Garment

Abstract

A garment includes a body defining a torso opening, a first leg opening, and a second leg opening. The body has a crotch portion and an interior surface. A pad retention feature is disposed in the crotch portion of the body and extends from the interior surface of the body. The pad retention feature includes a front assembly of diagonally-extending members and a rear assembly of diagonally extending members.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/582,022, filed 30 Dec. 2011, and entitled “Protective Garment,” which is hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosed subject matter of the application relates to garments.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

Modern lifestyles include activities that find less restrictive clothing desirable. For example, more and more people engage in athletic activities, such as walking, running, jogging, gymnastics, general exercising, and the like. Even when not participating in athletic endeavors, people now desire clothing that allows more freedom of movement and that is less bulky.

Women face specific challenges with regard to clothing, for example, when wearing pants or shorts while experiencing menstrual or other vaginal discharge, or while experiencing bladder incontinence. Men also face certain challenges, such as bladder incontinence. These challenges are particularly evident when such people are engaging in athletic activities. Moreover, many people, regardless of age or gender, experience bunching of shorts between their legs while being active.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features believed characteristic of the subject matter of the application are set forth in the appended claims. However, the subject matter of the application itself, as well as, a preferred mode of use, and further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is front, elevational view of an illustrative embodiment of a garment;

FIG. 2 is a rear, elevational view of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a bottom, plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a front, elevational view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 turned inside-out;

FIG. 5 is a rear, elevational view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 turned inside-out;

FIG. 6 is a bottom, plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 turned inside-out;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a portion of the embodiment of FIG. 1 illustrating a pad retention feature;

FIG. 8 is a bottom, plan view of an embodiment alternative to that of FIG. 1 turned inside-out;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of a portion of the embodiment of FIG. 8, illustrating a pad retention feature;

FIG. 10 is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of a pad retention feature;

FIG. 11 is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of a pad retention feature;

FIG. 12 is a front, elevational view of an alternative embodiment of a garment;

FIG. 13 is a bottom, plan view of the garment of FIG. 12;

FIGS. 14 and 15 are front, elevational views of alternative embodiments of a garment illustrating examples of garment leg lengths;

FIG. 16 is a front, elevational view of an alternative embodiment of a garment having a shorter body height;

FIG. 17 is a front, elevational view of an illustrative embodiment of a garment;

FIG. 18 is a cross sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 17, taken along the line 18-18 in FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is a bottom, plan view of a portion of the embodiment of FIGS. 17 and 18, illustrating a crotch portion of the embodiment;

FIG. 20 is a front, elevational view of an illustrative embodiment of a garment;

FIG. 21 is a cross sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 20, taken along the line 21-21 in FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is a front, elevational view of an illustrative embodiment of a garment;

FIG. 23 is a front, elevational view of an illustrative embodiment of a garment; and

FIG. 24 is a front, elevational view of an illustrative embodiment of a garment.

While the subject matter of the application is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the subject matter of the application to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the subject matter of the application as defined by the appended claims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Illustrative embodiments of the subject matter of the application are described below. In the interest of clarity, not all features of an actual implementation are described in this specification. It will of course be appreciated that in the development of any such actual embodiment, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developer's specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which will vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

Reference will now be made in detail to certain example embodiments of the subject matter of the application, which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

