Underwear abstract
A women's waistless and seamless clothing adherable underwear includes
an oval pad made of a soft absorbent material, wherein the pad has
double sided strips of adhesive tape with removable peel-off cover
strips to attach to the inside crotch area of low slung clothing
pants, such as tight pants, leotards or dungaree jeans facing upward
to the skin and crotch of the wearer. The material is preferably
a soft, woven or non-woven, absorbent material. The underwear is
particularly suited for women who wear tight pants, or low waist
hip hugger pants, which widely reveal waist bands and seams of panty
underwear, or expose underwear waist bands. The underwear is minimally
intrusive and is attractive for women who like to wear jeans without
underwear but who fear bacterial infection or exposure to clothing
dyes or irritating stitching.
Underwear claims
What is claimed is:
1. An apparatus to prevent chafing and staining comprising: a liner
which is shaped to shield vaginal and anal orifices of the user
in addition to having the effect removing visible panty lines; and
a bonding mechanism on the undercarriage of the liner to allow affixability
and detachability from a user's clothing.
2. An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the bonding mechanism is
an adhesive.
3. An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the bonding mechanism is
a hook and loop fastener.
4. An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the bonding mechanism are
clips.
5. An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the bonding mechanism are
buttons.
6. An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the liner is shaped as a
heart.
7. An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the liner is shaped as a
butterfly.
8. An undergarment comprising: a shaped liner to shield a user's
clothing from staining and to protect the user from chafing skin
upon the clothing; said liner being sufficiently thin to prevent
the appearance of panty lines; a bonding mechanism on the undercarriage
of the liner in order to be removably attached to the user's clothing.
9. An apparatus to prevent chafing and staining comprising: a shaped
liner which is sufficiently thin to prevent any appearance of a
user actually wearing panties; said liner having limited absorbent
properties, not intended to absorb more than mere surface moisture
from a person's vaginal and anal orifice; and a bonding mechanism
on the undercarriage of the liner to be removably attached to the
user's clothing.
10. A panty line free undergarment apparatus comprising: a shaped
flexible absorbent material covering the orifices of the user; a
bonding mechanism on the underside of the undergarment intended
to adhere to the interior of the user's garment; thinly formed to
prevent any appearance of lines through the user's clothing.
11. An apparatus as in claim 10, wherein the bonding mechanism
is an adhesive.
12. An apparatus as in claim 10, wherein the bonding mechanism
is at least one hook and loop fastener.
13. An apparatus as in claim 10, wherein the bonding mechanism
is at least one pair of clips.
14. An apparatus as in claim 10, wherein the bonding mechanism
are buttons.
15. An apparatus as in claim 10, wherein the liner is shaped as
a heart.
16. An apparatus as in claim 10, wherein the liner is shaped as
a butterfly.
17. An apparatus as in claim 10, wherein the undergarment provides
the appearance that the user is not wearing any undergarments.
18. An apparatus as in claim 10, wherein fragrance is infused into
the undergarment.
19. A panty line free undergarment apparatus comprising: a shaped
flexible absorbent material covering the orifices of the user; a
bonding mechanism on the underside of the undergarment intended
to adhere to the interior of the user's garment; said undergarment
thinly formed to prevent any appearance of lines through the user's
clothing; and an infusion of fragrance within said undergarment.
20. A panty line free undergarment apparatus comprising: a shaped
flexible absorbent material covering the orifices of the user; a
bonding mechanism on the underside of the undergarment intended
to adhere to the interior of the user's garment; said undergarment
thinly formed to prevent any appearance of lines through the user's
clothing, but nevertheless allows for some absorbency of body moisture
and residual excretions; and an infusion of fragrance within the
undergarment.
21. A panty line free undergarment apparatus comprising: a shaped
flexible absorbent material covering the orifices of the user; a
bonding mechanism on the underside of the undergarment intended
to adhere to the interior of the user's garment; said undergarment
provides the appearance that the user is not wearing any undergarments;
and an infusion of fragrance within the undergarment.
22. A panty line free undergarment apparatus comprising: a shaped
flexible absorbent material covering the orifices of the user; a
bonding mechanism on the underside of the undergarment intended
to be removably adhered to the user's skin; said undergarment thinly
formed to prevent any appearance of lines through the user's clothing.
23. A panty line free undergarment apparatus comprising: a shaped
flexible absorbent material covering the orifices of the user; a
bonding mechanism on the underside of the undergarment intended
to be removably adhered to the user's skin; thinly formed to prevent
any appearance of lines through the user's clothing; and an infusion
of fragrance within the undergarment.
