GB2474531A

GB2474531A - Sanitary garment

Info

Publication number: GB2474531A
Application number: GB201006137A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Susan Patricia Cunningham
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-10-13
Filing date: 2010-04-14
Publication date: 2011-04-20
Also published as: GB0917925D0; GB201006137D0; GB2474441A

Abstract

A sanitary garment comprises a first section 11 which is arranged to pass around a waist region of the wearer and a second section 12 which is arranged to pass from a front of the wearer to a rear of the wearer, between the legs of the wearer. The garment further comprises first 14 and second 15 holding means disposed on the second section, each of the first and second holding means comprising a pair of mouths which are arranged to receive at least a portion of a sanitary pad. The mouths of the first holding means are disposed at a position along the second section that is between the mouths of the second holding means, such that pads of different sizes can be suitably positioned upon and securely held to the garment. The holding means comprise pairs of co-linear opposing pouches 14a, 14b and 15a, 15b, which may be formed of elastic material and the arrangement may further comprise an inner waterproof layer which terminates either coincident with the rear of the first and second holding means or extends beyond the first and second holding mean. The different first and second holding means enable different sized pads to be used as required.

Description

San itarv Garment The present invention relates to a sanitary garment and particularly, but not exclusively, to a sanitary garment which protects the wearer from incontinence and/or menstruation.

Menstruating women and persons who are incontinent typically wear a sanitary pad at the inside of their underwear garment to absorb any discharge from the wearer.

These sanitary pads are typically secured to the wearer's underwear using an adhesive layer that is provided on one side of the pad, or by passing flexible arms which extend from the pad around the underside of the garment.

However, during periods of exercise it is found that the pad can move or become unsecured from the garment thereby leading to the discharge falling directly upon the wearer's underwear. Similarly, if the wearer does not timely change a saturated pad, then further discharge can pass onto the wearer's underwear. The discharge can subsequently become absorbed to the wearer's outer clothes and thus become visible to other persons. This can cause discomfort and embarrassment to the wearer.

Underwear garments are also provided with a sleeve to retain a pad. However, it can become difficult to hygienically remove a pad, particularly a saturated pad, from within a sleeve.

I have now devised a sanitary garment which alleviated the above mentioned problems.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a sanitary garment, the garment comprising a first section which is arranged to pass around a waist region of the wearer and a second section which is arranged to pass from a front of the wearer to a rear of the wearer, between the legs of the wearer, the garment further comprising first and second holding means disposed on the second section, each of the first and second holding means comprising a pair of mouths which are arranged to receive at least a portion of a sanitary pad, wherein, the mouths of the first holding means are disposed at a position along the second section that is between the mouths of the second holding means.

The provision of holding means upon the second section of the garment enables a wearer to place a sanitary pad upon the second section so that it partially extends into each mouth of the first or second holding means. The holding means serve to hold the pad securely in place while the provision of two pairs of mouths at different separated distances enables the wearer to secure a large or small pad to the garment as required, using the appropriate holding means.

The first and second holding means preferably comprises a first and second pair of pouches, respectively. Preferably, each pouch comprises a mouth for receiving a portion of the absorbent pad.

Preferably, the pouches of the first pair of pouches are orientated so that they can cooperate to hold a sanitary pad to the second section. The mouth of one pouch of the first pair of pouches is preferably arranged to substantially face the mouth of the other pouch of the first pair of pouches.

Preferably, the pouches of the second pair of pouches are orientated so that they can cooperate to hold a sanitary pad to the second section. The mouth of one pouch of the second pair of pouches is preferably arranged to substantially face the mouth of the other pouch of the second pair of pouches. The provision of opposed pouches prevents the pad from sliding off the second section, for example during periods when the wearer of the garment is active, while at the same time, the pouches enable a pad to be easily and hygienically replaced or removed so that the garment can be washed.

Preferably, the first and second pair of pouches are disposed substantially co-linearly upon the second section.

The pouches of the first and second pair are preferably disposed on the side of the second section that is arranged to face the wearer.

The first and second pair of pouches are preferably formed of an elastic material.

Preferably, the second section is formed of an outer garment layer and an inner garment layer, the first and second holding means being disposed upon the inner layer.

The inner layer of the second section preferably comprises a substantially non-porous layer. Preferably, the inner layer comprises a substantially waterproof layer.

Preferably, the inner layer extends along the second section and terminates at a position which is coincident with a rear of the first and second holding means.

Alternatively, the inner layer extends along the second section and preferably extends beyond the first and second holding means toward the first section.

