Garments with pocket and aperture arrangements for managing apparatus components

Abstract

Disclosed are garments that incorporate at least one pocket configured to accommodate a wearable apparatus portion such as a medical pump and having an aperture for receiving therethrough an elongate flexible element of the apparatus such as a tube or wire. Also described are methods for making and using the garments, and combinations including the garments and the apparatus components.

Description

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63 / 666,432, filed Jul. 1, 2024, and entitled GARMENTS WITH POCKET AND APERTURE ARRANGEMENTS FOR MANAGING APPARATUS COMPONENTS, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to garments having specialized pocket systems and in particular aspects to garments having one or more pockets and arranged with apertures to provide management of apparatus components, the apparatus components typically including a base device unit and an elongate flexible element such as a tube or wire extending from the base device unit.

[0003] As further background, medical apparatus dependent individuals often face challenges in managing their chronic medical condition while maintaining an active lifestyle, undergoing treatment and recovery from surgeries. Medical apparatuses, such as insulin or pain pumps, drainage bags, and infusion systems, often require a base unit along with tubing and / or wires to be connected to the body for proper function. Conventional methods of wearing or carrying such devices involve exposed tubing and wires, which can pose risks such as entanglement, snagging, or damage, as well as compromise the user's privacy and comfort. Needs exist for improved and / or alternative garment arrangements that can help a user manage such apparatus components while wearing them. Such garment arrangements would beneficially be relatively easy to manufacture and use as well as serve to provide privacy and comfort to the user.SUMMARY

[0004] In certain aspects, provided herein are sweatshirt garments that include a torso-surrounding fabric self layer having a rear side and a front side, the rear side defining a rear side outer surface and a rear side inner surface, the front side defining a front side outer surface and a front side inner surface, the self layer defining an aperture on the front side and extending between the front side inner surface and the front side outer surface. The garments also include an outer pocket layer defining an outer surface and an inner surface, the pocket layer fixed to the front side of the self layer so as to define an outer pocket interior between the front side outer surface and the inner surface of the pocket layer and to define at least one outer pocket opening for accessing the outer pocket interior, wherein the outer pocket layer is positioned over the aperture defined by the front side of the self layer. The garments further include an inner pocket layer fixed to the front side of the self layer, wherein the inner pocket layer is positioned between the outer pocket layer and the self layer and defines an inner pocket interior between an inner surface of the inner pocket layer and the front side outer surface of the front side of the self layer and further defines at least one inner pocket opening. The inner pocket layer is positioned over the aperture defined by the front side of the self layer such that the aperture provides access between the front side inner surface of the front side of the self layer and the second pocket interior. The outer pocket interior is lined by the inner surface of the outer pocket layer, the outer surface of the inner pocket layer, and the front side outer surface of the front side of the self layer.

[0005] In further aspects, provided herein are garments that include a fabric self layer defining an inner volume for surrounding a torso of a wearer, the self layer having a self layer outer surface and a self layer inner surface and defining an aperture extending between the self layer inner surface and the self layer outer surface. The garments also include an outer pocket attached to the self layer and defining an outer pocket interior, wherein the outer pocket includes a left side pocket opening and a right side pocket opening, and wherein the outer pocket interior is in the form of a passageway extending between the left side pocket opening and the right side pocket opening. The garments further include an inner pocket defining an inner pocket interior, the inner pocket positioned within the outer pocket and over the aperture such that the aperture provides access to the inner pocket interior from a position within the inner volume defined by the self layer.

[0006] In further aspects, provided herein are garments that include a fabric self layer defining an inner volume for surrounding a body portion of a user, the self layer having a rear side defining a rear side outer surface and a rear side inner surface and a front side defining a front side outer surface and a front side inner surface. The garments also include a pocket joined to the self layer and defining a pocket opening, the pocket also defining a pocket interior. Further, an aperture is defined in a layer that bounds the pocket interior and separates the pocket interior from the body portion of the user, wherein the aperture is at least partially bounded by an embroidered edge. The embroidered edge can have a stiffness configured to bias the aperture to an open condition, and / or the embroidered edge can have stitches raised above adjacent surfaces of the layer bounding the pocket interior.

[0007] Additional aspects herein relate to combinations including an apparatus, such as a medical apparatus, and a garment as disclosed herein, methods for making garments as disclosed herein, and methods for using garments as disclosed herein in the management of a wearable medical or other apparatus.

[0008] Still further aspects, as well as their features and advantages, will be apparent from the descriptions provided herein.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] FIG. 1 provides a front view of one embodiment of a sweatshirt garment of the present disclosure and includes enlarged partial cutaway views of outer and inner pocket layers thereof to better illustrate outer and inner pocket features.

[0010] FIGS. 2-10 provide various perspective view of components of the sweatshirt of FIG. 1.

[0011] FIG. 11 provides a front view of one embodiment of a T-shirt garment of the present disclosure.

[0012] FIG. 12 provides a rear view of the T-shirt garment of FIG. 11.

[0013] FIG. 13 provides enlarged outside (top) and inside (bottom) views of a pocket structure of the T-shirt garment of FIG. 11.

[0014] FIG. 14 provides a perspective outside view of the pocket of FIG. 13.

[0015] FIG. 15 provides a perspective inside view of the pocket of FIG. 13.

[0016] FIGS. 16A and 16B provide, respectively, outside and inside views of an embodiment of a shorts garment of the present disclosure.

[0017] FIGS. 17A and 17B provide, respectively, outside and inside views of an embodiment of a pants garment of the present disclosure.

[0018] FIGS. 18A and 18B provide, respectively, outside and inside views of an embodiment of a shirt garment of the present disclosure.

[0019] FIG. 19 provides a schematic view illustrating a combination of an apparatus with a garment of the present disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the disclosure, reference will now be made to certain embodiments, including the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications in the described embodiments and any further applications of the principles of the disclosure as described herein are contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the disclosure relates.

[0021] With reference to FIGS. 1 to 10, shown are various views of one embodiment of a hooded sweatshirt 10 of the present disclosure. The hooded sweatshirt 10 can be worn as an article of clothing. The hooded sweatshirt 10 can generally have a sweatshirt body 12 that is adapted to be worn by a person, and a hood 14 attached to the sweatshirt body 12.

[0022] The sweatshirt body 12 can include a self layer 16 that is adapted to be worn over the torso of the person, sleeves 18 to cover the arms of the person, and a collar 20. The self layer 16 can be a unitary fabric piece, or can be formed from multiple fabric pieces or panels, for example including or constituted of a front panel and a back panel joined to one another, such as by stitching. The self layer 16 can be a loose-fitting shell to be worn over the torso. The self layer 16 is desirably made of a knit fabric, for example a fleece or French Terry fabric. The self layer has a front side 16f to be positioned over the front side of the torso of the person and a rear side 16r to be positioned over the back side of the torso of the person. While FIGS. 1-10 illustrate one embodiment of the sweatshirt body 12, those skilled in the art can devise alternative embodiments, and these alternative embodiments are considered within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0023] The hood 14 of the hooded sweatshirt 10 is configured to be worn over the head of the person. In the present disclosure, the hood 14 is made of a flexible sheet (e.g., cloth or fabric) that in some forms is the same material as the self 16.

[0024] The main body 12 can include an outer surface 22 that faces outwardly from the person and an inner surface 24 that contacts the person. Correspondingly, the self layer 16 can define an outer surface 16a and an inner surface 16b that form portions of the outer surface 22 and inner surface 24, respectively, and the sleeves 18 can each define an outer surface 18a and an inner surface 18b, that also form portions of the outer surface 22 and the inner surface 24, respectively.

