Abstract: A novel method of fabricating surgical gowns basically comprises the steps of fabricating main body robe portions for the gowns, each having a pair of arm sleeves terminating at respective wrist openings, knitting on a circular knitting machine a plurality of discreet individual annular cuff blanks for the gowns, and affixing, e.g., by sewing, one cuff blank to each sleeve of each robe portion in surrounding relation to the sleeve's wrist: openings. According to the invention, each cuff blank is knitted to have an annular main cuff body portion entirely of a single ply knitted construction, with an annular turned welt integrally knitted with one end of the cuff body. The material and fabrication costs associated with disposable surgical gowns and like medical garments may thereby be significantly reduced.

Abstract: Material and fabrication costs associated with disposable surgical gowns and like medical garments are significantly reduced by utilizing a circularly-knitted tubular fabric cuff formed predominantly of a single-ply knitted construction with a small annular turned welt presenting a finished outer cuff edge. The circularly-knitted fabric of each cuff comprises a main body having plural body yarns and an elastic yarn formed in needle loops in circumferential courses and axial wales, the turned welt of each cuff comprising a welt beginning course connected to a welt ending course with a plurality of intervening courses therebetween. Preferably, each cuff's main body has an annular region adjacent the welt having courses of alternating needle loops and yarn floats and courses entirely of successive needle loops and an adjacent annular region having courses of alternating needle loops and tuck stitches and courses entirely of successive needle loops.

Abstract: The present seamless knit tubular blank is particularly adapted for use in forming body garments, such as panties and the like. In one embodiment, the panty is formed of a single seamless tubular blank while a second embodiment of the panty is formed of two seamless tubular blanks. In each embodiment, the seamless tubular blanks are provided with a visual cutting guide which is formed during knitting of the blank for providing a visually detectable different appearance and a visual separation between first and second fabric portions of the blank. The second fabric portions of the blank are adapted to be removed from the first fabric portions to impart the requisite shape to the first fabric portions for use in forming the body garment.

Abstract: The run-resistant toe portion is of substantially the same dyed shade and has the same sheer appearance as the adjacent foot portion of the hosiery article. The run-resistant toe portion is knit with every other course being knit of a yarn which is capable of being dyed and the remaining courses are knit of a dye-resistant yarn which is not capable of being dyed. Intervening single courses of the toe portion are knit with alternating tuck and plain stitch loops in adjacent wales while alternating courses are knit with plain stitch loops in every wale and of a smaller stitch loop size to enhance the run-resistant characteristics of the toe portion.

Abstract: The double-layer fabric extends throughout at least a substantial portion of the foot of the sock and both the inner and outer layers of the double-layer fabric in the foot include the same number of wales as the number of wales in the leg portion of the sock. The sock can be knit on a conventional hosiery knitting machine provided with a single set of needles and special sinkers for holding the stitch loops of the last course of the leg while the inner and outer layers of the foot portion of the sock are being knit. The double-layer fabric in the foot of the sock provides improved cushioning and moisture-absorbing characteristics to the sock.

Abstract: The knitting machine is provided with a yarn tension indicator for continuously monitoring the tension of an elastomeric yarn being withdrawn from a yarn supply source and fed to the needles of the circular knitting machine and for providing a constant visual indication to the machine operator of the tension in the running yarn. The yarn tension indicator includes a base plate and a pointer lever supported in a substantially horizontal position and for pivotal movement on the base plate. Fixed guides are provided for directing the yarn through a movable yarn guide supported for longitudinal adjustment on the pointer lever to urge the same in an upward direction. Weights are supported for longitudinal adjustment on the pointer lever for urging the pointer lever in a downward direction so that when the tension in the running yarn is proper, the pointer lever maintains a horizontal position which may be easily observed by the knitting machine operator.

Abstract: The knitting machine is provided with latch detector means including primary and secondary sensor means for detecting a latch improperly positioned in a closed position and for signaling when such a condition occurs. A trigger lever (30) having a free inner end (31) is normally positioned in an operative latch detecting position (FIG. 3) immediately below the path of travel of the hooked upper ends (10) of the needles N so that a latch (11) in the proper open position will not engage and trip the trigger lever (30) while a latch (11) in an improper closed position will engage and trip the trigger lever (30). A tension spring (45) is provided to immediately move the trigger lever (30) to the inoperative position (FIG. 4) with the inner free end (31) outwardly and away from the path of travel of the needles N upon being engaged by a latch in an improper closed position.

