SELF-APPLICATION MASSAGE OR ACUPRESSURE GARMENT AND ASSOCIATED MANUFACTURING METHOD

Abstract

The present invention relates to a garment (10) comprising at least two attachment points (Rf) so as to position the garment (10) relative to at least two anatomical attachment points (Pf) of a user; said garment (10) also having acupressure points (Ra) on which the user can act, for example with a massage or Shiatsu technique; said garment (10) comprising a soft and deformable textile or fabric such that the positioning of the attachment points (Rf) on the attachment points (Pf) results in the effective placement of the acupressure points (Ra) on acupressure points (Pa) of the user. Figure 2.

Description

Title of the invention: PIECE OF CLOTHING FOR SELF-APPLICATION OF MASSAGES OR ACUPRESSURES AND ASSOCIATED MANUFACTURING METHOD Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to the field of items of clothing, more particularly items of clothing allowing the user to effectively self-apply a treatment, such as a massage or an acupressure method.

[0002] The invention finds a particularly advantageous application in allowing the user to treat himself between sessions with a professional, typically a masseur or a Shiatsu master. State of the art

[0003] Traditional Chinese medicine is recognized for its therapeutic benefits, especially in the prevention or gentle healing of diseases. It is based on an analysis of the human body with energy flowing along lines of flux, called meridians.

[0004] Based on this modeling of the human body, several therapeutic or preventive treatments are possible, notably in the form of massages, acupuncture or the application of acupressure. Shiatsu is a manual technique which aims to stimulate specific points of the body, the acupressure points, by applying pressure to them with the fingers, or other parts of the body such as the elbows or feet.

[0005] The pressure points targeted during an acupressure treatment are the same as those used in acupuncture. They are often located along the flow lines and each acupressure point typically corresponds to a specific organ or muscle in the body. [Fig.l], from the state of the art, illustrates the arm 12 of a person, with the main acupressure points Pa represented.

[0006] In order to benefit from the beneficial effects of acupressure using the Shiatsu technique, it is now common to call upon a Shiatsu master who can effectively identify the acupressure points Pa according to each person's body.

[0007] Indeed, these specific acupressure points being invisible on the skin, and present in more than 360 different locations on the body, they require a lot of understanding of the human body and know-how in order to be found precisely. There is currently no method allowing these points to be easily found. acupressure points in order to effectively self-apply a treatment, such as a massage or an acupressure method.

[0008] There are, however, clothes to facilitate the self-stimulation of acupressure points.

[0009] For example, document KR 100361421 describes a range of acupressure garments comprising a fabric to which removable acupressure effectors can be attached. Since the garments are suitable for several ranges of people, they are not ideally suited to each acupressure point. Document KR 100361421 proposes to overcome this problem by providing very large acupressure effectors so as to solicit with multiple peaks a fairly large area. This solution therefore recognizes that it is difficult to precisely locate an acupressure point of a particular user and proposes to solicit a large area so as to hope to touch the desired acupressure point.

[0010] Document KR 19980057211 describes a set of garments for massage and acupressure with effectors sewn in the form of half-spheres. Similarly, given the variability of the body shapes of potential users, it is unlikely that the effectors will be arranged precisely opposite the acupressure points when the garment is worn by a user.

[0011] The technical problem of the invention is therefore to allow any person, whatever their level of expertise, to identify acupressure points on their body on which they can act to perform a massage or a Shiatsu method. Statement of the invention

[0012] The invention proposes to address this technical problem by using a garment with acupressure markers and attachment markers. The garment has a flexible and deformable textile or fabric such that the attachment markers cooperate with attachment points to deform the textile or fabric. This deformation also results in effective placement of the acupressure markers on the user's acupressure points.

[0013] To this end, according to a first aspect, the invention relates to a piece of clothing comprising at least two fixing markers so as to position the piece of clothing relative to at least two anatomical fixing points of a user.

[0014] The invention is characterized in that said piece of clothing also has acupressure markers on which the user can act, for example with a massage or Shiatsu method; said piece of clothing comprising a flexible and deformable textile or fabric so that the positioning of the fixing markers on the fixing points results in the effective placement of the acupressure markers on the user's acupressure points.

[0015] The invention thus allows a user to quickly identify the acupressure points on which he can perform a massage or treatment with a Shiatsu method. Indeed, it is much simpler for a user to identify fixation points, that is to say precise anatomical points, than to find acupressure points to be solicited.

