U.S. patent application number 10/267325 was filed with the patent office on 2004-04-08 for garment liner.
Invention is credited to Connor, Trudy.
Application Number | 20040068247 10/267325 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32042814 |
Filed Date | 2004-04-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040068247 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Connor, Trudy |
April 8, 2004 |
Garment liner
Abstract
Special articles are fashioned as undergarments of a very brief
nature. Brevity in undergarments has advantages of comfort and ease
of use, improved cooperation with outerwear, among other. Thin
sheets are prepared and arranged to be applied to the crotch area
of the interior surface of pants or other similar garments via an
adhesive bonding agent. So applied, the article provides underwear
function without bunching, chafing, or forming visible panty lines.
An absorbent layer provides comfort to the user and protection to
the outer garment against soiling. These articles may be formed of
materials suitable for disposal after single use and they may be
arranged as a kit suitable for retail sale.
Inventors: |
Connor, Trudy; (Tucson,
AZ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Joseph Page
P.O. Box 757
La Jolla
CA
92038
US
|
Family ID: |
32042814 |
Appl. No.: |
10/267325 |
Filed: |
October 8, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
604/387 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 428/1471 20150115;
A61F 13/5611 20130101; Y10T 428/1486 20150115; A61F 13/47236
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
604/387 |
International
Class: |
A61F 013/15 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1) Articles characterized as garment liners comprising a substrate
of cloth material having an adhesive on one side, said adhesive
suitable for bonding the substrate of cloth to the interior surface
of outerwear garments.
2) Articles of claim 1, said substrate of cloth being characterized
in that when worn in conjunction with outerwear it does not
appreciably form panty lines.
3) Articles of claim 2, said substrate of cloth material is less
than 2 millimeters in thickness.
4) Articles of claim 1, said substrate having two sides, an
adhesive applied to a first side, a second side arranged as an
absorbent layer.
5) Articles of claim 4, further comprising a vapor barrier layer
there between the two sides.
6) Articles of claim 4, further comprising a protective layer
applied to the adhesive to prevent inadvertent contact of adhesive
with foreign matter.
7) Articles of claim 6, said protective layer is a wax paper
protective layer.
8) Articles of claim 7, said protective layer is formed in two
portions with a crack and peel mechanism joining those two
portions.
9) Articles of claim 7, said protective layer is formed in two
portion with an overlap arrangement to facilitate an easy grasp
function.
10) Articles of claim 1, having a butterfly shaped periphery.
11) Articles of claim 1, said substrate comprised of a cotton
material.
12) Articles of claim 11, said substrate comprised of a cotton
blend material to impart a high stretch function to said
article.
13) Articles of claim 1, said substrate characterized as having an
area not greater than 150 square centimeters.
14) Articles of claim 1, further having graphics suitable for use
with undergarments.
15) Articles of claim 1, further having scents or fragrances
applied.
16) Methods of preparing outwear clothing prior to wearing for the
purpose of protecting ones outer garments without the use of
underwear including the step: applying a protective article to the
interior surface of ones outwear.
17) Methods of claim 16, said `applying` includes pressing an
article prepared with an adhesive to the crotch area of the
interior surface of a pants outerwear clothing article.
18) Methods of claim 17, said `outer garments` being a member of
the group: pants, shorts, pant-skirts, pantsuits, danskins,
bodyhose, or similar.
19) Methods of claim 16, further comprising a step to be performed
after the applying step, said step being wearing the outer clothing
article normally.
20) Methods of claim 19, further including a step wherein the
article is removed from the outerwear after wearing by grasping one
edge of the article and pulling away from the outerwear.
21) Methods of claim 20, further including a disposal step wherein
the article is deposited in a trash receptacle after removal.
22) Methods of claim 19, further comprising the step of washing the
outerwear in a common laundry process to remove residual
adhesives.
23) Methods of claim 16, preceded by the step of applying a spray
adhesive to on side of the article.
24) Methods of claim 16, preceded by the step removing a protective
layer from the article.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONS
[0001] 1. Field
[0002] The following invention disclosure is generally concerned
with articles of clothing and articles used in conjunction with
clothing and specifically concerned with liner articles which may
be used instead of underwear.
