Patent Description:
Garments and other wearable accessories that are configured to be worn adjacent to a wearer's crotch often exhibit moisture-absorbing properties, such as to absorb and/or retain menstrual fluids and/or urine produced by the user. In particular, it generally is desirable that such garments absorb and retain such fluids in a discreet and leak-proof manner, such as to hide such fluids from view and/or to enhance the wearer's comfort. However, many such garments include absorbent regions that are bulky and thus uncomfortable and/or difficult to conceal. Moreover, many such garments utilize stitching to attach the absorbent regions to the remainder of the garment, increasing the potential for leakage through the stitching perforations and/or producing bulky seams at the expense of the wearer's comfort and the discreetness of the garment.

To address these considerations, several prior art undergarments include absorbent regions that are bonded and/or laminated to a main body portion of the undergarment. However, the arrangement of such bonds may be insufficient to fully protect against moisture exiting and/or entering the undergarment. Additionally, such constructions may be incompatible with garment applications other than traditional undergarments. Examples of prior art undergarments with moisture capture assemblies include <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT>.

According to the present invention, there is provided a garment as recited in claim <NUM> below. The dependent claims define particular embodiments and implementations of the claimed invention.

<FIG> provide examples of garments <NUM> including moisture capture assemblies <NUM> and/or of methods <NUM> of manufacturing garments <NUM> according to the present disclosure. Elements that serve a similar, or at least substantially similar, purpose are labeled with like numbers in each of <FIG>, and these elements may not be discussed in detail herein with reference to each of <FIG>. Similarly, all elements may not be labeled in each of <FIG> , but reference numerals associated therewith may be utilized herein for consistency. In general, elements that are optional are illustrated in dashed lines.

<FIG> is a schematic top plan view illustrating examples of garments <NUM> according to the present disclosure, while <FIG> are schematic cross-sectional side views of garments <NUM> as viewed along the line <NUM>--<NUM> in <FIG>. <FIG> illustrate portions of an example garment <NUM>, which is an example of garment <NUM>. In particular, the schematic cross-sectional side view of <FIG> corresponds to the construction of example garment <NUM>, as described in more detail herein.

As schematically illustrated in <FIG> and less schematically illustrated in <FIG>, a garment <NUM> configured to be worn by a wearer includes a crotch region <NUM> and a bonded region <NUM>. Garment <NUM> additionally includes a garment base <NUM> and a moisture capture assembly <NUM> bonded to garment base <NUM> within bonded region <NUM>. As schematically illustrated in <FIG> and less schematically illustrated in <FIG>, moisture capture assembly <NUM> is positioned at least partially in crotch region <NUM>. In this manner, garment base <NUM> may be described as supporting moisture capture assembly <NUM> within crotch region <NUM>. In particular, and as described in more detail herein, moisture capture assembly <NUM> is bonded to garment base <NUM> with a plurality of adhesive bonds <NUM> that are formed within bonded region <NUM>. In some examples, bonded region <NUM> defines a closed region and/or may be described as being a ring or hoop, although bonded region <NUM> is not limited to being circular and in most instances will not be circular. That is, bonded region <NUM> is continuous around a perimeter region of moisture capture assembly <NUM>.

The present disclosure generally relates to examples in which moisture capture assembly <NUM> is positioned at least partially within crotch region <NUM> that is configured to be positioned adjacent to the wearer's crotch and/or groin area when garment <NUM> is worn by the wearer. However, such examples are not limiting, and it is to be understood that the various aspects, features, constructions, etc. of garments <NUM> according to the present disclosure may be applied to any of a variety of articles, including garments <NUM> that are not configured to be worn adjacent to a wearer's groin area and/or garments that do not include crotch region <NUM>. As examples, aspects of garments <NUM> according to the present disclosure, such as moisture capture assembly <NUM> and/or adhesive bonds <NUM>, may be configured to absorb sweat associated with the user's arm pits, may be configured to restrict moisture from penetrating an outer garment to reach the user's skin, etc..

As schematically illustrated in <FIG>, moisture capture assembly <NUM> includes an assembly interior side <NUM> that faces the wearer when garment <NUM> is worn by the wearer and an assembly exterior side <NUM> that faces away from the wearer when the garment <NUM> is worn by the wearer. As additionally schematically illustrated in <FIG>, moisture capture assembly <NUM> further includes a moisture retention portion <NUM> that is configured to absorb and retain moisture from the user, as well as an anti-leak portion <NUM> that is configured to restrict moisture from exiting moisture retention portion <NUM>. In the present disclosure, moisture retention portion <NUM> also may be referred to as a moisture retention subassembly <NUM>, and anti-leak portion <NUM> may be referred to as an anti-leak subassembly <NUM>.

Garment <NUM> may be configured to absorb and retain any of a variety of fluids, such as may be associated with and/or produced by the wearer while the wearer wears the garment. For example, garment <NUM> may be configured to absorb and retain blood and/or other menstrual fluids produced by the wearer, and/or to absorb and retain urine produced by the wearer, such as may be associated with an incontinence condition. However, unlike traditional absorbent garments that include absorbent features that are bulky and/or that are assembled within the garment with bulky stitching, the bonded construction of garment <NUM> as disclosed herein allows for garment <NUM> to be low-profile and discreet without compromising the leak-proof properties of the garment. Garment <NUM> may include and/or be any of a variety of garments and/or worn accessories, examples of which include an undergarment, a short (e.g., a pair of shorts), a menstrual pad, an outerwear garment, an activewear garment, leggings, tights, hosiery, a skort, a skirt, etc. In various examples according to the present disclosure, garment <NUM> is configured to be washed and re-worn numerous times. In this manner, in such examples, garment <NUM> is distinct from a disposable absorbent garment that is configured to be worn only once, or only a small number of times, before being disposed and replaced.

As schematically illustrated in <FIG>, the plurality of adhesive bonds <NUM> includes an internal peripheral bond <NUM> that is positioned on an interior side of at least a portion of moisture capture assembly <NUM> and an external peripheral bond <NUM> positioned on an exterior side of at least a portion of the moisture capture assembly. Specifically, each of internal peripheral bond <NUM> and external peripheral bond <NUM> extends at least substantially around a perimeter of moisture capture assembly <NUM>. As described in more detail herein, configuring garment <NUM> to include each of internal peripheral bond <NUM> and external peripheral bond <NUM> may enhance the moisture retention properties of moisture capture assembly <NUM>, and/or may facilitate incorporating the moisture capture assembly into any of a variety of garments without compromising such moisture retention properties.

Additionally, bonding moisture capture assembly <NUM> to garment base <NUM> at least partially via internal peripheral bond <NUM> and external peripheral bond <NUM> as described herein may enable the moisture capture assembly to be incorporated into a wide range of types of garments <NUM>. For example, several prior art absorbent garments include an absorbent pad that is attached to the garment via material that at least partially defines leg openings of the garment, and/or that otherwise necessarily extends adjacent to the leg openings. By contrast, utilizing adhesive bonds <NUM> such as internal peripheral bond <NUM> and/or external peripheral bond <NUM> as disclosed herein enables moisture capture assembly <NUM> to be positioned at any desired location within garment <NUM>, such as at a location that is not immediately adjacent to a leg opening. As a result, the constructions disclosed herein are applicable not only to garments <NUM> in the form of undergarments such as panties, but also to examples of garments such as pants and shorts in which the crotch region is not immediately adjacent to a terminal edge of the garment. Accordingly, the shape and/or form of moisture capture assembly <NUM> itself is not substantially constrained and/or determined by a shape and/or dimension of garment <NUM> and/or of garment base <NUM> in a region occupied by the moisture capture assembly.

As described in more detail herein, various components and/or features of garment <NUM> may be described with reference to directions defined relative to the garment. For example, and as schematically illustrated in <FIG>, garment <NUM> and/or a portion thereof may be described as defining a laterally inward direction <NUM> and a laterally outward direction <NUM>, such that laterally inward direction <NUM> generally is directed toward a central region of garment <NUM> and/or of crotch region <NUM>, and such that laterally outward direction <NUM> is opposite the laterally inward direction. Additionally, and as schematically illustrated in <FIG>, garment <NUM> may be described as defining a transversely inward direction <NUM> that is directed toward the wearer when garment <NUM> is worn by the wearer and a transversely outward direction <NUM> that is opposite the transversely inward direction. In this manner, each of transversely inward direction <NUM> and transversely outward direction <NUM> is perpendicular to each of laterally inward direction <NUM> and laterally outward direction <NUM>. As a more specific example, and as schematically illustrated in <FIG>, assembly interior side <NUM> of moisture capture assembly <NUM> may be described as being spaced apart from assembly exterior side <NUM> of the moisture capture assembly along transversely inward direction <NUM>. As used herein, a first component may be described as being positioned on an interior side of a second component when the first component is at least partially offset from the second component along transversely inward direction <NUM>. Similarly, as used herein, a first component may be described as being positioned on an exterior side of a second component when the first component is at least partially offset from the second component along transversely outward direction <NUM>.

