GB2519221A

GB2519221A - Hosiery and method

Info

Publication number: GB2519221A
Application number: GB1415361.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ardeshir Bayat; Cristiano Gorgaini
Original assignee: BAYAT KAHN CORP Ltd
Current assignee: BAYAT KAHN CORP Ltd
Priority date: 2013-09-11
Filing date: 2014-08-29
Publication date: 2015-04-15
Also published as: GB201316134D0; GB201415361D0

Abstract

A knitted stocking has a sole region which has first and second massage zones 7, 8, each with a plurality of mutually spaced, integrally knitted protrusions greater than 0.5 mm in height (preferably 0.6 to 2 mm) and projecting inwards towards the sole of the foot in use. The first massage zone 7 presses against a ball region and the second massage zone 8 acts on a lateral plantar region of the foot, when worn. The stocking helps blood circulation in the sole. The two zones may be joined (fig 5) or separated (fig 6). The foot portion of the stocking may be a circularly knitted sleeve with laid in portions of courses of elastomeric yarn. The yarn blend may comprise elastomeric fibre, protein monomer based fibers and cotton based fibres, to absorb sweat and reduce static electricity. The stocking may be in tights with a waistband cuff comprising two knitted layers in the form of a flattened tube with a knitted attachment course attaching the cuff to a leg portion. A compression tube (which may be a knitted stocking leg or tights), may compresses the leg, providing a pressure gradient which monotonically reduces along the leg.

Description

Hosiery and Method

Field

The present invention relates to hosiery, more specifically to knitted hosiery and even more specifically to stockings, tights and compression tubes including pantyhose and leggings for women, meggings (i.e. men's leggings) for men, long johns and/or lounge wear pants for men, Capri pants or trousers, form fitting pants/trousers with compression for either gender, footless sleeves/supports/guards for either gender, open-toe or toe-less socks for either gender, such as those formed by circular knitting. In particular, the invention is concerned with stockings and other hosiery adapted for providing improved blood circulation and reduced swelling and fatigue for a wearer.

Background

Knitted stockings are well known clothing items which are intended to cover all or part of a wearer's foot and lower leg.

Typically, stockings are made on a circular knitting machine, with various portions of the stocking shaped in order to adapt the stocking to a wearer's foot and lower leg in use. Yarns having a content of elastomer are used to allow the knitted fabrics to stretch around the wearer's foot and lower leg.

Individuals who spend a considerable length of time standing or sitting in an immobile position may experience problems arising from the poor circulation of blood in the foot and ankle region leading potentially to swelling, fatigue and pain in that region. Compression stockings or graded compression stockings have been developed in order to address this problem. Poor circulation in the lower limbs and feet can commonly lead to fatigue, swelling and discomfort in those regions. In addition, they can lead to less common but there remains the possibility of development and worsening of varicose veins and possible development of deep vein thrombosis.

Graded compression stockings and compression tubes are already in existence and known.

These can provide a higher pressure at the ankle of a wearer, with the pressure reducing gradually up the leg of the wearer towards the upper rim of the stocking. However, such compression stockings and compression tubes may be uncomfortable to wear, particularly if made entirely from restrictive materials/fibres and made with a tight narrow compression waist at the top.

In addition, even with known compression stockings which only address the lower legs, there is still a tendency for poor blood circulation, swelling and fatigue in the foot itself

Summary

It is one aim of the present invention, amongst others, to provide a stocking, which assists in improving blood circulation and in reducing swelling and fatigue in the foot and lower leg of a wearer. Another aim of the invention is to provide a stocking that is comfortable to wear and which does not lead to abrasion or blistering of the wearers foot. A further aim of the invention is to address problems with known stockings or compression tubes, whether mentioned herein or otherwise.

According to the present invention there are provided stockings, tights, compression tubes and methods as set forth in the appended claims. Other features of the invention will be apparent from the dependent claims, and the description, which follows.

A first aspect of the invention provides a knitted stocking comprising: a foot portion extending between a toe portion and a heel portion of the stocking, the foot portion in the form of a tube-like sleeve shaped to surround a foot in use, the foot portion having a sole region and an upper foot region, wherein the sole region is positioned to present an inner face to the sole of said foot when worn, wherein the inner face of the sole region comprises first and second massage zones, each massage zone comprising a plurality of mutually spaced integrally knitted protrusions greater than 0.5mm in height and projecting inwards from the inner face in use, and wherein the first massage zone is positioned to press against a ball region of said foot and the second massage zone is positioned to press against a lateral plantar region of said foot when A second aspect of the invention provides a pair of tights comprising a knitted stocking according to the first aspect of the invention and comprising a waistband, wherein the waistband comprises a cuff comprising two knitted layers in the form of a flattened tube extending from a fold at an uppermost edge of the cuff in use to a knitted attachment course at a lowermost edge of the cuff in use, attaching the cuff to the leg portion. The term "tights" as used herein encompasses panty hose, leggings, meggings (i.e. men's leggings), long johns, Capri pants or trousers and form fitting trouser pants.