[0003] 2. Prior Art
[0004] It is essential for good hygiene that one wear underwear
beneath ones outer clothing. Not only does underwear protect outer
clothing from being soiled from the inside, it also protects a
wearer from chaffing from the outer clothing. However, underwear is
sometimes an inconvenience. It tends to annoy wearers as it is
restrictive, tends to bunch and bind, may cause one to become hot,
and is accompanied by other adverse side effects. Ladies clothing
which is sometimes form fitting particularly presents issues with
underwear use. More specifically, underwear may cause panty lines
which become visible through outer clothing. Recently, `thong` type
underwear has become quite popular as it reduces panty lines and
allows a woman's clothes a more perfect and pleasing fit. However,
thong type underwear may be uncomfortable to wear.
[0005] Wearing no underwear at all is undesirable for the reason
that it leaves outer garments exposed to undesirable soiling and
further leaves sensitive flesh exposed to the discomfort of contact
with rough materials from which outer garments may be made.
[0006] The art is replete with panty liners and devices arranged to
couple with and protect panties during menstruation. These
arrangements invariably include devices operable for absorbing and
containing appreciable amounts of fluid and associated matter. As
such, they are generally thick and bulky and therefore not suitably
worn in conjunction with certain outer wear such as tight fitting
pants.
[0007] Similarly, products are now offered to persons afflicted
with bladder control difficulties under the trade name `Depends`.
These devices also are arranged as highly absorbent protective
articles. Consequently, they are quite thick and bulky and they
consume a significant volume which cannot be hidden in tight
fitting clothes; i.e. they must be worn with loose fitting outer
wear.
[0008] As for lining fashioned to cooperate with outerwear, one
will recall that a bathing suit typically has a sewn-in liner. This
liner is well suited to protect the bathing suit from soiling while
also providing comfort to the wearer. However, these liners are
permanently affixed to the suit and they are not disposable. They
typically have reinforced peripheries which tend to be bulky and
cause creases and visible lines.
[0009] Other pant liner systems include those which are used in
conjunction with a fireman's outerwear. U.S. Pat. No. 5,095,549 is
representative. An outerwear pant requires a liner for the comfort
and cleanliness of the wearer. The liner is disposed next to the
interior surface of the pants and affixed thereto. As such, it
shares important concepts presented here following and is
considered prior art.
[0010] In addition, liners to be worn inside of other clothing
include special abbreviated panty liner taught in U.S. Pat. No.
5,729,835 by inventor Williams. This panty liner is specially
design for coupling with so called `thong` type underwear.
[0011] Another important liner to be worn in conjunction with
outerwear clothing includes the devices and articles taught by
Lampman in U.S. Pat. No. 4,905,323. These devices serve the need
for cleanliness while trying on clothing in consideration of
purchase. Use of these devices permits one to fit new clothing
without exposing the clothing to undesirable contact.
[0012] A comfortable pair of underwear is presented as the
invention of U.S. Pat. No. 6,247,184. These articles are simple
liners to be used in conjunction with outerwear clothing such as
pants. They may be fashioned as disposable and therefore might be
considered relevant to principle concepts of the present
disclosure.
[0013] Finally, a disposable pant liner is presented and taught by
Johnson of Burbank, Calif. in recent U.S. Pat. No. 6,406,462. These
devices may be single use systems to protect ones outerwear.
[0014] Notwithstanding, articles have been discovered and invented
to provide very novel pant liners, particularly liners to provide
underwear functionality without being accompanied by the
disadvantages found in use of common underwear.
[0015] In contrast to the good and useful inventions mentioned,
each having certain features that are no less than remarkable, the
instant invention is concerned with
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONS
[0016] Comes now, Trudy Connor with inventions of disposable liners
suited for being applied to the interior surface of outerwear
clothing including articles and methods of use of those articles.
It is a primary function of these articles and methods to provide
protection to wearers and their clothing without causing visible
panty lines or discomfort associated with awkwardly fitted thong
underwear.
