FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Methods are provided herein for the printing of textiles, and more specifically for the printing of compression textiles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Compression textiles such as medical compression stockings, therapeutic elastic stockings (TES) and support stockings, both for arms and for thighs, knees, calves or complete legs, are of wide application, including for pregnant women or cancer patients with (lymph)oedema or patients with chronic venous disorders.

Therapeutic elastic stockings are intended to be worn for a long period of time. The stockings must be worn daily to achieve the desired result - even in summer. Patients for whom therapeutic elastic stockings are indicated are often confronted with discomfort. This is partly of a practical nature (dry skin, or especially sweating, irritation, pain), but also of a psychological nature.

A print on the elastic stocking may contribute to a feeling of well-being for some patients: with a nice stylish print, the support stocking can be transformed into an accessory instead of a medical product.

In some circumstances it may be useful to apply information on a compression garment, such as providing instructions for use or the direction for wearing or other information.

Most existing classical printing techniques do not allow the highly elastic material from which compression textiles are manufactured to be printed.

JPS63152490 discloses a method for printing a leotard or swim suit which consists in printing a pattern of a mixture of urethane modified vinyl resin and an acrylic resin emulsion, and then applying a decorative foil.

US4701964 provides a method for providing additional support sections to a garment in a predetermined fashion. The method comprises applying an adhesive and curing it, and fusing a cover panel on the adhesive. The provision of additional panels on the garment however changes the function and the texture of the garment.

There is therefore a need for methods which allow printing on elastic materials but do not affect the elasticity thereof. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a solution for one or more of the aforementioned challenges. Accordingly, the application provides methods for printing on a compression textile which do not affect the therapeutic property thereof, more particularly do not affect elasticity of the material. These methods encompass printing the textile with a mixture of a water-based thermoplastic adhesive and a polyaziridine-based fixing agent, drying the screen printed textile and pressing a film thereon. Optionally any excess film can be removed. In particular embodiments, the methods encompass screen printing of a mixture comprising at least 95.0 vol.% of a water-based thermoplastic adhesive and at least 0.3 vol.% of a polyaziridine-based fixing agent, drying the textile at a temperature of at most 40°C and pressing a film on the screen-printed compression textile.

According to particular embodiment, the present invention relates to a method for printing a compression textile, comprising

screen printing of a mixture comprising at least 95.0 vol.% and at most 99.7 vol.% of a water-based thermoplastic adhesive and at least 0.3 vol.% and at most 0.7 vol.% of a polyaziridine-based fixing agent on said compression textile, drying the screen-printed compression textile, preferably at a temperature of at most 40°C,

pressing a film on said screen-printed compression textile, and

optionally removing the film that is not attached to the screen-printed compression textile.

In particular embodiments, the mixture comprises 0.5 vol.% of a polyaziridine-based fixing agent. In further particular embodiments, the mixture comprises 99.5 vol.% water- based thermoplastic adhesive. In further particular embodiments, the water-based thermoplastic adhesive comprises a synthetic resin dispersion and optionally one or more thickeners and/or one or more additives.

In particular embodiments of the method the compression textile is a medical textile. In further embodiments, the medical textile comprises one or more biocides.

The methods of the invention are of particular interest for the printing of smart textiles.

For instance, the smart textile may comprise one or more sensors that are configured to measure the mechanical stress in the compression textile.

In particular embodiments of the method the mixture is electrically conductive.

In particular embodiments of the method the mixture comprises carbon and/or one or more metals, preferably carbon and/or one or more metals selected from the list comprising copper, gold and silver.

The invention further provides a printed compression textile obtainable by the present methods ting of compression textiles. Indeed, the compression textiles of the invention are characterized by the fact that they have the same or practically the same elasticity as the unprinted material. More particularly, there is no difference in compression class between the compression textile obtained by the present methods and the same compression textile before printing. In particular embodiments, of the printed compression textile provided herein, more than 50% of the surface area of the compression textile is printed.

