WO2010007243A1

WO2010007243A1 - Elastic sleeve with visco-elastic liner for protecting part of a limb

Info

Publication number: WO2010007243A1
Application number: PCT/FR2009/000818
Authority: WO
Inventors: Damien Millet; Odile Grange
Original assignee: Millet Innovation
Priority date: 2008-07-17
Filing date: 2009-07-02
Publication date: 2010-01-21
Also published as: FR2933851B1; FR2933851A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for protecting an area of a limb of the human body, comprising a sleeve (2) made of an elastic material, and a first liner layer (4) fixed on a face (2b) of the sleeve, the first liner layer comprising a visco-elastic polymer gel to ensure load distribution and having an adhesive outer face (4a) for affixing to the skin, partially covered by a section of permeable material (3, 34) in order to limit the occlusive power of the first liner layer on the skin, the device comprising a second, shock-absorbing liner layer (5) superposed on the first liner layer.

Description

ELASTIC SLEEVE WITH VISCOELASTIC TRIM FOR PROTECTING A PART OF A MEMBER

The present invention relates to sleeve-shaped protections adapted to the members of the human body.

The members of the human body, and in particular the extremities and joints of the limbs, can be exposed to numerous stresses and shocks, giving rise to injuries or conditions that require means of protection or care. This is the case for example knees, and more specifically tibial tuberosities pilgrims praying or people to work on their knees as tilers or floor layers. This can also be the case also elbows and knees of sports practitioners such as rollerblading. In addition, people with diseases that cause the formation of bone growths such as multiple exostosis disease, can be relieved by protecting the affected areas.

There are various structures and shapes of sleeves comprising viscoelastic materials for this purpose. In particular, tubular sleeves consist solely of viscoelastic polymers. The disadvantage of these sleeves is that the polymer tube must combine mechanical properties of elasticity, strength, viscoelasticity and reduced size which are contradictory and are not combined satisfactorily to the detriment of the physiological effects of the sleeve. Woven sleeves comprising a liner made of a viscoelastic material are also known. These sleeves have the disadvantage of having a large footprint, the fabric and the trim to have a significant thickness due to the poor mechanical properties of the materials used. In addition, to solve the problem of industrial production of a tubular fabric sleeve, it uses knitted fabrics large mesh at the expense of the thickness and the sleeve strength and comfort of the user.

There are also viscoelastic materials having a certain adhesive power to maintain the protection on the skin. Certain polymer gels, such as certain silicone gels, have such an adhesive power. However, these materials are generally completely watertight. As a result, they tend to cause exudation when they come into contact with the skin for an extended period of time, resulting in inconvenience to the user. In addition, the filling then tends not to remain on the area to be protected.

It is therefore desirable to provide protection for an area of a limb of the human body, especially in the vicinity of a joint, which can be maintained on the area to be protected without unduly favoring perspiration. It is also desirable that this protection is capable of ensuring a good load distribution over a protruding zone, as well as a significant damping in the event of an impact. It is also desirable that this protection is easy to manufacture, and in particular that its manufacture can be easily automated. In one embodiment, there is provided a device for protecting an area of a limb of the human body comprising a sleeve made of a permeable and elastic material, and a first lining layer attached to one face of the sleeve. According to one embodiment, the first layer of filling comprises polymer gel viscoelastic to provide a load distribution, and has an adhesive outer face for adhering to the skin, partially covered with a piece of permeable material to limit the occlusive power of the first layer of lining on the skin, the device comprising a second cushioning lining layer superimposed on the first layer of lining.

According to one embodiment, the permeable part partially covering the adhesive face of the first layer of gasket is made of a microporous material adhering naturally to the silicone gel.

According to one embodiment, the permeable part contains a polyolefin that can be loaded with silica.

According to one embodiment, the second lining layer is fixed on the sleeve.

According to one embodiment, a part is fixed on the sleeve so as to form with the sleeve a pocket with two opposite openings in which the second layer of packing is inserted, and two flaps each covering one of the two openings and a part of the adhesive side of the first lining layer.

