Abstract: Disclosed herein is a warp knit spacer dual functional fabric construction that provides the ability to absorb sweat on one side and the ability to cool skin to below a current temperature whether wetted or dry on the other side. The knit uses four separate yarns which collectively work together to produce enhanced cooling. Knits can include warp knit spacer and circular knit spacer materials. Various finishing methods may also be employed to enhance the cooling power of the fabric.

Abstract: A knitted article having a first layer and a second layer is described. The first layer is formed from a first yarn having a first shrinkage rate and the second layer is formed by a second yarn having a second shrinkage rate. The shrinkage rate of the first yarn is greater than the shrinkage rate of the second yarn when subjected to heat. Upon heat exposure, the second layer forms a raised structure. The raised structures have a length that is generally perpendicular to the lateral-to-medial course-wise direction of the knitted article. Methods of forming raised structures are also disclosed.

Abstract: A knitted component may include a knitted base portion located between a first non-planar structure and a second non-planar structure. The knitted base portion may include a first area located adjacent to the first non-planar structure, and the first area may include at least one course of a first base yarn. The knitted base portion may include a second area located adjacent to the second non-planar structure, and the second area may include at least one course of a second base yarn. The first base yarn may have a first color and the second base yarn may have a second color different from the first color.

Abstract: The present disclosure, in one aspect, provides an upper for an article of footwear. The upper may include a knitted component. The knitted component may include a knit element, a first tensile strand with an exposed first end, and a second tensile strand with an exposed second end. The first tensile strand may be at least partially inlaid within the knit element, the second tensile strand may be at least partially inlaid within the knit element, and the exposed first end of the first tensile element may be secured to the exposed second end of the second tensile element. One or more braids including tensile strands can be part of a main braid configured to wrap around a heel region of the upper and to be secured to a medial side of the upper.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide systems and methods for producing and using a plaited fabric comprising a low-melt yarn for adhering the fabric without a glue adhesive. According to one embodiment, a knitted fabric can comprise a first polymeric yarn of a first material, the first polymeric yarn forming a base of the knitted fabric, and a second polymeric yarn of a second material. The second material can be different from the first material and can have a lower melting temperature than the first material. The first polymeric yarn can be knitted with the second polymeric yarn to form the fabric. Upon an application of heat to the knitted fabric, the second polymeric yarn can form an adhesive and cohesive mechanical attachment to itself and form a tight-knit structural bond within the fabric without the use of a glue adhesive.

Abstract: An embroidery apparatus includes a main unit to be detachably mounted on a bed section of a sewing machine, a first translation mechanism that moves an embroidery frame holder with an embroidery frame mounted thereon in a first direction, a second translation mechanism that moves the first translation mechanism along an upper surface of the main unit in a second direction that orthogonally intersects the first direction, and an elevator mechanism that is supported by the second translation mechanism at opposite sides of the main unit and that raises and lowers the first translation mechanism. The embroidery apparatus is applicable to a sewing machine switchable between embroidery stitching and standard stitching. During standard stitching, the upper surface of the first translation mechanism is flush with the upper surface of the main unit, which enables both upper surfaces to be used as an auxiliary table.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an at least partially knitted artifact (4) includes knitting at least one multilayer fabric sheet (8) having at least a first layer (12) made with a first yarn (14), of animal, plant, synthetic and/or artificial origin, and at least a second layer (22), made with a second, heat-shrinking yarn (24). The first and second layers (12, 22) being at least partially interconnected in respective knitting stitches (28), during the knitting operation. The multilayer fabric sheet (8) is shaped according to a predefined shape. The multilayer sheet (8) is subjected to heat treatment to obtain predefined shrinkage of the second heat-shrinking yarn (24) and a dimensional stabilization of the sheet. The second yarn (24) forms a bearing structure of the multi-layer sheet (8) and the multilayer sheet (8) is assembled to form the artefact (4) by stitching and/or gluing edges of the dimensionally stabilized sheet.

Abstract: A knit sock is integrally formed of a body yarn in circumferential courses and axial wales, and includes a foot portion having a heel and a toe, and an ankle portion joined to the foot portion and defining an open leg end of the sock. A first targeted compression zone is formed with the foot portion between the heel and the toe, and includes spaced-apart axial compression ridges extending axially outward from the heel at a first end of the first compression zone to a second end of the first compression zone. A second targeted compression zone is formed with the ankle portion between the heel and the open leg end of the sock, and includes spaced-apart axial compression ridges extending axially outward from the heel at a first end of the second compression zone to a second end of the second compression zone.

Abstract: The present invention provides a knitted fabric with leather fibers comprising a ground yarn layer and a face yarn layer directly connected with the ground yarn layer through double knitting. The ground yarn layer includes a plurality of first yarn loops, each of the first yarn loops is formed by a plurality of ground yarns. The face yarn layer includes a plurality of second yarn loops, each of the second yarn loops is formed by at least one face yarn attached with the leather fibers obtained from a piece of leather by a pulverization operation. A course ratio of the face yarn layer to the ground yarn layer is in a range between 1:1.25 and 1:4. Accordingly, the invention provides an innovative knitted fabric and solves the problem that the leather cannot be recycled after being discarded.

