MEDICAL COMPRESSION ARTICLE COMPRISING A BAND

Abstract

The present invention relates to a medical compression article comprising a band, the band comprising a flat knitted fabric, the fabric having a first layer and a second layer, the band comprising an upper portion, a lower portion and an intermediate portion; the first layer and the second layer are interconnected in the upper portion and in the lower portion, and the intermediate portion comprises a tunnel and an opening zone, the opening zone comprising a first opening in the first layer.

Description

[0001] MEDICAL COMPRESSION ARTICLE COMPRISING A BAND

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present invention relates to a medical compression article comprising a knitted band, the knitted band comprising a flat-knitted fabric having a first layer and a second layer. There is further provided a method for manufacturing a medical compression article and the use of a flat-knitted fabric in a medical compression article.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] Articles which can apply pressure to a body part of a subject are known as medical compression articles and have been used for a variety of therapeutic and non-therapeutic applications, such as treating lymphedema or for cosmetic purposes. The application of pressure to the affected body part can alleviate symptoms of lymphatic disease and prevent or slow disease progression. Moreover, it is thought to improve recovery after physical training.

[0006] Prerequisite for a successful compression therapy is a proper fit of the article. Articles which fit poorly on the affected body part will reduce adherence of the patient, i.e., reduce the amount of time in which the patient is wearing the garment, and will also not elicit the desired compression level on all areas of the affected body part. In particular, for body parts which are situated at an end portion of the medical compression article it can be difficult to ensure a good, long-lasting fit. For such body parts, it has, thus, become routine to provide a dedicated band at an end portion of the medical compression article which is adapted to ensure a proper fit at this portion.

[0007] An exemplary body part on which it is frequently difficult to ensure and maintain a proper fit is the waist for example. In this case, the medical compression article may be a pantyhose and the band may be a waistband. Still, patients with lymphatic problems in the lower parts of the body downward of the waist who wear a pantyhose with a waistband, often have the need for an additional means to adjusting the fit of the article. To provide that additional means, it has been suggested that the waistband can comprise a dedicated structure that enables the patient to easily adjust the tension strength of the waistband for comfortable fit and for improving ease of donning. That structure may be a drawstring. At present, providing such a waistband with a drawstring is usually achieved in medical compression garments by creating a double-layered band through folding one edge of a knitted fabric of the waistband onto its opposite edge which is then often followed by partially connecting

[0008] 1

[0009] SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) said edges through stitching or sewing means with each other or with another piece of fabric. This connection may then create a waistband having a tunnel structure for receiving a drawstring in the region that are connected and a first opening in the regions where the folded layers of the knitted fabric remain unconnected. The drawstring usually exits the tunnel structure at the lower end of the folded waistband. The patient wearing a medical compression article comprising such a waistband may then adjust the tension by pulling on the drawstring that exits through the opening, that is positioned at the edge of the knitted fabric in opposite position to the folding edge, thereby adapting the fit of the pantyhose according to their needs.

[0010] While this principle can indeed provide a means for a patient to adjust the fit of the pantyhose, the manufacturing of medical compression articles that have been constructed in this manner requires many steps and is time-consuming, as the waistband with the tunnel cannot be manufactured in an integral process on a single knitting machine. Seams for closing the waistband have to be added on a separate sewing machine. Additionally, the seams as mentioned before may disturb the integral feeling of the article on the skin, thus the wearing experience of such a compression article is discomfortable. Further, the openings and / or the drawstring that extend through the opening may be in contact with the skin, thus adding to the discomfortforthe patient. Furthermore, it's important to consider that the durability of the medical compression article could potentially be affected, particularly around the waistband, depending on the quality of the connection of the folded knitted fabric. When a medical compression article is susceptible to deterioration in this way, it may result in insufficient compression in that specific area. Additionally, wearing a garment that is prone to disintegration can lead to discomfort, potentially reducing the wearer's overall satisfaction and adherence.

[0011] There is, thus, a need in the art for medical compression articles comprising a knitted band with an improved fit, comfort, and adherence to the body, in particular at the band section. Moreover, there is a need in the art for medical compression articles comprising a knitted band that can be manufactured in a less time-consuming and more efficient way.

[0012] Summary of the invention

[0013] One objective of the present invention is to provide a medical compression article that meets the aforementioned needs in the art.

[0014] The inventors have found that a medical compression article as defined in the claims is advantageous for these purposes. In one aspect the present invention provides a medical compression article comprising a band, the band comprising a flat-knitted fabric, the fabric having a first layer and a second layer, wherein the band comprises an upper portion, a lower portion and an intermediate portion, the first layer and the second layer being interconnected in the upper portion and in the lower portion, the intermediate portion comprising a tunnel and an opening zone, the opening zone comprising a first opening in the first layer.

[0015] That the opening zone has a first opening in the first layer means that there is a dedicated zone with an opening that provides access to said tunnel from the side of the first layer in the intermediate, i.e. middle, portion of the band. Such a positioning of the opening advantageously enables the patient to manually improve the fit and the adherence of the band to the body from a predetermined side of the band which may be either the skin-facing side or the side opposite to the skin-facing side by an additional means such as a drawstring contained within the tunnel. In other words, the intermediate portion comprising the tunnel with the opening zone and opening provides an easy recognizable platform and indication for the patient to manually improve the fit and the adherence of the band to the body. Furthermore, as the tensioning of the band occurs in the middle, the band is less prone to turn down.

