"slip & click" mechanism for pants

Abstract

The present disclosure is designed to address visible panty line issue often faced by women when wearing tighter pants. The solution consists of two parts that jointly form the "Slip & click" innovation: I) Detachable pad, which is attached to pants around crotch area with a chosen attachment mechanism (2b) and II) Pants with in-built gusset (2a), which has the same shape as the detachable pad and includes a mechanism to attach the detachable pad.

Description

“SLIP & CLICK” MECHANISM FOR PANTSFIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to pants and related underwear solutions, more specifically, to an in-built underwear / gusset mechanism that enables women to wear pants of short, medium or long length without visible panty lines.BACKGROUND

[0002] Visible panty lines (VPL) have long been a vexing concern for women across the globe, triggering an array of unwelcome emotions. These telltale lines, whether subtly discreet or glaringly obvious, can make women feel exposed and lower confidence. In a survey conducted by Intimacy, 51% of 917 female respondents stated that visible lines are a major panty issue. VPLs are often associated with a fashion faux pas, leading to the perception that a woman's attire appears tacky or unrefined. The resulting feelings of insecurity and embarrassment can cast a shadow over women's confidence in daily life. As such, the quest for effective solutions to eliminate visible panty lines is not merely a pursuit of aesthetic perfection but also an endeavor to restore women's comfort and self- assurance in their clothing choices.

[0003] Despite of many efforts, the existing solutions to address see-through panty lines are sub-optimal:

[0004] I) Going commando (i.e., no underwear): Especially when exercising (e.g., yoga), some women opt to forgo wearing underwear with aim to avoid visible panty lines, increase comfort and breathability, and give a sense of more mobility and flexibility. For example, according to Cottonelle survey of 4'500 respondents, 36% of women said they would ditch underwear when wearing yoga pants to avoid visible panty lines. Yet, lack of underwear can pose hygiene concerns. Underwear serves as a protective layer that absorbs moisture and prevents the spread of bacteria. Additionally, lack of panties poses a potential danger of visible leakages or drips (e.g., due to perspiration or urinary incontinence). In another study of 3'000 people (Tommy John), 52% of respondents said they prefer to have a sweat- wicking layer of protection instead of going commando.

[0005] II) Thongs / G-strings: While thongs / G-strings are a popular choice for those seeking to avoid visible panty lines (VPL), they come with their own set of downsides and potential discomforts. Thongs feature minimal rear coverage, which can sometimes lead to discomfort and irritation, especially during extended periods of wear. The narrow string or fabric at the back can dig into the skin and create friction, causing side effects for some individuals. Also, in many cases, the thong lines are not fully invisible and can be seen through the pants, at least in certain angles or light. There are many women who do not find thongs / G-strings between buttocks their preferred underwear choice.

[0006] III) Seamless panties: While seamless panties are crafted to minimize the appearance of VPLs by removing elastic trims and seams, they may not consistently achieve the desired effect. The reality is that VPLs can still be faintly discernible under certain types of clothing, such as lightweight or clingy fabrics. Additionally, the fit of seamless panties can vary from one brand to another, and even slight discrepancies in size or design can affect their ability to remain truly invisible under clothing. The failure of seamless panties to completely eliminate visible panty lines (VPL) despite their design intent is a common frustration for many women.

[0007] IV) Shapewear: Shapewear, designed to provide support, enhance body contours, and minimize VPL, does offer valuable benefits. However, it is not always foolproof in its VPL-erasing capabilities. The compression and snug fit of shapewear can sometimes inadvertently create new lines or indentations on the skin, which can then become visible through clothing. Moreover, fabrics and garment styles that are particularly sheer or made of thinner materials can still reveal the presence of shapewear, limiting its ability to fully mask panty lines. Some women also find the constrictive nature of shapewear uncomfortable when wearing the cloth for extended periods.

