US20240225138A9

US20240225138A9 - Heat Absorbing Undergarment Device And Method Of Use

Info

Publication number: US20240225138A9
Application number: US17/969,224
Authority: US
Inventors: Laura Bourgeois
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2022-10-19
Filing date: 2022-10-19
Publication date: 2024-07-11
Also published as: US20240130444A1

Abstract

A heat absorbing undergarment device for limiting perspiration and reducing a risk of a yeast infection includes a brassiere. A tube is attached to a band of the brassiere and extends substantially along and proximate to an intersection that is defined by the band and a pair of cups of the brassiere. The tube, which is closed ended, is positioned between the breasts and the torso of the user upon donning of the brassiere. A substance having a latent heat of fusion which is equal to or greater than that of water is positioned in and substantially occupies the tube. The substance is substantially fused upon positioning of the brassiere in a freezer. Upon donning of the brassiere by the user, the substance absorbs heat from an area proximate to the intersection, thereby limiting perspiration and reducing a risk of a yeast infection.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not Applicable

INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC OR AS A TEXT FILE VIA THE OFFICE ELECTRONIC FILING SYSTEM

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR OR JOINT INVENTOR

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(1) Field of the Invention

The disclosure relates to undergarment devices and more particularly pertains to a new undergarment device for limiting perspiration and reducing a risk of a yeast infection. The present invention discloses an undergarment device having a gel filled tube cooling gel integrated into a band of the undergarment so that it is positioned to cool an area between the breasts and torso of a user.

(2) Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98

The prior art relates to undergarment devices. The prior art does not teach an undergarment device comprising a brassiere having a gel filled tube integrated into its band so that the tube is positioned to cool an area between the breasts and torso of a user. Related prior art comprises gel packs that are designed for insertion between a cup of a brassiere and a breast of a user, nursing brassieres with pockets for insertion of gel packs, liners attachable to brassieres for absorbing perspiration, brassieres comprising layers of moisture wicking and moisture absorbent fabrics, and brassieres with viscoelastic coving their underwires.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the disclosure meets the needs presented above by generally comprising a brassiere, which in turn comprises a band and a pair of cups. The band is configured to be positioned around a torso of a user so that the band is positioned below and proximate to breasts of the user. The pair of cups is attached to and extends from the band. Each cup is configured to support and at least partially cover an associated breast. A tube is attached to the band and extends substantially along and proximate to an intersection that is defined by the band and the pair of cups. The tube, which is closed ended, is positioned between the breasts and the torso of the user upon donning of the brassiere. A substance having a latent heat of fusion which is equal to or greater than that of water is positioned in and substantially occupies the tube. The brassiere is configured to be positioned in a freezer to substantially fuse the substance. The brassiere is configured to be donned by the user, wherein the substance is configured to absorb heat from an area proximate to the intersection, thereby limiting perspiration and reducing a risk of a yeast infection.
Another embodiment of the disclosure includes a method of limiting perspiration between a breast and a torso of a user. The method comprises a provision step, which entails providing a heat absorbing undergarment device, according to the disclosure above. A preparatory step of the method is positioning the brassiere in a freezer to substantially fuse the substance. A use step of the method is donning the brassier. An effective step of the method is allowing the substance to absorbing heat from an area proximate to the intersection, thereby limiting perspiration and reducing a risk of a yeast infection
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the disclosure in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the disclosure that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.
The objects of the disclosure, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the disclosure, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

