US20070067888A1

US20070067888A1 - Perspiration absorption device

Info

Publication number: US20070067888A1
Application number: US11/236,255
Authority: US
Inventors: Maria Manier
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-09-27
Filing date: 2005-09-27
Publication date: 2007-03-29

Abstract

An armpit perspiration absorption device is provided having at least one pad of which each pad has at least two layers of material. A first layer employs a moisture-absorbent material and a second layer employs a moisture-proof material. In one embodiment, an adhesive is also employed allowing said absorption device to be “stuck” to or retained against an inner surface of a shirt or blouse proximal to an armpit of a person or directly to the skin of the armpit. A removable protective sheet can be placed over the adhesive to maintain its reactive ability. In a first alternate embodiment, elastic straps are employed to maintain the absorption device up against the skin of the armpit. In a second alternate embodiment, a pocket is provided within the shirt or blouse along an inner surface of said shirt or blouse for receiving and retaining said absorption device there within. In the preferred embodiment, two pads are employed in an “X” formation wherein a first pad is laid across a second pad.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to perspiration absorption. More particularly, this invention relates to a perspiration absorption device employed in an area proximal to the armpit of persons, inside of their clothing or directly to their skin.
2. Description of the Prior Art
When the ambient temperature around a human body exceeds the temperature of the body, there is a need to cool the skin surface of the body. Since there must be a net outward heat transfer from the body, the only mechanism left under this condition is the evaporation of perspiration from the skin. This is known as sweating. Sweat is the formation of moisture beads on the surface of the skin of a person, as a result of concentration. Although most people feel that sweating is uncomfortable, it is a necessary physiological bodily function. Although necessary, sweating may occur however at an unfortunate time, when it is embarrassing or socially inconvenient for the person. Accordingly, there is a desire to control sweating. This desire is heightened for women due to society's stigma that women should not sweat as much men.
Besides the natural cooling effect of the body, there are other reasons that sweating occurs. This includes a response to emotional stress, such as nervousness. This response reflects an increased impulse from the central nervous system that is beyond the conscious control of the person. This increase in perspiration may occur in the palms of the hands, the brow of the head or underneath the armpits. Another reason for sweating may be an underlying physiological problem with over-productive sweat glands, also known as hyperhidrosis. Regardless of the reason, the increase in perspiration usually occurs at a time when it is highly inconvenient, such as a social event, a personal date or an important business appointment. Further, foul odors may coexist with the increase in perspiration, due to bacteria formation, leading to further inconvenience and or embarrassment. Still further, many people are inflicted with an uncomfortable “sticky” feeling in the armpit when experiencing an increase in perspiration. Accordingly, again, there exists a need to control excessive and inconvenient perspiration.
Various medications and chemicals are known in the prior art that assist in controlling excessive perspiration. For example, antiperspirants, for application within the armpits of a person, are well known in the prior art and work well with those people who generate moderate to normal levels of perspiration. However, they do not work well to control excessive, uncontrollable sweating or the condition of hyperhidrosis. The increased moisture that appears underneath the armpit of the person producing excessive perspiration usually results in a noticeable wet shirt in the area of the armpit. People inflicted with such a problem must change their shirts throughout the day or deal with the wet and sometimes foul smelling article of clothing. And, those who choose to douse their armpits with excessive amounts of antiperspirants run the risk of ruining their shirt or blouse from stains caused by these antiperspirants. Further, some medical studies have suggested that the use of antiperspirants, which work by clogging the person's pores in the armpit, lead to other medical problems later in life. Some studies have even suggested that some of the compounds and chemicals found in antiperspirants are found, in elevated levels, in people stricken with Alzheimer's disease. For this reason alone, many people are afraid of using antiperspirants. While others, state that it is just not natural to clog your pores with a foreign chemical or compound.
Oral medications also exist in the prior art which can relieve some people from the effects of hyperhidrosis or above average sweating. However, such medications have uncomfortable side effects, including, but not limited to, dry mouth, headaches, dizziness and tiredness. These side effects may prove to be even more undesirable than the effects of sweating during job interviews or social events, thereby limiting their usefulness. Further, for those people who merely over produce sweat in reaction to a physiological response, i.e. nervousness, oral medications are not practical since these responses are typically unpredictable.
Application products containing high levels of aluminum chloride are also available by prescription, but are known to cause an uncomfortable irritation in the area of application, i.e., the armpits. And, Botox injections are available which temporarily deactivate the nerves that release the chemical in the body that stimulates the sweat glands. However, many people who choose to have the injections experience a side-effect known as compensatory sweating, which simply means that the sweat will find a different exist route through other glands of the body. These other routes include, but are not limited to, the brow of the head, the palms of the hands, the back of the chest and the groin area.
Therefore, a need strongly exists to improve upon the prior art to help people control sweating in the area of the armpit. The improvement should be of a kind that helps everyone, from those people who produce a normal level of perspiration to those people stricken with the medical condition of hyperhidrosis. The improvement should also eliminate the uncomfortable side effects of all products, medications and procedures known in the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