[0008] In summary, despite of numerous attempts to tackle the issue of see-through panty lines, the current solutions available on the market are often perceived as sub- optimal. The visible panty lines are impossible to be fully removed as long as there is any piece of fabric going around the lower waist / hip area. The “Slip & click” innovation is designed to address this pain point.

[0009] The existing patents in this space center around four main categories (note: list is not exhaustive, only the most relevant patent examples are mentioned):

[0010] I) Crotch solutions for girdles: Idea of patents such as US2477593A (“Panty girdle”), US2016990A (“Detachable crotch girdle”) and US3208454A (“Panty girdle with removable crotch-piece”) centers around a detachable crotch portion that may be quickly and easily detached from the girdle for convenience (e.g., going to bathroom) and hygiene reasons. These innovations have an opening / gusset solution that is visible from the outside, unlike “Slip & click” innovation.

[0011] II) Menstrual / leak-proof underwear: Patents for sanitary / underwear solutions for menstrual periods include US2023157376A1 (“Menstrual garment”), US3749095A (“Panties with pad retainer”), KR102288713B1 (“Detachable womens pad”), CA3108625A1 (“Reusable menstrual pad”), WO2022229955A1 (“Leak-proof seamless underwear having a fabric-made leak-protection pad”) and US2019320727A1 (“Detachable panel underwear system with adjustable waist”). These innovations can serve as inspiration for the “Slip & click” pad fabric layers, yet these products are clearly focused on period / leak-proof underwear vs. actively solving and addressing visible panty line issue.

[0012] III) Shapewear and bodysuits: These patents focus on shaping effect and control properties of the core (e.g., patent EP1272062B1 : “A pantyhose undergarment and method for manufacturing” and patent US2002007507A1 : “Reinforced undergarment”) and detachable gusset for urination purposes (e.g., US2023082995A1 : “Bodysuit with releasably detachable gusset”). Unlike “Slip & clip” innovation, these solutions have fabric around waistline with focus on creating an illusion of smoother / enhanced body silhouette.

[0013] IV) Leggings, pantyhose and underpants with pad or crotch flap: Among the others, these patents focus on fixed moisture management crotch (e.g., patent US5533212A: “Combination moisture management panty and panty hose system for women”), detachable sanitary pad layer with aim to later on replace worn-out / yellow parts of underwear (e.g., patent CN213486888U: “Men's underpants with detachable sanitary pad layer”) or removable absorbent pad (e.g., patent US2022248777A1 : “Leggings with crotch gusset assemblies”). The latter patent is perhaps closest to the idea of “Slip & click” innovation, yet the technical approach is very different with focus on using overlapping inside gusset panels that allow to slip a removable absorbent pad inside a “pocket” for extra moisture wicking.

[0014] In summary, the above-mentioned patents do not actively target or approach the visible panty lines issue in similar manner as disclosed herein. The ambition of the present invention is to create a new market niche - women's daily pants with in-built, detachable underwear.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0015] The invention is defined by the features of the independent claims. Some specific embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.

[0016] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a novel and innovative garment design, ’’Slip & click” innovation, aimed at effectively and permanently resolving the persistent issue of visible panty lines (VPL). The pants incorporate removable pad (“underwear”) around gusset / crotch area, removing need for any underwear fabric around lower waist / hip area. The solution is designed to complement / replace existing VPL-mitigating strategies, which are often perceived sub- optimal (as discussed in the “Background” section). The “Slip & click” innovation can be applied to various types of pants such as yoga pants, jeans, shorts and other well-fitting trousers. The invention recognizes the discomfort and negative impact on self-perception that VPLs can cause, with aim to offer women a newfound sense of confidence and comfort.