Although <FIG> schematically illustrate garment <NUM> as being generally flat and/or planar, this is not required of garment <NUM> due to the nature of the garment's construction from fabric or other flexible materials. Accordingly, it is within the scope of the present disclosure that each of laterally inward direction <NUM>, laterally outward direction <NUM>, transversely inward direction <NUM>, and/or transversely outward direction <NUM> is not oriented in the same absolute direction at all locations on garment <NUM>. Stated differently, laterally inward direction <NUM>, laterally outward direction <NUM>, transversely inward direction <NUM>, and transversely outward direction <NUM> may be described as representing directions that are relative to a particular location and/or region of garment <NUM>, irrespective of the configuration and/or orientation of the garment away from such a particular location and/or region.

Each of the plurality of adhesive bonds <NUM> may operate to bond any of a variety of portions and/or components of garment <NUM> to one another. In particular, and as schematically illustrated in <FIG>, the plurality of adhesive bonds <NUM> may include one or more capture assembly-base bonds <NUM>, each of which operates to bond at least a portion of moisture capture assembly <NUM> to at least a portion of garment base <NUM>, as described in more detail herein. Additionally or alternatively, and as schematically illustrated in <FIG>, the plurality of adhesive bonds <NUM> may include one or more capture assembly internal bonds <NUM>, each of which operates to bond two or more distinct portions and/or components of moisture capture assembly <NUM> to one another, as described in more detail herein. Additionally or alternatively, and as schematically illustrated in <FIG>, the plurality of adhesive bonds <NUM> may include one or more base internal bonds <NUM>, each of which operates to bond two or more distinct portions and/or components of garment base <NUM> to one another, as described in more detail herein. In some examples, at least one adhesive bond <NUM> may be described as representing two or more of capture assembly-base bond <NUM>, capture assembly internal bond <NUM>, and/or base internal bond <NUM>. For example, in an example in which a particular adhesive bond <NUM> operates to bond a portion of moisture capture assembly <NUM> to each of garment base <NUM> and to another portion of the moisture capture assembly, such an adhesive bond may be described as being each of a capture assembly-base bond <NUM> and a capture assembly internal bond <NUM>.

In various examples, the plurality of adhesive bonds <NUM> may include a plurality of capture assembly-base bonds <NUM>, a plurality of capture assembly internal bonds <NUM>, and/or a plurality of base internal bonds <NUM>. Accordingly, descriptions and/or references herein to a configuration and/or feature of capture assembly-base bond <NUM>, of capture assembly internal bond <NUM>, and/or of base internal bond <NUM> are to be understood to referring to at least one such adhesive bond <NUM> of garment <NUM> without requiring that every such adhesive bond of the garment exhibits such a configuration and/or feature.

Each adhesive bond <NUM> may be formed in any of a variety of manners. For example, and as schematically illustrated in <FIG>, each adhesive bond <NUM> may be formed by an adhesive material <NUM> that is applied to garment base <NUM> and/or to moisture capture assembly <NUM> to assemble garment <NUM>. In such examples, adhesive material <NUM> may include and/or be any of a variety of materials, examples of which include a tape, an elastic tape, a film, an elastic film, an adhesive, a spray-on adhesive, a liquid curable adhesive, and/or a thermoset adhesive. Additionally or alternatively, one or more adhesive bonds <NUM> may be formed at least partially via a thermocompression process, such as by applying heat and/or pressure to adhesive material <NUM> during the manufacture of garment <NUM>.

In some examples, adhesive bond <NUM> and/or adhesive material <NUM> is water-resistant, water-repellent, and/or waterproof. Accordingly, in such examples, and as discussed in more detail herein, each such adhesive bond <NUM> may form a barrier to the passage of moisture and/or bodily fluids, such as to retain such moisture and/or bodily fluids within moisture capture assembly <NUM> and/or to restrict moisture from entering the moisture capture assembly from an external environment.

In the schematic cross-sectional side views of <FIG>, each adhesive bond <NUM> is indicated by an elongate rectangle that overlaps two or more structures and/or layers of garment base <NUM> and/or of moisture capture assembly <NUM>. In particular, although <FIG> schematically illustrate each adhesive bond <NUM> as having an extent along transversely inward direction <NUM> and/or along transversely outward direction <NUM>, such an illustration is presented for clarity only, and it is to be understood that each adhesive bond <NUM> and/or the associated adhesive material <NUM> may exist primarily, solely, and/or at least substantially between, or at an interface between, the structures that are bonded together via the adhesive bond. Additionally or alternatively, the associated adhesive material may extend into (e.g., having wicked into) the structures that are bonded together via the adhesive bond. Similarly, it is to be understood that the schematic representations of <FIG> represent the illustrated components as having a greatly exaggerated extent along the direction parallel to transversely inward direction <NUM> and transversely outward direction <NUM> for purposes of clarity.

In the present disclosure, description of locations and/or configurations of various adhesive bonds <NUM> and/or of various layers of garment <NUM> often are presented with reference to the cross-sectional views of <FIG> and <FIG>. Although the cross-sectional views of <FIG> are taken along the line <NUM>-<NUM> of <FIG>, it is to be understood that such cross-sectional views (including the cross-sectional views of <FIG> may correspond to any suitable portion of garment <NUM> and/or of bonded region <NUM>. In this manner, the cross-sectional views of <FIG> and <FIG> may be understood as being representative of any and/or every location along a perimeter of moisture capture assembly <NUM>. In particular, in some examples, the constructions illustrated in the cross-sectional views of <FIG> and <FIG> extend fully (or at least substantially fully) around a perimeter of moisture capture assembly <NUM>. However, this is not required of all examples of garment <NUM>, and it additionally is within the scope of the present disclosure that the construction of garment <NUM> may vary at distinct locations along a perimeter of moisture capture assembly <NUM>.

Garment <NUM> may include any of a variety of features for accommodating and/or engaging the wearer's body. As schematically illustrated in <FIG>, garment <NUM> may be described as including a garment interior surface <NUM> that faces the wearer when the garment is worn by the wearer as well as a garment exterior surface <NUM> that faces away from the wearer when the garment is worn by the wearer. In particular, in some examples, at least a portion of garment interior surface <NUM> is configured to directly contact the wearer when garment <NUM> is worn by the wearer. Stated differently, in some examples, garment <NUM> is configured such that, when the garment is worn by the wearer, no portion of the garment is positioned directly between garment interior surface <NUM> and the wearer. Similarly, in some examples, garment <NUM> is configured such that, when the garment is worn by the wearer, no portion of the garment is positioned distal the wearer relative to garment exterior surface <NUM>.

In some examples, and as schematically illustrated in <FIG> and less schematically illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, garment <NUM> includes a waistband region <NUM> and/or one or more garment apertures <NUM>. In particular, garment base <NUM> may at least partially define waistband region <NUM> and/or each garment aperture <NUM>. In some examples, and as schematically illustrated in <FIG> and less schematically illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, each garment aperture <NUM> defines a leg opening <NUM> that is configured to receive a leg of the wearer when garment <NUM> is worn by the wearer. In some such examples, and as schematically illustrated in <FIG> and less schematically illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, garment <NUM> additionally includes an edge reinforcing strip <NUM> positioned adjacent to each garment aperture <NUM>. In particular, edge reinforcing strip <NUM> may be an elastic strip (e.g., a strip of elasticized fabric) configured to conform each leg opening <NUM> to the wearer's leg. In particular, each edge reinforcing strip <NUM> may at least partially define the corresponding garment aperture <NUM> and/or the corresponding leg opening <NUM>. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, each edge reinforcing strip <NUM> may be described as lining the corresponding garment aperture <NUM> and/or the corresponding leg opening <NUM>. In some examples, and as schematically illustrated in <FIG>, each edge reinforcing strip <NUM> is bonded to garment base <NUM> with a corresponding adhesive bond <NUM>.

As schematically illustrated in <FIG>, moisture capture assembly <NUM> may be described as including a moisture capture assembly central region <NUM> and a moisture capture assembly peripheral region <NUM> that circumferentially encloses the moisture capture assembly central region. Accordingly, and as schematically illustrated in <FIG>, bonded region <NUM> may be described as including at least a portion of moisture capture assembly peripheral region <NUM>. Additionally or alternatively, bonded region <NUM> may be described as extending at least substantially around and/or along a perimeter of moisture capture assembly peripheral region <NUM>.