FIGURES OF THE INVENTION

Fig. 1 illustrates a support stocking printed with a geometric pattern according to a particular embodiment of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Although they potentially serve as a guide for proper understanding of the invention, each reference symbol in the claims is not to be interpreted as a limitation on the extent of protection thereof.

As used herein, the singular terms "a", and "the" comprise both singular and plural unless the context clearly shows otherwise.

The terms "comprise", "comprises" and "comprising" as used herein are synonymous with "including", "contains" or "contain", and are inclusive and do not exclude additional, unnamed parts, elements or operational steps. The terms "comprise", "comprises" and "comprising", when reference is made to a list of components, elements or operational steps, also comprise embodiments that merely "consist of" said listed parts, elements or operational steps.

The terms "first", "second", "third" and so on are used in the description and in the claims to make a distinction between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a successive or chronological order, unless stated otherwise. It will be clear that the terms used in this way are mutually interchangeable in appropriate circumstances and that the embodiments described herein can work in some other order than that described or illustrated herein.

The values, as used herein for referring to a measurable value, such as a parameter, an amount, a duration, and the like, are intended to comprise variations of +/-10% or less, preferably +/-5% or less, more preferably or less, and still more preferably variations of +/-0.1 % or less from the stated value, provided that such variations are able to ensure one or more of the technical effects considered herein. It will be clear that any value as used herein is itself also specific and is preferably described.

Statement of a numerical range by means of limits comprises a description of all numbers and fractions that lie within this range, as well as the lower and upper limits.

The contents of all documents cited in the present description are hereby regarded as incorporated in their entirety in this description, by reference. Unless defined otherwise, all terms that are used in the concepts described herein, including technical and scientific terms, have the meanings usually understood by a person skilled in the art. For further guidance, definitions for the terms used are included in the description for better understanding of the teaching of the present description. The concepts and definitions that are used herein are intended exclusively to help in understanding the teaching that is provided herein.

Reference in this description to "an embodiment" or "one embodiment" signifies that a particular feature, structure or property, described in connection with the embodiment, is comprised in at least one embodiment that is considered herein. Thus, use of the wording "in an embodiment" or "in one embodiment" in this description refers not necessarily, but optionally in each case to the same embodiment. Moreover, the specific features, structures or properties may be combined in any suitable way in one or more embodiments, as would be clear for a person skilled in the art from this disclosure. Whereas some embodiments that are described herein comprise some, but not other features that are included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are also considered herein, and they form different embodiments, as will be clear for a person skilled in the art. For example, in the appended claims, each of the features of the claimed embodiments may be used in any combination. The present inventor found that with a particular screen printing method, a printed compression textile can be obtained, wherein the print retains its shape well while preserving the properties of the compression textile. More specifically, it was shown that methods that comprise screen printing of a mixture comprising a water-based thermoplastic adhesive and a polyaziridine-based fixing agent on a compression textile, drying the screen-printed compression textile and pressing a film on said textile thereafter. More particularly it was shown that the desired results were obtained when the mixture comprises a water-based thermoplastic adhesive and at least 0.3 vol.% and at most 0.7 vol.% of a polyaziridine-based fixing agent on a compression textile. In particular embodiments, the drying the screen-printed compression textile is perfomed at a temperature of max. 40°C. On the basis of the methods provided herein a screen- printed compression textile can be obtained without affecting the elasticity of the textile fibres. Preferably, the material further does not elicit any (additional) allergic reactions for the wearer and can withstand several washes, for example up to more than 100 washes without the print fading, cracking or coming off. In addition, the printing on the compression textile obtained by the present method does not feel sticky. Screen printing of compression textiles with prints allows a more aesthetic garment to be manufactured. More particularly, the application of an aesthetic, stylish print on a compression textile can increase the feeling of well-being and the therapy compliance of the wearer of the compression textile. In addition, graphic prints, such as arrows, indications for right, left, top and/or bottom, and/or numerals, may help with use by patients themselves or in the application of compression textiles on the patient by a caregiver.

