Elastic clothing and manufacturing method thereof

Abstract

To provide elastic clothing capable of suppressing the generation of slackness and wrinkles in an articulation covering part liable to inhibit the flow of lymph with a simple constitution.SOLUTION: In elastic clothing, at least part of the knitted fabric portion of an interior covering part 11 covering the inside in the articulation bending direction in an articulation covering part 10 for covering the circumference of the articulation has a row decreasing part 11a in which the row number of stitches in the wale direction is smaller than that of the knitted portion forming an exterior covering part 12. When worn, comparatively strong tension acts on the articulation covering part 10 in the knitted side having a small row number. As a result, slackness or wrinkles are less likely to occur on the inner side when the articulation is bent, and it is possible to prevent the flow of lymph from being inhibited by the slackness or wrinkles.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an elastic clothing formed from a knitted fabric containing elastic yarns and a method for manufacturing the same.

Background Art

[0002] For preventing metastasis and the like in cancer surgery, lymph node resection is performed. When lymph nodes are resected, the flow of lymph fluid deteriorates and accumulates in the limbs, causing lymphedema. For the prevention and treatment of lymphedema, appropriate exercise, lymphatic drainage, compression therapy, lymphaticovenous anastomosis, etc. are effective. Among them, compression therapy using elastic stockings that apply a strong compressive force is convenient and easy to implement in daily life.

[0003] As such elastic stockings, Patent Document 1 discloses a medical stocking having a configuration in which the wearing pressures in the ankle region, lower leg region, and thigh region are gradually weakened. This improves the effect of improving the flow of lymph fluid in the leg, and by setting the ratio of the yarn lengths of the ground yarn and the inserted yarn (elastic yarn) to a predetermined relationship, measures are also taken to enhance breathability and moisture permeability.

[0004] Further, Patent Document 2 proposes a tubular bandage corresponding to a change in the cross-section of a bent portion of a wearing site of the human body for the treatment of lymphedema and venous reflux disorder. It measures the vertical cross-sectional dimension at a predetermined position of the human body and forms a tubular bandage having a corresponding cross-sectional dimension. Patent Documents 3 and 4 disclose sleeve-type and glove-type compression garments that can be worn not only on the lower limbs but also on the arms and hands.

[0005] On the other hand, Patent Document 5 discloses a glove for correcting extension disorders occurring in the wrist joint and finger joints. This glove contains stretchable yarns, and the palm part is inlay knitting, and the back part of the hand is inlay knitting including reverse knitting or tack knitting, so that a force that warps from the palm side to the back side of the hand acts. By wearing this glove, the muscle strength of the fingers can be exercised, and it has been shown to be effective for Parkinson's disease patients.

Prior Art Documents

Non-Patent Documents

[0006]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Patent Document 4

Patent Document 5

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] The medical stocking of Patent Document 1 is basically formed in the same shape as a general stocking. Therefore, looking at the joint covering part that covers around the joint, as shown in the drawings of Patent Document 1, for example, at the ankle joint, since the heel side bulges outward, it has a part that covers the heel, and there is no special device in the way of knitting on the inner side of the ankle joint. Therefore, it has the number of stitches in the course direction and the number of stitches (number of rows) in the wale direction required to form the inner side of the ankle joint. For this reason, on the inner side of the ankle joint, the fabric is likely to sag and wrinkle, and it is difficult to apply pressure in the compression direction. Also, the sagging and wrinkling of the fabric may dig into the skin and inhibit the flow of lymph fluid and blood flow. The same applies to the tubular bandage of Patent Document 2, and the same can be said about the part that covers the ankle joint shown in the drawing as in Patent Document 1. However, in Patent Document 2, it is formed after measuring the circumference near the ankle joint, and compared with that of Patent Document 1, it is considered to have a higher fit and be less likely to sag and wrinkle on the inner side of the ankle joint. However, the one in Patent Document 2 needs to measure the circumference of the wearing part and correspond to its cross-sectional change, and the manufacturing process is complicated and troublesome.

[0008] As in Patent Documents 3 and 4, measures against lymphedema are also necessary in the arms and hands, and an elastic garment that can be applied not only to the lower limbs such as stockings but also to measures against lymphedema in the arms and the like is desirable.

[0009] In addition, it would be convenient if an elastic garment useful for enhancing and improving muscle strength in patients with Parkinson's disease and the like, as shown in Patent Document 5, could be manufactured with a similar structure.

