Auxetic article

Abstract

The application relates to a knitted textile for an article of apparel or footwear having (a) a first portion, which is auxetic; (b) a second portion, which is non-auxetic, and wherein the second portion is adjacent to the first portion.

Claims

1. A knitted textile for an article of apparel or footwear, comprising: a first portion which is auxetic and has a first knit pattern of stitches formed in a first plurality of rows, the first portion defining a first textile area, wherein the first portion being auxetic is configured to stretch in a first direction and expand along a second direction essentially perpendicular to the first direction; and a second portion which is non-auxetic and has a second knit pattern of stitches formed in a second plurality of rows, the second portion defining a second textile area, the second knit pattern of stitches being different than the first knit pattern of stitches, wherein the second textile area is positioned adjacent the first textile area and is knitted to the first textile area to control stretch properties of the knitted textile.

2. The knitted textile according to claim 1, wherein the first knit pattern comprises a first essentially flat element and a first protruding element.

3. The knitted textile according to claim 2, wherein the first knit pattern further comprises a second essentially flat element and a second protruding element, wherein one of the first and second essentially flat elements alternates with one of the first and second protruding elements.

4. The knitted textile according to claim 1, wherein the first knit pattern of stitches comprises a plurality of essentially flat elements and a plurality of protruding elements, wherein a repeating unit of the plurality of essentially flat elements comprises at least four essentially flat elements of the plurality of essentially flat elements arranged adjacent each other, wherein the repeating unit of the plurality of essentially flat elements is arranged to alternate with at least one of the protruding elements of the plurality of protruding elements.

5. The knitted textile according to claim 1, wherein the first knit pattern of stitches comprises an alternating pattern of face stitches and reverse stitches.

6. The knitted textile according to claim 5, wherein the alternating pattern of face stitches and reverse stitches forms a purl rib structure.

7. The knitted textile according to claim 1, wherein the first direction comprises a wale direction and wherein the first knit pattern of stitches of the first plurality of rows extending in the wale direction and is configured to be stretched along the wale direction when worn, wherein the second portion has a Poisson's ratio of approximately zero.

8. The knitted textile according to claim 1, wherein the first knit pattern of stitches comprises at least one of a ripple pattern, a reverse ripple pattern, or a tubular Jacquard pattern.

9. The knitted textile according to claim 1, wherein the first textile area further comprises at least one elastic yarn.

10. The knitted textile according to claim 9, wherein the first textile area further comprises at least one non-elastic yarn, wherein the first plurality of rows comprises a first knitted row with the at least one elastic yarn and at least five consecutive knitted rows with the at least one non-elastic yarn.

11. An article of apparel formed of a knitted textile according to claim 1.

12. The article of apparel according to claim 11 comprises a bra comprising the knitted textile being at least one of a bust band, a cup region or a strap region.

13. An article of footwear having a knitted textile according to claim 1.

14. A knitted textile for an article of apparel or footwear, comprising: a first portion being auxetic with a first knit pattern of stitches formed in a plurality of rows, the plurality of rows extending in a wale direction, the first knit pattern of stitches defining at least one protruding element and at least one flat element; and a second portion being non-auxetic with a second knit pattern of stitches different from the first knit pattern of stitches, and wherein the second portion is positioned adjacent to the first portion and knitted to the first portion, wherein the first portion is configured to be stretched along the wale direction to control stretch properties of the knitted textile.

15. The knitted textile according to claim 14, wherein the first knit pattern of stitches comprises an alternating pattern comprising face stitches and reverse stitches.

16. The knitted textile according to claim 15, wherein the alternating pattern comprises a purl rib structure.

17. The knitted textile according to claim 14, wherein the first knit pattern of stitches comprises an alternating pattern comprising essentially flat stitches and protruding stitches protruding from the essentially flat stitches.

18. The knitted textile according to claim 17, wherein the first knit pattern comprises at least one of a ripple pattern, a reverse ripple pattern, or a tubular Jacquard pattern.

19. The knitted textile according to claim 1, further comprising: a third portion formed in a third plurality of rows, the third portion defining a third textile area, wherein the third portion is auxetic and has a third knit pattern of stitches being different than the second knit pattern of stitches.

