Patent Publication Number: US-2023148684-A1

Title: Underwear Garment with Integrated Absorbent Material Holder

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/280,656, which was filed on Nov. 19, 2021 and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to clothing undergarments. More specifically, the present invention relates to a novel underwear garment for females or males that includes a disposable or sanitary pad holder sewn therein. More specifically, the underwear garment includes a holder that securely and removably accommodates and secures a disposable or sanitary pad thereby prohibiting the pad from shifting and wrinkling while being worn by a wearer. The pad remains in place and ensures contact or bodily touching with at least the perineum and crotch area and thus effectively absorbs menstrual flow or other fluid discharge without any leaks associated with use of disposable pads used in conjunction with conventional underwear. Accordingly, the present disclosure makes specific reference thereto. Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally applicable to other like applications, devices, and methods of manufacture. 
     BACKGROUND 
     By way of background, tampons are generally used by females for absorbing menstrual flow. Tampons are little cotton cylindrical pads designed to be inserted into the vagina with or without an applicator. Tampons come in different absorbencies to accommodate light to heavy periods. However, many females do not use tampons due to discomfort, excessive flow, and other preferences. Tampons can dry out the vagina and cause irritation and itching. Also, finding the right size of tampon takes some trial and error. 
     The biggest downside to wearing tampons is the risk of toxic shock syndrome (TSS). TSS is a rare but life-threatening complication caused due to certain types of bacterial infections and is primarily associated with use of tampons. 
     Often females use menstrual pads for absorbing menstrual flow. Generally, pads are rectangular absorbent material that adhere to the inside of underwear or are placed inside of the underwear garment. An advantage of the pads is that they are placed outside the vagina but they commonly get shifted out of place and wrinkle up towards the center. This shifting and wrinkling can result in embarrassing fluid leaks and permanent stains. Lack of security of positioning of the menstrual pads is a common problem and females desire a way of securely positioning their disposable menstrual pad. 
     Further, conventional undergarment/underwear causes a menstrual pad to directly touch the vagina of a wearer and thus the pad may cause irritation, infection, and more to the wearer. Individuals desire an improved way of wearing and using menstrual pads such that the pad does not directly touch the vagina of the wearer. 
     Conventional underwear for females especially panties, thongs, and others are ineffective in holding a menstrual pad. Further, all types of female underwear do not have a specific slot or holder positioned appropriately for accommodating a menstrual pad such that the pad is prohibited from shifting or losing its shape. Females desire an improved underwear for appropriately placing and positioning a menstrual pad inside the underwear for absorbing menstrual flow. 
     Therefore, there exists a long-felt need in the art for an improved undergarment for females and males that enables a disposable pad to be securely placed therein. There is also a long-felt need in the art for an underwear garment that prohibits shifting and wrinkling of the disposable pad placed therein. Additionally, there is a long-felt need in the art for an improved underwear garment that has a slot or holder for appropriately receiving and accommodating the disposable pad. Moreover, there is a long-felt need in the art for an underwear garment that maintains comfort of a wearer during a menstrual cycle or during the course of the day. Further, there is a long-felt need in the art for an improved underwear garment that prevents any leaks associated with using a disposable pad during the menstrual cycle or during incontinence. Finally, there is a long-felt need in the art for a user-friendly underwear garment that effectively holds the disposable pad and maintains its shape, size, and position inside the underwear garment. 
     The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a brief-style female underwear garment. The underwear garment is configured to secure a sanitary pad in an integrated holder ensuring that the pad remains in place for absorbing menstrual flow and prohibiting any leaks associated with using a disposable pad during menstrual cycle. The female underwear garment further comprising a first leg opening and a second leg opening, a waistband, an absorbent material or sanitary pad holder sewn and positioned along a crotch covering region of the underwear, the holder has a pair of opposing longitudinal seams, a pair of lateral seams, an elastic cuff positioned along each of said longitudinal seams and lateral seams, wherein the cuffs create a shallow cavity for receiving and accommodating a menstrual pad, and the cuffs further function as walls for prohibiting movement and shrinkage of the menstrual pad. 
     In this manner, the menstrual pad-holding female underwear garment of the present invention accomplishes all of the forgoing objectives and provides females with a brief shaped undergarment that has a sewn holder for accommodating a menstrual pad, maintaining comfort, and prohibiting any leaks associated with using the menstrual pad. The holder is integrated to the underwear for receiving a pad and ensuring the pad remains in place thereby prohibiting leaks associated with using a disposable pad during a menstrual cycle 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some general concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later. 
     The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a brief-style female underwear garment. The female underwear garment includes a first leg opening and a second leg opening, a waistband, an absorbent material holder positioned along a crotch region of the underwear, the holder has a pair of opposing longitudinal seams, a pair of lateral seams, an elastic cuff positioned along each of said longitudinal seams and lateral seams, wherein the cuffs create a cavity for receiving and accommodating a menstrual pad, and the cuffs further function as walls for prohibiting movement, shifting, and shrinkage of the menstrual pad. 
