Fabrics, compression garments and compression garment systems

Abstract

Various fabrics, compression garments and compression garment systems are described. Fabrics formed from wicking and absorbent materials provide effective compression and an improved environment next to a wearer's skin, which provides greater comfort and improved overall performance. Two and multi-layer compression garments are described. An outer layer may be formed with an opening having a closure and an elastic material joining the sides of the opening. This provides a first level of compression with the closure open and a second level of compression with the closure closed and also helps a user in applying the garment.

1 . A compression garment formed as a single fabric layer, including:
 a moisture absorbent material forming at least predominantly an inner surface of the single fabric layer; and   a wicking material forming at least predominantly an outer surface of the single fabric layer;   wherein the single fabric layer is knitted or woven from threads of at least the first and second materials.   
     
     
         2 . A compression garment as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the moisture absorbent material is composed of fibres having a hydrophilic core and a hydrophobic surface. 
     
     
         3 . A compression garment as claimed in  claim 1  or  2  wherein the moisture absorbent material is also a temperature regulating material. 
     
     
         4 . A compression garment as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the moisture absorbent material is also an odour-inhibiting material. 
     
     
         5 . A compression garment as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the moisture absorbent material is also an anti-microbial material. 
     
     
         6 . A compression garment as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the moisture absorbent material is a natural material. 
     
     
         7 . A compression garment as claimed in  claim 6  wherein the natural material is wool. 
     
     
         8 . A compression garment as claimed in  claim 6  wherein the natural material is merino wool. 
     
     
         9 . A compression garment as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the moisture absorbent material has an average fibre diameter in the range 13 to 23 μm. 
     
     
         10 . A compression garment as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the moisture absorbent material is configured to regulate the skin environment of a wearer. 
     
     
         11 . A compression garment as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the wicking material is composed of fibres having a hydrophilic surface and low moisture absorption. 
     
     
         12 . A compression garment as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the wicking material is an abrasion resistant material. 
     
     
         13 . A compression garment as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the wicking material is a synthetic material. 
     
     
         14 . A compression garment as claimed in  claim 13  wherein the wicking material is polyester, nylon or polypropylene. 
     
     
         15 . A compression garment as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the ratio of absorbent material to wicking material by weight is in the range 1:3 to 3:1. 
     
     
         16 . A compression garment as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the single fabric layer includes an elastic material providing or contributing to a compression force provided by the compression garment in use. 
     
     
         17 . A compression garment as claimed in  claim 16  wherein the elastic material is in the form of elastic thread. 
     
     
         18 . A compression garment as claimed in  claim 16  or  17  wherein the elastic material is elastane. 
     
     
         19 . A compression garment as claimed in any one of  claims 16  to  18  wherein the elastic material is contained within the single fabric layer without being exposed on either the inner or outer surface. 
     
     
         20 . A compression garment as claimed in any one of  claims 16  to  19  wherein the elastic material forms up to 50% of the weight of the single fabric layer. 
     
     
         21 . A compression garment as claimed in any preceding claim wherein a compression force provided by the garment in use is graduated along the length of the garment. 
     
     
         22 . A compression garment as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the single fabric layer is knitted from threads of at least the first and second materials. 
     
     
         23 . A compression garment as claimed in  claim 22  wherein the single fabric layer is knitted as a flat fabric layer. 
     
     
         24 . A compression garment as claimed in  claim 22  formed by an integral knitting process. 
     
     
         25 . A compression garment as claimed in any one of  claims 22  to  24  wherein the inner surface is formed by a first set of knit stitches formed at least predominantly from the moisture absorbent material and the outer surface is formed by a second set of knit stitches formed at least predominantly from the wicking material. 
     
     
         26 . A compression garment as claimed in  claim 25  further including a set of tuck stitches linking the knit stitches. 
     
     
         27 . A method of forming a compression garment, including:
 i. providing:
 a. first threads formed of an absorbent material; and 
 b. second threads formed of a wicking material; and 
   ii. processing the first and second threads to form a single fabric layer, in which a first surface is formed at least predominantly by the first threads and a second surface opposing the first surface is formed at least predominantly by the second threads.   
     
     
         28 . A method as claimed in  claim 27  including providing the first and second threads in proportions such that the ratio of absorbent material to wicking material by weight is in the range 1:3 to 3:1. 
     
     
         29 . A method as claimed in  claim 27  or  28  including providing third threads of an elastic material and processing the first, second and third threads to form the single fabric layer. 
     
     
         30 . A method as claimed in  claim 29  including processing the first, second and third threads such that the elastic material is contained within the single fabric layer without being exposed on either the first or second surface. 
     
     
         31 . A method as claimed in  claim 29  or  30  including providing the third threads in proportion such that the elastic material forms up to 50% of the weight of the single fabric layer. 
     
     
         32 . A method as claimed in any one of  claims 27  to  31  including shaping and/or varying construction of the single fabric layer such that a compression force provided by the garment in use is graduated along the length of the garment. 
     
     
         33 . A method as claimed in any one of  claims 27  to  32  wherein the processing step is a knitting step. 
     
