Underwear abstract
Breathable underwear for men that has an open weave netting, similar
to that found in men's bathing trunks, as the sole crotch material.
The small holes in this open weave netting encourages air circulation,
lowers the temperature to which the testes, groin and pubic area
are subjected, thereby facilitating heat dissipation, reducing perspiration
and wetness, and increasing the comfort of the wearer.
Underwear claims
1. Men's underwear having an elastic waistband, a main body area
and a crotch area in which said main body area is formed of natural
fibers such as cotton or synthetic fibers, or various blends of
natural and synthetic fibers and crotch area is formed of an open
weave netting fabric, such as that used in men's swimming trunks,
constituting means for permitting air circulation to said crotch
area.
2. Underwear as described in claim 1 in which crotch panel is stitched
to said main garment along all edges of said crotch panel in order
to prevent unraveling of said crotch panel.
3. Underwear as described in claim 1 in which the crotch panel
is stitched to said main garment along three edges of said crotch
panel with fourth edge seamed to prevent unraveling in case of top
(horizontal) opening.
4. Underwear as described in claim 1 in which the crotch panel
is stitched to said main garment along three edges of said crotch
panel with remaining edges seamed to prevent unraveling in case
of side (vertical) opening.
5. Underwear as described in claim 1 in which the crotch panel
is stitched to said main garment along three edges of said crotch
panel with remaining edges seamed to prevent unraveling in case
of two side (vertical) openings.
6. Underwear as described in claim 1 in which the crotch panel
is stitched to said main garment along all edges of said crotch
panel with opening in center of crotch panel. Opening edges will
be stitched to prevent unraveling.
7. Underwear as described in claim 1 in which crotch panel is of
a different color than the main garment.
8. Underwear as described in claim 1 in which crotch panel is of
the same color as the main garment.
9. Underwear as described in claim 1 in which said garment is a
pair of men's long leg jockeys.
10. Underwear as described in claim 1 in which said garment is
a pair of men's short leg jockeys.
11. Underwear as described in claim 1 in which said garment is
a pair of men's briefs.
Underwear description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Not Applicable
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable
REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING
COMPACT DISK APPENDIX
[0003] Not Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention relates to articles of apparel, and
in particular to men's underwear.
[0005] Certain areas of the body where skin-to-skin contact is
fairly constant are very susceptible to aggravation from heat and
moisture due to perspiration. Moisture retention and lack of air
flow in the groin area of men may produce itching, rashes, offensive
body odor, and provides an excellent breeding ground for fungus.
This moisture may cause or aggravate a condition commonly known
as jock itch. Overheating of the testes can also cause a decrease
in the rate and quality of sperm production.
[0006] Much of the prior art has been directed toward athletes
and athletic wear, but the itching and other discomforts associated
with overheating in the groin area affect many people, not only
athletes. Wearing layers of clothing, i.e., trousers or shorts and
underwear on a warm day or during periods of moderate activity in
hot, humid conditions can be quite uncomfortable. Just being seated
for hours at a time can all but eliminate air flow, causing overheating
of the pubic synthesis, crotch, groin and testes. Some men find
the discomfort so great as to abandon the wearing of underwear altogether
to find relief.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The object of the present invention is to provide underwear
which provides increased air circulation to the crotch, reducing
the temperature of the groin, testicular and pubic areas, thereby
providing a higher lever of comfort for the wearer in addition to
a dryer, healthier groin environment. Unlike much of the prior art
which teaches an inner and an outer crotch panel, the present invention
teaches a single crotch panel of open weave fabric, similar to that
of men's swimsuit netting, for optimal air flow. This open weave
netting will facilitate greater heat dissipation, lower the temperature
to which the testes are subjected and provide optimal thermoregulation
As used herein, the term "underwear" is intended to encompass
shorts, drawers, jockey shorts, briefs, long underwear, boxer shorts,
skivvies and variations thereof.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
[0008] FIG. 1 shows the anterior view of the preferred breathable
underwear in a button-fly, long-legged jockey style.
