Cylindrical cover for the upper or lower limbs

Abstract

To provide a tubular cover for the upper or lower limbs of the human body. [Solution] The tubular cover 100 is a tubular cover for the upper or lower limbs of the human body, and is formed of a knitted fabric that is substantially hollow cylindrical in shape and has no seams, with the direction perpendicular to the radial direction being longer than the radial direction, the knitting structure of the fabric is rib knit, the knitting yarn of the fabric includes cellulose spun yarn and elastic yarn that is plated and knitted to cellulose spun yarn, the elastic yarn is fused by heat treatment after knitting, the tubular cover does not require end treatment even if the knitted fabric is cut, the radial dimensions when the tubular cover is placed rectangularly on a flat surface are 50 mm to 80 mm, and the thickness of the knitted fabric is 0.4 mm to 0.6 mm.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a tubular cover for the upper or lower limbs of the human body, which has a dense weave like underwear, a good texture, can be repeatedly washed like underwear, is tubular, and has no seam for changing from a flat shape to a tubular shape, so there is no step and the texture is good. The end part does not require end yarn treatment and does not curl, so the texture is good. It contains cellulose fibers such as cotton yarn, so it has a good texture, excellent water absorption and moisture absorption. Further, the circumference is small, so it can be used even if the upper limb is quite thin, and can be lined up including a small outer diameter. It relates to a tubular cover for the upper limbs (arms and hands: from the upper arm to the fingertips) or lower limbs (legs and feet: from the thigh to the toes) of the human body.

Background Art

[0002] There have conventionally been tubular covers for wearing on the upper limbs or lower limbs of the human body. For example, Patent Document 1, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2013-040414, discloses an arm cover for the upper limb, and Patent Document 2, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2011-111699, discloses legwear for the lower limb.

[0003] The arm cover disclosed in Patent Document 1 is a tubular arm cover that suppresses the transmission of ultraviolet rays. The arm cover is made of knit, and an opening for passing fingers is provided on the wrist side of the arm cover, and the opening is integrally formed in the process of circular knitting the tubular part (Claim 1 of Patent Document 1).

[0004] The legwear disclosed in Patent Document 2 is made of a stretchable knitted fabric having a tightening force, and includes at least a part covering from the heel to the knee. The knee part is a highly stretchable knitted fabric having a greater elongation rate than other parts, the back of the knee part is a highly breathable knitted fabric having a greater air permeability than other parts, and the heel part is a highly airtight part having a greater airtightness than other parts (Claim 1 of Patent Document 2).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2013-040414 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2011-111699 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0006] Incidentally, the arm cover disclosed in Patent Document 1 is knitted using a circular knitting machine (paragraph 0014 of Patent Document 1), and the legwear disclosed in Patent Document 2 is knitted using a regular sock circular knitting machine from the top opening to the bottom toe (paragraph 0025 of Patent Document 2).

[0007] A typical circular knitting machine for socks is the double-cylinder knitting machine, which has two rows (a top cylinder as the upper hook and a bottom cylinder as the lower hook) (unlike single-cylinder knitting machines, it can suppress curling and running at the edges). Socks and the like are knitted in rib stitch using double-ended needles. However, it is generally preferable to use thick yarn (5 to 20 count for cotton yarn), and the stitches are loose. It is not possible to knit tightly stitches like underwear using thin cotton yarn (hook diameter 3.5 to 4.5 inches, number of needles 96 to 200).

[0008] On the other hand, using a dial-cylinder knitting machine that combines a dial as an upper bobbin and a cylinder as a lower bobbin, and knitting with a needle, it is possible to knit a dense rib knit fabric. However, due to limitations such as the shape and spacing of the upper needle on the dial side, it was difficult to knit tightly stitched (16-20 gauge / inch) rib knit fabric with a small (approximately 4-inch) bobbin diameter. In other words, it was difficult to knit tubular rib knit covers with tight stitches and small circumferences, such as underwear.

