Patent Application
20200040488
The present invention is related to the field of clothing.
Clothing articles and clothes are typically formed of textile material and are worn on the body. Clothes are worn for various purposes, for example, to keep the human body warm in a cold weather, to protect the human body from rough surfaces or insects or plants, to provide a hygienic barrier between the human body and the environment, to protect the human body from ultraviolet radiation, to cover genitals, for social reasons or as fashion, or the like.
Some embodiments of the present invention may comprise clothing articles having one or more pre-defined encapsulation zone(s), as well as systems and methods of producing such clothing articles.
The present invention may provide other and/or additional advantages and/or benefits.
The Applicants have realized that a garment or a clothing article is typically formed of a fabric that fails to adequately encapsulate, or support, or hold-in-place, one or more particular body organs or body parts or body regions or body muscle(s) or body fat region.
For example, the Applicants have realized that a conventional bra typically provides some support to the breasts of a female wearer; but fail to provide adequate and/or sufficient support to such female wearer when she is running or jogging or exercising, and/or fails to prevent the breasts to move or bounce during such activities; thereby causing lack of comfort, lack of convenience, reduced athletic performance, interruptions in physical activities, and even medical problems.
The Applicants have further realized that a conventional “sports bra” typically provides excessive support to the breasts, merely by “squeezing” the breasts or “flattening” the breasts, in a manner that causes the wearer to feel discomfort or even pain; and in a manner that makes such “sports bra” painful or difficult to put on and/or to take off and/or to actually utilize during the physical activity, and/or in a manner that results in non-aesthetic appearance or non-desired “flattened” appearance of the breasts.
The Applicants have further realized that similar problems or disadvantages exist with regard to other articles of clothing that cover the breasts; for example, a shirt, a sports shirt, a yoga outfit, yoga shirt, aerobic shirt, exercise shirt, tank top, or the like.
The Applicants have further realized that similar problems or disadvantages exist with regard to other articles of clothing that cover the buttocks, and do not adequately support or hold-in-place the buttocks during physical activity, jogging, running, or even brisk walking; for example, in conventional underwear, underpants, panties, lingerie items, leggings, pants, yoga pants, aerobic pants, exercise pants, sports pants, or the like; including such items that are directed towards women or towards men or towards children or minors.
The Applicants have also realized that similar problems or disadvantages exist with regard to other articles of clothing that cover the testicles and/or the penis of a male wearer, and do not adequately support or hold-in-place the private parts of the male wearer during physical activity, jogging, running, or even brisk walking; for example, in conventional underwear, underpants, panties, lingerie items, leggings, pants, yoga pants, aerobic pants, exercise pants, sports pants, or the like; including such items that are directed towards women or towards men or towards children or minors.
The Applicants have realized that there is a need for a novel type of articles of clothing, which provide adequate support and/or hold-in-place a particular body organ or body part or body region (e.g., breasts; buttocks; testicles and penis), particularly during physical activity, jogging, running, or even brisk walking, as well as in everyday use, without causing non-desired “squeezing” or “flattening” of body organs, and without causing discomfort or inconvenience to wear them and/or to utilize them and/or to take them off and/or to put them on; and without the need to switch from an everyday item (e.g., an everyday bra) to a dedicated item (e.g., a sports bra) just for the simple activity of walking or rapid walking, or the like.
The present invention provides a variety of articles of clothing, which comprise one or more Encapsulation Zone(s) that are integrated therein as integral part of the clothing article, typically knitted integrally in a seam-less manner, as a single continuous piece of fabric, in a patch-less manner that avoids patching together multiple patches or fabric-pieces, in a manner that does not require stitching together multiple patches into a patched article of clothing; and/or in a manner that may further provide other or additional advantages, for example, adding a naturally “lifted” appearance or a more pleasing appearance to the body part being encapsulated (e.g., buttocks, breast).
In accordance with the present invention, a knitting machine (e.g., a seamless knitting machine able to knit a seamless garment or clothing article) is able to knit the entirety of the garment or clothing article, in a continuous process that is free of seams; and is able to perform continuous knitting that produces, in an integrated process, both the encapsulation zone(s) and the surrounding regions as well as other regions of the garment. In some embodiments, the entire clothing article is knitted by a single knitting machine in a single, seamless, knitting process that produces the encapsulation zone(s) as integral region(s) of the knitted garment. In other embodiments, optionally, an encapsulation zone, or some or all of the encapsulation zones, may be knitted separately from the other regions of the garment, and may be attached or connected to the other regions of the garment via suitable attachment or connection mechanisms.
Some embodiments may produce or knit the garment, including its integral and/or integrated and/or embedded encapsulation zone(s), by using one or more of: a knitting machine, a seamless knitting machine, a single jersey knitting machine, a double jersey knitting machine, a circular knitting machine, a flat knitting machine, a non-circular knitting machine, and/or other suitable machines.
The garment, and the encapsulation zone(s) that are integral part of the garment, may be produced or knitted from any suitable fabric or yarn or material, including for example, natural materials, synthetic materials, cotton, wool, silk, polyester, a combination of multiple materials, or the like.
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In a demonstrative example, encapsulation zone 210 comprises four (or other number of) concentric or generally-concentric circular bands or circular regions or generally-circular encapsulation regions 211-214. Similarly, encapsulation zone 220 comprises four (or other number of) concentric or generally-concentric circular bands or circular regions or generally-circular encapsulation regions 221-224.
For purposes of clarity, the discussion herein may relate to encapsulation zone 210 and/or to its encapsulation regions 211-214 and/or to its respective surrounding region 219; similar features apply, respectively, to encapsulation zone 220, to encapsulation regions 221-224, and to surround region 229.
