Underwear abstract
Continuously knit hosiery and underwear garments provide variably
graduated diameters. In a blank having panty, thigh, knee, ankle,
and foot portions are separated from each other by outwardly and
inwardly graduated diameter portions while maintaining a constant
number of wales throughout. The blank is thereby configured to conform
to the natural shape of a female lower torso and leg with gradually
increasing and decreasing diameters to avoid abrupt diameter changes
and maintain the integrity of the fabric's appearance in the blank
and garment.
Underwear claims
What is claimed is:
1. A continuously knit, tubular pantyhose blank comprising: panty,
thigh, knee, ankle, and foot portions, each portion having a diameter;
a constant number of wales throughout the blank, each wale having
a stitch length; a plurality of courses in each portion; a first
selected portion comprising an outwardly graduated diameter formed
by increasing the stitch length in selected courses; and a second
selected portion comprising an inwardly graduated diameter formed
by decreasing the stitch length in selected courses; wherein the
first selected portion comprises the panty portion; wherein the
blank is configured to conform to the natural shape of a wearer's
leg.
2. The blank of claim 1, wherein outward graduation of the panty
portion begins after sufficient courses are knit in the blank to
establish a pre-determined panty cross-stretch diameter.
3. The blank of claim 1, the panty portion further comprising an
upper portion, a middle portion, and a lower portion, wherein outward
graduation of the panty portion begins in the upper panty portion.
4. The blank of claim 1, the panty portion further comprising an
upper portion, a middle portion, and a lower portion, wherein outward
graduation of the panty portion begins in the middle panty portion.
5. The blank of claim 1, the panty portion further comprising an
upper portion, a middle portion, and a lower portion, wherein outward
graduation of the panty portion begins in the lower panty portion.
6. The blank of claim 3, wherein the lower panty portion comprises
a constant diameter.
7. The blank of claim 1, wherein outward graduation of the panty
portion further comprises a gradual increase in the stitch length
in downwardly successive courses.
8. The blank of claim 1, wherein each of the panty, thigh, knee,
ankle, and foot portions comprises a different diameter.
9. The blank of claim 1, wherein the first selected portion and
the second selected portion further comprise different amounts of
diameter graduation.
10. The blank of claim 1, wherein the second selected portion having
an inwardly graduated diameter comprises the thigh portion.
11. The blank of claim 1, the blank further comprising a lower
leg portion, wherein the knee portion comprises a constant diameter
and the second selected portion having an inwardly graduated diameter
comprises the lower leg portion.
12. The blank of claim 1, wherein the ankle portion comprises a
constant diameter.
13. The blank of claim 1, wherein the foot portion comprises a
constant diameter.
14. The blank of claim 1, the blank further comprising an instep
portion connecting the ankle portion and the foot portion, wherein
the first selected portion having an outwardly graduated diameter
further comprises the instep portion.
15. The blank of claim 1, the blank further comprising a lower
leg portion and an instep portion connecting the ankle portion and
the foot portion, the panty portion further comprising an upper
portion, a middle portion, and a lower portion, wherein outward
graduation of the panty portion begins in the upper panty portion,
wherein the lower panty portion comprises a constant diameter, wherein
the second selected portion having an inwardly graduated diameter
comprises the thigh portion, wherein the knee portion comprises
a constant diameter, wherein the second selected portion having
an inwardly graduated diameter further comprises the lower leg portion,
wherein the ankle portion comprises a constant diameter, wherein
the first selected portion having an outwardly graduated diameter
further comprises the instep portion, and wherein the foot portion
comprises a constant diameter.
16. A pantyhose garment comprising: a pair of continuously knit,
tubular blanks of yarn, each blank comprising panty, thigh, knee,
ankle, and foot portions, each portion having a diameter; a constant
number of wales throughout each blank, each wale having a stitch
length; a plurality of courses in each portion; a first selected
portion comprising an outwardly graduated diameter formed by increasing
the stitch length in selected courses to provide additional yarn
to the selected courses; a second selected portion comprising an
inwardly graduated diameter formed by decreasing the stitch length
in selected courses to remove yarn from the selected courses; and
a waist portion and a garment panty portion formed from the pair
of blanks slit along the panty portion of the blank and joined at
the pairs of edges thus formed; wherein the first selected portion
comprises the panty portion; wherein the pantyhose garment is configured
to conform to the natural shape of a wearer's lower body.
