US20060005301A1

US20060005301A1 - Breathable underwear

Info

Publication number: US20060005301A1
Application number: US10/889,392
Authority: US
Inventors: Richard Taylor
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-07-12
Filing date: 2004-07-12
Publication date: 2006-01-12

Abstract

Breathable underwear for men that has an open weave netting, similar to that found in men's bathing trunks, as the sole crotch material. The small holes in this open weave netting encourages air circulation, lowers the temperature to which the testes, groin and pubic area are subjected, thereby facilitating heat dissipation, reducing perspiration and wetness, and increasing the comfort of the wearer.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to articles of apparel, and in particular to men's underwear.
Certain areas of the body where skin-to-skin contact is fairly constant are very susceptible to aggravation from heat and moisture due to perspiration. Moisture retention and lack of air flow in the groin area of men may produce itching, rashes, offensive body odor, and provides an excellent breeding ground for fungus. This moisture may cause or aggravate a condition commonly known as jock itch. Overheating of the testes can also cause a decrease in the rate and quality of sperm production.
Much of the prior art has been directed toward athletes and athletic wear, but the itching and other discomforts associated with overheating in the groin area affect many people, not only athletes. Wearing layers of clothing, i.e., trousers or shorts and underwear on a warm day or during periods of moderate activity in hot, humid conditions can be quite uncomfortable. Just being seated for hours at a time can all but eliminate air flow, causing overheating of the pubic synthesis, crotch, groin and testes. Some men find the discomfort so great as to abandon the wearing of underwear altogether to find relief.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to provide underwear which provides increased air circulation to the crotch, reducing the temperature of the groin, testicular and pubic areas, thereby providing a higher lever of comfort for the wearer in addition to a dryer, healthier groin environment. Unlike much of the prior art which teaches an inner and an outer crotch panel, the present invention teaches a single crotch panel of open weave fabric, similar to that of men's swimsuit netting, for optimal air flow. This open weave netting will facilitate greater heat dissipation, lower the temperature to which the testes are subjected and provide optimal thermoregulation As used herein, the term “underwear” is intended to encompass shorts, drawers, jockey shorts, briefs, long underwear, boxer shorts, skivvies and variations thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 shows the anterior view of the preferred breathable underwear in a button-fly, long-legged jockey style.
FIG. 2 shows an anterior view of a section of the crotch panel in FIG. 1 in which three edges of the panel are visible.
FIG. 3 shows a close up example of a fabric that may be used for the crotch panel.
FIG. 4 shows a posterior view of a section of the crotch panel in FIG. 1 in which three edges of the panel are visible.
FIG. 5 shows the anterior view of the invention in a horizontal-fly, short-legged jockey style.
FIG. 6 shows the posterior view of the invention in a brief style on a male wearer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows the anterior side 3 of a pair of preferred breathable underwear 2 in a long-legged jockey style with a button-fly 5. The open weave netting of the crotch panel 1 is stitched securely on all sides 11, 12, and 13 to the main body of the garment 9. The elastic waistband 6 encircles the abdomen.
FIG. 2 shows the anterior view 3 of a section of the crotch panel 1. The crotch panel 1 is stitched securely to the main body of the garment 9 on the three visible sides 11, 12, and 13 and on the remaining side 14 shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 4 shows male wearer 8 in the prone position with a section of the crotch panel 1 visible. FIGS. 2 AND 4 illustrate the manner in which the open weave fabric and the placement of the crotch panel 1 allow air to circulate to the pubic area, groin, testes and in part to the gluteal cleft 10, thereby facilitating greater heat dissipation.
FIG. 5 shows the anterior side 3 of the invention in a short-legged jockey style with a horizontal flap opening 7. The open weave netting of the crotch panel 1 extends high over the pubic area right up to the flap opening 7 and becomes part of the fly structure. The crotch panel 1 is stitched securely to the main body 9 of the garment on all sides except where the flap opening 7 occurs. On this edge 15, the crotch panel 1 is seamed to prevent raveling. If the flap opening 7 is on the side and is vertical instead of horizontal, the crotch panel 1 would be stitched to the main body in the same way, except that the seamed flap opening edge would be on either side and would be vertical instead of horizontal.
FIG.6 shows the posterior side 4 of the preferred breathable underwear 2 shown on a male wearer 8. The underwear 2 are in a brief style with the open weave netting of the crotch panel 1 extending in part over the gluteal cleavage 10 to insure maximum air flow from front to back. The crotch panel side 14 is stitched securely to the main body 9 regardless of the style of the fly.
FIG.3 shows an enlarged view of the fabric that may be used in the crotch panel 1. A soft, open-weave fabric, such as that used for men's swimming trunk netting, is ideal. The holes should have a diameter of at least 1/16 inch and there should be approximately 70 holes in a square inch.
Much of the prior art has been directed toward athletes and has incorporated an inner and an outer layer for the sake of modesty and aesthetics, but the present invention chooses comfort over these two attributes because underwear is meant in fact, to be worn underneath other garments. Additionally, the size of the holes in the crotch panel's fabric is small enough to protect the wearer's modesty. The color chosen for the crotch panel 1 can further support the wearer's modesty and aesthetic sensibilities.
The present invention allows air circulation to the groin and crotch facilitating heat dissipation, thereby lowering the temperature to which the testes are subjected, reducing amounts of perspiration and wetness, providing a dryer, healthier crotch environment and increasing the comfort of the wearer.
It is to be understood that the foregoing detailed description and the accompanying drawings relate to preferred embodiments of the present invention. Various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus by way of example and not of limitation, the present invention is applicable to all types and styles of men's underwear, simply by replacing the current crotch fabric with an open weave netting fabric containing holes for increased air circulation.

Claims

1. Men's underwear having an elastic waistband, a main body area and a crotch area in which said main body area is formed of natural fibers such as cotton or synthetic fibers, or various blends of natural and synthetic fibers and crotch area is formed of an open weave netting fabric, such as that used in men's swimming trunks, constituting means for permitting air circulation to said crotch area.

2. Underwear as described in claim 1 in which crotch panel is stitched to said main garment along all edges of said crotch panel in order to prevent unraveling of said crotch panel.

3. Underwear as described in claim 1 in which the crotch panel is stitched to said main garment along three edges of said crotch panel with fourth edge seamed to prevent unraveling in case of top (horizontal) opening.

4. Underwear as described in claim 1 in which the crotch panel is stitched to said main garment along three edges of said crotch panel with remaining edges seamed to prevent unraveling in case of side (vertical) opening.

5. Underwear as described in claim 1 in which the crotch panel is stitched to said main garment along three edges of said crotch panel with remaining edges seamed to prevent unraveling in case of two side (vertical) openings.

6. Underwear as described in claim 1 in which the crotch panel is stitched to said main garment along all edges of said crotch panel with opening in center of crotch panel. Opening edges will be stitched to prevent unraveling.

7. Underwear as described in claim 1 in which crotch panel is of a different color than the main garment.

8. Underwear as described in claim 1 in which crotch panel is of the same color as the main garment.

9. Underwear as described in claim 1 in which said garment is a pair of men's long leg jockeys.

10. Underwear as described in claim 1 in which said garment is a pair of men's short leg jockeys.

11. Underwear as described in claim 1 in which said garment is a pair of men's briefs.