Each one of the encapsulation regions 211-214, has a level-of-elasticity or level-of-support or elasticity or rigidity or rigidness that is different from the corresponding level of the immediately-neighboring encapsulation regions and/or from the surrounding region.
For example, the level of elasticity of the encapsulation regions 211-214, gradually increases from the external encapsulation region to the internal encapsulation region; such that the most external encapsulation region 211 has a first level of elasticity (E1); then, the next, internal, encapsulation region 212 has a second level of elasticity (E2) which has greater elasticity (or, greater support, reduced rigidity, reduced firmness, reduced form-fitting characteristic) relative to the first level of elasticity (E1) of the first encapsulation region 211. Then, the next, further internal, encapsulation region 213 has a third level of elasticity (E3) which has greater elasticity (or, greater support, reduced rigidity, reduced firmness, reduced form-fitting characteristic) relative to the second level of elasticity (E2) of the second encapsulation region 212. Then, the next, most-internal, encapsulation region 214 has a fourth level of elasticity (E4) which has greater elasticity (or, greater support, reduced rigidity, reduced firmness, reduced form-fitting characteristic) relative to the third level of elasticity (E3) of the third encapsulation region 211.
The surrounding region 219, which surround or encircles or otherwise neighbors the entirety of the encapsulation zone 210, has a level of elasticity denoted E5. In some embodiments, the level of elasticity (E5) of the surrounding region 219, is identical or substantially identical to one of the particular levels of elasticity of a particular encapsulation region; for example, in some embodiments, E5 is identical to E4; or, in other embodiments, E5 is identical to E3; or, in other embodiments, E5 is identical to E2; or, in other embodiments, E5 is identical to E1. In yet other embodiments, the surrounding region 219 has a level of elasticity (E5) that is greater than level of elasticity E4 (and thus, also greater than any of the levels of elasticity E1, E2, E3 and E4). In still other embodiments, the surrounding region 219 has a level of elasticity (E5) that is smaller than level of elasticity E1 (and thus, also smaller than any of the levels of elasticity E1, E2, E3 and E4). In yet other embodiments, the surrounding region 219 has a level of elasticity (E5) that is between two neighboring levels of elasticity of two neighboring encapsulation regions; for example, in some embodiments, the value of E5 is between the values of E1 and E2; or in other embodiments, he value of E5 is between the values of E2 and E3; or in other embodiments the value of E5 is between the values of E3 and E4.
Each one of the encapsulation regions 211-214, is seamlessly and integrally knitted in an integral manner, via a seamless connection to the adjacent encapsulation region(s) and/or to the adjacent surround region 219; without utilization of any stitches or other connection methods among or between such regions. For example, each one of the encapsulation regions 211-214 is a seamless encapsulation knitting region; and the entirety of the encapsulation zone 210 is a seamless encapsulation knitting zone; such that the entirety of the encapsulation zone 210 is able to encapsulate, support, form-fit, or hold-in-place a particular body organ or body part or body region of the wearer, in a manner that is independent of other and/or surrounding body regions or body parts or body organs; particularly in a manner such that the external encapsulation region(s) are firmer and have more rigidity and more rigidness and more form-fitting characteristic and more body-support characteristic and less elasticity, relative to the more internal encapsulation region(s) of the encapsulation zone; thereby encapsulating the desired body part in a maximum comfortable manner, avoiding or preventing undesired movement of such body part, and providing the adequate support to that body part, without necessarily “squeezing” or “flattening” the entirety of the supported body part and/or at least a portion of the supported body part.
The encapsulation zone 210 need not necessarily be circular or generally circular; but rather, may have other suitable shapes or forms, for example, oval or elliptic, egg-shaped, square shaped, rectangular, triangular, pentagon shaped, hexagon shaped, octagon shaped, diamond shaped or kite shaped, trapezoid, parallelogram shaped, tetragon, rhombus, or the like. The Applicants have realized that in some embodiments, hexagon shape of the encapsulation zone may provide increased support and/or the most efficient encapsulation function, as hexagon is considered the most scientifically efficient and/or strongest packing shape (e.g., as in honey-combs).
Each one of the encapsulation regions 211-214 need not necessarily be circular or generally circular; but rather, may have other suitable shapes or forms, for example, oval or elliptic, egg-shaped, square shaped, rectangular, triangular, pentagon shaped, hexagon shaped, octagon shaped, diamond shaped or kite shaped, trapezoid, parallelogram shaped, tetragon, rhombus, or the like. The Applicants have realized that in some embodiments, hexagon shape of the encapsulation regions 211-214 may provide increased support and/or the most efficient encapsulation function, as hexagon is considered the most scientifically efficient and/or strongest packing shape (e.g., as in honey-combs).
The encapsulation regions 211-214 need not necessarily have the same shape; but rather, may have different shapes selected from a pre-defined group of shapes (e.g., oval or elliptic, egg-shaped, square shaped, rectangular, triangular, pentagon shaped, hexagon shaped, octagon shaped, diamond shaped or kite shaped, trapezoid, parallelogram shaped, tetragon, rhombus). For example, in some embodiments, at least one of the encapsulation regions 211-214 may have a first particular shape (e.g., circular band), whereas at least one other of the encapsulation regions may have a second, different, particular shape (e.g., hexagon band). In other embodiments, at least one of the encapsulation regions 211-214 may have a first particular shape (e.g., circular band), whereas at least two other of the encapsulation regions may have a second, different, particular shape (e.g., hexagon band). In still other embodiments, at least two of the encapsulation regions 211-214 may have a first particular shape (e.g., circular band), whereas at least two other of the encapsulation regions may have a second, different, particular shape (e.g., hexagon band). In some embodiments, at least the N most-external region(s) of the encapsulation region(s) 211-214, may have a first particular shape (e.g., circular band); whereas at least the M most-internal region(s) of the encapsulation region(s) 211-214, may have a second, different, particular shape (e.g., hexagon band). In still other embodiments, the encapsulating regions 211-214 may have alternating shapes; such that, for example, regions 211 and 213 may have a first particular shape (e.g., hexagon), while regions 212 and 214 may have a second, different, particular shape (e.g., oval). Other suitable shaping patterns may be used, to achieve a desired combination of body-support and elasticity.
