1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to seamless knit garments. More particularly, the present invention relates to knit garments having one or more of a first knit construction seamlessly integrated with one or more of a second knit construction.
2. Description of Related Art
Seamless knit garments can be knit on flat and/or circular knitting machines. Such machines are commercially available from, for example, the Monarch Knitting Machinery Corporation of Glendale, N.Y., Santoni S.p.A. of Brescia, Italy, Shima Seiki Manufacturing Limited of Wakayama, Japan, and others.
Some knitting machines can knit only a first knit construction such as, but not limited to, a plain double knit stitch or a plain single jersey knit stitch. Other knitting machines can produce a second knit construction such as, a spacer knit stitch, a rib knit stitch, a pointelle knit stitch, a mesh knit stitch, a sheer knit stitch, a quilted knit stitch, and others.
In order to provide garments having more than one portion with the first knit construction and/or to combine the first and second knit constructions, two or more knitted fabrics have been required. Here, the desired fabrics have been joined by way of a seam (e.g., sewing, welding, and gluing).
In many garments, seams and discontinuities can be physically and/or aesthetically unpleasing. For example, seams in many outerwear garments and sportswear garments can chaff, exert pressure points and, thus, can be a source of physical discomfort. In addition, seams in intimate apparel garments (e.g., a brassiere, a panty, a camisole, and others) can often be visible through outer clothing, which can be aesthetically unpleasing.
Accordingly, there is a need for garments having the first and second knit constructions seamlessly integrated therein.
It is an object of the present invention to provide seamless knit garments.
It is another object of the present invention to provide garments having a first portion knitted with a first knit construction seamlessly knit to a second portion knitted with a second knit construction.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide garments having a combination of double and single jersey knit structures seamlessly knit to other knit structures such as, but not limited to, three-dimensional knit structures, sheer knit structures, decorative single jersey knit structures, or any combinations thereof.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide knit garments having a plurality of portions each with a different type of a first knit construction and/or second knit construction, where the plurality of portions are seamlessly knit to one another.
It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a knit garment having a patterned effect provided by the seamless integration of portions having different knit constructions.
The above-described and other features and advantages of the present invention will be appreciated and understood by those skilled in the art from the following detailed description and drawings.
Referring now to the figures and in particular to
Body 12 can have a generally tubular shape defined by one or more first portions 20 and one or more second portions 22. Body 12 is knitted using a knitting process so first and second portions 20, 22 are integrally knitted to one another. Thus, body 12 is free of seams joining first and second portions 20, 22 to one another. For example, body 12 can be knitted using a circular or weft knitting process, a flat knitting process, and others.
First portion 20 is knit with a first knit construction, while second portion 22 is knit with a second knit construction. As used herein, the phrase “first knit construction” shall mean knits that have one stitch formed on each needle all of the time so that an intermeshing of stitches are formed in the same direction on the technical face of the fabric and a series of loops are formed on the technical back of the fabric. For example, the first knit construction includes any one of the following knits a plain double knit, a plain single jersey knit, or any combinations thereof. The phrase “second knit construction” shall mean knits that use any combination of a plain knitted loop, a held loop with no stitch, and a tuck loop. The second knit construction can have any of these loops transferred from one set of needles to another set of needles and can have any of these loops knit stitched, tuck stitched, and miss stitched individually on each set of needles. For example, the second knit construction includes any one of the following knits a spacer knit, a rib knit, a pointelle knit, a mesh knit, a sheer knit, a quilted knit, an eyelet or open knit, or any combinations thereof.
