Crepe effect bandage

Details Crepe effect bandage Crepe effect bandage

1996-05-01

1997-07-15

Apley, Richard J.

Surgery: splint, brace, or bandage

Bandage structure

Support covering

602 41, 602 75, 66195, 442184, 442197, A61L 1500

Patent

active

056478429

DESCRIPTION:

BRIEF SUMMARY
The present invention relates to bandages which exhibit a crepe effect and to processes for the manufacture thereof.
Crepe bandages are normally used to provide light support and low compression for example in the treatment of sprains and strains and varicose veins. These bandages have sufficient elasticity to enable them to conform to the bandaged area and when secured, to allow limited movement and swelling to take place so that the circulation is not adversely affected. Crepe bandages normally comprise a woven fabric strip or tape containing high twist cotton warp yarns which are usually present in pairs with opposite twist in approximately equal numbers. These high twist warp yarns shrink when the woven fabric is treated for example by boiling in a vat to provide the bandage with elastic stretch and properties and a crepe appearance. However, high twist cotton yarns provide the bandage with a relatively harsh "feel" which can irritate sensitive skin areas. Furthermore, high twist cotton yarns used in conventional crepe bandages usually comprise in excess of 2000 turns per meter of yarn and are thus relatively expensive to manufacture.
Swiss Patent No. 637537 describes a bandage comprising high twist cotton yarns and textured synthetic filaments with varying directional flexibility and highlights problems associated with bandages disclosed in the prior art such as skin irritation, wrinkling, moisture absorption and instability to washing,
U.S. Pat. No. 4,236,550 describes a bandage which comprises elastic and non-elastic threads. However, the bandages described therein possess relatively high elasticity and are therefore not suitable for use as support dressings in the same manner as a crepe bandage. Indeed U.S. '550 describes the disclosed dressings as being useful as "a fixing band".
We have now found a woven bandage which avoids the use of high twist cotton yarns and thereby any problems associated with the use of these yarns and exhibits a crepe effect.
According to the present invention we provide a woven bandage which exhibits a crepe effect wherein the bandage contains elastomeric yarns and composite warp yarns which composite yarns. comprise a staple fibre yarn and a textured filament yarn twisted together.
Bandages according to the invention may comprise one elastomeric yarn for every 10 to 20 composite yarns.
The bandage according to the invention may also comprise warp yarns which are only made of the aforementioned composite and elastomeric yarns. However, in addition, cheaper and more lightweight bandages may be prepared by including textured filament yarns with the elastomeric yarns and composite yarns. Generally, the elastomeric yarns will be elastomeric warp yarns.
According to the invention we provide a woven bandage which exhibits a crepe effect and which contains textured filament yarns, elastomeric yarns and composite yarns as hereinbefore described. Such a bandage may have 1-3 textured filament yarns for every composite yarn although we prefer such a bandage to comprise one textured filament yarn for every composite yarn.
Preferably the textured filament yarns and composite yarns substantially alternate. Generally, such bandages will have one elastomeric yarn for every 10 to 20 yarns which yarns may be alternating composite and textured filament yarns. When the ratio of textured filament yarn to composite yarn is greater than 1:1 the textured filament and elastomeric yarns are preferably in repeating patterns, eg. ##STR1## where C=a composite yarn in the warp direction
By the term crepe effect we mean that known in the art, that is, eg. having a crinkled or puckered surface.
Composite warp yarns used in the woven bandage of the invention are formed of loosely twisted staple fibre and textured filament yarns. Bandages of the invention therefore do not contain any of the high twist yarns used in conventional crepe bandages.
The twist level for the composite yarn can suitably be from 60 to 200 turns/meter, preferably less than 140 turns/meter and preferably less than 130 turns/meter. S

REFERENCES:
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patent: 4940047 (1990-07-01), Richter et al.
patent: 5013506 (1991-05-01), Murase et al.
patent: 5256134 (1993-10-01), Ingham
patent: 5586972 (1996-12-01), Evans

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