Integrally Knit Lower-Body Garment Linking Courses
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lower-body garments made from knit textiles often suffer from multiple seam lines, structural weaknesses, and discomfort due to chafing, as well as a lack of three-dimensional shaping that results in an inadequate fit and aerodynamic profile.
Innovation Solution
The development of an integrally knit lower-body garment using a knit blank with strategically placed linking courses to reduce tension and enhance shaping, allowing for a seamless construction that minimizes grinning and improves fit and comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional cut-and-sew construction is used to make lower-body garments, then the garment can be manufactured using traditional methods, but multiple seam lines are introduced that create structural weaknesses and cause wearer discomfort due to chafing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate garment pieces into a single integrally knit construction, eliminating the need for cut-and-sew assembly. The entire lower-body garment including torso, sleeves, and legs is knitted as one continuous piece, removing seam lines that cause structural weaknesses and chafing while maintaining manufacturing efficiency through direct-to-garment knitting processes
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional pattern pieces are used for knit lower-body garments, then the garment can be manufactured using standard patterns, but three-dimensional shaping is lacking resulting in inadequate fit and aerodynamic profile
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by varying the knit structure, stitch types, and yarn properties in different regions of the garment to create three-dimensional shaping. Specific areas such as bust, waist, hips, and sleeves have modified knit patterns that contour to body shapes, while maintaining standardized manufacturing through programmable knitting machine instructions that incorporate these regional variations
Data Source
AI summary
Examples herein are directed to a knit lower-body garment, methods of manufacturing and/or forming the knit lower-body garment using a flat knitting process, and knit blanks used to form the knit lower-body garment. In examples, the knit lower-body garment is formed from a one-piece knit textile blank that includes partial-length knit courses in select locations and a crotch gusset to provide three-dimensional shaping to the resulting knit lower-body garment. Linking courses are used to reduce tension and reduce grinning issues between portions of the lower-body-garment that are integrally knit together. The use of different (e.g., denser) knit structures in selective regions of the knit lower-body garment is also disclosed. A knitting technique and pattern for simulating the visual effect of a conventional ottoman stitch pattern but in a different orientation is also disclosed.