U.S. patent application number 14/134975 was filed with the patent office on 2015-02-05 for socks.
The applicant listed for this patent is Interloop Limited. Invention is credited to Yaser Riaz.
Application Number | 20150033447 14/134975 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52426277 |
Filed Date | 2015-02-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150033447 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Riaz; Yaser |
February 5, 2015 |
SOCKS
Abstract
A sock includes at least a sole portion thereof of a specialized
layered fabric including a dual face or dual layer material (e.g.,
terry material) with a hydrophobic inner face (or layer) and a
hydrophilic inner face (or layer). Moisture is adsorbed from a
wearer's skin by hydrophobic yarn along the inner face or layer and
is immediately absorbed by the hydrophilic yarn along the outer
face or layer, with the absorbed moisture being spread along or
through the outer face to promote evaporation. The dual face or
dual layer structure promotes transport of moisture to the side
which is to interact with the atmosphere, thereby isolating skin
from moist outer fabric
Inventors: |
Riaz; Yaser; (Faisalabad,
PK) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Interloop Limited |
Faisalabad |
|
PK |
|
|
Family ID: |
52426277 |
Appl. No.: |
14/134975 |
Filed: |
December 19, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/239 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D10B 2401/021 20130101;
D04B 1/106 20130101; A41B 2400/62 20130101; D10B 2403/0114
20130101; D10B 2401/061 20130101; A41B 17/00 20130101; D04B 1/18
20130101; D04B 1/04 20130101; D04B 1/26 20130101; D10B 2401/022
20130101; A41D 31/125 20190201; A41B 11/02 20130101; A41B 11/005
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/239 |
International
Class: |
A41B 11/00 20060101
A41B011/00; A43B 17/00 20060101 A43B017/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 31, 2013 |
PK |
519/2013 |
Claims
1. A sock comprising a sole of dual face terry material including
an inner face and an outer face, wherein the inner face comprises
hydrophobic yarn, the outer face comprises hydrophilic yarn, and
the inner face is arranged for placement in contact with skin of a
wearer.
2. The sock according to claim 1, further comprising plaiting of
stretch hydrophobic yarn.
3. The sock according to claim 1, wherein the inner face consists
of 100% hydrophobic yarn.
4. The sock according to claim 1, wherein the outer face consists
of 100% hydrophilic yarn.
5. The sock according to claim 1, wherein the inner face comprises
an absorbency test value of at least 30 seconds according to AATCC
Test Method 79.
6. The sock according to claim 1, wherein the outer face comprises
an absorbency test value of no more than 5 seconds according to
AATCC Test Method 79.
7. The sock according to claim 1, wherein the outer face comprises
a vertical wicking test value of at least 10 cm in 30 minutes.
8. The sock according to claim 1, wherein the inner face comprises
a first color, the outer face comprises a second color, and the
first color differs from the second color.
9. A sock comprising a sole of dual layer material including an
inner layer and an outer layer, wherein the inner layer comprises
hydrophobic yarn, the outer layer comprises hydrophilic yarn, and
the inner layer is arranged for placement in contact with skin of a
wearer.
10. The sock according to claim 9, further comprising plaiting of
stretch hydrophobic yarn.
11. The sock according to claim 9, wherein the inner layer consists
of 100% hydrophobic yarn.
12. The sock according to claim 9, wherein the outer layer consists
of 100% hydrophilic yarn.
13. The sock according to claim 9, wherein the inner layer
comprises an absorbency test value of at least 30 seconds according
to AATCC Test Method 79.
14. The sock according to claim 9, wherein the outer layer
comprises an absorbency test value of no more than 5 seconds
according to AATCC Test Method 79.
15. The sock according to claim 9, wherein the outer layer
comprises a vertical wicking test value of at least 10 cm in 30
minutes.
16. The sock according to claim 9, wherein the inner layer
comprises a first color, the outer layer comprises a second color,
and the first color differs from the second color.
17. The sock according to claim 9, wherein the dual layer material
comprises terry material.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)
[0001] This application claims benefit of Pakistani Patent
Application No. 519/2013 filed on Jul. 31, 2013 entitled "SOCKS."
Priority of the foregoing Pakistani application is hereby claimed
under 35 U.S.C. 119, and the contents of such application are
hereby incorporated by reference herein, for all purposes.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The innovation covers the field of legwear, more
particularly the technical sock category used by athletes and
people living active lifestyles.
