Pelvic bottom muscle support clothing

Abstract

The present invention makes it possible to enhance the effect of supporting a pelvic bottom muscle, preventing pelvic organ prolapse, and improving lymph flowing, and to provide a soft touch feeling at the time of wearing. This pelvic bottom muscle support clothing 10 is formed of a knitted material, and has a crotch part 13 formed of a three-layer structure including an outer knitted fabric 131, an inner knitted fabric 132, and an intermediate layer 133 therebetween. An annular bulging part 134 is formed by the intermediate layer 133 having a prescribed thickness. The inner knitted fabric 132, which is a portion that is brought into contact with the peripheral portion of the external genital organs of a woman, is formed to have a soft contact feeling to the skin, and moreover, the annular bulging part 134 has high cushioning properties. Therefore, it is possible to increase the pressing force to the peripheral portion of the external genital organs while easing the local feeling of pressure. It is also possible to promote the lymph flowing, and further enhance the preventive effect for lymphedema or the like.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to pelvic bottom muscle support clothing that has an aiding function to support the pelvic bottom muscles from under.Background Art

[0002] The pelvic bottom muscles (a generic term for levator ani muscle (pelvic diaphragm), anococcygeal ligament, deep transverse perineal muscle, urethral sphincter, levator ani muscle, and the like, which are also known as the pelvic bottom muscle group) lie on the bottom of the pelvis and function mainly to support the internal organs, but their function may decline due to childbirth, aging, and so on. The decline in the function of the pelvic bottom muscles may cause urinary incontinence, bad posture, reduced motor function, and so on, and further may lead to pelvic organ prolapse, which is the dropping of the pelvic organs from their normal positions. For this reason, exercises aimed at learning how to contract the pelvic bottom muscles have been recommended. Patent Document 1 discloses a girdle that helps the wearer perform such exercises correctly to increase their effect. This girdle has extendable belt-shaped structures each having an active region on the inner side of the leg part of the girdle and composed of a front surface lifting structure that extends from this active region toward the front body side and a rear surface lifting structure that extends from the active region toward the back body side, and owing to their elasticity, the pulling forces are mutually transmitted. Further, hardly extendable structures that hardly undergo elastic deformation are formed in and around the active regions of the leg parts. It is stated that the elastic force acting on the active regions of the leg parts can contribute to the contraction of the pelvic bottom muscles.

[0003] Furthermore, Patent Document 2 relates to a supporter having a substantially flat plate-shaped crotch wear article, which is placed on the crotch and pulled upward with traction strings, and it lifts and supports the pelvic bottom muscles to prevent a decline in the function of the pelvic bottom muscles. Document 3 discloses women's underwear that combines a stretchable sheet and a low-stretchable sheet, and is intended in particular to suppress or prevent pelvic organ prolapse.Prior Art DocumentPatent Document

[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 5661405 Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2016-94690 Patent Document 3: Japanese Patent No. 5492339 Patent Document 4: WO2019 / 065708 Summary of the InventionProblems to Be Solved by the Invention

[0005] As described above, pelvic organ prolapse is a phenomenon in which the pelvic organs drop from their normal positions, and due to gravity, force acts to widen the vaginal opening to allow the pelvic organs to slip out. Therefore, it is difficult to prevent the vaginal opening from widening simply by applying force to the female genital organs in such a direction as to press the pelvic bottom muscles upward. However, in Patent Documents 1 and 2, the part in contact with the crotch part that comes into direct contact with the vagina or vulva is pushed upward, thereby only pushing the pelvic bottom muscles upward. Therefore, the preventive effect on pelvic organ prolapse is extremely low. Patent Document 3 states that it has a preventive effect on pelvic organ prolapse, but its function is almost the same as those of Patent Documents 1 and 2, and only the force to push up the crotch acts. Therefore, it does not seem that a high preventive effect on pelvic organ prolapse can be expected.

