Seamless torso controlling garment and method of making same

Abstract

A circular knit blank for use in the manufacture of undergarments, and the garments so manufactured have a tubular knit body, preferably having an elastomeric yarn on selected courses. The tubular body has at least one area of control that has a stitch pattern increasing the modulus by about 8%, to provide a balance of comfort and control. The stitch pattern is preferably a float stitch combination pattern that is an alternating knit, miss or tuck stitch pattern.

What is claimed:  
     
         1 . A circular knit blank for use in the manufacture of undergarments comprising a tubular knit fabric having a first stitch pattern and a second stitch pattern, said second stitch pattern being a float stitch combination pattern that forms at least one area of control that increases the modulus of said tubular knit fabric.  
     
     
         2 . The circular knit blank according to  claim 1 , wherein each stitch pattern has an elastomeric yarn.  
     
     
         3 . The circular knit blank according to  claim 1 , wherein said float stitch combination pattern is knit, miss or tuck.  
     
     
         4 . The circular knit blank according to  claim 1 , wherein said area of control provides control for a user's hips.  
     
     
         5 . A lower torso garment comprising: a tubular knit fabric having a first stitch pattern and a second stitch pattern said second stitch pattern being an alternating float stitch combination pattern that forms at least one area of control that increases the modulus of said tubular knit fabric.  
     
     
         6 . The lower torso garment according to  claim 1 , wherein each stitch pattern has an elastomeric yarn.  
     
     
         7 . The lower torso garment according to  claim 1 , wherein said float stitch combination pattern is knit, miss or tuck.  
     
     
         8 . The lower torso garment according to  claim 5 , wherein said lower torso garment is a brief having said at least one area of control substantially covering only a user's stomach and hip areas.  
     
     
         9 . The lower torso garment according to  claim 5 , wherein said lower torso garment is a high waist brief having said at least one area of control substantially covering only a user's abdominal and hip areas.  
     
     
         10 . The lower torso garment according to  claim 5 , wherein said lower torso garment is a half-slip having said at least one area of control substantially covering only a user's stomach and hip areas.  
     
     
         11 . The lower torso garment according to  claim 5 , wherein said lower torso garment is a legged brief having said at least one area of control substantially covering only a user's stomach and hip areas.  
     
     
         12 . The lower torso garment according to  claim 5 , wherein said lower torso garment is a body slip having said at least one area of control substantially covering only a user's abdominal and hip areas.  
     
     
         13 . The lower torso garment according to  claim 5 , wherein said lower torso garment is a maternity brief having said at least one area of control substantially covering a user's buttocks, hips, and groin areas, wherein said at least one area of control aids in controlling the stomach area without reducing the ability of the portion of said maternity brief covering the stomach area to expand as needed.  
     
     
         14 . A brassiere comprising a tubular knit fabric having a first stitch pattern and a second stitch pattern, said second stitch pattern a float stitch combination pattern forming at least one area of control that increases the modulus of said tubular knit fabric.  
     
     
         15 . The brassiere according to  claim 14 , wherein each stitch pattern has an elastomeric yarn.  
     
     
         16 . The brassiere according to  claim 14 , wherein said float stitch combination pattern is knit, miss or tuck.  
     
     
         17 . The brassiere according to  claim 14 , wherein said at least one area of control is two areas of control, wherein each of said two areas of control is located underneath a respective breast cup of said brassiere.  
     
     
         18 . A method of making a lower torso garment comprising: 
 knitting a welt portion and a tubular knit body, said tubular knit body made of a fabric having a first stitch pattern and a second stitch pattern with each stitch pattern having an elastomeric yarn knitted therein, said second stitch pattern being a float stitch combination pattern forming at least one area of control that increases the modulus of said fabric;    knitting an extended portion integrally to said tubular knit body, said extended portion having a distal edge; and    attaching said distal edge to said tubular knit body to form leg openings.    
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein each stitch pattern has an elastomeric yarn.  
     
     
         20 . The method of making a lower torso garment according to  claim 17 , wherein said modulus is reduced by about 15%.  
     
     
         21 . The method of making a lower torso garment according to  claim 18 , wherein said float stitch combination pattern is an alternating knit, miss or tuck stitch pattern.  
     
     
         22 . A method of making a brassiere comprising: 
 knitting a welt portion and a tubular knit body, said tubular knit body made of a fabric with a first stitch pattern and a second stitch pattern said second stitch pattern being a float stitch combination pattern forming at least one area of control that increases the modulus of said elastomeric fabric; and    knitting to said tubular knit body extended portions that when attached together form shoulder straps.    
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein each stitch pattern has an elastomeric yarn.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein said float stitch combination pattern is knit, miss or tuck.  
     
     
         25 . The method of making a lower torso garment according to  claim 21 , wherein said float stitch combination pattern is an alternating tuck or miss stitch pattern.