US20040025218A1

US20040025218A1 - Men's undergarment

Info

Publication number: US20040025218A1
Application number: US10/216,757
Authority: US
Inventors: De-Li Huang
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-08-12
Filing date: 2002-08-12
Publication date: 2004-02-12

Abstract

A men's undergarment having an opening in the front panel of the undergarment body thereof and a cover panel fastened to the undergarment body, the cover panel having top and bottom ends respectively fixedly fastened to waistband and crotch of the undergarment body and two opposite lateral sides maintained free from the undergarment body such that the cover panel defines with the undergarment body a penis receiving space and a scrotum receiving space for receiving the user's penis and scrotum respectively.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention provides an undergarment for men and, more particularly, to such a men's undergarment that is good for the health of the user's genitals.

2. Description of the Related Art

The outer genitals of a man include the penis and the scrotum. Normally, the penis and the scrotum are suspended from the lower front side of the abdomen. The skin of the penis is normally disposed in contact with the skin of the scrotum. The skin of the scrotum is normally disposed in contact with the groin. Because the penis is maintained in close contact with the scrotum and the scrotum is maintained in close contact with the groin, the ventilation around the genitals is poor, and the ambient temperature around the genitals is generally high. It is not hygienic to keep the temperature and moisture around the genitals high.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,207,155 shows a man's undergarment that keeps the scrotum out of touch with the groin. However, the penis is still maintained in close contact with the scrotum. U.S. Pat. No. 5,157,793, entitled “ERGONOMICALLY ENGINEERED UNDERWEAR”, provides a space inside the undergarment for the genitals. However, this design does not stop the penis from contacting the scrotum and the scrotum from contacting the groin.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,870,799, entitled “UNDERGARMENT WITH A TESTICLE POUCH AND GENITAL SPACE”, prevents direct contact of the skin of the penis with the skin of the scrotum and direct contact of the skin of the scrotum with the groin. However, this design is complicated, resulting in inconvenience of use and high manufacturing cost. Further, the cover panel according to U.S. Pat. No. 5,870,799 cannot hold the genitals positively and comfortably in place. When moving, the penis tends to be forced out of the cover panel.

“MAIL UNDERGARMENT” of U.S. Pat. No. 5,875,496 keeps the scrotum away from the groin; however it lets the penis contact the scrotum.

