Disposable underarm garment liner

Abstract

An underarm garment liner for preventing a wearer's perspiration from soiling a garment is disclosed. The liner includes, in its simplest embodiment and in the following order, a non-woven layer, an air laid paper layer, a hygroscopic absorption layer, a water-impervious layer, and an adhesive layer. The non-woven layer is adapted for contacting the wearer's skin and to convey perspiration away from the skin through capillary action to the absorbent air laid paper layer, which draws moisture away from the non-woven layer and conveys the moisture to the hygroscopic absorption layer. The layers are all preferably adhered together through use of hot-melt adhesive, or the like. The water-impervious layer is comprised of a vapor-pervious “breathable” thermoplastic polymer to prevent heat buildup between the liner and the wearer. Deodorizers, antibacterial agents, aloe, vitamin E, and petrolatum may all be further included in the liner 10. A layer of release paper temporarily affixed to the adhesive layer, such that the release paper may be peeled away from the adhesive layer by the wearer in order to expose the adhesive layer prior to use.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to personal hygiene, and more particularly to a disposable under arm garment liner for absorbing perspiration.

DISCUSSION OF RELATED ART

Disposable garment liners for absorbing perspiration near a wearer's underarm are known in the prior art, and in fact date back to U.S. Pat. No. 108,908 to Hotchkiss on Nov. 1, 1870. Such prior art devices typically include single or multiple layers of moisture absorbent materials joined to single or multiple layers of moisture-impervious materials, such layers being typically joined by stitching, bonding or laminating.

More recent innovations in garment liners are taught in U.S. Pat. No. 4,631,752 to Heyman et al., on Dec. 30, 1986; U.S. Pat. No. 5,038,409 to Nager et al. on Aug. 13, 1991; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,269,486 to Nager et al. on Aug. 7, 2001. While such recent innovations in the prior art have made some improvement in the performance of such garment liners, significant drawbacks to such devices remain and use of such devices has not been widely adopted. For example, such prior art devices are often bulky and not well suited for use with tight blouses and Chudidhars worn by many Asian women. Further, the thinner garment liners found in the prior art are not sufficiently absorbent, making them ineffective, particularly for users from tropical countries who tend to perspire profusely. The shape of prior art garment liners has been a further drawback, since circular, oblong, rectangular or square liners do not fit snuggly to the garment to cover the entire underarm area. Most prior art devices tend to be considerably too small to be completely effective. Further, some of the prior art are pervious to moisture, and those that are moisture-impervious trap heat between the user and the liner, further increasing perspiration and often resulting in a rash on the user.

Therefore, there is a need for super absorbent, yet non-bulky disposable garment liner that fits adequately to a garment, even a tight-fitting garment, discretely. Such a needed device would be easy to manufacture and use, and would be effective even for those that perspire under the arms profusely. Such a needed garment liner would be water-impervious, but would not trap heat and vapor between the liner and the user. The present invention accomplishes these objectives.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present device is an underarm garment liner for preventing a wearer's perspiration from soiling a garment. The liner includes, in its simplest embodiment and in the following order, a non-woven layer, an air laid paper layer, a hygroscopic absorption layer, a water-impervious layer, and an adhesive layer. The non-woven layer is adapted for contacting the wearer's skin and to convey perspiration away from the skin through capillary action to the absorbent air laid paper layer, which draws moisture away from the non-woven layer and conveys the moisture to the hygroscopic absorption layer. The layers are all preferably adhered together through use of hot-melt adhesive, or the like.

The hygroscopic absorption layer includes particles of sodium polyacrylate retained between two layers of gauze or the like. As moisture is absorbed by the hygroscopic absorption layer, the particles of sodium polyacrylate become polymerized and grow in volume, yet liquid water is retained therein and no liquid is allowed to pass through the absorption layer. Upon saturation of the hygroscopic absorption layer, any moisture that may be conveyed beyond the absorption layer is prevented from passing through the water-impervious layer, which is comprised of a vapor-pervious “breathable” thermoplastic polymer. Such a “breathable” vapor-pervious material prevents heat buildup between the liner and the wearer, thereby reducing the amount of perspiration that would otherwise be generated and also in many cases preventing a rash or other skin irritation caused by excessive heat and moisture build-up. A deodorizer, such as mint or the like, and an antibacterial agent may each be additionally included in the liner. The non-woven layer may further include an additive of one or more of aloe, vitamin E, and petrolatum, in order to reduce skin irritation caused by the liner rubbing against the wearer's skin.

The liner preferably further includes a layer of release paper temporarily affixed to the adhesive layer, such that the release paper may be peeled away from the adhesive layer just prior to use by the wearer in order to expose the adhesive layer.

