POUCH FLY

Abstract

An article of manufacture comprising an undergarment is disclosed. A fly pouch is formed by connecting an outer panel to an inner portion of the undergarment. The fly pouch is configured to be opened by pulling the outer panel away from the inner portion of the undergarment. The pulling of the outer panel away from the inner portion of the undergarment allows a portion of a body that has been inserted or is visible through an opening in the inner portion of the undergarment to be exposed.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/578,353, filed Oct. 27, 2017, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present application relates generally to the technical field of clothing, manufacturing of clothing and, in one specific example, to an undergarment and manufacturing of the undergarment having a special fly design.

BACKGROUND

Men's underwear comes in many different styles, including briefs, boxer briefs, trunks, boxers, jockstraps, bikinis, long underwear, and G-strings. Some men's underwear may include a fly, which is an opening through which the man can insert his penis (e.g., such that the man does not have to pull down his underwear to urinate). Standard fly designs include a vertical fly, a horizontal fly, and a “Y” or y-front fly. Technical problems sought to be solved by various fly designs may include problems related to discomfort, difficulty in accessing of genitalia, poor aesthetic appeal, slow drying and/or moisture wicking, inefficient or difficult manufacturing processes, expensive manufacturing processes, inadequate support for genitalia or portions of genitalia in certain circumstances (e.g., during athletic pursuits), and so on.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some embodiments are illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1A is a sketch depicting a front view of an example undergarment having various features disclosed herein;

FIG. 1B is a sketch depicting a back view of the example undergarment;

FIG. 2 is a sketch depicting an additional front view of the undergarment;

FIG. 3 is a sketch depicting a partial cross-sectional side view of an example undergarment as worn by a person;

FIG. 4A depicts an example pattern for a gusset of the example undergarment;

FIG. 4B depicts an example pattern for half of a lower front pouch of the example undergarment.

FIG. 4C depicts an example pattern for an upper inner front pouch of the example undergarment;

FIG. 4D depicts an example pattern for an outer front panel of the example undergarment;

FIG. 5 depicts a pattern for a back of the example undergarment;

FIG. 6 depicts an example order form for pattern pieces (e.g., as depicted in FIGS. 4A-4B and FIG. 5) that may be used to assemble or connect the example undergarment; and

FIG. 7 depicts an example physical swatch of fabric that is selected for the example undergarment.

FIG. 8 depicts an example care label, which may be attached to a top portion of the front panel of the undergarment.

FIG. 9 depicts a front view of an example undergarment being worn by a wearer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide an understanding of various embodiments of the present subject matter. It will be evident, however, to those skilled in the art that various embodiments may be practiced without these specific details.

An article of manufacture comprising an undergarment is disclosed. A fly pouch is formed by connecting an outer panel to an inner portion of the undergarment. The fly pouch is configured to be opened by pulling the outer panel away from the inner portion of the undergarment. The pulling of the outer panel away from the inner portion of the undergarment allows a portion of a body that has been inserted or is visible through an opening in the inner portion of the undergarment to be exposed.

Optionally, in any embodiment, the outer panel includes at least a portion of a top edge that is not connected to the undergarment. In example embodiments, the portion of the top edge is comprised of a stretchable material to ease the pulling away of the outer panel from the inner portion of the undergarment. In example embodiments, the stretchable material is also used for a waistband of the undergarment. In example embodiments, a care label associated with the undergarment is placed on the outer front panel. In example embodiments, one or more portions of the undergarment are comprised of a mesh-like material (e.g., to ease the pulling away of the outer panel from the inner portion of the undergarment or to provide a desired porosity to permit air circulation, wick moisture away from skin, or otherwise keep the wearer cool or dry).

Optionally, in any embodiment, a fly pouch is formed by an inner portion of the undergarment and an outer front panel of the undergarment, wherein the inner portion includes an opening configured for inserting at least a portion of male genitalia such that the portion of the male genitalia is positioned outside the inner portion of the undergarment and covered by the outer front panel when the outer front panel is closed; and a top portion of the outer front panel comprised of a stretchable material such that the outer front panel is configured to be opened by pulling the outside panel away from the inner portion to uncover the portion of the male genitalia that is positioned outside of the inner portion. Optionally, in any embodiment, the inner portion includes an inner front panel and a front pouch and the opening is included in a bottom portion of the inner front panel.