The disclosure will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an in use view of a heat absorbing undergarment device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a front view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 5 is an in use view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram for a method utilizing an embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 6 thereof, a new undergarment device embodying the principles and concepts of an embodiment of the disclosure and generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described.
As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 6 , the heat absorbing undergarment device 10 generally comprises a brassiere 12, which in turn comprises a band 14 and a pair of cups 16. The band 14 is configured to be positioned around a torso of a user so that the band 14 is positioned below and proximate to breasts of the user. The pair of cups 16 is attached to and extends from the band 14. Each cup 16 is configured to support and at least partially cover an associated breast. The brassiere 12 of the heat absorbing undergarment device 10 also may comprise a pair of straps 18, with each strap 18 being attached to and extending between a respective cup 16 and a rear section 20 of the band 14. The strap is configured to be positioned over a respective shoulder of the user to support the respective cup 16 and an associated breast. A wide variety of other configurations of brassieres 12 are known in the prior art and are anticipated by the present invention.
A tube 22 is attached to the band 14 and extends substantially along and proximate to an intersection 24 that is defined by the band 14 and the pair of cups 16. The tube 22, which is closed ended, is positioned between the breasts and the torso of the user upon donning of the brassiere 12. As shown in FIG. 2 , the tube 22 may be one of a pair of tubes 22, with each tube 22 being attached to the band 14 so that the tube 22 is positioned between an associated breast and the torso of the user upon donning of the brassiere 12. The tube 22 has a cross-sectional profile 26 that is substantially circular, as shown in FIG. 4 , elliptical, ovoid, or the like. The tube 22 having a cross-sectional profile 26 that is rounded increases comfort for the user when wearing the brassiere 12. The tube 22 may be semi-rigid and serve to perform the function of an underwire.
A substance 28 having a latent heat of fusion which is equal to or greater than that of water is positioned in and substantially occupies the tube 22. The substance 28 may comprise water and also may comprise one or more of hydroxyethyl cellulose, sodium polyacrylate, vinyl-coated silica gel, or the like.
The heat absorbing undergarment device 10 also may include a sheath 30, which is attached to the band 14. The tube 22 is positioned in the sheath 30, which comprises fabric that is configured to wick moisture. As such, the sheath 30 is configured to absorb perspiration, thereby reducing discomfort to the user relative to prior art undergarment devices. The sheath 30 may comprise terrycloth, microfiber cloth, or the like. The sheath 30 also may comprise layered fabric or plated fabric so that an inner face 44 of the sheath 30 comprises cotton and an outer face 46 of the sheath 30 comprises one or more of polyester and polypropylene. The one or more of polyester and polypropylene wicks the perspiration from the user to the cotton, which absorbs the perspiration.
As shown in FIG. 5 , the brassiere 12 is configured to be positioned in a freezer 32 to substantially fuse the substance 28. The brassiere 12 is configured to be donned by the user, wherein the substance 28 is configured to absorb heat from an area proximate to the intersection 24, thereby limiting perspiration and reducing a risk of the user contracting a yeast infection.
In use, the heat absorbing undergarment device 10 enables a method of limiting perspiration between a breast and a torso of a user 34. The method 34 comprises a provision step 36, which entails providing a heat absorbing undergarment device 10, according to the specification above. A preparatory step 38 of the method 34 is positioning the brassiere 12 in a freezer 32 to substantially fuse the substance 28. A use step 40 of the method 34 is donning the brassier. An effective step 42 of the method 34 is allowing the substance 28 to absorbing heat from an area proximate to the intersection 24, thereby limiting perspiration and reducing a risk of a yeast infection.
With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of an embodiment enabled by the disclosure, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by an embodiment of the disclosure.
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the disclosure. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the disclosure to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the disclosure. In this patent document, the word “comprising” is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article “a” does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be only one of the elements.

Claims

I claim:

1. A heat absorbing undergarment device comprising:

a brassiere comprising:

a band configured to be positioned around a torso of a user, such that the band is positioned below and proximate to breasts of the user, and

a pair of cups attached to and extending from the band, wherein each cup is configured for supporting and at least partially covering an associated breast;

a tube attached to the band and extending substantially along and proximate to an intersection defined by the band and the pair of cups, such that the tube is positioned between the breasts and the torso of the user upon donning of the brassiere, the tube being closed ended; and

a substance positioned in and substantially occupying the tube, the substance having a latent heat of fusion which is equal to or greater than that of water, wherein the brassiere is configured for positioning in a freezer for substantially fusing the substance, wherein the brassiere is configured for being donned by the user, and wherein the substance is configured for absorbing heat from an area proximate to the intersection, thereby limiting perspiration and reducing a risk of a yeast infection.

