Compression garment

Abstract

A compression garment is formed of a plurality of joined elastic fabric panels 3, 5, 7 configured to encircle at least a portion of a wearer’s body. At least one of the fabric panels is provided with

Description

Field of the Invention This invention relates to a compression garment, such as a T shirt or a pair of shorts. In particular, this invention relates to a compression garment, which is formed of a plurality of elastic fabric panels and having an inner surface for facing towards the wearer and an outer surface for facing away from the wearer. Background to the Invention Compression garments are items of clothing that are adapted to fit tightly around the wearer’s body, for example around the wearer’s torso, arms or legs. They may be formed of non-stretchable fabrics or elastic (i.e. stretch and recover) fabrics. Compression garments have a variety of medical applications, for example to help prevent deep vein thrombosis, as well as post-surgical applications, for example to promote wound healing. Compression garments have also increasingly been used for physical activity, as so-called sportswear. As sportswear, compression garments can provide several benefits including but not limited to streamlining the body, prevention of chafing, protection from injury and performance enhancements. Compression sportswear is usually provided as garments formed of plurality of elastic fabric panels and having an inner surface for facing towards the wearer and an outer surface for facing away from the wearer. The garments are sized so that they are smaller than the wearer’s body in their relaxed state. When worn, the fabric panels stretch and apply elastic recovery forces to compress the body. Although compression garments of the type described above serve as effective sportswear, there remains scope for improvement. It has been proposed to provide compression garments which are able to provide different levels of compression to different regions of the body. It would, for example, be advantageous to provide enhanced levels of compression targeted to certain regions of the body, for example certain muscle groups, for protection or performance reasons. Summary of the invention According to the invention, there is provided a compression garment formed of a plurality of elastic fabric panels which are joined together and configured to encircle at least a portion of a wearer’s body, the garment having an inner surface for facing towards the wearer and an outer surface for facing away from the wearer, wherein at least one of the elastic fabric panels is provided on the outer surface with an outer layer of stretchable material, the outer layer of stretchable material having an area of less than 20% of the area of the outer surface of the garment, as determined in the relaxed state of the garment, and defining a first discrete shape having a first periphery enclosing a first area, wherein the at least one of the elastic fabric panels provided with the outer layer of stretchable material is also provided on the inner surface with an inner layer of stretchable material, the inner layer of stretchable material having an area of less than 20% of the area of the inner surface of the garment, as determined in the relaxed state of the garment, and defining a second discrete shape having a second periphery enclosing a second area, such that regions of the elastic fabric panels having at least one of the inner and outer layers of stretchable material are less stretchable than regions of the elastic fabric panels having neither of the inner and outer layers of stretchable material, and wherein the second periphery overlaps the first periphery such that at least 50% of the second area is within the first periphery, as determined in the relaxed state of the garment. The invention thus provides a garment formed of elastic fabric panels which is configured to compress the wearer’s body, by reason of elastic recovery forces, when the garment is worn. An outer layer of stretchable material is provided on the outer surface of the garment, which serves to restrict the stretching of the elastic fabric in the region of the garment in which it is present, thereby providing elevated tension and compression forces in this region. Furthermore, according to the invention, an inner layer of stretchable material is provided on the inner surface of the garment, which serves to restrict the stretching of the elastic fabric in the region of the garment in which it is present, thereby also providing elevated tension and compression forces in this region. Still further, according to the invention, the outer and inner layers are configured to overlap and are therefore in at least partial registration with respect to each other. In this way, even more elevated levels of tension and compression may be achieved than would be the case for garments having either an outer layer or an inner layer of stretchable material. This in turn facilitates even greater protection and performance benefits. The invention allows for the restriction in the stretchability to be achieved by a combination of inner and outer layers of stretchable material, which allows for greater design flexibility than would be the case if only a single layer were to be present. For instance, the outer layer may be primarily decorative, with a relatively small effect on the stretchability of the elastic fabric, whereas the inner layer may be primarily functional, which a greater effect on the stretchability of the elastic fabric. It is to be noted, in this regard, that the appearance of the inner layer is relatively unimportant because it is not visible when the garment is worn. Furthermore, the provision of the outer and inner layers of stretchable material may allow of at least three different levels of restriction on the stretchability of the elastic fabric, these corresponding to regions with only the outer layer, regions with only the inner layer and regions having