Abstract:
A strapless G-string or thong type undergarment  12  is disclosed. The undergarment is adhered to the wearer by means of adhesive, thereby eliminating the need for a waistband. The undergarment provides freedom of movement and confidence in the wearer while being invisible under closely fitting or low-cut clothing.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    This invention relates generally to the field of brief-type garments for men and women, and more particularly to an open-sided, waistless G-string or thong-type garment which is undetectable under form-fitting clothing. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    A problem encountered when wearing tight, form-fitting clothing is that the wearer&#39;s undergarments tend to show through creating distracting lines in the clothing. This is a problem even when the undergarment is minimal such as a thong or G-string, because the waistband is visible through certain types of clothing including clingy and/or form-fitting garments. Also, when wearing low-cut clothing such as low-riding pants, the waist band of the underwear is easily visible. In tight dresses or slinky evening gowns a regular G-string or thong can be seen with unattractive cut marks across the hips. 
         [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,832,535 discloses a strapless genital covering garment for use when tanning or during certain types of surgical procedures. However, this garment is not intended to stay securely in place during everyday movement. 
         [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,738,988 discloses a waistless thong type garment. This waistless garment is maintained in place by a spring wire frame. 
         [0007]    Embodiments of the invention are directed to a thong or G-string type undergarment which is kept in place by means of adhesive, without the need for a waistband. Panty lines are eliminated altogether while providing coverage, security and comfort for the wearer. The coverage and comfort provided by the undergarment confer a feeling of freedom and confidence to the wearer. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    Embodiments of the invention are directed to an open-sided brief garment. An anterior portion includes a length of flexible material having a top section and a bottom section, preferably having a length of 5-12 inches and a width of 2.5 to 5 inches at the top of the anterior portion. In preferred embodiments, the width is substantially maintained until halfway to three quarters of the length of the anterior portion. Preferably, the width gradually decreases to a width of 0.2 to 1 inch at the bottom of the anterior portion. 
         [0009]    The posterior portion includes a top section and a bottom section. Preferably, the bottom section of the posterior portion is connected to the bottom section of the anterior portion by a string or band. In preferred embodiments, the anterior portion and the posterior portion attach to the wearer by a removable pressure sensitive adhesive affixed to interior surfaces of the top sections of the anterior and the posterior portions of the garment. Preferably, the garment does not readily shift after positioning the adhesive portions on the wearer. 
         [0010]    In preferred embodiments, the string or band of the open-sided brief garment has a length of 3 to 6 inches. In some preferred embodiments, the string or band of the open-sided brief garment maintains a width of 1-4 inches. In some preferred embodiments, at least a portion of the string or band is less than one inch in width. 
         [0011]    In some preferred embodiments, the open-sided brief garment is a thong style. In some preferred embodiments, the open-sided brief garment is a G-string style. 
         [0012]    In preferred embodiments, the pressure sensitive adhesive layer has an adhesion force to the interior surface of the posterior and anterior portions which is greater than a cohesion force to the wearer&#39;s skin. In preferred embodiments, the interior surfaces of the anterior and posterior portions further include a reinforcing layer supporting the pressure sensitive adhesive layer between the pressure sensitive adhesive layer and a fabric material. Preferably, the reinforcing layer is a thermoplastic film, an unwoven fabric material, a woven fabric material, a foam material or combinations thereof. In some preferred embodiments, the pressure sensitive adhesive is permanently grown to the interior surfaces of the anterior and posterior portions. 
         [0013]    In preferred embodiments, the pressure sensitive adhesive is removable, preferably a removable tape. More preferably, the removable tape is a double-sided tape. Yet more preferably, the double-sided tape is a whiteliner tape. In a most preferred embodiment, the whiteliner tape is 3M #1522. 
         [0014]    Preferably, the open-sided brief garment is reusable. 
         [0015]    Further aspects, features and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the detailed description of the preferred embodiments which follow. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]    These and other feature of this invention will now be described with reference to the drawings of preferred embodiments which are intended to illustrate and not to limit the invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 1  shows a plan view of one embodiment of the open-sided brief garment of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  shows a plan view of one embodiment of the open-sided brief garment of the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  shows a plan view of one embodiment of the open-sided brief garment of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  shows a plan view of one embodiment of the open-sided brief garment of the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  shows a pictorial view of the rear of a person wearing one embodiment of the open-sided brief garment of the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  shows a pictorial view of the rear of a person wearing one embodiment of the open-sided brief garment of the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  shows a plan view of a preferred embodiment of the front panel of the open-sided brief garment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0024]    Embodiments of the invention are directed to an undergarment which is kept in place on the body by means of adhesive. 