17. The pantyhose garment of claim 16, wherein outward graduation
of the panty portion begins after sufficient courses are knit in
the blank to establish a pre-determined panty cross-stretch diameter.
18. The pantyhose garment of claim 16, the panty portion further
comprising an upper portion, a middle portion, and a lower portion,
wherein outward graduation of the panty portion begins in the upper
panty portion.
19. The pantyhose garment of claim 16, the panty portion further
comprising an upper portion, a middle portion, and a lower portion,
wherein outward graduation of the panty portion begins in the middle
panty portion.
20. The pantyhose garment of claim 16, the panty portion further
comprising an upper portion, a middle portion, and a lower portion,
wherein outward graduation of the panty portion begins in the lower
panty portion.
21. The pantyhose garment of claim 18, wherein the lower panty
portion comprises a constant diameter.
22. The pantyhose garment of claim 16, wherein outward graduation
of the panty portion further comprises a gradual increase in the
stitch length in downwardly successive courses.
23. The pantyhose garment of claim 16, wherein each of the panty,
thigh, knee, ankle, and foot portions comprises a different diameter.
24. The pantyhose garment of claim 16, wherein the first selected
portion and the second selected portion further comprise different
amounts of diameter graduation.
25. The pantyhose garment of claim 16, wherein the second selected
portion having an inwardly graduated diameter comprises the thigh
portion.
26. The pantyhose garment of claim 16, the blank further comprising
a lower leg portion, wherein the knee portion comprises a constant
diameter and the second selected portion having an inwardly graduated
diameter comprises the lower leg portion.
27. The pantyhose garment of claim 16, wherein the ankle portion
comprises a constant diameter.
28. The pantyhose garment of claim 16, wherein the foot portion
comprises a constant diameter.
29. The pantyhose garment of claim 16, the blank further comprising
an instep portion connecting the ankle portion and the foot portion,
wherein the first selected portion having an outwardly graduated
diameter further comprises the instep portion.
30. The pantyhose garment of claim 19, the blank further comprising
a lower leg portion and an instep portion connecting the ankle portion
and the foot portion, the panty portion further comprising an upper
portion, a middle portion, and a lower portion, wherein outward
graduation of the panty portion begins in the upper panty portion,
wherein the lower panty portion comprises a constant diameter, wherein
the second selected portion having an inwardly graduated diameter
comprises the thigh portion, wherein the knee portion comprises
a constant diameter, wherein the second selected portion having
an inwardly graduated diameter further comprises the lower leg portion,
wherein the ankle portion comprises a constant diameter, wherein
the first selected portion having an outwardly graduated diameter
further comprises the instep portion, and wherein the foot portion
comprises a constant diameter.
31. The pantyhose garment of claim 16, wherein the garment further
comprises a gusset.
32. The pantyhose garment of claim 16, wherein the garment is footless.
33. The pantyhose garment of claim 16, wherein the garment comprises
a body diameter garment.
34. A continuously knit, seamless pantyhose garment comprising:
waist, panty, thigh, knee, ankle, and foot portions, each portion
having a diameter; a constant number of wales throughout the garment,
each wale having a stitch length; a plurality of courses in each
portion; a first selected portion comprising an outwardly graduated
diameter formed by increasing the stitch length in selected courses
to provide additional yarn to the selected courses; and a second
selected portion comprising an inwardly graduated diameter formed
by decreasing the stitch length in selected courses to remove yarn
from the selected courses; wherein the first selected portion comprises
the panty portion; wherein the pantyhose garment is configured to
conform to the natural shape of a wearer's lower body.
35. The pantyhose garment of claim 34, the garment further comprising
a lower leg portion and an instep portion connecting the ankle portion
and the foot portion, wherein the lower panty portion comprises
a constant diameter, wherein the second selected portion having
an inwardly graduated diameter comprises the thigh portion, wherein
the knee portion comprises a constant diameter, wherein the second
selected portion having an inwardly graduated diameter further comprises
the lower leg portion, wherein the ankle portion comprises a constant
diameter, wherein the first selected portion having an outwardly
graduated diameter further comprises the instep portion, and wherein
the foot portion comprises a constant diameter.
