REFLECTIVE KNIT COMPONENT

TECHNICAL FIELD

Aspects herein relate to a knit component with integrally knit reflective and non-reflective portions.

BACKGROUND

Typically, creating a pattern of reflective and non-reflective portions in the same knit course is accomplished by dropping in and out reflective yarns, requiring, in some instances, the cutting of the yarns as they enter and exit the knit course.

SUMMARY

The following clauses represent example aspects of concepts contemplated herein. Any one of the following clauses may be combined in a multiple dependent manner to depend from one or more other clauses. Further, any combination of dependent clauses (clauses that explicitly depend from a previous clause) may be combined while staying within the scope of aspects contemplated herein. The following clauses are examples and are not limiting.

Clause 1. A knit component comprising: a knit course that is knit with a first yarn and a second yarn, the knit course comprising: a first non-reflective portion formed from a first knit segment that is knit with the first yarn and the second yarn in a plated relationship, the first yarn forming the first non-reflective portion on a technical face of the knit component, and a reflective portion formed from a second knit segment that is knit with the second yarn, the second yarn forming the reflective portion on the technical face of the knit component, the second knit segment integrally knit with the first knit segment along the knit course.

Clause 2. The knit component according to clause 1, wherein the first yarn extends over at least one knit stitch as a float stitch in the reflective portion.

Clause 3. The knit component according to any of clauses 1 through 2, wherein the first yarn is positioned at a technical back of the knit component in the reflective portion.

Clause 4. The knit component according to any of clauses 1 through 3, further comprising a second non-reflective portion formed from a third knit segment that is knit with the first yarn and the second yarn in the plated relationship.

Clause 5. The knit component according to clause 4, wherein the first non-reflective portion is spaced apart from the second non-reflective portion by the reflective portion.

Clause 6. The knit component according to any of clauses 1 through 5, wherein the first non-reflective portion comprises at least two knit stitches, and wherein the reflective portion comprises at least two knit stitches.

Clause 7. The knit component according to clause 6, wherein the at least two knit stitches of the first non-reflective portion include the second yarn, and wherein the at least two knit stitches of the reflective portion include the second yarn.

Clause 8. The knit component according to clause 7, wherein the at least two knit stitches of the first non-reflective portion include the first yarn, and wherein the at least two knit stitches of the reflective portion do not include the first yarn.

Clause 9. A knit component comprising: a knit course that is knit with a first yarn and a second yarn, the knit course comprising: a first reflective portion formed from a first knit segment that is knit with the first yarn and the second yarn in a plated relationship, the first yarn forming the first reflective portion on a technical face of the knit component, and a non-reflective portion formed from a second knit segment that is knit with the second yarn, the second yarn forming the non-reflective portion on the technical face of the knit component, wherein the first yarn is positioned on a technical back of the knit component in the non-reflective portion, and wherein the second knit segment is integrally knit with the first knit segment along the knit course.

Clause 10. The knit component according to clause 9, wherein the first yarn extends over at least one knit stitch as a float stitch in the non-reflective portion.

Clause 11. The knit component according to any of clauses 9 through 10, further comprising a second reflective portion formed from a third knit segment that is knit with the first yarn and the second yarn in the plated relationship.

Clause 12. The knit component according to clause 11, wherein the first reflective portion is spaced apart from the second reflective portion by the non-reflective portion.

Clause 13. The knit component according to any of clauses 9 through 12, wherein the first reflective portion comprises at least two knit stitches, and wherein the non-reflective portion comprises at least two knit stitches.

Clause 14. The knit component according to clause 13, wherein the at least two knit stitches of the first reflective portion include the second yarn, and wherein the at least two knit stitches of the non-reflective portion include the second yarn.

Clause 15. The knit component according to clause 14, wherein the at least two knit stitches of the first reflective portion include the first yarn, and wherein the at least two knit stitches of the non-reflective portion do not include the first yarn.

Clause 16. A method of knitting a knit course of a knit component with a first yarn and a second yarn, the method comprising: knitting a first knit segment to form a first non-reflective portion of the knit course by knitting the first yarn and the second yarn in a plated relationship, the first yarn forming the first non-reflective portion on a technical face of the knit component; and knitting a second knit segment to form a reflective portion of the knit course by knitting one or more knit stitches with the second yarn, the second yarn forming the reflective portion on the technical face of the knit component, the second knit segment integrally knit with the first knit segment.

Clause 17. The method according to clause 16, wherein the first yarn extends over at least one knit stitch as a float stitch in the reflective portion.

Clause 18. The method according to any of clauses 16 through 17, wherein the first yarn is positioned at a technical back of the knit component in the reflective portion.

Clause 19. The method according to any of clauses 16 through 18, further comprising knitting a third knit segment to form a second non-reflective portion by knitting the first yarn and the second yarn in the plated relationship, the first yarn forming the second non-reflective portion on the technical face of the knit component.

Clause 20. The method of according to any of clauses 16 through 19, wherein the first non-reflective portion comprises at least two knit stitches, and wherein the reflective portion comprises at least two knit stitches.

Clause 21. The method according to clause 20, wherein the at least two knit stitches of the first non-reflective portion include the second yarn, and wherein the at least two knit stitches of the reflective portion include the second yarn.

