Incontinence Pant Device

Abstract

A novel incontinence pant device that is a specialized pair of pants, allowing caregivers to remove soiled pants more easily from a patient in a single piece is disclosed. The incontinence pant device comprises a body component with two leg components. Further, the pant device features a zipper or other closure that can be undone to easily remove the pants in a single piece. Additionally, users can keep the pant device secure around their waist via an elastic band and hook and loop fasteners. Accordingly, if the pant device becomes soiled and needs to be removed from the patient, the caregiver may simply unzip the pant device and remove the pants in a single piece, without risk of an additional mess.

Claims

1. An incontinence pant device that allows users to remove soiled pants more easily in a single piece, the incontinence pant device comprising: a body component with two leg components and a waistband; and a fastener for securing the two leg components; and wherein the fastener extends from the waistband down each of the two leg components; and further wherein if the body component becomes soiled and needs to be removed from a user, the user unfastens the fastener to remove the body component in a single piece to avoid additional messes.

2. The incontinence pant device of claim 1, wherein the fastener is a zipper.

3. The incontinence pant device of claim 2, wherein each of the two leg components comprise an open zipper with two sides, thus the two leg components have two long sealable openings.

4. The incontinence pant device of claim 3, wherein the two long sealable openings extend from the waistband down to a hem of each of the two leg components.

5. The incontinence pant device of claim 4, wherein the zippers are water resistant or waterproof.

6. The incontinence pant device of claim 5, wherein the waistband is an elastic band.

7. The incontinence pant device of claim 6, wherein the waistband comprises hook and loop fasteners secured to extension tabs at opposing ends to further secure the waistband around a user's waist.

8. The incontinence pant device of claim 7, wherein a double-ended opening zipper can be used to allow the incontinence pant device to be zipped from the hem or the waistband.

9. The incontinence pant device of claim 1, wherein each of the two leg components has a releasable seam extending from a hem upward to the waistband, wherein each releasable seam comprises a first part which overlaps a second part to close the releasable seam.

10. The incontinence pant device of claim 9, wherein a plurality of hook and loop fastener segments are disposed at intervals along each releasable seam from the hem of the leg component to the waistband.

11. The incontinence pant device of claim 10, wherein the positions of the releasable seam are symmetric to each other on the two leg components.

12. The incontinence pant device of claim 11, wherein elastic material is disposed within gathers around the waistband and in gathers around each of the hems.

13. The incontinence pant device of claim 1, wherein the body component and the two leg components are manufactured of cotton or polyester.

14. An incontinence pant device that allows users to remove soiled pants more easily in a single piece, the incontinence pant device comprising: a body component with two leg components and a waistband; and a zipper for securing the two leg components; and wherein the zipper extends from the waistband down each of the two leg components to a hem, to form two long sealable openings which can be opened and closed via the zipper; wherein the waistband comprises an elastic band and hook and loop fasteners secured to extension tabs at opposing ends to further secure the waistband around a user's waist; and wherein if the body component becomes soiled and needs to be removed from a user, the user unzips the zipper to remove the body component in a single piece to avoid additional messes; and further wherein a double-ended opening zipper can be used to allow the incontinence pant device to be zipped or unzipped from the hem or the waistband.

15. The incontinence pant device of claim 14 further comprising a plurality of indicia.

16. The incontinence pant device of claim 14, wherein each of the two leg components has a releasable seam extending from a hem upward to the waistband, wherein each releasable seam comprises a first part which overlaps a second part to close the releasable seam.

17. The incontinence pant device of claim 16, wherein a plurality of hook and loop fastener segments are disposed at intervals along each releasable seam from the hem of the leg component to the waistband.

18. The incontinence pant device of claim 17, wherein the positions of the releasable seam are symmetric to each other on the two leg components.

19. The incontinence pant device of claim 18, wherein elastic material is disposed within gathers around the waistband and in gathers around each of the hems.

20. A method of removing a pair of pants as one piece without rolling the pants down, the method comprising the following steps: providing an incontinence pant device comprising a body component with two leg components, and a zipper extending from a waistband down each leg component; securing the incontinence pant device to a user via zipping the leg components around a user; unzipping the leg components via the zippers once an unexpected accident occurs; and removing the pant device as one piece to reduce the mess of the unexpected accident.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:

[0030] FIG. 1 illustrates a front perspective view of one embodiment of the incontinence pant device of the present invention showing the elastic waist with hook and loop fasteners in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

[0031] FIG. 2 illustrates a back perspective view of one embodiment of the incontinence pant device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

[0032] FIG. 3 illustrates a front perspective view of one embodiment of the incontinence pant device of the present invention showing the zippers that aid in removing the pants in accordance with the disclosed architecture; and

[0033] FIG. 4 illustrates a flowchart showing the method of removing a pair of pants as one piece without rolling the pants down in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0034] 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.

