Underwear abstract
A liner adapted for insertion into a crotch portion of thong underwear
for absorbing bodily fluids and protecting the garment from such
fluids. The liner includes a left liner edge and a right liner edge
converging downward toward an apex of the liner. The liner is sized
and configured such that upon insertion of the liner into the crotch
portion, the liner apex contacts the crotch portion at a location
adjacent a lower end of the crotch portion, the left liner edge
does not extend laterally out beyond a left garment edge, the right
liner edge does not extend laterally out beyond a right garment
edge, and the liner apex is not overlapping with the web of the
thong underwear that extends between the buttocks of the wearer.
These fit characteristics ensure that the liner does not extend
beyond the edges of the thong underwear or onto the web, thereby
minimizing irritation of the wearer.
Underwear claims
What is claimed is:
1. In combination with a garment for fitting about a wearer's waist
and crotch, the garment including a waistband for encircling the
waist of said wearer, a crotch portion extending downward from said
waistband for positioning over the crotch of the wearer, said crotch
portion including a left garment edge and a right garment edge converging
downward from the waistband toward a lower end of said crotch portion,
and a web extending rearward from said lower end of said crotch
portion for passing between the buttocks of the wearer and attaching
to the waistband, a liner adapted for insertion into said crotch
portion for absorbing bodily fluids and protecting said garment
from such fluids, said liner being generally flat and including
a garment-facing surface adapted for flatwise contact with said
crotch portion of the garment and a body-facing surface adapted
for flatwise contact with said crotch of the wearer, said liner
further including a left liner edge and a right liner edge converging
downward toward an apex of said liner, said liner having a size
and configuration such that upon insertion of the liner into said
crotch portion of the garment, the liner apex contacts the crotch
portion at a location adjacent the lower end of the crotch portion,
said left liner edge does not extend laterally out beyond the left
garment edge, said right liner edge does not extend laterally out
beyond the right garment edge, and said liner apex is not overlapping
with said web.
2. A combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said liner apex
is spaced slightly forward of said web.
3. A combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said liner apex
is arcuate.
4. A combination as set forth in claim 3 wherein said liner apex
and said left and right liner edges meet to define a substantially
smooth liner lower edge.
5. A combination as set forth in claim 3 wherein said liner apex
comprises a circular arc.
6. A combination as set forth in claim 5 wherein said liner further
comprises an upper liner edge extending between an upper end of
the left liner edge and an upper end of the right liner edge.
7. A combination as set forth in claim 6 wherein said upper liner
edge is arcuate.
8. A combination as set forth in claim 7 wherein said upper liner
edge comprises a circular arc.
9. A combination as set forth in claim 8 wherein a curvature ratio
between a radius of said upper liner edge and a radius of said liner
apex is between about 3 and about 7.
10. A combination as set forth in claim 9 wherein said curvature
ratio is between about 4 and about 6.
11. A combination as set forth in claim 10 wherein said curvature
ratio is between about 5.0 and about 5.5.
12. A combination as set forth in claim 7 wherein said upper liner
edge and said left and right liner edges meet to define a substantially
smooth transition between said liner edges.
13. A combination as set forth in claim 3 wherein said left and
right liner edges both include a substantially convex portion.
14. A combination as set forth in claim 13 wherein said substantially
convex portions comprise circular arcs, each having a radius of
at least 100 millimeters (3.9 inches).
15. A combination as set forth in claim 13 wherein said substantially
convex portions comprise circular arcs, each having a radius of
at least 150 millimeters (5.9 inches).
16. A combination as set forth in claim 3 wherein said left and
right liner edges are substantially straight.
17. A combination as set forth in claim 3 wherein said left and
right liner edges are substantially concave.
18. A combination as set forth in claim 3 wherein said left and
right liner edges are substantially without corners.
19. A combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said liner further
comprises an upper liner edge extending between an upper end of
the left liner edge and an upper end of the right liner edge.
20. A combination as set forth in claim 19 wherein said upper liner
edge is arcuate.
21. A combination as set forth in claim 20 wherein said upper liner
edge is semicircular.
22. A combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein an angle of inclusion
between said left liner edge and said right liner edge is between
about 26.degree. and about 44.degree..
23. A combination as set forth in claim 22 wherein said angle of
inclusion is between about 27.degree. and about 35.degree..
