Elastic Stocking Wearing Aid With Funnel Pocket and Pull Ring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Elastic stockings are difficult to put on due to their high retention properties, particularly for elderly patients with reduced mobility, and existing auxiliary devices often require preparation and can be challenging to remove from the foot or leg.

Innovation Solution

An auxiliary device comprising two pieces of slippery tissue with a funnel-shaped pocket and guide slots, coupled with a band that forms a ring for easy grasping and sliding, made from materials like high-density polyethylene, nylon, and synthetic thermoplastic, allowing for intuitive and preparation-free wearing and removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If elastic stockings are made with high retention properties, then they provide effective medical support, but they become difficult to put on and remove

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveretention capabilityVSAvoidease of wearing and removal
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an auxiliary device made of slippery material as an intermediary between the user and the elastic stocking. This mediator reduces friction during the putting-on and removal processes, allowing the high-retention stocking to be easily manipulated without compromising its medical effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The auxiliary device is segmented into two fabric pieces coupled at edges to form a funnel-shaped pocket, with a separate band component. This segmentation allows the device to be flexible and adaptable, facilitating easy insertion and removal of the stocking while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If existing auxiliary devices are used, then they facilitate stocking wearing, but they require preparation and are challenging to remove from the limb

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefacilitation of stocking wearingVSAvoidpreparation requirements and removal difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The auxiliary device is pre-formed into a funnel-shaped pocket structure that naturally guides the stocking onto the limb. The slippery material is pre-applied to the fabric pieces, eliminating the need for users to prepare or apply lubricants during the wearing process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The band with the ring handle enables the user to easily grasp and self-remove the auxiliary device from the limb after stocking application. The design allows the user to perform the removal action independently without assistance, despite the device's interaction with the limb during wearing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If slippery material is used for the auxiliary device, then easing of stocking application is achieved, but resistance during device withdrawal increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of stocking applicationVSAvoidresistance during device removal
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the friction management strategy: the slippery material is applied to the portions of the fabric that contact the stocking during application, while the band and ring components are designed to minimize skin contact during removal. This inversion allows easy stocking application without creating excessive resistance during device withdrawal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the auxiliary device have different surface properties optimized for their specific functions. The fabric pieces have slippery material for easy stocking application, while the band and ring are designed with minimal skin contact areas to reduce removal resistance. This local differentiation of surface qualities resolves the contradiction between application ease and removal resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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

Enables easy and intuitive application and removal of elastic stockings without prior preparation, reducing resistance and improving usability for users with mobility issues.

Implementation Method 1

auxiliary device for wearing a therapeutic elastic stocking... comprised of slippery material... easing extraction of the same device on said stocking

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP2124858B1Auxiliary device for wearing a terapeutic elastic stocking
Publication Date: 2011.05.04 VARIMED
  • EP2124858B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2124858B1 patent drawingFigure 4~7

AI summary

The invention relates to an auxiliary device (1) for wearing an elastic stocking (10) comprising a first piece of tissue (2), comprised of slippery material; and a second piece of tissue (3), comprised of slippery material, coupled along a first portion (3') of its edge with a corresponding first portion (2') of the edge of said first piece of tissue (2), so as to realise an funnel shaped pocket (9), closed on its bottom; characterised in that said first (2) and second (3) pieces of tissue respectively comprise a first (4) and a second (5) guide slot, placed in correspondence of said pocket (9) bottom; and in that it comprises a band (6) having a first end (7) fixed in correspondence of the free portion (2") of said edge of said first piece of tissue (2) and a second end (8) fixed in correspondence of the free portion (3") of said edge of the second piece of tissue (3), said band (6) passing through said first and second guide slots (4, 5) and having such a length to realise a ring (6') in correspondence of said slots (4, 5), said ring (6') being usable for grasping when said device (1) and said elastic stocking (10) are put on, for pulling, folding and sliding each other said first (2) and second (3) pieces of tissue, thus easing extraction of the same device (1) on said stocking (10).