WO2005120415A1

WO2005120415A1 - Moisture management garment

Info

Publication number: WO2005120415A1
Application number: PCT/US2004/017895
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mark Miskie
Original assignee: Arcus Medical, Llc
Priority date: 2004-06-04
Filing date: 2004-06-04
Publication date: 2005-12-22

Abstract

A moisture management garment (10) includes a garment shell (11) having a waistline (12), a front (14) and rear (15) joined to the waistline, a crotch area, and a pair of leg openings (17,18). An incontinence pad (20) is placed inside the garment shell (11) and adjacent the body of a user. The incontinence pad (20) is removably attached to the front (14) of the garment shell (11), such that the incontinence pad (20) extends from the front of the garment toward the rear, and substantially occupies the crotch area.

Description

MOISTURE MANAGEMENT GARMENT Technical Field and Background of the Invention This invention relates to a moisture management garment designed for both men and women, and incorporating an exchangeable and reusable incontinence pad applicable for managing light, moderate, and severe urinary incontinence. The invention is especially useful for controlling multiple instances of leakage. An estimated 19 million North American adults suffer urinary incontinence with severity ranging from partial to complete loss of bladder control. They may experience varying degrees of urine loss, and the incontinence may change over time. For example, some adults with light incontinence may leak a little when they laugh or cough, while others with heavy incontinence may be experience continuous leakage. No two cases are alike, and no two adults are affected by incontinence the same way. Incontinence is not an inevitable part of aging, and it is not a disease. In fact, in most cases, it is merely a symptom or side-effect of another medical condition. Male urinary incontinence may be caused by any number of health conditions including prostate surgery, neurologic disease or injury (Parkinson's disease, stroke or spinal cord injury), obstructed urination, and certain birth defects or chronic medical conditions such as diabetes. In many cases, incontinence can be cured and it can always be managed. Many women will experience periods of urinary incontinence caused by childbirth and menopause. Presently available commercial products address all levels of urinary incontinence. For moisture management undergarments, the market consists primarily of disposable diaper-type products and reusable cloth products. The present invention relates to reusable and launderable undergarments. Unlike competing products, the invention includes means for conveniently and securely incorporating a removable incontinence pad. The pad can be readily exchanged and replaced, and can be properly sized to best suit the needs of the particular wearer. The wearer is no longer required to purchase multiple sizes or variations of a more expensive undergarment in order to effectively manage changing levels of urinary incontinence. Moreover, by periodically replacing the incontinence pad, the invention substantially increases the useful life of the undergarment. Summary of Invention Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide a moisture management garment with means for conveniently attaching an exchangeable incontinence pad. It is another object of the invention to provide a moisture management garment adapted for carrying one of a variety of different incontinence pads designed for managing light, moderate, and severe incontinence. It is another object of the invention to provide a moisture management garment which is launderable and reusable. It is another object of the invention to provide a moisture management garment which resembles a conventional men's or women's undergarment. It is another object of the invention to provide a moisture management garment which is designed to handle multiple instances of minor to heavy leakage. It is another object of the invention to provide a moisture management garment which is comfortable. It is another object of the invention to provide a moisture management garment which is designed for long periods of continuous wear. It is another object of the invention to provide a moisture management garment which quickly and effectively moves moisture away from the body of the wearer. It is another object of the invention to provide a moisture management garment which effectively absorbs and contains leakage without staining outer clothing and bed sheets. It is another object of the invention to provide a moisture management garment which allows interchangeability of various size incontinence pads to suit the particular wearer. These and other objects of the present invention are achieved in the preferred embodiments disclosed below by providing a moisture management garment. The garment includes a garment shell having a waistline, a front and rear joined to the waistline, a crotch area, and a pair of leg openings. An incontinence pad is placed inside the garment shell and adjacent the body of a user. Means are formed with the garment shell for removably attaching the incontinence pad to the front of the garment shell, such that the incontinence pad extends from the front of the garment toward the rear, and substantially occupies the crotch area. The "crotch area" of the garment is defined as that area extending generally between a mid-point of the front and the mid-point of the rear. According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the means for removably attaching includes a fastener flap sewn to the front of the garment shell. According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the fastener flap and incontinence pad have complementary mating fasteners adapted for removably attaching the incontinence pad to the garment shell. Preferably, the complementary fasteners are hook and loop fasteners. According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the complementary fasteners are snap fasteners. According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the means for removably attaching includes a fastener flap sewn to the rear of the garment shell. According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the incontinence pad includes a multi-layer fabric composite positioned within a liquid impermeable jacket. According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the fabric composite includes a plurality of overlying absorbent layers having respective first and second opposing end edges and first and second opposing side edges. The adsorbent layers are substantially unattached to one another along a portion of at least one of respective first and second side edges and first and second end edges to promote air circulation between the layers. The term "substantially unattached" as used herein means unattached along more than 50% of the entire length of a single side edge or end edge, and preferably, more than 80% of the entire length of the side edge or end edge. According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the jacket defines an open moisture entry zone communicating with a portion of the fabric composite, whereby moisture is received through the entry zone and into the fabric composite for transport away from the body of the user. According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the fabric composite has a fixed end secured to the jacket and a free end opposite the fixed end. According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the jacket has a lateral pocket for receiving the free end of the fabric composite. According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, means are provided for releasably attaching the free end of the fabric composite inside the pocket of the jacket, such that the fabric composite is removable from the pocket and extendable outwardly from the jacket for laundering. Preferably, the means for releasably attaching the free end of the fabric composite includes mating hook and loop fasteners. Preferably, the fabric composite has an hourglass design. Preferably, the fabric composite has a reduced thickness at a tapered portion of the hourglass design. Brief Description of the Drawings Some of the objects of the invention have been set forth above. Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear as the description proceeds when taken in conjunction with the following drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a moisture management garment according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention, and showing the incontinence pad in phantom; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the incontinence pad and fastener flap with the garment shown in phantom; Figure 3 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the garment, fastener flap, and incontinence pad; Figure 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of the garment, fastener flap, and

