Undergarment

Abstract

This invention relates to an undergarment and more particularly to support briefs or shorts for, inter alia, supporting pelvic floor, lower back and abdominal muscles adaptable for use by females or males. The garment is provided with an uplifting mechanism to provide support at the crotch portion.

1 . An undergarment for providing support to a wearer comprising:
 a front portion;   a rear portion;   a crotch portion between the front portion and the rear portion;   a waistband for supporting the undergarment on the wearer, and   an uplifting mechanism to provide support at the crotch portion.   
     
     
         2 . The undergarment as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the uplifting mechanism extends between the waistband and the crotch portion to provide an uplifting force at the crotch portion. 
     
     
         3 . The undergarment as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the waistband is adapted to support the support garment on the wearer at hips so that the uplifting force extends between the hips and the crotch. 
     
     
         4 . The undergarment as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the waistband comprises an elasticated waistband. 
     
     
         5 . The undergarment as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the waistband comprises a drawstring and/or fasteners. 
     
     
         6 . The undergarment as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the uplifting mechanism comprises at least one uplifting band extending between the waistband and the crotch portion. 
     
     
         7 . The undergarment as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the uplifting mechanism comprises two uplifting bands extending between the waistband and the crotch portion. 
     
     
         8 . The undergarment as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the at least one uplifting band extends upwards and outwards from the crotch portion to the waistband 
     
     
         9 . The undergarment as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the at least one uplifting band comprises elasticated uplifting bands. 
     
     
         10 . The undergarment as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the elasticated at least one uplifting band comprises pre-tensioned elasticated uplifting bands. 
     
     
         11 . The undergarment as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the undergarment is formed as shorts. 
     
     
         12 . The undergarment as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the shorts comprise compression panels of non-elastic material provided on the inner surface of the shorts. 
     
     
         13 . The undergarment as claimed in claim wherein the crotch portion comprises a pouch for receiving a sanitary towel. 
     
     
         14 . The undergarment as claimed in claim wherein the crotch portion further comprises cushioning means to ameliorate chafing. 
     
     
         15 . The undergarment as claimed in claim comprising an elasticated fabric. 
     
     
         16 . A blank for forming into an undergarment, the undergarment comprising:
 a front portion;   a rear portion;   a crotch portion between the front portion and the rear portion;   a waistband for supporting the undergarment on the wearer, and   an uplifting mechanism to provide support at the crotch portion.   
     
     
         17 . (canceled)