US20190159557A1

US20190159557A1 - Containers Formed as Apparel

Info

Publication number: US20190159557A1
Application number: US16/232,864
Authority: US
Inventors: Kristofer M. Maynard
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2015-04-07
Filing date: 2018-12-26
Publication date: 2019-05-30
Also published as: US20160295976A1

Abstract

In implementations of containers formed as apparel, an apparel item includes a loop structure that encompasses an appendage when worn by a user, where the loop structure is formed with individual containers coupled end-to-end. The apparel item includes a fastening apparatus to secure the loop structure around the appendage of the user. An ingestible can be contained in at least one of the individual containers that form the loop structure of the apparel item, and the individual containers are independently accessible to obtain the ingestible for the user.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of, and claims priority to, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/085,836 filed Mar. 30, 2016 entitled “Medical Condition Recovery Apparel,” the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. The U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/085,836 claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/143,933 filed Apr. 7, 2015 entitled “Medical Jewelry Device,” the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Blood sugar is also known as glucose, and without enough glucose, the human body cannot perform its normal functions. If the glucose level in one's body reaches an extreme low, a hypoglycemic episode may occur and immediate treatment is needed. A hypoglycemic episode, also referred to as an insulin reaction, is a diabetic condition that can occur when one's blood glucose is lower than normal. This is a common effect of diabetes, which afflicts millions of people, and such reactions can become part of a diabetic's life. Low blood sugar can occur in diabetics who take medicines that decrease insulin levels, and taking too much medication, skipping meals, eating less than normal, or exercising more than usual can lead to low blood sugar.
A hypoglycemic episode can be treated by the diabetic person consuming a carbohydrate-rich food, such as a glucose tablet or juice. Conventional medical alert necklaces and bracelets are good for alerting personnel and medical first responders of a medical condition, but generally, nothing is available for the immediate treatment of a person having a diabetic crisis. Once a diabetic person becomes unresponsive, friends and family may not have any treatment at hand to help the person, and seldom have glucose that can be easily located and administered to counter the hypoglycemic episode. Medical first responders are usually equipped with glucose gel that can be administered by rubbing it between the tongue and gums of an unconscious person. However, waiting for a medical response takes time and the longer a person is in a hypoglycemic state, the more devastating the crisis can become.
Diabetics may choose to restrict their physical activities or limit their career choices for fear of such low blood sugar episodes. Athletes such as runners, football and basketball players, and those in physical careers, such as firefighters, police officers, construction workers, trainers, and even drivers are just a few occupations that can be restrictive to a person living with diabetes. Even diabetic students can be disadvantaged during academic tests because when their blood sugar drops, they are not at full mental capacity. With some of the physical activities and career choices, a person can carry glucose to have available when one's blood sugar levels drop, however diabetic athletes generally have a difficult time carrying glucose, particularly when wearing only athletic apparel.

SUMMARY

This Summary introduces features and concepts of medical condition recovery apparel, which is further described below in the Detailed Description and/or shown in the Figures. This Summary should not be considered to describe essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor used to determine or limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.
Medical condition recovery apparel is described. In embodiments, an apparel item includes a loop structure that encompasses an appendage when worn by a user, and the apparel item includes a fastening apparatus, such as a magnetic fastener, to secure the loop structure around the appendage of the user. For example, the loop structure may be a necklace loop worn around the neck of the user, or may be a bracelet loop or an anklet loop worn around a wrist or ankle of the user. The loop structure can be hollow and include a void space in which a medical treatment is contained and accessible to the user.
The medical treatment can be contained in the void space of the loop structure of the apparel item, and a containment seal is removable from the loop structure providing access to the medical treatment contained in the loop structure. In implementations, the containment seal is a removable plug that seals the void space of the loop structure and can be pulled out for access to the medical treatment contained in the void space of the loop structure. Alternatively or in addition, the containment seal is a breakable seal that seals the void space of the loop structure and can be broken for access to the medical treatment contained in the void space of the loop structure. Further, the loop structure may be implemented as multiple containers of the medical treatment in discrete doses, where the multiple containers are coupled end-to-end to form the loop structure, and each of the multiple containers are independently accessible to obtain a discrete dose of the medical treatment for the user.
In other aspects, an apparel item for medical condition recovery includes a necklace loop that can be worn by a user, where the necklace loop includes a void space in which a medical treatment is contained and accessible to the user. The apparel item includes a glucose dose for treating a diabetic condition, and the glucose dose is contained as the medical treatment in the loop structure of the apparel item. A removable plug can be used to seal the void space of the necklace loop, and the removable plug pulls out for access to the glucose dose contained in the void space of the necklace loop. Alternatively or in addition, a breakable seal can be used to seal the void space of the necklace loop, and the breakable seal breaks for access to the glucose dose contained in the void space of the necklace loop. The apparel item includes a magnetic fastener that secures the necklace loop when worn by the user, and the magnetic fastener separates the ends of the necklace loop for removal from the user. The apparel item can also include a medical alert with an insignia to identity the user as having a diabetic condition.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of medical condition recovery apparel are described with reference to the following Figures. The same numbers may be used throughout to reference like features and components that are shown in the Figures:

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of an apparel item in which embodiments of medical condition recovery apparel can be implemented.

