KNIT GARMENT AND ORIENTATION METHOD

VETEMENT TRICOTE ET PROCEDE D'ORIENTATION

English Abstract

A knit garment (10) with a generally cylindrical shape has a closed end having
two portions (34, 36) attached to each other. The two portions oppose each
other. The garment also includes, one being affixed at a first site near the
closed end of the garment and the other being affixed at a second site
disposed near the closed end of the garment. The first handle (124) is
disposed between the first and second lip portions (144, 146) and the second
handle (126) is disposed between the second and first lip portions. The handle
material may be the same as the garment material, or a wire or plastic cord.
The two handles extend outwardly from the garment near an open end (116)
thereof.

French Abstract

L'invention concerne un vêtement tricoté (10) de forme généralement cylindrique, ayant une extrémité fermée dotée de deux parties (34, 36) opposées et rattachées l'une à l'autre. Le vêtement a en outre une poignée en un premier point proche de l'extrémité fermée et une autre poignée en un second point proche de ladite extrémité. La première poignée (124) est entre les premier et second rebords (144, 146) du vêtement, et la seconde poignée (126) est entre les second et premier rebords du vêtement. Le matériau des poignées peut être le même que celui du vêtement, ou il peut s'agir d'une cordelette en métal ou en plastique. Les deux poignées s'étendent vers l'extérieur, depuis des points situés à proximité d'une extrémité ouverte (116) du vêtement.

Claims

CLAIMS

1. A method of manipulating a garment on a knitting machine, the method
comprising:
(a) orientating the garment with an opening disposed relative to one end on
the
knitting machine;
(b) knitting a bridge across the opening of the garment, the bridge being
affixed to
the garment at a first and a second site, the first and second sites being
disposed near the
opening, exact positioning of the first and second sites relative to the
opening being
predetermined in accordance with the orientation of the garment on the
knitting machine,
the first site opposing the second site; and
(c) dividing the bridge forming a first and second handle, the fast handle
being
affixed at the first site and the second handle being affixed at the second
site, the first and
second handles being useful for further processing of the garment.

2. The garment manipulation method of Claim 1, further comprising grasping the
first and
second handle, pulling the first handle away from the second handle thereby
drawing together
a first lip portion to a second lip portion of the garment enabling the first
lip portion to be
attached to the second lip portion, the first lip portion opposing the second
lip portion, the first
lip portion being disposed between the first and second handles, the second
lip portion being
disposed between the second and first handles.

3. The garment manipulation method of Claim 2, further comprising grasping the
first and
second handle and inverting the garment.

4. The garment manipulation method of Claim 1, further comprising grasping the
first and
second handle and inverting the garment.

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5. The garment manipulation method of Claim 1, wherein the bridge is inserted
by selecting
at least one needle on each side of the garment, and marking specific sites of
the garment on a
circular knitting machine.

6. The garment manipulation method of Claim 1, wherein the garment has a
hollow and
generally cylindrical shape.

7. The garment manipulation method of Claim 1, wherein the general shape of
the garment
is asymmetrical.

8. The garment manipulation method of Claim 1, wherein the garment is inverted
during
the orientation.

9. A method of manipulating a garment on a knitting machine, the method
comprising:
(a) orientating the garment on the knitting machine with an opening disposed
therein;
(b) attaching a bridge near an open end of the garment, the bridge being made
of a
material different than the garment material, the bridge being secured to a
first site and
a second site, the first and second sites being disposed near the open end of
the garment,
exact positioning of the first and second sites relative to the opening being
predetermined
in accordance with the orientation of the garment on the knitting machine, the
first site
opposing the second site; and
(c) dividing the bridge forming a first and second handle, the first handle
being
affixed at the first site and the second handle being affixed at the second
site, the first and
second handles being useful for further processing of the garment.

10. The garment manipulation method of Claim 9, further comprising grasping
the first and
second handle, pulling the first handle away from the second handle thereby
drawing together
a first lip portion to a second lip portion of the garment enabling the first
lip portion to be


10




attached to the second lip portion, the first lip portion opposing the second
lip portion, the first
lip portion being disposed between the first and second handles, the second
lip portion being
disposed between the second and first handles.

11. The garment manipulation method of Claim 9, further comprising grasping
the fast and
second handle and inverting the garment.

12. The garment manipulation method of Claim 9, further comprising grasping
the first and
second handle and inverting the garment.

