ARTICLE OF HOSIERY

Abstract

An article of hosiery having a plurality of channels alternated with ridges, the channels have, at least in part, differentiated width.

Claims

1. An article of hosiery, of the type comprising a plurality of channels alternated with ridges, wherein said channels have, at least in part, differentiated width.

2. The article according to claim 1, further comprising portions and/or a part with different fabric density.

3. The article according to claim 1, wherein it comprises one or more portions with high fabric density.

4. The article according to claim 1, wherein in said one or more portions with high fabric density: said channels have a breadth comprised between 1 mm and 3 mm, said ridges have a width comprised between 1 mm and 7 mm.

5. The article according to claim 1, wherein it comprises one or more portions and/or a part with low fabric density.

6. The article according to claim 1, wherein in said one or more portions and/or part with low fabric density: said channels have a breadth comprised between 3 mm and 6 mm, said ridges have a width comprised between 2 mm and 5 mm.

7. The article according to claim 1, wherein it comprises at least one portion which is substantially free from said channels and said ridges.

8. The article according to claim 1, wherein in at least one of said portions with low fabric density, said channels and said ridges have an extension upward, in the conditions of use of said article, according to an inclination comprised between 50° and 80°, preferably between 60° and 70°, measured with respect to the foot resting plane.

9. The article according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said portions and/or said part comprises said channels alternated with said ridges which have an extension predominantly in the direction of the Brannock axis.

10. The article according to claim 1, wherein in at least one of said portions said channels alternated with said ridges have an extension substantially parallel to the transverse direction of the foot.

11. The article according to claim 1, wherein said low-density part is at the instep of the foot and has: a width comprised between 15% and 30%, preferably between 20% and 25%, of the measurement of the instep of the foot, a length (a) comprised between 40% and 60% of the length of the foot.

12. The article according to claim 1, wherein it comprises at least one manifold.

13. The article according to claim 1, wherein at least some of said channels converge in said manifold.

14. The article according to claim 1, wherein said at least one manifold has an extension from an upper edge: for a first section, equal to approximately half of said length of said part, predominantly in the direction of the Brannock axis, for a second section, equal to approximately 0.15-0.35 times said length of said part, following an inclined orientation up to a lateral edge of a fourth portion of a first zone, said first zone corresponding substantially to the surface of the sole of the foot, said fourth portion of said first zone corresponding substantially to the surface of the metatarsal heads of the foot of the user.

15. The article according to claim 1, wherein said at least one manifold has at least one discontinuity.

Description

[0075] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the detailed description that follows of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of the article of hosiery according to the invention, which is illustrated for the purposes of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings wherein:

[0076] FIG. 1 is a view of the sole of an article of hosiery according to the invention;

[0077] FIG. 2 is a first side view of an article of hosiery according to the invention,

[0078] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an article of hosiery according to the invention,

[0079] FIG. 4 is a second side view of an article of hosiery according to the invention,

[0080] FIG. 5 is a view from above of an article of hosiery according to the invention,

[0081] FIG. 6 is a different perspective view of an article of hosiery according to the invention,

[0082] FIG. 7 is another perspective view of an article of hosiery according to the invention.

[0083] With reference to the figures, an article of hosiery according to the invention is generally designated by the reference numeral 10.

[0084] The article of hosiery 10 comprises preferential passages for air and sweat in the vapor phase.

[0085] The term “preferential” in the present description means “tends to be preferred” by sweat in the vapor phase which, when it encounters a material that has a portion with passages and a portion without, is attracted by the passages and tends to “prefer” them.

[0086] As a consequence, sweat in the vapor phase tends to prefer the portion that contains the passages over the portion that does not.

[0087] Such preferential passages are defined by channels 11, for the passage of sweat in the vapor phase.

[0088] Such channels 11 are determined by the presence of ridges 12, with which they are alternated.

[0089] The article of hosiery 10 comprises a first zone 13, substantially corresponding to the surface of the sole of the foot, and is divided into five portions: [0090] a first portion C, which substantially corresponds to the surface of the calcaneus, [0091] a second portion L, which substantially corresponds to the lateral surface of the sole, [0092] a third portion M, which substantially corresponds to the medial surface of the sole, [0093] a fourth portion T, which substantially corresponds to the surface of the metatarsal heads, [0094] a fifth portion D, which substantially corresponds to the distal surface.