2. The heat absorbing undergarment device of claim 1, further including the brassiere comprising a pair of straps, each strap being attached to and extending between a respective cup and a rear section of the band, wherein the strap is configured for positioning over a respective shoulder of the user for supporting the respective cup and an associated breast.

3. The heat absorbing undergarment device of claim 1, wherein the tube is one of a pair of tubes, each tube being attached to the band such that the tube is positioned between an associated breast and the torso of the user upon donning of the brassiere.

4. The heat absorbing undergarment device of claim 1, wherein the tube has a cross-sectional profile that is substantially circular.

5. The heat absorbing undergarment device of claim 1, wherein the substance comprises water.

6. The heat absorbing undergarment device of claim 5, wherein the substance comprises one or more of hydroxyethyl cellulose, sodium polyacrylate, and vinyl-coated silica gel.

7. The heat absorbing undergarment device of claim 1, further including a sheath attached to the band, the tube being positioned in the sheath, the sheath comprising fabric configured for wicking moisture, wherein the sheath is configured for absorbing perspiration.

8. The heat absorbing undergarment device of claim 7, wherein the sheath comprises terrycloth or microfiber cloth.

9. The heat absorbing undergarment device of claim 7, wherein the sheath comprises layered fabric or plated fabric, such that an inner face of the sheath comprises cotton and an outer face of the sheath comprises one or more of polyester and polypropylene.

10. A heat absorbing undergarment device comprising:

a brassiere comprising:

a band configured to be positioned around a torso of a user, such that the band is positioned below and proximate to breasts of the user,

a pair of cups attached to and extending from the band, wherein each cup is configured for supporting and at least partially covering an associated breast, and

a pair of straps, each strap being attached to and extending between a respective cup and a rear section of the band, wherein the strap is configured for positioning over a respective shoulder of the user for supporting the respective cup and an associated breast;

a tube attached to the band and extending substantially along and proximate to an intersection defined by the band and the pair of cups, such that the tube is positioned between the breasts and the torso of the user upon donning of the brassiere, the tube being closed ended, the tube being one of a pair of tubes, each tube being attached to the band such that the tube is positioned between an associated breast and the torso of the user upon donning of the brassiere, the tube having a cross-sectional profile that is substantially circular;

a substance positioned in and substantially occupying the tube, the substance having a latent heat of fusion which is equal to or greater than that of water, wherein the brassiere is configured for positioning in a freezer for substantially fusing the substance, wherein the brassiere is configured for being donned by the user, and wherein the substance is configured for absorbing heat from an area proximate to the intersection, thereby limiting perspiration and reducing a risk of a yeast infection, the substance comprising water, the substance comprising one or more of hydroxyethyl cellulose, sodium polyacrylate, and vinyl-coated silica gel; and

a sheath attached to the band, the tube being positioned in the sheath, the sheath comprising fabric configured for wicking moisture, wherein the sheath is configured for absorbing perspiration, the sheath comprising terrycloth or microfiber cloth.

11. The heat absorbing undergarment device of claim 10, wherein the sheath comprises layered fabric or plated fabric, such that an inner face of the sheath comprises cotton and an outer face of the sheath comprises one or more of polyester and polypropylene.

12. A method of limiting perspiration between a breast and a torso of a user comprising the steps of:

providing a heat absorbing undergarment device comprising:

a brassiere comprising:

a pair of cups attached to and extending from the band, wherein each cup is configured for supporting and at least partially covering an associated breast,

a tube attached to the band and extending substantially along and proximate to an intersection defined by the band and the pair of cups, such that the tube is positioned between the breasts and the torso of the user upon donning of the brassiere, the tube being closed ended, and

a substance positioned in and substantially occupying the tube, the substance having a latent heat of fusion which is equal to or greater than that of water;

positioning the brassiere in a freezer to substantially fuse the substance;

donning the brassier; and

allowing the substance to absorb heat from an area proximate to the intersection, thereby limiting perspiration and reducing a risk of a yeast infection.