Conventional articles of athletic footwear include two primary elements, an upper and a sole structure. The upper provides a covering for the foot that securely receives and positions the foot with respect to the sole structure. In addition, the upper may have a configuration that protects the foot and provides ventilation, thereby cooling the foot and removing perspiration. The sole structure is secured to a lower surface of the upper and is generally positioned between the foot and the ground. In addition to attenuating ground reaction forces, the sole structure may provide traction and control foot motions, such as pronation. Accordingly, the upper and the sole structure operate cooperatively to provide a comfortable structure that is suited for a wide variety of ambulatory activities, such as walking and running The general features and configuration of the conventional upper are discussed in greater detail below.
The upper forms a void on the interior of the footwear for receiving the foot. The void has the general shape of the foot, and access to the void is provided by an ankle opening. Accordingly, the upper extends over the instep and toe areas of the foot, along the medial and lateral sides of the foot, and around the heel area of the foot. A lacing system is often incorporated into the upper to selectively increase the size of the ankle opening and permit the wearer to modify certain dimensions of the upper to accommodate feet with varying proportions. In addition, the upper may include a tongue that extends under the lacing system and a heel counter to limit movement of the heel.
The materials forming the upper may be selected based upon the properties of wear-resistance, flexibility, stretchability, and air-permeability, for example. With regard to the exterior layer, the toe area and the heel area may be formed of leather, synthetic leather, or a rubber material to impart a relatively high degree of wear-resistance. Leather, synthetic leather, and rubber materials, however, may not exhibit the desired degree of flexibility and air-permeability. Accordingly, various other areas of the exterior layer of the upper may be formed from a synthetic or natural textile material. The exterior layer of the upper may be formed, therefore, from numerous material elements that each impart different properties to specific portions of the upper.
The intermediate layer of the upper may be formed from a lightweight polymer foam material that provides cushioning. Similarly, the interior layer of the upper may be formed of a moisture-wicking textile that removes perspiration from the area immediately surrounding the foot. In some articles of athletic footwear, the various layers may be joined with an adhesive, and stitching may be utilized to join elements within a single layer or to reinforce specific areas of the upper.
Although the materials selected for the upper vary significantly, textile materials often form at least a portion of the exterior layer and interior layer. A textile may be defined as a structure manufactured from fibers, filaments, or yarns characterized by flexibility, fineness, and a high ratio of length to thickness. Textiles generally fall into two categories. The first category includes textiles produced directly from webs of filaments or fibers by randomly interlocking to construct non-woven fabrics and felts. The second category includes textiles formed through a mechanical manipulation of yarn (e.g., by interlacing or interlooping), thereby producing a woven fabric or a knit fabric, for example.
Yarn is the raw material utilized to form textiles in the second category. In general, yarn is defined as an assembly having a substantial length and relatively small cross-section that is formed of at least one filament or a plurality of fibers. Fibers have a relatively short length and require spinning or twisting processes to produce a yarn of suitable length for use in textiles. Common examples of fibers are cotton and wool. Filaments, however, have an indefinite length and may merely be combined with other filaments to produce a yarn suitable for use in textiles. Modern filaments include a plurality of synthetic materials such as rayon, nylon, polyester, and polyacrylic, with silk being the primary, naturally-occurring exception. Yarn may be formed of a single filament, which is conventionally referred to as a “monofilament yarn,” or a plurality of individual filaments grouped together. Yarn may also include separate filaments formed of different materials, or the yarn may include filaments that are each formed of two or more different materials. Similar concepts also apply to yarns formed from fibers. Accordingly, yarns may have a variety of configurations that generally conform to the definition provided above.
The various techniques for mechanically manipulating yarn into a textile include interweaving, intertwining and twisting, and interlooping. Interweaving is the intersection of two yarns that cross and interweave at right angles to each other. The yarns utilized in interweaving are conventionally referred to as “warp” and “weft.” Intertwining and twisting encompasses procedures such as braiding and knotting where yarns intertwine with each other to form a textile. Interlooping involves the formation of a plurality of columns of intermeshed loops, with knitting being the most common method of interlooping.
