Patent Application
20200308738
This disclosure generally relates to an anti-slip portion of a knitted product. More particularly, this disclosure relates to a knitted anti-slip fabric portion of a device or garment that may be used, for example, in compression hosiery or a knee brace.
Numerous innovations are disclosed herein, each having multiple aspects that can be included in various embodiments of the innovations. One innovation is a knitted orthopedic medical device comprising a knitted article including a knitted anti-slip portion, the anti-slip portion having a knitted surface including a repeating pattern of yarns. In an embodiment, the repeating pattern of yarns can include a first low friction yarn, a high friction yarn, and a second low friction yarn. In an example, the first low friction yarn can be a 1/70/34 S twist nylon yarn, the first high friction yarn can be a 200 dtex silicone yarn, and the second low friction yarn can be a 1/70/34 Z twist nylon yarn. In another embodiment, the repeating pattern of yarns can include a first low friction yarn, a first high friction yarn, a second low friction yarn and a second high friction yarn. In an example, the first low friction yarn can be a 1/70/34 S twist nylon yarn, the first high friction yarn can be a 200 dtex silicone yarn, the second low friction yarn can be a 1/70/34 Z twist nylon yarn, and the second high friction yarn comprising 200 dtex silicone yarn. The high friction yarns are held in position with the first and second low friction yarns. The high friction yarn is exposed to contact the wearer's skin in the anti-slip portion so as to increase the anti-slip properties of the garment.
Embodiments of such articles may have one or more additional aspects (or features). In an embodiment, the repeating pattern of the yarns is a jersey stitch. In an embodiment, the repeating pattern is a tuck stitch. In an embodiment, the repeating pattern is a float stitch. Other repeating patterns may also be used. In an example of an article that the anti-slip portion can be knitted into, the knitted article is compression hosiery. The compression hosiery can include a proximal end and a distal end and is shaped to closely fit on a portion of the leg of the wearer of the compression hosiery such that the proximal end is higher on the leg than the distal end, where the knitted anti-slip portion is knitted as a portion of the proximal end. The anti-slip portion can be knitted into the article at an end of the article, e.g., the inside of a welt. In one example, the anti-slip portion on the compression hosiery can be knitted into the article to contact a portion of the leg of a wearer of the compression hosiery between the knee and the ankle. In another example, the anti-slip portion on the compression hosiery can be knitted into the article to contact a portion of the user's leg between the knee and the hip. A knee brace is another example of a knitted article that can incorporate the knitted anti-slip portion. In an embodiment, the knee brace can include a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the knee brace is configured to cover a portion of the leg of a wearer of the knee brace such that the proximal end is higher on the leg than the distal end, where the knitted anti-slip portion is arranged on a portion of the proximal end. In an embodiment, the knee brace can include a proximal end and a distal end, where the knee brace is configured to cover a portion of the leg of a wearer such that the proximal end is higher on the leg than the distal end, where the knitted anti-slip portion is arranged on a portion of the proximal end and the distal end. An elbow brace is another example of an article that can incorporate the anti-slip portion. Such articles include a knitted portion (e.g., the body of the article) that is not part of the knitted anti-slip portion. The body of the article and the knitted anti-slip portion are both formed in the article on the same knitting machine.
Another innovation includes a method of knitting a therapeutic medical device that includes a knitted article and a knitted anti-slip portion. The method can include knitting, using a knitting machine, at least a section of an article, the section of the article not having an anti-slip portion, and on the knitting machine without removing the article, knitting an anti-slip portion of the article, the anti-slip portion having yarns arranged in a repeating pattern, yarns can include a first low friction yarn comprising a 1/70/34 S twist S twist yarn, a first high friction yarn comprising 200 dtex silicone yarn, a second low friction yarn comprising a 1/70/34 Z twist yarn, and a second high friction yarn comprising 200 dtex silicone yarn.
