US20110258756A1

US20110258756A1 - Men's underpants and method of production thereof

Info

Publication number: US20110258756A1
Application number: US13/123,340
Authority: US
Inventors: Eleonora Teodorovna Avgustopulo
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-10-13
Filing date: 2009-09-30
Publication date: 2011-10-27
Also published as: EP2351496A2; WO2010044696A3; RU2428084C2; WO2010044696A2; EP2351496A4; RU2008140289A; EP2351496B1

Abstract

The present invention represents men's underpants (and modifications), the pattern of which involves the principles of optimal male genital system functioning. The underpants are characterized by the construction comprising a volumetric gusset of an oblong drop-shaped form with a front part in the form of parabola and a back part in the form of an acute-angled gore, and consisting of three parts of the pattern, namely the left, right and central gores, the left and right gusset gores being symmetrical, and the longitudinal length thereof being less than the one of the central gore by 5-20 cm. There is a control section in the parabolic part of the gusset the length of which depends on the sizes of the penis or scrotum, and the width of each of three parts of the gusset pattern piece differs from that of the other parts by no more than 0.5 cm. There may also be a through slit with elements for its fastening in the gusset and directed along the central gore. The method of fabrication of underpants involves determining the sizes subject to the gusset sizes, which are determined on the basis of its control cross-section and the maximum length of its central part based on the length of the penis or scrotum in the condition of their greatest sagging in the flaccid state and at room temperature. The advantages of the given model of underpants and of the models created based on it consist of the principle that the pattern provides for a physiologically correct and natural position of the scrotum, as well as the method of industrial production taking the individual sizes of male genital organs into account.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to the field of designing and production of underwear for men, mainly such as underpants, shorts, swimming trunks and possibly long underwear, including therapeutic garments.
The basic embodiment of the invention represents men's underpants whose style and construction take into account the principles of optimal functioning of the male sexual system and physiological peculiarities. For a proper selection of underpants their construction requires a system of additional sizes and the control thereof.
The proposed underpants favorably affect the men's health and sexual abilities taking aesthetic features into account.

