Abstract:
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a garment or undergarment (e.g., a T-shirt) which is provided with integrated multi-layer perspiration barriers uniquely configured to provide high levels of evaporative cooling and moisture vapor transmission. The perspiration barriers are integrated into the sleeve and torso portions of the garment such that such perspiration barriers actually define the underarm portions thereof. Each of the perspiration barriers is preferably comprised of four layers, each of which is formed from two separate panel pieces. The various layers included in each of the perspiration barriers, the manner in which such layers are stacked upon and attached to each other, and the manner in which the layers forming each perspiration barrier are integrated into the garment are specifically adapted to collectively promote evaporative cooling and a vapor transmission effect which provides superior perspiration absorption and evaporation, in addition to enhanced user comfort.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/436,841 entitled GARMENT HAVING INTEGRATED PERSPIRATION BARRIERS filed Jan. 27, 2011, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    1. Technical Field of the Invention 
         [0004]    The present invention relates generally to wearing apparel and, more particularly, to a garment or undergarment (e.g., a T-shirt) which is provided with integrated multi-layer perspiration barriers uniquely configured to provide high levels of evaporative cooling and moisture vapor transmission. 
         [0005]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0006]    As is known in the medical field, hyperhidrosis is a condition characterized by abnormally increased perspiration, in excess of that required for the regulation of body temperature. Hyperhidrosis can either be generalized or localized to specific parts of the body. Hands, feet, armpits and the groin area are among the most active regions of perspiration due to the relatively high concentration of sweat glands. 
         [0007]    Of the various manifestations of hyperhidrosis, one of the most problematic for many individuals is axillary hyperhidrosis, or excessive underarm sweating. Because of the various stigmas that society has perpetuated about people who sweat excessively, as well as the unsightly appearance of excessive underarm perspiration, sufferers of axillary hyperhidrosis are often reluctant to wear certain fabrics or colors which exacerbate the appearance of the perspiration. In addition, these sufferers are often compelled to leave jackets, sweaters, sport coats or other garments on to their discomfort, solely for the shielding effect provided by these outer garments. Moreover, in extreme circumstances, sufferers may resort to actually bringing changes of clothes with them to work or other events, assuming that the level of perspiration in a worn garment will reach a level of severity which mandates a disruptive, yet necessary change of clothes. 
         [0008]    For the treatment of axillary hyperhidrosis, the aluminum chloride used in regular antiperspirants is typically insufficient, with sufferers often needing solutions with higher concentrations to effectively treat the symptoms of the condition. However, one of the major side effects of antiperspirant solutions which are adaptive to facilitate the treatment of axillary hyperhidrosis is a high level of irritation to the skin. Though surgical options are available for the treatment of axillary hyperhidrosis, including sweat gland removal or destruction, many sufferers seek treatment options which do not require a surgical procedure due to the cost of the procedure, the risks associated therewith, or other factors. 
         [0009]    In recognition of the social difficulties experienced by many axillary hyperhidrosis sufferers and the reluctance of many of these sufferers to seek medical or surgical intervention for the treatment of their condition, there has been developed in the prior art various undergarments with permanently attached perspiration shielding which are adapted to protect outer clothing for underarm perspiration. Such undergarments are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,591,425 to Zellers, and in U.S. Patent Publication Nos. 2006/0168704 to Mayer, et al, and 2008/0086791 to Kirkwood Samuels, et al. Though the undergarments described in these and other references provide the general effect of protecting a wearer&#39;s outer clothing from underarm perspiration, they possess certain deficiencies which detract from the overall utility. For example, in certain ones of these prior art undergarments, the perspiration shield includes a waterproof layer and is placed proximate the wearer&#39;s skin in the underarm area, thus actually causing increased levels of perspiration attributable to the shield acting as a barrier to air flow, in addition to causing discomfort to the wearer. Additionally, in certain ones of these prior art garments, the layered construction of the perspiration shields included therein is not adapted to facilitate cooling air flow via a billowing effect, or to promote wearer comfort. 
