ARTICLES OF CLOTHING COMPRISING WATER ABSORBENT PORTIONS CONVENIENT FOR USE WIPING AND CLEANING

Abstract

Articles of clothing comprise water absorbent portions that may be conveniently used by a wearer of the clothing to wipe or absorb fluids or for other cleaning tasks. Optionally the water absorbent portions of the clothing may be detachable from and re-attachable to the clothing to facilitate their use for cleaning, to allow their removal after they are soiled, and/or to allow washing of the highly absorbent portions separately from the rest of the clothing.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to articles of clothing comprising one or more water absorbent portions that may be conveniently used by a wearer of the clothing to wipe or absorb fluids or for other cleaning tasks. Optionally, the water absorbent portions of the clothing are detachable from and re-attachable to the clothing.

BACKGROUND

During exercise or in hot or humid conditions it is common to wipe perspiration from one's face or another part of one's body with a shirt sleeve or other portion of clothing. However, athletic wear and clothing intended to be worn in hot or humid conditions are frequently made primarily or entirely from non-absorbent (not water absorbent) material designed to wick perspiration away from the wearer's body. In such cases sleeves or other portions of the clothing may not be very effective when used by the wearer to wipe perspiration.

Parents of small children commonly use sleeves or other portions of their clothing, or of a child's clothing, to wipe a child's face or hands or otherwise clean up a child or clean up a mess (e.g., spilled liquid) created by a child. Conventional adult and child outerwear clothing (e.g., jackets, shirts, blouses, pants, shorts, skirts, and dresses) may be made from material that is not particularly water absorbent and is consequently not very effective for such wiping and cleaning child care tasks. Further, even if the clothing portion used is water absorbent, such use undesirably soils the adult's or child's clothing.

More generally, various situations arise in which one may desire to use a portion of one's clothing, or of another's clothing, to wipe or absorb a fluid from or otherwise clean some surface. In some cases the most convenient portions of the clothing (e.g., sleeves) for such use are made from a material that is not water absorbent and is therefore not particularly effective for such use. Regardless of effectiveness, such use undesirably soils the clothing portion used.

SUMMARY

As noted above, the invention relates generally to articles of clothing comprising one or more water absorbent portions that may be conveniently used by a wearer of the article of clothing to wipe or absorb fluids or for other cleaning tasks. Optionally the water absorbent portion of the article of clothing may be detachable from and re-attachable to the article of clothing to facilitate its use for cleaning, to allow its removal after it is soiled, and/or to allow washing of the highly absorbent portion separately from the rest of the article of clothing.

Use of the water absorbent portion of the article of clothing for cleaning or wiping by a wearer of the article of clothing, while wearing the article of clothing, may be convenient because the location of the absorbing portion on the article of clothing makes it convenient for such use while the absorbing portion is attached to the article of clothing, because (in some cases) the absorbing portion may be conveniently detached from the article of clothing for such use, or both.

The water absorbent portion may be or comprise, for example, cotton terry cloth material, cotton-polyester blend terry cloth material, cotton-polyester-elastane (e.g., Lycra®) blend terry cloth material, a cotton-hemp blend material, or any other suitable water absorbent material. Suitable terry cloth materials may include, for example, cotton terry cloth having a weight of greater than or equal to 10 ounces per square yard, greater than or equal to 14 ounces per square yard, greater than or equal to 18 ounces per square yard, or greater than or equal to 20 ounces per square yard. Other suitable materials may, for example, have water absorbency (ability to soak up water) equivalent to that of these example terry cloth materials.

The article of clothing may be adult or child size.

Apart from the one or more water absorbent portions, the article of clothing may be made primarily from materials that are not water absorbent, such as for example nylon, polyester, other common synthetic clothing materials, or blends of such materials.

The water absorbent portion may be attached to and/or surrounded by such non-absorbent portions of the article of clothing.

The water absorbent portion of the article of clothing may be or comprise, for example, a section, panel, patch, sleeve, lower sleeve portion, cuff, or lower portion of a shirt, blouse, jacket, or similar upper body wear. The water absorbent portion may be located on or attached to, for example, a shoulder, midsection, or forearm portion of an article of clothing.

If detachable, the water absorbent portion of the article of clothing may be fastened to the article of clothing with fasteners allowing it to be detached from and reattached to the article of clothing. Suitable fasteners may include, for example, conventional hook and loop fasteners (e.g., VELCRO® hook and loop fasteners), buttons, snaps, zippers, and magnetic fasteners.

