DESCRIPTION

Field of application

According to its more general aspect, the present invention relates to the clothing sector.

In particular, the present invention relates to a garment fitted with a pocket for holding a condom or similar contraceptive device.

Prior Art

As is well known, the use of contraceptive devices, such as in particular condoms and the like, is increasingly widespread among sexually active persons, in particular young people, not only to avoid unwanted pregnancies, but also to prevent infectious diseases which can be transmitted by means of sexual activity, such as AIDS and the like.

In this connection, sexually active persons who use these contraceptive devices usually keep and carry with them at least one such packaged sample of a contraceptive article, such as a condom or the like, so that it is readily available in the event of sexual intercourse.

Such a contraceptive article is frequently kept and carried inside a pocket of a garment worn by a person of the aforementioned category or in an accessory (for example a handbag or a wallet) which is carried by such a person.

This solution is however not very practical and prone to risks. In fact, the contraceptive device is often mixed with other objects kept in the pocket of the garment or in the accessory such that it may be easily lost and/ or damaged, for example being perforated or subject to abrasion, owing to its intrinsic fragility, despite the fact that it is normally kept sealed inside its packaging. Also known are garments, in particular underwear, provided with accessory pockets especially designed to hold a packaged condom. Garments of this type are described for example in patent applications WO 2012/01 1826, US 2003/0101502 and US 2010/0325769.

These accessory pockets, although constituting an improvement, are however sometimes not practical and moreover are generally unable to suitably protect the contraceptive device against mechanical and/ or thermal stresses (for example variations in temperature) as well as exposure to foreign agents such as solar rays or moisture. These drawbacks are accentuated in particular when the pocket containing the condom or similar contraceptive device is formed on the inner side of the garment or on underwear, since the condom, being closer to the body of the person wearing the garment, is more exposed to variations in temperature, sweat and/ or abrasion.

It follows that the contraceptive device, even when it is kept protected in a suitable manner, may be easily subject to breakage and/ or degradation phenomena which may adversely affect correct use thereof when needed.

The patent application US 2010/0101000 describes a garment for the lower part of the body, such as trousers, provided with a pocket formed on the front side of the garment in the crotch zone of the user and with a closing flap arranged so as to cover this pocket. The pocket has dimensions suitable for holding a packaged condom and is composed of a front layer and a rear layer. It may further comprise thermally insulating materials in the form of additional sheets or layers of fabric which are positioned between the front layer and the rear layer so as to ensure thermal protection of the condom kept inside the pocket.

However, the application US 2010/0101000 does not provide any indication as to materials which are suitable for ensuring thermal protection. Moreover, it must be said that, in accordance with that described in the application US 2010/0101000, positioning of the pocket in the crotch zone of the user is of decisive importance for achieving the predefined objects of the prior art document, namely, on the one hand, that of drawing the attention of the user to the pocket and its contents at the time of sexual arousal and, on the other hand, that of providing the condom kept in the pocket with additional protection due to the fact that the crotch zone is a delicate area of the individual and therefore less prone to impacts.

The technical problem underlying the present invention is that of providing a garment which allows a packaged condom or similar contraceptive device to be kept and carried in a practical manner and in an environment which is cool and dry as possible, while offering suitable heat insulation and protection for said condom or similar contraceptive device.

Summary of the invention

This technical problem is solved by a garment having at least one pocket intended to contain a contraceptive device, in particular a condom, characterized in that said pocket has at least one insulating layer, which is water-resistant or able to absorb moisture.

Preferably, the aforementioned at least one layer is made of a material chosen from the group comprising cork, bamboo, broom, nettle and combinations thereof.

The main advantage of the present invention lies in that, owing to the provision of a pocket for holding a condom, having at least one insulating layer which is water-resistant or able to absorb moisture, where said at least one layer is made preferably using one or more of the aforementioned materials, this condom or similar device is kept and carried in a correct and safe manner inside the special pocket of the garment since it is effectively protected from any mechanical stresses, temperature variations (for example resulting from exposure to external agents such as solar rays) and from water or moisture, all factors which could adversely affect the functionality thereof at the time of use.

At the same time, the transportability and arrangement of the condom inside the special pocket of the garment according to the invention, as well as removal thereof from said pocket at the time of use, are extremely convenient and practical.