[0016] The medical compression article of the invention is suitable for use in the treatment or prevention of various diseases or conditions which require treatment or prevention with compression therapy. These diseases and conditions include diseases and conditions treated with garments of Compression Class 1, Compression Class 2, Compression Class 3 or Compression Class 4. Diseases and conditions treated with garments having Compression Class 1 (CCL 1 ) can be e.g. selected from the group consisting of tired, heavy, aching legs; minor varices without edema; mild swelling of the feet, ankles and legs; onset of pregnancy- related varices; primary or secondary lymphedema in International Society of Lymphology (ISL) stages l-lll; and lipedema. Diseases and conditions treated with garments having Compression Class 2 (CCL 2) can be e.g. selected from the group consisting of tired, heavy, aching legs; moderate to severe varices with and without edema; moderate to severe pregnancy-related varices with and without edema; moderate edema; chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) C3-C5 according to CEAP; venous edema, skin alterations; healed ulcus cruris; venous ulcers; superficial thrombophlebitis / SVT; diseases and conditions resulting from vein surgery; diseases or conditions resulting from sclerotherapy; post-traumatic edema; post-operative edema; primary or secondary lymphedema in ISL stage II; phlebolymphedema; lipedema. Diseases and conditions treated with garments having Compression Class 3 (CCL 3) can e.g. be selected from the group consisting of severe varices with or without edema; severe edema; chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) C3-C6 according to CEAP; venous edema; skin alterations; healed ulcus cruris; ulcus cruris; venous ulcers; post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS); superficial thrombophlebitis / SVT; conditions or diseases after vein surgery; conditions or diseases after sclerotherapy; primary or secondary lymphedema in ISL stage II; risk of rapid edema rebound; and lipedema. The lymphedema can be e.g. lymphedema with or without shape distortions.

[0017] The medical compression article may have compression class (CCL) 1 , 2, 3 or 4. The pressure value at the ankle in these compression classes is 18-21 mmHg (class 1), 23-32 mmHg (class 2), 34-46 mmHg (class 3) and at least 49 mmHg (class 4). Classification of the garment into these compression classes can be done according to RAL-GZ 387 / 1 (garments for legs) or RAL-GZ 387 / 2 (garments for arms). Preferably, the garment is a compression class 1 , 2, 3, or 4 garment, most preferably a compression class 1 , 2 or 3 garment.

[0018] It will be understood that the term “medical compression article” used herein refers to articles which are adapted to provide a compression level of any of compression classes 1 to 4 in case the garment is a stocking or pantyhose or 1 to 3 in case the garment is an arm sleeve. The compression classes are defined in more detail above.

[0019] The medical compression article of the invention can be any type of article that comprises a proximal region that is adapted to fit a body part with highly variable volume. The medical compression article will usually be an article that comprises a substantially tube-like structure. Preferably, the medical compression article is a medical compression garment. The article can, for example be selected from the group consisting of a stocking, such as a knee-high stocking, a thigh-high stocking (including waist-high stockings); a pantyhose (i.e. a pair of tights); or an arm sleeve, such as an arm sleeve with a hand piece (i.e. a section that is adapted to at least partially cover the hand of a wearer) or an arm sleeve without a hand piece. The article may also be a glove. In preferred embodiments, the article is a stocking, most preferably a waist-high stocking. The stocking may be provided with foot pieces (i.e. a section that is adapted to at least partially cover the feet of a wearer) or as a stocking without foot pieces. Exemplary embodiments of stockings with and without foot pieces are disclosed in WO2022 / 253440A1 and hereby included in this disclosure. In another preferred embodiment the article is a pantyhose. The medical compression article comprises a band. The band may be provided on an end of the article. It is preferred that the band is forming the proximal end of the article. The band may cover at least a part of the waist portion, if the article is a waist-high stocking or a pantyhose. The band may, thus, be a waistband. The band is suitable for adjusting the pressure that is exerted on the underlying body part, e.g. the waist of the wearer.

[0020] The band comprises a flat-knitted fabric such as a flat-knitted weft-knitted fabric. The fabric has a first layer and a second layer. In other words, the fabric is a double-layered fabric. It can be, e.g., produced on a flatbed knitting machine with two or more, preferably four or more, needle beds. The first layer may be knitted predominantly on a first needle bed (e.g. the front needle bed) and the second layer may be knitted predominantly on a second needle bed (e.g. the rear needle bed). The first and second layer of the fabric are interconnected to some degree over their surfaces. According to the invention, the interconnection is only provided at dedicated portions of the band - namely the upper and the lower portion of the band - as detailed in another part of this disclosure. To interconnect the first and the second layer, an interconnecting stitch may be provided at least every 20, preferably at least every 10, stitches along the first and second knitting rows forming the fabric. An interconnecting stitch is a stitch resulting in a thread crossing between the first layer and the second layer. The interconnecting stitches interconnect the first layer and second layer of the (double-layer) fabric. However, a higher stitch density of interconnecting stitches is preferred, thus the interconnecting stitches may be provided at least every 6 stitches along the knitting rows, or even at least every 4 stitches, and most preferred at least every second stitch. These interconnecting stitches may be included through the use of an additional yarn or the same yarn as used for knitting of the first or second layer.

[0021] In certain embodiments, the fabric is seamless. This can be achieved by knitting the fabric as described herein in a single process, e.g. on a flatbed knitting machine with two or more needle beds.

[0022] The medical compression article comprising the band, the band comprising a flat-knitted fabric, may be a weft-knitted fabric. The flat-knitted fabric comprises two layers that are formed through an integral flat-knitting process, i.e. by integrally knitting the two layers during one knitting process on the same machine, e.g. on two or four needle beds. The band and the flat-knitted fabric com prised in the band are preferentially forming the proximal end of the article. The band may comprise further components, such as seams (20) connecting different ends of the knitted fabric and / or connecting the band with the another piece of the compression article, e.g., one or more seams running along the back side of the article comprising the band.

[0023] The band can be sewn, glued or welded onto another knitted piece of the medical compression article, which can be a seamless piece of knitted fabric. Alternatively, the band can be knitted in one piece together with the remaining article or part thereof. In that case, no additional seam would be required to attach the band to the article.

[0024] If the band is attached to another knitted piece with a seam or integrally knitted therewith, then this piece may account for (i.e. have a surface area of) 70% or more, preferably 80% or more, of the surface area of the article, e.g., if the article is a stocking such as a pantyhose or an arm sleeve. In other words, the piece may have a surface area of from 70% to 99%, preferably from 80% to 99% of the surface area of the article. The piece may account fa 70% or more, preferably 80% or more, of the surface area of the article in the area adapted to cover the legs, if the article is a pantyhose. The band and the piece together may have a combined surface area of from 70% to 100%, preferably from 80% to 100%, more preferably from 90% to 100% of the surface area of the article. In some embodiments, the article consists of the band and the knitted piece.

[0025] It will be understood that one or more yarns may be used to knit the first layer and one or more yarns may be used to knit the second layer. The yarns used for the two layers may be the same or substantially the same, or they may differ in number and / or type of yarn.

