HOSIERY ARTICLE WITH ANTI-UNPAIRING MAGNETIC DEVICE

Abstract

 A hosiery article (1; 1-ii; 1-iii; 1-iv; 1-v; 1-vi) including a tubular body (2) having a circular development and an axial development, the hosiery article incorporating a magnet (m) configured for magnetic coupling with a homologous magnet (m) on a similar hosiery article (1; 1-ii; 1-iii; 1-iv; 1-v; 1-vi) and being characterized in that said magnet (m) is housed in a confined pocket (p) provided on said tubular body (2), said confined pocket (p) extending along a fraction (p2c, p3c, p4c, p5c, p6c) of the circular development of said tubular body and along a fraction (p2c, p3c, p4c, p5c) of the axial development of said tubular body (2)

Description

Field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to hosiery articles, for example stockings or socks, of the type including a magnet configured for magnetic coupling with a homologous magnet on a similar hosiery article so as to prevent unpairing during washing.

Prior art and general technical problem

[0002] Known in the art is a wide range of examples of hosiery articles, for example stockings or socks, provided with an anti-unpairing magnetic system. Examples of these solutions may be found in the documents Nos. DE 202012002568 U1 and DE 202006014010 U1. In each of the solutions illustrated therein the magnets are fixed to the body of the hosiery article. Even though this constitutes a solution that is in principle inexpensive and simple to implement, in practice it presents numerous drawbacks.

[0003] This type of hosiery articles is configured for pairing with an identical hosiery article provided with a homologous magnetic element, where the first and second hosiery articles constitute a pair of stockings or socks. To prevent unpairing when these articles are to be washed in a washing machine, the magnets on each article are brought close to one another so as to cause magnetic coupling thereof by the force of attraction, thus keeping the two articles coupled together during washing.

[0004] However, after washing it is necessary to disengage the two articles so as to be able to wear them subsequently. The solutions of fixing of the magnet to the hosiery article proposed in the aforementioned documents lead rapidly, already starting from the first cycles of coupling-separation of the articles, to serious phenomena of tearing of the material (whether woven or non-woven fabric) of which the articles are made. This renders the pair unusable after a few washing cycles, thus rendering it extremely disadvantageous to resort to an anti-unpairing system, unless recourse is had to reinforcement inserts made of the same material as that of the hosiery article, which, however, has a non-negligible effect on the cost of production of the articles.

Object of the invention

[0005] The object of the present invention is to overcome the drawbacks mentioned previously. In particular, the object of the invention is to provide a hosiery article equipped with an anti-unpairing magnetic system, as well as a corresponding pair of hosiery articles, in which the magnetic system will enable repeated cycles of pairing and unpairing of the hosiery articles to be carried out without causing tearing of the material of the article itself and in which moreover the magnetic system will bring about a minimum alteration of the aesthetic appearance of the article.

Summary of the invention

[0006] The object of the present invention is achieved by a hosiery article, by a method, and by a pair of hosiery articles having the features forming the subject of the appended claims, which form an integral part of the technical disclosure provided herein in relation to the invention.

Brief description of the figures

[0007] The invention will now be described with reference to the annexed figures, which are provided purely by way of non-limiting example and in which:

• Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a set of hosiery articles according to various embodiments of the present invention;
• Figure 2A is a cross-sectional view of a hosiery article according to a first embodiment of the invention, whereas Figure 2B is a partially sectioned perspective view corresponding to the article of Figure 2A;
• Figure 3A is a cross-sectional view of a hosiery article according to a second embodiment of the invention, whereas Figure 3B is a perspective view corresponding to the article of Figure 3A;
• Figure 4A is a cross-sectional view of a hosiery article according to a third embodiment of the invention, whereas Figure 4B is a perspective view corresponding to the article of Figure 4A;
• Figure 5A is a cross-sectional view of a hosiery article according to a fourth embodiment of the invention, whereas Figure 5B is a partially exploded perspective view corresponding to the article of Figure 5A;
• Figures 6A and 6B illustrate a fifth embodiment of the hosiery article according to the invention, whereas Figure 7 is a schematic illustration of various steps of a method according to the invention; and
• Figures 8 and 9 illustrate further variants of the embodiment of Figures 6 and 7.