[0035] As noted above, there is a long-felt need in the art for an incontinence pant device that provides users with a set of one-piece pants that can be easily applied and removed via a zipper. There is also a long-felt need in the art for an incontinence pant device that enables nurses and other caregivers to remove the pants in one piece without having to roll them down the body and risk making a mess. Further, there is a long-felt need in the art for an incontinence pant device that includes both clastic bands and hook and loop fasteners that help keep the pants secure while being worn. Moreover, there is a long-felt need in the art for a device that makes it much easier for disabled individuals to put on and take off their own pants. Further, there is a long-felt need in the art for an incontinence pant device that comprises a zipper to allow a user to easily remove or apply the pants, as needed. Finally, there is a long-felt need in the art for an incontinence pant device that can be manufactured as everyday wear for elderly, handicapped, and disabled people.

[0036] The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is a novel incontinence pant device. The device is a specialized pair of pants that allows caregivers to remove soiled pants more easily from a patient in a single piece. The incontinence pant device comprises a body component with two leg components. Further, the pant device features a zipper or other closure that can be undone to easily remove the pants in a single piece. Additionally, users can keep the pant device secure around their waist via an elastic band and hook and loop fasteners. Accordingly, if the pant device becomes soiled and needs to be removed from the patient, the caregiver may simply unzip the pant device and remove the pants in a single piece, without risk of an additional mess. The present invention also includes a novel method of removing a pair of pants as one piece without rolling the pants down. The method includes the steps of providing an incontinence pant device comprising a body component with two leg components, and a zipper extending from a waistband down each leg component. The method also comprises securing the incontinence pant device to a user via zipping the leg components around a user. Further, the method comprises once an unexpected accident occurs, unzipping the leg components via the zippers. Finally, the method comprises removing the pant device as one piece to reduce the mess of the unexpected accident.

[0037] Referring initially to the drawings, FIGS. 1-3 illustrate a perspective view of one embodiment of the incontinence pant device 100 of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the incontinence pant device 100 is an improved incontinence pant device 100 that provides users with a set of one-piece pants that can be easily applied and removed via a fastener. Specifically, the device 100 is a specialized pair of pants that allows caregivers to remove soiled pants more easily from a patient in a single piece. Further, the incontinence pant device 100 comprises a body component 102 with two leg components 104 and a zipper 106 or other closure that can be undone to easily remove the pants in a single piece. The zipper 106 typically extends from a waistband 108 down each leg component 104. Accordingly, if the pant device 100 becomes soiled and needs to be removed from the patient, the caregiver may simply unzip the pant device 100 and remove the pants in a single piece, without risk of an additional mess. Further, the pant device 100 can be manufactured as everyday wear for the elderly, disabled, and/or handicapped, as well as people with chronic diseases which cause unexpected accidents.

[0038] Accordingly, the incontinence pant device 100 is an integrated one-piece component. Specifically, the incontinence pant device 100 comprises a body component 102 with two leg components 104 terminating in respective lower ends 110. Each leg component 104 has a zipper 106 that is scalable or other suitable securing means as is known in the art. In an open position, the left leg component 104 has an open zipper 106 with two sides 112, while the right leg has an open zipper 106 with two sides 112. Thus, the pant device 100 has two long scalable openings 114, the first scalable opening 114 and the second scalable opening 114, one in each of the leg components 104. Both openings 114 run the entire length of the pant device 100 from the waistband 108 to the hems 116 of the legs. The long scalable openings 114 are constructed with two long zippers 106 (i.e., a zipper for the right leg and a zipper for the left leg). The openings 114 are closed when the two zippers 106 close. In one embodiment, some or all of the zippers 106 are water resistant or waterproof.

[0039] Furthermore, the body component 102 comprises a waistband 108. The waistband 108 is an elastic band 118 or elastic gathers to allow the waistband 108 to secure around a user's waist. In another embodiment, the waistband 108 also comprises hook and loop fasteners 120, or other suitable fasteners, secured to extension tabs 122 at opposing ends 124 to further secure the waistband 108 around a user's waist. For example, the fasteners can be any suitable fasteners found in apparel, such as snaps, hook and loops, grips, frog and lace, buckle, hook and eye, ladder lock, etc., depending on the needs and/or wants of a user. When the fastener is secured, a closed waistband 108 is formed.

