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  Manufacture of a garment and such a garmentUSPTO Application #: 20060048283Title: Manufacture of a garment and such a garment Abstract: There is described a method for making a clothing article (1) for persons with hernia, preferably an ostomy hernia. The produced clothing article may be mass produced, as it has a possibility of adaptation to different persons with different size and shape. This is effected by making the clothing article with a seamless knit, a tubular item intended for being placed around the user's lower body part. The tubular item is compressed in an area (6) for forming a clothing article with anatomical fit with a predefined size and shape wanted in the finished clothing article. (end of abstract) Agent: James C Wray - Mclean, VA, US Inventor: Bettina Balslev Sorensen USPTO Applicaton #: 20060048283 - Class: 002400000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Apparel, Head Coverings, Skirts, Underwear The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060048283. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention concerns a method for manufacturing a clothing article for persons with a hernia, preferably an ostomy hernia, which clothing article is made for exerting compression on the user and intended for being disposed around the lower part of the body of the user. The invention furthermore concerns such a clothing article. [0002] By hernia, as used in the present patent application, is understood an abnormal protrusion of an organ or parts thereof through the wall of a body cavity. With hernia is furthermore understood a bulging appearing around a site of operation, e.g. after an ostomy operation. [0003] For persons suffering from hernia, it is important to use a bandage or clothing article that exerts compression against the skin in order that the hernia is kept in place inside. Such a bandage or clothing article may also be used as a preventive measure. [0004] In particular for persons that have gone through an ostomy operation, and who subsequently have acquired an ostomy hernia, it is important to get a bandage or clothing article which exert compression in an area around the ostomy aperture. Furthermore, it is important that the ostomy aperture fits exactly to the type of ostomy bag used by each individual person, and which at the same time is correctly disposed in the clothing article. If the aperture in the clothing article is too narrow, it can be difficult to mount the ostomy bag, and if the aperture is too large, there will be a risk that the hernia or a part thereof is pressed out through the aperture. [0005] A number of clothing articles are known where the required compression is produced by different belts and straps which are tightened by being taken on, or after the user has put the clothing article on. By having elastic bands extending in circumferential direction, desired compression can be established after the user having put on the clothing article. However, such products will be unsuitable for use with ostomy hernia, as the user can displace the ostomy aperture by tightening the belts, which can be critical. Furthermore, the belts are hard, rigid and thick and therefor difficult to mount, particularly for persons with weak fingers. [0006] For persons with ostomy hernia, there are methods where clothing articles are tailored to the individual patient. Thus the clothing article is made individually according to the detailed measures of the patient. After the patient has been measured, a centre for the ostomy is determined. After that, data concerning the clothing article and the associated ostomy bag are sent to the producer who makes an individually tailored clothing article including an aperture for the ostomy in the bandage. As mentioned, it is important that this aperture, both with regard to size and to position, is correctly placed so that problems do not occur when the ostomy bag is passed out through the ostomy aperture of the clothing article. [0007] Some of the prior art clothing articles for ostomy hernia are made in elastic material in which extra abdominal reinforcements are sewn for keeping the hernia in place. Furthermore, the edge of the ostomy aperture will be reinforced with an edge band, synthetics or other, so that the ostomy aperture is stable during use. Furthermore, the clothing article may internally be provided with a sewn reinforcement. [0008] The prior art products with adjustable belts will clutter much under the clothing and are uncomfortable and may, as mentioned, be difficult to dispose correctly since there is a risk that the correct position of the ostomy aperture is not secured. The tailored products are also very little flexible since they are only suited for one person. The product is thus not suited for mass production by individual adaptation, such as feasible with the clothing articles based on using adjustable belts. The tailored product will furthermore be disadvantageous since it is adapted to a person with a given size. By weight increase or weight loss there will therefore be a need for making new clothing articles. [0009] The reason for the present invention is a desire of only making one clothing article, preferably in the shape of a panty brief, for persons with hernia, irrespectively whether this is a common hernia or an ostomy hernia. Particularly it is desirable to make a clothing article which does not have the drawbacks of the prior art products, which is flexible in making and adaptation, and which therefore is suited for mass production. It is thus desirable to be able to produce clothing articles in a predefined variation of size and shape which has anatomical adaptation to users with different size. Furthermore it is desirable to make a comfortable clothing article that establishes the required compression for the daily use of the person, and which additionally can be used as "measuring panty brief" for use in determining the centre of an ostomy when speaking of an ostomy hernia or other operation hernia. [0010] The object of the present invention is to provide a clothing article, preferably in the form of a panty brief which is suited for mass production and which nevertheless is easy to put on, and which simultaneously is suited for persons with hernia, preferably