WO2022060651A1

WO2022060651A1 - Underwear with pouch with curved double darts

Info

Publication number: WO2022060651A1
Application number: PCT/US2021/050004
Authority: WO
Inventors: Melissa Calamia
Original assignee: Bombas LLC
Priority date: 2020-09-15
Filing date: 2021-09-13
Publication date: 2022-03-24
Also published as: US20220079250A1

Abstract

An underwear (100) includes a front body portion (120), a rear body portion (122), and a waistband (106) attached to edges of the front body portion (120) and the rear body portion (122). The underwear (100) further includes a front pouch (102) attached to the front body portion (120). The front pouch (102) includes a first dart (150a) and a second dart (150b), each extending from the waistband (106).

Description

UNDERWEAR WITH POUCH WITH CURVED DOUBLE DARTS

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Application No. 63/078,391, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

[0002] The present disclosure relates to underwear, and more particularly, to underwear with a pouch with curved double darts.

[0003] Various forms of male underwear have been developed. Examples of types of male undergarments include briefs, boxer briefs, trunks, and loosely fitting shorts known as boxers. Men's briefs and boxer briefs are generally constructed with one or more trunk or body panels, and either overlapping front panels or for a fly-less construction, a stitched front pouch.

SUMMARY

[0004] According to some aspects of the present invention, an underwear includes a front body portion, a rear body portion, and a waistband attached to edges of the front body portion and the rear body portion. The underwear further includes a front pouch attached to the front body portion. The front pouch includes a first dart and a second dart, each extending from the waistband.

[0005] According to other aspects of the present invention, an underwear includes a front body portion, a rear body portion, and a waistband attached to edges of the front body portion and the rear body portion. The underwear further includes a front pouch attached to the front body portion. The front pouch includes a first dart and a second dart, with each being curved and extending from the waistband.

[0006] Yet, according to other aspects of the present invention, a method of making an underwear includes attaching a waistband to edges of a front body portion and a rear body portion. The method further includes attaching a front pouch to the front body portion. The front pouch includes a first dart and a second dart, each being curved and extending from the waistband.

[0007] Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present invention. Other embodiments and aspects of the invention are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed invention. For a better understanding of the invention with the advantages and the features, refer to the description and to the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] For a more complete understanding of this disclosure, reference is now made to the following brief description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings and detailed description, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts:

[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an underwear construction according to aspects of the present invention;

[0010] FIG. 2 is a front exterior view of the underwear construction of FIG. 1;

[0011] FIG. 3 is a rear exterior view of the underwear construction of FIG. 1;

[0012] FIG. 4 is a bottom exterior view of the underwear construction of FIG. 1;

[0013] FIG. 5 is a front interior view of the underwear construction of FIG. 1;

[0014] FIG. 6A is a pouch pattern for an underwear construction;

[0015] FIG. 6B is the pouch pattern of FIG. 6A with the darts once they have been stitched; and

[0016] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an underwear construction according to aspects of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] Drawbacks associated with male underwear constructions include discomfort, lack of support, and embarrassment due to unsightly bulging or slippage of the male genital organs within. To address these challenges, male undergarment construction has focused on snug-fit pouches that prevent the male genitalia from falling therethrough. To that end, pouches and sacks, cages, and girdles have been generally incorporated into underwear toward the end of construction.

[0018] Male underwear designed for athletics or activity need to have a tighter fit. Generally, the fly is removed to maintain a snug fit, and access to male genital organs within is from over the waistband. These types of constructions, however, often have seams in the pouch region, such as a central seam, that can be sources of irritation for the wearer.

[0019] In order to address the above challenges, described herein are male underwear constructions and methods of making male underwear constructions with a front pouch attached to the body that is formed from a single piece of material that includes a pair of curved darts that project downward and inward from the horizontal waistband to provide a sling-effect and a convex shape to the front pouch in order to accommodate and support the male genital organs within. The double dart design reduces points of irritation, compared to constructions with stitched central edge seams. The wearer can access male genitalia from the over the waistband.

[0020] The phrase "underwear,” “undergarment,” “male underwear,” and “male undergarment,” and variations thereof, are used in this detailed description to include male underwear or undergarments. Examples of male underwear and undergarments include, but are not limited to, briefs, trunks, boxer briefs, boxers, long underwear, and shorts, e.g., athletic underwear, exercise shorts, bike shorts, swim shorts, and the like.