[0009] This invention was developed in view of the aforementioned problems of the prior art (difficulty in knitting a tubular cover with a tight weave and small circumference, like underwear), and its purpose is to provide a tubular cover for the upper or lower limbs that has a tight weave and a pleasant feel against the skin, like underwear, is washable repeatedly, has no seams to form the tubular shape from a flat surface, resulting in a smooth surface without any steps, has a smooth surface at the ends as well as no need for end-thread finishing and does not curl, has a smooth surface because it contains cellulose fibers such as cotton yarn, has a small circumference so it can be used even if, for example, the upper limbs are quite thin, and is suitable for people with sensitive skin. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] To achieve the above objective, the cylindrical cover for the upper or lower limb according to the present invention employs the following technical means.

[0011] In other words, a tubular cover for an upper or lower limb according to a certain aspect of the present invention is a tubular cover for an upper or lower limb of the human body, formed of a knitted fabric that is substantially hollow cylindrical in shape and has no seams, the direction perpendicular to the radial direction is longer than the radial direction, the knitting structure of the knitted fabric is rib knit, the knitting yarn of the knitted fabric includes cellulose spun yarn and elastic yarn plated onto the cellulose spun yarn, the elastic yarn is fused by heat treatment after knitting, the tubular cover does not require end treatment even if the knitted fabric is cut, the radial dimensions when the tubular cover is placed rectangularly on a flat surface are 50 mm or more and 80 mm or less, and the thickness of the knitted fabric is 0.4 mm or more and 0.6 mm or less.

[0012] Preferably, the cellulose-based spun yarn may be cotton yarn or rayon yarn, and the elastic yarn may be polyurethane yarn.

[0013] More preferably, the cellulose-based spun yarn may be a cotton single yarn with a count of 40 to 80, and the elastic yarn may be a polyurethane bare yarn with a count of 15 dtex to 157 dtex.

[0014] More preferably, the stitch count (number of loops per 0.5 inch) of the knitted fabric can be configured such that the warp (wale) direction has 20 to 35 stitches and the weft (course) direction has 18 to 46 stitches.

[0015] More preferably, the cellulose-based spun yarn can be configured such that the loop length is 0.2 cm or more and 0.35 cm or less.

[0016] More preferably, the weight of the knitted fabric is 134 g / cm². 2 More than 332g / cm 2 It can be constructed as follows:

[0017] More preferably, the knitted fabric can be cut into a 25 mm wide test piece and subjected to a constant-speed elongation test using Method A (strip method) specified in JIS L 1096 (2010) at a tensile speed of 300 mm / min and a grip width of 25 mm, and the result satisfies the following conditions. • Stress of 0.5N or more and 1.2N or less at an elongation rate of 200% • Stress of 0.7N or more and 3.2N or less at an elongation rate of 300% • Stress of 1.0N or more and 5.8N or less at an elongation rate of 400% • Stress of 1.2N or more and 7.5N or less at an elongation rate of 500% [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] In view of the difficulty in knitting a tubular cover with a dense weave and small circumference, like underwear (the aforementioned problems of the prior art), the present invention provides a tubular cover for the upper or lower limbs that has a dense weave and a pleasant feel against the skin, like underwear, is washable repeatedly, has no seams to transform a flat surface into a tube, resulting in a smooth surface and a pleasant feel against the skin, has no need for end finishing and does not curl at the ends, has a pleasant feel against the skin because it contains cellulose fibers such as cotton yarn, has a small circumference so it can be used even if, for example, the upper limbs are quite thin, and is suitable for people with sensitive skin. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0019] [Figure 1] This is an assumed diagram when using, as the cylindrical cover 100 for the upper limb or lower limb according to an embodiment of the present invention, a round-knit fabric of a milling knitted structure knitted with a bearded needle using a novel dial cylinder knitting machine that combines a dial as the upper cylinder and a cylinder as the lower cylinder. [Figure 2] This is a diagram showing the specifications of the sample. [Figure 3] This is a diagram showing the results of a constant-speed elongation test of the samples (numbers 1 to 6) shown in FIG. 2 by Method A (strip method) specified in JIS L 1096 (2010). [Figure 4] This is a diagram for showing the range of the upper and lower limit values of stress with respect to each elongation rate calculated based on FIG. 3.