A third aspect of the invention provides a method of manufacturing a stocking for wear on a foot, the method comprising integrally knitting a sole region of the stocking to comprise first and second massage zones, each massage zone comprising a plurality of mutually spaced integrally knitted protrusions greater than 0.5 mm in height projecting inwards from the inner face in use, wherein the first massage zone is positioned to press against a ball region of said foot and the second massage zone is positioned to press against a lateral plantar region of said foot when worn.

A fourth aspect of the invention provides a knitted compression tube in the form of a tube-like sleeve adapted for wear over a portion of a region extending from the heel to the upper thigh of a leg of a wearer, wherein the compression tube is shaped to provide a pressure gradient to said leg in use, the pressure exerted by the compression tube being arranged to be highest at a lower end of the compression tube in used, the pressure monotonically reducing along the compression tube towards an upper end; wherein the upper end comprises a cuff comprising two knitted layers in the form of a flattened tube extending from a fold at the uppermost edge of the cuff in use to a knitted attachment course at the lowermost edge of the cuff in use attaching the cuff to the compression tube.

A fifth aspect of the invention provides a knitted stocking comprising: a foot portion extending between a toe portion and a heel portion of the stocking, and a leg portion in the form of a tube-like sleeve extending from the heel and foot portions to an upper rim shaped to hold the knitted stocking on a leg of the wearer, wherein the leg portion is shaped to provide a pressure gradient to said leg in use, the pressure exerted by the leg portion at an ankle of said leg being arranged to be highest at an ankle portion where the leg portion joins the heel and foot portions and the pressure monotonically reducing along the leg portion towards the upper rim; wherein the upper rim comprises a cuff comprising two knitted layers in the form of a flattened tube extending from a fold at an uppermost edge of the cuff in use to a knitted attachment course at a lowermost edge of the cuff in use attaching the cuff to the leg portion.

A sixth aspect of the invention provides pair of tights comprising stockings attached to a pair of pants: the stockings each comprising a foot portion extending between a toe portion and a heel portion of the stockings, and a leg portion in the form of a tube-like sleeve extending from the heel and foot portions to the pants, wherein the leg portion is shaped to provide a pressure gradient to a leg in use, the pressure exerted by the leg portion being arranged to be highest at an ankle portion where the leg portion joins the heel and foot portions and the pressure monotonically reducing along the leg portion towards the pants; and wherein the pants comprise a waistband in the form of a cuff comprising two knitted layers in the form of a flattened tube, extending from a fold at an uppermost edge of the cuff, in use, to a knitted attachment course at a lowermost edge of the cuff, in use, attaching the cuff to the pants.

The term "tights" as used herein encompasses panty hose, leggings, meggings (i.e. men's leggings), long Johns, Capri pants or trousers, form fitting trouser pants and the like.

For each aspect of the invention, the knitted items are knitted from a yarn blend. The yarn blend used may be the same yarn blend throughout the knitted item, or the knitted item may comprise portions knitted from differing yarn blends. Where reference is made to the yarn blend used for a knitted item, this refers to the composition of a yarn blend used for knitting the specified knitted item: i.e. the yarn blend from which the item is knitted.

Throughout this specification, the term "comprising" or "comprises" means including the component(s) specified but not to the exclusion of the presence of other components. The term "consisting essentially of' or "consists essentially of" means including the components specified but excluding other components except for components added for a purpose other than achieving the technical effect of the invention. The term "consisting or or "consists of' means including the components specified but excluding other components.

Whenever appropriate, depending upon the context, the use of the term "comprises" or "comprising" may also be taken to include the meaning "consists essentially of" or "consisting essentially of', and also may also be taken to include the meaning "consists of" or "consisting of'.

The optional features set out herein may be used either individually or in combination with each other where appropriate and particularly in the combinations as set out in the accompanying claims. The optional features for each exemplary embodiment of the invention, as set out herein are also applicable to any other aspects or exemplary embodiments of the invention, where appropriate. In other words, the skilled person reading this specification should consider the optional features for each aspect or embodiment of the invention as interchangeable and combinable between different aspects of the invention.

