Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02038948 2001-02-27
Specification
Protective Outfits and their Manufacturing methods
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the protective outfits
used to cover part of a human body in an attempt to fix.
support, compress, protect, warmth-retain or correct the
portion, more particularly, medical protective outfits used
for prevention or treatment of orthopedic diseases involving
bones, muscles, tendons, etc. and internal diseases such as
lymphedema and rheumatism, sports protective outfits used to
prevent inJuries or support part of a human body during
exercises, or protective outfits used for foundation
garments to shape and trim the body figure, and their
manufacturing methods.
DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART
For the protective outfits to cover part of the human
body to fix, compress, protect, warmth-retain and correct
the portion, there are those used for medical treatment and
sports and applied to a joint such as shoulders, elbows,
hands, crotches, knees, and feet and also to the trunk and
a limb such as the chest, abdomen, waist, forearm, upper arm,
thigh, and shank, and various types are known in terms of
form, construction and material according to the portions to
be used, details of the disease and operationality. First,
the form fa~.ls in two broad categories: strip-form and
cylindrical-form. For the construction, a main body to cover
the affected portion is combined with a high-rigidity
member, a nonstretchable member, a different elasticity
member, a different buffering member, or a different
-1-
CA 02038948 2001-02-27
thickness member to locally fix. support, pressure, protect,
warmth-retain, and correct the affected portion covered by
the main body and there are some to which main body
belts are added. In the material, there are materials with
air permeability and high moisture absorption, in addition
to those of the aforementioned properties, and they are made
into woven, knitted or nonwoven fabrics, plastics, and
rubber foams by using the materials solely or combined.
These protective outfits must provide good fitness,
good operationality, and comfort, and must be able to fix.
support, compress, protect, warmth-retain, or correct only a
necessary portion. However, because each human body has a
different figure and is not of plane structure, the
protective outfits contain various special contrivances. For
example, to increase fitness, a braiding system is
employed for the application method, or an auxiliary belt is
installed to the outfits to retighten the outfits from the
above, or three-dimensional construction is incorporated in the
design of the outfits, and a three-dimensional cutting and sewing
technique is employed in view of material orientation, or
materials of various properties are combined. For better
operationality; in the application method, the braiding
system is changed to the single-operation system using a
flat fastener such as "Velcro"* and the strip-form system to
the cylindrical-form system. In addition, a three-dimensional
sewing technique is used, an auxiliary belt is installed,
thicker material is used. pad material is added, or a
variety of'materials are combined to fix, support, compress,
protect, warmth-retain and correct the required portions only.
However, conventional outfits caused insufficient
fitness to individual patients, required professional
assistants to install the outfits with complex construction
* Trademark
-2-
/p ~ (~ y 1
i°~ ~:~ c~ r:~ r~ a
and increased weight, producing pains to patients in long-
term application, and there has not existed any outfit which
works only on the required portion intensively.
Protective outfits as foundation garments include bras
which shape the breast neatly, girdles which smooth and slim
waistlines and hiplines, and stockings which have graduated
compression to shape legs beautifully and help aid
circulation of the blood. These outfits are manufactured by
knitting primarily polyamide and urethane-covered yarns in a
cylindrical form or by sewing the fabrics. For the
foundation garments, desired functions are provided by
varying the size according to the bady form, or by varying
thread thickness or types, or by changing the knitting
structures, in order to apply local compression forces or
supporting forces. The foundation garments prepared by
sewing include those finished into three-dimensional
construction by combining ar stacking different materials
such as knitted, woven, or nonwoven fabrics or materials
with different properties.
Ilowever, these conventional foundation garments are
extremely difficult to fabricate, and in addition to a
disadvantage of high cost, it is practically impossible to
provide functions as foundation garments precisely according
to the varying figures of individual wearers.
The object of 'the present invention is to provide
protective outfits and their manufacturing methods, which
fit smoothly to patients' symptoms and individual figures,
which are easy to wear, which provide excellent wear
comfort, and which can be used for medical treatment, sports
and foundation garments.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
-3-
CA 02038948 2001-02-27
The protective outfits of the present invention
consists of a main body comprising elastic material and
nonstretchable material or elastic material only and a
portion where the elasticity of the elastic material
composing the main body is changed by impregnation with a
treating agent.