Abstract: An upper for an article of footwear may include a knitted component having an auxetic portion. The auxetic portion may be configured to move between a first position and a second position as the knitted component stretches. The knitted component may also include a tensile strand inlaid within at least one of a course and a wale of the knit element, where the tensile strand extends through the auxetic portion, and where the tensile strand is selectively securable to the knit element via a securement device. The securement device may be spaced from the auxetic portion.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a knitted multi-layer fabric construction that provides the ability to cool skin to below a current temperature whether wetted or dry. The knit uses four separate yarns which collectively work together to produce enhanced cooling. Knits can include warp knit, seamless, hosiery, flat bed, spacer, and double knits. Various finishing methods may also be employed to enhance the cooling power of the fabric.

Abstract: A method for knitting a three-dimensional fabric with variable thickness through a flat knitting machine includes the following steps: moving two cam groups and driving a plurality of knitting needles to knit a first piece of knitting by a starting cam system; moving the two cam groups and driving the plurality of knitting needles to knit a second piece of knitting by a middle cam system; and moving the two cam groups and driving the plurality of knitting needles to knit a supporting yarn by two tail cam systems respectively. The tail cam systems control each of a plurality of knock-over bit cams to move according to a gap size corresponding to a knitting length of the supporting yarn, so as to promptly change a thickness of the three-dimensional fabric along the length change of the supporting yarn.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for forming a prosthetic base knit (1) made of two parallel sheets of porous knits, namely a first sheet (2) of porous knit and a second sheet of porous knit, said two parallel sheets being joined together in a discrete manner by a plurality of connecting porous knits (4) spaced apart from each other. The invention further relates to a method for manufacturing H-shaped prostheses for hernia repair from said base knit thus obtained and to the prostheses obtained therefrom.

Abstract: Software and lasers are used in finishing apparel to produce a desired wear pattern or other design. A technique includes determining a fabric's response to a laser, capturing an initial image of a wear pattern on a garment, and processing the initial image to obtain a working image in grayscale. The working image is further processed to obtain a difference image by comparing each pixel relative to a dark reference. The difference image is converted to a laser values image by using the previously determined fabric response to the laser.

Abstract: A knitted component including a first knit layer of a first yarn and a second knit layer of a second yarn. The second knit layer and the first knit layer are at least partially coextensive with each other and form a pocket between the first and second knit layers. A third yarn is at least partially positioned within the pocket and between the first and second knit layer. The third yarn includes first and second strands having at least one different property. The third yarn is secured to the first knit layer at a first location within the pocket and to the second knit layer at a second location within the pocket, and forms an x-shape configuration.

Abstract: A backing feed is utilized with a tufting machine having reciprocating needles and gauge parts for seizing yarns wherein the needles are configured in consecutive gauge positions in alternate segments in front and rear transverse rows of needles, and the position of the needles is shiftable transversely with respect to the backing.

Abstract: A lightweight needlebar drive is provided that vertically reciprocates a needlebar by driven feet mounted to the lower ends of pushrods, where the feet are laterally positionable by virtue of a plurality of stub shafts passing through and received in bearings on adjacent brackets connected to the needlebar.

Abstract: Aspects herein are directed to a sock and methods for forming the sock on a circular knitting machine. The sock in accordance with aspects herein having a plurality of toe-anchor knit courses that form a toe anchor that divides a toe-end opening of the sock into a first toe-end opening and a second toe-end opening by extending across the toe-end opening from a dorsal portion of the toe-end opening to a plantar portion of the toe-end opening. The toe-anchor knit courses are integrally knit with the sock body.

Abstract: An automated system that can be used for prosthetic heart valve manufacturing or suturing procedures. The system can include a first automated fixture that includes an articulating arm and a target device holder. The system can also include one or more additional automated fixtures, which can be configured as one or more suturing arms that include another articulating arm and a needle holder. The first automated fixture can be configured to rotate a target device held by the holder to allow the one or more additional automated fixtures to perform operations such as form sutures on the target device without intervention of a human operator. The system can include a targeting system configured to provide positioning feedback to the system.

Abstract: A knit sock includes a foot portion having an upper instep area and a lower sole area integrally knit of a body yarn in circumferential courses and axial wales. The lower sole area defines inner and outer arch regions. The inner arch region incorporates a targeted compression zone adapted to reside generally adjacent an inner arch of a wearer's foot. The compression zone includes axially extending compression ridges of variable length spaced apart from a top of the compression zone to a bottom of the compression zone. When the sock is worn, a compression force applied by the foot portion within the targeted compression zone is greater than the compression force in directly adjacent areas of said foot portion.