[0025] The hood 14 can be attached to or adjacent the collar 20 of the sweatshirt main body 12 by any structure or mechanism known in the art. For example, it can be attached via a permanent stitching, removably attached with a connector (e.g., snaps, buttons, hooks and loops, etc.), or connected or associated in any manner known in the art. The specific disclosed hooded sweatshirt 10 further includes a drawstring 26 for reversibly closing an opening defined by the hood 14. The drawstring 26 extends and is movable through an elongate passage 28 formed in the perimeter of the hood 14. Other alternatives for reversibly closing the hood opening are possible, including for example zippers, hook and loop fasteners, buttons, snaps, clasps, or the like.

[0026] The sweatshirt 10 includes an outer pocket 30 joined to the front side 16f of the self layer 16 and defining an outer pocket interior 32 and at least one pocket opening 34, and preferably two pocket openings 34 providing hand access to the pocket interior 32. In the preferred illustrated form, the pocket is formed with a pocket fabric layer 36, desirably the same material as the self layer 16, that is joined (e.g. by stitching) to the self layer about its perimeter, except for those perimeter regions corresponding to the pocket opening(s) 34. The specific illustrated pocket 30 provides a pocket interior 32 in the form of a passageway extending between a left side pocket opening 34 and a right side pocket opening 34, and in such form can be a so-called “kangaroo” pocket. The left side pocket opening 34 can face generally leftward for lateral hand entry from the left and the right side pocket opening 34 can face generally rightward for lateral hand entry from the right.

[0027] The sweatshirt 10 also includes an inner pocket 38 underneath the outer pocket 30 and joined to the front side 16f of the self layer 16. Inner pocket 38 can be configured to receive and contain an apparatus component such as a medical pump or other apparatus component. The inner pocket 38 defines an inner pocket interior 40 and an inner pocket opening 42 providing access to the inner pocket interior 40. The pocket interior 40 in some forms can have a vertical dimension and a horizontal dimension each being at least about two inches, or at least about three inches, or each being in the range of about two inches to about ten inches or in the range of about three inches to about seven inches. These dimensions can also apply to other pockets configured to receive and contain an apparatus component as disclosed herein. In the preferred form as shown, the inner pocket opening 42 is located along the top edge of the inner pocket 38. The inner pocket 38 can be formed with an inner pocket layer 44, which may be the same material as the self layer 16 but in some preferred forms is a material that is different from that of the self layer 16. In certain embodiments, the inner pocket layer 44 will be made of a material that is more resilient than that of the self layer 16, for example a resilient polymeric mesh material such as a knit mesh fabric made from an elastic material such as spandex (an elastomeric polyurethane polymer) and another material such as nylon (a polyamide polymer). One suitable such mesh material is available commercially under the tradename Powermesh fabric. The inner pocket layer 44 can be joined (e.g. by stitching) to the self layer 16 about its perimeter, except for those perimeter regions corresponding to the inner pocket opening 42. In the illustrated form, the inner pocket layer 44 is joined (e.g. stitched) to the self layer 16 along its left, right, and bottom perimeter edges, but not along it top perimeter edge, so as to provide pocket opening 42 located along the top edge of inner pocket 38.

[0028] In the illustrated form, the self layer defines an aperture 46, with the inner pocket 38 and the outer pocket 30 positioned over the aperture 46. The aperture 46 provides access to the inner pocket interior 40 from locations within an inner volume defined by the self layer 16 for receiving the user's torso, for example to position an elongate flexible apparatus element from such inner volume and through the aperture 46 to connect to an apparatus base unit positioned within the inner pocket interior 40 (see additional related discussions below).

[0029] The aperture 46 is preferably bounded by an embroidered edge 48, as illustrated. The embroidered edge desirably has a stiffness configured to bias the aperture to an open condition and / or has stitches raised above adjacent surfaces of the fabric self layer. Such stiffness can be greater than that of the material of the self layer or other layer in which the aperture occurs. These features can advantageously facilitate finding and using the aperture, for example to pass an apparatus element therethrough as discussed herein. The stitches, for example whip stitches, of the embroidered edge can extend generally transverse, e.g. generally perpendicular, to the direction of the edge, and can have a stitch length of about least about 0.03 inches, or at least about 0.05 inches, for example in the range of about 0.03 to about 0.2 inches, or in the range of about 0.05 inches to about 0.15 inches. In addition or alternatively, the stitches of the embroidered edge can have a stitch count of at least about 1000 per inch, or at least about 2000 per inch, or in the range of about 1000 to about 3500 per inch, and more preferably in the range of about 2000 to about 3500 per inch. In some forms, the aperture is completely surrounded by the embroidered edge 48. In other forms, at least one elongate edge of the aperture can be bounded by the embroidered edge (e.g. in the case of slot-shaped apertures as discussed below), or at least first and second opposed, elongate embroidered edges can bound the aperture 46 (also e.g. in the case of slot-shaped apertures as discussed below). The slot or other shape of the aperture can be created by removal of a segment or segments of the material used to form the self layer 16, for example by laser cutting. Additionally, in some forms, the embroidered edge bounding the aperture can include a reinforcement layer, such as a fabric and / or polymeric film layer, bounding the aperture 46 and captured along with the self layer 16 by the stitches of the embroidered edge 48. The reinforcement layer can have an aperture therein sized and shaped correspondingly to the aperture 46 and positioned in alignment with the aperture 46. In addition, the reinforcement layer can be adhesively bound to the self layer 16, for example by heating wherein the material of the reinforcement layer incorporates a heat bondable adhesive (e.g. embedded in a fabric layer), prior to applying the embroidering to the edge(s) bounding the aperture 46.

[0030] The aperture 46 is preferably formed as an elongate slot having a slot length “L” and a slot width “W” in a relaxed state. The slot width W can be generally constant or may vary along the slot length “L”. In preferred forms, the slot will have a width W of at least about 0.025 inches, or at least about 0.05 inches, for example in the range of about 0.025 to about 0.25 inches, along at least a portion of its length L, for example along at least about 50%, or along at least about 75%, or along at least about 80%, or along essentially all, of its length L. In addition or alternatively, the slot will have a length of at least about 0.5 inches, or at least about 0.75 inches, or in the range of about 0.5 inches to about 2 inches.

[0031] With reference now to FIGS. 11 to 15, shown is another embodiment of the present disclosure. In particular, shown is an embodiment of a shirt 110. Shirt 110 in general shares many components similar to those of the sweatshirt 10 discussed above, which are correspondingly numbered in the drawings except in the 100 series (i.e. 112 corresponds to 12, 116 corresponds to 16, etc.). Shirt 110 includes a pocket arrangement that differs from that of sweatshirt 10. In particular, shirt 110 includes a pocket 150 positioned on the exterior surface 122 of the front side 116f of the self layer 116. In this form, pocket 150 defines a pocket interior 152 positioned outward of the exterior surface 122 and preferably bounded on one side by the exterior surface 122. Pocket 150 is formed by a first pocket layer or flap 154 and a second pocket layer or flap 156 positioned to provide an overlapped region 158 in which portions of the first and second pocket layers 154 and 156 overlap one another, but are not joined to one another, so that the layers 154 and 156 can be forced apart in the overlapped region to provide an opening to access to the pocket interior 152, for example to insert a device or device portion, after which the portions of the layers 154 and 156 will move toward one another again to effectively close or restrict the opening. In the illustrated embodiment, the pocket layer 154 is joined (e.g. stitched) to the self layer 116 about top, left and right perimeter edges but not at its bottom edge, and the pocket layer 156 is joined (e.g. stitched) to the self layer 116 about bottom, left and right perimeter edges but not at its top edge. In the overlapped region, the pocket layer 156 extends underneath the pocket layer 154, although the opposite arrangement could also be used in other forms. Pocket 150 also includes a first bar tack stitch 158 adjacent to an inward of the right perimeter edges of layers 154 and 156 and a second bar tack stitch 160 adjacent to an inward of the left side perimeter edges of layers 154 and 156, The bar tack stitches 158 and 160 spot join the layers 154 and 156 to one another within their overlapped region to limit the range over which the layers 154 and 156 can be forcibly separated from one another in providing an opening to the pocket interior 152. The bar tack stitches 158 and 160 can thereby enhance the function of pocket 150 in retaining an apparatus or apparatus base unit portion within pocket interior 152 once inserted therein.