[0095] The second portion L, of the first zone 13, requires a considerable support.

[0096] For this reason such second portion L comprises ridges 12 which follow the projection of the lateral longitudinal arch on the flat extension of the sole of the foot, as shown in FIG. 1.

[0097] In this manner the foot rests on a surface that follows the shape structure of the foot itself.

[0098] Conversely, the third portion M, of the first zone 13, requires less support than the second portion L, of the first zone 13.

[0099] The third portion M, of the first zone 13, is therefore provided with the ridges 12 at a greater mutual distance, with respect to the mutual distance between the ridges 12 of the second portion L, of the first zone 13.

[0100] In this manner, in the third portion M, of the first zone 13, there are wider channels 11 which favor a greater level of ventilation than the second portion L, of the first zone 13, in which, by contrast, the predominant necessity is to give adequate support to the foot.

[0101] The channels 11 alternated with the ridges 12 on the third portion M, of the first zone 13, have an extension preferably parallel to the transverse direction of the foot which is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the foot.

[0102] The expression “longitudinal direction of the foot” in the present description means the direction of the axis that joins the forefoot to the back of the foot, known as the “Brannock axis”, i.e. the axis that cuts the foot in half in the forefoot-back of the foot direction.

[0103] Thus the sweat, in the vapor phase, follows the shortest route that leads to the sides of the foot and from here it rises toward the ankle by the stack effect and then it exits to the outside environment.

[0104] The expression “stack effect” means the physical phenomenon whereby warm air moves upward from below.

[0105] The fourth portion T, of the first zone 13, is also involved in supporting the foot and requires a support similar to that of the second portion L, of the first zone 13.

[0106] The fourth portion T and the second portion L, of the first zone 13, have substantially the same arrangement of ridges 12 and channels 11.

[0107] In the fourth portion T and in the second portion L, of the first zone 13, the channels 11 alternated with the ridges 12 have an extension which is substantially parallel to the transverse direction of the foot.

[0108] Considering that: [0109] the weight of the body, both when static and when in motion, bears mainly on the calcaneus, which is the most massive bone of the tarsus, [0110] the surface of the sole of the foot at the calcaneus has almost no sweat glands, [0111] in the first portion C, of the first zone 13, the need for support for the foot is more important than the need for an adequate level of ventilation.

[0112] For these reasons, the article of hosiery 10 is substantially free from ridges and channels in the first portion C, of the first zone 13.

[0113] Generally it is possible to schematize a foot as a static rear triangle, and as a dynamic front triangle.

[0114] This dynamic front triangle extends on the portion of the foot that is most affected by the propulsion phase, in which an effective support is necessary in order to ensure an equally effective propulsion.

[0115] Therefore in the front triangle the need for support of the foot is predominant.

[0116] The front triangle is arranged substantially at the fifth portion D, of the first zone 13, which, as shown in FIG. 1, has substantially no ridges and channels, like the first portion C, of the first zone 13.

[0117] Where the need for support is more important, the fabric that makes up the article of hosiery 10 has a more substantial structure, i.e. it has a greater fabric density.

[0118] Such greater fabric density is obtainable, for example, by placing the ridges 12, which define the channels 11, at a smaller mutual distance.

[0119] Therefore, in order to obtain a greater texture and fabric density, and increase the support, the ridges 12, which define the channels 11, are arranged at a smaller mutual distance, with respect to the distance between the ridges 12 in the portions where the need for ventilation is more important than the need for support.

[0120] In the first and fifth portions C and D, of the first zone 13, which have substantially no channels, the fabric is advantageously made more substantial by virtue of the use of thicker yarns and/or of a tighter weave of yarns.

[0121] The second and fourth portions L and T, of the first zone 13, are portions with high fabric density.

[0122] The expression “high fabric density” means that the mutual distance between the ridges 12 is smaller than the mutual distance between the ridges 12 in zones with low fabric density.

[0123] In these two portions, second L and fourth T, of the first zone 13: [0124] the ridges 12 have a width preferably comprised between 1 mm and 7 mm, [0125] the channels 11 have a width preferably comprised between 1 mm and 3 mm.