incontinence pad; Figure 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of the garment, fastener flap, and incontinence pad, and showing an alternative means for releasably attaching the fastener flap to the incontinence pad; Figure 6 is a perspective view of the incontinence pad; Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the incontinence pad taken substantially along line — 7 of Figure 6; Figure 8 is a top view of the fabric composite with the outer jacket shown in phantom; Figure 9 is a perspective view the incontinence pad showing the fabric composite being detached and removed from the jacket pocket; and Figure 10 is a perspective view of the incontinence pad showing the fabric composite being pulled away from the jacket in preparation for laundering; and Figure 11 is a perspective view of the incontinence pad and front and rear fastener flaps of a garment according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention. Description of the Preferred Embodiment and Best Mode Referring now specifically to the drawings, a moisture management garment according to the present invention is illustrated in Figure 1 , and shown generally at reference numeral 10. In one embodiment, the garment 10 resembles a conventional woman's panty comprising an outer fabric shell 11 made of cotton or other suitable material. The garment shell 11 includes an elastic waistline 12, a front 14 and rear 15 joined to the waistline 12, and first and second leg openings 17 and 18. The panty 10 incorporates a removable and launderable incontinence pad 20, described below. The incontinence pad 20 is especially useful for wear at night to manage multiple instances of moderate to heavy urine leakage while sleeping. As best shown in Figures 2, 3, and 4, the panty 10 includes an interior horizontal fastener flap 21 located above the crotch, and having hook (or loop) fasteners 22 designed to mate with complementary fasteners 23 located along a marginal end edge 20A of the incontinence pad 20. The fastener flap 21 suspends the incontinence pad 20 inside the panty 10 such that the pad 20 extends from the front 14 to the rear 15 of the panty 10 and occupies the entire crotch area during use. For added comfort, the incontinence pad 20 is preferably attached to an underside of the fastener flap 21 while the opposite side of the flap 21 comprises a soft fabric barrier. The fastener flap 21 creates a pivot point which enables slight position adjustment of the incontinence pad 20 to more comfortable accommodate movement by the wearer during sleep. According to one embodiment, the length of the flap 21 is approximately 3 inches and the width approximately 1 inch. In an alternative embodiment shown in Figure 5, the fastener flap 21' may include a male or female snap fastener 22' designed to mate with a complementary fastener 23' located along a marginal end edge 20A' of the incontinence pad 20'. As best shown in Figures 6 and 7, the incontinence pad 20 comprises a multi-layer fabric composite 30 substantially encased within a liquid impermeable, vapor permeable polyester jacket 31. The fabric composite 30 has an inside major surface which resides nearest the body of the user, and an outside major surface which resides nearest the panty 10. A first layer 32A, 32B of the fabric composite 30 includes soft hydrophilic or wicking fibers, such as Dacron® manufactured by E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company. The wicking fibers operate to quickly move moisture away from the skin and into an overlying series of more absorbent inner layers 33A, 33B, 34, 35, 36, 37A, 37B. The inner layers 33A, 33B, 34, 35, 36, 37A, 37B comprise hydrophilic fibers, such as cotton, hydrophilic nylon, rayon, wool, and blends of these fibers. The liquid impermeable, vapor permeable jacket 31 resides adjacent the outside major surface of the fabric composite 30, and covers the end edges and opposing side edges of the composite layers 32A, 32B, 33A, 33B, 34, 35, 36, 37A, 37B . The sides of the jacket 31 comprise elastic yarns, such as Spandex®, which give the incontinence pad 20 an arcuate shape for improved fit and added comfort. The jacket 31 serves to trap liquid within the fabric composite 30, and forms a breathable moisture barrier between the composite 30 and the panty 10. Urine enters the incontinence pad 20 through a moisture entry zone "Z" which communicates with an entirely exposed portion of the inside major surface of the fabric composite 30. As shown in Figure 6, the moisture entry zone "Z" is defined by an area of the fabric composite 30 extending between points A, B, C, and D of the jacket 31. Preferably, the jacket 