CA2212756A1 - Personal medical supplies and equipment carrying pouch - Google Patents

Abstract

A foldable, insulated carry pouch is provided having a plurality of overlaid pockets therein, at least some of which include mesh or off-set walls to facilitate visual orientation and access by the user upon unfolding of the pouch. A pleated pocket wall structure is available to enlarge the pocket capacity, and diverse fabric materials are used to optimize the preferred internal and external characteristics: spill proof or waterproof interior and tear/wear resistant exterior, for example. Zippered closures for at least some of the pockets are arranged with diverse directions of closure travel to avoid interference, and a quick release exterior buckle secures the pouch in a folded position for transport or storage. An exterior flap provides convenience storage for personal identification materials and the like. The buckle is dimensioned and disposed so as to readily include a source identifying mark or brand which is externally apparent.

Description

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08~ 1997 02: 33 2192565137 CA 022l27S6 l9~97~0r8U lllrAIN PAGE 05 Personal Medlcal Supplies and Equipment Carrying Pouch BACKGROUND AND SUMNIARY OF THE INVENTION
~ he present invention relates ~onerally to p-ck~in~, lug~a~o, container~, and like a, liclcs for carrying medical supplies and equipmen~ convenlently by individual~ for their persG, .al use. This invention also relates to devlces for containing ~ dicintl supplies in an insulated environment.
Various prior a.,a,)~e.nants have been su~e3~ad for storing and moving an individuars medical ~ or equipmen~ However. achievin~ an optimum arrangement has been difficult Initially, the container or package must be small enou~h to be easily portabla and 3tor~d in convenient, readily 7cs~ssiblQ loc~tiors about the house, vehicle or person of the user. At the same time it must also bo large enough to receive the medical supplies and/or equipment naeded. It has been su~g~ d that for some purposes a plurality of contalnor~ be employed, but that may cause the u~ers to be unduly and au1cwardly bur~lene~l durin~ transpG,tat;G,- of th~ containers. Moreovèr, for the sake of personal privacy many prefer that th~ir medical condi~iol ,s not be transparent to passersby via the nature of the conbinors so carried, ~urther, in some instance~ it is ;I~IPGI ldll~ to insulate the mediune from oertain varianoes in te~nporature andfor light in order to prolong the viabillty of that medicine.
Since during u~a~e, ospeci~"y e,n~,~en~y usa~e, the supplbs can b~co"-e qpilled or other n~aterials, ~uch as blood, can come into cGntacl with tlle container, it i~ i, n~G, ~"t to be able to maintain ~ sanit~ry environl~e.,~ about tho supplies during storage until ~hse~n~nt use. One time use (Ulrouaway) containers are not always envir~,,..n6n~11y or 08~ 1997 02: 33 2192565137 CA 022l2756 l9,97,08-~llrAIN PAGE 06 economically efficient, At the same time, it is important that the suppli~s be adequately pro~ected from injury as a result of ~cci~ental contact with other objects durin~ stora~e or conlacl Hou~er, WhilQ durability and reu~ability are desired, It Is also i"".u~ant to keep the costs of such pacl~qDin~ reasonably a~rGrdai-le Nledical supplles so c~rried may be used in a streased ~r emergency condition Thus, the user and on occ~qion a person previously unknown to the u~er, should find the container to be readily accsssible and have the location, source and/or nature of the supplies plainly known to them upon examination or op~ning of the container In many instances, the person~ accessing the container wlll be hiyhly trained, but in othe~
i"~t;~ ,ces they may not be, and the container construction should tak~ that into acco~nt Accordin~ly, it is an object of 01e ~r~&ent invention to provide an improved container for storing and carryin~ per~onal medicinal supplies and/or equipment Other ~ cl~
include the provision o~ ~uch a container that is:
a li~ t~ t and aesthetlcally attractive in outward appearance, b. easily portable and canvanlantly stored about a home, person or vehicle, c inexpenslve and conveniently reusable, d thermally insulated and ~hock resistant, e durable 0nd easily acce~se~ for use, and f. conveniently and efficiently orç~niz~ad in its interior These and other objects of the pres~nt invention are obtained by the provision of a foldable, insulated carry pouch having a ,olurality af overlaid pock~ts therein, at least 08fll~1997 132: 33 2192565137 CA 022l2756 l9,97,~0,8.,l,lrAIN PAGE E17 some of which include mesh or off-set ~Ivalls to facilitate vlsual ori~nbtion and ~cce~s by the user upon unfolding of the pouch. A pleated pocket wall structure is available to enlar~e the pocket capacity, and diverse fabric m~terial~ are uted to cptimize the preferred internal and e)demal cl,ar~ctaristics. spill proof or waterproof interior and tearlwear resistant exterior, for example. Zippered closures ~or at least aome of the pockets are arranged with diverse directions of closure trav~l to avoid it~te,r6rence, and a quick release exterlor buckle sccures the pouch in a folded position for transport or storage. An exterio- flap provides convenience Qtorage for personal ido.,li~ ion ,~at~rials and the llke. The buckle is dimensioned and dis~s_l 9~ as to r~adily include a source identifying mark or brand which is e~ernally apparent.
Other objects, adv_. I~yes qnd novel features of tho prosent invention will become readily a~,pd(enl to those of ordinary ~kill in the art from the foliowing detailed desc~ t;Gn and drawings.

