Method for manufacturing a compression article and associated compression article

Abstract

Method for manufacturing a compression garment and associated compression garment. The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a compression garment, more particularly for the treatment of lymphedema or lipedema, the method comprising the following steps: - providing a flat knitting machine, the flat knitting machine comprising four knitting beds and a depositing device adapted 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). Figure for the abstract: Fig 2

Description

Title of the invention: Method for manufacturing a compression article and associated compression article

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a compression article, more particularly for the treatment of lymphedema or lipedema.

[0002] Such a compression article is made according to the measurements of the patient(s).

[0003] A first technique for making such a compression article is by manufacturing, that is to say by cutting elastic textiles made in large rolls and then assembling the cut pieces by sewing.

[0004] This allows for a very good morphological adaptation, but the resulting article has many seams, which can cause skin irritation problems for the user and complicates the manufacturing process.

[0005] A second manufacturing technique is by circular knitting.

[0006] This allows for the production of products without any seams in the longitudinal direction. However, such knitting is limited by the number of needles and the diameter of the machine used, so that the only way to vary the circumference and / or height of the item is to modify the yarn tension or the gauge during knitting. The possibilities for morphological adaptation are therefore more limited.

[0007] Finally, a third manufacturing technique involves straight knitting of panels on a double bed knitting machine, which are then closed by at least one longitudinal seam. This allows the size of the panel to be adjusted by the tension of the yarns and / or the clamp, but also by adding or removing needle(s).

[0008] However, the process of manufacturing an article with such a technique is particularly complex, and requires longitudinal seams.

[0009] Thus, all the techniques result in an article having longitudinal seams and / or whose production cannot be adapted according to large variations in measurements and / or with a complex manufacturing process.

[0010] An object of the invention is therefore to propose a method for manufacturing a compression article, allowing morphological adaptation and not having a longitudinal seam.

[0011] To this end, the invention relates to a method for manufacturing a compression article, more particularly for the treatment of lymphedema or lipedema.

[0012] The process comprises the following steps:

[0013] - supply of a straight knitting machine, the straight knitting machine comprising four knitting beds and a depositing device adapted to deposit at least one weft yarn between two of the four knitting beds, and

[0014] - knitting a closed knit along a circumference comprising rows of stitch with the four knitting beds, at least one weft yarn being inserted between the rows of stitch by the laying device, at least one weft yarn being an elastic yarn, the rows of stitch being formed by stitch yarns comprising at least one elastic stitch yarn.

[0015] The use of a flat knitting machine with four needle beds allows the garment to be adapted according to the number of needles. Furthermore, by transferring stitches between the different needle beds, this technique makes it possible to knit a completely finished and closed garment in one piece without the need for additional seams. In addition, the weft yarn allows the desired level of compression to be achieved. Thus, this process makes it possible to directly knit a suitable compression garment.

[0016] A manufacturing process according to the invention may further comprise one or more of the following features, taken alone or in any technically possible combination:

[0017] - at least one weft yarn is a covered yarn, preferably double covered, comprising an elastane core and at least one cover yarn, the at least one cover yarn being non-elastic,

[0018] - the core of at least one weft yarn has a count between 150 and 1860 dtex and / or at least one cover yarn and at least one weft yarn have a count between 22 and 312 dtex,

[0019] - at least one elastic mesh yarn is a covered yarn comprising a core in elastane and at least one cover thread,

[0020] - at least one elastic mesh yarn has a count between 22 and 450 dtex and / or the less one cover yarn, at least one elastic mesh yarn has a count between 22 and 312 dtex,

[0021] - the mesh threads comprise, more particularly are made of, at least an elastic mesh yarn and at least one non-elastic mesh yarn, preferably with a count between 78 and 468 dtex,

[0022] - during the knitting stage, the stitch yarns are knitted in 1 and 1 rib,

[0023] - during the knitting step, at least one non-elastic knit yarn is knitted in rib 1 and 1, at least one elastic yarn making a stitch on every other needle of one of the knitting beds, and

[0024] - the mesh yarns comprise at least one friction yarn, for example coated with silicone.

