Garment with two improved underarm shields

Abstract

A garment with two improved, underarm perspiration shields each including an inner comfort layer, at least one middle absorbent layer, and an outer water-proof barrier layer. The inner comfort layer is placed against the user's skin and designed to readily absorb perspiration from the skin and immediately transfer it to the middle absorbent layers. The middle absorbent layers draw the perspiration away from the comfort layer and dissipate the perspiration thereover. The outer barrier layer is located on the opposite side of the middle absorbent layers and designed to prevent perspiration from being transferred to the surround garment material. During manufacturing, the layers are aligned, registered, and sewn along their center axis to the garment's side seam. The outer edges of the layers are unattached thereby forming side flaps that are exposed to air and able to dry quickly. The upper edge of each shield may be contoured and sewn to the edge of the garments sleeve opening.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to garments with underarm shields and, more particularly, to such garments in which the shields provide greater protection and are less conspicuous when the garment is worn as an under garment or over garment.

2. Description of the Related Art

Garments with shields or pads sewn in the underarm areas of the garment are relatively common. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,591,425 discloses an undergarment with permanently attached undersarm shields each designed to absorb a minimum of 2 fl. oz of perspiration. The outer perimeter edge of each shield is sewn directly onto the inside surface of the garment. Each shield includes an inner layer made of the same material as the garment, a thick middle layer made of absorbent material designed to absorb a minimum of 2 fl. oz, and an outer layer made of pliable waterproof material.

One purpose of underarm shields is of course, to prevent perspiration marks or stains on the outer garment. Another purpose of underarm shields is to reduce odor. One drawback with underarm shields sewn around their perimeter edges to the garment is that when the garment is washed and dried, the shields and adjacent garment material shrink at different rates thereby creating wrinkles that are visible when the garment is worn. Another drawback with shields sewn around their perimeter edges to the garment is that round or oval-shaped thread lines are created under the underarm areas that may be visible to others when the garment is worn as an outer garment.

A further drawback with underarm shields found in the prior art is that they include only have one thick absorbent layer that retains moisture. Because the absorbent layer retains moisture, the inner layer located against the skin remains wet, which causes an odor.

What is needed is a garment with improved underarm shields that are resistant to wrinkling, are attached to the garment in an inconspicuous manner when the garment is worn as an outer garment, and are constructed so that the inner layer located against the skin dries out relatively quickly to reduce odor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved garment with two underarm shields to protect against perspiration.

It is another object of the present invention to provide such a garment in which the shields have a low side profile and are attached to the garment in an inconspicuous manner so that the garment may be worn either as an outer or inner garment.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a garment which is odor resistant.

These and other objects that will become apparent are met by the garment disclosed herein that includes two improved underarm perspiration shields each including an inner lightweight comfort layer, at least one slightly thicker middle absorbent layer, and an outer barrier layer. When the garment is worn, the inner comfort layer, which is made of lightweight, combed cotton, is placed against the user's skin and designed to readily absorb perspiration from the skin and immediately transfer the perspiration to the middle absorbent layer. The middle absorbent layer which is made of relatively thin, heavy weight cotton, is designed to readily absorb perspiration from the inner comfort layer. Located adjacent to the middle absorbent layer is an outer barrier layer designed to block transfer of perspiration from the middle layer onto the garment surface.

The shield's layers are aligned, registered and sewn together around their perimeter edges. When the garment is manufactured, the longitudinally center axis of each shield is aligned and sewn into the garment's longitudinal aligned side seam so that no additional thread lines or stitching is seen on the garment thereby enabling the garment to be used as an outer garment if desired. Except for a seam aligned over the shield's center axis, the inside portion of each layer is unattached thereby allowing air to circulate between them. Also, when the shields are used on short sleeve garments, the upper edge of each shield may be contoured to match the edge around the sleeve opening and then sewn thereto to tightly hold the shield against the garment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front plan view of a t-shirt with two shields attached to the underarm areas on the shirt.

FIG. 2 is a sectional, side elevational view of the shirt garment taken along line 2-2 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a short sleeve garment with the sleeve turned inside-out so that one shield may be seen.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view similar to the view shown in FIG. 3 with the shield partially broken away.

FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of a shield attached to the underarm area of a garment showing the shield moved to an offset position relative the garment's side axis line.

FIG. 6 is a sectional, side elevational view of the shirt similar to the view shown in FIG. 2 showing a shield with three middle absorbent layers.

FIG. 7 is a sectional, side elevational view of the shirt similar to the views shown in FIGS. 2 and 6 showing a shield with four middle absorbent layers.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

Referring to the accompanying Figs., there is shown a garment 6 that includes two improved underarm perspiration shields 10, 10′ designed to provide protection against perspiration yet are inconspicuous when the garment is worn as an outer garment or as an inner garment. Each shield 10 includes an inner comfort layer 15 one or two separate middle absorbent layers 20, 30, and an outer barrier layer 40. The inner comfort layer 15 is made of lightweight, soft cotton that when placed against the user's skin, readily absorbs perspiration 90. The middle absorbent layers 20, 30 are made of heavy thicker cotton, designed to draw perspiration 90 away from the inner comfort layer 15 so that it may dissipated and evaporated over a greater surface area. The outer barrier layer 40 is located on the opposite side of the middle absorbent layers 20, 30 and designed to prevent perspiration from being transferred to the surround garment.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, during manufacturing the layers 15, 20, 30, 40 are aligned, registered, and sewn together along their perimeter edges 16, 21, 31, 41, respectfully. Because the inner layer 15 and middle absorbent layers 20, 30 are made of breathable material, air is able to circulate around and through the layers 15, 20 and 30 thereby promoting evaporation. It should also be noted that because each shield is attached only to the side seam 7 of the garment 6, during manufacturing, the location of the shields may be adjusted. For example, FIGS. 3 and 4 shows a shield 10 aligned and sewn along its center vertical axis 13 to the garment's side seams 7. In FIG. 5, the shield 10 is shown slightly offset in a forward direction with its center vertical axis 13 slightly in front of the side seam 7 to provide greater protection against perspiration on the pectoral region.