FIG. 2 further illustrates the example of the apparel item in which embodiments of medical condition recovery apparel can be implemented.

FIG. 3 illustrates another example of an apparel item in which embodiments of medical condition recovery apparel can be implemented.

FIG. 4 illustrates example method(s) of medical condition recovery apparel in accordance with one or more embodiments.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example medical necklace in which embodiments of medical condition recovery apparel can be implemented.

FIG. 6 illustrates another example medical necklace in which embodiments of medical condition recovery apparel can be implemented.

FIG. 7 illustrates additional example configurations of apparel items in which embodiments of medical condition recovery apparel can be implemented.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of medical condition recovery apparel are described, and can be implemented to provide a user with an apparel item that contains a medical treatment, such as a medical jewelry device that contains a glucose dose for medical recovery from a diabetic condition, such as a hypoglycemic episode. In embodiments, an apparel item, such as a necklace, bracelet, or anklet stores measured or metered doses of glucose as well as serves to identify that a person wearing the apparel item is a diabetic. The medical condition recovery apparel (e.g., medical jewelry) provides a solution to a life threatening problem that every diabetic may face without much warning. An apparel item that contains a medical treatment will provide a diabetic person with quick access to necessary glucose, in any environment, and is a medical/diabetic alert for anyone assisting an individual who may not be able to help themselves.
In implementations, an apparel item includes a loop structure and a fastening apparatus, such as a magnetic fastener, to secure the loop structure around the neck, wrist, or ankle of a user. The loop structure of the apparel item can be hollow and include a void space in which a medical treatment, such as glucose gel, is contained and accessible to the user. The medical treatment can be contained in the void space of the loop structure of the apparel item, and a containment seal is removable from the loop structure providing access to the medical treatment contained in the loop structure. The containment seal can be a removable plug that seals the void space of the loop structure and can be pulled out for access to the medical treatment contained in the void space of the loop structure. Alternatively or in addition, the containment seal is a breakable seal that seals the void space of the loop structure and can be broken for access to the medical treatment contained in the void space of the loop structure. Further, the loop structure may be implemented as multiple containers of the medical treatment in discrete doses, where the multiple containers are coupled end-to-end to form the loop structure, and each of the multiple containers are independently accessible to obtain a discrete dose of the medical treatment for the user.
While features and concepts of medical condition recovery apparel can be implemented in any number of different items, environments, and/or configurations, embodiments of medical condition recovery apparel are described in the context of the following example apparel items and methods.
FIG. 1 illustrates an example 100 of an apparel item 102 in which embodiments of medical condition recovery apparel can be implemented. In this example, the apparel item 102 is a necklace that can be worn around the neck of a user. Although the apparel item 102 is generally shown and described herein as a necklace, a similar apparel item may be implemented as a bracelet that can be worn around a wrist of a user, or implemented as an anklet that can be worn around an ankle of the user. The apparel item 102 includes a loop structure 104 that is designed to encompass an appendage when worn by a user, such as when the apparel item is worn as a necklace, bracelet, or anklet. In implementations, the loop structure may incorporate any type of tubing, wire, band, chain, or other type of jewelry or apparel structure. The apparel item 102 may include a medical alert 106 to identity the person wearing the apparel item as having a medical condition. For example, the medical alert 106 may be a pendant that includes an insignia to identity the person as having a diabetic condition, or any other type of medical condition.
Additionally, the apparel item 102 includes a fastening apparatus 108 to secure the loop structure 104 around an appendage of the user. For example, the fastening apparatus 108 can be implemented as a magnetic fastener designed to couple a first end 110 of the loop structure 104 to a second end 112 of the loop structure, securing the loop structure around the neck, ankle, or wrist when worn by the user. The magnetic fastener is also designed to pull apart and separate the ends of the loop structure 104 for removal from the user. In implementations, the magnetic fastener may be easier for a person having a hypoglycemic episode to remove by simply pulling the ends of the necklace loop apart, thus releasing the fastening apparatus. Although generally shown and described as a magnetic fastener, the fastening apparatus 108 may be implemented as one of many other types of fasteners commonly used for jewelry and apparel. Further, the fastening apparatus 108 (or other type of fastener) may include an adjustable section 114 (e.g., a box chain adjustable necklace) so that the apparel item 102 can be adjusted to fit any person (e.g., large, small, adult, child, etc.).