24. A combination as set forth in claim 23 wherein said angle of
inclusion is between about 28.degree. and about 33.degree..
25. A combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said liner is
a pantyliner.
26. A combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said liner is
a menstrual pad.
27. A combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said liner has
a thickness of between about 0.5 millimeter (0.02 inch) and about
20 millimeters (0.8 inch).
28. A combination as set forth in claim 27 wherein said liner has
a thickness of between about 0.5 millimeter (0.02 inch) and about
12 millimeters (0.47 inch).
29. A combination as set forth in claim 28 wherein said liner has
a thickness of between about 0.5 millimeter (0.02 inch) and about
2.0 millimeters (0.079 inch).
30. A combination as set forth in claim 29 wherein said liner has
a thickness of between about 0.75 millimeter (0.030 inch) and about
1.5 millimeter (0.059 inch).
31. A combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein an angle of inclusion
between said left garment edge and said right garment edge is between
about 22.degree. and about 37.degree..
32. A liner adapted for insertion into a crotch portion of a garment
for absorbing bodily fluids and protecting said garment from such
fluids, said liner being generally flat and including a garment-facing
surface adapted for flatwise contact with a crotch portion of the
garment and a body-facing surface adapted for flatwise contact with
a crotch of a wearer, said liner further including a substantially
straight left liner edge and a substantially straight right liner
edge converging downward toward an apex of said liner, said liner
apex comprising a circular arc, said liner further comprising a
semicircular upper liner edge extending between an upper end of
the left liner edge and an upper end of the right liner edge, wherein
a curvature ratio between a radius of said upper liner edge and
a radius of said liner apex is between about 3 and about 7.
33. A liner as set forth in claim 32 wherein said curvature ratio
is between about 4 and about 6.
34. A liner as set forth in claim 33 wherein said curvature ratio
is between about 5.0 and about 5.5
35. A liner adapted for insertion into a crotch portion of a garment
for absorbing bodily fluids and protecting said garment from such
fluids, said liner being generally flat and including a garment-facing
surface adapted for flatwise contact with a crotch portion of the
garment and a body-facing surface adapted for flatwise contact with
a crotch of a wearer, said liner further including a left liner
edge having a substantially convex portion and a right liner edge
having a substantially convex portion, said liner edges converging
downward toward an apex of said liner, said liner apex comprising
a circular arc, said liner further comprising a semicircular upper
liner edge extending between an upper end of the left liner edge
and an upper end of the right liner edge, wherein a curvature ratio
between a radius of said upper liner edge and a radius of said liner
apex is between about 3 and about 7.
36. A liner as set forth in claim 35 wherein said curvature ratio
is between about 4 and about 6.
37. A liner as set forth in claim 36 wherein said curvature ratio
is between about 5.0 and about 5.5.
38. A liner as set forth in claim 35 wherein said substantially
convex portions comprise circular arcs, each having a radius of
at least 100 millimeters (3.9 inches).
39. A liner as set forth in claim 35 wherein said substantially
convex portions comprise circular arcs, each having a radius of
at least 150 millimeters (5.9 inches).
40. A liner adapted for insertion into a crotch portion of a garment
for absorbing bodily fluids and protecting said garment from such
fluids, said liner being generally flat and including a garment-facing
surface adapted for flatwise contact with a crotch portion of the
garment and a body-facing surface adapted for flatwise contact with
a crotch of a wearer, said liner further including a left liner
edge and a right liner edge converging downward toward an apex of
said liner, said liner further comprising an arcuate upper liner
edge extending between an upper end of the left liner edge and an
upper end of the right liner edge, wherein an angle of inclusion
between said left liner edge and said right liner edge is between
about 26.degree. and about 44.degree..
41. A liner as set forth in claim 40 wherein said angle of inclusion
is between about 27.degree. and about 35.degree..
42. A liner as set forth in claim 41 wherein said angle of inclusion
is between about 28.degree. and about 33.degree..
Underwear description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention generally relates to feminine hygiene products,
and more particularly to a liner sized and shaped for insertion
into a particular type of women's underwear known as either a thong,
a g-string, a tanga or a T-back (hereinafter "thong underwear").
