Abstract: An article of apparel for a foot that covers the forward portion of the foot only does not show above the tops of shoes and enhances fit and comfort of wearing shoes. Such a partial sock, or half sock, is advantageous for uses including wearing with shoes that cover the forward portion of the foot only, such as open-heel and clog-type shoes.

Abstract: A fully detachable garter system comprises an undergarment, downwardly extending straps releasably secured to the undergarment and to a pair of stockings. The upper ends of the straps include fasteners for releasably securing the straps to the undergarment. The lower ends of the straps include fasteners for releasably securing the straps to a pair of stockings. The fasteners on each end of the straps may comprise hook and pile material, snaps, hooks and eyes, button and buttonholes, button hooks, or other such attachment means. The undergarment and the stockings typically include a smooth edge region for fastening of the straps thereto. In other embodiments, the undergarment may include fasteners positioned on an inner surface of the leg openings so that the fasteners are hidden from view. In still another embodiment, the fasteners on the undergarment may be positioned on an outwardly facing surface and disguised by decorative lace or the like.

Abstract: An infant sock for crawling infants includes a generally tubular sock member having an upper surface, a lower surface, a toe surface forming a closed end, and an open end. An elastic band is attached at the open end receiving an infant's foot. A gripper member covers at least a portion of the upper surface, the lower surface and the toe surface and has an increased coefficient of friction.

Abstract: The orthosis (1) is designed to apply degressive compression to all or part of the leg starting from the ankle. The orthosis has a knitted compressive tubular portion (2) of varying section formed by a leg portion of an elastic stocking that does not have a foot or a heel, said compressive-tubular portion being extended at its bottom end by a knitted non-compressive tubular portion (3) suitable for covering at least a portion of the foot, without compressing it, and made for example using a stitch of the plain moss type.

Abstract: A clothing with effects on the reduction of skin dryness, skin roughness, wrinkle and spot is provided, together with a method for attaching a microcapsule. The metabolism of keratin layer is promoted by using a clothing prepared by attaching to the fiber, a microcapsule containing and sealing therein at least 10% by weight of at least one &agr;-hydroxy acid. Chitosan is used as a crosslinking agent. The microcapsule and chitosan are given within a range of from about 4:1 to about 1:6 in weight ratio. The total amount of the chitosan and the microcapsule occupies from about 0.1 to about 15% of the fiber weight at a dry state.

Abstract: A sock for preventing athlete's foot includes sheaths at the toe portion of the foot that can reach, cover, and fit into areas between toes. The sheaths can absorb moist, greasy and other secretions between toes and keep skins in the area dry. This prevents microscopic fungi from thriving between toes. The sheath portion remains integral with the rest of the sock that may also include a foot body, heel, ankle, and leg engaging portion.

Abstract: A pantyhose undergarment having a crotch flap to facilitate urination without lowering the undergarment. A crotch area of the undergarment has an opening which is removably closed with a crotch flap permanently secured to a front of the undergarment and releasably secured about the opening. The crotch flap may be removed to a forward position in which it is not wetted.

Abstract: A circular knit blank for use in the manufacture of undergarments and the garments so manufactured comprising a tubular knit body having an elastomeric yarn on selected courses, wherein said tubular body contains at least one area of control that has a stitch pattern increasing its modulus by about 8%, to provide a balance of comfort and control. The stitch pattern is preferably a 1 by 1 alternating tuck.

Abstract: A compressive elastic-tights orthosis with an abdominal portion, or compressive knit, having a waist, front, back and, and groin, and adjoining two leg portions of compressive knit, the abdominal portion having a substantially triangular starched front region extending inward from the waist to the groin and having little deformability by providing high-pressure elasticity in both lateral and vertical directions, whereby, when the orthosis is worn, the front region exerts substantially constant pressure against the abdomen, in opposition to deformation of the abdomen, and the two leg portions exert vascular pressure on the lower limbs.

Abstract: A hosiery garment, for example, a stocking, having two openings in a portion thereof that covers the foot of a wearer of the hosiery garment, these two openings in combination defining a thong member, the thong member being selectively positionable between any two toes on the foot of the wearer, and the openings being designed so that, when the hosiery garment is worn, the two openings expose not only the toes of the foot of the wearer, but also other parts of the same foot of the wearer.

