WO2008104662A1

WO2008104662A1 - Textile device for body protection

Info

Publication number: WO2008104662A1
Application number: PCT/FR2008/050145
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michel Chauveau; Yann Zagame; Catherine Rambaud
Original assignee: Olympia
Priority date: 2007-02-22
Filing date: 2008-01-30
Publication date: 2008-09-04
Also published as: US20100031706A1; FR2912879B1; EP2124658A1; FR2912879A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a textile device for body protection (1), that comprises at least one knitted elastic structure (2) including several meshes (3) formed by at least one yarn (4), the device (1) further including a pad (5) made of a material that is elastic at least according to its thickness, the pad (5) being assembled with said knitted structure (2). The pad (5) extends along a face of the knitted structure (2), and some meshes (6) of the knitted structure (2) extend inside the pad (5) and are trapped by the elastic material of the pad (5), thus forming a composite assembly (7), characterised in that a portion of the pad (8) is located outside the knitted structure (2).

Description

TITLE: TEXTILE PROTECTIVE DEVICE

The present invention relates generally to the field of body protection textile devices and methods for obtaining such devices, these devices being more particularly underwear or elastic body bands or accessories such as socks. More particularly, the invention relates to a textile body protection device, comprising a knitted elastic structure comprising several meshes formed of at least one thread, the device further comprising a pad of elastic material at least according to its thickness, this pad being assembled with said knitted structure.

It is known to use textile devices having an elastic knitted structure with which is assembled an elastic and flexible pad for protecting the wearer of the device against shocks or injuries.

Such a body protection textile device of the type previously defined, for example is presented in US patent 6332224. A problem related to this type of body protection device is the complexity of the assembly of the pad with the knitted elastic structure.

Another problem related to this type of device is the need to have a resistant and non-injurious assembly for the wearer of the device.

In this context, the object of the present invention is to propose a body protection device enabling protection of its wearer while proposing a time-resistant assembly means and a method of producing a body protection textile device.

To this end, the body protection device of the invention, moreover in accordance with the generic definition given in the preamble defined above, is essentially characterized in that the pad extends along one face of the structure knitted and in that some of the stitches of the knitted structure pass inside said pad and are trapped by this elastic material of the pad forming a composite assembly and in that a portion of the pad is disposed outside the knitted structure . For the understanding of the invention, the term pad designates an element serving as protection, support or support and can be deformed when a support is exerted on the element. It should be noted that the term pad refers to a block of elastic material which does not necessarily include a flexible envelope surrounding the elastic block.

Preferably, this elastic material has a total thickness at least equal to that of the knitted structure, which gives it a large capacity for elastic deformation according to its thickness.

The elasticity of the pad according to its thickness allows the pad to deform when it is brought into contact with a skin area of a user, the pad thus deformed and supported elastically exerts distributed forces on the skin surface and he marries both forms and movements. Ideally the elastic deformation capacity of the material constituting the pad according to its thickness is at least equal to 10% and preferably at least equal to 30% of its thickness for an equilateral pressure on the pad of 5 newtons per square centimeter of pad surface.

It can also be ensured that the elastic material constituting the pad has an elongation capacity at break greater than an elongation capacity at break of the knitted structure. Likewise, it can be ensured that the elongation capacity of the elastic material is at least two times greater than the elongation capacity of the knitted structure.

This characteristic of relative elongation of the material constituting the pad with respect to the constituent material of the knitted structure implies that the elongation limit at break of the composite structure is determined mainly by the nature of the knitted structure.

The wearer of the device of the invention can thus deform elastically to position it on his skin without risking rupture of the pad which then remains sufficiently deformable and elastic to continue to provide its elastic protection function of the skin.

Ideally, the elongation capacity at break of the material constituting the pad is at least 5 times greater than the elongation capacity of the knitted structure. In this case the capacity the elongation at break of the material constituting the pad is preferably greater than 500% and preferably equal to 1000%, while the elongation capacity at break of the knitted structure is preferably between 30% and 100% and preferably between 50 and 60%.

Viscous elastic gels of the polymer type are preferably used as materials (these are preferably tri-block copolymers based on mineral oil, preferably type H1 for medical use) capable of protecting the skin of burn victims and promoting their healing. , as the products of the brand "range MEDIGEL Z ®" which are non-invasive, not coming into contact with the damaged skin and in accordance with Appendix VII and the provisions of the French law 94-43 of January 18 1994 and Decree 95-292 of 16 March 1995, which apply to these products.