STATE OF THE ART AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Numerous technical solutions in the field of designing and production of underwear for men such as underpants, shorts, swimming trunks and long underwear are known which aim to improve physiological properties, for example: RU Pat. No. 2267282, Dec. 7, 2001, IPC 41V 9/02; U.S. Pat. No. 2,163,457, Jun. 21, 1999, IPC A 41 V 9/08; U.S. Pat. No. 2,033,551, Mar. 10, 1936, NCS 602-73; U.S. Pat. No. 3,517,666, Jun. 30, 1970, NIC 602-68. 128-159, IPC A 61F 5/40, A61H 9/02, U.S. Pat. No. 5,870,779, Feb. 16, 1999; ER 0230102, Jul. 29, 1987; WO 98/39981, Sep. 17, 1998, as well as websites such as http://kis.net-forum.ru.
These technical solutions assume various options of making underwear for men, such as underpants comprising a front part and a back part and a gusset having an expansion in the form of a volumetric body in order to improve physiological and consumer properties.
The advantages and disadvantages of the proposed and analyzed constructions take into account current and future trends in the development of men's underwear, in terms of the necessity for further improvement of its physiological and consumer properties and for the expansion of functional features, including the therapeutic properties of such underwear.
As the closest prior art of the proposed underpants construction one may consider a physiological men's underwear construction of such type (men's underpants), comprising a front part and a back part, each made of two elements, a volumetrically cut gusset being three-flanged and comprising three parts of the pattern in the form of the left, right and central gores joined by curvilinear longitudinal seams forming a volumetric-convex part of the underpants, and an elastic waistband (utility model patent RU No. 74066, 25.10. 2007 IPC F 61F 5/41)).
The advantages of this technical solution are that it combines the advantages of the briefs, slips and shorts with the option of physiologically optimal positioning of the genitals, including the scrotum, which in this case is not pressed toward the perineum, as usually happens in tight-fitting underwear.
However, both this technical solution and the prior art mentioned do not sufficiently deal with the issues and concrete examples of implementing volumetric gussets, both in terms of the creation of their volumetric form, and in terms of physiological dimensions and particulars of a specific consumer need for sizes and parameters, as well as the relation of such particulars to the manufacturing technique of specific models.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a construction aimed at further developing the physiological properties of men's underwear such as underpants, individualizing the methods and means of the underwear selection for each consumer, manufacturability, improving the aesthetic and ergonomic properties, expanding the functionalities of such underwear, for example, in terms of taking into the account the partners' sexual requirements, expanding the consumer market, and preserving and maintaining men's health.
This object is attained by the proposed construction of men's underpants made of textile materials, such as a knitted fabric, comprising a front part and a back part formed by the elements of the pattern (for example, of two elements each), a gusset volumetrically cut (three-flange) and comprising three parts of the pattern in the form of the left, right and central gores joined by curvilinear longitudinal seams forming a volumetric-convex part of the underwear, and an elastic waistband, the above being known from the prior art, wherein the gusset and its edges along the perimeter are made in the form of a cut-out oblong drop-shaped pattern piece, which front part is made in the form of a parabola, formed by segments of the edges of all parts of the gusset pattern piece, and the back part is made in the form of an acute-angled gore, formed by segments of the edges of the central gusset gore, and the left and the right gusset gores are symmetrical to two acute-angled ends, and their longitudinal length is less than that of the central gore by 5-20 cm, and in the parabolic part of the gusset a control section is formed in which the width of each of the three parts of the gusset pattern piece differs from that of the other parts by no more than 0.5 cm.
In addition, the front part of the underpants may be formed of two symmetrical elements joined by a central front seam, directed from an elastic waistband to the vertex of the gusset parabola, and the length of the seam is from 1 to 10 cm, not including the width of the elastic waistband. The back part of the underpants may be formed of two symmetrical elements joined by a central back seam, directed from the elastic waistband to the vertex of the central acute-angled gore of the gusset, and the length of the seam is from 1 to 10 cm, not including the width of the elastic waistband. The length of the gusset may range from 34 to 58 cm.