20. A knitted textile comprising: a first auxetic portion having a first knit pattern of stitches formed of a plurality of rows, the first auxetic portion extending in a wale direction; and a second non-auxetic portion having a second knit pattern of stitches different from the first knit pattern of stitches, and wherein the first auxetic portion is configured to be stretched along the wale direction and expand along a second direction essentially perpendicular to the wale direction, wherein the second non-auxetic portion is positioned adjacent to and is joined to the first portion to control stretch properties of the knitted textile.

21. The knitted textile according to claim 20, wherein the first auxetic portion is knitted to the second non-auxetic portion along an outer edge of the second non-auxetic portion.

22. The knitted textile according to claim 20, wherein the first knit pattern comprises an alternating pattern of face stitches and reverse stitches.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying figures in the following. These figures show:

(2) FIGS. 1A-1B: an exemplary illustration of a prior art non-auxetic (FIG. 1A) and an auxetic knitted portion (FIG. 1B);

(3) FIG. 2: exemplary stitch transfers of a prior art auxetic portion;

(4) FIGS. 3A-3C: exemplary first portions comprising purl rib structure;

(5) FIGS. 4A-4B: exemplary first portions comprising purl rib structure of continuous (FIG. 4A) or alternating character (FIG. 4B);

(6) FIG. 5: an exemplary knitting pattern for a first portion comprising an elastic tuck;

(7) FIGS. 6A-6B: an exemplary first portion comprising an elastic tuck;

(8) FIGS. 7A-7C: an exemplary first portion comprising an elastic tuck;

(9) FIGS. 8A-8D: exemplary first portions comprising ripple pattern;

(10) FIGS. 9A-9C: exemplary first portions comprising a tubular Jacquard pattern;

(11) FIG. 10: exemplary knitting pattern for a first portions comprising triangular pattern in a tubular Jacquard pattern;

(12) FIGS. 11A-11B: exemplary shaped knitted textiles according to an aspect of the present invention;

(13) FIGS. 12A-12C: exemplary knitted textiles comprising combinations of different structures according to an aspect of the present invention; and

(14) FIGS. 13A-13F: exemplary sports bras showing various arrangements of the first and second portions according to aspects of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(15) In the following, only some embodiments of the invention are described in detail. It is to be understood that these exemplary embodiments can be modified in a number of ways and combined with each other whenever compatible and that certain features may be omitted in so far as they appear dispensable.

(16) FIGS. 1A-1B show an exemplary illustration of a non-auxetic (FIG. 1A) and an auxetic knitted portion (FIG. 1B), which could be used as the first auxetic portion and the second non-auxetic portion in an exemplary knitted textile of the present invention that will be explained below.

(17) FIG. 1A shows an exemplary non-auxetic portion 11 in a relaxed state (left) and a stretched state (right). When the exemplary non-auxetic portion 11 is stretched along a first direction 13, the non-auxetic portion 11 contracts along a second direction 14, which is essentially perpendicular to the first direction 13, as shown in FIG. 1A.

(18) Note that in this example of FIG. 1A, the corresponding Poisson ratio of the non-auxetic portion 11 is greater than zero. However, a non-auxetic portion may also have a Poisson ratio of zero or approximately zero, meaning that when the exemplary non-auxetic portion 11 is stretched along a first direction 13, the non-auxetic portion 11 neither contracts nor expands along a second direction 14, which is essentially perpendicular to the first direction 13.

(19) FIG. 1B shows an exemplary auxetic portion 12 in a relaxed state (left) and a stretched state (right). When the exemplary auxetic portion 12 is stretched along a first direction 13, the auxetic portion 12 expands along a second direction 14, which is essentially perpendicular to the first direction 13, as shown in FIG. 1B.

(20) FIG. 2 shows exemplary stitch transfers of an auxetic portion, which may be employed according to certain aspects of the present invention. The exemplary auxetic portion comprises an alternating pattern of face stitches and reverse stitches.

