lower body using lower garment

Abstract

This product provides lower body underwear that can support the pelvic floor muscles through contact, thereby preventing sagging and weakening of the pelvic floor muscles. [Solution] The lower body underwear 1 comprises a waist portion 30 that fits the wearer's waist, a main body portion 10 connected to the waist portion 30, and a contact portion 40 attached to the main body portion 10 so as to abut the area between the wearer's legs. The main body portion 10 has a front connecting portion 16 located on the front side of the wearer and configured in a linear or band shape connecting a part of the front of the contact portion 40 to the waist portion 30, and a rear connecting portion 17 located on the rear side of the wearer and configured in a linear or band shape connecting a part of the rear of the contact portion 40 to the waist portion 30. The front connecting portion 16 and the rear connecting portion 17 are configured to have lower elasticity compared to other parts of the main body portion 10.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to lower body underwear worn by a wearer on the lower body.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, due to lifestyle habits and aging, the weakening of the pelvic floor muscles has been regarded as a problem. The pelvic floor muscles are an important muscle group that supports the organs in the pelvis and contributes to maintaining urine and feces, sexual function, and preventing low back pain. However, ordinary underwear does not have the function of directly supporting the pelvic floor muscles, and there are limited means to prevent their sagging and muscle strength decline.

[0003] In addition, Patent Document 1 below discloses the structure of boxer pants having a function of supporting the pelvic floor muscles. Through appropriate stimulation and support of the muscles, this boxer pants aims to maintain a good posture and improve the amount of physical activity.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The weakening of the pelvic floor muscles may cause urine leakage, fecal leakage, erectile dysfunction, constipation, and even low back pain. There is a demand for underwear that can support the pelvic floor muscles and reduce or prevent these problems.

[0006] This invention has been made in view of such problems, and aims to provide lower body underwear that can effectively support the pelvic floor muscles.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] In order to achieve the above objective, according to one aspect of this invention, the lower body underwear comprises a waist portion that fits the wearer's waist, a main body portion connected to the waist portion, and a contact portion attached to the main body portion so as to abut the area between the wearer's legs, wherein the main body portion has a front connecting portion located on the front side of the wearer and configured in the shape of a line or band connecting a part of the front of the contact portion to the waist portion, and a rear connecting portion located on the rear side of the wearer and configured in the shape of a line or band connecting a part of the rear of the contact portion to the waist portion, wherein the front connecting portion and the rear connecting portion are configured to have less elasticity compared to other parts of the main body portion.

[0008] This configuration allows the pelvic floor muscles to be supported by the contact area, preventing sagging and weakening of the pelvic floor muscles.

[0009] Furthermore, in the above scenario, the main body may have a gusset located between the wearer's legs, and the contact portion may be positioned inside the main body so as to be covered by the gusset.

[0010] This configuration allows you to obtain pelvic floor muscle support while wearing underwear that doesn't look like it has a special structure.

[0011] Furthermore, in the above scenario, the front end of the contact area is sewn to the front body portion of the main body on the wearer's side, the rear end of the contact area is sewn to the back body portion of the main body on the wearer's side, and the ends on both sides of the contact area do not necessarily have to be sewn to the main body.

[0012] This design allows you to obtain pelvic floor muscle support while wearing underwear that looks more like regular underwear.

[0013] Furthermore, in the above-described situation, at least one of the front and rear connecting portions may include a seam where two pieces of fabric constituting the main body are sewn together.

[0014] This configuration ensures that the seams lift the contact area, providing support for the pelvic floor muscles.

[0015] Furthermore, in the above-described situation, at least one of the front and rear connecting portions may include a seam where two pieces of fabric constituting the main body are sewn together with a strip-shaped member.

[0016] This configuration allows the contact area to be more reliably lifted by the seam section using the band-shaped member, thereby more reliably obtaining the support effect on the pelvic floor muscles.

[0017] Furthermore, in the above-described scenario, the main body may have a front portion provided at a position corresponding to the male genitalia, and body portions arranged on both sides of the front portion, and the front connecting portion may include a seam portion in which the fabric pieces constituting the front portion and the fabric pieces constituting the body portion are sewn together, and the front connecting portion may be configured to connect the contact portion and the waist portion on each side of the front portion.

[0018] This configuration makes it possible to create lower body underwear that men can wear comfortably and that effectively provides support for the pelvic floor muscles.

