Minimal-coverage undergarments

Abstract

The invention concerns a garment (1) having an attachment section (4) and a coverage section (2) connected with the attachment section (4) at a contact section (3). The coverage section (2) has holding means (10) with two holding parts (10A, 10B) for receiving both sides of the labia gap between the outer and inner labia. There are coverage means (11) between the holding parts (10A, 10B), to cover the area between the holding parts (10A, 10B).

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims the benefit of European Patent Application No. EP14178178.1, filed Jul. 23, 2014, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to undergarments, especially underwear for women, with a minimum coverage of the genitals.

2. Description of the Related Art

Since sexual education and, in particular in recent years, an ever-increasing tendency can be seen to present one's body naked. Countless alleged taboos have been broken over time. No termination of this trend is in sight. One way this could be recognised in the past was the altering of outerwear, for example by shortening trousers, skirts, blouses or T-shirts, closer-fitting sections of clothing, etc.

Among women as well as among men, a trend may also be seen of wearing underwear in a visible manner, which has even led to different layers being used in underwear, namely an upper visible layer and an underlying sub-layer of clothing that should not be visible.

Furthermore, one can also see a trend in wearing underwear whereby one should not be able to determine whether underwear is worn or not. Thus it is intended to avoid underwear being distinguished, for example, under close-fitting outerwear.

There is thus the desire among many users and especially among many women to wear underwear that is not recognizable, or as little as possible, to third parties. In addition, this underwear should at least ensure minimum protection of intimate areas.

In addition, based on a changed aesthetic standard, partial or complete depilation of intimate areas is already in vogue among a significant proportion of women and men. Added to this is a social acceptance of so-called string thongs or corresponding swimwear, which offer little or no coverage of the buttocks of wearers.

A resultant, to-be-expected further development is that the coverage of the front pubic area, especially in depilated intimate areas, will also be reduced, down to a minimum level of coverage.

This development may have, in particular, an erotic motivation as many people find it stimulating to see a male or female partner bared in this way, or to look practically naked. Nevertheless, there is, of course, on the part of the wearer, especially of women, the desire to cover the most sensitive parts of the body, in the case of women, the clitoris, the labia minora and the bodily orifices (urethra, vagina and/or anus) and, in particular, to protect them from contamination and infections.

However, such minimum coverage presents a problem in ensuring simultaneous secure holding of the garment and achieving a comfortable fit.

BE 10 168 94 A6 discloses an attachment system for a condom catheter for attachment to the female genitals, whereby an attachment section is attached to the inside of the outer labia.

Such an attachment system, applied to an everyday garment, however, has the disadvantage that wearer comfort is impaired due to sticking to the skin.

Other modifications of underwear articles are also known. On the one hand, these at least partially cover the outer genitals, but lead, on the other hand, to constrictions after a short period of wearing them, that may even become painful in the case of extended wear.

It is therefore the object of the invention to provide a garment which offers a comfortable fit with simultaneous minimal body covering of the intimate areas.

This object is achieved with a garment according to claim 1. Advantageous further developments are the subject of the dependent claims.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

For a better understanding of the invention, the following definitions of the external and internal female genital area need to be given first, in the sense of the invention. The external female genitals (vulva) includes the labia majora (the labia majora is also referred to herein as the outer labia), which envelops the inner genitals with a central furrow/gap in which the inner genitals are enclosed. The internal female genitals include the inner labia (the labia minora is also referred to herein as the inner labia) with its centrally positioned clitoris, as well as the three orifices—the anus, the vagina and the urethra—whereby the vagina and urethra are enclosed by the labia minora. Anatomical variants include smaller and larger inner labia that are externally visible through the furrow under certain circumstances. In what follows, one refers to the outer and inner genitals.

A garment, according to an embodiment of the invention, has an attachment section and a coverage section, which, for example, are connected to a contact section via the attachment section. The coverage section has holding means with two holding parts. The holding means serve to receive the coverage section, whereby, in the case of the female anatomy, this is in the furrow between the labia majora of the female genitals. The holding means are so formed that they are received between the labia majora and positioned between the outer and inner labia on both sides. The area outside of the labia majora is not covered by the garment. The attachment section may be configured to hold the garment on the wearer, for example, at the hip.