[0017] The solution consists of two parts that jointly form the “Slip & click” innovation: I) Detachable pad (“underwear part”), which is attached to pants around crotch area with a chosen attachment mechanism (e.g., strong snap fasteners) and II) Pants (can be short, medium or long length) with in-built gusset, which has the same shape as the separate pad (“underwear”) and includes a mechanism to attach the separate pad. Together these two pieces create a product that enables women to wear pants free of visible panty lines (i.e., no “underwear” fabric around woman's hip and rear area), while still having underwear part (“removable pad”) around crotch area for hygiene and comfort reasons.

[0018] These and other aspects, together with the advantages thereof over known solutions, are achieved by the present invention, as hereinafter described and claimed.

[0019] The detachable pad according to the present invention is mainly characterized by what is stated in the characterizing part of claim 1.

[0020] The pants according to the present invention is mainly characterized by what is stated in the characterizing part of claim 4.

[0021] The method for manufacturing pants according to the present invention is mainly characterized by what is stated in the characterizing part of claim 13.

[0022] Next, the present invention will be described more closely with reference to certain embodiments.DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] The present invention consists of a pant with a unique gusset mechanism that allows to attach and detach a separate “underwear” pad, which is placed around crotch area (i.e., no “underwear” part around lower waist / hip area). The product is built as such that no attachment mechanism can be seen from the outside, creating an illusion that a person is wearing a regular pair of pants - without visible panty lines.

[0024] The invention thus consists of two parts that jointly form the “Slip & click” innovation: I) Detachable pad (“underwear”), which is attached to pants around crotch area with a chosen attachment mechanism (for example strong snap fasteners) and II) Pants (can be short, medium or long length) with in-built gusset, which has the same shape as the separate pad (“underwear”) and in-built mechanism to attach the separate pad. Together these two pieces create a product that enables women to wear pants free of visible panty lines, while still having underwear part (“removable pad”) around crotch area for hygiene reasons (i.e., keeping genital area clean and dry), comfort reasons (i.e., reducing friction between body and clothing) and protection reasons (i.e., keeping main piece of clothing clean).

[0025] The detachable pad or removable pad (item “I” mentioned above) is meant as a replacement for underwear (e.g., strings or seamless underpants). The pad can take different shapes (e.g., oval, triangle, rectangular or diamond). The fabrics for the pad are chosen based on the desired functionality of the pad (e.g., “normal underwear” vs. underwear with more sophisticated features like extra moisture wicking ability and / orleak-resistance), which then defines the material choices including the total number of fabric layers required. Fabrics can be lamented for thinner layer effect. The key is to ensure that the chosen materials can be used for underwear purposes and hence do not cause any irritation or other undesired side-effects to the skin / genital area. The present innovation has a leak-resistant functionality, meaning that liquids (e.g., sweat or urine leakages) won't pass the last fabric layer. Design-wise, the detachable pad has exactly the same shape as the gusset part in the pants to ensure a finalized and polished look and feel.

[0026] The pants (item “II” mentioned above), which can be short, medium or long length, are meant to look “normal” from the outside. The innovation becomes visible when looking at the inside and how the gusset area is sewn. First of all, the gusset area is bigger than in many existing pants (e.g., jeans or yoga pants that often include a small triangle gusset). The aim is to ensure sufficient “cover area” like most gussets used in standalone underwear would have. Secondly, the gusset is sewn in a special way. Usually, the gusset seam touches the pants' seam creating a “seamless” surface with no extra fabric at the edges of the gusset. The present innovation is sewn as such that there is roughly 1 cm extra fabric edge going around the gusset. This enables to place the attachment mechanism (e.g., snap fasteners) used to attach the detachable pad such that the exterior of the pant remains fully untouched (i.e., no-one is able to see the attachment mechanism from the outside; only pant fabric visible). Thirdly, the lifted edges / seams of the gusset (as just described) are fixed from four places to the main seams of the pant around crotch area to further stabilize the underwear part and minimize unwanted movement of the gusset / pad combo.