Such underwear differs from traditionally shaped women's underwear
(e.g., briefs, bikinis) in that it includes only a thin web of material
passing between the buttocks, rather than a wider piece of material
extending laterally outward in the rear to cover the buttocks. Thong
underwear also generally includes a narrower crotch portion than
traditionally shaped underwear. Thong underwear is popular with
consumers because the thin web of material extending between the
buttocks and the narrower crotch portion is less likely to reveal
a panty line (i.e., an edge seam of the underwear) through tight-fitting
outer garments, thereby providing a smoother appearance for garments
worn over the thong underwear.
[0002] Conventional pantyliners and menstrual pads, generally liners,
are designed for traditionally shaped underwear. For example, conventional
liners are hourglass-shaped to generally match the hourglass shape
of traditional underwear. When worn, a narrower middle portion of
the conventional liner and underwear fit between the legs of the
wearer while the wider end portions extend forward and rearward
from between the legs. When inserted into traditionally shaped underwear,
such hourglass-shaped liners are fully contained within the confines
of the underwear. In other words, lateral edges of the liner do
not extend beyond the lateral edges of the underwear. This is an
important characteristic, because portions of the liner extending
beyond the edges of the underwear can irritate the wearer's skin.
When inserted into thong underwear, however, such hourglass-shaped
liners cause several problems. First, a conventional liner is generally
too large for full insertion into the crotch portion without extending
laterally beyond the edge of the underwear. Second, the rearward
extending portion of the liner extends onto the thin web of the
thong underwear, forcing a large portion of the liner to extend
beyond the edge of the web. This excess material can irritate the
wearer by rubbing and chaffing the wearer's legs.
[0003] Previous attempts to provide a liner suitable for thong
underwear have suffered from various drawbacks. Many such liners
are wider than the crotch portion of the thong underwear, typically
near a lower end of the crotch portion. These designs cause an excess
of liner material to extend beyond the edge of the thong underwear.
As noted above, such excess material can irritate the wearer. Other
liners do not widen sufficiently near an upper end of the liner
to provide adequate coverage sufficient to absorb all bodily fluids.
Still other liners extend onto the web of the thong underwear, which
may be uncomfortable when placed between the buttocks of the wearer.
Again, because such liners extend laterally beyond the edges of
the thong underwear, they cause rubbing and chaffing that may irritate
the wearer.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] In general, one form of the invention includes a liner in
combination with a garment (e.g., thong underwear) for fitting about
a wearer's waist and crotch. The garment includes a waistband for
encircling the waist of the wearer and a crotch portion which extends
downward from the waistband for positioning over the crotch of the
wearer. The crotch portion includes a left garment edge and a right
garment edge converging downward from the waistband toward a lower
end of the crotch portion. A web extends rearward from the lower
end of the crotch portion for passing between the buttocks of the
wearer and attaching to the waistband. The liner is adapted for
insertion into the crotch portion for absorbing bodily fluids and
protecting the garment from such fluids. The liner is generally
flat and includes a garment-facing surface adapted for flatwise
contact with the crotch portion of the garment and a body-facing
surface adapted for flatwise contact with the crotch of the wearer.
The liner further includes a left liner edge and a right liner edge
converging downward toward an apex of the liner. The liner has a
size and configuration such that upon insertion of the liner into
the crotch portion of the garment, the liner apex contacts the crotch
portion at a location adjacent the lower end of the crotch portion,
the left liner edge does not extend laterally out beyond the left
garment edge, the right liner edge does not extend laterally out
beyond the right garment edge, and the liner apex is not overlapping
with the web.
[0005] Another embodiment of the present invention is directed
to a liner as set forth generally above, wherein the left and right
liner edges are substantially straight and the liner apex comprises
a circular arc. The liner has a semicircular upper liner edge extending
between an upper end of the left liner edge and an upper end of
the right liner edge. A curvature ratio between a radius of the
upper liner edge and a radius of the liner apex is between about
3 and about 7.
[0006] In yet another embodiment, each of the left and right edges
of the liner has a substantially convex portion.
[0007] In a further embodiment, the liner has an apex, an arcuate
upper liner edge and an angle of inclusion between the left liner
edge and the right liner edge is between about 26.degree. and about
44.degree..
[0008] Other objects and features will be in part apparent and
in part pointed out hereinafter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a front elevation of a prior art liner inserted
into thong underwear;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a perspective of a liner of the present invention
upon insertion into thong underwear;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a perspective of a wearer wearing the liner and
thong underwear of FIG. 2;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a partial plan view of the thong underwear and
liner of FIG. 2 in a flattened condition;
[0013] FIG. 5 is a partial plan view of the thong underwear and
another liner of the present invention in a flattened condition;
and
[0014] FIGS. 6-9 are plan views of various liners of the present
invention.
