US 20040210990A1 (19) United States (12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2004/0210990 A1 Stevenson (43) Pub. Date: Oct. 28, 2004 (54) WOMENS UNDERGARMENT AND Publication Classification COMPATIBLE OVERGARMENT (51) Int. Cl." ....................................................... A41B 9/04 (52) U.S. Cl. .................................................................. 2,406 (76) Inventor: Jane M. Stevenson, Norwich, VT (US) (57) ABSTRACT Correspondence Address: The present invention provides an undergarment, alone or in WOODCOCKWASHIBURN LLP combination with a compatible overgarment. Also, an ONE LIBERTY PLACE, 46TH FLOOR embodiment of the present invention includes a bodysuit 1650 MARKET STREET comprising a torso Section and an undergarment Section. PHILADELPHIA, PA 19103 (US) Undergarments of the present invention comprise a crotch (21) Appl. No.: 10/813,247 panel for covering a crotch opening. In a closed position, the crotch panel is fixably attached to a back panel and is (22) Filed: Mar. 30, 2004 releasably attached to a front panel. The crotch panel is slidable from front to back which permits bodily waste Related U.S. Application Data elimination without the need for disrobing. In the open position, the crotch panel can be Secured to the back panel. (60) Provisional application No. 60/464,827, filed on Apr. Methods of facilitating elimination of bodily waste are also 23, 2003. provided by the present invention. Patent Application Publication Oct. 28, 2004 Sheet 1 of 4 US 2004/0210990 A1 Patent Application Publication Oct. 28, 2004 Sheet 2 of 4 US 2004/0210990 A1 Patent Application Publication Oct. 28, 2004 Sheet 3 of 4 US 2004/0210990 A1 (C.O.P.). - 100 104 Fig. 4 Patent Application Publication Oct. 28, 2004 Sheet 4 of 4 US 2004/0210990 A1 200 US 2004/0210990 A1 Oct. 28, 2004 WOMEN'S UNDERGARMENT AND COMPATIBLE The problem of a flap has been overcome in part for OVERGARMENT undergarments by the flapleSS undergarment disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,823,721. However, the undergarment does CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED not have means for Securing the garment in a closed posi APPLICATION tion. Furthermore, none of these garments provide a bifur 0001) This claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. cated overgarment which can be used in combination with S 119(e) from provisional U.S. Application Ser. No. 60/464, undergarments. 827, filed on Apr. 23, 2003, incorporated herein by refer 0006 U.S. Pat. No. 6,324,699 describes a “pantyhose CCC. undergarment with crotch flap' designed to provide an openable crotch for pantyhose. A flap is disclosed that FIELD OF THE INVENTION requires use of the wearer's hands for the purpose of holding 0002 The present invention relates to undergarments the flap out of the way. The pantyhose has to be reclosed at which can be used Separately or in combination with over different points in the crotch area which is inconvenient and garments Such as Slacks, wherein the undergarments are perhaps unsanitary. Also, there is no provision for a com provided with an easily opened and closed crotch panel patible bifurcated overgarment and therefore it is presum allowing body waste elimination without disrobing, and the ably more suitable for wearing with skirts. Overgarments provide access to the crotch panel. 0007 U.S. Pat. No. 5,239,706 discloses “underpants and coordinated bifurcated overgarment.” The undergarment BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,239,706 provides a flapless 0003. During the latter part of the twentieth century, it has garment with a slidable crotch. become customary for many women to wear pants for 0008. There is a continuing need for convenience gar everyday, business, athletic, travel and other outdoor activi ments designed for women which allow the wearer to ties. Such garments both allow and foster women's varied eliminate body waste without disrobing and to Stand for activities outside the home, as they are comfortable and urination if necessary. facilitate movement of the body. These convenient garments however do not provide the same facility as men enjoy when SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION it comes to urination. Because men's outer and under garments each have an openable/closable crotch, they have 0009 Women's undergarments, compatible overgar the convenience of Standing and not disrobing for urination. ments, and body Suits are provided by the present invention. Men's garments allow the belt, shirt, waistband and under Embodiments of the present invention provide flapless wear to remain conveniently in place on a man's body undergarments comprising crotches that do not get in the during urination. There have been no Similar garments for way during waste elimination, e.g., urination. In addition, Women. When wearing Slacks or other legged garments embodiments of the present invention comprise easily open since “bloomers,” were invented, women have had to undo able and closeable crotches. Some or all of the following: belt, button, Snaps, Zipper, 0010. The use of compatible overgarments in accordance panties and remove them from the lower torSo in order to with the present invention permits convenient access to the urinate. This process can be both time-consuming and flapleSS undergarment. Overgarments of the present inven disconcerting especially when private parts of the body must tion are adaptable to most designs of garments, Such as be exposed. Slacks, jeans, shorts, jumpsuits, overalls, as well as skirts. 