SOCK

Abstract

 A sock (1) comprising a foot section (2) with a sole portion (2a) and an instep portion (2b), and a leg section (3) connected to or integrally formed with the foot section (2), the leg section (3) including a heel portion (3b) and an ankle portion (3a). The foot and leg sections (2,3) are formed with or from hydrophobic material, the foot section (2) has a plurality of moisture collection channels (4) formed with or from hydrophilic material, the moisture collection channels (4) are spaced apart from each other and are distributed over at least part of the sole portion (2a) with hydrophobic portions between adjacent moisture collection channels (4), the moisture collection channels (4) extend from the sole portion (2a) towards the instep portion (2b) and are connected to an evaporation zone (6,7) at the leg section (3), and the moisture collection channels (4) are formed in a flat knit structure.

Description

[0001] The present invention concerns a sock, especially for use in sport applications where the handling of moisture in the form of sweat is of particular relevance.

[0002] A sock of the type to which the invention pertains is known from US 2015/0047103A1. The sock described in this document has a foot section with a sole portion and an instep portion, and a leg section connected to the foot section. The leg section includes a heel portion and an ankle portion and is distinct from the foot section. A plurality of spaced apart strip-shaped raised tube ribs are formed of hydrophobic or hydrophilic yarn or of a combination as cushion yarn/terry on the inner surface facing the skin of the wearer in order to define channels between the adjacent raised ribs that provide for vented air circulation from the bottom of the sole around the sides toward the top or instep portion of the foot section of the sock in order to carry moisture or sweat as vapour or fluid from the relatively lower portion of the wearer's foot towards the upper portion or instep of the foot. The instep portion, the heel portion and a heel edge rib are made from hydrophilic material to wick moisture toward an ankle opening edge.

[0003] This sock can have a certain disadvantage in that the contact of wet areas with the skin of the wearer is large and air flow inside the shoes can be reduced due to compression of the raised parts. Further, with predominant use of hydrophilic material the sweat is absorbed and spread in all surroundings before it can move out of a shoe. Also, the more the quantity of hydrophilic material the more would be its holding capacity of moisture. Thus, the wearer can have a moist feel nevertheless.

[0004] It is the object of the invention to provide a sock that provides a more effective transport of sweat and creates a dry feel to the wearer.

[0005] To solve that problem the invention provides a sock with the features of claim 1. Preferred embodiments of the sock are defined in the dependent claims.

[0006] The sock of the invention comprises a foot section with a sole portion and an instep portion, and a leg section connected to or integrally formed with the foot section, the leg section including a heel portion and an ankle portion, wherein the foot and leg sections are formed with or from hydrophobic material, wherein the foot section has a plurality of moisture collection channels formed with or from hydrophilic material, wherein the moisture collection channels are spaced apart from each other and are distributed over at least part of the sole portion with hydrophobic portions between adjacent moisture collection channels, wherein the moisture collection channels extend from the sole portion towards the instep portion and are connected to an evaporation zone at the leg section, and wherein the moisture collection channels are formed in a flat knit structure, i.e. in a knit or jersey structure.

[0007] In the sock of the invention the hydrophilic material is limited to the relatively narrow moisture collection channels directed from the sole portion out of the shoe so that the sweat fills the narrow channels acting as a pipe that directs the moisture out along defined pathways. In the sock the absorbency feature of hydrophilic materials and its patterned construction directed out of a shoe acts as a duct system that takes moisture from its origin to outer areas of the sock where a rate of evaporation is faster. The evaporation is accelerated because of the difference in rate of evaporation inside the shoe and outside the shoe while at the same time an optional difference in adjacent flat and raised structures can additionally provide air flow as well as keep the wet flat channels of hydrophilic material confined to the narrow strips and keep them distanced from the skin of the wearer.

[0008] These channels made with or from hydrophilic material, i.e. in a blend including hydrophilic material or with only hydrophilic material, and formed in the flat knit structure give a drier feel to skin as the channels are comparatively distanced unlike the predominantly hydrophobic main body. The hydrophobic zone shifts the moisture to the hydrophilic channels by combined effect of wicking and diffusion. Further, the transport of the moisture through the channels to the evaporation zone at the leg section increases the evaporation because the leg section of the foot is exposed to maximum air flow with every single step taken. This enables the moisture lift off (evaporation) by the atmosphere creating evaporative cooling to additionally comfort the wearer.

