The present invention relates to clothing protectors, particularly but not exclusively clothing protectors for absorbing underarm perspiration.

Conventionally, clothing protectors for absorbing underarm perspiration are formed of absorbent material which is attached to the garment, by, for example, adhesive. However, conventional protectors result in relatively bulky arrangements which can be uncomfortable for the user. This is because there is usually a seam at the junction of the arm and the body of the garment, and sometimes a junction of two other seams also occurs in the user's underarm region. The bulk of these seams is overlaid and magnified by the clothing protector, resulting in a bulky and uncomfortable arrangement. Another problem of conventional protectors is that the protector is often relatively inflexible in comparison with the garment material and can form hard creases or ridges when mounted to a garment and during movement in use by a user, which are uncomfortable for the user. For the same reason, conventional protectors can also audibly rustle during user movement, drawing unwanted attention or making the user more self-conscious.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a clothing protector for absorbing underarm perspiration, the protector comprising:

· a sheet-like support layer having a mounting face and a protection face,

• an absorbent arrangement bonded to the protection face,

• the protector defining a seam receiving channel, which, when the protector is mounted to a garment in a use condition, receives a seam of the garment.

Possibly, the protector defines a plurality of seam receiving channels. Possibly, the protector defines a first seam receiving channel which extends along a first direction, and a second seam receiving channel which extends along a second, different direction. Possibly, the first and second seam receiving channels intersect at a channel intersection.

Possibly, the or each seam receiving channel is defined by the absorbent arrangement.

Possibly, the absorbent arrangement includes a continuous layer of absorbent material. Possibly, the absorbent material layer includes thicker portions and thinner portions. Possibly, the thinner portions define the seam receiving channel(s).

Possibly, the absorbent arrangement includes a plurality of absorbent portions which project outwardly from the protection face. Possibly the absorbent portions define the seam receiving channel(s).

Possibly, the protector includes a layer of adhesive, which may be applied to the mounting face, for holding the protector in the use condition. The layer of adhesive may be continuous across the mounting face, or may be intermittent. The adhesive layer may only be applied to one or more parts of the mounting face. Possibly, the locations of the adhesive layer parts substantially correspond with the locations of the absorbent portions. Possibly, in a non-use condition, the protector includes a layer of adhesive protection material, which overlays the layer of adhesive.

Possibly, the protector includes a layer of absorbent protection material, which may overlay the absorbent arrangement. The layer of absorbent protection material may be liquid permeable, and may be in the form of a mesh. The layer of absorbent protection material may include, or be formed from, possibly wholly or in part, a wicking material, which may draw moisture towards the absorbent arrangement. Possibly, the support layer is formed of a waterproof material, which may resist or prevent the passage of liquid therethrough. Possibly, the support layer is formed of a breathable material, which permits the passage of vapour or gas but resists or prevents the passage of liquid therethrough.

Possibly, when viewed in plan in a non-use condition, the protector has a plan shape. The plan shape may have four sides. The plan shape may have a pair of longer parallel sides and a pair of shorter parallel sides. The plan shape may be shaped like a parallelogram.

Possibly, the or one of the seam receiving channels extends through the approximate centre of the plan shape, and may extend substantially parallel with the longer parallel sides.

Possibly, the or one of the seam receiving channels extends substantially parallel with the shorter parallel sides.

Possibly, both the first and second seam receiving channels extend through the approximate centre of the plan shape. Possibly the first seam receiving channel extends substantially parallel with the shorter parallel sides, and the second seam receiving channel extends substantially parallel with the longer parallel sides. Possibly, the intersection is in the approximate centre of the plan shape.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of protecting clothing, the method including providing a clothing protector, the protector comprising:

• a sheet-like support layer having a mounting face and a protection face,

• an absorbent arrangement bonded to the protection face, • the protector defining a seam receiving channel, which, when the protector is mounted to a garment in a use condition, receives a seam of the garment.