BACKGROUND
[0003] A sock is a type of clothing used to cover a wearer's feet
with the aim of providing comfort inside shoes. This comfort can be
provided by way of a softer cushioned feel, by removal of sweat,
and/or by providing warmth in colder environments.
[0004] Sweat is a natural way to facilitate cooling of body
temperature, since evaporation of sweat is an endothermic (i.e.,
heat absorbing) process. During exercise, body temperature rises,
and may result in excessive sweating. Sweat must be evaporated to
cause endothermic cooling of a body. Since this evaporation is an
integral part of sweat cooling, it may be desirable for clothing
articles to have the ability to transfer moisture through them in
order to promote evaporation of sweat.
[0005] As compared with other clothing articles, socks contend with
more difficult conditions, since socks are tightly fitted against a
wearer's skin and are typically covered with shoes having limited
breathability. Such conditions result in less evaporation and
prolonged wetness, which in turn result in increased friction
against the wearer's skin--giving rise to blisters as well as
bacteria growth, bad odor, and other disorders.
[0006] There exist specialized synthetic fiber socks which quickly
spread the moisture all across the sock fabric, working on the
principle of increasing the surface area of moistened fabric to
increase the evaporation. This principle of increasing moistened
fabric area performs reasonably well in garments where the fabric
is in direct interaction with the atmosphere, but the reduced
atmospheric interaction specific to the context of socks tends to
limit the effectiveness of conventional moisture-spreading fabrics
when applied to socks. The special cross-section design of these
synthetic fibers enables the fabric made with them to hold greater
amounts of moisture, but this moisture is evenly spread throughout
(i.e., along the inner side as well as outer side), resulting in a
condition similar to that of a natural fiber fabric, wherein once
sweating begins, a wearer's skin remain in contact with wet fabric
until the fabric is completely dried after evaporation.
[0007] In view of the limited airflow inside a shoe, it would be
desirable to provide a sock capable of keeping a wearer's skin
isolated from wet fabric while exhibiting good wicking performance
to expedite evaporation.
SUMMARY
[0008] With the constraint of low airflow in mind, socks according
to various embodiments of the present invention include at least a
sole portion thereof comprising a specialized layered fabric
including a dual face or dual layer material (e.g., terry material)
with a hydrophobic inner face (or layer) and a hydrophilic outer
face (or layer). The sole portion of the sock corresponds to a sole
portion of a wearer's foot having a maximum number of sweat glands
and almost no airflow. The inner face (or layer) of the sock is
arranged for placement in contact with skin of a wearer. With the
inner face (or layer) being rich in hydrophobic fibers and the
outer face (or layer) being rich in hydrophilic fibers, moisture is
adsorbed from a wearer's skin by the hydrophobic fibers of the
inner face (or layer) and is immediately absorbed by the absorbent
outer face (or layer) where it is spread all over. This dual face
or dual layer structure promotes transport of moisture to the side
which is to interact with the atmosphere, thereby isolating skin
from moist outer fabric. Skin covered with such a sock and
additionally covered with a shoe may be maintained in a dry
condition despite the constraint of reduced interaction of the sock
with a surrounding atmosphere. No matter how slow the evaporation
process, socks according to embodiments of the present invention
promote separation of wetness from the wearer's skin, thereby
avoiding problems of excessive friction, blisters and discomfort
associated with use of conventional socks.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sock according to one
embodiment of the present invention, showing different
constructions corresponding to different foot and ankle
locations.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a top plan view showing the inner side of a
slit-open sock according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view showing the outer side of a
slit-open sock according to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-2.
[0012] FIG. 4A is a perspective schematic view showing a dual face
terry material proximate to skin of a wearer, with an
(upward-facing) inner face including loops (or pile) of hydrophobic
yarn arranged to adsorb droplets of sweat for transport away from
the skin.
[0013] FIG. 4B is a perspective view of the dual face terry
material of FIG. 4A with an (upward-facing) outer face including
hydrophilic yarn, and showing absorption of sweat by the outer face
following transport of sweat to the outer face by the hydrophobic
inner layer.
