EP1713352A1

EP1713352A1 - Garment serving to combat cellulite and/or venous and lymphatic insufficiency

Info

Publication number: EP1713352A1
Application number: EP05717593A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Dominique Sellier
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Thuasne SA
Priority date: 2004-02-11
Filing date: 2005-02-09
Publication date: 2006-10-25
Anticipated expiration: 2025-02-09
Also published as: WO2005079610A1; US20110191931A9; EP1713352B2; FR2865905B1; US20070033696A1; EP1713352B1; DE602005010211D1; FR2865905A1; ATE410085T1; US20110208104A1

Abstract

The garment has elastic knitted semi-stickers (2, 2a) for retention of ankle and upper part of thigh by regressive pressure gradient. A projecting structure is placed on parts of inner (I) and outer sides of the garment in order to activate the structure during muscular exercises and during rapid walking or pedaling session, and to increase massage pressure during exercising at ground. The structure is placed on the parts of the inner and outer sides, to associate a presso-massage on cellulite zones and on collecting and evacuating zones for improvement of venous and lymphatic circulation.

Description

DESTINATION GARMENT; TO FIGHT AGAINST CELLULITE AND / OR AGAINST VENOUS AND LYMPHATIC INSUFFICIENCY

The present invention relates generally to a garment and more particularly a garment intended to help the wearer to fight cellulite and possibly venous and lymphatic insufficiency.

Many clothes have been proposed in the fight against cellulite. These garments are usually based on sweating. However, it is now accepted that sweating does not fight against hypertrophy of adipocytes.

Cellulite affects 95% of women, both thin and round. Cellulite or hydro-lipodystrophy corresponds to an enlargement of the fat located just under the skin, in the hypodermis, associated with retention of water and toxins.

Overweight is due to a storage of deep fat.

The causes of cellulite are multiple. They can be of endogenous origin with a genetic predisposition, poor circulation of the. blood, and also hormonal variations (cycle, pregnancy, menopause). They can also be of exogenous origin: mainly sedentary lifestyle, lack of physical activity or an unbalanced diet, but also stress and anxiety.

If the causes are numerous and the pathophysiological mechanisms still poorly understood, there are nevertheless two main factors which contribute to the aggravation of cellulite: - on the one hand the increase in the size of fat cells (adipocytes) by storage of fat, mainly linked to a food imbalance and a sedentary lifestyle.

- and on the other hand the increase in the infiltration of water into the tissues, linked to poor circulation of venous and lymphatic return. 5 A study with biopsy on the thighs of 48 cellulite women found a constant dilation of the venules of the adipose tissue visible both in the capillaries of the dermis and of the hypodermis associated with fat storage in the adipocytes. The same venous changes have also been observed by infrared thermography which shows a colder skin temperature in the cellulite areas.

As the fat cells grow, the self-maintenance process with depletion of blood circulation and stagnation of toxins takes place. The supporting connective tissue loses its elasticity and becomes fibrotic.

At an advanced stage, the cellulite becomes fibrous which gives the skin an infiltrated and quilted character with a typical “orange peel” appearance.

There are three clinical stages of "orange peel":

* - stage 1: when the padding appears on pinching

* - stage 2: when the capiton appears spontaneously when standing

* - stage 3: When the padding is permanently visible, whatever the position.

The “high frequency” ultrasound exploration makes it possible to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed treatments, by measuring the thickness of the dermo-h? Ypodermic pannicle and the infiltration of water into the tissues. Lack of physical activity and sedentary lifestyle promote fat storage. The muscles represent 20 to 25% of the body of women and as the muscular mass consumes energy even at rest, it is necessary to take care of its muscles and limit their involution with age. At 65, we lost 30% of muscle mass at 25. Regular physical activity has a long-term weight loss effect by reducing the production of insulin by the pancreas. Regular practice of a sport therefore acts as a real appetite suppressant. In addition, the fats seem to melt preferentially in the places where the muscles that are being worked are stimulated.

A strong medical consensus admits the benefit brought by the degressive restraint associated with walking in veno-lymphatic insufficiency. And we have known for a long time the beneficial effects of the contraction of the calf muscles by the activation of what is called the "calf muscle pump", which significantly stimulates the venous return of the lower limbs.

