Perspiration shield

Abstract

The present invention relates to a perspiration shield in particular suitable for protecting the outer clothing against perspiration marks, in particular in the underarm area, said shield having at least one first layer as well as a second layer of a moisture-absorbing material supported by said first layer, said first layer including an elongated part having a first short side and a second short side, which elongated part is or at least can be attached, at the first short side thereof, to an undergarment extending round the chest of a user, and which comprises two ribbons on two long sides between the two short sides.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This is a continuation-in-part application that claims benefit, under 35 USC §120, of co-pending International Application PCT/NL2004/000240, filed on 9 Apr. 2004, designating the United States, which claims foreign priority benefits under 35 USC §119 (a) to The Netherlands Patent Application No. 1023172, filed 14 Apr. 2003, which applications are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a perspiration shield in particular suitable for protecting the outer clothing against perspiration marks, in particular in the underarm area, said shield comprising at least one first layer as well as a second layer of a moisture-absorbing material supported by said first layer, said first layer comprising an elongated part having a first short side and a second short side, which elongated part is or at least can be attached, at the first short side thereof, to an undergarment extending round the chest of a user, and which comprises two ribbons on two long sides between the two short sides.

It is generally known that perspiration and other undesirable and/or uncontrolled loss of bodily fluid may present problems, for example visible marks in the outer clothing. Furthermore, such loss of fluid may add to the problem of undesirable body odour.

We already know panty shields, napkins for babies and incontinence napkins for adults, which obviate these problems to a reasonable extent.

A perspiration shield as referred to in the introduction is known from U.S. Pat. No. 2,808,589, which describes a combination of a perspiration shield for the underarm area and a shoulder pad. The shoulder pad can be fastened to the upper clothing that is worn by a person so as to hold the shoulder pad in place. The perspiration shield for the underarm area is in turn fastened to the shoulder pad by means of ribbons. The perspiration shield furthermore comprises an elastic, which is to be engaged around the arm of the user, and an elastic loop, which can be fastened to the horizontal strap of a brassiere extending around the body at chest level. A drawback of said perspiration shield is the fact that it cannot be used without the associated shoulder pad. In addition, the shoulder pad needs be fastened to the outer garment a user wishes to wear in order to ensure a satisfactory effect. The use of such a perspiration shield is labourious, therefore, and in addition it will probably not be used in situations in which the shoulder pad cannot be worn in such a manner that it is more or less hidden from view under the outer clothing.

So far, there are not known any satisfactory perspiration shields, in particular for use in the underarm area, which are easy to fit in such a manner that they will hardly show and which can be worn independently of the outer clothing. This problem is becoming increasingly urgent because particularly many women are presently wearing very tightly fitting clothes, so that the perspiration is absorbed by the material of the garments in question before it can evaporate, becoming visible in the form of perspiration marks.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to provide a solution to this problem which overcomes or alleviates the above drawbacks at least in part and which hardly shows when fitted. In order to accomplish that object, the perspiration shield according to the present invention is characterized in that the ribbons are or at least can be fastened to shoulder straps that prevent the undergarment from slipping down.

The perspiration shield according to the invention is easy to fit because the first layer is or can be fastened to an undergarment provided with shoulder straps, such as a brassiere or a shirt, by using suitable means, without using any other means that are visible under or through the outer clothing, wherein the risk of the perspiration shield being displaced during use is minimised. In addition, this solution is affordable, since only means for fastening the perspiration shield to the shoulder straps are needed. There are countless inexpensive fastening means for garments, such as buttons, clips, Velcro and/or press-studs. According to the invention, the perspiration shield can furthermore be fitted in such a manner that the wearer's freedom of movement is hardly affected. In this way a very simple, affordable and adequate perspiration shield against perspiration marks that might become visible through tightly fitting garments is provided.

Preferably, the first layer forms part of an envelope in which the second layer can be accommodated, preferably in such a manner as to be exchangeable. Exchanging the moisture-absorbing layer in time enables the user to wear a new, fresh moisture-absorbing perspiration shield at all times. The envelope makes it possible to exchange the shield in a simple manner. It is further preferred that the second layer is positioned between the first layer and the part of the body in question.