Detailed description

[0008] The reference C in Figure 1 identifies as a whole a set of hosiery articles 1 according to various embodiment of the invention. The hosiery article 1 includes a tubular body 2 closed at a first end 4 and open at a collar 6 at a second end thereof in such a way as to receive a foot of a user. In particular, the portion of foot around the metatarsus and the phalanges is accommodated at the end 4, whereas the ankle and part of the leg are accommodated in the proximity of or in the region of the collar 6. It should be borne in mind, however, that the embodiment illustrated herein for the article 1 is not limiting: falling in the scope of the invention are stockings and socks of any size and shape, such as hosiery articles (e.g., legwarmers) open at both ends.

[0009] Basically, falling in the scope of the invention are all the hosiery articles having a tubular body 2 with an axial development, i.e., in the direction that substantially proceeds from the leg to the toe, passing through the ankle, and a circular development, i.e., along a curve contained in a plane substantially orthogonal to the direction of axial development and defining the perimeter of each section of the article. The wording "circular development" is merely used as reference: as is known, the perimeter of the sections of the article 1 along the axial development may vary markedly as a result of the deformability of the article.

[0010] The hosiery article 1 moreover incorporates a magnet M, in particular a permanent magnet, which is configured for magnetic coupling with a homologous magnet M on a complementary hosiery article 1 of the set C, where the set (pair) C consequently includes two identical articles 1.

[0011] The two hosiery articles 1 of the set C can be joined together in a temporary way thanks to coupling between the magnets M for preventing unpairing, for example, when they are washed.

[0012] With reference to Figures 2A and 2B, in a first embodiment of the hosiery article 1 according to the invention designated by the reference 1-II, the collar 6 is provided by folding the open end of the tubular body 2 back outwards to form a cuff that defines a toroidal cavity 6I.

[0013] The toroidal cavity 6I is used for creating a confined pocket P within which the magnet M is housed, preferentially a magnet having an elongated cylindrical shape and a small diameter (once again preferentially chosen between 3 mm and 10 mm) delimited by a perimetral seam formed by stitches ST obtained by sewing a thread TH along a substantially U-shaped path that passes through both walls of the cavity 6I, as illustrated in the representation of Figures 2A and 2B, where the thread TH is not tensioned.

[0014] The perimetral path of stitches ST starts from the end edge of the tubular body 2, proceeds through a first stretch along the collar 6 in an axial direction that points towards the end 4, then through a second stretch in the circular (or circumferential) direction, and again, through a third stretch, in the axial direction, this time in the opposite direction with respect to the first stretch, so as to terminate on the end edge of the body 2.

[0015] The person skilled in the art will appreciate hence that the confined pocket P extends along a fraction of the circular development of the tubular body designated by the reference P2C and a fraction of the axial development of the tubular body 2, designated by the reference P2A. The overall shape of the perimeter of the pocket P is substantially quadrangular, and the dimensions are preferentially chosen in the range 30mm x 60 mm to 50 mm x 80 mm. It should be noted that the stitches are preferably made along an open curve in so far as closing of the perimeter of the pocket P is provided by the bend created by folding the tubular body 2 back towards the outside during formation of the cavity 6I.

[0016] With reference to Figures 3A and 3B, in a second embodiment of the hosiery article 1 according to the invention, designated by the reference 1-III, the confined pocket P may be provided in any position of the tubular body 2, without necessarily resorting to the cuff of the tubular body 2 at the collar 6 (which can hence be simple, i.e., not folded back).

[0017] The pocket P is here obtained by stitching a patch of textile material (woven or non-woven fabric) 8 on the outside of the tubular body 2 in an area where the magnet M (once again preferably having an elongated cylindrical shape) has previously been placed. The patch is then fixed to the tubular body 2 by means of a perimetral path of stitches ST, in this case defining a closed curve, which bestows a quadrangular shape on the pocket P and confines the dimensions thereof to a fraction of the circular development of the tubular body 2, designated once again by the reference P3C, and a fraction of the axial development of the tubular body 2, designated by the reference P3A.

