GB2366988A

GB2366988A - Male undergarment

Info

Publication number: GB2366988A
Application number: GB0023233A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paul Brady
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-09-22
Filing date: 2000-09-22
Publication date: 2002-03-27
Anticipated expiration: 2020-09-22
Also published as: GB2366988A8; GB0023233D0; WO2002024007A1; AU2001295710A1; GB2366988B

Abstract

The undergarment comprises a co-operatively interfitting multiple panel assembly with a front pouch 11 that is formed from a pair of juxtaposed side panels 12, 14 joined at a centre seam 17 and supported by side panels. The pouch extends between the legs and tapers progressively at its lower end to an apex, intervening between the inner leg seams 37, 38 and joining a centre rear or back seam. The undergarment preferably has a pouch access opening between a rear panel 19, that depends from a waistband 13 between the pouch support seams 36, 39, and the pouch upper edge seam 18. The lower apex of the pouch may be configured as a point, a rectangular step or as a rounded nose. The garment is preferably formed of an elasticated material.

Description

2366988 Garment (Male Underwear) Construction This invention relates to

garments, apparel, items of wear, or clothing and is particularly, but not exclusively, concerned with (adult) male under-garments or underwear commonly designated as briefs, shorts, trunks or pants.

5 Aspects of the invention are applicable to (male) outer-wear, such as swimwear (bathing trunks).

Certain aspects may also be applicable to other garment categories altogether, including variants for children and infants.

Generally, garment design dictates conformity with anatomical and physiological considerations and compliance with variations upon body movement.

Considerations of fit, form and style - allowing for diversity of body size and shape - are often combined with the economics of production.

In conventional garments there is a risk of - even predisposition for economic and style factors dominating function.

15 Garment construction typically relies upon inter-assembly of otherwise generally flat, two-dimensional, panels - each cut to a prescribed outline profile or pattern - into a curved three-dimensional form, through interconnecting seams.

Juxtaposed panels may interact - with attendant change in panel surface contour - upon mutual assembly, along a common edge seam.

20 Panel contour and seam disposition may also adjust upon wear, dictated by body contour fit.

Overall, a panel no longer lies 'naturally' flat, but assumes a (complex) curvilinear surface contour, Respective panel edge profiles and surface contours are thus inter- dependent upon assembly and wear.

By careful (relative) profiling and sizing, panels may be pre-disposed to assume a certain three-dimensional surface contour, shape or form.

5 Fabric(s) with certain characteristics (eg pliability, stretching etc) are employed for the panels.

Fabric stretch or elasticity may be orientated along certain predetermined directions - or so-called 'grain lines'.

Elasticity may vary with direction - ie anisotropic elasticity - allowing a garment to accommodate body contours when worn, without losing its overall shape.

Aside from an overall curved surface contour through panel profile and interconnection, a garment may bulge or distend locally - in a controlled manner - to accommodate particular prominent or protruding anatomical features.

Fabric elasticity, panel cut and seam location may be combined to reduce unwanted is creases, bulges or gathering of excess fabric folds.

Male Underwear Male underwear generally addresses a mid-trunk body region, from the waist, over the hips and buttocks down to the thigh and upper leg.

Snugness and locality of fit varies with style.

20 Style variants may fall somewhat short of the waist and hang largely from the prominent body structure of the pelvic hips, at opposite sides, and/or the pronounced buttock muscle mass, at the rear.

2 BriefsfTrunks Briefs or trunks may hug the waist, hips, buttocks and thighs.

In doing so they may over-restrain or crush the male genitalia.

Boxer Shorts 5 Boxer shorts may extend, in a slight flare from the waist band, and with a somewhat loose leg fit someway down the thigh.

Thus the entire garment may effectively be suspended, or hung, from a supporting waist or hip band, commonly with an elasticated band, or other adjustable tension tie strap or cord.

However, through their loose fit from the waist or hips downwards, boxer shorts do not adequately contain, guide or support the male genitalia.

Male Genitalia:

Support vs Accommodation Emphasis vs Concealment 15 For male underwear, the male reproductive and urinary organs, or genitalia, are a (sensitive) case in point - both visually and structurally or functionally.

Whilst (artificial) crushing and/or uplift is not the consideration it may be in female brassieres, the tendency of conventional male briefs is to pack the genitalia snugly away, preserving a continuity of overall garment line or form, but paying insufficient 20 regard to natural organ stance and vulnerability.

Structurally, the penis is generally more robust than the testicles.

Inadequate attention is paid to the testicles.