[0010] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and has a simple configuration, and suppresses a situation where necessary pressure cannot be applied or the flow of lymph fluid or blood is inhibited due to sagging or wrinkling occurring in the joint covering portion, and can be applied not only to the lower limbs but also to the arms, hands, etc., and an object thereof is to provide an elastic garment suitable for improving and preventing lymphedema and venous reflux disorder, and a method for manufacturing the same. Further, an object of the present invention is to provide an elastic garment that can be used for improving muscle strength with a similar structure and a method for manufacturing the same.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0011] In order to solve the above problems, in the present invention, An elastic garment provided with a tubular joint covering portion that is knitted using elastic yarns and has an inner covering portion that covers the inner side in the bending direction of the joint and an outer covering portion that covers the outer side in the bending direction, An elastic garment having a step reduction portion in at least a part of the knitted fabric portion of one of the inner covering portion and the outer covering portion in the joint covering portion, the step reduction portion having a smaller number of steps of knitting stitches in the wale direction than the knitted fabric portion forming the other is provided.

[0012] It is preferable that the step reduction portion is provided in at least a part of the knitted fabric portion of the inner covering portion, and it is suitable for improving or preventing lymphedema or venous reflux disorder. When the step reduction portion is provided in at least a part of the knitted fabric portion of the outer covering portion, it is suitable for improving muscle strength.

[0013] The elastic garment of the present invention As the joint covering part, lower body clothing having a part that covers at least one of the joints of the toes, ankle joints, and knee joints, as the joint covering part, upper body clothing having a part that covers at least one of the joints of the hand joints, elbow joints, shoulder joints, and finger joints, or the whole body clothing in which the lower body clothing and the upper body clothing are integrated can be applied.

[0014] Also, in the present invention, a method for manufacturing an elastic clothing provided with a tubular joint covering part that is knitted using elastic yarns and has an inner covering part that covers the inner side in the bending direction of the joint and an outer covering part that covers the outer side in the bending direction, when knitting the joint covering part, a method for manufacturing elastic clothing that reduces the number of courses in the wale direction of the knitted part of at least a part of one of the inner covering part and the outer covering part compared to the knitted part forming the other is provided.

[0015] It can be configured to manufacture elastic clothing for improving or preventing lymphedema or venous reflux disorder by reducing the number of courses of at least a part of the knitted part in the inner covering part compared to the knitted part forming the outer covering part.

[0016] It can be configured to manufacture elastic clothing for improving muscle strength by reducing the number of courses of at least a part of the knitted part in the outer covering part compared to the knitted part forming the inner covering part.

Advantages of the Invention

[0017] According to the present invention, at least a part of the knitted fabric portion of one of the inner covering portion that covers the inner side in the bending direction of the joint and the outer covering portion that covers the outer side in the bending direction among the joint covering portions that cover around the joint has a step reduction portion where the number of rows of stitches in the wale direction is smaller than that of the knitted fabric portion forming the other. Thereby, when the joint covering portion is worn, a relatively strong tension acts on the knitted fabric side with a smaller number of rows. Therefore, when a knitted fabric portion with a smaller number of rows is provided in the inner covering portion, when the joint is bent, sagging and wrinkles are less likely to occur on the inner side, and the site can be pressed with a predetermined pressure. In addition, it is possible to suppress the inhibition of the flow of lymph fluid and blood flow due to sagging and wrinkles. On the other hand, when a knitted fabric portion with a smaller number of rows is provided in the outer covering portion, since a relatively strong tension acts on the outer covering portion, it becomes a resistance when bending the joint and can contribute to the enhancement and improvement of muscle strength.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0018]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0019] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIGS. 1 and 2 are diagrams for explaining a stocking 1 as an elastic garment according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, among the stocking 1, a tubular part (joint covering part 10 (range surrounded by an imaginary line centering on the knee)) covering the knee joint is shown as the center. In the stocking 1, in at least a part of the knitted fabric portion of the inner covering part 11 that covers the inner side (back of the knee) in the bending direction of the knee joint in the joint covering part 10, the number of courses of the stitches in the wale direction is less than that of the outer covering part 12 that covers the outer side in the bending direction of the knee joint located on the opposite side. There is a step reduction part 11a (see FIGS. 2(a) and (c)).

