A clear conception of the advantages and features constituting the present invention, and of the construction and operation of typical mechanisms provided with the present invention, will become more readily apparent by referring to the exemplary, and therefore non-limiting, embodiments illustrated in the drawings accompanying and forming a part of this specification, wherein like reference numerals designate the same elements in the several views, and in which:
In describing the preferred embodiment of the invention which is illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, it is not intended that the invention be limited to the specific terms so selected and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose.
The present invention and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments described in detail in the following description.
A garment system is provided in which various garments permit enhanced accessibility to medicament injection sites, or “key zones” , of the wearer. The garment system, constructed according to the present invention, is indicated generally as, e.g., garment system 5 in
Referring now to
Referring now to
The particular garment 10 seen in
Access slots 100 can be provided at locations on the pajama 12. For example, access slots 100 are located at each of the outer surface of the upper thigh portion of pajama 12. Yet other access slots 100 are provided at the outer surface of the upper arm portion. Access slots 100 can be provided elsewhere on the pajama 12, preferably superposing, overlying, or otherwise located at portions of the pajama that correspond to key zones or other medicament injection sites.
Referring now to
In some implementations, T-shirt 14 further includes a second or outer sleeve segment 15B. Outer sleeve segment 15B is a material member that covers or overlies the upper arm portion 15A, similar to how the sleeve of a short-sleeved dress shirt might cover the sleeve of a short-sleeved undershirt. The outer sleeve segments 15B can lie loosely over upper arm portions 15A, or be selectively attached thereto, by way of hook and loop fasteners, zippers, buttons, snaps, and/or otherwise, as desired.
Since the access slot 100 is provided in the upper arm portion 15A, the outer sleeve segment 15B serves as, e.g., a loose over-layer that conceals the access slot 100, when not in use. The outer sleeve segments 15B can be made from the same material as the remainder of T-shirt 14, whereby the overall appearance of the T-shirt 14 resembles that of, preferably visually indiscernible from, a conventional shirt.
Referring now to
In some implementations, sweatshirt 16 further includes a concealing member, such as patch-like cover 17B. Patch-like covers 17B are material members that cover or overlie the upper arm portions 17A, and the respective access slots 100. Patch-like covers 17B can themselves have slots or openings, registered or otherwise aligned with access slots 100, permitting selective access thereto. In other implementations, the patch-like covers 17B are continuous, non-slotted, material members that are at least partially temporarily attached to the upper arm portions 17A, by way of, e.g., hook and loop fasters, zippers, buttons, snaps, and/or other suitable means.
Patch-like covers 17B can be made from the same material as the remainder of sweatshirt 16 to mitigate their visual impact. However, as desired, patch-like covers 17B can be made from a dissimilar material such that they are visually conspicuous, and easily recognizable as patches, preferably visually indiscernible from conventional patches.
Referring now to
As desired, pants 18 can further include various concealing members, such as pocket-like covers 19B. Although labeled as being “pocket-like,” it is fully appreciated, and well within the scope of the invention, that pocket-like covers 19B can have at least some, optionally all, the functionality of a typical garment pocket. Similar to patch-like covers 17B, pocket-like covers 19B are material members that cover or overlie the respective access slots 100, only the pocket-like covers 19B are provided upon the upper thigh portion 19A of pants 18.
Pocket-like covers 19B can include slots or openings, registered or otherwise aligned with access slots 100, permitting selective access to the slots 100 and the key zone(s) of the wearer. However, as desired, pocket-like covers 19B can be continuous, non-slotted, or unitary material members that are at least partially temporarily attached to the upper arm portions 17A, by way of, e.g., hook and loop fasters, zippers, buttons, snaps, and/or other suitable means of attaching or fastening material(s).
Pocket-like covers 19B can be made from the same or dissimilar material as the remainder of pants 18, as desired. Preferably pocket-like covers 19B are made of the same material and incorporated into the overall design of pants 18 to not distract from the overall aesthetic characteristics of the pants. In other words, pocket-like covers 19B can largely duplicate the appearance of, preferably visually indiscernible from, conventional pockets that might be on outer thigh surfaces of pants, such as, e.g., cargo pants.
Referring now to
Access slots 100, in particular openings 105, are adapted and configured to selectively provide suitable access to the respective key zones, whereby a sufficient surface area of the wearer's skin is exposed through the openings 105. In some implementations, the openings 105 exposes a skin surface area of at least about 2 inches2, optionally at least about 6 inches2, optionally at least about 10 inches2, or otherwise. The particular opening area, perimeter shape, and/or other characteristics of access slots 100 are selected based on the size of the garment 10 and thus the size of the wearer, the relative sizes of particular key zones, the desired amount of injection site variation within the key zones, and/or others.