both layers. Further refinements may be obtained by patterning the first and / or second layers. The first and second discrete shapes may correspond to, and be arranged for positioning against one of the wearer’s muscles. The peripheries of the discrete shapes may be formed by drawing a notional line around the parts of the relevant material layer associated with the muscle. The periphery may be formed as a convex envelope, i.e. without any concavities. In embodiments of the invention, the elastic fabric panels are formed of a woven and / or knitted fabric. Preferred embodiments comprise elastic fabrics that are flat, by which it is meant that they are not elastically gathered. Such fabrics are generally more comfortable for the wearer. Preferred elastic fabrics are omni- (i.e. multi-) directionally elastically stretchable. The outer layer of stretchable material may be a polymer material, optionally a printed polymer material, such as an elastomer, bonded to the outer surface. Such materials can be applied easily using known printing techniques and allow for intricate designs which are both functional and decorative designs to be produced. The inner layer of stretchable material may be provided as a film or fabric material, optionally an elastic film or fabric material, bonded to the inner surface. Such materials are generally less decorative, but may have a greater effect on the stretchability of the elastic fabric. In some embodiments, the inner layer may be formed of the same material, or same type of material, as the elastic fabric itself, thus creating a “double layer” of the fabric. The film or fabric material may be bonded to the inner surface by a thermoplastic adhesive composition. Accordingly, in preferred embodiments, the inner layer of stretchable material is less extensible than the outer layer of stretchable material and therefore has a greater effect in reducing the stretchability of the elastic fabric. As used herein, “less stretchable” means that a stretchable material extends less than another stretchable material when the same tensile force is applied to rectangular samples of the materials having the same length and width, in particular in the elastic region of materials’ force-elongation curve. In embodiments, the second periphery is entirely surrounded by the first periphery. However, it is also possible for the first periphery to entirely surround the second periphery. Furthermore, it is possible for the first and second peripheries to be identical. The first discrete shape defined by the outer layer may be formed as a pattern of lines of the stretchable material, each line having a width of 2 mm to 20 mm, as measured in the relaxed state of the garment. The lines may be parallel and have spacings of 2 mm to 20 mm. In this way, shapes which are both functional and decorative may be provided. The colour of the outer layer may be different to, or may even contrast, with the colour of the elastic fabric panel on which it is provided. Such an arrangement may facilitate placement of the region having enhanced tension and compression properties against parts of the body in which these properties are needed or desired. The second discrete shape defined by the inner layer may be formed as at least one, optionally exactly one, discrete patch of the stretchable material. The colour of the inner layer is unimportant, although it may be chosen to blend with the elastic fabric panel on which it is provided. The invention provides embodiments in the form of a variety of different items of clothing are provided. In some embodiments, the compression garment is lower body garment, such as a pair of shorts or leggings. In this case, the first and second discrete shapes are positioned to contact one of the wearer’s legs, and further such first and second discrete shapes (i.e. having the same of the above described features as the first and second discrete shapes) are provided and positioned to contact the other of the wearer’s legs. The shapes and the further shapes are preferably arranged to be symmetrical about the wearer’s sagittal plane. Where the compression garment is a pair of shorts or leggings, the first and second discrete shapes and the further such first and second discrete shapes may be shaped and positioned to selectively register with and bear against the wearer’s thigh and / or calf muscles. In other embodiments, the compression garment is an upper body garment, such as T shirt or sleeve. In this case, the first and second discrete shapes are positioned to contact one of the wearer’s arms. In the case of a T shirt, further such first and second discrete shapes (i.e. having the same of the above described features as the first and second discrete shapes) are provided and positioned to contact the other of the wearer’s arms. The shapes and the further shapes are preferably arranged to be symmetrical about the wearer’s sagittal plane. Where the compression garment is an upper body garment, the first and second discrete shapes and the further such first and second discrete shapes may be shaped and positioned to selectively register with and bear against the wearer’s upper arm muscles. The compression garment may also be an upper body garment, such as a T shirt or a vest, in which the first and second discrete shapes are positioned to contact the wearer’s torso. In this case, the shapes are preferably arranged to be symmetrical about the wearer’s sagittal plane and / or are shaped and positioned to selectively register with and bear against the wearer’s chest and / or abdominal muscles. In any of the embodiments described above, the first and / or second discrete shapes may have a length of from 50 mm to 500 mm, preferably 80 mm to 300 mm, most preferably 100 mm to 200 mm. Shapes having such a length have been found to provide suitably focused areas of tension and compression. Brief Description of the Drawings Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a schematic front view of a lower body