I have invented a device for employing within the area of a person's armpit to assist in controlling normal to excessive sweating. My device is small and unobtrusive but extremely absorbent. My device can be positioned within the shirt of a person or directly to their skin.
My perspiration absorption device includes at least one pad having a generally longitudinal shape and is fabricated from materials that provide above average moisture absorption properties and above average moisture proof properties. A material such as a wood cellulose fiber can be employed for the moisture absorption material while polypropylene or polyethylene can be used for the moisture proof material. The use of both materials stems from a desire to absorb any moisture concentrated in the armpit, all the while prohibiting such moisture from leaking through onto the shirt of the person utilizing my innovative product.
The materials are layered such that a first layer is in contact with an area of the user's skin where the pores produce perspiration, such as the armpits. Accordingly, this first layer is used for moisture absorption. A second layer is employed underneath the first layer and works to block the absorbed moisture held by the first layer from leaking therefrom and onto a shirt or blouse. If the device is applied directly to the person's skin, then a third layer of a lightweight adhesive is applied to the top of the first layer for adhering the absorption device to the person's armpit. However, if the device is applied directly to an inside area of a shirt or blouse, proximal to the armpit, then the third layer of lightweight adhesive is applied to the exposed side, or bottom surface, of the second layer. In either embodiment wherein the third layer of adhesive is employed, a thin protective removable sheet can be used to cover the adhesive so that the adhesive remains reactive or “wet.” This also allows a multitude of my devices to be placed in a single container for packaging, shipping and or marketing.
An alternate embodiment employs only the first and second layers but includes a pair of straps, formed as loops, disposed at opposite ends of the device for securing the absorption device around the shoulder blade and an upper portion of the arm, respectively, of the person utilizing the device. The straps can be elastic or contain adjustment mechanisms for allowing my absorption device to be used by people of different sizes and heights.
Yet in another alternate embodiment, the absorption device employs only the first and second layers but without use of the straps. Instead the two layer absorption device fits within a small pocket formed inside of the shirt or blouse such that the device covers the entire armpit area.
In a preferred embodiment, two pads are employed, each pad having at least the first and second layer. A first pad is laid upon a top surface of the second pad in an “X” like pattern or formation. Also, in any of the embodiments, corn starch and or baking soda can be introduced along the top surface of the first layer that comes into contact with, or is closest to, the skin. This provides additional drying properties as well as deodorizing properties.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description of the invention, contained herein below, may be better understood when accompanied by a brief description of the drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a front view of a person utilizing an armpit perspiration absorption device of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a detail view, partially in section, taken from FIG. 1, illustrating the armpit perspiration absorption device of the present invention applied to an inside surface of a shirt or blouse directly underneath and in contact with the armpit of the user;
FIG. 3 is a front view of a person utilizing an alternate embodiment of the armpit perspiration device of the present invention wherein straps are employed to retain said device up against the skin of the user's armpit;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the alternate armpit perspiration device of the present invention utilizing straps;
