Athletic attire with integrated perspiration absorbing material

Abstract

An upper body athletic garment is disclosed with a built-in piece of material that is absorbent on one side and moisture wicking on the other side that acts as a towel allowing the wearer to wipe away perspiration during an athletic or other strenuous activity without needing to stop and locate a towel or cloth. The piece of material is typically attached to the inside of the garment connected at the neck and running all or most of the length of the garment across the chest with the moisture wicking side in contact with the skin to provide passive moisture control. The piece of material can be shaped, located, and fastened in multiple ways and can be duplicated in some versions and run along the sides of the garment. The piece of material can also be fastened and hang either wholly or partially to the outside of the garment and can be attached by means of fasteners, adhesives, or other means or may be stitched or otherwise permanently connected to the garment at the neck. The piece of material may also be connected additionally to the bottom edge or close to the bottom edge of the garment. The material may be made of a dual layer of moisture absorbent and moisture wicking materials or may be made out of a single moisture absorbent material like a towel.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An upper body garment comprising:
 a tubular body of substantially hydrophobic material having a neck opening; arm openings; a front side and a back side; and   a strip of hydrophilic material removably attached by means of a plurality of fasteners to the inside of the front side of the neck opening of the tubular body, wherein the hydrophilic material extends a predetermined distance from the neck opening and is unattached from the tubular body.   
     
     
         2 . The upper body garment as in  claim 1  wherein the strip of hydrophilic material is comprised of a two-layered material wherein one layer comprises a hydrophilic material and one side comprises a hydrophobic material. 
     
     
         3 . The upper body garment as in  claim 1  wherein the strip of hydrophilic material is secured removably to the upper body garment with a plurality of hooks and loops. 
     
     
         4 . The upper body garment as in  claim 1  wherein the strip of hydrophilic material is secured removably to the upper body garment with a plurality of hook and loop fastener strips. 
     
     
         5 . The upper body garment as in  claim 1  wherein the strip of hydrophilic material is secured removably to the upper body garment through a plurality of holes, eyelets, or loops through which is passed a plurality of laces. 
     
     
         6 . The upper body garment as in  claim 1  wherein the strip of hydrophilic material is secured removably to the upper body garment with a plurality of adhesive strips. 
     
     
         7 . The upper body garment as in  claim 1  wherein the strip of hydrophilic material is permanently secured to the upper body garment. 
     
     
         8 . The upper body garment as in  claim 1  wherein the strip of hydrophilic material is formed from an extension of the material comprising the upper body garment attached to a layer of hydrophilic material. 
     
     
         9 . The upper body garment as in  claim 1  wherein the strip of hydrophilic material is attached to the outside of the neck opening of the tubular body of the upper body garment. 
     
     
         10 . The upper body garment as in  claim 1  wherein the strip of hydrophilic material is attached partially inside and partially outside of the neck opening of the tubular body of the upper body garment. 
     
     
         11 . The upper body garment as in  claim 1  wherein the strip of hydrophilic material is attached to the neck opening of the tubular body and to the bottom rim of the tubular body of the upper body garment. 
     
     
         12 . The upper body garment as in  claim 1  wherein the strip of hydrophilic material is comprised of a rectangularly shaped piece of material. 
     
     
         13 . The upper body garment as in  claim 1  wherein the strip of hydrophilic material is comprised of an hourglass shaped piece of material. 
     
     
         14 . The upper body garment as in  claim 1  wherein the strip of hydrophilic material is comprised of an oval shaped piece of material. 
     
     
         15 . The upper body garment as in  claim 1  wherein the upper body garment is comprised of an additional strip of hydrophilic material and each strip of hydrophilic material is attached to the arm opening of the tubular body on the left and right sides.