Underwear device for concealing stains and retaining body fluids

Abstract

Disclosed is a device formed by a laminar body (10) of absorbent, washable and reusable material, preferably based on rayon and polyester, the dimensions of which correspond to the user's groin or chest area. The laminar body (10) can be fitted between an outer garment and an undergarment or inside the undergarment, thus defining a fluid-retaining and stain-concealing barrier.

Description

[0001] STAIN CONCEALING AND BODY FLUID RETENTION DEVICE FOR UNDERWEAR

[0002] OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention relates to a device or element for concealing stains caused by certain bodily fluids, such as sperm and / or urine on underwear, which, due to transparency in some types of garments, may be visible from the outside.

[0004] The object of the invention is to provide a device that allows this type of stain to be hidden, absorbing them but preventing them from being transmitted to other surrounding materials or fabrics, thus going completely unnoticed.

[0005] It is also the object of the invention that the proposed device be comfortable, discreet, universally usable and reusable after washing.

[0006] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0007] In the field of practical application of the invention, a variety of devices intended for the retention of urine loss are known, such as certain types of pads.

[0008] These types of devices are based on the use of layers of cellulose of varying thicknesses or other more invasive elements in the user's body to collect bodily fluids. They are always single-use devices, i.e., disposable. Thus, while these devices are effective in their function, due to their configuration and volume, they are cumbersome and even indiscreet to use.

[0009] DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The device for concealing stains and retaining body fluids for underwear proposed by the invention fully satisfactorily resolves the problem described above, offering a means of concealing stains on underwear that prevents their transfer to outer clothing and, therefore, their visibility, all with a structure that makes it extremely comfortable, discreet and suitable for universal use.

[0011] More specifically, the device of the invention, unlike other existing devices, is not based on containing fluids secreted by the body, such as urine residue, but rather on retaining these liquids in the underwear, preventing said residues from passing said underwear and coming into contact with the garment worn over said underwear, preventing them from forming a stain that is perceptible from the outside.

[0012] Needless to say, these stains often create a groove in outer clothing that is unpleasant for the wearer, causing tension and discomfort to the affected person.

[0013] To this end, the device for concealing stains in underwear consists of a laminar body in which a washable and non-disposable absorbent layer is defined, intended to be fixed on the inner face of a garment at the height of the inguinal region or area, thus being arranged on the outer face of the underwear, thus determining a barrier between said underwear and the outer clothing, although it could optionally be arranged on the inner face of the underwear.

[0014] In this sense, the material or materials to be used will be those that allow the absorption of a certain amount of fluid, keeping it in its internal network, without allowing it to be transmitted.

[0015] Furthermore, the material must be able to remove the captured fluid through routine home washing. The maximum size of the material must also be the minimum necessary to avoid adding extra layers to the designed garment.

[0016] Optionally, the device of the invention could have a multi-layer structure, in which an inner layer of absorbent textile material is established, and an outer layer of impermeable material.

[0017] The device thus described can be applied interchangeably over women's underwear or men's underwear, as well as placed between said underwear and trousers, a skirt, or any other type of suitable garment.

[0018] In a variant embodiment, it has been provided that the device of the invention is integrated into the inner face of the garment in question at the height of the inguinal region or area.

[0019] As previously stated, the device of the invention will be washable and therefore reusable, thus offering an ecologically sustainable device that can be used as many times as required without generating unwanted waste.

[0020] Finally, it remains to be noted that the device could also incorporate means of fastening that are not linked to the inner or outer garment to which it is fixed.

[0021] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] To complement the description that follows and in order to help better understand the characteristics of the invention, in accordance with a preferred example of practical embodiment thereof, a set of drawings is attached as an integral part of said description, in which the following is represented for illustrative and non-limiting purposes: Figures 1A to 1C.- Show perspective views and a front elevation of a device for concealing stains and retaining body fluids for underwear, made in accordance with the object of the present invention, in its version integrated into men's underwear.

[0023] Figure 2.- Shows a front elevation view of the stain concealment device for underwear, object of this descriptive report, in its version integrated into women's underwear.

[0024] Figures 3A and 3B show front elevation and perspective views of the stain concealment device for underwear, object of this descriptive report, in its version for trousers, appearing in Figure 3A applied to said trousers.

[0025] Figures 4A to 4C finally show perspective views, profile in

[0026] FIG. 4 shows a perspective and profile view of the device of the invention applied to an existing undergarment.

[0027] PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0028] In view of the figures shown, it can be observed how the device of the invention is constituted from a laminar body (10) of an absorbent, washable and non-disposable material, which in a first variant of embodiment, the one shown in figures 1A to 1C, is integrated into the male underwear itself, regardless of whether it materializes in a boxer (1) or a brief (1A).

[0029] This laminar body can be arranged, fixed by any conventional means, on both the inner and outer face of said underwear at the level of the inguinal area, coinciding with the genitals of the user or wearer.