[0006] On the other hand, the technique proposed by the present inventor in Patent Document 4 has a high preventive effect on pelvic organ prolapse because the annular part is capable of applying force in such a direction as to narrow the vaginal opening. In addition, the annular part presses the peripheral portion of the external genital organs, which is also effective in preventing lymphedema and varicose veins that occur in the perineum. However, if the annular part deforms due to body movement, such as walking, while worn, its contact position may shift depending on the amount of the deformation, and it may not be able to exhibit a sufficient effect. In addition, in the case where the peripheral portion of the external genital organs, which is a delicate area, is pressed, it is desirable for the clothing to have a softer feel.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above, and has an object to provide pelvic bottom muscle support clothing that has a soft touch feeling yet supports the pelvic bottom muscles, and can have a higher preventive effect on pelvic organ prolapse, lymphedema, and the like.Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] To solve the above problem, the present invention provides pelvic bottom muscle support clothing, the clothing including a pants part including a front body, a back body, and a crotch part, and being formed of a knitted material, wherein the front body and the back body each have: a central region with a predetermined width, through whose widthwise substantial center, an extension line of a widthwise center line of the crotch part passes; and side regions located on both sides of the central region, wherein the central region is higher in elastic recovery percentage of elongation than the side regions, wherein the crotch part has a three-layer structure including an outer knitted fabric, an inner knitted fabric, and an intermediate layer between the outer knitted fabric and the inner knitted fabric, wherein the intermediate layer is substantially annular, has a predetermined thickness, and is higher in thickness-direction cushioning property than the outer knitted fabric and the inner knitted fabric, wherein the intermediate layer forms an annular bulging part that bulges out in the thickness direction and comes into contact with a peripheral portion of female external genital organs when the clothing is worn, and wherein a knitted fabric forming a bottom surface of a recess surrounded by the annular bulging part is knitted such that the outer knitted fabric and the inner knitted fabric are integrated.

[0009] Preferably, the intermediate layer is formed of an inlay yarn that is inserted when the outer knitted fabric and the inner knitted fabric are knitted.

[0010] Preferably, the inlay yarn is a yarn containing cotton.

[0011] Preferably, the inner knitted fabric is lower in elastic recovery percentage of elongation than the outer knitted fabric.

[0012] The pelvic bottom muscle support clothing can also be structured to further include an elastic cloth that is provided on an outer side of the crotch part and biases the crotch part in such a direction as to bring the crotch part closer to the external genital organs when the clothing is worn.

[0013] In this case, preferably, the elastic cloth is provided between the front body and the back body to pass an outer surface of the crotch part.Effect of the Invention

[0014] According to the present invention, the clothing is formed of the knitted material, and in particular, the crotch part has the three-layer structure including the outer knitted fabric, the inner knitted fabric, and the intermediate layer therebetween, and the annular bulging part is formed by the intermediate layer having a predetermined thickness. The inner knitted fabric, which comes into contact with the peripheral portion of the female external genital organs, is formed to be soft on the skin. Moreover, the annular bulging part has high cushioning properties. Therefore, it is possible to increase the pressing force on the peripheral portion of the external genital organs while alleviating the local feeling of pressure. As a result, it is possible to promote the flow of lymphatic fluid and further enhance the preventive effect on lymphedema and the like.

[0015] Further, the knitted fabric that forms the bottom surface of the recess surrounded by the annular bulging part is formed by integrally knitting the outer knitted fabric and the inner knitted fabric. Accordingly, this knitted fabric that forms the bottom surface is lower in elongation percentage than the outer knitted fabric and the inner knitted fabric, which can suppress the great deformation of the annular bulging part, can suppress its displacement from the peripheral portion of the external genital organs due to body movement such as walking, and can ensure that the annular bulging part exerts a pressing force. Furthermore, although the great deformation of the annular bulging part is suppressed, when it is pulled in the front-back direction, force acts in such directions as to bring the parts that form the annular bulging part to sandwich the recess, closer to each other, and this force acts to suppress the widening of the vaginal opening, which is also effective in preventing pelvic organ prolapse.Brief Description of Drawings

