Belly band and method of using belly band

Abstract

To provide a belly band which is easy to put on and take off and can be worn in a lying position to support the torso, and a method for using the belly band.SOLUTION: A belly band 10 is fitted around the torso of the wearer, is tubular and made of fabric 11 of stretchable material, and is circumferentially divided into first to fourth sections, with at least the second to fourth sections each comprising: an outer fabric 12; a lining 13; and a chamber 15 formed between the outer fabric 12 and the lining 13, the chamber 15 in each of the second to fourth sections being filled with a filling material 16.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a belly band and a method for using the belly band. [Background technology]

[0002] As a measure against lower back pain, belts and supports mainly for supporting the lower back have been proposed. For example, the belt described in Patent Document 1 is a belt that is fastened by wrapping a band around the waist, and includes a belt body and a fastening part for keeping the belt body wrapped around the waist. A rigid reinforcing member made of a metal piece or a resin piece is inserted into the belt body. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2011-36553 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the invention described in Patent Document 1, the belt needs to be wrapped around the waist and fastened, which makes it difficult to put on and take off. In addition, the invention described in Patent Document 1 aims to firmly support the waist especially in a standing position, and since a reinforcing member is used, the belt itself is relatively stiff, making it difficult to wear when lying on the bedding on one's back or side, for example, when sleeping.

[0005] The present invention has been made in response to the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a belly band that is easy to put on and take off, and can be worn in a lying position to support the torso, and a method for using the belly band. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention includes the subject matter described in the following paragraphs.

[0007] Item 1: A belly band to be worn around the wearer's torso, The device has a cylindrical body portion, is made of a stretchable fabric, and is divided into first to fourth portions in the circumferential direction. A belly band in which at least each of the second to fourth portions has a chamber formed between an outer layer and an inner layer of the fabric, and the chamber in each of the second to fourth portions is filled with a filling material.

[0008] Item 2: The belly band according to item 1, wherein the first portion is not filled with a filler.

[0009] Item 3: The belly band according to item 1 or 2, wherein the first to fourth sections are defined by quilting the overlapped outer fabric and lining fabric along the axial direction of the tube.

[0010] Item 4: The belly band according to any one of items 1 to 3, wherein the filler includes granular material.

[0011] Aspect 5: The belly band according to any one of aspects 1 to 4, wherein the circumferential length of the first portion is longer than the circumferential length of the third portion.

[0012] Item 6: The belly band according to any one of items 1 to 5, wherein the second portion and the fourth portion have the same circumferential length.

[0013] Item 7: The belly band according to any one of items 1 to 6, wherein the circumferential length of the first portion and the circumferential length of the third portion are longer than the circumferential lengths of the second portion and the fourth portion.

[0014] Aspect 8: The belly band according to any one of aspects 1 to 7, wherein each of the first to fourth portions is formed over the entire length in the axial direction.

[0015] Item 9: The belly band according to any one of items 1 to 8, further comprising a cylindrical one-side portion continuous with the main body portion on one axial side of the main body portion.

[0016] Item 10: The belly band according to item 9, further comprising a cylindrical other-side portion continuous with the main body portion on the other axial side of the main body portion.

[0017] Item 11: A method for using the belly band according to any one of items 1 to 10, The wearer wears the belly band so that the first portion is located on the abdominal side of the wearer's torso, the third portion is located on the waist side of the wearer's torso, and the second and fourth portions are located on the left and right flank sides of the wearer's torso, A method of using a belly band, wherein when a wearer sleeps on their back, the filling material in the third portion moves along the shape of the waist to support the waist. Effect of the Invention

[0018] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a belly band that is easy to put on and take off and that can support the torso when worn in a lying position, and a method for using the belly band. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a belly band according to one embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the upper right front direction. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the belly band as viewed from the lower left direction on the back side. [Diagram 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. [Figure 7] 4A is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 3, and FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a wearer is lying on his / her back while wearing the belly band. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a wearer is wearing the belly band and lying on his / her side. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a belly band according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a belly band according to another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 to 7 show a belly band 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The belly band 10 of the present invention is worn around the torso of the wearer, and covers at least the lower part of the torso of the wearer P, including the lower back, the lower part of the abdomen including the navel, and the lateral abdominal area, which are the left and right sides of the abdomen. The belly band 10 is cylindrical and is made of a stretchable fabric 11. The fabric 11 is stretchable at least along the circumferential direction Y of the belly band 10, and in this embodiment, is stretchable along the circumferential direction Y and the axial direction X of the tube. The fabric 11 is made of an outer fabric 12 and a lining 13 superimposed on each other. One end and the other end of the fabric 11 in the axial direction X are connected to the outer fabric 12 and the lining 13 along the circumferential direction Y, and the belly band 10 is bag-shaped.