The multiple encapsulation regions 211-214 need not necessarily be concentric, and need not necessarily have the same center-point or focal point(s), and/or need not necessarily be symmetric in their shape; rather, they may be asymmetric in their shape, and/or may be non-concentric, and/or may have different, non-identical, focal point(s) and/or center point. In some embodiments, the encapsulation regions may be linear or generally-linear in their shape, and/or may be shaped or arranged as parallel lines, or as parallel columns, or as a matrix or array of squares or other suitable shapes.
The multiple encapsulation regions 211-214 need not necessarily have the same, identical, width or band-width or region-width; but rather, may have different width or band-width or region-width values; may have gradually-increasing width values (e.g., such that the width of external region 211 is greater than the width of region 212, which in turn is greater than the width of region 213, which in turn is greater than the width of the most-internal region 214); or may have gradually-decreasing width values (e.g., such that the width of external region 211 is smaller than the width of region 212, which in turn is smaller than the width of region 213, which in turn is smaller than the width of the most-internal region 214); or may have alternating width-values (e.g., such that the width of region 211 is identical to the width of region 213, and such that the width of region 212 is identical to the width of region 214, and such that the width of region 211 is different from the width of region 212); or may have other pre-defined pattern of width values.
For demonstrative purposes, some of the drawings and/or portions of the text may relate to four encapsulation regions 211-214; however, this is only a non-limiting example of the present invention, and other embodiments may comprise an encapsulation zone having, for example, two encapsulation regions; or having a single encapsulation region; or having three encapsulation regions; or having five encapsulation regions; or having other suitable number of encapsulation regions.
In some embodiments, the entirety of the encapsulation zone 210 may feature a single type of knitting technique or knitting feature or knitting characteristic; for example, rib, pique, tack, mesh, or the like. In other embodiments, the entirety of the encapsulation zone 210 may feature two or more different types of knitting technique or knitting features or knitting characteristics; for example, rib, pique, tack, mesh, or the like; which may be arranged or divided across the different encapsulation regions 211-214. For example, one or more of the encapsulation regions 211-214 may have a first type of knitting characteristic(s); whereas, one or more other of the encapsulation regions 211-214 may have a second type of knitting characteristic(s). In some embodiments, at least one of the encapsulation regions 211-214 may have a first particular knitting characteristic (e.g., rib, pique, tack, mesh), whereas at least one other of the encapsulation regions may have a second, different, particular type of knitting characteristic(s) (e.g., rib, pique, tack, mesh). In other embodiments, at least one of the encapsulation regions 211-214 may have a first particular type of knitting characteristic(s) (e.g., rib, pique, tack, mesh), whereas at least two other of the encapsulation regions may have a second, different, particular type of knitting characteristic(s) (e.g., rib, pique, tack, mesh). In still other embodiments, at least two of the encapsulation regions 211-214 may have a first particular type of knitting characteristic(s) (e.g., rib, pique, tack, mesh), whereas at least two other of the encapsulation regions may have a second, different, particular type of knitting characteristic(s) (e.g., rib, pique, tack, mesh). In some embodiments, at least the N most-external region(s) of the encapsulation region(s) 211-214, may have a first particular type of knitting characteristic(s) (e.g., rib, pique, tack, mesh); whereas at least the M most-internal region(s) of the encapsulation region(s) 211-214, may have a second, different, particular type of knitting characteristic(s) (e.g., rib, pique, tack, mesh). In still other embodiments, the encapsulating regions 211-214 may have alternating shapes; such that, for example, regions 211 and 213 may have a first particular type of knitting characteristic(s) (e.g., rib, pique, tack, mesh), while regions 212 and 214 may have a second, different, particular type of knitting characteristic(s) (e.g., rib, pique, tack, mesh). Other suitable knitting characteristics patterns may be used, to achieve a desired combination of body-support and elasticity.