     In yet another embodiment, the absorbent material is a menstrual pad. 
     In yet another embodiment, the absorbent material is urine absorbing material. 
     In yet another embodiment, the absorbent material holder is positioned to cover at least a perineum area of a wearer. 
     In yet another embodiment, the absorbent material is removably placed in the holder. 
     In yet another embodiment, the cuffs are elastic. 
     In yet another embodiment, the absorbent material holder prevents shifting and shrinking of the absorbent material. 
     In yet another embodiment, a method for prohibiting leaks associated with using a disposable pad during a menstrual cycle is described. The method includes the step of providing a brief-style underwear garment for females, the underwear garment includes a holder sewn therein and positioned to cover at least a perineum area of a wearer; inserting a sanitary pad inside the holder; wearing the underwear; removing the sanitary pad from the holder after the pad has sufficiently absorbed menstrual flow; and, accommodating a new sanitary pad in the holder. 
     In yet another embodiment, a female underwear with a sewn menstrual pad holder is disclosed. The female underwear has the menstrual pad holder sewn inside the underwear such that the holder is positioned below the crotch area of the wearer, and the holder provides an enclosed space having an opening for inserting and removing a sanitary pad therein. The holder has elastic seams for accommodating pads of various sizes. 
     In yet another embodiment, a female underwear with a sewn menstrual pad holder is disclosed. The female underwear has the menstrual pad holder sewn inside the underwear such that the holder is positioned below the crotch area of the wearer, and the holder provides a securement area for placement and removal of a sanitary pad thereon. The holder can include elastic seams for accommodating pads of various sizes. 
     Numerous benefits and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains upon reading and understanding of the following detailed specification. 
     To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which: 
         FIG.  1    illustrates a front perspective view of one potential embodiment of the menstrual pad holder underwear of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture; 
         FIG.  2    illustrates a rear perspective view of the brief-style underwear of  FIG.  1    in accordance with the disclosed architecture; 
         FIG.  3    illustrates a planar top perspective view of the underwear of the present invention showing the position and shape of the holder inside the underwear in accordance with the disclosed architecture; 
         FIG.  4    illustrates a detailed view of the brief-style underwear of the present invention showing a sanitary pad being accommodated in the holder in accordance with the disclosed architecture; 
         FIG.  5    illustrates a perspective view of another embodiment of the sanitary pad holder that can be integrated inside the underwear of the present invention for accommodating a sanitary pad in accordance with the disclosed architecture; and 
         FIG.  6    illustrates a detailed view of the brief style underwear of the present invention showing a sanitary pad being accommodated in another holder in accordance with the disclosed architecture. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined. 
     As noted above, there exists a long-felt need in the art for an improved undergarment for females and males that enables a disposable pad to be securely placed therein. There is also a long-felt need in the art for an underwear garment that prohibits shifting and wrinkling of the disposable pad placed therein. Additionally, there is a long-felt need in the art for an improved underwear garment that has a slot or holder for appropriately receiving and accommodating the disposable pad. Moreover, there is a long-felt need in the art for an underwear garment that maintains comfort of a wearer during a menstrual cycle or during the course of the day. Further, there is a long-felt need in the art for an improved underwear garment that prevents any leaks associated with using a disposable pad during the menstrual cycle or during incontinence. Finally, there is a long-felt need in the art for a user-friendly underwear garment that effectively holds the disposable pad and maintains its shape, size, and position inside the underwear garment. 
     The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is a novel female underwear garment with a sewn or molded menstrual pad holder. The female underwear garment includes the menstrual pad holder sewn inside the underwear such that the holder bodily (i.e. directly) touches the crotch area of the wearer, and the holder provides an enclosed space having an opening for inserting and removing a sanitary pad therein. The holder has elastic seams for accommodating pads of various sizes. 
     Referring initially to the drawings,  FIG.  1    illustrates a front perspective view of one potential embodiment of the menstrual pad holder underwear of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The menstrual pad holder underwear garment  100  of the present invention is preferably designed as a brief-style undergarment that has a holder sewn inside therein for holding a disposable menstrual pad. The underwear  100  is easy to wear and can be constructed of a breathable fabric. Further, the underwear  100  enables female hygienic/menstrual pads to be placed securely inside the holder and thus prevents any leaks associated with using a pad during menstrual cycle by eliminating shifting and wrinkling of the pad. 
     More specifically, the underwear  100  has a right leg opening  102  and a left leg opening  104 . The leg openings  102 ,  104  are used for receiving legs of a wearer enabling a user to wear the underwear  100 . The underwear  100  further has a waistband  106  for securing around a waist of the wearer and creating an opening  1060  for wearing the underwear  100 . As illustrated, along the crotch covering region  108  of the underwear  100 , a menstrual pad holder  110  is positioned. The holder  110  is positioned inside the underwear  100  such that holder  110  is in bodily contact with the crotch area and more specifically, is in contact with at least a perineum area of the female wearer. 
