Abstract:
The present invention provides a decorative compression sock made from resilient elastic material for the prevention and treatment. The material is composed of a plurality of fibers. An aesthetically pleasing image is stored onto a sublimation transferable medium. The image is transferred from the sublimation transfer medium onto the compression sock wherein the image is permanently incorporated into the plurality of fibers of the material. The compression sock configured as a knee length tubular member having a closed end and an opened lower end. Compression is graduated from the toe, ankle and leg portion.

Description:
NON-PROVISIONAL PATENT 
       [0001]    This patent claims benefit of provisional application 62/254,092 and 62/306,117 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The present invention is directed to a compression sock for the prevention and treatment of venous disorders such as edema, phlebitis and thrombosis. Compression stockings are elastic garments worn around the leg, compressing the limb. This reduces the diameter of distended veins and causes an increase in venous blood flow velocity and valve effectiveness. Compression therapy helps decrease venous pressure, prevents venous stasis and impairments of venous walls, and relieves heavy and aching legs. 
         [0003]    The design of a sock, especially a sock for the treatment of venous disorders, can have a huge effect on the wear&#39;s comfort and well-being. Knee high compression hose are used not only to help increase circulation, but to also help prevent the formation of blood clots in the lower legs, as well as aiding in the treatment of ulcers of the lower legs. Unlike traditional socks, compression socks use stronger elastics to create significant pressure on the legs, ankles and feet. Compression stockings are tightest at the ankles and gradually become less constrictive towards the knees and thighs. By compressing the surface veins, arteries and muscles, the circulating blood is forced through narrower circulatory channels. As a result, the arterial pressure is increased, which causes more blood to return to the heart and less blood to pool in the feet. 
         [0004]    The compression sock that are on the market have thicker yarn such as rubber than normal hosiery and are not as aesthetically pleasing. The present invention provides a softer design compression sock with a desired selected design incorporated therein. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    The present invention is directed to a decorative and printed compression sock, primarily for the treatment and prevention of venous disorders. 
         [0006]    The compression sock comprises a generally elongated body made from soft, flexible, resilient, and elastic material. The body of the sock is configured to stretch when placed about a foot, ankle joint and leg and exert compressive pressure thereupon. 
         [0007]    In a preferred embodiment, the compression sock has a closed toe end and an opened upper end. 
         [0008]    In the preferred embodiment the yarn is made of a composite spandex, nylon and microfiber composite blend. In the preferred embodiment a four feed yarn is provided to a hosiery knitting machine with an alternative needle positive float selection. The tubular sock is created. After creation of the tubular sock, a selected aesthetically pleasing image is stored onto a sublimation transferable medium. The image is transferred from the sublimation transfer medium onto the compression sock wherein the image is permanently incorporated into the plurality of fibers of the material. Sublimation is the process generally used to transfer the image to the fibers of the material. The present invention utilizes the sublimation process to create a new decorative compression sock. 
         [0009]    Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention. In such drawings: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is a full length tubular sock design embodiment. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the compression sock with simulated compression graduations 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is an short above ankle tubular sock design embodiment. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is an alternative ankle tubular sock design embodiment. 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is an arm tubular sock design embodiment. 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the needle positioning in the machinery. 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is a block diagram of the process to create the compression tubular sock. 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is a diagram of the graduated compression of the tubular sock. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0019]    The present invention is directed to a compression sock for the prevention and treatment of venous disorders. More specifically, the compression sock has features that address disorders such as edema, phlebitis and thrombosis, among other injuries. 
         [0020]      FIG. 1  generally illustrates one embodiment of the design compression sock ( 10 ) of the present invention. In the illustrated embodiment the compression sock may be configured generally similar to other socks having an upper calf portion ( 20 ), an ankle portion ( 16 ), a toe portion ( 15 ) with a closed end. In an alternate embodiment of design compression sock ( 10 ) illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the calf portion ( 20 ) may be minimized or even further shorten as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0021]    Alternatively a design compression sock can be created for the arm which comprises a tubular thin sock ( 50 ) with opposing opened ends ( 51 ,  52 ) as shown in FIG.  5 . The design is incorporated into this sock with the same process as described below. The sock is preferably constructed to be seamless out of washable and breathable materials. The arm sock is created with graduated compression with the same composite material as the tubular sock as described below. Additionally, the elbow section of the sock ( 50 ) can have a different compression than the opposing ends. 
