Clothing article having specialized openings
The clothing article addresses discomfort and exposure issues by incorporating specialized openings and closures, ensuring comfort and anonymity for patients receiving injectable medications via IV or chest ports.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- US18/622927
- Authority / Receiving Office
- US · United States
- Patent Type
- Applications(United States)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-03-30
- Publication Date
- 2025-10-02
AI Technical Summary
Existing clothing designs for patients receiving injectable medications via IV or chest ports cause discomfort, exposure, irritation, and lack of anonymity, while existing solutions either fail to address these issues or introduce new problems.
A clothing article with specialized openings and closures, including zippers and hook-and-loop fasteners, designed to accommodate IV and port access without compromising comfort or appearance, featuring integrated zipper stops and material covers to prevent skin contact and discreet closure mechanisms.
Provides convenient, comfortable, and discreet administration of medications, protecting against irritation and maintaining user anonymity by integrating functional openings and closures that minimize skin contact and blend with regular clothing.
Smart Images

Figure US20250302128A1-D00000_ABST
Abstract
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to clothing which is specially designed to allow individuals to receive medications. More particularly, the present invention provides clothing articles which have specially designed openings to allow for patients to receive medications through medical IVs or ports. In addition, other benefits and uses can be achieved by use of the openings.
[0002] Many different medications are injectable. Of these some need to be injected via IV or chest port. These medications can then take several hours to be administered. Having medications administered in such a way can cause discomfort for the recipient.
[0003] When using normal clothing it may have to be removed in order for the medication delivery items to be properly connected to the recipient. This can leave the recipient cold or uncomfortably exposed in a public area. If the recipient puts regular clothing back on the clothing may rub against the medication delivery items causing irritation or worse dislodge the medication delivery device. Other drawbacks may include stretching of clothing causing it to become destroyed after receiving medication.
[0004] There are some clothing items currently on the market which attempt to address some of these issues. However, each has a drawback addressed by the present invention. These clothing articles attempt to solve one problem but create numerous others. For example, they may allow for easier administration of medication however, they do nothing to protect a wearer from irritations of closure devices such as zippers or hook and loop fasteners.
[0005] In some instances, these clothing items are tactless. They do nothing to ensure that the clothing looks like any other clothing. This means that it becomes obvious to the general public that someone is taking an injectable medication. Patients receiving such medication have the right to anonymity and this should carry over to the clothing which they wear to support the administration of medication.
[0006] Consequently, there is a need for an improvement in the art of clothing articles having openings. The present invention substantially diverges in design elements from the known art while at the same time solves a problem many people face when receiving medications via IV or medical ports. In this regard the present invention substantially fulfills these needs.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention provides a clothing article having specialized openings wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when receiving medications. The clothing article having specialized openings includes a chest section secured to a back section. A neck opening is located at a top side of the chest section and the back section. A left sleeve secured to the chest section and the rear section, wherein the left sleeve extends away from the clothing article terminating in a left wrist opening. A left IV opening extending along the left sleeve, the left IV opening which includes a left zipper portion having at least one zipper tab secured thereto. A zipper tab stop located at each end of the left zipper portion. A first section of material configured to cover one side of the left zipper portion and prevent contact with a wearers skin when the left zipper portion is closed. A second section of material configured to cover the exterior side of the left zipper portion when in a closed configuration. A right sleeve secured to the chest section and the rear section, wherein the right sleeve extends away from the clothing article terminating in a right wrist opening. A right IV opening extending along the right sleeve, the right IV opening includes a right zipper portion having at least one zipper tab secured thereto. A zipper tab stop located at each end of the right zipper portion. A first section of material configured to cover one side of the right zipper portion and prevent contact with a wearer's skin when the right zipper portion is closed. A second section of material configured to cover the exterior side of the right zipper portion when in a closed configuration.
[0008] Another object of the clothing article having specialized openings is to have a hood attached around a back side of the neck opening.
[0009] Another object of the clothing article having specialized openings is to have a middle chest opening located along the middle of the chest section, wherein the middle chest opening goes from the neck opening to the bottom of the clothing article.
[0010] Another object of the clothing article having specialized openings is to have a zipper closure operably secured to the middle chest opening.
[0011] Another object of the clothing article having specialized openings is to have a left thumb hole located adjacent to the left wrist opening of the left sleeve. A right thumb hole located adjacent to the right wrist opening of the right sleeve.
[0012] Another object of the clothing article having specialized openings is to have a left port opening located in the upper left side of the chest area of the clothing article. A left port closure flap configured to operably close the left port opening.