Abstract: A close-fitting undergarment for improving the user's appearance and comfort. The close-fitting undergarment includes a hosiery item having a thong-style top which is adapted to cover a user's waist, and also having leg portions which is attached to the top and which is adapted to cover the user's legs.

Abstract: A method of heat-setting garments by boarding the garment and subjecting it to preselected temperatures that are different for different parts of the garment and an apparatus for carrying out this method are provided.

Abstract: A compression hose having a extremity covering portion and an injured area covering portion. The injured area covering portion further includes an opening that is positioned over the patient's injured area. A number of fastening straps are fixedly attached to one side of the opening and are sized to extend across the opening and secured to a fastener receiver. A locking strap having a longer length than inner fastening straps is positioned at the outer edge of the hose and is sized to extend across the opening and lock the hose in place on the patient's extremity.

Abstract: A sock and its associated method of manufacture, wherein the sock reduces chafing experienced by the foot. The sock includes an inner sock layer having an interior surface and an exterior surface. The inner sock layer is fabricated from at least one first thread made from a conventional garment material and a second thread made from a fluoropolymer material, wherein the conventional garment material is predominant on the interior surface of the inner sock layer and the fluoropolymer material is predominant on the exterior surface of the inner sock layer. The sock also includes an outer sock layer that surrounds the inner sock layer. The outer sock layer also has an interior surface and an exterior surface.

Abstract: The invention regards stockings or tights which are kept in place by a system resting on the hips and, therefore, do not oblige the wearer to suffer either pressure round the waist, caused by common elastic bands, nor a tight clasping around the thigh. The system resting on the hips (6, 7) allows an equal distribution of the force necessary to keep the stockings in place, which can therefore be worn for a long time since the wearer does not feel any discomfort on the abdomen or the thighs.

Abstract: A circularly knit hosiery member and garment formed therefrom and a method for producing both. The member has a first tubular portion with a lateral portion having a plurality of courses with short lengths. The garment is formed from a pair of the members disposed in a side-by-side relationship, slit along a part of their length and joined at paris of the edges thus formed to provide a panty section with front, rear and lateral portions. The lengths of the stitches in the courses in the lateral portions are shorter than the stitch lengths in the front and rear panty portions so that the panty section has an arcuately shaped leg profile within the lateral portions. The method includes forming the panty pantyhose combination garment from the two separate tubular members with the stitches in the courses of the lateral portions made smaller than the stitch lengths in the rear and front portions.

Abstract: A dry sock system including an intermediate foot portion in a generally tubular configuration positioned circumferentially around the majority of a wearer's foot having an open upper end positioned at the lower portion of the wearer's ankle and a lower end positioned in proximity to the wearer's toes, the intermediate portion being formed of an absorbent material. The dry sock system also includes an upper portion formed of elastomeric material with widely spaced vertical ribs from the upper portion of a wearer's ankle to the lower portion of the wearer's ankle and coupled to the instep region and the heel region. Individual toe portions of varying size are provided in the system including a large portion positioned around the wearer's big toe and a smallest portion positioned around the wearer's little toe with three intermediate portions of varying sizes, the toe portions having individual closed exterior ends and open interior ends.

Abstract: A circularly knit tubular hosiery member and garment formed therefrom and a method for producing both. The member has a first tubular portion with a lateral portion having a plurality of courses with short stitch lengths. The garment is formed from a pair of the members disposed in a side-by-side relationship, slit along a part of their length and joined at pairs of the edges thus formed to provide a panty section with front, rear and lateral portions. The lengths of the stitches in the courses in the lateral portions are shorter than the stitch lengths in the front and rear panty portions so that the panty section has an arcuately shaped leg profile within the lateral portions. The method includes forming the panty pantyhose combination garment from the two separate tubular members with the stitches in the courses of the lateral portions made smaller than the stitch lengths in the rear and front portions.