Clause 22. The method according to clause 21, wherein the at least two knit stitches of the first non-reflective portion include the first yarn, and wherein the at least two knit stitches of the reflective portion do not include the first yarn.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Examples of aspects herein are described in detail below with reference to the attached figures, wherein:

FIGS. 1-2 illustrate a medial and a lateral view, respectively, of an example knit component having reflective portions and non-reflective portions in accordance with aspects herein;

FIG. 3 illustrates an example knit structure of a knit component having reflective and non-reflective portions in accordance with aspects herein;

FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic depiction of the knit structure of the knit component of FIG. 3 depicting a technical face and a technical back in accordance with aspects herein;

FIG. 5A illustrates a schematic depiction of a position of a plurality of needles so as to pick up a first yarn in accordance with aspects herein;

FIG. 5B illustrates a needle from the plurality of needles of FIG. 5A picking up the first yarn at a first yarn feeding station in accordance with aspects herein;

FIG. 6A illustrates a schematic depiction of a position of the plurality of needles of FIG. 5A so as to pick up a second yarn in accordance with aspects herein;

FIG. 6B illustrates a needle from the plurality of needles of FIG. 5A picking up the second yarn at a second yarn feeding station in accordance with aspects herein;

FIG. 7A illustrates a schematic depiction of a position of the plurality of needles of FIG. 5A so as to form a knit stitch in accordance with aspects herein;

FIG. 7B illustrates a needle from the plurality of needles of FIG. 5A forming the knit stitch in accordance with aspects herein;

FIG. 8 illustrates an example representation of a knit glove having one or more reflective portions and one or more non-reflective portions in accordance with aspects herein;

FIG. 9 illustrates an example representation of a knit shoe having one or more reflective portions and one or more non-reflective portions in accordance with aspects herein;

FIG. 10 illustrates an example representation of a knit shirt having one or more reflective portions and one or more non-reflective portions in accordance with aspects herein; and

FIG. 11 illustrates a flow diagram of an example method of knitting a knit component having one or more reflective portions and one or more non-reflective portions in accordance with aspects herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The subject matter of the present invention is described with specificity herein to meet statutory requirements. However, the description itself is not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. Rather, the inventors have contemplated that the claimed or disclosed subject matter might also be embodied in other ways, to include different steps or combinations of steps similar to the ones described in this document, in conjunction with other present or future technologies. Moreover, although the terms “step” and/or “block” might be used herein to connote different elements of methods employed, the terms should not be interpreted as implying any particular order among or between various steps herein disclosed unless and except when the order of individual steps is explicitly stated.

People often seek to wear clothing or apparel having a reflective material for a variety of reasons, including its ability to create a unique aesthetic based on its reflective qualities. In some instances, the reflective qualities may improve a person's safety. For example, athletes exercising in low light conditions seek to wear clothing that reflects light so as to alert others to their presence. Additionally, clothing or apparel that reflects light in a unique pattern may create a visually appealing design.

Conventional methods of knitting clothing or apparel to create these unique designs with reflective qualities is time-consuming, among other disadvantages. Typically, creating a pattern of reflective and non-reflective portions in the same knit course entails dropping in and out reflective yarns, requiring the cutting of the yarns as they enter and exit the knit course. This is especially time-consuming when complex designs are created with multiple reflective and non-reflective portions in the same knit course. Further, cutting yarns introduces the risk of the reflective or non-reflective yarn slipping out of the knit stitch. This weakens the overall knit structure, increasing the chances that the knit component may unravel over time.

At a high level, aspects herein are directed to knit components having reflective portions and non-reflective portions formed within the same knit course. The reflective portions and/or non-reflective portions are integrally knit within the same knit course by floating a yarn on the technical back of the knit component. As explained further below, a first yarn and a second yarn may be knit in a plated relationship in a first knit segment, where the first yarn forms the technical face of the knit component and the second yarn forms the technical back of the knit component. As such, when in an as-worn configuration such that the technical face is positioned facing outward, the first yarn may be seen while the second yarn is generally hidden from view. In a second knit segment, the second yarn may form both the technical face and the technical back of the knit component while the first yarn is positioned at the technical back as a float. As such, when in the as-worn configuration, the second yarn may be seen while the first yarn is generally hidden from view.

Reflective portions and non-reflective portions are formed in the first or second knit segment based on whether a reflective yarn is used as the first or second yarn. For instance, in aspects where the first yarn is the non-reflective yarn and the second yarn is the reflective yarn, the first yarn will form a non-reflective portion in the first knit segment because the first and second yarn are knit in a plated relationship and the non-reflective first yarn is positioned on the technical face of the knit component and effectively hides the reflective second yarn. A reflective portion may be formed in the second knit segment as the first yarn is positioned at the technical back of the knit component as a float. As such, the second yarn (the reflective yarn) is exposed and forms the reflective portion on the technical face of the knit component.

In other aspects, the first yarn is the reflective yarn and the second yarn is the non-reflective yarn. The first yarn forms a reflective portion in the first knit segment because the first and second yarn are knit in a plated relationship, and the reflective first yarn is positioned on the technical face of the knit component. A non-reflective portion may be formed in the second knit segment as the first yarn is positioned at the technical back of the knit component as a float and, as such, is generally not visible on the outer-facing surface of the knit component. Because the second yarn is visible on the technical face in the second knit segment, the second yarn (the non-reflective yarn) forms the non-reflective portion on the technical face of the knit component.