The area between an inner side of the labia majora and an outer side of the labia minora is referred to as the labia gap in what follows. “Both sides”, in this case, refers to a left and a right part of the body of a wearer of the garment. Geometrically, the term “both sides” refers to the symmetry of the human anatomy, whereby the female genitals are substantially symmetrical about a plane of symmetry, and the garment according to the invention is designed according to this symmetry.

In addition, the holding means comprise two parts, each of which extends along one of the sides of the furrow to the right or left of the labia gap. Coverage means are formed between these parts of the holding means, and, upon putting on the garment, are intended to minimally cover the area lying between the two parts of the holding means, and thus the intimate area when the garment is worn.

In this way, a garment is provided which offers minimum coverage of the inner genitals, while completely uncovering the external genitals. Comfortable fitting of the garment is also guaranteed by receiving the holding parts in the two labia gaps.

It is thus conceivable that the holding means are arranged to be movable with respect to one another, and held apart from a contact point in an unloaded state, at least in a partial section. Reception in the labia gaps may then be effected by means of a force directed at the inner sides of the outer labia. This force may be a spring force introduced by an external force, for example by the holding parts being forced together against their original orientation. Thus, the holding means may be clamped in the furrow enabling the garment to be held firmly.

In some embodiments, the holding parts of the holding means may be, in particular, two curved, in particular two convex, holding parts. The holding parts may advantageously be formed as a solid stays having a curvature or bend in order to adapt themselves to the anatomy of the wearer, and thus allow safer and more comfortable support. Convex as used here means a curve that is directed away from the wearer's body when the garment is worn. The holding parts or holding areas may be convex and spread apart from one another, whereby the holding parts contact one another at two points, for example, at the ends. The two holding parts may be formed as one piece.

The holding parts or holding areas may also comprise a flexible material. Thus, the holding parts or holding areas may be adapted to the prevailing anatomy. This allows individual adaptation to many different anatomies. Thus, a majority of people with different anatomical conditions may wear the garment.

The holding means may be formed integrally. This means that the holding parts and/or the holding areas are integrally formed.

In alternative embodiments, the holding means comprise two cord sections. “Cord section” as used here means a section, or the entire holding part, that is formed by a string, cord, braid, ribbon and the like, produced in a conventional manner. The material used for the cord section may be any suitable material, including flexible materials, plastics, textiles, leather, elastic bands, latex and others.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment, these cord sections are designed to be elastic or at least partially elastic. Such cord sections may be made of a material that is intended to increase comfort. In addition, a cord section, in particular a flexibly-formed cord section, can adapt well to the anatomy and thus increase wearing comfort.

In further advantageous embodiments, the holding means comprise a wire. The wire may preferably be formed from a nickel-titanium compound or contain such a nickel-titanium compound. More preferably, the wire forms a framework comprising, in particular, the nickel-titanium compound that is also referred to as Nitinol. In this case, the wire is advantageously elastically and/or plastically deformable. The framework may have a predetermined width, length and curvature to form the “cup” as already described above. Thus, a garment may be created that may be adapted to the prevailing anatomical conditions before use.

The holding means may comprise a biocompatible material, a plastic material and/or silicone. The use of a biocompatible material is advantageous because the wearer will not be subject to any skin reactions or skin irritation.

In some embodiments, the holding parts and/or the holding means comprise plastic material or consist entirely of plastic material. In addition, the holding parts may have a coating, advantageously a plastic coating or rubber coating. This brings with it the advantage that a longer shelf life can be achieved, and deformation in the course of the life cycle of the garment can be minimised. In addition, the fit of the garment may thus be improved.

Thus, generally speaking, the material has a stiffener element. Due to the elastic properties of the material, the material also has a shape memory. In addition, in some embodiments, special materials with a shape-memory are conceivable that, due to physical properties, such as temperature, current, voltage, etc., may adopt a predetermined shape.