FIG. 5 is a side view of a person wearing a shirt employing a small pocket, illustrated in phantom, for receiving the armpit perspiration device of the present invention;
FIG. 6 is a front view of the person wearing the shirt employing the small pocket for receiving the armpit perspiration device of the present invention;
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view along lines 7-7 of FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 is a side view of the device of the present invention illustrating the different layers included with the embodiment having the adhesive; and
FIG. 9 is a top view of a preferred embodiment of the armpit perspiration absorption device of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 1, a front view of a person 10 is shown wearing a shirt 12. Shirt 12 has a body portion 14 and an arm portion 16 separated by a stitched seam 18. Within an area of said stitched seam 18, inside of shirt 12, is an armpit (not shown in FIG. 1) of person 10.
Referring now to FIG. 2, a detailed illustration taken from FIG. 1, partially in section, it is illustrated that an armpit perspiration absorption device 20, of the present invention, is employed along an inner surface 22 of shirt 12 proximal to an armpit 24 of person 10. Absorption device 20 includes at least two layers of material. A first layer 26 is made from a moisture-absorbent material, such as a wood cellulose fiber, expanded through the introduction of air molecules into said fiber. This provides the fiber with greater liquid (i.e., moisture) absorbing abilities. A second layer 28 is applied underneath first layer 26 and is made from a material having good moisture-proof properties, such as, polypropylene or polyethylene. These materials, and hence second layer 28, prohibit moisture gathered and retained by first layer 26 from passing thereby and onto shirt 12 and further keeping armpit 24 dry. In the preferred embodiment, first and second layers, 26 and 28 respectively, are irremovably attached to one another.
As further shown in FIG. 2, absorption device 20 is held in place along inner surface 22 of shirt 12 by an adhesive 30 (see FIG. 8). In the embodiment of FIG. 2, device 20 has an adhesive 30 applied underneath second layer 28 so that device 20 adheres to inner surface 22 of shirt 12. However, nothing herein limits adhesive 30 from being disposed upon a top surface of first layer 26 so that device 20 can be applied directly to the skin surface of the person utilizing said device (i.e., directly to the armpit). It will be appreciated that men would prefer to utilize device 20 as shown in FIG. 2 with adhesive 30 contacting inner surface 22 of shirt 12 due to hair being present in armpit 24. Whereas women, who shave their armpits, may prefer to utilize the embodiment of device 20 that is applied directly to the skin since there is an absence of hair in said armpit. And, it is further appreciated that the closer device 20 is to the pores of armpit 24, the more absorption of all moisture can occur.
Referring to FIG. 4, an alternate embodiment is shown wherein an armpit perspiration absorption device 32 includes a pair of straps 34 disposed at first and second opposed ends, 36 and 38 respectively, of device 30. Straps 34 are constructed from elastic material and are attached as loops to device 32 along first and second opposed peripheral edges, 40 and 42 respectively. Straps 34 are preferably attached by glue, but can also be attached by stitching. Further, a small end portion (not shown) for each strap can overlap and attach to second layer 28 instead of being attached to peripheral edges, 40 and 42.