Embodiments for Carrying out the Invention

[0020] Hereinafter, referring to FIG. 1, the cylindrical cover 100 for the upper limb or lower limb, which is an embodiment of the present invention, will be described. This cylindrical cover 100 is a round-knit fabric knitted with a bearded needle by improving the shape and arrangement of the upper needles on the dial side in a dial cylinder knitting machine that combines a dial as the upper cylinder with a small cylinder diameter of 4 inches to 5 inches and a cylinder as the lower cylinder, and is cut in the radial direction according to the use as described later.

[0021] The tubular cover 100 for the upper or lower limb, which is an embodiment of the present invention, has a dense knit like underwear, is soft to the touch, can be washed repeatedly like underwear, has no seams to form the tubular shape from a flat surface, and therefore has no steps, resulting in a soft touch. The ends do not require end-yarn finishing and do not curl, resulting in a soft touch. It contains cellulose fibers such as cotton yarn, resulting in a soft touch. Furthermore, it has a small circumference, so it can be used even if the upper limb is considerably thin. A circular knit fabric (in the form of a roll in Figure 1), which is longer in the direction perpendicular to the radial direction than in the radial direction, is cut in the radial direction to an appropriate length (depending on the wearing position) and used as a tubular cover 100 for the upper or lower limb.

[0022] The tubular cover 100 is a tubular cover for the upper or lower limbs of the human body, and is formed of a knitted fabric that is substantially hollow cylindrical in shape and has no seams, with the direction perpendicular to the radial direction being longer than the radial direction, the knitting structure of the fabric is rib knit, the knitting yarn of the fabric includes cellulose spun yarn and elastic yarn that is plated (knitted, not inlay knitted) onto the cellulose spun yarn, the elastic yarn is fused by heat treatment after knitting, and even if the knitted fabric is cut, the tubular cover does not require end treatment, and preferably the radial dimension when the tubular cover is placed rectangularly on a flat surface is 50 mm or more and 80 mm or less, and the thickness of the knitted fabric is 0.4 mm or more and 0.6 mm or less.

[0023] In light of the difficulties in knitting a tubular cover with a dense knit, small circumference, and no distinct front or back surface, similar to underwear (as described above in the conventional technology), the shape of the upper needle on the dial side has been improved and knitted with a rib needle, resulting in a dense knit with a soft feel, similar to underwear. In addition, it is possible to repeatedly wash it like underwear, and even though it is tubular, there are no seams to make it tubular from a flat surface, so there are no steps and it feels good against the skin, the ends do not require end-thread finishing and do not curl, and it feels good against the skin because it contains cellulose fibers such as cotton yarn, and furthermore the circumference is small so it can be used even if the upper limbs are considerably thin. In particular, the tubular cover 100 for the upper or lower limb according to this embodiment is formed of a knitted fabric that is significantly different from existing products which are made only of knitting yarn or covering yarn with a thick elastic yarn core as the inlay. Furthermore, the tubular cover 100 for the upper or lower limb according to this embodiment is formed of a knitted fabric that is significantly different from existing products which are made of double cylinder and have large, coarse stitches.

[0024] In this embodiment, the cellulose-based spun yarn used in the rib knit of this tubular cover is preferably cotton yarn or rayon yarn, and the elastic yarn is preferably polyurethane yarn. Because it contains cellulose-based fibers such as cotton yarn, it has a pleasant feel against the skin, and because the elastic yarn is plated into all the stitches and then heat-set, the ends do not require end-thread finishing and do not curl due to the rib knit, resulting in a pleasant feel against the skin. In particular, the tubular cover 100 for the upper or lower limb according to this embodiment is formed from a knitted fabric that offers a significant difference from existing products that use polyester or acrylic, which have an undesirable feel against the skin. Furthermore, the tubular cover 100 for the upper or lower limb according to this embodiment is formed from a knitted fabric in which elastic yarn, which is not present in existing products, is plated into all the stitches and then heat-set.

