Accouterment

This application claims a benefit of Japanese Utility-model Application No. 2024-001516 filed in Japan on May 14, 2024 (which has been matured into Registered utility model No. 3247445), the entire content of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

The present invention is directed to an accouterment, more particularly to an accouterment fitted around a portion of a human body (e.g. neck, torso, upper limb, or lower limb).

Japanese patent application Laid-open No. 2000-342307 (D1) discloses in itsa tightening belt, an annular member and a hook-type (male-type) fastening sheet. The annular member is secured at a first end of the tightening belt. The tightening belt configures a loop-type (female-type) fastening part. The hook-type fastening sheet is attached to the annular member on the opposite side of the first end of the tightening belt. The second end of the tightening belt is inserted into the annular member such that the hook-type fastening sheet is interposed between lower and upper sections of the tightening belt. Accordingly, single-hand operation may be allowed to achieve the tightened condition. Japanese patent No. 5660357 (D2) discloses a hook-type fastening sheet having a plurality of hooks each having a particular directionality of engagement. In particular, every top portion of stem has a protruding direction which is limited to one direction on one side. Japanese patent application Laid-open No. 6-133808 (D3) discloses in its FIG. 2 a similar type of stems as D2.

Various accouterments have been developed for patients or care recipients undergoing treatment or rehabilitation for hemiplegia, fractures, paralysis, internal injuries, trauma and the like. For example, when taking medical corsets as an example, the corsets are designed to have an appropriate dimension for attachment to a respective portion of human body having been injured, such as a spinal compression fracture or tibia fracture. However, an operation required for its attachment is not always the easiest, all the more for the patient or care recipient.

The present inventors have newly found a challenge to provide a more user-friendly accouterment. By way of precaution, Ddiscloses that the hook-type fastening part with its engagement direction limited to one direction is used in a field of diapers. However, the hook-type fastening part is stacked onto a non-woven fabric of diaper body. That is, the non-woven fabric is used as a female-type fastening part.

An accouterment according to an aspect of the present disclosure may include:

One circumferential direction may comprise two directions of clockwise and counterclockwise directions, and the above-noted one side along the circumferential direction may be one of the clockwise and counterclockwise direction.

In some embodiments, the multiplicity of female engagement elements is formed as a multiplicity of regular loops; and in the state where the accouterment is fitted around the portion of the human body, the respective loops of the multiplicity of regular loops are open in the circumferential direction or in a direction along the circumferential direction.

In some embodiments, the multiplicity of female engagement elements is formed as a multiplicity of regular loops; and the multiplicity of male engagement elements and the multiplicity of female engagement elements are oriented so as to allow an operation to impart increased tightening pressure to the accouterment while the multiplicity of male engagement elements and the multiplicity of female engagement elements are at least partially engaged.

In some embodiments, the multiplicity of female engagement elements is formed as a multiplicity of regular loops, wherein in a state where the male part and the female part are engaged with one another, one of the male and female parts is slideable relative to the other of the male and female parts so as to increase a pressure effected by the accouterment.

In some embodiments, an engagement area between the male and female parts changes as said one of the male and female parts slides.

In some embodiments, each of the male and female parts is configured not to restrict said one of the male and female parts from sliding.

In some embodiments, the accouterment further includes an adjustment instrument for causing said one of the male and female parts to slide.

In some embodiments, the adjustment instrument includes: a belt that surrounds the portion of the human body at least partially, the accouterment being interposed between the portion of the human body and the belt in the state where the accouterment is fitted around the portion of the human body; and an annular part through which one end of the belt is inserted so as to adjust the length of the belt directly around the portion of the human body.

In some embodiments, the multiplicity of male engagement elements and the multiplicity of female engagement elements are oriented so as to maximize a shear strength of a laminate of the male and female parts in the state where the accouterment is fitted around the portion of the human body.

In some embodiments, each of the loops of the multiplicity of loops has a height from the main surface of the second base layer which is equivalent to a height of each male engagement element of the multiplicity of male engagement elements from the main surface of the first base layer.

In some embodiments, the multiplicity of female engagement elements is formed as a multiplicity of random loops, wherein the multiplicity of loops is random at least in a size of opening, a direction of opening, and a shape of opening.