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

[0026] The invention will be better understood upon reading the following description, given only as an example and made with reference to the attached figures, among which:

[0027] [Fig.1] [Fig.1] is a functional schematic view of an example of a knitting machine used in a manufacturing process according to the invention,

[0028] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a first example of knitting structure during the step of knitting,

[0029] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a second example of knitting structure during the knitting stage,

[0030] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is an example of a knitting structure during a joining step,

[0031] [Fig 5] [Fig 5] is an example of a knitting structure for an increase in the number of needles,

[0032] [Fig 6] [Fig 6] is an example of a knitting structure for making a heel,

[0033] [Fig.7] [Fig.7] is a third example of knitting structure during the step of knitting, and

[0034] [Fig.8] [Fig.8] is an example of a compression article obtained by the process according to the invention.

[0035] An example of a knitting machine used in the manufacturing process according to the invention will now be described with regard to claim 1.

[0036] The knitting machine 10 is a straight knitting machine comprising four knitting beds 12, 14, 16, 18 and a depositing device 20 adapted to deposit at least one weft yarn between the four knitting beds 12, 14, 16, 18, more particularly between two beds used together among the four beds.

[0037] More specifically, the four knitting beds include a low back bed 14, a high back bed 12, a high front bed 18 and a low front bed 16.

[0038] Each bed has a longitudinal direction corresponding to the alignment direction of the needles of each bed. The longitudinal directions of the beds are parallel and correspond to the longitudinal direction of the knitting machine.

[0039] The upper rear font 12 extends above the lower rear font 14 and the upper front font 18 extends above the lower front font 16.

[0040] The upper rear bed 12 and the upper front bed 18 extend opposite each other along a first transverse direction. The lower rear bed 14 and the lower front bed 16 extend opposite each other along a second transverse direction.

[0041] The transverse directions are perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

[0042] The needles of the needle beds extend face to face, and not in a staggered pattern, that is to say, 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.

[0043] The lower back bed and the upper front bed are used together for knitting, more particularly one side of the article being knitted, more particularly the back side of the article, or respectively the front side.

[0044] The upper back bed and the lower front bed are used together for knitting, more particularly one side of the article being knitted, more particularly the front side of the article, or respectively the back side.

[0045] This allows for knitting in the round, i.e. in a tube, i.e. closed around a circumference, on a straight knitting machine, using the four bed s.

[0046] The front low bed and the back low bed are used together to close the end of an article, and not to knit around a circumference.

[0047] The laying device 20 is suitable for laying the weft yarn between the front lower bed 16 and the rear upper bed 12 on the one hand, and between the rear lower bed 14 and the front upper bed 18 on the other hand.

[0048] The knitting machine here includes a carriage 22.

[0049] The carriage 22 is suitable for transferring stitches or knitting between the bed frames.

[0050] In particular, the carriage 22 is suitable for performing the knitting between the rear bed low 14 and the high front bed 18, and between the high back bed 12 and the low front bed 16, and on each bed independently, for example to make a jersey, and advantageously between the low front bed 16 and the low back bed 14.

[0051] The carriage 22 includes, for example, four cam holders.

[0052] The carriage 22 is here equipped with three systems:

[0053] - a first system for transferring the stitches between the lower front bed and the bed high rear, between the low rear footing and the high front footing, and between the low front footing and the low rear footing,

[0054] - a second knitting system, for knitting between the lower 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 simple stockinette stitch), and

[0055] - a third system for transferring the stitches between the lower front bed and the bed high rear, between the low rear bed and the high front bed, and between the low front bed and the low rear bed.

[0056] Transferring a stitch from a first bed to a second bed means moving a stitch present on a needle of the first bed onto the needle arranged opposite it on the second bed.

[0057] More specifically, when the carriage 22 passes in a first direction, here according to the In the longitudinal direction, the back of the item is knitted using the low back bed and the high front bed.

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

[0059] When the carriage passes in the first direction, the first system transfers, for example, some stitches of the knitting onto the upper front bed, then the second system allows the weft to be placed between the beds by the depositing 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.

