REPOSITIONABLE MOISTURE MANAGEMENT MATERIAL THAT CREATES A BARRIER TO SKIN-ON-SKIN CONTACT
An article of clothing can be used to reduce or prevent the occurrence of prolonged skin-on-skin contact, rashes, irritation, intertrigo, infections, discomfort, or chaffing. Such an article of clothing has a moisture management material made up of at least an outer layer, an inner layer, and a tab. The moisture management material is attached to a portion of the article of clothing via a tab of the moisture management material. The moisture management material may be of various shapes and sizes and preferably fits within a prescribed area of the article of clothing. The moisture management material may be variably positioned within the article of clothing to provide differing results such as additional support and/or moisture absorbing or moisture moving where necessary. Preferably the article of clothing is a brassiere but may be a shirt, diaper, pants, socks, panties, or other undergarments.
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This is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. 15/049,673 filed on Feb. 22, 2016 which claims the priority of U.S. Application Ser. No. 62/118,578 filed on Feb. 20, 2015, the contents of which are herein fully incorporated by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE EMBODIMENTSThe present invention and its embodiments relate to protective devices that provide relief and prevention to users who experience discomfort due to prolonged skin-on-skin contact and/or perspiration throughout the course of a day and/or night, namely a medical device that may be coupled to articles of clothing thereby providing a barrier to skin-on-skin contact to alleviate chaffing, rashes, infections, intertrigo, soreness, irritation, discomfort, and the potential embarrassment caused by these conditions.
BACKGROUND OF THE EMBODIMENTSExcessive moisture in a variety of scenarios can cause numerous undesirable effects. Often, places susceptible to such excessive moisture content are breeding grounds for bacteria, funguses, and various other types of pathogens. When these locations are persistent on the human body various afflictions such as intertrigo and bacterial infections often occur jeopardizing the health of the host body.
Historically, men and women alike have attempted, utilizing various methodologies, to alleviate, prevent, or otherwise limit the wetness and odor caused by perspiration. In humans, excessive moisture (i.e. perspiration) can be trapped in any number of crevices along the human body. This increased moisture level can then, in turn, be exacerbated by heat (including body heat), a lack of air circulation, and friction between places of skin-on-skin contact (i.e. skin folds). Often such a combination of factors results in tenderness, redness, friction, and intertrigo amongst other afflictions. These conditions can then lead to secondary infections caused by funguses, bacteria, yeasts, and the like. Once these ailments have set in, treatment is typically seen in the form of creams, ointments, powders, and anti-inflammatories, anti-fungals, and even antibiotics in extreme cases.
There are a number of options available to help alleviate, avoid, or reduce such ailments including: avoiding tight clothing, losing weight, and wearing a brassiere or other garment with sufficient support. However, these steps are not necessarily practical or effective for all of those who suffer from these conditions as there are a wide variety of reasons and medical issues that can cause the aforementioned ailments.
For example, for many the “underbust,” or area below/underneath the breasts is particularly problematic, especially for those women who are overweight or have particularly large breasts. Yet, women with “average” breasts are not exempt from this condition and should be cognizant of the implications of such an affliction. Typically, women attempt to combat this problem and discomfort by using various objects of relief such as but not limited to napkins, tissues, gauze, anti-fungals, toilet paper, and other suggested remedies, and the like only to be greeted with tepid results. Further, when such remedies are used one must be fearful of losing the placed objects of relief and being subjected to embarrassment due to the unfixed nature of these items.
Additionally, in other settings, older adults may have difficulties with incontinence or are bed ridden which can lead to similar symptoms around the buttocks and genital region, especially the inner thighs and between the buttocks. Even still, overweight individuals may have a number of skin folds which require constant cleaning and moisture absorbing powders to prevent excess sweating and moisture build up.