In some embodiments, a load required for initial engagement between the male and female parts is 0.3 N/cmor less.

In some embodiments, the male part consists of a thermoplastic resin having a modulus of elasticity in a range of 250-450 MPa.

In some embodiments, the multiplicity of regular loops includes lock loops, and the multiplicity of random loops includes mohair loops.

In some embodiments, in a state where the accouterment is fitted around a portion of the human body, each of the protruding direction of the protrusion and the opening direction of the loop matches or substantially matches the circumferential direction.

In some embodiments, in a state where the accouterment is fitted around a portion of the human body, the respective protrusions of the respective male engagement elements of the multiplicity of the male engagement element protrude from the respective stems in a same direction.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, provided may be a more user-friendly accouterment.

Hereinafter, non-limiting embodiments and features would be discussed with reference to drawings. Circumferential direction, inward direction, and outward direction would be understood based on a portion of human who has worn the accouterment. The inward direction matches a direction directed from the periphery of the portion of human toward the portion of the human. The outward direction matches a direction directed from the portion of the human toward the periphery of the portion of human.

shows an accoutermentaccording to a non-limiting example. The accoutermentis a type of medical device that is fitted around a portion of the human body (“the waist” in the illustrated example,) and typically, surrounds and applies a pressure to that portion. The accoutermenthas one or more accouterment components, and a male part(see) and a female part(see) which are secured onto separate locations on the one or more accouterment component. The male and female partsandare engageable with one another to allow the accoutermentto be kept fitted around the portion of the human body. Moreover, a relative position between the male and female partsandis adjustable to allow adjustment of a pressure applied from the accoutermentto the portion of the human body when the male and female partsandare engaged. In, a single strip member having a sufficient length to surround the portion of the human body is used as the accouterment component, but there is no limitation on a number and a form of the accouterment component. It is naturally possible to use the accoutermentshown infor other parts of the human body (for example, upper limb, lower limb) with required changes in size and/or configuration. In addition, it is also possible to change the accoutermentfrom a soft type to a hard type. The soft type may be made of highly cushioned components, while the hard type may include hard components such as metal or resin plates.

Firstly, an embodiment will be discussed where a male part(see) is secured (e.g. sewn) onto an inner side of a first portion (particularly a first end)of the accouterment component, and a female part(see) is secured (e.g. sewn) onto an outer side of a second portion (particularly a second end)of the accouterment component. The second portionof the accouterment componentis positioned at a given position around the waist, followed by moving the first portionof the accouterment componentaround the waist and then stacking the first portiononto the second portionso that the female partand the male partface one another and are engaged, thereby the accoutermentbeing fitted around the waist. A relative position between the male partand the female partwherein they are engaged with one another may be adjustable to allow adjustment of the pressure applied from the accouterment. An embodiment where the locations of the male and female partsandare reversed will be discussed below with reference to.

The male and female parts,are typically male and female parts of hook-and-loop fastener (i.e. hook part and loop part) which may be repeatedly engaged and disengaged. However, there is no requirement that engagement elements are to be arranged in a plane (two-dimensionally). The male partmay be produced through a common injection molding using upper and lower molds, or produced using an extruder and a die-wheel having an outer circumferential surface where molding cavities are formed. The female partmay be produced from multiple threads using an automatic loom. There is no limitation on number of the male and female parts,included in the accouterment. Note that the male partmay consist of a thermoplastic resin preferably having a modulus of elasticity in a range of 150-600 MPa, more preferably 250-450 MPa. If the modulus of elasticity is less than 150 MPa, there is a possibility of reduced engagement force; and if the modulus of elasticity is greater than 600 MPa, there is a possibility that the male partbecomes too hard with unpleasant texture and poor operability.