The first aspect of the invention provides a knitted stocking. By "stocking" in this specification is meant any hosiery or item of clothing intended to cover at least a portion of a wearer's foot.

The stocking may be wholly, or in part, knitted. Typically, circular knitting machines are used to manufacture such stockings, or portions of such stockings. Stockings may be provided as a pair, or may be integrated into or included in hosiery such as tights or leggings. The term "tights" as used herein encompasses panty hose, leggings, meggings (i.e. men's leggings), long Johns, form fitting trouser pants, Capris and the like, and is not restricted to tights as such.

The term stockings as used herein includes all types of stockings, such as maternity socks, recovery socks, travel socks, everyday socks, sports socks, outdoor stockings, trainer socks, lingerie stockings, pop socks and the like.

The stocking of the invention may be a stocking intended for wear on the left foot or one intended for wear on the right foot, typically provided as a matching pair. The stocking may be for daily, conventional wear or may be a stocking specifically targeted to: i) a sporting use such as for athletics, cycling, skiing or the like; ii) travel (for instance for use on long-haul flights); iii) work (for instance for use when standing for long periods or in awkward positions; iv) maternity; v) recovery; vi) everyday work and leisure.

The stocking of the first aspect of the invention includes a foot portion extending between a toe portion and a heel portion. The toe portion and heel portion may be knitted directly onto the foot portion or may be knitted separately and stitched to the foot portion.

The foot portion is suitably in the form of a tube-like sleeve shaped to surround a foot in use, the foot portion having a sole region and an upper foot region, wherein the sole region is positioned to present an inner face to the sole of said foot when worn.

Typically, the foot portion may be a circularly knitted sleeve having circumferential courses of knitting extending around said foot and wales extending along the foot. The knitted sleeve may suitably comprise an elastomeric yarn.

Typically, the toe portion and heel portion of the stocking will, when placed in the correct configuration on the foot as the stocking is pulled on, result in the correct positioning of the foot portion relative to the wearer's foot, such that the sole region is positioned to present its inner face to the sole of the foot. However, the invention is not limited to such stockings, and is also applicable, for instance, to so-called lube" stockings where the stocking is knitted in the form of a substantially cylindrical tube with the heel portion merely being a continuous, integral part of the tube. In this case, the stocking may be provided with indicators such as printed or knitted markers to indicate to a wearer how the stocking is to be positioned on the foot.

Typically, the sole region of the foot portion of the stocking will be, or occupy, approximately 30 to 40% of the perimeter of the foot portion of the stocking with the remaining 70 to 60% of the foot portion of the stocking being the upper foot region of the foot portion of the stocking.

These dimensions refer to the stocking in its resting state, when it is not being worn.

The inner face of the sole region of the stocking of the first aspect of the invention comprises first and second massage zones, with each massage zone comprising a plurality of mutually spaced integrally knitted protrusions greater than 0.5 mm in height and projecting inwards from the inner face in use, when worn. The height of the protrusions is the maximum height as measured normally from the smooth, surrounding, knitted inner face of the sole region between the protrusions with the sole region unstretched.

The first massage zone is positioned to press against a ball region of the foot and the second massage zone is positioned to press against a lateral plantar region of the foot when worn. It will be understood that the stocking of the invention may be created in a number of different sizes with the different sizes adapted to match the foot size of different wearers having differently sized feet. It will also be understood that the stocking may be created specifically for a left foot or for a right foot. All references made to "in use" in this specification assume that the stocking referred to in use is worn on a foot of the correct size and the correct left or right foot.

The terms "ball region" and "lateral plantar region" are intended to have theii normal meaning, so that the "ball region" of the foot is the roughly ellipsoidal region behind the toes of the foot through which bears part of the weight of a person with a normally-pronating foot when standing erect. The remainder of the weight of the person is borne through the heels, the toes and the lateral plantar region of the foot. The term plantar merely means to refer to the sole the foot with "lateral" referring to the outer portion of the foot and "medial" referring to the inner portion of the foot relative to a hypothetical centreline along the long axis of the sole of the foot.