[0040] In use, a user would wrap the waistband 108 around the waist of a user, fasten the hook and loop fasteners 120 to form a closed waistband loop. With the closed waistband 108 resting on the waist of the user, the user can now use both hands to zip up the leg components 104. Specifically, the left leg component 104 is closed by zipping the opening 114 from the waistband 108 all the way down to the left hem 116. Further, the right leg component 104 is closed by zipping the opening 114 from the waistband 108 all the way down to the right hem 116. The choice of closing either the right or left scalable opening 114 first may be switched, depending on the needs and/or wants of a user. In another embodiment, the closing of the sealable openings starts from the hem ends of the openings. In yet another embodiment, the closing of the scalable openings 114 may start from either the waistband 108 on the top or the hem 116 at the bottom. For example, double end opening zippers can be used to achieve this flexibility.

[0041] In this embodiment, the long scalable openings 114 are closed using zippers 106. In other embodiments, they can also be closed by other fasteners or arrays of other fasteners, for example, long strips of hook and loop fasteners, a long array of buttons and holes, a long array of hooks and eyes, etc., depending on the needs and/or wants of a user. Accordingly, putting on the pant device 100 allows both feet of the user to remain on the floor throughout the whole process, if necessary. Thus, the user does not need to balance his/her body on a single foot while lifting and putting the other foot into a long tube of conventional pants. The user can also keep shoes, boots, or slippers on during the whole process. It also allows a caregiver or other helper to remove the pant device 100 with ease in one piece, and with no risk of having to roll the pants down and create more of a mess during an unexpected accident. Thus, the removal process may be a reverse of the above process and retains the same advantages.

[0042] In another embodiment, shown in FIG. 3, each leg component 104 of the pant device 100 has a releasable seam 126, respectively, along the outside thereof. That is, each leg component 104 of the pant device 100 is openable along a seam 126 extending from the bottom end of the leg upwardly, preferably clear to the waist. Each such seam 126 comprises a first part 128 which overlaps a second part 130 to close the seam 126. As explained hereafter, fasteners are provided to hold the first part 128 to the second part 130 and thereby close the seam 126. Preferably, the first 128 and second 130 parts of the seams 126 are reinforced with one or more additional layers of a suitable material, as is commonly understood in the clothing industry, so as to prevent tearing when the pant device 100 is opened and to provide a foundation for mounting fasteners.

[0043] A plurality of hook and loop fastener segments 132 or their equivalent, are disposed at intervals along each seam 126 from the bottom end of the leg to the waist. Each such fastener segment 132 has a hook portion, preferably mounted on the inside of the first part 128 of each seam 126, and a loop portion, preferably mounted on the outside of the second part 130 of each seam 126. Such fasteners 132 are marketed under the trademark, VELCRO?. Thus, the pants can be worn by a user by fastening corresponding hook and loop portions 132 of the fasteners together with the legs of the pants wrapped around the legs of the user. When the pant device 100 is to be removed, the front waist adjacent the top of a seam 126 is simply pulled away from the back waist, which causes the fasteners 132 to release, ordinarily in sequence from the top to the bottom of the scam 126.

[0044] Preferably, the lowest fasteners 132 on each leg are chosen to offer less resistance to force than the higher fasteners 132, so as to release more readily. This is because the force to release the pants is applied at the waistband 108, some distance from the bottom 110 of the pants, which makes application of the same force at the bottom 110 as at the top 108 difficult and which minimizes stretching of the fabric. It has been found that the fasteners 132 will perform well if they all offer the same resistance to release, though they may be chosen to have increasing resistance from the bottom 110 to the top (i.e., waistband 108) with some advantage gained. However, the top fasteners 132 preferably have greater resistance than the bottom fasteners 132, so as to ensure that the waistband 108 does not release inadvertently.

[0045] In use, to reattach the pant device 100 on a person without having to pass feet and dirty shoes through the legs, the fabric can simply be draped around the legs and the hook and loop surfaces 132 can easily be mated by sliding a hand along the outside of the seam 126. Only slight pressure is required to obtain closure and, in contrast to buttons, snaps, or zippers, the alignment need not be exact to accomplish closure.

[0046] Generally, the positions of the scalable openings 114 are symmetric to each other and roughly at the front center of each leg component 104. The symmetry is conducive to aesthetics, but not required. The front center of the leg position makes it convenient and comfortable for the user to close the scalable openings 114 without too much twist of his/her body. In another embodiment, the openings 114 can be at the outseam position of the leg component 104. The outseam position moves the opening 114 to a less visible position and has a more conventional look. The outseam position also mitigates the bending of the opening 114 when the leg bends. It can also reduce the contact between the opening 114 and the knee when the leg bends. It also allows the knee areas to have extra reinforcement patches to enhance the durability of the pants. In another embodiment, the openings 114 are not symmetric to each other. This makes it easier for each side to accommodate its own accessories, such as pockets.