A method of creating an undergarment is disclosed. The undergarment includes a fly pouch formed by an inner portion of the undergarment and an outer front panel of the undergarment. The inner portion includes an opening configured for inserting at least a portion of male genitalia such that the portion of the male genitalia is positioned outside of the inner portion and covered when the outer front panel is closed. A top portion of the outer front panel is comprised of a stretchable material such that the outer front panel may be opened by pulling the outer front panel away from the inner portion to uncover the portion of the male genitalia that is positioned outside of the inner portion.

FIG. 1A is a sketch depicting an example undergarment 100 (front view) having various features disclosed herein. The example undergarment includes an outer front panel 104. The outer front panel 104 includes a portion (e.g., top portion 106) comprised of a stretchable material, such as an elastic band. Optionally, in any embodiment, the outer front panel 104 is attached or connected to the undergarment at various points (e.g., on a bottom side, a left side, and a right side), but at least some portion of the outer front panel (e.g., the top portion 106) is unconnected to the undergarment. Attachments or connections may be formed by stitching, gluing, stapling, riveting, and so on. Optionally, in any embodiment, the undergarment may have a seamless construction (e.g., using a circular knitting method). Thus, for example, the top portion 106 may be pulled away from the undergarment (e.g., from one or more separate inner portions, described in more detail below) to open the outer front panel 104, exposing any portion of genitalia that is inserted through or visible through an opening included in an inner portion. In this way, an action of opening of the outer front panel 104 may easily and conveniently expose the portion of the genitalia (e.g., for urination).

Optionally, in any embodiment, at least some portions of the undergarment (e.g., the front panel 104) are comprised of an additional stretchable material (e.g., mesh fabric) to ease the opening of the outer front panel 104. Thus, although the outer front panel 104 may be at least partially connected to the undergarment (e.g., by stitching of one or more of the bottom side, left side, and right side of the outer front panel to the back or inside pouch of the undergarment) the outer front panel 104 may nevertheless be pulled far enough away from the undergarment to expose a portion of the genitalia that has been inserted through or is visible through an opening included in an inner portion.

Optionally, in any embodiment, the outer front panel 104 is sized and arranged such that, when the outer front panel 104 is closed, it covers all or a portion of genitalia that has been inserted through or would otherwise be visible through the opening of the inside pouch. For example, optionally, in any embodiment, the outer front panel 104 has a height that starts from a location at or below a waistband 108 of the undergarment and extends to a location below the opening included in an inner portion. Additionally, the outer front panel 104 has a sufficient width to cover the portion of the male genitalia when it is inserted through an opening of an inner portion.

Optionally, in any embodiment, as discussed in more detail with respect to FIG. 2, the inner portion includes an upper portion (e.g., an inner front panel) and a lower portion (e.g., a front pouch). Optionally, in any embodiment, the opening is included in a lower portion of the inner front panel (e.g., to coincide with a location of a shaft of the penis of a wearer of the undergarment). The opening may be one of various shapes that provide comfort to the wearer or aesthetic appeal to the wearer or an observer, including circular, semi-circular, elliptical, square, rectangular, octagonal, and so on. Optionally, in any embodiment, the outer front panel 104 extends below an upper portion of the inside pouch such that it also covers at least part of the lower portion of the inner portion.

Optionally, in any embodiment, the waistband 108 is comprised of a same stretchable material as the top portion 106 or of an additional stretchable material that is not as stretchable as the material comprising the top portion 106. Thus, for example, pulling on the top portion 106 may result in more stretching of the top portion 106 of the outer front panel than stretching of the waistband 108, allowing the waistband 108 to remain relatively close to the wearer as the front panel 104 is pulled away from the undergarment.

