CN117545452A - Improved incontinence care garment - Google Patents

Abstract

A garment having an absorbent portion that includes a central absorbent portion having opposed sides, a first pad portion formed in the central absorbent portion, and a second pad portion formed in the first pad portion. In some variations, the garment may include underpants having an opening for the torso of the wearer and leg openings for each leg of the wearer. The leg openings may include pant legs, which may include: a slight fold on or inside the leg, a stretch border or seam formed on the outer edge of the slight fold, and/or an absorbent border on the leg.

Description

Improved incontinence care garment

Cross Reference to Related Applications

The present application claims priority and benefit from U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 63/177247 filed on month 4 of 2021, U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 63/21125 filed on month 6 of 2021, and U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 63/276845 filed on month 11 of 2021, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to garments and, more particularly, to protective garments for managing the absorption of bodily fluids due to, for example, female incontinence.

Background

In the past, persons suffering from severe bladder leakage (e.g., more than about 105ml (7 tbsp) of liquid) often had to wear disposable incontinence briefs (also known as "adult diapers"). However, the wearer of such disposable incontinence pants has many pain points, including but not limited to: the pants and shoes must be taken off to change the pants; underpants are uncomfortable and obviously require the wearer to plan the garment around the underpants; because of the size and bulk of these underpants, handling them is difficult and inconvenient; they all resemble a "diaper" in appearance, feel, and operation, providing a frustrating and ill-fitting experience to the wearer.

In addition to these drawbacks of conventional disposable incontinence briefs, there is a great deal of waste from these products. In particular, the absorbent and most critical/functional parts of disposable incontinence pants are located in the crotch region, while the remaining materials used to construct these disposable pants are irrelevant and unnecessary for the pants to perform their intended function (e.g., to capture urine leakage).

Conventional absorbent and non-absorbent garments designed to absorb bodily fluids caused by menses, incontinence, and the like include, for example, reusable menstrual pants, reusable incontinence pants, disposable incontinence pants, and disposable incontinence pads. Reusable menstrual pants are typically made of washable cotton pant fabrics or nylon fabrics with absorbent, felted or comb pads attached. The reusable menstrual pants may be configured to provide moisture resistant zones, zones that block the diffusion of body fluids, and zones that absorb body fluids. These reusable pants come in a variety of cuts including, but not limited to, T-pants, bikini, thick facial skin, flat angle, high waist, hip wrap, low waist, middle waist, french cuts, and sleeping pants. However, at present, the stock solution may be limited to a few teaspoons of fluid (e.g., less than about 10 teaspoons).

The reusable incontinence pants are also configured to provide moisture resistant zones, zones that block the diffusion of body fluids, and zones that absorb body fluids. These reusable pants also come in a variety of cuts including, but not limited to, t-pants, bikini, straight angle, full briefs, high waist, hip wrap, low waist, middle waist, french cuts, and sleeping pants. Currently, the stock solution may be limited to a few teaspoons of fluid (e.g., less than about 10 teaspoons) up to five to seven ounces.

Disposable incontinence pads need to be positioned and, like underpants, typically have elastic gusset edges. Disadvantageously, there is no absorbency outside the area of the pad. The wearer also presents concerns about the odor of the discarded pad. As with incontinence pads, there is no absorbency outside the area of the pad that is located inside the panty.

As an alternative to incontinence pads, briefs or underpants, or in combination with an interlabial pad. Conventionally, interlabial pads may be placed between the female labia to absorb menstrual or bladder leakage.

Disclosure of Invention

In a first aspect, some embodiments of the invention include a garment comprising: an absorption portion, the absorption portion comprising: a central absorbent portion having opposed sides; a first pad portion formed at the central absorbent portion; and a second pad portion formed on the first pad portion. In some applications, the garment further comprises underpants configured to include an opening for the torso of the wearer and leg openings for each leg of the wearer; the opening for the torso of the wearer may include a waistband and the leg opening may include a pant tube. In some variations, the garment may further comprise one or more of a slight fold on or inside the leg, a bungee seam or bungee seam formed on the outer edge of the slight fold, and/or an absorbent seam on the leg.