[0025] Furthermore, the cellulose-based spun yarn is preferably cotton or rayon, and more preferably cotton single yarn with a count of 40 to 80. The elastic yarn is preferably polyurethane, and more preferably polyurethane bare yarn with a count of 15 dtex to 157 dtex. The cotton single yarn with a count of 40 to 80 is fine (combined with the dense stitches) and has a good feel against the skin, and the polyurethane bare yarn with a count of 15 dtex to 157 dtex is plated into all the stitches, and subsequent heat setting eliminates the need for end finishing and allows for appropriate elasticity (tension). In addition, in the sample numbers 1 to 6 shown in Figure 2, which will be described later, the cases of 80-count or 60-count cotton single yarn and 22dtex, 44dtex, and 78dtex polyurethane bare yarn are shown as examples. The cotton single yarn with a count of 40 to 80 provides a good feel against the skin, and the polyurethane bare yarn with a count of 15dtex to 157dtex eliminates the need for end finishing and provides appropriate elasticity (tension). In particular, the tubular cover 100 for the upper or lower limb according to this embodiment is formed by a knitted fabric that is significantly different from existing products that use cotton single yarn of 30 count or higher or 30-count double yarn. Furthermore, the tubular cover 100 for the upper or lower limb according to this embodiment is formed by a knitted fabric that is significantly different from existing products that use covering yarn as the elastic thread and the fineness of the core elastic thread is 272 denier (299.2dtex) or higher, such as the coarse mesh of the elastic cuff of a sock. Furthermore, the tubular cover 100 for the upper or lower limb according to this embodiment is formed by a knitted fabric that differs significantly from existing products that do not use elastic yarn, such as the coarsely knitted fabric of the foot portion of a sock.

[0026] The knit fabric used to make this tubular cover preferably has a gauge (number of loops per 0.5 inch) of 20 to 28 stitches in the warp direction and 20 to 26 stitches in the weft direction. The knit fabric of this tubular cover 100 has a gauge (number of loops per 0.5 inch) of 20 to 35 stitches in the warp (wale) direction and 18 to 46 stitches in the weft (cours) direction. Therefore, the stitches are denser (compared to the 8-14 stitches in the warp and 10-18 stitches in the weft direction of a double cylinder), resulting in a comfortable feel against the skin, similar to underwear. In particular, this knit fabric offers a significant difference compared to existing products, which typically have only 8-12.5 stitches in the warp (wale) direction and 10-18 stitches in the weft (cours), making it suitable for upper limb use according to this embodiment. Alternatively, a tubular cover 100 for the lower limb is formed.

[0027] It is preferable that the loop length of the cellulose-based spun yarn in the rib knit fabric used to knit this tubular cover is 0.2 cm or more and 0.35 cm or less. The tubular cover 100 for the upper or lower limb according to this embodiment is formed by a knit fabric that is significantly different from existing products, which have a large loop length of 0.4 to 0.6 cm for the cellulose-based spun yarn and a coarse weave.

[0028] The weight of the rib knit fabric used to make this tubular cover is 134 g / cm². 2 More than 332g / cm 2 The following is preferable: The basis weight of the existing product is 242.7 to 398 g / cm³. 2 The tubular cover 100 for the upper or lower limb according to this embodiment is formed by a knitted fabric that has significant differences from those that are large and heavy.

[0029] Referring to Figures 2 to 4, the knitted fabric used to form this tubular cover 100 will be explained in detail.

[0030] First, Figure 2 shows the specifications (yarn type, fineness, loop length, blend ratio, warp stitch count, weft stitch count, fabric thickness (knitted fabric thickness), width (fabric width, knitted fabric width), and weight) of the knitted fabric (six types numbered 1 to 6) that form the tubular upper or lower limb cover 100 according to this embodiment. Note that in the yarn type, yarn A is described as cotton yarn and yarn B as polyurethane yarn, but as mentioned above, the present invention is not limited to these. For the knitted fabrics (six types numbered 1 to 6) whose specifications are shown in Figure 2, a constant-speed elongation test was performed using Method A (strip method) as specified in JIS L 1096 (2010) at a tensile speed of 300 mm / min and a grip width of 25 mm.