The presence of the composite assembly formed by meshes and the elastic material of the pad is particularly useful for the strength of the device of the invention because only the breaking of the structural meshes and / or the elastic material composing the pad is likely to allow the separation of the knitted structure and the pad. In general this assembly has a higher resistance to assemblies by gluing or welding the pad on the knitted structure.

Indeed, according to the present invention the assembly consists of trapping and preferentially to grip the mesh of the knitted structure in the material of the pad so to surround portions of wire (s) of mesh with the pad material. Maintaining a yarn in the pad material is thus done over the entire circumference of the yarn. The yarn thus assembled has a particularly reduced capacity of movement with respect to the material of the pad in which it is trapped, the risk of shearing of the elastic material of the pad or the wire at the place of the composite assembly is therefore also reduced.

Contrary to this, an assembly by simple bonding or welding would lead to a connection wire / material of particularly fragile pad since only limited to a portion of the circumferential surface of the assembled wire.

This composite assembly is particularly resistant to wear since both the knitted structure and the bearing material are elastic and can therefore deform together at least over a certain range of deformation.

The presence of a portion of the pad disposed outside the knitted structure provides a son-free pad skin contact zone of the knitted structure which is kept away from the skin by this pad portion. This feature avoids the risk of conflicts between the skin and the polymer of which would exceed son. In addition this spacing of the knitted elastic structure at the location of the pad portion involves a tension in the knitted structure that forces the pad into compression on the skin of the wearer of the device. The pad thus applied does not rub on the skin and protects it from the risk of irritation or shock that may be caused by an external element. Such a pad thus maintained Reduces the risk of pressure ulcers or cuts / injuries.

As indicated above the invention also relates to a method of manufacturing a textile body protection device, characterized in that: one carries a knitted elastic structure comprising several meshes formed of at least one thread; then an elastic polymer material not yet polymerized is deposited along one side of the knitted structure so that some of the stitches of the knitted structure are inside said uncured material and a portion of the polymeric material uncured is outside the knitted structure; then

said polymer material is polymerized, in particular by using heat, as is the case for the product mentioned above of the "MEDIGEL Z ® range" brand, and a composite assembly is thus created constituted by the elastic polymer material and by stitches of the elastic knitted structure.

This manufacturing method makes it possible to assemble an elastic polymeric material on the elastic knitted structure by creating an advantageous composite assembly with respect to: a gluing assembly which would require the provision of a particular material specific to the assembly; a welding assembly that would not completely imprison mesh in the material to be assembled and which could degrade both the knitted structure and the material to be assembled; or a stitching assembly that would require a relatively long, costly and time-consuming operation risk of injury to the skin by exceeding seams.

This method of the invention allows the formation of a polymer layer or preferably of an elastic polymer pad according to its thickness. For the realization of this pad is made to limit the deposit of polymer not yet polymerized on a portion of only one surface of a surface of the elastic knitted structure. It can also be ensured that the elastic polymeric material of the composite assembly has an elongation capacity at break greater than an elongation capacity at break of the knitted structure. This embodiment makes it possible to form the cousin having an elongation capacity at break greater than that of the knitted structure, as mentioned above with reference to the device of the invention.

It can also be ensured that, during the deposition of the polymeric material, this elastic polymeric material does not completely pass through the knitted structure so that, after polymerization of the polymeric material, the knitted structure comprises a face on which the polymerized material extends. elastic and a face opposite to the face on which the polymerized material extends, this opposite face being free of polymerized material.

In the same way and with regard to the device, it is possible to ensure that the composite assembly formed by the elastic material of the pad and by stitches of the knitted structure extends over only a portion of the thickness of said knitted structure, the latter having a face opposite to the face along which the pad extends, the opposite face being free of elastic material of the pad.

These last two embodiments of the invention make it possible to have a face of the structure free of pad material which retains all its technical, aesthetic and touch characteristics. These embodiments make it possible to limit the impact of the polymer material on the knitted structure, which can thus retain part of its elasticity and its surface appearance.

It is also possible for the knitted structure to form an elastic tube comprising at least one open end so as to allow access to the inside of the elastic tube, the portion of the pad disposed outside the knitted structure being placed at the end of the tube. inside the elastic tube.

The elasticity of the knitted structure is at least circumferential, so that the device can be threaded by a user with the pad elastically plated in contact with his skin.

It is also possible to make the knitted structure form a sock.

Thus according to the embodiments described above when the pad is placed inside the sock, the sock outer surface which is free of pad material can therefore slide freely without the pad material comes to rub or s' to hang (for example when the wearer of the sock puts on a shoe, the pad does not rub in the shoe).