[0016] [FIGs. 1] FIG. 1(a) is a perspective view of pelvic bottom muscle support clothing according to one embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the front side, and FIG. 1(b) is its perspective view as viewed from the rear side. [FIG. 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the pelvic bottom muscle support clothing in FIGs. 1. [FIGs. 3] FIG. 3(a) is a perspective view illustrating a crotch part, an annular bulging part, and an elastic cloth, FIG. 3(b) is a sectional view taken along the A-A line in FIG. 3(a), and FIG. 3(c) is a sectional view taken along the B-B line in FIG. 3(a). [FIGs. 4] FIGs. 4 are views for explaining the operation of the annular bulging part. [FIGs. 5] FIG. 5(a) is a perspective view illustrating a crotch part, an annular bulging part, and an elastic cloth of pelvic bottom muscle support clothing according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 5(b) is a sectional view taken along the C-C line in FIG. 5(a), and FIG. 5(c) is a sectional view taken along the D-D line in FIG. 5(a). Modes for Carrying out the Invention

[0017] Pelvic bottom muscle support clothing of the present invention is configured to have a pants part. Here, what "have a pants part" means includes both a pants type in which the entire clothing is made up of pants and a pantyhose type in which the pants part constitutes only a part of the clothing.

[0018] The present invention will be hereinafter described in more detail based on embodiments illustrated in the drawings. FIGs. 1 to FIGs. 4 illustrate the pelvic bottom muscle support clothing 10 of this embodiment. As illustrated in these drawings, the pelvic bottom muscle support clothing 10 of this embodiment is of a pants type, and has a front body 11 located at the front, a back body 12 located at the back, and a crotch part 13 located at a crotch-corresponding position between the front body 11 and the back body 12. As necessary, a crotch cloth can be provided on the inner side of the crotch part 13 to double the the range of the crotch part 13, but in this embodiment, the crotch cloth is not provided, and an inner knitted fabric 132 constituting the crotch part 13 comes into direct contact with the skin (see FIGs. 3(b), (c)). Note that the pants type mentioned here includes not only shorts with short legs but also all types typically used as underwear or corrective clothing, such as long-legged types, sanitary wear, and girdle types.

[0019] The front body 11, the back body 12, and the crotch part 13 are all formed of a knitted material. Therefore, they are not separate individual parts sewn together but are knitted integrally using a knitting machine, unlike the case when they are formed of woven fabrics. Further, being formed of the knitted material, the front body 11, the back body 12, and the crotch part 13 have a certain degree of stretchability.

[0020] As illustrated in FIGs. 1 and FIG. 2, the front body 11 and the back body 12 have: central regions 11a, 12a with a predetermined width, through whose widthwise substantial centers, extension lines L2, L3 of the widthwise center line L1 of the crotch part 13 pass; and side regions 11b, 12b located on both sides of the central regions 11a, 12a. Further end portions of the central regions 11a, 12a and the side regions 11b, 12b form upper edge regions 11c, 12c located near the wearer's waist. The central regions 11a, 12a have a predetermined width, but in this embodiment, they are formed into a roughly inverted triangular shape so that their width on the upper edge regions 11c, 12c sides is wider than their width on the sides near boundaries 13a, 13b with the crotch part 13. They can be formed to have a substantially uniform width from the boundaries 131, 13b sides up to the upper edge regions 11c, 12c sides, but in this embodiment, in the central regions 11a, 12a, the upper edge regions 11c, 12c sides have a wider width in order to obtain the desired elastic recovery percentage of elongation.

[0021] The central regions 11a, 12a are higher in elastic recovery percentage of elongation than the side regions 11b, 12b. In this embodiment, the central regions 11a, 12a are higher in elastic recovery percentage of elongation in all the directions along the surface than the side regions 11b, 12b, but since the central regions 11a, 12a function to pull the crotch part 13 along the widthwise center line L1, they need to be higher in elastic recovery percentage of elongation at least in the direction along the widthwise center lines L2, L3 than the side regions 11b, 12b.

