FR2958842A1 - Protection cover manufacturing method for mold of orthopedic equipment that is utilized for sick or handicapped person, involves realizing thermoforming of complex, and forming thermoformed complex to produce protection cover - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves realizing a complex (C) resulting from juxtaposition of a foam (2) i.e. polyethylene foam, a reactivable film i.e. microperforated thermoplastic film, and a fabric (4) i.e. three-dimensional knit fabric, where the complex is assembled with capacity of relative sliding under effects of a heat source. Thermoforming of the complex is realized at a determined temperature by applying the complex on a mold of an orthopedic equipment. The thermoformed complex is formed to produce a protection cover. An independent claim is also included for a protection cover.

Description

The invention relates to the technical sector of orthoprosthesis.

More particularly, the invention relates to a method of manufacturing a protective cover adaptable to the form of an orthopedic equipment.

In general, an orthopedic technician makes tailor-made external devices resulting from an impression or molding of a sick or disabled person, for example, likely to present various osteo-articular, muscular or neurological pathologies or deficiencies.

As an indication, in no way limiting, among the devices used in orthoprosthesis, we can mention the seats, corsets, positioning devices, stabilizers, ...

In the following description, these different products will be referred to as the generic term of apparatus.

Generally, these devices comprise, for the most part, a rigid shell obtained by molding and have a specific lining to improve the comfort of the patient. These fittings result from a foam, for example a PE foam or other, also obtained by molding, to be adapted generally inside the rigid shell by being fixed by any known and appropriate means.

However, it has emerged that the use of this foam as a comfort pad has a certain number of disadvantages, among which there may be mentioned: significant risks of deterioration in the form of likely snags caused by the nails, rings, ...; - following problems of urinary incontinence, the foam becomes porous with, consequently, the risk of unpleasant odors; - maintenance difficulties; - the aesthetic aspect, since the colors tend to fade over time.

The object of the invention is to remedy these disadvantages in a simple, safe, effective and rational manner.

The problem to be solved by the invention is to be able to make a protective cover from a textile material capable of also ensuring a comfort pad for the patient.

To solve such a problem, it has been designed and developed a method of manufacturing a protective cover adaptable to the form of an orthopedic fitting apparatus, according to which: a complex resulting from the juxtaposition of a foam, a reactivatable film and a fabric assembled with relative slip capacity under the effect of a heat source; the thermoforming of the complex carried out at a given temperature is carried out, by applying it to the positive form of the apparatus; - The thermoformed complex is made to make the cover as such.

To solve the problem of ensuring the realization of the textile complex as such, in a first phase, the reactivatable film is assembled on the foam and, in a second phase, the textile on the face of the foam having said film. .

To solve the problem of obtaining a relative sliding effect of the textile and the foam relative to the reactivatable film, the foam is subjected to a flaming operation, the film is applied to said foam and the foam is subjected to the film at a calendering operation and then subjecting the foam having the film to a flaming operation, is applied to the film, the textile that is subjected to a calendering operation.

The slip phenomenon, at the time of thermoforming, is important to be sure to keep the desired shape.

According to other characteristics: the complex is subjected to a temperature of between 150 ° C. and 200 ° C .; the foam is a PE foam; the reactivatable film is a microperforated hot-melt film; the textile preferably has an airy structure and is preferably a knit-proof knit; the textile is a knit and, advantageously, a 3D knit.

The invention also relates to a cover, in particular a cover resulting from the process according to the invention having a complex structure resulting from the juxtaposition of a foam, a reactivatable film and a textile, said structure corresponding to the shape of the apparatus and has means adapted to envelop a portion of said apparatus to form the cover as such.

The invention is described below in more detail with reference to the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of the structure of the complex; FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of an example of a counterform obtained from a complex resulting from the various steps of the method according to the invention; FIG. 3 is a perspective view after making the complex to produce a cover as such and before setting up the cover on a shell serving as a seat; - Figure 4 is a perspective view after placement of the cover complex on the shell; - Figure 5 is a rear view corresponding to Figure 4.

As indicated, the problem to be solved by the invention is to provide a protective cover adaptable to the shape of any orthopedic appliances, with the objective that this cover also serves as a trim to improve the comfort of the patient.

The accompanying drawings show an example embodiment of a cover adaptable to a shell (1) in the form of a seat, it being understood that the invention can be applied to any type of apparatus, such as stabilizers, corsets, positioning devices, ... The shell (1) or other support frame, remains in the known manner and generally results from an impression or molding of a part of a patient.