[0031] The results of this constant-speed elongation test are shown in Figure 3 as an elongation-stress characteristic diagram. Based on Figure 3, it was found that in order to provide a tubular cover for the upper or lower limbs that is as close to the skin as underwear, has a dense knit and a pleasant feel, is washable repeatedly like underwear, has no seams to transform a flat surface into a tube, resulting in a smooth surface, has no need for end finishing and does not curl at the ends, has a pleasant feel because it contains cellulose fibers such as cotton yarn, and has a small circumference so it can be used even if, for example, the upper limbs are quite thin, the following conditions must be satisfied by the knitted fabrics (six types numbered 1 to 6) whose specifications are shown in Figure 2. • Stress of 0.5N or more and 1.2N or less at an elongation rate of 200% • Stress of 0.7N or more and 3.2N or less at an elongation rate of 300% • Stress of 1.0N or more and 5.8N or less at an elongation rate of 400% • Stress of 1.2N or more and 7.5N or less at an elongation rate of 500%

[0032] From these findings, it was concluded that a knitted fabric is preferable for a tubular cover 100 for the upper or lower limbs of the human body, which is made of 80-count or 60-count cotton single yarn cellulose spun yarn, with a polyurethane bare yarn of 22 dtex to 78 dtex used for plating knitting onto the cotton single yarn, knitted by rib knitting, having a radial dimension of 50 mm to 80 mm when the tubular cover is placed rectangularly on a flat surface, and a knitted fabric thickness of 0.4 mm to 0.6 mm.

[0033] <Other features> The tubular cover 100 for the upper or lower limbs of the human body according to this embodiment is a seamless narrow knitted tubular cover, characterized by being a rare narrow rib knitted tubular fabric. This tubular cover 100 could not be realized without improving the shape of the upper needle on the dial side of a dial cylinder knitting machine that combines a dial as an upper hook and a cylinder as a lower hook with a small hook diameter of 4 to 5 inches, and no one had ever conceived of such a modified dial cylinder knitting machine.

[0034] The tubular cover 100 for the upper or lower limbs of the human body according to this embodiment is completely novel in that it is a seamless, narrow tubular knitted fabric with no seams and can be worn by fitting it onto the body.

[0035] The cylindrical cover 100 for the upper or lower limbs of the human body according to this embodiment can be manufactured using a dial cylinder knitting machine with a hook diameter of up to approximately 6 inches.

[0036] All courses are plated knitted with elastic yarn (polyurethane bare yarn with elasticity between 15 dtex and 157 dtex), and since the polyurethane bare yarn is heat-fused, no edge finishing is required, and the edges do not require edge finishing and do not curl, resulting in a pleasant feel against the skin.

[0037] The tubular cover 100 for the upper or lower limbs of the human body according to this embodiment is thin and easy to stretch (thinness; fabric thickness, stretch rate; difference from elastic stockings), contains cellulose fibers such as cotton yarn, has a pleasant feel against the skin, and can be used even if the upper limbs are considerably thin, for example, and a lineup including small circumferences can be provided, making it possible to provide a tubular cover for the upper limbs (from fingertips to upper arm) or lower limbs (from thigh to toes) of the human body. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 2 to 4 above, the stretchability characteristics (stretch rate-stress characteristics) are superior to those of elastic stockings such as those shown in Patent Document 2, which is preferable because they can be achieved by wearing multiple layers.

[0038] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 1, the length in the longitudinal direction (perpendicular to the radial direction) can be cut to an appropriate length (depending on the wearing position) in the radial direction, and used as a tubular cover 100 for the upper or lower limbs. Therefore, a tubular cover 100 for the upper or lower limbs that matches the wearing area of ​​the wearer can be easily realized.

