Abstract:
A flexible fabric fastener comprising a flexible and stretchable polyester and rubber material onto which Velcro®-type nylon loops or hooks are woven therethrough. The Velcro®-type hooks or loops are woven into patterned portions of the elastic base of the flexible fabric fastener. The Velcro®-type hooks and loops pattern are secured in place by a composity polyester and rubber locking thread. When applied to a compression garment or other stretch fabric, the flexible fabric fastener would be able to stretch along with the garment thereby reducing the difficulty of applying garments to a patient or any garment or product needing a closing device that self sizes.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a flexible fabric fastener used, for example, as a closure device for a pre or post-surgical compression garment. This fastener would allow a patient to more easily don and remove the garment. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Various surgical procedures such as liposuction, reconstructive surgery, cancer surgery or emergency triage would tend to produce pre or post-operative swelling or heavy bleeding in one or more areas of the patient. The patient would find it difficult to utilize his or her bed garments, such as pajamas or nightgowns or other street clothes immediately after a surgical procedure or accidental wounding event. The patient would have one or more areas of bleeding or swelling preventing the patient&#39;s own garment from holding medically placed absorbent pads in the correct location and being sanitary. Additionally, these garments might also irritate, infect or contaminate any sutures used to close incisions or wounds of the patient after the surgery or accident. Further, conventional bed garments or street clothes are not produced of a material that is capable of compressing the skin to subcutaneous body parts. Additionally, the patient&#39;s conventional bed garments would make it difficult to open and close the garment for various reasons, such as the evacuation of bodily functions or changing the dressings and absorbent pads required after surgery. 
     A number of garments have been produced which try to address this particular problem. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,315,716, issued to Baum is directed to pants for recreational use and for physically infirmed or handicapped persons allowing the pants to be easily donned and removed. A releasable seam along the outside of each leg of these pants provided with separate hook and loop fastener segments would assist in allowing handicapped or infirmed persons to open and close the pants. Unfortunately, these side openings would cause the patient to twist and bend the body in order to open and close these releasable seams. The Baum closure places hooks and eyes below the Velcro® fastener corresponding to areas in which surgical sutures would be placed, thereby causing pain to the patient and difficulty applying and removing the garment. 
     Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 5,084,914, issued to Hesch illustrates an invalid garment having opening and closing slits placed in the back of the trouser leg. This slits are opened and closed utilizing Velcro® fasteners. The position of this opening would make it difficult for the patient to easily remove the garment without assistance from other individuals. The stiff Velcro® fastener utilized by Hesch would also make it difficult for a patient or health care provided, to apply and remove the garment as well as potentially cause pain when the patient physically moves. Furthermore, once the patient&#39;s swelling or bleeding begins to decrease, the garments described in the Baum and Hesch patents would cause the garment to become ill-fitting. This would result in the patient having to purchase a second, smaller garment. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,968,803, issued to Hyman describes a surgical chest dressing provided with two non-elastic and non-stretchable strips  30 ,  32  used as Velcro® fastening elements. However, as is true with respect to the Hesch invalid garment, the non-elastic nature of the strips would make it difficult for the patient to easily move in or size the garment, particularly immediately after surgery. 
     The E-Z-ON Medical Surgical Supply Company produces a number of compression garments. These garments, while including two side openings, utilize thick stiff zippers that force the patient to twist and turn to open and close the garment. The ends of the zippers include a sharp nylon construction scratching the skin of the patient. The patient needs to bend from the waist to the knee in order to fit the zipper parts together after bending and hooking hooks in order to reapply the garment. This operation must be done for both sides of the garment and is quite painful to swollen limbs. When the zipper is re-applied, it becomes stiff and thick and difficult to bend the body against it, thereby causing unnecessary pain to the healing sites. Sets of market produced hook-and-eyes are sewn onto the garment underneath the zipper. Hooks-and-eyes press against the skin at the surgical incision sites causing the patient undue pressure and pain. The thickness of the closure prevents rolling over in bed during recovery. Additionally, each of these garments would incorporate only a single size, thereby requiring the patient to purchase additional, smaller garments as the swelling subsides. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The deficiencies of the prior art are addressed by the present invention which is directed to a flexible fabric fastener and a compression garment employing a flexible fabric fastener. The flexible fabric fastener uses a variation of the hook/loop Velcro®-type fastening device. The flexible fabric fastener is attached to the post-operative garment in such a manner to allow the patient to easily move in the garment as well as to apply and remove the garment independently of health care workers. Two parallel strips of material such as Velcro®-type hooks are provided on one portion of the garment. A single strip of Velcro®-type loop material would be provided on a second portion of the garment cooperating with either the first or second strips of Velcro®-type hook material to act as a fastener. Obviously, the two parallel strips of material could just as easily be the Velcro®-type loop material and the single strip of material on the cooperating second portion of the garment could be Velcro®- type hook material. As the patient heals surgical swelling is reduced or bleeding is held internally, the three strips of cooperating elastic Velcro®-type material acting as a flexible fabric fastener would allow a single garment to be used instead of two or more compression garments. Multi-sizing the compression garments allows for pre operative triage at the scene of an accident. 
