U.S. patent application number 11/473007 was filed with the patent office on 2007-12-27 for integrated brassiere pouch to be utilized with medication dispenser.
Invention is credited to Laura Spagna.
Application Number | 20070298684 11/473007 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38874091 |
Filed Date | 2007-12-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070298684 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Spagna; Laura |
December 27, 2007 |
Integrated brassiere pouch to be utilized with medication
dispenser
Abstract
An apparatus for holding an automated medication dispensing
device includes an integrated pouch located in a woman's brassiere.
By placing the integrated pouch either at the center front or
center back of the brassiere, the dispensing device can be safely
maintained, even while the wearer is active. By placing the
dispensing device in the integrated pouch located at the front
center of the brassiere, the dispensing device becomes unobtrusive
as it is partially hidden by the women's breasts. Additionally, the
placement of the dispensing device central to the long axis of the
wearer prevents the weight of the dispensing device from pulling
down on the wearer's clothing in an unbalanced manner. In this
manner, a woman may wear an automated medication dispensing device,
such as an insulin pump, while maintaining an active and sexy
lifestyle.
Inventors: |
Spagna; Laura; (Greensboro,
NC) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Laura Spagna
Apt. R, 5304 Fox Cove Lane
Greensboro
NC
27407
US
|
Family ID: |
38874091 |
Appl. No.: |
11/473007 |
Filed: |
June 21, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
450/89 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41C 3/0064 20130101;
A41C 3/0035 20130101; A41B 2400/32 20130101; A61M 5/14244
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
450/89 |
International
Class: |
A41C 3/00 20060101
A41C003/00 |
Claims
1. An automated medication dispensing device support apparatus,
comprising: a person's undergarment including an integrated
centrally located pouch for holding the automated medication
dispensing device.
2. The automated medication dispensing device support apparatus of
claim 1, wherein the undergarment is a brassiere.
3. The automated medication dispensing device support apparatus of
claim 2, wherein the integrated centrally located pouch is adapted
to hold an insulin pump.
4. The automated medication dispensing device of claim 3, wherein
the integrated centrally located pouch is placed central to the
long axis of an intended wearer of the brassiere.
5. The automated medication dispensing device of claim 4, wherein
the integrated centrally located pouch is located at a front center
of the brassiere.
6. The automated medication dispensing device of claim 5, wherein
the integrated centrally located pouch is located on an interior
surface of the front center of the brassiere.
7. The automated medication dispensing device of claim 4, wherein
the integrated centrally located pouch is located at a rear center
of the brassiere.
8. The automated medication dispensing device of claim 7, wherein
the integrated centrally location pouch is located on an interior
surface of the brassiere.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention is related in general to the field of
medication dispensers. In particular, the invention consists of a
medication pump inserted into an integrated pouch of a personal
undergarment.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] Persons with medical conditions requiring regular dispensing
of medication often utilize an automated medication delivery
device. One such device is a medication pump connected to flow line
design to deliver medication on a regulated basis. For example, a
person with diabetes may utilize an insulin pump to dispense
insulin either on a timed basis or in combination with a monitoring
device to deliver insulin on an as needed basis.
[0005] A problem with automated medication dispensing devices is
that they are often bulky, cumbersome, and difficult to manage. For
example, an individual may choose to place a medication pump in a
pants or shirt pocket. However, the weight of the dispensing device
is often off-center and poorly supported by the piece of clothing.
Additionally, if the clothing is not specifically made to
accommodate the dispensing device, the flow line may be externally
visible. In fact, there are thousands of women of all ages who
suffer from diabetes and wear insulin pumps. Trying to remain
fashionable, sexy, and professional requires a lot of work when you
have a medical device. While men can easily wear an insulin pump on
their belt just like a beeper or cell phone, women who wear
dresses, business suits, or halter-tops generally have nowhere to
keep this device. Some women have taken to placing their insulin
pump in their bra, all the while hoping that the pump would not
slide around or fall out.
[0006] In fact, modern women want and deserve to have it all. They
want to run, play sports, and go to the gym. They also want to be
able to wear sexy evening wear and go dancing. However, until now,
these tasks have been difficult if not impossible for a woman
wearing an insulin pump.
[0007] Accordingly, it is desirable to have an apparatus that
allows a user to carry an automated medication dispensing device in
a manner that is comfortable while being functional. Additionally,
it is desirable that the apparatus support the weight of the
automated medication dispensing device without displaying an
unbalanced distribution of the device's weight. Yet another
desirable feature of the apparatus is that it conceal both the
automated medication dispensing device's flow line while minimizing
any bulges of the device itself. And still another feature of this
invention is the protection of expensive medical devices against
the possibility of droppage.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The invention disclosed herein utilizes a piece of clothing
with an integrated pouch to accommodate an automated medication
dispensing device. In one embodiment of the invention, a women's
brassiere includes an integrated pouch located in the front center
of the brassiere to hold an insulin pump. Because the brassiere is
typically worn under a women's outer garments, the pump and its
associated flow line is hidden from external view. Additionally, by
placing the integrated pouch in the front center of the brassiere,
any appearance of bulging of the women's articles of clothing
(brassiere and outer garment alike) is reduced by the women's
breasts.
