Method for manufacturing a compression article and associated compression article

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a compression article, more particularly for the treatment of lymphoedema or lipoedema, the method comprising the following steps: - providing a rectilinear knitting machine, the rectilinear knitting machine comprising four knitting beds and a depositing device which is suitable for depositing at least one weft yarn (46) between two of the four knitting beds; and - knitting a closed knit along a circumference comprising rows of stitches with the four knitting beds, at least one weft yarn (46) being inserted between the rows of stitches by the depositing device, the at least one weft yarn (46) being an elastic yarn, the rows of stitches being formed by stitch yarns comprising at least one elastic stitch yarn (42).

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] TITLE Method of manufacturing a compression article and associated compression article

[0003] The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a compression article, more particularly for the treatment of lymphedema or lipedema.

[0004] Such a compression garment is made according to the patient's measurements.

[0005] A first technique for producing such a compression article is by making, that is to say by cutting elastic textiles made into large rolls and then assembling the cut pieces by sewing.

[0006] This allows for very good morphological adaptation, but the resulting item has many seams, which can cause skin irritation problems for the user and complicates the manufacturing process.

[0007] A second production technique is circular knitting.

[0008] This allows for the production of products without any longitudinal seams. However, such knitting is limited by the number of needles and the diameter of the machine used, so the only way to vary the circumference and / or height of the item is to change the tension of the threads or tighten it during knitting. The possibilities for morphological adaptation are therefore reduced.

[0009] Finally, a third production technique is by rectilinear knitting of panels on a double-bed loom, which are then closed by at least one longitudinal seam. Thus, it is possible to adjust the size of the panel by the tension of the threads and / or the tightening, but also by the addition or removal of needle(s).

[0010] However, the process of manufacturing an item using such a technique is particularly complex, and requires longitudinal seams.

[0011] Thus, all the techniques result in obtaining an article with longitudinal seams and / or whose production cannot be adapted to large variations in measurements and / or with a complex manufacturing process.

[0012] An object of the invention is therefore to propose a method of manufacturing a compression article, allowing morphological adaptation and not having a longitudinal seam.

[0013] To this end, the invention relates to a method for manufacturing a compression article, more particularly for the treatment of lymphedema or lipedema. The method comprises the following steps:

[0014] - provision of a flat-bed knitting machine, the flat-bed knitting machine comprising four knitting needle beds and a laying device adapted to lay at least one weft yarn between two of the four knitting needle beds, and

[0015] - knitting a closed knit along a circumference comprising rows of stitches with the four knitting needles, at least one weft thread being inserted between the rows of stitches by the laying device, the at least one weft thread being an elastic thread, the rows of stitches being formed by stitch threads comprising at least one elastic stitch thread.

[0016] Using a flat-bed knitting machine with four needle beds allows the item to be adapted to the number of needles. Furthermore, by transferring stitches between the different needle beds, this technique allows a completely finished and closed item to be knitted in one piece without the need for additional seams. In addition, the weft yarn allows the desired level of compression to be achieved. This process therefore allows for the direct knitting of a suitable compression item.

[0017] A manufacturing method according to the invention may further comprise one or more of the following characteristics, taken alone or in all technically possible combinations:

[0018] - the at least one weft thread is a covered thread, preferably double covered, comprising an elastane core and at least one covering thread, the at least one covering thread being non-elastic,

[0019] - the core of the at least one weft thread has a count between 150 and 1860 dtex and / or the at least one cover thread of the at least one weft thread has a count between 22 and 312 dtex,

[0020] - the at least one elastic mesh yarn is a covered yarn comprising an elastane core and at least one covering yarn,

[0021] - the at least one elastic mesh yarn has a count between 22 and 450 dtex and / or the at least one cover yarn of the at least one elastic mesh yarn has a count between 22 and 312 dtex,

[0022] - the mesh yarns comprise, more particularly are made up of, at least one elastic mesh yarn and at least one non-elastic mesh yarn, preferably having a count between 78 and 468 dtex,

[0023] - during the knitting stage, the stitch threads are knitted in rib 1 and 1,

[0024] - during the knitting step, the at least one non-elastic mesh thread is knitted in rib 1 and 1, the at least one elastic mesh thread making a stitch on every other needle of one of the needle beds used for knitting, and - the mesh threads comprise at least one friction thread, for example coated with silicone.

[0025] The invention further relates to a compression article, more particularly for the treatment of lymphedema, lipedema or burn scars, manufactured according to a method as previously described.