[0016] For the purposes of the invention, an acupressure point is an anatomical indicator making it possible to find the precise acupressure marker, located on the item of clothing, with which it is associated. Thus, an “effective” placement of the acupressure markers means that the markers on the item of clothing are correctly placed on the positions of the acupressure points known to the practitioner, for example the masseur or the Shiatsu master.

[0017] These points are referenced in the literature and often placed on the meridians of the user's body.

[0018] Similarly, a fixation marker is a reference point that is visible and can be found by a novice user, such as the elbow, thumb, clavicle, armpits, shoulders, or navel, allowing the fixation points of the invention to be correctly placed. Preferably, the fixation markers are drawn on the garment with a color different from the acupressure markers. The colors can also be used to allow the user to easily recognize the side of the piece of clothing to be used, in particular when the piece of clothing is reversible at the level of the lower and upper limbs.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the piece of clothing comprises at least one sphere secured to the textile or fabric on at least one acupressure marker. This sphere allows effective pressure by the user on the associated acupressure point. Indeed, the shape of the sphere and the tension of the textile or fabric makes it possible to transform pressure on any upper part of the sphere into localized pressure at the lower end of the sphere.

[0020] Thus, even if the user is not an expert at pressing on pressure points, the sphere makes it possible to transform the force applied by the user in a manner close to the pressure that a practitioner can apply.

[0021] Advantageously, the sphere has a diameter of between 7 and 20 mm in order to allow pressure points to be applied simply and effectively with a pressure surface similar to that of a practitioner, typically applied with the fingers, elbows or feet.

[0022] Furthermore, the presence of the sphere and the tension of the textile or fabric also causes continuous pressure of the sphere on the acupressure point so that the mere fact of wearing the item of clothing correctly, that is to say with a correspondence of the fixing marks on the fixing points, allows to have a continuous effect for the user.

[0023] Preferably, several spheres are placed on several acupressure points depending on the user's needs. To do this, each sphere is preferably composed of two nestable half-spheres, one half-sphere of which is located on a first face of the piece of clothing, and the other half-sphere is located on a second face of the piece of clothing, opposite said first face.

[0024] This embodiment makes it possible to easily interchange the position of the spheres on the different acupressure points, for example to adapt to a particular type of treatment for a user.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the half-sphere(s) have a fastening system extending radially from the center of the inner face of each half-sphere and comprising a male part coming from the first half-sphere cooperating with a female part coming from the second half-sphere. This configuration makes it possible to effectively and durably connect the two half-spheres over time and to resist washing of the item of clothing.

[0026] According to another embodiment, the garment has flow markers in the form of lines such that positioning the attachment markers on the attachment points results in the efficient placement of the flow markers on flow lines of the user.

[0027] These flow markers allow easier use of the invention by allowing any user, regardless of their morphology and level of knowledge in acupressure massages, to locate the meridians of their body after effective placement of the acupressure markers on acupressure points.

[0028] The user can thus learn independently to identify the meridian points of his body and, after long periods of use, be able to directly identify meridians and acupressure points on his body without the aid of the invention. This invention can thus prove to be a tool for learning Shiatsu.

[0029] According to one embodiment, the piece of clothing has openings at which at least one reinforcing strip is placed. These reinforcing strips are placed on the fragile points of the piece of clothing in order to reinforce these points and increase the durability of the piece of clothing.

[0030] These reinforcing bands can also follow several meridians of the user, for example to improve the positioning of the piece of clothing for experienced users and to improve the mobility of the treated part.

[0031] According to one embodiment, the piece of clothing has holes at the acupressure markers, each hole being surrounded by a stiffening strip. The holes allow the male and female half-spheres to fit together, the strips of stiffening limiting the risk of tearing at the holes, particularly when the textile or fabric is under tension.

[0032] According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a method of manufacturing a piece of clothing according to the first aspect of the invention, said method comprising the following steps: - mounting the textile or fabric on a mannequin having anatomical attachment points and acupressure points similar to those of a user, the mounting being carried out so as to position the attachment markers on the attachment points; and - tracing the acupressure markers on the acupressure points of the mannequin.

[0033] Preferably, the piece of clothing comprising at least one sphere secured to the textile or fabric on at least one acupressure marker, the method also comprises the steps of: - making holes at the acupressure markers; and - mounting at least one sphere on at least one acupressure marker.