In addition, in some embodiments, the wire is substantially rigid at room temperature. However, a wire may be formed at temperatures between 30° C. and 45° C., preferably between 35° C. and 40° C., in particular between 36° C. and 37.5° C. This property may be created by an appropriate choice of the material, such as Nitinol, or by appropriate material production, for example, by the addition of plasticisers to plastic, as is well known.

In some embodiments, the coverage means are of a textile material. In particular, the material of the coverage means may be fully or partially made of natural fibres such as silk, cotton or the like, or synthetic fibres such as Jersey, Lyra, elastomers and the like, as well as mixtures of various materials. In particular, the material of the coverage means may be designed to be elastic. This enables the achievement of better comfort and a tighter fit of the garment.

In some embodiments, the coverage means may have a predetermined convex shape, or they may be brought into a curved convex shape. This can be made possible by the material being convexly pre-formed in the sense of a longitudinal “pocket”. The shape is so designed that the coverage means are shaped to receive the body parts to be covered between the outer labia. In this way, the supports of the garment may facilitate the coverage the desired body parts.

The holding parts that may be jointly referred to as a linkage or a framework may be woven from the material of the coverage means, or interwoven with it, or be otherwise associated with it, such as through gluing, stitching, fusing, or the like.

In some embodiments, the holding parts of the holding means may contact one another at least one first contact point. The predetermined shape is so designed that the holding parts each extend in a general longitudinal direction at a predetermined angle from the first contact point. The longitudinal direction is a direction that leads from the front side of the body along the furrow towards the anus. Due to the bulging form of the holding parts, the holding parts each extend from the contact point along the inner sides of the outer labia.

In the case of a convex, i.e. outwardly directed, curvature, the holding parts meet each other again at a predetermined section. This section, at which the holding parts meet one another, forms a second contact point. The holding parts form, by means of this predetermined curved shape which leads from one contact point to another contact point, a shape corresponding to a contour of a spherical cap or an ellipsoid cap, which may be simply described as “cup-shaped”.

Thus, the shape of the garment is already defined prior to wearing, and allows reception in the labia gap and coverage of the body parts to be covered. Thus, basic adaptation to the body anatomy may also be carried out even during the manufacture of the garment.

The angle adopted by the holding parts with respect to one another largely determines the degree of coverage of the body parts to be covered. This angle is thus also dependent on the anatomy. A very acute angle between the holding parts means a very narrow shape of the cup. A less acute angle leads to a broader cup. The distance between the holding parts in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction is referred to by its breadth.

Adaptation to the female anatomy may thus be effected by selecting the angle. It should be noted that the furrow between the outer labia is generally between about 6 to about 12 mm wide and about 8 to about 20 mm high.

In addition, the length of the inner genitals may between about 7 to about 12 cm, or in consideration of the anus and the space between about 12 to about 18 cm. The height of the inner genitals generally varies between about 5 and about 25 mm. This may therefore extend beyond the outer genitals. The above-described aspects in the arrangement of the holding parts and the coverage means allow improved adaptation to the prevailing anatomy.

A preferred length of the coverage means corresponds to the length of the inner genitals, or about 7 to about 12 cm, or between about 12 to about 18 cm if one includes the anus.

In some embodiments, adjusting means are provided for adjusting the angle or length of the cup between the holding parts and/or the holding means, i.e. the length of a coverage section. The adjusting means may, for example, vary the position of the first contact point. This variation may occur, in particular, in the longitudinal direction. The width of the area covered is pre-determined according to the anatomy. A change of the contact point towards an extension of the covered area thus leads to a reduction in the angle between the holding parts. In the case of reduced coverage area, the reverse is accordingly true.