[0009] Thus, the sock of the invention with the selection of primary material as hydrophobic provides an effective transport of sweat out of the shoe and creates a dry feel.

[0010] Preferably, the moisture collection channels are formed in the flat knit structure in the material of the sock, i.e. in a knit or jersey structure.

[0011] Preferably, plural moisture collection channels are connected to the evaporation zone through one or more moisture transport channel(s) formed with or from hydrophilic material, i.e. in a blend including hydrophilic material or with only hydrophilic material. This structure enhances the effect of moisture transport created by the moisture collection channels up the evaporation zone.

[0012] Preferably, the moisture transport channel(s) is/are formed in a flat knit structure in the material of the sock, too, i.e. in a flat knit or jersey structure.

[0013] Preferably, the moisture transport channel(s) has/have one or more portions with expanded width, preferably in the direction of extension toward the leg section. This structure accommodates the increase of the amount of moisture and utilizes the larger effect of evaporation on the route towards the evaporation zone at the leg portion.

[0014] Preferably, the one or more moisture transport channel(s) extend(s) in a longitudinal direction of the foot section and are/is located lateral of a central portion of the instep portion. This structure avoids placement of the transport channels at a portion that is normally subject to larger external pressure from the tongue and the laces of the shoe.

[0015] Preferably, the moisture collection channels and, if provided, preferably the moisture transport channel(s) are generally strip-shaped. The strip shape of the hydrophilic channels within the hydrophobic material of the sock supports the above described effects of transport of moisture and imparts a directional component to the transport of moisture.

[0016] Preferably, the moisture collection channels have a width of 2 stitches or 2mm to 4 stitches or 4 mm, with the hydrophobic portions between adjacent moisture collection channels having preferably 3 to 5 times that width.

[0017] Preferably, a base layer of the material of the foot and preferably the leg section of the sock made with or from hydrophobic material is made in a single layer construction, preferably in a terry construction and more preferably with the terry piles located on the side facing the foot of the wearer. This structure provides the additional effects of vapour transport by convection through channels formed at the location of the flat moisture transport channel(s) between the adjacent portions of raised terry material of the sock and the cushioning effect of terry material.

[0018] Preferably, the evaporation zone is located at and/or around the ankle portion of the leg section. At these portions the evaporation is maximized due to the essentially unimpeded exposure to the atmosphere.

[0019] Preferably, the evaporation zone includes an evaporation window which has a mesh construction and is made with hydrophilic material, i.e. in a blend including hydrophilic material or with only hydrophilic material. The evaporation window with the breathable mesh construction tends to expedite the evaporation process. Additionally the placement of the evaporation window on the ankle portion exposes it to maximum air flow with every single step taken.

[0020] Preferably, the evaporation window includes drop stitch stripes forming mesh stripes.

[0021] The invention will now be described in detail by reference to an exemplary embodiment shown in the attached drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side view of a sock of the invention, and

Fig. 2 is a bottom view of the sole portion of the sock of Fig. 1.

[0022] The sock 1 according to the exemplary embodiment shown in the attached drawing generally has a foot section 2 with a sole portion 2a, an instep portion 2b and a toe portion 2c, and a leg section 3 connected to or - as shown on the embodiment - integrally formed with the foot section 2. The leg section 3 typically includes a heel portion 3b and an ankle portion 3a. The various portions of the sock can be integrally formed or can be separately formed and connected.

[0023] The base layer of the sock, i.e. the foot and leg sections 2,3, is formed mainly with or from hydrophobic material, which is made in a single layer construction, preferably in a terry construction and more preferably with the terry piles located on the side facing the foot of the wearer. Exemplary hydrophobic materials for the base layer of the sock are polypropylene, polyester or acrylic but other materials known in the art may be used as well as long as they can be considered as hydrophobic. The yarns can be optionally treated to increase hydrophobicity.

[0024] The foot section 2 has a plurality of strip-shaped moisture collection channels 4 formed in the base layer through the thickness of the single layered fabric like any common patterned fabric and are made from hydrophilic material or from a blend of hydrophobic and hydrophilic materials. Exemplary hydrophilic materials used to form the channels 4 of the sock are cotton, wool, viscose, modal but other materials known in the art may be used as well as long as they can be considered as hydrophilic. The yarns can be optionally treated to increase hydrophilicity. In other words, the sock besides the channels (including the moisture transport channel(s) 5 mentioned later) and evaporation zone is formed from hydrophobic materials whereas the channels are made from hydrophilic materials or from a blend of hydrophilic and hydrophobic materials.