[0034] The textile or fabric preferably has the following characteristics: - breathable, to ensure user comfort even during physical activity or everyday activities; - abrasion resistant to resist friction and wear; - lightweight to minimize user fatigue; - dries quickly to prevent the user from feeling damp and cold; - made from recycled, organic or renewable materials to reduce the environmental footprint; - soft for user comfort; and / or - hypoallergenic for compatibility with the greatest number of users.

[0035] In order to obtain a flexible and deformable textile that meets the criteria of respect for the environment, durability and user comfort, different materials can be considered for the textile, for example: - cotton, hypoallergenic and antibacterial material; - linen, a textile material known for being environmentally friendly and for its excellent thermal regulation; - hemp, resistant and not very deformable over the years, antibacterial and antifungal; - wool, known for its softness to the touch; - silk, known for its softness and strength; - leather, known for its strength and durability over time; - Polyamides, nylon, the best known of which is nylon, known for their softness to the touch and their resistance; and / or - elastane, known for its elasticity. Brief description of the drawings

[0036] The invention will be well understood and other aspects and advantages will appear clearly on reading the following description, given by way of example with reference to the attached figure plates in which:

[0037] [Fig. 1] is a front view of an arm on which the acupressure points known from the state of the art are placed;

[0038] [Fig.2] is a top view of an arm on which a piece of clothing is arranged according to a first embodiment of the invention;

[0039] [Fig. 3] is a top view of an arm on which is arranged a piece of clothing described according to a second embodiment of the invention on which a flow marker is visible;

[0040] [Fig.4] is a perspective view of an acupressure sphere;

[0041] [Fig.5] is a schematic cross-sectional view of the sphere of [Fig.4];

[0042] [Fig.6] is a perspective view of a male hemisphere composing [Fig.4]; And

[0043] [Fig.7] is a perspective view of a female half-sphere making up [Fig.4], Detailed description of the invention

[0044] [Fig. 2] illustrates a first embodiment of the invention for a piece of clothing adapted to an arm 12 of a user. This piece of clothing 10 may be in the form of a sleeve mounted between the shoulder and the metacarpals of the user's hand. Of course, the invention may be adapted for other types of pieces of clothing such as the complete torso, in the form for example of a T-shirt or a shirt, or for a thigh in the form of shorts extending from the top of the chamber to the ankle, or in the form of shorts or a neck warmer extending from the shoulders to the top of the user's neck.

[0045] Thus, many pieces of clothing can be imagined according to the invention and Figures 2 and 3 illustrate an example with a piece of clothing adapted to an arm 12. To be adapted correctly to the arm 12 of a user, this piece of clothing 10 incorporates fixing marks Rf which are intended to be arranged on fixing points Pf of the user. Typically, these fixing points Pf can be anatomical landmarks such as the clavicle, the malleolus or any other protruding bone at the parts on which the piece of clothing 10 is intended to be mounted. Thus, the piece of clothing 10 can be marketed, folded and relaxed with a dimension much smaller than the conventional dimensions of a user.

[0046] For the example of a sleeve as illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, this may be shorter than the conventional length of an arm and when mounted on the arm of a user, the textile or fabric forming the piece of clothing is configured to deform so that the Rf fixing marks are arranged on the Pf fixing points.

[0047] The correspondence of the fixation marks Rf with the fixation points Pf causes a displacement of the entire textile or fabric and this displacement is configured to allow the matching of acupressure marks Ra on physiological acupressure points Pa of the user.

[0048] Indeed, in traditional Chinese medicine, these acupressure points Pa are known as illustrated in [Fig.l], and the invention thus makes it possible to reference at least a part of these acupressure points Pa, normally invisible, so that the user can use them even if he does not have a high degree of expertise to detect them. Thus, when the textile or fabric is stretched and correctly placed on a part of the user's body, the latter can solicit the acupressure marks Ra so as to press on the acupressure points Pa through the piece of clothing 10.

[0049] The user can thus apply a massage technique or even a Shiatsu method to obtain a therapeutic effect using the item of clothing 10. To obtain more effective pressure on the acupressure points Pa, the item of clothing 10 can integrate one or more spheres 20 secured to the textile or fabric on at least one of the acupressure marks Ra.

[0050] To do this, holes may be made in the textile or fabric. Alternatively, the stitches forming the piece of clothing 10 may be relaxed when these spheres 20 are mounted.

[0051] For example, these spheres may have a diameter of between 7 and 20 mm and be formed of two nestable half-spheres 21 and 22 as illustrated in FIGS. 4 to 7. The spheres may be made of plastic material, for example polypropylene, wood or metal.

