Abstract:
An apparatus is described that forms a disposable hygienic liner, in order to provide a sanitary barrier while trying on garments such as bathing suits and underwear. Using the hygienic liner while trying on garments helps to minimize the exposure to potentially harmful bodily fluids while simultaneously minimizing damage to the garments.

Description:
COPYRIGHT NOTICE 
       [0001]    A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to a disposable undergarment liner, and more particularly to a very inexpensive disposable liner to be used by women while trying on clothing in store dressing rooms. 
         [0003]    Generally, women prefer to try on certain types of clothing while in retail stores having previously removed their conventional lower undergarment. Removal of the conventional lower undergarments exposes the prospective customers to unsanitary conditions that might be present within the new garment being tried on. Therefore, because items of clothing such as bathing suits are, indeed generally relatively tight fitting, removal of conventional undergarments during trial fitting is desirable but potentially unsanitary. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0004]    Certain illustrative embodiments illustrating organization and method of operation, together with objects and advantages may be best understood by reference detailed description that follows taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0005]      FIG. 1  is a diagram of the top of the liner while placed in the undergarment or bathing suit, consistent with certain embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0006]      FIG. 2  is a diagram of the sealed packaging in which the hygienic liner is contained consistent with certain embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0007]      FIG. 3  is a diagram of how the packaging may be torn open and the liner removed consistent with certain embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0008]      FIG. 4  is a diagram of the hygienic liner in perspective view consistent with certain embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0009]      FIG. 5  is a diagram of the top of the liner demonstrating the smooth surface of the hygienic liner consistent with certain embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 6  is a diagram of the side of the hygienic liner demonstrating the lack of bulk consistent with certain embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 7  is a diagram of side D which demonstrates the extent of the adhesive bottom consistent with certain embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 8  is a diagram of a dispenser in which the hygienic liners may be contained and dispensed consistent with certain embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 9  is a diagram of a dispenser in which the hygienic liners may be contained and dispensed consistent with certain embodiments of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0014]    While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail specific embodiments, with the understanding that the present disclosure of such embodiments is to be considered as an example of the principles and not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments shown and described. In the description below, like reference numerals are used to describe the same, similar or corresponding parts in the several views of the drawings. 
         [0015]    The terms “a” or “an”, as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. The term “plurality”, as used herein, is defined as two or more than two. The term “another”, as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms “including” and/or “having”, as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term “coupled”, as used herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically. 
         [0016]    Reference throughout this document to “one embodiment”, “certain embodiments”, “an embodiment” or similar terms means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearances of such phrases or in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments without limitation. 
         [0017]    The term “or” as used herein is to be interpreted as an inclusive or meaning any one or any combination. Therefore, “A, B or C” means “any of the following: A; B; C; A and B; A and C; B and C; A, B and C”. An exception to this definition will occur only when a combination of elements, functions, steps or acts are in some way inherently mutually exclusive. 
         [0018]    There is a need for a device that can be easily dispensed and quickly placed into an undergarment or bathing suit that a prospective customer wishes to try on while in the fitting room of a store. The invention described is a disposable hygienic strip, enclosed in a sealed package which is able to be dispensed or carried in personal packaging, intended to provide a protective barrier against the genital area and any similar article of clothing that is being tried on in the dressing room of a store. Commercial retail establishments encourage individuals to try on articles while at the store, so as to reduce the rate of return on certain items. Often times, prospective purchasers of bathing suits and other undergarments will try on multiple items at once while at the store. 
         [0019]    Without the barrier provided by the hygienic strip, the customer is exposed to a number of potentially hazardous fluids that could be present on the garments. To avoid such exposure, there is a need for prospective purchasers to be able to obtain multiple hygienic strips from a dispenser and place them into the garments as they try them on themselves. The ability for the prospective purchaser to place their own hygienic strip provides a peace of mind as to the integrity of the strip and the strips placement inside the garment. 
         [0020]    It is necessary for the hygienic strip device to be an approximate thickness of a standard sheet of paper to prevent any bulk which may alter the fit of the garment on the body when the prospective purchaser tries on the garment. The objective of the hygienic strip is to be easily dispensed and quickly applied to garments to give prospective buyers the peace of mind needed to facilitate confidence while trying on such items. 
         [0021]    Among related prior art patents are those which fall into three categories for which arguments can be composed to distinguish each from the aforementioned device. The categories are absorbent materials pads, special garments or undergarments, and maternity wear. 