The garment preferably comprises an underwear garment and/or a sportswear garment, for example.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a front view of the sanitary garment according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a plan view of the garment of figure 1 as viewed from the direction of arrow A; and, Figure 3 is a sectional view across the second section of the sanitary garment of figure 2, as viewed along line B-B.

Referring to figures 1 and 2 the drawings, there is illustrated a sanitary garment 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The garment 10 may comprise an item of underwear and/or sportswear and is arranged to be worn around the pelvis region of a wearer (not shown). The garment 10 is formed of a fabric material, such as cotton or polyester, thereby permitting the garment to be washed for repeated use.

The garment 10 comprises a first section 11 which is arranged to pass around the waist of a wearer (not shown) and a second section 12 which is arranged to pass from a front of the wearer (not shown), from a frontal region of the first section 11, to a rear region of the first section 11 at the rear of the wearer (not shown). The second section 12 is arranged to pass in intimate relation with the groin region of the wearer (not shown), between the wearer's legs (not shown).

Referring to figures 2 and 3 of the drawings, the second section 12 may be formed integrally with the first section 11 or may be coupled thereto using stitching or similar (not shown), for example. The second section 12 comprises a substantially non-porous or waterproof barrier 13, which may be formed of a polyester material coated with polyurethane, for example, and extends over the side of the second section 12 which is arranged to face the wearer (not shown). The second section 12 further comprises a first and second pair of pouches 14, 15 disposed upon the non-porous barrier 13, each having a mouth 16 for receiving a sanitary pad or similar (not shown), for example, within the respective pouch 14, 15.

Each pouch 14a, 14b of the first pair of pouches 14 is formed between a first porous, elastic layer 17 which extends over a portion of the second section 12 and the portion of the second section 12. Each pouch forming first layer 17 is secured at the periphery thereof to the second section 12 by stitching (not shown), for example. The mouth 16 to each pouch 14a, 14b comprises an unstitched portion of the periphery of the respective first layer 17 and the unstitched portion of each first layer 17 is arranged to extend substantially across the second section 12, substantially adjacent each other. In this manner, the mouth 17 of each pouch 14a, 14b of the first pair of pouches 14 is arranged to substantially face each other. The unstitched peripheral portion of each first layer 17 further comprises an elastic band section 18 having an increased elastic resistance compared to the first layer 17 forming the pouch, to restrict the opening of the mouth 16 of the respective pouch 14a, 14b and thus to bias the pouch 14a, 14b into a closed configuration. Figure 3 of the drawings however, illustrates the pouches 14a, 14b in an open configuration for clarity.

Each of the second pair of pouches 15 is separately formed upon a pouch 14a, 14b of the first pair of pouches 14. Each of the second pair of pouches 15 is formed between an outer side of the first layer 17 of the first pair of pouches 14a, 14b and a second porous, elastic layer 19. Each pouch forming second layer 19 is secured at the periphery thereof to the second section 12 by stitching, for example. The mouth 16 of each pouch iSa, 15b comprises an unstitched portion of the periphery of the second layer 18 and the unstitched portion of each pouch iSa, 15b is arranged to extend substantially across the second section 12, substantially adjacent each other.

In this manner, the mouth 16 of each pouch iSa, 15b of the second pair of pouches 15 is arranged to substantially face each other. The unstitched peripheral portion of each second layer 19 further comprises an elastic band section 18 having an increased elastic resistance compared to the layer 19 forming the pouch iSa, 15b, to restrict the opening of the mouth 16 of the pouch 1 5a, 15b and thus to bias the pouch 15a, 15b into a closed configuration. Figure 3 of the drawings however, illustrates the pouches 1 5a, 1 5b in an open configuration for clarity.

The separation of the mouths 16 of the first pair of pouches 14 along the second section 12 is arranged to be less than the separation of the mouths 16 of the second pair of pouches 15 along the second section 12. As a result, the mouth 16 of each pouch 15a, 15b of the second pair of pouches 15 extends over an outer side of the respective first pouch 14a, 14b of the first pair of pouches 14.

In use, a wearer (not shown) places a sanitary pad (not shown) upon the second section 12 and secures the pad (not shown) upon the second section 12 by passing opposite ends of the pad (not shown) within one of the first or second pair of pouches 14, 15. The pair of pouches 14, 15 chosen will depend upon the particular wearer (not shown). For example, a wearer (not shown) having a particularly heavy discharge may opt for a larger pad (not shown) to ensure sufficient absorption of the discharge and therefore will require the use of the second pair of pouches 15.