Aspects therefore allow a reflective portion and a non-reflective portion to be formed in the same knit course of the knit component. Further, the reflective portion and non-reflective portions may be positioned throughout the knit component to create an improved aesthetic as well as improved wearer safety and can be manufactured in an efficient manner. As well, the reflective and non-reflective portions can be knit without cutting the yarn so as to produce a stronger knit structure, reducing the risk of the knit component from unraveling over time.

Positional terms as used herein such as “front,” “back,” “lateral,” “medial,” “superior,” “inferior,” “forefoot,” “plantar,” and the like are with respect to a knit component as described herein incorporated into an article of apparel being worn as intended by a wearer standing in an anatomical position. As such, when the article is, for example, an upper-body garment or a lower-body garment, the front of the article is configured to cover a front upper torso area and/or front arm portions or a lower front torso area and front leg portions respectively of a wearer, and the back of the article is configured to cover a back upper torso area and/or back arm portions or a lower back torso area and back leg portions respectively of the wearer. When the article is, for instance, a sock or an upper of a shoe, the lateral side is configured to cover a lateral side of a wearer's foot, the medial side is configured to cover a medial side of the wearer's foot, the forefoot and/or instep of the article is configured to cover the dorsum of the wearer's foot, and the plantar side is configured to cover the sole of the wearer's foot.

The term “knit course” as used herein is a predominantly horizontal row of knitted loops (in an upright fabric as knit) produced by adjacent needles during the same knitting cycle. The knit course may include one or more stitch types such as a loop stitch, a held stitch, a float stitch, a tuck stitch, a transfer stitch, and the like as these terms are known in the art of knitting. The term “knit stitch” as used herein refers to a knit loop formed by a needle during a knitting cycle where the knit stitch may be interlooped with adjacent knit stitches in example aspects. The term “technical back” as used herein refers to the inner side of the fabric or textile as it is being knit. The term “technical back” may also be defined as the side of the fabric or textile that contains back loops or purl loops. The term “technical face” as used herein refers to the outer side of the fabric or textile as it is being knit. The term “technical face” may also be defined as the side of the fabric or textile that contains face loops or weft knit loops. In example aspects, the technical face is an external-facing surface of the knit component, and the technical back is an internal-facing surface of the knit component (the surface configured to be adjacent to a wearer's skin surface). A “float stitch” or “float” as used herein means a yarn formed from a missed stitch that floats freely on the technical back of a textile and that extends from the base of one knitted loop to the base of the next knitted loop along a knit course.

The term “integrally knit” as used herein may mean a textile or fabric having a yarn from one or more knit courses being interlooped with one or more knit courses of another area. When referred to a knit segment, integrally knit may mean a knit segment of a knit course that precedes or follows another knit segment of the same knit course where each of the knit segments share a common yarn. For instance, if a first knit segment is integrally knit with a second knit segment along a knit course, the first knit course may precede or follow the second knit course in the course-wise direction and includes a common yarn with the second knit segment. The term “plating” as used herein means a knit construction where a first yarn (e.g., a base yarn) and a second yarn (e.g., a plating yarn) are knitted in the same knit stitch using, for instance, a first yarn feeder or base yarn feeder and a second yarn feeder or a plating yarn feeder.

The term “reflective” as used herein means may be a material having one or more reflective characteristics, including, without limitation, retroreflectivity, specular reflectivity, and diffuse reflectivity. For the purposes of this disclosure, “retroreflective” is used to describe a phenomenon wherein a reflected ray travels along a vector parallel to that of an incident ray (e.g., originating from a light-emitting source), but in the opposite direction. In other words, a material is retroreflective when it reflects light back at its source. Some examples of retroreflective materials include yarns, tapes, sheets, strips, and the like, comprising reflective glass beads, microprisms, lenses, or the like. The term “specular reflectivity” is used to describe a condition where a reflected ray is reflected at an angle away from an emitting light source. The reflected ray may be said to have an angle of reflection relative to a plane normal to the reflecting surface, the angle of reflection being equal to an angle of incidence relative to the normal plane. One common example of a specular reflective material is a mirror; other examples may include metallic substances, particularly those with a microscopically smooth surface and/or lustrous appearance, such as aluminum foil. A material may be said to have diffuse reflectivity when at least some of the light incident to a rough surface is reflected in many directions. Many materials are diffuse reflectors. Examples of materials having diffuse reflective properties are unadorned textiles, including non-woven textiles, such as felt, woven textiles, knit textiles, braided textiles, and the like. A diffuse reflecting material may have a particular color, in which case all portions of the visible light spectrum (electromagnetic waves having a wavelength in the range of 380 nm-750 nm) are absorbed by the material except for the particular color, which is diffusely reflected in many directions due to the material's uneven surface.

The term reflective as used herein may refer to either relative reflectivity or absolute reflectivity. By saying that a first yarn is relatively reflective it may be understood to mean that the first yarn has a higher reflectivity relative to a second yarn. In one example, the reflective yarn would be considered reflective due to the amount of reflected light being observed at a particular point being greater than the amount of reflected light being observed at the same point by a non-reflective yarn. For example, with respect to a retroreflective material, when a viewer is within a certain observation angle (e.g., 1 degree) of an emitting light source (e.g., a white light having a plurality of wavelengths found within a range extending from 380 nm to 750 nm), and the incident ray strikes the observed surface within a certain entrance angle (e.g., 45 degrees) relative to the surface's normal axis, the reflective material may reflect considerably more light to the observation point than the non-reflective material. In another example, if the reflective material had spectrally reflective properties, an observation point at an angle of reflection equal to the angle of incidence may experience a considerable amount of reflected light from the reflective material, particularly compared to the relatively non-reflective textile.