In some embodiments, the entirety of the encapsulation zone 210 may feature a single type of needle-based knitting technique or knitting feature or knitting characteristic, or a knitting feature that is achieved by utilizing a particular number of needles (e.g., machine-controlled needles), or by utilizing different needle way or needle ways; for example, 1×1 knitting, 1×2 knitting, 2×1 knitting, 2×2 knitting, 3×1 knitting, 1×3 knitting, 3×3 knitting, or the like. In other embodiments, the entirety of the encapsulation zone 210 may feature two or more different types of knitting technique or knitting features or knitting characteristics; for example, 1×1 knitting, 1×2 knitting, 2×1 knitting, 2×2 knitting, 3×1 knitting, 1×3 knitting, 3×3 knitting, or the like; which may be arranged or divided across the different encapsulation regions 211-214. For example, one or more of the encapsulation regions 211-214 may have a first type of knitting characteristic(s); whereas, one or more other of the encapsulation regions 211-214 may have a second type of knitting characteristic(s). In some embodiments, at least one of the encapsulation regions 211-214 may have a first particular knitting characteristic (e.g., 1×1 knitting, 1×2 knitting, 2×1 knitting, 2×2 knitting, 3×1 knitting, 1×3 knitting, 3×3 knitting, or the like), whereas at least one other of the encapsulation regions may have a second, different, particular type of knitting characteristic(s) (e.g., 1×1 knitting, 1×2 knitting, 2×1 knitting, 2×2 knitting, 3×1 knitting, 1×3 knitting, 3×3 knitting, or the like). In other embodiments, at least one of the encapsulation regions 211-214 may have a first particular type of knitting characteristic(s) (e.g., 1×1 knitting, 1×2 knitting, 2×1 knitting, 2×2 knitting, 3×1 knitting, 1×3 knitting, 3×3 knitting, or the like), whereas at least two other of the encapsulation regions may have a second, different, particular type of knitting characteristic(s) (e.g.,1×1 knitting,1×2 knitting, 2×1 knitting, 2×2 knitting, 3×1 knitting, 1×3 knitting, 3×3 knitting, or the like). In still other embodiments, at least two of the encapsulation regions 211-214 may have a first particular type of knitting characteristic(s) (e.g., 1×1 knitting,1×2 knitting, 2×1 knitting, 2×2 knitting, 3×1 knitting, 1×3 knitting, 3×3 knitting, or the like), whereas at least two other of the encapsulation regions may have a second, different, particular type of knitting characteristic(s) (e.g., 1×1 knitting,1×2 knitting, 2×1 knitting, 2×2 knitting, 3×1 knitting, 1×3 knitting, 3×3 knitting, or the like). In some embodiments, at least the N most-external region(s) of the encapsulation region(s) 211-214, may have a first particular type of knitting characteristic(s) (e.g.,1×1 knitting,1×2 knitting, 2×1 knitting, 2×2 knitting, 3×1 knitting, 1×3 knitting, 3×3 knitting, or the like); whereas at least the M most-internal region(s) of the encapsulation region(s) 211-214, may have a second, different, particular type of knitting characteristic(s) (e.g., 1×1 knitting,1×2 knitting, 2×1 knitting, 2×2 knitting, 3×1 knitting, 1×3 knitting, 3×3 knitting, or the like). In still other embodiments, the encapsulating regions 211-214 may have alternating shapes; such that, for example, regions 211 and 213 may have a first particular type of knitting characteristic(s) (e.g., 1×1 knitting,1×2 knitting, 2×1 knitting, 2×2 knitting, 3×1 knitting, 1×3 knitting, 3×3 knitting, or the like), while regions 212 and 214 may have a second, different, particular type of knitting characteristic(s) (e.g., 1×1 knitting,1×2 knitting, 2×1 knitting, 2×2 knitting, 3×1 knitting, 1×3 knitting, 3×3 knitting, or the like). Other suitable knitting characteristics patterns may be used, to achieve a desired combination of body-support and elasticity.
In some embodiments, the entirety of the encapsulation zone 210 is knit with a basic ground yarn or a single ground yarn, without any additional knitting yarn and without any extra knitting yarn. In other embodiments, the entirety of the encapsulation zone 210 is knit with a basic ground yarn as well as with an additional knitting yarn or extra knitting yarn. In still other embodiments, one or more of the encapsulation regions 211-214 is knit with a basic ground yarn or a single ground yarn, without any additional knitting yarn and without any extra knitting yarn; whereas one or more other encapsulation regions 211-214 is knit with a basic ground yarn as well as with an additional knitting yarn or extra knitting yarn. Optionally, the extra knitting yarn, if used, is knit in accordance with any of the above-mentioned knitting techniques or knitting ways. Optionally, the extra knitting yarn may be or may comprise, for example, a natural yarn material, a synthetic yarn material, nylon, polyester, melting yarn, low melting yarn, cotton, wool, silk, or the like.
In some embodiments, each one of the encapsulation regions 211-214 provides a different level of elasticity or flexibility rigidity or rigidness or support or form-fitting, relative to each one of the other encapsulation regions 211-214, or at least relative to the one encapsulation region 211-214 or to the two encapsulation regions 211-214 that are immediately adjacent to that encapsulation region 211-214. This may be achieved, for example, by reducing the size, the density, the location, the frequency, the type, or other knitting characteristic(s) of the knitting stitch or the knitting “eye” in each such encapsulation region 211-214.
For example, the surrounding region 219 (e.g., the portion of the garment that is immediately adjacent to, or surrounds, the entire encapsulation zone 210) is formed of a fabric or yarn that is knitted at a particular density or elasticity-level (L0) by having knitting eyes such that each knitting eye in that region 219 has a size of M0 millimeters; the most external encapsulation region 211 is formed of a fabric or yarn that is knitted at a particular density or elasticity-level (L1) by having knitting eyes such that each knitting eye in that region 211 has a size of M1 millimeters, wherein M1>M0; the next encapsulation region 212 is formed of a fabric or yarn that is knitted at a particular density or elasticity-level (L2) by having knitting eyes such that each knitting eye in that region 212 has a size of M2 millimeters, wherein M2>M1; the next encapsulation region 213 is formed of a fabric or yarn that is knitted at a particular density or elasticity-level (L3) by having knitting eyes such that each knitting eye in that region 213 has a size of M3 millimeters, wherein M3>M2; the next, most-internal, encapsulation region 214 is formed of a fabric or yarn that is knitted at a particular density or elasticity-level (L4) by having knitting eyes such that each knitting eye in that region 214 has a size of M4 millimeters, wherein M4>M3. Accordingly, the surrounding region 219 and the four encapsulation regions 211-214 have different size of knitting eyes, such that M0<M1<M2<M3 <M4.