As additionally schematically illustrated in <FIG>, garment base <NUM> may be described as defining a garment lateral edge <NUM> in a region proximal to moisture capture assembly <NUM>, such that at least a portion of the moisture capture assembly is spaced apart from the garment lateral edge along laterally inward direction <NUM>. That is, garment lateral edge <NUM> may refer to a terminal edge of garment base <NUM> at a location that is proximate to, but spatially removed from, moisture capture assembly <NUM>. As an example, garment lateral edge <NUM> may define garment aperture <NUM>, such as leg opening <NUM>, such that moisture capture assembly <NUM> is spatially removed from garment aperture <NUM>. That is, in such examples, moisture capture assembly <NUM> does not extend to garment lateral edge <NUM>.

In some examples, and as schematically illustrated in <FIG>, bonded region <NUM> extends from moisture capture assembly peripheral region <NUM> toward, and/or fully to, garment lateral edge <NUM>. Similarly, in some examples, and as schematically illustrated in <FIG>, a portion of moisture capture assembly <NUM> extends fully to garment lateral edge <NUM>. As a more specific example, moisture capture assembly <NUM> may be described as including and terminating at a moisture capture assembly lateral edge <NUM>, which may define garment lateral edge <NUM>. However, this is not required, and it additionally is within the scope of the present disclosure that bonded region <NUM> may extend from moisture capture assembly peripheral region <NUM> to a point that is spaced apart from garment lateral edge <NUM>, such as along laterally inward direction <NUM>. Additionally, it is within the scope of the present disclosure that moisture capture assembly <NUM> does not extend to garment lateral edge <NUM>, such that moisture capture assembly lateral edge <NUM> is spaced apart from garment lateral edge <NUM>, such as along laterally inward direction <NUM>.

Bonded region <NUM> additionally or alternatively may be characterized with reference to a lateral edge of a portion of moisture capture assembly <NUM>. In particular, and as schematically illustrated in <FIG>, moisture retention portion <NUM> of moisture capture assembly <NUM> may be described as including and terminating at a moisture retention portion lateral edge <NUM>. As additionally schematically illustrated in <FIG>, bonded region <NUM> may be described as including a laterally inward portion <NUM> that extends from moisture retention portion lateral edge <NUM> toward moisture capture assembly central region <NUM> along laterally inward direction <NUM> and a laterally outward portion <NUM> that extends from moisture retention portion lateral edge <NUM> away from moisture retention portion <NUM> along laterally outward direction <NUM>. In particular, in some examples, bonded region <NUM> consists of laterally inward portion <NUM> and laterally outward portion <NUM>, which are non-overlapping and immediately adjacent to one another. In some examples, and as schematically illustrated in <FIG> and less schematically illustrated in <FIG>, moisture capture assembly lateral edge <NUM> is spaced apart from moisture retention portion lateral edge <NUM> along laterally outward direction <NUM>. However, this is not required of all examples of moisture capture assembly <NUM>, and it additionally is within the scope of the present disclosure that moisture retention portion lateral edge <NUM> is aligned with and/or defines moisture capture assembly lateral edge <NUM> (as optionally and schematically represented in <FIG>).

Garment base <NUM> may have any of a variety of constructions for supporting moisture capture assembly <NUM> within crotch region <NUM>. In various examples, and as schematically illustrated in <FIG> and less schematically illustrated in <FIG>, garment base <NUM> includes one or more base layers <NUM>. In particular, in some examples, at least one base layer <NUM> is bonded to at least a portion of moisture capture assembly <NUM> via a corresponding capture assembly-base bond <NUM>. Additionally or alternatively, and as schematically illustrated in <FIG> and less schematically illustrated in <FIG>, garment base <NUM> may include a plurality of base panels <NUM> that are operatively coupled to one another to collectively form the garment base. In such examples, each base panel <NUM> may include at least one base layer <NUM>. In such examples, the plurality of base panels <NUM> may be operatively coupled to one another in any of a variety of manners, such as via stitching and/or via adhesive bonding.

In various examples, and as schematically illustrated in <FIG>, base layer(s) <NUM> include an interior base layer <NUM> that forms at least a portion of garment interior surface <NUM> and/or an exterior base layer <NUM> that forms at least a portion of garment exterior surface <NUM>. Base layer(s) <NUM> further may include an intermediate base layer <NUM> that is positioned at least partially between one other base layer <NUM> and moisture capture assembly <NUM>, and/or between two other base layers. In some examples, and as perhaps best schematically illustrated in <FIG>, intermediate base layer <NUM> also may define at least a portion of garment interior surface <NUM> and/or of garment exterior surface <NUM>; however, for the purposes of the present disclosure, such a base layer still is termed an intermediate base layer on account of being positioned between interior base layer <NUM> and exterior base layer <NUM>. In this manner, intermediate base layer <NUM> may refer to any base layer <NUM> that overlies at least a portion of exterior base layer <NUM> and that underlies at least a portion of interior base layer <NUM>. Each base layer <NUM> (e.g., interior base layer <NUM>, exterior base layer <NUM>, and/or intermediate base layer <NUM>) may be formed of any of a variety of materials. As examples, each base layer <NUM> may be at least partially formed of a natural fiber, cotton, a synthetic fiber, polyester, nylon, Spandex™ fabric, and/or combinations thereof.

In the present disclosure, each base layer <NUM> may be at least partially characterized with reference to one or more lateral edges thereof. For example, and as schematically illustrated in <FIG>, each base layer <NUM> may be described as including and terminating at a respective base layer lateral inward edge <NUM>, such that the base layer extends away from the respective base layer lateral inward edge along laterally outward direction <NUM>. Additionally or alternatively, and as schematically illustrated in <FIG>, each base layer <NUM> may be described as including and terminating at a respective base layer lateral outward edge <NUM>, such that the base layer extends away from the respective base layer lateral outward edge along laterally inward direction <NUM>.

As used herein, directional terms such as "overlie," "above," "underlie," "below," and the like generally refer to relative positions as viewed from the side of garment <NUM> with garment interior surface <NUM> facing upwards, as in the schematic views of <FIG>. In particular, a first component may be described as overlying a second component, and/or as being positioned above the second component, when the first component is spatially offset from the second component along transversely inward direction <NUM>. Similarly, a first component may be described as underlying a second component, and/or as being positioned under the second component, when the first component is spatially offset from the second component along transversely outward direction <NUM>.

Moisture capture assembly <NUM> and/or moisture retention portion <NUM> may have any of a variety of constructions for absorbing and capturing moisture from the wearer. In some examples, and as schematically illustrated in <FIG> and less schematically illustrated in <FIG>, moisture retention portion <NUM> includes one or more moisture retention layers <NUM>, such as a first moisture retention layer <NUM> and a second moisture retention layer <NUM>. In some such examples, and as schematically illustrated in <FIG> and less schematically illustrated in <FIG>, each of first moisture retention layer <NUM> and second moisture retention layer <NUM> extends to (and thus at least partially defines) moisture retention portion lateral edge <NUM>. When present, first moisture retention layer <NUM> and second moisture retention layer <NUM> may be formed of the same and/or similar materials, or may be at least partially formed of different materials.

In some examples, first moisture retention layer <NUM> and second moisture retention layer <NUM> are operatively coupled to one another. In particular, and as schematically illustrated in <FIG>, first moisture retention layer <NUM> and second moisture retention layer <NUM> may be bonded to one another via at least one capture assembly internal bond <NUM>. In such examples, and as schematically illustrated in <FIG> and less schematically illustrated in <FIG>, capture assembly internal bond <NUM> that bonds first moisture retention layer <NUM> and second moisture retention layer <NUM> to one another may be positioned only (e.g., fully and/or exclusively) or at least substantially in laterally inward portion <NUM> of bonded region <NUM>. However, this is not required of all examples of moisture capture assembly <NUM>, and it also is within the scope of the present disclosure that capture assembly internal bond <NUM> that bonds first moisture retention layer <NUM> and second moisture retention layer <NUM> may be positioned within each of laterally inward portion <NUM> and laterally outward portion <NUM> of bonded region <NUM>.