[0021] FIGs. 1-4 illustrate a perspective view, front exterior view, rear view, and bottom view, respectively, of an underwear construction according to aspects of the present invention. The underwear 100 includes a front body portion 120, a rear body portion 122, a waistband 106 attached to top edges of the front body portion 120 and rear body portion 122, a left leg portion 112 (also referred to as a first leg portion), a right leg portion 110 (also referred to as a second leg portion), a left leg opening 134, a right leg opening 132, a crotch 130, a gusset 402 (see FIG. 4), and a front pouch 102. The underwear 100 is a boxer brief construction. [0022] The front body portion 120 and rear body portion 122 can be formed from the same piece of material that is attached to the waistband 106. In some aspects, the front body portion 120 and the rear body portion 122 are formed of two or more pieces of material that are attached together before being attached to the waistband 106. In other aspects, the front body portion 120 and rear body portion 122 are not attached together before being attached to the waistband 106. The left leg portion 112 and right leg portion 110 form left leg opening 134 and right leg opening 132. The front pouch 102 provides a fly-less design that provides a sling-effect (creates a supportive sling) and is attached to the front body portion 120. The gusset 402 (see FIG. 4) between the left leg portion 112 and the right leg portion 110 is a strip of material between front body portion 120 and rear body portion 122.

[0023] The body of the underwear 100, including the front body portion 120, the rear body portion 122, left leg portion 112, right leg portion 110, and gusset 402 (see FIG. 4) can be formed of natural or synthetic fibers/materials. The type of material used for the body of the underwear 100 depends on the particular use. Everyday underwear can include, for example, cotton fiber and cotton fiber blends. Athletic underwear can include, for example, synthetic fiber and synthetic fiber blends. Non-limiting examples of fibers/materials for the body of the underwear include reconstituted cellulose fibers (e.g., rayon, modal, micromodal, tencel, and the like), cotton fibers, synthetic fibers, such as polyester fibers, nylon fibers, or polyurethane fibers, blends thereof, or any combination thereof. According to an aspect, the underwear 100 is an athletic underwear.

[0024] The waistband 106 is attached to and surrounds the upper or top portion or edges of the underwear 100 and encircles the body opening 108. In some aspects, the waistband 106 includes an elastic material. Yet, in other aspects, the waistband 106 is a nonelastic waistband, e.g., with a drawstring. Any suitable type of waistband 106 can be implemented.

[0025] To form the waistband 106, a linear piece of material can be joined before or after attaching to the body of the underwear 100. The waistband material can be joined to form a circular band by any suitable means, for example, by stitching to form a stitched seam 302, as shown in FIG. 3. A non-limiting example of a suitable method for stitching the waistband 106 to form the stitched seam 302 includes using a flatlock stitch.

[0026] The waistband 106 is attached to the top/upper portion/edges of the body of the underwear 100 (front body portion 120 and rear body portion 122) by a suitable means. In some aspects, the waistband 106 is attached to the body of the underwear 100 by a stitched seam 136 through all layers of fabric that extends along the edge of the waistband 106. A non-limiting example of a stitch that can be used to form the stitched seam 136 is a two needle coverstitch.

[0027] According to some aspects, the left leg portion 112 and right leg portion 110 can be finished at the edges close to the left leg opening 134 and the right leg opening 132 by stitching to form a stitched seam 138 that surrounds each of the left leg portion 112 and right leg portion 110, for example, using a flatlock stitch. The stitched seam 138 can be used to attach a self-folded leg trim.

[0028] The front pouch 102 shown in FIGs. 1 and 2 is formed as a separate part from the front body portion 120, as described below with reference to FIGs. 6 A and 6B. The front pouch 102 includes a top edge 144, a first side edge 142a (also referred to as a left side edge), a second side edge 142b (also referred to as a right side edge), a bottom edge 146, a first dart 150a (also referred to as a left dart), and a second dart 150b (also referred to as a right dart). The first dart 150a and the second dart 150b extend from the waistband 106 and curve towards a center line (central line) of the front pouch, as mirror images of one another. The curves shown for the first dart 150a and the second dart 150b are but one example of a design, and the lengths, angles, and degrees of the curves can differ from that shown in some embodiments.