In one embodiment, the flaps are formed in the permeable piece attached to the sleeve.

According to one embodiment, the flaps are formed by the sleeve.

According to one embodiment, the second lining layer is made of a closed cell foam.

According to one embodiment, the sleeve is made by assembling two opposite edges of a piece of fabric along an assembly line.

According to one embodiment, the sleeve is elastic in at least one direction.

According to one embodiment, the first layer of filling is in a self-adhesive silicone gel. In one embodiment, a method of manufacturing a protective device is also provided. an area of a human body member comprising a sleeve of a permeable and elastic material, and a first layer of liner attached to one face of the sleeve. According to one embodiment, the first gasket layer comprises viscoelastic polymer gel to provide load distribution, and has an adhesive outer face capable of sticking to the skin, the method comprising steps of: securing ^at least a part a permeable material partially covering the adhesive side of the first lining layer to limit the occlusive power of the first lining layer on the skin, and attaching a second lining of cushioning lining so that it is superimposed on the first layer of filling. According to one embodiment, the permeable part is made of a microporous material adhering naturally to the silicone gel.

According to one embodiment, the permeable part contains a polyolefin that can be loaded with silica. According to one embodiment, the second lining layer is fixed on the sleeve.

According to one embodiment, the method comprises the steps of: assembling the sleeve with a piece so as to form between the sleeve and the part a pocket with two opposite openings, fix two flaps on the sleeve so that each flap covers one of the two openings and a portion of the adhesive face of the first lining layer, and insert the second lining layer into the pocket by one of the two openings.

According to one embodiment, the method comprises steps of fixing the first layer of lining on the sleeve, introduction of the piece into the sleeve, folding of opposite edge regions of the part on the first layer of lining, to form the flaps, and attachment to the sleeve of side edges of the workpiece and flaps.

According to one embodiment, the method comprises steps of fixing the first lining on the workpiece, placing the workpiece on the sleeve, folding the flaps integral with the sleeve on the workpiece, and fixing on the sleeve of the lateral edges of the workpiece. and flaps.

According to one embodiment, the flaps are fixed on the sleeve at the same time as the part. According to one embodiment, the method comprises a step of assembling two opposite edges of a workpiece to form the sleeve.

According to one embodiment, the second layer of filling is a closed cell foam. According to one embodiment, the sleeve is elastic in at least one direction.

According to one embodiment, the first layer of filling is in a self-adhesive silicone gel.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention will be described in the following, by way of nonlimiting example, with reference to the appended figures among which:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a protection device according to one embodiment, FIG. 2 is a front view of the protection device of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the protection device of FIG. 1,

FIGS. 4A to 4C are cross-sectional views of the protection device of FIG. 1 at different stages of manufacture;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a protection device according to another embodiment, FIG. 6 is a front view of the protection device of FIG. 1, FIGS. 7A to 7D show the protection device of FIG. 5 at different stages of manufacture,

FIG. 7A is a front view of a part used to manufacture a sleeve of the protection device,

FIG. 7B is a front view of the sleeve,

FIG. 7C is a sectional view of the sleeve of FIG. 7B and additional parts before their assembly on the sleeve,

FIG. 7D is a sectional view of the protective device of FIG. 5 in a ready-to-use configuration; FIG. 8 is a front view of a tubular strip in which sleeves can be cut to form the protection device of Figure 5,

- Figure 9 is a cross sectional view of a protection device according to another embodiment.

Figures 1 to 3 show a protection device according to one embodiment. The protective device 1 comprises a sleeve 2 on which are fixed a first layer of lining 4 and a piece 3. The first layer 4 is fixed on a face 2b of the sleeve. The part 3 is fixed to the sleeve 2 by two lateral attachment lines 31, 32 so as to partially cover another face 2a of the sleeve 2 and to form two flaps 33, 34 partially covering the first layer 4. The part 3 thus forms with the sleeve 2 a pocket having two opposite openings covered by the flaps 33, 34.

The flaps 33, 34 on the layer 4 reduce the area of direct contact between the skin and the layer 4 and thus reduce the occlusive power of the layer 4. This results in a reduction of the user's discomfort related to the exudation caused by layer 4.

