Abstract:
A Disposable Underarm Perspiration Pad that comprises a light-weight moisture wicking and absorptive material that is worn as a perspiration shield between a person&#39;s underarm (armpit) and the next level of outer garment. The Disposable Underarm Perspiration Pad is fashioned to allow attachment to the upper bicep area of the arm and concealment under the outer garment while at the same time providing wearing comfortability to the user. The wearer of the Disposable Underarm Perspiration Pad will have the pleasure of knowing that their upper body outer garment, next to the body, will be shielded from underarm perspiration staining.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/395,484 filed May 14, 2010 entitled, “Disposable Underarm Perspiration Pad” 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
       [0002]    The body does many things in an attempt to maintain a very comfortable core body temperature. When the body is cold, the blood vessels at the skin level constrict in an attempt to reduce the body heat loss and when the body temperature exceeds the comfortable core body temperature, the body&#39;s built in sensors triggers it to start sweating (perspiring) in an attempt to cool its temperature down. Although many areas of the body sweat, the underarm area is one of the areas that is known to sweat the most when the body gets hot. Male as well as females sweat under their armpits, some people more than others. Although sweating helps to cools the body off, it also has a negative side effect that could cause staining of any fabric that comes in direct contact with it over time. This dis-coloration condition can be compounded and made worst when an anti-perspirant is used in the underarm area as a control mechanism for perspiration. This invention “Disposable Underarm Perspiration Pad” provides a barrier medium that protects the next outer garment layer of clothing from direct contact with the perspiration while at the same time allowing the wearer total freedom of movement using the arms. 
         [0003]    The Disposable Underarm Perspiration Pad is intended to be worn by a person, male or female, who would like to have a means of protecting the underarm areas of their clothing from perspiration stains. It is preferred that the Disposable Underarm Perspiration Pad be constructed of a lightweight material and fashioned into a pad type form that can be worn under each armpit. The pad can be fashioned in such a way to allow it to be secured to the body by either an elastic band or a Velcro® band. When the Disposable Underarm Perspiration Pad is secured as intended in the under armpit area, it absorbs the perspiration and keeps the garment immediately next to the Disposable Underarm Perspiration Pad, free of perspiration stains. 
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
       [0004]    The Disposable Underarm Perspiration Pad comprises lightweight moisture wicking and absorptive materials that could be worn as a perspiration shield between a person&#39;s underarm (armpits) and the next level of outer garment. The Disposable Underarm Perspiration Pad is fashioned so that it could be concealed under the next layer of garment while at the same time providing wearing comfortability to the user by not being big and bulky. The Disposable Underarm Perspiration Pad can be secured in the underarm area using an elastic band or a Velcro® band that is attached to the Disposable Underarm Perspiration Pad and fashioned to allow attachment to the upper bicep area of the arm. This novel invention, the Disposable Underarm Perspiration Pad, can give the wearer of sleeved outer garments a sense of confidence to know that their outer garment, in the underarm area, will be protected from underarm fabric staining due to perspiration. This invention is ideal for a person desiring garment protection in the underarm area of clothing such as a shirt, blouse, T-shirt, coat, and the likes when undershirt type of garments are not worn to provide that layer of protection. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0005]      FIG. 1  shows a preferred embodiment of the Disposable Underarm Perspiration Pad with an elastic attaching band, 2-thin pieces of flexible plastic inside the fabric, different moisture absorbing regions: upper-center, lower-middle, and lower-outer. Also shown are the recommended sewing patterns. 
           [0006]      FIG. 2  shows a preferred embodiment of the Disposable Underarm Perspiration Pad with an attaching band made from a thin piece of Velcro® (soft side), the Velcro® connecting tabs (the mini-J hook side), 2-thin pieces of flexible plastic inside the fabric, different moisture absorbing regions: upper-center, lower-middle, and lower-outer. Also shown are the recommended sewing patterns. 
           [0007]      FIG. 3  shows a front view of an embodiment where the person is wearing a shirt as an outer garment and the Disposable Underarm Perspiration Pads are worn in their intended positions beneath the shirt. 
           [0008]      FIG. 4  shows a back view of  FIG. 3  embodiment where the person is wearing a shirt as an outer garment and the Disposable Underarm Perspiration Pads being worn in their intended positions beneath the shirt. 
           [0009]      FIG. 5  shows an embodiment of the Disposable Underarm Perspiration Pad (with an elastic band as the attaching element) in an expanded view of components. 
