Assembly, device, system and method for donning a compressive garment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The donning of compressive garments is difficult, requiring significant user strength and dexterity, making it cumbersome, uncomfortable, and potentially unsafe, with existing solutions failing to provide a satisfactory improvement.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a set of ring sections forming an openable closed ring structure with a circumferential wall for receiving a stretched compressive garment, featuring moveable ring sections and passages for radial expansion, along with an engaging member that moves between retracted and extended positions to facilitate easier positioning and release of the garment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual stretching and positioning of the compressive garment is performed, then the garment can be donned onto the body part, but significant user strength and dexterity are required making the process cumbersome and potentially unsafe
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a donning device as an intermediary tool between the user and the compressive garment. This device includes a support structure with a receiving structure that holds the garment in a stretched state, and a transfer structure that facilitates movement of the garment onto the body part. The intermediary device performs the force-intensive stretching and positioning functions, eliminating the need for direct manual manipulation by the user and solving the contradiction between ease of operation and force requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical system (user directly stretching and positioning the garment) with a mechanical assistance system (donning device with support structure and transfer structure). The device mechanically holds the garment in a pre-stretched configuration and provides controlled transfer to the body part, substituting human physical effort with a mechanical system that performs the force-intensive operations.
2Manufacturing precision
If the compressive garment is stretched manually to fit tightly, then appropriate positioning is achieved, but the process is physically demanding and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-stretching and pre-positioning the compressive garment in the receiving structure of the donning device before the actual donning process. The garment is held in an optimized stretched configuration with proper alignment features (such as the tapered shape and positioning markers) prepared in advance. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for time-consuming manual stretching and positioning during the donning act itself, achieving both high positioning accuracy and reduced donning time.
3Strength
If forceful stretching is applied to don the garment, then tight compressive fit is achieved, but the process becomes uncomfortable and potentially unsafe for the user
Solution Approach 1:
The donning device serves as a protective intermediary that bears the compressive force and mechanical stress during garment application. The support structure and transfer structure are designed to withstand the forces required to stretch and position the garment tightly, preventing these forces from being directly applied to the user's body. This intermediary mechanism achieves the necessary compressive strength while eliminating harmful effects to the user such as muscle strain, joint stress, and potential injury from forceful manual manipulation.
Data Source
AI summary
Assembly (2) for donning a compressive garment (4), comprising a set of ring sections (6, 6′) together forming an openable closed ring structure (8) which extends around a main ring axis (R), said ring structure (8) comprising a circumferential wall (10) for receiving a stretched compressive garment (4) thereon, wherein the ring structure (8) is configured for resisting radial compression of the circumferential wall (10) by the received garment (4), wherein at least two of the ring sections (6, 6′) are moveable with respect to each other for opening the ring structure (8), wherein at least one passage (12a, 12b) is provided in the circumferential wall (10) of the closed ring structure (8).