[0060] When the carriage 22 passes in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, the front face of the article is knitted using the upper back bed and the lower front bed.

[0061] The knitting is, for example, waiting on the front lower bed before the passage of the carriage.

[0062] During the passage of the carriage in the second direction, the first system transfers, for example, some stitches of the knitting already done from the lower front bed to the upper rear bed, then the second system allows the weft to be placed between the beds by the depositing 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.

[0063] The depositing device 20 does not necessarily deposit a weft yarn on each pass of the carriage, but, for example, only for certain rows.

[0064] More particularly, during a passage of the carriage in the first direction, the front side of the article on a row is knitted, then during the subsequent passage of the carriage in the second direction, the back side on the same row is knitted.

[0065] Thus, it is possible to make a closed knit on a circumference, here a row, only by a back and forth of the carriage 22.

[0066] The manufacturing process for a compression article will now be described.

[0067] The compression article is, for example, suitable for the treatment of lymphedema or lipedema.

[0068] A compression garment is, for example, a garment or undergarment for a user designed to apply compression to the part(s) of the body surrounded by said garment. More specifically, for a compression garment, the compression force is generated, when the garment is worn, via a deformation / elongation located within the elastic range of the force curve relative to the elongation of the knit fabric in the direction of the stitch rows.

[0069] The manufacturing process includes the supply of a straight knitting machine and knitting a closed knit around a circumference.

[0070] The straight knitting machine includes four knitting beds and a depositing device adapted to deposit at least one weft yarn at a time between two of the four knitting beds.

[0071] More specifically, the straight knitting machine is as described above.

[0072] The knitting comprises rows of stitches knitted with the four knitting beds, at least one weft yarn being inserted between the rows of stitches by the laying device.

[0073] The mesh rows are formed by mesh threads.

[0074] The mesh yarns comprise at least one elastic mesh yarn.

[0075] For example, the mesh yarns comprise, more particularly are made up of, at least one elastic mesh yarn and at least one non-elastic mesh yarn.

[0076] The at least one elastic mesh yarn is, for example, a covered yarn comprising an elastane core and at least one cover yarn, more particularly one or two cover yarns.

[0077] The core of at least one elastic mesh yarn has, for example, a count between 22 and 450 dtex.

[0078] The or each cover yarn of at least one elastic mesh yarn has, for example, a count between 22 and 312 dtex.

[0079] The or each cover yarn of at least one elastic mesh yarn is, for example, made of polyamide.

[0080] At least one non-elastic mesh yarn has, for example, a count between 78 and 468 dtex.

[0081] At least one non-elastic mesh yarn is, for example, made of polyamide.

[0082] At least one weft yarn is an elastic yarn.

[0083] At least one weft yarn is, for example, a covered yarn, preferably double guipé, comprising an elastane core and at least one cover thread, here two cover threads.

[0084] At least one cover yarn is, for example, non-elastic, for example made of polyamide.

[0085] The core of at least one weft yarn has, for example, a count between 150 and 1860 dtex.

[0086] At least one cover yarn of at least one weft yarn has, for example, a count between 22 and 312 dtex.

[0087] Knitting includes, for example, one pass of weft yarn through each row of elastic or non-elastic yarn. The row of elastic yarn and the row of non-elastic yarn are liable to be confused, particularly if the elastic and non-elastic yarns are knitted together, more particularly by winnowing.

[0088] A weft yarn is, for example, laid at each row knitting between two beds, more particularly the two beds used for knitting said row.

[0089] 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.

[0090] 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 fitted and / or the knitting of anatomical areas, for example intended to extend at the level of a heel, an elbow or a knee.

[0091] The mesh yarns and at least one weft yarn are knitted according to a knitting structure.

[0092] During the knitting step, according to a first example of structure 40 shown in [Fig.2], the knit yarns 42, 44 are knitted in 1 and 1 rib. More particularly, the elastic knit yarn 42 and the non-elastic knit yarn 44 are knitted together in 1 and 1 rib, more particularly during the passage of the carriage 22, here by the second system.

