Armpit Perspiration Absorber

Abstract

9A method of combating the undesirable effects of perspiration from the armpit area of an individual is provided in which a removable absorbent pad is attached to a garment of clothing in each armpit area of the garment. The absorbent pad preferably has an absorbent layer adapted to be operatively directed outwards away from an associated garment towards the armpit in use; a waterproof layer adapted to be positioned between the absorbent layer and the garment; and fixing means provided on the side of the waterproof layer remote from the absorbent layer. Preferably the fixing means is a layer of fixing material that may be either an adhesive material adapted to simply adhere to the fabric of a garment with which it is to be associated or, alternatively, releasable fastener means such as hook and loop type fasteners. The absorbent pad is made either to be disposable or reusable after cleaning.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] This invention relates to a method and means for combating the undesirable effects of perspiration of the human body that are occasioned by the wearing of articles of clothing that enclose the wearer's armpit area.

[0003] 2. Background to the Invention

[0004] Perspiration of the human body that is covered by clothing, in particular clothing enclosing the armpit area, is known to result in unpleasant odours developing, at least in respect of many persons, if not all. These odours are often carried by associated perspiration that is unable to evaporate due to inadequate ventilation, into the adjacent items of clothing. The problem is generally combated simply by the application to the underarm region of various cosmetic and personal hygiene products in the form of antiperspirants, deodorants, and combination products that generally also include fragrances aimed at masking or neutralizing any body odours. These various products may assume any one of a number of forms such as sprays, natural or aerosol; and various roll-on or rub-on products.

[0005] In many instances such products operate effectively but, by the same token, in many other instances, they do not. In many other cases the use of such products may be objectionable for various reasons, and, most particularly, many persons are allergic to them; some persons perspire excessively so that the products do not work effectively; and the use of such products is sometimes contrary to a person's cultural or religious beliefs.

[0006] Apart from the problem of controlling the odours emitted at any particular time, there is also the problem that perspiration absorbed by the clothing in the region of the armpit area retains the undesirable odours and this leads to regular and sometimes costly cleaning procedures needing to be carried out on such clothing. Indeed, in some instances, after a period of time, it may become impossible to fully remove the offensive odour bearing substances and this can result in even more frequent cleaning becoming necessary.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0007] It is an object of this invention to provide a method and means for combating the undesirable effects of perspiration emitted by the armpit area of an individual that will combat the difficulties identified above, at least some extent.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] In accordance with one aspect of this invention there is provided a method of combating the undesirable effects of perspiration from the armpit area of an individual comprising positioning a removable and absorbent pad on a garment of clothing in each armpit area of the garment.

[0009] Further features of this aspect of the invention provide for the absorbent pad to have an absorbent layer adapted to be operatively directed outwards away from an associated garment” a waterproof layer adapted to be positioned between the absorbent layer and garment, in use; and fixing means typically in the form of a layer of fixing material provided on the side of the waterproof layer remote from the absorbent layer. The fixing material may be an adhesive material adapted simply to adhere to the fabric of a garment with which it is to be associated or, alternatively, it may consist of patches of faster material such as hook and loop fastener (such as that sold under the trade name “VELCRO”). Still further, the absorbent pad, in particular the absorbent layer, may have a fragrance emitting substance therein or an antiperspirant, or both.

[0010] In accordance with a second aspect of the invention there is provided an absorbent pad having attachment means associated with it whereby it can be releasably attached to a garment in the armpit area thereof. The absorbent pad may have the characteristics defined above in relation to the method of this invention.

[0011] In accordance with a third aspect of the invention there is provided a garment of clothing having sleeves or arm holes and wherein a removable absorbent pad is provided on the article of clothing in the region thereof that is to be positioned, in use, in the armpit region of a wearer so as to absorb excess perspiration.