[0017] A substrate of cloth material forms a special layer which is
applied to an interior surface of an outer garment such as tight
fitting pants. Properly applied, the article forms to the complex
curved shape of the pants interior while providing an undergarment
function; i.e. affording a protective layer between a person and
her clothing. The article prevents the pants from being soiled
allowing them to stay fresh and clean while also providing chaffing
protection to sensitive flesh.
[0018] A flexible cloth material is arranged in a special shape and
fashion to cooperate with the interior of pants while being worn.
The shape these pant liners will adopt to is approximated by the
geometry of a saddle; i.e. the shape formed at the inseam junction
of a pair of trousers at the crotch area. In a first direction, the
curve is downwardly concave, while in an orthogonal direction the
curve is upwardly concave.
[0019] In addition, these pant liner articles have two sides. A
first side has adhesive applied thereto which holds and couples the
article to the pants interior when properly applied. A second side
is a soft absorbent material appropriate for contact with flesh.
The second side provides comfort and cleanliness functionality.
[0020] After use, the article may be easily removed from the pants
for disposal. The pants may thereafter be laundered normally. In
some versions, a more durable article may be prepared for
laundering and re-use.
[0021] In contrast to prior art methods and devices, those systems
do not contemplate means for protecting outerwear clothing without
underwear. Although `thong` underwear is exceptionally brief
providing a reduction of panty lines, it is nevertheless underwear
and its use is accompanied by the discomfort of underwear. The
present invention allows one to go `underwear less` while still
affording the function, benefits and protections of underwear.
[0022] Thus, these inventions stand in contrast to methods and
devices of the art. These inventions are thin liners suitable for
coupling to the outerwear clothing such as pants and are therefore
distinct from commonly known panty liners which are arranged and
directed for another use entirely.
OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTIONS
[0023] It is a primary object of these inventions to provide the
protections of underwear.
[0024] It is an object of these inventions to provide protections
of underwear without discomfort associated therewith.
[0025] It is a further object to provide protection of underwear
without unsightly panty lines.
[0026] A better understanding can be had with reference to detailed
description of preferred embodiments and with reference to appended
drawings. Embodiments presented are particular ways to realize the
invention and are not inclusive of all ways possible. Therefore,
there may exist embodiments that do not deviate from the spirit and
scope of this disclosure as set forth by the claims, but do not
appear here as specific examples. It will be appreciated that a
great plurality of alternative versions are possible.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES
[0027] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the
present invention will become better understood with regard to the
following description, appended claims and drawings where:
[0028] FIG. 1 illustrates a version of these inventions;
[0029] FIG. 2 is a cross section view to illustrate important
layers of these articles
[0030] FIG. 3 is an alternative cross section;
[0031] FIG. 4 is a perspective drawing to illustrate articles and
their backing elements,
[0032] FIG. 5 illustrates a version having an alternative
periphery;
[0033] FIG. 6 is a perspective drawing to illustrate articles and
their backing elements;
[0034] FIG. 7 shows a drawing of a preformed version and; and
[0035] FIG. 8 shows a kit having a plurality of similar articles in
a group.
PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTIONS
[0036] In accordance with each of preferred embodiments of these
inventions, outerwear liner articles and methods of use of same are
provided. It will be appreciated that each of the embodiments
described include an article and method and that the article and
method of one preferred embodiment may be different than the
article and method of another embodiment.
[0037] A thin multi-layer sheet is configured to be applied to and
to cooperate with outerwear or outer clothing. More particularly,
in preferred modes of use, these articles may be applied to the
interior surface of a pair of pants at the inseams junction, the
crotch area of the pants. Such application is temporary and
removable. In place, the article affords protection of the pants
and further protection of the user. Pants are protected against
soiling while the wearer is protected from the coarse materials
from which pants are made. The article provides protection to the
outerwear as it is absorbent and tends to receive and collect
matter thereon without allowing it to pass there through to the
outerwear. Clothing such as jeans type pants made of denim tends to
be rough and coarse and not appropriate for contact with delicate
flesh. Thus, when these articles are properly applied and worn,
they tend to protect the wearer from chaffing and abrasion which
might occur while wearing pants without underwear. These articles
serve similar function as underwear, however, clear differences
provide great benefit to the user/wearer who is left with the
feeling of being underwear less.