The outer surface 4a of the layer 4 has sufficient adhesiveness to stick to the skin and thus ensure the maintenance of the protective device on the area to be protected for several hours.

According to one embodiment, the first layer of lining 4 comprises a polymer gel, for example a silicone gel. The layer 4 may for example be made from a partially polymerized mixture of several silicone oils, which has the advantage of being self-adhesive on the skin. This self-adhesive nature, in itself conventional, results from the polymerization process of the mixed silicone oils which is not complete. In this way, the material has, after polymerization, a matrix structure retaining unpolymerized silicone oils. The layer 4 may be fixed on the sleeve, for example by gluing. The gel forming the layer 4 for example has a polymethylsiloxane matrix structure and in particular polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) which retains unpolymerized silicone oils, which comprise dimethicone or a mixture of dimethicone and vinyl dimethicone. The thickness of the layer 4 is preferably between 1 and 4 mm, for example of the order of 2 mm.

The layer 4 can for example be made in

EPITHELIUM 26® or EPITHELIUM 29®, materials developed by MILLET INNOVATION. These materials have a remarkable load-distributing power and are slightly adhesive.

The sleeve 2 is for example made of a polyamide elastane fabric. The piece 3 can also be made of the same material and be fixed on the sleeve, by lateral attachment lines 31, 32 for example by sewing or ultrasonic welding.

According to one embodiment, a second layer of lining 5 can be introduced into the pocket. The layer 5 may have damping properties The lining layers 4 and 5 are thus superimposed to complement each other by ensuring both good load distribution and effective shock absorption. Thanks to the flaps 33, 34, the layer 5 is not likely to exit the bag unexpectedly.

The layer 5 may comprise a closed-cell foam, for example rubber. Thus the layer 5 is for example made of a material marketed by MILLET INNOVATION under the trademark PHYSIOCHOC®. The thickness of the layer 5 is limited to a value of between 1 and 5 mm, for example 3 mm, so as not to penalize the size of the protective device.

Figures 4A to 4C show the protection device 1 at different stages of manufacture. In FIG. 4A, the sleeve 2 is made from a strip 25 whose opposite edges are fixed by a seam 21 or an ultrasonic weld. The sleeve 2 thus has an inner face 2a and an outer face 2b. The sleeve can also be made by seamless weaving. In FIG. 4B, the sleeve 2 has been turned on itself so that the fastening line 21 is substantially in the middle of an area of the sleeve between two fold lines 2c, 2d, when the sleeve is placed in a flat configuration. The lining layer 4 is then fixed on an area of the outer face 2b of the sleeve substantially opposite the fastening line 21.

In FIG. 4C, the part 3 has the shape of a substantially rectangular strip 3 which is introduced into the sleeve 2. slightly wider than that of the lining layer 4 and a length greater than the width of the sleeve 2. In this way, end zones 33, 34 of the part 3 protrude from the sleeve and can be folded on the outer face 2b of the sleeve 2 and partially cover opposite edge regions 41, 42 of the layer 4. The part 3 is then fixed in this configuration on the sleeve 2. Thus, the part 3 forms with the sleeve a pocket having two opposite openings and the end zones 33, 34 partially covering the layer 4 form two flaps covering the openings of the pocket. One of the two flaps 33, 34 can be lifted and turned to release one of the two openings of the bag to introduce the layer of lining 5.

The sleeve 2 is then returned to a use configuration illustrated in FIG. 1, so that the face 2a of the sleeve and the layer 4 are inside the sleeve 2. The sleeve 2 can then be threaded on a limb so that layer 4 sticks to the area to be protected from the limb.

The process which has just been described lends itself perfectly to automated series production. Indeed, the sleeve 2 can be made collectively from a long tube which is cut to individualize the sleeves 2. The attachment of the lining layer 4 can be performed before or after the individualization of the sleeves 2. L introduction of a band 3 into each sleeve 2 and attachment of this band by forming flaps on the sleeve can then be performed in a semi-automatic manner.