[0012] In order that the invention may be more fully understood different embodiments thereof will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] In the drawings:

[0014] FIG. 1 illustrates schematically a jacket fitted with absorbent pads according to the invention;

[0015] FIG. 2 is an enlarged detail of the point of attachment of a sleeve of the jacket to the body thereof where a pad according to this invention is releasably located;

[0016] FIG. 3 is a detailed section through a pad suitable for use in association with such a jacket;

[0017] FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of a sleeveless article of clothing fitted with an absorbent pad according to the invention; and,

[0018] FIG. 5 is a detail of the absorbent pad illustrated in FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION WITH REFERENCE TO THE DRAWINGS

[0019] In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3 of the drawings an absorbent pad, generally indicated by numeral (1), is releasably attached to a garment (2) in the form of a jacket (3) having sleeves (4) at the position where each sleeve joins the jacket and which will be located immediately beneath the armpit of a wearer, in use.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 3, each pad has three layers, these being, a main absorbent layer (5) to which is laminated a waterproof layer (6) that carries on its other side, a layer of fixing material (7). As indicated above, the fixing material could be an adhesive layer that would adhere removably directly to the fabric of the jacket in which case no modification of the jacket would be necessary at all.

[0021] On the other hand, the jacket could carry patches of faster material such as one of cooperating hook and loop material whereof the other cooperating patch is carried by the pad. The exact nature of the fixing layer may be dependent on whether or not the pad is made to be disposable or reusable. In the event that it is disposable it is considered that adhesive material may be more preferable but, in the case that the pads are reusable after suitable cleaning, the hook and loop fastener may be more preferable.

[0022] In all cases it will be understood that the fixing layer need not extend over the entire surface of the waterproof layer and may, for example, be located only at each end of the pad or around its periphery.

[0023] Still further in all cases, the pad may embody a fragrance emitting substance or an antiperspirant, or both. In such an instance, if the pad is of the disposable type, it may be sealed in an impervious sachet to preserve the fragrance emitting substance and/or antiperspirant.

[0024] FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate the application of the invention to a sleeveless garment (8) in which case the pad (9) can simply be doubled over the edge (1 0) of the armhole (11) in the lower region thereof. The pad can be attached in the same way as indicated above.

[0025] Numerous different configurations are possible within the scope of the invention that is not be interpreted as being limited to the particular embodiment of the invention described above.

Claims

1. A method of combating the undesirable effects of perspiration from the armpit area of an individual comprising positioning a removable absorbent pad on a garment of clothing in each armpit area of the garment.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1 in which the absorbent pad has an absorbent layer adapted to be operatively directed outwards away from an associated garment; a waterproof layer adapted to be positioned between the absorbent layer and garment, in use; and fixing means provided on the side of the waterproof layer remote from the absorbent layer.

3. A method as claimed in either one of claims 1 or 2 in which the fixing means is a layer of fixing material.

4. A method as claimed in claim 3 in which the layer of fixing material is an adhesive material adapted simply to adhere to the fabric of a garment with which it is to be associated.

5. A method as claimed in claim 3 in which the layer of fixing material consists of patches of relesably inter-engagable fastener material.

6. A method as claimed in claim 5 in which the layer of fixing material consists of patches of hook and loop fastener (such as that sold under the trade name “VELCRO”).

7. An absorbent pad having attachment means associated with it whereby it can be releasably attached to a garment in the armpit area thereof.

8. An absorbent pad as claimed in claim 7 in which the absorbent pad has an absorbent layer adapted to be operatively directed outwards away from an associated garment; a waterproof layer adapted to be positioned between the absorbent layer and garment, in use; and fixing means provided on the side of the waterproof layer remote from the absorbent layer.

9. An absorbent pad as claimed in either one of the claims 7 or 8 in which the fixing means is a layer of fixing material.

10. An absorbent pad as claimed in claim 9 in which the layer of fixing material is an adhesive material adapted simply to adhere to the fabric of a garment with which it is to be associated.

11. An absorbent pad as claimed in claim 9 in which the layer of fixing material consists of patches of relesably inter-engagable fastener material.

12. An absorbent pad as claimed in claim 11 in which the layer of fixing material consists of patches of hook and loop fastener (such as that sold under the trade name “VELCRO”).

13. An absorbent pad as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 11 in which as fragrance emitting substance or an antiperspirant, or both is or are embodied in the pad.

14. A garment of clothing having sleeves or arm holes wherein a removable absorbent pad is provided on the article of clothing in the region thereof that is to be positioned, in use, in the armpit region of a wearer so as to absorb excess perspiration.

15. A garment of clothing as claimed in claim 14 in which the absorbent pad is as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 13.