Patent ID: 6263707
Filing Date: 2001-07-24
Classification: D04B,D10B

Abstract:
A method of forming an opaque heat-moldable, circular knit fabric comprising spandex in an amount of at least 24% by weight of the fabric, said method comprising the steps of:(a) providing at least one thread of spandex fiber and at least one non-spandexcontaining thread;(b) delivering said threads to a needle bed under constant tension;(c) feeding said threads into a needle bed while simultaneously elongating said spandex thread to 100% of its total stretch capability;(d) introducing said elongated spandex thread and said non-spandex-containing thread within a carrier fabric comprising at least one fiber selected from the group consisting of polyamide, polyester, cotton, wool, ramie, acetate, polyurethane, and any blends thereof;(e) pulling said threads into the loop construction of the resultant circular knit fabric; and(f) knitting at least one non-spandex-containing float per repeated knit pattern into the fabric structure; and, as an optional step,(g) incorporating the circular knit fabric into a garment.