[0126] The third portion M, of the first zone 13, is a portion with low fabric density.

[0127] The expression “low fabric density” means that the mutual distance between the ridges 12 is greater than the mutual distance between the ridges 12 in zones with high fabric density. This results in a fabric with lower density.

[0128] In this third portion M, of the first zone 13: [0129] the ridges 12 have a width preferably comprised between 2 mm and 5 mm, [0130] the channels 11 have a width preferably comprised between 3 mm and 6 mm.

[0131] The article of hosiery 10 also comprises a second zone 14, shown in FIG. 2, which wraps around the outer instep of the foot.

[0132] The second zone 14 in turn comprises: [0133] a first portion E, external, [0134] a second portion F, lateral malleolar, which is arranged substantially at the lateral malleolus, [0135] a third portion G, posterior, which constitutes substantially the projection, perpendicular to the foot resting plane K, of the first portion C, of the first zone 13, on the second zone 14, [0136] a fourth portion H, anterior, which constitutes substantially the projection, perpendicular to the foot resting plane K, of the fifth portion D, of the first zone 13, on the second zone 14, [0137] a fifth portion I, intermediate between the fourth portion H and the first portion E.

[0138] The first and second portions E and F, of the second zone 14, have channels 11, alternated with ridges 12, which extend upward, in the conditions of use of the article 10, according to an inclination θ comprised between 50° and 80°, preferably between 60° and 70°, measured with respect to the foot resting plane K.

[0139] From experimental tests, such an inclination θ has been shown to be effective for directing sweat in the vapor phase toward the upper portion of the article of hosiery 10 in the configuration for use.

[0140] In fact conventional articles of hosiery have channels that extend from the sole of the foot toward the ankle, therefore, predominantly with an angle of inclination that exceeds 90°.

[0141] In this manner, however, these channels concentrate all the sweat in the vapor phase toward a restricted area in a neighborhood of the ankle.

[0142] This determines an overload of sweat in the vapor phase in that neighborhood, which accumulates, thus increasing the risk of condensation.

[0143] Furthermore, in order to run the channels from the plantar portion of the foot to the ankle it is necessary to narrow those channels and/or make multiple channels converge into a single channel system in order to adapt to the dimensions of the ankle, which are smaller than those of the sole.

[0144] This results in a complicated implementation of the article of hosiery and implies that zones are to be provided with very different consistencies of fabric in the second zone, which generate discomfort for the user.

[0145] In order to simplify the implementation, some conventional products limit the presence of channels to some restricted portions while omitting others, which however reduces the overall effectiveness of the article.

[0146] The article of hosiery 10, by contrast, is capable not only of distributing sweat in the vapor phase in a neighborhood of the instep of the foot, but also of directing it toward a manifold 15, shown in FIG. 3.

[0147] In fact the article of hosiery 10 is provided with channels 11 in the first portion E, of the second zone 14, which converge in the manifold 15, routing sweat in the vapor phase thereto.

[0148] The manifold 15 extends upward, in the configuration for use, i.e. toward the instep of the foot, and defines the border: [0149] with a first section thereof, between the first portion E and the fifth portion I, of the second zone 14, [0150] with a second section thereof, between the first portion E, of the second zone 14, and a part 17, described below.

[0151] In order to increase the channels 11, in which to distribute the sweat in the vapor phase, the ridges 12 contained in the part 17 and closest to the manifold 15 can have interruptions, for example the ones shown with the reference numerals 19a, 19b, 19c and 19d.

[0152] The interruptions 19a-19d favor communication between nearby channels 11, and therefore the diffusion of sweat in the vapor phase.

[0153] The second portion F, of the second zone 14, favors the transit of sweat in the vapor phase toward the ankle and in particular the sweat produced by the sweat glands that are arranged below the malleolus.

[0154] In fact, proximate to the malleolus, the article of hosiery 10 adheres better to the foot of the user owing to the protrusion of the malleolus itself, and this generates a decrease in the space between the article of hosiery and the foot, obstructing the rising movement of the sweat in the vapor phase.

[0155] Therefore, in this portion sweat in the vapor phase requires passages that favor its rising movement toward the ankle.

[0156] The first and second portions E and F, of the second zone 14, are zones with low fabric density and comprise: [0157] ridges 12 which have a width preferably comprised between 2 mm and 5 mm, [0158] channels 11 which have a breadth comprised between 3 mm and 6 mm.