These and other embodiments, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent to those skilled in the art when taken with reference to the following more detailed description of aspects of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings that are first briefly described.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a front view of an example article of clothing comprising absorbent sleeve patches conveniently arranged for use by a wearer for wiping or cleaning (for example, the wearer's face) while wearing the clothing.

FIGS. 2A and 2B show front and rear views, respectively, of an example patch for the article of clothing shown in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 3A and 3B show views of inside and outside surfaces (or vice-versa), respectively, of an example sleeve comprising an absorbent material on one side (e.g., inside or outside) and an ornamental design on the other side.

FIGS. 4A and 4B each show front views of an example article of clothing comprising an absorbent detachable diagonal sash that may be used by a wearer for wiping or cleaning. The example of FIG. 4A comprises sleeves. The example of FIG. 4B does not.

FIG. 5 shows a front view of an example article of clothing comprising an absorbent detachable horizontally arranged (e.g., belt-like) sash that may be used by a wearer for wiping or cleaning.

FIG. 6 shows a front view of an example article of clothing comprising an absorbent lower panel or section that may be used by a wearer for wiping or cleaning while wearing the clothing.

FIG. 7 shows a front view of an example article of clothing comprising absorbent patches in a lower section that may be used by a wearer for wiping or cleaning while wearing the clothing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description should be read with reference to the drawings, in which identical reference numbers refer to like elements throughout the different figures. The drawings, which are not necessarily to scale, depict selective embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The detailed description illustrates by way of example, not by way of limitation, the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 shows a front view of a shirt, blouse, jacket, sweater, sweat shirt or similar article of clothing 100 for the upper body. For convenience, article of clothing 100 and similar articles of clothing depicted in subsequent figures will be referred to herein as shirts, but this use of the term shirt is not intended to be limiting and such articles of clothing may instead be any other similar article of clothing for the upper body.

Shirt 100 in FIG. 1 comprises a body 105, sleeves 110, sleeve cuffs 115, and water absorbent sleeve patches 120 on front portions of the sleeves. Sleeve patches 120 may be integral parts of shirt 100, for example sewn on to the sleeves, or may be detachable from the sleeves.

FIGS. 2A and 2B show front and rear views of one variation of detachable sleeve patches 120. In this variation, the front surface 120A of the patch comprises a water absorbent material, and the rear surface 120B of the patch comprises hooks or loops 125 forming part of a hook and loop fastener (e.g., VELCRO®) by which the patch may be attached to a sleeve 110 by engaging with complementary loops or hooks on the sleeve.

Referring again to FIG. 1, although patches 120 are shown located on front surfaces of sleeves 110, they may be located anywhere on sleeves 110 or elsewhere on shirt 100 that is either convenient for use by a wearer for wiping and cleaning (e.g., wiping and cleaning the wearer's face or a child's face) or from which patches may be conveniently removed (if detachable) for such use. Further, instead of comprising absorbent patches 120, the outer surface of an entire sleeve 110, a lower portion of the sleeve, or a sleeve cuff 115 may comprise water absorbent material conveniently located for wiping and cleaning use. Patches 120 or any other absorbent portion of the outer surface of a sleeve 110 or cuff 115 may extend circumferentially all the way around the sleeve, if suitable. In some variations a sleeve comprising water absorbent material on its outer surface may be entirely detachable from the shirt, near the location of an arm hole in body 105 for example. Alternatively, a lower portion of a sleeve comprising water absorbent material on its outer surface may be detachable from an upper sleeve portion, or a cuff may be detachable.

FIGS. 3A and 3B show views of inside and outside surfaces (or vice-versa), respectively, of an example sleeve (or portion of a sleeve) 127 comprising an absorbent material 127A on one surface and an ornamental design 127B on the other surface. The surface comprising the ornamental design may optionally comprise, consist of, or consist primarily of non-absorbent material. The sleeve may be a separate wearable article of clothing, be detachable and re-attachable from a shirt or similar article of clothing, or both. The sleeve may be reversible and warn with either the water absorbent surface outward or with the ornamental design outward.

Patches 120 and sleeve 110, if detachable, and sleeve 127 may be used for cleaning and wiping while warn, detached or removed and then used for cleaning and wiping, and/or detached or removed for cleaning after use.

Apart from the water absorbent portions intended for use cleaning and wiping, other portions of shirt 100, for example body 105 and sleeves 110, may comprise, consist of, or consist primarily of non-absorbent material which may optionally be arranged and configured to wick perspiration away from a wearer's body. Alternatively, or in addition, some or all of these portions of shirt 100 may comprise, consist of, or consist primarily of absorbent material.

