US20060041987A1

US20060041987A1 - Disposable underarm perspiration patch

Info

Publication number: US20060041987A1
Application number: US10/924,944
Authority: US
Inventors: Susan Villain
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-08-24
Filing date: 2004-08-24
Publication date: 2006-03-02

Abstract

A disposable underarm perspiration patch has a flat flexible body having a first soft porous layer, which contacts the armpit of a user by a sticky surface, approximately ¼ inch wide around the perimeter, A second moisture-absorbing layer retains the moisture secreted by the armpit of the user, while a third moisture-impermeable layer prevents the moisture from soiling a garment worn by the user. The disposable, flexible patch will be available in 3 different sizes and in 3 different skin tone colors to best match the skin tone of the wearer.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to personal hygienic devices, and more particularly, to an absorbent patch to be adhered to the underarm of the user to prevent moisture from contacting and damaging clothing.
People perspire for a number of reasons. The sweating is used by the body as a device to regulate the temperature of the body and eliminate toxins from the body. The perspiration, which contains water, salt, acid, and other ingredients, is secreted, often profusely, in the underarm area of the human body. The secreted sweat may damage the user's clothing, especially if the garment is made from a delicate fabric, such as silk, chiffon, cotton, wood, rayon and the like. Sweat stains are sometimes difficult to remove by conventional methods of laundering or dry cleaning.
Discoloration and sweat stains, even if cleaned expeditiously, may permanently damage the garment. Also, when a garment is frequently cleaned it will eventually lose its attractiveness and become non-wearable.
Even with proper hygiene and the use of an antiperspirant agent that can reduce secretion from the glands beneath the skin of the user, staining may still occur. However, even when using an antiperspirant agent, the user may still have excessive sweating, resulting in the moisture penetrating the fabric of the garment and forming an unsightly stain.
The present invention contemplates provision of a disposable underarm patch that may be secured to the user's underarm to absorb the perspiration and prevent soiling and discoloration of the garment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a disposable underarm patch to protect the garment from perspiration.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a disposable underarm patch that can easily be attached in the underarm area of the user and quickly removed therefrom.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide perspiration patch having a moisture-impermeable surface to prevent sweat from reaching the garment.
These and other objects of the present invention are achieved through a provision of a flat flexible body, approximately ⅛ inch thick, comprised of a first porous layer, a second moisture-absorbing layer and a third moisture-impermeable layer. The patch is to be developed in various sizes, and skin tone colors to best suit the user. It is to be of a kidney shape design which follows the natural contours of the user's underarm. The first soft porous layer contact the user's skin in the underarm area to capture the moisture secreted in the armpit of the user. The second layer may be impregnated with an antiperspirant or deodorant agent, if desired, and absorbs and retains the moisture, while the third layer prevents the moisture from escaping the patch and contacting a garment. The third layer is comprised of a non-porous material.
To secure the patch onto the armpit, a pressure-sensitive and skin sensitive adhesive coating, approx. ¼ inch in width is to be deposited around the outermost surface of the first layer. The adhesive coating may be covered with a conventional peel-off strip, which is removed immediately before securing the patch to the user.
The flexible patch is disposable and would come in a variety of skin tone colors and sizes to best fit the user.
The underarm patch protects the garment from soiling and extends the usable life of the garment. The patch is thin and lies in contact with the user's underarm, protecting the garment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made to the drawings wherein like parts are designated by like numerals, and wherein
FIG. 1 is a plan view of the present invention showing the first, self-adhering layer of the underarm perspiration patch.
FIG. 2 is a side view of the present invention showing all three layers of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the means of securing the present invention to the underarm of the user.
FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the pressure sensitive adhesive coating with peel off strips.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 shows a top or plan view of the present invention. The present invention concerns that of a new and improved disposable apparatus that will absorb sweat from the user's underarms, thereby preventing staining of a user's clothing and removing most of the odor associated with perspiring. The patch has generally a kidney shaped design and is flat and flexible. It is meant to be thrown away after use. The patch is comprised of several layers. The first, body-contacting layer is made of a soft, porous moisture permeable material, with a self-adhesive skin sensitive strip around the exterior, so that it may be secured to the user's underarm with slight pressure. The material of the first layer allows the perspiration secreted in the underarm area to penetrate and become absorbed through this layer.
The moisture then travels to the second inner layer (FIG. 2) of the patch. The second layer is made from a high moisture absorbing material, with an impregnated scent that absorbs the moisture and retains the moisture by allowing the said layer to slightly expand, while not moving back through the top layer. The second layer is configured of the same size and shape as the top layer, substantially covering it.
The third layer entirely covers the middle layer. The third layer is made from a moisture-impermeable material that prevents the moisture from traveling outside of the middle layer. All three layers are secured together to form a single body of the patch positioned on the user's underarm. (FIG. 3)
A pressure sensitive adhesive coating is deposited on the outer surface of the first layer. The coating may be covered with conventional peel-off strips which are removed prior to positioning the patch on the user's underarm. (FIG. 4)
When positioning the patch on the underarm the user peels off the covering strips and positions the patch on the underarm similarly to the position in FIG. 3, such that the patch covers generally the outer underarm area avoiding the underarm hair. The user then presses the coating against the underarm, such that the first layer which is first and non-irritating to the skin is secured to the skin of the user.
The patch is made from three layers of flexible material and is relatively thin. It is to come in a variety of sizes and skin tone colors to best fit the user so that it will be comfortable and unnoticeable through sheer clothing. Wearing of the patch, even with a thin-fabric will not affect the shape or the structure of the garment to any noticeable degree. The adhesive coating is strong enough to retain the patch on the user's skin, even through heavy perspiration, but can be easily released by peeling off the patch from the user's underarm. The patch can be then disposed of in a conventional manner.
If desired, the patch may be impregnated with an antiperspirant and/or deodorant agents, that would enhance the hygienic qualities of the underarm perspiration patch.
The patch can be inexpensively manufactured using available technology and materials, so that the patch can be made easily disposable.
Many changes and modifications can be made in the design of the present invention without departing from the spirit thereof, I therefore wish that my rights to the present invention be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An underarm patch, comprising: a flexible body, comprised of a first moisture-permeable layer with skin sensitive adhesive around said perimeter, a second moisture absorbing scented layer covering substantially one surface of the first layer, and a third moisture-impermeable layer covering substantially a free surface of said second layer.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein there is a skin sensitive adhesive coating approximately ¼ inch wide which is deposited around the perimeter on a free surface of said first layer to allow securing of the flexible body to the user's underarm.