[0032] FIGS. 16 to 18 illustrate various other garments that can incorporate a pocket equipped with an embroidered aperture, as illustrated and discussed in conjunction with FIGS. 1 to 15 above, where the embroidered aperture extends through a layer of the garment that separates an interior of the pocket from the body of the user and provides access to an interior of the pocket. Shown in FIGS. 16A and 16B are outside and inside views, respectively, of a shorts garment 170, which may for example be a loose-fitting shorts garment such as pajama shorts. Shorts garment 170 includes a pocket bag 172 mounted on the inside thereof having an outer wall, an inner wall, closed side and bottom edges, and an open top edge proving a pocket opening to a pocket interior defined by the pocket bag 172. Such open top edge can be at or proximate to the waistband of the shorts garment, which can for example be an elastic and / or drawstring waistband. Pocket bag 172 has an embroidered aperture 174 such as that described herein extending through its inner (skin-facing) wall 176. Shorts garment 170 can also include exterior pockets 178 and 180 with respective exterior pocket openings 182 and 184, and pocket bag 172 can be positioned inside (toward the skin of the user) relative to a fabric layer or bag providing the adjacent external pocket 178. Shown in FIGS. 17A and 17B are outside and inside views, respectively, of a pants garment 170′, which may for example be a loose-fitting pants garment such as pajama pants. Pants garment 170′ has features similar to those of shorts garment 170, which are similarly numbered except with a prime “‘” symbol, and need not be further described here for understanding. Pants garment 170’ includes two pocket bags 172′ having an embroidered aperture 174′ therein, on the left side and one on the right side, whereas the specific illustrated shorts garment 170 includes a pocket bag 172 only on one side. It will be understood, however, that shorts garment 170 could include two pocket bags in similar fashion as pants garment 170′, and pants garment 170′ could include a pocket bag 172′ only on one side in similar fashion as shorts garment 170, in other forms. Similarly, the embroidered apertures 174′ of pants garment 170′ are located adjacent the bottom of the pocket bag(s) 172′, whereas the embroidered aperture 174 of shorts garment 170 is located adjacent to top of the pocket bag(s) 172. It will be understood, however, that the embroidered aperture(s) 174 of shorts garment 170 could also be located adjacent to bottom of the pocket bag(s) 172, or the embroidered aperture(s) 174′ of the pants garment 170′ could be located adjacent to top of the pocket bag(s) 174′, in other forms. Other locations for the embroidered aperture(s), or combinations of different locations, are also contemplated herein. For example, as shown in FIG. 17A, embroidered apertures 174′ are also provided extending through the front of the self layer of the pants garment 170′ and providing respective accesses into the external pockets 178′ and 180′. In this manner, a user may choose to insert a base apparatus unit into the external pocket and pass a connected elongate flexible element of the apparatus through and out of these apertures 174′, potentially with the elongate flexible element then extending upwardly outside the waistline of the pants garment 170′ and connected to the torso of the user (which outside extension may be covered by a shirt garment worn by the user and extending downward over the waistline of the pants garment 170′).

[0033] FIGS. 18A and 18B show another embodiment of a shirt garment 210 of the present disclosure. Shirt garment 210 includes many features similar to those of sweatshirt garment 10 shown in FIGS. 1 to 10, which are similarly numbered in FIGS. 18A and 18B except in the 200 series (i.e. 212 corresponds to 12, 214 corresponds to 14, etc.). Shirt garment 210 may for example be a loose-fitting shirt garment such as a pajama shirt, and for these purposes self layer 216 may be a loose-fitting shell. As shown in FIGS. 18A and 18B, shirt garment 210 includes a right side external pocket 250 and a left side external pocket 252. External pockets 250 and 252 include respective external flaps 254 and 256 that cover their respective top external openings 258 and 260. External pockets 250 and 252 are formed by respective fabric layers 262 and 264 that are internal of and joined (e.g. stitched) to the self layer 216 at their side and bottom edges, but not at their top edges (providing for openings 258 and 260). Shirt garment 210 includes an internal pocket 266. Internal pocket 266 is formed by a fabric layer 268 that is internal of and joined (e.g. stitched) to the fabric layer 262 of external pocket 250 and potentially also to self layer 216, along the side and bottom edges of fabric layer 268. The top edge of fabric layer 268 is left unjoined so as to provide a top opening 270 for accessing an interior pocket space defined by internal pocket 266. In the illustrated preferred form, the top edge of fabric layer 268, and thus the top opening 270, occurs below the top edge of fabric layer 262. An embroidered aperture 246, as described herein, extends through the fabric layer 268, preferably adjacent the bottom of the internal pocket 266 as shown. As shown, shirt garment 250 also include an embroidered aperture 246 as described herein extending through the fabric layer 264 forming external pocket 252. In this fashion, a user of garment 250 may choose to insert an apparatus base unit into internal pocket 266 and / or into external pocket 252, and in either case would have an embroidered aperture 246 available for pass-through of an elongate flexible element of the apparatus connected to the base unit, as discussed further below and elsewhere herein.