The textiles utilized in footwear uppers generally provide a lightweight, air-permeable structure that is flexible and comfortably receives the foot. In order to impart other properties to the footwear, including durability and stretch-resistance, additional materials are commonly combined with the textile, including leather, synthetic leather, or rubber, for example. With regard to durability, U.S. Pat. No. 4,447,967 to Zaino discloses an upper formed of a textile material that has a polymer material injected into specific zones to reinforce the zones against abrasion or other forms of wear. Regarding stretch resistance, U.S. Pat. No. 4,813,158 to Brown and U.S. Pat. No. 4,756,098 to Boggia both disclose a substantially inextensible material that is secured to the upper, thereby limiting the degree of stretch in specific portions of the upper. U.S. Patent Publication No. 2006-0048413 describes, inter alia, a rubber/foam web sandwiched between two textile structures to provide support, and this structure also allows for regional breathability, stretchability, and durability.
One example structure according to this invention relates to an article of footwear having an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The upper includes a knitted element formed from at least one mechanically manipulated yarn. The knitted element of this example structure has an area with a first layer and a coextensive second layer. The first layer is formed as a unitary construction with the second layer, and the second layer is joined to the first layer at opposite sides of the second layer.
Another example aspect of the invention relates to a method of manufacturing an article of footwear. The method includes steps of flat knitting a textile element and incorporating the textile element into the article of footwear. The step of flat knitting may include forming an area of the textile element with a first layer and a coextensive second layer. The two layers may be utilized to form a channel, for example. In some configurations, the step of flat knitting may include forming a first area and a second area, with one or both of a stitch type and a yarn type of the first area being different than a stitch type and a yarn type of the second area.
Yet another example structure according to this invention relates to an article of footwear having a knitted element that includes a foot-receiving portion and one or more straps formed of unitary construction with the foot-receiving portion. The foot-receiving portion defines a void for receiving the foot, and the strap or straps extend outward from one or more sides of the foot-receiving portion.
The advantages and features of novelty characterizing various aspects of the invention are pointed out with particularity in the appended claims. To gain an improved understanding of the advantages and features of novelty, however, reference may be made to the following descriptive matter and accompanying drawings that describe and illustrate various embodiments and concepts related to the aspects of the invention.
The following discussion and accompanying figures disclose various uppers for articles of footwear, the uppers (or at least portions thereof) being at least partially formed from a material produced through a flat knitting process. The uppers are disclosed in combination with footwear suitable for activities that include running and yoga. Concepts associated with the footwear and the uppers are not limited solely to footwear designed for running and yoga, but they may be applied to a wide range of athletic footwear styles, including baseball shoes, basketball shoes, cross-training shoes, cycling shoes, football shoes, tennis shoes, soccer shoes, walking shoes, and hiking boots, for example. The concepts also may be applied to footwear styles that are generally considered to be non-athletic, including dress shoes, loafers, sandals, and work boots. The concepts disclosed herein apply, therefore, to a wide variety of footwear styles. Also, aspects of this invention may be used in conjunction with other portions of a footwear structure, such as a layer within an upper member structure, an interior lining for a footwear product (such as a sock liner), a bootie member (optionally for inclusion in a footwear structure), etc.
Flat knitting, when used in example structures according to this invention, can provide various advantages. For example, flat knitting can be used to provide textile structures for use in footwear uppers of a final desired shape such that textile cutting steps can be avoided (which eliminates waste, avoids the need to finish cut edges, saves time, saves money, etc.). Flat knitted elements also can be formed directly in desired three dimensional shapes, which can help avoid the need to use additional support structures in the overall footwear construction (which also saves time, money, etc.; produces a lighter and/or more flexible product; may eliminate seams and at least some sewing, etc.; etc.). By selectively placing multiple different yarns and/or stitch patterns at multiple different locations in the overall structure during the knitting process, flat knitted products may have multiple different physical properties (e.g., different stretchability, different moisture management capabilities, etc.) at multiple different locations or zones within a single, unitary construction (e.g., different properties at different zones or locations within a single footwear structure). Additionally, flat knitting can be used to produce pockets, tunnels, or other layered structures in the final product. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of structures and methods in accordance with examples of this invention will be described in more detail below in conjunction with the various example structures illustrated in
General Footwear Structure
An article of footwear 10 is depicted in
Sole structure 20 is secured to upper 30 and extends between the foot and the ground when footwear 10 is worn. In addition to providing traction, sole structure 20 may attenuate ground reaction forces when compressed between the foot and the ground during walking, running, or other ambulatory activities. As depicted in the figures, one suitable configuration for sole structure 20 includes a midsole 21, an outsole 22, and an insole 23. Midsole 21 is secured to a lower surface of upper 30 and is primarily formed from a polymer foam element (e.g., a polyurethane or ethylvinylacetate foam, phylon, phylite, etc.) that imparts the ground reaction force attenuation properties to sole structure 20. Midsole 21 may incorporate a fluid-filled bladder that supplements the ground reaction force attenuation properties. Outsole 22 is secured to a lower surface of midsole 21 and may be formed from textured rubber or other materials that impart a relatively high degree of wear resistance and/or traction properties. Insole 23 is located within upper 30 and is positioned to extend under a lower surface of the foot. Although this configuration for sole structure 20 provides a suitable example for a sole structure that may be used in connection with upper 30, a variety of other conventional or nonconventional configurations for sole structure 20 may also be utilized without departing from this invention.