In some examples, and as schematically illustrated in <FIG> and less schematically illustrated in <FIG>, moisture retention portion <NUM> of moisture capture assembly <NUM> includes a wicking layer <NUM> that is configured to wick moisture away from the wearer. In particular, in such examples, wicking layer <NUM> may be configured to draw moisture away from the wearer, such as via capillary action, and to direct and/or convey the moisture to moisture retention layer(s) <NUM>. In such examples, wicking layer <NUM> may be positioned and/or bonded within moisture capture assembly <NUM> in any of a variety of manners. For example, and as schematically illustrated in <FIG> and less schematically illustrated in <FIG>, wicking layer <NUM> may extend within each of moisture capture assembly central region <NUM> and moisture capture assembly peripheral region <NUM>. In some examples, wicking layer <NUM> is operatively coupled to moisture retention portion <NUM>, such as to first moisture retention layer <NUM>. In particular, in some examples, and as schematically illustrated in <FIG>, wicking layer <NUM> and moisture retention portion <NUM> are bonded to one another via at least one adhesive bond <NUM>, such as via at least one capture assembly internal bond <NUM>. In some examples, and as schematically illustrated in <FIG> and less schematically illustrated in <FIG>, wicking layer <NUM> at least partially defines assembly interior side <NUM> of moisture capture assembly <NUM>.

With particular reference to the cross-sectional views of <FIG> and <FIG>, a configuration of wicking layer <NUM> also may be characterized with reference to a wicking layer lateral edge <NUM> thereof, which represents a terminal edge of the wicking layer. For example, and as schematically illustrated in <FIG> and less schematically illustrated in <FIG>, wicking layer lateral edge <NUM> may be aligned with moisture retention portion lateral edge <NUM>. However, this is not required of all examples of moisture capture assembly <NUM>, and it additionally is within the scope of the present disclosure that wicking layer lateral edge <NUM> may be spaced apart from moisture retention portion lateral edge <NUM> along laterally inward direction <NUM> or along laterally outward direction <NUM>. In particular, in an example in which wicking layer lateral edge <NUM> is spaced apart from moisture retention portion lateral edge <NUM> along laterally outward direction <NUM>, wicking layer <NUM> may extend within each of laterally inward portion <NUM> and laterally outward portion <NUM> of bonded region <NUM>. In some examples, such as when wicking layer lateral edge <NUM> is aligned with moisture retention portion lateral edge <NUM> or is spaced apart from the moisture retention portion lateral edge along laterally outward direction <NUM>, the wicking layer lateral edge may define moisture capture assembly lateral edge <NUM> (as optionally and schematically represented in <FIG>). Alternatively, in some examples, such as when wicking layer lateral edge <NUM> is spaced apart from moisture retention portion lateral edge <NUM> along laterally inward direction <NUM>, the wicking layer lateral edge also may be spaced apart from moisture capture assembly lateral edge <NUM> along the laterally inward direction.

As used herein, the term "aligned," as used to describe a relative position of a first edge relative to a second edge, generally refers to a configuration in which the first edge and the second edge are positioned at respective locations that are not spatially separated from one another along laterally inward direction <NUM> or along laterally outward direction <NUM>, but which may be spatially separated from one another along transversely inward direction <NUM> or along transversely outward direction <NUM>. However, it is to be understood that a description herein of two or more components as being "aligned" does not necessarily mean that the two or more components are exactly and/or precisely aligned with one another. For example, as known in the art, garment construction is not perfect, and the imprecision introduced by human- and/or machine-performed manufacturing can introduce slight misalignments between components that nominally are intended or designed to be aligned with one another. Accordingly, for the purposes of the present disclosure, the term "aligned" is intended to encompass configurations in which the components are perfectly aligned, as well as configurations in which the components are slightly misaligned as a result of manufacturing tolerances.

Anti-leak portion <NUM> of moisture capture assembly <NUM> may include any of a variety of components and/or features for restricting moisture from exiting the moisture capture assembly. For example, and as schematically illustrated in <FIG> and less schematically illustrated in <FIG>, anti-leak portion <NUM> may include and/or be a moisture barrier layer <NUM> that is operatively coupled to moisture retention portion <NUM>. In particular, in some examples, and as schematically illustrated in <FIG>, moisture barrier layer <NUM> is bonded to moisture retention portion <NUM> via at least one adhesive bond <NUM>, such as via at least one capture assembly internal bond <NUM>. When present, moisture barrier layer <NUM> may include and/or be any of a variety of materials, such as a moisture-impermeable film. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, and as schematically illustrated in <FIG>, anti-leak portion <NUM> may include and/or be a moisture barrier treatment <NUM> and/or a moisture barrier film that is applied to moisture retention portion <NUM>, such as to moisture retention layer <NUM> (e.g., to second moisture retention layer <NUM>). In some examples, and as schematically illustrated in <FIG> and less schematically illustrated in <FIG>, moisture barrier layer <NUM> at least partially defines assembly exterior side <NUM> of moisture capture assembly <NUM>.

Each portion of moisture capture assembly <NUM> may be formed of any of a variety of materials. As examples, each of moisture capture assembly <NUM>, moisture retention portion <NUM>, first moisture retention layer <NUM>, second moisture retention layer <NUM>, wicking layer <NUM>, and/or moisture barrier layer <NUM> may be at least partially formed of a natural fiber, cotton, a synthetic fiber, polyester, nylon, Spandex™ fabric, and/or combinations thereof.

With particular reference to the cross-sectional views of <FIG> and <FIG>, a configuration of moisture barrier layer <NUM> also may be characterized with reference to a moisture barrier layer lateral edge <NUM> thereof, which represents a terminal edge of the moisture barrier layer. For example, and as schematically illustrated in <FIG> and less schematically illustrated in <FIG>, moisture barrier layer lateral edge <NUM> may be spaced apart from moisture retention portion lateral edge <NUM> along laterally outward direction <NUM>. In particular, in such examples, moisture barrier layer <NUM> may extend within each of laterally inward portion <NUM> and laterally outward portion <NUM> of bonded region <NUM>. However, this is not required of all examples of moisture capture assembly <NUM>, and it additionally is within the scope of the present disclosure that moisture barrier layer lateral edge <NUM> may be aligned with moisture retention portion lateral edge <NUM> (as optionally and schematically represented in <FIG>), or may be spaced apart from the moisture retention portion lateral edge along the laterally inward direction <NUM>. In some examples, such as when moisture barrier layer lateral edge <NUM> is aligned with moisture retention portion lateral edge <NUM> or is spaced apart from the moisture retention portion lateral edge along laterally outward direction <NUM>, the moisture barrier layer lateral edge may define moisture capture assembly lateral edge <NUM>. Alternatively, in some examples, such as when moisture barrier layer lateral edge <NUM> is spaced apart from moisture retention portion lateral edge <NUM> along laterally inward direction <NUM>, the moisture barrier layer lateral edge also may be spaced apart from moisture capture assembly lateral edge <NUM> along laterally inward direction <NUM>.

Each capture assembly-base bond <NUM> may have any of a variety of configurations and/or locations within garment <NUM> so as to bond at least a portion of moisture capture assembly <NUM> to at least a portion of garment base <NUM>. In some examples, and as schematically illustrated in <FIG>, capture assembly-base bond <NUM> (e.g., at least one capture assembly-base bond) is positioned only in laterally inward portion <NUM> of bonded region <NUM>. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, and as schematically illustrated in <FIG>, capture assembly-base bond <NUM> (e.g., at least one capture assembly-base bond) is positioned in laterally outward portion <NUM> of bonded region <NUM>. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, and as schematically illustrated in <FIG>, capture assembly-base bond <NUM> (e.g., at least one capture assembly-base bond) extends within each of laterally inward portion <NUM> and laterally outward portion <NUM> of bonded region <NUM>.

Additionally, each capture assembly-base bond <NUM> may operate to bond any of a variety of portions of moisture capture assembly <NUM> to any of a variety of portions of garment base <NUM>. In particular, in some examples, and as schematically illustrated in <FIG>, capture assembly-base bond <NUM> (e.g., at least one capture assembly-base bond) directly bonds at least one base layer <NUM> to assembly interior side <NUM> of moisture capture assembly <NUM>. For example, capture assembly-base bond <NUM> may operate to bond a base layer (e.g., interior base layer <NUM>) directly to assembly interior side <NUM> of the moisture capture assembly <NUM> (e.g., to wicking layer <NUM> and/or to first moisture retention layer <NUM>).

Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, and as schematically illustrated in <FIG>, capture assembly-base bond <NUM> (e.g., at least one capture assembly-base bond) directly bonds at least one base layer <NUM> to assembly exterior side <NUM> of moisture capture assembly <NUM>. For example, capture assembly-base bond <NUM> may operate to bond a base layer <NUM> (e.g., intermediate base layer <NUM> and/or exterior base layer <NUM>) directly to assembly exterior side <NUM> of the moisture capture assembly (e.g., to second moisture retention layer <NUM> and/or to moisture barrier layer <NUM>).