36. A pantyhose garment comprising: continuously knit waist and
panty portions; a pair of tubular blanks of yarn, each blank continuously
knit separately from the waist and panty portions, each blank comprising
thigh, knee, ankle, and foot portions, the pantyhose garment formed
by sewing the pair of blanks to the panty portion; each waist, panty,
and blank portion comprising a diameter; a constant number of wales
throughout each portion, each wale having a stitch length; a plurality
of courses in each portion; a first selected portion comprising
an outwardly graduated diameter formed by increasing the stitch
length in selected courses to provide additional yarn to the selected
courses; and a second selected portion comprising an inwardly graduated
diameter formed by decreasing the stitch length in selected courses
to remove yarn from the selected courses; wherein the first selected
portion comprises the panty portion; wherein the pantyhose garment
is configured to conform to the natural shape of a wearer's lower
body and legs.
37. The pantyhose garment of claim 36, wherein outward graduation
of the panty portion begins after sufficient courses are knit in
the panty portion to establish a pre-determined panty cross-stretch
diameter.
38. A continuously knit panty garment comprising: waist and panty
portions, each portion having a diameter; a constant number of wales
throughout the garment, each wale having a stitch length; a plurality
of courses in each portion; and the panty portion comprising an
outwardly graduated diameter formed by increasing the stitch length
in selected courses to provide additional yarn to the selected courses;
wherein outward graduation of the panty portion begins after sufficient
courses are knit in the panty portion to establish a pre-determined
panty cross-stretch diameter; and wherein the panty garment is configured
to conform to the natural shape of a wearer's pelvic area.
39. The panty garment of claim 38, the panty portion further comprising
an upper portion, a middle portion, and a lower portion, wherein
outward graduation of the panty portion begins in the upper panty
portion.
40. The panty garment of claim 38, the panty portion further comprising
an upper portion, a middle portion, and a lower portion, wherein
outward graduation of the panty portion begins in the middle panty
portion.
41. The panty garment of claim 38, the panty portion further comprising
an upper portion, a middle portion, and a lower portion, wherein
outward graduation of the panty portion begins in the lower panty
portion.
42. The panty garment of claim 38, wherein the lower panty portion
comprises a constant diameter.
43. The panty garment of claim 38, further comprising a thigh portion,
wherein the thigh portion comprises an inwardly graduated diameter
formed by decreasing the stitch length in selected courses to remove
yarn from the selected courses.
44. A method of manufacturing a pantyhose garment, comprising:
continuously knitting a pair of tubular blanks of yarn, each blank
comprising panty, thigh, knee, ankle, and foot portions, each portion
having a diameter; a constant number of wales throughout each blank,
each wale having a stitch length; and a plurality of courses in
each portion; graduating outwardly the diameter of a first selected
portion by increasing the stitch length to provide additional yarn
to selected courses; graduating inwardly the diameter of a second
selected portion by decreasing the stitch length to remove yarn
from selected courses; and slitting the pair of blanks along the
panty portion of the blank and joining the blanks at the pairs of
edges thus formed to form a waist portion and a garment panty portion;
wherein the first selected portion comprises the panty portion;
wherein the pantyhose garment is configured to conform to the natural
shape of a wearer's lower body.
45. The method of claim 44, wherein graduating the diameter of
the panty portion outwardly begins after sufficient courses are
knit in the blank to establish a pre-determined panty cross-stretch
diameter.
46. The method of claim 44, the blank further comprising a lower
leg portion and an instep portion connecting the ankle portion and
the foot portion, the panty portion further comprising an upper
portion, a middle portion, and a lower portion, wherein graduating
the diameter of the panty portion outwardly begins in the upper
panty portion, wherein the lower panty portion comprises a constant
diameter, wherein the second selected portion having an inwardly
graduated diameter comprises the thigh portion, wherein the knee
portion comprises a constant diameter, wherein the second selected
portion having an inwardly graduated diameter further comprises
the lower leg portion, wherein the ankle portion comprises a constant
diameter, wherein the first selected portion having an outwardly
graduated diameter further comprises the instep portion, and wherein
the foot portion comprises a constant diameter.
Underwear description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a hosiery and underwear garments, and
more particularly to continuously knit hosiery and underwear garments
having variably graduated diameter portions configuring the garments
to conform to the natural shape of a wearer's lower torso and/or
leg.
