EP1746189B1 - Core yarn intended for use in a support garment and associated support garment - Google Patents

Abstract

The yarn (10) has an elastic central core (11) and a covering yarn (12) made of translucent material, where the covering yarn is wrapped around the central core by helically winding around the central core. The covering yarn is made of a synthetic material selected from the group comprising translucent elastanes, transparent fibers of ethylene-olefin copolymer, translucent polyesters and polyamides. An independent claim is also included for a remedial-support article constituted by a covered yarn.

Description

The present invention relates to the field of compression articles, and more particularly the son which are intended to constitute at least a portion of a contention article, that is to say at least the essence of said contention article .

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Articles of contention, particularly orthoses, have been in existence for over fifty years. This field has given rise to constant research to improve the comfort and discretion of the articles, particularly in the case of compression stockings, without affecting the technical characteristics associated with the restraint exerted on the member concerned.

In particular, for the purpose of therapeutic efficacy, the orthosis must be adapted and worn. There is therefore a constant need to have contention articles that are as discreet as possible, in particular have a relative transparency, like the lows of city.

Thus, in the compression stockings, there is then a problem inherent in the presence of a weft yarn in the knitted structure, which weft is elastic, natural or synthetic material, and ensures by its elasticity the function of contention. However, the weft yarn typically has a diameter much greater than the diameter of the knitted ground yarn which constitutes the main part of the bottom, so that this weft yarn is generally the most conspicuous.

To make the article of contention more discreet, one could naturally imagine using small-diameter weft threads. Such an approach has indeed been used in the field of swimsuits for swimmers, by providing a knitting zone formed with a low-titre wrapping thread (see for example the document US-A-5,987,933 , whose teaching is primarily directed towards the search for a transparent knitting zone and another opaque zone consisting of elastic yarns gimped by polyamide thread). This approach was also used for a restraint article (see for example the document FR-A-2,789,301 ), but it is not satisfactory because, by choosing son having a much finer titration to have a certain transparency effect, there is a risk of losing the desired therapeutic effect due to insufficient section.

It is also known to use weft yarns wrapped with a thread or with a synthetic or natural fiber. The wrapping is conventionally used to provide some protection against wear, friction, or exposure to ultraviolet radiation, or to control the elongation of the elastic core of the wrapped yarn. It should be noted that, for the wrapping, we always use a material, synthetic or natural, which has no effect in relation to a possible transparency of the article.

The document US-A-2002/108405 (& US6,725,691 B2 ) discloses a medical compression stocking comprising a conventional knitted ground yarn, and a particular weft yarn which is formed of a resilient central core and one or two cover yarns which are wrapped around the central core the or each cover wire being a bicomponent elastic yarn, with an elastomer core and a thermoplastic polymer sheath. It is certainly indicated that this medical bottom presents in the alternative, some transparency, but it is neither indicated nor even suggested that the cover wire is, or can be, made of translucent material.

Finally, to complete the technological background, mention may be made of the document US-A-4,106,313 which describes a compressive fabric made by knitting a double yarn formed of a translucent and undyed component, and a dyed component, as well as the document FR-A-2,172,463 which describes an "invisible" sewing thread formed by twisting two strands of translucent polymer, which thread is not elastic, and the document DE-A-199 15 298 which describes an effect knitted garment whose thread consists of a non-elastic core and a transparent thermoplastic coating.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The aim of the invention is to design a covered yarn intended to constitute at least a part of an article of contention, the structure of which makes it possible to obtain an article as discreet or transparent as possible, without impairing the technical capabilities of contention. exercised by that article.

The invention also aims to design contention articles which include such a guiped thread.

GENERAL DEFINITION OF THE INVENTION

The aforementioned technical problem is solved according to the invention with a guiped thread intended to form at least a portion of a compression article, said wrapped thread being remarkable in that it is formed of an elastic core of translucent material , and at least one cover wire, also translucent, which is wrapped around the central core.

Thus, thanks to its structure composed exclusively of translucent materials, it is ensured to have a guiped yarn significantly contributing to make the article of contention as invisible as possible, while ensuring a certain therapeutic effect.

Preferably, the central core of the gimped yarn is translucent elastane.

It may further be provided that the cover son or son are both translucent and elastic. In particular, the cover son or son may be of synthetic material selected from the group comprising translucent elastane and translucent fibers of ethylene-olefin copolymer.