[0009] In another embodiment of the invention, an automated
medication dispensing device is adapted to produce a broad, flat
profile and is inserted into a relatively large integrated pouch
located at the center back of the women's brassiere. While this
embodiment of the invention does not obviate the bulge of the
dispensing device, it may be utilized with a loose fitting outer
garment to achieve the same or similar effect, i.e., the balanced
support of the automated medication dispensing device in an
non-obtrusive manner.
[0010] Using these embodiments of the invention, a woman may
utilize an automated medication dispensing device while keeping the
device safe from accidental damage and allowing the woman to be
extraordinarily active, all the while reducing the outward
appearance of the device.
[0011] Various other purposes and advantages of the invention will
become clear from its description in the specification that follows
and from the novel features particularly pointed out in the
appended claims. Therefore, to the accomplishment of the objectives
described above, this invention comprises the features hereinafter
illustrated in the drawings, fully described in the detailed
description of the preferred embodiments, and particularly pointed
out in the claims. However, such drawings and description disclose
just a few of the various ways in which the invention may be
practiced.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is an illustration of an automated medication
dispensing device.
[0013] FIG. 2 is an illustration of a front view of a brassiere,
according to the invention.
[0014] FIG. 3 is an illustration of the interior of the front of
the brassiere of FIG. 2 including an integrated pouch for
supporting the automated medication dispensing device of FIG.
1.
[0015] FIG. 4 is an illustration of the interior view of the rear
of the brassiere of FIG. 2 including an integrated pouch for
supporting the automated medication dispensing device of FIG. 1,
according to another embodiment of the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0016] This invention is based on the idea of using an article of
clothing including an integrated pouch for the accommodation of an
automated medication dispensing device. Referring to figures,
wherein like parts are designated with the same reference numerals
and symbols, FIG. 1 is an illustration of an automated medication
dispensing device 10 (dispensing device) including a flow line 12.
One exemplary dispensing device 10 is an insulin pump often worn by
persons afflicted with diabetes. The flow line 12 may be in
continuous communication with the person, such as through a needle
for the regular injection of insulin. Because the dispensing device
10 is often used to deliver timed and regulated doses of
medication, it is important that the dispensing device be carried
by or "worn" by the device's user.
[0017] Turning to FIG. 2, a brassiere 20 is illustrated for use
with the dispensing device 10. One optimal location for the
dispensing device is at the center front A of the brassiere 20. The
brassiere itself may be constructed of traditional materials such
as cotton, polyester, or synthetic and natural fiber blend.
[0018] FIG. 3 illustrates the interior surface of the center front
A of the brassiere 20 of FIG. 2. Here, a pouch 30 is integrated
into the interior surface of the brassiere 20. While other similar
inventions utilize removable pouches to secure items to a women's
brassiere, the instant invention makes use an integrated pouch to
ensure the best placement and fit of the dispensing device 10 as
well as to maximize comfort to the wearer of the brassiere 20.
Additionally, by utilizing an integrated pouch 30, the brassiere 20
and pouch may be manufactured during a single manufacturing
process.
[0019] Another advantage of the invention is that the dispensing
device 10 is located central to the long axis of the wearer's body.
This is important to prevent the weight of the dispensing device
from pulling down on the wearer's clothing in an unbalanced
fashion. Another important advantage of this axially central
location is that movement by the wearer and, more specifically,
movement of the wearer's arms, is not likely to cause the
dispensing device 10 to become dislodged from the integrated pouch
30 of the brassiere 20.
[0020] Yet another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in
FIG. 4. Here, an integrated pouch 40 similar to that of FIG. 3 is
placed on the interior surface of the back of the brassiere 20. In
this embodiment of the invention, the integrated pouch may include
a larger surface area than that of FIG. 3 but have a lower profile.
In this manner, an automated medication dispensing device 10 may be
adapted to have a similar larger footprint with an accompanying
lower profile. When used with a loose-fitting outer garment, this
embodiment of the invention offers the same or similar benefits as
that of FIGS. 2 and 3.
[0021] Those skilled in the art of making support apparatus for
automated medication dispensing devices may develop other
embodiments of the present invention. However, the terms and
expressions which have been employed in the foregoing specification
are used therein as terms of description and not of limitation, and
there is no intention in the use of such terms and expressions of
excluding equivalents of the features shown and described or
portions thereof, it being recognized that the scope of the
invention is defined and limited only by the claims which
follow.
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