(19)
(11) EP 0 964 948 B1

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION

(45) Mention of the grant of the patent:
09.06.2004 Bulletin 2004/24

(21) Application number: 98903874.0

(22) Date of filing: 02.02.1998
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7D04B 9/46
(86) International application number:
PCT/US1998/001882
(87) International publication number:
WO 1998/035081 (13.08.1998 Gazette 1998/32)

(54)

KNIT GARMENT AND ORIENTATION METHOD

GESTRICKTES BEKLEIDUNGSSTÜCK UND VERFAHREN ZUR AUSRICHTUNG

VETEMENT TRICOTE ET PROCEDE D'ORIENTATION


(84) Designated Contracting States:
AT BE CH DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE

(30) Priority: 07.02.1997 US 797797

(43) Date of publication of application:
22.12.1999 Bulletin 1999/51

(73) Proprietor: B.B. and S Knitting Consultant
Burlington, NC 27215 (US)

(72) Inventor:
  • JORDAN, Bobby, Ray
    Burlington, NC 27217 (US)

(74) Representative: MacDougall, Donald Carmichael et al
Cruikshank & Fairweather 19 Royal Exchange Square
Glasgow G1 3AE, Scotland
Glasgow G1 3AE, Scotland (GB)


(56) References cited: : 
FR-A- 2 220 150
US-A- 3 721 111
US-A- 4 014 186
US-A- 5 479 791
US-A- 3 537 279
US-A- 3 800 563
US-A- 4 047 401
   
       
    Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to the European patent granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent Convention).


    Description

    FIELD OF USE



    [0001] A method of orienting and manipulating knit stockings 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 stocking, or similar type operations.

    BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION



    [0002] 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 off 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. 4,014,186 (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 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.



    [0003] While these methods have met with only limited success, none close the opening as well as do linking machines.

    [0004] 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.

    [0005] 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.

    [0006] 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 too bulky for application 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.

    [0007] FR-A-220150 relates to the manufacture of brassieres using an arrangement of needles to form a knitted garment.

    [0008] US-A-3537279 relates to a brassiere type garment and a seamless method of preparing such a garment.

    [0009] US-A-5479791 relates to methods of manufacturing brassiere blanks and brassieres. In particular, the methods and brassieres involve circular knitting operations in which a brassiere blank is produced on a circular knitting machine as a circular tube, and thereafter cut and sewn only at the shoulder to produce a brassiere having shoulder straps knit integrally with a front torso portion having a pair of cups and a rear torso portion co-operating with the front torso portion informing a torso encircling portion.

    [0010] However, none of FR-A-220150, US-A-3537279 and US-A-5479791 relates to a method of manipulating a knit stocking as described in the present invention wherein a bridge is used across an opening of a knit stocking and wherein the bridge may be severed to form two handles.

    [0011] A device and a method are needed that will enable precision orientation of a knit stocking which is useful for either manual or automatic operation for further processing and completion of the stocking.

    Summary of the Invention



    [0012] If the corner locations of the stocking are known, the stocking 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 stocking in preparation for sewing or linking either on or off the knitting machine, as well as other similar type operations.

    [0013] The method of the present invention is useful in manipulating a stocking on a knitting machine. Initially, the stocking is orientated with an opening disposed relative to one end on the knitting machine.

    [0014] A bridge is then inserted across the opening of the stocking, being affixed to the stocking 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 stocking across the opening.

    [0015] 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 stocking on the knitting machine.

    [0016] 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 stocking.

    [0017] Preferably, 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 stocking, 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.

    [0018] Preferably, the stocking has a hollow and generally cylindrical shape, the general shape of the stocking is asymmetrical, and the stocking is right-side-out during processing.