Embodiments of such methods may have one or more additional processes or aspects. In various embodiments of the method, the repeating pattern of the yarns can be a jersey stitch, a tuck stitch, or a float stitch. Other repeating patterns may also be used. In an example of an article that the anti-slip portion can be knitted into using such methods, the knitted article is compression hosiery. In another example, the knitted article is a knee brace or an elbow brace. Such articles include a knitted portion (e.g., the body of the article) that is not part of the knitted anti-slip portion. The body of the article and the knitted anti-slip portion are both formed in the article on the same knitting machine.
Another innovation includes a knitted orthopedic article having a first knitted section and a second knitted section continuously knit from the first knitted section, the second knitted section having an anti-slip portion including a repeating pattern of yarns. In an embodiment, the repeating pattern of yarns only includes a first low friction yarn comprising a 1/70/34 S twist yarn, a first high friction yarn comprising 200 dtex silicone yarn, a second low friction yarn comprising a 1/70/34 Z twist yarn, and a second high friction yarn comprising 200 dtex silicone yarn, the high friction yarns exposed in the repeating pattern to contact the skin of a wearer of the article so as to increase the anti-slip properties of the garment. In another embodiment, the repeating pattern of yarns only includes a first low friction yarn comprising a 1/70/34 S twist yarn, a high friction yarn comprising 200 dtex silicone yarn, and a second low friction yarn comprising a 1/70/34 Z twist yarn, the high friction yarns exposed in the repeating pattern to contact the skin of a wearer of the article so as to increase the anti-slip properties of the garment.
The disclosed aspects will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings and appendices, provided to illustrate and not to limit the disclosed aspects, wherein like designations denote like elements.
The following detailed description is directed to certain specific features and embodiments of the invention. As the description provided herein allows for various changes and numerous embodiments, particular exemplary embodiments will be illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the written description. However, the invention can be embodied in a multitude of different ways. It should be apparent that the aspects herein may be embodied in a wide variety of forms and that any specific structure, function, or both being disclosed herein is merely representative of one or more embodiments of the invention. An aspect disclosed herein may be implemented independently of any other aspects and that two or more of these aspects may be combined in various ways. For example, a device may be implemented, or a method may be practiced, using any number of the aspects set forth herein. In addition, such a device may be implemented or such a method may be practiced using other structure, functionality, or structure and functionality in addition to, or other than one or more of the aspects set forth herein. Accordingly, the description is not intended to limit the present disclosure to particular modes of practice, and it is to be appreciated that all changes, equivalents, and substitutes that do not depart from the spirit and technical scope of the present disclosure are encompassed in the present disclosure. In the description provided herein, certain detailed explanations of related art are omitted when it is deemed that they may unnecessarily obscure the essence of the present disclosure.
Therapeutic medical compression garments are used on a relatively wide scale to assist in the management of venous and lymphatic disorders. The purpose of such garments is to counter the effects of elevated pressures internally within the human anatomy caused by gravity or disease processes. They may also be used by inactive, bedridden individuals to help prevent a thromboembolic event. The purpose of such garments in this case is to maintain directional flow of blood, thereby helping to reduce the risk of thrombus formation in the superficial and deep veins.
More specifically, therapeutic stockings typically have a rather precisely defined and controlled pressure profile to effect a predetermined compression of the interstitium of the leg. Therapeutic medical gradient compression garments are designed to provide sufficient external circumferential counter pressure to maintain the venous and lymphatic pressures at a more normal level in the extremity, thus assisting the movement of venous blood and lymph from the extremity. Another important effect of compression is the reduction of venous volume. Reduction of venous volume leads to an increase of venous flow velocity. While the exact mechanism of action of gradient compression therapy are still being studied, improvements in skin and subcutaneous tissue microcirculatory hemodynamics may contribute to the benefits of compression therapy. Edema reduction and edema prevention is the goal in patients with chronic venous insufficiency, lymphedema, and other edema causing conditions. Subcutaneous pressures increase with elastic compression. This rise in subcutaneous tissue pressure acts to counter transcapillary forces, which favor leakage of fluid out of the capillary.
