COMPRESSION GARMENT ENHANCED WITH HEMP FIBERS

Abstract

Hemp fibers may be disposed throughout or in selected portions of a compression garment (e.g., glove, posture support garment, pants, leggings, tights, shorts, long sleeve top, short sleeve top, sock, etc.). The hemp fibers deployed in the compression garment enhance the durability of the compression garment, and imparts various advantageous properties (e.g., anti-microbial or anti-bacterial, mildew-resistant, odor reduction, moisture wicking, etc.) to the compression garment, enabling the compression garment to be provided with comfort and style.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based on, and claims the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/865,416 filed on Jun. 24, 2019.

BACKGROUND

Compression garments include a variety of items of clothing designed to fit tightly around a user's skin. Compression garments are generally constructed of synthetic rubbers such as neoprene, or some combination of cotton, spandex, or polyester. Many people may wear compression shorts, socks, tights, and other garments during athletic performance to improve blood flow to the muscles, thereby improving athletic performance. Compression garments are also commonly used when not participating in athletic activities to reduce muscle soreness, treat pain, enhance recovery, reduce swelling, especially during travel, provide support, breathability, provide comfort, and insulation from external elements (e.g., rain, wind, etc.).

SUMMARY

The properties of a compression garment can be improved or enhanced by dispersing hemp fibers in, or weaving hemp fibers into, a material of the compression garment. Since hemp fibers naturally hold their shape and stretch less than other natural fibers, it would be counterintuitive to employ them in a compression garment, as they would not be expected to contribute to the compression of the garment. However, the inventor determined that it would nevertheless be advantageous to employ hemp fibers in a compression garment (e.g., glove, posture support garment, pants, leggings, tights, shorts, long sleeve top, short sleeve top, sock, etc.). For example, the superior tensile strength of hemp fibers enable a compression garment to have improved durability. Further, the porous structure of hemp fibers permit them to impart to a compression garment other desirable properties, such as moisture wicking, cooling and/or soothing effect, anti-microbial or anti-bacterial, mildew-resistant, odor reduction, UV (ultraviolet radiation) shielding etc. Such properties enable a compression garment with selectively dispersed hemp fibers to have comfort and style.

Hemp fibers can be dispersed throughout a material of a compression garment. On the other hand, in some exemplary embodiments, a density of hemp fibers dispersed in, or woven into a material of, some portions of the compression garment is greater than that in other areas of the compression garment, such that the advantageous properties are particularly enhanced in said portions of the compression garment having higher density of hemp fibers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features of the subject matter of this disclosure can be more readily understood from the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a front perspective view of a posture support garment;

FIG. 2 shows a back perspective view of the posture support garment illustrated in FIG. 1, as an example of a compression garment, in accordance with an embodiment of this disclosure;

FIG. 3 shows a front view of the posture support garment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 shows a back view of the posture support garment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 5 shows a right side view of the posture support garment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 6 shows a left side view of the posture support garment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 7 shows a top view of the posture support garment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 8 shows a bottom view of the posture support garment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 9 shows a front perspective view of a compression glove, as an example of a compression garment, in accordance with an embodiment of this disclosure;

FIG. 10 shows a back perspective view of the compression glove illustrated in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 shows a front view of the compression glove illustrated in FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 shows a back view of the compression glove illustrated in FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 shows a right side view of the compression glove illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10;

FIG. 14 shows a left side view of the compression glove illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10;

FIG. 15 shows a top view of the compression glove illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10;

FIG. 16 shows a bottom view of the compression glove illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10;

FIG. 17 shows another back perspective view of the compression glove illustrated in FIG. 9; and

FIG. 18 shows a notional view of a compression sock, in accordance with another embodiment of this disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Exemplary embodiments of novel compression garments incorporating fibers from the Cannabis hemp plant are discussed herein. The compression garments can include a variety of items of clothing, such as, for example, gloves, posture support devices, pants, leggings, tights, shorts, long sleeve tops, short sleeve tops, socks, etc. According to certain exemplary embodiments, compression garments can be constructed of one or more of cotton, spandex, neoprene, polyester, and include fibers from the hemp plant. According to certain exemplary embodiments, compression garments can be constructed of a combination of cotton, spandex, and hemp fibers. In a preferred embodiment, the compression garment can be constructed of 80% cotton, 11% spandex, and 9% hemp fibers. According to certain exemplary embodiments, compression garments can be constructed of polyester and hemp fibers. In a preferred embodiment, compression garment can be constructed of 92% polyester and 8% hemp fibers.