In a demonstrative example, for a particular value of M0 (size of knitting eye in the surrounding region), the knitting-eye size M1 is equal to 1.03*M0; and, the knitting-eye size M2 is equal to 1.05*M0; and, the knitting-eye size M3 is equal to 1.08*M0; and, the knitting-eye size M4 is equal to 1.11*M0. These are only non-limiting examples; and other suitable values or ratios may be used.
In accordance with the present invention, the change in the size of the knitting eye in each of those regions, may cause, or may contribute to, the different elasticity level or flexibility level or firmness level or support level of those regions; for example, such that the elasticity levels would relate to each other as L1 <L2 <L3 <L4, namely, level of elasticity or flexibility of each region is greater than the region(s) that surround it or that are external to it.
In some embodiments, the level of elasticity (L0) of the surrounding region 219, is greater than L4, such that (L0>L4. In other embodiments, L3<(L0<L4. In other embodiments, L2<(L0<L3. In other embodiments, L1<(L0<L2. In still other embodiments, other suitable relations may be used among the different level of elasticity.
For example, the surrounding region 219 (e.g., the portion of the garment that is immediately adjacent to, or surrounds, the entire encapsulation zone 210) is formed of a fabric that is knitted at a particular density or elasticity-level, having N knitting stitches or knitting “eyes” per square-inch or per square-centimeter or per other pre-defined area. Then, the most external encapsulation region 211 has, for example, 8 percent less knitting stitches or knitting “eyes”, relative to those of the surrounding region 219, such that if the surrounding region 219 has N knitting stitches or N knitting “eyes” (per area) then the encapsulation region 211 has 0.92 N knitting stitches or 0.92 N knitting eyes (per area). Similarly, the next encapsulation region 212 has, for example, 6 percent less knitting stitches or knitting “eyes”, relative to those of the surrounding region 219, such that if the surrounding region 219 has N knitting stitches or N knitting “eyes” (per area) then the encapsulation region 212 has 0.94 N knitting stitches or 0.94 N knitting eyes (per area). Similarly, the next encapsulation region 213 has, for example, 4 percent less knitting stitches or knitting “eyes”, relative to those of the surrounding region 219, such that if the surrounding region 219 has N knitting stitches or N knitting “eyes” (per area) then the encapsulation region 213 has 0.96 N knitting stitches or 0.96 N knitting eyes (per area). Similarly, the next encapsulation region 214 has, for example, 2 percent less knitting stitches or knitting “eyes”, relative to those of the surrounding region 219, such that if the surrounding region 219 has N knitting stitches or N knitting “eyes” (per area) then the encapsulation region 212 has 0.92 N knitting stitches or 0.92 N knitting eyes (per area). In other embodiments, the gradual decrease need not be in fixed intervals (e.g., 2 percent-point intervals in the above example), but rather, may be non-fixed intervals (e.g., 0.90 N in the external region 211; then 0.94 N; then 0.97 N; then 0.99 N). In still other embodiments, the gradual modification need not be a decreasing interval, but rather, may be a gradually increasing interval (e.g., 0.98 N in the external region 211; then 0.97 N in region 212; then 0.95 N in region 213; then 0.93 N in region 214). Other suitable values or percentage-values or ratios may be used.
Additionally or alternatively, for example, the surrounding region 219 (e.g., the portion of the garment that is immediately adjacent to, or surrounds, the entire encapsulation zone 210) is formed of a fabric that is knitted at a particular density or elasticity-level, having yarn knitted with knitting “eyes”, each such knitting eye being of a diameter or a radius or a length of K millimeters. Then, the most external encapsulation region 211 has, for example, knitting eyes that are 8 percent smaller than K millimeters, namely their respective size (e.g., diameter or radius or length) is 0.92 K millimeters each. Then, the next encapsulation region 212 has, for example, knitting eyes that are 6 percent smaller than K millimeters, namely their respective size (e.g., diameter or radius or length) is 0.94 K millimeters each. Then, the next encapsulation region 213 has, for example, knitting eyes that are 4 percent smaller than K millimeters, namely their respective size (e.g., diameter or radius or length) is 0.96 K millimeters each. Then, the next encapsulation region 214 has, for example, knitting eyes that are 2 percent smaller than K millimeters, namely their respective size (e.g., diameter or radius or length) is 0.98 K millimeters each. In other embodiments, the gradual decrease need not be in fixed intervals (e.g., 2 percent-point intervals in the above example), but rather, may be non-fixed intervals (e.g., 0.90 K in the external region 211; then 0.94 K; then 0.97 K; then 0.99 K). In still other embodiments, the gradual modification need not be a decreasing interval, but rather, may be a gradually increasing interval (e.g., 0.98 K in the external region 211; then 0.97 K in region 212; then 0.95 K in region 213; then 0.93 K in region 214). Other suitable values or percentage-values or ratios may be used.
Each one of the encapsulation regions 211-214, is not a stand-alone patch or fabric-segment that it produced separately and is then stitched or otherwise connected to other “patches”. Rather, the entirety of the encapsulation zone 210, and all of the encapsulation regions 211-214, and the surrounding region 219, are all a single, continuous, fabric or garment, all integrally fabricated as an integral and continuous knitted region which is seam-less; in which the different regions (211, 212, 213, 214, 219) merely differ from each other by a knitting characteristic (or, by multiple knitting characteristics) which thus cause each region of those regions to have a different level-of-elasticity or level-of-support relative to the other regions and/or relative to at least its immediately-neighboring region(s).