There are a variety of therapeutic medical gradient compression garments on the market today. For example, therapeutic stockings of various descriptions are available. Unfortunately, current therapeutic stockings have a tendency to slip down the leg of the wearer, thereby detracting from the benefits of the stocking. To prevent slipping, available therapeutic stockings may include an elastomeric band. However, the addition of elastomeric bands on current articles requires a separate manual sewing operation, which increases the costs of production. Thus, there remains a need for an effective, inexpensive therapeutic medical compression garment that will resist slipping down the leg of the wearer.
One object of the invention is to form a knitted anti-slip portion that is incorporated on an orthopedic article. In an example, the anti-slip portion is incorporated on one or more portions of compression hosiery, for example, on a welt that is positioned on a wearer's leg above the knee or below the knee. In another example, the anti-slip portion is incorporated on one or more portions of a knee brace. In another example, the anti-slip portion is incorporated on one or more portions of an elbow brace. In another example, the anti-slip portion is incorporated on one or more portions of an ankle brace. Preferably, the anti-slip portion is knitted with a combination of high friction and low friction yarns on a knitting machine used for making the main portion of the article. The anti-slip portion is knitted into the article to be on a portion of the article that contacts a wearer's skin.
Selection of specific combinations of yarns described herein can form the anti-slip portion. In one example, the anti-slip portion is formed by knitting using one high friction yarn and two low friction yarns. In another example, the anti-slip portion is formed by knitting using two high friction yarns and two low friction yarns. The high friction yarn can be a silicone yarn having a weight of about 180 decitex (dtex) to about 220 dtex. The high friction yarn can be a silicone yarn having a weight of about 190 decitex (dtex) to about 210 dtex. In one example, high friction yarn of the anti-slip portion can be a silicone yarn with a weight of about 200 dtex. In another example, a high friction yarn of the anti-slip portion can be silicone yarn with a weight of 200 dtex. In another example, a high friction yarn of the anti-slip portion can be a silicone yarn with a weight of less than 205 dtex. The term “about” as used herein, in the context of describing another number, is meant to indicate a range of plus or minus 10% of that number. For example, “about 100” generally refers to a range of 90 to 110.
The knitted anti-slip portion is knitted into the article as part of the knitting process for the article, instead of being sewn onto the article. There can be many advantages to knitting the anti-slip portion into the article. First, because it is part of the knitted product and not a separate piece that is attached to a product, it may cost less because it can be fabricated with the article instead of being attached in a separate step. Second, it may have a better aesthetic look, being more appealing to a buyer because it looks more integrated into the product. Third, it may be easier to manufacture because such an anti-slip portion can be created on the same knitting machine as the article is being made. Fourth the anti-slip portion may have a softer, more likable “feel” than a separately sewn on band as the knitting of the article transitions directly to the anti-slip portion. Fifth, it may be more effective than a separately sewn on band because it can provide anti-slip functionality and less compression on a portion of the product that is closer to the heart. Generally, compression products should have a greater compression on the portion of the product that is farthest from the heart. To stop it from slipping, compression hosiery that is thigh high requires an anti-slip portion that contacts a user's thigh (for example, at the mid-thigh of a user) but does not provide compression on the user's thigh that is greater than compression provided on the user's leg in areas that are farther away from the user's heart. Similarly, a soft knee brace requires an anti-slip portion that contacts a user's thigh, several inches above the knee. Because of the general “funnel” shape of the thigh, the anti-slip portion is required to be highly compressive, that is, tight around the thigh, which is contrary what is trying to be addressed by using a compression product. This invention allows in anti-slip portion to be formed that contacts a user's thigh, and effectively prevents slipping while providing less compression on the user's limb, thus allowing the compression product to be more compressive on the portions of the product that are farther from the heart.
