Patent Description:
Garments such as swimwear are designed to be used in an aquatic environment such as a swimming pool. However, people who suffer from irregular periods or urinary incontinence may be hesitant about swimming as bodily fluids like menstrual fluid and urine can unexpectedly leak into the swimming pool. This can make them embarrassed and create unhygienic situations in the swimming pool.

<CIT> relates to an absorbent pad for use in a garment. The absorbent pad includes: a liquid impermeable barrier layer; a functional layer attached to the barrier layer, the functional layer comprising a liquid absorbent component; a liquid impermeable peripheral sealing element bonded to peripheries of the functional layer and barrier layer; and a peripheral attaching element having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion bonded to the peripheral sealing element. The second portion of the peripheral attaching element is detached from the peripheral sealing element and is arranged to be attached to a fabric body of the garment, thereby attaching the absorbent pad to the garment.

<CIT> provides an article of clothing <NUM> which in a preferred embodiment comprises pyjama bottoms <NUM> in the form of either sleep trousers or sleep shorts which have the appearance of normal/regular/standard sleep shorts or sleep trousers. However, the pyjama bottoms incorporate a concealed underwear component comprising absorbing material. Furthermore the pyjama bottoms have liquid barrier layers <NUM>, <NUM> to prevent liquid from penetrating through the pyjama bottoms. In addition, an inner liquid barrier layer <NUM> also helps to prevent the return of liquid back towards the skin of the wearer. The pyjama bottoms <NUM> also include a number of seals <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> which help to prevent liquid from flowing up through between a waistband 7a, 7b, 7c of the pyjama bottoms and the skin of the wearer. Similarly, the concealed underwear component <NUM> has elasticated leg cuffs <NUM> which also include seals <NUM> to prevent liquid from flowing down towards the legs of the wearer. The pyjama bottoms have an inner trouser lining <NUM> which is relatively skin tight at an upper portion but provides loose fitting legs. The inner lining <NUM> also includes auxiliary leg seals <NUM> located below the leg cuff seals <NUM> which helps to further prevent liquid from flowing down the legs of a wearer. Accordingly, the pyjama bottoms are discreet and are reusable since they are made from entirely washable materials which do not require any special washing procedures, i.e. they can be washed using conventional a washing machine.

Therefore, in order to address or alleviate at least the aforementioned problem or disadvantage, there is a need to provide a garment comprising a garment component.

The present invention provides a garment component according to claim <NUM>.

The present invention also provides a garment according to claim <NUM>.

A garment component for use in a garment and a garment comprising the garment component according to the present disclosure are thus disclosed herein. Various features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the embodiments of the present disclosure, by way of non-limiting examples only, along with the accompanying drawings.

For purposes of brevity and clarity, descriptions of embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a garment component for use in a garment and a garment comprising the garment component, in accordance with the drawings. While aspects of the present disclosure will be described in conjunction with the embodiments provided herein, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the present disclosure to these embodiments. On the contrary, the present disclosure is intended to cover alternatives, modifications and equivalents to the embodiments described herein, which are included within the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims. Furthermore, in the following detailed description, specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. However, it will be recognized by an individual having ordinary skill in the art, i.e. a skilled person, that the present disclosure may be practiced without specific details, and/or with multiple details arising from combinations of aspects of particular embodiments. In a number of instances, known systems, methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail so as to not unnecessarily obscure aspects of the embodiments of the present disclosure.

In embodiments of the present disclosure, depiction of a given element or consideration or use of a particular element number in a particular figure or a reference thereto in corresponding descriptive material can encompass the same, an equivalent, or an analogous element or element number identified in another figure or descriptive material associated therewith.

References to "an embodiment / example", "another embodiment / example", "some embodiments / examples", "some other embodiments / examples", and so on, indicate that the embodiment(s) / example(s) so described may include a particular feature, structure, characteristic, property, element, or limitation, but that not every embodiment / example necessarily includes that particular feature, structure, characteristic, property, element, or limitation. Furthermore, repeated use of the phrase "in an embodiment / example" or "in another embodiment / example" does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment / example.

The terms "comprising", "including", "having", and the like do not exclude the presence of other features / elements / steps than those listed in an embodiment. Recitation of certain features / elements / steps in mutually different embodiments does not indicate that a combination of these features / elements / steps cannot be used in an embodiment. The terms "a" and "an" are defined as one or more than one. The use of "/" in a figure or associated text is understood to mean "and/or" unless otherwise indicated. The recitation of a particular numerical value or value range herein is understood to include or be a recitation of an approximate numerical value or value range.