In the manufacturing process of the aforementioned
protective outfits, to a specified portion of the elastic
material composing the main body which comprises the elastic
material and nonstretchable material or elastic material
only, the treating agent is applied or bonded in either liquid
or solid state, and the elasticity of the specified portion
of the elastic material composing the main body is varied by
integrating the treating agent with the elastic material.
According to the present invention. impregnating with
the treating agent the specified portion of the main body
comprising the elastic material can change the elastic
characteristics of the specified portion only, applying the
proper working force, that is, fixing force, supporting
force, and compression force. to the necessary portions
according to individual wearer conditions and achieving
rational treatment and prevention. Because the outfits
themselves integrate the elastic material with a treating
agent such as resin, both thickness and weight scarcely vary
from those of the elastic material, and they are free from
feeling of physical disorder and complicated auxiliary belt,
achieving easy application operation. The protective outfits
of the present invention do not cause any burden to elderly
people and small children and allow them to wear the outfits
easily by themselves. In addition, the protective outfits of the
present invention is not made up by combining and sewing
various materials together as with the conventional
-4-
CA 02038948 2001-02-27
protective outfits, but has the treating agents applied or
bonded only on the elastic material, resulting in a simple
manufacturing process and cost reduction.
Impregnation can be performed with the treating agents
at any time before or after the main body is formed from
elastic material and nonstretchable material or elastic
material only, and the main body can be formed by processing
such as cutting and sewing after impregnation is performed
with the treating agents for the specified portion of the
elastic material, or impregnation with the treating agent
can be performed for the specified portion of the elastic
material composing the main body after the main body is
formed from the elastic material and nonstretchable material
or elastic material only.
The main body consisting of elastic material and
nonstretchable material is especially effective for the
protective outfits requiring a fixing force, for example, a
rib-fracture fixation bandage and protective outfit for
lumbago. More specifically, in the rib-fracture fixation
bandage, nonstretchable material is used for the side which
makes contact with the affected portion, and impregnation is
carried out for the elastic material on the not-affected
side. For the low back pain belt, nonstretchable material is
used for the abdomen and elastic material for other
portions, to which impregnation is carried out as required.
The main body which consists of only elastic material is
effective primarily for the outfits which fix, support, and
compress joints and foundation garments which smooth and trim
the body figure. The outfits for joints include those for
hand joints, elbow joints, knee joints, and feet joints, and
those for foundation garments include girdles, and abdominal
and back supports after pregnancy. These outfits provide
-5-
CA 02038948 2001-02-27
easiness to wear and good wear comfort by composing the
whole outfits with elastic material, and, then, performing
the impregnation treatment of the present invention according
to human muscles will produce effective outfits.
All that is required for the elastic material used for
the present invention is material with sufficient
stretchability that allows the material to fit to the
surface contour of the human body, and it is the material
with an elongation ratio of more than 20%, preferably 50 -
150%. The form of the main body to be formed from the
elastic material includes a flat one and a tubular-formed
cylindrical one. The flat form can be formed with woven.
knitted, and nonwoven fabrics or composite material, while
the cylindrical form can be formed with knitted fabrics. For
the woven fabric, stretchable yarns such as rubber,
polyurethane, hard-twisted, crimped, and conjugated yarns,
preferably rubber and polyurethane yarns, are used for, at
least, either warp or weft. For the knitted fabrics,
natural, semi-synthetic, and synthetic yarns knitted in warp
or weft, or yarns into which elastic yarns (preferably
rubber and polyurethane yarns) are knitted can be used. For
nonwoven fabrics, nonwoven fabrics using elastic fibers
produced by. in particular, the~Spunbond. Spun-Lace, and
Melt-Blow methods are preferable. For composite material.
double structure in which elastomeric material is applied or
stuck to the stretchable fabric or triple,structure in
which elastic fabric, elastomer material, and elastic fabric
are stuck together can be used, wherein polyurethane,
polychloroprene rubber, polYbutadiene rubber, natural
rubber. polyvinyl chloride foams. or nonwoven fabric
comprising fibers of urethane. polYamide, etc. are preferable
the elastomeric material. It is also possible to use two or
-6-
CA 02038948 2001-02-27
more types of elastic materials.