           [0010]      FIG. 6  shows an embodiment of the Disposable Underarm Perspiration Pad (with a Velcro® band as the attaching element) in an expanded view of components. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0011]    It is the intended vision of this invention, the Disposable Underarm Perspiration Pad, to be worn by either males or females and to be concealed under any sleeved upper body clothing garments that do not have fishnet, mesh, web, transparent or the like types of fabrics in the shoulder and underarm areas. It is preferred that the Disposable Underarm Perspiration Pad be constructed using moisture wicking and lightweight absorptive materials and be as non-bulky as possible to maximize the comfortability during wearing. The absorptive material can be such that it has the ability to absorb moderate levels of underarm perspiration. The wearer of the Disposable Underarm Perspiration Pad will have the freedom of knowing that their immediate layer of outer garment worn against the Disposable Underarm Perspiration will be protected from fabric staining in the underarm area due to perspiration. 
         [0012]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , the Disposable Underarm Perspiration Pad  100  is shown. As shown, the Disposable Underarm Perspiration Pad  100  is fashioned in such a manner that allows it to be effectively worn comfortably in the underarm pit area, next to the skin, under an outer garment. This embodiment shows a thin elastic band  102  that is looped across the top of the pad edges and extends from the pad top left edge to the pad top right edge that will be used to anchor the said pad to the upper portion of the bicep. The wearer of said pad would simply slide their arm through the elastic band  102  loop until the elastic band  102  is positioned slightly above the bicep which simultaneously positions the Disposable Underarm Perspiration Pad  100  in the preferred position within the arm-pit area of the underarm. Once this same procedure is repeated for the remaining arm, the wearer of the said pads is ready to put on the outer garment and gain all the benefits of wearing the Disposable Underarm Perspiration Pad(s)  100 . 
         [0013]    Also shown in  FIG. 1  are the different absorbing regions upper-center  104 , lower-middle  106 , and lower-outer  108 . The upper-center region  104  can be configured to have more internal padding than the lower-middle region  106  and lower-outer region  108  because the upper-center region  104  will be the area positioned directly in the armpit area. It is preferred that the bottom of the Disposable Underarm Perspiration Pad  100  has no anchoring point so it can hang freely beneath the immediate next layer of outer garment. The free hanging of the Disposable Underarm Perspiration Pad  100  not only aids in comfortability and wear-ability, it also allows for ventilation between the body and Disposable Underarm Perspiration Pad  100 . 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  shows the preferred stitching pattern for the different regions upper-center  104 , lower-middle  106 , and lower-outer  108  that can be used to channel the moisture absorption of the Disposable Underarm Perspiration Pad  100 . The upper-center  104  region is stitched in a semi-rectangular configuration with two slanted stitched lines, one left to right and the other right to left crossing to form an off-horizontal axis X. It is preferred that the absorbing material in this region be thicker than the material used in the lower-middle  106  and lower-outer  108  regions. The stitching pattern can be vertical for the lower-middle  106  and lower-outer  108  regions to assist in said pad&#39;s ability to not fold easily while being worn. To also aid in giving said pad a degree of stiffness in the lower region, two very thin flexible plastic sleeves  110  can be sewn within the pad material. It is preferred that these flexible plastic sleeves be positioned vertically and sewn inside of the lower-middle  106  region on both sides of the vertical center. 
         [0015]      FIG. 2  shows an embodiment of the Disposable Underarm Perspiration Pad  120  configured with a thin Velcro® band  112  that is looped across the top of said pad edges, starting at the Velcro® connector (J-hook)  114  attached to the pad top left edge and extending to the pad top right edge connecting to the right Velcro® connector (J-hook)  114 . The Velcro® band will be used to anchor said pad to the wearer&#39;s upper bicep portion. As shown, the Disposable Underarm Perspiration Pad  120  is fashioned in such a manner that allows it to be easily concealed under an outer garment next to the skin in the underarm area and worn comfortably. The wearer of this embodiment of the Disposable Underarm Perspiration Pad  120  would simply attach one sides of the Velcro® band  112  to the J-hook Velcro® connector  114  and loop the Velcro® band  112  over the upper bicep area where the other end of the Velcro® band  112  will be connected to that sides J-hook Velcro® connector  114  as tight as needed. Anchoring the Velcro® band  112  above the bicep positions the Disposable Underarm Perspiration Pad  120  in the preferred position within the armpit area of the underarm. 
         [0016]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , it shows the different absorbing regions for absorbing moisture namely, upper-center  104 , lower-middle  106 , and lower-outer  108 . The upper-center region  104  can contain more internal padding than the lower-middle  106  and lower-outer  108  regions because the upper-center region  104  will be the area positioned directly in the armpit area. It is preferred that the bottom of the Disposable Underarm Perspiration Pad  120  be allowed to hang freely beneath the next layer of outer garment and not having no anchoring point. The free hanging of the Disposable Underarm Perspiration Pad  120  not only aids in comfortability and wearability; but, also allows for adequate ventilation between the body and the Disposable Underarm Perspiration Pad  120 . 