A garment comprises a body defining a torso opening, a first leg opening, and a second leg opening. Disposed on an inner surface of the garment between the first leg opening and the second leg opening is a pad retention feature. The pad retention feature is configured to retain an absorbent pad generally in a crotch area of a person, such as at least generally proximate a vagina of a female or at least generally proximate a penis of a male, when the garment is worn by the person. In one embodiment, the pad retention feature is configured to retain an elongated absorbent pad, such as a menstrual pad, maxi-pad, mini-pad, panty liner, or the like, of various sizes, in a crotch area of the person, such as at least generally proximate the vagina of the female or at least generally proximate the penis of the male when the garment is worn by the person. The pad retention feature, in one embodiment, comprises a first pair of diagonally-extending retention elements disposed at a first end of the pad retention feature and a second pair of diagonally-extending retention elements disposed at a second, opposite end of the pad retention feature. The diagonally-extending retention elements allow the pad retention feature to retain pads of various sizes and shapes and allow the pad retention feature to better retain pads in place. In one embodiment, the pad retention feature is configured to retain a pad exhibiting a size and shape that is specific for the garment. In one embodiment, the pad retention feature comprises a first, side retention element and a second, side retention element. The first, side retention element and the second, side retention element extend generally between the first end and the second end of the pad retention feature. In one embodiment, the garment further comprises a first leg portion extending from the first leg opening and a second leg portion extending from the second leg opening. In various embodiments, such first and second leg portions may extend for various lengths, such as lengths suitable for shorts, capri-length pants, full-length pants, or the like.

The subject matter of the application further includes a garment, referred to herein as shorts, having leg configurations that inhibit bunching of the legs of the shorts generally proximate a crotch area or generally between the legs of the shorts wearer. The garment comprises a body portion defining a torso opening, a first leg opening, and a second leg opening. A first leg portion extends from the first leg opening and a second leg portion extends from the second leg opening. Each of the first leg portion and the second leg portion define a passageway extending from an inner volume of the body portion. Each of the first leg portion and the second leg portion define a notch on inwardly-facing parts thereof, extending toward the body portion of the shorts.

A first, illustrative embodiment of a garment 101 is shown in FIGS. 1-6. FIG. 1 is a front, elevational view of garment 101, FIG. 2 is a rear, elevational view of garment 101, and FIG. 3 is a bottom, plan view of garment 101. FIGS. 1-3 depict views of an exterior of garment 101. FIG. 4 is a front, elevational view of garment 101, FIG. 5 is a rear, elevational view of garment 101, and FIG. 6 is a bottom, plan view of garment 101. FIGS. 4-6 depict views of garment 101 turned inside-out, illustrating an interior of garment 101. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-6, a garment 101 comprises a body 103 defining a torso opening 105, a first leg opening 107, and a second leg opening 109. Body 103 is configured to be worn about a person's lower torso, such as about a person's hips and, in one embodiment, comprises one of spandex, elastane, Lycra®, Elaspan®, Acepora®, Creora®, ROICA®, Dorlastan®, Linel®, ESPA®, or the like. Garment 101 further comprises a pad retention feature 111 affixed to a crotch area 113 of an interior surface 115 (shown in FIGS. 4-6) of body 103.

FIG. 7 depicts a portion of the embodiment of garment 101 including pad retention feature 111. In the depiction shown in FIG. 7, the portion of garment 101 illustrated is shown turned inside-out, as in FIGS. 4-6. Moreover, the portion of garment 101 shown is laid flat to better illustrate pad retention feature 111. In the embodiment shown, pad retention feature 111 comprises a first, front retention member 117 and a second, front retention member 119. Pad retention feature 111 further comprises a first, rear retention member 121 and a second, rear retention member 123. A front assembly 125 comprises first, front retention member 117 and second, front retention member 119. A rear assembly 127 comprises first, rear retention member 121 and second, rear retention member 123. Front assembly 125 and rear assembly 127 are spaced apart a distance D sufficient to accommodate and retain a pad 129, shown in phantom in FIG. 7. In at least one embodiment, front assembly 125 extends generally to rear assembly 127. In some embodiments, the present garment includes pad 129 and in other embodiments the present garment omits pad 129.