In representative or exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, there is a garment component <NUM> for use in a garment <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>. The garment <NUM> includes a fabric substrate <NUM> and the garment component <NUM> that is attached to or integrally formed with the fabric substrate <NUM>. The garment <NUM> may be a swimwear or sports undergarment that has at least one area that is worn over a part of the user's body where there may be excretion of bodily fluids. For example, the garment <NUM> is a swimwear or undergarment or nursing garment worn on the lower torso of a male or female user. <FIG> and <FIG> show the inner back panel of the garment <NUM>. The garment <NUM> includes a gusset area <NUM> that is worn over the groin part of the user's body where there may be excretion of bodily fluids such as like urine, menstrual fluid, and vaginal discharge. The garment component <NUM> is disposed at the gusset area <NUM> to absorb these bodily fluids. Alternatively, the garment <NUM> may be a swimwear such as a bikini top that is worn over the upper body of a female user. Yet alternatively, the garment <NUM> may be a diaper such as a swimming diaper that is worn by babies and toddlers.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the garment component <NUM> includes a liquid impermeable base layer <NUM>, a liquid impermeable peripheral layer <NUM> disposed along a periphery of the liquid impermeable base layer <NUM>, and a space <NUM> defined by the liquid impermeable base and peripheral layers <NUM>,<NUM>. When the garment <NUM> comprising the garment component <NUM> is worn on the user, the garment <NUM> forms a sealing engagement between the liquid impermeable peripheral layer <NUM> and the user's skin <NUM>, such that the liquid impermeable base and peripheral layers <NUM>,<NUM> prevent liquid flow into and out of the space <NUM> and the space <NUM> collects bodily fluids from the user.

More specifically, when the user is wearing the garment <NUM> comprising the garment component <NUM>, the garment <NUM> which is body-hugging and fits closely to the user's body presses the garment component <NUM> against the user's body. This in turn forms the sealing engagement between the liquid impermeable peripheral layer <NUM> and the user's skin <NUM>. This sealing engagement isolates the space <NUM> from the rest of the garment <NUM> and traps bodily fluids excreted from the user within the space <NUM>.

Moreover, if the user is swimming while wearing the garment <NUM>, the water pressure from the swimming pool or aquatic environment may further force the garment component <NUM> against the user's body. This may in turn strengthen the sealing engagement between the liquid impermeable peripheral layer <NUM> and the user's skin <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the sealing engagement prevents the bodily fluids from leaking out of the space <NUM> and into the aquatic environment and avoids unhygienic situations, i.e. prevents liquid outflow. Additionally, the sealing engagement prevents water ingress from the aquatic environment from into the space <NUM>, i.e. prevents liquid inflow, which can cause discomfort to the user especially at the more sensitive groin part. The garment component <NUM> thus advantageously prevents liquid interaction between the internal space <NUM> and the external aquatic environment.

In some embodiments, the garment component <NUM> further includes a functional layer <NUM> disposed in the space <NUM> and attached to the liquid impermeable base layer <NUM>, the functional layer <NUM> configured for facilitating collection of the bodily fluids in the space <NUM>. The functional layer <NUM> may partially or fully occupy the space <NUM>.

In one embodiment, the functional layer <NUM> is removably attached to the liquid impermeable base layer <NUM>, such as through fasteners like touch fasteners. In one embodiment, the functional layer <NUM> is permanently attached to or integrally formed with the liquid impermeable base layer <NUM>. For example, the functional layer <NUM> is bonded to the liquid impermeable base layer <NUM> via suitable bonding means, such as adhesive or ultrasonic bonding. The adhesive tape may be a double-sided adhesive tape and said tape may have a single layer or multiple layers. The liquid glue may be a hot melt glue, a liquid resin, or combinations thereof (e.g. the adhesive may be a hot melt glue/liquid resin bonding by nozzle extrusion or liquid resin bonding by screen printing/template printing).

