Abstract:
Underwear adapted to add an inner structure to a traditional covering comprising waistband and fabric panels conventionally covering the buttocks, hips, and genital areas. The inner structure may include a fabric panel bearing a ridge intended to occupy the cleft separating the buttocks, with the fabric panel adhering closely to the buttocks. The inner structure may also or instead include a fabric scrotum guard which covers the rear of the scrotum and which separates the scrotum from the inner thighs and separates the right and left perineal folds where inner thighs meet the lowermost trunk. The scrotum guard may include adjustment structure for adjusting tightness of the fit with the Y formed at the scrotum and the entire perineum. The front of the traditional covering may have an opening for retrieving the penis which opening is arranged horizontally rather than in the traditional generally vertical orientation.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to foundation garments, and more particularly to underwear having improved accommodation for absorbing sweat and preventing chafing where body tissues would ordinarily abut. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Traditional underwear does little other than to cover the buttocks, hips, and genital areas of wearers. In the course of a day, it is possible for body tissues in these areas to rub against one another, thereby producing discomfort due to chafing, or to cause accumulation of perspiration and need for increased hygiene. A need exists in the prior art to overcome these problems. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The present invention addresses the above stated need by providing underwear which incorporates additional fabric structures adapted to separate body tissues and to absorb accumulation of perspiration and improve hygiene. The novel underwear may include a traditional covering comprising waistband and fabric panels conventionally covering the buttocks, hips, and genital areas. In a first aspect, underwear according to the present invention may comprise an inner structure which may be fixed at the waistband to the traditional covering. This inner structure may comprise a fabric panel bearing a ridge. The fabric is parallel to the outer traditional covering panel, with the ridge, which is generally perpendicular to the fabric panel, arranged to occupy the crack or cleft separating the buttocks. This causes the fabric panel to cover the buttocks in contact therewith. The fabric panel, not being attached to the traditional covering, may then cooperate closely with the buttocks, and will remain in place to intercept and absorb perspiration, and to separate the buttocks to prevent buttock-to-buttock chafing. 
         [0004]    In a second aspect, the inner structure may comprise an optional scrotum guard, also of fabric, which covers the rear of the scrotum and which separates the scrotum from the inner thighs and fits in folds of tissue at the perineum. This both prevents chafing and also absorbs any perspiration which may be present and increases hygiene. 
         [0005]    The scrotum guard may include adjustment structure for adjusting tightness of the fit with the scrotum and perineal folds. 
         [0006]    In a third aspect, the underwear may have an opening for retrieving the penis for urination for example, which opening is arranged horizontally rather than in the traditional generally vertical orientation. 
         [0007]    Underwear according to one or more aspects described above may be provided in the form of briefs, or alternatively may have pronounced leg sleeves. 
         [0008]    While some of the inner structure is obviously appropriate for male physiology, underwear for females may utilize only the fabric panel bearing the ridge, there being no need for a scrotum guard nor an opening for accessing the penis. 
         [0009]    It is an object of the invention to provide underwear which increases comfort by preventing chafing and absorbing perspiration from areas likely to generate perspiration and cause hygiene issues. 
         [0010]    It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof by apparatus for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable, and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes. 
         [0011]    These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    Various objects, features, and attendant advantages of the present invention will become more fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an inner component of the underwear of the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is similar to  FIG. 1 , but is broken away to better show internal detail. 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a perspective detail view of internal detail revealed to view in  FIG. 2 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a front view of underwear according to at least one aspect of the invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is a front view of underwear according to at least one further aspect of the invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is a side detail view taken along line  6 - 6  in  FIG. 5 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  is a front view of underwear according to still another aspect of the invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 8  is a front view of underwear according to a further aspect of the invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 9  is a side perspective view of underwear according to still another aspect of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0022]    Referring first to  FIGS. 1-4 , there is shown a waistband  10  and a buttock comfort panel  12  disposed to separate the buttocks and to absorb perspiration from the juncture of the buttocks and keep skin from prolonged touch to skin whereby skin oxygenation or exposure to suitable aeration is compromised. The buttock comfort panel  12  may comprise a buttock fabric panel formed as two sections or wings  14 ,  16 . The wing  14  or  16  projects respectively to the right and to the left of a centrally located ridge  18  which depends from the waistband  10  at the rear of the wearer. The ridge  18  is generally perpendicular to the buttock fabric panel formed by the wings  14 ,  16 , and extends forwardly when the underwear associated with the waistband  10  and the buttock comfort panel  12  is worn. It should be mentioned here that the assembly comprising the waistband  10  and the buttock comfort panel  12  may be worn in the manner of an athletic supporter, that is, as a stand alone garment, or alternatively and preferably may be integrated as part of underwear  20  (see  FIG. 4 ) which comprises an outer component in the form of a traditional covering  22  which continuously covers the buttocks, the hips, and the genital region of the wearer. The outer component may be for example conventional underwear (not shown separately) which is devoid of internal constructions of the sort set forth herein. The traditional underwear may comprise a traditional covering waistband and a perineal cover panel disposed to cover the perineus of the wearer. Because the assembly shown in  FIG. 1  may be utilized independently of traditional underwear, that assembly may include its own waistband  10 , or if integrated with traditional underwear, the assembly shown in  FIG. 1  may utilize the waistband of the traditional underwear. 