[0018] Of course, the shape of the patch 8 and/or the shape of the perimetral path of stitches ST may vary with respect to what is illustrated. For example, it is possible to use a patch 8 having a circular shape or other polygonal shapes, and it is likewise possible to apply stitches according to circular or polygonal paths that do not necessarily follow the shape of the patch. In the case of a quadrangular patch, the dimensions are preferentially chosen in the range 30mm x 50 mm to 50 mm x 80 mm. In the case of the patch 8 having a circular shape, it is chosen with a diameter of between 30 mm and 60 mm.

[0019] With reference to Figures 4A and 4B, in a third embodiment of the hosiery article 1 designated by the reference 1-IV, the magnet M is once again housed in a confined pocket P made at the collar 6 and obtained by folding the material of the tubular body 2 back outwards to create a toroidal cavity similar to the cavity 6I, in a way similar to what is envisaged in the article 1-II.

[0020] However, unlike the embodiments corresponding to Figures 2A and 2B, the confined pocket P has dimensions that, even though they cover a fraction of the circular development of the tubular body 2 (reference P4C) and of the axial development of the tubular body 2 (reference P4A), are in this case much smaller and such as to result in a pocket P that fits tightly around the magnet M, resulting in a swelling of the tubular body 2 at the collar 6 that allows the shape of the magnet M to be discerned.

[0021] This is the main difference from the pocket P of the article 1-II, where instead the magnet M is able, to a certain extent, to float within the pocket itself.

[0022] A pocket P adherent to the magnet M provides the further advantage of limiting to the maximum the possibility of displacement of the magnet during pairing and unpairing of two articles 1-IV, limiting as a result the possibility of tearing of the fabric of the tubular body 2.

[0023] The confined pocket P of the article 1-IV is obtained by means of two stitching lines ST_S mainly having an axial development and one stitching line ST_B at the base of the collar 6 that closes at the bottom the pocket P, which at the top is delimited by the cuff of the collar 6 itself. It will be appreciated, on the other hand, that the stitching lines ST_S and ST_B pass through both walls of the toroidal cavity obtained by folding the collar 6 back, and define a U-shaped perimetral seam substantially similar to the perimetral seam of the article 1-II. Also in this case, the perimetral seam corresponds to an open curve, and is closed by the bend between the walls of the cuff.

[0024] The circular development of the pocket P can be chosen so as to be smaller than a semi-circumference of the magnet P so as to create a pocket P that requires a certain circumferential stretching when the magnet M is inserted (as a result of the condition of interference that is created with insertion of the magnet). This increases the stability of the position of the magnet M and further limits the movements, keeping the performance unaltered even after numerous washing cycles, when the material of the article 1-IV may be weakened).

[0025] With reference to Figures 5A and 5B, in a fourth embodiment of the hosiery article 1, designated by the reference 1-V, the confined pocket P is provided with a completely separate element. In particular, the pocket P is obtained by means of the internal volume of a tube 10, the axial development of which only covers a fraction P5C of the circular development of the tubular body 2 and which is shaped and sized to receive the magnet M in the way illustrated in Figure 5B. In accordance with the other embodiments, also the axial development of the pocket P only covers a fraction P5A of the axial development of the tubular body 2, in this case a fraction equal to the inner diameter of the tube.

[0026] In particular, the inner diameter of the tube is equal to or a little greater than the diameter of the magnet P. Preferentially, the tube 10 is hence chosen so as to have an outer diameter comprised between 2 mm and 10 mm and an inner diameter comprised between 1 mm and 9 mm.

[0027] The tube 10 is then fixed to the collar 6 or to any other portion of the body 2 by means of a stitching line ST obtained with a thread TH passed over the tube 10 and in the material of the body 2 so as to secure the tube 10 to the body 2 itself. Here, by way of example, the stitching line ST is of a cross-stitch type (in Figure 5B the portion of stitching line on the right is displayed in progress, consistently with the rest of the figure, which constitutes a partially exploded representation).

[0028] With reference to Figures 6A, 6B and 7, in a fifth embodiment of the hosiery article 1, designated by the reference 1-VI, the confined pocket P is again obtained with a completely separate element. In particular, the pocket P is here again obtained via the internal volume of a tubular element 100, which, however, is made of compliant material and is applied by stitching on the tubular body 2 of the article 1-VI, preferably on the collar 6. Once again preferentially, the pocket P is provided in an area of the collar 6 that will be occupied by the user's calf once the article 1-VI is worn. However, it is possible to position it also on the outer sides of the leg or of the shin.