Preferably, openings 105 are narrow slits, as though they were merely split or slotted portions of the material of garment 10. The opening 105 can define an opening width dimension, between generally straight lateral edges, that is generally constant along the entire length of the opening 105. Optionally, the opening 105 can be defined between arcuate lateral edges. In such implementations, the opening 105 can be relatively wider in the middle portion and taper down to one or more relatively more narrow ends. In yet other embodiments, the opening 105 can define a substantially rectangular, square, or other polygonal perimeter as desired, depending on the amount of skin surface area exposure of the key zone that is sought through opening 105.
In most implementations, the opening 105 is defined between a base portion 110 and a flap portion 120 which are selectively connected to each other by a closure mechanism 130. Base portion 110 is, e.g., a piece of material attached to or integral with the garment 10. It is the portion of the access slot 100 that remains connected to the garment 10 at all times, during use. Accordingly, a first lateral edge of base portion 110 is adjacent and interfaces with the garment, whilst a second lateral edge of base portion 110 is adjacent and interfaces with opening 105. An outwardly facing surface of base portion 110 includes a first fastening component 150 of the closure mechanism 130, for selectively closing the access slots 100.
Flap portion 120 is adapted and configured to selectively extend over and cover the access slot 100. In other words, flap portion 120 functions, at least in part, to permit or restrict access to the opening 105 and thus permit or restrict access to the key zones. A first end or segment of flap portion 120 is secured to the garment 10, adjacent the opening 105, on the opposing side of the opening 105 with respect to the base portion 110. A second end or segment of flap portion 120, distal the point of attachment between the flap portion 120 and garment 10, includes a second fastening component 155 of the closure mechanism 130, for selectively closing the access slots 100.
First and second fastening components 150, 155 cooperate with each other to provide the selective closing and opening functionality of the closure mechanism 130. Preferably, the closure mechanism is a hook and loop system, such as that available and sold under the Brand Name Velcro®. In such implementations, the first and second fastening components 150, 155 can be either of the hooks or the loops, respectively, as desired. Notwithstanding, other products, devices, and mechanisms which can suitably retain the access slot 100 in a temporarily closed condition can be utilized as closure mechanism 130, including, e.g., zippers, buttons, snaps, fabric ties, and/or others as desired.
In light of the above, to use the garment system 5, in some regards, the user or wearer uses it in substantially the same manner as conventional clothing. Thus, the wearer merely selects the appropriate garment 10 based on weather conditions, activity, style, or otherwise.
When the wearer requires delivery of an injected medicament, the wearer releases the closures mechanism 130 by, e.g., releasing the hook and loop fastener(s), unzipping the zipper, unbuttoning the buttons, unsnapping the snaps, untying the ties, or otherwise, depending on the particular configuration of the closure mechanism 130. Next, the wearer pulls the flap portion 120 away from the base portion 110, sufficiently far to manipulate the access slot 100. If needed, the edges of the access slot are adjusted so that the opening 105 directly overlies the desired key zone and injection site, exposing the respective surface area portion of skin of the user. The medicament is administered by injection, e.g., subcutaneous or other injection methods, into the key zone of the wearer. Then, the access slot 100 is closed by generally reversing the procedures used to release the closure mechanism 130.
At no point during the use of garment system 5 is the wearer required to (i) remove garment 10, (ii) partially remove garment 10, (iii) expose a non-key zone portion of their body, or (iv) expose a skin surface area larger than exposed through the opening 105 of the access slot 100, even while administering the injectable medicament.
The medicaments are any of those that are administered by injection, but can be particularly useful for insulin injection treatments for coping with diabetes. Diabetics tend to inject insulin in key zones that are largely inaccessible without removing or partially removing clothing, yet can be generally easily reached by the individual him/herself, or a caretaker, whereby the garment system 5 can prove particularly useful for individuals, adult or child, with diabetes.
Although the best mode contemplated by the inventors of carrying out the present invention is disclosed above, practice of the present invention is not limited thereto. It will be manifest that various additions, modifications, and rearrangements of the features of the present invention may be made without deviating from the spirit and scope of the underlying inventive concept. The scope of still other changes to the described embodiments that fall within the present invention but that are not specifically discussed above will become apparent from the appended claims.
This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/828,498, filed on Oct. 6, 2006, which is expressly incorporated by reference herein, in its entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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60828498 | Oct 2006 | US |