[0026] For example, a first yarn may be used to predominantly knit the first layer of the fabric, and a second yarn may be used to predominantly knit the second layer of the fabric. The first yarn and the second yarn may have different properties, such as for example the first yam being hydrophobic and the second yarn being hydrophilic, preferably being a moisture transporting yarn. This results in a fabric that transports moisture from the second layer to the first layer as described in more detail in WO 2020 / 207600 A1 incorporated by reference herein. Further, one or both of the first and second yarns may be an elastic yarn, e.g., if the garment is a pair of tights.

[0027] In addition to the knitting yarns which form the meshes within the first layer and the second layer, the fabric may in the upper portion and in the lower portion comprise an inlay yarn. The inlay yarn will be an elastic yarn.

[0028] ‘Integral knitting’ or ‘integrally-knitted’ as used herein means knitted in the same knitting process and, thus, means that the resulting fabric will have no seams, such as sewn seams. A seam connects two separately formed fabric portions together using sewing stitches, glue, or some other connection method. In certain embodiments, the different portions of the fabric are not separate textile portions, but are instead one continuous textile formed during a single knitting event. A knitted transition from one knitting pattern, including knitting patterns involving a change from one yarn combination to another, does not constitute a seam. It is preferred that the afore mentioned flat-knitted fabric is manufactured entirely in an integral knitting process on a flat-knitting machine having two needle beds A and B for knitting a first layer and a second layer of the flat-knitted fabric, respectively . The two needle beds A and B can be e.g., a front needle bed and a rear needle bed.

[0029] The machine can further have at least one additional needle bed C, preferably two additional needle beds C and D, for temporarily transferring and parking particular stitches, e.g. from needle bed A to needle bed C. Alternatively, the flat-knitted fabric may also be manufactured on a standard flat-knitting machine having the two needle beds A and B and then include a further step of transfer to another flat-knitting machine for temporarily transferring and parking the stitches. As an even further alternative the additional needle bed or beds may also be replaced by a slider needle that allows for temporal transfer or parking particular stitches within needle bed A or B. Generally, any solution to temporarily transfer and park the stitches, so that they are not lost in the knitting process, i.e. so that the stitches can be processed later, may be an alternative to the above.

[0030] The band comprises an upper portion, a lower portion and an intermediate portion, meaning that the upper portion and the lower portion may be located either in a proximal portion or a distal portion of the band, respectively. The intermediate portion is between the upper portion and the lower portion. In other words, the intermediate portion is in the middle of upper portion and lower portion. Preferably the upper portion is on the proximal end of band and the lower portion is its distal end. Mentioned portions may extend along a course. This means that every course can be assigned to a specific portion. The courses e.g. extend circumferentially around a tubular section of the article and the portions also extend circumferentially around a tubular section of the article. Preferentially, the mentioned portions extend from a first end of the knitted fabric to a second end of the knitted fabric opposite to the first end. The first end and the second end are essentially orthogonal to the proximal end and the distal end of the band. If the mentioned portions extend from a first end to the second end of the band, this may mean that the course direction is from the first end of the second end of the knitted fabric which is a preferred embodiment. A “course” as mentioned herein and in line with the standard meaning in the art is a substantially horizontal row of knitted loops (in an upright fabric as knitted) produced by adjacent needles during the same knitting cycle (compare “Knitting technology - a comprehensive handbook and practical guide”, 3rd edition, DJ Spencer, Chapter 3.3). The terms “course”, “knitted row” or “knitting row” are used interchangeably herein. “Loops” are used herein synonymous to “stitches” and “meshes”.

[0031] In a band comprising the flat-knitted fabric and / or in an article comprising a band, the band comprising the flat-knitted fabric, the knitted course or the courses run around substantially the entire circumference of a tubular section formed by said band and I or of the article comprising said band. The course of the band can, e.g., only be interrupted by a seam connecting the sides or the longitudinal edges of the flat-knitted fabric that the band is comprised of.

[0032] Within the intermediate portion comprising a tunnel the first layer and the second layer are forming an open space. The open space is surrounded by the first and the second layer in that portion forming a tunnel. To form a tunnel, the first and the second layer are not connected by, e.g., interconnecting stitches, in the intermediate portion. In other words, the first and the second layer are each knitted exclusively on one needle bed each without transferring stitches to the needle bed on which the other layer is knitted.

[0033] While the tunnel comprised in the band may most preferentially be closed at the connected longitudinal edges of the knitted fabric, e.g. through seam interruptions as mentioned before, the flat-knitted fabric itself that is comprised in the band is preferentially an open- ended enclosure, wherein a first and a second open end of the enclosure are provided at both ends of the course, i.e. at the longitudinal edges / (first end and second end) of the knitted fabric. In other words, the band may be created by connecting a first open end of the knitted fabric with a second open end of the knitted fabric, e.g. through one or more seams, wherein the first open end and the second open end of the knitted fabric are most preferentially positioned at the longitudinal edges of the flat-knitted fabric.

[0034] The afore mentioned opening zone is a dedicated zone with a first opening that provides access to said tunnel from the first layer’s outer surface. The opening zone is located within the intermediate portion. The opening zone can comprise one or more openings, for example 1 , 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 opening, wherein two openings are preferred. In one embodiment, the opening zone has one opening. In another embodiment, the opening zone has two openings. As mentioned above, the openings are suitable to provide access to the tunnel, e.g. for a drawstring. The drawstring may extend through each opening comprised in the respective opening zone. It has been found that one or two openings within the band through which a drawstring is threaded provides a comfortable loop of drawstring on the outside of the band that can be used by the patient to adjust the length of the drawstring and, thus, the pressure exerted by the band.

[0035] In a preferred embodiment, the opening zone further comprises a region encircling the opening(s), characterized in that the region comprises at least a first integrally-knitted reinforcement means. In these embodiments, in which the opening zone further com prises a region encircling the opening(s) and said region comprises integrally-knitted reinforcement means, said means additionally improve the integrity and strength of the material. The reinforcement means may also prevent thread floatation and material abrasion at the position encircling the first opening. Moreover, the reinforcement means act to provide a visual and tactual guiding function to identify the opening and thereby improve access to the opening for the patient. The integrally-knitted reinforcement means may be provided by a separate yarn or by the same yarn used in knitting of the first layer and / or the second layer. Preferably said means are knitted with a first yarn that is also used to knit at least part of the first layer. More preferably, said reinforcement means are knitted with a first yarn that is also used to knit the remainder of the intermediate portion.