Alternatively, this knitted structure can be in the form of an annular band. In the case where the structure is shaped sock can be made so that the pad extends along a kick zone of the sock and inside this sock. Preferably, the material constituting the pad is made to be an elastic polymeric material in all its dimensions.

This characteristic makes it possible to produce the device of the invention by virtue of the aforementioned manufacturing method which comprises a step of polymerization of the material constituting the pad while the material to be polymerized encloses meshs.

It can also be ensured that the material constituting the pad comprises a mineral oil. The presence of the mineral oil combined with the elastic material constituting the pad gives it an effect of prevention of injury and relief of the skin in contact with the pad.

Ideally the material of the pad is a copolymer combined with a mineral oil for medical use.

It is also possible to ensure that the pad has multiple perforations which pass therethrough, these perforations extending substantially perpendicular to the face of the knitted structure in which the pad extends.

These perforations may be shaped so that the pad has a honeycomb structure.

Having perforations through the pad creates vents in only certain places of the pad while retaining prevention characteristics wherever the pad is not punctured. It can also be ensured that the knitted structure is jersey.

It can also be arranged that the textile device of the invention comprises at least one loop zone extending along a surface of the elastic knitted structure, each loop of the loop zone being formed by a thread extending from the knitted structure of which it is part and comprising a bent portion disposed outside the knitted structure.

It is also possible for said at least one loop zone to delimit at least one zone without loops over which said at least one pad extends. The delimitation of an area without loops by loops favors the assembly of the pad.

In addition, the area without loops is hollow relative to the area with loops and can therefore serve as a conformation mold pad. It will be ensured that the height of loops outside the knitted structure is less than the height of the pad outside the same structure.

It is also possible to ensure that loops are trapped in a peripheral portion of the pad.

The fact that the periphery of the pad is taken with loops promotes the longevity of the device since the periphery of the pad is firmly maintained on the one hand thanks to the (s) thread (s) of stitches of the knitted structure and on the other hand loops extending both inside the pad and inside the knitted structure. Preferably the loop zone extends from the periphery of the polymer pad and only a peripheral fringe of loops of the loop zone being caught in the pad. Preferably it is arranged that the pad extends in part over an area without loops and that loops are trapped in a central portion of the pad. The central portion of the pad is a portion located within a peripheral portion of the pad.

Thanks to the loops at the central portion of the pad, the grip of the pad with the knitted structure is improved which promotes the resistance to washing. Preferably, it is arranged that the surface of the pad extending over the area without loops is greater than the surface of the pad extending over the loop area. This embodiment makes it possible to minimize the thickness of the composite assembly in selected zones that do not have loops (that is to say on the major surface of the pad) while optimizing the grip of the pad with the structure knitted in also selected areas of the pad where the loops are located.

Preferably it is arranged that the loops trapped in the central portion of the pad form at least one line of loops. The line of loop or band of loops makes it possible to distribute the efforts of hanging of the pad on the structure knitted on several aligned loops which improves the resistance of the device of the invention relative to embodiments where the loops would be non-aligned with each other. Preferably the device comprises several bands of parallel loops and spaced between them, these strips of loops being taken in the pad.

Preferably, said at least one pad has a thickness greater than the height of the loops engaged with the pad. The loops allowing the attachment of the pad do not come into contact with the skin of the user and therefore not likely to irritate.