In the illustrated embodiment of
First and second portions 20, 22 can also be positioned in body 12 to provide a seamless patterned effect to garment 10. For example, first and second portions 20, 22 are illustrated by way of example in
In some embodiments of the present invention, garment 10 can be a shaped or fitted garment. For example, body 12 can have a length as measured from straps 14 to welt 16 and an inner diameter (not shown). The shaped aspect of garment 10 is provided by varying the inner diameter along the length of body 12. In the embodiment illustrated in
Garment 10 is illustrated by way of example in
It is also contemplated by the present invention for garment 10 to be any garment such as, but not limited to, a brief-style panty 28 as in
The brief-style panty 28 as in
It is also contemplated by the present invention for first portion 20 and/or second portion 22 to extend horizontally and/or diagonally across body 12 as in the brassiere 32 of
Referring now to
In the illustrated embodiment of
Body 36 can include a central shaped section 45. Here, body 36 has a maximum inner diameter at its upper and lower extents and a minimum inner diameter at central shaped section 45.
Advantageously, second portions 40 can be selected and/or positioned in body 36 to provide a patterned effect to camisole 34. For example, pointelle knit portions 42 are illustrated along the upper and lower edges of body 36. Open knit portions 46 define a pair of breast cups 50, a front panel 52, a rear panel 54, and a pair of sides 56 in body 36. Mesh knit portions 44 are illustrated in front and rear panels 52, 54, while rib knit portions 48 are illustrated in sides 56 and breast cups 50.
As can be seen in
Again,
It should also be recognized that garment 34 is illustrated in
Referring now to
Body 66 includes one or more first portions 72 and one or more second portions 74. Again, body 66 is knitted so that first and second portions 72, 74 are integrally knitted to one another. Thus, body 66 is free of seams joining first and second portions 72, 74 to one another. First portions 72 can be knit with the same or different first knit constructions. Similarly, second portions 74 can be knit with the same or different second knit constructions.
In the illustrated embodiment, first portions 72 have a plain single-jersey knit stitch 76, while second portions 74 have a number of different second knit constructions. For example, second portions 74 can include one or more quilt knit portions 78, and one or more sheer knit portions 80. Quilt knit portions 78 can be a two-yarn quilt (e.g., no filler) and/or a three-yarn quilt (e.g., filler). Further, quilt knit portions 78 can define quilted regions 82, quilted lines 84, or any combinations thereof.
Advantageously, first and second portions 72, 74 can be selected and positioned in body 66 to provide a patterned effect to camisole 64. Specifically, the stitch type and position of the first and second portions 72, 74 within body 66 can be used to provide a seamless patterned effect to camisole 64.
Again, while
Referring now to
Body 94 has one or more first portions 100 and one or more second portions 102. Again, body 94 is knitted so that first and second portions 100, 102 are integrally knitted to one another. Thus, body 94 is free of seams joining first and second portions 100, 102 to one another.
First portion 100 is knit with first knit construction, while second portion 102 is knit with the second knit construction. In this embodiment, first portion 100 has a plain single jersey knit and second portion 102 has a spacer knit 104. Spacer knit 104 has two separate face fibers combined with an inner spacer yarn or yarns in a warp-knitted construction. The spacer yarns contribute engineered properties such as thickness, elasticity, compression, physical spaces and channels, or any combinations thereof. The face fibers provide such qualities as density, water-repellency, antimicrobial attributes, softness, breathability, UV or chemical resistance, fire retardation, texture, or any combinations thereof. Spacer knit 104 can be thick or thin, and the thickness can vary across its width.
Referring now to
Referring now to
Shirt 110 includes a plurality of first portions 120 and a second portion 122 seamlessly integrated with one another to form the whole garment. Here, first portions 120 are knit with the first knit construction, while second portion 122 is knit with the second knit construction. In addition, first and second portions 120, 122 can provide a seamless patterned effect to shirt 110.
The plurality of first portions 120 include a main body 124, a pair of armbands 126, and a waist band 128. Main body 124 is knit with a plain single jersey knit stitch to define the arms and torso sections of shirt 110. Main body 124 can include a pleated section 130, providing additional mobility and flexibility to this region of shirt 110. Arm and waist bands 126, 128 are knit with a plain double knit stitch having elastic yarns so that the arm and waist bands assist in maintaining shirt 110 in the desired position when worn.
Second portion 122 is knit with a spacer knit to define the shoulder sections of shirt 110. The spacer knit of second portion 122 provides attributes such as warmth, wind protection, and/or water protection to shirt 110.