Upper 30 defines a void within footwear 10 for receiving and securing the foot relative to sole structure 20. More particularly, the void is shaped to accommodate a foot and extends along the lateral side of the foot, along the medial side of the foot, over the foot, and under the foot. Access to the void is provided by an ankle opening 31 located in at least heel region 13. A lace 32 extends through various lace elements 33 and permits the wearer to modify dimensions of upper 30, thereby accommodating feet with varying proportions. Lace 32 also permits the wearer to loosen upper 30 and facilitate removal of the foot from the void. Lace elements 33 in this example footwear structure 10 are formed from a flexible material, and each has a pair of loops 35 formed on opposite ends of a central section 36, with loops 35 having a configuration that receives lace 32. In addition, upper 30 includes a heel counter 34 that extends around heel region 13 and limits movement of the heel. A wide variety of other lace engaging elements and/or other footwear securing systems may be provided, if desired.
Textile Elements
The void in this example footwear structure 10 is primarily defined by a lateral textile element 40, a medial textile element 50, and a central textile element 60. Lateral textile element 40 forms portions of upper 30 corresponding with lateral side 14. Medial textile element 50 forms portions of upper 30 corresponding with medial side 15. In addition, central textile element 60 forms portions of upper 30 extending under the foot, over forward portions of the foot, and around the heel of the foot. Textile elements 40, 50, and 60 extend around the foot and are the primary elements of footwear 10 that make contact with the foot or a sock worn over the foot. In general, and as described in greater detail below, upper 30 is substantially assembled by joining edges of textile elements 40, 50, and 60 to impart a general shape of the void. In addition, assembling upper 30 in this example structure 10 involves incorporating lace 32, lace elements 33, and heel counter 34 into footwear 10.
Textile elements 40, 50, and 60 are depicted as forming portions of both an exterior surface and an opposite interior surface of footwear 10. In further configurations, textile elements 40, 50, and 60 may form only the exterior surface or only the interior surface (e.g., as an interior liner or bootie for the footwear structure). Textile elements 40, 50, and 60 may also be located between other footwear elements so as to form non-visible or non-exposed portions of footwear 10. In addition, textile elements 40, 50, and 60 are depicted as extending through each of regions 11-13, but they may be limited to a smaller portion of footwear 10.
Lateral textile element 40 is depicted individually in
Medial textile element 50 is depicted individually in
Central textile element 60 is depicted individually in
Flat Knitting and Yarn
Each of textile elements 40, 50, and 60 may be formed through a flat knitting process. In general, flat knitting is a method for producing knitted material in which the material is turned periodically (i.e., the material is knitted from alternating sides). The two sides (otherwise referred to as “faces”) of the material are conventionally designated as the “right side” (i.e., the side that faces outwards, towards the viewer) and the “wrong side” (i.e., the side that faces inwards, away from the viewer). Flat knitting may be contrasted with circular knitting, in which the fabric is always knitted from the same side. Various circular knitting techniques are known, for example, narrow tube circular knitting and wide tube circular knitting. More specific examples of circular knitting techniques are described in U.S. Published Patent Publication No. 2005/0193592, which publication is entirely incorporated herein by reference. In contrast with circular knitting, flat knitting may be more complicated because the same stitch (as seen from the right side) is produced by two different movements when knitted from the right and wrong sides. Accordingly, a knit stitch (as seen from the right side) may be produced by a knit stitch on the right side or by a purl stitch on the wrong side. In flat knitting, the fabric is usually turned after every row. Although flat knitting provides a suitable manner for forming textile elements 40, 50, and 60, other types of knitting may also be utilized, including wide tube circular knitting, narrow tube circular knit jacquard, single knit circular knit jacquard, double knit circular knit jacquard, and warp knit jacquard, for example.