[0022] Further, the upper edge regions 11c, 12c are also higher in elastic recovery percentage of elongation than the side regions 11b, 12b and have a function of reducing the displacement from the waist of the wearer. Since the elastic recovery percentage of elongation of the central regions 11a, 12a are high and the elastic recovery percentage of elongation of the upper edge regions 11c, 12c located at their end portions is also high, elastic force to pull the crotch part 13 in the directions of the upper edge regions 11c, 12c acts when the clothing is worn.

[0023] In order to achieve the above-mentioned relationship of the elastic recovery percentage of elongation, the central regions 11a, 12a are knitted by using elastic yarns having a predetermined elasticity, while the side regions 11b, 12b are knitted by using elastic yarns having a lower elasticity, such as those formed thinner than the elastic yarns used to knit the central regions 11a, 12a, or knitted using a less number of the elastic yarns. To knit the upper edge regions 11c, 12c, elastic yarns similar to the elastic yarns used to knit the central regions 11a, 12a are inserted by inlay knitting, for instance. In all the cases, polyurethane elastic yarns, polyester elastic yarns, or the like can be used as the elastic yarns.

[0024] The elastic recovery percentage of elongation can also be adjusted by the knitting structure. In this embodiment, the central regions 11a, 12a are knitted in stockinette stitch, and their stretchability in the vertical direction along the extension lines L2, L3 is higher than in the direction orthogonal to the extension lines L2, L3, and the elastic recovery percentage of elongation of the central regions 11a, 12a is higher than the elastic recovery percentage of elongation of the side regions 11b, 12b. The side regions 11b, 12b are knitted in garter stitch, and the vertical-direction elongation percentage of their knitted fabric is higher than that of the central regions 11a, 12a. The upper edge regions 11c, 12c are knitted in rib stitch, and are knitted such that their stretchability in the circumferential direction of the waist when the clothing is worn is higher than that in the direction orthogonal to the circumferential direction.

[0025] As illustrated in FIGs. 3(a) to (c), the crotch part 13 has a three-layer structure including an outer knitted fabric 131, the inner knitted fabric 132, and an intermediate layer 133 between the outer knitted fabric 131 and the inner knitted fabric 132. In this embodiment, the outer knitted fabric 131 and the inner knitted fabric 132 are both knitted in stockinette stitch. They are both knitted using elastic yarns, but the inner knitted fabric 132 is lower in elastic recovery percentage of elongation than the outer knitted fabric 131 so that it has a property of high elongation percentage, that is, it is relatively easily stretched. This is intended to impart a soft touch to the inner knitted fabric 132 because it comes into direct contact with the skin in the peripheral portion of the external genital organs. On the other hand, due to the high elastic recovery percentage of elongation of the outer knitted fabric 131, a higher restoring force acts therein than in the inner knitted fabric 132. Therefore, it is possible to increase a pressing force of the inner knitted fabric 132-side surface to the peripheral portion of the external genital organs, as compared with a case where the outer knitted fabric 131 has an elastic recovery percentage of elongation equal to or lower than that of the inner knitted fabric 132.

[0026] It is possible to achieve such a relationship between the outer knitted fabric 131 and the inner knitted fabric 132 by making them different in the material or diameter of the elastic yarns, as is described regarding the above-mentioned relationship between the central regions 11a, 12a and the side regions 11b, 12b of the front body 11 and the back body 12.