In the illustrated embodiment, waistband 128 is shown as a shaped band as shown and described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/404,918 filed on Apr. 1, 2003, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein. Also show in the illustrated embodiment, main body 124 includes a central shaped section 125. Here, main body 124 has a maximum inner diameter at its upper and lower extents but a minimum inner diameter at central shaped section 125.
Referring now to
Shirt 130 includes a plurality of first portions 132 and a plurality of second portions 134 seamlessly integrated with one another to form the whole garment. Here, first portions 132 are knit with the first knit construction, while second portions 134 are knit with the second knit construction. In addition, first and second portions 1320, 134 can provide a seamless patterned effect to shirt 130.
The plurality of first portions 132 include a pair of side regions 136 and a pair of cuff bands 138. Side regions 136 are knit with a plain single jersey knit. Side regions 136 can include one or more pocket sections 140. In addition, side regions 136 can include one or more pleated sections 142 that provide additional mobility and flexibility to this region of shirt 130. Cuff bands 138 are knit with a plain double knit stitch having elastic yarns so that the cuff bands assist in maintaining shirt 130 in the desired position when worn.
In the illustrated embodiment, shirt 130 includes a central shaped section 145. Here, shirt 130 has a maximum inner diameter at its upper and lower extents but a minimum inner diameter at central shaped section 145.
The plurality of second portions 134 includes a vest area 144 and a seat area 146. Vest and seat areas 144, 146 are knit with a spacer knit to provide attributes such as warmth, wind and/or water protection, and padding to shirt 130.
Referring now to
Pant 150 includes a plurality of first portions 152 and a plurality of second portions 154 seamlessly integrated with one another to form the whole garment. Again, first portions 152 are knit with the first knit construction, while second portions 154 are knit with the second knit construction and provide a seamless patterned effect to pant 150.
The plurality of first portions 152 include an inner region 156 and a pair of cuff bands 158. Inner regions 156 are knit with a plain single jersey knit. Inner region 156 can include one or more pocket sections 160. In addition, inner region 156 can include can include one or more pleated sections 162, providing additional mobility and flexibility to this region of pant 150. Cuff bands 158 are knit with a plain single jersey knit having elastic yarns so that the cuff bands assist in maintaining pant 150 in the desired position when worn.
The plurality of second portions 154 includes an outer region 164 and a waistband 166. Outer region 164 and waist band 166 are knit with a spacer knit to provide attributes such as warmth, wind and/or water protection, and padding to pant 150. In addition, waistband 166 is knit with elastic yarns so that the waistband assists in maintaining pant 150 in the desired position when worn. Waistband 166 can include one or more pleated sections 168, providing additional mobility and flexibility to this region of pant 150.
Accordingly, some embodiments of the present invention provide for seamless integration of two or more second knit constructions to one another. Other embodiments provide for seamless integration of one or more second knit constructions with one or more first knit constructions. The shape, size, and/or type of knit construction can be selected and/or positioned to provide the resultant garment with any desired patterned effect.
It should be recognized that the first and second knit constructions are described herein by way of example. Of course, it is contemplated for other first and/or second knit constructions, as defined herein, to fall within the scope of the present invention.
In addition, it should be noted that the garments of the present invention are described herein by way of example as intimate apparel garments (e.g., a brassiere, a panty, a camisole, and others). However, it is contemplated by the present invention for garment to be any garment such as, but not limited to, outerwear garments, sportswear garments, intimate apparel garments, or other garments.
Also, it should be noted that the terms “first”, “second”, “third”, “upper”, “lower”, and the like may be used herein to modify various elements. These modifiers do not imply a spatial, sequential, or hierarchical order to the modified elements unless specifically stated.
While the present invention has been described with reference to one or more exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the present invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the present invention not be limited to the particular embodiment(s) disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/513,815, filed Oct. 23, 2003 the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.
Number | Date | Country | |
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60513815 | Oct 2003 | US |