Knitted Semi-Finished Product Anti-Capillary Ring for Footwear
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing knitted semi-finished products for footwear and gloves often fail to provide adequate waterproofing, as the hydrophilic characteristics of the yarns cause water to wick up and potentially penetrate through impermeable membranes, compromising comfort and dryness.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a ring-shaped portion with lower hydrophilic characteristics, positioned around the ankle or wrist, to act as an anti-rise band that slows down or stops capillary water rise, combined with an impermeable membrane to prevent liquid penetration, while maintaining comfort and wearability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If hydrophilic yarns are used in the outer knitted portion for comfort and moisture absorption, then comfort and moisture management are improved, but water rises through capillary action and penetrates the impermeable membrane, compromising waterproofing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a ring-shaped portion with distinct hydrophobic properties at a specific location (the ankle or wrist area) within the otherwise hydrophilic knitted fabric. This localized hydrophobic barrier prevents capillary water rise while maintaining comfort in other areas, resolving the contradiction between overall comfort and localized waterproofing reliability
2Reliability
If an impermeable membrane is added to prevent water penetration, then waterproofing is improved, but the hydrophilic outer portion still allows water to rise and reach the membrane, potentially compromising its effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the protective function into two distinct components: the hydrophilic outer knitted portion for comfort and moisture management, and the hydrophobic ring-shaped portion for water barrier function. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specialized function effectively, improving overall waterproofing reliability without requiring a complex multi-layer membrane structure
3Reliability
If a ring-shaped hydrophobic portion is added to stop capillary water rise, then waterproofing reliability is improved, but the manufacturing process and structure become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the hydrophobic water barrier function directly into the knitted fabric structure itself through the ring-shaped portion, rather than adding it as a separate external component. This integration achieves effective waterproofing while minimizing structural complexity, as the hydrophobic rings become an inherent part of the garment's construction
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 solution effectively prevents water from rising and penetrating through the membrane, ensuring dryness and comfort, while being cost-effective and easily integrated into the manufacturing process.
Implementation Method 1
the hydrophilic characteristic (intended as capacity to absorb water in liquid form) of the yarn or of the yarns, with which the semi-finished knitted products are made, can cause a rise of the water from the bottom to the top of the stocking
Implementation Method 2
an inner waterproofing portion configured to prevent the passage of liquids from the outside to the inside of the semi-finished product
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A knitted semi-finished product for manufacturing stockings, footwear and gloves, comprises: a main waterproofed portion (5) configured to contain a user's foot or hand. The main waterproofed portion (5) comprises an outer knitted portion (3) and an inner waterproofing portion (4) configured to prevent the passage of liquids from the outside to the inside of the semi-finished product (1). An auxiliary knitted portion (6) is connected to the outer portion (5) and delimits an opening configured to receive the user's foot or hand. A ring-shaped portion (7) belonging to the auxiliary knitted portion (6) and directly connected to the outer knitted portion (3) has a lower hydrophilic characteristic than a hydrophilic characteristic of the outer knitted portion (3), so as to stop or at least slow down the capillarity rise of the water absorbed by the outer knitted portion.