WO2012123031A1

WO2012123031A1 - A warp-knitted fixation unit

Info

Publication number: WO2012123031A1
Application number: PCT/EP2011/054052
Authority: WO
Inventors: Anna Maria Houe KJÆRSGAARD; Jonna Birgit BIRK; Svend Erik Hedevang; Ove Jensen; Kresten Karlsen
Original assignee: Tytex A/S
Priority date: 2011-03-17
Filing date: 2011-03-17
Publication date: 2012-09-20

Abstract

The present invention relates to a warp-knitted fixation unit made on a double needle bed Raschel knitting machine, substantially in one piece. The warp-knitted fixation unit comprises a body part extending between a first and second end, having a first side edge and a second side edge, the first end of the body part comprising a first waist band, the second end of the body part comprising a second waist band, respectively, the waist bands being interknitted with the body part, the body part comprising at least a first layer and a second layer, the first layer being in one piece. Furthermore, the second layer comprises a first opening to a first pocket arranged at the first end, and a second opening to a second pocket arranged at the second end, the first and second pockets being adapted to fixating a pad or a diaper.

Description

A WARP-KNITTED FIXATION UNIT

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a warp-knitted fixation unit made on a double needle bed Raschel knitting machine, substantially in one piece.

The present invention also relates to a protection system comprising a diaper and a fixation unit, use of the fixation unit and a method for manufacturing the warp- knitted fixation unit.

Background art

Devices for holding separate diapers or pads are known. However, these devices often have poor fixation properties with regard to the diapers and pads when worn.

Furthermore, the known devices are substantially made of inflexible material, making them unpleasant to wear. Also, they frequently have closing means which are difficult to use and applying insufficient fixation with leakage from the diaper or pad as a consequence.

In addition, single-use diapers are well-known which have both a diaper part and a fixation part incorporated the same device. However, due to the single-use nature of the solution this may pose an environmental disadvantage, especially in areas with high populations.

Thus, there is a need for a new, improved fixation unit for fixating a diaper or pad, which may be reused several times without loosing its flexibility and thereby its fixating capabilities.

Summary of the invention

It is an object of the present invention to wholly or partly overcome the above disadvantages and drawbacks of the prior art. More specifically, it is an object to provide a warp-knitted fixation unit, which is easy to use, provides a high degree of comfort for the wearer as well as leakage security and is inexpensive to manufacture.

The above objects, together with numerous other objects, advantages, and features, which will become evident from the below description, are accomplished by a solution in accordance with the present invention by a warp-knitted fixation unit made on a double needle bed Raschel knitting machine, substantially in one piece, wherein the warp-knitted fixation unit comprises a body part extending between a first and second end, having a first side edge and a second side edge, the first end of the body part comprising a first waist band, the second end of the body part comprising a second waist band, respectively, the waist bands being interknitted with the body part, the body part comprising at least a first layer and a second layer, the first layer being in one piece, the second layer comprising a first opening to a first pocket arranged at the first end, and a second opening to a second pocket arranged at the second end, the first and second pockets being adapted to fixating a pad or a diaper.

Hereby, a fixation unit for a diaper or a pad is obtained, which is easy to use, which provides a high degree of flexibility and comfort for the wearer and which minimises the risk of leakage. Additionally, a solution is obtained which is environmentally friendly due to the reusable nature of the fixation unit.

Furthermore, the warp-knitted fixation unit may be knitted of yarns, and the yarns may be made of natural fibres or may be man-made. The yarns may for instance be made of polyester, polyamide, polypropylene, cotton, elastane or a combination thereof.

In addition, a knitting structure of the body part may have a higher stretchability than a knitting structure of the edge sides of the body part. In this way, it is obtained that the body part may expand when the volume of the diaper or pad increases while the edge sides of the body part ensure that the edges of the fixation unit are pressed against the wearer, and hence a leakage barrier is provided. Moreover, the stretchability of the knitting structure of the edge sides may be reduced by having a shorter stitch length compared to a stitch length used in the knitting structure of the body part. Also the stretchability of the knitting structure of the side edges may be reduced by using a different knitting structure than the knitting structure used in the body part.

Furthermore, the knitting structure of the side edges may be a 2 and 1 or 3 and 1 tricot with open or closed stitches, or a full needle double atlas structure.

Additionally, the knitting structure of the body part may be a single open or closed 3 or 4 coursed full or half needle atlas structure.

Moreover, a knitting structure of the waist band may be an open or closed pilar lab structure, combined with atlas, as described above and any under lap structure.

The first and second layer of the body part may be interknitted at least with the side edges of the body part.

Furthermore, the first and second layers of the body part may be interknitted partly or fully along the extension of the body part, except at the first and second openings to the first and second pockets.