         [0025]    The undergarment according to embodiments of the invention may be disposable or may be used for repeated wearings. 
         [0026]    Embodiments of the invention may include a front body section which is releasably adhered to the abdomen of the wearer and a lower elongated section which extends through the wearer&#39;s legs and is provided with a distal end which is releasably attached to the back of the wearer, in an area which is generally above the buttock area. In some embodiments, the distal end may be very thin so that it goes between the buttocks (G-string style). In alternate embodiments, the distal end may have more material and be approximately V-shaped (thong style). The lower elongated section may vary in width from very thin (string-like) to a width providing substantial coverage of the buttocks. In preferred embodiments, the width of the distal end of the lower elongated section is a sufficient area to be releasably adhered to the wearer. In preferred embodiments, the lower elongated section may vary in width from 1/16 inch to 4 inches, more preferably ¼ inch to 2 inches while the distal end of the lower elongated section will typically vary 0.5 to 6 inches, preferably 1-4 inches, more preferably 1-2 inches. 
         [0027]      FIG. 1  shows an embodiment of the invention in which a G-string  10  is shown to include a substantially triangular front section  12  having an area at the upper end  14  thereof for the application of an adhesive. Any suitable material may be used to provide adhesion. The adhesive may be applied during production of the garment or by the wearer. In some embodiments, a double-sided adhesive tape is applied to provide adhesion as necessary. An example of a suitable double-sided adhesive tape, usable in embodiments of the invention is 3M 1522 double sided tape, which can be reused for several washings. Upper end  14  is shown to be provided with a first anchoring area for an adhesive  16 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the G-string  10  is edged with a binding material  18 . The binding material prevents fraying or unraveling of the material. Any technique that prevents undesirable fraying or unraveling may be used such as hemming the garment around the edges, heat welded seams, use of a seam tape or heat seal tape or a combination. In preferred embodiments, the binding material is a bias binding or piping material which is attached to the G-string by stitching. The binding material binds the circumference of the substantially triangular section  12  and meets at the lower end of the triangular section to form a string  20  which goes between the legs to the lower end portion  22 . The binding material  18  continues to bind the outer circumference of the lower end portion  22 . In alternate embodiments, the string may be a thin strip of material that is fastened to the bottom of the triangular front section on the proximal end  19  and to the top of the lower end portion  22  at the distal end  23 . At the end of the lower end portion  24  there is a second anchoring area for application of adhesive material. 
         [0028]      FIG. 2  shows a modification of  FIG. 1  in which a second layer of material  26  has been inserted, for example, a cotton liner for added comfort. 
         [0029]      FIG. 3  shows a thong-type embodiment of the invention  40  which includes a substantially triangular front section  42  having a first anchoring area at the upper end  44  for the administration of an adhesive. Any suitable material may be used to provide adhesion. The adhesive may be applied during production of the garment or by the wearer. In some embodiments, a double-sided tape is used to provide adhesion as discussed above. At the lower end  46  of the upper triangular section, there is a middle section  48  that goes between the legs of the wearer to join a lower end section  50  with a second anchoring area  52  for application of the adhesive. 
         [0030]    Undesirable fraying or unraveling of the edge of the material  54  may be prevented by well known techniques such as a binding edge or hemming the garment around the edges, heat welded seams, use of a seam tape or heat seal tape or a combination. Note that it is not necessary that the lower end section  50  have straight sides as shown in  FIG. 3 . The strip area covering the cleft in the buttock of the wearer  48  may be significantly narrower than the upper section  52 . 
         [0031]    The embodiment of  FIG. 4  shows a variation of  FIG. 3  in which a second layer of material  54  has been inserted into the thong shown in  FIG. 3 , for example, a cotton liner for added comfort. 
         [0032]      FIG. 5  is a pictorial view of the wearer from the rear. As seen in  FIG. 6 , the lower strip  20  extends from between the wearer&#39;s legs to a position above the buttocks and adjacent the spine where the triangular end portion  22  is secured by an adhesive as discussed below. It is understood that the end section may be any shape (circular, rectangular, ovoid, trapezoidal, etc as long as there is provided sufficient area to apply a releasable adhesive to securely attach the strapless g-string to the skin of the wearer. In this G-string embodiment, the strip  20  of the garment extends through the wearers&#39; legs and up the back in the crease between the buttocks. 