[0030] In the embodiment of figure 2, said laminar body (10) is integrated on the internal face or on the external face of a female underwear garment (2), also on its inguinal area, although it could also be designed to be implanted on the pectoral area (female bra).

[0031] In a variant embodiment, the one shown in figures 3A and 3B, the device may be integrated on the inner side of a pair of trousers (3) at the level of its fly, for which said laminar body (10) will include an elongated vertical notch (12), which adapts to the lateral edges of the fly, without negatively affecting its use.

[0032] However, the device can be supplied independently of the clothing to be used, to be implanted on existing garments, as shown in the embodiment example of figures 4A to 4C, in which case, to facilitate said adaptation / implantation, the laminar body (10) will be finished at the top in a tab (11) configured to be folded and fixed to an upper edge of the pre-existing garment.

[0033] In any case, and as previously noted, it is essential that the material or materials used allow both the absorption of a certain amount of fluid and the maintenance of said fluid within its internal network, without allowing it to be transmitted.

[0034] Therefore, it is necessary that said material has both hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties.

[0035] To this end, the action of a fluid captured by one or more materials has been analyzed, carrying out a complete absorption process without transmission to other surrounding materials, over a predetermined period of time.

[0036] To characterize the interaction between a fluid and the surface of the material it wets, the most reliable method is based on measuring the contact angle between their respective interfaces. This defines what is known as wettability. This measurement represents the parameter that determines the degree of hydrophobicity of the surface studied in the presence of a fluid. When the droplet is unable to penetrate the material or cannot spread along its surface, it remains retained on it, forming an angle between the fluid / material interface and the liquid / vapor interface, called the contact angle.

[0037] If the measured contact angle is high, the wettability of the material will be low, which means it has good hydrophobic qualities and is therefore capable of repelling moisture. However, if the angle is small, the wettability is high and its properties, rather than being hydrophobic, will be hydrophilic, meaning it will not be able to isolate moisture from the medium and the fluid will easily wet the material. In this case, both properties are required: initially, the fluid must be captured as much as possible, but must remain within a series of layers so that no fluid is transmitted to the outside.

[0038] In particular, materials and their wetting stage can be characterized by their wettability angle:

[0039] At the same time, the volume of fluid to be treated is totally decisive, so after evaluating different volumes of fluid, it has been decided to group them into 3 levels to facilitate the definition of the set of materials that cover this range, and which would be the following: Based on these premises, examples of materials that meet these properties could be the following:

[0040] Among the absorbent fabrics, we could choose rayon in one of its various forms or Tencel®. Both fabrics are absorbent because they are made from cellulose and are known for their softness and breathability. The thickness of the fabric would need to be determined to achieve the absorption characteristics required by the device of the invention.

[0041] For the non-absorbent part, we opted for non-porous, wash-resistant fabrics. Among all the possible fabrics, we could use polyester or nylon. The latter should be used in a blend, as it is hot in summer. We always strive for maximum durability, wear resistance, and quick-drying properties.

[0042] In conclusion, a set of fabrics composed of rayon and polyester would have properties that combine the individual characteristics of these two materials. We are looking for a set that is absorbent and, at the same time, insulates the exterior so as not to leave visible marks. The rayon and polyester set could be a coherent combination with the expected result of absorbing and not transmitting moisture to the exterior.

Claims

1 a .- Device for concealing stains and retaining body fluids for underwear, characterized in that it is made from a laminar body (10) of an absorbent, washable and reusable material, preferably based on rayon and polyester, with dimensions appropriate to the inguinal or pectoral area of ​​the user, laminar body (10) capable of adapting between an outer garment and an inner garment or internally to said inner garment. 2 a .- Stain concealment and body fluid retention device for underwear, according to claim 1 a , where the laminar body (10) is integrated onto the inner face of a pair of trousers (3), at the level of its fly, including an elongated vertical upper notch (12), which adapts to the lateral edges of the fly of the trousers (3). 3 a.- Stain concealment and body fluid retention device for underwear, according to claim 1 a , where the laminar body (10) is internally integrated into the inguinal area of ​​a female underwear garment (2). 4 a .- Stain concealment and body fluid retention device for underwear, according to claim 1 a , where the laminar body (10) is internally integrated into the inguinal area of ​​a male underwear garment, such as a boxer (1) or a brief (1A). 5 a .- Stain concealment and body fluid retention device for underwear, according to claim 1 a , where the laminar body (10) is internally integrated into the inguinal area of ​​an external garment. 6 a .- Stain concealment and body fluid retention device for underwear, according to claim 1 a, where the laminar body (10) constitutes an independent element, provided with a tab (11) configured to fold and be fixed to an upper edge of the garment in question. 7 a .- Stain concealment and body fluid retention device for underwear, according to claim 1 a , where the laminar body (10) is obtained from a bi-layer structure, in which an inner layer of textile material is established, and an outer layer of waterproof material. 8 a .- Stain concealment and body fluid retention device for underwear, according to claim 1 a , where the device incorporates means of fixing to the underwear or garment next to which it is applied.

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