The functional layer <NUM> may include at least one liquid absorbent element for absorbing the bodily fluids. The liquid absorbent element may include any liquid absorbent / absorbing material known in the art (e.g. cotton, a cotton blend, foam, a synthetic material, absorbent polymeric foam, a nanotechnology-based or -produced material, or any other moisture-absorbent material). Other suitable materials for the liquid absorbent element include polypropylene or any cellulose-based fabric and their blends including cotton, bamboo, etc. Fabric materials used for the liquid absorbent element may be knitted, woven, or non-woven.

In one embodiment, the liquid absorbent element is made from an <NUM>:<NUM> blend of polyester: nylon fabric with a microfiber double terry knit. In one embodiment, the liquid absorbent element is made from a <NUM>% polyester double terry fabric. This material is approximately <NUM>% air and so allows for a higher absorbent capacity, as moisture fills up the air gaps of the polyester terry fabric without significant expansion of the polyester fibres. This does not translate into significantly thicker functional layer <NUM>. In one embodiment, the liquid absorbent element is made from a blended fibre comprising two or more of superabsorbent polymer (SAP), hydrogel and polyester, or at least part of the liquid absorbent element may have been treated with SAP and/or hydrogel. The use of these materials may result in increased liquid absorbent capacity, with a reduced thickness and weight for the functional layer <NUM>.

The functional layer <NUM> may include at least one wicking element for wicking the bodily fluids away from the user. The wicking element is capable of acquiring and/or distributing liquid or moisture away from the user's body into the space <NUM>. For example, the wicking element distributes the bodily fluids such that they are evenly distributed along the plane of the space <NUM>. In some embodiments, the functional layer <NUM> include the liquid absorbent element and the wicking element. When the garment <NUM> is worn on the user, the wicking element faces the user's body and serves to transport the bodily fluids produced by the user's body away from the user into the underlying liquid absorbent element. In other words, the wicking element transports liquid from its surface that is in direct contact with the user to its internal surface that is in contact with the liquid absorbent element. Wicking the bodily fluids away from the user's body provides an improved dry feel on the surface of the wicking element in contact with the user's skin <NUM>. This helps the user to be fresh without having a damped feel between the functional layer <NUM> and the user's body to maintain the microclimate in a dry state.

The wicking element may be made from fibres or yarns made with fibres, where said fibres and yarns are selected from one or more of the group consisting of polyamide, polyester, polyolefin, polyurethane, polyacrylonitrile, natural cellulose, regenerated cellulose, regenerated cellulose derivatives (i.e. cellulose acetate and cellulose triacetates), natural protein and regenerated protein. The wicking element may be produced using technologies such as knitting (warp knitting such as raschel Tricot, weft knitting such as circular or flat), weaving, non-woven methods (blow spinning, staple nonwoven, spun laid, air-laid, needle punched, thermal bonded, hydroentangled, chemical bonded and so forth), electro-spinning, force-spinning etc. Additionally, the wicking element may also include one or more of the coatings, treatments encapsulation or entrapments, which would enhance its liquid and moisture management functionality, such as rate of wicking, wicking capacity, rate of spreading and distribution, one-way liquid transport etc..

The material of the wicking element may be naturally moisture-wicking and/or be treated to become moisture-wicking. For example, the wicking material may be <NUM>% polyester fabric with French Terry knit and a denier differential across the two faces of the wicking element that assists in moving the liquid from the skin-facing side of the wicking element to the internal surface that is in contact with the liquid absorbent element. Other suitable wicking materials include blends of polyester, polypropylene, and cotton. An advantage associated with the use of a wicking element having the triangular ridge structures of French Terry knitting facing the user's skin <NUM> is that less surface area of the surface of the wicking element comes into contact with the skin <NUM> and therefore reduces any sensation of feeling wetness against the skin <NUM>.

In one embodiment, the wicking element is made from a material that is <NUM>% cotton and the inner and/or outer surfaces of the wicking element may be treated with a hydrophilic composition or material (e.g. polyethylene oxide, polyvinyl alcohol, polyacrylamide, poly acrylic acid, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, hydrophilic silicones, or hydrophilic polyurethanes) and/or a hydrophobic composition or material (e.g. silicones, polyfluoroalkylacrylates, polyacrylates, polyurethanes, or waxes) to create a net hydrophilic gradient across the wicking element. In other words, the surface in direct contact with the user's skin <NUM> may be less hydrophilic (i.e. more hydrophobic) whereas the inner surface may be more hydrophilic. For example, the outer surface of the wicking element in direct contact with the user's skin <NUM> may be treated with a hydrophobic material and/or the opposing inner surface may be treated with a hydrophilic material. This results in a combination of a "pushing" force generated by the hydrophobic properties of the outer surface in direct contact with the user's skin <NUM> and a "pulling" force generated by the hydrophilic properties of the inner surface that may wick any moisture or liquid through the wicking element and away from the user. The hydrophilic and hydrophobic compositions may be applied to the wicking element using any conventional method known to the skilled person.