FIG. 2 further illustrates the apparel item 102 (as shown in FIG. 1) in an example 200 with the loop structure 104 of the apparel item disconnected by the fastening apparatus 108 at the ends of the loop structure. In this example 200, the loop structure 104 of the apparel item 102 is shown as a flexible, hollow tubing that may be transparent, semi-transparent, or solid-colored and having a void space 202 in which a medical treatment 204 can be contained. In implementations, the loop structure 104 may be constructed with a soft durometer polypropylene that is flexible and comfortable for a person to wear as a necklace, bracelet, anklet, and the like. Alternatively, the loop structure 104 may be constructed with a harder or more durable tubing or other structure in the interest of minimizing damage, maintaining the integrity of the loop structure, for waterproofing, and/or for any other design and wear consideration.
In implementations, the medical treatment 204 may be a glucose dose for treating a diabetic condition if the user is a diabetic and susceptible to having a hypoglycemic episode. In implementations, the void space 202 of the loop structure 104 contains the glucose dose that is accessible to the user. The apparel item 102 may also be used for many other types of medical treatments in the form of powders, liquids, gels, lotions, tablets, beads, and the like, to include both ingestible (internal medical treatments) and applications (external medical treatments). It should be noted that the medical treatment 204 may be for less emergent conditions that are not often thought of as a “medical emergency”. For example, as noted above, the medical treatment 204 may be suntan lotion that anyone, and in particular someone with a skin sensitivity to direct sunlight, may want to have readily available in an apparel item. Further, the medical treatment 204 may be an energy boost in any solid, gel, or liquid form, such as to counteract feelings of dizziness, dehydration, and any other types of conditions that may not be medically-emergent, yet could lead to a medical episode. In specific implementations for particular types of medical treatments in proper doses, the length of the loop structure 104 and/or the diameter of the void space in the loop structure can be adjusted accordingly to accommodate a dose of the medical treatment, or for multiple doses of the medical treatment.
This example 200 also illustrates the apparel item 102 having some form of a containment seal designed for removal from the loop structure 104, providing access to the medical treatment 204 that is contained in the loop structure. For example, the containment seal can be implemented as a removable and/or replaceable plug 206 that seals the void space 202 of the loop structure, and the removable plug can be pulled out for access to the medical treatment. Alternatively or in addition, the containment seal may be implemented as a breakable seal 208 that seals the void space 202 of the loop structure, and the breakable seal can be broken, such as by biting down on the seal, for access to the medical treatment 204 contained in the void space of the loop structure. In other implementations, portions of the loop structure 104 may screw or twist apart, or generally come apart in any number of designs so that a user can gain access to the medical treatment for medical condition recovery.
FIG. 3 illustrates another example 300 of an apparel item 302 in which embodiments of medical condition recovery apparel can be implemented. In this example, the apparel item 302 is similar to the apparel item 102 that is shown and described with reference to FIG. 1, such as a necklace that can be worn around the neck of a user. The apparel item 302 includes a loop structure 304 implemented as multiple containers 306 of the medical treatment 204 in discrete doses, where the multiple containers 306 are coupled end-to-end to form the loop structure 304, and each of the multiple containers is independently accessible to obtain a discrete dose of the medical treatment for the user. In this instance, the loop structure is formed from three of the containers, and the containers are coupled by connectors. For example, a first container 308 is coupled by a connector 310 to a second container 312, which is also coupled by a connector 314 to a third container 316. One example implementation of the connectors is shown at 318.
Although the apparel item 302 in this example 300 is shown and described as being formed from three of the multiple containers 306, the loop structure of an apparel item can be formed with any number of containers in any size and shape. Further, the multiple containers that form the loop structure of an apparel item need not all be the same size or length, as shown in this example 300. Alternatively, the multiple containers may be different sizes and shapes to accommodate varying levels, doses, and consistencies of the medical treatment.
FIG. 4 illustrates an example method 400 of medical condition recovery apparel, and is generally described with reference to implementing an apparel item for medical condition recovery. The order in which the method is described is not intended to be construed as a limitation, and any number or combination of the method operations can be performed in any order to implement a method, or an alternate method.
At 402, a loop structure is formed that encompasses an appendage when worn by a user. For example, the apparel item 102 (FIG. 1) is formed as the loop structure 104 that can encompass an appendage when worn by a user as a necklace, bracelet, or anklet. Further, the apparel item 102 includes the fastening apparatus 108 that secures the loop structure 104 around the appendage when worn by the user. The loop structure 104 can be formed to include the void space 202 in which the medical treatment 204 is contained and accessible to the user. Further, the loop structure 304 (FIG. 3) can be formed as multiple containers 306 of the medical treatment 204 (FIG. 2) in discrete doses, where each of the multiple containers is independently accessible to obtain a discrete dose of the medical treatment for the user.
