Double knit upper comprising functional tucked-in yarns

Abstract

A double layer knitted element includes a first layer comprising a first yarn, a second layer comprising a second yarn, and a third yarn arranged at least in part between the first and second layer. The third yarn is attached to at least one of the first layer and the second layer by a plurality of tuck stitches, wherein there is at least one miss stitch between two successive tuck stitches of the third yarn.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A double layer knitted element comprising:
 a first layer comprising a first yarn;   a second layer comprising a second yarn; and   a third yarn arranged at least in part between the first and second layer, wherein the third yarn is attached to at least one of the first layer and the second layer by a plurality of tuck stitches, and wherein there is at least one miss stitch between two successive tuck stitches of the third yarn.   
     
     
         2 . The double layer knitted element of  claim 1 , wherein the third yarn comprises a functional yarn. 
     
     
         3 . The double layer knitted element of  claim 2 , wherein the functional yarn is at least one of a melting yarn, thermoplastic polyurethane yarn, water repellent yarn, volume yarn, puff yarn, natural fiber yarn, cellulose yarn, hybrid yarn, anti-microbial yarn, or a conductive yarn. 
     
     
         4 . The double layer knitted element of  claim 2 , wherein the functional yarn is a yarn with at least one of the following properties: heat resistance, UV protection, moisture absorbance, water resistance, heat retention, chemical resistance, flame resistance, or moisture wicking capability. 
     
     
         5 . The double layer knitted element of  claim 2 , wherein the functional yarn is a yarn with at least one of the following properties: compression, shrinkability, cushioning, conduction, insulation, or durability. 
     
     
         6 . The double layer knitted element of  claim 1 , wherein the third yarn is attached to only one of the first and second layer by tuck stitches in the respective layer. 
     
     
         7 . The double layer knitted element of  claim 1 , wherein the third yarn is attached to at least one of the first and the second layer by immediately successive tuck stitches. 
     
     
         8 . The double layer knitted element of  claim 1 , wherein a ratio between the number of tuck stitches and the number of miss stitches varies within a course. 
     
     
         9 . The double layer knitted element of  claim 1 , wherein the ratio between the number of tuck stitches and the number of miss stitches is 1:1, 1:2, or 1:3. 
     
     
         10 . The double layer knitted element of  claim 1 , wherein a distance between two successive tuck stitches is less than 2.54 cm. 
     
     
         11 . The double layer knitted element of  claim 1 , wherein the first yarn of the first layer is attached to the second layer by tuck or loop stitches, or the second yarn of the second layer is attached to the first layer by tuck or loop stitches. 
     
     
         12 . The double layer knitted element of  claim 1 , wherein the third yarn is knitted at least twice in between two knitting rows. 
     
     
         13 . The double layer knitted element of  claim 1 , wherein the third yarn is partially knitted in a certain portion of the knitting row. 
     
     
         14 . The double layer knitted element of  claim 1 , wherein the third yarn is attached to the first layer by a plurality of tuck stitches, and wherein the third yarn is not visible at the second layer. 
     
     
         15 . The double layer knitted element of  claim 1 , wherein the thickness of the third yarn varies within the knitted element. 
     
     
         16 . The double layer knitted element of  claim 1 , wherein the third yarn is provided in repetitive structures, jacquard structures, or in spacer-based structures. 
     
     
         17 . The double layer knitted element of  claim 1 , wherein the element is manufactured by intarsia, interlock, plating, inverted plating, or inlay techniques. 
     
     
         18 . An upper for a shoe comprising a double layer knitted element of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         19 . A shoe comprising:
 the upper of  claim 18 ; and   a sole attached to the upper.   
     
     
         20 . A method of manufacturing a double layer knitted element, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing a first layer comprising a first yarn;   providing a second layer comprising a second yarn; and   arranging a third yarn at least in part between the first and second layer, wherein the third yarn is attached to at least one of the first and second layer by a plurality of tuck stitches, and wherein there is at least one miss stitch between two successive tuck stitches of the third yarn.