GARMENT FOR CONCEALING A HANDS-FREE ORAL DELIVERY DEVICE

Abstract

The invention disclosed herein provides a garment capable of providing a user with improved convenience and privacy. The invention includes a garment for concealing a hands-free oral delivery device with a fluid container and a pocket configured to hold the fluid container. The garment further includes a tube coupled to the fluid container for transporting a fluid, a channel formed within the garment to contain the tube, and a sheath for concealing the tube outside the garment. A method is provided for manufacturing a garment to conceal a hands-free oral delivery device that includes forming a pocket to contain a fluid container, forming a channel to contain a tube, and forming a hollow drawstring to conceal the tube. Various embodiments of the invention include a smoking device, a medicine dosage device, an inhaler, a pressurized gas canister for containing compressed gas, and a pouch for containing liquids for consumption.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/148,038, entitled “Garment for Concealing a Hands-Free Oral Delivery Device”, and filed Apr. 15, 2015. The aforementioned application is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Embodiments of the present invention relate to wearable systems for carrying and delivering fluids to a user. A garment that incorporates such a wearable system provides privacy and convenience to the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In an embodiment, a garment for concealing a hands-free oral delivery device is provided. The garment includes a front and a back, formed of a material configured to be worn on a torso of a user, a pocket configured within the material to hold a fluid container, and a channel formed within the garment to contain a tube passing from the fluid container to a portal leading outside the garment. The garment further includes a sheath formed of a flexible fabric and coupled with the garment at the portal for receiving and concealing the tube outside the garment.

In another embodiment, a method for manufacturing a garment to conceal a hands-free oral delivery device is provided. The method includes forming a pocket sized and shaped to contain a fluid container, and forming a channel to receive and conceal a tube coupled with the fluid container to a portal leading outside the garment. The method further includes coupling a sheath to outside the garment at the portal to receive and conceal the tube passing through the portal from the channel.

In yet another embodiment, a method for modifying a hands-free oral delivery device for concealing within a garment is provided. The method includes coupling a tube via a fitting to a fluid container. The method further includes placing the fluid container inside a garment pocket sized and shaped to conceal and secure the fluid container, and placing the tube through a portal and into and through a sheath outside the garment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 depicts a garment for concealing a hands-free oral delivery device with a chest pocket, in an embodiment.

FIG. 2 depicts the hands-free oral delivery device of FIG. 1 in further exemplary detail, in an embodiment.

FIG. 3 depicts a garment for concealing a hands-free oral delivery device with a tube inside a garment hood, in an embodiment.

FIG. 4 depicts a garment for concealing a hands-free oral delivery device with a pocket positioned at a location corresponding to a mid-waist of a user, in an embodiment.

FIG. 5 depicts a garment for concealing a hands-free oral delivery device in an exterior pocket, in an embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing steps for manufacturing a garment for concealing a hands-free oral delivery device, in an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

A garment for concealing a hands-free oral delivery device provides improved convenience and privacy for an individual using the oral-delivery device. The oral delivery device may be used for inconspicuously taking medication, smoking, or drinking liquids in public.

FIG. 1 depicts one exemplary garment 100 for concealing a hands-free oral delivery device 110. Garment 100 includes a right sleeve 101, a left sleeve 102, a front 104, a back 106, a collar 107, and a hood 108 and is shaped for wearing on a person's torso. Right sleeve 101 and left sleeve 102 are shaped to at least partially cover a person's right and left arms, respectively. Garment 100 may include one or more of a zipper, buttons, snaps, or Velcro, extending at least partially along front 104 to secure garment 100 closed around the torso and to open garment 100 to facilitate donning and doffing thereof. Garment 100 further includes features, described below, for concealing a hands-free oral delivery device 110. An exemplary hands-free oral delivery device is depicted in FIG. 2. FIGS. 1 and 2 are best viewed together with the following description.