         [0023]    The buttock comfort panel  12  is coupled to or anchored at the waistband  10  at the rear of the underwear, and terminates in a terminus at the scrotum of male wearers. The terminus is used as a term of convenience, and merely designates the forwardmost end of the ridge  18 . The buttock comfort panel  12  may be utilized in underwear for female wearers (as shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 ). In either case, the buttock comfort panel  12  comprises an anchoring member, the side ridges of which fit into the folds of the right and left perineal croaches, which is ultimately attached to the waistband  10  at the front of the wearer. For use by females, the ridge resembling a “Y” still exists where the fabric structure is not split for scrotum accommodation as in the case of a male wearer. 
         [0024]    When provided as part of underwear intended for use by females, the anchoring member may comprise a fabric panel devoid of structural features more complicated than an expanse of planar fabric, such as the fabric panel  22 . 
         [0025]    Referring specifically to  FIG. 2 , when provided as part of underwear intended for use by males, the anchoring member may comprise a scrotum guard  24  located at the terminus of the buttock comfort panel  12 . The scrotum guard  24  may comprise two sections including a right side continuation  26  of the ridge  18  of the buttock comfort panel  12  and a left side continuation  28  of the ridge  18  of the buttock comfort panel  12 . The right side continuation  26  and the left side continuation  28  are clearly visible in  FIG. 2 , and for further clarity of view are shown to a greater degree of isolation from other components of the underwear in  FIG. 3 . When viewed in plan, right side continuation  26 , the left side continuation  28 , and the buttock comfort panel  12  form a Y. The right side continuation  26  and the left side continuation  28  each project forwardly of the buttock comfort panel  12  and contact and connect to the waistband  10  at its front. 
         [0026]    It should be mentioned here that orientational terms such as forward, forwardly, right, left, front, and rear refer to the subject drawing as viewed by an observer. The drawing figures depict their subject matter in orientations of normal use, which could obviously change with changes in body posture and position. It will be assumed for convenience that the underwear is worn by a person standing upright, such that the waistband  10  occupies a horizontal plane for example. Therefore, orientational terms must be understood to provide semantic basis for purposes of description, and do not limit the invention or its component parts in any particular way. 
         [0027]    Also, it is appreciated that the novel underwear will be fabricated mostly if not exclusively from relatively flaccid natural and some synthetic fabrics, or combinations thereof. Therefore, description of direction of projection of the component members of the underwear refers to the underwear as depicted in the various drawing figures, it being understood that due to flexibility and flaccidity of the constituent materials, the underwear will inevitably deform in the course of use and not literally conform to the geometric relationships set forth herein. 
         [0028]    Contact and connection of the right side continuation  26  and the left side continuation  28  to the waistband  10  is accomplished by drawstrings  30 ,  32 . The drawstrings  30 ,  32  are intended to be passed through respective holes  34 ,  36  formed in the waistband  10 , as seen in  FIG. 1 , and may be tied in a knot  38 . The drawstrings  30 ,  32  provide an adjustment feature disposed to fix the scrotum guard  24  selectively at plural distances from the front of the underwear. Pulling on the drawstrings  30 ,  32  such that progressively more of the drawstrings  30 ,  32  has passed forwardly of the waistband  10  will cause the scrotum guard  24  to advance towards the front of the underwear and at the same time adjust the tightness of the entire ridge inside perineal clefts. Where corresponding underwear is produced for use by females, the scrotum guard  24  may be omitted, with suitable modifications introduced there instead. The user may adjust the scrotum guard  24  to suit his own comfort. When the drawstrings  30 ,  32  are tied in the knot  38 , the drawstring arrangement engages the waistband  10 , thereby anchoring the combined buttock comfort panel  12  and scrotum guard  24  to the front of the waistband  10 . It should be mentioned here that for clarity of the view, the drawstrings  30 ,  32  are not depicted as having been drawn tight, as would occur in actual use. The combined buttock comfort panel  12  and scrotum guard  24  are therefore supported at the front of the underwear by the drawstrings  30 ,  32  and at the rear of the underwear by attachment to the waistband  10 . 
