FOAM SLEEVE GARMENT WITH EASY ACCESS FUNCTION

Abstract

A chip sleeve garment is presented, comprising an outer layer of fabric connected to an inner layer of fabric to form a sleeve with a space between the outer and inner layers. Foam chips, flat foam, or raised foam are placed in the space between the outer and inner layers. The garment includes two ends, at least one of which is open, and a notch at that open end containing a hole. The notch can be separated to create a larger hole, allowing the garment to be put on or taken off more easily. A second garment can be worn over the chip sleeve garment. Either the chip sleeve garment, the second garment, or both can be compression garments.

Description

FOAM SLEEVE GARMENT WITH EASY ACCESS FUNCTION Background of the Invention In one aspect, the present description details compression garments or liners, including compression garments for lymphedema, which are typically used for maintenance once the patient's limb has been decongested and stabilized. In at least one embodiment, the garment or liner comprises a chip sleeve portion including an inner and outer layer of fabric filled with foam chips or shavings. In another embodiment, the garment or liner may be filled with flat foam or foam with raised ridges. In at least one embodiment, the garment or liner may generally be formed in a tubular shape with two open ends, although either open end may be closed or narrowed as desired. Generally, the garment or liner includes an inner and an outer layer that are sewn together to form separate channels of foam chip raised ridges. Brief description of the invention In at least one embodiment, the chip sleeve is sewn or otherwise secured in a form that has an opening at the top and bottom through which it can be slipped over a limb, wrist, ankle, foot, or hand. The chip sleeve may have a notch at least along its length. Ref. 344773, a length at one end that allows the end to expand during donning or doffing. The lining or garment may be made of a fabric or other material that allows the functionality detailed herein and shown in the figures. In at least one embodiment, the lining or garment may be made of an elastic fabric to provide a range of size accommodation by virtue of its stretch properties. Brief Description of the Figures The accompanying figures, which are incorporated herein and form part of this description, illustrate the currently preferred methods of description and, together with the general description given above and the detailed description given below, serve to explain the characteristics or functions of the description. In the figures: Figure 1 shows an example chip sleeve compression garment. Figure 2 shows the chip sleeve compression garment from Figure 1 in place on a leg above a user's ankle. Figure 3 shows the chip sleeve compression garment from Figure 2 with a loop portion of elastic stretch panel revealing a notch in a mid-portion of the garment. Figure 4 shows the chip sleeve compression garment from Figure 3 with the notch fully open and a portion of the elastic stretch panel loop open. Figure 5 shows the chip sleeve compression garment of Figure 2 in a leg form combined with a second compression garment positioned on top of the chip sleeve compression garment. Figure 6 shows the combined compression garments from Figure 5 with two of the adjustment straps of the second compression garment in the open position. Figure 7 shows the combined compression garments from Figure 5 with all the adjustment straps of the second compression garment in the open position. Figure 8 shows a chip sleeve garment under a wrap with buckles and straps. Figure 9 shows a foam lining that has a flat foam or a bumpy foam and a notch with an elastic stretch panel loop. Figure 10 shows the foam lining from Figure 9 combined with a second compression garment placed over it. Figure 11 shows the foam lining from Figure 10 which has a flat foam and a notched feature under a wrap that has buckles and straps. Figure 12 shows the foam lining from Figure 11, which shows the entire knee-length garment underneath. Detailed Description of the Invention In the figures, the same numbers indicate the same elements throughout. Certain terminology is used herein for convenience only and is not intended to be limiting. The terminology includes the words specifically mentioned, their derivatives, and words of similar meaning. The modalities illustrated below are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the precise form described. These modalities are chosen and described to better explain the principles, application, and practical use, and to enable other persons skilled in the art to make better use of this description. Figure 1 shows an example chip sleeve compression garment 10. Garment 10 is shown as a sleeve 12 with two open ends 30, 40 (see Figure 5) and with a mid-portion 14 and a side portion 16. Generally, garment 10 is positioned on a limb, which includes an upper limb, a lower limb, or the L limb, such as an arm or leg. As shown in Figure 2, the chip sleeve compression garment 10 of Figure 1 is positioned on a leg above a user's ankle. The chip sleeve compression garment 10 may be a liner, or it may be worn either by itself or in combination with other garments, including other compression garments, as shown in Figure 5-7. One aspect of the present description includes a notch 20 or other open portion, shown at the open end 40 of garment 10. In the figures, the notch 20 is located in the mid-portion 14, although the notch 20 may be included either in the side portion 16 or in both the mid-portion 14 and the side portion 16, or in any other position as desired, including along or otherwise in another portion of garment 10. When located in the mid-portion 14 as shown in Figure 3, the hole or notch 20 can be used to facilitate donning or doffing garment 10 from the user's limb L. The hole or notch 20 provides a wider opening portion (indicated in Figure 3 as number 22) to allow easier placement on or removal of a limb L, including over a wrist, ankle, foot, or hand.For example, garment 10 can be advantageously designed to fit snugly around the person's wrist, although the wrist portion of garment 10 must expand over the hand as garment 10 is put on and taken off. Similarly, garment 10 can be advantageously designed to fit snugly around the person's ankle, although the ankle portion of garment 10 must expand over the foot and heel as garment 10 is put on and taken off. Additionally, as shown in Figure 3, a loop portion of elastic stretch panel 50 can be included near the hole or notch 20, which, among other benefits, can help keep the hole or notch 20 closed when the user wishes to keep garment 10 in place on limb L.Preferably, the stretch panel 50 is constructed of a material having a lower modulus of elasticity than the fabric comprising the chip sleeve compression garment 10, so that the force to expand the end 40 or the portion of the chip sleeve garment 10 having the notch 20 is less than the