AU2018101540A4 - Improved underwear - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract There is provided herein an article of underwear allowing for the quick and convenient replacement thereof. The underwear comprises material shaped to define front and rear panels which are continuously joined by a between-leg transition. Lateral edges of each of the front and rear panels fasten together when overlapped to define leg accommodations between the lateral edges and the between-leg transition. As such, to remove the underwear, the lateral edges are unfastened such that the rear panel is able to be drawn forwardly from between the legs, or vice versa, negating the need to remove trousers, slide the underwear over the feet or boots of the wearer or the like as do conventional arrangements Patentec Patent Attorneys 8 Level 11, 65 York Street Sydney NSW 2000 Australia www.patentec.com.au 029188 9689 C)r N(

Description

Improved underwear

Field of the Invention [1] This invention relates generally to an improved article of underwear and, more particularly, underwear configured for quick and convenient removal and replacement thereof.

Background of the Invention [2] Certain situations require the ability to quickly and conveniently change underwear. For example, for members of the Armed Forces, it is often desirous to be able to change underwear quickly and conveniently, especially in situations that do not allow for substantial modesty, without, for example, having to remove trousers, slide the underwear over military boots or other inconveniences.

[3] By way of further example, patients having leg casts or the like may find it difficult or impossible to remove or replace underwear easily.

[4] The present invention seeks to provide underwear which will overcome or substantially ameliorate at least some of the deficiencies of the prior art, or to at least provide an alternative.

[5] It is to be understood that, if any prior art information is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the information forms part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

Summary of the Disclosure [6] There is provided herein an article of underwear allowing for the quick and convenient replacement thereof. Specifically, the underwear comprises material shaped to define front and rear panels which are continuously joined by a between-leg transition.

[7] Lateral edges of each of the front and rear panels fasten together to define leg accommodations between the lateral edges and the between-leg transition.

[8] As such, to remove the underwear, the lateral edges are unfastened such that the rear panel is able to be drawn forwardly from between the legs, or vice versa, negating the need to remove trousers, slide the underwear over the feet or boots of the wearer or the like as do conventional arrangements.

[9] Furthermore, replacement of the underwear takes the opposite process wherein the rear panel may be drawn behind from between the legs and the lateral edges thereof fastened around each respective leg to fasten to the corresponding lateral edges of the front panel.

[10] As can be appreciated, such a construction may allow for the removal and replacement of the underwear by only having to drop the trousers a short way, as opposed to the entire removal thereof.

[11] The panels may be configured such that the adjoining edges thereof therebetween are conveniently more forward located (between lateral edges/sides and a front centreline of the underwear) for ergonomic fastening and unfastening.

[12] Different types of fasteners may be used between the edges of the panels including hook and loop (Velcro™) fasteners and the fasteners as provided herein.

[13] The edges may be fastened together utilising a fastener running continuously from substantially the top to bottom which may provide sufficient purchase along substantially the entire lateral edge to reduce the likelihood of inadvertent unfastening thereof. Yet further, the use of the continuous fastener strips may prevent snagging points and may prevent the ingress of debris into the underwear.

[14] In embodiments wherein the fastener strips may comprise hook and loop fasteners, edges of the rear panel may overlap edges of the front panel such that the fastener strips may be conveniently fastened by pressing the outer overlapping edge of the rear panel over the inner overlapping edge of the front panel. Furthermore, the fastener strips may be conveniently unfastened by tearing the outer overlapping edge from the inner overlapping edge.

[15] In embodiments, a pair of parallel hook and loop strips may be employed to further enhance the fastener purchase, user comfort and debris ingress resistance. Furthermore, the pair of fastener strips may be used to selectively adjust the tension of the underwear wherein only the oppositely distal fastener strips are fastened together.

[16] In embodiments, the fasteners may terminate at press studs at upper edges thereof. The press studs may prevent the inadvertent initial release of the fasteners and may furthermore provide haptic feedback for locating the fasteners for fastening and unfastening, especially within darkened environments.

[17] As such, the foregoing in mind, in accordance with one aspect, there is provided underwear comprising material shaped to define front and rear panels joined by a between-leg transition, wherein lateral edges of the each of the front and rear panels detachably fasten together by way of fasteners to define leg accommodations between the lateral edges and the between-leg transition.