31 wraps around the ends and sides of the fabric composite 30 covering greater than 20 percent of the inside major surface, thereby reducing the likelihood of urine leakage outwardly from the incontinence pad 20 and onto the panty 10 and bed sheets. In this embodiment, the moisture entry zone "Z" comprises less than 80 percent of the inside major surface of the fabric composite 30. During each incidence of leakage, urine is received through the entry zone "Z" and immediately passed into the fabric composite 30 for transport away from the body. Referring to Figures 7 and 8, the fabric composite 30 comprises an assembly of full length and partial length fabric layers— 34, 35, 36 and 32A, 32B, 33A, 33B, 37A, 37B, respectively. The full length fabric layers 34, 35, 36 extend in overlying registration from one end of the fabric composite 30 to the other and have a generally hourglass design. Each of the layers 34, 35, 36 has opposing relatively wide ends tapering at a narrow center. The partial length layers 33A, 33B and 37A, 37B overlie respective wide ends of the layers 34 and 36, such that the fabric composite 30 is relatively thick and wide at the ends and relatively thin and narrow at the center. Preferably, the front end of the fabric composite 30A is wider than the rear end 30B, and may include additional partial fabric layers (not shown) for increased moisture absorption. The partial length layers 32A, 32B, 33A, 33B, 37A, 37B are sewn together at respective opposite ends to the full length layers 34, 35, 36, as best shown in Figure 7. Additionally, the layers 32B and 33B are sewn together to the jacket 31 at an intermediate point 38. The full length layers 34, 35, 36 are sewn to the partial length layers 32A, 32B, 33A, 33B, 37A, 37B at respective opposite ends of the layers 34, 35, 36. The opposing sides of all layers 32A, 32B, 33A, 33B, 34, 35, 36, 37A, 37B remain substantially unattached in order to promote air circulation through the fabric composite 30 between adjacent layers. Preferably, the individual layer ends at respective opposite ends 30A and 30B of the fabric composite 30 are staggered in pairs, thereby thinning the composite 30 at the ends 30A, 30B for added comfort. The fixed end 30B of the fabric composite 30 resides within a lateral end pocket 41 of the jacket 31 and is permanently secured to the jacket 31 at point 38, as previously described. The free end 30A of the fabric composite 30 is received inside a second lateral end pocket 42 of the jacket 31. As shown in Figure 9, the free end 30A is releasably secured to the jacket 31 by complementary patches of hook and loop fasteners 44 and 45. Prior to washing and drying the incontinence pad 20, the free end 30A of the fabric composite 30 is removed from the end pocket 42 and extended away from the jacket 31 , as illustrated in Figure 10. The attached fabric layers 32A, 32B, 33A, 33B, 34, 35, 36, 37A, 37B open along respective opposite sides to allow effective cleaning of the interior layers, and to promote fast and efficient drying. After laundering, the fabric composite 30 is replaced inside the end pocket 42 of the jacket 31 and the complementary hook and loop fasteners 44, 45 reattached. Figure 11 illustrates a further embodiment of a moisture management panty 50 according to the present invention. Like panty 10, the panty 50 comprises an outer fabric shell including an elastic waistline, a front and rear joined to the waistline, and first and second leg openings. An incontinence pad 60 is suspended inside the panty 50, and extends from the front to the rear to occupy the entire crotch area during use. To secure the incontinence pad 60 in place inside the garment shell, the panty 50 utilizes both front and rear fastener flaps 61 , 62 identical to the flap 21 , described above. Each fastener flap 61 , 62 has hook (or loop) fasteners 63, 64 designed to mate with complementary fasteners 65, 66 located along respective marginal end edges 60A, 60B of the incontinence pad 60. The fasteners are preferably located on an underside of each flap 61 , 62 with the opposite side comprising a soft fabric barrier. The incontinence pad 60 is constructed of multiple partial and full length layers in a manner identical to the pad 30, described above. A moisture management undergarment is described above. Various details of the invention may be changed without departing from its scope. Furthermore, the foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the invention and best mode for practicing the invention are provided for the purpose of illustration only and not for the purpose of limitation— the invention being defined by the claims.