[0036] The medical compression article of the invention has a skin-facing side and a side opposite to the skin facing-side. Said first layer comprising the opening zone with the first opening is preferably provided on the side opposite to the skin-facing side in the medical compression article. Usually, only one of the first and second layers will have an opening zone. While the opening zone may also be provided on the skin-facing side, it is preferred that it is provided on the side opposite to the skin-facing side. This improves identification and accessibility of the opening zone for the patient and it also maintains a uniform structural integrity of the skin-facing side, thus smoothening the feeling of the material on the skin and increasing the comfort of the medical compression article. By having the opening zone on the side opposite to the skin, the discomfort of having the opening on a region of the band that would be in contact with the skin can be avoided and the manual access to a drawstring that may extend through the opening is improved. In one embodiment, the opening zone comprises one opening and is located in the layer that forms the side opposite to the skin facing side. In another embodiment, the opening zone comprises two openings and is located in the layer that forms the side opposite to the skin facing side. Advantageously, said region further comprises a second integrally-knitted reinforcement means, the first and the second integrally-knitted reinforcement means forming a first pair of reinforcement means that are positioned on opposite sides of the opening(s). Said pair of reinforcement means being present in the medical compression article of the invention further improve the integrity and strength of the material. The pair of reinforcement means may also prevent thread floatation and material abrasion at the position encircling the first opening. Moreover, the first and the second integrally-knitted reinforcement positioned on opposite sides of the opening(s), e.g. on two edges of the opening(s) acts to provide a visual and tactual guiding function to identify the opening(s) and thereby improves access to the opening for the patient.

[0037] “Positioned on opposite sides of the opening” means that the opening is positioned between the respective reinforcement means, of which a pair of reinforcement means is comprised of. In said pair, the first reinforcement means are provided on the one side of the opening and the second means on the opposite side.

[0038] In another advantageous embodiment, the aforementioned medical compression article further comprises a third and a fourth reinforcement means, the third and the fourth reinforcement means forming a second pair of reinforcement meansthe third and the fourth reinforcement means forming a second pair of reinforcement means that are positioned on opposite sides of the first opening, wherein the reinforcement means in the first pair are knitted according to a first pattern and the reinforcement means in the second pair are knitted according to a second pattern, and wherein the first pattern and the second pattern differfrom each other, said second pair of reinforcement means thereby further improving detectability and accessibility of the opening zone comprising the opening for the patient. Also, the longevity of the opening zone is improved further. Moreover, the the third and the fourth integrally-knitted reinforcement positioned on opposite sides of the opening, e.g. on two edges of the opening acts to provide a visual and tactual guiding function to identify the openingand thereby improve access to the opening for the patient.

[0039] The second pair of reinforcement means may preferentially be directly adjacent to the first opening. Each of the third and fourth reinforcement means also forms part of the edges of the opening in the flat-knitted fabric and improves integrity and strength of the material, as detailed above in relation to the first enforcement means and the first pair of reinforcing means. In a further preferred embodiment, the second pair of reinforcement means may be provided in the area between the first and second reinforcement means. In other words, the location of the third and the fourth reinforcement means of which the second pair of reinforcement means is comprised of may start and end between the first and the second reinforcement means, respectively. By aligning in such a way, the firstand the second pair of reinforcement means may completely encompass all edges of the first opening in the flat-knitted fabric, thereby further improving detectability and accessibility of the opening zone. Preferably, the third and fourth reinforcement means both are directly adjacent to the first and second reinforcement means. This way, the four reinforcement means can form a reinforced edge around the opening, preferably around 30% or more, such as 50% or more of the edge of the opening (e.g. 30% to 100%, or 80% to 100%).

[0040] Advantageously, the at opening(s) is / are elongated, most preferably in a direction essentially parallel to the tunnel. In other words, the opening(s) are elongated and its longitudinal axis can be parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tunnel. If the first opening is elongated in a direction that is essentially parallel the tunnel, the first opening may be elongated along a course or along a wale thereby improving the manufacturing of the medical compression article for example on a weft-knitting machine.

[0041] In a preferred embodiment the first opening is elongated along a course, i.e. in coursedirection. This means that the opening is longer (extends to a greater extent) in course direction than in wale direction. If the first opening is elongated along a course, then it is preferred that the at opening is provided within a single row of needle loops for providing a minimally invasive opening of the first layer on the intermediate portion, thus maintaining a high structural integrity of the flat-knitted material while also enabling convenient access. If the first opening is elongated along a course, then it is preferred the afore mentioned tunnel extends along a course.

[0042] Alternatively, if the opening is elongated along a wale (i.e. in wale-direction), which means that the opening is longer in wale direction than in course direction, then it is preferred that the opening is produced by a single same needle of a weft-knitting machine which means that the opening is provided as a single discontinuation in course direction. A medical compression article according to this embodiment maintains a high integrity of the flat- knitted material while also enabling a convenient access. A ‘wale’ is a predominantly vertical column of intermeshed stitches that is generally started when an empty needle starts to knit. The meshes of a wale can be knitted successively on the same needle.

[0043] A ‘wale direction’ is a predominantly vertical direction; a direction parallel to a line that extends through the heads of intermeshed stitches, in between respective legs of each of said intermeshed stitches.

[0044] It is further preferred that the tunnel and / or the opening(s) are elongated in a circumferential direction. The tunnel and / or the first opening may also be elongated along a course. The opening may extend in any direction. As an alternative to the opening in the transversal direction, the opening may e.g. extend in a direction orthogonal to the circumferential. The opening(s) may be elongated in a longitudinal or transversal direction and its longitudinal axis may be transversal or orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the tunnel.

[0045] In yet another preferred embodiment, the band mentioned before is a waistband. The band in the embodiment of a waistband is a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, as the waist is a conveniently accessible body part for manual adjustment by a patient and by manually adjusting the tension strength, ease of donning, comfort and compression efficiency may be improved.