BACKGROUND
Pantyhose and hosiery manufacturers have long searched for a construction
that would enable leg covering hosiery garments to more precisely
conform to the shape of a wearer's lower torso and/or leg, thus
enhancing fit characteristics and garment appearance. In conventional
hosiery manufacturing, some shaping has been possible on fixed needle
circular knit hosiery machines through the use of stitches that
are gradually reduced in size along the length of a blank as the
blank is knit. For example, the top of a blank, which conforms to
the waist of the pantyhose formed from two such blanks, starts at
a given maximum diameter opening and then is gradually reduced in
diameter along the length of the garment as the garment is continuously
knit toward the toe. Such a blank having decreasing diameter in
one direction provides a more precise fit from the larger upper
portion of the leg to the smaller lower portion of the leg to the
yet smaller foot. In such conventional approaches to reducing diameter
of a pantyhose blank, graduated stitches are those stitches that
have been reduced in stitch length, thus removing yarn from each
course that utilizes the smaller stitches. This technique, in conjunction
with the use of stretch yarn, has been somewhat effective to provide
a garment with good fit characteristics through the tapering process.
However, there is still a need for a technique to fully configure
such a garment to both decrease and selectively increase a blank
and garment made therefrom comprising variable diameters that follow
the general shape of a female lower torso and leg both inwardly
and outwardly.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides continuously knit hosiery and underwear
garments having variably graduated diameters. Embodiments of the
present invention comprise a circularly knit, constant wale tubular
hosiery blank having panty, thigh, knee, ankle, and foot portions
that are selectively separated by increasing and decreasing diameter
graduation portions to configure the blank to conform to the natural
shape of a female lower torso and/or leg. In embodiments of the
present invention, a blank for a pantyhose garment that utilizes
two such blanks joined together is knit starting at the welt or
waist portion and then extending downwardly through the upper panty
portion, the middle panty portion, the lower panty portion, the
thigh portion, the knee portion, the ankle portion, and finishing
at the foot portion with the diameter of the tubular blank decreasing
and /or increasing by the use of graduated stitches throughout the
length. In the present invention, the blank is started at an upper
panty portion on all of the needles of the machine, thus having
a fixed number of wales and a constant diameter. The blank then
extends to a panty graduation portion having an increasing diameter,
then to a lower panty/upper boot portion of constant diameter, and
thereafter to the thigh graduation portion having a decreasing diameter.
The knee is formed with a constant diameter, followed with a lower
leg graduation portion of decreasing diameter connecting the knee
portion to an ankle portion of constant diameter. A final instep
graduation portion of increasing diameter extends to a formed foot
portion of constant diameter. Thus, the blank comprises selectively
positioned areas of at least two graduation portions of increasing
diameter and two graduation portions of decreasing diameter. The
number of needles and resulting wales remains the same throughout
the blank.
In embodiments of the present invention, the panty graduation portion
of increasing diameter provides additional yarn and fabric in the
lower panty portion and crotch area to reduce stress on the yarn
and fabric in those locations. Yarn and fabric stress in the lower
panty portion and crotch area occurs because a U-shaped seam is
used to join the blanks together, either with or without a gusset,
which reduces the amount of fabric in each of the blanks in the
areas they are sewn together. In embodiments, after sufficient courses
are knit in a tubular hosiery garment blank to establish a pre-determined
cross-stretch and initial panty diameter, the panty portion is graduated
with an outwardly increasing diameter by increasing stitch length.
In embodiments in which the panty diameter is graduated outwardly,
increasing stitch lengths replaces an amount of fabric lost to a
U-shaped seam used to join blanks together. In such embodiments,
an increasingly outwardly graduated panty diameter reduces the stress
to which the yarn and fabric is subjected. As a result, replaced
fabric in the panty and crotch area enhances the ability of the
garment to fit the contour of the female anatomy in those areas
and thus be more comfortable than conventional pantyhose garments.
In other embodiments of the present invention, a blank for a pantyhose
garment that utilizes two blanks joined together is knit starting
at the toe portion and then extends upwardly through the foot portion,
the ankle portion, the knee portion, the thigh portion, the lower
panty portion, the upper panty portion, and finally the welt or
waist portion. In such an embodiment, the diameter of the tubular
blank is decreased and/or increased by the use of graduated stitches
throughout the length of the garment.
In other embodiments, a pantyhose garment can include a gusset
of appropriate size along the juncture line formed when the tubular
blanks are slit and sewn together along their slit edges. In such
embodiments, a gusset provides additional fit characteristics to
the pantyhose garment.
Features of continuously knit hosiery and underwear garments having
variably graduated diameters of the present invention may be accomplished
singularly, or in combination, in one or more of the embodiments
of the present invention. As will be appreciated by those of ordinary
skill in the art, the present invention has wide utility in a number
of applications as illustrated by the variety of features and advantages
discussed below.