Claims

I Claim:

1. A moisture management garment, comprising: (a) a garment shell having a waistline, a front and rear joined to the waistline, and a pair of leg openings; (b) an incontinence pad placed inside the garment shell and adjacent the body of a user; and (c) means formed with said garment shell for removably attaching said incontinence pad to the front of said garment shell.

2. A moisture management garment according to claim 1 , wherein said means for removably attaching comprises a fastener flap sewn to the front of said garment shell.

3. A moisture management garment according to claim 2, wherein said fastener flap and said incontinence pad comprise complementary mating fasteners adapted for removably attaching said incontinence pad to said garment shell.

4. A moisture management garment according to claim 3, wherein said complementary fasteners comprise hook and loop fasteners.

5. A moisture management garment according to claim 3, wherein said complementary fasteners comprise snap fasteners.

6. A moisture management garment according to claim 1 , wherein said means for removably attaching comprises a fastener flap sewn to the rear of said garment shell.

7. A moisture management garment according to claim 1 , wherein said incontinence pad comprises a multi-layer fabric composite positioned within a liquid impermeable jacket.

8. A moisture management garment according to claim 7, wherein said fabric composite comprises a plurality of overlying absorbent layers having respective first and second opposing end edges and first and second opposing side edges, said adsorbent layers being substantially unattached to one another along a portion of at least one of respective first and second side edges and first and second end edges to promote air circulation between said layers.

9. A moisture management garment according to claim 7, wherein said jacket defines an open moisture entry zone communicating with a portion of said fabric composite, whereby moisture is received through said entry zone and into said fabric composite for transport away from the body of the user.

10. A moisture management garment according to claim 7, wherein said fabric composite comprises a fixed end secured to said jacket and a free end opposite said fixed end.

11. A moisture management garment according to claim 10, wherein said jacket comprises a lateral pocket for receiving the free end of said fabric composite.

12. A moisture management garment according to claim 11 , and comprising means for releasably attaching the free end of said fabric composite inside the pocket of said jacket, such that said fabric composite is removable from the pocket and extendable outwardly from said jacket for laundering.

13. A moisture management garment according to claim 12, wherein said means for releasably attaching the free end of said fabric composite comprises mating hook and loop fasteners.

14. A moisture management garment according to claim 7, wherein said fabric composite comprises an hourglass design.

15. A moisture management garment according to claim 14, wherein said fabric composite comprises a reduced thickness at a tapered portion of said hourglass design.

16. A moisture management garment, comprising: (a) a garment shell having a waistline, a front and rear joined to the waistline, and a pair of leg openings; (b) an incontinence pad placed inside the garment shell and adjacent the body of a user; (c) front attachment means formed with said garment shell for removably attaching a front end of said incontinence pad to the front of said garment shell; and (d) rear attachment means formed with said garment shell for removably attaching a rear end of said incontinence pad to the rear of said garment shell.

17. A moisture management garment according to claim 16, wherein said front attachment means for removably attaching comprises a fastener flap sewn to the front of said garment shell.

18. A moisture management garment according to claim 17, wherein said rear attachment means for removably attaching comprises a fastener flap sewn to the rear of said garment shell.

19. A moisture management garment according to claim 18, wherein said front and rear fastener flaps and the front and rear ends of said incontinence pad comprise respective complementary mating fasteners adapted for removably attaching said incontinence pad to said garment shell.

20. A moisture management garment according to claim 19, wherein said complementary fasteners comprise hook and loop fasteners.