In some embodiments, the absorbent portion of the garment is removable and disposable. Further, the underpants comprise a pocket for removably holding the absorbent portion. Advantageously, the absorbent portion may also have alignment marks for aligning the absorbent pad inside the panty. In some variations, the absorbent portion has an adhesive portion for adhering the absorbent portion to the one pair of underpants.

In some applications, the second cushion portion includes a pair of cushion strips longitudinally disposed along the opposed edges.

In a second aspect, embodiments of the present invention include a kit for disposable protective apparel, wherein the kit includes: a garment having an absorbent portion comprising a central absorbent portion having opposed sides, a first pad portion formed in the central absorbent portion, and a second pad portion formed in the first pad portion; and (5) packaging in a disposable way. In some applications, the garment further comprises reusable pants configured with an opening for the torso of the wearer and a leg opening for each leg of the wearer, and further, the opening for the torso of the wearer may comprise a waistband and the leg opening may comprise a pant tube. In some variations, the garment may further comprise: a slight fold on or inside the leg, a stretch border or seam formed on the outer edge of the slight fold, and/or an absorbent border on the leg.

In some variations, wherein the disposable package may comprise: one or more of an adhesive and/or interlocking tape for adhering a first portion of the disposable package to a second portion of the disposable package, and/or a selectively removable tape for opening the disposable package.

In some embodiments, the absorbent portion of the garment is removable and disposable (e.g., in a disposable package). Further, the underpants comprise a pocket for removably holding the absorbent portion. Advantageously, the absorbent portion may also have alignment marks for aligning the absorbent pad inside the panty. In some variations, the absorbent portion has an adhesive portion for adhering the absorbent portion to the one pair of underpants.

In a third aspect, embodiments of the present invention relate to an interlabial pad constructed and arranged to provide further assurance to the user that leakage will not occur, and more particularly to interlabial pads for use in conjunction with disposable pads and/or with reusable pants.

In some applications, the second cushion portion includes a pair of cushion strips longitudinally disposed along the opposed edges.

Drawings

In the drawings, like reference numerals generally refer to like parts throughout the different views. Moreover, the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead generally being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. In the following description, various embodiments of the invention are described with reference to the following drawings, in which:

FIG. 1A illustrates protective underpants according to some embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 1B illustrates the protective undergarment of FIG. 1A with absorbent material enclosed within the interior of the undergarment in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 1C illustrates protective underpants with slight wrinkles according to some embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 2A illustrates protective underpants with adhesive disposable pads according to some embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 2B illustrates an adhesive disposable pad according to some embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 2C illustrates a partial plan view (top view) of the adhesive disposable pad of FIG. 2B according to some embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 3A illustrates a recessed pad-type disposable pad according to some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 3B illustrates a partial plan view (top view) of the recessed pad-type disposable pad of FIG. 3A according to some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 3C illustrates various cross-sectional views of the recessed pad disposable pad of FIG. 3A according to some embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 4A illustrates an expanded edge pad-type disposable pad in an unexpanded state according to some embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 4B illustrates the expanded edge pad-type disposable pad of FIG. 4A after expansion according to some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 4C illustrates a cross-section of the unexpanded expanded edge cushion disposable pad of FIG. 4A according to some embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 4D illustrates a cross-section of the inflated expanded edge-padded disposable pad of FIG. 4B according to some embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 4E illustrates a partial plan view (top view) of the inflated edge-padded disposable pad of FIG. 4B according to some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 5A illustrates an edge dam type disposable pad in an inactive state according to some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 5B illustrates an edge dam type disposable pad in a damming state according to some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 5C illustrates a cross-section of the edge dam type disposable pad of FIG. 5B according to some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 5D illustrates a partial plan view (top view) of the edge dam type disposable pad of FIG. 5B according to some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 6A illustrates a first ridged disposable pad in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 6B illustrates a cross-section of the spine groove disposable pad of FIG. 6A in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 6C illustrates a partial plan view (top view) of the spine groove disposable pad of FIG. 6A in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 7A illustrates a second type of ridge-and-groove disposable pad according to some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 7B illustrates a cross-section of the spine groove disposable pad of FIG. 7A in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 7C illustrates a partial plan view (top view) of the spine groove disposable pad of FIG. 7A in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 7D illustrates a perspective view of the spine sulcus disposable pad of FIG. 7A in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 8A illustrates a water storage layer disposable pad according to some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 8B illustrates a cross-section of the water storage layer disposable pad of FIG. 8A according to some embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 8C illustrates a partial plan view (top view) of the water storage layer disposable pad of FIG. 8A according to some embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 9 illustrates a reusable article (e.g., a kit) pouch having an adhesive seal for sealing a used disposable pad according to some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 10 illustrates a reusable, collapsible package for sealing a used disposable pad according to some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 11 illustrates a reusable article (e.g., a kit) bag having a compression lock seal for sealing a used disposable pad according to some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 12A illustrates a disposable pad having a plurality of inner and outer liners in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 12B illustrates a cross-section of the disposable pad shown in FIG. 12A according to some embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 12C illustrates a disposable pad having a plurality of inner and outer liners in combination with a nonwoven web layer in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 12D illustrates a cross-section of the disposable pad shown in FIG. 12C according to some embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 13 illustrates a disposable waffle-shaped pad, according to some embodiments of the invention;