It will be understood that these regions of the foot are relatively well-understood but not particularly well-defined in measurement terms, and will depend upon the size of the foot for which a stocking is intended. For the purposes of the description of the invention, a foot as measured using the well-known BrannockT device will be used. The BrannockTM device may be used to define a rectangular frame around the foot with the user standing at rest. If the resulting frame is considered as having a length of saylOO arbitrary units and a width of say 33 of the same arbitrary units, with the back of the heel at 0 and the front-most part of the foot at measured along the length of the frame, then the ball region may be taken to be the region extending from 60 to 80 measured along the length of the frame and extending across the entire width of the foot within the frame. The lateral plantar region may be defined as the rectangular region extending from 25 to 60 units measured along the length of the frame and extending from the outside, lateral edge of the frame to a hypothetical long axis, lying parallel to the long edges of the frame, at 70% of the distance from the outside lateral edge of the frame to the inside, medial edge of the frame (i.e. from 0 to 23.1 where 0 is the lateral edge and 33 is the medial edge).

A hypothetical centreline along the long axis of the sole of the foot may be considered as the central long axis of the foot, positioned at 50% of the distance between, and parallel to, the long edges of the frame of the rectangle defined by the BrannockTM device.

The knitting of protrusions into yarn is well known and is disclosed in prior art publications such as US Patents 3,013420, 3,971234 and US patent publication US2009/275873. A particularly preferred method is as disclosed in Italian Patent 1T1314937 Bi.

The protrusions may be knitted into the foot portion of the stocking of the invention by means of laid-in portions of courses of elastomeric yarn. By this means, the leading portions may pull together spaced wales (i.e. rows of loops running normal to the courses) of the base yarn (which may be a non-elastomeric yarn) in order to form raised, rounded features or protrusions against a background surface of the inner face of the sole region of the foot portion of the stocking.

Alternatively, or additionally, protrusions may be knitted into the foot portion by means of loops of elastomeric yam remaining unknitted over a plurality of courses in spaced wales. In other words the protrusions may be knitted into the foot portion of the stocking of the invention by means of loops of elastomeric yarn remaining unknitted over 2 or more courses in wales spaced apart by 2 or more conventionally knit wales. By this means, the loops of unknitted elastomeric yarn may pull together several courses of the knitted structure along and between the spaced wales in order to form raised, rounded features or protrusions against a background surface of the inner face of the sole region of the foot portion of the stocking.

The first and second massage zones may be mutually continuous as a single massage zone, for instance being formed integrally.

Preferably, the sole region is a knit that is smooth, i.e. free from protrusions greater than 0.5 mm in height save for the first and second massage zones. Any suitable knitting stitch may be used for the remainder of the sole region outside of the first and second massage zones. For instance a stockinette stitch, mock rib stitch, garter stitch, rib stitch or the like, or combinations thereof, may be employed.

Suitably, in order to provide massaging of the sole of the wearer's foot in order to induce blood movement away from the ball and lateral plantar regions of the foot, the protrusions may be from 0.6 to 2mm in height.

B

The plurality of mutually spaced knitted protrusions may be parallel rows of protrusions, with the protrusions in each row having their centroids defining a row axis passing therethrough and the centroids periodically mutually spaced apart by a separation distance S measured along the row axis, wherein S is from 5 to 15mm.

The protrusions may be rounded ridges having a length L measured along the row axis measured normal to the row axis, wherein L is less than S and is from 4 to 14mm.

The rows may be spaced with a separation D between adjacent row axes, wherein D is from 3 to 10mm and wherein the protrusions have a width W that is less than L, less than D and is from 3 to 10 mm.

The protrusions may have the same dimensions in the first and second massage regions, or may have different dimensions for the two regions. There may be a gradual change in the dimensions of the protrusions, for instance within the limitations set out hereinbefore, across the first and second massage zones.

The foot portion of the stocking of the first aspect of the invention may be a circularly knitted sleeve having circumferential courses extending around said foot and the row axes of the massage zones lying parallel to the courses.

The yarn blend used for the foot portion may comprise from 7 to 20% by weight of elastomeric fibre, preferably from B to 15%. The yarn blend used for the foot portion may preferably comprise from 15 to 30% by weight of fibre derived from protein monomers, more preferably from 18 to 25%. The fibre derived from protein monomers may a natural fibre or may be a milk protein fibre. Fibres formed from protein monomers may formed by natural animal sources through condensation of alpha-amino acids to form repeating polyamide units. Various moieties may be present on the alpha-carbon atom. Such fibres have good characteristics with regard to moisture absorbency and transport of moisture (sweat), and also tend to be capable of being worn without build-up of static electrical charge. Natural fibres derived from protein monomers include wool, silk, mohair, cashmere and the like. Milk protein fibre is a synthetic fibre derived from polymerisation of milk-derived proteins and has similar wear characteristics to natural protein-based fibres.