[0029] With reference to Figures 6A-6B, the circumferential development of the pocket P (corresponding to the longitudinal development of the tubular element 100) only covers a fraction P6C of the circular development of the tubular body 2 (Figure 6B). Furthermore, consistently with the other embodiments, also the axial development of the pocket P (corresponding to the overall transverse dimensions of the tubular element 100) only covers a fraction P6A of the axial development of the tubular body 2.

[0030] In particular, with reference to Figure 7, the tubular element 100 is provided by means of a patch 100B of compliant material, for example woven fabric, of dimensions ranging from 2 x 2 cm to 15 x 15 cm, preferably from 2.5 x 2.5 cm to 10 x 10 cm, and more preferably 5 x 5 cm. With reference to Figure 7A, the patch 100B is first folded into two substantially identical parts to define an open-ended tubular shape, and is fixed in this position by means of a first longitudinal stitching line ST1 (in this connection, in Figure 7 the symbol of a needle and thread is used to indicate a step of formation of a seam), as may be seen in Figure 7A. It should moreover be borne in mind that in an alternative embodiment it is possible to use a pre-formed tubular element, i.e., one already closed by the stitching ST1, or closed by means of gluing or heat-sealing, or again a tubular element made of compliant material without any joins, already made with this shape. The ensuing description applies indifferently to any of the possibilities envisaged above.

[0031] The magnet M can be inserted into the tubular element 100 that is being formed already immediately after formation of the stitching line ST1, but is preferentially inserted after one of the two ends has been closed (for this reason it is represented in brackets). Closing may be performed according to two different modalities, illustrated in Figures 7B and 7A*.

[0032] In the modality illustrated in Figure 7B, the ends of the tubular element 100 being formed (or preformed, if this is the case) are closed by means of a first seam ST2R and a second seam ST2L that run along the free ends in a way substantially orthogonal to the seam ST1 (the seams ST2R, ST2L run along the "short sides" of the geometry that is being formed after the seam ST1 has been made, which in turn runs along a "long side"), and are made directly on the collar 6; i.e., they pass through both layers of the folded patch 100B (or of the preformed and flattened tubular element, if this is the case) and the material of the collar 6, hence fixing the tubular body 100 to the latter.

[0033] A preferred sequence of execution of the various operations may be seen in Figure 7B thanks to the encircled references "1", "2", "3", which establish the succession in time and are associated to the element that at each step is added to the ensemble. In the example of Figure 7B, there the seam ST2R is first made ("1" encircled), then the magnet M is inserted ("2" encircled), and finally the seam ST2L is formed ("3" encircled), which closes the pocket P and the tubular element 100. It should moreover be borne in mind that the seams ST2L and ST2R can equivalently be made in the reverse order. The production of the article 1-VI is thus complete.

[0034] Instead, the modality of closing of the tubular body 100 being formed (or preformed, if this is the case) that is illustrated in Figure 7A* constitutes only an intermediate step of production of the article 1-VI.

[0035] Herein a first seam ST2R* and a second seam ST2L* are made, which are altogether similar to the seams ST2R and ST2L, except for the fact that they only pass through the layers of the patch 100B folded in two (or of the preformed and flattened tubular element, if this is the case). The sequence is again identified by the encircled references "1", "2", "3", which establish the succession in time and are associated to the element that at each step is added to the ensemble.

[0036] In the example of Figure 7A*, the seam ST2R* is first made ("1" encircled), then the magnet M is inserted ("2" encircled), and finally the seam ST2L* is made ("3" encircled), which closes the pocket P and the tubular element 100. It should moreover be borne in mind that the seams ST2L* and ST2R* may be equivalently made in the reverse order.

[0037] However, the result of these operations is only the definition of the pocket P, which must then be applied to the tubular body 2 at the collar 6.