Figures 5 and 6 show another embodiment of a protection device. In FIGS. 5 and 6, the protective device comprises a sleeve 6, a part 7 fixed on the sleeve so as to to form a pocket with the sleeve, and the lining layers 4 and 5, the layer 4 being partially covered with flaps 62, 63. In this embodiment, the flaps 62, 63 are formed not in the piece 7, but in the sleeve 6 itself. The sleeve 6 and the part 7 may also be made of an elastic fabric, for example a polyamide elastane fabric.

FIGS. 7A to 7D show the protective device at various stages of manufacture. In FIG. 7A, the sleeve 6 is made from a cruciform band 65 having two opposite edges each having a rectangular extension in the middle position forming one of the flaps 62, 63. The opposite edges 6c, 6d of the strip 65 not including the flaps are secured by a seam line or ultrasonic weld 61.

In FIG. 7B, the sleeve 6 has been turned on itself so that the fastening line 61 is substantially in the middle of an area of the sleeve between two fold lines 6e, 6f, when the sleeve is placed in a flat configuration.

In Figure 7C, the lining layer 4 is fixed on the part 7, for example by gluing. The part 7 is then fixed on an area of the sleeve centered between the two fold lines 6e, 6f. For this purpose, side edges of the part 7 are fixed on the sleeve 6 by two fastening lines 71, 72, with the flaps 62, 63 folded over the layer 4. The part 7 thus forms with the sleeve 6 a pocket having two opposite openings covered by the flaps 62, 63. The fastening lines 71, 72 can also be performed by stitching or ultrasonic welding.

In FIG. 7D, the filling layer 5 is introduced into the pocket formed by the sleeve 6 and the piece 7 by turning one of the flaps 62, 63. The sleeve 6 is then returned to a configuration of use, so that the face 6a of the sleeve and the layer 4 are inside the sleeve 6.

The sleeve 6 can also be made by seamless weaving. Thus, FIG. 8 shows a strip 10 forming a tube of great length, in which several T-shaped sleeves 6 are cut. In parallel, the lining layers 4 can be fixed on a strip which is cut to form each of the pieces 7 , before or after the fixing of the layer 4. FIG. 9 represents another embodiment of a protection device. In FIG. 9, the protective device 1 "comprises a sleeve 2, the superposed lining layers 4 and 5, which can be fixed on each face of the sleeve 2 by gluing, The layer 4 is partially covered with a part 9 a porous material to limit its occlusive power.

In one embodiment, the part 9 is made of a microporous material adhering naturally (without adding glue) to the silicone gel. The part 9 has a thickness that can be between 0.1 and 1 mm, for example 0.3 mm. The pore size of the microporous material is, for example, between 0.1 and 1 μm. The microporous member 9 can be made of polyolefin, such as polyethylene or a mixture of polyolefins, which can be doped with silica particles whose diameter is for example between 0.01 and 20 microns.

Of course, the lining layers 4, 5 can be fixed one on the other on the same face of the sleeve 2, so that the layer 4 can be applied to the skin.

Moreover, it is known to provide the skin with products containing active ingredients. The polymer gel constituting the first layer of lining 4 can be chosen in order to be able to retain and diffuse slowly to the skin a certain amount of product. The products thus diffused to the skin may for example contain one or more active ingredients such as anti-inflammatory and / or analgesic agents to calm the pain. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention is susceptible to various embodiments and applications. In particular, the invention is not limited to a fabric sleeve. Other elastic and permeable materials may be used to make the sleeve. It is simply important that the sleeve can fit the shape of the limb to protect without hindering its movements and let the skin breathe.

Nor is it necessary for the first layer of liner 4 to be a self-adhesive polymer gel. Indeed, the adhesive nature of the layer 4 can be obtained by means of a suitable adhesive layer.

In the embodiment of Figure 5, it is not necessary that the part 7 is made of fabric or permeable material since it is almost completely covered with the lining layer (4) and that it does not form the flaps limiting the occlusive power of the layer (4).