     
         34 . A method as claimed in  claim 33  including knitting the single fabric layer as a flat fabric layer. 
     
     
         35 . A method as claimed in  claim 33  including knitting the single fabric layer using an integral knitting process. 
     
     
         36 . A method as claimed in any one of  claims 33  to  35  including forming a first set of knit stitches at least predominantly from the moisture absorbent material, the first set of stitches providing the first surface; and forming a second set of knit stitches at least predominantly from the wicking material, the second set of stitches providing the second surface. 
     
     
         37 . A method as claimed in  claim 36  further including forming a set of tuck stitches linking the knit stitches. 
     
     
         38 . A compression garment including:
 i. a shaped fabric body;   ii. an opening extending over at least a part of the fabric body;   iii. an elastic material connected at both sides of the opening such that, in use, the elastic material tends to draw the sides of the opening together; and   iv. a closure configured to close the opening.   
     
     
         39 . A compression garment as claimed in  claim 38  wherein the opening extends to an edge of the fabric body. 
     
     
         40 . A compression garment as claimed in  claim 38  or  39  providing, in use, a first predetermined level of compression when the opening is closed and a second predetermined level of compression when the opening is open. 
     
     
         41 . A compression garment as claimed in  claim 40  wherein the first level is greater than the second level. 
     
     
         42 . A compression garment as claimed in any one of  claims 38  to  41  wherein, in use, a circumference of the garment in the region of the opening is reduced by closing the opening with the closure. 
     
     
         43 . A compression garment as claimed in any one of  claims 38  to  42  wherein the elastic material is configured to contract so as to lie flat underneath the shaped fabric body when, in use, the opening is closed. 
     
     
         44 . A compression garment as claimed in any one of  claims 38  to  43  wherein the closure provides a fixed connection between the sides of the opening when the opening is closed. 
     
     
         45 . A compression garment as claimed in any one of  claims 38  to  44  wherein the closure is a zip closure. 
     
     
         46 . A compression garment as claimed in any one of  claims 38  to  44  wherein the closure includes one or more of: hook and loop fasteners, domes, snap fasteners, buckles and/or releasable adhesive. 
     
     
         47 . A compression garment as claimed in any one of  claims 38  to  46  wherein the shaped fabric body is shaped to conform to the shape of a wearer's lower leg. 
     
     
         48 . A compression garment as claimed in  claim 47  wherein the opening is positioned to extend along the length of a wearer's leg. 
     
     
         49 . A compression garment as claimed in  claim 47  or  48  including a lower portion configured to fit around a wearer's foot and an upper portion including the opening, elastic material and closure. 
     
     
         50 . A compression garment as claimed in any one of  claims 38  to  49  including one or more handles or loops to assist with application of the garment and/or with closing and/or opening of the closure. 
     
     
         51 . A compression garment as claimed in any one of  claims 38  to  50  including one or more touch markers positioned and arranged to assist correct alignment of the garment. 
     
     
         52 . A multilayer compression garment system including:
 i. an inner fabric compression layer configured, in use, to apply a first predetermined level of compression; and   ii. an outer fabric compression layer configured, in use, to apply a second predetermined level of compression;   wherein the inner layer includes a moisture absorbent material and a wicking material and the outer layer includes a wicking material.   
     
     
         53 . A multilayer compression garment system as claimed in  claim 52  wherein, in use:
 a. moisture vapour in a wearer's skin environment is absorbed by the moisture absorbent material in the inner layer; 
 b. absorbed moisture in the moisture absorbent material in the inner layer is released towards the exterior of the inner layer; 
 c. liquid moisture in the skin environment is wicked through the inner layer by the wicking material in the inner layer to the interface between the inner and outer layers; and 
 d. liquid moisture at the interface is wicked into the outer layer by the second material in the outer layer. 
 
     
     
         54 . A compression garment system as claimed in  claim 52  or  53 , being a two-layer compression garment system. 
     
     
         55 . A compression garment system as claimed in any one of  claims 52  to  54  wherein the inner layer is a compression stocking. 
     
     
         56 . A compression garment system as claimed in claim wherein the inner layer is a compression garment as claimed in any one of  claims 1  to  26 . 
     
     
         57 . A compression garment system as claimed in any one of  claims 52  to  56  wherein the first predetermined level of compression is in the range 5 to 22 mmHg. 
     
     
         58 . A compression garment system as claimed in  claim 57  wherein the first predetermined level of compression is in the range 10 to 15 mmHg. 
     
     
         59 . A compression garment system as claimed in any one of  claims 52  to  58  wherein the outer surface of the inner layer has a low fabric-to-fabric coefficient of friction to ease application of the outer layer over the inner layer. 
     
     
         60 . A compression garment as claimed in any one of  claims 52  to  59  wherein the outer layer also includes a moisture absorbent material. 
     
     
         61 . A compression garment system as claimed in any one of  claims 52  to  60  wherein the outer layer is a compression garment as claimed in any one of  claims 1  to  26  or  38  to  51 . 
     