[0034] In use, garments of the present disclosure can be worn by a person and used to manage an apparatus, for example an apparatus having a base unit portion and an elongate flexible element that is reversibly connectable to the base unit portion. The apparatus is typically a medical apparatus. For example, the base unit portion may be a medical pump for administering a therapeutic fluid, such as an insulin pump, and the elongate flexible element can be a tube for carrying the therapeutic fluid from the pump and into the person. The tube can be equipped with a clip on the end to be connected to the pump, and the pump can have a corresponding structure configured to cooperating with the clip to secure the tube to the pump. Such tubes are also commonly equipped with a cannula (e.g. a needle or lancet) on the end that is to be connected to tissue (e.g. torso tissue) of the person, with the cannula being insertable into the tissue. Shown in FIG. 19 is a schematic illustration of one embodiment of a combination that includes a medical pump base unit 300 received in a pocket interior of a garment as described herein, including for example a garment of any one of FIGS. 1 to 18, with a tube 302 connected to the medical pump base unit 300. Tube 302 has a patient-facing end 304 having an attached clip 306. A cannula 308 is fluidly coupled to the tube 302 and can be supported by the clip 306. A port unit 310 is adhesively attached to the skin 312 of the person wearing the garment, and has a cannula 314 inserted through the skin 312. Cannula 314 has an outlet opening end 316 residing in subcutaneous tissue under the skin, for delivery of the therapeutic liquid from the pump base unit 300 to the tissue of the patient. Tube 302 extends from the pump base unit 300 and through the aperture of the garment providing access to the pocket interior, as described herein. To fluidly connect the pump base unit 300 to the port unit 310, the clip 306 is forced onto cooperating structures of the port unit 310 and the cannula 308 enters a passage defined by the port unit 310 in fluid communication with the port cannula 314 (see arrow). As another illustrative example, the base unit portion of the apparatus can be an electronic meter, and the elongate flexible element can be a wire. In such cases the apparatus can also include an electronic sensor unit to be adhered to the patient, where the sensor unit is connected to the wire(s) and may also include a cannula or other element that is insertable into tissue of the person wearing the garment. These and other apparatuses to be worn and managed by users thereof are contemplated as being within the scope of the disclosures herein. Illustratively, in one form of putting on a garment of the present disclosure, a user can disconnect the elongate flexible element of the apparatus from the body (e.g. disconnect the clip 306 from the port unit 310), insert it through the pocket opening and into the subject pocket of the garment, pass the elongate flexible element (e.g. tube 302 and clip 306) through the aperture to the inside of the garment adjacent the user's skin, and reconnect the elongate flexible element to the body (e.g. connect clip 306 to port unit 310). Once this is completed, the base unit of the apparatus (e.g. pump base unit 300) can be placed inside the subject pocket. The aperture can have a maximum dimension greater than that of the clip and / or can be so dimensioned that the clip can pass through the aperture without deformation of the clip. On the other hand, to remove the garment, the apparatus base unit can be removed from the subject pocket, the elongate flexible element can be disconnected from the body and passed through the aperture and into the subject pocket and removed from the pocket. The garment can then be removed from the body, and the elongate flexible element of the apparatus reconnected to the body. These and other advantageous modes of use of the disclosed garments will be apparent from the descriptions herein.

[0035] In preferred forms herein, embodiments can minimize or eliminate exposure of the tubing and / or wires of a worn apparatus, provide a place for locating a base unit of the apparatus, and reduce the need for the wearer to untuck, dig for and adjust clothing to access the components of the apparatus. In some forms, garment constructions has disclosed herein can also enable convenient access to the medical or other apparatus from outside pockets, eliminating the need to adjust or manipulate clothing to access the apparatus for monitoring, adjustment, or dosing. It will also be understood that in preferred forms as illustrated and discussed, apertures for passage of elongate flexible apparatus elements such as wires or tubes are strategically placed to allow their passage from the body of the wearer through the garment to the base unit of the apparatus located in a pocket. Embroidered apertures are provided in some preferred forms which provide openings that are easy to locate and use. Tactile location of the apertures can be aided by raised stitches of the embroidered edges bounding the apertures. Also, the edge stiffness provided by the embroidered edge aperture can prevent or reduce snagging or binding during passage of the elongate flexible apparatus component (e.g. wire, tubing or tubing / clip combination) through the aperture. The pocket associated with the aperture(s) and configured to contain the apparatus component (e.g. medical pump) as disclosed herein can be adapted to secure the apparatus component, for example using compression, magnets, Velcro, snaps, buttons, over flaps, or zippers, or in some forms can be free of any one or all of such component(s) functionally associated with the pocket or aperture(s). As well, in some forms, the stitching material used to create the embroidered aperture edge(s) can be of a color that contrasts with the fabric surrounding the aperture, casing visual location of the aperture.

[0036] It will be recognized that in some preferred forms herein, the pocket including the aperture for apparatus component management is positioned adjacent to a natural hemline, waistline or seam of the garment to minimize bulkiness as well as carry the weight of the device as an integrated part of the garment more comfortably.

[0037] The pocket and aperture arrangements herein can be integrated into various types of garments, including hooded sweatshirts, sweatshirts, T-shirts, and loose-fitting garments suitable for outerwear, lounge wear, or sleepwear (pajamas). The garments can be made of natural fibers such as cotton, mixed cotton / synthetic blends, or synthetic materials. In some forms, including sweatshirt forms, the garment desirably made of or includes a self layer made of a knit fabric, for example a fleece or French Terry fabric. In many cases the garments are desirably loose fitting, providing increased comfort and style as compared to form fitting garments that compress and cling to the body.

[0038] As used in this application, the words “a,”“an,” and “one” are defined to include one or more of the referenced item unless specifically stated otherwise. Also, the terms “have,”“include,”“contain,” and similar terms are defined to mean “comprising” unless specifically stated otherwise. Furthermore, the terminology used in the specification provided above is hereby defined to include similar and / or equivalent terms, and / or alternative embodiments that would be considered obvious to one skilled in the art given the teachings herein.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0020]For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the disclosure, reference will now be made to certain embodiments, including the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications in the described embodiments and any further applications of the principles of the disclosure as described herein are contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the disclosure relates.

[0021]With reference to FIGS. 1 to 10, shown are various views of one embodiment of a hooded sweatshirt 10 of the present disclosure. The hooded sweatshirt 10 can be worn as an article of clothing. The hooded sweatshirt 10 can generally have a sweatshirt body 12 that is adapted to be worn by a person, and a hood 14 attached to the sweatshirt body 12.

[0022]The sweatshirt body 12 can...

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63 / 666,432, filed Jul. 1, 2024, and entitled GARMENTS WITH POCKET AND APERTURE ARRANGEMENTS FOR MANAGING APPARATUS COMPONENTS, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to garments having specialized pocket systems and in particular aspects to garments having one or more pockets and arranged with apertures to provide management of apparatus components, the apparatus components typically including a base device unit and an elongate flexible element such as a tube or wire extending from the base device unit.

[0003] As further background, medical apparatus dependent individuals often face challenges in managing their chronic medical condition while maintaining an active lifestyle, undergoing treatment and recovery from surgeries. Medical apparatuses, such as insulin or pain pumps, drainage bags, and infusion systems, often require a base unit along with tubing and / or wires to be connected to the body for proper function. Conventional methods of wearing or carrying such devices involve exposed tubing and wires, which can pose risks such as entanglement, snagging, or damage, as well as compromise the user's privacy and comfort. Needs exist for improved and / or alternative garment arrangements that can help a user manage such apparatus components while wearing them. Such garment arrangements would beneficially be relatively easy to manufacture and use as well as serve to provide privacy and comfort to the user.SUMMARY

[0004] In certain aspects, provided herein are sweatshirt garments that include a torso-surrounding fabric self layer having a rear side and a front side, the rear side defining a rear side outer surface and a rear side inner surface, the front side defining a front side outer surface and a front side inner surface, the self layer defining an aperture on the front side and extending between the front side inner surface and the front side outer surface. The garments also include an outer pocket layer defining an outer surface and an inner surface, the pocket layer fixed to the front side of the self layer so as to define an outer pocket interior between the front side outer surface and the inner surface of the pocket layer and to define at least one outer pocket opening for accessing the outer pocket interior, wherein the outer pocket layer is positioned over the aperture defined by the front side of the self layer. The garments further include an inner pocket layer fixed to the front side of the self layer, wherein the inner pocket layer is positioned between the outer pocket layer and the self layer and defines an inner pocket interior between an inner surface of the inner pocket layer and the front side outer surface of the front side of the self layer and further defines at least one inner pocket opening. The inner pocket layer is positioned over the aperture defined by the front side of the self layer such that the aperture provides access between the front side inner surface of the front side of the self layer and the second pocket interior. The outer pocket interior is lined by the inner surface of the outer pocket layer, the outer surface of the inner pocket layer, and the front side outer surface of the front side of the self layer.