At 404, the medical treatment is incorporated in the loop structure of the apparel item. For example, the apparel item 102 includes the medical treatment 204 incorporated in the loop structure 104 of the apparel item. Similarly, the apparel item 302 includes the medical treatment 204 incorporated in the loop structure 304 of the apparel item.
At 406, the medical treatment is sealed in the loop structure with a containment seal that is removable from the loop structure providing access to the medical treatment. For example, the medical treatment 204 in the apparel item 102 is sealed in the void space 202 of the loop structure 104 with a containment seal that is removable from the loop structure providing access to the medical treatment. The medical treatment 204 can be sealed in the loop structure 104 with the removable plug 206 that pulls out for access to the medical treatment contained in the void space of the loop structure. Alternatively or in addition, the medical treatment 204 can be sealed in the void space 202 of the loop structure 104 with the breakable seal 208 that breaks for access to the medical treatment contained in the void space of the loop structure.
FIG. 5 illustrates an example medical necklace 500 that has a necklace band 502 as a wire, string, or chain (the “necklace loop”) for wearing around the neck of a user. In implementations, the medical necklace 500 can vary in length, for the very young to the elderly, depending on neck size. The necklace band 502 may be continuous or have a connector, such as a magnetic clasp 504. The medical necklace 500 includes two united end tubes 506 filled with a glucose dose, and tube caps 508. In implementations, the medical necklace 500 bears an insignia 510 mounted between the two end tubes 506 indicating that the wearer of the medical necklace is a diabetic. In implementations, the insignia 510 can include more details, such as information on the type of diabetes, phone number, address, amount of dose of glucose to administer, and so forth.
FIG. 6 illustrates another implementation of an example medical necklace 600 that includes a necklace band 602 as a wire, string, or chain, and an optional connector, such as a magnetic clasp 604. A series of glucose tubes 606 are connected end-to-end to form part of the necklace loop. In implementations, the glucose tubes 606 make up part of the necklace band 602, which ends at the first connected glucose tube 606. In other implementations, the glucose tubes 606 are connected in series to the necklace band 602, which provides support for each glucose tube 606. Each glucose tube 606 has a cap 608, which may also serve as connector with the next adjacent glucose tube 606 and/or with the necklace band 602 or loop. An insignia centrally located among the glucose tubes 606 indicates that the wearer of the medical necklace is a diabetic.
Each of the example medical necklaces 500, 600 provide a diabetic person with quick access to necessary glucose, in any environment. The example medical necklaces 500, 600 also provide a medical/diabetic alert for anyone assisting individuals who are not able to help themselves. Medical first responders are trained to look for these necklace and bracelet insignias. Further, the example medical necklaces 500, 600 provide a dose of glucose gel, which is with the diabetic person at all times, and can be administered by the person themselves, or by another person, without having to search for the glucose gel and without having to wait for responding medical services. This can help to eliminate the potential of serious complications or possible death of the diabetic person when the glucose gel in the medical necklace can be directly administered to the mouth of the diabetic person by simply squeezing a part of the necklace that contains the gel.
FIG. 7 illustrates additional example configurations 700 of apparel items, such as medical necklaces, bracelets, and/or anklets in which embodiments of medical condition recovery apparel can be implemented as described herein. An example apparel item 702 includes features of a glucose necklace with plastic tubing and a clasp. A user can access a dose of glucose gel (e.g., medical treatment) stored in the plastic tubing of the glucose necklace by breaking or tearing a perforation of the tubing. An example apparel item 704 includes features of a glucose necklace with plastic tubing and a magnetic clasp. A user can access a dose of glucose gel stored in the plastic tubing of the glucose necklace by breaking or biting down on a one-way valve that releases the glucose gel. An example apparel item 706 includes features of a glucose necklace with plastic tubing and a magnetic clasp. A user can access a dose of glucose gel stored in the plastic tubing of the glucose necklace by breaking or twisting a seal of the tubing. An apparel item that contains a medical treatment, such as glucose, will allow a diabetic person to live without the fear of being in a helpless situation when blood sugar becomes low. Additionally, simply going for a run or being more active in all sports or life in general will be less frightening. Further, a student whose blood sugar dropped just before a test can be taken care of immediately so that he or she is not at a disadvantage.
Although embodiments of medical condition recovery apparel have been described in language specific to features and/or methods, the appended claims are not necessarily limited to the specific features or methods described. Rather, the specific features and methods are disclosed as example implementations of medical condition recovery apparel, and other equivalent features and methods are intended to be within the scope of the appended claims. Further, various different embodiments are described and it is to be appreciated that each described embodiment can be implemented independently or in connection with one or more other described embodiments.

