Knit components with differing visual effects and a method of making same
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional textiles lack visual effect variation when viewed from different angles, and existing knit components with color-shifting properties often experience color leaching during wash and wear due to yarn interactions.
Innovation Solution
A knit component featuring tubular rib knit structures made from cationic-dyeable polyethylene terephthalate (CD-PET) yarn, polyamide yarn, and dope-dyed PET yarn, where the dope-dyed PET yarn separates yarn-dyed CD-PET and polyamide yarns to prevent color leaching, and an acidic dye with metallized content is applied to create discharge effects for color-shifting properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If yarn-dyed CD-PET and polyamide yarns are used together in tubular rib knit structures, then color-shifting visual effects are achieved, but color leaching occurs during wash and wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dope-dyed PET yarn as an intermediary barrier between yarn-dyed CD-PET and polyamide yarns. This intermediary layer prevents direct interaction between the two yarn-dyed materials, thereby blocking the color leaching pathway while allowing both color-shifting yarns to maintain their visual effects. The dope-dyed yarn acts as a protective buffer that preserves color integrity without compromising the aesthetic function.
Solution Approach 2:
The tubular rib knit structure is segmented into distinct zones with different yarn types. Yarn-dyed CD-PET yarns are separated from yarn-dyed polyamide yarns by inserting dope-dyed PET yarn sections between them. This segmentation strategy isolates the problematic interacting materials while maintaining the overall color-shifting functionality of the garment.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional textiles are used, then manufacturing is simple, but visual appearance is uniform from all viewing angles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by incorporating yarns with different optical properties into specific regions of the knit structure. Yarn-dyed CD-PET and polyamide yarns are strategically placed in tubular rib sections where they create angle-dependent visual effects, while dope-dyed PET yarns are used in intervening sections. This localized application of specialized materials achieves visual versatility without complicating the overall manufacturing process.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The knit component maintains color integrity and exhibits distinct visual effects at different angles, providing a competitive edge through dynamic color changes while resisting color leaching during wash and wear.
Implementation Method 1
the dope-dyed PET yarn separates yarn-dyed CD-PET and polyamide yarns to prevent color leaching
Implementation Method 2
an acidic dye with metallized content is applied to create discharge effects for color-shifting properties
Implementation Method 3
exhibits distinct visual effects at different angles, providing a competitive edge through dynamic color changes
Data Source
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AI summary
Aspects herein provide for a knit component (100) having a tubular rib knit structure (110) that extends away from a base portion (112) of the knit component (100). The tubular rib knit structure (110) includes at least a first portion (212) extending along a longitudinal side of the tubular rib knit structure (110), where the first portion (212) exhibits a first visual effect (310) at a first area (114) of the knit component (110) and exhibits a second visual effect (218) at a second area (116) of the knit component (110).