“MEN'S UNDERWEAR BRIEFS” of U.S. Pat. No. 5,598,587 and “MEN'S UNDERPANTS” of U.S. Pat. No. 6,026,517 prevent contact between a public region and a thigh while there is a wide space to enclose the pubic region during the use. When the user stands up, the genitals may be well received in the receiving chamber. However, when the user lies on a bed or sit on a seat, the genitals may be forced out of the receiving chamber. Further, the user may feel uncomfortable when moving after the genitals received in the receiving chamber.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been accomplished to provide a men's undergarment, which eliminates the aforesaid drawbacks. It is the main object of the present invention to provide a men's undergarment, which prevents contact between the penis and the scrotum and contact between the scrotum and the thighs. It is another object of the present invention to provide a men's undergarment, which is comfortable in use. It is still another object of the present invention to provide a men's undergarment, which keeps good ventilation around the genitals. To achieve these and other objects of the present invention, the men's undergarment comprises an undergarment body, and a cover panel. The under undergarment body comprises a front panel, a back panel, a waistband, and a crotch, and two leg holes. The front panel has an opening. The cover panel has top and bottom ends respectively fixedly fastened to the waistband and the crotch, and two opposite lateral sides maintained free from the undergarment body. The cover panel defines with the front panel a penis receiving space above the opening of the front panel, and a scrotum receiving space below the opening of the front panel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plain view of a men's undergarment according to the first embodiment of the present invention before installation of the cover panel. [0010]
FIG. 2 is a front view of a cover panel for the men's undergarment according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [0011]
FIG. 3 is a front view of the first embodiment of the present invention after installation of the cover panel in the undergarment body. [0012]
FIG. 4 is a schematic front view of the first embodiment of the present invention, showing the genitals received in the penis receiving space and the scrotum receiving space. [0013]
FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line [0014] 5-5 of FIG. 4.
FIG. 6 is an extended out view of the cover panel for the men's undergarment according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [0015]
FIG. 7 is a front view of the men's undergarment according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [0016]
FIG. 8 is a sectional view, in an enlarged scale, taken along line [0017] 8-8 of FIG. 7.
FIG. 9 is a schematic drawing of the second embodiment of the present invention, showing the men's undergarment put on the body of the user. [0018]
FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along line [0019] 10-10 of FIG. 9.
FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along line [0020] 11-11 of FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 1, a men's undergarment in accordance with the present invention is shown comprised of an [0021] undergarment body 10 and a cover panel. The undergarment body 10 comprises a front panel 11, a back panel 12 (see FIG. 5), a waistband 13, and a crotch 14, defining two leg holes 15 and 15′. The front panel 11 has an opening 16 corresponding to the genitals. The cover panel is made of a piece of elastic, ventilating cloth (cotton cloth or spandex-contained meshed cloth), having top and bottom ends respectively fixedly fastened to the waistband 13 and the crotch 14. The two opposite lateral sides of the cover panel are open sides not fastened to the undergarment body 10. When installed, the cover panel defines with the front panel 11 of the undergarment body 10 a penis receiving space and the crotch 14 a scrotum receiving space.
FIGS. [0022] 2˜5 show the first embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated, the cover panel 20 is an elongated piece of cloth, having a bottom center pleat 22 longitudinally upwardly extended from the bottom end thereof and two smoothly arched side flaps 21 and 21′ symmetrically formed integral with two opposite lateral sides thereof near the bottom end. When fastened to the undergarment body 10, the upper part of the cover panel 20 defines with the undergarment body 10 a penis receiving space 23 above the opening 16 (see also FIG. 1) for receiving the user's penis, and the side flaps 21 and 21′ define with the undergarment body 10 a scrotum receiving space 24 below the opening 16 for receiving the user's scrotum. Further, because of the effect of the bottom center pleat 22, the lower part of the cover panel 20 protrudes forwards from the undergarment body 10, forming a three-dimensional status. Further, the border areas of the side flaps 21 and 21′ are respectively stitched to the undergarment body 10, forming stitched lines 31 and 31′ that hold the cover panel 20 in the center position against biasing.
FIGS. [0023] 6˜11 show a men's undergarment according to the second embodiment of the present invention. According to this alternate form, the cover panel 40 has a longitudinal center axis 45, two first creases 46 and 46′ bilaterally equally spaced from the longitudinal center axis 45 at distance L1;L2 (L1=L2) and arranged in parallel, and two second creases 48 and 48′ bilaterally equally spaced from the first creases 46 and 46′ at distance L3;L4 (L3=L4) and arranged in parallel. The longitudinally extended middle part of the cover panel 40 forms a front cover portion 47 between the first creases 46 and 46′. The part of the cover panel 40 between the first creases 46 and 46′ and the second creases 48 and 48′ forms two parallel side cover portions 49 and 49′. The part of the cover panel 40 beyond the second creases 48 and 48′ forms two back flap portions 42 and 42′. The two side cover portions 49 and 49′ are folded backwards along the first creases 46 and 46′ and received at the back side of the front cover portion 47, and then the back flap portions 42 and 42′ are folded forwards along the second creases 48 and 48′ and received at the back sides of the side cover portions 49 and 49′, and then the upper part of the second creases 48 and 48′ are stitched together, forming a stitched line 50. The top and bottom ends of the well-folded cover panel 40 are then respectively stitched to the waistband 13 and crotch 14 of the undergarment body 10. In order to reinforce the positioning of the cover panel 40, the back flap portions 42 and 42′ and the side cover portions 49 and 49′ are pulled bilaterally outwards, and then the back flap portions 42 and 42′ are respectively stitched to the peripheral edges of the leg holes 15 and 15′ by stitches 31 and 31′.
