U.S. patent application number 10/091208 was filed with the patent office on 2003-09-11 for disposable underarm perspiration shield.
Invention is credited to Andrews, Diane.
Application Number | 20030167550 10/091208 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27787680 |
Filed Date | 2003-09-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030167550 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Andrews, Diane |
September 11, 2003 |
Disposable underarm perspiration shield
Abstract
A disposable underarm perspiration shield has a flat flexible
body having a first soft porous layer, which contacts the armpit of
a user, A second moisture-absorbing layer retains the moisture
secreted in the armpit of the user, while a third
moisture-impermeable layer prevents the moisture from soiling a
garment worn by the user. The flexible shield is detachably secured
on the garment by a pressure-sensitive adhesive or secured on the
body of the user by a resilient band placed over a shoulder.
Inventors: |
Andrews, Diane; (Baton
Rouge, LA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KEATY Professional Law Corporation
Thomas S. Keaty 27,038
2 Canal Street
2140 World Trade Center
New Orleans
LA
70130
US
|
Family ID: |
27787680 |
Appl. No.: |
10/091208 |
Filed: |
March 5, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/53 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D 27/136 20130101;
A41D 27/133 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/53 |
International
Class: |
A41D 027/12 |
Claims
I claim:
1. An underarm shield, comprising: a flexible body, comprised of a
first moisture-permeable layer, a second moisture absorbing layer
covering substantially one surface of the first layer, and a third
moisture-impermeable layer covering substantially a free surface of
said second layer.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein a pressure-sensitive adhesive
coating is deposited on a free surface o said third layer to allow
securing of the flexible body to a garment.
3. The device of claim 1, wherein an elastic resilient band is
secured to a free surface of said third layer, said band forming a
loop for engaging a shoulder of a user, while retaining the
flexible body in contact with an underarm of the user.
4. The device of claim 1, wherein said body has a generally
semi-circular flat configuration, said body defining a straight
edge and an arcuate edge, and wherein said straight edge is
oriented to lie along at least a portion of an underarm seam of a
garment.
5. The device of claim 1, wherein said body has a generally flat
oblong configuration, and wherein said body has an imaginary
central axis that is oriented to lie across at least a portion of
an underarm seam of a garment, while being folded over the underarm
seam.
6. The device of claim 1, wherein said first layer is comprised of
a porous material to allow perspiration to penetrate
therethrough.
7. The device of claim 6, wherein said first layer is adapted for
contacting an underarm area of a user.
8. The device of claim 1, wherein said third layer is comprised of
a non-porous material, said third layer being adapted for
contacting a garment of a user, while preventing perspiration to
penetrate therethrough.
9. An underarm perspiration shield, comprising: a flat flexible
body, comprised of a first moisture-permeable layer, a second
moisture absorbing layer covering substantially one surface of the
first layer, and a third moisture-impermeable layer covering
substantially a free surface of said second layer, said third layer
being provided with a pressure-sensitive adhesive coating to allow
attaching of the flexible body to an underarm portion of a
garment.
10. The device of claim 9, wherein said flexible body has a
generally semi-circular configuration having a straight edge
adapted for positioning along an underarm seam of the garment.
11. The device of claim 9, wherein said flexible body has a
generally oblong configuration adapted for folding across an
underarm seam of a garment.
12. The device of claim 9, wherein said first layer is comprised of
a porous material to allow perspiration to penetrate therethrough,
said first layer being adapted for contacting an underarm area of a
user.
13. The device of claim 9, wherein said third layer is comprised of
a non-porous material, said third layer being adapted for
contacting a garment of a user, while preventing perspiration to
penetrate therethrough.
14. The device of claim 9, wherein said second layer is sandwiched
between said first layer and said third layer, said second layer
retaining moisture secreted in the underarm of a user.
15. A disposable underarm perspiration shield, comprising: a flat
flexible body, comprised of a first moisture-permeable layer for
contacting an underarm are of a user, a second moisture absorbing
layer covering substantially one surface of the first layer, a
third moisture-impermeable layer covering substantially a free
surface of said second layer, said third layer carrying a flexible
resilient band for engaging a shoulder of the user and securing the
flexible body in the underarm area of the user.
16. The device of claim 15, wherein said first layer is comprised
of a porous material to allow perspiration to penetrate
therethrough and said third layer is comprised of a non-porous
material, said third layer being adapted for contacting a garment
of a user, while preventing perspiration to penetrate
therethrough.
17. The device of claim 15, said second layer is sandwiched between
said first layer and said third layer, said second layer retaining
moisture secreted in the underarm of the user.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to personal hygienic devices,
and more particularly, to an absorbent shield to be positioned in
the underarm of the user to prevent moisture from contacting and
damaging clothing.