Garment 100 includes a pocket 130 for concealing hands-free oral delivery device 110. Pocket 130 is shaped and sized to hold a fluid container 120. Pocket 130 may be located inside garment 100 and therefore not visible from outside, as shown with dashed lines in FIG. 1. In an embodiment, pocket 130 is located on the outside of garment 100 such that pocket 130 is visible, but fluid container 120 remains concealed from view inside pocket 130 (see FIG. 5, for example). Pocket 130 may be located inside an existing pocket of garment 100 so as to remain concealed from view. FIG. 1 depicts pocket 130 located over the left chest, but pocket 130 may be located over the right chest or in other garment locations without departing from the scope hereof. Alternate exemplary locations for pocket 130 are depicted at mid-waist and mid-body in FIGS. 4 and 5, respectively.

Fluid container 120 may be retained within pocket 130 by using a closing mechanism, such as a zipper, buttons, snaps, Velcro, or fabric folds, for example. A closing mechanism prevents fluid container 120 from accidentally coming out of pocket 130, while at the same time providing easy access for cleaning and refilling fluid container 120. Pocket 130 may be sized and shaped to accommodate a variety of container shapes and may include a mechanism, such as Velcro, for securing fluid container 120 in place. Alternatively, pocket 130 may be sized and shaped for a specific fluid container 120 to prevent fluid container 120 from substantially moving inside pocket 130. Examples of fluid container 120 include, but are not limited to, any type of bottle, can, carton, flask, pouch, bladder, bag, sack, canister, inhaler, or medical dosage device. Example fluids include, but are not limited to, medicine, smoke, aerosol, oxygen, or any type of liquid for consumption.

A tube 140 couples with fluid container 120 to provide a fluid path. Tube 140 is, for example, medical grade tubing made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC), TYGON®, peroxide-cured silicone, platinum-cured silicone, latex, ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA), PHARMED®, FLEXELENE™, or VERSILIC®. Other tubing materials may be used without departing from the scope hereof.

A fitting 226 couples with tube 140 and is configured to mate tube 140 and fluid container 120, thereby allowing fluid to flow therebetween. Fitting 226 is selected to couple with specific forms of container 120 and tube 140. FIG. 2 shows an exemplary fitting in greater detail.

Tube 140 extends from fluid container 120 along a path inside garment 100, shown as a dashed line in FIG. 1. Tube 140 may be exposed inside garment 100 or tube 140 may be concealed within a channel that is formed with material of garment 100, such as with stitching, for example. Exemplary tube channels are depicted in FIGS. 3-5. Tube 140 extends from pocket 130 to a portal 145, where tube 140 passes from inside to outside garment 100. In an embodiment, pocket 130 extends to portal 145 to enclose the entire portion of tube 140 that is inside garment 100.

A sheath 150 is coupled with garment 100 at portal 145 for receiving and concealing tube 140 outside of garment 100. Sheath 150 is, for example, a hollow drawstring configured to surround tube 140. Sheath 150 may be made from flexible fabric, to mimic a garment drawstring, or sheath 150 may be made from plastic, rubber, cloth, and other similar materials without departing from the scope hereof. In an embodiment, garment 100 includes a matching drawstring 160, which is configured to appear substantially similar to sheath 150. For example, sheath 150 and matching drawstring 160 may have a larger diameter than typical garment drawstrings. Matching drawstring 160 may be configured to function as an actual drawstring to tighten a garment component, such as a hood for example.

Tube 140 may include on its exterior end a stopping device (e.g., see FIG. 3), or tube 140 may remain substantially open without departing from the scope hereof. Tube 140 may have a mouthpiece or an open end for use with smoking devices, such as electronic cigarettes, which require suction to release aerosol. Alternatively, tube 140 may include a stopping device to prevent fluid from spilling out of tube 140, for example. Closing devices may be controlled by mouth (e.g., a bite valve) to provide hands-free release of fluid. Sheath 150 is, for example, configured to accommodate a mouthpiece attached to the end of tube 140 for hands-free control of fluid through tube 140. Closing devices may be controlled by hand without departing from the scope hereof.