FIGS. 14A-14C illustrate disposable pads with drawstring according to some embodiments of the present invention; and is also provided with

Fig. 15A and 15B illustrate a first or upper portion and a second or lower portion, respectively, of an interlabial pad in accordance with some embodiments of the invention.

Detailed Description

Protective underpants

Protective underpants should generally be comfortable, unobtrusive, concealed and sanitary. In fact, it is desirable that the panty material be comfortable and form-fitting, and ideally feel and behave as a conventional panty. The nature of comfort and fit is that the protective underpants are not visible under the outer garment of the wearer; thus, the protective underpants should remain unnoticed by the vision, hearing and smell of others. Functionally, the protective undergarment should be absorbent and also protect the wearer from leakage.

Referring to fig. 1A and 1B, an exemplary protective undergarment 10 is shown. The undergarment 10 includes a waist portion 12 and a pair of leg portions 14 which provide openings for the torso and legs, respectively, of a wearer. Variations of the reusable protective underpants 10 may include a high or middle waist cut with a waistband 16, the waistband 16 may be folded over another garment such as panty hose. In some embodiments, the protective undergarment 10 includes a front portion (or crotch portion) 11 and a rear portion 13, as well as an interior portion (that contacts the body of the wearer) and an exterior portion (that contacts the outer garment of the wearer). In some applications, a (e.g., white) absorbent portion 15 configured and arranged to contain and absorb bodily fluids (e.g., menstrual fluid, blood, urine, etc.) may be integrated into (e.g., dark) portion 17. The absorbent portion 15 may be configured to cover the interior in both the front portion 11 and the rear portion 13.

For leakage control, as shown in fig. 1C, in some embodiments, a (e.g., slight) fold 18 may be added on or inside the trouser leg 14. While the pleats 18 may present the appearance of the legs of an infant diaper or the corners of a suitably sized sheet, a stitcher or a stretch seam may be provided on the outer edge of the protective undergarment 10 to provide a more sanitary, smoother look and feel. In another application, the leg 14 may be inner rolled, and the arrangement serves as a trap and pad on the skin of the wearer. Preferably, the legs 14 of the inner wrap may be sewn in place at a plurality of (e.g., two, three, four, or more) locations to prevent the legs 14 of the inner wrap from everting.

Instead of or in addition to the pleats 18, an (e.g. super) absorbent material may be added to the lockstitch or taping to prevent leakage. For example, each leg 14 may include more than one (e.g., two, three, four, or more) mini-ribs made of an absorbent material (e.g., silicone) that form another line of leakage protection. In some variations, mini-ribs are disposed in parallel around the entire or substantially the entire perimeter of the opening of the trouser leg 14. Advantageously, the mini-ribs may be very small so that they remain soft and comfortable before absorbing body fluids.

Although the invention has been described using slight folds 18, this is for illustrative purposes only. In various embodiments, any number of pleats 18 can be used. For example, in some applications, heavy pleats 18 may be more desirable, and/or the protective undergarment 10 may include special flaps or gusset pleats 18 to prevent leakage when the wearer is in an abnormal position.

