AU2021104101A4

AU2021104101A4 - Garment comprising a protective insert

Info

Publication number: AU2021104101A4
Application number: AU2021104101A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Arsha Gardiner
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2020-07-16
Filing date: 2021-07-13
Publication date: 2021-09-09
Anticipated expiration: 2029-07-13

Abstract

A garment includes a protective insert having an inner layer that comprises a moisture-wicking material, an outer layer that comprises a substantially moisture resistant material and an intermediate layer that comprises a moisture absorbing material, wherein the intermediate layer is disposed between the inner layer and the outer layer. A releasable fastening means is adapted to attach the protective insert releasably to an inside surface of a chest area of the garment.

Description

GARMENT COMPRISING A PROTECTIVE INSERT

Field

[0001] The present invention relates to clothing and, more particularly, to a garment for use by lactating women that comprises a removable protective insert.

Background

[0002] Women who are lactating can experience milk leakage during pregnancy and after giving birth, particularly during the early weeks of breastfeeding. This can be embarrassing, messy and cause staining and damage to a women's clothes.

[0003] In an effort to address these problems, an absorbent wrap may be worn by a woman underneath her clothing that extends around her chest and covers her breasts. These breast wraps tend to be uncomfortable to wear, particularly at night when the wearer is trying to sleep. Breast wraps can also take some time to put on and adjust correctly and must be removed when it is time to breastfeed, which is time consuming and inconvenient. Breast wraps also quickly become saturated when the wearer's breasts are producing large amounts of milk which can lead to milk overflowing.

[0004] It is to be understood that, if any prior art is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the prior art forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

Summary

[0005] According to the present invention there is provided a garment, wherein the garment comprises: a protective insert comprising an inner layer that comprises a moisture-wicking material, an outer layer that comprises a substantially moisture resistant material and an intermediate layer that comprises a moisture absorbing material, wherein the intermediate layer is disposed between the inner layer and the outer layer; and a releasable fastening means adapted to attach the protective insert releasably to an inside surface of a chest area of the garment.

[0006] The releasable fastening means may be adapted to attach a perimeter of the protective insert releasably to the inside surface.

[0007] The protective insert and inside surface may have a plurality of cooperating fastening devices.

[0008] The cooperating fastening devices may comprise a plurality of male fastening devices that releasably engage with a plurality of female fastening devices by interference fit.

[0009] The present invention also provides a protective insert for a garment, wherein the protective insert comprises: an inner layer comprising a moisture-wicking material; an outer layer comprising a substantially moisture resistant material; and an intermediate layer comprising a moisture absorbing material, wherein the intermediate layer is disposed between the inner layer and the outer layer, wherein the protective insert is provided with a releasable fastening means adapted to attach the protective insert releasably to an inside surface of a chest area of the garment.

[0010] The moisture-wicking material may be a synthetic fibre.

[0011] The synthetic fibre maybe polyester fleece.

[0012] The polyester fleece may be a microfleece.

[0013] The microfleece may weigh approximately 185 grams per square meter.

[0014] The moisture-wicking material may be a natural fibre.

[0015] The natural fibre may comprise approximately 70% bamboo and approximately % organic cotton.

[0016] The natural fibre may comprise approximately 55% hemp and approximately % organic cotton.

[0017] The intermediate layer may comprise polyester microfleece.

[0018] The outer layer may comprise polyester.

[0019] The outer layer may comprise a polyurethane laminate.

[0020] The moisture absorbing material of the intermediate layer may comprise a moisture absorbing synthetic fibre.

[0021] The moisture absorbing synthetic fibre may comprise microfiber.

[0022] The microfiber may comprise approximately 80% polyester and approximately % polyamide.

[0023] The moisture absorbing material of the intermediate layer may comprise a moisture absorbing natural fibre.

[0024] The moisture absorbing natural fibre may comprise approximately 70% bamboo and approximately 30% organic cotton.

[0025] The intermediate layer may comprise tangled cellulose fibres of bamboo viscose, organic cotton and polyester.

[0026] The intermediate layer may be infused with silver ions.

[0027] The protective insert may also comprise a removable pad that comprises a moisture absorbing material, wherein the removable pad is insertable through a slit provided in the protective insert such that the removable pad is positionable between the inner layer and the outer layer adjacent the intermediate layer.