     The flexible fabric fastener includes a strip of flexible, stretchable material composed of a percentage of polyester material and a percentage of rubber material. The Velcro®-type hook and loop material would be woven into a portion or portions of the surface of the flexible, stretchable backing material in an alternating pattern with an elastic locking thread pattern. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be readily apparent from the following description of certain preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate like or corresponding parts, although variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concepts of the disclosure and in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a plan view of one strip of the flexible fabric material including Velcro®-type hook elements; 
     FIG. 1A is a side view showing the manner in which the Velcro®-type hook elements of FIG. 1 are woven into the elastic strip base; 
     FIG. 2 is a plan view of a second strip of the flexible fabric fastener showing Velcro®-type loop material; 
     FIG. 2A is a side view of the Velcro®-type loop material of FIG. 2 woven into the elastic strip base; 
     FIG. 3 is a magnified portion of the strip material of FIG. 1 in th relaxed state; 
     FIG. 4 is a magnified view of the strip material shown in FIG. 2 in the relaxed state; 
     FIG. 5 is a magnified portion of the strip material shown in FIG. 1 in the stretched state; 
     FIG. 6 is a magnified view of the strip material shown in FIG. 2 in the stretched state; 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a post-operative garment according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the garment shown in FIG. 7 in the open position; 
     FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the post-operative garment utilizing the fastener of the present invention; and 
     FIG. 10 is the garment shown in FIG. 9 in an opened position. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIG. 1 illustrates one strip  10  of the flexible fabric fastener. The strip  10  includes a polyester rubber elastic strip  14  provided with a plurality of horizontal threads  16  as well as a plurality of vertical threads  18 . The strip  10  shows a magnified version of the flexible fabric fastener showing the threads  16  and  18  in a manner to better illustrate the present invention. In practice, the polyester rubber elastic strip  14  would include a mesh having a much larger number of horizontal threads  16  and vertical threads  18 . The strip  10  shows a plurality of Velcro®-type sections of hook material  26 . This Velcro®-type hook material is directly woven into the elastic material  14 . FIG. 1A better illustrates the manner in which the Velcro®-type hook material  26  is woven into the polyester elastic strip  14 . This pattern of alternate hook material  26  consisting of hooks  27  is woven into the elastic strip  14  by the utilization of a computerized program of weaving along with a polyester and rubber locking threads  25  woven through the elastic strip  14 . This particular structure would securely and with great stability hold the hook material into place in the elastic strip  14 . This structure would allow the ability of the closure to embody multiple-sizing along with soft stretchable comfort. Alternatively, the Velcro®-type hook material  26  can be woven into the entire surface of the elastic strip  14  in an alternating pattern for unlimited length of the elastic base. 
     FIG. 2 illustrates a second opposing strip  16  of the fastener including a stretchable elastic strip base  20  having a plurality of horizontal threads  22  as well as a plurality of vertical threads  24 . In this instance, various sections of Velcro®-type loop material  28  are directly woven onto the elastic strip material  20  in a manner similar to the strip shown in FIGS. 1 and 1A. More particularly, FIG. 2A illustrates a side view of FIG. 2 including a plurality of loops  29  woven into the strip  20  using the same type of polyester and rubber locking thread  25  shown with respect to FIGS. 1 and 1A. Similar to the strip shown in FIG. 1, the entire surface of the strip  12  can have the loop material woven within the base strip  20  in a similar alternating pattern. In this manner, a number of sections of loop material  28  would cover the strip  20 . However, similar to the strip shown in FIG. 1, the entire surface of the strip  20  can have the loop material woven therein. 