The term "compression textile" as used herein refers to an elastic textile that is intended to apply extra pressure on an underlying tissue and/or body part, such as the limbs. Compression textiles can be classified on the basis of the pressure that the textile exerts on the underlying tissue. Compression textiles with light compression have a pressure of min. 12 mmHg and max. 17 mmHg, compression textiles in compression class 1 have a pressure of min. 15 mmHg and max. 21 mmHg, compression textiles in compression class 2 have a pressure of min. 22 mmHg and max. 27 mmHg, compression textiles in compression class 3 have a pressure of min. 34 mmHg and max. 46 mmHg, and compression textiles in compression class 4 have a pressure of more than 46 mmHg. It has been found that the compression textiles obtainable by the methods of the present invention retain their compression characteristics. More particularly, the compression class of the textile is not changed by the methods of the present invention, such that the printed compression textile retains the compression class of the corresponding unprinted compression textile.

Non-limiting examples of compression textiles are therapeutic elastic stockings (TES), also known as compression stockings, support stockings such as support stockings for arms, hands, thighs, knees, calves or legs, feet, bandages, elbow bandages, wrist fixation bandages, thigh bandages, knee bandages, ankle bandages, pressure stockings for burns, and neck bands.

The term "screen printing" as used herein refers to printing methods such as the classical printing method in which colouring matter, such as ink or dye, is applied through a screen onto the material to be printed. The colouring matter can be forced through the screen by any method at all for forcing colouring matter through a screen intended for screen printing known by a person skilled in the art, such as by means of a squeegee. First a template in which small holes are punched at the points where colouring matter must be allowed through is applied on the screen. The holes may be punched in the screen by any method at all for punching holes in a screen intended for screen printing that is known by a person skilled in the art. For example, the screen printing gauze can be treated with a light-sensitive photo-emulsion and can then be illuminated with UV. A person skilled in the art will understand that for the screen printing of adhesives, preferably a coarse screen is used, such as a screen with max. 32 threads, such as a screen with 32 threads or 28 threads. A person skilled in the art will understand that the thickness of the printing applied is determined by the mesh thread count of the screen used. Screen printing can be performed both manually and by machine.

The term "thermoplastic adhesive" or "thermoplastic glue" as used herein refers to an intervening substance that can join two or more parts together and counteract their separation; and which softens (becomes plastic) as the temperature rises. The thermoplastic adhesive as described herein refers to a water-based thermoplastic adhesive. That is, the thermoplastic adhesive has water as the medium.

The term "fixing agent based on polyaziridine" as used herein refers to an agent that consists of polyaziridine to min. 50%, min. 60%, min. 70%, min. 80%, min. 90%, more specifically min. 91 %, min. 92%, min. 93%, min. 94%, min. 95%, min. 96%, min. 97%, min. 98%, min. 99%, preferably min. 95%, min. 96%, min. 97%, min. 98%, min. 99%, even more preferably min. 99%, and which induces and/or promotes the crosslinking of molecules. In particular embodiments the polyaziridine-based fixing agent consists mainly of polyaziridine and a solvent.

The term "polyaziridine" or "polyethyleneimine" as used herein refers to a polymer of ethyleneimine and is a highly basic polymer that is readily soluble in water. Polyaziridine is also known as CAS number 9002-98-6.

The term "film" as used herein refers to a thin membrane of metal and/or plastic, consisting of one or more layers of metal and/or plastic. Preferably the film has a thickness of max. 50 μηη, 40 μηη, 30 μηη, 20 μηη or Ι δ μηη, more preferably of max. 15 μηη. The film may be translucent or coloured and/or comprise a pattern.

According to a particular embodiment, the present invention provides methods for printing a compression textile, which method comprises the steps of

screen printing of a mixture comprising at least 95.0 vol.% and at most 99.7 vol.% of a water-based thermoplastic adhesive and at least 0.3 vol.% and at most 0.7 vol.% of a polyaziridine-based fixing agent on said compression textile, drying the screen-printed compression textile, preferably at a temperature of at most 40°C,

pressing a film on said screen-printed compression textile, and

optionally removing the film that is not attached to the screen-printed compression textile.