BI~IEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fi~ure 1 shows a plan view of the exterior of an unfolded pouch G.nbGd~ing the present invention~ unth portions broken away to illustrate layered construction.
Fi~ure 2 shows a plan view of the underside of the unfolded pouch of Fig Figure 3 shou s a front plan view of the pouch o~ F~g. 1 in a fo~ded position.
Figure 4 shows a back plan view of the pouch ~ ~ig, 1 in a folded position.

~8fllfl997 02:33 21925~5137 CA 022l2756 l9,97;08,, llrAIN PAGE 08 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERREO EMBODIMENTS
Figure 1. which illustrates a preferr~d embodiment of the present invention, shou~
an unfolded pouch 10 with an ex~erior layer 12 formed from floxlble material, such as 600 denier polyester fabric. In ~eneral, the material of layer 12 i8 advantageously select~d to reslstwear and tear. Female buckle r"e"l~er 14 and male bucklo member 16 are attached to layer 12. In especially pr~f6rr~d embodiments, a vinyl layer 18 is ~uacJ)Bcl to layQ~ 12 so as to be ~isposed underfemale member 14. In the e~amplo illustrated, female member 14 does not e~dend beyond layer 18, bu~ male member 16 extends for a lon~th beyond layer 12. Female ~ne,~bQr 14 and male "~e,nl~er 16 can b~ a~ any deYired conventional buckle configuration tha~ i8 matin~ly interlocking and readily unlock~hle by ~ user.
Hôwever, it i~ preferred that female member 14 include a sufficiently si~able surface 20 upon which a plainly visible brand symbol 22 identifyin~ Ule origin of the pouch or its contents can be mounted. That brand c~n be appli~d in molding buckl~ n,~n~bcr 14 from pla~tic material A generally rectan~ular flap 24 is secured along a first set of oppvsing sides 2B
thereof to layer 12. A second set of opposin~ sides 28 of flap 24 are left unconnected to layer 12 and bounded only by edge binder 30. Thl~ binder al~o i~ at~cl,~.l to the perim~t~r of layers 12 and 18 A inbrior layer 32 of flexible material is ~ pose~ benedth e~erior layers 12 and 1 B.
Layer 32 is, for example fornr¢d from a finer weave of nylon or lik~ material 90 as to be more resistAnt to pene~-~liun of moi~ture or~fluid. Layers 12 and 18 can be secured to 08~11fl997 02: 33 2192565137 CA 022l2756 l997l~o8ulllrAIN PAGE ~9 layer 32 along the periphery of the layers by convenUonal Slitohi~-~. Preferably, layer 34 a~ flexible, foam rna~erial i5 dis~osed betweQn the interior and e~te(ior layers. Layer 34 can be c~lectecl from convention~l ",aterial that is thermally insulatiny ~nd shock resistant.
Addnional layers and construction of pouch 10 are ~een in Figure 2, illustrating the underside of the pouch. When folded into a closed position, such as viewed in figures 3 and 4, this underside t ¢co~,e~ the interior of the pouch. In particular and as vieu~d from Figure 2, layer 36 of fle~4ble "~t~ l is provided overlaying layer 32. Preferably, l~yer 36 is coe~n~ive with layer 32, formed from similar spill resistant, finer mesh fabric as layer 32 and is secured to layer 32 about most of its perimeter Along one com",~" ~ide A, layers 32 and 36 are joined by a reces~ed zipper 38. As shown, a length 40 of binder material extend~ alon~ that co""non side, slightly off~et below blndor 30, and a~sists to define the recess in which zipper 38 ia loca~ed. In this ,nannar, a selectively closable pod~et is c~att~ b_tY~n layers 32 and 3~, and the pull tab of zipper avoids obstructlng the interior of pouch 10. Zipper 38 is advantageously fGrrlleJ from nylon material.