Such fibres are particularly useful in the present invention in allowing the massage zones to rub against the foot but having a reduced risk of blistering or abrasion of the skin compared to the use of synthetic fibres that are not based on protein monomers. The remainder of the fibres used in the rest of the composition of the yarn blend for the foot portion may be any suitable textile fibre, but preferred is the incorporation of a cotton-based fibre such as natural cotton or a synthetic cotton-based fibre such as viscose. For instance the yarn blend may comprise 45% or more by weight of cotton-based fibre, for instance from 50 to 70%.

A preferred yarn blend for use in all aspects of the invention has from 10 to 80% by weight of milk protein fibre. This preferred blend may further include from 7 to 20% by weight of elastomeric fibre with the remaining fibre (i.e. 13 to 83% by weight) in the blend being selected from one or more of another fibre, such as wool, silk, mohair, cashmere, cotton, viscose and the like.

The toe portion may be an open toe portion, by which is meant, herein, that the toe portion may be such that it does not enclose or cover one or more toes of a wearer in use.

The knitted stocking of the invention may further comprise a leg portion in the form of a tube-like sleeve extending from the heel and foot portions to an upper rim shaped to hold the knitted stocking on a leg of the wearer, wherein the leg portion is shaped to provide a pressure gradient to said leg in use, the pressure exerted by the leg portion at an ankle of said leg being arranged to be highest at an ankle portion where the leg portion joins the heel and foot portions and the pressure monotonically reducing along the leg portion towards the upper rim.

The pressure applied by the knitted stocking of the invention may be suitably measured by placing the stocking onto a model leg and foot, which has been equipped with pressure monitoring equipment in order to detect the pressure applied, by the stocking in use. Such

equipment is commonplace in the prior art.

Doctors, or other medical advisors, may recommend such graded compression stockings for patients prone to poor blood circulation in the legs and feet resulting from prolonged periods of sitting or standing inactivity, particularly for patients at risk from blood clots or oedema. It is thought that the graded compression may assist the calf muscles in pumping venous blood to the heart. Typical pressure differences between the ankle and the upper calf region may be from say 5 mmHg up to 50 mmHg. Typically the highest compression may be arranged to be exerted at the ankle of the wearer, gradually reducing to say 10 to 30% or less of the ankle pressure at the upper rim of the stocking (in the upper calf region) for the socks of the invention (and at upper thigh region for the tights/leggings/compression tubes of the invention).

Without being bound by any theory, it is thought that the combination of the massage zones of the present invention, in combination with the graded compression, may allow venous blood, which would otherwise pool in the ball and lateral plantar regions of the sole, to be pumped away. This improvement in blood exchange has been linked to improved recovery following athletic exertion (due to removal of lactic acid) and a reduction in muscle soreness.

The leg portion may be a circularly knitted sleeve comprising an elastomeric yarn. The leg portion may have a tapered shape whereby, when worn, the ankle portion is stretched to a greater extent than at the upper rim portion. This may this be used to provide the graded compression required.

The upper rim may comprise a cuff comprising two knitted layers in the form of a flattened tube extending from a fold at an uppermost edge of the cuff in use to an attachment course, preferably a knitted attachment course, at a lowermost edge of the cuff in use, attaching the cuff to the leg portion. In other words, in moving towards the upper rim along the leg portion, after reaching the attachment course, instead of there being a single circularly knitted layer for the sock, there are two parallel layers, lying face to face, and mutually connected at the upper rim of the sock at a fold. The two single layers are suitably continuously knitted into the attachment course and form a continuous knitted layer at the fold. In other words, the cuff is suitably a single knitted layer formed into a loop knitted into the attachment layer and the single layer is folded together at the fold to form the upper rim.

The cuff is suitably a widened, non-restrictive cuff. The distance as measured between the fold and the attachment course in use, when worn, is suitably least 2 cm, preferably at least 4 cm.

This arrangement has been found to allow the upper rim to grip the leg sufficiently to hold the stocking in place in wear without causing excessive pressure. The arrangement also permits the stocking of the invention to be pulled on easily. The details as set out in this paragraph in relation to the upper rim and cuff are applicable to all aspects of the invention as set out herein, and so are not repeated for each aspect.