It is particularly conceivable that the holding parts between the contact section with the fixing section and the contact point of the holding parts run parallel to one another or are attached to one another or are in contact with one another and extend from the contact point at an angle to one another corresponding to the position of the contact point. The closer the contact point is arranged with respect to the contact section, the longer will be the area covered by the coverage means. Preferably, the coverage means are of a highly elastic material in this case. It is also conceivable that the coverage means are designed only for a predetermined length in the longitudinal direction, and do not span the entire area between the holding parts.

In some embodiments of the invention, the adjusting means are formed as a zip. By opening or closing the zip, the contact point, i.e. the point at which the zip is unzipped, may be changed. This may then be individually adjusted and positioned.

In some embodiments, the contact section is formed as an eyelet. The contact section may also be formed as a X or a Y-shaped connecting piece or comprise such a connecting piece.

This kind of contact section allows attachment to the attachment section in various ways. In the case of an eyelet, a tape, string, elastic band or the like may be attached in order to wear the garment on the body. This attachment is thus used for attachment to the attachment section of the garment.

Alternatively one may, of course, also dispense with such an eyelet and pass the holding means or the holding parts directly through a band, a cord, an elastic band, or similar suitable means. This may increase the aesthetics of the garment and allow simplified manufacturing.

In some embodiments, the X or Y-shaped connecting piece may be traversed by a round elastic band or similar plastic material, or be brought into contact therewith. Thus, a framing of the inner genitals may be ensured by arranging the opening angle between the holding parts according to the specific form of the connecting piece.

An analogous connecting piece may also be provided in an anatomically rear area in the region of the anus. Thus, the coverage of the internal genitals may be ensured by the position of the connecting piece. Thus, in particular, a Y-shaped connecting piece may ensure the outlet of the garment through the natal cleft.

An X-shaped connecting piece in an anatomically front area allows coverage of any remaining hairiness in a simple way. For example, a material may be attached to the contact point between the opening legs of the X-shaped connecting piece.

The connecting pieces may be of metal and/or plastic. The connecting pieces may also be hollow. In addition, the connecting pieces may advantageously also be elastic. This may allow higher wearer comfort, durability or simplified production.

The provision of connecting pieces also allows, in particular, the holding means to be combined with any other lightweight form of undergarment, or to be attached to other known forms of undergarments through corresponding attachment sections. This allows the widest range of applications of the present invention.

The undergarment may comprise means for attaching a connecting piece.

In particular, in some embodiments, the garment may be an undergarment, in particular a pair of underpants, a slip, jazz pants, a thong, a string thong, a pair of panties or a combination thereof. Alternatively, the garment may also be swimwear, especially swimming trunks, a bikini bottom or part of a swimsuit.

The coverage means may be attached to the other garment by means of the holding section, or may be integrally formed with the garment. In the latter case, for example, the holding means may be sewn into the garment.

These and other aspects of the invention will become apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the following drawings. As would be obvious to one skilled in the art, many variations and modifications of the invention may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concepts of the disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows part of a garment according to the invention according to a first embodiment.

FIGS. 2A-2B show schematic diagram of a further embodiment of the invention in which FIG. 2A is a side view and FIG. 2B is a plan view;

FIGS. 3A-3C show schematic diagrams of a further embodiment of the invention in which FIG. 3A is a side view, FIG. 3B is a top view and FIG. 3C is a modified form; and

FIG. 4 shows a garment according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A preferred embodiment of the invention is now described in detail. Referring to the drawings, like numbers indicate like parts throughout the views. Unless otherwise specifically indicated in the disclosure that follows, the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. As used in the description herein and throughout the claims, the following terms take the meanings explicitly associated herein, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise: the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on.”

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a coverage section 2 of a garment 1 according to one embodiment of the invention. The coverage section 2 has a holding means 10 comprising two holding parts 10A, 10B. The holding parts 10A, 10B have a bent form and extend from a contact section 3 with an eyelet 20A to a second contact section 3 with an eyelet 20B. Due to the curvature of the holding parts 10A, 10B, the contour here forms a substantially ellipsoid cup. The holding parts 10A, 10B thus form a domed structure with the contact points 3 and with the eyelets 20A, 20B.