     As illustrated in the front view, the holder  110  is dimensioned and designed to accommodate any conventional sanitary pad used for absorbing menstrual flow. The front end  112  of the holder  110  is positioned on front portion  114  inside the underwear and is symmetrically positioned to the back end  202  (shown in  FIG.  2   ) of the holder  110 . The portion of the holder  110  extending from the center of the crotch (shown in  FIG.  3   ) covering region  108  to the front end  112  may also be referred to as front portion of the holder  110 . 
     The holder  110  has elastic seams as illustrated in  FIG.  4    that enables secure and stable placement of a sanitary pad even when a high movement activity is performed by the wearer of the underwear  100 . Further, any type of absorbent articles for menstrual flow can be accommodated by the holder  110 . The underwear  100  comes in a variety of sizes, designs, and materials making the underwear  100  suitable for everyday use. 
     The underwear  100  of the present embodiment has a unitary structure wherein the holder  110  is integrated inside the underwear  100 . The holder  110  can be made of the same material as of the underwear  100  and alternatively can be made from a thin layer of an absorbent material. The absorbent material can be selected from the group consisting of wood pulp, cross-linked cellulosic fibers, synthetic fibers, and more. 
       FIG.  2    illustrates a rear perspective view of the brief style underwear  100  of the  FIG.  1    in accordance with the disclosed architecture. As illustrated, the back portion  204  of the underwear  100  also has a portion of the holder  110  sewn inside. The back end  202  can be positioned symmetrical to the front end  112 . The portion of the holder  110  extending from the center of the crotch covering region  108  to the back end  202  may also be referred to as rear portion  116  of the holder  110 . 
     It should be noted that the holder  110  includes a slightly tapered shape extending from the ends  112 ,  202  to the center of the crotch covering portion  108 . The holder  110  has elastic seams that function as walls for holding a sanitary pad in the holder  110 . 
       FIG.  3    illustrates a planar top perspective view of the underwear  100  of the present invention showing the position and shape of the holder  110  inside the underwear  100  in accordance with the disclosed architecture. As illustrated, the holder  110  is positioned between the leg openings  102 ,  104  such that holder  110  and the accommodated sanitary pad (shown in  FIGS.  4  and  5   ) bodily touches or covers at least the perineum of a wearer and thus effectively absorbs the menstrual flow. The holder  110  prohibits shifting and shrinking of the accommodated sanitary pad even during brisk movements of the wearer, such as when the wearer is playing a sport. The front end  112  and the center  302  of the crotch covering region forms the front portion  304 , and the rear end  202  and the center  302  of the crotch covering region forms the rear portion  306 . The front end  112  and the rear end  202  are wider and the holder  110  tapers towards the center  302 . The holder  110  is sewn and integrated inside the underwear  100  allowing a user to use the underwear  100  as a conventional underwear garment without holding a sanitary pad and can be used as menstrual flow absorbing device with a sanitary pad accommodated inside the holder  110 . 
     The longitudinal tapered seams  308 ,  310  extending between the front end  112  and the rear end  202  are sewn and are elastic allowing sanitary pads of various sizes to be accommodated easily inside the holder  110 . 
       FIG.  4    illustrates a detailed view of the brief style underwear  100  of the present invention showing a sanitary pad being accommodated in the holder  110  in accordance with the disclosed architecture. More specifically,  FIG.  4    illustrates a detailed view of the holder  110 . As illustrated, the longitudinal seams  308 ,  310  of the holder  110  have elastic cuffs  402 ,  404  extending slightly upward from the seams  308 ,  310  respectively. The cuffs  402 ,  404  function as walls and accommodate and secure a sanitary pad  406  placed in the holder  110 . The front end  112  and the rear end  202  may also have similar cuffs  408 ,  410 , respectively. The cuffs  402 ,  404 ,  408 ,  410  form a shallow cavity for accommodating the sanitary pad  406 . The cuffs are elastic and sewn along the edges and provide stability to the sanitary pad  406  even in fast movement by a wearer of the female underwear  100 . The sanitary pad  406  touches the perineum area of the wearer allowing the pad  406  to easily absorb menstrual flow of the wearer. Further, the pad  406  can be easily removed from the holder  110  and replaced with a new pad. 
     It should be noted that the cuffs can be bent and made flat when the underwear  100  is to be worn without accommodating the sanitary pad  406  inside the holder  110 . The underwear  100  can be used as a conventional underwear garment for daily use and not just for menstrual flow cycles. 
