Patent Document

FIELD OF THE INNOVATION 
     This innovation relates to supportive undergarments for obese wearers who have an overhanging abdomen, or of wearers who have had liposuction surgery, where loose abdominal skin may hang over the lower abdomen and groin regions and cause irritation and other skin complications. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Many obese men and women are plagued by an overhanging or pendulous abdomen, where the abdomen or belly lies over the lower abdomen and groin regions of the body, and is in many cases in intimate contact with these lower regions. The overhang of the abdomen or belly is caused by excess fatty tissue in the greater omentum that spills over the waist, a condition common in obese persons. The underlying skin of the overhanging abdomen is touching the skin of the lower abdomen and even the groin areas, which are overlaid, causing irritations and rashes to develop by friction and moisture retention. The same is true for persons having had liposuction surgery, or rapid weight loss, where they are left with pendulous abdominal skin that creates the same problems. While these are afflictions are more commonly suffered by growing numbers of obese persons, no comfortable solution has been formulated to date. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INNOVATION 
     The innovation disclosed herein is an undergarment in the form of underpants or panty, of which embodiments may be set forth for both men and women, which solves the problem of irritation and rashes caused by overhanging pendulous abdomen mass as discussed in the preceding section. The innovative undergarment provides an interior fabric panel as a means of a separation partition between the underlying skin of the abdominal (belly) overhang and the skin of the underlying lower abdominal and thigh regions, skin-to-skin contact between the belly overhang and the underlying lower abdominal skin, as well as skin in the groin region, is eliminated. In instances of the embodiments described herein, the fabric panel is disposed on the inside of the undergarment, dividing the interior of the undergarment into an anterior (front) compartment and a posterior (rear) compartment. The anterior compartment receives the overhanging abdominal mass when the innovative undergarment is worn. It is formed substantially forward of the leg openings, and may comprise an elastic fabric. In alternative embodiments, an elastic band may be disposed along the top hem of the partition. The partition may be form-fitting to the abdomen (under the overhanging belly), to form a snug but comfortable fit around the torso. The elastic band commonly disposed along the top of the undergarment may stretch around the front-facing (outer) side of the belly overhang, covering the front of the overhang. The anterior compartment may form a pouch for the belly overhang. The composition of the partition may comprise fabrics such as wicking fabrics, cotton, polyesters, nylon, bamboo, hemp and microfabric, either having tight weaves or woven into gauze and mesh materials. Partition materials may comprise single-layer or multi-layer fabrics, including quilted materials. 
     In other embodiments, the partition panel is anchored to the rear regions of the innovative undergarment, the anchor points being disposed behind the median seam, along buttocks region of the undergarment in the posterior compartment. The anchor points may be disposed along the top hem of the undergarment in the posterior buttocks region. In other embodiments, straps or fabric segments may extend from the posterior anchor points to wrap around the lower torso from the posterior to the anterior, or loins. Said straps may connect to an abbreviated partition, where the partition&#39;s lateral extent is shortened in comparison to the other embodiments. The panel may be sewn into the hem seams of the fabric along the leg openings in the anterior portion of the undergarment, and form a flap of fabric that is supported by the straps extending to the anchor points in the anterior portion of the panty undergarment. The wearer may slip on the panties on while the partition inserts between the abdomen and the overhanging belly. The straps, which may be comprised of an elastic fabric, pull the flap towards the abdomen of the wearer. The outer fabric of the anterior panel of the undergarment may pulled over the overhanging mass, where an elastic upper hem may pull the fabric of the anterior panel snug around the belly overhang. In the embodiments where the panel is directly anchored to the posterior fabric along the buttocks, the panel may be stitched to the seam around the leg openings. When wearing the innovative undergarment, the wearer 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1 a   . Perspective view of a first embodiment of the innovative undergarment. 
         FIG. 1 b   . Side sectional view of a first embodiment of the innovative undergarment. 
         FIG. 2 a   . Perspective view of a second embodiment of the innovative undergarment. 
         FIG. 2 b   . Side sectional view of a second embodiment of the innovative undergarment. 
         FIG. 3 a   . Perspective view of a third embodiment of the innovative undergarment. 
         FIG. 3 b   . Side sectional view of a third embodiment of the innovative undergarment. 
         FIG. 4 a   . Perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the innovative undergarment. 
         FIG. 4 b   . Side sectional view of a fourth embodiment of the innovative undergarment. 
         FIG. 5 . Top view of a first embodiment of the innovative undergarment. 
         FIG. 6 . Top view of a fourth embodiment of the innovative undergarment. 
         FIG. 7 a   . Depiction of the functionality of the innovative undergarment, as illustrated by a female wearer wearing the innovative undergarment. Side view. 
         FIG. 7 b   . Depiction of the functionality of a first embodiment of the innovative undergarment, as illustrated by a female wearer wearing the innovative undergarment. Frontal view. 