Protective pad

While in some embodiments, as shown in fig. 2A, the absorbent portion 15 of the protective undergarment 10 can be fixedly attached to (e.g., sewn into) the undergarment 10, in another embodiment, a removable (e.g., variable size and variable use) disposable pad 20 can be inserted into the interior 19 of the undergarment 10. Advantageously, because the profile of each disposable pad 20 may be approximately the same, the wearer is able to choose the protective undergarment 10 with the highest level of absorption that uses the most absorbent pad 20.

Referring to fig. 2B and 2C, the disposable pad 20 may include an absorbent (e.g., liquid permeable, breathable, non-woven) pad material 25 having a distal end 22 and a proximal end 24. Advantageously, the absorbent pad material 25 may comprise a body fluid collection portion, which may be adapted to different leakage amounts. To attach the panty liner 20 to the protective panty 10, an adhesive may be used and/or a pair of flexible tabs 26 may be disposed adjacent to an alignment mark 28, which alignment mark 28 may be disposed in the interior 19 of the panty 10. In some variations, alignment mark 28 may be a stitched or printed graphic that shows the wearer where pad 20 should be aligned in undergarment 10. Advantageously, alignment marks 28 may be color coded to match various sizes of disposable pad 20.

For example, in some embodiments, the adhesive may be placed, secured, and/or adhered to the underside or outside of the disposable pad 20 and covered by a non-adhesive (e.g., double folded) cover having a tab portion. In use, the wearer positions the disposable pad 20 at or near the center point of the protective undergarment 10, holding the disposable pad 20 in place with one hand while the other hand applies a pulling force to the tab portion, removing (e.g., non-adhesive) the tab portion and exposing the adhesive portion. As an alternative to removably attaching pad 20 to undergarment 10 using adhesive or flexible tabs 26, undergarment 10 may include a suture pocket in interior 13.

As another alternative to the adhesive portion, a velcro system may be used. For example, the protective garment 10 may be adapted to include more than one loop-containing strip, and the disposable pad 20 may be configured to contain an equal number of hook-containing strips, positioning and securing the disposable pad 20 to the protective pants 10 when the hooks engage the loops on the protective garment 10. Alternatively, a plurality of micro hooks may be formed on the underside of the disposable pad 20. In use, the micro-hooks are adapted to attach directly to the material of the protective garment 10, which eliminates the need for adhesive tape.

Referring to fig. 3A-3C, a first embodiment of a (e.g., molded) disposable pad 30 is shown. Disposable pad 30 may be constructed and arranged to follow the natural path of body fluid and the natural curvature of the body to optimize absorption. Advantageously, disposable pad 30 (e.g., molded) forms a sealing cushion within pad portion 32 itself. In some embodiments, the disposable pad 30 includes a (e.g., molded) pad portion 32, the pad portion 32 having a central (e.g., collecting or storing) portion 34, and a (e.g., die cut) pad portion 36 made of an absorbent nonwoven material may be fixedly attached around the central portion 34 to provide a sealable edge and a first level of liquid containment around the central (e.g., collecting or storing) portion 34. A gasketing strip 38 (e.g., a die cut gasketing strip) made of an absorbent nonwoven material may be fixedly attached to the cushion portion 36 (e.g., a side thereof) and/or incorporated or integrated into the cushion portion 36. Although fig. 3A shows the gasketing strips 38 fully surrounding the gasketing portion 36, this is for illustrative purposes only. In some variations, the gasketing strips 38 are disposed only along the longitudinal sides of the gasketing portion 36. The edges of the gasketing strips 38 may be cut away for a more comfortable transition.

Referring to fig. 4A-4E, a second embodiment of a disposable pad 40a, 40b having an (e.g., hydrophilic) expanded edge pad is shown. Fig. 4A and 4C illustrate a disposable pad 40a having a compressed (e.g., hydrophilic) outer edge 42, while fig. 4B and 4D illustrate a disposable pad 40B having an expanded outer edge 46 due to fluid absorption.

In some applications, the disposable pad 40a is constructed and arranged to have an absorbent (e.g., central) pad portion 44 when in a compressed state, with a compressed outer edge 42 (e.g., pad) made of the same or similar absorbent material disposed about the absorbent pad portion 44. As shown in fig. 4B and 4D, after contact with the fluid and in the expanded state, the compressed outer rim 42 rapidly absorbs the fluid, causing the previously compressed outer rim 42 to expand and bulge. Advantageously, the expanded outer edge 46 presses the expanded outer edge 46 against the skin of the wearer. The pressure of the expanded outer edge 46 against the wearer's skin creates a (e.g., waterproof) seal adapted to limit further flow of bodily fluids beyond the expanded outer edge 46.

