MOISTURE-WICKING AND LEAK-RESISTANT UNDERWEAR GARMENTS
An undergarment includes a multiplayer leak-proof pad to wick moisture, impede bacteria, prevent leaks, and resist stain.
1 . An undergarment comprising:
a fabric bode having a waist opening and a pair of leg openings defining a crotch region therebetween; and
multilayer leak-proof pad stitched to an interior surface of the fabric body and extending over at least the crotch area, the leak-proof pad comprising a moisture-impermeable layer in contact with the fabric body: a moisture-absorbent layer thereover; and a moisture-wicking layer over the absorption layer.
2 . The undergarment of claim 1 wherein the multilayer leak-proof pad further comprises an anti-microbial layer over the wicking layer.
3 . The undergarment of claim 1 wherein the pad extends over the crotch region and includes pairs of opposed curing peripheral edges, a first pair of edges extending along the leg openings proximate to the crotch region and the second pair of edges being located beyond the crotch region and flaring outwardly.
4 . The undergarment of claim 3 wherein the moisture-absorbent layer, the moisture-wicking layer and the antimicrobial layer extend as a unitary panel beyond the polymer layer to a waistband around the waist opening, at least a rear segment of the unitary panel having opposed peripheral tapering toward the waistband.
5 . The undergarment of claim 4 further comprising an extension region stitched to and extending beyond the waistband, the extension region comprising at least one pocket for receiving a removable heating pad.
6 . The undergarment of claim 5 wherein the pocket has an entrance along a side edge thereof.
7 . The undergarment of claim 2 wherein at least the moisture-absorbent layer, the moisture-wicking layer, the moisture-impermeable layer, and the antimicrobial layer are removable as a unitary insert.
8 . The undergarment of claim 7 further comprising a pocket for removably retaining the insert.
9 . The undergarment of claim 1 wherein at least one surface of the moisture-wicking layer is treated with at least one of a hydrophilic composition or a hydrophobic composition to create a net hydrophilic gradient over the moisture-wicking layer.
10 . The undergarment of claim 1 wherein the moisture-wicking layer comprises at least 51% cotton.
11 . The undergarment of claim 1 wherein the moisture-absorbent layer comprises cotton or foam.
12 . The undergarment of claim 1 wherein the fabric body comprises an elastic material.
13 . The undergarment of claim 1 wherein the moisture-impermeable polymer layer comprises breathable urethane or wax.
14 . A method of manufacturing an undergarment, the method comprising:
providing a multilayer leak-proof pad comprising a moisture-impermeable polymer layer, a moisture-absorbent layer, and a moisture-wicking layer; and
stitching the multilayer leak-proof pad to an interior surface of a fabric body to form the undergarment.
15 . The method of claim 14 further comprising forming the multilayer leak-proof pad to cover a crotch region defined by a pair of leg openings.
16 . The method of claim 14 further comprising forming the multilayer leak-proof pad to cover a crotch region defined by a pair of leg openings and an extension region extending beyond the crotch region to a waistband.
17 . The method of claim 16 further comprising creating at least one pocket in the extension region for receiving a removable heating pad.
18 . The method of claim 14 , further comprising creating at least one pocket in the undergarment for retaining the multilayer leak-proof pad.
19 . The method of claim 14 , further comprising treating the moisture-wicking layer with an antimicrobial solution.
20 . The method of claim 14 , further comprising treating the moisture-wicking layer with at least one of a hydrophilic composition or a hydrophobic composition.