The yarn blend used for the leg portion may be as for the foot portion of the stocking, with the same levels of natural protein-based fibre and/or elastomer within the yarn blend, in particular in order to provide comfort when worn. The same yarn blend may be used for the leg and foot portions (with the exception of any special yarn used for branding, logos or the like). Other yarn blends or yarns may be employed, for instance for the application of branding or logos or decoration, or for instance, for the heel and/or toe regions of the stocking where a more durable yarn blend resistant to abrasion may be selected.

The second aspect of the invention provides a pair of tights comprising a knitted stocking according to the first aspect of the invention and comprising a waistband, typically as part of a pair of pants attached to the stockings of the first aspect of the invention to form the tights, wherein the waistband comprises a cuff comprising two knitted layers in the form of a flattened tube extending from a fold at an uppermost edge of the cuff in use to a knitted attachment course at a lowermost edge of the cuff in use, attaching the cuff to the leg portion. The cuff is as described in relation to the first aspect of the invention, and in particular is suitably widened and non-restrictive.

The tights of the second aspect of the invention may further comprise the leg portion of the first aspect of the invention in the form of a tube-like sleeve extending from the heel and foot portions to an upper portion on a leg of the wearer in use, wherein the leg portion is shaped to provide a pressure gradient to said leg in use, the pressure exerted by the leg portion at an ankle of said leg being arranged to be highest at an ankle portion where the leg portion joins the heel and foot portions and the pressure monotonically reducing along the leg portion towards the upper portion (i.e. the upper rim of the leg portion) in use.

The yarn blend for use with the tights of the second aspect of the invention is as set out in relation to the first aspect of the invention.

The third aspect of the invention provides a method of manufacturing a stocking for wear on a foot, the method comprising integrally knitting a sole region of the stocking to comprise first and second massage zones. Each massage zone comprises a plurality of mutually spaced integrally knitted protrusions greater than 0.5 mm in height projecting inwards from the inner face in use, with the first massage zone is positioned to press against a ball region of said foot and the second massage zone is positioned to press against a lateral plantar region of said foot when worn. The optional and preferred features set out for the stocking of the first aspect of the invention are also applicable to the manufacturing method of the second aspect of the invention.

The fourth aspect of the invention provides a knitted compression tube in the form of a tube-like sleeve adapted for wear over a portion of a region extending from the heel to the upper thigh of a leg of a wearer, wherein the compression tube is shaped to provide a pressure gradient to said leg in use, the pressure exerted by the compression tube being arranged to be highest at a lower end of the compression tube in used, the pressure monotonically reducing along the compression tube towards an upper end.

The upper end of the compression tube comprises a cuff comprising two knitted layers in the form of a flattened tube extending from a fold at the uppermost edge of the cuff in use to a knitted attachment course at the lowermost edge of the cuff in use attaching the cuff to the compression tube. The cuff is as described in relation to the first aspect of the invention. The cuff is suitably a widened, non-restrictive cuff.

The pressure applied in use is suitably as set out in relation to the first aspect of the invention.

A distance measured between the fold and the attachment course when worn may be at least 2cm.

The knitted compression tube of this aspect of the invention may be a circularly knitted sleeve comprising an elastomeric yarn.

The knitted compression tube may have a tapered shape whereby, when worn, the lower end is stretched to a greater extent than at the upper end.

The yarn blend used for the compression tube may comprise from 7 to 20% by weight of elastomeric fibre. The yam blend may comprises from 15 to 30% by weight of fibre derived from protein monomers. The fibre derived from protein monomers may be a natural fibre or a milk protein fibre, preferably a milk protein fibre. The yarn blend used for the compression tube comprises 45% or more by weight of a cotton-based fibre. Suitable yarn blends are as set out hereinbefore in relation to the first aspect of the invention.

The fifth aspect of the invention provides a knitted stocking comprising: a foot portion extending between a toe portion and a heel portion of the stocking, and a leg portion in the form of a tube-like sleeve extending from the heel and foot portions to an upper rim shaped to hold the knitted stocking on a leg of the wearer, wherein the leg portion is shaped to provide a pressure gradient to said leg in use, the pressure exerted by the leg portion at an ankle of said leg being arranged to be highest at an ankle portion where the leg portion joins the heel and foot portions and the pressure monotonically reducing along the leg portion towards the upper rim; wherein the upper rim comprises a cuff comprising two knitted layers in the form of a flattened tube extending from a fold at an uppermost edge of the cuff in use to a knitted attachment course at a lowermost edge of the cuff in use attaching the cuff to the leg portion. The cuff is as described in relation to the first aspect of the invention.

