Circular knitted garments having bands with integrally knit cushion loops

Abstract

A circular knit garment having a main section, a band, and an area of terry loops is provided. The band is integrally knit to the main section. The terry loops are integrally knitted in the area of the band.

1 . A circular knit garment comprising: 
 a main section;    a band integrally knit to said main section; and    a plurality of terry loops integrally knitted into an area of said band.    
     
     
         2 . The garment as in  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of terry loops comprise a loop density in a range between about 0.125 and about 0.75  
     
     
         3 . The garment as in  claim 2 , wherein said loop density is in a range between about 0.25 and about 0.625.  
     
     
         4 . The garment as in  claim 2 , wherein said loop density is about 0.375.  
     
     
         5 . The garment as in  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of terry loops comprise a stitch construction selected from the group consisting of a true terry loop, a float terry loop, a mock terry loop, and combinations of any of the foregoing.  
     
     
         6 . The garment as in  claim 1 , wherein the garment is selected from the group consisting of a brassiere, a pair of pantyhose, a stocking, a blouse, a leotard, a swimsuit, a pair of underwear, and a pair of panties.  
     
     
         7 . The garment as in  claim 1 , wherein the garment is a brassiere.  
     
     
         8 . The garment as in  claim 7 , wherein said brassiere comprises a brassiere component selected from the group consisting of a breast cup and a strap.  
     
     
         9 . The garment as in  claim 8 , wherein said brassiere component further comprises said plurality of terry loops integrally knitted therein.  
     
     
         10 . A circular knit garment comprising: 
 a main section integrally knit with an elastic band to define a first side and a second opposite side; and    a plurality of cushion loops integrally knit in said elastic band and extending from said first side.    
     
     
         11 . The garment as in  claim 10 , wherein said plurality of cushion loops are knitted with a loop density sufficient to mitigate a propensity of said elastic band to flip and/or to spread outward.  
     
     
         12 . The garment as in  claim 11 , wherein said loop density is in a range between about 0.125 and about 0.75.  
     
     
         13 . The garment as in  claim 11 , wherein said loop density is in a range between about 0.25 and about 0.625.  
     
     
         14 . The garment as in  claim 11 , wherein said loop density is about 0.375.  
     
     
         15 . The garment as in  claim 10 , further comprising said plurality of cushion loops integrally knit in main section.  
     
     
         16 . The garment as in  claim 10 , wherein said plurality of cushion loops comprise a stitch construction selected from the group consisting of a true terry loop, a float terry loop, a mock terry loop, and combinations of any of the foregoing.  
     
     
         17 . The garment as in  claim 10 , wherein the garment is selected from the group consisting of a brassiere, a pair of pantyhose, a stocking, a blouse, a leotard, a swimsuit, a pair of underwear, and a pair of panties.  
     
     
         18 . A circular knit garment comprising: 
 a main section integrally knit with an elastic band to define a first side and a second opposite side; and    a plurality of terry loops integrally knitted into an area of said elastic band with a selected knitted stitch pattern.    
     
     
         19 . The garment as in  claim 18 , wherein said selected knitted stitch pattern comprises a first course, a second course, a third course, and a fourth course.  
     
     
         20 . The garment as in  claim 19 , wherein said first course is knit with an elastic yarn having a one-by-one stitch or a knit-miss knit stitch.  
     
     
         21 . The garment as in  claim 20 , wherein said third course is knit with a jersey stitch.  
     
     
         22 . The garment as in  claim 19 , wherein said second and fourth courses are knit with a stitch selected from the group consisting of a true terry loop stitch, a float terry loop stitch, a mock terry loop stitch, and combinations of any of the foregoing.  
     
     
         23 . The garment as in  claim 22 , wherein said float terry loop stitch traverses at least one wale.  
     
     
         24 . The garment as in  claim 22 , wherein said float terry loop stitch traverses two wales.  
     
     
         25 . The garment as in  claim 18 , wherein said selected knit pattern comprises a loop density sufficient to mitigate a propensity of said elastic band to flip and/or to spread outward.  
     
     
         26 . The garment as in  claim 25 , wherein said loop density is in a range between about 0.125 and about 0.75.  
     
     
         27 . The garment as in  claim 25 , wherein said loop density is in a range between about 0.25 and about 0.625.  
     
     
         28 . The garment as in  claim 25 , wherein said loop density is about 0.375.  
     
     
         29 . The garment as in  claim 18 , further comprising said plurality of terry loops integrally knitted into an area of main section.  
     
     
         30 . The garment as in  claim 18 , wherein the garment is selected from the group consisting of a brassiere, a pair of pantyhose, a stocking, a blouse, a leotard, a swimsuit, a pair of underwear, and a pair of panties.