Abstract: A pair (1) of socks or stockings (2,3) may be joined together in a detachable fashion using a set heat-resistant, transparent fastening elements (4,5), in order to avoid sorting of the socks or stockings, e.g., after washing. Each of said fastening elements is firmly attached to a stocking or sock, preferably at its leg portion (6), in an area of the sock or stocking having a mesh density of at least 2000 MD, preferably at least 4000 MD.

Abstract: A panty hose with detachable leg portions for allowing replacement of legs when in need of replacement. The inventive device includes a panties portion comprised of a front panel and a rear panel. The front panel and the rear panel are joined together forming an upper waist portion and a pair of upper leg portions. Each of the upper leg portions have a decorative panel extending downwardly therefrom. An interior surface of the decorative panels have a hook and loop band extending therearound. A pair of leg portions are removably coupled with the panties portion. The pair of leg portions each have a hook and loop band extending around a periphery of an upper end thereof. The hook and loop bands of the legs portions mate with the hook and loop bands on the interior surface of the decorative panels to facilitate removable securement of the leg portions to the panties portion.

Abstract: A cheerleader sock including a one-piece sock that has dual cuff portions. Each cuff portion of the pair of socks has one cuff portion formed of yarn that has a different thread and color from another cuff portion.

Abstract: A device and method for reducing the creation of contact sores on the body caused by the body's contact with an external object. The present invention includes a garment having an internal surface and an external surface. The garment is preferably fabricated from a fabric material having at least one first thread made from a conventional garment material and a second thread made from a fluoropolymer material. The thread pattern is designed to cause the conventional garment material to be predominant on the interior surface of the garment while the fluoropolymer material is predominant on the exterior surface of the garment. The presence of the fluoropolymer material on the exterior surface of the garment causes the exterior of the garment to have a lower coefficient of friction than does the interior of the garment. As a result, the exterior of the garment moves across contacted objects with a minimum of chaffing while the skin remains padded by the static interior of the garment.

Abstract: A Thermal panty hose garment including a lower truck portion, two leg sections and feet sections being integrally knitted together. The two leg sections are characterized by at least three layers of fabric consisting of lycraspandex, nylon and an insulated polyester material (THINSULATE). The feet sections are each fabricated of spandex, nylon and a insulated polyester material (THINSULATE) and have a toe portion. The insulated polyester material (THINSULATE) is superimposed over the nylon and the spandex is superimposed on the insulated polyester material (THINSULATE). The insulated polyester material (THINSULATE) provides insulation for protecting the lower torso from cold temperatures.

Abstract: A sock for use with sandals having an open toe area is provided. The sock includes a sole portion adapted such that when worn the sole portion covers substantially the entire lower surface of the foot extending rearward from the toes. The sock is secured to a user's foot and the sole portion properly tensioned into tight engagement with the user's foot by forward and intermediate support bands which are attached at either end to opposing sides of the sole portion and are adapted to extend over the top of a user's foot when worn. The sock is further secured by a heel band which extends upwardly from the rear end of the sole portion to a ankle support portion which has a cylindrical configuration designed to encircle a user's ankle when the sock is worn. The forward, intermediate and heel support bands and the ankle support defining substantially open sides, top and toe areas.

Abstract: A fleece sock is made from a first blank of fleece material of a length and width to cover the foot and to encompass at least part of the ankle of a wearer, the blank having an arcuate cut-out in each side thereof in the region to be occupied by the heel of the wearer and being folded in half to align the cutouts, and a second, generally circular blank of fleece material formed into a separate heel cup having arcuate marginal edges. The marginal edges of the heel cup are aligned with and secured to the marginal edges of the arcuate cut-outs in the first blank, and the remaining marginal edges of the first blank are secured to one another to form a seam that extends along one side of the foot and ankle of the wearer. The two blanks as thus secured together form a sock with seamless plantar and dorsal surfaces, a seamless side surface, a fitted heel cup and at least a partial ankle encompassing portion.