FIG. 2 depicts hands-free oral delivery device 110 of FIG. 1 in further exemplary detail, where device 110 is a smoking device 200 including an electronic cigarette 220. Electronic cigarette 220 includes a vaporizer 222 and a battery 224. Vaporizer 222 produces an aerosol for inhaling by a user. Battery 224 provides electrical power required by vaporizer 222. Fitting 226 couples electronic cigarette 220 to tube 140 and may include various attachment mechanisms at each end depending on particular vaporizers and tubes employed. Example fittings include, but are not limited to, tube fittings, press fittings, crimp fittings, hose barbs, compression fittings, flare fittings, flange fittings, and threaded fittings. Fitting 226 is configured such that aerosol emitted by vaporizer 222 passes through fitting 226 into tube 140. In an embodiment, a Y-shaped fitting is employed to connect vaporizer 222 to two tubes.

Smoking device 200 may be placed inside a pocket, such as pocket 130 of FIG. 1. Tube 140 may be routed through a channel 242 configured to conceal and contain tube 140 inside garment 100. FIG. 2 shows only a small portion of garment 100 for clarity of illustration. Portal 145 provides a hole through garment 100 for tube 140 to pass from inside to outside garment 100. A sheath 150 is configured to conceal and contain tube 140 outside garment 100. In an embodiment, channel 242 and sheath 150 are a single component that passes through portal 145 with tube 140. Smoking device 200 may further include a valve attached to tube 140, such as a one-way valve or a bite valve, for controlling fluid flow through tube 140.

In an embodiment, a hands-free oral delivery device, such as smoking device 200 of FIG. 2, is modified for concealing within a garment, such as garment 100 of FIG. 1. For example, electronic cigarette 220 is modified by coupling to tube 140 via fitting 226. Electronic cigarette 220 and fitting 226 are placed inside pocket 130, which is sized and shaped to conceal and secure them. Electronic cigarette 220 may be further modified by affixing with Velcro or elastics for securing to garment material within pocket 130, for example. Tube 140 is placed through portal 145 and through sheath 150 outside garment 100. Tube 140 may also be placed inside channel 242 formed within garment 100 to provide a path for containing and concealing tube 140 from pocket 130 to portal 145. In an embodiment, channel 242 is formed in a garment hood, such as channel 342 which is formed in hood 308 of FIG. 3, for example.

FIG. 3 depicts one exemplary garment 300 for concealing a hands-free oral delivery device. Garment 300 is similar to garment 100 of FIG. 1 with an extended channel and tube through a hood. Garment 300 includes a fluid container 320 integrated into a garment 300 with a pocket 330 at a chest location. A tube 340 is coupled to fluid container 320 and extends from fluid container 320 to outside pocket 330 and through a channel 342 concealed within garment 300. Channel 342 provides a path, for example, into and out of a hood 308 of garment 300, as depicted in FIG. 3. Channel 342 is routed along the rim of hood 308, as would a typical hood drawstring, for example. In an embodiment, hood 308 includes a closing mechanism 370, such as a zipper, Velcro, snaps, or buttons, that secures tube 340 within hood 308 to facilitate installation or removal (e.g., for cleaning or replacement). Channel 342 is formed by closing mechanism 370, as depicted in FIG. 3, obscuring it from view. As tube 340 passes outside garment 300 it passes through sheath 350, as shown in FIG. 3. A matching garment drawstring 360 extends from a side opposite that of sheath 350. Tube 340 may include a stopping device 380 as shown in FIG. 3. Examples of stopping device 380 include, but are not limited to, mouthpieces, valves, caps, lids, stopcocks, or similar devices configured to sufficiently close the end of tube 340 while maintaining easy access for withdrawing fluid by mouth.

