Patent Publication Number: US-2003229933-A1

Title: Fem

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001] Not applicable  
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
       [0002] Not Applicable  
       [0003] The invention is a garment designed for women who suffer from urinary incontinence. Unlike anything on the market, this garment, rather than act as a receptacle, prevents leakage of urine. The stretch garment is comprised of two [triangles] with a thong extension. The thong here is an elongated strip of fabric situated at the crotch and is an extension of each triangle. When these two pieces are sewn together and a waistband attached, the garment resembles a diminished bikini. When worn, the combination of the triangles, lycra and the thong creates pressure on the urethra and subsequently prohibits the leakage of urine.  
       [0004] To create this garment, prepare a pattern using the dimensions given in the drawing. Place the pattern on the appropriate stretch fabric and cut out one back and one front. With wrong sides together sew the thong first (D). This seam will be on the outside. The other two will be on the inside. A zigzag stitch or small serge works perfect for these applications. Sew the side seams next. Then using a zigzag stitch, attach the leg banding, without stretching either the garment or the banding. Finally, attach the non-roll elastic waistband which will have to be stretched a little to compensate for the difference in length.  
       [0005] Primarily, fem is designed for the active woman I today&#39;s society. Use of fem is unlimited. Perfect for walking, jogging, running, or doing a thousand things that must be done in a day. Lightweight, travels easy, it can be worn for hours, anywhere, anytime, with complete and total confidence.  
       REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX  
       [0006] Not applicable  
       BACKCROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007] Urinary incontinence is a major health issue for millions of women all over the world. Conventional designs to facilitate the problem of bladder control garments have been adequate, however, they do not provide for the freedom necessary for today&#39;s active woman.  
       [0008] There are many different moisture absorbing incontinent products on the market today. They vary in structure and design. Primarily, they all have a single purpose, and that is to act as a receptacle. There are both the disposable, and the washable reusable. (The shells only are washable0.  
       [0009] Disposable products include liners, pads, and shields. Belted undergarments, briefs, washable reusable, vary in construction. Some have waterproof shells, centre panels, snaps, and Velcro closures and have different ways of attaching disposable liners or pads. Essentially, most all have the criteria of a diaper as the basic and standard product.  
       [0010] Inconveniences of the above are described as follow:  
                                      Non-active sport or exercise partaker   Subject to odour       Predictable embarrassment situations   Cost is very high       Restricted to loose type clothing   Subject to leakage       Drastic environmental consequences   Unseasonably bulky       A constant personal awareness   Predictable pit stops       Need for frequent changes   Subject to skin irritation       Lacks all around wash and wear qualities                  
 
       [0011] All of these inconveniences are completely eliminated by the adoption of fem.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0012] Fem is an extremely simple and unique garment, used for bladder control. The lycra gives the garment a resilience, which in turn allows the thong portion of the garment to effect pressure on the urethra and subsequently arrests the leakage of urine. Because the leakage is arrested, there is no need for additional paraphernalia. And because there are no belts pads, liners, or briefs, all the inconveniences aforementioned are eliminated.  
       [0013] Advantages fem has over the current products on the market today include:  
                                      Simplicity   Superior Performance       Reusability   No Leakage       Easy to Launder   Practically Invisible       Lightweight   Elated sense of freedom       Long Wearing   Restores Dignity       Freedom to Laugh, Cough, or Sneeze       Completely precludes ‘incidents’ while       walking, jogging, or exercising.                  
 
       [0014] The object of this invention is to not only make life a whole lot easier for women with this affliction but to restore a dignity that is list with the encumbrance of bulky undergarments.  
       [0015] Aside from the advantages, in the case of securing menstrual pads or medical applications this garment is singularly effective.  
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF VIEW OF DRAWING  
     [0016] Included is just one simple drawing and it is reasonable simple.  
     [0017] A denotes the front of the garment (FIG  1 )  
     [0018] A* denotes the back of the garment (FIG  2 )  
     [0019] B is the side and will be the side seam  
     [0020] C is the other side and will also be a seam  
     [0021] D is the thong portion of the garment and there is a seam have  
     [0022] E is the leg opening, which will be covered with fold over elastic  
     [0023] R is the radius of the leg opening.  
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
     [0024] Fem is a garment designed to alleviate the problems that worry women who suffer form incontinence.  
     [0025] The garment is simply structured, light in weight and composed of a four way stretch fabric. It can be worn anytime without sacrificing dignity or decorum.  
     [0026] The distinguishing feature of the invention is the ‘wrap-around’ thong, which, depending on size average four to six inches long.  
     [0027] Basically, the garment is comprised of two triangles with a thong extension. The thong is an elongated strip of fabric one half inch wide made with lycra as the rest of the garment. The lycra gives the garment a resilience, which in turn allows the thong portion of the garment to effect pressure on the urethra, which then arrests any leakage of urine.  
     [0028] To create this garment, prepare a pattern using the dimensions given in the drawing. Place the pattern on the appropriate stretch fabric and cut out one back and one front. With wrong sides together sew the thong first (D). This seam will be on the outside. The other two will be on the inside. Sew the side seams next. Then using a zigzag stitch, attach the leg banding without stretching either the garment of banding. Finally, attach the elastic non-roll waistband which will have to be stretched a little to compensate for the two inch difference in length.  
     [0029] Incidentally, the correct way of donning this garment is with the larger piece in front. With the smaller piece in back, it will maintain a continual stretch. It should be noted that on the onset fem may feel a little alien, but the relief experienced from the certainty that the garment is effective is so overwhelming that the minor initial discomfort is forgotten.  
     [0030] Use to this garment will become as natural as donning daily personal undergarments. The improvement from the old way is singularly a totally new and different concept of protection. The old way acted as a receptacle, the new invention does not.