A multi-denier nonwoven composite fabric having a nested structure is hydraulically treated by particular process parameters to improve softness and tactile feel.

A flat knitting machine structure with an adjustable gap between two knock-over bits includes two needle beds and two cam systems. Each needle bed comprises a plurality of needles and a plurality of knock-over bits. Each needle comprises a butt. Each of the knock-over bits comprises a control butt. The two needle beds are disposed at interval so that the knock-over bits face each other to define a gap. The distance of the gap is equal to a space between two knock-over bits facing each other. Each cam system comprises a needle cam to provide the plurality of butts being placed and guide each needle to make a knitting stroke towards the gap, and a knock-over bit cam provides the control butts being placed. The knock-over bit cam is controlled to define a displacement stroke for driving the plurality of knock-over bits to change the size of the gap.

A method for knitting a three-dimensional fabric with variable thickness through a flat knitting machine includes the following steps: moving two cam groups and driving a plurality of knitting needles to knit a first piece of knitting by a starting cam system; moving the two cam groups and driving the plurality of knitting needles to knit a second piece of knitting by a middle cam system; and moving the two cam groups and driving the plurality of knitting needles to knit a supporting yarn by two tail cam systems respectively. The tail cam systems control each of a plurality of knock-over bit cams to move according to a gap size corresponding to a knitting length of the supporting yarn, so as to promptly change a thickness of the three-dimensional fabric along the length change of the supporting yarn.

A method for fabricating a bra structure includes forming an integral 3D knitted-fabric substrate, and compression-molding the integral 3D knitted-fabric substrate to form the bra structure. The bra structure includes two cups connected to each other, each having an apex area and a peripheral area, wherein each the apex is proximate centrally middle area of an associated cup of the two cups and each the peripheral is proximate laterally outer area of the associated cup, and two wings respectively extending from the peripheral areas of the two cups, wherein ends of the wings, which are far away from the cups, are configured to be fastened together. The two cups and two wings are made of the integral 3D knitted-fabric substrate, and the integral 3D knitted-fabric substrate is compressed to have a larger thickness in the apex areas than in the peripheral areas and the wings.

An article of footwear has an upper that includes a knitted component and a sole structure secured to the upper. The knitted component may define a tube formed of unitary knit construction, and a strand may extend through a length of the tube. As another example, the knitted component may have a pair of at least partially coextensive knitted layers formed of unitary knit construction, and a plurality of floating yarns may extend between the knitted layers. In some configurations, the knit type or yarn type may vary in different regions of the knitted component to impart different properties. Additionally, the knitted component may incorporate a thermoplastic yarn that is fused in different regions of the knitted component to impart different properties. A flat knitting process or a variety of other knitting processes may be utilized to form the knitted component.

Described are shoes, particularly a sports shoe, having an upper and at least one of an outer sole and a midsole connected to the upper. As examples, the outer sole is knitted in a unitary fashion with the upper. As further examples, an insert is positioned within the one-piece knitwear, wherein the insert comprises a profile that increases traction of the outer sole.

A variable thickness knitted component including a first region having a spacer knit construction, the first region having a first thickness, and a second region having the spacer knit construction, the second region having a second thickness different than the first thickness. The knitted component may be an integral one-piece element.

A breathable item of clothing and a breathable insert for items of clothing, the item of clothing includes an external enclosure, the surface of which has at least one opening for evacuating perspiration in the vapor phase in an upper region of the item of clothing, a breathable external covering having a structure for the external retention of water, impurities or others, an internal layer to be directed toward the body of the user of the item of clothing, forming an interspace due to the spacing of the external covering from the body of the user, for the passage of perspiration in the vapor phase, produced by the body and channeled within the interspace, to the external covering. The external covering, structure for external retention of water, impurities or others, and the internal layer are placed in a breathable preassembled insert.

The invention provides bras having enhanced dynamic performance and comfort as well as a method of manufacture thereof. Two-dimensional knitting is utilized to generate three-dimensional structures in the bra that conform to unique three-dimensional shapes of the wearer.

A multi-layer article of woven fabric includes a woven base layer; a woven mesh layer, disposed above the base layer, the mesh layer utilizing a first common warp for each one of a plurality of stacked wefts; and a woven binding layer, disposed above the mesh layer. The base layer and the binding layer share a second common warp.