Printed sock with changeable appearance when cuffed

Abstract

An outer appearance of a printed sock is changed when a cuff is formed. An outer graphic pattern is printed on an outer surface of a leg-covering portion of the printed sock. An inner graphic pattern is printed on an inner surface of a cuff portion of the printed sock. The inner printed graphic pattern is outwardly visible when the cuff is formed and changes the outer appearance of the printed sock.

1 . A sock, comprising:
 a foot-covering portion into which a foot of a wearer is inserted when the sock is worn;   a generally tubular, leg-covering portion into which a leg of the foot is inserted when the sock is worn, the leg-covering portion being integral with the foot-covering portion and having an upper, generally tubular, cuff portion foldable over the leg-covering portion to form a cuff, the leg-covering portion having an outer surface that faces away from the leg, and the cuff portion having an inner surface that faces the leg when the cuff is not formed;   an outer graphic pattern printed on the outer surface of the leg-covering portion, the outer printed graphic pattern being outwardly visible when the sock is worn; and   an inner graphic pattern printed on the inner surface of the cuff portion, the inner printed graphic pattern not being visible when the cuff is not formed, and the inner printed graphic pattern being outwardly visible when the cuff is formed.   
     
     
         2 . The sock of  claim 1 , wherein the cuff portion terminates in an upper, annular edge, and wherein the inner printed graphic pattern extends to the upper, annular edge. 
     
     
         3 . The sock of  claim 1 , wherein the cuff portion terminates in an upper, annular edge, and wherein the outer printed graphic pattern extends to the upper, annular edge. 
     
     
         4 . The sock of  claim 1 , and an annular fold line on the leg-covering portion, and wherein the cuff portion is foldable about the annular fold line. 
     
     
         5 . The sock of  claim 4 , wherein the fold line is situated on the leg-covering portion at a position in which the inner printed graphic pattern completely covers the outer printed graphic pattern when the cuff is formed. 
     
     
         6 . The sock of  claim 4 , wherein the fold line is situated on the leg-covering portion at a position in which the inner printed graphic pattern partially covers the outer printed graphic pattern when the cuff is formed. 
     
     
         7 . The sock of  claim 1 , wherein the outer printed graphic pattern has an upright orientation, and wherein the inner printed graphic pattern has an orientation that is inverted relative to the upright orientation. 
     
     
         8 . The sock of  claim 1 , wherein the cuff portion terminates in an upper, annular edge; wherein the inner printed graphic pattern extends to the upper, annular edge; and an annular fold line situated on the leg-covering portion; and wherein the inner printed graphic pattern partially covers, and merges continuously with, the outer printed graphic pattern when the cuff portion is folded about the annular fold line. 
     
     
         9 . A method of changing an outer appearance of a sock, comprising:
 inserting a foot of a wearer into a foot-covering portion of the sock;   inserting a leg of the foot into a generally tubular, leg-covering portion of the sock, the leg-covering portion having an outer surface that faces away from the leg;   folding an upper, generally tubular, cuff portion over the leg-covering portion to form a cuff, the cuff portion having an inner surface that faces the leg when the cuff is not formed;   printing an outer graphic pattern on the outer surface of the leg-covering portion, the outer printed graphic pattern being outwardly visible when the sock is worn; and   printing an inner graphic pattern on the inner surface of the cuff portion, the inner printed graphic pattern not being visible when the cuff is not formed, and the inner printed graphic pattern being outwardly visible when the cuff is formed.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , and configuring the cuff portion to terminate in an upper, annular edge, and extending the inner printed graphic pattern to the upper, annular edge. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , and configuring the cuff portion to terminate in an upper, annular edge, and extending the outer printed graphic pattern to the upper, annular edge. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the folding is performed by folding the cuff portion about an annular fold line situated on the leg-covering portion. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , and situating the fold line on the leg-covering portion at a position in which the inner printed graphic pattern completely covers the outer printed graphic pattern when the cuff is formed. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , and situating the fold line on the leg-covering portion at a position in which the inner printed graphic pattern partially covers the outer printed graphic pattern when the cuff is formed. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 9 , and configuring the outer printed graphic pattern with an upright orientation, and configuring the inner printed graphic pattern with an orientation that is inverted relative to the upright orientation. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 9 , and terminating the cuff portion in an upper, annular edge; and extending the inner printed graphic pattern to the upper, annular edge; and wherein the folding is performed by folding the cuff portion about an annular fold line situated on the leg-covering portion such that the inner printed graphic pattern partially covers, and merges continuously with, the outer printed graphic pattern. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein each printing is performed by heat transfer.