[0005] In further aspects, provided herein are garments that include a fabric self layer defining an inner volume for surrounding a torso of a wearer, the self layer having a self layer outer surface and a self layer inner surface and defining an aperture extending between the self layer inner surface and the self layer outer surface. The garments also include an outer pocket attached to the self layer and defining an outer pocket interior, wherein the outer pocket includes a left side pocket opening and a right side pocket opening, and wherein the outer pocket interior is in the form of a passageway extending between the left side pocket opening and the right side pocket opening. The garments further include an inner pocket defining an inner pocket interior, the inner pocket positioned within the outer pocket and over the aperture such that the aperture provides access to the inner pocket interior from a position within the inner volume defined by the self layer.

[0006] In further aspects, provided herein are garments that include a fabric self layer defining an inner volume for surrounding a body portion of a user, the self layer having a rear side defining a rear side outer surface and a rear side inner surface and a front side defining a front side outer surface and a front side inner surface. The garments also include a pocket joined to the self layer and defining a pocket opening, the pocket also defining a pocket interior. Further, an aperture is defined in a layer that bounds the pocket interior and separates the pocket interior from the body portion of the user, wherein the aperture is at least partially bounded by an embroidered edge. The embroidered edge can have a stiffness configured to bias the aperture to an open condition, and / or the embroidered edge can have stitches raised above adjacent surfaces of the layer bounding the pocket interior.

[0007] Additional aspects herein relate to combinations including an apparatus, such as a medical apparatus, and a garment as disclosed herein, methods for making garments as disclosed herein, and methods for using garments as disclosed herein in the management of a wearable medical or other apparatus.

[0008] Still further aspects, as well as their features and advantages, will be apparent from the descriptions provided herein.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] FIG. 1 provides a front view of one embodiment of a sweatshirt garment of the present disclosure and includes enlarged partial cutaway views of outer and inner pocket layers thereof to better illustrate outer and inner pocket features.

[0010] FIGS. 2-10 provide various perspective view of components of the sweatshirt of FIG. 1.

[0011] FIG. 11 provides a front view of one embodiment of a T-shirt garment of the present disclosure.

[0012] FIG. 12 provides a rear view of the T-shirt garment of FIG. 11.

[0013] FIG. 13 provides enlarged outside (top) and inside (bottom) views of a pocket structure of the T-shirt garment of FIG. 11.

[0014] FIG. 14 provides a perspective outside view of the pocket of FIG. 13.

[0015] FIG. 15 provides a perspective inside view of the pocket of FIG. 13.

[0016] FIGS. 16A and 16B provide, respectively, outside and inside views of an embodiment of a shorts garment of the present disclosure.

[0017] FIGS. 17A and 17B provide, respectively, outside and inside views of an embodiment of a pants garment of the present disclosure.

[0018] FIGS. 18A and 18B provide, respectively, outside and inside views of an embodiment of a shirt garment of the present disclosure.

[0019] FIG. 19 provides a schematic view illustrating a combination of an apparatus with a garment of the present disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the disclosure, reference will now be made to certain embodiments, including the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications in the described embodiments and any further applications of the principles of the disclosure as described herein are contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the disclosure relates.

[0021] With reference to FIGS. 1 to 10, shown are various views of one embodiment of a hooded sweatshirt 10 of the present disclosure. The hooded sweatshirt 10 can be worn as an article of clothing. The hooded sweatshirt 10 can generally have a sweatshirt body 12 that is adapted to be worn by a person, and a hood 14 attached to the sweatshirt body 12.

[0022] The sweatshirt body 12 can include a self layer 16 that is adapted to be worn over the torso of the person, sleeves 18 to cover the arms of the person, and a collar 20. The self layer 16 can be a unitary fabric piece, or can be formed from multiple fabric pieces or panels, for example including or constituted of a front panel and a back panel joined to one another, such as by stitching. The self layer 16 can be a loose-fitting shell to be worn over the torso. The self layer 16 is desirably made of a knit fabric, for example a fleece or French Terry fabric. The self layer has a front side 16f to be positioned over the front side of the torso of the person and a rear side 16r to be positioned over the back side of the torso of the person. While FIGS. 1-10 illustrate one embodiment of the sweatshirt body 12, those skilled in the art can devise alternative embodiments, and these alternative embodiments are considered within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0023] The hood 14 of the hooded sweatshirt 10 is configured to be worn over the head of the person. In the present disclosure, the hood 14 is made of a flexible sheet (e.g., cloth or fabric) that in some forms is the same material as the self 16.

[0024] The main body 12 can include an outer surface 22 that faces outwardly from the person and an inner surface 24 that contacts the person. Correspondingly, the self layer 16 can define an outer surface 16a and an inner surface 16b that form portions of the outer surface 22 and inner surface 24, respectively, and the sleeves 18 can each define an outer surface 18a and an inner surface 18b, that also form portions of the outer surface 22 and the inner surface 24, respectively.

[0025] The hood 14 can be attached to or adjacent the collar 20 of the sweatshirt main body 12 by any structure or mechanism known in the art. For example, it can be attached via a permanent stitching, removably attached with a connector (e.g., snaps, buttons, hooks and loops, etc.), or connected or associated in any manner known in the art. The specific disclosed hooded sweatshirt 10 further includes a drawstring 26 for reversibly closing an opening defined by the hood 14. The drawstring 26 extends and is movable through an elongate passage 28 formed in the perimeter of the hood 14. Other alternatives for reversibly closing the hood opening are possible, including for example zippers, hook and loop fasteners, buttons, snaps, clasps, or the like.

[0026] The sweatshirt 10 includes an outer pocket 30 joined to the front side 16f of the self layer 16 and defining an outer pocket interior 32 and at least one pocket opening 34, and preferably two pocket openings 34 providing hand access to the pocket interior 32. In the preferred illustrated form, the pocket is formed with a pocket fabric layer 36, desirably the same material as the self layer 16, that is joined (e.g. by stitching) to the self layer about its perimeter, except for those perimeter regions corresponding to the pocket opening(s) 34. The specific illustrated pocket 30 provides a pocket interior 32 in the form of a passageway extending between a left side pocket opening 34 and a right side pocket opening 34, and in such form can be a so-called “kangaroo” pocket. The left side pocket opening 34 can face generally leftward for lateral hand entry from the left and the right side pocket opening 34 can face generally rightward for lateral hand entry from the right.

[0027] The sweatshirt 10 also includes an inner pocket 38 underneath the outer pocket 30 and joined to the front side 16f of the self layer 16. Inner pocket 38 can be configured to receive and contain an apparatus component such as a medical pump or other apparatus component. The inner pocket 38 defines an inner pocket interior 40 and an inner pocket opening 42 providing access to the inner pocket interior 40. The pocket interior 40 in some forms can have a vertical dimension and a horizontal dimension each being at least about two inches, or at least about three inches, or each being in the range of about two inches to about ten inches or in the range of about three inches to about seven inches. These dimensions can also apply to other pockets configured to receive and contain an apparatus component as disclosed herein. In the preferred form as shown, the inner pocket opening 42 is located along the top edge of the inner pocket 38. The inner pocket 38 can be formed with an inner pocket layer 44, which may be the same material as the self layer 16 but in some preferred forms is a material that is different from that of the self layer 16. In certain embodiments, the inner pocket layer 44 will be made of a material that is more resilient than that of the self layer 16, for example a resilient polymeric mesh material such as a knit mesh fabric made from an elastic material such as spandex (an elastomeric polyurethane polymer) and another material such as nylon (a polyamide polymer). One suitable such mesh material is available commercially under the tradename Powermesh fabric. The inner pocket layer 44 can be joined (e.g. by stitching) to the self layer 16 about its perimeter, except for those perimeter regions corresponding to the inner pocket opening 42. In the illustrated form, the inner pocket layer 44 is joined (e.g. stitched) to the self layer 16 along its left, right, and bottom perimeter edges, but not along it top perimeter edge, so as to provide pocket opening 42 located along the top edge of inner pocket 38.

