Patent Publication Number: US-2019167491-A1

Title: Wearable Absorbent Undergarment and Related Methods

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not applicable. 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable. 
     THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT 
     Not applicable. 
     REFERENCE TO AN APPENDIX SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC AND INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE OF THE MATERIAL ON THE COMPACT DISC 
     Not applicable. 
     STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR OR A JOINT INVENTOR 
     Reserved for a later date, if necessary. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of Invention 
     The disclosed subject matter is generally in the field of health care. More specifically, the disclosed invention is in the field of geriatric care, child care, and patient care. 
     Background of the Invention 
     Urinary incontinence is the involuntary loss of urine. The prevalence of urinary incontinence amongst adult males increases with age; however, urinary incontinence effects people of all ages as it can be a symptom of various medical issues such as nerve problems or prostate enlargement. Any disease, condition, or injury that damages nerves, such as spinal cord injuries, can lead to urination problems, and the constriction of the urethra due to prostate enlargement likewise affects the urinary system. (See Urinary Incontinence in Men, National Kidney and Urological Diseases Information Clearinghouse). The use of absorbent diapers, or incontinence pads, allows adults experiencing incontinency issues to continue daily activity without the encumbrance of dedicating immediate attention to uncontrollable urinary loss. 
     Moreover, young children also commonly wear diapers to help absorb urine when they are not yet toilet trained or when they are in the process of toilet training. 
     The design of modern diapers have a layered construction that transfers and distributes urine to an absorbent core structure with typical layers, including an outer shell, an inner absorbent layer, and a layer nearest the skin. These disposable diapers include a matrix of fluff, composed from wood pulp, and chemical crystals known as Super Absorbent Polymers (SAP). The role of the fluff is to distribute fluid, wherein the SAP is intended to absorb the fluid and contain it with in the core; however, issues arise from the natural limit to the absorbency of these materials and the slower rate of absorption relative to the rate of expulsion resulting in lingering contact with the skin. As a result, extra moisture left over from urination touches the skin and fluid may be squeezed from the absorbent layer and back onto the wearer&#39;s skin. This prolonged contact leads to discomfort and a condition known as diaper rash—a condition that causes skin in contact with the moisture to become red and inflamed. This tender area is then susceptible to blistering and infection. 
     Thus, a need exists for an absorbent undergarments that more efficiently protects the skin of the wearer from prolonged exposure to moisture from urination in a diaper or other type of underwear. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing, an object of this specification is to disclose a wearable absorbent undergarment with a modified inner layer that isolates the male genitalia to prevent skin exposure to expelled urine. 
     Another objective of the invention is to provide an improved wearable absorbent undergarment that does not significantly alter the familiar preexisting structures in use and does not require the addition of significantly more materials. 
     Another objective of the invention is to provide an absorbent undergarment comprising an additional layer overlaying the traditional three layers of the common disposable diaper. The placement of this additional layer creates a hollow cavity which encompasses the body of the penis, the isolation of which prevents bodily contact with expelled fluids. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Other objectives of the disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art once the invention has been shown and described. The manner in which these objectives and other desirable characteristics can be obtained is explained in the following description and attached figures in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an orthogonal view of the wearable absorbent undergarment in an open configuration from above; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the wearable absorbent undergarment in an open configuration; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-section view of the wearable absorbent undergarment; and, 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-section view of an alternative embodiment of the wearable absorbent undergarment. 
     
    
    
     In the figures, the following items correspond to the associated reference numerals:
     Diaper— 1000 ;   Inner top layer— 2000 ;   Inner Absorbent Core— 2010 ;   Inner bottom layer— 2020 ;   Absorbent Core— 3000 ;   Outer Layer— 4000 ;   Orifice— 5000 ;   Internal Cavity— 6000 ;   Secondary layer— 7000 ; and   Closures— 8000 .   