[0028] The slit may be formed through the inner layer.

[0029] The slit may be provided at one end of the inner layer.

[0030] The slit may be formed in a side edge of the protective insert.

[0031] The garment may comprise a breastfeeding slit.

[0032] The intermediate layer may comprise the removable pad.

[0033] The garment may comprise a lowermost section arranged below the chest area, wherein the breastfeeding slit is provided by a boundary between the lowermost section and the chest area.

[0034] The chest area may comprise a lowermost portion that is adapted to be tucked underneath the lowermost section.

[0035] The garment may comprise a zip fastener for sealing the breastfeeding slit.

[0036] The garment may be provided with a restraint means for securing a waist area of the garment to a wearer of the garment.

[0037] The restraint means may comprise a belt.

[0038] The restraint means may comprise a pair of straps attached to the garment, the straps being adapted to be wrapped around a waist of the wearer and tied together.

[0039] The straps may be attached to a front side of the garment.

[0040] The restraint means may comprise an elastic region extending around the waist area of the garment.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0041] Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1A is a side elevation view of a garment according to an example embodiment of the invention; FIG. 1B is an exploded view of a removable protective insert of the garment; FIG. 2A is an exploded view of a further protective insert included in a garment according to a further example embodiment of the invention; FIG. 2B provides three unexploded views of the protective insert of FIG. 2A shown with a removable pad being inserted into the protective insert; FIG. 2C provides three unexploded views of a further protective insert included in a garment according to a further example embodiment of the invention, wherein the protective insert is shown with a removable pad being inserted into the protective insert; FIG. 3A is a front elevation view of a garment according to a further example embodiment of the invention, wherein the first garment is being worn by a human subject and is depicted using broken lines; FIG. 3B is a further front elevation view of the garment of FIG. 3A, wherein the garment is depicted using unbroken lines; FIG. 3C is a further front elevation view of the garment of FIG. 3A; FIG. 3D is a rear elevation view of the garment of FIG. 3A; FIG. 4A is a front elevation view of a garment according to a further example embodiment of the invention, wherein the garment is being worn by a human subject and is depicted using broken lines; FIG. 4B is a further front elevation view of the garment of FIG. 4A, wherein the garment is depicted using unbroken lines; FIG. 4C is a rear elevation view of the garment of FIG. 4A; FIG. 5A is an exploded view of a protective insert included in a garment according to a further example embodiment of the invention; and FIG. 5B provides two unexploded views of the protective insert of FIG. 5A shown with a removable pad being inserted into the protective insert.

Description of Embodiments

[0042] Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, an example embodiment of the present invention provides a garment 1 comprising a protective insert 2, wherein the protective insert 2 has an inner layer that 3 that comprises a moisture-wicking material, an outer layer 4 that comprises a substantially moisture resistant material and an intermediate layer 5 that comprises a moisture absorbing material, wherein the intermediate layer 5 is disposed between the inner layer 3 and the outer layer 4. The garment 1 also comprises a releasable fastening means 6 adapted to attach the protective insert 2 releasably to an inside surface of a chest area of the garment 1.

[0043] More particularly, in the example depicted the releasable fastening means 6 is adapted to attach a perimeter of the protective insert 2 releasably to the inside surface of the chest area. The protective insert 2 and the inside surface may have a plurality of cooperating fastening devices. The cooperating fastening devices may comprise a plurality of male fastening devices that releasably engage with a plurality of female fastening devices by interference fit. For example, the cooperating fastening devices may comprise a set of snap buttons. The snap buttons may be arranged about the perimeter of the outer layer 4 of the protective insert 2 and about the chest area of the garment 1, as depicted in FIGS. 1A and 1B. The male components of the snap buttons may be provided on the protective insert 2 and the female components may be provided on the garment 1 (or vice versa). In other examples, the cooperating fastening devices may comprise sets of hook and loop fastening devices (not shown).

[0044] The insert 2 may be shaped such that it cups the breasts of the person who is wearing the garment 1. For example, the inner layer 3 may comprise a plurality of darts 7 (folds) that are sewn into the perimeter of the fabric of the layer 3. The darts 7 may be arranged such that the perimeter region of the inner layer 3 is angled toward the wearer's breasts, and such that the inner layer 3 comprises a concave inwardly-facing surface that bears against the wearer's breasts. The intermediate layer 5 may also comprise a set of darts 8 aligned with darts 7. The outer layer 4 may be generally folded, or may be sufficiently flexible, such that it conforms with the shape of the cupped inner and intermediate layers 3, 5.