(21) Rows of face stitches 21 and rows of reverse stitches 22 are knitted. This may be performed on a single or double-bed knitting machine, also known as two-bed knitting machine. In a first course 24a, only face side stitches are made, e.g. on a first needle bed. In a subsequent second course 24b, only reverse side stitches are made, e.g. on a second needle bed. In a subsequent third course 24c, only face side stitches are made, e.g. on the first needle bed. In a subsequent fourth course 24d, only reverse side stitches are made, e.g. on a second needle bed. The direction of the transfer is indicated with reference sign 23.

(22) FIGS. 3A-3C show exemplary first auxetic portions of the present invention, which comprises purl rib structure. The horizontal direction 31 is approximately along a course direction of the portion while the vertical direction 32 is approximately along a wale direction.

(23) FIG. 3A shows an exemplary first auxetic portion of a knitted textile comprising a transfer purl rib structure with a transfer section of 12N x 6R, i.e. 12 needles in every 6 rows. Such a structure shows good auxetic behavior.

(24) FIG. 3B shows an exemplary first auxetic portion of a knitted textile comprising a transfer purl rib structure with a wider transfer section of 24N x 6R, i.e. 24 needles in every 6 rows. Such a structure shows very good auxetic behavior.

(25) FIG. 3C shows an exemplary first auxetic portion of a knitted textile comprising a transfer purl rib structure with a deeper scale, compared to FIG. 3B, transfer section of 24N x 12R, i.e. 24 needles in every 12 rows. Such a structure shows very good auxetic behavior.

(26) FIGS. 4A-4B show exemplary first portions comprising purl rib structure of continuous (FIG. 4A) or alternating character (FIG. 4B). The horizontal direction 31 is approximately along a course direction while the vertical direction 32 is approximately along a wale direction.

(27) FIG. 4A shows an exemplary first portion comprising purl rib structure of continuous character, while FIG. 4B shows an exemplary first portion comprising purl rib structure of alternating character. These structures show good auxetic behavior, especially when stretched along the vertical direction 32.

(28) FIG. 5 shows an exemplary knitting pattern for a first portion comprising an elastic tuck. The tuck stitch is composed of a held loop, one or more tuck loops, and knitted loops.

(29) The knitting pattern is for a first portion that comprises at least one non-elastic yarn, knitted in 8 rows indicated with reference sign 39 and elastic yarn knitted in stripes of two rows as indicated with reference sign 38. The tucks are alternated in a brick repeat. The elastic contracts and draws in the first portion. As the first portion is stretched, the contracted sections unfurl causing auxetic behavior. This configuration may be knitted on a single-bed knitting machine or a two-bed knitting machine. Knitted loops are indicated with reference sign 35 and held loops are indicated with reference signs 36 and 37.

(30) FIG. 6A-6B show an exemplary first knitted portion comprising an elastic tuck. Such an exemplary first portion may result from the knitting pattern shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 6A shows a front view, while FIG. 6B shows a back view of a larger scale of a fabric comprising several repeating units of tuck.

(31) FIGS. 7A-7C show an exemplary first portion comprising an elastic tuck. The horizontal direction 31 is approximately along a course direction while the vertical direction 32 is approximately along a wale direction.

(32) FIG. 7A shows a smaller scale tuck pattern. Auxetic behavior is observed especially when stretched along the vertical direction 32.

(33) FIG. 7B shows a larger scale tuck pattern. Good auxetic behavior is observed especially when stretched along the vertical direction 32.

(34) FIG. 7C shows a variation of tuck scales knitted in a same knitted auxetic portion. Good auxetic behavior is observed especially when stretched along the vertical direction 32.

(35) FIGS. 8A-8D show exemplary first auxetic knitted portions comprising ripple pattern. The horizontal direction 31 is approximately along a course direction while the vertical direction 32 is approximately along a wale direction.

(36) FIG. 8A shows a ripple pattern with 24N by 10R ripples between each pair of transfer sections. Good auxetic behavior is observed when stretched along the vertical direction 32.

(37) FIG. 8B shows another ripple pattern with 24N by 10R ripples between each pair of transfer sections. Good auxetic behavior is observed when stretched along the vertical direction 32.