[0002] People perspire during hot weather, during strenuous
physical activity, at moments of stress, and due to other
conditions. The sweating is used by the body as a device to
regulate the temperature of the body and eliminate toxins from the
body. The perspiration, which contains water, salt, acid, and other
ingredients, is secreted, often profusely, in the underarm area of
the human body. The secreted sweat may damage the garment,
especially if the garment is made from a delicate fabric, such as
silks, chiffon, cotton, wood, rayon and the like. Sweat stains are
sometimes difficult to remove by conventional methods of laundering
or dry cleaning.
[0003] Even if the garment with sweat stains is cleaned
expeditiously, the discoloration caused by the perspiration may
permanently damage the garment. Also, when a garment is frequently
cleaned it will eventually lose its attractiveness and become
non-wearable.
[0004] Attempts have been made to improve personal hygiene of the
user by using antiperspirant agent that can reduce secretion from
the glands beneath the skin of the user. However, even when using
an antiperspirant agent, the user may still have excessive
sweating, resulting in the moisture penetrating the fabric of the
garment and forming an unsightly stain.
[0005] The present invention contemplates provision of a disposable
underarm garment shield that may be secured on the garment or in
the underarm area of the user to absorb the perspiration and
prevent soiling and discoloration of the garment.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] It is therefore, an object of the present invention to
provide an underarm garment shield to protect the garment from
perspiration.
[0007] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
disposable underarm garment shield that can be easily secured in
the underarm area of the user and quickly removed therefrom.
[0008] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
perspiration garment shield having a moisture-impermeable surface
to prevent sweat from reaching the garment.
[0009] These and other objects of the present invention are
achieved through a provision of a flat flexible body comprised of a
first porous layer, a second moisture-absorbing layer and a third
moisture-impermeable layer. The body may have a variety of
configurations, such as circular, oblong, rectangular,
semi-circular, etc. The first soft porous layer contact the user's
skin in the underarm area to capture the moisture secreted in the
armpit of the user. The second layer absorbs and retains the
moisture, while the third layer prevents the moisture from escaping
the shield and contacting a garment. The third layer is comprised
of a non-porous material.
[0010] To secure the shield in the armpit, a pressure-sensitive
adhesive coating may be deposited on an outermost surface of the
third layer. The adhesive coating may be covered with a
conventional peel-off strip, which is removed immediately before
securing the shield to the garment.
[0011] In the alternative, a flexible resilient band may be
attached to the outside of the third layer by gluing or stitching.
The flexible band forms a loop that is placed over a shoulder of
the user to retain the shield in the armpit area. The shield is
disposable and may be impregnated with an antiperspirant or
deodorant agent, if desired.
[0012] The underarm shield protects the garment from soiling and
extends the usable life of the garment. The shield is thin and lies
in contact the garment or with the user's body, protecting the
garment in the critical area.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] Reference will now be made to the drawings wherein like
parts are designated by like numerals, and wherein
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a garment with a shield of
the present invention secured in the underarm area.
[0015] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a garment with a shield of
another embodiment of the present invention secured in the underarm
area.
[0016] FIG. 3 is a top view of the shield of the present invention
showing the first porous layer of the shield of a first embodiment
of the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 4 is a plan view of the first embodiment of the present
invention showing a moisture-impermeable layer.
[0018] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 5-5 of
FIG. 4.
[0019] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an alternative means of
securing the underarm shield of the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 7 is a top view showing a porous layer of another
configuration of the shield of the present invention.
[0021] FIG. 8 is a plan view showing a moisture-impermeable layer
of the shield of FIG. 7.
[0022] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 9-9 of
FIG. 8.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0023] Turning now to the drawings in more detail, the first
embodiment of the present invention is designated by numeral 10.
The shield 10 has a generally semi-circular flat flexible body
provided with an arcuate edge 12 and a straight edge 14. The shield
10 is comprised of several layers. The first, body-contacting layer
16 is made of a soft, porous moisture permeable material. The
material of the first layer 16 allows the perspiration secreted in
the underarm area to penetrate the layer 16 without collecting on
the skin-contacting surface.
[0024] The moisture then travels to the second inner layer 18 (FIG.
5) of the shield 10. The second layer 18 is made from a high
moisture absorbing material that absorbs the moisture and retains
the moisture by allowing the layer 18 to slightly expand, while not
moving back through the layer 16. The second layer 18 is configured
of the same size and shape as the layer 16, substantially covering
the entire layer 16.
[0025] The third layer 20 entirely covers the layer 18. The third
layer 20 is made from a moisture-impermeable material that prevents
the moisture from traveling outside of the layer 18. The third
layer 20 is the garment-contacting layer. The layers 16, 18 and 20
are secured together to form a single body of the shield 10.