[0020] When knitting the joint covering part 10 of this stocking 1, as shown in FIG. 3, the weft knitting machine knits while forming loops of the yarn 11b in the course direction. In the range of the knitted fabric constituting the outer covering part 12 in the joint covering part 10, knitting is carried out without reducing the number of steps in the wale direction. However, when reaching the range of the inner covering part 11, instead of continuing knitting, it returns to the range of the outer covering part 12, stacks steps in the wale direction, and knits in the course direction. This is repeated. When reaching a predetermined step, it knits in the course direction until reaching the inner covering part 11. After knitting the required number of steps in the inner covering part 11, it returns to the range of the outer covering part 12. By repeating this, when finishing knitting the range of the joint covering part 10, it knits in the ankle direction or the thigh direction to knit the stocking 1.

[0021] As a result, a step reduction part 11a is formed in which the number of courses of the stitches in the wale direction of the knitted fabric forming the inner covering part 11 is less than the number of courses of the stitches in the wale direction of the knitted fabric forming the outer covering part 12.

[0022] Here, among the joint covering part 10, the inner covering part 11 and the outer covering part 12 may be divided at approximately the halfway position in the circumferential direction of the joint covering part 10 as shown in FIG. 2(c). However, among the areas around the human joint, except for a part of the side surface in the bending direction, the range inside a part of the side surface is set as the inner covering part 11, and the outer range is set as the outer covering part 12, and the ranges of both can be set.

[0023] In addition, as the thread 11b, at least a part of it uses an elastic thread. As the elastic thread, those obtained by coating natural rubber, polyurethane, etc. with a covering thread such as nylon thread or cotton thread can be used. All of the threads 11b used for the knitted fabric can be composed of elastic threads, but they can also be knitted in combination with non-elastic threads such as nylon threads. In addition, it is also possible to insert and knit an inlay thread, and in this case, an elastic thread can be used as the inlay thread. By adjusting the amount of use and the usage rate of the elastic thread, it can be adjusted to generate a desired wearing pressure as an elastic clothing. Also, by adjusting the type of elastic thread, the diameter and elasticity of natural rubber, polyurethane, etc. that make up the elastic thread, and the selection, the wearing pressure can also be adjusted.

[0024] As described above, the stocking 1 of the present embodiment has a step reduction portion 11a in which the number of steps in the wale direction is smaller than that of the outer covering portion 12 in a part of the knitted fabric constituting the inner covering portion 11. Since the stocking 1 contains an elastic thread, it is configured to exhibit a predetermined wearing pressure. When worn, by inserting the foot against the pressure, it extends not only in the radial direction but also in the longitudinal direction of the foot and leg. At this time, in the step reduction portion 11a of the inner covering portion 11, it will extend more in the longitudinal direction of the leg than the outer covering portion 12, and the tension will be higher compared to the outer covering portion 12. As a result, when the knee is bent, the inner covering portion 11 that was more extended at the back of the knee will quickly try to shrink, so it is difficult for sagging and wrinkles to occur at the back of the knee. Thereby, the inner covering portion 11 can apply a predetermined wearing pressure to the wearing site. When sagging and wrinkles occur, the wearing pressure generated at that site will become low. In addition, it can be suppressed that sagging and wrinkles bite into the skin and inhibit the flow of lymph fluid, blood flow, etc. Further, in the present embodiment, sagging and wrinkles can be suppressed with a simple configuration of forming a step reduction portion inside the bending direction of the joint, which is simpler compared to the configuration of Patent Document 2 that requires measuring the circumference of various parts including the joint, and the manufacturing cost can also be reduced.

[0025] Although this embodiment is configured to reduce the number of courses in the inner covering portion 11, the range (number of stitches) in the course direction for reducing the number of courses is not limited, and may be the entire range in the course direction among the knitted fabrics constituting the inner covering portion 11, or may be a partial knitted fabric portion in the course direction. However, the cylindrical joint covering portion 10 extends in the longitudinal direction of the leg when worn, and the range where the number of courses is reduced extends more greatly than the outer covering portion 12 on the opposite side. As a result, although a large reaction force acts thereon, depending on the number of courses reduced, there is also a possibility of excessive elongation and damage, so it is preferable that only a part of the range in the course direction for reducing the number of courses is used. Further, in the stocking 1 of this embodiment, the course reduction portion 11a is provided in the joint covering portion 10 that covers the knee joint, but it can also be provided at a portion that covers the ankle joint, a portion that covers the hip joint, etc., and the course reduction portion 11a can also be provided in a plurality of joint covering portions 10.

[0026] In this embodiment, the stocking 1 is taken as an example for explanation, but it is not limited thereto. Generally, a stocking has a welt portion, a leg portion, and a foot portion up to above the knee and is included in the concept of "socks", but this embodiment is also applicable to other forms of "socks", that is, foot covers (products with only a foot portion), socks (products with a mouth rubber portion, a leg portion, and a foot portion up to below the knee), tights (products with a panty portion, a leg portion, and a foot portion). In addition, in this specification, when referring to "lower body clothing", as long as it has a portion that covers at least one of the joints of the toes, the ankle joint, and the knee joint as a joint covering portion, it is not limited to the above-mentioned "socks", and also includes those having a structure without a foot portion such as leggings and spats, and the configuration of this embodiment is also applicable to these.

[0027] Figs. 4(a) and (b) show an example of the stocking 1A provided with the step reduction part 11A1 in the joint covering part 10A of the ankle joint. In the case of the configuration covering the ankle joint, in a normal stocking, it has a shape adapted to the heel that bulges outward, and a dedicated part for covering the heel is made. On the other hand, for the stocking 1A shown in Fig. 4(a), the joint covering part 10A covering the ankle joint only needs to be formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. Similar to the joint covering part 10 covering the knee joint described above, in the inner covering part 11A in the bending direction of the ankle joint, a configuration in which a step reduction part 11A1 with fewer steps than the outer covering part 12A is provided is sufficient. With this configuration, as shown in Fig. 4(b), in the inner covering part 11A covering the inner side of the ankle joint (inner side of the ankle), the pulling force in the extending direction acts relatively stronger than the outer covering part 12A. Although no dedicated part for covering the heel is made like a general stocking, the ankle joint can naturally maintain a posture bent at approximately 90 degrees, and the occurrence of sagging and wrinkles in the inner covering part 11A can also be suppressed. Therefore, a decrease in the necessary wearing pressure on the inner side of the ankle can be suppressed, and pinching due to sagging and wrinkles can also be suppressed. Moreover, since there is no need to form a dedicated part for covering the heel, the knitting near the ankle of the stocking 1 becomes easy, contributing to the simplification of the knitting process and the reduction of manufacturing costs.

[0028] In addition, the configuration of this embodiment is applicable to all elastic clothing provided with a cylindrical joint covering part worn around the joint. As the joint covering part, a sleeve having a part covering at least one of the wrist joint, elbow joint, and shoulder joint, a glove having a part covering at least one of the wrist joint and finger joints as the joint covering part, or upper body clothing such as clothing in which a sleeve or glove is integrally provided is also applicable. It is also applicable to full body clothing such as a bodysuit in which lower body clothing and upper body clothing are integrated.

[0029] Figures 5 and 6 show a second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a glove 100 as an elastic garment is shown. Among the glove 100, a joint covering portion 110 that covers the fingers is formed in a tubular shape. Among them, in at least a part of the knitted fabric portion of the outer covering portion 112 that covers the outer side (the back side of the finger) in the bending direction of the finger joint, the number of rows of stitches in the wale direction is less than that of the inner covering portion 111 that covers the inner side of the finger in the bending direction of the finger joint located on the opposite side.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 6, for example, at the site where the middle finger is inserted, a step reduction portion 112a is formed in the outer covering portion 112 in the range corresponding to the first joint, the second joint, and the third joint. The method of reducing the number of rows in the outer covering portion 112 of these finger joints is exactly the same as the case of knitting the inner covering portion 11 located on the inner side in the bending direction of the knee joint of the stocking 1 in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 3.

[0031] According to this embodiment, the outer covering portion 112 of the finger joint has a step reduction portion 112a. Therefore, when worn, contrary to the above embodiment, the force that the elastic yarn of the step reduction portion 112a of the outer covering portion 112 tries to contract acts stronger than the inner covering portion 111. Therefore, a force always acts on this glove 100 in the direction of the outer covering portion 112 of the finger, that is, the direction of bending back. When worn, the force in the direction of bending back acts as a reaction force, and when trying to bend the finger in the bending direction, the reaction force becomes a resistance. Thereby, if the glove 100 is worn and the hand is grasped, the muscle strength can be enhanced and improved.