With reference now to FIG. 3, alternate device 32 is shown to be employed on person 10 such that one strap 34 wraps around a shoulder blade outer portion 44 while the other strap 34 wraps around an arm upper portion 46. This secures absorption device 32, and hence first layer 26 (the absorption material), right up against armpit 24. The FIG. 3 embodiment requires no adhesive. Further, device 32 of FIG. 3 works equally well for both men and women, and it is irrelevant whether hair is present within armpit 24 or not. Although not shown, it is further understood that the straps could include adjustable mechanisms fitted along the length of said straps for permitting people of all weights and heights to use a single produced device 32. These adjustable mechanisms are similar to those found on women's braziers. Also, device 32 as shown in FIG. 3, could be employed with distinguishing straps 34 (an upper and lower strap) to accommodate the typical larger girth of any given person's shoulder blade versus that of their arm upper portion.
Referring to FIG. 5, another alternate embodiment of the present invention is shown. In this embodiment, an armpit perspiration absorption device 48 is inserted within a pocket 50 located along inner surface 22 of shirt 12 (see FIG. 7). Pocket 50 has a first open end 52 and a second closed end 54. Device 48 has a shape which permits to be inserted within pocket 50 but remain therein by a minimal amount of friction. As shown in FIG. 7, device 48 has a two layer construction, the first layer 26 of moisture-absorbent material and the second layer 28 of moisture-proof material. With further reference to FIG. 7, it is shown that pocket 50 has a skirted peripheral edge 56 that attaches to shirt inner surface 22 by way of glue or stitching.
With reference to FIG. 8, the armpit perspiration absorption device 20 is depicted, wherein the different layers that are employed are illustrated. In particular, device 20 contains the first layer 26 of moisture-absorbent material, the second layer 28 of moisture-proof material, the adhesive 30 and a removable protective sheet 58 covering adhesive 30 ensuring that adhesive 30 remains “wet” and reactive. Adhesive 30 is a light-weight adhesive which permits device 20 to stick to all known materials used in the fabrication of shirts and blouses but not of a permanent nature thereby allowing for removal of device 20 when saturated or no longer needed. Further to the use of an adhesive, as shown in FIG. 8, adhesive 30 is disposed underneath the second layer 28 of moisture-proof material. This embodiment coincides with that which is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, wherein device 20 is stuck to inner surface 22 of shirt 12. However, adhesive 30 can be applied on top of the first layer 26 of moisture-absorbent material thereby allowing device 20 to be adhered directly to the skin of the user (such as a woman who shaves her armpits). In such embodiment (not shown in the Figs.), protective sheet 58 is removably disposed on top of said adhesive 30 which is in turn disposed on top of the first layer 26. And, adhesive 30 is a non-allergenic, light-weight adhesive.
Referring to FIG. 9, a preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. As shown therein, an armpit perspiration absorption device 60 has a first and second pad, 62 and 64 respectively, attached to one another. In such embodiment, first pad 62 lays upon a top surface 66 of second pad 64. Both first and second pad, 62 and 64 has the same construction as absorption device 20. In essence, absorption device 60 is a pair of absorption devices 20 laid upon one another and attached to each other.
In all of the embodiments described hereinabove, it is preferred that the armpit perspiration absorption device of the present invention be disposable. Accordingly, when first layer 26 becomes saturated or said device is no longer needed, it is simply removed from the area of the armpit and thrown away. However, nothing herein limits that the devices of all embodiments of this present invention be reusable through washing. Further, in any of the embodiments of this present invention, mentioned directly above, corn starch and or baking soda can be introduced along first layer 26 to provide additional drying capabilities and or deodorizing capabilities.
Equivalent elements can be substituted for ones set forth herein to achieve the same results in the same way and in the same manner.

