TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to underwear and in particular, but not limited to, improved male undergarments.

PRIOR APPLICATIONS

[0002] The present application claims priority from Australian provisional patent application number 2017901767, the contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Male underwear is provided in a variety of forms. Some common examples are boxer shorts, briefs and trunks. Whilst each of these provides varying levels of aeration and support to the wearer, they are all generally close fitting. As such, they are typically prone to wedging, and have an increased risk of uncomfortable conditions like jock itch or heat rash.

[0004] The present invention seeks to address, in one aspect, some of the

disadvantages of conventional male undergarments.

[0005] The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement or admission or any form of suggestion that prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates.

SUMMARY

[0006] The present invention relates to a male undergarment that is intended to be used in place of conventional underwear. [0007] According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a male

undergarment, including: a skirt portion formed as a tube with a waist opening at one end and only one leg opening at the other end; and a pocket attached to the skirt portion.

[0008] In other particular, but non-limiting, example forms: the waist opening is formed from a circular piece of elastic material; and the leg opening is formed from a circular piece of elastic material.

[0009] In one form, the pocket has an opening located inside the skirt portion.

Preferably, the opening of the pocket is located in an upper part of the pocket and a lower part of the pocket is enclosed and extends through the leg opening.

[0010] In another form, a cord is attached proximal to the opening of the pocket. In accordance with other optional embodiments, provided by way of example only: the cord has sufficient length to extend through the waist opening; in use the cord can be tensioned by a wearer; the cord is adjustably connected to the skirt portion to facilitate tensioning of the cord; both ends of the cord are attached to the opening of the pocket; and the undergarment includes a second cord.

[0011] In another form, the skirt portion includes a front opening between the waist opening and the leg opening. Preferably, the front opening is located substantially above the pocket. Also preferably, the pocket is made from a material with absorbent properties.

[0012] In another form, the pocket is configured so that in use a penis of a wearer can be placed inside the pocket while the scrotum of the wearer remains outside the pocket.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0013] Example embodiments should become apparent from the following description, which is given by way of example only, of at least one preferred but non- limiting embodiment, described in connection with the accompanying figures, wherein:

[0014] Figure 1 illustrates a front view of a first embodiment of a male undergarment according to the invention; [0015] Figure 2 illustrates a front view of the undergarment from Figure 1 where the undergarment is inside-out;

[0016] Figure 3 illustrates a top view of a pocket that forms part of the undergarment of Figure 1;

[0017] Figure 4 illustrates a top view of the undergarment of Figure 1;

[0018] Figures 5A and 5B illustrate side and front views of a second embodiment of a male undergarment;

[0019] Figure 6 illustrates a side elevation view of the undergarment of Figure 5;

[0020] Figure 7 illustrates a front elevation view of the undergarment of Figure 5;

[0021] Figure 8 illustrates a front elevation view of a third embodiment of a male undergarment;

[0022] Figure 9 illustrates a front elevation view of another example embodiment of a male undergarment; and

[0023] Figure 10 illustrates a top view of another example embodiment of a male undergarment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] The following modes, given by way of example only, are described in order to provide a more precise understanding of the subject matter of a preferred embodiment or embodiments.

[0025] In the Figures, incorporated to illustrate features of an example embodiment, like reference numerals are used to identify like parts throughout the Figures.

[0026] Referring to Figure 1, a male undergarment 10 is shown in accordance with the invention. The undergarment 10 includes a skirt 11 in the form of a tube with a waist band 12 at a waist opening 13 at one end and a retention band or leg band 15 at a leg opening 16 at the other end. The waist band 12 is formed from a circular piece of elastic material. Similarly, the leg band 15 is formed from a circular piece of elastic material. A pocket 20 is attached to the skirt 11 and can be seen extending below the leg band 15.

[0027] The skirt 11 has a front opening 22 positioned between the waist opening 13 and the leg opening 16. The front opening 22 is above the pocket 20 and is formed by a lower fabric portion 23 and an upper fabric portion 24 being positioned to overlap but not be attached to one another. The front opening 22 is positioned so that the penis may be conveniently extended in use without having to raise the leg band 15, skirt portion 11 and/or pocket 20 (such as, for example, when urination is required).

[0028] In the embodiment shown, the front opening 22 is held closed and retains the penis simply by having the lower fabric portion 23 overlap on the inside of the upper fabric portion 24. However, in alternative embodiments, the front opening 22 may be sealable, such as by utilisation of press-stud fasteners, hook and loop fasteners or the like or by comprising a covering flap which may be drawn aside so as to substantially prevent the unintended egress of the penis from the opening 22 in use.