Thus, there is a need for the moisture management material to be integrated with a garment, medical device, or article of clothing that helps to reduce or move away excess moisture and create a barrier to skin-on-skin contact to prevent or limit the frequency of the aforementioned and other not named afflictions. The present invention and its embodiments meets and exceeds these objectives. The present invention uses at least one moisture management material strategically located and capable of being variably positioned to further create a barrier to skin-on-skin contact. This allows one to target problem areas and increase the relief from discomfort.
REVIEW OF RELATED TECHNOLOGYU.S. Pat. No. 7,794,304 pertains to a foldable one-piece insert worn between the brassiere and the body having irritation reducing and/or absorbent material portions which line the brassiere cup and that lie under the supported breast, and portions which extends toward the torso rear under the brassiere side straps and a portion extending below the brassiere line along the torso. The invention further includes a material tab disposed between the material portions lining the brassiere cups, which can optionally be worn up to bridge the area between the brassiere cups for added protection, comfort and absorption of perspiration, or be folded down and out of sight when worn with lower cut neckline outer garments.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,980,359 pertains to a brassiere barrier device comprising a flexible, substantially flat absorptive protective band worn on an abdomen of a woman's body. A top edge of the band extends under the breasts and a lower border at the cups of a brassiere, so as to prevent dermal irritation and lesions caused by heat, moisture and chaffing associated with use of the brassiere.
U.S. Patent Application 2013/0104914 pertains to a brassiere accessory for eliminating or substantially reducing the discomfort, chaffing, pain, rash, intertrigo, and infections caused by pressure of a woman's brassiere cup rim against her chest, and by perspiration trapped between the woman's breast and chest.
Various devices are known in the art. However, their structure and means of operation are substantially different from the present disclosure. The other inventions fail to solve all the problems taught by the present disclosure. The present invention provides for a reconfigurable moisture management material that can be placed to target areas of the body susceptible to moisture buildup. In some embodiments, such as when applied to a brassiere, the moisture management material can be folded into the cup of the brassiere providing increased levels of support and lifting of the breast. At least one embodiment of this invention is presented in the drawings below and will be described in more detail herein.
SUMMARY OF THE EMBODIMENTSGenerally, the present invention and its embodiments provide for an article of clothing to alleviate the occurrence buildup of excess moisture or prolonged skin-on-skin contact which can lead to recurring rashes, irritation, intertrigo, discomfort, infections, or chaffing. The article of clothing or garment has at least one and preferably multiple pieces of moisture management material strategically positioned and coupled thereto. The moisture management material can be shaped to conform to certain garments and/or locations on the body. Further, the moisture management material is capable of being removed and cleaned and/or replaced in addition to being repositionable.
In one embodiment, the present invention is a system to alleviate the occurrence of prolonged skin-on-skin contact, rashes, irritation, intertrigo, infections, discomfort, or chaffing or any combination thereof, the article of clothing comprising: a material forming a wearable garment; and a moisture management material comprising at least an outer layer, an inner layer, and a tab being coupled to a portion of the length of material, wherein the tab extending from the moisture management material providing a surface to couple the moisture management material to the wearable garment.
In another embodiment there is a medical accessory to alleviate the occurrence of prolonged skin-on-skin contact, rashes, irritation, intertrigo, infections, discomfort, or chaffing or any combination thereof, the medical accessory comprising: a moisture management material having an inner layer, an outer layer, and at least a first edge and a second edge, wherein the first edge is a flat edge and the second edge is a flat edge or a curved edge; and a tab extending from the moisture management material sized to enable the medical accessory to be coupled to an article of clothing.
In another embodiment of the invention there is a brassiere accessory comprising: a moisture management material having a flat edge and an additional flat or curved edge, wherein the moisture management material has at least an inner layer and an outer layer, wherein the inner layer is bounded on both sides by the outer layer; and a tab extending from the moisture management material sized to enable the brassiere accessory to be coupled to a brassiere, wherein the moisture management material is configured to be positioned into a cup of the brassiere or positioned to extend outwardly from the cup of the brassiere; and wherein if the brassiere has an underwire the tab is coupled to the brassiere above and/or below the underwire, and if the brassiere has no underwire the tab is coupled to a fabric strip of the brassiere.