[0026] The invention will be better understood on reading the following description, given solely by way of example and with reference to the appended figures, among which: [Fig 1] Figure 1 is a functional schematic view of an example of a knitting machine used in a manufacturing method according to the invention,

[0027] [Fig 2] Figure 2 is a first example of a knitting structure during the knitting stage,

[0028] [Fig 3] Figure 3 is a second example of a knitting structure during the knitting stage,

[0029] [Fig 4] Figure 4 is an example of a knitting structure during a joining step,

[0030] [Fig 5] Figure 5 is an example of a knitting structure for an increase in the number of needles,

[0031] [Fig 6] Figure 6 is an example of a knitting structure for making a heel,

[0032] [Fig 7] Figure 7 is a third example of a knitting structure during the knitting stage, and

[0033] [Fig 8] Figure 8 is an example of a compression article obtained by the method according to the invention.

[0034] An example of a knitting machine used in the manufacturing method according to the invention will now be described with regard to claim 1.

[0035] The knitting machine 10 is a flat knitting machine comprising four knitting needle beds 12, 14, 16, 18 and a laying device 20 adapted to lay at least one weft yarn between the four knitting needle beds 12, 14, 16, 18, more particularly between two needle beds used together among the four needle beds.

[0036] More particularly, the four knitting needle beds include a low back needle bed 14, a high back needle bed 12, a high front needle bed 18 and a low front needle bed 16.

[0037] Each needle bed has a longitudinal direction corresponding to the alignment direction of the needles of each needle bed. The longitudinal directions of the needle beds are parallel and correspond to the longitudinal direction of the knitting machine.

[0038] The upper rear needle bed 12 extends above the lower rear needle bed 14 and the upper front needle bed 18 extends above the lower front needle bed 16. The upper rear needle bed 12 and the upper front needle bed 18 extend opposite each other in a first transverse direction. The lower rear needle bed 14 and the lower front needle bed 16 extend opposite each other in a second transverse direction.

[0039] The transverse directions are perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

[0040] The needles of the needle beds extend face to face, not in a staggered manner, that is, during knitting between two of the needle beds, the needles of said needle beds extend face to face in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

[0041] The low back needle bed and the high front needle bed are used together for knitting, more specifically one side of the article being knitted, more specifically the back side of the article, or respectively the front side.

[0042] The top back needle bed and the bottom front needle bed are used together to knit, more specifically one side of the article being knitted, more specifically the front side of the article, or respectively the back side.

[0043] This allows you to knit in the round, that is to say in a tube, that is to say closed along a circumference, on a flat knitting machine, using the four needle beds.

[0044] The low front needle bed and the low back needle bed are used together to close the end of an item, not to knit around a circumference.

[0045] The depositing device 20 is capable of depositing the weft thread between the lower front needle bed 16 and the upper rear needle bed 12 on the one hand, and between the lower rear needle bed 14 and the upper front needle bed 18 on the other hand.

[0046] The knitting machine here includes a carriage 22.

[0047] The carriage 22 is capable of transferring stitches or knitting between the needle beds.

[0048] In particular, the carriage 22 is capable of carrying out knitting between the low rear bed 14 and the high front bed 18, and between the high rear bed 12 and the low front bed 16, and on each bed independently, for example to produce a jersey, and advantageously between the low front bed 16 and the low rear bed 14.

[0049] The carriage 22 comprises, for example, four cam holders.

[0050] The 22 trolley is equipped with three systems here:

[0051] - a first system for transferring stitches between the lower front bed and the upper rear bed, between the lower rear bed and the upper front bed, and between the lower front bed and the lower rear bed,

[0052] - a second knitting system, for knitting between the low back bed and the high front bed, or between the high back bed and the low front bed, or between the low front bed and the low back bed or on a single bed (particularly in the case of single jersey knitting), and - a third system for transferring stitches between the low front bed and the high back bed, between the low back bed and the high front bed, and between the low front bed and the low back bed.

[0053] Transferring a stitch from a first needle bed to a second needle bed means moving a stitch present on a needle of the first needle bed to the needle arranged opposite on the second needle bed.

[0054] More particularly, when the carriage 22 passes in a first direction, here in the longitudinal direction, the rear face of the article is knitted using the low rear needle bed and the high front needle bed.

[0055] The knitting is, for example, waiting on the lower rear needle bed before the carriage passes.

[0056] When the carriage passes in the first direction, the first system transfers, for example, certain stitches of the knitted fabric to the upper front bed, then the second system allows the weft to be laid between the beds by the laying device 20 if necessary and carries out the knitting using the lower rear bed and the upper front bed, and finally the third system transfers, for example, the stitches present from the upper front bed to the lower rear bed.

[0057] When the carriage 22 passes in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, the front face of the article is knitted using the high back needle bed and the low front needle bed.

[0058] The knitting is, for example, waiting on the lower front needle bed before the carriage passes.