An important feature is that the outer perimeter edge 11 of each shield 10, 10′, is detached from the garment 6, thereby enabling greater movement of the shields and independently shrink when laundered. After several uses and cleaning cycles, the garments remain comfortable and are relatively wrinkle free in the underarm area. Also, when used on short sleeve garments, the upper edge 12 of each shield 10, 10′ may be contoured and attached to the exposed edge 9 of the sleeve 8 to securely hold the shield 10 tightly against the inside surface of the sleeve 8 and inconspicuous.

It should be understood that that the number of middle absorbent layers 20, 30 may vary depending on the amount of protection needed and how the garment is worn. For example, if the garment is used by a heavy perspiring user, shields with three to more middle absorbent layers may be used (see FIGS. 5 and 6). Even though such shields are slightly thicker, the garment is still relatively comfortable and the shields are still inconspicuous because the shields are only sewn to the garment's side seams and because layers are only sewn together along their perimeter edges. For normal users, who are interested in protection, comfort and hidden use, shields with one to two middle absorbent layers are sufficient.

In the preferred embodiment, the inner comfort layer 15 is made of lightweight combed cotton, which is smoother and more comfortable than cotton typically used with cotton T-shirts. Each middle absorbent layer 20, 30 is made of heavy weight cotton such as fleece cotton (12 oz) which is relatively thin, highly absorbent, yet can be easily machine washed or dried. The outer barrier layer 40 is made of waterproof, lightweight and flexible nylon or vinyl and approximately 1 mil in thickness. The outer barrier 40 layer resists shrinkage and is relatively fast drying.

In compliance with the statute, the invention described herein has been described in language more or less specific as to structural features. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown, since the means and construction shown is comprised only of the preferred embodiments for putting the invention into effect. The invention is therefore claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the legitimate and valid scope of the amended claims, appropriately interpreted in accordance with the doctrine of equivalents.

Claims

1. A garment with two improved underarm shields, comprising:

a. a garment with two underarm areas, two sleeve openings, and two side center axes; and,

b. two underarm shields, each said shield including an upper edge and a center longitudinal axis, each said shield being attached to said garment along a vertical seam parallel to said side center axis, each said shield including a lower comfort layer, at least one inner absorbent layer, and an upper water-proof barrier layer, said inner layer, said middle layer, said outer layers being aligned and registered and attached together along their perimeter edges.

2. The garment as recited in claim 1, wherein said upper edge of each said shield is contoured and attached to said sleeve opening on said garment.

3. The garment as recited in claim 1, wherein said vertical seam is aligned with said side center axis on said garment.

4. The garment as recited in claim 3, wherein said upper edge of each said shield is attached to said sleeve opening on said garment.

5. The garment as recited in claim 1, wherein said inner comfort layer is made of cotton.

6. The garment as recited in claim 1, wherein said middle absorbent layers in each said shield absorbs up to 1.9 fl. oz of perspiration.

7. The garment as recited in claim 6, wherein each said middle absorbent layer is made of cotton.

8. The garment as recited in claim 1, wherein each said shield includes a lower comfort layer, three, stacked middle adsorbent layers, and an upper barrier layer.

9. A garment with two improved underarm shields, comprising:

a. a garment with two underarm areas, two sleeve openings, and two side center axes; and,

b. two underarm shields, each said shield including an upper edge and a center longitudinal axis, each said shield being attached to said garment along a vertical seam parallel to said side center axis, each said shield including a lower comfort layer, at least two inner absorbent layers, and an upper water-proof barrier layer, said layers being aligned and registered and attached together along their perimeter edges.

10. The garment as recited in claim 9, wherein said upper edge of each said shield is contoured and attached to said sleeve opening on said garment.

11. The garment as recited in claim 9, wherein said vertical seam is aligned with said side center axis on said garment.

12. The garment as recited in claim 11, wherein said upper edge of each said shield is attached to said sleeve opening on said garment.

13. The garment as recited in claim 9, wherein said inner comfort layer is made of cotton.

14. The garment as recited in claim 9, wherein said middle absorbent layers in each said shield absorbs up to 1.9 fl. oz of perspiration.

15. A garment with two improved underarm shields, comprising:

a. a garment with two underarm areas, two sleeve openings, and two side seams; and,

b. two underarm shields located on opposite sides of said garment, each said shield being longitudinally aligned in said underarm area of said garment and being attached to said side seams and to said sleeve opening thereby reducing the visibility of said shields under said garment when said garment is worn.

16. The garment as recited in claim 15, wherein said upper edge of each said shield is contoured and attached to said sleeve opening on said garment.

17. The garment as recited in claim 15, wherein said middle absorbent layers in each said shield absorbs up to 1.9 fl. oz of perspiration.

18. The garment as recited in claim 15, wherein said middle absorbent layers in each said shield absorbs up to 1.9 fl. oz of perspiration.

19. The garment as recited in claim 15, wherein each said middle absorbent layer is made of cotton.

20. The garment as recited in claim 18, wherein each said middle absorbent layer is made of cotton.