garment according to the invention; Fig. 2 is a schematic back view of the lower body garment; Fig. 3a shows, in isolation, an outer layer of stretchable material forming part of the lower body garment; Fig. 3b shows, in isolation, an inner layer of stretchable material forming part of the lower body garment; Fig. 4 shows the outer layer of Fig. 3a and the inner layer of Fig. 3b superposed as they are in the lower body garment; and Fig. 5 is a perspective image of the lower body garment. Detailed Description The invention provides a compression garment formed of a plurality of elastic fabric panels which are joined together and configured to encircle at least a portion of a wearer’s body, the garment having an inner surface for facing towards the wearer and an outer surface for facing away from the wearer. The garment is preferably an item of sportswear, by which it is meant that the garment is adapted for use while the wearer is engaged in physical activity, in particular high intensity or endurance sports activities. An embodiment of the compression garment of the invention is shown in Figs. 1 to 5. The illustrated embodiment is a pair of shorts 1, although it should be understood that the invention may be embodied as any lower or upper body garment, or even an all-over body garment. Figs. 1 and 2 show a front view and back view of the shorts 1. The shorts 1 are formed of a front panel 3, a side / back panel 5 and a crotch panel 7 which are joined together by stitching to define a waist opening 9 and a pair of leg openings 11, 13. The shorts 1 are thus configured to encircle the wearer’s torso / waist and legs. The shorts 1 have an inner surface for facing towards the wearer and an outer surface for facing away from the wearer. The elastic fabric panels 3, 5, 7 may be formed of a woven and / or knitted fabric, and in the illustrated example are formed of an elastane-based (spandex) fabric which is elastically stretchable in all directions. Such a fabric is flat, by which it is meant that it is not elastically gathered. At least one of the elastic fabric panels, in this case the side / back panel 5, is provided on the outer surface with an outer layer of stretchable material 15, in this case formed of a printed polymer. Such materials are known in the art, for example as Lycra FitSense® technology, and typically involve a water-based dispersion of the polymer being screen printed onto a fabric. The outer layer of stretchable material 15 covers a relatively small area of the outer surface of the shorts 1, in particular an area of less than 20% of the area of the outer surface of the shorts 1 (i.e. excluding any open areas within a patterned layer), as determined in the relaxed state of the shorts 1. The printed thermoplastic elastomer forming the outer layer of stretchable material 15 defines a first discrete shape 17 having a first periphery enclosing a first area (i.e. the first area is defined by the first periphery). The first discrete shape 17 is shown in more detail in Fig. 3a. The first discrete shape 17 is formed as a pattern of lines 21a, 21b of the stretchable material, each line having a width of 2 mm to 20 mm, in this case 4 mm, as measured in the relaxed state of the shorts 1. Some lines 21a substantially form the outline of the shape 17, whereas other lines 21b are arranged within the outline. These other lines 21 b are arranged to be parallel to one another and have spacings of 2 mm to 20 mm, in this case 6 mm. The resulting shape 17 is primarily functional in serving to restrict the extensibility of the elastic fabric, but may also be decorative. The colour of the outer layer of stretchable material 15 may be different to, or may even contrast, with the colour of the elastic fabric 5 panel on which it is provided. In the illustrated embodiment, the outer layer of stretchable material 15 is black and the elastic fabric is blue. Such a configuration assists the wearer in positioning the first discrete shape 17 against a specific part of the body, in this case a quadriceps muscle in the right thigh, where enhanced tension and compression properties are desired. The printed thermoplastic elastomer forming the outer layer of stretchable material 15 also defines a further first discrete shape 19. The further first discrete shape 19 is essentially the same as the first discrete shape 17 except that it is provided to be positioned against a quadriceps muscle in the left thigh, where enhanced tension and compression properties are desired. The first discrete shape 17 and the further first discrete shape 19 are also arranged to be symmetrical about the wearer’s sagittal plane. Furthermore, the elastic fabric panel provided with the outer layer of stretchable material 15, in this case the side / back panel 5, is also provided on the inner surface with an inner layer of stretchable material 23, in this case formed of a number of elastic fabric patches 27 bonded to the inner surface. The elastic fabric of the patches 27 is similar to that of the elastic fabric panels and thus forms a “double layer” in the regions in which it is provided. The inner layer of stretchable material 23 covers a relatively small area of the inner surface of the shorts 1, in particular an area of less than 20% of the area of the inner surface of the shorts 1 (i.e. excluding open areas within a patterned layer), as determined in the relaxed state of the shorts 1. The inner layer of stretchable material 23 is less extensible than the outer layer of stretchable material 15 and therefore has a greater effect on the stretchability of the elastic fabric. As used herein, “less stretchable” means that a stretchable material extends less than another stretchable material when the same tensile force is applied to rectangular samples of the materials having the same length and width, in particular in the elastic region of materials’ force-elongation curve. The inner layer of stretchable material 23 defines a second discrete shape 25 having a second