Referring now to FIG. 4A, example shirt 200 may be otherwise similar or identical to the variations of shirt 100 described above except for comprising, instead of patches 120, an absorbent diagonal sash 130 that may be used by a wearer for wiping or cleaning. Sash 130 may be detachable. In the illustrated example, sash 130 is attached to shirt 200 by magnetic fasteners 135 that engage with complementary magnets, or with metal pieces attracted to magnetic fasteners 135, on shirt 200. Magnetic fasteners 135 are attached to or embedded in sash 130. For example, magnetic fasteners 135 may be woven into sash 130 or stitched into a compartment in sash 130. Any other suitable fasteners may be used in place of magnetic fasteners 135.

Example shirt 300 shown in FIG. 4B may be otherwise similar or identical to the variations of shirt 200 described above except for being sleeveless. Example shirt 400 shown in FIG. 5 may also be otherwise similar or identical to the variations of shirt 200 described above, except that sash 300 is arranged horizontally and sleeves 110 are short.

Referring now to FIG. 6, example shirt 500 may be otherwise similar or identical to the variations of shirt 100 described above except for having short sleeves and for comprising, instead of patches 120, an absorbent lower body portion (e.g., panel or section) 105A that may be used by a wearer for wiping or cleaning. Absorbent lower portion 105A extends horizontally across the front surface of body 105 and optionally may extend circumferentially around shirt 500. Absorbent lower portion 105A may be an integral part of shirt 100, for example sewn in, or may be detachable from shirt 500. In the latter case, any suitable fasteners may be used to attach lower portion 105A to shirt 500. Example shirt 600 shown in FIG. 7 may be otherwise similar or identical to the variations of shirt 500 described above except for being sleeveless and for substituting one or more absorbent (optionally, detachable) patches 140 for absorbent lower portion 105A.

In example shirts 500 and 600 the locations of absorbent panel or section 105A and absorbent patches 140 in lower body portions of the shirts may make them convenient for use by a wearer for wiping and cleaning purposes while the absorbing portions are attached to the shirt, because the lower body portion of the shirt may be conveniently pulled a short distances away from the wearer's body or upwards toward the wearer's face for use. Alternatively, these locations may be convenient because it is easy for a wearer to reach and detach the absorbing portions for use.

Although the illustrated examples are articles of clothing for the upper body, articles of clothing for the lower body (e.g., pants, shorts, skirts) may similarly comprise water absorbent portions that may be conveniently used by a wearer of the clothing to wipe or absorb fluids or for other cleaning tasks.

This disclosure is illustrative and not limiting. Further modifications will be apparent to one skilled in the art in light of this disclosure and are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Various embodiments are described in the following clauses.

1. An article of clothing comprising:

non-absorbent material forming a portion of an outer surface of the article of clothing; and

water absorbent material forming another portion of an outer surface of the article of clothing, the water absorbent material located and configured to allow the wearer to use the water absorbent material for wiping or cleaning while wearing the article of clothing.

2. The article of clothing of clause 1, wherein the water absorbent material is located and configured to allow the wearer to wipe perspiration from the wearer's face while wearing the article of clothing.

3. The article of clothing of clause 1 or clause 2, wherein the water absorbent portion is located on or attached to a shoulder, midsection, or forearm portion of the article of clothing.

4. The article of clothing of any of clauses 1-3, wherein the non-absorbent material wicks perspiration away from a wearer's body rather than absorbing and retaining the perspiration.

5. The article of clothing of any of clauses 1-4, wherein the outer surface of the article of clothing comprises more of the non-absorbent material than of the water absorbent material.

6. The article of clothing of any of clauses 1-5 comprising a body and sleeves extending from the body for the wearer's arms, wherein the water absorbent material is a portion of an outer surface of a sleeve.

7. The article of clothing of clause 6, wherein the water absorbent material is a portion of an outer surface of a reversible sleeve having an ornamental design on its inner surface.

8. The article of clothing of clause 6 or clause 7, wherein the water absorbent material is located at an opposite end of the sleeve from the body.

9. The article of clothing of any of clauses 1-5 comprising a body, wherein the water absorbent material is a front portion of an outer surface of the body.

10. The article of clothing of clause 9, wherein the water absorbent material is a lower front portion of an outer surface of the body.

11. The article of clothing of any of clauses 1-10, comprising fasteners by which the water absorbent material is detachable from and re-attachable to the article of clothing.

12. The article of clothing of any of clauses 1-11, wherein the fasteners are or comprise hook and loop fasteners.

13. An article of clothing comprising fasteners and a water absorbent material portion attached to an outer surface of the article of clothing by the fasteners, wherein the water absorbent material portion is detachable from the article of clothing by a wearer of the article of clothing while the wearer is wearing the article of clothing.