FIG. 4 depicts one exemplary garment 400 for concealing a hands-free oral delivery device with a pocket 430 positioned at a location corresponding to a mid-waist of a user. Garment 400 includes a fluid container 420 integrated into a garment 400 as described herein. In the example of FIG. 4, fluid container 420 is a pouch configured to contain a liquid for consumption. Pocket 130 is inside garment 400, indicated by dashed lines in FIG. 4, and is not externally visible. In an embodiment, pocket 430 is located on the outside of garment 400 such that pocket 430 is visible, but fluid container 420 remains concealed by pocket 430 from external view. Pocket 430 may include a closing device 435, such as a zipper, for securing fluid container 420. Pocket 430 may be positioned on a front, side or back of garment 400 without departing from the scope hereof.

A tube 440 couples with fluid container 420 via a fitting 426 for transporting fluid. Tube 440 extends from fluid container 420 through a channel located outside pocket 430 for routing tube 440 to outside garment 400. A first channel 442 extends from pocket 430 to a first sheath 450. A second channel 444 extends from pocket 430 around the back of garment 400 to a second sheath 460. Second channel 444 may extend around a portion of garment 400 corresponding to a mid-waist location on a user, along the path of a typical mid-waist garment drawstring, for example.

In an embodiment, fitting 426 is Y-shaped to supply fluid to both first channel 442 and second channel 444. In an alternative embodiment, garment 400 includes tube 440 only within first channel 442, and an actual functioning garment drawstring is located within second channel 444. Tube 440 may include a stopping device at one or more ends, such as stopping device 380 of FIG. 3, for example.

In an embodiment, garment 400 includes more than one pocket 430, with each pocket concealing a separate fluid container 420. For example, garment 400 may include mid-waist pockets on both left and right sides of garment 400.

FIG. 5 depicts one exemplary garment 500 with an exterior pocket 530 for concealing a hands-free oral delivery device. Garment 500 includes a hands-free oral delivery device 510 as described herein. Hands-free oral delivery device 510 includes a fluid container 520, which is for example a pressurized gas canister configured to contain a compressed gas, such as oxygen, under pressure greater than one atmosphere. Pocket 530 may be located at mid-body and on the exterior of garment 500, as indicated by solid lines in FIG. 5, but fluid container 520 remains concealed from view inside pocket 530, as indicated by dashed lines. Pocket 530 includes a closing device 535 for securing fluid container 520, such as a zipper, snaps, buttons, or Velcro. Pocket 530 may be located elsewhere in garment 500, such as the front, side or back of garment 500, and inside or outside garment 500, without departing from the scope hereof.

A tube 540 couples to fluid container 520 via a fitting 526 and extends from fluid container 520 to outside pocket 530 via a channel 542 concealed within garment 500 and through a sheath 550, formed of flexible fabric for example, extending outside garment 500 for concealing an external portion of tube 540. In an embodiment, a matching functional garment drawstring 560 extends from a side opposite that of sheath 550. Tube 540 may include a stopping device at its end, such as stopping device 380 of FIG. 3, configured to control flow of compressed gas from the pressurized gas canister. In an embodiment, the stopping device is a mouthpiece configured to control a valve for delivery of compressed gas through tube 540 to a user's mouth.

Garments including combinations of the various embodiments disclosed herein are possible without departing from the scope hereof.

FIG. 6 shows steps of an exemplary method 600 for manufacturing a garment to conceal a hands-free oral delivery device. In an example of method 600, a garment 100 is manufactured to conceal a hands-free oral delivery device 110 of FIG. 1.

In step 610, method 600 forms a pocket that is sized and shaped to contain a fluid container. In an example of step 610, method 600 forms pocket 130 that is sized and shaped to contain fluid container 120.

