Seamless Compression Article Stitch Reduction Zone
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Solution Overview
Problem
Compression articles, such as gloves and toe socks, face challenges in maintaining a defined compression pressure profile and optimal fit at the transition from finger or toe tubes to the hand or foot tube due to excess stitches, leading to twisting and discomfort.
Innovation Solution
A compression article with a main tubular knit and partial tubular knits seamlessly produced on a flat knitting machine, featuring a stitch reduction zone at the transition area to create gussets and reduce tension, along with the use of elastic weft threads for precise compression adjustment, and a method involving short intermediate rows and needle bed displacement to minimize tension and ensure even knitting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If excess stitches of partial tubular knitted fabric are covered and bound off in a row of stitches, then good fit of hand or foot part is achieved, but slight twisting occurs and tension is created in the partial tubular knitted fabrics
Solution Approach 1:
The transition area is divided into multiple rows of stitches rather than binding off in a single row. This segmentation allows gradual reduction of excess stitches over several rows, preventing twisting and tension while maintaining proper fit. The patent specifies that the transition area comprises multiple rows where stitches are progressively reduced.
Solution Approach 2:
The compression article is pre-formed with the correct anatomical shape including the transition areas with multiple rows of stitches before being applied to the patient. This preliminary shaping ensures that the article naturally adapts to the body contours without creating tension or twisting during wear.
2Area of stationary object
If the sum of stitches of partial tubular knitted fabric enclosing fingers or toes is greater than stitches in hand or foot part, then complete coverage is achieved, but twisting and tension occur at the transition area
Solution Approach 1:
The transition area has a different stitch structure compared to the main body areas. Specifically, this area comprises multiple rows with progressively reduced stitches, creating a gradual transition that maintains both coverage and uniformity. The local structural variation allows the article to accommodate different anatomical dimensions without distortion.
Solution Approach 2:
The transition is achieved by adding a temporal dimension to the stitch reduction process - instead of reducing stitches horizontally in one row, the reduction occurs vertically across multiple rows. This multi-row approach distributes the dimensional change gradually, preventing twisting while maintaining coverage.
Data Source
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AI summary
A compression article with a main tubular fabric into which at least two partial tubular fabrics merge, wherein the main and partial tubular fabrics are manufactured seamlessly on a flat knitting machine and in the area of the transition between the partial tubular fabrics and the main tubular fabric there is a stitch reduction zone extending over several rows of stitches on the partial fabrics.