[0159] The article of hosiery 10 also comprises a third zone 16, shown in FIG. 4.

[0160] The third zone 16 wraps around the inner instep of the foot and comprises: [0161] a first portion E′, internal, [0162] a second portion F′, medial malleolar, which is arranged substantially at the medial malleolus, [0163] a third portion G′, posterior, which constitutes substantially the projection, perpendicular to the foot resting plane K, of the first portion C, of the first zone 13, on the third zone 16, [0164] a fourth portion H′, anterior, which constitutes substantially the projection, perpendicular to the foot resting plane K, of the fifth portion D, of the first zone 13, on the third zone 16, [0165] a fifth portion I′, intermediate between the fourth portion H and the first portion E′.

[0166] Such portions, from the first E′ to the fifth I′, of the third zone 16, are similar to the respective portions, from the first E to the fifth I, of the second zone 14, described previously.

[0167] As in the second zone 14, also in the third zone 16 there is a manifold 15′, similar to the manifold 15.

[0168] The channels 11 of the first portion E′ of the third zone 16 converge in the manifold 15′, routing sweat in the vapor phase thereto.

[0169] The article of hosiery 10 also comprises the part 17, shown in FIGS. 2 to 6.

[0170] This part 17 extends at the back of the foot, longitudinally, from the fifth portions H and H′, respectively of the second zone 14 and of the third zone 16, up to an upper edge 18.

[0171] The first portions E and E′, second portions F and F′, respectively of the second zone 14 and of the third zone 16, and the part 17 are delimited, in an upper region, by such edge 18.

[0172] This upper edge 18 is substantially a curvilinear profile which, in the embodiment shown in the figures, is arranged below the circumference of the ankle.

[0173] The expression “circumference of the ankle” in the present description means the minimum circumference, parallel to the foot resting plane, immediately above the malleoli.

[0174] Such part 17 is delimited laterally: [0175] for a first section, by the manifolds 15 and 15′, [0176] for a second section, by the fourth portions H and H′ and by the fifth portions I and I′, respectively of the second zone 14 and of the third zone 16.

[0177] The fifth portions I and I′, respectively of the second zone 14 and of the third zone 16, are delimited by the part 17, by the respective manifold 15 or 15′, by the respective fourth portion H or H′ and, below, by the fourth portion T, of the first zone 13.

[0178] The part 17 extends for a width w comprised between 15% and 30%, preferably between 20% and 25%, of the measurement of the instep of the foot.

[0179] The measurement of the instep of the foot is the smallest circumference beyond the protrusion of the median cuneiform.

[0180] The part 17 of the article 10 extends for a length comprised between 40% and 60% of the length of the foot.

[0181] The expression “length of the foot” in the present description means the distance measured along the Brannock axis, indicated with b in FIG. 5, from the rear part of the heel up to the tip of the longest toe.

[0182] Considering FIGS. 5 and 6, the manifolds 15 and 15′ have an extension from the upper edge 18: [0183] for a first section n′, equal to approximately half of the length a of the part 17, predominantly in the direction of the Brannock axis b, [0184] for a second section n″, equal to approximately 0.15-0.35 times the length a, of the part 17, which follows an inclined orientation up to the respective lateral edge 20, 20′ of the fourth portion T, of the first zone 13.

[0185] The manifolds 15, 15′ have a width comprised between 1 mm and 6 mm.

[0186] The interruptions 19a-19d, advantageously, are arranged preferably along the first section n′.

[0187] The interruptions 19a-19d have a breadth preferably comprised between 1 and 5 mm, more preferably between 2 and 4 mm.

[0188] The dimensions of the fifth portions I and I′, of the second zone 14 and of the third zone 16, are determined by the dimensions of the part 17 and by the geometry of the manifolds 15 and 15′.

[0189] The part 17 and the fifth portions I and I′, of the second zone 14 and of the third zone 16, comprise channels 11 alternated with ridges 12 which have an extension predominantly in the direction of the Brannock axis b.

[0190] In the part 17 the channels 11 and the ridges 12 have an extension from the fifth portions H and H′, of the second zone 14 and of the third zone 16, up to the upper edge 18.