Hemp fibers hold their shape, stretching less than other natural fibers, and therefore typically would not be intuitively considered to be used as a material for compression clothing, as it would not contribute to the compression of the garment. However, the inventor found that there are many benefits to using hemp fibers in compressive garments. For example, while compressive garments are typically put through greater stress, relative to normal clothing, conventional compression garment, in use, experience more wear and tear. However, such effects can be alleviated by employing hemp fibers in the material of the compression garments, since hemp fibers are one of the most durable fibers and also have incredible tensile strength (that is higher than those of, e.g., steel and nylon).

Additionally, hemp fibers are porous, facilitating comfort and style of compression garments that employ hemp fibers. For example, such porous structure enhances ventilation through the compression garments and gives the garments a moisture wicking property (e.g., to draw sweat or perspiration away from the user's skin), making them a good choice for warm and/or humid weather. Further, hemp fibers can impart a cooling or soothing effect to the compression garment, thereby rendering the garment more suitable for therapeutic use, as well as for use at high levels of strenuous and/or other physical activities, even when weather is not an issue.

In addition, the porous structure of hemp fibers in the compression garment permits the material to be dyed more readily and to retain its color, advantageously as compared to other textile materials. Further, hemp fibers naturally impart anti-microbial or anti-bacterial properties, as well as mildew-resistant properties, to the compression garment, as well as reduce odor in the compression garment. Also, the hemp fibers deployed in a compression garment give the compression garment a UV shielding property to shield the user of the compressive garnet, from ultraviolet radiation.

Further, the more hemp fiber is used, the softer it gets (while maintaining high tensile strength). Hemp is an extremely fast-growing crop, making it an environmentally friendly crop.

An embodiment of a novel compression hand glove is discussed herein with reference to FIGS. 9-17 in the attached drawings. A compression hand glove may be beneficial for providing compressive, soothing comfort, and support to a user's wrists, fingers, and hand. The exemplary hand glove can be beneficial in treating conditions such as swelling, arthritis, and joint stiffness. Compression hand glove can be designed and shaped like any type of hand glove. Compression hand glove can include finger portions, thumb portion, wrist portion, and hand portion. Finger portions can be sized and dimensioned to partially or fully cover the fingers and/or fingertips of the user's fingers. For example, finger portions can partially or substantially cover the proximal phalanx bones of a user's fingers but leave the middle phalanx bones, distal phalanx bones, and fingertips of the user's fingers exposed. Alternatively, finger portions can partially or substantially cover the middle phalanx bones of the user's fingers leaving only the distal phalanx bones and tips of a user's fingers exposed. Alternatively, as shown in the attached drawings, finger portions can substantially cover the distal phalanx bones of the user's fingers leaving only a portion of the distal phalanx bones and tips of the user's fingers exposed. A thumb portion of a compressive hand glove can be sized and dimensioned to partially or substantially cover the thumb of a user's hand. For example, a thumb portion can substantially cover the proximal phalanx bone of a user's thumb, leaving the distal phalanx bone and the tip of the user's thumb exposed. Alternatively, a thumb portion can substantially cover the distal portion of a user's thumb leaving only a portion of the distal phalanx bone and the tip of the user's thumb exposed. A wrist portion of a compressive hand glove can be sized and dimensioned to partially or substantially cover a user's wrist. For example, a wrist portion of a compression hand glove can partially cover a user's wrist and extend to the heel of the user's palm. Alternatively, a wrist portion can substantially cover a user's wrist and extend to the user's forearm. A hand portion of a compressive hand glove can be sized and dimensioned to substantially cover a user's palm and the back of the user's hand. In a preferred embodiment, shown in the attached drawings, a compression hand glove includes finger portions sized and dimensioned to substantially cover the proximal, middle, and distal phalanx bones of a user's fingers, but leaving the fingertips exposed, a thumb portion sized and dimensioned to substantially cover the distal phalanx bone of the thumb of the user, leaving a portion of the distal phalanx bone and the tip of the user's thumb exposed, a hand portion, and a wrist portion sized and dimensioned to cover the user's wrist and extending to the user's forearm.