[0028] In the illustrated form, the self layer defines an aperture 46, with the inner pocket 38 and the outer pocket 30 positioned over the aperture 46. The aperture 46 provides access to the inner pocket interior 40 from locations within an inner volume defined by the self layer 16 for receiving the user's torso, for example to position an elongate flexible apparatus element from such inner volume and through the aperture 46 to connect to an apparatus base unit positioned within the inner pocket interior 40 (see additional related discussions below).

[0029] The aperture 46 is preferably bounded by an embroidered edge 48, as illustrated. The embroidered edge desirably has a stiffness configured to bias the aperture to an open condition and / or has stitches raised above adjacent surfaces of the fabric self layer. Such stiffness can be greater than that of the material of the self layer or other layer in which the aperture occurs. These features can advantageously facilitate finding and using the aperture, for example to pass an apparatus element therethrough as discussed herein. The stitches, for example whip stitches, of the embroidered edge can extend generally transverse, e.g. generally perpendicular, to the direction of the edge, and can have a stitch length of about least about 0.03 inches, or at least about 0.05 inches, for example in the range of about 0.03 to about 0.2 inches, or in the range of about 0.05 inches to about 0.15 inches. In addition or alternatively, the stitches of the embroidered edge can have a stitch count of at least about 1000 per inch, or at least about 2000 per inch, or in the range of about 1000 to about 3500 per inch, and more preferably in the range of about 2000 to about 3500 per inch. In some forms, the aperture is completely surrounded by the embroidered edge 48. In other forms, at least one elongate edge of the aperture can be bounded by the embroidered edge (e.g. in the case of slot-shaped apertures as discussed below), or at least first and second opposed, elongate embroidered edges can bound the aperture 46 (also e.g. in the case of slot-shaped apertures as discussed below). The slot or other shape of the aperture can be created by removal of a segment or segments of the material used to form the self layer 16, for example by laser cutting. Additionally, in some forms, the embroidered edge bounding the aperture can include a reinforcement layer, such as a fabric and / or polymeric film layer, bounding the aperture 46 and captured along with the self layer 16 by the stitches of the embroidered edge 48. The reinforcement layer can have an aperture therein sized and shaped correspondingly to the aperture 46 and positioned in alignment with the aperture 46. In addition, the reinforcement layer can be adhesively bound to the self layer 16, for example by heating wherein the material of the reinforcement layer incorporates a heat bondable adhesive (e.g. embedded in a fabric layer), prior to applying the embroidering to the edge(s) bounding the aperture 46.

[0030] The aperture 46 is preferably formed as an elongate slot having a slot length “L” and a slot width “W” in a relaxed state. The slot width W can be generally constant or may vary along the slot length “L”. In preferred forms, the slot will have a width W of at least about 0.025 inches, or at least about 0.05 inches, for example in the range of about 0.025 to about 0.25 inches, along at least a portion of its length L, for example along at least about 50%, or along at least about 75%, or along at least about 80%, or along essentially all, of its length L. In addition or alternatively, the slot will have a length of at least about 0.5 inches, or at least about 0.75 inches, or in the range of about 0.5 inches to about 2 inches.

[0031] With reference now to FIGS. 11 to 15, shown is another embodiment of the present disclosure. In particular, shown is an embodiment of a shirt 110. Shirt 110 in general shares many components similar to those of the sweatshirt 10 discussed above, which are correspondingly numbered in the drawings except in the 100 series (i.e. 112 corresponds to 12, 116 corresponds to 16, etc.). Shirt 110 includes a pocket arrangement that differs from that of sweatshirt 10. In particular, shirt 110 includes a pocket 150 positioned on the exterior surface 122 of the front side 116f of the self layer 116. In this form, pocket 150 defines a pocket interior 152 positioned outward of the exterior surface 122 and preferably bounded on one side by the exterior surface 122. Pocket 150 is formed by a first pocket layer or flap 154 and a second pocket layer or flap 156 positioned to provide an overlapped region 158 in which portions of the first and second pocket layers 154 and 156 overlap one another, but are not joined to one another, so that the layers 154 and 156 can be forced apart in the overlapped region to provide an opening to access to the pocket interior 152, for example to insert a device or device portion, after which the portions of the layers 154 and 156 will move toward one another again to effectively close or restrict the opening. In the illustrated embodiment, the pocket layer 154 is joined (e.g. stitched) to the self layer 116 about top, left and right perimeter edges but not at its bottom edge, and the pocket layer 156 is joined (e.g. stitched) to the self layer 116 about bottom, left and right perimeter edges but not at its top edge. In the overlapped region, the pocket layer 156 extends underneath the pocket layer 154, although the opposite arrangement could also be used in other forms. Pocket 150 also includes a first bar tack stitch 158 adjacent to an inward of the right perimeter edges of layers 154 and 156 and a second bar tack stitch 160 adjacent to an inward of the left side perimeter edges of layers 154 and 156, The bar tack stitches 158 and 160 spot join the layers 154 and 156 to one another within their overlapped region to limit the range over which the layers 154 and 156 can be forcibly separated from one another in providing an opening to the pocket interior 152. The bar tack stitches 158 and 160 can thereby enhance the function of pocket 150 in retaining an apparatus or apparatus base unit portion within pocket interior 152 once inserted therein.

[0032] FIGS. 16 to 18 illustrate various other garments that can incorporate a pocket equipped with an embroidered aperture, as illustrated and discussed in conjunction with FIGS. 1 to 15 above, where the embroidered aperture extends through a layer of the garment that separates an interior of the pocket from the body of the user and provides access to an interior of the pocket. Shown in FIGS. 16A and 16B are outside and inside views, respectively, of a shorts garment 170, which may for example be a loose-fitting shorts garment such as pajama shorts. Shorts garment 170 includes a pocket bag 172 mounted on the inside thereof having an outer wall, an inner wall, closed side and bottom edges, and an open top edge proving a pocket opening to a pocket interior defined by the pocket bag 172. Such open top edge can be at or proximate to the waistband of the shorts garment, which can for example be an elastic and / or drawstring waistband. Pocket bag 172 has an embroidered aperture 174 such as that described herein extending through its inner (skin-facing) wall 176. Shorts garment 170 can also include exterior pockets 178 and 180 with respective exterior pocket openings 182 and 184, and pocket bag 172 can be positioned inside (toward the skin of the user) relative to a fabric layer or bag providing the adjacent external pocket 178. Shown in FIGS. 17A and 17B are outside and inside views, respectively, of a pants garment 170′, which may for example be a loose-fitting pants garment such as pajama pants. Pants garment 170′ has features similar to those of shorts garment 170, which are similarly numbered except with a prime “‘” symbol, and need not be further described here for understanding. Pants garment 170’ includes two pocket bags 172′ having an embroidered aperture 174′ therein, on the left side and one on the right side, whereas the specific illustrated shorts garment 170 includes a pocket bag 172 only on one side. It will be understood, however, that shorts garment 170 could include two pocket bags in similar fashion as pants garment 170′, and pants garment 170′ could include a pocket bag 172′ only on one side in similar fashion as shorts garment 170, in other forms. Similarly, the embroidered apertures 174′ of pants garment 170′ are located adjacent the bottom of the pocket bag(s) 172′, whereas the embroidered aperture 174 of shorts garment 170 is located adjacent to top of the pocket bag(s) 172. It will be understood, however, that the embroidered aperture(s) 174 of shorts garment 170 could also be located adjacent to bottom of the pocket bag(s) 172, or the embroidered aperture(s) 174′ of the pants garment 170′ could be located adjacent to top of the pocket bag(s) 174′, in other forms. Other locations for the embroidered aperture(s), or combinations of different locations, are also contemplated herein. For example, as shown in FIG. 17A, embroidered apertures 174′ are also provided extending through the front of the self layer of the pants garment 170′ and providing respective accesses into the external pockets 178′ and 180′. In this manner, a user may choose to insert a base apparatus unit into the external pocket and pass a connected elongate flexible element of the apparatus through and out of these apertures 174′, potentially with the elongate flexible element then extending upwardly outside the waistline of the pants garment 170′ and connected to the torso of the user (which outside extension may be covered by a shirt garment worn by the user and extending downward over the waistline of the pants garment 170′).