An advantage of flat knitting over various other types of knitting is that the flat knitting process may be utilized to form generally three-dimensional structures or structures wherein layers of material overlap each other (i.e., are at least partially coextensive) to form loops or other overlapping configurations, as with channels 44 and 54. More particularly, the flat knitting process may make structures wherein layers are joined to each other such that opposite sides of one layer are formed of unitary construction with the other layer, as with channels 44 and 54. In addition, flat knitting may be utilized to form areas with different types of stitches and areas with different types of yarns. For example, forward portion 61 of central element 60 is depicted as having a ribbed configuration that stretches to a different degree than the non-ribbed configurations of center portion 62 and rearward portion 63. Moreover, textile elements 40 and 50 may be formed from a less stretchable type of stitch than forward portion 61, and the yarn selected for textile elements 40 and 50 may be more wear-resistant than the yarn selected for forward portion 61. As another example, the knit/yarn combination utilized for rearward portion 63 may be selected to impart stretch and recovery to ankle opening 31. Accordingly, the flat knitting process may be utilized to form a generally three-dimensional or overlapping structure having areas with different properties that are produced from combinations of different types of stitches and different types of yarns.
The flat knitting process may also be utilized to form elements with defined shapes that do not need to be cut from a larger textile element. For example, each of textile elements 40, 50, and 60 may be knitted to have the respective shapes depicted in
The yarn forming textile elements 40, 50, and 60 may include cotton and wool fibers, natural filaments such as silk, and synthetic filaments that include rayon, nylon, polyester, and acrylic. Other materials also may be used without departing from this invention. The yarn may be a monofilament yarn or a plurality of individual filaments. The yarn may also be formed of separate filaments formed of different materials, or the yarn may be formed of filaments that are each formed of two or more different materials. Similar concepts also apply to yarns formed from fibers. In order to provide the stretch and recovery properties to upper 30, and particularly textile elements 40, 50, and 60, a yarn that incorporates an elastane fiber may be utilized. Elastane fibers are available from E. I. duPont de Nemours Company under the LYCRA® trademark. Such fibers may have the configuration of covered LYCRA®, wherein the fiber includes a LYCRA® core that is surrounded by a nylon sheath. One suitable yarn, for example, includes a 70 denier elastane core that is covered with nylon having a 2 ply, 80 denier, 92 filament structure. Other fibers or filaments exhibiting elastic properties may also be utilized.
The characteristics of the yarn selected for textile elements 40, 50, and 60 depend primarily upon the materials that form the various filaments and fibers. Cotton, for example, provides a soft hand, natural aesthetics, and biodegradability. Elastane fibers, as discussed above, provide substantial stretch and recoverability. Rayon provides drape and moisture absorption. Wool also provides high moisture absorption, in addition to insulating properties. Polytetrafluoroethylene coatings may provide a low friction contact between the textile and the skin. Nylon is a durable and abrasion-resistant material with high strength, and polyester is a hydrophobic material that dries quickly and also provides relatively high durability. The flat filaments of nylon/polyester may provide luster whereas textured filaments may provide bulk and a matte luster. Accordingly, the materials comprising the yarn may be selected to impart a variety of physical properties to textile elements 40, 50, and 60, and the physical properties may include, for example, strength, stretch, support, stiffness, recovery, fit, and form.
Assembly Process
A suitable assembly process for footwear 10 is generally depicted in
Once lower portions of textile elements 40 and 50 are joined to center portion 62, textile elements 40 and 50 are joined to rearward portion 63, as depicted in
At this point in the assembly process, textile elements 40, 50, and 60 are joined to each other to form an interior void shaped to receive the foot. The various other elements of footwear 10 may now be added. With reference to
Additional Configurations
Footwear 10 provides an example of a suitable configuration of an article of footwear having an upper at least partially formed from a flat knit material structure. With reference to
Yet another configuration for lateral textile element 40 is depicted in
As another example of a three-dimensional structure formed through a flat knitting process, an upper 70 is depicted in
Whereas side portions 72 are relatively flat in configuration, central portion 71 has a domed shape formed through the flat knitting process. That is, the flat knitting process forms central portion 71 to have a three-dimensional structure that is shaped to extend over the foot. In comparison with side portions 72, which have a non-ribbed type of knit, central portion 71 may be ribbed. In addition to different knit types, different areas may also incorporate different yarns to further vary the properties of upper 70. In addition to providing a three-dimensional structure, therefore, the flat knitting process may be utilized to impart different knit types and yarns to different areas of upper 70, thereby varying the properties of upper 70 in the different areas.