Examples of nonstretchable material include cotton,
polyester. polyamide. polyacrylonitrile fabrics, nonwoven
fabrics or composite materials.
The treating agent used in the present invention must
enter the elastic material fibers or structure to be
integral with the elastic materials and vary the elastic
properties (elongation ratio, modulus), feeling
(flexibility, rigidity, friction coefficient), and warmth-
retaining characteristics, and the example includes rubber
and plastic materials. They are provided in either liquid or
solid form, and the liquid form is obtained by dissolving
rubber or plastics in an organic solvent, and emulsifying
or suspending rubber or plastics. The solid form is obtained
by bringing rubber or plastics into films, sheets, bars and
powders, or into woven, knitted, and nonwoven fabrics by
working.
The rubber material for the treating agent falls into
two broad categories: natural and synthetic. Examples of
synthetic rubber include polYisoprene, polYbutadiene rubber.
butadiene-styrene copolymer. butadiene-acrylonitrile
copolyer, polychloroprene rubber, isobutene-isoprene copolymer.
polyester isocyanate rubber.' polYether isocYa~ate rubber.
chlorosulfonated -Polyethylene, ethylene-propylene copolymer,
ethylene-propylene-diene trimer, polydimethylsiloxane,
polyacrylic ester, styrene-isoprene-styrene copolymer.
The plastic material for the treating agent falls into
two broad categories: thermosetting and thermoplastic resin.
Examples of thermosetting plastics include formaldehyde
resin and bridge formation resin. Examples of formaldehyde
resin include phenol resin, urea resin, and melamine resin
and those of bridge formation resin include unsaturated
-7-
CA 02038948 2001-02-27
polyester, epoxy resin, diallyl phthalate resin, silicone,
and polyurethane. Examples of thermoplastic resins include
hydrocarboncarbide plastics, polar vinyl plastics, linear-
structure plastics, and cellulose plastics. Hydroparbon-
carbide plastics include polyethylene, polypropylene,
polymethylpentene. polybutene. t- polybutadiene, poly-
styrene, styrene-butadiene, polar vinyl plastics include
polyvinyl-chloride, polyvinyl-acetate, polymethyl-
methacrylate, polYvinylidene chloride, polytetrafluoro-
ethylene, ethylene-vinyl-acetate copolymer, styrene-acrylate
copolymer, ionomer resin, acrylate-styrene-acrylonitrile
copolymer, linear structure plastics include polyacetal.
polycarbonate, polyphenyleneoxide, polyethylene terephtha-
late, polybutyleneterephthalate, polyacrylate, polysulfone,
polyethersulfone polyphenylenesulfite, and cellulose
plastics include cellulose acetate, cellulose acetate
butyrate."Celluloid"* and "Cellophane"*.
The treating agent used in the present invention can be
grouped in the following four categories in terms of the
functions required.
(1) Treating agent that increases fixing and supporting
forces:
The supporting force is increased by eliminating
flexibility and elasticity of the elastic material and the
fixing force is increased by providing resistance to bending
as well as eliminating flexibility and stretchability of the
elastic material.
Examples of these agents include epoxy resin.
unsaturated polyester resin, thermosetting urethane resin.
and diallyl phthalate resin for thermosetting resins.
polystyrene, polypropylene, trans-polyisoprene, polystyrene,
polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl acetate, polymethyl-
* Trademark
_g-
CA 02038948 2001-02-27
methacrylate, polYvinYlidene chloride, ethylene-vinyl
acetate copolymer, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer,
polyester resin, polYamide, thermoplastic polyurethane
resin, and ionomer resin for thermoplastic plastics.
Particularly preferable are epoxy resin, unsaturated
polyester resin, thermosetting or thermoplastic urethane
resin and ionomer resin.
To this treating agent, a plastic resin with
comparatively high crystallinity or a high degree of
crosslinking applies. The supporting force can be easily
increased by applying a smaller amount of treating agent to
the elastic material, while the fixing force can be
increased by increasing the amount of the.treating agent.
(2) Treating agent that increases compression forces:
This intends to increase the modulus of the elastic
material, that is, to provide a function to recover the
original form when the material is extended.