In further particular embodiments, the method for printing a compression textile comprises:

applying a mixture comprising at least 95.0 vol.% and at most 99.7 vol.% of a water-based thermoplastic adhesive and at least 0.3 vol.% and at most 0.7 vol.% of a polyaziridine-based fixing agent on a screen, wherein the screen is in close contact with the compression textile to be printed,

forcing said mixture through said screen onto said compression textile, removing said screen,

- drying the screen-printed compression textile, preferably at a temperature of at most 40°C,

applying a film on said screen-printed compression textile,

pressing said film on said screen-printed compression textile, and

removing the film that is not attached to the screen-printed compression textile. In particular embodiments of the methods for printing compression textiles provided herein, drying of the screen-printed compression textile takes place at a temperature of max. 40°C, max. 35°C, max. 30°C or max. 25°C, for example at a temperature of 25°C, 24°C, 23°C, 22°C, 21 °C, 20°C, 19°C or 18°C, preferably at room temperature. For example, the screen-printed compression textile may be dried by exposure to the room air. A person skilled in the art will understand that at higher temperature, a shorter period will be required for drying the screen-printed compression textile.

In particular embodiments of the present methods for printing compression textiles, the mixture is a mixture that comprises 99.7 vol.% of a thermoplastic adhesive and at least 0.3 vol.% and at most 0.7 vol.% of polyaziridine.

In particular embodiments of the methods for printing compression textiles the mixture comprises at least 99.0 vol.% and at most 99.7 vol.% of a water-based thermoplastic adhesive, for example 99.0 vol.%, 99.1 vol.%, 99.2 vol.%, 99.3 vol.%, 99.4 vol.%, 99.5 vol.%, 99.6 vol.%, 99.7 vol.% of a water-based thermoplastic adhesive, preferably 99.5 vol.% of a water-based thermoplastic adhesive.

In particular embodiments of the present methods for printing compression textiles, at least 0.3 vol.% and at most 0.7 vol.%, preferably 0.5 vol.% of water is added to the mixture. A person skilled in the art will understand that the mixture should be diluted with water when the mixture has lost a manifest proportion of water through evaporation. In particular embodiments of the present methods for printing compression textiles, the mixture comprising a water-based thermoplastic adhesive and a polyaziridine-based fixing agent is screen-printed on the compression textile a maximum of 24 hours, or even max. 12 hours, more specifically max. 4 hours, more specifically max. 3 hours, preferably max. 2 hours after mixing, more preferably immediately after combining and mixing the water-based thermoplastic adhesive and the polyaziridine-based fixing agent.

In particular embodiments of the present method for printing compression textiles, drying of the screen-printed compression textile takes place at a temperature of max. 40°C for min. 20 seconds and max. 5 minutes, preferably for min. 30 seconds and max. 3 minutes.

In particular embodiments of the methods for printing compression textiles provided herein, drying of the screen-printed compression textile takes place at room temperature for min. 2 minutes, 2.5 minutes or 3 minutes, preferably 3 minutes.

In particular embodiments of the present methods for printing compression textiles, drying of the screen-printed compression textile takes place at a temperature of 40°C for min. 20 seconds, 21 seconds, 22 seconds, 23 seconds, 24 seconds or 25 seconds, preferably 25 seconds. However, the skilled person can establish whether or not the textile is sufficiently dried and the time required for drying may be affected by different environmental factors.

In particular embodiments of the present method for printing compression textiles, the film is placed on the screen-printed textile in such a way that the printing overlaps with the film.

In particular embodiments of the present methods for printing compression textiles, pressing of said film on said screen-printed compression textile is carried out at a temperature of min. 145°C and max. 190°C, min. 150°C and max. 190°C, preferably of min. 155°C and max. 185°C, most preferably between 145°C and 180°C, such as between 165°C and 175°C, more particularly 175°C. The water-based thermoplastic adhesive will take effect at a temperature of min. 145°C and max. 180°C to attach the film to the mixture comprising at least 95.0 vol.% and at most 99.7 vol.% of a water- based thermoplastic adhesive and at least 0.3 vol.% and at most 0.7 vol.% of a polyaziridine-based fixing agent.

