In various embodiments, the present invention relates generally to undergarments and, more specifically, to undergarments that absorb bodily fluids such as those associated with menstruation and incontinence.
Women's undergarments may provide several functions, such as shaping the wearer's body, supporting parts of the body during exercise, and offering protection to outer clothing. Typically, a woman who is menstruating uses a tampon or a sanitary pad, in addition to wearing the undergarment, to keep outer garments from being soiled by bodily secretions and discharges. Although the tampon or pad may often absorb all of the liquid flow, unexpected leaks may still occur, in particular during the heavy-flow days of menstruation or during a change in body position.
An alternative solution for absorbing bodily secretions and discharges is an adult “brief,” which offers a larger area of protection and may be particularly useful for women experiencing heavy flows or men or women who have urinary incontinence. The current selection of adult briefs is, however, unattractive due to their bulk, which makes their concealment under outer clothing difficult or impossible. Further disadvantages of wearing the adult briefs (and sanitary pads) include prolonged exposure to wetness which frequently results in discomfort, irritant dermatitis, and/or infections.
Further, because most pads/tampons and adult briefs are disposable and not reusable, the cost of purchasing the products may be an economic burden since it may add up to a significant sum (e.g., more than $900) per year. Additionally, the waste produced is environmentally unsustainable. Moreover, the pads/tampons may be occasionally positioned incorrectly (e.g., too far up or back) and the adult briefs may be wrapped too loosely, both resulting in severe leakage.
Conventionally, “period underwear” has been designed to reduce the risk of leakage by providing a leak-proof barrier (e.g., a laminated fabric) outside of the undergarment or a thick absorbent pad in the crotch area; such products, however, have limited use because the leak-proof barrier is generally in contact with the skin and may create irritation thereof, and the thick absorbent pad is bulky and uncomfortable to wear. Additionally, the leak-proof barrier and thick absorbent pad may entrap moisture within the undergarment, thereby increasing the risk of yeast infections.
Consequently, there is a need for undergarments that eliminate the need for using disposable pads/tampons and adult briefs while effectively absorbing liquid flow and reducing the risk of leaks. Additionally, it is desirable that the undergarments provide stain prevention, moisture-wicking, antimicrobial management, and skin comfort.
In various embodiments, the present invention includes an undergarment that is leak-proof, moisture wicking, attractive, antimicrobial, and comfortable to wear. The undergarment may also be stain-proof and/or treated with a microbial agent. Additionally, the undergarment provides sufficient and effective liquid absorption; the need for using disposable tampons/pads in conjunction with the undergarment is thus eliminated (though their use with embodiments of the present invention is not prohibited). More specifically, the undergarment may include a fabric body constructed of one or more layers and a multilayer pad that is integrated with the interior surface of the fabric body. Because each layer of the multilayer pad is sufficiently thin (e.g., 100-500 g/m2) and the multilayer pad may be fully integrated with the fabric body (e.g., one layer of the pad may form a part of the fabric body), the multilayer pad does not deform the structure of the fabric body (and the overall undergarment) to thereby lessen its visual appeal and/or allow the outline or shape of the pad to be visible through outer clothing). Additionally, the stitches for integrating the multiplayer pad with the fabric body may be hidden inside the fabric body such that the entire pad appears to be seamless and is thereby undetectable from the exterior of the undergarment to the wearer or other viewers. As used herein, undetectable means that the structure/material cannot be detected, or is very difficult to detect, by touch and/or is hidden from sight.