Optionally, the accoutermentmay further have an adjustment instrument. The adjustment instrumentis used for a purpose of imparting increased tightening pressure to the accouterment, particularly for a purpose of sliding discussed hereinafter. In an exemplary embodiment, the adjustment instrumentmay have a beltthat surrounds the portion of the human body at least partially, and an annular partto which an end of the beltis inserted so as to adjust the length of the belt directly around the portion of the human body. The beltis secured (e.g. sewn) onto the outer side of the accouterment componentin any length between the first and second portions,of the accouterment component, and has a first end, to which the annular partis attached, and a free end on the opposite side of the first end which may be inserted into the annular part. The free end of the beltis inserted into the annular partand is pulled so as to adjust the length of the belt directly around the human body, thereby increasing the tightening pressure effected by the accouterment. Note that, the accouterment componentis preferably made of cushioning material (e.g. a highly breathable mesh fabric with cushioning material inside) as being interposed between the portion of the human body and the belt. The adjustment instrumentmay take a wide varieties of forms and may be just a pull sewn onto the first portion, for example. By arranging a male-type part of hook-and-loop fastener on the inner side of the free end of the belt, the free end may be stacked and attached onto a portion of the beltaround the portion of the human body.

As shown in, the male parthas a first base layer, and a multiplicity of the male engagement elements Gincluding male engagement elementsarranged one-dimensionally or two-dimensionally on a main surface of the first base layer. The first base layeris secured onto the inner side of the first portionof the accouterment componentsuch as by sewing, adhering, welding or the like, and the respective ones of the male engagement elementsof the multiplicity of the male engagement elements Gprotrude inward from the first portionof the accouterment component. The first base layeris typically formed to have a constant thickness but may be thinned partially, or slits may be formed for a purpose of increasing the flexibility thereof.

The multiplicity of the male engagement elements Gare arranged in M columns*N rows, where M and N each indicating a natural number of 2 or more. Typically, the multiplicity of the male engagement elements Gare arranged two-dimensionally with a density in a range of 20-100 pieces/cm. In a case of less than 20 pieces/cm, there is a possibility that the accoutermenthas insufficient peel and shear strengths which are effected based on engagement between the male and female partsand. In a case of over 100 pieces/cm, an operation to impart increased tightening pressure to the accoutermentdescribed hereinafter may possibly be impeded.

Note that, the peel strength is indicated by a force required to separate one from the other of the engaged male and female partsandin the out-of-plane vertical direction (e.g. a force required to remove the male partoff the female partmeasured while grasping one end of the male partand pulling the male partoff the female part). The shear strength is indicated by a force required to displace one from the other of the engaged male and female partsandin the in-plane direction. The engagement-initiation load (load required for the initial engagement) is indicated by a force required to cause the separate male and female partsandto start to engage with one another, while one of the separate partsandis moved toward the other of the separated partsandin a vertical direction of plane.

shows total 16 male engagement elementsof 4 columns*4 rows; however, this number is just an example only.shows a column direction Dand a row direction D, which may be referred if needed. The male engagement elementsare arranged in the column direction D, with adjacent male engagement elementsdefining an accommodation space for the loopof the female partdescribed hereinafter. The male engagement elementsare arranged in the row direction D, forming a space via which the loopsare allowed to access to the male engagement elements.

Each of the male engagement elementsof the multiplicity of the male engagement elements Gis not a mushroom-type where a direction of engagement is not restricted with respect to the circumferential direction of the element, but is a hook-type of hook with a direction of engagement restricted in one direction with respect to a circumferential direction of the element. Each male engagement elementhas a stemthat stands on the main surface of the first base layer, and one single protrusionthat protrudes along the main surface from the stemat a height away from the main surface of the first base layer. The male engagement elementhas a height direction that matches a thickness direction Dof the first base layer. As the protrusionprotrudes from the stem, there is a space SPformed between the protrusionand the main surface of the first base layer. Typically, the protrusionprotrudes from the top portion of the stemwhich is farthest from the main surface of the first base layer, thereby increasing the flatness of the top portion of the stemand reducing irritation to the human skin. The protrusionhas a protruding direction Dthat may be in parallel to the main surface of the first base layerand may match the column direction D.

The male engagement elementhas a first side surfaceon a same side as the protrusion, and a second side surfaceon the opposite side of the first side surface. The first side surfacerises substantially vertically from the main surface of the first base layer, and the second side surfacerises obliquely toward the first side surfacefrom the main surface of the first base layer. The sloping of the second side surfacemay contribute in facilitating sliding discussed below. The male engagement elementfurther has a top surfacein the standing direction of the stem, a distal surfacein the protruding direction of the protrusion, and an arc surfaceextending between the distal surfaceand the first side surface. The top surfaceand the second side surfaceare connected so as to form a curve, and the top surfaceand the distal surfaceare connected to form a curve, thus reducing irritation to the human skin. The arc surfacesuppresses easier disengagement of the loopnoted below from the male engagement element. Note that the male engagement elementhas two side surfaces,, by which its width is defined, in a lateral direction Dthat is orthogonal to the thickness direction Dof the first base layerand the protruding direction Dof the protrusion(see). The male engagement elementmay further has auxiliary protrusions,on the both sides of the stemin the lateral direction Dbut which may be omitted.