For this purpose, in general, a treating agent called
elastomer possessing rubber elasticity can be used, and the
example includes natural rubber. polyurethane elastomer,
styrene-butadiene rubber. polYChloroprene rubber, butadiene-
acrylonitrile rubber, polyisobutylene rubber.
styrene-isoprene-styrene copolymer, silicone rubber,
isobutene-isoprene rubber, butadiene rubber, and
polytetrafluoroethylene rubber, and more preferably. natural
rubber, polyurethane elastomer, styrene-butadiene rubber,
polychloroprene rubber, polystyrene-isoprene-styrene copolymer
The compresvsion force can be varied by varying the amount of
treating agent and selecting the treating agent with high
modulus.
(3) Treating agent that controls elongation ratio:
The treating agent does not affect flexibility at all
-9-
CA 02038948 2001-02-27
and only restricts elongation. There is hardly any change in
back stretch.
This treating agent is an elastomer, and can be formed
by adding a plasticizer to rubber or plastics with small
rubber elasticity. such as polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl
acetate, polyvinyl alcohol, ethylene-vinylacetate copolymer,
and polyacrylic acid ester, and most preferably, polyvinyl
chloride, polyvinyl acetate, and polyacrylic acid ester. In
particular. to have better flexibility, it is recommended to
select a treating agent with low hardness or to decrease
hardness by adding a plasticizer.
(4) Treating agent that increases warmth-retaining
property:
The treating agent forms structure to store the air by
bonding to the elastic material and foaming, and can use
foaming compounds with the natural rubber, thermoplastic
polyurethane resin, and polyvinyl chloride used as a base,
and more preferably, those using thermoplastic polyurethane
resin and polyvinyl chloride.
In the protective outfits constructed as above, the
main body without any impregnation treatment possesses the
stretchable properties which the elastic material originally
possesses, but the portion which underwent the impregnation
treatment possesses stretchable properties different
from those of the elastic material. Therefore, the fixing
force. supporting force. compression force, or warmth-
retaining force at the portion applied to the human body
when the outfit is worn can be increased as required at the
portions which were subJected to impregnation treatment,
producing a desired treatment effect in medical use, a
desired prevention effect in sports use, and a desired
figure shaping effect in foundation garments. The weight of
-10-
CA 02038948 2001-02-27
the outfits can be as li8ht as that determined by the main
body being almost made up of elastic material only.
The protective outfits of the present invention can be
manufactured in a simple process consisting of only
impregnation treatment of the elastic material with the
treating agent.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig.l a. b are a .side view and a front view of one
embodiment in contact with a human body according to the
present invention,
Fig.l c is an explanatory drawing of the medical
treatment principle,
Fig.2 a, b are a side view and a front view of another
embodiment in contact with a human body according to the
present invention.
Fig.3 a, b are a side view and a front view of still
another embodiment in contact with a human body according to
the present invention.
Fig.4 is a side view of yet another embodiment in
contact with a human body according to tthe present
invention,
' Fig.S is a side view of a~further embodiment in contact
with a human body according to the present invention.
Fig.6 a, b are a sketch and an development of a still
further embodiment in contact with ahuman body according to
the present invention,
Fig.7 :is a sketch of yet another embodiment in contact
with a human body according to the present invention,
Fig.8 is a development of still another embodiment
according to the present invention,
Fi8.9 is a development of a further embodiment
-11-
-~ v r
~~~~~~~(
according to the present invention which modifies part of
the embodiment of Fig.8,
Fig.lO a, b are a front view and a rear view of another
embodiment according to the present invention, and
Fig.ll A - G explain examples of different impregnation
treatments according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring now to the drawings, the best form to embody
the present invention will be described in detail
hereinafter.
The mark shown at each portion of the protective
outfits shows how the stretchable characteristics of the
main body are changed as a result of impregnation treatment
carried out as shown in Fig.ll. The white portion not
provided with the mark shows the main body as it is without
any impregnation treatment provided. A, B, C are properties
obtained with the treating agent which reinforces the fixing
and supporting forces and restricts the elongation ratio,
and the rigidity increases in order of C to A. D, E, F are
properties obtained with the treating agent which reinforces
the compression force and the back stretch and elongation
decrease in order of C to F. GPIs the portion in which the
warmth-retaining property is improved. In each embodiment,
the area given the same mark does not always mean to provide
the same stretchability characteristics and properties
represented by A - G vary and produce slight differences
depending on the individual outfits and applied portions.