14. The article of clothing of clause 13, wherein the water absorbent portion is attached to a shoulder, midsection, or forearm portion of the article of clothing.

15. The article of clothing of clause 13 or clause 14 comprising a body and sleeves extending from the body for a wearer's arms, wherein the water absorbent material portion is attached to an outer surface of a sleeve.

16. The article of clothing of clause 15, wherein the water absorbent material portion forms an outer surface of a detachable and reversible sleeve having an ornamental design on its inner surface.

17. The article of clothing of clause 15 or clause 16, wherein the water absorbent material portion is located at an opposite end of the sleeve from the body.

18. The article of clothing of clause 13 or clause 14 comprising a body, wherein the water absorbent material portion is attached to the body as a sash.

19. The article of clothing of clause 13 or clause 14 comprising a body, wherein the water absorbent material portion is attached to a front portion of an outer surface of the body.

20. The article of clothing of any of clauses 13-19, wherein the fasteners comprise hook and loop fasteners.

21. The article of clothing of any of clauses 13-19, wherein the fasteners comprise magnets.

22. The article of clothing of clause 21, wherein the magnets are covered by the highly absorbent material portion.

23. The article of clothing of clause 22, wherein the magnets are embedded in the highly absorbent material portion.

Claims

1. An article of clothing comprising: non-absorbent material forming a portion of an outer surface of the article of clothing; andwater absorbent material forming another portion of an outer surface of the article of clothing, the water absorbent material located and configured to allow the wearer to use the water absorbent material for wiping or cleaning while wearing the article of clothing.

2. The article of clothing of claim 1, wherein the water absorbent material is located and configured to allow the wearer to wipe perspiration from the wearer's face while wearing the article of clothing.

3. The article of clothing of claim 1, wherein the water absorbent portion is located on or attached to a shoulder, midsection, or forearm portion of the article of clothing.

4. The article of clothing of claim 1, wherein the non-absorbent material wicks perspiration away from a wearer's body rather than absorbing and retaining the perspiration.

5. The article of clothing of claim 1, wherein the outer surface of the article of clothing comprises more of the non-absorbent material than of the water absorbent material.

6. The article of clothing of claim 1 comprising a body and sleeves extending from the body for the wearer's arms, wherein the water absorbent material is a portion of an outer surface of a sleeve.

7. The article of clothing of claim 6, wherein the water absorbent material is a portion of an outer surface of a reversible sleeve having an ornamental design on its inner surface.

8. The article of clothing of claim 6, wherein the water absorbent material is located at an opposite end of the sleeve from the body.

9. The article of clothing of claim 1 comprising a body, wherein the water absorbent material is a front portion of an outer surface of the body.

10. The article of clothing of claim 9, wherein the water absorbent material is a lower front portion of an outer surface of the body.

11. The article of clothing of claim 1, comprising fasteners by which the water absorbent material is detachable from and re-attachable to the article of clothing.

12. The article of clothing of claim 1, wherein the fasteners are or comprise hook and loop fasteners.

13. An article of clothing comprising fasteners and a water absorbent material portion attached to an outer surface of the article of clothing by the fasteners, wherein the water absorbent material portion is detachable from the article of clothing by a wearer of the article of clothing while the wearer is wearing the article of clothing.

14. The article of clothing of claim 13, wherein the water absorbent portion is attached to a shoulder, midsection, or forearm portion of the article of clothing.

15. The article of clothing of claim 13 comprising a body and sleeves extending from the body for a wearer's arms, wherein the water absorbent material portion is attached to an outer surface of a sleeve.

16. The article of clothing of claim 15, wherein the water absorbent material portion forms an outer surface of a detachable and reversible sleeve having an ornamental design on its inner surface.

17. The article of clothing of claim 15, wherein the water absorbent material portion is located at an opposite end of the sleeve from the body.

18. The article of clothing of claim 13 comprising a body, wherein the water absorbent material portion is attached to the body as a sash.

19. The article of clothing of claim 13 comprising a body, wherein the water absorbent material portion is attached to a front portion of an outer surface of the body.

20. The article of clothing of claim 13, wherein the fasteners comprise hook and loop fasteners.

21. The article of clothing of claim 13, wherein the fasteners comprise magnets.

22. The article of clothing of claim 21, wherein the magnets are covered by the highly absorbent material portion.

23. The article of clothing of claim 22, wherein the magnets are embedded in the highly absorbent material portion.