It is also proposed to make a through slit in the gusset, directed along the gusset or along the parabolic part of the gusset and provided with elements for its fastening. In addition, it is proposed to make the length of the control section of the underpants gusset in a range of from 6 to 18 cm, depending on penis or scrotum sizes.
In addition, at least one of the parts of the underpants gusset pattern piece may be made of several parts joined together by seams. The proposed underpants may also be provided with a pocket for condoms.
Regarding the technology of underpants implementation, a method of their manufacture is known which may be regarded as the closest prior art and which comprises a selection of a fabric, determination of the sizes depending on a man's corpulence, cutting the front and back parts of the underpants, cutting the elements such as the gusset and the waist element (www.modnaya.ru/library/001/160.htm).
The proposed method of underpants manufacture comprises selecting a fabric, determining the sizes depending on a man's corpulence, cutting the front and back parts of the underpants, cutting the gusset and the waist element, and seam joining of the pattern to produce the given model of the underpants, the above being known from the prior art, and the proposed method provides for the determination of the sizes subject to the gusset sizes, which are determined on the basis of the length of the penis or scrotum in their flaccid state. The gusset pattern piece is made of two symmetrical side parts and one central curvilinear oblong part which are then joined together by seams forming a gusset in the form of a volumetric convex body, which is then joined to the back and the front parts of the underpants by a seam of oblong drop-shaped form along the perimeter of the edges of the gusset volumetric body, and the gusset sizes are defined by the length of its control cross-section, in which the width of the side parts of the gusset differs from that of the central one for no more than 0.5 cm, and by the maximum length of the central part of the gusset, which depends on the sizes of the penis or scrotum in their flaccid state.
In addition, the proposed method of manufacture of the underpants conpatterns that, when producing the gusset volumetric body, the length of the control cross-section and the length of its central part are changed linearly, subject to the sizes of the penis or scrotum in their flaccid state.
The proposed method of manufacture of the underpants also conpatterns that the measurement of the penis and scrotum length needed for determination of the length of the central part of the gusset can be done at room temperature by measuring the distance from the base of the penis at its top to the extreme low point of the penis or scrotum. All measurements should be done taking into account the greatest sagging of penis or scrotum when in the flaccid state.
The set of essential features indicated gives the proposed underpants construction and the method of manufacture thereof a number of additional positive properties and characteristics directed at improving the indicated technical effect, namely: improving the physiological properties of the underpants by the formation of a volumetric space of the gusset depending on specific sizes of the penis or scrotum; temperature differentiation between the scrotum temperature and that of the body; providing essential ventilation in the region of the gusset; compactness of the form; comfort and aesthetic attractiveness of the underpants in appearance; providing freedom of motion and the option of using the underpants not only in everyday life but also in active sports, under conditions of extreme activity. The availability of the gusset control section provides for simplicity and the option of an individualization of the methods and means of the given underwear selection for each specific consumer, as well as manufacturing production of products; this construction improves the ergonomic and consumer properties of the proposed underpants, taking into account the abovementioned peculiarities as well as the availability of an additional pocket and a slit.
The analysis of the information found shows that the set of the indicated features of the construction and the method of manufacture of the underpants are novel, and the attainable technical result when they are combined and achieving the indicated features are not obvious and do not follow from the state of the art, imparting the invention a new technical result, meets the requirements for novelty and inventive step. The product has been produced as an industrial design, proving its industrial applicability and patentability.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS AND EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