(1) Knee protective outfits for anterior cruciate ligament
damage
For the knee disease causing tibia to extrude forward
or produce forward instability due to damage to the anterior
-12-
CA 02038948 2001-02-27
cruciate ligament, three-point-support system knee outfits
are used to compress the tuberosity of the tibia 3 from
forward with the posterior portion of thigh 1 and posterior
portion of shank 2 used as a fulcrum as shown in Fig.l c.
Fig.l a, b are a side view and a front view, respectively,
which show the knee articles for anterior cruciate ligament
damage according to the present invention is worning.
The numeral 4 denotes the main body comprising the
elastic material and made into a tubular form, which has
length and inside diameter that sufficiently cover the area
from thigh 5 to shank 6. The main body 4 is circular-knitted
with rubber yarns and is a elastic tubular generally called
a supporter and the area I which covers the lower part of
the patella 7 in a crescent-moon shape is given non-
stretchability with some flexibility left by treatment of
polyvinyl chloride-emulsion, and the area II which passes
through both sides of patella 7 from the lower part 8 of biceps
muscle of the thigh back to tuberosity of the tibia 9 and
the calf muscles center 10 of the shank rear part is given
strong elasticity by thermally depositing a 1 mm thick
styrene-isoprene-styrene copolymer sheet, and further the
area III which connects the anterior thigh 11 with the area
II is given weak elasticity by thermally depositing a 0.5 mm
thick styrene-isoprene-styrene copolymer sheet.
(2) Protective outfits for dislocation of patella
For patella diseases in which then patella is dislocated by
hypoplasia of the patella or laxity of the patella tendon, applying
a knee outfit which exerts a load opposite to the dislocation
direction as a result of diagnosis can prevent recurrence of the
dislocation. Fig.2 a, b are a side view and a front view
when the protective outfits for patella dislocation is worn
for the disease in which the patella is dislocated outward.
-13-
CA 02038948 2001-02-27
The numeral 21 is a main body comprising the elastic
material and made into a cylindrical form, which has length
and inside diameter that sufficiently cover the area from
thigh 22 to shank 23, the same as Embodiment 1. As in
Embodiment 1, the main body 21 is circular-knitted with
rubber yarns and is an elastic cylinder generally called a
supporter and a non-elastic area is formed by thermally
depositing a 1 mm thick and 20 mm wide thermoplastic
polyacrylic acid ester annulus-shape sheet to the area I
which covers the circumference of the patella 24 in an
annulus shape and integrating the fiber of the main body 21
with the structure. To the area II which begins from the top
and bottom portions 25. 26 of the area I, passes the top and
bottom of fossa politea 27, and extends to portions 28, 29
slightly away from the starting portions 25. 26 of the area
I, a thermoplastic macromolecular sheet of styrene-isoprene-
styrene of 1 mm thick and 20 mm wide is thermally deposited
to integrate with the main body 21 and an area with high
stretching force and less elongation is formed. Furthermore.
to the overall peripheral area III. IV of the top and bottom
ends of the main body 21, a polyurethane elastomer solution is
applied 30 mm wide to be integral with the main body 21 and
an area with large stretching force is formed to prevent
slippage.
(3) Protective outfits for ankle sprain or socks to prevent
ankle sprain '
Outfits in the form of socks to prevent a slight sprain
or sprain when exercising sports, in which a fulcrum is
provided at fhe foot on the extension line of the shank and
at the outside of the shank to prevent the leg from bending
excessively inward. Fig.3 a, b are a side view and a front
view, respectively, when protective outfits for ankle sprain
-14-
CA 02038948 2001-02-27
or socks to prevent ankle sprain are worn.
The numeral 31 is the main body comprising the elastic
material in the form of socks with open toes. Similar to
general sports socks, natural rubber is knitted into the
main body consisting of cotton to reinforce back stretch in
the vicinity of the toe and at the upper part of the shank
to make a hosiery. To the ring-shape areas I, II passing
muscles gastrocnemius bottom end 32 of the shank and
peroneal lateral malleolus 33 and encircling the foot
and the area III passing on the peroneal lateral malleolus
33 and extending from the area I nearly vertically to the
foot bottom 34, the natural latex rubber solution is applied
to be integral with the main body 31 and an area with high
stretching force and less elongation is formed.
