Tubular Compression Item Elastic Weft Yarn Insertion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Medical compression items, such as stockings, face challenges in slipping on due to friction and clinging areas caused by tuck stitches and wide weft yarn floats, and existing finishing techniques either compromise aesthetics or elasticity, leading to discomfort and instability on the leg.
Innovation Solution
A tubular compression item is designed with an elastic weft yarn inserted between rows of stitches on a double cylinder knitting machine, forming an intermediate layer that avoids direct skin contact and tuck stitches, enhancing elasticity and comfort while maintaining a gradual compressive force from the ankle to the calf, with a ribbed edge that facilitates easy slipping and maintains position without added thickness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If tuck stitches are used to secure the weft yarn to the knitting yarn, then the weft yarn is blocked in the feet of the knitted stitches, but this creates friction areas and clinging areas on the skin that complicate proper positioning and make the item difficult to slip on
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful tuck stitch mechanism that creates friction areas and clinging zones. Instead of blocking the weft yarn in the feet of stitches, the invention uses a different securing method that eliminates direct skin contact with the weft yarn, thereby removing the source of friction and clinging problems while maintaining yarn security
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary approach where the weft yarn is secured through a different mechanism that does not create direct friction with the skin. The securing is achieved without the weft yarn forming clinging areas, using an intermediate method that decouples the security function from the friction-causing tuck stitch structure
2Force
If the compression item is made with high compression force to address venous deficiencies, then the compressive effect is improved, but the item becomes even more difficult to slip on for patients with reduced mobility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the friction-causing elements (tuck stitches and clinging areas) that prevent easy donning. By extracting these harmful features, the item can maintain high compressive force without the additional friction resistance that made high-compression items difficult to put on
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the weft yarn interaction with skin by eliminating the tuck stitch structure. This parameter change reduces the friction coefficient between the item and skin, allowing high-compression items to be slipped on more easily without compromising the compressive force
3Reliability
If sewing is used to finish the upper peripheral area to prevent fraying, then fraying is avoided, but the elasticity of the area is limited and the border tends to slip and roll on the leg
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical sewing system with a knitting-based finishing system. Instead of using stitches to secure the edge, the invention uses the inherent structure of the knitted fabric and weft yarn arrangement to prevent fraying while maintaining elasticity and stability on the leg
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the finishing method from sewing (rigid, non-elastic) to a knitted structure (flexible, elastic). This parameter change in the finishing technique maintains fraying prevention while restoring the elasticity needed for stability on the leg, preventing slipping and rolling
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution improves comfort and ease of slipping by eliminating friction areas, maintaining a consistent compressive force, and preventing the item from slipping or rolling on the leg, while maintaining the same basis weight as the rest of the compression item, thus addressing the issues of friction, aesthetics, and stability.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic weft yarn is inserted between: the knitted stitches on the outer face and the knitted stitches on the inner face
Implementation Method 2
maintaining a gradual compressive force from the ankle to the calf
Data Source
AI summary
A tubular compression item having at least one leg part, one foot tip, one heel, one foot and one ribbed edge in the extension of the leg part delimiting an opening for introducing a foot into the item, is provided. The leg part has a height extending from the foot part up to the ribbed edge, and the leg part, the foot and the ribbed edge of the tubular compression item each comprise at least one knitting yarn. An elastic weft yarn is inserted between the stitches on the outer face and the stitches on the inner face of the leg part. The elastic weft yarn is inserted on at least 90% of the columns of stitches without forming any tuck stitch or loop stitch. The elastic weft yarn is maintained between two consecutive rows of stitches in the leg part. The foot tip and the heel each comprise at least one knitting yarn.