In particular embodiments of the present methods for printing compression textiles, pressing of said film on said screen-printed compression textile is carried out for at least 5 minutes. More particularly pressing is performed for at least 7 min., more particularly, at least min. 10 seconds and max. 20 seconds, preferably for min. 10 seconds and max. 15 seconds. The time required to ensure appropriate fixation of the film may depend on the nature and size of the pattern and can easily be established by the skilled person. Typically, the pressing of a film is carried out with a pressure of at least 3 bar. In particular embodiments, the pressing of the film on said screen-printed compression textile is carried out with a pressure of min. 4 bar and max. 5 bar, preferably 5 bar.

In particular embodiments of the present methods for printing compression textiles, pressing of said film on said screen-printed compression textile is carried out using a heated press.

A person skilled in the art will, moreover, understand that the film must be applied on the dried mixture, being the side of the compression textile on which the dried mixture is screen-printed, because the subsequent heating of the film with the underlying dried mixture will ensure that the film is firmly attached to the underlying compression textile. In particular embodiments of the present methods for printing compression textiles, the pressed film that is not attached to the screen-printed compression textile, and which thus preferably also does not form part of the desired printing or the desired pattern, is removed. Preferably the unattached film is removed when said unattached film has a temperature of max. 40°C or max. 30°C. The unattached film can be removed manually or by machine. Preferably the unattached film is removed by pulling the film off in a single movement and at an angle of 45° forwards from the screen-printed textile.

More particularly, the present invention relates to methods for printing compression textiles wherein the water-based thermoplastic adhesive comprises a synthetic resin dispersion and optionally one or more thickeners and/or one or more additives.

In particular embodiments, the water-based thermoplastic adhesive does not soften at a temperature less than 50°C, less than 60°C, less than 70°C, preferably less than 60°C. In particular embodiments the water-based thermoplastic adhesive is anionic.

In particular embodiments the water-based thermoplastic adhesive has a pH of min. 7 and max. 9.5.

In particular embodiments the water-based thermoplastic adhesive has a viscosity of min. 30000 mPas and max. 50000 mPas, preferably of min. 33000 mPas and max. 48000 mPas, even more preferably of min. 33200 mPas up to max. 47200 mPas.

In particular embodiments the water-based thermoplastic adhesive is Translac Bond 55 from CHT Bezema or a comparable adhesive, such as MagnaPrint Bond from MagnaColours Ltd..

In a particular embodiment, the present invention relates to methods for printing compression textiles as described herein wherein the polyaziridine-based fixing agent is Tubassist Fix 104 W from CHT Bezema.

In particular embodiments, the methods of the present invention comprise printing compression textiles wherein the compression textile is manufactured from one or more synthetic elastic materials suitable for textile manufacture. Non-limiting examples of synthetic elastic materials are polyurethane (PUR), such as Lycra, Elastan, Spandex and Dorlastan; and polyamides, such as Twaron, Technora, Cordura, Nylon, aramids, Perlon, Tactel, Nomex, Teijinconex and Kevlar. Preferably the compression textile is manufactured from min. 40%, min. 45%, min. 50%, min. 55%, min. 60% or min. 65%, preferably min. 60% of polyamide.

In particular embodiments, in the methods of the present invention the compression textile is manufactured from polyamide and elastan, preferably wherein the amount of polyamide is greater than elastan, for example wherein the compression textile consists of 65% of polyamide and 35% of elastan.

In particular embodiments of the present methods for printing compression textiles, the compression textile is a medical or therapeutic textile.

The term "medical textile" as used herein refers to a sterile textile that is suitable for medical applications, such as wound care. More specifically, a medical textile is a textile that has been treated to eliminate any microorganisms, viruses and/or prions that are present and/or to prevent the presence of microorganisms, viruses and/or prions. Medical textiles are usually also non-allergenic and skin-friendly. Non-limiting examples of medical textiles are pressure bandages for wounds, such as pressure bandages suitable for the treatment of burns. A person skilled in the art will understand that a medical textile also additionally complies with the national and/or regional medical guidelines relating to protective equipment and/or medical devices.