Additionally or alternatively to human perception, “reflective” may be understood to mean that the reflective yarn exceeds a threshold of absolute reflectivity. Absolute reflectivity may be measured using devices that measure an amount of reflected light, such as spectrophotometers, spectrometers, luxometers, or any other instrument suitable for detecting an amount/intensity of reflected waves at a one or more wavelengths. Various standards and methodologies may be used to determine absolute reflectivity.

For example, “reflectivity” or “light reflectance value” may be determined by the quotient of an amount of light reflected by a material divided by the amount of light received by the material, determined using the testing procedures set forth in ASTM E1331-15. A yarn may be considered reflective if it has a reflectivity greater than or equal to a threshold and considered non-reflective if it has a reflectivity less than the threshold. In aspects, the threshold may be 0.25 (25%), 0.5 (50%), 0.75 (75%), or any desirable threshold between 0.1 (10%) and 0.9 (90%).

As another example, the reflective yarn may have a higher coefficient of retroreflection than the non-reflective yarn. The “coefficient of retroreflection” is another type of standard-based measurement and is used to specifically quantify a material's retroreflectivity. A “coefficient of retroreflection” or “R_A” may be said to be the candela/lux/m²for a particular entrance angle and observation angle, determined in accordance with the testing, measurement, and analytical procedures defined by the “Ratio Method” of ASTM E809-08. A yarn may be termed to be “retroreflective” or “reflective” for the purposes of this specification if a yarn has an R_Agreater than or equal to a threshold and considered non-reflective if it has a reflectivity less than the threshold. In aspects, the threshold may be 5, 25, 50, or 100 when measured in dry conditions at a five degree entrance angle and 0.2 degree observation angle.

In example aspects, the reflective yarn may include a micro-slit reflective film twisted with a filament polyester manufactured by Wuxi Lumiya Textile Co., Ltd. of Jiangsu, China. It should be appreciated that twisting of the film with the polyester improves the comfort of the yarn against a wearer's skin and improves the flexibility of the yarn. Example non-reflective yarns may include yarns such as polyester, nylon, cotton, wool, or the like. For instance, non-reflective yarns include a 100% filament polyester yarn and/or a 100% nylon yarn. The term “about” used when, for instance, describing numerical ranges means within ±10% of a designated value unless indicated otherwise. Unless otherwise noted, all measurements provided herein are measured at standard ambient temperature and pressure (25 degrees Celsius or 298.15 K and 1 bar).

FIGS. 1-2 illustrate a medial view and a lateral view, respectively, of an example knit component 100 having reflective portions 110n and non-reflective portions 120n. While the knit component 100 is shown in the form of a sock, the knit component 100 may be any knit component such as a shirt, sweater, pants, shoes, glove, hat, or bag. Additionally, while the knit component 100 is shown in the form of a crew sock, other sock lengths are contemplated herein such as a leg sock, a quarter sock, an over-the-calf or executive sock, and the like.

As illustrated, the knit component 100 includes the one or more reflective portions 110n and the one or more non-reflective portions 120n in an alternating pattern. The one or more reflective portions 110n and the one or more non-reflective portions 120n may be positioned anywhere on the knit component 100 such as the leg, welt, sole, or toe area of the sock. As illustrated in FIGS. 1-2, the one or more reflective portions 110n and the one or more non-reflective portions 120n are positioned on a leg portion 102 of the knit component 100 to provide good visibility in low light conditions.

The one or more reflective portions 110n and the one or more non-reflective portions 120n may be formed by a plurality of knit courses. In some example aspects, and as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the one or more reflective portions 110n and the one or more non-reflective portions 120n may extend circumferentially around the knit component 100, such as the leg portion 102 of the knit component 100. In other example aspects, the one or more reflective portions 110n and the one or more non-reflective portions 120n may extend only partially around the circumference of the knit component 100, such as partially around the leg portion 102 of the knit component 100. As described in greater detail below, the one or more reflective portions 110n and the one or more non-reflective portions 120n may be formed based on a reflective yarn and a non-reflective yarn forming a particular knit structure. For example, the one or more reflective portions 110n and the one or more non-reflective portions 120n may be formed based on two different knit segments within a single knit course. By utilizing these two different types of knit segments throughout the single knit course, a unique aesthetic may be created in the knit component 100.

For instance, FIG. 1 illustrates the one or more reflective portions 110n and the one or more non-reflective portions 120n forming a checkerboard pattern in the leg portion 102 of the knit component 100. The one or more reflective portions 110n are depicted with a hatch pattern to indicate that light may be reflected differently than the one or more non-reflective portions 120n. In some aspects, the one or more reflective portions 110n may have a higher retro-reflective quality than the one or more non-reflective portions 120n. It should be appreciated that any pattern or aesthetic may be formed using the one or more reflective portions 110n and one or more non-reflective portions 120n. For instance, the one or more reflective portions 110n and the one or more non-reflective portions 120n may form various shapes (e.g., diamonds, circles, stripes, or triangles) of various sizes. Aspects described herein are not limited to a geometric pattern. For instance, the one or more reflective portions 110n and the one or more non-reflective portions 120n may form letters, logos, symbols, curvilinear designs or objects, and the like.