[0046] The afore-mentioned compression article may be a pantyhose and the pantyhose may comprise a waistband in a preferred embodiment. A commonly used alternative term for a “pantyhose” is “tights”. As mentioned elsewhere herein, a pantyhose may be provided with foot pieces (i.e. a section that is adapted to at least partially cover the feet of a wearer) or as a pantyhose without foot pieces.

[0047] It is preferred that the opening zone described before comprises a second opening. This means that there is a dedicated zone with a first opening and a second opening that provides access to said tunnel from the first layer’s outer surface of the intermediate portion. All of the afore mentioned properties of the first opening can also be properties of the second opening and any potential additional openings mentioned herein.

[0048] If the opening zone comprises a second opening and if further a means of fastening the waistband such as a drawstring is comprised in the tunnel, then the drawstring may extend from the tunnel through the first opening to the first layer’s outer surface. In a circumferential direction of the band, the drawstring extends further through the second opening back into the tunnel. Therefore, the drawstring is visible and accessible on the outside of the band in the intermediate portion in an area of the opening zone between the first opening and the second opening. Thus, the drawstring comprised in the tunnel is visible and accessible from the outer surface of the band in the opening zone, the opening zone providing a conveniently sized outer surface at the first layer for the patient to manually adjust the waistband, thereby improving convenience for the user to improve fit and ease of donning. In other words, the opening zone with a first opening and a second opening provides an easy recognizable platform and indication forthe patient to manually improve the fit and the adherence of the band to the body.

[0049] Preferably, the first and the second opening can be spaced-apart from about 0.5 to 5 cm, which is a particularly advantageous distance for afore mentioned effects and advantages and for improving ease of donning. The distance between the first and the second opening is measured between their respective points that are closest to the other opening. Thus, the first and second opening can have a distance of from 0.5 to 5 cm, preferably, from 1 to 4 cm, more preferably from 1.5 to 3 cm. In other words, the distance between the first and the second opening can be 0.5 cm or more, 1 cm or more, 1 .5 cm or more, or 2 cm or more. Further, the distance between the first and second opening can be 5 cm or less, 4 cm or less, 3 cm or less.

[0050] The afore mentioned tunnel may preferably be provided over the entire length of the intermediate portion. Overthe entire length in this connection means that the tunnel spans from a first side (edge) to a second side (edge) in the flat-knitted fabric. Thereby an open- ended enclosure (tunnel) is created in the fabric. The open-ended enclosure (tunnel) has a first and a second open end, each of said open ends provide a potential input end for a means for adjusting the band, e.g. a drawstring. The means for adjusting the band may then extend through the tunnel from the first to the second open end. It can additionally cross through the first opening to the outside of the first layer and then back into the tunnel through the first opening. In another embodiment in which the medical compression article comprises a first and a second opening as mentioned before, the drawstring preferably extends through the tunnel from the first to the second open end while crossing through the first opening to the outer surface of the first layer and then back into the tunnel through the second opening. As described elsewhere herein, the medical compression article having a first and a second opening is particularly advantageous for the patient to manually adjust the band. If the intermediate portion comprises a drawstring extending through the tunnel as described before, then the drawstring is preferentially elastic thereby the drawstring being particularly useful forthe afore-mentioned compression article, as it provides an additional means to adjust the fit of the medical compression article, thus offering a higher degree of flexibility for the patient by also improving ease of donning. Also, as mentioned elsewhere herein the drawstring may act synergically with other parts of the band in exerting a compression effect, especially if an inlay thread is provided in the afore mentioned upper and / or the lower portion.

[0051] The intermediate portion may functionally be subdivided into three sections that each make up a third of the entire length from the first side (edge) to a second side (edge) in the flat- knitted fabric. Said three sections may be termed a first side section, a middle section and a second side section. The middle section preferentially comprises the opening zone, which means that the tunnel expands into the first side section and into the second side section. Locating the opening zone in a middle section of the intermediate portion is particularly advantageous in connection to any of the afore mentioned embodiments, in which the intermediate portion comprises a drawstring, as the drawstring extends at least to a similar extent into the first side and to the second side, thereby allowing the patient to comfortably adjust the tension strength across the whole circumference of the waistband. No side is tightened to a greater extent than the other side.

[0052] In a preferred embodiment the upper and the lower portion as mentioned before comprise inlay threads. Inlay threads are frequently used in compression articles to provide the desired compression on the wearer's body part. The inlay threads are inserted into the flat- knitted fabric and are most preferably elastic threads, if the flat-knitted fabric is comprised in a compression article. They can also be hydrophobic threads or have a hydrophobic coating. It is known, e.g., to use inlay threads having an elastic core that is covered by a hydrophobic fiber material. Elastic inlay threads are particularly important so that compression articles can exert their compressive effect as known in the state of the art. When combined with the inventive compression article described herein that comprises an elastic drawstring, which can also exert a degree of compression, both the inlay thread and the drawstring may exert a synergic compression effect, wherein the degree of compression in the upper and the lower portion is predetermined by the inlay thread provided in the fabric and the compression is additionally manually adjustable by the patient in the intermediate portion through manual adjustment with the drawstring. This combination gives a high degree of compression flexibility.

[0053] In another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of manufacturing a compression article as mentioned before, comprising the steps of: a) providing aflat-knitted fabric fora band, wherein the flat-knitted fabric has a first layer and a second layer, the first layer and the second layer being interconnected in an upper portion and a lower portion of the band; the first layer and the second layer defining a tunnel and an opening zone with a first opening on an intermediate portion; the tunnel having a first open end and a second open end: b) inserting an input portion of a drawstring into the first open end; c) threading the drawstring through the tunnel and a first opening to the second end; d) connecting and closing the first open end with the second open end, preferably by sewing Thereby a an efficient method is provided for inserting the means such as a drawstring into the fabric, thus improving the manufacturing of the waistband and the medical compression article that may comprise the flat-knitted fabric as mentioned before.

[0054] The method of manufacturing a compression article as mentioned before advantageously comprises a step of knitting the flat-knitted fabric, e.g. as described herein in relation to the claimed article. As mentioned elsewhere herein, the knitting of the flat-knitted fabric of the invention is particular advantageous for providing the mentioned effects and advantages of the invention.

[0055] The flat-knitted fabric used in the method of manufacturing a compression article as mentioned before is preferentially seamless. The advantages of having a seamless fabric in the compression article have been mentioned elsewhere herein.