- Having thus described the present invention in the detailed description of the preferred embodiment, what is desired to be obtained in Letters Patent is:

Claims

1. An armpit perspiration absorption device comprising:

a) at least one pad having a generally longitudinal shape,

b) a first layer of moisture-absorbent material of the at least one pad having a top and bottom surface;

c) a second layer of moisture-resistant material of the at least one pad having a top and bottom surface, the top surface of the second layer affixed to the bottom surface of the first layer;

d) the armpit perspiration absorption device employed proximal to an armpit of a person;

e) the first layer absorbing perspiration concentrating in the armpit of the person; and

f) the second layer prohibiting all absorbed perspiration captured and retained by the first layer from passing through said absorption device.

2. The armpit perspiration absorption device of claim 1, further comprising a layer of adhesive applied to the surfaces chosen from the group consisting of the top surface of the first layer and the bottom surface of the second layer of the at least one pad.

3. The armpit perspiration absorption device of claim 2, further comprising a removably attached protective sheet covering the layer of adhesive.

4. The armpit perspiration adsorption device of claim 2, wherein said absorption device is removably adhered to an inner surface of a shirt worn by the person in an area directly underneath the armpit of said person proximal to a seam that joins an arm portion to a body portion of said shirt.

5. The armpit perspiration adsorption device of claim 2, wherein said device is removably adhered directly to a skin surface of the armpit of the person.

6. The armpit perspiration absorption device of claim 1, wherein the moisture-absorbent material is a wood cellulose fiber.

7. The armpit perspiration absorption device of claim 1, wherein the moisture-resistant material is chosen from the group consisting of polypropylene and polyethylene.

8. The armpit perspiration absorption device of claim 1, further comprising a pair of straps attached at opposed ends of said device, a first strap of said pair for wrapping around an outer portion of a shoulder blade of the person and a second of said pair of straps for wrapping around an upper portion of an arm of the person such that the absorption device is juxtaposed up against an area of skin of the person's armpit.

9. The armpit perspiration absorption device of claim 8, wherein each of the pair of straps includes a length adjusting mechanism along said strap.

10. The armpit perspiration absorption device of claim 1, wherein said absorption device inserts within a pocket of a shirt, said pocket located directly underneath an armpit of the person when said shirt is worn.

11. The armpit perspiration absorption device of claim 1, wherein the at least one pad includes a first and second pad.

12. The armpit perspiration absorption device of claim 11, wherein the first pad is positioned on top of the second pad in an “X” formation.

13. An armpit perspiration absorption device comprising:

a) at least one pad having a generally longitudinal shape;

b) a first layer of moisture-absorbent material of the at least one pad, said first layer having a top and bottom surface;

c) a second layer of moisture-resistant material of the at least one pad, said second layer having a top and bottom surface, the top surface of said second layer affixed to the bottom surface of the first layer;

d) the first layer absorbing perspiration concentrating in an armpit of a person;

e) the second layer prohibiting all absorbed perspiration captured and retained by the first layer from passing through said absorption device; and

g) means for retaining said absorption device in an area proximal to said armpit of the person.

14. The armpit perspiration absorption device of claim 13, wherein the means for retaining said absorption device in an area proximal to said armpit of the person is a layer of adhesive.

15. The armpit perspiration absorption device of claim 14, further comprising a removable protective sheet covering said adhesive, said protective sheet removed prior to employing said absorption device to the armpit of the person.

16. The armpit perspiration absorption device of claim 13, wherein the means for retaining said absorption device in an area proximal to said armpit of the person is a pair of straps attached at opposite ends of said absorption device, a first strap of said pair for wrapping around an outer portion of a shoulder blade of the person and a second strap of said pair for wrapping around an upper portion of an arm of the person such that the absorption device is juxtaposed against an area of skin of the armpit.

17. An armpit perspiration absorption system, comprising:

a) at least one pad having at least two layers of material, each layer of material laid upon another;

b) at least one first layer constructed of a moisture-absorbent material and at least one second layer constructed of a moisture-resistant material of the at least one pad; and

c) a shirt worn by a person having a pocket formed within an inner surface of said shirt proximal to a portion of the shirt where an arm portion of said shirt is attached to a body portion of said by a seam, said pocket having an open end for receiving and retaining said at least one pad there within.

18. The armpit perspiration absorption system of claim 17, further comprising a layer of adhesive applied to a bottom surface of the at least one second layer of moisture-resistant material for assisting in retaining said at least one pad in said pocket.

19. The armpit perspiration absorption system of claim 17, further comprising the pocket having a closed end and a skirted peripheral edge, said skirted peripheral edge affixed to the inner surface of said shirt.

20. The armpit perspiration absorption system of claim 17, wherein the at least one pad includes a first and second pad, said first pad laid upon said second pad in an “X” formation.