Detailed description

In the present description, the term "insulating" or "isolating" is understood as meaning the capacity of at least one layer of material having this property to prevent or at least limit the transmission of heat from and/ or towards the outside as well as to prevent or at least limit the penetration of light rays, in particular ultraviolet radiation (UV) resulting for example from exposure to solar rays.

Moreover, the term "water-resistant" is understood in the present description as meaning the capacity of a layer of material having such a property to prevent or limit the passage of liquid water with which it comes into contact therethrough. The term "water-resistant" includes in particular layers and/or materials having properties of being impermeable to liquid water or being water-repellent.

Moreover, the term "layer able to absorb moisture" or similar formulation is understood as meaning a layer made with one or more materials, preferably chosen from among those indicated above, able to absorb intrinsically (as a result of their chemical and/ or physical properties) moisture (water vapour) with which they come into contact. Preferably, the aforementioned at least one layer is in the form of a fabric or a non-woven fabric made with fibres of any of the aforementioned materials or combinations thereof. Alternatively, it may be made in the form of a sheet or foil of any one of the aforementioned materials or combinations thereof.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the aforementioned pocket has a rear part which is intended to be applied to the garment and a front part, at least one of which comprises at least an insulating layer which is water-resistant or able to absorb moisture and made with a material preferably chosen from the group comprising cork, bamboo, broom, nettle and combinations thereof.

Preferably, both the front part and the rear part of the pocket, i.e. the entire pocket, comprises at least one insulating (isolating) layer which is water-resistant or able to absorb moisture and made with a material preferably chosen from the group comprising cork, bamboo, broom and nettle. According to a preferred embodiment, said at least one insulating layer which is water-resistant or able to absorb moisture forms an inner covering (or lining) of the front part and/ or rear part of the pocket.

The pocket may be made using technologies known in the art, in particular in the textile sector, for example from a piece of monolayer or multilayer fabric or non-woven fabric folded and stitched at the bottom and on the sides so as to form a pocket which is open at the top. Alternatively, the monolayer or multilayer fabric or non-woven fabric used to create the pocket may be applied directly onto a predefined portion of the supporting garment so as to form said pocket.

The pocket may be applied to the garment using any means known in the textile sector, in particular by means of application of adhesives or stitches.

Advantageously, the garment is an article of clothing or garment (known also by the term of "outerwear") which is worn over underwear and the pocket is applied onto a pre-selected outer part of this garment so as to be visible on the outside when the garment is being worn.

Preferably, the outerwear garment is of the type suitable for being worn over the top part of the body, such as in particular a T-shirt, shirt, blouse, polo shirt and the like.

Further characteristic features and advantages of the present invention will become clear from the following description of a preferred embodiment provided by way of a non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying figures.

Brief description of the figures

In the figures:

- Figure 1 shows a garment fitted with a pocket for holding and carrying a condom or similar contraceptive device and a flap for closing this pocket;

- Figures 2 and 3 show, respectively, a front view and a side view of the pocket and the associated closing flap of the garment according to Figure 1;

- Figure 4 shows a detail of the pocket according to Figures 2 and 3;

- Figure 5 shows a front view of the closing flap according to Figures 2 and 3;

- Figures 6 and 7 each show in schematic form a structure consisting of layers of material suitable for forming the pocket and the closing flap according to Figures 2 and 3.

Description of a preferred embodiment of the invention With reference to the aforementioned figures, a garment according to the invention, namely a jumper, is denoted overall by the reference number 1.

The jumper 1 has a pocket 2 in the form of a small pouch which is applied onto the outer part of the jumper 1, in this case onto a sleeve. Alternatively, the pocket 2 may be positioned on any other part of the jumper 1, for example the front part, the forearm, etc.

The pocket 2 is made of fabric in the manner which will be explained more fully below. The pocket has a front part 3 and a rear part 4 which together form a containing or housing zone 5 which has a suitable dimension so as to be able to contain in a convenient and practical manner a packaged condom (not shown) or a similar contraceptive device.

The pocket 2 is also provided at its top end with an opening and closing system 6 which in the specific case consists of a drawstring closing/opening system which is conventional per se.