In addition, the first and second openings to the first and second pockets may be facing each other.

Moreover, the first and second pockets may be made by interknitting the second layer with the edge sides and the waist bands, and providing the first and second openings transverse to the extension of the second layer so that the first and second pockets are constituted by the first and second layers.

In addition, at least the first waist band may comprise a first and a second band, the first band being interknitted with the body part, and the second band being connected with the first band at the side edges of the fixation unit. The second band is cut in a centre area thereof, thereby providing two waist band slips.

Two waist band slips may also be connected with the first waist band, for instance by sewing the waist band slips to the first waist band. Moreover, the waist band slips may be adapted to be connected with the second waist band. Or simply by tying the two ends together. Furthermore, the waist band slips and/or the second waist band comprise fastening means facilitating the connection between the waist band slips and the second waist band.

Moreover, the fastenings means may comprise hook and loop closures, buttons, hooks, zips, or the like.

The invention also relates to a protection system comprising a diaper or a pad and a warp-knitted fixation unit comprising any of the above mentioned features. Furthermore, the invention relates to a use of the warp-knitted fixation unit for fixating a diaper or a pad used on an infant or adult.

The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a warp-knitted fixation unit, comprising any of the above mentioned features, on a double needle bed Raschel knitting machine, substantially in one piece, the method comprising the steps of

- knitting a number of fixation units in endless rows,

- separating the fixation units from each other by cutting

- providing two waist band slips at least in connection with the first waist band, and

- providing fastening means on the two waist band slips.

Accordingly, the warp-knitted fixation unit is provided with a minimum of machining and processing, except cutting of the endless rows. Furthermore, by applying this method, the fixation unit may be made in a flexible material, without any sharp seems, and a fixation unit is made which is comfortable to wear.

Furthermore, the second band of the first waist band may be cut in a centre area thereof, thereby providing two waist band slips. Additionally, the two waist band slips may be connected to the first waist band by sewing.

Brief description of the drawings

The invention and its many advantages will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, which for the purpose of illustration show some non-limiting embodiments and in which Fig. 1 shows a warp-knitted fixation unit in a top view,

Fig. 2 shows a warp-knitted fixation unit having waist band slips in a top view,

Fig. 3 shows the warp-knitted fixation unit ready to have a pad or a diaper inserted, and

Fig. 4 shows a protection system comprising a warp-knitted fixation unit and a diaper. All the figures are highly schematic and not necessarily to scale, and they show only those parts which are necessary in order to elucidate the invention, other parts being omitted or merely suggested.

Detailed description of the invention

Fig. 1 shows a warp-knitted fixation unit 1 made on a double needle bed Raschel knitting machine substantially in one piece. A double needle bed Raschel knitting machine is well known and will not be described any further. The warp-knitted fixation unit 1 comprises a body part 2 extending between a first 3 and second end 4, having a first side edge 5 and a second side edge 6. The first end 3 of the body part 2 comprises a first waist band 7, the second end 4 of the body part 2 comprises a second waist band 8, respectively, the waist bands 7, 8 being interknitted with the body part 2.

The body part 2 comprises at least a first layer (not shown) and a second layer 9. The first layer being in one piece and being the outer layer of the fixation unit 1. The second layer 9, the inner layer of the fixation unit 1, comprises a first opening 10 to a first pocket 11 arranged at the first end 3, and a second opening 12 to a second pocket 13 arranged at the second end 4, the first and second pockets 11, 13 being adapted to fixating a pad or a diaper (not shown). The fixation unit is warp-knitted in one piece in endless fabric rows on a conventional double needle bed Raschel knitting machine, which is well-known in the industry, wherein a first needle bed is used for making the first layer and a second needle bed is used for making the second layer. The endless fabrics are cut transversely for separating the fixation units. The functionality of the fixation unit 1 will be described further in connection with Figs. 3 and 4 below.

In the shown fixation unit 1, a knitting structure of the body part 2 has a higher stretchability than a knitting structure of the edge sides 5, 6 of the body part 2. This may for instance be obtained by reducing the stretchability of the knitting structure of the edge sides 5, 6 by having a shorter stitch length compared to a stitch length used in the knitting structure of the body part 2.

Another way to obtain this is by reducing the stretchability of the knitting structure of the edge sides 5, 6 by using a different knitting structure than the knitting structure used in the body part 2.

Furthermore, the first (not shown) and second layers 9 of the body part 2 are interknitted at least with the side edges 5, 6 of the body part 2. In another embodiment, the first (not shown) and second layers 9 of the body part 2 are interknitted partly or fully along the extension of the body part 2, except at the first and second openings 10, 12 to the first and second pockets 11, 13.