Continuously knit hosiery and underwear garments having variably
graduated diameters of the present invention provide numerous advantages
over prior pantyhose blanks and garments. For example, the present
invention advantageously provides superior fit and appearance characteristics
brought about by the selective use of decreasing and increasing
graduation stitches during the knitting process.
Another advantage is that the present invention provides a pantyhose
garment utilizing two identically formed circularly knit tubular
blanks which, when joined, comprise a panty portion and individual
leg and foot portions, each portion having superior fit and appearance
characteristics due to the selective use of decreasing and increasing
graduation stitches in each portion.
As will be realized by those of skill in the art, many different
embodiments of continuously knit hosiery and underwear garments
having variably graduated diameters according to the present invention
are possible. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited
in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangement
of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated
in the drawings. The phraseology and terminology herein are for
the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting
in any respect. Those skilled in the art will appreciate the concept
upon which this disclosure is based and that it may readily be utilized
as a basis for designing other structures, methods, and systems
for carrying out the present invention. Additional uses, objects,
advantages, and novel features of the invention are set forth in
the detailed description that follows and will become more apparent
to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following or
by practice of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a frontal view of a hosiery blank comprising the invention,
illustrating in emphasized fashion the selective inclusion of a
plurality of graduation portions of increasing and decreasing diameter
separating the panty, boot, knee, ankle, and foot portions.
FIG. 2 is a frontal view of a pantyhose garment comprising the
present invention formed by joining two hosiery blanks like that
shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a plan schematic view of the pantyhose garment shown
in FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is a frontal view of a hosiery blank comprising the invention,
illustrating in emphasized fashion the selective inclusion of a
plurality of graduation portions of increasing and decreasing diameter
separating the panty, boot, knee, ankle, and foot portions, wherein
outward graduation in the panty portion begins higher in the upper
panty portion than in FIG. 1.
FIG. 5 is a frontal view of a hosiery blank comprising the invention,
illustrating in emphasized fashion the selective inclusion of a
plurality of graduation portions of increasing and decreasing diameter
separating the panty, boot, knee, ankle, and foot portions, wherein
outward graduation in the panty portion begins in the lower panty
portion.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Embodiments of the present invention provide a continuously knit
tubular hosiery blank having panty, thigh, knee, ankle, and foot
portions that are selectively separated by increasing and decreasing
diameters of the portions to configure the blank to conform to the
natural shape of a female lower torso and/or leg. FIGS. 1-5 show
various aspects of such embodiments.
Prior to describing the present invention in detail, reference
is made to the blank 16 shown in FIG. 1 and to the application of
conventional pantyhose manufacturing practices. Blank 16 is one
blank which is to be paired with another blank of similar construction,
each of which is slit and seamed along paired slit edges and formed
into a pantyhose garment. The blank may include a double welt tubular
portion of, for example, 144 courses, which may comprise stretch
nylon or combinations of stretch nylon, elastic yarn s, and other
combination yarns. The welt portion is followed by a second tubular
portion of the same diameter having approximately 700 to 800 courses.
The term "diameter" is used to reflect the distance between
one edge of a flattened uncut tubular blank to the other edge. While
this is standard terminology in the industry and is used as such
herein, "diameter" also refers herein to the diameter
of a garment when two blanks are joined together, for example in
the garment panty portion. The measured diameter, or "cross-stretch,"
of a typical pantyhose garment when measured as a "stretched
diameter" is about 13 inches. While stitch type may vary, a
plain jersey stitch is typically used. At the end of the second
tubular portion, the garment is narrowed in diameter by the utilization
of graduated stitches so that the length of the stitch utilized
in each successive course is reduced. The graduated stitches continue
or selectively stop and recommence at locations down the leg until
the smallest diameter area is reached at the ankle and foot portion.
The same number of needle-formed wales are used throughout.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, during conventional construction, yarn
and fabric tension and stress occur in lower panty portion 24 where
two blanks 16 are paired together, because a greater amount of fabric
is required to encircle the two upper thigh portions 23 of the legs
than is required to encircle the hip portion 48 just before the
formation of the legs. This has long been a concern for pantyhose
manufacturers since the stress and tension in the panty portion
and crotch area occurs inherently from the manufacturing process
wherein a U-shaped seam typically joins paired slit edges of the
blanks. Increased stress and tension at this location causes discomfort
to the wearer and early failure of the garment. Such a problem has
prevailed since the beginning of widespread use of pantyhose garments
in the 1960's.
