Method for producing bandages

Abstract

In a method for producing bandages such as support bandages for knee and elbow joints, an elastic fabric material layer is provided on which reinforcement elements are placed and an uncured elastomer is applied to the fabric material in several layers or sprayed onto the fabric material layer so as to completely cover and embed the reinforcement elements which are firmly engaged thereby with the fabric material layer and form three-dimensional stabilizing structures projecting from the surface of the fabric material layer.

Claims

1. A method for producing bandages (1) for knee and elbow joints, comprising the steps of: providing an elastic fabric material layer (2), placing reinforcement elements (5, 6) in predetermined positions onto one side of the elastic fabric material layer (2), covering the elastic fabric material layer with the reinforcement elements (5, 6) disposed thereon with several layers of elastomer coatings by spraying a first uncured elastomer coating in a liquid or gooey state onto the elastic fabric material layer (2) so as to embed the reinforcement elements (5, 6) disposed on the elastic fabric material layer (2), while penetrating into the elastic fabric material layer (2) each additional coating being applied to a previously applied layer when the previously applied coating is only partially cured and fully curing the elastomer coatings embedding the reinforcement elements (5, 6) to firmly engage the reinforcement elements (5, 6) with the elastic fabric material layer (2) and forming three-dimensional molded areas (3,4) projecting from the one side of the fabric material layer (2).

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein, after the elastomer coatings are sprayed onto the elastic fabric material layer (2), a flock coating is applied to the elastomer material.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the flock coating is applied before the last sprayed-on elastomer coating is fully cured.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the elastomer coatings are silicone material coatings.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the elastomer coatings are applied in spaced relationship from opposite end edges of the fabric material layer (2).

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the elastomer coatings are applied to the fabric material layer without additional cement.

7. A method according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcement elements (5, 6) comprise spaced rod-shaped elements (6) with annular element (5) disposed between the spaced rod-shaped reinforcement elements.

8. A method according to claim 7, wherein the rod-shaped reinforcement elements (6) are metal spring elements and the annular reinforcement elements (5) are formed of an elastically resilient material.

9. A method for producing bandages for knee and elbow joints, comprising the steps of: providing an elastic fabric material layer (2), placing straight reinforcement elements (5) on opposite sides of an annular reinforcement element (6) in spaced relationship in predetermined positions onto the elastic fabric material layer (2), applying successively uncured elastomer material in several layers to the elastic fabric material so as to cover the reinforcement elements (5, 6) so that the elastomer material at least partially penetrates the fabric material layer (2), and curing the elastomer, material thereby firmly engaging the reinforcement elements (5, 6) with the fabric material layer thereby forming three-dimensional molded areas (3, 4) projecting from the surface of the fabric material layer (2).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a top view of a bandage which includes a fabric material layer to which elastic molded parts of silicone are applied.

(2) FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the bandage shown in FIG. 1,

(3) FIG. 3 shows an annular reinforcement element of a foamed material which is embedded into the silicone during manufacture, and

(4) FIG. 4 shows a rod-shaped spring element of metal which may also be embedded into silicone on top of the fabric material layer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PARTICULAR EMBODIMENT

(5) In the figures, identical components are designated by the same reference numerals.

(6) FIGS. 1 and 2 show a joint bandage 1 in a top view and, respectively, a cross-sectional view. The joint bandage 1 is for example a knee bandage or an elbow bandage which may be wound around the leg or arm and fixed in position for supporting the respective joint. The bandage 1 comprises an elastic fabric material layer 2 on which molded parts 3 and 4 are disposed for reinforcement of the bandage and to support the joint when wound around it. The first molded part 3 is an annular projection 3, and the two mold parts 4 at opposite sides of the annular projection 3 are rod-like projections.

(7) The molded projections 3 and 4 each consist of an elastomer, such as silicon material into which a reinforcement element 5, 6 is embedded. The elastomer is applied to the fabric material layer 2 in an uncured flowable state. The reinforcement elements 5, 6 are disposed on the fabric material layer and the elastomer material is sprayed over the reinforcement elements 5, 6. After the hardening or, respectively, curing of the elastomer, the reinforcement elements 5, 6 are completely enclosed by the elastomer. During the manufacturing process, the elastomer material penetrates into the fabric material layer 2 and, upon curing, provides for a connection of the molded part 3, 4 with the fabric layer 2. Since the reinforcement elements are embedded in the elastomer layer 3, 4, the reinforcement elements 5, 6 are firmly engaged with the fabric material layer 2.

(8) As apparent from the sectional view of FIG. 2, the molded projections 3, 4 are three-dimensionally shaped elastic support structures which project from one side of the fabric material layer 2. The shaping is achieved essentially by the reinforcement elements 5, 6. Since the reinforcement elements are completely surrounded by the elastomer material the overall height and width of the molded projections 3 and 4 is greater than those of the reinforcement elements 5, 6.

(9) As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the reinforcement element 5 is an annular foamed component and the reinforcement element 6 is a rod-shaped metal spring element which is resiliently bendable. The foam element is also elastically resilient. As a result of the elasticity or, respectively, bendability of the reinforcement elements 5, 6 and the inherent elasticity of the cured, hardened elastomer material as well as the elasticity of the fabric material layer 2, it is ensured that the bandage 1 has a relatively high stability. By the reinforcement elements furthermore a predetermined directional stability can be provided for example in that the rod-shaped spring element 6 is bendable only about its transverse axis but has essentially no elasticity in the direction of the longitudinal axis thereof.

(10) The reinforcement elements 5, 6 are disposed during manufacture only loosely on the fabric material layer 2. Their connection to the fabric material layer is obtained by the molded part 3 which consists of elastomer material which penetrates into the fabric material layer 2 where it is cured.

(11) The molded projections 3, 4 are expediently covered by a flock coating in order to improve the wearing comfort. The flock coating material comprises organic, synthetic or semi-synthetic fibers which are for example applied before the elastomer material is cured so that the flock coating material is firmly attached to the elastomer material. But the flock coating may also be applied after the curing of the elastomer material, wherein, however, in this case, additionally cement is being used.

(12) For the manufacture of the bandage, first the molded parts 3 and 4 are placed onto the fabric material layer 2. The uncured elastomer material which as silicone is sprayed via one or more nozzles onto the fabric material layer 2 so as to completely embed the reinforcement elements 5, 6 into the elastomer material, whereupon the elastomer material hardens. Before the hardening however, preferably the flock coating is applied.