[0015] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding
parts throughout the several views of the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0016] Referring first to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a conventional
liner, generally designated 19, designed for use in a thong underwear
garment, generally designated 21. Thong underwear 21 fits about
a wearer's waist 25 and crotch 29 (FIG. 3), much like traditionally
shaped underwear. Thong underwear 21 includes a waistband 33 for
encircling the waist 25 of the wearer and a crotch portion 37 extending
downward from the waistband for positioning over the crotch 29 of
the wearer. A web 41 extends rearward from a lower end 43 of the
crotch portion 37 and passes between the buttocks 47 of the wearer
for attachment to the waistband 33. It is contemplated that the
web 41 could be made in any number of configurations without departing
from the scope of the present invention, including, for example,
a strap, a strip, a band or a string of material.
[0017] The crotch portion 37 of the thong underwear 21 further
includes a left garment edge 51 and a right garment edge 53 (left
and right from the perspective of the wearer and as viewed in FIGS.
4 and 5, for example) converging downward from the waistband 33
toward the lower end 43 of the crotch portion. The crotch portion
37 is similar to traditionally shaped underwear, except that the
angle of inclusion .gamma. between the left garment edge 51 and
the right garment edge 53 may be larger, such that the lower end
43 of the crotch portion is narrower (FIGS. 1, 4 and 5). For example,
the angle of inclusion of a crotch portion of traditionally shaped
underwear may be between about 12.degree. and about 20.degree. because
the crotch portion need not become as narrow between the legs and
buttocks of the wearer. In contrast, the angle of inclusion .gamma.
of the crotch portion 37 of thong underwear 21 may be between about
22.degree. and about 37.degree., thereby allowing the lower end
of the crotch portion to become narrower than traditionally shaped
underwear.
[0018] Referring now to FIGS. 2-5, a liner of the present invention,
generally designated 61, may be used in combination with the thong
underwear 21 described above. The liner 61 is adapted for insertion
into the crotch portion 37 of the thong underwear 21 and is preferably
formed from an absorbent material that absorbs bodily fluids and
protects the thong underwear and other adjacent garments from such
fluids. Such fluids may be associated with menstruation, ovulation,
urine loss or any other process that creates bodily fluid. For example,
the liner 61 may be a menstrual pad, a pantyliner or other similar
product. The liner 61 is generally flat and includes a garment-facing
surface 65 adapted for flatwise contact with the crotch portion
37 of the thong underwear 21 (FIGS. 2 and 3). The garment-facing
surface 65 has adhesive areas 67 for adhering and securing the liner
61 to the crotch portion 37 of the underwear 21 (FIG. 2). Such adhesive
areas 67 are well known in the art and will not be described in
detail here. A body-facing surface 71 opposite the garment-facing
surface 65 is adapted for flatwise contact with the crotch 29 of
the wearer (FIGS. 4 and 5).
[0019] The liner 61 has a left liner edge 75 and a right liner
edge 77 (left and right from the perspective of the wearer and as
viewed in FIGS. 4 and 5, for example) converging downward toward
an apex 79 of the liner. The liner 61 has a size and configuration
such that upon insertion of the liner into the crotch portion 37
of the thong underwear 21, the liner apex 79 contacts the crotch
portion at a location adjacent the lower end 43 of the crotch portion
(FIG. 5). Contrary to conventional liners 19, however, the left
liner edge 75 does not extend laterally out beyond the left garment
edge 51. Similarly, the right liner edge 77 does not extend laterally
out beyond the right garment edge 53. The liner apex 79 also does
not overlap with the web 41, but rather is either coterminous with
the web as shown in FIG. 5 or spaced slightly forward of the web
as shown in FIG. 4. This combination of fit characteristics ensures
that the liner does not extend laterally beyond the edges 51,53
of the thong underwear or onto the web 41, thereby minimizing irritation
of the wearer.