On the products with the anti-support is implemented, the anti-slip portion is knitted into the product using the same machine that knits the product. Because the product is not removed from the machine while the anti-slip portion is knitted into the product, one or more noncontiguous anti-slip portions may be included on a product. That is, for a product, the anti-slip portion can include one or more anti-slip knitted sections.
In an, embodiment, the anti-slip portion includes an arrangement of yarns, one high friction yarn fed on 2 different feeds of 200 dtex silicone yarn, and 2 low friction yarns (e.g., 1/70/34 S twist, 63 dtex and 1/70/34/Z twist 63 dtex). The compression force of the anti-slip portion may be determined based on the size of the cylinder, the needles, the knitting pattern, programming of the knitting machine, and/or the yarn. The invention may be used on soft knee braces and compression hosiery, as well as other products that are disposed against the user's skin and desired to be kept in place, for example, socks, stump covers, compression products used on animals (e.g., horses), compression tights, compression tops, arm sleeves, leg sleeves and other sporting apparel, as well as creating flat knitting that is then used in a product.
Referring now to the figures,
The stocking 100 includes a welt 120 at a proximal end 115. A “welt” as used herein is a broad term generally relating to a configuration where a knitted fabric is folded back onto itself at a fold 131 to form a portion of the stocking 100. The folding of the knitted fabric forms an inside wall 128 and an outside wall 129, where “inside” and “outside” are relative terms indicting the direction a portion of a fabric faces on an article in its normal configuration for wearing by a user. That is, the “inside” wall 128 includes a surface that faces towards a body portion (e.g., arm or leg) of a wearer of the article, and the “outside” wall 129 includes a surface that faces away from a body portion.
The welt 120 extends around the stocking 100 and includes the outside wall 129 and the inside wall 128. The welt 120 extends from a welt looping line 132, where the folded back fabric is attached to the body 105, to a top fold 131 of the welt 125 at the proximal end 115 of the stocking 100. The stocking 100 is folded to define the top fold 131, and the top fold 131 joins the outside wall 129 and the inside wall 128. An anti-slip portion 125 is knitted on a least a portion of the welt 125 inside wall 128 such that the anti-slip portion 125 is positioned to be adjacent and contacting a portion of the leg of the wearer of the stocking 100. The anti-slip portion 125 can extend from a lower end 126 to an upper end 127 of the inside wall 128. The anti-slip portion 125 can extend uniformly on the entire circumference of the inside wall 128. In some embodiments, the anti-slip portion 125 is included on all, or substantially all, of the inside wall 128. Certain features of the welt 120 in the anti-slip portion 125 are further described in reference to
As illustrated in
A welt inside bottom portion 134 extends from the lower end 126 of the anti-slip portion 125 to the welt in loop line 132, which is where the welt 123 attaches to the body portion 105. A portion of the anti-slip portion 125 labeled “A” is shown in
The low friction yarns may be S-twist or Z-twist. S-twist yarn is a yarn spun counter-clockwise and is normally used to create right-handed twill. Z-twist yarn is spun the opposite direction and used to create left-handed twill. By opposing the direction of the yarn and the direction of the twill, the finished material is softer than fabric created with a corresponding yarn and twill weave. When a sewing thread is constructed, it is made up of multiple strands, usually two or three strands (also referred to as plies or ply) twisted together, although some may have as many as six or eight strands twisted together. The initial twist (or first twist) for the individual strands should be an S twist. These strands are then twisted together in a final Z twist to form the thread. There are a few threads that have the opposite twist. Some hand quilting thread, knitting, and weaving threads have a final S twist. If you use a thread with an opposite twist, the thread will loosen instead of tighten as you sew with it.