[0021] The belly band 10 comprises a main body portion 10A and a first side portion 10B on one side of the main body portion 10A in the axial direction X, and the main body portion 10A is cylindrical and divided into first to fourth portions 20A to 20D along the circumferential direction Y. The first side portion 10B is provided continuous with the cylindrical first to fourth portions 20A to 20D along the axial direction X.

[0022] The fabric 11 is provided with quilting 14A-14E, which divides the first to fourth portions 20A-20D and the one side portion 10B. In the drawings, the quilting 14A-14E is shown by dotted lines. Four quiltings 14A-14D (seams) are provided along the axial direction X on at least the fabric 11 of the main body portion 10A of the belly band 10, which divide the first to fourth portions 20A-20D in the circumferential direction Y of the belly band 10. In addition, between the main body portion 10A and the one side portion 10B of the belly band 10, quilting 14E is provided at least at positions corresponding to the second to fourth portions 20B-20D along the circumferential direction Y, and the quilting 14E divides the one side portion 10B and the second to fourth portions 20B-20D along the axial direction X.

[0023] In this embodiment, four quilts 14A-14D are provided over the entire length of the belly band 10 in the axial direction X, and the four quilts 14A-14D divide the main body portion 10A into first to fourth portions 20A-20D and divide the one side portion 10B into small portions 21A-21D. The quilts 14E are provided between the main body portion 10A and the one side portion 10B of the belly band 10 at positions corresponding to the second to fourth portions 20B-20D along the circumferential direction Y. Since the quilts 14E are not provided at positions corresponding to the first portion 20A, the first portion 20A and the small portion 21A of the one side portion 10B are continuous without being divided by the quilts 14E.

[0024] Chambers 15A-15H are formed in the internal space between the outer fabric 12 and the inner fabric 13. In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 7(A) and 7(B), the first to fourth portions 20A-20D include chambers 15A-15D, respectively, and the small portions 21A-21D of the one side portion 10B include chambers 15E-15H, respectively. The chamber 15A of the first portion 20A and the chamber 15E of the small portion 21A of the one side portion 10B are continuous with each other.

[0025] The quilting 14A-14E may be provided in any position as long as it is provided to divide at least the first to fourth portions 20A-20D. In this embodiment, the four quiltings 14A-14D are provided over the entire length of the axial direction X of the belly band 10, that is, continuously on the main portion 10A and the one side portion 10B of the belly band 10, but they may be provided only on the main portion 10A. In this case, the one side portion 10B is not divided into small portions 21A-21D, and the one side portion 10B has one chamber that is continuous in the circumferential direction Y, and the chamber 15A of the first portion 20A and the chamber of the one side portion 10B are continuous. The quilting 14E may be provided over one circumference in the circumferential direction Y. In this case, the one side portion 10B and the first to fourth portions 20A-20D are divided by the quilting 14E, and the chamber 15A of the first portion 20A and the chamber of the one side portion 10B are not continuous.

[0026] In this embodiment, the length L1 in the circumferential direction Y of the first portion 20A is set to be longer than the length L3 in the circumferential direction Y of the third portion 20C, the length L2 in the circumferential direction of the second portion 20B and the length L4 in the circumferential direction Y of the fourth portion 20D are set to be the same, and the length L3 in the circumferential direction Y of the third portion 20C is set to be longer than the lengths L2 and L4 in the circumferential direction Y of the second portion 20B and the fourth portion 20D. In this embodiment, the overall length (circumferential length) in the circumferential direction Y of the belly band 10 is 76 cm, the length L1 in the circumferential direction Y of the first portion 20A is 22 cm, the length L3 in the circumferential direction Y of the third portion 20C is 20 cm, and the lengths L2 and L4 in the circumferential direction Y of the second and fourth portions 20B and 20D are set to 17 cm. The circumferential lengths of the small portions 21A to 21D of the one side portion 10B are the same as the circumferential lengths L1 to L4 of the first to fourth portions 20A to 20D. The lengths L1 to L4 are not limited to the above lengths, and are appropriately set according to the wearer's body type, etc. For example, the length L1 in the circumferential direction Y of the first portion 20A and the length L3 in the circumferential direction Y of the third portion 20C may be set to the same length. The lengths L1 to L4 are the circumferential distances between the quiltings 14A to 14D when no force is applied to the belly band 10 and the belly band 10 is neither stretched nor shrunk.

