Sock And A Method For Its Manufacture

Abstract

There is provided herein, a sock comprising a toe and/or a heel area, wherein said toe area is divided to at least two sub-areas, wherein a borderline between at least two adjacent sub-areas is essentially vertical. There is also provided, a method for manufacturing a sock comprising forming a toe and/or a heel area divided to at least two sub-areas, wherein a borderline between at least two adjacent sub-areas is essentially vertical.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A sock comprising a toe area,
 said toe area being divided into at least two sub-areas; and   wherein a first borderline is located between at least two adjacent sub-areas within the toe area; the first borderline being aligned in a vertical direction, parallel to a central axis of the sock that is along a tubular dimension of the sock;   wherein a second borderline is located between the toe area and a residual area of the sock, and the second borderline is substantially perpendicular to the central axis of the sock.   
     
     
         2 . The sock according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least two adjacent sub-areas are integrally formed with each other and with a residual area of the sock. 
     
     
         3 . The sock according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least two adjacent sub-areas are formed during a knitting process of the sock. 
     
     
         4 . The sock according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least two sub-areas are distinguished from each other by at least one property; wherein the at least one property is selected from the group consisting of: strength, softness, isolation, friction, density, liquid absorption, shock absorption, knitting type, yarn material composition, and yarn count. 
     
     
         5 . A sock comprising a toe area, wherein said toe area is divided into at least two sub-areas, wherein a borderline between at least two adjacent sub-areas extends in a vertical direction, parallel to a central axis of the sock that is along a tubular dimension of the sock;
 wherein said at least two adjacent sub-areas are integrally formed with each other and with a residual area of the sock;   wherein the at least two sub-areas are distinguished from each other by at least one property; wherein the at least one property is selected from the group consisting of: strength, softness, isolation, friction, density, liquid absorption, shock absorption, knitting type, yarn material composition, and yarn count; and   a second borderline is located between the toe area and a residual area of the sock, and the second borderline is substantially perpendicular to the central axis of the sock.   
     
     
         6 . The sock according to  claim 5 , wherein the toe area consists of two sub-areas;
 the first sub-area corresponds to a wearer's big toe; and   the second sub-area corresponds to a wearer's remaining toes.   
     
     
         7 . The sock according to  claim 5 , wherein the borderline between the two adjacent sub-areas divides the toe area into two equally sized sub-areas. 
     
     
         8 . The sock according to  claim 5 , wherein the toe area consists of three sub-areas. 
     
     
         9 . The sock according to  claim 5 , wherein the first borderline meets the second borderline, and an angle between the first borderline and the second borderline is a substantially ninety degree angle. 
     
     
         10 . A sock comprising a toe area,
 said toe area being divided into three sub-areas;   a first borderline being located between a first sub-area and a second sub-area;   a second borderline being located between the second sub-area and a third sub-area;   wherein each of the first borderline and the second borderline are aligned in a vertical direction, parallel to a central axis of the sock that is along a tubular dimension of the sock; and   wherein a third borderline is located between the toe area and a residual area of the sock; the third borderline is substantially perpendicular to the central axis of the sock; and the first borderline and the second borderline each meet the third borderline.   
     
     
         11 . The sock according to  claim 10 , wherein each of the first sub-area, the second sub-area, and the third sub-area are integrally formed with each other and with a residual area of the sock. 
     
     
         12 . The sock according to  claim 10 , wherein the first sub-area corresponding to a wearer's big toe;
 the second sub-area corresponding to a second and third toes; and   the third sub-area corresponding to a wearer's fourth and fifth toes.   
     
     
         13 . The sock according to  claim 10 , wherein at least two sub-areas of the three sub-areas are distinguished from each other by at least one property; wherein the at least one property is selected from the group consisting of: elasticity, strength, softness, isolation, friction, density, thickness, liquid absorption, shock absorption, knitting type, yarn material composition, and yarn count. 
     