[0013] Another object of the clothing article having specialized openings is to have the left port opening includes a hook and loop fastener, wherein a first part of the hook and loop fastener is secured to the chest portion of the clothing article and the corresponding second part is secured to the left port closure flap.
[0014] Another object of the clothing article having specialized openings is to have a right port opening located in the upper right side of the chest area of the clothing article. A right port closure flap configured to operably close the right port opening.
[0015] Another object of the clothing article having specialized openings is to have the right port opening includes a hook and loop fastener, wherein a first part of the hook and loop fastener is secured to the chest portion of the clothing article and the corresponding second part is secured to the right port closure flap.
[0016] Another object of the clothing article having specialized openings is to have a left chest port opening. The left chest port opening includes a left zipper portion having at least one zipper tab secured thereto. A zipper tab stop located at each end of the left zipper portion.
[0017] Another object of the clothing article having specialized openings is to have the left chest port opening starts at a left shoulder area of the clothing article and runs along the left chest to a stomach area of the clothing article.
[0018] Another object of the clothing article having specialized openings is to have a right chest port opening. The right chest port opening includes a right zipper portion having at least one zipper tab secured thereto. A zipper tab stop located at each end of the right zipper portion.
[0019] Another object of the clothing article having specialized openings is to have the right chest port opening starts at a right shoulder area of the clothing article and runs along the right chest to a stomach area of the clothing article.
[0020] Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.
[0022] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of the clothing article having specialized openings including a hood and a front zipper.
[0023] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of the clothing article having specialized openings including a hood.
[0024] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of the clothing article having specialized openings which is a crew cut sweater.
[0025] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of the clothing article having specialized openings including chest port openings.
[0026] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of the clothing article having specialized openings including chest port openings.LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0027] With regard to the reference numerals used, the following numbering is used throughout the drawings.100clothing article100ashoulder area100bupper left chest section100cupper right chest section100dstomach area101chest section103neck opening104left sleeve104aleft wrist opening104bleft thumb hole105right sleeve105aright wrist section105bright thumb hole106hood107chest opening108zipper closure201left IV opening202aleft zipper closure201bzipper tab201czipper stop202right IV opening202aright zipper closure202bzipper tab202czipper stop203first section of material204second section of material401left chest port opening402left closure flap403hook and loop fastener404right chest port opening405right closure flap501left chest port opening502left zipper closure502azipper stop502bfirst zipper tab502csecond zipper tab503right chest port opening504right zipper closure504azipper stop504bfirst zipper tab504csecond zipper tabDETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0028] Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the a clothing article having specialized openings. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, a preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for a clothing article having specialized openings. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.
[0029] Referring now to FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and FIG. 3, there is shown perspective views of embodiments of the clothing article having specialized openings. The clothing article 100 includes a chest section 101 secured to a rear section. A neck opening 103 is located at the top side of the chest section 101 and the back section. A left sleeve 104 extends from the chest section 101 and the back section and terminates at a left wrist opening 104a. A right sleeve 105 extends from the chest section 101 and the back section and terminates at a right wrist opening 105a.
[0030] In one embodiment the clothing article 100 is a crew cut sweater as shown in FIG. 3. In another embodiment the clothing article 100 has a hood 106 attached about the neck opening 103 as shown in FIG. 1. In yet a further embodiment the clothing article 100 has a chest opening 107 along the chest section 101 as shown in FIG. 2. In one embodiment a zipper closure 108 is operably secure to the chest opening 107 such that the chest opening 107 may be zipped closed.
[0031] In one embodiment the clothing article 100 has a left thumb hole 104b located adjacent to the to the left wrist opening 104a. the left thumb hole 104b will allow a user to place their thumb therein. In one embodiment the clothing article 100 has a right thumb hole 105b located adjacent to the to the right wrist opening 105a. the right thumb hole 105b will allow a user to place their thumb therein.
[0032] The clothing article 100 includes at least one IV opening. In one embodiment there is a left IV opening 201 and a right IV opening 202. The left IV opening 201 is located along the left sleeve 104. The left IV opening 201 extends from a shoulder area 100a of the clothing article 100 to above the left wrist opening 105a.
[0033] In one embodiment the left IV opening 201 includes a left zipper closure 201a. The left zipper closure 201a includes at least one zipper tab 201b. In one embodiment the left zipper closure 201a includes at least one zipper stop 201c. In one embodiment there is a zipper stop 201c located at both ends of the left zipper closure 201a.