As shown, the female partincludes a second base layerand a multiplicity of female engagement elements Gformed on the main surface of the second base layer, as a multiplicity of regular loops G. The second base layeris secured onto the outer side of the second portionof the accouterment componentsuch as by sewing, adhering, welding or the like, and the respective ones of the female engagement elementsof the multiplicity of the female engagement elements Gprotrude outward from the second portionof the accouterment component. The second base layeris typically formed to have a constant thickness but may be thinned partially, or slits may be formed for a purpose of increasing the flexibility thereof. Likewise the multiplicity of the male engagement elements G, the multiplicity of the female engagement elements Gare arranged two-dimensionally with a density in a range of 20-100 pieces/cmand typically, has a same density as the multiplicity of the male engagement elements G. Needless to say, the female partmay have a different planar size from the male part(a different width in the column direction and/or a different width in row direction), and there is no requirement for the partsandto have a same total number of elements.

In an embodiment where the multiplicity of the loops Gare formed regularly on the main surface of the second base layer, the direction of engagement would be restricted to one direction likewise the male engagement element, unlike a non-woven fabric (aggregate of fibers) which has no directionality of engagement. An exemplary case of such embodiment may include lock loops. Each loopis preferably a closed loop, and has a height in the thickness direction D′ of the second base layer(see), and has a width in the width direction D′ which is one of the two directions orthogonal to the thickness direction D′. Also, the loopis open in the opening direction D′ which is orthogonal to the thickness direction D′ and the width direction D′. The opening direction D′ may match a circumferential direction of the portion of the human body or may match a direction extending along the circumferential direction in a state where the accoutermenthas been fitted around the portion of the human body. Each loopmay have a height that is equivalent to the height of the male engagement element. The opening of the loopmay be formed at a sufficient area to receive the protrusion. Note that, equivalent incorporates a difference between two values to be compared which is in a range of 5% of the greater value of the two values, or incorporates the perfect matching of the two values.

Typically, the multiplicity of the loops Gis formed while the second base layeris woven or knitted, and threads (or filaments) of the second base layerare continuous with the threads (or filaments) of the loops, but should not be limited to this. The loopmay have an intersection of threads (e.g. bundles of filaments) nearby the second base layer, and may have a minimum width at the portion. The loopmay have a maximum width at a position between the intersection and the top portion.

In the present embodiment, the female partincludes a multiplicity of regular loops Gand in a state where the accoutermentis fitted around a portion of the human body, the protrusionsof the respective male engagement elements(typically all of the male engagement elements) of the multiplicity of the male engagement elements Gprotrude from the stemsrespectively toward one side along the circumferential direction of the portion of the human body for inhibiting the accoutermentfrom being loosen. This allows the accoutermentto be more user-friendly, and particularly facilitates smoother operation to impart increased tightening pressure to the accoutermentwhile maintaining or enhancing the attachment stability of the accouterment. Note that, in the present specification, the state where the accoutermentis fitted around a portion of the human body is caused as a result of engagement between the male partand the female part. The protrusionsmay protrude from the stemsrespectively in a same or uniform direction (orientation), but should not be limited to this.

The circumferential direction would be understood in view of an imaginary circle IC set for the portion of the human body (the waist in the illustrated example) around which the accoutermentis fitted (see). The male partis secured at the first portion, and is moved in the direction B based on the operation of the adjustment instrument. As such, the operation to impart increased tightening pressure to the accoutermentis smoothly conducted. The direction B is directed toward one side along the circumferential direction for increasing the pressure effected by the accouterment, regarding the movable portion (the first portionand the male partsecured thereon). The direction B′ is directed toward the other side of the circumferential direction for decreasing the pressure effected by the accouterment, regarding the movable portion (the first portionand the male partsecured thereon).