[0025] The moisture collection channels 4 are spaced apart from each other and are distributed over at least part of the sole portion 2a with hydrophobic portions between adjacent moisture collection channels 4. The moisture collection channels 4 extend from the bottom of the sole portion 2a preferably transverse to the longitudinal direction of the foot around the foot side portions and towards the top or instep portion 2b of the foot section and are ultimately connected to an evaporation zone 6 at the leg section 3. The design of the sock is preferably such that it has the maximum number of collection channels at the sole. These channels can be straight, arched or as desired by the designer and they should be preferably equally distributed over sole.

[0026] The moisture collection channels 4 of the sole portion 2a are connected on each side to a strip-shaped "manifold" or collection channel that extend(s) along the top portion of the foot section lateral of the central portion where the tongue of the shoe would be located from a front section adjacent to the toe section towards the ankle and/or heel section. These channels collect the moisture from the moisture collection channels 4 of the sole portion 2a and move it towards the evaporation zone 6. They thus serve as moisture transport channel(s) 5. Plural such transport channels 5 can be provided on each side or some or all of the moisture collection channels 4 can be extended towards the evaporation zone 6 and thus serve as the transport channels 5.

[0027] The collection channels 4 and the transport channels 5 are formed in a flat knit structure and are thin or flat, i.e. are formed in a flat knit or jersey structure, and are thus kept in contact with the skin at "normal" pressure. The rest of the sock, i.e. the hydrophobic part, can be made in the same or a similar flat knit structure or in the form of a raised structure like terry. The entire sock is preferably made on a circular knitting machine.

[0028] Towards the ankle section the transport channels 5 are widened/expanded and/or are connected to an evaporation window 6 covering a larger area and formed with a breathable mesh construction. A further evaporation window 7 or a construction similar to the transport channels may be located at or around the Achilles tendon and may connect the evaporation windows 6 in the ankle sections on the lateral sides of the foot. The evaporation window(s) is/are also made from hydrophilic yarn. The window(s) 6,7 or expanded section(s) is/are located so as to extend at least partially, preferably entirely above the typical upper edge of a shoe worn with the socks. The evaporation window(s) 6,7 include drop stitch stripes forming mesh stripes to enable quick evaporation. Placing the evaporation window(s) here means that while running or walking as the foot moves back & forth, maximum air currents are passed at this place as it is the farthest part of a pendulum.

[0029] The hydrophilic collection and transport channels 4, 5 absorb the moisture from the adjacent non-absorbent/hydrophobic main fabric of the sock under combined wicking and absorbency action. The moisture is wicked by the hydrophobic yarns and as soon as it comes in contact with nearest hydrophilic channel it is picked up by absorption. The absorbency force of the hydrophilic material is greater than the wicking adsorption of the hydrophobic material resulting in transfer of moisture from hydrophobic material to hydrophilic material, just like a tissue paper picking up moisture from the surface of a ceramic tile. The contact of the smaller or narrow and flat absorbent channels to skin is kept minimal by making them thin or by keeping them in plain fabric, for example against terry fabric in rest of the sock. This helps minimizing contact of wetness with skin. A plaiting material - if used in the hydrophilic channels - is also preferred to be hydrophobic to keep drier feeling to feet.

[0030] The more the feet sweat, the more moisture is gathered in the channels and spreads to drier channel areas. These channels then extend towards the upper part of the foot where different channels from sole gather up in a single or plural channel(s). The difference in channel area and dryness creates a stimulus between wet channels at the sole portion and the dry channel at the beginning of the foot top, and moisture travels up the channel. The channel(s) on top of the foot lead(s) towards the evaporation window(s) at the ankle section. The evaporation window(s) has/have the breathable mesh construction that tends to expedite the evaporation process. The moisture lift off (evaporation) by the atmosphere additionally creates evaporative cooling to comfort the wearer. The continued evaporation process also enables a regular and continuous movement of the moisture from the sole portion where most of the sweat is produced to the evaporation window(s) at the evaporation zone keeping the rest of foot drier and comfortable.