    [0019] For a more complete understanding of the stocking 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



    [0020] 

    FIGURE 1 discloses a first embodiment of the knit stocking of the present invention as a plastic bridge has been attached to the stocking at two sites near the opening;

    FIGURE 2 discloses the first embodiment of the knit stocking of FIGURE 1, as the plastic bridge has been severed forming two opposed handles across the stocking opening;

    FIGURE 3 discloses a second embodiment of the stocking of the present invention after knitting of the opening has been completed and just prior to the bridge being knit into the stocking, as all needles are knitting;

    FIGURE 4 discloses the stocking 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 stocking of FIGURE 4 after the bridge has been knit, as all needles are knitting;

    FIGURE 6 discloses a knit stocking having the bridge across the open end of the stocking;

    FIGURE 7 discloses the knit stocking 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 stocking with the handles pulled taut and the opposing portions manipulated as the stocking is now ready to be closed.


    DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS



    [0021] The stocking [10] of the present invention has a hollow, and generally cylindrical shape for closure at one end thereof. The stocking [10] may be a child's pajama leg, the leg of a leggings, or even a knit cap. 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.

    [0022] 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.

    [0023] A bridge [20] is secured into the end portions [16] of the stocking [10]. If there has been reciprocating knitting, the cord is inserted one or more courses after the last course at the comers of the opening [16]. If there has been no reciprocating knitting, the bridge is inserted within the last few courses of the stocking.

    [0024] 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.

    [0025] 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 comers of the opening [16]. Once these fibers are located, the orientation of the stocking is determined.

    [0026] 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].

    [0027] 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.

    [0028] 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 [16], the handles [34 and 36] are useful while inverting, and reinverting.

    [0029] 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 [150] are knitting after the reciprocated toe [152] 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 comers 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 [120] is being added is essentially the same as the yam feed while the courses are added.

    [0030] 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 yams 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.

    [0031] 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 comers 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.

    [0032] FIGURE 5 shows the knit stocking [110] 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.

    [0033] FIGURE 6 shows the knit stocking [110] with the bridge [120] of knit material across the opening [116] of the stocking [110]. 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 126] pulled taut and the opposing lip portions [144 and 146] of the stocking [110] being manipulated as the stocking [110] is prepared for toe closure.

    [0034] 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 scope of these claims.


    Claims

    1. A method of manipulating a knit stocking (10;110) on a knitting machine, the stocking (10;110) having an opening (16;116) at a toe end thereof, the method comprising:

    (a) orientating the stocking with an opening (16;116) disposed relative to one end on the knitting machine;

    (b) affixing a bridge (20;120) across the opening (16;116) of the stocking (10;110) the bridge (20;120) being affixed to the stocking (10;110) at a first site (24;124) and a second site (26;126), the first and second sites (24,26;124,126) being disposed near the opening (16;116), the first site (24;124) opposing the second site (26;126), and

    (c) dividing the bridge (20;120) forming a first handle (34;134) and second handle (36;136), the first handle (34;134) being affixed at the first site (24;124) and the second handle (36;136) being affixed at the second site (26;126), the first and second handles (34,36;134,136) being useful for further processing of the stocking (10;110).


     
    2. The method of claim 1, further comprising grasping the first handle (134) and second handle (136), pulling the first handle (134) away from the second handle (136) thereby drawing together a first lip portion (144) to a second lip portion (146) of the stocking (110) enabling the first lip portion (144) to be attached to the second lip portion (146), the first lip portion (144) opposing the second lip portion (146), the first lip portion (144) being disposed between the first and second handles (134, 136), the second lip portion (146) being disposed between the second and first handles (136,134).
     
    3. The method of claim 2, further comprising grasping the first handle (134) and second handle (136) and inverting the stocking (110).
     
    4. The method of claim 1, further comprising grasping the first handle (34;134) and second handle (36;136) and inverting the stocking (10;110).
     
    5. The method of claim 1, wherein the bridge (20;120) is inserted by selecting at least one needle (150) on each side of the stocking (10;110), and marking specific sites (24,26;124,126) of the stocking (10;110) on a circular knitting machine.
     