[0059] When the carriage passes in the second direction, the first system transfers, for example, certain stitches of the knitting already made from the lower front bed to the upper rear bed, then the second system allows the weft to be laid between the beds by the laying device 20 if necessary and carries out the knitting using the upper rear bed and the lower front bed, and finally the third system transfers, for example, the stitches present from the upper rear bed to the lower front bed.

[0060] The depositing device 20 does not necessarily deposit a weft thread with each passage of the carriage, but, for example, only for certain rows.

[0061] More specifically, during a pass of the carriage in the first direction, the front side of the article on one row is knitted, then during the subsequent pass of the carriage in the second direction, the back side on the same row is knitted.

[0062] Thus, it is possible to make a closed knit on a circumference, here a row, only by a return trip of the carriage 22.

[0063] The method of manufacturing a compression garment will now be described. The compression garment is, for example, suitable for the treatment of lymphedema or lipedema.

[0064] The compression article is, for example, a garment or undergarment for a user adapted to apply compression to the body part(s) enclosed by said article. More particularly, for a compression article, the compressive force is generated, when wearing the article, via a deformation / elongation lying in the elastic range of the force versus elongation curve of the knit in the direction of the rows of stitches.

[0065] The manufacturing process includes providing a flat knitting machine and knitting a closed knit around a circumference.

[0066] The flat-bed knitting machine comprises four knitting needle beds and a laying device adapted to lay at least one weft thread each time between two of the four knitting needle beds.

[0067] More particularly, the flat knitting machine is as described above.

[0068] The knitting comprises rows of stitches knitted with the four knitting needles, at least one weft yarn being inserted between the rows of stitches by the laying device.

[0069] The rows of stitch are formed by stitch threads.

[0070] The mesh yarns comprise at least one elastic mesh yarn.

[0071] For example, the mesh yarns comprise, more particularly consist of, at least one elastic mesh yarn and at least one non-elastic mesh yarn.

[0072] The at least one elastic mesh yarn is, for example, a covered yarn comprising an elastane core and at least one covering yarn, more particularly one or two covering yarns.

[0073] The core of the at least one elastic mesh thread has, for example, a count between 22 and 450 dtex.

[0074] The or each cover yarn of the at least one elastic mesh yarn has, for example, a count between 22 and 312 dtex.

[0075] The or each covering thread of the at least one elastic mesh thread is, for example, made of polyamide.

[0076] The at least one non-elastic mesh yarn has, for example, a count between 78 and 468 dtex.

[0077] The at least one non-elastic mesh yarn is, for example, made of polyamide.

[0078] The at least one weft thread is an elastic thread. The at least one weft thread is, for example, a covered thread, preferably double covered, comprising an elastane core and at least one covering thread, here two covering threads.

[0079] The at least one covering thread is, for example, non-elastic, for example made of polyamide.

[0080] The core of at least one weft thread has, for example, a count between 150 and 1860 dtex.

[0081] The at least one cover yarn of the at least one weft yarn has, for example, a count between 22 and 312 dtex.

[0082] Knitting includes, for example, one passage of weft yarn per row of elastic knit yarn or non-elastic knit yarn. The row of elastic knit yarn and the row of non-elastic knit yarn are likely to be confused, especially if the elastic knit yarn and the non-elastic knit yarn are knitted together, more particularly by plating.

[0083] A weft thread is, for example, placed at each row knitting between two needle beds, more particularly the two needle beds used for knitting the said row.

[0084] Alternatively, the weft yarn is laid only for certain rows, for example every n rows, n being a natural number greater than or equal to 2.

[0085] For each row, the number of needles used for knitting may vary to achieve a specific shape, for example to adapt to the morphology of the person to be equipped and / or the knitting of anatomical areas, for example intended to extend to the level of a heel, an elbow or a knee.

[0086] The mesh yarns and the at least one weft yarn are knitted in a knitting structure.

[0087] During the knitting step, according to a first example of structure 40 shown in FIG. 2, the mesh threads 42, 44 are knitted in rib 1 and 1. More particularly, the elastic mesh thread 42 and the non-elastic mesh thread 44 are here knitted together in rib 1 and 1, more particularly during the passage of the carriage 22, here by the second system.

[0088] To knit in rib 1 and 1, every other stitch is knitted here, with the needles of the needle beds facing each other.

[0089] The at least one weft thread 46 is deposited, for example, at each row knitting.

[0090] The weft yarn 46 is deposited between the two needle beds used for knitting, more particularly by the depositing device 20.

[0091] Here, a row of the article, here comprising a weft yarn, an elastic mesh yarn and a non-elastic mesh yarn, is knitted by a back and forth movement of the carriage 22. Thus, the step of knitting a row of the knitted fabric comprises a back and forth movement of the carriage 22.

