GB2446448A

GB2446448A - Underarm perspiration control device

Info

Publication number: GB2446448A
Application number: GB0702323A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Darren Jon Chant
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-02-07
Filing date: 2007-02-07
Publication date: 2008-08-13
Also published as: GB0702323D0; WO2008096173A3; WO2008096173A2

Abstract

An underarm perspiration control device comprises an absorbent pad 12 of a size and shape such that, in use, it substantially covers the underarm area of the wearer. The pad 12 is impregnated with a deodorising fluid or granules. Four adhesive fixing members 14, 16, 18, 20 extend outwardly from the edge of the pad 12 for respectively engaging the wearer's shoulder generally at the anterior and posterior side of their arm, and the wearer's torso at the sides towards the rear and front.

Description

UNDERARM PERSPIRATION CONTROL DEVICE

The invention relates to an underarm perspiration control means.

There are many situations in which it is desirable to prevent the appearance of underarm perspiration. This is generally achieved by the use of a topically applied underarm anti-perspirant/antiperspirant deodorant. However, there are many individuals who are allergic to such anti-perspirants or who do not wish to use an anti-perspirant. In addition some individuals suffer from excessive production of underarm perspiration, which cannot be adequately controlled using a topical anti-perspirant. A solution to this problem which has been proposed is the location of absorbing material in the underarm area, to absorb perspiration.

One proposed device comprises a device having an outer annular absorbent area around which an adhesive strip is provided for attaching the device to the wearer's underarm, while an alternative proposed device comprises a pad of absorbing material having longitudinally extending adhesive wings. These prior art devices suffer from various problems, including the possibility of the device being adhered to the underarm hair of the wearer, and the adhesive coming unstuck during use due to movement of the wearer's arm.

According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided an underarm perspiration control device comprising: a perspiration absorption member is of a size and shape such that, in use, it substantially covers the underarm area of the wearer and four fixing members for fixing the perspiration absorption member in position across the underarm, each fixing member extending outwardly from the edge of the absorption member and the fixing members being provided at four spaced locations around the edge of the absorption member, the first fixing member being arranged for fixing to the wearer's shoulder generally at the anterior side of their arm, the second fixing member being arranged for fixing to the wearer's shoulder generally at the posterior side of their arm, the third fixing member being arranged for fixing to the wearer's torso at the side towards the rear, and the fourth fixing member being arranged for fixing to the wearer's torso at the side towards the front.

The four fixing members are therefore provided away from the areas of the wearer's body and of the perspiration absorption member that stretch and/or crease during wear as a result of the movement of the wearer.

The perspiration absorption member is preferably of a size and shape such that, in use, it covers all of the apocrine sweat glands of the wearer. The perspiration absorption member is preferably of a complementary shape to the underarm area, such that the perspiration absorption member is not visible when the wearer's arm is lowered, by their side.

The perspiration absorption member preferably comprises a pad of an absorbing material. The pad may be impregnated with deodorant, such as a deodorising fluid.

The pad may alternatively or additionally incorporate a deodorising material, which may be provided as a sheet on or within the pad or granules provided within the pad.

The provision of deodorant within the pad ensures that sweat absorbed within the pad does not result in the formation of body odour.

The pad may be provided within a fluid permeable outer cover. The fixing members may be attached to the pad. The fixing members may alternatively or additionally be attached to the cover member.

Each fixing member preferably comprises a strip of flexible material having contact adhesive provided towards its distal end. A removable adhesive cover strip is preferably provided over the contact adhesive on each fixing member, the cover strip being removed prior to use to expose the contact adhesive.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described in detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic representation of an underarm perspiration control device according to an embodiment of the invention; and Figure 2 shows the device of Figure 1 located within its in use position across a wearer's underarm.

Referring to the drawings, an embodiment of the invention provides an underarm perspiration control device 10 comprising a perspiration absorption member 12 and four fixing members 14, 16, 18, 20.

In this example the perspiration control device 10 comprises a substantially oval shaped pad of sweat absorbing material. The size of the oval shaped pad 12 is large enough to cover all of the underarm apocrine sweat glands, but is small enough such that the pad 12 is fully concealed between the wearer's arm and torso when their arm is down. The size of the perspiration control device 10 therefore ensures that any underarm sweat produced by the wearer will be caught by the device 10, but no areas of the pad 12 will be visible during the majority of normal movement of the wearer, thereby avoiding any potential embarrassment to the wearer.

The pad 12 is impregnated with deodorising fluid. This ensures that any sweat absorbed by the pad 12 does not result in the production of body odour during prolonged use of the perspiration control device 10.