The plaintiff made the observation that due to the degression of the restraint (on average the pressure decreases in a ratio of around 40-50% between the ankle and the thigh) and Laplace's law, the action a compression pantyhose is no longer really effective in the thigh and pelvis.

According to Laplace's law, the external pressure (P) exerted by an elastic envelope, in particular a tights on a determined zone of the body is directly proportional to the tension (T) of the elastic envelope and inversely proportional to the radius of curvature (r ), of the envelope in said zone. This law is written by the formula: P = T / r

In which, (P) represents the pressure (g / cm2) exerted on the skin, (T) the tension (g / cm) of the elastic material and (r) the radius of curvature (cm) of the compressed surface.

Laplace's law is only valid for elastic fabrics, the term fabric being taken in its general acceptance, including woven and knitted structures.

For tissue with constant (given) tension, the pressure decreases as the radius of curvature of the limb increases.

Thus, the applicant has established that at the level of the upper third of the thigh, the compression of a compression pantyhose is no longer effective, on the muscular masses of the thigh, on the one hand because of the degressive pressure and, on the other hand because of the consequences of Laplace's law, this area being almost flat; the classic compression tights exert no effective compression. Since the radii of curvature of the lower limbs vary according to each location considered, it is very problematic to make pressure measurements in vivo. In fact, research and control laboratories define the pressure of compression stockings, by calculating from the characteristics of an elastic knit, the pressure exerted on a cylinder with a well defined radius. It is possible to decrease the degression of the elastic compression but this makes the garment on the one hand difficult to put on and, on the other hand to wear because anti-physiological on the venous and lymphatic return.

The applicant also made the finding that the manual lymphatic drainage drains the excess liquids bathing the cells and evacuates the waste coming from cellular metabolism. This drainage takes place through a first process known as “collection” carried out by the network of lymphatic capillaries located at the level of the infiltrated areas. The “capture” being the consequence of the local increase in tissue pressure by massage; the higher the pressure, the greater the uptake of excess fluids by the lymphatic capillaries.

The second drainage process consists of “evacuation”, away from the infiltrated region, of the elements taken up by the lymphatic capillaries towards the pre-collectors then the lymphatic collectors, the most important route of which is represented by the satellite collectors of the vein. great saphenous. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a garment which is active on the various self-maintenance mechanisms of cellulite leading to the installation of an "orange peel", in particular by being effective on local micro circulation and the "capture" of toxins and water and, on the venous and lymphatic macro circulation.

This object is perfectly achieved by the garment of the present invention which is intended to fight against cellulite and / or against venous and lymphatic insufficiency in, at least a determined area of a lower and / or upper limb, said garment comprising an elastic knitted envelope having an inner face and an outer face.

Typically the knitted envelope has a compression effect with a decreasing pressure gradient from the distal end of said member towards its proximal end and has a projecting structure in relief which is arranged on the part of the internal face corresponding to the area determined; said raised projecting structure has the function of locally modifying the curvature of the knitted envelope during wearing clothing; it is configured so as to increase the compression exerted by the garment in said determined zone, in application of Laplace's law.

It is the combination of degressive compression and local increase in compression due to the projecting relief structure that achieves the goal. The garment according to the invention enables activation of the local microcirculation and the capture of toxins and water by virtue of the projecting structure in relief disposed at the areas infiltrated by cellulite. It also allows activation of the venous and lymphatic macro circulation thanks to the degressive elastic restraint. This protruding relief structure located at the inside of the garment allows an increase in the pressure on the dermo-hypodermic tissue by modifying the radius of curvature locally without increasing the elastic compression at the proximal end of the upper limbs and lower. Such an increase would be prohibitive since it would call into question the degressive action of elastic restraint. The raised projecting structure is preferably in the form of a plurality of protrusions. It can be applied to knitting by printing with embossed deposits. It can be obtained during knitting by forming embossed stitches according to various techniques known per se, such as for example the “needle hooking”, “tray hooking” or “double needle” techniques making it possible to keep the relief even after putting on the garment and when the knit is extended.

Depending on the areas to be stimulated and according to the desired results, the projecting structure may present the reliefs in number and in variable size.

As they are a plurality of protrusions, they have a certain spacing between them, ensuring the ventilation of the area to which they are applied so as not to cause thermal rise and sweating. The protrusions preferably have a height (H) of less than 6 millimeters, for example having a height (H) of 0.5 to 3 mm with a spacing of the order of 1 to 3 times said height ().

