Male Underwear Garment with Protective Flap

Abstract

The present invention relates to a male underwear garment with an attached protective fabric attachment. The fabric attachment can be integrated to the inner lining of a male underwear garment during manufacturing and functions as a barrier between the male reproductive organ of the wearer and clothing during and after urinating. The attachment prevents urine droplets from staining clothing during and after male urination. The attachment can be stitched into the underwear liner and can be pulled out (i.e. deployed) to cover a front portion of clothing to prevent urine droplets from staining the clothing.

Claims

1. An underwear garment for protecting a clothing article from becoming stained, the underwear garment comprising: a fabric attachment sewn along one edge to a waistband of said underwear garment; said fabric attachment is a protective flap including a first stored orientation and a second deployed orientation; said first stored orientation includes a first position inside said underwear garment between a male reproductive organ and an inner side of said underwear garment; said second deployed orientation includes a second position outside said underwear garment between the male reproductive organ and an outer side of a clothing article; and said protective flap movable from said stored orientation to said deployed orientation to protect said outer side of said clothing article from stains during and after urination of a user.

2. The underwear garment of claim 1, wherein said protective flap is replaceable.

3. The underwear garment of claim 1, wherein said protective flap comprises one or more materials selected from a group consisting of a cotton, a hemp, a bamboo, a silk, a rayon, an acetate, a nylon, an acrylic, a polyester, and a polyurethane.

4. The underwear garment of claim 1, wherein said protective flap comprises a shape selected from a group consisting of a rectangle, a square, and a semi-circle.

5. The underwear garment of claim 1, wherein said one edge is sewn to an inner lining of said waistband.

6. The underwear garment of claim 1, wherein said protective flap comprises a width and a length, and further wherein said width is generally equal to said length.

7. The underwear garment of claim 6, wherein said length is generally from about 4 inches to about 10 inches.

8. An underwear garment for protecting a clothing article from becoming stained, the underwear garment comprising: a fabric attachment sewn along one edge to a waistband of said underwear garment; said one edge is sewn to an inner lining of said waistband; said fabric attachment is a protective flap including a first stored orientation and a second deployed orientation; said first stored orientation includes a first position inside said underwear garment between a male reproductive organ and an inner side of said underwear garment; said second deployed orientation includes a second position outside said underwear garment between the male reproductive organ and an outer side of a clothing article; said protective flap rotatable from said stored orientation to said deployed orientation to protect said outer side of said clothing article from stains during and after urination of a user; and said protective flap absorbs urine droplets and urinal backsplash in said deployed orientation during and after urination of the user.

9. The underwear garment of claim 8, wherein said protective flap is replaceable.

10. The underwear garment of claim 8, wherein said protective flap comprises one or more materials selected from a group consisting of a cotton, a hemp, a bamboo, a silk, a rayon, an acetate, a nylon, an acrylic, a polyester, and a polyurethane.

11. The underwear garment of claim 8, wherein said protective flap comprises a shape selected from a group consisting of a rectangle, a square, and a semi-circle.

12. The underwear garment of claim 8, wherein said protective flap includes a width and a length, and further wherein said width is generally equal to said length.

13. The underwear garment of claim 12, wherein said length is generally from about 4 inches to about 10 inches.

14. A method of protecting a clothing article from a urine stain, the method comprising the steps of: attaching a protective flap to an edge of a waistband of an underwear garment; storing said protective flap in a first position, wherein said first position is inside said underwear garment between a male reproductive organ and an inner side of said underwear garment; deploying said protective flap in a second position, wherein said second position is outside said underwear garment between the male reproductive organ and an outer side of a clothing article; and moving said protective flap from said first position to said second position to protect an outer side of the clothing article during and after urination of a user, wherein said protective flap absorbs urine droplets and urinal backsplash in said second position during and after urination of the user.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein said attaching a protective flap to an edge of a waistband of an underwear garment further includes sewing one side of said protective flap to a waistband of said underwear garment.

16. The method of claim 14 further comprising a step of moving said protective flap from said second position to said first position after urination of a user.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein said protective flap comprises one or more materials selected from a group consisting of a cotton, a hemp, a bamboo, a silk, a rayon, an acetate, a nylon, an acrylic, a polyester, and a polyurethane.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein said protective flap comprises a shape selected from a group consisting of a rectangle, a square, and a semi-circle.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein said edge of said waistband is an inner lining of said waistband.