[0020] In the configurations shown in FIGS. 5, 6, 8 and 9, both
left and right liner edges 75,77 include a substantially convex
portion 83. Such convex portions may be used in conjunction with
one or more straight portions 87 (e.g. FIG. 9) and/or one or more
arcuate portions to form a left or right liner edge 75,77. The convex
portions 83 may be formed a circular arc. For instance, such an
arc may have a radius of at least 100 millimeters (3.9 inches),
and preferably includes a radius of at least 150 millimeters (5.9
inches). In other embodiments (e.g., FIG. 7), the left and right
liner edges 75,77 may be substantially straight. The left and right
liner edges 75,77 may also be substantially concave. In each of
the disclosed embodiments, however, the left and right liner edges
75,77 are substantially without corners.
[0021] Although the apex 79 of the liner 61 may be pointed or flat,
the apex of the liner is preferably arcuate (FIG. 49). In addition,
the liner apex 79 and the left and right liner edges 75,77 preferably
meet to define a substantially smooth liner lower edge 87. This
adds to the overall appearance of the liner 61 and avoids sharp
corners on the edge of the liner which might otherwise irritate
the wearer. More preferably, the liner apex 79 comprises a circular
arc.
[0022] The liner further comprises an upper liner edge 91 extending
between an upper end of the left liner edge 75 and an upper end
of the right liner edge 77 (FIGS. 4-9). The upper liner edge 91
is preferably arcuate, and more preferably comprises a circular
arc. As with the apex 79, the upper liner edge 91 and left and right
liner edges 75,77 meet to define a substantially smooth transition
to add to the appearance, fit and feel of the liner 61.
[0023] In order for the liner 61 to fit properly within the thong
underwear 21, the shape of the liner must closely match the shape
of the crotch portion 37. Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, a curvature
ratio is hereby defined as the ratio between a radius Ru of the
upper liner edge 91 and a radius Ra of the liner apex 79. This ratio
indicates the degree of taper of the liner 61 along its length L.
For instance, a larger ratio indicates a liner 61 having a significant
taper from its upper edge 91 to the apex 79. For example, the liners
61 of FIGS. 6, 7, 8 and 9 have curvature ratios of 5.3, 3.1, 5.3
and 5.4, respectively. Generally, it is preferred that liners 61
of the present invention have curvature ratios between about 3 and
about 7, more preferably between about 4 and about 6 and even more
preferably between about 5.0 and about 5.5. Liners 61 having curvature
ratios in such ranges are capable of providing the benefits noted
above. Conversely, a smaller ratio (e.g., approaching unity) indicates
a liner having a less significant taper. Liners designed for traditionally
shaped underwear typically have ratios at or approaching unity and
are not suitable for thong underwear 21, as discussed above.
[0024] Another measure of the liner's ability to match the shape
of the crotch portion 37 without extending laterally out beyond
the left and right garment edges 51,53 is an angle of inclusion
P of the liner 61. The angle of inclusion of previous liner designs
for thong underwear tended to be smaller than optimal. For example,
the liner 19 of FIG. 1 has an angle of inclusion .beta. of about
19.degree.. Such an angle of inclusion .beta. causes lower side
portions 95 of the liner 19 to extend beyond the lateral edges 51,53
of the crotch portion 37. As discussed above, such a design may
cause wearer irritation. The angle of inclusion .beta. for liners
61 of the present invention, however, are larger and therefore provide
a better fit with thong underwear 21.
[0025] Measuring an angle of inclusion .beta. for a liner 61 having
substantially straight left and right liner edges 75,77 is relatively
simple, as it is simply the included angle between the straight
edges. For example, the angle of inclusion P of the liner 61 depicted
in FIG. 7 is 32.4.degree.. For a liner 61 having non-linear edges
75,77, such as those depicted in FIGS. 6, 8 and 9, the angle of
inclusion .beta. must be defined differently, because the angularity
of the edges changes along their length. As used herein, the term
"angle of inclusion" .beta. for non-linear edges 75,77
is measured using lines drawn between defined points on the liner
61 (FIG. 5). A first set of points, P.sub.w, corresponds to the
widest portion of the liner 61. A second set of points, P.sub.a,
corresponds to an intersection of the liner edge 75,77 with a line
perpendicular to a longitudinal axis A of the liner 61 and passing
through the center C of the circular apex 79. By measuring the angle
between lines P.sub.w-P.sub.a, the angle of inclusion .beta. of
a liner 61 with non-linear edges 75,77 is readily defined. For example,
the liners 61 of FIGS. 6, 8 and 9 have angles of inclusion .beta.
of 34.6.degree., 28.4.degree. and 28.7.degree., respectively. Generally
speaking, an angle of inclusion .beta. for a liner 61 of the present
invention is between about 26.degree. and about 44.degree., more
preferably between about 27.degree. and about 35.degree. and even
more preferably between about 28.degree. and about 33.degree..