[0093] To knit in 1 and 1 rib, here one stitch is knitted every other stitch, the needles of the needle beds being arranged opposite each other.

[0094] At least one weft yarn 46 is laid down, for example, at each row knitting.

[0095] The weft yarn 46 is deposited between the two knitting beds used, more particularly by the depositing device 20.

[0096] Here, a row of the article, comprising here a weft yarn, an elastic mesh yarn and a non-elastic mesh yarn, is knitted by a back-and-forth pass of the carriage 22.

[0097] Thus, the step of knitting a row of the knitting includes a round trip of the carriage 22.

[0098] More particularly, when the carriage passes in the first direction, the rear low bed and the front high bed are used, and, when passing in the second direction, the rear high bed and the front low bed are used.

[0099] More specifically, during the passage of the carriage 22 in the first direction, the first system transfers every other stitch from the lower back bed to the upper front bed. Then, the depositing device 20 deposits the weft yarn 46 between the two beds used, and the second system knits the stitches, of elastic and non-elastic yarn, on the lower back bed and the upper front bed, in 1 and 1 rib. Finally, the third system transfers the stitches present on the upper front bed to the lower back bed.

[0100] During the passage of the carriage 22 in the second direction, the first system transfers one out of every two stitches present on the front lower bed to the rear bed high. Then, the depositing device 20 deposits the weft yarn 46 between the two beds used and the second system knits the stitches, of elastic yarn and non-elastic yarn, on the upper back bed and the lower front bed, in 1 and 1 rib. Finally, the third system transfers the stitches present on the upper back bed to the lower front bed.

[0101] This step of knitting one row is repeated until the desired number of knitting rows is reached.

[0102] In a particular embodiment, the weft yarn is not deposited on each row, but for example every n rows, so that, for certain reiterations of the step described above, the depositing device 20 does not deposit weft yarn between the two beds used.

[0103] In addition, at each iteration, the number of needles used for knitting is likely to 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 at the level of a heel, an elbow or a knee.

[0104] According to a second example of structure 50 shown in [Fig.3], during the knitting step, at least one non-elastic knitting yarn 54 is knitted in 1 and 1 rib and at least one elastic knitting yarn 52 makes a stitch on one of two needles of one of the beds used for knitting.

[0105] More particularly, the elastic knitting yarn 52 makes a stitch on the needles of said bed, on which the non-elastic knitting yarn has made a 1 and 1 rib stitch.

[0106] Unlike the first example, the elastic knitting yarn 52 and the non-elastic knitting yarn 54 are knitted separately here.

[0107] At least one weft yarn 56 is laid down, for example, at each row of knitting of the non-elastic stockinette yarn 54.

[0108] Here, a row of the article, comprising here a weft yarn, an elastic mesh yarn and a non-elastic mesh yarn, is knitted by two back-and-forth passes of the carriage 22.

[0109] Thus, the step of knitting a row of the knitting includes two back-and-forth movements of the carriage 22.

[0110] More particularly, during the first pass of the carriage, the weft yarn 56 is laid down and the non-elastic knit yarn 54 is knitted in 1 and 1 rib 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.

[0111] During the first pass of the carriage 22 in the forward direction, the first system transfers every other stitch from the lower back bed to the upper 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 stockinette yarn 54 onto the lower back bed and the upper front bed, in rib 1 and 1. Finally, the third system transfers the stitches present on the upper front bed to the lower back bed.

[0112] During the first pass of the carriage, the weft yarn 56 is laid down, and the non-elastic stockinette yarn 54 is knitted onto a first face of the article.

[0113] During the first return of the carriage, the weft yarn 56 is laid down and the non-elastic stockinette yarn 54 is knitted on the second side of the article, i.e. here between the lower front bed and the upper back bed, i.e. only when the carriage passes in the opposite direction to the direction during the first round trip.

[0114] During the second pass of the carriage, the elastic mesh yarn 52 is knitted on the first side of the article.

[0115] During the second return of the carriage, the elastic mesh yarn 52 is knitted on the second side of the article.