[0027] To enhance the usability of the product, the pants are sewn as such that they can be used as a standalone piece of clothing without the separate pad. In that case, they would be worn like “normal” pants along with one of the mainstream underwear solutions (e.g., thongs, panties). However, the whole idea of this innovation centers around the combination of detachable pad and pants as a joint solution to avoid the creation of visible panty lines, and hence primarily envisioned to be worn together.DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] In the following, the invention is presented in detail by referring to the attached drawings. The purpose of the drawings is to facilitate a comprehensive understanding ofthe invention's key features and functionalities. The drawings are provided for illustrative purposes only and may not be to scale. In selected parts, the drawings include partial views that have certain parts removed for the shake of clarity with respect to the depicted portions. Additionally, the drawings are not intended to limit the scope of the invention but rather to aid in the description of its various embodiments.

[0029] Overall, there are three different drawings: FIGURE 1 illustrates how the pants look from the outside and FIGURES 2 and 3 visualize the inside details.

[0030] FIGURE 1 shows how the “Slip and click” innovation looks from the outside including the pants (can be short, medium or long length), gusset and attached pad (not visible in the picture per se as inside the pant).

[0031] FIGURE 2 shows how the “Slip and click” innovation looks from the inside of the pant around crotch area including the in-built gusset solution, which is needed to attach the detachable pad (i.e., FIGURE 3 below).

[0032] FIGURE 3 shows how the removable / detachable pad (“underwear part”) looks as a standalone piece of clothing.DETAILED EMBODIMENTS

[0033] With the core principles and components of the “Slip & click” invention previously introduced in preceding sections, the purpose of this section is to describe the construction and function of the solution in more detail. This use case serves as a tangible illustration of how the invention operates within a real-world context. While it is presented as an example, it encapsulates the essence of the invention's functionality, yet underscores its versatility and applicability across various scenarios.

[0034] For illustration purposes, the following example uses yoga pants as the“pants” part (could equally well be e.g., jeans, shorts or other well-fitting trousers) and snap fasteners as the attachment mechanism in the gusset and detachable pad. The product can be sewn by starting with the pants (incl. in-built gusset) or detachable pad. Either way, the same outcome will be reached. In this example, pants with in-built gusset are sewn first, followed by the detachable pad.

[0035] Pants: FIGURE 1 shows the yoga pant (1A shows the front side, IB shows the back side). For example, the pant can be produced from a fabric that includes high percentages of nylon, polyester, bamboo and / or Lycra like many of the existing yoga pants on the market. The overall pant has the same measurements (e.g., XS - XL) and features (e.g., designed to be washed and reused multiple times) as the normal yoga pant, with the exception of the in-built gusset part, which is sewn according to “Slip & click” innovation specifications (see details below). FIGURE 1C shows the gusset, which is placed in the middle of the crotch. The in-built gusset part is made out of the same fabric as the pant itself for seamless and polished look.

[0036] In-built gusset: Generally speaking, gusset is an important part of pants for multiple reasons. It enables increased range of motion, helps to reduce stress on seams and improves fit (e.g., prevents pants from bunching up or riding up in crotch area). The sewing process of “Slip & click” in-built gusset (FIGURE 2) starts by cutting the desired gusset shape from the same fabric as the overall pant. In this use case, the oval type pad / gusset (FIGURE 2 and FIGURE 3) has measurements of (12.5 cm) x (6.0 cm from the top, 5.0 cm from the bottom). This gusset is then carefully aligned and sewn into the crotch area of the pants, wider end of the gusset facing the front. Stitching is done with flatlock using a strong and flexible swan thread, with the aim to ensure that the seams withstand the stresses of yoga movements. The gusset attached to the pant consists only of one fabric layer (unlike for example sometimes in yoga pants where multiple fabric layers are used) given that the separate detachable pad has other “protection” layers. The aim is to avoid unnecessary fabric layers between legs for optimal comfort.