13. The garment manipulation method of Claim 9, wherein the bridge of material
comprises
a wire or plastic cord.

14. The garment manipulation method of Claim 9, wherein the general shape of
the garment
is asymmetrical.

15. The garment manipulation method of Claim 9, wherein special fibers with
receptive
properties and optical sensors disposed at the corners of the opening are used
to determine the
location of the sites.

16. A knit garment made of a garment material on a knitting machine, the
garment having
an opening disposed therein, the garment also including a first and second
handle made of a
handle material, the first handle being affixed at a first site near the
opening, the second handle
being affixed at a second site disposed near the opening of the garment, exact
positioning of the
first and second sites relative to the opening being predetermined in
accordance with the
orientation of the garment on the knitting machine, the first site opposing
the second site, the first
handle being disposed between the first and second lip portions, the second
handle being
disposed between the second and first lip portions, the first and second
handles extending
outwardly from the garment.

17. The knit garment of Claim 16, wherein the handle material is a wire or
plastic cord.


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18. The knit garment of Claim 16, wherein the handle material is same as the
garment
material.

19. The knit garment of Claim 16, wherein the garment has a hollow and
generally
cylindrical shape.

20. The knit garment of Claim 16, wherein the general shape of the garment is
asymmetrical.


12




CLAIMS

1. A method of manipulating a garment having an opening with a first lip
portion anti a
second lip portion on a knitting machine, the method comprising:
(a) orientating the garment with an opening disposed relative to one end on
the
knitting machine;
(b) knitting a bridge across the opening of the garment, the bridge being
affixed to
the garment at a first and a second site, the first and second sites being
disposed near the
opening, exact positioning of the first and second sites relative to the
opening being
predetermined in accordance with the orientation of the garment on the
knitting machine,
the first site opposing the second site; and
(c) dividing the bridge forming a first and second handle, the first handle
being
affixed at the fast site and the second handle being affixed at the second
site, the first and
second handles being useful for further processing of the garment.

2. The garment manipulation method of Claim 1, further comprising grasping the
first and
second handle, pulling the first handle away from the second handle thereby
drawing together
a first lip portion to a second lip portion of the garment enabling the first
lip portion to be
attached to the second lip portion, the first lip portion opposing the second
lip portion, the first
lip portion being disposed between the first and second handles, the second
lip portion being
disposed between the second and first handles.


13



3. The garment manipulation method of Claim 2, further comprising grasping the
first and
second handle and inverting the garment.
4. The garment manipulation method of Claim 1, further comprising grasping the
first and
second handle and inverting the garment.
5. The garment manipulation method of Claim 1, wherein the bridge is inserted
by selecting
at least one needle on each side of the garment, and marking specific sites of
the garment on a
circular knitting machine.
6. The garment manipulation method of Claim 1, wherein the garment has a
hollow and
generally cylindrical shape.
7. The garment manipulation method of Claim 1, wherein the general shape of
the garment
is asymmetrical.
8. The garment manipulation method of Claim 1, wherein the garment is inverted
during the
orientation.
9. A method of manipulating a garment having an opening with a first lip
portion and a
second lip portion on a knitting machine, the method comprising:
(a) orientating the garment on the knitting machine with an opening disposed
therein;


14




(b) attaching a bridge near an open end of the garment, the bridge being made
of a
material different than the garment material, the bridge being secured to a
first site and
a second site, the first and second sites being disposed near the open end of
the garment,
enact positioning of the first and second sites relative to the opening being
predetermined
in accordance with the orientation of the garment on the knitting machine, the
first site
opposing the second site; and
(c) dividing the bridge forming a first and second handle, the first handle
being
affixed at the first site and the second handle being axed at the second site,
the first and
second handles being useful for further processing of the garment.
10. The garment manipulation method of Claim 9, further comprising grasping
the first and
second handle, pulling the first handle away from the second handle thereby
drawing together
a first lip portion to a second lip portion of the garment enabling the first
lip portion to be
attached to the second lip portion, the first lip portion opposing the second
lip portion, the first
lip portion being disposed between the first and second handles, the second
lip portion being
disposed between the second and first handles.
11. The garment manipulation method of Claim 9, further comprising grasping
the first and
second handle and inverting the garment.
12. The garment manipulation method of Claim 9, further comprising grasping
the first and
second handle and inverting the garment.


