Compression garment, and fabric for making the compression parts of a compression garment

Abstract

Compression garment including a portion of base fabric surrounding, enclosing and exerting a first compressive force on at least one first portion, having a substantially annular shape, of anatomy of a person wearing the garment, and an elastomer printed on at least the portion of base fabric to surround, at least partially, and exert a second compressive force on, the anatomy first portion. The total compressive force applied by the compression garment at a position of the anatomy first portion is the sum of the first and second compressive forces at that position. The elastomer is divided into a plurality of printed micro elements, whose maximum dimensions decrease from lower end parts of the portions of base fabric at the extremities, to upper parts of the portions of base fabric at the torso of the person to reduce the second compressive force from the lower end to upper parts.

1 . A compression garment comprising:
 a) a portion of base fabric that surrounds and encloses at least one portion, having a substantially annular shape, of the arms and/or legs of a person wearing the garment
 wherein said portion of base fabric exerts a first compressive force on said at least one portion of the arms or legs, 
   b) and an elastomer printed on at least said portion of base fabric to surround it too, at least partially, said first one portion of the arms and/or legs and adapted to exert a second compressive force on the first portion of the anatomy of the person wearing the garment,
 wherein the total compressive force applied by the compression garment at a given position on said at least one portion of the arms and/or legs is the sum of the first compressive force and the second compressive force at that garment position; 
 the elastomer printed on at least said portion of base fabric is divided into a plurality of printed elements, whose maximum dimensions are between 5 cm and 0.01 cm, 
 wherein said portion of base fabric comprises: lower parts, provided closer to the end portions of the arms and/or legs of the person wearing the garment, for example the wrists and/or ankles, and upper parts, provided closer to the torso of the person wearing the garment, 
 wherein the size and/or density of said printed elements are maximum only at said lower parts of said portion of base fabric, and are minimum only at said upper parts of said portion of base fabric, and the size and/or density of said printed elements continuously decrease going from said lower parts to said upper parts of said portion of base fabric, so that said second compressive force is maximum only at said lower parts and is minimum only at said upper parts and continuously reduces going from said lower parts to said upper parts, that is going from the extremities of the person wearing the garment to the torso of the person wearing the garment. 
   
     
     
         2 . A compression garment according to  claim 1 , wherein said elastomer printed on at least said portion of base fabric of at least one portion of the arms and/or legs only provides said printed elements whose size and/or density decrease continuously. 
     
     
         3 . A compression garment according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one plurality of said printed elements is positioned on the portion of base fabric along a plurality of annular portions which surround corresponding annular portions of the arms and/or legs, and in that all the printed elements of each of said annular portions of printed elements have equal size and/or density, so that all said printed elements of each of said annular portions of printed elements exert a substantially equal compressive force on the corresponding portion of the arms and/or legs. 
     
     
         4 . A compression garment according to  claim 1 , wherein the printed elements have all or at least part of them, preferably more than 50%, more preferably more than 80%, an equal regular shape, preferably a circular, or regular polygonal shape. 
     
     
         5 . A compression garment  claim 1 , wherein the printed elements have uniformly decreasing dimensions going from the lower end parts of the portions of base fabric of the garment to the upper parts of the portions of base fabric, wherein preferably the size of the printed elements decreases by a percentage which is almost equal to the percentage of decrease in the surface of the portion of base fabric on which the elastomer is printed. 
     
     
         6 . A compression garment according to  claim 1 , wherein the elastomer of the printed elements comprises silicone. 
     
     
         7 . A compression garment according to  claim 1 , wherein the compression garment is a long-sleeved shirt or trousers adapted to cover the legs entirely, and wherein the portion of base fabric is a right sleeve or a left sleeve, or a right leg or left leg, wherein the printed elements are provided at least along the entire surface of said sleeves and legs which surrounds and encloses the arms and legs of the person wearing the garment, and in that the size and/or density of said printed elements are maximum only at said lower part of said portion of base fabric provided at the wrists and/or ankles of the person wearing the garment. 
     
     
         8 . A compression garment according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 a) all the printed elements have an equal regular, preferably circular shape,   b) all the printed elements are arranged along annular portions of printed elements, wherein in each annular portion the printed elements are in a row, wherein the printed elements of each annular portion all have a common axis passing through a centre of symmetry of said printed elements of each annular portion,   c) wherein said axes are all substantially parallel to each other when the portion of the base fabric is laid out onto a plane.   
     
     
         9 . A compression garment according to  claim 8 , wherein that the number of printed elements of all the annular portions is the same. 
     
     
         10 . A compression garment according to  claim 8 , wherein the distance between an axis and the one immediately following it is the same for all the annular portions of the printed elements, and in that preferably the maximum dimensions of some of the printed elements are greater than said constant distance between the axes. 
     
     
         11 . The compression garment according to  claim 1 , wherein the elastomer printed on at least said portion of base fabric is divided into the plurality of printed elements, whose maximum dimensions are between 2 cm and 0.1 cm, 
     
     
         12 . A compression garment according to  claim 9 , wherein the distance between an axis and the one immediately following it is the same for all the annular portions of the printed elements, and in that preferably the maximum dimensions of some of the printed elements are greater than said constant distance between the axes.