In some embodiments, the encapsulation zone 210 may be knit into any suitable silhouette, and/or may be knitted with any kind of synthetic and/or natural yarns. Accordingly, the garment may feature 100% seamless knitting, or may be a hybrid garment with combination of both seamless knitting with other cut-and-sew garment region(s) or fabrics.
In some embodiments, each one of the regions (211, 212, 213, 214, and 219) has the same, or generally similar, thickness or fabric-thickness; and/or has the same, or generally similar, number and type of fabric layer(s). For example, all of the regions (211, 212, 213, 214, and 219) have uniform thickness (e.g., 5 millimeters of fabric thickness), and/or have the same number of fabric layers (e.g., a single fabric layer; or alternatively, two fabric layers), and/or have the same type of fabric (e.g., all the regions formed of cotton; or alternatively, all the regions formed of a particular ratio of blend of cotton and polyester).
In other embodiments, at least one of the regions (211, 212, 213, 214, and 219) may have different thickness or fabric-thickness; and/or different number and/or type of fabric layer(s). For example, all of the encapsulation regions 211-214 may have a first value of fabric-thickness (e.g., 5 millimeters) and/or a first value of fabric layers (e.g., one fabric layer); whereas the surrounding region 219 may have a second, different, value of fabric-thickness (e.g., 6 millimeters) and/or a second, different, value of fabric layers (e.g., two fabric layers).
In still embodiments, at least one of the encapsulation regions 211-214 may have different thickness or fabric-thickness, and/or different number and/or type of fabric layer(s), relative to at least one other of the encapsulation regions 211-214. For example, the most-external encapsulation region 211 may be formed of two fabric layers and/or may have a total thickness of 8 millimeters; whereas the most-internal encapsulation region 214 may be formed of a single fabric layer and/or may have a total thickness of 6 millimeters.
In some embodiments, the encapsulation zone 210 and the surrounding region 219 are knitted and fabricated in a single, continuous, seam-less process; and are formed as a single, continuous, seam-less product or garment. Optionally, any suitable type of fabric may be used; optionally, laminations may be used; optionally, any suitable knitting or weaving machines or techniques may be used, utilizing any suitable gauge or diameter.
In some embodiments, the encapsulation zone 210 is a symmetric or double-symmetric zone or pattern or shape, such as a circle or a hexagon; such that symmetry is maintained along at least one axis, or along at least two axis lines, or along at least a vertical axis and a horizontal axis. In other embodiments, the encapsulation zone 210 is a non-symmetric zone or pattern or shape, or only a partially-symmetric zone or shape or pattern; such as oval or egg-shaped, or star shaped, or the like.
In some embodiments, each one of the encapsulation regions 211-214 is a symmetric or double-symmetric zone or pattern or shape, such as a circle or a hexagon; such that symmetry is maintained along at least one axis, or along at least two axis lines, or along at least a vertical axis and a horizontal axis. In other embodiments, each one of the encapsulation regions 211-214 is a non-symmetric zone or pattern or shape, or only a partially-symmetric zone or shape or pattern; such as oval or egg-shaped, or star shaped, or the like.
In some embodiments, two or more encapsulation zones may be comprised in a single garment or in a single article of clothing. In some implementations, the multiple encapsulation zones may be located or positioned at generally symmetrical locations; for example, a first encapsulation zone at the right-side cup of a bra, and a second encapsulation zone at the left-side cup of that bra; wherein the two encapsulation zones are generally identical to each other, or are symmetrical to each other, or are flipped or mirrored relative to each other. In other embodiments, two or more encapsulation zones may be comprised in one single garment, but need not necessarily be of the same size or dimensions or in symmetrical locations; for example, enabling to produce men's underwear or shorts or boxers or briefs in which a right-side encapsulation zone is different from a left-side encapsulation zone, or is located in non-symmetrical positions or locations of the garment.
In some embodiments, the encapsulation zone 210 is featured only at the internal side of the garment, or only in the internal or the most-internal fabric-layer which is intended to touch the body of the human wearer and/or is intended to face inwardly towards the body of the human wearer. In other embodiments, the encapsulation zone 210 is featured only at the external side of the garment, or only in the external or the most-external fabric-layer which is intended not to touch the body of the human wearer or which is facing outwardly or away from the human body. In still other embodiments, the encapsulation zone 210 is featured at both the external side of the garment and the internal side of the garment; or, is featured across all the fabric-layers of the garment (e.g., the internal fabric layer(s) that face inwardly, and the external fabric layer(s) that face outwardly, relative to the human body).
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Some embodiments may comprise a method and a system for producing a garment; as well as a garment-producing apparatus or system, or a production-line system and method.
For example, a knitting machine may comprise one or more selectively-controlled needles, whose knitting operations are controlled via a central control unit and/or based on a pre-defined knitting pattern and/or knitting instructions and/or knitting scheme and/or knitting program that are pre-defined for such needles (e.g., via a computerized terminal or work-station, or a computerized interface). In some embodiments, multiple discrete feeds are included and can be selectively and/or separately controlled for selective knitting and/or for selective feeding of which yarn(s) each such feeds is fed for knitting, and different needles counts (e.g., from a single needle, to dozens or hundreds or even thousands of needles).