15




13. The garment manipulation method of Claim 9, wherein the bridge of material
comprises
a wire or plastic cord.
14. The garment manipulation method of Claim 9, wherein the general shape of
the garment
is asymmetrical.
15. The garment manipulation method of Claim 9, wherein special fibers with
receptive
properties and optical sensors disposed at the corners of the opening are used
to determine the
location of the sites.
16. A knit ganment made of a garment material on a knitting machine, the
garment having
an opening disposed therein, the garment also including a first and second
handle made of a
handle material, the first handle being affixed at a first site near the
opening, the second handle
being affixed at a second site disposed near the opening of the garment, exact
positioning of the
first and second sites relative to the opening being predetermined in
accordance with the
orientation of the garment on the knitting machine, the first site opposing
the second site, the first
handle being disposed between the first and second lip portions, the second
handle being
disposed between the second and first lip portions, the first and second
handles extending
outwardly from the garment.
17. The knit garment of Claim 16, wherein the handle material is a wire or
plastic cord.
18. The knit garment of Claim 16, wherein the handle material is same as the
garment
material.


16




19. The knit garment of Claim 16, wherein the garment has a hollow and
generally cylindrical
shape.
20. The knit garment of Claim 16, wherein the general shape of the garment is
asymmetrical.



17

Description

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KNIT GARMENT AND ORIENTATION METHOD
A method of orienting and manipulating knit garments that is readily adaptable
for either manual
or automatic operation, and more particularly, a method for closing the toe of
knit stockings or
for inverting the garment, or similar type operations.
Manufacturers have sought a method to orientate and manipulate stockings on
knitting machines
without operator intervention as they automate their operations. The following
patents illustrate
several approaches:
U.S. Patent No. 2,926,513 (Tew) discloses a method of closing a toe in a
stocking,
wherein the machine engaged in continuous circular knitting is converted to
reciprocating
knitting. It is during the reciprocating knitting that certain of the needles
are disengaged
while the remaining needles continue the knitting operation. Continuous
circular knitting
is thereafter resumed as all needles are engaged for the knitting operation
and the toe
portion is completed.
U.S. Patent No. 3,800,559 (Fecker) discloses a method for closing the toe of
stockings
on known circular knitting machines. A toe-closing thread is knit into the toe
end of a
tubular mesh. The closing thread passes at least once around the entire
periphery of the
mesh. The mesh is then cast oiI'the needles of a circular knitting machine and
the closing
thread is pulled or partially drawn out of the mesh, causing the mesh to be
constricted
thereby closing the toe. The closing thread is then knotted to prevent
withdrawal of the
thread.
U.S. Patent No. 4,0I 4,186 (Ferraguti) discloses a method for forming a closed
end of a
tubular knit sock on a circular knitting machine. After the last row of the
tubular fabric


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is formed by needles slidably assembled in the grooves of the machine
cylinder, two
annular tubular layers are formed as continuations of the tubular knit fabric
at separate
stages by needles operating in the same cylinder of the machine. The loops at
the free
edge of the inner layer are then held on support arranged in a circle and the
free edge of
the inner layer is then held on support members arranged in a circle. The free
edge of the
outer layer is held by the needles until a relative rotation of at least 180
degrees between
the circle of support members and the cylinder has been effected. The loops
held onto
the support members are transferred to the needles of the cylinder, and a
final few rows
are knit before the fabric is removed from the needles.
U.S. Patent No. 4,958,507 (Allaire et al.) discloses a method for closing the
toe of a
double-layered sock. A first course knit by needles corresponding to the end
of the tip
of a first layer is transferred onto a central transfer plate of a machine
where the sock is
held. Knitting of the first layer continues from the tip to the mock-up edges.
Then
knitting is continued on the mock-up edges of the second layer to the tip, the
knit tubular
structure being suspended by one circular end, from the central transfer plate
and, by the
other circular end from the needle cylinder in the course of work, shaping the
two
concentric layers within each other. The initial course in standby on the
plate is
transferred to the needles of the cylinder to join the two layers together,
and the toe is
joined together by knitting.
While these methods have met with only limited success, none close the opening
as well as do
linking machines.
One reason for this lack of success is the nature of a cylindrical knit
garment. Each knit stitch
depends upon the previous stitch knit on the same needle for stability and to
prevent unraveling.
One proposed solution is to knit the opening of the stocking first. The last
stitches at the top of
the stocking unravel, even though attempts have been made to prevent this
unraveling.
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Another proposed solution is to include drawstrings into the stocking to close
the opening end.
This method works fairly well on ladies hosiery, but is tao bulky for
applications involving
coarser knit fabrics.
Yet another proposed solution involves adapting small linking machines to
become knitting
machines. The stocking is removed from the needles by a split dial and linked
onto the knitting
machine. While this provides a satisfactory opening closure without operator
intervention, many
types of existing equipment are not readily adaptable to this conversion.
Also, substantial costs
are involved in converting the equipment resulting in additional maintenance.
Accordingly, what
is needed is a method that will manipulate and orient the stocking, turning
and feeding existing
opening closing equipment without operator assistance, rather than closing the
opening of the
stocking on the existing knitting machines.
A device and a method are needed that will enable precision orientation of a
knit garment which
is useful for either manual or automatic operation for further processing and
completion of the
garment.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
If the corner locations of the garment are known, the garment can be
mechanically fed into a
sewing or linking machine for closing the opening. Also, the method of the
present invention
may be used to invert the garment in preparation for sewing or linking either
on or off the
knitting machine, as well as other similar type operations.
The method of the present invention is useful in manipulating a garment on a
knitting machine.
Initially, the garment is orientated with an opening disposed relative to one
end on the knitting
machine.
A bridge is then inserted across the opening of the garment, being affixed to
the garment at a first
and a second site, the two sites opposing each other relative to the opening.
The bridge may be
a plastic insert disposed across the opening, or may be knit into the garment
across the opening.
3