[0092] More specifically, when passing the carriage in the first direction, the low rear needle bed and the high front needle bed are used, and when passing in the second direction, the high rear needle bed and the low front needle bed are used.

[0093] More particularly, when the carriage 22 passes in the first direction, the first system transfers one stitch out of two of the stitches from the low rear needle bed to the high front needle bed. Then, the depositing device 20 deposits the weft yarn 46 between the two needle beds used and the second system knits the stitches, of the elastic yarn and the non-elastic yarn, on the low rear needle bed and the high front needle bed, in rib 1 and 1. Finally, the third system transfers the stitches present on the high front needle bed to the low rear needle bed.

[0094] When the carriage 22 passes in the second direction, the first system transfers one stitch out of two of the stitches present on the lower front bed to the upper rear bed. Then, the depositing device 20 deposits the weft thread 46 between the two beds used and the second system knits the stitches, of the elastic thread and the non-elastic thread, on the upper rear bed and the lower front bed, in rib 1 and 1. Finally, the third system transfers the stitches present on the upper rear bed to the lower front bed.

[0095] This step of knitting one row is repeated until you have the desired number of knitting rows.

[0096] In a particular embodiment, the weft yarn is not deposited on each row, but for example every n rows, so that, for certain repetitions of the step described above, the depositing device 20 does not deposit weft yarn between the two needle beds used.

[0097] Furthermore, at each iteration, the number of needles used for knitting may vary to achieve a specific shape, for example to adapt to the morphology of the person to be equipped and / or the knitting of anatomical zones, for example intended to extend to the level of a heel, an elbow or a knee.

[0098] According to a second example of structure 50 shown in Figure 3, during the knitting step, the at least one non-elastic mesh yarn 54 is knitted in rib 1 and 1 and the at least one elastic mesh yarn 52 makes a stitch on one needle out of two of one of the needle beds used for knitting.

[0099] More particularly, the elastic mesh yarn 52 makes a stitch on the needles of said needle bed, on which the non-elastic mesh yarn has made a 1 and 1 rib stitch. Unlike the first example, the elastic mesh yarn 52 and the non-elastic mesh yarn 54 are knitted separately here.

[0100] The at least one weft thread 56 is deposited, for example, at each row knitting of the non-elastic mesh thread 54.

[0101] Here, a row of the article, comprising here a weft thread, an elastic mesh thread and a non-elastic mesh thread, is knitted by two back and forth movements of the carriage 22.

[0102] Thus, the step of knitting a row of knitting includes two back and forth movements of the carriage 22.

[0103] More particularly, during the first outward movement of the carriage, the weft yarn 56 is deposited and the non-elastic mesh yarn 54 is knitted in rib 1 and 1 on a first face of the article, that is to say only during the passage of the carriage in one direction among the first direction and the second direction.

[0104] During the first passage of the carriage 22 in the forward direction, the first system transfers one stitch out of two of the stitches from the low rear bed to the high front bed. Then, the depositing device 20 deposits the weft yarn 56 between the two beds used and the second system knits the stitches of the non-elastic mesh yarn 54 on the low rear bed and the high front bed, in rib 1 and 1. Finally, the third system transfers the stitches present on the high front bed to the low rear bed.

[0105] During the first trip of the carriage, the weft yarn 56 is deposited, and the non-elastic mesh yarn 54 is knitted on a first face of the article.

[0106] During the first return of the carriage, the weft thread 56 is deposited and the non-elastic mesh thread 54 is knitted on the second face of the article, that is to say here between the lower front needle bed and the upper rear needle bed, that is to say only during the passage of the carriage in the direction opposite to the direction during the first return trip.

[0107] During the second trip of the carriage, the elastic mesh yarn 52 is knitted on the first face of the article.

[0108] On the second return of the carriage, the elastic mesh yarn 52 is knitted on the second face of the article.

[0109] This second carriage round trip is similar to the first carriage round trip, except that the second side of the item is knitted, while the first side is knitted during the first round trip.

[0110] This step of knitting one row, including two back and forths, is repeated until you have the desired number of knitting rows.

[0111] In a particular embodiment, the weft yarn is not deposited on each row, but for example every n rows, so that, for certain repetitions of the step described above, the depositing device 20 does not deposit weft yarn between the two needle beds used.

[0112] Furthermore, at each iteration, the number of needles used for knitting may vary to achieve a specific shape, for example to adapt to the morphology of the person to be equipped and / or the knitting of anatomical zones, for example intended to extend to the level of a heel, an elbow or a knee.