The body part 2 may be partly knitted in a structure comprising knitting stitches capable of unravelling/running and releasing a plurality of un-knitted yarn lengths within the fabric structure, resulting in high stretchability of the knitted structure, allowing it to stretch considerably in the body part 2 between the side edges 5, 6, in order to provide room for a pad or diaper, which will become more and more voluminous as it is being filled by the wearer. Moreover, the stitches capable of unravelling may have unravelled partly or fully, and released a plurality of un-knitted yarn lengths within the fabric structure. The stitches capable of unravelling/running may be knitted with spring-loaded latch- needles. Furthermore, the spring-loaded latch needles may have been used in a portion of the crotch portion in part of the needle positions, preferably as every 2^nd to 6^th needle, and even more preferably as every 2^nd needle. Additionally, the spring-loaded latch needles may have knitted empty in a portion of the stitches, preferably in every 2^nd to 6^th stitch, and most preferably in every 3^rd to 4^th stitch, so that the knitted structure formed by the spring-loaded latch needle is allowed to run partly or fully, thereby releasing a plurality of un-knitted yarn lengths between the other stitches in the body part 2, which thereby provides an excess quantity of yarn in the structure and thereby high stretchability to the knitted structure in the body part 2.

In Fig. 2, two waist band slips 9 are connected to the first waist band 7 of the fixation unit 1. The two waist band slips 9 are adapted to be connected with the second waist band 8 during use for holding the first and second waist bands 7, 8 to each other, thereby providing a pants-like unit. Additionally, the two waist band slips 9 are easily connected/disconnected to/from the second waist band for facilitating handling of the fixation unit 1 when it is put on a wearer. In an embodiment, at least the first waist band may comprise a first and a second band (not shown), the first band being interknitted with the body part 2, and the second band being connected with the first band at the side edges 5, 6 of the fixation unit 1. The second band is then cut in a centre area thereof, thereby providing the two waist band slips 14.

In another embodiment, the two waist band slips 14 may be connected with the first waist band 7, for instance by sewing the waist band slips 14 to the first waist band 7. The waist band slips 14 and/or the second waist band comprise fastening means (not shown) facilitating the connection between the waist band slips 14 and the second waist band 8. The fastenings means may comprise hook and loop closures, buttons, hooks, zips, or the like. In yet another embodiment (not shown), the fixation unit 1 may comprise two sets of waist band slips. A first set of waist band slips may be connected to the first waist band 7 and a second set of waist band slips may be connected to the second waist band 8. Thus, the first and second waist bands 7, 8 may be connected by tying the two sets of waist band slips together.

Furthermore, the warp-knitted fixation unit 1 is knitted of yarns. The yarns may be made of natural fibres or may be man-made. Preferably, the yarns are made of polyester, polyamide, polypropylene, cotton, Elastane or a combination thereof.

In Fig. 3, the warp-knitted fixation unit 1 is ready to have a pad or a diaper inserted (not shown). In this view, the first pocket 11 is easily deducible as well as the first opening 10. The second pocket and opening is hidden behind the curved body part 2. In Fig. 3, the first layer 15, i.e. the outer layer of the fixation unit 1, is shown. The first 10 and second (not shown) openings to the first 11 and second (not shown) pockets are facing each other so that a pad or diaper may easily be inserted in the pockets and fixate said diaper, as shown in Fig. 4. The pockets then facilitate the fixation of the pad or diaper during insertion, while the fixation unit is put on the wearer, during wearing, as well as while the fixation unit is taken off the wearer.

As described above, the first and second pockets may be made by interknitting the second layer with the edge sides and the waist bands, and providing the first and second openings transverse to the extension of the second layer so that the first and second pockets are constituted by the first and second layers, which is easily deduced in Fig. 3.

Furthermore, the first and second pockets may have a length in the extension of the body part, the length being at least 10% of the entire extension of the body part.

Fig. 4 shows a protection system 17 comprising a warp-knitted fixation unit 1 and a diaper 16 or a pad . The protection system 17 may also comprise a plurality of diapers or pads and the warp-knitted fixation unit, so the protection system 17 may be sold in packages having one fixation unit to, for instance, 10 diapers. The fixation unit 1 may be manufactured in different sizes adapted to be used by wearers of different sizes. The protection system 17 may reflect this by adding the right size diapers/pads to the right size fixation unit. The invention also relates to the use of the fixation unit for fixating a diaper or pad when used on an infant or adult.