force to expand the compression garment 10 otherwise placed without a notch 20, thereby making it easier to put on and take off the garment 10. Figure 4 shows the chip sleeve compression garment 10 of Figure 3 with notch 20 fully open and the elastic stretch panel loop portion 50 open widthwise to allow observation of the underlying notch 20. As shown in Figure 4, the garment 10 can be removed from limb L with notch 20 providing a larger hole portion 22 than a garment 10 without this notch 20. Alternatively, the wider hole 22 of the elastic stretch panel loop portion 50 can easily adjust the garment on the wearer's limb L to bring the garment 10 closer to or further from the ankle, or to facilitate other adjustments of the garment 10. Figure 5 shows the chip sleeve compression garment 10 of Figure 3 being worn in combination with a second compression garment 100 positioned over it. The second compression garment 100, as shown in Figures 5–7, includes adjustment straps 110 that allow the second compression garment 100 to be tightened or loosened as desired. Figure 6 shows the combined compression garments 10 and 100 of Figure 5 with two of the adjustment straps 110 of the second compression garment 100 in an open position, revealing the stretch panel portion 50 of the chip sleeve compression garment 10 adjacent to the ankle portion of limb L. The stretch panel portion 50 acts to close the notch 20 in the chip sleeve compression garment 10 so that the chip sleeve garment 10 completely encloses limb L.Figure 7 shows the combined compression garments 10, 100 of Figure 5 with all the adjustment straps 110 of the second compression garment 100 in the open position. In another example embodiment, a chip sleeve may be used with a Compreflex reduction garment, such as the garment detailed in US Patent 10,820,648, which is incorporated herein by reference. Here, the chip sleeve would include a different connection at a posterior location, although it functions essentially similarly to the chip sleeve detailed therein. Figure 8 shows a side view of a liner similar to the chip sleeve shown in Figures 5-7, although it does not include a portion to cover the top of a foot and instead the notched ends 120 provide a wider opening 122 adjacent to a wearer's ankle when donned. Figures 9-12 show an alternative embodiment with a sleeve design as a lining in a calf-length or full-leg garment. As shown in Figure 9, a garment or lining 200 is similar to the garment 10 detailed above, although it does not include foam chips. Generally, in the example embodiment shown, the lining 200 includes flat foam or foam with raised edges and is shown as a sleeve 212 with at least one open end (note that, in this example embodiment, two open ends 230 and 240 are shown). Generally, the garment 200 is positioned on a limb, which includes an upper limb, a lower limb, or the L limb, such as an arm or leg. The Chip Sleeve Compression Garment 200 can be a liner, or it can be worn either on its own or in combination with other garments, including other compression garments, as shown in Figures 10-12.The notch 220 is shown in iviA / a / ¿u¿ó / uuóü io a lower portion 240 of garment 200 in a middle portion, although the notch 220 may be included either in the side portion or in both, in the middle and side portions, or in any other position as desired, including along or otherwise in another portion of garment 200. The hole or notch 220 may be used to facilitate donning or doffing garment 200 from the user's limb L. The hole or notch 220 provides a wider hole portion (indicated by number 222) to allow easier donning on or doffing of a limb L, including over a wrist, ankle, foot, or hand. For example, garment 200 could be advantageously designed to fit snugly around the person's wrist, although the wrist portion of garment 200 must expand across the hand as garment 200 is put on and taken off.Similarly, garment 200 can be advantageously designed to fit snugly around the person's ankle. The ankle portion of garment 200 should expand over the foot and heel as garment 200 is put on and taken off. Additionally, a loop portion of elastic stretch panel 250 can be included near hole or notch 220, which, among other benefits, can help keep hole or notch 220 closed when the user wishes to keep garment 200 in place on limb L.Preferably, the stretch panel 250 is constructed of a material having a lower modulus of elasticity than the fabric comprising the chip sleeve compression garment 200, so that the force to expand the end 240 or the portion of the chip sleeve garment 200 having the notch 220 is less than the force to expand the compression garment 200 otherwise designed without a notch 220, thereby making it easier to put on and take off the garment 200. In at least one embodiment, the liner 200 may include a notch 220 that extends further along the length of the liner 200 (not shown). In one instance, the notch 200 may extend essentially the entire length of the liner 200 to allow the liner 200 to widen the hole 222. This extension of the notch 220 may allow for easier insertion / removal of a foam liner, which would not stretch as quickly as a chip sleeve shown previously. In another instance, the liner 200 may include two notches 220, with both notches on one side of the same end or with one notch on each side of the liner at both ends. Similarly, a two-notched version may include notches of similar size or may include one notch longer / shorter than the others. Additional notches may be included as desired.Additionally, multiple notches with similar characteristics can be provided in the chip sleeve detailed herein. Furthermore, the stretch panel loop can be lengthened or shortened to cover more or less of the notch, as desired. Moreover, more than one stretch panel loop can be included, for example, at both ends of the lining or to cover more than one notch if it is located at one end. The liner 200 can be used in combination with a second compression garment 300 positioned over it. The second compression garment 300, as shown in Figures 10-12, includes the adjustment straps 210, which allow the second compression garment to be tightened or loosened as desired. As shown in Figures 10-12, the liner 200 is provided between a sock S and an outer garment or wrap 300. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes can be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept. For example, the garment and / or the loop portion of the elastic stretch panel may include additional features. Furthermore, the chip sleeve may be used in other applications, including with other base configurations. For example, the chip sleeve may be used in a design involving a connection at a back seam (see, for example, the regular Compreflex product and the Compreflex reduction product, both manufactured by the present attorney). Therefore, it is understood that this description is not limited to the particular embodiments described, but is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of this description as defined by the appended claims. In at least one example embodiment, a chip sleeve garment includes an outer layer of fabric connected to an inner layer of fabric to form a sleeve with a space between the outer and inner layers of fabric, a foam insert located in the space, and two ends, with at least one of the two ends defining an opening and a notch located adjacent to the opening. The notch can be separated so that, when separated by the wearer, it facilitates increasing the size of the opening. In at least one embodiment, the notch can be covered by a stretch portion. In another aspect, the stretch portion can be secured to the outer layer of the garment. In at least one embodiment, the garment can be a compression garment. In at least one embodiment, the garment can be sized for placement on either an upper or lower extremity of a human. In one example, the upper extremity can be a wrist.In one example, the lower extremity could be an ankle. In at least one modality, the garment is a liner that can be worn under a compression garment. In at least one modality, the foam is chip foam, flat foam, or bumpy foam. In one example embodiment, a method is provided for donning or doffing a chip sleeve garment, the method including providing an outer layer of fabric connected to an inner layer of fabric to form a sleeve with a space between the outer and inner layers of fabric. The chip sleeve garment includes foam located in the space, two ends, at least one of the two ends defining an opening and a notch located close to the opening; and wherein the notch can be separated so that, when separated by the user, the notch facilitates increasing the size of the opening and placing one open end of the two ends over a portion of a human upper or lower limb. In at least one embodiment of the example method, the foam is chip foam, flat foam, or bumpy foam.In at least one embodiment of the example method, the garment defines a notch located close to each of the holes. In at least one embodiment, the example method further includes separating the garment at the notch to increase the size of the hole. In at least one embodiment of the example method, the garment includes a stretch panel portion attached to the outer layer of fabric. In at least one embodiment of the example method, the stretch panel portion can be opened to reveal the notch and can be closed to cover the notch. In at least one embodiment of the example method, a second garment can be positioned over the chip sleeve garment. In at least one embodiment of the example method, the second garment is a compression garment with at least one securing strap. In at least one embodiment of the example method, at least the securing strap can be fastened to compress the chip sleeve garment.In at least one embodiment of the example method, the larger hole is sized to allow at least one securing strap to be loosened. In at least one embodiment of the example method, the chip sleeve garment and the second garment are secured together. This description can be more readily understood with reference to the detailed description, examples, and claims. It is understood that this description is not limited to the specific systems, devices, and / or methods described unless otherwise specified, as these may obviously vary. It is also understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing only the particular aspects and is not intended to be exhaustive. The present description is provided as an instruction of the description in its best currently known form. Those skilled in the relevant technique will recognize that many changes can be made to the aspects described while still obtaining the beneficial results of the present description. It will also be clear that some of the desired benefits of the present description can be obtained by selecting some of the features of the present description without using others. Consequently, those working with the technique will recognize that many modifications and adaptations to the present description are possible and may even be desirable in certain circumstances, and are part of the present description. In this way, the present description is provided as illustrative of the principles of the present description and not in a limiting sense. As used herein, the singular forms un, una, and la include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, the reference to the term un cuerpo includes aspects of having two or more bodies unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Intervals may be expressed herein as starting from around a particular value, and / or from around another particular value. When this interval is expressed, another aspect includes starting from the particular value and / or up to the other particular value. Similarly, when values ​​are expressed as an approximation, by using the antecedent "around," it will be understood that the particular value forms another aspect. Furthermore, it will be understood that the endpoints or end points of each of the intervals are significant both in relation to the other endpoint and independently of the other endpoint. As used herein, the terms optional or optionally mean that the event or circumstance described below may or may not occur and that the description includes instances where the event or circumstance occurs and instances where it does not occur. The terms used herein, such as example or exemplified, do not signify a preference, but rather explain that the aspect discussed later is only an example of the aspect presented. Additionally, as used herein, relative terms such as substantially, generally, approximately, and similar terms are used to represent the inherent degree of uncertainty that may be attributed to any comparison, value, qualitative measurement, or other representation. These terms are also used herein to represent the degree to which a quantitative representation may vary from a referenced reference without causing a change in the fundamental function of the matter under discussion. Although several aspects of the description have been described in the preceding description, it is understood by those skilled in the art that many modifications and other aspects of the description will occur to them as to which invention they belong, having the benefit of the instruction presented in the preceding description and the associated figures. Thus, it is understood that the description is not limited to the specific aspects described above and that it is intended that many modifications and other aspects be included within the scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, although specific terms are employed herein, as well as in the claims that follow, they are used only in a generic and descriptive sense and not for the purpose of limiting the described invention. It is hereby stated that, as of this date, the best method known to the applicant for putting the aforementioned invention into practice is the one that is clear from the present description of the invention.