         [0010]    The present invention addresses and overcomes the deficiencies highlighted above by providing a garment or undergarment (e.g., a T-shirt) which is provided with integrated multi-layer perspiration barriers uniquely configured to provide high levels of evaporative cooling and moisture vapor transmission. These, as well as other features and advantages of the present invention will be described in more detail below. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a garment or undergarment (e.g., a T-shirt) which is provided with integrated multi-layer perspiration barriers uniquely configured to provide high levels of evaporative cooling and moisture vapor transmission. More particularly, in the garment construction in accordance with the present invention, the perspiration barriers are integrated into the sleeve and torso portions of the garment such that such perspiration barriers actually define the underarm portions thereof. This is in contrast to prior art garment constructions wherein the perspiration shields are attached to the interior or exterior surfaces of the underarm portions of an existing garment, as opposed to the shield themselves defining such underarm portions. 
         [0012]    In addition, each of the perspiration barriers integrated into the garment of the present invention is preferably comprised of four separate layers, each of which has a two-piece or panel construction. The materials of the various layers included in each of the perspiration barriers, the manner in which the layers are stacked upon and attached to each other, and the manner in which the stacked layers of joined panel pieces forming each perspiration barrier are integrated into the garment are specifically adapted to collectively promote evaporative cooling and a vapor transmission effect which provides superior perspiration absorption and evaporation, in addition to enhanced user comfort. 
         [0013]    The present invention is best understood by reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    These, as well as other features of the present invention, will become more apparent upon reference to the drawings wherein: 
           [0015]      FIG. 1  is a front elevational view of an undergarment constructed in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a plan view of one of the multi-layer perspiration barriers integrated into the undergarment of the present invention, as viewed from the perspective of the view angle  2  shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a partially exploded view of one of the layers included in each of the multi-layer perspiration barriers integrated into the undergarment of the present invention, depicting the two-piece primary construction thereof; and 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is an exploded view of one of the multi-layer perspiration barriers integrated into the undergarment of the present invention, depicting the various layers included therein. 
       
    
    
       [0019]    Common reference numerals are used throughout the drawings and detailed description to indicate like elements. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0020]    Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating a preferred embodiment of the present invention only, and not for purposes of limiting the same,  FIGS. 1 and 2  depict a garment  10  constructed in accordance with the present invention. In an exemplary embodiment, the garment  10  is an undergarment and, more particularly, a T-shirt. In this regard, the garment  10  comprises a torso portion  12 , one end of which includes an opening  14  therein to accommodate the head and neck of a wearer. In addition to the torso portion  12 , the garment  10  includes an opposed pair of sleeve portions  16  which are attached to the torso portion  12  and are sized to cover the upper arms of the wearer of the garment  10 . As further seen in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , each of the sleeves  16  defines a distal rim or end  18 . 
         [0021]    The garment  10  further comprises an identically configured pair of perspiration barriers  20  which are integrated into the remainder of the garment  10  in a manner which will be described in more detail below. As seen in  FIG. 4 , each of the perspiration barriers  20  preferably comprises a plurality (e.g., four) stacked layers. Additionally, as seen in  FIG. 3 , each of these layers has a two-piece construction, comprising a sleeve panel piece  22  and a torso panel piece  24  which are preferably sewn to each other as also described in more detail below. As further seen in  FIG. 3 , the sleeve panel piece  22  of each layer has a generally trapezoidal configuration, with the torso panel piece  24  having a generally semi-circular configuration. 
         [0022]    As indicated above, each perspiration barrier  20  is provided with a four-layer construction. More particularly, as seen in  FIG. 4 , each perspiration barrier comprise a first layer  26  which will normally be in direct contact with the skin in the underarm of the wearer of the garment  10 . As such, the first layer  26  is preferably fabricated from 100% cotton to provide an increased level of comfort to the wearer. The use cotton material of the first layer  26  is advantageous due to the ability of odor molecules emanating from the wearer&#39;s skin to easily break away from the cotton fibers, thus combating odor issues. Positioned against the first layer  26  is a second layer  28  which is preferably a terry-cloth material fabricated from 80%-20% cotton/polyester blend. As will also be discussed in more detail below, the “loop” design of the terry-cloth material used for the second layer  28  facilitates better airflow through the fully fabricated perspiration barrier  20 , thus enhancing an evaporative cooling effect provided thereby. 