         [0017]      FIG. 2  shows the preferred stitching pattern for the different regions upper-center  104 , lower-middle  106 , and lower-outer  108  that can be used to channel the moisture absorption of the Disposable. Underarm Perspiration Pad  100 . The upper-center  104  region is stitched in a semi-rectangular configuration with two slanted stitched lines, one left to right and the other right to left crossing to form an off-horizontal axis X. It is preferred that the absorbing material in this region be thicker than the material used in the lower-middle  106  and lower-outer  108  regions. The stitching pattern can be vertical for the lower-middle  106  and lower-outer  108  regions to assist in said pad&#39;s ability to not fold easily while being worn. To also aid in giving said pad a degree of stiffness in the lower region, two very thin flexible plastic sleeves  110  can be sewn within the pad material. It is preferred that these flexible plastic sleeves be positioned vertically and sewn inside of the lower-middle  106  region on both sides of the vertical center. 
         [0018]      FIG. 3  shows a front view of an embodiment of the Disposable Underarm Perspiration Pad&#39;s (either  100  or  120 ) being worn by a person wearing an outer garment. As can be seen in this view, the Disposable Underarm Perspiration Pads  100  or  120  are being worn in their preferred and intended position beneath the garment. Also can be seen are anchoring mediums which could be either an elastic band  102  or Velcro® band  112  that anchors said pad to the upper bicep area. As shown in the  FIG. 3  the Disposable Underarm Perspiration Pad&#39;s  100  or  120 , depending on the embodiment, are hanging freely. For the embodiment using the Velcro® band  112  and connecting tabs as the attaching element, the Velcro® band  112  should be worn on the wearer&#39;s upper bicep area in a fashion that allows the “soft fiber side” of the Velcro® band  112  to be worn facing the skin. The Velcro® band  112  embodiment can accommodate many unique sizes. In general, when a wearer of the Disposable Underarm Perspiration Pad  100  or  120  wears an outer garment (shirt, coat, blouse, dress, T-shirt, etc.), the said pads gets positioned closer to the body and rests in the desired and intended position between the armpit and the wearer&#39;s garment. When the underarm (armpit) area sweats, the said pads absorb the moisture. Because said pads are hanging freely and not anchored at the bottom, the area around said pads receives adequate ventilation to the point that any moisten pad with sweat will eventually dry. The looser the outer garment, the looser the Disposable Underarm Perspiration Pads  102  or  112  fits snuggly against the armpit area of the body which allows more ventilation in the underarm pit areas. 
         [0019]      FIG. 4  shows a back view of FIG.  3 &#39;s embodiment where the person is wearing an outer garment and as mentioned in Section [0012], the Disposable Underarm Perspiration Pads are being worn in their intended position beneath the garment. 
         [0020]      FIG. 5  shows an expanded view of components of the Disposable Underarm Perspiration Pad  100  (shown in  FIG. 1 ). The Disposable Underarm Perspiration Pad  100  contains multiple layers of material namely moisture wicking outer layer  100   a,  moisture absorptive material sheet(s)  100   b - 100   d,  moisture wicking outer back layer  100   e,  2—very thin flexible plastic sleeves, and an elastic attaching band  102 . These materials get sandwiched and sewn together to produce the embodiment of the Disposable Underarm Perspiration Pad  100  as shown in  FIG. 1 . For wear-ability and comfortability, it is preferred that the Disposable Underarm Perspiration Pad  100  be constructed of light-weight moisture wicking and non-bulky absorptive materials. 