[0014] FIG. 5 is a table providing results of tests for vertical
wicking and absorbency of a dual face terry material that may be
used to fabricate at least a portion of a sock according to
embodiments to the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 6 is a schematic stitch diagram for a dual face terry
material of at least a portion of a sock according to embodiments
of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] As noted previously, a sock according to the present
invention may include a dual face or dual layer material (e.g.,
terry material) at at least a sole portion thereof, with the inner
face or layer including a hydrophobic yarn, the outer face or layer
including a hydrophilic yarn, and the inner face or layer being
arranged for placement in contact with skin of a wearer. This
construction essentially provides low absorbency fibers along the
inner face (or layer) and high absorbency fibers along the outer
face (or layer). Such construction is designed to transport
moisture away from skin of a wearer via absorption using the
hydrophobic yarn of the inner face or layer, and to spread moisture
within the outer face via absorption using the hydrophilic yarn of
the outer face or layer, to permit evaporation of sweat from the
outer face or layer to a surrounding environment.
[0017] Examples of hydrophobic yarns that may be used in
constructing portions of a sock as described herein include, but
are not limited to, polypropylene, polyester, acrylic, and blends
of the foregoing materials. As will be recognized by one skilled in
the art, other hydrophobic materials or combinations of materials
may be used. Examples of hydrophilic yarns that may be used in
constructing portions of a sock as described herein include, but
are not limited to, wool, cotton, viscose, and blends of the
foregoing materials. As will be recognized by one skilled in the
art, other hydrophilic materials or combinations of materials may
be used.
[0018] In certain embodiments, a sock as described herein includes
plaiting of stretch hydrophobic yarn. Such plaiting may be provided
in the dual face or dual layer material arranged in at least the
sole portion of the sock. Such plaiting may be tailored to specific
zones of a sock provide desired level of stretch
characteristics.
[0019] In certain embodiments, an inner face or inner layer of the
dual face or dual layer material consists of 100% hydrophobic yarn.
Such yarn may keep a wearer's skin dry and isolated while providing
cushioning.
[0020] In certain embodiments, an outer face or outer layer of the
dual face or dual layer material (or an outer face or outer layer
of the entire sock) comprises hydrophilic yarn to transport sweat
from the inner face or inner layer to the outer face or outer
layer. Sweat is absorbed by the outer face or outer layer and
spread around such face or layer by absorption to promote
evaporation. In certain embodiments, the outer layer or outer face
of the entire sock (not just the sole portion) comprises
hydrophilic material to maximize evaporation of sweat to an ambient
environment.
[0021] In certain embodiments, an inner side or inner layer of the
dual face or dual layer material has minimal to no affinity for
moisture or sweat. Such inner side or inner layer may have an
absorbency test value of at least 30 seconds according to AATCC
Test Method 79. Such test method measures a propensity of fabric to
take up water, whereby a fabric sample is placed in an embroidery
hoop with all creases removed, a burette dispenses a drop of water
onto the surface of the fabric from a distance of 9.5 mm below the
burette, and time is recorded until the water drop is complete
absorbed into the fabric.
[0022] In certain embodiments, an outer face or outer layer of the
dual face or dual layer material has great affinity for moisture or
sweat. Such outer side or outer layer may have any absorbency test
value of 5 seconds or less.
[0023] In certain embodiments, an outer face or outer layer of the
dual face or dual layer material (which covers the entirety of the
sole portion, and in certain embodiments preferably covers the
entire outer perimeter of a sock) exhibits excellent spread of
moisture, with the outer face or outer layer being arranged to
interact with an ambient atmosphere. Such outer face or outer layer
may exhibit vertical wicking of at least 10 centimeters in 30
minutes. Vertical wicking tests (e.g., AATCC Test Method 197 or
Consumer Testing Lab method CTL-FW-106) generally involve placement
of suspension of vertically aligned fabric specimen with a cut edge
in a container of liquid, (e.g., distilled water) and recordation
of height of liquid the is absorbed for a specified time. Such
tests are used to evaluate the ability of fabric to transport
liquid along and/or through the fabric.
[0024] In certain embodiments, a sock as disclosed herein may have
separate colors on inner and outer sides (or faces) thereof. In
certain embodiments, an inner face (or layer) may include a first
color, an outer face (or layer) may include a second color, and the
first color differs from the second color. In certain embodiments,
the provision of separate colors along inner and outer sides (or
faces) of a sock may exclude heel and toe areas of the sock.