[0038] To do this (Figure 7B*), a third seam ST2R** and a fourth seam ST2L** are provided, which are similar to the seams ST2R and ST2L (i.e., they pass through the layers of the patch 100B folded in two or through the preformed and flattened tubular element, if this is the case), except for the fact that they do not close the pocket P, but simply fix it to the collar 6. The seams ST2R** and ST2L** may simply run over the seams ST2R and ST2L (i.e., be on top of them) or else be slightly offset.

[0039] With reference to Figures 8 and 9, it is moreover possible to fix the tubular element 100 to the tubular body 2 of the article 1-VI, in particular to the collar 6, also in at least two additional ways. The references that are identical to those adopted previously have the same meaning.

[0040] Figure 8 illustrates a first variant in which fixing of the element 100 (as well as its preparation starting from the patch 100B or from the preformed tubular element) is performed exactly according to what has been described above with reference to Figures 6A, 6B, and 7, except in this case it is fixed to the article 1-VI in a position rotated through 90°, substantially being aligned to the axial direction. The notation used for the seams has the same meaning as what has been described so far, except that the reference adopted loses the suffixes "L" and "R" (left and right) in favour of the suffixes "T" and "B" (top and bottom). The use of stars (*) is instead regulated by the same conventions already described. Illustrated in particular in Figure 8 is a variant in which seams ST2T* and ST2B* close the opposite ends of the tubular element 100 to define the pocket P, and two seams ST2T** and ST2B** fix the element 100 to the collar 6 (once again, these may run over the seams ST2T* and ST2B* or be arranged slightly offset). Of course, it is possible to close the ends of the element 100 to define the pocket P and at the same time fix the latter to the collar 6 with a pair of seams ST2T and ST2B, similar to the seams ST2L and ST2R. Of course, in further variants still, the orientation of the tubular element 100 with respect to the body 2 and to the collar 6 may be any (even oblique).

[0041] In the variant of Figure 9, the element 100 is fixed to the collar 6 at the side along which the seam ST1 runs. In this variant, it is not necessary to run over the end seams ST2T and ST2B since fixing of the element 100 is obtained, as has been said, elsewhere. The opposite ends (short sides) of the element 100 are hence "free" with respect to the body 2/collar 6.

[0042] In this case, it may, however, be convenient to provide a double seam along the long side: a first seam ST1* corresponding to the seam ST1 described, for the sole purpose of reclosing the patch 100B on itself, and a second seam STR1** that runs over the seam ST1 (or that is provided slightly offset with respect thereto), which fixes the element 100 to the collar 6 of the body 2.

[0043] Further possibilities of execution are offered: in the case of use of the preformed tubular element 100, the seam for fixing will be just one and correspond to the seam ST1**. It is to be noted that the seam ST1** (this applies in general to the seam that fixes the element 100 to the tubular body 2/collar 6) can be positioned either aligned in an axial direction or oriented horizontally or obliquely, hen rotated with respect to what is illustrated in Figure 9.

[0044] If the tubular element 100 is instead obtained starting from the patch 100B, in addition to the process of formation of the pocket P already described, it is possible to reverse the stitching steps and form first the seams ST2T and ST2B for closing the patch 100B, then insert the magnet M, and finally fix the element 100 to the collar 6 by means of the seam ST1** that simultaneously defines the pocket P.

[0045] To sum up, there is thus defined a method for manufacturing the hosiery article 1-VI comprising (in general) the steps of:

• providing a tubular element made of compliant material having a first open end and a second open end; this element may be obtained according to the modalities described (patch 100B folded in two with perimetral seam ST1 or preformed tubular element);
• making a first seam ST2R, ST2L or ST2R*, ST2L*, or ST2T, ST2B or ST2T*, ST2B* to close the first end;
• inserting the magnet M into the tubular element made of compliant material;
• making a second seam ST2L, ST2R or ST2L*, ST2R*; or ST2B, ST2T or ST2B*, ST2T* to close the second end and define the confined pocket P; and
• fixing the tubular element 100 of compliant material to the aforesaid tubular body 2, preferably in correspondence of the collar 6.

[0046] In the case of the embodiment of Figure 7B, the step of fixing the tubular element made of compliant material to the tubular body 2 is obtained by making the first seam ST2R, ST2L and second seam ST2L, ST2R, where said first and second seams correspond to the aforementioned said pair of perimetral seams (it should be noted that also the seam ST1, where present, is a perimetral seam that together with the other perimetral seams runs along part of the perimeter of the pocket P).