[0027] The stretchable fabric 11 constituting the outer fabric 12 and the lining 13 may be, for example, a fabric called bare jersey or smooth, but any stretchable material (stretch material) may be used. When a force is applied to the fabric 11 in a predetermined direction, the fabric 11 preferably stretches to 1.2 to 3 times its length in the predetermined direction when no force is applied to the fabric 11, and more preferably stretches to 1.2 to 2 times its length in the predetermined direction when no force is applied to the fabric 11. The stretchability of the fabric 11 allows the belly band 10 to fit the wearer's body shape.

[0028] Further, the filler 16 is filled in each of the chambers 15B to 15D of the second to fourth parts 20B to 20D. When a force is applied from the outside, the filler 16 can move inside each of the chambers 15B to 15D, and the entire filler 16 is deformed. In this embodiment, the filler 16 is composed of at least granular material, which is the first material. The granular material has a three-dimensional shape such as a sphere, an ellipsoid, a cube, a rectangular parallelepiped, a polyhedron, etc., and the maximum value of the distance between any one point on the surface and any other point is preferably 1 mm or more and 30 mm or less, more preferably 1 mm or more and 10 mm or less. The granular material is composed of, for example, foamed beads, glass beads, crushed foaming agent such as urethane foam, natural fibers such as cotton, silk, wool, etc. that have been granulated, synthetic fibers such as polyester, polypropylene, polyethylene, etc. that have been granulated, etc., or combinations thereof, but is not limited thereto. In this embodiment, foamed beads with an average diameter of about 3 mm are used.

[0029] The filler 16 may also include the first material and a second material different from the first material. The second material may be made of a material with lower fluidity than the first material. Fluidity refers to the ease of movement in each of the chambers 15B to 15D when a force is applied from the outside. For example, if the materials have the same composition, a sphere has higher fluidity than a cube or a rectangular parallelepiped, and a material with a small surface friction has higher fluidity than a material with a large surface friction. The second material is made of, for example, short fibers (cutting materials) of synthetic fibers such as polyester, polypropylene, and polyethylene, short fibers (cutting materials) of natural fibers such as cotton, hemp, silk, and wool, short fibers (cutting materials) of cellulose-based artificial fibers such as rayon and lyocell, and granules cut from a core material made of urethane or hard cotton, or a mixture of a plurality of these. The second material has a three-dimensional shape such as a sphere, an ellipsoid, a cube, a rectangular solid, a polyhedron, etc., and the maximum value of the distance between any one point on the surface and any other point is set to be larger than that of the first material, preferably larger than 1 mm and 50 mm or less, more preferably larger than 1 mm and 30 mm or less. The fluidity of the entire filling material can be adjusted by adjusting the mixing ratio of the first material and the second material. The first material, the second material, and the mixing ratio are appropriately selected so that the filling material as a whole can ensure fluidity that conforms to the shape of the wearer's waist and side abdomen. In one example, foam beads with an average diameter of about 3 mm are used as the first material, and granules made of urethane with an average maximum distance between any one point on the surface and any other point on the surface of about 5 mm are used as the second material, and the mixing ratio of the first material and the second material may be set to 1:1.

[0030] In addition, the first material and the second material may further contain materials with various functions, such as deodorizing materials, fragrant materials, antibacterial materials, etc., and the first material and the second material themselves may have these functions.

[0031] The chamber 15A of the first portion 20A is not filled with the filler 16. Moreover, the chambers 15E to 15H of the one-side portion 10B are not filled with the filler 16. "Not filled with the filler 16" includes not only a case where no filler 16 is contained at all, but also a case where the filler 16 is filled in such a small amount that the body cannot be supported by the filler 16.

[0032] The belly band 10 of this embodiment is manufactured as follows. A piece of rectangular fabric 11 is folded in half so that the length of the fabric 11 is aligned in the direction corresponding to the axial direction X of the belly band 10. The fabric 11 folded in half becomes the outer fabric 12 and the lining 13. Quilting 14E is provided on the folded fabric 11 in the direction corresponding to the circumferential direction Y of the belly band 10. Three quiltings 14B to 14D are also provided in parallel over the entire length of the axial direction X. The folded fabric 11 is then bent in the direction corresponding to the circumferential direction Y of the belly band 10 to form a ring, and quilting 14A is applied to form a tube. The end along the axial direction X, which is opposite the folded-back side, is open, so that the chambers 15B to 15D of the second to fourth sections 20B to 20D are filled with the filling material 16 by blowing or the like, or after filling, and the end on the opposite side is closed by sewing.

[0033] The manufacturing method is not limited to the above, and any method can be used as long as it can produce the belly warmer 10 of the present invention. For example, two rectangular pieces of fabric 11 can be folded in half by sewing the perimeters together to create a rectangle.