[0027] The intermediate layer 133 is formed in a substantially annular shape at a position corresponding to the peripheral portion of the female external genital organs when the clothing is worn, has a predetermined thickness, and is higher in thickness-direction cushioning property (impact absorption characteristic) than the outer knitted fabric 131 and the inner knitted fabric 132. The intermediate layer 133 is preferably formed of inlay yarns inserted by inlay knitting. As the inlay yarns, a plurality of thick yarns or wool yarns in a stacked state are inserted, or the number of the elastic yarns inserted is increased, thereby adjusting the thickness-direction elasticity and enhancing the cushioning property. Using, in particular, yarns containing cotton as the inlay yarns increases softness. By forming the intermediate layer 133 of the inlay yarns, it is possible to continuously perform the knitting of the outer knitted fabric 131 and the inner knitted fabric 132 and the insertion of the inlay yarns with a knitting machine, which is convenient and preferable. By adjusting the material or thickness of the inlay yarns, or the number of the inlayer yarns inserted, it is also possible to easily adjust the cushioning property of the intermediate layer 133.

[0028] The intermediate layer 133 is formed in a substantially annular shape as described above, and it is possible to easily form the intermediate layer 133 into a substantially annular shape by setting the insertion positions of the inlay yarns in the knitting machine. In addition, since the adjustment for inserting the inlay yarns so as to stack them in multiple layers is easy, the thickness of the intermediate layer 133 can also be easily adjusted. Since the intermediate layer 133 is formed in a substantially annular shape having a predetermined thickness, the crotch part 13 is structured such that at least the inner knitted fabric 132, and in this embodiment, both the outer knitted fabric 131 and the inner knitted fabric 132, have an annular bulging part 134 bulging outward in the thickness direction at the formation position of the intermediate layer 133. Of this annular bulging part 134, a surface where the inner knitted fabric 132 is arranged comes into contact with the peripheral portion of the female external genital organs.

[0029] In the crotch part 13, because the annular bulging part 134 is formed, a range surrounded by this is a recess 135. The recess 135 is a range where the intermediate layer 133 is not present and only the outer knitted fabric 131 and the inner knitted fabric 132 are present. In the range where the recess 135 is formed, the outer knitted fabric 131 and the inner knitted fabric 132, that is, the two fabrics, are not present separately, but they are integrated, with the yarns forming them being knitted into each other. Therefore, a knitted fabric forming a bottom surface 135a of the recess 135 is higher in yarn density than the single outer knitted fabric 131 and the single inner knitted fabric 132, and thus is lower in elongation percentage and is higher in planar-direction rigidity than the single outer knitted fabric 131 and the single inner knitted fabric 132. Consequently, the annular bulging part 134 formed by the intermediate layer 133 is prevented from greatly deforming by being pulled in the front-rear and left-right directions or being pressed by the thighs of the wearer due to body movement such as walking. In addition, the annular building part 134 is less displaced from the peripheral portion of the external genital organs.

[0030] To enable the application of a moderate pressing force to the peripheral portion of the external genital organs, it is preferable that the bulging amount of the annular bulging part 134, that is, its height from the bottom surface 135a of the recess 135 is within a range of 1.5 to 10 mm, and more preferably, within a range of 2 to 6 mm.

[0031] Since the pelvic bottom muscle support clothing 10 of this embodiment is formed of the knitted fabric, it has stretchability as a whole and has a good fit. Further, since the front body 11 and the back body 12 have the side regions 11b, 12b that are more stretchy and relatively lower in elastic recovery percentage of elongation than the central regions 11a, 12a, the feeling of pressure on the buttocks and the vicinity of the waist is reduced as compared with the case where all the parts are knitted with the same elastic recovery percentage of elongation as that of the central regions 11a, 12a, and the central regions 11a, 12a can exert the necessary tensile force.

[0032] In the front body 11 and the back body 12, the central regions 11a, 12a, which have a high elastic recovery percentage of elongation, have a predetermined width and are provided in the range where the extension lines L2, L3 of the widthwise center line L1 of the crotch part 13 pass, and therefore, when the clothing is worn, forces act to pull the boundaries 13a, 13b of the crotch part 13 with the front body 11 and the back body 12 along the widthwise center line L1 in opposite directions. As a result, the annular bulging part 134 formed in the crotch part 13 is surely pressed against the peripheral portion of the external genital organs and is capable of supporting the pelvic bottom muscles. By the annular bulging part 134 being pressed against the external genital organs, it is possible to stimulate the vicinity of the perineum, the roots of the thighs, and the groin, which are the peripheral portion of the external genital organs, to promote the flow of lymphatic fluid, thereby helping to prevent and improve lymphedema. Moreover, the bottom surface 135a of the recess 135 is a portion that is difficult to stretch as described above. This suppresses the excessive deformation of the annular bulging part 134, suppresses its displacement due to body movement such as walking, and achieves a higher function of supporting the pelvic bottom muscles than that of conventional products.

