Knitted component including knit openings formed with releasable yarn
AssigneeNIKE, Inc.
InventorsAndreas I. Schoppel, Shannon J. Basa
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A knitted component includes a first yarn and a second yarn, where the first yarn comprises a thermoplastic material having a melting temperature. The first yarn is used to create window openings of different shapes and sizes within the knitted component. This is achieved by using the first yarn to releasably secure adjacent edges of a window opening. The first yarn is then heated to release, at least in part, the first yarn from the edges of the window opening, allowing the edges to separate and thereby form a window opening.
Claims20
An article of footwear, comprising:
- an upper, comprising:
- a textile that comprises:
- a plurality of openings each comprising:
- a first edge;
- and
- a second edge spaced-apart from the first edge,
- the first edge comprising a thermoplastic material that is fused such that the first edge curls, wherein the second edge curls less than the first edge.
An article of footwear, comprising:
- an upper, comprising:
- a textile defining a surface of the upper and comprising a plurality of openings, each opening comprising:
- a first edge comprising a first yarn,
- a second edge comprising a second yarn, the second edge spaced apart from the first edge to define the opening, and
- a monofilament that at least partially secures the first edge of the opening to the second edge of the opening.
An article of footwear, comprising:
- an upper, comprising:
- a knitted component, comprising:
- a plurality of window openings each comprising:
- a first edge;
- a second edge comprising a fused material, the first edge and the second edge spaced apart to define the opening;
- and
- a design region adjacent to the window opening that comprises at least one yarn in common with the first edge and/or the second edge.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.