Abstract: A sock with a shoehorn which is generally an elongated elastic tube band. The tube band has a slippery inner wall which is not very thick. The tube band is attached closely to a bottom heel portion of the sock with its two opposite ends fixed on a symmetrical line on both sides of the sock. A wearer holds an open collar or rim of the shoe and inserts their foot into the shoe such that their foot pushes forward and down on the bottom heel portion of the sock, which in turn pushes the tube band against the collar of the sock, where the tube band is rolled against the collar to a location adjacent to a rear heel portion of the sock. The tube band which was under the bottom heel portion of the sock is rolled back to the rear heel portion of the sock and concealed inside the shoe.

Abstract: A garment having integrally knit underabdominal and back support panels is described. The garment desirably has a rear panel and a front panel which includes a substantially U-shaped support panel which is more resistant to stretch than the portion of the front panel which the substantially U-shaped panel surrounds, i.e. the abdominal section. The garment can be knit from a single or a pair of circularly knit tubular blanks, and preferably is formed so that the support panels are integrally knit with the garment. The abdominal section desirably has additional courses provided therein, in order to form a pouch area for accommodating the expanded abdominal region of a wearer. The garment also desirably includes an integrally knit back support panel which has a greater resistance to stretch than the abdominal section. In this way, when the garment is worn, the weight of the wearer's expanded abdominal region can be supported and distributed over a greater portion of his or her body.

Abstract: A hosiery article with moisture absorbing pads including a pair of panty hose. A pair of cotton foot pads are dimensioned for securement to an interior lower surface of a pair of foot portions of the pair of panty hose. The foot pads are disposed under the wearer's feet when wearing the pair of panty hose to absorb perspiration.

Abstract: An open toe sock that includes a foot engaging portion, a leg engaging portion, a thin resilient circumferential band, and a skid resistant sole. The foot engaging portion has a heel area, an open toe area that is disposed in front of the heel area of the foot engaging portion, and a bottom area that extends from the heel area of the foot engaging portion to the open toe area of the foot engaging portion. The foot engaging portion replaceably and comfortably engages a foot of a wearer with toes of the foot of the wearer extending replaceably outwardly through the open toe area of the foot engaging portion and being exposed. The leg engaging portion is integrally formed with, and extends generally perpendicularly upwardly from, the foot engaging portion, and replaceably and comfortably engages a leg of the wearer.

Abstract: Multi layer foot pads attached to the sole portions of pantyhose for placement against the soles of a wearer's feet, the foot pads comprising an outer gripping layer and an inner layer which functions to keep moisture away from the wearer's feet. In the preferred embodiment the inner layer comprises moisture absorbing material, as well as material adjacent to the wearer's feet for wicking moisture away therefrom and into the moisture absorbing material. Applications may include, but are not limited to, use for increasing the comfort of a wearer by keeping the wearer's feet dry and securely positioned within a shoe, use in eliminating the common and irritating problem of conventional foot pads bunching and wrinkling inside a pair of shoes, as well as eliminating the common problem of the foot portion of pantyhose slipping inside a pair of shoes.

Abstract: Multisectional body stocking having a plurality of various sections is connected by elastic attachment materials on each section in an overlapping manner. The multiple detachable hosiery sections allow the user to mix or match hosiery sections, or change the number of hosiery sections, to accommodate fashion desires, changes in clothing or a run in a particular hosiery section. The result is a versatile multisectional body stocking hosiery system which allows a user to use some of the various sections in many different combinations.

Abstract: A hosiery item including a panty member having three absorbent crotch members provided therein, each absorbent crotch member having a pocket formed therein; and three leg portions secured to the panty member in a manner such that an absorbent crotch member is positioned between any two leg portions, each leg portion having a leg insertion opening in connection with an interior of the panty member. In use the wearer inserts her legs into two of the leg opening in the conventional fashion of donning a pair of pantyhose. The remaining unused leg portion is then gathered and the toe end tucked into the pocket of one of the absorbent crotch members. If a run or hole develops in one of the leg portions being worn, the leg of the wearer can be easily and rapidly removed from the damaged leg portion and placed into the undamaged spare leg portion.

Abstract: The present invention is pantyhose having a panty portion and a pair of leg portions that are connected to the panty portion by a plurality of straps extending along the posterior and anterior side of the thighs of the wearer. The panty portion, leg portions and the straps allow much of the upper thighs to remain uncovered, which provides increased comfort and coolness to the wearer. In the preferred embodiment, the leg portions are constructed from a hosiery material, while the panty portion and straps are constructed from a more comfortable material, such as cotton lace.