More particularly, the drawstring closing/ opening system 6 comprises a tubular sheath or drawstring 7 formed at the top end of the pocket 2 and open on the facing or front side thereof, a lace or cord 8 sliding inside the sheath 7 and a fastening element 9 inside which the ends of the lace/cord 8 projecting from the sheath 7 pass and are gripped together. During use, by suitably adjusting the length of the ends of the cord 8 passing through the fastening element 9, access to or closing of the containing zone 5 is obtained at the mouth of the drawstring 7.

This drawstring opening/ closing system 6 advantageously allows the condom or similar contraceptive device to placed back into and protected inside the special pocket in a practical and safe manner.

It should be noted, however, that instead of the drawstring system 6, the pocket 2 may be provided with other systems or mechanisms for opening or closing the same, such as, by way of a non- limiting example, zip fasteners, velcro fasteners, button-type closing systems, etc.

The pocket 2 is also provided with a slit 10 formed on the front or facing part 3 and extending substantially along the entire vertical length of the pocket 2, the mating portions 11 of the pocket 2 along the slit 10 being partially joined together by means of stitching so as to leave a substantially V-shaped opening 12 defined by an open part of the portions 11 adjoining the drawstring 7.

Advantageously, this allows to improve the comfort and the ease of use when opening and closing the pocket 2 by means of the drawstring system 6.

The pocket 2 is fixed to the jumper 1 in a manner conventional per se, in the specific case by means of a series of double stitches 13 formed on the rear part 4 thereof in the region of the drawstring 7.

The jumper 1 also comprises a hinged flap 14 arranged above the pocket 2 and rotationally movable between an open position in which it is spaced from the pocket 2, thus making it possible to access the contents thereof present inside the containing zone 5, and a closed position in which the flap 14 is arranged so as to cover at least partially the pocket 2 (in this embodiment, it covers the pocket substantially entirely) .

The flap 14 is also fixed to the fabric of the jumper 1 in a manner conventional per se, in the specific case by means of a series of double stitches 15 which are formed along an end portion close to the pocket 2 and which act substantially as a hinging axis for rotation of the flap 14 between the open position and the closed position.

The flap 14 may also be removably fastened to the jumper 1, in its closed position, by means of a fastening system which is conventional per se. In the specific case this system consists of a button-type fastening system consisting of two oppositely arranged buttons 16 joined to the jumper 1 below the pocket 2, for example by means of stitching, which buttons 16 engage inside corresponding eyelets 17 formed in a portion of the free end of the hinged flap 14.

The hinged flap 14 may also be provided on the front or facing part (visible externally) with a logo 18 or writing, emblems, trade names and/ or any graphic composition required for example by the manufacturer and/ or the user depending on specific fashion or trend- related preferences and requirements.

Advantageously, the hinged flap 14 ensures additional protection for the condom or similar contraceptive device contained in the pocket 2 as well as additional safety owing to safe-keeping thereof inside the pocket 2.

In accordance with the present invention, the pocket 2 comprises at least one layer of insulating fabric or non-woven fabric which is water-resistant or able to absorb moisture, said at least one layer being formed with at least one material chosen preferably from the group comprising cork, bamboo, broom and nettle and combinations thereof.

In order to improve further the properties of thermal insulation and protection of the condom contained in the pocket 2 in relation to mechanical stresses (for example knocks, abrasion, etc.) as well as the penetration of water or moisture, the flap 14 is also preferably made with at least one layer of insulating fabric or non-woven fabric which is water- resistant or able to absorb moisture. This layer is preferably made with at least one material chosen preferably from the group comprising cork, bamboo, broom, nettle and combinations thereof. According to an embodiment, the pocket 2 may be made in the form of a monolayer or multilayer fabric consisting of one or more of the materials of the aforementioned type. Alternatively, the pocket may be made with an outer layer of textile material and at least one insulating inner textile layer (lining), which is water-resistant or able to absorb moisture. The layer(s) which is/ are water-resistant or able to absorb moisture may form in turn an intermediate layer or a plurality of intermediate layers which are sandwiched together between an outer textile layer and an innermost textile layer or may form the the innermost layer or layers of the multilayer structure forming the pocket 2.