The raised projecting structure can also contain active substances, for example micro-encapsulated, whether for cosmetic or hygienic purposes.

As indicated above, the projecting structure in relief on the inside of the garment will allow better capture of liquids and toxins in the infiltrated areas by achieving an increase in tissue pressures. It is placed at the level of the areas mainly affected by cellulite and, preferably, at the level of the saphenous vein-lymphatic collecting axes. Its action is increased during physical activity, especially when practicing a sport, by a massage effect which combines with the pressure effect. This press massage performed in the area or areas affected by cellulite will unclog the cellulite fibers by promoting the process of "capture" of liquids and toxins. In addition, the presence of the projecting structure in relief of the internal face along the superficial vein-lymphatic axes makes it possible to improve the “evacuation”, away from the infiltrated regions, of the elements taken up by the capillaries towards the most important collectors which They will also be stimulated by pressure variations during physical activity. A projecting structure in relief can also be arranged on the external face at the level of the areas of the body mainly concerned by cellulite in order to improve the tissue pressure during the exercises on the ground.

This garment finds its application on the level of the lower limbs in the form of shorts or a leotard for dancer - sometimes called leotard - and on the level of the upper limbs in the form of a T-shirt. In the latter case, a comfort piece can be used at the armpits to allow a pressure gradient to be obtained between the elbow and the shoulder. The practice of physical activity has the effect of acting on an important factor of lipogenesis (increase in fat cells) which is sedentary lifestyle. It is possible to improve the beneficial effects of physical activity, in particular sports, whatever it is, walking, cycling or weight training program by wearing the garment of the present invention. And even during the rest phase, the wearer of the garment of the invention benefits from the advantages and the comfort of a degressive elastic compression.

Other characteristics and advantages will emerge from the description which follows with reference to the appended schematic drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of underpants according to the invention, with a general front view showing the parts provided with a projecting structure on the internal face,

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of a pair of pants from FIG. 1 seen from the back,

FIG. 3 is a partial schematic representation of underpants showing the parts provided with a projecting structure on the outside face of the garment in a front view,

FIG. 4 is a partial schematic representation of the pants of FIG. 3 seen from the back,

Figures 5 and 6 schematically show, in section, the protrusions on the inner face in an area respectively without protuberance on the outer face (Figure 5) and with protrusions on the outer face of the elastic knitted fabric (Figure 6).

FIG. 7 is a schematic representation of a leotard for a dancer according to the invention,

Figures 8 and 9 schematically show a T-shirt according to the invention seen from the front (Figure 8) and back (Figure 9). We will now describe examples of implementation of the invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In Figure 1, the garment of the invention is a boxer shorts 1 shown seen from the front.

In known manner, it is composed of two half-tights 2,2 ′ connected by sewing 6 during manufacture, each being made on a knitting machine, straight or circular, under conditions well known to those skilled in the art. , to obtain a decreasing pressure gradient between zone 3 corresponding to the ankle and zone 4 corresponding to the upper part of the thigh. It has no foot in the illustrated embodiment. The compression values of boxer shorts 1 may vary depending on the desired effect. For exemple :

Any knitting or weaving process and any material capable of transmitting these tension values can be used. In the case of a severe venous or lymphatic insufficiency associated, the differential compression of 50% usually sought can be ensured by the installation under the garment of a compression brace of the hock type.

According to the invention, this declining elastic compression from the distal end to the proximal end of the member is combined with a projecting structure in relief on the inside and possibly outside face of the garment in order to associate with the improvement of the venous and lymphatic circulation, a presso-massage on the cellulitic zones and on the “collection” and “evacuation” zones. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, according to FIGS. 5 and 6, the protruding structure in relief is in the form of a plurality of protrusions 5.5 ′ fixed respectively to the internal face la and external lb of the garment 1.

These protrusions 5.5 ′, preferably hemispherical or in a half drop of water, are made, for example of plastic material, in particular semi-rigid, of elastomeric thermoplastic, of silicone or of composite.

These protrusions can also contain active substances according to the micro-encapsulation technique, whether for cosmetic or hygienic purposes.

Preferably, these protrusions 5.5 ′ have a diameter (D) less than 8 millimeters and a height (H) less than 6 millimeters. Their number and their dimensions are determined according to the zones to be stimulated and according to the desired effect.