[0039] Furthermore, two or more tubular covers 100 for the upper or lower limbs of the human body with the same stretchability characteristics (stretch rate-stress characteristics) or different stretchability characteristics (stretch rate-stress characteristics) can be layered and worn to achieve any desired compression level. Also, when using a tubular cover 100 for the upper or lower limbs of the human body, it is preferable to fold one of the tubular covers 100 in half. For example, folding only the ankle portion can create the effect of tightening the ankle more firmly (increasing compression), and folding it up to the calf and then again at the ankle can create three levels of pressure (achieving three levels of compression by folding one tubular cover 100 in two places). Furthermore, the primary uses of the tubular cover 100 for the upper or lower limbs of the human body according to this embodiment include compression covers for lymphedema, edema in the elderly, etc., for treating lower limb ulcers, skin care, etc., or protective covers for shunt patients, prosthetic and orthotic device users, etc.

[0040] It should be noted that the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims are intended to be included. [Industrial applicability]

[0041] The present invention is particularly suitable for tubular covers for the upper or lower limbs of the human body. It has a dense weave and a pleasant feel against the skin, like underwear. It is washable and reusable like underwear. Even though it is tubular, there are no seams to transform a flat surface into a tube, resulting in a smooth surface without any steps or unevenness. The ends do not require edge finishing and do not curl, resulting in a pleasant feel against the skin. It also contains cellulose fibers such as cotton yarn, which contributes to its pleasant feel against the skin. Furthermore, it is particularly suitable because it has a small circumference, allowing it to be used even on very thin upper limbs. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0042] 100 Cylindrical covers for the upper or lower limbs

Claims

1. A cylindrical cover for the upper or lower limbs of the human body, It is formed from a knitted fabric that is roughly hollow cylindrical in shape and has no seams, with the direction perpendicular to the radial direction being longer than the direction in the radial direction. The knitting structure of the aforementioned fabric is rib knit. The yarn used in the knitted fabric comprises a cellulose-based spun yarn and an elastic yarn plated onto the cellulose-based spun yarn. Due to the heat treatment after knitting, the elastic yarn fuses together, and even if the knitted fabric is cut, the tubular cover does not require end finishing. When the cylindrical cover is placed on a flat surface in a rectangular shape, the radial dimension of placement is 50 mm or more and 80 mm or less. The thickness of the knitted fabric is 0.4 mm or more and 0.6 mm or less. A cylindrical cover characterized by the following features.

2. The tubular cover according to claim 1, characterized in that the cellulose-based spun yarn is cotton yarn or rayon yarn, and the elastic yarn is polyurethane yarn.

3. The tubular cover according to claim 1, characterized in that the cellulose-based spun yarn is a cotton single yarn of 40 count or more and 80 count or less, and the elastic yarn is a polyurethane bare yarn of 15 dtex or more and 157 dtex or less.

4. The tubular cover according to claim 1, characterized in that the gauge of the knitted fabric (number of loops per 0.5 inches) is 20 stitches or more and 35 stitches or less in the warp (wale) direction, and 18 stitches or more and 46 stitches or less in the weft (course) direction.

5. The cylindrical cover according to claim 1, characterized in that the loop length of the cellulose-based spun yarn is 0.2 cm or more and 0.35 cm or less.

6. The aforementioned knitted fabric has a weight of 134 g / cm². 2 More than 332g / cm 2 The cylindrical cover according to claim 1, characterized in that it is as follows.

7. A cylindrical cover according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, when the knitted fabric is cut into a test piece with a width of 25 mm and subjected to a constant-speed elongation test by Method A (strip method) specified in JIS L 1096 (2010) at a tensile speed of 300 mm / min and a grip width of 25 mm, the following conditions are satisfied. - Stress of 0.5N or more and 1.2N or less at an elongation rate of 200% - Stress of 0.7 N or more and 3.2 N or less at an elongation rate of 300% - Stress of 1.0 N or more and 5.8 N or less at an elongation rate of 400% - Stress of 1.2N or more and 7.5N or less at an elongation rate of 500%

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