         [0023]    In addition to the first and second layers  26 ,  28 , each of the perspiration barriers comprises a third layer  30  which is positioned against the second layer  28  such that the second layer  28  is effectively oriented between the first and third layers  26 ,  30 . The third layer  30  is preferably a hydrophilic breathable film which is fabricated from polyurethane and bonded by a finely dispersed adhesive dot pattern to the second layer  28 . Positioned against the third layer  30  is a fourth layer  32 , the third layer  30  thus being oriented between the second and fourth layers  28 ,  32 . The fourth layer  32  is preferably made of the same material as the torso and sleeve portions  12 ,  16  of the garment  10  (e.g., a cotton material) for aesthetic consistency when the perspiration barriers  20  are integrated therein. In this regard, whereas the first layer  26  defines the innermost surface of each perspiration barrier  20  in the completed garment  10  which will directly contact the skin of the wearer thereof, the fourth layer  32  defines the outermost surface of each perspiration barrier  20  in the completed garment  10  which is visually exposed when the same is being worn by the wearer. 
         [0024]    As indicated above each of the first, second, third and fourth layers  26 ,  28 ,  30 ,  32  of each of the perspiration barriers  20  comprises a pair of the sleeve and torso panel pieces  22 ,  24  which are joined (e.g. sewn) to each other. More particularly, in fabricating each of the first and fourth layers  26 ,  32 , a portion of the sleeve panel piece  22  extending along the peripheral base edge segment thereof of greatest length is joined to a portion of the torso panel piece  24  extending along the linear, non-arcuate peripheral edge segment thereof by an elongate stitch  34  which defines a foldable crease between the sleeve and torso panel pieces  22 ,  24 . 
         [0025]    However, in fabricating the second and third layers  28 ,  30 , the sleeve panel pieces  22  of such second and third layers  28 ,  30  are initially bonded to each other in the aforementioned manner, as are the torso panel pieces  24  thereof. Thereafter, the bonded sleeve panel pieces  22  of the second and third layers  28 ,  30  are sewn to the bonded torso panel pieces  24  thereof by a single, elongate stitch  34 . As described above in relation to the first and fourth layers  26 ,  32 , the stitch  34  joining the bonded sleeve panel pieces  22  of the second and third layers  28 ,  30  to the bonded torso panel pieces  24  thereof extends along the peripheral base edge segments of the bonded sleeve panel pieces  22  of greatest length and the linear, non-arcuate peripheral edge segments of the bonded torso panel pieces  24 , such stitch  34  also defining a foldable crease therebetween. Advantageously, the materials from which the second and third layers  28 ,  30  are fabricated, in concert with the manner in which they are attached to each other, enhances vapor transmission and breathability between the adjacent second and third layers  28 ,  30  in each of the fully fabricated perspiration barriers  20 . 
         [0026]    Once the various corresponding pairs of sleeve and torso panel pieces  22 ,  24  have been sewn to each other in the aforementioned manner, the resultant first, second, third and fourth layers  26 ,  28 ,  30 ,  32  are stacked upon each other such that the first layer  26  is positioned against the second layer  28 , and the fourth layer  32  is positioned against the third layer  30 . As indicated above, each perspiration barrier  20  of the garment  10  comprises the first, second, third and fourth layers  26 ,  28 ,  30 ,  32  as stacked upon each other in this particular sequence. Once each perspiration barrier  20  has been fabricated or assembled in the aforementioned manner, it is sewn into the torso portion  12  and a corresponding sleeve portion  16  of the garment  10  using a continuous overlock stitch which extends solely along the peripheral edge thereof. It is contemplated that this peripheral overlock stitch will be covered by a continuous cover stitch  36  to provide a more desirable appearance to the garment  10 . 