[0056] The invention also encompasses a flat-knitted fabric for use in the afore-mentioned medical compression article, wherein the knitted fabric comprises an open-ended enclosure for forming a tunnel extending from a first end of the knitted fabric to a second end, thus a means for adjusting the band such as a drawstring may be inserted in a first open end of the open-ended enclosure, then threaded through the tunnel through the first opening towards a second open end of the open-ended enclosure. If the flat-knitted fabric is used this way, this provides a simple way for inserting the means such as a drawstring into the fabric, thereby improving the manufacturing of the waistband and the medical compression article that may comprise the flat-knitted fabric as mentioned before. Brief Description of Drawings:

[0057] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown schematically in the drawings.

[0058] Fig. 1 oblique front view (A) and oblique rear view (B) of a medical compression article of the invention comprising a waistband;

[0059] Fig. 2 schematic plan view (A, B) of a flat-knitted fabric that is comprised in a waistband of the invention; showing the side of the first layer (A) comprising a first and a second opening; and showing the side of the second layer (B);

[0060] Fig. 3 knitting process diagram (A, B) for part of the upper section and the lower section (A) and part of the intermediate section (B) of an embodiment of the flat-knitted fabric according to the invention; and

[0061] Fig. 4 knitting process diagram (A, B) for part of the opening zone comprising a first opening for initiating (A) and closing (B) the opening during the knitting process; A-2 and B-2 show more detailed excerpt of A-1 and B-1 , respectively.

[0062] These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter.

[0063] DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0064] Additional advantages, characteristics, and features of the present invention will become clear from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings. However, the invention is not restricted to these exemplary embodiments.

[0065] Fig. 1 is an oblique front view (A) and oblique rear view (B) of a medical compression article 10 of the invention comprising a band 12. The medical compression article 10 has the form of a pantyhose (tights) with foot pieces and the pantyhose consists of a band 12 that is a waistband with a rear section 13, a first hip-to-foot portion 36, a second hip-to-foot portion 38 and seams, e.g. 40 connecting the afore mentioned parts. The band 12 is a waistband. Each of the band 12, the first hip-to-foot portion 36 and the second hip-to-foot portion 38, and the band 12 comprises a single seamless piece of flat-knitted fabric. The flat-knitted fabric 14 of the band 12 comprises a first layer 16 and a second layer 18 (not shown in Fig. 1). While the pantyhose of Fig. 1 has a closed-toe configuration, the pantyhose may either be provided with foot pieces (i.e. a section that is adapted to at least partially cover the feet of a wearer) or without foot pieces, as further described elsewhere herein.

[0066] As to the band 12, it can be seen that a seam 40 is located at the rear section 13 connecting a first longitudinal edge 42 of the flat-knitted fabric 14 to a second longitudinal edge 44, thereby creating the band 12. Moreover, it can be seen in Fig. 1A that the band comprises an opening. The flat-knitted fabric 14 is shown in Fig. 2.

[0067] Fig. 2 is a schematic plan view (A, B) of a flat-knitted fabric 14 that is comprised in the band 12 of the invention. The flat-knitted fabric 14 is a double-layered fabric. The double-layered fabric has been knitted on a flatbed knitting machine with four needle beds. Two of the needle beds were needle beds which are capable of knitting (the front and the rear needle bed), and two were transfer needle beds (suitable for the transfer of meshes, but not for knitting). It would alternatively also be possible to knit the double-layered fabric on a flatbed knitting machine with just two needle beds or on a flatbed knitting machine with four needle beds which are capable of knitting.

[0068] The Fig. 2A shows a plan-view on the first layer 16 comprising a first opening 28 and a second opening 30, and Fig. 2B shows a plan-view on the side of the second layer 18. It will be understood that neither Fig. 2A nor Fig. 2B is to scale. To make the individual features visible, the knitted fabric has been shorted in horizontal direction. Also the vertical lengths of the individual features can differ as needed in different embodiments of the invention. For example, when the flat knitted fabric 14 is used to form a band 12 that is a waistband, then the flat-knitted fabric 14 will be longer in vertical direction than shown in Fig. 2.

[0069] In Fig. 2A, it can be seen that the flat-knitted fabric 14 has an upper portion 20, an intermediate portion 22 and a lower portion 24, wherein a first opening 28 and a second opening 30 are positioned in the opening zone 26 of the intermediate portion 22. The flat- knitted fabric 14 has a first longitudinal edge 42 and a second longitudinal edge 44 comprising a first open end 43 and a second open end 45 (indicated by the dotted lines) at the ends of the intermediate portion 22. The distance between the first open end 43 and the second open end 45 defines the length of a tunnel comprised in the flat-knitted fabric 14 between the first layer 16 and the second layer 18. The first and second openings 28, 30 are elongated in the direction of the tunnel 46 in the embodiment shown in Fig. 2A. Alternatively, the first and second openings 28, 30 may be elongated in a direction that is orthogonal to the direction of the tunnel. The “direction of the tunnel” is the direction that extends along the longitudinal axis of the tunnel, i.e. around the circumference of the medical compression article 10 when the flat-knitted fabric 14 is formed into a band 12 and part of such an article. The first and second openings 28, 30 provide access to the tunnel from the outside thereby enabling passage of a drawstring 32 through the first and second openings 28, 30 on its way from the first open end 43 to the second open end 45.

[0070] The side edges of the first opening 28 and the second opening 30 com prise reinforcement means adapted to strengthen the openings. Specifically, the first and second openings 28, 30 each comprise a first and second reinforcement means 34, 35. The first and second openings 28, 30 can additionally comprise a third and fourth reinforcement means 39, 41. Suitable knitting patterns for the reinforcement means are described in more detail in Fig. 4.

[0071] Fig. 3 is a knitting pattern (A, B) for part of the upper portion 20 and of the lower portion 24 (Fig. 3A) and for part of the intermediate portion 22 (Fig. 3B) of an embodiment of the flat- knitted fabric 14 according to the invention.