(4) Protective outfits for tennis elbow
For inflammation of the upper malleolus of wrist
extensor group, an outfit is used to compress the wrist
extensor group to prevent transmission of tension to the
upper malleolus of the wrist extensor group when the wrist
extensor group is strained. Fig.4 is a side view of the
tennis elbow outfit of the present invention when it is
worn.
The numeral 41 is a main body comprising the
cylindrical elastic material with the length and inside
diameter which cover part of the brachium 42 to part of
forearm 43 and is formed in the shape of a tube knitted with rubber
yarns. To the area I consisting of an area of the main body
41 from the, wrist extensor group 44 to the upper malleolus
45 and an area encircling the wrist extensor group 44, 0.5
mm thick styrene-isoprene-styrene copolymer is thermally deposited to
be integrated in the main body 41 and an area to restrict the
elasticity is formed. To the area III of the top portion of the
-15-
CA 02038948 2001-02-27
brachium, a polyurethane elastomer solution is applied to
increase the stretching force to prevent dislocation of the
outfit. To the area II of the top portion of the forearm, a 1 mm
thick styrene-isoprene-styrene copolymer is thermally deposited to
compress the top portion of the forearm to prevent
transmission of tension to the root of the wrist extensor
group.
(5) Protective outfits for tenosynovitis
An outfit designed to restrict the movement of pollex
is used to restrain tension of the long muscle of the thumb and to
provide rest for tenosynovitis of pollex. Fig.5 is a side
view o,.f the protective outfit for tenosynovitis of the
present invention when it is worn.
The numeral 51 is a main body comprising the
cylindrical elastic material with the length and inside
diameter which cover the forearm 52 to the palm 53 and is
formed with fabric knitted with rubber yarns. To the area I
along the muscles extensor pollicis group 54, polyvinyl
chloride emulsion is applied to be integral with the main
body 51 and elasticity is restrained to form an area to
restrict the thumb motion. To the area II of the top portion
of the brachium, a 45~-concentration polyurethane elastomer
solution is applied to increase the stretching force to
prevent dislocation of the outfit and to the area III of the
palm. the polyurethane elastomer solution with lower
concentration than the previous one is applied to form an
area with slightly larger stretching force to prevent
dislocation: of the outfit in a similar manner.
(6) Protective outfits for fixing chest regions
For chest diseases requiring one to maintain the rest of
chest regions due to damage such as rib fracture, protective
outfits which fix the chest region on the affected side and
-16-
CA 02038948 2001-02-27
stretches to allow the sound side to respire are used. Fig.6
a, b are a sketch and an exploded drawing of protective
outfits for fixing chest regions according to the present
invention when they are worn.
The numeral 61 is a main body comprising elastic
composites with considerable tenacity using as a skin side
material cotton tricot, as an outer side matrial stretchable
nylon pile, to which a flat fastener such as "Velcro" can be
connected, and as an interlining material compressed
urethane. It is a flat product about 15 - 20 cm in width and
about 21 meters in length. on one side of which a notch 62
is provided for accurate and easy application. The area I
applied to the affected side of the main body 61 is pasted
with polyacrylic acid ester emulsion to make it
nonstretchable and to the remaining peripheral area II there is applied
a polyurethane emulsion to increase the back stretch of
the portion, preventing slippage as well as fraying of the
shole main body.
(7) Protective outfits for warmth-retaining shoulder joint s
For scapulohumeral periarthritis, the outfits to keep
the shoulder to the brachium warm and to improve blood
circulation are used. Fig. 7 is a sketch of protective outfits
for warmth-retaining shoulder anoints according to the
present invention when they are worn.
The numeral 71 is a elastic main body knitted with
polyvinylidene chloride fiber which is. formed in the form of a
single-sleeved shirt that covers from the shoulder to the
brachium and part of the chest on the affected side. The
area I extending from the shoulder to the brachium of the
main body 71 is applied with a low-foaming type urethane
elastomer liquid and heated to foam so that the warmth
retaining effect is increased. To the belt-form area II
* Trademark
-17-
CA 02038948 2001-02-27
extending from the front and rear surfaces of the shoulder
toward the armpit on the opposite side, nonwoven fabric
comprising polyurethane fiber of weight per area of 150 g/ms
is thermally deposited to be integral with the mai.~ body 71
and an area of weak elasticity with air permeability is
formed.