[0032] Also in this embodiment, by adjusting the range of the knitted fabric portion with fewer rows in the outer covering portion 112, or by adjusting the amount of elastic yarn used, the usage rate, or the type of elastic yarn, etc., the reaction force that becomes a resistance when bending in the bending direction can be adjusted appropriately.

[0033] In addition, like the present embodiment, an elastic garment for improving muscle strength by reducing the number of plies of the knitted fabric forming the outer covering portion 112 of the joint covering portion 110 is not limited to the glove 100, and as in the first embodiment, it can also be applied to lower body clothing such as stockings that cover the lower limbs, sleeves worn on the arms, and the like.

[0034] In addition, in the first embodiment, the stocking 1 with the number of plies of the inner covering portion 11 reduced has been described. However, when the stocking 1 is formed as a simple cylindrical shape without a toe portion, by wearing it back to front, that is, by wearing it so that the position of the inner covering portion 11 with the reduced number of plies is on the outside of the knee joint, it becomes a configuration having a ply reduction portion in the outer covering portion which is the second embodiment. As a result, resistance is applied when bending the knee, and it can be used for enhancing and improving the muscle strength of the leg.

[0035] In the case of the glove 100 with the number of plies of the outer covering portion 112 of the second embodiment reduced, since it is usually made to fit the shape of the five fingers, wearing it back to front would feel uncomfortable, so it is worn with the left and right hands swapped. As a result, the ply reduction portion 112a formed in the outer covering portion 112 becomes the position of the inner covering portion on the opposite hand. Therefore, similar to the first embodiment, it is possible to suppress sagging and wrinkles during bending and suppress indentation into the skin.

[0036] As described above, the elastic garment of the present invention can exhibit different functions even if it is the same one by wearing it back to front or wearing it with the left and right swapped. If the shape, decorative pattern, etc. can be made to correspond to this, the structures for improving lymphedema and the like and for improving muscle strength can be made common, which is economical.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0037] 1 Stocking 10 Joint covering portion 11 Inner covering portion 11a Ply reduction portion 11b Thread 12 Outer covering portion 100 Glove 110 Joint covering part 111 Inner covering part 112 Outer covering part 112a Step number reduction part

Claims

1. An elastic garment provided with a tubular joint covering portion that is knitted using elastic yarns and has an inner covering portion that covers the inner side in the bending direction of the joint and an outer covering portion that covers the outer side in the bending direction, The elastic garment having a step reduction portion in at least a part of the knitted fabric portion of one of the inner covering portion and the outer covering portion in the joint covering portion, where the number of steps of the knitting stitches in the wale direction is smaller than that of the knitted fabric portion forming the other.

2. The step reduction portion is provided in at least a part of the knitted fabric portion of the inner covering portion The elastic garment according to Claim 1.

3. The elastic garment according to Claim 2, which is for improving or preventing lymphedema or venous reflux disorder.

4. The step reduction portion is provided in at least a part of the knitted fabric portion of the outer covering portion The elastic garment according to Claim 1.

5. The elastic garment according to Claim 4, which is for improving muscle strength.

6. As the joint covering portion, lower body clothing having a portion that covers at least one of the joints of the toes, ankle joint, and knee joint, As the joint covering portion, upper body clothing having a portion that covers at least one of the joints of the wrist joint, elbow joint, shoulder joint, and finger joints, or Full body clothing in which the lower body clothing and the upper body clothing are integrated It is The elastic garment according to any one of Claims 1 to 5.

7. A method for manufacturing an elastic garment provided with a tubular joint covering portion that is knitted using elastic yarns and has an inner covering portion that covers the inner side in the bending direction of the joint and an outer covering portion that covers the outer side in the bending direction, When knitting the joint covering portion, A method for manufacturing an elastic garment, which reduces the number of rows of stitches in the weft direction of the knitted portion of at least a part of one of the inner covering portion and the outer covering portion compared to the knitted portion forming the other. Claim 8 Reducing the number of rows of stitches in at least a part of the knitted portion of the inner covering portion compared to the knitted portion forming the outer covering portion to manufacture an elastic garment for improving or preventing lymphedema or venous reflux disorder The method for manufacturing an elastic garment according to Claim 7. Claim 9 Reducing the number of rows of stitches in at least a part of the knitted portion of the outer covering portion compared to the knitted portion forming the inner covering portion to manufacture an elastic garment for improving muscle strength The method for manufacturing an elastic garment according to Claim 7.

Images