[0031] The hydrophilic collection and transport channels 4, 5 are knit-in stripes of hydrophilic material within larger stripes or portions of the hydrophobic base material. Hydrophobic materials are generally better when it comes to wicking since they do not hold excessive moisture. Hydrophilic materials on the other hand absorb moisture and can hold comparatively significant quantities. Hydrophilic materials transfer moisture under the diffusion principle moving it towards the relatively drier side. The hydrophobic materials in the sock of the invention cover most area and after excretion, the sweat (or other moisture) travels under the wicking principle and as soon it reaches hydrophilic stripes of the collection and transport channels 4, 5 it is absorbed and starts diffusing within the hydrophilic material, being more absorbent the moisture never travels back towards the hydrophobic material. As more and more sweat comes in, it is spread towards the drier hydrophilic zones and eventually travels to the evaporation zone. Since the evaporation zone is placed outside the shoe, it is exposed to air currents and has a quick rate of evaporation. If hypothetically the entire hydrophilic channel is filled with sweat, an automatic flow would be created between the point of origin, i.e. skin at the sole, and the zone of evaporation, i.e. evaporation window(s). In case of sudden rapid wetting, the channel boundaries may breach and a certain part of sweat/water may be evaporated at optional mesh panels placed at the instep portion which is the secondary, more common evaporation zone and which is known in the art in general.

[0032] The moisture collection channels 4 have a width of 2 stitches (2mm) to 4 stitches (4mm), with the hydrophobic portions between adjacent moisture collection channels having preferably 3 to 5 times that width. The transport channel(s) 5 should also fall in this range. However as it/they move(s) out of the range covered by the shoe, it/they can broaden. It is essential to have just enough hydrophilic material that collects sweat from hydrophobic material but the moisture shall not start piling up at that position and instead diffuse to drier regions of hydrophilic channels which only broaden as they approach more open, better air circulated areas, e.g. at the top of foot or at the shoe opening or ankle portion.

Claims

1. A sock (1) comprising
a foot section (2) with a sole portion (2a) and an instep portion (2b), and
a leg section (3) connected to or integrally formed with the foot section (2), the leg section (3) including a heel portion (3b) and an ankle portion (3a),
wherein the foot and leg sections (2,3) are formed with or from hydrophobic material,
wherein the foot section (2) has a plurality of moisture collection channels (4) formed with or from hydrophilic material,
wherein the moisture collection channels (4) are spaced apart from each other and are distributed over at least part of the sole portion (2a) with hydrophobic portions between adjacent moisture collection channels (4),
wherein the moisture collection channels (4) extend from the sole portion (2a) towards the instep portion (2b) and are connected to an evaporation zone (6,7) at the leg section (3), and
wherein the moisture collection channels (4) are formed in a flat knit structure.

2. The sock (1) according to claim 1, wherein the moisture collection channels (4) are formed in the flat knit structure in the material of the sock (1).

3. The sock (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein plural moisture collection channels (4) are connected to the evaporation zone (6,7) through one or more moisture transport channel(s) (5) formed with or from hydrophilic material.

4. The sock (1) according to claim 3, wherein the moisture transport channel(s) (5) is/are formed in a flat knit structure in the material of the sock (1).

5. The sock (1) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the moisture transport channel(s) (5) has/have one or more portions with expanded width, preferably in the direction of extension toward the leg section (3).

6. The sock (1) according to claim 3, 4 or 5, wherein the one or more moisture transport channel(s) (5) extend(s) in a longitudinal direction of the foot section (2) and are/is located lateral of a central portion of the instep portion (2b).

7. The sock (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the moisture collection channels (4) and, if provided, preferably the moisture transport channel(s) (5) are generally strip-shaped.

8. The sock (1) according to claim 7, wherein the moisture collection channels (4) have a width of 2 stitches or 2mm to 4 stitches or 4 mm, with the hydrophobic portions between adjacent moisture collection channels having preferably 3 to 5 times that width.

9. The sock (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein a base layer of the material of the foot (2) and preferably the leg section (3) of the sock (1) made with or from hydrophobic material is made in a single layer construction, preferably in a terry construction and more preferably with the terry piles located on the side facing the foot of the wearer.

10. The sock (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the evaporation zone (6,7) is located at and/or around the ankle portion (3a) of the leg section (3).

11. The sock (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the evaporation zone (6,7) includes an evaporation window (6,7) which has a mesh construction and is made with hydrophilic material.

12. The sock (1) according to claim 11, wherein the evaporation window (6,7) includes drop stitch stripes forming mesh stripes.

Drawing