[0116] This second round trip of the carriage is similar to the first round trip of the carriage, except that the second side of the article is knitted, whereas the first side is knitted during the first round trip.

[0117] This step of knitting one row, comprising two back and forth passes, is repeated until the desired number of rows of knitting is achieved.

[0118] In a particular embodiment, the weft yarn is not deposited on each row, but for example every n rows, so that, for certain reiterations of the step described above, the depositing device 20 does not deposit weft yarn between the two beds used.

[0119] In addition, at each iteration, the number of needles used for knitting is likely to 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 at the level of a heel, an elbow or a knee.

[0120] In one embodiment, the manufacturing process further includes at least one step of closing an opening in the knit, for example for the production of a compression article comprising a closed end, such as for example tights or a sock.

[0121] The closing step includes a knitting step between the front lower bed and the back lower bed, here using the carriage 22.

[0122] At the end of each pass of the carriage for knitting the knit, the stitches are transferred respectively to the lower back bed and the lower front bed.

[0123] 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 bed and the lower back bed.

[0124] By knitting together the stitches between the lower front bed and the lower back bed at the desired locations, this allows a join between the front present on the lower rear panel and the rear panel present on the lower front panel.

[0125] The mesh structure of the junction is identical to that of the rest of the knit, with or without weft yarn.

[0126] The manufacturing process further includes, for example, a step of creating backstitching points. More specifically, a backstitch is created at the end of the knitting step for the remaining loose yarns.

[0127] This prevents the said threads from unraveling.

[0128] The stopping point is, for example, made by knitting said yarn in 1 and 1 rib over a given number of needles, for example four needles, then a load over the same needles.

[0129] The manufacturing process further includes, for example, a step of joining two knitted pieces made by knitting as described above, for example of a right leg and a left leg of tights at the crotch.

[0130] Initially, the two knitted pieces are knitted separately but simultaneously on the same knitting machine. More specifically, the two knitted pieces are knitted on different parts of the knitting machine, on different needles. The two knitted pieces are, for example, knitted side by side on the knitting machine.

[0131] Then, the yarns of each of the two knits are interlaced in the junction over at least two knitting columns, here over two knitting columns.

[0132] This allows the yarn ends of the knits to be joined together, within the knit structure itself.

[0133] An example of the mesh structure of the junction stage is partially shown in [Fig.4].

[0134] In particular, for the sake of clarity in the figure, only one mesh yarn of the structure is shown, this structure being consistent with the first and second examples of ground mesh structure described previously opposite Figures 2 and 3. More specifically, in the case of a ground mesh structure similar to that of [Fig. 2], only the elastic mesh yarn 42 and the inelastic mesh yarn 44 are shown as a single yarn, the elastic mesh yarn 42 and the inelastic mesh yarn 44 being knitted together. However, a weft yarn 46 not shown is, for example, still laid down as described previously. In the case of a ground mesh structure similar to that of [Fig. 3], only the inelastic mesh yarn 54 is shown in [Fig. 4], the elastic mesh yarn being knitted otherwise similarly to what is described opposite [Fig. 3].2] and the weft yarn being, for example, always laid down as described previously.

[0135] The letter G in [Fig. 4] refers to the yarns used to knit the left-hand knit, here for the left leg, and the letter D to the yarns used to knit the right-hand knit, here the right leg.

[0136] First, the left knitting and the right knitting are knitted separately but in parallel on the same knitting machine.

[0137] Then, the yarns of the left and right knitting interlace over at least two columns, here two knitting columns. This secures the end of the yarn of the right knitting into the structure knitted from the left knitting (or vice versa).

[0138] Then, a reinforcement is made. More particularly here, the knitted structure, here the left knitting, comprises over 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 beds.

[0139] This helps to strengthen the bonding of the knits together.

[0140] Finally, the knitting of the article continues with a knitted structure in one piece, for example with the yarns initially used for the left-hand knitting.

[0141] Alternatively, the left knitting is joined in the right knitting, the rest of the article being knitted following the joining from the yarns initially used for the right knitting.