It can also be ensured that the device comprises a plurality of pads each having a strip shape, these pads being separated from each other by zones of simple knitted structure (that is to say, by a zone of knitted structure area free of pad material) or loops thus allowing air circulation between the pads.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge clearly from the description which is given hereinafter, by way of indication and in no way limitative, with reference to the appended drawings, in which: FIGS. 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d represent four successive steps of the manufacture of a device according to a first embodiment of the invention comprising a plurality of pads separated from each other by loops; FIG. 2a shows a device according to the invention in which the pad is in the form of a disk, this device having a zone of loops distributed over the entire knitted structure with the exception of a central pad portion, this figure is a sectional view AA of the sleeve of Figure 6; FIG. 2b represents a device similar to that of FIG. 2a but having a loop zone shaped like a ring around the pad; Figure 2c is a sectional view BB of the sock of Figure 8 which comprises an upper elastic tubular zone in which there extend a plurality of pads in the form of strips, these pads being separated from each other by strips of loops; Figure 3a shows a detail view of a composite assembly according to the invention comprising a knitted structure and a resilient polymeric gel pad; FIG. 3b represents an alternative view of the view of FIG. 3a on which loops are made over the entire surface of the knitted structure, including at the point where the pad and the composite structure extend; Figure 3c shows an alternative of the assembly of Figure 3a where loops are formed on a surface portion of the knitted structure and mainly outside the surface where the pad and the composite assembly extends; FIG. 4 represents a device according to the invention which has a sock-like shape inside which are arranged bands of alternating loops with pads, these pads being arranged so as to come into contact against the top of the wearer's feet socks, this sock being therefore adapted to be worn in safety shoes to protect the feet from injuries caused by the hull; Figure 5 is a top view of the sock of Figure 4 while it is turned so that the bands of loops and pads are visible; Figure 6 is a device according to the invention in the form of sleeve or annular band open at its ends and carrying a disk-shaped pad; Figure 7 shows a device according to the invention in the form of a sock at the end of which is disposed a pad intended to be vis-à-vis the toes of the wearer, this sock is particularly suitable for practicing the "footbal"; FIG. 8 shows a device according to the invention in the form of a sock on the top of which are arranged strips of pads extending substantially parallel to the leg of the sock wearer, for example to protect the shins and to avoid friction, this sock further comprising a circular pad disposed facing the location of the malleolus of the sock wearer.

As previously announced, the invention relates to a body protection textile device 1. As shown in Figures Ic to 8, the device comprises a knitted elastic structure 2 which supports one or more flexible pads provided (s) to be applied (s) on the skin of a wearer of the device in order to: - protect it from external aggressions such as friction and dampen any shocks; and - to limit the risk of pressure ulcers or to help reduce pressure ulcers that may have appeared;

- help healing by the distribution of support on the pad.

For this the pad must be elastic and deformable at least according to its thickness to be plated on the skin portion to be protected from the wearer.

Plating of the pad on the skin is done through the elastic knitted structure which is shaped to be threaded in the manner of a garment or under clothing and to press on the skin. This structure 2 has for this at least one portion having a form of sleeve or elastic tube 10 which may be for example a sock sleeve for a foot protection, an annular band for a protection of a part of a limb such that a knee or elbow.

As shown in Figures Ic to 3c, the assembly of the pad or pads 5 on the knitted elastic structure 2 is made by introducing the polymer constituting the pad around a portion of son 6 of the mesh 3 of the structure 2 before this polymer has actually polymerized. Once the polymer polymerized, each wire 6 is then clamped in the polymer pad 5. The assembly thus produced is a composite assembly 7 resistant and economical.

Preferably, the portion 8 of pad 5 which is free of fibers 6 is sufficiently thick to present an elastic deformation of at least 0.5 millimeters of thickness variation of the pad 5 between the moment when the pad is not applied to the pad. skin and the moment the device is coated by a user, the pad being then plated on the skin and held by an elastic force of the knitted structure.

Preferably, the device has an outer face 9 opposite to the face on which the pad 5 which is free of polymer. For this purpose, the composite assembly 7 extends over only a portion of the thickness of the structure 2.

In addition to this assembly 7, the device 1 may also comprise zones of loops 14 intended to come into contact with the skin when the device is coated by the user.

These loop areas protect areas of skin outside the areas already protected by the pad 5 while allowing breathing of the skin.

As shown in Figures 3b and 3c each loop is formed by a wire 15, two length portions through the knitted structure 2 and an intermediate portion 16 is bent to form a loop of elastic wire 16 and deformable located outside the thickness of the knitted structure 2.

It should be noted that areas of loops 14 may be at the location of the pad 5 as in Figures 3b and 3c where loops are trapped in the pad. However, the insertion of loops in the pad 5 may change the elastic characteristics of the polymer, it is either preferable not to have loops present in the pad as in Figure 3a is preferable to have loops in the pad than in a peripheral zone of the pad 5 as in FIG. 3c. The device is preferably provided to present jersey-free knit fabric areas 13 where it is desired that the device has a relatively thin thickness relative to its thickness at the location of the loop areas. The loop and polymer free jersey zone 13 has a heat dissipation capability of the heat produced by the wearer of the upper device relative to that on polymer-containing zones or loops.

Preferably, the pad / structure assembly is made in such a way that the surface of the pad to be in contact with the skin is son-free and only composed of polymer. The positions and forms of:

- jersey areas (knitted structure without loops and pad polymer);

- Loop zones (the loops being worn by the knitted structure in jersey); and - pad zones; are provided according to the destination of the device of the invention.