[0037] According to one embodiment, as shown by 2A, the gusset is sewn in a way that roughly 1cm of fabric / seam is left “free” around the edges (i.e., not sewn against the pant fabric). This enables to place the attachment mechanism (e.g., snap fasteners, 2B) to this free-floating fabric frame / edge. Consequently, when wearing the pants, an outsider sees just a normal pant and the attachment mechanism stays “hidden” on the inside (as shown by 1C). If the attachment mechanism would be included to the overall pant itself or any other part of the gusset, it would cut through the fabric and be visible for others from the outside, negatively impacting the look and feel of the product. The chosen sewing mechanism allows to create a very elegant and impeccable looking pair of pants.

[0038] When choosing the attachment mechanism, it needs to meet certain criteria.First of all, it needs to endure well movement and stay in place (hence, e.g., bra clasps as attachment mechanism are sub-optimal in most cases). The attachment mechanism needs to be also washable and maintain its functionality (hence e.g., “hook and loop” tape tends to be difficult to keep clean - clothing fuzz, pet hair and other lint can get embedded in the hook side of the closure, diminishing its ability to close). At the same time, the attachment mechanism needs to feel comfortable for the wearer. One of the attachment mechanisms that meets all these criteria is snap fastener (e.g., used in kids' clothing and in women's bodysuits), yet possible use cases are not limited to this (e.g., special type of magnets could be used as well). The chosen snap fasteners for this use case are “baby grow pressure springs” (8mm diameter) used in baby clothing with nickel free finish that are produced under very high industrial quality standards. Exact size and color can be chosen according to one's own preference.

[0039] As illustrated by FIGURE 2B, the attachment mechanisms are placed as such that they give optimal stability for the removable pad and prohibit it from detaching when wearing the pants. In this example, the snap fasteners (six in total) are equally spread along the outer edge with two in front, two in the middle and two on the back to ensure the pad does not get off when moving. All snap fasteners are 2 cm apart from one another. They are attached by using a snap fastener machine (“electronical pressure machine”). After deciding the snap fastener diameter (e.g., 8 mm), snap press attachments need to be chosen accordingly. In order to ensure the pants can be used as “standalone, normal pants” if wanted, the thinner, flat side of the snap fastener (i.e., prong & socket, FIGURE 2B) is attached to the gusset to ensure optimal comfort, and the spiky side (i.e., prong & stud, FIGURE 3D) to the removable pad. Number of snap fasteners can be adjusted according to the use case and size of the gusset / pad.

[0040] According to one embodiment, the gusset is attached with four stitches, called bar tacks, to the four seams of the pant (FIGURE 2C; top, bottom, left, right of the gusset) to provide further stability and avoid the pad from moving.

[0041] Detachable pad: As mentioned above, the removable pad and gusset have exactly the same shape and size (FIGURE 2 and FIGURE 3). In this use case, the oval type pad / gusset has measurements of (12.5 cm) x (6.0 cm from the top, 5.0 cm from the bottom). The ambition is to have as little of the gusset / pad visible from the front and back when standing as possible while ensuring sufficient underwear-like coverage. Given theremovable pad only covers the crotch area and has no fabric part that goes around the body nearby waistline or slightly below, the wearer is able to eliminate visible panty lines around hip / pelvic area in front and / or rear / buttock area on the back side of the pant. Consequently, the outcome is aesthetically pleasing, completely panty line free solution. Depending on the size of the women, the pad / gusset dimensions can be adjusted. Perfect 1 :1 pad-gusset fit / overlap is important to avoid the female body from getting in direct contact with the attachment mechanism parts. Additionally, the 1 :1 fit contributes to the polished and high-quality look and feel of the final product.