The essence of the proposed technical solutions is illustrated by drawings of preferred embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the general view of the proposed physiological underpants, the side view with a cross section along the median plane (the symmetry);

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the general view of the underpants, front view;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the general view of the underpants, back view;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view showing the two pattern elements of the front part of the underpants;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view showing the two pattern elements of the back part of the underpants;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of three parts of the gusset pattern piece (the left, the right and the central gores);

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary view showing the volumetric-convex gusset, top view (plan);

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary view showing A-A section of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary view showing (gusset) B-B section of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary view showing the scheme for determining the parameters of the penis and scrotum for implementing the method.

The proposed physiological underpants comprise a front part 1, formed for example, of symmetrical elements 2, 3 of the pattern, a back part 4, formed of symmetrical elements 5, 6 of the pattern and joined by side seams 7, the central front seam 8 and the central back seam 9, as well as gusset 10, joined along the perimeter to the front and back parts by a seam 11 of a drop-shaped form in plan view. In a single-piece manufacture it is possible to make the front part 1 of the underpants from one, three and more elements of the pattern (not shown), the underpants may be made without side seams by joining two left halves of the front and back parts of the underpants correspondingly into a single construction, as well as joining the two right halves of the front and back parts correspondingly into a single construction (not shown), but this method complicates the process of gusseting and cannot be considered optimal for commercial production. The gusset comprises three interconnected curvilinear parts 12, 13, 14 of the pattern correspondingly, in which part 12 of the pattern forms the central gore, and parts 13 and 14 are made, accordingly, in the form of the left and right symmetrical side gores. Then parts 13 and 14 (side gores) are symmetrically joined to the central part 12 along their curvilinear edges (sides) by curvilinear longitudinal seams 15 and 16 correspondingly. The length of the central gore (part) 12 exceeds the longitudinal length of the side parts 13 and 14 of the gusset pattern piece (gores) for 5-20 cm. The drop-shaped in plan outline of the seam 11 is implemented in the front part 1 of the underpants in the form of a parabola 17 with its vertex directed upward to the elastic waistband 18, and the drop-shaped in plan outline of the seam 11 is implemented in the back part 4 of the underpants in the form of an acute-angled gore 19. There, the gusset 10 contains in its parabolic part 17 a control cross-section 20 whose length ranges from 6 to 18 cm, and the width of each of three parts of the pattern 12, 13, 14 differs from one of the others by no more than 0.5 cm; that is, their widths practically coincide, within the limits of production tolerance. In addition, the arrangement of the gusset 10 may be defined by the specified length of the central front seam 8 ranging from 1 to 10 cm, excluding the width of the elastic waistband 18, and (or) by the specified length of the central back seam 9 ranging from 1 to 10 cm, excluding the width of the elastic waistband, being determined by the accepted options of individual selection of underpants sizes; the total longitudinal gusset length in the proposed embodiments may constitute from 34 to 58 cm.
An elastic waistband 18 can be implemented in the form of an annular elastic band 21, enclosed into a tubular annular element 22, formed by turning down the upper edges of the front and back parts land 4 of the underpants.
There may also be a through slit 23 in the gusset, directed, for example, along the central gore 12 or along the parabolic part of the gusset 17, with the elements of its fastening being for instance in the form of a textile clasp 24 (“bur” type), and inside on the front part of the underpants 1 there may be a rounded inset pocket (not shown), for example for condoms. There may be low rectilinear edges on elements 2, 3, 5, 6, in case the underpants are made in the form of shorts.
The specific features of the proposed underpants construction consist in the principle of the pattern and the proposed additional size spectrum, which defines the implementation of the gusset, including the length of the central gore, parts 12 of the pattern, ranging from 34 to 58 cm, the length of the part 12 of the pattern exceeding the side gores, parts 13, 14 of the pattern, by 5-20 cm, as well as the gusset size, related with the length of its control section 20, ranging from 6 to 18 cm depending on the sizes of the penis and scrotum and providing for a physiologically correct and natural position of scrotum. The indicated sizes were determined experimentally, and were also based on medical statistics, for instance, by using the data from the article “Penile size: What is normal?” by Hunter Wessels and Jack W. McAninch in Contemporary Urology, January 1997.
So, in addition to the generally accepted size spectrum for clothing elements, the creator has brought in an additional size spectrum, which defines the parameters of the inguinal zone of underpants and corresponding spectrum gusset sizes depending on the length of the gusset control section and the sizes of the penis or scrotum in the flaccid state.
In other words, the gusset construction is created on the basis of the existing gradations of men's genital zones, for which standardization the additional control sizes have been introduced and on which the gusset longitudinal length (the length of the central gore) and the size of the gusset control section depend.

THE BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION IN TERMS OF CONSUMER PROPERTIES IMPLEMENTATION

The proposed physiological underpants are made and used in the following way.
First, a textile material, for example a knitted fabric for the production of underpants, is selected, then the sizes for making underpants patterns in their entirety and the gusset 10 separately are determined taking into consideration man's corpulence, the sizes of penis and/or scrotum in the flaccid state and at normal temperature, according to FIG. 10. For that purpose 13 size gradations are proposed, covering the gusset longitudinal length range within the limits from 34 to 58 cm, namely, with sizes 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58 cm, and with the total length of the control section 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 cm correspondingly, in linear dependency on the maximum penis or scrotum sizes ranging from 4 to 16 cm.
According to the set form of all parts 12, 13, 14 of the gusset pattern piece, the patterns are made according to the chosen size spectrum, the predetermined gusset form and underpants in whole.
Using the given patterns, depending on the chosen sizes, the following parts of the pattern are made: symmetrical blanks of elements 2, 3 of the pattern of the underpants' front part 1; symmetrical blanks of elements 5, 6 of the pattern of the underpants' back part 4, the curvilinear part 12 (the central gore) of the gusset pattern piece 10; symmetrical curvilinear parts 13, 14 (the lateral gores) of the gusset pattern piece 10; and the pocket pattern piece 25, if needed.
Tailoring the underpants is done in the following order:

- 1. Production of the gusset from parts 12, 13, 14 of the gusset pattern piece with formation of longitudinal seams 15, 16 and possible preliminary implementation of the through slit 23 with placing of a textile clasp 24 into it.
- 2. Production of the front part 1 of the underpants, for example, from elements 2, 3 of the pattern with formation of the central front seam 8.
- 3. Joining the low longitudinal gores 26.
- 4. Stitching the gusset along the perimeter with formation of seam 11, beginning from the back part 4 of the underpants and simultaneously joining the elements 5, 6 with formation of the back central seam 9.
- 5. Sewing up the side edge of the front and back parts 1, 4 of the underpants with formation of side seams 7.
- 6. Production of elastic waistband 18, in the form of a tubular annular element 22 formed by turning down the upper edges of the front and back parts 1 and 4 of the underpants with preliminary putting an elastic band into it.
- 7. Sewing a pocket to the elastic waistband, if needed.
- 8. Hemming the upper and lower edges of the front and back parts 1, 4 of the underpants.

The technical result consists in designing and creating a model of underpants which involves the principles of optimal genital system functioning, taking into account its peculiarities and providing for additional therapeutic orientation of the claimed solution:

- 1) temperature differentiation between scrotum and whole body temperature;
- 2) when cutting, a necessity to take into account the individual sizes and proportions of the genitals in order to provide an optimal temperature condition in that area, and as a consequence, introducing an additional system of inguinal zone sizes.

When cutting, this is achieved by the fact that the length of the central wedge 12 of gusset 10 accounts for the value of the additional size of the gusset zone, selected in accordance with an individual size of the inguinal zone (an additional size).
To standardize the said size value for easy duplication of the product, the applicant has introduced an additional size spectrum defining the parameters of an inguinal zone of the underpants, and a ruler corresponding to it developed on the basis of medical statistics concerning the existing men's size differentiation of this zone.
That, in its turn, means that the given model and other models created on its basis will, at the stage of industrial production, be differentiated not only according to the generally accepted scale of sizes usually taken into consideration when creating men's underwear, but an additional size will also be included, which can be measured in the following way: the length of penis from its base to the lowest point—the balanus top portion or the lowest point of the scrotum, depending on which is the lowest.
The method of industrial production according to the claimed solution, which takes into account the gusset gradations, developed on the basis of standardized parameters of inguinal zone, provides for a quality level of the product that is close to custom tailoring.
The selection and wearing of the proposed men's physiological underpants are realized in a regular way, taking into account the proposed size spectrum.
The methods of underpants selection and size control.
Method 1: control section.
The control section is used for quality control on a factory to identify a gusset size as well as for underpants selection in a shop, as a control survey for testing the compliance of the gusset zone to the declared size.
Its essence consists in the fact that every additional size has its own value of control section.
Method 2: size ruler.
The size ruler is intended for underpants selection by additional size spectrum reflecting a gradation of a man's genital area. It represents a plate in the form of a stripe of flexible material which has minimal linear tension deformation, and this plate has a size scale and is characterized by the size scale consisting of several zones. As an example, there is a variant of the size scale (O-A-B-C-D): up to 6 cm-O, from 6 to 8 cm-A, from 8 to 10 cm-B, from 10 to 12 cm-C, and from 12 and more-D. Thus the size of this garment will look, for example, like size 50-B.
Thus, in accordance with the proposed measuring system, within each generally accepted size of men's underpants there are, for example, 5 additional sizes, which define the properties of a gusset and make it possible to satisfy the needs of a greater number of men, including children and teenagers.
One of the most important advantages of the said model of underpants and other models created on its basis is the pattern-cutting principle, which provides for a natural, physiologically correct position of a scrotum.
Thus, the pattern is designed taking men's physiology into account, and its features provide for additional therapeutic orientation of the claimed solution: the underwear must conform to physiological parameters and men's requirements, not do harm to health, but have positive effect on men's sexual capabilities and promote their preservation and maintenance.
The distinctive feature of the said underpants model and of other model modifications created on its basis consists in achieving, in production quantities, the quality standards that are typical of custom tailoring.