     
         14 . A method for manufacturing a sock comprising:
 forming a main body of the sock, the main body of the sock being formed by a spiral continuous knitting process; and   forming a toe area divided into at least two sub-areas, wherein a first borderline is located between the at least two adjacent sub-areas, and the first borderline is aligned in a vertical direction, parallel to a central axis of the sock that is along a tubular dimension of the sock;   wherein the toe area is formed by a back and forth reciprocating knitting process; and   wherein the at least two sub-areas are stitched to the main body of the sock along a second borderline, the second borderline being substantially perpendicular to the central axis of the sock.   
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein said at least two adjacent sub-areas are essentially integrally formed with each other and with the main body of the sock. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein said back and forth reciprocating knitting process comprises a process selected from the group consisting of: terry knitting, plain mesh knitting, and tuck stitching. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein said back and forth reciprocating knitting process comprises a three-dimensional needle by needle selection process. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein said back and forth reciprocating knitting process is performed by at least one needle being in a knitting position and at least one needle being in a miss level position. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the at least two sub-areas are distinguished from each other by at least one property; wherein the at least one property is selected from the group consisting of: elasticity, strength, softness, isolation, friction, density, thickness, liquid absorption, shock absorption, knitting type, yarn material composition, and yarn count. 
     
     
         20 . A sock comprising a heel area, wherein said heel area is divided to at least two sub-areas, wherein a first borderline between at least two adjacent sub-areas is parallel to a central axis of the sock that is along a tubular dimension of the sock, and the first borderline extends along a rear side of the heel area;
 wherein the heel area is separated from a residual portion of the sock by a second borderline, the second borderline being generally circular in shape and surrounding the heel portion; and   wherein said at least two adjacent sub-areas are formed during a knitting process of the sock.   
     
     
         21 . The sock according to  claim 20 , wherein said at least two adjacent sub-areas are essentially integrally formed with each other, and with a residual area of the sock. 
     
     
         22 . The sock according to  claim 20 , wherein the at least two sub-areas are distinguished from each other by at least one property; wherein the at least one property is selected from the group consisting of: elasticity, strength, softness, isolation, friction, density, thickness, liquid absorption, shock absorption, knitting type, yarn material composition, and yarn count. 
     
     
         23 . A sock comprising a heel area, wherein said heel area is divided to at least two sub-areas, wherein a first borderline between at least two adjacent sub-areas is parallel to a central axis of the sock that is along a tubular dimension of the sock, and the first borderline extends along a rear side of the heel portion;
 wherein said at least two adjacent sub-areas are essentially integrally formed with each other, and with a residual area of the sock;   wherein the at least two sub-areas are distinguished from each other by at least one property; wherein the at least one property is selected from the group consisting of: elasticity, strength, softness, isolation, friction, density, thickness, liquid absorption, shock absorption, knitting type, yarn material composition, and yarn count; and   wherein the heel area is separated from a residual portion of the sock by a second borderline, the second borderline being generally circular in shape and surrounding the heel area; and   wherein the first borderline is a diameter of the circular second borderline.   
     
     
         24 . The sock according to  claim 23 , wherein the first borderline bisects the heel area into two sub-areas. 
     
     
         25 . The sock according to  claim 23 , wherein each of the first sub-area and the second sub-area each have a shape that is a semicircle. 
     
     
         26 . A sock comprising a heel area, wherein said heel area is divided to at least two sub-areas, the two sub-areas having a first borderline between them such that the first borderline defines a first sub-area being in the shape of an ellipse extending horizontally across the sock, wherein a central part of the ellipse extends perpendicularly downwards; and
 the first borderline defines a second sub-area, the second sub-area surrounding the first sub-area except where the central part of the ellipse of the first sub-area extends perpendicularly downwards.   
     
     
         27 . The sock according to  claim 26 , wherein said at least two adjacent sub-areas are essentially integrally formed with each other, and with a residual area of the sock. 
     
     
         28 . The sock according to  claim 26 , wherein said at least two adjacent sub-areas are formed during a knitting process of the sock. 
     
     
         29 . The sock according to  claim 26 , wherein the at least two sub-areas are distinguished from each other by at least one property, wherein the at least one property is selected from the group consisting of: elasticity, strength, softness, isolation, friction, density, thickness, liquid absorption, shock absorption, knitting type, yarn material composition, and yarn count. 
     