         [0022]    Referring to  FIG. 1  the present invention is made to initially include a one-piece tubular fabric “sock” structure that includes a closed distal end section, an open proximal end section ( 20 ) and an intermediate section ( 16 ). The tubular sock ( 10 ) is thin and has no heel delineations. Alternatively the tubular sock ( 10 ) in  FIG. 1  can be redesigned with an opened distal end section for the arm as shown in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0023]    With this embodiment, a ladies hosiery knitting machine is used with a circular needle configuration. The knitting machine is preferably a 70 or 75 gauge knitting machine. In this embodiment the hosiery machine may comprise at least 400 needles on each yarn feed on at least four yarn feed paths. The positive float needle selection provides for stabilizing areas during the knitting process of the unitary seamless tubular body. Tubular structure ( 10 ) in  FIG. 1  is made of a composite yarn having spandex, micro fiber, nylon or a combination thereof. The spandex yarn can be covered or non-covered. Micro-fiber can be most commonly made of polyester, polyamedes (e.g. nylon, Kevlar, nomex, trogamide), polypropylene or a combination thereof. In the preferred embodiment the micro-fiber is made of nylon and can be made of polyester. The final composite blend is strong, thin, smooth and comfortable to the skin. Various alternative needle positive float stitch selection combination can be utilized to provide stability while providing enhanced stretchability. In the illustrated embodiment in in  FIG. 6 , the knitting machine is programmed to with the at least four feeds thereby creating a fabric structure that is easier to place upon the foot. In the illustrated embodiment, (a) first yarn feed ( 60 ) is 70 deneirs single covered 30 deniered nylon with 34 filaments (i.e. micro fiber) with a positive float stitch having needles alternating (up:down; up:down) wherein only 200 needles are utilized (b) second yarn feed ( 70 ) is 50 (deniered) and 30 (filaments) nylon (i.e. not micro fiber) with all needles up (c) third yarn feed ( 80 ) is 70% spandex single covered 30/34 with needles alternating (down:up; down:up); and fourth yarn feed ( 85 ) is 50/34 nylon with all needles up. In this illustrated embodiment the first and the third feed are alternating positive floats where the 2 nd  and the 4 th  yarn feeds are flat stitching. The needle selection alternative positive float configuration in conjunction with yarn selection produces a tubular sock that is thin, softer, slicker and easier to place on the foot. Additionally, the yarn and needle selection produces a tubular sock in which the design can be more easily, efficiently, effectively and permanently incorporated into the tubular sock design. As shown in Feed  1  ( 60 ) and Feed  3  ( 80 ) 200 needles ( 75 ) is up with an adjacent needle down next to sinker ( 76 ). Additionally depicted is Feed  2  and Feed  4 , 400 needles ( 75 ) are all up. 
         [0024]    As used herein, “seamless” means that the construction of the sock does not include any stitching to join two or more pieces of material together. A hem or border is located at the top of the calf portion ( 20 ), which hem or border includes additional material weaved into the fabric but no added stitching as shown in  FIG. 1 . This seamless construction provides for a blister-free sock that generally will not create blisters or sores on the feet of the wearer. 
         [0025]    The entire sock is preferably constructed from a yarn softer composite blend of material. Referring to  FIG. 2 , the different portions of the sock preferably have varying densities of compression materials. This greater degree of compression provides support similar to tape, a bandage or a sleeve without the drawbacks of adhesive residue, seams or thickened areas that can damage or injure the foot/ankle. The greater degree of compression in the ankle portion is designed to provide support to the ankle joint and its related ligaments. Such support can aid a wearer in decreasing venous pressure and relieve aching legs. This compressive pressure can also be used for relief from minor swelling and varicose veins. As illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 8  the compression structure can have the following (a) toe portion ( 15 ) is approximately 10.2 mmgh (b) ankle portion ( 16 ) is approximately (14.9) mmgh and (c) calf portion ( 20 ) is approximately (4.5) mmgh. As illustrated in the ankle portion ( 16 ) has the greatest compression level. The graduated compression provides relief. 
         [0026]    The other portions of the sock ( 10 ) preferably have their own compressive qualities, but to a lesser degree than the ankle portion. In particular, the calf and the foot portions want to avoid providing too much compression so as not to cut off circulation to tissue in these parts of the foot. The proper amount of compressive pressure in these areas can actually promote proper blood flow during physical activity. The calf and foot portions may have similar compressive qualities. Referring to  FIG. 2 , these varying compressive qualities are represented by the different densities of stippling in the different portions. Preferably, the portions of the sock ( 10 ) other than the ankle portion ( 16 ) have a compressive pressure is between 4 grams ( 16 ). The same provides relief from tired aching legs, and may help control minor swelling. Most preferably, the ankle portion ( 16 ) may be between 30 to 60% tighter than the calf portion ( 20 ). In this illustrated embodiment, the sock ( 10 ) can be made of floating stitch of 50/34 nylon and 70 denier spandex with 30/34 nylon single covered microfiber. 
         [0027]    According to the preferred embodiment, referring to  FIG. 7 , at step  90  the composite yarn selection is created. Then at step  95  the knitting machine with 400 needles is setup as shown in  FIG. 6  to support the alternative positive float selection. The tubular sock ( 10 ) in  FIG. 1  is created at step  97 . After the tubular sock ( 10 ) is created utilizing the yarn structure as defined above in steps  90 ,  95  and  97 , the decoration of the compression sock ( 10 ) illustrated in  FIG. 1  is produced through the process of sublimation. The composite yarn blend allows the tubular sock ( 10 ) to better absorb the print while providing a comfortable covering structure over the skin of the leg or the arm. An aesthetically pleasing image is stored on a sublimation transfer medium or sublimation paper at step ( 100 ) to create the selected design. The transfer medium is normally a polymer coated transfer paper. The image is transferred from the sublimation transfer medium onto the strip wherein the image is permanently incorporated into the fibers of the material at step ( 105 ). The sublimation process is generally done by heat activation which can be at 400 degrees. The heat causes the image to flash into a gaseous state thereby penetrating and dying the image into the material of the compression sock. Through the sublimation process, the image becomes part of the material at step ( 107 ). 
         [0028]    Although sublimation process is utilized in the preferred embodiment, any equivalent transferal process where the selected design can be incorporated into the material of the tubular sock can be utilized.