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The two sites are disposed near the opening, the exact positioning of the
sites relative to the
opening being predetermined in accordance with the orientation of the garment
on the knitting
machine.
The bridge is then split or divided forming two handles. The first handle is
affixed at the first
site and the second handle is affixed at the second site. The first and second
handles are useful
for further processing of the knit garment.
Preferably, the garment is a stocking and the handles are used to orientate
the stocking for closing
the toe thereof. The two handles are pulled away from each other thereby
drawing together the
two end portions of the garment, enabling the two end portions to be attached
together. The two
handles may also be used for inverting and/or reinverting the garment for
subsequent processing.
Preferably, the garment has a hollow and generally cylindrical shape, the
general shape of the
garment is asymmetrical, and the garment is right-side-out during processing.
For a more complete understanding of the garment and orientation method of the
present
invention, reference is made to the following detailed description and
accompanying drawings
in which the presently preferred embodiments of the invention are shown by way
of example.
As the invention may be embodied in many forms without departing from spirit
of essential
characteristics thereof, it is expressly understood that the drawings are for
purposes of illustration
and description only, and are not intended as a definition of the limits of
the invention.
Throughout the description, like reference numbers refer to the same component
throughout the
several views.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIGURE 1 discloses a first embodiment of the knit garment of the present
invention as a plastic
bridge has been attached to the garment at two sites near the opening;
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FIGURE 2 discloses the first embodiment of the knit garment of FIGURE 1, as
the plastic bridge
has been severed forming two opposed handles across the garment opening;
FIGURE 3 discloses a second embodiment of the garment of the present invention
after knitting
of the opening has been completed and just prior to the bridge being knit into
the garment, as all
needles are knitting;
FIGURE 4 discloses the garment of FIGURE 3 after the knitting of the bridge
has begun, and
less than all of the needles are knitting;
FIGURE 5 discloses the knit garment of FIGURE 4 after the bridge has been
knit, as all needles
are knitting;
FIGURE 6 discloses a knit garment having the bridge across the open end of the
garment;
FIGURE 7 discloses the knit garment of the present invention of FIGURE 6 after
the bridge has
been severed and the two handles are pulled taut; and
FIGURE 8 discloses the knit garment with the handles pulled taut and the
opposing portions
manipulated as the garment is now ready to be closed.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The garment [ 1 OJ of the present invention has a hollow, and generally
cylindrical shape for
closure at one end thereof. The garment [lOJ may be a child's pajama leg, the
leg of a leggings,
or even a knit cap. However, for purposes of discussion and illustration
hereinafter, the garment
[ 10] will be a stocking. Also, the manipulation and orientation of the
stocking [ 10] will generally
be for purposes of closing the toe of the stocking. It is also to be
understood that "stocking" is
applicable to all foot coverings, including men's socks, women's hosiery, and
children's anklets.


