Mitten

Abstract

A thumb-less mitten comprising an elastic seamless tube of knitted fabric, having a first end section at which the tube is closed, a hand section and a second end section at which the tube is open, the sections being integrally formed; wherein the second end section comprises a first portion which has a smaller lateral extent than the hand section.

1 . A thumb-less mitten comprising an elastic seamless tube of knitted fabric, having a first end section at which the tube is closed, a hand section and a second end section at which the tube is open, the sections being integrally formed;
 wherein the second end section comprises a first portion which has a smaller lateral extent than the hand section.   
   
   
       2 . A thumb-less mitten according to  claim 1 , wherein the first portion is sufficiently elastic such that it may be elastically stretched to a lateral extent which is larger than the largest width of the hand section. 
   
   
       3 . A thumb-less mitten according to  claim 1 , wherein the whole second end section has a smaller lateral extent than the hand section. 
   
   
       4 . A thumb-less mitten according to  claim 1 , wherein the second end section is as long as or longer than the hand section. 
   
   
       5 . A thumb-less mitten according to  claim 4 , wherein the second end section is as long as or longer than the combined length of the hand section and first end section. 
   
   
       6 . A thumb-less mitten according to  claim 1 , wherein the first portion of the second end section is knitted using a stitch pattern that has a greater tendency to contract laterally than the stitch pattern with which the hand section is knitted, such that the first portion adopts a first relaxed configuration having a smaller lateral extent than the hand section. 
   
   
       7 . A thumb-less mitten according to  claim 6 , wherein the first portion of the second end section is knitted using a stitch pattern having longitudinal ribbing. 
   
   
       8 . A thumb-less mitten according to  claim 6 , wherein the first portion of the second end section is knitted using a 3×1 mock rib stitch pattern. 
   
   
       9 . A thumb-less mitten according to  claim 6 , wherein the whole second end section is knitted in a stitch pattern that has a greater tendency to contract laterally than the stitch pattern with which the hand section is knitted, such that the whole second end section adopts a first relaxed configuration having a smaller lateral extent than the hand section. 
   
   
       10 . A thumb-less mitten according to  claim 1 , wherein the first portion of second end section has a smaller lateral extent than the rest of the second end section. 
   
   
       11 . A thumb-less mitten according to  claim 10 , wherein the first portion of the second end section is knitted in a tighter quality than the rest of the second end section. 
   
   
       12 . A thumb-less mitten according to  claim 1 , wherein the first portion of the second end section is knitted from a material which has a higher elasticity than the material from which the hand section is knitted, such that the first portion adopts a first relaxed configuration having a smaller lateral extent than the hand section. 
   
   
       13 . A thumb-less mitten according to  claim 1 , wherein the first portion of the second end section is made of a material which has a higher proportion of elastane than the hand section. 
   
   
       14 . A thumb-less mitten according to  claim 13 , wherein the first portion of the second end section comprises between 4-8% elastane and wherein the hand section comprises no elastane. 
   
   
       15 . A thumb-less mitten according to  claim 12 , wherein the whole second end section is knitted from a material which has a higher elasticity than the material from which the hand section is knitted, such that the whole second end section adopts a first relaxed configuration having a smaller lateral extent than the hand section. 
   
   
       16 . A thumb-less mitten according to  claim 1 , wherein the first portion of the second end section is immediately adjacent to the hand section. 
   
   
       17 . A thumb-less mitten according to  claim 1 , wherein the first portion of the second end section is more stretchable in a lateral direction that the hand section. 
   
   
       18 . A thumb-less mitten according to  claim 1 , wherein the knitted fabric is knitted loop pile lined fabric. 
   
   
       19 . A thumb-less mitten according to  claim 1 , wherein the material from which the mitten is knitted comprises wool and acrylic in a ratio of wool:acrylic of between 2:1 to 1:2. 
   
   
       20 . A thumb-less mitten according to  claim 19 , wherein the material further comprises nylon. 
   
   
       21 . A thumb-less mitten according to  claim 1 , wherein the second end section is sufficiently long to extend up the arm of a user for which the mitten is designed, to reach at least the elbow of that user. 
   
   
       22 . A thumb-less mitten according to  claim 1 , wherein the mitten has one or more elements disposed on its outer surface. 
   
   
       23 . A thumb-less mitten according to  claim 22 , wherein the one or more elements are made of a polymer material such as a plastics material or the like. 
   
   
       24 . A thumb-less mitten according to  claim 23 , wherein the one or more elements are made of silicone or PVC. 
   
   
       25 . A thumb-less mitten according to  claim 22 , wherein the one or more elements are made from a material that comprises a substance which is highly reflective to light. 
   
   
       26 . A thumb-less mitten according to  claim 22 , wherein the one or more elements are made from a material that comprises a fluorescent or luminescent substance. 
   
   
       27 . A thumb-less mitten comprising a seamless tube of knitted fabric, having a first end section at which the tube is closed, a hand section and a second end section at which the tube is open, the sections being integrally formed;
 wherein the mitten has one or more elements made of a polymer material such as a plastics material or the like disposed on its outer surface.   
   
   
       28 . A thumb-less mitten according to  claim 27 , wherein the one or more elements are made of silicone or PVC. 
   
   
       29 . A thumb-less mitten according to  claim 27 , wherein the one or more elements are made from a material that comprises a substance which is highly reflective to light. 
   
   
       30 . A thumb-less mitten according to  claim 27 , wherein the one or more elements are made from a material that comprises a fluorescent or luminescent substance. 
   
   
       31 . A thumb-less mitten according to  claim 27 , wherein the seamless tube of knitted fabric is an elastic seamless tube of knitted fabric.