Claims

1. Men's underpants, made of textile materials like a knitted fabric, comprising a front part and a back part formed by the elements of the pattern (for example, of two elements each), a gusset being volumetrically cut (three-flange), and comprising three parts of the pattern in the form of the left, the right and the central gores joined by curvilinear longitudinal seams forming a volumetric-convex part of underwear, and an elastic waistband, characterized in that the gusset and its edges along the perimeter are made in the form of a cut-out oblong drop-shaped pattern piece in plan view, which front part is made in the form of parabola formed by segments of the edges of all parts of the gusset pattern piece, and the back part is made in the form of an acute-angled gore formed by segments of the edges of the central gusset gore, and the left and right gusset gores are symmetrical to two acute-angled ends, and their longitudinal length is less than that of the central gore by 5-20 cm, and in the parabolic part of the gusset, a its control section is formed in which the width of each of the three parts of the gusset pattern piece differs from the one of the other parts by no more than 0.5 cm.

2. The pants as defined by claim 1, wherein the front part of the underpants is made of two symmetrical elements being joined by a central front seam, directed from an elastic waistband to the vertex of the gusset parabola, wherein the length of the seam is from 1 to 10 cm, not including the width of the elastic waistband.

3. The pants as defined by claim 1, wherein the back part of the underpants is made of two symmetrical elements joined by a central back seam, directed from the elastic waistband to the vertex of the central acute-angled gore of the gusset, wherein the length of the seam is from 1 to 10 cm, not including the width of the elastic waistband.

4. The pants as defined by claim 1, wherein the length of the gusset is from 34 to 58 cm.

5. The pants as defined by claim 1, characterized in that it is made in the gusset a through slit being directed along the gusset and provided with elements of its fastening.

6. The pants as defined by claim 1, wherein the length of the control section of the underpants gusset ranges from 6 to 18 cm, depending on the sizes of the penis and scrotum.

7. The pants as defined by claim 1, characterized in that at least one of the parts of the underpants gusset pattern piece is made of several parts joined together by seams.

8. The pants as defined by claim 1, characterized in that proposed underpants are also provided with a pocket for condoms.

9. A method of men's underpants manufacture, comprising selecting a fabric, determining the sizes depending on a man's corpulence, cutting the front and back parts of the underpants, cutting the gusset elements and the waist element, and seam joining of the pattern elements to produce the given model of the underpants, wherein the method provides for determining the sizes subject to the gusset sizes, which are determined on the basis of the length of the penis or scrotum in their flaccid state, the gusset pattern piece is made of two symmetrical side parts and one central curvilinear oblong part which are then joined together by seams, forming a gusset in the form of a volumetric convex body, which is then joined to the back and the front parts of the underpants by a seam of an oblong drop-shaped form along the perimeter of the edges of the gusset volumetric body, and the gusset sizes are defined by the length of its control cross-section, in which the width of the side parts of the gusset differs from that of the central one by no more than 0.5 cm, and by the maximum length of the central part of the gusset, which depends on the sizes of the penis or scrotum in their flaccid state.

10. The method of men's underpants manufacture as defined by claim 9, characterized in that when producing the gusset volumetric body, the length of the control cross-section and the length of its central part are changed linearly, subject to the sizes of the penis or scrotum in their flaccid state.

11. The method of men's underpants manufacture as defined by claim 9, characterized in that the measurement of the penis or scrotum length needed for determining the length of the central part of the gusset is carried out at room temperature by measuring the distance from the base of the penis at its top to the extreme low point of the penis or scrotum.

12. The method of men's underpants manufacture as defined by claim 9, characterized in that the choice to measure the length of the penis or scrotum needed for determining the length of the central part of the gusset should be done taking into account the greatest sagging of penis and scrotum when in the flaccid state.