초록 ▼

The present invention relates to undergarments that have close body fit. The undergarment of the present invention includes an elasticized waistband, a front region, a rear region, a crotch region and a pair of elasticized leg openings. The front and rear regions are preferably elastically extensibl

The present invention relates to undergarments that have close body fit. The undergarment of the present invention includes an elasticized waistband, a front region, a rear region, a crotch region and a pair of elasticized leg openings. The front and rear regions are preferably elastically extensible in both the longitudinal and lateral directions. The crotch region is disposed between the front and rear regions and has greater resistance to stretching in the longitudinal direction than the front and rear regions. The crotch region is further provided with a longitudinal stretch control member that is disposed along the longitudinal centerline of the undergarment and a plurality of angled stretch control members that extend from the longitudinal stretch control member to the leg elastics at an acute angle to the longitudinal stretch control member. The stretch control members limit the stretch of the crotch region in both the longitudinal and the lateral directions that causes the crotch region to conform to a wearer's skin surface. The rear region is provided with a lifting member that cooperates with the rear region, the front region and the longitudinal stretch control member to provide a "z-direction" biasing force along the longitudinal stretch control member. This biasing force, which is greater than the body contact force in adjacent portions of the crotch region, causes the crotch region, and any absorbent article that may be disposed thereon, to be lifted into close bodily contact when the undergarment is worn.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A garment for holding a disposable absorbent article in close bodily contact, said garment having a longitudinal centerline defining a longitudinal direction and a lateral centerline defining a lateral direction and a waist opening allowing entry thereto, said garment comprising a knit material a

1. A garment for holding a disposable absorbent article in close bodily contact, said garment having a longitudinal centerline defining a longitudinal direction and a lateral centerline defining a lateral direction and a waist opening allowing entry thereto, said garment comprising a knit material and having: a front region; a rear region having at least two sections; a lifting member operatively associated with said rear region, said lifting member comprising at least one portion and being disposed in a symmetric relationship with respect to said longitudinal centerline, wherein said lifting member separates said rear region into said at least two sections; a crotch region disposed between and joined to said front region and said rear region; a pair of opposed leg openings having a periphery defined by said front region, said rear region and said crotch region; and a longitudinal stretch control member operatively associated with said lifting member, said longitudinal stretch control member being disposed along said longitudinal centerline in said crotch region, said longitudinal stretch control member has a rear end and said lifting member comprises a pair of opposed portions, each of said portions extending upward from said rear end of said lifting member toward said waistband and laterally outward at an acute angle with respect to said longitudinal centerline; said lifting member being integrally knit with said section of said rear region using a knitting pattern having less longitudinal stretch than a wholly plain knit pattern.