[0045] In the example depicted, the garment 1 comprises a dress that includes a zip fastener 9 allowing the insert 2 to be easily accessed, inserted and removed. In other examples, the dress 1 may comprise a set of buttons or other fastening means instead of the zip fastener 9. The pair of shoulder straps of the dress 1 that are depicted may be length adjustable to allow the height of the insert 2 relative to the wearer's breasts to be adjusted. A length of elastic may extend around the waist region of the dress 1 to prevent any breast milk that leaks from the insert 2 from dripping down onto the lower region of the wearer's body. In other examples, the dress 1 may be provided with a belt instead of the length of elastic.

[0046] The garment 1 may comprise a protective insert that has a different configuration to the one depicted in FIG. 1B. For example referring to FIG. 2A, a further protective insert 10 is depicted that comprises an inner layer 12 comprising a moisture-wicking material, an intermediate layer 14 comprising a moisture absorbing material and an outer layer 16 comprising a substantially moisture resistant material. The protective insert 10 may also comprise a removable pad 18 comprising a moisture absorbing material, wherein the removable pad 18 is insertable through a slit provided in the protective insert 10 such that the removable pad 18 is positionable adjacent to the intermediate layer 14.

[0047] The slit may be arranged on the protective insert 10 and dimensioned such that the removable pad 18 is insertable either in between the inner layer 12 and the intermediate layer 14 or between the intermediate layer 14 and the outer layer 16. For example, referring to FIG. 2B the slit 20 may be formed in a side edge of the protective insert 10. This configuration allows the pad 18 to be inserted either side of (i.e., above or below) the intermediate layer 14. Referring to FIG. 2C, in another example the slit 20 may be formed through the inner layer 12 at one end of the inner layer 12. This configuration allows the pad 18 to be inserted underneath the inner layer 12 such that the pad 18 lies sandwiched between the inner layer 12 and the intermediate layer 14. The inner layer 12 and the outer layer 16 each comprise a shape that generally conforms with the chest area of the garment.

[0048] The moisture-wicking material that is comprised in the inner layer 12 may be a synthetic fibre, such as polyester fleece. The polyester fleece that is used may be a microfleece weighing 200 grams per square meter or less. For example, the polyester fleece may be a microfleece weighing approximately 185 grams per square meter. In other examples, the moisture-wicking material may be a natural fibre. For example, a natural fibre comprising approximately 70% bamboo and approximately 30% organic cotton may be used. In another example, a natural fibre comprising approximately 55% hemp and approximately 45% organic cotton may be used.

[0049] The intermediate layer 14 may comprise a moisture absorbing synthetic fibre. For example, a synthetic microfiber may be used comprising approximately 80% polyester and approximately 20% polyamide. In other examples, the intermediate layer 14 may comprise a moisture absorbing natural fibre. For example, a natural fibre comprising approximately 70% bamboo and approximately 30% organic cotton may be used.

[0050] The intermediate layer 14 may comprise a combination of synthetic and natural moisture absorbing materials. For example, the intermediate layer 14 may comprise tangled cellulose fibres of bamboo viscose, cotton and polyester. The intermediate layer 14 may be treated or infused with substances having antimicrobial properties. For example, the intermediate layer 14 may be infused, impregnated or coated with silver ions. In one example, the intermediate layer 14 may comprise one of the commercially-available fabrics that are provided under the trade mark ZorbTM. The outer layer 16 may be made of a substantially moisture resistant material such as polyester and may comprise a polyurethane laminate (PUL), including cotton and bamboo-type PUL.

[0051] The removable pad 18 is moisture absorbent and may be made of substantially the same material that the intermediate layer 14 is made of. In other examples, the removable pad 18 may comprise either (i) a section of polyester microfleece, (ii) a section of polyester microfleece that has a section of microfibre layered on top of it, or (iii) a section of fabric comprising one of the commercially-available fabrics provided under the trade mark ZorbTM sandwiched between two sections of microfleece. The skilled person will appreciate that the removable pad 18 and the intermediate layer 14 may each be made of other moisture absorbent materials, including any of the moisture absorbent materials described in this specification. The three layers of the protective insert 2 depicted in FIG. 1B may be made of the same materials used to make the equivalent layers of protective insert 10.

