DISCUSSION OF THE PRIOR ART Presently, novelty undergarments or underwear include edible underwear, lace or frilly underwear and also crotchless underwear. Each item is at least to some extent intended to enhance intimacy for the wearer and those engaging in relations with them. Unfortunately, each known item has serious drawbacks. For example, edible underwear is by its very nature unsuitable for normal or routine wear. Both lace and crotchless underwear are reputedly too uncomfortable for normal or routine use and as such people tend not to make use of these items.

Crotchless underwear is reputedly inappropriate for anything other than intimate and/or erotic use because of the potential for soiling of outergarments when such are worn in everyday use.

The undergarment of the present invention has as one object thereof to substantially overcome the abovementioned problems associated with the prior art.

Throughout the specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise"or variations such as"comprises"or"comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention there is provided an undergarment for use as briefs, the undergarment characterised by comprising, in addition to any apertures therein for a fly and a wearer's legs and torso, at least one aperture in a rear portion of the undergarment, the rear portion being positioned over the wearer's buttocks in use, the or each aperture allowing at least visual access thereto.

Preferably, at least one of the or each apertures is positioned in the rear portion of the undergarment such that in use the or each apertures overlays the crease defined by and between the wearer's buttocks.

It is envisaged that in addition to purely aesthetic or visual appeal the undergarment of the present invention may have additional functional advantages. In this regard, the or each aperture provided in the rear portion of the undergarment may be utilised in a variety of sexual positions to allow access to, for example, the vulva and vagina and/or anus of the wearer.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to one embodiment thereof and the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a rear view of a bikini-brief style undergarment in accordance with the present invention ; Figure 2 is a front view of the undergarment of Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a rear perspective view of the undergarment of Figures 1 and 2 in use.

DESCRIPTION

In Figures 1 to 3 there is shown a bikini-style brief or undergarment 10 comprising an elasticised waist band 12, a rear material portion 14, a front material portion 16 and a pair of elasticised leg bands 18.

The undergarment 10 is intended to be worn in known manner and as shown in Figure 3. The buttocks 20 of a wearer 22 are at least in part received in the rear material portion 14, the wearer's legs 24 project through the aperture defined by the leg bands 18 and the wearer's torso or waist 26 is accommodated by the waist band 12.

As should be apparent, the undergarment 10 of the present invention may be provided not only in bikini-style briefs but also as boxer style briefs and in other common undergarment styles. Further, the undergarment 10 of the present invention may be equally utilise by both males and females.

The rear material 10 has provided therein an aperture 28, bordered by a seam or band 30 to prevent fraying of the material portion 14. As can be seen in Figure 3, the aperture 28 is arranged so as to allow at least a portion of the wearer's buttocks 20, and the crease 32 defined thereby and between the wearer's buttocks 20, to be seen by an observer. Preferably, the aperture 28 provides visual access for an observer to an upper portion of the wearer's buttocks 20 and the crease 32 defined thereby. Further, the aperture 28 is not positioned immediately adjacent the wearer's vulva or anus when the wearer is in a normal standing position. It is expected that this relationship may alter if the wearer adopts a squatting or kneeling position, with the aperture 28 moving relative to the wearer to a position more adjacent the vulva (if female) and anus.

It is envisaged that the aperture 28, whilst providing visual access to at least the buttocks of a wearer can also be utilise in a variety of sexual positions between couples without requiring removal of the undergarment 10. In this manner the aperture 28 may allow access to the vulva, vagina and/or anus of the wearer. For example, the aperture 28 will allow couples to engage in normal intercourse in the"doggie-style"position, that position in which the male enters his partner from

behind, without removal of the undergarment 10, for either vaginal or anal intercourse.

It is further envisaged that the undergarment 10 may have addition apertures (not shown) provided at other positions thereon. Still further, the or each aperture may be provided in an aesthetic shape or design, for example a love heart design.

As can be seen from the description above, the undergarment of the present invention provides an undergarment that has obvious novelty applications whilst also providing a level of functionality for everyday use and sexual acts. For example, the undergarment may be worn for as long as known underwear with a suitable level of comfort. The specific positioning of the aperture 28 in the rear material portion 14 facilitates wearing of the undergarment 10 in normal use with outergarments, without soiling of those outergarments by the wearer from either their anus and/or their vulva, whilst aiso providing the above discussed functionality and novelty aspects.

Modifications and variations such as would be apparent to a skilled addressee are considered to fall within the scope of the present invention.