The knitting machine may comprise, for example: (a) a surrounding regions knitting unit, able to knit or produce the surrounding region 219 and/or the remainder of the garment other than the encapsulation zone(s); and (b) an encapsulation zone knitting unit, able to knit or produce the encapsulation zone 210 integrally within or near or in direct continuation to the surrounding region 219. Optionally, the encapsulation zone knitting unit may comprise one or more encapsulation region knitting sub-unit(s), able to selectively produce and/or knit one or more of the encapsulation regions 211-214, based on pre-defined knitting characteristics that characterize that particular encapsulation region(s) 211-214. In some embodiments, the above-mentioned unit and sub-unit(s) may optionally be implemented as a knitting machine that is associated with one or more selectively-operable knitting needle(s) and/or yarn-feeding unit(s), and further associated with a control workstation having a controller or processor able to selectively and dynamically control and/or modify the location, timing and/or characteristic of the knitting, and to perform continuous knitting of an integrated or monolithic garment having both the encapsulation zone 210 and its surrounding region 219, and having the encapsulation regions 211-214 with their particular knitting characteristics.
In some embodiments, the knitting machine may comprise a fabric elasticity (or fabric rigidity) modifier unit, able to produce or knit a fabric having a pre-defined level of elasticity or flexibility or rigidity or rigidness; and that unit may be controlled by the workstation or processor or controller, in order to achieve and produce the varying levels of elasticity or support or rigidity or rigidness or flexibility of each one of the encapsulation regions 211-214. Optionally, a knitting-eye size modifier unit is used, to dynamically change the size of the knitting eye being used, and to thereby modify or set the desired level of flexibility or elasticity of each one of the encapsulation regions 211-214.
The discussion herein may relate, for demonstrative purposes, to a bra or to a shirt or to pants. However, the present invention may similarly comprise, or may similarly be used in conjunction with, other suitable garments and/or undergarments and/or clothing articles; for example, panties, boxers, briefs, underwear, shorts, sportswear, active-wear, yoga pants, aerobic pants, training pants, lingerie, thongs, shaper, body-shaper, shaping garment, shaping undergarment, shape-wear, active-wear, sports-wear, form-fitting undergarment, form-fitting garment, swimsuit, swim-wear, pants, trousers, socks, shirt, sweat-shirt, jacket, long-sleeve shirt, short-sleeve shirt, Polo shirt, T-shirt, skirt, dress, sports-skirt, tennis skirt, or the like.
Some embodiments of the present invention may be implemented by using a machine or an automated or semi-automatic production line, which may comprise, for example: cutting unit, welding unit, bonding unit, ultrasonic operations unit, gluing unit, conveyor belt, robotic arm, control unit, workstation; as well as suitable hardware components and/or software components, for example, processor to execute code, memory unit, storage unit, input unit (keyboard, mouse, touch-screen), output unit (screen, touch-screen), modems, transceivers or transmitters or receivers, wireless and/or wired communication links and/or transceivers or transmitters or receivers, power sources, Operating System (OS) and suitable applications, or the like.
In some embodiments, a clothing article comprises: a fabric intended to cover a region of a human body of a wearer; wherein said fabric comprises at least one fabric-made encapsulation zone which is surrounded by a fabric-made surrounding region; wherein the fabric-made encapsulation zone comprises at least a first fabric-made encapsulation region, which is surrounded by a second fabric-made encapsulation region, which is surrounded by a third fabric-made encapsulation region; wherein the first fabric-made encapsulation region has a first level of elasticity and a first level of rigidity, wherein the second fabric-made encapsulation region has a second level of elasticity that is smaller than the first level of elasticity of the first fabric-made encapsulation region, wherein the second fabric-made encapsulation region has a second level of rigidity that is greater than the first level of rigidity of the first fabric-made encapsulation region; wherein the third fabric-made encapsulation region has a third level of elasticity that is smaller than the second level of elasticity of the second fabric-made encapsulation region, wherein the third fabric-made encapsulation region has a third level of rigidity that is greater than the second level of rigidity of the second fabric-made encapsulation region.
In some embodiments, the term “fabric-made” may mean, for example, that an item is made of fabric and excludes or does not contain non-fabric materials such as wire, wires, supporting wire(s) or support wire(s), metal, hardened plastic, injected plastic, materials that cannot be knitted, or the like; but rather, consists of fabric materials such as, for example, cotton, polyester, wool, silk, materials that can be knitted, or the like.
In some embodiments, the fabric-made surrounding region has a fourth level of elasticity that is different from the first, the second, and the third levels of elasticity; wherein the fabric-made surrounding region has a fourth level of rigidity that is different from the first, the second, and the third levels of rigidity. In some embodiments, the fabric-made surrounding region has a fourth level of elasticity that is smaller from the first, the second, and the third levels of elasticity; wherein the fabric-made surrounding region has a fourth level of rigidity that is smaller from the first, the second, and the third levels of rigidity.
In some embodiments, the fabric-made surrounding region and the fabric-made encapsulation zone are seamless, and are made of a continued knitted yarn that continuously knits both the fabric-made surrounding region and the fabric-made encapsulation zone.
In some embodiments, the first fabric-made encapsulation region, the second fabric-made encapsulation region, and the third fabric-made encapsulation region are seamless, and are made of a continued knitted yarn that continuously knits the first fabric-made encapsulation region, the second fabric-made encapsulation region, and the third fabric-made encapsulation region.
In some embodiments, the first fabric-made encapsulation region, the second fabric-made encapsulation region, and the third fabric-made encapsulation region are concentric to each other. In some embodiments, the first fabric-made encapsulation region, the second fabric-made encapsulation region, and the third fabric-made encapsulation region are concentric to each other; wherein the first fabric-made encapsulation region is defined by a first hexagon surrounded by a second hexagon; wherein the second fabric-made encapsulation region is defined by the second hexagon surrounded by a third hexagon; wherein the third fabric-made encapsulation region is defined by the third hexagon surrounded by a fourth hexagon.