In the illustrated embodiment, retention members 117, 119, 121, and 123 are generally triangular in shape and diagonally extend across ends of pad 129. Retention members 117, 119, 121, and 123 comprise one or more stretch fabrics, such as spandex, elastane, Lycra®, Elaspan®, Acepora®, Creora®, ROICA®, Dorlastan®, Linel®, ESPA®, or the like. As retention members 117, 119, 121, and 123 extend diagonally, they allow pad retention feature 111 to retain pads of various sizes and shapes, such as pad 129 or a smaller pad 128. In the illustrated embodiment, second, front retention member 119 extends over a portion of first, front retention member 117 and second, rear retention member extends over a portion of first, rear retention member 117; however, the scope of the present invention is not so limited. Dashed lines 130a and 130b represent stitching or other attachment features used to affix pad retention feature to body 103 of garment 101. When pad 129 is in use with garment 101, pad is disposed between pad retention feature 111 and body 103 of garment 101.

FIG. 8 depicts a second, illustrative embodiment of a garment 131 comprising body 103 defining torso opening 105, first leg opening 107, and second leg opening 109. Similar to the first, illustrative embodiment, garment 131 further comprises a pad retention feature 133 affixed to crotch area 113 of an interior surface 115 of body 103. As best shown in FIG. 9, pad retention feature 133 includes front assembly 125, comprising retention members 117 and 119, and rear assembly 127, comprising retention members 121 and 123. Pad retention feature 133 further comprises a first, side retention member 135 and a second, side retention 137 disposed on an opposite side of pad 129. Dashed line 139 represents stitching or other attachment features used to affix pad retention feature 133 to body 103 of garment 131. When pad 129 is in use, pad 129 is disposed between pad retention feature 133 and body 103 of garment 131. As in the first, illustrative embodiment, retention members 117, 119, 121, and 123, as well as side retention members 135 and 137, comprise an stretch material, such as spandex, elastane, Lycra®, Elaspan®, Acepora®, Creora®, ROICA®, Dorlastan®, Linel®, ESPA®, or the like. In certain embodiments, side retention members 135 and 137 comprise an elastic material, such as a cloth-covered elastic material.

FIG. 10 depicts a third, illustrative embodiment of a pad retention feature 141, which may be applied to any garment embodiment disclosed or shown herein instead of the particular pad retention feature disclosed as corresponding with that garment. In the embodiment of FIG. 10, pad retention feature 141 generally corresponds to pad retention feature 133 of FIGS. 9 and 10 except that first, front retention member 117 and first, rear retention member 121 are disposed between first, side retention member 135 and body 103 of the garment and second, front retention member 119 and second, rear retention member 123 are disposed between second, side retention member 137 and body 103 of the garment. It should be noted that in FIG. 10 pad 129 is omitted for clarity.

A fourth, illustrative embodiment of a pad retention feature 143, which may be applied to any garment embodiment disclosed or shown herein instead of the particular pad retention feature disclosed as corresponding with that garment, is shown in FIG. 11. The embodiment of FIG. 11 generally corresponds with the embodiment of FIGS. 8 and 9 except that pad retention feature 143 includes a liner 145 disposed between body 103 of the garment and retention members 117, 119, 121, 123, 135, and 137.

In some embodiments, certain elements of the pad retention feature are stretched or elongated as they are attached to the body of the garment to enhance their ability to retain a pad. For example, in one embodiment, side retention members, such as side retention members 135 and 137 are stretched or elongated as they are attached or sewed. The scope of the subject matter of the application encompasses embodiments wherein such elements are stretched as they are attached and embodiments wherein no such stretching is performed during attachment.