In that sense, the penis leads and the testicles are expected (passively) to adjust 3 appropriately.

Garment provision for penis (end) access for urination assumes, or is reliant upon, a certain handling, distension and distortion, in order to escape the garment confines typically through a split seam garment opening in a front panel.

5 Style From design through manufacture to overt advertising and point of sale promotion, (misplaced) considerations of etiquette, modesty or decency may militate against overt identification of, or elaboration upon, the necessary presence of an underlying male organ - which may be sidelined as a subtlety defined amorphous mass.

10 Thus a prospective buyer is not made aware of deficiencies of traditional underwear designs, nor motivated to demand and seek out a more competent or compliant solution.

For the male genitalia, primary considerations should be:

penis access, extension and (re)direction for urination; and 15 support of testicles, in a manner which reflects their sensitivity, tenderness or delicacy and respects the biological imperative of a moderate temperature environment (some 2 degrees below body level), consistent their location outside the main body cavity.

In conventional male underwear design, token provision is made for penis access - 20 commonly alongside a front pouch, but minimal or inadequate testicle accommodation or support is afforded.

The front pouch has minimal, or inappropriate, profiling and is severely constrained by boundary seams - for example in the proprietary so-called Y-front (Trade Mark) style or configuration.

25 It follows that the genitals are distorted or crushed into conformity with the garment 4 constraints, rather than the garment contours conforming to, or respecting, the organ profile.

Aspects of the present invention are concerned with comfort and genital health as over-riding issues, and in particular:

5 to provide a garment sack or containment vessel which brings the testicles away from the body; in turn to address concerns of male infertility and testicular cancer.

Conventional underwear pays no overt attention to male genital health and indeed the construction of some variants may impede or run contrary to such concerns - for 10 example by giving precedence to other factors, such as style and fashion, and production economics.

Elasticated fabrics tend to strap the genitalia to the body.

Moreover, synthetic materials, such as nylon, may engender local heat and moisture creating an environment conducive to fungal and/or bacterial growth.

15 Soft tissue irritation and attendant inflammation is caused by overly tight and mis- contoured, or ill-fitting garment seams - inflammation and skin abrasion or lesion may increase the vulnerability to infection.

Ultimately, 'unsympathetic' garments may be a contributory factor or trigger to infection or disease.

20 Allowing or encouraging the testicles to hang (freely) away from the body (and preserve a certain mobility in relation thereto) achieves a cooler environment (vis the 2 degrees below body temperature necessary to optimise sperm production) with air circulation.

Attempts - such as in EP 0787 438 - to re-configure pant seams, for alternative penis 25 access and testicle accommodation have not addressed seam-body interference.

Statement of Invention

According to one aspect of the invention, a [male] undergarment (10), comprises 5 a co-operatively interfitting multiple panel assembly; with a front pouch (11), of juxtaposed pouch side panels (12, 14), joined at a centre seam (17), and supported by (front) side panels (21, 22); 10 the pouch extending between the legs, and tapering progressively at its lower end to an apex; intervening between inner leg seams (37, 38), and joining a centre rear or back seam (28).

According to another aspect of the invention, 15 a [male] undergarment (10), comprises opposed front and rear side panels (21, 22, 23, 24); a front pouch (11) (for the male genitalia), interposed between front side panels (21, 22); 20 the front pouch being bounded laterally, and supported by, pouch side seams (33, 35); the pouch profile being tapered, from top to bottom, so that the pouch side seams converge, at a bottom pouch apex (25); 25 the rear side panels (23, 24) being joined, by a centre rear or back seam (28), continuing to the pouch bottom apex, in the crotch region; the corresponding front and rear side panels extending downwardly, 30 to form leg portions (31, 32); joined by respective outer side seams (26, 27), and inner leg seams (37, 38); 6 the pouch bottom apex intervening between opposed inner leg seams, whereby to leave the pouch unencumbered or unconstrained, by the inner leg seams.

5 Desirably, the pouch has substantial provision - in shape and size - for accommodating the testicles.

Moreover, there is no seam or panel join - such as, in particular, one bounding the pouch underside - running or lying across a (natural or unfettered) locus or pathway representing a range of testicular movement under'normal' body activity.

Both opposed inner leg seams (joining front and rear garment panels) are disposed to sit well behind, and stop short of, the testicles when the garment is worn.

In practice, the pouch desirably tapers progressively to a lower apex - of pointed, rounded, or square-cut profile - which intervenes between opposed inner leg seams.