Alternatively, it can be provided that the cover son or son are translucent but are not elastic. Advantageously then, the cover son or son are synthetic material selected from the group comprising polyamides and translucent polyesters.

The cover wire or wires may be wrapped around the central core by helical winding around said central core, or alternatively by intermingling with said central core.

In the particular case of a gimped yarn intended to constitute a weft yarn associated with a knitted yarn, it is advantageous to provide that the central core and the covering yarn (s) are chosen and / or treated so as to remain translucent when staining the knitted yarn. Thus, when the article of contention concerned is a compressive orthosis, it is customary to proceed to a step of coloring the knitted white product, in order to give the desired color shade for the article. The quality what could be described as "colorophobic" of the weft yarn makes it possible to preserve the desired discretion, despite the coloration of the knitted background yarn.

The invention also relates to an article of contention of which at least the essential is constituted by a wrapped thread having at least one of the aforementioned characteristics.

According to a first embodiment, the compression article is produced by knitting the aforementioned gimped yarn. It may then be for example a band or an elastic belt.

According to another embodiment, when it is a contention article of the type comprising a knitted ground thread and a weft yarn, it can be provided that the weft yarn is constituted by the covered yarn, the bottom wire being constituted by a traditional thread. This will be the case, for example, for compressive orthoses, in particular compression stockings or sleeves for arms, or articles for burns, or worn after surgery, in particular cosmetic surgery.

Alternatively, for a contention article of the type comprising a knitted ground yarn and a weft yarn, it can be provided that the weft yarn and the bottom thread are both constituted by the aforementioned yarn guiped. We can then obtain a degree of transparency even more homogeneous.

Other features and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly in the light of the description which follows and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

• la figure 1 illustre un fil guipé conforme à l'invention, qui est ici à double couverture, c'est-à-dire avec deux fils de couverture inversés ;
• la figure 2 illustre une autre variante de fil guipé conforme à l'invention, à simple couverture, c'est-à-dire avec un seul fil de couverture ;
• la figure 3 illustre un article de contention réalisé en totalité à partir du fil guipé précité, lequel article est ici du type bracelet ou ceinture de contention ;
• la figure 4 illustre à échelle très agrandie le détail A de l'article de la figure 3, ce qui permet de bien distinguer la structure tricotée à partir du fil guipé précité ;
• la figure 5 illustre un bas de contention dont l'essentiel est réalisé en utilisant un fil guipé du type précité ;
• la figure 6 illustre à échelle très agrandie le détail B du bas de la figure 5, et permet de distinguer le fil de fond tricoté qui est ici de type traditionnel, et deux fils de trame constitués par le fil guipé précité ; et
• la figure 7, analogue à la figure 6, illustre une autre variante dans laquelle le fil de fond tricoté est également constitué par le fil guipé précité, de sorte que ledit fil guipé sert à réaliser l'ensemble de la partie principale du bas de contention.

Reference will be made to the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which:

• the figure 1 illustrates a covered yarn according to the invention, which is here double cover, that is to say with two inverted cover son;
• the figure 2 illustrates another variant of gimped yarn according to the invention, single cover, that is to say with a single cover wire;
• the figure 3 illustrates a contention article made entirely from the above-mentioned thread, which article is here of the type of strap or compression belt;
• the figure 4 illustrates on a very enlarged scale the detail A of the article of the figure 3 which makes it possible to clearly distinguish the knitted structure from the aforementioned gimp yarn;
• the figure 5 illustrates a compression stocking which is essentially made using a guiped thread of the aforementioned type;
• the figure 6 illustrates on a very enlarged scale the detail B of the bottom of the figure 5 and makes it possible to distinguish the knitted ground yarn which is here of traditional type, and two weft yarns constituted by the aforementioned yarn; and
• the figure 7 , analogous to the figure 6 , illustrates another variant in which the knitted ground yarn is also constituted by the thread guiped above, so that said wrapped thread is used to achieve the entire main part of the compression stocking.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The Figures 1 and 2 illustrate a gimped wire 10 according to the invention, which is intended to constitute at least a portion of a restraint article.

According to an essential characteristic of the invention, the wrapped thread 10 is formed of an elastic central core 11 of translucent material, and at least one cover thread 12, also of translucent material, which is wrapped around the central soul 11.