The leg portion may be a circularly knitted sleeve comprising an elastomeric yarn.

The leg portion may have a tapered shape whereby when worn, the ankle portion is stretched to a greater extent than at the upper rim portion.

The yarn blend used for the stocking may comprise from 7 to 20% by weight of elastomeric fibre. The yarn blend used for the stocking of this aspect of the invention may comprise from to 30% by weight of fibre derived from protein monomers. The fibre derived from protein monomers may be a natural fibre or a milk protein fibre. Suitable yarn blends are as set out hereinbefore in relation to the first aspect of the invention. A preferred yarn blend has from 10 to 80% by weight of milk protein fibre. This preferred blend may further include from 7 to 20% by weight of elastomeric fibre with the remaining fibre (i.e. 13 to 83% by weight) in the blend being one or more of another fibre, such as wool, silk, mohair, cashmere, cotton and the like.

The toe portion may be an open toe portion (also referred to in the art as peep-toe or toeless).

The sixth aspect of the invention provides pair of tights comprising stockings attached to a pair of pants: the stockings each comprising a foot portion extending between a toe portion and a heel portion of the stockings, and a leg portion in the form of a tube-like sleeve extending from the heel and foot portions to the pants, wherein the leg portion is shaped to provide a pressure gradient to a leg in use, the pressure exerted by the leg portion being arranged to be highest at an ankle portion where the leg portion joins the heel and foot portions and the pressure monotonically reducing along the leg portion towards the pants, and wherein the pants comprise a waistband in the form of a cuff comprising two knitted layers in the form of a flattened tube, extending from a fold at an uppermost edge of the cuff, in use, to a knitted attachment course at a lowermost edge of the cuff, in use, attaching the cuff to the pants. The cuff is as described in relation to the first aspect of the invention. The cuff is suitably a widened, non-restrictive cuff.

The term "tights" as used herein is not limited to tights as such and encompasses panty hose, leggings, meggings (i.e. men's leggings), long johns, form fining trouser pants, Capris and the like.

The leg portion may have a tapered shape whereby when worn, whereby the ankle portion is stretched to a greater extent than at an upper portion on the leg of a user, towards the pants, The pressure applied in use is suitably as set out in relation to the first aspect of the invention.

The yarn blend used for the tights may comprise from 7 to 20% by weight of elastomeric fibre.

The yarn blend may comprise from 15 to 30% by weight of fibre derived from protein monomers. The fibre derived from protein monomers may be a natural fibre or a milk protein fibre, preferably a milk protein fibre. Suitable yarns are as set out hereinbefore in relation to the first aspect of the invention. A preferred yarn blend has from 10 to 80% by weight of milk protein fibre. This preferred blend may further include from 7 to 20% by weight of elastomeric fibre with the remaining fibre (i.e. 13 to 83% by weight) in the blend being one or more of another fibre, such as wool, silk, mohair, cashmere, cotton and the like.

The toe portion of the tights of the sixth aspect of the invention may be an open toe portion.

Brief Description of Drawings

For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how exemplary embodiments of the same may be carried into effect, reference will be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying diagrammatic Figures, in which: Figure 1 schematically depicts a bottom plan view of a left stocking according to a first embodiment of the invention with the stocking not worn and with the foot portion flattened to show the sole region; Figure 2 schematically depicts a side plan view of a left stocking according to the first embodiment of the invention with the stocking not worn and with the stocking flattened sideways; Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the stocking according to the first embodiment of the invention, worn on the left foot of a wearer, viewed from the medial side; Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the stocking according to the first embodiment of the invention, worn on the left foot of a wearer, viewed from the lateral side; Figure 5 shows a plan view of the stocking according to the first embodiment of the invention worn on the left foot of a wearer; Figure 6 shows a plan view of a stocking according to a second embodiment of the invention worn on the left foot of a wearer; Figure 7 shows Figure 3 shows various regions of the foot, as defined hereinbefore, relative to a rectangular frame derived using a BrannockTM device; Figure 8 shows a schematic plan view of a portion of a massage zone of a stocking according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 9 shows a detailed perspective view of the knitted structure of a protrusion in a massage zone of a stocking according to an embodiment of the invention; Figures 10 and 11 each show a plan view of a portion of a massage zone suitable for use in the invention; Figure 12 shows a cross sectional view through the cuff of a stocking according to an embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description

Turning to the first embodiment of the stocking of the invention, which is shown in Figures ito 5, the stocking I has a foot portion 2, which is continuously knitted in combination with a toe portion 3, heel portion 4 and leg portion 5.