At the lower pouch apex, a central pouch seam can pass between - but unconnected to - the opposed inner leg seams.

At the termination of the pouch, the central pouch seam can join a back seam (ie a seam joining opposite back side panels) in the crotch region.

A penis (upper) access opening is disposed at the junction of the support pouch with the remainder of the garment.

20 Garment Legs The absence of legs can allow a garment to bind, fix or adhere locally to a wearer's body - with attendant garment distortion wrinkling and discomfort.

Moreover, the absence of legs can allow seams to run deep into the (sensitive) groin area - with attendant stress concentration.

7 It is also desirable to ensure that the garment 'underside', or bounding leg opening seams, do not fall across the leg tendons.

Legs or leg portions are deployed according to the present invention to divert or draw stress (concentration) away from the body.

5 Thus, garment legs can contribute to stress (re-) distribution in the groin area.

In particular, legs can divert or draw stress away from the body, especially the testicles.

Supporting Embodiments There now follows a description of some particular embodiments of the invention, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic and schematic drawings, in which:

Figure 1 A shows a front (elevation) view of a garment construction according to the invention - as it would appear when worn, suspended from the waistband; Figure 1 B shows a side elevation of the garment of Figure 1 A, depicting side seam location and orientation; 15 Figure 1 C shows another front elevation of the garment of Figures 1 A and 1 B - as it would appear when laid flat, to convey the oval leg opening and differential front and rear panel depth; Figure 1 D shows another front view of the garment of Figures 1 A through 1 C, showing seam support forces for a front pocket, when worn; 20 Figure 1 E shows a rear (elevation) view of the garment of Figures 1 A through 1 D.

Figure 2A shows another front elevation of the garment shown in Figures 1A through 1 E, depicting replacement of a single side seam, with a side panel insert, and 8 bounding seams, the front of which is apparent as an upright front side panel jointing seam; Figure 2B shows an underside view of the garment of Figure 2A configured in 3-D form, as it would adopt when worn; 5 Figure 2C shows a rear view (projection) of the garment shown in Figures 2A and 213; Figure 2D shows a side elevation of the garment of Figures 2A through 2C, with side panel insert, when worn.

Figure 3A shows a front view of a boxer short style garment, with a (conventional) front-opening fly; 10 Figure 3B shows an underside view of Figure 3A configured in 3-D form, as it would adopt when worn; Figures 4A through 4C show more explicitly, through part-section, part cut-away illustration detail, structural, anatomical and functional considerations of the garment of Figures 1 A through 1 E; 15 Thus, more specifically:

Figure 4A shows a sectional view of the garment of Figures 1 A through 1 E, with certain anatomical detail, in particular depicting the disposition within the garment of the male genitalia of the wearer - and a certain pouch clearance about the body; Figure 4B shows an under side part-sectional view of the crotch region of the garment 20 of Figure 4A, depicting the disposition of key male anatomical features, in particular testicles and rearward glands; Figure 4C shows a front view of the garment of Figures 4A and 4B showing the anatomical location of belly tendons, the bladder and prostate; Figure 5 shows seam stress distribution upon spreading the legs of a garment 9 constructed according to Figures 1A through 2C; and Figure 6 shows seam stress distribution upon leg movement in a conventional, boxer short style, garment.

Referring to the drawings, a male underwear garment (vis underpants, trunks or briefs) 5 10 is of multiple panel construction with a central front pouch 11.

More specifically, opposed front panels 21, 22 are aligned with corresponding opposed rear panels 23, 24.

Whilst the front panels 21, 22 are separated by the intervening pouch 11, the rear panels 23, 24 are joined at the rear by a centre back (spine) seam 28.

10 The centre back or rear (spine) seam 28 extends downwardly to join the pouch central seam 17 in the crotch region.

Sides seams 26, 27 join the corresponding front and rear panels 21, 23 and 22, 24 respectively.

Single side seams 26, 27 may be replaced by side panels 48, 49 - with respective is paired side seams 46A, 46B and 47A, 47B.

Such side panels 48, 49 may be simply for visual effect, such as by employing a different fabric, and/or may allow a more generous garment sizing or fit, locally or overall.

The pouch 11 itself comprises opposed side panels 12, 14 joined by a centre seam 20 17.

The centre pouch seam 17 allows the necessary volume to be gained to accommodate the testicles.

Pouch side seams 33, 35 join the pouch side panels 12, 14 to the front panels 21, 22 respectively.

The pouch seams 33, 35 run progressively together until they meet at a lower pouch apex 25 in the crotch region, as is more clearly evident from Figure 2B.

