Management

Technical Field

[001 ] This invention relates to undergarments and inserts therefor for perspiration and moisture management and refers particularly, though not exclusively, to undergarments and inserts therefor that are intended to allow people to better manage their condition when they are affected by genital fungal infections such as Candida in women and Tinea Cruris in men.

Background

[002] Millions of people around the world suffer from yeast infections. Health professionals advise that if a yeast infection is present cotton undergarments should be worn. There is no research or data available to prove the efficacy of this advice. Most people self manage their personal hygiene and consequently use disposable products inside their underwear.

[003] Cotton undergarments have been recommended due to cotton being a natural fibre and having absorbent and breathable properties. Fungus thrives on moisture. Cotton, although absorbent, holds moisture at the surface allowing the moisture to remain close to the fungal infection, which may excacerbate the condition.

[004] Many people wear cotton undergarments with a disposable pad. The pad, although absorbent, has a plastic barrier which only adds to the occlusive environment in which yeast thrives. Disposable pant-liners contain chemicals that are potentially unhealthy for fungus infection management. Disposable products are considered a burden into landfill and communtities around the world are seeking ways to reduce toxic landfill.

Summary

[005] According to one aspect, there is provided a gusset comprising a first, inner hydrophilic layer of highly absorbent material of man-made fibres; a second, intermediate layer of a moisture absorbing material; and a third, outer layer of a breathable, substantially moisture-resistant material for protecting outer clothing in the event of bodily discharge.

[006] The gusset may form part of an undergarment. Alternatively, the gusset may be an insert for use with an undergarment.

[007] The first, inner layer may be closest to the body and may be of a terry towelling that is preferably a 75 denier x 144 filament polyester fibre more preferably circle knitted. It may be of a weight of not less than 60gsm and not greater than 300gsm. Most preferably the weight is in the range 180 to 190gsm for improved moisture wick-through management. The first, inner layer may be treated during the dyeing process with a wetting agent to make it hydrophilic. The first, inner layer allows moisture to pass through to the second, intermediate layer and may assist in keeping the wearer feeling dry and comfortable.

[008] The second, intermediate layer may be of a terry towelling that is preferably a 75 denier x 144 filament polyester fibre, more preferably circle knitted. It may be of a weight of not less than 120gsm and not greater than 350gsm. Most preferably, the weight is in the range 230gsm to 250gsm.

[009] The second, intermediate layer may be affixed such as by lamination to the third, outer layer which may be a transparent polyurethane membrane acting as a breathable but moisture resistant barrier to the outer garment. The transparent polyurethane membrane may be 25 micron.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[010] In order that the invention may be fully understood and readily put into practical effect, there shall now be described by way of non-limitative example only exemplary embodiments of undergarments and inserts therefor for perspiration and moisture management, the description being with reference to the accompanying illustrative drawings.

[01 1 ] In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an undergarment for perspiration and moisture management; Figure 2 is a side view of the gusset of the undergarment of Figure 1 ; and

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a gusset insert for perspiration and moisture management.

Detailed Description of Exemplary Embodiments

[012] The gusset 10 may be part of an undergarment (Figure 1 ) or may be a separate item able to be inserted for use with an existing undergarment (Figure 3). Shown in Figure 1 is an undergarment 12 of any suitable form such as, for example, G-strings, thongs, athletic supports, underpants, panties (as shown), tightly fitting boxer shorts, girdles, brassieres, and so forth. If forming part of an undergarment, the undergarment may look the same as a normal undergarment, although style/shape may change depending on fashion trends.

[013] The internal gusset 10 of the undergarment 12 may be higher at the front 14 in women's styles than standard designs to accommodate perspiration and moisture management more effectively, and to satisfy varying body shapes The body 16 of the undergarment 12 may be made of any suitable material such as, for example, 95% cotton and 5% elastane.

[014] The gusset 10 may have a first, inner layer 18 closest to the body 20 and being of visa terry towelling. It may be a 75 denier x 144 filament polyester fibre circle knitted with a weight of not less than 60gsm and not greater than 300gsm. The optimum performance for moisture wick-through management is when the weight is in the range 180gsm to 190gsm. The first, inner layer 18 is treated during the dyeing process with a wetting agent such as, for example, Polywet added in liquid form during the dyeing process for the fabric of the first, inner layer 18. The wetting agent is required as the polyester fibres behave in a hydrophobic manner until treated. The treatment makes the layer 18 hydrophilic. The layer 18 allows moisture to pass through to the next layer 22 and assists in keeping the wearer feeling dry and comfortable.

[015] The second, intermediate layer 22 is secured to the first, inner layer 18 by any suitable, known technique such as, for example, by stitching around the perimeter of the two layers 18, 22. The second, intermediate layer 22 is an internal, absorbent layer. The second, intermediate layer 22 is also visa terry towelling of 75 denier x 144 filament polyester fibre circle knitted with a weight of not less than 120gsm and not greater than 350gsm. The optimum performance of this layer 22 is when the weight is in the range 230gsm to 250gsm.

[016] Due to the overlapping weight ranges, the first, inner layer 18 and the second, intermediate layer 22 may be substantially the same. However, for optimum performance they are different due to the second, intermediate layer 22 being of a greater weight than the first, inner layer 18.

[017] The second, intermediate layer 18 may also optionally be treated during the dyeing process with a wetting agent such as, for example, Polywet added in liquid form during the dyeing process for the fabric of the second, intermediate layer 22. The wetting agent is preferred to have the polyester fibres behave in a hydrophilic manner.

[018] The second, intermediate layer 22 is laminated or otherwise suitably adhered to a third, outer layer 24 that is a 25 micron transparent polyurethane membrane acting as a breathable but moisture resistant barrier to the garment worn over the undergarment 12.

[019] The inner, first layer 18 and the second, intermediate layer 22 may be substantially of the same size (length and width), as may be the third layer 24. However, the third layer 24 may be larger than the first and second layers 18 and 22, respectively, for an insertable gusset 10 (Figure 2).

[020] The undergarment 12 and gusset 10 should assist with perspiration and moisture management whilst maintaining breathability in the gusset 10 area The undergarment 12 offers an effective way to assist with managing the condition as well as removing the need for disposable products. They should look and feel like normal underwear and as such should offer an improved level of comfort over the use of disposable products.

[021 ] Whilst there has been described in the foregoing description exemplary embodiments of undergarments and inserts therefor for perspiration and moisture management, it will be understood by those skilled in the technology concerned that many variations or modifications in details of design, construction and/or manufacture may be made without departing from the present invention.