     
         30 . The sock according to  claim 26 , wherein the heel area is separated from a residual portion of the sock by a second borderline, the second borderline being generally circular in shape and surrounding the heel portion; and the central part of the ellipse making up the first sub-area that extends perpendicularly downwards meets the second borderline in two places. 
     
     
         31 . A method for manufacturing a sock comprising:
 forming a main body of the sock, the main body of the sock being formed by a spiral continuous knitting process; and   forming a heel area divided to at least two sub-areas, wherein a first borderline divides a first sub-area from a second sub-area;   wherein the heel area is formed by a back and forth reciprocating knitting process.   
     
     
         32 . The method according to  claim 31 , wherein said at least two adjacent sub-areas are essentially integrally formed with each other and with the main body of the sock. 
     
     
         33 . The method according to  claim 31 , wherein said back and forth reciprocating knitting processes comprises a process selected from the group consisting of: terry knitting, plain mesh knitting, and tuck stitching. 
     
     
         34 . The method according to  claim 31 , wherein said back and forth reciprocating knitting processes comprises a three-dimensional needle by needle selection process. 
     
     
         35 . The method according to  claim 31 , wherein said back and forth reciprocating knitting process is performed by at least one needle being in a knitting position and at least one needle being in a miss level position. 
     
     
         36 . The method according to  claim 31 , wherein the at least two sub-areas are distinguished from each other by at least one property, wherein the at least one property is selected from the group consisting of: elasticity, strength, softness, isolation, friction, density, thickness, liquid absorption, shock absorption, knitting type, yarn material composition, and yarn count. 
     
     
         37 . The method according to  claim 36 , wherein the first borderline is parallel to a central axis of the sock that is along a tubular dimension of the sock, and the first borderline extends along a rear side of the heel portion. 
     
     
         38 . A sock comprising a cylindrically knit area and a reciprocal knit area;
 the cylindrically knit area corresponding to a main body of the sock;   the reciprocal knit area including a toe area of the sock;   said toe area being divided into at least two sub-areas within the reciprocal knit area; and wherein a first borderline is located between at least two adjacent sub-areas within the toe area; the first borderline being aligned in a direction that is parallel to a central axis of the sock that is along a tubular dimension of the sock; and   wherein a second borderline is located between the toe area and a residual area of the sock, and the second borderline is substantially perpendicular to the central axis of the sock.   
     
     
         39 . An integrally knitted sock comprising a cylindrically knit area and a reciprocal knit area;
 the cylindrically knit area corresponding to a main body of the sock;   the reciprocal knit area including a toe area of the sock;   wherein said toe area is divided into at least two sub-areas within the reciprocal knit area, the two sub-areas having a first borderline therebetween such that the first borderline defines a first sub-area having a contoured shape extending over a portion of said toe area, around a portion of a front tip of said toe area, and along a portion of a bottom side of the toe area, the first borderline defining a second sub-area surrounding the first-sub-area; and   wherein a second borderline is located between the toe area and a residual area of the sock, and the second borderline is substantially perpendicular to the central axis of the sock.   
     
     
         40 . A sock according to  claim 39 , wherein said two sub-areas are formed of different yarns and said first borderline comprises an interlocked zone of said different yarns. 
     
     
         41 . An integrally knitted sock comprising a cylindrically knit area and a reciprocal knit area;
 the cylindrically knit area corresponding to a main body of the sock;   the reciprocal knit area including a toe area of the sock;   wherein said toe area has at least two sub-areas each formed of a different yarn, thereby defining a separating zone therebetween, said separating zone including interlocked knit loops as part from of the reciprocal knit, the interlocked knit loops originating from said at least two sub-areas to form a borderline adapted to contour along a curvature of a wearer's foot;   wherein a second borderline is located between the toe area and a residual area of the sock, and the second borderline is substantially perpendicular to the central axis of the sock.   
     
     
         42 . The sock according to  claim 41 , wherein the yarns of said at least two sub-areas are distinguished from each other by at least one property, wherein the at least one property is selected from the group consisting of: elasticity, strength, softness, isolation, friction, density, thickness, liquid absorption, shock absorption, knitting type, yarn material composition, and yarn count.