Patent Application
20200323287
The present invention relates to concealment apparatus, and more particular to those for concealing the genitalia.
People may at times wish to conceal their penis or genitalia for aesthetic, medical, or psychological reasons. Prior methods of concealing the genitalia involved measuring, cutting and applying ordinary industrial tape which is harsh on the skin, uncomfortable, and inconvenient. There are also special garments which can be worn, but they are cumbersome and present aesthetic challenges.
Manual cutting and measuring of tape is inefficient and inconvenient. Moreover, the types of adhesive tape in use for this purpose often cause skin irritation and can damage the sensitive skin of the penis as well as painfully pull out the pubic hair. As a result, they cannot be worn for long periods of time without causing pain and discomfort.
Special garments have also been employed for this purpose. However, they are cumbersome and often not compatible with certain other garments which the user may desire to wear (e.g. bikinis and swimwear, revealing intimate apparel, low-cut jeans, or other garments that may expose sections of the skin proximal to the genital area). The special garments are also incompatible with many physical activities the user could engage in (e.g. swimming, yoga, dancing, cycling, aerobic exercise, or other physical activity requiring range of motion). Furthermore, these special garments do not provide sufficient hold to be completely flat, nor do they offer water and sweat resistance needed to make them suitable to being worn during swim, exercise, or other strenuous physical activity.
As can be seen, there is a need for an improved apparatus and method for concealing the genitalia.
In one aspect of the present invention, a concealer for covering genitalia of a user is disclosed. The concealer includes a material having an upper portion, a lower portion, a front surface facing away from a body of the user, when worn, and a back surface facing a body of the user, when worn. The upper portion having a triangular shape with a base oriented at a top end of thereof. Side legs of the triangular shape converge towards the lower portion. The lower portion has an elongate band that extends from an apex of the triangular shape opposite the base. The elongate band has a width corresponding with a leg separation of the user and a length dimensioned to extend over the genitalia, perineum, and buttocks of the user, when worn. An adhesive layer is carried on the back surface.
In some embodiments, a releasable backing covers the adhesive layer. A pad may be secured to the adhesive layer so that the pad is positioned to overlay the genitalia.
In some embodiments, the material is a flexible material to conform to the body. The material may also be an elastic material. More preferably, the material and the adhesive layer are a kinesiology tape.
In other aspects of the invention, a method of concealing a user's genitalia is disclosed. The method includes providing a genitalia concealer. The concealer having an upper portion, a lower portion, a front surface, and a back surface. The upper portion has a triangular shape dimensioned to correspond with a pubic region of the user. The triangular shape has a base oriented at a top end of the upper portion. An elongate band extends from an apex of the triangular shape opposite the base. The elongate band has a width dimensioned to correspond with a leg separation of the user and a length dimensioned to extend over the genitalia, a perineum, and buttocks of the user, when worn. An adhesive layer is carried on the back surface. The method includes applying the adhesive layer of the upper portion to a mons pubis region of the user and extending the elongate band beneath a urogenital region. The adhesive layer of the elongate band is then applied to the urogenital region and buttocks of the user.
In some embodiments, the method may also include removing a backing applied to the adhesive layer progressively from the upper portion to the lower portion as the genitalia concealer is applied to a body of the user.
Optionally, the method includes applying a pad to the adhesive layer of the upper portion so that the pad is interposed between the adhesive layer and the user's genitalia.
Other embodiments of the method include tucking the user's genitalia rearwardly and pulling a distal end of the elongate band to cover and apply a desired tension against the genitalia.
Yet other embodiments include removing the genitalia concealer by separating the adhesive layer from the body.
These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.
The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.
Broadly, embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus and method for covering or concealing the genitalia. As stated above, individual may at times wish to conceal their genitalia for aesthetic, medical, or psychological reasons.
The invention claimed here provides a solution and provides superior flatness in profile and a stronger hold with improved water resistance.
As seen in reference to the drawings of
The genitalia concealer 10 of the present invention described herein reduces the effort and discomfort involved in concealing the penis 22 by providing a ready-made adhesive-backed piece of material possessing the proper size and shape. In the non-limiting embodiment shown, the genitalia concealer 10 has a generally triangular shape with a base 11 of the triangle oriented at a top end of thereof. Converging side legs 13 of the triangular shape converge towards a lower portion of the genitalia concealer 10. The converging side legs 13 may also have an arcuate edge to conform with the pubic region of the wearer and to avoid interference with leg movements at the hips.
