Patent Application
20240298719
It is known that many individuals possessing male external genitalia utilize the process of “tucking” to reduce the appearance of said genitalia to match one's gender expression, reduce gender dysphoria, or for any other stylistic and personal reasons. This process of tucking includes placing the testicles into the inguinal canals and pulling the penis toward the back of the legs. Unfortunately, tucking the penis behind, and testicles up internally has many negative side effects such as pain, numbness, chafing, urinary infections, and many more. Making this only a quick fix and not something suitable for everyday and long-term use.
Additionally, medical tape is also often used in the process of tucking to help make the genitalia have a smoother appearance. However, an individual cannot urinate without undoing the whole process, leading to urinary and fertility problems. Many individuals also utilize a tucking gaff apparatus to assist with reducing the appearance of genitalia. The downside of this is that it still requires internal and backward tucking and often leaves individuals still unsatisfied with the appearance. Another last resort commonly utilized is wearing many pairs of underwear or overly tight underwear to keep the tucked genitals in place or close to the body. This is also a dangerous option as it can cause loss of blood supply, decreases in sperm count, and thermal dysregulation leading to fertility disorders later in life. Other garments have tried to tackle this problem; however, all of the “tucking” garments on the market today require one of the aforementioned processes.
In an aspect disclosed herein, the present technology is a(n) apparatus for concealing and smoothing the appearance of external genitalia through the novel process of “front-up tucking”. Note that this summary serves as an introduction to a group of conceptions related to this technology in its simplified form, and is further detailed below in the Detailed Description section. The apparatus may be in the form of a pocket that may be affixed to another garment such as underwear, lower shapewear, or any other suitable lower garment. The disclosed apparatus may consist of a tri-layer compression pocket including a bottom stiffener layer, a stiffener shell layer, and a top layer respectively. The stiffener and stiffener shell may be operative to apply a comfortable compressing force on the penis up and towards the body, while the top layer may be operative to create space between the penis and testicles to prevent skin-to-skin contact. As well as, creating a place to securely place and suppress the penis for daily or long-term wear.
In accordance with the present technology, the term “front-up tucking” describes the usage of the apparatus. Embodiments of the disclosed technology allow individuals to comfortably conceal genital bulges by placing the penis inside the pocket towards the front of the garment seat and having it be smoothed by the stiffener and its respective shell. The proposed process of “front tucking” is dissimilar from the current process of tucking the penis backwards and testicles into the abdomen, as it utilizes the disclosed technology to bring the penis up and forward and separate the testicles from the penis to reduce chafing and skin-to-skin contact. Another advantage to “front-up tucking” is that it doesn't require tape, gaffs, or any internal tucking.
Illustrative embodiments of the apparatuses, components, articles of clothing, and processes for the technology pertaining to a front-up tucking pocket meant for concealing and suppressing the appearance of external male genitalia are described in detail below. The following description provides the specificities necessary to thoroughly understand the usage, creation, and importance of the disclosed technology. Individuals skilled in the relevant art will also understand that the aforementioned technology may contain additional embodiments. The technology may also be functional in several different applications, with or without such details, related to lower body garments for the purpose of concealment and/or smoothing of male genitalia.
The following terms and expressions are utilized throughout the description and proceeding claims, clarification of the meanings of these terms and expressions is provided below. Unless explicitly stated or given a specific context, the words “comprise,” “comprising.” and similar words are used in an inclusive context rather than an exclusive context. Meaning the mentioned components “comprising” a description or idea are not limited to the present embodiment only. Additionally, the words “herein.” “present,” and other words of similar importance, shall refer to this whole application and not to any particular portions or ideas. The term “Front-Up Tucking Pocket” refers to the present technology including the specified layering system of the three layers that are for the purpose of concealment of external male genitalia. The term “pocket” alone may be used in replacement of “front-up tucking pocket”. Additionally, the term “penis,” refers to the penis only, while the term “external male genitalia,” can be used to infer the penis and the testicles in conjunction with each other. The process of “tucking” refers to the testes being pushed into the inguinal canals and the penis pulled behind the legs to hide genital bulges and become less visible through clothing. In accordance with the embodiments, the term “stiffener” and/or “stiffener layer” refers to the layer in which a thick, foam-like material may be utilized to mold around the penis to prevent appearance. Whereas the “stiffener shell” and/or “stiffener shell layer” refers to the layer of fabric encasing the stiffener for protection against the skin. Lastly, the term “garment” is used to represent a potential article of clothing that the Front-Up Tucking Pocket may be affixed to, not the pocket itself which the present application is claiming to be the new technology.