Referring to FIGS. 4, 5, [0024] 9, 10 and 11, when the undergarment put on the user's body, the undergarment body 10 and the cover panel 20 or 40 are stretched outwards into a three-dimensional status. At this time, the elastic material property of the cover panel 20 or 40 produces components of force F in direction toward the imaginary straight line L between the waistband and the crotch, keeping the cover panel 20 or 40 closely attached to the lower part of the user's abdomen.
Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, when the undergarment of the first embodiment of the present invention put on the user's body, the user's penis and scrotum are extended out of the [0025] undergarment body 10 through the opening 16, keeping the scrotum received in the scrotum receiving space 24 and the penis received in the penis receiving space 23. When the user adjusted the undergarment to the best fit position, the cover panel 20 is forced by its elastic material property to cover the penis and to secure the penis to the inside of the penis receiving space 23. At the same time, the cover panel 20 supports the scrotum in the scrotum receiving space 24. When wishing to urinate, the user can directly pull the penis sideways to the outside of the penis receiving space 23.
Referring to FIGS. [0026] 9˜11, when the undergarment of the second embodiment of the present invention put on the user's body, the user's penis and scrotum are extended out of the undergarment body 10 through the opening 16, keeping the penis extended upwards and received in the tubular penis receiving space 53 defined between the front panel 11 of the undergarment body 10 and the front cover portion 47 and side cover portions 49 and 49′ of the cover panel 40, and the scrotum received in the bag-like scrotum receiving space 54 defined between the front panel 11 of the undergarment body 10 and the cover panel 40 below the opening 16. Further, the side cover portions 49 and 49′ and back flap portions 42 and 42′ of the cover panel 40 are gradually downwardly extended from the stitched line 50 toward two opposite lateral sides, showing a three-dimensional profile shaped like a water drop.
The elastic material property and the effect of the stitched [0027] line 50 cause the side cover portions 49 and 49′ to hold the user's penis positively in the penis receiving space 53 in vertical, preventing the user's penis from falling to the outside of the cover panel 40. Because the three-dimensional profile of the cover panel 40 is shaped like a water drop, the cover panel 40 effectively covers and supports the user's scrotum. Further, because the two opposite lateral sides of the cover panel 40 are not fastened to the undergarment body 10, a transverse air passageway is defined between the front panel 11 of the undergarment body 10 and the cover panel 40 for ventilation when the user sitting on a seat or the like.
The length of the stitched [0028] line 50 helps define the variation of the width of the cover panel 40, i.e., the water drop-like three-dimensional becomes relatively shorter when the stitched line 50 relatively prolonged, or relatively longer when the stitched line 50 relatively shortened. The length of the stitched line 50 is determined subject to the size and style of the undergarment. Basically, the water drop-like three-dimensional profile of the cover panel 40 fits the genitals of a matured man.
The [0029] aforesaid cover panels 20 and 40 provide the following common advantages:
1. The [0030] cover panel 20 or 40 can be made of ventilating or meshed elastic cloth material different from the undergarment body 10, achieving a satisfactory ventilation effect.
2. The top and bottom ends of the [0031] cover panel 20 or 40 are respectively fixedly fastened to the undergarment body 10, defining a three-dimensional space for holding the user's genitals comfortably in place outside the undergarment body 10 and keeping the user's genitals from sight.
3. The [0032] penis receiving space 23 or 53 and the scrotum receiving space 24 or 54 prevent direct contact between the penis and the scrotum. Further, the cover panel 20 or 40 around the scrotum receiving space 24 or 54 supports the user's scrotum, preventing direct contact between the scrotum and the groin. Therefore, the men's undergarment keeps good ventilation around the user's genitals.
4. The [0033] cover panel 20 or 40 supports the scrotum comfortably without giving pressure to the scrotum.
5. When the penis erected in the morning, the [0034] scrotum receiving space 23 or 53 allows the penis to extend freely without constraint, keeping goof blood circulation in the genitals.
6. The undergarment comfortably holds and supports the genitals in place, and movement or posture change of the user does not cause the genitals to extend to the outside of the [0035] cover panel 20 or 40. The cover panel 20 or 40 automatically adjusts the genitals to the most comfortable position when the user changed the posture.
7. Because the men's undergarment is of simple and friendly design and, not expensive to manufacture, it is high acceptable to consumers. [0036]
In additional to the aforesaid advantages, the second embodiment of the present invention provides the following additional advantages: [0037]
1. When put on the body of the user, the [0038] front cover portion 47, side cover portions 49 and 49′ and back flap portions 42 and 42′ of the cover panel 40 do not protrude downwards or bilaterally outwards. When folded up and received or hung on a high place, the undergarment is kept in a smooth and neat status. Therefore, the undergarment can be directly hung on a garment hanger in a sales center for exhibition without the use of a three-dimensional model.
2. The [0039] smooth cover panel 40 enables the undergarment to be conveniently smoothly folded up and packed in a packing bag or the like.
3. The stitched [0040] line 50 causes the cover panel 40 to show a water drop-like profile for holding and supporting the genitals comfortably.
4. Because the length of the stitched [0041] line 50 determines the variation of the width of the cover panel 40, the maker can easily define the size of the genitals receiving space.
A prototype of men's undergarment has been constructed with the features of FIGS. [0042] 1˜11. The men's undergarment functions smoothly to provide all of the features discussed earlier.
Although particular embodiments of the invention have been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications and enhancements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited except as by the appended claims. [0043]