In some embodiments, the first fabric-made encapsulation region, the second fabric-made encapsulation region, and the third fabric-made encapsulation region are concentric to each other; wherein the first fabric-made encapsulation region is defined by a first circle surrounded by a second circle; wherein the second fabric-made encapsulation region is defined by the second circle surrounded by a third circle; wherein the third fabric-made encapsulation region is defined by the third circle surrounded by a fourth circle.
In some embodiments, the fabric-made encapsulation zone covers at least a portion of a human breast when worn by said wearer. In some embodiments, the fabric-made encapsulation zone covers at least a portion of a human buttock when worn by said wearer.
In some embodiments, the first fabric-made encapsulation region comprises yarn knitted in accordance with M1×N1 knitting pattern; wherein the second fabric-made encapsulation region comprises yarn knitted in accordance with M2×N2 knitting pattern which is different from said M1×N1 knitting pattern; wherein the third fabric-made encapsulation region comprises yarn knitted in accordance with M3×N3 knitting pattern which is different from said M1×N1 knitting pattern and is also different from said M2×N2 knitting pattern.
In some embodiments, the first fabric-made encapsulation region comprises a single yarn, wherein the third fabric-made encapsulation region comprises said single yarn and an additional yarn.
In some embodiments, the third fabric-made encapsulation region comprises a single yarn, wherein the first fabric-made encapsulation region comprises said single yarn and an additional yarn.
In some embodiments, the first fabric-made encapsulation region comprises a knitted yarn having knitting eye size of K1 millimeters; wherein the second fabric-made encapsulation region comprises said knitted yarn having knitting eye size of K2 millimeters; wherein the third fabric-made encapsulation region comprises said knitted yarn having knitting eye size of K3 millimeters; wherein K3 is greater than K2, and wherein K2 is greater than K1.
In some embodiments, the first fabric-made encapsulation region comprises a knitted yarn having knitting eye size of E1 millimeters; wherein the second fabric-made encapsulation region comprises said knitted yarn having knitting eye size of E2 millimeters; wherein the third fabric-made encapsulation region comprises said knitted yarn having knitting eye size of E3 millimeters; wherein E3 is smaller than E2, and wherein E2 is smaller than E1.
In some embodiments, the first fabric-made encapsulation region comprises a single knitted yarn at a first yarn-density of D1 threads per centimeter; wherein the second fabric-made encapsulation region comprises said single knitted yarn at a second yarn-density of D2 threads per centimeter; wherein the third fabric-made encapsulation region comprises said single knitted yarn at a third yarn-density of D3 threads per centimeter; wherein D3 is greater than D2, and wherein D2 is greater than D1.
In some embodiments, the first fabric-made encapsulation region comprises a first knitting pattern which provides to said first fabric-made encapsulation region said first level of rigidity; wherein the second fabric-made encapsulation region comprises a second, different, knitting pattern which provides to said second fabric-made encapsulation region said second level of rigidity; wherein the third fabric-made encapsulation region comprises a third, different, knitting pattern which provides to said third fabric-made encapsulation region said third level of rigidity.
In some embodiments, the first fabric-made encapsulation region, the second fabric-made encapsulation region, and the third fabric-made encapsulation region are concentric to each other; wherein at least one of the first fabric-made encapsulation region, the second fabric-made encapsulation region, and the third fabric-made encapsulation region, is defined by: a first type of closed shape, that is surrounded by an enlarged version of said first type of closed shape; wherein at least one other of the first fabric-made encapsulation region, the second fabric-made encapsulation region, and the third fabric-made encapsulation region, is defined by: a second type of closed shape, that is surrounded by an enlarged version of said second type of closed shape.
In some embodiments, the first fabric-made encapsulation region is formed of a first knitted yarn of a first yarn-type having a first knit-pattern; wherein the first fabric-made encapsulation region is formed of a second knitted yarn of a second yarn-type having a second knit-pattern; wherein the third fabric-made encapsulation region is formed of a third knitted yarn of a third yarn-type having a third knit-pattern; wherein the first yarn-type, the second yarn-type, and the third yarn-type are different from each other; wherein the first knit-pattern, the second knit-pattern, and the third knit-pattern are different from each other.
In some embodiments, a clothing article comprises: a fabric intended to cover a region of a human body of a wearer; wherein said fabric comprises at least one fabric-made encapsulation zone which is surrounded by a fabric-made surrounding region; wherein the fabric-made encapsulation zone comprises at least a first fabric-made encapsulation region, which is surrounded by a second fabric-made encapsulation region, which is surrounded by a third fabric-made encapsulation region; wherein the first fabric-made encapsulation region has a first level of elasticity and a first level of rigidity, wherein the second fabric-made encapsulation region has a second level of elasticity that is greater than the first level of elasticity of the first fabric-made encapsulation region, wherein the second fabric-made encapsulation region has a second level of rigidity that is smaller than the first level of rigidity of the first fabric-made encapsulation region; wherein the third fabric-made encapsulation region has a third level of elasticity that is greater than the second level of elasticity of the second fabric-made encapsulation region, wherein the third fabric-made encapsulation region has a third level of rigidity that is smaller than the second level of rigidity of the second fabric-made encapsulation region.
Functions, operations, components and/or features described herein with reference to one or more embodiments, may be combined with, or may be utilized in combination with, one or more other functions, operations, components and/or features described herein with reference to one or more other embodiments, or vice versa.
While certain features of some embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes, and equivalents may occur to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the claims are intended to cover all such modifications, substitutions, changes, and equivalents.
This application claims priority and benefit from U.S. provisional patent application No. 62/475,235, filed on Mar. 23, 2017, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/IL2018/050240 | 3/4/2018 | WO | 00 |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62475235 | Mar 2017 | US |