Another embodiment of the perspiration shield according to the invention is characterized in that the first layer is fastened to the undergarment on the first short side and is provided, on or at least near the second short side, with a ribbon that can be engaged around the upper arm so as to fasten the first layer in place in the underarm cavity.

According to the invention, the first layer or the envelope may be made of a natural or a synthetic material. The second layer preferably comprises an absorbing layer of cellulose that turns into a solid gel mass by absorbing moisture.

Another advantageous embodiment of the perspiration shield according to the invention is characterized in that the first and/or the second layer are impregnated with a suitable deodorant. If body odours should be released in or around the underarm area in spite of the presence of the perspiration shield, said odours will be masked by the deodorant. The use of a separate deodorant will no longer be necessary in that case, or at least to a lesser extent.

Preferably, connecting means are provided for detachably connecting the perspiration shield to the garment. This makes it possible to use the perspiration shield for different garments and to clean the perspiration shield independently of the garment. The perspiration shield could be secured to a shirt or a brassiere by means of clips, for example.

The invention furthermore relates to a garment provided with a perspiration shield as discussed in the foregoing. A brassiere or shirt or other garment provided with shoulder straps, which extends around a person's upper body, is very suitable for fitting such a perspiration shield.

The garment according to the invention may furthermore be provided with two perspiration shields, one for each underarm. According to the invention, the garment may be a brassiere. A brassiere has the right form for this purpose and provides a tightly fitting chest strap for correctly positioning the perspiration shield.

Preferably, the garment is provided with further fastening means for detachably securing the perspiration shield to the garment. Press-studs, for example, make it possible to attach/detach a perspiration shield to/from the garment in a quick and simple manner, but also numerous other suitable connecting means for clothes are known.

The invention furthermore relates to an exchangeable second layer of a moisture-absorbing material for use in a perspiration shield as discussed above.

Preferably, the second layer has two short sides of mutually different length. As a result, the shape of the second layer better conforms to the shape of the wearer's underarm area.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the figures, in which a few perspiration shields according to the invention are schematically shown by way of example.

FIGS. 1 and 2 schematically show parts of a perspiration shield according to the invention.

FIG. 3 schematically shows the perspiration shield as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in this case comprising means for providing the same on a human body.

FIG. 4 schematically shows a brassiere which is provided with perspiration shields for the underarm area on both sides.

FIG. 5 schematically shows the brassiere according to FIG. 4 in this case provided on a schematically indicated part of the human body.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 schematically shows a first panel 5 of a woven or differently manufactured natural or synthetic material. A second panel 5′ (FIG. 2) is laid over said panel 5, and the two panels 5, 5′ are fastened together along their long sides by means of a glue or Velcro or by stitching. In this way an envelope as shown in FIG. 2 is formed, which envelope consists of the two panels 5 and 5′, which are fastened together at the connecting lines and in which a second layer 7 of an absorbing material can be detachably or undetachably placed. In order to make it possible to exchange the second layer 7, an opening may be formed in one of the two panels 5, 5′, or in both, which opening is slightly smaller than the circumference of the second layer 7. Alternatively, the panels 5′ are not fastened together at one of their respective circumferential sides.

Such a second layer of 7 of an absorbing material may for example be configured as a kind of panty shield comprising a number of sublayers: a first outer layer of a hyperallergenic, semi-permeable, breathing material facing towards the body, a second outer layer of a nonpermeable material facing away from the body, the two outer layers being fastened together along their circumferential edges, between which two outer layers a layer of a moisture and odour-absorbing cellulose material is positioned, which material turns into a solid gel mass by absorbing moisture, which is experienced as comfortable by the user.

FIG. 3 schematically shows how the envelope according to FIGS. 1 and 2 may be provided with means for fitting the same in the underarm cavity of the human body. Also in this case the envelope consists of the panels 5 and 5′, with the absorbing layer 7 (not shown) being accommodated therein. On a first short side 8, the envelope 5, 5′ is secured to a chest strap 9 that can be engaged around a user's chest. On a second short side 10, the envelope 5, 5′ is provided with a ribbon 11 that can be engaged around the wearer's arm. The ribbon 11 is not necessary for the correct operation of the perspiration shield. It may provide additional wearing comfort, however. The chest strap 9 is furthermore provided with a shoulder strap 12, which prevents the chest strap 9 from slipping down, whilst two ribbons 13 and 14 are furthermore provided at the long sides of the envelope 5, 5′, which ribbons are connected to the shoulder strap 12 with one end. In this way a perspiration shield is obtained which can be fitted in the underarm cavity in the first place and in which the absorbing layer 7 is easy to fit in the envelope 5, 5′ in an exchangeable manner. It will be apparent that the chest strap 9 may also be provided with such an envelope 6, 5′ on the other side, so that a reliable perspiration shield can be provided for both underarm areas.