[0072] The diagram of Fig. 3A shows the courses knitted for at least part of the upper portion 20 and the lower portion 24 on a front needle bed 50 and a rear needle bed 52 of a flat knitting machine. The needles 54 of the front and rear needle beds 50, 52 are marked by dots. The knitting direction 56 is indicated by an arrow. The knitting rapport is labelled with a square having dotted lines. The below is just one example of a knitting pattern that creates upper and lower portions 20, 24 suitable for use in the invention. Other knitting patterns for doublelayered flat-knit fabrics which create interconnecting stitches between the first layer 16 and the second layer 18 would also be suitable for the upper and lower portions 20, 24 of the band 12 of the invention.

[0073] In a first course 1R stitches are knitted with a first hydrophilic yarn 58 on all needles 54 of the front needle bed 50.

[0074] In a second course 2R a hydrophobic yarn 61 is knitted on all needles 54 of the front needle bed 50 and on every second needle 54 of the rear needle bed 52 thereby creating interconnecting stitches interconnecting the first layer 16 and the second layer 18 in the upper portion 20 and the lower portion 24 of the flat-knitted fabric 14. An inlay thread 60 is laid onto the interconnecting stitches, thereby fixing the inlay thread 60 in the flat-knitted fabric. The inlay thread 60 is an elastic thread, such as an elastane thread.

[0075] In a third course 3R stitches are knitted with a hydrophobic yarn 61 on all needles of the rear needle bed 52 and tuck loops are formed on every second needle of the front needle bed 50.

[0076] As can also be seen in Fig. 3A, the courses 4R to 6R are a repetition of courses 1 R to 3R with the one difference that the courses have been knitted through an alternative needle assignment compared to the course 1 R to 3R. Specifically, the pattern in these courses is shifted by one needle to the side.

[0077] The diagram of Fig. 3B shows an exemplary knitting pattern for an embodiment of the intermediate portion 22. Shown are the courses knitted on a front needle bed 50 and a rear needle bed 52 of a flat knitting machine, wherein the needles 54 of these front and rear needle beds 50, 52 are marked by dots. The knitting direction 56 is indicated by an arrow.

[0078] In a first course 1R stitches and tuck loops are alternatingly knitted with a first hydrophilic yarn 58 on all needles 54 of the front needle bed 50. This course is optional. In a second course 2R stitches are knitted with a hydrophobic yarn 61 on all needles of the rear needle bed 52. In a third course 3R stiches are knitted with a second hydrophilic yarn 59 on all needles 54 of the front needle bed 50. The knitting rapport is labelled with a square having dotted lines. As the courses of each yarn are merely running over one of the two needle beds, the afore described knitting pattern results in the formation of a first layer 16 and a second layer 18 that are not interconnected. Thereby a tunnel is formed between the first layer 16 and the second layer 18 in the intermediate portion 22. Preferably, the entire intermediate portion 22 is knitted according to such a knitting pattern that results in two layers without interconnecting stitches. In that case, the tunnel would extend within the entire the intermediate portion 22.

[0079] The courses 4R to 6R in Fig. 3B are repetitions of courses 1 R to 3R with the one difference that the courses are knitted through an alternative needle assignment compared to the course 1 R to 3R. Specifically, the pattern in these courses is shifted by one needle to the side.

[0080] Fig. 4 is a knitting process pattern (A, B) for at least part of the opening zone 26 comprising a first opening 26. Figs. 4A and 4B show the patterns for creating (A) and closing (B) the first opening 26. In other words, the Figs. 4A and 4B show the left and right side of an opening, respectively. A first opening 26 knitted according to the patterns of Figs. 4A and 4B will have first, second, third and fourth reinforcement means 34, 35, 39, 41.

[0081] The diagrams of Fig. 4A-1 and Fig. 4A-2 show (a) preparing the first opening 28 to reinforce the edges of the opening (first box from the bottom) with first reinforcement means 34 and third reinforcement means 41. Third reinforcement means, 41 are knitted in the first two courses of step (a) and first reinforcement means 34 are knitted in the second two courses of step (a). Fig. 4A-2 is an enlarged view of an excerpt of Fig. 4A-1. Fig. 4A-2 shows in detail (b) knitting of two loops on the front needle bed 50, (c) setting an additional rear needle bed 53 that can be a transfer needle bed on position L1 while transferring the two loops on the additional rear needle bed 53, (d) setting the additional rear needle bed 53 on position 0 while transferring the two loops from the additional rear needle bed 53 to the front needle bed 50, and (e) pushing back the yarn feeder used for knitting the two loops in its initial position. Fig. 4A-1 shows (f) repeating steps b) to e) 5 times.

[0082] It is noted that this diagram shows an exemplary process for creating a first opening 28 having a length of 6 stitches in the first layer 16 of the opening zone 26 in the course direction. The resulting first opening 28, thus, is elongated in course direction. Other embodiments include those having at first opening 28 with a length of either more or less than 6 knitted stitches in course direction, for example 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12 knitted stitches in course direction. Alternatively, the opening may have a length of about 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12 knitted stitches in wale direction. In a final step (g) the process of creating the opening is discontinued by creating the second reinforcement means 35. In a preferred embodiment, the yarn used for creating the opening is the same second hydrophilic yarn 59 as shown in Fig. 3B.

[0083] While the above-described process is carried out on a flat-knitting machine with two additional needle beds, other suitable transfer means for the loops of step c) and d) from a flat-knitting machine needle bed, comprise a slider needle or other suitable means known to the person skilled in the art. In this way the slider needle would take over the function of the additional needle bed in working the invention.

[0084] The diagram of Fig. 4 B shows the a) preparation of the stitch pick up (first box from the bottom in Fig. 4B-1 ), which acts to reinforce the opening by a second reinforcement means 35. This step is has already been shown as final step (g) in Fig. 4 A. Step b) shows the pattern repeat for closing the first opening 28 having a size of 6 stitches corresponding to the 6 boxes. Step c) shows the knitting of the fourth reinforcement means 39 (upper box). It can be seen in Fig. 4B-2 showing a more detailed view of an excerpt of Fig. 4B-1 , that each of the 6 repetitions of the knitting pattern consists of a first step and a second step. In the first step, the second free stitch is picked up in left knitting direction and in a second step the first free stitch is picked up in right knitting direction. The two steps are, thus, carried out in the back and forth movements of a cam carriage. The opening closure created according to diagram of Fig. 4B thus directly corresponds to the opening created in Fig. 4A, both having an opening length of 6 stiches.