[0019] Furthermore, in the above-described configuration, the lower end of the front portion is sewn to a part of the contact portion, and the front connecting portion includes a seam where the fabric piece constituting the front portion and the fabric piece constituting the body portion are sewn together, and a seam where the contact portion and the lower end of the front portion are sewn together, and is arranged in a U-shape so as to surround the fabric piece constituting the front portion, and the front connecting portion may be configured to include a single continuous strip-shaped member.

[0020] This configuration allows for the low-cost manufacture of lower body underwear that effectively provides pelvic floor muscle support for men.

[0021] Also, in the above situation, the contact portion may be configured using a fabric with lower elasticity than the portion of the main body portion excluding the front connection portion and the rear connection portion.

[0022] With such a configuration, the support effect on the pelvic floor muscles can be further enhanced, and the effect of more effectively preventing sagging and weakening can be obtained.

Advantages of the Invention

[0023] According to these inventions, it is possible to provide lower body underwear that can effectively support the pelvic floor muscles.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0024] [Figure 1] Front view of the lower body underwear in the present embodiment [Figure 2] Front view showing the lower body underwear with the front and back reversed so that the inside faces outwards [Figure 3] Rear view showing the lower body underwear with the front and back reversed [Figure 4] Developed view showing the shape of the contact portion [Figure 5] Front view explaining the action of the front connection portion [Figure 6] Rear view explaining the action of the rear connection portion [Figure 7] Diagram explaining the configuration of the contact portion according to a modification of the lower body underwear according to the present embodiment

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0025] Hereinafter, embodiments of the lower body underwear will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0026] In the following descriptions of the construction of lower body underwear, directions and orientations may be indicated assuming that the underwear is worn by the wearer in the usual manner. Specifically, the front of the wearer is referred to as "front," the back as "back," the right hand side as "right," the left hand side as "left," the chest side as "top," the feet side as "bottom," the direction towards the wearer's skin as "inside," and the side away from the wearer's skin as "outside," and the shape and positional relationships of each part may be described accordingly. However, these are defined merely for the convenience of explanation and do not limit the orientation or posture when wearing lower body underwear. Furthermore, expressions indicating direction or states such as horizontal, vertical, orthogonal are merely general indications and should not necessarily be interpreted strictly according to those expressions.

[0027] Furthermore, in the following embodiments, the cloth is a sheet-like material made by combining woven fabrics or fibers, but is not limited to this. It may also be a thin material that does not contain fibers, or something called a film or membrane.

[0028] (Embodiment) The lower body underwear according to this embodiment comprises a main body and a contact portion located in the area corresponding to the gusset. Connecting portions are attached to the front and back of the contact portion to connect to the waist portion, and the contact portion is configured to be pulled upward to contact the wearer's crotch and support the wearer's pelvic floor muscles. The configuration of the lower body underwear configured in this way will be described below.

[0029] Figure 1 is a front view of the lower body underwear 1 in this embodiment. Figure 2 is a front view of the lower body underwear 1 when it has been turned inside out so that the inside faces out. Figure 3 is a rear view of the lower body underwear 1 when it has been turned inside out.

[0030] As shown in Figure 1, the lower body underwear 1, when viewed from the outside, has a structure roughly the same as that of typical men's boxer shorts. The lower body underwear 1 comprises a main body portion 10 and a waist portion 30.

[0031] The waist portion 30 is a part designed to fit the wearer's waist. For example, the waist portion 30 is made of a rubber band that has relatively high elasticity and is designed to fit snugly against the wearer's torso. Because the waist portion 30 fits the wearer's waist, the lower body underwear 1 is less likely to slip down.

[0032] The configuration of the waist portion 30 is not limited to this. For example, the waist portion 30 may be made of a string or the like, instead of an elastic band. The waist portion 30 may also be a part that is configured to fit the wearer's waist when worn, while allowing the lower body underwear 1 to be put on and taken off using buttons, fasteners, or zippers. The waist portion 30 may also be interpreted as a part provided on a part of the main body 10 to fit the wearer's waist.

[0033] The main body portion 10 comprises a body portion 11, a front portion 14, a gusset portion 15, a front connecting portion 16, and a rear connecting portion 17. In this embodiment, the main body portion 10 is the part of the lower body underwear 1 excluding the contact portion 40 and the waist portion 30.

[0034] The bodice portion 11 is a part designed to enclose the wearer's pelvic area. The bodice portion 11 is connected to the waist portion 30. The front side of the bodice portion 11 is referred to here as the front bodice portion 12, and the back side of the bodice portion 11 is referred to here as the back bodice portion 13. The front bodice portion 12 and the back bodice portion 13 may be made of different pieces of fabric, or they may be made of the same piece of fabric that covers from the front to the back. The bodice portion 11 is made using, for example, a general knitted fabric (or knit fabric), but is not limited to this.