[0191] In this manner the movement of sweat in the vapor phase toward the ankle is favored, from which it then exits toward the outside environment.

[0192] In the fifth portions I and I′, of the second zone 14 and of the third zone 16, the channels 11 and the ridges 12 have an extension, respectively, from the fourth portions H and H′, of the second zone 14 and of the third zone 16, up to the manifolds 15 and 15′.

[0193] In practice the channels 11 of the fifth portions I and I′ converge in the manifolds 15 and 15′.

[0194] This allows the sweat in the vapor phase that is channeled in the channels 11 to be guided toward the manifolds 15 and 15′.

[0195] The sweat in the vapor phase, rising due to the stack effect, is routed by the manifolds 15 and 15′ toward the edge 18.

[0196] This makes it possible to keep a fabric structure comprising the article of hosiery 10 substantially uniform, reducing and/or eliminating the presence of constrictions of ridges and/or channel systems which could cause a feeling of discomfort in the user.

[0197] An article of hosiery is, in fact, an article of clothing that is adapted for direct contact with the user's skin, therefore the structure of the fabric that makes it up is immediately perceived by the user.

[0198] The part 17 and the fifth portions I and I′, of the second zone 14 and of the third zone 16, are zones with low fabric density: [0199] the ridges 12 have a width preferably comprised between 2 mm and 5 mm, [0200] the channels have a breadth comprised between 3 mm and 6 mm.

[0201] FIG. 7 is a perspective view from the rear of the article 10.

[0202] In this embodiment the article of hosiery 10 is a sock which extends up to the ankle, however the invention is not limited to this type, but can be applied in an equivalent manner, for example, in the form of a stocking that comes up to the knee, where the upper edge 18 is arranged above the circumference of the ankle.

[0203] The article of hosiery 10 is preferably made of fabric that comprises natural and/or synthetic yarns.

[0204] Advantageously hydrophobic yarns can be used on the surfaces in contact with the body of the user and hydrophilic yarns can be used on the surfaces directed toward the outside environment, so as to also facilitate the removal of sweat in the liquid phase from the body of the user.

[0205] The fabric can conveniently comprise zones with a more porous structure, obtained, for example with knitted stitches of the fabric set at a greater mutual distance, so as to favor the passage of sweat in the vapor phase through the fabric.

[0206] In particular, the fabric can be made, for example, of cotton, wool, polyester, polyamide and the like, as well as combinations of these.

[0207] The fabric can be constituted by one or more layers: for example a first layer, advantageously hydrophobic, at the channels 11, to which is added a second layer, advantageously hydrophilic, at the ridges 12.

[0208] Such configuration is advantageous because the sweat in the liquid phase is not trapped by the first layer, which is the layer in contact with the foot of the user, and is instead removed from the foot because it is wicked away by the second layer.

[0209] The thickness of the fabric at the ridges 12 is from 0.3 mm to 3 mm greater than the thickness at the channels 11.

[0210] The ridges 12 have, therefore, a thickness comprised between 0.3 mm and 3 mm.

[0211] In the figures, the arrows indicated with V show the route of the sweat in the vapor phase inside the channels 11.

[0212] In practice it has been found that the invention fully achieves the intended aim and objects by providing an article of hosiery that is capable of ensuring an adequate level of support for the different zones of the foot of the user.

[0213] With the invention an article of hosiery has been devised that, by allowing the natural temperature control of the foot of the user, makes it possible to keep it dry for longer with respect to conventional articles of hosiery, with the result that it is more comfortable.

[0214] It should be noted that, with the invention, an article of hosiery has been provided that enables a sufficient level of ventilation around the foot of the user, for an adequate exchange of heat and of water vapor between the inner microclimate of the shoe and the outside, even if the outer material of the shoe is not breathable.

[0215] Finally, with the invention an article of hosiery has been provided that is capable of ensuring a better disposal of sweat both in the vapor phase and in the liquid phase compared to conventional articles of hosiery.

[0216] The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, all the details may be substituted by other, technically equivalent elements.

[0217] In practice the materials employed, provided they are compatible with the specific use, and the contingent dimensions and shapes, may be any according to requirements and to the state of the art.

[0218] The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. 1020190000003537 from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference.

[0219] Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly, such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.