ostomy hernia or other operation hernia, as there is provided a size and a shape providing a fit which even at small variations in body size and shape ensure correct compression and possibility of a correct and secure positioning of an ostomy aperture in the clothing article. [0011] According to the invention, this is achieved with a method of the kind mentioned in the introduction, which is peculiar in knitting a seamless tubular item, which is made with anatomic fit, in a predefined size and shape and establishing a firm yet elastic structure for producing compression of between 15 to 50 mmHg within a previously selected area of the clothing article. [0012] In a particular embodiment, the method includes a step for extending the material in the tubular item for establishing the firm yet elastic structure in a clothing article with desired fit. [0013] In a particular embodiment, the method according to the invention may be peculiar by a step placing the tubular item on a form with a predefined size and shape for selective fixation of the item while located on the form. [0014] The clothing article according to the invention is peculiar in that it is formed by a seamless, knitted, tubular item which is intended for being disposed around the lower body part of the user, and which is made with a firm yet elastic structure for forming a compression between 15 and 50 mmHg within a pre-selected area of the clothing article in order to provide an anatomical fit with a predefined size and shape. [0015] The clothing article is preferably extended or fixed in order to be made with anatomical fit in the predefined size and shape. Furthermore, the clothing article is preferably peculiar in that the tubular item is sewn together at one end for forming a panty brief with a lower body part, groin area and leg openings. [0016] By the invention there is thus created a clothing article that has an anatomical adaptation in size and shape with a variation which is selected in advance. It may be said that a clothing article is formed which in non-extended or `slack` condition has a greater size, making it easier for the user to put on the clothing article, even if it has a compression which is necessary for supporting a hernia. The formed compressive area will preferably be formed on the front side of the clothing article. [0017] According to the invention, it is thus possible to form a compressive area which can be used to prevent and/or secure a hernia, e.g. in connection with ostomy. The compression is created by knitting a high percentage of elastic yarns, e.g. elasthane, possibly in combination with a compact knitting structure and a firm, tight stitch pattern. Due to extension, the clothing article will become easier to put on since it is formed with a size which is `greater` than a clothing article with corresponding properties for compression. Possibly, the clothing article is formed particularly larger in areas for buttocks and hips. [0018] If the clothing article is to be used in connection with ostomy, the compression area is to have such nature that the aperture can be made on the relevant place without the material breaking, e.g. because of laddering. This is established by a suitable choice of knitting structure, edge covering, heat fixation or other sealing, e.g. by silicone or PU-film. With such techniques it is possible to avoid that the clothing article breaks when forming an ostomy aperture. Possibly the aperture is laced to ensure that the hernia is not partially penetrating out of the aperture. [0019] If the clothing article is to be used for common hernia, for example hernia in the abdomen, no aperture formation is required. After measuring and testing the measuring panty brief on the patient, the latter is equipped with clothing articles with size and shape providing the correct anatomical fit and compression. [0020] If speaking of a patient with ostomy hernia, a measurement of the patient will be performed in the first place, after which a clothing article with suitable shape and size is selected. After measuring the patient, a "measuring panty brief" in the shape of a clothing article that may have a particular pattern or network is selected. Localisation of the position of the ostomy aperture is established. The correct position and indication of size are sent to the producer who then adapts models of use of the clothing article by forming the ostomy aperture in the indicated position. It is thus possible to take a number of clothing articles with a predetermined size and shape and then provide these with an ostomy aperture in the correct position. [0021] The user will then have a number of clothing articles in which the ostomy aperture is disposed correctly, and which is made with an elasticity providing the desired compression without need for sewing extra reinforcements, elastic bandages, bands or similar. The clothing article is thus suited for disposition directly on the body without cluttering too much or being uncomfortable, so that the user may have possibility of using his usual clothes upon them. Furthermore, the user may easily and rapidly order extra clothing articles without needing to show up for taking new measurement and for adapting the clothing article. [0022] When the clothing article has been extended and possibly fixed in anatomic fit, it will exert correct compression in the areas, where it may be desired. Thus there is formed a firm contact pressure against the body, ensuring correct position of an ostomy aperture, irrespectively of the user being physically active. Thus there is no risk of the clothing article being displaced so that there is need for adjustments over the day. Due to the inherent elastic ability of the clothing article, there will be possibility of maintaining a fit, irrespectively of the user having a small loss of weight or increase in weight. [0023] Since the clothing article is made without side seams, no local pressure actions occur which can be inconvenient for the user, and which can give rise to skin injuries caused by the pressure forces occurring on the background of the compression in the product. In that connection it is to be mentioned that the compression used in the product may vary from 15 to 50 mmHg. Continue reading... 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