[0085] As mentioned before, the invention also comprises other embodiments having opening(s) with a length of either more or less than 6 stitches. It is clear to the skilled person that step b) is repeated until all needles that have become free in the process of creating the first opening 28 are assigned again to stitches.

[0086] In step c) the stitch take up is completed (upper box in Fig. 4B-1) by a third reinforcement means 39; d) which is then followed by a final reinforcing knitting row.

[0087] While diagrams 4A and B show the knitting process for an opening in the first layer that is elongated in the direction of the tunnel, the skilled person is able to devise knitting patterns for an opening that is elongated in an orthogonal direction in relation to the tunnel and for openings that are created in the second layer 18 of the flat-knitted fabric 14 based on this disclosure.

[0088] Reference Sign List

[0089] 10 medical compression article

[0090] 12 band

[0091] 13 rear section

[0092] 14 flat-knitted fabric

[0093] 16 first layer

[0094] 18 second layer

[0095] 20 upper portion

[0096] 22 intermediate portion

[0097] 24 lower portion

[0098] 26 opening zone

[0099] 27 region

[0100] 28 first opening

[0101] 30 second opening

[0102] 32 drawstring

[0103] 34 first integrally-knitted reinforcement means

[0104] 35 second integrally-knitted reinforcement means

[0105] 36 first hip-to-foot portion

[0106] 38 second hip-to foot portion

[0107] 39 third integrally-knitted reinforcement means

[0108] 40 seam

[0109] 41 fourth integrally-knitted reinforcement means

[0110] 42 first longitudinal edge

[0111] 43 first open end

[0112] 44 second longitudinal edge

[0113] 45 second open end

[0114] 46 tunnel

[0115] 50 front needle bed

[0116] 52 rear needle bed

[0117] 53 additional rear needle bed

[0118] 54 needle

[0119] 56 knitting direction

[0120] 58 first hydrophilic yarn

[0121] 59 second hydrophilic yarn

[0122] 60 inlay thread 61 hydrophobic yarn

Claims

AMENDED CLAIMS received by the International Bureau on 19 June 2024 (19.06.2024)1. Medical compression article (10) comprising a band (12), the band (12) comprising a flat-knitted fabric (14) having a first layer (16) and a second layer (18); the band (12) comprising an upper portion (20), a lower portion (24) and an intermediate portion (22); the first layer (16) and the second layer (18) being interconnected in the upper portion (20) and in the lower portion (24); the intermediate portion (22) comprising a tunnel (46) and an opening zone (26), the opening zone (26) comprising a first opening (28) in the first layer (16).

2. Medical compression article (10) according to claim 1 , wherein the flat-knitted fabric (14) is seamless.

3. Medical compression article (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the opening zone (26) further comprises a region (27) encircling the opening (28), characterized in that the region (27) comprises at least a first integrally-knitted reinforcement means (34).

4. Medical compression article (10) according to claim 3, wherein the region (27) further comprises a second integrally-knitted reinforcement means (35), wherein the first and the second integrally-knitted reinforcement means (34, 35) are positioned on opposite sides of the opening (28), thereby forming a first pair of reinforcement means.

5. Medical compression article (10) according to claim 4, further comprising a third and a fourth reinforcement means (39, 41), the third and the fourth reinforcement means (39, 41) forming a second pair of reinforcement means that are positioned on opposite sides of the first opening (28), wherein preferably the reinforcement means (34, 35) of the first pair are knitted according to a first pattern and the reinforcement means (39, 41) in the second pair are knitted according to a second pattern, and wherein the first pattern and the second pattern differ from each other.

6. Medical compression article (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the opening (28) is elongated and its longitudinal axis is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tunnel (46).27AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19)7. Medical compression article (10) according to claims 1 to 5, wherein the first opening (28) is elongated and the longitudinal axis of the opening (28) is orthogonal or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tunnel (46)8. Medical compression article (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the band (12) is a waistband.

9. Medical compression article (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the compression article (10) is a pantyhose.

10. Medical compression article (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the tunnel (46) is provided over the entire length of the intermediate portion (22).

11. Medical compression article (10) according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a drawstring (32) extending through the tunnel (46).

12. Medical compression article (10) according to claim 11, wherein the drawstring (32) extends through the tunnel (46) from a first open end (43) to a second open end(45) of the fabric (14), crosses through the first opening (28) to the outside of the first layer (16) and back into the tunnel (46) through the first opening (28).

13. Medical compression article (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the opening zone (26) comprises a second opening (30).

14. Medical compression article (10) according to claim 10, wherein the first opening (28) and the second opening (30) are spaced-apart from about 0.5 to about 2 cm.

15. Medical compression article (10) according to claims 13 or 14, wherein the intermediate portion (22) comprises a drawstring (32) extending through the tunnel(46) from a first open end (43) to a second open end (45) of the fabric (14) and crosses through the first opening (28) to the outside of the first layer (16) and then back into the tunnel (46) through the second opening (30).

16. Medical compression article (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the drawstring (32) is elastic.28AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19)17. Medical compression article according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the opening zone (26) is in a middle section of the intermediate portion (22).

18. Medical compression article (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the upper portion (20) and the lower portion (24) comprise an inlay thread (60).

19. Method of manufacturing a compression article (10) according to any of the preceding claims, comprising the steps of:- providing a flat-knitted fabric (14) for a band (12), wherein the flat-knitted fabric (14) comprises with a first layer (16) and a second layer (18), the first layer (16) and the second layer (18) being interconnected in an upper portion (20) and a lower portion (24) of the band; the first layer (16) and the second layer (18) defining a tunnel (46) and an opening zone (26) on an intermediate portion (22); the tunnel (46) having a first open end (43) and a second open end (45);- inserting an input portion of a drawstring (32) into the first open end (43);- connecting and closing the first open end (43) with the second open end (45), preferably by sewing.

20. Method according to claim 19, comprising a step of knitting the flat-knitted fabric (14).

21. Method according to any of claims 19 or 20, wherein the flat-knitted fabric (14) is seamless.

22. Flat-knitted fabric (14) for use in the compression article (10) of any of claims 1 to 18, the knitted fabric (14) comprising an open-ended enclosure for forming a tunnel (46) extending from a first longitudinal edge (42) of the flat-knitted fabric (14) to a second longitudinal edge (44).AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19)