Referring to fig. 5A-5D, embodiments of edge dam type disposable pads 50a, 50b are shown. In some embodiments, disposable pads 50a, 50b include an absorbent (e.g., central) pad portion 52 surrounded by a waterproof portion 56. As shown in fig. 5C, when in contact with a fluid, the absorbent (e.g., central) pad portion 52 absorbs the fluid, causing the (e.g., central) pad portion 52 to rise as the absorbent pad portion 52 absorbs the fluid and expands. When (e.g., central) pad portion 52 is raised, waterproof portion 56 lifts and acts as a dam, allowing fluid that cannot be absorbed or is slowly absorbed to be contained within (e.g., central) pad portion. In use, the edge dam type disposable pads 50a, 50b may be inserted into a pocket integrated into the protective underpants 10.

Referring to fig. 6A-6C, a first embodiment of a ridged disposable pad 60 is shown. In some variations, the ridge-and-groove disposable pad 60 has an absorbent (e.g., central) portion 62, the absorbent portion 62 being surrounded by peripheral (e.g., absorbent) edge dam sidewalls 64. The absorbent (e.g., central) portion 62 is comprised of or generally consists of a plurality of ridges 61 and grooves 63 extending longitudinally from the front edge of the pad 60 to the rear edge of the pad 60. Advantageously, the channels 63 promote pooling of fluid away from the skin surface of the wearer, reduce contact of moisture with the skin and promote breathability.

A second embodiment of the ridge-and-groove disposable pad 70 concept is shown in fig. 7A-7D. The embodied ridge-and-groove disposable pad 70 also has an absorbent (e.g., central) portion 72, the absorbent portion 72 being surrounded by peripheral (e.g., absorbent) edge dam side walls 74. The absorbent (e.g., central) portion 72 is comprised of or generally consists of a plurality of ridges 71 and grooves 73 extending longitudinally from the front edge of the pad 70 to the rear edge of the pad 70. Advantageously, the ridges 71 and grooves 73 optimize the exposed surface area. In addition, the channels 73 promote pooling of fluid away from the wearer's skin surface, reduce contact of moisture with the skin and promote breathability.

As shown in fig. 7B, the alternating ridges 71 and furrows 73 provide a unique corrugated appearance. Alternatively, as shown in fig. 7D, pad 70 may resemble an accordion structure. More specifically, the absorbent (e.g., central) portion 72 may be constructed and arranged such that the channels 73 extend only partially through the first (e.g., upper) side of the absorbent core 75. Another series of ridges 74 and furrows 76 may be constructed in the second (e.g., lower) side of the absorbent core 75. Preferably, the grooves 76 corresponding to the second side of the absorbent core 75 extend towards the ridges 71 corresponding to the first side of the absorbent core 75, and the grooves 73 corresponding to the first side of the absorbent core 75 extend towards the ridges 74 corresponding to the second side of the absorbent core 75. In use, the ridges 71 and grooves 72 optimize the surface area in the absorbent (e.g., central) portion 72 for temporary pooling before the fluid can be absorbed into the absorbent core 75.

Referring to fig. 8A-8C, a reservoir disposable pad 80 is shown. In some embodiments, the reservoir-type disposable pad 80 includes a central opening 82 and (e.g., peripheral) full-seal pad 84. In operation, body fluid enters central opening 82, where the body fluid collects until absorbed by an enclosed (e.g., peripheral) pad 84. Pad 84 provides a partial seal when inflated (e.g., peripheral) pad 84 is pressed against the skin of the wearer.

Interlabial pad

Referring to fig. 15A and 15B, an interlabial pad 150 is shown for providing further assurance to the user to prevent or minimize leakage. In some embodiments, interlabial pad 150 may be used alone, while in other embodiments interlabial pad 150 may be used and integrated with any of the disposable pads discussed above and/or the reusable underpants discussed above. Advantageously, the use of interlabial pad 150 in combination with a disposable pad and/or reusable pants may eliminate the need for the wearer to frequently replace the disposable pad and/or reusable pants, thereby resulting in less waste and lower costs to the wearer.