[0047] In the case of the embodiment corresponding to Figures 7A* and 7B*, the step of fixing the tubular element made of compliant material to the tubular body 2 is obtained by making the third seam ST2R** or ST2L** and the fourth seam ST2L** or ST2R** in a region corresponding to (i.e., running over or set in the proximity of, and hence slightly offset with respect to,) said first and second seams ST2L*, ST2R* (or ST2R*, ST2L*) respectively, where the third and fourth seams correspond to the aforementioned pair of perimetral seams.

[0048] In the case of the variant of Figure 8, the step of fixing the tubular element made of compliant material to the tubular body 2 is obtained by making the first seam ST2T, ST2B or ST2T**, ST2B** and the second seam ST2B, ST2T; ST2B**, ST2T**, where said first and second seams correspond to the aforementioned said pair of perimetral seams (it should be noted that also the seam ST1, where present, is a perimetral seam that together with the other perimetral seams runs along part of the perimeter of the pocket P).

[0049] As regards the circumferential dimensions of the pocket P, these do not necessarily coincide with the distance between the seams ST2R and ST2L (or ST2R** and ST2L**): in the case of the collar 6 made of elasticised fabric and of material of the patch 100B without appreciable elastic properties, according to an advantageous aspect of the invention, the tubular element 100 is fixed to the collar 6 of the body 2 by providing the lateral seams for closing the ends ST2R and ST2L (or ST2R** and ST2L**) at a distance P6C* that is a fraction of the circumferential development of the pocket P, corresponding to the distance between the seams ST2R and ST2L (or ST2R* and ST2L*; the distance coincides with that between the seams ST2R** and ST2L** if the latter run over the seams ST2R* and ST2L*) in conditions of stretching-out of the tubular body 100. This fraction is comprised between 30% and 100%, preferably between 50% and 100%, the latter value applying in the case of the collar 6 not being elasticised or in the case of the collar 6 being elasticised and the material of the patch 100B/preformed tubular element likewise being elasticized. In the case of the pocket P, where the dimension P6C is 5 cm, the distance between the seams that fix the pocket P to the collar 6 of the body 2 (ST2R and ST2L, or else ST2R** and ST2L**, the latter coinciding with ST2R* and ST2L* if they run over them) ranges from 1.5 to 5 cm, preferably from 2.5 cm to 5 cm.

[0050] With reference to Figure 6A, it will consequently be appreciated that in conditions of release of the collar 6, i.e., in the absence of circumferential stretching thereof, there will exist a variable radial play RP between the pocket P/tubular element 100 and the collar 6. The pocket P is in particular deformed to form an arch so as to give allowing circumferential stretching of the collar 6 (Figure 6B) where so required.

[0051] It should be noted, instead, that in the case of fixing aligned in the axial direction as in Figure 8 it may not be necessary to envisage the radial play RP (the distance between the seams ST2T/B, ST2T**/B** is no longer appreciably affected by a circumferential deformation of the collar 6), whereas the radial play RP will have to be envisaged to a variable extent in the variants where the element 100 is fixed obliquely with respect to the axial direction.

[0052] Following upon numerous washing tests, the inventor has noted how the use of magnets M with a force of attraction that ranges from 0.2 kgf (approx. 1.96 N) to 3 kgf (approx. 29.5 N) enables maintenance of coupling between two hosiery articles 1-VI without separation. A preferred solution envisages the use of magnets with a force of attraction of 1.1 kgf (approx. 10.8 N). Moreover envisaged is the possibility of use, in the case of a pair of articles 1-VI, a magnet M on the first article and an element of ferromagnetic material on the other article (which would be introduced into the pocket P exactly with the modalities described above). Preferentially, the inventor has moreover noted how significant advantages as regards ease of production and process times will be obtained by equipping sewing machines with which to make the seams ST2L/R, ST2L*/R*, ST2L**/R** with a plate of non-ferromagnetic material, for example aluminium. Whatever the embodiment considered for the article 1, providing confined pockets P having dimensions equal to a fraction of the circular and axial developments of the tubular body 2 (where by "fraction" is understood a fraction smaller or much smaller than unity) enables limitation of displacement of the magnet M with respect to the tubular body 2, consequently also limiting the possibility of tearing of the latter through rubbing or penetration by the magnet on account of its displacement. Especially in the embodiment of Figures 4 and 5, the possibility of movement of the magnet M is very limited, if not practically zero, to the advantage of duration of the article 1.