Conversely, a wearer (not shown) having a light discharge may opt for a smaller pad (not shown) which can therefore be held more securely between the first pair of pouches 14. It is to be appreciated however, that the wearer (not shown) can choose any combination of pouches 14a, 14b, iSa, 15b to suitably position a pad, for example, for optimum comfort. In all cases, the elastic nature of the layer 17, 19 forming the pouch 14a, 14b, iSa, 15b and the elastic band section 18 of each pouch 14a, 14b, 15a, 15b serves to hold the pad (not shown) securely in place. In addition, since the layers 17, 19 forming the pouches 14, 15 are porous, then any discharge which falls upon the pouch forming layers 17, 19 can pass onto the pad (not shown) and become absorbed therein. Accordingly, the pouches 14, 15 do not limit the absorbent area of the pad (not shown) to the portion that extends between the pouches 14a, 14b or iSa, 15b.

When it is desired to replace or remove the pad (not shown), the wearer (not shown) simply lifts the pad (not shown) at the centre thereof, which causes the pad (not shown) to be pulled from between the pouches 14a, 14b, iSa, 15b in which it is secured. The wearer (not shown) can then wash the garment 10 for further use at a later time. In the event that the wearer (not shown) is unable to timely replace the pad (not shown), then the pad (not shown) may reach its absorbent capacity, in which case any further discharge will pass onto the barrier 13. The barrier 13 thus prevents the discharge from becoming absorbed into the outer fabric material of the garment 10. The barrier 13 is arranged to extend along the second section 12 and terminate at a position which is coincident with a rear of the pouches 14, 15, namely at a position which is opposite the end comprising the mouth 16 of the first and second pouches 14, 15. Alternatively, barrier 13 is arranged to extend along the second section 12 and pass beyond the first and second pair of pouches 14, 15 toward the front and rear section of the first section 11 of the garment 10. This extension of the barrier 13 acts to further prevent any discharge falling onto the fabric material of the garment 10 and in particular the second section 12, and thus prevents any discharge becoming absorbed along the second section 12.

From the foregoing therefore, it is evident that the sanitary garment of the present invention provides for a simple, yet effective means of securing a sanitary pad to an item of underwear and/or sportswear, for example. The garment further provides a flexible, comfortable, secure and hygienic solution to managing varying degrees of incontinence and/or menstruation.

Claims

Claims 1. A sanitary garment, the garment comprising a first section which is arranged to pass around a waist region of the wearer and a second section which is arranged to pass from a front of the wearer to a rear of the wearer, between the legs of the wearer, the garment further comprising first and second holding means disposed on the second section, each of the first and second holding means comprising a pair of mouths which are arranged to receive at least a portion of a sanitary pad, wherein, the mouths of the first holding means are disposed at a position along the second section that is between the mouths of the second holding means.
2. A sanitary garment according to claim 1, wherein the first and second holding means comprises a first and second pair of pouches, respectively.
3. A sanitary garment according to claim 2, wherein each pouch comprises a mouth for receiving a portion of the absorbent pad.
4. A sanitary garment according to claim 3, wherein the mouth of one pouch of the first pair of pouches is arranged to substantially face the mouth of the other pouch of the first pair of pouches..
5. A sanitary garment according to any of claims 2 to 4, wherein the pouches of the first pair of pouches are orientated so that they can cooperate to hold a sanitary pad to the second section
6. A sanitary garment according to claim 3, wherein the mouth of one pouch of the second pair of pouches is arranged to substantially face the mouth of the other pouch of the second pair of pouches.
7. A sanitary garment according to any of claims 2 to 6, wherein the pouches of the second pair of pouches are orientated so that they can cooperate to hold a sanitary pad to the second section.
8. A sanitary garment according to any of claims 2 to 7, wherein the first and second pair of pouches are disposed substantially co-linearly upon the second section.
9. A sanitary garment according to any of claims 2 to 8, wherein the pouches of the first and second pair are disposed on the side of the second section that is arranged to face the wearer.
10. A sanitary garment according to any of claims 2 to 9, wherein the first and second pair of pouches are formed of an elastic material.
11. A sanitary garment according to any preceding claim, wherein the second section is formed of an outer garment layer and an inner garment layer, the first and second holding means being disposed upon the inner layer.
12. A sanitary garment according to claim 11, wherein the inner layer of the second section comprises a substantially non-porous layer.
13. A sanitary garment according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the inner layer comprises a substantially waterproof layer.
14. A sanitary garment according to any of claims 11 to 13, wherein the inner layer extends along the second section and terminates at a position which is coincident with a rear of the first and second holding means.
15. A sanitary garment according to any of claims 11 to 13 wherein the inner layer extends along the second section and extends beyond the first and second holding means toward the first section.
16. A sanitary garment according to any preceding claim, wherein the garment comprises an underwear garment and/or a sportswear garment.