[0142] As mentioned previously, in one embodiment, the knitting step includes at least one step of decreasing the number of needles used and / or a step of increasing the number of needles used, in particular to adapt to the morphology of the future user.

[0143] Increasing or decreasing the number of needles is, for example, achieved by successive adjustments of the needle beds to add needles, that is to say by lateral movement of one needle bed relative to the other needle bed used for knitting without changing the spacing between the needles of each needle bed.

[0144] For each headframe of the needle beds, in particular for an increase in the number of needles, a hole filler 100 is made, for example. A hole filler is a given length of wire placed in a location, intended to fill a space left free.

[0145] 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 [Fig 5] only on beds 12 and 16. The structure is identical for beds 18 and 14.

[0146] the principle is similar with an increase on the left, carrying out the steps in mirror image.

[0147] As with [Fig.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 example of background mesh structure described previously with regard to Figures 2 and 3.

[0148] In the example shown, a first trestle, here towards the right, is made for knitting the front face. Thus, a trestle is made between the upper rear bed and the lower front bed.

[0149] More particularly, a stitch in the knitting pattern before the change in the number of needles, here a 1 and 1 rib, is knitted between the upper back bed 12 and the lower front bed 16 on one row, making in one place a hole filler 100 instead of a stitch, more particularly at the level of a needle of the lower front bed 16.

[0150] Then, a transfer from the needle at the location of the hole filler to the needle opposite the other bed, here the upper back bed 12, is carried out.

[0151] The stitches present on the other bed, here the upper back bed 12, are transferred, here on the lower front bed 16.

[0152] Thus, all the links are present on the lower front bed 16, only the hole filler being present on the upper rear bed 12.

[0153] Then, all the stitches on one side, here on the right, of the hole filler 100, are transferred, here on the upper back bed 12.

[0154] The other bed, here the upper back bed 12, is then shifted one row towards the first side, relative to the lower front bed 16, and all the stitches and the hole filler present on the other bed, here the upper back bed 12, are transferred to the lower front bed 16.

[0155] Thus, on the front face, a stitch is then added from the first side of the knitting, here on the right.

[0156] The above steps are repeated between the lower back bed 14 and the upper front bed 18, which is not shown in [Fig 5]. During this time, the stitches are held on the lower front bed 16.

[0157] This allows you to add a stitch in the knitting, on the front and then the back, on the second side of the knitting, here on the right.

[0158] Then, a second headframe is built, here towards the right.

[0159] More specifically, a stitch in the knitting pattern before the change in the number of needles, here a 1x1 rib, is worked between the upper back bed 12 and the lower front bed 16 in one row, adding a second hole filler in one location, in addition to the 1x1 rib pattern, more specifically at the lower front bed needle 16 directly next to the needle on which the hole filler 100 was, on the first side of said needle. The 1x1 rib pattern is, furthermore, such that a stitch is formed on the lower front bed needle 16 on which the hole filler 100 was.

[0160] Then, a transfer from the needle at the location of the second hole filler to the needle opposite the other bed, here the upper back bed 12, is carried out.

[0161] The stitches present on the other bed, here the upper back bed 12, are transferred, here on the lower front bed 16.

[0162] Thus, all the links are present on the front lower bed 16, only the second hole filler being present on the rear upper bed 12.

[0163] Then, all the stitches on one side, here on the right, of the second hole filler, are transferred, here on the back high bed 12.

[0164] The other bed, here the upper back bed 12, is then shifted one row towards the first side, relative to the lower front bed 16, and all the stitches and the hole filler present on the other bed, here the upper back bed 12, are transferred to the lower front bed 16.

[0165] Thus, on the front face, a second stitch is then added from the first side of the knitting, here on the right.

[0166] The above steps are repeated between the lower back bed 14 and the upper front bed 18, which is not shown in [Fig 5]. During this time, the stitches are held on the lower front bed 16.

[0167] Then, every other stitch of the front lower bed 16 is transferred to the back upper bed 12, so as to form a 1 and 1 rib pattern.