Claims

What the invention claimed is:

1. A men's undergarment comprising an undergarment body, said under undergarment body comprising a front panel, a back panel, a waistband, and a crotch, and two leg holes, said front panel having an opening, wherein a cover panel is provided having top and bottom ends thereof respectively fixedly fastened to said waistband and said crotch, and two opposite lateral sides maintained free from said undergarment body, said cover panel defining with said front panel a penis receiving space above said opening of said front panel and a scrotum receiving space below said opening of said front panel.

2. The men's undergarment as claimed in claim 1, wherein said cover panel is made of a piece of elastic ventilating cloth.

3. The men's undergarment as claimed in claim 1, wherein said cover panel is made of meshed piece of elastic cloth.

4. The men's undergarment as claimed in claim 1, wherein said cover panel has an upper part, which defines with said undergarment body said penis receiving space, and two smoothly arched side flaps symmetrically bilaterally formed integral with a lower part thereof and defining with said undergarment body said scrotum receiving space.

5. The men's undergarment as claimed in claim 4, wherein said arched side flaps each have an outer portion respectively fixedly fastened to said undergarment body.

6. The men's undergarment as claimed in claim 5, wherein the outer portion of each of said arched side flap is respectively stitched to said undergarment body, forming a respective stitched line.

7. The men's undergarment as claimed in claim 4, wherein said cover panel has a bottom center pleat longitudinally upwardly extended from the bottom end to a middle part between said smoothly arched side flaps.

8. The men's undergarment as claimed in claim 1, wherein said cover panel has a longitudinal center axis, two first creases spaced from said longitudinal center axis at two sides and arranged in parallel, and two second creases spaced from said first creases at two sides and arranged in parallel, a front cover portion defined between said first creases, two parallel side cover portions respectively defined between said first creases and said second creases, and two back flap portions defined outside said second creases, said two side cover portions being folded backwards along said first creases and received at a back side of said front cover portion, said back flap portions being folded forwards along said second creases and received behind said cover portions.

9. The men's undergarment as claimed in claim 8, wherein said first creases are bilaterally spaced from said longitudinal center axis at an equal distance.

10. The men's undergarment as claimed in claim 8, wherein said second creases are respectively spaced from said first creases at an equal distance.

11. The men's undergarment as claimed in claim 8, wherein said second creases are disposed at positions relatively closer to said undergarment body in comparison with said longitudinal center axis.

12. The men's undergarment as claimed in claim 8, wherein said second creases have a respective upper part stitched together, forming a stitched line.

13. The men's undergarment as claimed in claim 8, wherein said side cover portions and said back flap portions of said cover panel define with said undergarment body said scrotum receiving space.

14. The men's undergarment as claimed in claim 13, wherein said penis receiving space is defined between said cover panel and said undergarment body above said scrotum receiving space.

15. The men's undergarment as claimed in claim 13, wherein said back flap portions are respectively stitched to the periphery of said leg holes by stitches.

16. The men's undergarment as claimed in claim 14, wherein said back flap portions are respectively stitched to the periphery of said leg holes by stitches.