[0034] Furthermore, the fabric 11 of the first portion 20A and the fabric 11 of the one side portion 10B may be composed of either the outer fabric 12 or the inner fabric 13.

[0035] (How to use Belly Warmer 10) A method of using the belly band 10 will now be described. The wearer puts the belly band 10 on from the feet side or from the head side, and attaches the belly band 10 to the torso. At this time, the wearer P wears the belly band 10 so that the one side portion 10B is located on the wearer P's head side, the first portion 20A is located on the abdominal side of the wearer P's torso, the third portion 20C is located on the waist side of the human body's torso, and the second and fourth portions 20B to 20D are located on the left and right flank sides of the wearer P's torso. Since the belly band 10 is stretchable, the length of the belly band 10 in the circumferential direction Y expands to match the size of the wearer P's torso.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 8, when the wearer P wears the belly band 10 and lies on his / her back on the bedding, the filling material 16 in the third portion 20C of the belly band 10 moves in the chamber 15C due to the wearer P's own weight, assumes a shape that conforms to the curved shape of the wearer P's waist, and supports the waist. Also, as shown in FIG. 9, when the wearer P lies on his / her side with the right side facing down as seen from the wearer P, the filling material 16 in the second portion 20B moves in the chamber 15B due to the wearer P's own weight, assumes a shape that conforms to the curved shape of the flank, and supports the right flank. When the wearer P lies on his / her side with the left side facing down as seen from the wearer P, the filling material 16 in the fourth portion 20D moves in the chamber 15D due to the wearer P's own weight, assumes a shape that conforms to the shape of the flank, and supports the left flank. To make the filling material 16 easier to deform, the wearer P may move the filling material 16 by hand to positions corresponding to the waist and the left and right flanks before going to sleep. In Figures 8 and 9, the belly band 10 is worn so that one side portion 10B is positioned toward the head of the wearer P, but the belly band 10 may also be worn so that one side portion 10B is positioned toward the legs of the wearer P.

[0037] According to this embodiment, the belly band 10 is cylindrical and made of stretchable fabric 11, so it can be worn by slipping it on or over your head, and there is no need to wrap it around your waist, making it easy to put on and take off. In addition, unlike the prior art, it does not use a reinforcing member, and is made of fabric 11 such as cloth, so it is soft, so it can be worn in a lying position, and you can even sleep while wearing it. In addition, the filling material 16 moves to match the shape of the torso, especially the waist and the left and right sides, so it can firmly support the torso, especially the essential parts and the left and right sides. Furthermore, since the filling material 16 is filled into the second to fourth parts 20B to 20D of the belly band 10, the second to fourth parts 20B to 20D have better heat retention than the first part 20A, and can warm the waist and the left and right sides where the second to fourth parts 20B to 20D are located.

[0038] Furthermore, since the first portion 20A is not filled with the filling material 16, the filler material 16 will not press on the abdomen when the wearer P sleeps face down. Furthermore, by having the one side portion 10B, the one side portion 10B is positioned on the upper part of the abdomen or the lower part of the back above the waist, increasing the area of ​​contact of the belly band 10 with the wearer, and making it difficult for the belly band 10 to slip off the waist or lower part of the abdomen. The one side portion 10B can also warm the abdomen and lower part of the back. Furthermore, when the one side portion 10B is worn on the foot side, the one side portion 10B can warm the buttocks and thighs.

[0039] Another embodiment of the present invention is shown in Fig. 10. The embodiment of Fig. 10 differs from the first embodiment in that it does not include one side portion 10B. The first to fourth portions 20A to 20D are formed along the entire length of the axial direction X of the belly band 10, and quilting 14E is not applied. The other configurations are the same as those of the embodiment of Fig. 1, so corresponding parts are given the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

[0040] The belly band 10 of the embodiment in Fig. 10 is manufactured as follows: A piece of rectangular fabric 11 is folded in half so that the length direction of the fabric 11 corresponds to the axial direction X of the belly band 10. Three quiltings 14B-14D are provided in parallel over the entire length in the axial direction X on the folded fabric 11. The folded fabric 11 is further bent in a direction corresponding to the circumferential direction Y of the belly band 10 to form a ring shape, and quilting 14A is applied to form a tube. The end along the axial direction X opposite the folded side is open, so the chambers 15B-15D of the second to fourth sections 20B-20D are filled with filling material 16 by a blowing method or the like, while the end on the opposite side is sewn closed.