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Referring now to the drawings, FIGURES 1 and 2 disclose the knit stocking [
10] of the first
preferred embodiment of the present invention and the method of assembly
thereof. While the
principles of the present invention are applicable to generally symmetrical
stockings such as tube
socks, the general shape of the stocking [10] is preferably asymmetrical,
since orientation
asymmetrical shapes require the most precision.
A bridge [20] is secured into the end portions [ 16J of the stocking [ 10]. If
there has been
reciprocating knitting, the cord is inserted one or more courses after the
last course at the corners
of the opening [16]. If there has been no reciprocating knitting, the bridge
is inserted within the
last few courses of the stocking.
FIGURE 1 discloses a semi-rigid bridge [20] attached to the stocking [10] at
two sites [24 and
26] near the opening [16] of the stocking [10]. FIGURE 2 discloses the same
semi-rigid bridge
[20] having been severed, forming two opposed handles [34 and 36] across the
opening [16].
While the bridge [20] may be made of any semi-rigid material, plastic cord or
wire is preferred.
The exact location of the two sites [24 and 26] about the opening [ 16] is
determined in
accordance with the orientation of the stocking [ 10) on the knitting machine
as part of the
knitting process. The stocking [10] may also be orientated by the use of
special fibers with
optical or receptive properties. The fibers are sensed by an optical sensor or
electronic sensor
at the corners of the opening [ 16]. Once these fibers are located, the
orientation of the stocking
is determined.
The bridge [20] is either manually or by automatically inserted into opposing
ends near the
opening [16]. Once the bridge [20] has been secured to the stocking [10], the
orientation of the
stocking [ 10] is implanted into the stocking and may thereafter be determined
by the location of
the sites [24 and 26].
Once the bridge [20] has been severed, the toe closure may proceed simply by
applying tension
across the two handles [34 and 36] and through the stocking [ 10] drawing the
two opposing lips
[44 and 46] of the toe pocket [49] together for attachment by conventional
methods.
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The handles (34 and 36] are useful whenever further processing of the stocking
( 10] is needed,
such as toe closure, stocking inversion, stocking reinversion, the transfer of
the stocking from
the knitting machine to another machine, or the like. The stocking [10] is
knit in right-side-out
and is inverted to close the toe, and then reinverted. Since the handles [34
and 36] are disposed
near the opening [ I 6], the handles [34 and 36] are useful while inverting,
and reinventing.
FIGURES 3, 4, and 5 depict an orientation method and knit stocking [110] of
the second
preferred embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the bridge [ 120]
is knit into the
stocking [110], and the knit material is the same material as the stocking
material. In FIGURE
3, all needles [ I50] are knitting after the reciprocated toe [ 162] has been
knit and just prior to the
bridge [ 120] being knit into the stocking. The bridge [ 120] is knit into the
stocking [ 110] starting
one or more courses after a last course at the corners of the end of the
stocking [ 110] or, starting
within the last few courses of the stocking [ 110]. Courses are not being
added while the bridge
[120] is inserted. The yarn feed while the bridge [I20] is being added is
essentially the same as
the yarn feed while the courses are added.
On a circular knitting machine, one or more needles [150] are selected on each
side of the
stocking [ 110] to mark exact locations of the specific sites [ 124 and 126]
on the stocking [ 110] .
A bridge [ 120] comprising one or more yarns is thereafter formed across the
opening between
these selected needles [ 150] providing a "handle" for manipulation. With
reciprocating knitting,
the bridge [ 120] is knit starting one or more courses after the last course [
140] of the opening
end. With circular knitting, the placement of the bridge [ 120] is not so
critical, and need only
be within the last few courses [ 140] of the stocking end.
FIGURE 4 discloses the stocking [ 110] after the reciprocated opening [ 116]
has been knit and
the knitting of the bridge [ 120] has begun. Preferably, the bridge [ 120]
comprises three strands
of yarn, and are aligned with the corners of the gores which have been knit
into the toe pocket.
It is recommended that the needles used in the process may be alternating
needles on each side
of the stocking [110], with an idle needle between each one.
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FIGURE 5 shows the knit stocking [ 1 I 0] after the reciprocated opening has
been completed, and
the bridge [120] has been completed. All needles are now taking on yarn and
have resumed
knitting.
FIGURE 6 shows the knit stocking [110] with the bridge [120] of knit material
across the
opening [ 116] of the stocking [ 11 O]. FIGURE 7 shows the knit stocking [
110] after the bridge
[120] of knit material has been severed forming the two handles [124 and 126]
of knit material
which are being pulled taut. FIGURE 8 shows the handles [ 124 and I 26J pulled
taut and the
oppo sing lip portions [ 144 and 146] of the stocking [ 110] being manipulated
as the stocking
[110] is prepared for toe closure.
It is evident that many alternatives, modifications, and variations of the
garments and orientation
methods of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art
in light of the
disclosure herein. It is intended that the metes and bounds of the present
invention be determined
by the appended claims rather than by the language of the above specification,
and that all such
alternatives, modifications, and variations which form a conjointly
cooperative equivalent are
intended to be included within the spirit and scope of these claims.
8

Representative Drawing