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment in which the perspiration shield is integrated in the construction of a brassiere 19 in the form of a detachable envelope 5, 5′. In fact, the chest strap 9 of the construction according to FIG. 3 is configured as a brassiere. The brassiere 19 is on both sides provided with an anti-perspiration envelope 5, 5′, which anti-perspiration envelopes may be connected to the brassiere 19 with their short side 8 in this embodiment, and which are provided with a ribbon 11 at the short side 10, which ribbon can be engaged around the upper arm. Furthermore, the long sides of the envelope 5, 5′ are provided with two further ribbons 13 and 14, which form a connection to the shoulder strap is 12, so that the envelope 5, 5′ is. held in place in the underarm cavity in a reliable manner in this way.

As an alternative to the embodiment that is shown in FIG. 4, the perspiration shields may be detachably secured to the brassiere 19 by means of press-studs, which engage press-studs that may be present on the brassiere 19 at the locations indicated by the arrow a. It is possible, of course, to use other fastening materials for detachably or undetachably securing the perspiration shield to the brassiere 19. In the latter case, the two elements may be stitched together, as shown in FIG. 4. This provides a more durable connection.

FIG. 5 furthermore schematically shows how the brassiere 19 may be fitted to the human body. The figure clearly shows how the envelope 5, 5′ is fixedly connected to the brassiere 19 on one side, whilst it is correctly held in place in the underarm cavity via ribbons 13, 14 and 11.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that the present invention provides an adequate and reliable protection against the effects of perspiration on the outer clothing. The drawings merely show a few examples of the way in which the perspiration shield is configured, for example in the form of an envelope or in the form of a simple supporting panel for the absorbing layer, but it will be apparent that many Other forms are conceivable without departing from the scope of the invention. Furthermore, only a few ways are indicated in which the perspiration shield is or at least can be attached to the body, and also in this case it will be apparent that other ways of attachment are possible without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A perspiration shield in particular suitable for protecting outer clothing against perspiration marks, in particular in the underarm area, said shield comprising:

at least one first layer and at least one second layer constructed of moisture-absorbing material where the second layer is supported by said first layer, said first layer comprising an elongated part having a first short side and a second short side, which elongated part is or at least can be attached, at the first short side thereof, to an undergarment extending round the chest of a user, and further comprising two ribbons on two long sides between the two short sides, wherein the ribbons are, or at least can be, attached to shoulder straps that prevent the undergarment from slipping down when worn by a user.

2. A perspiration shield according to claim 1, wherein the first layer forms part of an envelope in which the second layer can be accommodated.

3. A perspiration shield according to claim 2, wherein the second layer can be positioned between the first layer and a user's body.

4. A perspiration shield according to claim 1, wherein the first layer is attached to the undergarment on the first short side and is provided, on or at least near the second short side, with a ribbon that can be engaged around the upper arm so as to fasten the first layer in place in an underarm cavity.

5. A perspiration shield according to claim 2, wherein one of the first layer or the envelope is made of a natural or a synthetic material.

6. A perspiration shield according to claim 1, wherein the second layer comprises an moisture absorbing layer of cellulose.

7. A perspiration shield according to claim 1, wherein one of, or both, the first or the second layer are impregnated with a suitable deodorant.

8. A perspiration shield according to claim 1, wherein connecting means are provided for detachably connecting the perspiration shield to the undergarment.

9. A garment comprising a perspiration shield according to claim 1.

10. A garment according to claim 9, further comprising two perspiration shields.

11. A garment according to claim 9, wherein said garment is a brassiere.

12. A garment according to claim 9, wherein said garment further comprises fastening means for detachably securing the perspiration shield to the garment.

13. An exchangeable second layer of a moisture-absorbing material for use in a perspiration shield according to claim 1.

14. A second layer according to claim 13, wherein said second layer comprises two short sides of mutually different length.