     It is to be noted, however, that the appended figures illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments that will be appreciated by those reasonably skilled in the relevant arts. Also, figures are not necessarily made to scale but are representative. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Disclosed is a wearable absorbent undergarment (i.e., a diaper) with an internal cavity to effectively contain and separate expelled bodily fluids from the body&#39;s skin. Further disclosed is a method of isolating male genitalia from the body by insertion of genitalia into the internal cavity through an orifice. The more specific details of the disclosed absorbent undergarment are described in connection with the figures. 
       FIG. 1  is an orthogonal view of the wearable absorbent undergarment in an open configuration from above.  FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the wearable absorbent undergarment in an open configuration. Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the inner top layer  2000  of the diaper  1000  comprises the nearest layer of the diaper that is in contact with the skin of the wearer. The inner top layer  2000  exhibits an orifice  5000  that transverses the inner top layer  2000 , the inner absorbent core  2010  (see  FIG. 3 ), and the inner bottom layer  2020  (see  FIG. 3 ) and provides an entrance to the internal cavity  6000 . As shown in the figures, the orifice  5000  is generally in a circular shape to conform to and encompass the shape of the penis in a form-fitting and ergonomic manner. In one embodiment, the orifice  5000  may be elastic around the perimeter opening. In another embodiment, the orifice  5000  may feature wing-shaped tabs to facilitate stretching and placement of the orifice  5000  around the wearer&#39;s penis. In an alternative embodiment, the orifice  5000  may be configured to encompass a multitude of shapes and may feature elements known to one of skill in the art to facilitate the placement of the orifice  5000  around the wearer&#39;s penis. In a typical embodiment, the inner layer  2000  is comprised of a stretchable, hydrophilic material that draws moisture away from the skin. In a preferred embodiment, the stretchable material of the inner top layer  2000  is in contact with the inner absorbent core  2010 , which is in contact with the inner bottom layer  2020 . The inner layers  2000 ,  2010 , and  2020  are loosely affixed to the secondary layer  7000  (see  FIG. 3 ) allowing for the inner top layer  2000  and, subsequently, the orifice  5000  to be pulled laterally to properly align with the varying natural anatomies of the wearers. Still referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the undergarment features closures  8000  that allow the user to secure the undergarment to his waist. The closures  8000  may feature adhesives or a hood and loop fastening system. In use, a user would put the undergarment on and wrap the closures  8000  around his waist until it attaches with the corresponding fastening component on the other side of the undergarment. 
       FIG. 3  is a cross section of the diaper  1000  showing the inner top layer  2000 , inner absorbency core  2010 , inner bottom layer  2020 , secondary layer  7000 , absorbent core  3000 , outer layer  4000 , and internal cavity  6000 . The inner top layer  2000  lays on top of the inner absorbency core  2010 , which is sandwiched between the inner top layer  2000  and the inner bottom layer  2020 . The inner layers  2000 ,  2010 , and  2020  are configured to be above the secondary layer  7000 , and, when worn, the inner top layer  2000  is in contact with the skin of the wearer. In one embodiment, the inner top layer  2000  is waterproof with some absorbency. The layered positions of the inner layers  2000 ,  2010 ,  2020  and the secondary layer  7000  create the internal cavity  6000 . The orifice  5000  transverses the inner top layer  2000 , inner absorbency core  2010 , and inner bottom layer  2020  and provides an opening through which the male penis can be inserted into the internal cavity  6000 , which occludes the penis from the body. The absorbent core  3000  is enclosed between the secondary layer  7000  and the outer layer  4000 . The internal cavity  6000  is a pocket created by the stacking configuration of the inner layer  2000  and outer layer  4000 . The inner layer  2000 , secondary layer  7000  and outer layer  4000  are all attached at the outer sides of the undergarment akin to a traditional diaper. In a preferred embodiment, the inner absorbent core  2010  and the absorbent core  3000  may be comprised of superabsorbent polymers (SAPs), such has hydrogel, sodium polyacrylate, or polyacrylate absorbents. In a preferred embodiment, the undergarment is not bulky and may be the size of a standard diaper. In a preferred embodiment, the thickness of the inner absorbent core  2010  and the absorbent core  3000  is about half that of a traditional absorbent core in a traditional diaper, wherein the thickness of the inner absorbent core  2010  and the absorbent core  3000  is about the same thickness as the absorbent core in a traditional diaper. 
     In use, a wearer would unfold the undergarment and place it between the legs with the inner top layer  2000  closest to the body. The inner top layer  2000  and orifice  5000  would then be adjusted to align with the natural anatomy of the wearer and receive the penis and securing it within the internal cavity  6000 , wherein the penis is housed within the internal cavity  6000  of the undergarment with an inner bottom layer  2020  in contact with the penis, wherein the inner layers  2000 ,  2010 , and  2020  are between the penis and the rest of the body. The distal ends of the outer layer  4000  would then be joined at the wearer&#39;s waist via the closures  8000 , encompassing the hips of the wearer and securing the diaper  1000  to the body. 
       FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the wearable absorbent undergarment. In this alternative embodiment, the undergarment may be simplified, wherein the inner absorbent core  2010  (see  FIG. 3 ) and inner bottom layer  2020  (see  FIG. 3 ) may be omitted, wherein the undergarment features a water proof inner top layer  2000  with the orifice  5000 . 
     The benefit of having the inner layers  2000 ,  2010 ,  2020 , orifice  5000 , and internal cavity  6000 , is that it allows the user to occlude the penis from the rest of the body to prevent urine from touching the user&#39;s body. 
     Although the method and apparatus is described above in terms of various exemplary embodiments and implementations, it should be understood that the various features, aspects and functionality described in one or more of the individual embodiments are not limited in their applicability to the particular embodiment with which they are described, but instead might be applied, alone or in various combinations, to one or more of the other embodiments of the disclosed method and apparatus, whether or not such embodiments are described and whether or not such features are presented as being a part of a described embodiment. Thus the breadth and scope of the claimed invention should not be limited by any of the above-described embodiments. 
     Terms and phrases used in this document, and variations thereof, unless otherwise expressly stated, should be construed as open-ended as opposed to limiting. As examples of the foregoing: the term “including” should be read as meaning “including, without limitation” or the like, the term “example” is used to provide exemplary instances of the item in discussion, not an exhaustive or limiting list thereof, the terms “a” or “an” should be read as meaning “at least one,” “one or more,” or the like, and adjectives such as “conventional,” “traditional,” “normal,” “standard,” “known” and terms of similar meaning should not be construed as limiting the item described to a given time period or to an item available as of a given time, but instead should be read to encompass conventional, traditional, normal, or standard technologies that might be available or known now or at any time in the future. Likewise, where this document refers to technologies that would be apparent or known to one of ordinary skill in the art, such technologies encompass those apparent or known to the skilled artisan now or at any time in the future. 
     The presence of broadening words and phrases such as “one or more,” “at least,” “but not limited to” or other like phrases in some instances shall not be read to mean that the narrower case is intended or required in instances where such broadening phrases might be absent. The use of the term “assembly” does not imply that the components or functionality described or claimed as part of the module are all configured in a common package. Indeed, any or all of the various components of a module, whether control logic or other components, might be combined in a single package or separately maintained and might further be distributed across multiple locations. 
     Additionally, the various embodiments set forth herein are described in terms of exemplary block diagrams, flow charts and other illustrations. As will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art after reading this document, the illustrated embodiments and their various alternatives might be implemented without confinement to the illustrated examples. For example, block diagrams and their accompanying description should not be construed as mandating a particular architecture or configuration. 
     All original claims submitted with this specification are incorporated by reference in their entirety as if fully set forth herein.