Each layer of the multilayer pad may be positioned within the fabric body in a crotch region that is defined by a pair of leg openings. Alternatively, the layer(s) may extend beyond the crotch region (e.g., up to the waist opening of the undergarment). In some embodiments, the multilayer pad includes four layers: the innermost layer may be treated with a nano-particle solution (e.g., polyethylene oxide or silicone) to wick moisture and an antimicrobial material (e.g., a silver nitrate solution) may be applied thereto for preventing infections; the second layer is made of, for example, cotton or other materials, that can efficiently absorb the moisture or liquid; the third layer includes, for example, cotton bonder with a moisture-impermeable material e.g., wax or breathable urethane) on the outer surface (i.e., facing away the body) to prevent leakage; and the outermost layer is made of a supportive, elasticized fabric blend that has a thicker texture such that the cuts and stitched seams of the innermost, moisture-wicking layer and middle layers (i.e, the second, moisture-absorbing layer and the third, moisture-impermeable layer) are effectively camouflaged, and are thereby not viewable through the garment. In a preferable embodiment, the multilayers of the pad are stitched together using a densely (or tightly) sewn seam; this can further prevent leakage of the liquid. one embodiment, the innermost layer is a dark color (e.g., black) such that any stains are nonobvious or invisible.
In some embodiments, the undergarment includes one or more pad pockets that each allows a pad to be inserted therein. The insertable pad can be frequently removed from the pocket as a single unit for sanitary reasons. In one embodiment, the insertable pad is washable and reusable for reducing the wearers' cost and providing an environmentally friendly alternative, In another embodiment, the insertable pad is disposable for offering convenience to the wearers during special occasions, e.g., traveling. Again, the insertable pad may include an antimicrobial coating layer, a moisture-wicking layer, a moisture-absorbent layer, and/or a moisture-impermeable layer to provide the corresponding function of each layer. In some embodiments, the undergarment includes one or more pockets located in the front and/or back of the undergarment for retaining removable heating pads that may provide cramp relief during menstruation.
Accordingly, in one aspect, the invention pertains to an undergarment including a fabric body having a waist opening and a pair of leg openings defining a crotch region therebetween, and a multilayer leak-proof pad stitched to an interior surface of the fabric body and extending over at least the crotch area in various embodiments, the leak-proof pad includes a moisture-impermeable layer in contact with the fabric body, a moisture-absorbent layer thereover, and a moisture-wicking layer over the absorption layer. In one implementation, the multilayer leak-proof pad further comprises an anti-microbial layer over the wicking layer. In some embodiments, the multilayer leak-proof pad extends over the crotch region and includes pairs of opposed curving peripheral edges; the first pair of edges extends along the leg openings proximate to the crotch region. and the second pair of edges is located beyond the crotch region and flaring outwardly. Additionally, the moisture-absorbent layer, the moisture-wicking layer and the antimicrobial layer may extend as a unitary panel beyond the polymer layer to a waistband around the waist opening. In one embodiment, one or more rear segments of the unitary panel have opposed peripheral edges tapering toward the waistband.
In various embodiments, the undergarment further includes an extension region stitched. to and extending beyond the waistband; the extension region includes one or more pockets for receiving one or more removable heating pads. In one implementation, the pocket has an entrance along a side edge. thereof Additionally, the moisture-absorbent layer, the moisture-wicking layer and the antimicrobial layer may be removable as a unitary insert, and the undergarment may include a pocket for removably retaining the insert.
In some embodiments, one or both surfaces of the moisture-wicking layer is treated with a hydrophilic composition and/or a hydrophobic composition to create a net hydrophilic gradient over the moisture-wicking layer. The moisture-wicking layer may include at least 51% cotton; the moisture-absorbent layer may include cotton; the moisture-impermeable polymer layer may include breathable urethane or wax; and the fabric body may include an elastic material.
In a second aspect, the invention relates to a method of manufacturing an undergarment. In various embodiments, the method includes providing a multilayer leak-proof pad having a moisture-impermeable polymer layer, a moisture-absorbent layer, and a moisture-wicking layer; and stitching the multilayer leak-proof pad to an interior surface of a fabric body to form the undergarment. In one embodiment, the method includes forming the multilayer leak-proof pad to cover a crotch region defined by a pair of leg openings. In another embodiment, the method includes forming the multilayer leak-proof pad to cover a crotch region defined by a pair of leg openings and an extension region extending beyond the crotch region to a waistband. Additionally, the method may include creating one or more pockets in the extension region for receiving one or more removable heating pads.