The present invention represents a significant improvement over
conventional practice and results in a garment having superior fit,
comfort, and appearance characteristics over those produced by conventional
pantyhose manufacturing. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the
blank 16 (to be paired with an identical blank 16) is commenced
with a double welt tubular portion 18 followed by an upper panty
portion 20 having a substantially constant diameter d.sub.1. Upper
panty portion 20 is followed by a graduation portion 22 of increasing
diameter d.sub.2 until the lower panty/upper boot portion 24 having
a constant diameter d.sub.3 is commenced.
The increased diameter of lower panty portion 24 formed by the
pairing of the two blanks 16 like that described provides additional
yarn and fabric at a critical location in the panty portion near
the crotch of the garment where the two leg portions begin. A greater
amount of fabric is required to encircle the two thigh portions
23 of the legs than is required to encircle the hip portion 48 just
before the formation of the legs. This requirement for additional
fabric is illustrated best in FIG. 3 wherein the lower panty portion
24 is formed in a single tubular arrangement while the two thigh
portions 23 are formed as two separate tubular members. Thus, the
amount of fabric required to form the two tubular members of the
thigh portion exceeds the amount of fabric needed to form the single
lower panty tubular portion. The ability to graduate stitches to
increase diameter d.sub.2 of blank 16 enables the provision of additional
yarn and fabric to reduce yarn and fabric stress and provide more
comfort to the wearer at such a critical location. The fabric loss
shown reflected in the drawings is a result of the joining seam
(used to join opposing slit edges of each blank 16 together) which
starts in a yarn wale-wise or cross-course downwardly direction
along one slit edge and then gradually departs through a transition
zone where it continues around the end of the slit in a cross-wale
direction until it then moves upwardly in a wale or cross-course
direction. In the transition areas where the seam angularly extends
over courses and wales, fabric is gradually removed so that a smaller
diameter results in each of the blanks as fabric is removed. Longer
stitches in the lower panty portion 24 results in more yarn and
fabric being provided to offset the loss of the yarn and fabric
removed to the seam sewing transition zones.
Upon completion of portion 24, a thigh graduation portion 26 is
commenced and formed with a decreasing diameter d.sub.4 After a
sufficient length of the thigh portion is graduated, the knee portion
28 having a constant diameter d.sub.5 is formed and terminates with
the commencement of a lower leg graduation portion 30 having a decreasing
diameter d.sub.6. After portion 30 is completed, ankle portion 32
is formed with a constant diameter d.sub.7. Blank 16 is completed
by the formation of an instep graduation portion 34 having an increasing
diameter d.sub.8 and foot portion 36 with a constant diameter d.sub.9.
The diameters of selectively positioned increasing and decreasing
diameter portions d.sub.2, d.sub.4, d.sub.6, and d.sub.8 are changed
gradually so that fabric density changes normally associated with
abrupt graduation changes are avoided.
Embodiments of the present invention comprise a pantyhose garment
shown 38, as shown in FIG. 2, formed by joining two blanks 16 like
that described herein along edges 40 formed from slitting each blank
16 in a longitudinal direction and joining the two blanks 16 along
those cut edges 40. Gusset 42 of a preselected size provides additional
favorable fit and comfort characteristics to this embodiment. Other
embodiments of the present invention comprise a pair of tubular
blanks 16 sewn together without a gusset.
Pantyhose garment 38 includes a continuous welt 44, a tubular upper
panty portion 46 and a panty graduation portion 48 of increasing
diameter fashioned to cover that portion of the wearer's body which
extends from the waist outwardly to the widest portion of the hips.
Since the torso is generally uniform from the hips through the lower
panty, or upper boot, portion 24, the diameter through the hips
and lower panty portion 24 preferably remains constant. In the embodiment
in FIG. 2, the balance of the garment in each leg is like that previously
described for a single blank, decreasing in diameter through the
thigh graduation portion 26, having a constant diameter through
knee portion 28, decreasing in diameter through lower leg graduation
portion 30, and having a constant diameter through ankle portion
32. Instep graduation portion 34 includes a decreasing diameter,
and the garment terminates with a foot portion 36 of constant diameter.
In an embodiment of the present invention, a continuously knit,
tubular pantyhose blank comprises panty, thigh, knee, ankle, and
foot portions, each portion having a diameter; a constant number
of wales throughout the blank, each wale having a stitch length;
and a plurality of courses in each portion. A selected portion comprises
an outwardly graduated diameter formed by increasing the stitch
length in selected courses. Another selected portion comprises an
inwardly graduated diameter formed by decreasing the stitch length
in selected courses. As a result, the blank is configured to conform
to the natural shape of a wearer's leg.