[0168] The 1 and 1 rib pattern then presents one more rib on the first side, here the right side of the knitting.

[0169] These steps are, for example, repeated in the event of additional additions of needles according to the desired number.

[0170] Then, the knitting according to the stitch with the modification of the number of needles, here in 1 and 1 rib, is resumed with the additional stitches.

[0171] As mentioned previously, in one embodiment, the knitting step includes at least one step of creating an anatomical shape, more particularly a heel.

[0172] An example of a knitting structure for making a heel is shown in [Fig 6].

[0173] As with Fig. 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 example of background mesh structure described previously with regard to Figures 2 and 3.

[0174] A central area of ​​the knitting pattern is defined, shown in [Fig 6] between the two vertical bars.

[0175] The pattern in the central area is, for example, replicated several times in said central area. This means that although only one stitch on a needle of each bed is represented in [Fig 6], the central area is likely to include N times this stitch.

[0176] A selvedge is defined on a first side of the central zone, here on the left, and a selvedge on a second side, here on the right. Herein, a selvedge is defined as a point adjacent to the central zone, outside the central zone, on the first side (respectively the second side) of the central zone.

[0177] Each row is knitted by one forward or one return movement of the carriage.

[0178] Each row starts where the previous row ends.

[0179] In the example shown, the pattern of the remaining knitting, here a 1 and 1 rib, is knitted between the upper back bed 12 and the lower front bed 16, then between the upper front bed 18 and the lower back bed 14, over one row.

[0180] In the example shown, the pattern, here a 1 and 1 rib, is then knitted between the upper back bed 12 and the lower front bed 16 of the first side of the center area only, over one row, here over the entire width of the previous row of the first side up to and including the selvedge of the first side of the center area.

[0181] Next, the pattern is worked between the upper back bed 12 and the lower front bed 16 on the first side of the center zone, removing a given number y of needles compared to the previous row. The pattern is worked only over a portion of the width of the previous row, specifically over the width of the previous row from the edge (inclusive) of the first side of the center zone, removing y of needles.

[0182] Then, the pattern is knitted between the upper front bed 18 and the lower back bed 14, over a whole row of knitting.

[0183] The two knitting steps between the upper back bed 12 and the lower front 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.

[0184] These knitting steps of a first side of the central area between the upper back bed 12 and the lower front bed 16, of a row between the upper front bed 18 and the lower back bed 14, then of a second side of the central area between the upper back bed 12 and the lower front bed 16, are likely to be repeated a desired number x of times.

[0185] Then, the pattern is knitted between the upper front bed 18 and the lower back bed 14, over a whole row of knitting.

[0186] Then, the pattern is knitted between the upper back bed 12 and the lower front bed 16, over a whole row of knitting.

[0187] The pattern is then knitted between the upper front bed 18 and the lower back bed 14, that is to say here on the back face, over a portion of width only over a plurality of rows, for example four rows.

[0188] The portion of width is, for example, different between said rows.

[0189] For each row, the portion is chosen to form the desired anatomical area.

[0190] Each width portion includes the central zone, and here at least one point, here at 1 and 1, on either side of the central zone.

[0191] Then, the pattern is knitted between the upper back bed 12 and the lower front bed 16 on the one hand and between the upper front bed 18 and the lower back bed 14 on the other hand, at least over a whole row of knitting.

[0192] In particular, the pattern is knitted between the upper back bed 12 and the lower front bed 16 over a whole row of knitting, then the pattern is knitted between the upper front bed 18 and the lower back bed 14 over a whole row of knitting, and then the pattern is knitted again between the upper back bed 12 and the lower front bed 16 over a whole row of knitting.

[0193] So, the pattern is again knitted between the upper front bed 18 and the lower back bed 14, that is to say here on the back face, over a portion of width only over a plurality of rows, for example four rows.

[0194] The portion of width is, for example, different between said rows.

[0195] For each row, the portion is chosen to form the desired anatomical area.

[0196] Each width portion includes the central zone, and here at least one point, here a 1 and 1 dimension, on either side of the central zone.

