Variable power zone spacer fabric

• US 20070238392A1
• Filed: 02/13/2007
• Published: 10/11/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/13/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: HBI Branded Apparel Enterprises LLC (Hanesbrands Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: HBI Branded Apparel Enterprises LLC (Hanesbrands Incorporated)
• Inventors: Kaye, Joanne, Starbuck, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 7,849,715 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 450/1
• CPC Class Codes: A41C 3/0014 made from one piece with one or several layers
• CPC Class Codes: A41C 5/00 Machines, appliances, or methods for manufacturing corsets or brassieres
• CPC Class Codes: D04B 1/18 elastic threads
• CPC Class Codes: D04B 1/246 Upper torso garments, e.g. sweaters, shirts, leotards
• CPC Class Codes: D04B 21/18 incorporating elastic threads
• CPC Class Codes: D04B 21/207 Wearing apparel or garment blanks
• CPC Class Codes: D10B 2403/0114 with one or more yarns appearing predominantly on one face, e.g. plated or paralleled yarns for pile fabrics D03D27/00, D04B1/02, D04B21/02; for intarsia fabrics D04B1/126
• CPC Class Codes: D10B 2403/021 Lofty fabric with equidistantly spaced front and back plies, e.g. spacer fabrics
• CPC Class Codes: D10B 2501/02 Underwear

Abstract

A fabric having a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface and an intermediate surface between the first surface and the second surface is provided. At least one of the first surface and the second surface is knitted with at least one elasticized yarn at at least one predetermined zone to provide a selected zone of elasticity to at least one of the first surface or the second surface of the fabric.

Claims

1. A fabric comprising:

a first surface; and

a second surface opposite said first surface;

an intermediate surface between said first surface and said second surface;

wherein at least one of said first surface and said second surface is knitted with at least one elasticized yarn at at least one predetermined zone to provide a selected zone of elasticity to at least one of said first surface or said second surface of said fabric.

2. The fabric according to claim 1, wherein said first surface and said second surface are knitted with at least one elasticized yarn at predetermined zones to provide selected zones of elasticity to said first surface and said second surface of said fabric.

3. The fabric according to claim 2, wherein said predetermined zones of elasticity comprise regions of increase elastic modulus to provide increased power to said fabric.

4. The fabric according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined zones are knitted with different colored yarns.

5. The fabric according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined zones are knitted to form a Jacquard pattern on at least one of said first and second surfaces.

6. The fabric according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined zones are knitted with yarns of different thicknesses.

7. The fabric according to claim 1, wherein said fabric is knitted to form one of a brassiere, brassiere liner, panty, panty liner or a garment of shapewear.

14. The fabric according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined zones are knitted using yarns of different thicknesses.

8. A spacer fabric knit on a circular knitting machine, said fabric comprising:

a first surface;

a second surface;

said first surface and said second surface knitted using a plurality of yarns,

said plurality of yarns being elasticized and non-elasticized yarns;

an intermediate surface between said first surface and said second surface;

wherein at least one of said first surface and said second surface is knitted using at least one elasticized yarn of said plurality of yarns and one non-elasticized yarn of said plurality of yarns to provide predetermined zones of differing elasticity to said spacer fabric.

9. The spacer fabric according to claim 8, wherein said first surface and said second surface are knitted using a plurality of elasticized yarns to provide predetermined zones of elasticity and non-elasticity to said fabric.

10. The spacer fabric according to claim 9, wherein said at least one elasticized yarn of said plurality of yarns is knitted into said fabric using a striper unit operatively associated with said circular knitting machine.

11. The spacer fabric according to a claim 10, wherein said striper unit introduces elasticized yarns and non-elasticized yarns to the circular knitting machine during the knitting process.

12. The fabric according to claim 8, wherein said predetermined zones of differing elasticity are knitted with different colored yarns.

13. The fabric according to claim 8, wherein said predetermined zones are knitted to form a Jacquard pattern on at least one or both of said first and second surfaces.

15. The fabric according to claim 8, wherein said spacer fabric is knitted to form one of a brassiere, brassiere liner, panty, panty liner or a garment of shapewear.

16. A brassiere comprising:

a pair of breast receiving cups;

a pair of side panels, one of each of said pair of side panels connected to one of said pair of breast-receiving cups;

wherein each of said pair of breast-receiving cups is knitted having a spacer fabric;

said spacer fabric comprising

a first surface;

a second surface;

an intermediate surface between said first surface and said second surface;

wherein at least one of said first surface and said second surface is knitted using at least one elasticized yarn and one non-elasticized yarn to provide predetermined zones of variable elasticity.

17. The brassiere according to claim 16, wherein said first surface and said second surface are knitted using at least one elasticized yarn at predetermined zones to provide elasticity to said first surface and said second surface of said fabric.

18. The brassiere according to claim 16, wherein said predetermined zones of variable elasticity comprise regions of increase elastic modulus to provide increased power to said fabric.

19. The brassiere according to claim 16, wherein said predetermined zones of variable elasticity are knitted with different colored yarns.

20. The brassiere according to claim 16, wherein said predetermined zones are knitted to form a Jacquard pattern on at least one or both of said first and second surfaces.

21. The brassiere according to claim 16, wherein said predetermined zones are knitted using yarns of different thicknesses.