[0033] FIGS. 18A and 18B show another embodiment of a shirt garment 210 of the present disclosure. Shirt garment 210 includes many features similar to those of sweatshirt garment 10 shown in FIGS. 1 to 10, which are similarly numbered in FIGS. 18A and 18B except in the 200 series (i.e. 212 corresponds to 12, 214 corresponds to 14, etc.). Shirt garment 210 may for example be a loose-fitting shirt garment such as a pajama shirt, and for these purposes self layer 216 may be a loose-fitting shell. As shown in FIGS. 18A and 18B, shirt garment 210 includes a right side external pocket 250 and a left side external pocket 252. External pockets 250 and 252 include respective external flaps 254 and 256 that cover their respective top external openings 258 and 260. External pockets 250 and 252 are formed by respective fabric layers 262 and 264 that are internal of and joined (e.g. stitched) to the self layer 216 at their side and bottom edges, but not at their top edges (providing for openings 258 and 260). Shirt garment 210 includes an internal pocket 266. Internal pocket 266 is formed by a fabric layer 268 that is internal of and joined (e.g. stitched) to the fabric layer 262 of external pocket 250 and potentially also to self layer 216, along the side and bottom edges of fabric layer 268. The top edge of fabric layer 268 is left unjoined so as to provide a top opening 270 for accessing an interior pocket space defined by internal pocket 266. In the illustrated preferred form, the top edge of fabric layer 268, and thus the top opening 270, occurs below the top edge of fabric layer 262. An embroidered aperture 246, as described herein, extends through the fabric layer 268, preferably adjacent the bottom of the internal pocket 266 as shown. As shown, shirt garment 250 also include an embroidered aperture 246 as described herein extending through the fabric layer 264 forming external pocket 252. In this fashion, a user of garment 250 may choose to insert an apparatus base unit into internal pocket 266 and / or into external pocket 252, and in either case would have an embroidered aperture 246 available for pass-through of an elongate flexible element of the apparatus connected to the base unit, as discussed further below and elsewhere herein.

[0034] In use, garments of the present disclosure can be worn by a person and used to manage an apparatus, for example an apparatus having a base unit portion and an elongate flexible element that is reversibly connectable to the base unit portion. The apparatus is typically a medical apparatus. For example, the base unit portion may be a medical pump for administering a therapeutic fluid, such as an insulin pump, and the elongate flexible element can be a tube for carrying the therapeutic fluid from the pump and into the person. The tube can be equipped with a clip on the end to be connected to the pump, and the pump can have a corresponding structure configured to cooperating with the clip to secure the tube to the pump. Such tubes are also commonly equipped with a cannula (e.g. a needle or lancet) on the end that is to be connected to tissue (e.g. torso tissue) of the person, with the cannula being insertable into the tissue. Shown in FIG. 19 is a schematic illustration of one embodiment of a combination that includes a medical pump base unit 300 received in a pocket interior of a garment as described herein, including for example a garment of any one of FIGS. 1 to 18, with a tube 302 connected to the medical pump base unit 300. Tube 302 has a patient-facing end 304 having an attached clip 306. A cannula 308 is fluidly coupled to the tube 302 and can be supported by the clip 306. A port unit 310 is adhesively attached to the skin 312 of the person wearing the garment, and has a cannula 314 inserted through the skin 312. Cannula 314 has an outlet opening end 316 residing in subcutaneous tissue under the skin, for delivery of the therapeutic liquid from the pump base unit 300 to the tissue of the patient. Tube 302 extends from the pump base unit 300 and through the aperture of the garment providing access to the pocket interior, as described herein. To fluidly connect the pump base unit 300 to the port unit 310, the clip 306 is forced onto cooperating structures of the port unit 310 and the cannula 308 enters a passage defined by the port unit 310 in fluid communication with the port cannula 314 (see arrow). As another illustrative example, the base unit portion of the apparatus can be an electronic meter, and the elongate flexible element can be a wire. In such cases the apparatus can also include an electronic sensor unit to be adhered to the patient, where the sensor unit is connected to the wire(s) and may also include a cannula or other element that is insertable into tissue of the person wearing the garment. These and other apparatuses to be worn and managed by users thereof are contemplated as being within the scope of the disclosures herein. Illustratively, in one form of putting on a garment of the present disclosure, a user can disconnect the elongate flexible element of the apparatus from the body (e.g. disconnect the clip 306 from the port unit 310), insert it through the pocket opening and into the subject pocket of the garment, pass the elongate flexible element (e.g. tube 302 and clip 306) through the aperture to the inside of the garment adjacent the user's skin, and reconnect the elongate flexible element to the body (e.g. connect clip 306 to port unit 310). Once this is completed, the base unit of the apparatus (e.g. pump base unit 300) can be placed inside the subject pocket. The aperture can have a maximum dimension greater than that of the clip and / or can be so dimensioned that the clip can pass through the aperture without deformation of the clip. On the other hand, to remove the garment, the apparatus base unit can be removed from the subject pocket, the elongate flexible element can be disconnected from the body and passed through the aperture and into the subject pocket and removed from the pocket. The garment can then be removed from the body, and the elongate flexible element of the apparatus reconnected to the body. These and other advantageous modes of use of the disclosed garments will be apparent from the descriptions herein.

[0035] In preferred forms herein, embodiments can minimize or eliminate exposure of the tubing and / or wires of a worn apparatus, provide a place for locating a base unit of the apparatus, and reduce the need for the wearer to untuck, dig for and adjust clothing to access the components of the apparatus. In some forms, garment constructions has disclosed herein can also enable convenient access to the medical or other apparatus from outside pockets, eliminating the need to adjust or manipulate clothing to access the apparatus for monitoring, adjustment, or dosing. It will also be understood that in preferred forms as illustrated and discussed, apertures for passage of elongate flexible apparatus elements such as wires or tubes are strategically placed to allow their passage from the body of the wearer through the garment to the base unit of the apparatus located in a pocket. Embroidered apertures are provided in some preferred forms which provide openings that are easy to locate and use. Tactile location of the apertures can be aided by raised stitches of the embroidered edges bounding the apertures. Also, the edge stiffness provided by the embroidered edge aperture can prevent or reduce snagging or binding during passage of the elongate flexible apparatus component (e.g. wire, tubing or tubing / clip combination) through the aperture. The pocket associated with the aperture(s) and configured to contain the apparatus component (e.g. medical pump) as disclosed herein can be adapted to secure the apparatus component, for example using compression, magnets, Velcro, snaps, buttons, over flaps, or zippers, or in some forms can be free of any one or all of such component(s) functionally associated with the pocket or aperture(s). As well, in some forms, the stitching material used to create the embroidered aperture edge(s) can be of a color that contrasts with the fabric surrounding the aperture, casing visual location of the aperture.