A compression hand glove can be designed to be soft to the touch and to be absorbent so as to wick moisture away, thereby making a user's hand feel cool and comfortable. A compression hand glove can allow a user to freely and effortlessly wear the glove without restricting the use of their fingers. This may be helpful, for example, when a user wishes to wear compression hand gloves while continuing to engage in activities involving the use of their fingers. Activities that require the use of their fingers can include, for example, hobbies such as knitting, croqueting, using a touch screen (such as on a smart phone, a tablet, a computer, etc.), or opening jars.

According to an exemplary embodiment, a compression hand glove can be constructed of a combination of polyester, neoprene, cotton, or spandex, and hemp fiber. According to certain exemplary embodiments, the hand glove can be constructed of a combination of cotton, spandex, and hemp fiber. For example, the hand glove can be constructed of a combination of approximately 50-80% cotton, approximately 5-15% spandex, and approximately 5-15% hemp fiber. Alternatively, the materials can be varied to include different proportions of cotton, spandex, and hemp fiber. For example, the glove can include approximately 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, etc. hemp fiber. In a preferred embodiment, the hand glove can be constructed of approximately 80% cotton, approximately 11% spandex, and approximately 9% hemp fiber.

In another embodiment (FIGS. 1-8) of this disclosure, a novel compression posture support garment is provided. A compression posture support garment may be beneficial in improving a user's overall posture by reducing slouching, hunching over, or text neck. Compression posture support garment can further help reduce poor circulation, sore muscles, neck slouch, belly rolls, and curvature of the back. For example, compression posture support garment can be designed to cover a user's thoracic vertebrae up until the base of their neck, wrap around their shoulder blades, so as to provide alignment of the shoulders and spine. Compression posture support garment can include a back portion, shoulder straps, and waistband. Back portion of compression posture support garment can be sized and dimensioned to substantially cover a user's thoracic vertebrae and can include a curvature corresponding to a user's neck so as to lay flat around the base of the user's neck. For example, the length of back portion can extend from a user's neck, at or below the cervical portion of the backbone, and cover substantially the entire thoracic vertebrae. The width of back portion can substantially cover the rhomboid minor, rhomboid major, and a portion of the latissimus dorsi muscles. Back portion can be sized and dimensioned so as not to cover the shoulder blades of a user thereby enabling free movement of the user's arms while the compression posture support garment is in use. Waistband of compression posture support garment can be coupled to a bottom portion of back portion and can be sized and dimensioned to secure compression posture support garment around a user's waist. For example, waistband can have an adjustable length and include one or more fasteners such that it performs like a belt, thereby allowing a user to adjust the length of waistband and secure waistband around their waist. One or more fasteners can be any type of fastener configured to selectably adjust the length of waistband. For example, one or more fasteners can be a D-ring buckle, tongue buckle, hook and loop closure, ladder lock, side-release buckle, or any other type of fastener known in the art. Frontside of waistband can include tapered portions corresponding to the user's ribcage so as to maximize fit and comfort of waistband. Compression posture support garment can include two shoulder straps. Shoulder straps can be sized and dimensioned to be adjustably coupled to waistband, on one end, and fixedly coupled to back portion on the other end. For example, shoulder strap can be adjustably coupled to waistband using one or more fasteners configured to selectably adjust the length of shoulder straps. For example, one or more fasteners can be a D-ring buckle, tongue buckle, hook and loop closure, ladder lock, side-release buckle, or any other type of fastener known in the art.

In use, a user can slide shoulder straps around their shoulders to position compression posture support garment against their spine, wrap the waistband around their torso, fasten the waistband around their torso to secure compression posture support garment on their body, and adjust the length of shoulder straps for a comfortable and custom fit. As a result, shoulder straps apply pressure on the user's shoulders relative to their spine and compression posture support garment straightens the user's shoulders and aligns their back. Compression posture support garment can help a user minimize slouching, hunching over, or text neck. For example, back portion of compression posture support garment can provide a compressive force on a user's thoracic vertebrae thereby aligning their back while the shoulder straps straighten the user's shoulders encouraging improved alignment of the vertebrae and thereby improving the user's posture.

