Sock Bond

Abstract

An article of clothing, which can be a sock; a system comprising two or more articles of clothing; and a method of washing articles of clothing. The article of clothing includes a connection means to attach to another article of clothing. The connection means is machine washable and allows two articles of clothing to be kept together throughout a washing process.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An article of clothing comprising:
 an inside having a uniform surface;   an outside having a uniform surface; and   a connection means fixed to one of the uniform surface of the inside or the uniform surface of the outside, wherein the connection means is operable to attach to one or more additional articles of clothing.   
     
     
         2 . The article of clothing of  claim 1 , wherein the article of clothing is configured to fit over a human foot, wherein:
 when the article of clothing is over a human foot, at least part of the inside is in contact with the human,   when the article of clothing is over a human foot, the outside is not in contact with the human, and   the connection means is fixed to the uniform surface of the inside.   
     
     
         3 . The article of clothing of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the connection means is a strap stitched to the uniform surface of the outside, wherein the connection means can attach to the one or more additional articles of clothing by inserting the one or more additional articles of clothing partially through a loop created by the strap and the uniform surface of the outside.   
     
     
         4 . The article of clothing of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the connection means is a loop of material stitched to the uniform surface of the outside, wherein the connection means can attach to the one or more additional articles of clothing by inserting the one or more additional articles of clothing partially through the loop.   
     
     
         5 . The article of clothing of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the connection means comprises the same material as the inside and outside, and is fixed to the uniform surface of the inside or the uniform surface of the outside by being formed using the same thread as the inside and outside.   
     
     
         6 . The article of clothing of  claim 1 , wherein the connection means comprises a material that can withstand temperatures over 176 degrees Fahrenheit without losing its ability to attach to the one or more additional articles of clothing. 
     
     
         7 . A system comprising:
 a first article of clothing comprising:
 an inside having a uniform surface; 
 an outside having a uniform surface; and 
 a connection means fixed to one of the uniform surface of the inside or the uniform surface of the outside; and 
   a second article of clothing attached to the first article of clothing through application of the connection means.   
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein:
 the connection means is fixed to one of the uniform surface of the inside or the uniform surface of the outside through stitching;   the connection means forms a loop through which the second article of clothing can be at least partially inserted; and   the connection means is applied by inserting the second article of clothing partially through the connection means.   
     
     
         9 . A method for using an article of clothing having a connection means, the method comprising:
 inserting a first sock partially through a loop formed on a side of a second sock;   inserting the two socks, together, into a washing machine, by grasping only one of the first sock or the second sock;   running the washing machine;   moving the two socks, together, into a dryer, by grasping only one of the first sock or the second sock;   running the dryer; and   removing the two socks, together, from the dryer, by grasping only one of the first sock or the second sock.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the loop is formed of a material that can stretch more than fifty percent of its original length without yielding. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the loop is stitched to the side of the second sock.