24. A panty line free undergarment apparatus comprising: a shaped
flexible absorbent material covering the orifices of the user; a
bonding mechanism on the underside of the undergarment intended
to adhere to be removably adhered to the user's skin; thinly formed
to prevent any appearance of lines through the user's clothing,
but nevertheless allows for some absorbency of body moisture and
residual excretions; and an infusion of fragrance within the undergarment.
25. A disposable panty line free undergarment apparatus comprising:
a shaped flexible absorbent material covering the orifices of the
user; a bonding mechanism on the underside of the undergarment intended
to adhere to be removably adhered to the user's skin; the undergarment
provides the appearance that the user is not wearing any undergarments;
and an infusion of fragrance within the undergarment.
26. A disposable panty line free undergarment apparatus comprising:
a shaped flexible absorbent material covering the orifices of the
user; an bonding mechanism on the underside of the undergarment
intended to adhere to the interior of the user's garment; the undergarment
provides the appearance that the user is not wearing any undergarments;
and an infusion of fragrance within the undergarment.
27. A disposable panty line free undergarment apparatus comprising:
a shaped flexible absorbent material covering the orifices of the
user; a bonding mechanism on the underside of the undergarment intended
to be removably adhered to the user's skin; thinly formed to prevent
any appearance of lines through the user's clothing.
28. A disposable panty line free undergarment apparatus comprising:
a shaped flexible absorbent material covering the orifices of the
user; an bonding mechanism on the underside of the undergarment
intended to be removably adhered to the user's skin; thinly formed
to prevent any appearance of lines through the user's clothing;
and an infusion of fragrance within the undergarment.
29. A disposable panty line free undergarment apparatus comprising:
a shaped flexible absorbent material covering the orifices of the
user; an bonding mechanism on the underside of the undergarment
intended to adhere to be removably adhered to the user's skin; thinly
formed to prevent any appearance of lines through the user's clothing,
but nevertheless allows for some absorbency of body moisture and
residual excretions; and an infusion of fragrance within the undergarment.
30. A disposable panty line free undergarment apparatus comprising:
a shaped flexible absorbent material covering the orifices of the
user; an bonding mechanism on the underside of the undergarment
intended to adhere to be removably adhered to the user's skin; the
undergarment provides the appearance that the user is not wearing
any undergarments; and an infusion of fragrance within the undergarment.
Underwear description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is based upon provisional patent application
Ser. No. 60/459,462 of Apr. 1, 2003, and claims benefit under 35
USC 119(e). This application is also based in part upon application
Ser. No. 10/741,176 of Dec. 20, 2003, which is a continuation of
application Ser. No. 10/202,350 of Jul. 24, 2002, now U.S. Pat.
No. 6,681,407B2.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to disposable waistless and
seamless underwear for women.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Conventional women's panty underwear with waistbands and
seams around the leg openings is unsuitable for women who wear tight
pants, or low waist pants (such as "hip huggers"), which
openly reveal waist bands and seams of panty underwear, or expose
underwear waist bands.
[0004] Moreover, for women who like to wear jeans without underwear
there is a natural fear of bacterial infection or exposure of sensitive
body tissues to clothing dyes or irritating stitching.
[0005] Among related prior art patents are those which fall into
four categories for which common distinguishing arguments can be
composed. The categories are special garments or undergarments,
absorbent materials for pads, clothing adhered pads, and maternity
wear.
[0006] Clothing Adhered Pads:
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 6,162,457 of the Applicant Christine Martz
herein describes small clothing adherable perfume patches which
attach to the inside of clothing, such as a blouse, with a skin
facing side rubbing intermittently against the skin, to mute the
smell of the perfume emitted by exposure to body oil in the skin
of the wearer.
[0008] However, neither Martz '457 nor Williams, in U.S. Pat. No.
5,729,835, relate to a pants shield designed to permit the user
to comfortably wear jeans, pants or shorts or the like without an
undergarment and also without any external indication that such
a shield is being used. Martz '457 relates to small garment pads
used to emit a fragrance; their general physical shape and construction
are different from the instant invention. Williams '835 relates
to a panty liner of generally oblong configuration specifically
for use with thong underwear. The multilayer construction designed
for maximum absorption and a "penetration barrier" would
be far too bulky for the objectives of the present invention.