         [0021]    Referencing  FIG. 5   100   a , this shows the top layer of the Disposable Underarm Perspiration Pad  100 . It is preferred that this layer  100   a  be made of a light-weight non-bulky moisture wicking type of material capable of being worn without sloughing or shedding due to the continuous rubbing contact against the outer garment and the skin. The preferred stitching patterns for the different regions upper-center  104 , lower-middle  106  and lower-outer  108  as mentioned in Section [0008] are defined on this top layer  100   a.  These stitching patterns are intended to define the internal channels for moisture absorption in the different regions of said pad at all the layer. The thin elastic band  102  gets attached as shown in  FIG. 5 . The length of this band will vary depending on the size of said pad (small, medium, large, or extra large). In either case, the wearer of the said pad should choose a size that suits their need and ensure that the elastic band  102  does not fit too tight around the upper bicep area of the arms. Referencing  FIG. 5   100   b , this layer or layers can contain one or more absorptive material sheet(s) depending on the absorbency capability of the sheet(s). It is preferred that not more than three sheets of absorptive material be used at this layer. Too many sheets will add to the bulkiness of said disposable pad and also affect the wearing comfortability. Referencing  FIG. 5   100   c , this layer can be fashioned as shown and preferably should contain more absorbing material than the lower-middle  106  and lower-outer  108  regions, as defined in Section [0006] and [0007], because the said pad area will be positioned directly in the armpit area. To achieve the desired thickness at this layer, no less than two sheets and not more than four sheets of light-weight absorptive material can be used. Referencing  FIG. 5   100   d , this layer shows another layer that can also contain more absorptive material. For said layer, not less than one but preferably not more than three sheets should be used. Also shown in  FIG. 5   100   d  are two very thin flexible plastic sleeves  110  positioned toward the middle in the lower-middle  106  region. The regions get defined and the flexible plastic sleeves  110  get fixed into their position as all the layers are sewn together. These two very thin flexible plastic sleeves give the Disposable Underarm Perspiration Pad  100  a degree of stiffness in the lower pad region and along with the vertical stitching patterns, reduces the tendency for the said pad to fold-up or roll-up in the underarm pit area while being worn. Reference Sections [0007] and [0008] for specific information on the lower-middle  106  section. Referencing  FIG. 5 ,  100   e , this layer shows the back of the Disposable Underarm Perspiration Pad  100  and it is preferred that it be constructed of the same light-weight moisture wicking material used on  FIG. 5   100   a  front layer. 
         [0022]      FIG. 6  shows an expanded view of components of the Disposable Underarm Perspiration Pad  120  embodiment (with a Velcro® band  112  as the attaching element).  FIG. 6  shows that the Disposable Underarm Perspiration Pad  120  contains multiple layers of material namely moisture wicking outer layer  120   a,  moisture absorptive material sheet(s)  120   b - 120   d,  moisture wicking outer back layer  120   e,  and two very thin flexible plastic sleeves  110 . These materials get sandwiched and sewn together to produce the embodiment of the Disposable Underarm Perspiration Pad  120  as shown in  FIG. 2 . For wear-ability and comfortability, it is preferred that the Disposable Underarm Perspiration Pad  120  be constructed of light-weight moisture wicking and non-bulky absorptive materials. 
         [0023]    Referencing  FIG. 6   120   a , this shows the top layer of the Disposable Underarm Perspiration Pad  120 . It is preferred that this layer  120   a  be made of a light-weight non-bulky moisture wicking type of material capable of being worn without sloughing or shedding due to the continuous rubbing contact against the outer garment and the skin. The preferred stitching patterns for the different regions upper-center  104 , lower-middle  106  and lower-outer  108  as mentioned in Sections [0011] are defined on this top layer  120   a.  These stitching patterns are intended to define the internal channels for moisture absorption in the different regions of said pad at all the layer. A Velcro® (J-hook) connector  114  gets attached on both sides of said pad as shown in  FIG. 6 . The Velcro® band eventually gets attached to these Velcro® (J-hook) connector(s)  114 . The length of said band will vary depending on wearer&#39;s discretion. Referencing  FIG. 5   120   b , this layer(s) can contain one or more absorptive material sheet(s) depending on the absorbency capability of the sheet(s). It is preferred that not more than three sheets of absorptive material be used at this layer. Too many sheets will add to the bulkiness of said disposable pad and also affect the wearing comfortability. Referencing  FIG. 6   120   c , this layer can be fashioned as shown and preferably should contain more absorbing material than the lower-middle  106  and lower-outer  108  regions because this portion of said pad area will be positioned directly in the armpit area. Reference Section [0010] and [0011] for specific information on the lower-middle  106  and lower-outer  108  sections. To achieve the desired thickness at this layer, no less than two sheets and not more than four sheets of light-weight absorptive material can be used. Referencing  FIG. 6   120   d , this layer shows another layer that can also contain more absorptive material. For this said layer, not less than one but preferably not more than three sheets should be used. Also shown in  FIG. 6   120   d  are two very thin flexible plastic sleeves  110  positioned toward the middle in the lower-middle  106  region. The regions get defined and the flexible plastic sleeves  110  get fixed into their position when all the layers are sewn together. These two very thin flexible plastic sleeves give the Disposable Underarm Perspiration Pad  120  a degree of stiffness in the lower pad region and along with the vertical stitching patterns reduces the tendency for the said pad to fold-up or roll-up in the underarm pit area while being worn. Reference Sections [0010] and [0011] for specific information on the lower-middle  106  section. Referencing  FIG. 6 ,  120   e , this layer shows the back of the Disposable Underarm Perspiration Pad  120  and is preferred to be constructed of the same light-weight moisture wicking material used on  FIG. 6   120   a  front layer.