstract

The invention relates to a sock in the form of a tubular knitted fabric, comprising, in the stitch direction (M), a cuff (0), a leg (1), a heel (2), a foot portion (3) and a terminating toe portion (4). For said sock, the aim is to achieve an optimized fit and increased wearing comfort, especially for use during walking, jogging and running. This is achieved in that the leg (1), the heel (2), the foot portion (3) and the toe portion (4) are knitted from a monofilament or multifilament yarn comprising polyester, polyamide, elastane, polypropylene, cotton and / or merino wool, and the cuff (0') has at least one coated yarn (A), comprising a multifilament polyamide core or a multifilament polyester core as a core yarn (B), surrounded by a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) coating (C).

Description

[0001] SOCK WITH OPTIMIZED CUFFALL

[0002] Technical field

[0003] The present invention describes a sock as a tubular knitted fabric comprising, in the direction of the stitches, a cuff, a leg, a heel, a foot section and a final toe section, and the use of a coated yarn comprising a multifilament polyamide core or a multifilament polyester core as the core yarn, covered with a thermoplastic polyurethane coating, for knitting a cuff of a sock.

[0004] State of the art

[0005] A knitted sock consists of several successive sections that together form the finished piece in the form of a tubular knitted garment. All sections can be made from one or more yarn strands, comprising one or more fibers, usually synthetic materials.

[0006] The sock begins with the cuff (0), which is usually knitted with an elastic rib pattern, such as extra-long (lxl) or 2x2 rib, a sequence of knit and purl stitches. Rib patterns are the first choice for the cuff. Whether the fine extra-long rib or the slightly bolder 2x2 rib, both offer the now-common combination of elasticity, stability, and aesthetics. This cuff is designed to ensure that the sock fits snugly against the leg, stays in place above the ankle, and doesn't slip down. The leg (1) is then attached to the cuff. This part of the sock can be knitted long or short, depending on preference. The pattern for the leg is highly variable, ranging from simple stockinette stitch to intricate cable or lace patterns, and can also include padding and gussets.The row direction is indicated by the dashed lines, while the stitch direction runs from bund 0 towards shaft 1 and beyond.

[0007] Following the leg section (1) is the heel (2). The heel (2) is an important part of the sock, as it shapes the heel of the foot, allowing for a specific and variable tilt angle. There are various methods for knitting the heel (2), but the most common is the classic heel flap. A gusset (20) with different gusset sections, separated by a gusset line (g), is created. The gusset (20) is formed by picking up and binding off stitches.

[0008] After the heel (2), the foot section (3) is knitted in a tubular shape, extending over the instep to the toes. This foot section (3) is usually knitted in stockinette stitch in the round to ensure a comfortable fit. Patterns can be added here if desired, although this section is often kept simple.

[0009] Finally, toe section 4 is formed by gradually decreasing stitches. At the end of toe section 4, the knitting is gathered towards the toe and sewn closed with a seam, creating a comfortable fit. The stitches are either closed with the mattress stitch or bound off to achieve a smooth, seamless toe. These individual sections combine to form a classic knitted sock that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing.

[0010] P249164 / XTP-096 Sports socks, manufactured on circular knitting machines, are typically made from a blend of different yarns optimized for functionality, comfort, and durability. Synthetic materials such as polyester and nylon are commonly used. Polyester is particularly popular because it is durable, lightweight, and quick-drying. It wicks moisture away from the skin effectively, keeping feet dry. Nylon, in turn, is valued for its high abrasion resistance and elasticity. This increases the socks' durability and helps them retain their shape. Another important component is elastane, added in small amounts to ensure a stretchy fit. Elastane is a highly elastic synthetic fiber primarily composed of polyurethane. It gives fabrics exceptional elasticity and ensures a perfect fit.What's special about elastane is its ability to stretch significantly and then return to its original shape. A well-known brand name for elastane is Lycra®, formerly owned by DuPont. Elastane ensures that socks fit snugly and don't lose their shape or slip down while being worn.

[0011] Another material used in some sports socks is polypropylene. This material improves the socks' moisture-wicking properties and is also extremely lightweight. Brands like Nike and Bauerfeind often develop their socks with special technologies to optimize performance by combining the advantages of these different materials. Socks for runners might be designed with a greater focus on moisture management and cushioning, while socks for basketball or soccer offer additional support and protection. The targeted selection and combination of these materials helps ensure that sports socks meet the specific demands of different sports.

[0012] Premium sports socks also often use merino wool, which is naturally moisture-wicking, odor-resistant, and

[0013] P249164 / XTP-096 is thermoregulating. These properties make merino wool particularly attractive for socks worn during outdoor sports or winter sports.

[0014] Especially in sports, the forces exerted by rapidly changing foot positions are so high that conventional socks still tend to slip, as schematically shown in Figure 1b. The sock, or rather the foot section 3 (not shown), lies inside a shoe S and is usually fixed in place. Outside the shoe S, in the area of ​​the heel 2 and the shaft 1, the sock usually slips downwards along the skin's surface, as indicated by the dashed arrows in Figure 1b. This results in wrinkling and pressure points on the skin.