In preferred embodiments, the panty portion comprises an outwardly
graduated diameter. Outward graduation of the panty portion can
begin at any point during knitting after sufficient courses are
knit in the blank to establish a pre-determined panty cross-stretch
diameter. By outwardly graduating courses at any point after a cross-stretch
diameter is established, stitch length is increased and yarn and
fabric is thereby added to those courses to relieve yarn and fabric
stress at those selected points in the panty portion. Accordingly,
the shape of a panty portion can be configured to provide a better
fit and enhanced comfort and appearance at any point in a panty.
In particular embodiments, the panty portion further comprises
an upper portion, a middle portion, and a lower portion. Outward
graduation of the panty portion can begin in the upper panty portion,
in the middle panty portion, and/or in the lower panty portion.
Upper, middle, and lower panty portions are defined as relative
ranges of a panty. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, upper panty
portion 20 and lower panty portion 24 are connected by panty graduation
portion 22, which can be considered a middle panty portion. Upper,
middle, and lower panty portions are intended to include all courses
knit in a panty. In some embodiments, the lower panty portion comprises
a constant diameter. Preferably, outward graduation of the panty
portion further comprises a gradual increase in the stitch length
in downwardly successive courses. Referring to FIG. 4, as an example
of outward graduation in a panty portion beginning in the upper
panty portion 20, outward graduation begins much higher in the panty
than in the embodiments in FIGS. 1 and 5, for example. Accordingly,
a constant diameter in middle panty portion 22 and lower panty portion
24 is longer. In FIG. 4, outward graduation begins in a course as
soon as a pre-determined panty cross-stretch diameter is established.
Referring to FIG. 5, outward graduation begins lower in the panty
than in the embodiments in FIGS. 1 and 4. Outward graduation begins
in the middle panty portion 22, which results in a much longer constant
diameter upper panty portion 20. In addition, the duration of outward
graduation in FIG. 5 is relatively longer than in FIGS. 1 and 4,
resulting in a much shorter constant diameter lower panty portion
24.
In embodiments of a continuously knit, tubular pantyhose blank
of the present invention, each of the panty, thigh, knee, ankle,
and foot portions comprises a different diameter. In addition, outwardly
graduated portions and inwardly graduated portions can comprise
different amounts of diameter graduation.
Embodiments of the present invention provide a pantyhose garment
comprising a pair of continuously knit, tubular blanks of yarn,
each blank comprising panty, thigh, knee, ankle, and foot portions,
each portion having a diameter; a constant number of wales throughout
each blank, each wale having a stitch length; and a plurality of
courses in each portion. In such a pantyhose garment, a selected
portion comprises an outwardly graduated diameter formed by increasing
the stitch length in selected courses. In a preferred embodiment,
the panty portion comprises an outwardly graduated diameter. Another
selected portion comprises an inwardly graduated diameter formed
by decreasing the stitch length in selected courses. A waist portion
and a garment panty portion are formed from the pair of blanks slit
along the panty portion of the blank and joined at the pairs of
edges thus formed. Accordingly, the pantyhose garment is configured
to conform to the natural shape of a wearer's lower body, including
legs.
In addition to outward graduation in the panty portion, various
embodiments of the present invention comprise outward graduation,
inward graduation, and constant diameters in selected other portions
of a pantyhose blank and/or garment. For example, the thigh portion
can be inwardly graduated. A pantyhose blank can include a lower
leg portion, which can be inwardly graduated. A pantyhose blank
can include an instep portion connecting the ankle portion and the
foot portion, wherein the instep portion is outwardly graduated.
In particular embodiments, the knee portion, the ankle portion,
and/or the foot portion comprise a constant diameter. Portions of
a blank and/or garment are selected to have outward graduation,
inward graduation, or constant diameters in various combinations
depending on factors such as style, yarn s, and contours sought.
Generally, selection of diameter and diameter graduation in particular
portions of a blank and/or seeks to configured the blank and garment
to conform to the natural shape of a wearer's lower body and leg.