Abstract: The triple layer fabric extends throughout at least a substantial portion of the foot portion and provides improved cushioning and moisture-absorbing characteristics thereto. The sock can be knit on a conventional hosiery knitting machine with very little modification being required. The inside and outside fabric layers of the foot are knit of hydrophobic yarn and the intermediate layer is knit at least in part of hydrophilic yarn so that moisture from the foot is wicked through the inner layer and into the intermediate layer where the moisture is absorbed and then wicked and evaporated through the outside layer. The triple layer in the foot of the sock maintains the foot of the wearer in a dry condition and provides cushioning for at least the ball and toes of the foot of the wearer.

Abstract: The knitting machine is provided with latch detector means for detecting a latch improperly positioned in a closed position and for signaling when such a condition occurs. A trigger lever (30) having a free inner end (31) is normally positioned in an operative latch detecting position (FIG. 3) immediately below the path of travel of the hooked upper ends (10) of the needles N so that a latch (11) in the proper open position will not engage and trip the trigger lever (30) while a latch (11) in an improper closed position will engage and trip the trigger lever (30). A tension spring (45) is provided to immediately move the trigger lever (30) to the inoperative position (FIG. 4) with the inner free end (31) outwardly and away from the path of travel of the needles N upon being engaged by a latch in an improper closed position.

Abstract: This tube sock is of a medium or dress weight so that the sock may be comfortably worn with dress shoes and includes very long and fine terry loops in the heel and sole area to provide the sock with cushion and comfort characteristics of the type normally provided in heavy weight athletic type socks. The sock is knit on a fine gauge machine of the type normally employed in knitting ladies' sheer hosiery and panty hose, usually provided with 400 needles. The sock is knit on every other or alternative needles so that it contains only 200 wales instead of the normal 400 wales usually contained in ladies' sheer hosiery articles. The terry loops formed in the heel and sole area are formed on dial instruments projected outwardly over an idle needle so that unusually long terry loops are formed of a fine cotton yarn which are three to five times as long as the stitch loops formed of the body yarn. spThis a division of application Ser. No. 939,261, filed Sept. 7, 1978 now U.S. Pat. No. 4,172,370.

Abstract: One embodiment of this tube sock includes clearly defined and distinct tuck stitch type mock ribs completely arund the leg and in the instep. In another embodiment, the tuck stitch type mock ribs are formed around the front of the leg while the usual type of plain stitch mock ribs are formed around the rear of the leg. In both embodiments, the sock is of a medium or dess weight so that the sock may be comfortably worn with dress shoes and includes very long and fine terry loops in the heel and sole area to provide the sock with cushion and comfort characteristics of the type normally provided in heavy weight athletic type socks. Both embodiments of the sock are provided with partial additional or extra courses of elastic yarn in the heel area to provide the heel with additional stretch to provide a better fit on the heel of the wearer.

Abstract: The stretch-cotton panty portion of the panty hose includes the combination of stretchable textured thermoplastic yarn forming the outer face and nonstretchable cotton yarn on the inner face. The stretchable and cotton yarns are so knitted as to retain substantially the full stretchable and smooth conforming fit characteristics of lightweight sheer stretch thermoplastic fabric together with the soft sanitary moisture absorbing characteristics of cotton without appreciable bulk, rigidity, or heaviness. The cotton on the inner face is knitted by plating a lightweight cotton yarn on the inner surfaces of selected noncontiguous courses of the stretch thermoplastic yarn.

Abstract: This tube sock is of a medium or dress weight so that the sock may be comfortably worn with dress shoes and includes very long and fine terry loops in the heel and sole area to provide the sock with cushion and comfort characteristics of the type normally provided in heavy weight athletic type socks. The sock is knit on a fine gauge machine of the type normally employed in knitting ladies' sheer hosiery and panty hose, usually provided with 400 needles. The sock is knit on every other or alternative needles so that it contains only 200 wales instead of the normal 400 wales usually contained in ladies' sheer hosiery articles. The terry loops formed in the heel and sole area are formed on dial instruments projected outwardly over an idle needle so that unusually long terry loops are formed of a fine cotton yarn which are three to five times as long as the stitch loops formed of the body yarn.