(38) FIG. 8C shows another ripple pattern with 24N by 10R ripples between each pair of transfer sections. Good auxetic behavior is observed when stretched along the vertical direction 32.

(39) FIG. 8D shows another ripple pattern with 24N by 6R ripples between each pair of transfer sections. Good auxetic behavior is observed when stretched along the vertical direction 32.

(40) Since a good auxetic effect is observed when the first portion is stretched along the vertical direction 32, which is approximately along a wale direction, the first portion is configured to be stretched along a wale direction when worn.

(41) FIGS. 9A-9C show exemplary first auxetic knitted portions comprising a tubular Jacquard pattern. The horizontal direction 31 is approximately along a course direction while the vertical direction 32 is approximately along a wale direction.

(42) FIG. 9A shows a tubular Jacquard pattern with a chiral scroll pattern. Auxetic behavior is observed when stretched along the vertical direction 32.

(43) FIG. 9B shows a tubular Jacquard pattern with a star scroll pattern. Auxetic behavior is observed when stretched along the vertical direction 32.

(44) FIG. 9C shows a tubular Jacquard pattern with a varied triangle pattern. Good auxetic behavior is observed when stretched along the vertical direction 32.

(45) FIG. 10 shows exemplary knitting pattern for a first portion comprising triangular pattern in a tubular Jacquard pattern. Elastic yarn 41 is knitted into a triangular geometry, while inelastic yarn 42 is used to fill up the remaining space of the tubular Jacquard knit. For example, the inelastic yarn may comprise recycled PET (polyethylene terephthalate) and the elastic yarn may comprise elastane. Good auxetic behavior is observed.

(46) FIGS. 11A-11B show exemplary shaped knitted textiles according to an aspect of the present invention.

(47) FIG. 11A shows a knitted textile 50 for an article of apparel or footwear, comprising: (a) a first portion 51, which is auxetic; (b) a second portion 52, which is non-auxetic, and wherein the second portion 52 is adjacent to the first portion 51.

(48) The first portion 51 comprises a first essentially flat element 56a and a first protruding element 57a. The first portion further comprises a second essentially flat element 56b and a second protruding element 57b, wherein the essentially flat elements 56a, 56b and the protruding elements 57a, 57b are arranged in an alternating manner.

(49) In this case, the first portion 51 comprises a plurality of essentially flat elements 56a, 56b and a plurality of protruding elements 57a, 57b, wherein a repeating unit of flat elements comprise at least four adjacent flat elements.

(50) The first portion 51 comprises reverse ripple pattern while the second portion 52 comprises a single jersey knit. In particular, the knitted textile 50 is an unitary knitted textile which is produced on a single knitting machine in one production step, i.e. in particular without necessarily cutting and sewing together different pieces.

(51) FIG. 11B shows a knitted textile 50 for an article of apparel or footwear, comprising: (a) a first portion 51a, 51b, which is auxetic; (b) a second portion 52, which is non-auxetic, and wherein the second portion 52 is adjacent to the first portion 51a, 51b.

(52) One first portion 51a comprises reverse ripple pattern while the other first portion 51b comprises a tubular Jacquard pattern. The second portion 52 comprises a single jersey knit.

(53) FIGS. 12A-12C show exemplary knitted textiles comprising combinations of different structures according to an aspect of the present invention. The knitted textiles 50 are for an article of apparel or footwear and comprise: (a) a first portion 51, which is auxetic; (b) a second portion 52, which is non-auxetic, and wherein the second portion 52 is adjacent to the first portion 51.

(54) FIG. 12A: The first portion 51 comprises a ripple pattern while the second portion 52 comprises a single-jersey knit.

(55) FIG. 12B: The first portion 51 comprises a tubular Jacquard pattern while the second portion 52 comprises a single-jersey knit.

(56) FIG. 12C: The first portion 51 comprises a reverse ripple pattern while the second portion 52 comprises a single-jersey knit.

(57) FIGS. 13A-13F show exemplary articles of apparel, in this case all examples relate to a sports bra 60, with various arrangements of the first and second portions according to aspects of the present invention.