[0038] Saddle Shape-Fit
[0039] Preferred versions of articles of these inventions support a
special fit. As they are preferably applied to interior surfaces of
pants, they must accommodate the shapes taken by pants while worn.
One will appreciate the flexible nature of pants and that they
stretch and flex to conform to many shapes and positions. In
agreement, these articles are also highly flexible have a high
stretch coefficient in two orthogonal directions. When applied to
the interior surface of pants, these articles will bend, flex and
stretch into any shape supported by the pants without resulting in
separation there from. While in use, these articles remain fastened
and affixed to the interior surface of the pants. In preferred
versions, the article is small in size. The total area may be less
than 150 square centimeters.
[0040] To support the unique shape of a pair of pants at the
crotch, i.e. a saddle shape, an article may be cut from a planar
substrate of cloth having a special periphery. It is not always
easy to form material into complex curved shapes. Generally, when
clothing is formed into the complex curves to complement the human
body shape, it requires that seams be formed into a plurality of
cloth segments. In consideration of the present use, these articles
are preferably made without seams. However, they must support being
stretched into complex shapes. Therefore, material of a highly
stretchable nature is preferred over materials which are unyielding
in that regard. Materials which tend to form creases and cause
`bunching` are ruled out as candidates from which these articles
should be made.
[0041] In some versions, special materials are stretchable and
flexible in prescribed directions to accommodate the desired shape.
Thus a sheet of cloth material to be used in forming these articles
may be comprised of material having a certain directional bias to
support stretching demands of the saddle shape. A sheet of material
used to form these articles may actually be formed of a combination
of different materials spatially distributed in accordance with a
prescribed scheme to support allowing the article to adopt the
saddle shape while still performing its design function.
[0042] Some preferred versions include articles formed in a
manufacturing process, for example by way of molding, into a
prescribed shape. A saddle shape can be impressed into a cloth
material and after manufacture, the cloth material could have the
tendency to hold the saddle shape thereby facilitating application
to the interior surface of a pair of pants.
[0043] Periphery
[0044] Further address of the problem relating to the complex curve
shape includes forming these articles from a planar substrate of
cloth material with a special peripheral shape. Careful selection
of a peripheral shape in view of the final shape of the device, and
in further view of the coupling with the interior surface of pants,
allows it to bend into a complex shape while relieving stress at
the highest tension points and remain affixed to the pants.
Practitioners of mathematics will point out that maximal stress
lies in specific regions while others are generally relaxed.
Accordingly, materials or combinations of materials more suitable
for stretching can be arranged to correspond spatially to those
areas of highest stretch stress.
[0045] Because these articles may be exceptionally thin at the
periphery, there are no resulting panty lines. Articles formed of
cloth and arranged to be durable in washing processes frequently
have a thick peripheral edges to prevent fraying of the material
from which they are made. As preferred embodiments of these
articles are disposable, their peripheral edges need not be
reinforced and they may be quite thin. In this way, panty lines are
completely avoided.
[0046] Material
[0047] As mentioned, these articles may preferably be formed from a
cloth or cloth like material. Natural fibers such as cotton and
silk are leading candidates as they are highly functional,
inexpensive and suitable for contact with human skin. Blended
material may also be used to provide certain benefit. Spandex
materials offer great stretch quality and might be preferred in
some embodiments where the articles are required to conform to
surfaces characterized by extreme curves.
[0048] Portions of these articles may include materials that are
preferably absorbent whereby moisture is readily received and held
by the materials. In some versions, it is desirable to have an
absorption layer next to a liquid barrier layer. Liquid can be
absorbed into the first layer and held there without being
permitted to pass the barrier layer. In these versions, the barrier
layer may be disposed between the absorption layer and the pants to
further provide anti-soiling protection to the pants. Thus,
articles of multi layers of various materials having different
function are fully contemplated.
[0049] Some objectives of these inventions are best served when
using materials of very inexpensive nature. Preferred uses of these
articles demand that they be disposable. As such, they must be
formed of inexpensive materials suitable for deposal after single
use. Thus, cottons and cotton blends are particularly useful for
forming these articles.