Although not shown in the presentation, this framework may have a curvature, which, in deviating from the idealised model ellipsoid cap, recreates the female anatomy in the region of the inner genitals. Such geometric comparisons are given only to serve the description and do not limit the invention to such descriptions.

A fabric 11 is provided between the holding parts 10A, 10B of the coverage section 2. The fabric 11 is so dimensioned that it further develops into an expanding pocket-like area in the direction of the curvature of the holding parts 10A, 10B. This area is so dimensioned and shaped that it can accommodate the inner female genitals. The shape of the component formed by the fabric 11 and the framework consisting of the holding parts 10A, 10B, may be described as cup-shaped.

The eyelets 20A, 20B shown in FIG. 1 are annular. One end of each of the holding parts 10A, 10B is in contact with the eyelets 20A, 20B. For this purpose, both the holding sections 10A, 10B as well as the eyelets 20A, 20B may be wrapped around with the same fabric. It is also conceivable that the holding parts 10A, 10B be attached to the eyelets 20A, 20B, or otherwise secured. In addition, the eyelets 20A, 20B and the holding parts 10A, 10B may be integrally formed.

In each case, an attachment section 4 formed of attachment elements 12 extends from the eyelets 20A, 20B away from the coverage means 2. The attachment elements 12 here have a band-like form. The attachments 12 pass via or are connected with the rest of the garment 1, as described later in reference to FIG. 4.

FIG. 2a shows a side view of the coverage section 2 of FIG. 1. The same or similar parts are designated by the same reference numerals, and there is no repetition of the description for reasons of conciseness.

The cup shape of the coverage section 2 can be clearly seen in FIG. 2a. Only one of the holding parts 10A can be seen in the figure,. The other holding part 10B of the holding means 2 is obscured by the visible holding part 10A. In this case, the curvature of the holding parts 10A, 10B in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction may be clearly seen. The fabric 11 of the holding means 2 is bulged in the same direction as the curvature of the holding parts 10A, 10B. In this case, the fabric 11 extends further in the direction of curvature than the holding parts 10A, 10B. Thus, the holding parts 10A, 10B may be received between the inner and outer labia, while the inner genitals may be received by the fabric 11, which may also extend beyond the contours of the outer labia. Thus safer and more convenient holding is possible.

FIG. 2b shows a plan view of the coverage section 2 of FIG. 2a. In this case, the curvature of the holding parts 10A, 10B may be seen in a width direction, i.e. in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and perpendicular to the curvature of the fabric. This curvature ensures that the internal genitals may be securely received in a width direction as well, and that the holding parts may be securely received in the labia gap.

FIG. 3a shows a further embodiment of a coverage section 2 in a perspective view. As may be seen, an X-shaped connecting piece 21 is formed at one of the contact sections 3, instead of an eyelet as in the previously described embodiments. The X-shaped connecting piece 21 has two intersecting legs which are connected to the coverage section 2 of a side facing the holding parts 10A, 10B.

Two attachment elements 21 extend from the remaining two free ends from the X-shaped connecting piece 12 to each of the legs of the X-shaped connecting piece 21. The attachment elements 12 are connected to the legs of the connecting piece 21. However, the attachment elements 12 may also pass directly into the legs or be integrally formed with the legs.

Instead of an eyelet at the second contact point 3A, there is a Y-shaped connecting piece 22, which can also be described as a λ-shaped connecting piece. The Y-shaped connecting piece 22 has two legs facing the coverage section 2 that run together and merge into a further single strand 12A. The attachment or connection of the Y-shaped connecting piece 22 with the coverage section 2 and the holding parts 10A, 10B and with the strand 12A may be effected in the same way as for the X-shaped connecting piece 21.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3a, the X-shaped connecting piece is arranged in a front area of the garment 1, i.e. an area facing the front side of the body. The Y-shaped connecting piece, however, is provided in a rear area of the garment.

FIG. 3b shows the embodiment of FIG. 3a. In a plan view from above.