         [0033]      FIG. 6  is a pictorial view of the wearer from the rear. As seen in  FIG. 6 , the lower strip  48  extends between the wearer&#39;s legs to a position above the buttocks and adjacent the spine where the wide end of the trapezoidal section  52  is secured by adhesive as discussed below. It is understood that the end section  50  may be any shape (circular, triangular, rectangular, ovoid, etc.) as long as there is provided sufficient area to apply a releasable adhesive to securely attach the strapless thong to the skin of the wearer. In this thong embodiment, the strip  48  of the garment covers the cleft in the buttocks. 
         [0034]      FIG. 7  shows a preferred embodiment of the garment in which the anterior section is substantially trapezoidal. The substantially trapezoidal front section  12  is about 7.5 to 8.5 inch, preferably 8 inch, in length from the top  14  to the string  19  for size large/extra large, about 7 to 7.5 inch, preferably 7.25 inch, from top  14  to the string  19  for size medium, about 6.5 to 7 inch, preferably 6.75 inch, in length from the top  14  to the string  19  for size small, and about 6.0 to 6.5, preferably 6.5 inch, in length from the top  14  to the string  19  for size extra small. 
         [0035]    In preferred embodiments, the width across the top  14  is about 4.5 to 4 inch, preferably 4 inch, for large/extra large, 3.5 to 4 inch, preferably 3.75 inch. for medium and small sizes and about 3.0 to 3.5 inch, preferably 3.5 inch, for size extra small. 
         [0036]    In preferred embodiments, the width decreases gradually through a first section of the top panel which is ⅓ to ⅔ the length of the top panel, more preferably about ½ of the way down from the top  14  to a point shown as  56  in  FIG. 7 . Generally the width at point  56  is 2.5 to 3.5 inch, more preferably about 3 inch. 
         [0037]    In preferred embodiments, at ⅔ to ¼ of the length from the top  14  to a point shown as  58  in  FIG. 7 , the width further decreases to about 2.5 to 3 inch for size medium, large or extra large, and to about 2.5 to 2.75 inch in sizes small and extra small. 
         [0038]    In preferred embodiments, at a point about 0.5 to 2 inch, preferably 1 inch, up from the string  19 , shown as point  60  in  FIG. 7 , the width is decreased to about 1.5 inch in size large and extra large and to about 1.25 inch in size medium, small, and extra small. 
         [0039]    In preferred embodiments, the length of the string from  19  to  22  is 5 inch in size large/extra large, 4.5 inch in size medium, 4 inch in size small, and 3.5 inch in size extra small. 
         [0040]    For all sizes in preferred embodiments, the back portion ( 22  of  FIG. 1 ) has a length from  23  to  24  of 1.5 to 2.5 inch, preferably, 2 inch and a width at the widest top portion  24  of 1-2 inch, preferably, 1.5 inch. 
         [0041]    The preferred embodiment described above provides the wearer with full coverage across the genital region. The material of the front panel  12  puckers out thus avoiding a pinched feeling when wearing the garment. 
         [0042]    The claimed invention is not limited to the measurements as described above which are provided only as guidelines. The described garment may be redesigned for any individual by adjusting dimensions as described above. The measurements may be scaled up or down according to individual size. As the sizing group increases, size across the genital area increases proportionally to provide full coverage. For example, the garment may be adapted for wear by transgenders by increasing the width across the top portions of the front panel  14  and back panel  24  and optionally by use of heavier fabric. The dimensions provided above may be adjusted accordingly. 
         [0043]    The material used to make the thong or g-string undergarment may be any material, paper or cloth. The material is preferably stretchy, having either 2-way or 4-way stretch. As noted above, heavier material may be used in some embodiments. In some embodiments, edible material may be used for all or part of the garment. 
         [0044]    The adhesive material is applied to both a top section of the anterior portion and a top section of the posterior portion. The area should be large enough to comfortably adhere the garment to the body of the wearer. In some embodiments, the adhesive will be applied along the entire width of the top of the anterior and/or posterior sections. In some embodiments, the adhesive will be applied to a portion of the width of the top of the anterior and/or posterior sections. The width of the adhesive will vary according to the type of adhesive used, and the size and style of the undergarment. Optionally, additional adhesive anchoring may be used elsewhere on the garment, along the side(s), for example. Such additional anchoring may be preferred when the garment is worn during more strenuous activities such as dancing and athletics. 
