US20030229933A1

US20030229933A1 - Fem

Info

Publication number: US20030229933A1
Application number: US10/167,495
Authority: US
Inventors: Georgina Nelson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-04-10
Filing date: 2002-06-13
Publication date: 2003-12-18
Also published as: CA2377021C; CA2377021A1

Abstract

Currently, the undergarments used for urinary incontinence are belted and/or bulky and require constant changes. Fem is an undergarment that is form fitted, prevents leakage and require none other that usual daily changes.

This new concept is an invention designed to prevent leakage unlike today's garments, which are designed as receptacles. The way this unit works is that the thong section of the garment puts pressure on the urethra and arrests any leakage. The garment is designed to be light, comfortable, and efficient. Because of its stretch composition, it will conform readily to bodily movements creating an exciting sense of confidence and freedom.

It must be stressed that this garment does not obstruct, impede, nor impair the calls or demands of Mother Nature.

For those who require this item, this garment will certainly change their lives.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

The invention is a garment designed for women who suffer from urinary incontinence. Unlike anything on the market, this garment, rather than act as a receptacle, prevents leakage of urine. The stretch garment is comprised of two [triangles] with a thong extension. The thong here is an elongated strip of fabric situated at the crotch and is an extension of each triangle. When these two pieces are sewn together and a waistband attached, the garment resembles a diminished bikini. When worn, the combination of the triangles, lycra and the thong creates pressure on the urethra and subsequently prohibits the leakage of urine.

To create this garment, prepare a pattern using the dimensions given in the drawing. Place the pattern on the appropriate stretch fabric and cut out one back and one front. With wrong sides together sew the thong first (D). This seam will be on the outside. The other two will be on the inside. A zigzag stitch or small serge works perfect for these applications. Sew the side seams next. Then using a zigzag stitch, attach the leg banding, without stretching either the garment or the banding. Finally, attach the non-roll elastic waistband which will have to be stretched a little to compensate for the difference in length.

Primarily, fem is designed for the active woman I today's society. Use of fem is unlimited. Perfect for walking, jogging, running, or doing a thousand things that must be done in a day. Lightweight, travels easy, it can be worn for hours, anywhere, anytime, with complete and total confidence.

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

Not applicable

BACKCROUND OF THE INVENTION

Urinary incontinence is a major health issue for millions of women all over the world. Conventional designs to facilitate the problem of bladder control garments have been adequate, however, they do not provide for the freedom necessary for today's active woman.

There are many different moisture absorbing incontinent products on the market today. They vary in structure and design. Primarily, they all have a single purpose, and that is to act as a receptacle. There are both the disposable, and the washable reusable. (The shells only are washable0.

Disposable products include liners, pads, and shields. Belted undergarments, briefs, washable reusable, vary in construction. Some have waterproof shells, centre panels, snaps, and Velcro closures and have different ways of attaching disposable liners or pads. Essentially, most all have the criteria of a diaper as the basic and standard product.

Inconveniences of the above are described as follow:



Non-active sport or exercise partaker	Subject to odour
Predictable embarrassment situations	Cost is very high
Restricted to loose type clothing	Subject to leakage
Drastic environmental consequences	Unseasonably bulky
A constant personal awareness	Predictable pit stops
Need for frequent changes	Subject to skin irritation
Lacks all around wash and wear qualities

All of these inconveniences are completely eliminated by the adoption of fem.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Fem is an extremely simple and unique garment, used for bladder control. The lycra gives the garment a resilience, which in turn allows the thong portion of the garment to effect pressure on the urethra and subsequently arrests the leakage of urine. Because the leakage is arrested, there is no need for additional paraphernalia. And because there are no belts pads, liners, or briefs, all the inconveniences aforementioned are eliminated.

Advantages fem has over the current products on the market today include:



Simplicity	Superior Performance
Reusability	No Leakage
Easy to Launder	Practically Invisible
Lightweight	Elated sense of freedom
Long Wearing	Restores Dignity
Freedom to Laugh, Cough, or Sneeze
Completely precludes ‘incidents’ while
walking, jogging, or exercising.

The object of this invention is to not only make life a whole lot easier for women with this affliction but to restore a dignity that is list with the encumbrance of bulky undergarments.

Aside from the advantages, in the case of securing menstrual pads or medical applications this garment is singularly effective.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF VIEW OF DRAWING

Included is just one simple drawing and it is reasonable simple. [0016]
A denotes the front of the garment (FIG [0017] 1)
A* denotes the back of the garment (FIG [0018] 2)
B is the side and will be the side seam [0019]
C is the other side and will also be a seam [0020]
D is the thong portion of the garment and there is a seam have [0021]
E is the leg opening, which will be covered with fold over elastic [0022]
R is the radius of the leg opening. [0023]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Fem is a garment designed to alleviate the problems that worry women who suffer form incontinence. [0024]
The garment is simply structured, light in weight and composed of a four way stretch fabric. It can be worn anytime without sacrificing dignity or decorum. [0025]
The distinguishing feature of the invention is the ‘wrap-around’ thong, which, depending on size average four to six inches long. [0026]
Basically, the garment is comprised of two triangles with a thong extension. The thong is an elongated strip of fabric one half inch wide made with lycra as the rest of the garment. The lycra gives the garment a resilience, which in turn allows the thong portion of the garment to effect pressure on the urethra, which then arrests any leakage of urine. [0027]
To create this garment, prepare a pattern using the dimensions given in the drawing. Place the pattern on the appropriate stretch fabric and cut out one back and one front. With wrong sides together sew the thong first (D). This seam will be on the outside. The other two will be on the inside. Sew the side seams next. Then using a zigzag stitch, attach the leg banding without stretching either the garment of banding. Finally, attach the elastic non-roll waistband which will have to be stretched a little to compensate for the two inch difference in length. [0028]
Incidentally, the correct way of donning this garment is with the larger piece in front. With the smaller piece in back, it will maintain a continual stretch. It should be noted that on the onset fem may feel a little alien, but the relief experienced from the certainty that the garment is effective is so overwhelming that the minor initial discomfort is forgotten. [0029]
Use to this garment will become as natural as donning daily personal undergarments. The improvement from the old way is singularly a totally new and different concept of protection. The old way acted as a receptacle, the new invention does not. [0030]

Claims

1. In the case of urinary control, this garment will prohibit the leakage of urine.

The elasticized wrap-around thong is the primary feature of this design and the reason that it works. The thong, when comprised as an extension of the [triangles], constructed with the appropriate stretch fabrics, becomes a restraining force when outfitted. (One triangle pulls against the other). Subsequently, the restraint puts pressure on the urethra and arrests any leakage.