    6. The method of claim 1, wherein stocking (10;110) has a hollow and generally cylindrical shape.
     
    7. The method of claim 1, wherein the general shape of the stocking (10;110) is asymmetrical.
     
    8. The method of claim 1, wherein the stocking (10;110) is inverted during the orientation.
     
    9. The method of claim 1, wherein the bridge (20;120) is made of a material different from that of the stocking (10;110).
     
    10. The method of claim 9, wherein the bridge (20;120) of material comprises a wire or plastic cord.
     
    11. The method of claim 9, wherein special fibres with receptive properties and optical sensors disposed at the corners of the opening (16;116) are used to determine the location of the sites (24,26;124,126).
     
    12. A knit stocking (110) made on a knitting machine, the stocking (110) having an opening (116) at a toe end thereof and having opposed first and second lip portions (144,146) near the opening (116), the stocking (110) also including a first handle (134) and second handle (136) made of a handle material, the first handle (134) being affixed at a first site (124) near the opening (116), the second handle (136) being affixed at a second site (126) near the opening (116), the first site (124) opposing the second site (126), the first handle (134) being disposed between a first and second lip portion (144,146), the second handle (136) being disposed between the second and first lip portions (146,144), the first and second handles (134,136) extending outwardly from the stocking (110).
     
    13. The knit stocking (110) of claim 12, wherein the handle material is wire or plastic cord.
     
    14. The knit stocking (110) of claim 12, wherein the handle material is the same as the material of which the stocking (110) is made.
     
    15. The knit stocking (110) of claim 12, wherein the general shape of the stocking (110) is asymmetrical.
     


    Ansprüche

    1. Verfahren zur Handhabung eines Strickstrumpfes (10; 110) in einer Strickmaschine, wobei der Strumpf (10; 110) eine Öffnung (16; 116) an seinem Zehenende hat und das Verfahren aufweist:

    (a) Ausrichten des Strumpfes, so dass eine Öffnung (16; 116) relativ zu einem Ende der Strickmaschine angeordnet ist;

    (b) Anbringen einer Brücke (20; 120) über der Öffnung (16; 116) des Strumpfes (10; 110), so dass die Brücke (20; 120) am Strumpf (10; 110) an einer ersten Stelle (24; 124) und an einer zweiten Stelle (26; 126) befestigt ist, wobei die erste und zweite Stelle (24, 26; 124, 126) in der Nähe der Öffnung (16; 116) und die erste Stelle (24; 124) gegenüber der zweiten Stelle (26; 126) angeordnet sind, und

    (c) Teilen der Brücke (20; 120), so dass ein erster Griff (34; 134) und ein zweiter Griff (36; 136) gebildet ist, wobei der erste Griff (34; 134) an der ersten Stelle (24; 124) und der zweite Griff (36; 136) an der zweiten Stelle (26; 126) befestigt ist und der erste und zweite Griff (34, 36; 134, 136) zur weiteren Verarbeitung des Strumpfes (10; 110) nützlich sind.


     
    2. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, ferner mit dem Fassen des ersten Griffs (134) und des zweiten Griffs (136) sowie mit dem Wegziehen des ersten Griffs (134) vom zweiten Griff (136), wodurch ein erster Lippenabschnitt (144) mit einem zweiten Lippenabschnitt (146) des Strumpfes (110) zusammengezogen wird, so dass der erste Lippenabschnitt (144) am zweiten Lippenabschnitt (146) befestigt werden kann, wobei der erste Lippenabschnitt (144) dem zweiten Lippenabschnitt (146) gegenüberliegt, der erste Lippenabschnitt (144) zwischen dem ersten und zweiten Griff (134, 136) und der zweite Lippenabschnitt (146) zwischen dem zweiten und ersten Griff (136, 134) angeordnet ist.
     
    3. Verfahren nach Anspruch 2, ferner mit dem Fassen des ersten Griffs (134) und zweiten (136) Griffs und dem Umstülpen des Strumpfes (110).
     