Optionally, in any embodiment, a care label (or tag) 110 is attached or connected to the top portion 106. The care label 110 may be designed to satisfy any labelling requirements or laws of a jurisdiction where the undergarment will be involved in commerce (e.g., manufactured, imported, exported, or sold), such as the Care Labeling Rule enforced by the Federal Trade Commission of the United States Federal Government. Optionally, in any embodiment, the attachment of the care label 110 to the front portion 106 renders the undergarment more comfortable than if the care label were to be placed elsewhere on the undergarment, such as where the care label might contact the skin of the wearer of the undergarment. For example, placing the care label 110 on the front portion 106 may result in an extra layer of fabric (e.g., the inner pouch, discussed below) coming between the care label and the skin of the wearer of the undergarment thereby avoiding direct contact therebetween. Optionally, in any embodiment, the undergarment does not have any care labels or tags positioned inside the undergarment where they would contact the skin of the wearer of the undergarment.

Additionally, placing the care label 110 on the top portion 106 may help the user open the outer front panel 104. For example, the care label 110 may not only provide a sensory-perceptible cue (e.g., a sight cue based on a different color or a touch cue based on a different texture relative to other portions of the undergarment) as to make it easy for the wearer to find the location of the top portion 106 in relation to the undergarment, but also a surface for gripping of the top portion 106 when performing the opening of the front panel 104. Optionally, in any embodiment, the care label 110 may be comprised of a stickier or more grippable material than other materials comprising the undergarment. Optionally, in any embodiment, the care label may include a finger hole or loop to grab.

Optionally, in any embodiment, the undergarment may include further stretchable material (e.g., elastic bands) circumferentially disposed around the edges of the leg openings 112A and 112B, which may further improve the fit or comfort of the undergarment (e.g., by serving as an anti-roll hem). Optionally, in any embodiment, the stretchable material used at the leg openings 112A and 112B may be the same stretchable material that is used for the waistband 108 or for the top portion 106 of the outer front panel 104. Or the leg openings 112 may be comprised of a different or less stretchy material to provide a tighter or more comfortable fit.

FIG. 1B is a sketch depicting a back view 150 of the example undergarment. As shown, the waistband 108 may extend around the undergarment and the material at the edges of the leg openings 112A and 112B may extend around each leg opening.

FIG. 2 is a sketch depicting an additional front view 200 of the undergarment of FIG. 1A. In this example, the outer front panel 104 is removed, revealing an inner portion 254 comprising an inner front panel 252 and an inner or lower front pouch (e.g., having a right side 256A and a left side 256B). An opening 258 is comprised of a bottom edge 260 of the inner front panel 252. Optionally, in any embodiment, at least a portion of the opening 258 is not connected (e.g., via stitching) to other portions of the undergarment. Optionally, in any embodiment, portions of the bottom edge 260 that do not comprise the opening 258 are connected (e.g., via stitching) to the lower front pouch 256 or the outer front panel 104 (not shown). Although the opening 258 is depicted as being of a semi-circular shape, any shape capable of accommodating a portion of genitalia, such as a penis, is contemplated, including round, square, rectangular, oval, elliptical, etc. Additionally, although the opening 258 is depicted as comprising a portion of the bottom edge 260 of the inner front panel 252 of the inner portion 254, it is also contemplated that the opening may be at a different location within the inner portion 254 (e.g., within the upper portion of the inner front panel 252, the front pouch, or extending across both the inner front panel 252 and the front pouch, or otherwise not simply comprising part of the bottom edge 260).

Optionally, in any embodiment, the lower front pouch 256 of the inner portion 254 is comprised of a right portion 256A and a right portion 256B. Optionally, in any embodiment, the right portion 256A and the left portion 256B are connected (e.g., via stitching) to each other, forming a contoured shape (e.g., to fit around a portion of male genitalia that is not inserted through the opening, such as a scrotum). Optionally, in any embodiment, the lower front pouch is connected to the portions of the bottom edge 260 that do not comprise the opening 258 and/or the lower front pouch is otherwise connected to the inner front panel 252. Additionally, the front pouch is connected to the other portions of the undergarment. In this way, a penis may be sandwiched between the inner portion 254 of the undergarment and the outer front panel 104 when the outer front panel 104 is closed and a scrotum may simultaneously be contained within the front pouch. When inserted through the opening 258, a penis may be kept in a relatively centered position within the undergarment. Thus, the penis is comfortably cradled between two layers of fabric (e.g., soft, mesh fabric) such that the wearer has little or no desire for adjustment while wearing the undergarment. Thus, a combination of the inner portion 254 and the outer front panel 104 may provide the wearer with a secure and comfortable feeling (e.g., even during periods of high activity, such as during participation in an athletic endeavor). Additionally, because portions of genitalia may be held in particular locations or pouches (e.g., an inner front pouch and a fly pouch) within the undergarment, the undergarment may appear to an observer to have a consistently-contoured appearance or otherwise provide an enhanced aesthetic appeal.