FIGS. 12 and 13 depict a front, elevational view and a bottom, plan view, respectively, of an illustrative embodiment of a garment 147 generally corresponding to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-6, except that front assembly 125 is disposed on body 103 at a higher elevation, i.e., closer to trunk opening 105, than rear assembly 127. The scope of the present invention encompasses the adaptation of this embodiment to other embodiments disclosed herein, such that a front portion of the pad retention feature is disposed closer to the trunk opening of the garment than a rear portion of the pad retention feature. In FIG. 13, line 148a represents a central plane passing through garment 101, bifurcating garment 101 into a front portion 148b and a rear portion 148c. A line 148d represents a central axis of pad retention feature 111, such that front assembly 125 and rear assembly 127 of pad retention feature 111 are generally equidistant from central axis 148d. In this embodiment, pad retention feature 111 is shifted by a distance X away from central plane 148a of garment 101. In one embodiment, distance X is a distance no greater than about seven inches. In another, alternative embodiment, distance X is a distance no greater than about one and one-half inches. In another, alternative embodiment, distance X is a distance of about one inch. It should be noted, however, that the scope of the subject matter of the application is not limited to these example distances X but, rather, encompasses the full range of distances X that are suitable for use in garment 147. It should also be noted that, in some embodiments, a rear portion, such as rear assembly 127, of the pad retention feature is disposed closer to the trunk opening of the garment than a front portion, such as front assembly 125, of the pad retention feature.

FIGS. 14-16 depict alternative embodiments for the present garment. For example, in FIG. 14, a garment 149 is shown that is, for example, a pair of shorts, for example, compression shorts. In FIG. 15, a garment 151 is shown that is, for example, a pair of pants, for example, compression pants. In FIG. 16, a garment 161 includes a body 163 that is shorter, for example, from torso opening 105 to leg openings 107, 109 than that of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-6. It should be noted that the scope of the present invention encompasses garments having no legs, i.e., only leg openings, as well as garments having legs, such as legs 153, 155, 157, 159, or the like, of any suitable length. The particular embodiments shown in FIGS. 14-16 include pad retention feature 111; however, the scope of the present invention encompasses the inclusion of any disclosed pad retention feature in garment 149, 161, or their equivalents.

It should be noted that the scope of the present invention includes the use of any stretch fabric for the retention members. It should further be noted that the retention members may exhibit shapes that are different from those shown and described herein. For example, front and rear retention members may exhibit shapes other than generally triangular; however, such retention members will extend diagonally across the pad.

FIGS. 17 and 18 depict an illustrative embodiment of a garment 165, referred to herein in a non-limiting way as shorts, which may be made of any suitable material. FIG. 17 is a front, elevational view of shorts 165, while FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of shorts 165, taken along a line 18-18 in FIG. 17. In the illustrated embodiment, shorts 165 comprise a body 167 defining a torso opening 169, a first leg 171 extending from body 167, and a second leg 173 extending from body 167. Body 167 is configured to be worn about a person's lower torso, such as about a person's hips. First leg 171 and second leg 173 define notches 175 and 177, respectively, on inwardly-facing parts of legs 171 and 173, proximate a crotch area 179. To enhance illustration of notches 175 and 177, phantom lines 181 and 183 in FIG. 17 and phantom line 185 in FIG. 18 reveal an example perimeter of conventional shorts.

FIG. 19 depicts crotch area 179 and portions of legs 171 and 173 of shorts 165. It should be noted that, in the view of FIG. 19, shorts 165 are laid flat to better illustrate particular aspects of shorts 165. Legs 171 and 173 are configured with notches 175 and 177, respectively, such that crotch area 179 has a reduced width portion, in one embodiment, exhibiting a width W of no more than about three and one half inches and, in another embodiment, exhibiting a width W of no more than about two and one half inches. Irrespective of the width of the reduced width portion of crotch area 179, the reduced width portion of crotch area 179 extends over a length L of at least about two inches in one embodiment and, in another embodiment, extends over a length L of at least about four inches. Legs 171 and 173 define notches, such as notches 175 and 177, on inwardly-facing parts thereof inhibit the bunching of material of shorts 165 between a wearer's legs, generally proximate crotch area 179 of shorts 165.