[0029] The front pouch 102 is attached to the front body portion 120 in the front area between the waistband 106 and the crotch 130. The front pouch 102 can be attached to the front body portion 120 by stitching. The front pouch 102 can be stitched from the waistband 106 along the first side edge 142a to the bottom edge 146 at the crotch 130. The second side edge 142b is attached by stitching from the waistband 106 to the bottom edge 146. A nonlimiting example of suitable stitching to attach the front pouch 102 is a flatlock stitch. [0030] FIG. 6A is a front pouch 102 pattern, prior to forming the double darts, as shown in FIG. 6B, and attaching to the body of the underwear 100. Solid line 502 around the perimeter of the pattern is the cut line of the pattern, and the dashed line 504 is the sewing line that is used to form the darts and attach to the body of the underwear. The pattern has the shape of a modified inverted triangle with a pair of asymmetric inverted triangular openings 520 (also referred to as first triangular opening and second triangular opening) on the top left and right sides where each of the darts will be formed. The pattern includes a central body 510 and opposing arms 521 on either side of the inverted triangular openings 520. The terminal end of each arm 521 is a blunt straight edge. Each of the inverted triangular openings 520 includes curved sides 506 that form the dart legs and meet at a dart point 505. From a terminal end of the arm 521, the curved sides 506 curve towards a central vertical axis of the body 510 of the pattern. To form each dart, the curved sides 506 of each triangular opening 520 are stitched together to close the opening, which forms first dart and second dart 150b, as shown in FIG. 6B.

[0031] Referring again to FIGs. 1 and 2, the front pouch 102 with the stitched first dart 150a and second dart 150b is attached to the front body portion 120 of the underwear 100. The placement of the curved double dart seams creates a sling-effect with a convex shape, without additional irritating seams. The front pouch 102 can be the same material or a different material than the body of the underwear 100.

[0032] The front pouch 102 is added to male underwear or undergarments. The front pouch 102 allows the wearer to access male genitalia from over the waistband 106. The size, shape, and dimensions of the front pouch 102 can vary depending on the type of underwear construction and preference of the wearer.

[0033] Advantages of the front pouch 102 with pair of double darts is that the construction is formed from a single piece of fabric with double dart seams with a unique and optimal shape and placement that create a sling-effect that provides support, rather than a pouch with an irritating central seam.

[0034] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an underwear construction according to some aspects of the present invention. The underwear 200 includes a front body portion 120, a rear body portion 122, a waistband 106 attached to the front body portion 120 and rear body portion 122, a left leg opening 134, a right leg opening 132, a crotch 130, and a front pouch 102 with a first dart 150a and a second dart 150b. The underwear 200 is a brief construction.

[0035] The underwear constructions described herein can be made by patterning, cutting, and stitching a front pouch, as shown in FIGs. 6A-6B. The pattern has the shape of a modified inverted triangle with a pair of asymmetric inverted triangular openings 520 (first triangular opening and second triangular opening) on the top left and right sides where each of the darts will be formed. The pattern includes a central body 510 and opposing arms 521 on either side of the inverted triangular openings 520. The terminal end of each arm 521 is a blunt straight edge. Each of the inverted triangular openings 520 includes curved sides 506 that form the dart legs and meet at a dart point 505. From a terminal end of the arm 521, the curved sides 506 curve towards a central vertical axis of the body 510 of the pattern. To form each dart, the curved sides 506 of each triangular opening 520 are stitched together to close the opening, which forms first dart and second dart 150b, as shown in FIG. 6B. Referring again to FIGs. 1 and 2, once formed, the front pouch 102 is attached to the front body portion 120 of the underwear, as described above.

[0036] Various embodiments of the present invention are described herein with reference to the related drawings. Alternative embodiments can be devised without departing from the scope of this invention. Although various connections and positional relationships (e.g., over, below, adjacent, etc.) are set forth between elements in the following description and in the drawings, persons skilled in the art will recognize that many of the positional relationships described herein are orientation-independent when the described functionality is maintained even though the orientation is changed. These connections and/or positional relationships, unless specified otherwise, can be direct or indirect, and the present invention is not intended to be limiting in this respect. Accordingly, a coupling of entities can refer to either a direct or an indirect coupling, and a positional relationship between entities can be a direct or indirect positional relationship. As an example of an indirect positional relationship, references in the present description to forming layer “A” over layer “B” include situations in which one or more intermediate layers (e.g., layer “C”) is between layer “A” and layer “B” as long as the relevant characteristics and functionalities of layer “A” and layer “B” are not substantially changed by the intermediate layer(s).