[18] The fasteners may ergonomically respectively locate forwardly between respective lateral edge and centreline of the underwear.

[19] The underwear may comprise an auxiliary point fastener (such as a press stud fasteners) located adjacent an upper edge of each fastener to enhance securement of each fastener.

[20] The between leg transition may comprise a gusset stitched between the front and rear panels by stitching respectively front and rear adjacent the gusset to reduce chafing at the between leg transition.

[21] The fasteners may each comprise a zip fastener which unfastens downwardly.

[22] Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed.

Brief Description of the Drawings [23] Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, preferred embodiments of the disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: [24] Figure 1 shows an article of brief-style underwear comprising hook and loop fastener strips in accordance with an embodiment; [25] Figure 2 shows an article of boxer-style underwear comprising hook and loop fastener strips in accordance with a further embodiment; [26] Figures 3-5 show respective front fastened, rear fastened and side semi-fastened views of brief-style underwear having a can loop fastener strips in accordance with an embodiment; [27] Figures 6-7 show respective side semi-fastened and front fastened views of the underwear of Figures 3-5; [28] Figures 8 and 9 show a concealed rear pocket in accordance with an embodiment; and [29] Figures 10 - 12 show an embodiment of a boxer style underwear comprising zip fasteners in accordance with an embodiment.

Description of Embodiments [30] Figure 1 shows an article of brief-style underwear 100 and Figure 2 shows an article of boxer-style underwear 100.

[31] Referring to Figure 1, the underwear 100 comprises material shaped to define a front panel 110 and a rear panel 111. The front and rear panels 110, 111 may joined continuously by a between-leg transition 107. In embodiments, the front and rear panels 110, 111 and the between-leg transition 107 are cut from a continuous single sheet of material so as to be devoid of chafing seems.

[32] Furthermore, lateral edges 101 of each of the front and rear panels 110, 111 fasten together when overlapped to define leg accommodations 112 between the lateral edges 101 and the between-leg transition 107.

[33] As can be more readily appreciated from Figure 2, the between-leg transition 107 and/or the inner leg 106 may be seamless so as to reduce chafing. However, in embodiments as is illustrated in

Figures 10 and 11, the underwear 100 may comprise a between leg gusset 116 stitched to the front and rear panels by respective front seam 118 and rear seam 119, wherein, as can be appreciated, the seems 118,119 avoid between the legs, thereby reducing or avoiding chafing therebetween.

[34] Returning to Figure 1, in an embodiment, the rear panel 110 may define an outer overlap edge 108 which lies atop an inner overlap edge 109 of the front panel 110.

[35] The outer overlap edge 108 preferably locates more forwardly (i.e. between the lateral edge 122 and the front centreline 123) so as to be more readily accessible as opposed to, for example, having to reach to the sides or behind the underwear 110 for access thereto.

[36] In a further preferred embodiment, the overlap edges 108,109 are joined together by at least one hook and loop fastener strip 104. In this way, the overlap edges 108, 109 may be conveniently fastened together by pressing the outer overlap edge 108 over the inner overlap edge 109. Furthermore, the overlap edges 108, 109 may be conveniently released by tearing the outer overlap edge 108 from the inner overlap edge 109.

[37] In embodiments the inner overlap edge 109 may comprise hook fasteners 102 and the outer overlap edge 108 comprise corresponding loop fasteners 103, thereby ergonomically facing the more abrasive hook fasteners 102 away from the skin of the wearer.

[38] In a preferred embodiment shown, a pair of fastener strips 104 may be utilised running from top to bottom of each lateral edge 101. The pair of fastener strips 104 may increase fastener purchase and further prevent or reduce debris ingress. Furthermore, the pair of fastener strips 104 may allow for the selective tensioning adjustment wherein, for example, only the oppositely distal corresponding fastener strips 104 fasten together.

[39] Figure 2 illustrates an embodimentwherein the fastener strips 104 terminate at auxiliary point fastener such as press studs 105 (or the like) at superior edges thereof. The press studs 105 may prevent the initial tearing apart of the fastener strips 104, especially as the upper edge of the underwear 100 which typically experiences most tension during use. Furthermore, the press studs 105 may provide haptic feedback for the location of the fastener strips 104 especially in darkened environments.