In another embodiment there is a pair of underwear having a length of material configured to cover at least a part of a genital region of a user; and a moisture management material comprising at least an outer layer and an inner layer and being coupled to a portion of the length of material, wherein the moisture management material has a flat edge and an additional flat or curved edge, wherein at least one of the edges has a tab or tabs extending therefrom providing a surface to couple the moisture management material to the wearable garment; wherein the moisture management material is coupled to the pair of underwear along the waistline or along leg openings or other openings or along the side seams or a combination thereof.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention there is a shirt having a length of material configured to cover at least a torso of a user; and at least one piece of the moisture management material comprising at least an outer layer and an inner layer and being coupled to a portion of the length of material, wherein the moisture management material has a flat edge and an additional flat or curved edge, wherein at least one of the edges has a tab or tabs extending therefrom providing a surface to couple the moisture management material to the wearable garment; wherein the moisture management material is coupled to an interior surface of the shirt in the chest region and is capable of being positioned in areas subjected to skin-on-skin contact.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention there is a diaper or other full coverage undergarment having a length of material configured to cover a genital region of a user; and a moisture management material comprising at least an outer layer and an inner layer and being coupled to a portion of the length of material, wherein the moisture management material has a flat edge and an additional flat or curved edge, wherein at least one of the edges has a tab or tabs extending therefrom providing a surface to couple the moisture management material to the wearable garment; wherein the moisture management material is coupled to the diaper along leg openings or the rear central portion of the diaper or a combination thereof.
In general, the present invention succeeds in conferring the following, and others not mentioned, benefits and objectives.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an article of clothing that prevents or limits prolonged skin-on-skin contact.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an article of clothing that prevents or limits buildup of excess moisture.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an article of clothing that has a disposable or non-disposable moisture management material coupled thereto.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an article of clothing that alleviates irritation, swelling, chaffing, redness, soreness, intertrigo, discomfort, infections, and the like.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an article of clothing that is machine and/or hand washable.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an article of clothing that can be worn in multiple fashions by both men and women.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a brassiere that can provide an increase in support and lift to the breasts.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a shirt, pants, jacket, undergarment, and the like that has moisture management material that can be positioned between skin folds.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an undergarment that can be sized to be worn by adults and/or children.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an article of clothing that may have multiple pieces of moisture management material.
The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. Identical elements in the various figures are identified with the same reference numerals.
Reference will now be made in detail to each embodiment of the present invention. Such embodiments are provided by way of explanation of the present invention, which is not intended to be limited thereto. In fact, those of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate upon reading the present specification and viewing the present drawings that various modifications and variations can be made thereto.
Referring now to
The outer layer 103 is preferably comprised of natural or synthetic textiles including but not limited to papers, woven, knitted, or non-woven fabrics, cloth, woven or non-woven fibers of wool, flax, rayon, cotton, bamboo, hemp, lyocell, and/or yarn, and synthetic textile including but not limited to microfibers, nylon, polyester, aramid fibers, olefins, and/or acrylic, or any combinations thereof.
The inner layer 107 is preferably comprised of natural or synthetic materials exhibiting hydrophilic properties including but not limited to spacer, natural rubber, polychloroprene, acrylonitrile butadiene, polyisoprene, polysiloxane, vinyl methyl silicone, polyurethane, fluoro silicone, polyester and other polyurethane foams, foam-backed fabrics, and the like or any combinations thereof.
The shape of the moisture management material 100 is largely dependent on the particular application for which it is to be employed. The overall shape of the moisture management material 100 may be polygonal or irregular. Generally, the moisture management material 100 has a body section 101 which comprises the main area of the material and a tab 105 extending therefrom. In many iterations that tab 105 is ancillary to the moisture management material 100 as a whole. The tab 105 provides a surface for coupling the moisture management material 100 to an article of clothing. The tab 105 may or may not have the multiple layers or the same arrangement of layers as the body section 101 of the moisture management material 100 and may not necessarily be moisture absorbent in and of itself.