     Elastic strips  14  and  20  as well as the threads  25  and  32  are constructed from a material consisting of 75% polyester and 25% rubber. The Velcro®-type loop segment is held in place by the polyester and rubber locking thread  32  in a stable and secure pattern. However, it is noted that this exact combination of materials is not crucial to the present invention as long as these strips exhibit elasticity when they are attached along the closing slits of the garment to better fit the patient. Additionally, these strips of material  14  and  20  would return to their original shape when they are no longer stretched. This feature is of great importance since this elastic fastener would be used with a number of types of garments producing a comfortable post or pre operative fit of the garment or other applications not specifically medical. 
     The Velcro®-type hook material and the Velcro®-type loop material shown in FIGS. 1,  1 A,  2 ,  2 A are woven into the respective strips using a computer programmed weaving pattern using an elastic type locking thread. 
     FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate the elastic strips  14  and  20  in a more magnified view when these strips are in the relaxed state. FIGS. 5 and 6 show the same view when the strips  14  and  20  are under tension and being stretched. When the strip  14  is being stretched, the distance d 1  between horizontal threads  34  and  36  would be less than the distance d 2  between these threads  34  and  36  when the strip  14  is stretched as illustrated with respect to FIG.  5 . Similarly, the distance d 3  between horizontal threads  38  and  40  in FIG. 4 would be less than the distance d 4  between these same horizontal threads  38  and  40  when the strip  20  is stretched. It is this stretchable nature that allows the flexible fabric fastener to allow it to be utilized in the various compression garments employed by patients who are convalescing with a pre or post-surgical swelling or bleeding. 
     FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate the flexible fabric fastener of the present invention embodied in a compressible garments used by both men and women. This garment  50  is provided with sections  52  and  54  which are attached to one another utilizing the flexible fabric fastener. A cotton cloth type stretchable band cuff  62  is provided on the bottom of section  52  and  54 . Appropriate arm holes  60  are used to allow the patient to wear this garment above their midriff or can be produced to reach the waist. Mechanical hook portions  58  are directly affixed to the top portion  54  and are also used as added security to the flexible fabric fasteners using eye portions  72  as shown in FIG.  8 . Although not shown in FIG. 7, one strip of fastener material is provided underneath the strip section  56 . As shown in FIG. 8, the portion  54  of the garment  50  is provided with two substantially parallel strips of Velcro®-type hook material  60 ,  68 . Each of these strips  60  and  68  is sewn onto the top surface of fabric portion  54  utilizing elasticized thread. Additionally, hooks  58  and  64  are attached to the portion  54  for use with the eyes  72  provided on top section  52  to bind the two sections  52  and  54  together thereby securing the Velcro®-type loops provided on strip  70  included on the reverse side of section  52 . 
     Similar to the strips  60 ,  68 , the Velcro®-type loop section  70  is sewn into the material on the reverse side of section  52  with elasticized thread. Reference numeral  76  represents a one of many comfort support panels inserted woven or sewn into the reverse side of section  52  (as shown) and into other positions on the reverse side of sections  52  and  54 . Although strips  60 ,  68  and  70  illustrate the flexible fabric fastener having its own respective outside surfaces completely covered with either Velcro®-type hook or Velcro®-type loop material, it is noted that these strips can contain a plurality of distinct Velcro®-type hook or Velcro®-type loop sections as shown with respect to FIGS. 1 and 2. As illustrated with respect to FIGS. 7 and 8, when the garment  50  is initially applied to the patient, the Velcro®-type loop section  70  would cooperate with Velcro®-type loop section  68  to secure the garment in place. As the patient&#39;s physical size or swelling changes, the strip  70  would then cooperate with strip  60  to secure the garment in place for resizing. It is noted that the inclusion of the hooks  72  and the eyes  58  and  64  are optional, since the present invention could operate without their inclusion. It is noted that the exact type of eye  58 ,  64  is not crucial to the present invention. 
     Commercially produced hooks and straight eyes sewn on the edge of the outside frontal opening could be employed. This hardware would be evenly spaced, only as a security benefit to the closure. They are used on the outside of the garment to prevent painful puncture of the skin in various surgical procedures or pressure at the site of surgical entry points in liposuction. Another row of straight eyes is sewn on the outside of the garment to the second side of the garment. Only one set of hooks are needed. 