Visually appealing patterns or designs can be created based on a length 112 (e.g., in the coursewise direction) and a height 114 (e.g., in the walewise direction) of either the reflective or non-reflective portion. For instance, regarding the length 112, the one or more reflective portions 110n and/or the one or more non-reflective portions 120n may extend across any number of knit stitches. Hence, the one or more reflective portions 110n and/or the one or more non-reflective portions 120n may vary in length in the coursewise direction. By way of example, each of the one or more reflective portions 110n and/or the one or more non-reflective portions 120n may extend between a range of from about one knit stitch to about forty knit stitches. In some aspects, each of the one or more reflective portions 110n and/or the one or more non-reflective portions 120n may extend between a range of from about one knit stitch to about ten knit stitches. In further aspects, each of the one or more reflective portions 110n and/or the one or more non-reflective portions 120n may extend between a range of from about one knit stitch to about five knit stitches. In some example aspects the length of the reflective portions 110n and/or the non-reflective portions 120n may be limited by a length of a float stitch as explained below. For instance, when float stitches exceed a certain number of knit stitches, they can snag and/or be uncomfortable against the wearer's skin. Also, when float stitches exceed a certain number of knit stitches, they are typically cut which can increase manufacturing times.

Regarding the height 114, the one or more reflective portions 110n and/or the one or more non-reflective portions 120n may extend across any number of knit courses in the walewise direction. Hence, the one or more reflective portions 110n and/or the one or more non-reflective portions 120n may vary in height in the walewise direction. By way of example, each of the one or more reflective portions 110n and/or the one or more non-reflective portions 120n may extend between a range of from about one knit course to about one hundred knit courses. In additional aspects, each of the one or more reflective portions 110n or the one or more non-reflective portions 120n may extend between a range of from about one knit course to about fifty knit courses. In further aspects, each of the one or more reflective portions 110n and/or the one or more non-reflective portions 120n may extend between a range of from about one knit course to about ten knit courses. In some aspects, each of the one or more reflective portions 110n and/or the one or more non-reflective portions 120n may extend between a range of from about one knit course to about five knit courses.

It should be appreciated that the length 112 of a first reflective portion 110n may be different or the same as the length 112 of a second reflective portion 110n. For example, the first reflective portion 110n may include a first number of knit stitches while the second reflective portion 110n may include a second number of knit stitches. The first number of knit stitches may be the same, greater, or lesser than the second number of knit stitches. Likewise, the length 112 of a first non-reflective portion 120n may be different or the same length 112 of a second non-reflective portion 120n. For example, a first non-reflective portion 120n may include a third number of knit stitches while a second non-reflective portion 120n may include a fourth number of knit stitches. The third number of knit stitches may be the same, greater, or lesser than the fourth number of knit stitches. Varying the length of each reflective and non-reflective portions 110n, 120n may create a unique aesthetic on the technical face (or technical back if worn in an inside-out configuration) of the knit component 100. It is also contemplated herein that the length 112 of some or all of the reflective portions 110n may be the same, greater, or lesser than the length 112 of some or all of the non-reflective portions 120n. Any and all aspects, and any variation thereof, are contemplated as being within aspects herein.

It should also be appreciated that the height 114 of a first reflective portion 110n may be different or the same as the height 114 of a second reflective portion 110n. For example, the first reflective portion 110n may include a first number of knit courses while the second reflective portion 110n may include a second number of knit courses. The first number of knit courses may be the same, greater, or lesser than the second number of knit courses. Likewise, the height 114 of a first non-reflective portion 120n may be different or the same as the height 114 of a second non-reflective portion 120n. For example, a first non-reflective portion 120n may include a third number of knit courses while a second non-reflective portion 120n may include a fourth number of knit courses. The third number of knit courses may be the same, greater, or lesser than the fourth number of knit courses. It is additionally contemplated herein that the height 114 of some or all of the reflective portions 110n may be the same, greater, or lesser than the height 114 of some or all of the non-reflective portions 120n. By varying the height 114 of the reflective and non-reflective portions 110n, 120n, a unique aesthetic may be created on the technical face (or technical back if worn in an inside-out configuration) of the knit component 100.

FIG. 3 illustrates a technical face of an example knit structure 300 of a knit component, such as the knit component 100. The knit structure 300 includes one or more reflective portions 310n and non-reflective portions 320n on the technical face of the knit structure 300, similar to the one or more reflective portions 110n and non-reflective portions 120n of the knit component 100. The reflective portions 310n and the non-reflective portions 320n may be formed by one or more knit segments such as a first knit segment 312 and a second knit segment 322. The knit segments may be knit with a first yarn 302 (which may be a body yarn) and a second yarn 304 (which may be a plating yarn). For clarity, the second yarn 304 is illustrated as having a single hatch.

As stated, the first knit segment 312 and/or the second knit segment 322 may form the reflective portions 310n and/or the non-reflective portions 320n. While the first knit segment 312 and the second knit segment 322 are illustrated as each having two knit stitches, the first knit segment 312 and the second knit segment 322 may include any number of knit stitches.