[0026] Liner shape may also be defined with an aspect ratio comparing
a maximum length L of the liner 61 and a maximum width W of the
liner. For example, the liners 61 of FIGS. 6, 7, 8 and 9 include
aspect ratios of 2.0, 1.9, 2.1 and 2.2, respectively. For the present
invention, an appropriate aspect ratio is preferably between about
1.5 and about 2.5, even more preferably between about 2.0 and about
2.2 and still more preferably between about 1.8 and about 1.9. Each
of the foregoing measures provides some indication of the ability
of a particular liner 61 to fit concealed within thong underwear
21.
[0027] The desired use of the liner 61 largely determines its required
thickness. In general, a liner 61 of the present invention may have
a thickness of between about 0.5 millimeter (0.02 inch) and about
20 millimeters (0.8 inch), more preferably a thickness of between
about 0.5 millimeter (0.02 inch) and about 12 millimeters (0.47
inch), even more preferably a thickness of between about 0.5 millimeter
(0.02 inch) and about 2.0 millimeters (0.079 inch) and still more
preferably a thickness of between about 0.75 millimeter (0.030 inch)
and about 1.5 millimeter (0.059 inch). For a pantyliner, which needs
less absorptive capacity, the thickness of the liner 61 is preferably
between about 0.5 millimeter (0.02 inch) and about 2.0 millimeters
(0.079 inch). For a menstrual pad, which needs more absorptive capacity,
the thickness of the liner 61 is preferably between about 2.0 millimeters
(0.079 inch) and about 20 millimeters (0.8 inch).
[0028] The liner 61 of the present invention is preferably formed
from flexible, soft material or materials so that the liner readily
conforms to the contour of the thong underwear 21 and the crotch
29 of the wearer. The body-facing surface 71 is preferably made
from a cotton material, or a material exhibiting cottony characteristics,
such as a nonwoven material. The liner 61 also preferably comprises
an absorbent material capable of absorbing bodily fluids. For instance,
both an airlaid material with a mass per area of between about 30
grams per square meter (gsm) (0.9 ounces per square yard (osy))
and about 100 gsm (2.9 osy) or a Thru-Air Bonded Carded Web (TABCW)
material are appropriate choices. For additional detail regarding
the construction of liners, reference may be made to U.S. Pat. No.
4,079,739, entitled DIE-CUT CONTOURED CATAMENIAL NAPKIN OF MULTI-LAYERED
CONSTRUCTION, by Whitehead, assigned to Kimberly-Clark Worldwide,
Inc., U.S. Pat. No. 4,758,239, entitled BREATHABLE BARRIER, by Yeo,
et al., assigned to Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc., U.S. Pat. No.
6,172,276, entitled STABILIZED ABSORBENT MATERIAL FOR IMPROVED DISTRIBUTION
PERFORMANCE WITH VISCO-ELASTIC FLUIDS, by Hetzler, et al., and U.S.
Pat. No. 5,429,630, entitled ABSORBENT ARTICLE AND A METHOD OF REMOVING
SAID ARTICLE FROM AN UNDERGARMENT, by Beal, et al., assigned to
Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. the entire disclosures of which are
incorporated by reference in a manner consistent herewith. It will
be understood, however, that the principles of the present invention
can be practiced with different liner constructions.
[0029] Although the liner 61 of the present invention is specifically
designed to fit within thong underwear 21, it will be understood
by those skilled in the art that such a liner could readily be inserted
into and used with traditionally shaped underwear without departing
from the scope of the present invention.
[0030] The liners 61 depicted in the figures are exemplary only.
Other liners exhibiting the characteristics and features of the
present invention are also contemplated as within the scope of the
present invention.
[0031] In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects
of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.
[0032] When introducing elements of the present invention or the
preferred embodiment(s) thereof, the articles "a", "an",
"the" and "said" are intended to mean that there
are one or more of the elements. The terms "comprising",
"including" and "having" are intended to be
inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than
the listed elements.
[0033] As various changes could be made in the above without departing
from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter
contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying
drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting
sense.
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