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`US 20070298684Al
`
`c19) United States
`c12) Patent Application Publication
`Spagna
`
`c10) Pub. No.: US 2007 /0298684 Al
`Dec. 27, 2007
`(43) Pub. Date:
`
`(54)
`
`INTEGRATED BRASSIERE POUCH TO BE
`UTILIZED WITH MEDICATION DISPENSER
`
`(76)
`
`Inventor:
`
`Laura Spagna, Greensboro, NC
`(US)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`Laura Spagna
`Apt. R, 5304 Fox Cove Lane
`Greensboro, NC 27407
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`11/473,007
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Jun.21, 2006
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`A41C 3/00
`
`(2006.01)
`
`20
`
`(52) U.S. Cl. ................................................. ........ 450/89
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`
`An apparatus for holding an automated medication dispens(cid:173)
`ing device includes an integrated pouch located in a wom(cid:173)
`an'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.
`
`NIKE-1028
`p. 1
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`Patent Application Publication Dec. 27, 2007 Sheet 1 of 4
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`Dec. 27, 2007 Sheet 2 of 4
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`Patent Application Publication Dec. 27, 2007 Sheet 3 of 4
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`Patent Application Publication Dec. 27, 2007 Sheet 4 of 4
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`US 2007/0298684 Al
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`US 2007 /0298684 Al
`
`Dec. 27, 2007
`
`1
`
`INTEGRATED BRASSIERE POUCH TO BE
`UTILIZED WITH MEDICATION DISPENSER
`
`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 medi(cid:173)
`cation 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, modem 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 dis(cid:173)
`pensing 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 appa(cid:173)
`ratus 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 auto(cid:173)
`mated 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 wom(cid:173)
`en's breasts.
`[0009]
`In another embodiment of the invention, an auto(cid:173)
`mated 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 dam(cid:173)
`age 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 par(cid:173)
`ticularly 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 inven(cid:173)
`tion.
`
`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 desig(cid:173)
`nated 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.
`
`p. 6
`
`

`

`US 2007 /0298684 Al
`
`Dec. 27, 2007
`
`2
`
`[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 cloth(cid:173)
`ing 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 illus(cid:173)
`trated 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 appara(cid:173)
`tus for automated medication dispensing devices may
`
`develop other embodiments of the present invention. How(cid:173)
`ever, 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 equiva(cid:173)
`lents 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.
`
`I claim:
`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 bras(cid:173)
`siere.
`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.
`
`* * * * *
`
`p. 7
`
`