The first knit segment 312 and the second knit segment 322 may have different knit structures so as to create the reflective portions 310n and the non-reflective portions 320n. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the first knit segment 312 forms the non-reflective portion 320n while the second knit segment 322 forms the reflective portion 310n. However, in alternative aspects, it is contemplated that the first knit segment 312 forms the reflective portion 310n while the second knit segment 322 forms a non-reflective portion 320n, as described in greater detail below.

The first knit segment 312 includes one or more knit stitches of the first yarn 302 and the second yarn 304 that are knit in a plated relationship. The first yarn 302 forms the technical face of the knit structure 300 and the second yarn 304 forms a technical back of the knit structure 300. As illustrated, the second knit segment 322 includes one or more knit stitches of the second yarn 304. The second yarn 304 may thus form both the technical face of the knit structure 300 at certain areas of the knit structure 300 and the technical back of the knit structure 300 at other areas of the knit structure 300. As described in greater detail in reference to FIG. 4, the first yarn 302 may form a float stitch and be positioned at the back of the one or more knit stitches created by the second yarn 304 in the second knit segment 322.

In general, the reflective portions 310n and the non-reflective portions 320n can be formed using a reflective yarn as either the first yarn 302 or the second yarn 304. In a first example, the first yarn 302 is a non-reflective yarn and the second yarn 304 is a reflective yarn. When the first yarn 302 is a non-reflective yarn, the non-reflective portion 320n is formed on the technical face of the first knit segment 312 based on one or more knit stitches being knit with the non-reflective first yarn 302. In this example, the non-reflective first yarn 302 hides or covers the plated reflective second yarn 304 in the first knit segment 312. The reflective portion 310n is formed on the technical face of the second knit segment 322 based on one or more knit stitches being knit with the reflective second yarn 304. As explained in more detail with reference to FIG. 4, the non-reflective first yarn 302 forms a float stitch and is positioned at the technical back of the knit structure 300 in the second knit segment 322. Because the non-reflective first yarn 302 is positioned on the technical back of the knit structure 300 in the second knit segment 322, the reflective second yarn 304 is exposed on the technical face of the knit structure 300. In this way, reflective and non-reflective portions may be formed in a single knit course without requiring further manufacturing steps (e.g., dropping yarns in/out or cutting the yarns). This may reduce the manufacturing time and produce a stronger knit structure. It should be appreciated that, in some aspects, the one or more knit stitches of the second knit segment 322 do not include the first yarn 302. For example, as stated, the first yarn 302 may float along the technical back created by the one or more knit stitches of the second knit segment 322 formed using the second yarn 304.

In a second alternative example, in some aspects, the first yarn 302 is a reflective yarn and the second yarn 304 is a non-reflective yarn. In such aspects, a reflective portion, such as reflective portion 310n, is formed on the technical face of the first knit segment 312 based on the reflective first yarn 302 being knit in one or more knit stitches on the technical face of the knit structure 300 and hiding or covering the non-reflective second yarn 304. In the non-reflective second knit segment 322, the reflective first yarn 302 transitions to the technical back of the knit structure 300 as a float thus exposing the non-reflective second yarn 304 which is knit in one or more knit stitches to form the technical face of the second knit segment 322

FIG. 4 is a schematic depiction of the knit structure 300 of FIG. 3 depicting a technical face 330 and a technical back 340 of the knit structure 300. The first and second knit segments 312, 322 of FIG. 4 correspond to the first and second knit segments of 312, 322 of FIG. 3.

The first knit segment 312 is formed by knit stitches that are knit with the first yarn 302 and the second yarn 304 in a plated relationship. The first yarn 302 forms the technical face 330 of the knit structure 300 and the second yarn 304 forms the technical back 340 of the knit structure 300. The second knit segment 322 is formed by one or more knit stitches that are knit with the second yarn 304. As such, the second yarn 304 may include knit stitches on both the technical face 330 and the technical back 340 of the knit structure 300. In the second knit segment 322, the first yarn 302 is a float and is positioned at the technical back of the one or more knit stitches that are knit with the second yarn 304. As shown, the first yarn 302 floats across two of the knit stitches formed using the second yarn 304, although longer float lengths are contemplated herein. It should be appreciated that, in some aspects, the first and second knit segments 312, 322 further include a third yarn 320 that is laid in. The laid in third yarn 320 may provide additional stability to a resulting knit component.

As illustrated, in aspects where the first yarn 302 is the non-reflective yarn and the second yarn 304 is the reflective yarn, the non-reflective portion 320n is formed in the first knit segment 312 and the reflective portion 310n is formed in the second knit segment 322. Alternatively, in aspects where the first yarn 302 is the reflective yarn and the second yarn 304 is the non-reflective yarn, a reflective portion is formed in the first knit segment 312 and a non-reflective portion is formed in the second knit segment 322.

FIG. 5A is a schematic depiction of a plurality of needles 502n of, for instance, a circular knitting machine. During a knitting cycle, a portion of the plurality of needles 502n, such as needles 502a and 502b are positioned so as to receive the first yarn 302. For instance, the needles 502a, 502b may be moved to a first position 506 so as to pick up the first yarn 302. Turning briefly to FIG. 5B, the needle 502a is illustrated as picking up the first yarn 302 at a first yarn feeding station 508.

Returning to FIG. 5A, a portion of the plurality of needles 502n, such as needles 502c and 502d may be positioned so they do not receive the first yarn 302. For instance, the needles 502c, 502d may be in a second position 504 so as to not receive the first yarn 302. Because the first yarn 302 is not picked up by the needles 502c, 502d, the first yarn 302 forms a float as indicated by reference numeral 514. Accordingly, only a portion of the needles 502n may pick up the first yarn 302 after passing through the first yarn feeding station 508.