         FIG. 8 . Depiction of the functionality of a fourth embodiment of the innovative undergarment, having tapered extensions to the rear, as illustrated by a female wearer wearing the innovative undergarment. Side view. 
         FIG. 9 . Depiction of a fifth embodiment of the innovative undergarment, having straps connecting to the rear, as illustrated by a side view of a female wearer wearing the innovative undergarment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  shows a first embodiment of the innovative undergarment  100 . Fabric partition  101  divides the interior of innovative undergarment  100  into an anterior compartment  102  and a posterior compartment  103 . Anterior portion  102  serves the function of encasing at least a portion of the overhanging belly of the wearer, where partition  101  serves to form a separation wall or membrane preventing contact between the underlying skin of the belly overhang and the skin of the lower abdomen, which is otherwise in intimate contact with the underlying skin of the belly overhang. Anterior compartment  102  is bounded by fabric partition  101  and front panel fabric  104 , whereas posterior compartment is bounded by fabric partition  101  and rear panel fabric  105 . Stitching  106  may be used as one means to attach fabric partition  101  to the fabric of undergarment  100 , as shown in  FIG. 1 a   . Partition  101  may be attached along the hem lines of leg holes  107 , extending across crotch panel  108  to close the bottom of anterior compartment  102 . In some embodiments, elastic band  109  may be integrated along the top hem of fabric partition  101  to provide partition  101  with a form-fitting property, whereby partition  101  may be urged to cling to the lower abdomen by elastic band  109 . In alternative embodiments, partition  101  may comprise an elastic, or stretchable fabric, such as, but by no means limited to, Lycra and spandex. Connection of both front panels and partition to the crotch can be in the front curve of crotch (same as front attachments of other commercial panties). Front panel  104  may be slipped over the belly overhang and cling to it by in-manufactured elasticity in the fabric or stretch band along the top hem. 
       FIG. 1 b    shows a sectional side view of innovative undergarment  100 , revealing more clearly the anterior and posterior compartments  102  and  103 , respectively, separated by partition  101 , which is shown pulled away from front panel  104 . In this embodiment, partition  101  is stitched to the fabric of undergarment  100  along the entirety of its length at the terminator between front panel  104  and rear panel  105 , shown by central seam  110 , although it is recognized that some undergarment designs are seamless. Partition  101  may be stitched to the central seam of the undergarment, or along any vertical or diagonal line separating panels  104  and  105 , and in the present embodiment, terminating at the hem line of leg opening  108 . As will be disclosed below, other embodiments of the innovative undergarment are not limited to this configuration. Also evident in  FIG. 1 b    is the convergence of partition  101  and front panel  104  at the bottom of undergarment  100 , forming a V-shaped profile converging to a single point at the bottom of anterior compartment  102 . 
     A second embodiment  200  of the innovative undergarment is shown in  FIGS. 2 a  and 2 b   , where partition  101  is stitched to the body of the undergarment along seam  110  to the rim of leg opening  107 , and along said rim, as indicated by following stitching  106 . As is evident in  FIGS. 2 a  and 2 b   , stitching  106  extends further along the rim of leg opening  107  than the first embodiment featured in  FIGS. 1 a  and 1 b   , and then crosses crotch panel  108  further back from front panel  104  to join the second half of the innovative undergarment  100  (not shown). In the present embodiment of  FIGS. 2 a - b   , partition  101  and front panel  104  are substantially not joined at the bottom of anterior compartment  102 , leaving a region of crotch panel  108  to form a floor of compartment  102 , as seen in  FIG. 2 b   . In this embodiment, among other aspects, extra space is available to accommodate excess belly overhang of the wearer, where extra material may be available to for front panel  104  to stretch over the exterior of the belly overhang. Anterior compartment  102  thereby forms a pouch for the belly overhang. 
     In a third embodiment, shown as undergarment  300  in  FIGS. 3 a  and 3 b   , anterior compartment  102  is abbreviated lengthwise, where bottom of panel  101  may be stitched along front panel  104  further up from crotch panel  108  towards the top of front panel  104 , as seen in  FIG. 3 a    by following stitching  106  along front panel  104 , and as shown in the sectional view of  FIG. 3 b   . In this way, a smaller belly overhang may be accommodated without unduly forcing the undergarment to ride lower down the wearer&#39;s torso. 