In the present embodiments, a front-up tucking pocket apparatus according to the embodiments of the disclosed technology is constructed by sewing/bonding the following components together; a stiffener layer of a material suitable for suppression of the appearance of external male genitalia; a shell for the stiffener in a pattern suitable for encasing the stiffener for increased comfort; and a top layer to create the pocket for the penis to be inserted. The stiffener aspect of this technology should be placed in between the top, skin-facing, layer and the outermost layer of the garment it is affixed to. The stiffener aspect of the present technology should be differentiated from another compression layer of previous art as it may not be configured around the torso opening or sewn/bonded to the waistband. The stiffener aspect may be comprised of a thick, foam-like, material similar to bra padding, but is not limited to other materials that serve similar purposes. The stiffener shell may be configured onto the skin-facing most side of the stiffener. The stiffener shell may consist of stretchy, breathable material like, for example, Poly-Spandex or neoprene, but not limited to these materials. Some embodiments of the stiffener shell may include the use of rayon, cotton, polyester, recycled fibers, or any other material suitable for the purpose of comfortably enclosing the stiffener to increase the comfort of the wearer. The top layer is in direct contact with the skin and creates the pocket in which the penis would be placed in an upward and inward fashion. This top layer may comprise fabric(s) with high compression factors and a moisture management component. Coordination of all three parts mentioned above are sewn or bonded together tightly, which will form the present technology of the front-up tucking pocket. The aforementioned front-up tucking pocket may be affixed to the midline of a garment, in between the left and right inseams, where a gusset is normally placed. As previously stated, unlike previous technologies, the compression layer is not attached to a waistband or torso opening of another garment, but rather attached in place of a normal gusset. It should also be noted that in the present embodiments, the pocket starts just above the base of the penis and stops around the abdomen but below the navel area. In which the penis is to then be placed or tucked into the pocket and directed toward the front of the garment. The testicles are not meant to be placed in this pocket but to remain in a neutral position separated from the base of the penis, and not to be tucked into the inguinal canals. The structure of the stiffener and stiffener shell components are sufficient enough to conceal the testes, due to their placement closer to the crotch rather than the front of a garment.
The verbiage and the intention behind the claims embodied herein are described below. Claim 1 encompasses an apparatus, referring to the Front-Up Tucking Pocket, that is meant to serve the purpose of concealing the appearance of external male genitalia, meaning the testes and the penis. To serve this purpose the pocket is designed in accordance with the three layers described above and illustrated in the drawings. The stiffener and stiffener shell is designed to comprise the main component of the pocket, not excluding the top layer that creates the skin-facing opening. This combination provides support and suppression of the penis by way of force inwards and upwards.
Claim 2 further describes where the front-up tucking pocket should be affixed to another garment and the intended usage of the pocket. The placement should be around the crotch area of a lower body garment, defined above, where a gusset would normally be affixed. This placement of the front-up tucking pocket provides more reinforcement and compression to enhance the concealment of the external male genitalia. As well as increase breathability and moisture wicking for comfortability and long-term usage. This placement may also add to the ability for this technology to be utilized with or as shapewear. The pocket adds no extra bulkiness in the crotch area, and since the pocket stops at around the midline of the garment and is not sewn or bonded to the waistline there is no added bulkiness to the abdomen area. This allows for any garment that the pocket is affixed onto to be able to give the wearer a flattering shape without the pocket or the penis inside of said pocket compromising the overall appearance. The claim also emphasizes the direction in which the penis may be placed into the pocket opening, which is up and frontward. This detail of the claim differentiates this technology from other previous art as garments currently on the market often either require pulling the penis rearwards in some fashion or the use of tucking, gaffs, or medical tape. Claim 3 states that the process in which the pocket is placed and manufactured in accordance with the tri-layer fashion affixed to the crotch area of a garment is novel for the purpose of concealment and suppression of the appearance of male external genitalia. As well as the manipulation of the tri-layer pocket in such a way that a penis is inserted in an upward and frontward fashion and may be attached to a base garment.