3. The patch is to be positioned on the user's underarm and disposed of after use.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein said body has a generally kidney shape configuration, said body defining a curved edge and a kidney shaped edge, and wherein said larger curved edge is oriented to affix along the outer edge of the user's underarm.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein said body will be of three varying degrees of beige skin tone color to best match the user's own skin tone.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein said first layer is comprised of a porous material to allow perspiration to penetrate through.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein said first layer has a skin sensitive adhesive around outer edge for contacting an underarm area of a user.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein said second layer would include an impregnated scent which would absorb sweat and prevent staining of clothes.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein said third layer is comprised of a non-porous material, preventing perspiration to penetrate there through.

10. An underarm perspiration patch, comprising: a flat flexible body, comprised of a first moisture-permeable layer, a second moisture absorbing layer covering substantially one surface of the first layer, and a third moisture-impermeable layer covering substantially a free surface of said second layer, said first layer being provided with self stick, skin-sensitive adhesive coating around said perimeter to allow attaching of the flexible body to the users underarm.

11. The device of claim 9, wherein said flexible body has a generally kidney shaped configuration having the longer curved shaped edge adapted for positioning along the outer area of the users armpit, available in varying sizes large enough to cover entire armpit.

12. The device of claim 9, wherein said flexible body has a kidney shaped configuration adapted for adhering underneath the users arm, over the armpit area large enough to avoid surface armpit hair.

13. The device of claim 9, wherein said first layer is comprised of a porous material to allow perspiration to penetrate there through, said first layer being adapted for contact with the underarm area of the user.

14. The device of claim 9, wherein said third layer is comprised of a non-porous material, said third layer being adapted for contacting a garment of the user, while preventing perspiration to penetrate there through.

15. The device of claim 9, wherein said second layer with impregnated scent, is sandwiched between said first layer and said third layer, said second layer retaining moisture secreted by the underarm of the user.

16. The device of claim 9, wherein said patch will absorb sweat from the user's underarms, thereby staining of a user's clothing and removing most, if not all, of the odor present that is associated with underarm sweat.

17. It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved, disposable apparatus for absorbing sweat and preventing staining of clothes which may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed.

18. It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved, disposable apparatus for absorbing sweat and prevent staining of clothes which is economically affordable and available to the buying public.

19. It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved apparatus for absorbing sweat and prevent staining of clothes which provides additional benefits not present in the prior art.