In one implementation, the method includes creating one or more pockets in the undergarment for retaining the multilayer leak-proof pad. The method may further include treating the moisture-wicking layer with an antimicrobial solution, a hydro composition and/or a hydrophobic composition.
Reference throughout this specification to “one example,” “an example,” “one embodiment,” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the example is included in at least one example of the present technology. Thus, the occurrences of the phrases “in one example,” “in an example,” “one embodiment,” or “an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same example. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, routines, steps, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more examples of the technology. The headings provided herein are for convenience only and are not intended to limit or interpret the scope or meaning of the claimed technology.
In the drawings, like reference characters generally refer to the same parts throughout the different views. Also, the drawings are not necessarily to scale, with an emphasis instead generally being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. In the following description, various embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the following drawings, in which:
The fabric body 104 may include one or more layers. In one embodiment, the fabric body 104 includes one layer, and the multilayer pad, as described in greater detail below, is attached to the crotch area 110 of the fabric body 104. In another embodiment, the fabric body includes two layers: an inner fabric-body layer 116 that wholly or partially contacts the body of the wearer and an outer fabric-body layer 118 distal the inner fabric-body layer 106 with respect to the wearer's body. In various embodiments, the outer fabric-body layer 118 exhibits one or more of various colors, patterns, or designs (e.g., black, white, pink, etc.) to provide choices to the wearer; the inner fabric-body layer 116 may exhibit a dark color (e.g., black or dark grey) for providing stain-resistance such that any stain thereon is invisible, unnoticeable, or reduced in visibility or noticeability to the wearer. If the fabric body 104 includes two or more layers, all, some, or none of the inner layer or layers may be visible to the wearer or other observer when the undergarments 100, 102 are worn. Any number of layers of the fabric body 104 is within the scope of the present invention, and any of the layers may be cut to the full size of the outer fabric-body layer 118 or cut to less than the full size thereof.
In one embodiment, the inner fabric-body layer 116 is made of or includes a thin fabric (e.g., cotton or a cotton blend, a synthetic material, or any other material) and the outer fabric-body layer 118 is made of or includes a thick or thicker (with respect to the inner fabric-body layer 116) fabric (e.g., a thicker cotton or cotton blend layer, an elasticized fabric blend such as SPANDEX that may provide support to the wearer and/or alter the shape of the body of the wearer, or any other material). The inner fabric-body layer 116 may be cut to the full shape of the fabric-body 104 or be cut to less than the full shape of the fabric-body 104. For example, the inner fabric-body layer 116 may be cut to extend to cover only the crotch region 110. The inner fabric-body layer 116 may be densely stitched to the inner surface of the outer fabric-body layer 118 to thereby prevent leakage of fluids from the body of the wearer to a point on the outer surface 114 of the undergarments 100, 102 (or other point on the body of the wearer and/or the wearer's clothes) visible to the wearer or other viewer and/or to any point on the inner surface of the undergarments 100, 102 outside of the crotch area 110 that may be felt or otherwise sensed by a wearer.
The undergarment may have a low cut, i.e., the waistband 120 may be lower than the wearer's waist (typically, at a location at or near the hips of the wearer) as depicted in
In various embodiments, the undergarment includes a multilayer pad to absorb a liquid flow (e.g., bodily secretions, discharges, urine, or menstrual fluids) and thereby prevent or reduce leakage thereof. Referring to
The moisture-wicking pad layer 204 may be made of or include a moisture-wicking material that transfers (and/or facilitates the transfer) of moisture or liquid from its inner surface 210 (i.e., the surface facing the wearer) to its outer surface 212 (i.e., the surface facing away the wearer and facing and/or in contact with the moisture-absorbent pad layer 206). In one embodiment, the inner fabric-body layer 116 of the undergarment 100, as described above, provides the moisture-wicking pad layer 20.4. That is, the moisture-wicking pad layer 204 is part of the inner fabric-body layer 116, which itself exhibits moisture-wicking properties throughout the fabric body 104 and/or just in the crotch area 110. In another embodiment, the moisture-wicking pad layer 204 is a layer separate and distinct from the inner fabric-body layer 116 and may be attached thereto using, for example, stitches. The inner fabric-body layer 116 may be moisture-wicking even if the moisture-wicking pad layer 204 is a separate layer.
