Sock And A Method For Its Manufacture

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.