[0113] In one embodiment, the manufacturing method further comprises at least one step of closing an opening of the knit, for example for producing a compression article comprising a closed end, such as for example tights or a sock.

[0114] The closing step includes a knitting step between the lower front needle bed and the lower rear needle bed, here using the carriage 22.

[0115] At the end of each pass of the carriage for knitting the knit, the stitches are transferred respectively to the low back needle bed and the low front needle bed.

[0116] Thus, before the start of the closing step, all the stitches of the opening of the knitting to be closed are placed on the lower front needle bed and the lower back needle bed.

[0117] By knitting together the stitches between the low front needle bed and the low back needle bed at the desired locations, this allows a junction between the front face present on the low back needle bed and the back face present on the low front needle bed.

[0118] The mesh structure of the junction is identical to that of the rest of the knit, with or without weft yarn.

[0119] The manufacturing method further comprises, for example, a step of making stop stitches. More particularly, a stop stitch is made at the end of the knitting step for the remaining vacant yarns.

[0120] This prevents the said threads from unraveling.

[0121] The backstitch is, for example, made by knitting the said yarn in rib 1 and 1 on a given number of needles, for example four needles, then a load on the same needles.

[0122] The manufacturing method further comprises, for example, a step of joining two knits made by knitting as described above, for example a right leg and a left leg of tights at the crotch.

[0123] First, the two knits are knitted separately but simultaneously on the same knitting machine. More specifically, the two knits are knitted on different parts of the knitting machine, on different needles. The two knits are, for example, knitted next to each other on the knitting machine. Then, the yarns of each of the two knits are interwoven in the join over at least two knitting columns, here over two knitting columns.

[0124] This allows the ends of the yarn of the knits to be held together, within the knit structure itself.

[0125] An example of the mesh structure of the joining step is partially shown in Figure 4.

[0126] More particularly, for the sake of clarity of the figure, only one mesh yarn of the structure is shown, this structure being compatible with the first and second example of ground mesh structure described previously with regard to figures 2 and 3. More particularly, in the case of a ground mesh structure similar to that of figure 2, only the elastic mesh yarn 42 and the non-elastic mesh yarn 44 are shown in the form of a single yarn, the elastic mesh yarn 42 and the non-elastic mesh yarn 44 being knitted together. However, a weft yarn 46 not shown is, for example, always deposited as described previously.In the case of a ground mesh structure similar to that of Figure 3, only the non-elastic mesh yarn 54 is shown in Figure 4, the elastic mesh yarn being knitted otherwise similarly to that described with respect to Figure 2 and the weft yarn being, for example, always laid as described previously.

[0127] The letter G in Figure 4 refers to the yarns used to knit the left knit, here for the left leg, and the letter D to the yarns used to knit the right knit, here the right leg.

[0128] First, the left knitting and the right knitting are knitted separately but parallel on the same knitting machine.

[0129] Then, the yarns of the left and right knitting are intertwined over at least two columns, here two knitting columns. This allows the end of the yarn of the right knitting to be secured in the structure knitted from the left knitting (or vice versa).

[0130] Then, a reinforcement is made. More specifically here, the knitted structure, here the left knit, includes at least three rows, here three rows, at least four columns, here eight columns, of knitting at the level of the joining of the knits together, between the two lower needle beds.

[0131] This helps to strengthen the bond between the knits.

[0132] Finally, the knitting of the article continues with a single piece knitted structure, for example with the yarns initially used for the knitting on the left.

[0133] Alternatively, the left knit is joined to the right knit, the rest of the article being knitted following the joining from the yarns initially used for the right knit. As mentioned previously, in one embodiment, the knitting step comprises at least one step of reducing the number of needles used and / or one step of increasing the number of needles used, in particular to adapt to the morphology of the future user.

[0134] Increasing or decreasing the number of needles is, for example, achieved by consecutively re-bracing the needle beds to add needles, i.e. by lateral movement of one bed relative to the other bed used for knitting without changing the spacing between the needles of each bed.

[0135] For each headframe of the needle beds, in particular for an increase in the number of needles, a 100 hole filler is, for example, made. A hole filler is a given length of thread placed in a location, intended to fill a space that has remained free.

[0136] An example of a knitting structure for an increase, here on the right in the representation, of the number of needles, of a rib, is shown in figure 5 only on needle beds 12 and 16. The structure is identical for needle beds 18 and 14. The principle is similar with an increase on the left, carrying out the steps in mirror image.

[0137] As with Figure 4, for the sake of clarity of the figure, only one mesh wire of the structure is shown, this structure being compatible with the first and second examples of the bottom mesh structure described previously with respect to Figures 2 and 3.