[0033] Owing to the rigidity of the bottom surface 135a of the recess 135, the excessive deformation of the annular bulging part 134 is suppressed, but it has a certain degree of stretchability because it is a portion formed of the integrated outer knitted fabric 131 and inner knitted fabric 132. Therefore, when the boundary 13a with the front body 11 and the boundary 13b with the back body 12 in the crotch part 13 are pulled along the widthwise center line L1 in the opposite directions (arrow X directions in FIGs. 4) as illustrated in FIGs. 4, force acts in such directions (arrow Y directions in FIGs. 4) as to bring a pair of left and right bulging parts 134a, 134b sandwiching the recess 135 closer to each other. In this embodiment, the pair of left and right bulging parts 134a, 134b do not deform so much that they closely approach each other, but the force acts in the arrow Y directions so as to bring them closer to each other, to serve as a resistance against the widening of the vaginal opening, and can fulfill the function of preventing pelvic organ prolapse.

[0034] Further, since the left and right bulging parts 134a, 134b and front and rear bulging parts 134c, 134d that make up the annular bulging part 134 are formed of the soft inlay yarns that form the intermediate layer 133, their cushioning properties can reduce the strong pressure felt in the peripheral portions of the external genital organs. Further, since the inner knitted fabric 132 has a lower elastic recovery percentage of elongation and is more stretchy than the outer knitted fabric 131, it feels soft against the skin, is less uncomfortable, and causes less pain.

[0035] FIGs. 5(a) to (c) are views illustrating the main parts of another embodiment of the present invention. The same components as those in the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference signs. Pelvic bottom muscle support clothing 10 of this embodiment has an elastic cloth 14 on the outer side of the crotch part 13. The elastic cloth 14 extends between the boundary 13a with the front body 11 and the boundary 13b with the back body 12 in the crotch part 13. The elastic cloth 14 can be formed of a knitted fabric similarly to the front body 11, the back body 12, and the crotch part 13, and can be formed of a knitted fabric containing an elastic yarn as necessary. Preferably, the elastic cloth 14 has a higher elastic recovery percentage of elongation than that of the knitted fabric forming the crotch part 13. A means to achieve this is to form it using a knitted fabric containing the elastic yarn, and owing to the restoring force of the elastic yarn, its natural length between the boundaries 13a, 13b in a state where no tension is applied (contracted state before wearing) can be shorter than the length along the widthwise center line L1 of the crotch part 13. As a result, when the clothing is worn, the elastic cloth 14 exerts a higher restoring force than the crotch part 13 to be capable of biasing the crotch part 13 and the annular bulging part 134 in such a direction as to press them against the peripheral portion of the external genital organs.

[0036] That is, the elastic cloth 14 has a function of aiding the crotch part 13 and the annular bulging part 134 in the pressing force to the external genital organs. For example, the elastic recovery percentage of elongation of the central regions 11a, 12a of the front body 11 and the back body 12 and the elastic recovery percentage of elongation of the outer knitted fabric 131 and the inner knitted fabric 132 forming the crotch part 13 are set lower than in the above-described embodiment, and the elastic cloth 14 is set higher in elastic recovery percentage of elongation than these, whereby a higher pressing force is exhibited by the elastic cloth 14. Consequently, it is possible to provide the clothing having a different wearing comfort from that of the above-described embodiment. Therefore, depending on the physique, preference, and the like of the wearer, the structure of this embodiment having the elastic cloth 14 may be selected rather than the structure of the above-described embodiment. However, not requiring the elastic cloth 14, the configuration of the above-described embodiment is simple and requires a low manufacturing cost, and thus is more preferable than this embodiment.

