Knitted mesh fabric

A process of warp knitting a resiliently stretchable mesh fabric, said method comprising:

• (a) feeding a plurality of warp threads to a warp knitting machine in accordance with a predetermined knit pattern;
• (b) knifing the warp threads together in a predetermined knit pattern to form an open, generally planar framework of longitudinally and transversely extending knitted threads defining spaces between the threads;
• (c) feeding a plurality of resiliently, longitudinally extendible threads to the warp knitting machine;
• and
• (d) laying the resiliently extendible threads in the open, generally planar framework in at least one direction thereof during said knitting of the open framework so that the open framework is contracted in the at least one direction when the extendible threads are in a relaxed or non-extended condition, wherein the threads of the framework are generally in the plane of the open framework and contract into the spaces so as to partially close the spaces in the contracted framework.

A knifed mesh fabric, comprising:

• an open, generally planar framework of knitted inelastic threads including rows of spaced apart, knitted threads;
• and
• a plurality of elastic threads laid along the rows of threads, and weaving between opposite sides of respective inelastic thread rows;
• the open framework being contracted when the elastic threads are in a unstretched condition, the threads of the framework remaining generally in the plane of the contracted framework and the rows of threads folding in a zigzag configuration into spaces between the rows so as to partially close the spaces, whereby extending the contracted framework in a direction of the rows causes the elastic threads to resiliently stretch and the rows of inelastic threads to unfold so as to open the spaces.