20. The underwear garment of claim 14, wherein said protective flap includes a width and a length; and wherein said width is generally equal to said length.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:

[0017] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of the underwear garment with sewn fabric flap of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

[0018] FIG. 2 illustrates a plan view of the fabric flap of one potential embodiment of the underwear garment of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

[0019] FIG. 3A illustrates an enlarged view showing the stitching of the fabric flap to the inner lining of the underwear of one potential embodiment of the underwear garment in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

[0020] FIG. 3B illustrates a top perspective view of the fabric flap positioned inside the underwear garment of one potential embodiment of the underwear garment in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

[0021] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view showing steps of pulling the fabric flap of the present invention out of the underwear garment for use in accordance with the disclosed architecture; and

[0022] FIG. 5 illustrates one potential embodiment of the underwear garment with sewn fabric flap in a folded out position of the present invention when worn by a user in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.

[0024] As noted above, there exists a long felt need in the art for an improved undergarment that prevents urine from dripping over and onto an outer surface of pants/shorts while urinating in bathrooms. There is also a long felt need in the art for an improved underwear garment for males that prevents any embarrassment due to stains of dripping urine while urinating. Additionally, there is a long felt need in the art for uniquely designed underwear that eliminates the need to carry hand towels to cover pants while urinating, and also prevents the clothes of the wearer from getting wet and dirty due to backsplash from urinals which prevents the wearer from changing clothes after urinating. Further, there is a long felt need in the art for an underwear garment that obviates the need for individuals to carry clothes to public places to change after experiencing backsplash from urinals on their clothes. In addition, there is a long felt need in the art for an underwear garment that ensures males can urinate worry-free without concern of stains due to the dripping of urine on an outer surface of pants/shorts or stains due to water or urine backsplash from urinals. Finally, there is a long felt need in the art for novel underwear garment that maximizes protection against urine drip marks on the lower or frontal area of jeans, slacks, shorts and other types of clothing.

[0025] The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is comprised of an improved underwear garment. The underwear garment is preferably designed for males and is comprised of a novel generally rectangular or square protective fabric attachment. The protective fabric attachment is a planar fabric and is sewn along a waistband of the underwear garment such that the attachment suspends inside the underwear from the waistline to cover the male reproductive organ of the wearer. The suspended attachment or flap can then be pulled out along the sewn edge over the waistband to cover the front portions of the underwear and/or outer layer of clothing worn by the wearer during urination, thereby allowing the urine drops to fall on the fabric attachment instead of the surface of the pants/shorts. After use, the fabric attachment can be pulled back in to and once again suspend inside the underwear garment (i.e. pair of underwear) along the sewn edge. It is to be appreciated that the fabric attachment is reusable for an unlimited number of uses and is manufactured to last at least as long as the underwear garment.

[0026] Referring initially to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of an improved underwear garment 100 of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The underwear garment 100 is comprised of a sewn fabric flap 106 that is generally rectangular, square or semi-circular and is sewn to the interior surface of waistband 104 of the underwear 102. The fabric flap 106 is stitched 108 into the underwear inner liner 1040 of the waistband 104. The underwear garment 100 also includes a left panel 1020 for encircling the left thigh of a wearer and a right panel 1022 for encircling the right thigh of a wearer.

[0027] The fabric flap 106 is positioned inside the underwear 102 such that it covers the penis or male reproductive organ of the male wearing the underwear 102. Further, all sides of the fabric flap 106, except the side which is sewn to the inner liner 1040, are unattached which enables the fabric flap 106 to be easily pulled outwards and deployed over the waistband 104. Accordingly, the fabric flap 106 is used for protection against urine drip marks on the lower and frontal areas of jeans, slacks, shorts and other types of clothing articles when deployed. During and after urination, the flap 106 is positioned behind and below the penis. Therefore, during and after urination drops of urine are absorbed, deflected and/or collected by the flap 106 to prevent same from staining the outer parts of the clothing article (e.g. pants/shorts) being worn by the wearer. The flap 106, when pulled outwards and deployed thereby, acts as a barrier between the outer surface of the clothing article and urinals, and prevents urine drops and urinal backsplash from falling on the outer surface in and around the frontal area of the clothing article being worn. Once the user has urinated or used the bathroom, the penis is maneuvered back inside the underwear 100, the fabric flap 106 is rotated back inside the underwear 102 and the clothing article is then returned to its normal wear position.

[0028] The fabric flap 106 can be a conventional soft and stretchable fabric that can be woven or knitted with elastic, stretchable strands. The fabric flap 106, when inside the underwear garment 100, creates a barrier between the underwear fabric and the penis when the underwear 102 is worn by a user. In this orientation, the fabric flap 106 allows accidental urine drip marks to be absorbed by an inner surface 126 of the fabric flap 106, and thereby eliminates staining of the underwear garment and the inner and outer surfaces of the clothing article being worn by the user.

[0029] The fabric flap 106 can be stitched inside boxer-shorts, drawers, long drawers, briefs, shorts or any male or female undergarment known in the art. Further, the fabric flap 106 is not visible to any other individual when the fabric flap 106 is in its stored orientation (refer to FIG. 1), thereby giving a conventional look to the underwear garment 100 and to the clothing article being worn therewith.