[0042] In this use case, a removable pad with similar features to a menstrual / leakresistant underwear is created with three functional layers, as illustrated by FIGURES 3A, 3B and 3C. The first layer (FIGURE 3A) is against the genital area. Hence, the chosen fabric needs to be skin friendly and moisture-wicking material that is ideal for underwear use. The middle layer (FIGURE 3B) is meant to absorb any liquids (e.g., sweat, leakages), while the last layer (FIGURE 3C) is designed to function as a leak / water resistant layer. For this use case, a lamented fabric that combines super absorbency, waterproofing and leak-protection into one was found, allowing to reduce the actual fabric layers from three (FIGURES 3A, 3B, 3C) to two (FIGURES 3A and combined FIGURE 3B and FIGURE 3C), while keeping the functionalities as described above. Material-wise, in this use case 100% polyester fabrics are used. The number of layers can be adjusted depending on the qualities of chosen fabrics and desired outcome (e.g., preferred thickness of detachable pad and whether the pad should have a particular feature like leak-protection). Additionally, different sprays (e.g., anti-odor, anti-bacteria) can be used to further enhance the functionalities of the fabrics.

[0043] When sewing the detachable pad, there are two important considerations. Firstly, it is critical that the pad attachment mechanism does not touch the skin to ensure comfort when wearing the pants. Hence, “Slip & click” pad is sewn as such that the first layer (FIGURE 3A, the layer against the skin) consists of fabric only. In other words, the attachment mechanisms, in this case snap fasteners, are attached to the other fabric layer(s). Secondly, the pad needs to endure a lot of movement as pants are used for various functions (e.g., walking, running, stretching). Thus, the attachment mechanism needs to be attached in a way that it can endure tension without breaking the fabric due to over stretching and tension. Consequently, in the “Slip & click” innovation, the attachment mechanisms (FIGURE 3D) are attached both to the 2nd(mid-layer, FIGURE 3B) and 3rdlayer (layer against the pant, FIGURE 3C), or the combined fabric layer if fabrics are lamented, to ensure enhanced stability and endurance and minimize any damage to the pad fabrics.

[0044] The manufacturing of the removable pad is started by cutting all fabric layers with same pattern (i.e., oval shape as mentioned earlier). Thereafter, the snap fasteners are attached, cutting through the second and third fabric layer (i.e., separate fabric layers FIGURE 3B and FIGURE 3C or lamented / combined fabric layer FIGURE 3B and FIGURE 3C). The snap fasteners need to be placed in a way that they match the exact place and distances of snap fasteners in the in-built gusset (in this example, they are sewn 2 cm apart, as described in the “in-built gusset” section above). To finalize the pad, the fabric layers are sewn together by using overlock stitch. This is done in a way that 5 cm hole is left open (i.e., the pad's edge is not fully closed) on the bottom of the pad (this hole can be placed anywhere along the pad's edge). After the pad layers are sewn together, the 5 cm hole is used to pull all fabric layers through with aim to hide the stitches. The small hole is then sewn with one needle to finish the pad.

[0045] Thus, according to one embodiment, the present invention comprises a detachable pad for pants with multiple fabric layers and an attachment mechanism, which does not cut through all the fabric layers.

[0046] According to one embodiment, the attachment mechanism is placed such that it does not touch skin when wearing the pad.

[0047] According to one embodiment, the detachable pad has a shape that covers a crotch area, such as oval, triangle, rectangular, diamond or trapezoid shape, and has no fabric part that goes around body.

[0048] According to one embodiment, the detachable pad consists of three fabric layers, wherein the first fabric layer is facing against skin, the middle fabric layer absorbs liquids and the third fabric layer is facing against the pants and is leak resistant (in this use case 2ndand 3rdfabric layer laminated into one for thinner effect).

[0049] According to a further embodiment, it is preferred that the first fabric layer against the genital area is made from a skin-friendly and moisture-wicking material, the middle fabric layer is able to absorb any liquids, such as sweat and leakages, and the third fabric layer is designed to function as a leak / water resistant layer. The number of layerscan be adjusted depending on the qualities of chosen fabrics and desired outcome.

[0050] According to one embodiment, pants comprising the previously described detachable pad and an in-built gusset, which is attached to the pants, belongs to the scope of the present invention.