[0009] Maternity Wear:
[0010] Blair, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,946,730 describes an expansion
panel for temporarily providing a larger waist and frontal area
so that a user can wear the jeans during pregnancy. The panel is
easily removable when it is no longer needed. Clearly this prior
art is irrelevant to the present invention.
[0011] Absorbent Materials for pads:
[0012] Palumbo et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 6,232,250 B1 relates to
an absorbent pad with defined fluid receiving and fluid retention
regions. It is designed primarily for use in treating female incontinence.
[0013] Rock et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 5,344,698 describes a composite
undergarment fabric of multilayer construction using a skin contact
layer of hydrophilic material with superabsorbent and high moisture
transmission layers attached.
[0014] Mende, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,242,632 relates to a nonwoven
fabric and manufacturing method. It is a soft bulky absorbent and
permeable material.
[0015] Tanner et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 6,162,961 has an absorbent
article having exceptional expansion properties when wetted.
[0016] None of the above materials are required in the construction
of the present invention. High moisture absorption is not a key
requirement. Comfort and low thickness so as to preclude edge detection
from external viewing of the outer garment are principal requirements
which cannot be supported by the materials described in this group
of patents.
[0017] Special Garments or Undergarments:
[0018] Glaug, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,307,120 B1 describes a cloth-like,
breathable disposable brief with refastening means. It is an adult
garment for controlling incontinence.
[0019] Davis, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,832,535 discloses a genital covering
garment that is a minimum temporary covering generally useful for
surgical procedures or examinations not requiring visual or tactile
access to these regions.
[0020] Marbach, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,339,208 relates to a minimal
covering for the lower part of the anatomy consisting of a spring
supported patch that fits between the user's legs and engages the
pubic bone and the sacrum. The intended use is as a bathing brief.
[0021] Crawford, II, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,467,482 describes a self
supporting sideless and waistless tanning brief. This is a malleable
wire frame with a cloth covering extending to the rear with a spring
member which fits between the buttocks of the wearer.
[0022] Vargason, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,903,922 discloses a removable
undergarment that is designed for quick wearing. A variety of attachment
patches are used to attach the undergarment around the user in a
comfortable fashion.
[0023] Lampman, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,905,323 describes a disposable
undergarment held by a partially encircling belt, wherein the undergarment
covers the pubic area and central buttocks of the user. It can be
used by women while trying on bathing suits or the like in stores.
[0024] The inventions in this group relate to garments or undergarments.
None disclose a clothing attached secret shield that can be used
as a substitute to using an undergarment.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0025] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide
underwear for women which is suitable for wearing with low slung
hip hugging pants and the like.
[0026] It is also an object of the present invention to provide
waistless and seamless underwear for garments which utilizes a sanitary
absorbent material and which prevents irritation or exposure to
bacteria and other pathogens.
[0027] Other objects which become apparent from the following description
of the present invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0028] In keeping with these objects and others which may become
apparent, the present invention is a pants shield that is invisible
from the exterior and which can be used with any form-fitting attire
without the use of underpants or any undergarment.
[0029] Since the pants shield is adherable only to the upper crotch
facing area of an outer pants garment, it is unencumbered by auxiliary
supports, such as annoying skin adhering adhesives or other body
supports, such as waistbands, belts, or buttocks holding supports.
[0030] Some current fashions for young women are such that they
render normal underpants or even thongs undesirable, but the alternative
of not wearing underwear has its own disadvantages.
[0031] Constructed of a thin absorbent pad, the pants shield of
the present invention is adhesively bonded temporarily during use
to the crotch area of the outer garment. It can be used in jeans,
exercise pants, leotards, shorts, or any normal pants. This permits
active use of the garment without underpants which introduce seams
and hems that show through as panty lines. This secret pants shield
is more comfortable than a thong and more fashionable because low
cut pants often reveal the top band of the thong when bending or
stretching. Because of the soft shield surface in contact with vaginal
area, it prevents infections that can arise from abrasion or irritation
caused by rubbing against clothing materials when underpants are
not worn. The shield of this invention provides a clean bacteria-free
barrier from garment fabric which may also contain irritating dyes.
It absorbs small amounts of moisture and also provides extra protection
for garments during menstruation periods without the need for an
undergarment.
[0032] Therefore this secret pants shield permits sanitary wear
of pants without underwear providing the ultimate fashion compatibility
with any pants attire. Comfort is provided by the soft contact material.
Since it is securely bonded with a temporary adhesive, it can be
used for active pursuits. The disposable nature and small compact
size makes it convenient to change a shield whenever it gets messy.