     Similarly, flexible fabric fasteners in the form of a Velcro®-type loop section  78  would cooperate with a Velcro®-type hook section  79  as illustrated in FIG.  7 . These fasteners can be used to multi-size and stretch for comfort for the shoulder closure on both front sides of the garment. Furthermore, Velcro®-type loop sections  80  as well as Velcro®-type hook sections  81  on the lower portion of the garments shown in FIG. 8 would be used to secure cotton stretch cuff  62  at the base of the garment together. No hooks and eyes are needed in this situation. Similarly, hooks and eyes are also not needed at the shoulder closure. The angled or slanted opening  82  allows for a secure ease of opening and closing of the garment. It is noted that this design is universal to both genders of patients. 
     FIG. 9 illustrates a compression garment  80  which can be utilized by both genders. This garment as well as the garment illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8 is created from a cotton and Lycra® stretch material designed to allow body fluids to evaporate. The garment  80  is provided with two leg portions  82  and  84  which are affixed to the back of leg portions  86  and  88  respectively. The flexible fabric fastener according to the present invention would secure the leg portions  82  to  86  as well as leg portions  84  to  88 . Hooks  90  and  92  are applied along the length of the legs from the waist to the cuff of the garment to assist in securing portion  82  to portion  86  as well as portion  88  to  84 . These hooks would be used with cooperative eye portions provided on opposing parts  86 ,  88  of the garment. A thin elastic waistband  96  surrounds the outer portion of the garment that does not bind the body when bent or moving. Cotton cloth stretchable cuffs  98  and  100  surround the base of each part of each pant leg. A crotch portion  94  provided with snaps is included. Similar to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, the hooks and eyes are not a requirement. 
     FIG. 10 illustrates the present invention with portions of the flexible fabric fasteners open to view. Leg portions  86  provided with two substantially parallel at the center elastic Velcro®-type hook fasteners  102 ,  104  are similar in nature to the elastic fasteners shown in FIG.  1 . Similarly, the center leg portion  88  is provided with two substantially parallel Velcro®-type hook fastener members  106 ,  108 . All four of the elastic Velcro®-type hook fasteners  102 ,  104 ,  106  and  108  run continuously from the top waist portion  96  of the garment to the bottom cuff sections  98 ,  100  of the garment as shown in FIG.  9 . 
     While two types of compression garments have been described, it can be appreciated that a number of types of these garments can be utilized with the flexible fabric fasteners as described herein. These garments are designed to be as comfortable to the patient as possible and would be manufactured in a number of colors and designs to provide a pleasing appearance. 
     Once the surgical procedure is completed and a particular pre or post-surgical garment is chosen, such as the garment illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, a health practitioner would place the front flap portion  52  over the rear flap portion  54  attaching the Velcro®-type loop strip  70  to either of the Velcro®-type hook strips  60  or  68 . The midriff waistband of the chest garment is also affixed by pressing the elastic Velcro®-type strip loop  80  and elastic Velcro®-type strip hook  81  portions together. The shoulder portions are attached in the same manner. Although not necessary, the hooks and eyes as shown in FIG. 8 can also be joined together for added security. The flexible fabric fastener has two strips for comfortable sizing for the patient and will accommodate any medically applied bandages or pads placed directly on the body and hold them securely in place. When healthcare professionals are needed to inspect dressings or an incision, the market produced hooks are opened and the flexible fabric fastener can be gently drawn apart by one person. 
     The lower body garment as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 are applied in the same manner except for the loose front flaps. These flaps are brought together from the flattened back piece through the legs. One side leg portion is attached to its adjacent portion and the other side leg portion is attached to its adjacent leg portion at the center front of leg. The waist portions are secured to one another as are the bottom cuff portions with the flexible fabric fastener. Similar to the top portion, the bottom portion has two sizes built-in due to the double strip of the elastic Velcro®-type strip hook and loop combinations. Sizing can be done at the point of the surgical procedure or triage and to accommodate surgically placed pads or other medical coverings or devices. 
     While the present invention has been described particularly with use on upper or lower torsos, other compression garments can incorporate the flexible fabric fasteners. Other garments can be used to cover specific portions of the body, such as a single arm or leg or the head. The Flexible Fabric Fastener can provide multi-sizing in any or all compression type garments or any mundane stretchable fabric garment and has many generic uses. 
     Furthermore, it is believed that many additional modifications can be made which would be in the purview of one possessing ordinary skill in the art.