         [0022]    A hygienic garment liner for use by women while trying on clothing after the removal of conventional lower undergarments having an oblong shaped hygienic garment liner with tabs which extend from each side. The hygienic garment liner has only a smooth surface and no layer of absorbent material on the body facing side and an adhesive bottom on the garment facing side. The hygienic garment liner has an approximate thickness of a standard sheet of paper. 
         [0023]    Turning now to  FIG. 1 , consistent with certain embodiments of the invention this figure presents an exemplary view of the top of the liner while placed in the undergarment or bathing suit. As shown in the image, the side facing the body is a smooth surface having no absorbent properties. a 1  and a 2  of  FIG. 1  show the side wings which wrap around the edge of the garment to provide stability and additional sanitary protection. a 1  and a 2  have adhesive which extends out allowing a 1  and a 2  to fasten themselves to the underside of the garment. b demonstrates the front portion of the hygienic liner which extends toward the front portion of the garment, providing coverage to the frontal region of the female anatomy. c demonstrates the back portion of the hygienic liner which extends toward the rear portion of the garment, providing coverage for the posterior. b and c are intended to provide coverage to areas which may leave fluids or residue behind or be exposed to fluids or residue that may be left behind from a previous fitting. d demonstrates the under-side of the hygienic liner which has an adhesive applied to it to help hold the hygienic liner in place throughout the process of trying on clothes. Once the prospective customer is finished trying on the garment, the hygienic liner is easily removed, without causing damage to the garment, and discarded. 
         [0024]    Turning now to  FIG. 2 , consistent with certain embodiments of the invention this figure presents an exemplary view of the sealed packaging e in which the hygienic liner is contained. Each liner is contained in its own separate sealed package that is to be opened by the prospective purchaser while in the fitting room. 
         [0025]    Turning now to  FIG. 3 , consistent with certain embodiments of the invention this figure presents an exemplary view the sealed packaging e and of how the packaging may be torn open and the liner removed. The torn away edge of packaging e exposes one hygienic liner for the prospective customer to remove from the package. This embodiment is one potential way in which the packaging may be opened to expose the hygienic liner. 
         [0026]    Turning now to  FIG. 4 , consistent with certain embodiments of the invention this figure presents a perspective view of the hygienic liner.  FIG. 4  again demonstrates the non-porous upper surface of the liner which could consist of but not limited to a plastic, polypropylene or similar non-porous material. The hygienic liner is in the range of 5 to 8 inches in length between b and C so as to extend fully under the female genitals. The wings a 1  and a 2  range in approximate width of 2 to 4 inches so as to extend slightly over the side edge of the garment and wrap around to provide stability for the liner and additional protection for the prospective purchaser. 
         [0027]    Turning now to  FIG. 5 , consistent with certain embodiments of the invention this figure presents a top view of the liner demonstrating the smooth surface of the top of the hygienic liner. The top of the liner does not possess any lines or ridges because it is not meant to provide any absorption, only a hygienic barrier between the prospective purchaser and the garment. 
         [0028]    Turning now to  FIG. 6 , consistent with certain embodiments of the invention this figure presents a side view of the hygienic liner demonstrating the lack of bulk. The hygienic liner has an approximate thickness of a standard sheet of paper, so as not to alter the appearance of the garment on the body while it is being tried on. 
         [0029]    Turning now to  FIG. 7 , consistent with certain embodiments of the invention this figure presents a view of side d which demonstrated the extent of the adhesive that is placed on the bottom portion of the hygienic liner. The adhesive stretches out to portions a 1 , a 2 , b and c to make sure the hygienic liner is kept in place while the item tried on and off for possible multiple fittings. 
         [0030]    Turning now to  FIG. 8 , consistent with certain embodiments of the invention this figure presents a non-limiting example of a dispenser f in which the hygienic liners may be contained and dispensed while entering the dressing room of a department store. The dispenser could be hung on the wall or pedestal at the entrance to a fitting room, allowing a prospective purchaser to pull a liner or liners as needed while entering the fitting room. Only one liner is dispensed per packaging e per dispense but the prospective purchaser has the option of removing multiple sealed packages e from the dispenser. The dispenser could be refilled with either a stack of liners or a roll of liners that are easily torn off and used depending on the most efficient arrangement of the sealed package e inside the dispenser. 
         [0031]    Turning now to  FIG. 9 , consistent with certain embodiments of the invention this figure presents a non-limiting example of a dispenser f in which the hygienic liners may be contained and dispensed while entering the dressing room of a department store. The lever on the side of the dispenser could dispense out one hygienic liner at a time. The dispenser is approximately 1 to 2 inches wider than the width of the sealed packaging e. Depending on the arrangement of the hygienic liners inside the dispenser; the dispenser could hold several hundred liners once filled.