Claims

1. An apparel item, comprising:

a loop structure configured to encompass an appendage when worn by a user, the loop structure formed with individual containers coupled end-to-end;

a fastening apparatus configured to secure the loop structure around the appendage of the user; and

an ingestible contained in at least one of the individual containers that form the loop structure of the apparel item, the individual containers each being independently accessible to obtain the ingestible for the user.

2. The apparel item as recited in claim 1, wherein the individual containers of the loop structure are hollow and the individual containers each include a void space in which the ingestible is contained and accessible to the user.

3. The apparel item as recited in claim 2, wherein:

the ingestible is glucose doses for treating a diabetic condition; and

the void space of the at least one individual container of the loop structure contains a glucose dose that is accessible to the user.

4. The apparel item as recited in claim 2, wherein the individual containers of the loop structure are coupled end-to-end by connectors that each seal the void space of an individual container and disconnect for access to the ingestible contained in the void space of the at least one individual container.

5. The apparel item as recited in claim 1, wherein:

the ingestible is a medical treatment; and

the individual containers of the loop structure each include a void space in which the medical treatment is contained and accessible to the user.

6. The apparel item as recited in claim 1, wherein

the ingestible is a food product; and

the individual containers of the loop structure each include a void space in which the food product is contained and accessible to the user.

7. The apparel item as recited in claim 1, wherein the loop structure is a necklace loop configured to be worn around a neck of the user.

8. The apparel item as recited in claim 1, wherein the loop structure is one of a bracelet loop or an anklet loop configured to be worn around a respective wrist or ankle of the user.

9. The apparel item as recited in claim 1, further comprising a medical alert configured to identity the user as having a medical condition.

10. The apparel item as recited in claim 1, wherein the loop structure comprises multiple containers of the medical treatment in discrete doses, the multiple containers coupled end-to-end to form the loop structure, and each of the multiple containers being independently accessible to obtain a discrete dose of the medical treatment for the user.

11. A method of implementing an apparel item, the method comprising:

forming a loop structure that encompasses an appendage when worn by a user, the loop structure formed with individual containers coupled end-to-end, the apparel item including a fastening apparatus that secures the loop structure around the appendage;

incorporating an ingestible in at least one of the individual containers that form the loop structure of the apparel item, the individual containers each being independently accessible to obtain the ingestible for the user; and

sealing the ingestible in the individual containers that form the loop structure, the at least one individual container being sealed with a containment seal that is removable from the individual container of the loop structure providing access to the ingestible contained in the individual container.

12. The method as recited in claim 11, wherein said forming the loop structure with the individual containers that each include a void space in which the ingestible is contained and accessible to the user.

13. The method as recited in claim 12, wherein the individual containers of the loop structure are coupled end-to-end by connectors that each disconnect for access to the ingestible contained in the void space of the at least one individual container.

14. The method as recited in claim 11, wherein:

the ingestible is glucose doses for treating a diabetic condition; and

15. The method as recited in claim 11, wherein:

the ingestible is a medical treatment; and

the void space of the at least one individual container of the loop structure contains the medical treatment that is accessible to the user.

16. The method as recited in claim 11, wherein the loop structure is a necklace loop configured to be worn around a neck of the user.

17. The method as recited in claim 11, wherein the loop structure is one of a bracelet loop or an anklet loop configured to be worn around a respective wrist or ankle of the user.

18. An apparel item, comprising:

a necklace loop configured to be worn by a user, the necklace loop formed with individual containers coupled end-to-end, the individual containers of the necklace loop each including a void space in which an ingestible is contained and accessible to the user; and

a glucose dose for treating a diabetic condition, the glucose dose contained as the ingestible in at least one of the individual containers of the necklace loop of the apparel item, the individual containers each being independently accessible to obtain the ingestible for the user.

19. The apparel item as recited in claim 18, further comprising:

connectors that couple the individual containers end-to-end, each connector configured to seal the void space of an individual container in the necklace loop, and disconnect for access to the glucose dose contained in the void space of the at least one individual container.

20. The apparel item as recited in claim 18, further comprising:

a medical alert with an insignia configured to identity the user as having a diabetic condition.