Garment having a protective gusset

Abstract

A garment comprising a gusset, the gusset comprising at least three composite structures wherein the inner structure, which is the structure located closest to the human body, is composed of a wicking composite structure, a second composite structure, which is the structure located adjacent to the inner structure, is composed of a waterproof breathable material, and a third composite structure, which is the structure located adjacent to the second structure, is composed of a backing composite structure that is liquid and air permeable; and at least a portion of the garment, in addition to the gusset, being composed of the backing composite structure.

1 . A garment comprising: 
 a gusset    the gusset comprising at least three composite structures wherein the inner structure, which is the structure located closest to a human body, is composed of a wicking composite structure, a second composite structure, which is the structure located adjacent to the inner structure, is composed of a waterproof breathable material, and a third composite structure, which is the structure located adjacent to the second structure, is composed of a backing composite structure that is liquid and air permeable; and    at least a portion of the garment, in addition to the gusset, being composed of the backing composite structure.    
   
   
       2 . The garment of  claim 1  wherein the wicking composite structure comprises a material which transports body fluids from the inner surface through capillary action or geometric action carrying fluid to its outer surface and dispersing fluid throughout the fabric for evaporation.  
   
   
       3 . The garment of  claim 2  wherein the wicking material is a two ply fabric in which one side is 100% polyester or polypropylene or a combination thereof and the other side is comprised of a polyester-cotton blend.  
   
   
       4 . The garment of  claim 3  wherein the wicking material comprises 91% Polyester and 9% Cotton, and has a water release rate between 0.1%-0.8% per minute.  
   
   
       5 . The garment of  claim 2  wherein the waterproof breathable material comprises an air and gas permeable, hydrophobic, oleophobic, microporous, polytetrafluoroethylene material.  
   
   
       6 . The garment of  claim 5  wherein the waterproof breathable material has an MVTR ranging from 6,000-50,000 g/m2/24 hours per JIS L 1099 test method.  
   
   
       7 . The garment of  claim 5  wherein the waterproof breathable material comprises a monolithic, non-porous hydrophilic stretch material, which is impervious to water but permits moisture vapor transmission.  
   
   
       8 . The garment of  claim 2  wherein the backing composite structure comprises an elastic, liquid and air permeable material.  
   
   
       9 . The garment of  claim 2  wherein the backing composite structure comprises a nylon lycra circular knit.  
   
   
       10 . The garment of  claim 8  wherein the garment is selected from the group consisting of: (a) undergarments including thong, bikini, brief, boy short styles, toddler and infant undergarments, nursing bras and perspiration pads; of (b) outerwear including: active sportswear clothing including running shorts, biking shorts, spandex (elastic) leggings, yoga wear, stretch wear, tennis bloomies, skating wear; and (c) swimwear including: two piece and one piece bathing trunks and suits.  
   
   
       11 . The garment of  claim 1  wherein the gusset is capable of fitting in the crotch area between a human's legs.  
   
   
       12 . The garment of  claim 8  wherein the composite structures are attached at a periphery.  
   
   
       13 . The garment of  claim 12  wherein the periphery is attached by a stitched seam.