[0035] The front portion 14 is a part located in a position corresponding to the male genitalia. In this embodiment, the front portion 14 is positioned in the left and right center of the front side of the lower body underwear 1. That is, the left and right front body portions 12 are positioned on both sides of the front portion 14. In this embodiment, the front portion 14 is configured such that the main body portion 10 has a three-dimensional shape corresponding to the anatomical shape of the male genitalia. This allows the lower body underwear 1 to provide the wearer with a comfortable fit.

[0036] In this embodiment, the front portion 14 may be made of a different fabric than the body portion 11, or it may be made by layering multiple pieces of fabric in a way different from the body portion 11.

[0037] The gusset portion 15 is positioned to correspond to the area between the wearer's legs. The gusset portion 15 is positioned between the left and right leg openings 6, extending from the front to the back. The gusset portion 15 may also be called the crotch portion. The gusset portion 15 is made of the same fabric as the body portion 11, but is not limited to this. The gusset portion 15 may be made of a different fabric than the body portion 11, or, unlike the body portion 11, may be made by layering multiple pieces of fabric.

[0038] The fabric pieces that make up the bodice 11, front 14, and gusset 15 are sewn together to form the main body 10, which is the basic structure of the lower body underwear 1. The seams between the fabric pieces are sometimes referred to as seam sections 3. In this embodiment, seam sections 3 are provided between the front 14 and both front bodice sections 12, between the front bodice section 12 and the gusset 15, between the front 14 and the gusset 15, between the gusset 15 and the back bodice section 13, and between the left and right back bodice sections 13. Note that the method of connecting these fabric pieces in the seam sections 3 is not limited to sewing. They may be connected by other methods such as adhesive or welding. Also, each part may be made up of different fabric pieces and connected to each other, or a single fabric piece may be configured to make up multiple parts of the main body 10.

[0039] In this embodiment, the lower body underwear 1 has a contact portion 40 for supporting the wearer's pelvic floor muscles and connecting portions 16, 17 (front connecting portion 16, rear connecting portion 17) for suspending the contact portion 40. The contact portion 40 is connected to the main body portion 10, and the connecting portions 16, 17 are provided on the main body portion 10.

[0040] Figure 4 is an unfolded view showing the shape of the contact portion 40.

[0041] As shown in Figure 4, the contact portion 40 has a front end portion 41 on the front side (upper side of the paper in Figure 4) and a rear end portion 44 on the rear side. The front end portion 41 has a front side edge portion 42 that is concave toward the rear. The front side edge portion 42 has a shape that corresponds to the shape of the lower end portion of the front portion 14. Both ends 46 of the contact portion 40 are constricted to match the shape of the crotch area of ​​the lower body underwear 1. However, the shape of the contact portion 40 is not limited to this.

[0042] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the contact portion 40 is attached to the main body portion 10 so as to abut against the area between the legs of a wearer wearing the lower body underwear 1. In this embodiment, the front end portion 41 of the contact portion 40 is sewn to the front body portion 12 of the main body portion 10. The front end portion 41 is sewn to the front body portion 12 at the seam portion 3 between the front body portion 12 and the gusset portion 15. The rear end portion 44 of the contact portion 40 is sewn to the back body portion 13 of the main body portion 10. The rear end portion 44 is sewn to the back body portion 13 at the seam portion 3 between the back body portion 13 and the gusset portion 15. The front side edge portion 42 of the contact portion 40 is sewn to the front portion 14 of the main body portion 10. The front side edge portion 42 is sewn to the front portion 14 at the seam portion 3 between the front portion 14 and the gusset portion 15.

[0043] The contact portion 40 is positioned inside the main body portion 10 so as to be covered by the gusset portion 15. In other words, the contact portion 40 is positioned inside the gusset portion 15. The width dimension between the leg openings 6 of the gusset portion 15 is larger than the width dimension between the two side ends 46 of the contact portion 40. That is, when the lower body underwear 1 is worn by the wearer, the contact portion 40 is covered by the gusset portion 15 and is configured not to be exposed to the outside.

[0044] In this embodiment, the ends 46 on both sides of the contact portion 40 are not sewn to the main body portion 10. That is, the ends 46 on both sides of the contact portion 40 are not connected to the gusset portion 15 in the front-to-back direction, allowing the contact portion 40 to be separated upward from the gusset portion 15. However, this is not limited to this, and the side ends of the contact portion 40 may be connected to the gusset portion 15.