Layer 42 of mesh material is disposed over a portlon of layer 36. Pr~f~Jr~ly. Iayer 42 is secured to on~ side B of layer 36, extends over less than half of layer 36 and is pleated to allow it to expand ou~Nardly away from layer 36. Layer 42 is fl~dly s~cured about all its periphery to layer 36 except for a portion of that periphery u here layer 42 is fxed to layer 36 by an exposed zipper 44. Thus, a selectively closable pocket is created be~en layers 36 and 42. Zippers 38 and 44 are shown to have 8~ ~hst~ntially the same axis of closure X in this embodiment. However, the pull tap of zippers 38 and 44 are 08~11fl997 02:33 2192565137 CA 022l2756 l9~97,-,08~l,l.TAIN PAGE 10 preferably both laterally separated and separated by the portion of layer 36 recessing zipper 38. The mesh of layer 42 i~, for example, s~ticienlly coarse so as to allow the u~er to r~adi~y ~ee the nature of the contents in the pocket c~ h~l II.crcby. In embodiments where layer 42 is pleated there may be sufficient room within that pocket to contain bulky objects, such as even a smaller, ins~ t~ pouch or cont~iner 46.
Layer 48 of fl~able ",~t~,rial is dispose~ over an~tJ ,er portion of layer 36"t~roferably not c~e~ensive ~nt~ the overlaying by layor 42. A~ shown, layer 48 i8 secured to one -~ide C of layer 36 and extends ov~r le88 ~an half of layer 36. Layer 48 is, for example, formed from the same matorlal as l~yer 36. Layer 48 is fixedly secured about all of It~ periphery to layer 36 except for a portion of that periphery where layer 48 i8 secured to layer 3B by an e)~posed zipper 50. Thus, a selectively closable pocket i~ cr~t~d between layers 36 and 48. Zipper 50 l~r~r~bly has an axis of closure Y which i~ diverse, in thl~ case nearly orthogonal, to axi~ of closuro X. Thus, as zippers 42 and SO travel between open and closed positions, their re~Fective pull tabs do not inte. fera.
In especi~lly ~ r-rr~l cmbodlment8, layers 42 and 48 dc no~ completely ov~rlay layer 36 and there is a ~ap G be~ n tho pool~.et~ created by layers 42 and 48. Loop 52, formed for example by ela~tic ~abrlc material, is secured within ~ap ~3 to either lay~r 36 or one side of Iayer 42 or both. As shown, loop 52 is ~is,~-s~cl at the meridian of layer 36, where the pouch is foldable upon Its~lf.
Layer 54 of flexiblo material is ~isposed over a ponion of layer 48, but pr~ferably not coextensive unth layer 48. As shown, l~yer 54 i9 fixedly securod to side C and over 08~11/1997 02: 33 2192565137 CA 02212756 199T7~,08,-~11,~TAIN PAGE 11 most af its periphery to laysr 48. A portion of that periphery is left unsecured 80 a~ to form an opening into the poc cet be~en layers 48 and 54. As shown, that openin~ i8 along an axis Z, inclined with respcct to both a~es of Glo~ure X and Y. The ed~e of that openiny can be defined by a length 56 of binder material. It has been considered advanb~eous to form layer 54 from th~ ~ame or 8imilar material as i9 used to form layer 12.
In u~e~ pouch 10 i8 to be folded over upon itself and buckled shut by insertion of buGkle member 16 into buckle member 14, as shown in Figur~s 3 and 4, uhlen in the stora~e mode VVhen acces~ to the contents of the pouch is desired, buckle members 14 and 16 ~re disconnected and the pouch is laid flat, as shown in Fi~ures 1 and 2.
Flap 2~ can be uQed, for example. to retain a medical alert card or health card providing pertinent i~ 4tion about the owner of the pouch and/or ih cGl~tcnls to another person accessing the pouch to a88i5t that owner, such as an attending doctor or paramedic.
The pocket formed between layers 32 and 36 i8 suitable for storing items that should be insulated from t,..",~ral.lre el.an~2s, such as certain me.JicinQs. Although foam layer 34 is provided ddjac~nt layer 32. but not lay~r 36, when pouch 10 i~ folded that foam encomp~sses layer 36, thus providing insulation around the entire pocket in the stor..~c mode Use of a s~J,~ "l~ l in~ulated con~ai"er 46 permi~s ~redter fle~bili~r in the ran~e of insulating c~ara~ rislics and conditions available. If it is desired that certain items, such as ,.,~.lical syringes, be readily visible uhen U~e pouch is o~cncd, the pocket hrme~
b~t~e~n mesh layer 42 and layer 36 is advantageous. A markin~ device, such as a pen CA 022l2756 l997-08,-ll~TAIN PAGE 12 08~ 1997 02:33 2192565137 ~ Y ~.