    4. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, ferner mit dem Fassen des ersten Griffs (34; 134) und zweiten Griffs (36; 136) und dem Umstülpen des Strumpfes (10; 110).
     
    5. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, bei dem die Brücke (20; 120) eingesetzt wird, indem mindestens eine Nadel (150) an jeder Seite des Strumpfes (10; 110) gewählt und bestimmte Stellen (24, 26; 124, 126) des Strumpfes (10; 110) auf einer Rundstrickmaschine markiert werden.
     
    6. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, bei dem der Strumpf (10; 100) eine hohle und allgemein zylindrische Form hat.
     
    7. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, bei dem die allgemeine Form des Strumpfes (10; 110) asymmetrisch ist.
     
    8. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, bei dem der Strumpf (10; 110) während der Ausrichtung umgestülpt wird.
     
    9. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, bei dem die Brücke (20; 120) aus einem Material gebildet wird, das von dem des Strumpfes (10; 110) verschieden ist.
     
    10. Verfahren nach Anspruch 9, bei dem das Material der Brücke (20; 120) ein Draht oder Kunststofffaden ist.
     
    11. Verfahren nach Anspruch 9, bei dem spezielle Fasern mit Aufnahmeeigenschaften und an den Ecken der Öffnung (16; 116) angeordnete optische Sensoren verwendet werden, um die Lage der Stellen (24, 26; 124, 126) zu bestimmen.
     
    12. Strickstrumpf (110), hergestellt auf einer Strickmaschine, wobei der Strumpf (110) eine Öffnung (116) an seinem Zehenende und einander gegenüberliegenden erste und zweite Lippenabschnitte (144, 146) in der Nähe der Öffnung (116) hat, der Strumpf (110) außerdem einen ersten Griff (134) und einen zweiten Griff (136) aus einem Griffmaterial enthält, der erste Griff (134) an einer ersten Stelle (124) in der Nähe der Öffnung (116) befestigt ist, der zweite Griff (136) an einer zweiten Stelle (126) in der Nähe der Öffnung (116) befestigt ist, die erste Stelle (124) der zweiten Stelle (126) gegenüberliegt, der erste Griff (134) zwischen einem ersten und einem zweiten Lippenabschnitt (144, 146) angeordnet ist, der zweite Griff (136) zwischen dem zweiten und ersten Lippenabschnitt (146, 144) angeordnet ist, und der erste und zweite Griff (134, 136) sich vom Strumpf (110) aus nach außen erstrecken.
     
    13. Strickstrumpf (110) nach Anspruch 12, bei dem das Material des Griffs Draht oder Kunststofffaden ist.
     
    14. Strickstrumpf (110) nach Anspruch 12, bei dem das Material des Griffs das gleiche Material ist wie das, aus dem der Strumpf (110) hergestellt ist.
     
    15. Strickstrumpf (110) nach Anspruch 12, bei dem die allgemeine Form des Strumpfes (110) asymmetrisch ist.
     


    Revendications

    1. Procédé pour manipuler un bas en tricot (10 ; 110) sur une machine à tricoter, le bas (10 ; 110) ayant une ouverture (16 ; 116) au niveau d'une pointe de pied de celui-ci, le procédé comprenant :

    (a) le fait d'orienter le bas avec une ouverture (16 ; 116) disposée par rapport à une extrémité sur la machine à tricoter ;

    (b) le fait d'apposer un pont (20 ; 120) à travers l'ouverture (16 ; 116) du bas (10 ; 110), le pont (20 ; 120) étant apposé sur le bas (20 ; 220) au niveau d'un premier emplacement (24 ; 124) et un second emplacement (26 ; 126), les premier et second emplacements (24, 26 ; 124, 126) étant disposés près de l'ouverture (16 ; 116), le premier emplacement (24 ; 124) faisant face au second emplacement (26 ; 126), et

    (c) le fait de diviser le pont (20 ; 120) formant une première poignée (34 ; 134) et seconde poignée (36 ; 136), la première poignée (34 ; 134) étant apposée au niveau du premier emplacement (24 ; 124) et la seconde poignée (36 ; 136) étant apposée au niveau du second emplacement (26 ; 126), les première et seconde poignées (34, 36 ; 134, 136) étant utiles pour traiter davantage le bas (10 ; 110).


