Reusable swimwear garment
Disclosed herein is a reusable swim garment capable of containing excreted human waste. The swim garment may comprise a swim brief and/or shell. The swim garment may provide level(s) of protection for containing excreted human waste, helping reduce or eliminate swimming facility closures and providing comfort to both the user and other occupants in the swimming facility. The plurality of levels of protection are provided by two or more of: safety stitches in one or more elastic bands (e.g., leg-receiving elastic bands, torso-receiving elastic band), grippers to create a seal at the user's waist and/or legs, fasteners used to temporarily attach or remove the swim garment to or from the user, or a containment insert. The containment insert may comprise layer(s) that absorb the human waste, confine human waste, or prevent or reduce exchange of liquids between the swim garment and the swimming environment.
1 . A containment insert for containing excreted human waste, the containment insert comprising:
a filter layer that filters out solid human waste;
a confinement layer comprising one or more features for confining the solid human waste, wherein the one or more features comprise a valley formed from one or more elevated portions surrounding an inner portion, wherein the confinement layer at the inner portion is thinner than the confinement layer at the one or more elevated portions, wherein an outer portion surrounds the one or more elevated portions;
an absorbent layer that absorbs liquid human waste, wherein the absorbent layer is located at the inner portion of the confinement layer between the one or more elevated portions; and
one or more waterproof layers that prevent or reduce liquids from penetrating through the containment insert,
wherein the containment insert is configured for integration into a reusable swim brief.
2 . The containment insert of claim 1 , further comprising:
an outer portion having a thickness between 2 mm and 5 mm;
an elevated portion having a thickness between 10 mm and 15 mm; and
an inner portion having a thickness between 4 mm and 8 mm.
3 . The containment insert of claim 1 , further comprising:
a front portion and a back portion, wherein a width of the front portion is less than a width of a back portion.
4 . The containment insert of claim 1 , wherein the filter layer is located on one side of the absorbent layer, wherein the absorbent layer is positioned between the filter layer and at least one of the one or more waterproof layers;
wherein at least one of the one or more waterproof layers is located between the absorbent layer and the confinement layer, and another waterproof layer of the one or more waterproof layers is located on one side of the confinement layer;
wherein the confinement layer comprises a foam fabric.
5 . The containment insert of claim 1 ,
wherein the reusable swim brief comprises an outer layer and an inner layer covering front, back, and side portions of the reusable swim brief,
wherein the confinement layer at an outer portion of the containment insert is thicker than the confinement layer at an inner portion of the containment insert.
6 . The containment insert of claim 1 , wherein the confinement layer comprises a resilient foam fabric with properties that reduce moisture absorption and containment, providing improved performance in managing excreted human waste.
7 . The containment insert of claim 1 , wherein a thickness of at least one of the one or more waterproof layers is constant throughout an outer portion, an elevated inner portion, and an inner portion of the containment insert.
8 . The containment insert of claim 1 , wherein the reusable swim brief comprises an outer layer and an inner layer and one or more of: the outer layer or the inner layer cover a crotch portion of the reusable swim brief.
9 . The containment insert of claim 1 , wherein the reusable swim brief comprises an inner layer, the inner layer comprising a breathable wick-away fabric.
10 . The containment insert of claim 1 , wherein the reusable swim brief comprises an inner layer and sidewall barriers, the sidewall barriers surrounding edges of the containment insert and attached to the inner layer.
11 . The containment insert of claim 1 , wherein one or more of: a torso-receiving elastic band or leg-receiving elastic bands of the reusable swim brief comprise an inner layer of the reusable swim brief, an elastic band, and an outer layer of the reusable swim brief.
12 . The containment insert of claim 1 , wherein one or more of: a torso-receiving elastic band or leg-receiving elastic bands of the reusable swim brief comprise a plurality of rows of stitching.
13 . The containment insert of claim 1 , further comprising: a deodorizing element configured to neutralize odors.
14 . The containment insert of claim 1 , further comprising:
a moisture-wicking layer located adjacent to the absorbent layer, the moisture-wicking layer configured to transport liquid away from the absorbent layer.
15 . The containment insert of claim 1 , wherein the one or more waterproof layers are impermeable to liquids while allowing airflow to maintain comfort.
16 . The containment insert of claim 1 , further comprising:
an adhesive backing for secure attachment to an inner surface of a reusable swim brief.
17 . A reusable swim brief comprising:
a containment insert for containing excreted human waste, the containment insert comprising:
a filter layer that filters out solid human waste;
a confinement layer comprising one or more features for confining the solid human waste, wherein the one or more features comprise a valley formed from one or more elevated portions surrounding an inner portion, wherein the confinement layer at the inner portion is thinner than the confinement layer at the one or more elevated portions, wherein an outer portion surrounds the one or more elevated portions;
an absorbent layer that absorbs liquid human waste, wherein the absorbent layer is located at the inner portion of the confinement layer between the one or more elevated portions; and
one or more waterproof layers that prevent or reduce liquids from penetrating through the containment insert,
1 ; and
an adjustable waistband for a customizable fit, wherein the adjustable waistband includes one or more fasteners for easy removal and adjustment of the reusable swim brief.
18 . The reusable swim brief of claim 17 , further comprising:
leg-receiving elastic bands that create a secure seal around a user's legs.
19 . The reusable swim brief of claim 17 , wherein the swim brief is configured for use by users of any age.