In some variations, interlabial pad 150 may be constructed as a dual structure that may include a first or upper tab portion 152 and a second or lower tab portion 154. Advantageously, the first and second sheets 152, 154 may be attached, fixed, adhered, bonded, etc. to each other at the front end 151 of the pad 150 and the rear end 153 of the pad 150, respectively. The long sides 155 of the panels 152, 154 preferably remain unattached or unbonded to each other. With this arrangement, only the first or upper panel portion 152 can be deformed or otherwise deformed to provide a suitable (e.g., convex) shape that can be inserted between the labia of the wearer. In some embodiments, squeezing the first or upper sheet 152 will cause the first or upper sheet 152 to assume a desired (e.g., convex) shape.

In some embodiments, the absorbent portion 156 may be positioned at (e.g., a central portion of) the first or upper portion 152. Preferably, the absorbent portion 156 is positioned below the outer layer through which liquid can freely pass.

In some embodiments, finger 157 may be attached, secured, bonded, etc. at rear end 153 of pad 150 and around portions of long side 155. Advantageously, the finger portion 157 is constructed and arranged to provide an opening 158 and a fill space between the finger portion 157 and the second or lower portion 154 so that a wearer can insert their finger into the fill space (e.g., insert or remove the pad 150).

Protective underpants set

Having described a protective undergarment, a kit and method for discarding the protective garment will now be described. Advantageously, referring to fig. 9, a package 90 of purchased protective underpants 10 or disposable pads 20 may be stored and used to wrap or contain the used protective underpants 10 and/or disposable pads 20 for disposal. In some embodiments, the package 90 may simply be wrapped around the used disposable pad 20, or, as shown in fig. 9, the used disposable pad 20 may be placed inside the package 90. An adhesive 92 (e.g., an adhesive tape) may be incorporated into the package 90 (e.g., at the top of the package 90) to more securely seal the used protective underpants 10 and/or disposable pad 20 within the package 90.

In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, the package 90 of the replacement protective underpants 10 and/or disposable protective pad 20 may be unpacked and used to dispose of the used protective underpants and/or protective pad 20. For example, when unpacked, the package 90 may include a plurality of side walls 95, which side walls 95 may be folded over the used protective underpants 10 and/or disposable pad 20 and over each other. Preferably, one of the sidewalls 95 (e.g., sidewall No. 4) may include an adhesive 92 (e.g., a strip) to more securely seal the package 90.

Referring to fig. 11, in another embodiment, when purchased, the protective undergarment 10 or disposable pad 20 can be sealed within a package 90 (e.g., airtight, watertight, etc.) that includes a selectively removable tear strip 94. Once tear strip 94 has been removed from package 90, the wearer can remove a new protective undergarment 10 or a new disposable pad 20 from within package 90. The used protective underpants 10 or disposable pads 20 may then be placed into the package 90. In some variations, once the used protective underpants 10 or disposable pad 20 has been placed within the package 90, the package 90 may be sealed using a (e.g., interlocking) sealing device 96 disposed at or near the opening of the package 90.

Additional protective undergarment features

Referring to fig. 12A-12D, an embodiment of a disposable pad 120 is shown, the disposable pad 120 having a plurality of gussets 122, 124 disposed at or about a pad portion 126. For example, in some embodiments, disposable pad 120 includes a pair of side gussets or outer gussets 122 attached to pad portion 126 and extending from rear portion 121 of pad portion 126 to front portion 123 of pad portion 126 and tapering. A plurality (e.g., two, three, four, or more) of inner liners 124 may be formed between the outer liners 122 and generally parallel to the outer liners 122. The plurality of inner liners 124 allow for more channeling protection and containment within the pad portion 126 without increasing bulk. As shown in fig. 12B, the inner liner 124 may be configured to include a wider cross-section and/or may be filled with absorbent material for greater comfort to the wearer. As an alternative to the wider inner liner 124, as shown in fig. 12C and 12D, the inner liner 124 may be constructed and arranged to support (e.g., nonwoven) a layer of mesh material 125, the mesh material 125 providing more comfort to the wearer.