FIG. 6A is a schematic depiction of a position of the plurality of needles 502n during the same knitting cycle. During the knitting cycle, for example, the needles 502a, 502b, 502c, and 502d are moved to the second position 504 so as to receive the second yarn 304. Accordingly, the needles 502a, 502b will now hold both the first yarn 302 and the second yarn 304 with the second yarn 304 in back of the first yarn 302, while the needles 502c, 502d will hold only the second yarn 304. Turning briefly to FIG. 6B, the needle 502a is illustrated as picking up the second yarn 304 at a second yarn feeding station 510. As shown, the needle 502a already holds the first yarn 302.

FIG. 7A is a schematic depiction of a position of the plurality of needles 502n during the same knitting cycle of FIGS. 5A and 6A. After receiving the first yarn 302 and/or the second yarn 304, the one or more needles 502n may be moved to a third position 512 to form a knit stitch of a knit component. For instance, as illustrated in FIG. 7B, the needle 502a may be moved in a downward motion 702 to a knockover or rest position. The needles 502a, 502b holding the first and second yarns 302, 304 may form a knit stitch where the first yarn 302 is in a plated relationship with the second yarn 304. As such, the first yarn 302 may form the technical face of the knit component while the second yarn 304 may form the technical back of the knit component. The needles 502c, 502d holding the second yarn 304 may form a knit stitch while the first yarn 302 is floated.

It should be appreciated that the needles 502a, 502b that picked up both the first and second yarns 302, 304 may form the knit stitches of a first knit segment, such as the first knit segment 312 of FIGS. 3-4. In aspects described above where the first yarn 302 is the non-reflective yarn and the second yarn 304 is the reflective yarn, a non-reflective portion may be formed in the first knit segment. In alternative aspects, where the first yarn 302 is the reflective yarn and the second yarn 304 is the non-reflective yarn, a reflective portion may be formed in the first knit segment.

As stated, needles that picked up the second yarn 304 and not the first yarn 302 such as the needles 502c, 502d may form a knit stitch while the first yarn 302 is floated. Hence, the needles including the second yarn 304 and not the first yarn 302 may form the knit stitches of a second knit segment, such as the second knit segment 322 of FIGS. 3-4. In aspects where the first yarn 302 is the non-reflective yarn and the second yarn 304 is the reflective yarn, a reflective portion may be formed in the second knit segment. In alternative aspects, where the first yarn 302 is the reflective yarn and the second yarn 304 is the non-reflective yarn, a non-reflective portion may be formed in the second knit segment.

The particular knit stitch formed in combination with whether the reflective yarn is the body yarn or the plating yarn allows for efficient manufacturing of knit components having reflective portions and non-reflective portions in a single knit course. This provides a high degree of freedom in knitting unique designs and patterns that have reflective characteristics. For instance, a knitting program may control the position of the one or more needles 502n throughout each knitting cycle so as to vary the length and/or position of the reflective and non-reflective portions in the knit component so as to create distinctive reflective designs and patterns in any location of the knit component.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example representation of a knit glove 800 including one or more reflective and non-reflective portions 810n, 820n in accordance with aspects herein. The knit glove 800 is similar to the knit component 100 of FIG. 1. For instance, the knit glove 800 includes reflective portions 810n similar to the reflective portions 110n of FIG. 1. Additionally, the knit glove 800 includes non-reflective portions 820n similar to the non-reflective portions 120n of FIG. 1.

The knit glove 800 may have a glove body 802 having a plurality of regions, such as a wrist region 804, a mid-hand region 806, and a finger region 808. In some aspects, one or more knit courses extend circumferentially around the glove body 802 in the wrist region 804, the mid-hand region 806, or the finger region 808. In some aspects, the one or more knit courses in the wrist region 804 may have a knit structure similar to the knit structure 300 described in reference to FIG. 3. As such, the one or more knit courses in the wrist region 804 may include a first knit segment similar to the first knit segment 312 and a second knit segment similar to the second knit segment 322. Based on the whether a reflective yarn is used as the first yarn or the second yarn, reflective portions 810n and non-reflective portions 820n may be integrally knit into the knit glove 800. It should be appreciated that the location of the reflective portions 810n and non-reflective portions 820n is an example location. The reflective portions 810n and non-reflective portions 820n may be formed in any region of the knit glove 800, including the mid-hand region 806 or the finger region 808.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example representation of a knit upper 900 of a shoe including one or more reflective and non-reflective portions 910n, 920n in accordance with aspects herein. The knit upper 900 is similar to the knit component 100 of FIG. 1. For instance, the knit upper 900 may include reflective portions 910n similar to the reflective portions 110n of the knit component 100 of FIG. 1. In addition, the knit upper 900 may include non-reflective portions 920n similar to the non-reflective portions 120n of the knit component 100 of FIG. 1.