[0197] Then, the pattern is knitted between the front high bed 18 and the back low bed 14 over a whole row, for at least one row of knitting, here over two rows.

[0198] Then, the pattern is knitted between the upper back bed 12 and the lower front bed 16 on the one hand, and then between the upper front bed 18 and the lower back bed 14 on the other hand, over a whole row of knitting.

[0199] The two knitting steps between the upper back bed 12 and the lower front bed 16 on one side of the central area are then repeated on the second side of the central area.

[0200] Then, the pattern is knitted between the upper front bed 18 and the lower back bed 14, over a whole row of knitting.

[0201] The two knitting steps between the upper back bed 12 and the lower front bed 16 on one side of the central area are then repeated on the first side of the central area.

[0202] These knitting steps of the second side of the central area between the upper back bed 12 and the lower front bed 16, of one row between the upper front bed 18 and the lower back bed 14, and then of the first side of the central area between the upper back bed 12 and the lower front bed 16, are likely to be repeated the desired number x of times.

[0203] Then, the pattern is knitted between the upper front bed 18 and the lower back bed 14 on one side, and then between the upper back bed 12 and the lower front bed 16 on the other, over a whole row of knitting.

[0204] Then, the knitting according to the stitch with the modification of the number of needles, here in 1 and 1 rib, is repeated over the entire width of the rows.

[0205] The knitting principle described above is, for example, similar for forming any desired anatomical area, including the heel, elbow, knee or any other joint.

[0206] In one embodiment, the knitting step of the knit further includes the knitting of an anti-slip area.

[0207] The anti-slip zone includes 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 knit structure, integrated into the knit structure during knitting.

[0208] The knit structure of the anti-slip zone is, for example, identical to that of the rest of the knit except for the integration of the friction yarn on at least one of the rows of the anti-slip zone.

[0209] The friction yarn is, for example, knitted over a number of successive rows.

[0210] An example of a 60 knit structure for an anti-slip area is shown in [Fig.7].

[0211] The ground stitch, that is to say the stitch made with the non-elastic knitting yarn 64, the elastic knitting yarn 62 and in which the weft yarn 66 is deposited, is here identical to that described in the first example of knitting structure.

[0212] The friction yarn 68 makes a stitch on one out of every two needles of one of the beds used for knitting.

[0213] More particularly, the friction yarn 68 makes a stitch on the needles of said bed on which the stitch yarns have made a 1 and 1 rib stitch.

[0214] The knitting of a row is here carried out by two back-and-forth movements of the carriage.

[0215] In particular, the knitting of a row is similar to the knitting of 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.

[0216] 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.

[0217] Thus, in the anti-slip zone, the mesh threads further comprise at least one friction thread, for example coated with silicone.

[0218] The mesh yarns are then, for example, made up of at least one elastic mesh yarn, at least one non-elastic mesh yarn and at least one friction yarn.

[0219] The anti-slip zone prevents the item from slipping on the limb, without requiring the addition of a prefabricated band with a silicone coating, which would complicate the manufacturing process of the item.

[0220] The invention further relates to a compression article 100, such as that shown in [Fig.8], obtained by the manufacturing process described above.

[0221] The manufacturing process of the article is particularly simple to implement: the use of a straight knitting machine with four beds allows a completely finished and closed article to be knitted in one piece without the need for additional seams.

[0222] In addition, it is possible to easily adapt, without additional steps, the article according to the number of needles and the transfer of stitches between the different beds, to create anatomical areas.

Claims

Demands

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

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

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

4. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein at least one elastic mesh yarn (42, 52, 62) is a covered yarn comprising an elastane core and at least one cover yarn.

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

6. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the mesh yarns comprise, more particularly are made of, at least one elastic mesh yarn (42, 52, 62) and at least one non-elastic mesh yarn (44, 54, 64), preferably having a count between 78 and 468 dtex.

7. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein, During the knitting stage, the yarns are knitted in 1 and 1 rib.

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

9. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the mesh yarns comprise at least one friction yarn (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 process according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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