0004 Especially in public places, partially disrobing may 0011 Bodysuits in accordance with the present invention cause the garments to drag on the ground where they may can be adapted for use as, but not limited to, professional become Soiled or wet. If one uses a "hovering” technique uniforms, dressy blouses, and casual shirts. For example, a rather than sit on the toilet Seat, Substantial physical, e.g., torso of a bodysuit can be constructed to comply with muscular, control is necessary. Older women and physically uniform Standards Set forth by particular professions, while challenged women, as well as women who simply have to being attached to an undergarment. AS Such, the torso of the manage packages or heavy Outer garments in a public uniform would remain tucked in during normal activities, restroom have similar problems. In outdoor activities Such which would permit free movement while maintaining a as hiking and camping, disrobing can also be undesirable neat appearance and facilitating waste elimination. because of the lack of privacy, Since there are often no toilet facilities. Also in Outdoor situations when the weather is 0012 Benefits of the present invention include, but are adverse it can be undesirable to disrobe and expose one's not limited to, the ability to keep a wearer's hands free while body to the elements. garment is in the opened position, to Stand for urination, to keep any garment waistbands in place while urinating, to 0005 The problem of disrobing has been addressed in keep clothes off the floor while urinating, to keep the body part by U.S. Pat. No. 4,597,110 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,835,795, which relate to openable undergarments. These undergar covered while urinating, to eliminate body contact with the ments have front opening flaps which must be fastened or toilet, and to keep the body covered while urinating in otherwise maintained out of the way. If these undergarments Situations when there is lack of privacy, no facilities, or are used in combination with a bifurcated overgarment it adverse environmental conditions. may require pulling the flap through an opening in the 0013 The present invention relates to an undergarment, Overgarment, then repositioning the flap under the overgar alone or in combination with a compatible overgarment. ment and refastening the flap to the undergarment. This Also, an embodiment of the present invention includes a proceSS requires Several motions and is time-consuming. bodysuit comprising a torso Section and an undergarment US 2004/0210990 A1 Oct. 28, 2004 Section. An undergarment in accordance with the present panel and the back panel. The waistband can be integral with invention encircles the lower torso of the wearer from any the front and back panels. The waistband could comprise point above the crotch to the crotch. There is a crotch elastic. opening between the front of the undergarment and the back of the undergarment that covers the area between the legs. 0020 Overgarments can be provided for use with under Front and back panels have attached thereto a left leg band garments according to the present invention. When used and a right leg band which are Spaced apart and span the with undergarments of the present invention, overgarments crotch opening. A front panel comprises a free edge Situated comprise a trunk area which encloses Said underpants, a left leg area attached to Said trunk, a right leg area attached to between the left leg band and the right leg band. Said trunk, and an overgarment opening which permits 0.014) A crotch panel for covering the crotch opening is access to Said crotch panel. The Overgarment opening can provided. The crotch panel has a left casing and a right comprise an overgarment fastener to Secure Said overgar casing. The left casing Slidably engages a portion of the left ment opening in a closed position. Suitable fasteners, which band and the right casing Slidably engages a portion of the are understood by those skilled in the art, can include, but right band. It is further preferred, although not essential, that are not limited to a Zipper, a Snap, or a hook and pile fastener. the bands are flat and that the casings have a width which is only slightly greater than the width of the bands. Having the 0021 Bodysuits in accordance with the present invention casing width So Sized will help prevent the bands from comprise a torso Section and an undergarment Section.