(8) Protective outfits for lumbago
For spine diseases such as lumbago, herniated
intervertebral disk, and spondylolysis, a lumbago belt which
compresses the abdomen to increase abdominal pressure, or
fixes the lumbar spine or ilium in order to reduce the load
to the spine is used. Fig.8 is an exploded drawing of a low
back pain belt according to the present invention.
The numeral 81 is a main body comprising elastic
composites using as a skin side material cotton tricot, as
an outer side material stretchable nylon pile, to which a
flat fastener such as "Velcro"* can be connected, and as an
interlining material compressed urethane, and has length
enough to cover the loin vicinity and overlap in double and
tighten at the abdomen, and also of enough width to cover
the primary lumbar vertebra to the ilium. To the area I
aligned in parallel vertically on both sides with the spine
set at the center in the back of the main body 81,
thermoplastic polyester resin is thermally deposited in 3 mm
thick and 20 mm wide to form a support with large fixing
force. To the area II which lies in 10 mm wide on both sides
with the portions 82, 83 that make contact with ilium in
between and makes contact with the abdomen thermoplastic
polyester resin blended with softener is thermally deposited
in 1 mm thick and an area with increased supporting force
is formed. Furthermore, to the remaining area III other than
triangular portions 82, 83 which make contact with the ilium
* Trademark
-18-
CA 02038948 2001-02-27
and the areas I and II, a l-mm-thick styrene-isoprene-styrene
sheet is thermally deposited and an area with high
stretching force and less elongation is formed.
(9) Protective outfits for lumbago
The lumbago belt which is used for the same purpose as
that shown in the aforementioned Embodiment 8 and the main
body of which consists of the elastic and nonstretchable
materials is shown in Fig.9.
The center 92 of the main body 91 consists of elastic
material, while both ends 93. 94. 95 consist of nonelastic
material. Both ends 93. 94, 95 cover the abdomen and serve
to apply abdominal pressure, and are designed to apply the
end 93 to the abdomen, over which the ends 94, 95 are piled
and are latched. One end 93 consists of nonstretchable
material with triple structure consisting of nylon pile on
the outer side, which a flat fastener such as "Velcro"* is
latched, and cotton pile on the inner side which makes
gentle contact with the skin, the two types of pile
sandwiching the nylon mesh as core to hold the
nonstretchable material. The other end 94. 95 consists of the
nonstretchable material of the same construction as that of
the end 93 and is divided into two parts for easy operation
at the time of wearing. To the inside of the tip end, the
flat fastener is installed to latch with the flat fastener
installed to the outside of the other end 93.
The center 92 forms a supporting portion with a large
fixing force by using thermoplastic polyester resin applied
to the area I, the same as the embodiment of Fig. 8.
At the area II, an area with increased supporting
force is formed by using thermoplastic polyester resin
within plasticizer. In the area III, using a styrene-
isoprene-styrene sheet, an area with a high stretching
* Trademark
-19-
CA 02038948 2001-02-27
force and less elongation is formed.
(10) Girdles
Girdles are used as foundation garments to smooth and
shape the hipline. Fig. 10 a, b are a front view and a rear
view of girdles according to the present invention.
The numeral 101 is a elastic main body produced in the
form of panties by sewing knitted fabric comprising nylon.
To the front center portion of the main body 101, that is, a
diamond-shape area I corresponding to the abdomen.
polyacrylic acid ester emulsion is applied to form a
nonelastic area, to the area from the front abdomen to the
upper part of the rear portion through the crotch,
styrene-isoprene-styrene solution is applied to form an area
with high back stretch, and to the area of the buttocks covering
the remaining portion, urethane elastomer solution is
applied to form an area with a high stretching force.
INDUSTRIAL FIELD OF UTILIZATION
As described above, protective outfits and their
manufacturing processes related to the present invention are
effective for protective outfits for medical treatment.
protective outfits for sports use, and protective outfits
for foundation garments, and more particularly, are suitable to
be used for outfits to cover part of a human body, and to fix,
support, compress, protect, warmth-retain, and correct the portion.
-20-