[0052] These two half-spheres 21-22 may have an external surface with patterns making it possible to improve the aesthetics or even the rigidity of the sphere 20. These two half-spheres 21 and 22 can be fitted together from two different faces of the piece of clothing 10.

[0053] Thus, an external face Fe visible in figures 2 and 3 can be used to position a male part 21 of the sphere 20 while the female part 22 is arranged opposite the male part on the lower face Fe of the piece of clothing 10.

[0054] More precisely, the male part and the female part of the two half-spheres form a fixing system 23 with two parts which extend radially from the center of the lower face of each half-sphere 21 and 22. As illustrated in [Fig.7], the male part 24 has a cylindrical shape which can have a diameter ranging from 4 to 8mm, supplanted by a cross shape, shapes intended to penetrate into a cylindrical part of the female part 25 of the sphere 20.

[0055] The fins of the cross 24 deform when they are inserted into the cylindrical part 25 so as to firmly hold the two half-spheres 21 and 22 one inside the other.

[0056] Of course, the manufacturing tolerances of the male and female parts can be configured to determine the desired strength of attachment of the two half-spheres to form the sphere 20 in order to condition the possibility or not for the user to modify the position thereof. This attachment of the two half-spheres 20 and 21 makes it possible to replace damaged spheres 20. In addition, this attachment also makes it possible to quickly add additional acupressure points on the piece of clothing 10 thanks to the recommendation of a Shiatsu master or the needs of the user, if the latter is initiated in Shiatsu techniques. The shape of each half-sphere 20 and 21 can be made to promote recyclability between the textile part and the plastics part. As illustrated in [Fig.5], a space can be predetermined between the two half-spheres to ensure that the attachment of the two half-spheres to each other does not damage the fabric.

[0057] The male part of the fixing system also has a smaller fin and / or cylinder diameter in its part furthest from the male half-sphere, describing a rounded edge penetrating the female half-sphere, allowing a more solid hold between the spheres while reducing the risks of damaging the textile or fabric.

[0058] The perfectly centered fit between the two half-spheres 21 and 22 allows pressure to be transmitted perpendicular to the body of the recipient. Thus, when one of the half-spheres 21 or 22 is pressed with the finger to exert pressure, a force vector is transmitted perpendicularly to the chosen acupuncture point, such as pressure by acupressure by a Shiatsu master.

[0059] Furthermore, when it is desired to fix the spheres irremovably, it is possible to complete this fixing system 23 by gluing the two half-spheres onto the piece of clothing 10 or to carry out gluing inside the fixing system 23. In addition to the holes possibly used to place the spheres 20, the piece of clothing conventionally comprises openings 11 intended to place the hands, the thumb or any other part of the user's body depending on the piece of clothing 10 used.

[0060] To limit the risk of tearing of the piece of clothing 10 over time, it is preferable to reinforce these openings, for example with reinforcing strips 13. These strips 13 can be produced with overlocking or with thicknesses of material or even materials having a rigidity greater than the piece of clothing 10.

[0061] In the same way, if holes are used to place the spheres 20, it is also possible to use stiffening strips around these holes to guarantee the hold over time and limit the deformations of the piece of clothing 10 at the level of these holes, when the latter is deformed by the matching of the fixing marks Rf on the fixing points Pf.

[0062] Typically, when the item of clothing is used for a particular user, a masseur or Shiatsu master can determine the acupressure points Pa which must be solicited for a particular user and the latter can himself place the spheres 20 on the acupressure markers Ra of the item of clothing. Once these spheres 20 are positioned, the user can therefore wear the item of clothing 10 between two sessions to have a continuous action on the acupressure points Pa which must be solicited and improve the treatment.

[0063] Furthermore, the spherical shape of the spheres 20 allows the user to also follow protocols for stressing these acupressure points Pa by pressing on the spheres 20 for a prescribed duration and sequence of stresses.

[0064] To produce this piece of clothing 10, it is possible to mount it on a mannequin also having attachment points Pf and acupressure points Pa which are similar to those of an average user in terms of size or dimension. It should be noted that the piece of clothing 10 can be sold in the form of a range with different average sizes, for example for men, women or children of different ages, so that the mannequin can represent a range of reference users with a specific size.