In embodiments of the present invention, a pantyhose garment is
formed without a gusset. Alternatively, embodiments of a pantyhose
garment of the present invention include a gusset. Although addition
of a gusset relieves some yarn and fabric stress in critical locations
such as the panty and crotch areas, addition of yarn and fabric
in those areas provided by graduated stitching as in the present
invention permits even greater relief of such stress and enhances
fit and comfort characteristics of a garment thus formed.
The present invention includes embodiments of a pantyhose garment
that are footless. Other embodiments of the present invention include
a body diameter garment, or a "body suit," in which anatomical
contouring is important for desired fit, comfort, and appearance
of the garment. Other embodiments comprise a continuously knit,
pantyhose garment that is seamless. Other embodiments of the present
invention comprise a pantyhose garment wherein the waist and panty
portions are continuously knit, a pair of tubular blanks of yarn
are continuously knit separately from the waist and panty portions,
and the pantyhose garment is formed by sewing the pair of blanks
to the panty portion. In such embodiments, a selected portion of
the garment comprises an outwardly graduated diameter formed by
increasing the stitch length in selected courses. Another selected
portion comprises an inwardly graduated diameter formed by decreasing
the stitch length in selected courses. As a result, the garment
is configured to conform to the natural shape of a wearer's lower
body and legs.
Embodiments of the present invention comprise a continuously knit
panty garment comprising waist and panty portions, each portion
having a diameter; a constant number of wales throughout the garment,
each wale having a stitch length; and a plurality of courses in
each portion. The panty portion comprises an outwardly graduated
diameter formed by increasing the stitch length in selected courses
to provide additional yarn to the selected courses. Outward graduation
of the panty portion begins after sufficient courses are knit in
the panty portion to establish a pre-determined panty cross-stretch
diameter. In this manner, the panty garment is configured to conform
to the natural shape of a wearer's pelvic area. The panty portion
can further comprise an upper portion, a middle portion, and a lower
portion, wherein outward graduation of the panty portion begins
in the upper, middle, or lower panty portion, depending on style,
size, and other manufacturing parameters. In one embodiment of such
a panty garment, the panty garment further comprises a thigh portion,
the lower panty portion comprises a constant diameter, and the thigh
portion comprises an inwardly graduated diameter.
The present invention includes embodiments of a method of manufacturing
a pantyhose garment, comprising continuously knitting a pair of
tubular blanks of yarn, each blank comprising panty, thigh, knee,
ankle, and foot portions, each portion having a diameter; a constant
number of wales throughout each blank, each wale having a stitch
length; and a plurality of courses in each portion. Such a method
further comprises graduating outwardly the diameter of a selected
portion or portions by increasing the stitch length to provide additional
yarn to selected courses. The method also includes graduating inwardly
the diameter of a selected portion or portions by decreasing the
stitch length to remove yarn from selected courses. After the blanks
are made, the pair of blanks are slit along the panty portion of
the blank and joined at the pairs of edges thus formed to form a
waist portion and a garment panty portion. In a preferred embodiment
of such a method, the panty portion is outwardly graduated. In embodiments,
graduating the diameter of the panty portion outwardly begins after
sufficient courses are knit in the blank to establish a pre-determined
panty cross-stretch diameter. As a result, the pantyhose garment
is configured to conform to the natural shape of a wearer's lower
body.
Embodiments of methods of the present invention include outwardly
graduating, inwardly graduating, and holding diameters constant
in selected other portions of a pantyhose blank and/or garment.
For example, the thigh portion can be inwardly graduated. A pantyhose
blank can include a lower leg portion, which can be inwardly graduated.
A pantyhose blank can include an instep portion connecting the ankle
portion and the foot portion, wherein the instep portion is outwardly
graduated. In particular embodiments, the knee portion, the ankle
portion, and/or the foot portion comprise a constant diameter. Selecting
particular portions in a blank and/or garment for diameter graduation
is intended to configured the blank and garment to conform to the
natural shape of a wearer's lower body and leg.
Thus, embodiments of the invention provide a new construction for
forming a hosiery blank and pantyhose made therefrom that includes
technology resulting in a configuration that contours to the shape
of the body for a superior fit, particularly in the lower panty
portion, and along the entire length of the garment from the waist
to the toe.
Although the present invention has been described with reference
to particular embodiments, it should be recognized that these embodiments
are merely illustrative of the principles of the present invention.
Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that continuously
knit hosiery and underwear garments having variably graduated diameters
of the present invention may be constructed and implemented in other
ways and embodiments. Accordingly, the description herein should
not be read as limiting the present invention, as other embodiments
also fall within the scope of the present invention. |