[0050] As it is a primary objective to provide underwear
protections without forming visible panty lines in outerwear, the
materials used to form these articles is preferrably quite thin. In
best modes, the materials should be about 2 millimeters or less. In
this way, the article maintains its function without being so thick
as to cause the outerwear to reveal its shape at the
peripheries.
[0051] Special Adhesives
[0052] As the article formed of materials described above is to be
coupled with the interior surface of clothing, a mechanism is
required to bond the article such that it is affixed firmly and
remains in place while being worn. To provide this function, an
adhesive may be most suitable. While a delicate hook-and-loop
mechanism, among others, is recognized as possible, these fasteners
might frustrate the purpose of forming the most brief of
undergarments. Therefore, best versions anticipate use of adhesives
to hold the articles to the interior surface of pants.
[0053] Suitable adhesives are the type which cooperate well with
materials from which outerwear is made; i.e. cotton, wool, silk, et
cetera. These adhesives should support the coupling in a manner
which is temporary. The article is to be affixed to the pants such
that is may be easily removed there from when desired. It is not
intended that these article be permanently affixed to the pant
inseams.
[0054] Not only it the coupling meant to be temporary, it is
preferred that when the coupling is broken, i.e. the garment is
removed from the pants, the adhesive tends to stick more strongly
to the article rather than to the pants. When the article is lifted
away from the pants, most of the adhesive tends to stick to the
article and little remains with the pants. The adhesive remaining
on the pants is preferably water soluble such that in normal
laundering processes, it is removed from the pants.
[0055] Thus adhesives are preferably arrange to have a greater
adhesion with regard to the material of the article than with the
pants. The adhesive is therefore disposed of together with the
article after use. Adhesives appropriate for use with these
articles are therefore necessarily those suitable for common
disposal in public facilities.
[0056] Adhesives may be applied in the manufacturing process. After
an appropriate cloth material sheet is formed with its requisite
shape and size, it may be subject to the application of adhesive
material to one side. As such, the article is ready for use.
[0057] In some cases, the adhesive is preferably applied
immediately before the article is applied to pants. In this regard,
one might use a spray adhesive whereby a user simply applies the
adhesive to the prescribed side of the article just before applying
the article to the correct place in the pants. Accordingly, some
versions of these inventions include article arranged to receive
adhesives applied by a user just before use.
[0058] After use, the article may be easily removed from the pants
for disposal. The pants may thereafter be laundered normally.
[0059] Crack-and-Peel Layer
[0060] Where adhesives are applied in the manufacturing process, a
protective layer may also be used to prevent exposure of the
adhesive before it is to be applied to outerwear. After adhesives
are applied to the cloth sheet, a waxed paper protective layer in
the same shape as the cloth can be set to the adhesive to protect
it from accidental contact with foreign matter. The waxed paper
protective sheet or cover can be peeled away just prior to
application of the article. A `crack-and-peel` arrangement of the
protective cover facilitates use and is operable with articles of
these inventions. Alternatively, an overlap arrangement of two
sheets provides an `easy-to-grab` methodology to support easy
removal of the protective layer at the time the article is to be
applied to pants. This type of backing layer is commonly used on
bandage strips and its use there is common.
[0061] In a special case, the protective layer may simply be
another identical article in a stack of articles. Accordingly, a
first article can be applied on top of another and still another to
form a stack of a plurality of articles. When one article is
removed from the stack, its adhesive is exposed and it may be
applied to the interior pants surface normally. The other article
members remaining in the stack, each with their adhesive side being
protected by another sheet. Similar to a note pad, one sheet is
removed at a time for immediate use. This scheme also protects
adhesives which may be applied in the manufacture process thereby
relieving the user of having to apply adhesives.
[0062] Kits
[0063] These inventions include kits of a plurality of components
which cooperate together.
[0064] In a first example, a kit may include several articles each
cut and prepared in accordance with the description above where
adhesives have not been applied to the cloth sheets. The kit also
includes a container of adhesive and adhesive applicator. For
example, a spray adhesive in a pressurized can or a roll-on
adhesive in a ball applicator apparatus. The portion of adhesive
provided in the kit is set to correspond to the number of sheets
supplied in the same kit resulting in a unit of cooperating
parts.