         [0045]    The adhesive is preferably a pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA). The PSA layer may be a permanently grown PSA as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,758,720 &amp; 6,780,081, both of which are incorporated by reference, or may be in the form of a non-permanent adhesive such as a double-sided tape. The adhesive layer may include any type of PSA that is suitable for removably attaching a cloth or paper material to a user&#39;s skin, such as various types and forms of double-sided tape and permanently grown PSAs. PSAs suitable for use in embodiments of the invention include but are not limited to silicone PSAs (such as Dow Corning MD7-4502 &amp; MD7-4602), water and solvent-based acrylic PSAs and combinations thereof. The PSA layer allows the user to place the undergarment at the most comfortable position. The amount and type of PSA comprising the PSA layer can vary as can the portions of the interior surface that have the pressure sensitive adhesive layer applied thereto. 
         [0046]    In some embodiments, the pressure sensitive adhesive layer is a re-usable PSA that is permanently grown to an interior surface of the undergarment such as  16  and  24  shown in  FIG. 1 . The interior surface may include a thermoplastic layer to which the adhesive is grown. The pressure sensitive adhesive layer can also be applied to the interior surface of the underwear by other methods such as spray coating, hot melting, extrusion application, die application, or other methods known for applying a PSA to a substrate. In some embodiments, the PSA is a double-sided tape. The pressure sensitive adhesive layer will not readily shift once it is positioned on the user and can be re-used repeatedly without losing its adhesive properties. Preferably, the pressure sensitive adhesive layer has an adhesion force to the undergarment which is greater than a cohesion force to the user&#39;s skin. More preferably, the pressure sensitive adhesive layer is further able to withstand tremendous movement and pressure from the user without slipping and can even be subjected to water or sweat without degeneration of the adhesive properties. In preferred embodiments, if the pressure sensitive adhesive layer becomes dirty (e.g. with dust, lint or debris), it can be cleaned with soap and water to fully restore the adhesive properties. The pressure sensitive adhesive layer itself is the only required means for adjoining the underwear to the user. In preferred embodiments, the pressure sensitive adhesive is permanently grown to a thermoplastic film that comprises a portion of the interior surface of thong or g-string. 
         [0047]    In some preferred embodiments, double-sided tape is applied to attach the undergarment to the body. Suitable tapes include hairpiece tapes and fashion tapes. Hairpiece and fashion tapes include Whiteliner, Redliner, Brownliner (German-Brown cloth tape), Blue liner and Bonding strips. Redliner tape will hold for several days. Brownliner tape is similar to Redliner but is thicker and preferred for people who perspire heavily. Bonding strips may be used for extended wear or wear during more vigorous exercise. In preferred embodiments, Whiteliner tapes are used such as SEXY LITTLE THINGS available from Victoria&#39;s Secret (RN #114709). In a most preferred embodiment, the double sided tape is a whiteliner tape such as 3M #1522, which is surgical quality, medical grade, latex free and hypoallergenic. This tape may be used through several washings of the garment before replacement, and is comfortable to wear, even for persons with sensitive skin. The double-sided tape has the advantage that it can be replaced as needed and may be positioned to where it is the most comfortable and/or least intrusive for the wearer. In some embodiments, a liquid adhesive, such as Anchor! (You&#39;re Looking Good, Ontario, Canada) may be used. 
         [0048]    It is understood that the interior surface can be formed from a number of other materials besides a thermoplastic film material. The interior surface serves as a pressure sensitive adhesive support layer. The interior surface can be formed from any type of film material or fabric material suitable for adjoining to a PSA. One preferred fabric material is an unwoven fabric, which can be substantially impervious to the PSA. Additionally, various types of woven fabrics can be made suitable for the function of supporting the PSA layer. Thus, a variety of materials and methods can be used to form the interior attachment surface of the undergarment and for applying the PSA layer to the interior surface. 
         [0049]    While  FIGS. 1-7  exemplify both strapless G-string and strapless thong styles, it will be appreciated that the concept is readily adaptable to many styles, from full rear coverage to a string rear. The invention is by no means limited to the examples shown in the figures. 
         [0050]    It will be understood by those of skill in the art that numerous and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Therefore, it should be clearly understood that the forms of the present invention are illustrative only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.