An elongate band 15 extends from an apex of the triangular shape opposite the base 11. The elongate band 15 has a width dimensioned to correspond with a separation between the wearer's legs. The elongate band 15 at distal end has a length to extend over the genitalia, the perineum, and may extend up to a top of the user's buttocks when worn. In some embodiments, the elongate band may include a tapering at a distal end of the elongate band 15. The material 10 has a small surface area allowing it to be worn discreetly underneath other garments, such as intimate apparel. This all results in decreased effort, increased comfort, easier application, and a greater range of dressing options for the wearer.
The genitalia concealer 10 has a body facing or back side includes an adhesive layer 14 applied to extend to the peripheral margins of the material 10. A release backing 12 may be applied to cover the adhesive layer 14. For user comfort, a pad 16 may be applied to the adhesive layer 14 to protect the user's skin from the adhesive layer 14. The material 10 may be formed of a flexible material to conform to the wearer's skin. In preferred embodiments, the material 10 may include an elastic flexible material. In more preferred embodiments, the material 10 is a breathable material. The genitalia concealer 10 may made in a variety of sizes, based on the anthropomorphic measurements of the user. The triangular top portion of the concealer is placed across the user's lower abdomen.
In use, all the user has to do is peel the release backing 12 and apply the adhesive layer 14 of the genitalia concealer 10 to their body. The adhesive itself has anti-irritant properties and the pad 16, preferably a sterile pad, ensures that no adhesive layer 14 makes contact with the sensitive skin of the penis 22.
Prior to the genitalia concealer 10 of the present invention, concealing the penis 22 involved careful folding and preparation including use of ordinary industrial tape and/or special garments. The tape would need to be intricately folded and cut to measure each time in order to be worn.
The inventors have found that the piece of material 10 may optimally be formed of the popular kinesiology tape, as the material provides support and the adhesive provides a strong hold while minimizing skin irritation with repeated application and removal.
A preferred method for applying the genitalia concealer 10 is shown in reference to
After placement of the pad 16, the user tucks their penis 23 and testicles back and up between their legs, using their preferred method of tucking. The user may then squat. The user then reaches around their back to grab the elongate band 15 and draws the distal end through their back and legs, preferably utilizing their dominant hand. The user then pulls the distal end of the elongate band 15 so that the penis 22 and testicles are retained at a desired comfort level. The user then continues to peel the backing 12 to progressively expose the adhesive layer 14 and applies the elongate band 15 to the buttocks and terminating towards the small of the back. The elasticity of the genitalia concealer 10 allows the penis 22 to be compressed snugly against the underside of the body. The present invention can be removed from the body by slowly peeling it away from the skin.
The invention described here reduces the effort and discomfort involved in concealing the penis 22 by providing a ready-made genitalia concealer 10 possessing the proper size and shape, with the optional non-adhesive pad 16 so that all the user has to do is progressively peel the backing 12 and apply the exposed adhesive layer 14. The adhesive itself has anti-irritant proprieties and the pad 16 ensures that no adhesive need make contact with the sensitive skin of the penis 22.
A plurality of holes could be made at regular intervals in the material 10 to allow for superior breathability. Alternatively, the material 10 could be formed of a breathable textile. In some embodiments, the pad 16 could be impregnated with desiccant materials or gel to wick away moisture. In other embodiments for wound treatment, the pad 16 could be impregnated with an antibacterial or other agents to promote skin health and increase comfort, or aid in wound healing.
In yet other embodiments a plurality of guide lines could be etched, printed, or embossed on the backing 12 to guide users who wish to further tailor the product to their needs by means of cutting. A section of the base 11 could be non-adhesive to allow for easy peeling off of the backing 12.
The material 10 could be non-elastic, or made of a fabric, rubber, plastic, latex, silicone, or combination of these elements. The adhesive layer 14 could be some adhesive other than acrylic. In other embodiments an opening, re-closeable cutout, or flap may be formed in genitalia concealer 10 to increase ease in using the restroom. As will be appreciated from the present disclosure, the shape of the genitalia concealer 10 could be less angular and more rounded.
In yet other embodiments of the invention, the invention may also be used to hold a medical device in place, aid in the treatment of a musculoskeletal condition, or to cover a wound in the urogenital area.
It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application No. 62/832,428 filed Apr. 11, 2019, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62832428 | Apr 2019 | US |