While legs 171 and 173 of shorts 165 are depicted in FIGS. 17-19 as having peripheries defining notches 175 and 177, respectively, that are generally angular in shape, the scope of the subject matter of the application is not so limited. Rather, the scope of the present application encompasses many, various particular shapes of the leg peripheries defining such notches. For example, FIGS. 20 and 21 depict an illustrative embodiment of shorts 193 wherein the peripheries 195 and 197 of legs 199 and 201, respectively, are more curved in nature, rather than angular. Irrespective of the particular shape of the notch peripheries, the crotch area of such shorts exhibits a width and a length within the widths W and lengths L disclosed regarding FIG. 19.

The scope of the subject matter of the application encompasses, in certain embodiments, combinations of shorts 165, 193, or the equivalent, and one of garments 101, 131 147, 149, 151, 161, or the like. For example, FIG. 22 depicts a garment 203, which is a combination of shorts 193, shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, and garment 149, referred to herein with respect to the embodiment of FIG. 22 as undergarment 149, shown in FIG. 14. In such embodiments, the garment comprises one waistband, with bodies of the undergarment and shorts extending therefrom. For example, garment 203 comprises one waistband 205, with a body 207 of undergarment 149 and a body 209 of shorts 193 extending from waistband 205. Undergarment 149 is disposed within shorts 193, except for any portion of undergarment 149 that extends from legs 211 and 213 of shorts 193.

It should also be noted that the scope of the subject matter of the application further encompasses, in certain embodiments, combinations of shorts 165, 193, or the equivalent, and one of garments 101, 131 147, 149, 151, 161, or the like omitting a pad retention feature, such as pad retention feature 111 or the like. FIG. 23 depicts one particular embodiment of a garment 215 that is an example of such a configuration, in which shorts 193 are combined with an undergarment 216. As in the embodiment of FIG. 22, garment 215 comprises one waistband, with the bodies of undergarment 216 and shorts 193 extending therefrom. Undergarment 216, in the illustrated embodiment, exhibits substantially the same configuration as garment 149, shown in FIG. 14, except that pad retention feature 111 of garment 149 is omitted. It should be noted that, in such embodiments, shorts 165, 193, or the like may be combined with any of garments 101, 131, 149, 151, 161, or the like, omitting any pad retention feature of garments 101, 131 149, 151, 161, or the like. Moreover, the scope of the present invention encompasses embodiments wherein shorts having legs with peripheries defining notches on inwardly-facing parts thereof, proximate crotch areas of the shorts, are combined with any suitable undergarment, wherein the combination garment includes one waistband, with the outer garment and undergarment extending therefrom.

It should be noted that the overall shapes of the shorts shown herein are merely examples of the many, various shapes contemplated by the subject matter of the application. In any such embodiment, legs of the shorts define notches on inwardly-facing parts thereof, proximate a crotch area of the shorts.

It should also be noted that any garment having a pad retention feature disclosed herein, or such equivalents, may be combined with any outer garment, such as conventional shorts, a tennis skirt, or the like into a garment having a single waistband, such that the outer garment and the undergarment extend from the waistband. For example, FIG. 24 depicts an illustrative embodiment of such a garment 217. Garment 217 comprises an outer garment 221, such as shorts, and an inner garment, such as garment 149 of FIG. 14, each extending from a single waistband 223. The scope of the subject matter of the application encompasses combinations of any outer garment and one of garments 101, 131 147, 149, 151, 161, or an equivalent.

The present invention provide significant advantages including, but not limited to, (1) providing a way to accommodate needs of bladder incontinence, menstruation, and/or other vaginal discharge; (2) providing a way to accommodate needs of bladder incontinence, menstruation, and/or other vaginal discharge during impact sports or other athletic activities; (3) allowing for quick and continuous leg movements while holding pad in place; (4) providing a front assembly and a rear assembly to hold front and back of pad generally flat; (5) providing side retention members, when included, to hold sides of pad flat and cover edges of pad, inhibiting pad edges from scratching legs; (6) providing a pad retention feature that accommodates most sizes of pads or liners; (7) providing a pad retention feature that allows for substantial exposure of the pad to body, thus allowing for maximum absorption by the pad; and (8) providing a garment or short that inhibits the bunching of fabric between the wearer's legs.