The present invention is a super absorbent, yet non-bulky disposable garment liner that fits adequately to a garment, even a tight-fitting garment, discretely. The present device is relatively easy to mass-produce and use, and is effective even for those that perspire under the arms profusely due to its use of hygroscopic materials. The liner of the present invention is water-impervious, yet does not trap heat and vapor between the liner and the user. Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the invention, illustrating a layer of release paper as being peeled away from an adhesive layer of the invention; and

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the invention, taken generally along lines 2-2 of FIG. 1, and illustrating in more detail various layers of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 illustrates an underarm garment liner 10 for preventing a wearer's perspiration from soiling a garment (not shown). The liner 10 includes, in its simplest embodiment and in the following order, a non-woven layer 20, an air laid paper layer 30, a hygroscopic absorption layer 40, a water-impervious layer 50, and an adhesive layer 60 (FIG. 2). The non-woven layer 20 is adapted for contacting the wearer's skin and to convey perspiration away from the skin through capillary action to the absorbent air laid paper layer 30, which draws moisture away from the non-woven layer 20 and conveys the moisture to the hygroscopic absorption layer 40. Further, the non-woven layer 20 is preferably embossed with a repeating pattern of flowers, or the like, to make the liner 10 more aesthetically pleasing. The layers are all preferably adhered together through use of hot-melt adhesive, other suitable adhesive, or by ultrasonic or other welding techniques as are known in the prior art.

The hygroscopic absorption layer 40 includes particles 45 of sodium polyacrylate retained between two layers of gauze 42 or the like. Preferably the hygroscopic absorption layer 40 is rectangular in shape and smaller than the other layers, whereby the hygroscopic absorption layer 40 may fit within the edges of each of the other layers 20,30,50. In an alternate embodiment of the invention, the hygroscopic particles 45 of sodium polyacrylate are interspersed throughout the air laid paper layer 30 (not shown), and such an embodiment does not require the absorption layer 40.

As moisture is absorbed by the hygroscopic absorption layer 40, the particles 45 of sodium polyacrylate become polymerized and grow in volume, yet liquid water is retained therein and no liquid is allowed to pass through the absorption layer 40. Upon saturation of the hygroscopic absorption layer 40, any moisture that may be conveyed beyond the absorption layer 40 is prevented from passing through the water-impervious layer 50, which is comprised of a thermoplastic polymer such as a sheet of polyethylene film, or a vapor-pervious material such as cloth-like non-woven polypropylene vapor-pervious material. Such a “breathable” vapor-pervious material prevents heat buildup between the liner 10 and the wearer, thereby reducing the amount of perspiration that would otherwise be generated and also in many cases preventing a rash or other skin irritation caused by excessive heat and moisture build-up. Further, the water-impervious layer 50 may be made from a relatively dark or non-reflective material, whereby the presence of a liner 10 in the wearer's garment may be made substantially imperceptible to observers.

A deodorizer 46, such as mint or the like, and an antibacterial agent 47 may each be interspersed amongst the particles 45 of sodium polyacrylate in the hygroscopic absorption layer 40 (FIG. 2) to provide odor relief as well as to prevent bacterial growth in the liner 10. Alternatively, the deodorizer 46 and the antibacterial agent 47 may each be embedded in the air laid paper layer 30 or the non-woven layer 20. An additional, second air laid paper layer (not shown) may be included between the hygroscopic absorption layer 40 and the water-impervious layer 50 to provide for further absorbency and additional odor and antibacterial protection in the embodiment wherein the second air laid paper layer is impregnated with the deodorizer 46 or the antibacterial agent 47.

In the preferred mode of the invention, the adhesive layer 60 comprises a coating of water-insoluble non-hardening pressure-sensitive hot-melt adhesive, preferably in generally parallel strips 110 traversing the garment side of the water-impervious layer 50 (FIG. 2). Such strips 110 may alternate with strips 115 of area devoid of adhesive 60. The strips 115 may be wider than the strips 110 to conserve adhesive and still allow for effective adhesion of the liner 10 to the garment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the liner 10 preferably further includes a layer of release paper 80 temporarily affixed to the adhesive layer 60, such that the release paper 80 may be peeled away from the adhesive layer 60 just prior to use by the wearer in order to expose the adhesive layer 60. Further, the liner 10 is generally shaped as two slightly overlapping different-sized ovals and is symmetric about a longitudinal axis 90. As such, an embossed crease 100 may be formed along an intersection line of the two ovals and generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 90, such that the liner may be folded along the crease before being attached to the garment. The crease 100 facilitates the placement of the liner 10 in the garment proximate to the underarm area of the wearer, and allows the liner 10 to provide full coverage for the entire underarm area. Preferably a top oval of the liner 10 is characterized by a long axis of approximately five inches and a short axis of approximately 2.6 inches, and a bottom oval of the liner 10 is characterized by a long axis of approximately five inches and a short axis of approximately four inches. The crease 100, representing the intersection of the top and bottom ovals, is preferably approximately 3.5 inches long. As such, the liner 10 can provide full coverage to the wearer and still be substantially imperceptible to observers.

The non-woven layer 20 may further include an additive of one or more of aloe, vitamin E, and petrolatum, in order to reduce skin irritation caused by the liner 10 rubbing against the wearer's skin. The non-woven layer 20 may be a perforated fibrous cellulose sheet material or, alternatively, a dry-weave layer that is efficient in conveying moisture from the wearer's skin to the air laid paper layer 20. Such materials are known in the prior art.