As illustrated, in some aspects, the knit upper 900 may include a toe region 908, a forefoot region 912, a throat region 914, and a heel region 916 which each including one or more reflective portions 910n and non-reflective portions 920n. The reflective portions 910n and the non-reflective portions 920n may be formed by the one or more knit courses having a knit structure similar to the knit structure 300 described in reference to FIG. 3. As such, the one or more knit courses of the knit upper 900 may include a first knit segment similar to the first knit segment 312 and a second knit segment similar to the second knit segment 322. Based on the whether a reflective yarn is used as the first yarn or the second yarn, reflective portions 910n and non-reflective portions 920n may be integrally knit into the knit upper 900. It should be appreciated that the location of the reflective portions 910n and the non-reflective portions 920n is an example location. The reflective portions 910n and the non-reflective portions 920n may be formed in any region of the knit upper 900. Additionally or alternatively, although the reflective and non-reflective portions 910n, 920n are shown as extending throughout the knit upper 900, they may be localized to one or more discrete areas, such as an area of the toe region 908, forefoot region 912, throat region 914, and/or heel region 916.

FIG. 10 illustrates an example representation a knit shirt 1000 including one or more reflective portions 1010n and non-reflective portions 1020n in accordance with aspects herein. Although shown in the form of a long-sleeve shirt, it is contemplated herein that the garment may assume other forms such as a short-sleeved shirt, a pullover, a hoodie, a jacket, and the like. The knit shirt 1000 may include a body region 1002, a chest region 1004, a shoulder region 1006, and a sleeve region 1008.

The knit shirt 1000 is similar to the knit component of FIG. 1. For instance, the knit shirt 1000 may include reflective portions 1010n similar to the reflective portions 110n of the knit component 100 of FIG. 1. In addition, the knit shirt 1000 may include non-reflective portions 1020n similar to the non-reflective portions 120n of the knit component 100 of FIG. 1.

As illustrated, the sleeve region 1008 includes the reflective portions 1010n and the non-reflective portions 1020n. The reflective portions 1010n and the non-reflective portions 1020n may be formed by the one or more knit courses having a knit structure similar to the knit structure 300 described in reference to FIG. 3. As such, the one or more knit courses of the knit shirt 1000 may include a first knit segment similar to the first knit segment 312 and a second knit segment similar to the second knit segment 322. Based on the whether a reflective yarn is used as the first yarn or the second yarn, reflective portions 1010n and non-reflective portions 1020n may be integrally knit into the knit shirt 1000. It should be appreciated that the location of the reflective portions 1010n and the non-reflective portions 1020n is an example location. The reflective portions 1010n and the non-reflective portions 1020n may be formed in any region of the knit shirt 1000. Although not shown, it is contemplated here that the reflective and non-reflective portions may be incorporated into other knit articles such as lower-body garments (pants, shorts), articles of headwear, as well as articles such as totes, backpacks, duffle bags and the like.

FIG. 11 provides a flow diagram of an example method 1100 of knitting a knit component, such as the knit component 100 of FIG. 1, in accordance with aspects herein. In example aspects, it is contemplated herein that the knit component may be knit on a circular knit machine. It is also contemplated herein that the knit component may be knit on a two-bed flat knit machine.

At block 1110, a first knit segment, such as the first knit segment 312 of FIG. 3, is knit to form a first non-reflective portion, such as the non-reflective portion 320n of FIG. 3, of the knit course. In some aspects, the first non-reflective portion is knit by knitting a first yarn, such as the first yarn 302 of FIG. 3, and a second yarn, such as the second yarn 304 of FIG. 3, in a plated relationship. In some aspects, the first yarn is a non-reflective yarn and the second yarn is a reflective yarn. The first yarn may thus form the first non-reflective portion on a technical face of the knit component.

While not shown, in alternative aspects, the first knit segment may be knit to form a reflective portion of the knit course. For example, the first yarn may be a reflective yarn and the second yarn may be a non-reflective yarn. Because the first yarn is knit in plated relationship with the second yarn, the first yarn may form a reflective portion on the technical face of the knit component.

At block 1120, a second knit segment, such as the second knit segment 322 of FIG. 3, is knit to form a reflective portion, such as the reflective portion 310n of FIG. 3 of the knit course. For instance, one or more knit stitches of the second knit segment may be knit with the second yarn. It should be appreciated that the one or more knit stitches of the second knit segment may not be knit with the first yarn, which may instead be positioned at a technical back as float. Additionally, the second knit segment may be integrally knit with the first knit segment. As stated, in some aspects, the second yarn may be the reflective yarn. In such aspects, the second yarn may form the reflective portion on the technical face of the knit component.

While not shown, in alternative aspects, the second knit segment may be knit to form a non-reflective portion of the knit course. For example, the second yarn may be a non-reflective yarn. The second yarn may thus form a non-reflective portion on the technical face of the knit component.

While not illustrated, the method may include knitting a third knit segment to form a second non-reflective portion and/or a second reflective portion. For instance, in aspects where the first yarn is a non-reflective yarn, the first yarn and the second yarn may be knit in a plated relationship, where the first yarn forms the second non-reflective portion on the technical face of the knit component. In aspects where the first yarn is a reflective yarn, the first yarn forms the second reflective portion on the technical face of the knit component in the third knit segment. The knit course may thus be knit to alternate between reflective and non-reflective portions.

Aspects of the present disclosure have been described with the intent to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Alternative aspects will become apparent to those skilled in the art that do not depart from its scope. A skilled artisan may develop alternative means of implementing the aforementioned improvements without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations and are contemplated within the scope of the claims. Not all steps listed in the various figures need be carried out in the specific order described.

REFLECTIVE KNIT COMPONENT

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