The fixing members 14, 16, 18, 20 are each attached at one end to the absorbing pad 12. Each fixing member 14, 16, 18, 20 comprises a flexible fabric strip 16a (only the elements of the second fixing member 16 are shown for clartity) attached at one end to the absorbing pad 12. Contact adhesive is provided on one side of the fabric strip 16a by which the fixing members 14, 16, 18, 20 may be stuck to the wearer's skin, as will be described further below. A removable cover strip 16b is provided over the contact adhesive on each fixing member 14, 16, 18, 20 to protect the contact adhesive prior to use of the perspiration control device 10.

The fixing members 14, 16, 18, 20 are provided at four spaced locations around the edge of the absorbing pad 12, two towards each end of the pad 12. As shown in Figure 2, the first fixing member 14 is arranged for fixing to the wearer's shoulder generally at the anterior side of their arm, the second fixing member 16 is arranged for fixing to the wearer's shoulder generally at the posterior side of their arm, the third fixing member 18 is arranged for fixing to the wearer's torso at the side towards the rear, and the fourth fixing member 20 is arranged for fixing to the wearer's torso at the side towards the front.

In use, the wearer removes the cover strips 16b from the fixing members 14, 16, 18, 20, places the absorbing pad 12 across and into contact with their underarm, and presses each fixing member 14, 16, 18, 20 onto their skin, thereby attaching the fixing members 14, 16, 18, 20 to their skin and securing the absorbing pad 12 in place.

The attachment locations of the fixing members 14, 16, 18, 20 ensures that they are located away from the regions of the wearer's skin which stretch and compress during movement, and away from the central area (indicated generally at 22) of the pad 12 which will crease and stretch during wear. The attachment locations are also away from the region of underarm hair. A comfortable and reliable attachment of the perspiration control device 10 to the wearer is thereby achieved, and the risk of detachment of one or more of the fixing members 14, 16, 18, 20 during the wearing of the device 10 is greatly reduced compared to known devices.

It will be appreciated that relative size of the absorbing pad will vary from user to user, and perspiration control devices may therefore be provided having different sized absorbing pads. Different shaped absorbing pads may also be provided. It will also be appreciated that the location of the fixing members may be different to that shown, and a greater number of fixing members may be provided, although it will be understood that the number of fixing members which can be provided is limited by the edge length of the absorbing pad and the desire to keep the creasing area free from fixing members. The fixing members may also have a different relative width and length to those shown.

Claims

1. According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided an underarm perspiration control device comprising: a perspiration absorption member is of a size and shape such that, in use, it substantially covers the underarm area of the wearer; and four fixing members for fixing the perspiration absorption member in position across the underarm, each fixing member extending outwardly from the edge of the absorption member and the fixing members being provided at four spaced locations around the edge of the absorption member, the first fixing member being arranged for fixing to the wearer's shoulder generally at the anterior side of their arm, the second fixing member being arranged for fixing to the wearer's shoulder generally at the posterior side of their arm, the third fixing member being arranged for fixing to the wearer's torso at the side towards the rear, and the fourth fixing member being arranged for fixing to the wearer's torso at the side towards the front.

2. An underarm perspiration control device as claimed in claim 1, in which the absorption member is of a size and shape such that, in use, it covers all of the apocrine sweat glands of the wearer.

3. An underarm perspiration control device as claimed in claims 1 or 2, in which the perspiration absorption member is of a complementary shape to the underarm area, such that the perspiration absorption member is not visible when the wearer's arm is lowered, by their side.

4. An underarm perspiration control device as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the perspiration absorption member comprises a pad of an absorbing material.

5. An underarm perspiration control device as claimed in daim 4, in which the pad is impregnated with deodorant. t.

6. An underarm perspiration control device as claimed in claim 5, in which the deodorant is a deodorising fluid.

7. An underarm perspiration control device as claimed in claim 4, in which the pad incorporates a deodorising material.

8. An underarm perspiration control device as claimed in claim 7, in which the deodorising material is a sheet provided on or within the pad.

9. An underarm perspiration control device as claimed in claim 7, in which the deodorising material comprises granules provided within the pad.

10. An underarm perspiration control device as claimed in any of claims 4 to 9, in which the fixing members are attached to the pad.

11. An underarm perspiration control device as claimed in any of claims 4 to 10, in which the pad comprises a fluid permeable outer cover.

12. An underarm perspiration control device as claimed in claim 11, in which the fixing members are attached to the cover.

13. An underarm perspiration control device as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the fixing member comprises a strip of flexible material having contact adhesive provided towards its distal end.

14. An underarm perspiration control device as claimed in claim 7, in which a removable adhesive cover strip is provided over the contact adhesive on each fixing member.

15. An underarm perspiration control device substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.