Optionally, in any embodiment, a fly pouch is formed by connecting the outer front panel 104 to the undergarment such that a portion of genitalia that is inserted through or visible through the opening 258 in the inner portion 254 of the undergarment is covered when the outer front panel 104 is closed and exposed when the outer front panel 104 is opened.

Optionally, in any embodiment, the bottom edges of the right portion 256A and the left portion 256B may be further connected to a gusset (not shown), which may, in turn, be connected to the back of the undergarment.

FIG. 3 is a sketch depicting a cross-sectional side view 300 of an example undergarment as worn by a person. As depicted, the example undergarment includes an opening 358 between an inside panel 354 of an inner portion of the undergarment and a lower front pouch 356 of the inner portion. Although not shown in the cross-section 300, bottom edges of the inside panel 354 that do not comprise the opening may be connected to the lower front pouch 356 of the inside portion.

The example undergarment also includes an outer front panel 304. The outer front panel 304 is connected to the lower front pouch 354 at a location below the opening 358. Additionally, although not shown in the cross-sectional view 300, at least portions of a left edge and right edge of the outer front panel 304 may be connected to the inner front panel, the lower front pouch, and/or the back of the undergarment. Optionally, in any embodiment, at a portion (e.g., top portion 306) of the front panel 304 is not connected to the undergarment. This unconnected portion may further be comprised of a stretchable material (e.g., an elastic band), thus enabling the front panel 304 to be opened by pulling the unconnected portion away from the undergarment.

Optionally, in any embodiment, various portions of the undergarment (e.g., the front panel 304 of the undergarment) are comprised of an additional stretchable material (e.g., a mesh material) that further eases the pulling of the front panel 304 away from the undergarment, thus opening the front panel 304 to expose any portion of genitalia that is inserted through or visible through the opening 358. The stretchable material of the undergarment may be selected such that insertion of a portion of male genitalia through the opening 358 is more comfortable than it would be with a less stretchable material, regardless of various sizes or arousal states of the portion of the male genitalia.

Optionally, in any embodiment, the stretchable material used for the top portion 306 of the front panel 304 may be comprised of a more stretchable material than a stretchable material comprising a waistband of the undergarment or of the stretchable material comprising the undergarment itself

Optionally, in any embodiment, the top portion 306 of the outer front panel 304 includes a care label, as described above with respect to FIG. 1.

Optionally, in any embodiment, if no portion of male genitalia is inserted through the opening 358, the portion of the male genitalia may nevertheless be easily fished out through the opening 358, and thus easily and conveniently presented for typical functions (e.g., for urination).

FIGS. 4A-4D depict example patterns for various portions of an example undergarment having at least some of the features described herein. FIG. 4A depicts a pattern for a gusset, as described herein. FIG. 4B depicts a pattern for half of a lower front pouch (two of which are combined to form the lower front pouch), as described herein. FIG. 4C depicts a pattern for an inner front panel, having a shape for an opening, as described herein. FIG. 4D depicts a pattern for an outer front panel, as described herein. Might want to describe the shapes in greater detail if you think you are ever going to claim them.

FIG. 5 depicts a pattern for a back of the example undergarment, which comprises leg openings, as described herein.

FIG. 6 depicts an example order form for pattern pieces (e.g., as depicted in FIGS. 4A-4B and FIG. 5) that may be used to assemble or connect an example undergarment, as described herein. As shown, the order form specifies example finishes (e.g., for waist band, front panel, and leg openings) that comprise stretchable (e.g., elastic) materials.

FIG. 7 depicts a selected physical swatch of fabric for the undergarment. As described herein, the selected fabric may be comprised of a stretchable (e.g., mesh) material, which may ease the opening of the front panel of the undergarment.

FIG. 8 depicts an example care label, which may be attached to a top portion of the front panel, as described herein.

FIG. 9 depicts a front view of an example undergarment being worn by a wearer.

