UNDERPANTS

Abstract

Underpants (10) having two leg openings (2, 3), which (2, 3) are separated from each other by an underpants web (4) of the underpants (10). The underpants are intended to reduce or eliminate urinary incontinence while a user is wearing the underpants (10) and that for this purpose the underpants (10) have, in the region of the underpants web (4), a pressure body (6) intended to apply pressure to the user in the perineal area.

Claims

1. A pair of pants (1, 10) with two leg openings (2, 3) which (2, 3) are separated from one another by a pants web (4) of the pants (1, 10), characterized in that the pants (1, 10) are intended for alleviating or eliminating urinary incontinence while a user is wearing the pants (1, 10), and in that, for this purpose, in the region of the pants web (4) the pants (1, 10) have a pressure body (5, 6) which is intended for applying pressure to the user in the perineal area.

2. The pants as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the pants (1, 10) are produced from an elastic material.

3. The pants as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the pants (1, 10) are in the form of a woven fabric or knitted fabric produced using elastic fibers.

4. The pants as claimed in one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that an elastic and optionally also length-adjustable belt has been threaded into the pants (1, 10).

5. The pants as claimed in one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a pair of suspenders are held on the pants (1, 10).

6. The pants as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that the suspenders have two suspension straps at the front and/or rear side.

7. The pants as claimed in one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the pants (1, 10) are designed as underpants.

8. The pants as claimed in one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the pressure body (5, 6) is provided on the inside of the pants.

9. The pants as claimed in one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the pressure body (5, 6) is cam-shaped or approximately hemispherical at least in a crosspiece (9).

10. The pants as claimed in one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the pressure body (6) has a crosspiece (7) which is in the form of a web and is raised up in the direction of a rear side of the pants.

11. The pants as claimed in one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the pressure body (5, 6) is produced from a hard, hard-elastic and/or inflexible material.

12. The pants as claimed in one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the pressure body (5, 6) is connected immovably to the material of the pants (1, 10).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Developments according to the invention will become apparent from the figures in conjunction with the claims and the description. The invention is described in more detail below with reference to preferred exemplary embodiments.

[0020] In the figures:

[0021] FIG. 1 shows a side view of a pair of pants which is designed here as men's underpants and, in the region of a pants web which separates the two leg openings of the pants, has a pressure body which is intended for applying pressure to the user in the perineal area,

[0022] FIG. 2 shows the men's underpants of FIG. 1 in a partially cut-open perspective illustration,

[0023] FIG. 3 shows a side view of a pair of pants which is designed here as women's underpants and, in the region of the pants web which separates the two leg openings of the pants, likewise has a pressure body which acts on the user's perineal area, and

[0024] FIG. 4 shows the women's underpants of FIG. 3 in a partially cut-open perspective illustration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] FIGS. 1 to 4 illustrate a pair of pants in two embodiments 1, 10. The pants 1, 10 have two leg openings 2, 3, which are separated from one another by a pants web 4 of the pants 1, 10. The pants 1, 10, which can be designed as long pants with legs or—such as here—can be in the form of so-called briefs without such legs, are configured here as underpants. Whereas the pants shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are men's underpants, the pants 10 illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 are designed by contrast as women's underpants.

[0026] The pants 1, 10 shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 are intended for alleviating or eliminating urinary incontinence while a user is wearing the pants. For this purpose, in the region of the pants web 4 the pants have a pressure body 5 or 6 respectively which is intended for applying pressure to the user in the perineal area. This pressure body 5, 6 provided on the pants web 4 presses onto the user's body in the perineal area. This pressure boosts the user's muscles or ligaments slackened in this region and tightens the urinary tract in this region. This continuous pressure counteracts a slackening of the muscles and ligaments in the user's perineal area, as a result of which a sudden urge to urinate can be at least reduced and more or less severe incontinence of the user can be alleviated. The pants illustrated here can expediently be used in particular also in such cases in which regular pelvic floor training does not take place or is not sufficient. In suitable cases, complex operations can also be avoided by the use of the pants 1, 10.

[0027] In order that the pressure body 5, 6, which is held preferably immovably on the inside of the pants 1, 10, can act with sufficient pressure on the user's perineal area, it is advantageous if the pants 1, 10 are produced from a resiliently elastic or elastic material. An embodiment in which the pants 1, 10 are in the form of a knitted fabric produced using elastic fibers is preferred here. Such a knitted fabric is comparatively breathable and comfortable to wear. Since the woven fabric is elastic, it is capable of fitting closely against the patient's body and establishing a grip which makes it possible to apply pressure to the user's body by means of the pressure body 5, 6.

[0028] In order to promote an application of pressure that is as firm and steady as possible, it is advantageous if an elastic and optionally also length-adjustable belt has been threaded into the pants 1, 10. Additionally or instead, a pair of suspenders, although these are not shown in any more detail here, can also be held on the pants 1, 10. In order that these suspenders can uniformly distribute the forces acting on the pants 1, 10, it is advantageous if the suspenders have two suspension straps at the front and/or rear side.

[0029] In order to be able to apply the highest possible compressive force to the user's body, these pressure bodies 5, 6 are cam-shaped or approximately hemispherical at least in a crosspiece 9. With reference to the exemplary embodiment 10 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, it is shown that the pressure body 6 can also have a crosspiece 7 which is in the form of a web and is raised up in the direction of a rear side of the pants. Since the pressure body 6 also acts on the user's perineal area with a force component which is directed toward the user's body by way of this raised-up crosspiece 7, particularly high compressive forces can be applied to the user's perineal area. In order that the compressive force generated is transferred to the patient's perineal area in a manner as undiminished as possible, the pressure body 5, 6 is produced from a hard or inflexible material. In order to ensure precise positioning of the pressure body 5, 6 in the desired area of the perineum, this pressure body 5, 6 is connected immovably to the material of the pants 1, 10. The women's underpants shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 are fork-shaped in their crosspiece 8 which faces the pubic region, wherein these fork-shaped crosspieces can be positioned to particularly good effect on either side in the area of the user's groin, where they are no longer bothersome.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0030] 1 Pants (according to FIGS. 1 and 2) [0031] 2 Leg opening [0032] 3 Leg opening [0033] 4 Pants web [0034] 5 Pressure body (according to FIGS. 1 and 2) [0035] 6 Pressure body (according to FIGS. 3 and 4) [0036] 7 Raised-up crosspiece (on the pressure body 6) [0037] 8 Fork-shaped crosspiece (on the pressure body 6) [0038] 9 Cam-shaped or hemispherical crosspiece [0039] 10 Pants (according to FIGS. 3 and 4)