Referring to fig. 13, a disposable waffle-shaped protector 130 is shown. Pad 130 may include (e.g., absorbent) pad portion 132, with a grid of ridges 134 having been formed on pad portion 132 to form a plurality of (e.g., inverted rectangular pyramid-shaped) compartments 136, such compartments 136 being configured to contain (e.g., collect) any leakage until body fluid is absorbed into (e.g., absorbent) pad portion 132. Although the compartment 136 shown in fig. 13 is in the shape of an inverted rectangular pyramid, this is done for purposes of example and not limitation. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the compartment 136 can take any practical shape that can be easily and economically formed in the pad portion 132. For example, additional variations of the compartment 136 can include a frustoconical compartment, a triangular cone compartment, a hemispherical compartment, and the like.

To minimize the visibility of the disposable pad 20, a gradual seam (e.g., similar to a down jacket) may be formed in the disposable pad 20 at the edge or transition of the pad 20.

As shown in fig. 14A, the construction and arrangement of the disposable pad 140 may include a drawstring 145 disposed about the periphery 142 of the pad 140. Once pad 140 has been used, the wearer can pull on drawstring 145 (FIG. 14B) to cause the pad to bunch up into ball 149 (FIG. 14C) for disposal.

Having described particular embodiments of the invention, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that other embodiments incorporating the concepts disclosed herein may be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The described embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive.

Claims (24)

1. A garment, comprising:

an absorption portion, the absorption portion comprising:

a central absorbent portion having opposed sides;

a first pad portion formed at the central absorbent portion; and

and a second pad portion formed on the first pad portion.

2. The garment of claim 1, wherein the absorbent portion is removable and disposable.

3. The garment of claim 1, wherein the second cushion portion comprises a pair of cushion strips longitudinally disposed along the opposite edges.

4. The garment of claim 1, further comprising:

underpants having an opening for the torso of a wearer and a leg opening for each leg of the wearer, the opening for the torso of the wearer including a waistband and the leg opening including a leg tube.

5. The garment of claim 4, further comprising a slight fold on or inside the leg.

6. The garment of claim 5, further comprising a stitcher or a bungee seam formed on an outer edge of the slight fold.

7. The garment of claim 4, further comprising an absorbent border on the leg.

8. The garment of claim 4, wherein the absorbent portion includes alignment marks for aligning absorbent pads inside the undergarment.

9. The garment of claim 4, wherein the absorbent portion comprises an adhesive portion for adhering the absorbent portion to the undergarment.

10. The garment of claim 4, wherein the opening for the torso of the wearer comprises a waistband.

11. The garment of claim 4, wherein the underpants comprise a pocket for removably holding the absorbent portion.

12. A kit for disposable protective apparel, the kit comprising:

a protective garment, the garment comprising:

an absorption portion, the absorption portion comprising:

a central absorbent portion having opposed sides;

a first pad portion formed at the central absorbent portion; and

a second pad portion formed on the first pad portion; and (5) packaging in a disposable way.

13. The kit of claim 12, wherein the absorbent portion is removable and disposable.

14. The kit of claim 12, wherein the second cushion portion includes a pair of cushion strips longitudinally disposed along the opposed edges.

15. The suit of claim 12, wherein the protective suit further comprises:

underpants having an opening for the torso of a wearer and a leg opening for each leg of the wearer, and including a leg tube.

16. The kit of claim 15, wherein the underpants comprise a pocket for removably holding the absorbent portion.

17. The suit of claim 15, wherein the protective suit further comprises a slight fold on or inside the leg.

18. The kit of claim 17, further comprising a bungee seam or bungee seam formed on the outer edge of the slight fold.

19. The suit of claim 15, wherein said protective suit further comprises an absorbent border on said leg cuffs.

20. The kit of claim 15, wherein the absorbent portion includes alignment indicia for aligning an absorbent pad within the interior of the undergarment.

21. The kit of claim 15, wherein the absorbent portion comprises an adhesive portion for adhering the absorbent portion to the undergarment.

22. The kit of claim 12, wherein the disposable package comprises an adhesive tape for adhering a first portion of the disposable package to a second portion of the disposable package.

23. The kit of claim 12, wherein the disposable package comprises a selectively removable strap for opening the disposable package.

24. The kit of claim 12, wherein the disposable package comprises an interlocking strip for adhering a first portion of the disposable package to a second portion of the disposable package.