[0047] In one embodiment, the pant device 100 does not necessarily cover the legs down to the ankle area. It may be shorter. In an embodiment, it covers from the waist down to a position that passes the knee and is above the shin. In another embodiment, it covers from the waist down to the mid of the thighs. Generally, the pant device 100 can be any suitable shape and size as is known in the art, depending on the needs and/or wants of a user.

[0048] Furthermore, the hook and loop fasteners 120 and elastic band 118 provide redundancy, allowing the pants to function properly when one of the fasteners fails. It is clear that other combinations of fasteners, or other numbers of fasteners, are within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Further, the adjustment of waistband size is important to accommodate a range of waist sizes, of both different users and the same user at different times. In one embodiment, the backside of the waistband 108 is an elastic band 118. The elastic band 118 allows automatic adjustment of the waistband size to fit the user. The left and/or right side 124 of the waistband 108 has a hook and loop fastener 120 that can be used to adjust the waistband size. The hook and loop fasteners 120 have the benefit of good conformation of the waistband 108 after adjustment. The adjustment of the waistband 108 is usually done after the first time putting on the pants. Once the waistband size is appropriately adjusted, a user usually does not need to adjust it again unless his/her waist size changes substantially.

[0049] In one embodiment, the hem 116 has a channel with an adjustment device. This adjustment device can tighten the hem 116 as needed. In one implementation, this device is a cord lock and an elastic cord enclosing the hem 116 inside a channel. In another embodiment, elastic material is disposed within gathers around the waist of the pants, and in gathers around each of the ankles, respectively. This permits the pant device 100 to be adjusted snugly, yet comfortably to the size of the user.

[0050] Many fabrics could be used to make the pant device 100 in the present disclosure. These fabrics include what are used in normal pants, including fabrics made of natural and synthetic fibers, such as cotton, polyester, nylon, etc. The fabrics could be chosen based on the applications of the pants. For example, wind pants may choose windproof fabrics and utility pants that are subjected to frequent wear and tear may choose strong fabrics, such as nylon, etc. However, other material may be used, particularly where the pants are adapted for use by persons having a physical infirmity, disability, handicap, etc. Additionally, the pant device 100 is manufactured of a suitable material, such that the device 100 is washable and easily laundered for repeat wear. In one embodiment, the pant device 100 can be manufactured of a material to make the pants disposable. Accordingly, the pant device 100 can be disposed of after an unexpected accident has occurred.

[0051] Furthermore, the pant device 100 can be available in different sizes and shapes, depending on the needs and/or wants of a user. Thus, many styles of pants could be made in accordance with the present disclosure. These include, but are not limited to, jeans, wind pants, utility pants, dress pants, etc. The different styles of pants may choose the cut, pockets, and accessories that are appropriate for their applications.

[0052] In yet another embodiment, the incontinence pant device 100 comprises a plurality of indicia 134. The body component 102 and the leg components 104 of the device 100 may include advertising, trademark, other letters, designs, or characters, printed, painted, stamped, or integrated into the body component 102 or leg components 104, or any other indicia 134 as is known in the art. Specifically, any suitable indicia 134 as is known in the art can be included, such as, but not limited to, patterns, logos, emblems, images, symbols, designs, letters, words, characters, animals, advertisements, brands, etc., that may or may not be clothes or brand related.

[0053] FIG. 4 illustrates a flowchart of the method of removing a pair of pants as one piece without rolling the pants down. The method includes the steps of at 400, providing an incontinence pant device comprising a body component with two leg components, and a zipper extending from a waistband down each leg component. The method also comprises at 402, securing the incontinence pant device to a user via zipping the leg components around a user. Further, the method comprises at 404, once an unexpected accident occurs, unzipping the leg components via the zippers. Finally, the method comprises at 406, removing the pant device as one piece to reduce the mess of the unexpected accident.

[0054] 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 users 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 incontinence pant device, pant device, and device are interchangeable and refer to the incontinence pant device 100 of the present invention.

[0055] Notwithstanding the foregoing, the incontinence pant device 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 incontinence pant device 100 as shown in FIGS. 1-4 are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the incontinence pant device 100 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the incontinence pant device 100 are important design parameters for user convenience, the incontinence pant device 100 may be of any size that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user's needs and/or preferences.

[0056] 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.

[0057] 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.