These seams 33, 35 evenly spread the (genitalia) weight carried and stretch a front (penis) access opening, described later, 5 As depicted in Figure 1 D, the pouch 11 as a whole is suspended by a diagonally opposed network of seams 36, 39, 37, 38, which connect to the side seams 33, 35 and act as stabilisers, inhibiting 'wayward' or untoward pocket movement.

Unlike a conventional garment construction, the inner leg seams 37, 38 do not themselves join or intersect, but rather are separated in the crotch region by the intervening pouch lower apex 25.

This allows the pouch lower apex 25 to extend rearwards, beyond the 'root' of the testicles, before terminating in seams 33, 35 to join rear panels 23, 24.

At the pouch lower apex 25, the pouch centre seam 17 joins the centre back seam 28.

15 This affords additional pocket volume in a key area of the testicles (which are crushed in conventional garment construction).

The additional enclosed lower pocket volume allows the testicles to fall somewhat away from the body - as reflected in Figure 4A.

An open upper edge seam 18 terminates the top of the pouch 11 and is bounded by 20 opposed stub seams 36, 39 in the front panels 21, 22.

The stub seams 36, 39 are bridged by a central flap panel 19, which extends behind and below the open edge seam 18.

This provides a penis access opening, for urination.

In the crotch region, the pouch 11 contours follow the root of the testicles, continuing 11 upward and forward, allowing the penis to lie upward, as shown in Figure 4A.

At the foot of, and underneath, the pouch 11, the front and rear panels 21, 23 and 22, 24 are joined by respective inner leg seams 37, 38.

As shown in Figure 213, these inner leg seams 37, 38 join the pouch side seams 33, 5 35.

A lower pouch apex 25 continues rearwardly somewhat of the inner leg seams 37, 38, until the pocket side seams 33, 35 intersect at a join with a centre back seam 28.

At this seam junction and pouch 11 termination, the centre back seam 28 aligns with, and is continued as the pocket front central seam 17.

10 Overall, the pouch 11 is configured adequately to accommodate, whilst considerately' and effectively supporting, the male genitalia 40 of a wearer 20.

In particular, its 'liberal' rearward extent, follows the 'root' of the wearer's genitalia.

This avoids a lateral seam, say between inside leg seams, lying across, rubbing and abrading the delicate tissues of the testicles.

is Stretch Fabric The various panels (12, 14, 19, 21, 22, 23, 24 etc) are each of an elastic stretch fabric - such as one woven and/or knitted from yarn with cotton, viscose, polyamide, elastain/Lycra (Trade Mark) content.

Stretch or elasticity reflects yarn characteristics and yarn matrix interweave and/or knit.

20 A particularweave and/or knit 'pattern' can be arranged to impart 'an isotropic' elastic stretch behaviour - that is stretch varies with direction.

Thus an overall, so-called, 'grain line' - of optimum stretch orientation can be contrived.

12 Account and advantage is taken of this for the cut, relative disposition, and orientation of each panel (12, 14, 19, 21, 22, 23, 24 etc).

Moreover, the stretch grain lines of individual panels (112, 14, 19, 21, 22, 23, 24 etc) are disposed co-operatively.

5 In this particular construction, the grain line of each panel (12, 14, 19, 21, 22, 23, 24 etc) is orientated f rom 'top' to 'bottom' of the garment 10 (orientated as it would be worn - ie waistband upper most, trunk and lower thighs).

The fabric stretch characteristic contributes to conformity or snugness of fit of each individual panel (112, 14, 19, 21, 22, 23, 24 etc).

Collective panel (12, 14, 19, 21, 22, 23, 24 etc) fit requires cooperative mutual grain line alignment of interfitted panels (12, 14, 19, 21, 22, 23, 24 etc).

Thus no panel (12,14, 19, 21, 22, 23, 24 etc) is 'sacrificially' pulled unduly out of shape, distorted, distended, or otherwise disfigured, by any other.

Rather each panel (112, 14, 19, 21, 22, 23, 24 etc) has a reciprocal (beneficial) effect upon another.

The grain line inhibits localised fabric gathering or wrinkling.

A certain relative mobility of garment 10 and wearer 20 is tolerated - to allow garment re-clisposition to preserve fit, as a wearer's body assumes different stances or postures.

20 Thus, for example, (genitalia) support is preserved whether a wearer is sitting or standing - and through the transition therebetween.

This in turn dictates a novel approach to inner leg seam 37, 38 and front pouch 11 location, In a conventional garment a seam runs across a natural pathway of testicular 13 movement - at least under a reasonable, moderate or normal range of activities or (athletic) pursuits.