Although an embodiment has been described with reference to specific example embodiments, it will be evident that various modifications and changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. The accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, show by way of illustration, and not of limitation, specific embodiments in which the subject matter may be practiced. The embodiments illustrated are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the teachings disclosed herein. Other embodiments may be utilized and derived therefrom, such that structural and logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. This Detailed Description, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of various embodiments is defined only by the appended claims, along with the full range of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

Such embodiments of the inventive subject matter may be referred to herein, individually and/or collectively, by the term “invention” merely for convenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope of this application to any single invention or inventive concept if more than one is in fact disclosed. Thus, although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it should be appreciated that any arrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to cover any and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments. Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments not specifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description.

Claims

1. An article of manufacture comprising:

an undergarment comprising a fly pouch, the fly pouch comprising an inner portion of the undergarment having an opening therethrough and an outer panel coupled to the inner portion of the undergarment, the fly pouch being openable by a pulling of the outer panel away from the inner portion of the undergarment, the pulling of the outer panel away from the inner portion of the undergarment allowing a portion of a body that has been inserted or is visible through the opening in the inner portion of the undergarment to be exposed.

2. The article of manufacture of claim 1, wherein the outer panel includes at least a portion of a top edge that is unconnected to the undergarment.

3. The article of manufacture of claim 2, wherein the portion of the top edge is comprised of a stretchable material to ease the pulling away of the outer panel from the inner portion of the undergarment.

4. The article of manufacture of claim 3, wherein the undergarment further comprises a waistband, and wherein the stretchable material is also used for the waistband.

5. The article of manufacture of claim 1, wherein a care label associated with the undergarment is coupled to the outer front panel.

6. The article of manufacture of claim 1, wherein the outer panel is comprised of a mesh-like material to further ease the pulling away of the outer panel from the inner portion of the undergarment.

7. An article of manufacture comprising:

an undergarment comprising an inner portion and an outer front panel, the outer front panel having a top portion, wherein the inner portion is coupled to the outer front panel thereby forming a fly pouch, wherein:

the inner portion comprises an opening extending therethrough and configured for inserting at least a portion of male genitalia into the opening such that the portion of the male genitalia is positioned outside the inner portion of the undergarment and covered by the outer front panel when the outer front panel is in a closed configuration; and

the top portion of the outer front panel is comprised of a stretchable material such that the outer front panel is configured to be opened by pulling the outer front panel away from the inner portion to uncover the portion of the male genitalia that is positioned outside of the inner portion.

8. The article of manufacture of claim 7, wherein the outer front panel comprises an additional stretchable material for easing of the opening of the outer front panel.

9. The article of manufacture of claim 8, wherein the stretchable material is an elastic band and the additional stretchable material is a mesh fabric.

10. The article of manufacture of claim 7, wherein the undergarment includes a waistband disposed adjacent to an upper portion of the undergarment and that is comprised of the stretchable material.

11. The article of manufacture of claim 7, wherein a care label associated with the undergarment is coupled to an outer surface of the top portion of the outer front panel.

12. The article of manufacture of claim 7, wherein the inner portion includes an inside front panel and a front pouch disposed below the inside front panel and wherein the opening is included in a bottom portion of the inner front panel.

13. A method of creating an undergarment, the method comprising:

forming a fly pouch with an inner portion of the undergarment and an outer front panel of the undergarment; and

disposing an opening in the inner portion, wherein the opening is configured for inserting at least a portion of male genitalia such that the portion of the male genitalia is positioned outside of the inner portion and covered when the outer front panel is closed, wherein a top portion of the outer front panel is comprised of a stretchable material such that the outer front panel may be opened by pulling the outer front panel away from the inner portion to uncover the portion of the male genitalia that is positioned outside of the inner portion.

14. A method of wearing an undergarment, the method comprising:

inserting a portion of male genitalia through an opening in an inner portion of the undergarment and into a fly pouch of the undergarment such that the portion of male genitalia is outside the inner portion and covered by an outer front panel of the undergarment, the outer front panel coupled to the inner portion to form the fly pouch;

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

disposing the outer front panel away from the inner portion, thereby opening the fly pouch and exposing the portion of male genitalia.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the disposing of the front panel away from the inner portion includes using a care label as a handle to pull on the outer front panel.