[0025] In certain embodiments, a sock may include a mesh or mesh
channeled material portion arranged to be positioned along a top
portion of a wearer's foot where conditions of less sweat and
greater airflow may be experienced. Such mesh or mesh channeled
material portion may include hydrophilic main yarn and stretch
hydrophobic plaiting yarn.
[0026] In certain embodiments, a sock may include a plain knit
fabric portion arranged to be positioned along a wearer's ankle.
Such plain knit fabric portion may include hydrophilic main yarn
and stretch hydrophobic plaiting yarn.
[0027] In certain embodiments, a sock may include reverse plaited
terry fabric portions arranged to be positioned along a wearer's
heel and along a wearer's toes, and intended to provide increased
(e.g. maximum) cushioning. Such reverse plaited terry fabric
portions may include hydrophilic and/or hydrophobic main yarn and
stretch hydrophobic plaiting yarn.
[0028] In certain embodiments, a sock may include simulated rib
fabric portion arranged to be positioned at a top portion of the
sock (e.g., above an ankle portion) for maximum grip along a
wearer's leg. The simulated rib fabric portion may include
hydrophilic main yarn, stretch hydrophobic plaiting, and laid-in
elastic yarn.
[0029] In certain embodiments, at least a sole portion of a sock
may include two thread terry fabric construction with dual faces or
layers, having a hydrophobic inner pile, stretch hydrophobic
plaiting, and hydrophilic main yarn in the outer layer or face.
[0030] In certain embodiments, at least a sole portion of a sock
may include an inner pile (e.g., embodying an inner face or layer)
comprising hydrophobic yarn, with stretch plaiting in the middle,
and with an outer face or outer layer comprising hydrophobic
yarn.
[0031] In certain embodiments, a hydrophobic inner face or inner
layer portion is arranged to press against and contact a
hydrophilic outer face or outer layer portion under application of
elastic pressure and/or body weight of a wearer. Such contact
causes adsorbed moisture on the hydrophobic inner face or inner
layer portion to be absorbed by the hydrophilic outer face or outer
layer, into which the moisture is rapidly spread to promote
evaporation.
[0032] While the present invention will be described with reference
to a few specific embodiments, the description is illustrative of
the invention and is not to be construed as limiting the
invention.
[0033] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sock according to one
embodiment of the present invention, showing different
constructions corresponding to different foot and ankle locations
depending on functional requirements at those places. Mesh channels
5 are arranged to be positioned at a top portion of a wearer's foot
where there is lesser sweat and greater airflow. The mesh channels
5 include hydrophilic main yarn and stretch hydrophobic plaiting
yarn. A plain knit fabric portion 2 arranged to be positioned along
a wearer's ankle includes standard plain knit fabric with
hydrophilic main yarn and stretch hydrophobic plaiting yarn.
Reverse plaited terry fabric is provided at heel and toe portions 3
for maximum cushioning, with hydrophilic main yarn and stretch
hydrophobic plaiting. A simulated rib fabric portion 1 arranged to
be positioned at a top portion of the sock (e.g., above an ankle
portion) to receive a wearer's leg and provide maximum grip, with
such portion 1 including hydrophilic main yarn, stretch hydrophobic
plaiting, and laid-in elastic yarn. A sole portion 4 includes two
thread terry fabric construction with dual faces, having a
hydrophobic inner pile, stretch hydrophobic plaiting, and
hydrophilic main yarn.
[0034] FIG. 2 is a top plan view showing the inner side of a
slit-open sock according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.
Provided at the top of the sock and arranged to be positioned
around a wearer's leg is an inner surface 6 of false rib fabric for
maximum grip, with hydrophilic main yarn, stretch hydrophobic
plaiting, and laid-in hydrophobic elastic yarn. Arranged to be
positioned around a wearer's ankle and/or leg is an inner surface 7
of standard plain knit fabric including stretch hydrophobic
plaiting yarn with hydrophilic main yarn on an outer side thereof.