In the embodiment shown, the protrusions 5 on the inner face 1a of the underpants are arranged in the following zone 20: the complete contour of the thighs (A), up to the top of the knee, on either side of the hips (B), the ankle contour (C) and on the inner side of the leg (D). Their beneficial action combined with degressive compression, intervenes in these areas (A, B, C, D) marked with dotted lines in the figures, in particular during specific muscular exercises relating to said areas or during a brisk walking or pedaling session. .

The protrusions 5 ′ on the outer face lb of the underpants are shown by way of examples in FIGS. 3 and 4. They allow, during floor exercises, to locally increase the massage pressure by a simple mechanical insertion of the protrusions in the skin . In this case, the protrusions of the inner face and the outer face of the sportswear are advantageously superimposed, to accentuate the effect of the mechanical penetration. The protrusions 5 ′, on the outer face 1b of the shorts 1, are arranged (FIGS. 3 and 4) only on the zone 21 corresponding to the contour of the upper thigh and laterally to the side of the thigh and the hip. In a variant, represented by FIG. 6, the garment 10 according to the invention is of the leotard type for dancer in which the underpants have an extension, without sleeves, covering the upper body.

In another variant, represented by FIGS. 8 and 9, the garment 11 according to the invention takes up the principle of elastic compression associated with a projecting structure in relief on the internal face and possibly external at the level of the zone 23 of the arms 12 As illustrated in FIG. 9, protrusions 5 which can contribute to the massage are also placed on a part of the back 13. A comfort piece 16 is used at the armpits to allow a pressure gradient to be obtained between the elbow 14 and the shoulder 15.

These protuberances can also contain active substances, in particular micro-encapsulated, whether for cosmetic or hygienic purposes.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and illustrated, given by way of non-exhaustive examples. In particular, the projecting structure in relief in the area or areas to be treated can be produced in any suitable form, subject to obtaining the technical effect of local increase in the compression exerted by the garment, due to the modification of the curvature. of the knitted envelope. It may in particular be a structure obtained during knitting, by creating extra stitches, sufficiently rigid so that they remain protruding when wearing the garment, in particular of the type of sport exercised with said garment.

Claims

1. Garment (1) intended to fight against cellulite and / or against venous and lymphatic insufficiency in at least one determined area of a lower and / or upper limb, comprising an elastic knitted envelope having an inner face (la) and an outer face (1b) characterized in that the elastic knitted envelope has a compression effect with a decreasing pressure gradient from the distal end of said member to its proximal end and in that it has a projecting structure in relief (5) disposed on the part of the inner face corresponding to said zone (20,23), said projecting structure being able to locally modify the curvature of the knitted envelope when wearing the garment so as to increase the compression exerted by the clothing in said area (20,23).

2. Garment according to claim 1, characterized in that, the protruding structure in relief consists of a plurality of protrusions (5), in particular, of substantially hemispherical shape, for example of plastic, preferably semi-rigid, of thermoplastic elastomer, silicone or composite.

3. Garment according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the projecting structure is formed by printing, with deposits in relief.

4. Garment obtained according to one of claims lou 2, characterized in that the projecting structure is obtained by forming raised stitches during knitting.

5. Garment according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, the projecting structure in relief of the inner face is disposed at the parts of the garment intended to be in contact with the areas affected by cellulite and collecting axes saphenous vein-lymphatics.

6. Garment according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, the raised projecting structure (5 ') is arranged on the outer face (lb) at the parts of the garment intended to be in contact with the areas ( 21) concerned by cellulite.

7. Garment according to claims 2 and 6, characterized by a plurality of protrusions (5 ') on the outer face (lb) of the garment superimposed protrusions (5) on the inner face (la) of the garment.

8. Garment according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the projecting structure in relief on the inner face contains active substances, in particular micro-encapsulated.

9. Garment according to any one of the preceding claims, of the T-shirt type (11), characterized in that it comprises a comfort piece (16) under the armpits in order to maintain the decreasing pressure between the elbow (14) and the shoulder (15).

10. Garment according to one of claims 2,6 or 7 characterized in that the protrusions (5) on the inner face (la) of the elastic envelope have a height (H) less than 6 mm, preferably l 'order of 0.5 to 3 mm, and are spaced from each other by a distance of the order of 1 to 3 times said height (H).