The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as the subject matter of the application may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein. Furthermore, no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown, other than as described in the claims below. It is therefore evident that the particular embodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified and all such variations are considered within the scope and spirit of the subject matter of the application. Accordingly, the protection sought herein is as set forth in the claim below. It is apparent that an invention with significant advantages has been described and illustrated. Although the present invention is shown in a limited number of forms, it is not limited to just these forms, but is amenable to various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof.

Claims

1. A garment, comprising:

a body defining a torso opening, a first leg opening, and a second leg opening, the body further having a crotch portion and an interior surface; and

a pad retention feature disposed in the crotch portion of the body and extending from the interior surface of the body, the pad retention feature including a front assembly of diagonally-extending members and a rear assembly of diagonally extending members.

2. The garment of claim 1, wherein the pad retention feature is configured to retain an absorbent pad.

3. (canceled)

4. The garment of claim 2, wherein the pad retention feature is configured to retain absorbent pads of various sizes.

5. (canceled)

6. The garment of claim 1, wherein the pad retention feature further comprises a first side retention element disposed at a first side of the pad retention feature and a second side retention element disposed at a second side of the pad retention feature.

7-10. (canceled)

11. The garment of claim 6, wherein each of the side retention elements are stretched prior to being attached to the garment.

12. The garment of claim 1, further comprising a first leg portion extending from the first leg opening and a second leg portion extending from the second leg opening.

13-15. (canceled)

16. The garment of claim 1, wherein the front assembly extends generally to the rear assembly.

17. (canceled)

18. The garment of claim 1, wherein the pad retention feature is disposed on the body such that the front assembly is closer to the torso opening than the rear assembly.

19-81. (canceled)

82. The garment of claim 1, further comprising:

a waistband from which the body extends; and

shorts extending from the waistband.

83. The garment of claim 82, wherein the shorts comprise:

a shorts body having a crotch portion;

a first leg extending from the shorts body; and

a second leg extending from the shorts body;

wherein each of the first leg and the second leg defines a notch on an inwardly-facing part thereof generally proximate the crotch portion of the shorts body.

84. A garment, comprising:

a shorts body having a crotch portion;

a first leg extending from the shorts body; and

a second leg extending from the shorts body;

wherein each of the first leg and the second leg defines a notch on an inwardly-facing part thereof generally proximate the crotch area.

85. The garment of claim 84, wherein the crotch portion of the shorts body exhibits a reduced width portion having a width of no more than about three and one half inches.

86. The garment of claim 85, wherein the reduced width portion has a length of at least about two inches.

87. The garment of claim 84, wherein the first leg and the second leg define generally angular notches.

88. The garment of claim 84, wherein the first leg and the second leg define generally curved notches.

89. The garment of claim 84, further comprising:

a waistband from which the shorts body extends; and

an undergarment extending from the waistband.

90. The garment of claim 89, further comprising a first leg portion extending from the first leg opening defined by the undergarment and a second leg portion extending from the second leg opening defined by the undergarment.

91. The garment of claim 89, wherein the undergarment comprises:

a body defining a torso opening, a first leg opening, and a second leg opening, the body further having a crotch portion and an interior surface; and

a pad retention feature disposed in the crotch portion of the undergarment body and extending from the interior surface of the undergarment body, the pad retention feature including a front assembly of diagonally-extending members and a rear assembly of diagonally extending members.

92. The garment of claim 91, wherein the pad retention feature further comprises a first side retention element disposed at a first side of the pad retention feature and a second side retention element disposed at a second side of the pad retention feature.

93. The garment of claim 91, wherein the pad retention feature is disposed in the crotch portion of the undergarment body such that the front assembly is closer to the torso opening than the rear assembly.