[0015] The comfort and overall fit are not ideally suited for running and jogging. At best, the sock fits well in the running shoe, even during prolonged, sweaty runs. The design of the garter straps is disadvantageous for athletic use. Optimally adjusting the cuff width for all sock sizes and different wearers is virtually impossible.

[0016] Description of the invention

[0017] The present invention aims to provide a sock with an optimized fit and increased wearing comfort, especially for use during running, jogging, and racing. The annoying slippage of the sock during exertion, familiar to runners, is significantly reduced. This can be achieved for various sock sizes.

[0018] P249164 / XTP-096 Brief description of the drawings

[0019] A preferred embodiment of the optimized cuff of a sock or of the entire sock is described in detail below in connection with the accompanying drawings.

[0020] Further features, details and advantages of the invention will also become apparent from the following description of slightly modified embodiments of the invention, which will be partly clear to the person skilled in the art from the drawings alone.

[0021] Figure aa shows a schematic 2d view of a sock in the direction of the stitches with cuff, leg, known heel with gusset, foot section and toe section according to the state of the art.

[0022] Figure 1b shows a schematic view of two lower legs of an athlete wearing sports shoes and a pair of socks, known from the prior art.

[0023] Figure 2a shows a schematic 2d view of a sock according to the invention in the direction of the stitches with a cuff according to the invention, which provides improved support on the lower leg of the athlete, with a detailed view of a cross-section through the yarn used.

[0024] Figure 2b shows a machine knitting pattern view of the sock with cuff, leg, heel and foot section projected in two dimensions.

[0025] P249164 / XTP-096 Figure 3 shows a machine knitting pattern view of the sock with cuff and leg, using three different yarns.

[0026] P249164 / XTP-096 Description

[0027] The sports sock according to the invention has, in addition to the known shaft 1, heel 2, foot section 3, and toe section 4, a modified cuff 0'. The sports sock is knitted as usual on a circular knitting machine along a cylinder with needles in the form of stitches from one yarn, the stitches running around the cylinder in the row direction K and the individual sections being knitted together in a stitch direction M.

[0028] The special feature here is the modified cuff 0' of the sock, whereby on the one hand a special coated yarn is used for knitting and on the other hand an optional rather unusual knitting pattern.

[0029] While the shaft 1, heel 2, foot section 3 and toe section are knitted with a monofilament or multifilament yarn comprising polyester, nylon, i.e. polyamide, elastane with mass fractions of 85% and more polyurethane, polypropylene, cotton or merino wool, at least one coated yarn A is chosen for the cuff 0'.

[0030] The coated yarn A has a multifilament polyamide core or a multifilament polyester core as core yarn B, which is encased with a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) coating C. Figure 2a shows a schematic cross-section of a typical TPU-coated yarn A, where the core yarn B is multifilament, comprising several filaments of polyamide and / or polyester.

[0031] The typical thickness of the core yarn B is between 40 and 70 detex, which, expressed in micrometers, corresponds to between 3 and 6 micrometers for these materials. As shown in detail in Figure 2a, the core yarn B can be composed of several filaments that are bonded or twisted together.

[0032] P249164 / XTP-096 The TPU coating C made of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) greatly reduces the risk of the sock slipping down, regardless of the knitting pattern used for the cuff 0'.

[0033] The TPU coating C is selected with a thickness of 210 to 360 dtex, i.e. in the range of 20 to 40 micrometers, and is arranged to envelop the core yarn B.

[0034] The total thickness of the TPU-coated yarn A is between 250 and 400 dtex, with the preferred TPU-coated yarn A having a thickness of 330 dtex.

[0035] The shaft 1, the heel 2, the foot section 3 and the toe section 4 are usually knitted from two different synthetic fibers, from elastane with different polyurethane mass fractions greater than 85%.

[0036] Figure 2b shows a 2D projection of the knitting cylinder of the circular knitting machine. In chronological order, the cuff (0'), then the leg (1), then the heel (2), and finally the foot section (3) are knitted in the stitch direction M, forming the essentially tubular, closed knitted piece. The row direction K runs partially clockwise or counterclockwise along the circle or cylinder of the knitting needles, depending on the cylinder's direction of rotation. The knitting process combines both efficiency and precision, and almost all commercially available yarns can be used.

[0037] Only the waistband 0' is knitted with the TPU-coated yarn, while other simpler synthetic fibers and / or natural fibers can be used for the other sections.

[0038] For the rib 0' with at least one part TPU-coated yarn, well-known rib knitting patterns are suitable.

[0039] P249164 / XTP-096 After the cuff 0' is knitted, the leg 1 follows seamlessly, which is knitted from uncoated yarn.

[0040] Once the cuff (0') is knitted, it is folded over in the circular knitting machine, with the cuff being folded from the outside in and then knitted on inside the machine. This folding and sewing process usually takes place during or before the completion of the knitting of the leg (1), heel (2), foot (3), and toe (4) within the knitting cylinder of the circular knitting machine.

[0041] In trials, a composition of three yarns, TPU-coated yarn A, and two different elastane yarns or Lycra, led to good results for waistband 0'.