(58) All sports bras 60 shown in FIGS. 13A-13F comprise a knitted textile for an article of apparel or footwear, comprising: (a) a first portion, which is auxetic; (b) a second portion, which is non-auxetic, and wherein the second portion is adjacent to the first portion.

(59) FIG. 13A shows a sports bra 60 comprising a bust band 61. In this example, the bust band 61 comprises a knitted textile comprising: (a) a first portion, which is auxetic; (b) a second portion, which is non-auxetic, and wherein the second portion is adjacent to the first portion. The bust band 61 may be integrated into the bra 60 using cut-and-sew or may be knit as a whole garment. The bust band 61 is a region of high stretch and high compression.

(60) FIG. 13B shows a sports bra 60 comprising a cup support 62. In this example, the cup support 62 comprises a knitted textile comprising: (a) a first portion, which is auxetic; (b) a second portion, which is non-auxetic, and wherein the second portion is adjacent to the first portion.

(61) The bra 60 comprises at least one panel, wherein the panel comprises the first portion. In this case, the panel also comprises the second portion. Thus, the panel comprises the whole knitted textile. Thus, the cup support 62 may be integrated into the bra 60 using cut-and-sew. Alternatively, the bra could be knitted as a unitary garment.

(62) FIG. 13C shows a sports bra 60 comprising a strap region 63 and a front region 64. In this example, the strap region 63 comprises a knitted textile comprising: (a) a first portion, which is auxetic; (b) a second portion, which is non-auxetic, and wherein the second portion is adjacent to the first portion. In this example, the front region 64 comprises a knitted textile comprising: (a) a first portion, which is auxetic; (b) a second portion, which is non-auxetic, and wherein the second portion is adjacent to the first portion. Non-auxetic regions are provided in the cup 62 and bust 61 regions.

(63) FIG. 13D shows a sports bra 60 comprising a strap region 63 and a back region 65. In this example, the strap region 63 comprises a knitted textile comprising: (a) a first portion, which is auxetic; (b) a second portion, which is non-auxetic, and wherein the second portion is adjacent to the first portion. In this example, the back region 65 comprises a knitted textile comprising: (a) a first portion, which is auxetic; (b) a second portion, which is non-auxetic, and wherein the second portion is adjacent to the first portion. This could be produced as a discrete panel and formed into a bra using cut-and-sew. Alternatively, it could be produced as a whole garment.

(64) FIG. 13E shows a sports bra 60 comprising a lower strap region 66. In this example, the lower strap region 66 comprises a knitted textile comprising: (a) a first portion, which is auxetic; (b) a second portion, which is non-auxetic, and wherein the second portion is adjacent to the first portion.

(65) FIG. 13F illustrates how various geometrical arrangements may be combined with one another in order to ideally tailor the bra for a particular application or to allow for personal preferences. For example, FIG. 13F shows a sports bra 60 comprising a lower strap region 66 and a bust region 61.

(66) In this example, the lower strap region 66 comprises a first knitted textile comprising: (a) a first portion, which is auxetic; (b) a second portion, which is non-auxetic, and wherein the second portion is adjacent to the first portion.

(67) In this example, the bust band 61 comprises a second knitted textile comprising: (a) a third portion, which is auxetic; (b) a fourth portion, which is non-auxetic, and wherein the third portion is adjacent to the fourth portion.

(68) The third portion may be similar to the first portion in terms of the knitting structure used, e.g. both structures may comprise a ripple pattern, but it is also possible that the third portion is different to the first portion in terms of the knitting structure. For example, the first portion may comprise a ripple pattern while the second portion may comprise a tubular Jacquard pattern. Similarly, the second and fourth portions may be similar in terms of the knitting structure or may be different.

(69) As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention.

REFERENCE SIGNS

(70) 11: non-auxetic portion 12: auxetic portion 21: rows of face stitches 22 rows of reverse stitches 23: direction of transfer 24a-d: first-fourth course 31 horizontal direction 32: vertical direction 36: held loop 37: knitted loop 41: elastic yarn 42: inelastic yarn 50 knitted textile 51: first portion 52: second portion 56: essentially flat element 57: protruding element 60: sports bra 61: bust band 62: cup support 63 strap region 64: front region 65: back region 66: lower strap region