Possibly, the protector includes any of the features described in any of the preceding statements or following description. Possibly, the method includes any of the steps described in any of the preceding statements or following description.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a clothing protector;

Fig. 2 is a relatively enlarged side view of part of the protector of Fig. 1 as indicated by arrow II in Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the protector;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of part of a garment such as a shirt or blouse with the location of the protector indicated in dotted lines, the garment being shown as transparent for the purposes of visibility of the features of interest;

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view through a body/sleeve seam of the garment of Fig. 4 as indicated by the section line V-V, with a protector in a use condition;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to that of Fig. 5, with a protector according to a second embodiment of the invention; and

Fig. 7 is a view similar to that of Figs. 5 and 6, with a protector according to a third embodiment of the invention.

Figs. 1 to 5 show a clothing protector 10 for absorbing underarm perspiration, the protector 10 comprising:

• a sheet-like support layer 12 having a mounting face 14 and a protection face 16, • an absorbent arrangement 18 bonded to the protection face 16,

• the protector 10 defining a seam receiving channel 20, 22, which, when the protector 10 is mounted to a garment 30 in a use condition, receives a seam of the garment 30.

The protector 10 could define a plurality of seam receiving channels

20, 22.

In the example shown, the absorbent arrangement 18 defines a first seam receiving channel 20 which extends along a first direction, and a second seam receiving channel 22 which extends along a second, different direction. The first and second seam receiving channels 20, 22 intersect at a channel intersection 24. In the example shown, the absorbent arrangement 18 includes a plurality of absorbent portions 28 which project outwardly from the protection face 16. The absorbent portions 28 define the seam receiving channels 20, 22. The protector 10 includes a layer of adhesive 44, which is applied to the mounting face 14, for holding the protector 10 in the use condition. In the example shown, the layer of adhesive 44 is continuous across the mounting face 14. In a non-use condition, the protector 10 includes a layer of adhesive protection material 46, which overlays the layer of adhesive 44. The adhesive could be low tack adhesive which holds the protector 10 in the use condition during use but readily permits removal of the protector 10 from the garment 30 after use.

The protector 10 includes a layer of absorbent protection material 48 which overlays the absorbent portions 28 and which could be in the form of a liquid permeable mesh. The absorbent protection material 48 protects the relatively soft absorbent material from mechanical damage, eg by abrasion and helps keep the absorbent material 26 correctly positioned during use.

The support layer 12 could be formed of a waterproof material, which resists or substantially prevents the passage of liquid therethrough. In one example, the support layer 12 is formed of a breathable material, which permits the passage of vapour or gas but resists or prevents the passage of liquid therethrough. As shown in Fig. 3, when viewed in plan in a non-use condition, the protector 10 has a plan shape 50. In the example shown, the plan shape 50 has four sides and is shaped like a parallelogram, with a pair of longer parallel sides 52 and a pair of shorter parallel sides 54. The first seam receiving channel 20 extends substantially parallel with the shorter parallel sides 54, and the second seam receiving channel 22 extends substantially parallel with the longer parallel sides 52.

Both the first and second seam receiving channels 20, 22 extend through the approximate centre of the plan shape 50 so that the channel intersection 24 is in the approximate centre of the plan shape 50.

In one example, the channels 20, 22 could have a depth 60 of around 2mm, and a width 56, 58 of 10mm. The length of the longer sides 52 could be 100mm and the length of the shorter sides could be 60mm.

Fig. 5 shows the clothing protector 10 in a use condition. Initially, the clothing protector 10 is provided in a non-use condition in which the adhesive layer 44 is covered by the layer of adhesive protection material 46. This layer 46 is peeled off and the clothing protector 10 located on the garment 30 to the use condition. In the use condition, the adhesive layer 44 locates against and bonds to the material of the garment 30.

Fig. 4 shows part of a garment 30. The garment 30 could be a blouse or shirt and comprises body material 32 having a body seam 34 and sleeve material 36 having a sleeve seam 38. The body material 32 and the sleeve material 36 are joined at a body/sleeve seam 40. The garment 30 includes a seam intersection 42 where the body/sleeve seam 40, the body seam 34 and the sleeve seam 38 meet.

