AU2015100073A4 - An Undergarment - Google Patents

Abstract

An undergarment provided with a front portion, a back portion and a crotch portion which includes a means to securely hold and accurately position an absorbent article. This provides the benefit to the wearer that the absorbent article remains in the correct position even when the undergarment becomes wet. . 4-.

Description

25121 An Undergarment Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an undergarment and in particular to an undergarment used with an absorbent article. 5 Background Many women have a need to wear absorbent articles in their undergarments. Absorbent articles generally include an absorbent portion on one side to absorb fluids and an adhesive portion on the other side to secure the absorbent article in position to the undergarment. 10 During sport or other actives where a person may be prone to sweating and/or leakage, it's possible that the undergarment becomes damp or wet and the adhesive portion dislodges from the undergarment. This can be uncomfortable, inconvenient and result in embarrassing leakage of fluid. Additionally, when females (of all ability levels and of any age) require the use of 15 absorbent articles, it is sometimes difficult for them to accurately ascertain the correct position on the undergarment to ensure optimum coverage thus reducing the chance of staining the undergarment and clothes. Object of the Invention It is the object of the present invention in its preferred form to provide an 20 undergarment that securely holds and accurately positions an absorbent article. Summary of Invention The present invention provides an undergarment having a front portion, a back portion, and a crotch portion. The crotch portion connects the front and back portions. The crotch portion includes means to securely position an absorbent article. 25 Preferably, the means to securely position the absorbent article includes a gusset cuff attached to the crotch portion. In one embodiment the gusset cuff is formed from additional material sewn into the crotch portion, the gusset having an outer seam circumscribing the crotch portion to form a cuff for receiving the absorbent article. 30 Preferably, the gusset cuff is formed from a first material and the undergarment is formed from a second material. And still preferably, the first material is a material that securely holds the absorbent article in place.

25121 Brief Description of the Drawings A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a partial internal view of the gusset cuff of the undergarment in 5 accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a front external view of the undergarment of Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a back external view of the undergarment of Figure 1. Detailed Description of a Preferred Embodiment Referring to the drawings, the undergarment 10 is a pair of panties having a front 10 portion 18, a back portion 20, and a crotch portion 16 connecting the front and back portions 18, 20. The crotch portion 16 includes means to securely position an absorbent article (not shown), in the form of a gusset cuff 12 within the undergarment 10. As best seen in Figure 1, the means to securely position the absorbent article is a 15 material or gusset cuff 12 attached to the crotch portion 16. The gusset cuff 12 is sewn into the crotch portion 16 via an outer seam 22 which circumscribes the crotch portion 16 to form the gusset cuff 12 circumscribing the crotch portion 16. Typically, the absorbent article includes an adhesive side and an absorbent side. In use, the absorbent article may be inserted within the gusset cuff 12 adhesive side toward 20 the crotch portion 16 and sandwiched between the gusset cuff 12 and the crotch portion 16. The gusset cuff 12 provides a guide for correct positioning of the absorbent article and also securely positions the absorbent article within panties 10. This acts to prevent leakage on to the panties 10. The panties 10 may be formed from any suitable material. The gusset cuff 12 may be 25 formed from the same material as the panties 10, or may be formed from a different material. The gusset cuff 12 must be formed from a material that securely positions and holds the absorbent article within the panties 10. Examples of suitable materials include nylon/elastine, lycra and spandex. Although the invention has been described with reference to a specific example, it will 30 be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms. 2

Claims (5)

1. An undergarment having: a front portion a back portion; and 5 a crotch portion connecting the front and back portions, wherein the crotch portion includes means to securely position an absorbent article.

2. The undergarment of claim 1, wherein the means to securely position the absorbent article includes a gusset cuff attached to the crotch portion.

3. The undergarment of claim 2, wherein the gusset cuff is formed from additional 10 material sewn into the crotch portion, the gusset having an outer seam circumscribing the crotch portion to form a cuff for receiving the absorbent article.

4. The undergarment of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the gusset cuff is formed from a first material and the undergarment is formed from a second 15 material.

5. The undergarment of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first material is an elastic material. 3