Although the invention has been described in the above in connection with preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be evident for a person skilled in the art that several modifications are conceivable without departing from the invention as defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. A warp-knitted fixation unit (1) made on a double needle bed Raschel knitting machine, substantially in one piece, wherein the warp-knitted fixation unit (1) comprises

a body part (2) extending between a first and second end (3, 4), having a first side edge (5) and a second side edge (6),

the first end (3) of the body part (2) comprising a first waist band (7), the second end (4) of the body part (2) comprising a second waist band (8), respectively, the waist bands (7, 8) being interknitted with the body part (2),

the body part (2) comprising at least a first layer (15) and a second layer (9), the first layer (15) being in one piece,

the second layer (9) comprising a first opening (10) to a first pocket (11) arranged at the first end (3), and a second opening (12) to a second pocket (13) arranged at the second end (4), the first and second pockets (11, 13) being adapted to fixating a pad or a diaper.

2. A warp-knitted fixation unit (1) according to claim 1, knitted of yarns, the yarns being made of natural fibres or being man-made.

3. A warp-knitted fixation unit (1) according to claim 2, wherein the yarns are made of polyester, polyamide, polypropylene, cotton, elastane or a combination thereof.

4. A warp-knitted fixation unit (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a knitting structure of the body part (2) has a higher stretchability than a knitting structure of the edge sides (5, 6) of the body part (2).

5. A warp-knitted fixation unit (1) according to claim 4, wherein the stretchability of the knitting structure of the edge sides (5, 6) is reduced by having a shorter stitch length compared to a stitch length used in the knitting structure of the body part (2).

6. A warp-knitted fixation unit (1) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the stretchability of the knitting structure of the edge sides (5, 6) is reduced by using a different knitting structure than the knitting structure used in the body part (2).

7. A warp-knitted fixation unit (1) according to claim 6, wherein the knitting structure of the side edges (5, 6) is a 2 and 1 or 3 and 1 tricot with open or closed stitches, or a full needle double atlas structure.

8. A warp-knitted fixation unit (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the knitting structure of the body part (2) is a single open or closed 3 or 4 coursed full or half needle atlas structure.

9. A warp-knitted fixation unit (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a knitting structure of the waist band (7, 8) is an open or closed pilar lab structure, combined with an atlas structure.

10. A warp-knitted fixation unit (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first and second layer (15, 9) of the body part (2) are interknitted at least with the side edges (5, 6) of the body part (2).

11. A warp-knitted fixation unit (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first and second layer (15, 9) of the body part (2) are interknitted partly or fully along the extension of the body part (2), except at the first and second openings (10, 12) to the first and second pockets (11, 13).

12. A warp-knitted fixation unit (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first and second openings (10, 12) to the first and second pockets (11, 13) are facing each other.

13. A warp-knitted fixation unit (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first and second pockets (11, 13) are made by interknitting the second layer (9) with the side edges (5, 6) and the waist bands (7, 8), and providing the first and second openings (10, 12) transverse to the extension of the second layer (9) so that the first and second pockets (11, 13) are constituted by the first and second layers (15, 9).

14. A warp-knitted fixation unit (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least the first waist band (7) comprises a first and a second band, the first band being interknitted with the body part, and the second band being connected with the first band at the side edges of the fixation unit (1).

15. A warp-knitted fixation unit (1) according to claim 14, wherein the second band is cut in a centre area thereof, thereby providing two waist band slips (14).

16. A warp-knitted fixation unit (1) according to any of the claims 1 to 13, wherein two waist band slips (14) are connected with the first waist band (7), for instance by sewing the waist band slips (14) to the first waist band (7).

17. A warp-knitted fixation unit (1) according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the waist band slips (14) are adapted to be connected with the second waist band (8).

18. A warp-knitted fixation unit (1) according to claim 17, wherein the waist band slips (14) and/or the second waist band (8) comprise fastening means facilitating the connection between the waist band slips (14) and the second waist band (8).

19. A warp-knitted fixation unit (1) according to claim 18, wherein the fastenings means comprises hook and loop closures, buttons, hooks, zips, or the like.

20. A protection system (17) comprising at least a diaper (16) or a pad and a fixation unit (1) according to any of the preceding claims.

21. A protection system (17) according to claim 20, wherein the protection system (17) comprises a plurality of diapers (16) or pads and the fixation unit

(1).

22. Use of the fixation unit (1) for fixating a diaper (16) or a pad used on an infant or adult.

23. A method for manufacturing a warp-knitted fixation unit (1), according to any of the claims 1 to 19, on a double needle bed Raschel knitting machine in one piece, the method comprising the steps of

- knitting a number of fixation units (1) in endless rows,

- separating the fixation units (1) from each other by cutting,

- providing two waist band slips (14) at least in connection with the first waist band (7), and - providing fastening means on the two waist band slips (14).

24. A method according to claim 23, wherein the second band of the first waist band (7) is cut in a centre area thereof, thereby providing two waist band slips (14).

25. A method according to claim 23, wherein the two waist band slips (14) are connected to the first waist band (7) by sewing.