Additionally, the differential capillary forces on either side can be created by the fabric structure of the wicking element where one side of the wicking element has a smaller pore size in comparison to the opposite side of the wicking element. Ideally, this pore combination creates funnel-like structures through the wicking element in cross-section, where the liquid is pulled from the side with the larger pore size to the side with the smaller pore size, due to the differential capillary pressure.

The rate of wicking through the wicking element may be controlled to be faster or slower. The rate may be set at a maximum rate of absorption of the wicking element to ensure that all, or a significant percentage of, the liquid is absorbed by the liquid absorbent element and does not leak beyond the confines of the space <NUM>. The rate of wicking may be controlled by the density, thickness, or composition of the wicking element and/or by the amount and type of hydrophobic and/or hydrophilic material applied to the wicking element. In another embodiment, the rate of wicking may be set such that the surface of the wicking element in direct contact with the user feels dry or mostly dry to the user while the other surface may feel wet.

The functional layer <NUM> may include at least one of the liquid absorbent element and/or at least one of the wicking element. Further, the functional layer <NUM> may include multiple liquid absorbent elements and/or multiple wicking elements to improve the liquid absorption capacity of the space <NUM>.

The functional layer <NUM> may optionally include one or more of an antimicrobial agent, an odour-combatting agent, and a stain-resistant agent. For example, the antimicrobial agent may include one or more substances selected from the group consisting of a silver-containing substance, titanium dioxide, a quaternary silane, hydrogen peroxide, triclosan, and zinc pyrithione. The functional layer <NUM> may optionally include an agent or substance that combats odour. For example, the odour-combatting agent may include one or more substances selected from the group consisting of nanoparticles with acid-neutralising pockets, high surface area mineral compositions, high surface area ceramic compositions and high surface area clay compositions.

The liquid impermeable base layer <NUM> prevents liquid communication from the space <NUM> therethrough, such as to an external aquatic environment, and prevents liquid communication from the external aquatic environment through the liquid impermeable base layer <NUM> into the space <NUM>. The liquid impermeable base layer <NUM> is leakproof and may include any known wholly or partially liquid-blocking material. Preferably, the liquid impermeable base layer <NUM> is breathable, so that liquid may not pass through it, but gases (including air and water vapour) can do so. For example, the liquid impermeable base layer <NUM> may include a polymer film, such as one or more layers of a thermoplastic or thermoset film, where the thermoplastic or thermoset film is selected from one or more of the group consisting of polyurethane, polyester, polyolefin, and silicone. Particular examples of liquid impermeable materials include layers made from a liquid impermeable polymer or a thermoplastic polyurethane film.

In one embodiment, the liquid impermeable base layer <NUM> is a liquid-proof membrane. In one embodiment, the liquid impermeable base layer <NUM> is a lightweight tightly knitted/woven fabric coated with SAP/hydrogel, or a lightweight tightly knitted/woven fabric made using textile/SAP hybrid fibres. When used in the garment <NUM> comprising the garment component <NUM>, the liquid impermeable base layer <NUM> may provide the advantage of being fully breathable in dry form, while providing an effective barrier material upon exposure to liquid. Furthermore, these materials may also enable the garment component <NUM> to dry more quickly than the use of a liquid impermeable polymer such as a thermoplastic polyurethane film.

The garment <NUM> comprises the fabric substrate <NUM> and the garment component <NUM>, such as at the gusset area <NUM>, to absorb bodily fluids from the user. The fabric substrate <NUM> may contain one or more layers. For example, when the fabric substrate <NUM> contains two layers, there is an inner fabric layer that wholly or partially contacts the user's body and an outer fabric layer that is not in contact with the user's body. The outer fabric layer may be one or more of various colours, patterns, or designs (e.g., black, white, pink, etc.) to provide choices to the user, though for a fabric substrate <NUM> containing a single layer a dark colour may be preferred. When the fabric substrate <NUM> comprises more than one layer, the inner fabric layer may be a dark colour (e.g. black or dark grey) to help provide stain resistance, so that any stain thereon is invisible or reduced in visibility or noticeability to the user. If the fabric substrate <NUM> contains two or more layers, all, some, or none of the inner layer or layers may be visible to the user or other observer when the garment <NUM> worn.