[0138] In the example shown, a first headframe, here to the right, is made for knitting the front face. Thus, a headframe between the upper back needle bed and the lower front needle bed is made.

[0139] More particularly, a stitch of the knitting pattern before the modification of the number of needles, here a rib 1 and 1, is knitted between the high back needle bed 12 and the low front needle bed 16 on a row, making in one location a hole filler 100 in place of a stitch, more particularly at the level of a needle of the low front needle bed 16.

[0140] Then, a transfer from the needle at the location of the hole filler to the needle opposite the other needle bed, here the high rear needle bed 12, is made.

[0141] The stitches present on the other needle bed, here the high back needle bed 12, are transferred here to the low front needle bed 16.

[0142] Thus, all the stitches are present on the lower front needle bed 16, only the hole filler being present on the upper rear needle bed 12.

[0143] Then, all the stitches on a first side, here on the right, of the hole filler 100, are transferred, here to the high back needle bed 12. The other needle bed, here the high back needle bed 12, is then shifted one row towards the first side, relative to the low front needle bed 16, and all the stitches and the hole filler present on the other needle bed, here the high back needle bed 12, are transferred to the low front needle bed 16.

[0144] So, on the front side, a stitch is then added on the first side of the knitting, here on the right.

[0145] The above steps are repeated between the low back needle bed 14 and the high front needle bed 18, which is not shown in Figure 5. Meanwhile, the stitches are waiting on the low front needle bed 16.

[0146] This allows you to add a stitch in the knitting, on the front side then the back side, on the second side of the knitting, here on the right.

[0147] Then, a second headframe is built, here to the right.

[0148] More particularly, a stitch of the knitting pattern before the needle number is changed, here a 1 and 1 rib, is knitted between the high back needle bed 12 and the low front needle bed 16 in a row, adding in one location a second stopper, in addition to the 1 and 1 rib pattern, more particularly at the needle of the low front needle bed 16 directly next to the needle on which the stopper 100 was, on the first side of said needle. The 1 and 1 rib pattern is, moreover, such that a stitch is formed on the needle of the low front needle bed 16 on which the stopper 100 was.

[0149] Then, a transfer from the needle at the location of the second hole filler to the needle opposite the other needle bed, here the high rear needle bed 12, is made.

[0150] The stitches present on the other needle bed, here the high back needle bed 12, are transferred here to the low front needle bed 16.

[0151] Thus, all the stitches are present on the lower front needle bed 16, only the second hole filler being present on the upper rear needle bed 12.

[0152] Then, all the stitches on the first side, here on the right, of the second hole filler, are transferred, here on the high back needle bed 12.

[0153] The other needle bed, here the high back needle bed 12, is then shifted one row towards the first side, relative to the low front needle bed 16, and all the stitches and the hole filler present on the other needle bed, here the high back needle bed 12, are transferred to the low front needle bed 16.

[0154] So, on the front side, a second stitch is then added on the first side of the knitting, here on the right.

[0155] The above steps are repeated between the low back needle bed 14 and the high front needle bed 18, which is not shown in Figure 5. During this time, the stitches are waiting on the low front needle bed 16. Then, every other stitch from the low front needle bed 16 is transferred to the high back needle bed 12, so as to form a rib pattern 1 and 1.

[0156] The rib 1 and 1 pattern then has one more rib on the first side, here the right side of the knitting.

[0157] These steps are, for example, repeated in case of additional needles added according to the desired number.

[0158] Then, the knitting according to the stitch with the modification of the number of needles, here in rib 1 and 1, is resumed with the additional stitches.

[0159] As mentioned previously, in one embodiment, the knitting step comprises at least one step of producing an anatomical shape, more particularly a heel.

[0160] An example of a knitting structure for making a heel is shown in Figure 6.

[0161] As with Fig. 4, for the sake of clarity of the figure, only one mesh thread of the structure is shown, this structure being compatible with the first and second examples of the background mesh structure described previously with respect to Figs. 2 and 3.

[0162] A central area of ​​the knitting pattern is defined, shown in Figure 6 between the two vertical bars.

[0163] The pattern in the central area is, for example, replicated several times in the said central area. This means that although only one stitch on a needle of each needle bed is shown in Figure 6, the central area is likely to include N times this stitch.

[0164] A selvedge of the central zone is defined on a first side, here on the left, and a selvedge on a second side, here on the right. Here, a selvedge is a needle adjacent to the central zone, outside the central zone, on the first side (respectively the second side) of the central zone.

[0165] Each row is knitted by a forward or return carriage.

[0166] Each row starts where the previous row ends.

[0167] In the example shown, the pattern of the rest of the knitting, here a 1 and 1 rib, is knitted between the high back needle bed 12 and the low front needle bed 16, then between the high front needle bed 18 and the low back needle bed 14, on one row.