In some examples, and as schematically illustrated in <FIG>, at least one capture assembly-base bond <NUM> and/or at least one base internal bond <NUM> may include and/or be internal peripheral bond <NUM> or external peripheral bond <NUM>. Stated differently, and as schematically illustrated in <FIG>, each of internal peripheral bond <NUM> and/or external peripheral bond <NUM> may be an example and/or an instance of capture assembly-base bond <NUM> and/or of base internal bond <NUM>.

Examples of manners in which internal peripheral bond <NUM>, external peripheral bond <NUM>, and anti-leak portion <NUM> of moisture capture assembly <NUM> collectively resist leakage of moisture also may be understood with reference to <FIG>. As discussed, each adhesive bond <NUM> may be formed by an adhesive material <NUM> that is water-resistant, water-repellent, and/or waterproof. Accordingly, each of internal peripheral bond <NUM> and external peripheral bond <NUM> may be described as representing a barrier against the leakage of moisture across the bond. Similarly, moisture barrier layer <NUM> of anti-leak portion <NUM> also may be described as representing a barrier against the leakage of moisture across the moisture barrier layer. Accordingly, and with reference to the schematic cross-sectional views of <FIG>, moisture that is incident upon moisture capture assembly <NUM> via assembly interior side <NUM> is restricted from escaping moisture retention portion <NUM> other than via the assembly internal side, since each other path out of the moisture retention portion is blocked by internal peripheral bond <NUM> and/or by moisture barrier layer <NUM>. In this manner, anti-leak portion <NUM> and the plurality of adhesive bonds <NUM> may prevent leakage of moisture out of moisture retention portion <NUM> via a portion of garment base <NUM> underlying the moisture retention portion (e.g., via exterior base layer <NUM>) as well as via a peripheral edge of moisture capture assembly <NUM>. Additionally, in this manner, garment <NUM> also is protected against ingress of moisture from exterior the garment, since each path to moisture retention portion <NUM> from exterior the garment is blocked by exterior peripheral bond <NUM> and/or by moisture barrier layer <NUM>. Thus, garment <NUM> also may protect the wearer from discomfort resulting from a wetting of moisture capture assembly <NUM> from moisture that did not originate from the wearer, such as water in a swimming pool occupied by the wearer, water on a seating surface upon which the wearer is seated, etc..

When present, interior base layer <NUM> may have any suitable position, orientation, and/or extent relative to moisture capture assembly <NUM>, moisture retention portion <NUM>, and/or bonded region <NUM>. In some examples, and as schematically illustrated in <FIG> and less schematically illustrated in <FIG>, interior base layer <NUM> and moisture retention portion <NUM> are directly bonded to one another via a corresponding capture assembly-base bond <NUM> (labeled in <FIG>). In particular, in some examples, interior base layer <NUM> is directly bonded to wicking layer <NUM> and/or to moisture barrier layer <NUM> via respective capture assembly-base bonds <NUM> (labelled in <FIG>).

In some examples, and as schematically illustrated in <FIG> and less schematically illustrated in <FIG>, at least a portion of interior base layer <NUM> overlies at least a portion of moisture capture assembly <NUM>, such as at least a portion of moisture capture assembly peripheral region <NUM>. Stated differently, in some examples, interior base layer <NUM> overlies at least a portion of moisture capture assembly <NUM> within moisture capture assembly peripheral region <NUM> and/or within laterally inward portion <NUM> of bonded region <NUM>. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, and as schematically illustrated in <FIG> and less schematically illustrated in <FIG>, interior base layer <NUM> extends within each of laterally inward portion <NUM> and laterally outward portion <NUM> of bonded region <NUM>. While <FIG> schematically illustrate interior base layer <NUM> as overlying moisture capture assembly <NUM> as a single flat layer, this is not required of all examples of garment <NUM>. As examples, it also is within the scope of the present disclosure that interior base layer <NUM> may be folded, doubled over, and/or otherwise characterized by two or more adjacent layers within a portion of moisture capture assembly peripheral region <NUM> within which interior base layer <NUM> overlies moisture capture assembly <NUM>.

In some examples, and as schematically illustrated in <FIG> and less schematically illustrated in <FIG>, base layer lateral inward edge <NUM> of interior base layer <NUM> is spaced apart from moisture retention portion lateral edge <NUM> along laterally inward direction <NUM>. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, and as schematically illustrated in <FIG>, base layer lateral outward edge <NUM> of interior base layer <NUM> is aligned with moisture capture assembly lateral edge <NUM> and/or with moisture retention portion lateral edge <NUM>. In other examples, and as schematically illustrated in <FIG>, base layer lateral outward edge <NUM> of interior base layer <NUM> is spaced apart from moisture capture assembly lateral edge <NUM> and/or from moisture retention portion lateral edge <NUM> along laterally inward direction <NUM> (as illustrated in <FIG>) or along laterally outward direction <NUM> (as illustrated in <FIG>).

In some examples, a configuration of interior base layer <NUM> additionally or alternatively may be characterized with reference to wicking layer <NUM>. For example, and as schematically illustrated in <FIG> and less schematically illustrated in <FIG>, base layer lateral inward edge <NUM> of interior base layer <NUM> may be spaced apart from wicking layer lateral edge <NUM> along laterally inward direction <NUM>. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, interior base layer <NUM> may overlie at least a portion of wicking layer <NUM> within moisture capture assembly peripheral region <NUM> and/or within laterally inward portion <NUM> of bonded region <NUM>. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, base layer lateral outward edge <NUM> of interior base layer <NUM> may be aligned with wicking layer lateral edge <NUM>. In other examples, and as schematically illustrated in <FIG>, base layer lateral outward edge <NUM> of interior base layer <NUM> may be spaced apart from wicking layer lateral edge <NUM> along laterally outward direction <NUM>.

In some examples, a configuration of interior base layer <NUM> additionally or alternatively may be characterized with reference to moisture barrier layer <NUM>. For example, and as schematically illustrated in <FIG> and less schematically illustrated in <FIG>, base layer lateral inward edge <NUM> of interior base layer <NUM> may be spaced apart from moisture barrier layer lateral edge <NUM> along laterally inward direction <NUM>. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, interior base layer <NUM> may overlie at least a portion of moisture barrier layer <NUM> within moisture capture assembly peripheral region <NUM>, within laterally inward portion <NUM> of bonded region <NUM>, and/or within laterally outward portion <NUM> of the bonded region. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, base layer lateral outward edge <NUM> of interior base layer <NUM> may be aligned with moisture barrier layer lateral edge <NUM>. In other examples, and as schematically illustrated in <FIG>, base layer lateral outward edge <NUM> of interior base layer <NUM> may be spaced apart from moisture barrier layer lateral edge <NUM> along laterally inward direction <NUM> (as illustrated in <FIG>) or along laterally outward direction <NUM> (as illustrated in <FIG>).

In some examples, interior base layer <NUM> defines a closed region and/or may be described as being a closed structure. That is, interior base layer <NUM> is continuous around a perimeter region of moisture capture assembly <NUM>, such as generally coinciding with bonded region <NUM>.

When present, exterior base layer <NUM> may have any suitable position, orientation, and/or extent relative to moisture capture assembly <NUM>, moisture retention portion <NUM>, and/or bonded region <NUM>. In some examples, exterior base layer <NUM> and moisture retention portion <NUM> are directly bonded to one another via a corresponding capture assembly-base bond <NUM>. In particular, in some examples, exterior base layer <NUM> is directly bonded to wicking layer <NUM> and/or to moisture barrier layer <NUM> via respective capture assembly-base bonds <NUM>.

In some examples, and as schematically illustrated in <FIG> and less schematically illustrated in <FIG>, at least a portion of exterior base layer <NUM> underlies at least a portion of moisture capture assembly <NUM>, such as at least a portion of moisture capture assembly peripheral region <NUM>. Stated differently, in some examples, exterior base layer <NUM> underlies at least a portion of moisture capture assembly <NUM> within moisture capture assembly peripheral region <NUM> and/or within laterally inward portion <NUM> of bonded region <NUM>. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, and as schematically illustrated in <FIG> and less schematically illustrated in <FIG>, exterior base layer <NUM> extends within each of laterally inward portion <NUM> and laterally outward portion <NUM> of bonded region <NUM>. While <FIG> schematically illustrate exterior base layer <NUM> as underlying moisture capture assembly <NUM> as a single flat layer, this is not required of all examples of garment <NUM>. As examples, it also is within the scope of the present disclosure that exterior base layer <NUM> may be folded, doubled over, and/or otherwise characterized by two or more adjacent layers within a portion of moisture capture assembly peripheral region <NUM> within which interior base layer <NUM> underlies moisture capture assembly <NUM>.