[0045] The front connecting portion 16 is located on the front side of the wearer and is a band-shaped portion that connects a part of the front of the contact portion 40 to the waist portion 30. In this embodiment, the front connecting portion 16 is configured to connect the front end portion 41 of the contact portion 40 and the waist portion 30 vertically at each of the left and right sides of the front portion 14.

[0046] Furthermore, the rear connecting portion 17 is located on the back of the wearer and is a band-shaped portion that connects a part of the rear of the contact portion 40 to the waist portion 30. In this embodiment, the rear connecting portion 17 is a portion that extends vertically to the left and right center of the back side so as to connect the rear end portion 44 of the contact portion 40 to the waist portion 30.

[0047] The front connecting portion 16 and the rear connecting portion 17 are configured to have lower elasticity compared to other parts of the main body 10. In this embodiment, the seam portion 3 in the corresponding area is the respective connecting portion 16 and 17. Furthermore, the seam portion 3 that becomes the connecting portion 16 and 17 can be described as a tape-attached seam portion in which the two fabric pieces constituting the main body 10, as well as the strip-shaped member 21, are sewn together. Note that either the front connecting portion 16 or the rear connecting portion 17 may be composed of such a seam portion 3.

[0048] The strip-shaped member 21 is shown by a thick solid line in Figures 2 and 3. For example, a tape member can be used as the strip-shaped member 21 that constitutes the tape-sealed portion. The tape member is, for example, a so-called spin tape, but its material is not limited. Furthermore, it is not limited to spin tape, and other tape-like members may be used as the strip-shaped member 21. Rubber bands and the like may be used as the tape member. A thread-like member or a rope-like member may be used instead of the strip-shaped member 21. Also, a long, narrow piece of cloth may be used as the strip-shaped member 21.

[0049] On the rear side of the lower body underwear 1, the band-shaped member 21 is positioned in the seam 3 between the left and right rear body panels 13. In this embodiment, the band-shaped member 21 may also be positioned in the seam 3 at the rear end portion 44 of the contact portion 40. By positioning the band-shaped member 21 in this way, the connection portion of the contact portion 40 of the rear connection portion 17 is reinforced, allowing the contact portion 40 to be lifted more securely.

[0050] On the other hand, on the front side of the lower body underwear 1, the band-shaped member 21 is positioned at the seam portion 3 where the fabric pieces constituting the front portion 14 and the fabric pieces constituting the front body portion 12 are sewn together, and at the seam portion 3 where the contact portion 40 and the lower end of the front portion 14 are sewn together. In this embodiment, the front connecting portion 16 is arranged in a U-shape, including the portion connected to the front side edge portion 42, so as to surround the fabric pieces constituting the front portion 14. In the front connecting portion 16, it is preferable that the band-shaped member 21 is arranged as a single continuous member forming a U-shape. This makes it easy to construct two front connecting portions 16 on the left and right sides that extend upward from the left and right center, and also makes it possible to ensure that the front connecting portions 16 have high strength.

[0051] Figure 5 is a front view illustrating the operation of the front connector 16. Figure 6 is a rear view illustrating the operation of the rear connector 17.

[0052] In Figures 5 and 6, the waist portion 30 is not shown. In this embodiment, the front connecting portion 16 and the rear connecting portion 17 are less stretchable than other parts of the main body portion 10 due to the presence of the band-shaped member 21. Because the less stretchable connecting portions 16 and 17 are realized, the contact portion 40 is suspended upward at its front and rear ends. When the wearer is wearing the lower body underwear 1, the contact portion 40 contacts the area between the wearer's legs and pushes that area upward, so the wearer's pelvic floor muscles are supported upward by the contact portion 40.

[0053] Furthermore, it is preferable that the contact portion 40 is made of a fabric with lower elasticity than the parts of the main body 10 excluding the front connecting portion 16 and the rear connecting portion 17. This ensures that the pelvic floor muscle support effect from the contact portion 40 is more reliably obtained.

[0054] As described above, in this embodiment, the contact portion 40 is effectively suspended by the front connecting portion 16 and the rear connecting portion 17, so that the wearer's pelvic floor muscles can be stably supported. Therefore, it is possible to ensure blood flow to the pelvic floor muscles and prevent or alleviate the occurrence of urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, erectile dysfunction, constipation, lower back pain, etc. Furthermore, a gusset portion 15 is provided, and the contact portion 40 is hidden inside the main body portion 10 by the gusset portion 15, so that the pelvic floor muscles can be supported with an appearance no different from ordinary underwear.

