Absorbent garment underarm inlays and garment comprising same

Abstract

The invention relates to an absorbent garment inlay configured for attachment within an underarm portion of a shirt. The inlay includes an inner layer having a wicking material, configured to wick moisture therethrough, and an outer layer having an absorbent material. The outer layer is configured to absorb moisture wicked through the inner layer.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An absorbent garment inlay configured for attachment within an underarm portion of a shirt, comprising:
 an inner layer comprising a wicking material, configured to wick moisture therethrough;   an outer layer comprising an absorbent material, configured to absorb moisture wicked through the inner layer.   
     
     
         2 . The inlay of  claim 1 , wherein the shirt comprises a body portion and at least one arm portion, and wherein the underarm portion is located at a position joining the body portion with a bottom side of the at least one arm portion. 
     
     
         3 . The inlay of  claim 2 , wherein the inlay comprises an upper portion that attaches to the bottom side of the at least one arm portion, and a lower portion that attaches to the body portion, wherein the lower portion is a substantially rectangular strip, and the upper portion is substantially triangular. 
     
     
         4 . The inlay of  claim 3 , wherein the lower portion includes a substantially rectangular base and a curved bottom edge. 
     
     
         5 . The inlay of  claim 1 , wherein the wicking material comprises a fabric having at least one hydrophobic fiber type. 
     
     
         6 . The inlay of  claim 5 , wherein the wicking material comprises polyester. 
     
     
         7 . The inlay of  claim 1 , wherein the inner layer is formed of a woven microfiber fabric. 
     
     
         8 . The inlay of  claim 1 , wherein the outer layer comprises a fabric having at least one hydrophilic fiber type. 
     
     
         9 . The inlay of  claim 1 , wherein the outer layer is formed of a fabric having a waffle weave construction. 
     
     
         10 . The inlay of  claim 1 , wherein the outer layer is adjacent to the inner layer. 
     
     
         11 . The inlay of  claim 1 , further comprising an intermediate layer disposed between the inner layer and the outer layer. 
     
     
         12 . The inlay of  claim 11 , wherein the intermediate layer comprises a wicking material. 
     
     
         13 . The inlay of  claim 1 , wherein the intermediate layer is formed of a woven microfiber fabric. 
     
     
         14 . The inlay of  claim 1 , further comprising an extra-outer layer disposed adjacent to the outer layer and facing an exterior of the garment when the inlay is affixed within the garment. 
     
     
         15 . The inlay of  claim 14 , wherein the extra-outer layer is formed of a woven mesh material. 
     
     
         16 . A shirt, comprising:
 a body portion;   at least one arm portion;   an underarm portion joining the body portion with a bottom side of the at least one arm portion; and   an absorbent inlay affixed within the underarm portion, the inlay comprising an inner layer formed of a wicking material configured to wick moisture therethrough, and an outer layer formed of an absorbent material, configured to absorb moisture wicked through the inner layer.   
     
     
         17 . The shirt of  claim 16 , further comprising an intermediate layer formed of a wicking material and disposed between the inner layer and the outer layer. 
     
     
         18 . The shirt of  claim 16 , further comprising an extra-outer layer formed of a woven mesh material, disposed adjacent to the outer layer and facing an exterior of the garment. 
     
     
         19 . A method of affixing an absorbent garment inlay within an underarm portion of a shirt, comprising:
 providing the shirt, the shirt comprising an interior, an exterior, a body portion, at least one arm portion, and the underarm portion located at a position joining the body portion with a bottom side of the at least one arm portion;   providing the inlay, the inlay comprising an inner layer formed of a wicking material, configured to wick moisture therethrough, and an outer layer formed of an absorbent material and configured to absorb moisture wicked through the inner layer;   removing the underarm portion from the shirt to form an opening;   inserting the inlay within the opening with the inner layer facing the interior and the outer layer facing the exterior; and   affixing the inlay within the opening.   
     
     
         20 . The shirt of  claim 16 , wherein the upper portion has a substantially triangular shape with opposite sides extending towards a central axis of the inlay and a seam extending along the length of the arm portion.