In the example in
Although high friction yarns with various weights can also be sued, an anti-slip portion having a knit pattern using one or two (or more) silicone 37/63 200 dtex yarn and two low friction yarns is preferred in many embodiments. The jersey knit stitch pattern does not form a raised texture on the anti-slip portion 125, as can be preferable in various embodiments. The characteristics of the low friction yarns 405, 415 in other examples can be different, and they can be of any other suitable material. The anti-slip portion 125 that is formed by the jersey stitch illustrated in
In the example in
In the example in
Non-orthopedic articles may also include anti-slip portions. For example, a mock rib can be created by the high friction yarn incorporated in the fabric. The ribbing can be constructed using a 1×1, 2×1, 3×1 ribbing can be made by selection the needles to a tuck position and then laying the elastic yarn into the fabric. In another example, high friction yarns can be used (e.g., as a sliced-in yarn) in high wear areas of a stocking to create various size and shaped anti-slip zones. In another example, sandwich terry is where you use the sinker to sandwich the nylon yarn between the terry yarn in the inside of the fabric and also brought to the outside of the fabric. The fabrication of the sandwich terry can include high or low friction yarns.
Some additional examples of embodiments of a knitted orthopedic device are described below.
Embodiment A includes a knitted orthopedic medical device, comprising a knitted article including a knitted anti-slip portion, the anti-slip portion having a knitted surface including a repeating pattern of yarns, the repeating pattern of yarns including a first low friction yarn comprising a 1/70/34 S twist yarn; a first high friction yarn comprising 200 dtex silicone yarn; a second low friction yarn comprising a 1/70/34 Z twist yarn; and a second high friction yarn comprising 200 dtex silicone yarn, wherein said first and second high friction yarn is held in position with said first and second low friction yarns, said high friction yarns exposed to contact the wearer's skin in the anti-slip portion so as to increase the anti-slip properties of the garment. Other examples of an orthopedic medical device can include Embodiment A and one or more additional features. For example, Embodiment B can include the features of Embodiment A, wherein said repeating pattern is a jersey stitch. Embodiment C can include the features of Embodiment A, wherein said repeating pattern is a tuck stitch. Embodiment D can include the features of Embodiments A, wherein said repeating pattern is a float stitch. Embodiment E can include the features of any one of Embodiments A-D, wherein said knitted article is compression hosiery. Embodiment F can include the features of Embodiment E, wherein the compression hosiery comprises a proximal end and a distal end and is shaped to closely fit on a portion of a user's leg such that the proximal end is higher on the leg than the distal end, and wherein the knitted anti-slip portion is knitted as a portion of the proximal end. Embodiment G can include the features of Embodiment F, wherein said anti-slip portion is structured on the article to contact a portion of the user's leg between the knee and the ankle. Embodiment H can include the features of Embodiment F, wherein said anti-slip portion is structured to contact a portion of the user's leg between the knee and the hip. Embodiment I can include the features of Embodiments A-D, wherein said knitted article is a knee brace. Embodiment J can include the features of Embodiment I, wherein the knee brace comprises a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the knee brace is configured to cover a portion of a user's leg such that the proximal end is higher on the leg than the distal end, and wherein the knitted anti-slip portion is arranged on a portion of the proximal end. Embodiment K can include the features of Embodiment I, wherein the knee brace comprises a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the knee brace is configured to cover a portion of a user's leg such that the proximal end is higher on the leg than the distal end, and wherein the knitted anti-slip portion is arranged on a portion of the proximal end and the distal end. Embodiment L can include the features of Embodiment J, wherein the anti-slip portion on the proximal end is positioned on the knee brace to contact a portion of a wearer's leg between the knee and the hip. Embodiment M can include any of Embodiments A-L, wherein said article further comprises a first knitted portion that is not part of the knitted anti-slip portion, the first knitted portion comprising a repeating pattern of yarn different than the knitted anti-slip portion, the first knitted portion and the knitted anti-slip portion both formed in the garment on the same knitting machine.