[0055] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the front connecting portion 16 is configured to connect the contact portion 40 and the waist portion 30 on both sides of the front portion 14, thereby creating a lower body undergarment 1 that can be worn comfortably by men and effectively provides support for the pelvic floor muscles.

[0056] (modified version) Figure 7 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a contact portion 140 in one modified example of the lower body underwear 1 according to this embodiment.

[0057] As shown in Figure 7, a magnet 48 may be provided on a part of the contact area 140 that touches or is in very close proximity to the wearer's skin. This makes it easy to maintain a state in which the magnetic flux from the magnet 48 acts on the area between the wearer's legs, and the wearer can enjoy the various effects that the magnetic flux brings about.

[0058] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible, which are also included within the scope of the present invention.

[0059] For example, the configuration is not limited to the embodiment described above, and some components or functions may be omitted for each component of the embodiment described above.

[0060] The front and rear connection sections are constructed in a strip-like shape, but the width of the strip section is not specified. These connection sections may also be linear in shape. For example, these connection sections may be constructed so that the contact points are suspended from the waist by strings or wires.

[0061] The distinction between the front and back body sections of the main body is merely for explanatory purposes, and does not concern the specific shape, material, or other composition of the main body. While various shapes are possible for the main body and leg openings, it is sufficient to refer to the front part of the gusset as the front body section and the rear part of the gusset as the back body section, and the specific form of the main body may differ from those described above.

[0062] Lower body underwear is not limited to men's boxer shorts. For example, the structure with the aforementioned contact area may be applied to women's shorts, etc. Also, lower body underwear may be constructed without a gusset, with only the contact area positioned between the wearer's legs. [Industrial applicability]

[0063] As described above, the lower body underwear according to the present invention has the effect of effectively supporting the wearer's pelvic floor muscles and is useful as lower body underwear, etc. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0064] 1 Lower body underwear 3. Seam 6 leg opening 10 Main body 11. Body part 12 Front panel 13. Back panel 14 Front section 15 Gusset 16 Front connection section 17 Rear connection section 21 Strip-shaped member 30 Waist area 40,140 Contact area 41 Front end of the contact area 42 Front side edge of the contact area 44 Rear end of contact portion 46 Both ends of the contact area

Claims

1. The waistband fits the wearer's waist, The main body connected to the waist portion, It comprises a contact portion attached to the main body so as to come into contact with the area between the wearer's legs, The main body is, A front connecting portion is positioned on the front of the wearer and is configured as a linear or strip-shaped portion connecting a part of the front of the contact area and the waist area, It is positioned on the back of the wearer and has a rear connecting portion which is configured as a line or band connecting a part of the rear of the contact portion and the waist portion, The front and rear connecting parts are configured to have less elasticity compared to other parts of the main body, in the lower body underwear.

2. The main body has a gusset located between the legs of the wearer, The lower body underwear according to claim 1, wherein the contact portion is arranged inside the main body portion so as to be covered by the gusset portion.

3. The front end of the contact portion is sewn to the front part of the main body that is on the wearer's side. The rear end of the contact portion is sewn to the rear body portion of the main body on the wearer's back side. The lower body underwear according to claim 2, wherein both ends of the contact portion are not sewn to the main body portion.

4. The lower body underwear according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the front connecting portion and the rear connecting portion includes a seam portion in which two pieces of fabric constituting the main body portion are sewn together.

5. The lower body underwear according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the front connecting portion and the rear connecting portion includes a seam portion in which two pieces of fabric constituting the main body portion are sewn together with a band-shaped member.

6. The main body has a front section provided at a position corresponding to the male genitalia, and body sections arranged on both sides of the front section. The front connecting portion includes a seam where the fabric piece constituting the front portion and the fabric piece constituting the body portion are sewn together. The lower body underwear according to claim 1, wherein the front connecting portion is configured to connect the contact portion and the waist portion on both sides of the front portion.

7. The lower end of the front portion is sewn to a part of the contact portion. The front connecting portion includes a seam where the fabric piece constituting the front portion and the fabric piece constituting the body portion are sewn together, and a seam where the contact portion and the lower end of the front portion are sewn together, and is arranged in a U-shape to surround the fabric piece constituting the front portion. The lower body underwear according to claim 6, wherein the front connecting portion is configured to include a single continuous band-shaped member.

8. The lower body underwear according to claim 1, wherein the contact portion is made of a fabric that is less elastic than the portion of the main body excluding the front connecting portion and the rear connecting portion.

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