[0034] In one embodiment the left IV opening 201 includes a first section of material 203 which runs along one side of the left IV opening 201. The first section of material 203 is configured to cover an underside of the left zipper closure 201a when in a closed configuration and prevent the left zipper closure 201a from contacting a wearer's skin.
[0035] In another embodiment the left IV opening 201 includes a second section of material 204. The second section of material 204 is configured to cover the external side of the left zipper closure 201a when in a closed configuration.
[0036] In one embodiment the right IV opening 202 includes a right zipper closure 202a. The right zipper closure 202a includes at least one zipper tab 202b. In one embodiment the right zipper closure 202a includes at least one zipper stop 202c. In one embodiment there is a zipper stop 202c located at both ends of the right zipper closure 202a.
[0037] In one embodiment the right IV opening 202 includes a first section of material 203 which runs along one side of the right IV opening 202. The first section of material 203 is configured to cover an underside of the right zipper closure 202a when in a closed configuration and prevent the right zipper closure 202a from contacting a wearer's skin.
[0038] In another embodiment the right IV opening 202 includes a second section of material 204. The second section of material 204 is configured to cover the external side of the right zipper closure 202a when in a closed configuration.
[0039] In different embodiments the left zipper closure 201a, the right zipper closure 202a, the first section of material 203 and the second section of material 204 may be different colors. In another embodiment each of these parts are the same color as the clothing article 100. In this embodiment the matching color will help the parts blend into the clothing article and be more conspicuous.
[0040] Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown a perspective view of one embodiment of the clothing article having specialized openings including chest port openings. In this embodiment the clothing article may contain any combination of the parts and items discussed in the description of FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and FIG. 3. In this embodiment the clothing article also includes at least one chest port opening.
[0041] In one embodiment there is a left chest port opening 401. The left chest port opening 401 is located in the upper left chest section 100b of the clothing article 100. The left chest port opening 401 includes a left closure flap 402. The left closure flap 402 is configured to allow for the left chest port opening 401 to be closed when not in use.
[0042] In one embodiment the left closure flap 402 includes a hook and loop fastener 403. The hook and loop fastener 403 will allow for the left closure flap 403 to remain closed as desired. In this embodiment a first part of the hook and loop fastener 403 is secured to the clothing article 100 and a corresponding part is secured to the left closure flap 403.
[0043] In another embodiment there is a right chest port opening 404. The right chest port opening 404 may take the place of the left chest port opening 401 or both may be included as part of the clothing article 100. The right chest port opening 404 is located in the upper right chest section 100c of the clothing article 100. The right chest port opening 404 includes a right closure flap 405. The right closure flap 405 is configured to allow for the right chest port opening 404 to be closed when not in use.
[0044] In one embodiment the right closure flap 405 includes a hook and loop fastener 403. The hook and loop fastener 403 will allow for the right closure flap 405 to remain closed as desired. In this embodiment a first part of the hook and loop fastener 403 is secured to the clothing article 100 and a corresponding part is secured to the right closure flap 405.
[0045] Referring now to FIG. 5, there is shown a perspective view of one embodiment of the clothing article having specialized openings including chest port openings. In this embodiment the clothing article may contain any combination of the parts and items discussed in the description of FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and FIG. 3. In this embodiment the clothing article also includes at least one chest port opening.
[0046] In this embodiment the chest port openings are configured differently from the embodiments of FIG. 4. However, the purpose and functionality of the invention are still the same.
[0047] In this embodiment a left chest port opening 501 extends from a left shoulder area 100a to the stomach area 100d. In one embodiment the left chest port opening 501 includes a left zipper closure 502. The left zipper closure 502 is configured to open or close the left chest port opening 501. In one embodiment the left zipper closure 502 includes a zipper stop 502a located at both ends.
[0048] There is a first zipper tab 502b secured to the left zipper closure 502. The first zipper tab 502b is configured to open or close the left zipper closure 502. In one embodiment there is a second zipper tab 502c secured to the left zipper closure 502. The second zipper tab 502c is configured to open or close the left zipper closure 502. In this embodiment the first zipper tab 502b and the second zipper tab 502c can be used to close the left chest port opening 501 after a medication chest tube has been installed.
[0049] In this embodiment a right chest port opening 503 extends from a right shoulder area 100a to the stomach area 100d. In one embodiment the right chest port opening 503 includes a right zipper closure 504. The right zipper closure 504 is configured to open or close the right chest port opening 503. In one embodiment the right zipper closure 504 includes a zipper stop 504a located at both ends.