[0037] The following definitions and abbreviations are to be used for the interpretation of the claims and the specification. As used herein, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” “including,” “has,” “having,” “contains” or “containing,” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a composition, a mixture, process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to only those elements but can include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such composition, mixture, process, method, article, or apparatus.

[0038] Additionally, the term “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance or illustration.” Any embodiment or design described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or designs. The terms “at least one” and “one or more” are understood to include any integer number greater than or equal to one, i.e. one, two, three, four, etc. The terms “a plurality” are understood to include any integer number greater than or equal to two, i.e. two, three, four, five, etc. The term “connection” can include an indirect “connection” and a direct “connection.”

[0039] References in the specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “an example embodiment,” etc., indicate that the embodiment described can include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may or may not include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described.

[0040] For purposes of the description hereinafter, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” “top,” “bottom,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the described structures and methods, as oriented in the drawing figures. The terms “overlying,” “atop,” “on top,” “positioned on” or “positioned atop” mean that a first element, such as a first structure, is present on a second element, such as a second structure, wherein intervening elements such as an interface structure can be present between the first element and the second element. The term “direct contact” means that a first element, such as a first structure, and a second element, such as a second structure, are connected without any intermediary conducting, insulating or semiconductor layers at the interface of the two elements.

[0041] The terms “about,” “substantially,” “approximately,” and variations thereof, are intended to include the degree of error associated with measurement of the particular quantity based upon the equipment available at the time of filing the application. For example, “about” can include a range of ± 8% or 5%, or 2% of a given value.

[0042] The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

[0043] While the preferred embodiments to the invention have been described, it will be understood that those skilled in the art, both now and in the future, may make various improvements and enhancements which fall within the scope of the claims which follow. These claims should be construed to maintain the proper protection for the invention first described.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. An underwear, comprising: a front body portion and a rear body portion; a waistband attached to edges of the front body portion and the rear body portion; and a front pouch attached to the front body portion, the front pouch comprising a first dart and a second dart, each extending from the waistband.

2. The underwear of claim 1, wherein the underwear is a brief, a trunk, a boxer brief, a boxer, a long underwear, a short, or any combination thereof.

3. The underwear of claim 2, wherein the underwear is the boxer brief.

4. The underwear of claim 2, wherein the underwear is the brief.

5. The underwear of claim 1, wherein the first dart and the second dart are curved.

6. The underwear of claim 1, wherein the first dart and the second dart create a supportive sling.

7. An underwear, comprising: a front body portion and a rear body portion; a waistband attached to edges of the front body portion and the rear body portion; and a front pouch attached to the front body portion, the front pouch comprising a first dart and a second dart, each being curved and extending from the waistband.

8. The underwear of claim 7, wherein the first dart and the second dart are mirror images of one another.

9. The underwear of claim 7, wherein the first dart and the second dart curve from the waistband towards a central vertical axis of the underwear.

10. The underwear of claim 7, wherein the underwear is a brief, a trunk, a boxer brief, a boxer, a long underwear, a short, or any combination thereof.

11. The underwear of claim 10, wherein the underwear is the boxer brief.

12. The underwear of claim 10, wherein the underwear is the brief.

13. The underwear of claim 7, wherein the underwear is an athletic underwear.

14. The underwear of claim 7, wherein the front pouch is a separate piece of material that is stitched to the front body portion.

15. A method of making an underwear, the method comprising: attaching a waistband to edges of a front body portion and a rear body portion; and attaching a front pouch to the front body portion, the front pouch comprising a first dart and a second dart, each being curved and extending from the waistband.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising, prior to attaching, patterning the front pouch, and forming the first and second darts in the front pouch.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the underwear is a brief, a trunk, a boxer brief, a boxer, a long underwear, a short, or any combination thereof.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the underwear is the boxer brief.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the underwear is an athletic underwear.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the first dart and the second dart curve towards a center line in the front pouch.