Figure 3B shows conventional garment construction, in which the inner leg seam runs across the wearer's testicles.

5 This unsatisfactory interaction or interference prevails upon sitting or standing - along with restricting leg movement.

Upon standing, the testicles can shift, to sit forward of an inner leg seam - reverting to lie below or behind the inner leg seam upon sitting.

It follows that the inner leg seam traverses the testicles upon such body motion.

10 Such moving contact action between testicles and seam is abrasive and risks irritation and consequent inflammation of delicate tissue structure.

The problem is aggravated if the testicles are already constrained against the body, by an ill-fiffing garment - in particular when squeezed by a reinforced seam.

Anatomically and physiologically, the groin area embodies a plethora of nerves and 15 lymph nodes, and other sensitive tissue areas which surround the testicles.

Discomfort can arise at all of these areas, by a slipping center seam motion.

Thus such an inner leg seam disposition is 'intolerant' and inflexible.

Even (sitting or standing) astride - ie legs spread apart - imposes a (spreading) stress across a garment, between the legs or leg openings.

20 Accommodation of this'spreading' stress requires adequate material provision and inherent stretch elasticity across the groin area.

The centre seam of a conventional garment runs along the spreading stress line and so directly inhibits leg spreading.

14 Rather, stress is passed around the leg or leg opening seam, tightening the grip of the garment across the thigh, as shown in Figure 6.

The garment itself can wrinkle and the legs tend to draw up the body.

As reflected in Figures 1 A through 1 D et seq, the garment configuration according to 5 the invention makes substantial and appropriate provision for the male genitalia.

This provision is through a pouch, the pouch configuration and the manner of (mounting) attachment of the pouch to the garment.

The pouch allows the testicles to hang more appropriately away from the body.

In addition, the centre (underside) leg seam is disposed to sit behind the testicles 10 when the garment is worn - reducing testicular abrasion upon body motion.

Moreover, upon sifting astride - ie legs apart - the absence of a continuous centre, inner, leg seam (as with a conventional garment) avoids constriction of the genitalia.

Rather the spreading stress along individual inside leg seams is transferred around the side seams of the intervening pouch, which is not itself constricted.

15 This obviates genitalia crushing and affords a more comfortable sitting position.

Certain sports or exercise activities, especially cycling, can cause problems in the critical area of concern for male health.

Thus the perineurn - at the base of the pelvic girdle - forms the apex for many pressures, and can be bruised by excessive saddle contact.

20 This adverse saddle interaction arises through adoption of a constant forward-leaning, sitting stance, while exerting drive through the legs.

A certain stimulation of the perineurn can however prove beneficial.

The present invention critically (re)locates a centre seam, at the junction of front and rear panels, to allow a front pouch to start at the perineum.

This seam location is behind two glands between the testicles, buttock muscle mass and anus formation.

5 The tops of the legs form an apex reducing the space available to accommodate a panel.

Given the two-piece pouch construction, the rear seam must locate close to the glands at the rear of the testicles.

Generally, seam location and contour must be anatomically correct - ie reflect the body contours.

The closer the conformity or compliance, the better the so-called 'fit'.

Production Economics Considerations of economics of production, whether in material cutting, consumption or assembly times are relegated as secondary considerations to anatomical conformity 15 or compliance.

Universality of Fit Moreover, given underlying conformity or compliance, it is envisaged that a modest range of garment sizes could accommodate a great diversity of wearer shapes and sizes.

20 Fabrics are known which allows a some 20% stretch to a comfortable fit.

This aff ords some leeway in normal garment size.

16 Garment Leg Provision of a garment leg portion plays a significant role in satisfying issues of fit and comfort.

In particular, a garment with legs can ensure that the underneath or crotch region 5 does not fall across, or otherwise foul leg tendons.

It is common practice in conventional legless garments to elasticate the peripheral edges of the leg openings.

However, the elastic bound fabric cannot differentiate between the nap of the groin and the pelvic ligaments.

10 The ligaments, being more prominent, are stressed as the elastic contact becomes f ixed.

The fabric tends to adhere upon localised pelvic-ligament contact resulting in perspiration.

The provision of legs 31, 32 according to the invention obviates the need for an 15 elasticated seam and hence no localised stress concentration is created that could impede garment movement and cause irritation.

Generally, garment legs are important in the displacement of 'restrictive' (or constrictive) forces.