The fabric substrate <NUM> can be made of any material that is suitable for clothing and particularly swimwear. Preferably, the fabric substrate <NUM> is made of materials that support the tight fitting of the garment <NUM> on the user's body so that the garment component <NUM> can be pressed tightly against the user's body to create the sealing engagement between the liquid impermeable peripheral layer <NUM> and the user's skin <NUM>.

When the fabric substrate <NUM> has a single fabric layer, the material may be made of cotton, a cotton blend, a synthetic material, an elasticized blend (e.g. SPANDEX) or any other material (e.g. natural or man-made textile). When the fabric substrate <NUM> has two or more layers, the inner layer(s) may be made of a thin fabric material, while the outer fabric layer may be made of a thicker fabric material, such as those described above. The inner fabric layer(s) may be cut to the full shape of the fabric substrate <NUM> or be cut to less than the full shape of the fabric substrate <NUM>. For example, if the garment <NUM> is a pair of swimming bottoms, an inner fabric layer may be cut to extend to cover only the groin part.

In one embodiment as shown in <FIG>, the garment component <NUM> further includes an attachment layer <NUM> attached to the liquid impermeable base layer <NUM> opposite to the space <NUM>, the attachment layer <NUM> for removably attaching the garment component <NUM> to the garment <NUM>. For example, the attachment layer <NUM> includes fasteners such as touch fasteners for removably attaching to the inner surface of the fabric substrate <NUM>.

In one embodiment as shown in <FIG>, the liquid impermeable base layer <NUM> is permanently attached to or integrally formed with the fabric substrate <NUM>. For example, the liquid impermeable base layer <NUM> is bonded to the inner surface of the fabric substrate <NUM> via suitable bonding means, such as adhesive or ultrasonic bonding described above. The fabric substrate <NUM> or at least a portion thereof, may be waterproof. For example, the waterproof area of the fabric substrate <NUM> may be disposed at or around the gusset area <NUM>, such as at an extended gusset area <NUM>.

The liquid impermeable peripheral layer <NUM> is disposed along the periphery of the liquid impermeable base layer <NUM>. In one embodiment, the liquid impermeable base layer <NUM> and the liquid impermeable peripheral layer <NUM> are integrally formed as a single body. In one embodiment, the liquid impermeable peripheral layer <NUM> is separately formed from and attached to the liquid impermeable base layer <NUM>. For example, the liquid impermeable peripheral layer <NUM> is removably attached to the liquid impermeable base layer <NUM>, such as through fasteners like touch fasteners. In one embodiment, the liquid impermeable peripheral layer <NUM> is permanently attached to the liquid impermeable base layer <NUM>, such as via suitable bonding means like adhesive or ultrasonic bonding described above.

In some embodiments, the garment component <NUM> is disposed at the gusset area <NUM> of the garment <NUM>, and the liquid impermeable peripheral layer <NUM> may be aligned to the openings of the garment <NUM>, such as the pair of leg openings defining the gusset area <NUM>. Optionally, the garment <NUM> may include a second liquid impermeable peripheral layer <NUM> cooperative with the garment component <NUM> to prevent liquid flow into and out of the space <NUM>. The second liquid impermeable peripheral layer <NUM> may be disposed at the end of the extended gusset area <NUM> or near the waist opening of the garment <NUM>. The second liquid impermeable peripheral layer <NUM> provides additional sealing engagement to prevent liquid communication to and from the space <NUM>. For example, the second liquid impermeable peripheral layer <NUM> includes one or more lines of liquid impermeable material (such as silicone) extending partially (such as shown in <FIG>) or wholly (such as shown in <FIG>) across the waist opening.

Further, the waist opening and leg openings of the garment <NUM> may include support lining <NUM> to improve the grip of the garment <NUM> on the user's body. The support lining <NUM> may be made of nanoyarns, such as ultrafine polyester, that increase its surface area and frictional resistance.

The liquid impermeable peripheral layer <NUM> may include one or more continuous lines that surround the space <NUM>. For example as shown in <FIG>, the liquid impermeable peripheral layer <NUM> includes a single line around the space <NUM>. For example as shown in <FIG>, the liquid impermeable peripheral layer <NUM> includes two or more lines around the space <NUM>, wherein the two or more lines may be parallel or concentric to each other. Each line may have a thickness ranging from <NUM> to <NUM>, and preferably from <NUM> to <NUM>. The liquid impermeable peripheral layer <NUM> can be made of any solid or semi-solid materials that have liquid impermeable and hydrophobic properties. Further, the liquid impermeable peripheral layer <NUM> is made of an elastomeric material, such as silicone and rubber (synthetic or natural), to facilitate forming of the sealing engagement with the user's skin <NUM> when the garment <NUM> presses the garment component <NUM> against the user's body.

As the liquid impermeable peripheral layer <NUM> would be in contact with the user's skin <NUM>, the liquid impermeable peripheral layer <NUM> should be made of a material with anti-slip properties to prevent the garment component <NUM> slipping away from the groin part which could risk leakage of bodily fluids out of the garment component <NUM>. Preferably, the liquid impermeable peripheral layer <NUM> has anti-slip properties in both dry and wet states as the garment <NUM> may be worn for swimming. For example, the liquid impermeable peripheral layer <NUM> has greater frictional resistance than polyester or silicone with respect to human skin, such as at least <NUM>% greater. For example, the frictional resistance of the liquid impermeable peripheral layer <NUM> on skin is at least <NUM>%, preferably <NUM>% to <NUM>%, more than the frictional resistance of polyester on skin in both dry and wet states. More preferably, the frictional resistance of the liquid impermeable peripheral layer <NUM> on skin is about <NUM>% and <NUM>% more than the frictional resistance of polyester on skin in the dry and wet states, respectively.

It will be appreciated that the above-described features of the liquid impermeable peripheral layer <NUM> may apply equally to the second liquid impermeable peripheral layer <NUM>.

In some embodiments further as shown in <FIG>, the garment component <NUM> includes a compressible layer <NUM> attached to the liquid impermeable base layer <NUM> opposite to the space <NUM>. The compressible layer <NUM> helps to conform the garment component <NUM> to the shape of the user's body. The compressible layer 160can be made of any compressible materials with low compression modulus and high compression recovery. For example, the compressible layer 160can be made of, but should not be limited to, a compressible polyurethane foam, a compressible fabric material, or a compressible gel material.

When the garment <NUM> comprising the fabric substrate <NUM> and the garment component <NUM> is worn, the compressible layer 160is disposed between the fabric substrate <NUM> and the liquid impermeable base layer <NUM> of the garment component <NUM>, and the compressible layer <NUM> compresses and conforms to the shape of the user's body. For example, the compressible layer <NUM> is disposed at the extended gusset area <NUM> so that it can conform the garment component <NUM> to the contours of the groin part. As the compressible layer <NUM> is compressed, it exerts an inward force towards the user's body and this inward force conforms the garment component <NUM> to the shape of the user's body, specifically the body site where the garment component <NUM> is positioned, such as the groin part. Additionally, the inward force from the compressible layer <NUM> strengthens the sealing engagement between the liquid impermeable peripheral layer <NUM> and the user's skin <NUM>. The compressible layer 160is advantageous in parts of the user's body where the fabric substrate <NUM> does not make full or firm contact with the body, which could result in poor sealing engagement and consequently leakage of bodily fluids as well as liquid ingress such as from an external aquatic environment. The compressible layer 160allows a robust sealing engagement to be formed between the garment component <NUM> and the user's skin <NUM> regardless of the body site, which can include the groin part as well as other contoured parts like the lower lumbar region. For example, when the garment <NUM> is worn, the extended gusset area <NUM> is positioned near the lower lumbar region with contoured and curved surfaces and the compressible layer 160helps to form a robust sealing engagement at these body sites.

In one embodiment as shown in <FIG>, the garment component <NUM> includes the attachment layer <NUM> for removably attaching the garment component <NUM> to the fabric substrate <NUM> of the garment <NUM>. The attachment layer <NUM> attaches the liquid impermeable base layer <NUM> and compressible layer <NUM> to the fabric substrate <NUM>. In one embodiment, the compressible layer <NUM> is removably attached to the liquid impermeable base layer <NUM>. In one embodiment, the liquid impermeable base layer <NUM> is permanently attached to or integrally formed with the compressible layer <NUM>, such as by suitable bonding means described above.

As described in various embodiments herein, the garment component <NUM> is able to collect bodily fluids from the user in the space <NUM>. The sealing engagement between the liquid impermeable peripheral layer <NUM> and the user's skin <NUM> prevents leakage of the bodily fluids out of the space <NUM> and also prevents water ingress from an external environment, such as from the swimming pool if the user wears the garment <NUM> for swimming.

Various examples of the garment <NUM> are shown in <FIG>. In <FIG>, the garment <NUM> includes the fabric substrate 210and the second liquid impermeable peripheral layer <NUM> extending partially across the waist opening. The garment component <NUM> at the gusset area <NUM> includes the liquid impermeable peripheral layer <NUM> in a single line and the compressible layer <NUM> at the extended gusset area <NUM>. In <FIG>, the garment <NUM> includes the fabric substrate <NUM> and the second liquid impermeable peripheral layer <NUM> extending partially across the waist opening. The garment component <NUM> at the gusset area <NUM> includes the liquid impermeable peripheral layer <NUM> in double lines and the compressible layer <NUM> at the extended gusset area <NUM>. In <FIG>, the garment <NUM> includes the fabric substrate <NUM> and the second liquid impermeable peripheral layer <NUM> extending wholly across the waist opening. The garment component <NUM> at the gusset area <NUM> includes the liquid impermeable peripheral layer <NUM> in a single line and the compressible layer <NUM> at the extended gusset area <NUM>. In <FIG>, the garment <NUM> includes the fabric substrate <NUM> and the second liquid impermeable peripheral layer <NUM> extending wholly across the waist opening. The garment component <NUM> at the gusset area <NUM> includes the liquid impermeable peripheral layer <NUM> in double lines and the compressible layer <NUM> at the extended gusset area <NUM>.

The garment <NUM>, as well as the garment component <NUM> if it is removable, should be made washable and reusable to wash off the trapped bodily fluids and also help to reduce environment impact. For example, the garment component <NUM> and/or the garment <NUM> is able to withstand multiple machine wash and dry cycles (such as at least <NUM>) without change in overall appearance, integrity of the various layers, and liquid management parameters as described herein. The material selection and unique construction ensures that the garment component <NUM> and/or the garment <NUM> are washable without compromising on one or more of moisture management, antimicrobial functionality, and anti-odour functionality, and to ensure that the garment component <NUM> will not leak during the lifetime of the garment <NUM>. For example, the various materials of the garment component <NUM> should remain chemically, thermally and mechanically stable throughout the intended lifetime of the garment component <NUM> / garment <NUM> while undergoing up to the stated wash and dry cycles. Further, the materials should be heat stable up to <NUM>, or at least up to <NUM>. The adhesive or ultrasonic bonding may be heat stable up to <NUM> or <NUM>, which enables the garment component <NUM> to be used in the garment <NUM> that can be washed and dried multiple times. Unless otherwise specified, used herein, the term "heat stable" is intended to stipulate that there is no change in the physical state of the component in question after being subjected to the stated temperature for a period of time consistent with a machine drying cycle.

Claim 1:
A garment component (<NUM>) for use in a garment (<NUM>), the garment component (<NUM>) comprising:
a liquid impermeable base layer (<NUM>);
a liquid impermeable peripheral layer (<NUM>) disposed along a periphery of the liquid impermeable base layer (<NUM>); and
a space (<NUM>) defined by the liquid impermeable base layer (<NUM>) and the liquid impermeable peripheral layer (<NUM>), the liquid impermeable peripheral layer (<NUM>) disposed around the space (<NUM>),
wherein when the garment (<NUM>) comprising the garment component (<NUM>) is worn on a user, the garment (<NUM>) forms a sealing engagement between the liquid impermeable peripheral layer (<NUM>) and the user's skin (<NUM>), such that the liquid impermeable base layer (<NUM>) and the liquid impermeable peripheral layer (<NUM>) prevent liquid flow into and out of the space (<NUM>) and the space collects bodily fluids from the user; characterized in that
the liquid impermeable peripheral layer (<NUM>) is made of an elastomeric material that is compressible against the user's skin (<NUM>) to form the sealing engagement.