Abstract: The invention is an exercise garment having an integrally formed support bra. The exercise garment includes an upper bra portion for providing support to the user. Connected to the upper portion is a lower, stretchable fabric portion for covering the torso of the user. The upper and lower portions are joined at an elastic support member disposed below the breasts of the user. The upper and lower portions of the garment cooperate with each other so that each portion maintains its position on a user during vigorous exercise or dance.

Abstract: A sock is provided with a pocket comprising an outer pocket wall having an extension forming a flap. A slot opening in the sock receives the flap which is fastened to the inside of the sock leg.

Abstract: A sock which provides increased comfort to the wearer as a result of reduced friction between the sock and the foot. The reduced friction is accomplished by treating the sock with a fluoropolymer. The treated sock contains discrete fluoropolymer particles (in non-membranous form) on or near the surface which contacts the foot. The treatment can by carried out by spraying, dipping, impregnating, coating of precursor fibers, or other conventional coating methods.

Abstract: The invention is a combination moisture management panty and panty hose system for women. The moisture management system includes both a panty and panty hose. The panty includes a moisture management panty shield for being positioned in the crotch area of the wearer during garment wear. The panty shield has a first fabric layer with a skin side surface including moisture wicking fibers for residing next to the skin during garment wear. These such fibers wick moisture outwardly away from the skin towards drier areas of the garment for evaporation. The pair of panty hose is worn in combination with the panty, and includes a moisture management crotch gusset for being position adjacent to the panty shield in the crotch area of the wearer. The crotch gusset is constructed of an open mesh fabric for receiving moisture from the panty shield, and for facilitating the flow of air through the gusset into the panty shield. The open mesh fabric promotes moisture evaporation from the panty shield and the gusset.

Abstract: A panty garment, panty hose or the like where the garment is formed from first and second adjacent, circularly knit and identically configured tubes each having a first panty section and a second panty section each of which are slit along part of their length at different locations so that when joined at edges thus formed provide a front panty portion made up of substantially all of the first panty sections and a rear panty portion made up of substantially all of the second panty sections, the yarns being knit in each of the sections to permit more vertical stretch in the rear panty section than in the front panty section when the garment is worn.

Abstract: A sock made from a spun polyester fleece material and having flatlock seams is lightweight and quick-drying and provides improved warmth, comfort and a contour fit without causing blisters or the like. In one embodiment, the sock is made from a single-piece generally rectangular blank or pattern of fleece material and has peripheral marginal edges selectively secured in overlapping relation by a flatlock seam. In an alternative embodiment, the sock may be made from discrete blanks or patterns having marginal edges secured by flatlock seams to define a foot receiving portion and a leg encompassing portion.

Abstract: A moisture management component incorporated in a garment for moving moisture away from the skin of a wearer. The moisture management component includes a first and second fabric. The first fabric comprises a moisture wicking panel carried by the garment for moving moisture away from the skin. The moisture wicking panel has a skin-side surface and an obverse surface, and an opening therethrough from the skin-side surface to the obverse surface. The second fabric comprises a moisture transport insert extending through the opening in the moisture wicking panel to move moisture from the skin of the wearer to the outer fabric layers of the garment for dispersal and evaporation.

Abstract: A moisture-management garment and support garment including a moisture-management panel which extends from an upper crotch area of the garment to a lower crotch area of the garment. The panel includes an inner fabric layer, intermediate fabric layer, and an outer fabric layer. The inner fabric layer is constructed of wicking yarns for residing in skin contact during garment wear. The intermediate fabric layer comprises one or more moisture transport inserts which reside adjacent to the inner fabric layer for transporting moisture away from the inner fabric layer and away from the skin of the wearer. An outer fabric layer resides adjacent the intermediate fabric layer for receiving and dispersing moisture wicked outwardly from the inner and intermediate fabric layers.

Abstract: A breathable garment having an inner panel in the crotch area made of an open knit material formed of hydrophobic fiber having a large surface area and longitudinally extending channels which transports or "wicks" moisture away from the body, thereby helping to keep intimate areas drier, cooler, and more comfortable.