[0030] FIG. 2 illustrates a plan view of the fabric flap 106 of one potential embodiment of the underwear garment 100 of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The fabric flap 106 can be generally rectangular or square in shape. Although, any geometric shape such as elliptical, pentagonal, circular, semi-circular or the like for the fabric flap 106 is under the scope of the invention. The top edge 204 is stitched to the inner lining of an underwear garment 102. The longitudinal edges 202, 206 and the lower edge 208 are unattached and are free to be pulled out and rotated over the waistband 104 of the underwear 102. In one potential embodiment, the length of the longitudinal edges 202, 206 is generally from about 4 inches to about 10 inches, but is not limited within this range. The width W can be generally equal to the length L of the flap 106. The flap 106 can also be planar and can be absorbent to quickly absorb drops of urine. The length L of the flap 106 can be generally equal to or less than the seam length (till gusset of a conventional underwear) of the underwear 102 to which the flap 106 is stitched. The width W of the flap 106 can be generally enough to cover from about one third to about one half of the leg openings of the underwear garment.

[0031] FIG. 3A illustrates an enlarged view showing the stitching of the fabric flap 102 to the inner lining of the underwear 102 in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The fabric flap 106 is sewn/stitched 108 along the front inner lining 1040 of an underwear garment 102. The stitching 108 is flat, thereby providing comfort to the user. The waistband 104 supports the flap 106 so as to maintain constant shape when the flap 106 is in the deployed position and when inside the underwear garment 102 (i.e. stored position). Referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B, the flap 106 is sewn 108 on the inner lining 1040 of the underwear 102 such that the user can comfortably wear the underwear 102. The flap 106 is sewn 108 in the front portion of the waistband 104, which makes the flap 106 easily accessible prior to urinating (i.e. preparing to urinate) or using the bathroom.

[0032] The flap 106 can be integrated within any type, size or design of male underwear 102 and is of a size proportional to cover the frontal portion of the corresponding underwear. Additionally, the flap 106, when worn out after repeated use, can be replaced easily without restricting the elasticity of the underwear garment 102.

[0033] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view showing the steps of pulling out the fabric flap 106 of the present invention out of the underwear for use in accordance with the disclosed architecture. During use, the flap 106, whose top edge 204 is sewn 108 along the inner lining 1040 of the waistband 104, is pulled out and deployed by holding the flap 106 and moving or rotating the free edges 202, 206, 208 outward to allow the flap 106 to be easily moved outside the underwear garment. The flap 106 covers the front or outer surface of the clothing article when it is pulled out, and an outer facing surface 136 of the flap 106 can protect the underwear 102 and the clothing article from urine droplets and stains during and after urination. The fabric flap 106 can be easily grasped and pulled outward from the top of any undergarment to which the fabric flap 106 is stitched.

[0034] FIG. 5 illustrates a male underwear garment with a sewn fabric flap 106 in a folded-out position of the present invention, when worn by a user in accordance with the disclosed architecture. As shown, the fabric flap 106 is pulled out to cover the front portion of a pair of jeans 504 and underwear 102 worn by the male wearer 500. During and after urinating, the urine drops 502 are caught by the fabric flap 106 and prevents staining the jeans 504 and underwear 102 during and after urination. The fabric flap 106 is positioned such that it maximizes protection against urine drip marks 502 on the lower and frontal areas of jeans 504.

[0035] The color and shape of the fabric flap 106 of the present invention 100 can be based on the underwear to which the flap is attached. The fabric flap 106 can be integrated within any type, size or design of male underwear and shorts. The fabric flap 106 can be formed using one or more materials selected from the group, consisting of a natural fiber such as cotton, hemp, bamboo, or silk, a regenerated fiber such as rayon or acetate, and a synthetic fiber such as nylon, acrylic, polyester or polyurethane and mixtures thereof. The fabric flap 106 is also smooth to the foreskin of the male reproductive organ of a user and does not block the leg openings of underwear, thus maintaining the ventilation effect of the underwear 102. Further, the flap 106 allows the male reproductive organ to be suspended naturally.

[0036] Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “improved underwear garment”, “underwear garment”, and “male underwear garment”, are interchangeable and refer to the improved underwear garment 100 of the present invention. Similarly, “fabric flap”, “fabric attachment”, “protective fabric”, “protective attachment” and “flap” are interchangeable and refer to fabric flap 106 of the present invention.

[0037] Notwithstanding the forgoing, the improved underwear garment 100 of the present invention can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that it accomplishes the above-stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the size, configuration and material of the improved underwear garment 100 as shown in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the improved underwear garment 100 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the improved underwear garment 100 are important design parameters for user convenience, the improved underwear garment 100 may be of any size that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user's needs and/or preferences.

[0038] Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.

[0039] What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.