[0053] However, all the solutions presented herein provide to a variable extent effective hiding of the magnet M inside the tubular body 2, minimizing the impact on the global aesthetic appearance of the article 1.

[0054] Furthermore, except for the embodiment where housing of the magnet M in a pocket P is envisaged, created by folding back the collar 6 (Figures 2 and 4), in the other embodiments there exists maximum freedom of positioning of the magnet M along the body of the article 1 in so far as the pocket P may be provided (articles 1-III) or applied (articles 1-V, 1-VI) on any point of the article 1.

[0055] Of course, the details of construction and the embodiments may vary widely with respect to what has been described and illustrated herein, without thereby departing from the sphere of protection of the present invention, as defined by the annexed claims.

[0056] For instance, the person skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention may also be applied to articles other than stockings or socks, for example gloves or any other article generally sold in pairs.

[0057] Nevertheless, even though the embodiment illustrated herein envisages coupling between hosiery articles of the pair C by means of magnetic coupling of the respective magnets, there are moreover contemplated by the invention embodiments in which a first article 1, 1-II, 1-III, 1-IV, 1-V, 1-VI of the pair is provided in accordance with what has been described above, whereas a second article of the pair is provided in a way structurally identical to what has been described, with the sole exception represented by the substitution of the magnet M with a receiving element, for example a pad or rod of ferromagnetic material in regard to which the magnet M of the first article can exert a force of attraction.

[0058] More in general, contemplated by the invention is any pair C of hosiery articles including a pair of hosiery articles in which at least one first hosiery article of the pair corresponds to the article 1, 1-II, 1-III, 1-IV, 1-V or 1-VI and in which the other hosiery article of the pair includes a tubular body and the receiving element housed in a confined pocket provided on the respective tubular body. The confined pocket of the other article, like the confined pocket P, extends along a fraction of the circular development and along a fraction of the axial development of the tubular body of the other article.

[0059] The at least one first hosiery article 1, 1-II, 1-III, 1-IV, 1-V, 1-VI can consequently be connected in a temporary way to the other hosiery article of the pair by means of magnetic coupling of the corresponding magnet M with a receiving element of the other hosiery article.

[0060] The foregoing is equivalent, of course, to magnetic coupling between two magnets M in the case where both of the hosiery articles correspond to the articles 1, 1-II, 1-III, 1-IV, 1-V, 1-VI.

Claims

1. A hosiery article (1; 1-II; 1-III; 1-IV; 1-V; 1-VI) including a tubular body (2) having a circular development and an axial development, the hosiery article incorporating a magnet (M) configured for magnetic coupling with a homologous magnet (M) on a similar hosiery article (1; 1-II; 1-III; 1-IV; 1-V; 1-VI), and being characterized in that said magnet (M) is housed in a confined pocket (P) provided on said tubular body (2), said confined pocket (P) extending along a fraction (P2C, P3C, P4C, P5C, P6C) of the circular development of said tubular body (2) and along a fraction (P2A, P3A, P4A, P5A, P6A) of the axial development of said tubular body (2).

2. The hosiery article (1; 1-II; 1-III; 1-IV) according to Claim 1, wherein said confined pocket (P) includes a perimeter at least in part provided by means of a seam (ST; ST1, ST2L, ST2R, ST2L*, ST2R*).

3. The hosiery article (1-VI) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said confined pocket (P, 100) is made of compliant material (100B).

4. The hosiery article (1-VI) according to Claim 3, wherein said confined pocket is provided by means of a tubular element (100) of compliant material set within which is said magnet (M), said tubular element (100) being fixed to a collar located at one end of said tubular body (2) of the hosiery article (1-VI) by means of a pair of perimetral seams (ST2R, ST2L; ST2R**, ST2L**) provided at opposite ends thereof.