Abstract: A pantyhose or the like garment having a novel waistband construction comprising an anchor portion and an integrally knit wide band portion. The waistband is substantially wider than conventional waistbands, the anchor portion consisting of a narrow turned welt portion and a wide single ply band portion, each incorporating textured nylon and elastomer yarns.

Abstract: A form fitting garment is provided which accommodates a large abdomen of a user. The garment is maintained in form fitting contact with the abdomen and a remainder of the user covered thereby by being formed generally of a first stretchable material. The garment includes a waistband which is expandable and which is also adjustable in size and a front panel which is connected to a front portion of the waistband and which extends downwardly therefrom to cover the abdomen of the user. This front panel is made of an extra stretchable material which is more stretchable than the first stretchable material, and optionally is supportive. The garment can also include an extra stretchable and supportive back panel which is connected to a back portion of the waistband and which extends downwardly therefrom to cover the buttocks of the user. A crotch is connected between the front panel and the back to cover the crotch of the user, and the crotch is either extra stretchable or supportive.

Abstract: A double-layered sock according to the invention includes an inner sock made of a moisture-permeable material such as polypropylene and an outer sock that absorbs such moisture. The inner sock is interposed between the skin of the foot and the absorbed moisture, providing enhanced warmth and comfort. The inner and outer layers are secured together, such as by sewing at the toe portion of each to form the double sock.

Abstract: Women's body wear is provided with a panel in the crotch area which is formed of open or loosely knit material formed using threads made up of a bundle of hydrophobic fibers having a large surface area and longitudinally extending channels to provide drier, more comfortable and "breathable" body wear. The body wear garment may be provided with an open knit exterior panel generally coextensive with the inner panel, and of the same color as the remainder of the body wear garment.

Abstract: An athletic garment for covering a wearers pelvic region and at least a portion of the wearer's legs includes a ventilating portion, for covering the wearer's pelvic region and allowing rapid heat transfer from the wearer's pelvic region, and a pair of form fitting resilient tubular portions, for covering at least a portion of each of the wearer's legs, for providing resilient support for the covered leg portions and for insulating the covered leg portions to slow heat transfer from the covered leg portions. The garment may also include an outer shell for covering the ventilating portion of the garment.

Abstract: A special elastic pantyhose construction particularly suitable for corpulent women, wherein a single pair of pantyhose leg apparel is provided with a substantially concealed anti-chafing thigh shield portion, so formed as to extend upward from each opposing inward thigh region thereby merging at the crotch area in one essentially contiguous saddle-like formation; said saddle or thigh shield being constructed principally of natural cotton so as to be comfortably absorbent of common body perspiration, while most compatible with the skin; including a preferred embodoiment whereby the saddle is sewn integrally into an otherwise conventional pantyhose, or alternate embodiments whereby the saddle is set forth as an insert portion of the pantyhose; the preferred embodiment substantially concealing the presence of the cotton thigh shield saddle by virtue of the contiguous coverage of the internal applique arrangement.

Abstract: Multisectional hosiery having a plurality of various sections is connected by elastic attachment materials on each section in an overlapping manner. The multiple detachable hosiery sections allow the user to mix or match hosiery sections, or change the number of hosiery sections, to accommodate fashion desires, changes in clothing or a run in a particular hosiery section. The result is a versatile multisectional hosiery system which allows a user to use some of the various sections in many different combinations.

Abstract: A hosiery item including a panty member having three absorbent crotch members provided therein, each absorbent crotch member having a pocket formed therein; and three leg portions secured to the panty member in a manner such that an absorbent crotch member is positioned between any two leg portions, each leg portion having a leg insertion opening in connection with an interior of the panty member. In use the wearer inserts her legs into two of the leg opening in the conventional fashion of donning a pair of pantyhose. The remaining unused leg portion is then gathered and the toe end tucked into the pocket of one of the absorbent crotch members. If a run or hole develops in one of the leg portions being worn, the leg of the wearer can be easily and rapidly removed from the damaged leg portion and placed into the undamaged spare leg portion.