In particular the network of forces concentrating in the groin is removed and the 20 garment seams allowed to act as a (support) frame.

The fabric retains a stretch-to-fit quality, but must be held correctly to ensure forces are (re-)directed to (the) side seams - as depicted in Figures 1 A and 5.

Legs are not positioned to provide equal movement, reflecting a leg muscle mass disposition for forward motion.

17 More specifically, larger muscle mass is concentrated at the rear of the leg, culminating in the buttocks.

The constituent garment panel configuration - vis relative shape, size and joint seam location - reflects this.

5 Thus the garment rear panels - in embracing the larger rear muscle mass - 'contribute' more to the leg circumference than the front panels, as reflected in Figure 1 C.

This can be achieved by preserving the location of the side seam and locating the inner leg seam more forward, again as shown in Figure 1 C.

With this arrangement, the inner leg seam remains 'plumb' central when the wearer is seated (as depicted in Figure 5).

The garment leg should finish square on to the leg when worn.

This in turn dictates an elliptical leg opening profile 41 when the garment is laid flat.

The attendant foreshortened front panel accommodates forward leg motion and the deeper rear panel accommodates the larger muscle mass of the buttocks when seated.

Given their respective individual tasks, it is an important consideration that the seams remain correctly located.

This in turn relieves the wrapping compression attendant the stretch fabric tension.

If the seams are not constructed correctly, the material will effectively 'strap' down the testicles and penis.

Waist The garment waistband 13 is amply sized to remain under'modest', but adequate, tension when worn - but well under the elastic limit.

18 Moreover, a 'barely' tensioned waistband 13 respects the role of tendons 42 under the belly that hold the bladder 43 in place, and which if obstructed may shift or tilt the bladder 43 and impact upon the prostate 44, as reflected in Figure 4A.

Component List 5 10 male underwear garment 11 pouch 12 pouch side panel 13 waist band 14 pouch side panel 10 17 pouch central seam 18 pouch upper edge seam 19 central flap panel 20 wearer 21 front panel 15 22 front panel 23 rear panel 24 rear panel 25 lower pouch apex 26 side seam 20 27 side seam 28 central back seam 31 leg 32 leg 33 pouch side seam 25 35 pouch side seam 36 stub seam 37 inner leg seam 38 inner leg seam 39 stub seam 19 40 genitalia 41 leg opening 42 tendons 43 bladder 5 44 prostate 46A side panel seam 46B side panel seam 47A side panel seam 47B side panel seam 10 48 side panel 49 side panel

Claims

Claims

1.

A [male] undergarment (10), comprising 5 a co-operatively interfitting multiple panel assembly; with a front pouch (11), of juxtaposed pouch side panels (12, 14), joined at a centre seam (17), and supported by (front) side panels (21, 22); 10 the pouch extending between the legs, and tapering progressively at its lower end to an apex; intervening between inner leg seams (37, 38), and joining a centre rear or back seam (28).

21 2.

A [male] undergarment (10), comprising opposed front and rear side panels (21, 22, 23, 24); 5 a front pouch (11) (for the male genitalia), interposed between front side panels (21, 22); the front pouch being bounded laterally, and supported by, pouch side seams (33, 35); the pouch profile being tapered, from top to bottom, 10 so that the pouch side seams converge, at a bottom pouch apex (25); the rear side panels (23, 24) being joined, by a centre rear or back seam (28), continuing to the pouch bottom apex, 15 in the crotch region; the corresponding front and rear side panels extending downwardly, to form leg portions (31, 32); joined by respective outer side seams (26, 27), and inner leg seams (37, 38); 20 the pouch bottom apex intervening between opposed inner leg seams, whereby to leave the pouch unencumbered or unconstrained, by the inner leg seams.

25 A [male] undergarment, as claimed in either of the preceding claims, with a pouch top access opening, defined between a pouch upper edge seam (18), and a rear panel (19), 30 between pouch support seams (36, 39), depending from a waistband (13).

22 4.

A [male] garment, as claimed in any of the preceding claims, including a front pocket or pouch, 5 with a lower apex configured as a point.

5.

A [male] garment, as claimed in any of Claims 1 through 3, including a front pocket or pouch, 10 with a lower apex configured as a rectangular step.

6.

A [male] garment, as claimed in any of Claims 1 through 3, including a front pocket or pouch, 15 with a lower apex configured as a rounded nose.

7.

A [male] garment, as claimed in any of the preceding claims, of elasticated fabric.

23 8.

A [male] garment, substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings, excluding Figures 3A,313 and 6.

24