[0051] According to one embodiment, the detachable pad and the in-built gusset have 1 : 1 the same shape and size.

[0052] According to one embodiment, the in-built gusset consists of one fabric layer and is made from the same fabric as the pants.

[0053] According to one embodiment, the in-built gusset is sewn into a crotch area of the pants, wider end of the gusset facing the front, preferably by a flatlock stitch and a swan thread.

[0054] According to one embodiment, the in-built gusset comprises a free-floating fabric frame around the edges of the gusset, such as about 1 cm of fabric / seam free around the edges of the gusset.

[0055] According to a further embodiment, the free-floating fabric frame comprises an attachment mechanism, placed such that it matches the exact place and distance of the attachment mechanism of the detachable pad.

[0056] According to one embodiment, the detachable pad and the in-built gusset are attached together by a washable, movement-enduring and stay-in-place attachment mechanism, such as a snap fastener or a magnet. There can exist multiple snap fasteners and / or magnets equally spread along the outer edge for ensuring optimal stability for the detachable pad and prohibit it from detaching when wearing.

[0057] According to one embodiment, at least one edge of the in-built gusset is anchored to a seam of the gusset by a stitch.

[0058] According to a further embodiment, the edges of the in-built gusset are anchored to the top, right, bottom and left seams of the gusset by four separate stitches.

[0059] According to one embodiment, the pants are manufactured from a fabric that is appropriate for activewear usage.

[0060] According to one embodiment, the pants have no visible panty lines as such, i.e., no underwear fabric around hip / waist area.

[0061] In addition, a method for manufacturing pants as disclosed above belongs to the scope of the present invention, the method comprising at least the steps of: preparing a detachable pad by first cutting all fabric layers with same pattern, sewing together the middle fabric layer and the third fabric layer of the pad, including attachment mechanisms (e.g., six snap fasteners) that cut through both the middle fabric layer and the third fabric layer, sewing all the fabric layers together by leaving an opening, such as a 5 cm hole, placed anywhere along the pad’s edge, pulling all fabric layers through the opening for hiding any stitches, sewing the opening to finish the detachable pad, preparing an in-built gusset by cutting a fabric layer into 1 : 1 shape and size of the detachable pad, sewing the pants, sewing the in-built gusset into a crotch area of the pants by leaving a free-floating fabric frame around the edges of the gusset, such as leaving about 1 cm of fabric / seam free around the edges of the gusset, attaching an attachment mechanism to the free-floating fabric frame, placed such that it matches the exact place and distance of the attachment mechanism of the detachable pad, and attaching the detachable pad to the in-built gusset with chosen attaching mechanism wherein the detachable pad and the pants with the in-built gusset can be manufactured in any order.

[0062] The essence of ’’Slip and click” innovation is described above, detailing key elements of the pant with attachable underwear pad. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the scope of the novel and non-obvious techniques disclosed in this application. The above-mentioned description of the innovation and the best mode for manufacturing the invention are provided for the purpose of illustration only and not for the purpose of limiting the use cases of the product to the claims made above.

[0063] Reference throughout this specification to one embodiment or an embodiment means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Where reference is made to a numerical value using a term such as, for example, about or substantially, the exact numerical value is also disclosed.

[0064] As used herein, a plurality of items, structural elements, and / or materials may be presented in a common list for convenience. However, these lists should be construed as though each member of the list is individually identified as a separate and unique member. While the forgoing examples are illustrative of the principles of the present invention in one or more particular applications, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications in form, usage and details of implementation can be made without the exercise of inventive faculty, and without departing from the principles and concepts of the invention. Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention be limited, except as by the claims set forth below.