[0052] In use, the protective insert 10 may be attached to garments worn by lactating women to absorb excess breast milk. For example, referring to FIGS. 3A to 3D there is depicted a garment 22 that comprises a t-shirt style top. The protective insert 10 is preferably attached to an underside of a chest section 24 of the garment 22, as illustrated by the broken lines in FIG. 3C. The protective insert 10 may be attached using a releasable attachment means.

[0053] A frontside of the garment 22 may be provided with a breastfeeding slit 26. More particularly, the garment 22 may comprise a lowermost section 28 arranged below the chest section 24 and the slit 26 may be provided by the boundary that is formed between the lowermost section 28 and the chest section 24. A lowermost rectangular portion of the chest section 24 may be sufficiently long such that the rectangular portion extends below the slit 26 when the chest section lies flat against the body of the user. In this configuration, the rectangular portion may be tucked underneath the lowermost section 28 of the garment 22 by the user when the breastfeeding slit 26 is not being used. The lowermost end of the rectangular portion is illustrated in FIG. 3B by the broken line labelled 29.

[0054] A zip fastener (not shown) may also be provided along the slit 26 that is used to seal the slit 26 when not in use. For example, the zip fastener may comprise a first toothed zip track that extends along the topmost edge of the lowermost garment section 28 that engages with a second toothed zip track extending laterally along the chest section 24 adjacent to the topmost edge. To improve the aesthetic appeal of the garment 22, the zip fastener may advantageously be an invisible-type zip fastener that has toothed zip tracks that remain hidden from view by portions of fabric. Using an invisible-type zip fastener also advantageously ensures that the zip tracks do not come into contact with the wearer when the zip fastener is closed, which improves the comfort of the garment 22.

[0055] The garment 22 may also be provided with a restraint means for securing a waist area of the garment 22 to the wearer during use. For example, the garment 22 may comprise a belt or one or more straps arranged around its waist area. In the example depicted in FIGS.3A-D, the garment 22 comprises a pair of straps 30 attached to the front side of the garment 22 that are adapted to be wrapped around the waist of the wearer and tied together at the rear of the garment 22. In another example, the restraint means may comprise an elastic region extending around the waist area of the garment 22.

[0056] In use, the garment 22 may be worn by a lactating woman with the protective insert 10 underneath the chest section 24 covering her breasts and nipples. Excess and unwanted breast milk that is produced enters into the inner layer 12 of the insert 10 and is transferred into the intermediate layer 14 by virtue of the moisture-wicking properties of the inner layer 12. The milk is absorbed into the intermediate layer 14 and the moisture-resistant outer layer 16 shields the moisture from the fabric of the garment.

[0057] At times when the women's breasts are producing substantial amounts of milk, the moisture absorbing pad 18 may be inserted through the slit 20 of the insert 10. When the garment 22 is being worn, the slit 20 may be conveniently accessed through the slit 26 provided in the front side of the garment 22. When the garment 22 is not being worn, the slit 20 may also be accessed from the open bottom end of the garment 22. The pad 18 provides additional absorbency and protection for the user and may be conveniently inserted, removed and washed separately to the garment 22 as required. The garment 22 may be provided with a set of the pads 18 so that a spent pad 18 can be quickly replaced if necessary. When the woman wants to breastfeed, the zip fastener of the breastfeeding slit 26 may be opened. The lowermost rectangular portion of the chest section 24 may be pulled out from underneath the lowermost portion 28 of the garment 22 thus providing access to the woman's breasts through the slit 26.

[0058] It will be appreciated that the protective insert 10 may be used with other types of garments. For example, referring to FIGS. 4A to 4C there is depicted a garment 32 that comprises a sleeveless singlet. The protective insert 10 is attached to an underside of a chest region of the singlet 32, as shown by the broken lines in FIG. 4B.