The secret pants shields are available in different sizes such as
small, medium, and large. They are also available in colors so as
not to contrast with the color of pants which may be shear or slightly
transparent.
[0033] As an alternative to panties, an undergarment includes an
absorbent pad over the genital area which is held in place by a
light weight stretch fabric (such as lace) strap. The distal ends
of the strap are attached to nonallergenic adhesive patches which
adhere to the skin in front and back for attachment.
[0034] This garment can be fabricated either as a disposable or
reusable panty alternative. In a disposable version, the back adhesive
patch is permanently attached (as by sewing or adhesive) to the
stretch fabric strap. The front patch is attached to the strap via
a hook and loop attachment that facilitates detachment of the strap
from the front adhesive patch without removing the adhesive patch
from its skin attachment; this is primarily to accommodate toileting.
[0035] In a reusable version, the part that is washable and therefore
reused is the strap which can then afford to be more substantial
and decorative than that of a disposable version. In this case,
both adhesive patches are removable via a hook and loop attachment
to the strap so that new adhesive patches are attached for each
use. A new pad is also attached via pressure sensitive adhesive
for each use. The adhesive patches in this embodiment can optionally
have a decorative outer covering of fragrance emitting fabric.
[0036] In an alternative embodiment, the panty alternative also
uses an absorbent pad over the genital area. It is held in place
inside an extremely scant panty-like garment. Since the height of
the garment is too short to fit over the hips for secure positioning,
adhesive patches are used.
[0037] These patches can be placed on the inside of the garment
to attach to the user's body, or they can be placed on the outside
surface of the garment to attach to the user's outer garment if
pants are worn. This embodiment can also be fabricated as a reusable
cotton garment with replaceable adhesive patches and pad, or it
can be fabricated as a disposable of cotton fabric, woven or non-woven
synthetic fabric, or even paper.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0038] The present invention can best be understood in connection
with the accompanying drawings. It is noted that the invention is
not limited to the precise embodiments shown in drawings, in which:
[0039] FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of a reclining woman
wearing form-fitting jeans;
[0040] FIG. 2 is a top view of a secret pants shield of this invention;
[0041] FIG. 3 is an perspective exploded view of the pants shield
of FIG. 2;
[0042] FIG. 4 is a perspective exploded view of a different embodiment
of a pants shield;
[0043] FIG. 5 is a top plan view of an inner side of a panty alternative
of this invention;
[0044] FIG. 6 is a top plan view of an outer side of the panty
alternative as in FIG. 5;
[0045] FIG. 7 is a front elevational view detail of a model wearing
the panty alternative as in FIG. 5;
[0046] FIG. 8 is a rear view detail of the model wearing the panty
alternative as in FIG. 5;
[0047] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment
of the panty alternative using adhesive patches on an outer surface;
and,
[0048] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a further alternative embodiment
using adhesive patches on an inner surface.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0049] FIG. 1 shows a detail of a reclining woman 1 wearing an
ensemble which derives maximum benefit from the secret pants shield
of this invention. Several features of the style conspire to make
the use of underwear undesirable. Jeans 2 are tight and form-fitting
with low hip-hugging waist band 5. The short top 4 leaves a bare
abdominal midriff 3. This exposed central area is antithetical to
underwear waistbands. The site of the secret pants shield of this
invention is crotch area 6 which is not disturbed by any indication
of the shield within.
[0050] FIG. 2 shows pants shield pad 10 with circumferentially
extending bonded edge 11 and bottom adhesive areas 12. While FIG.
2 shows two bottom adhesive areas, one or more adhesive areas can
be employed to adhere pants shield pad 10 to an inside crotch facing
portion of a pants garment.
[0051] The exploded view of FIG. 3 reveals the construction with
top layer 15, adhesive ring 11 around bottom layer 16, adhesive
areas 12 and release liners 12a which cover adhesive patches 12
until use. The top layer 15 is a soft absorbent paper material such
as soft paper towel. The bottom layer 16 can be identical material.
Adhesive ring 11 bonds layers 15 and 16 permanently. Adhesive 12
is a temporary adhesive analogous to that used on feminine hygiene
panty liner pads. An alternate construction of a single layer equivalent
to the two layers of soft paper towel can also be used. Moreover,
one or more adhesive layers 12 can be employed to attach pants shield
pad 20 to a crotch facing area of pants garment.
[0052] A prototype for one embodiment for a secret pants shield
has been constructed and tested successfully. Layers 15 and 16 were
cut out of KLEENEX.RTM. VIVA.RTM. paper towel, and the adhesive
areas 12 were double width lengths of 3/4" wide SCOTCH.RTM.