[0065] The verbs “to comprise” and “to include” are used in this document as open limitations that neither exclude nor require the existence of also un-recited features. The features recited in depending claims are mutually freely combinable unless otherwise explicitly stated. Furthermore, it is to be understood that the use of "a" or "an", that is, a singular form, throughout this document does not exclude a plurality.CITATION LISTPatent literature:1. US2477593A2. US2016990A3. US3208454A4. US2023157376A15. US3749095A6. KR102288713B17. CA3108625A18. WO2022229955A19. US2019320727A110. EP1272062B111. US2002007507A112. US2023082995A113. US5533212A14. CN213486888U15. US2022248777A1Non-patent literature:1. Intimacy https: / / www.oprah.com / style / the-o-panty-intervention / all2. Cottonelle https: / / www.bodyandsoul.com.au / fitness / workouts / why-women-are- going-commando-at-the-gym / news-story / 8a62c2358fd8f8689286dee899e279553. T ommy John https : / / www.tommyj ohn.com / blogs / news / commando-survey

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A detachable pad for pants, characterized in that it: comprises multiple fabric layers and an attachment mechanism, which does not cut through all the fabric layers and which is placed such that it does not touch skin when wearing the pad, has a shape that covers only the crotch area, and has no fabric part that goes around body.

2. The detachable pad according to claim 1, characterized in that it has oval, triangle, rectangular, diamond or trapezoid shape.

3. The detachable pad according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in consisting of three fabric layers, wherein the first fabric layer is against skin, the middle fabric layer absorbs liquids and the third fabric layer is against the pants and is leak resistant.

4. Pants, characterized in comprising the detachable pad according to any of claims 1 to 3 and an in-built gusset, which is attached to the pants, wherein the detachable pad and the in-built gusset have 1 : 1 the same shape and size.

5. The pants according to claim 4, characterized in that the in-built gusset consists of one fabric layer and is made from the same fabric as the pants.

6. The pants according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the in-built gusset is sewn into a crotch area of the pants, wider end of the gusset facing the front, preferably by a flatlock stitch and a swan thread.

7. The pants according to any of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the in-built gusset comprises a free-floating fabric frame around the edges of the gusset, such as about 1 cm of fabric / seam free around the edges of the gusset.

8. The pants according to claim 7, characterized in that the free-floating fabric frame comprises an attachment mechanism, placed such that it matches the exact place and distance of the attachment mechanism of the detachable pad.

9. The pants according to any of claims 4 to 8, characterized in that the detachable pad and the in-built gusset are attached together by a washable, movement-enduring and stay- in-place attachment mechanism, such as a snap fastener or a magnet.

10. The pants according to any of claims 4 to 9, characterized in that at least one edge of the in-built gusset is anchored to a seam of the gusset by a stitch.

11. The pants according to claim 10, characterized in that the edges of the in-built gusset are anchored to the top, right, bottom and left seams of the gusset by four separate stitches.

12. The pants according to any of claims 4 to 11, characterized in having no visible panty lines as such.

13. A method for manufacturing the pants according to any of claims 4 to 12, characterized in comprising at least the steps of: preparing a detachable pad by first cutting all fabric layers with same pattern, sewing together the middle fabric layer and the third fabric layer of the pad, including attachment mechanisms that cut through both the middle fabric layer and the third fabric layer, sewing all the fabric layers together by leaving an opening, such as a 5 cm hole, placed anywhere along the pad’s edge, pulling all fabric layers through the opening for hiding any stitches, sewing the opening to finish the detachable pad, preparing an in-built gusset by cutting a fabric layer into 1 : 1 shape and size of the detachable pad, sewing the pants, sewing the in-built gusset into a crotch area of the pants by leaving a free-floating fabric frame around the edges of the gusset, such as leaving about 1 cm of fabric / seam free around the edges of the gusset, attaching an attachment mechanism to the free-floating fabric frame, placed such that it matches the exact place and distance of the attachment mechanism of the detachable pad, and attaching the detachable pad to the in-built gusset with chosen attaching mechanismwherein the detachable pad and the pants with the in-built gusset can be manufactured in any order.5

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