This is a nationalization of PCT/DK2005/000079 filed 4 Feb. 2005 and published in English.
This invention relates to a pair of underpants comprising a front part, a back part, a crotch part and two leg holes delimited by the parts, and releasable connecting means for connecting the crotch part to the front part, said releasable connecting means extending from one leg hole to the other and allowing an opening including the leg holes to be formed in the crotch area.
The purpose of providing an opening in the crotch area is for the wearer to be able to go to the toilet without having to take the underwear off. This has been proposed for example for a body stocking, as such a garment covers the whole torso it is very troublesome to remove the whole garment when going to the bathroom.
An opening in the crotch area is especially desirable for patients with a stoma in cases where the ostomy collection bag is placed outside the underwear.
Underwear with a releasable connecting means in the crotch area is well known. These releasable connecting means are usually Velcro-bands, buttons and corresponding buttonholes, hooks and eyes, etc. These structures are often placed on a band, often made of a polymer material, and when the band is cut to fit in the underpants the edges may be rough and can cause discomfort and irritation in the groin area.
It is an object of the invention to prevent irritation and discomfort originating from rough edges on releasable connecting means on underpants with an opening thus making the underwear more comfortable for the wearer.
It is a further object of the invention to make it easier for the wearer to open an opening on a pair of underpants.
The pair of underpants according to the invention comprises a front part, a back part, a crotch part and two leg holes, and releasable connecting means for connecting the crotch part to the front part and allowing an opening to be formed in the crotch area, said releasable connecting means extending from one leg hole to the other and comprising two parts one overlapping the other in the closed condition characterized in that ends of one of the parts of said releasable connecting means are provided with flexible protection means.
The invention is based on the discovery that by folding the protection means provided on the ends of one part of the releasable connecting means around the ends of the releasable connecting means of the other part, the discomfort caused by said ends is minimized thereby making the underpants more comfortable.
The flexible protection means are preferably placed on the outer overlapping part of the releasable connecting means but may also be provided on the inner part of the releasable connecting means.
When the flexible protection means are placed on the outer overlapping part of the releasable connecting means, the protection means are secured between the body of the user and the underpants. When the flexible protection means are placed on the inner part of the releasable connection means the protection means are secured to the outer side of the underwear by additional fastening means.
In a preferred embodiment the protection means are in the form of ribbons, made from a soft material. Each ribbon preferably has a sufficient width to cover the edge to be protected.
The ribbons can be made of cotton, nylon or any other material suitable for straps or tapes being relatively unstretchable and having a soft feel.
The length of the ribbons can vary from 15 to 120 mm, preferably being of a length sufficient to keep the ribbons in place when tucked between the underpants and the body of the wearer.
In a further preferred embodiment of the invention the ribbon is in the form of a loop, making it easier for persons with poor dexterity to disengage the interconnected releasable connecting means. The loop is preferably of a length of 95 to about 160 mm enabling the loop to hold diameters from around 30 mm to around 50 mm, a size large enough for a person to be able to place one or two fingers in the loop and thereby use it to pull the connecting means apart.
For persons with poor dexterity the flexible protection means is preferably placed on the inner part of the releasable connecting means, in order for the protection means to fold out over the edges of the connecting means and be fastened on the outside of the underpants.
Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.
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The flexible protection means can be fastened to the underpants by additional fastening means, e.g. buttons and corresponding button holes, Velcro®, hooks and eyes, snap fastener, etc. The additional protection means can be placed on the underpants, e.g. on the releasable connecting means or on the front part or the crotch part.
If desired the crotch part and the back part may be made of in one piece, or the front part and the back part may be made in one piece. Furthermore, if desired all the parts can be made in one piece.
The underpants can be made of any traditional material for making underpants, e.g. cotton, silk or it can be made of material particularly suitable for use in support garments e.g. for patients with a stoma.
The invention being thus described, it will be apparent that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be recognized by one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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2004 00185 | Feb 2004 | DK | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
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PCT/DK2005/000079 | 2/4/2005 | WO | 00 | 6/11/2007 |
Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
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WO2005/074731 | 8/18/2005 | WO | A |
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20070220659 A1 | Sep 2007 | US |