According to certain exemplary embodiments, compression posture support garment can include multiple layers. For example, compression posture can include outer layer, middle layer, inner upper layer, and inner lower layer. According to certain exemplary embodiment, the compression posture support garment can be constructed of a combination of polyester, neoprene, cotton, or spandex, and hemp fiber. According to certain exemplary embodiment, the compression posture support garment can be constructed of a combination of polyester, neoprene, and hemp fiber. For example, outer layer and inner lower layer can be constructed of polyester, middle layer can be constructed of neoprene, and inner upper layer can be constructed of a combination of polyester and hemp fiber. According to certain exemplary embodiments, inner upper layer can be constructed of approximately 70-95% polyester and approximately 5-30% hemp fiber. Alternatively, the materials can be varied to include different proportions of cotton, spandex, and hemp fiber. For example, the compression posture support garment can include approximately 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, etc. hemp fiber. In a preferred embodiment, the compression posture support garment can be constructed of approximately 92% polyester and approximately 8% hemp fiber.

In another embodiment of this disclosure, a novel compression sock is provided, to help, for example, people who encounter the circumstance that blood pools in legs or feet, thereby causing swelling to occur. Compression socks can push blood towards the heart instead of allowing it to pool, thus relieving swelling. Compression socks can also help relieve pain and increase circulation to alleviate (or largely avoid) swollen, numb legs when the user sits or stands too long. The increased blood flow and circulation can also reduce inflammation. The user may even find that the compression sock helps energize tired, achy legs for fast relief.

Unlike conventional compression socks which can trap heat and sweat, compression socks with moisture-wicking hemp fibers deployed therein (or, for example, woven with hemp fibers) can keep the user's feet cool and dry, and in comfort.

In some exemplary embodiments, hemp fibers are dispersed throughout the material of the sock. On the other hand, since there is a tendency for greater wear and tear in the toe and heel areas of a sock, in certain other exemplary embodiments, hemp fibers are dispersed or woven into the material of the sock such that the density of hemp fibers in the toe and heel areas (FIG. 18) of a compression sock is greater than that in remaining portions of the sock. In a preferred embodiment, the materials in the toe and heel areas are constituted by 46% cotton, 30% polyester, 20% hemp, and 4% lycra, and the materials in the remaining areas of the compression sock are constituted by 65% polyester, 20% nylon, and 15% lycra. In another preferred embodiment, the materials in the toe and heel areas are constituted by 46% cotton, 19% polyester, 31% hemp, and 4% spandex, and the materials in the remaining areas of the compression sock are constituted by 54% polyester, 37% nylon, and 9% spandex.

The embodiments and examples discussed herein and shown in the attached drawings are merely illustrative, and many variations can be introduced to them without departing from the spirit of the disclosure. For example, elements and/or features of different illustrative and exemplary embodiments herein may be combined with each other and/or substituted with each other within the scope of the disclosure.

Additional variations may be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from reading U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/865,416 filed on Jun. 24, 2019 and entitled “COMPRESSION GARMENTS”, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Claims

1. A compression garment to provide compressive support to a portion of a human body, the compression garment comprising hemp fibers disposed in, or woven into, a material of at least a portion of the compression garment.

2. The compression garment of claim 1, wherein the hemp fibers impart an anti-microbial or anti-bacterial property to at least said portion of the compression garment.

3. The compression garment of claim 1, wherein the hemp fibers reduces odor in at least said portion of the compression garment.

4. The compression garment of claim 1, wherein the hemp fibers impart a moisture wicking property to at least said portion of the compression garment.

5. The compression garment of claim 1, wherein the hemp fibers enhance tensile strength of at least said portion of the compression garment.

6. The compression garment of claim 1, wherein the hemp fibers impart a cooling or soothing effect to at least said portion of the compression garment.

7. The compression garment of claim 1, wherein the hemp fibers impart a UV shielding property to at least said portion of the compression garment, to shield said portion of the human body compressively supported by the compressive garnet, from ultraviolet radiation.

8. The compression garment of claim 1, wherein the hemp fibers are disposed in parts of the compression garment that are otherwise more susceptible, in use, to wear and tear.

9. The compression garment of claim 1, wherein the compression garment is one of a glove, a posture support device, a pair of pants, a pair of leggings or tights, a pair of shorts, a long sleeve top, a short sleeve top, and a sock.

10. The compression garment of claim 1, wherein the compression garment is constructed of one or more of cotton, spandex, lycra, elastane, neoprene, nylon and polyester, in addition to the hemp fibers.

11. The compression garment of claim 1, wherein hemp fibers are dispersed in, or woven into a material of, some portions of the compression sock, and no hemp fibers are dispersed in, or woven into a material of, some portions of the compression sock.

12. The compression garment of claim 1, wherein a density of hemp fibers dispersed in, or woven into a material of, some portions of the compression garment is greater than that in other portions of the compression garment.