FIG. 3c shows a further embodiment of the present invention, again in plan view. In this case, a Y-shaped connecting piece 22 is formed both in a front area as well as in a rear area of the coverage section 2. In each case, two legs of the connecting piece face the coverage section 2 and a free strand 12A faces the attachment section 4 of the garment 1.

Of course, Y-shaped connecting pieces and X-shaped connecting pieces may be freely combined, for example, a Y-shaped connecting piece in a front area and an X-shaped connecting piece in a rear area. The eyelets may be freely combined with the X or Y-shaped connecting pieces, so that a front contact point has an eyelet and a rear contact point has an X or Y-shaped connecting piece, or vice versa.

FIG. 4 shows a garment 1 according to the present invention. In particular, the attachment section 4 can be seen. The attachment section 4 is connected to the eyelets 20A, 20B. In alternative embodiments, the attachment section 4 is connected analogously with the connecting pieces 20A, 20B.

This connection may be made, for example, by threading a connecting string, such as an elastic band or a fabric belt through the eyelets 20A, 20B, or by wrapping it around the eyelets 20A, 20B. In this way, the coverage section 2 may be combined with a variety of garments 1, in the present embodiment of FIG. 4, with a string thong.

Other combinations with other garments such as briefs, jazz pants, thongs, panties, or a combination thereof, or with swimwear such as swimming trunks, bikini bottom parts or parts of a swimsuit, are possible in an analogous manner, and are accordingly also encompassed by the inventive concept.

The above described embodiments, while including the preferred embodiment and the best mode of the invention known to the inventor at the time of filing, are given as illustrative examples only. It will be readily appreciated that many deviations may be made from the specific embodiments disclosed in this specification without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is to be determined by the claims below rather than being limited to the specifically described embodiments above.

Claims

1. A garment comprising:

an attachment section; and

a coverage section connected to the attachment section,

whereby the coverage section comprises a holding means having two holding parts for receiving the outer and inner labia on both sides of the labia gap between and whereby between the holding parts, coverage means are formed to cover the area between the holding parts.

2. The garment according to claim 1, wherein the holding parts of the holding means are two curved, especially convex, holding parts.

3. The garment according to claim 1, wherein the holding parts of the holding means are two, in particular elastic, cord sections.

4. The garment according to one of the claims 1, wherein the holding means are integrally formed.

5. The garment according to claim 1, wherein the holding means comprises a device selected from a list consisting of:

a wire,

in particular a wire made of a nickel-titanium compound,

a plastic material,

a biocompatible material and

silicone.

6. The garment according to claim 5, wherein the holding means and/or the holding parts are deformable at temperatures between 30° C. and 45° C., preferably between 35° C. and 40° C., in particular between 36° C. and 37.5° C.

7. The garment according to claim 1, wherein the coverage means comprise a textile material.

8. The garment according to claim 1, wherein the coverage means comprise an elastic material.

9. The garment according to claim 1, wherein the coverage means have a convexly curved shape or may be brought into a convex curved shape, for receiving body parts between the outer labia to be covered.

10. The garment according to claim 1, wherein the holding parts are in contact with one another at least at one first contact point, and extend in a general longitudinal direction at a predetermined angle to one another from the first contact point.

11. The garment according to claim 10, wherein the holding parts are in mutual contact at a second point of contact, in particular in the area of the anus or the space between.

12. The garment according to claim 10, wherein adjusting means are provided on the holding means and/or on one or both holding parts to adjust the angle or the length of a coverage area between the holding parts.

13. The garment according to claim 12, wherein the adjusting means are a zip.

14. The garment according to claim 1, wherein the attachment section is connected with the coverage section through a contact section, whereby the contact section is an eyelet or an X or a Y-shaped connecting piece.

15. The garment according to claim 1, wherein the garment is an undergarment, in particular a pair of underpants, a slip, a jazz pants, a thong, a string thong, a pair of panties or a combination thereof, or swimwear, in particular swimming trunks, a bikini bottom or part of a swimsuit.