     
    2. Procédé selon la revendication 1, comprenant en outre le fait de saisir les première poignée (134) et seconde poignée (136), tirer la première poignée (134) et l'éloigner de la seconde poignée (136) rapprochant ainsi une première partie de bord (144) vers une seconde partie de bord (146) du bas (110) permettant à la première partie de bord (144) d'être attachée à la seconde partie de bord (146), la première partie de bord (144) faisant face à la seconde partie de bord (146), la première partie de bord (144) étant disposée entre les première et seconde poignées (134, 136), la seconde partie de bord (146) étant disposée entre les seconde et première poignées (136, 134).
     
    3. Procédé selon la revendication 2, comprenant en outre le fait de saisir les première poignée (134) et seconde poignée (136) et de retourner le bas (110).
     
    4. Procédé selon la revendication 1, comprenant en outre le fait de saisir les première poignée (34 ; 134) et seconde poignée (36 ; 136) et de retourner le bas (10 ; 110).
     
    5. Procédé selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le pont (20 ; 120) est inséré en sélectionnant au moins une aiguille (150) de chaque côté du bas (10 ; 110), et en marquant des emplacements spécifiques (24, 26 ; 124, 126) du bas (10 ; 110) sur une machine à tricoter circulaire.
     
    6. Procédé selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le bas (10 ; 110) a une forme creuse et généralement cylindrique.
     
    7. Procédé selon la revendication 1, dans lequel la forme générale du bas (10 ; 110) est asymétrique.
     
    8. Procédé selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le bas (10 ; 110) est retourné au cours de l'orientation.
     
    9. Procédé selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le pont (20 ; 120) est fait d'un matériau différent de celui du bas (10 ; 110).
     
    10. Procédé selon la revendication 9, dans lequel le pont (20 ; 120) de matériau comprend un cordon métallique ou en plastique.
     
    11. Procédé selon la revendication 9, dans lequel des fibres spéciales avec des propriétés réceptives et des capteurs optiques disposées au niveau des coins de l'ouverture (16 ; 116) sont utilisées pour déterminer la position des emplacements (24, 26 ; 124, 126).
     
    12. Bas en tricot (110) réalisé sur une machine à tricoter, le bas (110) ayant une ouverture (116) au niveau d'une pointe de pied de celui-ci et ayant des première et seconde parties de bord opposées (144, 146) près de l'ouverture (116), le bas (110) comprenant également une première poignée (134) et seconde poignée (136) faite d'un matériau de poignée, la première poignée (134) étant apposée au niveau d'un premier emplacement (124) près de l'ouverture (116), la seconde poignée (136) étant apposée au niveau d'un second emplacement (126) près de l'ouverture (116), le premier emplacement (124) faisant face au second emplacement (126), la première poignée (134) étant disposée entre une première et seconde partie de bord (144, 146), la seconde poignée (136) étant disposée entre les seconde et première parties de bord (146, 144), les première et seconde poignées (134, 136) s'étendant vers l'extérieur à partir du bas (110).
     
    13. Bas en tricot (110) selon la revendication 12, dans lequel le matériau de poignée est un cordon métallique ou en plastique.
     
    14. Bas en tricot (110) selon la revendication 12, dans lequel le matériau de poignée est le même que le matériau dont le bas (110) est fait.
     
    15. Bas en tricot (110) selon la revendication 12, dans lequel la forme générale du bas (110) est asymétrique.
     




    Drawing