In step 620, method 600 forms a channel within the garment to contain and conceal a tube. In an example of step 620, channel 242 is formed to contain and conceal tube 140 of FIG. 2. In another example of step 620, channel 342 is formed to contain and conceal tube 340 in hood 308 of FIG. 3.

In step 630, method 600 couples a sheath at a portal to receive and conceal the tube outside the garment. The sheath is for example a drawstring that is positioned to receive the tube passing through the portal from the channel. In an example of step 630, sheath 350 is coupled to garment 300 to contain and conceal tube 340 as tube 340 passes outside garment 300 of FIG. 3.

In optional step 640, method 600 forms the channel from stitching layers of garment fabric together. In an example of step 640, layers of fabric of garment 300 are formed into channel 342 within hood 308 of FIG. 3.

In optional step 650, method 600 forms the channel with a closing device, such as a zipper, Velcro, snaps, or buttons, for facilitating installation and removal of the tube. In an example of step 650, channel 342 is formed with a zipper 370 of FIG. 3.

Changes may be made in the above methods and systems without departing from the scope hereof. It should thus be noted that the matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings should be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. The following claims are intended to cover all generic and specific features described herein, as well as all statements of the scope of the present method and system, which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

Claims

1. A garment for concealing a hands-free oral delivery device, comprising:

a front and a back, formed of a material configured to be worn on a torso of a user;

a pocket configured within the material to hold a fluid container;

a channel formed within the garment to contain a tube passing from the fluid container to a portal leading outside the garment; and

a sheath formed of a flexible fabric and coupled with the garment at the portal for receiving and concealing the tube outside the garment.

2. The garment of claim 1, further comprising a left sleeve and a right sleeve configured to at least partially cover a left arm and a right arm, respectively.

3. The garment of claim 1, the hands-free oral delivery device further comprising being selected from the group including: an electronic cigarette, a medical dosage device, an inhaler, and a pressurized gas canister.

4. The garment of claim 1, the channel configured to pass from the pocket through a hood to a portal leading outside the garment.

5. The garment of claim 1, the channel comprising a zipper to facilitate installation or removal of the tube.

6. The garment of claim 1, the fitting comprising a Y-shaped fitting, wherein a second tube is coupled to the fluid container for transporting the fluid to a second portal and a second sheath outside the garment.

7. The garment of claim 1, the sheath comprising a hollow drawstring configured to surround and conceal the tube.

8. The garment of claim 1, the sheath configured to accommodate a mouthpiece attached to the end of the tube for hands-free control of fluid through the tube.

9. A method for manufacturing a garment to conceal a hands-free oral delivery device, comprising:

forming a pocket sized and shaped to contain a fluid container;

forming a channel to receive and conceal a tube coupled with the fluid container to a portal leading outside the garment; and

coupling a sheath to outside the garment at the portal to receive and conceal the tube passing through the portal from the channel.

10. The method of claim 9, the step of forming a channel comprising stitching layers of the garment together.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the channel is formed in a hood of the garment.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the channel is formed around a bottom edge of the garment.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the channel is formed around a portion of the garment corresponding to a mid-waist location on a user.

14. The method of claim 9, the step of forming a channel comprising forming a channel having a closing mechanism being selected from the group including: a zipper, Velcro, snaps or buttons, for facilitating installation and removal of the tube.

15. The method of claim 9, the step of coupling the sheath comprising forming a hollow drawstring made of flexible fabric for containing and concealing the tube.

16. A method for modifying a hands-free oral delivery device for concealing within a garment, comprising:

coupling a tube via a fitting to a fluid container;

placing the fluid container inside a garment pocket sized and shaped to conceal and secure the fluid container; and

placing the tube through a portal, and into and through a sheath, outside the garment.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising placing the tube in a channel formed within the garment to provide a path for containing and concealing the tube from the pocket to the portal.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the channel is formed in a hood of the garment.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the channel is formed around a bottom edge of the garment.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the channel is formed around a portion of the garment corresponding to a mid-waist location on a user.