     Further, the holder  110  is configured to accommodate any type of absorbent material and can be used by adults (i.e. females and males) for accommodating adult diaper material or other absorbent material to alleviate the problem of incontinence (i.e. urine or fluid discharge). This can obviate the need of using a complete diaper by an adult. 
       FIG.  5    illustrates a perspective view of another embodiment of the sanitary pad holder that can be integrated inside the female underwear  100  of the present invention for accommodating a sanitary pad in accordance with the disclosed architecture. In the present embodiment, the holder  502  has three sewn elastic edges including sewn elastic longitudinal edges  504 ,  506  and a rear end  508 . An open end  510  is positioned on a front portion of the underwear  100  thereby allowing a user to insert a sanitary or disposable pad  512  inside the holder  502 . The holder  502  may have a removable and absorbable cloth covering  514  for creating a cavity along with the sewn edges  504 ,  506 ,  508  for accommodating the disposable pad  512 . 
     The sanitary or disposable pad  512  can be removed from the open end  510  as per preferences of the user. It should be noted that the length of the holder  502  is designed to cover crotch area (specifically at least the perineum area) of the wearer and thus protecting the wearer from embarrassing leaks, fluid or urine discharge, and permanent stains due to shifting and unstable positioning of the disposable pad  512 . 
     The invention also discloses a method for securing a disposable or sanitary pad inside an underwear for prohibiting fluid leaks associated with using a disposable pad during menstrual cycle and/or bladder incontinence. The method includes the step of providing a brief-style underwear for females or males, the underwear having a holder sewn therein and positioned to cover at least the perineum area of a wearer; inserting a disposable or sanitary pad inside the holder; wearing the underwear; removing the disposable or sanitary pad from the holder after the pad has sufficiently absorbed menstrual flow or fluid discharge and accommodating a new disposable or sanitary pad in the holder. 
       FIG.  6    illustrates a detailed view of the brief style underwear  600  of the present invention showing a sanitary pad being accommodated in the holder  610  in accordance with the disclosed architecture. More specifically,  FIG.  6    illustrates a view of the holder  610 . As illustrated, the longitudinal seams  618 ,  620  of the holder  610  can include cuffs  622 ,  624  extending slightly upward from the seams  618 ,  620  respectively. The cuffs function as walls and accommodate a sanitary pad  606  placed on top of the holder  610 . The front end and the rear end can also have a front cuff  628  and a rear cuff (not illustrated), respectively. The cuffs  622 ,  624 ,  628  form a border for accommodating the sanitary pad  606  therebetween. The cuffs  622 ,  624 ,  628  are elastic and sewn along the edges and provide stability to the sanitary pad  606  even during strenuous movements of a wearer of the female underwear  600 . The sanitary pad  606  touches the perineum area of the wearer allowing the pad  606  to easily absorb menstrual flow of the wearer. Further, the pad  606  can be easily removed from the holder  610  and replaced with a new pad. 
     It should be noted that the cuffs  622 ,  624 ,  628  can be bent and made flat when the underwear  600  is to be worn without accommodating the sanitary pad  606  inside the holder  610 . The underwear  600  can be used as a conventional underwear garment for daily use and not just for menstrual flow cycles. 
     Further, the holder  610  is configured to accommodate any type of absorbent material and can be used by adults (i.e. females and males) for accommodating adult diaper material or other absorbent material to alleviate the problem of incontinence (i.e. urine or fluid discharge). This can obviate the need of using a complete diaper by an adult. 
     The sanitary pad holder underwear garment  100 ,  600  of various embodiments of the present invention includes a variety of colors, sizes, and designs and can be worn daily. Any of conventional manufacturing and sewn techniques like zig zag technique can be implemented to manufacture the underwear garment  100 ,  600 . The underwear garment  100 ,  600  prohibits any leaks associated with using a disposable pad during a menstrual cycle or urine incontinence. Insertion and removal of a sanitary pad is extremely easy and the sanitary pad is prohibited from shifting or wrinkling. 
     Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “menstrual pad holder underwear”, “absorbent material holder underwear”, “underwear”, “underwear garment”, “sanitary pad holder underwear”, “brief style underwear” and “female underwear” are interchangeable and refer to the female underwear  100  with integrated absorbent material holder  110  of the present invention. 
     Notwithstanding the forgoing, the female (or male) underwear garment  100 ,  600  with integrated absorbent material holder  110 ,  610  of the present invention can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that it accomplishes the above-stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the female/male underwear garment  100 ,  600  with integrated absorbent material holder  110 ,  610  as shown in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the female/male underwear  100 ,  600  with integrated absorbent material holder  110 ,  610  are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the female/male underwear garment with integrated absorbent material holder  110 ,  610  are important design parameters for user convenience, the female/male underwear garment  100 ,  600  with integrated absorbent material holder  110 ,  610  may be of any size that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user&#39;s needs and/or preferences. 
     Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof. 
     What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.