or p~ncil, can be readily retained by loop 52, and IQ~S bulky items, such a8 m~ters, instruction manuals and the like can be neatly disposed in the other pockets of pouch 10.
As a whole, pouch 1û can be dlmensioned to ~It into most conventional putses, ~love compartments, brief cases and the like, providing significant stora~e capacity by comparison with it~ storage mode ~ize. OffseKin~ the pocket openin~s and usin~ diver~o closure axes provides greater contenl visibili~ and red~lces interference of pocket closure devices, ~uch as zippers.
~ Ithough preferrod embodiments of the present invention hav~ been de~uibed above in detail. the same is by way of illus~iGn and e~amplc only, and not as a limit~tion.
l~108e of skill in this an will no~ readily appreciate that vatious adaptation-~ can be made within the spirit of this inventiorl. Accordin~ly, the ~pirit and scope of the present invention ar~ only limited by the scope of tho claims below.

Claims (11)

What is Claimed is:

1. A portable insulated pouch which folds open for access to a plurality of pockets, including at least first and second overlaying pockets, each with zippered closure means, the second pocket having at least one wall of which formed by a pleated mesh material to allow visual access to the contents of that pocket.

2. The pouch according to Claim 1 wherein the second pocket overlays a portion of the first pocket and further including a third pocket which also overlays a portion of the first pocket, the third pocket including zippered closure means, the axis of closure for the third pocket being diverse from the axis of closure of the first pocket.

3. The pouch according to Claim 2 further including a fourth pocket overlaying the third pocket at least in part and having an opening thereto along an axis diverse from the axes of closure of either the first or third pockets.

4. The pouch according to Claim 2 further including a retaining loop mounted between the second and third pockets for securing elongated items therein, that loop being positioned substantially along the fold of the pouch.

5. The pouch according to Claim 1 wherein the dimensions of the pleat of the second pocket are sufficient to allow retention of an additional insulated container within the second pocket.

6. The pouch according to Claim 1 further including a closure strap and buckle for selectively retaining the pouch in a closed orientation, that buckle including identifying insignia thereon.

7. The pouch according to Claim 6 further including an exterior loop means for retaining items for ready access when the pouch is folded and the buckle is closed.

8. A portable container for personal medicinal items, equipment and the like, comprising:
a first layer formed from flexible, material, a second layer formed from insulating material, underlaying the first layer, a third layer formed from flexible material, underlaying the second layer, a fourth layer formed from flexible material, secured to the third layer to form therewith a first pocket, a first closure means for retaining items within the first pocket, a fifth layer formed from mesh material, overlaying at least a portion of the first pocket and secured thereto to form a second pocket, a second closure means for retaining items within the second pocket, and wherein the fifth layer is pleated to create an expandable pocket wall.

9. The container according to Claim 8 wherein the materials selected for all of said layers permit the container to be folded upon itself, a buckle means is attached to the first layer securing the container in a closed, folded orientation, and a diverse layer is provided which extends beyond the first layer, maintaining a support surface for the buckle.

10. The container according to Claim 9 wherein a sixth layer of material is provided overlaying a portion of the first pocket and secured thereto to form a third pocket, a third closure means is provided for retaining items within the third pocket and a seventh layer of material is provided overlaying a portion of the third pocket and secured thereto to form a fourth pocket.

11. The container according to Claim 10 wherein the first and seventh layers are formed from wear resistant material and the third, fourth, and sixth layers are formed from material that is at least water resistant.