     A departure from the general construction of the preceding embodiments, embodiment  400  shown in  FIGS. 4 a  and 4 b    illustrate rear panel attachment or anchor joints  401  for partition  101 , which extends along rear panel  105  by tapered extensions  402 , as shown in  FIG. 4 a   , to anchor joints  401  on both left and right sides of undergarment  400 . Tapered extensions  402  are shown having a widening taper extending from joints  401  to contiguously merge with front panel  101 , where the combination of extensions  401  and partition  101  may be considered as one integral partition piece, as illustrated by the hidden lines in  FIG. 4 a   , and more clearly in the sectional side view of  FIG. 4 b   . The bottom of tapered extensions  402  may coincide with and be integrally stitched along a portion of rims of leg holes  107 , as can be seen by following stitching  106  in  FIG. 4 a   , and by the hidden lines in  FIG. 4 b   . In the present embodiment, front panel  101  is stitched along crotch panel  108  further away from front panel  104  as shown in  FIGS. 2 a - b   , again forming a wider anterior compartment as a pouch for accommodating a large belly overhang In the present embodiment, greater physical support may be achieved by anchoring partition  101  (integral with extensions  401 ) for the wearer, by having the weight of the belly overhang distributed to the rear of the undergarment, and by providing extra material for the front panel  101  if necessary. In addition, front panel  101  is free to droop more easily and follow the natural contours of the wearer&#39;s abdomen without uncomfortably restricting the abdomen to conform to a particular shape. The configuration in the present embodiment is meant to be exemplary, and is by no means limiting. Other embodiments combining features of the present embodiment and those of the first embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1 a - b    may be equally valid. 
       FIGS. 5 and 6  show a top view of two embodiments of the innovative undergarment. In  FIG. 5 , embodiment  100 , illustrated in  FIGS. 1 a - b   , is shown with partition  101  pulled away from front panel  104 , exposing anterior compartment  102 . The faint contour lines are drawn in as an aid to visualize the embodiments in three dimensions looking down from the top. Stitching  106  is also visible, and indicates how partition  101  may be attached to the undergarment body, as explained in detail above. In  FIG. 5 , partition  101  is shown terminating at and stitched along central seam  110 . In equivalent embodiments, partition  101  may terminate along front panel  104  or rear panel  105 , and be stitched thereto. In  FIG. 6 , the forth embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 4 a - b    is shown in top view. Extensions  402  are visible, extending from anchor joints  401  disposed along rear panel  105  to merge with partition  101 , which is shown attached to the rims of leg openings  107  by stitching  106 . Again, front panel  101  is folded back and away from front panel  104  to expose anterior compartment  102 , which may form a pouch for the overhanging belly of the wearer. 
     As examples of how the disclosed innovation is utilized,  FIG. 7 a    depicts a representative side view of innovative undergarment  700 , corresponding substantially to embodiment  1  of this description, being worn by a wearer having a belly overhang  701 . For clarity, the outer fabric of the undergarment is not shown to reveal salient aspects of the lower abdomen of the wearer and partition  702 . Partition  702  acts to protect the abdominal and groin regions from skin contact with belly overhang  701 .  FIG. 7 b    shows a representative frontal view of the same. Front panel  701  covers the front of belly overhang  701 , and may be slipped over the belly by the wearer. Elastic band  704  may cause front panel  701  to hug the wearer&#39;s abdomen, while having the undergarment ride up to the waist for a comfortable fit. Partition  702  forms barrier to skin-to-skin contact between the underlying skin of the overhanging belly and the lower abdomen and groin regions of the wearer. An elastic band disposed along the top of partition  702  allows partition  701  to form fit the body of the wearer to ensure the function of the partition, and for comfort of the wearer. The space between the two panels forms a pouch to comfortably accommodate belly overhang  701 . 
     Another example is shown in  FIG. 8 , where. The embodiment depicted in  FIG. 8  substantially corresponds to the forth embodiment described above, and illustrated in  FIGS. 4 a - b   . Tapered partition  801  is substantially the same as shown in  FIGS. 4 a  and 4 b   , and is shown extending from anchor point  802 , and widening towards the front, where it wraps under the belly overhang  803  to the opposite side, forming a symmetrical structure. In the side view of  FIG. 8 , the top of partition  801  naturally follows the contours of the wearer&#39;s abdomen, and permits a more comfortable fit for larger abdomens. 
     A final embodiment is shown in  FIG. 9 , where a representative side view of the undergarment is shown as worn by a female wearer. In this embodiment, partition  901  is truncated near the midline of the undergarment body, and connected to the undergarment in the rear section by strap structures  902  (one shown in the side view). 
     In all foregoing embodiments, partition panel may be at least partially made from fabrics such as, but by no means limited to, nylon, cotton knit, cotton/polyester blend, cotton/spandex blends, cotton/Lycra blends, bamboo fiber, hemp fiber, bamboo/Lycra blends, hemp/Lycra blends, bamboo fiber/spandex blends, hemp fiber/spandex blends, microfiber and microfiber blends, and combinations thereof. Connection of both front panels and partition to the crotch can be in the front curve of crotch (same as front attachments of other commercial panties). 
     The embodiments described herein constitute several examples of the innovative undergarment, and are by no means to be construed as limiting the innovation to these examples. Skilled practitioners of the art will recognize that the innovation may be manifest in a multitude of equivalent variations, and when practiced do not depart from the scope and spirit of the innovation.

Technology Category: a