Variable power zone spacer fabric

• US 7,849,715 B2
• Filed: 02/13/2007
• Issued: 12/14/2010
• 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: Starbuck, Michael Frederick, Kaye, Joanne
• Primary Examiner(s): WORRELL JR, LARRY D
• Application Number:
  US11/705,639
• Publication Number:
  US 20070238392A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,400 Days
• Field of Search: 661/71, 661/72.E, 661/77, 661/76, 661/96, 450/156, 450/75
• US Class Current: 66/171
• 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 spacer fabric comprising:

a first layer;

a second layer opposite said first layer; and

a spacing layer between said first layer and said second layer, the first layer, the second layer and the spacing layer forming the spacer fabric;

wherein the first layer is comprised of a first portion and a second portion, the first portion is knitted with at least one elasticized yarn, the second portion has a different elasticity than the first portion.

2. The spacer fabric according to claim 1, wherein said second layer is comprised of a first and a second portion, wherein the first portion of the second layer is knitted with at least one elasticized yarn.

3. The spacer fabric according to claim 2, wherein each of said first portions of the first and second layers have an increased elastic modulus compared to each of said second portions.

4. The spacer fabric according to claim 1, wherein said first and second portions are knitted with different colored yarns.

5. The spacer fabric according to claim 1, wherein said first and second portions of said first layer are knitted to form a Jacquard pattern on said first layer.

6. The spacer fabric according to claim 1, wherein said first and second portions are knitted with yarns of different thicknesses.

7. The spacer 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.

12. The fabric according to claim 1, wherein said first and second portions are knitted using yarns of different thicknesses.

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

a first layer;

a second layer;

a spacer layer between said first layer and said second layer, the first layer, the second layer and the spacing layer forming the spacer fabric;

Wherein each of the first and second layers are comprised of a first portion and a second portion, each of the first portions are knitted with at least one elasticized yarn, and each of the second portions has a different elasticity than each of the first portions.

9. The spacer fabric according to claim 8, wherein each of the first portions in said first layer and said second layer are knitted using a plurality of elasticized yarns.

10. The fabric according to claim 8, wherein each of said first and second portions are knitted with different colored yarns.

11. The fabric according to claim 8, wherein each of said first portions of said first layer are knitted to form a Jacquard pattern on said first layer.

13. 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.

14. A brassiere comprising:

a pair of breast receiving cups;

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

wherein each of the pair of breast-receiving cups having a knit spacer fabric;

the knit spacer fabric comprising

a first layer;

a second layer;

a spacer layer between said first layer and said second layer;

wherein the first layer is comprised of a first portion and a second portion, the first portion comprised of at least one elasticized yarn, the second portion has a different elasticity than the first portion, and each breast receiving cup of the pair of breast receiving cups has at least one of the first and second portions.

15. The brassiere according to claim 14, wherein said second layer is comprise of a first and a second portion, the first portion of the second layer is knitted using at least one elasticized yarn.

16. The brassiere according to claim 14, wherein said first portion has an increased elastic modulus compared to said second portion.

17. The brassiere according to claim 14, wherein said first and second portions are knitted with different colored yarns.

18. The brassiere according to claim 14, wherein said first and second portions of said first layer are knitted to form a Jacquard pattern on said first layer.

19. The brassiere according to claim 14, wherein said first and second portions are knitted using yarns of different thicknesses.