In the use condition, the protector 10 is located on the garment 30 so that the channel intersection 24 locates over the seam intersection 42, the first seam receiving channel 20 receives, on one side of the channel intersection 24, the body seam 34, and on the other side of the channel intersection 24, the sleeve seam 38, and the second seam receiving channel 22 receives the body/sleeve seam 40. Fig. 5 is a sectional view through the protector 10 in the use condition over the body/sleeve seam 40.

Advantageously, the clothing protector 10 does not increase significantly the bulk of the garment 30 at the seams 34, 38, 40 and the seam intersection 42, as the seams 34, 38, 40 and seam intersection 42 are received within the channels 20, 22 in the use condition.

It will be noted that the support layer 12, which provides a liquid barrier, is continuous over the seams 34, 38, 40 beneath the absorbent arrangement 18, preventing leakage of liquid perspiration into the seams 34, 38, 40.

A further advantage of the protector 10 of the invention is that the seam receiving channels 20, 22 reduce the stiffness of the protector 10, allowing it to conform more easily to the shape of the garment 30 than conventional protectors, and reducing the likelihood of creases or ridges being formed which are uncomfortable for the user and also reducing audible rustling during user movement. Figs 6 and 7 show other embodiments of the invention, many features of which are similar to those already described in relation to the embodiment of Figs 1 to 5. Therefore, for the sake of brevity, the following embodiments will only be described in so far as they differ from the embodiment already described. Where features are the same or similar, the same reference numerals have been used and the features will not be described again.

Fig. 6 shows a second embodiment of a clothing protector 1 10 according to the invention. In this embodiment, the protector 1 10 includes a continuous layer of absorbent protection material 148 over the absorbent portions 28 and the channels 20, 22. Advantageously, in use, the absorbent protection material 148 captures moisture which might otherwise run along the channels 20, 22 and escape from the protector, and either absorbs the moisture, or directs it to the absorbent portions 28.

In one example, the absorbent protection material layer 148 is formed of a material which has a "wicking" action, and which is arranged to draw moisture towards the absorbent portions 28. In another example, the absorbent protection material layer 148 includes a material which has a "wicking" action. The wicking material could be provided over substantially the whole of the absorbent protection material 148, or could be provided in one or more portions (not shown) which could, for example, be localised to the vicinity of the channels 20, 22 and adjacent parts of the absorbent protection material 148.

Fig. 7 shows a third embodiment of a clothing protector 210 according to the invention. In this embodiment, the protector 210 includes an absorbent arrangement 218 which includes a continuous layer of absorbent material 26. The absorbent material layer 26 includes thicker portions 64 and thinner portions 62. The thinner portions 62 define the seam receiving channels 20, 22. As shown in Fig. 7, the seam receiving channels 20, 22 are formed in an outwardly directed face of the absorbent material layer 26 relative to the seams 34, 38, 40. In another example, the channels 20, 22 could be formed in an inwardly directed face of the absorbent material layer 26 relative to the seams 34, 38, 40, so that the channels 20, 22 are defined between the absorbent material layer 26 and the support layer 12.

It will be noted that in all of the embodiments, the support layer 12 provides a continuous layer which is impermeable to moisture between the absorbent arrangement 18, 218 and the garment 30.

Various other modifications could be made without departing from the scope of the invention. The clothing protector and the various parts thereof could be of any suitable size and shape, and could be formed of any suitable material.

The layer of adhesive 44 could be intermittent across the mounting face 14. In one example, the adhesive layer 44 could only be applied to one or more parts of the mounting face 14. In one example, the locations of the parts of the adhesive layer 44 could substantially correspond with the locations of the absorbent portions 28.

The clothing protector could be provided in a range of colours to match garment colours and/or skin tones.

At the edges of the clothing protector, the layers could be joined, for example, by crimping, heat sealing, welding or bonding.

Any of the features or steps of any of the embodiments shown or described could be combined in any suitable way, within the scope of the overall disclosure of this document. There is thus provided a clothing protector which provides seam receiving channels. The resulting garment with the protector in the use condition is less bulky than with conventional arrangements and the protector is more flexible and less liable to crease and rustle audibly, making it more comfortable to wear and less liable to draw unwanted attention or make the user more self-conscious.