[0059] In each of the foregoing examples, the moisture resistant outer layer 16 of the protective insert 10 shields the fabric of the garments 22, 32 from moisture held in the intermediate layer 14 (and/or removable pad 18) of the insert 10 during use. However, the insert 10 may be used with garments that are made of moisture resistant fabric, such as polyester. In such examples, the protective insert may comprise only two layers: (i) a inner layer comprising a moisture-wicking material and (ii) a second outer layer comprising a moisture absorbing material. The insert may be affixed underneath a chest region of the garment such that the intermediate layer of the insert is in abutting contact with the moisture resistant fabric of the garment. The insert or garment may comprise a slit that enables a moisture-absorbing removable pad to be slotted into position adjacent to the intermediate layer.

[0060] Referring to FIG. 5A, there is shown a protective insert for a garment 40 according to a further example embodiment of the invention. Similar to the protective insert 10 depicted in the other figures, the protective insert 40 comprises an inner layer 42 comprising a moisture-wicking material, an intermediate layer 44 comprising a moisture absorbing material and an outer layer 46 comprising a substantially moisture resistant material. The protective insert 40 also comprises a removable pad 48 comprising a moisture absorbing material, wherein the removable pad 48 is insertable through a slit 50 provided in the protective insert 40 such that the removable pad 48 is positionable adjacent to the intermediate layer 44.

[0061] The inner layer 42 and the outer layer 46 each comprise a shape that is generally rectangular. In this configuration, the protective insert 40 is particularly adapted to be attached to the inside of t-shirts and buttoned shirts. In use, the insert 40 is preferably sewn into the sides of the shirt. As shown in FIG 5B., the insert 40 may comprise an elongate length of elastic material 52 attached to a lowermost edge of the insert 40 that causes the insert 40 to hug the body of the wearer when the shirt is put on.

The slit 50 may be formed through the inner layer 42 at one end of the inner layer 42. This configuration allows the pad 48 to be inserted underneath the inner layer 42 such that the pad 48 lies sandwiched between the inner layer 42 and the intermediate layer 44.

[0062] Now that example embodiments of the garment have been described, it will be apparent that it provides a number of advantages over the prior art, including the following:

(i) The insert is detachable and removable from the garment, which conveniently allows the insert to be removed and washed separately to the garment and then reattached;

(ii) The protective insert of the garment is effective in drawing moisture away from the wearer's breasts;

(iii) The protective insert is lightweight and forms a cupped shape that is comfortable when applied against a women's breasts;

(iv) The protective insert is effective in retaining moisture internally within the insert and shielding the moisture from the fabric of the garment and the wearer.

[0063] For the purpose of this specification, the word "comprising" means "including but not limited to", and the word "comprises" has a corresponding meaning.

[0064] The above embodiments have been described by way of example only and modifications are possible within the scope of the claims that follow.

Claims

1. A garment, comprising: a protective insert comprising an inner layer that comprises a moisture-wicking material, an outer layer that comprises a substantially moisture resistant material and an intermediate layer that comprises a moisture absorbing material, wherein the intermediate layer is disposed between the inner layer and the outer layer; and a releasable fastening means adapted to attach the protective insert releasably to an inside surface of a chest area of the garment.

2. The garment of claim 1, wherein the releasable fastening means is adapted to attach a perimeter of the protective insert releasably to the inside surface.

3. The garment of claim 1 or 2, wherein the protective insert and inside surface have a plurality of cooperating fastening devices.

4. The garment of claim 3, wherein the cooperating fastening devices comprise a plurality of male fastening devices that releasably engage with a plurality of female fastening devices by interference fit.

5. A protective insert for a garment, the protective insert comprising: an inner layer comprising a moisture-wicking material; an outer layer comprising a substantially moisture resistant material; and an intermediate layer comprising a moisture absorbing material, wherein the intermediate layer is disposed between the inner layer and the outer layer, wherein the protective insert is provided with a releasable fastening means adapted to attach the protective insert releasably to an inside surface of a chest area of the garment.

2 6

6 4 9 1/5

5 8

3 7

FIG. 1A FIG. 1B

10 10 12 10

12 14 12 20

20 18 18 2/5

18 16

FIG. 2A FIG. 2B FIG. 2C

24 24 10 22 22 26 26 22 22 26

28 28 30 28 29 30 3/5

FIG. 3A FIG. 3B FIG. 3C FIG. 3D

10 4/5

FIG. 4A FIG. 4B FIG. 4C

42

40

44 48

50 5/5

48 40 46

50 52

FIG. 5A FIG. 5B