The benefits of the embodiments referred to above are described in detail in the following passage. The front-up tucking pocket eliminates the need for any additional tucking materials or apparatus, for example, but not limited to gaffs, medical taping, or invasively tucking. A gaff is a type of compression underwear commonly used for the purpose of minimizing the appearance of the male external genitalia. Gaffs are often used by transfeminine women, but can also be used by anyone with male external genitalia looking to achieve a smoother, inconspicuous, look of the pelvic area. Gaff's are also commonly very tight on the pelvic region and often used with the process of tucking testicles within the inguinal canals, and pulling the penis behind the legs toward the rear of the body. The benefit of the front-up tucking pocket, specifically, is that there is no need for tucking because the penis can be safely and comfortably tucked into the pocket and the components of the pocket can provide a comfortable, inward, compressive effect often experienced with a gaff. Additionally, the testes have room to remain in a natural, untucked, position separated from the shaft of the penis in the present embodiments.
It has been shown that compressing the penis and testes together over prolonged periods of time can increase the temperature of the testes which is negative for thermoregulation. In most garments presently on the market for the purpose of tucking, for example, “tucking underwear”, the penis and testes are squished together which can cause heat stress, and thermal dysregulation and may negatively influence spermiogenesis and sperm viability. It has also been shown in the scientific literature that persons who tuck regularly often have decreased fertility later on in life. Having separation between the penis and the testes is another benefit achieved by the pocket, as well as the nature of the fabrics used to combat moisture and heat storage. The present technology not only creates better heat distribution, but also prevents common side effects of the tucking process including but not limited to, itching, rashes, testicular and penile pain, and skin infections. Speaking of the health benefits of the present technology, the front-up tucking pocket allows for multiple adjustments to be made when needed throughout the wear. This is beneficial not only for increased comfort, and ease of access, but also for urination as the penis can be removed from the pocket when needed. This decreases the probability of urinary tract infections (UTIs) that could result from holding urine for longer periods to avoid untucking in garments that require tucking.
Another benefit of the technology is that it is meant for daily wear, but does not exclude formal wear, wear under a costume, or any other suitable articles of clothing. Unlike other tucking garments on the market, the technology is suitable for everyday and long-term wear. Due to the design of the front-up tucking pocket, specifically the stiffener and stiffener shell, there is sufficient force to conceal and suppress the male external genitalia, but not enough pressure and force to cause uncomfortability. Additionally, the design of having one top layer compose the pocket allows for fewer layers of fabric to rub against the shaft of the penis allowing for more comfort and preventing chaffing or excessive rubbing. The size and width of the pocket also allow for enough movement to accommodate movement from daily activity without jeopardizing the suppression of the genitalia. The versatility of a front-up tucking pocket to be affixed on a multitude of different garments allows the technology to branch out to garments in the form of shapewear, intimate apparel, and activewear, but not limited to these types of apparel.
Embodiments of the technology have been described above for the purpose of illustrations; however, variations can be made without deviation from the present technology. For example, in some embodiments the pocket width and length can vary depending on the type of garment it is intended to be affixed onto. Another example, in some embodiments, the material used for its respective layer may be varied to increase comfortability, moisture management, and breathability, and to successfully conceal the external male genitalia. Accordingly, the technology is not limited to except by the appended claims. Furthermore, even if not labeled as such, figures may not be drawn to scale.