The moisture-wicking pad layer 204 may comprise, consist of, or include any moisture-wicking material known in the art. The material may be naturally moisture-wicking and/or be treated to become moisture-wicking. In one embodiment, moisture-wicking pad layer 204 includes at least 51% cotton. One or both inner and outer surfaces 210, 212 of the moisture-wicking pad layer 204 may be treated with a hydrophilic composition or material (e.g., polyethylene oxide, polyvinyl alcohol, polyacrylamide, poly acrylic acid, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, hydrophilic silicones, or hydrophilic polyurethanes) and/or a hydrophobic composition or material (e.g., silicones, polyfluoroalkylacrylates, polyacrylates, polyurethanes, or waxes) to create a net hydrophilic gradient over the moisture-wicking pad layer 204 (i.e., the inner surface 210 may be less hydrophilic (i.e., more hydrophobic) whereas the outer surface 212 may be more hydrophilic). For example, the inner surface 210 may be treated with a hydrophobic material and/or the outer surface 212 may be treated with a hydrophilic material. As a result, a combination of a “pushing” force generated by any hydrophObic properties of the inner surface 210 (and/or portions of the moisture-wicking pad layer 204 near the inner surface 210) and a “pulling” force generated by any hydrophilic properties of the outer surface 212 (and/or portions of the moisture-wicking pad layer 204 near the outer surface 212) may wick any moisture or liquid through the moisture-wicking pad layer 204 and away from the wearer (i.e., from the inner surface 210 to the outer surface 212). The hydrophilic and hydrophobic compositions may be applied to the moisture-wicking pad layer 204 using any conventional methods; see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 7,842,625, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. In one embodiment, the rate of wicking through the moisture-wicking pad layer 20.4 may be controlled to be faster or slower. The rate may be set at a maximum rate of absorption of the moisture-absorbent pad layer 206 to thereby ensure that all, or a significant percentage of, the moisture wicking through the moisture-wicking pad layer 204 is absorbed by the moisture-absorbent pad layer 206 and does not, for example, leak beyond the confines of the undergarment. The rate of wicking may be controlled by the density, thickness, or composition of the moisture-wicking pad layer 204 and/or by the amount and type of hydrophobic and/or hydrophilic material applied to said layer. In another embodiment, the rate of wicking may be set such that the inner surface of the moisture-wicking pad layer 204 feels “dry” or mostly dry to the wearer while the outer surface of the moisture-wicking pad layer 204 feels wet. Additionally, the moisture-wicking pad layer 204 may include an antimicrobial layer 214 by applying an antimicrobial solution, such as a silver nitrate solution, to the inner surface 210 thereof to provide an antimicrobial barrier, thereby reducing infections caused by microorganisms. The antimicrobial layer 214 may be disposed at the inner surface 210 of the moisture-wicking pad layer 204 and/or be distributed throughout the moisture-wicking pad layer 204. The hydrophilic composition, hydrophobic composition, and/or antimicrobial solution may be applied to the entire innermost layer 204 or a part thereof (such as the portion that has an absorption layer thereover as further described below).