periphery enclosing a second area (i.e. the second area is defined by the second periphery). The second discrete shape 25 is not visible from the outside of the shorts 1, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, but is indicated schematically in these drawings. The second discrete shape 25 is shown in more detail in Fig. 3b. The second discrete shape 25 defined by the inner layer of stretchable material 23 is formed as four discrete patches 27 of the stretchable material 23, with the periphery forming a convex envelope around the patches 27. The colour of the inner layer 23 is unimportant, although it may be chosen to blend with the elastic fabric panel 5 on which it is provided, and is in this case blue. With the shorts 1 configured in this way, regions of the elastic fabric panels having at least one of the inner and outer layers of stretchable material 15, 23 are less stretchable than regions of the elastic fabric panels having neither of the inner and outer layers of stretchable material 15, 23. Moreover, the second periphery (of the second discrete shape 25) is arranged to overlap the first periphery (of the first discrete shape 17) such that at least 50% of the second area is within the first periphery, as determined in the relaxed state of the shorts. Fig. 4 shows the outer layer 15 of Fig. 3a and the inner layer 23 of Fig. 3b superposed as they are in the shorts 1. In the illustrated embodiment, the second area is entirely within the first periphery. That is to say, the second periphery (of the second discrete shape 25) is entirely surrounded by the first periphery (of the first discrete shape 17), i.e. it is smaller. The first discrete shape / periphery may have a length of approximately 140 mm and a width of 130 mm, whereas the second discrete shape / periphery may have a length of 130 mm and a width of 120 mm. Consequently, the second discrete shape 25 is arranged for positioning against the same part of the wearer’s body as the first discrete shape 17, in this case a quadriceps muscle in the right thigh, where enhanced tension and compression properties are desired. The inner layer of stretchable material 23 also defines a further second discrete shape 27. The further second discrete shape 27 is essentially the same as the second discrete shape 25 except that it is provided to be positioned against a quadriceps muscle in the left thigh, where enhanced tension and compression properties are desired. The second discrete shape 25 and the further second discrete shape 27 are also arranged to be symmetrical about the wearer’s sagittal plane. Fig. 5 is a perspective image of the shorts 1, from which it can be clearly seen that the first discrete shape 17 (and the underlying second discrete shape 25) are arranged for positioning against the wearer’s quadriceps muscle in the right thigh, where enhanced tension and compression properties are desired. Corresponding observations apply to the further first discrete shape 19 (and the underlying further second discrete shape 27), which are hidden from view in Fig. 5 but are arranged for positioning against the wearer’s quadriceps muscle in the left thigh. The shorts 1 according to the invention provide a garment formed of elastic fabric panels which is configured to compress the wearer’s body, by reason of elastic recovery forces, when the garment is worn. An outer layer of stretchable material is provided on the outer surface of the garment, which serves to restrict the stretching of the elastic fabric in the region of the garment in which it is present, thereby providing elevated tension and compression forces in this region. Furthermore, an inner layer of stretchable material is provided on the inner surface of the garment, which also serves to restrict the stretching of the elastic fabric in the region of the garment in which it is present, thereby also providing elevated tension and compression forces in this region. The outer and inner layers are configured to overlap and thereby be in at least partial registration with respect to each other. In this way, even more elevated levels of tension and compression may be achieved than would be the case for garments having either an outer layer or an inner layer of stretchable material. This in turn facilitates even greater protection and performance benefits. As is described above, the invention allows for the restriction in the stretchability to be achieved by a combination of inner and outer layers of stretchable material, which allows for greater design flexibility than would be the case if only a single layer were to be present. For instance, the outer layer may be primarily decorative, with a relatively small limiting effect on the stretchability of the elastic fabric, whereas the inner layer may be primarily functional, which a more significant limiting effect on the stretchability of the elastic fabric. It is to be noted, in this regard, that the appearance of the inner layer is relatively unimportant because it is not visible when the garment is worn. Furthermore, the provision of the outer and inner layers of stretchable material may allow at least three different levels of restriction on the stretchability of the elastic fabric, these corresponding to regions with only the outer layer, regions with only the inner layer and regions having both layers. Further refinements may be obtained by patterning the first and / or second layers. An embodiment of the invention has been described above in the context of a pair of shorts 1. The skilled person will understand that many modifications may be made to the embodiment without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims. For example, the invention may be embodied as other items of clothing such as leggings, T shirts, sleeves and vests, in which case the first and second shapes would be configured to bear against other relevant muscle groups, such as thigh muscles, calf muscles, upper arm muscles, chest muscles and / or abdominal muscles.