In use, the wearer peels away the release paper 80 to expose the adhesive layer 60 and applies the liner 10 to the garment proximate to the wearer's underarm. The crease 100 is placed in alignment with the seam between the wearer's shirt and shirt sleeve, with the top oval of the liner 10 being adhered to the shirt sleeve and the bottom oval of the liner 10 being adhered to the main shirt body (not shown). As the wearer perspires, moisture is drawn into the liner 10 where it is ultimately absorbed by the hygroscopic absorption layer 40. Even profusely perspiring wearers cannot exceed the capacity of the hygroscopic particles 45 of the liner 10, thereby ensuring that moisture will not soil the wearer's garment. While the volume of the liner 10 may increase, it will not increase uncomfortably so since the volume of perspiration required to cause the liner 10 to become an uncomfortable size is beyond what a wearer can produce even over a few days. As the liner 10 is designed to be disposable, the wearer will typically discard the liner 10 upon undressing for bed. The liner 10 is non-toxic and does not pose an environmental hazard, and is therefore safe for daily use.

While a particular form of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will be apparent that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the exact shape of the liner 10 may vary slightly and still not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention be limited, except as by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An underarm garment liner for preventing a wearer's perspiration from soiling a garment, the liner comprising:

a) a non-woven layer adapted for contacting the wearer's skin and to convey perspiration away from the skin through capillary action;

b) an absorbent air laid paper layer;

c) a water-impervious layer; and

d) an adhesive layer;

the non-woven layer, air laid paper layer, and water-impervious layer all being adhered together with a hot melt adhesive applied therebetween, whereby the liner may be affixed with the adhesive layer to the garment in the area of the garment proximate to one of the wearer's underarms.

2. An underarm garment liner for preventing a wearer's perspiration from soiling a garment, the liner comprising:

a) a non-woven layer adapted for contacting the wearer's skin and to convey perspiration away from the skin through capillary action;

b) an absorbent air laid paper layer;

c) a hygroscopic absorption layer;

d) a water-impervious layer; and

e) an adhesive layer;

the non-woven layer, air laid paper layer, hygroscopic absorption layer, and water-impervious layer all being adhered together with a hot melt adhesive applied therebetween, whereby the liner may be affixed with the adhesive layer to the garment in the area of the garment proximate to one of the wearer's underarms.

3. The underarm garment liner of claim 2 wherein the hygroscopic absorption layer includes particles of sodium polyacrylate.

4. The underarm garment liner of claim 2 wherein the liner further includes a deodorizer.

5. The underarm garment liner of claim 4 wherein the non-woven layer includes at least one additive taken from the group of aloe, vitamin E, and petrolatum.

6. The underarm garment liner of claim 4 wherein the deodorizer includes mint.

7. The underarm garment liner of claim 2 wherein the hygroscopic absorption layer further includes an antibacterial agent.

8. The underarm garment liner of claim 2 further including a layer of release paper temporarily affixed to the adhesive layer, whereby the release paper may be removed just prior to use by the wearer to expose the adhesive layer.

9. The underarm garment liner of claim 2 whereby the water-impervious layer is comprised of a thermoplastic polymer.

10. The underarm garment liner of claim 9 whereby the thermoplastic polymer is a sheet of polyethylene film.

11. The underarm garment liner of claim 2 wherein the water-impervious layer is comprised of a vapor-pervious material.

12. The underarm garment liner of claim 2 wherein the water-impervious layer is comprised of a cloth-like non-woven polypropylene vapor-pervious material.

13. The underarm garment liner of claim 2 wherein the adhesive layer comprises a coating of water-insoluble non-hardening pressure sensitive hot-melt adhesive.

14. The underarm garment liner of claim 2 wherein the non-woven layer comprises a perforated fibrous cellulose sheet material.

15. The underarm garment liner of claim 2 wherein the liner is generally shaped as two slightly overlapping different-sized ovals and is symmetric about a longitudinal axis.

16. The underarm garment liner of claim 15 further including an embossed crease formed along an intersection line of the two ovals and generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, whereby the liner may be folded along the crease before being attached to the garment.

17. The underarm garment liner of claim 15 wherein the hygroscopic absorption layer is generally rectangular in shape and fits within the edges of each of the other layers.

18. The underarm garment liner of claim 15 wherein the adhesive layer is comprised of generally parallel strips of area with adhesive alternating with strips of area devoid of adhesive.

19. The underarm garment liner of claim 18 wherein the strips of area devoid of adhesive are thicker than the strips of area with adhesive.

20. The underarm garment liner of claim 2 wherein the water-impervious layer is generally non-reflective to light, whereby the presence of a liner in the wearer's garment is substantially imperceptible to observers.

21. The underarm garment liner of claim 2 wherein the non-woven layer is a dri-weave layer.

22. The underarm garment liner of claim 2 further including a second air laid paper layer is included between the hygroscopic absorption layer and the water-impervious layer.

23. The underarm garment liner of claim 2 wherein the hygroscopic absorption layer is a plurality of hygroscopic particles interspersed throughout the air laid paper layer.