US20070298684A1

US20070298684A1 - Integrated brassiere pouch to be utilized with medication dispenser

Info

Publication number: US20070298684A1
Application number: US11/473,007
Authority: US
Inventors: Laura Spagna
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-06-21
Filing date: 2006-06-21
Publication date: 2007-12-27

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.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
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.
2. Description of the Prior Art
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.
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.
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.
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

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.
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.
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.
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

FIG. 1 is an illustration of an automated medication dispensing device.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a front view of a brassiere, according to the invention.

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.

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

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.

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.