[0065] By using the attachment points Pf of the mannequin, it is possible to stretch the piece of clothing 10 so that the attachment marks Rf are positioned on the attachment points Pf. In this state, the textile or fabric of the piece of clothing 10 is stretched and it is possible to transfer the acupressure marks by visualizing the acupressure points Pa. It is thus possible to form visual marks, for example with ink marking of the acupressure marks Ra on the textile or fabric.

[0066] Furthermore, when it is envisaged to place spheres 20 on the textile or fabric, it is also possible to make holes or to prepare the textile so that it is more easily extensible at these places which will form the acupressure markers. To obtain the rigidity characteristics of the textile or fabric forming the piece of clothing 10, it is possible to use any type of material with a desired deformation capacity, for example hemp, wool, silk, leather, polyamides, elastane or any other artificial or synthetic fiber.

[0067] Preferably, fibers are selected which are capable of withstanding different washes while retaining their capacity for deformation, typically polyamide fibers or artificial or synthetic fibers.

[0068] To conclude, the invention makes it possible to provide a user with a piece of clothing that he can wear between several sessions with a professional to locate invisible anatomical points, such as acupressure points Pa, and thus carry out self-application of a massage or simply solicitation of acupressure points, typically 30s minimum per sphere without time limitation.

[0069] The invention is particularly advantageous for applying Shiatsu techniques, in the form of DO-IN, between two sessions with a Shiatsu master because the expertise necessary to detect these acupressure points is particularly difficult to grasp and the technique for applying these points can be carried out using simple pressure on the spheres 20 when these are used with the item of clothing 10 to solicit the acupressure points Pa.

[0070] Each range of clothing items will thus be able to treat a specific part of the body. Each item of clothing may have a particular design, for example based on an Asian pictorial representation to recall the origins of Shiatsu, DO-IN and traditional Chinese medicine.

Claims

Claims

1. A piece of clothing (10) comprising at least two attachment markers (Rf) so as to position the piece of clothing (10) relative to at least two anatomical attachment points (Pf) of a user; characterized in that said piece of clothing (10) also has acupressure markers (Ra) on which the user can act, for example with a massage or Shiatsu method; said piece of clothing (10) comprising a flexible and deformable textile or fabric so that the positioning of the attachment markers (Rf) on the attachment points (Pf) results in the effective placement of the acupressure markers (Ra) on acupressure points (Pa) of the user.

2. A piece of flexible clothing according to claim 1, in which the piece of clothing (10) comprises at least one sphere (20) secured to the textile or fabric on at least one acupressure mark (Ra).

3. A piece of clothing according to claim 2, wherein said at least one sphere has a diameter of between 7 and 20 mm.

4. A piece of clothing according to claim 2 or 3, wherein said at least one sphere (20) is composed of two nestable half-spheres (21-22), one half-sphere (21-22) of which is located on a first face (Fe, Fi) of the piece of clothing (10), and the other half-sphere (21-22) is located on a second face (Fe, Fi) of the piece of clothing (10), opposite said first face (Fe, Fi).

5. A piece of clothing according to claim 4, wherein the two half-spheres (21-22) have a fastening system (23) extending radially from the center of the inner face of each half-sphere (21-22), the fastening system (23) comprising a male part (24) coming from the first half-sphere (21-22) cooperating with a female part (25) coming from the second half-sphere (21-22).

6. A piece of clothing according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said piece of clothing (10) has flow markers (Rm) in the form of lines such that positioning the attachment markers (Rf) on the attachment points (Pf) results in the efficient placement of the flow markers on flow lines of the user.

7. A piece of clothing according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said piece of clothing (10) has openings (11) at which at least one reinforcing strip (13) is placed.

8. A piece of clothing according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein said piece of clothing (10) has holes at the acupressure marks (Ra), each hole being surrounded by a stiffening strip.

9. Method for manufacturing a piece of clothing according to one of claims 1 to 8, said method comprising the following steps: - mounting the textile or fabric on a mannequin having anatomical attachment points (Pf) and acupressure points (Pa) similar to those of a user, the mounting being carried out so as to position the attachment marks (Rf) on the attachment points (Pf); and - tracing the acupressure marks (Ra) on the acupressure points (Pa) of the mannequin.

10. Manufacturing method according to claim 9, wherein, the piece of clothing (10) comprising at least one sphere (20) secured to the textile or fabric on at least one acupressure mark (Ra), the method also comprises the steps of: - making holes at the acupressure marks (Ra); and - mounting at least one sphere (20) on at least one acupressure mark (Ra).

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