[0029] In another alternative embodiment, it is envisaged that a finger grip may be included on an inner portion of the pocket 20 to aid in returning the penis to the pocket 20 after use, such as after removing it for urination. Such a grip could be used to open the pocket 20 as wide as possible using a single finger, so that the penis can be more readily returned to the pocket 20. It will be appreciated that many options exist for the design of this finger grip, such as but not limited to a fabric loop or flap, or a textured material.

[0030] Referring to Figure 2, the undergarment 10 is shown inside-out, thereby allowing the pocket 20 to be seen in more detail. It can be seen here that the pocket 20 has an opening 28 located inside the skirt 11, or at least the opening 28 would be positioned inside the skirt 11 when not inside-out as shown.

[0031] The pocket 20 is formed by a piece of fabric folded to form a lower end 30, thereby having a front fabric section 31 and a rear fabric section 32. The fabric sections are stitched along each edge 34, such that the pocket 20 is enclosed in all parts other than the opening 28 at the top. This means that the lower part of the pocket 20 that extends through the leg opening 16 is enclosed.

[0032] Figure 2 also shows a cord 38 that is attached to the rear fabric section 32 of the pocket 20, proximal to the opening 28. It can be seen that the cord 28 has sufficient length to extend past the waist band 12. Each end of the cord 38 passes through an eyelet 40 (see Figure 3) in the fabric near the pocket opening 28, with a knot 41 at the end of the cord 38 preventing the end of the cord 38 from being pulled through the eyelet 40. In use, part of the cord 38 is intended to sit between the waist band 12 and the body of the wearer. This permits the cord 38 to be tensioned by the wearer.

[0033] It is noted that while the embodiment shown includes a single cord 38 with each end connected to the pocket 20, alternative embodiments may include two cords 38, each with one end connected to the pocket 20 and the other end left to hang free or connected to a different portion of the undergarment 10.

[0034] In various alternative embodiments of the invention, the cord 38 may be adjustably connected to the skirt 11 or the waist band 12 to facilitate tensioning of the cord 38. This is particularly suitable to embodiments where two separate cords 38 are used.

[0035] With reference to Figure 5, in one specific example embodiment, eyelets 44 are positioned in the skirt 11 just below the waist band 12, a similar distance from one another as the eyelets 40 in the pocket 20. Two cords 38 are used with the upper end of each passing through one of these additional eyelets 44, the lower ends being attached to the pocket 20 in a manner as shown in Figures 1 to 4. On the outside of the skirt 11, the cords 38 can be knotted to one another to achieve a desired tension. In yet other alternative embodiments, the cords 38 may have a movable plastic clip connected or otherwise be adjustably restrained from being pulled back through the eyelets 44.

[0036] An advantage of the embodiment of Figure 5 is that the cords 38 are held out of the way while the garment is being pulled on. It also allows the cords 38 to be adjusted and then left in this position between times when the undergarment is worn. This embodiment is also advantageous because it avoids the cords 38 being positioned between the waist band 12 and the body of the wearer, which in some cases may cause some discomfort.

[0037] In preferred embodiments of the undergarment 10, the pocket 20 is made from a material with absorbent properties so as to provide urine absorption properties. It will be appreciated, however, that a very wide range of material options are available and would be suitable, as would be understood by those skilled in the art. The fabric of the pocket 20 may be different to the fabric of the skirt 11 or other parts of the undergarment 10.

[0038] One of the key features of the undergarment 10 is that it does not have a crotch, as is typically the case in male undergarments. Otherwise stated, there is only one leg opening at the lower end of the skirt 11. Instead of having a crotch to cause the

undergarment to surround each leg separately and thereby enclose the genitals of the wearer, the pocket 20 is configured so that when the undergarment 10 is worn, the penis of the wearer is placed inside the pocket 20, while the scrotum of the wearer remains outside the pocket 20. As there is no crotch, the scrotum is actually not completely covered or enclosed by the undergarment 10. However, the skirt 11 and pocket 20 do still provide a level of modesty cover to prevent the scrotum being seen if no other garments are worn.

[0039] The undergarment in another broad sense may be described as a specialised skirt-like structure intended to cover the buttocks and pubic zone. Elasticised cotton fabric has been found desirable. The undergarment is provided with an elasticised waist band and another elasticised band forms the lower limit of the garment. It follows therefore that there is no crotch.

[0040] It is widely recognised that the testicles of mammals are located externally to the body because sperm production is known to be enhanced by a slightly lower temperature than normal body heat. Mankind is no different is this respect but has largely foregone the benefits of scrotal aeration to conform to social expectations.