[0168] In the example shown, the pattern, here a 1 and 1 rib, is then knitted between the high back needle bed 12 and the low front needle bed 16 on the first side of the central area only, on one row, here over the entire width of the previous row on the first side up to the selvedge (inclusive) on the first side of the central area. Then, the pattern is knitted between the high back needle bed 12 and the low front needle bed 16 on the first side of the central area by removing a given number y of needles, compared to the previous row. The pattern is knitted only over a part of the width of the previous row, more specifically over the width of the previous row from the selvedge (inclusive) on the first side of the central area, by removing y needles.

[0169] Then, the pattern is knitted between the high front needle bed 18 and the low back needle bed 14, over a whole row of knitting.

[0170] The two knitting steps between the high back needle bed 12 and the low front needle bed 16 on the first side of the central zone are then repeated on the second side of the central zone, symmetrically, more particularly by axial symmetry, with respect to the central zone.

[0171] These steps of knitting a first side of the central area between the high back needle bed 12 and the low front needle bed 16, a row between the high front needle bed 18 and the low back needle bed 14, then a second side of the central area between the high back needle bed 12 and the low front needle bed 16, are likely to be repeated a desired number x of times.

[0172] Then, the pattern is knitted between the high front needle bed 18 and the low back needle bed 14, over a whole row of knitting.

[0173] Then, the pattern is knitted between the high back needle bed 12 and the low front needle bed 16, over an entire row of knitting.

[0174] The pattern is then knitted between the high front needle bed 18 and the low back needle bed 14, that is to say here on the back face, over only a portion of width over a plurality of rows, for example four rows.

[0175] The width portion is, for example, different between said rows.

[0176] For each row, the portion is chosen to form the desired anatomical area.

[0177] Each portion of width includes the central zone, and here at least one point, here at 1 and 1, on either side of the central zone.

[0178] Then, the pattern is knitted between the high back needle bed 12 and the low front needle bed 16 on the one hand and between the high front needle bed 18 and the low back needle bed 14 on the other hand, at least over a whole row of knitting.

[0179] More particularly, the pattern is knitted between the high back needle bed 12 and the low front needle bed 16 over an entire row of knitting, then the pattern is knitted between the high front needle bed 18 and the low back needle bed 14 over an entire row of knitting, and then the pattern is knitted again between the high back needle bed 12 and the low front needle bed 16 over an entire row of knitting. Then, the pattern is knitted again between the high front needle bed 18 and the low back needle bed 14, that is to say here on the back face, over only a portion of width over a plurality of rows, for example four rows.

[0180] The width portion is, for example, different between said rows.

[0181] For each row, the portion is chosen to form the desired anatomical area.

[0182] Each portion of width includes the central zone, and here at least one point, here a coast 1 and 1, on either side of the central zone.

[0183] Then, the pattern is knitted between the high front needle bed 18 and the low back needle bed 14 over a whole row, for at least one row of knitting, here over two rows.

[0184] Then, the pattern is knitted between the high back needle bed 12 and the low front needle bed 16 on the one hand, then between the high front needle bed 18 and the low back needle bed 14 on the other hand, over an entire row of knitting.

[0185] The two knitting steps between the high back needle bed 12 and the low front needle bed 16 on one side of the central area are then repeated on the second side of the central area.

[0186] Then, the pattern is knitted between the high front needle bed 18 and the low back needle bed 14, over a whole row of knitting.

[0187] The two knitting steps between the high back needle bed 12 and the low front needle bed 16 on one side of the central area are then repeated on the first side of the central area.

[0188] These steps of knitting the second side of the central area between the high back needle bed 12 and the low front needle bed 16, of a row between the high front needle bed 18 and the low back needle bed 14, then of the first side of the central area between the high back needle bed 12 and the low front needle bed 16, are likely to be repeated the desired number x of times.

[0189] Then, the pattern is knitted between the high front needle bed 18 and the low back needle bed 14 on the one hand, then between the high back needle bed 12 and the low front needle bed 16 on the other hand, over an entire row of knitting.

[0190] Then, the knitting according to the stitch with the modification of the number of needles, here in rib 1 and 1, is resumed over the entire width of the rows.

[0191] The knitting principle described above is, for example, similar to form any desired anatomical area, including the heel, elbow, knee or any other joint.

[0192] In one embodiment, the step of knitting the knit further comprises knitting a non-slip area.

[0193] The anti-slip zone comprises at least one yarn with a high coefficient of friction, called friction yarn, for example at least one polyester or polyamide yarn coated with silicone, in the knitted structure, integrated into the knitted structure during knitting.