[40] For example, to fasten the fastener strips 104 together the user would firstly feel for the corresponding press studs 105 to fasten the press studs together. Once fastened together in this way, the fastener strips 104 are therefore aligned such that the user is able to run the user's hand down the fastener strips to press the outer fastener strip 103 against the inner fastener strip 102.

[41] For unfastening, the user may similarly feel for the press studs 105 so as to be able to tear at the appropriate location of the underwear 100.

[42] Figures 3-5 show respective front fastened, rear fastened and side semi-fastened views of the underwear and figures 6-7 show respective side semi-fastened and front fastened views of the underwear 100.

[43] In accordance with this embodiment, the underwear 100 comprises a single hook and loop fastener strip 104 on either side of the underwear 100. Furthermore, press studs 105 may locate at the top of the fastener strips 104 and may be located relatively close to the corners of the fastener strips 104 so as to maximise the purchase thereof. Outer lower corners of the fastener strips 104 may be rounded for ergonomically avoiding corner points which may abrade, (especially if the fastener strips 104 are slightly misaligned).

[44] Figures 8 and 9 show an embodiment wherein the underwear 100 comprises a concealed rear pocket 113. With reference to Figure 9, the rear pocket 113 may comprise a backing panel and a pair of front panels 114,115 which overlap to and are stitched with a peripheral seam 106 to form a pocket therebetween. Front proximal panel 114 may be larger than smaller distal panel 115 thereby locating the opening thereof distally.

[45] The pocket may be stitched into the waistband seam 107 of the underwear 100 so as to hang downwardly between the rear panel 111 and the body as a substantially illustrated in Figure 8.

[46] When access in the pocket, the pocket may be pulled out above the waistband seam 107 and the opening accessed towards the top thereof.

[47] Figures 10 - 12 show an embodiment wherein the underwear 100 comprises zip fasteners 120, as opposed to the aforedescribed hook and loop fasteners. Furthermore, the underwear 100 of these embodiments may take the form of boxer-style underwear.

[48] Each a zip fastener 101 may similarly run entirely from top to bottom so as to allow for the disconnection of the edges 101 of the front and rear panels. Furthermore, the edges of the front panel 110 may overlap the rear edges of the rear panel 111 as is illustrated in Figure 12.

[49] In embodiment shown in Figure 12, the zip fastener 120 may fasten upwardly and unfasten downwardly. When fastened, the zip runner locates at an upper edge thereof and may be additionally secured by the press stud fastener 105.

[50] The lower edge of the zip fastener 120 may be ergonomically covered with material quadrant covering 121.

[51] As alluded to above, and as can be especially seen from Figure 10, the zip fasteners 120 may locate substantially midway the lateral edges 122 on the centreline 123 of the underwear 100 so as to locate substantially across the front of each respective leg thereby being ergonomically accessible in front of the underwear 100 for facilitating access and use.

[52] In embodiments the underwear 100 may be manufactured from material comprising lightweight, quick dry, anti-chafe, antimicrobial and/or moisture wicking properties. In embodiments, the material of the underwear 100 or at least the material at the between-leg transition may comprise absorbent or leak resistant material.

[53] In embodiments the material may be biodegradable so as to allow for the underwear 100 to be disposable.

[54] The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that specific details are not required in order to practice the invention. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the invention are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed; obviously, many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications, they thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the following claims and their equivalents define the scope of the invention.

Claims (5)

1. Claims

   1. Underwear comprising material shaped to define front and rear panels joined by a between-leg transition, wherein lateral edges of the each of the front and rear panels detachably fasten together by way of fasteners to define leg accommodations between the lateral edges and the between-leg transition.
2. 2. Underwear as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fasteners ergonomically respectively locate forwardly between respective lateral edge and centreline of the underwear.
3. 3. Underwear as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an auxiliary point fastener located adjacent an upper edge of each fastener to enhance securement of each fastener.
4. 4. Underwear as claimed in claim 1, wherein the between leg transition comprises a gusset stitched between the front and rear panels by stitching respectively front and rear adjacent the gusset to reduce chafing at the between leg transition.
5. 5. Underwear as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fasteners each comprise a zip fastener which unfastens downwardly.