Another article of footwear 10′ is depicted in
Upper 30′ includes a foot-receiving portion 31′ and a pair of straps 32′ that extend outward from sides of foot-receiving portion 31′. Foot-receiving portion 31′ has the general configuration of a sock that is formed of unitary (i.e., one piece) construction by the flat knitting process. Foot-receiving portion 31′ is, therefore, a textile element shaped to extend around the foot, and foot-receiving portion 31′ has an opening 33′ for inserting and removing the foot from upper 30′. Straps 32′ are each formed of unitary (i.e., one piece) construction with foot-receiving portion 31′ and are joined with foot-receiving portion 31′ proximal opening 33′. As with foot-receiving portion 31′, straps 32′ are formed through the flat knitting process. Each of straps 32′ in this example structure are tapered from the area where straps 32′ are joined with foot-receiving portion 31′ to an end portion of straps 32′. That is, the end portions of straps 32′ have a lesser width than the portions of straps 32′ that are adjacent opening 33′. Straps 32′ may each be formed from a single layer of textile material, or each of straps 32′ may have a tubular configuration that is effectively formed from two layers of the textile material.
Straps 32′ are utilized to secure footwear 10′ to the foot. As such, straps 32′ may have a length that ranges, for example, between three inches and twenty-four inches, depending upon the size and intended use of footwear 10′. As depicted, however, straps 32′ are approximately six inches in length. Each of straps 32′ has an end portion and a fastener 34′ that is located at the end portion. Fastener 34′ is depicted as corresponding portions of a hook-and-loop fastener, such as VELCRO®, but they may also be snaps, buttons, or other desired fasteners. With reference to
Whereas upper 30 is formed from three separate textile elements 40, 50, and 60 that are joined through stitching, upper 30′ is formed from a single textile element formed of unitary construction. In contrast with upper 30, therefore, upper 30′ is free from seams that may contact the foot during use. That is, foot-receiving portion 31′ of this example structure 10′ is formed to extend around the foot and does not include seams adjacent the foot. Furthermore, the seamless union of sole structure 20′ and upper 30′ in this example structure 10′ further reduces seams adjacent the foot. Accordingly, the flat knitting process may be utilized to form a seamless footwear component that extends around the foot.
Straps 232 may be formed as a unitary, one piece construction with the upper member 130, e.g., during a flat knitting process, like the processes described above in conjunction with
While the footwear structures 10′, 100, and 200 shown in
As described above, a flat knitting process may be utilized to form a variety of uppers or other structures for inclusion in footwear products. An advantage of flat knitting is that generally three-dimensional structures may be formed. In addition, structures wherein layers of material overlap each other to form loops or other overlapping configurations may be formed. The flat knitting process may also be utilized to form areas with different properties, e.g., by using combinations of different types of stitches and/or different types of yarns. Accordingly, flat knitting may be utilized to shape an upper and also provide different properties to different areas of the upper.
The invention is disclosed above and in the accompanying drawings with reference to a variety of embodiments. The purpose served by the disclosure, however, is to provide an example of the various features and concepts related to aspects of the invention, not to limit the scope of aspects of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that numerous variations and modifications may be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the scope of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.