In particular embodiments of the present method for printing compression textiles, the medical textile contains one or more biocides, preferably one or more biocides at a concentration from about 0.01 mg/cm ² to about 0.1 mg/cm ² . Preferably the biocide is applied on the textile as a coating.

The term "biocide" as used herein refers to an agent that eliminates undesirable microorganisms, viruses and/or prions and/or prevents the reproduction and growth of undesirable microorganisms. Non-limiting examples of biocides are phenol, amidine, guanide, amide, imidazoline biocide, chelate, carbanilide, quinone, quinoline, quinaldinium, sulfa, carbamate, thiosemicarbazone, salicylamide, quaternary ammonium biocide and chlorine-releasing biocide. A person skilled in the art will understand that the biocides used in a medical textile are preferably non-allergenic. Non-limiting examples of undesirable microorganisms are bacteria, parasites, spirochetes, spores, algae, spore- producing organisms, Gram-negative organisms, Gram-positive organisms, yeasts, fungi, aerobic organisms, anaerobic organisms and mycobacteria.

To monitor therapy compliance and/or possible loss of elasticity of compression textiles, it may be advantageous to make use of smart compression textiles.

More particularly, the present invention relates to methods for printing compression textiles wherein the compression textile is a smart textile.

The term "smart textile" or "intelligent textile" as used herein refers to a functional textile material that interacts actively with its surroundings, in other words that responds to or adapts to changes in the environment.

A person skilled in the art will understand that a smart compression textile preferably contains one or more of the following components: sensors for measuring parameters of the body and/or of the environment, a data processing unit that collects and processes the data obtained, equipment/components that can transmit a signal to the wearer of the smart textile, equipment/components that can provide a (wireless) communication link with an external data processing unit, a power source, and/or connections so that electrical signals can pass between the above components. A person skilled in the art will understand that such connections can be constructed from colouring matter, such as ink and/or dye, that is electrically conductive.

In particular embodiments of the present methods for printing compression textiles, the compression textile comprises one or more sensors, preferably one or more sensors that are configured to measure the mechanical stress and/or the therapy compliance in the compression textile, more preferably one or more sensors that are configured to measure the mechanical stress in the compression textile.

The term "mechanical stress" as used herein refers to the force that is exerted per unit area. The mechanical stress is expressed in sigma (o). A person skilled in the art will understand that when a material is subjected to a stress, resulting in elongation, this can be represented as a stress-strain curve, in which the stress as a result of a tensile force on a material is plotted against the relative elongation. In particular embodiments of the present method for printing compression textiles, the mixture is electrically conductive. In particular embodiments, the printing can be used to ensure electrical connections in the smart textile.

The term "electrically conductive" as used herein refers to the possibility of transporting an electric charge. Electrical conductivity is expressed in the SI unit Siemens per meter. The reciprocal of electrical conduction is electrical resistance. Electrical resistance is expressed in ohms (Ω).

In particular embodiments of the present methods for printing compression textiles, the mixture has an electrical resistance of max. 10 Ω/mm ² , 5 Ω/mm ² , 4 Ω/mm ² , 3 Ω/mm ² , 2 Ω/mm ² , 1 Ω/mm ² , 0.5 Ω/mm ² , 0.1 Ω/mm ² , 0.05 Ω/mm ² , 0.04 Ω/mm ² , 0.03 Ω/mm ² , 0.02 Ω/mm ² or 0.01 Ω/mm ² .