On the figure 1 , the wrapped thread 10 comprises two cover threads wound in opposite helices, according to a conventional technique of double wrapping. On the figure 2 it is a variant of a gimped yarn comprising a single cover yarn 12, according to a technique also well known simple guipage.

In the present case, a wrapper was illustrated in which the two figure 1 ) or the single wire ( figure 2 ) of cover are wrapped around the central core 11 by helical winding around said central core.

Alternatively, another covering technique may be used, in particular covering the covering thread (s) by intermingling with the central core. The intermingling wrapping is conventionally performed by means of jets of pulsed air (so-called "air jet" technique).

The translucent nature of the constituent materials of both the elastic core and the cover son or son 12 ensures a high degree of transparency for the gimped thread 10.

As will be seen later, this high degree of transparency is particularly interesting when the wrapped thread 10 constitutes the weft thread in a compression article, which weft thread is inserted transversely into the knitted structure using the thread background, without entering the structure of the mesh, said weft yarn then having for unique function to ensure the contention of the member carrying the article of contention.

The constituent son or son of the central elastic core 11 may be translucent elastane, or any other similar translucent material.

One could for example make use of fiber already widely used in the manufacture of stockings, such as the fibers sold under the brand LYCRA ^® by the company INVISTA, or the fibers sold under the brand Dorlastan ^® by Bayer, or yet the fibers sold under the brand Clearspan ^® by the company RADICI SPANDEX, or finally the fibers sold under the brand Roica ^® by Asahi Kasei.

The cover son or 12 may be both translucent and elastic.

It should also be noted in this respect that it is quite unusual to provide a covering with an elastic thread on a soul itself elastic.

In this case, the one or more cover wires 12 may be made of synthetic material, in particular a material chosen from the group comprising translucent elastanes and translucent ethylene-olefin copolymer fibers. In particular for these latter fibers, it is possible to choose the fibers marketed under the reference DOWXLA by the company DOW CHEMICAL. It should be noted that the aforementioned fibers are certainly already used in the field of compression articles, but only to achieve elastic core core wrapped son.

It may alternatively be provided that the or the cover son 12 are translucent, but are not elastic. For example, we can predict that the Cover yarns are made of synthetic material selected from the group consisting of polyamides and translucent polyesters. It should be noted, however, that these materials are generally quite difficult to work because of their limited flexibility, so that this embodiment will generally be more difficult to implement than the previous embodiment in which the or the cover wires 12 are both translucent and elastic.

On the figure 3 , there is shown a contention article 20 of the type bracelet, or band, or belt contention.

The figure 4 gives an illustration, on a very large scale, of the detail A of the aforementioned article of contention 20, and it is found in this case that the article of contention 20 is here wholly achieved by knitting the gimped yarn 10 of the type supra. Each knit of the knit is thus made from the yarn 10 comprising an elastic central core 11 made of translucent material, and at least one covering yarn 12, also of translucent material. For the sake of simplicity, a wire has been illustrated by single wrapping by spiral winding around the central core, but it goes without saying that it will be possible to provide a double wrapping or a multiple wrapping, or alternatively another type of wrapping. covering such as wrapping intermingling with the central core, without departing from the scope of the invention.

The figure 5 illustrates another contention article according to the invention, which is here a compressive orthosis such as a compression stocking 30.

The compression stocking 30 comprises a main part 31, which is equipped below with a heel 32 and a point 33, and superiorly with a non-slip band 34. This anti-slip strip 34 is connected to the main part of the bottom 31 by a seam 35, and it has, on its inner face, one or more silicone strips 36. As such, it may be referred to the document EP-A-0 621 024 of the applicant, which describes a particularly effective anti-slip band structure.

The Figures 6 and 7 illustrate, on a very large scale, the detail B of the main portion 31 of the compression stocking 30.

In the case of a compression stocking, it is expected, as usual, a knitted thread (noted F) and a weft thread (noted T).

On the figure 6 , there is thus a thread F made by knitting a wire 15. In this case, it is a traditional thread, such as those commonly used to make compression stockings, the chosen material can be for example polyamide.

The weft thread T, which is inserted in the knit made with the thread F, without entering the structure of the mesh of said knit, is constituted by a threaded thread 10 of the aforementioned type.

In the present case, a weft is provided for one of two rows of knitting, but this is naturally only an example, and we can provide a weft thread for each row, or for a rank three or four.

