# US 8,539,647 B2 · Limited durability fastening for a garment

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- Number: US 8,539,647 B2
- Document ID: US8539647B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 11/996,995
- Filed: 2006-07-19
- Published: 2008-09-25
- Granted: 2013-09-24
- Earliest claimed: 2005-07-26
- Assignees: Covidien LP
- Applicants: Gordon J. Cook; David Portsmouth
- Inventors: Gordon J. Cook; David Portsmouth
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8539647B2

## CPC

- A41F 1/00: Fastening devices specially adapted for garments {(for pairing socks A41B11/002; for fur garments A41D5/006)}
- A61F 13/0269: {Tapes for dressing attachment (for stoma bags A61F5/443; for nappies or sanitary towels A61F13/58; wound closure tapes A61B17/085; for surgical drapes A61B46/00; attaching catheters A61M25/02)}
- A61F 13/0283: {for making adhesive or cohesive tape or fabrics therefor, e.g. coating or mechanical treatments}
- A61F 13/041: {Accessories for stiffening bandages, e.g. cast liners, heel-pieces}
- A61F 13/064: {for feet (incorporating non-textile reinforcing elements, e.g. springs or stays A61F5/0111; corn-pads, corn-rings A61F13/063)}
- A61F 13/065: {Looped bandages around the forefoot (A61F13/068 takes precedence)}
- A61F 13/085: {Openable readjustable}
- A61F 13/581: {Tab fastener elements combining adhesive and mechanical fastening}
- A61H 9/0078: {with intermittent or alternately inflated bladders or cuffs (mattresses for preventing bed-sores with alternated pressurized chambers A61G7/05776)}
- A41D 2300/328: using adhesive
- A61F 13/08: Elastic stockings; for contracting aneurisms
- A61F 2013/00174: {possibility of applying pressure}
- A61F 2013/0028: {applying of mechanical pressure; passive massage}
- A61F 2013/8497: {having decorations or indicia means}
- A61H 2201/1697: Breathability of the material
- A61H 2205/10: Leg
- Y10T 24/33: having adhesive fastener
- A41F: GARMENT FASTENINGS; SUSPENDERS
- A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C)
- A61H: PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY (electrotherapy, magnetotherapy, radiation therapy or ultrasound therapy A61N)
- A41D: OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

A limited durability fastening for a garment. The garment is provided with fastening members which engage to close the fastening and the fastening members are provided with means for controlling the degradation of the closure strength of the fastening as it is opened and closed and thus the number of permissible closures of the fastening having a pre-determined closure strength. The garment is particularly useful when fitted to a foot where short life is desirable at low cost or to a garment where re-use is to be discouraged for either clinical or commercial reasons.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A limited durability fastening for a garment comprising at least two garment elements to be fastened together with a predetermined closure strength, each garment element being provided with a fastening member which members engage to close the fastening, and means for controlling the degradation of the closure strength of the fastening as it is opened and closed and thus the number of permissible closures of the fastening having a predetermined closure strength, wherein one fastening member is an adhesive tab, the other fastening member being made of a fibrous material which degrades the contact strength of the fastening by transfer of fibrous material to the adhesive tab upon repeated make and break closure contact, and means applied to the fibrous material to control fibrous transfer of material in the area of make and break contact and thus the closure strength of the fastening, wherein said control means applied to said material is in the form of a separate filmic layer attached to said material.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

A fastening element as claimed in claim 1 wherein the filmic layer is in the form of a polymer film material.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

A fastening as claimed in claim 1 wherein said filmic layer is attached to said other fastening member on a side surface thereof facing away from said adhesive tab, a series of apertures being formed in said other garment element to reveal discreet areas of said filmic layer in a contact zone or zones interposed between untreated areas of said fibrous material.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

A fastening as claimed in claim 1 wherein the filmic layer is composed of an initial film coating on which is superimposed a final film coating provided with a series of apertures to provide a fibre binding film of controlled thickness, weight and compaction of fibres of said fibrous material.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

A fastening as claimed in claim 1 wherein said one fastening member with the adhesive tab is provided with a pull tab for releasing the fastening, said pull tab being provided with an adhesive component or components for closure contact with the fibrous material of the other fastening member to provide a dual closure fastening of differing contact closure strength.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

A short life impulse therapy garment for the foot incorporating a limited durability fastening as claimed in claim 1 and wherein the garment includes two of said garment elements one forming a foot wrap and the other an ankle strap for retaining the foot wrap on the foot, the foot wrap being provided with an inflatable bladder for location in the planter arch of the foot cyclically to pump the foot in accordance with a predetermined pressure and cycle time.

### Claim 7

A limited durability fastening for a garment comprising at least two garment elements to be fastened together with a predetermined closure strength, each garment element being provided with a fastening member which members engage to close the fastening, and means for controlling the degradation of the closure strength of the fastening as it is opened and closed and thus the number of permissible closures of the fastening having a predetermined closure strength, wherein one fastening member is an adhesive tab, the other fastening member being made of a fibrous material which degrades the contact strength of the fastening by transfer of fibrous material to the adhesive tab upon repeated make and break closure contact, and wherein the control means is applied to said fibrous material and is in the form of contrasting coloured dots so that a level of closure strength degradation of the fastening may be determined by contrasting coloured contamination of the adhesive tab.