In particular embodiments of the present methods for printing compression textiles, the mixture comprises carbon and/or one or more metals, preferably carbon and/or one or more metals selected from the list comprising copper, gold and silver. A person skilled in the art will understand that the carbon and/or one or more metals are preferably present as (nano)particles in the present mixture, in which the (nano)particles preferably have a size that does not affect the viscosity of the present mixture to the extent that the present mixture is no longer suitable for screen printing. The present invention also relates to the manufacture of garments or medical support structures of printed compression textile that make use of the methods described herein for the printing of compression textiles. More specifically, these methods may comprise the steps of providing a garment or medical support structure that consists completely or partially of compression textile and printing a part or the whole of the compression textile according to the methods described herein. In further embodiments the method comprises providing compression textile, printing by the method described herein and the manufacture of a garment or medical support structure from the printed compression textile. Methods for the manufacture of garments are known by a person skilled in the art and the nature of these does not have an important influence on the present invention. The nature of the garment or support structure is not critical for the methods described herein and may be selected from support stockings for arms, hands, thighs, knees, feet, calves or legs, bandages, elbow bandages, wrist fixation bandages, thigh bandages, knee bandages, ankle bandages, pressure stockings for burns and neck bands, ankle- socks, arm sleeves, calf sleeves, trousers, upper body sleeves with or without long or short sleeves, but also head coverings, face masks, gloves, bands etc.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to a screen-printed compression textile and garments manufactured from compression textile provided with one or more prints that can be obtained by the methods as described herein. More specifically it relates to compression textiles and garments that are provided with one or more prints and whose elasticity of the textile fibres is unaffected. More particularly, as described above, the compression textiles and garments are characterized in that they have the same compression class as the corresponding unprinted compression textile or garments. Further advantages of the printed compression textiles may be that they do not elicit any allergic (additional) reactions for the wearer (compared to the unprinted textile) and that can withstand several washes, for example up to more than 100 washes, without the printing or print fading, cracking or coming loose. In particular embodiments the compression textiles and the garments that are provided herein are characterized in that the printing on the compression textiles does not feel sticky.

The nature of the printing that is applied is not critical for the present invention and comprises one or more geometric and free figures. The printing is preferably made up of individual components or free figures, so that the structure of the printing has as little as possible or no influence on the elasticity of the compression textile.

In particular embodiments, the printing consists of one or more patterns that indicate how the compression textile should be applied and/or positioned. In particular embodiments a large part of the textile surface is printed, such as at least 20%, preferably at least 30%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 90%, or preferably between 75% and 98% of the textile surface, more preferably at least 50%. In particular embodiments, the one or more patterns that indicate how the compression textile should be applied and/or positioned are arrows, numerals, or letters, for example L for left, R for right, T for top, B for bottom.

In particular embodiments the screen-printed compression textile is screen-printed according to the present method for printing compression textiles.

A person skilled in the art will understand that for the screen-printed compression textile the same embodiments may apply as described elsewhere herein for the present method for printing compression textiles.

The following examples are provided as illustration of the present invention and are not in any way intended or to be interpreted as limiting the scope of the present invention.

EXAMPLES

Example 1 : printing a support stocking for the hand with a graphic print

First, a mixture of Translac Bond 55 (CHT Bezema) and TUBASSIST FIX 104W (CHT Bezema) is prepared by adding 0.5 vol.% TUBASSIST FIX 104W to Translac Bond 55 and then mixing well. The mixture is then diluted with 0.5% water to obtain a fluidity that is optimum for screen printing.

Immediately after diluting the mixture, the mixture is applied on a black support stocking consisting of 65% of polyamide and 35% of elastan by forcing the mixture through a screen of dimensions 43 cm by 60 cm with normally spun gauze, in which the desired geometric pattern is applied. The screen is in close contact with the upper face of the support stocking. The mixture applied is dried at room temperature for 3 minutes to remove the water from the layer of glue.

Next a film (Kurz) is pressed on the support stocking printed with Translac Bond 55/TUBASSIST FIX 104W mixture, using a heating press at 175°C with a pressure of 5 bar for 15 to 35 seconds. The heating element of the heating press is located in the upper plate of the heating press. Therefore the support stocking with the printing and film is placed upwards.

The print is preferably made up of individual components or areas, so that the structure of the print has as little as possible or no effect on the elasticity of the compression textile.