In some examples, and as schematically illustrated in <FIG>, base layer lateral inward edge <NUM> of exterior base layer <NUM> is spaced apart from moisture retention portion lateral edge <NUM> along laterally inward direction <NUM>. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, and as schematically illustrated in <FIG>, base layer lateral outward edge <NUM> of exterior base layer <NUM> is aligned with moisture capture assembly lateral edge <NUM> and/or with moisture retention portion lateral edge <NUM>. In other examples, and as schematically illustrated in <FIG>, base layer lateral outward edge <NUM> of exterior base layer <NUM> is spaced apart from moisture capture assembly lateral edge <NUM> and/or from moisture retention portion lateral edge <NUM> along laterally inward direction <NUM> (as illustrated in <FIG>) or along laterally outward direction <NUM> (as illustrated in <FIG>).

In some examples, a configuration of exterior base layer <NUM> additionally or alternatively may be characterized with reference to wicking layer <NUM>. For example, and as schematically illustrated in <FIG>, base layer lateral inward edge <NUM> of exterior base layer <NUM> may be spaced apart from wicking layer lateral edge <NUM> along laterally inward direction <NUM>. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, exterior base layer <NUM> may underlie at least a portion of wicking layer <NUM> within moisture capture assembly peripheral region <NUM> and/or within laterally inward portion <NUM> of bonded region <NUM>. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, base layer lateral outward edge <NUM> of exterior base layer <NUM> may be aligned with wicking layer lateral edge <NUM>. In other examples, and as schematically illustrated in <FIG>, base layer lateral outward edge <NUM> of exterior base layer <NUM> may be spaced apart from wicking layer lateral edge <NUM> along laterally inward direction <NUM> or along laterally outward direction <NUM>.

In some examples, a configuration of exterior base layer <NUM> additionally or alternatively may be characterized with reference to moisture barrier layer <NUM>. For example, and as schematically illustrated in <FIG>, base layer lateral inward edge <NUM> of exterior base layer <NUM> may be spaced apart from moisture barrier layer lateral edge <NUM> along laterally inward direction <NUM>. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, exterior base layer <NUM> may underlie at least a portion of moisture barrier layer <NUM> within moisture capture assembly peripheral region <NUM>, within laterally inward portion <NUM> of bonded region <NUM>, and/or within laterally outward portion <NUM> of the bonded region. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, base layer lateral outward edge <NUM> of exterior base layer <NUM> may be aligned with moisture barrier layer lateral edge <NUM>. In other examples, and as schematically illustrated in <FIG>, base layer lateral outward edge <NUM> of exterior base layer <NUM> may be spaced apart from moisture barrier layer lateral edge <NUM> along laterally inward direction <NUM> (as illustrated in <FIG>) or along laterally outward direction <NUM> (as illustrated in <FIG>).

In some examples, as illustrated in <FIG>, exterior base layer <NUM> may coincide with, or generally may be coextensive with, moisture capture assembly <NUM>.

When present, intermediate base layer <NUM> may have any suitable position, orientation, and/or extent relative to moisture capture assembly <NUM>, moisture retention portion <NUM>, and/or bonded region <NUM>. In some examples, intermediate base layer <NUM> and moisture retention portion <NUM> are directly bonded to one another via a corresponding capture assembly-base bond <NUM>. In particular, in some examples, intermediate base layer <NUM> is directly bonded to wicking layer <NUM> and/or to moisture barrier layer <NUM> (as schematically illustrated in <FIG>) via respective capture assembly-base bonds <NUM>.

In some examples, and as schematically illustrated in <FIG> and less schematically illustrated in <FIG>, at least a portion of intermediate base layer <NUM> underlies at least a portion of moisture capture assembly <NUM>, such as at least a portion of moisture capture assembly peripheral region <NUM>. Stated differently, in some examples, intermediate base layer <NUM> underlies at least a portion of moisture capture assembly <NUM> within moisture capture assembly peripheral region <NUM> and/or within laterally inward portion <NUM> of bonded region <NUM>. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, and as schematically illustrated in <FIG> and less schematically illustrated in <FIG>, intermediate base layer <NUM> extends within each of laterally inward portion <NUM> and laterally outward portion <NUM> of bonded region <NUM>.

In some examples, and as schematically illustrated in <FIG> and less schematically illustrated in <FIG>, base layer lateral inward edge <NUM> of intermediate base layer <NUM> is spaced apart from moisture retention portion lateral edge <NUM> along laterally inward direction <NUM>. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, and as schematically illustrated in <FIG>, base layer lateral outward edge <NUM> of intermediate base layer <NUM> is aligned with moisture capture assembly lateral edge <NUM> and/or with moisture retention portion lateral edge <NUM>. In other examples, and as schematically illustrated in <FIG>, base layer lateral outward edge <NUM> of intermediate base layer <NUM> is spaced apart from moisture capture assembly lateral edge <NUM> and/or from moisture retention portion lateral edge <NUM> along laterally inward direction <NUM> (as illustrated in <FIG>) or along laterally outward direction <NUM> (as illustrated in <FIG>).

In some examples, a configuration of intermediate base layer <NUM> additionally or alternatively may be characterized with reference to wicking layer <NUM>. For example, and as schematically illustrated in <FIG> and less schematically illustrated in <FIG>, base layer lateral inward edge <NUM> of intermediate base layer <NUM> may be spaced apart from wicking layer lateral edge <NUM> along laterally inward direction <NUM>. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, intermediate base layer <NUM> may underlie at least a portion of wicking layer <NUM> within moisture capture assembly peripheral region <NUM> and/or within laterally inward portion <NUM> of bonded region <NUM>. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, base layer lateral outward edge <NUM> of intermediate base layer <NUM> may be aligned with wicking layer lateral edge <NUM>. In other examples, and as schematically illustrated in <FIG>, base layer lateral outward edge <NUM> of intermediate base layer <NUM> may be spaced apart from wicking layer lateral edge <NUM> along laterally inward direction <NUM> or along laterally outward direction <NUM>.

In some examples, a configuration of intermediate base layer <NUM> additionally or alternatively may be characterized with reference to moisture barrier layer <NUM>. For example, and as schematically illustrated in <FIG> and less schematically illustrated in <FIG>, base layer lateral inward edge <NUM> of intermediate base layer <NUM> may be spaced apart from moisture barrier layer lateral edge <NUM> along laterally inward direction <NUM>. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, intermediate base layer <NUM> may underlie at least a portion of moisture barrier layer <NUM> within moisture capture assembly peripheral region <NUM>, within laterally inward portion <NUM> of bonded region <NUM>, and/or within laterally outward portion <NUM> of the bonded region. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, base layer lateral outward edge <NUM> of intermediate base layer <NUM> may be aligned with moisture barrier layer lateral edge <NUM>. In other examples, and as schematically illustrated in <FIG>, base layer lateral outward edge <NUM> of intermediate base layer <NUM> may be spaced apart from moisture barrier layer lateral edge <NUM> along laterally inward direction <NUM> (as illustrated in <FIG>) or along laterally outward direction <NUM> (as illustrated in <FIG>).

In examples in which garment <NUM> includes a plurality of base layers <NUM> that are bonded to one another, the base layers may be bonded to one another in any of a variety of manners. In particular, in various examples, and as schematically illustrated in <FIG>, two or more of interior base layer <NUM>, exterior base layer <NUM>, and/or intermediate base layer <NUM> are bonded to one another via corresponding base internal bonds <NUM>. In some examples, at least one base internal bond <NUM> is positioned only in laterally inward portion <NUM> of bonded region. Additionally or alternatively, at least one base internal bond <NUM> may be positioned only in laterally outward portion <NUM> of bonded region <NUM>. Additionally or alternatively, at least one base internal bond <NUM> may extend within each of laterally inward portion <NUM> and laterally outward portion <NUM> of bonded region <NUM>. In particular, <FIG> schematically illustrates an example in which base internal bond <NUM> that bonds exterior base layer <NUM> and intermediate base layer <NUM> to one another extends within each of laterally inward portion <NUM> and laterally outward portion <NUM>.