Claims

1. A device for protecting an area of a human body member comprising a sleeve (2, 6) made of a permeable and elastic material, and a first layer of lining (4) fixed on one face (2b; 6a) of the sleeve, characterized in that the first layer of liner (4) comprises viscoelastic polymer gel to provide a load distribution, and has an adhesive outer face (4a) for adhering to the skin, partially covered with a piece (3, 6, 9) made of a permeable material for limiting the occlusive power of the first lining layer on the skin, the device comprising a second lining layer (5) damping, superimposed on the first lining layer.

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the permeable part (9) partially covering the adhesive face (4a) of the first layer of lining (4) is made of a microporous material adhering naturally to the silicone gel.

3. Device according to claim 2, wherein the permeable part (9) contains a polyolefin that can be loaded with silica.

4. Device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the second lining layer (5) is fixed on the sleeve (2).

5. Device according to claim 1, wherein a part (3, 7) is fixed on the sleeve (2, 6) so as to form with the sleeve a pocket with two opposite openings in which the second layer of packing (5). is inserted, and two flaps (33, 34; 62, 63) each covering one of the two openings and one portion (41, 42) of the adhesive side of the first lining layer (4).

6. Device according to claim 5, wherein the flaps (33, 34) are formed in the permeable part.

(3) fixed on the sleeve (2).

7. Device according to claim 5, wherein the flaps (62, 63) are formed by the sleeve (6).

8. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the second layer of lining (5) is made of a closed cell foam.

9. Device according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the sleeve (2, 6) is made by assembling along an assembly line (21, 61) two opposite edges of a piece of fabric.

10. Device according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the sleeve (2, 6) is resilient in at least one direction.

11. Device according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the first layer of lining (4) is a self-adhesive silicone gel.

12. A method of manufacturing a device for protecting an area of a human body member comprising a sleeve (2, 6) of a permeable and elastic material, and a first layer of liner (4) attached to a face (2b; 6a) of the sleeve, characterized in that the first layer of liner (4) comprises viscoelastic polymer gel to provide a load distribution, and has a adhesive external surface (4a) capable of bonding to the skin, the method comprising the steps of: fixing at least one piece of a permeable material

(3, 6, 9) partially covering the adhesive side of the first lining layer to limit the occlusive power of the first lining layer on the skin, and attaching a second lining layer (5) damping so that it is superimposed on the first layer of filling.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the permeable piece (9) is made of a microporous material adhering naturally to the silicone gel.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the permeable part (9) contains a polyolefin that can be loaded with silica.

15. The method of claim 13 or 14, wherein the second lining layer (5) is attached to the sleeve (2).

16. The method of claim 12, comprising the steps of: assembling the sleeve (2, 6) with a piece (3, 7) so as to form between the sleeve and the part a pocket with two opposite openings, to fix two flaps (33, 34; 62, 63) on the sleeve so that each flap covers one of the two openings and a portion (41, 42) of the adhesive face (4a) of the first lining layer (4) and inserting the second layer of filling (5) into the pocket by one of the two openings.

17. The method of claim 16, comprising steps of fixing the first layer of lining (4) on the sleeve (2), introduction of the piece (3) in the sleeve, folding of opposite edge areas of the piece on the first layer of packing, to form the flaps (33, 34), and fixing on the sleeve of side edges of the piece and flaps.

18. The method of claim 16, comprising steps of fixing the first lining (4) on the workpiece (7), placing the piece on the sleeve (6), folding the flaps (62, 63) integral with the sleeve on the piece, and fixing on the sleeve of side edges of the piece and flaps.

19. Method according to one of claims 16 to 18, wherein the flaps (33, 34; 62, 63) are fixed on the sleeve at the same time as the piece (3, 7).

20. Method according to one of claims 12 to 19, comprising a step of assembling two opposite edges of a workpiece to form the sleeve (2).

21. Method according to one of claims 12 to 20, wherein the second layer of lining (5) is a closed cell foam.

22. Method according to one of claims 12 to 21, wherein the sleeve (2, 6) is resilient in at least one direction.

23. Method according to one of claims 12 to 22, wherein the first layer of lining (4) is a self-adhesive silicone gel.