[0194] The knitting structure of the anti-slip zone is, for example, identical to that of the rest of the knitting except for the integration of the friction yarn on at least one of the rows of the anti-slip zone.

[0195] The friction yarn is, for example, knitted over a number of successive rows.

[0196] An example of a 60 knit structure for a non-slip area is shown in Figure 7.

[0197] The ground stitch, that is to say the stitch made with the non-elastic mesh yarn 64, the elastic mesh yarn 62 and in which the weft yarn 66 is deposited, is here identical to that described in the first example of knitting structure.

[0198] Friction yarn 68 makes a stitch on every other needle of one of the needle beds used for knitting.

[0199] More particularly, the friction thread 68 makes a stitch on the needles of said needle bed on which the stitch threads have made a rib stitch 1 and 1.

[0200] Knitting a row is done here by two back and forth movements of the carriage.

[0201] More particularly, knitting a row is similar to knitting a row according to the second example structure, the non-elastic mesh yarn 64 and the elastic mesh yarn 62 being knitted together instead of the non-elastic mesh yarn 54 of the second structure, and the friction yarn 68 being knitted instead of the elastic mesh yarn 56 of the second structure.

[0202] More particularly, the step of knitting a row is comparable to the step of knitting a row according to the second example of knitting structure, in which the elastic and non-elastic mesh yarns are knitted together instead of the non-elastic mesh yarn alone on the one hand and the friction yarn instead of the elastic mesh yarn on the other hand.

[0203] Thus, in the anti-slip zone, the mesh threads further comprise at least one friction thread, for example coated with silicone.

[0204] The mesh threads are then, for example, made up of at least one elastic mesh thread, at least one non-elastic mesh thread and at least one friction thread.

[0205] The anti-slip zone prevents the item from slipping on the limb, without requiring the addition of a made-up strip with a silicone coating, which would complicate the manufacturing process of the item.

[0206] The invention further relates to a compression article 100, such as that shown in Figure 8, obtained by the manufacturing method described above. The method of manufacturing the article is particularly simple to implement: the use of a four-needle flat-bed knitting machine makes it possible to knit a completely finished and closed article in one piece without the need for additional seams.

[0207] In addition, it is possible to easily adapt, without any additional steps, the article according to the number of needles and the transfer of stitches between the different needle beds, to create anatomical zones.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Method for manufacturing a compression article (100), more particularly for the treatment of lymphedema or lipedema, the method comprising the following steps: - providing a flat-bed knitting machine (10), the flat-bed knitting machine (10) comprising four knitting needle beds (12, 14, 16, 18) and a laying device (20) adapted to lay at least one weft yarn (46, 56, 66) between two of the four knitting needle beds (12, 14, 16, 18), and - knitting a closed knit along a circumference comprising rows of stitches with the four knitting needles (12, 14, 16, 18), at least one weft yarn (46, 56, 66) being inserted between the rows of stitches by the laying device (20), the at least one weft yarn (46, 56, 66) being an elastic yarn, the rows of stitches being formed by knit yarns comprising at least one elastic knit yarn (42, 52, 62).

2. Method according to claim 1, in which the at least one weft thread (46, 56, 66) is a covered thread, preferably double covered, comprising an elastane core and at least one cover thread, the at least one cover thread being non-elastic.

3. Method according to claim 2, wherein the core of the at least one weft yarn (46, 56, 66) has a count between 150 and 1860 dtex and / or the at least one cover yarn of the at least one weft yarn (46, 56, 66) has a count between 22 and 312 dtex.

4. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in which the at least one elastic mesh yarn (42, 52, 62) is a covered yarn comprising an elastane core and at least one covering yarn.

5. Method according to claim 4, wherein the core of the at least one elastic mesh yarn (42, 52, 62) has a count between 22 and 450 dtex and / or the at least one cover yarn of the at least one elastic mesh yarn (42, 52, 62) has a count between 22 and 312 dtex.

6. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, in which the mesh threads comprise, more particularly consist of, at least one elastic mesh thread (42, 52, 62) and at least one non-elastic mesh thread (44, 54, 64), preferably having a count between 78 and 468 dtex.

7. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, in which, during the knitting step, the mesh threads are knitted in rib 1 and 1.

8. Method according to claim 6, wherein, during the knitting step, the at least one non-elastic mesh yarn (44, 54, 64) is knitted in rib 1 and 1, the at least one elastic mesh yarn (42, 52, 62) making a stitch on every other needle of one of the needle beds used for knitting.

9. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, in which the mesh threads comprise at least one friction thread (68), for example coated with silicone.

10. Compression article (100), more particularly for the treatment of lymphedema, lipedema or scars of major burns, manufactured according to a method according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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