In the embodiment where the male partis secured on the inner side of the first portionof the accouterment componentand the female partis secured on the outer side of the second portionof the accouterment component, the protruding direction Dof the protrusion(also the above-noted “one side along the circumferential direction of the portion of the human body for inhibiting the accoutermentfrom being loosen”) matches the direction B′. In an embodiment where the locations of the male and female partsandare reversed, the protruding direction Dof the protrusion(also the above-noted “one side along the circumferential direction of the portion of the human body for inhibiting the accoutermentfrom being loosen”) matches the direction B.

The multiplicity of the male engagement elements Gand the multiplicity of the female engagement elements Gare oriented so as to allow the operation to impart increased tightening pressure to the accouterment. More concretely, after the male partand the female partare engaged with one another, one of the male and female partsandmay be slideable relative to the other of the male and female partsandso as to increase the tightening pressure of the accouterment(i.e. the male partmay be slideable in the direction B). These features will be described in more detail with additional reference to. Note that, regarding how the adjustment instrumentis used, the laminate of the male and female partsandis pushed inward by the belt, and thus the sliding is caused while the male and female partsandare in intimate contact with one another.

The second portionof the accouterment componentis positioned at a given position around the waist, followed by moving the first portionof the accouterment componentaround the waist and then stacking the first portiononto the second portionso that the female partand the male partface one another and are engaged, thereby the accoutermentbeing temporarily fitted around the waist (see). Next, the adjustment instrumentis operated and in particular, the free end of the beltis inserted through the annular partso as to shorten the length of the belt directly around the waist and to increase the tightening pressure of the accouterment. At this instance, the first portionand the male partshift in the direction B to smoothly achieve to impart the increased tightening pressure to the accouterment(see). For example, comparing, the male engagement elementis disengaged from the loop, and is moved to a position where it can be engaged with another loop (e.g.-) in the same column as the loop. The operation using the adjustment instrumentfor imparting the increased tightening pressure to the accoutermentwould be smoothly performed without being interrupted by the initial engagement between the male and female partsandat the time of the temporal fitting of the adjustment instrument.

In a state where the accoutermentis fitted around the portion of the human body, it is preferable, for each or every male engagement elementof the multiplicity of the male engagement elements G, that the protruding direction Dof the protrusionfrom the stemmatches or substantially matches the one side along the circumferential direction, i.e. the direction B′. Substantially matching incorporates an angular difference between the protruding direction Dand the direction B′ which is less than 15° or less than 10° or less than 5°. Regarding the female part, in a state where the accoutermentis fitted around a portion of the human body, the respective loopsof the multiplicity of the loops Gare typically open in the circumferential direction or in a direction along the circumferential direction. It is most suitable that each of the protruding direction Dof the protrusionand the opening direction D′ of the loopmatches or substantially matches the circumferential direction in the state where the accoutermentis fitted around a portion of the human body. In this situation, the laminate of the male and female partsandwould have a maximum shear strength, and the attachment strength of the accoutermentwould also be maximized. Simultaneously, the sliding resistance of the above-noted sliding would be minimized.

As understood by referring to, the engagement area between the male and female partsandmay change in accordance with the above-noted sliding. Of course, an embodiment is envisioned where the engagement area between the male and female partsandis constant regardless of the sliding depending on the sizes of the male and female partsand. The former case allows the use of smaller parts and reduced cost which may be sufficient for the temporal fitting of the accouterment. The male and female partsandboth may be configured not to restrict the above-noted sliding. This would simplify the configuration of each part, and reduces a burden in carefully confirming the directionality of the parts when securing them.

In a case where the locations of the male and female partsandare reversed, the female partwould be moved in the circumferential direction relative to the male partbut similar results would be obtained as long as the above-noted features are incorporated. By way of precaution, this will be discussed with reference to. In, the locations of the male and female partsandare reversed. However, positions of the first and second portionsandare also reversed accordingly, and the first portionis arranged on the inner side and the second portionis arranged on the outer side. In such case, the first portionand the male partare stationary, and the second portionand the female partare slideable relative to the first portionand the male partin the circumferential direction (seefor comparison) but similar results would be obtained as long as the above-noted features are incorporated.