The moisture-absorbent pad layer 206 may comprise, consist of or include any liquid-absorbing material known in the art (e.g., cotton, a cotton blend, foam, a synthetic material, absorbent polymeric foam a nanotechnology-based or -produced material, or any other moisture-absorbent material) and may have a weight of 180-300 g/m2. Referring to FIGS, 3A-3D, the moisture-absorbent pad layer 206 may have various shapes and/or sizes; a small size (
The moisture-impermeable pad layer 208 may comprise, consist of, or include any wholly or partially moisture-blocking material known in the art. Referring again to
In various embodiments, the outer fabric-body layer 118 of the garment forms the outermost layer of the multilayer pad. Because the outer fabric-body layer 118 may be made of thick fabric (e.g., 100-500 g/m2), it is capable of covering the patterns of the middle pad layers (i.e., the moisture-impermeable pad layer 208 and the moisture-absorbent pad layer 206) and the moisture-wicking pad layer 204 such that the shapes of the inner pad layers 204, 206, 208 are not visible through the undergarment. If the inner fabric-body layer 116 of the garment forms the innermost pad layer (i.e., the moisture-wicking layer 204) of the pad 202, the middle pad layers 206, 208 are stitched to the surface of the innermost pad layer 204 and/or the outermost fabric-body layer 118 prior to sewing the inner and outer fabric-body layers 116, 118 of the undergarment together such that the stitch marks of the multilayer pads 202 are visible internally but not externally. Similarly, when the inner fabric-body layer 116 of the garment and the innermost layer of the pad are two separate layers, the moisture-wicking pad layer 204 and middle pad layers 206, 208 may be stitched to the inner fabric-body layer 116 and/or the outer fabric-body layer 118 of the undergarment prior to finishing the undergarment by sewing the inner and outer fabric-body layers 116, 118 together. Referring to
Referring to
The undergarment of the current invention includes various advantages (e.g., leak prevention, stain prevention, moisture-wicking comfort, antimicrobial management, cramp relief and liquid absorption), thereby providing the wearer with a supportive, comfortable and effective way to manage her needs; whereas the conventionally available products either have poor liquid absorption or are too thick or bulky to wear comfortably. In addition, the stitches for integrating the multilayer pad with the fabric body in the undergarment of the current invention may be hidden inside the fabric body such that the entire pad appears to be seamless and is thereby invisible to the wearer. Further, the various shapes of the multilayer pad provide various options to balance the need of sufficient liquid absorption and comfort (e.g., breathable and less bulky) of the undergarment.
The undergarment of the current invention need not be comprised only of the four layers as described above; other layers may be additionally or alternatively incorporated in between or outside the four-layer structure for providing additional absorption support, decoration, or any other functionality. In addition, the ordering of the layers in the above-described four-layer structure may be interchanged to the extent that the key functionalities, including moisture wicking, leak and stain resistance, and antimicrobial support, are retained and further supported by such an ordering.
Additionally, in various alternative embodiments the fibrous materials described in specific embodiments herein may be substituted by materials that would be recognizable as compatible by those skilled in the art. Further, the chemicals, compounds, stains, dyes and other treatments or elements of the garment, its design, or the process by which it is created may be substituted with other known materials recognized by those skilled in art, including but not limited to hydrophilic elements, hydrophobic elements, sealants, foams, and others. The various components or subparts of an embodiment of the embodiment itself may be substituted and used with other subparts of other embodiments and various combinations thereof provided the claimed functionalities or general purpose of the design is preserved.
Certain embodiments of the present invention were described above. It is, however, expressly noted that the present invention is not limited to those embodiments, but rather the intention is that additions and modifications to what was expressly described herein are also included within the scope of the invention. Moreover, it is to be understood that the features of the various embodiments described herein were not mutually exclusive and can exist in various combinations and permutations, even if such combinations or permutations were not made express herein, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. In fact, variations, modifications, and other implementations of what was described herein will occur to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention. As such, the invention is not to be defined only by the preceding illustrative description.
This application claims priority to and the benefit of, and incorporates herein by reference in its entirety, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/678,836, which was filed on Aug. 2, 2012.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61678836 | Aug 2012 | US |