5. The hosiery article according to Claim 3, wherein the perimetral seams of said pair (ST2R, ST2L; ST2R**, ST2L**) are provided on said collar (6) at a distance equal to a fraction of the circumferential development of the pocket (P), preferably comprised between 30% and 100%, more preferably between 50% and 100%.

6. The hosiery article (1; 1-II; 1-IV) according to Claim 1, wherein said confined pocket (P) is provided within a cuff (6I) of the tubular body (2) in correspondence of a collar (6) located at an end thereof.

7. The hosiery article (1; 1-II; 1-IV) according to Claim 6, wherein said cuff (6I) is an outer cuff.

8. The hosiery article (1-III) according to Claim 1, wherein said confined pocket (P) is obtained by superimposing a patch of textile material (8) on an area of said tubular body whereon said magnet (M) is set, said patch (8) being fixed to said tubular body (2) by definition of a closed perimeter that contains said magnet (M) within said confined pocked (P).

9. The hosiery article (1; 1-II; 1-III; 1-IV; 1-VI) according to any of Claims 1 and 6 to 8, wherein said confined pocket (P) includes a perimeter at least in part provided by means of a seam (ST).

10. The hosiery article (1-V) according to Claim 1, wherein said confined pocket (P) is provided by means of a tube (10) having an axial development corresponding to said fraction of the circular development (P5C) of said tubular element (2), said tube (10) housing said magnet (M) and being stitched (ST) to said tubular body (2), preferably in correspondence of said collar (6).

11. A method for manufacturing a hosiery article (1-VI) according to any one of Claims 3 to 5, comprising the steps of:

- providing a tubular element made of compliant material (100B) having a first open end and a second open end;

- making a first seam (ST2R, ST2L or ST2R*, ST2L*, or ST2T, ST2B or ST2T*, ST2B*) for closing said first end;

- inserting said magnet (M) within said tubular element made of compliant material (100B);

- making a second seam (ST2L, ST2R or ST2L*, ST2R*, or ST2B, ST2T or ST2B*, ST2T*) for closing said second end and for defining said confined pocket (P); and

- fixing said tubular element made of compliant material (100B) to said tubular body (2), preferably in correspondence of said collar (6).

12. The method according to Claim 11, wherein the step of fixing said tubular element made of compliant material (100B) to said tubular body (2) is obtained by making said first seam (ST2R, ST2L) and said second seam (ST2R, ST2L), wherein said first and second seams (ST2R, ST2L) correspond to said pair of perimetral seams.

13. The method according to Claim 11, wherein the step of fixing said tubular element made of compliant material (100B) to said tubular body (2) is obtained by making a third seam (ST2R**, ST2L**) and a fourth seam (ST2R**, ST2L**) in an area corresponding to said first and second seams, respectively, wherein said third and fourth seams (ST2R**, ST2L**) correspond to said pair of perimetral seams.

14. A set (C) of hosiery articles (1; 1-II; 1-III; 1-IV; 1-V; 1-VI) including a pair of hosiery articles (1; 1-II; 1-III; 1-IV; 1-V; 1-VI), wherein at least one first hosiery article of the pair is an article (1; 1-II; 1-III; 1-IV; 1-V; 1-VI) according to any one of the preceding claims, and wherein the other hosiery article of the pair includes a tubular body and a receiving element housed in a confined pocket (P) provided on the respective tubular body (2), said confined pocket (P) extending along a fraction of the circular development of said tubular body and along a fraction of the axial development of said tubular body,
said at least one first hosiery article (1; 1-II; 1-III; 1-IV; 1-V; 1-VI) being connectable in a temporary way to the other hosiery article of the pair by means of magnetic coupling of the corresponding magnet (M) with said receiving element of the other hosiery article.

15. The set (C) according to Claim 14, wherein both of the hosiery articles of said pair are hosiery articles (1; 1-II; 1-III; 1-IV; 1-V; 1-VI) provided in accordance with any one of Claims 1 to 10, wherein the first hosiery article (1; 1-II; 1-III; 1-IV; 1-V; 1-VI) of the pair is connectable in a temporary way to the other hosiery article (1; 1-II; 1-III; 1-IV; 1-V; 1-VI) of the pair by means of magnetic coupling of the corresponding magnets (M, M).

Drawing