There is illustrated in this case a single cover gimped thread 10, that is to say that the elastic central core 11 of translucent material is coated with a single cover wire 12 also translucent material.

According to another advantageous characteristic, it will be interesting to provide that the central core 11 and the cover son (s) 12 are chosen and / or treated so as to remain translucent in case of coloration of the knitted ground yarn F. The "colorophobic" character of the weft yarn constituted by the aforementioned yarn guipé allows to preserve any the desired transparency as well as the functional characteristics despite a subsequent coloring step of the article, which coloring relates to the knitted structure with the background thread. This "colorophobic" character can be obtained either by the very nature of the constituent materials of the central core and the cover son or son, or as a result of a treatment, for example a soaking, avoiding the impregnation of the thread guiped by the coloring liquid.

On the figure 7 a variant in which the weft yarn T and the bottom yarn F are both constituted by the above-mentioned yarn 10 is illustrated. Here again, for the sake of simplicity of representation, yarn with a single yarn is provided. cover 12.

We can naturally modulate the screening according to the contention effect sought for the article concerned.

It should be noted that wrapping with one or more elastic cover threads does not paradoxically interfere with the functional exercise of the desired compression. In this case, the elasticity of the central core will indeed be controlled by the proper tightening of the turns around said core. Thus, by suitably adjusting the tension of the core and the pitch of the winding helix of the cover wire or wires, it will be possible to obtain, for this translucent gimped yarn, an overall elasticity comparable to that of the gimped yarns. traditionally used for compression stockings.

It has thus managed to achieve highly discreet compression articles and a significantly higher transparency than traditional compression articles, and while retaining the technical characteristics ensuring the required contention.

The comparative tests carried out by the Applicant, by measuring the "transparency" in a closed black box in which are successively arranged a light source (hologen lamp of 150 watts), a frosted glass to diffuse the light homogeneously and a frame carrying a part of the article to be tested, as well as a luxmeter-type light sensor measuring the luminous flux passing through the article, made it possible to observe, by reference to a coefficient of transparency (in%) constituted by the ratio of the luminous flux passing through the frame with the article on the luminous flux passing through the frame without the article, a transparency of 49%, compared to a transparency of 33% for a previous low, which represents an increase in the order of 50% for transparency.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments that have just been described, but on the contrary covers any variant using, with equivalent means, the essential characteristics mentioned above.

Claims (13)

1. A covered yarn (10) for constituting at least a portion of a remedial-support article, the yarn being characterized in that it is formed of an elastic central core (11) of translucent material, and of at least one covering yarn (12), likewise of translucent material, and wrapped around the central core (11).
2. A covered yarn (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the elastic central core (11) is made of translucent elastane.
3. A covered yarn (10) according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the or each covering yarn (12) is both translucent and elastic.
4. A covered yarn (10) according to claim 3, characterized in that the or each covering yarn (12) is made of a synthetic material selected from the group comprising translucent elastanes and transparent fibers of ethylene-olefin copolymer.
5. A covered yarn (10) according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the or each covering yarn (12) is translucent, but not elastic.
6. A covered yarn (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that the or each covering yarn (12) is made of synthetic material selected from the group comprising translucent polyesters and polyamides.
7. A covered yarn (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the or each covering yarn (12) is wrapped around the central core (11) by being wound helically about said central core.
8. A covered yarn (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the or each covering yarn is wrapped around the central core (11) by being entangled with said central core.
9. A covered yarn (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, for constituting a weft yarn (T) associated with a knitted face yarn (F), the covered yarn being characterized in that its central core (11) and covering yarn(s) (12) are selected and/or processed in such a manner as to remain translucent in the event of the knitted face yarn (F) being dyed.
10. A remedial-support article in which at least its essential portion is constituted by a covered yarn (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 9.
11. A remedial-support article according to claim 10, characterized in that it is made by knitting the above-specified covered yarn (10).
12. A remedial-support article according to claim 10, of the type comprising a knitted face yarn (F) and a weft yarn (T), the article being characterized in that the weft yarn (T) is constituted by the above-specified covered yarn (10), the face yarn (F) being constituted by a traditional yarn.
13. A remedial-support article according to claim 10, the article being of the type comprising a knitted face yarn (F) and a weft yarn (T), the article being characterized in that the weft yarn (T) and the face yarn (F) are both constituted by the above-specified covered yarn (10).

Images