[0065] As appropriate for undergarments, certain prints and print
themes might be applied in the manufacturing process to impart an
attractive and pleasing look. Thus, an alternative kit of these
inventions includes a plurality of pant liners having a color
scheme or theme. A plurality of articles are packaged together as a
single unit where each of the articles cooperates with the others
in the kit by way of a matching color, color set, or theme. For
example, a group of pastels or a group of 10 articles each having a
different shade of pink for a package with an attractive color
look.
[0066] Another kit includes a stacked pad of articles like a
notepad of multiple sheets. Packaged and sold as a single unit,
these kits of multiple articles are attractive in a retail sense.
In addition, the articles cooperate with one another as describe
where a first pad protects the adhesive of an adjacent article from
inadvertent contact with foreign objects.
[0067] Still further, a kit may be arranged to include a special
travel pack or handy packaging. It is not so easy to travel light
with a fresh change of conventional underwear. To carry extra
clothes requires one to pack a clothes suitcase which is not
practical on short day trips. It is difficult to accommodate soiled
underwear without carrying a full luggage set with special
apparatus designed for such matters. However, disposable underwear
particularly the brief type taught here allow one to have clean
fresh underwear while on travel. A ready supply may be carried in a
small discrete package easily carried in the smallest of briefcases
and handbags. Thus, kits of these inventions are arranged in
connection with small carrying cases for travel purposes.
[0068] Fragrances and Deodorizers
[0069] Articles of these inventions have special cooperation with
regard to scents. While one could dress ones underwear with regard
to scent by applying an eau de toilette, generally underwear simply
smells of the detergent in which it was most recently laundered. As
articles of the instant inventions are disposable, they support
being decorated with pleasing scents. A package of these garment
liner articles can be prepared with perfumes and fragrances to
impart a pleasant smell thereto. In addition, it is possible to use
a deodorizing chemistry in conjunction with the articles where that
result is desirable. Unlike common reusable underwear which does
not support being used
[0070] Themes
[0071] Users of common underwear have enjoyed combining art of a
graphical nature with their intimate wear. Indeed, nearly anyone
could attest to having at least seen a pair of Santa Clause boxers.
It is an important part of good under garments that they include
support for carrying a graphical theme or other art of printed
form. Thus, articles of the present invention fully anticipate
combination with artistic themes by way of printed matter thereon.
In some cases, mere coloring constitutes application of art to
these articles. A pleasing pastels group of colors may be
appropriately applied to preferred articles as those colors are
associated with softness and tend to further associate the articles
with comfort. A kit of these inventions may include a plurality of
articles each having a different print from the other, however that
print being related to the others such that the articles all
clearly belong to a group.
[0072] In the interests of completeness, a general description of
devices and the elements of which they are comprised as well as
methods and the steps of which they are comprised is presented here
following with reference to the appended drawing figures.
[0073] Figure one illustrate a substrate 1 of these inventions. The
material may be cut from a cloth stock at a specially designed
butterfly shaped periphery 2. The axes 3 and 4 each correspond to a
forward-back and left-right inseam found in a common pair of
trousers or pants. The periphery may be formed with a view to
decreasing wrinkling when a flat sheet is bent into a complex
curved shape. The periphery supports relief points 5 strategically
placed in certain pressure positions.
[0074] A cross sectional view is shown in FIG. 2. One will
appreciate that what is referred to as a single article herein may
actually be a combination of several material layers laminated
together. For example, one version may include a highly absorbent
layer of cotton material 21 to which is bonded a vapor barrier
layer 22 and finally a adhesive layer 23. The adhesive layer when
placed into contact with the interior surface of an outer garment
holds the article in place. The vapor barrier layer prevents
liquids from passing to the adhesive and further to the outer
garment. The absorbent layer functions to absorb and hold
liquids.
[0075] Another version may have four layers as follows. A
absorption layer 31, next to a barrier layer 34 and adhesive layer
32. A forth layer, a wax paper cover sheet may be added to the
article to protect the adhesive against inadvertent contact. In
this way, that article may be carried about in a purse before it is
to be used without contamination the adhesive surface. Where an
article of such type is used, the paper protective layer in two
parts may be easily removed before use. FIG. 4 illustrates this
function. A user may hold the article at point 41 and pull a first
half 42 of the paper cover away from the adhesive surface 43 to
which it was bonded. Thereafter, the other half of the paper cover
may be pulled away.