Joining together of the various textile layers may be performed using any technology known in the art, for example by means of juxtapositioning, superimposed stitching, gluing, lamination or any other technical method which is typical of the sector.

Similarly, the hinged flap 14 may be made in the form of a monolayer or multilayer fabric consisting of or comprising at least one layer of fabric or non-woven fabric as above, which is insulating, water- resistant or able to absorb moisture. In the case of a multilayer structure, this insulating layer, which is water-resistant or able to absorb moisture, preferably forms an intermediate layer or the innermost layer (i.e. that facing the pocket 2) of the closing flap 14.

Figure 6 shows a layer structure suitable for forming partly or entirely the pocket 2 and also, where necessary, the hinged flap 14.

This multilayer structure, which is denoted overall by 20, comprises an insulating intermediate textile layer 21 (fabric or non-woven fabric) which is water-resistant or able to absorb moisture and sandwiched between an outer textile layer 22 (fabric or non-woven fabric) and an inner textile layer 23 (fabric or non- woven fabric). In accordance with the present invention, the intermediate textile layer 21 is made with fibres of one or more materials chosen from cork, bamboo, broom, nettle and combinations thereof. The outer textile layer 22 and the inner textile layer 23 are instead each made with fibres of a material different from that forming the intermediate layer 21 , such as in particular cotton or other material suitable for making a garment, including the materials which may form the intermediate layer 21.

According to a variation of embodiment of the multilayer structure 20, the inner textile layer 23 may be omitted such that in this case the insulating layer 21, which is water-resistant or able to absorb moisture, becomes the innermost layer of the multilayer structure.

According to another variation of embodiment of the multilayer structure 20, the outer textile layer 22 may be omitted such that in this case the insulating layer 21, which is water-resistant or able to absorb moisture, becomes the outermost layer of the multilayer structure.

The use of a textile layer of cork and/ or bamboo is particularly advantageous if it is required to increase the insulating properties of the pocket 2 (and optionally also of the flap 14) applied to the garment 1 , since cork and bamboo are both materials which per se have optimum thermal insulation properties. Moreover, the textile layer of bamboo has excellent breathability properties which are advantageous for disposing of the water vapour produced for example by sweating towards the outside of the pocket 2 (and where appropriate also of the flap 14) and provides the textile article which contains it or from which it is made (pocket 2 and optional flap 14) also with a sanitizing effect, since bamboo per se has a natural anti-bacterial and deodorizing function. Moreover, the use of a textile layer of bamboo provides the aforementioned textile article which contains it or from which it is made also with a good stability and folding resistance, while improving significantly protection of the contents of the pocket 2 and its anti-pilling properties.

The use of a textile layer consisting of broom is particularly advantageous if one wishes to increase the water-resistance properties of the textile article (pocket 2 and optional flap 14) which contains it or from which it is made and at the same time provides this article with exceptional mechanical strength and flexibility properties, while improving the wear-resistance and therefore increasing the working life of the article.

The use of a textile layer consisting of nettle is particularly advantageous if one wishes to increase the moisture-absorption properties of the textile article (pocket 2 and optional flap 14) which contains it or from which it is made and at the same time provides this article with a high tear-strength as well as anti-static and anti-allergic properties.

The manufacture of fabrics or non-woven fabrics with fibres of one or more of the aforementioned materials may be performed using techniques which are conventional per se and may also be performed by means of simply juxtapositioning of sheets of fabric on top of each other.

Figure 7 shows another layer structure suitable for forming a part of or the entire pocket 2 and also the hinged flap 14.

This multilayer structure, which is denoted overall by 30, comprises an outer textile layer 31 and an inner textile layer 32 which are both insulating and water-resistant or able to absorb moisture. In accordance with the present invention, each of the outer textile layers 31 and inner textile layers 32 is made with fibres of a material chosen from cork, bamboo, broom and nettle or a combination of fibres/ sheets of these materials. A preferred combination consists of an outer textile layer 31 of nettle fibres and an inner textile layer 32 of bamboo fibres. In this way, an attractive silky effect together with suitable insulation and moisture- protection axe achieved.

Obviously, a person skilled in the art may make numerous modifications and variations to the garment of the invention described above, all of which moreover are contained within the scope of protection of the accompanying claims.