Poster Tape from 3M Company.
[0053] FIG. 4 shows the construction of alternate embodiment 20
of the secret panty shield of this invention. It includes at least
three surface bonded layers with adhesive patches on the bottom
layer. Top layer 21 is a thin permeable nonwoven fabric material,
such as of a paper or a synthetic plastic material. However, top
layer 21 may also be a woven material. Middle layer 22 is a thin
absorbent non-woven or woven material, and bottom layer 23 is a
thin impermeable layer, such as of paper or of a synthetic plastic.
Adhesive patches 12 with release liners 12a complete shield 20.
The construction and materials of the various layers are similar
to those of a light weight bed pad.
[0054] The bottom layers 16 or 23 adjacent to the transparent temporary
adhesive patches 12 can be selected in a variety of colors to minimize
contrast with pants material.
[0055] Total thickness of the secret pants shield must be kept
to a minimum to prevent a visible outline from showing through.
For context, it is well to know that panty seams range from a thickness
of about 0.08" (2 mm) to about 0.12" (3 mm) and are quite
visible under tight pants. A LIGHTDAYS.TM. feminine hygiene pad
from KOTEX.RTM. is 0.075" (1.9 mm). The thickness of the preferred
embodiment of secret pants shield as in FIG. 3 (with two layers)
is about 0.030" (0.76 mm). The thickness of the second embodiment
as in FIG. 4 (with three layers) is 0.025" (0.64 mm). The secret
pants shield of this invention is therefore preferably less than
1 mm thick, which is not visible externally.
[0056] FIG. 5 shows the inner surface of panty alternative 30 of
an alternate embodiment.
[0057] FIG. 6 shows the outer surface, while FIGS. 7 and 8 show
the front and back view respectively of a model wearing panty alternative
30. Panty alternative 30 includes stretch fabric strap 31, absorbent
pad 34 and adhesive patches 32 for the front and 33 for the back.
[0058] In use, adhesive patches 32 and 33 are attached to the user's
skin as shown in the model 45 details of FIGS. 7 and 8. The underside
of patch 32 and 33 has a nonallergenic adhesive covered by release
liner 36 which is removed prior to attachment.
[0059] Since a disposable version is shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, rear
patch 33 is permanently attached to strap 31 by stitching 37 or
adhesive. Front patch 32 has a small area of loop material 40 which
engages a corresponding area of hook material which is adhesively
attached (or stitched) to strap 31. This facilitates removal of
the garment for toileting purposes with easy reattachment without
removal of the adhesive from the skin. The decorative top covering
of adhesive patches 32 and 33 can optionally be an outer fragrance
emitting layer. Absorbent pad 34 is attached to strap 31 by adhesive
patch 35.
[0060] Pad 34 can be a light cotton panel or a paper product similar
to a sanitary pad. For a version where strap 31 is reusable and
washable, old pad 34 is replaced with each use as are adhesive attachment
pads 32 and 33. For a reusable version, patch 33 would be attached
to strap 31 in the same manner as shown in FIG. 6 for patch 32.
[0061] In an alternate embodiment, absorbent pad 55 is adhesively
attached to a panty-like garment 51 as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10.
Waist band 52 is much wider than that of normal panties since it
fits around the wide part of the hip (not at the waist). Height
h is much lower than normal panties. Leg holes 56 complete the configuration.
[0062] If the user is wearing pants, she may use version 50 (FIG.
9) with adhesive patches 54 attached to the outside surface of garment
51. In this case, garment 51 would be secured to the outer garment
(pants).
[0063] Alternatively, version 60 (FIG. 10) may be worn with any
type of outer garment wherein adhesive patches 64 are inward facing
to attach to the user's skin. A single garment 51 can be supplied
with four adhesive patches (or fewer) each with adhesive and release
liners on both surfaces. In this manner, the patches can be attached
to either the inner surface of garment 51 (FIG. 10) or to the outer
surface (FIG. 9) as desired. Disposable or reusable versions can
be fabricated as described in the summary.
[0064] In the foregoing description, certain terms and visual depictions
are used to illustrate the preferred embodiment. However, no unnecessary
limitations are to be construed by the terms used or illustrations
depicted, beyond what is shown in the prior art, since the terms
and illustrations are exemplary only, and are not meant to limit
the scope of the present invention.
[0065] It is further known that other modifications may be made
to the present invention, without departing from the scope of the
invention. |