Patent Publication Number: US-2006005301-A1

Title: Breathable underwear

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
      Not Applicable  
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
      Not Applicable  
     REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX  
      Not Applicable  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention relates to articles of apparel, and in particular to men&#39;s underwear.  
      Certain areas of the body where skin-to-skin contact is fairly constant are very susceptible to aggravation from heat and moisture due to perspiration. Moisture retention and lack of air flow in the groin area of men may produce itching, rashes, offensive body odor, and provides an excellent breeding ground for fungus. This moisture may cause or aggravate a condition commonly known as jock itch. Overheating of the testes can also cause a decrease in the rate and quality of sperm production.  
      Much of the prior art has been directed toward athletes and athletic wear, but the itching and other discomforts associated with overheating in the groin area affect many people, not only athletes. Wearing layers of clothing, i.e., trousers or shorts and underwear on a warm day or during periods of moderate activity in hot, humid conditions can be quite uncomfortable. Just being seated for hours at a time can all but eliminate air flow, causing overheating of the pubic synthesis, crotch, groin and testes. Some men find the discomfort so great as to abandon the wearing of underwear altogether to find relief.  
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      The object of the present invention is to provide underwear which provides increased air circulation to the crotch, reducing the temperature of the groin, testicular and pubic areas, thereby providing a higher lever of comfort for the wearer in addition to a dryer, healthier groin environment. Unlike much of the prior art which teaches an inner and an outer crotch panel, the present invention teaches a single crotch panel of open weave fabric, similar to that of men&#39;s swimsuit netting, for optimal air flow. This open weave netting will facilitate greater heat dissipation, lower the temperature to which the testes are subjected and provide optimal thermoregulation As used herein, the term “underwear” is intended to encompass shorts, drawers, jockey shorts, briefs, long underwear, boxer shorts, skivvies and variations thereof. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING  
       FIG. 1  shows the anterior view of the preferred breathable underwear in a button-fly, long-legged jockey style.  
       FIG. 2  shows an anterior view of a section of the crotch panel in  FIG. 1  in which three edges of the panel are visible.  
       FIG. 3  shows a close up example of a fabric that may be used for the crotch panel.  
       FIG. 4  shows a posterior view of a section of the crotch panel in  FIG. 1  in which three edges of the panel are visible.  
       FIG. 5  shows the anterior view of the invention in a horizontal-fly, short-legged jockey style.  
       FIG. 6  shows the posterior view of the invention in a brief style on a male wearer. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       FIG. 1  shows the anterior side  3  of a pair of preferred breathable underwear  2  in a long-legged jockey style with a button-fly  5 . The open weave netting of the crotch panel  1  is stitched securely on all sides  11 ,  12 , and  13  to the main body of the garment  9 . The elastic waistband  6  encircles the abdomen.  
       FIG. 2  shows the anterior view  3  of a section of the crotch panel  1 . The crotch panel  1  is stitched securely to the main body of the garment  9  on the three visible sides  11 ,  12 , and  13  and on the remaining side  14  shown in  FIG. 4 .  FIG. 4  shows male wearer  8  in the prone position with a section of the crotch panel  1  visible. FIGS.  2  AND  4  illustrate the manner in which the open weave fabric and the placement of the crotch panel  1  allow air to circulate to the pubic area, groin, testes and in part to the gluteal cleft  10 , thereby facilitating greater heat dissipation.  
       FIG. 5  shows the anterior side  3  of the invention in a short-legged jockey style with a horizontal flap opening  7 . The open weave netting of the crotch panel  1  extends high over the pubic area right up to the flap opening  7  and becomes part of the fly structure. The crotch panel  1  is stitched securely to the main body  9  of the garment on all sides except where the flap opening  7  occurs. On this edge  15 , the crotch panel  1  is seamed to prevent raveling. If the flap opening  7  is on the side and is vertical instead of horizontal, the crotch panel  1  would be stitched to the main body in the same way, except that the seamed flap opening edge would be on either side and would be vertical instead of horizontal.  
      FIG. 6  shows the posterior side  4  of the preferred breathable underwear  2  shown on a male wearer  8 . The underwear  2  are in a brief style with the open weave netting of the crotch panel  1  extending in part over the gluteal cleavage  10  to insure maximum air flow from front to back. The crotch panel side  14  is stitched securely to the main body  9  regardless of the style of the fly.  
      FIG. 3  shows an enlarged view of the fabric that may be used in the crotch panel  1 . A soft, open-weave fabric, such as that used for men&#39;s swimming trunk netting, is ideal. The holes should have a diameter of at least 1/16 inch and there should be approximately 70 holes in a square inch.  
      Much of the prior art has been directed toward athletes and has incorporated an inner and an outer layer for the sake of modesty and aesthetics, but the present invention chooses comfort over these two attributes because underwear is meant in fact, to be worn underneath other garments. Additionally, the size of the holes in the crotch panel&#39;s fabric is small enough to protect the wearer&#39;s modesty. The color chosen for the crotch panel  1  can further support the wearer&#39;s modesty and aesthetic sensibilities.  
      The present invention allows air circulation to the groin and crotch facilitating heat dissipation, thereby lowering the temperature to which the testes are subjected, reducing amounts of perspiration and wetness, providing a dryer, healthier crotch environment and increasing the comfort of the wearer.  
      It is to be understood that the foregoing detailed description and the accompanying drawings relate to preferred embodiments of the present invention. Various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus by way of example and not of limitation, the present invention is applicable to all types and styles of men&#39;s underwear, simply by replacing the current crotch fabric with an open weave netting fabric containing holes for increased air circulation.