Patent Application
20100175170
This invention relates to a ladies garment and, more particularly, to a panty having a crotch construction that provides visual privacy.
In the design of panties worn under clothing for women, effort is made to provide a smooth appearance when, in the normal course of wear, the outer pants creep up and tighten about the crotch area. A problem is presented, however, in the design of tight fitting clothing which may be worn in various environments such as a workout at a gymnasium or evening wear that compliments and emphasizes the female figure. Garments that are too tight or which creep up may present a cameltoe appearance, particularly if the garment has a central seam that tightly overlies the labia majora. Although a fashionable appearance is desired, the cameltoe effect is not desired as part of a high fashion appearance.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the aforementioned problem of visual privacy is addressed by providing a panty having leg openings and a crotch portion between the openings extending upwardly at the front of the panty to provide a panel of material which, when the panty is worn, overlies the vaginal area of the wearer. The panty is constructed with a first inner layer at the area of concern of thin, flexible semi-rigid material that presents a smooth outer surface, and a second layer of absorbent material overlying the inner surface of the first layer and secured to the crotch portion of the garment, thereby providing the wearer with a comfortable garment that presents a smooth appearance over the vaginal area.
In another aspect of the invention, the first layer, though flexible, has minimal memory and thus assures that a smooth appearance is maintained.
Another aspect of the present invention is to provide the first layer with perforations therein to allow air flow and reduce moisture to thereby maintain the normal shape and fit of the garment.
Yet another aspect of the present invention is to provide a first layer that is composed of a thin neoprene material having a pattern of small holes therethrough that present perforations to allow air flow and reduce moisture in the crotch area. The second layer may comprise a microfilic fiber material overlying the inner surface of the first layer to absorb moisture and provide the wearer with a comfortable garment that presents a smooth surface over the vaginal area.
Other advantages and aspects of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein is set forth by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention.
Referring initially to
Particularly in the enlarged, fragmentary, interior view of
A layer of thin, flexible, semi-rigid material 24 having a smooth outer surface is sandwiched between the panel 12 and the absorbent layer 20 and is provided with a plurality of perforations 26 which, in the illustrated embodiment, comprise three rows of three perforations 26 and three additional spaced perforations therebelow spaced to accommodate the triangular configuration of the panel 24. A line of stitching 28 along each lateral edge of the layer 24 essentially follows the lines of the hem 18 and secures the layer 24 in place. Preferably, layer 24 is comprised of a thin neoprene material having a thickness of approximately 1/32- 1/16 inch so as to provide a flexible, semi-rigid panel having minimal memory and which will thus conform only to the general shape of the underlying body of the wearer. Accordingly, the cameltoe is covered as the neoprene material smooths out any lumps and bumps of the underlying anatomy to provide a smooth appearance even though the thong 20 may creep up in use, as is common if the wearer is active.
The inner layer 20 is preferably composed of a microfilic fiber for a high absorption to provide the garment with quick-drying qualities to maintain the user dry and comfortable. The inner layer 20 may also be provided with an antimicrobial finish that inhibits the growth of odor causing bacteria so that odors are not retained after washing.
In use, the first layer of protection to the wearer is the layer 24 which is preferably neoprene with a thickness of 1/32 to 1/16 inch, perforated with a number of holes 26 as illustrated and described above. Neoprene is preferred since it has minimal memory and thus will not conform to the underlying ridges and cavity that may be presented by a cameltoe. Other materials having similar characteristics may, of course, be used, and the thickness would be dependent upon the particular material utilized. A second layer of protection is provided by the inner layer 20 that provides comfort and reduces odor as set forth above.
Although the present invention is illustrated on a thong-type garment, it should be understood that it is equally applicable to shorts and other types and styles of garments having a low rise or which are otherwise styled such that a cameltoe appearance may result when the garment is worn.
Accordingly, it should be understood that while certain forms of the invention have been illustrated and described, it is not limited thereto except insofar as such limitations are included in the following claims.