Claims

1. A chip sleeve garment characterized in that it comprises: an outer layer of elastic fabric connected to an inner layer of elastic fabric to form a sleeve with a space between the outer fabric layer and the inner fabric layer; foam located in the space; two ends, wherein at least one of the two ends defines an opening; a notch located close to the opening; wherein the notch can be separated so that, when separated by the user, the notch facilitates the increase in the size of the opening.

2. The chip sleeve garment according to claim 1, characterized in that the notch is covered by a stretch portion.

3. The chip sleeve garment according to claim 2, characterized in that the stretch portion is secured in the outer layer of the garment and completely encloses the outer layer.

4. The chip sleeve garment according to claim 2, characterized in that the stretch portion provides compression to the garment without the use of straps.

5. The chip sleeve garment according to claim 1, characterized in that the garment is sized to be placed over either an upper or lower limb of a human.

6. The chip sleeve garment according to claim 5, characterized in that the upper extremity is a wrist.

7. The chip sleeve garment according to claim 5, characterized in that the lower extremity is an ankle.

8. The chip sleeve garment according to claim 1, characterized in that it is a lining capable of being worn under a compression garment.

9. The chip sleeve garment according to claim 1, characterized in that the foam is a chip foam, a flat foam, or a foam with protrusions.

10. A method of putting on or taking off a chip sleeve garment characterized in that it comprises: providing an outer layer of elastic fabric connected to an inner layer of elastic fabric to form a sleeve with a space between the outer fabric layer and the inner fabric layer, the chip sleeve garment including foam located in the space, two ends, wherein at least one of the two ends defines an opening and a notch located close to the opening; and wherein the notch can be separated so that, when separated by the user, the notch facilitates increasing the size of the opening; and, placing an open end of the two ends over a portion of an upper limb or a lower limb of a human.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that the foam is a chip foam, a flat foam, or a foam with protrusions.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that the garment defines a notch located close to each of the holes.

13. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that it further comprises: separating the garment at the notch to increase the size of the hole.

14. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that the garment includes a stretch panel portion coupled with the outer fabric layer.

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that the stretch panel portion that completely encloses the outer layer can be opened to reveal the notch and can be closed to cover the notch.

16. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that a second garment can be placed over the chip sleeve garment.

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that the second garment is a compression garment with at least one securing strap.

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that at least the securing strap can be secured to compress the chip sleeve garment.

19. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that the larger hole is sized so that at least one securing strap can be loosened.

20. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that the chip sleeve garment and the second garment are secured together.

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