According to the invention, a complex designated as a whole by (C) resulting from the juxtaposition of a foam (2), a reactivatable film (3) and a textile (4) is produced. The foam (2) is in the form of a plate, generally quadrangular in shape and whose dimensions depend on the equipment concerned. The thickness of the foam plate is generally between 3 mm and 30 mm. Similarly, this foam may be, in whole or almost all, PE. The reactivatable film (3) is advantageously a microperforated hot-melt film.

The textile (4) is generally shaped to obtain an airy structure. For example, the textile (4) is a 3D knit.

Considering the characteristics of this complex (C), the latter can be thermoformed on the positive form of the apparatus considered. The method of producing the complex (C) and the cover, after the thermoforming operation, is described below.

The foam plate (2) is subjected to a flaming operation to soften its surface condition. The film (3) is then applied to the foam plate (2) thus softened, the assembly (foam (2) + film (3)) then being subjected to a calendering operation, preferably cold calendering.

In a second step, the plate (2) with the film (3), under the conditions indicated above, are subjected to another flaming operation. The textile (4) is then applied to the film (3) of the foam (2), the assembly (foam (2) + film (3) + textile (4)) then being subjected to a calendering operation, in particular The complex (C) thus formed is then subjected to a temperature of between 150 ° C and 200 ° C. For example, the complex (C) is introduced for a few minutes in an oven, heated to a temperature of the order of 170 ° C. The complex is then shaped on the positive of the apparatus. As a result, a thermoformed complex (C) is obtained. Then just make the complex, to make the cover as such. For example, once the basic shape is formed, the complex is cut to the general shape of the apparatus and contours (5) are produced which will be assembled at the periphery of the complex (C). These contours (5) can be made in different materials and are shaped to cover a part of the apparatus, in order to maintain the cover in combination possibly with fastening means, such as self-gripping type ribbons. These contours (5) may, for example, be made from a fabric having elastic capacities.

The method according to the invention therefore makes it possible to obtain a complex structure (C) resulting from the juxtaposition of a foam (2), a reactivatable film (3) and an aerated textile (4). This structure, corresponding to the shape of the apparatus, serves as a lining to improve the comfort of the patient and has means (5) capable of wrapping a portion of said apparatus to form the cover as such.

The advantages are apparent from the description, in particular it emphasizes and recalls: - the comfort obtained, - the elimination of the risk of snagging and tearing, - the possibility of washing, - the possibility of subjecting the complex to antibacterial treatment - the possibility of removing, at will, the cover, - the holding in time both in terms of intrinsic quality and visual appearance.

Claims (7)

1. A method of manufacturing a protective cover adaptable to the shape (1) of an orthopedic equipment, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: - a complex (C) resulting from the juxtaposition of a foam (2), a reactivatable film (3) and a textile (4), assembled with relative slip capacity under the effect of a heat source; the thermoforming of the complex (C) brought to a given temperature is carried out by applying it to the positive form (1) of the apparatus; - The thermoformed complex (C) is made to make the cover as such. - 2- Method according to claim 1, characterized in that in a first phase, the reactivatable film (3) is assembled on the foam (2) and, in a second phase, the textile (4) on the face of the foam (2) having said film (3). - 3- Method according to one of claims 1 - 2, characterized in that the foam (2) is subjected to a flaming operation, the film (3) is applied to said foam (2) and the foam ( 2) with the film (3) at a calendering operation, then the foam (2) presenting the film (3) is subjected to a flame-forming operation, the textile (4) is applied to the film (3) it is subjected to a calendering operation. - 4- Method according to one of claims 1 - 3, characterized in that the complex is subjected to a temperature between 150 ° C and 200 ° C.- 5. Method according to one of claims 1 - 4, characterized in that the foam (2) is a PE foam. - 6. Method according to one of claims 1 - 5, characterized in that the reactivatable film (3) is a microperforated hot melt film. - 7- Method according to one of claims 1 - 6, characterized in that the textile (4) has a ventilated structure. -8- A method according to claim 7, characterized in that the textile is a knit, in particular a 3D knit. Protective cover adaptable to the shape of an orthopedic appliances, characterized in that it has a complex structure resulting from the juxtaposition of a foam (2), a reactivatable film (3) and an aerated textile (4), said structure corresponding to the shape of the apparatus and has means (5) capable of wrapping a part of said apparatus to constitute the cover as such .. -10- Protective cover obtained directly by the process according to any of claims 1-8.