[0042] Crucially, a TPU-coated core yarn B is used for the knitting process, whereby a second, uncoated yarn Z can also be knitted in during the knitting of the cuff 0'. This is shown schematically in Figure 3. This allows for savings in TPU-coated yarn A, while still increasing the sock's comfort.

[0043] Ribbed patterns are the usual pattern for the cuff. Their elasticity ensures a perfect fit on the foot, and the use of the TPU-coated yarn presented here virtually eliminates the sock from slipping.

[0044] This can be achieved with the 1XL rib pattern, which is created by alternating knit and purl stitches. The regular sequence of knit and purl stitches forms the characteristic ribs that give the pattern its name.

[0045] P249164 / XTP-096. The XL rib pattern is very stretchy and is ideal for all types of socks.

[0046] The 2x2 rib pattern also achieves good results in combination with the TPU-coated yarn. Here, not only individual stitches, but groups of two stitches are knitted alternately knit and purl. This creates a slightly thicker and more stable rib pattern, which is particularly suitable for thicker socks or for people with sensitive skin.

[0047] Since the TPU-coated yarn described here already achieves good adhesion of the yarn to the leg of the sock wearer, a simple knitting pattern, for example a jersey pattern with the special yarn for the cuff 0', can also be used.

[0048] The jersey knit pattern, also known as stockinette stitch or reverse stockinette stitch, is not typically used for cuffs. In jersey knit, all stitches in a row are either worked exclusively as knit stitches or exclusively as purl stitches. This creates a smooth, even surface. The reverse side of a piece worked in stockinette stitch looks like a piece worked in reverse stockinette stitch, and vice versa. The simplicity and stretchiness of jersey knit are particularly advantageous for this purpose.

[0049] Jersey knit fabric can also serve as a base for more elaborate knitting patterns. Cables, intarsia, and other ornaments are often worked on jersey knit fabric.

[0050] One preferred knitting pattern uses the TPU-coated yarn A and an additional elastane yarn on all needles and an XL rib pattern with another elastane yarn.

[0051] P249164 / XTP-096 Reference List

[0052] 0, 0' Bund

[0053] A TPU-coated yarn

[0054] (250 to 400 dtex, preferably 330 dtex)

[0055] B core yarn (polyamide / polyester, multifilament,

[0056] 40 to 70 dtex, approximately 3 to 6 micrometers)

[0057] C TPU coating

[0058] (210 to 360 dtex, approximately 20 to 40 micrometers)

[0059] Z second yarn (uncoated)

[0060] 1 shaft

[0061] 2 Heel

[0062] 20 gussets g gusset line (goreline)

[0063] 3 foot section

[0064] 4 toe section

[0065] 5 shoes

[0066] M Mesh direction (wale direction)

[0067] K Course direction

[0068] 200 dtex: approx. 20-30 microns

[0069] 400 dtex: approx. 30-45 microns

[0070] P249164 / XTP-096

Claims

Patent claims 1. Sock as a tubular knitted garment, comprising in the direction of the stitches (M) a cuff (0), a leg (1), a heel (2), a foot section (3) and a concluding toe section (4), characterized in that the leg (1), the heel (2), the foot section (3) and the toe section (4) are knitted from a monofilament or multifilament yarn comprising polyester, polyamide, elastane, polypropylene, cotton and / or merino wool, and the cuff (O') comprises at least one coated yarn (A) comprising a multifilament polyamide core or a multifilament polyester core as the core yarn (B), encased with a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) coating (C).

2. Sock according to claim 1, wherein the multifilament core yarn (B) is selected with 40 to 70 detex, which for this material means a thickness of between 3 and 6 micrometers.

3. Sock according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the TPU coating (C) is selected to be between 210 and 360 dtex, so that the thickness is between 20 and 40 micrometers and uniformly encases the multifilament core yarn (B).

4. Sock according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the multifilament core yarn (B) comprises polyamide or polyester twisted threads.

5. Sock according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the total thickness of the TPU-coated yarn (A) is between 250 and 400 dtex, preferably 330 dtex. P249164 / XTP-096 6. Sock according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in the cuff (O') TPU-coated yarn (A) with multifilament polyamide core or multifilament polyester core as core yarn (B) and two elastane yarns with different mass fractions of polyurethane are knitted together.

7. Sock according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the cuff (O') is knitted with a 1X1 rib pattern or 2x2 rib pattern or jersey pattern.

8. Sock according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the shaft (1), the heel (2), the foot section (3) and the toe section (4) are knitted from two different synthetic fibers of elastane with different polyurethane mass fractions greater than 85%.

9. Use of a coated yarn (A) comprising a multifilament polyamide core or a multifilament polyester core as the core yarn (B) covered with a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) coating (C) for knitting a cuff (O') of a sock.

10. Use according to claim 9, wherein the total thickness of the TPU-coated yarn (A) is between 250 and 400 dtex, preferably 330 dtex.

11. Use according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the core yarn (B) is selected to be between 40 and 70 dtex and the TPU coating (C) is selected to be between 210 and 360 dtex and encases the core yarn (B). P249164 / XTP-096

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