For example, the device may take the form of a sock adapted to be worn in a safety shoe comprising a shell that can generate friction, micro-trauma, poorly distributed support and can cause pathologies in the foot.

Such a safety sock is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. This sock comprises a sock-shaped knitted elastic structure, a loop zone 14 located at the heel for protect the heel and Achilles tendon and at the front of the sock over the entire periphery of the foot to protect the toes of the back of the metatarsal heads to the upper toes at the proximal level of the first phalanx. Pillow strips 5 extend over a kick zone 12 parallel to the length of the foot. Loop strips 18 are interposed between the padding strips 5 so as to allow air to circulate between the pads 5.

All the zones without loops or pad are only constituted by the knitted structure 13.

This sock thus makes it possible to prevent pathologies related to the wearing of safety shoes.

In another application shown in FIG. 7, the device of the invention may have a sock shape adapted for playing football. In this application only a pad 5 is disposed at the end of the foot to protect it from frontal impacts. In this same application a single zone of loops 14 is formed at the heel, the remainder of the sock being only in jersey 13.

Another application can be dedicated to the prevention of bedsores for a bedridden patient. In this case the pad area will preferably be localized at the heel or malleolus.

Another application is shown in FIG. 8, where a sports sock, in this case a ski, comprises a pad area 5 situated at the level of the malleolus (malleolus) and padding zones 5 in strips interspersed with loops 18 '. extending parallel sock sleeve 10 and close to its open end 11. This type of sock has a zone of loops 14 at the heel and another area of loops at the forefoot around the toes and under a bet before the underfoot.

In another application shown in Figure 6, the device of the invention may have the form of a sleeve 10 open at both ends 11 and adapted to be positioned as a elbow or a toggle or a heel. This device comprises a circular pad placed in the middle of an annular loop zone 14 of the sleeve.

Claims

1. Body protection textile device (1), comprising a knitted elastic structure (2) comprising several meshes (3) formed of at least one yarn (4), the device (1) further comprising a cushion (5) made of elastic material at least according to its thickness, this pad (5) being assembled with said knitted structure (2), characterized in that the pad (5) extends along one face of the knitted structure (2) and in that some of the meshes (6) of the knitted structure (2) pass inside said pad (5) and are trapped by this resilient material of the pad (5) thus forming a composite assembly (7) and in that a portion of the pad (8) is disposed outside the knitted structure (2).

2. A textile device according to claim 1, characterized in that the elastic material constituting the pad (5) has a capacity of elongation at break greater than a capacity of elongation at break of the knitted structure (2).

Textile device according to claim 2, characterized in that the capacity of elongation at break of the elastic material constituting the pad (5) is at least two times greater than the elongation capacity at break of the knitted structure ( 2).

4. Textile device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the composite assembly (7) formed by the material elastic of the pad (5) and mesh (6) of the structure (2) extends over only a portion of the thickness of said knitted structure (2), the latter further comprising an opposite face (9) to the side along which the pad (5) extends, and this opposite face (9) being free of elastic material of the pad (5).

5. textile device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the knitted structure forms a sock.

6. textile device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the knitted structure forms an annular band.

7. A textile device according to claim 5, characterized in that the pad extends along a kick zone of the sock and inside this sock.

8. textile device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pad comprises multiple perforations which pass through the pad par par, these perforations extending substantially perpendicularly to the face of the knitted structure according to which s' extends the pad.

9. textile device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of pads each having a shape of strip, these pads being separated from each other by zones of knitted structure thus allowing an air flow between the pads.

10. Textile device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one loop zone extending along a surface of the elastic knitted structure, each loop of the loop zone being formed. by a yarn extending from the knitted structure of which it is part and comprising a curved portion disposed outside the knitted structure.

11. Apparatus textile according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said at least one loop zone defines at least one area without loops on which extends said at least one pad.

12 textile device according to at least one of claims 10 or 11, characterized in that loops are trapped in a peripheral portion of said at least one pad.

13 Textile device according to at least one of the preceding claims combined with claim 10, characterized in that the pad extends in part on a zone without loops and in that loops are trapped in a central portion of the pad.

Textile device according to Claim 13, characterized in that the surface of the pad extending in the area without loops is greater than the surface of the pad extending over the loop area.

Textile device according to any one of claims 13 and 14, characterized in that the loops trapped in the central portion of the pad form at least one line of loops.

Textile device according to one of the preceding claims combined with the claim

10, characterized in that said at least one pad has a thickness greater than the height of the loops engaged with this pad.