Reverse plaiting terry fabric is provided along inner heel surface
8 and inner toe surface 9, with thick terry pile for maximum
cushioning including hydrophilic and or hydrophobic main yarn with
stretch hydrophobic plaiting. Arranged to be positioned at a top
portion of a wearer's foot is an inner surface of mesh fabric 10 at
a location having lesser sweat and greater airflow, with such
fabric including stretch hydrophobic plaiting yarn with hydrophilic
main yarn on an outer side. Arranged to be positioned along a sole
portion of a wearer's foot is an inner surface of a two thread
terry fabric 11 with dual face construction, having an inner pile
(or inner face) made with hydrophobic yarns, with stretch
hydrophobic plaiting in the middle, and with hydrophilic main yarn
on an outer side or outer face.
[0035] FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view showing the outer side of a
slit-open sock according to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-2.
Provided at the top of the sock and arranged to be positioned
around a wearer's leg is an outer surface 12 of simulated rib
fabric for maximum grip, with hydrophilic main yarn, stretch
hydrophobic plaiting, and laid-in hydrophobic elastic yarn.
Arranged to be positioned around a wearer's ankle and/or leg is an
inner surface 13' of standard plain knit fabric including
hydrophilic main yarn with stretch hydrophobic plaiting yarn.
Reverse plaiting terry fabric is provided along inner heel surface
14 and inner toe surface 15, exhibiting plain stitch, with
hydrophilic main yarn and stretch hydrophobic plaiting. Arranged to
be positioned at a top portion of a wearer's foot is an outer
surface of mesh fabric 16 at a location having lesser sweat and
greater airflow, with such fabric including hydrophilic main yarn
with stretch hydrophobic plaiting yarn on an inner side. Arranged
to be positioned along a sole portion of a wearer's foot is an
inner surface of a two thread terry fabric 17 including dual face
construction , exhibiting plain stitch with hydrophilic main yarn
on an outer side, with stretch hydrophobic plaiting in the middle,
and with hydrophobic yarn pile on an inner side.
[0036] FIGS. 4A-4B illustrate the functioning of the dual face or
dual layer terry fabric as described herein, Sweat vapor' 17 is
exuded by a wearer's skin 18 and momentarily adsorbs to inner terry
pile 19 made of hydrophobic yarns. Under elastic pressure and body
weight the two layers of fabric (i.e., the hydrophobic inner layer
19 and the hydrophilic outer layer 20), are pressed against each
other. Adsorbed moisture on the inner side 19 of the terry fabric
is absorbed up by the outer hydrophilic layer 20 the moisture it is
spread rapidly for evaporation.
[0037] FIG. 5 is a table providing results of tests for vertical
wicking and absorbency of a dual face terry material (fabric) that
may be used to fabricate at least a portion of a sock according to
embodiments to the present invention. An inner face portion of the
material exhibited an absorbency test value of greater than 30
seconds upon testing according to AATCC Test Method 79. An outer
face portion exhibited an absorbency test value of 1.8 seconds upon
testing according to AATCC Test Method 79. The results clearly show
that this fabric has no affinity for moisture on the inner side,
while the outer layer is highly absorbent. With respect to vertical
wicking, the vertical wicking of the outer layer is also excellent,
showing that moisture is rapidly spread for quick evaporation. The
foregoing results are also indicative of the fact that the layer
next to a wearer's skin remains dry.
[0038] FIG. 6 is a schematic stitch diagram for a dual face terry
material (fabric) of at least a portion of a sock according to
embodiments of the present invention. Such figure illustrates knit
stich hydrophilic main yarn 21, knit stitch, plaited stretch
hydrophobic yarn 22, and float stitch terry hydrophobic yarn 23
arranged in an exemplary construction.
[0039] While the invention has been has been described herein in
reference to specific aspects, features and illustrative
embodiments of the invention, it will be appreciated that the
utility of the invention is not thus limited, but rather extends to
and encompasses numerous other variations, modifications and
alternative embodiments, as will suggest themselves to those of
ordinary skill in the field of the present invention, based on the
disclosure herein. Various combinations and sub-combinations of the
structures described herein are contemplated and will be apparent
to a skilled person having knowledge of this disclosure. Any of the
various features and elements as disclosed herein may be combined
with one or more other disclosed features and elements unless
indicated to the contrary herein. Correspondingly, the invention as
hereinafter claimed is intended to be broadly construed and
interpreted, as including all such variations, modifications and
alternative embodiments, within its scope and including equivalents
of the claims.
* * * * *