         [0027]    Additionally, as best seen in  FIG. 2 , each perspiration barrier  20  is preferably orientated relative to the remainder of the garment  10  such that the peripheral base edge segments of shortest length within the stacked sleeve panel pieces  22  of each perspiration barrier  20  extend along the distal end  18  of a respective one of the sleeve portions  16 . Extending each perspiration barrier  20  to the distal end  18  of a respective one of the sleeve portions  16  helps reduce any occurrences of undesirable dripping of perspiration down the wearer&#39;s arm when the garment  10  is being worn. However, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that each perspiration barrier  20  may alternatively be orientated within the remainder of the garment  10  such that a gap or space of a prescribed width separates each perspiration barrier  20  from the distal end  18  of a corresponding sleeve portion  16 . 
         [0028]    Advantageously, the manner in which the perspiration barriers  20  are assembled, and in turn integrated into the remainder of the garment  10 , provides enhanced evaporative cooling and moisture vapor transmission attributable to a billowing effect in each of the perspiration barriers  20 . This billowing effect, and the resultant evaporative cooling and moisture vapor transmission process, also serves to decrease perspiration by lowering body temperature. Such billowing effect is achieved by the particulars of the construction of each of the perspiration barriers  20 , and is enhanced by the minimal amount of stitching which extends through areas other than the peripheral portions thereof (thereby reducing the number of interiorly located needle holes). In this regard, as previously explained, within each perspiration barrier  20 , the only stitching that extends through the interior thereof are the three separate, elongate stitches  34  that are used to join the sleeve and torso panel pieces  22 ,  24  of the first, second, third and fourth layers  26 ,  28 ,  30 ,  32  to each other. These stitches  34  within each perspiration barrier  20  provide the advantage of collectively creating a crease which allows the wearer of the garment  10  to more easily lift and lower his or her arms without undue resistance by the perspiration barriers  20 , while further preventing an excessive amount of noise being generated by the arm lifting and lowering process. Moreover, since the stitches  34  within each perspiration barrier  20  are only generally aligned with each other and do not give rise to the creation of continuous needle holes which span through each the first, second, third and fourth layers  26 ,  28 ,  30 ,  32 , there is a significantly reduced potential for moisture or perspiration to travel along the stitches  34  and through the needle holes in a manner comprising the integrity of each perspiration barrier  20 . 
         [0029]    The “perimeter only” stitching used to facilitate the attachment of each of the fully fabricated perspiration barriers  20  to the remainder of the garment  10  allows outside air to be drawn into and between the first and second layers  26 ,  28 , as well as the third and fourth layers  30 ,  32 , of each of the perspiration barriers  20 . At the same time, the stitches  34  of each of the perspiration barriers  20 , due to thereof relative orientations, do not unduly compromise the billowing effect. As a result, as seen in  FIG. 4 , moisture produced and emanating from the underarm skin of the wearer is initially transported through the first layer  26 , and into a space or air chamber between the first and second layers  26 ,  28 . Such moisture is then channeled through the second layer  28  and is thereafter transported along the molecular chains of the block co-polymer of the third layer  30  to reach equilibrium with the outside atmosphere, which also facilitates the transition of the moisture to a vapor state. As is also shown in  FIG. 4 , the vapor which emanates from the third layer  30  in turn flows into the space or air chamber between the third and fourth layers  30 ,  32 . As indicated above, the bonding of the third layer  30  to the second layer  28  by the finely disbursed adhesive dot pattern of the third layer  30  allows for better vapor transmission and breathability through such third layer  30 . The vapor within the space between the third and fourth layers  30 ,  32  is thereafter released from the perspiration barrier  20  through the exterior fourth layer  32 . 
         [0030]    This disclosure provides an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The scope of the present invention is not limited by this exemplary embodiment. Numerous variations, whether explicitly provided for by the specification or implied by the specification, such as variations in structure, dimension, type of material and manufacturing process may be implemented by one of skill in the art in view of this disclosure. For example, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the above-described perspiration barriers  20  may be integrated into a garment other than for an undergarment such as a T-shirt. Additionally, some or all of the stitching described above could potentially be substituted with a suitable fabric adhesive.