The present patent application is a continuation of U.S. Pat. No. 8,215,132, issued Jul. 10, 2012, entitled Article of Footwear Having a Flat Knit Upper Construction or Other Upper Construction which is a divisional of U.S. Pat. No. 7,774,956, issued May 15, 2008, entitled “Article of Footwear Having a Flat Knit Upper Construction or Other Upper Construction” and naming Bhupesh Dua, et al. as inventors. These applications are incorporated entirely herein by reference.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
2147197 | Glidden | Feb 1939 | A |
2314098 | McDonald | Mar 1943 | A |
2330499 | Basch | Sep 1943 | A |
2376399 | Yandell | Oct 1943 | A |
2343390 | Ushakoff | Mar 1944 | A |
2440393 | Clark | Apr 1948 | A |
2569764 | Jonas | Oct 1951 | A |
2608078 | Anderson | Aug 1952 | A |
2641004 | Whiting et al. | Jun 1953 | A |
2904980 | Stinson | Sep 1959 | A |
3402323 | Longstreth | Sep 1968 | A |
3583081 | Hayashi | Jun 1971 | A |
3603006 | Davenport et al. | Sep 1971 | A |
4447967 | Zaino | May 1984 | A |
4646727 | Chambers | Mar 1987 | A |
4750339 | Simpson et al. | Jun 1988 | A |
4756098 | Boggia | Jul 1988 | A |
4785558 | Shiomura | Nov 1988 | A |
4813158 | Brown | Mar 1989 | A |
4878504 | Nelson | Nov 1989 | A |
4998722 | Scott | Mar 1991 | A |
5067260 | Jenkins, Jr. | Nov 1991 | A |
5257969 | Mance | Nov 1993 | A |
D346686 | Hatfield | May 1994 | S |
5345638 | Nishida | Sep 1994 | A |
5377430 | Hatfield et al. | Jan 1995 | A |
6333105 | Tanaka et al. | Dec 2001 | B1 |
6754983 | Hatfield et al. | Jun 2004 | B2 |
6931762 | Dua | Aug 2005 | B1 |
7016867 | Lyden | Mar 2006 | B2 |
7107235 | Lyden | Sep 2006 | B2 |
7774956 | Dua et al. | Aug 2010 | B2 |
20020148258 | Cole et al. | Oct 2002 | A1 |
20040181972 | Csorba | Sep 2004 | A1 |
20050115284 | Dua | Jun 2005 | A1 |
20050193592 | Dua et al. | Sep 2005 | A1 |
20050284000 | Kerns | Dec 2005 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
1084173 | Jun 1960 | DE |
19738433 | Apr 1998 | DE |
19728848 | Jan 1999 | DE |
0448714 | Oct 1991 | EP |
0728860 | Aug 1996 | EP |
0758693 | Feb 1997 | EP |
1233091 | Aug 2002 | EP |
2171172 | Sep 1973 | FR |
538865 | Aug 1941 | GB |
1603487 | Nov 1981 | GB |
H06113905 | Apr 1994 | JP |
H08109553 | Apr 1996 | JP |
H11302943 | Nov 1999 | JP |
7304678 | Oct 1974 | NL |
9003744 | Apr 1990 | WO |
0032861 | Jun 2000 | WO |
0231247 | Apr 2002 | WO |
Entry |
---|
Non-Final Office Action issued in U.S. Appl. No. 11/558,501. |
International Search Report, mailed Apr. 4, 2008, issued in the International Application No. PCT/US2007/084013. |
International Preliminary Report on Patentability, mailed May 22, 2009, issued in the International Application No. PCT/US2007/084013. |
Non-Final Office Action, mailed Jan. 14, 2011, issued in U.S. Appl. No. 12/829,880. |
Office Action, issued Jan. 31, 2011, in Chinese Patent Application No. 200780042559.9, English language translation thereof. |
Non-Final Office Action, mailed May 3, 2011, in U.S. Appl. No. 12/829,880. |
Office Action, issued Oct. 17, 2011, in Japanese Patent Application No. 2009-536468, English language translation thereof. |
European Office Action, mail date Nov. 23, 2012, issued in counterpart European Patent Application No. 07864082.8. |
Declaration of Dr. Edward C. Frederick from the US Patent and Trademark Office Inter Partes Review of US Patent No. 7,347,011 (178 pp). |
David J. Spencer, Knitting Technology: A Comprehensive Handbook and Practical Guide (Third ed., Woodhead Publishing Ltd. 2001) (413 pp). |
Excerpt of Hannelore Eberle et al., Clothing Technology (Third English ed., Beuth-Verlag GmnH 2002) (book cover and back; pp. 2-3, 83). |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20120285043 A1 | Nov 2012 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
Parent | 11558499 | Nov 2006 | US |
Child | 12829788 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
Parent | 12829788 | Jul 2010 | US |
Child | 13533140 | US |