In addition, the moisture management material 100 may be shaped and configured to reduce heat, friction, increase air circulation, and the like. Such factors will help to combat the environment which breeds the various afflictions described herein.
As shown,
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Referring now to
In
The underbust is the area located underneath where the breast would naturally “sit” or lie on the human torso and is where the underside of the breast would typically contact the skin of the torso when unsupported. The underbust terminates approximately where the breast and torso meet and outside the boundary of where the breast typically would contact the torso when unsupported. The moisture management material 100 can then prevent skin-on-skin contact in the underbust 157 as well as move or otherwise remove excess moisture such as from perspiration. This keeps the skin in this region dryer and limits environmental factors that many bacteria and fungus rely on for growth. The end result being a much greater decrease in the likelihood of infection, irritations, chaffing, intertrigo, discomfort, and the like.
In
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In
Referring now to
Further, in other embodiments, such a location would also enable the moisture management material 100 to be positioned underneath a man or a woman's loose lower abdomen or pannus, as shown in
Further, the moisture management material 100 may be repositionable so that it can be situated to reside between, for example, the leg openings 310 and the skin of the user, as well as at the waistline 305 of the user. The waistline 305 implementation may be particularly appropriate for users that are overweight and whose stomach area may fold over on itself above the underwear 300. Further, such a moisture management material 100 may fully encircle each of openings include those of the waistline 305 and/or legs 310. Thus, the size and shape of the moisture management material 100 may depend on the size and gender of the user, as well as the targeted area.
In
The moisture management material 100 can be tucked underneath the breast in the case of females, overweight males, and males exhibiting medical conditions such as gynecomastia. This allows for the movement of moisture and prevention of skin on skin contact. Other areas of interest in which moisture management material 100 can be positioned may be the armpits, near the waistline, or at strategically positioned places to target and prevent skin on skin contact, skin irritation, and general discomfort from the skin folds along the user's torso, or at the terminal end of the shirt 400.
In
In
The moisture management material 100 is attached in the same or a similar manner as previously described. The undergarment 500, in some embodiments, may be disposable or non-disposable diaper. The material of the undergarment may also aid in prevention of the buildup of undesirable moisture.
The present invention and its embodiments as described in
In other embodiments, the shape of the moisture management material 100 may vary and may not be the same as with the embodiment described above. For example, in the shirt 400 configuration, the moisture management material 100 may or may not be similar in shape to the brassiere 200 embodiment. However, the undergarment 500 and/or underwear 300 embodiment may have a moisture management material 100 that fully encircles a waistband or leg openings. This moisture management material 100 would then limit or prevent any type of chaffing, discomfort, or moisture issues from arising in these areas. Any such variations or implementations are clearly under the scope of this invention. Thus, the moisture management material may or may not be circular in shape and have multiple tabs or points of attachment to the article of clothing in any of the described embodiments.
Although this invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is to be understood that the present disclosure has been made only by way of illustration and that numerous changes in the details of construction and arrangement of parts, as noted above and otherwise not mentioned, may be resorted to without departing from the intention and the scope of the invention.
Claims
1. A system to alleviate the occurrence of prolonged skin-on-skin contact, rashes, irritation, intertrigo, infections, discomfort, or chaffing or any combination thereof, the article of clothing comprising:
- a material forming a wearable garment; and
- a moisture management material comprising at least an outer layer, an inner layer, and at least one tab, wherein the at least one tab extends from the moisture management material providing a surface to couple the moisture management material to the wearable garment.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein the inner layer of the moisture management material is a medical grade hydrophilic foam backed fabric.
3. The system of claim 1 wherein the wearable garment is an undergarment, socks, diaper, jacket, shirt, pants, skirt, dress, or a combination thereof.