[0009] FIG. 2 shows an anterior view of a section of the crotch
panel in FIG. 1 in which three edges of the panel are visible.
[0010] FIG. 3 shows a close up example of a fabric that may be
used for the crotch panel.
[0011] FIG. 4 shows a posterior view of a section of the crotch
panel in FIG. 1 in which three edges of the panel are visible.
[0012] FIG. 5 shows the anterior view of the invention in a horizontal-fly,
short-legged jockey style.
[0013] FIG. 6 shows the posterior view of the invention in a brief
style on a male wearer.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0014] FIG. 1 shows the anterior side 3 of a pair of preferred
breathable underwear 2 in a long-legged jockey style with a button-fly
5. The open weave netting of the crotch panel 1 is stitched securely
on all sides 11, 12, and 13 to the main body of the garment 9. The
elastic waistband 6 encircles the abdomen.
[0015] FIG. 2 shows the anterior view 3 of a section of the crotch
panel 1. The crotch panel 1 is stitched securely to the main body
of the garment 9 on the three visible sides 11, 12, and 13 and on
the remaining side 14 shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 4 shows male wearer
8 in the prone position with a section of the crotch panel 1 visible.
FIGS. 2 AND 4 illustrate the manner in which the open weave fabric
and the placement of the crotch panel 1 allow air to circulate to
the pubic area, groin, testes and in part to the gluteal cleft 10,
thereby facilitating greater heat dissipation.
[0016] FIG. 5 shows the anterior side 3 of the invention in a short-legged
jockey style with a horizontal flap opening 7. The open weave netting
of the crotch panel 1 extends high over the pubic area right up
to the flap opening 7 and becomes part of the fly structure. The
crotch panel 1 is stitched securely to the main body 9 of the garment
on all sides except where the flap opening 7 occurs. On this edge
15, the crotch panel 1 is seamed to prevent raveling. If the flap
opening 7 is on the side and is vertical instead of horizontal,
the crotch panel 1 would be stitched to the main body in the same
way, except that the seamed flap opening edge would be on either
side and would be vertical instead of horizontal.
[0017] FIG.6 shows the posterior side 4 of the preferred breathable
underwear 2 shown on a male wearer 8. The underwear 2 are in a brief
style with the open weave netting of the crotch panel 1 extending
in part over the gluteal cleavage 10 to insure maximum air flow
from front to back. The crotch panel side 14 is stitched securely
to the main body 9 regardless of the style of the fly.
[0018] FIG.3 shows an enlarged view of the fabric that may be used
in the crotch panel 1. A soft, open-weave fabric, such as that used
for men's swimming trunk netting, is ideal. The holes should have
a diameter of at least 1/16 inch and there should be approximately
70 holes in a square inch.
[0019] Much of the prior art has been directed toward athletes
and has incorporated an inner and an outer layer for the sake of
modesty and aesthetics, but the present invention chooses comfort
over these two attributes because underwear is meant in fact, to
be worn underneath other garments. Additionally, the size of the
holes in the crotch panel's fabric is small enough to protect the
wearer's modesty. The color chosen for the crotch panel 1 can further
support the wearer's modesty and aesthetic sensibilities.
[0020] The present invention allows air circulation to the groin
and crotch facilitating heat dissipation, thereby lowering the temperature
to which the testes are subjected, reducing amounts of perspiration
and wetness, providing a dryer, healthier crotch environment and
increasing the comfort of the wearer.
[0021] It is to be understood that the foregoing detailed description
and the accompanying drawings relate to preferred embodiments of
the present invention. Various changes and modifications may be
made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Thus by way of example and not of limitation, the present invention
is applicable to all types and styles of men's underwear, simply
by replacing the current crotch fabric with an open weave netting
fabric containing holes for increased air circulation. |