In examples in which the plurality of base layers <NUM> includes interior base layer <NUM> and intermediate base layer <NUM>, the interior base layer and the intermediate base layer may have any suitable relative orientation. As examples, base layer lateral inward edge <NUM> of interior base layer <NUM> may be aligned with base layer lateral inward edge <NUM> of intermediate base layer <NUM>, or may be spaced apart from the base layer lateral inward edge of the intermediate base layer. More specifically, the base layer lateral inward edge of the interior base layer may be spaced apart from the base layer lateral inward edge of the intermediate base layer along laterally inward direction <NUM> or along laterally outward direction <NUM>. As additional examples, base layer lateral outward edge <NUM> of interior base layer <NUM> may be aligned with base layer lateral outward edge <NUM> of intermediate base layer <NUM>, or may be spaced apart from the base layer lateral outward edge of the intermediate base layer. More specifically, the base layer lateral outward edge of the interior base layer may be spaced apart from the base layer lateral outward edge of the intermediate base layer along laterally inward direction <NUM> or along laterally outward direction <NUM>. In particular, in the example of <FIG> and <FIG>, the base layer lateral outward edge of the interior base layer is spaced apart from the base layer lateral outward edge of the intermediate base layer along the laterally inward direction. In some examples, such as in the example of <FIG> and <FIG>, interior base layer <NUM> and intermediate base layer <NUM> are directly bonded to one another via a corresponding base internal bond <NUM> (labeled in <FIG>).

In examples in which the plurality of base layers <NUM> includes interior base layer <NUM> and exterior base layer <NUM>, the interior base layer and the exterior base layer may have any suitable relative orientation. As examples, base layer lateral outward edge <NUM> of interior base layer <NUM> may be aligned with base layer lateral outward edge <NUM> of exterior base layer <NUM>, or may be spaced apart from the base layer lateral outward edge of the exterior base layer. More specifically, the base layer lateral outward edge of the interior base layer may be spaced apart from the base layer lateral outward edge of the exterior base layer along laterally inward direction <NUM> or along laterally outward direction <NUM>. In particular, <FIG> and <FIG> illustrate an example in which the base layer lateral outward edge of the interior base layer is approximately aligned with the base layer lateral outward edge of the exterior base layer, but is slightly spaced apart from the base layer lateral outward edge of the exterior base layer along the laterally outward direction. In some examples, interior base layer <NUM> and exterior base layer <NUM> are directly bonded to one another via a corresponding base internal bond <NUM>. In the example of <FIG> and <FIG>, however, interior base layer <NUM> and exterior base layer <NUM> are operatively coupled to one another only via intermediate base layer <NUM>.

In examples in which the plurality of base layers <NUM> includes exterior base layer <NUM> and intermediate base layer <NUM>, the exterior base layer and the intermediate base layer may have any suitable relative orientation. As examples, base layer lateral outward edge <NUM> of exterior base layer <NUM> may be aligned with base layer lateral outward edge <NUM> of intermediate base layer <NUM>, or may be spaced apart from the base layer lateral outward edge of the intermediate base layer. More specifically, the base layer lateral outward edge of the exterior base layer may be spaced apart from the base layer lateral outward edge of the intermediate base layer along laterally inward direction <NUM> or along laterally outward direction <NUM>. In particular, in the example of <FIG> and <FIG>, the base layer lateral outward edge of the exterior base layer is spaced apart from the base layer lateral outward edge of the intermediate base layer along the laterally inward direction. In some examples, such as in the example of <FIG> and <FIG>, exterior base layer <NUM> and intermediate base layer <NUM> are directly bonded to one another via a corresponding base internal bond <NUM> (labeled in <FIG>).

Turning more specifically to example garment <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>, example garment <NUM> represents an example of garment <NUM> in the form of a short (e.g., a pair shorts), such as may be worn as an undergarment and/or as nightwear. In particular, <FIG> illustrate various aspects of the outer surfaces of example garment <NUM>. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of base layers <NUM> and of the components of moisture capture assembly <NUM> within bonded region <NUM> and/or within moisture capture assembly peripheral region <NUM>, while <FIG> is a schematic representation of the configuration illustrated in <FIG>. As discussed, it is to be understood that the configuration illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG> may be exhibited at any of a variety of locations along moisture capture assembly peripheral region <NUM>. For example, the configuration illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG> may be representative of every location along moisture capture assembly peripheral region <NUM>, or may be representative of only a portion of the moisture capture assembly peripheral region.

As illustrated in <FIG>, garment base <NUM> of example garment <NUM> includes a plurality of base panels <NUM> that are assembled together partially via adhesive bonds <NUM> (not labeled in <FIG>) and partially via stitching. In portions of garment base <NUM> extending between bonded region <NUM> and each garment aperture <NUM>, the sole base layer <NUM> of the garment base is intermediate base layer <NUM>. In particular, although intermediate base layer <NUM> defines each of garment interior surface <NUM> and garment exterior surface <NUM> in such regions, this base layer <NUM> still represents an example of intermediate base layer <NUM> because this base layer is positioned between interior base layer <NUM> and exterior base layer <NUM> within bonded region <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, example garment <NUM> additionally includes edge reinforcing strip <NUM> positioned adjacent to each garment aperture <NUM>, such that each edge reinforcing strip at least partially defines the corresponding garment aperture and the corresponding leg opening <NUM>. In example garment <NUM>, and as schematically illustrated in <FIG>, each edge reinforcing strip <NUM> is bonded to garment base <NUM> (specifically, to intermediate base layer <NUM>) via a corresponding adhesive bond <NUM>.

Turning more specifically to the cross-sectional views of <FIG> and <FIG>, moisture retention portion <NUM> of example garment <NUM> includes wicking layer <NUM>, first moisture retention layer <NUM>, and second moisture retention layer <NUM> bonded to one another via corresponding capture assembly internal bonds <NUM>. Specifically, in this example, wicking layer <NUM> is bonded to first moisture retention layer <NUM> via a corresponding capture assembly internal bond <NUM> that extends from a location that is spaced apart from base layer lateral inward edge <NUM> of interior base layer <NUM> along laterally inward direction <NUM> to wicking layer lateral edge <NUM>. In this example, wicking layer lateral edge <NUM> is aligned with moisture retention portion lateral edge <NUM>. Additionally, in this example, first moisture retention layer <NUM> is bonded to second moisture retention layer <NUM> via a corresponding capture assembly internal bond <NUM> that extends to moisture retention portion lateral edge <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, anti-leak portion of example garment <NUM> includes moisture barrier layer <NUM> in the form of a moisture-impermeable film that is bonded to moisture retention portion <NUM>. Specifically, in this example, moisture barrier layer <NUM> is bonded to second moisture retention layer <NUM> via a corresponding capture assembly internal bond <NUM> that extends to moisture retention portion lateral edge <NUM>. In this example, moisture barrier layer <NUM> itself extends beyond moisture retention portion lateral edge <NUM>, such that moisture barrier layer lateral edge <NUM> is spaced apart from moisture retention portion lateral edge <NUM> along laterally outward direction <NUM>. Thus, in this example, moisture barrier layer <NUM> represents the portion of moisture capture assembly <NUM> with the greatest extent in laterally outward direction <NUM>, such that moisture barrier layer lateral edge <NUM> represents moisture capture assembly lateral edge <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, garment base <NUM> of example garment <NUM> includes interior base layer <NUM>, exterior base layer <NUM>, and intermediate base layer <NUM>. In particular, in this example, interior base layer <NUM> is bonded to wicking layer <NUM> via internal peripheral bond <NUM>, which takes the form of a corresponding capture assembly-base bond <NUM>, such that base layer lateral inward edge <NUM> of interior base layer <NUM> is spaced apart from wicking layer lateral edge <NUM> along laterally inward direction <NUM>. In this manner, in this example, interior base layer <NUM> overlies moisture retention portion <NUM> within moisture capture assembly peripheral region <NUM>. In this example, interior base layer <NUM> further extends along laterally outward direction <NUM> such that base layer lateral outward edge <NUM> of interior base layer <NUM> is spaced apart from moisture retention portion lateral edge <NUM> along the laterally outward direction. In particular, in laterally outward portion <NUM> of bonded region <NUM>, interior base layer <NUM> is directly bonded to moisture barrier layer <NUM> via a corresponding capture assembly-base bond <NUM>. This corresponding capture assembly-base bond further extends beyond moisture barrier layer lateral edge <NUM> to additionally bond interior base layer <NUM> directly to intermediate base layer <NUM>. Accordingly, this adhesive bond <NUM> also may be referred to as base internal bond <NUM>, at least in the region in which interior base layer <NUM> is directly bonded to intermediate base layer <NUM>. In this manner, in this example, base layer lateral outward edge <NUM> of interior base layer <NUM> also is spaced apart from the moisture barrier layer lateral edge along laterally outward direction <NUM>.