[0041] This undergarment described in one form may provide a socially acceptable undergarment while excluding the scrotum from confinement other than by the outer garment, usually trousers. The undergarment therefore can allow for no part of the genitals or buttocks to be visible when the garment is worn without an outer garment.

[0042] An important feature of the garment is the pocket, as described above. The front aspect of the pocket is an extension of the lower front panel of the garment. The rear aspect is formed from an extension of the front that is folded under. Then the edges are sewn to the edges of the front. It has been found desirable to line the pocket with soft, absorbent fabric such as silk jersey for maximum comfort while providing absorbent properties. It is known that the last of the urine stream has no propellant to expel it once the bladder is drained. This frequently results in a very small amount of urine needing to be absorbed by the undergarment and hence the design features mentioned.

[0043] The rear aspect of the pocket is provided with two eyelets approximately 5cm apart just below the fold line of the fabric at the opening. Cord, knotted at one end, is passed through an eyelet until the knot is caught on the external aspect of the pocket. The length of cord is sufficient to extend somewhat beyond the waist band then return to be passed through the other eyelet from the interior of the pocket. It is secured by a knot such that the knot is located in a situation resembling the other knot. Alternatively, other means of restraint doing the function of the knot may be provided. The knot has been found preferable as it is amenable to adjustment as to cord length to suit the wearer.

[0044] The loop of cord thus formed is passed upwards until it is caught beneath the waist band. The waist band thus becomes the means of upholding the cord. The wearer needs to pull slightly on the cord until he feels the cord tug the underside pocket lip against the under side of the penis closest to the body. This is necessary to prevent the penis coming out of the pocket during activities that require bending over such as knotting shoe laces. Any surplus cord can be spread beneath the waistband until only a small amount of cord remains visible above the waist band. Typically, the waist band pressure is sufficient to retain the cord without discomfort or visible distortion of outer clothing. [0045] The elasticised band on the lowest part of the undergarment prevents the undergarment from rising up on the wearer by virtue of it being located just below the curvature of the buttocks, that is, the gluteal sulcus. This has the added advantage of preventing the undergarment from "wedging", something that is so disliked about conventional underwear. By virtue of having no crotch it is evident that air movement in that zone is made possible. This can reasonably be expected to enhance the evaporation of the sweaty moisture that causes jock itch.

[0046] When access to the penis is required for urination, the fingers can access the penis by lifting the overhanging flap of edge enhanced fabric on the front panel while pushing gently down on the front aspect of the pocket to extract the penis then return it as required.

[0047] The use of the cords to draw up the underside of the pocket is an important feature of the invention. This principle may also be extended to other forms of male underwear, such as a long singlet with elastic retention band and pocket, or a loose waist undergarment suspended by buttons or braces inside trousers, where this loose waist undergarment has a pocket similar to that described previously. This would be of special interest to men with excessive bellies having trouble to support waistband undies. Either of these alternative embodiments could incorporate the pocket as described.

[0048] In the preferred embodiments described herein, the skirt portion of the undergarment substantially covers the buttocks of the wearer when the undergarment is worn. This is advantageous because the rear lower edge of the undergarment terminates below the gluteal sulcus of the wearer, acting to hold this edge down during use, preventing inadvertent upward displacement of the lower skirt portion. In alternative embodiments, however, it will be appreciated that different lengths of the skirt portion will be possible, and in some cases the buttocks may not be covered or only partially covered. For example, the undergarment may include only the waist band and pocket, with very little or no skirt or leg band. [0049] The preferred embodiments are described herein as using waist and leg bands that are made from elastic material. These bands are resiliency stretchable and extend substantially circumferentially about the wearer so as to maintain positioning beneath the buttocks of the wearer in the case of the leg band, or about the waist in the case of the waist band. The elasticity also allows extension/expansion of the band to lift/adjust/remove the garment. It will be appreciated, however, that alternative bands may be used, such as releasable retention bands or other forms of adjustable bands.

[0050] In one alternative form of the invention, the undergarment may take a configuration similar to a singlet. During donning, the wearer would slip the undergarment over their head, insert their arms through sleeves straps and pull the lower skirt portion downwardly to cover the buttocks, the leg band sitting below the buttocks, the resilient nature of the band holding the skirt in place.

[0051] It will be appreciated that releasable retention bands may only be required for outsize or larger size versions of the undergarment. The circumferential elasticised version is typically suitable for normal size ranges.

[0052] It will be appreciated that generally, some example embodiments of the invention provide an improved male undergarment including: an upper portion configured such that, during use, the undergarment is suspended from a wearer; a lower skirt portion configured such that, during use, the skirt portion substantially covers the buttocks and genital area of the wearer; and a retention means configured to tighten a lower edge of the skirt portion around the wearer during use, so as to substantially maintain coverage of the buttocks and genital area of the wearer by limiting upward displacement of the skirt portion. Typically, but not always, the retention means is a substantially circumferential elasticised retention band.

[0053] Also broadly speaking, according to some embodiments, the improved male undergarment described, while providing similar functionality as traditional brief undergarments and other similar type underwear, takes the form of a modified skirt which covers the buttocks and genital region of the wearer while providing adequate genital coverage and offering, when compared to traditional undergarments, a reduction or elimination of heat rash in the groin, a reduction or elimination of undergarment wedging, warmth and comfort (such as when being worn as sleepwear), aeration and/or temperature reduction of the scrotum.

[0054] The following numbered paragraphs provide specific features of some example embodiments:

[0055] 1. An improved male undergarment including: a lower skirt portion wherein the undergarment is configured such that the lower skirt portion substantially covers the buttocks of the wearer when the undergarment is worn; and a retention band at a lower edge of the lower skirt portion.

[0056] 2. The improved male undergarment according to point 1, further including a front flap wherein the undergarment is configured such that the front flap covers at least a portion of the genitals of the wearer when the undergarment is worn.

[0057] 3. The improved male undergarment according to point 1 or 2, wherein the front flap includes absorbent material.

[0058] 4. The improved male undergarment according to point 2 or 3, wherein the front flap is cupped so as to pouch a penis portion of the genitals of the wearer in use.

[0059] 5. The improved male undergarment according to any one of points 2 to 4, wherein the front flap includes sufficient length so as to hang sufficiently downwardly so as to substantially maintain genital coverage even were the undergarment to be raised slightly.

[0060] 6. The improved male undergarment according to point 1, wherein the retention band includes an elasticised band.

[0061] 7. The improved male undergarment according to point 6, wherein the retention band is substantially circumferential. [0062] 8. The improved male undergarment according to point 1, wherein the retention band is releasable, including front loose ends configured to fasten together to secure the retention band.

[0063] 9. The improved male undergarment according to point 8, wherein the retention band is fastened to the rear lower edge of the skirt portion for approximately three quarters of the circumference of the skirt and wherein the retention band transitions to the loose ends being unsecured from the skirt for the remainder front portion of the skirt.

[0064] 10. The improved male undergarment according to point 8 or 9, wherein the loose ends include fastening means for fastening the loose ends together to secure the retention band.

[0065] 11. The improved male undergarment according to point 9, wherein the fastening means includes hook and loop type fasteners.

[0066] 12. The improved male undergarment according to any one of points 2 to 7, wherein the front flap extends beneath the retention band when the retention band is secured in use.

[0067] 13. The improved male undergarment according to any one of points 2 to 7, wherein the front flap is of generally triangular or rectangular shape when viewed from the front.

[0068] 14. The improved male undergarment according to point 1, further including a penis opening configured to allow extension of the penis therethrough in use.

[0069] 15. The improved male undergarment according to point 14, wherein the opening is above the retention band when the retention band is secured in use.

[0070] 16. The improved male undergarment according to point 14 or 15, wherein the opening is sealable. [0071] 17. The improved male undergarment according to point 1, wherein an upper portion of the undergarment may take the form of a singlet.

[0072] 18. The improved male undergarment according to point 1, wherein upper portion of the undergarment comprises a waistband so as to allow the undergarment to be worn from substantially a waist region of the wearer to beneath the buttocks of the wearer in use.

[0073] 19. The improved male undergarment according to any one of points 1 to 16, where an upper portion of the garment is configured such that, when worn the garment is suspended from wearer, the retention band configured to maintain the lower edge of the skirt portion below the buttocks.

[0074] 20. The improved male undergarment including: an upper portion configured such that, during use, the undergarment is suspended from a wearer; a lower skirt portion configured such that, during use, the skirt portion substantially covers the buttocks and genital area of the wearer; and a retention means configured to tighten a lower edge of the skirt portion around the wearer during use, so as to substantially maintain coverage of the buttocks and genital area of the wearer by limiting upward displacement of the skirt portion.

[0075] In the foregoing description of preferred embodiments, specific terminology has been resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar technical purpose. Terms such as "front" and "rear", "inner" and "outer", "above" and "below" and the like are used as words of convenience to provide reference points and are not to be construed as limiting terms.

[0076] Whilst the present invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it will be understood that many modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art. All such variations and modifications should be considered to fall within the scope of the invention as broadly described and as claimed below. [0077] Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" or

"comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.