Waterproof panty

• US 8,117,675 B2
• Filed: 12/23/2010
• Issued: 02/21/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/07/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Proof Company, LLC (The Procter & Gamble Company)
• Original Assignee: June Krolikowski, Pearl Briggs, Rochelle Woodeshick, Valerie Strange
• Inventors: Strange, Valerie, Woodeshick, Rochelle, Krolikowski, June, Briggs, Pearl
• Primary Examiner(s): HALE, GLORIA M
• Application Number:
  US12/930,005
• Publication Number:
  US 20110094017A1
• Time in Patent Office: 425 Days
• Field of Search: 2400-408, 223/8, 604/385.01, 604/385.24, 604/385.25, 604/385.3, 604/385.31, 604/393, 604/394, 604/396
• US Class Current: 2/406
• CPC Class Codes: A41B 17/00 Selection of special materials for underwear
• CPC Class Codes: A41B 9/004 characterized by the crotch
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/496 in the form of pants or briefs

Abstract

A pretty, stylish and comfortable waterproof panty that has a unique design technique of rolled over welded seams. The rolled over welded seam will inhibit the leaking of bodily fluids at the leg openings caused by stitching and wicking. The panty has an outer shell and an inner panty layer. The outer shell a continuous cut formed of a soft blend laminated fabric. It is liquid proof, breathable, hypo-allergenic, stain resistant, and elastic. It is cut to form a waist opening and two leg openings. If desired stretchable lace or elastic side portions can be provided. The inner panty lining is a breathable soft blend fabric and includes a front portion, back portion and a crotch portion. The crotch portion is double layered for added dryness. The inner panty layer is cut to the full design of the panty having a waist opening and two leg openings. This over all design provides the user peace of mind and security with a stylish, lightweight, comfortable, waterproof panty.

Claims

1. A waterproof panty comprising:

a) an outer shell formed of a waterproof laminate fabric, said outer shell including an outer shell layer formed of a material formed from any one of cotton, a cotton blend and a polyester blend, said outer shell also including a waterproof inner shell layer formed of a breathable waterproof fabric, wherein said outer shell layer and said inner shell layer are bonded together to form a laminate material, said outer shell, when laid out flat, having a generally hour glass shape including a crotch area and leg edge portions, said outer shell having no crotch seams and no needle punctures in said crotch area; and

b) an inner panty layer formed of a material formed from any one of cotton, a cotton blend and a polyester blend, said inner panty layer having substantially the same shape and size as the outer shell, said inner panty layer being welded with a polyurethane adhesive to said waterproof breathable inner shell layer whereby said waterproof fabric is sandwiched between said outer shell layer and said inner panty layer.

2. A waterproof panty according to claim 1 wherein said inner panty layer covers substantially all of said waterproof inner shell layer except for a one-eighth inch wide strip around said leg edge portion of said outer shell.

3. A waterproof panty according to claim 1 wherein said leg edge portions include a waterproof tube portion formed by a perimeter edge portion of said outer shell being folded outwardly, said perimeter edge of said outer shell surface layer being welded with a polyurethane adhesive to an exterior portion of said outer shell surface layer, said tube portion having an exterior whereby said waterproof inner shell layer covers the entire exterior of said waterproof tube portion.

4. A waterproof panty according to claim 3 wherein an elastic member is provided inside said waterproof tube portion to secure said leg edge portions against the legs of a wearer of the panty.

5. A waterproof panty according to claim 3 wherein said waterproof tube portion prevents the wicking of fluids from said inner panty layer to said outer shell surface layer.

6. A waterproof panty according to claim 3 wherein said waterproof inner shell layer and the outer shell layer to which the waterproof inner shell layer is bonded extends beyond the tube portion on to the outer shell for a distance of approximately one-eighth of an inch.

7. A waterproof panty according to claim 1 wherein said inner panty layer allows for moisture vapor transmission.

8. A waterproof panty according to claim 1 wherein said inner panty layer is breathable and comfortable against the skin.

9. A waterproof panty according to claim 1 wherein said waterproof inner shell layer is formed of a polyurethane film.

10. A waterproof panty according to claim 1 wherein said waterproof inner shell layer is liquid proof, breathable, elastic, hypo-allergenic and stain resistant.

11. A waterproof panty according to claim 1 wherein said waterproof inner shell layer has a thickness of approximately 1 mil.

12. A waterproof panty according to claim 1 wherein said outer shell layer of said panty is dyed a color.

13. A waterproof panty according to claim 1 wherein said outer shell layer is formed of a material having a colorful fabric design.