[0037] In addition, by employing the same configuration as that of this embodiment and providing a hook-and-loop fastener or a string-like hook member on at least one of the boundaries 13a, 14a of the elastic cloth 14, it is possible to form a configuration in which at least one of the boundaries 13a, 14a is attachable / detachable to / from the crotch part 13. In this case, by adjusting the position where the boundary 13a or 14a is fixed, for example, by adjusting the positions of the loop side and the hook side of the hook-and-loop fastener, it is also possible to adjust the pressing force exerted by the elastic cloth 14 on the peripheral portion of the external genital organs.

[0038] Although the above-embodiments show the pelvic bottom support clothing 10 of the pants type, the pelvic bottom support clothing 10 is not limited to the above-described one as long as it has a pants part. For example, a pantyhose type is also employable, and in this case, it may have appropriate compression portions in its leg parts other than the pants part, thereby having a function of promoting the flow of the lymphatic fluid of the legs of the user.

[0039] Further, in the above-described embodiments, the annular bulging part 134 is integrally knitted by inserting the inlay yarns as the intermediate layer 133 into the knitted fabrics forming the crotch part 13. However, the intermediate layer 133 forming the annular bulging part 134 can be formed of a knitted material that is knitted separately from the knitted fabrics forming the crotch part 133 or can be formed of a woven fabric, a nonwoven fabric, silicone rubber, or the like that is formed in a predetermined shape, and it is possible to form the annular bulging part 134 by inserting this into the inner part of the outer knitted fabric 131 and the inner knitted fabric 132 which are formed into a bag shape. However, since the crotch part 13 is formed of the knitted fabric, integrally forming the annular bulging part 134 using the inlay yarns as described above does not complicate the manufacturing process and can reduce the manufacturing cost, and thus is advantageous.Explanation of Reference Signs

[0040] 10pelvic bottom muscle support clothing 11front body 11acentral region 11bside region 12back body 12acentral region 12bside region 13crotch part 131outer knitted fabric 132inner knitted fabric 133intermediate layer 134annular bulging part 135recess 135abottom surface 14elastic cloth

Claims

1. Pelvic bottom muscle support clothing, the clothing comprising a pants part including a front body, a back body, and a crotch part, and being formed of a knitted material, wherein the front body and the back body each have: a central region with a predetermined width, through whose widthwise substantial center, an extension line of a widthwise center line of the crotch part passes; and side regions located on both sides of the central region, wherein the central region is higher in elastic recovery percentage of elongation than the side regions, wherein the crotch part has a three-layer structure including an outer knitted fabric, an inner knitted fabric, and an intermediate layer between the outer knitted fabric and the inner knitted fabric, wherein the intermediate layer is substantially annular, has a predetermined thickness, and is higher in thickness-direction cushioning property than the outer knitted fabric and the inner knitted fabric, wherein the intermediate layer forms an annular bulging part that bulges out in the thickness direction and comes into contact with a peripheral portion of female external genital organs when the clothing is worn, and wherein a knitted fabric forming a bottom surface of a recess surrounded by the annular bulging part is knitted such that the outer knitted fabric and the inner knitted fabric are integrated.

2. The pelvic bottom muscle support clothing according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate layer is formed of an inlay yarn that is inserted when the outer knitted fabric and the inner knitted fabric are knitted.

3. The pelvic bottom muscle support clothing according to claim 2, wherein the inlay yarn is a yarn containing cotton.

4. The pelvic bottom muscle support clothing according to claim 1, wherein the inner knitted fabric is lower in elastic recovery percentage of elongation than the outer knitted fabric.

5. The pelvic bottom muscle support clothing according to claim 1, further comprising an elastic cloth that is provided on an outer side of the crotch part and biases the crotch part in such a direction as to bring the crotch part closer to the external genital organs when the clothing is worn.

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