[0076] It is not necessary that the periphery be symmetrical. Other
shapes are fully anticipated. Where it is desirable to have greater
protection distributed about various areas, an article 51 may
preferably have a periphery 52. Other shapes similarly support
other function. Article 61 may be used with materials which do not
stretch so easily. Special periphery 62 is design with relief cuts
63. The highest tension regions are relieved by these relief cuts
when the article is applied to pants and takes a complex curved
shape.
[0077] While the shapes mentioned are quite useful, there are other
shapes which will serve the purpose and essence of these inventions
as well. Where the manufacturing processes include formation of
shaped articles of three dimensions, the shape shown in FIG. 7 may
be useful. The preformed shape includes a concave up region 71
(left to right on the page) and an underside which is concave down.
In this case, the periphery 72 may not have a complex shape but
rather smooth and continuous.
[0078] One nice feature supported by the preformed versions is that
a stack of a plurality of the articles may be prepared as a
collection of articles. A first article 81 in the shape of a saddle
may have a plurality of many other articles 82 there under.
[0079] Methods
[0080] These inventions are meant to include methods. Specifically,
methods of going without underwear. More precisely, methods of
preparing outwear clothing prior to wearing. The steps of these
methods may be taken for the purpose of providing an underwear
function without actual use of underwear. These methods include
application of the articles described above to the interior surface
of outerwear clothing.
[0081] The methods may best be characterized as follows:
[0082] Methods of preparing outwear clothing prior to wearing for
the purpose of protecting ones outer garments without the use of
underwear include the step: applying a protective article to the
interior surface of ones outwear.
[0083] These methods are more completely defined where said
`applying` includes pressing an article prepared with an adhesive
to the crotch area of the interior surface of a pants outerwear
clothing article. The methods are preferably with respect to `outer
garments` described as either of the following: pants, shorts,
pant-skirts, pantsuits, danskins, bodyhose, or similar. After
application of article, one simply wears the outer clothing article
normally without further modification or attention.
[0084] Methods of these invention further include additional steps
taken after wearing. In example, a method may include the steps
necessary to return the clothing to its normal state after use.
Thus, a step of these methods may include removal of the article
from the clothing. This may be accomplished by grasping one edge of
the article and pulling away from the outerwear. In addition,
methods include the step of disposal. These articles are suitably
designed to be properly disposed of in common trash receptacles.
Thus, after use, they may be simply thrown away.
[0085] Additionally, some methods include the step of washing the
outerwear. In some instances, the outerwear may be left with slight
adhesive residue. Therefore, a complete description of use of these
articles includes a step taken to assure the outerwear is returned
to its proper state. Normal washing in common laundry processes is
sufficient to remove any leftover adhesives from the outerwear.
Accordingly, some of these methods include that step of washing the
outerwear.
[0086] In some versions, a step before applying the article
includes one in which an adhesive is applied to on side of the
article. In the case where adhesives are not applied in the
manufacturing process, an added step requires a user to apply
adhesives. Preferably, a user might use a spray adhesive which can
be easily applied to the appropriate side of an article suitably
arranged for such. In this case, spray adhesive is applied,
thereafter, the article is pushed onto the interior surface of the
outer garment at the inseams junction, and the clothing is worn
normally.
[0087] In some versions, a step before applying the article
includes one in which a protective layer is removed from an
adhesive. In the case where a `crack-and-peel` wax paper coating,
or similar coating, protects the article prior to use, the wax
paper coating must be removed from the article before it can be
applied to the pants. Thus, methods of these version of the
inventions include removal of the wax paper coating prior to the
step applying the article to the inside of the outerwear.
[0088] One will now fully appreciate how disposable liners applied
to outerwear serve an underwear function. Although the present
invention has been described in considerable detail with clear and
concise language and with reference to certain preferred versions
thereof including the best mode anticipated by the inventor, other
versions are possible. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the
invention should not be limited by the description of the preferred
versions contained therein, but rather by the claims appended
hereto.
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