In the example of <FIG> and <FIG>, intermediate base layer <NUM> is bonded directly to interior base layer <NUM> as discussed above, and further is bonded directly to moisture barrier layer <NUM> via a corresponding capture assembly-base bond <NUM>. In this example, intermediate base layer <NUM> extends along laterally outward direction <NUM> such that base layer lateral outward edge <NUM> of the intermediate base layer is spaced apart from the base layer lateral outward edge of interior base layer <NUM>. Additionally, in this example, base layer lateral inward edge <NUM> of intermediate base layer <NUM> is positioned within, or proximate to, moisture capture assembly peripheral region <NUM>. By contrast, in this example, exterior base layer <NUM> spans a full width of moisture capture assembly <NUM> and underlies the moisture capture assembly within moisture capture assembly central region <NUM> and moisture capture assembly peripheral region <NUM>. In this example, exterior base layer <NUM> is bonded directly to intermediate base layer <NUM> via external peripheral bond <NUM>, which takes the form of a corresponding base internal bond <NUM>. In this example, base layer lateral outward edge <NUM> of exterior base layer <NUM> is generally aligned with base layer lateral outward edge <NUM> of interior base layer <NUM>, but is slightly spaced apart from the base layer lateral outward edge of the interior base layer along laterally inward direction <NUM>.

<FIG> is a flowchart depicting a method <NUM>, according to the present disclosure, of manufacturing a garment, such as garment <NUM> disclosed herein. As shown in <FIG>, method <NUM> includes bonding, at <NUM>, a moisture capture assembly to a garment base. Examples of moisture capture assemblies and/or of garment bases that may be utilized in conjunction with methods <NUM> are disclosed herein with reference to moisture capture assembly <NUM> and/or garment base <NUM>, respectively.

The bonding the moisture capture assembly to the garment base at <NUM> may be performed in any suitable manner according to the present disclosure. In particular, in some examples, and as shown in <FIG>, the bonding the moisture capture assembly to the garment base at <NUM> includes forming, at <NUM>, one or more capture assembly-base bonds to bond at least one base layer of the garment base and at least a portion of the moisture capture assembly to one another. In particular, in various examples, the bonding the moisture capture assembly to the garment base at <NUM> includes bonding the moisture capture assembly to the garment base using an adhesive bond (such as any suitable adhesive bond <NUM> disclosed herein) and/or without stitching and/or sewing. More specifically, in some examples, and as shown in <FIG>, the forming the one or more capture assembly-base bonds at <NUM> includes forming, at <NUM>, an internal peripheral bond and/or forming, at <NUM>, an external peripheral bond. Examples of capture assembly-base bonds, of internal peripheral bonds, of external peripheral bonds, and/or of base layers that may be utilized in conjunction with methods <NUM> are disclosed herein with reference to capture assembly-base bond <NUM>, internal peripheral bond <NUM>, external peripheral bond <NUM>, and/or any suitable base layer <NUM>, respectively.

In some examples, the bonding the moisture capture assembly to the garment base at <NUM> includes bonding a pre-formed moisture capture assembly to the garment base. More specifically, in some examples, and as shown in <FIG>, method <NUM> further includes, prior to the bonding the moisture capture assembly to the garment base at <NUM>, forming, at <NUM>, the moisture capture assembly.

The forming the moisture capture assembly at <NUM> may be performed in any suitable manner according to the present disclosure. In particular, in some examples, and as shown in <FIG>, the forming the moisture capture assembly at <NUM> includes bonding, at <NUM>, two or more layers of the moisture capture assembly to one another. More specifically, in examples, the bonding the two or more layers of the moisture capture assembly to one another at <NUM> may include bonding two or more of a moisture retention portion, an anti-leak portion, one or more moisture retention layers, a first moisture retention layer, a second moisture retention layer, a wicking layer, and/or a moisture barrier layer to one another. In some examples, and as shown in <FIG>, the forming the moisture capture assembly at <NUM> and/or the bonding the two or more layers of the moisture capture assembly to one another at <NUM> includes forming, at <NUM>, one or more capture assembly internal bonds. Examples of moisture retention portions, of anti-leak portions, of moisture retention layers, of first moisture retention layers, of second moisture retention layers, of wicking layers, of moisture barrier layers, and/or of capture assembly internal bonds that may be utilized in conjunction with methods <NUM> are disclosed herein with reference to moisture retention portion <NUM>, anti-leak portion <NUM>, moisture retention layer <NUM>, first moisture retention layer <NUM>, second moisture retention layer <NUM>, wicking layer <NUM>, moisture barrier layer <NUM>, and/or capture assembly internal bond <NUM>, respectively.

Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, and as shown in <FIG>, the forming the moisture capture assembly at <NUM> includes shaping, at <NUM>, the moisture capture assembly, such as to adapt the moisture capture assembly for incorporation with the garment base. In some examples, the shaping the moisture capture assembly at <NUM> is performed subsequent to the bonding the two or more layers of the moisture capture assembly to one another at <NUM>. The shaping the moisture capture assembly at <NUM> may be performed in any of a variety of manners. As an example, and as shown in <FIG>, the shaping the moisture capture assembly at <NUM> may include cutting, at <NUM>, the moisture capture assembly to a desired shape, such as a shape corresponding to a crotch region of the garment. More specifically, in some such examples, the cutting the moisture capture assembly to the desired shape at <NUM> includes utilizing a die cutting process.

As used herein, the term "and/or" placed between a first entity and a second entity means one of (<NUM>) the first entity, (<NUM>) the second entity, and (<NUM>) the first entity and the second entity. Multiple entries listed with "and/or" should be construed in the same manner, i.e., "one or more" of the entities so conjoined. Other entities optionally may be present other than the entities specifically identified by the "and/or" clause, whether related or unrelated to those entities specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference to "A and/or B," when used in conjunction with open-ended language such as "comprising," may refer, in one example, to A only (optionally including entities other than B); in another example, to B only (optionally including entities other than A); in yet another example, to both A and B (optionally including other entities). These entities may refer to elements, actions, structures, steps, operations, values, and the like.

As used herein, the phrase "at least one," in reference to a list of one or more entities should be understood to mean at least one entity selected from any one or more of the entities in the list of entities, but not necessarily including at least one of each and every entity specifically listed within the list of entities and not excluding any combinations of entities in the list of entities. This definition also allows that entities may optionally be present other than the entities specifically identified within the list of entities to which the phrase "at least one" refers, whether related or unrelated to those entities specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, "at least one of A and B" (or, equivalently, "at least one of A or B," or, equivalently "at least one of A and/or B") may refer, in one embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, with no B present (and optionally including entities other than B); in another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, B, with no A present (and optionally including entities other than A); in yet another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, and at least one, optionally including more than one, B (and optionally including other entities). In other words, the phrases "at least one," "one or more," and "and/or" are open-ended expressions that are both conjunctive and disjunctive in operation. For example, each of the expressions "at least one of A, B, and C," "at least one of A, B, or C," "one or more of A, B, and C," "one or more of A, B, or C," and "A, B, and/or C" may mean A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, A, B, and C together, and optionally any of the above in combination with at least one other entity.

As used herein, the phrase "at least substantially," when modifying a degree or relationship, includes not only the recited "substantial" degree or relationship, but also the full extent of the recited degree or relationship. A substantial amount of a recited degree or relationship may include at least <NUM>% of the recited degree or relationship. For example, a first component that extends at least substantially around a second component includes a first component that extends around at least <NUM>% of a circumference of the second component and also includes a first component that extends fully circumferentially around the second component.

Claim 1:
A garment configured to be worn by a wearer and to be washed and re-worn numerous times, the garment comprising:
a plurality of adhesive bonds within a bonded region of the garment;
a garment base, wherein the garment base defines a garment lateral edge of the garment; and
a moisture capture assembly bonded to the garment base within the bonded region of the garment by at least a subset of the plurality of adhesive bonds,
wherein the moisture capture assembly has a perimeter, an assembly interior side that faces the wearer when the garment is worn by the wearer, and an assembly exterior side that faces away from the wearer when the garment is worn by the wearer, and
wherein the moisture capture assembly comprises at least:
a moisture retention portion configured to absorb and retain moisture from the wearer; and
an anti-leak portion configured to restrict moisture from exiting the moisture retention portion and positioned toward the assembly exterior side of the moisture capture assembly relative to the moisture retention portion;
wherein the bonded region extends fully around the perimeter of the moisture capture assembly, and
wherein the moisture capture assembly and the bonded region do not extend to the garment lateral edge.