[0041] Another embodiment of the present invention is shown in Fig. 11. In the embodiment of Fig. 11, a cylindrical other side portion 10C is further provided on the other axial side of each of the first to fourth portions 20A to 20D of the embodiment of Fig. 1, which is continuous with each of the first to fourth portions 20A to 20D. Quilting 14F is provided in parallel with the quilting 14E, on the other side of the quilting 14E, and at positions corresponding to at least the second to fourth portions 20B to 20D. The quilting 14F divides the other side portion 10C from the second to fourth portions 20B to 20D of the main body portion 10A along the axial direction X.

[0042] In this embodiment, four quilts 14A-14D are provided over the entire length of the belly band 10 in the axial direction X, and the four quilts 14A-14D divide the other side portion 10C into small portions 22A-22D. Since the quilt 14F is not provided at a position corresponding to the first portion 20A, the first portion 20A and the small portion 22A of the other side portion 10C are continuous without being divided by the quilt 14F. The small portions 22A-22D of the other side portion 10C each have a chamber 15I-15L, and the chamber 15A of the first portion 20A is continuous with the chamber 15I of the small portion 22A of the other side portion 10C. The other configuration is the same as that of the embodiment in FIG. 1, so the corresponding portions are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description will be omitted.

[0043] The belly band 10 of this embodiment is manufactured as follows. A piece of rectangular fabric 11 is folded in half so that the length of the fabric 11 is aligned in the direction corresponding to the axial direction X of the belly band 10. The folded fabric 11 is provided with quilting 14E along the direction corresponding to the circumferential direction Y of the belly band 10. Three quiltings 14B-14D are also provided in parallel over the entire length of the axial direction X. The folded fabric 11 is then bent in the direction corresponding to the circumferential direction Y of the belly band 10 to form a ring, and quilting 14A is applied to form a tube. The chambers 15B-15D of the second to fourth portions 20B-20D are filled with the filler 16 by a blowing method or the like, and quilting 14F is applied. Finally, the end portion along the axial direction X that is opposite to the folded-back side, i.e., the end portion of the other side portion 10C, is closed by sewing.

[0044] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention. The dimensions, materials, shapes, and relative arrangements of components described as an embodiment or shown in the drawings are merely illustrative examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. For example, expressions expressing relative or absolute arrangements such as "in a certain direction," "along a certain direction," "parallel," "orthogonal," "center," "concentric," or "coaxial" not only strictly express such arrangements, but also express a state in which they are relatively displaced with a tolerance or an angle or distance to the extent that the same function is obtained. For example, expressions expressing that things are in an equal state, such as "same," "equal," and "homogeneous," not only strictly express a state in which they are in an equal state, but also express a state in which there is a tolerance or a difference to the extent that the same function is obtained. [Explanation of symbols]

[0045] 10 Belly warmer 10A Main body 10B One side part 10C Other side part 11. Fabric 12 Outer material 13 Lining 14A~14E Quilting Room 15A~15H 16 Filling material 20A~20D Parts 1~4 21A-21D Small part of one side P wearer X-axis direction Y circumferential direction

Claims

1. A belly band to be worn around the wearer's torso, The device has a cylindrical body portion, is made of a stretchable fabric, and is partitioned into first to fourth portions in a circumferential direction; At least each of the second to fourth portions has a chamber formed between the outer and inner layers of the fabric, and the chamber of each of the second to fourth portions is filled with a filling material.

2. The belly band of claim 1 , wherein the first portion is not filled with a filling material.

3. 2. The belly band according to claim 1, wherein the first to fourth portions are defined by quilting the overlapped outer fabric and lining fabric along the axial direction of the tube.

4. The belly band according to claim 1 , wherein the filling material includes granular material.

5. The belly band according to claim 1 , wherein a circumferential length of the first portion is longer than a circumferential length of the third portion.

6. The belly band according to claim 1 , wherein the second portion and the fourth portion have the same circumferential length.

7. The belly band according to claim 1 , wherein a circumferential length of the first portion and a circumferential length of the third portion are longer than a circumferential length of the second portion and a circumferential length of the fourth portion.

8. The belly band according to claim 1, wherein each of the first to fourth portions is formed over the entire length in the axial direction.

9. The belly band according to claim 1 , further comprising a tubular one-side portion continuous with the main body portion on one axial side of the main body portion.

10. The belly band according to claim 9, further comprising a tubular other-side portion continuous with the main body portion on the other axial side of the main body portion.

11. A method for using the belly band according to any one of claims 1 to 10, comprising: The wearer wears the belly band so that the first portion is located on the abdominal side of the wearer's torso, the third portion is located on the waist side of the wearer's torso, and the second and fourth portions are located on the left and right flank sides of the wearer's torso, A method of using a belly band, in which, when a wearer lies on his / her back, the filling material in the third portion moves along the shape of the waist to support the waist.

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