[0050] There is a first zipper tab 504b secured to the right zipper closure 503. The first zipper tab 504b is configured to open or close the right zipper closure 503. In one embodiment there is a second zipper tab 504c secured to the right zipper closure 504. The second zipper tab 504c is configured to open or close the right zipper closure 504. In this embodiment the first zipper tab 504b and the second zipper tab 504c can be used to close the right chest port opening 503 after a medication chest tube has been installed.
[0051] In different embodiments the openings 501, 503 can serve different purposes. In one embodiment the left chest port opening 501 and the right chest port opening 503 are curved from the outer shoulder inward toward the middle of the garment then back out toward the hip area. This curve will allow for many uses of the garment described herein. For example, but not limited to, the garment can be used for: feeding tubes, ostomy bags, catheters, stomach injections, post surgery access, heart monitors, breastfeeding, ports, and IVS. This ensures a user finds tasks at least a little easier which would otherwise be difficult and stressful.
[0052] It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.
[0053] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.
Examples
Embodiment Construction
[0028]Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the a clothing article having specialized openings. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, a preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for a clothing article having specialized openings. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.
[0029]Referring now to FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and FIG. 3, there is shown perspective views of embodiments of the clothing article having specialized openings. The clothing article 100 includes a chest section 101 secured to a rear section. A neck opening 103 is located at the top side of the chest section 101 and the back section. A left sleeve 104 extends from the chest section 101 and the back section and terminates at a left wrist opening 104a. A right sleeve 105 extends from the chest s...
Claims
1) An article of clothing including:a chest section secured to a back section;a neck opening located at a top side of the chest section and the back section;a left sleeve secured to the chest section and the rear section, wherein the left sleeve extends away from the clothing article terminating in a left wrist opening;an upper zipper positioned on the left sleeve between the wrist opening and neck opening;a lower zipper portion positioned on the left sleeve between the upper zipper and wrist opening;a zipper stop positioned on the left sleeve between the upper zipper and lower zipper;a section of material configured to cover the upper zipper and lower zipper to prevent contact with a wearer's skin when the left zipper portion is closed;a right sleeve secured to the chest section and the rear section, wherein the right sleeve extends away from the clothing article terminating in a right wrist opening;aan upper zipper positioned on the right sleeve between the wrist opening and neck opening;a lower zipper portion positioned on the right sleeve between the upper zipper and wrist opening;a zipper stop positioned on the right sleeve between the upper zipper and lower zipper;a section of material configured to cover the upper zipper and lower zipper to prevent contact with a wearer's skin when the right zipper portion is closed.2) The article of clothing of claim 1, further comprising a hood attached around a back side of the neck opening.3) The article of clothing of claim 1, further comprising a middle chest opening located along a middle of the chest section, wherein the middle chest opening goes from the neck opening to the bottom of the clothing article.4) The article of clothing of claim 3, further comprising a zipper closure operably secured to the middle chest opening.5) The article of clothing of claim 1, further comprising a left thumb hole located adjacent to the left wrist opening of the left sleeve;a right thumb hole located adjacent to the right wrist opening of the right sleeve.6) The article of clothing of claim 1, further comprising a left port opening located in an upper left side of the chest area of the clothing article;a left port closure flap configured to operably close the left port opening.7) The article of clothing of claim 6, wherein the left port opening is comprised of a hook and loop fastener, wherein a first part of the hook and loop fastener is secured to the chest portion of the clothing article and the corresponding second part of the hook and loop fastener is secured to the left port closure flap.8) The article of clothing of claim 1, further comprising a right port opening located in an upper right side of the chest area of the clothing article;a right port closure flap configured to operably close the right port opening.9) The article of clothing of claim 8, wherein the right port opening is comprised of a hook and loop fastener, wherein a first part of the hook and loop fastener is secured to the chest portion of the clothing article and the corresponding second part of the hook and loop fastener is secured to the right port closure flap.10) The article of clothing of claim 1, further comprising a left chest port opening;the left chest port opening comprising:a left zipper portion having at least one zipper tab secured thereto; a zipper tab stop located at each end of the left zipper portion.11) The article of clothing of claim 10, wherein the left chest port opening starts at a left shoulder area of the clothing article and runs along a left chest to a stomach area of the clothing article.12) The article of clothing claim 1, further comprising a right chest port opening;the right chest port opening comprising a right zipper portion having at least one zipper tab secured thereto; a zipper tab stop located at each end of the right zipper portion.13) The article of clothing of claim 10, wherein a right chest port opening starts at a right shoulder area of the clothing article and runs along the right chest to a stomach area of the clothing article.
Citation Information
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