         [0029]      FIG. 4  shows a form of underwear according to the present invention wherein the assembly of  FIG. 1  has been integrated with underwear  20  wherein the traditional covering  22  includes leg openings  40 ,  42  which are located above the perineal cover panel  44  of the traditional covering  22 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 5  shows a form of underwear wherein the assembly of  FIG. 1  has been integrated with underwear  46 , wherein the traditional covering  48  includes leg sleeves  50 ,  52  which project below the perineal cover panel  54 . The leg sleeves  50 ,  52  may be dimensioned and configured to cling to the leg of the wearer when the underwear is worn. This is typical of underwear such as boxer briefs, and typically includes elastic characteristics in the constituent fabric. Alternatively, the leg sleeves  50 ,  52  may be dimensioned and configured to be relatively greater in diameter than the width of the wearer&#39;s leg when the underwear is worn, as is typical of so-called boxer type shorts. 
         [0031]      FIGS. 5 and 6  show a further feature of the invention, namely, a fly  56  having opening length in a horizontal direction. The opening length may coincide with the direction of a horizontally extending upper edge  58  of a lower panel  60 . The fly  56  may comprise an upper panel  62  which extends from above the upper edge  58  of the lower panel  60  to below the upper edge  58  of the lower panel  60 . The lower edge  64  of the upper panel  62  is well below the upper edge of the lower panel  60 . That portion of the upper panel  62  which lies below the upper edge  58  may be considered a lower extremity of the upper panel  62 . This lower extremity is located inside the lower panel  60 . That is, the lower extremity is located at a smaller radius from the vertical centerline  66  of the underwear than the lower panel  62 . 
         [0032]    Turning now to  FIG. 7 , the underwear depicted therein is suitable for use by female wearers. To that end, that member which is ultimately attached to the waistband  68  at the front of the wearer comprises a fabric panel  70  which is devoid of a fly such as the fly  56  of  FIG. 5 . 
         [0033]      FIG. 8  shows underwear having a similar fabric panel  72 , but with leg sleeves  74 ,  76  of length such that they terminate below the perineal cover  78  of the underwear. 
         [0034]    The various features of the present invention may be provided in any combination which is feasible. Illustratively, and referring to  FIG. 9 , there is shown underwear comprising a waistband  80 , a rear buttocks panel  82  which is devoid of structure such as the buttock comfort panel  12 , being generally planar (if laid on a planar surface), and a scrotum guard  84 . The scrotum guard  84  may be the structural and functional equivalent of the scrotum guard  24  for example. This option allows users to omit the buttock comfort panel  12  while still enjoying the benefits of the scrotum guard  84  and, or separation of perineal folds at right and left sides of the crotch or clefts. The rear buttocks panel  82  depends from the waistband  80  at the rear of the underwear. The scrotum guard  84  may be adjusted and supported by drawstrings  86 ,  88  in the manner of the underwear of  FIG. 1 . It should be noted that for use by females, the scrotum guard  84  may be omitted or suitably modified. 
         [0035]    The present invention is susceptible to modifications and variations which may be introduced thereto without departing from the inventive concept. Illustratively, the arrangement of drawstrings  30  and  32  may be replaced by an arrangement (not shown) using snaps or other fasteners, or by an arrangement using elastic straps anchored to the waistband such as the waistband  10 . The arrangement of elastic straps could utilize hook and loop material, buttons, or engagement of eyelets formed either in the straps or in the waistband. 
         [0036]    In another variation, a protective pad or liner located at the anus area may be incorporated into the novel underwear. Such a disposable pad may have an associated fastening element such as adhesive or may be sufficiently nappy as to adhere naturally to the constituent material of the underwear. Although the pad or liner may be fabric, it may also be entirely or partially a paper material for example. The pad or liner may be removable and washable, or alternatively, may be disposable. Preferably, the pad or liner may comprise a soft, fleece-like material yet may be thin enough so as not to cause discomfort. 
         [0037]    While the present invention has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the present invention is not to be limited to the disclosed arrangements, but is intended to cover various arrangements which are included within the spirit and scope of the broadest possible interpretation of the appended claims so as to encompass all modifications and equivalent arrangements which are possible.