Embodiment N include a method of knitting a therapeutic medical device that includes a knitted article and a knitted anti-slip portion, the method comprising, on a knitting machine, knitting at least a section of an article, the section of the article not having an anti-slip portion; and on the knitting machine without removing the article, knitting an anti-slip portion of the article, the anti-slip portion having yarns arranged in a repeating pattern, yarns including a first low friction yarn comprising a 1/70/34 S twist S twist yarn, a first high friction yarn comprising 200 dtex silicone yarn, a second low friction yarn comprising a 1/70/34 Z twist yarn, and a second high friction yarn comprising 200 dtex silicone yarn. Embodiment O can include the features of Embodiment N, wherein said repeating pattern is a tuck stitch. Embodiment P can include the features of Embodiment N, wherein said repeating pattern is a float stitch. Embodiment Q can include the features of Embodiments N-P, wherein said article is compression hosiery. Embodiment R can include the features of Embodiment Q, wherein said compression hosiery comprises a proximal end and a distal end and is configured to cover a portion of a user's leg such that the proximal end is higher on the leg than the distal end, and wherein the knitted anti-slip portion is knitted as a portion of the proximal end. Embodiment S can include the features of Embodiments N-R, wherein said article is configured such that the proximal end contact's the leg of a wearer below the knee when the article is worn. Embodiment T can include the features of Embodiments N-R, wherein said article is configured such that the proximal end contact's the leg of a wearer above the knee when the article is worn. Embodiment U can include the features of Embodiments N-R, wherein said article is configured such that the proximal end contact's the leg of a wearer at the knee when the article is worn. Embodiment V can include the features of Embodiments N-P, wherein said article is a knee brace. Embodiment W can include the features of Embodiment V, wherein the knee brace comprises a proximal end and a distal end and is configured to cover a portion of a user's leg around the knee such that the proximal end is higher on the leg than the distal end, and wherein the knitted anti-slip portion is knitted as a portion of the proximal end. Embodiment X can include the features of Embodiment V, wherein the knee brace comprises a proximal end and a distal end and is configured to cover a portion of a user's leg around the knee such that the proximal end is higher on the leg than the distal end, and wherein the knitted anti-slip portion is knitted as a portion of the distal end. Embodiment Y can include the features of Embodiment V, wherein the knee brace comprises a proximal end and a distal end and is configured to cover a portion of a user's leg around the knee such that the proximal end is higher on the leg than the distal end, and wherein the knitted anti-slip portion is knitted as a portion of the proximal end and the distal end.
Embodiment Z includes a knitted orthopedic article, comprising a first knitted section; and a second knitted section continuously knit from the first knitted section, the second knitted section having an anti-slip portion including a repeating pattern of yarns, the repeating pattern of yarns consisting of a first low friction yarn comprising a 1/70/34 S twist yarn; a first high friction yarn comprising 200 dtex silicone yarn; a second low friction yarn comprising a 1/70/34 Z twist yarn; and a second high friction yarn comprising 200 dtex silicone yarn, the high friction yarns exposed in the repeating pattern to contact the skin of a wearer of the article so as to increase the anti-slip properties of the garment.
Most of the terms used herein are general terms that have been widely used in the technical art to which the exemplary embodiments pertain. However, some of the terms used herein may be created reflecting intentions of technicians in this art, precedents, or new technologies. Further, some of the terms used herein may be arbitrarily chosen by the present applicant. In this case, these terms are defined in detail below. Accordingly, the specific terms used herein should be understood based on the unique meanings thereof and the whole context of the present disclosure.
As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. Expressions such as “at least one of,” when preceding a list of elements, modify the entire list of elements and do not modify the individual elements of the list. Headings are included herein for reference and to aid in locating various sections. These headings are not intended to limit the scope of the concepts described with respect thereto. Such concepts may have applicability throughout the entire specification.
The previous description of the disclosed implementations is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the present disclosure. Various modifications to these implementations will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other implementations without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure. Thus, the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the implementations shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/826,364, filed Mar. 29, 2019, titled “Knitted Anti-Slip Article,” which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62826364 | Mar 2019 | US |