[0026] A pressure sensitive adhesive coating 22 is deposited on the
outer surface of the third layer 20. The coating 22 may be covered
with conventional peel-off strips (not shown) which are removed
prior to positioning the shield 10 on the garment.
[0027] When positioning the shield 10 in the garment, the user
peels off the covering strips and positions the shield 10 in the
garment similarly to the position in FIG. 2, such that the shield
10 covers generally the underarm area of the garment. The shield 10
is oriented transversely to the seam of the garment, as shown in
FIG. 2. The edge 14 is fitted to lie against an underarm seam of
the garment on both sides of a side seam. The user then presses the
coating 22 against the fabric of the garment, such that the layer
16, which is first and non-irritating to the skin, faces the skin
of the user.
[0028] The shield 10 is made from three layers of flexible material
and is relatively thin. Wearing of the shield 10, even with a
thin-fabric garment will not affect the shape or the structure of
the garment to any noticeable degree. The adhesive coating 22 is
strong enough to retain the shield 10 on the garment but can be
easily released by peeling off the shield 10 from the garment after
the garment has been taken off. The shield 10 can be then disposed
of in a conventional manner.
[0029] FIGS. 7-9 illustrate another configuration of the underarm
shield of the present invention. As can be seen from the drawings,
the underarm shield 30 is also comprised of three layers: the first
porous moisture permeable layer 32, the second moisture absorbing
layer 34, and a third, moisture impermeable layer 36. An adhesive
coating 38, similar to the coating 22, is deposited on the outer
surface of the third layer 36 to allow securing of the shield 30 on
the garment of the user.
[0030] The alternative configuration of the underarm perspiration
shield has an elongated form, which may be a generally rectangular
form, with rounded edges, or any other oblong shape of elongated
configuration. The shield 30 can be folded along an imaginary
center axis, designated by numeral 40 in FIG. 7. When positioning
the shield 30, the user folds the shield 30 approximately in half
along the axis 40. The user then positions the shield 30 with the
center axis line 40 along the underarm seam of the garment. A
portion of the shield 30 extends along the sleeve portion of the
garment and the second portion of the shield 30 extends in the
torso portion of the garment. FIG. 1 schematically illustrates
positioning of the shield 30 in the garment underarm area.
[0031] Similar to the shield 10, the shield 30 is secured by
pressing the coating 38 to the fabric of the garment after peeling
the protective strips. After use, the shield 30 is easily detached
from the garment by releasing the glue in the adhesive coating 38
and then disposing of the shield 30 in the usual manner.
[0032] FIG. 6 illustrates an alternative method of securing the
shield of the present invention without using the adhesive coating.
In this embodiment, a shield 50, which is constructed of the same
three layers as the shields 10 and 30, is provided with a flexible,
stretchable elastic band 52 that is secured to an outer surface of
the third, moisture impermeable layer of the shield. The elastic 52
may be secured by adhesive, stitching, or any other securing method
to the third layer. The band 52 is made from a resilient
stretchable material, which may be a flat elastic tape of a neutral
color.
[0033] In use, the user positions the shield 50 in contact with the
underarm area, slightly folding the shield 50 along the centerline.
At the same time, the user slips his arm through the loop formed by
the band 52, positioning the band 52 over the shoulder. In this
manner, the shield 50 is worn separately from the garment and is
retained in place by the stretchable, flexible band 52. After use,
the user slips the band 52 off the shoulder, removing the
disposable shield 50, without affecting the structure of the
garment. It is envisioned that the shield 50 is made particularly
useful when wearing very delicate fabric, which may potentially be
adversely affected by the adhesive coating.
[0034] If desired, the shield 10, 30 and 50 may be impregnated with
an antiperspirant and/or deodorant agents, that would enhance the
hygienic qualities of the perspiration shield.
[0035] The second layers 18 and 34 of the shields 10 and 30,
respectively, are entirely sandwiched between the porous and
non-porous layers as shown in FIGS. 5 and 9. While the layers 16
and 32 are highly porous, to allow perspiration to penetrate
therethrough, these layers stay dry by allowing the moisture to
move into the middle layer where the moisture is trapped by the
absorbing materials 18 and 34.
[0036] It is envisioned that the shield of the present invention
may be constructed in a variety of shapes and sizes to accommodate
different size people. The shield can be inexpensively manufactured
using available technology and materials, so that the shield can be
made easily disposable.
[0037] Many changes and modifications can be made in the design of
the present invention without departing from the spirit thereof. I
therefore pray that my rights to the present invention be limited
only by the scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *