Knitted article

Abstract

A knitted article, having a basic knitted fabric which is knitted from at least one basic knitted fabric thread, and at least two plush threads which are plated on the basic knitted fabric thread and which configure first and second plush loops, wherein the first and the second plush loops have dissimilar heights.

Claims

1. A knitted article, having a basic knitted fabric which is knitted from at least one basic knitted fabric thread, and at least two plush threads which are plated on the basic knitted fabric thread to form plush stitches which configure first and second plush loops, wherein the first and the second plush loops have dissimilar heights, wherein at least one zone is formed in which the first and the second plush loops are collectively present, wherein at least some of the plush stitches with the first and the second plush loops lie in common stitch wales.

2. The knitted article according to claim 1, wherein the two plush threads are composed of dissimilar materials or have dissimilar properties.

3. The knitted article according to claim 2, wherein the two plush threads have dissimilar shrinking behaviors in a thermal treatment, or dissimilar elasticities, or dissimilar surfaces, or dissimilar thicknesses.

4. The knitted article according to claim 2, wherein the one plush thread is from a man-made fiber and the other plush thread is from a natural fiber.

5. The knitted article according to claim 1, wherein the two plush threads are incorporated in separate stitch courses of the basic knitted fabric.

6. The knitted article according to claim 5, wherein the two plush threads are incorporated in successive stitch courses, or in that in each case at least one stitch course that is not provided with a plush thread is provided between the stitch courses, or in that a plurality of successive stitch courses that are provided with the first plush thread alternate with a plurality of successive stitch courses that are provided with the second plush thread or at least one stitch course that is not occupied by any plush thread is provided between said respective successive stitch courses.

7. The knitted article according to claim 5, wherein the plush threads run in each case helically through the basic knitted fabric, or in that the plush threads in the respective stitch course run in the circumferential direction only in portions.

8. The knitted article according to claim 1, wherein the first and the second plush thread are incorporated into the basic knitted fabric in the same stitch course, so as to in each case run in the circumferential direction in portions.

9. The knitted article according to claim 8, wherein, when viewed in the circumferential direction, a plurality of portions that are formed from the first and from the second plush thread alternate with one another.

10. The knitted article according to claim 1, wherein the number of the first plush loops and the number of the second plush loops are identical or dissimilar.

11. The knitted article according to claim 10, wherein the one plush thread is knitted in the form of a 2:1 plush, and the other plush thread is knitted in the form of a 1:2 plush.

12. The knitted article according to claim 1, wherein the first and the second plush loops project toward the same side of the basic knitted fabric, or in that the first plush loops project toward the one side of the basic knitted fabric and the second plush loops project toward the other side of the basic knitted fabric.

13. The knitted article according to claim 1, wherein at least one weft thread is inserted into the basic knitted fabric.

14. The knitted article according to claim 13, wherein the weft thread is incorporated at least into those stitch courses in which the plush thread that forms the lower plush loops is incorporated.

15. The knitted article according to claim 1, wherein said knitted article is a stocking and the plush loops form an at least local cushioning.

16. A method for producing a knitted article according to claim 1, wherein a basic knitted fabric is knitted using at least one basic knitted fabric thread, at least two plush threads being knitted into said basic knitted fabric to form plush stitches while forming first and second plush loops, wherein either the first and the second plush loops are knitted so as to be of dissimilar heights, or wherein the first and the second plush loops are knitted so as to be of identical height and the knitted fabric subsequently is post-treated such that the one plush thread shrinks while shortening the plush loops that are knitted therefrom, wherein at least one zone is formed in which the first and second plush loops are collectively present, wherein at least some of the plush stitches with the first and the second plush loops lie in common stitch wales.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the knitted fabric is thermally post-treated.

18. The knitted article according to claim 4, wherein the man-made fiber is PA.

19. The knitted article according to claim 4, wherein the natural fiber is wool.

20. The method according to claim 17, wherein the knitted fabric is thermally post-treated by water, steam, or radiation.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

(1) In the drawing:

(2) FIG. 1 shows an in-principle illustration of a knitted article according to the invention, in the form of a stocking; and

(3) FIG. 2 shows an in-principle illustration of a loop structure in the region of the plush or cushion zone of the stocking from FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(4) FIG. 1 shows a knitted article 1 according to the invention in the form of a stocking 2, having a foot portion 3 and a calf portion 4.

(5) The stocking 2 is composed of a basic knitted fabric 5 which here is illustrated by way of the hatched lines of lesser density. A plush or cushion zone 6 is configured in the foot region 3, in that two dissimilar plush threads which form plush loops of dissimilar length are additionally knitted into the basic knitted fabric 5. The plush or cushioning region 6 here, in an exemplary manner, is illustrated so as to encircle the stocking body in an annular or cylindrical manner. Of course, there is also the possibility of configuring this plush or cushioning region 6 in only a local manner.

(6) Since the plush loops that are knitted from the two dissimilar plush threads are of dissimilar length, a triple-layer or triple-plane construction is consequently provided in this plush or cushioning region 6, specifically the plane of the basic knitted fabric 5, on the one hand, then the plane that is formed by way of the shorter plush loops, and finally the plane formed by way of the long plush loops. In conjunction with a variation of the number of first and second plush loops, the properties of the plush or cushioning region can be set or varied, respectively, in wide ranges by way of the plush threads used, which in particular are dissimilar and are composed of dissimilar materials, and/or have dissimilar properties such as dissimilar shrinking behaviors, dissimilar elasticities, dissimilar surfaces, and/or dissimilar thicknesses.

(7) The plush or cushioning region 5 is preferably embodied such that said plush or cushioning region 5 offers a pleasant cushioning in haptic terms, on the one hand, and enables a positive discharge of moisture, or a good transportation of moisture, respectively, through the knitted article to the outside, on the other hand. This is achieved in that the longer plush loops which thus project the furthest from the plane of the basic knitted fabric and which bear on the skin of the wearer, are knitted from a natural thread such as wool or silk, for example. The plush loops which are shorter and in terms of the focal points serve for transporting moisture, are knitted from a man-made fiber such as PA, for example, and preferably lie as an intermediate layer between the basic knitted fabric layer or basic knitted fabric plane and the layer or the plane of the longer plush loops. If a weft thread is additionally used, which as a catch thread lies in the shorter plush loops, the latter are thus additionally pushed somewhat into the basic knitted fabric, this being advantageous in terms of the transportation of moisture through the basic knitted fabric to the outside.

(8) An example of a loop structure for configuring such a plush or cushioning region 6 is shown in FIG. 2. A plurality of stitch courses I-VI which are in a sequence in the longitudinal direction L of the knitted fabric are shown, wherein each stitch course I-VI is composed of a multiplicity of individual stitches which are successive in the circumferential direction U. In the circumferential direction, seven needles (in an exemplary manner identified by the numerals 4 to 10) of the circular knitting machine, consequently thus seven stitch wales, when viewed in the longitudinal direction of the knitted fabric are illustrated in an exemplary manner.

(9) The basic knitted fabric thread 7 shown is shown as a solid black line. The basic knitted fabric here in an exemplary manner is embodied as a right/left knitted fabric. The basic knitted fabric thread 7 can be an arbitrary thread from a man-made or natural fiber.

(10) Furthermore shown is a weft thread 8, preferably from an elastic material such as elastane or similar, which in the example shown is inserted into each second stitch course, here the stitch courses II, IV, and VI.

(11) In order for the actual cushioning and the dissimilar plush loops to be configured, a first plush thread 9 and a second plush thread 10 are knitted into the basic knitted fabric 5, or are plated on selected stitches of the basic knitted fabric thread 7, respectively. The first plush thread 9 forms shorter plush loops 11, while the second plush thread 10 forms longer plush loops 12. This means that the first plush loops 11 project from the plane of the basic knitted fabric 5 to a lesser extent than the second, longer plush loops 12.

(12) The dissimilar plush loop lengths in FIG. 2 are shown with additional length or spacing indications. The length of the shorter plush loops 11 is indicated by “a”, the length of the longer plush loops 12 being indicated by “b”. The respective lengths “a”, “b” are measured from the upper edge or the upper side of the basic knitted fabric thread 7 to the lower edge or the lower side of the respective plush thread 9, 10 in the respective plush loop 11, 12, so to speak.

(13) Only one plush thread 9, 10 is in each case incorporated in one stitch course I-VI in the example shown. The first plush thread 9 is incorporated in the stitch courses I, III, and V, while the second plush thread 10 is incorporated in the stitch courses II, IV, and VI.

(14) In the example shown, the first plush thread 9 which can be, for example, a PA thread, preferably textured, optionally highly elastic, and embodied with or without a core, is knitted as a 2:1 plush such that plush loops 11 are formed on two mutually adjacent needles, when viewed in the circumferential direction, followed by an empty needle in which the first plush thread 9 is only inserted, followed in turn by two plush loops 11, etc. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the two plush loops 11 in the stitch courses I, III, and V are configured, for example, on the needles “6”, “7”, or on the corresponding stitch wales, respectively, while the first plush thread 9 floats over the needle “8”, whereupon two plush loops 11 are in turn configured on the needles “9”, “10”, while the plush thread 9 in turn floats on the subsequent needle (not shown here), etc.

(15) In contrast, the second plush thread 10 which is, for example, a natural thread, in particular wool, is knitted as a 1:2 plush. Consequently, the respective plush loop 12 lies so as to be plated on a first needle, or on a first basic knitted fabric stitch, respectively, whereupon no second plush loop 11 is formed on the two subsequent needles, or basic knitted fabric stitches, respectively, when viewed in the circumferential direction; rather, the second plush thread 10 here merely lies in the basic knitted fabric, while a plush loop 12 is in turn configured on the subsequent needle. In an exemplary manner, a second, longer plush loop 12 here is configured on the needles “4”, or on the corresponding stitch wale, respectively (cf. for example the stitch course IV), while the second plush thread merely lies in the basic knitted fabric on the needles “5”, “6”, or on the corresponding stitch wales, respectively. However, a second, longer plush loop 12 is in turn formed on the needle “7”, while the second plush thread 10 in turn is merely inserted on the subsequent needles “8”, “9”, and a longer, second plush loop 12 is in turn formed on the needle 10.

(16) The weft thread 8 runs as a catch thread and a floating thread through the basic knitted fabric. Said weft thread 8 in the example shown lies in the stitch courses II, IV, and VI, thus in those stitch courses in which the first knitted fabric thread 9 is also routed. Said weft thread 8 runs as a catch thread on the same needles as the first plush thread 9, which leads to the weft thread 8 pushing the first plush thread 9 and thus the first plush loops 11 formed by way of the latter into the basic knitted fabric.

(17) In the case of the exemplary stitch shown and of the different knitting patterns of the two plush threads 9, 10 (2:1 plush in the case of the plush thread 9, and 1:2 plush in the case of the plush thread 10) the result is consequently a dissimilar number of first and second plush legs 11, 12. The number of first plush loops 11 is significantly higher than the number of second plush loops 12. It is to be noted that the selected knitting patterns of the plush threads 9, 10 are merely exemplary; said knitting patterns can of course also be selected so as to be different, by way of which the respective number of plush loops and thus also the density of the plush loops can be varied.

(18) In the example shown, the plush threads 9, 10 consequently alternate from one stitch course to another. By virtue of the dissimilar knitting patterns, stitch wales in which the two plush loops 11, 12 are present in a mutually alternating manner result, for example the stitch wales on the needles “4”, “7”, and “10”. In contrast, there are also stitch wales in which there are no plush loops, for example the stitch wales on the needles “5”, “8”. There are furthermore stitch wales in which only first plush loops 11 are present, for example the stitch wales “6” and “9”.

(19) Since the plush loops 11, 12 are of dissimilar length, dissimilar layers or planes are consequently configured on the finished knitted article 1. The one layer, here in an exemplary manner the external knitted fabric layer or knitted fabric plane, is formed by the basic knitted fabric. The first and the second plush loops 11, 12 then project toward the left knitted goods side, thus so as to be directed toward the side of the wearer. The plush loops 11, since the latter are shorter than the plush loops 12, form a second plane or an intermediate plane which projects somewhat from the plane of the basic knitted fabric. So as to be directed even further toward the wearer, so as to bear directly on the skin of the wearer, the third knitted fabric layer or knitted fabric plane having the second, long plush loops 12 is formed, said third knitted fabric layer or knitted fabric plane in relation to the worn position, quasi forming the internal knitted article plane.

(20) If wool is used as described as the second plush thread, a very pleasant wearing experience in conjunction with positive cushioning can be imparted by way of the inner plush plane that is formed by the longer, higher plush loops 12. The properties of wool are inter alia a positive retention of heat, and a positive equalization of temperature, wool being breathable as well as dirt and water repellent. Wool also has a certain inherent antibacterial protection.

(21) The shorter plush loops 11 which form the intermediate plane of course also facilitate cushioning. Said shorter plush loops by way of the weft thread are in part also pushed somewhat into the basic knitted fabric. PA which has a low moisture absorption capability is preferably used as the fiber material. By way of the capillary effect, moisture that arises, for example by sweating, can be transported to the outside by way of the PA plush loops 11, thus by way of the intermediate plane, through the knitted article 1, respectively through the basic knitted fabric 5, this thus enabling a positive climate effect.

(22) The two plush threads 9, 10 can be used having identical thicknesses, or else can be used having dissimilar thicknesses. For example, in order for the density of the plane that is formed from the second plush loops 12 to be increased, a thicker wool thread can be used such that each plush loop 12 is significantly thicker than a plush loop 11. This means that the volume of wool on the internal side of the knitted article can be increased by way hereof, consequently providing more material that in haptic terms is more pleasant, in conjunction simultaneously with a lower number of plush loops. This also facilitates cushioning. A significantly thinner thread, for example as a PA thread, can be used as the first plush thread 9, said first plush thread 9 of course facilitating cushioning, on the one hand, but primarily serving the transportation of moisture, respectively climatization, on the other hand. Said first plush thread 9 is present in a comparatively high number of plush loops so as to offer a high transportation surface.

(23) While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the inventive principles, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.