Alternative embodiment will be described with reference to. As shown, likewise the above-noted embodiment, the female partincludes the second base layerand the multiplicity of the female engagement elements Gformed on the main surface of the second base layeras the multiplicity of the loops G, but the multiplicity of the female engagement elements Gis formed as a multiplicity of random loops G. This may effectively reduce the load required for initial engagement between the male and female partsandand to provide the more user-friendly accouterment, even though the above-noted sliding is not realized. For example, easier operation may be allowed such that the accoutermentis fitted around a left leg just by a right-hand based operation.

The multiplicity of the loops Gmay be random at least in a size of opening, a direction of opening, and a shape of opening. The loopis a closed loop but may be an open loop. In some cases, there is a difference in a thread length (filament length) of one loop, thereby enhancing the degree of randomness of the loops. Likewise the above-noted embodiment, the loopsmay be formed while the second base layeris woven or knitted. The filaments of the second base layermay be continuous with the filaments of the loops, but should not be limited to this and threads for forming the loops may be planted so as to be intertwine with ground threads (e.g. warp or weft thread) of the second base layer. Typically, the female partis a so-called mohair-type fastener. The multiplicity of the random loops Gmay include mohair loops. A mohair loop is a common technical term in this technical field, and its material is not limited to a mohair.

Advantageously, the load required for initial engagement between the male and female partsandmay be 0.3 N/cmor less, preferably in a range of 0.01-0.3 N/cm. The load required for the initial engagement will be measured as follows. Firstly, the male partis placed remotely and separately above the female part, and a downward load is applied to the male partwhile the multiplicity of the male engagement elements Gand the multiplicity of the female engagement elements Gare opposed to one another. The area of the male engagement element of the male partis 4.9 cm. In this situation, a load required to cause the multiplicity of the male engagement element and the multiplicity of the female engagement element to start to engage with one another is referred to as a load required for the initial engagement. Regarding this point, we now refer to. In the working example, the load required for the initial engagement is largely reduced approximately to 0.1 N/cm, compared with the comparative example. This is a result of combination of the male partshown inand the female partshown in. Note that, the comparative example used a combination of a male part having male engagement elements each of which having a dual-headed hook shape and a female part with lock loops. The duel-headed hook shape indicates a shape including a pair of protrusions protruding from the top portion of the stem on the opposite sides (in the directions B and B′) along the circumferential direction. In the working example, compared with the comparative example, an integrated value of the peel strength (N/cm) decreased slightly (see) but a maximum value of the shear strength (N/cm) increased (see). The reduction of the initial engagement load sufficiently compensates the reduction of the peel strength. Also, the increase of the shear strength allows downsizing of the male part, and this may facilitate the reduced cost of the accouterment.

The combination of the male partshown inand the female partshown inis not limited to be used for the accoutermentshown inbut may be used in an accoutermentshown in. The accoutermentshown inconsists of 6 components, particularly a metal-made or resin-made curved plates,, a connection bands,, and opening-and-closing bands,. The opening-and-closing bandis folded back at an annular part, which is secured on the curved plate, after passing its free endthrough the annular part, and then the outer portion of the opening-and-closing bandis stacked onto the inner portion thereof (e.g. a portion near the secured endthereof). The male partmay be secured, for example, onto an inner side of the portion of the opening-and-closing bandwhich has been passed through the annular partand folded back (e.g. the portion near the free end); and the female part may be secured onto an outer side of the inner portion of the opening-and-closing band(e.g. the portion near the secured end) (vice versa). When the male partis about to be engaged with the female part, they are more easily engaged with one another as the load required for the initial engagement is lower as noted above, allowing easier fitting of the accouterment. As described above, in an embodiment where the male partis secured onto the inner side of the portion of the opening-and-closing bandnearer to the free endand the female partis secured onto the surface opposed to it, respective protrusionsof the male engagement elementof the multiplicity of the male engagement elements Gprotrude from the stemsrespectively toward one side (right-side whenis viewed in front) such that the multiplicity of the male engagement elements Ginhibits the accoutermentfrom being loosen.

Based on the above disclosure, those skilled in the art may make various changes to the respective features and the respective embodiments. The codes incorporated in the claims are for reference only and should not be referred to for a purpose of limiting the scope of claims.