[0036] It will be recognized that in some preferred forms herein, the pocket including the aperture for apparatus component management is positioned adjacent to a natural hemline, waistline or seam of the garment to minimize bulkiness as well as carry the weight of the device as an integrated part of the garment more comfortably.

[0037] The pocket and aperture arrangements herein can be integrated into various types of garments, including hooded sweatshirts, sweatshirts, T-shirts, and loose-fitting garments suitable for outerwear, lounge wear, or sleepwear (pajamas). The garments can be made of natural fibers such as cotton, mixed cotton / synthetic blends, or synthetic materials. In some forms, including sweatshirt forms, the garment desirably made of or includes a self layer made of a knit fabric, for example a fleece or French Terry fabric. In many cases the garments are desirably loose fitting, providing increased comfort and style as compared to form fitting garments that compress and cling to the body.

[0038] As used in this application, the words “a,”“an,” and “one” are defined to include one or more of the referenced item unless specifically stated otherwise. Also, the terms “have,”“include,”“contain,” and similar terms are defined to mean “comprising” unless specifically stated otherwise. Furthermore, the terminology used in the specification provided above is hereby defined to include similar and / or equivalent terms, and / or alternative embodiments that would be considered obvious to one skilled in the art given the teachings herein.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0020]For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the disclosure, reference will now be made to certain embodiments, including the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications in the described embodiments and any further applications of the principles of the disclosure as described herein are contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the disclosure relates.

[0021]With reference to FIGS. 1 to 10, shown are various views of one embodiment of a hooded sweatshirt 10 of the present disclosure. The hooded sweatshirt 10 can be worn as an article of clothing. The hooded sweatshirt 10 can generally have a sweatshirt body 12 that is adapted to be worn by a person, and a hood 14 attached to the sweatshirt body 12.

[0022]The sweatshirt body 12 can...

Claims

1. A sweatshirt garment, comprising:a torso-surrounding fabric self layer having a rear side and a front side, the rear side defining a rear side outer surface and a rear side inner surface, the front side defining a front side outer surface and a front side inner surface, the self layer defining an aperture on the front side and extending between the front side inner surface and the front side outer surface;an outer pocket layer defining an outer surface and an inner surface, the pocket layer fixed to the front side of the self layer so as to define an outer pocket interior between the front side outer surface and the inner surface of the pocket layer and to define at least one outer pocket opening for accessing the outer pocket interior, wherein the outer pocket layer is positioned over the aperture defined by the front side of the self layer;an inner pocket layer fixed to the front side of the self layer, wherein the inner pocket layer is positioned between the outer pocket layer and the self layer and defines an inner pocket interior between an inner surface of the inner pocket layer and the front side outer surface of the front side of the self layer and further defines at least one inner pocket opening;wherein the inner pocket layer is positioned over the aperture defined by the front side of the self layer such that the aperture provides access between the front side inner surface of the front side of the self layer and the second pocket interior; andwherein the first pocket interior is lined by the inner surface of the outer pocket layer, the outer surface of the inner pocket layer, and the front side outer surface of the front side of the self layer.

2. The sweatshirt garment of claim 1, also comprising first and second arm sleeves joined to the self layer and a hood joined to the self layer.

3. The sweatshirt garment of claim 1, wherein the self layer is a loose-fitting shell.

4. The sweatshirt garment of claim 1, wherein the self layer is formed from a knit fabric.

5. The sweatshirt garment of claim 1, wherein the aperture is at least partially bounded by an embroidered edge.6-8. (canceled)9. The sweatshirt garment of claim 5, wherein the embroidered edge has a stiffness configured to bias the aperture to an open condition.10-20. (canceled)21. The sweatshirt garment of claim 1, wherein the at least one outer pocket opening includes a left side pocket opening and a right side pocket opening, and wherein the outer pocket interior is in the form of a passageway extending between the left side pocket opening and the right side pocket opening.

22. A garment, comprising:a fabric self layer defining an inner volume for surrounding a torso of a wearer, the self layer having a self layer outer surface and a self layer inner surface and defining an aperture extending between the self layer inner surface and the self layer outer surface;an outer pocket attached to the self layer and defining an outer pocket interior, wherein the outer pocket includes a left side pocket opening and a right side pocket opening, and wherein the outer pocket interior is in the form of a passageway extending between the left side pocket opening and the right side pocket opening;an inner pocket defining an inner pocket interior, the inner pocket positioned within the outer pocket and over the aperture such that the aperture provides access to the inner pocket interior from a position within the inner volume defined by the self layer.

23. The garment of claim 22, also comprising first and second arm sleeves joined to the self layer.

24. The garment of claim 22, also comprising a hood joined to the self layer and configured to cover a head of a user.

25. The garment of claim 22, wherein the self layer is not configured to form fit to a user and is formed from a knit fabric.

26. The garment of claim 22, wherein the aperture is at least partially bounded by an embroidered edge.

27. The garment of claim 26, wherein the aperture is completely surrounded by an embroidered edge.28-42. (canceled)43. A garment, comprising:a fabric self layer defining an inner volume for surrounding a body portion of a user, the self layer having a rear side defining a rear side outer surface and a rear side inner surface and a front side defining a front side outer surface and a front side inner surface; anda pocket joined to the self layer and defining a pocket opening, the pocket defining a pocket interior; andan aperture defined in a layer that bounds the pocket interior and separates the pocket interior from the body portion of the user, wherein the aperture is at least partially bounded by an embroidered edge, the embroidered edge having a stiffness configured to bias the aperture to an open condition, and the embroidered edge having stitches raised above adjacent surfaces of the layer bounding the pocket interior.44-64. (canceled)65. A combination, comprising:a garment according to claim 1, an apparatus base unit received in the inner pocket interior, and an elongate flexible apparatus element connected to the apparatus base unit and extending through the aperture.

66. (canceled)67. A method for managing an apparatus, comprising:wearing a combination according to claim 65.

68. A method for managing an apparatus on a body of a user, comprising:wearing a garment according to claim 1 on the body of the user; inserting an apparatus base unit into the inner pocket interior through the inner pocket opening; passing an end of an elongate flexible apparatus element through the aperture; and, connecting an end of the elongate flexible apparatus element to the body of the user.69-71. (canceled)72. A combination, comprising:a garment according to claim 43, an apparatus base unit received in the inner pocket interior, and an elongate flexible apparatus element connected to the apparatus base unit and extending through the aperture.

73. A method for managing an apparatus, comprising:wearing a combination according to claim 72.

74. A method for managing an apparatus on a body of a user, comprising:wearing a garment according to claim 43 on the body of the user; inserting an apparatus base unit into the inner pocket interior through the inner pocket opening; passing an end of an elongate flexible apparatus element through the aperture; and, connecting an end of the elongate flexible apparatus element to the body of the user.

Images