4. The system of claim 1 wherein the inner layer comprises natural rubber, polychloroprene, acrylonitrile butadiene, polyisoprene, polysiloxane, vinyl methyl silicone, polyurethane, fluoro silicone, polyester and other polyurethane foams, or foam-backed fabrics, or any combinations thereof; and
- wherein the outer layer comprises papers, woven, knitted, or non-woven fabrics, cloth, woven or non-woven fibers of wool, flax, rayon, cotton, bamboo, hemp, lyocell, yarn, microfibers, nylon, polyester, aramid fibers, olefins, acrylic, or any combinations thereof.
5. The system of claim 3 wherein the moisture management material is semi-oval in shape.
6. The system of claim 1 wherein the outer layer is configured to be removable from the inner layer.
7. The system of clothing of claim 3 wherein the moisture management material is positioned along a surface of a cup of the brassiere or between a breast and a skin surface of the user.
8. A medical accessory to alleviate the occurrence of prolonged skin-on-skin contact, rashes, irritation, intertrigo, infections, discomfort, or chaffing or any combination thereof, the medical accessory comprising:
- a moisture management material having an inner layer, an outer layer, and at least a first edge and a second edge, wherein the first edge is a flat edge and the second edge is a flat edge or a curved edge; and
- at least one tab extending from the moisture management material sized to enable the medical accessory to be coupled to an article of clothing.
9. The medical accessory of claim 8 wherein a portion of the moisture management material is coupled to a brassiere and sized to be capable of being folded into a cup of the brassiere.
10. The medical accessory of claim 8 wherein a portion of the moisture management material is configured to be positioned between a breast and an underbust of a user.
11. The medical accessory of claim 9 wherein the medical accessory is permanently or removably coupled to the brassiere.
12. The medical accessory of claim 8 wherein the inner layer comprises natural rubber, polychloroprene, acrylonitrile butadiene, polyisoprene, polysiloxane, vinyl methyl silicone, polyurethane, fluoro silicone, polyester and other polyurethane foams, or foam-backed fabrics, or any combinations thereof.
13. The medical accessory of claim 9 wherein the outer layer is papers, woven, knitted, or non-woven fabrics, cloth, woven or non-woven fibers of wool, flax, rayon, cotton, bamboo, hemp, lyocell, yarn, microfibers, nylon, polyester, aramid fibers, olefins, acrylic, or any combinations thereof.
14. The medical accessory of claim 9 wherein the moisture management material is coupled to the brassiere above and/or below an underwire, straps of the brassiere, cups of the brassiere, clasps of the brassiere, or a combination thereof.
15. A brassiere accessory comprising:
- a moisture management material having at least one flat edge and at least one additional flat or curved edge, wherein the moisture management material has at least an inner layer and an outer layer, wherein the inner layer is bounded on both sides by the outer layer;
- at least one tab extending from the moisture management material, the at least one tab being sized to enable the brassiere accessory to be coupled to a brassiere, wherein the moisture management material is configured to be positioned into a cup of the brassiere or positioned to extend outwardly from the cup of the brassiere; and
- wherein if the brassiere has an underwire the tab is coupled to the brassiere above and/or below the underwire, and if the brassiere has no underwire the tab is coupled to a fabric strip of the brassiere.
16. The brassiere accessory of claim 15 wherein the moisture management material, when positioned into the cup of the brassiere, is sized to provide an increase in support and comfort for the breast.
17. The brassiere accessory of claim 15 wherein the moisture management material, when folded outwardly from the cup of the brassiere and positioned between the breast and an underbust of a user alleviating rash, chaffing, irritation, intertrigo, infections, discomfort, or any combination thereof.
18. The brassiere accessory of claim 15 wherein the increase in support causes lifting and shaping of the breast.
19. The brassiere accessory of claim 15 wherein the at least one tab is positioned along the curved edge or the flat edge of the moisture management material.
20. The brassiere accessory of claim 15 wherein the moisture management material and tab is a unitary piece.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 26, 2017
Publication Date: Oct 19, 2017
Applicant: MOUNTAIN PARK MUSIC, INC. (STUDIO CITY, CA)
Inventor: MIRIAM S. CLARKE (STUDIO CITY, CA)
Application Number: 15/633,287