     
         62 . A fabric, including:
 i. a moisture absorbent material forming at least predominantly a first surface of the fabric; and   ii. a wicking material forming at least predominantly a second surface of the fabric;   wherein the fabric is knitted or woven from threads of at least the moisture absorbent and wicking materials.   
     
     
         63 . A fabric as claimed in  claim 62  wherein the moisture absorbent material is composed of fibres having a hydrophilic core and a hydrophobic surface. 
     
     
         64 . A fabric as claimed in  claim 62  or  63  wherein the moisture absorbent material is also a temperature regulating material. 
     
     
         65 . A fabric as claimed in any one of  claims 62  to  64  wherein the moisture absorbent material is also an odour-inhibiting material. 
     
     
         66 . A fabric as claimed in any one of  claims 62  to  65  wherein the moisture absorbent material is also an anti-microbial material. 
     
     
         67 . A fabric as claimed in any one of  claims 62  to  66  wherein the moisture absorbent material is a natural material. 
     
     
         68 . A fabric as claimed in  claim 67  wherein the natural material is wool. 
     
     
         69 . A fabric as claimed in  claim 67  wherein the natural material is merino wool. 
     
     
         70 . A fabric as claimed in any one of  claims 62  to  69  wherein the moisture absorbent material has an average fibre diameter in the range 13 to 23 μm. 
     
     
         71 . A fabric as claimed in any one of  claims 62  to  70  wherein the wicking material is composed of fibres having a hydrophilic surface and low moisture absorption. 
     
     
         72 . A fabric as claimed in any one of  claims 62  to  71  wherein the wicking material is an abrasion resistant material. 
     
     
         73 . A fabric as claimed in any one of  claims 62  to  72  wherein the wicking material is a synthetic material. 
     
     
         74 . A fabric as claimed in  claim 73  wherein the wicking material is polyester, nylon or polypropylene. 
     
     
         75 . A fabric as claimed in any one of  claims 62  to  74  wherein the ratio of absorbent material to wicking material by weight is in the range 1:3 to 3:1. 
     
     
         76 . A fabric as claimed in any one of  claims 62  to  75  wherein the single fabric layer further includes an elastic material. 
     
     
         77 . A fabric as claimed in  claim 76  wherein the elastic material is in the form of elastic thread. 
     
     
         78 . A fabric as claimed in  claim 76  or  77  wherein the elastic material is elastane. 
     
     
         79 . A fabric as claimed in any one of  claims 76  to  78  wherein the elastic material is contained within the single fabric layer without being exposed on either the first or second surface. 
     
     
         80 . A fabric as claimed in any one of  claims 76  to  79  wherein the elastic material forms up to 50% of the weight of the single fabric layer. 
     
     
         81 . A fabric as claimed in any one of  claims 62  to  80  wherein the single fabric layer is knitted from threads of at least the first and second materials. 
     
     
         82 . A fabric as claimed in  claim 81  wherein the single fabric layer is knitted as a flat fabric layer. 
     
     
         83 . A fabric as claimed in  claim 81  formed in an integral knitting process. 
     
     
         84 . A fabric as claimed in any one of  claims 81  to  83  wherein the first surface is formed by a first set of knit stitches formed predominantly from the moisture absorbent material and the second surface is formed by a second set of knit stitches formed predominantly from the wicking material. 
     
     
         85 . A fabric as claimed in  claim 84  further including a set of tuck stitches linking the knit stitches. 
     
     
         86 . A two-layer compression garment system including:
 i. an inner fabric compression layer configured, in use, to apply a first predetermined level of compression; and   ii. two or more outer fabric compression layers, each configured, in use, to be applied over the inner fabric compression layer, each providing a different predetermined level of compression;   such that the inner fabric compression layer and a selected one of the two or more outer fabric compression layers can be applied in order to achieve a desired cumulative level of compression.   
     
     
         87 . A two-layer compression garment system including:
 i. an inner fabric compression layer configured, in use, to apply a first predetermined level of compression; and   ii. an outer fabric compression layers selected from two or more outer fabric compression layers, each configured, in use, to be applied over the inner fabric compression layer, each providing a different predetermined level of compression;   such that the inner fabric compression layer and the selected outer fabric compression layer can be applied in order to achieve a desired cumulative level of compression.   
     
     
         88 . A compression garment formed as a single fabric layer, including:
 a moisture absorbent material forming at least part of an inner surface of the single fabric layer; and   a wicking material forming at least part of an outer surface of the single fabric layer;   wherein the single fabric layer is knitted or woven from threads of at least the first and second materials.   
     
     
         89 . A compression garment as claimed in any one of  claims 1  to  26  including one or more handles or loops to assist with application of the garment and/or with closing and/or opening of the closure. 
     
     
         90 . A compression garment as claimed in any one of  claims 1  to  26  including one or more touch markers positioned and arranged to assist correct alignment of the garment. 
     
     
         91 . A compression garment including a fabric body and one or more touch markers positioned and arranged to assist correct alignment of the garment.