The broken lines in these figures may not necessarily represent visible features on the stocking itself, but represent the boundaries between different portions of the stocking as set out hereinbefore.

The sole region 6 of the foot portion 2 is defined by the boundary lines A, A', B and C. In the first embodiment of the invention shown in these figures, the massage zone is a continuous massage zone having a first massage zone 7 positioned to sit under the ball of the foot when worn and a second massage zone 8, continuous and integrally formed with the first massage zone 7, and positioned to sit under the lateral plantar region of the sole of the foot when worn.

Figure 6 shows a bottom plan view of a second embodiment of a stocking according to the invention, being worn on the left foot of a wearer, in which the first massage zone 7 is not continuous with the second massage zone 8.

Figure 7 shows the various regions of the foot, as defined hereinbefore, shown on a rectangular frame 10 derived using a BrannockTM device. The ball region 11 of the foot as defined herein is the region of the foot extending between the hypothetical lines Q and E. Lateral 12 and medial 13 plantar regions extend between the hypothetical lines E and F, with the boundary between the medial 13 and lateral 14 plantar regions defined by the line G, lying at 70% of the distance between, and paiallel to, the lateral and medial long sides of the rectangular frame 10 defined by a BrannockTM device. The central axis H is also shown midway between the medial and lateral edges of the frame.

Figure 8 shows a schematic plan view of a portion of a massage zone 7, 8 of a stocking according to an embodiment of the invention. As shown, the plurality of mutually spaced knitted protrusions 16 are set out in parallel rows of protrusions 16, with the protrusions 16 in each row having their centroids defining row axes X-X, Y-Y passing therethrough and the centroids periodically mutually spaced apart by a separation distance S measured along the row axes X-X, Y-Y. S may be from 5 to 18mm, and is 12mm in this example.

The protrusions 16 are rounded ridges projecting upwards and inwards from a smooth knitted base 16 region of the sole region 6 of the foot portion 2 having a length L measured along the row axis X-X orY-Y. L is less than S and is suitably from 2 to 16.5mm. In this Example, L is 7mm.

The rows of protrusions 16 are mutually spaced with a separation D between adjacent row axes X-X, Y-Y. D may be from 1.5 to 10mm. The protrusions have a width Wwhich may be the same as, or less than L, less than D and is typically from 1.5 to 10 mm. D and Ware measured normal to the row axes X-X, Y-Y (Was the maximum width). In this example D and Ware both 3mm Figure 9 shows the details of the knitted stitches making up a suitable knitted structure providing protrusions 16 projecting inwards form a smooth knitted base 17, the structure having alternating courses of a base (non-elastomeric) yarn 18 and an elastomeric yarn 19 in the smooth knitted base 17. It is evident from the diagram how the protrusions are formed using the elastomeric yarn 18 to pucker the knitted structure to form the protrusions 17.

Figures 10 and 11 show examples of embodiments of massage zones formed using the knitted structure shown in Figure 9.

Figure 12 shows a cross sectional view through a cuff of a stocking according to an embodiment of the invention. The leg portion 5 is a tubular knit with a single layer wall 20 up to the attachment course 24. In the remaining part of the leg portion, a cuff is formed by a flattened tube having an inner knitted wall 22 and an outer knitted wall 21 which are continuously joined at a fold 23 at the upper rim of the sock.

For the embodiments as shown, a suitable yarn blend was found to be 52% viscose, 23% milk fibre, 16% nylon with 9% elastane. For heel and toe portions, a yarn blend of a harder wear comprising 19% nylon, 6% elastane and 75% polypropylene was found suitable.

Although a few exemplary embodiments have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications might be made without departing from the scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.

In summary, what is provided includes a knitted stocking having a sole region which has first and second massage zones, each with a plurality of mutually spaced integrally knitted protrusions greater than 0.5mm in height and projecting inwards towards the sole of the foot in use. The first massage zone is positioned to press against a ball region of the foot and the second massage zone is positioned to press against a lateral plantar region of the foot when worn. The stocking is intended for improving blood circulation in the sole region of a wearer's foot and may be combined with a leg portion arranged to provide compression.

Also disclosed are compression tubes, stockings and tights (including panty hose, leggings, meggings, long johns, Capris and form filling trouser pants) having a cuff or waistband in the form of a flattened widened non-restrictive knitted loop providing comfortable grip, optionally made from a yarn blend including protein fibre such as milk fibre.

Attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.