Claims

1. A compression garment formed of a plurality of elastic fabric panels which are joined together and configured to encircle at least a portion of a wearer’s body, the garment having an inner surface for facing towards the wearer and an outer surface for facing away from the wearer,wherein at least one of the elastic fabric panels is provided on the outer surface with an outer layer of stretchable material, the outer layer of stretchable material having an area of less than 20% of the area of the outer surface of the garment, as determined in the relaxed state of the garment, and defining a first discrete shape having a first periphery enclosing a first area,wherein the at least one of the elastic fabric panels provided with the outer layer of stretchable material is also provided on the inner surface with an inner layer of stretchable material, the inner layer of stretchable material having an area of less than 20% of the area of the inner surface of the garment, as determined in the relaxed state of the garment, and defining a second discrete shape having a second periphery enclosing a second area,such that regions of the elastic fabric panels having at least one of the inner and outer layers of stretchable material are less stretchable than regions of the elastic fabric panels having neither of the inner and outer layers of stretchable material,and wherein the second periphery overlaps the first periphery such that at least 50% of the second area is within the first periphery.

2. The compression garment of claim 1, wherein the elastic fabric panels are formed of a woven and / or knitted fabric.

3. The compression garment of claim 1 or 2, wherein the outer layer of stretchable material is a polymer material, optionally a printed polymer material.

4. The compression garment of any preceding claim, wherein the inner layer of stretchable material comprises a film or fabric material bonded to the inner surface, optionally wherein the film or fabric material is bonded to the inner surface by a thermoplastic composition.

5. The compression garment of any preceding claim, wherein the inner layer of stretchable material is less extensible than the outer layer of stretchable material.

6. The compression garment of any preceding claim, wherein the second periphery is entirely surrounded by the first periphery.

7. The compression garment of any preceding claim, wherein the first discrete shape comprises a pattern of lines of the stretchable material, each line having a width of 2 mm to 20 mm, as measured in the relaxed state of the garment, optionally wherein the lines are parallel have spacings of 2 mm to 20 mm, as measured in the relaxed state of the garment.

8. The compression garment of any preceding claim, wherein the second discrete shape is formed as at least one, optionally exactly one, discrete patch of the stretchable material.

9. The compression garment of any preceding claim, in the form of a lower body garment, wherein the first and second discrete shapes are positioned to contact one of the wearer’s legs, and wherein further such first and second discrete shapes are provided and positioned to contact the other of the wearer’s legs.

10. The compression garment of claim 9, wherein the first and second discrete shapes and the further such first and second discrete shapes are positioned to bear against the wearer’s thigh and / or calf muscles.

11. The compression garment of any of claims 1 to 8, in the form of a upper body garment, wherein the first and second discrete shapes are positioned to contact one of the wearer’s arms, and wherein further such first and second discrete shapes are provided and positioned to contact the other of the wearer’s arms.

12. The compression garment of claim 11, wherein the first and second discrete shapes and the further such first and second discrete shapes are positioned to bear against the wearer’s upper arm muscles.5 13. The compression garment of any of claims 1 to 8, in the form of a upper bodygarment, wherein the first and second discrete shapes are positioned to contact the wearer’s torso.

14. The compression garment of claim 13, wherein the first and second discrete 10 shapes are positioned to bear against the wearer’s chest and / or abdominal muscles.

15. The compression garment of any preceding claim, wherein the first and / or second discrete shapes have a length of from 50 mm to 500 mm, as determined in the relaxed state of the garment.15

Images